Then You Look At Me – Epilogue

Arnav woke up at the incessant ringing of his cell phone. He took his arm off his wife who lay snuggled into him, her forehead against his bare chest. He leaned over to the side table to pick up the call, when Khushi stirred and muttered in an annoyed tone, “Arnav!!”

Arnav looked at the caller id, and said, “Don’t blame me. It’s YOUR sister!”

“Who happens to be your sister-in-law!!” Khushi muttered before snatching the phone away from him. “Hello, jiji?? Why have you called so early??. . . . . . Oh. . . Its already 10?! We slept late. . . . . Shut up!!. . . . . . Why did you call?. . . . . . . . Yeah???””

Arnav watched as Khushi sat up, pulling the rug around her, to cover her naked form, “YES??!!. . . . Jiji, tell!!!”

And now Arnav sat up too. . . “Oh my god! Oh my GOD!! OH MY GOD!!!” Khushi yelled, as Arnav jerked his head back, and looked at her with wide eyes, as she yelled, “Jiji’s pregnant!!!” and Arnav smiled too, as he asked to talk on the phone. “Hello Payal? Congratulations. Can you put Akash on the line?. . . . . . . Akash?? Congratulations!!. . . . . No.. We’ll be returning soon. . . Yeah. . . . Take care. . . . .”

“Oh, Arnav!! Isn’t that amazing??!” Khushi asked, as she threw herself into his arms. “Hmm. . . .” Arnav replied absentmindedly, and Khushi pulled back to ask him, “Aren’t you happy?? Or maybe you’re jealous of your brother??!!”

“Whaat??! Jealous? Why would I be jealous??” Arnav asked, his mind wondering what his crazy wife was talking about. “I dunno! You’re the one jealous!! You tell me!!” Khushi said, knowing fully well, her banter was irritating her husband.

“Khushi!!” He started as she started giggling, and Arnav stared at her incredulously for a moment before he ran after her, “Laugh at me, will you?? Oh, I’ll show you. . . . . . . . .”

—ooo—

“What is it, child??” Arnav asked as he put a comforting hand around his wife’s shoulder.

“I. . . I have NO idea, Arnav!! I simply feel like crying!!” Khushi said, as she sat on her husband’s lap. It was 1 a.m, and Arnav was so worried as to what had happened to Khushi at this hour of the night. He even started wondering whether he should take her to a doctor when he heard her breathing become more even, telling him that she had fallen asleep. Never in the two years of their marriage had she scared him like this. Her sciatic pain had never come again. And why would it? She never sat in one place for more than a minute, did she Arnav smiled as he leaned against the headboard, and held his wife, close to himself as he drifted off to sleep.

The next day had been the usual, boring one. The same old with a few meetings with the clients, a general board meeting where he yelled at his employees, just for the fun of it!! He went home early too, so that he could spend some time with his wife. But he found her fast asleep. It was her favorite part of day. Twilight. He had thought she’d be sitting near the pool and having tea and pakorays. And here she was, fast asleep, snoring lightly.

He lied down next to her, and stroked her face to make sure she didn’t ave a fever or anything. When he was assured that it wasn’t the case, he kissed her forehead and held her close, wondering what else may be the case. “Arnav???” Khushi opened her eyes and asked him in a groggy voice, knowing fully well that for some ridiculous reason, Arnav loved it when she woke up from sleep. She had always thought she looked hideous when she woke up. Hair all ruffled, eyes puffy, and a groggy voice. But no! Her husband loved her the most when she thought she was at her worst!

Arnav looked into her eyes, his own filled with concern, as he asked, “What’s the matter, child??”

Khushi sat up immediately as if she remembered something. Arnav raised his eyebrows in surprise, as he stared at her. “Arnav. . . . You can’t call me child anymore!!” Khushi’s voice was filled with glee. ‘I thought she liked me calling her a child!!’ Arnav thought, and sighed before he asked, “And why not?”

Khushi put her arms around his neck and pulled herself to him, as he held her by her waist, and frowned a little, curious to know what was going on in his Khushi’s mind now. She bent forward and murmured against his lips, “Because. . . . . . We’ll be having an actual child. . . . . .”

It took a full five seconds for it to actually sink in to Arnav’s mind. He finally pulled her back, and looked at her, so many emotions flitting on his face. Wonder, surprise to an extent of shock, joy, awe, love, and so many more. Khushi put a hand on his cheek and nodded, as if to confirm it.

Arnav gasped her name before he started kissing her, making her feel as if she had bestowed on him, the most precious gift ever!

—ooo—

“Bhai. . . How had you proposed Khushi Di??” Aditya asked, as he marched to and fro in the dining room, where all the other Raizadas were having dinner. Except the youngest Raizada, Aditya. Correct that. The youngest Raizada was Sree, Arnav and Khushi’s 4 year old daughter, who sat on the table, coloring, with her 6 years old cousin Sushanshu.

Arnav tried to brave him up as he said, “Dheeraj se kaam lena.. You can do it..”

“Bhai!! I’m proposing Mya tonight. And you’re worried about some Dheeraj!! Give me some advise, Bhai!!”

Arnav raised his eyebrows and passed a disdainful look as he muttered, “I AM talking about you! You big, big freak!” Sree and Sudhanshu looked at each other and snickered, as the young boy corrected him, “Chachu. . . Bade chachu is telling you to be brave! He meant that when he said BRAVE”

“Thank you, Sudhanshu!!” Arnav said as he smiled at his nephew, the most intelligent 6 year old that he had ever seen. His little princess looked at him and gave him a toothy grin. He signaled to come to him, and she left all her crayons and ran to her dad, as she sat on her father’s lap, and demanded a bite out of his plate. Arnav broke a piece of Parantha and fed it to her, wiping the smudge off her lips before he kissed her. And he smiled as she kissed his cheek before she scampered away to her Bhai, whom she followed day and night!

Khushi smiled as she saw her husband’s eyes trail after their daughter, and finally meet her’s, and they shared a tender smile. . . . . . . .

—ooo—

“Ladies and Gentlemen!! Completing 20 years of a very happy married life, Mr. and Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada!!” Aditya announced, as Khushi and Arnav entered the hall. Arnav twirled her once and pulled her close as they came to the middle of the stage. Khushi wore a simple yet elegant, figure hugging gown, designed by her husband. And Arnav wore a black tux, with his shirt matching Khushi’s gown.

A soft music started and the spotlight came on Arnav and Khushi started to waltz. Khushi recognized the song, and started to sing in her husband’s ears.

 

“You’re Still The One” ~ Shania Twain
Looks like we made it
Look how far we’ve come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we’d get there someday

They said, “I bet they’ll never make it”
But just look at us holding on
We’re still together still going strong

(You’re still the one)
You’re still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You’re still the one I want for life
(You’re still the one)
You’re still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You’re still the one I kiss good night

Arnav looked at his wife and they shared a smile, as he looked down into the beautiful face of his wife. Time had only manged to increase her beauty. “Thank you, Child.” He said, as he bent and kissed her fully on lips. Catcalls started around them, and Khushi suddenly realized they were amidst loads of people as she pulled back, and glared at her husband, feigning anger.

“Maa!! You’re blushing as if this is the first time you’re kissing Pa!!!” Sree teased her mom, as she hid behind her Bhai, Sudhanshu who chuckled at the antics of his favorite sister.

Saanj and Sahar, their twins who completed 15 years the next day, giggled at their elder sister’s comment, and murmured something into each other’s ears as they announced into the mic, “Now, mamma wants to sing a song for Pa!! Mrs. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada, ladies and gentlemen!!” Arnav watched as Khushi glared at their daughters, who went to hide behind their Bua. Anjali silently signaled Khushi to let them go. “You spoil them, Di!!” Khushi accused.

“No ways, Di!! I’m the one who spoils them” Aditya announced, and his wife Mya corrected him, “We!!” And Aditya nodded his head, as he said, “Of course, baby!! Now sing, Di!!” He yelled.

Arnav looked at all the women in his life. May be it was in his fate to be surrounded by such lovely women. His Di, his three daughters, and most importantly, his wife. His Khushi!

Khushi looked at Arnav, who nodded as he smiled at her sweetly. Khushi took the mic and started singing a song which she had always connected with. Right from the moment Arnav had looked at her with those beautiful, gray eyes of his.

 

“Then You Look At Me”

Laugh and cry
Live and die
Life is a dream we’re dreaming

Day by day
I find my way
Look for the soul and the meaning

Then you look at me
And I always see
What I have been searching for
I’m lost as can be
Then you look at me
And I am not lost anymore

People run
Sun to sun
Caught in their lives ever flowing
Once begun
Life goes till it’s gone
We have to go where it’s going

And you say you see
When you look at me
The reason you love life so
Though lost I have been
I’ll find love again
And life just keeps on running
And life just keeps on running
You look at me and life comes from you. From you.

