Chapter Thirty Seven

To say that Anjali hadn't noticed the change would be a total understatement. She had been looking for Khushi and her brother ever since they had disappeared. When she saw Khushi reappear, she was going to call out to her, when Arnav came in behind her. She wondered if the two had gotten into a fight, but then she saw the evident amount of blush surfacing on Khushi's cheeks. Arnav took her hand in his and kissed it, Khushi smiling.

Anjali smiled. Oh thank goodness, they made up! These past few weeks were just filled with misery.

Anjali remembered back to last week, when Arnav had come home after so many years. Once Arnav had started to work at 15 and began to make money, he had moved out of the house and had never gone back in. It had been years since he had come home. It was late and Arhat and Kaushali were at an event, along with Kalavati since she never skipped an event. Anjali was in the kitchen, making a chicken salad sandwich, when she heard the doorbell ring. When she opened the door and saw Arnav she was shocked. Not only because it had been years since he'd come home, but because of his condition.

Since Khushi had left, he stopped caring about a majority of things, including his looks. His beard had grown and his hair was a mess. His eyes were puffy, which made it evident to Anjali that he had been crying. Bringing him inside and having him sit in the living room, she asked what had happened, and she saw something she'd never forget - her Chote, completely broken.

Anjali remembered how after so many years, her little brother had laid down on her lap. She remembered his tears and how he kept repeating that had messed up big time, and how he loved Khushi oh so very much. She wanted to help her brother and wanted to talk to Khushi at the instant, but Arnav had stopped her. He said that he was the one to start this, so he would be the one to fix it.

Now seeing them together, smiling at each other, Anjali felt content. To her, Khushi was a blessing from Aisha, and she was very happy her mother had chosen such a lovely girl.

Meeting her gaze, Arnav smiled at Anjali lightly. Anjali smiled as well, letting him know that she understood that everything was okay between the two, and that she was more than happy.

*~*

The night went on and about thirteen million dollars were raised for the foundation. It eventually came to an end, and everyone prepared to leave.

"It was lovely to see you again," Arhat said to Khushi as they were about to leave.

Khushi smiled.

Arnav started to take Khushi away, giving only a nod to his father. They were about to walk away, when Kalavati came up.

"Hi Arnav," she said. "I hope you had a good night."

Arnav clenched his jaws to control himself.

She looked at Khushi. "I see you've brought her again."

Khushi looked at Kalavati. Why is she saying it like that? What's she got against me?

"Her name is Khushi and of course I brought her - she's my girlfriend and the woman I love."

Kalavati's eyes widened and she looked at Arnav. "The woman you love?"

"Yes," and Arnav started to walk away, taking Khushi with him.

When they got in the car and were buckled in, Khushi just looked at him.

"You hate her," she simply said.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I simply do."

"Arnav-"

"Please don't talk about her," Arnav said, looking at her. "I don't wanna ruin this night because of her. Plus we've just made up and I'd like to take things forward one step at a time."

Khushi sighed and nodded - she respected that.

*~*

The drive back to the city wasn't uncomfortable as it was going to the venue. Throughout the drive, both held each other's hand, not wanting to let the other go. Arriving to Khushi's building, Khushi looked at Arnav.

"You brought me home," she asked.

Arnav nodded.

"Oh..."

She felt somewhat disappointed because she wanted to go back to the CitySpire. Unbuckling herself, she was about to open the door, when Arnav spoke.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Khushi looked back at Arnav. They just looked at each other for a moment, an electric charge in the air, when Khushi finally spoke.

"Would you like to come inside?"

Arnav nodded and Khushi smiled lightly.

Getting out of the car, both headed on up to Khushi's apartment. They could feel the electric charge surround them, trying to push them together. The instant Khushi opened the door to her apartment, all sanity went out the door and both of them attacked each other. Their lips collided, kissing each other hard. Taking her into the apartment, Arnav shut the door with his foot. Khushi reached behind him and locked the door, then let him lead her inside, never breaking their lip-lock. Clothes went flying off until not a single string was on their body. Wanting each other badly, they couldn't wait, got a condom, and let the fun begin.

