The next morning, Arnav woke up with Khushi's
face buried in his neck and her soft body up against his, with her arm strewn
across his chest. Her hair covered her face, and her soft breath was fanning
his neck. He brushed her hair away from her face and saw the peaceful smile on
her lips, and it took a lot for him to control himself from pressing his lips
into hers. Then, within seconds, the actions of the previous night came
flooding back like a typhoon. "Oh hell." He groaned sliding out from under her
and sitting on the side of the bed with his head in his hands. The Guptas, both
her Dad and Rohan, were going to kill him without any regret! He turned and
looked at the thoroughly sated woman sleeping in bed and felt another wave of
anguish. He couldn't possibly fix this.
He stood up and went to the shower. He
couldn't think straight with her naked body next to his. Turning on the taps,
he stepped in and allowed the water to pour over his body as he ducked his head
and allowed it to stream down his back. Why didn't he stop before he went too
far? He knew the answer to that already. He couldn't stop. Maybe it was the
romantic weather of the island and the several glasses of scotch he had before he
went to the room. It didn't help that she'd been drinking either, but it wasn't
a very good excuse. Regardless, it seemed to strip away his common sense when
he saw her in that flimsy scrap of a night suit. From that point on, nothing
else existed but Khushi. The previous night was the best night of his entire
thirty years. But he could not deny the fact that he had corrupted her
innocence and had taken away from her something that she valued all her life. He
tipped his face up to the pouring water. He imagined the betrayed look on the
face of her Dad, who trusted him like he would trust his own son. And
regardless of the pleasure he had last night, the guilt washed it away. He had
made his decision. After they got back to Delhi, he would get married to her
within a time of few hours. He did not care about lavish weddings. All that
concerned him was Khushi and her happiness. He would talk to her about it and
would convince her Dad too. Getting out of the shower he reached for a towel
and swore to himself. Khushi didn't deserve this rushed decision of the
wedding, but it had to be done. His conscience pricked him for touching her
immorally, and he could not fix things, but he would definitely make it up to
her.
Khushi awoke alone and felt her cheeks
heat up with the images flooding back in her mind from the night before. She
never realized that a man and a woman could share such pleasure. Turning her
head, she wished he was still with her as she surveyed the cold, empty area
beside her. Why did he feel the need to leave before she woke up? Climbing out
of bed she headed for the shower. Most likely he was out on the front porch, enjoying
the glorious Grecian sun and breakfast with Antonio. She knew that they'd be heading
back to Delhi in a few hours. Something she didn't look forward to. For some odd
reason, she feared that her perfect fairytale would end soon.
She finished showering and chose a pink
blouse, white cotton shorts and sandals. Then she spent some extra time on her
hair and some minimal makeup. About an hour later, she found Antonio and Arnav
on the front porch of the farmhouse talking, and they both stood up as she
approached. She gave them both a glorious smile, but only Antonio returned it. Arnav
leaned over and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek completely opposite of his morning
greeting the day before. She examined his expression and felt a knot in her
stomach at the coolness of his attitude. All sorts of things began to fill her
head, but only one hit her hard. Her lungs hurt when realization dawned on her.
She obviously was a disappointment to him in bed and now that he knew that, he
was done with her. He had used her just like he used numerous girls previously,
and now that she had not satisfied him, he decided to part ways with her, but
was thinking of a way to break the news to her. The way he avoided looking into
her eyes told her all. It hurt her horribly, but she did her best to not show
it and remained silent through the meal. Nausea built up in the pit of her
stomach and she couldn't even find it in her to eat the delicious buffet set
out for them. She only moved food around on her plate. Unfortunately Antonio
seemed to notice the change in her and she saw his eyes glance back and forth
between them a couple of times.
Khushi felt her lungs burn as she
breathed. This was what heartbreak felt like and she hated it that she gave
herself to him. For her, it was the most spectacular feeling when she became
one with him. But for him, it must have been a disgusting one, especially when
he was used to experienced women. And it didn't matter anymore. Today they
would head home to Delhi and they would resume their normal routines. If this
moment was an indicator, she was sure that he would never touch her again. A part
of her died inside over that thought.
