She sat down on her own bed and took out her clothes. What had just happened? He had seemed fine moments before, but had suddenly turned into a monster again.What was he talking about? Stick to your room, like she would even want to go near his. She wasn't exactly ecstatic about sharing the suite either, but it was better than sharing a room, at least they were in two separate rooms, this way. So why was he so worked up? Maybe he was still angry about her butting him in the car park, she had not meant to, he should have known better than to stand right behind her, she didn't have eyes at the back of her head. What was his problem, why was he so moodial? One minute he would be amiable and the next completely unpleasant and offensive.
Sighing she got up to go shower, when she had come into the room she had caught a glance of herself in the mirror and she was in a miserable state. Even though Arnav had wiped the grease of her face - that had been weird, goosebumps had burst all over her body at his touch - her face was still besmirched with dry tear tracks and the dust from the highway. She had gotten to the ensuite door when her stomach gave quite an uproar. She was starving. She dumped her clothes on the bathroom hanger and went into the lounge to order room service so that once she came out of the shower she could feast away. Plus Arnav should also eat something, sour as he was, he would not look after himself so she would, someone needed to. She flipped through the menu and ordered to her heart's delight and then skipped happily into the shower as her mind filled up with delicious tastes of rajmah chawal, aloo puri, paneer tikka, malai kofta, choley, lassi and of course her favourite jalebi. There was more water in her mouth in anticipation of the meal the kitchen was cooking up for her than the water that poured out of the shower spout.
'hmm hmmm...hmm' Khushi came out humming the tune to the latest Salman Khan song, the recent fight with Arnav out of her mind as the thought of food had taken over it.
'Wait...stop. I didn't order any of this, take it back!' Arnav's voice came from the lounging area. Khushi's eyes shot open, No no noo no nooo.
'No...don't go. I ordered it.' She came running into the hall, panic stricken at the thought of all the delicious food being taken away. Arnav turned to to lecture her when the sight of her stopped him short. She looked gorgeous in her deep maroon outfit that hung loosely around her body but still managed to isolate each curve. Her hair, all wet, hung freely on her back. While some treacherous strands stuck to her neck and cheeks making him yearn to peel them away and feel the silky wetness of her strands as well as the soft warmth of her sensitive skin...
'Mmm...thank you. Yes here is just...no, no it's ok I will help myself, thank you.' Her words to the bellboy snapped him out of the moment. She was good. This must he way to lure her targets, use the looks she had been blessed with to attract them. What a sinful woman! 'Arnav ji...' she nudged him, as she munched away on a piece of the puri she had ordered. 'He's waiting...' She whispered, up close to him, whilst keeping a smile on her face for the man who now stood at the door in anticipation of his tip.
'What?!' Arnav blared aloud, not realizing, as he was desperately trying to hold himself together, to not fall for her attempts, but she not only looked beautiful, smelled amazing too, up close he could smell the fruity scent of her shampoo.
'His tip...' she hissed, as she motioned with her big caramel eyes. That had a hint of green in them. Even her eyes were like her, fickle, they suggested one colour from afar but upclose showed another...just the way she portrayed innocence when in reality she was the epitome of sin.
He took a few steps away from her to clear his head, proximity with her was dangerous. Once he was a safe distance and the spell lifted, his mind started operating again properly and he tipped the bellboy, while she went back to the trolley. He watched her incredulously as she filled her plate, how could a woman so petite in stature manage to have such a huge appetite? Or wait...maybe she was taking the food out for him, trying to play the role of good hostess to lure him...
'Khushi, I don't eat that much.' He said.
'I know. This isn't for you, it's for me...don't get fooled by my appearance Arnav ji I love my food and at the moment I'm starving. But don't worry there is plenty in here for you too.' She said joyously, as she munched away on her food, enjoying it to the nth degree. 'The food is divine...oh, I'm going to have to tell their cook he has done an excellent job...mmm...' she closed her eyes and took the full delight of the paneer tikka... 'Scrumptious...Arnav ji I'm telling you if you want to have some, come and eat quickly for I won't let this last long...'
'No thank you. I'm quite fine without it, you enjoy it.' He said curtly, annoyed that she had started without him. 'I've got to head out as it is.'
'What? Is it five-thirty already...oh but the food just arrived.' She looked torn and disappointed.
