Chapter 16

Khushi felt her head heavy and dizzying out.. She fluttered her eyes open to find Arnav panicking.. She could see him shouting at some one..

"What the fu*k do you mean by you are not sure? Get that doctor here anyhow! And I mean it!! I dont care what you'l do but I need her here in AR in another 10 minutes.. And for that, if needed, just kidnap her.."

But.. There was no one in the room!? Then who the hell is he barking at? And why is she wrapped up so tight in his arms? Before she could make another move or think any further, she felt darkness engulfing her..

Khushi felt herself gliding and swaying in air.. She tried opening her eyes.. She felt something soft and strong against her cheeks.. She indeed was floating in air?! Good Lord! What is happening?! With utmost difficulty she opened her eyes to find herself very very close to the face that set her heart on marathon every time she sees it..

"Its okay.. I'l not let anything happen to you.. I'l make everything fine.. Just stay with me, Khushi.."

He's talking with her? No? Yes? But, why is he not looking at her? In fact, why is she seeing him from such an awkward angle? He seems to be angry and worried.. Whats happening?! And before Khushi could comprehend that Arnav was carrying her in his arms and taking her to his Penthouse in the AR Office, she slipped into unconsciousness again..

Khushi felt something piercing her hand and she tried to open her eyes again.. She could hear someone talking..

"Are you sure it is just because of fatigue?"

"I'm positive Mr. Raizada.."

"I.. But.. I mean this is the 2nd time in a week.. "

"She's not pregnant for sure.."

"What? I know she's not pregnant! What I meant was, how come only because of fatigue.. May be something serious like related to brain or.."

" No.. Nothing of such sort.. Its only due to lack of proper sleep.. And besides, she seems to be worn out.. What does she do?"

"She's an artist.. A wonderful one.."

"But, she seems to be stressed out Mr. Raizada.. I'm sure it isn't just because of profession.. Whatever it is, she's stressing herself both physically and mentally.. And this is an added reason.. And I guess she's lacking in Iron and vitamins.."

"What?!"

"Well, yes.. She's weak.. She needs to be taken care of.. A lot of healthy and food rich with vitamin suppliants are to be fed to her.. She needs to relax and stop worrying about whatever she's been thinking all this long.."

"I'l make sure.. Thankyou Dr.Sheryl.. And.. I'm sorry for the way I had to get you here.. But I had to.."

"It's okay Mr. Raizada.. I was hell angry, for sure.. But the Love I saw in you for your wife melted me out immediately.."

Wife?! God save her!! The sedatives did start working out immediately and Khushi slipped into sleep even before she opened her eyes..

Khushi could feel herself fresh and strangely peaceful.. She felt her entire body relaxed and heart fluttering.. She tried opening her eyes as a soft instrumental music hit her ears that brought a serene smile on her lips.. She knew it was a dream.. But yet, she had to be back to reality.. So, she decided to open her eyes in spite of the longing her heart felt at breaking such a wonderful dream..The moment she opened her eyes, she saw her latest fantasy, her man, her Arnav sitting in front of her typing something on his laptop.. Khushi smiled at the scene in front of her.. A very beautiful and complete dream indeed.. Sighing, Khushi reconsidered her decision of waking up and kept staring at Arnav with the same love lost smile..

Arnav heard Khushi sighing and looked at her immediately.. He had his ears perched on her.. But nothing could have prepared him for what he is seeing right now.. Khushi was wide awake and.. Smiling..? At him?! With so much Love?! This is too good to be true!!! Arnav left his lap top and moved towards her.. He smiled back at her warmly and heard her sighing again with her smile now broadened.. Arnav actually should be the happiest man in the world right now, but, something wasn't right here.. Why is Khushi smiling at him with no restrictions.. She ain't outta her shell entirely.. Then why is she behaving this way? Were the medicines the proper ones?! Arnav tried to reach out to her when she backed.. Frowning Arnav looked at her to find her smiling at him.. Again?!

"Khushi?"

Arnav's heart threatened to burst with happiness at her smile directed once again for him.. He tried to hold her again but she backed off..

"Don't.."

Taken aback, Arnav whispered..

"What?"

Khushi smiled at him warmly and replied in a soft voice..

"Don't touch.. You'l disappear.. A dream , though this is, but I want to live through this for longer.. I want to be with you, Arnav.. At least in dreams.. Don't touch and vanish.. Atleast for a few moments.. Please.."

Arnav's heart sliced at her agonized plea.. She's thinking that this is a dream? He so wanted to hold her tight and kiss her senseless shouting out to her that this is true and that if she took a step ahead, there is a world far better than this.. Heck! He hadn't shown her even 1% of what he feels for her.. His heart was bleeding at seeing her feel so helpless.. The only ray of hope and comfort he had was, she wanted to be with him.. SO, 'Mission Khushi' had to be renovated.. Time to add some flavor of ASR along with his Love..

He held out his hand and placed it on her fore head checking for temperature.. If it was any other day, Arnav would have burst out laughing to see Khushi's eyes literally popping out of her sockets.. But now, he felt his heart burdening up.. He turned back and walked to the side table hiding his misted eyes.. He picked up the glass of water and brought it back to her.. Finding her still in the same shocked state, Arnav held Khushi's head in one hand and placed the glass at her lips.. Khushi kept on looking at him.. Arnav tilted her head and pressed the glass onto her lips.. Finally Khushi opened her mouth and drank in the water.. Arnav wiped away the water from her lips taking his own time sending shivers all through her body..

