Story Of My Life (ON HOLD)

16. Shantivan

Kushi flinched, comprehending the familiar voice barking orders on his phone. She is capable of identifying that voice in her deepest of sleep. The commanding voice held power and control, which made a shiver run down her spine.

"Devi Maiya!"

Kushi turned around and gasped, dropping her phone, facing his back. She stood there frozen, confirming his presence. There stood the devil in his ASR avatar. She gaped at him in shock. She was scared of him but also liked gazing at him from a safe distance.

Kushi feared the mighty ASR avatar, his dominant voice, and perfection. She being her Papa's princess, never had to hear a word in an aggressive tone. The Arnav she knew is anything but rude and bossy. He is always a gentleman with her for unknown reasons.

ASR was about to walk back into his room, cutting the call, when a sound distracted him.

"What's this weird sound?"

Arnav turned to his right, spotting a familiar figure. He instantly recognised her. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, but he chuckled at how Kushi covered her face with her palms when he saw her and observed his movements, leaving a slight gap between her fingers. He was amused by the way she opened her eyes partially and squeezed them shut as soon as she noticed him strolling to her.

"Omg! She looks gorgeous."

"What is she doing here?"

"But, why is she closing her face?"

Arnav took slow steps towards Kushi, studying her intently, frightening her even more. He picked up the phone that fell down and gently moved her hands aside away from her face. That's when reality hit him.

"She is scared of me."

Arnav discerned that Kushi was startled by his yelling on the phone. He brought her right hand in front of her and placed the phone in her palms, opening her fist. He scanned her expressive hazel blue orbs all the while. She quickly caught it, but he did not let go of her hands. The touch was electrifying, and she stood there intoxicated by his cologne mixed with his body scent.

"His hands are so warm and rough!"

"The way he is gazing at me, it feels like all my secrets are open in front of him."

"Why are his chocolate brown eyes so intense every time he looks at me?"

Arnav let go of her hand only to groan inside at the lost touch. He took a step forward and held her cheek with his left hand, looking deep into her eyes. "You need not be afraid of me, Kushi. I'm Arnav for you. Only Arnav!" The way he said it in his deep husky voice with sincerity built her trust in him, giving her goosebumps.

"This is simply Arnav standing in front of me."

Kushi's face instantly brightened with a million-dollar smile. That moment, he knew he would go as far as bringing the sky down to earth if that can cheer her.

Arnav realized their proximity and dropped his hand from her cheek. Kushi instantly took a step back and distanced herself a tiny bit, sensing there was no gap between them.

"Fuck! Being close to her feels amazing."

Arnav questioned the obvious with a smirk, searching for answers. "What are you doing here, Kushi?" That's when she realized where they were.

"I guess I can ask you the same question, Arnav." Kushi shot back, raising her eyebrows, not giving him a straight reply. As much as she loved his lop-sided smile and smirk, she felt like a fool when he did that. That smirk teased her without him having to utter a word.