Mars v/s Venus (ii)

~*~

Chapter 11

Arjun sat on his seat... picking up a magazine... however he barely gave any attention to it.. he was focusing on Sakshi...

She had kept the newspaper in front and had started solving the Sudoku...

To his amazement Sakshi had solved the Sudoku in just 8 minutes...

“Wow...” he said...

“Thanks...” she said... and turned the page to finding words from the puzzle...

“Chalta phirta genius... pata nahi khubsoorat kaisi ho gayi!” Arjun thought...

As he switched on the TV the first thing that was there was the intense kissing scene from Band Baaja Baarat...

Arjun easily relaxed on his chair... enjoying thoroughly what’s going on screen when he notices some movement aside..

Sakshi had covered her eyes with the newspaper... her cheeks had turned into a deep shade of red...

Her fingers were literally shaking... Arjun was literally amused by her behavior... he leaned behind to see her face contorted in disgust...

To tease her he asked.. “Sakshi you don’t like Band Baaja Baarat? Par movie toh kitna achcha tha!”

“Haan... obviously movie was very good... one of my favorites.. par yeh scene...” Sakshi said...

“Oh... woh drunk waala...” Arjun said...

“Nahi... uske baad...” Sakshi corrected...

“Woh gaana - Aadha Ishq, haan gaana badiya hai!” Arjun said... purposefully avoiding the particular scene..

“Nahi... beech main jo hota hai..” Sakshi said when she noticed the seksy little smile on his lips... “Achcha bachchu yeh baat hai!” she thought...

“Beech main kya hota hai?” Arjun asked innocently...

“Wohi... jo tum aur Raina kafi baar practice kar chuke ho!” She answered sarcastically...

“Oh... so back to sarcasm mode! So fine... now see what I do...” Arjun smiled in his mind...

“Arrey Sakshi... see aadha ishq started!” Arjun said and Sakshi opened her eyes to see that the love making scene was in full swing!

“Haww! You!” She gave a beautiful string of expletives to him in his mind... she walked up to the TV and switched it off...

“Hogaya?” she said... “aur agar dekhna hai toh akele dekho main jaa rahi hoon!” she stomped her foot on the ground...

“Arrey beitho... waise I was thinking about reading a book... you know... tumhe kaunsi genre ke book pasand hai?” Arjun asked while sipping wine...

“Umm... Thriller, Suspense, Mystery...  and Classics...” Sakshi said and had a nut...

“Not Romance nor Erotica?” Arjun asked... winking at her...

“ARJUN!” Sakshi glared at him... her big doe shaped eyes turning into big rounds with the mention of... ahem...

“Oh ok... sorry... phirse nothing related to this! Pakka promise...” Arjun said... laughing his heart out...

Sakshi just switched on the TV and started seeing Kal Ho Na Ho... towards the end it was... and as usual tears fell from her eyes as Shah Rukh Khan enacted the death scene...

Arjun was just gaping with her... “Tum films main roti ho?” he asked...

“Haan.. but at only specific ones... Kal Ho Na Ho, A Walk To Remember... phir in Taarein Zameen Par... that maa part... aur aise hi senti parts main... kyun... ajeeb laga kya?” Sakshi asked while looking at the credits roll by...

“Tum toh khud ajeeb ho... romance acha nahi lagta par SRK acha lagta hai! Rone dhone main vishwaas nahi karti par fil main ro parti ho... sudoku khelti ho... intelligent lagti ho... yaar ajeeb ho tum... totally! Sach main main tumhe samaj nahi sakta...” Arjun said...

“Jo cheez samaj main aa jaye woh Sakshi Anand kaha...” she said and looked out of the window.. lost.. with her fingers she tried to point out at the clouds... the words meant more than just a witty comment...

Arjun just looked at her... again she made him think about her...

He was sure about one thing... this India trip would change everything... shifting comfortably in the seat.. he knew that their equations would change...

How right he was...

It was three years since Sakshi and I started dating...

Actually usne khud toh kabhi kuch nahi ki...

Mujhe hi as usual bhaagna pada uske peeche...

Yaha tak uske saamne ek 5 dollar ki shirt aur normal shop ki jeans bhi pehenna pada usse pataane ke liye!

But she taught me the true worth of life..

Aaj jab main khada hoon... finally shadi ho gayi humari... finally main usse kiss karne waala hoon!

Aise kya dekh rahe ho?

Sakshi se shadi hui hai - I had to prove that it wasn't physical intimacy either jis ke liye usse pasand kiya - and that was true!

*God ji stares at Arjun*... ok half true...

Oh God... mere haath kaap rahe hai... sh*t... am going to kiss her... oh hell no!

I slowly approach her and sit next to her..

(3rd point of view)

Arjun walked slowly and sat on the bed... she was sitting on the bed...  a red dupatta on her head... he slowly unveiled her... "Sakshi" he spoke huskily...

"Hmm..." she said and blushed...

"Ab toh shadi bhi ho chuki hai... aise toh ek baar dekho na..." he said softly and kissed her cheeks...

She hugged him in shyness... yes... they had strangely got married... and this was their... wedding night!

And before she knew it... Arjun pulled the dories of her choli... and placed a sweet kiss on her now bare shoulder...

"Arjun..." her sweet voice moans...

"Sakshi.. may I kiss you?" he asks huskily...

"I am all yours now Arjun..." she whispers back..

He carries her in his strong arms and leads her to the bed...

Placing her gently he pecks her forehead... then her cheeks... removing her jewelry slowly... as he tugs on her choli she shies away...

He smiles... and caresses her bare back... "Trust me love..."

He removes the choli away as she pulls the sheet up to her shoulder... he places sweet warm kisses from her neck till her earlobe... she throws her head back in anticipation...

He turns her face towards him... his breath fans on her cheek...

She nods and closes her eyes in anticipation...

He parts her soft petals with his thumbs... his one hand caressing her bare belly... his hand moved up to her chest but she stopped his hand with hers... she closed her hands and hugged him tight... he gently lays her on the bed...

The few candles flickering in the light gave her a beautiful golden glow... he removed his sherwani... he started shivering... out of happiness.. if this is not a... a dream...

Seeing her only in a white sheet... her neck decorated with his marks... yet he had not claimed her lips... hehe... a devil that he is..

As he sat on the bed... pulling her warm body next to his... placing her hand on his bare heart... “Yeh... main isliye khush nahi hoon kyunki main tumhe apna bana raha hoon... it’s just that I am grateful to God that I got a life partner like you...” he smiled and kissed the tears on her cheeks...

He switched off the lights and locked his hands to hers... just as he was going to lock her lips with her she said.. “Bittoo...”

Arjun opened his eyes... “Bittoo! Yeh kaha se hua? Sakshi... who the friggin hell is Bittoo????” he asked angrily...

Then he saw Sakshi standing next to him angrily.. and below him was.. Anushka Sharma?

“Ewww!!!!!!!!!!! (Oye.. Anushka Sharma Eww kaise hui? ;D ) Oye ladki hatto... mujhe mere biwi se suhaagraat mana hai... tujhse nahi!!!” Arjun glared and pulled Sakshi towards him...

Sakshi started hitting him on his chest “Arjun... chodo mujhe...”

He tightened his grip around her waist... “Arjun chodo...”

Suddenly he felt everything clearing out...

But Sakshi was still in his arms... he smiled lazily to get a pinch on his abs...

“AAh!!!” He screamed...

Taking Arjun’s head in her hands she shook his head... “Arjun!!! Earth to Arjun!! Get up... we are almost reaching Delhi!!!! Get up Get up Get up!!!!” Sakshi pouted and shook him awake...

As he got up he found himself in his plane... Sakshi settling her messed up pink shirt and blue pants... she was heavily embarrassed... What... no... this couldn’t be a dream!

“F***... no this couldn’t be a dream!” Arjun swore looking at - ahem his so called Angel (ahem... that is me!)

“Shoot  yaar.. life main pehli baar itna acha sapna mila! Poora bigaad diya tune!” he growled at his Angel (ok... sorry Bro... par uttho... sach main kuch karo usse pataane main!)

“Aisa kya tha sapna main?” Sakshi asked.. loving the way he pouted after his broken dream...

The plane landed...

As they were moving out.. “Tum thi..” he said...

“hehe... ya right... aur kar kya rahe the hum?” she asked in time pass...

He gently caught her hand and went down the steps...

“Suhaagraat...” he blurted out..

“WHAT!!!!” Sakshi said shocked and slipped from the stairs to find her safely residing in Arjun’s arms...

“Girne nahi doonga...” he said.. whispering as their lips were close and their noses touched...

“Oye.. 90’s ki Hero mat bano aur mujhe jaane do!” Sakshi growled...

“Okay” he said and Sakshi landed straight on her bum...

“Aaah!!!” she rubbed her back...

“Help...” he said...

“Shut up!” She shot back and got on her feet...

“Yeh matt bhoolo that I am your boss...” Arjun grinned...

“Oh Okay SIR” Sakshi smiled and sat in the car...

“Sir.. aap beeche baithiye aur main saamne...” when she noticed the driver looking at her in a weird manner...

“Haan bolo MISS. ANAND...” he said

“Main peeche beith te hoon...” she said...

He grinned... he passed a 100 pound note to the driver...

As they sat next to each other a partition came dividing the guests and the driver...

“Iski kya zaroorat...” Sakshi thought...

“Soundproof hai...” Arjun told..

“SO?” Sakshi said and switched on her laptop...

“Rasta lamba hai!” Arjun said naughtily...

“Sir... yeh hai project 2nd ka ppt... aap please check kar lijiye...” Sakshi said...

“Acha.. toh back to Sir giri?” he said..

“Good thing... aapne hi remind kiya!” Sakshi said... and looked at the other side...

Arjun hid his smile and looked at the ppt... it was very good...

And somehow his mind wafted back to the dream... an effect of Band Baaja Baarat and romance and erotica... and obviously wine!

“Agar aise dreams aate rahe toh..” he laughed in his mind...

He sighed and looked at the slides... charity... this was one of his dreams when he took his position in the company...

Soft tears formed in her ears as she recalled her childhood in Delhi...

Arjun frowned... her tears never revealed their reasons to him...

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Chapter 12

“Sakshi...” Arjun started...

“Hmm...” Sakshi said...

“Aise kya dekh rahi ho...” Arjun asked...

“Kuch nahi...” Sakshi said and then picked up her phone...

“Haan... Lizzie... main bol rahi hoon... haan pohoch gayi hoon... nahi maine check kiya... woh udhar hi bach gaya... par uski haalat bohot kharaab hai... dono sharaab ke nashe se hi marr gaye (Arjun frowned... what were they talking about?) ... ab gari main hoon... Arj.. Sir  (grr... waapis back to Sir!) ke saath... ya we will be staying in Taj Palace Delhi... uffo... Lizu... tu bhi na... nahi aisa kuch nahi hone waala.. (Arjun’s mind... kya?) Lizu shut up... agreed with him coming... rooms alag... (“Oh Wow... Nice Idea Lizu..” Arjun thought) okay fine not cutting the phone... I know you are kidding!.. Bye take care... dada ko ek tight waala hugs... haan time pe breakfast lunch aur dinner kar loongi... pakka.. love you both... bye dear...” Sakshi cut the call to see Arjun looking at her...

“Kya?” She snapped...

“Kuch nahi... hotel aa chuka hai..” Arjun said...

“Sir... hotel nahi aata... hum aate hai hotel pe..” Sakshi corrected as she walked into the lobby...

“Yeh ladki ko mujhse forever dushmani hai kyun... weird! Aur buri baat hai ki uss sapne ke baad mere sirf ulte khayal aa rahe hai!” Arjun thought worriedly..

As Arjun and Sakshi entered the presidential suite of Arjun... a soft “wow..” passed from her mouth... well the room was worth it!

“How is it?” Arjun grinned...

“Sir... I must say you do have a beautiful suite... yeh toh apne aap ek ghar hai! Amazing... if I had a choice na... I would treat dada and Lizzie here... ya but first get them married!” Sakshi joked...

“Tumhe yeh apne aap ke liye nahi chahiye?” Arjun asked amazed...

“All I need is a comfortable bed, a clean bathroom and a companion...” Sakshi said and sat on the chair...

“And before you get any dirty thoughts - that companion is my book!” Sakshi smiled...

Arjun smiled as well... he sat on the bed... and flung himself flat.. “Uff... nothing like this soft bed!” he said...

Sakshi laughed looking at the way he was on the bed... “Sir bura mat maano but you look like a bewda fallen on the street!”

Arjun raised an eyebrow... “Ya right... you touch this bed... itna soft hai.. there is nothing that can beat this softness!”