It should be mentioned that they never made it to Khushi's room.

Nope, they didn't. They had only made as far to the breakfast bar.

Turning Khushi so that her back faced him, Arnav placed her hands on the bar, bending her over slightly. Holding her waist, he pulled her body slightly back so that her ass was right on his cock.

"Ready baby," he whispered.

Khushi bit her lip and nodded.

Within the instant, Arnav entered her, both letting out a loud, guttural moan of satisfaction. Arnav went slowly at first, stretching and feeling every bit of her wet core. Khushi begged him to go faster, but Arnav didn't listen. He had missed this very much and for the first time in many years, he felt like he was home.

"Arnav please," Khushi moaned.

But Arnav didn't listen, taking things nice and slow. Khushi arched her back to meet him, getting a loud, appreciative groan from him. She met him once again and got the same reaction. Hoping this would help her to get what she wanted, she continued to meet him, meeting him at exactly the right time, creating a rhythm. Arnav absolutely loved it and placed kisses on her back.

"Arnav," Khushi whispered. "Make me come, please."

"I will baby," Arnav whispered on her back.

Increasing his speed, Khushi groaned, finally getting what she wanted. She matched his pace, still keeping a steady rhythm. Slowly, it increased, as well as the amount of noise made. Khushi clutched onto the bar tightly as Arnav rammed into her. He placed his hands beside hers, bending over her, and rammed his cock into her as if their lives depended on it. Khushi could no longer manage to meet up with him, bliss taking full control of her.

"Arnav," she cried out.

"Yes baby, that's it, come for me. I wanna feel that tight pussy of yours grip onto my cock."

Khushi's body shuddered to Arnav's dirty words. She loved it when he spoke dirty to her and Arnav knew it very well. It brought another side to Khushi - a vixen.

Arnav swiveled his hip and got a load moan out of Khushi's mouth.

"You like that baby? You like it when I do that to you," he asked.

Khushi bit her lip and groaned. "Make me come Arnav!"

Arnav moved back and Khushi mewled, missing the warmth of his body on hers. He moved one of his hands to her waist and wound her hair in the other. Giving it a tug, Khushi arched her back and groaned.

"Is that a demand, baby," Arnav asked cunningly.

Khushi shook her head. "Please Arnav?"

Arnav smirked. "That's more like it," and he rammed right into her.

Khushi gasped, unable to take it any longer. Words slurred out of her mouth, her screaming out fuck mostly. Arnav tugged on her hair and Khushi would arch her back, getting more dirty words out of her sweet mouth, Arnav loving it all. In just a matter of seconds, both came really loud, Khushi screaming from her orgasm and Arnav groaning.

Arnav held Khushi tightly, his hands wrapped around her waist, as he collapsed to the floor, bringing her down with him. Khushi sat on his lap, cuddling to him, as Arnav held her protectively.

"Khushi?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry."

Khushi looked up at him with her eyebrows scrunched.

"For what I did to you. That night, when you later ran away..." Arnav couldn't bring his words to his mouth.

But Khushi knew what he was talking about. He was talking about the night he forced himself on her.

"I know what I did was wrong and unforgivable, but if there's any way I can make it up to you, please let me," Arnav pleaded.

Khushi caressed his face. "I want to forget that, Arnav. And only you can do that."

"How? But whatever it is, I-I'll do it. Just say whatever it is, and I'll do it," he said desperately.

Khushi looked him in the eyes. "Make love to me."

Arnav scrunched his eyebrows. "What?"

"Make love to me. Do that for me Arnav, so that it can wipe out that moment from my memory."

Arnav looked at her for a moment and then stood up, holding her in his arms. Walking in the darkness, he walked into Khushi's room and set her down on the bed. He moved and hovered right above, and kissed her forehead.

