FF: D for Desire #2 (Ch 15 - 21) - Page 81

I think my comment on chapter 23 will be faster..hehe..you know why..😉 don't you...?

21

Khushi took a deep breath standing in front of the gargantuan structure that emanated a sense of regality all through. She knew Arnav was a billionaire but after her last few days with him, somehow this little piece of information had slipped away. She forgot that he was anyone but a man she fancied – a man who made her feel special. The vision in front of her was like a blow to bring her down to earth. The man standing beside her, who had made her breakfast just this morning, who had made crazy love to her, who made her heartbeat go faster - was Arnav Singh Raizada – the sole owner of AR Group of Industries, the first name in the most desirable bachelor list tossing away the Bollywood beaus, the name that generated respect & fear from the mass.

Khushi turned to see the man standing on her right. He was looking as gorgeous as ever in his most casual look - an olive Ralph Lauren cotton cashmere V-neck Sweater with rolled up sleeves, a casual white shirt underneath, classic straight fit Khakis & a pair of Nike skateboarding in shades of blue. He looked younger but the lines of his face talked about his substance clearly, only if anyone noticed.

As if on cue, Arnav turned to her immediately. He knew she was looking at him. He saw her searching eyes. Was she nervous? He gave her an assuring smile. It was not easy for him to decide to bring her home. But he had a reason good enough. He was well aware what to expect the moment they stepped into the house. But he knew it would not make her uncomfortable at all. If anything, it was him, who had to face the family – perhaps after she would leave. He knew how to handle that better.

"No one would eat you up here," he said teasingly, "So you can relax."

Khushi smiled nervously. She suddenly had a weird feeling inside her stomach. Which feet she should enter the house with? What did Amma always say about that? "Whoa, Khushi," she mentally whacked herself, "Now what has that got to do with Shantivan anyway?"

"By the way, Khushi," she watched Arnav smirk as if he could read her thought, "If anyone you want to be scared of, it should be me. You know .."

"Haww," Khushi slapped on his arm slightly, "I am not scared of anyone. Samjhe Aap?"

Arnav continued smirking as he rang the doorbell. He was not nervous but he was surprised with himself. What made him so sure about bringing her home? Why this thought never occurred to him any time before with anyone – not for any reason? He did not even bring Lavanya home with him. She was a family friend and would often drop by, but she never came here as his woman – and definitely, never with him. Well, the reason for bringing Khushi home had nothing to do with introducing his supposedly "girlfriend" to his family – so it was easier, he concluded.

The woman who opened the door was one of those rare people you would instantly like – just by their appearance. She had an aura of innocence as soft as the coral net sari she was wearing. Her eyes first fell on Khushi and then shifted to Arnav and in a second, shifted back to Khushi with an expression of surprise evident in her eyes. She blinked and set aside the loose bangs, still not giving any word to her startled state.

Arnav shook his head almost invisibly. Here comes Round One.

"Di," Arnav decided to step in, "Will you let us just stand here?"

Di. Her sister. And her demeanor seemed totally opposite to him, Khushi thought. Soft, fragile, tender.

"Woh .. nahi .. ," the woman stuttered a bit but quickly gathered herself up .. and her manners too, "Main bhi naa. Woh kya hai ki .. I was not expecting you!"

And definitely not someone with you – she thought. She smiled at Khushi finally and gave them space to enter the house.

The warmth in her smile eased Khushi almost immediately. She felt welcomed and smiled back at her. His Di. She scanned the large hall as she was led to the living area by Arnav & his Di.

"Di," Arnav said standing in the middle of the living room, "This is Khushi. Khushi Kumari Gupta. She works for S&S Industries and currently is doing a project with us."

"And Khushi," Arnav continued, "This is my Di."

"Welcome to our home, Khushi ji," the woman finally spoke to her with a sweet smile, "I am Anjali. Please take a seat."

"Thank you," Khushi smiled & sat on a two seater. She was not sure why suddenly she felt so shy & nervous. She felt as if she had to make a good impression and it was giving her cold feet. Her throat went dry as Anjali came and sat beside her. She quickly looked at Arnav and saw him standing with a contented smile and staring at them.

"Di," he said as he kept looking at the two precious women sitting together, "I am going to my room. You two carry on. I will join you later. And Khushi will have lunch with us."