Then You Look At Me 36

Khushi looked on in awe as Arnav effortlessly landed his chopper. “Do you always do this?” She asked, and he shook his head and answered with a smile, “I have my pilot. I wanted it to be just us tonight. . . . Erm. . . Don’t you want to see where we are??” Khushi, who had been oblivious about that until now, looked around and could see a familiar place. She gasped as she turned to Arnav, and looked at him in utter disbelief. “You. . . You bought it??!!” Arnav nodded and looked intently at her face, which had so many emotions on it.

She couldn’t believe that he had actually bought her father’s mansion for her! As soon as Arnav helped her down, she ran in excitement, running down the stairs, as Arnav had landed the chopper on the roof of the mansion. “Careful!” he shouted, shook his head when his warning went unheeded, and ran after her.

Arnav looked at Khushi as she stood at the main door, looking at him with expectant eyes, to open the door. He handed her the key, and she unlocked the door and swung it open, and the first thing which she looked at, was the portrait of her parents that was hung on the wall directly ahead. Her eyes filled up, as she walked in a daze and ran a hand over the teak frame of the portrait.

She looked around and found the place to be the exact same as she had sold it. So infuriated was she when she had thought Arnav had cheated on her, that she had sold this place off, where he had actually proposed to her, not even thinking once that this was the last memory of her father that she had. She turned to him and looked with eyes full of love, and Arnav smiled at her, opening his arms for her, inviting her home, to which she gladly ran into.

“My parents would have been very proud, Arnav'” Khushi said, her voice barely audible as she her face at the crook of his neck. “Mine would be too'” Arnav said as he pulled back, and looked into her eyes.

“Hmm'” Khushi acknowledged the fact with a smile as he started kissing her. When she felt him stop his kiss, she opened her eyes to look at him staring at her intently. She traced his lips with her fingers, and looked into his eyes questioningly. “I don’t have to stop today!” Arnav exclaimed, as his face broke into a joyous grin. Khushi chuckled and blushed, as she said, “You didn’t have to stop yourself any day!!”

“You spoil me, child!” he said, and Khushi countered, “Says the man who calls his 22 year old wife, a CHILD” She put her arms around his neck and pulled him down to kiss her, and Arnav lifted her off the ground, so that he didn’t have to bend so much. Khushi traced his lips with her tongue, making Arnav groan and take charge of the kiss, pushing his tongue into her mouth, seeking every silky nook and crevice of her mouth. Khushi moaned in pleasure as his lips went to her neck, nibbling and biting and sucking at her smooth creamy skin. Her tee had already been disposed, and she didn’t even know when!

Arnav didn’t know if he’d be able to hold on for long. But he did carry her to the nearest room. He laid her on the bed, positioning himself on top of her, with the help of his elbows, so that she didn’t have to feel his full weight, but still felt his whole body pressed against her. But Khushi kept on pulling him closer and finally purred in pleasure, when she felt him lie on her fully.

Arnav, not really wanting any obstacles in between them, peeled off all pieces of her clothing, and then his, leaving them completely naked. He feasted on her petite body, hoping that she wasn’t as fragile as she looked. She definitely didn’t seem that fragile as she pulled him to herself! As his lips took one of her breast in his mouth, sucking on it, making Khushi arch her back as far as she could, she tugged at his hair, moaning his name. He gave the same attention to her other breast before she pulled his face to hers, taking his mouth in a hungry kiss.

Khushi looked on with hooded eyes, as he removed his clothes. He wasn’t what you could call a hunk. But his lean, and mean physique held a charm of its own, making her throat go completely dry, and yet somehow her mouth watered. He didn’t have an ounce of flab and her hands itched to explore those taut muscles. As he returned to his position, she let her hands roam over his shoulders and back, where she could feel his muscles go tense beneath her touch, whereas Arnav continued with his own administrations.

Arnav’s hands roamed from her shoulder, sensuously to her navel, where he doodled for a while and made Khushi shiver. Soon his fingers caressed her core, making Khushi gasp and go still for a second, before she started squirming under his expert touch. He started stroking her nub slowly at first, and increased his pace. She screamed his name in release as Arnav glided his finger smoothly into her, capturing her moan with a languorous kiss.

I could just fall asleep like this, Khushi thought as she looked at Arnav smiling down at her. But he had given her pleasure. So MUCH pleasure, expecting none in return. At least not until now. She wanted to love him too. She wanted to pleasure him too, though she had no IDEA of how to! But this thought made her feel brazen as she rolled over and started necking him. He held her hips, letting her do whatever she wanted. As her hand roamed all over his chest and stopped at his midriff, he took his hand off her hip and guided it lower, and as she took his manhood in her hand, he grunted and clutched her hair. Khushi looked at him in awe as he guided her hands through his length a few times, before he let her continue on her own. She placed her lips on his, and gasped as he kissed her with such fervor.

When Arnav felt that he could no longer take this torture, he rolled over, putting his whole weight on her, just as she liked, and kissed her hard. He pulled back and touched her core. And he could make out that she was ready to take him, as she waited, hot and wet. He positioned himself, as he nudged her legs away, and Khushi involuntarily wrapped her legs around him. Khushi bit her lip, as she waited for him to enter her. Her breath came out in a whoosh as he entered her swiftly, and stopped as suddenly as he had entered.

Khushi waited with a bated breath as she felt him at her entrance. And as he entered her in one go, she took him in completely and felt as if she was robbed off her breath. God, it hurt!! She took a few quick breaths through her mouth, as she looked into Arnav’s eyes, willing the pain to subside. He had stopped any kind of movement too, as if he knew what she was going through. As the pain receded, she felt a different feeling start at the pit of her stomach. A fire. Which slowly started where they were now joint, and seemed to take over her, and she couldn’t help herself as she started moving, causing Arnav move in and out of her.

Arnav relaxed as he felt her start moving. It had taken all of his control to stop any kind of movement so that he didn’t hurt her further. But sheathing himself in her completely and stopping himself had been arduous. And now as he felt her squirming beneath him, he breathed a sigh of relief, and moved back and out of her, before he entered her again, making her gasp and bite her lower lip. He slowly sucked on her lip, before he murmured against her lips, “Let go. . . . .” And Khushi nodded in understanding, and relaxed a little.

Arnav started moving in and out of her, slow at the start and increased his pace gradually, and felt Khushi lose all her inhibitions. She started moving with him, making the love making all the more exciting and passionate. Their breathing turned heavier and heavier, until they both reached their climaxes and collapsed, totally spent in each other’s arms, a tangle of hot, sweaty bodies.

Arnav was at the brink of a deep slumber when he felt Khushi move away from him. He watched her put on his shirt through hooded eyes, and asked, “Where are you going, child?” Khushi sat next to him and as she ran her hand on his forehead and hair tenderly, “I’m hungry. . . .” “Me too!!” Arnav said and pulled her, and she came crashing on to his chest giggling. “Arnav!!! I meant the actual hunger!!!” “Who said this isn’t the actual hunger??” He asked innocently as he rolled over and started loving her all over again.

—ooo—

As Khushi searched through the well stocked cabinets in the kitchen, she realized she didn’t have a mind to prepare anything in the middle of night. She opened the refrigerator to see if there was any milk. She found a carton of milk and along with it fished out some strawberry syrup. She hoped the sound made by the blender wouldn’t wake Arnav up. She poured the milk shake to a tall glass and was about to have a sip, when she felt his gaze on her. She started heating the milk that she had put aside for him, as he lazily walked to her and put his arms around her, and pulled her close.

And before they knew, their hunger lay forgotten as Arnav pushed her on the kitchen counter, and pushed himself into her, making Khushi’s head fall back and eyes roll up. Her unsteady hands knocked the bottle of strawberry syrup on the counter. As the thick syrup oozed out of the container, Khushi, oblivious to all this, put her hands on it, and then on Arnav’s shoulder, both of them not noticing any of it.

It was like she was drowning in the murky, cavernous depths of desire, and Arnav was her only savior. It was either holding on to him, or completely lose herself in it. As Khushi felt Arnav’s love fill her up, she opened her eyes to see Arnav stare intently, his jaws clenched. It was almost like he was shivering, and Khushi wondered why that would be so, as she pulled his head to her shoulder, and hugged him tight, her hands rubbing his back in soothing movements.

Arnav pulled back and found his skin all sticky and bent to see a pink gooey thing all over his skin, and as they had hugged, he had managed to rub some off on her too. He slowly ran a finger on her nipple to remove the syrup, causing her to sigh.

He was about to lick the syrup off his finger, when Khushi stopped him. She shook her head, telling he couldn’t have it because of all the sugar in it. He was about to say that she was such a buzzkill, when she put his finger in her mouth, and he felt her tongue flick over his finger, and that was enough to rekindle the fire of desire in him. She looked at him, to see his reaction, and her gaze fell to all the syrup she found over his shoulder and chest, and she gave a sensuous smirk, and blushed at how indecent her thoughts seemed even to herself.

