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So Yes, I am here with the next update of HW4.0 for the week! 😀😀😀😀😀

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Word count – 6.5k words.

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26. Shedding A Layer

Oh, she should have seen it coming? Indeed, she should have, thinks Maya as she walks out the elevator now, her feet legit trembling in on her as they marked the distance towards Asher's apartment now – nervously.

Hell, she should have just known that she wouldn't just be a nervous wreck in the moment marking these last steps towards Asher in the moment – but so much more than that with her head- thinking/imagining all the numerous scenarios in her head – things like – would Asher really open up to her about what was on his mind? Would she still spot rage in his eyes – still? Would that staunchy wall around his persona towards her still be around him? Would his vibe still be cold?? As they talked??? Was this really going to be a positive sign? Or just another dreaded moment, where in he would shut the door to her again after a cordial talk of closure??

Well, it was only obvious that all these thoughts were raging through her mind right now – given that she was about to come face to face with him after two full weeks of just silence post that debacle at the office, which he was now apologetic for...

She takes in deep breathes now and rings the doorbell – commanding her mind to just declutter its nerve- wrecking thoughts. Asher hadn't called her for in a closure talk. This wasn't going to be about – CLOSURE...

One.

Two.

Three.

And the door finally opens up in front of her and just as Maya takes in the sight of Asher in front of her at that – gesturing her to come on in with a subtle nod yet a very serious thinking expression up his face – Maya steps in behind him back to feeling like a nervous wreck herself. There wasn't even a thin line of formal smile up his lips...right now...no casual greeting even...

Damm. Just a causal nod which said – come on in...

Well, atleast he's inviting you in himself, reminds her heart to her in the moment which gives her some respite as she steadied her breathe watching Asher close the door shut in behind him now – as he yet again just silently gestured her to walk up and take her seat on the sofa in the living room.

Maya follows the cue obviously. Nervous, emotional, as she continued to soak in the sight of him in front of her nonetheless, she watched him seat himself on the chair – diagonal to her side – still deep in thought in silence – as he studied her simultaneously.

She felt like she couldn't take the silence anymore so she spoke softly eyeing him in the effort to get him to meet her gaze – "Won't you say something??nothing at all??"

Asher finally meets her nervous gaze at that. Why had he been silent uptil now? Because, honestly he was still brainstorming about where to start from – where to begin?? And amidst all of that – he was also fighting the inner turmoil of emotions threating towards their usual rise within at just the mere sight of Maya upfront of him again – as his heart raged with the reminder that she was here for him..legit..literally...only for him....

He admits now shrugging leaning back in the chair – "Well, honestly, I'v been wondering where to begin from...Maya...,"and he asks casually – "Wait..do you want something to drink?tea?coffee?water??"

Maya shakes her head at that locking her intense gaze with his wondering how to stir him up emotionally – " nah. I don't want anything. I am good, Asher. All I want is to talk to you.Finally. Know what? I know what to begin with though? that look of yours that you have on your face lost in deep thought, is still the same...Asher. Its still the same.."

Asher nods at that in acknowledgement – " I am sure, it is...Maya...anyways...I think only fair I begin with apology again Maya...I shouldn't have lashed out at you like that...at office the other day...my bad..."

Maya shakes her head at that as she whispers – " perhaps, it wasn't all your fault. Clearly, I went out of my way. Crossed the line by walking into your office...again...I guess..which was my bad...but yes, it will be a lie if I don't confess that I felt..quite...quite..,"she pauses.

Asher sighs as he asks– " humiliated??"

Maya nods in silence.

Asher continues now honestly – " look..to make things clear Maya...the intention wasn't to humiliate you...I was just so freaking taken aback...by your arrival...and yes...I was in anger, not really in a great mood in minutes prior...to your arrival as well...so yeah...I guess it call came out on you...that way..isn't a valid justification..maybe? but it is what it is...I am sorry..about that.."

Maya nods – " its okay...apology accepted Asher..,"and she adds softly – " you'd blocked my number...I felt like I had no other way to reach you...at the time ...it was eventually Khushi that made me realise that it be best that you be left alone...in your space...for a while...."

Asher smiles at that on reflex – "never thought, you'd be the one to actually get along with my Ex – Maya.."

