ARHI FF: Do you feel loved? Note|Sep11|Pg75*NEW - Page 16

lovely update. I hope Arnav can use khushi's confession to his advantage now that he knows what is truly in her heart. He should now leave no stone unturned to make her feel loved.

Part 12 - Dance with me

Khushi woke up with a massive headache and nausea. She sat up with great difficulty and looked around. It took her a few moments to realize that she was back in her room. She walked to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on her face. She looked like hell! She combed her hair and came out. That's when she saw a post-it stuck to the nightstand next to her bed. She went and read it.

'Khush!

I'm sorry for what I said. This party is no fun without you. I'll be waiting for you in the roof garden. Please come by when you're up. Don't worry about the time...I'll be there!'

Love,
Arnav.

Khushi's heart skipped a beat! She looked at the big digital clock on the same nightstand and saw that the time was 1:18 am! She gasped! She'd been asleep for almost 3 hours!

'I don't think Arnav will be up there at this time' she thought. But then she shook her head. 'Of course he'll be there if he's said he'll be there!'

She debated what to do. All the horrible things he said to her just a few hours ago came rushing back to her. She decided not to go. Her stomach rumbled loudly and Khushi realized how hungry she was. 'Maybe I'll just order some room service and go to sleep' she thought. She went into the bathroom for the second time to change.

Khushi came out 10 minutes later all cleaned up. She picked up her purse and sighed. This was just absurd! She chided herself for not being stronger. She took a deep breath and hurried out of her suite, only to double back a minute later. She rushed to her carry on Louis Vuitton bag and pulled out a beautiful box wrapped in silver paper with a royal blue satin ribbon. She hesitated just for a fraction of a second before she put it in her purse.

* * * * *

As the doors of the elevator pinged on the top floor, Khushi's heart rate increased multi fold. She put a hand over her heart to calm herself down, but to no avail. As she stepped into the ballroom, she noticed that there was only a couple of hotel staff cleaning up the place. The 'Congratulations' banner was being taken down and the chairs were being stripped off their beautiful white and red cloth. Khushi was looking around for Arnav when one of the staff came up to her.

'Ms. Gupta? Mr. Raizada is waiting for you in the garden. It's just straight ahead.'

'Thanks' muttered quickly and walked to the garden.

She found Arnav standing inside a gazebo at the edge of the garden, with his back to her, looking out into the Boston skyline. She noticed his posture, kind of a defeated stance, his shoulders hunched and hands in his trouser pockets. Khushi felt overwhelmed with her love for this man...he was such an enigma to her! One moment he would say nasty things to her and the next moment he would say the most wonderful things. One moment he would be crazy angry with her, but the next moment he would handle her with such tenderness that Khushi's eyes would mist over. She didn't know what to do with this man-child. As she took a deep breath and started to take a step forward, he turned and their eyes clashed. He had a look of surprise on his face. But the next instant his face lit with the softest smile. He looked so devastatingly handsome that Khushi forgot to breathe.

Arnav wasn't expecting Khushi. He was disappointed with his own behavior and for the first time felt defeated in his love. So when he felt her presence, he was surprised! Hell! He wasn't even sure if she'd wake up at all the whole night. He didn't even know why he wrote that note or why he was waiting for her and was willing to wait for her the entire night! But as his eyes met hers, he realized with a start that she seemed as restless as he was. A slow smile spread across his face as he took in her appearance properly for the first time that night. She looked more gorgeous in the dim light of the garden.

As they started walking towards each other, both were immensely aware of the current between them.
Arnav reached Khushi in a couple of long strides and held her hands in his.

'I'm sorry Khushi! Will you forgive me?' Arnav sighed and looked deep in her eyes. He saw a softness in them tonight that he hadn't seen since he met her in Italy. The air around them seemed charged and Arnav sensed a shift in Khushi's body language. She seemed more relaxed and lighter somehow. Before she could say something, Arnav continued.

'Seeing you in red brought back memories of that night and suddenly I got very scared that I'll somehow lose you again'

He suddenly let go of her hands and turned his back to her. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair and clenched his fists.

Khushi took a step forward and stood right behind Arnav. She put a tentative hand on his shoulder and gently turned him around. Arnav still had his head lowered and didn't meet Khushi's eyes. Khushi slowly cupped his cheek with a shaky hand and forced him to look at her.

'Why are you doing this to yourself Arnav? Why are you torturing yourself? Stop apologizing to me so many times. It's so unlike you to say sorry. It makes me feel weird. I like the old arrogant, irrational and egoistic Arnav better!'

Saying that, she went on her tip toes and gently kissed his cheek. She looked down, color rising in her cheeks at her boldness. Arnav held her tightly by her waist and searched her face. She slowly lifted her eyes to meet his and Arnav was shocked to see her eyes brimming with tears and her lips quivering.

'Arnav...I...can't...'

'Shh...It's okay Khushi. Don't think too much! Come...come with me!'