'So...what's the problem...you eat. I'm leaving.'
'No, but I can't let you go on your own, I need to-'
'Enough! I've had it with your "need to do this and need to do that" listen to me carefully I am going alone to the site. I not only do not need you there but do notwant you over there either. Just because I let you come with me doesn't mean you will be tailing me everywhere. Stay here in the hotel room, do whatever it is you want to, just stay out of my way and be ready at six tomorrow to leave that is all I ask of you.' He declared dangerously.
'But-'
'No. No buts. I mean it Khushi. I don't need you to take care of me, I can do it by myself. So stop it!' With that he stormed out of the room, leaving Khushi on the sofa with her half eaten plate.
'Fine! Whatever, be an idiot, see if I care!' She shouted after him, even though he was long gone. 'Here I am dealing with his abnoxious attitude just to make sure he is fine and instead of being appreciative he is completely unthankful. Well then, fine...but if he thinks that his behavior and lack of care for himself will result in me not eating then he is wrong, for no one spoils my appetite!' With that she went on eating her meal, and ended up eating more then she had planned in his worry rather than losing her appetite. She took seconds and thirds as she began stressing over him, worrying if he was ok or not; the thought of him on an empty stomach began to distress her. He had not eaten anything and he had to take his meds, would he be ok? He had left in such a storm that she hadn't even had the chance to ask him if he had taken his medication or tell him to eat something if not the meal she had ordered. Thus she ate much more making her stomach groan in agony for which she then blamed him. 'Stupid Laad Governor, cause of him I have eaten myself till I'm sick. Let him come I will not spare him, making me worry like this!'
The evening grew on and the later it got the more restless Khushi grew. There was no sign of him and she couldn't call him either, for in her rush to leave with him she had left her phone charging on the dresser. She paced the lounge religiously, kept her ears peeled for any sign of him, but got none. Now she started to blame herself, maybe she had been to dominating hence he had left her, here alone and gone off to stay in some other hotel. How would she find him in this small but new town? Should she go out and look for him or should she stay and wait at the hotel for him? She didn't know what to do. She called the reception to ask if he had left any messages but he had not. Finally not being able to take it she picked up the key-card and went down to the lobby to wait for him there, the suite was beginning to get stuffy for her.
She had been pacing frantically in the lobby for half an hour when a few tourists who had come to see the sights got into conversation with her. Initially she tried to get rid of them worried about Arnav and also unsure about them, but as the conversation progressed she relaxed and found them to be quite a great company and a good distraction from the worry that had been gnawing at her for the past three hours, hence she followed them into the restaurant to the side of the lobby and joined them for a meal.
'And that's how we met...' Rishi, who was from Mumbai, finished telling her the story of how he had met his friend, Mayang, a Nepali. They had both been on a scuba diving trip together, were they were paired together and had gotten lost when they came back up, as they had swum too far away from the ship. They had stayed in the water for a whole twenty-eight hours before the helicopters finally found them. He described how they had tied themselves to each other to not separate and wait until they were found. It was an intense tale and Khushi was completely engrossed.
'Wow. That is amazing. I mean to manage to stay awake for those many hours, with no food and water and swimming constantly. I mean...wow.' She said again in awe. They both smiled, reminiscing in the adventure they had had and how it always worked on getting women interested. She was going to be easy for them.
'So tell me Khushi, what brings you here? I mean you don't seem to look like the hiking type, or will we find you on one of our trails?' Mayang asked. They both were here on another adventure, hiking the mountains around Nainital, getting ready to hike their ultimate quest, Everest.
'Me...haha...no way, I can't walk on the ground properly, so hiking is a complete no-no for me. I came he-'
'Well we could always help you, you know. It's amazing when you climb that peak and stand on the top. It's such a rush.' Rishi cut in. 'You can join us you know, we plan on climbing one in the morning, will leave before dawn so that we can reach there and watch the sunrise. Want to come? It will be magnificent, I swear...it'll be something you will never forget...so, what say, join us?' He asked enthusiastically, all the while leering at her with his eyes, waiting for her to take the bait.
