Rules Of Attraction#2 Chapter29 Pg125 19/08 - Page 20

Arnav walked into the small bar of the villa. Other than a few drunken men, the bar was almost empty. He muttered something to the sleepy bartender and made himself comfortable on one of the high stools. He heard the faint click of heels slowly approaching him.

'Bad day?'

'Somewhat. What are you doing up so late. It's almost one.'

They both sat on the stools, under the colored neon lights blinking overhead, as old country music played on the background.

Lavanya had seen Payal's sister with Arnav. And what she had seen did not make her jealous, but only sad. She had seen them hold each other, and felt a searing pain grip her insides. Then she saw them walking side by side, making her realize that her life was incomplete. Realize that she shouldn't settle for anything less than unadulterated happiness. And that moment she knew, that entering into a relationship with Arnav, would be denying both of them, a chance at happiness.

'Are you happy Arnav, with our engagement?'

'No.You?'

'Then I'll take the next flight back to Delhi at six, tomorrow morning.'

'Lavanya'

'You don't need to explain. I'm just as unhappy as you are by this thing we had been practically forced into. And now it only makes more sense to break it off, since you love her.'

'How did you--?'

'I saw you guys earlier. But that really doesn't matter. All that does, is that , now that you have her in your life, you shouldn't, ever let her go.'

Minutes later when Lavanya had left, Arnav realized the meaning of what she had so casually said. He finally had her in front of his eyes, after six months. The six months that had felt like years to him. He knew it was futile to even think that he could go on without her, ever. So he decided that moment, that he was going to have her back in his life, forever. To hell with your can't-be-with-you dialogues Khushi. And he was sure that if Arnav couldn't do it, Arnav Singh Raizada sure could. Back to square one, Khushi.

---

He watched as she slowly made her way through the small group of people gathered in front of the ethereal expanse of the green waters. Tiny silver jhumkas dancing just below her ears, and he could imagine hearing the tinkle of the bangles he had given her, as she walked towards him. Clad in mint green, she looked even more beautiful than last night, if that was even possible, he thought fervently.

But Anjali reached Khushi first, sliding her arm around hers they walked off towards Payal.

---

'You look beautiful.'

'You too Anjali.'

'So, how are you?'

'Okay, much better.'

They walked together in silence, not knowing what to say to each other, till Anjali finally decided to speak, her irritation, anger at Khushi's silence, getting the best of her.

'Do plan to tell him, at all?'

'You know my answer Anjali.'

'Then I want you to know. That it might not always be about you and your rules Khushi. No, don't interrupt me. He told me every single thing. You told him to not fall in love with you, and stay as friends. He listened. But unfortunately he broke his promise. Then when he told you he loved you, you told him, you loved him, but couldn't be with him? No answers, no explanations, nothing.'

'Anja--'

'Wait Khushi. Hear me out. He left you then, because that is what he does best. Tries to fight down the feelings that threaten his mask of ignorance. You did it. You made him drop his guard, and all he got was sheer pain. You know Khushi, he broke off with his fianc earlier today. And the only reason I'm telling you this today, is to make you understand that he is no child. He can make his own decisions. Let him decide what he wants to do once he knows the truth. He deserves that much. It is not your place to decide that for him.'

Khushi couldn't say a word, shocked by Anjali's outburst and the tears streaming down her friend's face. She hesitated, but finally whispered.

'You are angry with me, aren't you?'

'No Khushi. I just want my brother to get the happiness, the love he deserves. It just scares me that he can only get it from you.'

---

Arnav sat on one of the vintage white chairs, the foot of which was seeping into the golden sand of the shore. His eyes followed Khushi's each step from the moment she had left his sister's side till she had reached Aakash. Suddenly he was interrupted by the sound of someone dropping onto the chair next to him. And as Arnav looked at the man, he realized it was same man he had seen with Khushi at Delhi. But for some odd reason, maybe her candid confession last night, the man didn't seem threatening at all.

'Arnav Singh Raizada, I presume?'

'Yes. You are?'

'Khushi's friend, Ajay.'

'Oh.'

'So why do you love her?'

