Why can't I hate you ~Arshi FF

14. Enchantment

There's a bright cheerful Indian wedding air at the Guptas. 

Lots of jewellery, gold encrusted sarees, glittering smiles, makeupiya with touchupiya and a sequence of ceremonies, customs and colors - Khushi has been so busy among them that they could barely steal a couple of glances of each other. 

Arnav himself was being pulled into one never-ending task to another...Damadji duty callings.

But whenever their eyes met there was a new recognition, a pull, a desire to be pulled.

Yesterday's distance had given them a breathing room, a perspective to look back and think what they feel in their hearts for each other, made them grow fonder. 

***

Tonight he finds her clad in a pink saree with heavy golden work on the border. 

Holding her gaze he takes a step towards her. She is not in red, he still gets pulled - the color not being the reason but the person wearing it. 

On Diwali, he had felt a temptation he could neither understand, nor accept. But tonight it's different, he has made a journey, he still may not understand, but accept he does. 

A sense of spiritual submission to it, to give in first without "knowing," then should understanding come, if not, one believes anyway. 

She takes a step back, unnerved by his male gaze and confident stride with a purpose of claim in his demeanor. 

He gets that fear in her, she fears her own feelings, just when he's decided not to fear his... she's walking backward, even before he's come anywhere near her.

In couple of strides he is before her and she, as always, is stuck between the wall and him.

"Tum hamesha peechhe kyun jaati ho [why do you always walk backward]" ... he has to know why she is so afraid of him.

"Kyunki aap hamesha... aa aage... aate hain... [because you always come forward...]". She has to speak the truth.. she is totally out of her depth in this game of attraction. Hamesha aage goes this man... the predator, the stalker, the hunter.

With a hint of pleasure at the corner of his lips, he whispers "Mai tumhe kha toh nhi jaunga.. [I am not going to eat you...] and dips his head. Maybe she does wish to be devoured by him as she closes her eyes in submission.

(Oh please ASR, devour her like a whole almond will you? We know you do wish to! )

Last time it was Aman's phone call, this time it's "Hai Re Nand Kishore" that interrupted the sealing of the li...sorry the deal.

She pushes him and made to run, but before she could leave she feels a tug at her hand.

Khushi turns back to see him admiring her Mehandi and his eyes turn misty looking at his name on her hands. He knows this time it's not by accident.

He places a kiss at her palms sending a tingle down her spine. Oh he has claimed her already, marked her indelibly without knowing.

Before they get lost in the moment, Buaji's voice rings out again, "Ae Titaliya, arey dekho Dulhan taiyar hui ki nahi. Bahut der hoye rahi hai NandKishore [Khushi, go and see if the bride is ready yet, it's getting very late]".

Arnav leaves her hand and she runs from there smiling.

***

Khushi is involved in adorning Preeto, the dulhan. She revels in her task, she wants the bride to be beautiful, that is the right of a bride... "hum usko aur bhi saja denge...[i'll deck her up even more]" she had said to Buaji. No one had dressed her up that night.