Once they reached home, Khushi was still clutching onto hopes that her Babuji would not give her the permission to attend the party, that too at night. But it seems destiny had already decided that for her, when Shashi clearly expressed that since it was Aman's party, it would be wrong to refuse. It was the same Aman and his same family who had not even uttered a rude word when they had learnt about Khushi loving someone else.
And whether Shashi would admit it or not, he had unknowingly slowly grown fond of Arnav and knew that he would take care of his bitiyaan. Actually, the whole family was rejoicing over the fact that Khushi would be going out, since she was always drowned in her work, which kind of limited her social life.
Khushi sought her Payal jiji's help to wear the saree, and thought of telling her truth concerning the fact that Arnav was just her assistant. They had always shared every single little secret and Khushi clearly knew that she could always count on her whenever she would need help and support.
"Jiji, I need to tell you something!" Khushi told, while Payal was busy concentrating in helping Khushi drape the saree.
"Yes Khushi, I am listening!" Payal said, making sure that her Khushi looked the most beautiful in tonight's party.
"Arnav.." Khushi started to say when Payal interrupted her and said: "Khushi, you are very lucky to have Arnav in your life! He is a pure gem…did you see how rapidly he is creating his place in this family, how he cares for each and every one…I am so happy for you! You know being your elder sister, I wish the best for you and I was somewhat scared that you might not find the one who would shower you with love and happiness! But now that Arnav has entered your life, I have no reasons to worry!"
In the instance of a millisecond, flashbacks of Arnav preparing breakfast, consoling Pari, preventing herself from falling, touching her cheek,….ran through her mind, and she felt her heart unreasonably expand with joy.
"You are finally ready Khushi! You are looking so pretty!" Payal said, while putting a black tikka dot on the side of her neck.
Arnav was pacing in front of her room, waiting impatiently to see her in a saree. When the door opened, it seemed the world opened to him and he felt his heart skip a beat. Arnav microscopically scrutinised the figure that was right in front of him, from toe to head. How could anyone look so beautiful, he thought.
Her black silky hair seemed to call him to run his fingers though those tresses; her eyes framed by long lashes darkened by kohl bewitched him; and the most characteristic feature of her beauty was undoubtedly the poise with which she was wearing the saree – a red saree – his favourite colour – the colour of love. For nothing, he would want to stop staring at her, and Khushi awkwardly felt Arnav's looks all over her. Arnav didn't know what prevented him from telling Khushi how beautiful she was looking; maybe it was just the nervousness of saying something stupid in front of the woman who was gaining control over his heart day by day.
"Shall we go?" Khushi asked to break the silence, "The sooner we come back, the better it is! I don't like parties!"
Thirty minutes later, they had reached destination, and Arnav made it a must to reassure Khushi before entering.
"Khushi, I know that you don't like to socialise so much…even at the office, you never came to any party! But there is no reason to be nervous about meeting people, and enjoying youself! Sometimes I feel that you give so much importance to your work that you have actually forgotten that you have a personal life and that you have every right to enjoy! Just chill Khushi – appreciate the pleasures of life!" Arnav said smilingly.
"How do you do that?" Khushi asked.
"Do what?" Arnav asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Just being you and living life! And knowing how to say the right things at the right moment!" Khushi let out, waiting for an answer from him.
But the answer never came, instead she heard a squeaky voice shouting "Arnav, you are here!", quickly followed by a girl in her twenties, wearing an ultra backless saree, approaching them. To say it was a saree would be a shame to the word saree, it was more like a piece of chiffon that she had draped around her exposing body. The moment Khushi saw her, she had the feeling she wouldn't like her much and this fact was just reiterated when she noticed her planting a kiss on Arnav's cheek. Khushi felt repulsed by Lavanya's free spirit.
"Lavanya?" Arnav said, feeling slightly embarrassed to have been kissed in front of Khushi, and he quickly wiped the lipstick mark.
"Hi Arnav! I am so happy to see you here!" Lavanya said enthusiastically.
"Hi Lavanya…meet Khushi! She is…"Arnav said, when Aman continued "Her girlfriend"
Lavanya gave Khushi a side look, hardly acknowledging her presence when she forcefully took Arnav's hand and brought him inside the hall. Arnav turned around and saw Khushi quietly following them. A series of greetings and hugs among friends followed, and Khushi was introduced to Arnav's circle of friends, much to Lavanya's displeasure. Not for once did Arnav leave Khushi alone knowing that for starters, it was her first party and secondly, she was in a place where she knew no one apart from him.
"All couples on the dance floor" Aman voiced in the mike.
