dedicated topsuhuna,PearlOfPacific,Kiddo_Star,Arshi_angel23,unitysuperior,

and all my lovely readers and friends....

6 ~ Being Close ~

Flashback...

Arnav's Penthouse...

Living Room...

Arnav looked at Khushi with his stormy eyes restlessly, " believe me Khushi , I don't care about any property, Not about Sheesh Mahal or Advay's property but I cannot let those murderer to snatch my Advay... they are the killer, they will kill My Advay too... I was so helpless... I was clueless, one month time was given, and I was clueless what to do... Frustratingly, when one day I was returning from office, you came in front of my car and ........ "EVERYTHING CHANGED ..."

Taking a pause Arnav continued, " You may think that, I am using you or dragging you in my life problems, but I had no other options, I have to get Advay custody anyhow, otherwise..." Before Arnav could complete, Khushi softly put her hand on his tensed shoulders and smiled, " You will get Advay's custody...Just keep faith on yourself"..

" But I am keeping my faith on you Khushi...it's not about me anymore, It's about us, we have to get the custody of Advay ..Together...as  PARENTS..."

Then there was a silence, Arnav was expecting Khushi to react and proving him true, Khushi showed her million dollar smile, " We will...I am promising you today, that I will try to do best at my part.."

" Not try Khushi, I have faith that you will do your best but our opponent are very cunning.. Veer Mallik, Sheetal Khanna and not to forget about My respected father Arunoday Mallik and his second wife..." The venom was so obvious in Arnav's voice that his whole posture became stiff..

" Let it go...Let it go Mr. Ray..The hatred...The venom....It will only harm you, it will only kill you internally...Forgive them..." Khushi said slowly looking at Arnav..

" Forgive?? Are you joking Miss Basu? You are telling me to forgive those persons who made a mockery of my mother's love and then his bastard son kill my Di and Jiju, tried to Kill me and now trying to snatching My Advay, and you are telling me that I should forgive them?? Bravo Miss Basu, are you already changing your side?" Arnav's angry voice boomed in the area but Khushi was calm as ever.

"You know Mr Ray, this is your weakest point. You judge people too quickly, get angry easily and spit whatever comes in your mind without bothering to analysis the situations. I had told you to forgive but never told you to FORGET.. Because, feeling of vengeance will only dig your wounds more. And your enemies are taking that advantage... Just think about today's incident,..it's been hours still you meet them but you are burning till now...Why? Because you are holding the past and whenever you are interacting, the whole scenario is revolving around you again and again, and you are getting hurt...Your wound is still raw, still the same... . You yourself is letting them win.. Don't do that... Look at the bright side of your life, for the sake of Advay, and your rest of the family, learn to ignore them but don't underestimate them...and your emotions are all over your face, they are using your vulnerability and striking back...don't let them to do so... If you want to win the custody, think from your brain not from your heart..." all the while when Khushi was speaking, Arnav did not for once blink his eyes..

But then, he told in a mocking tone, " It's easy to advice but difficult to follow Miss Basu.. What will you do if your..." But Arnav stop suddenly remembering what had happened with Khushi, and averted his eyes..

She is right, he has no control over his emotions and his tongue too, Arnav regretted but before he could say a sorry Khushi beats him in that, " Look at me Mr Ray, Don't feel sorry... you are right, it's easy to advice but difficult to endure...But I know the feelings as I had pass through the same situations... THE LONELINESS, THE FEELINGS OF BETRAYAL, REJECTIONS... IT ONLY CAUSED PAIN AND MADE ME CRY... but one fine day, I decided to ignore all and then... I found myself again.... You know, when I was a little child, My mother used to tell me, the person who lost their life , become a star.. I found my mother among the star.. Believe me, it gave me peace, solace... you may not believe it, but give it a try, what say, Mr. Ray ?" Khushi asked and Arnav looked at her amused...

" kiss Mitti se bani hai yeh ladki?" this was the only thought in Arnav's mind.

" I ... I don't know How to... do you think my mother is there?" Arnav asked looking at the star lit sky.

"Yes... She is there, she is watching over you and believe me, she does not like when you punish yourself by holding the past..." Khushi replied looking at the starts too..

" How... how... will I.." Arnav stops but Khushi realised his un asked questions, " Close your eyes, take a deep breath and think about the beautiful memories of your with your mother and then search her among the stars..." taking a pause Khushi said, " search from your heart, not by your eyes only, you will surely find her..."

Arnav for that moment forget everything, he looked at the girl infront of him, with such raw emotions that Khushi felt butterflies, felt her heart is melting with unknown emotions for this stone faced Devil.

Slowly, tip toeing, Khushi, placed her palm on Arnav's eyes and whispered, "Let's try.."

Few moments later, Arnav Ray was seen looking at a bright star with a small smile playing in his face and Khushi too was looking at the star..

Their trance was broken by the shrill ringing of Arnav's phone.

"Yes, Nani... we will come back to Ray Mansion but after dinner..okay..." Arnav looked at Khushi and cut the call, "Let's go for dinner and then we will return to Ray Mansion, Khushi.."

"Don't mind, is not here a kitchen present in your penthouse?" Khushi asked.

"What the...what type of question is this... definitely it's here, with all the modern amenities..." Arnav replied with little annoyance.

"Then let's prepare dinner here only.. Some light food." Khushi suggested with a smile.

"What the... why will you prepare food? If you want to eat homemade food then let me call my cook, Omprakash..." Arnav was about to call him but Khushi interrupted..

"Mr.. Ray.. humm.. Will you mind, if I cook the dinner today, I mean.. it's been long I had cooked something.. I love to cook and I miss it..." Khushi's word only brings two words from Arnav's mouth... "WHAT THE.."

