ARHI SS : BEYOND WORDS *COMPLETED* - Page 64

ARHI SS : BEYOND WORDS

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Chapter-14

Khushi closed the door the moment she stepped in her room standing against the door calming her racing heart.

What has gotten in to him? Why is he making it difficult for me to ignore him? Lavanya and NK said he is a khadoos but here he is hell bent on proving everyone wrong. Why is he showering all those sexy smirks on me? Hey Devi Maiyya this man would be death of me!! Has the old ASR gone on a holiday or abducted? But he was almost always good with you Khushi except for the time you irritated him about his heart shattering love story. Good or bad it doesn't matter; I have to keep away from him but damn those intense dark caramel eyes. Shut up Khushi Kumari Gupta and don't look in that abyss!

Her phone buzzed before she could give herself some more helpful tips on what to do and what not to do regarding a certain handsome Raizada. She groaned loudly as she read his summon to meet him downstairs in ten minutes. She has just came up and now back to the Lion again. After giving herself some happy talk for some time she finally went down.

Khushi was shocked at his behavior; he has effortlessly shifted in his no nonsense mode from his flirtatious self. If the day was not enough he informed her that they have to stay back to add to her misery as he was thinking to host his next fashion show here itself. How long she would be able to hold herself from going weak in knees and feeling butterflies around him, she thought to herself. Arnav secretly smirked as she started mumbling incoherently under her breath. He may not have planned about Aman but his absence has evoked a sudden urge to spend some more alone time with Khushi. He hardly gets any time in office to even speak to her owing to his crazy schedules and the heap of people surrounding them. He thought it would be best to extend their stay, the idea of being with her was too tempting to resist and the sight in front of him confirmed it more.

Misery was short-lived as the excitement took its place when Arnav asked him if she would like to see the fort. Off course how could she deny this! She instantly agreed beaming like a five year old when given their favorite candy. She for a moment doubted if her decision was right but she chided herself thinking who would have time to think or look at him when she would be busy exploring the fort.

Khushi kept gushing about the historical beauty of the Palace as they moved outside in the gardens. Arnav knew about the Fort well as he has visited it before but he has never found it too interesting like today. He took her to visit the ancient boali (step-well) which was around one kilometer away from the Fort. As Khushi got there she was in awe. They were several steps going down to a nine storey underground structure of majestic scale. Khushi enthusiastically started going down looking around the historical place.

She skipped a step and closed her eyes shut mentally preparing herself for fall, nobody knows how many steps. Arnav was on her side tugging her to him before she could fall flat on her face. They stood their transfixed with his one arm draped across her waist and another holding his wrist while she clutched his upper arm with her free hand. They came out of their trance as the baoli echoed with the coo of pigeons and squawks of parakeets. He removed his hold from her waist after giving a small smile to a slightly blushing Khushi. They walked down few steps looking at the marvelous architecture of the step well which were surrounded by many pillared galleries at each level. Seeing her tired Arnav suggested to sit down for a while. As they sat Khushi realized that they were holding hands from the time he saved her from falling and strangely it didn't feel awkward or wrong. In fact she has never felt so right about something in her life for long. They sat there with each other on their side, their fingers interlaced.

The walk back to the hotel was quiet with both of them trying to savor the moment as if any spoken word could break the magical spell between them.

Khushi stood in front of mirror towel-drying her hair after freshening up smiling to herself. She could still feel the warmth of his fingers in her not missing the fact how perfectly their hands fit together. Towel slipped from her hands forgotten as her thoughts shifted to the man whom she has met almost a month ago but has developed a certain unnamed bond with.

Arnav was sitting in his armchair going through the emails on his phone which he has missed earlier. He muttered a loud "Come in" when he heard the knock on door. His eyes moved up from his phone when he heard a gasp finding Khushi there. Arnav has thought it to be someone from room service but now being Khushi in front of him he could hardly concentrate on those monotonous emails. He took a step towards her mesmerized with the vision she created in the knee length white floral printed dress, her hair half pinned. She took a step back with his every forward step and found herself huddled against a wall soon. Arnav looked at her who had no idea what havoc she was creating on him looking like this. She looked so pure and beautiful that he could hardly move his eyes off her. Khushi's breath started coming harshly as he neared her. She moved her face sideways not looking at him.

"Ar..Arnavjii.. yo..your..sh..shirt" she stuttered looking down.

And at that moment Arnav Singh Raizada remembered that he was shirtless. He lifted his sweat shirt from the bed and moved to bathroom telling her he will be back in a minute. Arnav had no idea that she would come to his room and in his hurry to reply to all the emails before their dinner he completely forgot about it. But Arnav felt good for a reason that he was not the only one who was affected. If he was unsettled then she was no less.

Khushi relaxed as he moved away from her but the butterflies have not yet gone down. She has obviously seen shirtless men before on-screens and even during fashion shows but finding Arnav like this had evoked an involuntarily gasp from her. She was shocked to find him like this. His tanned body with the display of his muscles flexing with the way he stood up and moved towards her played havoc on her senses. She had clutched sides of her dress unless her hands touch him on their own accord. With the erratic dhak-dhak that had begun she wondered if there was any hospital or emergency service near by as she was sure she would be soon hyperventilating.

She moved outside to the attached spacious balcony looking at the picturesque view. Their rooms were same but the view was different due to the orientation.

"You like it?" his voice came from behind her.

"I love it. It's perfect" she answered.

He asked her if she would like to have dinner here with the scenic view and she immediately obliged happily off course.

The balcony overlooked at the serene view of water body and the striking gardens illuminated with lightning with fort in the backdrop giving it a magical fairy-tale setting. Them sitting here coolly dining with each other talking about each other seemed dreamlike to Khushi. Hasn't she always dreamt of chatting away with her Mr. Right in a perfect ambience like this?

After dinner they stood against the parapet sharing their dreams and aspirations. Khushi shivered slightly as the cold breeze flew. Arnav draped his jacket on her which was resting on his chair. He placed back a stray fringe behind her ear which had come out loose of her hair pin. She moved her face more in his palm making him take a step towards her. He held her face in her palms their faces inches. She closed her eyes feeling his warm breath on her face approaching closer with every ticking second before she felt it stop. She opened her eyes to look at him who was staring her in apprehension and deep thought. He could see the question in her eyes.

"I promised to not kiss you unless .." his forehead touched hers as he left his sentence midway knowing well she would back off soon. This was enough for her to jolt out of her reverie.

"I don't remember any such promise" she said surprising him.

Before he got anytime to understand the implications of her words he sensed her lips caressing his. Her petal like soft lips moved on his hard ones in an inexperienced way telling him that it was new for her. This was enough for him to come out of his surprise and reciprocate her. Their lips met in equal frenzy tasting and exploring each other. The kiss that started as soft and delicate soon turned into a passionate one as their tongues danced in matching rhythms. They pulled each other removing any distance between them as their kiss deepened. They broke apart when oxygen became too necessary for their survival.

They stood there with Khushi resting her head on his chest listening to its rapid heartbeat with Arnav face in her shoulders inhaling the jasmine fragrance which was so her. How much time it may pass but they knew they won't ever forget this moment - they standing in each other's embrace with fairytale setting around them. They both knew if someone could capture this moment it would be picture perfect.

A/N: I have never visited Neemrana Fort so there could be mistakes. I have written based on what I could find on google and data of baoli came from website of Mosaic Architecture and Restoration . Pic is also taken from a blog I found online.

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