Chapter 10 - Flowers and Storms

Relationships. I have always heard , that they need a lot of handling with care, and obviously you gotta nurture them,so that they can blossom and be like those evergreen beautiful flowers, that are meant to light up our lives.There are times,when relationships, are showered with flowers, signalling, pure bliss. And then there comes the times, when, the storms come,and shake up,rake up, almost everything. What happens, when a storm hits a relationship? Do we hold hands together, and walk and bear it nonetheless, powered by love? Yes we do, almost most of the times.But some storms, are just so strong, that they have the power to uproot the very root of emotions and love.What do we do, when such a storm hits? Are we strong enough to hold on, or do we just let it all wash away, just like that? The answer, can be very subjective ofcourse, for in love there really is no such thing as right or wrong.

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

Friday - 7 am - London

Khushi felt herself struggle to open her eyes, but she did, and the minute, the surroundings registered, she realised , the reason, why it felt like she had , had the most peaceful sleep, because,she was in Arnav's arms.they had stayed up late on the terrace, talking, and obviously none of them relaised, when they slept off,snugled into each other. Khushi got up slowly, so as to not wake him up, and she peeked at her phone, to check the time,it was 7 am, and right then it struck her that they hadn't eaten anything last night, and Arnav couldn't go without food for so long,because of his diabetes, and she realised, that she needed to get him to eat something,and have his medicines. She quickly got up, from the sunbed, to arrange for the same, but before, she walked away, she looked at his peaceful face, as he slept , he looked so calm, and serene, content,and she couldn't help but smile, as she felt her heart light up with love, for this man who lay in front of her as she whispered softly to herself - " I don't know when this happened,but i love you so much Arnav, i wish for that day, when I would gather the guts to tell you how I feel,to tell you how much I love you...."

And with that she walked out as fast as she could,towards her room.

A few Minutes Later -

Arnav felt his eyes open, and he closed them again, because he was just having this really good dream,they were together,and he could hear her say, something about about how deeply she felt for him, how she wanted to tell him, that she was in love with him. He immediately opened his eyes at that thought, obviously it was a dream. It couldn't be true, firstly he was too crooked and complicated to love, and secondly, he wasn't a firm believer of that very emotion, anyway, he knew it existed for some, but he didn't ever think or imagine experiencing it. And obviously, it was too early to term what Khushi and he shared as Love, because well, he had no idea what this love was all about anyway.He just knew, one thing, that he liked Khushi way more than any girl he had ever liked, he cared for her, and she was important, thats all,but this surely wasn't Love. Could it be?? He felt, something beat super fast , and he realised it was his heart, and he instructed himself to calm down,and it amused him because somehow these self instructions had become more common ever since he had met Khushi, because it was only with her around, he could feel his heartbeat fasten like anything. And right then, a halt came to his chain of thoughts, as he realised, that Khushi wasn't around. Last night, had been wonderful, they had talked for hours, and he remembered, how she had fallen asleep, in his arms, on his shouder, and he had taken that time, to just watch her beautiful face, etching every bit in his memory, because time was nearing for him to leave,she was exquisite, and so beautiful.And he didn't know, when had he slept, watching her sleep. He couldn't help but wonder, where was she? Why didn't she wake him up, and just disappear? He just picked up his phone,and was about to call her, when he heard footsteps, and he got up halfway from the sunbed, and turned to see, who it was , and relief was what he felt, as he spotted Khushi, walking his way, with a tray in her hands.

Khushi smiled, as she saw him awake, and she realised from his expression, that he had been wondering where she was, so she said walking faster,placing the tray on the sunbed, sitting next to his feet - " hey, goodmorning, you are up, i thought i would come wake u up now, sorry i didn't earlier, i just realised, you hadn't eaten last night,and you cant go without food for so long, so i just thought, I would...here pls have this first, so you can take your medicine", and she handed him a banana, from the plate of fruits she had got, along with coffee for him, and bottle of water, and his medicine.

Arnav felt a zillion emotions in that very moment, just no one apart from his family, had ever cared for him, the way Khushi did,and he couldn't help but grin back, as he took the banana from her hand - " thank you Khushi, and yes, i was wondering, where you were...", and he quickly ate his banana,and then,picked up his medicine, and ate it, and he could notice, she was watching him silently, all the while, and he immediately picked up the orange from the plate, and started peeling it as he said - " Khushi, I know, i look good all the time but you can quit staring, you know..."

KHushi blushed as she said to her defence - " who said, i was looking at you? I was looking somewhere else, you just happened to be in the way....", and before she knew it, he shoved a piece of orange in her mouth, as she heard him say - " eat Khushi, I know you haven't eaten anything too..."

Khushi ate the pice of orange and smiled - " well, thank you, Arnav...", he gestured her to come sit next to him, and she happily obliged, as his arms went around her shoulder.

