Chapter 28: Clarifacation

 

"Khushi let me explain," he said when he reached behind her. They were standing in the garden that was connected with the banquet hall, flowers aligned the edges and a fountain was in the middle, with a bench at one end.

Khushi turned back around and said, "You better have a very good explanation for this!"

"Khushi let's take a seat and talk," Arnav said. He took her hand  and sat her down on the bench with him.

He turned towards her and looked at her, "Khushi I know I should've told you this before."

"Who all knows?" she asked him.

"I only told your Mom and Dad, but I think they've probably told others also," he told her.

"Arnav how could you do this without asking me?! I had told my Dad that I would tell him if anything was up or anything. But you decided to go and tell him," Khushi said.

"Khushi I know you're angry at me, but just listen to it all," Arnav said. She didn't say anything,so he took this as a signal to continue, "When I had asked you to be in a relationship with me that day in the office, if you had agreed then or even later, I never wanted it to be kept a secret from our families and friends. I didn't want for them to find out this from another source other than us, especially the media."

"When did you tell my Dad?" she asked.

"Remember when I came to pick you up for the airport?" he said and she nodded.

*flashback*

Arnav parked his car outside the Gupta's house. He looked at the clock and realized he was earlier than the time he had told Khushi to be ready by. He got out of the care and made his way to the door. Knocked on it a few times and the door was opened.

"Namaste Aunty," he said to Garima while stepping inside.

"Namaste Beta, would you like anything to drink?" she asked and motioned him to have a seat in the living room.

"No Aunty, I'm fine," he replied back.

"Khushi is still packing, should I call her?" Garima asked.

"No Aunty, actually is Uncle here? I wanted to speak to him and you about something," Arnav asked hesitantly.

"Umm, I'll just go call him," Garima said and left the room. Arnav looked around the room trying to ease himself. He had went over this many times and knew that he would have to talk with Khushi's parents about this soon. He would've talked to her about talking with her parents also, but she hadn't given a response yet. But hopefully she would in the time they were in London, so it was better if he talked with her parents beforehand.

A few minutes later, Sashi walked into the living room with Garima right behind him.

Arnav quickly got up the sofa and greeted him, "Namaste Uncle."

"Namaste Beta," Sashi replied back. He told Arnav to sit back down, and himself sat down on the adjacent sofa with Garima right next to him.

"Garima said you wanted to talk with us about something?" Sashi asked. Although he could kind of guess what the man in front of him wanted to talk about.

"I actually don't know how to say this, because I've never really done this before. You probably don't know anything about me, other than the fact that I'm you're elder daughters to be brother-in-law.and then I'm also the boss of your other younger daughter," he stopped and paused for a few seconds.

"I like your younger daughter, Khushi and would like your permission to be in a relationship with her," Arnav said and looked up at the people sitting in front of him. They didn't show any expressions of acceptance, but they also didn't show any rejection.

"Well Beta, to be honest, I'm not very surprised at what you said. We don't have any problem with this, as long as Khushi is okay with it and doesn't think otherwise," Sashi said.

"I have asked her, but she said that she needs time to think.. I just wanted to ask for your permission incase she ends up making a decision while we're in London, since I don't want for the both of you to be surprised by it," he explained to them.

"Khushi does take awhile to come along and agree to something this serious. She has rejected other guys that have asked her in the past and is stubborn. But I'm glad that you decided to tell us before we heard anything otherwise from the media," Garima intervened into the conversation.

"Yes, we would have rather heard it from the either of you than an outsider," Sashi said agreeing with his wife.

"So you guys don't have any problem in it?" he asked for confirmation.

"No, we are absolutely fine with it as long as you both are happy," Sashi replied back.

"Thank you Uncle. And could you please not tell Khushi anything about this yet, I will tell her later when the time is right," Arnav said.

"Sure Beta, but what about your family? Do they know anything about this yet?" Sashi asked.

"No one knows for sure yet, but I'll tell them also," he said.

Just then they heard footsteps coming down and Khushi walked into the living room.

*flashback ends*

"Khushi I know I should've told you about this but at that time you hadn't agreed or anything," Arnav said and looked up at her. She was now standing near the fountain, with her back towards. He walked up from the bench and stood behind her. Khushi felt the movement behind her and turned around to face him.

