Adjusting the tray of snacks & coffee for Arnav in one hand, Khushi was about to knock his cabin door with the other, when the man himself opened it with a full fledged smile on his face, that just added to his charm taking Khushi's breath away & she reciprocated his charming smile with her own beautiful one, filling Arnav's heart with immense joy.

God… This girl's smile is gonna be the death of me one day. He exhaled hard looking at her smiling, elegant visage.

Khushi wanted to ask him how did he knew she was at the door, but refrained herself as she knew what his answer would be…

Bas pata chal jata hai.

Khushi shook her head lightly at her own musing.

"Come in Khushi." Arnav invited her in lovingly, the smile still intact on his face.

Khushi entered his cabin carrying the tray & without waiting for his instructions, she moved towards the couch, where Arnav had had his lunch in the afternoon.

Closing the door, Arnav smiled happily seeing her moving in his cabin with ease, without waiting for his instructions.

The sense of Khushi belonging to him came to the fore & a wave of ecstasy washed through every fibre of his body.

He was just watching her every move intently.

Uncovering the plate & his coffee mug, she arranged them on the table in front of the couch.

Not finding Arnav still coming ahead she turned around to see him still standing there, leaning at the closed door. His hands folded. Head tilted a bit. A few hair strands were covering his forehead giving him a boyish look. He was looking at her with soft yet intense eyes making her heart flutter.

“Arnavji…” She called him meekly, fidgeting with her dupatta.

Oh how sweet his own name sounds to his own ears, when she calls him in her sweet syrupy voice.

He just falls deeper for her, everytime she calls his name in her melodious voice.

He sighed feeling ecstatic but didn't move, so she called him again.

“Arnavji.. Your snacks & coffee are getting cold. Please come & have them.” She said gesturing towards the mug & the plate on the table.

He nodded & pushing himself off the door, he went & sat on the couch.

He didn't make a move to take the plate but kept on looking at her, conveying his wish through his eyes.

Khushi understood his unsaid words. She slowly went & sat near him leaving a bit gap in between them, which certainly pricked Arnav, but he ignored for the time being.

Taking the plate from the tray, she offered him.

He took it happily from her hands. All these was giving him a feeling of happy domesticity.

He grinned at his thoughts but the delicious aroma grabbed his attention. He looked at the plate in his hands. There were some grilled sandwiches with some kind of dip to go with it.

“Khushi this??” He asked gesturing towards the dip bowl.

“It's mayo dip Arnavji. You can't have ketchup so I made this dip for you to have with the sandwiches. It's healthy & tasty.” She replied.

“It's smelling tasty as well.” He said taking its aroma.

Picking a sandwich, he dipped it in the mayo & had the first bite. As usual it tasted delicious. But there was something more which amused him.

He slowly lifted the upper cover of the sandwich & smiled looking back at Khushi.

“You have actually learnt all of my food preferences very well Khushi.” He said taking another bite of the sandwich & savouring its taste.

Khushi got his words. “Yes, I know, you don't like potatoes in your sandwich that's why I didn't use them in this sandwich.” She replied.

He smiled warmly at her & was about to take another bite, but he stopped.

“Did you taste the sandwich Khushi??” He asked.

She shook her head in negation.

“Then have it. It's really tasty. I loved it.” He said holding the sandwich near her mouth.

She couldn't refuse him & took a small bite from the part, from where he had taken a bite.

She didn't feel any awkwardness eating it, as if it was their daily routine of sharing their food.

“How's it?? Tasty na??” He asked her excitedly like a kid, forgetting that she herself has made it.

She nodded smiling. Her heart filled with warmth, seeing his childlike expressions.

She saw him licking the mayo dip from his lips with his tongue. Such a child he is at times & a cute one at that. Who would say that he is the same fashion king, the shrewd entrepreneur, who makes his opponent perspire, just by his one glare!! She stifled a chuckle at her own funny thoughts.

While eating, Arnav noticed that she was looking a bit different now, then what she was looking in the afternoon, during lunch hour. He scrutinized her face thoroughly & caught the difference immediately.

She has had her hair braided in the afternoon but now they were left open just how he likes & that's what he had told her as well then.

He remembered himself telling her that he likes her beautiful hair kept open down her shoulders.

She was continuously neatening her already kempt hair with anticipating looks, as if wanting him to notice that she has left them open just the way he likes.

He smirked inwardly seeing her anticipation of hearing him praise her.

So my words & likes do matter to her. That's a good start Arnav Singh Raizada. He praised himself instead & resumed eating his sandwich.

