ArHi FF: Checkmate!-T2 (completed) - Page 48

Part 51

As Arnav's lips crashed upon hers, Kushi could sense the raw passion in that kiss may be a little more intensive than those times in the past when they have made up after a quarrel, but she could not help but sense an uncertainity from him that lingered in that kiss. She coud feel him loosen his tight grip upon her body before he pulled away from her, his head raised well above hers, But still didnt move away from top of her.

"Are you happy now? Arnav's question confused Kushi further.

"eh?"

"would you want me to go further to pleasure you?"

Something in his tone was sarcastic, implying as if he was only doing this as if its his duty to satisfy her, the tone didnt have any trace of his love or the lustre of huskiness which has never ceased to drive her crazy in the past, nor did his hands which were lightly placed on her shoulders have that shiver which told her about his controlled passion

"Arnav? I..I dont understand" she blurted out, struggling to get up from under him "I only wanted to..."

"wanted to do what? perhaps if you thought that I starved for sex and your body during the course of your absense, I beg to set your thoughts right, I had a fair share of it from other women- you are not the only one who could give me this pleasure"

Arnav sensed her body go stiff against him, perhaps if the lights were on, he could have sensed her orb like eyes filled with tears, which he was able to feel so even in the dark.

"If you want me to go ahead inspite of the lateness of this hour, I can" he drawled in the same cold tone as he lowered his head again towards her neck when he felt her hands stopping him from going further. A Sly albeit sad smile lit up his face.

"Its right, its late... we should go to sleep" he heard her say in a broken voice as he rolled away from her to his side. He felt her sit up quickly and then get out of the bed immediately, shuffling next to the bed, probably searching for her discarded dress.

He knew his words would have cut her up - would hurt like anything, he heard something which sounded like a sob escape from her mouth, as much as he wanted to get to her and hug her and let her know that it was a lie, he knew he wouldnt be able to stop after that, and the whole reason for telling her something so cruel like that would hold no use. He was glad that the lights were switched off, or else she would have caught his lies in a wink of an eye.

As much as he found her seducing him irresistable, he wanted her to stop, and he knew how much ever he would have tried to stop, she would have tried even more harder to make him cave in, and when he realised that he was giving in to her charm, mesmerised by her beauty, drinking in her love as he had always been attracted to her just like a moth gets attracted to the fire, not that the fact that she had been away for almost two years was even needed to fuel his desires, He desperately tried to put a stop to it, and this was the only thing that sprang up to his shrewd mind to make her stop, because he cannot trust himself to stop.

He knew why she had laid herself barren to him, She had wanted to pacify him, She had even apologised, But it was not her submission to him or the apology that he wanted from her, he wanted answers, he wanted to know justifications from her side, for he knew whatever be the reason, she would have always wanted to be near him, what was that which forced her stay away? He knew her well and he was sure that his inheritance to the family fortunes or wealth was not reason enough for her to stay away from him, or not tell him about Arush, she might have tried to protect Arush, but why would she not even talk to him, when she had spoken to his family? He hoped that only her answers would satiate his ego and anguish.

He wanted to know from her, her reasons, he wanted her to open up about what was it that was stopping her.. If he had relented to her tonight, he would never be able to emphasize to her how badly he wanted things to settled don beteen them, before they ventured into the mysteries of passion. He wanted answers first. Their passions and desires can always wait, it was not bigger than love itself, cause they always saw that as a part of love- the mightiness of which was put to test- the very thing for which he seeked answers.

He heard her getting into the other side of the bed almost half an hour after he had moved away from her, He knew she would be crying herself to sleep. He chided himself for doing this to her and not being in a position to console her- but it needs to be done, he told himself- a small consolation. He knew he would have to make up for what he told her- later, after he got his answers- but now it was a good as it can hold. However amongst the regret that he had to lie to her, there was a tinge of apprehension that she had readily believed his lie.

It was long before sleep overcame him

He never knew Subadra Malik was in this game all along. But he was not surprised. He knew well that he might have to face her one day or other- He had plans for her too- not very good ones but not bad ones either- His trump card for her would be Arnav and his wish- which he was sure he can manipulate to work on his side.

