ARHI SS : BEYOND WORDS *COMPLETED* - Page 69

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Chapter-15

Payal lay in her bed checking her phone for the seventh time in last one hour. She has again met Akash while returning home with his same excuse that he was passing by and thought to drop her. He had proposed that they should exchange numbers and she obliged after giving it some thought. She was initially reluctant as they have known each other for less than a week but finally complied as they were already meeting each other daily which itself was quite bold knowing the length of their acquaintance.

She sighed once again checking her phone. Why did he take my number if he had no desire to call or message?

Payal was irritated at both him and herself but more at herself for giving so much importance to it. After few minutes she found herself typing something on her phone.

Akash was surrounded by the ladies of the house as his phone beeped indicating arrival of a message. He dished out his phone and smiled seeing text from Payal.

"Do you usually forget people after taking their number?"

"Not at all, I just give some time to the other person to choose in case they want to retreat"

"Don't you believe in chivalry?"

"I believe in equality to decide."

Before she could reply Payal received his call.

"You decided to make some use of my number and I decided that I need to hear your voice" he spoke without any preamble.

They kept on talking before their eyes drooped with sleep as if they were running short on time. The last thought on her mind before she went to sleep was Akash, the way he makes her feel and that she would share it all with Khushi soon.

Khushi moved her head from his arms, her eyes moving to the wall clock. They were relaxing on the sofa where they were talking for past one hour after moving inside. She jerked up from her seat making Arnav come instantly on his feet.

"What happened Khushi?"

"It's three in the night or rather morning. You already look so exhausted." She said softening the frown gathered between his brows.

He caught her wrist with his hand and kissed her upturned palm.

"Are you tired?"

She nodded in negative, "I'm not tired, just sleepy. I have no idea about how this time spent so fast, you talk a lot" she said seriously.

Arnav raised his eyebrows in surprise "I talk a lot! Who was the one reciting her adventurous childhood tales?"

"That was because you were boring me with your stories of meetings and office. "

"Well I can do something to break that image of a bore but I prefer doing it without words." He replied with a glint of mischief in his eyes.

It didn't take much time for Khushi to understand the implications of his words. She freed her hand from his, stepped back, lightest of pink entering her cheeks and neck "You are completely shameless. I'm going to sleep."

Khushi turned the knob of the door to unlock when she looked back and heard him "But you are still blushing. We would address your blush along with my boring shamelessness in our morning meeting Ms. Gupta."

Khushi showed her tongue in response.

"You have to agree that we can make better use of this tongue of yours" he smirked.

Khushi gasped in surprise at his open brazen attitude. She mouthed a loud "Laad Governor" in response as her cheeks shaded to deep red hurryingly moving out.

Arnav laughed at her fast retreating back. No matter how many times he has seen it but the sight of a flustered Khushi always enchants him.

Khushi opened her eyes groggily as sunrays hit her. Her hands searched for her phone with half closed eyes and checked the time to find it seven thirty along with a message from Arnav to meet for breakfast at nine. She got out of the bed against her will to get fresh and ready on time.

Khushi was drying her hairs thinking about the previous day happenings. When she had came to Neemrana she had taken it only as a professional opportunity, at the same time berating herself to get over whatever she felt for that suave boss of hers. She had pre-warned herself against making a fool of herself in front of Arnav owing to the strange sensations she felt in his proximity. Never had she imagined in her wildest dreams that this could happen between them. But she had discovered lately that she was not the only one who was affected. The change in Arnav's breathing and body language was as palpable as hers when they were together.

She had run from the truth for very long but she could do it no longer. She had felt the change in air the moment she had seen him descending from the stairs dressed in that impeccable three piece suit for the first time. At that time she confused it with the nervousness due to the unexpected arrangement. She smiled remembering their first meeting where both of them were literally jumping to say no. Khushi could not place her finger at the moment or action but she had felt a strong pull towards him from the first day. Now she knew that it was love all along the way.

She smiled at her image in the mirror, her fingertips touching her lips. She blushed remembering their last kiss. Khushi felt elated knowing her love was not unrequited. She had felt his love the way he had looked at her, held her, in his every caress, the way his lips had passionately yet softly molded hers, the way he interlaced his fingers with hers. His every action had spoken volumes about his feelings. But he didn't say it, a voice chirped in. You didn't say it either she heard another voice.

Khushi couldn't understand which voice was on her side. She had not thought about it consciously but her unconscious mind was in a battle of its own. Suddenly his words from their first meeting replayed in her mind.

"I don't believe in love either. It's a waste of time, good for movies only"

She sunk in her seat thinking about the possibility of Arnav not being in love with her. She remembered him telling her that he had had been involved with two girls in the past. Could this be another passing affair for him? But didn't he say that he could not stay away from me? What if he told this to every girl he has dated? What did I do? Why can't I use my brain, why did I latch on the first chance of being with him?

Hold your horses Khushi, it's better to ask him directly than exhausting yourself over this, she scolded herself.

Arnav saw her coming out of the elevator the moment he slipped his phone back in his pocket. She was wearing light faded denim paired with a loose royal blue tunic with her slightly wet hairs open, bouncing with every step she took. Arnav pulled out a chair for her as she sat and pressed a soft kiss in her hairs before getting back on his seat. Khushi smiled slightly, her heart melting with his little gesture.

They ate their breakfast discussing general things. After breakfast they were strolling in the lawn when Khushi asked him if he has thought of any location for the show. Arnav told her that there was no need for her as it was already booked by Aman last month. Khushi was surprised to know this as this was the reason they had stayed back. He saw the confused questioning look on her face and decided to tell her the truth.

"I just wanted to spend some time with you. We hardly interact in office and I wanted to keep you close for sometime for myself." He said holding her by waist.

"You lied to me?" she screeched.

"Everything is fair in love and war" he answered coolly.

"And this is?"

Khushi got the perfect opportunity to ask him what was worrying her since morning. She saw him moving his one hand to cup her face smiling at her. She smiled back relieved that she has not made any mistake but his words made her doubt herself again.

"Off course it is…" he could not complete his words as he himself has not thought about it. He liked her, liked her in a way he has never liked any woman in his life.

He saw the hurt flitting across her face and he could not bear that.

"I can't name what I feel for you."He wiped the lone tear that escaped her eyes hearing him before it could run down her cheek.

"I don't understand love. I just know I can't stay away from you. Trust me I have tried but failed each time. It's all so new for me to comprehend. I know that I can't see you crying, it breaks something inside me. I want to make you happy and more importantly I want to be the source of your happiness. I have never felt this strong pull, urge to be with someone like I feel with you. You are way too precious for me but I can't convey it all in words. I am bad with words but I "

Before he could continue Khushi enveloped him in a tight hug "Bas.. I don't want to know more." He hugged her back fiercely as if she would disappear any moment.

He may not have said it in clear words that he loved her but she felt it in the every word he spoke. It was enough for her to continue on the path they have treaded upon. She knew Arnav was not a man of much words and it must have taken a lot of efforts on his part to say what he has just told her. He may not be able to grasp the real meaning behind his words but she knew better as she herself has gone through all these emotions in the past month. She sighed in his shirt inhaling his woody masculine smell knowing the journey ahead is not going to be easy especially with this Laad Governor of hers from whom extracting the three golden words would be a challenge in itself. Khushi smiled thinking how much she thrives on challenges and this was really worthy of her attention.

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