THE DAFFODIL AND HER BLACK BRYONY - CHAPTER 16
Khushi shivered at his confidence, she wanted payal and akash to sit together and NK would never take a window seat due to his bladder issue 'uff NK I HATE U' ' Khushi cursed him in her brain. And seeing arnav so adamant on not leaving her alone she had no choice but to sit next to him.
'THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG FLIGHT' thought arnav and khushi!!!
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The first hour of the flight was peaceful for khushi as she had earphones on and didn't pay attention to arnav at all. She always went fully prepared for long flights, a reading book for the way, her ipod touch fully charged, chewing gums because of the ears closing and to refrain from that she always had to have chewing gum her entire flight, her sketch pad *incase ideas popped into her mind and to remain on the safe side she always jot them down there in then, in her case 'drew them'*.
Arnav wasn't much bothered till now as he knew she wont survive for 8 hours without talking so he peacefully settled in his chair and started typing on his laptop once done with take off. One thing khushi and arnav had majorly in common is their love for the work they do. Where arnav was busy making a presentation for his London clients khushi was busy sketching something, they were like two people who during work could not sense anyone else's presence fully dived into their work not caring about the place or time. after done with making the presentation arnav relaxed in his chair and closed his eyes for few seconds to give them a break. Just then he peeped towards his left to see what khushi was doing. Khushi was like a teenage girl he thought, she came prepared- book, ipod, chewing gum and what not. Just like a excited teenager who was going on a flight for the first time but he knew this was probably her habit! He glanced to his left again seeing khushi busily sketching something on the sketch pad. It didn't look like something professional or for a client. He had seen her draw for a client, she always had a list of things the client wanted and gave thought to whatever she drew but right now she was just umm.. 'drawing' not caring about what she drew where or thought even for a bit. It was as if the design was already printed in her head and she just laid it on paper.
The moment his eyes fell on her face he knew' arnav knew that look in her eyes, the look he always has while sketching a design that comes from his heart and that design is always for himself. He never show cases it, just keeps the sketch. Only one thing could be concluded from this, khushi was drawing her dream house.
It was beautiful, even in mere black and white color it had numerous colors to it. The diagram was beautifully labeled, everything in its place. It was a huge ground, covered with grass and she had clearly labeled 'grass' like kids label maps. In the middle was a one story house and it had glass walls *of course she had labeled 'glass' too*. The glass walls had chiffon curtains specifically labeled as white, the walls were just covered with these curtain nothing more. Each area of the house had an inner view drawn to it, there was a small passage way that led to a living room on the left and a open drawing room to the right. The living room had 3 sofas and a center table with an LCD fixed on the wall and it had a view of the vast garden outside through the glass wall. The drawing room had a 8 people dining table with a small chandelier on top. Moving further there was an open kitchen, small and cozy, with a built in microwave and oven. She wanted hitachi appliences and an Italian kitchen where the cabinets open with just a push. Opposite the kitchen was a room, master bedroom as she had labeled it, her room obviously. The room was connected through a wall with the living room which meant it also had a glass wall giving the view of the vast garden. Her room had a white bed and a small 2 seator sofa near the door. Simple and elegant. There was a guest room too but the inner structure wasn't made by her yet. The surprising thing was that her garden had almost everything, a big fountain that could be seen both from the living room and master bedroom. A big oak tree in a corner on which a small wooden swing was tied * he was right she was a teenager at heart* and the garden was filled with plants and flowers which she had named individually. Amaryllis, Anthurium, Baby's Breath, Carnation, Cherry Blossom, Gardenia, Solidaster, Standard Mum, Sunflower and many more.
Khushi could feel someones intense gaze on her and she knew who would it be other than arnav. She turned and looked towards him, her expression of someone who has been caught red handed.
Arnav: your dream house?
Khushi just nodded, she did not want to start a conversation with him specially after she was mad at him and angry too. But she couldn't bring herself to hate him not even dislike, hell she wasn't even feeling angry. His words played in her mind again and again.
Arnav: khushi I don't want u to promise me u will be there for me but please just hear me out once and don't jump to conclusion.
Arnav: you are a daffodil khushi.