And they just sat their silently for a while,when she heard him say - " Khushi, for whatever reason it maybe, i don't know, why i don't like the fact of not seeing you around me, when i expect to see you, like this morning, I was hoping to see you, as I woke up..."

Khushi smiled at that - " but I was lucky, coz i saw you as I woke up, has anyone ever told you, how adorable you look while you sleep, its amazing to watch you sleep..."

" Oh really, is it? but i am sure, its not as fascinating as it is, to watch you sleep, it took a lot to not kiss you while you slept and wake u up...", Arnav said.

Khushi blushed furiously as she said - " stop it, now will you,Arnav, please...."

Arnav grinned , he loved making her nervous - " ok fine, on that note, i forgot to tell you something last night, Khushi, because we had more important things to discuss, theres a small party at AR tonight,and I want you to come with me, you will come wont you?"

Khushi smiled as she admitted - " obviously i will , what makes you think, I wont, you know id even come to hell with you, if you asked..."

Arnav cupped her face and looked into her eyes as he asked - " you would??"

Khushi looked back at him intently as she said - " yes I would, but theres a clause, its gotta be with you, or else I have no interest in hell...", and before she knew it, she was pulled in for a hug, and she clutched to his shirt, listening to his heartbeats, and she she was sure, her own beats, matched his.

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

Boston - 11 am

Zoya walked out, the campus, feeling great, at finishing what she had come to, and like she had promised herself, she had aced in all her courses, and she couldn't be more excited, than she was in that moment.Everything was just perfect, in that very moment.She checked her watch, she had asked Asad, to pick her up at 1130, and she still had 30 minutes, and so she quickly, dialled Khushi, hoping she would pick up now, she really needed to talk to her, and she was glad as she heard Khushi's voice on the other end -

"Zoya, thank god, i was thinking of calling you too, i am so sorry, for we havent been able to talk...."

Zoya immediately got to the point - " Khushi,its ok, but forst tell me is everything alright? why was your phone off yesterday, i know it never is, and then bhai also asked me for riyals no, what is it?? tell me, is everything ok??

"Yes, everything is ok, but i need to tell you something first...."

Zoya - " ok then, hurry, tell me what is it??"

"I am in love with your brother, Zoya, what am i going to do now??"

Zoya let that sink in as she said - " what?? are you serious?? oh my god, this is amazing, does bhai know? I am sure, bhai is", and right then the lie came back to her and she asked - " Khushi, now what?? listen, i know, what you must do, i have decided that I am not going to tell Asad about the truth, not now, not until he is ready to listen...why don't you just stop worrying too, you love him, do you know how he feels too?? cmon tell him...."

" No he doesn't know, but i plan to tell him the truth, Zoya, I cant do this any longer, I cant do this to him, its killing me...."

"what truth? that you love him? or that you are Khushi Ahemed Khan?Khushi have you thought this out?? it would ruin everything , are you ready for that??"

She felt silence on the other end, then she heard Khushi's serious tone - " I don't know, if I am ready, but i will tell him who I am first, and then tell him how i feel, and then the ball is in his court Zoya, i am just scared...."

Zoya admitted honestly- " thats very brave of you Khushi, i dont know if I have the guts to tell Asad, i mean things are going good, i dont know, if I am ready to ruin it yet, and moreover...."

"But how long can we keep this lie going anyway, its gotta end someday, right Zoya? Theres a party at AR today, i will tell him after, for sure, i have decided....but you dont worry ok, i will call you after"

Zoya frowned - " are you mad? how can i not worry for you idiot, and bhai, i know....", and thats when she spotted Asad, so she quickly said - " ok khushi, i see Asad, i will talk to you later, ok, take care pls...whatever you decide i am with you...."

"And i am with you too, Zoya...."

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

Zoya walked towards Asad, with worry on her mind,she was hell worried for Khushi and her brother,she knew Khushi, and she knew her brother,but Khushi said she was in love with him, what if her brother wasn't? What if, seeing Khushi was like just seeing any of his girls of the past, she hadn't spoken to him, about how he felt, well because according to him, she didn't know, but obviously she knew about what was going on between the two from khushi, all undercover, so maybe this really was a big mess for Khushi, she was in love with her brother, and then she was Khushi Ahemed Khan, and now she was planning to tell her brother the truth, she just wanted some magic wand to just transfer her to London, so that she could be there for her best friend, but obviously there wasn't and she couldn't and the reason was standing right in front of her, so she quickly controlled her thoughts as she faked a smile - " Asad...."

Asad watched Zoya mask her frown, and he held her by the waist, and walked her to the car, as he asked - " all ok?? you seem worried for some reason...when you should be relaxed...."

Zoya nodded as she got in the car- " No , I am fine,Asad, just you know last night, we were up so late, and now I am getting this headache...", she said touching her temples.

Asad quickly opened the bottle of water and handed it to her - " Here, have some Zoya, are you sure you dont need a medicine??"

