Aankhon ki gustaakhiyaan pt5 pg66 17/12 - Page 39

so sweeett!!! 😳

Khushi is too much! How cum she was acting so rude with the person whom she already fall in love!

So A for no KumAri GuptA, it's Akshay! not bad!

It was fun to read.

"This is for Anjali Di", Preetika handed Sanaya a gift-wrapped package. She turned around and picked up another package from the bed. "And this.." She looked confused; she turned to Sanaya and indicated towards a corner of the room with her eyes. Sanaya followed Preetika's eyes and they looked at Khushi, who was staring at a package that she had picked up from the wardrobe. They looked at each other and giggled. Khushi had been quiet ever since yesterday, after her rendezvous with Arnav in her room. It was obvious that she was thinking about Arnav, but her friends weren't sure whether she had realized that she had feelings for him... and that even he had feelings for her. Sanaya winked at Preetika as she grabbed the package from her hand.

"And this is for Naniji? Where is his gift?" Sanaya asked, looking at the package, dreamy-eyed.

Preetika, stifling a smile, asked, confused, "His gift? Whose gift..?"

Sanaya looked down and said, blushing. "You know.. Arnav..."

Khushi raised her eyebrows and looked at Sanaya, her eyes furious. She walked to the bed and threw the package on the bed next to Sanaya.

Preetika said with a smile, "Oy hoy, Sanaya. What is with the sudden interest in Arnav?"

Sanaya sighed and said, dreamy-eyed, "He's so hot, and so caring and .."

"And arrogant." Khushi added.

"Arrogant?" Sanaya looked at Khushi, annoyed. "No, he is not. He is the sweetest guy on this earth. You are just jealous because he hasn't been paying you any attention."

Khushi opened her mouth wide. "What do you mean he hasn't been paying me any attention? Of course he has. He sang for me, he danced with me.. and then he came here yesterday to see me, didn't he? Of course he.." She paused as she realized that Preetika and Sanaya had wide grins on their faces. She had just accepted that Arnav was interested in her, and worse, that she had noticed it and in fact, liked it.

"Khushi, where are you? The haldi ceremony is about to start now." came Garima's voice from outside the room. Khushi turned around and ran out the door, embarrassed. In the living room, a few women had gathered around Payal, who was sitting on a low stool, wearing a yellow saree. Khushi sat down on the floor next to Payal and smiled, as Garima took two mango leaves, dipped them in haldi and pressed the haldi on Payal's feet, shoulders and cheeks.

"Khushi", Khushi had a tray of lassi glasses in her hands, and had been serving lassi to the guests, when she heard Garima calling her. "Can you take this bowl of haldi to Akash bitwa's house?" Khushi's smile disappeared. No, she couldn't go, not after what happened with Arnav yesterday. And then, now if she agreed, then what will Preeto and Sanaya think.. that she is dying to see Arnav. No, she can't go. She looked at Garima and started to say something, when Sanaya ran to Garima and took the tray from her.

"Aunty, I will take the haldi. I am sure Khushi is busy."

Before anyone could realize what was happening, Khushi had placed the tray in her hand on a table next to her, run towards Sanaya and grabbed the haldi tray from her. She quickly turned to Garima and said, "Mom, I will take it myself." Sanaya and Preetika laughed as they watched Khushi hurry to the door, looking annoyed and muttering to herself.

"I can't believe Akash is getting married tonight." Anjali smiled as she looked at Arnav, working on his laptop. She added, "And soon you will get married too." Arnav stopped typing and a smile appeared on his face.

Anjali's smile disappeared and her eyes opened wide, seeing the smile on Arnav's face. "Chotte, is there something you aren't telling me? Is there someone? Chotte..."

Arnav closed his laptop, stood up, turned to his sister and said, "Di, I will come downstairs in a few minutes. Why don't you go ahead?" He picked up a towel from the bed and walked to the bathroom.

Anjali looked at Arnav, her mouth wide open. She burst into a smile. Yesterday, Khushi was thinking about Chotte and today for the first time, Chotte hasn't made a fuss about getting married. She got up from the bed and smiled, as she walked to the door and closed it behind her as she stepped outside into the corridor.

Anjali smiled as she walked down the stairs, seeing Khushi sitting next to Nani on the living room floor. The living room had been decorated for Akash's haldi ceremony. The guests hadn't arrived yet. Nani and Khushi looked up as Anjali walked towards them.

"Chotte refused to come down, Naniji." Anjali said, annoyed as she sat next to Nani.

Nani looked confused, but before she could say anything, Khushi asked, "What do you mean Di?"

"Chotte doesn't believe in all these rituals. He refused to be part of the haldi ceremony." Anjali said, looking disappointed.

Khushi opened her mouth wide. "How can he not take part in his brother's wedding rituals?" She paused and a smile appeared on her face. "Don't worry, Di. I will make sure he takes part in the haldi ceremony." Her eyes twinkled, as she scooped up some haldi and got up from the floor. Anjali giggled as Khushi ran to the stairs.

