About Last Night**THREAD 1**PART 1-15** - Page 63

Wow... I loved it. I like the way how Arnav's mind works. I can't wait for the next update. Please continue soon.

brill update :D pls continue soon

wow. that is sneaky! hahaha

Part 11

The family was clustered together in the downstairs lounge when she and Arnav returned from their momentous afternoon.

"Here they are," Mamiji said, as though they had been heavily discussed by the group.

Anjali smiled, "Chotte, Bhabhi--we were just discussing the engagement."

Engagement?!

Khushi threw a panicked shot at Arnav. It seemed a stadium-full of eyes were directed at them. She thought she ought to say something. She knew he would not. She was forming some words when her hand was covered by his, and squeezed rather firmly. It was the universal language between husbands and wives for "do absolutely nothing."

She could only look at him.

"What are you on about, Di?" he asked his sister in a bored tone.

Anjali threw him a withering look, "see Nani, I told you he had forgotten--rather conveniently--and also forgot to inform Bhabhi."

The Bhabhi in question--Khushi--could only look between brother and sister.

Arnav said, "I have not forgotten that this evening we are invited to the Mehras for their daughter's engagement. But, you have forgotten that I despise these events--"

"Chotte," Nani interrupted, "Khushi Bitya is a Raizada bahu and as such she must bear her social responsibilities. As her husband, you will support and accompany her." Nani's directive was delivered in such a way that argument was futile.

Khushi braced for another famous showdown between grandmother and grandson.

But, none came.

"Ok," he said. The room fell silent. "What?!" he added, when he saw the family exchange looks.

"You're changing, Bhai," Akaash said with disbelief. For this compliment, Akaash received a glare.

Khushi could have wept with relief. The afternoon had held enough surprises for her, but this surprise--that Arnav was prepared to endure activities he disliked for her sake--delivered a jolt of something near happiness in her heart.

Anjali also beamed with happiness. She curled against Shyam's arm and said, "we're leaving; you two hurry and change and follow us in the other car."

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Arnav was on the phone following up on the Lucknow matter when Khushi emerged from the bathroom. He saw that she had chosen a saree, and draped it in the bathroom. To avoid dressing in his presence, no doubt. This would not do. It was best to begin as he meant for matters to continue. He ended the call but not before establishing that the documents were to be delivered this evening at Raizada House.

He then strode towards Khushi, closing the distance between them. He did not touch her, but nevertheless, she leaned away. He considered it progress that she did not immediately step away.

"Remove this saree and wear the one I've left out for you," he indicated the garment on the bed.

"I'm dressed. I'll wear that another time--" she began.

In one swift movement, her pallu was off her shoulders and bunched in his hands with her blouse and midriff exposed. "Shall I remove it or will you?" he challenged her. "I can take enjoyment from either."

Her mouth parted in shock and she wordlessly stared at him, hands curled into fists at her hips. It was a good thing that Khushi did not realize how her ferocity impacted his libido. He lifted his eyebrow and said, "decide."

"I've decided!" she tore the pallu from his hand.

We'll see about that!

He wrapped his fingers around her wrist and bent her arm behind her. This shifted her form so her lower body slammed into direct contact with his manly heat. He heard her sharp intake of breath. There eyes collided as well. She immediately lowered her gaze; he also loosened his grip on her wrist--but their bodies chose to remain where they were. Slowly her eyes climbed back to meet his. His free hand touched her exposed waist and slid around to the curve of her back. Her softness lent an urgency to his fingers. He brought her closer yet.

Bringing his mouth to a hair's breadth from her ear, he explained carefully. "Understand this. When you wear the saree of my choosing, it feels like you are wrapped up in me--even when you are across the room, I am touching you, all over..." his hands followed where his words ended, grazing the curve of her hip, past her stomach, and up her arm. He now had a delicate wrist in each of his hands, and held them at her back. Her bosom heaved with short shallow breaths against his shirt front. He touched her ear with his mouth. Her eyes flickered close, and her beautiful mouth parted.

Khushi's response stoked the fire within him. He gave her earlobe a small bite, running the tip of his tongue to bathe her ear--and the same time he released her wrists.

He was rewarded. Khushi's hands immediately reached up, caught his shoulders and drew him closer. When she did, he drew back. It was punishing but necessary.

She looked up at him, somewhat dazed.

"Now decide," he stated, walked to the wardrobe, grabbed a shirt and stepped into the bathroom.

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With her dhak-dhak beating her chest like a jack-hammer, Khushi folded onto the stool in front of the mirror. She tried to summon up vexation at his controlling maddening behaviour--but she could not. Instead her mind summoned these words: When you wear the saree of my choosing, it feels like you are wrapped up in me--even when you are across the room, I am touching you, all over...

It gave him pleasure to select her dress. What was there for her to oppose, she wondered. After all, he had exquisite taste. He usually chose better for her than she would have chosen for herself.

But, it wasn't that, Khushi realized. Her eyes met her reflection in the mirror and she covered her hot cheeks with her palms. It wasn't that she was resisting him; she was resisting herself. If she let Arnav Singh Raizada have this, would she let him have everything? She was afraid. There was no more six-month clause to hold her back. There was a proper marriage. There was no more I-hate-you. There was I-desire-you. She was terrified that without the old established boundaries, she would no longer be able to hide that she was in love with her husband.

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Arnav emerged from the bathroom not knowing what to expect. He was always able to calculate Khushi's response to situations--as this afternoon had again confirmed--but what he could not calculate was her disposition thereafter. He knew she would wear his chosen saree, but would he find a compliant wife or a hell-cat--or something else entirely? This kept matters perennially interesting between them. Therefore, it was quite a letdown when he found the bedroom empty.

He shrugged into his suit jacket, and picked up his phone. He resisted the temptation to phone her. She never took his calls, and would no doubt count it as a victory that he was searching for her. His frown deepened at the same pace as his displeasure. Arnav Singh Raizada, he counseled himself, manage your girl otherwise there will be no peace in this lifetime.

He exited their bedroom, and turned the corner to walk down the hall when he saw her. She was waiting on the main floor, poised at the bottom of the stairs. She wore the red saree he had selected. He recognized the churiyas on her arms. They were the ones he had gifted her with. The ones she had tried to hide from his sight. The ones he had tried to not acknowledge as his gift. She was fiddling with her new ring when he came down the stairs.

He asked, "is the ring a poor fit?"

Khushi looked up and graced him with a smile that rivaled the sun. "it fits perfectly. I couldn't imagine a more beautiful ring. I love it."

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Awww. They seem to be so wary of the other's responses. And at the same time cannot hold back from their own reactions! Loved it!! Thanks for the PM!

Lovely update!
Continue soon 😊

When you wear the saree of my choosing, it feels like you are wrapped up in me--even when you are across the room, I am touching you, all over...

Awesome. I am completely hooked. I need two updates everyday to keep me going. One Morning and one at night!! lol!