IIT meets DU - Removed * Note on Page 105 * - Page 66

"I just don't want you to become his target. Please be careful, it is not as simple as it seems. Promise me" he tucked a wayward strand behind her ears as she gazed deep into his gray eyes, burning with concern and sincerity. They stood there staring at each other, brown orbs to gray eyes, lost in each other, while the tranquil evening breeze blew on the terrace.

The fact that he opened up on his family because he was concerned for her , warmed her heart. She had numerous questions flooding in her mind but... this would suffice for now.

" I will be careful . I promise"

Why am I overreacting ? It is just Arnav.

Plain old Arnav.

Harmless Arnav.

Knock it off Khushi.

" I think we should go down "

He nodded but made no attempt to move.

His gaze ran all over her.

She shuffled in her high heels.

The situation was awkward. Very awkward.

She noticed little droplets falling on the terrace floor and her own short black dress clad body. She looked heavenwards and smiled. She liked this - little slow , tantalizing drizzle instead of cats and dogs pouring down the earth. But before the romantic in her could take over, the practical persona kicked in.

Their absence would be easily noticed in the party.

She couldn't afford to get ill , with the collaboration project with Raizada Corporations hovering over .

And lastly - she couldn't get freaking wet.

In front of him.

She needed to go. Now.

" Arnav...lets go" she reframed her request to the man who seemed to have grown roots.

What the hell is wrong with him ? she looked down and rubbed her bare arms to infuse some warmth into her cold skin. Peeking up at him , she noticed that he still stood still at his spot. His eyes never leaving her.

Screw him ! she walked past him, only to be held back with a firm grip on her wrist.

" Dance with me "

She whipped around and they came face to face.

" What ? "

Uneasiness made way for amusement.

" Dance with me "

Now, she couldn't control herself anymore. She laughed and shook her head.

" Arnav ... Really have you lost your mind ? What it is , a Bollywood film ? "

" Assume that we are the leads in a 100 crore sappy family drama of Karan Johar and this is some romantic song after some cheesy confession " he effortlessly drew her in his arms. He held her by her waist and her hands came to rest on his shoulders of their own accord.

" But for that I need to wear a chiffon saree and you should wear a transparent shirt , sticking to your chest "

" Transparent shirt ! Cara I can go shirtless for you. You never told me about your fantasies " wickedness shone in his grey orbs.

" Go on , feed your already bloated ego " she rolled her eyes.

" I don't need to , others do the job pretty well "

" Try to be humble sometimes. It really helps "

" Helps in what ? "

" It makes you a gentleman "

The slight twinkle in her eyes and the heartfelt smile mesmerized him. When did he get so damn lucky ? He started moving and she moved along with the gentle sway of his body. Their melded bodies moved in sync with the music provided by the spluttering of the raindrops on the terrace floor.

" I was never a gentleman. Don't want to be one. Ever "

" Hmmm... Once a bad boy , always a bad boy "

" Now you are talking like my Cara "

" God, I just hate..."

" SHUT UP " He drew her closer, if that was even possible. Eyes clashed , bodies melded and thoughts rioted. Thankfully the vixen kept shut. Though he loved her smart mouth , no doubt about that but for now he wanted her quiet. And quiet she kept. " Just dance "

Khushi pushed back all practicality. She wanted to enjoy , forgetting the right and wrong. Just live in the moment. Just for now. She will be realistic tomorrow. Yes, she will be. Promising herself , she rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.

Arnav hold tightened on her waist and his head dipped down to rest on her shoulder. The rain continued to pour down on the two highly confused souls. Goosebumps erupted on her wet skin which had nothing to do with the slight nip in the air or the rain. Absolutely nothing.

His hands trailed a path up her bare arms. Her skin is like honey - sweet and fragrant. He pressed a gentle kiss on her exposed shoulder blade. Her closed lids snapped open and jolted her out of her trance.

" What are you doing ? " Her eyes were intense, probing and demanding . They stopped dancing. She moved back one step, putting distance between them.

" Dancing " He bridged the small gap in a single stride , holding her firmly as their bodies came into contact , again.

" You are so beautiful " his voice dropped further as he tucked back an errant strand of hair.

" And so is Reese"

Dumbstruck.

He was simply dumbstruck.

He had started dating Reese after she had accidently spilled coffee on him and had asked him out as an apology. Dating Reese was convenient. She was also a software engineer and understood the demands of his job quite well. She was available and attractive. But most importantly she didn't create an emotional havoc inside him which seemed to be an easy game for Khushi's pinky finger. He felt and reacted deeply to Khushi which never happened with Reese. Actually, he had never given Reese a chance. He hadn't realized how stuck up he had been with Khushi, until now. When Manohar Chacha had called and informed him about Xenflox's association with Raizada Corporations his blood had boiled and he had reacted like a complete dork , flinging accusations at her. But the same mindless behaviour had made him realize the exact magnitude of his feelings for her.

He had dismissed her love for mere infatuation when she had confessed at Parikrama. What a brave girl she had been. She had confessed despite being fully aware of his impending refusal.

You don't react so protectively just for an infatuation. You don't play the past incidents like a reel in your mind just for an infatuation. Certainly not. He wanted just one chance from her.

One chance to correct his mistake.

One chance to make it work.

One chance to tell her that he had been wrong.

But unfortunately the black eyes which mesmerized him in there depths , were staring. Accusingly.

" I can explain " he offered.

" You don't owe me an explanation " she shrugged and smiled. A smile that didn't reach her eyes.

" Yes, I do "

" No, you don't "

She was right , he didn't owe her an explanation. He wasn't cheating or something but then why did he feel guilty and exposed. This is the effect the girl had on him.

" Why are you so surprised ? You are not the only smart one out there " the smile turned into a full-fledged grin. " If you can get out the information about my job profile and the heiress tag, then I too can get a hang of your relationship status " Michelle had let the tiny bit of information slip in their conversation last night.

" I am going back home. Inform Mish , I don't want her to get worried." she smiled at him.

He nodded because that's all he could manage at the moment. A smile can hide so many feelings fear , sadness , heartbreak , expectation ... but it also shows one other thing - strength. If nothing more , he was proud of her. She had taken his rejection in her stride and was doing so well in her professional life. For that he respected her.

" Arnav , will you do something for me ?" she came to an abrupt stop at the threshold of the stairs and turned around to face him.

He nodded.

" Please stay away "

She rushed down the stairs without waiting for his response. Arnav stood rooted to his place as a whirlpool ravaged his mind. The drizzle abated and slight evening breeze ruffled his partially wet hair.

After an hour , Aman walked in through the terrace door. He eyed his friend from top to bottom. Wet and confused.

" What are you doing here? And how the hell did you get wet ? "

" Dancing "

" What ?"

" Nothing "

" Are you alright ? "

"My ex - girlfriend loved me a lot more than I loved her , so I made the mistake of thinking that I didn't love her "