Chapter 24B: My Girlfriend

"Thank you," Khushi said looking up at him and smiling.

"For?" he asked lifting an eyebrow.

"Being there for me," she said and slowly started walking with her arms around his one arm.

"I'll always be there for you, as long as you need me," Arnav said. They were walking around and talking with friends. Arnav introduced Khushi to some more of his friends that were present at the party, keeping a hand around her waist at all times to make sure she was always by his side.

They were talking with Maan and Geet while catching up with a few college friends when they heard a voice behind them.

"Hey guys!" a voice came. They all looked towards where the noise was coming from and found Sheetal standing there. Khushi recognized her from the pictures that she had seen yesterday; the girl had on a very short red dress that seemed like a size smaller than what would actually fit her.

"What is she doing here?" Arnav asked turning around and asking Maan.

"I didn't invite her, I only invited Karan," Maan said looking up at him. Sheetal approached their group of friends and hugged Geet. Geet politely hugged her then backed away.

"Sheetal how come you're here?" her brother, Karan asked.

"Yea, how did you find about the party?" Maan asked her also.

"Bro you know what, well actually I was home and went to your room to get something and I saw the invitation for the party at your desk. So I thought why not join?" Sheetal said happily, but no one else was pleased to see her.

Maan, Arnav and Geet looked up at Karan giving him a death glare of leaving the invitation out for her to see. Sheetal turned around to the other side of their circle and noticed Arnav standing there. She quickly went up to him and hugged him. Arnav was startled by her hug and took a few steps back, but didn't leave his hold on Khushi. Sheetal had both here arms around him, but Arnav had one in the air and the other around Khushi. Khushi was also surprised by the girl's behavior but didn't say anything.

Sheetal pulled back from the hug and said, "I missed you so much!" she held on to his other arm, but Arnav shrugged it off, removing her hand. He took the hand and placed it on the hand that Khushi had on his arm. Sheetal noticed this and stepped a bit forward to look at the girl who was with him. Last time she had met Arnav, he wasn't dating anyone, so maybe it was a relative, she thought.

"Is she your sister?" Sheetal asked Arnav motioning to Khushi. Khushi's eyes got bigger by what she had said and her mouth opened slightly; Arnav heard her gasp and looked down at her cute expression. Before Arnav could reply, Sheetal felt a cold mist behind her. All of them turned their attention to where it was coming from and found Maan standing there. He had been drinking something and right when Sheetal had asked the question, all of the contents of his mouth had spurted out. He was now standing there laughing, trying his best to control his laughter.

"What happened?" Sheetal asked curiously.

"Nothing nothing, just something stuck in my throat," Maan said casually trying to keep a straight face. But something is going to happen now, he told himself mentally.

Sheetal turned back around the other way after giving Maan a weird look.

"Khushi," Arnav said and Sheetal turned her attention to him, "This is Sheetal," he said motioning to her, "Karan's sister and she attended the same college as us."

"And Sheetal this is Khushi," Arnav said.

Sheetal went up to her and shook her hand, "Nice to meet you," and Khushi shook her hand back also.

"You must be a relative of theirs, right?" Sheetal asked looking around at everyone else.

"Yea, she's like a sister to me," Maan said.

"And she's my best friend since childhood," Geet added in. Before Arnav could add to the conversation in order to tell her his relation with Khushi, Sheetal started blabbering on and on about her life. They all stood their bored and trying not to be rude. The music had slowly started playing and people were going to the dance floor.

"Can I have a dance?" Maan asked Geet. She nodded taking his hand and they made their way to the dance floor. Sheetal wanted to dance also, so with her hands up she quickly turned around towards Arnav. Her hand landed on his coat, touching the rose that was in his pocket.

"Ouch!" she said when a thorn pricked her. Her finger didn't start bleeding but she looked back up at the rose in his pocket.

"You already have a red rose! And it matches my dress, did you know I was going to come that you had it already planned out?" Sheetal asked him trying to flirt but didn't get a response from him.

"Let's go dance!" she said happily then tried to take his hand but he refused.

"Actually I can't dance with you," he said trying not to let his anger boil. He looked down at Khushi who was looking the other way, trying to not get involved in the conversation. She probably must be feeling awful right now, he thought. Of course she would! It was the first time we are out together and the girl who likes me but I hate is ruining it and making it worse for me. And on top of that, Sheetal kept on mistaking Khushi to be my sister!! I have NEVER looked at her like that! EVER! And never hope to either!

"Why? You're here all alone and no one else is here with you," Sheetal said looking around.

"I already have someone to dance with," Arnav replied back to her, anger rising up inside of him

"Who? Khushi?" Sheetal asked.