He noticed her face going a bit dull from the corner of his eyes & somehow it was a positive sign for him.

This one positive response from her has risen his hopes & he decided to take a step ahead with her today.

Once finished with the sandwiches, he took the coffee mug in his hand & looked at her still desperate eyes.

“I wasn't wrong Khushi.” He said abruptly, sipping his coffee, making her frown.

“You look more beautiful when you leave your hair free, straight down your slender waist.” He said almost freezing her.

She was definitely waiting to hear him say something about her hair but by… errr…. praising her waist… he literally made her blush to the all possible roots.

She looked down shyly then raised her eyes to see him looking at her with heated eyes, above the rim of his mug.

She was looking at him with wide eyes but the moment their eyes met, she averted her eyes shyly.

His smirked widened which he hid behind his mug, not wanting to embarrass her.

“Khushi, do you care so much for everybody or I'm special??” He asked directly, taking a big swig of his coffee.

Now this unexpected googly from him rendered her speechless.

Her heart was already beating fast at his open mention of her waist & now this question almost made her heart jump out of its rib cage & fall in his lap, giving him live demonstration of how special he has become for her to her own pleasant surprise.

But feeling is one thing & voicing the same is another thing altogether.

He saw her suddenly taking interest in the flooring of his cabin. He understood that he has taken her off-guard with his question & he knows she won't be able to answer this soon, what he wants to hear. But at least he conveyed her what he wants to know from her.

Now she can take her own sweet time to think & reply, but he will definitely grab this chance to convey his liking for her. He determined.

Finishing his coffee, he placed the mug back on the tray a bit loudly, getting her attention back on himself from his dull grey flooring.

Surprising Khushi more, he moved closer to her killing the little bit of distance between them & held her hands in his gently.

Khushi's eyes rounded but neither she moved away from him nor she tried to pull her hands back. But he could feel her hands tremble in his.

“Khushi…” Her name in his husky voice, that too sitting so close to her was making her already galloping heart do bungee jumping without harness.

Arnav was delighted to unnerve her as she was looking more beautiful with the tinge of red on her alabaster cheeks & her hands, even after working in the canteen for long hours, her hands felt so soft between his rough ones. He remembered the other day, when he had kissed them. They had felt equally soft on his lips as well. He wants to kiss them again.

Khushi was thinking on the same lines remembering the same moment.

Will he kiss her hands again!! She thought looking at their joined hands.

“Khushi..” He called her again & she looked at him.

“Khushi, you can take your time to think on my question & answer it whenever you are ready.” He said looking in her eyes.

Khushi understood which question he meant.

“But I can't wait to tell you how & what I feel for you Khushi, since the day I have seen you or may be even before that.” He said looking at her surprised face.

Khushi gulped nervously.

“Khushi.. Being in the fashion industry, I'm surrounded with beautiful faces with alluring figures day & night.” Arnav immediately saw the lines of uneasiness marring on her face at the mention of other girls. She averted her eyes as well from his face.

“But nobody could make my heart go haywire, the way you do Khushi.” She turned her face towards him instantly with curious eyes. He nodded in assurance & the glow was back on her face. “I have never ever felt to even see any other girl after meeting her once but with you, it's completely the opposite. I was yearning to see you, meet you, even before I had seen you.”

Khushi was absolutely stunned to know that. She looked at him more curiously, excitedly.

“When I tasted your handmade Avadhi pulao for the first time, I instantly felt a strange but familiar connection with the maker, that's you, even though I haven't seen you. I just wanted to meet you then & there. But my reputation of being a boss stopped me. But my yearning to see you didn't subside & finally when we met for the first time, you took my breath away.” He stated straightforwardly, looking at her face with soft, tender eyes.

Khushi was already on cloud nine. Her heart was doing somersault & her chest was heaving up & down excitedly. Her shy, red face was a treat to watch.

Arnav moved closer to her if possible.

“Khushi, I know, you might be thinking that I'm flirting with you which I might be doing with every other girl. But believe me Khushi, I'm not a flirtatious person to play with girl's emotions. I respect every girl equally. But with you, I feel so much more than just respect.” He pressed her hands between his.

“Believe me Khushi when I say, you are the first & the last girl to make place in my heart.” He said caressing her palms with his thumbs. “Through my stomach.” He added with a smile making her smile as well.

“Khushi, if you want, you can ask about me to anybody you want. I won't mind if you would investigate about me.” He said seriously.

