The Unbreakable bond - Page 16

"why should I care if he doesn't." She huffed and stomped out. Totally annoyed "first he keeps calling when I don't show up and when I do, he doesn't even come to ask after me, the least he could say is hello. Why should I care? No Khushi don't think about him, you ignore him too, don't look at him, don't, don't look!!" she turned just before she turned the corner to see was staring right at her his eyes burning, gasping she hurried off.

He knew the moment she had entered the office, unknown to her he had watched her throughout the time she was in the office and had been watching her as she left, not missing her disgruntle look at his disregard for her. Her reaction pleased him very much, sighing in contentment he settled in this chair picking another file he had his plan in place now he had to only execute it.

By the time Khushi returned to the resort administrative wing, it was late and most of the resort office staff had left. She walked into her office and saw that most of her team and others form the downtown office had joined them for last minute details. Though she was in a foul mood she got about discussing the arrangements with her staff. All the functions would start tomorrow morning starting with the bridal haldi, and sangeet, the traditional folk singers were called and transportation had been arranged. Everyone was allotted their respective tasks. The team coordinator with the help of Khushi made charts of the functions ,their starting times and people responsible for making sure they run smoothly.

Khushi felt his presence the moment he stepped into her office, all the people fell silent in Arnav presence. She turned around to face him. So he finally came she fumed as she silently watched him move towards her, no not move, he staked her his eyes pinning her in place like a helpless butterfly. The space between them pulsed with tension and this did not go unnoticed to her staff. Everyone could feel something going on between the big boss and the boss lady.

When Arnav stopped two paces from her, Khushi said "I'm busy here, I don't have time right now." But before she could turn away his hand short out and grabbed her wrist keeping her facing him.

Eyes blazing in anger he barked, "Meet me in my cabin in five minutes." He said quietly but with complete authority.

Khushi jaw dropped open, " you cant spee..." he put his finger to her lips lingering there and he said a quite Shuuush!!!!. Letting go of her wrist, he lifted his hand indicating five minutes, and left the office,

Khushi turned to look at her staff who had been watching Arnav's and her exchange with blatant curiosity and fascination.

"wow boss lady!! The big man himself, so what's the deal between the two of you." Malti asked unabashed. Malti had worked for Khushi for 3 years and was more outspoken than the rest of the staff, though she was rather brash and tended to speak her mind, she was one of the best set designers the company had.

Khushi gave her a big friendly smile indicating with her hand to come closer conspiratorially, pleased to be getting the inside scoop of the gossip Malti leaned towards Khushi eagerly, when she was close enough Khushi put her fingers to Malti ear and twisted it saying, "that is none of your business. So get to work."

"owww." Malti cried, rubbing her ear "this is physical abuse at the work place." she cried mockingly.

"so sue me" Khushi challenged equally mockingly. Then stormed off to Arnav's cabin.

As she walked into his office he was sitting on the edge of his desk going through a file, "how dare you talk to me like that in front of my staff, you, you aaro..." she stopped as he lifted one eye brow in warning and threw an envelope on the desk in front of her indicating that she pick it up. "what is this." Picking up the envelope she opened it pulling out a sheet of paper.

"Your first big clients from AR Group booked at the resort in Delhi, the party is very rich and want the best arrangements, you have to leave the day after tomorrow for Palampur where the clients are staying at their horse ranch."

"The day after? Saturday? But I have a wedding that evening."

"So, delegate you have a big enough team." He challenged "or are they not capable."

"Of course they are, I'll get everything set." She said "anything else." She inquired hesitantly waiting for the anger to come.

"No that's all." He smiled slightly.

"Really!" she exclaimed her beautiful face breaking into a bright dazzling smile, "Your really not going to yell at me. You won't say anything." She giggled clapping her hands together, "and here I was simply thinking you would..." she trailed of blushing deeply at the warmth in his eyes.

