Part24 

Khushi couldn't open her eyes from her sleep as she slept late. She felt a prickly sensation on her cheek and congested on her body. She slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes opened widely, seeing herself very close to Arnav. They were hugging each other like a mutual couple. It was his stubble which was pricking her cheek. Her heart drummed inside her chest by his nearness. She was bomb shelled seeing herself in Arnav's arms. She didn't know how to come out of his arms because it may disturb Arnav and make both of them embarrassing. She again closed her eyes.

After knowing about Lavanya's love story, Khushi got rid of her guiltiness. The thought that Lavanya never liked Arnav made her happy. Her heart claimed Arnav as her husband solely. So what if Arnav loves Lavanya? Lavanya never loved him. She wanted to get HIM for herself... completely. Getting Arnav to HER LINE is what the only task Khushi is having now. She wanted to see Arnav's reaction, seeing their hugging position. She coughed softly, expecting him to wake up. But, Arnav hugged her tightly, putting his leg on hers, in sleep. His body was almost touching hers completely. Khushi felt like a few bugs were running under her skin. She clutched his shoulder, couldn't bear the sensation which disturbed Arnav. He opened his eyes and saw her suffocating, closing her eyes. He tapped her cheek.

Arnav: Khushi.... Are you alright?

Neither she opened her eyes nor did she answer. He started rubbing her feet, hands, and upper arms which made her more to choke. Arnav lifted her by her shoulders and made her sit. He shook her calling "Khushi". Khushi kept her eyes closed as she didn't have guts to face him at the moment. As she didn't expect, Arnav hugged her and caressed her back.

Arnav(panicking): Khushi.... Khushi, wake up...

Khushi could no longer stay firm. She circled his waist tightly and buried her face on his chest.

Arnav: Khushi are you alright?

Khushi nodded yes.

Arnav: What happened Baby?

Khushi tightened her grip, hearing BABY. She didn't know what to answer him.

Arnav: Did you see a nightmare?

She got relieved as Arnav himself gave her an excuse. She nodded yes.

Arnav: Relax... I'm here... ok?

She nodded yes. They stayed still. Arnav was caressing her hair-loving which surprised Khushi. She liked it very much. She was relishing the moment leaning on his shoulder. She never wanted this moment to get end. Arnav's state was more pleasurable than Khushi. He was getting back to back chances to be close with his love lady. He waited until she gets relaxed. But it seems it won't happen soon. He tried to break the hug but Khushi tightened the hug which made him perplexed.

Arnav: Khushi...

He forcefully broke the hug and cupped her face.

Arnav: what's the matter Khushi?

Khushi looked at him making face.

Arnav: See, you woke up. Everything is fine. Ok?

Khushi nodded yes.

Arnav: Good... Go and get ready. We have to attend marriage.

That's when Khushi sensed where she is. She got down from the bed and rushed to the washroom. Arnav frowned at her wired action.

After that, Khushi didn't show any interest in Arnav. Of course, she was full set not to get caught. But, Arnav was reacting entirely reverse to it. His whole concentration was only on Khushi which made her more nervous. What nightmare she had that she looked so nervous? He thought.

Khushi couldn't even near Sheetal as she was always being surrounded by people. She got busy with back to back rituals. In fact, she almost forgot about Khushi's presence. Sheetal's marriage got completed. That's when she saw Khushi waiting. She regretted to make her wait. She gestured Khushi to come and Khushi went to Sheetal.

Sheetal: I'm really sorry Khushi. I have no time to give you the needed information.

Khushi: What about Pam and Sim?

Sheetal: Pam got a job abroad and went last month. Simran is working under TARGET. So she got fixed in it. I hope she will come to meet me soon.

Khushi nodded yes.

Sheetal: Give me your number. I will call you when I get time.

Khushi nodded ok disappointedly and gave her number. Sheetal dialed Khushi's number on her phone.

Sheetal: Save my number.

Khushi: Ok... Thank you.

Sheetal: Please don't take me wrong Khushi. I'm really sorry... you came from Delhi to meet me but...

Khushi: It's ok Sheetal. I can understand. But please call me when you free.

Sheetal: Sure...

Khushi: See you...

Sheetal: Bye.

Khushi packed their bag. Arnav sensed a kind of disappointment.

Arnav: Khushi...

Khushi: Haaannn...?

Arnav: Are you alright?

Khushi: Haannn.

Arnav: You are looking different since morning.

Khushi very well know he is talking about her nightmare. What could she tell him, the truth? That I felt something by your touch?

Arnav: What nightmare you had seen that you look so disturbed?

There... it came. Khushi nodded NO hurriedly while thinking, how to tackle the situation.

Arnav: It's ok if you don't want to tell me.

Khushi: No... it's not like that.

Arnav: Then?

Khushi: Please don't ask me about it Arnavji....

She said nervously.

Arnav: Hey cool. Why are you panicking...?

Khushi: Please don't make me remember that... I'm scared...

...which made Arnav curious to know the nightmare.

Arnav: Tell me what have you seen Khushi...

Khushi: Arnavji... please...

Arnav (clutching her shoulders): Khushi... this is the limit... ok? just tell me what the hell you had seen... then only I could pacify you.

Khushi: Ohhh... I...

Arnav nodded his head like "tell me"

Khushi: I saw you in my dream (he frowned) completely nude...

Won't Arnav's expression be worth watching? His grip on her shoulder got loosened. He scratched his forehead by his thumb finger. Khushi looked at him controlling her smile whereas Arnav looking at somewhere raising his eyebrows not understanding how to react on it.

