ArHi FF[Complete] - Running From The Truth#3 Epilogue pg. 102 - Page 18

Chapter 35 - Insecurities

Siddharth waited patiently for the elevator to arrive, the perfect square above the doors flashing the red numbers that decreased as the lift approached the ground floor. As it opened, he rushed into the empty space, carefully pressing the right number, and hitting the close button. As the doors slid carefully shut, a hand made its way in between the very small slit, stopping it from securing shut.

"Ow!" She whined, rubbing her wrist where the door had enclosed upon. "Stupid elevators never come, and when they do, they always shut on my arm!" She huffed, blowing upwards to move the hair away from her fringe. "Arnav Sir is going to be upset with me, I was supposed to meet the clients he told me about, and now I'm 5 minutes late!" She said to herself. "And he's never been upset with me so far." She said in a worried manner, as she settled in the corner of the elevator, biting her manicured nails.

Siddharth took the time to carefully watch her. Her Bluetooth fixed to the shell of her ear, the long jhumkas beneath. The blue and white anarkali suit fit her to a tee and flowed around her. Her hair was left in a fashionable fishtail braid and the only makeup she sported was the long wings of kajal framed around her big brown eyes.

She suddenly realized her surroundings and the frown disappeared from her forehead and her eyes narrowed instead. "What happened to the elevator?"

Siddharth snapped out of his reverie and terminated his staring. "Sorry?"

"The elevator! Why isn't it moving?"

He turned to the buttons, and stared at the frozen number sign, before turning back to her.

"I...I don't know. It was working just fine before..." He muttered in confusion.

"Oh...so I see what you're trying say. That it stopped because of me??" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"What? No! That's not what I meant."

"Oh god...now I'm stuck!" She exclaimed, slapping a hand to her forehead. Taking in a big gulp of air and breathing it out, she sighed. "Come on Diya, you need the exercise. Time to take the stairs!"

And with that, Diya Sen walked out of the elevator, leaving a Siddharth Gupta in a complete trance, watching after her figure with a slight smile, despite her being long gone.

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Payal Gupta stared in awe at the vision in front of her. It had felt like a movie, when she entered. As if she was attending some sort of fancy ball, one that she had dreamed of as a small girl, where she was a princess and she would find her prince...

"And so, we meet again!"

Oh no, Payal thought as she recognized the voice instantly.

She turned to find him standing in front of her casually; his hair gelled to, his suit fitting him perfectly, his eyes gleaming with mirth behind his glasses...

"Mr. Akaash Raizada...it's great to see you too."

Why did she get so nervous around him again? Since when was she nervous around anyone?

"I did not expect to see you here! But I guess it makes sense, Bhai must have told Khushi, who must have told Siddharth, who must have told you...am I right?" He asked.

"Yes." She replied, watching him chuckle softly.

Stupid man, making me all nervous...she thought. Thinks he knows everything!

"Well, I wouldn't say I know everything." Akaash shrugged nonchalantly, grabbing a flute from one of the passing waiters as he leaned on a nearby pillar, studying Payal carefully as her eyes widened in realization that she had voiced her thoughts out loud. "But I guess you could say I know enough..."

Shit! Payal frowned; already knowing what was coming her way.

"For example...I know how nervous you were during our interview. And I'm assuming it more to do with how we had our first meeting, than actual fear of not getting the job. Am I right? And right now, you're probably cursing me in your head..." He drawled his grin in tact as he inched closer.

"And...I know that you're probably confused. Because I make you nervous, to the point where you no longer have the energy to talk back to me, as I have already experienced." Akaash let out a chuckle.

Payal finally found her voice, and narrowed her eyes. "Are you done?"

"Nah, but my date is probably sulking around without me by her side. It's just not the same, I bring the fun wherever I go, you know? So I'm afraid I will have to get back to that. But I will continue, the next time we meet!" He smiled at her, teasingly. "Because...well let's be honest here, we both know there will be a next time."

He laughed, throwing his head back slightly as he winked and walked away, leaving Siddharth to find his sister in a slightly shocked and seething state.