He bit his lip to keep from laughing aloud, his heart warmed at her beautiful smile and child like delight. The need to take her in his arms had him holding on to his desk for dear life. She blushed brightly and beat a hasty retreat. He had almost forgotten how it felt to see her smile with such delight the pure unadulterated pleasure that her joy brought him. He wanted to see her like this always, he wanted to take away her hesitation and every fear she felt. He knew for that he had to find out what had happened to the past to make her run away, he had to know the truth and everything she was hiding. But right now he had other things to care of.

Arush sat on his mother's bed while she packed, "but when will you come back, Amma." He asked thinking of the picture of the toy trains he saw on TV.

"I will be back by Monday or Tuesday beta, promise." She said folding in a sweater.

"is it pal..la..pur very far." He questioned

"Palumpur" she corrected, "a little"

"Are you going by train"

"Well no, I am going by helicopter" she smiled sitting on the bed.

"Really." He asked his eyes going wide, "a real helipopter."

"yes my pet a real one" she said pulling him into her arms to hold him tight. "I will tell you all about it when I get back, so tell me what can I get you a train?" she asked knowing he had been talking about train with Maa.

"No I want a helipopter." He chimed

"Not a train"

"No Amma, I want a helipopter." He wriggled out of her arms he started spinning around making noised with his lips.

She smiled thinking of Arnav and Arush and helicopters. Arush deserved all that his father could give him and she was denying him all that. She thought guiltily. She would have to do something soon. She went to find Malini Maa.

Malini loved gardening her latest project was growing carrots and karelas in her backyard this was where Khushi found her. She saw that Arush was busy imitating a helicopter, spinning round and round till he became dizzy and would fall down on the soft grass watching the world spin around him.

"Amma everything is going round and round." He chimed

"Then stop spinning, it will stop."

"No, I like it" he said standing up and spinning again.

Khushi had picked up a shovel and was busy hacking at the ground around the carrots, lost in thought.

"Khushi you will kill all the carrots if you keep doing that" Malini took the tool out of Khushi hand and kept it aside, "what is it beta, you to talk to me about something."

Khushi told her what Arnav had said to her at their business dinned about her personal life, and how he has so cleverly made himself a part of Khushi professional life before she even had time to blink. She told her of her concerns about Arush. And how she should tell Arnav.

"You're right Khushi, you're not a young clueless girl any more you are a woman, a mother and more importantly you are the mother of Arnav Singh Raizada's son. And yes he has every right to know. And you should be the one to tell him."

"but maa how can I just go to him and say "by the way you have a three year old son, do you want to meet him or not." Khushi said with mocked nonchalance.

"Khushi the man wants you in his life can't you see that he has not stopped loving you. Do you remember how we talked about this on the train that first night?" Khushi nodded she would never forget that night.

"Well the time has come to face it. Be brave find the right opportunity and just tell him. and tell him you sorry for keeping this from him as you had no other choice at the time. And as for the other matter what happened was not your fault but you suffered for it and he will understand that if he truly loves you."

"But.."

"I know his sister, well that is not important right now, what is important is to tell Arnav about his son."

"Amma who is Arnab sing Razada." Unknown to the two women Arush had drawn near and had heard part of their conversation and had picked up the name.

"oh!!!" Khushi was wondering if had understood anything, he was an inquisitive and curious child and always asked a lot of questions. "He is someone I know, he is the one who owns the helicopters." She said hoping to distract him.

Arush's eyes went wide "really, so the hotel belongs to him too, right Amma." Khushi nodded "ok, I like him."

"huh..what?"

"I like him, he has helicopters. So I like him" Arush skipped happily going back to play chanting "Arnab sing Razada, Arnab sing Razada."

Khushi looked at Malini wide eyed. Malini grinned "may be this is a signe from Devi Maia that father and son should meet"

***************************

Khushi arrived at the helipad at the resort, the potter rushed to put her luggage on board the helicopter. The blades of the helicopter were turning swiftly making her hair fly about her. she could see that the door was open and the pilot was waving at her to come but she hesitated. Suddenly she felt herself propelled forward toward the within machine by arms as hard as steel bands. One hand pressed her head forward keeping a protective arm over her. She knew who's arms they were. She found herself lifted and deposited into the helicopter by those very arms. What surprised her was the owner of the arms got in after her and set besides her deftly strapping her to the seat.

