Vallery of Flowers Chapter 11

Don’t marry NK.

The words he had spoken earlier hung silently between them as they walked out of the premises of the TajMahal. Since they were the last ones to get out, the caretaker had taken it upon himself to accompany them till the gate, making absolutely sure they had left.

‘I need to use the rest room,’ she said in a low voice as she sat in the car.

‘Could you hold on until we get to the hotel?’ He said impatiently. ‘It’s right next door.’

‘Right next door’ was an understatement thought Khushi when she saw him turning into the drive way in less than five minutes. Looking at Khushi’s surprise when they entered the hotel’s stupendous driveway, Arnav told her that the hotel was just six hundred metres from the TajMahal.

The “hotel” turned out to be The Oberoi – Amar vilas, a building built like a palace, with beautifullycarved pillars and arches.As they stepped into the lobby, Khushiwas stunned by its grandeur.  Ahuge chandelier hung down from a really high domed ceiling illuminating the entire reception with its luminance. Right below the chandelier was an ornate round table with the most elaborate flower arrangement placed on it. Khushi had seen five star hotels before but this one definitely took the cake in its sheer opulence.

A few minutes later, Khushi joined Arnav at their table at the restaurant after having used the wash room. As she gazed at the distant view of the TajMahal, the manager proudly informed her that, all rooms, suites, lobby, bar and lounge in the hotel had a view of the TajMahal.

‘Where is Mr Sheik?’ Khushi said when the manager had left them.‘We will get late getting back home.’

‘He will be here soon. It’s just seven now. I will have you home before next year.’

‘Uh?’ Her eyebrow twisted in confusion at first and then straightened as realization dawned. ‘Oh it’s New Years Eve!’

‘How is Piyali doing?’ Arnav said, once looking at the menu the attender had given them. ‘Did she pass her scholarship exams?’

Khushi’s face fell. ‘She did pass her exams but she didn’t win the scholarship as another child did better than her.’

‘I see.’ He said going back to the menu. ‘Would her family accept a sponsor?’

‘Probably -- but who would be ready ---’ When she saw the look in Arnav’s eyes, Khushi clutched his hand eagerly. ‘You would do that for her?’ she said looking at him with luminous eyes. ‘She could become something.’

‘I am not sure if that is a good or a bad thing.’ He said looking at her hand. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’

Khushi took her hand back and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear nervously. She took off her coat, stretching her shoulders backwards in an unconsciously sensuous gesture unaware that she looked like blossoming rose in her simple pink blouse.

When he saw her earlier in the afternoon, the pink of her blouse had reflected onto her lips, making him want to taste those rosy petals. That is why he had stuttered out a monosyllabic reply and turned away from her before he ended up doing something he might regret.

The meeting with Mr Sheik was successful and by the end of the dinner, they had managed to get another appointment few days later.

After seeing him off, Khushi and Arnav embarked on their journey back to the Delhi. They had been driving for fifteen minutes when Khushi observed that they were moving at a snail’s pace.

‘What’s going on?’ Khushi said rubbing her arms.‘Why are we going so slowly?’

‘Fog.’ Arnav said laconically. ‘Khushi, I think it will be a good idea to go back to the hotel. I don’t think we are too far from Agra yet.’

‘No way!’ She exclaimed. ‘I have to get back home tonight. You promised.’

After another half an hour, they reached the toll and Arnav took out some money for a ticket toward Delhi.

‘Sir, you are going toward Jaipur not Delhi,’ the man at the booth informed him.

‘F@#$!’ Arnav swore under his breath.

‘Hey Devi Maiyya!’ Khushi was aghast.

‘I couldn’t see because of the fog dammit!’ Arnav said hitting his hand on the steering wheel. ‘I will take the next exit and get back on the right road.’

‘Sir,’ the man at the booth interjected. ‘I wouldn’t advice that tonight. Can you see the back up on the other side of the road? If you turn around, you will be stuck in this jam the entire night as the vehicles will just stop for the night. The best option for you will be to drive ahead into FatehpurSikhri. There is a tourist complex -- Gulistan where you can spend the night.’

When Arnav took the ticket and drove on, Khushi said, ‘Arnav, you can’t be serious! Let’s try to get back. I am sure ---‘

‘Khushi, there is no way in hell I can drive further in so much fog,’ Arnav said, ‘In spite of these fog lights I have been managing by just looking at the white paint on the median, hoping there is no obstruction on the road. If there is a hole in the middle of the road due to some repair I am sure we are going to take a dive.’

Ten minutes later they entered the old broken down fort of FatehpurSikhri. Khushi felt a chill go up her spine, as pitch darkness engulfed them from all sides with only the car headlights lighting up their path.Khushi remembered the scary movies she had seen and wondered if they were going in the right direction.

‘Khushi, relax,’ Arnav spoke reassuringly, ‘I saw a board earlier with the name of that tourist complex. It is probably dark because the of a power cut.’

When Arnav drove into the driveway of a rundown building, Khushi grimaced as she looked at the single tube light that illuminated the entrance.

‘If you had listened to me earlier, we could have been staying at The Oberoi.’ Arnav muttered getting out the car.

When he came around to her side, he said, ‘Get your coat….. it is really cold out here.’

‘Oh o!’ Khushi began looking frantically at the backseat of the car.

‘What?’

‘I think I might have left my coat on my chair at the hotel.’

Arnav took off his coat and gave it to her. ‘Here. Let’s just hope this place has good heating or else we are sure to freeze to death.’

When they stepped into the reception four men approached them from different directions. Khushi moved behind Arnav as the whole place had an eerie look to it.Arnav asked them if they could get two rooms for the night, they nodded their assent even as their face showed a hint of surprize. One of them offered to show them the room.

The room painted in purple, wassparsely furnished with a double bed, a night stand and an old rickety chair and table. The bedding seemed clean enough but the wool comforters looked worn out with too much use. There was a stand-alone heater in one corner of the room assuring them the room would at least be heated.

‘We could have stayed in a plush Oberoi suite with a view of the frigging TajMahal!’ Arnav said when the man left them so they could make a decision.

‘You were the one who took the wrong direction and brought us here!’ Khushi shot back. ‘I will have to call home.’ She said lines of worry creasing her forehead.

Arnav left her so he could pay for the rooms and came back in ten minutes.

‘I called Payal and told her my program got delayed and I will be back tomorrow,’ she said and then she saw his sombre face. ‘What happened?’ Khushi asked him.

‘A large group of ten just landed. They gave away one room to them. We just have this one room.’

‘No way Arnav!’ Khushi exclaimed agitated. ‘We were here first. They cannot do this to us. Tell them we don’t agree.’

‘You tell them.’He retorted.

‘Oh, now you want me to go to those men and talk?’ Khushi was livid. ‘Alright, I can do this!’ She left the room in a huff.

She was back in less than ten minutes. When she went to the reception she found herself face to face with a south indian family of ten that included four children and two elderly parents. When she heard the two women enquiring about a heater and hot water for a bath in the morning, she knew she didn’t stand a chance with them.

She came in, laid his coat on the bed and went directly to the bathroom. She realized Arnav had already freshened himself while she was away.

‘You knew I didn’t stand a chance, didn’t you?’ she said closing the door behind her.