Maya admits honestly nodding – " I never imagined the same...but perhaps...because its Khushi...,"and she pauses knowing she didn't have to complete more on the same. Asher surely knew Khushi better than her.

Asher nods at that with a smile on reflex – " well, I know what you mean by that..."

Maya asks on reflex now desperate to know his take on this locking her emotional gaze with his – " will you ever smile?thinking of me ever again?Asher?? like can I ever become the reason for even a casual smile up your face ever again to begin with..???"

He stays silent even though the emotional turmoil was back in his eyes and vibe.

Maya confesses vulnerably studying his frame – " mujhe mera Asher wapas chahiye...please??jiski smile kabhi kam hi nai hoti thi...mujhe saamne...dekh..."( I just want my Asher back please? the asher...whose smile would never diminish by an inch in my presence...)

Once again, Asher is taken aback by her upfront to the point bit. Not surprised, but just momentarily taken aback – by her sudden vulnerable question. He stays silent for a couple of seconds before he finally sighs and admits brushing a hand through his hair – " kahan se wapas dedu woh Asher tumhe...jo kahin kho gaya hai...yahan andar hi...Maya...jo tum mujhse maag rahi ho...woh nai de sakta tumhe...kyunki woh Asher hai ni nai mere pass tumhe dene ke liye...bahut kuch badal gaya hai...Maya...waqt ke saath....samjho...tum...please? jo hua...woh mitaya toh nai jaa sakta nai...na bhulaya..."( from where I should give you back the Asher you seek...when that version of Asher is still all lost within here...the Asher you asking...I cannot give you...because that version isn't in me...anymore...a lot has changed over time...Maya..you gotta understand..cannot erase or forget what happened...Maya...)

Maya sighs at that desperate to make him see her point – " I know that...but kam se kam ek mauka hi dedo...uss Asher ko phir se Dhoondhne ka? Ya phir..tumhe aaj phir se jaan ne ka??"( ok then atleast give me a chance to find that Asher again? or atleast get to know you again in the present??"

Asher stays silent at that – once again not knowing how such a massive emotional tsunami had been triggered in him again. Right then he hears Maya state boldly again – " I want you back dammit...I just want you back...I am not asking you to forgive me or forget what happened...all I am asking is for another chance to start a fresh on a new page...please???"

Asher sighs – " Maya...,"and once again he's stopped by the pause of her hand as she asks trembling in emotion standing to walk upto him – "before you say anything... swear on me..dammit...and tell me..that seeing me hasn't affected you at all...in anyway...whatsoever...say it dammit....Asher..."

Asher groans within and looks at her frustrated now standing up himself to face her – both their eyes twinkling in intensity with all the unsaid baggage hanging in the air in between of them – " damm ya...right...I wish I could just say that with heavy conviction Maya...dammit...but know what? I can't...which is why I'v been so frustrated and angry within?myself perhaps? I shouldn't be affected by your presence...and yet...I freaking am...god only knows where can I go..to damm myself for the same..though??why did you come back..Maya?? damm you...why did you freaking come back??,"he asks before finally turning around in his position away from facing her.

Maya feels her heart soar in relief though at that as she instantly walks up to stand in front of him again and holds hi by his arms – " I came back because I realised...for me..in this whole wide world...it was/is/always will be just you Asher...you asking where can you go?to damm yourself for being affected by my presence? I'd say...go nowhere...just come to me...dammit...I am right here...for you..."

And at that – Asher feels there was no point in keeping up with the pretence of it and tired, exhausted he just states all vulnerable himself shedding off a layer for her to see the crux of his turmoil – " mere liye bhi toh tum hi thi na...sirf...Maya...I always thought at one point in time...for me..it was/will/always will be just you....and look what came off that?? you broke my heart dammit...didn't trust me when I most needed you too....even though your last question the other day..gave me lot to think over....I...,"and he pauses because Maya asks suddenly taking a step closer to him - " you thought off the last bit??"

Asher nods.

Maya – "what did you think??"

Asher explains – " perhaps...yes...I'd be blinded by rage...myself...if situations would have been reversed...Maya..and even though I would have listened to you...there could be chances that my mind would have seeked more clarity...in order to wipe the slate clean in my head..or else perhaps...I'd always doubt...you..henceforth...,"and he pauses to ask now – " is that why you seeked me for proof then?not to hurt me?but so that you could wipe the slate clean?in your head??"