'No she will not!' Came Arnav's stern voice, making Khushi jump; she had not realized when he had come. 'Hey, hun...sorry I got late, lets get going shall we...' he said in an apologetic tone to her, which didn't register in his eyes at all, for they showed anger in them, along with it something else...was it fear, Khushi wondered but didn't have much time to ponder over it as he yanked her arm and started dragging her away, fiercely.
What the hell was she thinking, talking to strangers, did she have a rape wish or something?!! What if he hadn't gotten their in time, they were so close to getting her to say yes to come with them. Stupid! Was she not aware of the way his eyes lingered upon her, it made his skin recoil in disgust...or did she want it? Well if that was the case, then she could have it but not on his watch, no way in hell would he let her go off with two strangers under his supervision. She was his responsibility here, she may not have qualms about bedding men but he certainly would not let it happen with him around. Besides women like her had specific targets, they didn't just bed anyone, so even though she didn't deserve nor had the virtue he was trying to protect, he would still try and protect it, whatever she may have left of it.
'Ugh, Arnav ji...what are you doing...stop...ssslllaah...you're hurting me...' Khushi called from behind him. Why was he being so aggressive with her, it was her who had the right to be angry at him and here he was dragging her away like she was his property or something. 'Stooop...' she cried again, pain in her voice.
Really, at this moment she was more concerned about his reasons than her own safety. 'Khushi shut up and walk with me ok...' Wasn't she the one who complained earlier today how he didn't care about her safety at all, well now that he was she had a problem with it!!
'Oww...Arnav ji please losen your grip...and stooop...' She cried out again as she started to pry her hands from his grip, but he only held on tighter.
'Khushi...Ssh-'
'Hey is there a problem?' Said one of the men Khushi had been with. Perfect she had caught their attention with her cries, now they would try and stop him from taking her away. He had tried so hard to make it look like they were a couple so that they would not follow and he could take her up to their room safely, but her inability to do anything silently and without a hassle had now tweeked their interest in her again.
'Yea-' Khushi began saying, when Arnav reeled her around and pinned her to the restaurant door, where they had been sitting.
'Khushi shut up.' He hissed. She was unbelievable, she was calling out to her own predators. Who had now gotten down from their chairs and were heading their way; Arnav saw in the reflection. What was he going to do, how was he going to stop them from intervening...if they asked anything then Khushi being the oblivious person she was would dig her own grave. Only one thing occurred to him as they drew closer and Khushi opened her mouth to rebel again, that would stop their advance and shut her mouth and so without another thought, he swiftly lowered his head and sealed her mouth with his own.
Sighing she got up to go shower, when she had come into the room she had caught a glance of herself in the mirror and she was in a miserable state. Even though Arnav had wiped the grease of her face - that had been weird, goosebumps had burst all over her body at his touch - her face was still besmirched with dry tear tracks and the dust from the highway. She had gotten to the ensuite door when her stomach gave quite an uproar. She was starving. She dumped her clothes on the bathroom hanger and went into the lounge to order room service so that once she came out of the shower she could feast away. Plus Arnav should also eat something, sour as he was, he would not look after himself so she would, someone needed to. She flipped through the menu and ordered to her heart's delight and then skipped happily into the shower as her mind filled up with delicious tastes of rajmah chawal, aloo puri, paneer tikka, malai kofta, choley, lassi and of course her favourite jalebi. There was more water in her mouth in anticipation of the meal the kitchen was cooking up for her than the water that poured out of the shower spout.
'hmm hmmm...hmm' Khushi came out humming the tune to the latest Salman Khan song, the recent fight with Arnav out of her mind as the thought of food had taken over it.
'Wait...stop. I didn't order any of this, take it back!' Arnav's voice came from the lounging area. Khushi's eyes shot open, No no noo no nooo.
'No...don't go. I ordered it.' She came running into the hall, panic stricken at the thought of all the delicious food being taken away. Arnav turned to to lecture her when the sight of her stopped him short. She looked gorgeous in her deep maroon outfit that hung loosely around her body but still managed to isolate each curve. Her hair, all wet, hung freely on her back. While some treacherous strands stuck to her neck and cheeks making him yearn to peel them away and feel the silky wetness of her strands as well as the soft warmth of her sensitive skin...
