ArShiFF: The Dawn of the Dawn - Thread 5 - COMPLETED - Page 61

Author Notes: Many of you misunderstood why Khushi kept mehendi of NK's name. She didnt keep mehendi for the pooja. That was the mehendi from their marriage, when she was in love with NK and hated Arnav. Guys if you remember its been only 2 weeks since they go married so the mehendi is still on her hands, very bright and beautiful just like Arnav's love😆😆😆. Now lets get to the chapter.

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With a peck on her cheek and want in his eyes, they parted their ways, retreating to their rooms. They pulled on the covers with huge grin on their faces, diving deep in each other thoughts.

Khushi laid on her bed on her tummy, trailing her fingers on her cheeks where he kissed her. She felt very special with his every touch and presence. She never before knew a simple peck and a compliment without a real one would sound so flattering. She drew circles on the bed thinking about him and blushed remembering his unexpected compliment in a very unusual way. Why are you so beautiful? His words kept ringing in her ears turning her skin deep pink.

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Arnav laid on his bed and unlocked his phone to check if he received any calls or messages. His signature that she signed popped up on the phone display. He remembered the way she excitedly said that she fell in love with his signature. He smiled remembering her crazy diaper talk and hearing his tummy sounds. He chuckled remembering how she was persistent in knowing where the sound came from. Then he remembered their childhood story that kaka narrated. He is still in shock that they shared such a deep relation in their early years and remembered nothing. He wished he had someone who could talk for hours briefing how their relation was back then. He immediately flipped the photos and opened her mehendi picture. He rubbed his thumb on her feet and flashing a winning smile, he rested his phone with the image still on, on his heart and dozed off to peaceful sleep.

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Next morning, Khushi followed her morning routine and started preparing breakfast. To her surprise, Arnav didnt escape the house during her pooja time nor came down the stairs and last time when she checked through the doors, he was still sleeping. She was told by Kaka that every day is same for Arnav. No Saturday or Sunday is different from any other weekday. Thats the only reason, she woke up early even though it is saturday. She wondered what changed his plans today.

She absent mindedly overloaded Poha with salt by sprinkling multiple times.

What are you doing? She startled hearing the voice and almost dropped the salt shaker.

Arnav caught it just in time, and before he could say something, she pounced on him.

Why do you always call me from behind? Why dont you come infront and talk to me? She yelled at him.

If I have to stand in front and talk to you, I should be standing, where the Poha is right now, on the stove. He retorted.

She pouted and turned away to clean the dishes.

Why are you doing dishes? Where is Kaka?

He is out of town for a week. She said concentrating on the dishes.

Out of town? Why?

He said, one of his distant relatives is hospitalized.

Relative? He has no family and never visited anyone at least after I was born. Arnav asked with confused expression.

They both looked at each other with shocked expression and both of them thought of the same reason behind his sudden departure. He left to give them some privacy. Khushi looked flustered and oscillated her eyes nervously while Arnav smirked inwardly.

Arnav walked upto her and asked trying to ease her from the nervousness of being alone with him under one roof, Ladoo kaha hain?

Hn? She asked confusedly.

Ladoo? that you prepared yesterday?

Itni subah? Wont you eat breakfast? She asked flipping her palms, soaked in detergent, in air.

I will. But I wanna eat one while you do your kitchen work. I am hungry.

One sec, let me wash my hands and give it to you. Khushi washed her hands and while towel drying her hands, she remembered the kiss that happened last night after she fed him. She immediately changed her decision and continued washing dishes. Arnav who stood leaning onto the countertop watched her every emotion and understood just everything that went in her flustered brain.

What happened? He asked messing with her on purpose.

Uh..ah...I...just have too many dishes to do. Why dont you help yourself? Second rack from the left. She stuttered avoiding his gaze.

He took one ladoo smirking with lopsided smile looking at her nervousness. He then walked over to her taking a bite and stood next to her, leaning against the countertop. He observed her while he munched on the sweet. Khushi hurriedly tried to wash dishes so that she could escape him for a while until her erratic breaths become calm.

Dusting his hands off, he said, There is something on your cheeks.

Hn?

This side. There is something on your cheeks. He said pointing at her cheek.

She raised her shoulder arm and tried to wipe her cheek.

That one as well. He pointed the other cheek.

She raised the other arm and tried to wipe the other one as well. Ab teek hain? She asked looking at him innocently.

He nodded NO. Why are they unusually pink today? He teased her.

Really? I dont know. I must have wore more blush today. She spoke innocently unaware of his tease.

I think so too. Let me help you with that. He walked over and stood behind her. He held her shoulders and kissed on her cheek leaning over her shoulders. She dropped the spoon she was washing and stood unmoved and shocked. He pursed his lips in self-satisfied smirk looking at her reaction and he moved over to the other side and pecked her again on the other cheek while she stood numb, shocked and shy.

