ArHi FF:1: The BEASTS and the BLEEDING ROSES - Page 71

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purplelove thumbnail
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Posted: 12 years ago
[:D/] I was finally able to read all the updates I missed.

Wow so much happened while I was away. đŸ„±

Glad the hooded lady has made a reappearance. 😊

Superb writing. It's almost 3 AM here, need sleep. 😕 Just wanted to you to know I enjoyed each update. Tablet connection is having issues so unable to press "like" on some updates.

Bravo. Eagerly awaiting your next update.
smashitup thumbnail
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Posted: 12 years ago
Wonderfully inspired twist LS đŸ€— it will keep my ice cream cool ! x
hellgirl thumbnail
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Posted: 12 years ago
Wow...thats nice now we hv our own place to sit and listen to the amazing story...
Must say that innkeeper is really nice...and that cave behind the grandfather clock ,no problm we'll make it more cozy tis saturday...
the_breeze thumbnail
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Posted: 12 years ago
Ohk, initially when I read this, the only thought running in my mind was "IS SHE BEING HARASSED BY SOMEONE TO STOP WRITING???" then you mentioned Captain Responsibility and I was like "damnit, is she gonna take a break from writing due to study commitments???" then you mentioned the Cave and I went "oh god is she moving out of the forum to a blog???"... đŸ„ș

So, I have gone through all that and I still am not totally sure of what just happened there... All I can say with surety is that I will always be available to listen to your story and that PLEASE NEVER stop writing... â˜ąïž

And damn you woman, don't scare me like this!!! 😡

You do this one more time and I swear I'm gonna come after you... 😈

so waiting for Sat!!

cya soon Lin!!

lotsa love
medharees thumbnail
Posted: 12 years ago
Hidden from the world
You kept your word
I can also feel his footsteps behind me
Rearing closer here comes Captain Responsibility
Rest assured dear friend
We'll meet you at the Inn

Thnx for the pm

starfire.96 thumbnail
Posted: 12 years ago
Just finished reading it all.
I've gotta say your story is completely awsome.
Can't wait for sat.
9424976 thumbnail
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Posted: 12 years ago
So after a couple of days, I have calmed down and I can manage to write a response. I really like how you have managed to rewrite the same exact story (heck I think you would have made a great cv!!) but in such a different setting altogether. I have come across many FFs in which one recreates a scene, and the way you have done it has surpassed them all. I wish this was a published book! I,m doing this in random order

Arnav, so cruel what with the play representing khushi, exactly what he did on the show. So cruel. So Arnav.

But I really like how you have introduced Akash and Payal to each other, it has made my heart all fuzzy and whatnot. And it has made me miss their relationship as was shown months ago on the show.

I love how you enacted the maanat ki chaabi, though you made it into a temple key. I also noted how you still made Khushi the one that works for her family and how it was once again due to Arnav that she had to move "cities" and ironically started working for him. And I love how she didn't know it was ASR who she was working for. Lavanya's character is too funny, though I really hope you make her nice! Khushi is a handmaid!! Haha have you read a handmaids tale? A handmaid is the one that goes into a women's house and literally has babies with the women's husband when the women isn't able to. Ironic huh??

I really was surprised and delighted at the fact that Khushi controls the beast in Arnav yet brings out the beast in Shyam. I have never thought about it in this way and it really does pertain to the story.

The red robe, oh the red robe. I felt the spark. The one that had happened when the show first started. You have really done well with the whole entire scene. I could just imagine it clearly, and the way both Arnav and Khushi were feeling. I don't think words will suffice for this scene. It is my all time favorite. I just love love love it. And how later on Arnav saves Khushi in the rain from a car, I mean a horse. Yes I caught on to that as well.

Oh cruel Arnav makes Khushi go into the forest and then finds her all weak and fainted. Lovely! Ha, not really for Khushi but woah Arnav. Cannot believe he did that, though it was very umm nice? Arnav is slowly giving in and I cannot wait until he fully does! And he imagined it as well.

Khushi is living with them!! Happy dance!!!!! I hope she wakes up one night and finds Arnav and he tries to control his emotions by going to her again. Does he realize that she is the one that is stopping it? Poor girl is living in a small room? Sad. So sad.

I just love how you are slowly making Arnav change and it's not love at first sight. It's still as believable as the real story is.

Shyam, I know it's inevitable but I still hate him and hope he is not present in too many of your chapters.

Nani is my favorite by far. I just love her. And I cannot wait to see how you slowly reveal the mystery behind the curse and how the hell it has to be solved.

Aman is cute. Nuf said about him.

OMG. I hope NK makes an appearance in this story!! I want Arnav being jealous. Though I know it's too soon, maybe in the next 10 chapters or so? Am I asking for too much?

Chocolate liquor > jalebi's.

Really though, this is only half the thoughts going through my head because it's been a week since I've last read your story and a lot was going on in my mind and this is what I've managed to jot down.
And I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your story so far and it has reminded me why I was so interested in the show and into fan fictions in the first placed.
Aquiline thumbnail
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Posted: 12 years ago

Allzwell, Harsh, indiavizion, sariarshi, kvarsha, rrd, hoopoe, khusiarnav, saomom, Sonia, saga_twilight, garlic, angeldream, ASRandKKGSRFan, darya, Shas, Aura, srija.singh, , casker, hatelove, Kalpana, Shalve, music, AllSmiles, kushipugly, Crinklez, Vidya, sowmya, selcouth-names, Preetianjita, hellgirl, , peepli, petrified Breeze who has now calmed down, Shikha, Idealist, Vamy, Dingle, a peep from dear Sia, Heta, Salsa, Return of SilverFairy (once Artemis), purplelove returned too...I want to thank you all individually for your wishes on my turning Goldie, for your deep and loving and, sometimes, short and sweet comments on my updates and your happy reactions to the Reader Surprise. But time is of essence and I shall thank thee all separately at a later date!

On behalf of all the Comrades and readers (listeners!) of my little tale, I welcome to our Circle, farha, Keerthi, starfire, medharees who made my day with her poetry, and new lover of my story 9424976.

There is something that 9424976 (honey, give me a penname I can call you by other than this tiny train of numbers) wrote in her lovely comment and I want to share it with you as it's an insight a deep reader connects with reading the tale at one stretch and thus picks on the pattern...Having read up to 67 chapters, 9424976 (sigh! Penname!) managed to draw out this marvelous conclusion:

Originally posted by: 9424976


I really was surprised and delighted at the fact that Khushi controls the beast in Arnav yet brings out the beast in Shyam. I have never thought about it in this way and it really does pertain to the story.

I walked into the Inn and found the innkeeper in quite a cheery mood.

Asked regarding the reason behind his wide smile, he nodded to the stairs, near which, stood the dusty grandfather clock, "They all marched in looking quite excited and you will not believe how wonderfully happy they were. All thanking and shaking me hand! I have never felt admired so much in all my life, I tell ya!"

I nodded, "Ah, yes, Vidya, Music, hellgirl and Vamy had especially asked you to be thanked for the aid and kindheart and, kushipugly, you will remember her as the chirpiest among the lot in the Circle. Ah, yes, she asked me to give you a grand hug on all our behalf."