Zoya nodded, rubbing her temples - Yes, ill be fine, don't worry"

Asad - " Dont worry, are you kidding me, you are my business Zoya, and you look sick, wait...", and he bent forward and pressed the button to recline her seat, and he started to press her temples, gently as he whispered - " let me please, just close your eyes, you'll be fine, i do this for ammi like all the time..."

Zoya felt his hands work like magic on her aching head, as she said, her eyes still closed - " you do??"

"yeah when she gets her migraine, i am good with this trust me, ammi says so..."

Zoya gave him a half smile,as she genuinely started to feel his fingers wash her pain away, it was like he knew just which pressure points to tend, as she said - "well she's right about that..."

"shhh, just keep quiet Zoya..."

Zoya kept mum,she didn't want to mess with a worried Asad.

A few Minutes later -

Zoya felt so much better, and so she finally opened her eyes, and held his hand, kissed it gently as she adjusted her seat back to its position and smiled - " you have some magic in your hands Asad, you really do, i feel so much better....come on lets go now...."

" are you sure Zoya, i mean, if your not upto it, we can shop tomorrow....we still have time...", said Asad still very worried for Zoya.

" No way Asad, we will do as planned,cmon now, please start driving already, and you do know, shopping is good therapy anyway...."

Asad - " Yeah, that i v heard, but that is if you are stressed about something, are you really? is there something else bothering you??"

"Asad, cmon, no there isn't..."

"Are you sure, Zoya?

"yes, I am, allah miyan whats wrong with you..."

Asad smiled - " ok fine, but on one condition, promise you will nap, until we reach the outlet..."

Zoya nodded - " I am not going to win from you anyway, so theres no point, I will do as you command, my lord..."

Asad grinned, as he started the car - " thats better...."

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

London - 5 PM

Khushi shut her laptop, as she spotted Arnav enter her room, and she smiled, as she gestured him to sit - " hey, whats up, how was it, your meeting??"

Arnav took his blazer off, and flung it on her chair, as he sat -" it was good, I'm sorry again, i know we planned on spending my remaining time together, but work, it just always come up.."

Khushi rubbed his arm lovingly as she said - " oh cmon, its alright, and you were only gone two hours, so its ok...i understand...."

Arnav looked at her amused - " how is it that you do this, all the time? understand me?? you are wonderful , Khushi...."

Khushi smiled - "am i? thanks but not more than you Arnav... you tired much??"

Arnav grinned - " no, so what was up??"

"nothing much, was just skipping with my mother,she wants to know when ill be back..."

Arnav pulled her into his arms, hugging her by the waist - " thats a million dollar question, khushi, i want to know so too, when do you plan to come back to India??"

Khushi admitted honestly - " I don't know, Arnav...but don't worry, i will let you know...."

Arnav raised a eyebrow at her as he teased, faking hurt- " obviously Khushi, or is it, that you plan to forget me as soon as, I leave"

Khushi immediately cupped his face as she said, surprising him, her voice full of emotion - " shut up ok, never say that again, I can never forget you, Arnav, like never, you have no idea, how special you are to me...", and she rubbed his cheek gently, and kissed him there tenderly.

Arnav felt so many emotions at that moment, that he didn't know what to do, because with Khushi all these feelings needed to be comprehended, and before he could do so, a thousand others emerged, and so he just held her hand - " I was kidding....Khushi..."

"thats not a thing to kid about , Arnav...."

Arnav nodded and then he remembered, so he quickly walked out, and was back in a minute, with a packet in his hands and he handed it to khushi - " this is for you....Khushi..."

Khushi asked surprised - " what is it??"

"Its what, i want you to wear tonight, Khushi..."

Khushi was just opening her packet, when his phone rang, and he gestured that he had to take this call, and she nodded, and watched him walk out.

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

5 PM - Boston

Asad watched Zoya, out of the corner of his eye, as he drove them back , after a good day out shopping for families, and an amazing brunch.And it indeed was true, he couldn't understand how she managed to do this to him, but she really did always just always manage to light up his world, and she didn't have to do anything much, just her killer smile was enough, or probably just the sight of her. He knew,he was falling for her, faster than he had imagined,deeper than he had thought, he would, because it was like Zoya was making him explore a world of emotions, he had no idea existed, before, and to top it all,there was this something about her, he could get out of his system, heart or mind, not that he wanted to,he couldn't help anything at all, but just to be stunned by this amazing beautiful woman in front of him ,causing his heart to feel things it had never felt before.They were about to leave soon , and then London was the next stop, he had to tell Khushi first, and then take whatever emotion this was forward wit Zoya,he knew he wanted to take things ahead and he would make it happen.It was right then, a thought came to his mind and he made a mental note to question Zoya about the same, as they reached their building, and he parked in the basement, and then walked out to help Zoya carry the shopping bags.

A few Minutes Later -

Zoya opened her room, and walked in as she placed the shopping bags on the sofa, and Asad followed the same, as he sat across her and she said - " A good day wasn't it Asad? but exhausting..."

