Himalayan Magic Chapter 7 - 8

A silver ligning

His mouth possessed hers with an urgency, a wildness which tore through her very core. ‘Hmmm…..’ A moan released itself from her, as his lips left hers and instead blazed a trail of fire down her jawline and into the hollow of her throat. Her hands tangled in his hair, drawing him closer…. closer still….

‘Khushi….Khushi…….Khushi,’ he murmered, his breath hot against her neck.

‘Arnav,’ she sighed, loving the sound, the feel of his name on her lips.Dhak-dhak, dhak-dhak. It was getting louder now.

Khushi’s eyes flew open. She had been dreaming!

Any lingering sleepiness that was existing in her, fell away as she saw Arnav staring back at her only inches away from her. She realized she was flush against him with one of her hands on his chest, the other entangled in his hair. She quickly snatched her hand away from his hair.

‘Ouch!’ she tried getting up but realized that part of her long hair was stuck under his arm on which her head was resting.

‘Arnavji!’she shrieked in panic, when she found his other arm wrapped around her waist.

‘Stop moving, Khushi,’ he said harshly, ‘We are entangled in the blankets.’

God! Arnav thought, she was going to kill himif she continued to move against him this way! He managed to detangle himself from the blanket and then slowly removed his arm from under her head taking care not to pull on her hair. He then leaned across to help her.

‘Ouch!’ their foreheads banged against each other, as Khushi also sat up on the bedat the same time. Khushi then held him by his neck and banged her head against him one more time. She was about to explain her action when she saw Arnav’s eyes had moved lower. She looked down in horror to see that her lacy bra was exposed and immediately grabbed the blanket up to cover herself. She lowered her eyes from his face to look at his bare chest. It was not a good idea. Her breathing increased.

Why did she have to look this way first thing in the morning? Arnav gazed upon Khushi’s quivering body bathed in the first rays of the sun that had filtered through the small window of the hut. She looked ethereal. Her face looked angelic onher long slender neck, her gentle shoulders, her collar bone jutting out, the swell of her breasts over the blanket that she had clutched against herself. He had caught a glimpse of more before she had covered herself and it was all he could do to keep himself from……

‘What?....How? …..Where?’Khushi’s confusion broke into his reverie, ‘Where are my clothes? What happened?!’

‘Relax! Don’t you remember anything?’ he asked, her shrill voice still ringing in his ears.

‘I remember coming into the hut, eating maggi and then you gave me that horrible liquid to drink. After that I don’t remember much of anything.’ she said her voice taking on an accusing tone.

‘I said relax!  Nothing happened. You were very tired and went to sleep’ he said, not quiet looking in her eyes.

‘But here?......Like this?’ she said looking at the bed, unable to form the words clearly.

‘We would have fallen sick if we had slept with our wet clothes on us,’ he explained calmly, ‘I had moved the bed close to the fire which was our only source of warmth.

Khushi looked at him with suspicion in her eyes.

‘I should have just let you sleep on the floor since you____ KNOCK!KNOCK! KNOCK! Someone was at the door!

‘I think it is the owner of this hut,’ said Arnav urgently, getting up from the bed. ‘Damn!’ his exclamation came out loud when he realized that his towel was lost and he found himself in his boxers. Forget it! he walked across to where his clothes were drying.

‘I’ll go out and explain our situation,’ he said to Khushi, pulling on his jeans. ‘I think you should get dressed as well.’ Khushi had her back to him.

‘Great! She thinks it is alright to show off her back!’ he muttered to himself as he hauled his t-shirt over his head.

Khushi got up from the bed when she heard the door. She found her clothes on a chair and dressed herself. What had happened yesterday night? Her mind was too hazy. How had she undressed? Did he ….? Why couldn’t she remember? She looked around to see the remnants of the ashes in the fireplace. Suddenly there was a flash of a memory …….Had it happened or was it a dream? She closed her eyes trying to remember. It was all still very hazy.

She looked around the place hoping her memory would come back and spotted a small mirror on the wall. She walked up to it to see her reflection. She straightened her hair and saw that her eyes looked very tired. Then she looked down at her lips. She brought her fingers up to touch them. They were swollen and felt bruised. Oh my God!she said to herself as her memory came back to her……

Khushi was lost in thought on the way back from Binsar. They had managed to hitch a ride from the hut to the resort on Binsar. There, Arnav had called Akash from thehotel’s landline and found out that Akash and Payal were safe and back at the hotel the previous night. After a visit to Binsar, Akash and Payak had decided to visit Ranikhet on their way back, the reason why they had missed each other. Arnav had then asked the resort manager to drop them off at the spot where he had left the bike last evening. Luckily, they had found it intact and in working condition.

Now sitting behind Arnav, her thoughts went back to the events of the previous night. What had come over her? Why had she behaved so wantonly? Arnav had behaved like a gentleman. He had given her the blanket to cover herself. She had practically thrown herself at him. First, by asking him such a leading question about the kiss and then later by literally falling over him! Even after that, he had given her an opportunity to back off but no, she had offered herself over to him like a shameless hussy. What would he be thinking about her? Her thoughts came to a jerking halt when she heard Arnav calling her name.

‘Khushi, will you please get off the bike?’

‘Why?’ she asked still a little disoriented.

‘Yesterday you wanted to visit this mandir so badly. And today you ask me why?’ he was being sarcastic.

Khushi realized that he had brought her to the Kasardevi temple which was very close to Almora. She looked at him in surprize.

‘Now, hurry up, will you?’ his tone was brusque, ‘I don’t have all day long’

While he waited for Khushi outside the temple, Arnav sat on the bike thinking. Thankfully he had come to his senses on time this morning. He hadn’t been able to resist kissing her delectable throat. It was becoming more and more difficult to keep his hands off her. It was his guilt that had made him bring her to the temple, wasnt it? a tiny voice inside him asked the question. Whatever it was, there was one thing certain that things could not go back to the way they were before.

The rest of the journey was uneventful and they were back to the hotel by lunch time. Arnav had showered and rushed off immediately to join Akash at work.  Khushi and Payal were at the restaurant eating lunch. After lunch, Payal had wanted to take a nap as Akash was going to come back early and take her to Nainilake. In the evening Khushi had refused their offer to take her along making an excuse. To be honest, she was feeling a little tired due to the previous day’s ordeal.

Khushi was in a wistful mood. Arnav had been so nice to her after all that she had put him through. It was childish of her to run off to watch the sun set, hence putting their lives in danger. He had practically carried her in the storm and saved her life. Even in the hut he had made sure she was alright, by taking good care of her. He had made maggi for her! And then, this morning he had taken her to the temple to fulfil her wish. I will have to make it up to him somehow!

‘What will be you be having tonight Mrs.Raizada?’ the waiter’s question sliced through her thoughts.

‘Just some roti and dal please’ she was not in the mood to eat tonight. She wished she was back at the hut eating maggi with Arnav. Akash had told her that he would be working late tonight.

‘Would you be Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada, by any chance?’ asked a deep voice next to her.

‘Y..Yes,’ Khushi looked up to see a tall, good looking man in a business suit standing next to her table.

‘Let me introduce myself. I am Karan. Karan Khurana. I am Arnav’s friend from college.’

Khushi did not realize how the time had passed. Karan had related so many incidents and anecdotes about Arnav’s past that she couldn’t tire listening to. One particular incident about a prank they had played on a teacher had her in splits. He had shown her photos of Arnav with friends that he scanned and stored in his lap top. She felt that she could have sat there all night listening to the stories, except that they could not as the restaurant was closing. They had decided to surprise Arnav together by meeting up for breakfast the next day.

Unbeknownst to them, was a pair of smouldering eyes, watching them from a distance. Arnav had come into the hotel hoping to grab something to eat before the restaurant closing time. What he saw there had killed his appetite. He had seen Khushi laughing heartily, eating dinner with a man whose face he could not see. He had walked away from there seething in rage. He entered the room wanting to break something. He saw the shawl he had clutched in his hand. He had bought it for her on the way back from work, to replace the one she had lost at sun set point. He threw the beautifully woven cloth across the room like a piece of rag.

Khushi came back to the room, to see that Arnav was back and was fast asleep on his side of the bed. She tried not to make any noise while she changed for bed. She was disappointed that she had missed his arrival. Nevertheless, she couldn’t control her delight when she remembered the surprise that was awaiting him at breakfast. She was sure he would be happy to relive his college days along with his friend Karan.

The next morning, Khushi woke with a smile on her lips. She turned around to see Arnav’s side of the bed empty. There was no sign of him or his laptop bag anywhere in the room. She rushed into the wash room to find that empty as well. Why had he left so early this morning? As she sat at the table having her morning tea she spotted the shawl on the floor. It was a beautiful shawl. Had Arnav bought this shawl? Was it for her? She smiled gleefully as she hugged the shawl to her chest.

She showered quickly and went up to Payal and Akash’s room.

‘Khushiji, our client Mr Chopra, will be signing the deal with us today,’ Akash told Khushi, ‘he wants to meet with us at dinner along with our families. ‘

Akash informed Khushi  that Arnav had gone in to work a little early today as they had to wind up everything, today being the their last day in Nainital. On Khushi’s enquiry Akash had also informed her that their client had lived in America for a long time before he came back here to start his own business. Khushi came back to the room, a little worried about the dinner. She had called Karan and rescheduled their meeting post dinner. She rummaged through her suit case to find something suitable when her eyes fell on the cover that Anjali Di had given her just before they had left for Nainital. She has said that it would help her with all the apprehensions that she had about Arnav. When she saw what was in the cover she understood.

Arnav came back to the room to dress for dinner. There was no sign of Khushi. Where was she? Their client would be here anytime. Could she be out cavorting with that useless sob he had seen her with yesterday night? If she was, then God help her! He was furiously buttoning his shirt when his cell phone rang.

‘Yes?’ he barked into the phone.

It was Akash. He had called to ask him if he could be excused from attending the dinner. He wanted to take Payal for a special candle light dinner at a lake view restaurant. He also informed him that Khushi would be joining him for dinner as she had some work to attend to before that.

