Arjun walked in the lobby with long strides unaware of the eyes that was waiting for him at the end of it.
"Sir.!"
He stilled at the voice . the memory of the owner kept him awake the whole night . he would crush the pillow with his chest but the comfort would be missing.
He shut his eyes for a fraction of second to control the frenzied thoughts and turned to present the most suave teacher of the earth.
"Hello geet !" he spoke in a calm tone.
"So how's your preparations going ! hope you don't plan to submit the blank paper again ?You did prepare ..didnt you ?"
Geet flinched .for a second she didn't know what was she here for . her eyes widened at the way he spoke without slightest recognition in his voice of what they shared.
he chuckled at her startled face and then said " internal exams ..?starting from this Monday! does that ring a bell?"
Geet didn't know what she would say.she realized she hadn't thought of any excuse to come to him.So she repeated dumbly
" internal exams from Monday!!"
"Yes ! all the best then ." arjun gave her a thin smile and nodding he turned to walk forward.
As geet saw him walk away she knew she had to stop him. break this wall and know what was in it.
"Would not you help me preparing ..?"
The determination in her question scared arjun.. it seemed like she had different question in her mind without having the answer of which she wouldn't buzz.Geet was too straight forward for her own good..he knew that about her.
"I believe you should study alone .that would be much productive at the eleventh hour .but one thing if you need any reference book name it I would bring it to you , um tomorrow at college.."
Arjun replied implying avoidance.
study alone ? bring it to college ?
There was an awkward silence despite hundreds of students were around them .nothing reached them. absolutely nothing.
He felt her doe eyes were laughing at his guts.!
Why couldn't he just tell her..remind her of the soiled past.
It was not the anger that hindered it .but it was this fear in his subconscious ..fear of rejection all over again.
"Hope you don't have to hide behind any excuse this time! Submitting blank paper again."
He spoke with a dry sarcasm ..though he didn't understand whom he was mocking at ?geet or himself.
"I don't have to sir. ..thank you ..!" she spoke as calmly he did.
Throwing the words geet walked away .
The day after when he was giving a last minute discussion over a chapter that would come in the exam , every students were jotting down whatever he said. Every student but geet . she sat leaning back staring at him.
he continued lecture even though he had felt her eyes on him challenging him ,reprimanded himself for the want to just once look at her..but it was drawing his whole existence towards her.
Finally resigned he looked up from the piece of paper he was lecturing from and faced her.
Time stopped at that moment.
It was in her eyes that kept him tied ..crippling down the
walls that he had built for years ..his own heart betrayed him. She had made
him suffer, She didn't remember the person she shouldn't forget .she had cost
him so much. .yet there she was.doe eyes as
innocent as ever .questioning him.
He couldn't tear off..
The class started to mutter ..they were looking back and forth between the teacher and the student .
Some started clearing throats , some of them were enjoying the situation. Thankfully vikas was not there to add fuel..
arjun knew he shouldn't ..but just couldn't ..
Sir? dia's voice forced him to tear the gaze and look at the
class who had an amused expression .
He had forced a smile and resumed what he was saying . but.the bell rang soon . freeing both of them from the misery .
After the class arjun thought geet would stop and try to talk to him.but she did no such thing .in stead she picked up her bag and walked out .
Geet was mad.she tried hard to forget the life altering almost kiss they shared.but his reluctance and clear avoidance was a huge blow to her ego.
she was geet ..every slip of a boy sought excuses just to talk to
her once..but there was that ..arjun singh khurana was no common male.
enigmatic my foot !
monster ! that he is !
She wouldn't talk to him ever again ..no matter how it hurts. She would not ask him for any help. She had promised herself .
But that day when he looked up from the papers and
looked at her ..she
couldn't breathe.no matter how unfazed she represented herself .but only
she had known
how she had trembled from within .
She was more mad at herself. how the hell he still get to affect her.
mortified at the direct refusal she discarded everything saying that was a fleeting moment of passion .it happens .and it has happened .and it was over now .that's it ! With that she closed the book of arjun in her life . it was just Prof khurana from now on .
She was determined to get sleep tonight .not to think or dream about anyone. .life was too practical to dream. Losing parents at young age she knew that in hard way .
***
It was the Sunday afternoon she was studying in her own room. not trying to think about what happened earlier that day as in breakfast girls were pulling her leg about the last day's supposed staring contest they shared in class.
Geet had fought the urge to yell on the top of her lungs "shut up ! " to the giggling stupid girls who had no idea what she was going through . But in stead she just smeared butter on the toast with that aloofness plastered on her face.