‘What can I say Khushi?’ Arnav said as she sat on the rickety chair checking messages on his phone. ‘You are not in the listening mood today.’

‘I wasn’t making a fuss just for the sake of it Arnav. It is your fault anyway. If you hadn’t forced me to stay back for the meeting -----’

He cut her off. ‘You could have run back to spend New Years’s eve in NK’s arms.’ He said harshly.

‘Arnav ---’ Khushi said tiredly.

‘Don’t marry him.’

There it was again. Don’t marry NK. She had thought she hadn’t heard it right as the words had almost drowned under the shrill sound of the care taker’s whistle.

‘Why?’

‘I want you.’ His words sliced through the air that was suddenly charged with tension.

‘What?’ Khushi had heard these words before but this time it sounded deadly serious.

‘You heard me.’

There was absolute silence as no one spoke for a few minutes. ‘You want me to say no to the man who wants to marry me so I can be ----be your ---what Arnav?’ Khushi whispered in anguish.

‘The institution of marriage is highly overrated.’ He grated. ‘Moreover -- you owe me.’

‘Is this some sort of vengeance?’

‘Vengeance?’ One black eyebrow shot up. ‘You think I am forcibly parting you from the man you love?’ His brown eyes flashed and the line of his jaw hardened. ‘If only it was true.’

‘I am so tired.’ She raised her hand to her head.

He jerked his dark head up, suddenly staring at her, the pearly oval of her face. ‘Khushi, surely you did love me. Or was deception, seduction, so natural to you, you could persuade a man of anything?’

‘I loved you Arnav.’ She said poignantly, ‘all those years ago. I even confessed my love to you that night – unlike you.’

‘And you couldn’t wait to find out could you?’ he said looking at her enigmatically. ‘You career came first for you.’

‘Yes.’ She had a secret and she had to live with it. The events of the past were impossible to wipe away or explain.

‘Now that you have achieved what you wanted all those years ago, I am not going to let you get away with it this time. You and I both know you want me as well.’

‘If you think I am going to accept your disgusting proposal ----’ She couldn’t control it. The happiness she had experienced from the moment she had seen him this afternoon dissipated and tears glittered in her eyes.

‘F@#$!’ Arnav walked up to her and pushed her against the door, holding her arms in a crushing grip.‘What does it all mean? You walked out on me, wrote me a letter I am not likely to forget for a long time, and now you are crying!’

‘Arnav don’t!’Tears streamed down her cheeks.

‘Why shouldn’t I? It’s all so improbable. I simply can’t figure you out, Khushi. Nothing about you seems to add up.’

‘I don’t want to talk about this Arnav,’ she shook her head. ‘There is nothing to say.’

He looked at her for a long time in silence, listening to her agitated breathing and the little sobs as she was finding it difficult to control.She was trembling violently, almost maddened by their enforced intimacy, the unimaginable hating and longing at the same time.

‘What’s this all about Khushi?’ he asked her.

She dropped her head, against his shirt front. ‘I hate you Arnav!’

‘No you don’t.’ He said in a husky whisper.

‘I do. Anything between us is mockery, don’t you see? There will always be the past, the nightmare the deception.’

‘What deception?’ he asked urgently. ‘Just tell me!’ He took her head between his hands, forcing it up. ‘Khushi?’

‘There is nothing to tell!’ She yelled at him. ‘Now leave me alone!’

He pushed her aside roughly, opened the door and left the room shutting the door behind him with a bang.

Half an hour later he was sitting in the bar downstairs,nursing a glass of scotch in his hand. He didn’t know why he had said all those things to Khushi. He hadn’t known himself that he was going to say it. Why did she bring out the worst in him?

He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about their kiss on Diwali night. He hadn’t meant for it to happen but she had provoked him and he had lost control. That kiss had haunted him badly in the last month and a half. That was why he had come running half way around the world for a stupid meeting, when he has so much work pending back home.There was only one woman in the world who could make him do this.

He watched as Khushi ran to join her sister and Akash after declaring that the “real” TajMahal was the best place on earth. She had seemed as nervous as a doe caught in headlights in the car.

His thoughts went back to the night of Diwali. He hadn’t meant to kiss her like that but when she had said she didn’t care about him and Lavanya, he had to know if she really meant that. And he had found out when she had almost fainted in his arms. He had been so shaken to his core with her abandoned response to him that he had not reacted when she had left him and run. Then his mami had turned the house upside down with Akash and Payal’s case and he had been glad to get away when he had been urgently called back to the US.

The past month had given him plenty of time to think. The whole fiasco with Akash and Payal had enlightened him to the fact that any allegiance it that direction was headed to a disaster. He wasn’t sure if he had the stomach for it. He led a carefree life and wasn’t really looking for a serious relationship. But he was absolutely sure that a girl like Khushi, who came from a conservative family wouldn’t expect anything less. So the best thing to do under the circumstance would be to keep away from her in the future.

But it was easier said than done. In spite of his hectic schedule he hadn’t succeeded in erasing the memory of that kiss. He had sleepless nights thinking about how beautiful she looked in her red saree. F@##!

The manager of the resort took them to a gazebo, decorated with guaze curtains where a table was set in a beautiful setting of cream coloured candles and red roses.

‘This is the table for two you had reserved Mr Raizada,’ he said with a sweep of his arm.

‘But we need a table for four,’ Khushi blurted out.

‘No, we don’t,’ Arnav interjected looking at everyone’s surprised faces. ‘This table is only for Akash and Payal so they can celebrate New Year’s eve dinner in privacy.’ He turned toward Akash, ‘This is my engagement gift to you.’

‘Thanks Bhai,’ Akash said unable to hide his pleasure as he looked at Payal.

‘Thank you.’ Payal blushed sweetly.

‘But ----‘

‘Come on Khushi, let’s go.’ Arnav voice was a command.

The manager led them to the area where the rest of the party crowd had gathered for the celebration. There was huge dance floor in the centre of the area, partially enclosed to keep the cold out. On either side, were open lawns where an elaborate buffet spread was laid out.

As the DJ played all the current songs from the latest Bollywood hits, Khushi found herself tapping her feet to the beats.

‘Why don’t you go and dance?’ Arnav said when he saw Khushi looking forlornly at the dance floor.

‘All by myself?’ She raised her eyebrows in surprise.

‘You are not really by yourself are you?’ He said pointing to the crowd on the floor. ‘Be bold. I will be right here making a call.’

He watched as Khushi made her way toward a group of girls and joined them. He picked up his phone. Fifteen minutes later, after finishing his call he looked for her on the dance floor. At first he couldn’t find her, and then he spotted her with a different group of people, some of whom looked familiar. It was Lavanya and her gang.

‘Hi Lavanya.’ Arnav walked up to her, his eyes on Khushi who was dancing with a boy about her age.

‘Arnav!’ Lavanya exclaimed. ‘It was mean of you not to tell me you were coming here for a party! You didn’t pick up your calls.’

‘I wasn’t really planning on partying,’ he said a little irritated, ‘I came here for Akash’s sake. How did you know I was here?’

‘I called Khushi sometime back and she told me you were here. Since we were close by we came here.’

