PMs Later - Sorry...!!
Chapter 18 ' Hopscotch
Khushi sat by the window looking out at the starlit night. Far in the distance she heard a horse neighing, and then the call of a coyote. The moonless night was dark as she looked towards the woods. The deer was there, she saw it as it trotted daintily along. It seemed to long since she had seen it in her dreams. Now it was there, outside. She stared at it, as it lifted its head gazing at her reproachfully. What had she done? What was she guilty of? The deer glowed, and the coyote howled once more. She frowned and looked towards the hills. What was that in the bushes? Something that glowed with red-ember eyes. A dark shape that moved towards the deer.
'Go away,' she wanted to say. She looked for the hawk, searching the skies for its winged shape.
It was nowhere to be seen. Her heart beat with slower, heavier, deeper thuds. She could hear the heartbeat of the deer, within her chest.
The shadow lifted, formed. The deer started. It's front hooves pawed through the air, before it turned and fled.
The eyes turned to her, looking into her soul.
She gasped ...
... and woke up in bed.
*****
The feel of four soft, chubby hands tugging at him woke Arnav up. He blinked bleary eyes open and saw the twins bouncing on his bed. They were alternately tugging at his covers and his hair or his arms - whatever they could wrap their little fingers around. He couldn't help himself. He smiled.
'Okay, big guys, lemme up,' he growled, rubbing a hand over the stubble on his chin. He got out of bed and hoisted the two of them down, one under each arm.
'Arnie!' they shrieked in delight, legs and arms pumping and kicking. The three of them landed in a pile on the floor, rolling with laughter as he tickled their little round bellies.
'No, no!' squealed Drew while Dev tried to scramble away from his uncle's long fingers.
'Ah-ha! Got you!' Arnav picked Dev up and put him on his shoulder.
'Me! me!!' screamed Drew holding out fat little hands.
Just then Anjali came in, followed by Mamie.
'Boys!' she exclaimed, laughing at the happy sight. 'Go with Mamie. Let Arnav uncle get dressed and then he'll come play with you.'
With much grumbling, the toddlers finally agreed to leave with Mamie - after extorting promises of sufficient bribes goodies from Arnav.
Anjali shook her head exasperatedly at him. 'You spoil them,' she scolded.
'That's what uncles are for,' he retorted, grinning.
'Urgh!!' She made a face at him.
'What's up, Sis?' he asked sitting down on the bed, as she sank into a chair.
'Nanny wants to have a celebration, this evening,' she said.
'Tonight?' he was surprised. 'What for?'
She blushed a little and said, 'well. You did have a good muster. And then there's my betrothal,' she added. 'Nanny thinks it's more than enough reason to celebrate.'
He looked indulgently at his sister and smiled. 'Alright, Sis. I'm fine with that. Who all are invited?' he took some clothes out of his dresser and headed towards the wash room next to his room.
'Mostly people we know, plus the hands. JP and HP have been cooking up a storm since this morning,' she added, as she began making the bed.
'Great!' he said, turning away so she wouldn't see the slight smirk on his face. Little Miss Gupta would be there, certainly. Well, he had a bone to pick with her.
******
When Khushi finally stepped out of her room, it was almost noon and the house was quiet. Garima and Abeja had gone to the town with Payal for supplies. Shashi and Happy were nowhere in sight. She wandered into the kitchen feeling the pangs of hunger from the night before. She'd been too agitated and frankly, too scared to really do justice to dinner. Now though, that was catching up with her.
She found breakfast kept on a dish-warmer for her, and a pot of warm coffee. Ladling food on to her plate, she ate, for once enjoying the quiet and the silence. Finishing her breakfast, she took her coffee and went and sat on the steps on the verandah, chin on her palm, the long hair blowing in the gentle breeze, her eyes far away.
They had to tell Anjali.
That was the one thought going through her mind. Round and round. There was no escaping it.
But how does one go about telling someone that they'd seen their husband killed? That they'd seen the killer? And that the killer was also in this area? And that their brother probably knew the killer as he'd been talking to him?
What would that do to Anjali? What would it do to him?
With a gasp, she recalled.
He should have been home yesterday. She hadn't seen him before she left, but then ... Hurrying up and dusting the seat of her pants off, she grabbed her hat from inside the door and headed towards the corral. Red saw her and pranced in anticipation.
Shashi came around a corner of a shed and saw her heading towards Red.
'Khushi!' he called. She turned and waited for her father, binding her hair back with a rawhide string. 'Where are you off to, girl?' he asked, when he came closer to her.
'Circle-R, papa. I thought we were going there this morning,' she replied.
'I said I would come with you, Khushi, and I meant it,' Shashi said just a wee bit grimly. 'Wait here for me,' he instructed, as she opened her mouth to protest. 'No, Khushi, I'm going with you.'
With that he turned around and was walking away when a rider came up to the homestead. It was one of the hands from the Circle-R. They both waited as Tony rode up.
'Morning, Miss Gupta, Mr. Gupta,' he greeted them, raising a finger to his hat.
'Morning, Tony. What brings you here?' Khushi asked.
