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!