Sunanda entered the room excited .!
"Hey geet ..wassap girl ..?offho '! You are still studying ! give it a rest
will you ?"
Geet gave her a small smile and put down the pen from her hand .If only sunanda knew it was the studies that could keep her distracted at that moment !
"Whats cooking in your evil brain. why are not you studying ?" she had asked in stead .
"dont you know last batch had organized a reunion party ." she made herself cozy in her bed.
"I know . but why are you excited.its only their batch is invited."
"Of ho 'which world do you live in .!" she huffed.
"This I guess! " Geet said amused by her sudden enthusiasm.
sunanda made a face and continued "well they had a problem about the venue and union helped them with it ."
"I know .i did it ."
"Oh ..! then what you don't know that they invited a selected few of us as a thank you ..chal na ..lets go .we would get a change !"
"Have you lost it ?tomorrow's exam ."
" Ofho yaar .you are such a bore. for just 1 hour .as far I know you have completed revision already . dia would be there too .dont you worry .!! " she winked at her "and moreover what would you do by studying more..after you complete your studies your grand pa's gonna marry you off to some rayis jada khandani .where you wouldn't need to work moreover he would allow you to.have you forgotten what a drama happened when you asked to study at delhi .he didn't even let you go out of ur house "
"Shut up sunanda ". She barked tightening her grip around the
pen .. though she knew every bit of which is true. sunanda remain unpurturbed as she knew her quite well to know where her words had hit.
"Don't let your anger get the best of you ..chill out geet ..and come with us.The invitation is for your sake.if you wouldn't go we wouldn't be able to .it would be fun . I have never went to a reunion party before .i heard they have most exquisite arrangements..please yaar chal na..whole night is there to study ."
Sighing geet put down the pen for good. its okay she guessed.they would comeback within eight and study the whole night .
Moreover she needed it she was doing all nighters for last 5 days. She deserved a break .
***
The venue was decorated eloquently by silver and white exotic art-pieces.flowers like orchids and lilies assorted neatly in magnificent bouquets .fairy lights designed in a manner
giving it a beautiful ambience. silver and shiny balloons curled up here and
there. dressed butlers wandering with platter of foods and drinks.
Senior students scattered around everywhere discussing about future ,present and past . some looked contented , some dissatisfied at how their career rolled . some excited at the new ventures of their lives..
at a corner there was a small bar .and opposite to it end a dance floor next to the DJ stand . everybody was either eating or talking holding a sleek glass between their fingers ,twirling it .
Geet watched everything from a corner with her lazy gaze wandering around .her eyes finally stopping on a form standing facing the back to her.
she had no problem recognizing the figure even if it wasn't facing her .The last man she wanted to see this evening !
But what was he doing here ? he didn't even teach this batch !
Like I care '! She muttered under her breath . and picked a juice from a waiter.
At that moment the lights dimmed and music changed to a popular dance number..
"have a dance " .vikas spread his hand out .
another time geet would have briskly refused . but not that day . she glanced at arjun who was talking to a group of people oblivious to her presence.Nodding she put her own on his palm. Vikas failed to notice her clenched teeth on which a smile was plastered .
As geet and vikas made their way to the dance floor arjun's body stiffened .
Boy was she so wrong about him not noticing her ..?
Of course he had seen her .he had seen well.and pretended not to.
He couldn't help but stare at her ..dancing fluidly in the crowded floor . the way her pink and white calf length dress flared with each dance step . ..her long hair bellowed behind her .
Vikas had held her by waist and she was dancing fanatically .
His hands on her waist .
His hands on her body '.
arjun couldn't think coherently . He had this desperate urge to throttle vikas then and there. how dare he?
He chugged down the liquid of the glass he was holding.
he was mad ..so mad that he felt like hauling her out of it .fury seeped through his vein .
every fibre of his body coiled like about to pounce on
vikas.
A hand on his shoulder felt the tightened muscles ..
"Its just a dance ..!"
Arjun didn't reply to the voice.
"Arjun bhai relax.. please ! " The guy spoke again ..
"so much more it takes to be affect me satya ..!" arjun said in a dangerously low voice picking up another glass from the waiter passing by.
"Excuse me " with that he bolted not wanting to wait to watch the full show ..
After a few minute geet's cheek's hurt by that extra enthusiastic smile she wore.