He was not worried about Arnav either. Arnav, he knew, will come to know about all of this one way or other, but his hatred for his father and Chacha was something that he had always relied upon for him to back off. He would never want something that would threaten to seperate him from his loved ones. Not when Arnav will be shown that he, Rana can get him through people who are close to him.

But all of this would be changed by one factor! which turned the table. The one trump card which can change the game for good- yes his sister, Gayathri- whom he thought was long dead..Did he not himself order his men to finish her off? how and where and what went wrong?- she would be in a position to not only turn Arnav's impression about his Dad, but she can also change Dhruv's perspective.

He would have to do something quick if he wanted to win this game, a game for which he had strived hard for almost all his life- after that humiliation that he faced all those days back.

***

Arnav got up blinking against the brightness that filled the room, he noticed it was already past 9 in the morning. For a moment, it all looked like a strange dream. Did Kushi really land on his door the last evening and later did he really discover that he had a son? The other side of the bed was empty. He sat up and looked around, there were no bags around that he remembered seeing the previous evening. He got out of the bed quickly looking around for something that would say it was not a dream and there he saw on the floor near the wardrobe, a bright blue baby bag which was neatly zipped and stacked on a suitcase which he knew was Kushi's. He let out a breath that he didnt realise he was holding and proceeded to freshen himself up.

When he went down in his usual attire, he noticed that the hall was getting decorated with flowers and then slowly remembered the occasion- The naming ceremony.

"The lion is out of the den" a mocking voice which he knew belonged to Sid drawled at him. He saw the dining hall was crowded with his family apart from Sid and Lavanya. Kushi was no where to be seen
"Chotey?" Anjali called "What are you doing here? I thought you will be in the airport now? Arent you travelling?"
but before he could answer, NK butted in
"Obviously di, He cancelled the trip"
"yeah.. On whose expense was this decision taken, may I know" Anjali teased her brother further "because I remember I, Akaash and Payal actually begged him to stay for the naming ceremony"
"Oh that doesnt have anything with Kushi returning and his need to spend time with his son" Akaash joined in the fun
"or that they had a peaceful night to play criket after long long time?" Mamiji suggested with a smirk
"No No..you are all Misunderstanding my Jethji.. it is only because he wanted to attend our Daughter's Naming ceremony which he cant afford to miss" Payal too ragged him as all All of them burst into laughter.
Arnav was annoyed. He down down the stairs and intended to make his way to the dining he moved towards the dining hall, but Nani was overwhelmed seeing the fun
"Good that you cancelled the trip chotey" she told him

Arnav looked around for the trace of his wife, even though the memory of his cruel words to her came back to him in a rush, He had always behaved this way with her, if he wanted to safe guard his emotions, he would blast at her, and he was guilt ridden that after all these days, he has again managed to hurt her again.

"Its been long time since we laughed like this.. isnt it?" Ashok asked as Arnav took a seat which was empty. Just then Kushi made a presence felt as she came out of the kitchen with Arush squatting on her hips.
"Its becaue of Kushi bitiya, she is true to her name.. spreading hapiness everywhere..." Nani said

Arnav observed that Kushi was holding the butter cup in her hand and they looked at eachother but neither smiled. she placed the bowl in front of him and then pulled out a plate. But as she reached for the bread, she heard him say something to her.