As Arnav watched, Khushi danced with abandon, her hands up in the air her hair covering her face exposing only her lips. Being a classical dancer,Khushi clearly had an edge over the others as she danced. She brought a certain grace, to the contemporary style of dancing, even when they happened to by raunchy item numbers. He realized even the men who had girlfriends hanging on their arms were not immune to her beauty as their eyes kept wandering to her every now and then. For some reason this made him angry.Very angry. He just wanted to grab her and leave.

‘Khushi,’ he called out to her. ‘Let’s go and get some dinner.’

‘I am fine Arnavji.’

‘It’s almost ten’o clock!’ he said tersely. ‘There won’t be any food left we delay. Let’s go.’

‘Let’s all go and get some dinner then,’ Lavanya announced and the entire group joined them much to his consternation. Wonderful! Now that brat will stick to Khushi through the entire dinner as well, thought Arnav.

All through dinner, Arnav had his eyes trained on Khushi who seemed have hit it off with Lavanya’s friends, especially with the young boy Rahul. Right after dinner, the group returned to the dance floor and Arnav was sure that Khushi was trying to avoid him. His anger went up a few more notches.

In about half an hour he had had enough. He went up to Khushi. ‘Khushi, I think it’s time to go.’ He said.

‘Oh, ok.’ Khushi bade goodbye to her partner.

‘But it’s not twelve yet.’ Rahul protested.

‘We have to leave.’ Arnav bit out fisting his hands in anger.

He wrapped his hands around her wrists and dragged Khushi off the dance floor into the path leading into the gardens.

After walking a few minutes Khushi stopped. ‘This is not the way to jiji and jeejaji’s table.’

‘We are not going there.’Came the terse reply.

‘Then why did you say we were leaving?’ She turned on him angrily.

‘Why?’ he snapped back. ‘Did you want to continue dancing with that moron?’ ’ He looked at her his brown eyes simmering with a barely controlled temper.

Khushi took a step back. ‘What is your problem? I was just having some fun.’

‘Some fun?’ he advanced menacingly. ‘Those guys were hitting on you and you were enjoying it thoroughly.’

‘So ….so what?’Kushi kept walking backward until her back touched a tree.

‘I don’t like it.’ His caramel orbs bore into her intensely. Khushi’sdhak-dhak began.

‘Why?’ she whispered nervously.

‘I just don’t,’ he said huskily. ‘I don’t want to see you dancing with other men.’

Suddenly, they heard the count down for the New Year had started. 60, 59, 58……There was only a minute to New Year.

Khushi made a move to leave but Arnav blocked her by placing his arms on either side of her. Khushi’s heart was racing in full speed now, her breast heaving up and down as her entire body suffused with heat.

‘Let…let me go Arnavji,’ she stuttered, her eyes downcast. ‘I want to go to jiji.’ 35, 34, 32 …….

He took his hand and lifted her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes. ‘No.’

‘Please, I want to wish her,’ Her lips quivered tremulously.

Arnav’s eyes dropped to her lips ‘What about me?’

Khushi looked up at him, her luminous eyes revealing the tumult of emotions that were swirling inside her at this very moment. Her mouth felt dry and parched all of a sudden and she parted her lips, sliding her tongue out to run it along her upper lip in an unconscious gesture.  3, 2 ,1.

F@#$ to all the carefully laid out plans he thought as he bent his head to take her upper lip between his lips.

As Khushi felt her knees buckle under her, she snaked her hands around his neck, her fingers clutching at the crisp hair at the back of his head as she drowned in the ecstasy. She thought of what Palak had told her of her favourite fortune teller’s prediction for the New Year’s eve this morning…..

“The person you see in front of you at twelve o’ clock is the one you will spend the rest of your life with.”

Arnav lifted his head when he heard a commotion at the reception.There seemed to be an argument about generator not working as there was a power outage. Apparently, the generator was only working in the lobby and the bar. Khushi! He brought the glass down on the table with a bang and ran toward their room. He saw a man lurking about in the dark corridor banging on the door.

When Arnav reached him, the man completely drunk looked at him dazedly and realizing it was not his room, tottered away into the darkness.

 Arnav entered the room with his key to find the room pitched in total darkness. He shone his cell phone light to see Khushi huddled in a corner on the floor, her head on her knees.

‘Khushi!’ He rushed to her side. Khushi resisted his touch trying to pushing him away, sobs racking her quivering body.

‘It’s alright Khushi, it’s me.’ Arnav crooned to her and picked her in his arms and laid her on the bed gently. Khushi’s body temperature was below normal,asthe room was cold and drafty due to the heater being shut off due to the power cut. When he pulled the wool rug to cover her, a wave of dust flew from it making both him and Khushi cough and he threw it aside in disgust. He took his coat from the bed and covered her gently. He then moved to her feet and began rubbing them so he could induce some warmth. Next, he took her hands in his and repeated the same. He lay down beside her and gathered her in his arms so he could warm her with his body heat.

Khushi immediately snuggled into his warmth, moving her leg between his,their bodies fitting perfectly together. Arnav rubbed her back until some of his body heat had seeped into hers, stemming her tremors. When her gentle breathing assured him that she had finally slept, Arnav bent his head and placed a kiss on her forehead and whispered, ‘Happy New Year Khushi.’

Valley of Flowers Chapter 10

KHUSHI looked at the beautiful yellow mustard fields whizz past her as she looked out of the window of her taxi on her way to Agra. The yellow flowers shifting in the wind marked the onset of winter and Khushi pulled the lapels of her jacket a little more snugly. The driver of her taxi Manpreet Singh didn’t seem to think that a heater would be necessary in Delhi winter. He in fact kept his window open a little bit letting the cold air in, chilling Khushi’s nose to the point of freezing.

She had been invited to perform in a dance show being conducted at Kalakriti Sanskritik Natyashala in Agra. It was a big show with other accomplished dancers participating in it.

Right after Diwali, Arnav had gone to the US to take care of his own business leaving her in charge of the office for the past month and a half.

In the middle of all this, Akash had finally recovered. He remembered people’s names and faces without mixing them up.  ‘Hi Khushi,’ he said when she went up to give Payal her breakfast.

Khushi smiled at her brother-in-law unshed tears in her eyes on seeing him playing with his baby. The smile on Payal’s face was priceless.

The doctor had mentioned that he would still be on medication for the headaches and would need to be careful not to over stress himself with anything. He would need physiotherapy to strengthen his muscles that had become stiff due to lack of exercise.

NK, extremely busy with the burden of the new project, had hardly had any time to meet her, which was just as well, as her weekends had become busier taking extra classes for Piyali, preparing her for her impeding exams. Managing both home and office on top of the dance classes in the weekend had become hectic.But she needed exertion. Needed it to forget the soul searing kiss on Diwali night.

She never could quiet forget how she lost herself in Arnav’s arms that night. No one could ever make her feel the way Arnav did. The moment he touched her she turned complaisant, putty in his hands, to be moulded any which way he wanted. How could she feel this way when he only thought the worse of her? That was the problem. She had no control -- emotionally or physically where he was concerned.

Hey Devi Maiyya, why had he come back?She thought of the last words she had spoken tohim.

Unlike you, NK knows how to treat a woman

She had never meant to say those words, but she had just wanted to strike back at him for making her feel weak and helpless.

