Arshi FF ~Falling Out Of Love~ *Chapter 18* Pg 126 **UPDATED** 31/5 - Page 54

Upon entering the room, Arnav gently laid Khushi on the bed. He fussed over her. Putting numerous pillows behind her, insisting that she lie down and rest. And Khushi, she just looked on as he did all this. The concern and love for her were dripping from his face. How much she ever try, she couldn't stop noticing it or stop her heart to beat for him a little more.

Arnav stretched his hand out to pick one more pillow for her but was stopped by the soft touch of his wife's hand on his wrist. When his eyes met hers, his heart thundered at the look of adoration that was shining out of her eyes for him. She shook her head gently and he pulled his arm back and cupped her soft cheek in his palm. As his thumb caressed her gently, he asked softly, "You okay?"

Khushi smiled slightly at him when her eyes caught Anjali standing near the door silently. She has her eyes averted not wanting to intrude. She caught Arnav's wrist pulled his palm from her face. She kept his palm on her lap and squeezed it. "Anjali!" Khushi called out. When her eyes met Anjali's, she prompted her to come and sit beside her on the bed. The poor girl was terrified; Khushi could understand that being a girl Anjali was terrified of what could have happened to her bhabhi.

Anjali immediately hugged Khushi tightly and Arnav looked on as his sister nearly sobbed like a kid in his wife's arms.

Khushi rubbed her back to sooth her, "Anjali, I am fine. Nothing happened to me, Okay? You don't need to worry."

After composing herself, Anjali pulled out of the embrace, her eyes were red and swollen. "I so happy you are fine bhabhi. You don't what we all went through when you were there in the hospital, especially Bhai." Khushi's eyes met Arnav's. "He was a mess bhabhi. I have never seen him like that ever. You are his life bhabhi if something had happened to you; I know we would have lost him too. I don't want to lose anybody bhabhi."

Khushi patted her head, "I am not going anywhere. You don't have to worry."

Anjali, for the life of her, couldn't stop herself imagining what could've happened. Someone drugged her bhabhi to Ra...She snapped her eyes shut to block these gruesome thoughts. Her brother, she remembered clearly, he was splintering apart. The trauma he has gone through when Khushi bhabhi was in the hospital still lingers inside him. It was in the way he stared unblinkingly at Khushi, how his hand never left Khushi's, and how his other hand frequently caressed Khushi's face.

"I'll bring something to eat for bhabhi." Anjali stood up from the bed and left the room to give the couple privacy.

As soon as Anjali left Arnav took her face in his palms and placed a firm kiss on her forehead. She felt him breathe out in relief. "Khushi..." he whispered and her eyes closed feeling his warm breath and the love, fear, relief.

"I'm fine Arnav." She reassured him holding his forearms. Her hands travelled up to his shoulders, feeling the hard muscles underneath the fabric of the shirt. They stopped at his corded neck, the feel of his hair tingling her fingertips. Her eyes took in the lines of his jaw, the dark stubble it has, and knew he was there at the hospital only and never left. With the mind of its own her eyes traced his lips and instantly her body felt warm from her feet to the tips of her hair, she felt an insane urge to kiss them, feel them on hers.

She felt his hands leave her face followed by a growl, her eyes left his lips and looked into his, and she realised all the time that she has been staring at his lips, he was taking in every expression that came on her face. The look in his eyes told her he knew she'd wanted to kiss him.

"Bhabhi, here is your fo...," The scene to which Anjali entered left her immobile for a second. She has never seen her brother with her bhabhi so close. And by looking at the inches between their it's obvious they were going to kiss, which she interrupted. In her defence, they should have locked the door. She cleared her throat, "Bhai, I brought food for bhabhi."

Arnav and Khushi had sprung apart from each other the instance Anjali entered the room. Arnav could see Khushi was embarrassed, looking at the way she was staring at the threads of the bedsheet intently. Not to make her more uncomfortable, he took the plate from Anjali, ignoring her cheeky smile and not so subtly asked her to get the hell out of his room which she did gladly, but not before she winked at him. Arnav just rolled his eyes at her.

Khushi was just confused all the more. What had gotten into her? Why is she behaving like this? Is she lusting after him? Is falling in love with him? No! That couldn't happen. She will not let it! But then why every time he came close to her, she loses control over herself. God, please don't do this to me. Not again! If she gets her heart broken once more, then she'll never be herself again.

"Stop thinking so hard," Her head snapped at Arnav. He was looking at her with knowing eyes. And with a dread, she realises he sees through her walls. He can read like an open book!

"Khushi," He sighed, shaking his head. "Don't overthink about this. I know that when we first entered this marriage we never thought this would happen." He chuckled shaking his head. "I assure you I was confident that this marriage would go on as we've had planned. But we both know what I feel and I can't stop myself Khushi. I can't," His eyes got a possessive streak, determination flashed through them, "I won't stop myself loving you." He declared causing her pulse to race and heat bloomed inside her. She couldn't stop herself from closing her eyes let the feeling of being loved by him sink into her. And a big part of her was relieved. She felt light in ages and when he caressed her cheekbone, she gladly leaned into his touch.

"I won't hurt you, sweetheart." He whispered, so close to her she could his warm breath on her face. "I am asking you trust me, just a little bit. Just give me a slight opening. Don't hold yourself behind the wall, let me peek through it." There was a slight catch of desperation in his voice. And it hurt her to think that she has reduced this powerful man to this.