Arnav came down to the restaurant seething with anger. Work! What work would she have in Nainital? He was sure she was making excuses to hide her dalliances. He looked at his watch and turned around to the entrance, looking for Khushi. He turned back, it was a woman dressed in a redgown……..looking strangely familiar……

Arnav turned back again. It was Khushi! She was wearing a AR creation. It was an evening gown in red chiffon. He could not take his eyes off her. Her hair left loose, moved in tandem to the sway in her hips. His mouth went dry as his eyes moved down to the creamy skin of her long slender neck, her gently rounded shoulders and swell of her breasts exposed by the strapless design. The gown had gatherings that hugged her rounded breasts and her tiny waist was accented by a beaded floral detail. The skirt then fell down in a pleated flow from waist to floor showing a glimpse of black strappy high heeled sandals.

She looked like a goddess! If she was trying to make a dramatic statement with that gown, she had succeeded completely. Unconscious to the number of heads that turned her way, Khushi  made her way up to Arnav. When she finally stood in front of him, he was speechless. Who was this sensuous beauty standing in front of him? Mine! A strange possessiveness took over him. He wanted to take her away and hide her from eyes of the world.

Before he could react, a waiter came up to them informing them of Mr Chopra’s arrival.

After the initial introductions were made, they were seated at a round table. Arnav caught the appreciative gleam in Mr Chopra’s eyes when he looked at Khushi. What the _____! thought Arnav, the man’s daughter was close to Khushi’s age! Arnav was livid at Khushi . What was she thinking dressing up like that? Who was she trying to impress tonight?

‘Arnav?’ Mr Chopra interrupted his thoughts,’as I mentioned to you earlier, my daughter Ria has just completed her course in fashion design from a prestigious university in the USA. She would like to come to India to work. I would like you to consider her for an apprentice position in your company’

‘Of course, Mr Chopra, that should not be a problem,’ said Arnav smoothly, ‘If she can come to the office in a few days and I will have Akash set her up.’

‘Thank you so much Mr Raizada,’ said Ria in a low throaty voice, ‘I was so looking forward to working with you. I have heard so much about AR fashions’

Khushi looked at Ria a little more closely. She was dressed in ahot pink, short spaghetti strapped, figure hugging dress. The purpose of the skimpy dress was meant to show off a lot of skin and it was successful in its intent. The girl had a lot of make up on her face to make her look sexy and she was using it to full advantage sitting right next to Arnav. Khushi did not like the way Ria was looking at Arnav.She was flirting with him!

‘You are most welcome Ria,’ said Arnav giving her his most charming smile, ‘I am looking forward to seeing all your talents as well. And please call me Arnav.’ Was he flirting right back?

All through dinner Arnav was engaged in conversation with Ria, talking to her about fashion design. Khushi was stuck between Mr and Mrs Chopra who incessantly bored her in turns talking about expensive cars and designer jewellery. Khushi looked at Arnav trying to get his attention to no avail. She realized he was pointedly ignoring her. She knew this deal was important for Arnav, but this whole dinner was beginning to get on her nerves. By the time the dinner came to an end she was positively fuming. Just when she thought she could escape from this entire farce, they were ushered to a lounge for post dinner drinks. Hey Devi Maiyya! Have you no mercy? she sent up a silent prayer.

‘Mrs Khushi? Can I steal your husband for a dance?’ Ria asked Khushi smiling at her.

No you bimbo! I don’t think you can steal my husband for anything, was what  Khushi wanted to say, but no words came out of her mouth.

‘Of course she doesn’t mind Ria,’ Arnav was covering up her blunder, ‘Let’s go’

Arnav took Ria to the dance floor and took her in his arms. She knew he was holding her decently but seeing them together like this was too much for Khushi. She made an excuse to go to the wash room and started to walk away as fast as her legs could take her. In her hurry she blindly bumped into someone who immediately steadied her. It was Karan.

‘Hey Khushi! Where are you running? Weren’t we supposed to meet after dinner tonight?’

‘Karanji! I am so glad to see you. I am sorry, Arnavji’s client is still here and I am not sure when they will leave’

‘In that case why don’t we _____’

‘I believe this dance is mine!’ Arnav’s voice interrupted Karan’s sentence.

Without so much as a glance at Karan, Arnav took Khushi’s hand and dragged her to the dance floor.

‘Arnavji! What are you doing?’ asked indignant at Arnav’s caveman tactics.

‘No Khushi. What are you doing?’ he asked her in a clipped tone,his eyes smouldering.

Suddenly the music started and Arnav stood there looking at Khushi, anger emanating from him in waves. The dance started off being similar to the previous times they had danced, except that as it progressed it was getting a little more aggressive. His hands were all over her body and there was something different about his touch and the way he was looking at her. Khushi could not understand the reason for his behavior……

TereIshqpe, Terewaqtpe

Bas haqhaiekmera

TereRuhpe, Terejismpe

Bas haqhaiekmera

 His touch moved up from the tip of her fingers up her hands, over her shoulders and then came down to skim the side of her breasts to span her tiny waist. All the while looking into her eyes, in one swift movement he lifted her high up in the air. She held on to his shoulders for support, while he slowly brought her down to the floor her body flush against him. He then turned her around in quick movement so that her back was against him. He then dipped his head and placed his lips on the side of her neck. Once again, he twirled her away from him, held her in that position and pulled her back to dance with her in a circle. He then dipped her low and showered her exposed throat with feathery kisses before he brought her back up.

It was a public display of strength and dominance and by the time the dance ended, they were both out of breath. Everyone was staring at them and Khushi felt humiliated. She ran blindly out of the restaurant, tears streaming down her eyes.

Forbidden Rapture

Arnav found Khushi in the gazebo, sitting on the parapet wall, her hands hugging her legs that were drawn up to her chest. She had laid her head on knees.

‘How many times do I have to come looking for you?’

‘Go away!’

‘Why? Were you expecting someone else?’

‘I said, leave me alone! Go back to that bimbo you were dancing with.’

‘Leave you alone? So that you can have a rendezvous with your friend’

‘What?’

‘Were you with him this afternoon?’

‘What you talking about?’

‘Oh stop it with the innocent act. In know you have a masters degree in it. I saw you having dinner with him yesterday night.

Khushi began to answer when realization dawned on her. ‘For God’s sake Arnavji! He is notmy friend. He is your friend from college, Karan Khurana’

‘He told you he was my college friend and you had dinner with him? Is that all it takes to avail your lovely company?’

‘How dare you talk to me like that?’

‘Whynot?That is exactly what you deserve!’

‘I don’t have to listen to this!’

‘Why Khushi? Does being beautiful give you the right to play with people’s lives?’

‘Stop it! Stop talking this if you are not going to explain.’

‘Why are you dressed like this?’

‘No. Tell me what you meant about me playing with people’s lives.’

‘Just answer me dammit! Why are you dressed like this?’

‘Why should I tell you anything? You had no problems when Lavanya wore dresses like this! I didn’t see you having a problem with that bimbo Ria’s clothes either!’

‘I don’t give a damn about Lavanya or Riaright now!Answer me!’

‘Because you said I don’t have class!’ she cried her words suddenly creating a chill in the atmosphere. ‘You have told me that time and again. How does a poor girl from Lucknow earn class, Mr Raizada? I requested Di to help me out when you went abroad. She gave me training in etiquette and table manners. I learnt to walk in high heels and talk correct English. And for your kind information this dress was her honeymoon gift for me. Poor Di! How was she supposed to know this is a fake honeymoon and more importantly that this is a fake marriage!’

‘Khushi!’ Arnav dragged Khuhsi off the parapet wall and held her in a tight grip crushing the soft flesh of her upper arms.

Khushi shrugged away his arms in anger. The movement caused her purse to fall on the floor spilling all the contents. As she was putting them back into her purse, Arnav picked up some photos that had scattered away. It was a photograph of him in his college days along with a few of his friends.

‘Where did you get this?’

‘Why should I tell you? You won’t believe me anyway.’ She made a move to leave.

‘Khushi stop! Answer my question.’ said Arnav blocking her way.

‘You asked me if I believed Karanji when he told me he was your college friend, right? I thought these photos were proof enough’ she said quietly.

‘Khushi I am ____’

‘I went to the studio this afternoonto get the photos printed out, to make an album. Karanji helped me out with that. We were planning to surprise you at breakfast this morning. Since you left early we planned to meet after dinner. That was what he was trying to tell me when you dragged me off like a slave.’

‘Khushi wait!’Arnav caughtKhushi’s forearm, as she once again tried to leave.

‘Don’t touch me!’

‘Khushi listen to me!’

‘No! I won’t! I am fed up of listening to your endless innuendos. I hate you Arnav Singh Raizada! I hate you from the bottom of my heart! ’ she pushed his chest with all her might, and started hitting his chest repeatedly.  He swore under his breath, and the next moment he pushed her against the pillar, both her handspinned on the pillar, on either side of her. His handswere clamped like vices round her wrists, forcing her to be still.

‘Stop it Khushi!’

‘You know what? You are right. I should stop. Stop trying to impress you! I was so stupid that I thought these stupid things would impress you. Trying to wear this stupid dress so that you will not be ashamed of me anymore, trying to make a stupid album of your college photos, saving your company from the frauds, making the stupid khada for you when you fell sick, cleaning your room -------‘

His mouth came crushing down on hers.

She shuddered weakly, closing her eyes, bracing herself against the first bruising onslaught. Only it did not come. Instead his lips closed on hers with bewildering gentleness, exploring their softness with warm sensuousness.

Khushi tried to pull away. Immediately his grasp on her wrists tightened, and with a little choked gasp of pain, she was forced to submit. She was desperately and shamingly aware that her breathing was changing, quickening as the long deliberate caress went on and on.

The pressure of his mouth against her was subtly more insistent now, his tongue stroking teasingly along the contours of her lips, silently coaxing her lips to part them, and allow him a deeper, more passionate intimacy, and she felt her whole body shiver as she fought its traitorous urging to let him have his way.