Asad smiled - " yeah,like its ever possible to have a bad day with you around....Zoya..."

Zoya sat straight and grinned - " allah miyaan, you gotta tell me how you do this, how do you know just exactly what to say, all the time..."

Asad grinned , as he walked to sit next to her- " well, I can just say, I learn from the best, Zoya, and you are a good teacher...",he finished, tucking a strained of hair behind her ear, making her blush.

She felt his hands rub her cheek gently as she heard him ask - " i hope you aren't getting your headache again...?"

"No, Asad, I am fine..."

" Ok, tell me is it worrying you? us leaving here??"

Zoya held his hand as she smiled - " yes, and no to that Asad, not worried exactly, yes because i will miss you, i know we might not get as much time together as we do now, but no, because I know you, and myself too, i guess we will manage, work it out in the best way we can...right??"

Asad nodded - " right, and and i am happy to hear that,but yes, I will miss you so much too, you know kinda used to having you around all the time..."

Zoya rested her head on his shoulder - " yeah, i know what you mean...."

Asad kissed her side of the neck tenderly and he looked around as he asked teasing her - " Zoya, just btw dont you think, you should have bought another piece of luggage, i mean, you will never get this all fit into the one you have already..."

Zoya - " oh really, you think so, well you dont know Asad themed khan, this is Zoya you are talking about, I can fit it all in, trust me, i have this unique way of packing..."

Asad grinned - " And id like to see you do it...and that reminds me, i have to start packing..."

"You do, already, but theres so much time left, oh wait, how can i forget, you are Khushi's brother, you are going to be all detailed, well before time, like all packed, usually 24 hours before..."

Asad nodded - " well mostly, it is that way,until urgent plans, and lets guess, you are totally the last minute packer..."

Zoya grinned - " Oh yes, I am, you see i have this allregy to a packed suitcase, i cant see it lying there all closed, like once its shut, I need to leave...so i just do mostly everything last minute, zip it all up, and good to go...."

Right then, Zoya remembered as she asked Asad - " did you tell Khushi yet? about us reaching Monday??"

Asad smiled - " Yeah i whtsapped her, a while back, while at lunch, i didn't get the chance to speak to her..."

"Hmmmm, good...."

Right then, they heard a thunder and Zoya asked aloud - " wait a minute, was that a thunder??'

"yeah, i guess it will rain...wait, i will shut the window and the door...", said Asad, walking towards the balcony door.

But before he knew it, Zoya was out at the speed of light as she looked at him excitedly - " Its going to rain, it hasn't since i came here, me and Khushi love rains...."

Asad smiled - " well, i know my sister does,she gets wet in the rains all the time, why is it its not a suprise, that you do too, since I dont..."

Zoya looked at him with her mouth open - " how can you not..." and right then it started to pour, and she quickly pulled Asad by his hand out as she stated - " looks like, you cant escape today..."

Asad saw the excited look on her face, and he didn't want to spoil it, coz it fascinated him, so he just joined her, and stood silently, as he watched her open her arms, twirl around, enjoying getting drenched in the rain.

Just the sight of her, was stirring so many feelings inside him, she was probably looking like the rain goddess herself,so he just stood there admiring her,and right then he noticed her leg slip, amidst her twirls, and he immediately, caught her by the waist , just in time, as she said - " well thank you Mr.Khan, what would I do without you...", and his hands engulfed her by the waist, as he pulled her closer to himself, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, the water poring down on them , as he whispered - " so this obviously isn't your first time drenching yourself in the rains??"

Zoya grinned - " isn't it amazing,obviously not..."

Asdad pulled her closer - " well, since its my first, and well, you know, I havent really enjoyed it as much, as I am now....its only fair if I..."

Zoya waited in anticipation, as his other hand, caressed her back,as she asked - " If I..what...",

and he leaned in towards her, whispering to her lips - " if I this Zoya...", and he sealed her lips, with his.

Zoya had always felt a zillion things , overtime he kissed her , touched her, but right now, with the rain, and their proximity and the way their bodies were engulfed into each other, as he kissed her,she felt a jolt of electricity through every cell of her body, and before she could comprehend, her body was already responding to his touches, as she pulled his collar,with a hand still around his neck, pulling him closer, kissing him back, with as much passion, as she felt for him,and they broke apart a few heated minutes later, as she caught her breath and whispered against his lips - " Asad, I...."

"shhh...", and he started to kiss her again, and again, and she could only feel like she was losing herself, and right then, she realised, he had broken their kiss, and was disappointed by the loss, when she felt him trailing a line of kisses down her neck, and she only leaned back to give him more access,as the pleasure was just clouding her mind,and she felt him bite her ,and then soothing the bite with his tongue, and before she could control, she pulled him by the hair up, and kissed him, wanting to pour in every emotion she felt.