Arnav smirked, as he glanced at his chest, and then her face, where a telltale blush was now spreading, and understood at once, where her thoughts were heading to, as he told her in a husky voice, “I’m all yours, baby. . . . . . . . .”

Then You Look At Me 35

The next day, Khushi woke up early in the morning, with a heady feeling. She was getting married today!
Haldi was a simple affair as Arnav had put his foot down quiet strongly that he wasn’t going to tolerate any such thing for a longer time period. And hence it was just to keep up with the custom.

As the actual wedding ceremony would start at about 11’o clock, Khushi started getting ready, with a little help from Anjali and Payal, right after finishing the Haldi rasam.

But just before she wore her dress, she had a strong urge to see Arnav. Seeing her restlessness, Payal understood what her kid sister was craving for, right now. She sent Anjali to make sure whether the wedding hall decorations were done properly. And then she almost pulled a very surprised Arnav to the guest room, where Khushi sat at the edge of the bed, closing her eyes, and trying to calm herself by listening to some crappy song on the radio.

Arnav looked at Khushi and then at Payal, who looked at him with a ‘Yeah!-You-Owe-Me-A-Big-One’ look, before she left. As soon as Khushi felt Arnav’s presence in the same room, Khushi opened her eyes to look at Arnav smiling down at her. “Arnav!!” she gasped as she went to his arms. He hugged her silently, not understanding why she was restless in the first place!

“Sing this song for me!” Khushi ordered, and Arnav concentrated on the song that was playing at the moment. It was some song that he didn’t actually recognise, but he listened to it intently.

Na jaane kab yeh hua

Na kisi ko khabar

Na khud ko pata

Khoye khoye rehte

Hum yahan hai

Silsilo ka silsila hai

Hua shuru abb jo nikle bhi jaan

Abb se humraahi chahton ke

Yeh jaise phela nasha.

Woh pheli nazar phela gumaar

Yun lage mohabbat hi jahan hai

Doston ki dosti yaaron ki yaari kam lagne lagi

Behke hai hum behka yeh sama hai

When he listened to the last two lines, he shook his head, as he said, “This song hardly puts my feelings for you properly in it!! Its childish! Besides, I don’t have friends in the first place!!” Arnav said, referring to the ‘Doston ki. . . .’ line.

Khushi chuckled as she said, “I don’t have any too! But I have you!!” and she smiled widely.
Arnav smiled as he nodded, and tightened his hold around her waist, as he said, “And I, you. . . We’re leaving after the reception party. Be ready!”

“Leaving?? Where to???” Khushi asked, perplexed. “That’s a surprise, child!” Arnav said, as he bent and kissed her on her lips. Khushi responded, but her mind was trying to find out as to where he may be taking her.

“Umm. . . . . What clothes should I wear??” Khushi asked, trying to find about his surprise.
Arnav seemed thoughtful for a moment, before he answered, “Well. . . . We’ll be flying. In my chopper, that is. So. . . . Go figure. . . . .”

Khushi winced and said, “In this cold???”
“I can always warm you up!” Arnav said, a devilish glint in his eyes.
And Khushi in a dry voice, “In a chopper?! Really, Raizada??!!”
Arnav stayed silent for a few moments, as if he was really considering it! Making Khushi stare at him incredulously!!

“I might have actually taken you on that! But since its our first time, I’d prefer a proper bed. For your sake, that is!!” Arnav said in a matter-of-fact tone, making Khushi’s face heat up, and she hid her face in the crook of his neck, making Arnav give out a throaty chuckle.

Arnav pulled back all of a sudden, making Khushi frown and look at him questioningly.
In a voice filled with concern, Arnav asked “How’s your leg?”
Khushi smiled as she proudly announced, “I took medicines last night.”
Arnav sighed in relief as he said, “Good girl. . . . . Okay… Now get ready. Lets get married and get outta here!”

—ooo—

The wedding ceremony started in front of the ceremonial fire, or the Havan, and after some pooja, it was the turn of the Saat Phere or Mangal Phere. Arnav and Khushi circled the fire holding hands and took vows to be beside each other all through their lives. All the elders of the family then blessed the newly wedded couple.

Arnav then put the Mangalsutra around Khushi’s neck and applied vermilion on the Khushi’s maang, as they looked into each other’s eyes, and Anjali had to practically shake them awake!!

—ooo—

The reception party was over before Khushi knew it, and she was pulled by an excited Anjali, to her room, where she changed to a simple jeans and a tee. Arnav changed to his casual clothes too and guided Khushi to the chopper which was waiting for them. She couldn’t see any pilot, and was wondering what was going to happen, when Arnav started turning many switches on, and as they took off, Khushi gripped the edge of her seat, turning to Arnav in wonder and asked him, “You can do THIS too???!!!”

“There’s a lot of thing that you don’t know about your husband, Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada!!” Arnav said with a poker face.

Then You Look at Me 34

It was the day of Mehndi and  the same evening would be the Sangeet  function.  And when Khushi woke up, her leg stung a little, making her frown. It was her marriage and she couldn’t afford to allow the pain to spoil it! All the continuous sitting with Aditya had taken its toll, she thought. Though Arnav had told her not to sit continuously, she hadn’t been able to help it.

She was about to stretch out when Payal and Anjali came in, teasing her about how Arnav was so impatient to get married. Aditya, who entered next, heard the ribbing and made a disgusted face. “Eww!!! You women are worse than us guys!!” He said in a huff as he almost ran out, leaving the three amused women behind.

Khushi dressed herself in a simple lehenga and choli. It was all good, but the back of the choli was held together by a dori just below her shoulders and a patch of cloth which had to be hooked at her waist.

As Khushi had taken a shower, she let her hair loose and pulled it over her shoulder, leaving her back to an unobstructed view.

The mehndi function started when Nani did the honors of starting a design. Soon all the important women in both Raizada family and the Gupta family did the same and the beauticians took over, and started adorning her palms and fore arms with beautiful designs.

“We’ll put ASR in the middle of your palm. That’s your husband’s name, right?” asked one of the girl who was swiftly drawing amazing designs over her palm.
“No!!” Khushi almost screeched as the beautician looked at Khushi with wide eyes.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you! Just put Arnav. . . . . Only Arnav will do.” Khushi said sheepishly, and blushed. Anjali who had been looking on felt very happy for her brother. May be Khushi was the only person here, other than herself, who could see through the ASR facade Arnav had so perfectly put up, and look at the genuine, warm “Arnav” that he actually was.

All the male members of both the families  had been shooed away, as Mehndi was fully  a women’s affair. By the afternoon though, they all started to arrive, and Arnav who had been to work even after a lot of complaining from Anjali entered to find the almost bare back of Khushi being flaunted in front of him. He smirked as he tilted his head and took in every small details of her, and Khushi didn’t turn around even after she felt his heated gaze on her, wishing he couldn’t see the blush which was spreading all over!

The stringy thing that were dangling down the choli were irritating him by interrupting his view. And he’d have probably ripped it off if it weren’t for the hordes of women who sat there. Well not actually hordes. As many of them had left after having lunch. But all the women who mattered were there. ‘And since when do you actually care for the other women??!!’ A voice sneered in his head, and he replied back, ‘I don’t! But Khushi does!!’ and he  scrunched his nose a little  at the thought of marrying a Ms.Goody goody!

“Chotay!!” Anjali beamed at him, as he gave a small smile to his sister, and looked at Khushi who had turned to look at him too. She kept her arms away in an awkward angle as they had delicate designs of mehndi adorned throughout her forearms. He gave his laptop and jacket to HP, and went to sit next to her, as he put his arm around her shoulder, ignoring the audience. Even Khushi didn’t seem to mind, as she leaned on him, holding her arms in front of him so that he could see the mehndi.

“It looks beautiful on you, child.” Arnav said, meant only for her hearing, as he ran his free hand across the almost dry mehndi now, and looked into her smiling eyes, and the all the family members cleared their throats, suddenly aware of the electricity that ran in between them. Arnav gritted his teeth, clearly irritated by the disturbance, and Khushi gave him a mock glare, telling him no to say anything.

Arnav sighed, looking exasperated, as he got up to go and change. Khushi went to remove the dry mehndi too, and tried to sneak into Arnav’s room, but was stopped by Aditya!
“Adi!!! I’ve given you so many chances to be alone with Mya, and this is how you help me??!!” Khushi asked, feigning a distraught face. She could already see the shadow of doubt as he considered allowing her to go and talk to his brother. By that time though, Arnav had come out to see who it was, and he said in a grim voice, “What’s going on?”

“Look Arnav! Your brother isn’t allowing me to come in!!!” Khushi complained like a small kid, making Arnav almost laugh out loud! But he stifled it and gave the signature ASR glare, making Aditya flinch back as if he was being physically hurt!