And before I knew it, the innkeeper had pulled me into a smothering embrace, winding the air out if my lungs and he cried out, "Oh, thank them dear listeners of your story for their love and concern! They have just made my day!"

I promised him I would, and was relieved when he let go of me. I paused and took time to catch my breath and fill air into my flattened lungs. His hug, let me tell you, reminded me of Buaji hugging Payal.

I nodded to him gratefully, was handed a lantern like all the others before me had been, and I made for the grandfather clock. Making sure no one saw me, I boldly opened the glass door. Pulling at the pendulum, I heard the soft thud at the rear of the clock, waited for the board at the back to move and then stepped into the dusty clock, circling around the stiff pendulum and finally stepped into the black hole beyond. It was not a long walk this time and as I neared the destination, I began to hear anticipated voices and laughter of all those waiting within the interior room.

With the lantern in my hand guiding me, a few strides more and soon the light of many lanterns hanging from the ceiling of the huge Cave greeted my eyes and I stopped and appraised the assembly. The fire roared in the fireplace and there were many faces in the crowd sitting cross-legged and cuddled upon the white and gold rugs and blankets laid upon the floor.

I removed my travelling sack and hat, placed them on the floor near the wall and walked towards the gathered. I found a place near the fireplace where I could warm myself and see every face before me, eager faces waiting for me to resume my story. I was handed a mug of something warm and I held it in my hand for a while, letting the heat warm my cold-from-travelling-fingers. All those who got the pigeons and a few new faces were gathered here in our special place, the Cave of the Arhasian Comrades.

Originally posted by: FarighInsan

Oh! Oh! Could we have fleece blankies to snuggle in & humongous cushions to recline upon?!
& could we have a few pet kittens to cuddle there that would listen to the story with us and would cozy up with whomever they felt like cozying up with, whenever..? And maybe we could have a big book on a low table to write our names, our thoughts and musings in, after each narration? So as to leave a record of our journey together? Oh, im imagining each and every corner of our new room! I love it here! I love d amaz4ng, kindhearted innkeeper! God bless his soul!

Originally posted by: kushipugly

OMG, i just can't wait to come & hear this story in this cozy grandfather clock secret room. If you could put a tiny fish tank somewhere in the corner just like arnav has in his SRroom in farmhouse & a fullfy furry big white blanket, big enough for all of us to share whilst litening to yr story😊

& yes whilst you are there setting the room, plz give a hug to the innkeeper from all of us comrads for giving us that wonderful oppertunityđŸ€—

We could have a fish bowl, yes, and kushipugly could herself volunteer to feed them every now and then to cheer her up with thoughts of being reminded of the Raizada Farmhouse in the show! I do not know about having cats within our cave but if anyone does have a liking to the idea, I am only glad to affirm your wish granted. And yes, we shall have a huge book placed on a low table to record our thoughts and musings after every journey our minds take to Arhasia while I narrate you the tale. And guess what, you will have to dip a quill into an ink bottle set beside the book to write down your thoughts! We shall call it the Book of the Comrades' Chronicles!

And I'll remind you something Dingle had mentioned in honour of me turning Goldie in our Inn:

Originally posted by: dingle

Congratulations on becoming a GOLDIE!!!!!!!!!

👏
Next Ale at the inn is on me ;)

And something else that Dingle had done. In the Reader Surprise, remember I had told the innkeeper that Dingle had asked him once about the location for the Raizada Castle. Being denied the answer from the innkeeper did not stop her from ceasing her search. She even approached me with a query if the picture she'd found had any affinity to the Castle. I was amazed and told her that I believe it to be a closer replica of the Castle than I had myself set my eyes upon! Dingle, allow me to share your finding with our dear friends here...(she even picked on the waterbody behind it!)

The half dozen barrels placed on the table at the rear of the Cave are filled with different drinks of your choice, like they had been ordered during your last visit. The innkeeper can be consulted if you need anything else. So...all warmed and cozied for the tale? *wink*

Chapter Sixty Eight: A Week at the Castle

And so a week rolled by at the castle after Kushi's arrival, with her every moment spent in being a willing shadow and tireless aid to Lady Lavanya. She walked beside her mistress wherever she wished to go and flourished in her duties with great fervour.

Early morning at around half past four, she had to wake way before her mistress awoke, and after bathing and changing into a new gown in the servant's washroom beside the room near the kitchen, she had to see to it that warm water was placed in the basin in the her mistress' bathing chamber for Lady Lavanya to freshen up after waking. Kushi, then, had to set aside a gown that her mistress will like to wear that day. She then would go down to get the warm coffee from the kitchen. By the time she brought the coffee to her mistress room, the latter would have awaken and be found sitting up in bed, her pink hair curlers bright in her dark dishevelled hair. Two cubes of sugar had to be put into the coffee and stirred well before handing the cup to her mistress in bed.

Later, after her mistress had washed up and dressed, Kushi had to escort her mistress where she wanted to go. Lady Lavanya didn't always go the Industry anymore so Kushi was relieved about that fact. She never wanted to set foot into that place again.

For meals, she had to escort her mistress to the dining table, but she didn't have to wait on her mistress there, because the Raizadas had a different set of servants to wait on them when they breakfasted, lunched or dined. So when Lady Lavanya had her meals with the family of the Castle, Kushi would go to the kitchen where all servants, maids and cooks dinned together around the huge kitchen table. It was a warm happy little circle of friends she had there, young and old, and she enjoyed her share of her meals with them. All the servants took an instant liking to the young chirpy, happy handmaid. She was the youngest server among them so they also found themselves watching over her and guiding her in the duties she was still not aware of. They had learnt of how she had been pushed out of the window by the First Lord and how she had braved herself to ask him to suspend service under him in his Industry. This esteemed her to be upheld with admiration in their eyes but Kushi was ignorant of this. Though she knew she was liked by all, she presumed that it was only natural that when it came to being servers at the Castle, those serving found strength in their company among other servers.

Kushi had to carry out associated jobs like airing her mistress's room, fluffing the pillows, changing the sheets, handing over the used sheets and gowns of her mistress to the washermaid of the Castle and then collecting back the washed and dried sheets and clothes and after neatly folding them, placing them in her mistress's huge wardrobe in its specific sections. She had other tiny assorted duties to perform: fanning her mistress when she wanted an afternoon nap; remaining by her side or massaging her legs, when Lady Lavanya sat in the garden bench talking with Lady Manorama, who greatly detested Kushi and kept referring to her as "Rags" but mostly preferred to ignore her.

Sometimes Kushi was ordered to scrub her mistress's back and toes as she lay submerged in a tub of foamy hot water in her private bathing chamber. Through her experience as Lady Lavanya's handmaid, Kushi was securing the values of being more patient and forgiving like how her Buaji had advised her that one day she would have to. Lady Lavanya was Kushi's refining ground, for she taunted her and accused her of every little displeasure her mistress felt but Kushi learned that, for a servant, humble silence was a divine reaction and she could always learn to look beyond the hurt in the words addressed to her and find wisdom to correct her ways or blend more to the needs of her mistress.

