Trapped ARHI SS Part 24 Up Thread 2 - Page 19

As soon as the excitement about their date' came, it died. This is not a date, she had to remind herself. Arnav was not interested in her. He had thrown her love back on her face too many times for her not to know this simple fact.

Whom was she trying to impress? Someone who thought she had manipulated him? To be fair, he had every reason to think so.

To him she was someone to despise and from his point of view, he was right. But it hurt to know that she could never stir romantic feelings in him, never be the love of his life, never be the object of his adoration.

Dully, she dropped the gorgeous designer saree she had picked up. Lovingly she traced the intricate patterns in the beautiful off white saree.

She put away the artificial jewelry she had planned to wear.

She walked up to the wardrobe and looked at the simplest saree she could wear. Her eyes rested on a simple red saree that had self colored designs. She had never worn it as it was part of the sarees her mom had picked for her wedding trousseau.

This would do, she decided. It was the simplest she had.

She rummaged among the assortment of artificial jewels and found a diamond-like set. The earrings were simple and dangled a little. The necklace was just as simple. The bracelet was a beautiful complement to the set.

In a matter of half an hour she was dressed. The saree clung to every curve and the blouse was a beautiful match. But the low cut of the back of the blouse and the way the saree clung to her curves, made Khushi nervous. Should she change? Did she look overdressed?

But she had nothing simpler than this. So, she decided to keep it on.

After putting on the jewels and dabbing the perfume, she looked at herself again. She looked passable, she decided. Definitely not overdressed or trying to attract attention, she consoled herself. She could put on some liner, mascara and lipstick? Or, would it be too much.

She took a good 15 minutes to decide. Finally she made up her mind to go ahead and wear the saree. This was also about feeling confident, not just about looking good.

He was pondering whether to knock at the guest room to check on her. She had been missing for a long time. Did she remember their date?

Had he overdone it by asking her out? He had just wanted to make her feel good. Her lean, drawn face had triggered some primitive instinct to make her feel happier. And he had acted on instinct. He had never planned to take her out.

But once he had asked her out, he did not regret it. He looked forward to unraveling the mystery that was Khushi. Perhaps he would find more clues to her differing persona at different times.

When he came down she was nowhere in sight. He was dressed in a casual dark blue shirt and cream colored trousers and a matching jacket.

Unknown to himself his eyes kept returning to the staircase to check if she had made an appearance.

A good 15 minutes later, when his patience was wearing thin, he saw her descend the stairs.

To say she looked stunning was an understatement.

When she stood before him nervously, fiddling with her bracelet, her eyes downcast, her faint floral fragrance tantalizing his senses, her downcast eyes shielding her beautiful eyes, her danglers moving gently, her pearly skin highlighted by the red saree---Arnav completely lost track of time and place.

He couldn't define what he felt. All he knew was that he had never felt it before. It was beyond attraction or admiration. It was a warm feeling of feeling alive and on top of the world.

Where did that come from? He wondered as he ushered her into his SUV. He had no answer.

But he couldn't stop his awareness of her, or the sudden heat that shot up his arm, when it grazed against her.

He tried to curb the feelings, reminding himself of the past. But his mind and heart refused to go back in time. It was as if, this moment, was all that which mattered.

When they arrived, he helped her out of the car, his large hand enveloping her fragile one. She expected him to let go after she had got down the car.

But he held on to her hand all the way to the restaurant till the time they were seated.

Her hand felt so perfect in his. He was aware that she was uncomfortable and trying to wriggle out. But, it felt good to hold on, may be because she finally lost the resistance and his fingers entwined with hers.

He had booked a private dining area for them with limited access to the waiters only. Nervously she looked at the big restaurant and the expensive arrangements. Could she afford to pay?

His husky voice interrupted her thoughts 'Shall we?' he asked, ushering her into her seat.

She could barely concentrate on the food she had to order. Her heart was beating erratically and her skin felt hot and cold at the same time. His proximity, the smell of his aftershave, his husky voice, his charismatic presence---were creating havoc on her senses. She did not know what she spoke or what she ordered or what she ate, when the food arrived. There was a heady feeling that just wouldn't go away.

His heart was beating erratically as he watched her beautiful hands serve the food. He did not hear what she spoke. His eyes simply followed the rhythmic movement of her lips.

For the hundredth time that day, he tried to remind himself of their bitter past. However, today he was lost in her.

He observed every little thing about her. The way her eyes lit up when she spoke. The way she glanced shyly at him. Her musical voice and laughter.

He realized that he was deeply attracted to her. He had thought it was one of those things that will vanish with time. But time had not diminished the attraction. This was one truth he had to live with. He wanted to fight it. Unconsciously he had fought it.

But today he was powerless. She looked so innocent, so angelic and yet so sensuous.

As he sat, lost in her beauty, a drop of ice cream dripped down her lips, as she was having her dessert. Unknown to himself, his hand shot out and with his thumb he began dabbing her lips.

Thankfully, they sat in an enclosed dining area, away from prying eyes. Or, Khushi would have died of embarrassment at what followed.

He rhythmically dabbed her lips and slowly his thumb outlined her lips. She sat absolutely still, unable to move, the heat rising up her cheeks.

Slowly, he edged forward in his seat and his lips took the place of his thumb as he outlined the corners of her lips.

She felt herself grow hot and a feverish excitement gripped her.

He couldn't have stopped himself even if he wanted to. He had lost his senses from the moment she had stepped out in the red saree.

She had enflamed the passion that had lain dormant from a long time-may be from the time he hd seen her in the elevator all those days ago.

He had never seen a woman who was as sensuous as she was innocent looking, as beautiful as she was shy.

She had always made him react to her and today it was all the more.

He lips traced the outline of hers, before moving on to capture her quivering lips in a sensuous kiss---