belated happy birthday varshoo 🥳 this ones dedicated to you 🤗
PART 26
"Ek baat batao... tum aur dadi kya discuss karrahe they? Uss din... dinner ke baad?"
Arjun ate his food and questioned Arohi, she just smiled with her mouth full.
"She was asking me how was i progressing... in finding a suitable bride for you!"
Food went down the wrong pipe and Arjun coughed out loud. Arohi chuckled and handed him a glass of water.
"I hope *cough* you told her *cough* that im not intere *cough cough*" Clearing his throat, Arjun drank some more water. "... that I'm not interested in getting married now!"
"Nope. Why would i tell her that?"
Arjun stared at her but Arohi continued eating.
"Because... we are seeing each other now... i think!"
Arohi looked up at a frowning Arjun.
"Arjun... i..."
"In fact I think we should tell our families today evening."
"NO!"
Arjun frowned again.
"I mean... Arjun. Hum khud nahi jaante whats going to happen in the future. So i don't think we should tell our families and increase their hopes about this relationship going somewhere."
"Arohi... we are in the 21st century. Also, we both are adults. If we want to be in a relationship, then theres no reason to hide it."
"I know. But Arjun... i've never been... i mean after whatever happened with Naveen... so i just..."
"I can understand Arohi. But do you think our elders are blind... or stupid? They will figure it out very soon. And before they find out i think we should tell them. Everything. So that they give us the liberty and freedom to be ourselves and take our own decisions."
Arohi pondered over what Arjun said. She had never before hidden anything from her parents and she didnot want to hide this too. But the past was making her doubt her future and she didn't want to subject her family to any kind of disappointment or pain... incase she has to go through it again!
Her thoughts took her back to Arjun and she saw as he was eating his food. His multi-faceted personality confused her and scared her at times. She could not figure out how, despite of all their fights in the past, he managed to break through her rigid facade and create a place for himself in her heart. Arjun looked up and smiled at her. An immediate warmth spread in her, and she automatically smiled back. Somehow, her heart seemed to know better... and it was telling her that she could trust this man.
Same time... pantry
"I don't like this!!!"
Nats looked in confusion at D. "Kya??? Achha nahi laga toh mat khaao." She continued eating her lunch.
"Mein lunch ki baat nahi karraha."
"Toh fir?"
"Mein isski baat karraha hoon..." Danish roamed his hands all over the table. Natashas gaze followed his hands and then turned to his face.
"Stop talking in riddles. Kya hua?"
Danish dropped his spoon in his plate. "Why cant we have lunch with them???"
Natasha first got surprised, then she smiled. "Because they need to spend some time together. To understand each other. This is very new to both of them D, we need to understand and give them some privacy."
"I understand alright. But we are friends too? I mean..."
"Shut up! Stop watching over Arohi like a mother hen. She can take care of herself. And you know you can trust Arjun."
"I don't know about that..."
"Liar! You know it D. But your protectiveness towards Arohi wont let you believe in anyone trying to get close to her. Just like Arohi, it is a very brave step for Arjun too. You have known him for months now, how many times have you heard him being in a relationship? Other than just dating girls???"
Danish looked away, his eyes thoughtful.
Natasha put her hand on Dhondus and squeezed it. "I can understand your feelings. But don't think for even one minute, that im taking Arjuns side because hes my friend. Before that, i am a woman. And i know what betrayal can do to a girls heart. So I know for sure, that Arjun will never hurt her on purpose. And if he even makes her cry, i will be the first one to kick his a**!"
Dhondu turned to look at Nats, his face serious. "You better. Or else i will make sure he wont have an a** for you to kick!!!"
Natasha looked on for a second and then burst out laughing.
"Stop laughing! I am serious. Even Arjun laughed at me when i warned him that day. You guys don't judge me on my behaviour in office. If you hurt my family, i can be dangerous, im telling you."
Nats stopped laughing. "I know. You're very dangerous. Thats why I'm so fond of you." She pulled D's cheeks and he slapped her hands away.
She moved her hand towards his cheek again and he jerked back. Giving her a warning with his eyes, he straightened on his chair and resumed his lunch. Nats looked on fondly at him and a small smile crept up on Danish's lips too.
That night... Ahluwalia dining room
Arohi stared across the table and quickly looked down. She pursed her lips and glanced sideways. Sanchit was busy checking out his hairstyle in his reflection on the back of the spoon. Servants came and started serving food in the plates as per Amrits instructions. Arohi felt that she had lost her appetite but she let her staff do their job. She again looked across the table and bit her lips. Arjun smiled at her and blinked his eyes in assaurance. Arohi relaxed a bit.
"Arjun ke saath kaam karte karte tu bhi khoti bante jaarahi hai!"
Dadis comment broke their eyelock and Arohi started in dadis direction.
"Ji... dadi...?"
"Ji ki bachhi... maine tujhe jo kaam diya tha usse tu bhool gayi na?"
Sanchit chuckled. Arohi ignored him and stared at Arjun, he placed his foot against hers under the table.
