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29
Khushi played absentmindedly with the spoon, tossing away the food on her plate. Hardly any food was going down her throat, as her mind went over the conversation she had had with her sister last night. She had told Payal in as much detail as possible about her experience in Delhi, conveniently eliminating the intimate parts that would perhaps have made her sister faint.
"Are you mad?" Payal's reaction had been pretty obvious after she had realized about Khushi making the first move.
"What were you thinking?" Payal had exclaimed. "You told him you were obsessed with him? Were you out of your mind?"
"You know me, naa?" Khushi had replied defensively. "He had seemed so .. arrogant initially, that I thought .. I would get over him easily."
"By spending time with him?" Payal had glared.
"It .. must have been the lack of sleep," Khushi had added meekly.
"I can't believe it," Payal had grumbled. "Who does something like this? You sometimes are too much, Khushi."
"I know," Khushi had mumbled.
"So he does not believe in marriage," Payal had continued drilling her. "Good for him! Then what does he want with you?"
"Woh .. he wants to .. spend time with me .. be together .." Khushi had stammered not being able to find the right words. True! What did he really want with her?
"Spend time?" Payal had exclaimed again. "How dare he propose something like that? You do know what he wants, Khushi, don't you?"
Khushi swallowed. Oh she so knew what Payal had meant! How could she tell her sister that she had already given him a lot more that he had asked for? How could she explain to her that it was no longer just that?
"I .. I think I .. I am in love..." Khushi had finally declared with her eyes closed.
"Khushi!" Payal had been overwhelmed with the shocking revelations one after another. "How .. When ... I hope you did not tell him this also."
Looking at her sister's guilty face, Payal had immediately realized her fear was true.
"Oh God!" Payal had banged her forehead. "What am I going to do with this girl?"
"Jiji .." Khushi had mumbled. "It is not as bad as you are thinking it is .."
"Don't say anything more," Payal had stopped her, all concerned and mad too. "How could you be so stupid, Khushi?"
Khushi had silently listened to her sister's lecture on the absurdity of this whole thing. She had not tried defending herself knowing Payal was not wrong altogether. She wondered what Payal would have said if she knew the complete truth.
"Don't make it more complicated, Khushi," Payal had warned her. "I am sure he will move on if you explain everything to him properly."
This had made Khushi wonder if she had not explained to him enough. How else could she have made him see her point? How could she be with anyone if he did not believe in marriage? This apparently meant there was no future for them at all. And .. after knowing all this how could she still feel so much for him? The confusing thoughts had come back to her in full force and made her feel miserable.
Seeing her lost expression, Payal's voice had softened.
"Khushi, you cannot possibly be in love only in ten days, can you?"
Khushi had not replied. She had lied down placing her head on Payal's lap and sighed only.
"Everything will be alright," Payalhad caressed her forehead affectionately. "If you complicate it more, it will not be good for anyone. And think about Amma-Babuji. Even they must have seen those pictures in the magazines! But .. what is worse, Khushi, is that he himself has admitted that he does not believe in marriage. So there is nothing for you in it. He cannot give you anything. He does not deserve you."
"I have told you naa, Jiji," Khushi had sighed. "I have told him it is not going to work. He knows."
"Then why is he still calling you?" Payal had sounded confused.
"I don't know, Jiji, but you don't worry," Khushi had assured Payal. "I will stick to my ground."
Khushi knew Payal had reflected pretty much her own thoughts. She had gotten only one thing wrong - the depth of Khushi's feelings for Arnav. How did she end up loving him so much? So much so that .. it hurt to walk away from him even after knowing it was the right thing to do.
***
Khushi sighed as she looked outside through the window of the cafeteria. It was getting only more difficult with him in front of her eyes. She wished she could control the way her heart fluttered. She wished she could keep her pulse in check. She wished she could banish the butterflies from her stomach. No amount of reasoning helped her when he was around. Those verbose caffeinated eyes, that slight tilt of his head, the sexiness of his crooked smile ... And more than anything the man she had discovered living inside the facade of the great Arnav Singh Raizada. His playfulness. His loneliness. How could she ever get over him?
