Chapter 17

Chapter 14:

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?"

Arnav held Khushi tight in his arms and smirked at her.. He saw her stilled at his words and loosened his grip on her.. He did hear her question but chose to ignore it.. It wasn't time yet.. He set back the tendril of hair that was adamant on sticking to his Angel's face.. He saw her closing her eyes at his touch and for some unknown reason, he felt his heart expanding at that gesture.. He traced his finger along her eyes down through her cheeks and stilled as he reached her rosy plump lips.. Her parted glistening lips were pushing him off the edge.. He slowly traced his finger just below her lower lip and grinned like a fool when he felt Khushi weaken and fall on him clutching his shirt a bit more tightly.. To hell with all the 'One step at a time' s.. He saw her angelic face one last time and smiled to himself as Khushi was still with her eyes closed and breath rapid.. Arnav slowly moved down to savor her lips..

Knock - knock..

Arnav could have literally waged a war against the who-so-ever was that person outside the closed door.. He saw Khushi snapping her eyes open and Arnav fell in Love with the woman in his arms once again.. Her beautiful doe shaped hazel green eyes became complete saucers.. She tried freeing herself wriggling in his arms.. Arnav tightened his grip which made her see his face..

Khushi saw him frowning and felt him pulling her further into him.. She knew it was going too fast for her to digest but, not a moment with him made her feel wrong.. She was losing herself into those chocolate pools when she heard his husked whisper caressing her nose and mouth with a warmth that seemed to reach her heart..

"What exactly are you trying to do, Khushi?"

"Woh.. Someone might see us.."

Arnav smirked at her reply.. Naive little minx.. Did she know that she was digging her own pit? Words must be used with utmost care and selection, specially if the one you are talking to is Arnav Singh Raizada... Leaning onto the window, Arnav pulled Khushi onto him.. Taking his right hand from her waist, he cupped her nape and smiled at finding her closing her eyes.. Inching forward making his lips brush her soft ear lobes, Arnav spoke in a husk, sending shivers and desire spiraling down her spine..

"So.. If we are alone, you okay with this?"

Khushi kept her eyes closed and her lips trembling and parted.. Her skin developed a pink-red hue and Arnav could literally feel heat emanating from her.. Not wanting to risk his control anymore, loosened his grip and made her stand.. But finding her still lost in him, Arnav bent close enough to let his breath wash over her lips and whispered..

"Tell me Khushi.. What do you feel?"

Shivering at his voice, Khushi fisted his shirt in her hands and spoke with a tremble in her voice..

"I.. I feel safe.. Warm and.. And complete.. I feel YOU.."

Arnav would have devoured his Angel then and there if not for the knocks that turned into bangs.. Before he could burst out onto that person, he heard Aman and Payal shouting from the other side of the room.. Khushi quickly untangled herself from him and was looking everywhere except him.. Smirking, Arnav led her to the couch and felt a sense of pride when she din't reserve at his touch.. He saw Khushi being tensed and barked at his now-turning-to be-annoying employees..

"Wait for a second, Dammit!!"

Khushi almost jumped at his tone and looked at him startled.. Her eyes began to mist which din't go unnoticed by Arnav.. He mentally kicked and awarded himself 'The official ambassador of the community of dumb-asses..'.. He sat down beside her and cupped her face..

"Khushi.. I.. That tone is reserved only for the rest of the world.. With you, I'l always be the way I'v always been till now.. And if you want, I'l change further as you like.. Please stop crying, Khushi.. I.. Please.. Now, feel free and sit relaxed.. I'm going to open the door.. Okay?"

Khushi couldn't make a single proper syllable.. He loves her.. And thats more than enough for her.. But no, he went further and proposed her.. Kissed her.. Teased her.. Made her feel like a woman.. Made her feel worthy and precious.. Made her feel complete and special.. And now, he's ready to change himself for her?? What has she done to deserve him? She couldn't hold the over whelming feeling inside her.. It was just too much for a single day.. Too much that she began to feel suffocated.. Being helpless at the emotions that were sweeping off her, she just let her tears roll down only to be replaced by his warm lips and sweet nothings.. Finally when she let herself lose into him and trust him with everything she had, she felt him brushing his lips at her temple.. His warm embrace and soothing whispers made her want to be selfish, just for once and to savor this man all to herself.. She felt his warm feathery love filled kisses along her hair and forehead and heard him whisper with such love that a fresh tears were ready to pour out..

"Shush.. It's okay.. It's just Payal and Aman.. Both of them Love you and.. Khu.. Khushi.. You are not crying because of what I'v been doing, are you? I mean.. God! I'm such a jerk!! Khushi, did I hurt you?"

Hurt? He? Her?! What the hell is he talking?!! Khushi snapped her head up to find him staring at her with guilt and pain.. How can this man love her so much? Not trusting her voice, Khushi nodded negatively a bit too fast only to feel her head dizzying out..