"What are you doing" she yelled over the noise of the blades,

"What??" he yelled back

"What are you doing?" she yelled again.

"Helping you put your seat belt on." He yelled.

"No, what are you doing here?" She yelled indicating the aircraft.

Arnav made a thumbs up sign to the pilot and got busy fastening his seat belt. As the craft dipped and rose in the air, Khushi short her hand out to grab Arnav's arm leaning back in her seat her body stiff and eyes closed reciting the gaiyatri matra. Arnav looked at her hand clutching his arm, holding his arm closer to his chest trapping her hand there he leaned forward and touched her cheek with his other hand "Khushi?" he called. She opened her eyes wide with fear and stared at his face so close to hers she could feel his warm breath on her cheek.

"It's ok, nothing is gonna happen, just keep your eyes on me." Rubbing his thumb along he cheek bone running it to the cornor of her mouth, mesmerised her lips parted slightly, his eyes followed the movement of his thumb watching her lips part and he traced her lower lip lightly with it. Her breath hissed between her lips and her tongue darted out unconsciously to lick her lower lip running along his thumb instead. Khushi watched his eyes darker at the innocently sensual action her heart pounding in anticipation for the touch of his lips to hers, every other thought left her head and all she knew and felt was Arnav for her everything ceased to exist but him.

She was taken aback when he suddenly drew away. His eyes darting to the widow "look" he said.

Shaken and annoyed at his sudden withdrawal she turned her eyes to where he was looking an gasped "oh!!!!" they were high up in the sky and the view was breathtaking, the city looked like a beautiful diamond embedded in the earth with the lakes looking like sparkling gems around it. The cars and busses looked like tiny toys, her thoughts turned to Arush thinking of how he would love this. Her eyes sparking with delight she turned to Arnav "Ar..." she stopped

Her watched the delight that crossed her face as she took in the view, he had wanted to kiss her but he did not want her to miss her first view of the earth from the sky and watching her face glow with delight was worth it, he would steal his kiss another time he thought simply happy to see her happy. She leaned towards him and opened the mouth to say something and she froze, her smile fading and colour draining from her face. Alarmed he leaned forward "Khushi? Khushi what is it, are you ok." She withdrew her hand from his arm folding them in her lap she turned her face away and shook her head.

He couldn't stand it all of a sudden she completely froze him out clamming up completely, her reaction puzzled him, he saw fear and another emotion he could not read, he watched her lips tremble and she bit very hard on it, he clenched his hands into hard fist till his knuckles almost turned white he could see the turmoil on her face. He hated it, he knew she was hiding something from him and whatever it was, troubled her greatly. He wondered if it was her marriage to this Abay guy, but some instinct told him that this whole marriage thing was just not right, Khushi would never react with such longing for him if she had tied herself to someone else even if that person was dead. He knew that it was more than the reason she left Delhi, her family and him 4 years ago. And whatever it was had to be something to do directly with him and no one else but however much he thought about it he could not figure out what it was that she was hiding.

But what was it, he was going to get it out of her on this trip, the reason she was avoiding him was going to be out in the open between them. He wasn't going to let her get away this time she was his and he was not going to live without her for longer than necessary. Before his work at the resort was over Khushi would be his and he was going to take her home where she belongs, with him and he was going to do everything in his power to make her happy.

He thought of Di and what she had said to him about love and that special person. For all his stubbornness she had been right and he had been wrong. Khushi had come into his life and had brought all the colour back which he had let leech when his mother died, he had fought her like a rabid dog and had lost her, 4 years without her had been worse than when his mother had died. He was not going to lose her again he thought his determination strengthening with his resolve.

