It was the third day of their stay and Khushi was determined to have the most of it. Tomorrow evening they would be back to their real world and they wouldn't get this time alone together ever again.
She kissed Arnav awake and said "Wake up and hurry up. We have lots to do!"
Before Arnav could drag her back to the bed, she made a quick escape.
When Arnav came out of the bedroom Khushi was in the kitchen making coffee and breakfast. He slid arms around her waist. It was an effort to put his arms around her now because of the huge baby bump. As he trailed kisses down her neck she smiled up to him and said, "Now don't go all romantic on me and make me change my plans. Today you are going to make Jalebi with me!" she said excitedly.
"Unbelievable," Arnav muttered. She seemed to be hell bent on finishing off her list of activities with her. Well he also had a plan.
"Ok done. We will start after breakfast. I have a dress ready for you," he winked at her.
When Khushi opened the pack Arnav had given her mouth fell open. There inside the pack was a beautiful ghagra choli. But it was not the beauty of the dress that stunned her. It was the length and breadth of the choli. The back only had multiple strings and nothing else and the front was skimpy and short. But thankfully there was a dupatta and Khushi was glad for it.
Arnav was ready and waiting for her in the kitchen when she came to him after dressing up. As usual, her beauty took his breath away. Her dupatta could not hide the baby bump or the cleavage, much to Arnav's delight.
Before starting Arnav asked, "So, Khushi. What do I get for all my hard work?"
Khushi said, "You get to eat the jalebis. At least the one made in sugar-free content syrup."
Arnav said, "But I don't care for Jalebis. I want a different reward."
Khushi knew he was up to no good. So she asked him cautiously, "Like what?"
"For every jalebi I make properly, I will open a string from your choli," he said smirking wickedly.
Khushi: "No. I don't like the idea."
Arnav, "But I love the idea."
Khushi: "I am not in the mood for anything but Jalebi," she clarified.
Arnav: "And I am in the mood for 'you know what' and not Jalebi."
Khushi: "You are always in the mood for it. Nothing surprising! But I don't like the idea of undressing while cooking. If that happens I will always think of this whenever I make Jalebis."
Arnav: "Good. I want you to think of me when you make jalebis."
Khushi: "I said no!" Khushi said stubbornly. She did not like to be undressed all the time, though she did enjoy most of the times because it made Arnav happy. She had never said no whenever, he was in the mood for hanky panky because she loved being with him. But today her mood was playful and she did not want to spoil it. Moreover she wanted to share the great joy she found in jalebi-making with him. She wanted him to know and understand that.
Arnav said, "Khushi! Either you accept my rules of the game or we are not making Jalebis together."
Khushi did not have a choice. She gave in. But she was far from happy at this so called 'game'. Somehow, she was not feeling up to what would follow if he undid all the strings.
Their Jalebi making began. Khushi first taught Arnav how to make some jalebis, forgetting her earlier argument about the choli strings. She was so happy to share her favourite activity with Arnav.
She jabbered on, giving him instructions and he followed her like a faithful student, now that he had a nice reward to look forward to. He could simply take her to bed. But playing it as a game was more fun for him. He loved challenging Khushi, getting her all fiery and then mellowing her down with his tender touch.
She had made 10 juicy jalebis already and was happily munching them. "Now you make some alone. I want to see if you succeed."
Arnav started making the jalebis. The first few were a big flop show. Either the shape was bad or the damn thing got burnt or they just stuck to the damn pan.
But after his 10th one or so. Arnav hit bull's eye. One of the jalebis came out looking perfect. He successfully placed it in the syrup, which was made of sugar-free content, just for him. He dropped it into the syrup and triumphantly smiled at Khushi, "Success. Now turn around my girl, the first string comes off."
Khushi was upset that he was pursuing the stupid game, though she had not liked the idea. But she had agreed and she turned around. Arnav undid the first string happily.
Rapidly Khushi's choli strings got undone, as Arnav got each jalebi more perfectly. Rapidly, Khushi's face was losing color and her eyes wore a hurt expression. She was, in reality, fighting back tears. She was upset that Arnav did not understand her mood or her feelings. She was also feeling guilty of denying Arnav the simple pleasures he wanted from her as a wife. She did not understand why she was acting pricey.
Arnav was completely intoxicated with touching Khushi and playing this erotic game with her. But as the last two strings were getting undone, he noticed Khushi's face.
He saw that she was extremely upset. Her eyes were downcast and her hands were clenched.
With the last perfect jalebi he made he said, "Khushi, I am switching off the gas. The last jalebi too is perfect and guess what I only have one more string to untie."
Khushi turned around mutely, still upset with Arnav's insensitivity to her feelings. Jalebi-making was her favorite activity. He was ruining it with this erotic act.
She felt his touch on her bare back and closed her eyes. She was expecting Arnav to slide the choli off her back. But nothing happened. She only felt Arnav's fingers on her back. Her hair that was held up with a clip also came cascading down in a couple of minutes. When Khushi opened her eyes, she turned around and saw Arnav gazing at her intently.
'Khushi. It is ok. All your choli strings are tied back and your hair is decently covering your back.' he said gently.
She opened startled eyes at him.
He smiled gently at her and said, "Khushi I am sorry. I was so insensitive to a simple wish from you. It's ok baby. You don't have to do something you don't like or when you don't like to do it. As a husband, I will never force you to do things that you don't like, even when I desperately want to make love to you. You are free to continue with your jalebi making, if you want to."
Khushi gave him a wobbly smile and then took his hands in hers and asked "Are you angry with me for this? Did I dissatisfy you?"
Arnav took her hands and gently kissed them, "You know what? You don't always have to satisfy me or dance to my tunes. And next time, I am going to pay more attention to what makes my Khushi happy instead of what makes me happy. I am a slow learner in love, but I am learning Khushi. Most of the time I am selfish. But not about you Khushi. I want to put you first."
Khushi hugged him tightly and said, "No. I want to put you first. But forgive me when I am unable to."
Arnav gently lifted her up chin and said, "Let's make a promise to always be honest with each other. Next time you don't like something or don't want to make love, tell me honestly" he said gently. Khushi smiled back at him. The he added, " But I also hope there will also be times when you will honestly tell me, you want to make love with me," he grinned and winked at her. Khushi grinned back and shook her head at her devil of a husband.
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