Everyone hovered around Khushi anxiously while the doctor completed Khushi's check up. Arnav was pacing around the room, hardly daring to breathe. The doctor was a plump old lady who was their family doctor. She got up and knowing Arnav well, she came to him before he could bombard her with questions. "Khushi is absolutely fine, the poor girl has had a terrible fright, her blood pressure is a little low, she hasn't eaten anything for at least twelve hours"
Arnav looked at her incredulously, "You give me a list of what's wrong with her and say she's fine?" The doctor patted his cheek and replied, "Relax son and I've left the prescription on your desk, get those medicines immediately, she'll be a little weak. She might have fever, so you should be prepared."
Gradually everyone left the room and Arnav settled on the chair next to Khushi. He held her hand protectively, and stroked her hair when he realized she was burning. He quickly grabbed the wet towel and sponged her forehead fervently, the panic rising again. He knew a fever was no big deal, happened to the best of people, but Khushi was not just anyone. When she had passed out in his arms, his heart nearly stopped. He didn't even remember how he had found the strength to carry her when he himself was feeling so light headed with fear.
Arnav did not let his eyes wander from her for even a second. Then he saw Khushi eyes fluttering open, she stared at him for a moment and then brought her hand to his cheek, making sure he was for real. Arnav linked their fingers and kissed her hand, assuring her. Khushi tried to move but Arnav wouldn't let her. "Relax, I'll bring you something to eat" he chided gently. Before Khushi could stop him, he went and came back almost as quickly with a bowl of soup. Khushi made a face but Arnav firmly refused to listen to her feeble protests. When she had drained the entire bowl, Arnav looked satisfied and gave her medicines. He was about to turn when Khushi caught his hand and gestured towards the bed, Arnav smiled and slid in next to her. Khushi turned to him, embracing him and feeling relief surging through her body at the familiar warmth of his lean body. They did not say anything for a few minutes when Khushi slightly broke the hug and enquired, "Did the police catch Aman?" Arnav s expression changed rapidly from relaxed to angry. He held Khushi tighter and said fiercely, "That son ******** and his father are rotting in jail right now and are not going to get out any time in the near future." Khushi smiled weakly and rested her head on arnav chest. The medicines were getting to her and he could feel her dozing off again. Arnav fluffed her pillows and watched her sleep, still not letting go of her hand.
Khushi just could not point her finger at exactly what was wrong, but something definitely was. Arnav had been behaving strangely ever since her kidnapping, which was over a month ago. He was a little distant and seemed preoccupied most of the time, they hadn't made love since then too. Tonight Khushi was determined to find out what was wrong, and, she smirked, seduce her husband.
Arnav entered his room, exhausted. He definitely needed a break, with this office work and his guilt over Khushi he was on his way to a nervous breakdown. Khushi wasn't in the room, he sighed and took off his shirt. Just then, he felt Khushi's arms around him and her lips on his back. He turned her around and his heart did a somersault. She was dressed in a slinky black nightie, her hair was open and brushing his shoulders gently. Khushi kissed him softly and asked, "Why are you doing this Arnav? You seem so distant ever since my kidnapping, you look lost ad whenever I try to talk to you, you avoid the topic. Don't you trust me?"
Her voice was pleading and made his heart wrench. He himself was not sure of why he was behaving like this. He started slowly, "Why can't I protect you Khushi?" Khushi looked at him stunned but he continued. " I am never there when you need me. That ass**** Aman has hurt you thrice now and where was I? This time he nearly…" Arnav choked on his own words and continued with a bitterness Khushi had never heard before. "Each moment I am filled with the fear of losing you. I can't always be with you then how can I be sure you are safe?" He looked so distressed that Khushi could feel her own heart ache.
She cupped his face in her small hands and said, "I would have slapped you if I did not want to hug you so badly. As for you protecting me, you were nowhere in the picture when Aman was my "friend". At the party, was it you or our neighbour who saved me? As for the kidnapping Arnav it was more traumatic for you than anyone else, turning the city upside down, looking for me when you did not have the faintest idea of where I could be! Yet you still managed to find me like a true hero"
Arnav did not look convinced so Khushi pulled him closer and whispered, " Get this straight in your stubbprn head Arnav singh raizada you are the best husband in the whole world.Next time when you want to go in this guilt mode, warn me beforehand so I can cure you" She was too close now and Arnav could feel the wall of resistance he had so carefully built around himself crumble. Arnav ran his hand over her back in slow deliberate moves and asked, "Are you trying to seduce me?" Khushi giggled in reply and said, "You didn't leave me with any other option Arnav"
Khushi brushed her lips over the corner of Arnav's mouth, not kissing him but making him restless enough. "Khushi" he said in a husky voice. "Either do it properly or don't." But she wasn't done yet. "Do what?" she mumbled naughtily as she felt the bunched up muscles in his arms. "I'll show you" Arnav said before turning her on her back and carrying her like a sack till their bed, where he laid her down and muffled her giggles with his firm lips on her soft ones, till the only audible sound was the rhythmic beating of their hearts.