"I love you baby," he whispered.

"And I love you," Khushi smiled, knowing that she'd never get tired of hearing that.

*~*

It was settled that Arnav couldn't spend another moment alone, so he decided that Khushi would be moving back in with him. Khushi, of course, was more than happy and all she wanted was to spend the rest of her life with him.

Before, Khushi still had a majority of her stuff in her apartment. This time, Arnav wanted her to officially move in with him. But Khushi didn't budge because her lease didn't end until the end of the year. Arnav was annoyed, no doubt, and he definitely didn't want Khushi to keep paying while not living here. So he decided that every now and then, they would come to the apartment and stay here. Khushi liked the idea very much and she thought of it as an escape from reality for Arnav, getting a break from work.

Khushi decided to take a few things and Arnav helped. Arnav was helping Khushi load some stuff into a box, taking some items out from her bedside table, when he found a picture of Khushi's family. He picked it up and looked at her family, his attention mostly on the younger version of Khushi, smiling sweetly.

"Khushi," he called out.

Khushi came in with a handful of clothes. Arnav glanced at them and a grin grew on his face.

"Is that the dress?"

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows. "The dress?"

Arnav gestured to her hands with a nod of his head and Khushi looked down at the clothes in her hands. All she had were some tops, and the dress she first wore to his place.

Khushi looked up and grinned. "Yes, it is the dress."

Arnav smiled cockily and Khushi stuck her tongue out at him.

"How mature," Arnav teased.

Khushi grinned, showing off her teeth.

Arnav shook his head and looked back at the picture in his hands. Khushi saw what he was holding, and her smile faded away.

"Here, gimme that," she said, and she took it from Arnav's hands.

 Khushi was about to walk away, when Arnav spoke.

"That's your family, isn't it?"

Khushi looked down. "Yeah."

"Where are they?"

Khushi turned her head slightly so that she could see him from he corner of her eye. "Arnav, please don't ask about them."

Not waiting to hear his reply, Khushi walked away. Arnav found it odd and wondered what was going on between her and her family.

Maybe there's a problem going on between them, he thought. But what? ... well, whatever it is, I'm gonna find out.

Chapter Thirty Six

Khushi stood in front of her dresser, looking at her outfit:

To say she wasn't nervous would be a lie, not to mention a total understatement. She took in deep breaths, calming down her crazy heart. In the middle of her breathing exercise, her phone rang, showing that it was Arnav calling.

"Hello," she said into the phone.

"Are you ready?"

"Mm hmm."

"Okay, I'm downstairs in front of the building."

"Okay, I'll be down soon."

Khushi grabbed her purse, locked up, and headed down. She walked out the door, seeing a black Audi R8 before her. She halted right on her tracks, gaping at the car. The passenger seat-door opened, revealing Arnav in the driver's seat, wearing a dark purple sherwani.

"This is your car," Khushi asked.

Arnav nodded. "You always spoke of the R8, so I got it because of you."

Khushi felt touched, not that she would admit out loud. She headed to the car and sat down, buckling up.

"I thought that taking this car would be better, since it is a drive to the venue," Arnav said.

"Hmm."

Arnav started up the car and headed into traffic, driving to the venue, out on Long Island. It was a long drive, but Khushi loved the speed of the R8. It went really fast, and she loved the gush of wind as they drove on. As they drove, both wondered how the night would go down. Would it go well, or would more emotions come to play?

*~*

Upon arrival to the venue, Khushi saw Anjali first thing. She went running to Khushi, hugging her tightly, chirpy as ever.

"I'm so happy you came," Anjali beamed.

Khushi could only smile. Anjali withdrew and it was evident by the look on Anjali's face that she knew of what had happened between them.

"Hi Chote," Anjali smiled, hugging her brother tightly.

"Hi Di," he smiled lightly.

"Let's get you two to the table," Anjali beamed, pulling back from Arnav. "Oh, and keep your shoes here where its safe - lots of dancing is going on so I suggest you take them off now rather than later.