What was she going to do Khushi thought, she had decided to tell Arnav about Arush after this trip but now he was going to be with her throughout. How was she going to face him every day without telling him the truth? She was going to have to do it on this trip if she was going to survive her conscience. She felt something was about to change, she look at him the determine line of his jaw and the steady resolve in his eyes.

She felt all the fatigue of the past 4 years wash over her she didn't have the strength to fight all by herself anymore looking at Arnav all she wanted to do was lean into him and let him take care of the rest. She felt her eyes burn with tears she wanted to wrap herself in his arms and stay there where she would be safe. She needed him, she wanted him so much her being ached. Closing her eyes she made a resolved, this time she would not run. She would find the opportunity and tell him the truth. First about Arush and then about the reason she left Delhi and everything she love behind. she would have to put her trust in him and hope for the best.

She opened her eyes and saw that he was watching her speculative. And she knew that he was not going to let it go. She knew that was the right thing to do, she just didn't know how to get about it.

********************************************

When they landed Arnav helped her out of the helicopter. He held her protectively in his arms as they walked away from it. Khushi saw a large vehicle waiting for them. A large man in his early sixties stepped out followed by a younger man. Arnav shook hands with the older man and pulled Khushi forward and introduced her.

"Mr. Patel this is Khushi from the events company"

"Oh my! You are certainly lovely Ms Khushi" Mr. Patel said in a booming voice, enveloping Khushi hand in his huge one and shaking it vigorously that her whole body shook. Arnav arm tightened around her and he pulled her back slightly as soon as the man released her hand.

Khushi greeted him warmly, she turned to the younger man not much older the Khushi herself. He was staring at her open mouthed Mr. Patel gave him a hearty slap on his back "this is my son Vineet, what are you gapping at like a gold fish." He chided him

Vineet put both his hands out to take Khushi but Arnav took it instead squeezing it tightly making him wince. Khushi pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. Arnav's protectiveness pleased her but she also found it funny. Arnav put his arm around Vineet shoulder drawing his attention to the car Arnav and Vineet start talking about the model and make. Khushi gets in the back with Arnav as Mr. Patel points out the landscape to Arnav indicating his property.

Once they reached the farmstead. Introductions ware made to Mrs. Patel who insisted that Khushi call her Veena, the bride to be Hetal, and the Patels younger daughter Gunjan, whose eyes widened with appreciation at the sight of Arnav, much to Khushi annoyance, Arnav seemed quite at ease with Gunjan clutching his arm or holding his longer then was necessary the annoyance grew.

Mr. Patel oldest son Deepak and his wife Kingal was a sweet couple and had two beautiful little girls who Mr. Patel dotted on. And they were also introduce to a few other relative and some younger people who happened to be Vineet's friends from Delhi and Ahmadabad. Arnav and Khushi were shown to their rooms which were adjacent to each others. Khushi room was beautiful furnished with a queen size bed, a sitting area and a view of a lake and rolling meadows. After freshening up they went down for a late lunch. Khushi had a lovely time talking to the family who seemed very close there was a lot of talking and teasing and laughter. Looking at them Khushi missed her own family, the easy sense of belonging that only your family could give you. Seeing her wistfully expression
Arnav who spent most of lunch talking to Mr.Patel, Deepak and one of the uncles gave her inquiring look. She smiled at him shaking her head.

After lunch Arnav left with Mr. Patel and Deepak to survey the property. Khushi got busy with the bride to be and her mother discussing weddings details, since the family decided to have the wedding in Delhi at Arnav's 'Ramada international hotel' lawns, Khushi informed them that she and her set designer would make a trip to see the layout of the venue. She showed them her catalogues and designs books and verified and confirmed various details.

By dinner time Arnav and the others had not yet returned. Khushi decided to retire early to bed. In her room she placed a call home and spent some time talking to Arush and Malini maa. After a shower and wearing her satin night gown she sat on bed to watch some TV. She was moisturise her skin with her moisturises when there was a knock on the door. Surprised she put on a robe and went to open the door to find Arnav standing on the other side with a number of packages in hand.

