Chapter 30

“Thank you so much for coming Payal” Akash said as he met her outside the mall, he gave her a grateful smile as she nodded and smiled back at him “Sure Akash...its not a problem...I was headed here anyways” she said as they fell in step with each other and walked towards the entrance of the mall

“No..seriously, your'e a life saver! If it wasn't for my sister...” he said as payal looked at him sideways while walking towards a women's departmental store “Its really ok Akash...you need my help in choosing something for your sister right? And I am actually pretty good at buying gifts for others...so...” she said as akash opened the glass door for her

“I would have asked zee, but she's not really like a girly girl...you know...and i really don't know any other girls...like friends i mean...I'm kinda shy” he said with an exaggerated shyness that payal found endearing “Haha....allright...now tell me, what kind of stuff does she like...I mean would she prefer a dress, perfume, accessories, shoes...” she started counting on her fingers when akash felt himself go absolutely clueless.

“Uh...I don't know...maybe a nice bag?” he asked her as she nodded and led him towards the handbag section...after surfing around for a while she selected a few bags and showed them to Akash... “What do you think?” she asked him as he looked least interested in them, since all his focus was on the gorgeous girl in front of him

He felt like a class A jerk for deceiving her like this, especially since he had started feeling a little more strongly for her...and he had already lied to her about having a sister...so it didn't really qualify as another lie...plus he really wanted to meet her...out of the college that is...they had interacted a few times on campus but he really had not had a chance to meet her off it...this was the perfect opportunity

“Akash! Hello...” Payal clicked her fingers in front of his dazed face which got his attention back to the task in hand “Uh...I think this dark red one will be nice...” he said as payal smiled and kept the rest back...she gestured him to follow her to the cashier and waited till he made the purchase “Won't you buy anything?” he asked her as she shook her head

“No...its ok...I had only come to pick up my dad's dry cleaning and to buy some pastries for my brother from the patisserie here...I'll head home after that” she said as akash picked up the bag...he really wanted her to stay back for a while longer... “Hold on...don't you want it wrapped?” she asked him as she took the bag from him and went to the gift wrapping section

“Whats your sister's name?” she asked as she instructed the man behind the counter to pack the bag in a pretty pink wrapper...she turned back to a completely blank Akash as he looked on with a horrified look “Akash...what's her name?” she asked him as he blurted out “Arnie,,,”

Payal twisted her face comically before turning towards him “Arnie?...whats her full name?” she asked him as he racked his brain...the only name he could think of was his brother's pet name and it most definitely wasn't a woman's

“Her...name...her name is actually Arnasha...” he said slapping himself mentally for making up a pathetic excuse of a name that sounded more like a mythical place than an actual name “Arnasha? Its different...but nice” she said as akash looked on dreamily...maybe the'll name their daughter Arnasha...he thought dreamily as they finished the wrapping and left from there.

“Why do you have that goofy grin on your face?” Payal asked, observing him as he quickly sobered up “Oh...nothing...just like that...anyways...I was thinking, since its lunch time...why don't we grab a quick byte?” he asked with a hopeful look as payal nodded and smiled “Sure...I was hoping you'd say that....I'm starving!...i'll pick up my stuff after lunch” she said as Akash did a mental jig.

They had lunch in a small cafe lining the huge mall from outside...they spoke about their families...with Akash including his non-existent sister and a more modest lifestyle while Payal spoke very highly of her father and her naughty but irritating brother....she told him about her life in Bangalore and how she thought it would be difficult to start over again in Mumbai

“Hmm...so what do you think now? You think you'll be able to fit in now?” he asked her as she smiled shyly “Yes...I think i will...i'm glad I met you and zee and all the new friends I made in class...I suppose everything will work out just fine now” she said as she lowered her lashes and sipped her drink while both looked at each other over the rim of their glasses...the air around them changing...the wind bringing in new feelings and truck load of trouble along with it.

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“So! I..I'm not sure where we should go for...for our dinner?” Shashi spoke on the phone as he heard Garima laugh freely on the other end “Shashi! It really doesn't matter...I'm fine with anything” she said as he smiled on the other end “Ok, fine...then i'll book a table in Peshawar? Is that ok? Since you like Mughlai food...” he said as Garima pursed her lips trying to hold in a laugh

“Oh? But I like chinese food...when did I say I like mughlai?” she said in a mock serious tone which mounted shashi's confusion “Really? I don't know why i thought that then..fine then in that case I know this really good Pan-Asian restaurant at the Hilton...” he started saying when he heard Garima laughing

“I'm just joking Shashi...I like mughlai...but can we go to a smaller, lesser known place? Its just that with the on going case and Khushi also not being here...” she said as Shashi nodded in understanding “Off course...I understand...and you are right...the last thing we want is anyone recognizing you and seeing you with me...tell you what....Let me surprise you with something...I won't tell you anything yet” he said as Garima smiled fondly

“Sounds great....but you should know that I'm not a big fan of surprises” she giggled as he laughed along with her “I shall keep that in mind...” he said as they laughed a bit more and quieted down “So...how is Khushi doing? I heard they got the D'Blanc account..?” he asked as Garima smiled proudly

“Yes, they did...she called me last night from Paris to tell me about the same...I'm so happy for them...both of them are working really hard for this and I just hope the new company rises above all the others” she said as Shashi nodded in agreement “Yes...that they are....both Arnav and Khushi are very capable and with their astute business minds and ethics , they will do very well...” he said wondering if he should talk to Garima about what he had noticed between both of them.