Anjali turned to Nani, who was shaking her head, giggling. "Really? Chotte has been excited about taking pictures of Akash covered in haldi for the past one week and now suddenly he doesn't want to be involved?" Anjali gave her a wide grin and they burst into laughter.

Khushi knocked on the door, her right hand hidden behind her. The door was slightly ajar; she pushed it slowly and peeped in. Arnav was not in the room. Khushi tiptoed in and towards the French doors. She peeped outside into the poolside; Arnav was not there as well. She frowned, wondering where he was. She exhaled deeply and turned around. She startled, as she came face-to-face with Arnav. He was standing in front of her, a smirk on his face, amusement and curiosity in his eyes.

"Ms. Gupta? In my room?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

Khushi gulped. She stammered, "Di .. Di sent me to get... " She looked away from him, her eyes lowered. She paused; her heart skipped a beat when she realized that all he had on was a towel wrapped around his waist. She gulped; her breaths became rapid and her heart was beating wildly in her chest.

"Get what'?" Arnav's low, husky voice interrupted her thoughts. His voice sent a chill down her spine, as he added. "Ms. Gupta." Why does he have to call me like that? She looked up at his face. Their eyes met; suddenly her knees felt weak. She gulped again and turned to look at the door. She took a step towards the door, and Arnav stepped to the side to block her way. She stared at him annoyed.

"Let me go."

"Why?" He asked, a naughty smirk on his face. He took a step closer to her. Her eyes opened wide and she brought her hands forward to stop him. Before she could say anything, he stopped. Her eyes darted from his face to his chest and back to his face, her chest heaving with sudden breaths. Arnav had stopped when he felt something sticky fall on his feet. He looked down and his eyes opened wide. He looked at her again, a smile on his face. His smile disappeared. His eyebrows narrowed, a worried look on his face.

"What?" Khushi asked, looking confused.

Arnav pressed his lips together, worried. He brought his left index finger to his cheek and then pointed towards her right cheek. Khushi was confused. Arnav moved closer, and brought his left hand close to her cheek. She stepped away and wiped her fingers across her cheek. She looked at her hand and her mouth opened wide, as she saw the haldi on her right hand. She stared at Arnav, as she heard laughter. She was furious when she realized what he had done. Annoyed, she started wiping the haldi from her face with her left hand.

Her eyes opened wide. Arnav snaked an arm around her waist and pulled her close. She fell against him; her chest brushed against his. She looked up at his face; their eyes met. They heard nothing but their heart beats as they looked deep into each others' eyes. Khushi gulped; her eyes quickly darted to his lips and down to his chest; his chest was cold from the shower. She could see water droplets on his shoulders; she was tempted to wipe them off, but she controlled herself. What are you thinking, Khushi? What are you doing? Do you want him to think that you are enjoying being in his arms? Well, aren't you, she asked herself. She cursed herself and tried to pull away.

When she had wiped the haldi off her cheek, Arnav had the sudden urge to hold her, to wrap his arms around her. As he pulled her close, he felt something tighten inside him. He exhaled deeply; she was so breathtakingly beautiful in her cream-colored salwar, like an angel. He could feel her heaving chest; he knew the effect he had on girls, but this was the first time he had felt this way about a girl. His heart never went crazy this way; he had never wanted to hold a girl before. She was so warm and her skin so smooth and soft; he knew he never wanted to let her go.

"Let me go." She started to struggle, pushing his arms away. Arnav smirked, as he grabbed her right wrist. She was trapped now; he was strong. He pulled her closer and looked into her eyes. She could feel her heaving chest, brushing against his tight muscles. Desire was building in her, but she couldn't let him know what she was feeling. No! She couldn't possibly be attracted to him! He moved close to her; his face was right next to hers. She could smell his musky after-shave and something stirred within her. She closed her eyes shut, afraid of what he might see if he were to look in her eyes. She felt his warm breath on her face as he whispered, "No, not until you finish what you came here to do."

Her eyes flew open and she looked into his eyes, confused. He pulled her right hand, which was now curled into a fist, still covered with haldi, towards his cheek. Her eyes opened wide as he touched her hand on his cheek and moved it down, leaving haldi on his cheek. Her hand slowly unfurled as he moved her hand down his throat. Her hand shivered, as she felt him swallow. Her fingers grazed his shoulders and traced a line slowly down his chest. He slowly released the arm around her waist, his eyes never leaving her face; she moved away. But his grip on her right wrist was firm, as her fingers traced his bare chest. Her eyes followed her fingers as they found themselves exploring the tight muscles on his chest and abdomen, till they finally rested at the top of his towel.