Maya feels relief soar through her again as she nods cupping his face now suddenly – " yes, yes...indeed...Asher...I asked for proof not to hurt you...but coz of this bit of my mind wanting to wipe the slate clean...for doubt is like a poison isn't it? it can kill...a lot...slowly...if not...taken care off in the mind?? You get what I mean??"

Asher nods taking her hands off his face though – because of the electric jolt that went through him at that – " I think I get it now...a little....though...yes...doubt can kill...surely it can...sometimes...slowly...and inronically...sometimes...very fast...like just in a jiffy...,"he pauses – going back to the point of what had happened in between of them.

Maya flinches at the reference but cups his face again knowing the only reason he got her hands off so that it wouldn't affect him more and she'd be dammed if she didn't proceed in her mission to do just that – " the hurt within you is still fresh...Asher...I know it is...I can sense it...I am so sorry....tell me what can I do to make amends?tell me..what can I do to make things okay??"

Asher fights another turmoil within before he takes her hands off his face again – " dammit...you...don't you get it..Maya..its too late to make amends...even though....my mind is processing and analysing...deep within in here...in my heart...this point..stays...that I am freaking scared of letting you in again...probably because...my heart dreads being shattered on your accord ever again..dammit....how do I trust you?again? I don't know if I can...wholeheartedly... and if there's no trust..what's the bloody point??"

"Are you sure? You haven't already let me in again..already though...Asher???,"asks Maya boldly studying his nervous frame now – " perhaps...you let me in..or rather your heart let me in again already at the mere sight of me again in the present...already..which is the sole reason for your frustration and anger...am I right???this is why...you won't let me hold your face in my hands...even...because countless memories...return to haunt...don't they? You know you'v let me in..again already...you don't just wana accept it......just like you don't wana accept to my face again..that ever since you saw me again...I am all you thought off....at the back of your mind..or in here...,"she concludes placing a hand over his heart.

Was she right?

Perhaps she was – concludes Asher in his mind scowling but he'd be dammed if he admitted it outright. So he just continues to stare and scowl at her – taking her hand off his heart again afraid – she'd catch the rhythms of his racing heartbeats.

But it was too late, Maya had sensed what Asher didn't want her too anyway and so she steps closer to him again taking his hand she placed it over her heart for him to sense her racing heartbeats – " my hearts beating very fast too...Asher...see for yourself...I wont shy away from shedding the layer off on this accord...you are all I'v thought off for a very long time...give me one chance...please?just one chance? Look...lets atleast start talking again?make the effort on that at least? Then let's see where it leads us??,"and she pauses hopefully to study his expressions but when she spots just ache in his eyes at that along with the gesture of him taking his hand off her heart she asks dejected her shoulders drooping – " or do you not want to make an effort again?with me?for me?at all? Asher???? Do you really think, there's no way we can get past it all???"

Asher asks honestly doubtlful – " can we really get past what happened?Maya?? can we for real?? I don't think so..."

Realisation dawns on Maya and tearful now she states her voice quivering – " you don't want to make any effort...Asher...perhaps..that's more of the point??"

Asher shrugs – " isn't just about if I want to put in the effort again..Maya...more about...the bit that I feel extremely vulnerable and scared at the mere thought..."

Maya sighs in part relief – " vulnerable is good...scared is good....look...why don't you just surrender all these fears to me haan? ill handle it..we will handle it..."

Asher shakes his head sadly – " I can't...I just can't...I am too afraid to have my heart ripped...again...I don't have it in me too..do that..."

A tear leaves Maya's eye as she cups his face again– " even if there's a solid possibility that there won't ever be a rip again...but some solid repair??instead? look...I know I hurt you bad...we'v both injured each others with things said back then in the past in our last showdown...but from where I see it...given that we hurt us...only we can heal us...too...Asher...only we can...please don't take this chance away...from me...please??look...you don't have to answer me now....take your time maybe?think this through again?? just say that you'll atleast think it through...again??don't just jump to a conclusion...right now...please?,"she pleads her voice quivering.