It wasn't long after that they said
their goodbye's and the helicopter took them straight to the airport. None of
them spoke a word. Guilt was eating Arnav, and Khushi assumed it to be
disappointment. Once aboard the plane, Khushi removed the ring from her finger
and handed it back to Arnav. "I guess I don't need this anymore." Finally he
centered his gaze on her with a flicker of emotion while she placed it in his
hand. "I did have a great time with you in Greece, Khushi" he said. He meant to
tell her that last night was the most unforgettable night for him, since it was
the first time he learned of how it was supposed to feel when one unites with
the love of his life. But somehow, the meaning of those words came out wrong.
He took a deep breath, knowing that he
was hurting her with his cold attitude. "Khushi, what happened last night..."
"I don't want to discuss about that Arnav" She said, hiding her face from his
gaze. "I cannot discuss anything Arnav. And please don't tell Dad or Rohan that
we've decided to part ways..." "Khushi, listen to..." She raised her hand in
his direction, without looking at his face. "Please promise me you will not
tell anything to anyone. I just want to move on with my life, and believe that
last night was just a dream. I'm sorry I disappointed you" To say that Arnav
was shocked would be such an underestimation. "Disappointed? What the hell are
you talking about Khushi?" he said incredulously. "Just forget it Arnav.
Please." She said, feeling embarrassed
that she was reminding him about the night, which was perhaps the worst for
him.
Arnav felt his heart ripped into pieces
at what she thought. "No, I won't. Do you think that's what's going on? That
you disappointed me? Good lord Khushi, that's the furthest thing from the
truth." He never even considered that his aloofness towards her would be
interpreted in such a way. Now he felt like a complete bas***d. In truth, he
should have known better, she was inexperienced and naive, and despite what
they shared, she still was innocent. "Arnav, please just stop!" She pleaded,
and he noticed her eyes were teary. "You should let me explain, Khushi." He
said wincing inwardly seeing her pain. "I don't want to talk about it. When we
get back to Delhi, we'll get on with our lives as if nothing has happened.
Eventually, I'll tell Dad and Rohan that over time, we realized we were never
meant to be." Her soul felt like it had shattered when she said those words,
but she put on her bravest face. "It's what I want, Arnav." she continued not
looking him in the eyes, for she feared that he'd see how hurt she was. But he
already knew the damage he caused and her statement, though he agreed, cut him
to the core. He'd promised Shashi Gupta that he'd take care of her, but he
miserably failed. He got involved with her too early and he had to correct it. At
the moment, he knew there was no point in convincing her. She had made up her
mind. He had to wait till she was in a mood to communicate, and he'd wait. He
was already paying the price of not waiting for her till marriage, and he did
not want to lose her. He knew their love was strong enough and that she would
come back to him. It was only a matter of few hours till she would come around.
"Alright, if that's what you wish." Although he said the words, they were the
hardest thing he ever had to say.
The private jet landed at the airport
and as hard as it was for them, they chose not to say a word. Both of them came
out and headed towards the parking lot. "My driver is here. He'll drop you home
first." Arnav said, and when she was about to protest, he just asked her not to
argue. She was surprised at herself that she was taking orders from him. He
just happened to command that respect and no one could say No to him. "Who could know better than you? You too did
not say No to him last night. Oh wait. He wasn't the one. You were the one that
begged him to screw you" The annoying voice in her head told her. She felt
hurt at the bitter truth. He did not want to touch her. He always found some
excuse or the other to stay away. But last night, it was she who invited him to
touch her. And he just obliged to her pleading, just as any normal man would. She
made love, whereas he just screwed her to satisfy his primal need. She now felt
ashamed of herself. She let out a shivering breath to hold back her tears. Her
heart was now officially stabbed with a wooden stake.
Just when she nodded her head at his
proposition of having her dropped first, and proceeded to follow him, both of
them heard a voice. "Arnav... Baby" She called out as she threw herself in his
arms. And just like that, she pressed her mouth into his. Arnav was too shocked
to even react. What was she even doing here? He wanted to push her away, but
she had wound her arms round his neck and head, pulling him towards herself. Khushi
felt a fresh pain engulf her. She thought she was special to him. But he
treated her too like others. Khushi stood rooted to the ground, watching the
woman kiss her Arnav so intimately. Her Arnav? Did she even have any right to
call him hers? She felt nauseous when she saw them intimate in public.