----

"Khushi, you know I don't mind at all...but if you hold my hand any tighter, my circulation may just cut off." He gave her an amused smile.

Khushi glanced at their tightly enclosed hands and then released immediately, watching as he wiggled his fingers. "I'm right here, not going anywhere." He turned to her and muttered in assurance.

"Sorry." She smiled in embarrassment, turning her face away, only to have him put his fingers under her chin and make her glance right into his eyes. "Hey, you can hold my hand as much as you want. Anytime you want. Just...sometimes I need to stretch my fingers." She smiled, making him chuckle lightly.

"Did I just see ASR laughing?" Neha interrupted as she approached their table with drinks. Khushi almost rolled her eyes at her perfect arrival. Khushi had previously watched her and Arnav catch up, talking casually about their lives, catching up on lost time.

It turned out that Neha was also in the fashion industry now, working for her father's business. She had muttered something along the lines of "Then I'll be seeing you around ASR!"

This had made Khushi's blood boil, something that scared her terribly because she had never showed these signs of anger before.

And it was not as if Arnav was allowing her to feel left out, because he was not. He had included her in their entire conversation, pausing at times to explain something significant to her that she may not have understood.

Eventually, they had taken their seats and Neha offered to go get some drinks. Normally, Khushi would have offered to do it, however it was better that she was left alone with Arnav, than Neha. Much better indeed.

Arnav cleared his throat and shot Neha a polite smile. "Thank you." He grabbed for the glass.

"So Khushi, how is it working with ASR?" She asked happily sipping her drink.

She turned to Arnav for a second before answering. "It's great. I think anyone would tell you that. But especially me, since I've known him forever." She stressed the latter part, wanting to show her that she was not the only one who had known him during their youth.

"Oh, you knew each other when you were younger?"

"Mhmm." Khushi said, tracing the rim of her glass casually. "We went to school together."

"Ah, I see. I wish I went to school with Arnav; he was really my only friend as a child. School would have been much better if we went to the same place." Neha said halfheartedly, making Khushi internally scowl.

She had been so irritated in her little box of jealousy, that she hadn't noticed when the soft, sensual music had started to play in the background, as couples had slowly made their way to the main floor. Their feet and bodies swaying against the marble, the glittering lights scattered around the room.

"ASR, I would ask you to dance but I remember that you don't dance." Neha said sweetly.

"Actually, Arnav already promised me a dance." Khushi said just as sweetly, making Arnav almost choke on his drink as his eyes widened slightly.

She then grabbed him by the arm, leading him to the dance floor. And he let her, because he did not mind dancing for her. Not one bit.

Putting her hands around his neck slowly, his own hands travelled to her waist, taking his time as he caressed her over the silk.

"What's going on?" His eyes gleamed with mirth.

"Nothing, just dancing with you."

"Khushi..."

"I don't know what you are talking about." She frowned, settling herself closer to him in case that Neha was watching.

"Neha bothers you, doesn't she?" He asked, pulling her even closer so that there was absolutely no space left in between.

"Maybe."

Caressing the patches of skin that were uncovered at the back of her dress, he leaned in so close, and that he could see every fleck and spot in her hazel eyes.

"Liar."

"Okay, she bothers me. I'm very very jealous." She admitted as she rolled her eyes, making him chuckle again.

"Do you know how adorable you are when you're jealous?" He whispered.

She shook her head innocently. "She just looks at you funny. And I hate it Arnav. You're...mine." She said quietly, hiding her face in the crook of his neck.

"You're absolutely right. Which is why you shouldn't be worried about anything...or anyone for that matter." She felt him kiss her hair gently, as they continued to sway to the soft, sultry music.

She felt her own hands caressing the skin at the nape of his neck, feeling his breath on her cheek quicken.

"She's going to want to dance with you." She breathed into his neck.

"Khushi..." He murmured, continuing his ministrations on her back.

"She'll keep staring at you."

"She won't Khushi. She doesn't like me like that. It's just been a very long time since we last saw each other; we used to be good friends."

