One Step Closer (IPKKND FF | Complete)

Chapter Thirteen

"This will always be your right, Khushi Kumari Gupta," Arnav whispered and tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear.

Her knees turned to jelly, so overpowering was his slightest touch on her skin. And his words... Oh, if someone had told her she would once hear Arnav Singh Raizada say anything of this sort, say it to her! She would have laughed, she would have mocked them for such foolishness!

But here he was now, with colour on his cheeks that she had put there. He didn't say much, no - he never did.

Yet every fibre of her being knew that right then and there, this man, this angry, mean, confusing, frustrating, unbelievable, loyal, handsome man was promising the world to her. Devi Maiyaa, is this it, is this... love?

Suddenly emboldened, Khushi reached out to place her hand on Arnav's shirt, right where she could feel his heartbeat thundering in his chest. Her eyes searched for his.

"Your heart. It beats as fast as mine," Khushi whispered.

With a light caress, Arnav clasped his hand over hers. "I know, Khushi. Our hearts beat as one."

They stood like that for what could have been eternity, or just seconds - before an all-too-familiar sound disrupted the moment. Khushi actually giggled, surprising herself.

"Arnav-ji, you have such a terrible ringtone."

She tried to withdraw her hand, but Arnav held on to it. Smiling, he absentmindedly pulled the phone from his pocket to silence it, but one glance at the caller ID suddenly made his expression harden.

"Khushi, I.. I have to call back, this is important."

"Oh," she withdrew slightly. She knew he worked a lot. And she didn't want him to think she was disappointed, after all she had no such right. Or, did she? Khushi could never be sure about anything when it came to this man.

She scanned his expression, suddenly realising Arnav-ji looked a lot more like ASR right now.

"I... I will go find Jiji! And Amma and Babuji, they must be around somewhere..." Khushi peered through the gazebo's silken curtains at the party crowd outside.

Arnav sighed. After everything, Khushi deserved an explanation, even if it would dampen her Holi celebrations.

"Khushi, I think Shyam has left the party. It's the only reason the detectives would call me for, so I have to go deal with this right now, and then I have to get back to work... You should go to your family. I promise I will call you tonight to tell you everything."

He could see how miserable Khushi became even at the mention of Shyam's name, and that was enough to make his blood boil. I could murder him with my own bare hands if it came to it...

"I promise, I will call you," he briefly took her hand once more. "I have to go now, Khushi."

He leaned down and softly kissed her forehead before turning to leave.

***

Anjali stared at her phone in disbelief. Three calls to her husband had already gone unanswered, and that too after searching for him throughout the courtyard. She felt the familiar mixture of frustration and worry that took over every time he didn't pick up his phone. But where could he possibly have gone off to? She dialled once more.

"Yes, Rani Sahiba, what is it?" He sounded impatient, irritated.

"Finally, you picked up! I've been looking everywhere for you!"