They did as Anjali said and took their shoes off and placed them to the side where Anjali had her shoes as well. Arnav followed behind Khushi and his sister, as she led them. They could hear the music getting louder and louder, hearing Dholi Taro Dhol Baje playing.

Anjali was taking them towards the main hall, when Khushi's anklet came slipping off. Arnav stopped Khushi and she turned around to see Arnav bent to the floor, picking the anklet up. He looked up at her, his eyes asking if he could put it back on.Taking in a sharp breath, she slightly lifted up her skirt. Taking her foot in his hands, he placed it on his knee, and put the anklet back on.

Once he put it on, Khushi withdrew her foot immediately and walked away. Arnav watched her as she caught up to Anjali. He was determined to get her back - determined to get his love back.

Arnav walked into the main hall and stood to the side. He watched Khushi from there, taking in her beauty as she talked to Anjali. He was so glued to Khushi, he didn't see Anjali turn suddenly to pull Khushi onto the dance floor. They danced to the song, following everyone else doing the same choreography. Arnav couldn't help but to feel tempted, wanting to go in there and dance with her. He was making up his mind and just as the chorus started, Arnav joined the two. Khushi and Anjali was shocked, as well as a third person - Kalavati.

Yes, Kalavati was at the party, along with her mother and stepfather. Everyone was amazed and Arhat knew that this action was caused only because of the affect Khushi had on Arnav. He was happy to see his son infatuated by love. Kalavati however, was not.

Song after song played, and the dancing went on. After a while, the group had taken a break. Anjali and Khushi went over to the bar to get a drink. Arnav watched the two, the urge to talk to Khushi beginning to grow. He headed on over there and Khushi saw him coming. She could tell by the look on his face that he wanted to say something to her.

"Anajli, let's go dance again," she said.

Before Anjali could reply, Khushi took Anjali away back on to the dance floor. Arnav paused as Khushi rushed right past him. He knew at that instant that trying to talk to her wouldn't be easy. And it certainly became the fact when all of his attempts to talk to her had failed.

Dinner was placed and everyone was told to get their food. Arnav took this as an opportunity and went to Khushi. She was about to follow Anjali, but Arnav grabbed her hand and tugged her away, catching her off guard.

"Arnav let me go," Khushi said, trying to free her hand.

But Arnav didn't listen and continued to tug her away. He led her to a somehwat dark hallway and backed her up against the wall, leaning his body against hers. Khushi gasped, shocked by Arnav's actions. With her mouth open from gaping, Arnav took advantage of the situation and kissed her. Khushi's eyes shut, but she didn't kiss him back. She felt overwhelmed and didn't know what to do. She wanted to kiss him because she missed him and loved him, but she was hurt. She didn't want a man who didn't know what was love and what was fake.

Unable to keep her emotions in, she began to cry. Tears escaped, streaming down her cheeks. Arnav broke away, feeling the dampness and gasped, his heart caving in. He wiped her tears away immediately, hushing her, telling her not to cry. Khushi couldn't help herself but to cry, and Arnav whispered sweet nothings, wiping her tears away, telling her not to cry.

"Why are you crying baby," Arnav said softly.

"Because I'm so confused," Khushi whispered. "And I don't know what to do."

Arnav pursed his lips and looked down. Khushi looked down as well, both in an emotional state. Several moments passed, silence around them, when Arnav broke it.

"I love you Khushi."

Khushi looked up to see him looking at her. She looked away. "You're only saying that because you're afraid of me leaving you."

Arnav's jaw slacked. It was somewhat true - he did fear of losing her. "True, I do fear of losing you."

Khushi looked up, to stop her tears from falling.

"Because it's my biggest fear."

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows and looked at him.

"Losing the one I love is my biggest fear, Khushi. I can't lose you because I love you too much."