After he was out of the way, Khushi went into the awaiting arms of Arnav, as she said, “You know, sometimes, I feel really proud that I fell in love with a Raakshas!!”
Arnav pulled her inside, and shut the door behind her, as he said with an evil glint in his eyes, “So you think I’m a Rakshas, eh??”  Khushi simply nodded and said, “MY Raakshas!”

Arnav smiled as he kissed her once on her lips, “Hmm… I like the sound of it…”
“You BETTER!!” Khushi ordered as she stood on her tiptoes and started a proper kiss, only to be interrupted when the door opened, and in  strode an angry Anjali, not even bothering to show her embarrassment as she spotted the two of them shoving their tongues down each other’s throat.

“You’re coming with me Khushi, like NOW!!” she said as she pulled Khushi away.
“But Di!!!” Arnav started to object, when she held her hand up to stop him. “I agreed to arrange the whole marriage thing for your sake within such a short notice!! Can’t you just NOT put your hands on Khushi for two more nights???!!!” Anjali asked, as Arnav bent his head like a guilty kid, who was getting a telling from his mother. Khushi looked on helplessly as she freed her wrist from Anjali’s grip, as she said, “Di. Just a minute. Not more than that. Please!”

Anjali nodded grudgingly, as she went out, and they both could hear Aditya yelling, “Just like that??!! You left them?! Bhai almost gave me a death threat!!” to which Anjali muttered a “Shut up, Aditya”
“Yeah right! Nobody cares about me!! I’ll go back to Bangalore!!” Aditya yelled as he  went down the passage.

Arnav and Khushi rolled their eyes, as they chuckled and went into each other’s arms. Khushi’s arms around his neck, and his around her waist, stroking the bare skin there. “Go and get ready, child.” Arnav said after a while. Khushi nodded as she let go of him, and he kissed her hair once before he let her go too.

—ooo—

Arnav and Khushi sat on the settee and watched as the Sangeet ceremony was enjoyed by all of the family as they sang and danced, along with the other guests, and had loads of fun. Khushi looked stunning in an off white lehega choli, whereas Arnav wore a simple sherwani of almost the same color.

Khushi enjoyed a lot too, but her leg had started hurting badly, as all she had done since the morning was sit! And each time, pain shot up her  leg, she would stiffen. It was more difficult with Arnav right beside her, as she knew he could read her like an open book! And when he caught her clutching at her leg, she had persuade him a LOT to stop him from stopping the Sangeet ceremony then and there!

As the ceremony was over, all the guests left one by one, until the only people left were the family members. Aakash had been grim and silent all the while and this bothered Khushi. Aditya had consoled Khushi that it’d be soon alright.

Arnav had gone to change. Khushi and Aditya sat at the dining table, chatting and teasing each other. Aakash came to fill the jug of water and Aditya jerked his head, pointing at Aakash and told Khushi to go and talk to him.

“Jiju. . . .” Khushi approached him, and saw Aakash’s shoulders stiffen. “You’ve still not forgiven me, have you??” Khushi asked.

“You tell me, Khushi. If the person you loved, suddenly stopped trusting you, because of somebody else’s fault, would you forgive that somebody?” Aakash turned to her and said in a low voice. And as Khushi went ahead and put her hand on his arm, Aakash rudely jerked away, causing Khushi to almost topple over, as pain shot up her leg at the exact moment.

“Di!!” Aditya rushed to her, and held her as she clutched at her leg, waiting for the pain to recede.
“What immature behavior is this, Bhai? Bade Bhaiyya loves Khushi Di!! Isn’t that a reason enough for you to accept her?! Yes. We were all miffed at her because of what happened to Arnav Bhai. But if they both are ready to move on, what’s your problem??!!” Aditya yelled at his brother.

“Aditya!” Khushi stopped him, and Aditya bent his head and stopped his ranting.
“Look, jiju. I know you have every right to be angry at me. Hell!! I myself can’t seem to forgive myself for doing that to Arnav. So I’m not expecting you to do anything like that. You could at least be civil, you know? It would bother Arnav, otherwise. I’m going to bed now. Good night both of you.” Khushi said, and was about to leave, when Aakash called her.

“You are like my own sister, Khushi! Are you telling me that a brother can’t even be mad at his sister for doing the craziest thing like leave him? I missed you, you know??” Aakash said as he went to stand in front of her, his eyes moist, and they both hugged each other as Khushi broke down. “I missed you too…” Khushi managed to say in between her sobs. Aditya rushed to them and hugged both of them as he grinned widely and said, “My crazy family!!!”

Arnav who had witnessed the whole scene, smiled to himself, thinking how Khushi had so easily been woven to their family, and was loved by all of them! But he came to the kitchen with a stern face, and asked, “What’s going on??”

Aditya managed to move both Aakash and Khushi to where Arnav was standing, forcing him to join in too! Arnav rolled his eyes, and smiled before he hugged his siblings and his life. . . . . . . .

Then You Look At Me 33

Aditya had come to Delhi as soon as he had heard that Arnav and Khushi were getting married. Not out of the excitement that his brother and soul sister were getting married! But to get his project done by Khushi! And life had been hectic for Khushi since the day Aditya landed in Shantivan, owing to his project.

While all the Raizadas and Guptas were immersed fully in whipping an impromptu wedding, all Khushi did was sit with Aditya and help him with his project. They used to sit in front of his computer, thinking of various ways to overcome the problems they were facing, and add better features to the code that he had written.

And now, as they sat in front of the PC, staring incessantly at the monitor, waiting for the program to run successfully, Khushi remembered the student life in her days, when she had done her project. Her life had become so hectic that she hadn’t been able to meet Arnav for DAYS! But he had always made sure he’d come and meet her each evening, and he had been the sole reason for her not losing her sanity because of all the frenzy her supposed “project” was creating in her life.

—ooo—

Arnav sat by the pool, waiting for Khushi after dinner. She and Aditya hadn’t even appeared for dinner, and he knew they were working very hard on Aditya’s project. But he was really tired from the day’s work and all he wanted to do was to rest. But not before spending some time with his Khushi. He sat staring at the sky which was clear that night, and glanced at the watch. It was pretty late and he wondered why Khushi wasn’t here yet.

All of a sudden, this reminded him of the night he had sat waiting for Khushi and she had never come! He told himself not to think of that night but he could feel the emptiness slowly take over his mind, at the thought of Khushi leaving him. ‘This is different! She must have been caught up with some work!!’ he thought. But the feeling, the fear wouldn’t go away! He clenched his jaw, and balled his fists, trying his best to shake off the creepy feeling. And when he still couldn’t succeed, he did what he was best at. He let the ASR in him to take control of the situation. He let rage take over, and felt all other emotions going numb.

—ooo—

Aditya and Khushi whooped and hi-fived when they saw the program run successfully. Only when Khushi glanced at the clock and realized it was midnight already, did she realize that she was meant to go to Arnav. She wished Aditya a good night and went to Arnav’s room. And when she didn’t find him asleep, she smiled to herself, thinking she could still meet him. So she went to the poolside where, she was pretty sure, Arnav would be.

As she made out the silhouette of Arnav in the dim light of  the shining moon, she could make out the stiff stance of Arnav. ‘Devi Maiyya be merciful! Is he angry?? Who is he angry on??’  She thought. But even before she could think that, she guessed he would be angry on her! He would think she was neglecting him. Of course he didn’t know she could never ever do that!!
But she cursed herself for even giving him a chance to think so, as she went and stood behind him.

As soon as Arnav felt her near him, he felt the bout of fury that had gripped him ebb like a wave of tide. And when Khushi put a hand on his shoulder, he closed his eyes, assuring himself that she was here. He turned around to embrace her and buried his face in the crook of her neck, taking in the sweet smell that could only be his Khushi’s.

Khushi frowned as she hugged Arnav back. She wasn’t new to the intensity with which Arnav loved her. But this hug had something off!! She pulled back and tried looking into his eyes, but he would just not let her! And when she finally forced his face up and looked into them, she saw sadness in them, which made her eyes fill up immediately.

“Arnav!! What is wrong??!!” Khushi asked. She didn’t understand the reason of the despair in his eyes. Arnav just shook his head and tried to hide his face back in the crook of her neck when she pulled him back, by tugging at his hair.

Arnav sighed as he realized she wouldn’t let it go until and unless she knew what she needed to know. He held her tight before he said, “When you didn’t come today. . . . . . . . .  I. . . . It reminded me of the day when you. . . . . .”

Khushi gasped as soon as she realized what he was talking about. He thought of the day when she had so thoughtlessly left him. Now she understood the sadness in his eyes. But his sadness, plus the knowledge that she was the reason behind it, caused a wave of despair to come crashing at her.