He saw Khushi's eyes rounding and the cute, flustered, angry expression requesting him not to leave. He smirked and shrugged and walked away. He knew she was in safe hands now. He would have to deal with the questions later.

Khushi was mad at Arnav for leaving her alone with Anjali. But soon she forgot as she very quickly started admiring her. Anjali was a wonderful woman and they shared many common interests on which they could talk for hours. Khushi feared she would be interrogated but Anjali never asked anything about Arnav. Rather they talked about themselves and a bit about the family. And this was how Khushi first discovered that Arnav & his family were from Lucknow too. That man! He never mentioned that!

"Chotey never told you," Anjali did not seem very surprised, "What else to expect from him? If he says one or two words, for that even sometimes I thank God."

Chotey. Who would have believed Arnav Singh Raizada was called Chotey at his home?

"Only you call him Chotey," Khushi asked Anjali not being able to control her curiosity anymore.

"Nahi," Anjali laughed, "Nani also call him that. Nani & Mamiji will soon be back, I think. Would you mind, Khushi ji, if I go to kitchen for a while?"

"Bilkul nahi, Anjali ji," Khushi replied instantly, "In fact .. would you mind if I join you in kitchen?"

"Not at all," Anjali promptly replied at the prospect of being able to know more about this lovely, petite girl her Chotey had brought home. The first girl he had ever brought home. The first girl whom they never came to know about from page 3 photographs. The first girl who seemed just the right one to fit into this family as a new member.

Anjali brushed away her far-fetched thoughts. There was no point dreaming so much as far as Arnav was concerned. She knew her brother very well. Whether he had changed his mind or not about marriage was still a question but that he had brought this girl home, with apparently no work reason, was enough for her to see some light of hope. She promised to herself she would dig deep till she was satisfied. If Arnav had brought her home, definitely he was ready to answer her too.

Khushi hesitantly, but enthusiastically offered to help Anjali and after a few minutes, the two were seen busy with onions & tomatoes, chatting away as if they had known each other forever. Anjali never allowed her designer saris and well-poised manners to mess with her Lucknawi roots. So the girls connected well and they forgot even to ask for any house help as they kept cooking for the family.

Though Arnav thought he would finish some work while Khushi was with Anjali, he hardly could stop thinking about her. Was she comfortable? He knew Di would not do anything to make Khushi feel awkward but still his mind kept drifting away to downstairs. After an hour of almost no work, Arnav finally decided it was enough. He shut his laptop and took the stairs looking for the fine woman in a simple violet kurta.

Standing in the living room, he could not see any of them but could hear the faint sound of their laughter. He followed it to the kitchen and instantly was absorbed by a sense of warmth & peace that he had not felt in a long time. He had not seen her sister laugh like that with anyone but the limited family members in a long, long time. And Khushi fitted so perfectly into the picture as well. Had he too really ever seen Khushi laugh like that? He did not know why, but the scene in front seemed the most normal thing on earth to him – his Di & Khushi cooking together in the kitchen & having fun. How he would love to see that again & again!

The two women kept laughing & chatting totally unaware of the audience they had. They were almost done with the main dishes & were working on the dessert. Khushi had volunteered to make jalebis and Anjali was happily helping her.

"May I know what has amused you ladies so much?" Arnav asked leaning on a pillar near the entrance.

"Chotey," Anjali exclaimed as she turned to see her brother standing behind them, "What are you doing here?"

"Just checking on you two," Arnav said lazily.

The two women looked at each other and then again broke into laughter, this time startling Arnav.

"What!" Arnav asked trying to figure out if they had gone crazy.

"What nahi Pot," Khushi replied with effort, almost choking with the spasm of laughter. Her reply only increased the intensity of their giggle.

"Enough," Arnav barked in attempt to control the women who seemed to have gone out of their minds, "Will someone please tell me what is wrong with you?"

"Woh Chotey..," Anjali mumbled as she could not control laughing, "I was telling Khushi ji about .. .. about the time .. .. when you decided to water the plants organically."

"Water plants organically.." Arnav was not sure what his Di was talking about.

"You were so intelligent even as a kid, Arnav," Khushi continued laughing.

And it was then it struck Arnav what little precious story Anjali must have told Khushi. And like once in a million year, he reddened in embarrassment in a flash. No way!