Khushi stared at the man before her, feeling all the jealousy and insecurities melting away from his smoldering gaze, from the way his fingers traced her back, the feel of his skin on hers. She wanted nothing more at the moment to melt in his arms, have him take her away somewhere.

She let her gaze drop to his lips, then back to his eyes, which were burning, darkening...simmering with want. Nothing ceased to exist beyond the two of them anymore, not the lights that were ornately decorated amongst themselves, not the people with their own dancing and chatter, and certainly not Neha.

She vaguely heard the song come to an end, not that she had been paying much attention in the first place. She herself did not know what had come over her, only that she felt her hand going around his as she broke apart from the intimate dance, and felt her own feet a few steps ahead of his as she led him away.

A door was pushed open out back, the fresh breeze was whispering across their heated skin, however all Khushi could remember was being pushed up against the brick wall outside, the beautiful private garden with all it's fragrance and colour being witness to Arnav crushing his lips against hers.

She sighed against his mouth, wanting nothing more than this all evening. For him to show her, that she was in fact his. That he was hers.

Their bodies melded together, and Khushi wondered if it was possible to feel his against hers any closer. His hands cupped her face as his lips moved over hers, with an urgency that she returned just as fervently. It went from desperate, to wild within mere moments. His hands moved lower, roaming over her figure, moving to the front of her body as he grazed her softness over her gown, then moving his hands behind to the small of her back, pulling her torso flush against his.

This earned a slight gasp from Khushi's side, and Arnav took the advantage to plunge his tongue deep into the sweetness of her mouth. He caged her in, trapping her within his hold. She fought back as their tongues now explored...intermingled... with everything she had. Suddenly remembering the way Neha had looked at him, she gripped him tighter around the neck, the short strands of his hair between her fingers.

He pulled away from her mouth, giving them both much needed air as his lips moved to her throat. She closed her eyes in pleasure, wanting more...no, needing more.

He nipped at her skin, placing kisses wherever his lips touched. He brought his lips back to hers, with his name still on her tongue, something she herself did not even come to realize, as she was too lost in this...in him.

He tilted his head, earning a better angle for their mouths to meld against one another, fuse as the passion for one another only grew.

This is mine, she thought as another wave of jealousy washed over her. She turned their bodies around, so that he was now pushed against the wall, as she pressed herself against his hardened body, hearing him growl against her mouth.

"Khushi...we need to stop." He groaned as pulled away with his eyes still closed.

"No...we don't." She leaned forward again, catching his lips again and feeling them move against hers, except this time they were hesitant. Because they both knew what any more would lead to.

And so he turned their bodies again, this time her against the wall as he pulled away from her, staring intently into his favourite shade of hazel.

"As much as I'd love to continue...to take you right here and now...I think it might be slightly inappropriate." He said with a smile playing on his lips, watching the colour on her skin make an appearance as she flushed against the illuminating moonlight that washed over her face.

"I guess we should go back then. You go first, I'll be there soon." She sighed, only to feel his fingers at her chin as he made her meet his gaze. Gently, he brushed his lips over hers once...twice...and then a third time before pulling away completely. "Thank you for bringing me here, I've been wanting to do this all evening."

She flushed an even deeper shade of red, her heart beating erratically as he smirked and left her to follow. She let out a breath she had not known she was holding, and felt the insecurities slowly start to dissipate in their making.

-------

Khushi walked back, after having visited the restroom to fix her disheveled state, running her fingers through her hair and reapplying her lipstick.

She spotted Arnav easily, not helping the smile that broke upon her face. Her love for him only increased by the minute, by the second...

He was talking to an elderly man and woman, a married couple she had assumed. Not wanting to intrude on his conversation, she was about to make her way to their table and turn away, when she spotted Neha join the group. A frown made its appearance on Khushi's flawless skin, as she wondered what she was doing there.

Her feet moved forward on their own accord, approaching them at a safe distance.

"I hoped I would see you here Arnav beta!" The elderly man patted Arnav's back, and the woman, who Khushi could now see shared similarities with Neha, smiled at him. They were Neha's parents, it seemed. "How are Devyani and Anjali?"