Asad felt her kiss him with so much passion,dominating him,and he didn't know, why he felt totally not in control, in that moment, he had always kept that control on his mind,but right now, he just couldn't think about anything else, other than how much he wanted her, in that moment,and so finally let passion take over, as he shoved her against the door,and started to kiss her everywhere, her neck, and then he tucked on her shirt, opening its buttnons,as he pulled it halfway down her shoulders,she was wearing a back tube top beneath, and the contrast of that black, against her milky white skin, drove him crazy,as he started to trail kisses everywhere, driving them both crazy.Zoya could feel that the passion between them was igniting to new levels, and she didn't really want him to stop, because she was loving every bit of it, right when, she felt a sneeze itch her, and as much as she wanted to stop it, she couldn't, and so she just getured Asad to stop, and he looked at her disppointed,so she said - " sorry, excuse...", and she sneezed, and before she knew it,a chain of sneezes began.

Asad was disappointed at the loss of their moment, but watching her sneeze, was just so amusing, he couldn't help but laugh it out as he said - " come, lets get you inside,and changed,you said, you do this all the time..."

Zoya sneezed as she looked at him horrified - " what, I don't, its only with you...."

Asad teased - " shut up, I mean, getting drenched in the rain..."

Zoya sneezed as she blushed - " oh please, yes I do, but i do get this bout of sneezes ,when i do so , for too long, and we...."

"Have been out here for quite sometime...", he finished, as he got her inside, and shut the door to the balcony, and he said - " now go change, before you catch a cold..."

Zoya nodded - "you too, i dont want you to get ill because of me...."

Asad grinned as he kissed her forehead - " i won't, and thank you, for i never knew, the rain could be so much fun..."

Zoya blushed furiously as she punched him on the shoulder lightly and said - " shut up...", and ran to her room to change, feeling completely embarrassed.

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

London - 8 PM

Khushi adjusted the pleats on her saree, and then she just picked up her lip colour, to finish with the final touch, and then she looked back in her reflection, in the mirror.She was wearing a saree, a red one, Arnav wanted her to wear it to the party tonight, and the minute she had looked at it, had fallen in love with it.It was simple, elegant and exquisite.She couldn't help but smile,Arnav had great taste.And she wondered why would he want her to wear a saree,in the first place, and she made a mental note, to ask him, as she stepped out her room, and it was right then she spotted him walk in her studio, the door of which she now mostly kept open, and she smiled, and didn't know why he just stopped dead in his tracks.

Arnav walked into Khushi's door, all ready, going she was ready, they were already running 30 mins late, thats when he spotted her, walk out her room.And one look at her, was enough to make him his stop in his track, as he could only stare at how gorgeous she looked,his imagination could never do any justice to this mesmerising woman in front of him,she looked exquisite, straight out of his dream, draped both in his favourite garment and colour.His gaze traveled upwards,and he was sure his heart skipped a million beats, as his mind registered her beautiful waist, and how delicately, the saree had been draped around it, showing off just a slight glimpse of her gorgeous stomach, which was enough to drive him crazy, and then he looked upwards and he was glad, about his decision,to ask her to wear this, and finally his gaze fell on her face, and their eyes locked, and he was sure his heart stopped beating, at that sight, of her looking at him nervously,she had some make up on,but he couldn't get his eyes off, her perfect red lips,she looked perfect, intact perfect was an understatement, and once again he looked at her, and their eyes locked.

Khushi knew she looked good, but the way he was looking at her, was as if he was x-raying every bit of her, and that suddenly made her feel very shy, and to break the awkwardness of what her body was feeling, she quickly walked upto him, and stated, straighting his tie - " Arnav, i think we are late....we have a party to attend...you can stare later"

Arnav grinned, as he held her by the waist, and kissed her forehead - " who said, i was, you just happened to be in my way, you know...and what was it you said about a party,do we really have one to attend...", he asked rubbing her arm tenderly.

Khushi blushed - " oh cmon, can we go,and pls tell me why did you ask me to wear a saree for a party at AR??", and she laced her hand into his, and dragged him towards the door, and shut it behind her.

Arnav watched her out of the corner of his eye as they entered the elevator and he admitted - " well, we are celebrating the success of our ethnic line here in London, thats why and secondly its my favourite garment , Khushi..."

"It is??"

"Why are you so shocked??"


Khushi smiled - " well, honestly i didn't think it would be,i thought you'd prefer something more,foreward, i guess??"

Arnav immediately caged her in between his arms in the lift as he whispered in her ears- " who says so, its just what you assumed, well theres something about a saree, which really is my personal favourite, its sexy in its own way,and the way you are looking tonight, Khushi, dressed in my favourite garment and colour, you managed to break every definition of sexy in my dictionary, Khushi, i have no words to tell you, how breathtakingly gorgeous,you look tonight...."

Khushi felt shivers starting to take over, and she was glad the elevator opened right then, and before she knew it, Arnav had held her hand,and was making her walk out , as she heard him - " Stick by my side, tonight..."

Khushi - " are you sure, at AR?? you know, no one knows..."