With the effervescent atmosphere prevailing, Arnav suddenly felt someone pushing him against Khushi, and he spontaneously extended his hand towards her, asking her for a dance. Khushi had no time to react when Aman sped up the process and led her to place her hand in Arnav's. Clasping Khushi's right hand in his left, Arnav lifted it slightly and guided her onto the floor, where couples had already started to dance following the flow of the music.
They were only two feet away, with Arnav placing one hand on Khushi's right hip and holding her hand, which provided her with a weird, yet beautiful sensation. Arnav had felt her silky and creamy skin that was exposed due to the saree she was wearing, and he was totally besotted by her. Khushi had spontaneously placed her hand on Arnav's shoulder for the dance to be as smooth as possible. Arnav gave a quick glance at his shoulder and inwardly rejoiced at Khushi holding him.
With 'Teri Meri' echoing throughout the hall, Arnav did not realise when his other hand had slowly reached Khushi's left hip and Khushi had flung both arms around Arnav's neck. Other couples were following the rhythm of the music while Arnav and Khushi seemed to follow the rhythm of their emotions. The distance had been further bridged and they were now only one foot away, both looking into each other's eyes like never before, hardly blinking. The pair of molten brown eyes that were drowning into Khushi's eyes was so endearing that she couldn't break the eye lock.
Thud thud thud thud thud…Her heart had never beaten so fast! Yes, she, Khushi Kumari Gupta, was for the first time experiencing thousands of butterflies flustering in her stomach and she could hear her own heart beat at a pace that was equivalent to an Olympics running race. Her breath was gaining intensity and each time she felt Arnav's grip on her hips strengthening, her heartbeats were gaining speed. For a moment, she asked herself the question whether Arnav could hear her heartbeats, but then gave herself a mental shake.
Suddenly, she felt Arnav slowly removing his hands from her, and realised that the music had ended, that the dance had ended. She didn't want it to end... she wanted it to go on for some more time or maybe forever… she felt so peaceful surrounded by those strong hands…she felt so beautiful in his eyes… Her arms were still around Arnav's neck, when he asked her if she was okay. She immediately moved her arms away, still dwelling on the magical moment that had just happened.
"Khushi, we can go now if you want!" Arnav let out, sensing that Khushi looked disturbed.
Khushi was about to reply when she heard a voice approaching them.
"Come on, Arnav! You have just come and you are talking of going!" Lavanya said, holding Arnav's arm from underneath. "We have not seen each other for so long…stay a little bit more please! I am sure Khushi won't mind, right Khushi?"
Khushi noticed a glint of cynicism in Lavanya's tone, and Lavanya did not even wait for her answer before escorting Arnav to the dance floor. Arnav glanced at Khushi from time to time, but Lavanya made it a point to divert his mind by constantly talking to him. Standing afar all alone, Khushi kept looking at them… at the way Lavanya was slowly getting closer to Arnav…at the way she was getting all glued to him…
Was her blood actually heating up at seeing a girl cropping up from nowhere and getting cosy with Arnav or did it just feel that way? Khushi tried to keep herself under control but matters got worse when she heard some people here and there praising how good Arnav and Lavanya looked together and how a unique couple they would have formed. Why was it affecting her so much…to the extent that she felt a lone tear rolling down her cheek? She had never been weak and never intended to in the future, but right now she felt quite miserable. She quickly wiped her tear that she was stunned to find when she saw Lavanya heading towards her, leaving Arnav talking to Aman.
"You know I would never have thought that Arnav would love someone like you…I mean, no offense huh, but you look so stiff, so different from what my Arnav would like?"
Did she just say my Arnav? How and when did he become her Arnav? If it was her office, she would have been fired within a second.
"Well I guess Arnav is getting used to bad habits, very bad habits. Anyway, it's his life! " Lavanya said, lifting her glass.
Did the cat eat your tongue Khushi? Will you please shut this bimbo up?
Khushi just quickly finished her drink, unaware that it was not her ordered fruit juice, but a malicious attempt at making her lose face in the party.
PRECAP
"Why are we leaving so quickly? I will show her who Khushi Kumari Gupta is, … that b****" Khushi told Arnav, who was holding her shoulders and helping her to walk.
"Ssshhh, quiet Khushi!" Arnav let out, while Khushi immediately brought her finger to her lip, still walking in an unbalanced manner.
Staring at the childishness that the intoxication had awakened in her, Arnav gently lifted her up in his arms, and bought her to the car while Khushi clutched his collar tight.
This update is dedicated to Shreya, Chandana, ARSHI-FAN11, Omoraboti and Sona! I hope you have enjoyed the jealous Khushi!!!😆
NOTE: I have realised, quite late😆, that I don't even know the names of some of you! So would you please write your name after finishing your comment, pretty please! 😳 Thank you!!! 😃
Likes and comments please!!!😳
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