Her eyes quickly looked up and they met his haunting gaze. Khushi couldn't control herself anymore. She just wanted to give in and throw herself on him. He smirked; he knew what she was thinking. She froze, seeing his naughty smirk. Oh, so this was just one of his games. Well, Mr. Raizada, two can play this game. An annoyed expression appeared on her face, as she tried to pull her wrist free from his grip.

"Let me go. I said, let me go." She snarled.

He smirked again and pulled her close, making her fall against his chest again. He cocked his head and asked, "why?"

She smirked and said, "Because you better grab your towel instead."

His eyes opened wide in shock. He released her hand and looked down, just as the knot on his towel opened. He grabbed his towel and looked up as he saw Khushi run out of the room and disappear into the corridor. He burst into a smile, his eyes twinkling.

Khushi ran down the corridor. Did you just open his towel? What were you thinking? What must he be thinking about you? She was so deep in her thoughts, that she almost ran into Anjali. Anjali looked concerned, as she asked, "Khushi, are you alright? Why are you running? And why do you have haldi on your cheek?"

Khushi smiled, panting not from the running, but from her close encounter of the hottest kind! Hot? what are you thinking, Khushi.. no.. arrogant and flirtatious ' and.. and.. sexy.. and ..

"Khushi?". Her thoughts were interrupted as Anjali grabbed her arm and shook her. She looked at Anjali as Anjali took her wrist and took her to the nearest room. "Good I ran into you. I thought you might want to see the bangle we wanted to give Payal tonight."

Anjali opened a wardrobe and took out a box. She placed the box on the bed, opened it and took out a golden bangle with multi-colored gems and intricate patterns. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked at the bangle.

"This was mom's bangle. Dad's mom gave it to her. She wanted Aakash's bride to have it and tonight, we will give it to Payal. Mom would have been so happy today." A tear rolled down Anjali's cheek. Khushi's eyes teared up and she placed her hand on Anjali's shoulder. Anjali burst into tears and Khushi put her arms around her. Payal had told her about the accident that had killed Akash's parents. Arnav had been in the car with them and was the only one who miraculously survived. But the accident had affected him the most, because he had seen his parents die, while they waited for someone to rescue them. Tears rolled down Khushi's cheeks as she thought of the six-year-old who was trapped in the car crying and feeling helpless, while his parents were struggling for their last breath.

"Di?" They pulled away, hearing Arnav's voice. Arnav ran towards the bed, worried. He sat down on the bed and touched Anjali's shoulder. "What happened?" He looked at the bangle and then at Anjali, who wiped her tears away and smiled. She shook her head and said, "I was just thinking about our parents. I am fine." She turned to Khushi and said, "Isn't this bangle pretty, Khushi? Come, let's take it down to show Naniji."

Khushi smiled and nodded and turned to take the box. She pointed to the other bangle in the box and asked, "Di? what about this one? Don't you want to take them too?"

Anjali shook her head. "Leave it in the box, Khushi. That is for Chotte's bride." She smiled as she touched Arnav's cheek. "I hope that day is not far when I can give it to his bride."

Arnav's eyes met Khushi's. Khushi raised her eyebrows, surprised that Arnav looked at her; she quickly looked away. Anjali stood up from the bed and turned to Khushi. "Come, let's go, Khushi."

Khushi nodded and followed Anjali, forcing herself not to look at Arnav. She could feel his eyes following her as she walked to the door.

"Khushi, I know you don't like Chotte. I know he annoys and teases you a lot." Anjali stopped at the foot of the stairs and turned to Khushi. "To someone who doesn't know him, he might look like the biggest flirt ever. Sometimes it worries me too, that he doesn't respect women or that he doesn't take love and marriage seriously. But then I remember .. this is my Chotte. It is just an act, for me and for the rest of us. He just wants us to know that he is happy and that we shouldn't worry about him. Ever since our parents .. you know.. he was so young and it took him a long time to even sleep without having nightmares ..months.. years. But no, he is not spoiled. All that arrogance and attitude is just a mask; he is the sweetest and the most caring person under all that." Anjali smiled as she added. "And if he ever really hurt you, please, I ask for your forgiveness on his behalf."

Khushi shook her head, and smiled. "No, Di. Not at all. I .. I don't have any issues with Arnav." She giggled as she added. "Yes, he does get on my nerves sometimes, but I.. " She paused and then looked towards the living room, and added. "Come Di, the haldi ceremony is about to start. Let's go." Anjali smiled as Khushi walked towards the living room.

Arnav watched Khushi walk out the door. He turned to the box that was lying on the bed and picked up the bangle. A naughty smirk appeared on his face.

Next part on Page 1.

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Edited.

Ooh Arti!

I love it!

So sweet, he made her put haldi on him with his hands holding hers.

He is a flirt, isn't he?! But a sweet one.

Did she really open his towel knot?! 😆

The story about his parents, the thing sout bangles, Arnav's nightmares... All written with so much clarity.

The update was awesome Arti and I liked how you went back to actually pen what happened upto the point of part one!

Muaah! And 🤗 to you!