Arshi SS: The Guardian Angel Pt 8 pg 63 14/02 - Page 33

Khushi leaned against the recliner by the poolside, deeply engrossed in the book in her hand. She heard a sound behind her and she looked over her shoulder to peek into Arnav's room, excited. Her face fell as she realized that she had imagined the sound. She sighed and leaned back against the recliner and looked back at her book. She hadn't seen Arnav all week. He had been busy with work, leaving for office before she woke up and coming back home after she had slept. All week, she had stayed by the poolside at night hoping to catch a glimpse of Arnav when he came home. Once she was surprised to find herself in bed and her book by the poolside the next morning, when her last memory was of reading her book by the poolside. Did Arnavji carry me to my room that night? A faint crimson appeared on her cheeks. She slapped her palm against her forehead and shook her head in disapproval. Yeah, right, Khushi. Why would he do that? She raised her eyebrows and looked up as she heard footsteps approaching her.

Arnav was anxious to get home. It had been a long week. AR was launching a new line of bridal wear the next day and he had been busy talking to the media, distributors and stores all week, as well as planning the fashion show. Today his meetings had ended early and he couldn't wait to get home.. to see her! He missed Khushi.. he missed seeing her smile and talking to her. Every morning before leaving and every night after getting back, he would walk past her bedroom hoping that he could catch a glimpse of her. One night, he was surprised to find her asleep on the recliner by the poolside, a book in her hand. She had looked so pretty, her face calm and radiant in the moonlight that he didn't have the heart to wake her up. He had taken the book from her hand and placed it on recliner. He had scooped her up in his arms and admired how perfectly she fit in his arms. She had snuggled closer, feeling comfortable against his warm chest. He could have sworn that he even heard a content sigh from her. He had carried her to her room and placed her on her bed. He had stayed in her room for a few minutes, watching her sleep, admiring how beautiful she looked even in her sleep. A honk interrupted his thoughts. He chuckled as he saw heart-shaped balloons hanging outside one of the shops. Valentine's day. I can't believe people actually fall for that marketing trick. He raised his eyebrows. Will Khushi expect me to give her a gift tomorrow? Wait, she doesn't even know you like her. Maybe you should first tell her before you give her something. Maybe I will.. tonight. He smiled, as he pressed his foot on the brake.

"Didi." Khushi looked up and saw Aarav running to her.

"Aarav, I thought you were watching TV with Nani." She brought her feet to the floor and made space for Aarav to sit next to her on the recliner. He collapsed onto the recliner and nodded.

"Yes, didi.. but Nani started watching her serial. You know didi, they talked about Valentine's day on the serial. Didi what is Valentine's day?"

Khushi smiled. "Valentine's day is a day for lovers. They express their love for each other by giving gifts or by doing something special to let their loved ones know how much they love them."

His eyes light up. "Oh, gifts and something special." He pursed his lips for a moment. Then he leaned closer, placed a quick kiss on her cheek and ran off. Khushi smiled and leaned back on the recliner to read her book.

"Papa, can you take me shopping?" Arnav looked up as he heard Aarav's voice. He had just stepped out of his car. Arnav looked towards the front door. He had hoped to go straight to see Khushi. He looked at Aarav and sighed, seeing his impatient face. Aarav added, with a pout. "Please.. wont take much time."

"Ok." Arnav nodded with a smile.

Her eyes were on the book but her mind was somewhere else. Tomorrow is V-day? How could I forget? The faint crimson re-appeared on her cheeks. I wonder if Arnavji will get me something tomorrow. Umm.. stupid female. Why would he get you something huh? Who is he? Your boyfriend or your husband? Neither. She shook her head, disappointed. She paused and pressed her lips together. Maybe I should tell him how I feel. I have to leave in a few days anyways. Why leave with the regret that I never told him how I feel. What will he do in the worst case? Fire me? Shout at me? Throw me out of the house? I am leaving anyways. Why do I feel that he won't... Why do I feel that he likes me too? A smile appeared on her lips.

Arnav stared at the stuffed teddy bears arranged in the racks in front of him. There were toys the size of his palm and ones that were as tall as him. Geez, people go all out for this day, don't they? I wonder what Khushi might like. I guess she might appreciate something simple. His thoughts were interrupted by Aarav.

"I am done. Let's go."

Arnav raised his eyebrows as he saw the paper bag in Aarav's hand.

"Ok, where do I pay?" He looked around for a counter.

"I already paid, Papa." Aarav said, a proud look on his face.

"You did? Where did you get the money from?" Arnav asked, shocked.

"I paid with my savings. Didi and Nani give me money for doing small chores around the house."

Arnav smiled, proud of his son. Khushi had been a good influence on him. He hoped he could convince her to stay, and not just for Aarav's sake. "Great, let's go home."

"Arnavji, I.. I .. I have to tell you something." Khushi cleared her throat. "I .. I love .. umm.. I .. umm.. I love you?" She shook her head. How lame! How about... she cleared her throat again. "I can't live without you. I need you. I want you in my life. " Yeah, that will definitely scare him. She was so deep in her thoughts, mumbling to herself, she didn't hear the footsteps approaching her.

Arnav walked into his room and put his laptop bag on the bed. Then he heard a voice outside his room. He walked to the French door and saw Khushi sitting on the recliner, leaning against the back, her legs stretched flat on the recliner, talking to herself.

"Khushi?" He said softly. "Are you alright."

Arnavji? Khushi's face lit up and she jumped up from the recliner, her book falling to the ground. She smiled as their eyes met.

"You are home early today." She composed herself and asked softly.

Arnav nodded, well-aware of the increased pace of his heart beats. She had noticed he had come home early. I came home early for you, yes, for you, Khushi. Now if only you could say that aloud, you moron, he chided himself.

