Desert Rose

Chapter 10

IT was another flawless morning, getting warmer by the minute and Khushi stood in the kitchen wiping the sweat off her forehead with her dupatta. Today she was making Lucknowi food for Anjali. She had mentioned that nani, who was fromLucknow,was away at Jaipur and that she had been missing her cooking. So Khushi had made Mathura ke aloo, poori, matar pulao, Lucknowi koftas and badam kheer. She had wanted to make jalebis but stopped herself when images of what had happened in this very same kitchen flashed before her eyes. She realized she would never be able to make jalebis again without thinking about him.

Three more gruelling days had passed since then and although there was no sight or sound of him since, her emotions were still ragged, her senses in turmoil.

She had told herself a hundred times that this was a crazy unwanted feeling. This was a result of not having interacted much with men, having grown up with a sister and not having relatives to speak of. Even at the boutique, all her clients were women and most of the tailors were middle aged to old men whom she affectionately addressed as bhaiyya or uncleji.

This had to be infatuation ---- yes, that was what it was or it ever could be --- meant nothing. Absolutely and totally nothing.

Life in Delhi had not been easy, but she'd coped --- had managed to resolved all issues calmly. Yet now....

I don't know what's happening to me, she thought desperately. I'm not in control anymore, and I hate it. I miss my peace of mind. I want it back.

But there would be no inner tranquillity here, in this desert town. Living in the guest house was a constant torment, with its reminders of the shadowed past Arnav had shared there with his beautiful young fiancée – and those even more potent recent memories, from which there was no escape.

The thought of his kiss still burned her lips, the memory of his hands moving over her body sending shivers through it, giving her goose bumps even now. When she had felt his heart beating under her fingers, she almost felt that her own heart trying to match its rhythm.His presence seemed to linger in the room, evoking a strange trembling awareness she had no power to suppress.

After that night, presumably he was staying aloof, awaiting her message to say she was ready to deal, Khushi thought bitterly.

But, even when he was absent, she was always aware of him, just the same. Sometimes, as shadows in the green house, looking almost close enough to touch, and as she dried her hair on the balcony amidst the colourful bougainvillea, she had the odd impression that unseen eyes were watching her, although she knew that was absurd.

The need to go – to get away before it was too late -– had begun to obsess her. Part of her mind was saying that the idea of coming here to Rajasthan was hopeless, anyway. That Arnav did hold all the aces, and their best course would be to agree to some kind of financial settlement. But she knew any suggestion to Payal that they should cut their losses and return to Delhi would be indignantly resisted.

Payal, immersed in her emotional maelstrom, had no idea of the confusion that was ripping her sister apart. Nor did Khushi want her to know.

'Khushiji,' Anjali appeared beside her, looking elegant in a magenta net saree. She had taken Payal under her wing, supervising her diet, and taking her out for regular walks. 'I think Payal is feeling a little down today because of the morning sickness. She is resting.'

'I think she gets a little anxious with each passing day.' Khushi said a little stiffly.

Anjali's brows creased with concern and she came up to Khushi. 'I can understand what Payal must be going through. Manav has promised he will bring Payal and Akash together as soon as the coast is clear.'