Arnav this is not our bedroom! Behave yourself", Khushi said annoyed. Arnav had been shamelessly flirting with her for the past two hours and had signed the wrong papers about a million times. "Continue like this and you won't have an office to worry about very soon."
Arnav turned away his face in anger, "God Khushi you have no romantic bone in your body. We just got together two weeks ago and still have six months to make up for but no, you've always got your cute little nose stuck in a book or are busy screaming at me!"
Khushi grinned at that and kissed him on his cheek. "Isn't that supposed to be my dialogue?" God he's stubborn, she realized when Arnav did not even look up. She pulled him closer. "Concentrate on your work for a few hours Arnav. I won't stop you once we get home." He looked up at her now and pretended to weigh his options. "I can do anything and you promise not to stop me?". Khushi raised an eyebrow and asked, "What exactly does anything imply?"
Arnav twisted her arm playfully so she said, "Fine, fine, I won't stop you. But please finish your work right now or you will have to be content with your dreams." This got Arnav charged and he finished all his work in record time.
They were on their way home when the car suddenly stopped. Arnav got out and Khushi followed him. "C***, it's a flat tire!" Arnav said exasperated. Khushi completed his sentence, "And you don't have an extra one, right? " To add to their misery, it started raining cats and dogs. Arnav took her hand and they ran to the cottage in front of them. It was open but Khushi protested, "The owner will mind Arnav" "He won't because he's standing right next to you and he is completely drenched."
Once inside, Khushi recognized the place. She had come here before with Anjali but that was years ago. The furniture was of polished wood, simple but elegant and the walls were pale blue. It was well taken care of, despite the fact that the raizadas visited it occasionally. Khushi opened the wardrobe but to her disappointment, there was only one shirt inside. Arnav had already lit the fireplace and was drying his shirt. He knew how prone Khushi was to colds in rains so he said, "Change your clothes Khushi, you'll catch a cold."
Khushi was soaked to the skin so she could only wear that shirt. It was long and loose and covered her till her knees, but she still felt incredibly conscious when she felt Aranv s lingering gaze on her. "Arnav you are not helping" she snapped . He smirked and pulled her onto his lap. "Really? But I haven't even started yet". He ran his nose up and down her neck which tickled her and she laughed.
"Arnav, isn't it convenient that your car has a flat tire, you don't have an extra one, it stops in front of your cottage on a stranded road and to top it all it rains?" Khushi asked innocently.
"I know I am great Khushi but things like rain our beyond my control. But I don't mind taking credit for the car or the cottage", he added smugly. "Don't you think your husband deserves a reward for all this hard work?"
"Does he?" Khushi mused, her finger tracing a pattern on Arnav s chest. He grabbed her wrists and rubbed his stubble along her neck, knowing it bothered her."Arnav" Khushi chuckled, trying to stop him. She managed to free her hands and pulled his cheek, "You need a shave" "I need something else more right now" Arnav said with a wicked grin and pinned her beneath him and began showing her exactly what he needed.
The rain had abated, it came down in a gentle trickle which seemed like soulful music compared to the earlier storm. Arnav and Khushi lay in front of the fire, their fingers entwined; it was difficult to discern whose heartbeat was whose. Arnav kissed Khushi's shoulder and murmured, "When did you get that?" pointing at the silver chain glistening in her neck. It was heart shaped and had both their pictures in it.
"Anjali gave it to me on my birthday." Khushi said and suddenly burst into a peel of giggles. "Do you remember how she played Cupid for such a long time after our engagement, trying to get us closer through her wacky schemes? She put a little oil on the stairs hoping I would slip and land in your arms. But her plan backfired and she slipped before I could, the poor thing sprained her ankle!"
Arnav chortled, "Yeah she's priceless. She arranged a candle light dinner for us which was supposed to be a surprise for both of us but being Anjali, gave us the wrong directions and we both ended up in a jungle. You thought we would be attacked by some hungry tiger and didn't leave my hand for a second. God!
Khushi laughed and hugged him."I am going to miss her a lot when she leaves."
"Leave?" Arnav looked up startled. "Where is she going?" Khushi laughed at his restlessness. "She will get married one day Arnav and live with her prince charming." Arnav firmly refused. "My sister doesn't have to go anywhere. He can come and live with us. It would be a pleasant change to see the husband leave his house." Khushi looked at him in amazement "Arnav she isn't getting married right now so relax. You sound so cute as the over protective brother! Will your son also be like you?"
Arnav smiled widely at that and Khushi bit her lip. "I was just wondering and before you get any ideas, we are not having any kids for at least a year. Arnav looked crushed. " But why?"
"Because I intend to be a full time mother when I do become one and there are still five months to my graduation. Till then, you'll have to do with me alone." Looking relieved, Arnav said, "That is hardly a problem!" Arnav leaned towards her but Khushi put her hand over his mouth and pushed him towards the bathroom to get ready.
"Khushi I've been waiting for an hour", Arnav hollered over the phone. "Sorry Arnav! We had a last minute extra class so I forgot to call you. I am on my way!" Khushi pacified him over the phone. They had a lunch date at Arnav s favourite restaurant.
"Order the appetizers Arnav. I …ahhhh!" Khushi cried as a handkerchief doused in chloroform covered her face. The last thing she could remember before being engulfed in darkness was Arnav's frantic cry, "KHUSHI! Say something. KKKkHhHHUUUUUSSSSHHHHIIII!!!
