Arhi SS/FF ORCHIDS CH 10 (68) 20/06 PM's LATER - Page 26

Chapter 7

"Here you go, miss," he said handing me my coffee as we spread our sheets on around us on the grass. Being a Sunday had its own advantage. We had time to ourselves and we made it sure to stay until 10 in the park. I am having fun with his irritation whenever a girl walked on us. With the expression on his face, I could tell he met one of his fan girls that he gained in this park. "I am going to talk to her parents for sure," he groaned, stretching his legs, he laid down on the grass with his elbows supporting his frame, "she is too young to be obsessed with me."

The rest of the lunch that day had been eventful with us sharing silent glances. After his words sunk in, I decided to give it a thought. I knew what my decision would be. I just wanted to make sure of it. Rick will support me only if I am confident about it. It would have a great deal to try and make Rick see sense but I have my own way with him. And as guessed, it took me a whole week to convince him and when he did, he supported me. Rick was glad that I decided to give my new family a chance and was intrigued with the person behind my decision. He said he would want to talk to Arnav but I shook it off saying that he was just a friend. I have no idea what Arnav is to me.

It was getting hard with each passing second to concentrate on things when he was around. At that time, I thought I would get through it but a month later that lunch date, it became more difficult to stay in the crew. Arnav and I had come into terms that none of us could ever define. There was nothing between us going on in real sense, yet, there was something, is something that binds us in this way. We continued to meet during our jogging which, slowly, turning out to be less jogging and more talking. We continued to keep our minds to ourselves during daytime, as we both did not want to break that rule.

I laughed at his frown with me slapping on his arm. "I had been too obsessed with this guy Amrish Puri for a long time in my teens."

The shock in his face was adorable that I laughed at him. He grabbed my arm and pulled me so that my hands rested on his shoulder as his head hit the grass. I barely recognized his other hand around my waist. "Making fun of me, are you, miss?" he asked before started tickling me and I lost every decent fiber in me as I have this uncontrollable laugh. "When did you exactly fell for this guy?" he asked seriously that I thought he might not know the legendary actor. I stared at him for a second and realized that he was making fun of me now. I decided to play along with him, to bring out that jealousy cat Arnav hid in him.

"Hmm… now where can I start…? The first time I saw him, I was like 'who the hell is this giant guy' but when I saw him leaving his pride for his daughter's happiness, I can't help but fall head over heels for him." Arnav stared at me with his brow raised in amusement while I set my voice before telling, "Ja Simran, ja… jeele apni zindagi."

He burst into fits of laughter, his body vibrated beneath me and all I could do was stare at him. My fingers itched to remove those front locks, look into his twinkling eyes, and feel him. I was never into such things. I never let any man come near me in this way. Sure, I had my dates back at home but I never let it go far than a kiss. Men wanted to get women in bed and nothing else. I know it. I have seen it. True love in these days doesn't exist for real. However different he might be, Arnav was a man, after all, and he had his share of women for sex. I am not looking for a stable relationship for now. In future, may be. But how strong are the chances for the man to be Arnav at that time? How strong am I to let this wonderful man see me… the real me? In our moment, I leaned further. I am not sure how, why, or even he pulled me to him. That does not matter for now. I could feel his nose touching mine.

I had had the perfect life that I showed off. I am anything but that. With mother leaving me alone to take care, it was hard to live with Shashi with a smile plaster all the time. Sure, Shashi was not exactly at fault. Somehow, mother's marriage did not work out and they had this friendly breakup that I never understood how they managed to be friends, best in that, after having me with them. I succeeded as much I can as possible to stay away from Shashi all my life. I longed for his love, but I want him to love me as his daughter. I want him to stay with me forever, and not just a month every year. I hated him for that. They made me believe that no relation would last forever if once they had lived together for a while. I had seen many couples having their breakups and my friends suffering for their parent's broken marriage. It was not that we could do anything but it hurts. I decided not to have such emotional relationship. But with Arnav, I want to break that rule and enjoy time with him. I like him. I like his funny nature that he brings smile to everyone and anyone around him. I like his passion for his work. I like how his front locks cover his forehead and his hand tap on his knees during reading any script. I like how he enjoys his coffee with that smirk on. I like how decent he is and how badass he would turn if he wanted to. God, I like everything in him and for him, I am ready to take this chance.

His knuckles traced my cheek and I saw him, realizing our positions. He was on his back to the grass, my upper body in contact with his, his palm rested on side of my bare waist, thanks to my tank top that it made its way side to give him access in the process of him tickling me. "Khushi," he whispered on my lips that slightly touched by his, with a shiver ran down my spine. His hand moved down my hip and rested there; thumb caressing, "will you be with me?" I chocked at his words at the same time he left my waist. Though I missed his warmth, I sat properly with my hands on my lap. He just didn't ask me that, I repeated myself. I watched him take a deep breath before turning to me as he started rambling, "I like you Khushi, a lot. I have no idea what all these things that you do to me. I have no idea that I will feel in this way towards anyone like I am feeling for you. It is not just physical attraction. It is much more and I want to use this chance, if that is all I got. There is nothing force on you. You have the control in this. Say 'yes', I will be by your side as long as you want me. Say 'no', I will never voice this again and keep my mind off you. Don't deny saying you are not interested in me the way I am because I can see it. I affect you just like you affect me. Accept it."

I have no words to say. I wanted him. I wanted this. But am I going to admit my feelings? I have no idea. And I have no will to back off from him. "I don't know," I whispered, opting for the truth, "I never did relationships, Arnav. I never date anyone for so long and it never went beyond. I like you, I don't deny, but I have no idea where we would be end if things don't work out."

"Let's give this a chance then," he said with a smile, "even I don't do relationships and this," he pointed the space between us, "I want us to try our best and accept what comes in our way."

Smiling, I hit his arm and gathered my stuff, piling back in my backpack. He helped me and then we walked towards my house in silence, lost in our thoughts. I have no idea what he is thinking and what he want from me. I want him to speak about it. I want to have a clear view of what we are into, exactly. But he was as confused about us as I was. Letting time to decide, he hugged me with a small goodbye and there starts my longest weekend without him in it.

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