She glanced at the corner where she had seen arjun standing
.he wasn't there anymore.why continue the show then?
excusing herself she headed back to search sunanda . she wanted to
leave now exhausted with all of it .
unable to find her she walked to the exit. Sunanda
knows her way back and she had friends with her.
Suddenly a hand grabbed her and jerked her in sideways .She yelped at the pain it caused .
But another hand clasped her mouth tight . she bit on the hand and violently wriggled to free herself when the shadow came forward and fixed her with his own body to the wall behind .
Her senses numbed when the musky woody smell from him silenced her .
You have quite sharp teeth miss geet !
she immediately froze.
She couldn't breath even after he had taken off his hand
from her mouth . his body kept her fixed with the wall shamelessly .The heart pounded in her chest so hard she felt the ribs would break
What are you doing here..?Arjun growled in a low voice.
she just stared at him..throat parched to dry to utter a word. making no effort to get rid of him.
dont you have to study. ? he hissed again
Geet didn't reply . his face was inches away from her . his eyes had an expression that she saw never before for her.
It had jealousy .
It had authority .
It had possessiveness.
It had that strange emotion that was setting fire in her veins.
cat got your tongue ?
he smirked noticing the effect he had on her. Her rose bud mouth slightly parted as if she felt out of breath .for heavens sake stop looking at me that way . his mind screamed fearing he would loose control and swoop down on her and would take those lips in his mouth .
she swallowed to ease.
"Wh...What are You doing here ..?" she asked back slowly regaining her control .
He almost smiled noticing how she let him hold her.much comfortable there are you geet ?
"That's not the answer " He loomed on her.
His moist warm breath fanned on her lips .her skin burned at the intensity of it.
"You are drunk .!"
Geet whispered shocked . but what she was more shocked at that
she was not repulsed. The odour of alcohol mingled with the musky intoxicating
scent of his own .it was arousing her.
"But still in my senses are present .but you clearly lost them."
He didn't tell her that it was her who drove him to the drink . "You should be studying at this hour not dancing !!"
"Why do you care ..?" she hissed . "Now you get to decided whether I should attend a party or not.? Why are YOU here. You don't even know the batch !"
" again that was not the answer " he slowly pulled away from her.
"Tomorrow's exam and I will give it .you don't have to bother."
"Stay away from that boy . friendship with him will cost you !"
"You don't have to worry about that " geet said defiantly. It was his constant change of behaviours that irked her. Switching from cold to hot and all bothered..what did he think of her..he owned her or what?
"Let me go ! " She hissed again .
While he just stared and spoke in a voice so low and so gruff that it resonated within her " I already did ..! " he added after a pause. "a long time ago ..! "
Geet looked down at herself.. He had indeed. She didn't even notice him parting away from her. She stared at him thinking what to make of this?
his thick dark hair fixed sleekly with gel ..the black silk shirt was making him ravishingly handsome.he looked irresistible with his brown eyes simmering at her.
A foot step approached them and stopped behind arjun .geet thanked god they were decent .
"Arjun bhai I was looking for you everywhere . yours key's with me"
Geet shifted her eyes to the man . she knew him .he was the captain of the college cricket team last year .satya awasty .
"Meet satya .my friends brother. He invited me..hope that answers .Arjun spoke not looking away from her ..
"Geet raichanda 2nd year . English hons." he said not looking away from her knowing fully well satya knew her so very well.
She nodded at him trying to smile but failed miserably then ..excused herself from them .
He stared at her retreating form when satya spoke from behind.
"I presume she doesn't recognize you .!"
"Yeah ..!! she has a funny memory !" arjun let out a bitter laugh.
Satya didn't respond . He knew what hurt was hidden under that smile . satya was the son of nayeb of jaminder anant raichand . he had been the one who helped arjun to keep tabs on geet ..he is the one informed arjun of this college ..
Satya knew what arjun went through all these year.he knew what geet had cost him.
***
Geet was walking with eyes fixed up front when arjun grabbed her second time this evening and pulled aside . a car rushed past them in high speed.
"Watch it !!"
"I can take care of myself ..!" she
groaned as she felt her how absently she was walking in the highway .the man drove her crazy .
"are you stalking me now ?"
He didn't respond to her question instead said " ..its late .i will walk you to the hostel."
"i can take care of myself."
But he didn't respond to even that.
***
The last bell rang with a harsh sound breaking arjun from
his reverie ..he didn't know he was staring blank ahead..it was raining
outside.rain always disturbed him.awakening emotions he wanted to avoid all his
life..vulnerability.he hated it.
"Sir. here .." he looked at the voice to find dia holding the answer paper in her hand.