"Yea, Khushi," Arnav said calmly. Khushi could feel his grip tightening around her hand and she looked up at him. He was getting angry, she thought.

"That's fine with me, you can dance with your sister first, then me," Sheetal said. Anger had enough of her crap and was ready to let all his anger out, but noticing where he was, he tried to keep calm.

"This is Khushi, Khushi Kumari Gupta. My girlfriend!" Arnav said his jaws clenching together. Khushi looked up at him, taken aback by his tone.

"Girlfriend?!"' Sheetal asked then looked at Khushi gawking, "You never told me you had a girlfriend!"

"I don't find it necessary to tell you everything about my life!" Arnav retorted back.

"But I thought we'," Sheetal started off trying to say something but was cut off my Arnav.

"There is and was never anything going on between us. Get that in your head. And if you'll excuse me, I would like to take my girlfriend to dance with me," Arnav replied back.

"Can I have a dance?" Arnav asked looking over at Khushi and she nodded. He took her hand and they made their way to the center of the dance area, leaving behind and angry and furious Sheetal.

Chapter 24A: Always There

 

"You don't look bad yourself Mr. Raizada," Khushi said taking a hold of his tie playing with it.

"Really Ms. Gupta?" Arnav asked mischievously.

"Really, Mr. Raizada," she replied back.

"Where's the rose?" Arnav asked. Khushi went back to her dresser and brought it back. She held it up in between them looked up at him. Arnav looked down at his coast and motioned her to put it in the upper pocket of his coat. Khushi took the stem of the rose and stuck it in there, so only the rose and a few leaves were visible from the top.

"Challe (Shall we go)?" he asked and Khushi nodded. Arnav walked out of the room, Khushi turned off the lights and closed the door behind her. She turned around to start walking down the stairs and Arnav held her hand in his as they walked; but this time Khushi didn't object. They walked out to the car and Arnav held the door open for her, letting her sit inside. He then went over to his side and started the car.

He glanced back at Khushi and saw that she was having difficulty putting the belt on due to the dress. He slowly leaned in and Khushi moved back slightly. Arnav grabbed the seat belt with one hand, his hands brushing her stomach as he pulled it down. Khushi inhaled sharply and held her breath while he did so. She didn't know that she was even holding her breath until he put on the seatbelt then backed away and said, "Khushi, breathe."

Khushi let out a breath then turned to face the other side, a slow pink color rising on her cheeks when she realized that he had noticed. Arnav smiled at her actions and started driving towards the banquet hall. The snow had stopped for now and there streets were covered in lights for the holidays. There weren't many people out; the sun was set in the horizon, leaving the sky in a navy blue color.

Khushi looked back at Arnav and was going to ask him something, but then stopped. From the corner of his eyes, Arnav had noticed Khushi turn around and look at him, then stop.

"What is it Khushi?" he asked her looking at her then the road.

"Can I ask you something?" she asked.

"Yea, go on," he said.

"When did you buy this dress? Because we've only been here for like two days and I haven't seen you go anywhere alone to get something," Khushi said.

"I could ask you the same thing, when did you buy this tie for me?" Arnav said touching his tie with a finger.

"Well yesterday when we were at the mall, I saw it and bought it there," Khushi said.

"I did the same thing also, I saw the dress at the mall and thought it would beautiful on you, which it does, and I bought it," he replied back smiling, "but one thing I don't understand is why wasn't it on the receipt that I checked yesterday?"

"Because I was going to give you a present from myself, so it wouldn't make sense to use your credit card. I bought it with my own money and got it on a different receipt; which was also good because if it was on the same receipt, then you would've saw," Khushi said.

"So is that what you were hiding in your cupboard yesterday?" Arnav asked pulling into the parking lot of the banquet hall.

"Yea," Khushi said. Arnav parked the car and got out of it then went to the passenger's side. Khushi opened her seatbelt and Arnav opened the door for her. He offered his hand for her to get out and she took it.

"Careful," he said when she placed her foot on the road, "it may be slipper because of the snow." Khushi stepped out and Arnav closed the door then locked the car. Majority of the parking lot was filled with cars, meaning many people were already here. Arnav held her hand as they walked towards the entrance; Khushi's heels we slightly slipping on the ice, so she one hand around his elbow. Arnav looked down at her and smirked; they walked into the hall and were greeted by Maan and Geet.

"You both look great," Geet said.

"Yea, matching matching," Maan said teasing them, "Probably was already planned."

"It wasn't actually. I gifted him a tie, he gifted me the dress and they both turned out to be red." Khushi said.

"He gifted you a dress?!" Geet exclaimed looking up and down her, "It's so beautiful!"

