Accepting Reality ✔️

Part 24 - Lucknowi Night

After meeting her father, Khushi made her way to her room in Sheeshmahal to rest for a while. As she entered, she noticed a beautifully wrapped bag on their round bed, with a note attached. The note read, "We are going out for dinner at 7. Please wear this!" A soft smile played on her lips as she thought about Arnav and how much he had changed. That one incident had transformed him into someone so attentive and caring, always thinking about her needs and wants. Curious, Khushi opened the bag to reveal a stunning pink bodycon dress. It was backless, held together by just three delicate strings that tied at the back. The dress was both elegant and daring, a perfect blend of bold style and grace. Alongside the dress was a Lucknowi shawl, which she thought to pair with the dress adding a touch of traditional warmth to the outfit.

As 7 o'clock approached, Khushi got ready, carefully slipping into the dress and draping the shawl around her shoulders. When she looked in the mirror, she felt a flutter in her stomach. The dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her curves, while the shawl added a layer of modesty. When she descended the grand staircase of Sheeshmahal, she found Arnav waiting for her at the bottom. He was dressed in a sharp, tailored suit, looking every bit the sophisticated man he was. "You look stunning," he said, filled with genuine admiration. Khushi just smiled softly in response. They made their way to a luxurious restaurant in town, one of the finest in Lucknow. The ambiance was intimate and elegant, with soft lighting and a gentle murmur of conversation in the background. Khushi talked over dinner, regarding her meeting with her father.

Arnav was growing increasingly frustrated as the evening wore on. All he wanted was for Khushi to enjoy the special dishes he had ordered for her, but she seemed more interested in conversation. It had been over a month since they were last intimate, and the lack of physical connection was starting to get on his nerves. After the assault, he had been hesitant to approach Khushi directly, but his desire for her was becoming harder to suppress. He couldn't control his hormones, he needed her badly now. He had begun to develop real feelings for his wife, and the idea of sleeping with anyone else felt wrong now. He hoped their marriage could evolve into a more typical relationship, and he was trying to work towards that. Despite his best efforts to be patient and caring, Arnav found it difficult to resist Khushi's allure. Her body had always been his weakness, and he had never been able to control himself when it came to her. What all he had done, only to have unlimited access to her body but the situation was such that he couldn't push her.

At one point, he had considered drugging her, but she was too clever for that now. The last time he had taken that route, it had led to unforeseen consequences. Although it had gotten Khushi to sleep with him, it had also indirectly resulted into their marriage, which had come with its own set of complications for him. Therefore, he thought to take the conventional approach this time, and carefully planned out the evening. He gifted her a sensual, backless dress that accentuated her figure and brought her to a romantic wine and dine under the stars, hoping that the atmosphere and a few drinks would work in his favour. The menu was specially curated to include natural aphrodisiacs, designed to ignite her further. The appetisers featured oysters, asparagus, and mushroom dishes, accompanied by a fruit salad made with watermelon, figs, bananas and others, each ingredient chosen for its reputed ability to enhance libido. The main course consisted of spicy Lucknowi dishes, known for their use of fiery chilies that could raise the temperature in more ways than one. For dessert, he had arranged a decadent mix of dark chocolate, strawberries, within a blend of rum and vodka, a concoction designed to be the perfect end to the meal.

Arnav ensured that Khushi had a couple of drinks throughout the evening, wanting to lower her inhibitions and make her tipsy enough. Throughout the dinner, he touched her suggestively, his fingers brushed against her bare skin at every opportunity. He had insisted she take off the shawl when they arrived at the restaurant, knowing that the cool night air would leave her feeling chilled by the end of the night. He had purposely chosen an open rooftop setting, knowing that the cold would play to his advantage. As the final course of their meal, the rich, indulgent dessert, was served, Arnav could see the effects of his plan taking hold. Khushi was visibly tipsy, her movements slower, her cheeks flushed from the drinks and the chilly air. Everything was falling into place just as he had hoped.