She looked beautiful her hair was piled on top of the head and soft tendrils of hair escaped lightly curling against her face. Arnav let his eyes run over her drinking her in supervised to see her is something so sensual the light peach satin robe moulded her body barely giving any protection, he wondered if the gown she wore under the robe was strappy or frilly. Sending his mind into thinking various ways to find out. She stood there her eyes wide with surprise not making any move to take the packages from him. Striding in he dumped all the packages on the bed and turned around to face her.

"what?" she stuttered "what are you doing here and what is all this?" glancing down the corridor to make sure no one had seen him come in she shut the door turning to glare at him.

"This" he said indicating the packages on the bed "are for you and I am here to deliver them."

"Ha! Arnav Singh Raizada is now a Delivery man, what have you changed professions already." She put her fists on her hips.

he took a seat on the armrest of the couch folded his arms across his chest and watched her in silence running his eyes over her from the top of her head to her bare feet, his eyes darkening with pleasure at the sight of her. A small smile playing about his lips as he thought of what she wore under the skimpy gown he felt his face go warm and his gut tighten as he imagined nothing at all but bare skin. He gulped

Feeling self conscience under his intense scrutiny her face flushed she walked to the bed and started up raping the packages.

"We are going horse riding tomorrow, so I thought you would need these."

Stopping her task she looked at him aghast "I don't know to ride a horse."

"No problem, because you will. So you will need those." He pointed at the packages.

"Well then I hope there is a harness in hear" she said pulling out a pair of jeans, her eyes wide, next she took out a soft red cashmere pullover, the fabric was so soft rubbed it to her cheeks in pleasure smiling at the soft texture. She was him watching her his dark eyes hooded. Next she pulled out a pair of soft leather calf length booths totally surprised she held them out and stared at him.

"Are you out of your mind, what am I suppose to do with these." She asked in bewilderment.

"You have to wear them. They will fit perfectly over the jeans or you could were them on your bare skin." His voice turned husky as he stood up and walked towards her taking the boot from her. He dropped them and took he shoulders pushing her down on the bed to sit.

Her heart accelerated mesmerised by the look on his face. She felt a low burning begin somewhere in the region of her belly, as heat spread through her body. She watched as he got down on one knee at her feet and lifted her leg to place it on his knee. Very, very slowly he lifted her night gown pulling it upward till the hem was above her knee. He slowly ran his hand very deliberately down her leg over her caves and to her ankle, savouring the smoothness of her skin. He unzipped one boot and gently slid her foot into it adjusting the soft leather to her leg he very slowly zipped it. All the while watching her face.

Khushi heart was pounding in her chest and her blood rushing in her ears. The sensation of Arnav's hand over the leg as he gently stroked, and cress her, made her body flood with desire. She squeezes her jaws together to keep from crying out in pleasure her hands fisted into the sheets. Her breast raising and falling with each heavy breath she took She watched him administer the same treatment to her other leg. Zipping up the boot he rested his hands on her knees, she could see that he was breathing heavily as well , his eyes dark with desire. His hands moved slowly caressing the soft inner skin of her thigh lingering there.

"Arnav" she moaned in a husky voice.

As if unable to control himself, Arnav got to his feet standing in front of her. he parted her knees slightly so he was standing between them. His heart pounding like a bongo drum , he cupped her face with his hands, raising one hand to pull of the clip holding her hair and watched in wonder as the heavy mass came cascading down to her back. He ran his hands to her waist and undid the belt holding the robe together. He pushed the robe of her shoulders. Delighted to see the soft satin gown was held together to her body by thin flimsy straps no bigger than shoe laces. His belly clenched and he felt himself harden with desire for her as he ran his hands along her long throat, shoulder blades caressing every inch of her skin.

As if undone Khushi head fell back giving him more excess to her exposed skin, he breath coming is short gasps. Her eyes were closed and one hand clutched at his sweater. She looked so beautiful and vulnerable he placed a soft kiss on her forehead and then on her upturn lips. And whispered against her mouth.