He leaned down and handed over an envelope to Shashi, who'd walked back to them. He slapped a hand on his horse's back, and with a wave, rode off.
'We're invited to the Circle-R today,' Shashi looked up from the invitation to Khushi. 'They're celebrating a good muster and Anjali's betrothal.'
Her eyes clouded over. 'Papa!' she whispered, agonized.
'I know, my love,' he put his arm around her. Pulling her close to him, he hugged her. 'We can't tell them today. They are celebrating-'
'They need to know, Papa,' she cried. 'Miss Anjali just got engaged, and this...' she waved her hands, for once unable to say what was in her heart.
He nodded. 'We'll tell them tomorrow,' he promised.
It seemed like the stars would not align for her, for just at that moment the wagon turned into the lane leading to their house, with Abeja at the reins, clucking at the horses. She'd wanted to get away, finish with this. But now...
Khushi almost shook with disappointment. Slowly she walked back to the house and her room, shutting the door, and slumping onto her bed. She cursed herself for waking up late, and delaying the inevitable.
She didn't know why she was so disappointed, or what was this restlessness eating up at her. She wandered to the window and stood looking out, before pacing towards to the bed. She walked back to the window, but this time when she turned around, Payal was standing there.
'What's wrong, Khushi?' she asked in her soft voice. 'What's eating you up?'
'I should have woken up earlier, Sis,' she replied. 'The Raizadas are having a celebration today. So now we can't possibly tell them about Miss Anjali's husband,' she turned away, staring unseeingly out of the window. She missed the soft flush in her sister's cheeks at the mention of this evening.
Payal came in and slid her arms around her sister's waist. 'Of course, we can't. Not today.' She turned her sister around, to look into her eyes. 'But tomorrow we can. Nothing's going to change between now and then, will it? Today they are celebrating Miss Anjali's second chance at happiness. Why bring up the past's shadow today of all days?'
Khushi looked into Payal's eyes. 'You're right, sis. They haven't known about this for so long, one more day isn't going to change things.' She took a deep breath and stared out the windows, still unable to quell the nervous flutterings inside her. She forced those lingering apprehensions from her dream out of her mind, and turned to Payal and grinned, a bright grin, her eyes glinting with mischief.
'So did you meet the good Doctor while you were in town, sis?' with a nudge of her elbow.
'Khushi! Stop it!' Payal protested. Khushi just raised her eyebrows mockingly. 'All right, yes, we did.'
'Hasn't he proposed to you yet?' Khushi asked curiously, hugging her sister in turn.
'No, not quite,' Payal blushed becomingly.
Khushi was puzzled. He had either proposed or he hadn't. 'Not quite? What does that mean?'
Payal blushed rosier, and understanding dawned in Khushi's eyes. 'Oh! Oh! I see,' she exclaimed, earning a nudge in her ribs. 'Does he kiss well?' she asked.
'Khushi! You wretch!' With cheeks the color of tomatoes, Payal fled from the room.
'Sis!' Khushi called after her laughingly, 'at least, lend me a dress for today!' She sobered as she heard Payal's inarticulate yell through her own bedroom door.
'He does kiss well, though,' thought Khushi, her fingers going to her lips. Where was he? He was back of course, or the celebration would not be held. She wanted to go and find him, and for once in her life, she wanted to be less a hoyden, and more of a lady, moreover one that wanted to be wooed. But was it in Arnav Singh Raizada's nature to court, she wondered, and hoped it was so. Stupid shikaa!
****
The Circle-R was dressed up today.
People from Yerba had already started coming in by early evening. HP and JP with the help of a few of the cowhands had managed to prepare for the celebration. Horses and wagons were rolling up to the ranch house. Nanny Raizada stood on top of the steps, greeting people as they came in. Most rolled in with a tray of food, which they added to the trestle tables laid out in the backyard. Children ran around, Drew and Dev somewhere in that melee, shrieking and laughing in joy. It was a sight that brought a smile to Nanny Raizada's lips. It promised to be a good night.
Arnav sat in his study, his door firmly locked against all intrusions. He would have to go down at some point, he knew. Just what that point was he'd yet to decide. He enjoyed the last peaceful moments as he sipped his whiskey. A knock on the door, interrupted his perusal of the latest news.
'Bro?' it was Akash, trying to get away from the crowds below.
Arnav opened the door, and his brother slipped in, closing and locking the door behind them.
'It's only started,' Arnav said with a smirk.
'I know,' Akash mumbled, heading straight for the bottle of whiskey and pouring himself a good two fingers, before downing it in one go.
'It's good whiskey, Akash,' Arnav reprimanded gently. 'Go slow.'
Akash nodded, his eyes far away. He was almost jumping out of his skin. Arnav narrowed his eyes as his brother poured another finger of whiskey, but this time, he sipped it a little slow. Akash was not a heavy drinker. Why was he so jumpy today?
'What's going on with you?' he asked.
Akash blew out a breath and turned to Arnav. 'I'm going ask her to marry me,' he said in a rush, his square chin firm with determination. 'Tonight.'
