Chapter 3

Physical attraction was one thing and this magnetic pull was another! ASR had never associated himself with women any less than the topmost models and he prided himself on his self control which seemed to make him even more appealing to the opposite sex. He was aware of his good looks. Women died to share intimate moments with him, not the other way round. So this searing desire to kiss a nobody girl senseless took him by surprise'..and rage.

Masking his inner turmoil, he walked up to her casually and taking in her flustered condition smirked, "Have you finished admiring me or do you want to ogle some more?"

Khushi felt the blood rushing to her head at his words and spluttered in anger, " Wh..what do you mean? Who do you think you are? Laad Governor kahin ke! I refuse to go anywhere with a rude and arrogant man like you!

"Stop fussing'.and come on. Let's finish this bed business!" And saying that he turned on his heels, walking briskly towards his SUV.

Khushi stood her ground for a few minutes,fuming! Then with a jerk of her shoulder she started after him and said in a high-pitched voice so that he could hear her loud and clear, "I bunked college so that I could shop for the bed and that is the only reason I am coming with you, samjhe aap?"

"But ofcourse'" he said sarcastically, as he opened the door of the car for her.

As he slid into the drivers' seat and a waft of his intoxicating cologne filled her breathing space and she forgot to breathe! So when he asked her to tie her seatbelt he found her staring at him with a deadpan expression on her face.

"Unbelievable!" he muttered under his breath.

He leaned over to tie her seatbelt, his lean fingers brushing the silky skin on her neck lightly and she jumped in her seat as an unknown sensation pervaded her again. As he accelerated the car she wondered why he was affecting her so much. If Buaji had not gone to tirtha yatra (holy pilgrimage) with Maa and Jiji she would have surely told her that someone was doing kaala jadu (black magic) on her. Khushi looked at him from the corner of her eye. Was it possible, she thought, chewing her lower lip. Buildering and black magic seemed a lethal combination!Taking a deep breath she prayed to Devi Maiyya to relieve her from this torture as soon as possible.

The showroom was massive and as soon as Khushi followed ASR into the shop,her hazel eyes widened and her mouth formed a perfect O! There were beds of all sizes and shapes as far as her eyes could see. In the middle, under a huge crystal chandelier, there was a lotus shaped fountain with water swishing in and around it forming rainbow patterns. Light music was playing in the background. Khushi strained her ear to catch the words, it sounded like 'rabba ve'rabba ve'to her and she smiled inwardly, loving the catchy tune.

The showroom was practically empty except for a newly married couple who were standing at the cash counter finalizing their purchase. Further down, a plump woman, about fifty years of age, but dressed to the hilt was waddling around the showroom, with a catalogue in hand exclaiming loudly, "Hello-Hi! Bye-Bye!" as she approached each bed. An elderly gentleman, probably her husband and a salesgirl were following her around looking highly hassled. The woman caught Khushi's eye and made a face at her. Khushi averted her gaze to concentrate on what the Laad Governor was saying to the dapper of a salesman.

"I want the best bed you have. So just show her your designs and be quick about it."

"Yes Sir. Right away, Sir."

A peon appeared from nowhere and handed them two glasses of thandai (a cold drink, chief ingredients, almonds, milk and sugar).The salesman gestured to two young salesgirls standing in a corner to follow him and then turning to Khushi said,

"Please come this way, Madam. What type of bed would you like to see, Madam?

"I want a strong and sturdy bed. One which cannot break," she answered the salesman, glancing at ASR accusingly. ASR smirked and shrugged his shoulders, as his phone rang.

One of the salesgirls pointed at a bed on Khushi's extreme right and said in a sing song voice, "This bed is very sturdy Madam. It is made of oak wood and definitely won't break. Have a look at this catalogue. There are many bed designs in oak. If your earlier bed broke Madam, then it must have been made of low density wood."

"No, no, there was nothing wrong with my bed," cried Khushi defensively.

"He jumped on my bed and broke it," she said excitedly in a loud shrill voice, jerking her thumb at ASR who was talking on his phone.

Her words echoed in the store'.followed by a hushed silence' with only the lilting music playing in the background... What followed was beyond Khushi's perception. The silence was broken by the bedecked woman who exclaimed out of the blue, "Aisa kya karat rahe bedwa par ke bedwa hi toot gaya!Cricket khelat rahe kya?( What were they doing on the bed that it broke! Were they playing cricket?"

The young couple at the counter nudged each other and started giggling! The eyes of the salesgirls nearly popped out of their sockets as they tried hard to hide their smiles! The salesman shuffled on his feet and looked at a point just above Khushi's head! The elderly man stared at Khushi aghast!

Khushi realized what was going on in the minds of these people and she blushed from the tip of her nose to the tip of her toe! She had never been so embarrassed in her entire life. She would have given her right hand to be anywhere in the world but here.

Her eyes downcast she heard ASR chuckling into his phone, "I will call you back Aman". She looked at him from under her lashes. His eyes twinkled with amusement as he disconnected the line and his stubbled face broke out into a maddening smile. Hey Devi Maiyya why is this happening to me, she grimaced, and trying to make amends, began in an explanatory tone, "Actually what I wanted to say was'

"It's okay Khushi. Don't feel shy, everyone understands," he cut her in mid-sentence, smiling charmingly at the small group of people around them. The implication in his husky voice was obvious. Khushi felt enraged. The desire to slap that silly smile off his face was so great that Khushi fisted her fingers at her side, lest she lunged at him. He was enjoying himself at her expense she could see that!

She eyed the exit door, mentally measuring the distance, contemplating whether to bolt for it, when he growled into her ear, "Don't even think of it Khushi Kumari Gupta. Don't you create another scene here." Then taking her by the elbow he steered her away from others, especially the scowling woman whom her poor husband was trying hard to pacify. Addressing the salesman he barked, "We have lost enough time. If you don't show her anything in the next fifteen minutes, we are out of here."

The threat had the desired result. The salesman galvanized into action, leading Khushi to another section as ASR went back on his phone.

"Madam, I have got the perfect thing for you and your husband'."

"He is not my husband" Khushi interrupted him immediately.

The man nooded his head. "Sorry madam. Hone wale hain? (He is going to be?) I understand."

Oh! Devi Maiyya why can't I speak a single word without these people misconstruing it? Khushi thought desperately.

The salesperson stopped in front of a bed which was partially hidden by lace curtains.The bed was round, not very big but looked very soft and comfortable.

credit to the uploader

She really liked it at first glance. Seeing her interested the salesman rattled off, "This is a special bed Madam with many splendid features. It comes with a rotating base, fairy lights, while this button will bring down the nets on the bed. And please observe, the most beautiful attachment, the ceiling mirror which comes free with the bed.

ASR who had finished his conversation on the phone, and was looking around bored suddenly looked interested. Coming up behind her, he rapped the man in a commanding voice, "She does not want this bed."

Khushi's temper rose at his interference. "Ofcourse I do. But maybe it is too expensive for you," she mocked him openly.

"Money is not a problem," he drawled not taking her bait, "but believe me you don't want this deal," he smirked, his caramel brown eyes looking deep into hers, challenging her.

"Too bad Mr. Raizada! I just made my choice!" said Khushi, accepting his challenge in an overtly sweet voice.

😃 Peeleej send friend request for further update 😃

wiwy2013-06-14 11:57:15