Chapter 4

The salesman stood between ASR and Khushi, gaping and blinking his eyes, moving his head back and forth like a ping pong ball, as each challenged the other with gusto. Before they could start off again, he jutted in, "If expense is not an issue, Sir, then I must say Madam has made the most fantastic choice! Please, why don't you both sit down on the bed and get a feel of it?" he begged, wiping his brow.

Khushi smiled sweetly at the salesman and glaring at ASR, sat down on the bed gingerly, stretching her arms and feeling its softness under the tips of her finger. ASR stared at her with darkening eyes and flopped down beside her silently, eyeing her all the while.

The salesman was overjoyed that he had stalled the war of words between the two and gleefully bent down and pushed a button on the left side of the bed. The bed suddenly started rotating. Though the movement was very smooth and sluggish, Khushi was not prepared for it. She let out a small yelp and clutched on to ASR's sleeve to steady herself, bringing herself in close proximity to him. Unnoticed by her, he caught his breath as her sweet smell invaded his senses.

Out of the blue, a flimsy, soft, lacy material swished down from the ceiling mirror enveloping the bed. The tiniest of fairy lights concealed in the net slithered down cocooning the two bodies in a softly lit hue. Khushi felt she was in seventh heaven and turned her head excitedly towards him. That was her undoing! His lips were inches away from hers, his breath in her hair. She lifted her gaze and the fiery passion in his caramelized eyes hit her like a blast. She struggled to apprehend why a sweet ache rose within her. She understood however it had something to do with him. In a daze, she followed the movement of his adam's apple, not realizing he was trying to gulp down his heightening desire for her.

Abruptly, he jerked her hand away from his sleeve and rising to his feet almost tore up the creamy net in his desperation to extricate himself from the flimsy material. Then he growled at the salesman to stop the motion of the bed at once.

The salesman complied to his command immediately but oblivious to the growing temperature in that particular corner of the store, chirped, "How did you like the surprise?"

Khushi slid off the bed, pulling down her kameez, her breathing shallow. Avoiding him and trying to act normal she addressed the salesperson in a cheery voice, "I told you I am taking this bed. Khushi Kumari Gupta ne bol diya to bol diya.(Khushi Kumari Gupta does not go back on her words)! Saying so, she raised her arms dramatically, looking upwards, and suddenly asked; her gaze fixed at the ceiling mirror, "By the way I can't understand the function of the mirror on the ceiling? What is it for?

"Function Madam? Uhhh''ummm'..The man darted a glance at ASR who was now raking his hand through his hair with a far away look on his face. The poor salesman realized that he would have to do this alone, and said in a flat voice, "I thought you understood Madam. It's a Suhaag Raat special bed with all the'.ahem' trappings to make the night memorable! The right choice for you and Sir, here."

" Kya matlab?(What do you mean?)" Khushi's eyes widened. It took a few seconds before realization dawned upon her and she clasped her hand to her well rounded 'O' mouth, aghast!

Her expletive brought ASR out of his thoughts. He gauged the situation in one glance. A mischievous lopsided smile broke out on his lips when he saw Khushi's 'O' expression and he spread his hands in a "I tried to tell you" gesture. Looking away from him, Khushi pouted, yes, he had tried to warn her. But how could have she known that he was trying to help and not act his usual smug self! Hayye Devi Maiyya!

She now turned to the salesman and all but shouted at him, "I just want a normal bed, Mister. Can I get one in this abnormal place?"

"Yes, yes ofcourse'" The man looked bewildered at this sudden turn of events and looking at her with puppy eyes said, "Madam, the strong oak bed, the first one you saw, that would be the best, I think'."

"We will take it," ASR said quickly, before Khushi could bite off the man's ears!

She glared at ASR and then making up her mind said, "Okay. But I refuse to stay here anymore. I will wait for you outside." And saying that she sauntered out of the store with her head held high, daring anyone to make snide remarks at her. No one accosted her or gave her knowing looks and she sighed in relief as she crossed the threshold!

ASR looked after her amazed. "She is a sample of sorts," he muttered to himself masking a smile under his stern features.

"My P.A. will make the payment and give you the necessary details for delivery," he said to the salesman, looking at his watch and moving towards the door.

The salesman, scurried after ASR, handing him his card, panting, "Don't you worry Sir, Madam will be back for the Suhaag Raat special bed."

ASR stopped in his tracks and narrowed his eyes, sizing up the man. But curiosity got the best of him, "She will?" he quizzed.

"Yes, Sir. That is what I have learnt from my experience with women! Women you know''.." he trailed off, wondering whether he had offended his wealthy and classy customer.

ASR hid his smirk and said with a straight face, "Wish I had your experience in women, Mr''.?"

"Myself, Mr. Sharma, Sir'." He shook hands with ASR. "You will learn, Sir. You are but young. And you and Madam make such a lovely couple."

"We do?" ASR looked at him in amazement but actually felt that he had heard the most natural thing in the world.

What the! What am I thinking?

"What crap!" he said aloud to a startled Mr. Sharma before breezing out.

The poor Mr. Sharma didn't know what had hit him! "A beautiful but crazy couple!" Mr. Sharma muttered to himself.

Khushi was leaning against the bonnet of the SUV, munching the channas kept in her jhola (bag made of cloth), a forlorn look on her face, her pout prominent, when ASR emerged, adjusting his shades. When he unlocked the car she sat down quietly with her head bowed, fidgeting with her fingers in her lap, chewing her lower lip with great concentration.

"Tum theek ho (Are you okay)?" his voice seemed concerned and Khushi nodded, not looking up.

Suddenly, she heard a loud chuckle and Khushi raised her thick eyelashes, surprised.

It was him!

He was grinning from ear to ear, no'. he was shaking with silent mirth'. and then all of a sudden, throwing back his head, he exploded with laughter!

Khushi stared at him stupefied. Hastey huye aap bilkul bhi Laad Governor nahin lagtey (You do not look like a Laad Governor at all when you laugh), she mused!

Her wary hazel eyes met his dancing brown ones! It struck her suddenly how funny the situation was! And she found herself joining him, enjoying and sharing his amusement at what had just taken place at the showroom!

The SUV ricochetted with their laughter as their eyes held each other!

(To be continued)

Leave your 'Like's, that is, if you did like the update 😃 😃and

please do comment while you are at it! 😃 😃

Thankyou! 😃 🤗

Please send friend request for PM.😃

wiwy2013-06-19 10:52:55