“Acha!” Sakshi said and sat on the bed.. “Haan... it is very soft and nice... but you know the best thing is about the fragrance over here... lifts the spirits na...”

“Hmm...” Arjun answered...

“And did you see the exquisite design? The softness of the blanket...” Sakshi said excitedly...

“Hmm...” Arjun answered...

“Arrey main kabse baat kar rahi hoon but tum ho ki hmm hmm jawaab diye jaa rahe ho... you are so boring!” Sakshi pouted and was about to leave when he gripped her wrist.... and pulled her back... due to which she fell on the bed..

“Tum duniya ki pehli ladki ho who finds me boring...” Arjun looked at her.. surprised..

“Haan kyunki tum baat hi nahi karte...” Sakshi pouted...

“You know you pout really well... and Miss.Anand... the way I entertain women... woh toh chahke bhi baat nahi kar sakte..”he winked at her...

“Haww!!! Hatto... aur mujhe mere room ka key do!” Sakshi ordered...

“But there is only this room booked for us!” Arjun answered...

“WHAAT!!!” Sakshi asked shocked...

“Hum ek room main kya karenge!” Sakshi thought aloud...

“Bohot kuch...” he answered huskily near her ear..

“SHUT UP!” Sakshi answered in a huff and got up... her face was red and she was fuming...

Seeing Arjun laugh like anything she got an idea...

She combed her hair through her hands and approached him...

Arjun cocked his eyebrow to see her... wow...

She slowly crawled on the bed... “OMG... finally!!!” Arjun thought as she approached towards him...

She gently slid her hand around him.. “Sakshi... are you fine...” Arjun asked worried...

“Kyun... darr lag raha hai kya...” she said huskily...

Arjun grinned and pinned her below him on the bed... “Dar.. I am afraid baby we won’t be out of this room for a long time now...” he said wickedly when he found Sakshi’s hand reaching his jeans!

“Sakshi... tum theek ho na...” he asked concerned... he caught her hand and asked her again... “You know na ab kya hone waala hai.. you do know what is this about... are you fine? I mean... I will be slow and gentle... don’t worry..but... tum tayyar ho iske liye?” Arjun asked her gently while caressing her head...

“Don’t worry... I know what I am doing...” she gave him a tiny smile and her hands went back to his jeans...

It was hurting Arjun... she is a good girl.. he didn’t expect this side of hers... even though he loved it... something was wrong... suppose he can’t give her the commitment she deserves then?

But when her hands hugged him he gave a devil grin... he didn’t care about anything but the soft lady right now!

Just as he bent down to kiss her he found himself kicked off and Sakshi standing on the other side of the bed laughing her heart out...

“Kyun... kaisa laga apna dose of medicine?” Sakshi held her knees and continued to laugh...

“WT* Happened!” Arjun asked shocked...

“Hehe... tumhare pocket main I saw mera room ka card... socha ki tumko apna medicine ka dose de doon!” Sakshi giggled...

Arjun started laughing as well... “Sh*t man... Sakshi... I mean seriously! Tumhe bhi yeh mazaak karna aata hai? You Venus!” he laughed...

“Mujhe kya kya aata hai tum kya jaano... jokes apart... here.. my card... aur tum bohot bure liar ho... you just kept my card in your pocket aur diya bhi nahi!” Sakshi laughed...

“FIne... am going now... next kab meet karoon?” Sakshi asked...

“Dinner ke baad...” Arjun suggested with a devilish smile...

“Haan... tumhare khwaab main!” Sakshi chuckled and left...

Arjun ran his hand through his hair... oh wow... he got fooled in one stroke!

He got up from the bed and took a quick shower... drying himself up he just wore his boxers snuggled into the cozy bed...

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Angel slapped her head... “Arrey God ji... aap kya kar rahe hai... ek Venus banke ghoom rahi hai... dusra toh Mars ki tarha ban raha hai... in dono ko kab milwaoge? Mere palace main jitne saare devta hai yeh toh mere sarr kha rahe hai... in dono ka kuch nahi ho sakta... poora life ek doosre ko bas taunt karte phirenge! Yeh kiska jodi mila mujhe!”

“Pari... aap chintit mat ho... bas wait and watch... dono ke dil ka kya dhak dhak hota hai!” God ji answered...

“Aur in dono ka milan ka kya?” Cupid grumbled....

“Nahi... ab sirf dhak dhak... milan ke liye dono ko ek dusre ke baare main jaan na padega.. samajna padega... ek dusre ke zindagi se waqif hona padega...” Angel answered...

“Uchch vichaar! Par ab ke liye yeh khel enjoy karo...” God ji grinned....

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Sakshi was sweating... she got up and drank the bottle of water... she didn’t know what to do....

Idea! Let’s go to the terrace garden... no no.... itni raat ko..

Her heartbeat was pounding and she walked around her room to calm herself down... Oh God... since when did she start seeing these dreams!

She had seen that cold sweat had broken out on her forehead... she washed her face with cold water and calmed herself down... when she recalled that she had Arjun’s phone with her!

It flashed “Dad”...

“Oh Shoot... I must give this to Arjun...” she walked out of her room... wearing a shrug over her grey camisole and black trousers...

Arjun put his pillow on his head as the bell rang... even he struggled to sleep thanks to his dreams... he got up and saw the door.. “Sakshi!”

He immediately went back and put on some pants and a vest... “I must start wearing clothes if she comes like this!” he muttered...

He opened the door but his hi’s and her words dissipated into air as he saw her wearing a beautiful grey camisole with the (damn) shrug and (damn) long (it should have been short) pants...

Sakshi shook Arjun out of his “ogling at Sakshi” state and handed him his phone... when she literally noticed his eyes stuck with hers... he looked way too handsome as his hair was disheveled... his perfect body visible through his black (damn) vest and pants...

Sakshi flustered and looked down... when the call snapped them..

“Haan Dad.. ya everything is fine...” Arjun signaled Sakshi to come in...

Sakshi entered tentatively and looked at the room... the lights were off but the moonlight was more than enough... he stood near the window... his silhouette giving a beautiful image of him...

She tapped her hands and was surprised to like his nature towards striking deals for only charity... and also about the fact that he was ethical in his business...

After the call got over she said “Arrjjun.. I’ll.. leave...” she stammered...

“Sakshi...” he called huskily which sent a shiver up her spine...

“Haa Arjun...” she whispered back...

He traced his fingers up her arm... “ I like the way you call me as Arjun...” he whispered near her earlobe...

She clutched his hand which moved near her belly... “Jun...” she whispered...

He slowly kissed her neck... “ I love it when you call me Jun...” he kissed her neck once more and bit her neck... she gasped in ecstasy and clutched his hand.. “I..sh..sho...should leave...” she said hastily and was about to leave but Arjun tugged on her shrug...

Sakshi stood frozen as she felt the shrug slip off... Arjun groaned in seeing her pretty figure... he took two steps ahead and bundled her in his arms... “Sakshi... my Sakshi...” he said softly and kissed her forehead... “I have loved you ever since the day you insulted me on my face...” he murmured... licking the bite...

Sakshi closed her eyes and melted into his arms... “But why Jun...” she whispered..

He turned her to face him... his one hand slipped below the camisole... fiddling with the strap of her inner wear... she pushed his hand away gently... “The day you said that what did I earn on my own... after that... I started working hard to just prove it to you.. I have done everything to just prove it to you...”

And then he cupped her cheeks and kissed her hard....

Sakshi fell off the bed sweating... she got up and drank the bottle of water... she didn’t know what to do....

Idea! Let’s go to the terrace garden... no no.... itni raat ko..

Her heartbeat was pounding and she walked around her room to calm herself down... Oh God... since when did she start seeing these dreams!

She saw herself drenched in sweat in spite of the AC on a blast...

Oh God.. this was a dream...

She held her head and switched on the lights... she looked into the mirror and started crying... holding her pillow next to her chest... she cried for sometime...

Angel became worried... she thought this illusion might help her develop feelings.. but rather..

“What happened Sakshi?” a voice whispered...

“I have never had such disgusting thoughts ever... main itne neeche kaise gir sakti hoon... this is terrible!” Sakshi cried out...

“Mujh main aur kisi sadak chap ladki pe koi farak nahi... I have never objectified a person like this...” Sakshi said while rubbing her tears....

“Dekho Sakshi... it’s just that... remember you saw Band Baaja Baarat... phir tumhare aur Arjun ke beech toh humesha ek chemistry hai na... agreed...” Angel whispered...

“Haan... but he is going to be engaged aur aise khayalaat achche nahi hai...” Sakshi sobbed...

“Oh.. toh baat yeh hai that he is going to get engaged... tu bhi na kaisi baatein leke dimaag main ghoom rahi hai!” Angel knocked her head...

“And am afraid... Arjun is a guy that I want to see beyond his looks... and that is what I see in him... a tinge of hope is there... but am afraid... for him I must be another throw piece right..” Sakshi crumpled the pillow...

“If that was the case Sakshi then by now you would have been in his bed... not in yours...” Angel said quietly...

Sakshi became silent...

After sometime she realized that she was behaving stupid...

It was already dawn so she got up.. sent a message to Liza... brushed and left for jogging...

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Arjun stepped out from a cold shower... he felt weird... awkward... last night he had a beautiful dream...

As he dried his hair and wore his tracksuit he remembered the few remnants of his dream... tangled limbs... thrown clothes... moans... and yes... again... Sakshi...

He hit his head in frustration... Sakshi isn’t a girl to be fantasized about...

“What is she for then?” Cupid whispered in his ears...

“She is a simple girl.. who deserves to be loved... not lusted for...” Arjun offered his explanation...

“So what is bothering you...” Cupid asked...

“Nothing man... am afraid she might think I only like her figure... which I do... but then it’s not that... Raina is a supermodel... but in her values she is nowhere like Sakshi... Sakshi is a person with whom I would like to make a family with...” Arjun smiled and put on his jogging shoes...

“Yeah.. you would so enjoy the process...” CUpid sneered...

“No.. family isn’t about that... it’s every beautiful thing... that i didn’t get to see in my childhood... but she deserves a better guy... not a casanova like me... well at least I am better than what my father was...” Arjun gritted his teeth in the painful memory...

“So you mean Sakshi will be an excellent wife...” Cupid prodded...

“Ya... an excellent mother as well... she has every quality of a true women... her own personality.. her own image... I should stop playing with her... she should find a good partner and settle with him... and that guy is definitely not me..” Arjun sighed....

He walked out of the room and started jogging to come face to face with Sakshi...

The minute they saw each other flashes of dream came in front... as well as their regret for having lusted each other...

“Umm... breakfast?” Arjun asked hesitantly...

“Sure...” Sakshi gave a small smile and went towards the counter...

Angel and Cupid were hell confused... “Sir ji... humne toh pyaar ke sapne diye par yeh guilt aur awkwardness leke ghoom kyun rahe hai?” they asked to a smiling God...

“Bachcho... it just shows how clear their heart is.. and they have successfully passed the test of lust...” God smiled...

“Oh... matlab aap purposefully.. toh ab kya aa raha hai?” Angel asked...

“Fatal attraction and a tug of love... aur phir... silent love... ab yeh sabse haseen mauka hoga in dono ka..” God ji smiled...

Arjun was taking smoked salmon on his plate that he found Sakshi on the other side... “Kya hua?” he asked...

“Woh.. kuch nahi...” Sakshi smiled and took some delicious wada, idli, chutney and sambar...

Arjun smiled and kept the salmon away...

As they both sat down to have breakfast Arjun said... “Vegetarian ho pehle kyun nahi batayi?”

“AIse hi... wait... why did you keep the salmon away?” Sakshi asked...

“I thought of having a veg breakfast!” Arjun smiled...

Sakshi smiled back.. “Even though I am North Indian na... I love South Indian food... actually I love food totally!”

“Dikh ke to pata nahi chalta!” Arjun laughed...

“Jitna cycling karti hoon na... iss ke wajeh se toh do teen aloo paratha khaana hi padta hai...” Sakshi giggled and ate her food... and the sambar played beautiful tricks on her... sometimes it trickled down her lips... and she would lick it...

Arjun smiled again looking at her play with Sambar! He passed a tissue and asked her to wipe her mouth...

“Waise... aaj ka schedule?” he asked...

“Voh we will be going to a village... it’s around 170 km... driver ka kuch strike hai but it’s fine... main chala loongi cause tumse hoga nahi...” Sakshi said happily...

“Wait what do you mean by that.. obviously main chala sakta hoon...” Arjun said...

“Nahi...” Sakshi said..