"Umm.. I wanted to tell you something." Khushi said, looking awkward.

Arnav, concerned, took a step closer. "What is it?"

Khushi twiddled her fingers and looked away from him, confused on what to say. "I.. umm.." She slowly lifted her eyes up to meet his concerned eyes. She gulped and twiddled her fingers again.

Arnav watched her nervousness. Is she trying to tell me what I think she might.. He soon forgot what he was thinking as he admired how beautiful she looked in a simple red kurta over jeans. He took a step closer once again and wondered, why is she so nervous? What does she have to tell me?

He looked into her eyes. She froze.

He chuckled and took one more step forward. "At the risk of getting slapped." He gently touched her cheek and pressed his lips against hers. He pulled away a second later and watched her shocked expression.

"Go ahead. Slap me. Shout at me." He said, with a wide grin on his face.

Khushi moved closer, stood on her toes and threw her arms around his neck. She pressed her lips against his. He glided his arms around her waist and pulled her close. He gently licked her lower lip and she parted her lips, sighing into his mouth. He slid his tongue into her mouth and she shuddered as their tongues met. The kiss had been soft and gentle at the beginning, but soon it turned passionate, as their tongues explored the deepest corners of their mouths, fully aware of how much they wanted each other.

Arnav pulled away and Khushi collapsed into his arms, her knees weak.

"Wow", Arnav exclaimed. That kiss had been much better than he had ever imagined it to be.

Khushi pulled away and looked at him, shocked. She pinched her arm and uttered a yelp. Arnav touched her arm, confused. "What are you..?

"Am I dreaming, Arnavji? Is this happening for real?"

Arnav opened his eyes wide. With a chuckle, he asked, "Oh so did you dream about this?"

She blushed. Suddenly her smile disappeared. She took a few steps back quickly. "What am I doing?"

Arnav quickly moved closer and took her in his arms. "Sssh.. don't think. Just relax." He closed his eyes and pressed her body against his, feeling her warmth, taking in the fruity smell of her shampoo, as he rested his chin against her shoulder. He could feel her relax a few seconds later and she glided her arms around his waist.

They pulled apart when they heard a knock. "Dinner is served, babua." came Hari Prakash's voice.

"Come to the poolside after dinner,ok?" Arnav said as Khushi walked towards the French doors. She turned around to look at him; she nodded, with a smile.

Khushi carried the serving dish to the dining table. As she approached, Arnav pulled the chair next to him back. Nani looked up hearing the sound of the chair being pulled. She saw Arnav looking at Khushi and she looked away, smiling. Khushi's eyes met Arnav's and she blushed. She walked to Aarav, who was sitting across the table from Arnav. She served him and Nani before walking towards Arnav. She served him rotis and sat down next to him. She took a plate for herself and took two rotis and three spoons of curry. A few minutes later, Arnav's hand found its way to her knee. Khushi jumped up and started coughing. Arnav quickly poured some water into a glass and gave it to her. He chuckled as she glared at him. Nani stifled a smile, while Aarav looked confused and repeatedly asked Khushi if she was alright.

"This is perfect." Khushi said, with a dreamy sigh.

"I know." Arnav said, pressing his head against hers.

They were sitting on the ground by the poolside, leaning against the edge of the recliner and their legs stretched on the floor. Khushi leaned her head against Arnav's shoulder. His arm was around her shoulders. Stars twinkled in the sky above them.

When Khushi's eyes fluttered open, she was sitting alone on the poolside. She got up and walked to the French doors leading to Arnav's room. She heard the shower running, so she walked back to her room. She picked up her towel and walked to the bathroom. Half an hour later when she came out drying her hair, she found a gift-wrapped package on the bed. She walked to the bed and picked it up. On the gift-wrapping was a card that said, "Wear this for tonight's show. A."

She heard footsteps at the door. "You want me to come to your show?" She asked, thinking it was Arnav who walked in. She looked concerned as she saw Aarav running towards her.

"Chottu, did you need something?" She asked. She watched the boy curiously. His hands were hidden behind him; he was clearly carrying something he didn't want her to see.

He shook his head and brought one of his hands forward. Her face lit up seeing the bouquet of red roses in her hand. When she took the bouquet from him, he extended his other hand which had a small teddy bear inside a coffee mug.

"Happy Valentine's day." Aarav exclaimed and threw his arms around Khushi.

Khushi smiled and hugged him tight. "Thank you."

He continud, "I love you Didi and one day when I am old enough to marry, I want to marry you."

Khushi stifled a smile and nodded. "Of course."

"Maybe you should concentrate on your studies and then get a job before you think of marriage Chottu." They looked up hearing Arnav's voice. Arnav stood at the door, his arms crossed across his chest, leaning against the door frame.

Aarav blushed, took one look at Khushi and then at Arnav and ran out the door. Khushi smiled watching him run out. Arnav walked towards her, snaked his arm around her waist, pulled her close and brushed his lips against hers.

"I missed you." He said, softly. She burst into a smile and whispered. "Me too."

"So do I have to compete with my son?" He asked chuckling as she bent down to place the flowers and the gift on her bed.

Khushi laughed in response.

"I wanted to give you something." Khushi looked at him, as he gave her a box. He added, "That's the jewelry that goes with the dress." She took it from him. "I won't be able to come to pick you up. Mohan will bring you to the venue. Be there at 7."

He leaned closer and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Come soon. I will be waiting."

She smiled as he pulled away. She whispered. "So will I."

Arnav smirked, turned around and walked towards the door. He stopped at the door and looked at her over his shoulder. "Happy Valentine's day." He put his hand in his coat pocket and took out a red rose. He placed it on the table next to the door and walked out the door. Khushi burst into a smile.

Final update next. Soon. I was half asleep when I wrote this. Hope you liked it.