But then on second thought he let it go....he and Garima had still not reached that level of relationship where such things could be discussed without the atmosphere being awkward “Anyways....I better let you go...let me know where and when I should meet you” Garima said as shashi smiled “I will...also...have you told your mother or Khushi about this?...I mean our dinner date?” he asked as Garima smiled nervously

“I haven't....not yet....Khushi is out of town and so is ma...it won't be appropriate to tell them on the phone...I....to tell you the truth I don't want them to know anything about this yet...I know it will be difficult to keep it away from them and you might also not want ma to know yet, owing to your professional...” she said when Shashi interrupted her

“Garima...my professional relationship with your mother and daughter does not worry me....I am true in my pursuit of you and I really like you a lot for anything like this to change my decision or influence me...I will be perfectly okay with whenever you want them to know about us...” he said as Garima felt a huge weight lift off her heart...she was worried if Shashi would want to keep this a secret but his honestly made her feel light with happiness...she was convinced now that she had done the right thing by agreeing to date him.

“Thanks Shashi...your words have really made me feel lighter...I'll let you know when i wish to tell them about us...now, I really need to go...my lunch break is over and you too need to get back to work...I'll see you tonight” she said as they said their goodbyes. Garima placed her phone back into her purse and picked up the notebooks lying on her table in the staff room

She had a smile on her face as she remembered the time spent talking and having long walks with Shashi post that night when he had confessed having feelings for her...at first she was a bit nervous...but then as time passed and they got talking, she realized she had never felt this free with anyone...Shashi listened to her as she spoke about her difficult life with Arun and his betrayals...when she told him about her worries regarding Khushi and her mother's health..

And in turn he told her about how his life had been post his wife's death and how he had to struggle with the kids...she loved listening to him speak so lovingly about them and that made her open her heart to him more and more each day...she entered her class and warmly smiled at her pupils as the impending date in the evening kept her smile in tact and her heart fluttering throughout the day.

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The early morning sunlight filtered through the dark burgundy velvet curtains, giving the room a cosy reddish glow...the slight chill in the air made Khushi snuggle more into the duvet as her body relished the feeling of having arnav's strong chest plastered against her smooth back...she smiled contentedly as images from last night flashed before her eyes, making her body tingle with excitement

She ran her hand over arnav's muscled arm as it lay snugly fitted against her upper waist...she reached behind her and shifted her naked body against his as he groaned in his sleep....she could feel his hot breath over her cheek as he shifted his hands over her before laying it possessively over one glistening breast, eager for his touch...she turned slightly towards him as she felt his legs imprison hers stopping her movement completely

“Now this is what I call a good morning” arnav said huskily in her ear as he bit her softly over the lobe making her sigh in need...she moved her arm over his torso as he breathed in deeply into her hair....khushi smiled as he quickly dropped kisses over her neck and shoulders, biting her warm skin slightly as he made his way up...he kissed her chin gently as khushi lowered her head further to capture his wandering lips

She kissed him softly at first as she pulled his lower lip into her mouth...her tongue traced his mouth, prying it open as he ran a hand over her body, slipping it under her back before pulling her up for a deep mind numbing kiss...he plunged his tongue into her probing mouth as khushi whimpered under the delicious assault

“Ar...rnav..” she moaned as he shifted her completely below him while leaving her lips to trail further down...khushi arched into him as he latched onto one straining nipple...his hand massaged her other breast as he devoured her body under his insistent mouth...she clutched his hair as he went further down to reach her inner thighs... “You taste soo good babe” he said hoarsely while khushi bit her lips from moaning out loud as his mouth found her center

“I need you n..now...” she moaned as he thrust his tongue inside her warm core...his mouth closing over her engorged nub making her writhe under him.....he smiled as khushi pulled him up to kiss him again as her hands found his hardened erection...she stroked him making him gasp as he guided her dainty hands over his member... “Now...please...” she said against his mouth as he parted her legs and slid inside in one hard thrust

She cried out his name in pleasure as he filled her up again and again, making her wind her legs around his butt...he held onto her damp body as he pushed harder and faster into her, her moans making him loose control over himself as they finally came together in a shattering climax...they lay together once again cuddled amongst the sheets...both wide awake and basking in their new found togetherness