By her choice of flowers he knew she knew what they meant and decided to name her a daffodil. It meant 'The sun is bright when I am with you, Respect, Sunshine, Unrequited love, Regard'
Khushi just stared at arnav after being called a daffodil, of course she knew what it meant but what confused her was why he said it. It was then she laid all her insecurities aside and all the nonsense that was building up in her head and spoke.
Khushi: why did u hide who u were arnav, when I confessed I was khushi why did u not tell me then. Is this ur way of taking revenge or u didn't trust me with it.
Arnav: khushi I '
Khushi: arnav I am not very fond of ur gender specially because of ur sex's qualities and abilities. It pisses me off, u may call me a feminist but when I met u I thought u were different. The first time we met we fought but u took charge of the mistake which is very rare in men as their ego comes in their way, the next time we met u saved me from some unknown people u thought were lusting on me, we met at ur office and I recognized ur devotion towards work a trait we have in common. Then when I came for help u didn't sympathize u gave me strength. What was all this when all along u were just lying. I know I did the same and we might have the same reasons which is that we don't want to get married but why did u not tell me later when in the middle of the night I came to meet u and that too after lying to my mother. I confessed my insecurities to u, something I haven't done EVER. Even infront of my mom, why did u not tell me then. And why NOW!!
Khuhsi let out a breath which she was holding back during her nonstop rant.
Arnav: khushi now I would appreciate if u stay quiet and let me talk.
Khushi just nodded too taken aback by his calm demeanor. Now they were facing each other while talking.
Arnav: first let me clarify to u that I hid my real identity from u because of a very different reason, not because I didn't want to get married or didn't like u or whatever other reason in ur head. I hid my identity because I was sorting out things, things u do not know. Our life is not as simple as it looks khushi. Your safe keeping is in my hands. All your life u have been protected from evil, I was too but now things r different as I have to protect u as well as myself. something which is very new to me. I know u r a feminist and would be thinking 'I don't need protection from a man' but trust me u do. My second reason was to keep us hidden from the world. We cannot let people around us know we r arnav and khushi. The reason I am taking u to London so early when I am in no hurry to start redecorating my office is just our safety.
Arnav paused for khushi to digest this piece of information given by him. Obviously she was shocked and confused at the same time. but things weren't easy to explain, specially the part where people are bidding on khushi to buy her. She would blast after hearing that. Her dislike for men would increase to a spot where hatred would start. His daffodil will not be able to keep up with this torture. How helpless he felt after telling her a bit of it, like showing her just a teaser trailer of a film.
Khushi: arnav I ' I do not understand a word u r saying, not a single word.
Arnav: do u trust me khushi?
Khushi: only if you promise to be my Black Bryony (meaning: Be my support)
Arnav: always and forever 'Daffodil'.
And there it was along with the new names given to each other they promised to support each other, be loyal to each other and trust no matter what happened.
Khushi couldn't imagine she had just called him her 'Black Bryony' since when did she need support and why did she trust him and his words but right now she felt scared. The way he kept saying she was in danger scared her. If it were someone else she wouldn't have paid a bit attention to that person but arnav and his sincere light brown orbs were intoxicating.
Arnav sighed in relief, whatever was to come in their way they would deal with it together. He never even in his wildest dream thought khushi would react like this, but she never failed to surprise him. And she did that thrice today, first by standing by his side, then by accepting payals decision and coming along and now by trusting him.
He was tired now from all the fighting. All the thinking. All the planning and he needed rest.
Khushi: I don't want to know everything now, u can always tell me once we reach London, no hurry.
she had sensed his tiredness and to avoid being a burden on him she said that. when in reality she was dying to know the truth, truth of her life as he likes to put it, n truth of their lives!
Arnav: u r unbelievable, u have been shocking me with surprises since the morning. I feel tired from the shock now.
Khushi giggled and replied: people normally feel electrified mr raizada but oh well u r always an exception.
Yes they were both crazy but in their own ways. Just when they were about to continue their conversation food arrived. It was time to give ur brain some rest now ' thought the two restless souls as they dig in their food.
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Ok guys so how was it.
Just arshi at the moment because the truth has to come out too, I am taking this slowly because the truth is quiet devastating. Eventhough khushi is very strong but no girl would be fine with the fact that people bet in her everyday and she is on the verge of being sold. And arnav can not find the courage to tell her this.
Love u all..
-Tabby J.
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