Beloved || ArShi FF Book

08 || One Year Anniversary

Stand-alone one shot.
The idea came from the prompt I came across. (Above)

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"I just love how we first met. It was so romantic." She spoke leaning over his shoulder, snuggling close to him as they walked.

"Oh yes. I too have fond memories of you throwing me off a bridge." He chuckled.

"Arnav!" She whined.

"What- wasn't it that?" He grinned taking a deep breath as the December breeze blew against them.

"That was because you creep-ed me out!"

"That's because I really thought you were planning to jump off the bridge." He turned to her, to find her fondly smiling at him.

"Whatever - however - I am glad it happened."

"Hmm. To that I agree." He smiled, holding her palm and raising to his lips.She smiled shyly.

"Issshh- you're blushing." He grinned while saying that.

"No." She looked away blinking, unlocking her arm from his. He bit his lower lip playfully and quickly put his arms around her engulfing her in a hug.

"Arnav!" She exclaimed widening her eyes, caught off guard at his action. "We're in public place." She said trying to push off his arm.

"Who cares, no one's here anyway." He whispered huskily over her face, grazing his lips on her cheek affectionately, thoroughly enjoying teasing her

"Ahhh Arnav!"

"Tell me Khushi, you can't control when I am so - so-" he tightened the hug, "so - close to you."

"God!" She exclaimed giggling trying to get out of his hold. He laughed stepping away. "One year and you haven't even let me --" She raised her eyebrow folding her hands.

He gave a half-smile, raising his hands in surrender. "Not complaining."

"Good!" She replied pulling him back by his arm and began walking once again.

"God, if this is before marriage then after--" he sighed aside.

"What did you say?" She asked frowning.

"Nothing." He smiled casually. She nodded giving him a suspicious look.

"What?" He shrugged.

"Nothing. Let's sit here." she said pointing to the bridge.

"Not again." he sighed.

"Remember we are celebrating one year of togetherness? We met here exactly one year back. We ought to celebrate it here." She explained.

"Right!" He said bending down and cautiously and slipping his legs down and sitting.

He turned offering his hand to her. She looked at him and smiled not taking is offer. He shook his head as she bent and sat stretching her legs. She stumbled a little and he caught her immediately stabilizing her. "It's okay to take a hand sometimes." He spoke looking squarely into her eyes. She nodded sitting comfortably while he looked away. She knew that the little imbalance worried him and her small sized stubbornness angered him. But he didn't say a word. She gazed at him fondly. What good deeds had she done to get a man like him? She smiled leaning her head over his shoulder.

"You okay?" He asked. She smiled. "Hmm."

They needed no words. Their silence was comfortable. The occasional audible breath of the other was music to the soul. It was perfect. Seconds turned into minutes and those minutes summed up to an hour.