But now that he was gone, she missed him terribly. Everything reminded her of him – the orchids, the dance class and even little Ashu.

As she sat on Arnav’s chair staring listlessly at his coffee cup, Lavanya barged in.

‘You are doing it again aren’t you?’ she said coming into the office.

‘What?’

‘Getting your hooks into him.’

‘What?’ Khushi realized Lavanya was talking about Arnav.’ No! I am doing no such thing.’

‘The hell you are not!’ Lavanya raised her voice. ‘How could you Khushi? Five years ago. You knew I was supposed to marry him.’

‘Lavanyaji….’ How could she explain to her that it was her over confidence in SharadaRaizada’s hold over her son that caused all the problems?

How would things have been if Lavanya hadn’t misplaced those important documents forcing an interaction between her and Arnav? What might have happened if Lavanya had gone to the Shiv-Gauri mandir the way she was supposed to?Would it have made a difference if Lavanya had genuinely tried to learn the ways of an ideal bahu that Sharada Raizada had visualized instead of substituting Khushifor cooking or drawing a rangoli? There was no point in bringing up old things now. ‘It wasn’t like that.’ She finished in a low voice.

‘Shut up!’ Lavanya spat out spitefully. ‘I saw the way he looked at you while you danced in Akash and Payal’s sangeet!’

So Lavanya didn’t really know anything. She was just speculating from what she had seen at the sangeet. She had choreographed the dance for which Lavanya had rehearsed with Arnav. But on the D-Day she had twisted her ankle and Arnav had pulled Khushi on the stage, knowing very well that she knew all the steps by heart. Not wanting to create a scene, Khushi had complied.

‘In any case I left Delhi. Why didn’t you marry him then?’

‘He told his mom that he was not ready for marriage!

‘It was for the best in a way.’ She said surprising Khushi. ‘His grandfather died and he ended up having to take Sharada aunty along with him. There was no way I could have got along with that Hilter of a woman.’

Khushi wondered what Sharada Raizada would say if she could hear Lavanya, the girl whom she had carefully chosen for her beloved son. A girl who belonged to a sophisticated, high-class family, the daughter of her best friend.

Lavanya went on. ‘And then Karan proposed and I accepted. Karan is a good man. He is a millionaire, good looking, but he doesn’t have Arnav’s charm and style. Everything was fine until I met Arnav again after mama’s accident.Grief brought us closer. We comforted each other.’

Was she saying that she and Arnav were lovers? A deep pain began in Khushi’s heart. ‘Lavanyaji, I ----’

‘Arnav may still not be interested in marriage but I am not going to let that come in my way this time!’ She stormed out.

On the day of the show, NK had apologized for not being able to go with her as he was down with a viral fever. Khushi hadn’t really expected him to come, as he was neither interested in classical dance nor travelling to small towns like Agra. Having grown up in Australia, Khushi knew he liked to stick to his comfort zones – big cities with all its modern amenities.

Once the scenery changed from greenery to concrete buildings Khushi knew they had reached the city limits of Agra – the city of the Taj Mahal. Seeing the city with its modern building, malls, schools, offices Khushi wondered what it would have been like in the time Shahjahan who had thought of this place when he wanted to build a memorial for his wife long after she had died.

For the performance, she wore a peacock blue silk lehnga-choli with a gold buttas all over it. The bright red chunri contrasted beautifully with the lehenga. She wore a long gold chain with a large pendant, huge gold jhumkas, maang teeka and an intricately carved gold chain on her tiny waist. Her long hair was braided and adorned with jewels. She bore in mind what her teacher told her – always look the part.

 She was dancing to the semi classical Kahe Ched Mohe. This was a song that had always disturbed her but it turned out to be a bravura performance and she was modestly pleased with herself.

It was at the exact moment as she bent down to receive a bouquet of roses from someone in the audience that she saw Arnav.What was he doing here?

He was looking very handsome and dashing in a charcoal grey suit and was conspicuous even in a crowd of celebrities. Obviously, he had not meant for her to see him, for he was sitting off to one side, behind a really tall man.

In an instant she was elated, her heart beat beginning within seconds so fast it seemed it wanted to burst free from her body and fly down to where it belonged.Why are you doing this to me Arnav? I have paid for sins I haven’t even committed.  She was feeling a little dizzy but more flowers arrived and that saved her. Mr Mehta, the organizer came to her side.

‘Your dance was a huge success!’ Mr Mehta said happily. ‘The young ones were here just to see you. Their enthusiasm is wonderful.’

A few of her friends and admirers managed to get around backstage to congratulate her, and after the last one was gone, lying in wait was – Arnav.

‘Hi.’ She whispered in trepidation. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘You were magnificent Khushi,’ he said to her huskily. ‘I find your dance unbearably beautiful.’

‘Thank you,’ she said simply, her skin petal pale.

‘Come on, let’s go’

‘Mr Mehta has made arrangements,’ she told him.

He brought his caramel eyes down hers, trying not to dominate but doing it all the same. ‘Tell them it won’t be necessary.’

‘But ---‘

‘This is important.’

‘I will inform Mr Mehta and then change out of this costume.’

When she joined him fifteen minutes later, Arnav was zapped. Her outfit was a complete contrast to what she wore earlier. Shewore a beautiful pinkknit topwith the most intricately self-embroidered, square shaped yolk trimmed with lace, on blue jeans and chocolate brown ankle length boots. As she found Arnav’s eyes perusing her from head to toe, she pulled on a tan wool jacket.

‘These clothes are warmer.’ She said in a lowvoice.

‘Right.’He blinked once and turned around to lead the way. A little later, when they were seated in the car Khushi turned to him. ‘What’s going on Arnav?’

‘The meeting with Aria fashions.’ He stated laconically. ‘Why didn’t you go?’

‘Lavanyaji said she would manage all by herself.’

‘The meeting was a disaster,’ Arnav said, raking his hand through his hair. ‘Lavanya told me that she did not receive the necessary information on it.’

Khushi was appalled. ‘I sent everything to Lavanyaji last week! I even copied you on it.’

‘I know. Looks like Lavanya did not realize that you blind copy me on all e-mails. It is very clear she doesn’t work when I am not around.’

‘But that meeting was very important for AR!’ Khushi was emphatic, ‘Mr Ibrahim Sheik is a very fussy person. He is not likely to give you another appointment.’

‘Why do you think I flew all the way here leaving behind my work?’ Arnav said. ‘Since Mr Sheik is from Agra, I thought it would be a great idea to come here to meet him. I have invited him for a dinner meeting tonight. We will make sure he gives us another appointment.’

‘We?’ Khushi was taken aback.

‘Of course,’ he replied smoothly. ‘The man apparently asked for you at the meeting. Have you met him?’

‘Well, jeejaji invited him home last time,’ she said. ‘He happens to be from Lucknow.’ When the tea and snacks had been served he had specifically asked to see the person who made it and had appreciated her. When he had found out she was from Lucknow he had said he knew it the moment he tasted the jalebis.

‘There you go!’ He hit the steering wheel with his hand. ‘The Lucknow connection. Do I need to say more?’

‘But, I don’t think I will be able to do any convincing Arnav,’ she said nervously.