Perhaps, it was her tone, her tears, her achy miserable vibe that got the better of him in the moment as Asher felt himself being drawn to the consuming vortex Maya was to his being as the words leave his mouth on reflex – "fine... I'll take more time to think it through...Maya.....perhaps...given that we are both more mature now...no point jumping to hasty conclusions....."

And to his surprise – Maya flings herself in his arms at that as she hugs him tight and whispers in part exhilaration - " thank you , thank you, thank you so much for just saying this...Asher...you have no idea what this means to me...just you saying this...means so much...so much....."

Statued in part shock still – on her proximity – Asher felt his heart tremble in emotion – leading his mind to ask him again – perhaps it really was too late to hold the door shut to Maya still - because, she'd already sneaked her way in again...

What could he do?

What should he do?

He just didn't have the answers in complete clarity yet...because surrendering to his heart still seemed like the most super scary option that his mind was just in no mood to take on wholeheartedly just yet...

.............................................................................

Meanwhile at Khushi's Place -

Arnav's POV

Honestly, guys, I still haven't quite landed back on planet earth from my emotional expedition of flying over the moon! How can I even think of the same?when I still haven't been able to stop grinning like an excited nutcase in the last one hour?

So, Khushi and me have obviously spent the last hour over dinner talking about it all. Like I'v legit hounded her to fill me in over every tiny miny detail with regards to what everyone in her gang said, reacted, etc etc , including their expressions, apprehensions etc etc – about the Boy She Met in Peru.

And boy,now I can say with great conviction that when they actually find out who I am – surely their eyes will pop out their sockets or maybe just fall out in shock??? Why do I say the same with great conviction? Because, now I am aware that Rahul, Zain, Yug, and Khushi's jiju are quite sceptical about who I could be anyway – whilst the rest of the girls in her group haven't been able to digest the bit that only Asher knows and she hasn't filled them in over who I really am.

Well, honestly, if it were upto me – I'd be more than happy to pop in front of them any second even today to reveal the sincerity of my feelings for Khushi, but then I know, Khushi needs some more time perhaps – to get around that and I do not intend to push her further in her pace. I am just happy that at least she's started letting me in more!

" Okay...yeh rahi tumhari kheer...acha mujhe pata hai test match start hone wala hai kuch hi dino mein toh zyada dessert nai khaoge tum...par thoda chakh lo? Please?," comes in Khushi's voice behind me as she walks back to the table and places two bowls of kheer in front of us.( Eng : It's time for kheer now and I know you got test match in a couple of day's time so you won't eat much dessert but just taste some please??)

I grin on reflex – " tumhe pata hai ek kheer hi toh hai jisse main kabhi nan ahi bol sakta...khushi...toh chakhunga...zarror...bilkul chakhunga...sirf do bites par..."( oh you know kheer is one thing I can never say no too..Khushi...so surely I will taste it but only two bites..)

Khushi nods happily at that and just as I am about to dig into my bowl she picks up my spoon and asks lovingly – " main khila dun tumhe??"(should I feed you a bite??)

I wink – " naiki aur pooch pooch??"( oh such a great thing...that would be...why ask??"

I happily let her take lead on feeding me a bite of kheer now and just as I gulp it down I end up saying – " oh wow...yeh greta hai khushi..yeh bhi aunty ne banayi...she's amazing..like...legit this reminds me of muma ke haath ki kheer.."( oh wow..this is great Khushi....this also aunty made? She's amazing? Like legit this reminds me of the kheer muma makes for me at home..)

Khushi grins – "really??"

I nod.

She goes on to feed me another bite now and I gulp that down happily as well exchanging a knowing smile with her. A small moment, but a very peaceful moment...

Now keeping my bowl away – Khushi asks as I go onto feed her kheer – " also..what were you grinning about?thinking to yourself whilst I was off to get us kheer haan??"

I chuckle and admit – " just going through the bit we talked over dinner in my head Khushi...I mean...now...I can totally imagine everyone's reaction when they finally find out who I am..."

Khushi narrows her eyes at me playfully - " you loving it aren't you? oh you are loving the bit that I am going to be hounded for your identity big time anyway...almost everyday..here on..."

I wink – " indeed...I am loving it...Khushi...I'd be crazy to not be loving it..."