"It was't right of me to keep that away from you," he said wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Arnav it's not that fact that you kept it away from me that is bothering me right now. I don't like the fact that you decided to take such an important decision in our relationship without talking about it to me also," Khushi said looking up at him.

"Khushi we weren't even together then, so how could've I asked you? You would've bursted out on me like you did on the plane," he said trying to reason with her.

"Okay fine I understand that we weren't together when you had asked, but can we just promise that we'll talk about everything from now on. I don't want to hide anything from you, and I don't want for you to hide anything from me. We need to talk through everything if we have misunderstandings or arguments, please," Khushi said.

"I promise that we'll agree to everything about use together from now on; I won't hide anything from you, and same the other way around; And I also want us to talk when we have to because I really want for this to work," Arnav said leaning his forehead against hers. She placed her arms on his chest.

"Thank you," she whispered back listening to his heartbeat in the silence that had taken over the garden. They stood their in the silence, totally ignoring what was going on inside the hall, what everyone was talking about, the fireworks that were being exploded; quieting everything around them and only being together.

"So are we better now?" Arnav asked her in a whisper.

"Almost," Khushi said pulling her face away from him and looking at him clearly.

"Almost? What's left now?" a confused Arnav asked.

Khushi took her arms from his chest and wrapped them around his neck, she looked up at the sky and he followed her gaze.

"See the fireworks?" she asked him.

"Yeah, what about it?" he asked.

Khushi looked back at him with a glint in her eyes, "I've always wanted to kiss under fireworks."

"So are you asking me to kiss you?" he asked tilting his head to the side and raising an eyebrow.

"Uh-huh. Unless you want me to go find someone else who," she said playfully but was cut off as he pressed his lips against hers.

"Don't even think about it," he whispered against her lips then claimed them again. Arnav tightened his hold around her, her body crushing against his. He bit her bottom lip, making her gasp and then slid his tongue inside of her mouth.Khushi felt her heart beating faster when her tongue made contact with his, she tightened her arms around his neck pulling him closer, if that was even possible. She would've loved to continue this with him, but slowly pulled away from the kiss.

"Did you forget we have a dinner to attend Mr. Raizada?" she asked looking up at him with a smile.

Chapter 27: Without Her Consent

"Maan and Geet have arrived and are waiting for me at security, I will go meet them and show them where to sit," Arnav said burying his face further into her hair, "Till then you get changed into the dress sweetheart, I'll be back in a few minutes.
 
 
He placed the kiss on her cheek and walked out of the room without looking back; leaving behind a stunned Khushi was still trying to steady her breath.
 
 
Khushi went back to the dress and looked at it. It was absolutely stunning. It was a silver colored long gown, covered in sequin from top to bottom. There was a sheer accent of lace covered with sequins to go over the right shoulder. An encrusted jewel had that to the dress, and the rest of the sequences created a sash from her right should to her left hip, making it flow elegantly.
 
 
Khushi put on the gown and adjusted it. She looked at herself in the mirror and noticed that it fitted her perfectly, like it was meant for her. The sizing was correct of the entire gown, even the under garments. The thought of Arnav knowing that caused a slight blush to rise up her cheeks. She was broken out of her reverie when there was knock on the door.
 
 
"Come in," she said. She had expected it to be Anav, but it was someone else.
 
 
One of the assistants walked in carrying supplies in her hand, "Sir told me to come here to get you ready for the fashion show."
 
 
Khushi said down in front of the dresser on the stool and allowed for the assistant to get her ready. Mary, the name that assistant had told her when questioned, first put Khushi's hair into curlers and then started on her makeup. After spending an hour of putting on makeup, fixing her hair and applying final touches, Mary stepped back and looked at her work. She looked amazing. Mary packed up her things and said, "Sir would be back in a few minutes to escort her to the ramp."
 
 
Mary walked out of the room and closed the door while leaving. Khushi began to fidget with her dress, then let it go realizing that she was probably messing it up. She stood up and began to pace the room muttering things under her breath. How was she going to do this in front of so many people? She was already so nervous thinking about it, what would happen of her when she walked on stage. She continued saying things under her breath, and this was the site that welcomed Arnav when he stepped into the room.
 