“Arnav!! I would NEVER!!” Khushi whispered before her voice broke. Arnav didn’t let her talk further as he kissed her and Khushi kissed him back with all the love that she could muster, making the kiss a very passionate one.

The kiss which had started as a symbol of reassurance between them, now turned into an intense kiss which was filled with so much heat, so much passion, that it made Khushi forget where they were as she put her hand under the sweater Arnav was wearing, and touched his heated skin. Arnav sat on the couch, and made Khushi saddle him, as he almost ripped open her button-down shirt, causing buttons to fly out in all directions, all the while kissing and sucking at her lower lip.

Khushi whimpered against his lips, complaining that she wasn’t getting much access to his body, and Arnav quickly took off the blue sweater that he was wearing, making Khushi sigh, as they broke their kiss.

Arnav’s hands unclasped the lacy bra that Khushi was wearing, as his lips got busy with nibbling and sucking her neck. Khushi gasped his name as Arnav grazed his teeth against the pulse that was throbbing at the base of her neck.

Khushi looked on as his gaze turned to her breasts, as he moulded each of them in both of his hands, and he looked up at her with hooded eyes, as he slowly took one of her breast in his mouth, teasing her, and licking her, and biting her ever so gently, making her head to fall back and close her eyes.

Khushi looked back at him when he had stopped, and found him staring intently at her. She ran a soothing hand across his hair, and Arnav closed his eyes for a second, reveling in the warmth and the calm that she brought about, with the simplest of her touches. Khushi kissed his forehead, and Arnav opened his eyes as Khushi leaned to him, and they both shared a tender kiss. Arnav’s hands were at her breasts, and he ran his tongue from her cleavage to her jawline, and bit her there, before Khushi closed her lips on his again.

Khushi felt Arnav pull back from the kiss and she remembered the informal promise that he had made the other day. That he’d not DO anything before their marriage!! ‘I wouldn’t seriously mind if we. . . . .’ Khushi was grumbling to herself, when she realized she seemed so wanton at the moment!!

“What??” Khushi asked in a dry voice. And Arnav looked down, making Khushi lean closer, looking at him curiously to make sure whether he had actually blushed!! She was about to tease him for that, when he mumbled something about him not wanting to do it right now.

Khushi looked at him with disdainful eyes, before she looked pointedly at the telltale bulge at his crotch, and back into his eyes, as she smirked.

Arnav chuckled as he slowly covered her up and said, “It isn’t that I don’t WANT to!!! But. . . . . . You know what??” He leaned forward so that his lips were just near her ear as he whispered, “The wait makes it all the more exciting!!”

Khushi shivered  before she looked at him with wide eyes, and shied away as she hid her face on his bare chest. And Arnav teased her that she had so unabashedly pointed out his crotch a few seconds ago, but now she was shying like he was about to do something about it!

“Arnaaavvv!!!!” Khushi cried as her hands went around his waist, and she hid her face at the crook of his neck, taking in the masculine scent of him.

As they both sat there, waiting their racing hearts to calm down, they both thought of the next day, which was the Sangeet and the day after, that would be the Haldi. So it was just three days before Arnav could make her his in all possible ways. . . . . . . . . .

Then You Look At Me 32

‘One day! One WHOLE damned day! And she hasn’t spent 10 minutes with me!’  Arnav thought angrily as he almost threw his laptop away. On top of that the usually efficient Aman, his right hand man, had decided to give a shot at inefficiency! He sat at the edge of his bed, shaking his legs restlessly, and groaned as he covered his stressed out eyes with his palms, and almost whimpered her name.

 

“What’d I do??” Khushi asked, as she stood at the door, hands on her hips, eyes filled with confusion to see him irritated and saying her name at the same time.

 

“Khushi” Arnav gasped her name in relief and rushed to her, taking her in his arms, as she came readily, and started kissing her with such an ardor, that he had her weak in his arms within seconds! He locked the door behind her and pressed her against the door, and broke away as quickly as he had started his kiss.

 

Khushi opened her eyes, raising her eyebrows in surprise, and found him staring angrily at her.

 

“What. . . . .?” She started to ask, when he butted in. “Don’t you talk to me! Go! Any of my family members would be waiting for your help, as they seem incapable of doing anything on their own these days!!” Arnav muttered as he stood with his back to her, leaving a bewildered Khushi at the door!

 

Khushi looked at him in surprise before she realized the reason behind his anger. She controlled her laughter as she found him standing like a kid who wasn’t getting his mommy’s full attention!

 

“Arre!! Why is my shona Arnu angry at me??!!” Khushi asked, putting one of her arm around his neck, and the other hand on his cheek, as she stood in front of him. “You have time to for everyone in my family! You can help Di choose a “SAREE”, and help Mamiji. MAMIJI of all people! You can help her in her makeup! And you spent your whole yesterday with Aditya, helping him on his stupid project. Are you marrying me or my family??!!” Arnav complained, making her stand up on her toes so that she could kiss his forehead and cheeks.

 

“I’m marrying YOU, of course. I LOVE you!!” Khushi said, looking into his eyes.

Arnav’s frown deepened as he said, “I love you MORE”

“I know!” Khushi said simply.

 

“You already call yourself Khushi Singh Raizada! Let me make it legal!!” Arnav murmured against her lips, and she stared into his eyes, as each of them reveled in the love that shone for them, in the others eyes.

 

Arnav’s lips lifted in a grudging smile. Khushi smiled too, as she saw Arnav calming down visibly. But not for long, as Aditya yelled “Di!!” from the living room. And Arnav gritted his teeth, as Khushi looked at him apologetically, freeing herself from his arms.

 

“His project carries 200 marks, Arnav! One fourth of his total score! Please let me help him!!” Khushi said, and looked back as Arnav held her wrist, his face having the expression as if he was in deep thought. “Okay. . . . But you’ll come and meet me tonight.”

 

Something in his eyes said she mustn’t reject him on this. ‘As if you could ever do that!!’ a voice in her head sneered at her as she looked into the gray depths of his eyes. . . . . . .

Then You Look At Me 31

As Arnav put on his seat belt, he heard Khushi calling his name in a small voice. Just one word from her told him she was concerned, anxious, and curious as to what was happening, and somewhere down there, he could even recognize a hint of fear in her voice. He sighed before he turned to her, and pulled her close to himself. As he smoothed her hair over her back, he asked her, “Where’s your phone, child? Turn it on.”

Khushi pulled back, her eyebrows pulling down in a frown, as she answered, “I didn’t bring my phone. You had asked me to switch it off, remember. I thought I’d not bring it at all. . . . What is the matter, Arnav?”

Arnav relaxed a notch as he smiled at her, and told her it was not a big deal. Khushi was about to press further, but he silenced her with a kiss, and made her lay her head against shoulder as he started driving towards Shantivan.

As they waited for somebody to open the door at Shantivan, Khushi noticed that Arnav looked angry, and a little worried too. She was about to ask what he was not telling her, which was obviously affected him so much, when OP opened the door with the silliest possible grin on his face. Khushi, being the kind soul that she was, would have given him a small smile. But a worried Arnav was worrying her too, and she didn’t give two hoots about courteousness, at the moment.

As she entered the living room , she noticed the worried faces of all the Raizadas, and the two Jhas. Arnav wasn’t looking at her, and was suddenly interested only in her hand, as he sat there, looking at their entwined hands. She looked up, as her eyes searched for the second most closest soul in that room, her jiji, Payal.

Payal gave a worried smile to her sister. At times like this, Payal hated her Buaji like anything.

‘Arnavji and Khushi are practically married!! Khushi calls herself “Khushi Singh Raizada”, for crying out loud!’ Payal thought angrily. Even though Payal was madly in love with Akash, she had never seen a love such as her Khushi’s and Arnav’s. Was a Mangalsutra to decide their relationship now? Or give any new dimension that their relationship already didn’t have?! As she sat next to Khushi, holding Khushi’s free hand, Khushi asked what the matter was.

“Buaji had called. . . . .” Payal said, her voice filled with concern.

Khushi’s frown deepened as she asked, “Okaaay. . . . And that’s bad because. . . .???”

“She called you. And when you didn’t pick up your phone, she called here. And she came to know that you had gone out with Arnavji, and you know Buaji. . . . She’s appalled with the fact that you are going out with him like this before marriage, and she wants you back at Lucknow. At least until you both get married.” Payal explained.

“What? So she isn’t coming here then?” Khushi asked, to which Payal answered, “She is. But she wants you to go back with her to Lucknow!”

“That’s stupid!” Arnav muttered, and Khushi turned to him and mouthed, “I’ll say!!”

Nani intervened this time, as she said, “I think she is right.”

Arnav’s mouth fell open as he turned to Naniji, as she continued “Its not in our customs that an unmarried couple see each other before their marriage!”

“What the f*…” Arnav had started and for once he had a mind to complete the profanity when Khushi held his arm, stopping him at that.

