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Chapter 22It took
some grueling convincing but Akash and Payal were finally taking their pheras
with all the proper rituals and rites that pleased the elders. Khushi stood
next to the mandap with a wide smile, watching her sister get married to the
man she loves. What she didn't realize was her eyes kept on wandering back to
the one man who had managed to jolt the very being of her existence. He made
her feel numerous things, many of which she had not been able to understand.
There was temper, excitement, frustration, passion, desire, and countless other
emotions when it came to Arnav Singh Raizada. Khushi wanted to feel all of
them and at most times she did. Ever since Arnav had entered her life, she had
found herself wanting to sway towards him. There was something very
magnetically charming within that arrogant persona. She could see herself
spending the rest of her life with Arnav.
Stepping
on the invisible brakes, Khushi desperately tried to stop the path her thoughts
were taking to. She had come here to work at AR Designs, Khushi reminded
herself sharply. There was no marriage on the cards and possibly not with
Arnav. Then, who? Khushi caught herself wondering. She scolded herself and
concentrated on her sister's marriage rather than conjuring up dreams about her
own. Payal looked happy and Khushi could already figure part of that had to do
with, finally being able to have the green signal for their suhaag raat. Her sister and anxious for
some action, Khushi would have never placed the two together.
''We have
some pending work left...'', his voice barely brushed across her ear,
but it
was strong enough to send shivers down her spine. Khushi instantly
strained and ended up walking into a hard form. It was no surprise,
when they fit
perfectly. Arnav smirked lightly watching the array of emotions cross
Khushi's
face.
Khushi rustled
and looked up, '' can't you see there is marriage going on?''
''Is it
our marriage?''
Her mouth
ineptly set into a hard line but her eyes shone with immense pleasure. Arnav
didn't miss the beat of surprise and anticipation in those almond browns
before she quickly replaced it with a more intrepid look. '' Are you
indirectly saying you want to marry me? ''
'' No,
that is not what I am saying. I meant that there more important things of
concerns'' Arnav found himself getting closer to Khushi until their bodies
molded into one form.
''Like,
what?'' Khushi whispered . She could feel his warm breath
on her neck as the air surrounding them suddenly became thicker.
'' I
could list many things, but for one...your unfinished interview'' Arnav trailed
off in a deep rich voice trailing his finger up and down her back. Khushi
stiffened and arched her back instantaneously as the swift contact was made.
Khushi
took a quick glance around the room and found everyone engrossed with the
wedding ceremony. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. She didn't want to imagine
what their families would have to say about the indecent thoughts that were
running through both of their minds.
'' You and I both know, I will be a valuable asset to your company''.
'' I don't know about the company, but more personally...'' Arnavs slid his
hand gradually down to her midriff hidden beneath her sari. Khushi jolted after
she realized where Arnav had placed his hand.
'' Personally, I might not be interested in you'', Khushi retorted softly, but
her voice betrayed her self-will to oppose him.
'' There is no one except me'', the words escaped from Arnav's mouth before he
could prevent it. Khushi looked up amaze. After
realizing what he had said, Arnav cleared his throat, '' I mean...when you are
with me, there is only me''.
'' Personally or professionally?''.
Arnav merely looked amused at her question, '' Do I really have to answer that?
''.
Khushi just about managed to hide the grin but the invasive deep red blush gave
away her answer. She struck out her elbow and pushed away Arnav at once
creating a short distance between them.
'' Don't think, we are done. We will continue this somewhere more private'',
Arnav warned before Khushi could walk away.
'' We will see about that'', Khushi countered with a satisfied smirk not
concentrating much on his words. Instead, she strode away
defiantly aware of Arnav's piercing gaze on her back. And, because she knew he
was watching her, Khushi added a gradual sway to her hips. Now, all she could
hope for was that the arrow would hit the right mark.
It had. While, Khushi may not have observed
the indifference, Anjali Jha was a witness and she would have gladly
testified. Perhaps, her Chote was not entirely in love but he
was
slowly tumbling towards the edge of losing himself in a mist of
feelings. She
could already see the effects of it. The girl responsible was Khushi
Kumari
Gupta and she was not even made aware of it. From, what Anjali saw, she
was
sure Khushi didn't know how much of a impact she was having on her
brother. This was surely going to be a entertaining turn of events.
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Once
the wedding ceremonies were over, the elders headed back home after
deciding to let Payal and Akash spend their first night together here.
