Cherished Wounds ( Updated Ch 14 ) Pg 140 22/06 - Page 97

Tonight, at eight, okay? These words buzzed in her head like maniac bullets, refusing to let her work. Her fingers fumbled, as she dropped down things clumsily, a blush creeping up her skin, every time, his name came up.

She stood under the shower, this time, a chilling cold one, wanting to remove the almost permanent blush on her skin and to relieve her skin that seemed to be just as scorched as they were hours ago. Even as the brutally cold water sluiced down her body, she felt his hands sliding down her form. She giggled to herself, as she put on the only silk nightwear she had, forgetting the harsh weather, and only waiting for the clock to strike eight.

Khushi realized that he was the one man, whose one look made her stomach churn; made her feel things she didn't want to. Arnav afflicted her; like the symptoms of a disease invisible to the naked eye, his pictures enveloped her mind and attached themselves to her insides with each passing moment, each giving rise to a different sensation typically unassociated with the pleasurable visuals. He made her feel, in such obscure, bizarre manners that she found herself lost, unable to decipher the logic in my emotions, incapable of mapping the neural pathways that were causing the somewhat off-beat constrictions her chest. How could such wonderful pictures have such volatile results?

Khushi realized that day, fully, that she had fallen hard for this man.

Unconditionally, and irrevocably.

And now there was no going back.

Khushi drew unknown patterns on the icy smooth black silk, glancing at the wooden clock after every second. It was almost an hour past eight, and he had still not come. Not called, nothing. So she did what she did best, she waited.

But, there comes a moment, when the very thought that you don't want to tread on, crawls into your mind, nonetheless. He wouldn't come. She felt it, the recent uneasiness creep in, as the clock struck ten. She had not slept properly in the past two days, yet, every ounce of lethargy slipped away with every minute that passed. Maybe he was caught up in work'something or the other must have happened, she tried to convince herself. But slowly, as she curled up on one side of the bed, pulling over the blanket, she felt the earlier anger, the heavy feeling returning. She closed her eyes, clenching them, almost painfully, wishing for sleep to engulf her.

But with every passing second, she felt more prominently, the incessant pounding in her head, as a zillion thoughts fought away in her mind.

---

Arnav had almost emptied the whole bottle of Parker's bourbon, letting the strong liquid sear through his veins, as he stood on the balcony, overlooking the dark shadows of the never ending mountains. The brutal Kashmir winds knocked on his face, lashing through his hair, but he welcomed it with open arms. The bourbon on his tongue seemed ineffective in quenching the almost insatiable thirst that coursed through his veins, at that very moment.

He wanted to go to her. To Khushi, sit next to her, revel in the irreplaceable warmth her touch offered. Drink in every drop of the intoxicating taste her lips offered. Breath in every ounce of the dewy jasmine fragrance she emanated.

But, he knew if he took the step he had so foolishly offered her to take, there would be no going back. But then would it be so bad, if for once in his life he didn't want to go back. It had it risks too, he had analyzed in the past two hours. The uncertainty of life in the battle-trodden valley, the fear of separation, the prospect of loss'would he be able to take it? He had questioned himself, but every time only one answer or rather many visuals featuring Khushi had stormed his mind.

Why? Because all his demons, his fears, seemed to be extinguished, when he was with her.

It was almost one, when something clawed inside him. He had to go. Go see, if she was all right, he thought, walking towards her house, ignoring the nagging feeling that she wouldn't be. What he wanted in life exactly, he couldn't decide then. But whatever it was, it could wait till he saw her, Arnav reminded himself.

---

Arnav had tapped on the door, at least six times. But when she didn't answer, he softly unlatched the wooden doors, and entered with padded footsteps.

He was greeted by an enthralling vision.

The silvery moonlight dappled on her lithe body, bathing the graceful loop of her slender arms. With muffled steps, he edged forward, slowly. Bending down, he let his face hover over hers, a mere inch away, but close enough for the dewy fresh scent of jasmine to envelop his senses. He scrutinized every detail, etching in the canvas of his mind, the way the pearly glow of the moon, weaved its way through the creases of the black silk of the chemise. He memorized the image of her damp hair plastered onto the porcelain skin of that delectable arch of her neck. His trembling fingers cut though the fused air they both breathed in, placing them ever so softly on her velvety lips. They parted, for half a second, before she turned away to the other side of the bed.

And the then empty space of the bed, the creases over the pristine white bed sheets and the warmth, her warmth that would still be lingering over those sheets beckoned him with a magnetic pull.