"Voh bhuli nai dadi. Maine hi usse mana kiya hai."
Arjun spoke up. Arohi tried to open her mouth but Arjun pressed his leg against hers telling her to keep quiet.
"Tu kaun hota hain mana karne waala? Aur tu kabse usski sunne lagi puttar?"
"Dadi... aap shayad bhool rahi hai... ki ye meri zindagi hai aur meri shadi! Aur mein itni jaldi shaadi nahi karna chahta."
Arohi just kept looking at Arjun and Dadi alternatively.
"Kya mein pooch sakti hoon kyu?" Dadi's voice had taken a dangerous tone now and her face looked scary.
"Bilkul pooch sakti ho... poocho!"
Arohis eyes widened at Arjuns daring reply. But it seemed like Dadi and Arjun were both used to this kind of arguments.
"Sabke saamne apne kaan khichvaane hain tujhe?"
Arjun smiled at Dadi's warning. "Kyuki... mujhe... ek..." Arjuns eyes turned to Arohis.
"DAD!" Arohi panicked and yelled. Sudhir jumped out of his chair at his daughters sudden cry.
"Voh... next month Singapore trip ke liye jo file aapko chahiye thi... voh maine library mein rakhi hai."
"Achha kiya beta. Mujhe voh Arjun ke saath discuss karni thi."
Arohi abruptly stood up. "Let me get it for you... or else i'll forget."
Before anyone could stop her, Arohi rushed towards the stairs. Sudhir was staring in awe at his daughters rushing form and Dadi looked on suspiciously. The next minute Arjuns phone rang and he excused himself to take the call.
The moment Arjun was out of sight, Dadi turned her head towards Sudhir.
"Dekha! Maine kaha tha na tujhse."
Sudhir nodded. "Hmm... Unhe thode waqt ki jaroorat hai biji. Jab unhe theek lagega tab khud bata denge."
"Jaanti hoon... lekin tab tak mein unhe chidha ke majey lene waali hoon."
Dadis smiled like a naughty child, Sudhir laughed at her reaction, and Sanchit stared at them, completely clueless.
Arjun was headed to the library and so he didnot realise when Arohis bedroom door opened and he was pulled inside. He thought she is in the library and so he was caught unawares. Arohi shut the door and turned around glaring at him, her hands on her hips. Irritating her more, Arjun smiled.
"Mujhse durr ek minute nahi reh sakti na tum?"
Arohi exhaled deeply. "Chup karo! Neeche kya kehne waale they tum?"
"Wohi jo humne lunch pe decide kiya tha. That we will let our families know."
Arjun crossed his hands across his chest waiting for her to respond. "Yes we had decided... but we didn't decide we will tell them today!"
"Today or tomorrow! What difference does it make Arohi? Why are you still so scared???"
Arohi turned around and went towards her bed. Sitting on it, she twisted her hands together. "I don't know Arjun. I just feel that we should wait... plan it out... that how should we tell them. Maybe you should first talk to Dadi separately and i will talk to Dad?"
Arjun walked up to the bed and sat down in front of her on his knees. Taking her hands in his, Arjun looked up in Arohis eyes.
"I can understand Arohi. If this will make you feel comfortable then lets do it this way. I respect Sudhir uncle a lot and i will have a word with him separately too."
Arohi smiled.
"I think we should tell them after our Singapore trip."
"Our?" Arohi frowned. "Im not going Arjun. You and dad are."
Arjun gave one of his mishievious smirks which warmed and scared Arohi at the same time.
"Yes you are. I will make sure..." Arohi opened her mouth to protest but Arjun beat her to it. "... AND you will not argue."
Worry crept into Arohis eyes and Arjun squeezed her hands. "You know why you refused to come on this trip Arohi... because you didn't want to go with me then. But you agree that we both together in the conference will ensure closing of the deal. And now that we can more than tolerate each other, i think it is a good idea if you come to Singapore. We can get the work done and spend some time together too... like a real couple. Not hiding and worrying all the time about your so-called PDA!"
Thinking about it this way, Arohi could not help but smile. She just nodded her head and Arjun rose up on his knees, bringing his face to her level.
"Now that you've managed to get me alone, i allow you to have your way with me."
Saying that, Arjun leaned towards her and closed his eyes. Arohis smile turned into a huge grin. She shook her head at this mans sense of humor. He had taken a back foot and given her a chance to break out of her shell and take initiative. Arohi felt an unusual sense of power over him. Leaning slightly forward, she cupped his cheek and pressed her lips to his lightly. Arjun inhaled sharply but didnot move, giving her the freedom to explore her own desires.
Few moments later Arohi pulled back slowly. As Arjuns face came in to view, she was amused to see his eyes still closed and a smile on his face. She removed her hand from his cheek and Arjun opened his eyes.
"Lets go... Everyone must be waiting."
Arohis blush and her soft voice strummed the strings of Arjuns heart. Who knew that Miss Phoolan Devi possessed the art of driving him crazy in another sense too!
too much lovey dovey??? let me know what you guys think! sorry for the delay 😳
Cricket
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