Just keeping up with the tradition. I promise I shall follow this tradition every single time the thought ladoo crosses your mind. He whispered in her ears and looked at her still leaning over her shoulders. She lowered her eyes and she turned brighter and her skin glowed than before. He stepped back a little letting out his trademark lopsided smile only to come closer to her again. He then whispered tucking the loose strands behind her ear, just because you didnt give it to my hands doesnt stop me following our tradition. So stop coming up with such tricks. They dont work with me! And make it fast! I am hungry and am running late to the venue. Saying this, he left her alone to regroup her fluttered senses.

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Khushi served Poha in both their plates and sat opposite to Arnav. She remained unusually silent and nervous with him around. And that didnt go unnoticed by Arnav. He wanted to tease her but certainly didnt wanna throw her into her shell. The only way he can make her feel comfortable is by changing the topic.

Khushi, I am going to go for the final check on the party venue. I might get late for lunch, so dont wait on me.

What? I have to be alone in this house?

He nodded Yes. Dont worry. Nobody will dare to eat you up. Afterall they will get only bones.

What..

I should be back by 4 in the evening. We will leave at 5 to the venue. Clear?

Not clear! She peeved looking at him angrily. I am not staying alone in this house and I will not let you go.

Are you scared? He mocked her.

Nooo. Its just that the house is big and I might get lost in the house. She is scared to death. She is not used to the house yet. She didnt even know how many rooms are in total. But she didnt wanna admit to him that she is scared.

Seriously? Didnt you find better excuse?

Whatever may be the reason. Either you take me along or you stay back. She put forth her demands stubbornly.

I cant take you because you will not have enough time to get ready for the night. Hmmm, he thought for few secs and sly smile appeared on his lips. I hope you are not asking me to stay because you will miss me. He asked leaning onto the table.

What? No..No way. Nothing like that. She stuttered and embarassed.

Fine then I dont have any reason to stay back.

She fidgeted with napkin and remained silent expressing her nervousness.

Then admit that you are scared. He continued.

Dont talk to me. Just do whatever you want! She looked down angrily and played with spoon nervously.

OK choose yourself. He took spoonful of poha and took the first morsel. He choked and coughed up severely tasting the unbelievably salty dish.

Arnav? You OK? She came running to his side. She held glass of water to his lips and fed him rubbing his back.

He caught her hand with his both hands and drank water looking at her intently, feeling overwhelmed with her unconditional care.

I am fine now. He said wiping his lips. She looked away while he wiped his lips and once he is done, she immediately slapped his shoulder and shouted, Cant you eat slowly? Why are you always in hurry?

Excuse me? You are the one who just tried to kill me with your breakfast.

What?

Taste it. He pulled her down to the chair next to him and fed her spoonful.

She immediately spit everything in her palm and said, How did this happen? How can I cook so pathetically. She tried to take the plate away from him. He stopped holding her wrist.

Arnav? Yeh...

Its not that bad. He tried to eat another spoonful.

Arnav, aisa mat kar. She tried to take the plate away from his hands.

Trust me, its not that bad. He stopped her bringing tears to her eyes.

He cupped her face with his one hand wiping her tears with his thumb, I have had worst Khushi. This is absolutely fine. I dont want you to throw this, especially when you made it for me.

Tum aisa kyun ho Arnav? She held his hand that cupped her cheek and cried more.

Kyun ki tum aisee ho. He gently slapped her nose tip with his forefinger.

She looked at him surprised. This man was, is and will always be a big question mark to her. He never acknowledged her efforts openly yet he did everything he can in his means to let her know that her efforts are not getting wasted. Every step of the way, with his simple subtle gestures and 2 word statements, he made her feel special, more than anyone did in her entire life.

Please stop crying. Tears rolled down her cheeks while her face admired his care and concern in his eyes. Is this just concern or more than that. Her heart etched for more, something more and a better word to term his feelings and strong pull towards each other. For the first time she didnt wanna limit their feelings to concern, care and friendship. She needed a solution, a permanent solution to their unspoken deep feelings for each other. But she is not sure what that solution might just be. All she needed is one hint to let her know that its just not friendship between them. There should be a reason and purpose behind all these sweet teases, silly fights and deep concerns. And she decided to get to the bottom of this puzzle, stronger than before.

She wiped her tears and nodded Yes as he asked her Tum teek ho?

He continued, I will ask Aman to do the final check. I will stay home. He was about to call Aman.

No, thats fine. I will be OK. You should go.

Are you sure? because I dont want you to have panic attack. He tried to lighten the mood.

She chuckled. No I will be fine. Moreover security is outside, what will happen to me? I was just being silly.

OK, call me if you need anything, to which she nodded Yes.