Arnav was so angry, all he could see was red. He stomped off to his room. ‘Unbelievable!! Nani is supporting that. . . that huge MOUNTAIN of a woman now?!’ He thought as he quickly took a cold shower, which usually helped in reducing his anger a little. But even that failed miserably this time. ‘All thanks to Buaji!’ Arnav thought sarcastically, as he changed. He heard a knock at the door and Arnav knew it was Khushi. He really needed his anger with him, so that he could think of a solution for all this. But if he saw her, he knew he’d never be able to be angry anymore. So he didn’t answer and after sometime the doorknob turned. He had locked his door.

Khushi thought he may either have slept off or he was really angry. ‘Oh well. . . I’ll let him be for tonight. Let him calm down, and then I’ll talk to him. . . .’ Khushi thought as she headed to her room, just opposite to his.

The next day, Arnav was gone by the time she finished her exercise and came down after taking a shower. She even called him on his phone, but he just said he was busy and cut the call. ‘Well! What do you know?! What’s my fault in this?! Why avoid me?!’ Khushi thought in annoyance.

What was more surprising was that Arnav entered Shantivan with her parents and a nervous Buaji at about 4 p.m. Nani welcomed them all, and when Khushi went further to touch her feet, Buaji glared at her, making Khushi back off.

Arnav, who had noticed all this, clenched his jaw in anger. Nobody mistreated his Khushi and got away with it.

After having some tea, as all the grownups sat talking about what they should do about Khushi an Arnav, Buaji addressed all the Raizadas. “Its not fair to leave our daughter in your house like this, before she becomes the bahu of this house. I hope you understand and let her come with us.”

Nani couldn’t argue with her, knowing that she was right.

“But Buaji. . .” Khushi started, when Buaji butted in, “Not now, Khushi! Do you want us all to bow our heads in shame? If not for my sake, do this for Shashi’s sake. At least have that much of gratitude towards him, for giving you a home and. . . . .”

“ENOUGH!” Arnav’s voice boomed in the living room, as he glared at Buaji, who had cowered back in her seat at the seething tone of Arnav’s voice.

Arnav turned his livid face to Khushi, making Khushi wince and flinch mentally. “What the hell is she talking about, Khushi?” he asked, and when Khushi took a step ahead to put her hand on him, he pulled away, muttering, “No! Don’t you touch me right now!!”

“How can you let her talk to you like that?!” Arnav asked, still not looking her in the eye.

“Its no big deal!” Khushi whispered, her voice audible just for him, pleading him to calm down.

But Arnav wasn’t ready to hear the end of it. “I have had ENOUGH of this! Khushi is going nowhere. I repeat NOWHERE. And if that needs me to marry her RIGHT NOW, then marry her, I will! Right. Now!”

All the eyes in the room turned towards Arnav in utter shock. Khushi slowly walked towards Arnav, as a slow smile appeared on her face. Arnav turned towards her and gave a slight smile as he reassured her, as his arms went around her.

Buaji started her ramble again, “Par ee kaise. . . .”

Shashi stopped her this time saying, “Jiji. Arnavji is like our damaad already. And the kids clearly love each other very much! I don’t have any objection for this marriage at all.”

Khushi, oblivious to all this, grinned at Arnav, and turned towards their family members. Her grin faded as she saw the shocked expressions on their face.

Arnav, on seeing Khushi’s smile fade, asked, “What?” And Khushi jerked her head towards their family members.

Arnav put on his grim expression, as he asked everybody, “WHAT?!”

Anjali was the first to be woken up from her trance. “Naniji, Sashiji, Buaji. . We have a marriage to arrange!”

And all of them practically ran out of the room, as Anjali led them out.

‘That’s it?! That’s all it takes from Arnav and they run away as if they are scared to death?!’ Khushi thought. When she turned to Arnav, disbelief in her eyes, she found him grinning at her.

Arnav teased, “I kept my promise. I didn’t let you take responsibility! CHILD!“

And Khushi smiled at him lovingly and pulled him into a tight hug. . . . . . . . .

Then You Look At Me 30

The drive to the farmhouse passed in companionable silence. Khushi was silent for the whole of the drive, preoccupied in her own thoughts. Arnav didn’t mind the silence too. Just as long as she was WITH him. After pulling over in the driveway, Arnav opened her side of the door, and held her hand as they entered the farmhouse though the huge oak doors.

Khushi freed her hand and stepped further, a soft smile playing on her lips, as she relived the most awesome memories of this place, where she had had her first date with her Arnav. The ambiance was exactly the same. As it had been a year ago. One of her favorite Hindi classic song was being played in the background, in a low volume. ‘Knowing Arnav, only my favorite songs would be playing for the whole evening.’ Khushi thought, as she turned around to look at Arnav staring at her with a small, knowing smile.

She almost rushed to him and hugged him, telling him how much she loved him, and in response, Arnav just gave a peck on her lips.

“I want to show you something.” Arnav said, taking her hand and pulling her towards the stairs. She went with him, without a fight. He took her to the balcony, where the moon shone in all its beauty. It was a cloudless night, and the stars twinkled too. Arnav pulled Khushi close in his arms, rocking her left and right. Khushi sighed and closed her eyes and gave out a contented smile. As far as she was concerned, she was in her happy place.

They both stayed there for what seemed like hours, before Arnav took her to the living room when it became too cold outside. A bright fire crackled in the fireplace, spreading its warmth all over the room. The food was surprisingly warm enough, and Khushi loaded a platter full of it, remembering her promise that he’d not have to eat when she was with him. That she would feed him always. But when she went to the couch, Arnav took the plate in his hands. When Khushi stared at him questioningly, he broke a piece of parantha with his hand and dipped it in gravy before holding it in front of her mouth.

Khushi smiled. But before eating it, she sat comfortably on his lap, holding the plate of food on her lap. They ate, and in between Khushi filled him up with what she had done with her day, when she was away from him. She told him about the conversation she had had with Aditya over the phone, and that he needed her help with his project. “Don’t help him.” Arnav told her, making Khushi stare at him incredulously and ask, “Why?!”

“The corporate world doesn’t believe in nice and easy! Let him learn the hard way so that the actual world out there doesn’t scare him.” Arnav reasoned. Khushi smiled. Though Arnav didn’t like to accept in front of everyone that he cared a lot about his family, he did actually care a lot.

“It isn’t like I’m doing the homework for our kids, Arnav! I’m just going to guide him!” Khushi said, and Arnav smirked at her when she said ‘our kids’, and replied, “That’s better. . .”

When a new song started on the music player, Khushi squealed, “Ooh… This is one of my favorite songs!” And she started singing along. A hand on his cheek and looking deep into his eyes.

O Mere Sonaa Re Sonaa Re Sonaa Re

De Duungi Jaan Judaa Mat Honaa Re

(Maine Tujhe Zaraa Der Men Jaanaa

Huaa Kusuur Khafaa Mat Honaa Re ) 

Mere Sonaa Re Sonaa Re Sonaa Re

Tears formed in her eyes, which Arnav kissed away, and shook his head, telling her not to cry. Arnav knew that she still felt guilty for not having believed in him. But that incident was something he’d much rather forget altogether. He needed to change the topic, and so he took a strawberry from the fruit bowl on the table, and held it out to her.

Khushi looked at it, and a blush crept over her face, as she smiled shyly, her sorrow forgotten for now. She couldn’t even look Arnav in his face, as she bit into it. As soon as the sweet sour taste of the berry exploded in her mouth, she closed her eyes, lifting her head and a low “mmm” came out of her mouth.

She gasped his name when she felt Arnav give open mouthed kisses on her neck and the exposed skin of her chest. “If this is the way you’re going to eat strawberries throughout your life, then this is exactly the same way I’m going to react. . .” Arnav said as Khushi put the plate on the table and went on top of him. Arnav’s hands roamed on her shoulder and over her back when she suddenly pulled away. Arnav watched her in confusion as she took the plate to the kitchen. Arnav followed her, and leaned on the doorjamb and watched her as she systematically washed the plate, and dried it using a towel. She slowly turned to him, and when she finally looked him in the eye, lifting his shoulder, he asked, “What’s going on?” Khushi bit her lip, feeling nervous under his scrutinizing gaze.

Khushi didn’t understand why, but she just couldn’t get herself to DO it! Meaning, she obviously wanted to do it. But she was confused. The day all the misunderstandings had been cleared, she had promised she’d give him WHATEVER he needed. But actually letting her love him and make her fully his?! ‘Hey Devi Maiyya!! Raksha karna!!’ she said, her head lifting her eyes upwards, as if Devi Maiyya sat on the ceiling, waiting for Khushi to look at her.

Arnav saw Khushi entwining her hands and freeing them, as she worried her lower lip, and looked upwards. ‘Praying to her Devi Maiyya. She’s that nervous?! But what on earth is she nervous about?!’

