CHOTI SI DUNIYA- Ficlets & Snippets

SCARLET HUES

This is a oneshot, from the Holi episode. My take on it. Enjoy!!

Arnav held her, as she leaned into his chest, feeling his heartbeat, their heartbeats beat as one. He was in awe of her beauty- her hair, her eyes, her smile. She looked more beautiful now with a scarlet hue from the gulaal and with his senses being enhanced by the bhaang.

He never wanted this moment to end - them together by the pool, in each other's embrace. It felt like a dream, a daydream no less. In this moment, there was only love in his heart, no anger, no hatred, no thoughts of her betrayal. In this moment, she was just Khushi and he was the Arnav she fell in love with. It was perfect. So, he simply held her to himself.

As he took all of her in, her fingers entwined with his, the weight of her on his chest, her deep breathing, he realised she'd fallen asleep.

The reverie was breaking. The fog in his head, from the all bhaang was slowly lifting as well. The moment had to come an end. He carefully carried her sleeping form, not before admiring her one more time, and lay her down on his bed. She scrunched her face, as if she was missing his closeness, but went back to sleep.

"Chhote!" Anjali's call echoed through the door.

Arnav opened the door.

"Here you go, Lemon pickles. Take them, freshen up and come down for tea with everyone." She said and left the room to Khushi and himself.

Things were becoming clearer by the second and he did as he was instructed by his sister. A question rose in his mind.

Should I wake Khushi up? She had slept by the pool the past few days. Maybe, she could have the bed for the time being.

Right then, Khushi moved in her sleep, she looked uneasy and she murmured something which sounded a lot like 'no...stay away'

Concerned, Arnav rushed to her side and Khushi woke up with a jolt. Before Arnav could react, Khushi had assessed her surrounding and looked relieved and her body relaxed.

"Arey waah! When did I float from the poolside to the bed?" She asked, still very much under the influence.

Arnav simply smiled and handed over the lemon pickle. He was almost sober now.

"Have this... We have to go downstairs..."

At the mention of downstairs, Khushi's expression changed. She looked worried "no...no..I don't want to go downstairs..no...no..." She kept repeating, like a scared child.

Arnav was now sure, something was wrong.
"Khushi! Khushi!" He caught her hands gently calming her down. "Look at me! What happened?" He asked patiently.

"Woh! He is downstairs..." She replied, shaking her head.

"Woh kaun?"

"Woh Ghatiya Aadmi...Here... It's safe Arnav-ji, with you.... I don't want to go downstairs... please" she was almost having a panic attack.

A splicing pain, zapped through Arnav. What was she talking about?

His hand moved in its own accord. He took her palm in his and placed it on his chest. His other hand to cradle the side of her face, his thumb softly caressing her cheek.

"Hey...shh...shh..." He whispered. "Feel that? Feel my heartbeat... Our hearts beat as one, remember? Now breathe with me...deep breaths..."

He seemed to have assuaged her fear.

"We aren't going down, okay?" He assured. She nodded, taking comfort in his touch.