‘Look who’s talking.’ He said as he swerved into a side lane. He would never let her forget that she was an actress, would he?

 Khushi saw that he had turned onto a smaller road leading into a poorly developed area of Agra. As they kept driving further, she realized they were in old city toward the river Yamuna.

‘Are we going towardTajMahal?’ Khushi asked raising her eye brows in surprise.

‘We might as well ---,’ he said putting the car into a vacant slot of a jam packed ground that was supposed to be the parking lot.  ‘We have time to kill until dinner.’

He helped her onto a golf type vehicle that would take them the distance of half a kilometre to the premises. Once they reached the entrance Khushi stood in the queue for women and saw that the men’s queue was pretty long. Knowing that darkness would set in early in winter, she wondered if they would make it in time. Then suddenly Arnav came up to her, took her hand and lead her to the entrance, where they were let into through a smaller gate.

‘How did you do that?’ She asked him as they began to walk toward the main gateway.

‘Everything has a price Khushi.’

‘What was the need to spend so much money?’She said walking fast to keep pace with him.

‘You can pay 300 Rs to go watch a two hour movie, but when it comes to visiting your national monument you are counting the money?’ He paused.‘I cannot believe the ticket to this place is a paltry twenty rupees. Why can’t the government just charge more and use it to clean up the surrounding area? It’s one of the wonders of the world for God’s sake!’

‘Arnav look!’ Khushi clutched his arm, and pointed to the Taj Mahal.

The Taj Mahal stood white pristine and majestic.A water channel and bronze fountains divided the paved causeway leading to the mausoleum, between a double row of cypress trees. Khushi realized why it was aptly called ‘Dream in Marble.’ It was truly an exquisite piece of lyrical beauty. Enthralled at its timeless beauty she looked up at him. ‘Thank you for bringing me here.’

‘A girl once told me this was the most romantic place on earth.’

Khushi’s eyes change from excitement to wariness as she remembered the words she had said after that ---

When you go to the Taj Mahal with your loved one, you will feel like you are the only two amidst thousands of people around…..

Payal looked beautiful in her teal green saree, sitting in front of the mirror wearing her gold studs. She had the glow of a woman who was waiting for her beloved to come and pick her up for a date on New Year’s eve. Khushi couldn’t believe life could change so much in little more than a month. Last week Payal and Akash were engaged to be married in six weeks! Khushi’s thoughts went back to the drama that preceded this happy event.

On the night of the Diwali she had come down the stairs and slipped into the guest bedroom to check on her appearance. She had managed to get her hair into place but she wondered if people would figure out that her lips were swollen from the scorching kiss Arnav and she had shared on the terrace a few minutes ago. She had nervously stepped into the hall with her shoulder bag when she saw the entire Raizada family assembled in the hall. The guests had left, but her parents’ presence at the house surprised her. In the arguments that ensued she realized that Mamiji had caught Akash and Payal and Akash in an embrace in Akash’s room.

Her parents had been summoned to be informed of their daughters’ indiscretion. Mamiji had made a hue and cry about the whole issue. Finally, Naniji had intervened and silenced Mamiji telling her that the matter would be discussed later after getting to the crux of it. Embarrassed by the incident, her parents had taken both their daughters home and had packed them off to Lucknow with Buaji, in the next available train.

In the time they had spent in Lucknow, Payal and she had grown closer like never before. Having to endure Buaji’s taunts, Payal had leaned on her for support. In her depressed state, Payal had revealed to Khushi that she and Akash had been secretly seeing each and had been friends since they first met in Dehradun. She also told Khushi that Akash wanted to marry her. But his mother would never allow him to marry their accountant’s daughter would she? Payal had already decided that it was the end of the world for her.She cried often saying she missed Akash a lot.

All this wasn’t helping her one bit. She had been trying her best not to think about Arnav. But how could she forget the mind numbing ecstasy she had experienced in his arms? Even thinking about it made her blush as her heart began its erratic dhak dhak. All the encounters they had from Navratri to Diwali, kept playing in her mind. The feelings that Payal described to her seemed akin to what she was experiencing. She knew she cared for Arnav. But was it love?

No Khushi! She admonished herself. A girl like her had no right whatsoever. She remembered Sharada Raizada’s words --- My son will never go for a low-class girl like her.

Then suddenly a month later, Akash had called Payal and told her that everything was going to be okay as his mother had agreed to the alliance. They had been summoned back to Delhi and in the next few days, Payal and Akash were engaged in a small engagement ceremony.

A knock on the door brought Khushi out of her reverie. She ran to open the door to find Akash standing there with a wide grin on his face.‘You fiancée is almost ready jeejaji,’ she said emphatically.

‘I am so lucky to be going out with two beautiful women today,’ he teased.

Khushi leaned in to whisper conspiratorially. ‘Sorry about that jeejaji.’ Buaji had strictly announced that Khushi would have to accompany Payal on the dinner with Akash.

Suddenly, they heard the car horn and Khushi wondered why Mohan was in such a hurry. In the next few minutes she found out why.Arnav was at the wheel! What was he doing here? Wasn’t he supposed to be in US? He wasn’t even there for the engagement.

Her dhak-dhak began and her stomach did a flip-flop as images of the kiss flashed before her. She hoped that heat that had suffused her body did not show up on her face.

‘Please drop me off in Palak’s house,’ she said as Arnav started the ignition.

‘I don’t think so,’ he told her driving out of their lane and taking a right turn.

She looked back at Akash and Payal in panic. Akash said, ‘Khushi, you can’t stay in Palak’s house because she lives two streets away from your house. Someone from your locality could easily see you and inform your family. You will have to come with us. Bhai will keep you company.’

No way! This couldn’t be happening. ‘I could go watch a movie,’ she suggested, ‘there is this new Salman Khan movie –‘

‘No Khushi!’ Payal exclaimed. ‘Going to a cinema hall all alone is not safe.’

And spending time with Laad Governor was? Payal and Akash had not idea about what was safe. Khushi began twisting her dupatta throwing sidelong glance at the silent statue, who was looking ahead and driving like none of this conversation mattered to him, not in the least bit.

‘Where are we going jeejaji?’ she said trying to make small talk.

‘Taj Mahal ---‘Did he say Taj Mahal? She hadn’t been able to hear clearly from the loud blaring horn from the truck behind them. But she didn’t want to ask again as Akash was engrossed in a conversation with Payal and she no intention of disturbing them further.

When they arrived at their destination Khushi realized that the “Taj Mahal” Akash had referred to turned out to be a resort. When she expressed her disappointment as she got off the car, Akash and Payal began to laugh at her as they went ahead.

‘Really?’ Arnav finally broke his silence. ‘You really thought we were going to Taj Mahal?’

Khushi wasn’t deterred however cute his sardonic expression looked.‘Why not?’ she demanded. ‘If I was engaged, and going on a date,that too on New Year’s eve, I would have insisted that my fiancé take me to the “real” Taj Mahal!’ she said in a rush.

‘Khushi, people go on dates so they can be with each other – not to a monument like Taj Mahal where there are thousands of other people.’

‘It is most romantic place on earth!’ she exclaimed emphatically.

‘They say that when you go to the Taj Mahal with your loved one, you will feel like you are the only two amidst thousands of people around.’ She ran ahead not wanting to spend another second alone with him.