Arnav's mouth dropped open, his eyebrows nearly touching his hairline. 'Ask who?' he asked ungracefully.
'Miss Payal,' Akash said, sipping the whiskey and taking courage from it, straightening his shoulder and lifting his chin.
'Miss Payal Gupta?' Arnav was still wrestling with that thought, when Akash leaned forward looking out of the window, a soft smile lifting his lips.
'Yes,' he murmured, his voice dreamy. 'Payal. Payal Singh Raizada.' He paused. 'Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?'
Arnav stared in astonishment at his brother. What was wrong with his siblings? he wondered. One was already betrothed, the other was half way there. He shook his head, trying to clear it. 'Wait! Since when did you develop feelings for Miss Payal?' he asked.
'Since I first met her,' Akash moved to the door. 'Thanks for the whiskey, bro. Now, to go and get her.' He pumped his fist, before he left the room.
It took Arnav another five seconds to realize that if Payal had arrived, Khushi wouldn't be far behind. He tossed back his whiskey and sauntered down the stairs to greet their guests.
To his utter dismay, Khushi had already headed out to the yard. Ela had her in tow, while Payal followed them. He saw her look over her shoulder, her eyes searching, unerringly finding him standing on the porch.
He stepped forward to speak to her, but Nanny tapped him on his shoulder, asking him to go inside and check on something.
And thus went the evening.
He couldn't seem to find his way to her. Aware of her, every moment that he spent away from her, he was chaffing against it. More people arrived, the music started playing, the night fell in a glittering cloak and the celebration was in full swing.
He spotted Anjali as she stood at one side, accepting the felicitations of their guests, waiting for Shyam to arrive. A smile touched his face as he watched her glowing face, before his eyes moved away, looking for one lady in a bright primrose dress. He was happy that Anjali was finding her happiness again. But right now, it became more urgent for him to find his lady.
She'd been talking to Payal when he'd last seen her. His gaze scanned the crowed, trying to spot her bright dress, but couldn't see her anywhere, again. No matter where he went, she always seemed to slip out of his grasp. It frustrated him, but this was a celebration, so he smiled and gritted his teeth and put on a good show, while all the while his gaze searched for her.
Khushi had been avoiding Arnav, strangely enough.
She'd missed him. Very much. And yet, with what she'd wanted to share with him, she couldn't face him. Not right now. Seeing him looking for her, she slowly made her way into the house, and out a door on the side of the kitchen. It was slightly quieter here, on one side of the house. She breathed in the fragrance of the night, as moved towards the stables. The sounds of the celebration were a little muted here, and the gentle breeze lifted her hair off her face. She stood for a while, leaning against the wall, before she decided to move towards the stable.
A fresh round of hurrahs sounded. Obviously someone had just arrived. She turned and looked towards the front yard. She could see a tall man making his way towards Anjali. She turned away, and started moving again. Somehow, she wanted to be away from all that noise and chaos.
A faint whoosh warned her a second before a lasso landed around her, dropping around her arms, pinning her elbows to her sides!
'Ah!' she yelped, trying to turn around, but the rope held taut. Feeling a tug on it, she stumble as she was pulled backwards a couple of steps. Then she turned around.
Arnav stood there, holding the rope tautly looped around his forearm, a smirk on his face, the brim of his hat low on his face. It didn't hide the glitter in his eyes, the pure hunger flaming in them.
She huffed, struggling against the rope, unable to raise her hands, she was firmly lassoed. 'Let me go!' she gritted out.
He grinned at her and looped the rope again, another tug pulling her yet a little closer. 'Tell me why I should.'
'I don't know, Arnav,' she said. 'Maybe because you should?' she asked. Feeling her heart finally starting to beat, as she got closer to him. Her whole body vibrated, the angry flaring through her like lightning, bringing her gloriously alive.
'Why did you leave?' he growled. With a final pull he hauled her to his chest, although he did not put his arms around her. His hands held the rope as he stood incredibly close to her, his breath feathering across her temple.
'Arnav, what are you doing?' her breath was shallow, her eyes closed, trying to still her beating heart. She wasn't struggling anymore, even though she could feel the heat of him even through her dress.
He dipped his head, his nose resting against that mole that had haunted his dreams. 'Why did you leave?' he asked again softly, his lips brushing against her cheek with a soft smooching sound, before moving up to her temple, watching her breathe unevenly. His pulses raced as he realized that she was just as aroused as he was.
'I didn't know you'd returned,' she whispered. The lasso dropped to the ground as he put his arms around her. She opened her eyes and looked at him, the pupils dilated in the dark.
'I missed you,' he murmured, 'shi'aad,' before his lips closed over hers.
For the smallest moment, she held back, and then the days of the drought were over. She hooked her arms around his neck and closed her eyes, returning his kiss with all her heart.
The door opened and someone stepped out stopping at the sight of the blissfully unaware, kissing couple, entwined around each other.
Did anyone even know that Arnav was courting anyone, let alone one of the Gupta girls?
Well. Well. Well.
*****
Edited by GirlOfFire - 12 years ago
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