A soft sweet trembling was beginning to take control, compelling her to move towards him so that their bodies touched as well as their mouths, prompting a first bewildered response to his kisses. A little aching sigh escaped her, as her lips parted, yielding him the sensual dominance he sought.

‘I am sorry Khushi’ came his anguished apology, as he drew back slowly and let go of her arms ‘Will you forgive me ? ’

Before she could reply, they heard a group approaching the gazebo. Arnav took Khushi’s hand and quietly walked back to the hotel. They went back to the restaurant to find Mr Chopra, so that Arnav could make his apologies to them.

‘I am extremely sorry for leaving you like that Mr Chopra, my wife and I had a few issues to resolve’ said Arnav looking at Khushi in a way that made her go red with embarrassment. ‘If you don’t mind, I would like to take you leave now as I have an appointment with an old college friend of mine’

Khushi felt joy surge through her as she sat looking at Arnav talking animatedly with his old friend Karan. She saw his rare smile that he reserved only for his Di and heard the laughter that she had heard only a couple of times before. She knew this moment would be etched in her memory for ever.

As they went up the elevator, alarge group of boisterous young people entered the small enclosure. Arnav moved himself in front of her to protect her from the rowdy crowd. He put his hand on either side of her. Khushi’s heartbeat started to beat with an erratic rhythm. The looked at each other for long moments until the ring of the elevator announced the arrival of their floor.

Arnav opened the door to their room with his key, and as they took a step into the room, Khushi realized there was something different.The room was resplendent with a golden glow, created by the beautifully lit candles placed all over the room. The room looked like a scene from the movies. There was an awkward silence between them, and Arnav excused himself to go to the rest room. Khushi went up to the bed that had rose petals scattered all over it. This was exactly how it was on the first day they had arrived. So much had changed since then. He had said she was beautiful, back at the gazebo.It was not in the right context though. But her heart gave a small flutter as she lay down on the bed,waiting for Arnav to come out.

When Aranv came out of the rest room, he saw Khushi sound asleep on the bed, fully dressed in her beautiful red gown. Khushi had said a lot of things today. She didn’t sound like the kind of woman he thought she was. Could he have been mistaken in judging her? They would definitely have to talk in the morning. Right now he needed to sleep. It had been a long day.

As he prepared for bed, he took off his shirt as the temperature of the room was a little high. He was about to blow out a candle when he found a note on the night stand. It read, “How did you like my little surprise chotey?” The candles! She must have called the hotel to arrange for this. She just wouldn’t stop meddling, would she? he thought a smile stealing into his lips. He decided to humour her and leave them burning. There was no harm, was there?

Khushi dreamed that she was in the Raizada Mansion. The house was quite dark and she was all alone. Suddenly there was a menacing voice in the dark, ‘Don’t worry Khushiji, I am there for you.’ Khushi was scared. She started running but the voice kept following her, “Khushiji………Khushiji”. She was in a room and she saw a dark form coming toward her. ‘Keep away from me! Otherwise I will tell everyone.’ she screamed.

Arnav was in deep sleep when he heard a scream. He woke up with a start to see Khushi thrashing about, her head rolling from side to side. She mumbled, ‘No…..don’t touch me.’

He bent over her, grasping her shoulder. He gave her a light shake. ‘Khushi wake up. It’s just a dream. It’s okay. I am here.’

Being this close to her, he couldn’t help thinking how beautiful she looked in that gown. God! What was he thinking? She’d had a nightmare. Don’t touch me. What had she been dreaming about? Or whom?

She stared at him without recognition for a moment, and then the most beautiful smile enlightened her face. ‘Arnavji!’ she cried, snaking her arms around his neck, ‘Thank God it’s you!’

She hugged him to herself like she never wanted to let him go.Slowly, Arnav lifted himself from her embrace to look into her eyes. They stared at each other, transfixed.

He had seen her expressions change from fear and anguish, to relief, and then something he didn’t dare acknowledge. He lifted his hands to her forehead and gently moved her hair away from her face, as it removing away all her pain.

 ‘It’s alright Khushi’ he reassured her, his voice a soft whisper, ‘I won’t let anything happen to you.’

She lifted her face up to his, her eyes luminous as she looked into his searching gaze for a moment before shutting her eyes, her invitation blatant.

His mouth came crushing down on her, months of longing and yearning culminating into a one passionate kiss.  The scent of his skin, seemed to invade her senses ---- to fill her being with a harsh and undeniable longing.

One night. One night wasn’t too much to ask for a lifetime in which she would have to continue alone, was it? she asked herself desperately. She wanted his warmth, his comfort, his need of her for this night more than any night, to erase painful memories her nightmare had brought back. She knew he didn’t love her, but she loved him and that would have to do -----

She found she was kissing him in return with the same vibrant, consuming urgency, her lips parting eagerly to accept the thrust of his tongue.

Arnav’s hands shook as he traced the delicate line of her throat and the curve of her shoulder. His palms cupped the soft mounds of her breasts through the dress, his thumb brushing her nipples, piercing her with a shaft of sweet pleasure bordering on pain. His hands then moved down to span her tiny waist, to pull apart the ties at the back of her waist, then moved up slowly to bring the zipper down to the waist.

He slipped his fingers into the neck line, tugging it down until it exposed her lush fullness covered in lace. His dark head bent to her, he kissed the swell of her breasts just above the lace, his mouth like fire against her skin. She felt her body shiver with anguished delight, her hands lifting to twist in the thick, crisp hair at nape of his neck. He peeled the gown down the flat plane of her stomach, down the curve of his hips, until the creamy length of her long legs were revealed to him inch by inch.

His heart constricted at the sight of her dark hair splayed on the pillows, her face flushed with pleasure, her entire body quivering with excitement, her toes curling with pleasure. She was exquisitely beautiful.

Unable to bear the intensity of his perusal, she made a move to cover herself. He held her hands in his and kissed her at the corner of her lips, feathery light kisses that increased the intensity of her heartbeat once again.

She was hardly aware that the caressing hands had stripped away her lacy garments, until he cupped her bare breasts in his hands, lifting them so that his lips could explore their delicate roundness more fully. When his mouth found the peak of one breast, Khushi arched with pleasure. His tongue played across her nipple and shuddering sensations of response soared through her.

Her breath caught in her throat as his mouth left her breasts, feathering kisses down her ribcage, to thrust his tongue into her delectable navel.

Khushi felt she was caught in a dream again, but there was no fear, only an unknown excitement. Then, his lips returned back the way they had come, warming her stomach and once again finding the tip of her breasts.

 ‘Touch me, Khushi ,’ he whispered hoarsely, ‘I need to feel your hands on me.’

Her hands shook as she reached for him, hands framing his face, feeling the roughness of his jawline, then moved to his broad shoulders, down his biceps, over the sinews of his corded forearms, then back up the same way to rake her fingers down the strong muscles of his back.Pinned against his body, she realized he was completely undressed, she was aware of every bone, muscle and sinew in his taut, virile frame. He was magnificent. Arnav, with the glow of the candles painting his bold features, looked beautiful and strong and utterly masculine.

He knew that if she continued to touch him this way he would lose complete control. He decided to take the control back in his hands.

When he touched her at her silken, molten core, Khushi held his hands in utter shock. He gently yet firmly removed her hands from his and opened her legs to stroke her in a slow rhythmic motion.  When she continued to protest, he took her hands in one of his and pinned them over her head. His mouth came down on hers to stem her whimpering.  As the intensity of the caress heightened, she felt herself being swept up into a vortex of sensation like she had never known before. He knew when her sensations reached a peak, her body tensing, and then shuddering, she buried her face in his neck, hugging him tightly, as he let go of her hands.

As she floated down from the bewildering sensations that had encumbered her from head to toe, she felt his hard strength between her thighs, seeking her. His hands were beneath her, raising her ---- to give him a smooth access into her.

For a moment, the tautness of her inner muscles resisted him, and a small shocked sob rose in her throat. Arnav bent his head, his mouth closing on hers, stifling the tiny sound, whispering soft words of reassurance as slowly, he coaxed her body to relax again, and yield to him.

Then, he began to move within her, slowly. She didn’t know what was happening to her, as the initial pain slowly turned into a sweet pleasure and her hips rose to meet the thrust of his as she matched his rhythm. With every powerful thrust, she seemed to be carried nearer some nameless but attainable goal, driven on by instinct, seeking blindly for some relief from the fierce maelstrom of craving he’d created in her.

She clung to him, fingers digging into his sweat-slicked shoulders, letting her body pulse in time with his, the sudden harshness of her breathing, mingling with his. Every never-ending was vibrating suddenly. She was gasping for breath, her head thrashing wildly from side to side, her words framing words of need ----- of entreaty. She could hear herself moaning, her voice thick, like a stranger’s.

 Khushi felt a heat engulf her body, flaming out of control as spasms began to course through her, gasping as she felt them build into a crescendo, the fiery ache of release shaking her whole body. 

As she fought for breath, for sanity, she heard Arnav’s breathing change, quicken hoarsely. She saw him fling back his head suddenly, the muscles in his throat like whipcord, his face strained, almost anguished. Then she felt, like silken fire, the molten reality of his own climax.

They held each other as they floated down from the heights of ecstasy, their breathing slowing down, as their bodies quietened and gave them peace at last.

I LOVE you.

Khushi pressed her mouth to the damp, heated skin of Arnav’s shoulder, damming the words which rang in her head, and sang in her heart. Words she realized she could not tell him ---- ever.

They slept in each other’s arms, spent, like two perfect souls, made for each other.

Khushi woke up the next morning, her body delightfully sore. She closed her eyes as memories of the previous night came crashing back to her. In the harsh day light, the events of the previous night presented a completely different picture.

‘Khushi, we have to talk,’ Arnav sat at the coffee table holding a cup, ‘Please get dressed.’

Khushi was relieved that she had some time before she could face Arnav. His tone had sounded a little clipped earlier. She knew there were so many things left unsaid between them. This complicated matters. Khushi showered quickly and came out dressed in her pink anarkali suit. She sat on the bed quietly and braced herself.

