ArshiFF: Strings Attached! NOTE pg53 - Page 18

Strings Attached!

Chapter 10

[Day 2 continued']

"Every damned part! The whole thing is incomprehensible!"

Arnav Singh Raizada was used to understanding instantly complex equations, concepts and problems, both real and abstract. The brilliance of his intellect usually put him in control of his environment.

He didn't like being reduced to common human bewilderment. Khushi screwed up her courage.

"Well, I..."

"Oh Shut up, Khushi Kumari Gupta!, One thing I gave you one thing to do and you ruin a day over it and come up with this? This is the type of sub-standard work you want to do for my company?"

Khushi was fast losing all her courage and tears of humiliation where taking its place, Arnav saw it happening. That stopped him, he side stepped the table between them and moved to her chair, she leaned back on her chair, as if to accommodate his nearness.

'What? What are you crying for?' His pitch was the same but the tone had altered to bewilderment, that tone gave way to Khushi's tears.

'When I told you, I have NO idea how to do this, you told me to do it the way I know.' She was sniffling till this time but in the next statement as if the dam broke,

'Ab aap humpe chilla rahe hai, humne kaha that ki humse nai hoga! Per per-'

Khushi was crying with a jag now, and for about a minute, Arnav stood rooted to the spot and then unfroze and bent down to his haunches to come face-to-face. He instinctively took hold of her face and moved his forehead on to her's, 'Shhh...Khushi...shhh.'

Khushi continued crying and moved her face from her resting position on his forehead to his shoulder almost bordering at the crook of his neck. Arnav instinctively moved his now free hands on her neck and the back of her head and continued to sooth her.

But it seemed Devi maiyya had joined hands with Anjali Manohar Jha.

Anjali had come to the office to check on Khushi and had been informed by Sim that Arnav was last heard shouting at Khushi. Anjali almost ran to Khushi's cabin followed by Sim and Pam the biggest gossips of the AR Fashions.

Yes, it irked the staff to know that a mere intern had a cabin while Pam a Manager, was making do with a cubicle, albeit a large cubicle.

This is the scene they witnessed.

As they walked in they could not see anyone, but there was none born to stop Anjali from snooping. She peeped behind the table and saw a hunched Arnav, snuggling Khushi in his arms, while he sported a small crooked smile.

GOLD!

Yes Anjali had struck gold, not with Arnav and Khushi, but with Sim and Pam in the room. She silently thanked Devi Maiyya and stepped back, with a mere gasp, to let these two handle the situation. She mentally smirked at the thought, "one expertise for all" and smiled at the scene unfolding in front of her.

Sim gasped louder than her and Pam even managed a tolerable shriek, fraternizing in the office!

What a crime!

Arnav and Khushi broke apart, though it was very evident that Khushi had been crying, it was ignored by the two. Anjali took a step towards Khushi in concern, she was genuinely concerned as to what her stupid brother might have done. But Pam was there first,

'Oh Khushi, we came to ask you to the cafeteria, coffee break, but never mind.' She gave a triumphant smile to the innocent Ms. Gupta and walked out with a jovial sway in her hips, leaving behind a horrified, speechless Khushi and a stupefied Arnav.

It was then that Khushi spotted Anjali and gave out the loudest gasp of them all, Arnav turned to her, but her gaze was fixed on Anjali. Arnav moved in the direction of Khushi's gaze and was met with the triumphant look on his sister's face. But if the two triumphant looks were to be compared, Anjali looked like she had pinched all the cream, while Pam had the look of a fat cat, viewing a big piece of meat.

Anjali just turned and left the cabin, Arnav looked at Khushi who refused to meet his eye and walked out after his sister. He could smell trouble brewing. But as soon as he reached the general office floor, he heard the hushed whispers, where the only comprehensive words were,

'That intern', 'Lucknow-wali', 'Cheap-clothes', 'ASR', 'Scandal', 'Office affair', 'knew it', 'special rights'

Arnav ignored all on a huff and made his way to his cabin, he could feel gazes pointed at his back.

Aakash Stood outside Chun-mun's school as he saw the Raizada Mansion's driver pick up Chun-mun. He then patiently waited for Payal to come out, He stood there for a long time, the looked at his watch to only realize that she was 45 minutes late.

He frowned and took out his phone to dial her number, it connected immediately but no-one answered. He kept on re-dialing like a manic, all sorts of scenario's started making way into his head. At 2:30, after one and half an hour of her being late he made his way into the school, dread was creeping into his body. He asked the guard about her whereabouts and was informed that she had left 15 minutes early.

Aakash panicked and immediately dialed Aman, he was the most 'jugadi' person he knew.

Aman had just finished his lengthy monologue to get Lavanya to talk to him about her childhood, but she like yesterday had huddled herself on the floor and refused to talk, any amount of persuading was not helping.

His phone rang and he saw 'Aakash' flash on the screen and cursed his friend for his ill timing, but picked up none the less.