"They are well." Arnav said politely to the man.

"Look at how grown up you have gotten! Such a successful, young man." The elderly woman put a hand to his cheek, and he gave her a small smile.

"This is how it's always been; Ma and Papa always praised you and left me with nothing!" Neha pouted and complained in mock anger.

"That's because we wish we had a son like Arnav! We still hope to, of course." The woman said with a big grin, as she looked to her smiling husband.

"Yes, your mother Ratna had always wanted you and Neha to get together." The elderly woman shook her head slightly in sadness.

"She would tell us all the time when she saw you both playing as children! And we couldn't have agreed more. Even before her passing, she had wished for it. Had she been here today, she would have gotten you married off, settled down..." The elderly man said to Arnav.

His mother had wanted them to get married? Khushi thought.

And just had fast as it had left, the insecurities reappeared as Khushi looked on sadly at the four people in front of her. Everything they had shared moments ago, their dances, that kiss...it all flew from her mind.

Had their mother been here today, she would have wanted him to be with the woman of his choice.

And yet here he was...with her instead.

He would have been married off by now, but because of her...he had waited? It had taken a full moment for her to realize how much trouble she must have caused in his life. It was easy for his mistakes to have been pointed out, but what about hers? How many things must have been altered because he had waited for her? And he still was...

Not wanting to hear anymore, because she feared it might scar her overtime, she made her way outside, watching her feet step one in front of the other...

---

"You're right; she would have wanted me to be married by now. But honestly, I wouldn't have chosen that route. Because I was not ready, nor did I ever have the intention of marrying in the first place. She would have wanted my happiness over everything." Arnav gave them a small, genuine smile at the remembrance of his mother.

"And now beta...?" Neha's father asked, and he could spot the slight hopeful edge to his voice.

"And now...I've found someone I'm willing to share my life with." Arnav said, and it rang as clear as a bell. Although Arnav had always known this, somewhere in the back of his mind, hearing the words come out of his own mouth only increased the truth in his words.

Although he saw he faces of Neha's parents fall, they quickly smiled up at him again.

"That's wonderful beta, I pray that you find all the happiness in the world."

"Thank you Aunty."

With a few more moments of catching up, Neha's parents soon bid him goodbye and hoped to see him again soon. This left him with an old childhood friend. His eyes roamed around the large hall, hoping to see that one face he would never get tired of.

"Are you looking for Khushi?" Neha asked with a grin. She had always been the happy-go-lucky kind of girl, lost in her own little world. She had never probed too much about anything, and had dragged Arnav with her everywhere. He remembered with a smile, that he had spent the majority of their friendship hearing her life story. From the familiar grin on her face, he knew she had not changed one bit.

"Yes, actually. Have you seen her?"

"I think I saw her head to the front." Neha said, the smile still on her lips.

"What?" Arnav asked defensively, watching the scrutinizing gaze she gave him.

"You're in love!"

"You haven't changed, always blurting out the first thing that comes to your head." Arnav shook his head in amusement.

"I never imagined I would see you like this...but now that I have, I'm happy I did. What a sight to behold!" She said dramatically, making his eyes roll.

"But in all seriousness ASR, I am so happy for you. You're a lucky man. She seems wonderful." Neha smiled genuinely.

"She is." He said easily.

"And I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together. Don't forget to invite me to the wedding, okay?"

Arnav felt himself smiling. "We'll see. Maybe if you're not as crazy and loud by that time, I'll consider it."

Neha laughed, putting her hand on his shoulder. "I'm glad I saw you today. I'll see you around, take care of yourself!"

"You too Neha, you too." And with that, he turned to find a certain girl...his girl.

----

She stood at the front of the hall, waiting for him to come and find her. Feeling a bit restless and impatient, she had peeked over to where they had previously stood, and no longer saw Neha's parents, but only her...and Arnav.

Khushi had quickly looked away, not wanting to hear anymore...see anymore.

She walked away to the front in long strides, needing some air more than anything at this moment. Finding the sliding door to the beautiful garden outside, she moved the glass all the way to the left, and closed it behind her.