“Haan... chalo... we are leaving in half an hour or so... and I AM driving!” Arjun said defiantly...

“Yehi main sochun achanak se polite kaise ban gaya!” Sakshi thought and went to her room having a quick shower and packing some small things in her bag...

“Hu... that’s why I was confused ki bina challenge kiye yeh ladki kaise baat kar sakti hai!” Arjun thought and attacked into his food!

God ji looked at the furios Angel and Cupid staring at him “Well... hehe... some things I can’t help!”

--------------------------------

“Nahi Sir... GPS ghalat bol raha hai.. pichle 5 hours se it was right but trust me it goes towards the left...” Sakshi told Arjun for the 100th time...

“See Miss.Anand... I am right okay... bachpan se leke aaj tak I have been right... aur ye GPS is also right... yeh baat samjhi ya samjhaaun?” Arjun snapped at her...

Sakshi muttered a “what the hell” and played the radio... and over that rain as well!

Tip tip barsa paani...

Paani main aag lage...

Aag lagi dil main toh...

Sakshi switched the channel..

Aaj rapat jaaye toh humain na uthayyo...

She grumbled and put the other channel....

Kabhi jo badal barse...

O dekhun tujhe aahe bharke...

Tu pehli baarish...

Sakshi put another channel...

Roop tera mastana...

Pyaar mera deewana...

Bhool koi humse na hojaaye...

They both looked at each other... the flashes of them in their dreams with the sheets remaining and the hands interlocked...

Arjun just shut the radio... “GPS pe dhyaan do... yeh Radios have gone to drain I swear!” he thought and thus missed a lane all together...

“Arrey... you missed a lane!” Sakshi said...

“No I didn’t... oh F***....” Arjun swore...

“Ab kya... baarish bhi ho chuka hai... aur saamne village bhi hai...” Sakshi reasoned...

“Petrol khatam..” Arjun said...

“Arrey rab de sau tu kaha se aaya! Khasmanu khaniya!” Sakshi muttered...

Both of them got out of the car...

This was a pure village... and there were no attendants to welcome them either! And when they went back to the GPS they found it to be hanged... it was stuck and not working!

Sakshi gaped at the scenario... "Arjun!! Maine kaha tha na... I told you na... you fool... idiot!" she punched him on his chest...

"Sakshi!" he growled her and pulled her against his chest...

She looked into his eyes... then snapped off..

"Sh*t... internet is not working!!!!" Arjun cursed...

"Hehe... hehe ... hahah!!!! Hum gaon main hai Arjun... so welcome!" Sakshi said sarcastically...

"Matlab... We are lost!" Arjun's eyes popped out on the realization

------------------------------------------------

Sameer chocked on his coffee “ Are you serious... woh dono aise mile the!”

Ash said... “Yes Sir...” coldly...

Sameer swirled with his coffee... “Ok fine... Fattu.. sorry man...”

“Hmm..” Ayesha said...

“See hum dost ban sakte hai... but during business... you know utna theek tum nahi kar sakte ho...” Sameer reasoned...

“Oh Really... toh Mr. Rathore... main yeh bata doon... ki aapki yeh perfect business world hilne waali hai... bohot hi jald!” Ayesha said and walked off...

“Uff... yeh ladki ko itna self respect kyun hai!” Sameer thought and walked off as well...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 13

“Kanhaiya ke aval bhakt.. Swami Arjunanand... kripa karke kehne ka kasht karenge iss samasya se nikalne ka koi bhi upai hai?” Sakshi gave Arjun a sarcastic smile...

“Kiska kya... English please... ya phir understandable Hindi!” Arjun said and walked towards the other side...

“Ya right.. get a way out of here... and btw... jaa kaha rahe ho.. ghoomo Arjun... na phone main network hai nahi internet na koi gaadi aur jo hai ussme petrol nahi... kya keh rahe the... main humesha right hota hoon... samjhe ya samjhaaun!” Sakshi mimicked Arjun...

“Whatever! Waise darr toh ab tumhe lage ga... kyunki main aur tum akele ho..” Arjun winked at her...

“Oh please... main Raina hoti toh zaroor by now toot parte... par main Sakshi Anand hoon.. ek hai toh tumhari type nahi hoon aur do... haddiyan tod doongi... tum jaante nahi main kitna braave.. mummaa!!!” Sakshi ran and hugged Arjun tightly...

For then next five minutes they were in each other’s arms... (though Arjun ka koi zaroorat nahi tha jhappi maarne ke liye!)

“Sakshi... saara din aise rehna chahte ho... toh I don’t mind...” Arjun said softly...

“Woh.. Arjun.. waha saap...” she said...

“WT**&%£” Arjun said... “Dude.. I have only seen snakes in the zoo... you know woh reptile area... cool.. ek minute... lemme see...” he went ahead and peeked at the cobra...

“Paas mat jao das dega..” Sakshi warned..

“Aww... tumhe toh kitna chinta hai mere baare main...” Arjun taunted and didn’t notice the snake coming up to him...

Sakshi immediately jerked Arjun back... (and Cupid kicked Arjun further hence both fell on the hay ground...)

Arjun’s forehead was with hers... his hands around her waist...

Sakshi had one hand on his chest and the other on his back...

Dhak...

Dhak...

Dhak...

HIs breath slowly touched her lips... she looked into his intense eyes... there was something but she couldn’t spot what...

His gaze averted to her lips for a fraction of second - yeah.. his strawberry mousse... soft, plump and perfect...

(“Dekha... ab hi kiss ho jayega!” Cupid smiled...

“Shut up.. dono ko samajne toh de pyaar ka hai... tujhe toh sirf world cup match dekhna hai na...!” Angel retorted..

Cupid gave an impossible look to Angel and looked at the couple on the floor... then he turned to Angel and winked at her...

Angel slapped her forehead... “Just see kya hota hai...” she muttered...

Looking at Angel... “Dekh hi to raha hoon!” Cupid smiled...

“CUPID” God ordered from above and Cupid fell from his seat... “O Saab ji!” he said...

“What’s this Nepali accent?” Angel asked irritated..

“Modern Cupid bab... Angel...” Cupid said...)

Sakshi looked aside and gently pushed Arjun away...

Dusting her skirt she removed her jacket and tied it around her hips...

“Chalo... ek kuch dhoond te hai... kuch toh jayega na...” Sakshi said...

“Kamaal hai... mujhe daanta bhi nahi!” Arjun thought..

“Arjun...” she smiled and jumped around...

“Paagal ho gayi.. sadma laga hai..” Arjun thought... “Kya Sakshi?” he asked...

“Can you believe how exciting this is... we are lost in India... isse behtar experience ho bhi nahi sakta!” She laughed and ran around...

“Bechari.. paagal total ho chuki hai... we are lost.. no ac.. no internet... no luxury... aur extra kapde bhi nahi... and this weather... hmm thank God it’s pleasant!” Arjun thought...

“You know ne ek baar jab main choti thi na...” Sakshi started...

“Hum sab ek baar hi chote hote hai Sakshi!” Arjun said irritatedly...

“Fine! Baat nahi karti tumse... Khadoos Sir!” She told on his face...

“Whatever... saamne yeh village type ghar hai... am sure kuch milega...” Arjun said and walked away...

“Jao... aadhe ghante main yaha waapas aa javoge...” Sakshi challenged...

“No way!” Arjun said and walked off...

Half an hour later...

Sakshi spots a tired Arjun on her way...

“Haan bolo janab... kya bolna hai...” Sakshi said...

“Shut up... paani milega?” Arjun asked and flopped next to her...

“Haan... lo” she passed him the water bottle...

After gulping the contents of the bottle he noticed a red packet sticking out from the bag.... Chips!

But thanks to his ego he would keep his mouth shut...

After a few minutes he saw the chips in his hands...

“Sir... aapka pet bol raha hai ki bhook lagi hai... khaalo..” Sakshi muttered.. they both were sitting on the rock and had no way...

“Nahi chahiye...” Arjun said... to only give slight glances to the packet...

Sakshi shrugged her shoulders and slowly opened the packet and put a delicious triangle sized chips into her mouth... she closed her eyes... “Yummm...” she said as the delicious and crispy chips went into her mouth...

After a few minutes she looked at Arjun who was gaping at the chips... she could swear the packet of chips felt like an abla naari...

“Terrorist ki tarha mat dekho... mujhe bhook nahi hai... have this...” she passed on the chips packet to see that it was over in 30 seconds... and licking his fingers!

She smiled and few drops started falling... “Baarish!” she screamed and ran on the dirt road..

Arjun smiled at her childlike behavior... but something snapped in him... “Sakshi... tumhe itna khush maine apne zindagi main nahi dekha... baat kya hai?” he stood and tried to put his blazer over the head... avoiding the rain drops...

“Bachpan main Chacha, Dada aur main... hum teen humesha aise ghoomte the... Chacha ne aaj tak kuch bhi khatam na hone diya... par bara hone ke baad... el bar jo chod ke aayi Chacha ko na.. ab tak baat hi nahi ho payi unse...” She sighed... it poured heavier...

Suddenly she felt two warm fingers wiping away the droplets on her cheeks...

She felt startled and backed out a little... he walked closer to her... drenched wet... his white shirt had turned translucent... giving a good view on his abs... torso... chest...

(“Haye... hot hai kitna na!” Angel said dreamily while looking at the wet Arjun...

“Shut up... woh Sakshi ka hai.. bada hot Arjun! Heh! By the way dono bahar kyun bhig rahe hai? Car ko kya hua?” Cupid asked...

“Ooh... someone’s jealous eh! Beta... they had walked for kilometers and then settled on the rock...” Angel said..

“Ah... wait.. am not jealous.. par woh dono pyaar main kyun nahi gid rahe hai!” Cupid said upset...

“Cupid... ruko... they will... jald...” Angel gave her wide smile...)

Sakshi felt conscious and walked back... till she felt his hands cup her cheek... he slowly rubbed her cheeks... “Mat ro Sakshi...” he said softly...

“What... baarish main kaise pata...” her voice trailed off...

“Aasoon aur pani main fark samaj sakta hoon...” Arjun said... Sakshi rested on the bark of tree.. thinking what his words actually meant...

“AUr waise bhi rote hue aur bhi ghatiya dikhti ho... so yeah...” he said to earn a slap from Sakshi...

When a truck was coming through...  “TRUCK!! Oh Bhai..” Sakshi yelled on top of the voice and ran behind the truck...

“Sheesh! I can never do that... it’s middle class!” Arjun shrugged and walked with perfect posture towards the stopped truck...

“Kake... paas wala gaon kaun sa hai?” She asked...

“Bitiya Kotuwa gaon hi udhar... kahi jaana hai?” the old uncle asked...

“Jab apni beti bula hi diya hai toh manne ek madat karo... menu aur i... kaha gaya.. *dragging Arjun* eh chora ko gaun main chod sakte ho? Bitya ka baat na talo kake...” Sakshi said super sweetly...

“What the hell... I ain’t going in a truck...” Arjun argued...

“I am not asking you...” Sakshi whispered back...

“Haan Bitya beith jao iha peeche beith jao... chod dete hai tum dono ko!” The old man smiled...

“First of all what accent is this... and second.. peeche... kaha?” Arjun asked... thoroughly irritated and confused by this certain Sakshi Anand’s behavior!

“Haryanvi accent hai... aur peeche... he he ao... Limousine ka toh seher  kar chuke ho... ab India ka heavy duty cheaper aur special version ka Limousine dekho... roof top open!” Sakshi dragged Arjun to the back of the truck...

“Sakshi... main iss truck main nahi beith raha hoon!” Arjun said...

“Ya right... phir mere god main baithoge kya?” Sakshi asked sarcastically...

“Hmm.. not a bad idea!” Arjun said...

“Shut Up Sir... aur mujhe chadne main help kijiye...” Sakshi snapped at him...

“Sir bhi kehti ho... Shut up bhi... kyun help karoon?” Arjun said...

“FIne!” Sakshi said and placed her hands wearily on the side... stepping on the ledge she pushed herself into the truck and was surprised to find two warm hands supporting her back...

“Thanks...” she muttered and came in... extending her hand “Aao...” she said...

“Main akela chad sakta hoon..” Arjun showed off and came inside the truck... standing with pride and victory...

She thumped on the truck twice for the driver to know that they are on board....

“Arjun...” he looked back immediately to see her address him as Arjun.. “Sir...” he grimaced..

“Beith jao...” Sakshi said...

“Please... main haystack main nahi beith ne waala... and it’s cool to stand like this in the truuAAAA!” Arjun screamed as the driver started the truck and he fell straight on the ground... his face in the haystack...

