Chapter Six

Arnav watched as Khushi and NK joked around. He felt a pang of jealousy, so he came up with an excuse and left to his room. Khushi sighed out of relief when he left and continued with her jokes with NK.

Soon it was time for the Gupta's to leave, but Payal still needed to get some kangans. Anjali said she would get it from Arnav's room, but Buaji said that Khushi would go.

Crap, Khushi thought. Into the lions den we go.

Khushi left to his room and prayed to DM before going in. She knocked but there was no response. She knocked again and then opened the door. Arnav wasn't there and she let herself in. She saw a red box and picked it up. Opening it, she saw the kangans.

Wow, they're beautiful, she said in her head. Jiji will look even better with them!

She turned on her heels, all giddy, when she lost her balance and one of the kangans went flying, going straight into the pool. Khushi quickly went running over to the pool, pulled up her sleeve, and reached in. She was really close, but she still couldn't reach. She tried again and again, but still couldn't reach it.

Khushi sighed and sat on her knees. Hai DM, please help me!

She tried again, but this time, another hand reached in as well. She looked up and saw Arnav next to her, looking at the kangan.

She looked away. "I can do it myself," she nearly whispered.

Arnav looked at her. "I can see that."

Khushi rolled her eyes and reached for it again and Arnav watched her. She couldn't reach it and he rolled his eyes.

"Khushi, tum har kaam nai karsakti."

"Yes I can."

"Khushi, are you still going to be like this after our wedding?"

Khushi looked straight up, eyes wide. She didn't even want to think about that! She ignored him and went back to the kangan. She still couldn't reach it and Arnav ]reached in and took it out, and looked at her with a cocky grin.

"What are you even doing here," Khushi asked, irritated.

"Khushi, this is my room."

She looked away. Of course it's his room, she said in her head. "I could've done it myself."

She reached out and grabbed the kangan to take it. But when she tugged on it, Arnav didn't let go.

"Tum har kaam nai karsakti," Arnav said.

"Yes I can," and Khushi tugged on it.

"No you can't."

"Yes I can," and she tugged on it hard, Arnav releasing it too, and it fell back in the pool, splashing water on Khushi's face.

"Khushi, are you okay?"

Khushi looked at him. This entire time, all he kept doing was say her name - say her name in such a way that it was making her heart thump. She was trying to ignore it, but it ringed in her ears. The way he would say it was luring her into him, intoxicating her, all by the sound of her name.

"I'm fine," she finally said. "And I can do everything."

She reached into the pool and grabbed the kangan. Getting up on her feet, she was about to walk away, when she felt a tug on her dupatta.

"Aapki himat-"

She stopped herself. Last time they had gotten into this situation, she had thrown hot tea at him, when it wasn't even his fault. Khushi turned to release her dupatta from whatever it was and gaped. She looked straight at Arnav, who was holding onto her dupatta.

Arnav looked straight into Khushi's eyes, which were really wide. He saw her chest heave from confusion and a whole bunch of desires built within him.

"Wha-what are you doing," Khushi asked.

Arnav stood up from his crouch and kept his eyes locked with hers. "You can't do everything."

"Y-yes I can," she said, looking down.

"Oh really?"

He started to twist her dupatta around his hand, winding it around his hand and forcing her forward. He kept doing it until Khushi was directly in front of him.

Arnav looked down at her. "Really?" His voice was low and breathy.

"H-h-haan..."

Arnav eyed Khushi; she was beautiful, no doubt, and he thought back to the first time they had ever met, back at Lucknow.

"Whatever I can do," he began, his voice still low, "will you be able to do it?"

Khushi looked side to side and nodded.

"Laagi shart?"

Khushi gulped and nodded once more.

Arnav looked at Khushi for a moment. He really wanted her and he would proceed as he willed. Moving his face in closer, he kissed her cheek. Khushi's eyes widened on contact and she gasped. She looked straight forward, shocked at what he just did.

What... the, Khushi thought.

She looked at Arnav and saw the light smirk on his face, Arnav feeling proud of himself for finally being able to show some of his emotions to Khushi. Khushi pushed away from him, pulling her dupatta from him and ran out, leaving a proud, smirking Arnav behind.