Always and Forever

Chapter 13

Khushi was turning and tossing. But sleep is not even close. She was restless. She had reasons to be so. On one hand, the most dreadful person in her life is sleeping one floor below her while on the other hand, the person who took her sleep away for a number of nights is right across her.

She slowly came out of her room and eyed Arnav's room. It was dark, with no light coming out meaning he must be sleeping. She tip-toed to the kitchen making sure not to make a sound. She had her Jalebi's in the fridge. Having warm milk with a few Jalebi's will make her sleep well.

She took the Jalebi box and warmed up a glass of milk. Then slowly without a sound turned around to go back to her room.

"Oh Khushi, were you missing me? You should have called me, I would have come to you happily. Why make all these efforts and excuses of Jalebi and milk"

She heard the voice of the monster she was running away from. She was about the drop the tray when another pair of hands wrapped around her hugging her from the back supporting her trembling hands.

"Careful Khushi, you will wake the whole house up. See, because of you Jija Ji (brother-in-law) also woke up, and were you planning on waking up the whole house? You know Di is pregnant and needs her sleep" Said Arnav in an irritated tone yet still hugging her from the back and supporting her hands to stay still.

Shyam felt jealousy running through his veins. He knew Khushi for over a year now but she has never let him come close to her even when they were friends. She always kept her distance but with Arnav, she not only let him touch her but also didn't make a fuss about it. But right now his focus should be on his task, he'll have to convince Arnav to leave. 

"Oh Arnav, I am glad you came. I also came to see if Khushi Ji needs anything. She is our guest so we need to take care of her. Khushi Ji, do you want me to walk you to the guest room?" Asked Shyam trying to act cool. He did not want Arnav to suspect. 

What Shyam didn't know was Khushi's living arrangement. He thought she must be in one of the guest rooms and was planning all his moves this afternoon on how to attack her. Guest rooms were in a separate wing and were far away from the other rooms which gave him much-needed privacy. But Arnav's next comment broke his last hope.

"Don't worry Jija Ji. Khushi will manage and I am here too. She is not a guest here but Family so no formality. Also, her room is next to mine so I can help with the way. Please she does not need this extra care or attention. She is a grown-up who can do her own work. You can go and rest. You must be tired after a long day. Khushi, apologies to Jija Ji for waking him up."

Arnav made it as if it was Khushi's fault so that Shyam will not see any red flags around him.

Khushi took the chance and purposefully uttered the words that burnt Shyam right there.

"Yes Shyam Ji, I am not a guest here. Please don't try to pet me. I know you consider me as your little sister and trying to look after me. So thank you but no thank you".

Shyam turned red in anger and left the kitchen before Khushi can comment more. Arnav couldn't stop laughing. He was still hugging Khushi from behind and without realizing he kept his chin on her shoulder and started laughing. Khushi, on the other hand, was also laughing and she backed herself toward Arnav closing the tiny gap they had, and the back of her head hit Arnav's chest.

Both of them didn't realize what they were doing. But it is like their bodies and minds were in sync. Their hearts were beating in the same rhythm. If either of them ever had to name that moment they'd call it Heaven".

After what felt like hours Arnav realized their position and quickly let go of Khushi bringing Khushi back to reality.

"Sorry" was all he said before leaving her alone in the kitchen.

Khushi couldn't utter a single word. She was numb. They basically shared a filmy romantic moment without even realizing it. Khushi very well knew playing with fire is a dangerous game. It could end up burning you to death but she was ready to take the risk. He was worth it.

She then went back to her room but instead of going to bed she opened the door to the poolside and took her tray there thinking of having some alone time with her milk and Jalebi.

Arnav came to his room and the moment he just shared was playing again and again in his mind. This girl was doing something to him. She is forcefully trying to open up all those doors inside him that were closed ever since her parents killed themselves.

And he is going to get married to the same person. There is no escape for him now. If she is making him feel like this now, how can he be in the same room as she? They are going to get married for god sake. They will then be sharing a life together. He won't be alone in this room anymore, he won't alone in this bed anymore. He promised to protect Khushi but he is no saint.

He was totally aware of what she was doing to him. This is not the first time he almost lost control in front of her. What if one day he no longer can control himself? He was playing a hard game this time and the chances for him to win the game are zero to none. But he was ready to lose. Arnav Singh Raizada for the first time wishes to lose because she was worth it.

"Thud", he heard a sound from the poolside and opened his room curtains to see and his mouth turned into a smirk by looking at the scene in front of him.

He saw Khushi slowly walking towards the poolside recliner holding her milk and box of Jalebi. She carefully kept the tray and sat next to it. Took a Jalebi, dipped it in the warm milk, and put the whole thing into her mouth at once. Her expression was priceless. She looked like someone who just won a million-dollar lottery. Arnav opened his side of the poolside door and slowly walked towards her.

"Seriously, you are having Milk and Jalebi at 1.00 in the morning? Khushi, normal people usually sleep at this time." 

"Are you telling me you are abnormal? Because you are also here lecturing me at 1.00 in the morning instead of sleeping"

"I wasn't talking about me and don't you dare change the topic. I was sleeping but you shut the poolside door with such force the sound woke me up" Lied Arnav. He was not going to let her win this argument.

"Wow Mr. Raizada, you are a fast sleeper aren't you? Because you left the kitchen what.. a mere 2 mins earlier than me and you fell asleep that quick? Impressive"

"Why don't you judge it yourself. We'll be married soon so you can answer your own question after that". Stop it Arnav, you are entering the wrong territory.

But Khushi being Khushi, "That I will Mr. Raizada, you don't have to worry about that and since we are talking about the topic of us getting married, how are you planning on breaking the news and how are we going to hide that from Shyam?"

"I don't know Khushi, let me talk to Akash first. I don't want any loopholes in our plan. Shyam is very smart but his weak point is he is overconfident. We have to touch that. Payal and Akash can be our witnesses if the family raises any questions. They can say they saw you and me sharing glances, looking at each other, etc, and convince the family that you and I might be in love. They won't have much of an issue believing you. But it will need much convincing on my part given the image they have about me and my take on love. "

"Ok, let's say they believe us, not if Akash Ji and Di will convince the. Then what, knowing Anjali Di, the first thing she is going to do is to share the news with Shyam"

"That's what my worry is Khushi. Di doesn't even drink an extra cup of tea without informing Shyam. We need to find a way to deal with it. But it's too late now. Let's talk to Akash and Payal first thing in the morning. Now go and sleep. Good Night"