The farm house would be the perfect ambiance for a newly wed couples and
there would definitely be no distractions or interruptions. It was all
Anjali's idea because she understood her sister-in-laws predicament. She
and Shyam went upstairs to set up the bedroom, while Arnav and Khushi
stayed downstairs with their siblings hoping to keep them company. But
that was what they thought, Arnav and Khushi were in for a long lecture,
as they were soon about to find out.
''Khushi, how could you do that?'', Payal asked with disapproving look. '' And, why didn't you tell me?''
Khushi shifted and raised her brow vaguely confused, '' I don't understand''.
'' You understand very much from the looks of it''.
''Jiji, gol gol paheli mat bhujwao, seedha point pe aao''.
'' Khushi, you know what I am talking about. I thought you hated him?''
''Hate, who?''
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'' You know hate is a very strong word. I would rather say, we were at an impasse''.
''So during that impasse, you were persuaded to move into that secluded corner and fight some more?''.
Arnav
fumbled with his words, leaving his brother surprised by the turn of
events. It was a rare sight for anyone, when Arnav Singh Raizada forgot
his words. Akash smiled greatly and knotted his hands together watching
an uncomfortable Arnav.
'' We were just talking!''
'' Bhai, I might be slow but always remember it is the tortoise who wins the race''.
Arnav shrugged, '' she is a little insane...''
'' I thought, it was a lot of insane and stubbornness.''
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Khushi nodded and frowned, '' Yes, he is obnoxious and arrogant''.
''You forgot self - righteous and know-it-all'', Payal added patiently.
''Fine,
is he is all of that. But, I think there is much more to him. I never
thought there would be layers to him. The more I am with him, I see
things differently. I want to be near him. There is something about him,
I can't place my finger on it ''.
''Are you saying you are in
love with him?'', Payal watched the stunned look that replaced the grin.
Khushi was acutely aware of her surroundings and what Payal had just
said. She knew, Payal was prying but that was her sister. If she was
saying it, there must have been some truth to it. But, Khushi could not
get herself to accept what her heart might have already accepted. She
was not ready to chance upon these scary feelings, which were still very
tangibly averse in her mind.
''Jiji, there is nothing like
that'', Khushi managed after a lot of thinking. How could she agree to
it, when she was not sure. And, when it came to love, Khushi wanted to
be hundred and one percent sure.
'' If there is nothing like
that, then why were you both celebrating your SR night, when me and
Akash are suppose to be the one doing
it''.
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''Really? You are worried about you and Payal and that it factor?''
'' My wife is a little demented about that stuff. She was complaining about it, so I thought I should ask.''
Arnav
almost choked on his own words, after hearing Akash complain about
Payal. It was turning out to be a very interesting night after all.
However, this was not a conversation, he wanted to have with his
brother. ''That's not a very nice thing to say about your wife Akash ''.
Taking a deep breather, Arnav stood up, '' And, I am not going to
discuss mine and Khushi's relation with you''.
''What do you think they are doing in the other room?''
Confused,
Arnav stared at Akash, who pointed towards the room across the hallway.
Khushi and Payal had walked into that room, when Anjali had announced
that she would decorate the room.
''I don't know, Akash ''. Arnav
was very well aware of what was going on in that room. He also had a
feeling that Khushi was going through a similar mindset as him. Then
again, this was just a feeling. When two woman got together, it was just
them and countless secrets.
''Do you think Payal is complaining about me to Khushiji?''
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''
I know Akashji he thinks that sometimes I am too free - minded than
him.'' Payal complained, shifting on the bed. '' What can a girl do?
Somethings are very vital especially when you have the license for it.
And, we have our marriage certificate ''.
''Jiji, I am not having this
talk with you right now '' Khushi paced around the room and refused to
answer Payal's questions anymore. She was sure, her elder sister was
running on a rush of adrenaline and that was turning her into a frenzy.
'' Khushi, do you think Akashji does not want me?''
Khushi turned around with her eyes wide and open, '' Jiji, what are you talking about?''
Payal
gruffly held up her hands and started to sob, '' he fell asleep when I
came to our room the previous day and he didn't know about the room of
requirements.''
The urge to smack her sister with a rolling pin
was intense but Khushi controlled herself. She could not understand,
what had gotten into her sister all of a sudden. Payal was the one who
was usually strong headed. Sitting down, Khushi took Payal's hand into
her own, '' Akash eloped with you Jiji. If he didn't want you, he would
have never gone against his family''.
'' You think so ?''
Khushi nodded, '' I know so. Eloping is serious business ''.