"So how was it'?did your hard work paid off..?"
"i would like to think so".dia grinned .
"Okay party then '!!" arjun replied arranging the papers that students started submitting one by one.
"first you check the paper..then we will party 'all
together . you would give us one .wouldnt you ?"
"Oh ofcourse you deserve a party my dear .!" He forced a enthusiastic smile to her.
Another paper thrust on the table catching their attention ..no word said ..and the student walked out of the class on her heels.
Arjun stared at her retreating form ..unable to gather what dia was saying .
He couldn't remember what exactly happened last night .but he
could remember he dragged her to the alley and hauled her up to himself.
Did he kiss her'..?
oh god ..he was way out of his way .but
if he had ..he regretted it ..not because he did it but because he couldn't remember it .
***
Arjun was counting and arranging the papers in his chamber when a pair of porcelain hands thumped a hard-bind book on the table..
"Your book..!"
With that she bolted out through the door just the way she came in.
"Wait."
"Geet wait."
Arjun shouted from her back to which she paid no head instead she kept on walking through the corridor.
But a hand snaked her arm and pulled inside a closet room .
"I thought I asked you to wait.". he groaned grabbing both her shoulders..
She jerked of his hands and snapped "I didn't hear because i dont want to..!! And stop grabbing me like that .."
He stepped back a little at the hiss of her voice. feared she would throw one of her pointy arrows demanding answers about last night.
But she didn't . she stood still defiantly turning away from him .
Arjun didn't know if he was disappointed that she didn't ask and he
didnt get to know what exactly happened. but something snapped inside of him.
"Like what geet ." he murmured inching close to her..
his mind asked
him to stop ..dont go there.you are not ready.she is not ready ..it
screamed on top his lungs holding back his collar .but he couldnt stop himself.
she didn't respond. If he could see her face he would have seen her eyes misting up
A girl could take this long.!
He noticed at the gap they had.she didn't move away from him ..not an inch. He watched her fuming..she looked more beautiful when she was angry.The lush curves of her body almost trembling in anger.
His heart constricted in his chest.
she was jealous, wasn't she ?
Arjun smiled and touched her arm . the feel of her skin scorched him . the heaving of her body increased as he had touched her . but she didn't shake him away.
"Like what geet..?"
The buttery skin of her long slender neck beckoning him. the tendrils whispering on it was begging for his touch.
blood rushing to his ears..the pheromones driving crazy..
Geet closed her eyes...tears stung in her eyes.
How dare he drive her crazy and not explain a word to her..
she wouldn't respond .she wouldn't turn .she promised herself vehemently as she felt the tug in her arm
The big warm palm on her forearm melting her..she knew it would be a matter of time before she again bent on her knees and let him play her again.
Haan geet..?
His steamy breath was scorching the skin of her nape ..
enough ..!!
She flung his arms away and turned to face him with a jerk. he was shocked to see her tear strained face.
"This..like this" she pointed at his hands those were about to touch her .
"I m tired sir..i m tired of your antics ..i don't know what they mean .i don't know what do you want ., you did the same last night.." ..she groaned in despair . another drop of tear rolled down from her eye.She was tired of his off and on tenderness.
Arjun had never seen her this vulnerable ,shoulders slumped by her side..she looked defeated. Her usual feisty cheery self was shadowed behind this insecurity . he knew he was hurting her..but didn't know it was affecting her this much.
He reached out for her and snaked her waist pulling her to him. his arms confident around her.
She was melting his resolve..he knew it..and he let her.
his mind knew endgame would be severe .but he ignored .the feel of her pliant body in his arms was worth it.
She was too tired to protest ..too confused to feel the
sudden difference of his touch . trying to control the erupting sobs
when she found herself in his strong arms , snaked around her petite waist.
she didn't fight back to free herself .
The embrace was cozy, supporting and warm .She couldn't think straight .it was good to have support .it was good to feel cherished.
"I don't remember a thing about last night.." he spoke hushed..almost acknowledging how sorry he was..
Was he sorry for grabbing her that way ? behaving like he owned her?
she couldn't decipher anything but his arms around her.. they told another
story altogether.they weren't ashamed to lock her up in them .steady and bold.
"Geet ".his gruff voice tentatively took her name..his eyes
were on anything but her eyes. "Did I..um . 'did we ..i mean did anything.."
She was surprised at his faltering voice.
"No'.u didn't .."
Surprised at the intensity of heat in the voice arjun looked up
"You didn't kiss me.."
