Desert Rose

Chapter 7

KHUSHI pushed her chair back and stood up, aware that her knees were shaking.

'Have you come to throw us out in person, Mr Arnav Singh Raizada?' she challenged as he came up to them.

Arnav ignored Khushi and turned his stormy gaze toward his sister. 'I saw your car parked outside,' he said gruffly, 'What are you doing here Di?'

Anjali looked up at him and smiled, 'I thought I should save Khushiji the trouble of coming all the way to return my saree you lent yesterday.' She held up the plastic bad Khushi had given her earlier. 'Remember?'

'Yes....' he agreed, 'I remember.' He looked at Khushi, his eyes darkening instantly.

Images of Arnav grasping her bare waist flashed through Khushi and she hoped her inner turmoil wouldn't show up in her face.

'I thought I should have some tea with her before she leaves.' Anjali quipped.

Arnav turned to look at Khushi, 'You are leaving?'

Khushi's anger rose up a notch at the surprized look on his face. She said, clearly and coldly, 'You should know. You are the one who arranged it.'

His brow snapped together in disbelief, 'I am glad you have made the right decision in leaving. But what have I got to do with it?'

'Because of you, Khushiji and her sister have been asked to leave the hotel, Chotte.'Anajli explained.

'What nonsense!'

'Of course you are going to deny it.' accused Khushi.

'I don't lie,' bit out Arnav, his eyes boring into her angrily. 'I will talk to Chauhan and get to the bottom of this right away.' He strode toward the reception area.

'I told you Chotte wouldn't have done this,' Anjali said looking at Khushi, 'I am sure this will get cleared up soon. Don't worry Khushiji.'

This was easier said than done thought Khushi, as she sat nervously fiddling with her dupatta. Where was Payal? Hope she didn't land up here in the middle of all this confusion.

Arnav came back to their table, with an annoyed look on his face. 'I spoke to Chauhan. It is his wife who wants you to leave. Apparently, her brother was insulted because of you.'

'Because of me?'Khushi's eyes widened in disbelief. 'What did I do?'

'You hired that scooter from Guman, didn't you?' Arnav snapped at her. 'I gave him a piece of my mind yesterday ---- told him I would have him arrested if he continued to rent out the piece of junk again.' His mouth twisted. 'It wasn't a very pleasant conversation.'

'Guman is her brother?' Khushi asked blankly.

'He complained to his sister that you 'coerced' him to lend you the scooter. And as she had witnessed your return to the hotel yesterday, she thinks you are ...,' Arnav let the sentence hanging.

'That's ridiculous!' Khushi exclaimed as the memory of the way he had held her against the jeep flashed in her head. 'She can't turn us out just for that, can she?'

Anjali touched her hand. 'Khushiji, she comes from a very conservative background. People here tend to become very sensitive about small things. There is no way she will allow you to stay here if she thinks a member of her family has been insulted. It becomes a matter of honour for them.'

She turned toward Arnav and said, 'So, Chotte looks like Khushiji was right. She and her sister are being turned out because of you.'

'What the ___?' Arnav swore. 'How was I supposed to know that this would become such a big problem?'