#phuljhari

Khushi smiled as she placed the last diya on the edge of the poolside. She glowed in the soft lights under the night sky, her skin shone next to the crisp red fabric neatly pleated around her.

She got up to leave when her ankle twisted and she yelped in pain.

“Kya hua”

She heard his hurried steps towards her.

Arnav came around the pool and stopped near her. She tried to walk when he heard her gasp.

Before she could try again she found her shoulders in his firm grip.

She looked at him in disbelief and blinked. He helped her walk towards the chair nearby and made her sit.

Khushi’s eyes popped in surprise as he knelt in front of her, all pain forgotten. This man never failed to surprise her. Was he going to ask her about her well being and taunt her of her class next?

A mystery clad in a three piece suit.

To her surprise  he took her foot and gently placed it on his knee, increasing her heartbeat. She hoped it wasn’t loud enough for his ears.

Arnav looked up at her, all sorts of emotions from his eyes bore into hers. Her own orbs, flickered mirroring the same emotions in softer form.

“Thoda dard hoga” he spoke softly, a low murmur meandering through her thudding heart.

He twisted her ankle causing another shriek, as she squeezed his shoulder.

The paint was gone, long forgotten. What was this kink in front of the whirlwind this man created every time she neared him.

Khushi started to move her foot away when she felt him tug.

As if it wasn't awkward enough already.

Arnav looked at her silently asking her to still, she looked at him answering with questions that had only multiplied in the last few minutes.

He pulled out her payal from his pocket and and gently tied it around her ankle, the joy in her gasp wasn't missed and he let out an inward smile.

Khusi’s eyes glowed with happiness at finally finding her prized anklet.

“Yeh aapke paas?”

She made sure to ask before excitement took over her.

Arnav stood up completely ignoring her question.

What would he tell her?

Khushi, a little annoyed, stood up in front of him, so much effort for a simple answer.

She waited for an answer folding her hands. He wasn't the only one who could fire commands.

Khushi felt like a person of authority in this royal sari and she wasn't letting anyone make her feel otherwise.

She raised an eyebrow, reminding her of all the waiting he was making her do.

Arnav shifted his gaze.

Was she ever going to let it go?

Khushi cleared her throat and before she could  give him another look he had taken a step towards her. All sorts of questions and answers had flown out her head.

Before his musky woody scent intoxicated her she took a step backwards. Clutching the sides of her sari she slowly started to lose all sense of authority that she flaunted two minutes ago.

With every step she took backwards he matched one forward, not letting the distance increase.

She gasped in shock when she could no longer move further, her back crashed against the wall, red and gold bangles clashing against cool masonry.

Arnav smirked in victory.

He moved closer until their noses almost brushed. Khushi closed her eyes in anticipation. Arnav brought his hands to her sides and slowly moved them to her face brushing the fringe out of his view.

Khushi closed her eyes tighter.  She parted her lips to catch air, any moment could be her last given this proximity.

Arnav closed his eyes in pleasure.  He breathed heavily on her face when the untimely ringing of his phone brought them back on earth.

Damn you Aman.

He looked at his phone and moved away. The phone kept ringing as he continued to stare at Khushi with an increased distance.

He couldn't believe what he was about to do.

But then Khushi was that one person who made him do the unimaginable.

All sense of nervousness wiped from her face. Khushi stood like a rock staring right back at him.

What the hell.

All her doubts about her increased heartbeat and supposed acidity had been cleared. There were no more questions.

_______________________

Moments later, after they had been distracted by formal pleasantries, Arnav seated in the same chair where he slipped on her payal.

The chilly winds reminded him of his increased heartbeat seeing her in his favorite color. The butterflies in his stomach, the nervousness, and the slight shiver that she brought with her, all things foreign to him.

Arnav stared into the pool and his heart skipped a beat when his eyes met hers.

Not now.

He stood up slightly annoyed at her invasion and closed his eyes, knuckles turning white.

Arnav wasn’t sure what angered him more, the fact that he was losing self control or that he wanted her but couldn't confess out in the open.

She placed her hand on his shoulder before he could walk away.  The tension in his muscles did not go unnoticed.  By now she knew how he reacted in certain situations.

“Don’t make anything of this”

He did what he did best.

She narrowed her eyes at him, surprising him by her calm demeanor.

“Tumhe kya laga aik ameer ladka tumhari payal liye liye ghoom raha hai”

His intimidation hadn’t moved a hair on her skin.

She rolled her eyes and let out a sarcastic laugh, making sure her intent reached his ears.

Khushi folded her arms and started to walk around him.

“Yah to aap ameer nahi hai, yah phir yeh payal nahi hai”

Did he not hear himself?

Only she had the power to make him speechless.

Arnav continued to stare at her, his anger slowly dissolving having no effect on her.

Khushi took in a moment before she stood in front of him, inches away. She made a mental note of how attractive he looked in surrender.

“It means nothing to me”

He gritted, almost making her laugh.

Khushi grabbed him by the collar of his exposed shirt, almost startling him. He concealed the shock but his nervousness wasn’t hidden from her, his heart thudding right below her wrist.

“Really”

She pulled him closer, her gaze shifting between his lips and eyes.

Khushi laughed inwardly making sure to not release him, lest he fell to the ground.

All sense of coherent thoughts had left him, as he tried to register the last few minutes.

“yes , nothing”

He finally spoke. His eyes said otherwise.

She turned him around, and pushed him against the glass doors, surprising him with this newfound force.

What the-

“Acha...nothing?”

With mock innocence she grazed the side of his neck with her thumb, not losing eye contact.  K

hushi came closer and brushed her nose with his. He closed his eyes at the contact. Victorious she moved away slightly.

She wasn’t going to make it easy for him.

He opened his eyes at the distance.

“Nothing”

His voice came a low murmur.

She moved closer again, this time almost brushing her lips against his.

Arnav was glad for the support the glass doors offered. He didn't want to imagine what would have happened if she hadn't caged him like that. With all his senses ignited, he didn't think he would be able to stand on his legs again.

Before he could devour in her signature jasmine scent she moved again.

What the-

What is she trying to do?

“It meant..nothing ..right?”

He narrowed his eyes followed by a head shake. Arnav was just frustrated at her teasing.

Khushi smiled and moved forward. She closed her eyes, Arnav bit back a smile and watched her move closer.

Khushi’s eye opened with yet another sound.

That wretched Aman.

Khushi moved back, allowing him to receive the call. However, before he could she snatched the phone from his hands.

Was he even surprised anymore?

She held the phone behind her back and grabbing his collar from the other gave him a kiss he could not forget.

Khushi smiled and walked away, stopping at the edge of the pool. She turned back to find a flabbergasted Arnav and slid her finger on the screen.

“Thanks Aman”

She spoke loud and clear, looking into his eyes. Aman on the other end smiled and shook his head.

How did ASR always end up in these situations.