And at that she finally gestures me to stop feeding her the next bite of kheer and whispers holding onto my right hand snug with her right hand – " you know what am I loving?? Though?? just this moment...here with you...at my home...feels exquisite..."

I flick her nose lovingly at that – " harr oz aa jayun?sneak in karne? Back door se nai toh balcony se? Romeo Juliet style??"( should I come everyday then here?to just see you?if not through the backdoor?then the balcony?in Romeo Juliet style??"

We share a warm chuckle at that and Khushi laces her right hand with mine now as she whispers now her eyes welling up as she kisses on my hand – " kitni pagal thi main...tumse bhaag rahi thi yeh sochke...ki tumhare duniya ke baaki dynamics kitne chaotic ho sakte hai meri life ke liye...kyunki mujhe mera sukoon kitna zarrori haan...yeh toh ab realise hua hai...ki mere sukoon ka bahut bada hissa...tum bhi toh ho...Arnav..."( I was such a fool running away from you thinking that the other dynamics of your world can be so chaotic for my life..for my inner peace is so important to me only to now realise that YOU – are such a big part of that inner peace too – Arnav)

Okay! Just the way she said this bit makes me emotional. I admit kissing her left prosthetic hand now that it's the same for me. She asks now softly - " uss din ke liye..naaraz toh nai hona??tumne kuch bola tha mujhe...aur maine bilkul react hi nai kia tha...tumhari baat ko unsuna kar diya tha...ki jaise maine sun ahi nai...aur topic shift kar diya tha..."( you aren't mad about the bit at me from the other day right? you said something and I just didn't react to it at all or moreso pretended that I didn't hear you only...and shifted the topic??)

Uh-Oh. Did she just bring that up? I was thinking she was going to slide it by just like that.

Just incase you all wondering what this bit is – I will give you a brief insight. Few days ago whilst we were chilling and I had her left hand laced in mine – I'd just casually mentioned – that I am intrigued to see her prosthetic without its skin cover on it.She didn't react to it at all obviously and just shifted the topic taking her prosthetic hand off mine in the moment – hinting to me that she wasn't comfortable with the thought just yet. I ended up cursing myself for the same though – within then given that she'd zoned out for a couple of minutes before I actually pulled her back to the moment – by just closing my lips over hers suddenly..

Her voice pulls me back to the present now again – " bolo na...chup kyun ho? Naraaz toh nai ho??"( tell na..why you silent?)

I smile now holding onto her left prosthetic hand tight – " naaraz...aur tumse ...kabhi nai..haan shayad apne aap se...tha...shayad...mujhe woh nai kehna chahiye tha?uss waqt?? Mera intention tumhe uss baat ko leke push karne ka nai tha khushi...isiliye..jaane diya..." (narraz with you? never..with myself perhaps....coz maybe I shouldn't have said it then?? but my intention wasn't to push you into something you weren't ready to share with me...that's why I just let it pass seeing your reaction....)

Khushi sighs now her eyes welling up more – " tumhari yeh baat toh mujhe pasand hai ki tum dil mein kuch nai rakhte...bol dete ho...toh apne aap se naaraz mat ho...aur yeh bhi sun lo...ki woh baat maine unsuni nai kari thi....infact...usi baat ne mujhe soch mein daal diya...aur itne din ke soch ke baad mein iss conclusion pe aayi hun...ki in sab mein ...tumhari toh koi galti nai...chahe meri condition hoy a hamare world ke differences...yeh meri insecurities hai...fears..hai...jo mujhe hi face karne hai apne andar pehle...aur inka baggage tumpe nai daalna chahiye...mujhe...bilkul bhi..."( I like this bit about you the most that you just word whats in your heart so don't be pissed at yourself for saying what you did the other day...and it wasn't as if I didn't hear you then...I did..infact that led me to a deep thinking then and ever post that in all these days I have finally come to a conclusion within that all these are my insecurities and fears be it regards to my condition/ or differences of our world etc and I gotta buckle up to deal with it within first and not like push its baggage on you...)

Dammit.