‘You know we will be going back to Delhi today. I have decided that our marriage will no longer be temporary. I will be responsible for you and will provide you with all the comforts for the rest of your life. I will have every right over you. And remember that you belong only to me. Do you understand?’

Khushi went cold after listening to Arnav. Hey Devi Maiyaa! A permanent marriage? How was she going to survive this marriage without love!

Himalayan Magic Chapter 6

Will you keep me warm tonight?

A hut! He had brought them to a hut! She lay back on the ground, joy seeping slowly and steadily through her.

They stumbled through the doorway together into the darkness of the hut, slamming the door behind them against the howling of the storm. Khushi leaned against the rough walls, too tired even to think, as Arnav groped through the dark, blundering against some heavy piece of furniture with a curse. A match scraped; the little light flickered, grew, turned into the comforting soft glow of an oil lamp. Khushi stared around the shadowy room with tired eyes.

‘What is this place?’ she asked.

‘A shepherd’s hut _____ I think. There should to be firewood around somewhere.’ She stared around the place, infinitely grateful for its shelter. It was sparsely furnished; a table, two or three chairs, a low bed. In one corner was a small area that looked like a kitchen with a small kerosene stove. For all its roughness, the place had some homely touches ___ bright curtains at the windows, some pictures of deities on one wall.

‘Where’s the shepherd?’ she asked sliding into a chair, her body still unfeeling and numb.

‘Ah!’ Arnav had unearthed a large bundle of firewood in one corner, and he dragged it across to one end of the room. ‘I think they use this firewood for their stove. I can use this to make a makeshift fireplace for us. We’ll soon be warm. The shepherd? He is probably stuck somewhere else because of this storm.’  He reached for the matches, and held the little light to the splintered wood. A yellow flame started to flicker tentatively at the pile of wood. A sudden rush of joy burst through Khushi’s heart, she drew a deep breath as sobs threatened to rack her. Arnav looked at her surprized.

‘What’s there to cry about now?’ he wanted to know. ‘I’ve got you out of the storm, haven’t I?’

‘I am so happy,’ she said shakily. ‘You are marvellous, Arnavji ___ I __’

‘That’s a change,’ he said drily, standing up. ‘A few minutes ago I was the biggest swine on earth.’

‘Oh no!’ she said appalled as memory began to return. ‘I didn’t know what I was saying.’ Remorse silenced her as he turned away and began rifling through the little cupboard in one dark corner. Slowly she was becoming conscious of the misery she was in; her clothes were wet, and her skin was burning agonisingly as circulation gradually returned to her body. She began to shiver, lightly and intermittently at first, then uncontrollably. Hearing the chatter of her teeth, Arnav glanced up at her.

‘I have found some treasures here.’ He had an armful of things, ‘We are going to do this step by step,’ he said spilling his prizes on the table. ‘First of all ___’ He unscrewed a bottle, sniffed at it, and nodded approvingly. He knelt next to her, cradling her head in the crook of his arm and touching the neck of the bottle to her lips.

‘Drink,’ he commanded.

‘What is it?’ she asked suspiciously, her teeth rattling against the glass.

‘I think it is brandy’

‘I don’t ___’ khushi opened her mouth, and he poured a generous measure down her throat. Liquid fire seized her tonsils, erupted into molten lava that scalded its way down into her stomach. As she coughed in blind agony, he took a swig himself.

‘Yep. It is locally made brandy.’ Again, the neck of the bottle touched her lips, and before she could protest, more of the molten lava was pouring down her throat. She coughed again. Arnav put away the bottle and rummaged among the things on the table. ‘What’s this?’ He peered into the bag, and realization dawned. ’Ah ___ Fancy some hot maggi?’

Khushi was beginning to feel distinctly better. The fire was filling the cabin with warmth, and the agony in her throat and stomach was turning into a pleasant glow, like bodily central heating. She watched Arnav as he added water in the battered saucepan he had found, and added the contents of the maggi packet.

The maggi was delicious, and infinitely comforting. As she scraped her spoon on the bottom of the pan, she looked up to see Arnav looking at her amused.

‘What’s so funny’?’ she demanded.

‘You are,’ he said. ‘Five minutes ago, you were dying by inches. You should see yourself now!’

‘You are no better yourself,’ she told him, looking at his sodden hair. She sucked the spoon with relish, suddenly feeling a hundred times better.

‘Right,’ he said briskly, standing up. ‘Get your clothes off.’

‘What?’ she looked at him in alarm.

‘You are soaked,’ he said patiently. ‘And the room’s getting just about warm enough. You can’t sit in those wet clothes until we are ready to get out of here ____ so get them off.’

‘But I ___’ he was no longer listening, hauling his shirt over his head. Khushi watched in some trepidation as he unzipped his jeans.

‘Wait,’ she said in alarm. ‘This isn’t decent, Arnavji!’

He looked at her with inscrutable brown eyes, and sighed.

‘After all we have been through, is this all you can think about?’

She stared at him. In the firelight he was magnificent, a living bronze statue, his skin velvety and fine. The hair on his chest tapered down toa dark line below his navel where it disappeared into the waist band of his jeans. She turned away blushing a deep shade of red.

‘You take your clothes off if you want to,’ she said sullenly, ‘I’m quite happy the way I am.’

He did not answer, and she could hear him hanging his clothes over the chair to dry.

Powerful hands seized her arms and hauled her to her feet. She yelped in dismay as he spun her around. He looked annoyed but determined.

‘I had to carry you God knows how far in a storm,’ he said calmly, ‘I won’t be disobeyed now. Look, I have my jeans on, ok?’

‘Arnavji___’ she gasped.

‘Now,’ he said firmly, and his fingers were tugging at the buttons down the front of the leather jacket. Hypnotised, she watched the strong, delicate tracery of muscles across his wide shoulders. His skin was incredibly smooth, but under it, the iron hard muscles pulsed and shifted with masculine power. She had seen him shirtless before, but with the firelight casting a golden glow, he looked out of this world. Her dhak-dhak had accelerated to full throttle and she quickly lowered her eyes. He turned her around as though she were a mannequin, and pulled the heavy wet thing off her shoulders.

‘Arnavji___’ she began nervously as he turned her back again.

‘Shut up,’ he said quietly, and began to unfasten the pearl buttons on her once-beautiful blouse.

‘This is for your own good,’ he told her, his beautiful eyes meeting hers in a glint of mockery in their brown depths.

‘Leave me alone ____I’ll do the rest,’ she tried stopping him, her cheeks flushing hotly.

‘Why?’ he asked coolly. ‘I don’t mind.’ He slipped the wet blouse down over her arms, and dropped it over the back of a chair. The warmth of the fire licked at her naked skin, and she quickly turned away from him.

‘I am warm enough now,’ she said bringing her long hair to her front to cover herself.

Arnav was mesmerized. He had a clear view of her creamy back starting with her slender neck, delicately rounded shoulders with the shoulder blades jutting out, tapering down to the small of her back. Her jeans rode lowon her hips showing off her the curve of her tiny waist. He wanted to span that tiny waist with his hands.Forget it! He wanted to span all of it! There was only one thing that was marring his vision. He swallowed.

‘Isnt that ___ that garment wet?’ he asked her.

‘I…It’s perfectly dry,’ she assured him nervously without turning around.

He walked up right behind her. The naked skins of his chest and her back touched. Khushi started shivering at the contact.

‘Arnavji!’ she gasped in horror. ‘Please ____don’t!’ she pleaded.

Arnav bent down toward her. Khushi’s shivering had doubled and she closed her eyes. ‘Don’t what Khushi?’ he whispered into her right ear. Before she could react, she felt the warmth of blanket being placed on her shoulders.

‘Now, will you please take off your jeans?’ he asked her mockery lacing his voice. He was teasing her ___ the Laad Governor!

Cursing him mentally, she took off her jeans under the cover of the blanket, feeling an inexpressible relief as the wet garment came off. The dry heat of the fire was washing over her skin, easing out the stinging and the aching that was left over from her ordeal. She sat down in front of the fire, a little away from him. She saw that he had taken off his jeans as well, and was relieved to see that he had wrapped a towel around his hips. After some time she was beginning to feel relaxed and drowsy.Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. He liked to tease her, did he?

‘Arnavji? Can I ask you a question?’ she asked trying to sound innocent.

‘What?’ he asked her poking a stick into the fire.

‘Why did you kiss me?’ she asked mischievously.

‘What?!’ he could not believe what he heard.

‘You heard me Arnavji……’ she said trying to appear serious.

What was she trying to do? Damn! It must have been the drink she had earlier. The way he was feeling right now, this was not a good idea.

‘You look very tired,’ he said trying to dissuade her, ‘why don’t you go to sleep?’

‘What do you mean____?’ Khushi stood up suddenly trying to create a dramatic effect. She took a step toward him, but stumbled on the blanket and fell right into him.

Arnav stretched out his arms to catch her, falling back himself in order to cushion her fall. A strange stillness settled over them as their lips met in wholly unintentional contact. For a second they were quite still, lips just touching, then gently, carefully, turningher so that her back was on the floor, his mouth settled fully over hers. He paused, his body rigid, and Khushi knew with instinctive certainty that she only had to move and he would let her go without a struggle.

 The strange thing was she no longer wanted to. Suddenly, all the fear, all the hatred was gone, burning itself up into one great flare of passion which could no longer be denied. She wanted this, wanted it more than she’d wanted anything in her whole of her life.

She leaned into him, meeting his hunger with her own. As she melted into him, he felt the thrust of her breasts beneath the lacy wisp of clothing that separated them. He fought the impulse to reach up and capture their fullness and warmth in his palms. Instead he tangled his hands in her hair, revelling in the silky strands that curled around his fingers. He loved the feel of her hair, the smell of it…. a clean, slightly fruity scent.

He could drown in her, lose himself completely in the moist heat and sweetness of her mouth. He moved his hands from her hair to her shoulders.

Her hands moved across his bare chest, nervously. His body temperature was rising at an alarming rate and he knew if she continued to touch him, he’d be on fire and completely out of control.