'Aman, I need you help man, can you come to sarika's school?' Aman was not a person to jump to conclusion, but Chun-mun was a sensitive subject to all Raizada's and just the mention of her name was enough too jump of the floor and ask

'Why? Is Chun-mun fine?'

'What? Why do you ask?' Aakash was too per-occupied to follow anyone else's thought process, just at this moment, but that was new, and that took Aman aback. Genius Aakash, out of loop?

'Aakash, what's wrong? You sound frazzled?' Aman was now looking at Lavanya and the softer tone reserved only for her, drew into his telephonic conversation. But, Lavanya looked up none the less, she understood that while talking on the phone as well, Aman was with her, soothing her. That thought stuck her as hot coal over her buttery skin and she burned, burned at heart. She buried her face into her folded arms on her knees.

'Aman, there is this girl, don't tell Di! But this girl was to meet me at one and did not show up.'

Aman could not help himself and he choked out a laugh, Lavanya looked up all over again. Aman continued looking at Lavanya, while a small smile played at his lips and answered

'Aakash, have you considered, she ditched the mighty Aakash Singh Raizada?'

When Aakash just made a disgusting noise Aman continued

'Chill, nai aayi toh na sahi, Dilli main abhi ladkiyaan khatam nai hue.'

But the idea of Aakash being stood up, stuck as hilarious to Lavanya as well and she let out a small laugh. I think it's enough to say that Aman was not on the Phone for long.

Arnav had a verbal sparring with his victorious sister, but all the while his eyes were on the door to Khushi's cabin. He was waiting for her to make an appearance, but he had a sinking feeling that she was not coming out today.

When Anjali saw that her presence was not even being acknowledged by Arnav she left, but with a small smile, her plan was truly under now. Now she could even trust Arnav to handle it, whatever his faults, he was not stupid and of course she would be there to assist if his stupidity did surface.

Arnav did not leave his cabin all day, but kept a hawk's eye on THE door.

Khushi, slipped out the cabin as soon as Arnav turned towards his book shelf, she had no courage to face the staff and definitely none to face that Laad Governor. She blushed even while she uttered his name mentally, she was drawn back to the strong, callously fingers that had held her.

'aaa...grrr.' She let out her frustration in her groan and made her way out from the back entrance of the office.

To hell with the memo!

To hell with the laad governor!

To hell with the handsome jerk!

To hell with Pam!

To hell with the siblings from hell!

To hell with Arnav Singh Raizada and his hellish company!

To hell with the internship!

It was time to leave for home, Arnav was worried that Khushi was terrified enough to not even come out once. He was hesitant for a second to make his way, but then steeled himself, he was after all ASR!

But all he found was a very vacant cabin, he cursed her bewitchery!

He called Aman Immediately and told him to mail him all of Ms. Gupta's contact details. She could leave the office, but she'll have to be super-woman to evade Arnav Singh Raizada!!!!

The door to their room opened, she saw him and all intelligent thought ceased. Her knees felt weak. She leant back against the wall to steady herself. Everything about Shyam thrilled her to death. From the stubborn angle of his proud dark head to the lithe, leashed power and grace of his hard, muscular frame, he was spectacularly male. He was breathtakingly handsome and he still only had to walk through the door to make her heart threaten cardiac arrest. In all the misunderstanding she could only remember his physical presence.**

Shyam kicked the door shut behind him and powered on across the hall to haul her into his arms. For an endless moment of bliss she was lost in the glorious touch and feel of him. Her nostrils flared on the familiar male scent of his skin overlaid with a faint tang of designer lotion and her responses went into overdrive. 'Shyam.. .' she breathed unsteadily.

His hands closing over her smaller ones, Shyam pinned her back against the wall with all the single-minded purpose of a male guided by lustful intent. She succumbed to the allure of his hard, sensual mouth with the same fervour she would have employed in a life or death situation.

He tasted like heaven, like something addictive she could not do without, and she clung. The tight knot of excitement in her belly fired her every nerve ending into an eager blaze of expectation. He dropped her hands to curve possessive fingers to the full, feminine swell of her hips and lift her into stirring connection with his bold erection.

'Oh ... ' she moaned, melting like honey in sunlight while the wicked throb of helpless hunger shimmied down into her pelvis and made her ache. Plastered to every line of his big, powerful frame, she dragged her mouth free to snatch in a necessary gulp of oxygen while dimly her mind prompted her to recall an important ritual that she could not afford to overlook

'Your mobile .. .' she gasped.

Shyam tensed.

'It's me or the phone,' Anjali reminded him reluctantly.

One-handed, Shyam wrenched the phone from his jacket, saw payal flash over the screen and switched it off then tossed it down on the floor. He returned to plundering her mouth with devouring hunger and then wrenched himself back from her, dark colour scoring his cheekbones. ' For once we are going to be slow and savour it!'

Dazed by passion, Anjali slowly nodded. With determination Shyam angled her away from the wall and backed her towards their bed. 'If I surrender my phone, you have to make it worth my while.'