Arnav cupped her cheek and kissed her softly on her lips. "I love you Khushi. I love you very much. For a while, I was confused myself on what I felt for you. It took a while for me to understand that I had feelings for you. Only it took to long to realize - when you left me - that I love you."

Khushi just looked at him, unable to believe what she was hearing. From her expression, Arnav could tell that she was having trouble believing him. He couldn't blame her - after everything that had happened, Khushi had every right not to believe him.

But desperate to have her believe him, Arnav kissed her again, deeply. He desperately kissed her, hoping that this would somehow help her to believe that he was very much in love with her.

"Please believe me Khushi," Arnav begged. "I love you very much and I want you desperately."

Khushi froze. She couldn't believe that THE Arnav Singh Raizada was begging her to believe him. She knew Arnav was a strong man and he knew of his ways. If a person chose not to believe him, he could care less and would walk away. But yet here he was, begging and pleading her to believe in him.

Holding her against the wall by her waist, Arnav trailed down to her neck and began to nibble on it. "Please come back Khushi," he muttered against her neck. "Ever since you've left me, my world has collapsed. Nothing is the same anymore. Everything has changed and I've never felt so lonely in my life."

Khushi's eyes widened as the tears threatened to fall again.

"Please Khushi, please come back," he begged, nibbling on her earlobe. "I've already been left by someone who I loved very much - please don't let it happen again. I don't want it to happen again."

Khushi gaped and placed her hand in his hair. She tugged on it so that she could see him and saw that Arnav was crying. She felt her heart pit, seeing Arnav in such a state. His loneliness was evident in his eyes, as well as the love that it contained just for her.

"Please come back my love," Arnav whispered, a lone tear escaping.

Khushi felt her throat choking up, the tears threatening to fall.

"Please?"

Arnav looked so fragile, Khushi's heart wanted tear out of her chest and mend to him.

"Yes," Khushi whispered.

Arnav took in a sharp breath. "What," he asked, wondering if he heard correct.

"Yes, I'll come back," Khushi said, a tear escaping.

Arnav couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Really?'

Khushi nodded. "Yes."

Unable to contain his happiness, Arnav picked Khushi up and spun her around, beaming like he had in that old picture Khushi had found in his room. Her heart blossomed, unable to believe that she had brought that smile back. Putting her back down, Arnav kissed her passionately. This time, Khushi did respond, equal in passion.

Arnav pulled back and leaned his forehead against Khushi's. "I love you Khushi."

"I love you too, Arnav."

Arnav sighed. "You have no idea what those words do to me.

Taking Khushi's hand, he placed it over his heart. She felt his heart beat and looked up at him.

"The same happens to me," Khushi said.

With her free hand, she took Arnav's free hand and placed it over her heart. Both felt each other's heart beat at the same pace.

"It's our love that has our hearts beating together," Arnav said. "And nothing will ever stop it from beating together."

Khushi looked up at him. "Promise?"

"I swear-"

Khushi placed her hand over Arnav's mouth. "Don't swear Arnav."

Arnav moved her hand away and smiled. "This is something I can keep, Khushi. I won't ever let it break."

"I know, I believe in you. I just don't like it when people swear."

Arnav smiled softly. "Then I promise. Happy?"

Khushi nodded. "Very."

He kissed her. "Me too. I'm so happy, that I could take you here," he grinned devilishly.

Khushi shook her head. "We can't. There are people here, as well as your family."

"Baby, you should know by now that I don't care," he smirked, and nibbled on her neck, sucking on it as well.

"Arnav please," she said, trying to push him away. "We're at the wrong place at the right time."

Arnav let go and chuckled.

"What," Khushi asked innocently.

"Wrong place at the right time? Oh baby," he chuckled.

Khushi realized what she had said and began to laugh herself. It had been a while since the two of them had laughed. Once they calmed down, they looked at each other.

"I love you Arnav," Khushi said softly.

"I love you, too, Khushi," Arnav smiled.

And he meant his every word.