Maan leaned into Arnav's ear and said, "First you're favorite sweatshirt, now this expensive dress? Kya baat hai?"

"Expensive? It wasn't that much," Arnav replied back.

"Says the great Arnav Singh Raizada," Maan whispered back and Arnav just gave him a glare. Khushi and Arnav went inside the party and there were many people here. Arnav introduced Khushi too many of his old friends throughout the party. Arnav was talking to some friends and Khushi decided to get something to drink.

"Arnav I'm going to over to the bar and get something to drink," she said looking at him.

"Ok, I'll be right here when you come back," he said. Khushi left from there friend circle and walked over to the bar. She got up and sat on one of the stools then turned towards the bartender.

"What can I get for you ma'am?" he asked.

"Just a glass of coke please," Khushi said

"No drinks?" he asked.

"No," she said. Khushi did drink, but wasn't in the mood for it today. And there were a lot of family and friends here, so it may not be the best idea to do that. The bartender poured her a glass of coke and she started drinking from it. She looked back at Arnav and noticed he was still talking with his friends. She turned back to her glass and drank some more from it.

"What is a lovely lady like you doing here all alone?" a voice from behind her called. Khushi turned around and noticed a guy standing there approaching her.

"I'm here with friends," Khushi replied back and then turned around, giving him the signal that she didn't want to talk to him anymore. But he didn't care and stood right beside her. Khushi could smell alcohol from him and looked the other way trying to not get disgusted.

"Can I have a dance?" he asked and was about to touch her.

"It's only one dance and you're sitting here all alone also," he said moving towards her.

"I said no, so please stop asking," Khushi replied back curtly.

"But why not?" he asked again eyeing her from top to bottom.

"Because she's already taken," A husky voice said from behind Khushi and she felt a pair of arms go around her waist. She looked up at the voice and noticed it was Arnav.

"Sorry sorry," the guy said slurring his words then walked away.

Arnav had been looking at Khushi since the time she had sat at the bar to make sure she was still there. He noticed one of the guys from the dance floor checking her out from far away, and his anger rose. The guys walked over to her, making his anger rise even more; he clenched his fists, trying not to do something wrong. When the guy tried to touch, he had enough and had made his way towards them.

"Thank you," Khushi said looking up at him and smiling.

"For?" he asked lifting an eyebrow.

"Being there for me," she said and slowly started walking with her arms around his one arm.

"I'll always be there for you, as long as you need me," Arnav said.

Chapter 23: Roses are Red, Dresses are Red, Ties are Red

 

 

"There will be a car available, so you both can take that and I’ll leave the directions to the banquet hall with the servants," Maan said.

"That seems good," Arnav said.

Maan’s phone rang and he answered it, he looked up at them, "I’ll see you both later."

*A few hours later*

Maan and Geet had just left to check on the party and the arrangements, leaving Arnav and Khushi alone. They had told them to get ready and quickly reach the party before it got very crowded.

"Khushi come with me," Arnav said grabbing her hand and taking her upstairs.

"Where are you taking me?" Khushi questioned but Arnav gave no response. Arnav took her to his room and had her sit on the bed. He opened his cupboard and pulled out a big box and a smaller one. He went up to Khushi and kneeled beside her holding the boxes in his hands up to her.

"Merry Christmas Khushi," he said and handed her the gifts. Khushi looked at the two boxes that he had just handed her, wrapped in shiny silver paper, and a red bow on both of them. She took the gifts from him and put them on the bed sheet beside her. She got up and went into her room, leaving behind a confused Arnav who had no clue what she was doing. Khushi came back through the connected bathroom with a box in her hand also. She sat back down on the bed, in front of him and held up the box to him.

"Merry Christmas Arnav," she whispered to him.

"Khushi you didn’t have to’" Arnav said looking at the gift she handed him.

"But I wanted to, it’s our first Christmas together," Khushi said and then looked at gifts had given her, "and see you got me presents also."

"Because I also knew that it is our first Christmas together," Arnav said smiling and moved up to the bed to sit next to her.

He picked up the gifts he’d given her, “Khushi open them.”

"Which one should I open first?" Khushi said looking between the bigger and smaller box.

"Open the bigger one," Arnav said.

Khushi slowly started tearing the paper then looked at Arnav who was watching her intently, "You open your present also," she said. Arnav pulled the string of one of the bows, undoing it. Inside he found a small cardboard box. He lifted the cover of the box and inside found a red tie. His favorite color. His thoughts went back to when he had bought her present for her, it was also red.

"Do you like it?" she asked hesitantly. She didn’t really know what to get him; so when she was at the mall last night, she had spotted this and thought he would look very good in it.

