Arnav had gone and had attempted to talk to Lavanya one last time. It had only strengthened his decision to split. The issue was not his friendship with Khushi, but with deeper issues of trust and different outlook towards life. Arnav felt very bad but he knew he had to cut out totally. Else he was in for more heart ache.
Lavanya had left the very same evening for the States. Nani had been shocked to see so much had happened when she had left to the temple. Khushi had run towards Nani and she had narrated everything to Nani.
Devyani had spoken to Arnav after that. "Chote I don't want to interfere in your decision. You didn't ask me before going around with Lavanya and now I have nothing to say with your break up. But think twice before you take any decision and do not act in haste. It is very easy to hurt another person Chote. You may not always get the chance to repent."
Arnav had tried to talk to Lavanya after that and then they had taken the final decision. He felt bad at this abrupt end of his love but he felt it was not meant to be. Devyani had asked Arnav to ensure Lavanya travelled back safe. Arnav took care of her flight and other things. Khushi hadn't come out of her room the whole day. She felt everything was happening very fast around her.
She didn't eat anything the whole day. Khushi wanted to assert her independence. She was furious that Arnav had torn her acceptance letter. How dare he? And she was a gold digger was she? Arnav may give a thousand reasons but the fact stood that she was dependent on Arnav and his money. And Khushi hated that. Maybe if they had been the good old Arnie and Khushi, she wouldn't have felt bad. But after Lavanya's parting shot Khushi wanted to stand on her own too feet. Even by mistake she did not want to be a parasite on someone else anymore.
Arnav came to the dinner table to find Nani. "Where is Khushi?"
"You know her. She is still locked in her room. Hasn't come out since morning."
"What about food?"
"Nothing since morning."
"I will get her Nani." And he went up to her room with definite steps.
The room was locked and he knew it would be locked. Arnav took out his spare key and opened the door. He saw Khushi sitting by the bed with her head on the bed. She was looking like an angel in a white suit and loose hair.
Khushi looked up when Arnav came in. She saw the key in his hand and stared at him in fury. "Why did you come now?"
"To take you down for dinner."
"I am not hungry."
"Khushi c'mon. Nani is waiting. Come now." He came towards her.
Khushi sat up and refused to budge. Arnav felt irritated with her. "Khushi, are you going to come or not?"
"No I won't."
Arnav just pulled her up roughly and almost dragged her. "Stop it Arnie. Stop!"
He stopped and looked at her in anger. "Now what Khushi? I am just sick and tired of you girls. What do you want now? Can't you just be easy and come down for once? What more do you expect from me?" Arnav sounded tired and truly tested.
Khushi felt her eyes well up at his words. Arnav stopped on seeing her tears. His heart always melted at her tears. That was something he could not control and this time too he was moved. Arnav hugged her on seeing her tears. He didn't mean to deliberately hurt her.
"Why did you lie to me Arnie?"
"What?" He still held her.
"I always thought Nani had Papa's money. Why didn't you tell me the truth?"
"Because it didn't matter Khushi. We both felt it was not important enough to tell you. We wanted you and not your money. You don't know Khushi, what you gave us was more than what wealth can buy. I would have gone mad had it not been for you." His voice had turned soft in the end and he looked into her eyes and cupped her cheek.
Khushi felt a jolt at his words. He sounded as if he needed her and that was what Khushi was longing to hear. She felt a slow warmth spread through her entire body at his soothing movements. Khushi sightly shivered and tried to get out of his arms.
Arnav looked at her and felt a strange feeling run through him. Khushi was looking like an angel with her huge tear stricken eyes and her cute pout. She moved away a little seeing his expression change from irritation to almost...almost desire. This was the first time Khushi saw open desire in his eyes.
Arnav couldn't help himself. He felt as if invisible magnets were pulling him to her. He moved forward and she took a step back till her back hit the wall by the door. Arnav placed both his hands on either side of her head. She swallowed in fear and stared at him. Khushi couldn't take her eyes off his face.
He looked like a Greek God, standing there gloriously, facing her. Her hands itched to run over his body and desire slowly crept up her veins. She didn't understand these sudden feelings she felt. This was the first time Khushi felt these urges towards another person. And she felt uncomfortable at the thoughts running through her mind.
Arnav felt his body respond to her silent urge. He looked at her wide eyes, pink cheeks, and finally her full, red, luscious lips. He wanted to taste those lips and wanted to plunder his mouth in hers. How would it feel? Arnav felt his body tighten in anticipation. Her breathing turned shallow at the change in his expression.
Arnav felt his eyes go lower at her heaving chest. He saw the vein at the base of her throat throb. Arnav cupped her face with his hands. Her eyes closed on their own. She clutched the side of her suit. Arnav inched his face close to hers. He titled her face to meet his. His lips neared hers slowly. He could feel her breath on him.
Her eyes were still closed and she could feel his lips nearing hers. Her heart rate doubled and her eyes screwed shut even more. Just as his lips were about to brush hers, Nani called them from downstairs.
Arnav stopped as if he had been shot. He looked totally shocked and moved away quickly. Khushi looked at him in confusion. What happened, or was about to happen, was something neither of them had anticipated.
Arnav noted that her color was still high and she was looking anywhere but him. For the first time Arnav looked at Khushi as a woman. She was not just his best friend but a very beautiful and sexy woman.
Khushi felt even more confused at his silence and wanted to move away before he started asking her uncomfortable questions. She inched away from him and moved out of her room quickly. Arnav looked at her retreating form thoughtfully and followed her at a leisurely pace.
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
Debate Mansion
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