I say on reflex to that clutching her hand – " tumhara?mera? alag kyun kar rahi ho hume apni baat ki ref pe??yeh mera tumhare kya hai? Hum hain na ab? Sab baatenge...khushi/worries/insecurties/ya fears..."( why are you mentioning you and me – in different terms though in the moment..its us right? we are one right?we will share all we feel right??)

Khushi nods at that – " haan woh toh hai...but you get what I mean don't you??"

I shake my head – " not really...I don't get what you mean...Khushi...yeh sirf tumhare issues..nai hai...hamare hai...hume...deal karna hai...saath mein..."( these arent just your issues Khushi alone to deal with it...these are ours and we gotta deal with it...together...)

Khushi sighs at that and buries her face in her hands now and I ask brushing my hand on her hair – " kya hua??"(what happened?) you don't agree??"

She looks up at me now finally and admits – " I do...I guess...look the point I am trying to make Arnav is that...thak gayi hun main yaar..shayad bahut hi thak gayi hoon main andar apne fears/insecurities ko leke aur mujhe Dheere Dheere usko tackle karna padega...you get what I mean now??so that we can begin dealing with it?"( I am just plain tired and exhausted within off my own fears and insecurities...and I got to get around to tackling it...you get what I mean now?so that we can begin dealing with it?)

I nod at that in understanding now as it clicks – " yes now I do...get what you mean..Khushi...,"and she gestures me to pause now as she says a look of determination coming in her eyes – " ab ruko..mujhe bolne do..isske ki pehle mera dil kamzor pad jaaye iss baat ko leke..."(now wait...let me speak...before my heart chickens out on this accord")

I ask puzzled cupping her face – " huh?kya matlab??(what do you mean??")

She whispers now holding onto my left wrist with her prosthetic hand – " abhi bhi dekhna chahte ho mujhe?? Mere prosthetic ke skin cover ke baaigar? Kya dekhna hai tumhe mera pura metal prosthetic sirf??main ready hun...tumhe dikhane...ke liye...agar tum dekhna chaho toh..."( do you still wana see my prosthetic limb in all its metal version without this skin cover on?? I am ready to show it to you...if you still want to see it...)

WHAT?? DID SHE JUST SAY?

BOY.

OFCOURSE I WANA SEE HER TAKE THE SKIN COVER OFF HER PROSTHETIC IN FRONT OF MEEEEEE!

I ask stumped emotionally because I know what this means to her. How much strength it will take off her within's to just take her skin cover off her prosthetic in front of me given that only her parents, immediate relatives and cousins and closest friends have seen her prosthetic limb in its all metal form! Hell, I know no other man has seen it too apart from her father, uncles, cousin brothers.Even Asher hasn't– " kya kaha tumne khushi? tum ready ho? Mujhe apna prosthetic dikhane ke liye?? In all metal??"

Khushi nods at that again overwhelmed as she says - " haan ready hun main...agar tum dekhna chaho toh...ek taraf se acha hai...abhi hi dekh lo...ki yeh skin cover on nai...toh ek nazar mein duniya ko pata chal jaaye...ki mere pass mera normal haath nai..."( yes I am ready to show you....my prosthetic in all its metallic glory...if you still wana see it...one way its good...only that you see it now itself that if this skin cover is not on my prosthetic...so just in one look of the eye the entire world can see that I don't have my natural hand...)

I cup her face at that and admit locking my intense gaze with hers – " damm you...ofcourse mujhe dekhna hai...dammit...jo tumhare hissa hai..mere liye woh normal hi hai..khushi.."( damm you...ofcourse I wana see it...a bit that is a part of you will always be very normal to my eye...Khushi)

A tear leaves her eye now which I wipe away immediately. Another one leaves her left eye as we share an emotional eyelock in an intense silence and I wipe that tear off her cheek again. And just like that after thirty second of intense emotional silence in between of us – Khushi finally just begins to roll her full sleeves up till her elbow where her prosthetic limb begins.

She isn't saying a word. Neither am I – but my heartbeats race in emotion nonetheless for I know this is her – letting me in a lot more deeper today than just calling me over to her home/or talking about me to her gang – like this is her – legit shedding off another vulnerable layer in front of me...and I am bloody gobsmacked in emotion!

She asks now gripping her right hand around the skin cover at her elbow to me finally our gaze locking again – " bolo..finally...utaar dun..?? you cannot not unsee this moment...ever again...Arnav...tell me...shall I take this skin cover out??"

