Rules Of Attraction#2 Chapter29 Pg125 19/08

The scent of sea, sand and the setting sun was overwhelming to her senses. She had never been to Goa, but then when had she ever set foot out of Lucknow, Khushi thought, as she stepped out of the Dabolim Airport. It was more beautiful than she had imagined the place to be, she wondered, looking out of the tiny window of the green taxi, now slowly making its way through the silent road.

---

The sound of distant seagulls.

Would she ever hear the sound of the two knocks on her door again? Would she ever be able to hear his voice again? Hoarse, husky, intoxicating. Like a drug. Draining away everything else on her mind. Only him and her.

The sound of the thunderous waves crashing into each other. The suction of the sand into the ocean.

Would she ever be able to crash into him? Always be with him, beside him. Talk to him, see one of his rare smiles, special, only for her, light up his face. The slight tilt of his head, a raised eyebrow, the teasing expression. His calming, healing touch, ebbing away her fear, her restlessness. No, it was too late.

Perhaps.

The wind blew over her face, as her eyes closed, a small smile tugging her lips, as the familiar pair of eyes invaded her thoughts, yet again.

---

The long and isolated stretch of the Agonda Beach was the perfect location for a wedding. Especially, a morning one, thought Khushi sheepishly. The seemingly endless, pristine beach was quiet, calmingly still, compared to the chaotic ones they had passed by on their way to the Agonda White Sand Huts. Needless, to say, all she wanted to do was just drop on the inviting bed of the quaint little beach hut and sleep for a maximum of eight hours, but she knew Payal would kill her if she didn't meet her before the engagement, tomorrow morning.

Leaving Ajay and Shalini alone, in the hut next to hers, she made her way down the idyllic stretch of the beautiful beach. Her thoughts had just started drifting towards him, when she heard the familiar laughter, getting louder by the second, as she saw two women approach her, slowly.

---

Arnav preferred the cold, wintry mountains to the humid, salty atmosphere of the sea. But even he couldn't deny the beauty of the green waves, the feel of the wet, cold sand under his feet, as he made his way down the shore.

He found it hard to believe that his younger brother was getting engaged tomorrow.

A new life, ahead of him. He was happy, he was loved, by that someone who loved him too.

Arnav's thoughts drifted towards her. And they continued treading their path in dangerous directions. Maybe I will marry Khushi here, in Goa itself. She would love it. The quiet, the tranquility, was so much like her. He suddenly laughed at the stupidity of his own thoughts. You have a fianc Arnav, and her name is Lavanya, definitely not Khushi.

He felt the cool water slowly blanket his feet, and almost seconds later, he heard a voice, he had been aching to hear, for the past six months.

Soft, yet striking. Determined, yet restrained.

He turned, slowly, not trusting his mind, or his feet, that seemed to have numbed, instantly. It had to be a dream, he thought. But it was not.

She was real. As real as it gets. Violet chiffon and white cotton. The extremely familiar sight of the wind running through the lengths of silken black. Her lips were moving, she was saying something. Breathing. The very same air, that he was, then. She was real. He reassured himself, repeatedly. She was here. Destiny or a mere coincidence?

Arnav stood there, in the dark shadows of the night sky, benumbed watching her, and the other two women surrounding her.

---

'I'm here Payal. Now please let go of me. You will break a few bones otherwise.'

Payal, reluctantly let go of her sister, and introduced the woman next to her.

And as she came into view under the dim orange lights, Khushi's breath hitched. It was her. His fianc. She forced herself to smile, and shook her hand, trying to blink back the tears.

Lavanya excused herself from them, minutes later, clearly sensing, that the sisters needed their time alone.

---

'So, how are you?'

'Okay, I guess. One more chemo session, I think. Ajay thinks that the tumor might successfully be removed. But he isn't sure.'

'I'm really glad you could make it here.'

'I wouldn't miss your wedding for the world.'

