Khushi and Arnav's relationship continued with truce after that passionate kiss in his room. Arnav had been plagued with desire for Khushi but he had held his head. Arnav didn't want to fall on the rebound after Lavanya. He definitely did not want to use Khushi. Khushi meant a lot to him and he wanted to take it slow with her.
Khushi too wanted to give Arnav some space. Khushi was sure of her love. It had always been only Arnav for her. She wanted him to be sure and come on his own to her. Khushi was confident of her love. That made her give him the space to realize his love.
She was as usual busy with the internship and seeing her exceptional work, the management had taken her in as a regular employee. She was the Asst manager for the entire procurement and kitchen side. Khushi had been ecstatic and she immediately called up Arnav to convey the good news.
Arnav too had been thrilled. "Khushi, let's go out and celebrate this."
"But I am stuck today till 8 Arnie. Have to pitch in for a friend." She sounded apologetic.
"Then we will have a special dinner at home." Arnav was adamant and she accepted. Unknowing to Arnav, Khushi called NK also for the dinner It had been NK who had forwarded her resume to the hotel. And there on she had been called for the interview.
NK was also happy and said it was only expected that Khushi would outshine in her job. NK also said he would pick her up on the way from work since it was nearby. Khushi happily agreed not knowing the consequences her action would bring.
Arnav came home early. Nani had started the preparations since Khushi had already told her. Nani prepared Khushi's favorite jelabis and she also had her other favorite dishes including gol gappas.
Arnav had got a congratulatory cake. He got ready and came down to see Khushi and NK come in together. Arnav frowned slightly. He didn't invite NK; so where did he come from? Khushi saw his confusion and answered his unspoken question.
"Arnie, I also invited NK. I know you won't mind. You know Arnie, it was NK who forwarded my resume to the hotel. Thanks to him I am employed today." She finished with a beaming smile, looking at NK all the while.
And that is why Khushi entirely missed the burning jealousy in Arnav's eyes. Arnav was fuming inside with angry thoughts. So it was because of this duffer that Khushi got in. And Khushi is okay with this joker's recommendation but I cannot seek her a job. His thoughts were making him angrier by the second.
Arnav abruptly turned and asked them to come in for the dinner. He was getting the glasses when Khushi and NK sat side by side. Arnav almost broke the glass with his bare hands. He stopped at the last minute and kept the glasses around the table.
They all had the dinner. Nani was enjoying the lively banter between Khushi and NK. She always liked NK's humor. Nani noticed Arnav brooding. "Chote, what is the matter? Why are you so silent?"
Khushi and NK looked at him as Nani asked. They both looked at him expectantly. Arnav said he was thinking about work and continued to eat. He was too angry to look at Khushi. Khushi replied with a pout "Arnie, you wanted to have this dinner and you're thinking about work?"
Arnav then got up and got the cake since they had all completed the main course and were awaiting dessert. He got the beautiful chocolate caramel cake with the words Congratulations Khushi written on the cake. Khushi was overjoyed seeing the pains Arnav had gone to. She went up to him and hugged him. "Thank you Arnie."
Arnav just smiled and handed the knife to her. Khushi cut the cake and gave him a piece. She also fed the cake to Nani and NK. Arnav's body stiffened at her gesture towards NK. His patience was being tested and he was almost burning with rage.
Throughout dinner he could hardly stand Khushi laugh and tease NK. She never seemed to be this happy or relaxed with him ever since his return. That really pained him. Why was Khushi not this easy with him? Why NK?
By then HP cleared the table and they all left to the living room. Khushi sat on the couch was checking her phone. NK said he was getting late and that he wanted to leave. Arnav said his bye while Khushi went with him to the door. Arnav stood a few feet away from them. He saw NK say something to Khushi and she laughed out loud.
They quickly bade goodbye to eachother and NK gave Khushi a hug. She smiled and waved to him after that. Arnav's control snapped at the hug. He didn't even wait for NK to turn around. Arnav quickly grabbed Khushi's hand and dragged her upstairs.
"Arnav, Arnav where are you taking me? You're hurting me." She was trying to get out of his hold but it didn't work. Arnav pulled her to his room and pushed her in. He got in behind her and closed the door with a thud.
Khushi was frightened to see Arnav this angry. She was praying to her Devi Maiya to protect her. Gathering all her courage, Khushi asked him in a tight voice "Why are you behaving like this Arnav? What's wrong with you?"
Arnav pushed her to the wall and came on to her with brutal force. He held her wrists by her head and didn't allow Khushi to move. All his anger, jealousy, and frustration was swimming in his face. "What's wrong with me? You ask me what's wrong? Actually it is you, Khushi Kumari Gupta."
"You and that joker NK. How dare he come near you. How dare he touch you?"
"But..Arnav.he never...it's not what you think." Khushi was shocked at his jealousy. She never thought Arnav would misunderstand her friendship with NK.