"What the …" Arnav exclaimed in frustration, "You did not tell her that, Di."

"Why Chotey," Anjali tried to reply in a composed manner suppressing her intense urge to laugh, "You were just a kid then. Tumhi to kehte ho na .. kids can always do things like that."

"That does not mean .. .. ki aap … aap Khushi se .." Arnav could not form a proper sentence and got more flustered with embarrassment. It was an experience to cherish – Arnav Singh Raizada embarrassed & tongue-tied.

"Great! Laugh as much as you want," finally he barked before he stomped away to his room again. His Di was impossible! How could she??!!

And the women broke into laughter once again.

"Oh, Khushi ji," Anjali finally said pressing her stomach that was aching now, "I have not seen Arnav so embarrassed in a long time. That was so much fun."

"Poor Arnav," Khushi too replied with her palm pressed on her stomach, bending and trying to breathe properly, "But do you think he got too angry?"

"Arrey Khushi ji," Anjali assured, "Leave it. He is just embarrassed. And he deserves to be. After all, he peed on a rose plant pot. Momma scolded him so much. Poor Chotey. Tch tch."

And the women broke into laughter again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Khushi wiped off the sweats from her forehead, after the last batch of Jalebi was ready. She knew she was missing jalebi but she did not realize she missed cooking overall. At home, she always helped her Amma & Jiji with breakfast & dinner. And in weekends, menus were mostly Khushi special. The sisters did not allow their mother to come near the kitchen at all. Khushi smiled. One more day.

"You seem very happy, Khushi ji," Anjali asked softly noticing her smile.

"Haan, Anjali ji," Khushi replied, "Bas ghar ki yaad aa gayi. And I am going home tomorrow."

"When will you be back to Delhi again," Anjali asked cautiously not willing to sound too curious.

"Pata nahi," Khushi said uncertainly, "I think I will have to come again for the project. Once I am back to office, we will sort it out."

"Accha," Anjali's brain was working from million angles, "I think you should freshen up, Khushi ji. Let me show you the way."

"Thanks," Khushi smiled genuinely. She really could use some rinse & lather.

They took the stairs and Anjali explained to her the house layout. The ground floor had the living, dining, kitchen & pooja room along with the bedrooms of Akash, his parents & Naniji. The first floor had the bedrooms of Arnav & Anjali along with the guest rooms & study.

"You know Akash, right," Anjali inquired.

"Yes," Khushi nodded, "I met him in AR. He is not much like Arnav. In fact, you are not like Arnav, too. He is just too .."

Khushi stopped realizing she was getting out of topic. She gave Anjali a nervous smile.

"He is just too .. formal."

"Yes, that's how he is," Anjali agreed hiding her excitement at finding some sign. Something was definitely cooking.

"Khushi ji," Anjali said guiding her to the right passageway, "Guest room is at the end of the passage. Can you go alone?

"Sure, Anjali ji," Khushi assured her, "Aap jaaiye. I will meet you in the living room."

Khushi was only halfway through the passage when she suddenly felt a familiar touch on her hand. Before she could turn or react, she was pulled inside the adjacent room by a strong pair of arms and was pinned to the wall beside the closed door. Her body was flush against his, as Arnav pressed her to the wall with his full body. He stretched his left arm to lock the door and then looked into her eyes.

"Bahaut hansi aa rahi thi na tumko," Arnav asked, no sign of smile in his countenance or voice.

Khushi swallowed.

"Haan," she tried to sound unmoved, "It was something to laugh about. Should I have cried instead?"

Khushi could see the intensity in his eyes. He was in no mood for fun. Or was he?

"Let me go, Arnav," she squirmed in vain, "Anjali ji is waiting for me."

"Karne do," he replied with a tone of finality in his voice. There was no escape.

"Koi aa jayega," Khushi tried.

"Aane do."

"Arr-nav .. please, let me go."

And Arnav smirked. Finally.

"Kyun? Ab tumhari hansi kahan gayi?"

Arnav leaned toward her further, touched her nose with his. He kept brushing her nose with his softly .. and felt her bosom brushing up & down against his chest as she panted. He freed her by removing his hands from the wall but only to hold her tighter by her waist and pulled her closer to him. He caressed her cheeks, still standing nose to nose, before he reached her nape. And then he softly touched her lips with his..