They visited the octagonal central chamber, where the cenotaph of the empress MumtazMahal occupied the middle of the marble floor while that of the Emperor Shah Jahan was to one side of it. Khushi was fascinated by the intricate marble and colour mosaic work done on the graves.

They made their way back through the Taj garden, avoiding the hordes of photographers hounding them to pose for pictures, against the backdrop of the Taj. Finally,they beganwalking along a narrow corridor that would lead them to the main gateway and out of the premises. Khushi stood and turned around for one final look. As it was winter, darkness came quickly and in the fading light the Taj Mahal looked enchantingly beautiful.

A group of boys in a hurry to go back rushed past them knocking Khushi hard, but Arnav caught her to himself snaking his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against himself as Khushi clutched his shoulder to steady herself.

‘Ready to take back your words sweetheart?’ He said with a smirk. When her brows creased in confusion he said, ‘Do you still believe in all that romantic mush about Taj Mahal?’

He remembered! ‘You know how naïve I was back then Arnav.’

‘I know.’ Arnav voice was a whisper. She looked up with her luminous eyes compelled by the lilt in his voice and found him staring at her with his deep caramel ones.

Khushi’s breath caught in her throat as the entire world faded away. It was not romantic mush. Whoever said it was right.She would lock this moment away in her heart forever.

‘What are you thinking?’ he asked, his brown eyes totally absorbed in her.

‘The way we used to be, the good times we have hand. You were the only good thing in my life.’

‘I find that hard to believe!’ he said curtly.

‘Why are you here if you keep insisting on not believing anything I say?’

‘You know the answer to that one.’ ‘Uncontrollable impulses. Feeling that survives when everything else has gone. It’s a question of compulsion rather than anything else. We are tied to one another, in an inexplicable way.’

‘As simple as that!’ She sighed deeply, unaware how ethereal she looked in the waning light. The overhead light caught in her pretty stone drops so it glittered like diamonds.

‘You look beautiful,’ Arnav said languidly raking her with his intense brown eyes. ‘And innocent.’

‘I am.’ In fact she was innocent of everything except loving him.

‘Then don’t marry NK.’

Before Khushi could react, they heard the shrill sound of the whistle as the caretaker of the premises came up to them, telling them it was time to leave the premises.

Valley of Flowers Chapter 9

RAIZADA Mansion was resplendent with lights, shimmery curtains and flowersadorning its walls, on the night of Diwali. A huge rangoli lined with diyas adorned the floor of the foyer providing a glowing welcome to guests who would arrive for the Diwali party.

The entire Raizada family stood in the living room along with the Malhotras, Lavanya and NK.

As Khushi walked down the stairs, Arnav lifted his head automatically sensing her before everyone else. She was stunning. Her milky white skin glowed against the red saree --  a red georgette with a gold and bronze zari border and a brocade blouse in red, bronze and gold threads.His heartbeat began its erratic rhythm as he realized this was the same saree she worefive years ago – the very first time he had seen her in a saree.

But there was a difference in the way she looked then and now. Earlier if she was gracefully willowy – now -- she looked utterly sensual. Her breasts and hips were fuller, making her waist look even tinier making him want to wrap his hands around it. But what surprised him was that she managed to look innocent and demure as though she was unaware of her own sensuality, her career in showbiz notwithstanding. Her long and lustrous black hair fell like a water fall down her back, swaying as she walked with the grace of a dancer. The dozen red bangles on her right hand slid downward as she lifted her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, in an unconscious gesture. He knew most of the male guests’ attention was riveted on her but he noted with satisfaction that her eyes were drawn to him.

He almost took an unconscious step toward her, when he saw NK walking to the base of the stairs to take her hand. He fisted his hands at his side, his jaw hardening as a barely controlled temper simmered in his brown eyes.

Khushi’s eyes clouded as reality hit her with a force. NK! NK was offering his hand but her own handrefused to comply. She made an excuse that her hand was dirty.

‘I don’t know why Khushi behaves like a prude,’ Lavanya muttered under her breath. ‘As if she couldn’t have given NK her hand.’

‘Well, traditional Indian women are not prone to giving their hand to any Tom, Dick or Harry.’ Arnav retorted trying to keep his tone as neutral as possible.

‘Come on Arnav, she is almost engaged to him.’

‘The key word here is almost Lavanya.’ He grated.

‘Don’t we get to see your performance today dear?’ Mrs Malhotra asked Khushi as she and NK joined their group.

‘Sorry Mrs Malhotra.’ NK said regretfully.

‘Khushi bitiya has taken on the burden of making all the arrangements for this party.’ Naniji explained. ‘I didn’t want her to tire herself further.’

‘She even made the rangoli you all saw in the foyer.’ Anjali supplied.

‘I couldn’t have done without your help Di.’ She and Anjali had painstakingly made the rangoli the previous night, amidst laughter while she regaled anecdotes from her stint at her TV show. Arnav had joined them a little while earlier to fix a small fault in the wiring for the serial lights and they had hung out together like old times.

‘I am sure Khushi could manage a small itsy-bitsy performance.’ NK said jovially.

‘Why don’t you do something when so many people are asking?’Mamiji’s tone was acidic.

‘I have never seen Khushiji’s performance.’ Shyam added to Khushi’s woe.

Arnav spoke up. ‘I am afraid Khushi will not be able to perform tonight.’ Everyone including Khushi looked at him expectantly, ‘We have a meeting scheduled with a client and I need her to be present.’

‘Meeting on Diwali?’ Mamiji asked suspiciously.

‘There is no Diwali in the US Mamiji,’ Anjali supplied gleefully.

A little later, as Khushi stood in the kitchen making sure the snacks for the evening was ready to be served, she heard someone come into the kitchen. She knew it had to be Arnav.

‘If you expect me to thank you for little stunt you pulled out there, you can forget it.’

‘Why not? It was no thanks to your kiss-ass almost fiancé.’

‘Don’t say that!’Khushi’s khol-lined almond eyes flashed at him in anger.

‘Kiss-ass or almost fiancé ? What are you objecting to?’ His smirk was beginning to irritate her.

‘Will you just leave me alone? I don’t need your help. I am perfectly capable of handling my own issues.’

‘Fine!’ He walked away leaving he all alone in the kitchen.

Tears welled up in Khushi’s eyes as she quietly put the snacks into plates. Earlier in the evening, as she had finished dressing and looked herself in the mirror she had been shocked to see that she had worn the same saree she had worn five years ago. She knew that she had unconsciously dressed for Arnav. When she had come down the stairs, she had sought him out in the crowd, her heart beating its erratic dhak-dhak when she found him looking at her with those mesmerizing brown eyes.

No one could look more handsome than him in a chocolate brown shirt and dark blue denim. The shirt fit taut on his wide shoulders and muscular chest while two of the buttonswere undoneto reveal a wee bit of his chest hair. His hair was still brushed back but some errant locks had fallen over his forehead making her want to run her hand through his thick tresses. Then NK had come into focus with his hand extended toward her bringing her out of her day dream. Reality had set in.

She was supposed to be dressing for NK and not for Arnav. She was going to marry NK --  not Arnav.