'Oh ...' Anjali gazed back at him, soft mouth pink and tingling from the heat of his, her legs unsteady supports. The blaze of sexual challenge in his eyes imprisoned her as surely as a chain. A blinding wave of excitement sizzled through her. She had nevre seen this side of Shyam, it excited her beyond reason. Shyam surveyed her with scorching satisfaction. He pulled the pallu of her saree from her shoulder and then on a whim pulled her saree along with the petticoat down her hips and it shimmied down her hips to expose the pink lace panties that moulded her ripe curve. He vented a husky masculine sound of appreciation.

'You're superb...' he simultaneously took out her blouse to unsheathe a matching pink bra.

Self-conscious colour flushed her cheeks and even burnished the slope of her full breasts. Scooping her up, he deposited her on the bed, his charismatic smile flashing across his lean dark features, and her heart leapt as though it had a life of its own.

'Don't move,' he told her with urgency.

'I'm not going anywhere,' she whispered, her attention locked to him like a magnet as he peeled off the tailored jacket of his business suit.

He looked sensational.

Butterflies were fluttering in her tummy and she was on a helpless high of anticipation.

'Do you think about me when you're away?' Anjali blurted out.

His shirt hanging loose on his muscular chest, Shyam came down on the bed and laughed out loud. 'What do you think?' his answer was in jest as he made a suggestive gesture with his scorching eyes.

Anjali flushed to the roots of her hair, hurt and disappointment scything through her that he should be so literal. 'That wasn't what I meant.'

Shyam hauled her up against him with strong hands, and eyes ablaze with arrogant confidence assailed hers. 'Don't ask trick questions, at meast not when all my blood is elsewhere deposited' he warned her. 'You're my Wife. Of course I think about you.'

Without hesitation, he plundered her mouth and her uneasy thoughts blurred. Fire sparked low in her belly and a wave of tormenting hunger consumed her. Even as she doubted his commitment to their marriage recently, she could not resist her need to take refuge in his passion. Her body was taut with sensitivity, begging for sensation. The expert caress of his hands on her breasts made her moan. The rosy buds crowning her tender flesh tingled and when he utilized his teeth and his tongue on those inflamed peaks, she writhed, control slipping from her as steadily as any form of rational awareness.

Her heart was racing, the breath catching in her dry throat. He was pure elemental male and he knew exactly what inflamed her. He found the hot, swollen secret at the heart of her and clever fingers drove her to ever more desperate heights of longing. The passion took over, roaring through her twisting, turning length like an explosive fireball.

'This is how I like to picture you,' Shyam rasped with raw satisfaction. 'Out of your mind with the pleasure I give you.' Anjali was taken aback by the intensity of the statement, she saw a whole knew Shyam, he looked free, free of something.

He sank into her with ravishing force and her body leapt and clenched. The frenzy of excitement mastered her with terrifying immediacy. Delirious with desire, she was way beyond any hope of mastering the tempestuous surge of her responses.

Her need for Shyam was almost painfully intense. His passion pushed her to a wild peak of unbearable pleasure and then she fell down and down and down into a state of turbulence that bore no resemblance to her usual cunningness and manipulativeness. Her body was satisfied but her emotions were raw. Tears lashed her eyes and overflowed before she even knew what was happening to her.

Shyam rolled over onto his back. In the act of rearranging her on top of him, he pushed her hair gently off her face and his fingers lingered on her damp cheekbone. 'What's wrong?' he demanded.

'Nothing's wrong.' Anjali gulped. 'I don't know why I'm crying. It's silly.'

Foreboding nudged at Shyam, who excelled at second-guessing those who surrounded him. She buried her head in his shoulder. He smoothed her hair.

Handsome mouth taut, he closed his arms round her. If he were patient she would tell him what was wrong. She was quite incapable of keeping anything important from him. Her confiding habits were engrained, he reminded himself.

'I'm sorry...I suppose I've just come over all emotional thinking about the day.' Anjali gave a small smile. When Shyam asked what was so stressing about the day, Anjali felt too tired and mumbled a nothing, and comfortably slept with her husband's scent lingering on her.

Arnav re-read Khushi phone number a millionth time, he had been sitting with a very absent minded, pissed drunk Aakash, as much as he found drunk Aakash, funny he had a certain Ms. Gupta and her musky smell circling his mind.

He gave up the fight and pressed the dial button.

'What-the!'

What he heard had him pull out the phone from his ear and re-check the number he had dialed.

Yes! It was Khushi indeed!

I Am A Hunter And She Want To See My Gun?
When I Pull It Out Boy The Woman Start To Run
I Am A Hunter And She Want To See My Gun?
When I Pull It Out Boy The Woman Start To Run

She Beg Me To See It
She Beg Me To Show It?
But When I Reveal It
She Want To Run-N-Hide?

He cut the call unceremoniously and uttered

'Unbelieveble!'

Ciao!

Love!

Chetana.

Buddy me for PM's.