Kushi found little joys at the Castle too. All the servants, old and young were kind to her and if the cooks had tried a new dessert, they would call to Kushi when she passed the kitchen and asked her to taste it, giving her the benefit of judging the first taste of the specials served in the house. Kushi was appreciative of all their hardwork and they glowed in her encouragement and when she provided suggestions for betterment, they only found delight in putting them to action.

Kushi herself admired the aged butler Rahim Chacha the best. He had a fatherly affection towards Kushi and she felt she could approach him for anything she needed.

Then there were her meetings with Nani in her room. After Lady Lavanya slipped into her afternoon nap, Kushi stopped fanning her mistress and stole upstairs to the room at the far end, where Nani waited expectantly every afternoon. Nani would let Kushi open her window and allow the afternoon breeze and light sneak into the forbidden room.

Kushi had a wonderful time watching Nani knit and telling the elderly woman all about her childhood pranks and about how her mother was annoyed with her and how her elder sister was amused by her little mischiefs. She told her about her Buaji and Nani liked the resolute, brave woman described to her and wished to see her. Sometimes when she went to Nani's room, she found Lady Anjali there and they would talk about sweet things and books while Kushi fed Fortune a few biscuits by hand. But never, in her time spend conversing with Lady Anjali and Nani, did she ever ask them about their life at the Castle or their past nor did they convey her anything about them. Their exchange was always a happy hour, where Kushi's silly childhood experiences and her perspective of things filled the dark air with hope. After every visit of Kushi, only Lady Anjali silently noticed, Nani looked younger and less tired as she leaned back into her rocking armchair, and waited in the hope of seeing her 'little beacon of faith' the next afternoon.

Kushi mentioned all this in her letters to Payal which she wrote every day. Payal's replies were also a regular ritual and it was Rahim Chacha who handed it to her at the kitchen table, when they were all having dinner and after Kushi had handed her new letter to the butler which had the account of that day's entire events in it.

After Lady Lavanya had changed in to her night gown and was tucked into bed, Kushi would go to her tiny coffin-room and after hastily changing into her own night gown, sat cross-legged on her bedding and immersed her mind and heart in her sister's letter by the light of the candle that she had lit and mounted upon the box of her homely things. Her sister's letter was her reward for her hard day's service and with happy tears in her eyes, Kushi would hug the letter close to her heart, blow the candle off and fall asleep, assured of the moonlight at her door.

Cordiality extended when Lord Akash met Kushi at times as he passed by and he would stop to ask about her. He wouldn't stay for long though because he was not the talking kind. But one day Kushi found him, having asked her the ritualistic question about her health and happiness, lingering before her as if wanting to ask her something more.

"Yes, my Lord?"

Lord Akash stared at her, "Pardon me?"

"Is there something you want to tell me?" Kushi asked gently.

"I..."Lord Akash shuffled his feet, "Is...do you write letters to your aunt?"

"No," said Kushi, smiling inwardly, "But I write to my sister."

"Ah," nodded Lord Akash as if he could think of no other reply, "Erm...yes, well, when you write again, tell her I asked how she and her aunt are doing and if they are well."

"I shall, sire," said Kushi, bowing to hide her tiny grin, but Lord Akash had already fled to his room and hadn't seen it.

As to Lord Arnav, she saw no more of him after the warning he had given her in Lady Lavanya's room. When Lord Arnav was in the living room, she was always in her mistress's room, tidying it or aiding Lady Lavanya. And when the First Lord breakfasted with his family, Kushi breakfasted with the other servants in the kitchen and by the time she emerged out of the kitchen, he, being a stingy breakfaster, would have already left for the Industry. But he valued dinners. And he prized it more with a sip of wine, at the end, with his cousin and his uncle.

When Lord Arnav returned home, Kushi would be in her mistress's room, and Lord Arnav remained always either in his room or in his precious Library. Not once did Kushi walk into any of the prohibited rooms in the upper floor. The only rooms she visited were her mistress' room downstairs, and that of Nani's, upstairs.

Kushi was fast slipping into the routine of her 'handmaiding' and when the first Sunday arrived, the servant Om Prakash drove her in a carriage to the South Village and she spent the entire day chattering, laughing, jesting and feasting with her Buaji and her Jiji. Ram and Master Happy would come to visit her on hearing her arrival and she warmed within when surrounded once again by this air of familiarity.

Then the very next day, the morning of Monday, Om Prakash would arrive at the tiny garden gate of Buaji's house to take Kushi away and the farewell was very heart-breaking for they would not see eachother for another six days.

But once Kushi was on the Road and riding towards the hill in the carriage, she would slip out of her remorse and prepare herself for the flurry of duties that awaited her at the Castle. She was gradually beginning to like her job though her mistress and Lady Manorama were yet to be warm towards her. However, she found strength and cheer in things that mattered more: her company with the other servants or her time with Nani and Lady Anjali or when writing a letter to Payal and then later reading her newly arrived letter. And the best part of all was that she never had to confront the detested lordy Lord. She relaxed into her life, working and busying herself all six days of her stay at the Castle and then cherishing every Sunday spent with her aunt and sister, not knowing that her joy was soon to be invaded by her enemy's intervention.

Chapter Sixty Nine: The Conflicting Service

One fine evening, in the second week of her stay at the Castle, Kushi had had her dinner later than usual because she had been busy writing to Payal and didn't realize the passage of time. By the time she had finished her letter and made for the kitchen, she found that all the servants had dined and were preparing to clear up the place for the night.

"Where were you?" asked Rahim Chacha, coming out from an adjacent room on seeing her, "I could not come to get you because the Raizada family was dinning across the hall and they would see if I attempted to enter your mistress's room to call you for dinner."

"I had not finished writing my letter to Jiji," she confessed, handing it to him. He passed her the new letter from Payal and she tucked it into the pocket of her gown.

"Come, I will show you where your meal is kept," said the butler, and showed her to the table. He sat next to her, keeping her company until she had finished her dinner, and then he asked the cooks to clear the table and Kushi wished them all goodnight and proceeded to her mistress's room.

As she walked across the hall, heading for the destined door, her eyes looked towards the far end where the dining hall was situated and she stopped in her tracks, frowning with thought. There was no one there and everyone had already dined. Then why were the candles still lit on the table? Had the servants forgotten to blow them off? Kushi decided to volunteer to snuff the candles and had walked into the dining hall when she realized that there were dishes kept closed on the table as if dinner was only about to begin. She saw no one there expect for the four waiting servants, waiting at four corners of the room. She approached the nearest one and asked, "Has not the family dined?"

"They have," he said, looking straight ahead, unmoving, like he had been trained to remain when in service.

"Then why is the table not cleared?" she was curious.

"Lord Arnav has not yet returned," said the talking statue.

"Oh."

She turned around to walk back to her room, not wanting to meet with him in case he should come into the Castle this very moment, when, rescinding all her will, she found herself facing the very man approaching the dining hall, looking tired in attire but determined in his expression as he made for the table.

His gaze was upon her face as he stepped into the room, the light in his eyes glinting with wicked familiarity. Kushi doubted if she had actually seen an inexpressible delight in his gaze on seeing her after so long. He passed her and aimed for the table. A servant drew a chair back for him. Kushi had hastily taken a step to escape, when, as soon as he had been seated, he announced to the servants, "You can all go. The new girl will serve me tonight."