Arnav - " I dont care anymore, Khushi...come lets go...", and with that they both got into the car, his secretary had sent for them.

...........

Two Hours Later -

Arnav sipped his wine, and he couldn't help but steal a glance at the dance floor, where Khushi was dancing, with some dude, from his office, and he couldn't help, but feel jealous, he didn't like the sight of her in the same frame with anybody else, but this client he was stuck with was really boring him to death, and all he wanted was to drag Khushi away.Things weren't going as planned, as he hadn't got much time to spend with her ever since they had entered, because clients, and executives were hovering around him, which had led Khushi to excuse herself, and now she was mixing up with the team, who had helped her with her dissertation, and he was just stuck.And not just that, he had noticed, every man, glance at her, in the way that made him want to kick them, but he couldn't really do anything, so the frustration was really getting to him.He finally decided to excuse himself, as he made his way to the dance floor, and it was right then he heard Khushi, say - " I guess, i need to..."

"Change your partner, maybe??", he chipped in, and took her hand by suprise, as he led her on the other side of the floor, and said - " looks like someone was having fun, without me...."

Khushi grinned as she said - " looks like someone is jealous...", and right then she felt his hand wrapping itself, around her waist,as his fingers gently caressed her stomach, sending shivers down her spine and she looked at him ,as she managed to find her voice back - " Arnav, you shouldn't,I mean..."

"Mean what??",he challenged, pulling her closer, holding her other hand,with his, as a slow song started to play, and he started to sway, whilst his fingers, continued to caress her stomach.

Khushi shivered under his touch, but she danced with him as she whispered - " mean what id said, people dont know, about us, this will make them suspect, don't you think??"

Arnav admitted honestly - " and like I care, Khushi??"

Khushi - " yeah, but still..."

That made Arnav step back for a second, as he asked, now genuinely hurt - " you dont want to be seen with me, Khushi??"

Khushi looked at him shocked as she tried to explain - " no, arnav, you...", but before she could say anything, he had stomped off the dance floor.

Khushi felt like kicking herself, for ruining a perfect moment, with her stupidity,and right then she spotted him going towards his cabin, and she quickly followed, and entered behind him,and shut the door, silencing the noise from the music as she finally spoke - " Arnav, i am sorry, you misunderstood me, really, thats not what i meant...."

Arnav just sat on his couch, and asked - " then why were you so worried??"

Khushi didn't know how to tell him the truth, that how there was a lot of media at his party , and he was always the spotlight, she couldn't risk being spotted that close to him, and what if the media wrote something, and her brother found out, before she could reveal the truth, and that was what worried her, as she stated, half honestly- " I dont know, i know theres a lot of media around, and you always happen to be their favourite topic, even when in London,so i was maybe just shy, you know, this is all new for me...."

Arnav felt relief wash over him, as he heard her, and how could he be so stupid, to say something like that to her, ofcourse, the media, it scared her, and he just gestured her to come sit next to him, and she did and she held his hand,as she said - " how could you even think, i wouldn't want to be seen with you, Arnav,this means a lot to me, and maybe one day..."

Arnav kissed her hand as he said - " One day, you will stand beside me,for the world, when you are ready, isn't it?"

Khushi - " yes, Arnav, are you alright??"

Arnav nodded - " yeah, just pissed that the evening didn't go as planned, as i have this clients boring me to death, and you are surrounded by these stupid dudes, who just cant stop looking at you...."

Khushi got up from the sofa and stated , teasing him- " whose fault is that? you asked me to wear this, didn't you??"

Arnav nodded, and the look of her teasing him,with that quirky smile on her face,did it, as he got up and walked towards her, and as usual, she stepped back, and before she knew it she hit the door, and he cupped her face, as he admitted honestly - " yeah, but i wanted that for me, not for all these fools to look at....you are mine, Khushi, and i don't like the sight of other men, looking at you, the way they were...."

Khushi looked into his eyes,and she asked -" what did you just say??look i want to talk", why did she feel as if his mentioning, you are mine, had a deeper meaning attached to it, and she knew she should just tell him the truth.

Arnav rubbed her lips with his thumb as he said - " you do know, red is my favourite colour, and on your lips, its driving me crazy, you have no idea, whats taking it for me, to not kiss you..."

Khushi felt his hands go back to her waist, as it started its earlier minsterations on her stomach,and now that they were alone, she felt his hands,nudge a slight bit of her saree aside, as his thumb started to play with her neval, driving her insane , as she heard herself stammer, not sure if the voice was hers - " how am i supposed to talk, if you are going to touch me like that, Arnav..."

Arnav knew he was driving her insane, he could sense it with her heavy breaths,and heaving chest,but he didn't kiss her yet as he asked, still playing with her waist,gently - " what do you want to talk about right now, Khushi? is there anything else on your mind??, and with that his hands, started to caress her bare back midriff.

