Chapter 12

For My Readers⭐️

A long, though hastily written, update to celebrate the new thread !🥳

I am amazed I managed to find the time to write at all. But Love conquers all ! And you guys have given me lots of it ! Much more than I ever expected ! ❤️ 🤗

In one swift motion Arnav picked up Khushi in his arms and strode towards the SUV in the pelting rain before Khushi could react. But other than the initial surprised "Arrey Arnavji !", her "Chodiye Hummey !" was an unconvincing murmur. With one hand on his shoulder and the other clutching his lapel she looked into his brown worried eyes with amazement!

A bout of happiness surged through her as he looked down at her reassuringly! Big droplets of water dripped down his hair and face, touching her face and body and dancing into oblivion! Khushi sighed in contentment !

He slid her into the passenger seat of the car, and smiled at her before moving to his side of the car. Wow! Laad Governor can actually smile so nicely she thought . Securing her with the seat belt quickly, Arnav reversed the car and took off in the opposite direction.

"Where are you going Arnavji? My apartment is the other way!" Khushi exclaimed.

"First I have to take you to the hospital Khushi," concern was writ on Arnav's face.

"Hospital? But why? Thanks to Devi Maiyya I have only a few bruises on my arms and legs, otherwise I am absolutely fine."

"No you are not. If you had been fine you would not have let me carry you so easily without creating a racous! Also you were sighing in pain a while back, were you not?

"Yes, Arnavji, I was sighing, but not in pain '..and I let you carry me because'"Khushi broke off, not knowing how to explain what she felt in his presence.

Arnav looked at her bewildered expression and remarked, " You are in shock, Khushi."

Khushi's lips formed the delectable'O'!

Oh! This strange gripping turmoil within her was shock, she mused.

Arnav saw her far-away look from the corner of his eye and accelerated his SUV towards the hospital.

The car raced into the Hospital Emergency' car park. Arnav jumped out of the car and running to the passenger's side of the car, lifted Khushi in his arms once again and ignoring her half-hearted protests, carried her inside the hospital, his long legs covering the hospital yard in a few fast strides.

As soon as he stepped inside he began barking orders to the doctors and nurses on duty, "She had an accident! She is in pain! She is hurt! She is in shock! Attend to her at once! Also get all medical tests done immediately!"

There was something about his personality that did not augur any argument. There were two doctors on duty. The junior doctor started examining Khushi at once. He ordered the nurses to clean and dress the visible wounds.

Much to Khushi's surprise all the nurses hovered around her to do their little bit, glancing at Arnav every now and then for his approval and rare smile. Khushi smiled inwardly.Really, the Laad Governor knows how to turn on his charm, thought Khushi, enjoying all the attention.

However, there was not much to attend to, as Khushi was lucky to have escaped from the accident almost unscathed. The older doctor calmly explained to Arnav that Khushi was fine but they would get all tests done the next day if he wanted. It was only when Khushi promised him that she would go to the hospital the next day that Arnav relented and reluctantly carried her back to the car.

Arnav had almost reached her apartment when Khushi let out a loud yelp, "Hayye Devi Maiyya! Hayye!"

Without a second thought Arnav put the car in back gear and turning speeded towards the hospital once again!

"Stop, stop, stop, Arnavji !" Khushi yelled .

"What the! Khushi! I know you are in pain. Why are you asking me to stop?" Arnav yelled back at her.

"Uff! Arnavji! I am not in pain. I took Devi Maiyya's name because I suddenly remembered that my scooter is lying on the road somewhere!"

"Really Khushi, you are unbelievable! You just remembered about it! But I have taken care of it already. Aman has picked it up."

Oh! Dhanyavad Arnavji," Khushi said in a demure voice.

Arnav had just made a U-turn back to Khushi's apartment, when she shrieked again, "Hayye Devi Maiyya!"

Arnav stopped the car in desperation."What now, Khushi?"

"I forgot to get the keys to my apartment, and Neha is also not in town" Khushi wailed.

Arnav rolled up his eyes and said in an exasperated voice, "Great! What do we do now?! Don't your building security personnel have spare keys?"

"Yes but Ramlal Guardji is getting married and all the security guards have taken leave to attend his marriage," Khushi said, her eyes brimming with tears.

