Khushi had taken up the internship offer and she was being paid a decent styphon. Khushi had told Nani and Arnav in no uncertain terms that she would also contribute to the household expenses. She did not want to depend on them. Nani just shook her head and went into the kitchen. Devyani didn't even bother replying to Khushi's new found independence. She had seen Khushi since Khushi had been six. Devyani knew this phase too shall pass.
Arnav had grit his teeth and retorted back "What is the need for all this Khushi? You know I will take care of you."
"But that's the point Arnie. I don't want it anymore."
"What do you mean?" Arnav's face paled at her reply. He stared at her in anger.
"How long will you protect me Arnie? I need to stand on my own two legs. You can't always solve every problem of mine Arnie. I need to face the world on my own." She had tried to rationalize. Her tone had become soft and pleading. She kept her hands on his arm.
Arnav shrugged her hand and went off "Do as you please."
Khushi knew he will come around in a while. He was always like this. He needed total control when it came to her. He always reacted in haste and then came around to her ways after her sweet ways of persuasion.
It had been three weeks since that argument. Arnav was extremely busy in running his start up. Very often he came in very late and went to office quite early. Khushi waited patiently for him to come and make peace. But this time it wasn't happening. Khushi was getting worried and impatient. They both still hadn't got back to their normal ways.
Khushi kept her head on Nani's lap. She poured her worry out to Nani. "Arnie is still not speaking to me Nani. How long is he going to sulk? I just want to do my own stuff. What's wrong with that?"
Nani kept her hand on Khushi's head. "Bitiya, go talk to him first and make him understand. He has seen you since you were born. And he likes to believe he's doing the best for you. Sometimes over protectiveness can also be harmful. And my blind grandson will soon realize that. But meanwhile you go and make peace with him. Between friends there should be no ego. And between would be husband and wife, definitely not!"
Khushi bolted up on hearing Nani's words. "Nani!"
Devyani smiled at Khushi. "I know what you want and my grandson also wants the same thing. But he is adamant to not see it. He will come around very soon. You're going to see that yourself. Now run along I need to go to Satsang."
Khushi always felt so much better after discussing things with Nani. Nani was the most rational person she knew. She always stood by Khushi and helped her in every way possible. Khushi could not have asked for a better parent, a better guardian, a better friend.
Khushi went to the kitchen and started dinner. By the time Nani came back from Satsang it would be past dinner time. And she was tired after the long day in the hotel. Khushi enjoyed her work and hoped to climb the ladder with her hard work.
She heard the door bell chime and Hari Prakash open the door. Hari Prakash then came in to the kitchen. "Who was it?"
"Arnav Bhaiya."
"You take care of this. I will take his tea." She gave him the ladle and took the tea to Arnav's room.
Khushi went in to see Arnav sitting with his laptop. He didn't look up even after she placed his tea on the table. Khushi went and sat next to him on the recliner. "Arnie, won't you even look at me?"
"Why? So that you can lecture me some more on independence?" His tone was irritated.
Khushi kept her head on his shoulder. "Sorry Arnie. I know I shouldn't have phrased it like that. I know you're always there for me but I too need to lead a life. I don't want to live like a bird in a gilded cage." Arnav didn't look at her but his body slightly relaxed.
Encouraged by that sign, Khushi continued "Arnie you have always stood by me and you have respected my choices. I enjoy working in the hospitality industry. It gives me a sense of pride that I can do something on my own."
He turned away from the laptop and looked into her eyes "Khushi, had you just told me I would have got you a job in the best hotel."
"See? This is the thing. I want to do it myself. I may fail Arnie but at least I did it on my own. If you keep protecting me then I will become very weak. And how long can you be with me and protect me?" She placed her hands on his.
Arnav sighed and accepted defeat. He didn't like all this talk of independence but he did see her point. He would try to give her as much space as he can he thought. Arnav took Khushi in his arms and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Khushi startled and moved away slightly. Her breathing got erratic at his gesture.
"Ar...Arnav..." She stammered his name. Her eyes widened and looked like two saucers.
Arnav tucked a hair that had fallen over her forehead. He caressed her cheek slowly and his thumb rubbed her lower lip. Khushi felt the breath ooze out of her body in a hiss. Her lips unconsciously parted at his touch.
Arnav's eyes zoomed on her lips. They looked tempting and enticed him to come near her. Arnav's face slowly lowered and his lips touched hers briefly. Khushi's eyes automatically closed and she moved into his body.
Arnav felt desire and tenderness in equal measures. This was their first kiss and probably Khushi's first kiss. His hands crept up her shoulders. He held her gently and parted her lips slowly.
Khushi's lips tasted like berries. Her hands were clutching his arms tightly. Arnav was conscious of her rigid posture. He tentatively probed his tongue into her mouth. Khushi was shocked at his tongue. She had never expected so many sensations and so many emotions in one kiss. Her first kiss.
She smelt his cologne and something else that was deliciously, uniquely Arnav. She had hugged him as a friend, kissed him as a best friend. But this was a kiss from a man to his woman. Arnav stamped her his in that single kiss. She always knew their bond was special. The kiss reiterated that fact again.
Arnav caught her hair and deepened the kiss. He ardor became rough in his impatience to take it further. Khushi's hands went around his neck. She let a small sound of need at his actions. He went mad hearing her. Arnav almost crushed her to himself and slowly lowered her on the recliner.
Khushi felt things were getting out of hand when he started coming on top of her. She stopped him with her hand and tried to get up. Arnav had lost sense of time, place, what they were doing, everything.
He stopped at her gesture. Arnav got up from the recliner and stood near the poolside door. Khushi too got up hurriedly. She fixed her hair and straightened her dress. Khushi was blushing furiously. She was still trembling in the aftermath of pleasure. Her very first taste into intimacy had thrown her into ecstasy. She had been floating in euphoria that she had completely lost track of whatever was happening.
Arnav turned around to look at the shy and nervous girl standing before him. He went to her and tipped her chin. She looked into his eyes with modesty. "Was this your first Khushi?"
She shyly nodded a yes.
"I am glad it was me." His murmured in a husky voice.
"I always knew it would only be you." With that, Khushi gave him a shy smile and ran out of his arms into her room.
Anupamaa
Bengali Shows
Shiv Shakti
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