The Mirage and Oasis...New FF: Chapter 13 updated - Page 32

Khushi had never experienced anything so different and sweet. She had never hugged men, except her cousins in all her 22 years of life.

She felt hot and cold, shy and scared, worried and kind of secure.

But she realized this was wrong and began to wriggle out'

Arnav tried to release her Holding her had been sweet heaven. He was no school boy. He had hugged women, some of whom had tired to go further, which he had always put a stop to. He could always pull out of a hug easily. But holding this girl felt different. For one, she was a perfect fit. Every frame of her fit perfectly into his own lea form. She practically moulded into him. Her height was just right. His chin rested on her head. She was all softness and sweetness'in short an arm full of heaven. The more sh wriggled the more snugly they were entwined. He could feel her trembling and it made him want to hug her closer and still closer.

'Why are you scared?' his voice was gentle as he asked.

'I'am not scared' I mean'yeah a little'..Daddy will be mad at me. He never wanted me to work for the same reason like this'he will scold me when I go home and'' she went quite he heard some sniffing and could feel his shirt wet.

She was crying. Damn! She was such a kid. He held her closer, a strange protectiveness coming over him. She was scared of her Dad? He did not know what that meant'..He shut off his memory.

'Shhh'it is ok. Relax. Someone will come soon. Don't worry,' he said.

She moved away then feeling relaxed, but stumbled and again collided on him.

'Hey. I think it is a good idea if you stay closer. You seem to be all nerves,' he told her. So she stayed closer to him, which scared her more because it awoke a strange feeling of never wanting to move away.

At last when the power came and the lift moved it was past 10'o clock. Khushi immediately stepped back and looked down at her disheveled state.

Arnav looked at her to make sure she was fine. If anything she looked prettier, with her tear streaked flushed cheeks, disheveled hair and moist eyes.

They quickly came out, only to see the streets flooded.

'How will you go?' Arnav asked her.

'I will get an auto,' she said.

'No. It is unsafe. Plus the roads are flooded. Let me drop you. Quick get in,' he said without giving her a chance to sleep.

All the way through the drive, Arnav was conscious of the girl right next to him. She seemed to be nervous still. But that could not shut her up.

'What car is this?' she asked.

'Ford Mustang,' he replied

'Is that a foreign car?' she asked

'Of course,' he said

'Ok. This must be costly. I have always wondered why people spend so much money on 4 wheels. All cars feel the same to me,' she said.

'Really? Do you drive?' he asked.

'No. I just sit behind or see them. They feel the same to me,' she said

'talk to me when you start driving. You will see why we spend so much money,' he said.

He thought she would be quiet. But she started again.

'What will these people in the roads do when it gets flooded. Where will they sleep, she said looking out at the chawls.

'No idea,' he said nonchalantly.

'Don't you think they deserve a good house?' she persisted.

Surprised he looked at her. Her conversation was so refreshingly entertaining and thoughtful at the same time.

'Yes they do,' he said.

'Then why don't people do anything for them?' she asked.

'No clue,' he said.

'Don't you care?' she asked again,

'I do, but does that help?' he asked, 'My worrying is not going to help them.'

'No. But 'well,' she said nothing. He was relieved. But she started again, 'But, you know, shouldn't people do something?' she nagged.

'Yes they should,' he said and reminded himself to double the amount to the orphanage for the homeless. This girl could make him think! And he thought she was just a silly chick.

When they reached her house, she stood outside without going in.

'What happened?' he asked

'Mmm...nothing...Daddy,' she said and looked towards the door. There stood an aged man looking thunderous. Impulsively she asked,' Can you come and explain?'

He sighed. He had never done this for anyone. But this girl was so young. He decided to make an exception.

'Sir your daughter was stuck in the elevator with me. It took a long time to get serviced due to the rain and late hours. Since it was raining I dropped her,' Arnav told the man who was still glaring at him. The girl, Khushi, he corrected himself, definitely looked like him.

'And pray who are you?' Khushi's Dad asked,

'I am her boss. Arnav Singh Raizada,' he said.

'Is it correct to hold back your employees so late in office that they get into trouble?' Khushi's Dad asked.

Arnav looked away uncomfortably, but Khushi jumped in, 'Daddy it was not Arnav. It was I who stayed back. I had work to complete for a campaign that goes live tomorrow,' she said.

Her father glared her just as sternly and walked away inside the house.

'Thank you for the help,' Khushi said shyly

Arnav shrugged, still amazed at being scolded like a gawky teenager who had gone on a date with a girl without the Dad's permission. Well, if it helped her, fine, he told himself.

'It's ok. Go in and please don't stay back if it causes you trouble. I don't want my employees to suffer in any way. Their safety and happiness comes first,' he said

'Sure thanks again,' she said and impulsively offered her hand for a 'thank you'. He shook it feeling the warmth under his palm'

She tingled with the touch as she watched him walk away. She stood there waiting for him to drive away, hoping he would glance at her once before leaving'but he did not.

As he drove away he controlled himself from looking back. He was Arnav Singh Raizada, no coy teenager who would get carried away with a simple lift encounter'.

But he couldn't help wishing she would not be scolded by her Dad,,,,