Arjun singh khurana couldn't decide he would laugh or blush. That was one hell of a girl .!
"Do I hear a complain ?
It was her turn to flush all over..darkest shade of crimson adorned her cheeks.She wiggled hard to get out without replying to him.
But arjun strengthened his grip , pulled her flush to him ..
Let go'...her voice almost sounded like pleading .she knew she was in trouble . the sinewy lips curled in that dangerous smile that left her out of breath.
Arjun shook his head, eyes quirking in mirth ..His face dangerously close to her .But he seemed nonchalant of it..
You'you'.. she tried to hiss' but the anger was muffled by the desire he was infusing in her veins.
Geet struggled for word that seemingly disappeared from her head ..
Haan me..?
You'.! She wiggled her finger at him .
She was about to form successful words when he smiled and it took her breath . eyes gleaming in a passion so intense that momentarily her sense eluded her. she abandoned the
idea of talking or acting smart.
"Is that blush I can see..?Geet raichanda can blush..! oh my .who would have thought ..?"
That was the last straw.
" Arjun ! Let go.. " she pushed him on his chest .
She didn't seem to notice what she uttered.But it
sent thousand volts of current through him . leaving him undone at its wake.
He gazed at her ..his child woman.taking his name like branding him .He had never felt his own name so cherished to his ears.
Suddenly a screeching sound outside not very far from there caught their attention ..
She stilled in his arms.. swiftly he pulled her in a darker corner.both had their eyes locked on the door. But there was not another sound.
Silence prevailed anticipating the next .
Cat '.
he whispered in her ear ..his unimaginatively soft lips brushed in her ears .
Startled she turned her face to him'
As a result his lips burned its way to her cheek .. the contact set them ablaze.
She couldn't speak '..neither could he..Grasping the tantalizing sweet burn at the contact .
his hand enclosed around hers.. picking it up to
his lips he planted a chaste kiss in them. she shivered.and he loved the effect he had on her.
"Say it again."
"W..wh ..what " her voice shaking.his eyes hooded ,blue in desire.
"My name "
She realized her mistake in a flash. "Sir'" she murmured correcting herself
"uhum " he protested ."Say ..! " his voice more of a pleading than a command.
She blushed harder trying to hide herself from his eyes .but a finger on her chin stopped her tilting her face to him.
"a..ar 'arjun' "
his geet moaning his name was the last straw to his self control ..before she could finish stammering his name..her lips were captured in a scorching kiss.
his demanding mouth was like molten lava tinged pure masculinity and hers were bliss and honey ..
a gasp erupted from her throat that died on her lips as
arjun deepened the kiss taking the chance.
he poured out his years of thirst through that kiss.the love he sought for .the love he wanted to rain down on her .there was nothing tender about the kiss. he said it all through that raw passion .
her arms snaked around his neck for support as her knee's gave away ,
but arjun pulled her closer .his raking havoc on
her back . he couldn't get enough of her.
she pulled him closer as he traced the nooks of the darkest
corners of her mouth ..sending her into a whirlpool of emotions..liquid heat
spread through her veins humming his name..her long fingers pulled him clutching at his hairs.
he groaned and pushed her to the wall. she was driving him crazy ..her tentative responses arousing him in ways he didn't think was possible. her breasts crushed on his taut chest .he kissed thirstily claiming her branding her her until they were both out of breath.
He pulled off slowly to witness the look on her face..
She was a sight to his sore eyes.
head thrown back eyes shut tight in heady pleasure..cheeks flushed red..lips swollen from his kiss..bosoms heaving against his chest matching the erratic beating of his own heart ..
God he loved her so much ..waited ..battled so much .here she was stirred by all emotions, aroused, awakened and her arms around his neck locked in iron clasp .
Why were her eyes closed..? He need to look in them..need to know..now !
"Geet look at me"
his thumb caressed the cheek bone..he urged impatient to read her.
Slowly she opened them to find to eager eyes boring in them ..eyes that were bit scared ..a bit content ..a bit unappeased..
"Why are you so mad at me..? all the time..?haan geet ?"
Before arjun could know he had voiced it out loud .
the vulnerability in his voice made her have this strangest urge to sooth him , cradle his face in her palms and reassure him ..all smirk gone from the molten caramel boring into her for something more than just physical.
instead she looked him in the eye..and pulled him closer by his collar..this time unfazed ..and crashed her mouth on his.
Whatever ambiguity arjun had now gone. she was his.. 'only his'
He closed his eyes and kissed back the love of his life.
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