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.