Just because NK had been completely caught up with work in the past few days, it didn’t mean she could forget that he was the one she was going to marry. The last few days she had spent with Arnav had completely thrown her off balance. It just wouldn’t do.

Khushi spent the next hour making sure the Malhotra’s were comfortable as per NK’s request. He told her that Vishal Malhotra had most likely made a decision regarding who he was going to appoint to head the project and he was extremely nervous. But however much she tried, Ria had made it a point to join Lavanya in ignoring her.

Finally at dinner, Vishal Malhotra made the big announcement that the post belonged to NK as Arnav had turned down the offer. Then he looked at Arnav. ‘I hope you will still help us as an external consultant if there is a need Arnav.’

‘Of course Vishal uncle.’ Arnav replied his mood a little sombre.

‘So NK,’ Mrs Malhotra said looking at him. ‘Now that you have your promotion, when is the wedding going to be?’

‘Mama please!’ Ria admonished.

‘That’s alright Ria,’ Mamiji said giving an artificial smile, ‘Akash is well on his way to recovery. I don’t think the wedding date is too far.’

Amidst congratulations and applause, Khushi heart began to hurt like someone was squeezing it. She sensed Arnav eyes on her but refused to look at him, afraid he would be able to see what she was feeling right now.

She stepped out into the garden for a breath of fresh air when NK came up to her.

‘Khushi, I am sorry I haven’t been able to spend time with you. But it all paid off, don’t you see?’ he exclaimed. ‘Finally I have got what I wanted Khushi! I really worked hard for this.’

Khushi knew that he had always taken his position at VM for granted, constantly complaining to her about the work load. He had never imagined he would have to fight for the promotion one day. He had only been driven to work like this after Arnav had entered the scene. Even now, Mr Malhotra had made it clear that NK had been given the project only because Arnav had rejected it. As usual NK refused to acknowledge the reality.

‘Congratulations Nanheji.’ Khushi smiled feeling happy for his success.

‘Today your sweet smile is not going to suffice Khushi,’ NK said and put his hands on her shoulders bring her closer.

‘Nanheji, someone will see us,’ Khushi protested in alarm.

‘Who cares? I have every right!’ He snaked his arms around her and hugged her. To the onlooker it would have looked a very passionate embrace, only Khushi couldn’t control the sick feeling inside her; she felt violated. Hey Devi Maiyya how was she going to endure marriage to this man when she couldn’t even bear his mere touch?

‘Khushi,’ there was a note of faint annoyance in NK’s tone. ‘You can’t freeze up like this every time I try to touch you. There is nothing wrong in this. I love you and we will be getting married.’

‘It’s hard for me to show my emotions.’ Khushi said feeling really low.

‘But you showed them to someone once.’ NK pointed out insultingly.

‘I knew you would finally get round to saying that,’ Khushi said bitterly. ‘I should never have told you.’

‘I am sorry Khushi.’ NK said quickly. ‘Let’s forget I said all that, ok?’ He smiled as he put a hand around her shoulders, a flag of ownership, and walked her slowly back to the house.

With an electric sense of expectancy Khushi looked up at Arnav’s bedroom to window, to see him watching them. Her face flushed and her heart gave a sudden painful lurch.

A little later, Khushi went up to Payal’s room to ask her if she needed anything and found her parents and Buaji seated there talking to her. Her Amma and Babuji were engrossed with little Ashu but Buaji went up and closed the door to the room.

‘Khusi,’ she said in her gruff voice. Both her parents looked up a little worried look on their faces.

 ‘It will do you good not to forget that you are almost as good as engaged to Nandakisore.’

‘Of course Buaji.’ Khushi said wondering what Buaji was hinting at.

‘Then keep away from Arnav Singh Raizada!’ Buaji came directly to the point. ‘I do not want what happened five years ago to repeat now. Do you understand? If Akash bitwa wasn’t so unwell we would never have allowed you to stay in the same house as Arnav Singh Raizada.

‘Hai re Nandakisore! I still cannot forget the day his mother came to our house and insulted us -- all because of you.’

‘Jiji, please!’Shahshi implored his sister and then turned to look at his younger daughter with sad eyes.

‘It is not appropriate to close the doors like this in Payal’s in-laws house.’ Garima added firmly.

Buaji looked at her brother and his wife. ‘Alright, alright. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.’

Garima looked at Khushi, ‘Khushi knows that we have given our word to Manoramaji.’

As Khushi stepped out of Payal’s room, she ran up to the terrace needing to escape. She stood looking at the aerials bursting into brilliant colours and remembered the last time she had stood exactly in the same spot five years ago. Nothing much had changed since then. She had been hurt and angry even that night.

Lavanya had apologized to her profusely after having received a lashing from Arnav about the temple incident. But she had come back again begging for her help. This time her would be mother-in-law had asked her to draw a grand rangoli for Diwali that was around the corner.

As usual Lavanya had left her to her own devices, and as she sat making the huge rangoli, Arnav had come up to her. She remembered how nervous she was while Arnav sat next to her watching her with those mesmerising eyes. Then he had moved her hair from her eyes, his finger lingering on the curve of her cheek, ‘Thank you.’ he whispered huskily.

At her questioning look he said, ‘For taking care of me when I was sick.’

‘That was the least I could do for saving my life.’ She had whispered completely flustered.

Just then Anjali joined them breaking the moment as she offered to help her finish the rangoli.

On the night of the Diwali party, she was performing to the song Radha Kaise Na Jale from the movie Lagaan. She wore a deep purple long net sleeved choli with a dark pink lehnga, with a patch of the deep purple just above the wide silver and gold border of the lehenga. Her chunri was shaded with a combination of purple and pink.

As she danced, she felt like exactly like the character who had danced to this song in the movie. She felt a deep jealousy envelope her entire being as she saw Lavanya dressed in all her finery, cozying up to Arnav. He seemed to be enjoying her attention as well. He looked dapper in his short close collared white sherwani on black slacks. Why was he behaving like this all of a sudden?

After the song came to an end, she hurriedtoward the guest room not wanting to run into Arnav and Lavanya. She got into the bathroom so she could change back into her saree.Just as she was done and had opened the bathroom door a little, she heard voices and she thought she heard her name.

‘Sharada, your son hasn’t taken his eyes off Khushi all evening,’ Mrs Kashyap said irritation evident in her voice.

‘What are you talking about Sumi?’ Mrs Raizada seemed to be surprised. ‘Isaw him with Lavanya all evening.’

‘My daughter might be hanging on his arm but his eyes were elsewhere.’

‘Look Sumi,’ Sharada Raizada said in a firm tone, ‘Arnav is young and his eyes might wander here and there but that doesn’t mean anything.’

‘Have you spoken to him about Lavanya yet?’ Mrs Kashyap had the desperate tone of a girl’s mother.

‘All in good time. I wanted Lavanya and him to get to know each other first. I know my son. He doesn’t like anything forced on him.’

‘Sharada, if I were you I would keep an eye on Khushi.’ Mrs Kashyap warned her.

‘Don’t worry about Khushi. My son will never go for a low-class girl like her. He will do as I say.’