Sakshi burst into peals of laughter.... she kicked her heels away and clapped in laughter... “Kya baat sir... beithna nahi chahte par let sakte ho hay pe!” she laughed out...

Simple physics - the Second law of Motion - Inertia... and he was stupid to not understand that fact...

He spat out the tiny bit of hay in his mouth and crawled like a kid against Sakshi... she shifted on the other side... the rain had stopped... there was just the grey clouds...

Sakshi couldn’t stop giggling looking at the mess he made of himself!

Arjun just pouted and looked at the other side when Sakshi noticed something... she shifted near Arjun...

Arjun looked at her suspiciously.. the previous time she came close she wanted the key... ab kya legi?

She brought her bag along and opened the zip to show a small box...

“Antiseptic cotton... yeh bhi carry karti ho kya?” Arjun laughed...

“Haan... ab hasna band... you got a cut near your cheekbone... I will just wipe it with antiseptic...” Sakshi said and Arjun nodded...

As she gave the first swipe he hissed in pain and she gently blew the area... her lips almost brushing against his cheeks... she blew little bit whenever he hissed in pain.. he clutched her hand tightly as she dressed the wound... they looked at each other for a second... their noses touching... when the truck bumped on something... the spread apart... something happened in these few moments... she felt Arjun looking at her... and she felt conscious at way he looked...

Because his gaze was warm at her... “Thanks...” he said..

“hmm...” she nodded... her head started bursting and she looked into her bag for a medicine... sucking the tablet she pulled her skirt lower - even though it easily reached her calves... her jacket was getting dried up and she half hugged herself in the sleeveless shirt..

After few minutes she felt drowsy... and before she knew.. she found herself to be snuggling up to something warm and cozy...

She got up after some time... and found herself draped in in her scarf - from her bag... and a jacket... but this was warm and large... a familiar smell hit her nose... and she felt something near her waist warm... she slowly woke up and found Arjun resting his head on the back of the track.. his eyes semi closed... his hand was wound around her waist... she had been resting her head on his shoulder...

Sakshi tried to move but realized he would wake up as well... she silently looked at the sleeping Arjun... hehe... his white shirt was already half torn at little places... there was the stain of hay... his gelled hair was disheveled... the top few buttons of his shirt open... revealing a toned body...

But what was the most beautiful thing was the boyish smile playing on his lips as he slept half open mouthed... with her palm she just closed his mouth... she noticed that two more people had got on the truck... is that why he came next to her...

“Isliye paas aaya kyunki woh doh log ghoor rahe the tumhe...” He whispered in her ears shocking Sakshi...

“ttt... tum soye hue the na...” Sakshi asked softly...

Their lips almost met... “Kyun... jaagna mana hai kya... pata hai handsome aur hot hoon par iska matlab nahi hai ki tum aise hi dekhte raho mere taraf...” he chuckled...

Sakshi looked at the other side in fake annoyance... “Toh yaha aane ki kya zaroorat thi...” she asked...

“Seksy lag rahi thi in the sleeveless blouse and skirt... aur aise ghoor rahe the woh log isliye maine dhak diya tumhe...” he said...

“Main aur woh.. paagal ho tum...” Sakshi smirked...

“Tum seksy bhi nahi bol sakti!” Arjun giggled...

“Chup raho... uffo..” Sakshi said...

“Uffo... isse isse daant ke bhagao... uffo... ya... ya seene se lagau!” Arjun sang...

“Arjun!” Sakshi snapped...

“Finally Arjun toh nikla muh se... beech main bukhar aaya tha... chup chap so jao... khaane ka kuch hai kya?” Arjun asked...

Sakshi nodded negative... “Poora chips mujhe kyun diya?” he asked...

She shrugged her shoulders...

Then he kept her head on his shoulder “ Sakshi.. they are looking at you... stop speaking and go to sleep...” he said and wound his arm tighter around her waist...

Her eyes grew heavier and she kept her head on his shoulder... she was too tired to ask the questions in her mind... he snuggled her tighter and patted her head... he kissed her hair possessively and sent the signals to the other guys that she is his...

He didn’t know why he did that...

She didn’t know why she accepted his possessive streak... cocooned in his arms she gently dozed off...

-------------------------------------------

Precap : “...agar jeet jaye na toh phir 10,000 rupiya denge unhe!” the Sarpanch said...

“Kya bekaar ki cheez hai... on like a play people are like getting pissed off!” Arjun sneered...

“Arjun tumhe pata nahi... jo gaon sabse achcha leela rachata hai na... uss gaon ki samaan ki baat hai!” Sakshi explained...  

“Waise idea.. main actress ko train karti hoon... waise bhi jeb main sirf credit cards hai... paise mil jayenge and we can reach the station... what say?” Sakshi asked... “aur dekho woh Radha play karti hai gaon main... ok... she is... pretty... hai na...” to find Arjun missing by her side...

http://www.freakyfrolics.com/news-images/Shraddha-Arya-in-Tumhari-Pakhi.jpg

And to find him flirting with the “Radha” of the town... “Teri aisi ki..” Sakshi growled... though confused whether she was upset on that Radha or that Arjun...

~*~

Chapter 14

Arjun got up as the truck seemed to be reaching the village... the others had left off... good... how dare they see her like that!

“Kyun.. tujhe kuch hota hai kya?” Cupid whispered..

“Haan... matlab... naa... iss samaj main mard agar nari ke sabse bada khauf hai toh main yeh proove karna chahta hoon ki mard hi sabse bade rakshak bhi ban sakte hai...” he glared at Cupid in his mind...

“Yaar... haan ya na main jawaab deta... tune toh senti bana diya...” Cupid thought... but then these thoughts sometimes satisfied his mind that he was the perfect selection for Sakshi...

Arjun happened to glance down at a sleeping Sakshi.. her fever was down... but what caught his attention was her adorable face... that of an innocent baby girl... her cheeks were slightly flushed... her hair tangled.. her kajal run down... well she should be looking like a total mess but he found her pretty cute!

Well since she was almost slipping off and there was a nail piece he tried to shift her which resulted her to sitting on his lap and gently stirred so he stiffened... then she dozed off again...

Since the first few buttons of his shirt was open her left cheek was resting on his bare chest... her right hand on his shoulder... her pink mouth slightly pouted as she slept... her perfect delectable lips... his own personal favorite strawberry mousse... but then with her lips his mind shifted to her words... always matured... she must have seen a lot... hope not unfriendly experience though...

He looked down again at Sakshi - sleeping beauty again... he tucked in the hair strands and hummed a tune when the truck bumped and her soft lips brushed against his bare chest...

And that is when Cupid hit him with the arrow... but the truck bumped again and it got stuck with Arjun’s button!

Arjun’s eyes popped out.. he immediately shook Sakshi up from her slumber... “Sakshi... uttho... we have reached the village...” a drowsy Sakshi got up and rubbed her eyelids... Arjun passed her her spectacles...

Arjun rubbed his chest repeatedly... he was surprised that his heart was actually thudding!

(“Abbey toh aaj tak teri heart kya still tha!” Cupid muttered angrily... well his aim failed!)

Helping Sakshi come down from the truck he paid the driver and both walked towards the beautiful village... it was lush in greenery... kids played here and there...

The village girls giggled and shied on looking at Arjun... oh ya... being disheveled did make him look seksy!

His hair messed up... a few buttons open which gave more than enough view of his sculpted muscles...

He smirked at them and put on his aviators... style! He flexed his muscles and gave a grin to the girls... especially one fair one... they all blushed!

Like rapid fire all the girls popped out of the houses’ doors and windows to have a look... well it was not frequent that one would visit this village!

Sakshi was unaware of what is happening.. yawning she noticed that the number of girls were increasing minute by minute...

She turned aside to find Arjun showing his feathers like a peacock!

“Huh... iss village main kya sirf Arjun hi ek lauta ladka hai!” Sakshi muttered...

They both reached near the sarpanch who seemed to be depressed...

“Har saal hum Kanha Radhe ke leela main haarte rahe hai... i ka baat hui.. iha koi bhi thoda sa nautanki nahi kar sakte ka! Iss saal jo bhi hissa leke humri gaon ko jitwaega... toh phir 10,000 rupiya denge unhe!” the Sarpanch said...

“Kya bekaar ki cheez hai... on like a play people are like getting pissed off!” Arjun sneered...

“Arjun tumhe pata nahi... jo gaon sabse achcha leela rachata hai na... uss gaon ki samaan ki baat hai!” Sakshi explained...  

“Waise idea.. main actress ko train karti hoon... waise bhi jeb main sirf credit cards hai... paise mil jayenge and we can reach the station... what say?” Sakshi asked... “aur dekho woh Radha play karti hai gaon main... ok... she is... pretty... hai na...” to find Arjun missing by her side...

And to find him flirting with the “Radha” of the town... “Teri aisi ki..” Sakshi growled... though confused whether she was upset on that Radha or that Arjun...

Arjun held a dry grass in his hand and flirted with her throughout... when he heard a girl’s voice “Hum tohar madat karenge kaka!” Sakshi’s voice held...

“What the f***” Arjun rushed towards Sakshi...

“Seher ki log ho tum dono...” the Sarpanch said..

“JI... main Sakshi.. aur yeh... Arjun...” Sakshi said dragging an uninterested Arjun with her...

“Ka naam hai dono ka... Arjun jo apni nishaanbaaji ke liye jaana haya tha.. aur Sakshi matlab ki dekha hua cheej... wah wah... pati patni ho ka?” the lady beside him asked..

“Pati Patni...” both whispered and looked at each other...

Sakshi’s Imagination...

Aaj suhaagraat hai... oh God... ab kya hoga... I thought and fiddled with my fingers...

Arjun walks in with a rose in his mouth... he throws the rose aside and kicks aside his shoes and turban and throws off his sherwani... standing in nothing but his boxers!

“Arjun! Sab tumne nikal diya... arrey.. baat toh karein...” I half smiled and Arjun tugged me close...

“Baby... ever since day one I am dying for you... woof... woof...” Arjun growled and threw my dupatta off!

“Aiga!” I squeal and I run away... now just in my choli and petticoat! Oh God he is too fast!

And before I know it he hoists me on his shoulders!

I give a bye bye to the stars on knowing what is next!

He throws me on the bed and joins in... we don’t come out of the bed for the whole next day!

And from the blanket edge our interlocked hands are popping out as he drives into me!

10 years later...

I come out from the shower wearing a simple saree...

And I see Arjun sitting on the bed with a rose in his mouth and winking at me... and a champagne bottle...

“What say biwi... me dying for you! ROAR” he roars and tugs at my saree end... I hit my palm on my head... “Aur kitne bachche Arjun!” I sigh but he... with the expert moves by now drops off my saree in a second...

Pushing me on the bed he pounces on me like a hungry tiger... “Roop tera... mastaana... pyaar mera diwaana ... bhool  koi humse na hojaye!” he sings and clutches my hand...

I half smile back and try to find a way of escape and I see him removing his clothes already!

“Ayeeee... iss bahon ki narmiya ke ehsaas... de deeeeeee....” he growls like a tiger and pulls me in..

“Arjun... kal 8 ghante thi na main tumhare saath!” I protest and it all drowns as the blanket comes over us and the clothes dropped out... I moan helplessly as my over excited hormone raged husband satisfies his needs...

After as many hours you can imagine...

I rush into the washroom.... I come out wearing Arjun’s shirt...

“Arjun... me pregnant again!” I said and hit my head... to my surprise my over excited husband hugs me tightly!

“Oh Yipeeee... our 12th kid!” he kisses me hard...

WHAT! I rush into the nursery and see that out of his “excitement” the first two times I had twins and the next seven times I had single deliveries... matlab every 3 months after a baby a new one wold be on the day....

And then all the 11 kids look at us... “MUMMA!!!” they all scream into my ears...

I hug Arjun tightly in fear... he winked at me... “Soch raha hoon 15... kya bolti ho?” he kissed me in front of them! All of them clapped at the usual show... all of them as in our 6 girls - Mia, Pia, Sia, Tia, Jia and Ria... and our 5 boys - Raj, Rahul, Rohan, Jay, Ray.

“Let’s celebrate this baby’s incoming!” he smiled and then roars... oh no... he picks me on his shoulder... and my kids... used to this scene wave me bye...

Throwing me on the bed he crawls up to me again... I hit my palm and then the blanket comes over us...

And our interlocked hands popping out of the blanket!

“NAHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII” Sakshi and Arjun screamed and turned to find each other’s whitened faces...

“hein?” both thought..

Arjun’s Imagination...

“Chalo... finally suhaagraat aa gayi...” I smile and walk in... and on the bed there is Sakshi... haye... so beautiful!