 
He closed the door behind him and looked back up at Khushi, she still hadn't noticed his presence. Arnav took this time to have his eyes wander over the sight in front of him; she looked beautiful in the dress. The material clung to her figure, and the sequins glistened in the light as she walked back and forth. The curls in her hair were slightly bouncing at every step she took, her bottom lip being caught in the torture of her teeth as she bit it. Reminding him of what had happened last night at the party when she had done that.
 
 
He took steady steps towards her, trying not to alarm her and stood there for a few minutes still watching her. Khushi finally realized him standing there and looked up into his eyes.
 
 
"Arnav I can't do this," she said walking up to him.
 
 
"Khushi you're going to do this, perfectly fine. You'll be amazing, I know," he replied back assuring her.
 
 
"I've never walked a ramp before. Forget about walking a ramp, I've never walked in front of so many people that will only have attention on me," she said.
 
 
"Khushi it will work out. I'm going to be walking alongside with you, since you're the showstopper. I won't let you get nervous, do you trust me?" he said taking her hand in his.
 
 
Khushi could see the sincerity in his eyes, and knew he truly meant everything he had said, she placed her other free hand on top of his and said, "I trust you."
 
 
This was enough for Arnav's heartbeat to go fluttering, he quickly engulfed her in a hug, making sure not to ruin her dress and hair.
 
 
"Thank you for doing this Khushi," he said into her ear.
 
 
"No problem," she replied back and broke from the hug. The lady on the intercom had just announced the show stopper and designer for DK Group Designs, and AR was right after them to walk the ramp.
 
 
"Challe (Shall we go)?" Arnav asked looking back at Khushi and she nodded. Arnav and Khushi walked side by side to the backstage of the ramp, AR Industries ramp walk had already begun, as the could see the models walking down and coming back in. A lot of cheers were heard from the audience, indicating that they liked his designs.
 
Finally the last model walked backstage and Arnav wound his hand around Khushi's waist .
 
 
"Ready?" he asked.
 
 
"Yea, just don't let me fall," she said looking back at him only to make him chuckle and tighten his hold around her waist. This girl sure surprised him a lot.
 
 
"And now, please put your hands together for the showstopper of AR Industries along with that man behind it all, Arnav Singh Raizada!," the woman said into the microphone.
 
 
Arnav walked onto the ramp, with Khushi alongside him. A lot flashes were seen due to the amount of photographs that were being taken. Arnav smiled back at everyone then looked down at Khushi who didn't seem as nervous as before. He rubbed his hand along her waist and she smiled looking back at him. They stopped at the edge of the ramp and posed for a few seconds. One the way back, Arnav clasped his hand with Khushi's and walked back with her, not to miss the whistle that came from the audience. Only to tilt his head back a bit and figure out it was his best friend Maan. When they had reached the beginning of the ramp, all the models were back on the ramp, Arnav and Khushi turned back around to show of the entire collection to the audience.
 
 
While they stood there for a few minutes, Arnav whispered into her ear, "Earlier you said you didn't have so many people putting this much attention on you, but now you need to start getting used to it."
 
 
"Why?" she asked him tilting her head a bit, but still facing the audience.
 
 
"Because so many girls are going to get their heart broken, and you're going to be the reason behind it," he replied with a smirk. In all the lights and commotion, Arnav still didn't miss the pink color that started to appear on her cheeks.
 

They walked backstage and waited for the results. Khushi sighed a breath of relief that it was over. AR was the last company to walk the ramp, meaning that the results would soon be told. All this time while waiting for the results, Arnav had his hand held in his, he needed reassurance from someone else that he had done well. And without a doubt, AR had won, making their designs to go worldwide next year.
 
 
"You did it!" Khushi exclaimed and looked back at Arnav with excitement in her eyes. Without thinking twice, she quickly kissed his cheek as a way of congratulating him.
 
"We did it," he said replying to her. They walked off of the backstage and were greeted with many congrats by other associates. Khushi left for a while saying that she had to go to the bathroom.
 
Mr. Kapoor had come to him in order to congratulate him for his victory at such a young age, they had known each other for many years as he used to be one of his dads best friend. Although Arnav considered him as a uncle, Mr. Kapoor still insisted on calling him Mr. Raizada.
 