Arnav interrupted her rudely as if she never spoke. "How can you allow him to touch what's mine Khushi? He had the nerve to hug you in front of me. And you were happily smiling back at him."
Arnav was rapidly losing the last remnants of control. He leaned on to her and slammed his mouth hard on hers. Khushi was too scared to respond. She had never seen Arnav like this. She knew he had a temper but he had never unleashed it on her completely. Khushi stood immobile, like a statue. She was too shocked to respond to the hard mouth that was crushing on hers.
Arnav wanted and forcefully demanded an entry into her mouth. Arnav's lips bit Khushi's lower lip and his hands went tightened around her wrists. Khushi tried to move her face but he didn't let her. When she did not have the strength to fight anymore, she sagged on him, completely drained. And her mouth parted a little to take some air.
Arnav deepened the kiss immediately. She made a choked sound as if he was still hurting her. Arnav heard that sound and softened at the next instant. His hands left her wrists and crept around her slim body. He fused her body to his while his tongue penetrated her mouth. Khushi lost her senses completely in the sensual cocoon that Arnav was weaving around her.
Both of them forgot their fight and NK. Khushi was still in her formal shirt and pant that she wore to work. Arnav tugged at her clasp and made her hair fall straight down to her waist. He caught her hair and pulled her head back. Her long, swan like neck was exposed to his hungry eyes.
Arnav licked at the base of her throat. Khushi immediately swallowed. She didn't even have the strength to make a protest or a sound. Khushi was drugged by his deep kisses and electrifying caresses.
Arnav slowly started opening the buttons on her shirt. Khushi felt him tugging her buttons. When the third one opened, she stopped him with her hand. Arnav looked at her with his desire filled eyes. Khushi nodded no. She was scared both of them won't be able to stop.
Arnav nuzzled the side of her neck. "Allow me Khushi. I am dying to be with you." His husky voice was urgent and pleading. Arnav didn't allow her to react. In the moonlight lit room, he carried her to his bed and placed her with minimum fuss. Before Khushi could protest, he came on top of her like a hungry animal.
Khushi felt the blush creeping up her neck. She had never done all this. It was new and exciting. Yet she felt an uneasiness, as if she shouldn't be giving him all the rights right away. Arnav's mouth kissed her collarbone, while his hands were busy unbuttoning the remaining buttons in her shirt. He parted her shirt at last and held her by the waist.
Khushi closed her eyes and arched up to him. She knew he was as affected as she was. She felt his hard on and gasped out loud. He unclasped her inner wear and his eyes feasted on her bare skin. She looked like an angel that had descended from heaven. Khushi felt his gaze on her and covered herself with her arms.
He held her wrists quickly. "Don't! You're so beautiful. Never hide something so beautiful." His voice was barely audible above her thunderous heart. His head descended and was about to capture a peak when her phone rang loudly and clearly in the room.
Both of them were startled when they heard the sound. Khushi immediately grabbed a sheet and wore it around herself. She was burning with embarrassment and was cursing herself for going too far too soon.
Arnav took the phone but by then whoever called cut the phone. Khushi was trembling and was still not looking at Arnav. She was frantically searching for her clothes. Again Arnav picked both and gave it to her. Khushi crept into the washroom and came back properly dressed.
Arnav was facing the pool side door when she came out. He turned on hearing her come out. Arnav had put on the light by then. He could see she was clearly feeling bad and scared by what happened. Arnav went to her and held her chin. "Khushi don't feel bad. Please."
She still didn't look at him. "Sorry Khushi. If you felt bad I will never come near you again." He sounded totally dejected at that possibility. Khushi spoke haltingly.
"Arnie..I've...have never felt this way. I can't seem to stop if you start. Had that phone not rung on time..." She bit her lip in pain and looked down.
"So what Khushi? We would have made love." His voice was gentle.
Khushi was totally angered at his reply. "How dare you say it so coolly. You may have had innumerable girl friends Arnav but I am not like that. Don't you dare paint me with the same brush. I believe in the sanctity of marriage and I would like to preserve my virtue for my husband. Don't speak to me like this ever again."
"And how dare you accuse me of flirting with NK? He is just a friend. And what rights have you got to say that to me?"
"I have every right." He was back to being aggressive. "If you believed in marriage and your so called virtue, why did you allow me to kiss you and touch you Khushi?" Arnav spoke in anger and jealousy. He knew he was going to regret it later.
Khushi looked at him with tears in her eyes. She never thought her Arnie would say such things to her. Khushi was hurt and she whispered "I made only one grave mistake Arnie, the mistake of falling in love with you." With that painful statement, Khushi fled from Arnav's room into hers.
Arnav was stunned by her declaration. He felt happy that she loved him but he felt extremely bad that it had come out in a wrong situation at a wrong timing. How was he ever going to convince her now?
CID
59