Hey everyone. Here is a short update. Work is being a bitch this week. I'll get to more story development this weekend. In the meanwhile...a short, breezy, less intense chapter. Hope you like it. 😃
Chapter 5: The seven-year itch.
"Arnav, walk Khushi bitiya to her car, please" commanded Naniji. Khushi was taking leave of them, having had as much of the Raizada-Gupta family combination as she could handle in an evening. She hadn't spoken one word to Buaji and had exchanged the merest of commonplace pleasantries with Anjali. She'd said more to OP than to Payal. The only person she even seemed remotely interested in conversing with had been Naniji. She wasn't sure who was happier, she for leaving, or the family, to see her go. It had been an intensely uncomfortable evening.
"I'm sure she can manage, after all she's done fine the last 7 years" said Arnav, still stung by her behavior by the poolside. He couldn't believe she'd manipulated him that easily.
"Tut, tut ASR. Manners" said Khushi.
"Never mind Khushi bitiya. I'll take you myself." Said Naniji, attempting to stand up, clutching her walking stick.
"Spare me the drama Nani. I'll see her out" said Arnav, annoyed.
"Thanks for dinner. I suggest you don't insist we do this again. Lets just lead separate lives. I've moved on. You should too" Said Khushi to Garima. Garima didn't say anything. Her face looked incredibly sad. Payal wept into her handkerchief a little. ASR rolled his eyes. Payal's lacrimal glands were probably the fittest part of her body since they got the most exercise, he thought unkindly.
Arnav and Khushi walked out silently. Her car was waiting for her at the end of the driveway. It was an incredibly clear, starry night. Khushi shivered a little in the cold.
"Its chilly" she said.
"I'd offer you my jacket, but I'm afraid you'd make a noose out of it and hang me with it" said ASR. She giggled at that.
"Poor ASR. Has Khushi been very mean to him?" she asked.
"Yes. Very. And not just mean. Also a tease." He said. She smiled secretly at that. They were walking down ASR's incredibly wooded driveway. She turned to him suddenly, and walked him to a large Banyan tree.
"Don't say a word" she whispered. Before he knew what hit him, she kissed him fully on the lips. It was over before he knew it. As she made to walk away, he caught her hand.
"Why'd you do that?" he asked.
"Heard of the 7-year itch?" she winked. "Just scratching it. Besides, let it never be said that Khushi Gupta is a tease."
"So, you haven't kissed anyone in 7 years?" smirked ASR.
"You flatter yourself. I haven't kissed YOU in 7 years. Also, your technique is rusty. When a girl kisses you, you respond. You don't just stand there like the Ice-Man. I swear ASR, you were better at this 7 years ago!" said Khushi, twisting the knife a little.
"Hey! That's unfair. You didn't give me a chance to respond. I was too stunned to react. Can we have a repeat? I promise I'll do better." Pleaded ASR. Anything to taste her lips again, he thought. He didn't mind begging, if that's what it took.
"Sorry. No second chances at kisses. Strict Khushi Gupta policy. Right now, on a scale of 1-10, you're a 2." She grinned.
"What are we 16? You're rating me as a kisser?" muttered ASR. In his head he thought 2! What the hell! 2. He'd never been a 2. 8 maybe. 2. Never. They'd reached her car.
"Goodnight ASR." She said. He caught her hand, and pulled her close.
"Don't kick me in the balls, but I'm going to kiss you." he whispered. She looked up at him expectantly. He bent, and pressed his lips lightly to her cheek. "Goodnight Khushi."
The disappointed look on her face almost made him laugh. She gathered herself quickly.
"Nighty-night Arnav. Maybe we'll meet again in 7 years." She quipped.
"I'd say more like 10 hours. We're having a meeting tomorrow morning to go over broad project ideas with Fred and Aadit." Said ASR.
"Hmph. Good night then." She got into the car and drove away. A fleeting thought that she quickly swept under was, maybe a 5. 2 is way too harsh.
ASR smiled broadly. Two could play at her game, he thought.
Any good? Lemme know. 😊
n im watching IPKKND from the begining, so far its been good
comment:
p_commentcount