Kushi froze and stared into the hall outside, her back to the dining hall and the man seated there. Her eyes were on the door of her mistress's room where Lady Lavanya would already be sleeping but Kushi kept looking at the door with longing, as if pleading to not be torn away from going to the room because of some spell cast by a monster's devilish demand to have her serve him.

She paled as the four servants walked past her and headed for the kitchen, leaving the dining hall alone to just him and her. If she could groan, she would have groaned, but she gulped down her fear and geared herself for what was to come. I will not falter, she assured herself.

"Kushi!" he barked impatiently, and she turned about to face him.

He sat at the head of the massive table, watching her. She didn't move and remained at the doorway, keeping the distance to strengthen her courage.

"Come serve me my dinner," he said shortly.

"I am Lady Lavanya's handmaid," said Kushi, expressionlessly, "I am not entitled to serving you."

"This is my house," said Lord Arnav nonchalantly, leaning back in his armchair, "You are appointed here as her handmaid because I let it happen. I could have said no, but I didn't. So you better do as I say and stop wasting my time."

"I must be at my mistress' side now," she said, her eyes on the candles. She could not look at him. It disgusted her to talk to him so.

"She is asleep."

"How do you know?" Kushi shot him a challenging look.

"I know," he said curtly, "Now, serve me."

Kushi clenched her fists, "I am not a dinner server. I am a handmaid."

Lord Arnav's eyes raged, "You will come serve me this instant before I decide to get up and drag you here."

Kushi inhaled; this she could not let happen. But she was still resolute and did not move, "I do not know how to serve."

"Every servant must know."

"I am not a servant. I am a handmaid."

"They are all the same."

"For you, they are."

He cocked an eyebrow, and warned her, "You really want me to come drag you to the table, don't you?"

Kushi blinked, "No. But I cannot serve you."

"Why?"

She looked away, "Because it's you."

"Which is why I want you to serve."

She looked at him, "What do you mean?"

"You are wasting my time," he shifted in his chair, as if to get up, and Kushi suddenly strode forward, afraid he might do what he had warned her he would.

She came and stood beside him, looking only at the dishes, "What must I do?"

He muttered 'ignorant domestics' and then nodded to the napkin on the table, "First, lay this on my lap."

Kushi was appalled, but fear found her hands picking up the navy blue napkin and she held it before her. He moved his hands away, giving better view to his lap, and Kushi grudgingly draped the napkin over his thighs. She had tried to attempt this in no way having to touch him but while withdrawing her hands hastily, she accidently brushed her fingers on his knee and the contact made them both flinch. Kushi pressed her hands against her waist, embarrassed. His legs felt hotter than her Babuji's hands. A moment of retrieval and he stared up at her, frowning, "Serve, beggar."

Kushi closed her eyes, took a second to kill the abrupt anger that had risen in her on his titling her as beggar again, and then when she opened her eyes, she was calculated and calm and began serving him. She lifted the lid off the platters and served a little helping of each of the varied dishes on the plate before him and then stepped back for him to commence eating.

He had been watching her serve him, studying the curve of her hand movements, the way her fingers curled around a spoon or knife, her careful manner of placing the helpings on his plate, and he knew she disliked his eyes on her. He didn't know why but he was beginning to get angry that she spoke nothing and, how, with that set expressionless face, she served him his food and then stepped away.

Nevertheless, he picked up his knife and his fork and focused on his meal and only when it was over and he had wiped his mouth and hands on the napkin, did he look at her silent form and order, "Wine."

She stepped towards him again, picked up the wine jar and poured him some in a tall glass, the sound of trickling red wine piercing the stiff silence in the huge hall. Then she placed the wineglass before his plate, stepped back and waited while he picked the glass and sipped it slowly, leaning back in his armchair, his eyes on her.

She had fixedly been looking at the floor or the wall across the dining hall all the while and now, as he sat there, drinking and observing her, she had to struggle to maintain her calm and not yell at him to look away and leave her poor mind at peace.

After a long time, when he was halfway through his sipping of the wine, he said to her, "Look at me."

Kushi continued looking at the carpeted floor.

"I said look at me," he said sternly, picking on each word threateningly.

She lifted her head and stared hard at him, speaking nothing.

Her heart sank, when he pushed his armchair away and stood up. She stood her ground as she watched him approach her, still holding his wineglass. She looked away as he neared her for she could see how his eyes brunt with a strange fire. She did not like it one bit.

"Look at me," he said in a cold low voice, when he was standing, towering, in front of her. She frowned, the whiff of the rich wine from the glass intoxicating her 'already tired and sleepy' senses.

She stiffened when she felt his finger under chin, lifting her head to face him. He leaned forward and she stared fearfully into his eyes. They burnt with a mixture of hatred and wicked delight and she felt disgusted feeling his cold finger under her chin.

"The past week in my Castle must have been a heavenly indulgence for you," he mocked, "Did you really think you could live peacefully in this house where I rule?"

She blinked and spoke nothing.

"I am glad I could create the misconception of heaven for you," he said, sipping his wine, while looking at her, "But that week of heaven is over and I think you have had enough of its share. Now, I will show what hell is like."

She stepped away from him, "If your dinner is over, sire, shall I clear the table?"

He smirked, "Ah, the handmaid is so dedicated."

"I am here to do my duties and nothing more," she said, looking away.

"I will decide what duties you must perform here," he said, draining the wine in his glass.

She looked up at him, "I want no reckless revengeful Masters messing with my duties as handmaid to Lady Lavanya."

Lord Arnav's face went red with anger and he stepped towards her, the glass in his hand crashing onto the carpet floor but not breaking to pieces though a crack ran from its rim to its neck.

His hands were already pinning her to the wall, both her hands held above her head by one hand of his.

"What did you say?" he dared her coldly.

Tears threatened to erupt in her eyes, and she looked away.

"I asked you something," he demanded angrily.

Kushi found her voice, "I am not your servant to do as you want."

He pressed on her hands and she almost cried out. His mouth neared her ear and she could feel his hot wine-douched breath, as he said, "You are my servant if you serve anyone in this house."

Kushi tried to inhale. She had difficulty breathing with his proximity almost suffocating her as much his words did.

"What have you to say to that?" he said.

Kushi closed her eyes and said with as much determination as she could muster, "Take your hands off me, sire." With the last word, she intended to fix a formal reserve between them.

He smirked down at her, "Oh really?"

Kushi tried to pull her arms free of his hold but he only held her wrists harder than before. She struggled against him and tried pushing him away with her shoulder but his chest was too hard and strong and removed immovable by her feeble power.

"Let me go," she said, panting with the effort of her struggles to free herself.

"Say 'please'," he said in a low voice.

"Please," she said disgustedly.

"Please what?"

"Please let me go," she said.

"Say you're sorry," he said.

"Never," she said angrily, her eyes glaring at him, "Never to you."

His hold on her hand hardened. A cry rose in her but his other hand was over her mouth in time to muffle it.

"We don't want the entire Castle seeing you learn more about hell, now, do we?" he asked her sarcastically.

