Silent Affair (On Hold)

Chapter Thirty Three

When Khushi discovered that the Étoile was a french restaurant, she had immediately grilled Arnav down, to which Arnav could only laugh. He promised her that she wouldn't be eating any snails tonight - nor ever - and only then did Khushi stop grilling him. They enjoyed their dinner, the restaurant elegant and intimate.

With dinner complete, the couple walked the hotel grounds, admiring the gardens and the sea view. When the breeze picked up and the air got cooler, the two decided to head back up to their room...

And both were, in the words of Avantika, nervous as fuck!

As they headed towards the elevator, Khushi kept glancing at Arnav and away, feeling her heart get ready to catapult itself out of her.

Now that we're going back up to the room, will we... will it... oh gosh, my nerves are on end!

Entering the elevator, Khushi made her way to the back, holding onto the rod for support. Arnav pressed the button for their floor, and the elevator went up, once again revealing the grounds below. Seeing it from high above, Khushi was mesmerized by the view once more, especially taken by the moonlight that shined down on it. But Arnav paid no attention to it. Instead, his gaze was fixed on Khushi, mesmerized by the way the moonlight shined down on Khushi. He was so mesmerized, that he didn't even realize when he went towards her and turned her to him. All he knew was that she looked beautiful, and that she was his, that's it. As soon as she faced him, his lips landed on hers, surprising Khushi.

Khushi felt her insides beginning to spark and bubble, her heart racing. She lost herself in the kiss, and all she could think of was Arnav. She wrapped her arms around him as Arnav brought his hands to her waist, moving her back until her back was against the glass. Khushi let out a gasp at the feeling of the cool glass and Arnav let go of her lips, moving to her neck. He kissed and teethed her flesh, Khushi feeling her heart race even faster than before.

Oh my gosh, it's going to happen! It's really going to happen!

The elevator dinged, notifying them that they had arrived to their floor. Unfortunately, the sound of the ding brought Arnav out of his haze, snapping him out of it. He pulled back and looked at Khushi, who was breathing heavily, looking down. Arnav was a little embarrassed due to his behavior but he didn't want to make Khushi feel weird or awkward, so he simply led her into the suite.

"Um, why don't you go ahead and get changed first and get ready for bed," Aranv said.

Khushi nodded, her lips pursed as she looked down. As she made her way to the bedroom, she glanced back at Arnav. He had gone over to the fridge and pulled out a water bottle, chugging it down.

Can't say that I blame him.

Khushi entered the bedroom and shut the door behind her. She leaned back against it and let out a sigh, shutting her eyes.

Well that was the most intense elevator ride I have ever been on.

She opened her eyes and moved over to the vanity to get a look of her reflection. Her face was still rather heated, and seeing the redness covering her face was only proof of it.

Oh gosh, that kiss was... wow. Things got pretty intense but.... Arnav told me to get changed and ready for bed so does that mean... does that mean it's not gonna happen then? ...maybe its better that way?

Khushi reached for shoulder to remove the safety pin that kept her sari in place, as well as the other safety pins.

I mean what was Di thinking, you can't force these kind of things to happen, I mean....When the time is right, then it will happen... yeah....

Khushi turned to grab her clothes when she caught sight of Arnav out on the terrace. She walked over to the door to see Arnav simply stand there while looking out at the evening sky.

Is he okay?

Curious, Khushi walked out and went over to him. It was evident to her as she moved closer to him that Arnav was lost in thought; he hadn't even noticed her walk towards him. Reaching out, Khushi placed her hand on Arnav's shoulder, causing Arnav to snap out of his thoughts. When he turned around to face Khushi, he saw that she was looking at him in confusion.

"It's nothing, just lost in thought."

But Khushi continued to look at him in confusion, not convinced.

"Honest, it's nothing," and he pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Khushi tilted her head. She knew him all to well, so even though he was saying that it was nothing, she knew that it was something. And given the expression on her face, Arnav knew that he wouldn't be able to escape this.

"Okay, fine, I was thinking about something."

That I know, but what about is what I wanna know.

Arnav let out a sigh, looking down at the ground before looking back up at Khushi. "It's just that... I mean things were getting a little heated in the elevator."

Khushi looked away to the side, feeling her cheeks heat.

"For a moment, I wanted to take things further but..."

Khushi looked back up at Arnav, her eyebrow scrunched.

"It's just that... I... I don't want to mess this up."

Mess this up? What do you mean?

Arnav could tell Khushi was still rather confused. He caressed her cheek and brought his lips to her forehead, placing a kiss before he rested her head against his shoulder. Khushi let him move her as he wanted, holding onto him as she waited for him to speak further.

"I... I'm afraid," he sighed.

Afraid?

Arnav let out a sigh. "What happened to you when I was away...."

Khushi noticed Arnav's other fist clenching. She understood what he was talking about, but she didn't want Arnav to be upset, so she pulled back slightly and caressed his cheek, having him look at her. When his eyes met hers, she shook her head, before placing her forehead against his.

"What he tried to do to you... its affected you so much and I... I don't want to make things worse."

Khushi looked up at him.

"I don't want to end up doing something that'll just end up triggering those memories. I've accidentally done it before, I just- I don't-"

Arnav looked down and Khushi couldn't help but to look at him in awe. He cared about her so much, he refused to let her be in any more pain than she had already experienced.

He's such a sweetheart.

Khushi tilted his face up and when Arnav met her eyes, she kissed him. Arnav was a little shocked at first, but the shock quickly subsided, and he kissed her back. Khushi pulled back first and nuzzled her nose against his.

I love you.

Arnav let out a small sigh and smiled softly. "I love you, too."

Khushi's eyebrows shot up in surprise. How did he know what I was thinking?

"You always do that whenever I tell you that I love you," he said as he ran his thumb along her cheek. "At first I didn't understand but eventually I caught on."

Khushi couldn't help her smile and nuzzled his nose again before kissing him. Arnav held her to him, his arms securely around her waist. At the rate things were going, it was becoming clear that things were getting rather heated. And when their eyes met once more, they knew there was no controlling it, not when they were with the one they trust - the one they love.