Khushi kept staring at the man infront of her.. This wasn't a dream?! And she blurted out that she loved to be with him?! What the hell did she just do?!! Completely opposite of what she had been planning to do since the morning!!!! And why is he not speaking?! Not even a word? Was he angry? Sad? What's going on?!?

"Elle.. Yes.. Get me a Black Coffee too and ask Aman to let me know when I can reach Payal.."

He is talking.. But why is he not speaking with her? All Khushi could do was just stare.. From the day this man, Arnav Singh Raizada has entered her life, she has often found herself in this state of staring at her life which seemed to be developing a huge colorful change.. But this.. Is drastic!!

Arnav dropped his call and returned to his laptop.. He knew that Khushi was staring at him and he so wished if she could open her mouth and say something.. This time, he's not gonna go.. He'l be here and wait till she takes a step.. Just one and he's cross the rest for her.. He saved his work and shut the laptop.. The door of his room opened and Elle came in with a tray of food and a mug of Black Coffee..

"Thankyou Elle.."

"Mention not, Sir.."

Arnav locked the door behind her and walked back to Khushi with the tray of food.. He sat beside her on the bed and began feeding her.. All the while he kept looking at her and the food and acted as if nothing has ever happened or as if this was something they'v always had been doing..

Khushi could not take her eyes off him.. She just kept going with whatever he was doing.. Never ever in her life did some one take care of her as Arnav was doing.. After her Amma and Babuji, she forgot that she too could be taken care of.. She kept opening her mouth, closing and chewing.. She waited for him to speak.. Anything.. But all he was doing was feeding her with utmost care and the deepest Love she had never even dreamt of..

Yes, finally Khushi found it in her, to name his feeling for her - Love..

But, is she worth it? Is she really that special as he is making her feel like? All her fears, pain, agony and insecurities flood out as her tears..

Arnav saw her tearing up.. Her every tear piercing him.. But he din't speak.. He wanted his actions to speak for her.. He cupped her face in his hands and wiped them away.. He then fed her and wiped the newly formed tears again.. He continued feeding her until she finished everything and made her have her medicines.. Just as he wiped away the water from her lips, he heard her whispering..

"Why?"

Arnav sighed and placed the tray aside and wiped her tears again.. He held her hands in his and whispered back..

"For you.."

Khushi could not believe what was happening with her.. How come she is being loved so much?! And that too by a man like Him?

"Why?"

Arnav wiped away her new set of tears and squeezed her hands..

"I thought you figured it out already.."

Khushi couldn't help her tears slowing.. Nothing can!! Its as if all the pent up emotions of these 5 dark years finally found their solace and were hell bent on letting her Savior know what she's been going through..

"It.. It's soothing but.. Confusing.."

Arnav cupped Khushi's face lovingly and spoke with a passion and determination that made her entire body develop goose bumps..

"I Love You, Khushi.. Period!"

Khushi closed her eyes as new tears dropped down caressing Arnav's hands.. As he wiped them softly, Khushi whispered..

"I.. I don't deserve.."

Arnav stood up abruptly, shocking Khushi.. He paced along the room and ran his hand through his hairs.. How should he approach? How should he tell her?! He sighed and spoke in a calm and soft tone..

"You deserve everything, Khushi.. Everything! If you don't love me, then tell you don't.. But don't tell you don't deserve.."

Khushi shook her head vehemently..

"No.. I.. We are from different worlds, Arnav.. I don't match up.."

Arnav came back to her and pulled her onto the floor, making her stand leaning onto him.. Pulling her flush into him, Arnav made Khushi look into his eyes..

"Can you see them? Can you read? I'm letting you see, Khushi.. Every single piece of my soul.. I. Love. You.. And I mean it.. Do you feel I'm lying? Then, which part of 'I love you' are you not being able to understand?! Yes, you don't match up to my world.. Because you are far more divine, pure and beautiful, Khushi.. My world has people who mask their dark deeds with sultry beauty.. Never ever compare yourself with them.. If there is anyone that doesn't deserve, then it's me.. Because I come from a world where nothing except money matters.. But, I love you, Khushi.. I really really do.."

Arnav loosened his hold on Khushi as he lifted his hands to wipe her tears.. He slowly moved closer to her and kissed her fore head slowly, lovingly, longingly and promisingly.. Khushi shut her eyes as the tears cascaded down again.. If his words were not enough, then this one gesture did the needed.. A small peck and she felt his love and sincerity.. Not that she din't believe him but now, she came to know the depth.. But her fear began to take over.. Did she deserve? All her thoughts were put to a halt with his soft caress on her back and his husky whisper..

"Life does give all its flavors to us.. All we need to do is to accept them with open hands.. If we'v been through the dark, then we do deserve to go through light too.. Why stay and reserve into dark when Life itself is giving you its best.. Accept it with open arms.. Who knows? May be, this is what you'v been destined for.."

Khushi stood stumped to ground.. These.. The words.. They were her lines.. Khushi's eyes widened and so did Arnav's hold on her..

"You remember, don't you, Khushi? A friend of mine gave me this piece of advise when I was buried deep down in my own gloom.. The simple few words that gave me the strength to fight everything that came my way and stand up smiling.. But I guess, its time I returned her words to her.."

Arnav kissed Khushi's forehead firmly once again.. This time letting his lips dance and savor her skin.. He pulled her more into him as her grip on his shoulders increased.. He let out a handsome smirk with his eyes twinkling in joy and love, as he heard Khushi question him..

"Who are you?"