" That means you are denying my wish?" Khushi asked putting her arms closed over her chest and with a serious look on her face.

" What the...when did I said no?" Arnav was amused as well as confused... is this girl crazy?

" That means I am allowed to cook, good...let's go." Khushi turns on her heel and drag Arnav too with her.

" This is kitchen, you will find everything here , prepare whatever you want and if you need any help, call Omprakash.." saying so Arnav was about to go out but stop in his steps, feeling a soft touch in his elbow.

" I don't need anyone's but your help, Mr Ray." Khushi said with her sugary smile and before understanding anything a perplexed Arnav was found himself holding a knife and a tray of vegetables which Khushi effortlessly thrust in his hands.

"What the.." Arnav now could not even explain what he is feeling. Amused, shocked, surprised but he did not get a scope to deny anything. How effortlessly this petite small girl is making him dance in her little finger. Is not he the great AR? What will be his reputation? Before he ponder over it, Arnav heard Khushi was telling something, "don't stand like a statue, wash and cut the vegetables. Help me, Mr Ray.."

" what the"... the moment Arnav's word escape from his mouth, Khushi turn towards him and asked seriously, " which type of dictionary you used Mr Ray, where only two words are available? You have used this two words 6 times within last 10 minutes.. You seriously needed to concentrate on your vocabulary otherwise, Advay will call you, " What the dad"... Khushi replied with a serious face but the mischief in her eyes did not go unnoticed in Arnav's eyes...

" Oh.. so, Khushi Basu is teasing him?" Arnav thought amused.. Then, let's play the game... and thinking that, Arnav took few predatory steps and came Close to Khushi, so close that his breath is now fanning behind Khushi's nape. Arnav could feel Khushi got stiffen and had stop the work of making the dough.. Smiling inwardly Arnav whispered in Khushi's ear, "Khushi..." and in return she almost jumped in her place and looked back at Arnav with her beautiful doe eyes.

Smiling  Arnav asked Khushi with a sugar coating tone and innocent look, " Actually I never did this type of domestic chores, I kinda confused, I mean how to properly wash vegetables and cut them accordingly, so please DEMONSTRATE me. Will you?"

Khushi was in a trance being so close to Arnav Ray, "DE..DE..MONS..TRATE?" she stammers a little looking at the intense eyes of Arnav.

" Yes... DE..DE..MONS..TRATE.. will you, please... Khushi.." saying so in his ever so husky voice, Arnav grabbed Khushi's small, tender palms in his rough one, entwined them and brought them under the running water along with the vegetables tray.

Arnav was looking at Khushi with his intense eyes which were full of mischief but Khushi was drawn in pool of unknown emotions. Soon, which started as a act of teasing from Arnav's side, turned into something else. The intense brown orb became dark and bore hole in the beautiful hazel orbs. The work was long forgotten. Water was running on their entwined palms And like being a trance, Khushi rubs her hands in Arnav's hand which only darken his eyes..

None of them spoke anything but their heart went berserk, the loud heartbeat of both of them was heard by each other and to their surprise it was beating in sync creating a beautiful rhythm. In a trance Arnav pull up their entwined hands and placed a peck not breaking his eye contact with Khushi. He became amused seeing the pick color slowly spreading over Khushi's beautiful face. She looks too adorable and without thinking Arnav just peck Khushi's cheek a little.

Their trance was broken by the loud sound of the fall of something, looking at the direction Arnav and Khushi found a very much Shocked Sheetal was standing in the door of kitchen.

Looking at her surprised, shocked, angry and somewhere jealous eyes, Arnav looked back at Khushi and then reality dawn upon him. He looked at their positions and was surprised to see himself so close to Khushi, when this happened? How can he lose himself ? Did not he promise Khushi to maintain a distance? Did not he promise to control his own desire which he felt from the day one he met with her? Then how, How he forgot everything? Now what Khushi will think about him? Will she denies the deal ? and the thought itself make Arnav restless..

Before he ponders something more, his monologue was broken by Khushi's voice, " What a pleasant surprise Sheetal. When did you come here? Where is your fiancée?"

Arnav tried to make a distance but Khushi's holds on him just got tightened, looking at her eyes Arnav read it. And reading the silent communications in her eyes, Arnav continued the drama, "ohh.. Hi Miss Khanna. You here? I did not realize when you came here, actually when my Khushi is with me, the world seems disappear "and saying so, he again gave a soft peck at her cheek looking at Khushi's eyes and in return Khushi too peck in his scars...

Sheetal was speechless, she was sure that Arnav was lying about his marriage and about that girl when they met in the mall few hours before. But looking at them, in this hour of night , being so close to each other, Sheetal cannot ignore the fact now.

She felt jealous, literally. Because somewhere she thought, no one will even come in Arnav's life and she can pinch him whenever and whatever she wished. But today's scene in front of his eyes, surely broke her imaginations.

Arnav is looking so contented, so comfortable with that girl, and had literally wrapped the girl all over him. And dare she accept that, Arnav and the girl, Khushi, looking aborable yet hot together, there chemistry is something else.

Sheetal's monologue was broken by Arnav's next questions, " Do you want to say something Miss Khanna, speak up or otherwise, door is that way.. Actually I want to spend some alone time with my lady love's arms, you know... you are wasting our time," and saying so, Arnav again pecked Khushi in her hair this time and Khushi snuggles more into him..

Unable to take it anymore, Sheetal storm out but listen Arnav saying, " please close the door Miss Khanna, we will not prefer any more intruder" and it was followed by " Come here you naughty girl," in his husky voice and the giggles of Khushi......

To be contd...

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Author Note:

Hello My lovely readers...

Here is the Sixth chapter of this Story..

Expecting your response ....

Please read My other works name, " Another chance" and " Rising phoenix".

Love and regards...

Mamree

29.09.2019