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

Chapter 22D: It's Official

 

 

"Arnav this is my first relationship and I don't really know anything about all this," Khushi said.
 
"Khushi don't worry, we'll talk thoroughly about it, but later. Let's go downstairs before they coming looking for us," Arnav said. They both started walking towards the stairs, side by side; Khushi could feel the heat of his skin on hers because of the close proximity. Their hands slightly skimmed the others' as they walked. Arnav made contact with her hand and held it, making Khushi's stomach flip and her heart skip a beat. Arnav intertwined his fingers with hers, and squeezed her hand. They both went downstairs and everyone was going to the dining room to have breakfast.
 
"Oh ho, look who has decided to join us," Maan said smiling to Geet as they came down the stairs. Khushi tried to remove her hand from his, but Arnav just held it tighter, not letting it escape.
 
Geet noticed the interaction that was happening between their hands and was happy. So they had probably confessed to each other, she thought. She nudged Maan telling him to look at their hands.
 
"So is it official now?" Maan said motioning to their hands and smiling. Khushi looked the other way blushing.
 
"Yea it is," Arnav said.
 
"Well I'm really happy for you both!" Geet said and hugging them.
 
"Same," Maan said joining them, "Geet and I had already predicted this since yesterday though."
 
"Kya?!" Khushi exclaimed.
 
"It was so obvious that you both liked each other yesterday," Geet said.
 
"I did," Arnav said then moved his head to the side looking at Khushi, "But your friend here wasn't willing to admit it yet."
 
"I was but I needed time to think over it!" Khushi retorted back. Arnav let go of her hand put it around her waist, side hugging her and said, "I know, I was just teasing you."
 
"But I'm happy she took the time to think it over, because I don't want to you make a decision in a hurry," Arnav said.
 
"I'm really happy for you both. My best friend and sister together. But I must warn you one thing," Maan said going to stand by Khushi then looked at Arnav, "She's like my sister to me, and you better not hurt her. You maybe my best friend, but she comes before you. I'm telling you this now, because if you hurt her later, you won't get any warning."
 
"Don't worry; I'll try my best to not hurt her," Arnav said, "Even I don't like seeing her hurt."
 
"Ok chalo, sabh khaana khaalo (Ok now let's go, everyone eat)," Geet said to them. They all walked to the dining room and everyone else was already seated and eating. The boys were sitting on one side of the table, and the girls on the other. Khushi sat at the end of the table, next to Geet and directly across from Arnav.
 
Everyone was sitting around chatting with each other while eating. For breakfast, there were parathay, pancakes, waffles, cereal, juice, milk and many other assorted foods. All the guests were finished eating and were getting ready to leave.
 
"We'll leave now," one of the guys said getting up.
 
"Ok, see you guys at night for the dinner," Geet said.
 
"See you guys there," he replied back.
 
"And don't forget that the party had been moved to the banquet hall instead of our house," Maan said. Then everyone slowly left the house to go to theirs, leaving only four of them. The servants came and cleared up the table.
 
"Why has the party been moved to there?" Arnav asked.
 
"When we had arranged it here, it was for a lot less people. But now there are more people attending it than we had expected, so it was easier to just do it in a hall and have all the arrangements done there," Maan told him.
 
"And the theme is red, black, gold and green. So pretty much anything that looks like the holidays, make sure you both wear that color," Geet said.
 
"The party starts at 7," Maan said looking up at the clock and saw it was a bit past one o'clock, "so in about 6 hours. It will take half an hour to get there. But Geet and I are going to go their early, around five to check on the arrangements and everything."
 
"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."