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After
a lot of convincing and arguing, Arnav and Khushi walked out of the
respective rooms simultaneously. They stared at each other and smiled.
The earlier daring remarks were all forgotten now there were only
nerves. After a very intense staring contest, both stepped in towards
each other. It was like being trapped in a haze, an outer forced was
acting as a catalyst. Everything was forgotten accept the other's
presence. The quick and sly looks that passed shared secrets that they
were only aware of and promised of many more things to come.
'' I
have been thinking of you '', Arnav started as the distance between
them continued to decrease by the seconds. She was a true sight in that
yellow and blue sari. And the fact that she had designed it, just
magnified it's beauty.
'' Maybe, we should complete that
unfinished interview...'' Khushi suggested stopping right before him.
They were close enough to feel each other's breath. A quick smile
sprouted among her luscious lips as Arnav continued to stare at her.
Arnav
was about to reply, when he heard Anjali and Shyam conversing as they
climbed down the stairs. Khushi followed his gaze and found them also.
She didn't want to get caught in another whirlpool of conversation not
right now. She wanted to be with Arnav. Without thinking, she grabbed
his arm and pulled him into another room closing the door at once.
''What the...? ''
'' I just convinced my sister that Akashji still wants her physically. I am not going in for another interrogation ''.
Arnav smirked and nodded innocently.
Khushi caught the hint of smugness in his eyes and glared, '' What?''
''Why don't you just say that you want to spend more time with me. ''
Arnav
continued to smile slyly as Khushi's lips settle into a hard line
expressing her contrasting feelings. '' I do not. I just wanted us to
get over with the interveiw ''.
Stuffing his hands inside his pocket, Arnav leaned against the wall, '' The interveiw was over long ago. You are hired ''.
The
joy that leaped into her vivacious eyes gave Arnav immense pleasure. He
liked seeing her happy. Holding out his hand, Arnav tugged on Khushi's
waist and pulled her straight against himself.
Khushi blushed and
placed her hands on his chest. He leaned in trailing his lips against
her jaw, '' Don't you want to what qualified you for this job?''
When
Khushi didn't answer, Arnav took it upon himself to demonstrate. He
lazily shuffled her jet black hair away from her neck, tracing his
finger right near the humming pulse. '' For starters, your work shows
impeccable sincerity towards this profession. You not only know your
fabric, but you know how to use it. Customers wants a designer who knows
what works best''.
Khushi listened silently because she had
lost her capability to speak out coherent words. Her focus was greatly
on Arnav's wandering hands and how well they knew the rhythm of her
body. A part of her was glad that Arnav was holding onto her otherwise
she would have fallen away at once. Her stomach had twisted into knots
and her knees were no longer supporting her. It seemed as if, her body
was at Arnav's mercy. He was free to act as he may.
'' And then
there is the design.'' an oath like murmur released from his lips as he
tugged on the pallu. ''Do you know, how I felt when I saw you in this
sari?''
Khushi shook her head and coaxed herself to administer a
better response. He raised his hand and softly ran it across her right
cheek watching Khushi's bewitching eye's grow wide with an infectious
gleam.
Walking around to her back with his hand still caressing
her stomach, Arnav gently pulled her against himself. '' Let's just say,
when Sheetal walked into that room...there was an urge to throttle
her''.
Khushi smiled from within and closed her eyes. '' That is the most romantic thing, you have said to me till now ''.
Arnav
lightly nipped her earlobe with his teeth, inducing a light moan that
very nearly escaped her lips. '' It seems I haven't given you enough
romance''.
'' I think this is filling up for all the missed
quota''. Turning around, Khushi met Arnav's smoldering gaze. She could
see the storm of wantons in his eyes, mirroring her own feelings. Khushi
stood up on her toes and placed her lips against his. Her fingers
tangled within his hair, and Arnav took this chance to pull her closer
as the kiss deepened. Her lips were soft and chewy, with sweetness and a
little tartness. Arnav explored all that was hidden within her. He took
what she gave, savoring each and every minute of it. The innocent kiss
had turned into a passionate one within mere seconds. There were ragged
breaths and careless whispers. Desires that were unknown to them ignited
and fueled an incessant need to conquer right there and then.
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I tried my best to make this update all about Arnav &Khushi. I really hope you like it. Thank you to Saira for editing & your little notes. Also thank you Ragulla_sp for reading it.
If your smile was visible throughout this update then do tell me unlike my invisible smile :)
Hope you like the update. - S
Edited by InvisibleSmile - 11 years ago
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