Gupta Sadan

Veined marble floors and a Roman spa-inspired vanity, the bathroom was an exciting combination of great lighting and ocean blue paint.

In the warm jet of shower, water was cascading down his hard chiseled body shining under the golden light.

He turned off the shower valve with right hand, while his left hand was on the front wall, as he sighed with satisfaction.

It was refreshing!

He moved his both hands through his black jet hair as some water droplets fell down on his hard chest, moving from the perfectly carved abs to further down... in the forbidden territory.

Gupta Uncle had designed this room as per his taste 10 years ago when he had come here second time.

"Arnav this will be your room from now on."

First time he had come here, when his Di was hospitalized 14 years ago.

Anjali had fallen from the staircase and hurt her leg. Doctors had asked his Nani, to get diagnosed her to Delhi.

Again, Shashi had made arrangements in the top hospitals. But unfortunately Anjali's tibia had fractured, leading to limp which couldn't be cured later on.

Second time he had come here, as Anjalj was getting married.

Shyam Jha his jeejaji was the In-house Counsel in the G&R.

The perfect person for Anjali. Accepting her with all the shortcomings.

They had met in college and marriage was proposed from his side. He had even offered to manage all the cost of marriage. But Devyani and Shashi had refused.

"Devyani Singh Raizada CAN MANAGE the lavish wedding of her one and only granddaughter." Nani had taken it on her self-respect."It will be the marriage of the century."

"Why so much unnecessary expenses Nani. We will manage in whatever we have. Even Shyamji won't like it."

Anjali had objected, when Nani had decided to sell Sheesh Mahal...their family heritage Palace.

"After all it is Nanaji's last symbol."

"And you are Ratna's symbol." Nani was adamant.

All rituals had happened in Gupta Sadan. "I'll do the kanyadan of Anjali bitiya. She is like my daughter."
Arnav remembered the words of Gupta Uncle.

Arnav had to come a month earlier for the preparations of wedding . From shopping to catering he had taken all work upon his 18 year old self.

But he had managed everything with the help of Aman, Buaji and Nani. Mama Mami had also helped.

How could Arnav forget about Lavanya?

All through the marriage preparations, she had followed him, accompanying him everywhere.

Trying to be with him as much as possible; to know anything and everything about him.

And her rant of Arnavji!

Arnav had thought it was a teenage crush.

'She was only 14 then.'

And Khushi was 18! He thought involuntarily.

But when he had come last time after completing his graduation, Lavanya hadn't come over her crush.

She had requested him for help in studies. But it was just an excuse to be with him along with her smiles, puppy looks and innumerable attempts to come closer to him.

Arnav was not averse to girls specially beautiful ones....and Lavanya... she was the hell of a beautiful and attractive girl.

Dusky brown complexion, large brown eyes and sexy dimples! Any man could lose sanity for such a beauty.

But Lavanya....she was a Gupta. He didn't want to hurt this family even unknowingly.

He had to go US for MBA after two months. But Arnav had changed his plan.

He had instead gone to Mumbai for the remaining period, in order to be away from Lavanya, without keeping any contacts.

'But she didn't move on!'

Arnav thought remembering how Lavanya had welcomed him some times ago, the first one on the door when he had rang the bell.

"How was your flight Arnavji. You must be tired. Why don't you take shower first? Or you can come for the breakfast. There are all your favourites items. You can tell me if you want anything else. Should I..."

Lavanya's constant chatter had made him smile, which had made her stop.

"Lavanya, breath!" He had cut her short. "Yes, I will take a shower first and I prefer to have a light breakfast. Anything would do."

He had observed, how she had grown into a beautiful lady from a teenage girl...but it wasn't a romantic feeling at all.

"Oh, but you were coming after so many years, so I thought you might have missed all these Indian cuisines. There isn't anything light now."

She panicked. "Don't worry. I will tell OP Kaka to make something."

Lavanya had run away before Arnav could tell anything, leaving him to scan the Mansion for the trace of anyone else...but no it was all silent.

Wrapping the towel, dangerously lower around his waist Arnav came out of the bathroom to get ready.

He might not admit but there was an excitement to meet his Enemy Kumari Gupta.

._._._.

Dining Table

Lavanya was arranging breakfast table when she saw Arnav descending stairs.

'He has grown more handsome!'

Lavanya thought with a blush.

The slight boyish look of Arnav had transformed into a manly aura, his features sharper and the short hairstyle changed into a perfectly jelled one... in these six years.

"Careful Uncle." Arnav spoke suddenly, probably to Shashi, who was behind him.

Upstairs

When Arnav had gone to meet Shashi in his room, he had expressed his wish to have breakfast together downstairs. He seemed to be suffocated in his room.

"Doctors have advised me rest not the house arrest beta. Khushi doesn't let me go anywhere, not even out of my room. But now you have come. I don't need to worry. You will handle her."

Arnav was startled listening the last sentence.

"Look at that Khichdi she has sent. It's so tasteless."

Shashi had continued his non-stop talk, making Arnav shake his head.

'He sounds like Lavanya.'

He had thought. 'Or Lavanya has taken after her father.'

'Then whom has Khushi taken after!'

A question had popped up in his mind.

'Must be those black coffees she drinks every morning.'

A smirk was visible on his face. 'Bitter Kumari Gupta.'

._._._.

Thanks for reading.❣️