Head over Heels

Chapter 2 - Khushi

🎶Bol Na Halke Halke - Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

Khushi stilled, Arnav-ji's hushed tones sent a chill down her spine, ringing with warning bells. She turned ever so slightly to follow his gaze and gasped.

A leopard prowled into view, its steps measured as it gauged the scene. It stopped in its progress when Arnav-ji emerged onto the bank, his eyes locking onto the animal.

The leopard bared its fangs, evaluating the threat at Arnav-ji's appearance. Its large yellow eyes shifted to Khushi, her crouched figure posing a much smaller challenge.

Khushi shook, her life flashing before her eyes. She lost her balance and fell to the side with a squeal. It all happened in a split second.

The leopard covered the distance in two powerful bounds and sprang in her direction. Khushi screamed as Arnav-ji dived in between them, the leopard's feral snarl coincided with the sound of clothes ripping as its ferocious swipe tore through Arnav-ji's outfit.

Arnav-ji bodily pushed the leopard away from him, the animal taken by surprise at his intervention, twisted in its descent to the ground. It righted itself and snarled, its attention now focused on him.

Khushi wobbled to her feet and inched closer to Arnav-ji. He whispered to her to stay close.

Arnav-ji unbuttoned his jacket and shrugged it off; he flipped it around in one fluid motion and held it high over his head, letting out a loud growl.

Khushi imitated the same; she caught her pallu in both her hands and stretched it across over her head, shouting gibberish into the air. The leopard paused, stunned by this new phenomenon. In a less terrifying situation, Khushi would've found the animal's reaction almost comical.

Arnav-ji encouraged her to continue with a jerk of his head. He flipped out her beloved thaal from behind his back and holding it like a boomerang, hurled it in the leopard's direction.

The move was executed at just the right moment when the leopard bared its fangs, opening its jaws wide.

How she had always reprimanded her Bua-ji for buying a plate with such a sharp rim that often left welts in her hands. Her meaningless troubles vanished on the spot, as the disk connected with the soft tissue of the cat's jaws.

The leopard whined as it wriggled its head to discard their makeshift weapon. Blood pooled to the ground from its open mouth, it gave them one last look of terror before turning on its tail and escaping into the wilderness.

Khushi held her breath, scrutinizing the banks for further danger in the dying light. Arnav-ji dropped his arms and sagged forward. Khushi turned to him and yelped.

Blood poured down his neck, his shirt was ripped at the left upper arm and wrist, deep cuts shown through where the leopard's claws had connected. Arnav-ji pressed his right hand to his neck, feeling the gash.

Khushi fretted around him, her thoughts a garbled mess. She attempted to pry his hand away, sobbing and offering reassurances that didn't make any sense to her.

"Khushi, relax," said Arnav-ji breathlessly. His weakened voice caused her further alarm. He placed two fingers under her chin and gently raised her head to meet his gaze.

"Luckily it didn't get to the artery. The lesions are not too deep either. I just have to stem the flow."

Khushi pulled on his tie without invitation, her fumbling fingers tightening the knot further. He stopped her feeble attempts and unfastened the tie himself. She cussed at her clumsiness.

She hurriedly undid his waistcoat and discarded it. His shirt buttons were next, she pulled down the left half and gasped. He eased his hand out of the sleeve, the sight nauseated Khushi.