Taking her bag, Khushi left the room with a naughty smile. Arnav followed her silently. He remembered how she shivered in the morning. He wanted to laugh out louder. He came out and saw her standing outside. He stood close to her.

Arnav(in her ear): Was I that scary?

Khushi jerked hearing that. She looked at him with widened eyes. She got Goosebumps seeing his smirk. She turned opposite to him and closed her eyes. She got to know what is "backfiring".

Arnav (whispering): I asked you something.

She gulped. Composing herself, she turned towards him and nodded YES biting her lip. Arnav laughed and pinched her nose. Khushi joined him in laughing. They forgot that they have been watching by people. They made up themselves and got inside the cab. They kept laughing all the way to Colaba.

They got down in front of the Taj Hotel. Arnav got the key from the reception and headed towards the reserved room. Khushi got fascinated by the room. Arnav closed her eyes and led her towards the window. He took his hands off and there she saw the view of the Arabian Sea... and Gateway of India.

Khushi opened her mouth wide in amusement. She hopped happily.

Khushi: Wow... how beautiful... (looking at Arnav) shall we go to the beach?

Arnav: We will go in the evening. Now, we will go on the boat ride. Ok?

Khushi (excitedly): Really?

Arnav: Yup. There is a small Island called Elephanta caves. We are going there.

Khushi: Wow... Superb...

Arnav: Wear something light.

Khushi: Okkkkkeeee.

In half an hour, they reached the Gateway of India jetty. There was a boat waiting for them. They got into the boat and Khushi didn't like to sit. She wanted to relish the small voyage very much. The boat driver started the engine.

Khushi: Arnavji... many people are waiting on the jetty, but they started the boat...

Arnav: Yup... I have booked it for us.

Khushi: Only for us?

He nodded yes...

Khushi: But...?

Arnav: I don't like crowd.

Khushi (murmuring): Typical Lard Governor.

Arnav: Did you say something?

Khushi: I said you are so good.

Arnav smirked at her. Khushi roamed on the boat joyfully. Arnav laughed while she shouted in the air.

After an hour, they stepped on the Elephanta Caves. Khushi ran inside the land taking her bag.

Arnav: Khushi don't go alone...

He shouted.

Khushi didn't stop as she was so much excited. She got to know why Arnav asked her to stop, seeing Monkeys. She feared and started running towards the boat. She saw Arnav rushing with sticks. She hopped on Arnav in fear shouting. She circled her legs around his waist and hugged him tightly.

Khushi (shouting): Monkeys.... Monkeys...

Arnav: They have gone...

She turned towards the direction and huffed in relief.

Khushi(smiling like an idiot): they had gone...

Arnav: Yup...

He said controlling his smile.

Khushi took a few seconds to realize her position. She jumped down from his waist. Arnav handed her a stick.

Arnav: Keep it. It's not safe to roam without sticks. Monkey will attack anytime.

Khushi saw him smiling all the way to the caves.

Khushi: Stop smiling. You would also have feared if monkeys had chased you.

Arnav: I'm not smiling for that.

Khushi: Then?

She asked him while drinking water.

Arnav: I'm glad that these Monkeys are scarier than your nightmare.

Khushi threw up water couldn't control herself.

Arnav: Careful...

Khushi looked at him and laughed.

Arnav (smilingly): Let's go...

She followed him laughingly.

Khushi liked the place very much as it was extremely noiseless. She got awestruck seeing ancient architectures. Rock-cut sculptures and the statue of Ravana lifting Kailash Mountain attracted her so much. She felt it worth visiting. After worshiping Trimurthi Sadasiva (Lord Siva) they roamed two full hours in the Island, admiring sculptures.

Khushi extended her hand towards Arnav. He raised his eyebrows and clutched her hand.

Khushi: Thank you for this beautiful trip.

Arnav: Do you like it?

Khushi: Very much. I never expected this kind of surprise.

Arnav nodded yes.

Arnav: Let's go.

Khushi: But why? Can't we be here for a while?

Arnav: We have to reach Mumbai. Then only we can go to Marine Drive.

Khushi: Wow... Marine Drive... Let's go...

She stopped and joined Arnav in the fear of Monkeys.

In an hour they got back to the room.

Arnav: You can take a nap if you are tired.

Khushi: No Arnavji. I can't wake up if I sleep.

Arnav: Ok...

Khushi went to the washroom to get ready to go to the Marine drive. Within a few minutes, she was ready.

Khushi: Arnavji, come fast...

Arnav: Yeah... I will just come.

Taking a cab, they came to the Marine Drive. It began to get dark.

Khushi: We will walk...

Arnav: Sure...

They started walking, running their eyes at their surroundings. Khushi saw the BELPURI shop on the opposite side. She nagged Arnav and extended her hand towards it. Arnav rolled his eyes smilingly.

Arnav: Wait...

He went to buy it. Khushi stood waving her hands casually. Her facial expression changed, seeing a girl in the car. Isn't she Lavanya's friend Simran? She forget Bhelpuri... Marine Drive... Arnav... even herself. She started running behind the car shouting "Simraaaaan"

To be continued....

Today's inkitt update

Khushi was chasing the car shouting Simran's name. The driver saw her through the rearview mirror.

Driver: Is she your friend?

Simran turned backward and saw Khushi. She couldn't remember her but her lip movement told Simran that she is calling her name.

Simran: Stop the car.

The driver stopped the car. Khushi reached her, panting hard.

To read the above update, use my inkitt dearies...