I ask my hand reaching out to join her in though determined – " main utaar dun? Shall I take it off you??please??"

Her eyes flood with tears now as she asks trembling – " you wana take it off??"

I nod. She closes her eyes in nervous anticipation at that – " okay...do it....you do it...take the damm skin cover off my prosthetic and see my metal limb....Ar..n...av..."

She's shivering in nervousness and I admit my hand reaching out to take over – " I wont take it off you until you look at me...Khushi...I don't want you to close your eyes to me right now in nervousness...I want you to see me...seeing your prosthetic ...as is...please??"

Perhaps – it was the sincere emotion in my voice that did the trick? Coz – Khushi flashed her eyes open to me just then – and in the very next second in swift motion – I peel the skin cover off Khushi's prosthetic to finally see her metallic prosthetic in its raw/original/unfiltered version....

Dammmmm.

My Iron Woman. My Lady terminator. She freaking looks awesome with just this as is – Guys! I don't know why she keeps it covered. I end up caressing her prosthetic as is gobsmacked in emotion still – uptil her elbow delighted to be seeing it finally – " you look freaking awesome...Khushi just as is...with this...dammit...like this is really kool...I am in freaking awe of this med -tech yaa...damm...wo..w...,"and before I can say anything further – Khushi makes me look up at her suddenly by holding onto my right cheek with her right hand –in a very emotional, intense, potent moment in between of us – " are you for real?dammit? you are looking at my prosthetic in all its metal form...are you really just staring at it in delight and wonder?? Does this look of mine without the skin cover on my prosthetic really awe you dammit??"

I nod honestly on reflex sure that she could sense it all by my expressions anyway– " ofcourse...I am in awe dammit...its freaking awesome...,"and before I can say another word – Khushi's crushes her lips over mine suddenly.

I lose it.

I think so does she. Because, now we have just succumbed to kissing one another not just madly but consumed and lost in deep emotion for the next heated five vulnerable minutes.Not wanting to waste another second, I scoop her in my arms only breaking away from her lips to ask hoearsely – " can we head in?please??"

She nods – instantly in a gesture hinting to me that she was as good to get back into the passionate stuper we both broke out off – when her mom called – when we were in her room.

What do I do then?

Race us – to her room at the speed of light – just like I race my way in between the wickets – ofcourse!

...........................................................

A shortwhile later

She didn't know how much time had passed. For once, she didn't care. All Khushi cared about in the moment was that she was drowning in passion and deep emotion at the same time – as Arnav caressed her everywhere like a mad man possessed whilst simultaneously kissing her wildly and creating a havoc in her being – my also continuing the maddening friction in between their lower halves. She felt like there was no where else she wanted to be but his arms with her legs snug close around his waist.

Perhaps, it was the potent moment that she had spotted only awe, wonder and delight in his eyes at finally seeing just her prosthetic hand in all its metal version – that had undone her? Momentarily???

Oh yes, it had. When did she ever imagine to see just that in his eyes?She'd always been nervous imagining a flicker of difference in the way he looked at her...or if not some sympathy...but when she recognised only happiness and awe – she herself was gobsmacked in emotion like never before suddenly feeling like as if another weight had been shifted off her shoulders....

Also just the feel of him holding onto her prosthetic foream even now in this passionate electric moment without the skin cover on – all possessively – undid her quite a bit. She admits the same into his lips now in moans and whimpers which only riles him further as he finally pauses on his passionate caresses on her all over – asking her to open her eyes to him – tugging on her tee now – gesturing to her that he wanted to take it off her now – immediately.

Khushi nods at in passion and exhilaration tugging on his tee too at that and within no time – the very next second – she's had Arnav tee off him first – before Arnav finally acts on his wish and flings her tee off her in sheer urgency. Her upper intimate brassiere follows her tee next – the very next second.

