Differences Between Us :: Arshi FF [COMPLETED] - Page 40

Khushi released her bottom lip and let the small smile she was hiding spread on her face. She slowly shook her head, her eyes slightly unfocused, making Shivanee realise that her friend was lost in a faraway thought.

"Hum unse pyaar karte hain..." Khushi whispered. For the first time, she was allowing herself to accept her love for him aloud. It gave her flutters in the stomach. She giggled unexpectedly, lifting her gaze onto Shivanee. "Hum unse pyaar karte hain!" (I love him... I love him!)

***

And for the first time of her life, another thing – something she would have thought was impossible – was happening. Khushi Kumaari Gupta was getting bored in a sangeet. Had that ever happened before? Of course not! She was not even willing to dance but it was her own sister's wedding. She had to. Fortunately, Shivanee had been able to negociate the last dance for them so she had plenty of time as the ceremony had only just started.

She stayed at the back, in the shadows, leaning against the wall. She felt pretty upset. Was Arnav avoiding her? Because he had not made an appearance yet. What had she done? Khushi frowned and walked away, far from the merriment, until she reached the lonely terrace. She sat on the balustrade, gazing at the gardens below which had been illuminated, like the house, with billions of golden and orange fairy lights. The pool had been decorated with petals and floating candles. She smiled. Payal was having a dream wedding.

"Yahaan akeli kya kar rahi ho?" (What are you doing alone here?)

Khushi froze for a full second before her head automatically snapped to the door that opened on the terrace. Her heart was suddenly pounding against her ribcage, threatening to bound out as her eyes settled on the brooding young man who stood there in the dark, his hands buried in the pockets of his pockets. He lazily made his way to her and sat on the balustrade too, with a short distance between them.

"Apni behen ke liye khush nahin ho?" he asked. (Aren't you happy for your sister?)

She looked back at the lit up pool. "Hum jiji ke liye bohot khush hain." (I am very very happy for her.)

"Really? Aisa lagta to nahin." (...Doesn't look like it.)

She got up, her brow creased. "Humein chalna chaahiye," she stammered quickly as she started stalking away, only to find herself being held back. Khushi turned on her heels. Her dupatta was wrapped around his hand once while he stared at her, his face expressionless but his eyes gleaming. (I should leave.)

"What happened?" he enquired suavely.

"Humaara dupatta chhodiye," she hissed nervously, refusing to look at him. (Leave my dupatta.)

His lips twitched into a half-smile and he tugged on the cloth, snagging her closer and closer, till she was hopeless holding onto one end, standing above him, while more than half of the dupatta was wrapped around his large hand.

Khushi winced, glancing worriedly at the door. "Kya karne ki kosish kar rahe hain aap?" (What are you trying to do?)

"Koshish band karne ki koshish kar raha hoon," he whispered. (I'm trying to stop trying.)

She flicked her eyes on him for the barest second before turning back to the door. "Kya? Pata nahin aap kya bole jaa rahe hain. Lagta hai aapka dimaag kharaab hogaya hai. Jaane dijiye humein!" (What? God knows what you are saying. I think you've lost it. Let me go!)

"Idhar dekho," came the silent order. But her head remained fixed towards her right. "Khushi, idhar dekho. Kitne din hogaye tumhein dekhe hue." (Look here. Khushi, look at me. It has been so long since I last saw you.)

That made her snap her head to him, finally. There was a mysterious, inscrutable frown on his face as he reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear. His hand ran down her cheek, slowly, and he brushed his thumb provocatively against her lower lip, but she was too irritated already. She turned sideways to escape his touch.

"Humaara dupatta chhodiye," she repeated, more firmly this time. (Leave my dupatta.)

It did nothing to wither his will though. "What if I don't?" he incited.

"Theek hai," she huffed and dropped the end she had been holding on to, then she started walking away. Turned out he was as stubborn because he cinched her by the waist and pulled her back in a way that she was against him even before she could a another step. He remained nonchalantly seated on the low banister as he held her there. (Fine.)

Khushi's eyes opened wide while her hands pressed themselves on his shoulders to prevent herself from falling on top of him. Else they would both be down on the ground with multiple fractures, she was sure of it. He could be such a stupid at times. What if they had fallen down and died?

"Itna gussa? Hua kya hai tumhein?" he smirked up at her. (So much anger? What happened to you?)

She grumpily looked away. "Kuchh khaas nahin. Jaane dijye humein." (Nothing special. Let me go.)

He chuckled and kissed her on the neck. "Main itne din se tumse nahin mila, iss liye naraaz ho?" (You didn't see me for so many days, that's why you are angry?)

"Hum kissi se naraaz nahin hai," she frowned harder, only to have another, deeper kiss pressed on a little lower on her neck. (I'm not angry at anyone.)

"Really?" he whispered against her skin, making her close her eyes. his hands spread on her waist and ran up her back as he pulled himself to his feet. She shuddered, her fingers clawing into the lapels of his jacket, and his smile widened. "I'm really sorry, Khushi. I was trying to stay away but I couldn't."

"Kyun?" she asked in a tiny voice. (Why?)

He pulled away with a smile and pressed his lips against her forehead. "Your father was ill, I'm sure he still is a bit weak. His eldest daughter is getting married this week. I don't want him to lose his favourite because of me. You think he'll survive if you too leave him soon?"

She gave in and smiled too, though she hid it immediately. "Sab dhoondh rahe honge," she breathed. He trailed his lips down the side of her face, in the crook of her neck. She felt her head loll back and his arms hugged her closer to him. (Everyone must be looking for us.)

"You have no idea how much I want you..." he whispered softly in her ear. "Red is my favourite colour, you know?"

Khushi pulled away with some difficulty. "Humein neeche chalna chaahiye," she mumbled her eyes downcast. She didn't want to, but the people down there would soon notice she was not there. He sighed and set her dupatta back on her shoulders. She smiled gently at him, starting to shyly turn away but he held her wrists against his chest. (We should leave.)

"Aankhein band karo," he told her. (Close your eyes.)

But her eyes just opened wider. "Arnavji..."

He chuckled. "I told you to close your eyes, Khushi, not to open them more."

She gulped and shut her eyes tight. She felt him brush his lips on her knuckles, kiss the tip of each finger, nuzzle into her palms before pressing a kiss in each. Then, for a brief moment , his hands left her wrists and she started. But he caught them again and she felt something cold slide on them.

"Don't ever think of selling them again," he murmured, making her eyes pop open in surprise.

Arnav grinned down at the surprise on her face when she saw the bangles he had made her wear.

"Yeh... aap... yeh kangan?" she stuttered, blinking in confusion. (These... you... these bangles?)

"Humein neeche jaana tha, right?" he raised his eyebrows, deftly avoiding her question and dragged her back downstairs. (We had to go downstairs, right?)

In her daze, she didn't even realise when he had disappeared into the crowd, but not without giving her a disarming smirk coupled with a secretive wink. Then, he was gone...