Kushi shook her head, worried at the very thought of being seen in this situation.

"So, say sorry," he repeated, "And I will let you go."

Tears streamed down her cheeks and ran over his hand that was covering her mouth. He looked at the droplets on his hand and then looked into her torn gaze. A new kind of rage boiled within him and he disgustedly drew his hand away from her mouth and barked, "Get out!"

She didn't really need him to tell her that, for as soon as his hands had slackened their hold on her, she had stepped away and ran towards the room of her mistress. She held herself until she had tip-toed, with the aid of the moonlight, across her mistress' bedroom and she had reached her tiny room. Then she slumped onto her bedding and cried into her pillow, muffling the sound from being heard. After a long while, she took out her sister's letter from her pocket. She did not have the strength to read it, so she clutched it close to her heart and cried to sleep, and her last thought had been that of hatred and she knew she could not hate the man more than she hated him now.

Chapter Seventy: The Offer

On the very next day after the incident in the dining hall with Lord Arnav, Kushi was cleaning her mistress's room while the latter had her breakfast in the dining hall. She had finished wiping the huge mirror on Lady Lavanya's dresser, when she looked into her cleaning pail and realised she needed more water.

So Kushi walked out of the room and headed for the kitchen. She walked into the huge backyard through the backdoor and worked on the handpump to pour fresh water into her pail. Just as she had filled it, and had bend down to lift the pail, she heard sounds of metal clanking against metal and manly grunts and yells.

Curious, she walked along the wall and looked around the bend with the pail of water still in her hand. She gazed into the distance and was amazed. There, at the bank of the lake, were Lord Arnav and Lord Akash, wearing boots and pants but both shirtless. Sweat coursed down their backs and masculine chests and their forehead glistened in the afternoon sun. Wet strands of sweaty hair fell upon their forehead as they raged the air around them with the clashing of the swords. They were practicing swordfighting.

Kushi stood a long time, watching, and though in the beginning she had been watching both of them at war, her focus shifted, gradually, to considering the moves and effects of the duel on Lord Arnav. He was swifter and his flays were stronger than Lord Akash's, it was certain. The way his body moved and his sword danced. The way the sweat from his hair flew as he clashed his hard steel against Lord Akash's sword.

Lord Akash was a good fighter too but not as swift as Lord Arnav. However, with more observation, Kushi learned something. If Lord Arnav was good at initiating, Lord Akash was good at defending. Not even once could Lord Arnav actually make a move that would throw off his brother in surprise or defeat. It was as if Lord Akash was always ready: he had no moves but he had defences. And then to Kushi's surprise, she heard laughter. It was not the ringing laughter of joy but a determined laughter than emerges when men are amused.

"You need to fight back, Akash," said the voice that had chuckled and Kushi tilted her head, watching him with earnest interest.

"I could fight if you would let me," said Lord Akash, blocking a swift move from his brother's sword.

"Ah, you mustn't always wait for me to let you fight," said Lord Arnav, "Stay on the alert and watch for the moment when you can attack. Never give your chance to your enemy to make a move."

"You are not my enemy," said Lord Akash, fighting hard.

"This practice is primed on the basis that we are each other's enemy," said Lord Arnav, "Fight, Akash, fight!"

"I'm trying," said Lord Akash, grunting and slicing his sword through the air.

"You are boring me to death," said Lord Arnav, distractedly, "I think I should find someone else to par my swords with. Someone who is willing to fight with a thirst to see me defeated."

And then suddenly, his cold eyes looked over the shoulder of Lord Akash, and caught Kushi's eye.

Gasping, Kushi moved away, and hid against the wall, pressing the pail of water to her waist. Did he see me? How long did he know I was here? She didn't want to contemplate over the answers of the questions and she was about to move away when a sword appeared slicing before her and pinned its tip into the wall to her side, thereby blocking her forward passage by its long length before her. She looked to her right and paled on seeing Lord Arnav towering beside her, the scent of his manly morning sweat awakening strange feelings of fear in her and his shirtless form making her bluish tremendously. She bent down and walked under the sword and then straightened up. She had taken a step forward when Lord Arnav strode in front of her and eyed her, "What are you doing here...handmaid of Lavanya?"

Kushi looked away, "I came to collect water."

Lord Arnav smirked, "By watching me swordfight?"

"I wasn't watching you swordfighting."

"Then what were you doing?"

"I..." Kushi tried again, "I was returning, when I heard sounds of fighting."

"And?"

"And I saw you two."

"And you stayed there for quite a long time."

"I wasn't aware if the passage of time was long enough."

Kushi tried to move but he blocked her. And then, before she could say anything, he had dipped his hands into the water in the pail she was holding and splashed the water on his face. He washed his hands and the back of his neck and she watched as the water droplets trailed down his chest and mingled with sweat. She pressed her hands around the pail, to stop them from trembling.

Lord Arnav, after shooting her an evilly triumphant glance, had gone. Kushi stared disgustedly at the water which she felt reeked strongly of a mixture of the sweat from his hands. She strolled to the nearest tree and splashed the water onto its roots.

She was on her way to collect fresh water at the handpump again when Lord Akash passed that way, his chest glistening with sweat too. He dragged his sword leisurely behind him and stopped when he saw Kushi at the water pump, "Good day, Miss Gupta. What are you gathering water for?"

Kushi smiled at him, picking up the newly filled pail, "I was cleaning Lady Lavanya's room."

"I see," said Lord Akash and then he shuffled his feet where he stood, wondering how to place the next few words, "How is everyone at your home, Miss Gupta?"

Her eyes shone as she replied, "They are most well, my lord."

"I see," said Lord Akash, looking at the ground, "So...you will be leaving this Sunday to meet them?"

"Every Sunday, I do," affirmed Kushi, waiting for what she knew Lord Akash was struggling to ask.

But Lord Akash only nodded and then walked off, saying, "Very well then, Miss Gupta. Have a pleasant day."

Kushi stared at him walk away and then, suddenly, a new thought crept in her mind.

"Wait, my Lord," she called out to him, and came to stand before him as he turned and waited for her to continue, "There is...something I wanted to ask you..."

"Yes?"

Kushi leaned forward and as if about to offer a secret and spoke in such a low voice that Lord Akash had to bend down a little to hear the words clearly. The smell of his morning sweat twitched her nose but she was focused on what she wanted to say, "Erm...Could you...would it possible...well, I'm not worthy to ask this of you..."

"Will you tell me what it is?" asked an impatient but eager Lord Akash.

"I...um," Kushi looked to the right and then to the left and then whispered to him, "Could you teach me swordfighting?"

Lord Akash straightened up and stared at her, "What? Why in the world would you want to learn swordfighting?"

Kushi smiled sheepishly, "There is a reason...though I don't see how I can tell you of it just yet."

Lord Akash frowned with thought, "Keeping aside the fact that I am not well-versed in the skill of swordfighting myself, if you cannot tell me the reason for your request, I must ask you what benefit will it be for me if I take apart my time to teach you swordfighting..."

"So you'll teach me?!" Kushi was excited and she had almost leapt into the air but stopped herself in time before the water in her pail jumped.

Lord Akash cocked an eyebrow, "Miss Gupta, you have not answered by question."