"May I?"
Khushi turned startled, as the familiar voice broke through her chain of thoughts. Arnav was standing leisurely in front of her with a paper coffee cup in his hand. His voice was leveled but his shining eyes were not matching his deadpan manner. Khushi's eyes nervously scanned through the cafeteria. What was he doing here?
"I came to get coffee," Arnav added while drawing a chair, as if reading her mind.
"Mr. Raizada," Khushi murmured.
"Call me Arnav," Arnav sat relaxed in the chair and sipped his coffee, his eyes filled with amusement.
Khushi looked up startled and looked around again. A few of the colleagues were eyeing them but it was mostly Arnav they were paying attention to. He was someone really difficult to ignore - both by women and men alike. Some fancied him. Some envied him. Some idolized him. He was as irresistible as anyone ever could be. How one Khushi Kumari Gupta could survive his deadly charm?
"Arnav," Khushi muttered.
"Yes, Ms. Gupta."
"Call me Khushi," Khushi mimicked him, making him chuckle.
"I am really happy we decided to make you the project coordinator," Arnav sipped his coffee, his eyes leisurely scanning her face. "The project mapping was neat. I don't think Aman will have to do much on it."
Khushi could read the note of appreciation in his voice and she felt warm. It always felt good to be recognized for the effort. She indeed had given a lot of time last night and even this morning on the project mapping. Arnav had joined them at 10 in the morning and three hours had almost flown with them discussing on the action plan.
As Arnav's eyes kept roving over her, Khushi could feel the now familiar tingling sensation running down her spine. She shifted in her seat and thrust a spoon full of food inside her mouth to ignore the pleasant discomfort.
"What are you doing this evening?" Arnav asked without further pretense.
"Ji?"
"What are you doing this evening?" Arnav repeated impatiently. "After office?"
"Nothing. I will just go home."
"Good," Arnav leaned back on the chair and stared straight into her eyes. "Let's go for dinner."
"What?" Khushi's eyes widened.
"We need to talk," Arnav stated calmly, with his eyes fixed on hers. "Let's talk over dinner."
"Talk? About what?"
"About us."
Khushi stared at him and swallowed.
It was one thing to talk about the intricacies of the equation between them over phone, without seeing him, without him around her. But she doubted if she could handle it at all face to face.
Besides, what was there to talk about more?
"I .. I .. can't."
"Why?"
"I .. need to spend time at home. I just got back and .. even yesterday I was late at office .."
"Khushi, I have to leave tomorrow," Arnav tried to reason as patiently as he could. "And I need to talk to you before I leave. Can you make an hour or two out for me in the evening?"
"Arnav.." Khushi looked away from him, playing with the spoon, her eyes fixed on her plate. "We have already talked enough. You and I .. our views are miles apart .."
"Do you really want to discuss this here?" Arnav raised his eyebrows.
Khushi looked up.
"No. We should not talk at all about all this .. it's .. it's over ..."
"Khushi," Arnav's voice was calm but the playfulness was gone. "The way we both have behaved last night, I don't think we are anywhere near over. And .. I have something else to tell you that we have not talked about, yet. So do you want me to tell you all this here? Or do you think we can talk somewhere alone?"
Something else? Now what did he want to tell her? Memories from last night came flooding to her and she could feel her cheeks warming. Why did she let it happen? Why could she not just control herself? Now how could she prove that it was over from her side?
But .. hadn't he said he was here for work only?
"You came here for work, Arnav." She charged him. "So what do you have to tell me now?"
Arnav could read the hint of sarcasm and challenge in her eyes. He restrained the smile that instinctively wanted to break free. Damn this woman! She knew he was not here for work only.
"Yes, I have come for work as well," He paused and then let a smirk appear on his face, determination evident all through. "But I came for you."