 
"Mr. Raizada, I'm holding a dinner tonight and you will definitely have to come," Mr. Kapoor said.

   
"Sure, definitely I'll come," Arnav replied back.

   
"Also bring your significant other," Mr. Kapoor replied, "It's a couple's dinner."

   
"Ok," Arnav said. Mr. Kapoor left to talk with other business associates. Khushi came back a few minutes later from the bathroom.

   
"Khushi there's a dinner tonight that I have to go to," Arnav said looking at her.
 
 
"So? Then go to it," Khushi said smiling.
 
 
"It's a couple's dinner...," Arnav said, "...and you're coming with me."
 
 
"KYA?!" Khushi exclaimed.
 
 
"Yea," he replied back.
 
 
"But there will be so much media there, and they'll see me with you," Khushi said.
 
 
"So what if they see us together? We are together," Arnav said.

   
"Yea, but we haven't told anyone back home about this, and I don't want anyone to find out from the media," Khushi said.
 
 
"Ummm...actually I've told them...," Arnav said hesitantly.
 
 
"You what?!" Khushi said rage being clearly heard in her voice.
 
 
"Khushi let me explain this please," Arnav said protesting while he followed angry looking Khushi outside. On his way there, he spotted Maan coming to congratulate him. But seeing the current state of Khushi being angry, he told Arnav to go pacify her first.
 
 
"Khushi let me explain," he said when he reached behind her. They were standing in the garden that was connected with the banquet hall, flowers aligned the edges and a fountain was in the middle, with a bench at one end.

Khushi turned back around and said, "You better have a very good explanation for this!"

Chapter 26: Promises are Meant to be Fulfilled

 

"Ok, what time to we have to be at office by?" Khushi asked pulling off her comforter and going to stand by the dresser. She noticed that her hair was open, and all the jewelry was lying there nicely. If she was asleep last night when they got home, that means she couldn't have taken it all off, leaving her Arnav being the only person to do that. She looked up at him with questioning eyes.

"The fashion show starts at 7, we have to be in office by 2 for final rehearsal and everything," he said smiling and motioned at the dresser, "And yea, I did all that." He said and walked out of the room after winking at her.

Khushi quickly got ready and chose a blue lace dress to wear; then headed downstairs for breakfast.

When she arrived at the table, Maan and Arnav were getting seated while Geet was walking in from the kitchen. Khushi took the seat next to Arnav and started eating her breakfast. Geet also joined them after placing all the food on the table.

"So Khushi how are you feeling?" Maan asked her while drinking his coffee.

"Better than last night, I don't really know what happened though," Khushi said looking up at him.

"Did you happen to eat something weird or strange?" Geet asked her.

"Not that I know of. All I drank was a glass of juice that Sheetal gave to me," Khushi replied back.

Arnav stopped eating his breakfast midway as he heard Sheetal's name, there was something definitely up with her. She never did anything unless it would benefit her in any way. He quickly finished his breakfast and said, "Khushi let's go."

They both got up to leave and Arnav turned towards Maan and Geet, "The show starts at 7 o'clock so you both better be there on time."

"Ok, we will be," Maan said replying back with a smile.

Arnav and Khushi walked out of the house and got into the car. As they drove to the hall where the fashion show was to take place, Khushi noticed that Arnav's face was tensed. Most of the car ride was filled with silence, but Khushi decided to break it.

"Arnav is something wrong?" she asked looking up at him. Arnav was lost in his thoughts and now her voice broke him out of the trance.

"No, why do you ask?" He said glancing at her for awhile then back at the road.

"It's just that you seem very tensed ever since breakfast," Khushi said.

"It's nothing to worry about, just leave it," Arnav said parking his car into the parking lot. He got out of the car and then opened Khushi's door also. She stepped out of the car, and then bent back into the car to pick up her purse, giving him a full view of her back. Arnav hadn't realized how good she looked in her dress till now; the lace was hugging her body completely, making her figure very visible. Her hair was in a high ponytail, making her back very visible through lace. Khushi closed the door of the car then turned around to find him staring at her.

"What happened?" she asked.

And moved a few steps forward, pushing her against the car with both hands on either side of her. Khushi felt her body getting warmer as he approached her. Arnav moved his hand up and pulled the clip out of her, making it cascade down her back. Khushi's hand went up to touch her hair and feel it; she looked up at him with a confused expression.