Finally, Arnav was able to push the
woman away. "Priyanka? What are you doing here?" He asked her in a dry tone, as
though that public display did not matter to him at all. Khushi looked at the
woman and then at Arnav. So Arnav did know her! Her already broken heart just
shattered into furthermore pieces. Priyanka was one of the numerous women Arnav
had slept with! It was evident with the way she pasted herself to him. "Darling!"
she traced her finger on his cheek, "I heard that you were coming back today.
I've been waiting for you since two days, and even went to your house. I wanted
to, you know, spend a little time with you" she said with a wink.
Simultaneously, her eyes raked over Khushi's form in obvious contempt before
she released a casual smile, trying to convey that she was no challenge at all.
Arnav noticed Priyanka's reaction and clenched his jaw. But before he could say
anything in Khushi's defence, she poked her finger into his chest in a seductive
manner and said, "Arnav dearest, isn't this your P.A.?" "No she is my fiance" is what Arnav wanted to say, but Khushi spoke
on his behalf. "No, I don't work there anymore. This trip was my last. I have
nothing to do with the Raizada's anymore" She said. Then looking at Arnav, she stared
into his eyes with pure hurt. Arnav could see her eyes glistening, and it
pierced his entire being to see her so shattered. She turned her heel to leave,
but Arnav called out to her telling her that he would drop her home. "I see you
have company, Sir" She said without
turning to face him, stressing on her formal addressal. "I'll take a taxi.
Thank you." She said and continued to walk, ignoring her name being called out
by him.
He looked at Priyanka, who only shrugged
her shoulders at him and entered into his car. He looked up to the skies. If
there was someone up there, He was playing a very cruel joke on him. The driver
loaded his luggage in the car and Arnav got inside. Arnav was the last person
to publicise his private life. He wanted to confront Priyanka as to what that
was all about. He told the driver not to start the car, and to wait in the
parking lot, to which the driver obeyed. Then, he drew up the partition between
them and the driver, and looked at her, expecting her to explain herself.
"How does it feel Arnav?" she asked with
a cool smile, "To have your heart broken?" Arnav released a deep breath. "I
understand you think you know." Arnav answered with his expression unreadable,
"But you'd have to have a heart in that cold blooded body of yours to
experience such a thing." She released an indignant huff and got off the car. At
least she got her digs in to the younger beautiful woman that Arnav had set his
sights on. She'd seen the devastation cross Khushi's expression when she kissed
Arnav. He'd tried shoving her away from him, but she did not notice that. And
by the time Arnav recovered from the shock, that younger woman had already
left. "Now let him try and repair that
damage." Priyanka thought to herself.
Khushi hugged herself as she leaned
against the door of the cab. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she felt like
a thousand needles were pricking her. The pain was unbearable. She felt like
her heart would explode any minute, unable to bear so much of pain. After all,
how much pain could that tiny blood-pumping mass of flesh endure! She took a
deep breath and told herself to calm down. But how the hell could she calm
down? She gave herself to him, the one man she loved with all her existence.
And he walked on her heart, crushing it to pieces. She recalled the memories of
the night. It was precious to her. She would never forget it. Even if she had
the choice to go back in time and change things, she would never undo that one
night. She cherished the feeling of being so intimately close to him. Sadly,
not all love stories are complete. Some love stories remain incomplete too,
just like hers. Her phone buzzed, flashing Arnav's name. She was in no mood to
listen to him. He would convince her and she knew she would fall for his sweet
words. She recollected his cold expression towards her in the morning. That
said it all. She waited till the call ended and then switched off her phone.
She needed some time to get over the fact that he was done with her. Closing
her eyes, she let those last drops of tears wash her cheeks. She had to get rid
of that disastrous feeling before she reached home and faced her Dad's
inquisitive eyes.
Those who do not remember the mention of
priyanka in an earlier update, can have a look at
Part
Nine again...
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