“Can we stay in all day today?” arnav asked making circles on khushi's back a few minutes later as she lay on her stomach with arnav leaning slightly over her “I don't think so Mr Raizada” she giggled as she turned and got up, pulling the covers to her chin to hide her naked form from him “Don't tell me your shy Miss Gupta” arnav said as he hooked a finger in the sheets and tried to pull them away

“Nuh...uh..” she said as she slapped his hand away “I'm not shy...I just don't want you to loose control...we really won't be able to leave this room then” she said with a grin as arnav looked on with a challenge in his eyes “Is that so? So you mean to say that you can resist me...that you won't lose control?” he asked raising an eyebrow as khushi blushed remembering her wild wonton self from last night and a few minutes earlier

“I don't lose control...I'm a woman...we don't...” she started saying when arnav suddenly got up and stretched...his  taut body displayed in pure male perfection as he flexed his muscles...he got down from the bed and turned around to let khushi ogle at his washboard abs and further down...she felt red hot desire combust inside her as she finally got a chance to see him properly...she gulped as he bent down and donned his boxers and the rest of his clothes before looking straight into her darkened eyes.

“Now do you get what I mean?” he asked with a smirk as he crept back to the bed and kissed her soundly “I better get going now...we'll go down for breakfast together” he said as she slowly nodded and sat upright on the bed, a slow smile playing on her lips “You can shower here Arnav...” she said with a grin as he quickly shook his head “Nope...too many temptations here...unless you want to join me inside” he said pointing towards the en-suite

Khushi threw her pillow at him as he dodged it and chuckled “Oh you will....soon” he said as he winked at her before walking out of the bedroom....Khushi waited till she heard the click of her room door as she laid back in the bed and stretched...a small contended smile playing on her lips as she closed her eyes for a few more winks to relax her exhausted body from their morning workout.

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“I had hoped you both would stay back longer...you could have gone to the cote'd azure for a day or two...its beautiful there this time of year and my house is always open for you two” Mr D'blanc said with a smile as they had their last lunch in Paris with the older man.

After a quick hurried breakfast at the hotel , they had reached the D'Blanc headquarters right in time for their last appointment with its senior management who would be overseeing the project once everything is finalized...the planning was in process and they had a conference call with the GR team back in Mumbai and the team appointed here...everything had gone off smoothly and now they were having a farewell lunch with Mr D'blanc at yet another of his favorite riverside restaurant, La Mer...

“We wish Monsieur..” Khushi said with a disappointed face “But we have a lot of things to take care of back home, now that things are going forward for both our company's” she said with a quick smile as arnav placed his hand over hers on the table “And we will take you up on the offer, pretty soon...” Arnav said as mr D'Blanc noted the obvious gesture...he wriggled his eyebrows at them and said a loud salut' to both of them as they finished their meal and said their goodbyes

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“Should we head to the hotel and then the airport?” khushi asked arnav a few minutes later as they strolled along the beautiful riverside to go towards their waiting car, she wound her arms around his and leaned her head on this shoulders. As Arnav smiled naughtily “Hmm...we can spend some time at the hotel before check  out you know......maybe” he said as khushi pinched him “Ow...you have got to stop physically abusing me Khushi!” he said in mock sternness as khushi looked at him with a perfect 'O'

“Me! Do you even know why i'm wearing this neck to toe hiding dress? I have bruises all over my body” she said as arnav's eyes darkened “You shouldn't have said that Khushi...now I want to examine them” he said as khushi shook her head and smiled at him “You can...but not now Mr Raizada...now we need to rush to the hotel, pack and then leave for the airport...we have a flight awaiting us” she said as Arnav groaned

“Fine...i'll agree with you this time” he said as they both settled inside the car “As if you had a choice” khushi said as arnav pulled her towards him for a kiss...his hands angled her face for deepening the kiss as khushi's arms wound around his neck...they parted after a minute or so...both panting as they remained locked in each others embrace

“This was the most wonderful and memorable trip I ever had Arnav...I wish we could stay like this....I wish we didn't have to go back...” she said as arnav tucked her hair that had come over her face “I know sweetheart...I wish it too...I wish I could keep you safe here with me...safe from whoever is trying to harm you” he said dropping a soft kiss on her forehead as a chill ran through khushi's spine...these three days of bliss had made her forget about the ugly truth back home

The fact that someone is trying to get her...the same someone who murdered her father...she snuggled closer into arnav's warmth as he stroked her hair soothingly “Its ok Khushi...we'll get through this...I spoke to Avinash in the morning and he is pretty confident about finding the person who sent you that photograph...it'll all be over soon khushi...i promise ok” he said as she closed her eyes and rested her cheek over his chest...his steady heartbeats giving her a hope and peace that she desperately wanted to cling to