Thoroughly enchanted by the shimmering lights decorated around the area, she gazed at the hibiscus flowers. A plethora of flora in nature's most simple form, the majestic hues of the darkness illuminating the shades of vibrant colours.

Her feet impaled the ground, and the grass crunched under her heels. She shivered from the down, but delight in the satisfying sound. The moist air tingled against her skin, and she inhaled it in. She raised her eyes, and saw the fountain. It was tall and cold, the stone had frozen the women's bodies in their dancing postures, their kindly facades unmoving, unable to scream. The moss took pity, and tried to wrap itself around them, to warm them against the cruel air.

And here she was, easily free of any barriers, however she felt herself caught in the web of insecurities.

She knew, and knew well. Her love for Arnav could never be questioned. And nor could his for her. However, she couldn't help but imagine how much simpler his life might have been had she never fallen for him. He would not have wasted so much time over her, rather he would have probably settled down by now with someone like Neha. His own mother had desired it, had she been alive, would she be happy with his choice?

Would her family ever give him the love he deserved, would Buaji ever accept him the way he would want? Watching Neha's parents had only saddened her, knowing that it may never be the same.

Arnav had found her moments later, his hand on her bare shoulder startling her for a second, before she recognized that it could only be his touch.

"Let's go out back; there is probably media out further." He whispered in her ear encasing her hand in his before they made their way outside.

There was silence between them, as Arnav looked back to the evening with a smile, and Khushi only felt more and more upset with herself as time increased.

"Is everything okay?" He asked, giving her had a squeeze.

"Hm? Oh, yes, everything is fine." Khushi lied, and she was silly to think Arnav would not realize...not see passed the faade.

"You're sure?"

"Yes Arnav." She lied again, not noticing the way his face fell at the realization that she was keeping something from him.

They had found his car momentarily, and both got in quietly. He had rolled down the windows, and left the radio on, just as she liked it. However, she did not toy around with the channels as she usually did, she did not sing along, or hum to any songs this time. She did not ask him to sing with her either.

She did not even notice when they had reached the front of Buaji's house, had Arnav not spoken quietly. "Khushi...you're home." He said hesitantly.

She sat up, from her leaning position against the glass window of his car, and retrieved her purse. Moving her hands to undo her seatbelt, she felt his faster hands do it for her.

Staring straight into his face with guilt, with the pain of feeling as though she was getting much more than she would ever deserve...that she was ruining the dreams others had put forth for him.

"Thank you...for tonight. For everything, Arnav." She said genuinely, softly as she opened the door and made her way to the front of her house.

And Arnav was left staring, feeling though someone had punched him in the gut at the thought that she hadthanked him. For what? For loving her? And he watched he walk away, feeling as if she was drifitng away and saying goodbye.

Arnav though, was not one to let anything come between them, or anyone for that matter. Even if it was her own self.

--------

Khushi watched as the large glowing sphere rose slowly into the dull morning sky. Casting sunbeams in every direction while it illuminated her room through the blinds. She stared out the glass panes as the colours made by the rising sun changed, growing more vivid with the passing time. Making the sky more radiant as it climbed higher and higher into the sky. But as beautiful as the morning was, she felt horrible. She felt sick, in the pit of her stomach for the first time in over almost two months. And she could not fathom herself the reason behind the growing sensation.

The morning had passed in a blur; she ate breakfast in a complete daze and did not even notice the strange looks that had been passed to her from the rest of her family members.

Siddharth drove them both to work, trying his absolute best to get something out of her since he had noticed her changed demeanor since her return from the party. But, to no avail as Khushi merely gave him one word answers.

As Khushi sat at her desk, stressing over the amount of work she had to do, and how little time there was until the fashion show would take place, she had not even realized that everyone had left for their lunch break.

A knock at her door was what had interrupted her cluttered mind from exploding, as she looked up and saw the face that had the ability to render her absolutely speechless, to push any and every thought out of her brain with one glance.

"Arnav?"

She saw him lock the door behind him, as he turned again and stared at her with an unrecognizable expression on his face. But if there was one thing she did know, it was that he was angry. Furious. The clenching of his hands, fisted into a ball, the blazing look in his eyes, spoke it all.