"Very, it’s my favorite color," Arnav said smiling at Khushi and leaned towards her. He pecked her cheeks lightly and then moved his lips to her ears, "Thank you," he said. Khushi felt her cheeks burning with heat, how did he have such an effect on her.

"Now open yours," he said motioning to the packages that were laying in her hands, with the wrapping paper already torn off. Khushi slowly lifted the lid of the package and found a piece of red clothing in their. She looked up at him, and he motioned her to take it out. Khushi took out the cloth from the box and unfolded it. She lifted in front of herself and held it up. It was a dark red dress, with some silver design on it.

"This is so beautiful," she said then looked at Arnav. The dress was more than just beautiful, it was stunning. The fabric felt so soft in her hands, there was white lace underlying it, and a flare in the front part that had a beaded floral design rising up. It was too much.

"Arnav’I’can’t take this," Khushi told him and was about to fold it back up but was stopped by Arnav.

"Why not Khushi? Don’t you like it?" Arnav asked holding her hand.

"No, I love it. But it’s just too’," Khushi said but wasn’t sure how to explain.

"Too much? You think it costs too much right?” Arnav asked and understood the meaning of her silence.

"Khushi," he said and clasped both of her hands in his, making her look up at him, "Khushi as long as you like it, I want you to keep. You’re my girlfriend now, and I will gift you whatever I want. Please don’t deny it, go change so then we can leave for the party," he said.

"Wear this today?" she said looking down at the dress in her hands.

"Yea, it follows the color theme," Arnav said.

"Ok, but under one condition," she said and Arnav nodded, "You have to wear the tie I gave you also."

"I already was going to," Arnav said. Khushi was about to leave for her room to get ready when Arnav stopped her and handed her the smaller box. Khushi looked at him questioning what it was.

"It goes with the dress," Arnav said eyeing the dress that he gifted her. Khushi left the room to hers, and closed the door of his room. Arnav stood there looking at his reflection in the mirror and ran his hand through his hair, he couldn’t wait to see her in it. He sighed, and then went to his closet to take out his black suit to get ready.

Khushi walked into her room and placed the dress on her bed. The dress was amazingly designed, but when did Arnav get the chance to buy this for her? She would have to ask him later, but now she needed to get ready. She went to her closet and took out a few things then changed into the dress, putting his sweatshirt and her leggings on the foot of her bed.

She went up the mirror and adjusted the dress. It was strapless and hugged all of her curves till the mid thigh, and then flowed down beyond that. Right below her bust, there was a design of silver sequins that went around her completely. The color of the dress was a dark, bloody red that made you feel like royalty. There was white lace that was underlying the dress on the bottom, and the sheer red cloth layered on it. A silver design of beads flourished from the layering of red cloth, up to her right hip. She turned around to look at her back and noticed that it was backless, ending right at mid back, with the silver sequins bordering it. The dress moved around her elegantly as she moved.

She put her hair in a french twist, with a few loose strands escaping to the front of her face. Khushi put on led lipstick, to match the color of the dress and then applied some kohl to her eyes giving them a smoky look. She applied minimal makeup as possible, trying to stay neutral. Khushi put on her heels and noticed the other box that Arnav had gifted her lying on the bed. She went up to it and opened it. Inside, Khushi found a pair of diamond earrings, matching the exact floral design of her dress and a small clutch. In the package also, was a single red rose. She smiled picking it up and put in front of her dresser. Khushi too the pair of earrings and put them on.

Arnav was in his room putting on his clothes. He applied some cologne and applied gel to his hair. He was all done and ready to go. Arnav looked at time and picked up the watch. We should probably leave, he thought. He picked up his coat from the bed and put it on. Arnav walked over to Khushi’s room through the connected bathroom while trying to clasp his watch.

"Khushi let’s go," he said fixing the sleeve of his coat then looked up at Khushi who had her back to him.

"Yea, let’s go," Khushi said and turned around to look at him. Arnav felt his breath stop, his heart racing as he looked at her from top to bottom. She was beautiful and looked stunning. And she was all his.

"How do I look?" Khushi asked grabbing her clutch and then walking up to him. She stood directly in front of him, looking into his eyes.

"You look gorgeous," she said wrapping his hands around her waist and pulling her closer. Khushi put her arms around his neck, “‘and pretty sexy,” he said finishing.

"Thank you for all this," she said and the kissed him on his cheek. Arnav smiled to himself, was this the same girl that had told him she didn’t have her first kiss a few hours ago? Not that he minded or anything.

"You don’t look bad yourself Mr. Raizada," Khushi said taking a hold of his tie playing with it.

"Really Ms. Gupta?" Arnav asked mischievously.

"Really, Mr. Raizada," she replied back.

Khushi’s dress

Arnav’s attire