I am just about to kiss her that she shows me a knife!

“Sakshi... yaar.. aaj shadi hai... kissi toh banti hai na..” I say while her murderous eyes stare into mine...

“How dare you try to kiss me in college? Now rot in hell love!” She glares at me and the room gets converted into a jail!

She wears a seksy nighty and comes into the same cell...

“Wow!” I whistle... when she shows a big stick.. “How?” I gulp...

“You wanted to kiss me!” she says and thrashes me...

“Haila!!!” I scream.. “You flirted at me while kissing that Raina!” and she thrashes me again...

“How dare you intimidate me!” she thrashes me black and blue!

“Mummy!” I scream and sit in murga pose catching my ears...

“Hmm good boy... now give me a proper kiss...” she smiled and I lean forward... trembling... and place my lips gently on hers and leave her...

She thrashes me again! “Proper waala! Kisise chakkar chala rahe ho kya!” She barks at me...

“No baby...” she thrashes me again... “Call me biwi... ok...” I nod.. “Ok biwi...” She leans forward and I give her a complete kiss... as I pull the strap of her nighty down she again thrashes me!

10 years later...

Sakshi comes back from home... I smile at her and sit down... “Sakshi.. maine saare bartan dho diye aur maine khaana bhi bana diya... tumhari favorite... paneer aur roti... with salad and chocolate ice cream as desert...” I say obediently...

“Meri coffee?” she growls at me!

“Abhi laata hoon!” I say and rush into the kitchen...

She sips and I as usual(?) remove her slippers and massage her feet...

“Hmm Good! Chalo.. ab neend aa rahi hai... aur raat ko sone ke samay any hanky panky I will kill you!” she orders and then pulls me with her into the room...

“Chalo... aaj mehrbaan... we’ll make love...” she orders and I smile in happiness...

“For 4 hours 38 minutes and 22 seconds.. usse ek second zyaada toh I will thrash you!” she snaps at me and I sit on the bed... well I am never in control... she sets the alarm on the clock and pounces on me like a tigress... scratching me all over...

After 3 hours I myself am exhausted! But she does not leave me... she climbs on top of me and I just pray to the lord to save my izzat... which is anyways gone!

After the completed time Sakshi comes to me grimly... “Me pregnant...” she says...

I look in shock.. she takes a stick and hits me.. “Khush kyun nahi.. chakkar chala rahe ho kidhar!” she thrashes me...

I immediately smile... she thrashes me again “I hate fake smiles!”

My face is petrified but I smile “I am too happy... bas mera shakal pe mat jao... lavzo pe jao.. hi hi...” I say and she nods...

“Agar ladki hui toh uski naam?” she asks...

“Raina” I blurt out and find her glaring at me... she picks up a knife and runs behind me...

MUMMYYYYY

They both were petrified by looking at each other...

Cupid and Angel laughed like anything... they high fived each other to find God ji staring at them angrily... “Yeh kya tha?”

Angel and Cupid pointed at each other... for the blame!

“Oh Me... chup raho tum dono... maine jo teer bheja hai na... ab toh nishaana pe hi lagega...” God ji smirked...

“Oh matlab Bhai behen ho!” that person asked...

Arjun removed his aviators and threw it inside his shirt... “Never!” he said...

“Dost hai hum dono... ab dekhiye sir ji main full on madat karoongi!” Sakshi deviated the topic...

“Haan bitiya.. toh tum naach sikhadena humri bitiya yaani Radha ko... par Kanha kaun banega?” the Sarpanch asked...

“Sir ji... banda saamne hai... lamba chuada hai... dikhne main bhi chalega...” Sakshi smiled...

“Par Sakshi... idhar tum kiski baat kar rahe ho?” Arjun asked...

“Tum!” she smiled...

“Holy..” Arjun began to swear when he saw the girl...

Arjun’s eyes popped out in anger... he was going to throttle her when he saw the beautiful Radha coming in front of him...

“Holy macaroni... she’s hot!” Arjun smiled and looked at that girl...

And Sakshi  just realized she did a stupid mistake!

“Ho jaye! Aur agar naa jeete...” the Sarpanch looked at Sakshi with deadly eyes...

Arjun stepped forward... “Sir main hoon na.. na jeetne ki baat hi nahi aati!” he winked at Radhe and smirked at Sakshi...

3 days later

Sakshi was highly pissed of... every morning he would take bath in the lake and ties a dhoti around his waist and do push ups!

Every girl around the village used to crowd nearby to see him... and Sakshi burned in jealousy... as Arjun stood up and stretched his muscles... showing of his torso, chest, back... he was ripped... he even flexed his biceps and tripes... the sun reflecting on the water droplets at his back... making him glow...

Sakshi had enough of this... she stomped her foot and took a towel and long dupatta in her hand...

Arjun finished his crunches and took another dip in the water... he came out looking very... Sakshi gulped for half a second..

The girls were crowded in looking at him... Sakshi literally ran upto Arjun and threw the towel and covered him with a dupatta... Arjun looked at her amused.. she grabbed his wrist  and tugged him along... glaring at any girl staring at her Arjun!

Umm... not her Arjun.. ahem Arjun!

The girls looked on disappointedly and cursed Sakshi’s luck!

Locking themselves in a room Sakshi said... “Yeh aakhri din hai humara yaha... aur tum yahi par change karo ge get that.. apne aap ko poster boy banake ghoom rahe ho!” she gritted her teeth...

He threw away the towel and dupatta standing in front of her shirtless and semi wet dhoti... she gaped at his muscles for half a second then closed her eyes immediately with her palms...

He smirked and went near her... to an extent that she could feel the heat radiated... “Mujhe dekh ke sharam aa rahi hai na?” he whispered... she immediately turned back... her eyes locked into his dark ones... “No...” she answered... “Waise jao aur change karlo...” she threw him another dhoti and kurta...

“Tumhare saamne?” He looked at her amused...

Sakshi flustered and left...

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An hour later...

“Radha ji yeh aise hona chahiye!” Sakshi explained for the umpteenth time to this arrogant girl!

Arjun was simply smiling at the problems... true that Sakshi was indeed a skilled dancer and Radha was not even an inch close to her...

Sarpanch ji was crossing by and he heard the conversation.. tonight was the leela... he called Sakshi out and spoke to her...

Finally the dance!

Sakshi fixed her iPhone an put a trusted fellow nearby... speakers were brought in and even an age old mike... she put the phone to set...

“Biju... jab main ishaara karoon...tab yaha pe choona... gaana shuru ho jayega!” Sakshi informed and ran around doing the little preparations...  truth is that even she found herself excited for little stuffs... well... after many days no business... no tension... nothing... she smiled faintly and remembered to check on Arjun...

She walked in the room to find Arjun helplessly standing with this dhoti! “Sakshi... ab tak u used to put pins and I used to wear it like a pant... ab yeh kaunsa style dhoti... sab log chale gaye... main pehnoon kaise!”he pouted...

I smiled at him... he was wearing a fake pearl necklace... well on his head a peacock feather with a band was put... he was looking so cute!

Sakshi asked his to hand over the dhoti... she bit her lips before setting in the dhoti... she tucked an edge into his waist and he felt tingles up his spine... as she went around him... tucking the edges here and there Arjun closed his eyes and swore at the Lords above for making this the most difficult time for him...

He just prayed so as to he doesn’t get aroused by any chance! Her soft palm moving here and there his waist... he swallowed hard when he looked at an equally red Sakshi holding few pleats in her hand... she seemed to be breathing heavily too...

“Kya baat hai?” he said... surprised at his own voice’s huskiness....

“You have to tuck this in front.... so tum iss...” her voice trailed off as she kept the pleats in his hand and guided him in tucking... she placed pins here and there... she didn’t realize when his face hovered near hers...

She looked at him and then there noses touched... her eyes closed in the contact... his fingers gently held her chin and his lips parted...

She looked away slightly but he cupped her face towards his... he was about to kiss her when someone knocked...

She sprang apart from him... she pushed up her spectacles as Biju had come and asked Arjun to get ready and also get the Radha ready!

All the girls were swooning over him and Sakshi just burned... “Abhi abhi toh itna kareeb tha... par janab ko dekho... usse to apni gopiyan patane ki PhD master karne main beitha hai!” she said angrily to find Arjun smirking at her...

20 minutes later...

The other village completed their show... and according to Arjun that was pathetic! “This is horrible... haven’t they seen The Phantom Of Opera in New York! Ok wait... idiot Arjun... obvious they haven’t seen... but then in India also plays are fantabulous... wait... idiot Arjun... how would they see that...” his thoughts were lost as he heard the sound of anklets...

There the Radha stood... he flexed his muscles seeing her...

She was wearing a yellow color traditional lehenga.. a perfect fit blouse... her chunari on her head... wow... she so did have a perfect waist... soft yet tantalizing... her beautiful hands had flower bracelets... her hair seemed let loose as he saw the edges of her hair below the dupatta... whistles filled the sky as the lights came on her...

She gently moved her hips in perfect rhythm as the song started...  he thought “Arjun bete... yeh gaon ki choriyon toh are aah... beautiful...”

As the song started she moved her hands in perfect motion...

Madhuban mein jo Kanhaiya kisi Gopi se mile

Kabhi muskaaye, kabhi chhede kabhi baat kare

Arjun was goner... he drew in a breath and kept his hand on his heart... but he got a shock when he saw Radha standing next to him!

“Tum yaha toh waha?” Arjun said... when... the girl removed the chunari above her head....

“Sakshi!” he said shocked! Sakshi glared at him...

Radha kaise na jale, Radha kaise na jale

Aag tan mein lage, Radha kaise na jale

Radha kaise na jale

Seeing her without specs defined her her doe shaped eyes which were heavily lined with kohl... her cheeks were slightly pink... her hair was beautifully shining...

Arjun was pushed onto the stage as he simple forgot his lines seeing a stunning Sakshi...

Sakshi glared at him and then tugged on his mala signaling him that it is his lines now...

As she huffed off he caught her hand... he smirked at her... he raised his eyebrows at her...

Madhuban mein bhale Kanha kisi Gopi se mile

Man mein to Radha ke hi prem ke hain phool khile

He dragged her close to him... he squatted and moved around her in perfection...

Kis liye Radha jale, kis liye Radha jale

Bina soche samjhe, kis liye Radha jale

Kis liye Radha jale

He pulled her as she crashed right against his chest... leaving her he took an artistic jump... then he walks to her and pokes her nose!

Sakshi pouted and went aside... twirling... the ghagra spreading it’s colors...she held the edges and turned it aside creating ripples of yellow... filling the stage with light and color as if it’s holi...a small tease went by as Arjun smiled and followed her... He followed her and sat on the decorated swing... and kept his hands on her shoulders...

Gopiyaan taare hain chaand hai Radha

Phir kyon hai us ko vishwas aadha

He pouts and questions her... then he smiled at her and she just looked aside... smiling a little as he suddenly hoisted her on his arms and took a twirl around raising whistles and claps...

Ho.. Gopiyaan taare hain chaand hai Radha

Phir kyon hai us ko vishwas aadha

Sakshi blushed and ran to the centre... squinting her eyes she took a twirl and told him... pouting...

Kanhaji jo sada idhar udhar jaa rahe...

She puts her wrist on her forehead... her hips sway slightly left and right... and sighs...

Radha bechari ko phir apne pe kya maan rahe

Arjun runs towards her and grab her wrist and twirls her around .... he skips ahead and twists his legs perfectly in sync with the beats...

Gopiyaan aani-jaani hain

Radha to man ki rani hai

He waves his hands and takes random beats to show the gopiyas and then he stands firm in a place and clicks his hands around his head in a manner as if he closes his eyes and prays to her...

Gopiyaan aani-jaani hain

Radha to man ki rani hai

Sakshi pouts further and Arjun kneels down catching her hands and sways it to the beats... while the audience throws coins and flowers on them out of happiness...

Saanjh sakhaare, Jamuna kinare

Radha Radha hi Kanha pukaare

Sakshi half smiles when suddenly Arjun suddenly grabs her waist and pulls her towards him... she blushes and turns off while Arjun throws his hands in the air and skids on the floor rhythmically... he looks at her and winks at her...

Baahon ke haar jo daale koi Kanha ke gale

Sakshi’s mouth turns ‘O’ for a second turns back and gives a sarcastic smile to him... she runs up to him and gently places her hands around his neck and then points at the the other girl... before he can place his hands on her bare waist she leaves.. but his fingers brushes through her waist sending tingles up their spines...

Radha kaise na jale, Radha kaise na jale

She turns aside in anger... her hands changing into various mudras as she expresses her anger...