A slow smile spread across Khushi's face, somewhat reflecting Arnav's. If he was Arnav Singh Raizada, she was also Khushi Kumari Gupta. Their smiling eyes met and they both knew Arnav had happily given up.
"Then, Mr. Raizada," Khushi closed the lid of her lunch box and started standing up. "We will meet in the evening."
"Thank you, Ms. Gupta," Arnav too stood up, smirking leisurely. "So see you at 7. In Sheesh Mahal. Shall I pick you up?"
"No. I will come on my own."
Arnav watched as she turned and walked away. He took the chair again and started sipping his coffee, watching her from the distance. Her perfect hips swayed as she walked, her plait dangled. What was it about her that made his hormones summersault every time she was in front of her, he still could not figure out. He shook his head indulgently, mocking his own vulnerable state. He could not bloody believe himself around her. And funnily, he had no intention of changing anything between them. He loved losing control around her and he wanted to keep it that way. He knew he was being uncharacteristically persistent but there was only one Khushi in his life. And he was determined to let her be.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"What have I been telling you, Khushi?" Khushi swallowed guiltily as Payal yelled.
"Jiji .. he said he wanted to talk .."
"So?"
"I promise, Jiji," Khushi fixed her earring. "I will stick to my ground. Trust me."
"I trust you," Payal frowned. "It is your Laad Governor whom I do not trust. Make sure you are in a public place. Samjhi?"
"Oh Jiji!" Khushi snapped, embarrassed. "I am not a 14 year old. Stop worrying so much."
Payal did not seem very convinced. She watched her sister adding last minute touches to herself. She was looking very beautiful in the emerald green chudidar. As jewelry, She had worn only a pair of medium sized chandelier earrings in golden and pearl matching the matte golden embroidery of the Kameez. She had carefully done her eyes, cheeks and lips and knowing her for so many years, Payal could easily understand the extra effort she had given tonight.
Khushi did care what Arnav Singh Raizada thought of her, Payal understood. Well, she could not blame her. It was Arnav Singh Raizada, after all. And definitely, Khushi must have been comfortable with him to some extent; otherwise she would never have named him Laad Governor.
But Payal could not stop worrying about her sister. Could it be she was truly in love with him? It must be really difficult to walk away from a man like him, she understood. With his good looks, his charms, his background .. he must appear irresistible to women. It worried Payal if Khushi had been a prey to him. Khushi was beautiful and she was one gem of a girl. But was it because of that, that Arnav Singh Raizada was pursuing her? Why would he care about someone like Khushi when probably thousands were in queue to give him what he wanted? Was it possible that his interest in her was genuine? But how could it be when he does not believe in commitment and marriage?
Payal worriedly watched her sister pick up her bag and she sighed. Anyone could sense the excitement of her sister. Would she really be able to resist him when she was this much affected?
"Khushi, are you sure you don't want me to come?"
"Jiji!" Khushi looked at her incredulously. "Please stop worrying. I will call you if I need you, ok? And if you are too worried, call me."
Khushi understood Payal was not convinced. She walked up to her and held her hand.
"Arnav is .. a wonderful person, Jiji. He has his issues but .. but he is good. You will like him."
"I just don't want you to be in trouble .. or to get hurt. You know that, right?"
Khushi smiled and hugged her sister.
"I know! Now stop worrying about me and go trouble, Jijaji. He must be wondering what has suddenly happened to his crazy to-be-biwi!"
Payal laughed and smacked her.
"Come back soon."
Twenty minutes later Khushi was standing in front of the chic reception desk of Sheesh Mahal. She had never been here before and the grandeur of the ambience unsettled her a little bit. She was not sure if to call Arnav or approach the Reception. As she measured the options hesitantly, one of the girls at the reception smiled at her.
"Can I help you, Miss?"
"Uhm .. yes. I am here to see .. Arnav Singh Raizada."
"Are you Ms. Khushi Kumari Gupta?"
"Oh yes!" Khushi felt relieved realizing the desk was informed.
