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.