Aag tan mein lage, Radha kaise na jale

Radha kaise na jale

Following a beautiful instrumental part where Sakshi shows off her true colors and Arjun is just gaping at her...

As she took every turn her hair seemed to have come to life as each strand danced to the tunes caressing her soft cheeks and landing near her hips...

She turns towards Arjun as she crashes against his chest... he holds her tight from falling...

“Arrey... phool phek de... Arjun bhaiya sab dance bhool gaye!” Biju says and ushers the helpers to throw flowers on them from the sides...

Biju turns down the music slightly...

Sakshi’s hands are locked against his muscular shoulders... they are breathing heavily... their hearts thumping against each other... his one hand resting with her bare back and other one on her waist... Sakshi breathed heavily as she felt his hands moving on her skin...

He balances her with one hand and slowly caresses her face (thank God for the curtains that were pulled on...)

Cupid was going to aim an arrow when God slightly stopped him... signaling that the work had been done... Cupid smiled and then looked at Angel who too was looking pretty... Cupid kept on looking at her when God realized that unintentionally Cupid was aiming an arrow at his own heart! Angel came and knocked his head and hence Cupid came back to his senses!

Back to Arakshi...

Arjun nears her face... she clutches his bare shoulder tighter as he pulls her soft frame closer to his... Sakshi closes her eyes and rests her forehead against his head... as his breath mingles with hers their lips part on their own... edging on sanity...

But then his eyes shifted to hers... it was filled with confusion... yet an unfathomable amount of trust... when did she start trusting him... had he started to make a place for her... he never really knew her except for the fact of her beautiful body and lips were on his notice since day one...

He was her first... the first person to make her blush perhaps... but he wasn’t worth it...

She looked into his intent orbs... he.. was... lost in her... but his eyes spoke a different language... not fixed on her pouty lips or on her figure... but just lost into her eyes... had he start seeing something else in her... was she seeing something else in him?

Arjun snapped out and stood straight... balancing Sakshi he smiled and scratched his head...

His cheeks color showed what he had felt... he looked aside and smiled when the Sarpanch awarded them...

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Sitting in a second class compartment she looked outside... while he looked at her... dressed in a cotton salwar suit... her hair tied into a ponytail... her specs perched on her nose... she looked at the villages passing by... strands of hair dancing around her forehead... but her mind was lost in Arjun... he had become... different...

He took in a deep breathe and gulped in water from the mineral bottle... he didn’t know why but her features barely enticed him... it was her deeds that made her different... her checking each food before it was given to him lest it be spicy... having lived abroad he had developed a sensitive stomach indeed... or be it standing out of the bathroom while he used it... Indian Toilet... a slight bit difficult! Or even pinning up every dhoti into a pant so as to things become easier for him...

A small smile crept up his lips when he saw that jealousy creep up her eyes when he showed himself off at those girls... her carefree laugh as she played with Biju and other kids... her innocent face as she slept...

Unknowingly he started rubbing his heart as it felt being pierced by something... his heart rate increased... he started taking deep breathes... he was afraid that he felt something for someone he didn’t know at all... or maybe he did...

Sakshi played with the edge of the dupatta... she was afraid she was falling for someone who might never understand her responsibilities...

Their eyes met for a second and they looked away... unaware of them being lost in each other’s thoughts....

~*~

Chapter 15

Ayesha moved about getting her work done.. she had just cracked a big deal all on her own! Awesome Ash!

She giggled at her own thoughts... well Sakshi and Bhai would be coming back soonish so she needed to get some things ready for their welcome!

“Par bhai kya zinda waapas lautega?” Ayesha laughed out loud!

Settling her files she went towards the main office to pick up a cup of coffee... in her hand the book of her childhood photos...

Just when she was going to take her cup of coffee she felt a tight grip around her slender arm...

“Kya hai?” she said... she knew it was Sameer...

“How come you did this deal on your own?” he growled...

Men and their egos! Ayesha huffed and turned to face him... “Pehle toh haath chodo... doosra... yaar profit hua hai toh chill... btw you were out of station and iss deal ko ek immediate answer aur quotation chahiye thi...” she answered

“But you know I don’t like things if they aren’t going my way... business is my thing... money should rake in... who the hell are you to even take over this project! YOU ARE NO ONE YOU GET THAT!” He shouted at her... not noticing the entire staff stand still at their conversation... nor her eyes swelling up in humiliation...

“For you it has always been money right... this project is getting us 50 billion dollars profit with an overall increase in 15 % of stock prices... our company value will be increased by two positions...” she said coldly and gulped in the lump formed at her throat... her eyes glistened in humiliation... but she didn’t let those tears threaten out... Sameer looked into her eyes and realized the mistake... but no way would he accept that! Sameer Damsingh Rathore does not say sorry... he’s perfect... isn’t he?

“And listen... what’s wrong if it doesn’t follow “your” way of business... staff over here are suffocated by your autocratic style of business... especially the board of directors... it’s time to get democratic... forget laissez faire style cause you won’t be able to survive in that... your company has efficient people make use of that SIR.” she blasted on him...

Before he realized Ayesha walked away throwing something into the bin...

He looked shocked as it was a book of their childhood memories....

The entire office just kept on staring at Ayesha and Sameer...

“WHAT!” he barked at them... only after which did they actually disperse...

He picked up the book with him... he was actually amazed that she kept it till now... his book was somewhere lost thousands of years before...

As he ran his fingers over the overstuffed book he realized how harsh he had been... truth be told apart from business everything else is fine...

“Toh tujhe business main Ayesha threat kyun lagti hai? Voh toh tere ko hi help kar rahi hai na!” Cupid whispered...

“SO what! Business has been my thing... my stuff.. my...” Sameer said.. .

“Oh Shut Up my di bachche... life main itna profit ek shot main kabhi nahi hua... ek baar ke liye Ayesha ko kadar do!” Angel argued..

“Still...” Sameer said...

“Egoistic male chauvinist male centered patriarch! I pray Ayesha kisi aur se shadi kar le!” Angel cursed at him.

“WHat! Main aisa nahi hoon... aur Ayesha kisi aur se shadi kyun kare!” Sameer retorted!

“Oh.. tu aisa nahi hai! AUr tu shadi karega Ayesha se?” Cupid sneered at him...

“Haann...na... Nahi toh! Am just saying females are better at fashion designing, acting, cooking, architect ya even doctors... but when it comes to business... males are better any day!”

“Male Chauvinist!” A voice shouted at Sameer... and he saw Ayesha standing in front with a pile of files...

“Wait I wasn’t talking to u...” Sameer’s mind screamt...

As Ayesha banged the files on the table he heard what she softly muttered.. “Male chauvinist... male... bl**dy...” she grumbled...

“You threw that book away...” he asked gently...

“Tumse... I mean aapse kya matlab!” she barked at him and left the room in a huff...

“Yaar Arjun come back jaldi...” Sameer scratched his head and thought...

For now things were messed out... if only the ego was to be away then half of the problems would be away!

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As Arjun dropped Sakshi off a little building...

“Yeh toh hotel apartment hai Sakshi...” Arjun said...

“Haan... toh yahi rehti hoon na main... 20 dollars per night... utni tough nahi hai mere liye... aur phir naukri toh 60,000 ki hai so that makes my stuff better... aur yeh toh bas 6 mahine ke liye... then I will think aur kaha jaana pade...” Sakshi said...

“So that’s 3600 dollars for 6 months... baaki ki paise se kya karoge... mera kaha maano itne paise se tum ek acha ghar loan pe khareed sakte ho... ya phir loan ke bhi zaroorat nahi tum mujhe...” Arjun was stopped by Sakshi...

“Mujhe favors pasand nahi hai Arjun...” Sakshi said...

Arjun smiled a little at his sherni’s retort...

“Poori baat suno... main khareed loonga aur tum mujhe repay karti rehna... with interest! 2  percent interest loonga ok! Aur yeh bank rate hi hai... par don’t stay in this dingy hotel apartment... yaha pe murders hote bohot suna hai maine... aur rape cases bhi... it’s not good... tum abhi abhi bags le lo...” Arjun said authoritatively...

Sakshi smiled a little at his fretting and concerns over her... she shook her head and followed him...

He walked into the apartment and packed everything into her bag... and suddenly he flustered and scratched his head...

“Kya hua?” she asked...

Then her eyes turned round on seeing what was in his hands... she literally ran towards him...

“Nice... red haan... acha color... wow... Naomi... good brand haan...” he winked at her...

Sakshi blushed furiously... “Shut up Arjun and pass that to me... how dare you! Himmat kaisi hui mere ander ki kapde haath daalne main... red toh nice kya hai iss baat pe! Chi!” she berated him and took her ahem... from him and shoved it in her bag...

“Arjun kal ya parso shift hoti hoon na... abhi issi waqt shift hona zaroori...” she asked..

“Zaroori hai Sakshi... agar kuch ho jaye toh!” Arjun reasoned...

“Toh tumhara kya jaata hai!” she said randomly...

Arjun stiffened and looked aside... hurt... “Ya right... main aise hi tumhari madat karna  chah raha tha... main bhi na...” he gritted his teeth and stormed towards the door... had she not caught his wrist...

“Arrey Arjun! Tum bhi na... ruko baba... itna gussa bhi mat karo... tumhari biwi issi shock se marr jayegi deva! Chalo waise bhi packing ho gaya... ab kaha shift karoongi main... yeh kripa karke batavo mahashay!” she said sarcastically...

He smiled at the fact that she actually semi manaofied him! Leaning on the door he smiled.. “Baby tum Arjun Singhania ko jaante hi kaha ho... chutkio main ghar miljayega!” He winked at her and called up Chandrakant to help him out...

“Ha Chotu... main bol raha hoon... bas teen ghanta pehle land hua tha... sun ek ghar de... arrey... ladki ke liye toh safe, luxurious *Sakshi glared at him* *Arjun clears his throat* yet affordable.. nahi... main aur woh ladki saath nahi rehne waale! Kya live in is so not her type! *Sakshi rolls her eyes* Abbey Sakshi ke liye ghar... for Pete’s Sake! Okay... I want it NOW... in half an hour... which plot... oh ... aha... great then... thanks bro!” Arjun smiled and cut the call...

“Ho gaya... ab chalo...” he said and Sakshi picked up her bags... and not much to her surprise he gently lifted the bags from her...

As they approached a cute apartment in the heart of the city he quickly showed her the inside and Sakshi stood dumbfounded...

In front of her was a comfy cozy cute home... “Exactly as you wanted.. cute... comfy .. cozy aur jeb ke liye achcha bhi... ab the Arjun Pratap Singhania kuch maange aur woh na mile it’s impossible na!” Arjun styled his hair to find Sakshi’s eyes glistening in tears...

“Hey?” he asked gently...

“Mujhe laga tum khush hogi... par tum toh sentimental ho gayi!” He joked...

“Main khush hoon Arjun... it’s just that... itne saal baad kisine mere liye kuch... thank you...” she said softly...

Arjun read the unspoken words and clasped her hand... “You’re always welcome... ab dekho na... yeh banda utna bhi bura nahi hai!” he chuckled...

“Yeah... by now toh tumhe achchi tarha se samaj chuki hoon.. ab jb kitchen full hai.. um... coffee?”  she asked...

“Nahi... umm... chai..” he said sheepishly...

Sakshi smiled and sprinted towards the kitchen... as the two sat and chatted about things in life... the businessman Arjun Singhania and the ever righteous Sakshi Anand faded to just two friends... Arjun and Sakshi...

As he sipped the chai he commented “Ab iss chai ki buri aadat ho chuki hai mujhe!”

“Toh don’t worry... main harr roz bana doongi tumhari liye!” Sakshi smiled..

“Jeevan bhar ke liye?” Arjun asked and Sakshi fell silent...

“Woh... main mazaak kar raha tha... umm obvious... ab subah apart from submitting files you should submit a steaming cup of tea for me!” Arjun lightened the situation.. thought both knew something had changed... and he wasn’t joking...

Angel and Cupid danced in happiness!!! Winking at each other they even included God in this ridiculous dance!

“Umm... now I should leave... kal office pe.. Sakshi?” he called out seeing her busy in the phone call...

“Woh courier waala... I just wanted to make sure that Chandra’s parcel reached to his mother and sister in India... and it did...” she smiled...

“Tum sab ke liye sochti ho kya?” Arjun asked amazed...

“Haan...” Sakshi answered and removed the zip of her bag...

“Apne liye kab sochti ho?” he asked...

“Hai na... Dada aur Lizu... waqt mile toh apne baare main soche... humesha mere hi baare main sochta reta hai!” She smiled... gosh... it was infectious indeed...

