Desert Rose

Chapter 13

I LOVE YOU

Khushi swallowed the words that were reverberating in her heart and mind. Words she reminded herself, he would never want to hear from her – ever.

The realization penetrated with a chilling clarity through the heavenly euphoria which had succeeded their love making.

Now she moved restively as awareness flooded back, alerting her to the reality of the situation. Reminding her with merciless lucidity, precisely how far she had allowed herself to stray from her self-imposed guidelines of morality and common sense.

As she sat up, clutching the sheet to herself with hands that shook, she saw Arnav walking out of the tent, thankfully giving her privacy to dress.

A few minutes later, Khushi, struggling with the strings of her dori, sensed his presence inside the tent, as he came up to her and helped her tie up them up at her back. Khushi moved away quickly, picking up her chunri, not wanting to linger over this intimate gesture.

'Why did you make yourself out to be what you are obviously not?' he asked harshly, breaking the silence between them. 'This is your first time and I can see you regret it.'

Her throat hurt, but she answered, her voice brittle, 'Don't worry about it.' She draped her chunri around herself, tucking the ends into the waist band.'I can't imagine I am the first to be swept away by your fabulous technique, and come to her senses when it's too late.'

His gaze sharpened. 'F@#$! You think I planned this? Look who's talking!'

'What is that supposed to mean?' she asked sharply though her heart was thudding guiltily.

'Your dressing – you make yourself look years older than you probably are. And the way you take care of your sister – anyone would think you are older than her. Arnav came up to her, grabbing her shoulders hard as he asked her, 'Answer the question dammit! Why the act?'

He thought she was older than Payal? Whatever it was Khushi had not been expecting this. 'It wasn't an act, just an assumption on your part.' She tried to shrug off his hands. 'Let me go!'

'Assumption?'He made no attempt to remove the restraining hand. 'You work in the fashion industry for heaven's sake! What was I supposed to think?'

Khushi realized that his prior experiences had led to his presumptions about her, but she was not in the mood for clarifications. 'You are just looking for excuses,' she said wryly, 'I am sorry I wasn't equipped to provide the kind of entertainment you were hoping for.'

It was a moment or two before he answered that one, his expression difficult to define in the dim light. 'Let me remind you that you asked to come with me today.'

'I haven't forgotten....anything.' She lifted her chin, 'you said you could have me whenever you wanted. It must be wonderful to be infallible.'

'Don't talk like a fool,' he said with sudden brusqueness. 'Believe me Khushi, I did not intend for this to happen.'

'I believe you.' Fighting for control, she laced he tone with scorn. 'I don't think even you will be able to handle two paternity suits in the same family.'

'Is thatall that matters to you?' His voice was very quiet. 'The financial implications?'

'What else is there?' She felt very weary suddenly, and close to tears. 'That is what we came here to discuss isn't it? She buried her teeth in her lower lip. 'Until, of course, I allowed myself be so expertly distracted.'

'In that case, all future discussions should be conducted by our lawyers,' he said harshly. That will make it completely impersonal.'

Our lawyers?thought Khushi numbly. How would the mighty Arnav Singh Raizada know that people like her didn't move around with lawyers in their pockets? And that even if she did hire one,if he or she would be competent enough to fight legal battles against legal experts from AR industries.Probably not.