Making sure the women had left the room, Khushi slowly came out of the bathroom. She couldn’t go back into the living room right now. She ran up the stairs and into the terrace, tears streaming down her cheeks. She deserved all this and more for dreaming about Arnav, she thought to herself as she stood looking at the aerial fireworks light up the night sky. Nothing was lost. It was just a silly infatuation from her side. She could forget him and move on.

Arnav stood looking at Khushi from the entrance of the terrace. Earlier this evening as he stood talking to Lavanya, he sensed her presence and turned around just in time to see her walk in with her sister. His heartbeat had stopped for a moment when he saw that she was wearing a saree.

 It was the first time he was seeing her in a saree and that too in his favourite colour -- red. Her long hair was braided and adorned with jewels along its entire length.With gold and red bangles on her wrists and matching necklace and earrings, she almost looked like a bride. An odd sensation had overtaken his heart and mind, shaking him up to his very core.He needed some time away from her.That’s why he had been avoiding her all evening. But he couldn’t any longer. He had to meet her.

As she stoodlooking up at the cataclysmic explosion of fiery colours in the night sky, Arnav came and stood next to her. When she sensed his presence, she made a move to walk away from him, her whole body clinking with the sound of bangles and her payals. Suddenly Khushi felt a tug. Arnav had caught hold of her braid.

‘Let me go Arnavji.’

He pulled her closer until she stood right in front of him. She refused to look at him.

‘I am sorry.’ He whispered in her ear.

She flashed her eyes at him turning her face a little sideways. ‘What for?’

‘You know.’ He said huskily.

‘No I don’t!’ Khushi snapped back.

‘So you are not angry about me spending all evening with Lavanya?’ he tightened his hold on her braid.

‘Why should I care who you spend time with?’ she said nonchalantly.

‘It doesn’t matter to you?’ His voice was dangerously low.

‘No it doesn’ !’ Khushi exclaimed emphatically, ‘I don’t care!’

Arnav suddenly grabbed her bare waist, turned her around and pulled her flush against himself and brought his lips down smack against hers.

Time stood still for Khushi as she felt her insides burst into fiery sparkles very similar to what she had viewed in the sky a little while earlier. She clutched at his shoulder and held on for dear life.

Arnav knew he had lost control the moment his lips touched her velvety soft ones. He slid his tongue in between her lips caressingthe inside of her upper lip with a feather light touch forcing her to open her mouth to him with a gasp. He let go of her braid to cup his fingers around the back of her delicate swan like neck.

When his tongue entered her mouth Khushi stiffened in shock but he tightened his hold on her waist and pulled her further into this hardness. As his tongue explored the warm recesses of her mouth, Khushi’s head began to swim, her entire body quivering as heat pooled in the pit of her stomach.

When he felt her knees buckle he finally lifted his head to look down at her dazed face, her breath coming fast and light. She immediately snaked her hand around his neck and hid her face in its crook.

‘Khushi, are you alright?’ Arnav asked her softly, holding her in his arms, as her breathing calmed down a little later. He held her by her shoulder and gently moved her away to face him.‘Khushi?’ his caramel eyes filled with concern.

She couldn’t bear the tenderness in his voice. She tore herself away and ran, SharadaRaizada’s cruel words piercing through the haze --- “My son would never go for a low-class girl like her.”

‘I would have never have pegged you down for a trophy wife but you seem to adapting yourself to this new role very well. I guess you finally realized that following a career in dance is not very lucrative.’ Arnav said behind her bringing her out of her reverie.

‘What are you doing here?’ she said turning around sharply.

‘We are in a meeting remember?’ he joked.

‘It’s not funny.’

‘So what’s with the sour face? You should be happy that your fiancé got the coveted project.’ he goaded her.

‘Have you come to collect your price?’ She asked scathingly.

‘You remember.’ He smirked.

‘In your dreams!’

‘Why? You seemed very free with your favour a while back.’ He said sarcasm lacing his tone.

‘Nanheji and I are going to be married!’ She shot back angrily.

‘God the men you exploit through your beauty! Doesn’t the fool know you don’t love him?’

‘Did you know?’ she flung at him recklessly, desperate to wound as she was being wounded herself.

In one movement he twisted her arms behind her back and pulled her flush against him. ‘Don’t provoke me Khushi.’

‘What do you want Arnav?’ She knew what he wanted with a certainty – a lifetime of torture.

‘That’ it,’ he said reading her eyes.

‘You can’t force such a thing.’

‘Who’s forcing?’ He put his hand under her chin and held it there. ‘Whatever we felt Khushi, got twisted, but the excitement is still there. You are as beautiful and destructive as you ever, only this time I know what I am in for.’

‘No, Arnav!’ she protested.

‘Why not? If you hadn’t followed your path to glory, if you hadn’t shown yourself a heartless little adventuress, my mother might still be alive today.’

‘No!’ She tried to turn her head, but his fingers were locked around her jaw.

‘You know you had me fooled?’ Arnav went on. ‘I thought we had something special. I thought you were the most remarkable girl in the world. Your beauty, your gift, your compassion, your intelligence, your innocent exuberance. I was oblivious to everything that was deceitful in you --your cruel streak. My mother warned me about you.’

‘And a mother can never go wrong.’ Khushi said tonelessly.

‘Now I can see why you have so many fans Khushi. You are a wonderful actress.’

‘I have your mother to thank for that!’

Her blood surged even before he tightened his hold on her arm and pulled her to him and though she arched herself backwards he found her mouth. Khushi’s own anger surged and she took a handful of his hair with her free hand, pulling hard. Her action only egged him to grab a handful of her hair to hold her firmly as he deepened his kiss, sending a jolt through her body, the passion so ecstatic she could no longer hold herself from opening her mouth to invite the invasion of his tongue and experience the familiar rapture. Arnav -- there could be no other for her. It was like the last five years had melted away.

He devoured her mouth under his, then began to explore it very thoroughly drinking from her like a thirsty man in a desert.

She was sliding into a feverish, drowning state. Why should one man move her unendurably? Why?

‘I want you.’ He whispered lifting his head after what seemed like an eternity.

Khushi’s breathing had intensified, breasts heaving up and down, lips parted as if she were taking air through her mouth.

‘I know you want me too,’ he said, his caramel eyes deep and intoxicating on hers.

‘No.’ She breathed.

‘No?’ She knew he was going to kiss her again, but could not move to stop him. She had expected his kiss to be aggressive, abrasive – like the previous one, instead, it was tender and slow – a purely sensual assault – as he took his time to make love to her mouth.

When his hand sought her breast, sliding under her pallu, in the achingly familiar way, heat pooled in her core and she wanted to scream with frustration her head ringing with her own incoherent cries.

‘Don’t challenge me Khushi,’ Arnav said harshly as he let her go suddenly. It was ravishment without release, a mind-bending, flesh throbbing punishment. She winced in pain as she rubbed her arm where he had held her.

‘Let me see that!’ He tried to look her bruise, but she snatched her hand back angrily.

‘Oh you don’t have to worry about that. I am used to it remember?’ It’s the bruise in my heart that won’t heal.

‘You think using force will gain you everything you want!’ Khushi spat back at him. ‘You asked me once what I see in NK. Let me tell you now. Unlike you, he is a thorough gentleman who knows how a woman should be treated!’

As Arnav’s eyes burned like hot coal boring holes in her back, she ran from him as fast as her legs could take her.