Arnav muttered under his breath,"Unbelievable! All the guards have disappeared! After all they are guards of her building! Some of her pagalpan (madness) must have rubbed off on them!".

Khushi sniffed loudly, her red face threatening to burst into tears!

Arnav said hurriedly, "Don't cry Khushi. Let me think. I can take you to my house or put you up in a hotel or''"

"No, no, no, I want to go home," Khushi cried.

The sight of her tears melted Arnav. "Alright, alright! Then there is only one thing to do. I will climb up to your flat and open the door from inside. The lock of the sliding door of your balcony is still broken isn't it?"

Khushi eyes grew big and round and wiping her tears with both hands she asked him excitedly, "Really Arnavji, will you do that?"

"Do I have a choice?" Arnav grunted.

"Can I climb the building with you, Arnavji? Please, please, say yes! Ever since you told me about buildering hobby, I have wondered what it must be like to be suspended in mid-air!"

"But you just met with an accident, Khushi !

"But Arnavji the doctors gave me a clean chit! Moreover, remember,you had told me buildering is not dangerous, then prove it !" Khushi said with a pout, throwing him a challenge.

Arnav stared at her for a minute and then shrugging his shoulders said, "Okay but I am not letting you climb up on your own. You can hang on to my,back if you like."

Arnav opened the back door of his car and took out his gear and harness. He told Khushi to stand still while he tied her securely by her waist behind his back.

His proximity set her heart racing and she was embarrassed at the way her heart was dhak dhaking! She had not taken this factor into account! She was wondering whether she should back out when she felt a tug and she was hanging in mid-air!

The harness swayed as a cool gust of wind hit them. Khushi closed her eyes and buried her face in his broad muscled back.

Arnav looked back at her and smirked, "Darr gayi kya? (Are you scared?)"

Khushi fluttered her eyes open, "Nahi to'..

The beautiful sight that greeted her eyes made her forget everything!. They were among the stars! Twinkling blue, glittering gold and sparkling silver, against the darkness of the night cleaned and washed by the rain.

"Arnavji, dekhiye, Taarey (Arnavji, see stars) !" she screamed excitedly.

"Big deal!" smirked Arnav.

"Big deal to hain! Humarey Amma Babuji jo taarey ban gayyen hain humarey kitney paas aa gayye hain(Ofcourse it is a big deal! My parents who have become stars seem so close to me)! Khushi grinned happily like a child, pointing at two bright stars in the sky.

Arnav asked hesitatingly "But your parents'.

"Died in a car accident when I was eight years old. My maasi and mausaji, who are like my Amma-Babuji brought me up.They and Payal jiji are all I have as family," Khushi said with a tremor in her voice.

Arnav was quiet for a moment and then said softly "I understand. I know what it is to be an orphan in this world."

Unconsciously Khushi hugged him tightly and looked at the stars misty eyed. She felt one with him among the stars

She felt she needed to know what was uppermost in her mind. "When did you really break off with Lavanyaji ?"

Since they had reached her balcony Arnav did not answer her immediately. He landed on the balcony in one swift motion. He then untied the belt from Khushi's waist and turned her to face him.

In a magical balcony shaded with stars, he held her close, his brown chocolate eyes looking deep into her hazel ones and he said soft but determined tone, "I am going to say this just once Khushi, so listen carefully. Lavanya and I had decided on a live-in relationship inspite of Nani's disapproval. The day I landed up in your balcony and broke your bed, I was supposed to bring her home. But I didn't because I suddenly felt I needed more time to think over my relationship with Lavanya."

Then the very next day we went shopping for a new bed, remember?"

Khushi nodded bemused. How could she ever forget that day!

"And you threw tea on me in the caf? I had gone over to Lavanya's place to change but ended up breaking off with her. She wanted to know why I had backed out. But what could I tell her' I could not fathom it myself."

Khushi stared at him in daze. What was he trying to say?!

But before she could ponder on this anymore, he prised open the door and holding her hand brought her inside her room.

Khushi was lost in thought, when she heard him exclaim,"What the'! What is that doing here?" pointing straight ahead.

Khushi raised her eyes! Lo behold! In her room, right in front of her eyes was the Suhaag Raat (First Wedding Night) Special bed they had checked out together in the 'Only Beds' showroom!

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wiwy2013-08-02 14:33:12