Khushi felt every logic go out of her mind, as his touches ignited her passion as she said - " well it was about us, but for now, i just wanted you to know,you could kiss me you know, the lip colour wont smudge, atleast, thats what the review says, its supposed to be kiss -proof"

Arnav saw the glint of passion in her eyes, and he was sure it matched his as he teased leaning in towards her, rubbing her lip with his thumb- " talk to me about us later, Khushi, first let me test this...", and with that he bent forward and kissed her, just like he had wanted to the minute he had seen her tonight.

Khushi kissed him back,and she felt her own hands go in his hair, as she pulled him closer, and his lips started to trail her neck, and before she knew it , he had turned her around, towards the wall, and he pushed her hair to one side, and started to kiss her at the back of her neck, which only made her moan his name, and she felt his hands, open the dori of her blouse on top, and the minute she felt his hands, unhook her blouse, and touch her bare back, she felt herself drown, it was like she was his prisoner,a happy one though.She felt his hands go up her bare back, and then slowly he circled her waist, and she looked back a little as she whispered - " Arnav...", and he trailed a line of kisses down, her spine, driving her mad, and before she knew it, he had her around, and her hands in reflex, had clutched to her blouse, which would have otherwise fallen, and she took a deep breath as she felt him kiss her navel, and her stomach, before he came back up, to finally claim her lips, once again.

Khushi clutched onto her blouse, with one hand, as she kissed him with all she had,and as they broke apart for a minute, she just hugged him,as if to tell him, that she was as affected as he was.

Arnav felt her hug him hard, and it clearly told him, how much it affected her, their passion, he wasn't the only one who was crazy about what they shared, this electric passion, that ignited, everytime, they touched,and as much as he didn't want to stop, his mind strongly signalled him to, as it told him too, he had already crossed his limits tonight, and obviously Khushi was deeply affected by his ministrations, that she wasn't really in a frame of mind, not that he was, but he knew, he just should stop, he knew she wouldn't be ready for this yet, she would regret it, and thats the last thing he wanted, and so he hugged her for a minute, and then pushed her backk to the wall, and turned her around slowly, and then he adjusted her blouse, and tied her hook first and then her dori, and kissed her there softly,as he whispered - " Khushi, I'm sorry, I don't want you to regret anything ever between us...."

Khushi felt him set her hair as they were from behind, and she felt so much love for this man in that moment,she realised that now her saree was as perfectly adjusted as before, she quickly turned around and hugged him,and then kissed him on the side of his neck as she whispered - " no wonder, I Lo...", and she stopped before she blurted out the truth, about being in love with him.

But he had heard something, so he immediately asked - " what, what were you just about to say??"

Khushi smiled as she kissed his cheek - " No wonder, I like you so much Arnav....cmon lets get going, i want go home now, if thats ok with you, i want to talk to you, its important, its about us"

Arnav nodded, and smiled and they walked out his cabin and then, he guided her out of the other exit and followed ,still wondering, if she was about to say she loved him.Maybe thats what she wanted to talk to him about?? And he couldn't help but wonder, what would he say to her if she told him that?.He didn't know if this was love, and it was best to be honest with her,he would tell her he liked her a lot, and wanted to see where this was headed, but he didn't know if it was love.That would be the best thing to do,tell her the truth,this was khushi, the girl he genuinely cared about, and wanted to be with.His Khushi, the least he could do was give her honesty.

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

9 pm - Boston

Zoya flipped the magazine's pages, as she watched Asad pack,and she asked - " Asad, so i know we have talked about this before, but I just wanted to know,like for real, why you haven't been in a relationship, before...its not like there weren't girls dying for you...."

Asad kept his shirts in his suitcase and he looked at her confused - " why this question?? now Zoya??"

Zoya smiled- " well, it's just what came to my mind,never mind if you don't wish to answer, its not compulsory, you know..."

Asad smiled as he walked and sat next to her and held her hand - " no it is, compulsory, you know, I am committed to you, i should answer you..."

"But it shouldn't be because you just should Asad..."

Asad - " and it should be because I want to, and I will...", and he saw her sit up, and he put his head in her lap, and took her hand as he said - " like iv told you earlier, I hadn't met anyone like you, thats the main reason Zoya, and secondly, well, from when i was little, i watched my ma and abbu, and i always thought i want a relationship just like that, you know with someone, who will stand with me no matter what, through flowers and storms, no matter what came our way, someone who just stood with me, was there for me, and i never got that feeling with anyone,or for anyone Zoya, except you, I somehow, do feel you will be there for me, always, no matter what came our way, flowers or storms, its a relationship, it may not be all smooth all the time...."

Zoya felt tears well up, in her eyes, as she listened to him, and she bent forward and kissed his forehead - " I promise, i will be with you always, Asad, come what may, even if one day, you ask me to get lost, I won't ok, I promise...."

Asad grinned - " you see thats why i chose you, but for the record, i will never ask you to get lost, and i promise to be with you too, no matter what..."