Arnav sincerely obliged.

He slid down, the front of his body pressing against her back. Unconsciously, or so it seemed, she leant back her form slightly, resting herself against his hard planes. Arnav's eyes roves over her bare back, as he ran his fingertips down the smooth curve of her spine, and when he reached the hem of the silk, he deftly, encircled her waist with his hands, pulling her closer. He placed his lips slope of her shoulders, gliding down the edge of her arms, as she turned abruptly.

'You came,' Khushi whispered, so tenderly, that Arnav's breath hitched for a mere second. That silent look of relief in her eyes, tugged at the remaining strands of sanity as he placed his lips on her forehead, enveloping her in his arms completely.

---

Of whatever little of the sleep that had overcome Khushi, she was now dreaming. Dreaming of molten brown eyes, hovering over her. That excruciatingly beautiful face nearing her, as a strong wave of pleasure crashed though her veins, when she felt a gentle pressure somewhere on her lower lip. She had shifted, and turned, not understanding the sudden proximity of familiar woodsy scent.

And then minutes later when she felt the very familiar callous touch of his hands on her back, she knew it was him. She turned around, not wanting to miss the sight of his face, for even half a second.

'You came,' Khushi whispered.

When seconds later, Arnav's lips descended on her forehead, she felt herself being pulled into his arms, as he buried his face in her hair.

'I'm sorry,' Arnav whispered, his voice coming out hoarsely. But it was so faint, the tone so fragile, that the little of the anger that she had held on to, ebbed away just as easily.

---

Arnav gently took hold of the cascading ends of her hair in his left hand, moving it to the left side of her neck. The silver light creaked in through the window, dappling over her neck, as he bent down, over her, flicking his tongue, over the flaxen skin that smelled like lilies. His hands coursed through her waist, gliding the thin silk upwards, slowly.

Moments later when his lips glided over hers, first kissing the corners of her lips, slightly teasing, Khushi lifted her head up, nudging his face with the tip of her nose, before she claimed his lower lip. He was taken aback, for a minute, but her sensual ministrations on his mouth jerked him, as he responded back with equated fervor, pinning her down below him. His lips descended on her like the violent crashing of thunderous waves, sending down shots of pleasure down Khushi's veins, making her squirm beneath him. And somehow, all the unconscious movement going on beneath him, made Arnav claim her lips more furiously with a carnal fierceness, unleashing ardor with every erotic suckle at her neck, as her nails dug into the taut plains of his back.

The little of his trembling sanity snapped when he felt her lips on his shoulders. With a faint growl, he slid his hands under the black silk, gripping her waist tightly, pulling her over him, as her hair splayed over his chest, the moonlight giving her lowered eyes and the parted lips, an ethereal glow. 'I love you,' Arnav whispered against her lips, before claiming then once again.

But this time, Khushi responded with a tender strength. He had said the words, she had wanted to hear since the moment she had herself said them. Maybe it was just in the heat of the moment, or maybe he had just got sidetracked by the unhindered passion that was flowing between them, but he had said it, nonetheless. She didn't want to know, exactly what he meant by saying those words, she wouldn't question him or ask him to repeat them laying forth her disbelief or her sheer happiness, even though she ached to hear them again.

So, Khushi surrendered herself completely, letting her body go limp, as a pleasant lightness coursed through her. And Arnav sensed it, the trust she had in him, humbled him to no lengths.

---

She felt his firm hands stroking the bare expanse of her thighs. He put her on his right side, attacking the base of her throat, and edging lower. Khushi felt feather light kisses moving up from her neck, over her nose and finally resting on her eyelids, as he rapidly stroked her upturned side, moving from the lush curve of her hip to the top of her waist and back again and over. He heard her sigh into his mouth, and he let his hand travel just a little bit higher in its next circuit. Slowly he moved upwards, until he was lightly stroking her breast. A low cry of yearning signaled her approval and as he focused his touch on her voluptuous softness, she moved the slightest amount to encourage him further.