The question was posed so bluntly, that it took a few seconds to register in Arnav's brain. He was shocked at the straightforwardness of the man sitting beside him, practically a stranger. But as soon as the meaning of the question registered, words seem to flow out of Arnav's mind, no holds barred.

'Why do I love her? I don't really have an answer for that, but I guess it is just the vibes she gives me when I'm around her. The rare smiles she puts on my face, the laughs I get from talking to her and just the fact that she can make me think of her even if we are not talking at that moment.'

Ajay sat at ease, next to the man who the nation perceived as the ruthless businessman, listening to the easy flow of emotions from his mouth.

'I hated rains, the smell of the dirt and mud used to claw my insides. But I would trade anything to walk with her once again, in the rain. She thinks way too much, you know...and doesn't always say how she feels. She is disorganized, but has goals. She is in love, but she is scared. She is strong on the surface, but not all through. She loves to argue, but doesn't always want to be right. She will hold on to memories forever, because they are the one thing that never changes. She is just like me, yet so different. I love that about her. But then I love everything about her.'

As the last few sentences came to an end, Arnav felt like a lovesick fool and he mentally rebuked himself for blurting out everything he would have otherwise said to Khushi, to a man he barely knew. But it felt good. Good, to have finally talked to someone, about exactly what he felt for her. But the Ajay's next words caught him off guard.

'You know Arnav, she talks about you, like you put the stars in the sky. She loves you, I know that. And you love her just as much. Maybe even more. But maybe, some people just aren't meant to stay in our life forever, maybe some people are just passing through. It's like they walk into our lives to bring us immense happiness, a lesson we need to learn, and that is probably the only reason why they are there.'

And then Ajay walked away, not bothering to glance back at the shocked face of Arnav. His words had stilled him. And Arnav didn't know why but a strange fear gripped him. Ajay was wrong. She was meant for him. Meant for a forever, with him. And even if she was just passing through, he would gladly walk with her throughout her journey, her hands clasped firmly onto his.

---

Arnav walked up to her, where she stood on the beautiful gazebo with white drapes and chrysanthemums. She was smiling, lost in thought. He went and stood next to her, trying not to make much noise.

'You look really nice,' he said, smoothly, causing Khushi to come out of her reverie, and blush, just a little.

'Thanks.'

Again the uncomfortable silence, whilst which, Arnav kept repeating to himself, get your groove back Arnav, it is now or never. Shoot, NOW.

'You...err... the green of your dress accentuates the color of your eyes.'

He had said it, half hesitating, half stammering. But once he finished saying the incredibly stupid and difficult sentence, or so he thought, a smirk found way to his otherwise grim face, on seeing the soft blush that had crept up right under her eyes.

But that was seconds before she spoke.

'Are you trying to flirt with me Arnav?'

And immediately, she saw the smirk vanish from his face, as he sighed deeply, on his way to exit the gazebo, before Khushi, pulled him back, with a slight tug at his hands.

'My eyes are not green Arnav. I thought you would know by now.'

---

The engagement was a very short affair. The rings had been exchanged. The neatly wrapped gifts had been given. Smiles traded. And finally the delighted couple had sat across the pristine white tables feasting on the Goan delicacies, with their friends and family.

A cool breeze blew throughout the shore, as the guests stood in small groups saying their goodbyes, as the function approached its end.

Arnav, Khushi, Payal and Aakash stood near the edge of the shore, the pleasant water slowly making its way through the hem of their clothes, as they talked about the wedding taking place the next day. Khushi absent-mindedly stomped her feet on the water, failing to realize that it had splashed up right onto Arnav's neck , and the crisp white of his shirt.

'You didn't just do that Khushi,' he said threateningly, glaring at her mischievously, as Khushi looked at the mud splashed onto his shirt. 'Oops.' She had barely uttered the monosyllable, when a loud splash landed right on her face. 'Arnav, you dumbass,' Khushi screeched, trying to kick into the refreshing water, and making it land on his face. 'Can't say I missed you calling me that,' Arnav retorted soon after.

A few seconds later, they were both somewhere in the middle of the beach. Soaked to bits. Aakash picked up his brother's crumpled charcoal grey coat from in between the golden sands, looking amusedly at the way he picked his soon-to-be sister-in-law, over his shoulders, before he ceremoniously dropped her into the waters.