'Mmm...thank you. Yes here is just...no, no it's ok I will help myself, thank you.' Her words to the bellboy snapped him out of the moment. She was good. This must he way to lure her targets, use the looks she had been blessed with to attract them. What a sinful woman! 'Arnav ji...' she nudged him, as she munched away on a piece of the puri she had ordered. 'He's waiting...' She whispered, up close to him, whilst keeping a smile on her face for the man who now stood at the door in anticipation of his tip.
'What?!' Arnav blared aloud, not realizing, as he was desperately trying to hold himself together, to not fall for her attempts, but she not only looked beautiful, smelled amazing too, up close he could smell the fruity scent of her shampoo.
'His tip...' she hissed, as she motioned with her big caramel eyes. That had a hint of green in them. Even her eyes were like her, fickle, they suggested one colour from afar but upclose showed another...just the way she portrayed innocence when in reality she was the epitome of sin.
He took a few steps away from her to clear his head, proximity with her was dangerous. Once he was a safe distance and the spell lifted, his mind started operating again properly and he tipped the bellboy, while she went back to the trolley. He watched her incredulously as she filled her plate, how could a woman so petite in stature manage to have such a huge appetite? Or wait...maybe she was taking the food out for him, trying to play the role of good hostess to lure him...
'Khushi, I don't eat that much.' He said.
'I know. This isn't for you, it's for me...don't get fooled by my appearance Arnav ji I love my food and at the moment I'm starving. But don't worry there is plenty in here for you too.' She said joyously, as she munched away on her food, enjoying it to the nth degree. 'The food is divine...oh, I'm going to have to tell their cook he has done an excellent job...mmm...' she closed her eyes and took the full delight of the paneer tikka... 'Scrumptious...Arnav ji I'm telling you if you want to have some, come and eat quickly for I won't let this last long...'
'No thank you. I'm quite fine without it, you enjoy it.' He said curtly, annoyed that she had started without him. 'I've got to head out as it is.'
'What? Is it five-thirty already...oh but the food just arrived.' She looked torn and disappointed.
'So...what's the problem...you eat. I'm leaving.'
'No, but I can't let you go on your own, I need to-'
'Enough! I've had it with your "need to do this and need to do that" listen to me carefully I am going alone to the site. I not only do not need you there but do notwant you over there either. Just because I let you come with me doesn't mean you will be tailing me everywhere. Stay here in the hotel room, do whatever it is you want to, just stay out of my way and be ready at six tomorrow to leave that is all I ask of you.' He declared dangerously.
'But-'
'No. No buts. I mean it Khushi. I don't need you to take care of me, I can do it by myself. So stop it!' With that he stormed out of the room, leaving Khushi on the sofa with her half eaten plate.
'Fine! Whatever, be an idiot, see if I care!' She shouted after him, even though he was long gone. 'Here I am dealing with his abnoxious attitude just to make sure he is fine and instead of being appreciative he is completely unthankful. Well then, fine...but if he thinks that his behavior and lack of care for himself will result in me not eating then he is wrong, for no one spoils my appetite!' With that she went on eating her meal, and ended up eating more then she had planned in his worry rather than losing her appetite. She took seconds and thirds as she began stressing over him, worrying if he was ok or not; the thought of him on an empty stomach began to distress her. He had not eaten anything and he had to take his meds, would he be ok? He had left in such a storm that she hadn't even had the chance to ask him if he had taken his medication or tell him to eat something if not the meal she had ordered. Thus she ate much more making her stomach groan in agony for which she then blamed him. 'Stupid Laad Governor, cause of him I have eaten myself till I'm sick. Let him come I will not spare him, making me worry like this!'
The evening grew on and the later it got the more restless Khushi grew. There was no sign of him and she couldn't call him either, for in her rush to leave with him she had left her phone charging on the dresser. She paced the lounge religiously, kept her ears peeled for any sign of him, but got none. Now she started to blame herself, maybe she had been to dominating hence he had left her, here alone and gone off to stay in some other hotel. How would she find him in this small but new town? Should she go out and look for him or should she stay and wait at the hotel for him? She didn't know what to do. She called the reception to ask if he had left any messages but he had not. Finally not being able to take it she picked up the key-card and went down to the lobby to wait for him there, the suite was beginning to get stuffy for her.