"Chotey!!"

Arnav stopped & muttered on her lips. Dammit!

"Yes, Di," he shouted still holding her in her arms.

"Lunch is ready. Come on downstairs. Jaldi."

"Ok, Di! Aap jaaiye."

"Ok, Chotey. I will just call Khushi ji first .."

Oh no!

"Don't move," he whispered to Khushi and opened the door quickly.

"Di," he craned his head out & shouted at Anjali, "Where is Khushi?"

"She is in guestroom, Chotey. She wanted to freshen up. Tum jao. Hum abhi aa rahein hain."

"Nahi, Di! Aap jaaiye na. I'll bring her along."

Anjali looked at her brother's eyes. Another mental jig! She was tempted to taunt him a bit but then decided it was still not time.

"As you say, Chotey," she shrugged hiding her joy pretty well.

Arnav sighed a breath relief.

"Phew," he turned to Khushi locking the door, "That was close."

"I love your Di, Arnav," Khushi started giggling.

Arnav was about to pounce on her again but Khushi did not give him a chance this time. She quickly ran from there and stood near the bed.

"Arnav," she warned him, "I need to freshen up and we need to go for lunch. Now!"

"You won't be so lucky all the time," Arnav grumbled.

"Is that your washroom?"

"Hmm." Arnav was still all grumpy.

Khushi laughed. She walked up to him and pulled his cheek, shocking him like he had had not been in a long time. This woman was impossible!

"What the ...," was all he managed to utter before Khushi pulled his other cheek too and ran into the bathroom.

10 minutes later they both walked into the dining room together only to be greeted by a gaping audience.

Arnav sighed. Time for Round Two.

"Hello hi bye bye," Khushi heard the woman, who was almost lost under her heavy colorful garments, jewelry & makeup, shrill with her eyes rounded at her. She started walking towards them and all Khushi could see was a hybrid rainbow penguin making its way towards her. Khushi could not control her mouth from parting in awe. This lady was such a rare vision!

"Arnav Bitwa," the lady continued in her high-pitched voice and went straight to the point, "Who is she? I don't remember seeing her in newspaper ever. Not even in the magazines.. And she does not look like the other girls you have .."

"Maamiji," Arnav interrupted impatiently, "She is Khushi. She is working with AR in a project."

Khushi quickly put her hands together, "Namaste, Maamji."

"Namaste," Maami kept inspecting her from head to toe, "So she is here for work? Arnav bitwa .. you are home. Where is Akash?"

Khushi was feeling extremely uncomfortable with the scrutinizing eyes of Maami and then she noticed how hard Anjali was trying to suppress her laughter. She wondered what was so funny. This was not funny! This was uncomfortable.

Khushi did not realize why Maami's enquiry ended with Akash's whereabouts but Anjali apparently did. It looked like Khushi had successfully made her way to Maamiji's "Prospective Mrs. Akash Singh Raizada" list. She wished Arnav understood that too. His reaction could have given her so many clues!

As all of them took their seat on the dining table, the head chair remained empty. Khushi understood it was probably for Arnav's Naani. Anjali excitedly described the menu to a disinterested Maamiji & a half-listening Arnav as they waited for Naani to come. Maami was busy examining her fuchsia painted nails & Arnav kept tapping his Blackberry. Khushi sighed. What was the point of cooking all that food when no one seemed interested?

"Haariprakash," a woman's voice suddenly silenced everyone on the table. Not only Maamiji moved her attention from herself but even Arnav set aside his Blackberry.

Time for round three.

"No one would eat you up here," hehe..yes mam..Made a note of "here" 😳

"His Di" why did I instantly thought "her Di"..

How he would love to see that again & again! -> yeah ASR..you can...once she goes back to Lucknow..

watering plants...hehe.I could not stop laughing...we love it when ASR is embarrassed...I wanted to see ASR punishing Khushi for laughing so much..and you gave it..thank you :)

"He is just too .. formal." ...oh..really? We know how formal he is with you, Khushi...

"Nahi, Di! Aap jaaiye na. I'll bring her along." haha...seriously...Anjali is still strong..anyone else who knew ASR would have fainted with that dialogue..

🤗