And just as Arnav sees – Khushi – with all of her torso bare to his eyes now – adjoined with her metallic prosthetic - he feels totally shaken in passion to his very core – as he pushes her back into her pillows – caging her hands to her sides and confesses his electrically heavy gaze meeting her intense ones – " you take my breathe away...dammit.....so gorgeous....so beautiful...Khushi...dammit...I'v imagined..this in my head a gazzilion times...but clearly my imaginations have not done you justice....Khushi...do you have any idea how freaking gorgeous you are???? No you don't...damm no you don't...,"and at that he finally just takes his own sweet time to rake his gaze all over her torso in maddening passion – as he still had her caged under him with him on top of her literally.

Perhaps – it was the bit that he actually looked at her prosthetic in passion too? that just turned her on more?? Or made her shiver and tremble in passion – crazily too?Was he crazy? How could he find an artificial limb attractive??? She ends up asking him the same – feeling her torso come alive under his heated gaze nonetheless – " stop...looking at me...like that?please?also...are you crazy? How can you gaze at my artificial limb in passion too dammit? I thought...you'd just flick your gaze by it in moments of passion...instead...you are...legit staring at it....as if...its raw sight adds to your attraction???are you crazy???????????????"

Arnav admits the same now caressing her limb again possessively as his heated gaze lingered on her curves – " oh...you bet it does add to my maddening attraction...Khushi...why? coz it's a part of you dammit...and for that if you want to call me crazy...than so be it...so be it...,"and because he couldn't hold on any longer – he instantly leaned in to kiss her in a maddening french kiss whilst his hands finally began to unleash their passionate havoc on her curves in deep caresses that drove her insane – leading her to moan and whimper for him – again and again.

And Arnav just lost it to maddening passion further and now given that he wanted to know for sure what it would feel like to have his lips displace his hands in feasting over her bare torso – he finally took his lips away from hers. Trailing a line of hot passionate kissed down her neckline at that – Arnav finally closed his lips over her right curve first making Khushi arch in passion simultaneously as her hands went into his hair clutching him close towards her as a deeper moan of pleasure escaped her lips at that...which was a hint enough to Arnav that she freaking loved it as much as he did...and that only led him on further – to feast and wreak a passionate havoc on Khushi's curves and bare torso – in the ways that set her on fire. Or rather set them both on fire...

She couldn't stop clutching onto him, clinging onto him giving him all the access he needed – the electric passion and potent emotion consuming all of her completely...

Again – Time stilled. Many heated minutes passed ...and many passionate minutes later whilst - Khushi was all lost in the stuper with Arnav's lips still unleashing their havoc on her left curve over and over - when his right hand caressing her right curve intensely before finally travelling south to place itself over her intimacy possessively over her jeans - when she hears him ask in a tone that was hoarse, soft and sensuous, and urgent – " I want to touch you too...Khushi...can I? I want more...dammit...I so...want you... more...may I??"

And Khushi can only whimper a moan in anticipation now placing her left prosthetic over his hand over her intimacy as she whispers - " oh...yes...you may....damm..yes you may..."

And that was all Arnav needed to hear obviously and within no time now he immediately caged Khushis both hands over her head now with his left hand and as his lips continued to consume taut tip of her right curve bad – his right hand finally unbuttoned her jeans and slid its way in to touch Khushi bare on her intimacy for the very first time.

He didn't know – if it was her gasp that was louder in intense pleasure or his own personal streak of emotion and pleasure that was more intense in the moment? Perhaps, it was both? Equally? He didn't care, actually, all he cared about was losing himself in the intensity of the moment with Khushi wanting nothing more to just drive Khushi off the cliff of her own passion....

And because he wanted to store the sight in his memory forever – Arnav finally stopped his havoc mission on her curves momentarily as his fingers invaded her deep and intimate – and just soaked in the gorgeous sight of Khushi edging closer to her passionate release – writhing in pleasure and passion and emotion under him - her eyes closed on her in immense intensity as her body gave him all the access he needed as well....

Dammit.

And once again, it wasn't clear which one of the two was more electrocuted in passion and emotion in the moment. Why? Because, it so seemed that they were both hitting equal chords on that accord...legit....Indeed....

...................................

Tadaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Howwwwzzzaaattt guys???

I hope you all enjoyed reading this Update and its scenes related to Asher & Maya and A&K as well.

Next Update on this story : Will come in on Saturday night!

Thanks guys for all the love* support always.

Much Love* Infinite Gratitude❤️🙏❤️🙏

Now and always..

Prachi