Not being able to take this any longer, Arnav went to her, picked her up and went to the living room. He sat on the couch and put her on his lap. He looked at her face full of doubts, still not understanding the sudden change in her behavior. She had seemed fine just a few minutes ago.

Khushi was thinking how she should let him know that she couldn’t. . . . ‘That you can’t what, Khushi? That you can’t let him make love to you?!’ Just that thought put a blush on her so deep, as she rubbed the nape of her neck. Comprehension dawned on Arnav on seeing that gesture of hers.

‘Aah. . . She is confused! Oh, she definitely wants it. Rubbing her neck is what she does when she’s turned on, and she probably doesn’t even know that. But she isn’t ready, and doesn’t know how to say that. Typical Khushi Kumari Gupta. Child!’ Arnav thought, as he smirked to himself. He decided to not let her go easily this time, as he slowly stroked her arm, shoulders, and her sides. Khushi’s breathing turned shallower and her fidgeting increased. When she didn’t speak up, he started trailing butterfly kisses all over her shoulder, his eyes never leaving her face.

“Arnav.” Khushi started, and Arnav thought, ‘Finally!! The lady speaks!!’

“Yes, Khushi?” He asked, and waited for her reply. “I. . . . . I don’t. . . . . . Its nothing.” She said and was about to put her head on his shoulder, when he pulled her away from him. Khushi looked at him, surprised. Generally he never stopped her from doing anything she wanted. Especially not when there was any sort of physical contact involved in between them!

“You know that. . . . . This. . . Us!” Arnav said, tightening his arms around her, “Is more than just meaningless sex for me, don’t you??”

Khushi winced at his choice of words, but replied, “I don’t think it’ll ever be that in between us. Why?”

“Then why are you pulling your fingers off in nervousness? I won’t do anything tonight.” Arnav said, and Khushi looked into his eyes, at the determined sound of his voice. A second later, a mischievous glint twinkled in her eyes, as she asked, “Not even if I do something?”

Arnav narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously, as he asked, “What do you mean?” And he regretted his question, when he got the answer from her. He couldn’t believe this was his Khushi. Her hands slowly unbuttoned his shirt. One button at a time. Her face had this knowing smile on her face, as if she knew her slow pace was sheer torture for him.

Khushi leaned until her lips hovered over his. Arnav groaned as he took her lips in a kiss so intense, they could set fire to the whole building with the heat of it. His tongue nudged open Khushi’s mouth and entered her mouth as her tongue did the same with his mouth. And when they broke their kiss for air, they rested their foreheads against each other’s and they waited until their breathing got back to normal.

Still looking deep into her eyes, he pulled her up and started swaying to the music, holding her so close to him.

“Just A Kiss” by Lady Antebellum

*This song is JUST perfect for the situation here! Especially the part sang by the male lead, Charles Kelley. It suits Arnav just fine!!! Do listen to it. Its an amazing song!*

Lyin’ here with you so close to me

It’s hard to fight these feelings when it feels so hard to breathe

Caught up in this moment

Caught up in your smile

I’ve never opened up to anyone

So hard to hold back when I’m holding you in my arms

We don’t need to rush this

Let’s just take it slow

Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight

Just a touch of the fire burning so bright

No I don’t want to mess this thing up

I don’t want to push too far

Just a shot in the dark that you just might

Be the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life

So baby I’m alright, with just a kiss goodnight

I know that if we give this a little time

It’ll only bring us closer to the love we wanna find

It’s never felt so real, no it’s never felt so right

Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight

Just a touch of the fire burning so bright

No I don’t want to mess this thing up

I don’t want to push too far

Just a shot in the dark that you just might

Be the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life

So baby I’m alright, with just a kiss goodnight

No I don’t want to say goodnight

I know it’s time to leave, but you’ll be in my dreams

Tonight

Tonight

Tonight

Just a kiss on your lips in the moonlight

Just a touch of the fire burning so bright

No I don’t want to mess this thing up

I don’t want to push too far

Just a shot in the dark that you just might

Be the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life

So baby I’m alright, oh, let’s do this right, with just a kiss goodnight

With a kiss goodnight

Kiss goodnight

By the end of the song, Arnav and Khushi shared a tender kiss, before they were disturbed by his cell phone. Khushi looked at him, accusing him silently, as Arnav took out his phone. And as he received it and listened to his Di talking on the other end, his body grew tense. Khushi’s eyes filled with concern on seeing this, and she went behind Arnav as he tugged her behind him towards his car.

Then You Look At Me 29

Khushi decided that she should go shopping as she didn’t have any clothes suitable for a date. After much convincing from Khushi that it wasn’t mandatory that she always wear clothes designed by him, Arnav dropped her to a mall. Khushi chose a gown which had the patterns of peacock feathers on it, since she loved the blend of colors on it.

 

She decided to walk to Shantivan, and talked her way home with Aditya, who had called her again to update her regarding his project. He was really worried since it wasn’t even nearer to completion. Khushi reassured him that she’d look into it, and was about to reach the gate of Shantivan, when she felt someone grab at her leg.

The bags in Khushi’s hands fell away in surprise as she bent to see Lavanya clutching her legs as if her life depended on it. “You?! What are you doing?! Leave me!” Khushi yelled.

“Please let me go!” Lavanya yelled too, but there was an edge of desperation in her voice.

“What?!” Khushi asked in confusion. “You are the one holding me!”

 

“I’ll go away from your lives and will never return. Please give me that chance. Please!” Lavanya begged, as she got back to her feet.

 

Khushi looked at her in confusion and Lavanya held her breath for a while. Lavanya pleaded for forgiveness and to help her this time. “Only you can help me now. . .” Lavanya told her and hoped for life, that Khushi would. After a while, Khushi’s mind comprehended what may have happened. Of course this incident had made Arnav angry. What less could she expect of him. But she didn’t have any idea that he had punished Lavanya this way. She felt for that woman. Lavanya was clearly paying for the mistake Khushi had done. Yes, the reason Khushi had done that was Lavanya. But it had been Khushi who chose to believe her.

“How? How do you want me to help?” Khushi asked.

“For starters, I could get my passport, may be? And I don’t have anything. Not a single penny…” Lavanya murmured.

“I’m not sure how I could get hold of your passport, since I have no idea where he might have put it. But… You wait here. . I’ll be back within a few. . .” Khushi said, and sauntered to Shantivan, and into Arnav’s room. She opened his closet and started rummaging through the drawers where she knew some of his important documents were there. And after removing some umpteen, various colored files, she saw the blue corner of what could be a passport, hidden behind stash of paper. She found it belonged to Lavanya, and took the passport and a wad of cash along with it, before going out again.

 

Lavanya still couldn’t believe Khushi had agreed to help her. Feeling guilty of her deeds, she uttered a thank you, filling it with all the gratitude and remorse she felt. “Get lost” Khushi muttered in reply. As she walked in she heard a honking behind her and she turned to find Arnav drive in. He stopped right in front of her, and a slow smile crept to his lips.

 

Khushi had been apprehensive of how he would react if he had seen her helping Lavanya. But he hadn’t even caught a glimpse of Lavanya. And his smile proved that to her. She smiled back too, bending forward and kept both her elbows on the bonnet of his car, and one of her hand cradling her chin. “Hello!” Khushi said in a sweet voice. Arnav tilted his head as he smiled on. “Had fun at the mall?” he asked and Khushi shrugged.

They both had lunch with the family and sat chatting with Anjali Di, who told Khushi all about Arnav’s childhood, and Arnav sat there, his arm around Khushi’s shoulder. In between, he used to argue with his Di that she was exaggerating. And when Anjali left to attend to Naniji, Khushi kissed Arnav’s cheek, and told him he was completely adorable. Arnav just chuckled and told her to get ready. Khushi changed into her gown after having a quick wash, and entered her room. She sat on her bed, leaning onto the headboard when a very angry Arnav stomped into her room.

 

“You helped her!” Arnav muttered, his voice accusing her, and she pursed her lips in apprehension. “I’m asking you something. Answer me, dammit!!” Arnav almost shouted.

Khushi sighed, thinking ‘whom did I think I was fooling?!!’. She held her hand out, silently urging him to take it. Arnav reluctantly took it and sat on her bed. Khushi knelt behind him, making him lean back on her, as she hugged him and rubbed his chest soothingly.

 

Arnav felt himself relax in her arms. It still amazed him, as to how he felt so calm and peaceful at the slightest of her touch! But he mustered all the sternness he could manage, and said, “I still don’t like this.”