"Khushi.. Khushi.. Okay.. I get it.. It's not because of me.. I believe.. Stop doing that.. Just stop Khushi.. You'l hurt yourself.. Khushi.. Please.."

Arnav's hart expanded exponentially threatening to break his rib cage and perform a salsa around the room.. She felt safe with him.. She din't push him away at his touch.. She din't run away or cut past his proposal.. She let him explore her.. And above all, he's not the reason behind her tears.. What else did he want? Arnav knew he was going a bit too fast.. But he really want to get her into his life, outta her shell.. And for that, he needs to push her to the edge.. And that's what he has been doing.. In a way pleasing him, of course.. Smiling like a love sick puppy, he wiped her tears and whispered that he was now going to open the door.. Finding her nodding at him but not yet looking up, Arnav smirked and pecked her tiny red button nose before he made his way to open the door of his room.. Glancing at her now beet red face with her eyes popped out, Arnav opened the door laughing..

"What the hell?!"

"Arnav.. Arnav are you okay?"

"Aman is my face fine? I mean did I plaster all the icing of the cake I ate back down?"

"Arnav, please tell me you are fine.. Else Shyaam is going to kick the hell outta me.. God, I'm literally shivering at the thought of Anjali.."

Khushi couldn't stop the smile spreading on her face.. Seeing Khushi inside, Payal pushed Arnav aside and barged into the room.. Arnav saw Khushi getting tensed but the part that took his breath away was when she looked up at him as if asking him to help her out.. Arnav grinned like an idiot only to be slapped on his back by Aman..

"Arnav, Oh My God.. You are sick.. I'm sure.. First you don't answer us.. Then you open the door after an eternity and laugh at us.. And now, you are grinning? Let's go back home.."

Arnav saw Khushi snapping her head up at the mention of him going away.. He would have teased her but knowing how fragile she is, he din't want to take any risk.. He shot a glare at Aman making him sigh in relief..

"Thank God! Finally, I'v got a glimpse of you.. What's wrong boy?"

"You would have known it the moment you entered this cabin, if you would have used your eyes better than your mouth.. And what's with you, Payal? Why the hell were you banging and shouting at my door? And what is with this pushing me and rushing into my room?"

Payal looked at him lazily and sat beside Khushi taking her hand in hers..

"We are NOT in office, okay? And for your information, it was YOU who barked at me to get to here immediately saying that Khushi was sick!! It was YOU who told me to drop that deal I'v been working DAY & NIGHT for the past one month, in the middle and run here!!! It was YOU who din't pick my calls.. It was YOU who din't answer my knocks!! It was YOU who laughed at me like a mad man!! And it is YOU who is cross-questioning me?! What the hell is happening around here?!!!"

Khushi let out a chuckle at her Jiji's out burst and Arnav's shocked and later amused face..

"Don't you dare laugh at me Khushi!! Just because he loves you, it doesn't mean that I'l leave you.. You are my sister first and then his lover.. Get that?"

The room was filled with pin drop silence..

Payal shut her mouth with her hands immediately..

Aman shut his eyes and then began glaring at Payal..

Arnav was looking at Khushi with no emotion..

Khushi was looking at Arnav with a complete question mark and and exclamatory mark too!!!

After what seemed to be hours, they heard Khushi whispering..

"Jiji knew?"

Arnav moved to her and sat by her side and nodded, taking her hands into his.. Payal thought of making some damage control and spoke calmly..

"Any one would.. The way he kept looking after you and all.. A proper look at him and anyone could tell that he had been completely smitten by you.."

Arnav looked hopelessly at Aman who nodded at him with a smile and dragged Payal out of the room closing it with a soft thud..

Arnav pulled her closer to him and spoke with concern and love making Khushi go weak at her knees..

"Khushi.."

Before he could continue, he heard Khushi whispering..

"How?"

A completely clueless Arnav kissed her knuckles and whispered back..

"How what, Sweetheart?"

Did he just call her Sweetheart? Not wanting to let her tears spill out, Khushi replied with her eyes closed and breathing rapid, the beautiful result of his passionate loving gestures..

"Jiji.. H.. How? When did it.."

Arnav knew it was time he started revealing himself to her.. Pecking her cheeks, Arnav whispered back..

"Long before.. I took Payal's help to come to you.. I love you from time you din't even see me.."

Khushi snapped her eyes open and squeezed his hands.. Looking into his Chocolate pools, she tried searching her answers..

"Who are you, Arnav?"

Hugging her to himself, Arnav kissed her hair lovingly as she snuggled into his neck..

"Not now.. Time is yet to come.."

Khushi pulled back and tried to speak but seeing Arnav nodding a no, she stopped..

"You'l know me when you finally gather enough strength to trust me completely and love me back unconditionally.."

Saying so, Arnav pulled Khushi into a bone crushing hug savoring the feel of her against him.. Kissing her forehead, he dipped himself to her nape and placed a wet kiss mumbling

"I love you, Khushi.."

transporting her to a world of pure joy, love and pleasure..