Zoya looked into his eyes - " are you sure?? Asad?? what if i am a rose full of thorns...."

Asad sat up and cupped her face and admitted - " well, than we shall have to pluck these thorns out, together...whatever may come, we will face it together...."

Zoya smiled and nodded - " together it is....", and he kissed her tenderly, on the side of her lips, as she said smilingly - " ohk, resume your packing and let me read this magazine..."

Asad grinned - " as you command, my lady...."

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

Midnight - London

Khushi walked into her apartment,now definetly sure of her decision.Arnav needed to know the truth asap,she had been feeling all awkward, because of what had transpired in his cabin, both physically and emotionally.She couldn't beleive,she had almost blurted that she loved him, and thats why she had been quiet on their way back in the car, and maybe he had understood, for he had just silently held her hand and then let her rest her head on his shoulder, and thats when it had hit her, that if she really did love him, she had to give him the truth now, before it would hurt him more.And so as hard as it seemed, with a rock on her heart, she decided she would tell him, who she was straight, and then the ball was in his court, to decide their fate.

Arnav followed her into her room, and sat on the couch, and watched a play of various expressions on her face, but before he could comprehend what it is, he heard himself ask - " Khushi, you ok??"

Khushi - " yeah, I am, just that, i need to talk to you, and i don't know...."

Arnav walked to her and rubbed her shoulder - " where to start?? why dont you change first, get comfortable ok, i am right here....ill wait, ok?"

Khushi - " are you sure? this is important, Arnav..."

"Not more important than your comfort, Khushi, relax, I am right here,ok...."

Khushi smiled - " Thanks, give me 15 minutes ok....".

Arnav nodded, and watched her go to her room.

He decided to watch some TV while he waited for her, he could use that distraction, he was nervous, what if Khushi really did tell him, it was love for her, would his answer hurt her?? Would it change the things in between them?? that was the last thing he wanted, he hadn't been happier.He was distracted, and as he was picking the remote from the table, he dropped her bag, which was lying there, and her books fell out. He immediately, started to put them back in, when his eyes fell on her dissertation, and he kept everything back, and took it and sat back on the sofa, he had gone through it a little on the mail, but now that it was in his hand, he decided to look at it in detail, he had time anyway.

He opened it and then flipped the front page, and started reading the contents,but then he came to the acknowledgemts, and he was happy to see, that she had mentioned his company's help. And something right there caught his eye. Her Signature.

It didn't read Khushi Gupta, when it should.

It read - Khushi Ahemed Khan.

He rubbed his eyes, he had to be reading wrong,Khushi was Khushi Gupta.

He quickly flipped back to the front page , to check her name and thats what it read again -

Khushi Ahemed Khan.

Why would Khushi lie about her name to him?? Worry, fear and hurt clouded his mind, as he re read - Ahemed Khan.

He recalled all the times, Khushi said, he'd hate her, if he found out who she was.

" you'd hate me Arnav..."

" I am insecure, for some of my own reasons...."

" My brother wouldn't approve of us seeing each other...."

No there had to be a mistake, he was just hallucinating.

He saw her laptop on the table, and he remembered spotting a family folder on her desktop earlier, so he quickly switched it on, an all the time this sinking feeling was ruling his stomach, it was making him sick, as his mind offered a truth, he didn't want to accept.

He quickly opened the folder, and clicked on the first thumbnail, and the the picture opened, and he came face to face with a picture of Khushi, hugging, Asad Ahemed Khan.

No this couldn't be.

He switched to the next thumbnail,and saw a picture of Khushi and Asad, on either side, with Dilshaad in the middle.

The picture stared in his face, and just like that in that moment, his world came to a standstill.

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

Hate grinned as he set his tie straight - " Aha, finally the time I was waiting for, its my turn , peeps, its my day, my day is finally here...."

Destiny looked at him and frowned - " Sadistic pleasure, you just enjoy it way too much , hate...."

Fate intervened - " yeah right, and its still only ur turn, on one note, not on the other yet...."

Hate laughed - " well it wont be too long until then too....", and he noticed Love was frowning, and he knew why so he asked - " Liked my twist, Love??"

Love looked at him - " why did you do this? I had in control, she was going to tell him, maybe then..."

"maybe then, he wouldn't hate her as much he would now, isn't it Love?? wells you don't get to decide the rules of my game, Love, i do....and you aren't the only one who can surprise...."

Love sat back as she admitted, sadly - " the only suprise, I havent liked in a long time, my friends...."

Destiny - " It will be ok, dont worry much...."

Love - " I don't know Destiny, its really upto him for now"

"Oh yes, it is...", said Hate as he danced out the room

Fate watched him go, and he scowled - " he didn't play fair and square, i can cross him, you know, I can, will you let me, Love??"

"Not yet, when the time is right....", answered Love.

Destiny whispered - "Its always about that isn't it, timing...."

Fate admitted - " oh yes, it always is...."

.........