She had been pacing frantically in the lobby for half an hour when a few tourists who had come to see the sights got into conversation with her. Initially she tried to get rid of them worried about Arnav and also unsure about them, but as the conversation progressed she relaxed and found them to be quite a great company and a good distraction from the worry that had been gnawing at her for the past three hours, hence she followed them into the restaurant to the side of the lobby and joined them for a meal.
'And that's how we met...' Rishi, who was from Mumbai, finished telling her the story of how he had met his friend, Mayang, a Nepali. They had both been on a scuba diving trip together, were they were paired together and had gotten lost when they came back up, as they had swum too far away from the ship. They had stayed in the water for a whole twenty-eight hours before the helicopters finally found them. He described how they had tied themselves to each other to not separate and wait until they were found. It was an intense tale and Khushi was completely engrossed.
'Wow. That is amazing. I mean to manage to stay awake for those many hours, with no food and water and swimming constantly. I mean...wow.' She said again in awe. They both smiled, reminiscing in the adventure they had had and how it always worked on getting women interested. She was going to be easy for them.
'So tell me Khushi, what brings you here? I mean you don't seem to look like the hiking type, or will we find you on one of our trails?' Mayang asked. They both were here on another adventure, hiking the mountains around Nainital, getting ready to hike their ultimate quest, Everest.
'Me...haha...no way, I can't walk on the ground properly, so hiking is a complete no-no for me. I came he-'
'Well we could always help you, you know. It's amazing when you climb that peak and stand on the top. It's such a rush.' Rishi cut in. 'You can join us you know, we plan on climbing one in the morning, will leave before dawn so that we can reach there and watch the sunrise. Want to come? It will be magnificent, I swear...it'll be something you will never forget...so, what say, join us?' He asked enthusiastically, all the while leering at her with his eyes, waiting for her to take the bait.
'No she will not!' Came Arnav's stern voice, making Khushi jump; she had not realized when he had come. 'Hey, hun...sorry I got late, lets get going shall we...' he said in an apologetic tone to her, which didn't register in his eyes at all, for they showed anger in them, along with it something else...was it fear, Khushi wondered but didn't have much time to ponder over it as he yanked her arm and started dragging her away, fiercely.
What the hell was she thinking, talking to strangers, did she have a rape wish or something?!! What if he hadn't gotten their in time, they were so close to getting her to say yes to come with them. Stupid! Was she not aware of the way his eyes lingered upon her, it made his skin recoil in disgust...or did she want it? Well if that was the case, then she could have it but not on his watch, no way in hell would he let her go off with two strangers under his supervision. She was his responsibility here, she may not have qualms about bedding men but he certainly would not let it happen with him around. Besides women like her had specific targets, they didn't just bed anyone, so even though she didn't deserve nor had the virtue he was trying to protect, he would still try and protect it, whatever she may have left of it.
'Ugh, Arnav ji...what are you doing...stop...ssslllaah...you're hurting me...' Khushi called from behind him. Why was he being so aggressive with her, it was her who had the right to be angry at him and here he was dragging her away like she was his property or something. 'Stooop...' she cried again, pain in her voice.
Really, at this moment she was more concerned about his reasons than her own safety. 'Khushi shut up and walk with me ok...' Wasn't she the one who complained earlier today how he didn't care about her safety at all, well now that he was she had a problem with it!!
'Oww...Arnav ji please losen your grip...and stooop...' She cried out again as she started to pry her hands from his grip, but he only held on tighter.
'Khushi...Ssh-'
'Hey is there a problem?' Said one of the men Khushi had been with. Perfect she had caught their attention with her cries, now they would try and stop him from taking her away. He had tried so hard to make it look like they were a couple so that they would not follow and he could take her up to their room safely, but her inability to do anything silently and without a hassle had now tweeked their interest in her again.
'Yea-' Khushi began saying, when Arnav reeled her around and pinned her to the restaurant door, where they had been sitting.
'Khushi shut up.' He hissed. She was unbelievable, she was calling out to her own predators. Who had now gotten down from their chairs and were heading their way; Arnav saw in the reflection. What was he going to do, how was he going to stop them from intervening...if they asked anything then Khushi being the oblivious person she was would dig her own grave. Only one thing occurred to him as they drew closer and Khushi opened her mouth to rebel again, that would stop their advance and shut her mouth and so without another thought, he swiftly lowered his head and sealed her mouth with his own.
*****
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