He plundered the confines of her mouth, delving as deep as he could into the drug like taste of her, as she herself, drank in the intoxicating coffee-laced taste of his. His hands rode over the swell of her pliant mounds, lightly skimming them, breathing in the sensation he felt on brushing against her nipples beneath the icy silk, hard under the increasing pressure of his hand. She felt as a single fingertip stroked the top of her, just above the edge of her gown, as her eyes opened and she looked into his darkening molten ones. He waiting, continuing the erotic caress with that lone fingertip, not for a moment diverting his penetrating gaze from her eyes, as her breathing turned heavy, like his own, coming in short gasps, both their awareness locked on the point of connection between their bodies. Khushi blushed, a deep crimson, closing her eyes, and leaning her head back, wordlessly expressing her wish for more. Within a second, he slipped his finger into the neckline of the flimsy chemise, claiming the softness underneath. Khushi fisted in tufts of his hair, shuddering as the silk slid lower and lower, till it was pooled somewhere down her waist.

---

Khushi opened her eyes, to find his ravenous ones gazing down at her whispering, 'you are beautiful, Khushi.' She was almost about to hide her furiously blushing self into the blanket, when a lightning bolt of ecstasy shot through her, as his lips closed over her softness. She bit into his neck; he growled, into her hair, his hands edging lower over the silk, till he found her core. Arnav felt her writhing against him, as he stroked the damp centre, grazing his fingers over it, teasing her to the brink of pleasure and bringing her back.

Every shred of clothing was removed in a matter of minutes as his lips gave in to hers, once again, warm and reassuring, yet evoking streams of velvety thrill with every breath they both took. His hand cupped her, first with genteel strength, then seconds later, with a more primal need, and she gasped, but lifted herself slightly, pressing onto his hand.

His lips etched a scorching trail all the way through her neck right till her throbbing core, where his lips descended, with the softest of pressures. He grinded himself against her, his hands caressing her soft swells, gliding relentlessly over her lips, long enough to make her fully absorbed and accustomed to his touch. Moments later when he swiftly went inside her, he was engulfed in a maelstrom of sensations, as she screamed his name, her lips finding their rightful place inside the ambrosia like confines of his. Her gasps were muffled in his mouth, at the intensity of the orgasm, all conscious thoughts splintering like shards of glass. With blinding white pain overshadowed by vivid stings of pleasure, he came as well, breathing out her name, spilling out waves of unsheathed love.

---

Arnav held her close, under the blankets, resting his hands over her waist protectively. She snuggled in, basking in the sensation of his rippling muscles pressed against her softness. She looked up, to find him staring down at her intently.

'Arnav?' Khushi whispered onto his chest.

'Yes...' He hummed, drawing patterns down the slender curve of her neck.

'I love you,' Khushi said, her hands instinctively encircling his waist. But she didn't miss the stilling of his hands over her skin as she continued, braking into the suffocating silence.

'I got a transfer letter Arnav. They want me to go to Kolkata. India...' Khushi felt his hands tighten around her waist, as his whole form stiffened beside her.

'And you have to?' Arnav asked, his voice trembling into the cold air washing over their faces.

'Maybe...yes,' Khushi mumbled, trying to hold back threatening tears.

'When'?' Arnav asked, lifting up her chin, looking down at her quivering eyes.

'A few weeks later...' Khushi whispered, letting a few tears spill onto his chest, as he wiped the away immediately.

'Sleep Khushi'we'll talk tomorrow,' Arnav mumbled into her hair.

---

For hours, sleep evaded them.

Arnav found himself thinking of a life without her, and it seemed unimaginable. Impossible. The otherwise enthralling beauty of Kashmir already seemed monotonous and dull to him. His hands stroked her hair, and when she shifted closer to him, it was decided, that he would spend every waking moment with her, whatever it took, till...

---

Arnav felt drops of ice cold water droplets fell over his eyelids, his hands moved blindly, still not opening his eyes, as his hands clashed onto something incredibly soft, and his eyes opened. Khushi's face hovered over his, her drenched, dripping hair, curtained his face, as his eyes roamed over her face. Her eyes full of mischief, as her dewy peach lips claimed his, intoxicating him with scents of lilacs, and roses, intoxicating him completely.

'I could get used to mornings like this,' he stated against her lips, claiming them again.

---

Next chapter, Thread 2. 🥳

👏👏👏

worth the wait!!!

i dont want them to get separated!!

update soon...

watching ipkknd right now.. be back soon

EDIT:

Honey... HUBBA HUBBA HUBBA!!!😍 what an awesome part... the anticipation, the confusion, the self-doubt and then finally the meeting... purrrfect!!! 👍🏼

Whats the deal with Khushi's transfer? you mentioned that in the previous update as well.

I absolutely LOVED the update.. couldn't have asked for anything better. Flawless and did i mention I llooovvveeeddd it... ❤️

Thanks for the pm.