They broke apart, their chests heaving, gasping for air. As their heart rate returned to normal , his fingers traced a delicate path down her cheek, as though he couldn’t quite bear to break all contact. Gently he rubbed his thumb over her lips, and Khushi closed her eyes, as she felt a tingling echo of awareness race through her body. Deep down, she knew it was wrong, knew that she should never have allowed the kiss to happen, but there was no way she could ever regret it. How could she regret something which had felt so right and been so devastatingly perfect?

Arnav laid his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes. Think. Even though hehad felt her acquiescence in the depth of her response, in the fluid feel of her body against his, someplace in the back of his mind he knew he had to think about what he was doing. If he continued, things would only get more complicated. Nothing had changed between them.

The entire day’s events played back in his mind. The road trip on the bike. He didn’t remember the last time he had had felt so free. He shuddered at the very thought that he could have lost her in the storm.He knew deep down that his feelings for her were getting stronger by the day. What was it between them? Whatever it was, one thing was certain…….he wanted her more than anything he had ever wanted in his entire life! His mind was too tired to delve further into this. He realized that Khushi had fallen asleep. He lifted her in his arms, wrapped up in the blanket and gently placed her on the bed.She lookedso beautiful and innocent in her sleep.As he was about to get up she clutched his hand. He knew it would not be right, but what the ____! they had been through jaws of death together and his body was screaming for rest. Helaydown next to her on the narrow bed.

Outside the storm raged on in its full glory.

Himalyan Magic Chapter 1 - 5

Oh sis O’mine!

Khushi lay on the bed lost in thought. Life seemed a little close to normal in the past couple of weeks. After holi, Shyam was off on another one of his trips. It was a relief not to see his face around the house. His face was looking scarier and scarier with each passing day. I wonder if I made a mistake not telling the truth?she wondered. There was one face she missed, however. Only because she was stuck in this house with questions to which the answers were hidden behind that face, she corrected herself.He had refused to answer any of them. She would just have to keep persisting.He was away on a business trip abroad.There was a strange feeling around the region of her heart. It felt like she was waiting for something. She was imagining footsteps or looking for a particular name whenever her phone rang or looking out of the widow whenever she heard a car drive in. She couldn’t understand this restlessness.

On the brighter side however, she was happy that she was able to mend her relations with Arnav’sand her own family. She had been spending a lot of time with Anjali Di. With Shyam gone it was a good opportunity to bond with her. She was the only person Arnav loved from the bottom of his heart. She didn’t know why that had suddenly become very important to her. With these thoughts in mind Khushi finally fell into a deep slumber.

Khushi’sdhakdhak was increasing. She had been dreaming about Arnav. ‘No! Don’t’ she said playfully as she pushed him away.

‘Khuhshi! Wake up! What do you think you are doing?’

‘Stop it  Ar_____!’ someone was shaking her roughly. Khushi woke up and opened her eyes to see a pair of really angry eyes. It was Arnav!

‘What are you doing here?’ said Khushi rubbing her eyes to see if she was still dreaming.

‘What do you mean what I am doing here? It is my house and this is my bed. Remember? In fact I was going to ask you what youwere doing on my bed!’

‘I ..I thought you were coming back tonight’ said Khushi still drowsy.

‘I was, but I had to come back a day earlier for a very important meeting scheduled for this morning. And thanks to you I will go in to that meeting all groggy’ he said irritated.

‘What did I do?’

‘You woke me up when you pushed me off the bed!’ he grated.

‘You slept on this bed?!’ askedKhushinow completely awake.

‘How was I supposed to know you were sleeping here? I came in around 2 AM. I couldn’t sleep much on the flight. I was too tired to put on the light and change before I crashed. The next thing I know I am on the floor!’

‘I don’t think I did anything of that sort’ said Khushi turning red when she remembered.

‘You also said “No! Don’t”. Who were you dreaming about Khushi?’ Arnav was curious now.

‘I …. I Hariprakashji! He added mustard to the tadka instead of jeera. So, I pushed him. I must have shouted then.’ said Khushi suddenly very interested in making the bed. And since she was trying to avoid looking at him she completely missed the ‘What the ____?’ expression on his face.

Arnav came down to the breakfast table to see some excited chatter going on. He couldn’t see Khushi there. Just as well he thought.

Earlier today, he had come awake when he felt soft hands on his chest. She hadn’t really pushed him off the bed. In fact her hands had clutched at his T-shirt.That was when his dhak-dhak had started deep inside him. He had put his hands on hers to move them away from him, but instead he found himself leaning toward her against his own volition! But then,it was her ‘No! Don’t’ that had shocked himinto falling off the bed!And damn! her expression when she had said those words! He wondered if she was dreaming about …. he quelled the thought immediately. She had been totally bluffing when she had said she was dreaming about Hariprakash. Hariprakash? She could be really weird at times. He had no time for this. Work was already lagging due to the weddings and it was time to catch up.

‘Chotey! You are here at the right time. We were just discussing one more rasam that has been left undone after the wedding’ said Anjali mischievously.

‘So I suppose you have taken it upon yourself to make sure this so called rasam is completed?’ said Arnav sarcasm lacing his tone.

Anjali just bobbed her head gleefully.

‘Alright then, I will leave you to it and get back to work if you don’t mind? Akash? Are you coming with me today?’ he asked his brother whose eyes were glued toPayal seated next to him.

‘Hold on chotey! This rasam cannot be completed without you or Akash’ Anjali seemed keen on continuing the game.

‘Come to the point Di!’ said Arnav exasperated.

‘The rasam I am talking about is your honeymoon you idiot!’ said Anjali evoking laughter from a few present at the table.

This is exactly why people should avoid living in a joint family thought Arnav. How an intimate decision, pertaining to the couple involved was being made by other members of the family was something beyond his comprehension. This was just like the time when his Di and Jeejai had decorated the marriage bed on theSuhaagRaat! Hadn’t they heard of the word privacy? All he wanted to say to this was,” What the _____?” Instead, he compromised.

‘No way!’ he was loud and clear.

‘What do you mean “No way”chotey? This honeymoon has already been delayed because of your trip abroad and your insistence that Akash take charge of the office in your absence!’ Anjali berated.

‘I am sorry for causing such inconvenience Di but we do run a multimillion dollarbusiness here you know?’ he used sarcasm again. ‘In fact Akash is due in Nainital in a couple of days to finalize the deal which we started a few weeks ago.’

‘It’s alright Di. We’ll go when I get back from Nainital’ said Akash always the dutiful brother.

‘Sorry Akash. We are tied up for the next couple of months. We are expecting our overseas client next month and we have a hell lot of preparation to work on when you get back from Nainital’Arnav wished he could take back his words when he looked at Akash’s fallen face. But he said nothing as he was not one to give in to emotions. But guilt had started creeping up on him.

This worked to a full advantage for Anajali when she said ‘I have an idea! Payaljican go along with Akash on this trip. Can’t she? This will be a business cum pleasure trip!’

‘Err… Di, that might be a bit of a problem because Akash will have a whole lot of work to do. There would really be no point ____’ he was cut off by Anjali.

‘That is why you and Khushiji will be going along as well! I am sure you will be needed there anyway. Khushiji and Payalji will keep each other company when you both are working. And mamaji will take care of everything here, won’t you mamaji?’

‘Of course, Anjali bitiya. I think it is a great idea!’ said mamaji not helping.

‘Ok fine Di. But I don’t think Khushi will want to go on this trip’ he began but stopped when he saw the strange look that Anjali was giving him. ‘Err I mean with such short notice and all.’ he wasn’t sure what to say and just blurted out ‘I am sure Payal will convince her, won’t you Payal? he finished lamely. He heaved a sigh of relief when he saw Anjali smiling.

‘Of course Arnavji’ said Payal, a big smile on her face. Not helping at all.

Arnav knew when he was defeated. The lovey dovey look passing between Akash and Payal, the daggers that mamiji was shooting at the duo, the happy looks of his Di, Naniji and Mamaji had all contributed equally. He should have walked out of this mad house when had the chance all those months ago!

Later in the day, Payal found Khushi in the garden tending to the plants at the pool side of her bedroom.

‘Khushi! I didn’t know you had started gardening!’ exclaimed Payal in delight.

‘I had to take care of them in Arnavji’s absence jiji’ she said as removed dead leaves from the pot. Her jiji sounded chipper than usual, ‘Were you looking for me?’

‘Yes Khushi! You know what? I have some good news….’ she said demurely.

‘Already?!!That was really really quick jiji’ expressing fake shock.             

‘Khushi!! Stop it!’ said Payal when realization dawned. ‘Akashji is taking me to Nainital for our honeymoon you idiot!’

‘What? Why didn’t you say so earlier? That’s great news jiji! When do you leave? For how many days? How _____’

‘Hold on Khushi! I am not done yet. You are going too’ she said happily.

‘Are you crazy!?? I can’t go on your honeymoon! I know you love me and all that but this is just too much. I don’t have any idea of becoming Kababmeinhaddi.’

‘Khushi! You will not be anything of that sort because Arnavji is also going’ she said.

‘Hey Devi Maiyya! What is going on here? Next you will be telling me that mamiji, naniji and Anajali Di are also going on your honeymoon!’

‘Stop being silly Khushi! It is just going to be the four of us. It is your honeymoon too, remember?’

‘No way! I don’t want to go on any honeymoon! You and Akashji should go by yourselves jiji. You hardly got any time with him since you got married. Mamiji has made sure of that. In any case who goes to honeymoon like this in a group?’

Payal realized that she will have to explain everything that was discussed at the breakfast table. After listening to everything Khushi was angry.

‘I knew it! It had to be the Laad Governor who has a hand in this! He couldn’t let you go in peace, could he? I will have to go talk to him! How dare he spoil your honeymoon like this?’

‘Khushi stop! You will not go and talk to Arnavji about anything. Akashji and Arnavji have a lot of work to do in the next two months. Under the circumstances they have managed to squeeze in this honeymoon for our sake.’ Payal was firm.

‘But jiji ___’

‘Please Khushi? This will be a great chance for me to spend some time with Akashji. And moreover, don’t you want to go on your honeymoon?’ she asked with a strange look on her face.