'I know. By the way, Aakash wanted to meet you, but your parents attacked him first, so you can understand.'

She laughed for some time. Something which Payal, and the other man in the shadows, had missed for a long time. An infectious, addictive laughter.

'They are here? Tell them, I'll meet them tomorrow.'

'Sure. I'll leave now, okay? Try to be there with Ajay and Shalu early.'

'Absolutely.'

With one last hug, Payal left, leaving Khushi, alone with her thoughts.

Khushi watched her go. A skip in her steps, the joy in her eyes.

A new life, ahead of her. She was happy. Payal was loved. But then she was loved too. She knew it. And she hated herself for it. For hurting him. For never getting the chance she wished she had, to tell him how sorry she was. But like always, it was too late.

---

Moments later, she found herself standing amidst the refreshingly cool green waters of the beach. The tides travelled past her, coming and going, the chiffon of the skirt, slowly getting drenched at the edges.

Khushi felt at ease. Something she hadn't for a long, long time. She didn't know why. The last time she felt like that, felt like home, was with him. And seconds later, she knew why. She didn't know what came first, the sound of his heavy breathing through her ears, or the scent of his intoxicating musk.

She turned, slowly, not wanting to let go of the sound, the scent, even if it was an illusion.

---

Six months. One-eighty days. Come November, the sight of his face. A little tired. Lines of worry, frustration, etched across his forehead. The contours, hardened, the same messy hair. Lips thinned into a straight line, contemplating, thinking. The eyes, beautiful black, drawing her in, like the very first time. Was it a hint of surprise, or relief that she saw in his eyes?

---

Six months. One-eighty days. Come November, the sight of her face. A little exhausted. Skin like porcelain. A faint blush right under her eyes. Parted lips, ever-inviting. Stray black tendrils plastered to her cheeks. The eyes, hues of ash, drawing him in, like the very first time. Was it a hint of longing, love that he saw in her eyes?

---

Trance induced hands moved towards each other, seeking the comfort, the warmth that had been long denied. Arnav's hands went around her shoulders, as he buried himself into her hair breathing in the iris. Khushi's hand roamed over his back, trying to seek assurance. Palpable tension, ebbed out, slowly. Replaced by yearning, thirst and extreme longing. She didn't know what she was doing, but her lips pressed against his stubble, slowly tracing their path over to his jaw, but the moment she felt him stiffen, slightly, she placed a soft kiss on his lips, and stepped back. She knew she couldn't ask for more. It was enough, the brief taste, the comfort of his touch, would be long-lasting.

They stood there, for a long time, just looking at each other. One wondering, what exactly had gone wrong, months before. The other, wanting to vent out the guilt. But neither said a word. The silence was too precious. But the waves, playing across their feet, seemed to know more. It knew that for them time was never enough.

Before they knew, a loud, thunderous tide washed over them, the sudden cold force pushing her fragile body directly onto his hard chest, drenching them both. As she looked up at him, blinking away the drops of water falling from his hair onto her eyes, she saw the glint of unleashed desire in his eyes. She didn't know, but her eyes mirrored the same. And so, without wasting a second, his lips claimed hers, coasting over the soft terrains, drinking in all he could. His thirst slowly quenching. But he wanted more. And for once she didn't deny, but gave him, all she could. The urgency slowly turned into a slow, deliberate rhythm, but before it could end abruptly, like the other night, Arnav, softly broke away and enveloped her in his arms. The walls of tension, jealousy, fear, foreboding, seemed to be melting away slowly. The scent of wet cotton and jade, soft kisses against her neck, and they had been transported to a world of their own. A soft whisper, broke into the stirring silence.

'I missed you, Arnav.'

---

INDEX

Thread 1

Thread 2

Swallowed In The Sea

Layered Masks

If You're A Bird, I'm a Bird

Shattered Hearts

Unsettled Waves

Scintillating Fear

All Things Nice

Thread 3

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