'I hate you Arnav,' Khushi shouted out at him, her voice much louder under the open skies and the vast expanse of water. I love you too, sweetheart he replied sincerely his mind, hugging her small frame, close to himself. He buried his face into the crook of his neck, dropping small kisses down the slippery slope of her porcelain skin. He heard a faint moan, as she gently pushed him back, walking towards the shore.

'I..uh...I am going back to the hut. I need to change.'

'Can I come? Anjali is busy chatting away with the guests and she has the keys to the villa. And I think I could use a towel too.'

Khushi almost smiled at his pretense of an innocent face, as she looked his drenched white shirt, sticking to his chest. Before she could let her mind wander, she spoke animatedly.

'That is a really poor excuse, you know, for an invitation to enter a girl's room.'

'Last time I checked, I didn't really need an invitation. And moreover, I swear, I will keep my hands off you.'

'No Arnav.'

I'll take that as a yes, he thought watching Khushi walk away towards the shore, as he followed her quietly.

---

He walked into the quaint little hut, as he heard a throaty voice humming to the tunes of what he presumed to be a song of one of Salman Khan's many movies.

'You will put Salman to shame, if someone heard you singing like that.'

Arnav made himself comfortable on a plush couch, smiling to himself, awaiting her reply, when she almost shouted from the washroom.

'Arnav, you...'

'Dumbass? I know. But, really Khushi, Salman Khan, while showering? Really?' He tried to keep his voice as normal as he could, trying hard to block pictures of a certain someone under the shower from flooding his perverted brain.

'What do you want?,' she calmly asked, as she walked into the living room, clad in a overly sized, grey threadbare tee-shirt, the back of which seemed to be soaked by her damp hair. She made her way towards the fridge, bending down slightly to retrieve a water bottle, absolutely uncaring of the image she provided for Arnav's hooded eyes.

'Are you trying to seduce me Khushi?'

'Are you getting seduced Arnav?' She smoothly asked, turning around.

But seconds later, when she found the dangerous smirk lurking at the corners of his lips, as he walked in a predatory stance towards her, she realized the depth of what she had stupidly blurted out, just to make him shut up.

He came nearer, pinning his lower body onto hers, pressing her firmly onto the cool surface of the fridge, his hands however resting on the rims of the door of the black fridge.

'Your face is red. Bright crimson.'

She blushed a shade darker, if that was physically possible, looking anywhere but into his eyes. Khushi squirmed, beneath him, helplessly trying to escape. But his gravel like voice stopped her from moving.

'Stop moving Khushi. Or else I might have to break my promise of keeping my hands off you.'

After scrutinizing ever pore of her flawless skin, he bent down to capture her lips in an intoxicating kiss. His lips glided over her dewy pink ones, sending shivers down both of them, as she responded back with a little hesitation. A frivolous dance of tongues, as his teeth flirted relentlessly with her lips, exploring, discovering concealed treasures. She tasted like fresh summer. And he, like the musk emanating from wood and spice. They stopped, trying to breathe in quickly, before she stammered.

'Arnav...we'shouldn't.'

He didn't seem to listen, as he resumed his previous ministrations along her neck, murmuring words that oddly sounded like, 'but you want me to, sweetheart.'

She involuntarily slid her hands and gripped onto his waist, seeking relief of the cool surface of his wet shirt. As he dropped feather light kisses onto the hollow of her neck, her head slowly arched backwards. And suddenly her stomach churned, making her feel extreme desires, she didn't want to, as his tongue darted over her throat, slowly finding its way back to their rightful place, in the confines of her mouth.

All this time, Khushi ached for his hands to support her buckling knees, slide down her back, relieving the burning sensations down her navel. But it didn't happen. He was engrossed into the actions of knocking her senseless, as his lips found her shoulders, but as they dipped lower, placing light kisses over her ribs, he suddenly stopped, and placing a long, lingering kiss on her forehead, he backed away.

'Why are you doing this Arnav?'

'I want to make you happy Khushi. Is that too much to ask?'

He stepped out of the hut, closing the door softly behind him.

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