"Welcome to Sheesh Mahal, Ms. Gupta. Mr. Raizada is waiting for you. I will get someone to assist you to the dining hall."
Khushi was expecting a uniformed bellboy but a man in an impeccably tailored suit came to usher her. She followed him into the elevator and soon they were standing in front of a closed door on the 5th floor.
"Mr. Raizada is waiting for you," the man courteously nodded and opened the door. "Enjoy your evening."
As Khushi stepped in and the door closed with a soft click, her heartbeat instantly picked up. The sense of anticipation made her feel fidgety and she started patting her dress. Her eyes quickly scanned the modernly decorated hall and her heart stopped as her eyes found him.
Arnav was standing in front of a large window, staring outside, with his back towards her and as if on cue, he turned to face her in the next moment.
"Hi," he smiled slightly, his eyes quickly checking her out from top to toe and then settling on her face.
"Hi," Khushi forced the reply out, as she could feel her throat going dry.
As Arnav started walking towards her, Khushi stood rooted but her eyes betrayed her. She knew he would understand but still she could not but let her eyes travel over his full length. He was in a black trim-fit full sleeve shirt, carelessly un-tucked. Top three buttons were open, hinting his chiseled chest and the familiar, tickling chest hair; the sleeves were rolled almost up to his elbow revealing his muscular arms. He was in a pair of classic blule denim and surprisingly, barefooted.
Khushi possessively prayed so that no one else could see him like this. The CEO Raizada was dashing and elegant. But the casual Arnav was sexy and breathtaking. The CEO Raizada you would want to glance at you. But the casual Arnav you would want to have. And she wished this Arnav belonged to her and her only. If not her, not anyone else's.
As he came and stood in front of her, only a feet or two apart, she could see the admiration in his eyes and shamelessly she acknowledged it, wanting him to be bewitched by her right now. The excessive desire to have him only to her, made her want to charm him .. charm him so much that he would never walk away.
She was oblivious to reasons and she had forgotten her resolution by now. All she could think of was this man and her need to be with him.
The thoughts and feelings whirling inside Arnav were no different.
She is mine - every inch of his being screamed as he let his eyes rove over her. The emerald green short sleeved satin dress had accentuated her buttercream skin; the delicate matt gold embroidery had added to the shine. The fitting leggings generously gave away her perfect legs - the legs he had so loved to kiss, caress and more. Her hip-length hair was open, glittering under the pendant lights.
How could he ever let her go?
They both swallowed as they could read each other's eyes. They had never felt this naked in front of each other before. Their inner desire was written all over their faces - all reasons and pretenses gone.
Arnav took a step forward and held her hand. She still stood rooted on the spot, feeling her heartbeat picking up with every passing second. She could feel his thumb softly stroking the skin of her wrist, making her whole body shudder. She could see the constant bobbing of his Adam's apple, his neck as vast and as delectable as ever.
"I .." Khushi managed to utter through her irregular breath.
She could feel him squeezing her wrist in response.
"I .. sometimes feel like a vampire .."
She could see the rising surprise in his eyes and she swallowed.
"I .. feel like .."
Arnav raised his eyebrows, encouraging her to complete her sentence. But Khushi could not bring herself to say it and decided some things were meant to be demonstrated.
As she suddenly leaned forward and dug her teeth into the vast expense of his neck, she could feel him shudder under her hold. She tightened her hands on his shoulder and grazed her teeth along the curve of his neck and dug her teeth into him again. She could feel his hands releasing her wrists and hold onto her waist instead, his nails trying hard to dig into her skin through the fabric. She moved her mouth away, still holding him by his shoulders and looked into his eyes.
"What have you done to me, Arnav?"
Her innocent question turned the world of Arnav Singh Raizada upside down in the twinkle of an eye, as he was still drowning in the aftermath of her sudden assault. Looking into her eyes, he could almost measure the depth of damage he had done to her soul and all he could say was all he could feel.
"Exactly the same thing you have done to me, Baby."
- Reviewed by: Ritz (iritz)
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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