Head over Heels

Chapter 19 - Arnav (18+)

18+ Mature Audience Only - Reader discretion is advised!

—-Note—-
Vanilla Bean - a short 3 part love story is out on Transgressions (my other thread).
Arnav and Khushi are renditioned as college students.
Please hop on over for some caramelized romance ❤️
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🎶 Infinity - Jaymes Young

The papers rustled with the breeze drifting in from the open window, while the distant sound of dhol baaja echoed through the study. Arnav had originally shut it out to ease his headache, but the room had quickly grown stifling, despite the air conditioning.

Staring blankly at his laptop screen, he realized he'd been reading the same line for the past fifteen minutes. In a burst of frustration, he slammed the laptop shut, as if it had somehow insulted him.

Khushi's haunted gaze had followed him all the way to the door when he had left the festivities to take an overseas call. He had showered and gotten ready in record time, only to be met with a call from Aman informing him that the meeting had been canceled.

Arnav had yelled himself hoarse until his manager had reminded him none too gently - and not in the exact words - that he was being an ass.

He rubbed his fingers against his temples, letting out a long sigh. His mind once again replayed the argument with Khushi, her anguished gaze still searing through him.

Not even a week into their marriage, and they had already fallen back into their old combative patterns. He had unwittingly called her a control freak - a harsh, unfair accusation that didn't even come close to the truth.

He took a deep breath and leaned back, realizing how blind he had been to her unspoken pleas for his time and company. He cursed himself for always being so slow to understand her. Though he had been reluctantly persuaded to welcome her family, the shame of his behavior still weighed heavily on him.

Arnav got to his feet and braced his shoulders. He might as well change into the white kurta and receive her approval and hopefully her forgiveness in private.

He glanced around for his phone, first checking under his desk, then crawling behind the couch. After a dramatic search, he finally found it entangled pathetically behind the TV. Making a mental note not to throw his phone in frustration next time, he typed out a quick message to Khushi, asking her to meet him in the study in ten minutes.

With renewed determination, he climbed the stairs two at a time and made it to his bedroom, no - their bedroom.

His eyes landed on the kurta hanging neatly on the closet handle. He ran his hand over its fabric, imagining the smile Khushi would have when she saw him in it. Taking his shirt off, he strode to the blinds and closed it, plunging the room into semi darkness.

When his gaze landed on the mirror, he was met with the sight of a hornet's nest perched on his head - his hair was an absolute disaster after the shower. With a resigned sigh, he decided to style it the way Khushi liked, and headed to the bathroom.

The moment he opened the door, several things happened at the same time.

Steam clung to his skin, lowering his visibility, a scream ensued chilling his very bones, and a figure toppled forward in the motions of getting out of the tub.

Arnav instinctively grabbed Khushi, his foot sliding back to steady himself as his arm circled her waist. She thudded heavily against his chest as he stared down at his wife's face.

Khushi's wide eyes met his, with residual moisture still clinging to her lashes. Once her safety was ensured, his mind registered the next deliciously alarming fact, she was naked!