He couldn’t help but smile back... “Waise bhabi hai kya?” he asked...

“Fattu dada ne abhi tak himmat hi nahi ki kuch bataane main... you see Lizu is an orphan aur the family that she was in... well there were issues... deep waala... bata nahi sakti... toh tabse leke abtak she lives with dada and me... then obvi Chachajaan aate rehte hai humare waha... according to him... main apne paison se USA main avunga aur apne bachchon ko dekhoonga... apne bachchon ke paise se nahi!” Sakshi said brightly...

“Haan... tumhe dekh ke toh yeh verify ho chuka hai ki voh tumhare hi Chacha jaan hai!” Arjun joked...

Sakshi poked him in his abs abd bid him bye... before he was to leave he turned and looked intently towards Sakshi...

She felt her hands go numb as he cupped her face...

Was he going to kiss her goodbye?

They stood in front of their door for a good 1o minutes... then Sakshi felt his breath fan on her lips... she closed her eyes tightly...

“Good night Sakshi...” he whispered huskily and she nodded... when suddenly...

Labon ko... labon pe... saja do...

Arjun snaps out on the ringtone and so does Sakshi... they both share an eye-lock as he notices his hands cupping her cheeks and her soft mousse like lips slightly protruded...

The color in her cheeks encourages him to lock his lips with hers when suddenly...

Abbey Sakshi maata phone toh uthavo... kaunse sapno main ghum ho gayi re baba!

At this point Arjun sprang apart from Sakshi...  “Yeh... yeh... ringtone hai tumhara!” he asks shocked...

Sakshi gives a weak smile and nods... she keeps her phone at speaker and then...

“Oye Gadhi MBM... kab se call kar rahi hoon and u aren’t picking up... neither bhai... abbey uska encounter toh nahi kar dia na India main!” a hyperventillating Ayesha asked...

“Nahi... uska bhai yaani main acha khaasa zinda hoon...” Arjun laughed and answered Ayesha...

“Bhai! Tu aur Sash ek saath! Deva... Sash... sash u der?” Ayesha asked...

“Haan bol..” Sakshi answered..

“Yaar tum dono ka flight toh landed five hours before... ab kaha ho?” she asked...

“Mere ghar pe...” Sakshi answered casually...

“AUr bhai?” Ayesha asked curiously...

“Obviously mere saath mere ghar pe!” Sakshi rolled her eyes...

“5 ghante ke liye kya kar rahe ho tum dono ek hi ghar main! Haila Sash.. you and bhai are sleeping together!” Ayesha blurted out...

“WHAT!!!!!!!” Arjun and Sakshi screamed together...

“Ashu... tu ruk.. ghar aake batata hoon!” Arjun said annoyed...

“Ash... tujhse toh kal baat karoongi main!” Sakshi snapped and cancelled the call!

A flustered Sakshi’s eyes met with an embarrassed Arjun’s face..

“Am sorry... for like... what Ash said... she’s crazy.. you know na!” Arjun shuffled his feet on the doorstep...

Sakshi gave an uneasy smile and nodded...

“Umm... bye..” he said...

“Bye..” she said quietly...

He pocketed his hands and reluctantly stepped out of the door.. wanting to ... have hugged her... kissed her perhaps...

And she bit her lips once before closing the door... her heart fluttering with unknown emotions... perhaps... hugging him before he left..

Arjun gave a brief smile... he lingered a little bit here and there... then nodding... and he left...

Sakshi ran to her balcony... and watched Arjun walking into his car... even being a 7th floor didn’t prove to be much of a disadvantage...

She waved a bye to him... he stood there for a couple of minutes and waved a bye to her...

Sakshi shrugged off the sudden fuzzy feeling and slipped out of her jacket and dress... standing in nothing but her camisole... searching for her pajamas...

Removing her camisole she slipped into an oversized shirt which reached till her knees...

Reaching up till her kitchen shelf she looked as to what all is there... hmm...

Cookies, chocolates, ice cream... not bad...

She broke the cookies into pieces into a glass... then she put in melted ice cream... followed by melted chocolate... putting the mixture into a fridge... she thought something more...

She put up some jeans and rushed towards the store down... she bought a Margherita pizza from the Papa John’s and rushed back home... she kicked her pair of jeans aside and kept the pizza aside when suddenly someone knocked..

She barely opened the door that Arjun came gushing in...

He locked the door and looked at her... “Ab?” she asked... confused...

He smiled like a cute villain as he took in the sight of her being only in a shirt...

He pulled her frame against himself... “One should never keep regrets...” he said softly...

Her eyes widened at the intimacy... she nodded to what he said...

And before she knew it her mouth was helplessly parting beneath his hot lips and he was carrying her to the way of her sofa...

Laying her down he deepened the kiss to an intimacy that she never knew even existed... he sucked her lips as if was the juiciest flavor ever... when her phone started to ring...

Sakshi’s eyes opened to find herself alone in the couch...

She pouted for half a second... the time was 10.30... well... she came at 10 o clock so how come and where did the half an hour go?

She dosed off!

Sakshi then turned red on what she had just imagined!

She cut the spam call and kept the delicious pizza on a plate and helped herself to big bites of the cheesy pizza... every bite was heavenly as the juicy Margherita sauce and the cheese melted into her mouth... “Ummm....” she yummed in it’s taste!

Licking her fingers as she was finishing the last one that she received a call from Arjun!

“Haan bolo...” she said...

“Hi... woh... you ate something?” he asked randomly...

“Haan... woh main khaa lahi hoon... pizha aul phil cookie ish cleam...” she answered in between her chomps...

Arjun chuckled “Is there a room for another person?” he asked...

“Not after 8.30 pm... aur ab 10.30 so no chance!” Sakshi giggled back... “Aur agar kuch na mila toh don’t worry... Papa John’s zindabaad...” she said...

“Aha... toh u don’t worry about the weight do you?” he chuckled...

“Oh na ji na... main ghaas poos pe nahi jee sakti! Acha khaasa Margherita pizza with cold cookie ice cream... yummm....” Sakshi teased him...

“Not fair yaar Sakshi... I am feeling hungry and you are saying yummm...” he complained...

“Aww... it’s tasty and delicious... but wait... main order karke bhijwaati hoon okay.. ab ghar jao aur so jao ok...” she ordered him over the phone...

“Hmm... okay... waise bhi one should never keep regrets...” he said softly... Sakshi blushed furiously remembering what she imagined...

“Acha goodnight bye... see you tomorrow...” she said quickly and cut the phone.. finishing the last scoop of the ice cream she brushed and plopped herself over the pillows... feeling a fuzzy feeling all over herself...

--------------------------

Arjun kept the phone and finished the last scoop of Belgium chocolate ice cream... it was perhaps the sweetest thing he ever tasted... as well as the most delicious one...

“Acha... aur mujhe laga tha ki I was your favorite strawberry mousse!” Sakshi pouted and sat next to him...

“Sakshi!! Get out... main sone waala hoon... andI have nothing on! SHoo shoo!!” Arjun panicked and pulled the blanket up to cover himself...

“Chi chi Arjun! At least boxers toh peheno!!!” Sakshi grumbled and threw a pair of boxers to him...

Arjun slipped into boxers and gulped in a glass of water... “Tt..ttum... yy...” he stammered...

“Kyun? Any issues?” Sakshi asked...

He nodded no... then getting his naughty glint back he pulled her against him... “Toh tum meri strawberry mousse ho?” he winked at her..

Sakshi slapped him slightly and tried to move out... “I love you Arjun... even if you were penniless... even if you were thoda sa motu...  even if you were not so handsome... I would still love you...” she said softly...

Arjun’s eyes widened.. “Sakshi! I love you too.. I don’t know how... but please... marry me!” He said excitedly!

Sakshi hugged him tightly... as Arjun skimmed his hand through her hair he gently pinned her below himself and took her lips into his... but after some time a bitter taste came in his mouth...

“Ekh!” Arjun spat out to see he was chewing his pillow... A dream!

Arjun put his hands on his head and chuckled... shoot... he had fallen... for.. her?

He plopped himself on his bed... he switched on the projector in front... which displayed her pictures one after the other...

------------------------------------------

While over here Arakshi were lost in another thought Sameer and Ayesha were equally perturbed...

“Kyun mujhe farak parta hai uss Coffee Machine Damn It Male Chauvinist se!” Ayesha grumbled...

“Woh lagta kya hai mera... mera bachpan ka dost Sammy ullu de patthe... what’s wrong with you Ash.. why do you blo**y care for that Sameer Rathore!” Ayesha hugged her pillow tighter...

At another side...

“How can Ayesha just throw our childhood book like that! Arrey main rude hoon toh fine na... but ... oh Sam why are you perturbed!” An upset Sameer watched at the city’s outline before him...

And at this point Angel and Cupid gave a high five to each other...

--------------------------------------

Chapter 16

Sakshi got up in the morning… the birds sang… the flowers bloomed… the sun shined brighter…

She brushed quickly and took a shower…  she picked out a pastel green dress… she wore it and turned around in front of the mirror… she pouted… it didn’t look that good… hmm… then she picked up a pink dress…. she looked like a baby! Frowning she then picked up a navy blue shirt… sheh! It looked terrible…

She swung her legs and flopped on the bed… what to wear! Then she saw a peach and red dress… the shoulders had peach colored lace…

She teamed it with peach heels.. left her hair breezy and put on her legendary spectacles… and she looked beautiful… she blushed a little herself… putting on some raspberry lip balm and little touch of makeup she picked up her files and bag and rushed to the office.. .forgetting her breakfast altogether… her heart was pumping…

In the tube she was busy putting french manicure… she looked at her reflection in the mirror and broke into a smile… the girl who never bothered about any dress was busy putting french manicure! “Yeh ho kya raha hai mujhe!” she thought and smiled to herself…

She ran into the office… wishing everybody a cheerful morning…

“Kya baat hai Sakshi… jamaila daasu dikh rahi ho!” Chandra commented…

She hugged him in happiness… “Thanks ya… waise maine bhej diye hai hai tera gift to aunty and didi!”

Chandra thanked Sakshi… “Waise Arjun aaye?” she asked… her face beaming…

“Arjun haan!” Chandra nudged her…

“Shut up Chotu! Haan pata hai… ghar pe yehi naam hai…v...voh… kaam tha… arrey voh waala deal na.. arrey the final consignments of what happened in India… wohi… uska accounts banane hai na…” Sakshi said and Chandra showed a yeah yeah smile…

“Nahi aaya…” Chandra said… her face immediately sunk… “Oh…” she said…

“Oye Sakshi… tera Arjun koi tirth yaatra pe nahi gayi… a jayenge… tu beith cabin main… aur quotations check kar… theek hai?” Chotu chuckled and left…

Sakshi blushed at the mention of “tera Arjun” and nodded her head.. she sat in his cabin… doing some work… then stood up… ironing the creases of formed by sitting…

While Chotu couldn’t stop laughing… “Yaha pe yeh haalat… aur waha Sir ji mujhe subah 5 baje utha te hai!”

---

Arjun got up at 5 in the morning… and the first thing he did was call Chotu from his dreamland…

“Arrey Rosu babu… chodo na…” he mumbled in his sleep…

“Oh mere chandra… ab jaag jao pyaare!” Arjun mimicked in a female voice… barely being able to control his laughter…

Chotu caressed Arjun’s cheeks… then said in his sleep… “Baby… tumhare gaal pe daadi kabse aane lage?”

That is when Arjun kicked him on his bum… “Oye… kyunki yeh receptionist Rose bahi balki tera Arjun Sir hai!”

Chotu got up as if someone electrocuted him “SIR!” he said shocked…

“Sir ab to 4.50 am hai… kyun jagaaya? Aur wait… aap… jo 8 baje tab bhi nahi utt te… aaj 4.50 main uthe… KAISE!” Chotu asked shocked…

“Chup re… jaldi se haath muh dho le… I need some help!” Arjun said and Chotu followed…

“Ab sir ki kaunsi deal crash ho gayi… shoot…” Chotu thought while going up to his room…

“DEVA!” Chotu screamed by looking at the room’s haalat…

“Chotu… main kaunsa shirt pehnoon? I just have 586 shirts… aur just 400 blazers… toh main kya pehnoon?” Arjun pouted…

“Sir aaj kahi jaana hai kya?” Chotu grumbled…

“Nahi aaj office jaa raha hoon… kaunsa color pehnoon?” Arjun rummaged through his “tiny” wardrobe…

Chotu chuckled… “Oh… so pyaar the going on!” he thought… “Sir… red peheniye…” Chotu suggested…

Arjun looked at Chotu… red.. the color of lov...ahem...the color for Sakshi!