"I can help myself thanks" Arnav muttered as he took two slices of bread for himself.

she gave him a sharp look as he took out a glass and poured his juice for himself

"How touching.. wifely duties... Learn from her Lav" Sid called out " hey stop nicking things from my plate" he said as Lavanya helped herself with some cookies from his plate.
"Sharing Sid..Learn to share first.. For us sharing applies for everthing from cookies to chores..." Lavanya replied back "and I am not still your wife Sid... even after we marry dont expect me to serve you like Kushi or Payal or di, If you are ready to serve me the breakfast, may be I will serve you the dinner..."
"Oh really.. now I am looking forward to our marriage.." Sid muttered sarcastically
"Am I reading between the lines when I heard about breakfast and Dinner?" Nk teased the couple and Lavanya was too shocked to even speak.
"NK? you too.. look dont be too friendly with Sid, he will spoil all the innocence in you" Lavanya finally told him when she found her voice while the others laughed, Sid showed a thumbs up to NK

"What made you think that I am innocent La?" NK asked her incredulously

"yeah.. Arnav is right, but I will thank you for that compliment Lav..nice impressions you create for your fiance" Sid called out in Mock anger. But Lavanya was lost in thoughts, Sid raised his eyebrow as if to ask what happened

She gestured him to look at Kushi and Arnav, who had not even taken part in the discussions until then or the leg pulling which was happening, both looked tensed and didnt share even a coy greeting or smile from the time Arnav had sat down by the table.

Kushi was feeding khichdi to Arush who was making faces to eat it and Arnav was silently eating his breakfast.

Sid looked back at Lavanya who looked troubled
"looks like they havent patched up yet" she mumbled to him, as they saw Kushi putting a bowl of Kheer in front of Arnav who pushed it a little letting her know that he didnt want it.
"They need little more help dont they?" Sid asked back and then turned to Arnav.

"Hey Arnav.. tell me did you like the breakfast today?" Sid asked trying to engage him into a conversation

Arnav looked at sid with a confused expression and then nodded curtly

"May be you should try this... Jelebi makes nice sooji halwa" this time Sid was successful in irking Arnav. How dare he still calls her Jelebi? and who is sid to tell him what his wife cooks best?

"No Sid, he cannot have that" Anjali told quickly, "that has sugar in it"

"Hey Kushi, thats bad of you.. you should have used sugar free so that he can have it too"

Kushi looked at Arnav once and then at Sid.

"thanks for your concern Sid" Arnav said pointedly "But I prefer a light breakfast and MY WIFE knows MY preference" Arnav muttered back at sid

"Sid, Chotey is very choosy when it comes to food" Anjali explained, thinking that Arnav's answer was little rude, but Sid who knew better only smiled at her.

"oh pretty good then.. so he wont even have a little kheer also?" Sid asked with his tongue in cheek "Too sad Kushi didnt let us taste it also, she said that she prepared it exclusively for you.. now if you dont want it, we can have it right?"

but as sid put his hand to take out the bowl that Kushi had filled earlier, Arnav put his other hand to the bowl and took it in his hand,staring steadily at Sid.

"Sid bitwa, If you want we have more" Nani called out

but before the ladies could fetch him some, Sid declared that he was already full and when Kushi gave him a confused look, he simply shruged at her.

"Genius" Lavanya muttered at his ear
"Born with it" Sid chuckled back

"Sid and La, you both will be joining the celebrations right? your flight is only int he evening right?" Akaash asked them

"yeah you both should stay till afternoon, It will be so much fun na... I didnt even think we will have so much of happiness during the ceremony.. Kushi is back... Arush is there..Even Chotey is going to be attending the function" Anjali called out

"Di, I Should be going to office now" Arnav told as he got up

"But Bhai, we have a function at home" Akaash called out

"Yes Akaash but didnt I tell you that I wont be able to attend it... I was not able to take the trip but I need to attend the meeting through call.. I shall try to join later"

"Too sad, you cancel a trip but still you are not able to join the celebrations" Sid commented

Arnav was too annoyed to ignore Sid this time,
"May be you should stop being concerned about me, my eating habits or my work and have a little concern about you Sid"

"concerned about me.. you are too kind Arnav.. But what about me?"

"may be care to tell us all what happened on your face?" Arnav smirked at him

Kushi and La looked at eachother and then at their men

"Yeah.. even I wanted to ask you.. tellj us pleaj.. bhat happend to your facewa? bhy there is a red patchwa?" Mamiji asked Sid.

To be continued...

wow! nice part...

so arnav still angry...

khushi is silent nw...

waiting fr more...