Khushi fell silent.

That night Arnav stood at the pool side thinking.Honeymoon?Dammit! He just hadn’t thought this through! He saw Khushi making her bed on the floor. He walked up to her.

‘I think Payal told you about the Nainital trip. If it were not for Di, Akash would be going on this trip all by himself. All this honeymoon nonsense was totally unnecessary.’

‘I think you are right. I don’t want to go the trip either. I will tell Anjali Di tomorrow’

‘Please don’t do anything of the sort Khushi. She is already suspicious. We will have to go through with this’

‘Then why don’t you explain our marriage to her? That will solve the problem.’ she said sarcastically.

‘Look it is just a matter of few days. Both you and I have to go on this trip whether we like it or not. Let’s just get it over with’

‘Alright! I will go on one condition’

‘What now?’

‘In the trip, I get to sleep on the bed.’

‘Done!’

Heat in middle of a cold road

Arnav had been driving for four hours. Payal and Akash looked cosy as they dozed in the back seat.Khushisat in the passenger seat looking out of the window. She remembered her previous trip to Nainital where she had spent most of the journey in the trunk of Arnav’s car. A smile stole into her lips as she remembered. She never got to see Nainital then.

As they entered the city limits Khushi was enthralled by its beauty. It was a place of lakes and mountains. It was beautiful, serene and green. The beauty of the place was obviously due to its abundant natural beauty but also because its old world charm was completely retained since the times of the British rule. It was hard not to notice the British touches in the roads, buildings and the cultural lodges.

They reached the hotel around lunch time and were shown to their respective rooms. Arnav, a few steps ahead of Khushi entered the room. ‘What the ____?’ he swore loudly.

Khushi walked in to see what was wrong.She took a few seconds to realize it. It was a honeymoon suite! It was a beautiful room with wood flooring and wood panelling on the walls. There was a large window with a view of a snow capped mountain. Next to the window,was a small coffee table and two chairs. There was a fire place in one corner of the room. But the most prominent item in the room was the huge four poster king bed that dominated the centre. Curtains adorned the posters giving it a royal look. There were rose petals on the white bed sheets.

Arnav picked up the phone and dialled reception, ‘May I know why this room was booked for us?’

‘Mr Raiza, your sister specifically asked us to book the honeymoon suite. We were only following instructions.’ she replied nervously knowing very well who she was talking to.

‘Damn!’ Arnav banged the phone down.She just will not mind her own business, will she?

Khushi went into the rest room to freshen herself. The bathroom was huge. There was marble everywhere. There was a separate tub, shower cubicle and sink with long counter and an equally long mirror. Fresh towels monogrammed with the hotel logo were arranged neatly by the tub. The tub was filled with water and rose petals. The tub looked big enough for two people. Khushi went red when she realized the implication. She hurried out.

‘We are meeting Payal and Akash for lunch downstairs at the restaurant’ he informed her as he looked at her flushed face.

Khushi looked at the lovely shawl the hawker was showing her. Payal was looking at some artefacts. They were at one of the handicraft emporiums at the famous Mall road. Right after lunch, Arnav had dropped them off here before heading off with Akash to client’s office for a meeting. Khushi and Payalwere having a lot of fun at the market. It had been a while since they had spent time together. There were chocolate shops, clothes, artificial jewellery and tons of shops selling medicinal oils. They bought gifts for everyone and got back to the hotel in the evening.

Later that evening the four of them had meet for dinner at the restaurant. Khushi ate her paneermakhani and rotis that she had ordered. She didn’t like it too much. The food at the Punjabi dhaba where she and Arnav had eaten just outside of Nainital was much better she thought. She also remembered how the dhaba aunty had forced her to wipe the lassi off Arnav’s lips. The memory made her go warm all over and she closed her eyes.

Arnavlooked at Khushi’s face and said, ‘Don’t tell me that the paneer is that good’

Khushi quickly returned back to the present, a little flusteredand realized that Akash was trying to tell Arnav about going somewhere.

‘Bhai, tomorrow morning Payal and I plan to go to Binsar. It is supposed to be a beautiful place where we get to see panoramic views of the Himalayas. It will take us a few hours to get there, so we plan to leave early in the morning and get back before dark’.

‘Sounds good, Akash. We don’t have any meetings scheduled until the day after tomorrow. So you are free to do whatever you want’

‘What are your plans bhai?’ asked Akash.

‘Oh I have work lined up because of my trip abroad. I will be working with Aman the entire day.’ said Arnav seriously.

‘Oh but what will Khushiji do then?’ asked Akash alarmed.

‘Don’t you worry about me jeeju. I am sure there are lots of nearby places I can visit by myself. I might even go back to the Mall road. I think I will pick up that shawl I liked so much’ said Khushi trying to put Akash and Payal at ease. She was determined to see that the two of them have a nice time with each other. She had not been happy whenArnav had whisked away Akash to work in the afternoon instead of letting him spend some time with Payal.

Back in the room, Khushi came out of the restroom all cleaned up and ready for bed. Arnav was by the window with his laptop on the coffee table. She went up to the bed and cleared all the rose petals and put them on the night stand. She then took one set of comforter and pillow from the cupboard and placed them on the chair. She then went up to the bed and lied down on it.

‘What do you think you are doing?’ asked Arnav looking up from his lap top.

‘I hope you remember the deal we made back in Delhi. I get to sleep on the bed here.’ said khushi switching off the night lamps on both sides of the bed. She then settled herself on the right side of the bed.

‘Damn! ’ swore Arnav.

Khushi smiled to herself before sleep claimed her.

Khushi sensed something was wrong. She realized her fingers were touching something bristly and rough. Her dhakdhak increased and woke her from sleep. She opened her eyes. Her right palm was on Arnav’s cheek and the bristly feel was his stubble!

His eyes were wide open as well. She snatched her hand away as if burned and quickly got up from the bed.

‘What are you doing on the bed?!’ she shouted.

‘Shut up Khushi! I couldn’t get enough sleep last night.’ Arnav mumbled.

‘First tell me what you are doing on this bed? We made a deal that I would be sleeping on the bed’ said khushi, her decibels rising as she spoke.

‘Right! And that is where you slept.But you did not mention that I should not sleep on it, did you?’ he asked with a smirk.

Khushi started to panic, ‘Whaaat?’

‘This bed is big enough. I put pillows in the centreof the bed. You sleep on your side and I will sleep on mine. I think that should work.’

‘No way!I don’t think that is going to work!’ said khushidesperately.

‘If you have trouble keeping your hands to yourself, then you are free to use the floor.’ he replied cheekily and went back to sleep.

Khushi walked quickly to the rest room and shut the door with a bang. How dare he?The devil!

Arnav couldn’t help laughing under his comforter. It was so much fun to rile her up that way. Jokes apart, in spite of what he had told khushihe was the one who was having trouble keeping his hands to himself. Back in Delhi, couple of days ago, he had almost kissed her and today was no less either. What could he do? She looked absolutely ravishing the first thing in the morning.Each day his control seemed to be slipping a little by little. Maybe he should go back to sleep on the floor. He discarded the thought when he remembered how his back had ached and went right back to sleep.

Later that morning, Khushi ate her breakfast in silence. Arnav had ordered room service for them. There was something intimate about the scene. It was just the two of them in the room. Arnav was working on his lap top holding his coffee in one hand. Khushi looked out of the window sadly. The snow-capped mountains beckoned to her. I wish I could come up there to see you Devi Maiyya she said in a silent prayer. One of the shop keepers at the market had told her about the Kasar Devi temple near Almora on the way to Binsar. Lucky Payal and Akash she sighed.

Arnav heard the sigh and looked up to see her watching the mountains sadly. His heart lurched at the look on her face. He forced himself to concentrate on his work. We are not really on a honey moon here he told himself sternly. He was glad when his cell phone rang and he walked out of the room to take the call. When he got back in about 10 minutes Khushi was nowhere to be seen. He continued to work for another 15 minutes. There was still no sign of Khushi. Where could she be? He checked the rest room to see it was empty. He then called the reception to find out if she was in the lobby.

‘Yes Mr.Raizada, you wife came here half an hour ago. I think she might have gone to Thandisadak, one of our sightseeing places. We advised her not to go there all alone, but she insisted on getting directions’

‘What the ___! Why didn’t you call me earlier?!’ yelled Arnav and picked up his jacket before rushing downstairs.

Khushi walked slowly along Thandisadak.This road as the name suggested was very cold as it was lined up with lush greens of pine, deodar and oak trees blocking the sub beams from reaching it. Just like Arnav. He had built walls around him blocking emotions from reaching him thus rendering him cold like Thandisadak. But there were times when he wasn’t like that at all. She remembered the time she was lost in the jungle and how he had come looking for her. Suddenly,she sensed that someone was watching her. She turned back to look. Her heart lurched with joy.It was Arnav!

He was angry. He walked up to her. He held her shoulder roughly and shook her. ‘Do you have any sense in your head? What do you think you were trying to do? Why did you leave the hotel without telling me? What if something happened to you?’

Khushi’s joy dissipated and anger replaced it. ‘I thought you wouldn’t notice that I was gone. You didn’t have to worry. I know how to take care of myself!’

‘It’s not about worry! You are my responsibility. Let’s go!’

Khushi was stubborn, ‘Absolutely not! I came here to for a stroll and I will finish it’

He took another step close to her. ‘Will you come back with me quietly or not?’ he said his voice menacing.

‘Is this man troubling you madam’ one of the men in a group who were standing nearby had come up to them.

Not again, what is it with people in this country! They just kept butting inother people’s business.‘This is a personal matter between husband and wife. Stay of it!’ snappedArnav.

‘It doesn’t look like your “wife” wants to go with you. We think you should leave her alone’ he said pointing to his friends.

Khushi looked at the group of men. They reminded her of the goondas who had attacked her at the dhaba. She also remembered the rage with which Arnav had bashed up one of them because he had pushed her. She acted quickly.

‘Haven’t you ever seen fights between a husband and wife? Please go back to your friends and enjoy the scenery.’ saidKhushi to the man as he stood there staring at Arnav.