Khushi sighed and kissed his cheek, jaw, and earlobe, and murmured near his ear, “Arnav, we’ve moved on. Let her go. It doesn’t matter, because it was I who had so foolishly believed her.” Arnav turned to her and was about to say something, when she cupped his face, and kissed him on his lips. He responded just the way she had expected him to, before he pulled back and said, “If you want to go out, you better stop.” She released him and he was about to tell her something, when he got a call. “Yes Aman. Yeah it was done purposefully. . . . . No don’t worry. Let her go. Okay. Talk to you later.” Arnav told him, making a mental note to raise Aman’s salary for being so loyal to him.

 

Arnav held her close, and considered her with a sexy smirk on his face, stoking her exposed skin near her chest, and earning a shiver from her. “If you want to go out, you better stop.” Khushi mimed his words, pushing him away gently. Arnav gave a husky laugh before he went out to get ready himself. 

Then You Look At Me 28

As Arnav and Khushi walked into Shantivan, they saw all the Raizadas, and Guptas sitting together, and having tea. There was a happy atmosphere. The kind, which Arnav loved to sit back and watch his family members to be engrossed in, as far as he wasn’t pulled into it!

Khushi tugged him along, and sat on one of the couch. Khushi’s parents started telling her about the antics of Bua, and Khushi laughed out loud, as Arnav sat there, watching her. Her laughter was enough to ensure that everything was just fine in his life.

That was when he heard something which would again turn everything upside down. “We’re seeing our Khushi after a year. We would like to spend some time with her too, before we get her married. So we were thinking of taking her to Lucknow tomorrow. . . .” Shashi said, addressing all the Raizadas. Arnav clenched his fists, as his body grew taut with tension. He knew Khushi’s Babuji was right. But what about him?? What would he do if she left?!

Khushi had become tensed too. She turned to Arnav, hoping he would do something about this. But she saw in horror, as Arnav’s shoulders slumped in defeat. Knowing him, he’d probably be thinking, ‘I cannot come in between her and her parents’!!

‘Yeah. Right!!’ thought Khushi as she decided that she’d have to take this matter into her hands. But she felt scrupled when she thought of saying something against her Babuji. This was something that she hoped that she’d never do. Not in her whole life.

“No” Khushi said in a low voice as she couldn’t stop shaking her head in negation. Arnav looked at her in disbelief. Her voice was so low that, if he hadn’t seen her shaking her head, he’d have thought she hadn’t said anything at all. ‘I’ve stayed away from him, enough. I can’t and I won’t do it again. Not if my life depends on it!!’ she thought and replied, “Babuji, I cannot stay away from you. But I cannot say away from him too. . . . Please don’t make me. . . .” The lump in her throat became too much and her voice trailed off.

Arnav put his arm around her shoulders and made her lean onto him, as he saw her eyes filling up, whispering soothing words to her ear. Khushi nodded, and wiped her tears away. “Please Babuji. Stay back. . . . . I cannot make him go through with this again!! Neither do I have the strength to leave him again. Even it is the matter for a few days. Please!!” Her voice pleaded.

Shashi and Garima looked at each other and smiled, understanding what their daughter was going through. “Beta! We don’t want to impose any restraints on you. Its just that we wanted to spend some time with you and since we can’t stay here for long. . . . .”

“What are you saying Shashiji?? This is your home too… Have we ever treated you like guests??” Naniji asked in her authoritative tone.

“Of course not! I just meant jiji is alone in Lucknow. We can’t just let her be for long…” Shashi tried to reason. But Nani wouldn’t hear the end of it. She had seen the pain on her grandson’s face and after listening to Khushi’s plea, she had decided what had to be done. She very well knew what Arnav and Khushi had been through. She’d never want the kids to go through with any such thing again!

So finally, it was decided that Shashi and Garima would go to Lucknow and Buaji would be brought here with them. And though Arnav hated the sound of Buaji coming here, the thought of Khushi not going away from him eased his irritation a bit. He arranged for the flight tickets for them, and Akash and Payal agreed to drop them to the airport, early next morning.

Arnav got a call from one of his client, and as he went out to take the call, Khushi excused herself and went to change. She took a shower as she felt exhausted, and dozed off to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

On not finding Khushi in the living room, Arnav, after ending his call, went to her room to find it locked. And when he knocked, Garima opened the door. She very well knew why he was there. But she feigned innocence as she asked, “Did you want something, beta?”

“Uhh… No… Nothing. . . . Your flight is at 8 in the morning. Akash will drop you to airport.” Arnav told her.

“Yes. We already discussed this. Did you have something else to say?” Garima asked.

“No nothing.” He said and was about to open the door for his room when Garima said, “Khushi’s asleep. Shall I wake her up for you?”

Arnav had a hint of a smile on his face when he told her not to do any such thing.

The next morning, Garima and Shashi left for the airport by 5.30 a.m. They knew Khushi usually woke up early. And since she hadn’t even stirred in her sleep, even though they got ready in the same room, they had decided to let her be. They’d after all be back within two days.

Arnav woke up at 7 and entered Khushi’s room after getting ready, expecting to find her in the balcony. But he found her huddled on the bed, wearing a fluffy, lavender bathrobe. His lips automatically lifted up in a tender smile and he lied down next to her, pulling her close to him. He still couldn’t believe that Khushi had stood up against her parents. Well it wasn’t exactly against. Nevertheless, she had done it!! And she had sounded so mature when she had done that! Not like. . . . . . his ‘child‘!!

Khushi wrapped her leg around him, and he tightened his hold on her. “Good morning Arnu. . .” She murmured against his chest. Arnav smirked at the name she had used for him, and said, “Good morning. Your parents left and you didn’t even see them off?? Now I understand why you don’t like to party! It gives you a looong hangover. Right, baby??”

She frowned as she pulled back looked around. Her parents were gone. ‘Why didn’t they wake me up?? And why is he calling me BABY??!!’ she thought and asked, “Baby? No child?”

“I don’t think you are that anymore! The way you spoke to your parents didn’t have anything childish in it. You behaved very responsibly. . .” Arnav told her.

Khushi scrunched her nose as she replied, “And I didn’t like it. Being responsible, that is. So don’t expect it from me always!”

Arnav chuckled and he kissed her nose, before asking, “Of course! That’s what I am for, right?!” Khushi nodded against his chest, and kissed at the opening of his shirt, making Arnav gasp. His hands slowly roamed all over her bathrobe, not liking the fabric one bit, as it hindered him from touching her skin. And when he voiced it, she tightened her bathrobe telling she couldn’t do anything about it.

Arnav sighed as he said in a husky voice near her ear, “If there’s one thing you should know about your HUSBAND, it is that he can never take a NO for an answer!” He said as he pulled her to himself roughly and stared at her lips intently for what seemed like eternity, before he jammed his lips on hers. If his warning had Khushi jolting back to consciousness, his kiss made Khushi drown into the depths of desire, and she clutched his shoulders, as if he was her sole savior.

Arnav’s hands slowly undid the knot which held her bathrobe close. And his hands went underneath as he stroked her heated skin. He had just realized she was completely naked and was about to explore her body fully when her cell phone started ringing. Arnav grunted and rolled on top of her, so that she couldn’t stop him, as his lips moved to the base of her throat and nipped at her collar bone.

Khushi’s hand searched over the side table and found her cell phone. Without even looking at the caller id, she received the call and gasped a hello into it.

“Di! You’ve got to help me out! There’s this project which I have to submit next week and. . . . . Di?? Are you there??” a very perplexed Aditya spoke to her. “Uh-huh. . . .” Khushi said in a shaky voice, and Aditya asked, “What are you do. . . . . Oh!! Eww!! Di!! I’m talking about my project and you are. . EEWW much??!!”

Khushi pushed at Arnav making him pull back in surprise. She pulled her bathrobe together as she sat up and sighed before she asked, “What is it, Aditya?” Arnav couldn’t believe what she had done right now, as he sat back and saw her behaving as if nothing had happened! ‘Alright! I’ll show her nothing happened!!’ he thought and was about to leave, when she held his wrist and gave an open invitation with her eyes.

Khushi knew Arnav would be miffed that she had stopped him for the sake of a phone call! And especially for Aditya’s phone call!!

As she held his wrist and called him close, he sighed in exasperation before putting his head on her lap and lying down on the bed. His hands moved upward as he started playing with her hair, rolling a few strands of hair around his finger and unrolling. Khushi soon ended her call and swooped down to kiss Arnav’s forehead

“Sorry about that.” She apologized. Arnav nodded absent-mindedly. “I should take you out somewhere. And you WILL turn off your cell phone.” He said, and Khushi asked,”Out as in a date?”

Arnav simply nodded and Khushi gave him wide smile as she answered, “I’d like that. Lets go to your farm house. It has been so many days. And I have a lot of good memories from that place. . . . .”

“You have been there just once!!” Arnav said dryly.

“Nevertheless. . . .” Khushi persisted.

“Alright. If that’s where you want to go. Lets leave by 7.” He said. Khushi nodded once and left to take a shower and get ready for the day, already excited at the aspect of spending some time with her Arnav. . . . . . . . .