Arnav held her hand and took her to the gazebo. It was decorated beautifully with strings and strings of fairy lights. In the middle, a table for two was set up for dinner. It had tiny tea lights on it and a lone dish at the center.

'Arnav! What's all this?'

'it's my party Khush! It starts now...with you!'

Khushi was overwhelmed by his gesture. She looked at him and found his gaze boring into her very soul. His eyes were searching...as if he was looking deep inside her heart, wanting to know her innermost feelings.

'Shall we? I know you must be hungry!'

'Of course I am!' Khushi smiled.

Arnav helped her into her chair and sat opposite her. He opened the dish and Khushi squealed with joy! Arnav looked on bemused at her happy face.

'Pasta Arrabiata! I hope you still love it?'

'Oh my god! Yes Arnav! Thank you! I'm famished! Can I eat now?'

Arnav threw his head back and laughed. 'You know Khush, they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. But with us it's the opposite!' he grinned at her.

'Arnavvv!!! Should I be insulted?'

'Hell no! It couldn't get any easier for me as a man. All I have to do to please you is get you some chicken soup or a big bowl of pasta or jalebis or bhel puri. I mean you don't care about expensive clothes or jewelry or any of the normal stuff that women want! Well, except maybe shoes! But then you get enough of that from P and Di anyway!'

Khushi laughed. But then she narrowed her eyes at him. 'What do you mean by normal stuff? So are you saying I'm not normal?'

'No you are not! But still you're the best!'

Arnav reached across the table and squeezed her hands and smiled at her. Khushi's heart hammered in her chest. God! How she loved it when he smiled! She recovered quickly.

'Ok, can I eat now?'

'Why do you keep saying 'I'? Don't you want me to eat too? There's plenty of it you know! You don't have to worry about sharing!' Arnav's eyes twinkled.

'Why? Haven't you already eaten?'

'No! I was waiting for you'

Khushi was out of her chair in a flash, the doctor in her snapping to attention.

'Waiting? You were waiting for me? For god's sake Arnav! I could've easily been asleep for the entire night! What were you thinking? You know you can't skip meals! Does this mean you haven't taken your shot yet?' Khushi panicked.

'Khush...Khush!!! Relax!! Don't get so worked up! I had some hors d'oeuvres and juice and then a couple of drinks too. I took my shot right on time. Can you please sit? The pasta's getting cold'

Khushi stared at him for a few moments processing what he'd just said. Relief spread across her worried face slowly. She nodded her head and sat down. The pasta was delicious and they both ate chatting about mundane things. When they were finished, Arnav got up from his seat and held out his hand for Khushi.

'Will you dance with me?'

'Da...dance? Now?'

'Yes Khush! Now! Can I please have the honor?'

Khushi was mesmerized by his gaze. She couldn't get a word out of her mouth. She barely managed to nod a yes when he pulled her up into his arms. Khushi felt blissful in his warm embrace. She put her head on his chest and sighed contentedly as they slowly began to sway to the soft music.

Arnav gently placed a kiss on top of her head and closed his eyes. He felt pure joy coursing through his veins. Having Khushi in his arms felt so right and he felt himself falling deeper for her.

'Did I tell you how absolutely beautiful you look tonight?' he asked her.

'No, but thank you!'

'You're the most beautiful person I know Khushi...inside and out!'

Khushi blushed slightly at his compliment. She looked up in to his eyes and smiled. Arnav felt like his heart would burst with joy. He was waiting for this moment for over 2 years now. He was overwhelmed to see the love for him reflect in Khushi's eyes. He smiled down at her.

'Arnav! It's getting really late. You should get some sleep. Tomorrow's a big day for you'

'I know! But I just don't want tonight to end!'

'Me neither' she smiled at him.

She started struggling to get out of his hold and Arnav let her go with a groan. Both of them felt empty the instant they pulled apart. Khushi stepped away from him and walked towards the dining table to pick up her purse.

'Khush! Please!' Arnav tried pulling her back.

'Arnav! Can you wait? I just want to get my handbag. I have something in it for you' her eyes twinkled merrily.

'For me?' Arnav was surprised.

'Ha! Tumhare liye'

Khushi pulled out the beautifully wrapped box from her purse. She walked back to Arnav, pulled his hand forward and put the gift on his palm. She smiled at him then.

'It's just a li'l something. Congratulations Arnav! I'm so very proud of you!' she gave him a side hug.

'Thanks! What is this? It's pretty heavy!'

'How will you know if you don't open it?

Arnav carefully unwrapped the package and gasped! It was a beautiful antique silver box with intricate designs on it.

'Khushi! This is your Naani's! How can you give it to me?? You love this box!'

'But I love yo...' Khushi almost blurted out before she controlled herself. But the damage had been done! Arnav gave a shocked gasp!

'Wh...what did you just say?'

'Nothing! Now will you open it or should I do the honors myself Arnav?' Khushi snapped, angrier at herself for the slip up. He opened the box and gave another loud gasp!

'Tag Carrera!!! Khushi!!!! This is...I mean...how did you know?'