‘Come on Arnavji. Let us go’ said Khushi pulling on his hand.

Arnav kept staring back at the man.

‘Alright! I am really really sorry for what I did. Now will you please come?’ Khushileaned into Arnav and whispered in his ear to get his attention. She succeeded.

Arnav looked at Khushi. She was holding his arm with both hands and her soft body was pressed up against it. Did she realize what that was doing to him?Time stood still. Looking into her big eyes, he raised his right hand up to her forehead. He wanted to move her unruly locks away from her face.

Khushifelt her dhakdhak increasing, her breathing swift. She closed her eyes. His fingers made a slow and hot trail down her hairline, behind her ear, continuing all the way down her neck, along her collar bone and then came to rest on her shoulder. Her body had started shaking when he leaned his head down until their noses were almost touching.

‘That’s ok Khushi. You don’t have to be sorry’ he said in a soft tone, almost a whisper.

Khushi opened her eyes. There were flecks of gold among the brown as she looked into his eyes, drowning in that brown velvet as they beckoned, enticed.Those few seconds had started to seem like an eternity as they stood transfixed. It was like the beauty and the serenity of the place had enchanted them and entrapped them in a whirlwind of emotions.

The sound of laughterbrought them back to the present. They looked around to see a couple of kids looking at them. They quietly began to walk. The sensations that had overtaken them still had them in its clutches because it was only when they reached the hotel that they realized that they were still holding hands.

My knight on a black bike

Arnav and Khushihad reached the hotel. Reality set in. The enchantment of Thandisadak had worn off. Arnav had gone back to work on his lap top when they reached the room.

He was irritated, ‘So much time was wasted today. I will have to call Aman to reschedule my meetings’

Khushi switched on the TV. ‘As if someone asked him to come after me’ she muttered under her breath. She flipped through the channels when one of them caught her attention. It was a local channel announcing a land slide. It was near a place called Binsar. She was alarmed.‘Which place had jeeju mentioned? Was it Binsar? I will have to call him immediately to find out if they are ok’ she was talking out aloud.

‘Stop blabbering Khushi! I am trying to work ____.’

‘Arnavji, there has been a landslide in a place called Binsar! Isn’t that the place jeejaji and jeeji have gone to today?’

‘I think so. I will call him right away,’ said  arnav, already dialling Akash’s number.

‘Damn! His phone is not reachable!I think we should go down to the help desk and ask them if they know more’

No one in the reception was of much help. Binsar was a remote place and there was no cell phone towers in areas like that. Arnavrealized that the only way to find out if Akash and Payal were alright was to go there. He asked Khushi to go up to the room and wait until he got back.

‘Of course not!‘I am going with you Arnavji! Jiji might be in trouble and I want to help.’ she said determined.

‘Look, there has been a land slide. I don’t think it will be safe for you to go with me’ he tried to dissuade her.

‘What about you? You think Yamraj is also scared of you, right?’

At Aranav’s quelling stare, she said quickly, ‘Now let’s not waste time and get going.’

She could be really stubborn at times and he had no time for this. He went back to the reception to arrange for a vehicle. He was informed that there was a taxi strike all of sudden and the only option to get there was to rent a vehicle from the rental place close by.

Khushi waited outside the rental place where Arnav had to gone to rent a vehicle to go to Binsar.

‘Khushi, we have a problem. They don’t have any cars for rent. They only have bikes!’

‘So?’

‘This is a long journey and I don’t think you will able to manage. I think you should go back to the hotel.’

‘I am from Lucknow!’ said Khushi as if that was a qualification.‘I can manage anything. But, I will understand if you have difficulty riding a bike. Being used to cars, and all that. So, if you have problem riding a bike let me know. I am used to riding my babuji’s scooter. I will take you there.’ she said tongue in cheek.

Arnav rolled his eyes in exasperation, Drama queen! ‘Alright you can come! Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you KhushiKumari Gupta!’

Arnav paid the rental for the bike and brought it around to where Khushi was standing. When she looked up at Arnav she was completely zapped.

It was a magnificent sight - The man and his machine, completely at ease with each other, made for each other.

‘What is this?!’ she exclaimed.

‘This is an Enfield 500 classic. These are bikes that are generally used in these areas. What’s the big deal?’

‘Do you know how to ride a bike?’ she looked doubtful.

‘You could always stay back Khushi’ he said once again.

‘Could we please go back to the hotel first? I would like to get my shawl.’ There were no more arguments.

Arnav had been riding for about half an hour. The road meandered up the bank of the riverKosi. The vegetation in the surrounding area was green and soothing to the eyes. The cold breeze blowing on their faces felt fresh, free from pollution. They hadn’t covered much distance and Khushi was getting restless. She leaned into Arnav and spoke loudly into his ear.

‘Don’t you think we are going a little slow? Are you finding it difficult to ride this bike?’ she asked.

‘Of course I am finding it difficult with you sitting so awkwardly. You start fidgeting every now and then. I think you should sit with your legs on either side’ suggested Arnav.

‘My clothes are not designed for sitting that way. I think I am fine like this.’

After 15 minutes Arnavcouldn’t take it anymore. He stopped the bike and asked Khushi to get off. He parked the bike and took Khushi to a small store on the road side.

‘I think these shops sell clothes. Let’s see if we can find something appropriate for you.’ he said.

Poor Arnavji,he is probably having a tough time riding a bike.  She looked at him sympathetically and decided to humour him and went into the store. There weren’t too many clothes to choose from. Finally Khushi managed to find a pair of jeans and top. Khushi tried it on and came out of the trial room

‘I think these clothes are a size too small for me. But they don’t have a bigger size. Do I really need these?’ she asked dismally.

Arnav looked up at and was speechless. She looked better than most of the models who walked the ramp for his company! The dark blue jeans rode low on her waist and fit her like a second skin. The topwas baby pink in colour and had a wideround neck. It had short sleeves and pearl buttons all way from the top to the waist where it ended just at the waist band of her jeans.  If she raised her hands a little bit he would be able to see her waist. Now, why did that thought enter his head? He shook his head to clear it out a little.

‘Er um …. They are not too bad.’ his voice came out in a squeak. ‘Hurry up now, will you? We have already wasted a lot of time’ he covered up with rudeness.

Khushi wondered why he had the “What the ____?” expression on his face when she had done nothing to annoy him.

‘I think you should get a jacket and a pair of boots as well’ he suggested.

‘I don’t think so. I have a shawl and that is more than enough for me’ she declared and stepped out of the shop confidently.

‘I don’t even know why I try to argue with her. Just give me a pair of boots in her size. ’ he asked the shop keeper as he made the payment.

The old man at the counter smiled to himself shaking his head. Newlyweds!

They continued on their journey.  Now that Khushi was sitting with legs on both the side she was much more comfortable and Arnav found it easier to ride the bike. However her hands were aching as she was trying to hold on to the hand holds behind the bike. Now and then her shawl would slip off from her shoulderand she would have to keep putting it back on. She had started to fidget again and it was getting on Arnav’s nerves. He turned his head toward for one brief second to tell her to stop.

And then, suddenly a jeep, coming from the opposite direction, lost control and came head on in their path at full speed. Khushiopened her mouth to scream but no sound came out.

Arnav swerved the bike out of the jeep’s way just in time. But the movement forced the bikeoff the road and very fast it began to skid toward the valley on the left.  With a sinking sensation in her stomach, Khushiclosed her eyes bracing for the worst.

Suddenly they came to a crunching stop and everything was quiet.

‘Khushi! Are you alright?’ Arnav asked in a shaky voice.

‘I am not sure’ she said in an equally shaky voice.

‘Do you think you can manage to get off the bike so I can check?’ he asked her.

Khushi realized only then that she had plastered her face and body to his back and her hands were around his torso in a death grip. But somehow she didn’t want to let go. She shook her head.

‘Khushi! Please. Just get off for one second. I have to take a look at you.’he pleaded.

The desperation in his voice finally got to her and she slowly unwound her arms from around him, she slid off the bike still holding on to him. Arnav got off the bike after her and parked it. They had come to a stop dangerously close to the edge. He turned around to hold her. Khushi crumbled in his arms like a piece of cake. He lifted her up in his arms and looked around. He found a small temple tucked away on the side of the road a short distance away. He carried her up to the steps of the temple and sat down with her on his lap. He hugged her to him to calm her slender, shivering body.

‘I am sorry Khushi. So sorry, sorry’ he said over and over again.

Khushi finally calmed down enough to look up at him in confusion, ‘What are you sorry for?’ she asked her face pale.

‘I am sorry for being careless. I should have been looking ahead. I ____’ Khushi cut him off.

‘Stop it Arnavji! The driver who ran us off the road was at fault here. And if anyone should be sorry it should be me. If I hadn’t been fidgeting so much, all this probably would not have happened.’ she said tears filling up eyes.

‘Sshhh.Its ok now. Calm down’ Arnav spoke in a low tone.

‘I think we should thank God for saving our lives today’ she said.

‘Well….. I don’t know about that. I was the one who saved us from falling over the cliff’ he said in a matter of fact tone.

‘Of course you did Arnavji, but you should agree you had some help from above’

‘I had help. But not from above.It was because of spending my college years participating in dirt track bike racing’

Khushi’seys grew wide with surprise. ‘Bi..Bike racing……you?’

‘Yep. Me. I participated at National level championships. I can dismantle a bike and put it back together again if I wanted to’ he said with a smirk.

‘Oh God! I asked you if you knew how to ride a bike. But ….but you don’t even know how to change your car tire!’Khushi couldn’t believe this.

‘I never told you that I cannot change a car tire. You just assumed that. Why should I, when I can afford to have a driver bring me another car?’

‘Why did you stop racing?’ she ignored his cockiness.

‘Racing can be dangerous. It is common to have injuries like broken ribs, and scraped knees. But in one race another driver crashed into me and went off track and had to be admitted in the hospital for serious injuries.  Di found out and forbid me to race again. That was the end of it’ he said simply.

