The Controlling Lover (ON HOLD)

Chapter Seventy One

Life. That was what Arnav was to her. Khushi understood this perfectly clear when he held her protectively in his arms that night. However, Khushi couldn't sleep. She couldn't believe that after everything she had told him, after telling him her grave secret, Arnav was still here, sleeping beside her.

Even after knowing that I'm a murderer, he's still here.....

Arnav stirred and sighed, his hold loosening for a moment before tightening again.

"You didn't kill her Khushi."

Arnav words echoed in her mind. It was true, for a time she thought the same. But because of Akash....

Memories of them flashed in her mind and she cringed with disgust. She tried her best to empty her mind and fall asleep,  but she could only think of memories past. She thought of the old days in high school, Akash in his blue varsity jacket with the rest of the team and her sister under his arm. She would watch from a distance, seeing the two kiss right before her eyes.

Khushi turned, hoping that the sight of Arnav would calm her. So she turned in his hold and found eyes looking at her. Only it wasn't Arnav looking at her - it was Akash.

"Did you miss me?"

Khushi shot up straight, breathing heavily. She ran her hand through her hair, trying to process what had just happens. She never realized when she had fallen asleep and that nightmare....

Arnav stirred and woke up. He saw the condition Khushi was in and sat up. "Angel, what's wrong?"

Khushi shook her head. "Nothing-"

"Angel," he warned.

Khushi sighed and looked down at her hands in her lap. "I had a nightmare that Akash was sleeping beside me instead of you," she whispered.

Arnav nodded in acknowledgement and held her to him. "He's not here Khushi. I understand that telling me this has opened old, unhealed wounds so it's likely for you to have a nightmare like that."

Khushi shook her head, running her hand through her hair. "Why did I have to be so damaged," she muttered.

Arnav took her hand in his. "I guess that's what makes us perfect for each other."

Khushi looked up at him.

"We're both damaged goods."

Khushi smiled sadly, squeezing his hand lightly.

"But that's what makes us perfect. Because we'll fix each other up along the way."

He placed a kiss on her forehead and got up. Khushi watched him for a moment and when he got to the door, she spoke.

"I love you, jaan."

Arnav paused at the door and looked back at her. "I love you too angel," he smiled softly.

Khushi smiled softly with a blush, as if she were a newly wedded bride.

Newly wedded bride?!

Khushi got out of bed and looked at the calendar. They were already more than halfway through summer. The best time for a summer wedding was over. She could do a fall wedding, but weather was unpredictable and it might end up being chilly. And a winter wedding? Snowfall is pretty but the cold? Forget it!