It was perhaps due to the fact that she had not answered his texts last night, or answered his call this morning. She had not known what to say.

"Oh, so you are alive? And you can talk? Surprising." Arnav muttered, as he approached her now standing form.

"I..."

"What's going on Khushi? Would you please just talk to me?" Any trace of anger from his face had disappeared, and was now replaced with a forlorn expression. As if he wanted to reach out to her, but could not.

"It's nothing Arnav, seriously. I'm just tired, and stressed..." She looked down to the paperwork on her desk again, rearranging files that did not need to be arranged in the first place.

"Stop lying to me. This is about Neha isn't it? Was it because I was talking to her alone? Because you were absolutely fine before that, you took out the time to show me that yourself." Arnav bit out, making Khushi not want to meet his gaze any further.

"Your mother wanted you both to get married, didn't she?" Khushi finally let out.

"What? You heard that?"

"Yes. I heard most of it, I think."

Arnav broke out of being rooted to the spot, and finally walked over to Khushi to put his hands on her shoulders. "Khushi...you know when kids are young, and their parents are friends. And they say things like that; because it seems nice in the moment...this was one of those things."

"I can't help but think that..."

"After everything we've been through, do you still believe that you're not good enough? That Ma would not have liked you? Is that what you're thinking?"

"I don't know Arnav..."

His hands moved to caress her cheeks lovingly. "Please love, don't think like that. I know that it's easy to feel insecure, but Khushi you have absolutely no reason to feel that way."

"You don't understand." She pushed his hands away. The negativity was getting to the best of her.

"Then make me understand Khushi." Arnav said, his voice slightly cracking,

Khushi turned to him, her eyes narrowing. "How could you understand? This isn't just about me feeling jealous or insecure. You never understood me then, I don't expect you to understand me now."

And as soon as the words left her mouth, she put her hand to her lips in astonishment, over the fact that she had just muttered what she had. Arnav's face went pale, her words feeling no less than a slap across the face. Perhaps that was what he would rather have had.

"Arnav...I...I didn't mean that...I..." She stuttered, wondering what the hell had gotten in to her, but she was stopped by the hand he raised, motioning her to refrain from saying anything more.

"Ma would have wanted my happiness. And you make me happy Khushi." His voice rang as clear as a bell, no harshness in his tone, no love either and it stung somewhere deep inside of her. "I may not understand you, but you should at least know that much." He shook his head and took a step back, and Khushi's heart broke. Because she would have rather seen the anger in his eyes, the rage. But all she saw was the raw hurt and it killed her.

"Arnav, wait..." But he was already gone, and she flinched as he slammed her door on the way out. She sat back on her chair, slumping down, the tears brimming in her eyes as she wondered what the hell she had just done. "I didn't mean it, at all..." She whispered into the empty air before her.

In one second, she had broken everything Arnav had been trying so hard to rebuild between them. And it was true, all because of her jealousy and insecurity, she was destroying everything in one go. Moments later, she wiped away her tears and wondered how she would make things right again...

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Previous : Chapter 34 Next: Chapter 36A & B

Hello all! Long time no see, and I am sorry for the wait!

It took time to resolve things, however I am back. And it is thanks to all the PMs, scraps and comments, with kind words of love and support. This update is for those readers who took out their time to report the page that had plagiarized my story, and urged me to keep writing. Although I was very hesitant in continuing this story at one point, I kept going for my readers. It would not be fair to those of you who have constantly been there. Lots of love🤗

This update is super eventful and long! For those of you who guessed that Neha made an appearance to make Khushi commit to Arnav, you guys were right! Arnav has been taking initiative, redeeming himself and being really careful this whole time, we will get to see it the other way around now as Khushi must take the final steps. Do remember that she has insecurity issues, so try not to be too angry with her! If you guys enjoyed, hit the like button if you get the chance, or leave comments/views. Right now, when I am a bit low on inspiration, it would really help😊

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About 5 chapters to go...

Happy Reading!