Kushi nodded, "Oh yes, the benefit for you, sire..." And then she looked into the air as if thinking, but her eyes lit over a clever thought, "Hmmm...what if in return for training me, I mentioned you especially in my letters to Jiji."

Lord Akash took a double take at this offer, "You'll...eh...why would I say 'yes' for an offer of merely mentioning me in your letter?"

"Especially mention," repeated Kushi.

Lord Akash waited.

Kushi shrugged, "Well, what do you want in return, sire, for teaching me swordfighting?"

Lord Akash took a moment in considering the query and its best possible answer and then he finally leaned forward, as if wanting to share a secret of his own, "I have a better idea. I will teach you what you want to learn of the skill and in return, at the end of the training, I shall tell you what I want as repayment and you shall grant it for me."

Kushi stared at him, "You sound very much like your brother, sire. Though not so annoying."

Lord Akash shrugged this time, "Take it or leave it."

"Will the request, you make at the end, be harmful to me or my family?" Kushi was cautious.

Lord Akash was shocked, "No, I would never request harm upon anyone."

Kushi sighed with relief, "Then I'm fine with this decision. We shall do as you have proposed."

"Very well," said Lord Akash, beaming to himself, "I shall inform you regarding the when and how of our proposal's action soon."

"Thank you my Lord," Kushi bowed to him gratefully but just then a voice called out angrily, "Akash!!!"

Both the named and the girl looked up to see Lord Arnav, groomed and well-dressed, standing at the backdoor and glaring at them.

No: he was fixedly glaring at Kushi, though he was addressing Lord Akash, "We need to be at the Industry in an hour, Akash. Quit indulging in pointless chatter with the servants of this house."

His cold eyes fastened on Kushi never blinked, not even to look at his brother as Lord Akash passed by him to enter the Castle.

Kushi frowned back at Lord Arnav, wisely keeping her mouth shut. She didn't know what had angered him so much.

She didn't know that after getting dressed in his room, Lord Arnav had passed by his window and caught sight of them talking through the curtains. He had pulled the curtains apart and looked down, angered. He had been extremely annoyed with the way both of them had leaned towards each other as if sharing confidences. And though he could not hear what they were conversing about, he did not like their stance or the extent of time they employed in verbal exchange. He had immediately stormed out of his room and run down the stairs to emerge at the backdoor and bark the tiny assembly dispersed.

When he had decided Kushi had got the message to never irk him anymore, he took his eyes off her and vanished into the house. Kushi stomped her foot and muttered, "Don't think you win, lordy Lord. I am only preparing myself to really defeat you!"

Chapter Seventy One: Light Garden Talk

In the late afternoons, Lady Lavanya had this habit of sitting in the garden. Not that she liked it, but she believed that her protocol of being a respectable 'lady' required her to do so. And after Kushi was appointed as her handmaid, the mistress would sit on her bench, fanning herself, checking her fingernails or reading a book while her handmaid busied herself in knitting or simply admiring the flowers and trees around them while she sat on the grass, her back leaned against the leg of the garden bench on which her mistress sat.

In the second week of Kushi's stay at the Castle, they were sitting thus and while Lady Lavanya read from a book, Kushi sat on the grass, immersed in altering her messed up knitting.

Kushi had just constructed a blue tree (or what seemed to be a tree) on the cloth in her hand, when she heard her mistress heavily sigh and, with a thump, drop the book in her hand onto the bench.

Kushi looked up and saw Lady Lavanya staring into the space, moodily.

Kushi didn't know if she had to interpret or if she should let her mistress remain in her quiet thoughts when Lady Lavanya muttered, "I hate poetry. I always have."

Kushi had to force herself to not speak for she loved speaking and to remain respectful to your mistresses, you had to be always silent and never instigate small talk. But to her surprising relief, Lady Lavanya looked down at Kushi and asked, "Of course, you do not know what poetry is, do you?"

Kushi could not keep herself, but she tried being short and not overly enthusiastic in her expression, "On the contrary, I do, my lady."

"Really?" Lady Lavanya was surprised, "Who taught you to read and write?"

"My Babuji," said Kushi, pride for her father swelling in her young heart.

"I see," Lady Lavanya nodded doubtfully, "And do you like them? Poetry, I mean?"

Kushi's eyes lit as she replied, "I adore poetry, my lady."

Lady Lavanya snorted, "There is nothing to poetry, I tell you. It is a bunch of clipped lines, some with rhymes at the end, and widely lacking in sense or use."

Kushi was silent, and Lady Lavanya enquired after it, "Do you differ in view?"

"I may," Kushi wanted to be as polite as she could.

"Tell me what you think of poetry then," stated Lady Lavanya, challengingly.

Kushi stood up and with her knitting material clutched to her waist, she spoke to the trees, "I believe poetry is the music of the soul. It is a river of words that flows with no sound. It is the echo of a broken heart, the symbol of a wise vision and the laughter of a teardrop."

Lady Lavanya stared at her, "This is strange."

Kushi looked at her, "What is, my lady?"

Lady Lavanya shrugged, "What you just said. I didn't understand a thing but I loved the way you said it..."

Kushi smiled and then her eyes fell on the book, "Wordsworth is a fine read and he is my father's favourite poet."

Lady Lavanya cast a disinterested glance to the book and sighed, "It may be, but I don't find him, or any poets, fascinating at all." And then she looked at Kushi, "Which is your favourite poet?"

"I love all of them," said Kushi happily, "Shelley, Milton, Keats, Shakespeare, Blake..."

"Do you know any poem?"

"I may know a few, my lady," said Kushi, and then she offered, "Would you like to hear me recite one?"

Lady Lavanya was more curious than interested. She wanted to know how well this girl's claim of affection to poetry stood or if what she was saying was false pretence to win prestige from the elite living in the castle. So she said, "Let's hear you, then."

Kushi sat on the grass before her mistress and tried to decide, "Which poet would you like to hear now?"

"Anyone's fine with me," said Lady Lavanya impatiently, "They're all the same to me."

"Well..."Kushi was hard at thinking, "how about one of Blake's? It's called The Tyger and it was the first poem my father had taught me."

Lady Lavanya did not reply but just nodded and waited.
Kushi cleared her throat, laid her knitting articles on her lap, and began:

"Tyger! Tyger! burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies

Burnt the fire of thine eyes?

On what wings dare he aspire?

What the hand dare seize the fire?

And what shoulder, and what art,

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?

And when thy heart began to beat,

What dread hand? and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?

In what furnace was thy brain?

What the anvil? what dread grasp

Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,

And watered heaven with their tears,

Did he smile his work to see?

Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye,

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?"

Kushi smiled up at her mistress. Lady Lavanya stared at her, "Is it over?"

"Yes," and then Kushi asked hopefully, "How did you like it, my lady?"

"I didn't understand much but I liked the way you recited it," reasoned Lady Lavanya, "Is it about the appearance of a tiger?"

"Yes," said Kushi encouragingly, "It explores the Divine Force's hand in the creation of the Tyger."

"Interesting," said Lady Lavanya dispassionately, and that was all she said.

