Love Me Like You Do

Do you know how to say goodbye?

"What?" Khushi was still in the trance of his kiss.

"Once a day, I will ask something of you that you must do, no questions asked."

Khushi's eyes turned to saucers. "What?! No!"

Arnav smirked. "If you do it, you'll get a question you can ask me. One question every day."

Khushi was confused. What kind of deal was this?

"Soch lo. You have till tomorrow. Kyuki aaj jo chahiye tha, wo toh mujhe mil gya", he winked at her. (Translation: Think it over. You have till tomorrow. I already got what I wanted today)

Khushi blushed. She controlled herself and snapped back. "Matlab ab hum sawal kar sakte hain." (Translation: Means I can go ahead and ask my question)

"Acha. To deal maan bhi li tumne." (Translation: Okay. So you are in already, I see!)

Khushi was silent again. Knowing Arnav, this was going to be dangerous. But she was excited at the opportunity to get to ask him questions. "Humne kab kaha. Humein jana hai. I'm getting late." She was at the door when an idea struck her. (Translation: When did I say I'm in? I have to leave. I'm getting late)

"Humari ek shart hai." (Translation: I have a condition)

Arnav folded his arms across his chest. "Bolo." (Translation: Tell me)

***

"Once a week, the deal will be reversed. You have to do something I ask."

Arnav looked at her. He knew her scatterbrain mind was up to something. "Okay. But then, that day I get to ask you a question. Deal?" He extended his hand.

They shook on it.

"I was thinking, as we are starting this , why don't I ask you something now itself." Khushi said.

"Okay, shoot." Arnav went back to the recliner and picked up one of the files Khushi had brought.

"Why are the people at AR always in western clothes?"

Arnav looked at her. He was expecting something personal, but she was just asking about office. "I don't know, there's no rule about it." He picked up his pen and started signing.

"I was talking to Simran today and she said people at fashion house are expected to dress that way."

"So?" Arnav probed, really wanting to know what was going on in Khushi's mind.

"So what? I just wanted to know."

"Because?" Arnav knew she was thinking something.

"Arnavji, do you expect me to dress that way?"

Arnav laughed at that. "Khushi, what?! How can you think that?"

"No... because I will be attending meetings and all with you and I don't want my clothing style to put a bad impression on anyone."

They had reached the heart of the matter. Arnav closed the file and came to her. Khushi had moved towards the poolside looking at the still water.

Arnav hugged her from behind and Khushi sighed. "I can try to wear... but not the skirts and pants."

"Khushi... you don't have to change one bit. You have your own style and... I do like it." He kissed her neck and Khushi stiffened.

"Arnavji, we shouldn't."

"Relax Khushi." He turned her around and kissed her temple. "You can wear whatever you want. Although, you are right about the meetings." He tugged at the pompoms on her kurta sleeve. "Maybe we could do without the childish pompoms?"