They ate their breakfast in silence and she kept stealing glances of him once in awhile.

He stood up to leave. She kept staring at him in awe while he adjusted his tie and vest. He then bend down and kissed her forehead cupping her nape. She closed her eyes while he kissed her featherly.

Are you sure you will be OK? He re-checked with her. She smiled and nodded Yes.

I will see you soon.

Try to make it to lunch.

It's difficult but I will try. Dont wait on me and starve yourself OK?

She nodded yes and he rushed out of the house. He looked back to check on her one last time before he exited the house.

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Khushi cleaned up the kitchen mess and settled herself in her room and tried to watch TV. Nothing interesting came nor she found anything catchy in the magazines. The fact is, her mind kept lingering around Arnav thoughts that she couldnt concentrate on anything else. After spending 2 hours doing nothing in her room, she went to kitchen to prepare for lunch. She checked all the vegetables but finally a brilliant idea struck to her brain. Well at least according to her, it is.

She immediately called Raghu and asked him to get chicken. The next 2 hours she spent time in kitchen preparing Spicy Chicken unaware that non-veg was never prepared in Raizada mansion before.

Its around 1 PM, she wrapped up kitchen work and took one ladoo to eat. She walked to her room munching on the ladoo and she remembered how he kissed her in the morning and how he promised she will get kisses everytime she thinks of ladoos. She blushed profusely remembering him and looked over to his room sadly as she terribly missing him. She checked her phone and she pursed her lips in disappointment as she didnt receive any messages from him. Feeling bored and tired, she decided to take a quick nap.

She woke up after an hour and noticed a missed call from Arnav. Her face lit up and she called him back.

Before even she said Hi or Hello, he barked at her, I was trying to call you and you just ignored my call?

She flipped. Here for some weird reason she expected him to talk all lovey dovey but he barked at her for no reason. She is no less and gave him tit for tat, Haan tho?

Haan tho matlab? I have been trying for so long.

Dont lie. You just called once.

What the? So you do know that I was trying to reach you? Then why didnt you pick up my call.

Meri marzi. I wasn't in mood to talk to you then. Why did you call me?

Ab mera mood nahi hain. He angered.

Ok fine then. She remained silent but didnt hang up.

He too remained silent but didnt hang up. After few secs, he barked again, Hang up the phone, dammit!

Why should I? You hang up!

As you wish! He was about to hang up when she stopped him.

Wait! She mellowed down and waited for a brief moment.

He waited letting out winning smile.

Did you have lunch?

Thats the reason I called, to say, that I am getting late.

Oh, when are you coming?

I should be there by 4. Did you eat?

No, I was waiting for you.

I told you not to wait for me. Go and eat first. I will be there soon.

Tumne khaya?

Nahi. But I will now.

Why didnt you eat? Were you waiting for my call? She asked curiously.

Go and eat Khushi. I will be there soon. He tried to change the topic.

You didnt answer my question. She asked stubbornly.

You know the answer. He said huskily.

But I wanna hear it from you. She said biting her lip curiously.

He took his time to respond, Yes I was waiting for your call. Be ready. We will leave at 5. He hung up without giving her chance to ask anymore questions.

Khushi blushed and smiled mischievously.

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Khushi? Arnav barged into her room and noticed her putting her make up on.

Arnav, for once, could you please knock and come.

May be in next life time. Are you done?

Do I look like I am done?

20mins Tops. Get ready. I will freshen up and come. He stormed out of her room through the pool entry.

Idiot. Dont have manners!

I heard it. He yelled from the pool area.

Good for you! Sudhar jao.

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Exactly after 20mins, Arnav walked over to her room and through the glass doors, he noticed her wearing ear rings.

She turned around seeing his reflection in mirror. She wore beautiful deep blue color georgette saree embellished with sequins in thin border. He had no words to say. Each day they pass in their life, he is falling short of words to describe her beauty. The saree is simple but she took it to whole new level.

She turned around to see him dressed up like a gentleman and true businessman. He dressed in black shirt and deep blue vest complimented with dark brown shoes. They didnt plan to wear color coordinated but its pleasant surprise for both them proving how much their thoughts match. He looked like modern greek god in that gelled hair. She lowered her eyes and blushed at her new intimate thoughts about him. She felt tinkling sensation in her tummy realizing how handsome he is and how she could possible be she missed this handsomeness at the very first place in their college.

He opened the glass doors and asked, Ready?

She grabbed her diamond studded clutch and nodded Yes. As he was about to turn around to exit, she stopped him.

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Cliffhanger...buahauhau...Sorry didnt actually mean to upset you all with this cliffhanger. I didnt wanna break the next sequence into 2 chappies.

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Pre-Cap: Akash and Payal re-entry. Arnav Khushi first dance and Special VM on its way. Will be posted on Monday by 11:59PM IST.