Saturday, September 8, 2012

Chapter Two A




 

Arnav plans for his friend’s visit from Business School

 

 

 

Part A: Back Home 







Arnav slowly stood Khushi up on her feet back again. Both suddenly realized that they were at the airport. Khushi could not look deep in Arnav’s eye without blushing.  She controlled herself and stood up. Arnav let go of her.

As soon as she came back to her senses, she pinched herself, said, “Khushi, wake up! Don’t start dreaming again…” Arnav looked at her with puzzled eyes. He blurted, “What the..!”

Finally it dawned upon Khushi. It really was Arnav and he was actually talking to her in his usual style... Now Khushi’s throat went dry. She opened her mouth to ask him a question, but then thought to herself, “He might get upset if I ask him right now. He has just arrived….”
As it was sinking in that Arnav indeed was standing in front of her, Khushi’s eyes welled up and tears started trickling down her face..
Arnav said in a soft voice, “Khushi, Tum thik toh ho na?... are you alright?”

It seemed like ages since he had asked Khushi this same question in this same affectionate manner. She wanted to let her tears flow freely but she managed to shake her head, and said, “I have seen you after so many days… safe … and… sound.. that’s why…”

She wiped off her tears and with a flicker of smile on her face informed Arnav, “Mohan ji is waiting for us outside. Shall we get going?” Arnav gathered his bags and walked out with Khushi. 

Mohan had the car ready at the curb. “Namaste, Arnav Bhaiyya!” Arnav nodded and said, “Mohan, you take a taxi and go home. It’s late. I will drive back home!”

Khushi interrupted, “No! You have just traveled for so long! You should not!... Let.. Mohan ji...” her words trailed off as Arnav gave her a stern penetrating look.

Mohan said, “Yes, Arnav Bhiayya!’ handed him the car keys and left.
Khushi got in the car as Arnav took the wheel. Put on her seat belt.
In the car… intermittently they looked at each other… pregnant silence ensued… both of them wanted to talk to each other but they could not… their hearts were longing for each other but the awkward silence dominated the atmosphere.

They did not speak but that did not stop their eyes…
“Did you miss me, Khushi?”
“Yes, I did..” Khushi’ s moist eyes said…
Arnav looked at her… intense pain buried underneath a calm gaze was evident in those eyes.. his heart longed to reach out to her…

As they got closer to Shantivan, Arnav stopped the car. He looked at Khushi and said in a firm voice, looking deep in her eyes… “Khushi, listen carefully to what I am about to say. I will only say this once!” Khushi looked up, silently fluttered her eye lids and steadied her gaze as Arnav continued, “From now on, we will never ever talk about Shyam! I don’t want any arguments about this...  no discussion… never.. period! Do you understand me?” Khushi silently nodded “Yes!” Arnav closed the conversation, “Fine!” and started the car again.

After few moments, Khushi tried to say, “But.. what about… that.. . what...  I wanted to say...”
Arnav interrupted her, “I said, no more discussion! Not on that topic! Not again!” Khushi averted his gaze and looked out of the window as they approached Raizada Mansion.


At Shantivan:

Arnav and Khushi entered the hallway. No one was around as it was late at night and everyone had retired to their respective rooms.
Khushi asked in a soft voice, “Why don’t you go and freshen up! I will set the dinner for you.”

“I am not hungry!” Arnav said in a flat voice.
Khushi looked at him, slight hurt reflected in her eyes..
Arnav rectified, “I mean, I ate on the plane.”
“Coffee.. Chai..?” Khushi asked…
Arnav answered, “OK, Chai… adrakwali… with ginger…It’s been long since I had homemade ginger tea…” he wanted to add “made by you, Khushi” but Arnav could not bring himself to say those words…. His eyes did not miss the twinkle in her eyes though when he asked for the ginger tea..
Khushi headed towards the kitchen, “OK, you get going. I will bring it upstairs right away.”

Arnav gathered his stuff and took the stairs up… his feet rushed towards his room.

Arnav opened the door, entered the room…it felt nice to be back home!
Arnav’s gaze quickly went all around the room....the pool... his garden…
He threw his jacket on the chaise by bedside and rushed into the bathroom…

Ten minutes later… Arnav emerged from the bathroom.. his wet hair dripping down his face that occasional drop of water on his relaxed face…
As he threw the towel away, his gaze settled on his photo on the bedside table..
Surprised to find his own picture by his bedside, he wondered what happened… ”What the..”

Just then Khushi entered the room with the tray in her hands…
She followed his gaze.. and said calmly,”Di put it there!” She looked up... 
Her voice almost choked as she realized how much she had missed looking at his wet face with water dripping down his hair... A sudden urge to touch his wet hair overwhelmed Khushi's senses... She somehow managed to control her emotions as she realized that he was waiting for his tea.

“Your chai.. with ginger..” Khushi handed him the tea…
Awkward silence filled the air once again. Khushi stood by the poolside window.. her eyes settled on the tranquil pool water… the light reflected on her face.. enhancing her beauty further…
As Arnav sipped in his tea, his eyes stayed glued to Khushi’s face…
His heart was longing to be with her… his eyes took in Khushi’s beauty as she stood next to the poolside door… the moonlit sky… the gentle breeze blowing her hair.. nervousness palpable on her face… making her somewhat breathless.. she kept crushing the pallu of her saree with her hand… Arnav’s eyes sipped in her beauty… mesmerized…Khushi did not look straight at Arnav… she did not know what to say or what to do… very aware of Arnav’s steady gaze on her made her more nervous.. her breaths became quicker and heavier…
Rabba Ve…..

11 comments:

beena14 said...

Lovely wish yeh secene IPK mei hota . Lovely superb job.

Anonymous said...

very nice story. Waiting for updates

Anonymous said...

awsumm update...
waiting for the nxt update
update soon

IF
ARKUSHLOVE

Anonymous said...

Nice update lovely.....
But y arnav doesnt want talk abt that?
Then how is the MU gonna be cleared????

IF- sooryalekshmi

Anonymous said...

Why is he behaving so strangely...first nice then rude by stating himself n now staring at her with desire...
Something is amiss...please update soon...can't wait...

Arshi94(SONA)

kathrina pheonix (DUMAS) said...

awesome update loved it poor khushi arnav does not want to talk about snake so how is she going to clear this misunderstanding loved the update thanks for the pm

Anonymous said...

awesome update loved it arnav doesnt want to talk about shyam then how is the mu gonna be clear thanks for the pm
drunkiiebabe

Anonymous said...

loved it short and sweet update
kajal620

Anonymous said...

aww awesome update .waiting for the romance in next update................
diba

Ju said...

awesome

Anonymous said...

A Fantastic start to the story,it's absolutely great reading!:)

(tinsel)