"I promise--"

"Arnav! Stop!," Khushi opened her eyes and the sight of him broke her all the more. His eyes were red and had the naked love and desperation for her. There's no doubt in her mind that he loved her wholly, with all his soul. She knew at this moment she is betraying him. She married him for all the wrong reasons and she has planned to divorce him before the truth about Shyam would finally be out in the world to save him from the media which no doubt splash his wife's-her-link to Shyam. How will she be able to leave him now when he had fallen in love with her. And he is Nk's cousin that could have made harder for her to leave him even if Arnav wouldn't have fallen for her. And her heart, this bloody organ couldn't stop beating fast in his presence. NO! She has to tell him about Shyam, but then she has to tell him about Nk, about her college, about him-her first love. Then there is no way he would leave her!

"Khushi, if you are again thinking that what I feel for you is Lust then nothing could be more wrong!" Arnav breathed deeply to calm himself. It hurt him that she thinks he is lusting after her.

"No," Arnav heard her small whisper, "I don't believe its lust. I know you love me." Khushi gave him a tentative smile. He saw her taking a deep breath,"Arnav, I want to tell you something. The reason for which I married you is connected to the people that drugged me. There is a man sh--"

"Bhabhi!" Nk's sudden shout stopped her. Arnav shook his head at her indicating her not to discuss this in front of Nk. This brought tears to her eyes, he didn't want Nk to know this matter, but he didn't know NK knows all the story about his wife.

At the door, NK shook his head at her to which she just averted her eyes. For her, he lost the right to tell her anything when he lied about his brother. "Bhai, Uncle is calling you."

Nk waited as Arnav kissed Khushi on the forehead then her cheeks and whispered something in her ears to which she nodded. "Ok, let's go."

Nk lingered at the door and when Arnav was out of earshots he whispered to Khushi furiously, "You can't tell him anything Khushi! It will destroy him then he will destroy the world for you!" He had to leave or else Arnav will be suspicious not finding him behind. Giving one last look at Khushi, he left with only one thing in his mind. All the shit is going to hit the fan, soon. He knew Khushi well and she will tell Arnav everything! f**k!

Arnav's dad gave him a big hug, patting his back. "I can't say I know how you felt in the hospital, but I know this if something had happened to your mother, I would have preferred to die instead to see that. You have found something precious, protect it Arnav. Feel it with all your heart." He broke the hug and sat on the sofa, Arnav followed him.

Arun looked at faces of his family members and sighed heavily. He can't tell them everything he had found. But he has to give them something. "Arnav, the police have captured the people who drugged Khushi. But they have been paid heavily and are not opening their mouth about the person who paid them to do this." Arnav was breathing heavily, and his fists were clenched tightly that his knuckles stood out. "Relax, Arnav."

"They told police what they were going to do after drugging Khushi." This will be hard, He signalled Nk to be next to Arnav, which he did. "They were instructed to take her to the one that paid them and were strictly told not touch her or he will kill them. He told them he wanted her all t..to himself." Arun was disgusted to recall everything that the three goons have the police.

Arnav froze and only one thing played in his mind in the loop, The reason for which I married you is connected to the people that drugged me. There is a man sh--, His blood boiled and the rage he felt was immense. He will destroy the bas***d. He will kill him with his bare hands. He should've been shocked with his murderous thoughts but not shockingly he was not and he very well knew why. He was protective a bas***d when it comes to his family and this, this the girl he loves with his life, hell, she is his life.

"Bhai," He heard Nk but didn't respond, he just wanted to know the name of that f**ker.

His dad stood up to go but he had a lot of things to talk to him. As if his Dad knew what was going in his mind, he called him to his study saying they need to talk about how to deal with this.

In the study even before Arnav could open his mouth, his dad beat him. "Arnav tell me did Khushi said something about this to you?"

This is the second time Arnav froze. How did dad know?

"Dad, is there something you didn't tell us?" Arnav asked carefully.

"Yes. The men told the police something else also. The man who hired them told them not fail like others have been and that the girl, Khushi, is very smart and have saved herself many times before. He told he liked that about her, her smartness." Arun rubbed his forehead, he was suddenly very tired. "Khushi knows whoever is behind her. So, tell me Arnav did she say anything about this to you?"

"Dad, she was going to tell me something when Nk interrupted us." Arnav looked at his dad's eyes and asked him to take a backseat on this one. "Dad, I need to handle this myself. I don't think Khushi will like you all to know about this. Promise me dad you won't tell anybody about this. I'll talk to Khushi," When his opened his mouth to interrupt him Arnav stopped him, "and if I need any help I'll come to you. I think Khushi needs to trust me to tell me this and if she gets to know you knew about this, she might not tell the whole thing."

His dad smiled at him. "That's why I didn't tell them. Keep me posted about it. And Arnav tread carefully. My gut says it will not be easy."

Arnav nodded.

I know, Dad!

A/N: Hey all! So after a very very long time an update for you. I hope you like this update and please share your thoughts about this story, the characters, this update anything you like by commenting. I have posted this story in wattapad under the username crazyreaderhereguys with the same name (Falling out of love) but different character name. It will also have major changes in chapters as I've changed everything that resembled IPKKND. It will be my original story. I hope you give a read to it also and your views, votes and comments will encourage to me write the love story of Ethan and Katherine.