Before Khushi could say anything, she heard hoot calls from a group of young bike riders on the road. They realized the reason for the calls. Khushi was still sitting on Arnav’s lap!

Arnav lifted Khushi off his lap and seated her next to him. They avoided looking into each other’s eyes.

‘I think we should get going. Are you feeling better?’ he asked standing up.

Khushi stood up and nodded her head.

 ‘Wait here I will get the bike’ he told her.

When Khushi got on the bike, Arnav turned his head and said, ‘Now hold on properly and don’t fidget.’

‘I know that!’ she said. As if she was going to take the risk again. She put both her hands on his shoulder and held on tight.

As they made the ascent to higher regions the green vegetation gave way to pine trees and shrubbery. The temperature had dropped a little more. But Khushi didn’t seem to notice. She was lost in thought. She had learnt a small part of Arnav’s past today. He was a bike racer in college. She would never have imagined it in a thousand years. How was he as a young man? Would he have been fun loving back then? Did he have friends? Khushi suddenly wanted to know the answers to these questions. A small part of her was her happy that he had quit racing. She wondered why.

It was Arnav’s turn to fidget. Khushi had slid down the seat and was flush against his back. Her face was on his shoulder, very close to his neck. She was holding on him really tight. Was she sleeping? Why was she so quiet? Man! Even through their clothes, he could feel every part of her body from her cheek to her stomach and this was making him really uncomfortable. He desperately needed a distraction. As if on command, distraction came in the form of a loud honking. They had entered city limits of Almora. 

Zero Point

Arnav and Khushi had reached the city limits of Almora. It was a picturesque district with a panoramic view of the Himalayas and an alluring grandeur of natural beauty. It was famous for its rich cultural heritage, unique handicrafts, sumptuous cuisine and magnificent wildlife.

‘Arnavji? Could we stop somewhere? I need to use the rest room’ said Khushi.

‘Absolutely!’Arnav was relieved. He could definitely use a break right now. Sitting close to her like this was playing havoc with his senses. He asked around and came back with directions to a resort. ‘I think we should get something to eat while we are here. Looks likeBinsaris another 30 kms from here and will take us 45 mins to 1 hour to get there.’

Khushi brightened up at the thought of food. ‘Thank God! I was beginning to feel hungry. I think I will order paneermakhani, alooparatha and I hope they have jalebis. I have been craving for them‘

Arnav rolled his eyes in exasperation. For a girl who was so slim, she ate quite a lot.After driving for another 5 minutes they found the resort they were looking for. It was called Kaasar Jungle Resort.

In the restroom, Khushi looked at her reflection in the mirror. There was something different about her. It was her clothes! She realized that she not only looked different but she felt different as well. She was really beginning to enjoy this journey. The scenery, the air – this place was truly magical. Especiallywhen you are on bike ride with the one you _____ Stop it! Khushi was horrified at the direction her thoughtswere heading. She quickly splashed cold water on her face to stem the tears that were welling up in her eyes. The entire days’ evens were finally taking a toll on her.

Arnav’s heart started an erratic beat as he watched her walk up to their table. She had a natural sway in her hips when she walked and saw that she was turning heads of the other men present at the restaurant. He realized that he did not like it. His eyes blazed with anger.Mine! The word reverberated in his brain like a chant. When she took her seat opposite him, they looked at each other for countless seconds. Neither spoke, norunderstood the emotions reflected in each other’s eyes. They finally broke contact when the waiter brought their food. They ate in silence.

Thirty minutes later, Arnav and Khushi were on their way up to Binsar. The meandering roads were lined up with tall conifers trees and deep valleys on either side. Khushi asked Arnav if they could visit the Kaasardevi temple that was close by and he had refused. He could say that she was upset. Shehad put couple of inches between them and was trying not to touch him. Good! At least now he would be able to drive in peace without thinking of how her fingers would clutch at him every time he applied brakes.He was himself recovering from the emotions he had experienced at the restaurant and he was not in the mood to be accommodating. He concentrated on the drive and increased his speed. They had to find Akash and Payal before dark.

After 45 minutes of enduring treacherous roads, they reached a sign board which said Zero point. Arnav asked a man standing there if there was some sort of hotel or resort there as he remembered Akash talking about going there for lunch. The man informed them that there was a guest house and pointed them toward the path that lead to it. He also told them they should hurry up if they wanted to see the sun set at the zero point. He showed them a beaten down path and told them that it was a short cut.

‘I would like to see the sun set.’ declared Khushi.

‘I don’t think so Khushi. We have to get to the guest house to ask about Akash and Payal first’

‘But we will miss the sun set.Another 15 minutes will not matter. We could go up to the resort after this’ she pleaded.

‘I hope you remember that we are not actually on our honeymoon. Our first priority is to find Akash and Payal. I don’t have the time to argue with you. Are you coming with me or not?’ asked Arnav impatient.

‘No! I want to see the sun set first’ Khushi was adamant.

‘Alright.As you wish.’Arnav left Khushi there and drove away.Once he was satisfied that he had given her enough of a scare he turned around. There was no sign of Khushi!

‘What the _____’? Arnav looked at the path that lead to the sun set point and groaned out aloud.

Khushi ran up the path to the sun set point tears streaming down her cheeks. In the city, he had left her mid street many times. But here! How could he? She didn’t care to see where she was going as long as she could get far away from him.His ‘My way or the high way’ attitude was getting too much for her to handle.The Laad Governor!

Arnav was furious! He parked the bike and walked up the path leading to the sunset point. He realized that he was passing through deep woods. He couldn’t believe she would be stupid enough to venture to this place all alone. She could be a complete imbecile at times! Her Buaji had given her an apt name. What was it? Ah! Sankadevi.

Finally Arnav reached some kind of an overlook. The sun was about to setin the snow-capped mountains.But there was no sign of Khushi. He walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down.There was a deep gorge full of jagged rocks. Suddenly, his eyes caught something colourful caught up in a small overgrowth on one of the rocks. It was a shawl! His heart skipped a beat. He broke out in cold sweat. Was it hers? His heart beat increased in tempo. His eyes began to well up. No it can’t be!  He stepped back and looked around. He saw a large rock at the far end of cliff. He began to run.

‘Khushi!........Khushi!’ he shouted. But the wind was too strong for his words to be heard. It had started to rain, heavy fat drops falling from the sky.

He finally reached the boulder and walked around it. There she was, sitting on a smaller rock looking serenely at the sun set,her face bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. She looked breath taking!

‘Khushi!’ he let out a sigh of relief.

‘Why are you here? Didn’t you go the guest house?’ she broke into his trance.

Reality set in. His relief turned into anger in seconds. He walked up to her. He gazed into her face, his eyes dark, tainted with anger and a strange, tiny glimmer of fear which surprised her. Had he been afraid? …… for her? This was strangely similar to the time when he thought she was in an accident.

‘What the hell do you think you were doing? ’ his voice was a low menace.

‘I wanted to see the sunset. You were the one who refused ____’

‘Shut up Khushi! Just for once in your life think about someone other than yourself’

‘What do you mean?’ demanded Khushi taking an instant dislike to the tone of his voice.

‘What do I mean?’

He pulled her up off the rock and held her, his long, hard fingers biting deep into the soft flesh of her upper arms. In the low light, his face was devoid of any colour, a harsh, stern mask of angles and shadows. Only his eyes seemed alive, glittering like a jet. Rain was pouring down, streaming over his head, flattening his dark hair to his skull, but he seemed oblivious to it as he stared at her.

‘I mean only an idiot would have gone walking about all alone on this beaten down track. I couldn’t believe it when I saw you were gone. I have been looking for you since then like a mad guy! Don’t you ever do that again! Do you understand?Never!‘ he shook her so hard that her head lolled back and for the on her slender neck.

‘I …….. I didn’t ask you to come looking for me. You can’t talk to me like that! You might have married me Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, but you don’t own me! ’

Filled with a sudden burning anger, equal to his, she tried to pull away, twisting and turning in his grasp like a wild animal in a trap. How dared he talk to her like this? She had enough of this. Desperately she pushed with both hands on his chest, but he would not budge, his hands fastening tighter round her arms so that she had to make a conscious effort not to cry out at the pain he was inflicting.

‘So, that’s it, is it? I don’t own you. Well, we’ll see about that KhushiKumari Gupta …Singh Raizada. We’ll see!’

With a sudden wrench he dragged her against him so hard that the breath whooshed from her body; then, bending his head, he fastened his mouth down on hers in a fierce almost brutal kiss.Desperately she tried to move her head, tried to turn her face away, but he clamped his hand round the back of her neck so that she was powerless to move. His strength was immense and even if she hadn’t been feeling weak and shaky, Khushi doubted if she could have broken free.She shuddered weakly and closed her eyes. Her dhak- dhak had increased so much that she was sure it was echoing through the valley. A strange warmth spread through her entire body. She was experiencing a rush of sensation that she had never before experienced.She could not understand the tumult of emotions assailing her.

Tears gathered in her eyes, tricking down her cheeks to mingle saltily with the clear, sweet rain and run across their joined lips. The pressure of his lips eased slightly, then slowly he drew back, his eyes black as they stared at her pale, set face.

‘Khushi!’Arnav wanted to gather her to him, hold her against his chest, rock her gently and tell her how sorry he was for doing what he did. That, he didn’t mean to frighten her and that there was no excuse for what he did.

Khushi pushed hard at his chest, her breathing heavy and her eyes blazing with anger. She blinked to chase the betraying tears away. She wanted nothing from this man, nothing…….not apologies, not comfort, nothing. She was sick and tired of the games he played with her. She hated him!

A wealth of self-disgust was reflected in his eyes.

She felt herself softening. He’d been angry, frightened by what could have happened to her, so it was probably natural that he would react in such a way when she deliberately provoked him.Why did she always acquiesce she asked herself?Yes, she hated him…… hated him for making her feel this way. But she hated herself more for feeling this way for him.

‘Khushi!’ the urgency in his voice breached her wistful thoughts.

She looked up at him to see him looking around them in worry. She realized what it was that was bothering him so much. The sun had set completely shrouding them in darkness.