Khushi swallowed feeling myriad of emotions, seeing his so thoughtful & down to earth nature.

Khushi doesn't need to pull out any investigation on him because since she has joined the canteen, she has heard only good things about him from everybody. Be it her canteen colleagues, staff members, watchmen, liftmen, her mamaji, everybody just spoke good about him. She herself has also experienced the same in their past meets, so she doesn't need anybody else's testimony. Her racing yet content heart in his presence is enough of a proof.

“Khushi I.....But he was interrupted by her.

“I believe you Arnavji.” She said genuinely. “I don't need to ask anybody anything about you. Your eyes are windows to your heart which is as pure & genuine as my devi maiyya."

Arnav was overwhelmed to hear her compare his heart to the sacred goddess. He brought her hands to his lips & kissed them gratefully. “Thanks Khushi.” He whispered exquisitely. His hot breath fanning her smooth hands.

Khushi looked down coyly. Her hands were still in his.

He raised her head holding her chin with his one hand.

“Khushi, will you come out with me this Sunday??” He asked softly.

She scrunched her eyebrows.

“I want to take you somewhere, to a very special place. I want to share much more things with you. Will you come Khushi??” He asked earnestly.

She nodded looking at his desperate face.

“You trust me right??” He asked again expectantly.

“Yes Arnavji, I trust you & I will come with you.” She replied immediately with a smile. Her eyes full of trust for him.

Both kept looking at each other with new found trust & admiration. Then Arnav moved towards her face slowly. She closed her eyes. Her heart started beating erratically with mixed emotions.

He pressed his warm lips lightly on her smooth cheek, breathing her intoxicating fragrance, savouring her buttery soft skin, then moved back unwillingly.

Her eyes were still closed but her lips were adoring a beautiful, shy smile.

“Khushi…” He called her, tucking her hair strand behind her ear.

She opened her eyes slowly, to meet his soft, intense, brown orbs.

She slowly touched her cheek where he just kissed. Her whole face had turned scarlet.

Now it was impossible for her to stay there anymore as she was melting with shyness. Before she turns into a puddle, giving one last shy look to him, she stood up & rushed towards the door, blushing profusely.

Arnav understood her shyness & smirked. He too got up from his place. His eyes on her.

The moment she touched the door knob, he called her from behind, just the way he did in all their meets till now. Even she was anticipating the same, as if it had become a ritual for them.

She turned her head towards him, still blushing.

He was as usual standing crossing his hands, looking intently at her.

“You look beautiful in every colour. But I guess, you would look ravishing in red." He paused to look at her interrogating eyes & then continued." “& you know why??” He asked lifting his eyebrows.

She raised her eyebrows copying him, gesticulating to tell her the reason, as she was unable to speak anything due to the pleasant after effects of that unexpected kiss from him.

He twitched his lips teasing her, by not replying immediately.

She pouted cutely at him making him gulp hard, looking at her kissable pout. He decided to reply her before he goes out of control.

“Because red is my favourite colour.” He said pushing his hands inside his pant pockets, fisting them tight to control his desire.

She looked at him, deciphering his words.

He blinked his eyes at her. She understood his desire of seeing her in his favourite colour, that is red.

Giving him her lovely, wide smile, she moved out of his cabin.

He smiled at her retreating figure then touched his lips which had kissed her soft, smooth cheek.

“This Sunday Khushi, this Sunday, I will lay my heart open in front of you at the most special & sacred place for me. Then you will be mine for forever, without any hindrance.” He smiled, promising to himself.

Poor guy.. Will it be that easy for him??

To be continued....

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So, here it is.. An update full of Arshi... I know it's too small of a chapter then my usual ones... But that's what I could manage for now & I have already mentioned the reason on my msg board yesterday... Thanks a ton to all those who understood my situation & supported me... Those who haven't read the msg yet, pls visit my msg board to know the reasons behind the delay of my story updates...

Anyways, do tell me ur views on this part through ur precious votes & comments as usual ☺️

Also do read my three new one shots if u haven't yet...

1. My bold & beautiful boss:- Here u will get to read a bold & beautiful boss Khushi trying to seduce her assistant Arnav.

2. A mother's faith:- Here u will get to read how Garima stands against THE ASR for her daughter Khushi.

3. Victory of true love:- Here u will get to read how a wife feels & reacts when she suddenly finds out that her husband has cheated on her by hiding about his first marriage & baby.

Will be waiting to know ur reviews on the above one shots as well ☺️

Love
Kavita ❤️