Chapter Seventy Two: Lighting Candles

When it gets dark in the land of Arhaisa, people light candles and lanterns within the house and so was the custom at the Castle. It was always one servant or the other who accomplished the task of lighting all the candles in the brackets on the walls of the entire Castle.

Lady Lavanya had taken ill on a certain day in the second week and Kushi had been by her mistress's bedside all day long. When evening touched time, Lady Lavanya was in deep sleep and Kushi decided to wander out of the stuffy room for a while. She had walked into the kitchen to greet the servants there when she saw Rahim Chacha walking out with a huge candle in his hand.

"Are you going to light the candles, Rahim Chacha?"

The butler nodded with a smile and was about to move on when Kushi interjected. She took the candle from him and said, "For a change, I will do it tonight. I need a walk after sitting so long beside Lady Lavanya and the Castle is huge enough to facilitate my legs some exercise."

Rahim Chacha gladly obliged to her wish after telling her that he had already lit the candles in the living room where the family was currently seated and then he watched her leave to complete lighting the remaining candles in the Castle, a young girl breaking the darkness with the little flame of the candle held in her kind hand.

Humming a lullaby her mother often sung to her as a kid, Kushi walked through all the rooms and corridors of the Castle ground floor, lighting each candle in every bracket on the walls.

As she walks through these quarters, I will permit you to study the rooms that are majorly found in the first floor of the Castle. Since the base of the Castle is massive, many rooms could be accommodated in that floor merely.

When one enters, one walks into the huge lobby and from the lobby, the massive living room commences. To the right of the living room is the archway that leads to the huge dining hall and adjacent to the dining hall are two separate rooms. These rooms are sued only for specific occasions that called for the requirement of these rooms.

One is an immense Ballroom that could easily house over 2000 people and there were huge crystal chandleries hanging down from the high ceiling of the Ballroom. The floor of the living room was modelled on the chessboard, each black or white square large enough to have two people standing in it.

Next to the Ballroom was the Prayer Room which was empty but for long white curtains and unlit scented candles. There was a huge window on the wall across the room and this window faced the lake at the rear of the Castle. The Prayer Room had no idols or pictures but there was a great calm in the room for Lady Anjali was often found meditating in this room. No one else used this room. On particular occasions, however, Lady Manorama, Lord Akash and his father, Lord Manohar Raizada would join Lady Anjali in the rituals conducted in the room. Since the Meditation Room and the Ballroom were not used presently, Kushi had no need to enter them.

To the left of the living room was the huge kitchen and from across the living room, one found the winding stairs that led to the upper floor. Near where the stairs began on the ground floor, were two rooms, one belonging to Lady Anjali and the other was the guest room which was currently Lady Lavanya's bedroom.

After lighting the candles in the ground floor, Kushi climbed the stairs and began lighting the candles in the corridor along the top floor. The only rooms she had to enter were Nani's, Lady Manorama's, Lord Akash's and Lord Arnav's. Since the entire family was gathered in the living room before the furnace, Kushi had the whole upper floor to herself and, quite comfortably, lit every candle in the brackets found in all rooms and the hallways.

Nani was sitting in her room as always, this time reading a book by candlelight and since Kushi didn't have to light any candles in this room, she spend some time conversing happily with the elderly woman and then left for completing her rounds.

After lighting the candles in Lady Manorama's and Lord Akash's room which were empty of the persons concerned, she had entered Lord Arnav's room, fearful if he might be there. To her relief, the room was empty of anyone and Kushi contentedly lit the candles in the room. She didn't like this room one bit. It brought back very bad memories and she cast a hateful glance to the window of the room through which he had pushed her down.

She was about to walk out of the room, when her eyes fell on the overcoat lying on the floor behind the door. She looked up at the door and realised the coat had slipped from its place on the peg of the door. So she placed her candle on the table beside her, walked to the door, picked up the coat and hung it on the peg. For a moment, her hand pressed upon the cold sleeve of the coat. Without thinking, her head had leaned forward and she placed her face against the shoulder of the coat. It smelled of sweat and hardwork. It smelled of majesty too...

She caressed the sleeve of the coat, missing her father greatly. Babuji's mill-coat used to smell of dedication and heavy effort every time he returned home and hung it on the peg in the dining hall...

Footsteps sounded outside the door and Kushi suddenly riveted back to earth. She hastily stepped away from the door and picked up the candle she had come in with. No one came in for a very long minute and she frowned. Maybe it was Lord Akash returning to his room, Kushi decided, and then walked out of the detested room. The corridor was empty and she was heaved a relieved sigh.

There was one more room left to light. The Library. It had been her favourite room among all the rooms in this Castle and she had kept it for the last.

She walked to the door of the Library and pressing on the handle, she pushed it open. As expected, it was dark within and she only had to light the candles in the brackets of this room and the library would glow. One by one, she lit each candle and after the six candles in the six brackets located randomly on the walls of the room were lit, she smiled at the books staring at her silently from the many bookshelves and then half-heartedly decided to leave for it was not noble for a servant to linger long in any room expect one's own.

She had made for the door, her hand reaching for the handle, when a voice from within the room said, "Light the seventh candle too."

Her hand on the door handle, she froze and closed her eyes shut, No, he's not here, you're just imagining his horrid voice. That's all.

And then she heard his feet shuffle. Opening her eyes, she swirled where she stood and with her back to the door, found him standing near the window, leaning against the dark side of the farthest bookshelf. His cold eyes were on her, and his strong arms crossed before his chest. He was wearing a white shirt, its first few buttons open so as to reveal his hard chest, radiant in the newly-lit candles of the room.

He tilted his head, waiting for her to respond. She tried to gather her slipping senses to recall what he had told her to do...something about a seventh candle...

And then she saw it. The lonely thick candle on the candle-stand which stood solely on the table, upon which, many books, recently read, were cluttered.

She moved towards the table, and with trembling fingers, she lit the single candle and waited as the transferred fire flared.

He watched her lighting the candle and how, when the candle was lit, her face glowed, her blushing cheeks beckoning his attention. She looked up just then, intending to tell him silently that she had done what she had been asked to do and was about to leave. His eyes lingered on her face, studying the touch of candle light in her eyes and on her lips...and then she was turning away and walking to the door.

She did not like the way he looked at her and the only thing she wanted was to get out of the heated room as soon as possible. She had reached the door barely, when she felt hands wrap around her waist, turning her around to face the possessor. She pulled away but his hands held onto her waist.

"Let me go!" she said quickly, frantically struggling against him.

He leaned down and blew at the candle in her hand and the air around them, at the door, plunged in darkness. But the light from the candles on the walls shone enough for her to see his face and for him to see hers.

"Let me go, I say," she hissed angrily, and as she struggled, the candle in her hand slipped to the ground with a soft thud.

But he stood his ground resolutely, his hands pressing against the sides of her waist, holding her before him.

"Look at me," he demanded in a low voice.

Kushi stared hard at his chest wanting to not look at him but his chest was not helping her senses either. She closed her eyes and wished for the moment to pass.

Hot fire burned in her ears when she felt his cold fingers under her chin, lifting her face to look at him. She dared not open her eyes, but she could feel his burning gaze even from behind her closed eyes.