"It's better now," he replied back with a smirk. He leaned in and pecked her right cheek, then held her hand to walk towards the building. They walked inside and the receptionist showed them where the fashion show was taking place and moved them towards the back rooms.

Once reaching there, they saw that everyone was there. The models were getting ready and the designers were putting final finishing touches on their dresses. Arnav received a call, so he stepped aside to receive it. Khushi went and helped some of the preparations to be made. Arnav came back after finishing the call and looked around for Khushi. He spotted her in a far corner helping someone and smiled to himself. They spent the next few hours getting everything ready to make sure the fashion show went smoothly.

"Sir, there's a problem," one of the assistants came to him and said.

"What happened?" He asked.

"We don't have showstopper for the show, Natasha was supposed to do it, but she no longer works with us," she replied back.

"Don't worry, I have it arranged. Just give me the showstopper's dress," Arnav replied back. The assistant left and came back a few minutes later with the dress, she handed it to him and then got back to work. One of the designers told Khushi to put away something in one of the fitting rooms, so she left to put it away. His eyes searched around for her and saw that she was walking into a room. Arnav followed after her into the room. Khushi put the box away in the corner of the room and felt someone's presence behind her. She turned around and found Arnav standing there, watching her intently.

"Arnav, you here?" She asked walking up to him and noticed the dress in his hands, "And what's with the dress, isn't it suppose to be with the showstopper?"

"Yea, I know that," he said smirking back.

"So why are you here wasting time? Go give it to her so that she can wear it and get it fitted," Khushi said trying to state the obvious.

"And that's why I'm here," Arnav said. Khushi looked around the room to see if someone else was here, but there wasn't other than the two of them. He has officially lost it, she thought.

"Arnav all this tension of the fashion show is probably getting to you, there's no show stopper in here," she said.

"Um yea there is," Arnav replied back smiling, "and she's standing right in front of me."

Khushi took a few seconds to comprehend what he just said and her eyes widened, "Arnav no way!!"

"Khushi, yes way," he said.

"Arnav I'm not going to be the showstopper," Khushi replied back fiercely.

"Khushi you are doing this, and that's final," he said.

"Arnav I can't do this," Khushi said.

"But why not Khushi?" Arnav asked.

"I've never done this before and I know nothing about it," Khushi replied back and turned around to face him, "I'm just not doing it."

"Khushi you promised that you will do anything I ask you to do, and I want you to do this," Arnav said taking a step towards her.

"This isn't fair!!" Khushi retorted back.

"Everything's fair in love and war," Arnav replied back smirking.

"But this isn't love or war!" Khushi replied back.

"You know what I mean, just get ready quickly," Arnav said.

"Ugh! You always get your way!" Khushi said folding her arms across her chest and looking at him with an angry look.

"If I'd always get my way, you'd have no idea what that could lead to," Arnav said with a mischievous look in his eyes.

Before Khushi could reply or say anything, his phone rang. He looked at the screen and it was a call from Maan, he picked it up an answered. Arnav faced the other way to talk with him, "Hey'..ok'.yeah just wait I'll be over there in a minute'..hold on',"

As he was talking into the phone, he had felt slight movement behind him and had known for a fact that Khushi was trying to get away. Without turning back, he grabbed her wrist, making her freeze where she was.

"Ok, bye," he said into the phone and turned it off.

Khushi felt him finish the call and turn around, still having the grasp on her wrist. And the next second, she felt a tug on her wrist, causing her back to clash with his muscled chest. Arnav let go of her wrist and wrapped both of his hands around her waist, he rested his head on her shoulder and inhaled her fragrance. She smelled delightful and fresh. Khushi felt her face beginning to heat up due to his closeness. Her breath was getting ragged while he roamed his lips against her neck, his breath creating havoc inside her body.

"Maan and Geet have arrived and are waiting for me at security, I will go meet them and show them where to sit," Arnav said burying his face further into her hair, "Till then you get changed into the dress sweetheart, I'll be back in a few minutes."

He placed the kiss on her cheek and walked out of the room without looking back; leaving behind a stunned Khushi was still trying to steady her breath.

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