"Look at me," he said slowly and firmly, picking each word menacingly that she had to open her eyes lest he hurt her.

His breath hitched as her beautiful eyes opened under his gaze. In the gentle candlelight dancing upon her face, he read the fierce innocence in her eyes and he found it hard to tear his eyes from hers.

She didn't know why but she could not even blink. She stared at him, spellbound...

And then his hands pressed on her waist and she realised where she was. She pulled away but he held fast.

"Let me go," she breathed out, amidst her struggles.

"Not so fast," he smirked, and then he dragged her towards his table and there he leaned her against the wooden edge and he watched her frightened face look around her, trying to approximate what he was about to do to her.

"There is something I wanted to ask you for a few days," he began and Kushi felt that whatever it was that he wanted to ask, it was definitely not good.

"What are you and Akash up to?"

Kushi blanched.

He cocked an eyebrow, "There is no denying I didn't see you two chatting last day despite the fact that he is the Second Lord of this Castle and you are merely an impermanent servant."

Infuriated, Kushi pulled away from him but he leaned into her, making her incline backwards, such that any moment she might fall upon the table surface.

"Tell me," he ordered coldly, his nose inches away from hers, "Are you trying to charm my brother?"

No sooner had he spoken those words than disgust roared at Kushi's heart and before she knew what she was doing, she reached out her hand towards the candle stand on the table, grabbed the separable bowl of hot wax that was collected under the stand and hurled it at him. Hot liquid wax splashed onto his chest and he flinched on its impact but his hold on her waist did not slacken. Instead, he pressed her to him, tighter, while she tried hard to push him away. Her incessant struggles and the searing on his chest angered him greatly that he pushed her upon the table and before they knew what was happening, the candle that was on the table licked at the tip of her sleeve, and she shrieked. Fire raced up her sleeve as she scampered away from the table.

It was a flurry of motions. Shrieking, she had almost backed away towards the dangerously close bookshelf but suddenly Lord Arnav was upon her and with one hard swipe of his bare hand down her afire arm, he killed the hungry flame and the air reeked of burnt cloth and wisps of smoke surrounded them.

Wounded tears flowed down her cheek but Kushi made no sound. She was too shocked to make any noise and her throat felt dry and her limbs lifeless as she stared with blurred vision at her blackened sleeve. Suddenly, his hand was upon her shoulder and a loud 'rip' resounded in the air and Kushi gasped, her fingers instinctively moving to conceal her naked shoulder. She moved away from him, terrified, and sank to the floor. He crouched beside her, dropping the brunt sleeve to the floor and he pulled at her arm.

Kushi did not give in.

"Let me see," he growled.

Kushi shook her head, her tears flowing endlessly.

He said nothing and simply gave her arm one hard tug and her hand freed of its hold on her naked shoulder.

"No," she gasped and then her breath caught in her throat. His finger was running up her arm, from her hand, up her elbow and towards her shoulder...his fingers felt strangely warm and as they caressed her arm, she felt herself weaken within.

"You're not hurt," he stated to no one in particular, "Only your sleeve got burned."

Kushi was doubtful if she had heard the tone of relief in his words but she was certain she could expect nothing of that sort from her archenemy towards her.

She pulled her arm away from his inspecting fingers and moved away, letting her open hair screen her sleevelessness.

He frowned at her and then stood up.

"Get up," he said curtly, and she struggled to her feet, her eyes falling on the brunt sleeve on the floor.

"This is all your fault," she said, her voice scratchy from the tears, and she stood a little distance away from him.

He was getting angrier by the minute, not because of her words but because how vulnerable he felt in her presence.

"You burned yourself because you threw the wax at me," stated Lord Arnav and Kushi stared at him unable to find logic in what he said. Her eyes fell on his revealed chest where the white layer of dried wax stared back at her. She couldn't deny that she felt guilty for throwing it at him.

"You spoke ill of me," she stated, blinking away the tears that had stopped flowing.

"I spoke of what I saw," he said, "I saw you and Akash talking. Don't think I-"

"I don't see how that is wrong," she said, interjecting and earned a glare from him but she continued, "He's a better Master than you, so I consulted him for a matter of importance."

"Really?" Lord Arnav moved towards her and then he stopped.

Kushi had moved backwards, not wanting him to come close to her especially with one of her sleeves gone. It was weird but she had the feeling that she was completely stripped of her gown and not just a sleeve. It was his pinning gaze that gave her this impression, she was certain.

Suddenly she stiffened. His fingers brushed against her shoulder and a cold cloth enveloped her. He had removed the shirt he was wearing and draped it around her. She stared at him as he moved away.

He looked at her, expressionlessly. But there was no denying that he wasn't aroused by the image of her garbed in his white shirt.

"I don't want this," Kushi said shortly, and shrugged, letting the shirt drop to the floor.

"You-" Lord Arnav began to argue, but she had already walked away and neared the door.

He didn't stop her this time. He didn't want her to stay any longer in this enclosed room alone with him. He was not able to understand the strange feelings that were coursing inside of him and he didn't know what actions he would undertake owing to those strange feelings. Hence, it was best she stayed away.

Frowning, he bent down and picked up his shirt. Shrugging into it, he was buttoning it when he stopped and closing his eyes, breathed in. Her scent was on his shirt.

That night, when all were asleep, Lord Arnav cuddled in his bed, clutching the shirt close to his face, and he fell asleep, breathing in her village-flower scent mixed with his royal sweat.

The wind danced around the curtains from the open window and a dark hooded figure sat on the window sill. The face of the hooded figure was staring at the moon and slowly the head turned to look over her shoulder and look at the young man sleeping in his bed, enclosed by the white curtains of the bedpost.

Her eyes fell on the shirt he held and she smirked, "So it begins."

And then an owl hooted in the garden and she vanished.

*sigh* It is time. We must part, lest Captain Responsibility march into the Inn and find us gathered here. We shall meet again secretly here in our dear Cave, next Saturday, drinking our favourite beverages or ice-creams (Kalpana!) and then I shall tell you more of the exciting tale that the haunting 'lady in the dark hood' reads out to me.

Oh and before you leave, do not forget to quill down your thoughts of what has been narrated here and hopes for what is to be narrated in the Book of the Comrades' Chronicles. I love hearing suggestions if they strengthen one's understanding of the plot and characters of this tale of Arhasia!

To return back to the Index, visit:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/2901910/arhi-ff-1-the-beasts-and-the-bleeding-roses

kushipugly thumbnail
13th Anniversary Thumbnail Dazzler Thumbnail + 5
Posted: 12 years ago
r will comment at night 😊
Edited:
i forgot that i have reserved my place on first page of this update. My comment is on page 105 now😊
Edited by kushipugly - 12 years ago
-Keerthi- thumbnail
13th Anniversary Thumbnail Voyager Thumbnail Networker 1 Thumbnail
Posted: 12 years ago
Hey i m second..😃 about update i just loved it.. its getting more interesting now. Arnav Lord is jealous nd kind of Possessive of khushi huh😛😆 give some more Arshi scenes.. i love hw she always back answering him the scene in libarary was awesome.. white shirt 😉 cho cute..
Edited by -Keerthi- - 12 years ago

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