“Chotu… you are a genius… but which red, vermillion, crimson, scarlet, blood red?” Arjun asked…

“Ye loh… hume red shirt nahi milti aur ab Arjun sir ka kaunsi red ka shirt pehene…” Chotu chuckled..

“Sir yeh light blood red shirt aur black matte pant pehene… I shall iron the blazer…” Chotu said and left…

Arjun thanked Chotu and went into the washroom… he did a few 100 push ups in the bathroom itself… then he flexed his muscles and looked at himself in the mirror… he looked ripped!

As he proceeded to take a bath he thought which sea salt and foam and shampoo to use…

So he called up Chotu and asked… “Chotu… kaunsa sea salt aur foam air shampoo aur conditioner lagau?” he asked…

“Sir… exotic essence use karo from Bath and Body Works… for moisturizer use Armani… for hair use Suave and don’t forget lip balm!” Chotu chuckled…

“You are a life saver Chotu! I will send you and Rose for a date ASAP!” Arjun chuckled in excitement and pampered himself in an exotic bath…

Wiping himself dry he blow dried his hair… rubbing Armani cream all over him and gelling his hair slightly he was good enough to be eaten!

Wearing the shirt and pant he walked to his perfume closet and picked out his all time favorite Armani!

He slipped on a Mont Blanc watch and picked up Ray Ban aviators…

Chotu had long left… it was close to 8 o clock and his Sir was taking his sweet time in prepping himself up… he smelt of the Armani aftershave as well…

He skipped his breakfast and rushed to the office… his heart thudding as to how she would say… how would she look… he bit his lips in excitement…

---

He ran upstairs… wishing everybody a hi cheerfully… even hugging the janitor!

As he reached into his cabin he closed his eyes and smelt the feminine fragrance…

His jaw dropped to see Sakshi beautifully dressed in a peach and red dress… her cheeks were slightly tinted with rose… her lips a beautiful delectable shade of red and pink…

HIs heart stopped the minute she turned toward him…

Sakshi was amazed to see him so handsome today… and he too was wearing red! She blushed a bit seeing his gaze and looked down… she wasn’t a model and didn’t have the perfect looks… yet she felt beautiful…

He came closer to her and dug his hands in his pockets… “Good Morning Sakshi…” he said…

She nodded and tucked a strand behind her ear… his Armani scent was filling her lungs up… the two just stood… awkwardly… smiling and the scratching their head..

“Red… you too…” she pointed out and smiled…

He blushed and said… “Yeah.. even like you… red…”

And before he or Sakshi could say anything his stomach spoke… “Grrr!”

He looked away embarrassed as Sakshi broke into a breath-taking laughter… “Haha Arjun! Tumne khaya nahi kya! Guess what… maine bhi nahi khaya!” she chuckled…

He led out a breathe seeing the fact that he could now look at her freely…

“Chalo ek saath breakfast karte hai…” Arjun said…

“Haan… lets have Pasta and Garlic Bread!” She jumped in excitement…

“Kaha?” he asked…

“Arrey next to the subway there is this awesome place yaar! You know bas 5 dollar main itni tasty garlic bread aur pasta kahi nahi milega!” she smiled and then stopped… “oh.. tumhe shayad pasand nahi aayega kyunki…” he held her hand…

“Pasand nahi aayega… pyaar ho jayega… chalo!” he said and both walked out of the cabin…

“Color coordinated!” Chotu chuckled as the couple left…

---

“Sakshi yeh…” he thought sitting on a small wooden chair and table…

While the pasta was kept on small plastic plates and the garlic bread in boxes…

“Haan yeah… ek bite lo Garlic Bread ka… Italy ki mamma mia yaad aa jayega!” Sakshi chuckled and chomped her own Garlic bread with full gusto…

Arjun warily took a bite and his eyes closed as the delicious garlic paste and bread melted into his mouth… “Mmmm….” he said….

Sakshi smiled… “See.. main kabhi ghalat nahi hoti…” and started attacking her pasta…

He smiled and ate the delicious pasta… this was better than any five star hotel!

He looked at Sakshi… or rather at the pasta sauce on her lips…

“Sakshi pasta…” he said…

“Kaha?” she asked…

Fearing that she would actually rub it off… he very conveniently rubbed his thumb across her mousse like lips and wiped the pasta… their heartbeats stopped for a second…

Sakshi silently fiddled with the remaining pasta on her plate when she actually noticed that Arjun licked the pasta sauce off his thumb… and that is when their eyes met… and he realized what his gestures meant… but for him that was the tastiest pasta sauce ever!

She turned crimson and finished her food quickly… she walked hurriedly towards the car… he picked up two juice bottles which they can finish on the way back to office…

Arjun kept on speaking about random things and Sakshi just nodded… sipping the juice silently… after sometime Arjun too stopped speaking and just kept on noticing her…

He led out a sigh of contentment and made excuses to look at her side… and he gave his driver very discretely a 100 dollar note to make the drive last longer…

FInally they reached office… when Sakshi and Arjun were about to step out from the lift Sakshi said… “I think ki agle baar paise pehle se hi do rasta lamba karwaane ke liye…” she chuckled and ran out of the lift… giggling… she turned back to see an amused and embarrassed Arjun…

And when she turned in front she crashed with ….

Sikandar…

---

Sameer was fuming in his cabin… he was waiting for Ayesha to come… he read the book four times throughout the night…

Simple stuff… Ayesha is his… ermm… as an enemy of course… but as a wild hot beautiful gorgeous understanding sentimental virtuous enemy…

Sigh…

The minute Ayesha came in Sameer blasted… ‘You threw the book right…” he spoke icily…

“Toh!” she posed indifferently… even though her night was gone in thinking as to why she threw it!

Sameer pinned her to the wall... "How dare you throw our book Ayesha..." he glared at her...

"Tumhe I mean aapko kya farak parta hai SIR!" Ayesha glared back...

"Farak parta hai Ayesha..." he said... coming dangerously closer to her... "Aur kaise... yeh main dikhaunga..." he whispered huskily... he was about to kiss Ayesha…

He barely rubbed his lips with hers that he got slapped right across his cheek...

"I hate you Sam! Tu aise behave karta hai aur phir sochte ho ki main khushi khushi tujhe kiss karoongi! **** you!" She swore and ran out of the office... crying...

“Oh Sh*t… how could I! Why did I want to kiss her! Main kya jataana chahta tha! *&£$% *&^£$” Sameer caught his head!

“Oh no… oh no… oh no…” he cursed himself… he became a pure idiot!

He had to apologize to her… when she heard her speak to her dad…

“Haan Papa… woh Birla Uncle ke bete ke saath main shadi karne ke liye tayyar hoon…”

His heart stiffened…

No… She… she just couldn’t marry that guy!

“NO… Ayeshu tu usse shadi nahi kar sakta!” Sameer said..

Pratap looked at Sameer… a flushed Sameer and a half sobbing Ayesha… hmm… something is cooking up…

‘’Aur aap kripya karke kaaran bataye?” Pratap asked…

“Uncle woh beta… woh alcoholic hai… smoke karta hai… then goes out with girls… he doesn’t deserve Ayesha!” Sameer spoke… while Ayesha turned her face away…

“Haan.. you are right… rather… maine Dam se baat kar chuka hoon… tum dono ki shadi hogi… and that’s fixed…. we need these two ties to remain strong… do hafte main jawaab do…” Pratap left leaving a shocked Ayesha and a double shocked Sameer…

---

“What a morning! Beautiful morning dear!” Sikandar wished Sakshi…

She jerked off his grip… “Morning Sir…” she said… with a fake smile…

Arjun fumed in his place but went and shook his hands with SIkandar “Hi there… do come in…” he smiled…

“Waise baat kya hai… aap aur Miss.Anand ek hi color coordination main?” Sikandar said sarcastically…

“Coincidence…” Sakshi answered…

“SO Sikandar may I know the reason for you to grace our office with your presence?” Arjun spoke in a sugar sweet voice…

“Obviously Arjun… with our deal finalized I invite you both to Las Vegas…” Sikandar smiled…

“Then the party over there will be on me…” Arjun smiled…

“Definitely… but every other expense I would cover indeed! No Arjun… come on… we are now partners… so your lodging will be definitely at the Presidential Suite…” Sikandar smiled…

“Thank you for your gesture Sikandar…” Arjun faked a smile…

"So Miss. Anand.. I am glad to invite you too at Las Vegas for the tour... heard that you had a great time in India... why don't you ever happen to join me in my tour?" Sikander asked sarcastically at Sakshi... loud enough for Arjun to hear...

"Well you don't happen to be my boss... we shall arrive at Las Vegas after 3 days... thank you for the invitation..." Sakshi said coldly...

"You don't have to bother about the lodging - you can stay at my..." he found her glaring at him...

"Hotel.." he completed with an icy look...  

"Thank you for your offer Mr. Khanna but I have set my lodging already (kamine kya bistar sharing tak jaana chahta hain kya… aa ja… forvere sula doongi tujhe!) and done the booking... hope that suffices for now... you may continue your meeting with Arjun.. Sir.." she said... looking tentatively...

“That is there… you are too beautiful and intelligent to leave not anything undone… by the way… how do you intend to spend your evenings at Las Vegas… am sure we can visit the casino…” SIkandar said… smiling and catching Sakshi’s fingers which she immediately took back…

"Sikander... I think it's time we finalize the deal rather than having you flirt with the secretary... " Arjun said icily...

“And Miss. Anand… do get our final papers…” Arjun told Sakshi…

“Yes Sir…” she said and walked out the room…

Arjun smiled at a miffed Sikandar who wanted to have Sakshi’s presence… “So Sikandar… champagne?” (saale tujhe rat killing poison de doon?)

“Sure!” Sikandar said (toh tere main jalan hoti hai Arjun… not a bad thing… gossips and page 3 ke liye toh acha hi hoga…)

---

Chapter 17

It was 2 days since his uncle the great had dropped the bomb on them…

Sameer was sitting in his chair… sipping coffee silently… Ayesha was sitting in the chair in front of him… quietly checking the quotations…

“Ayesh”

“Sam”

both called each other at the same time…

“Woh main… you see… first you…” Sameer said and kept the coffee aside… she looked cute as she tried to untangled her mane…

“I don’t want to marry you…” she pushed the words out of her mouth with extreme difficulty… though a part of her heart was disappointed with this..

Sameer just stared at her… he smiled sardonically “Obvious… tumhe toh woh Birla ya whatever ka chipku useless good for nothing ke saath dil laga diya right…”

Ayesha looked at him shocked… she stood up and glared at him… “Shut up… the problem was that the only probable man for me to have wed is nothing but a male chauvinist egoistic narcist patriarchal idiot… he doesn’t care about my feelings nor about anything that we might have ever shared… he’s as good as a beautiful rotten orange… bahar se jitna sundar andar se utna kharaab…” she flared at him…

“But yeh hai kaun?” Sameer asked innocently… and Ayesha gave him an unbelieveable look…

“I just want to tell you that I hate you… I would die a grieving maiden than be your wife… in fact under no circumstances do I even want my kids to turn out to be a bunch of fools… which would certainly happen if you fathered them… I would only marry you if November happens to be a month of Summer!” She glared at him…

“Looks like I am not in your good books…” he replied quietly…

“No way… and if you were to be a mere book in my library toh phir in that instant I would have burnt the entire library to be saved from you!” Ayesha told angrily…

Sameer folded his arms across his chest and walked towards her… “Is this the opinion you hold of me?” he asked bitterly… she was behaving no more than a Beatrice…

“Oh yes indeed…” Ayesha replied… failing to notice his intense gaze…

“Bharosa ya faith nahi hai mujhpe?” he asked… gritting his teeth…

“Faith! Please… you are just equal to a Benedick… what do the say about Ben… yeh he wears his faith but as the fashion of his hat; it ever changes with the next block… toh tum mujhe faith ya bharose ke baat mat karo… jo tum kisi bhi waqt badal sakte ho!” She snarled at him…

“Oh yeah… what surprises me is the fact that you are yet living!” he growled at her…

Upon seeing her raised eyebrow he explained further… “Tum jitna kisika dimaag khaate ho… it’s obvious ki koi na koi tumhe maar hi daalta! Acha hua aaj tak kisine mohabbat nahi ki tumse… else so some gentleman or other shall 'scape a predestinate scratched face.” he told her…

“Agar chehra tumhare jaise ho toh scratch karne main dilchasbi hi alag hogi!” she barked at him…

He grabbed her shoulders and pinned her to the wall… “Itni nafrat kyun hai mujhpe! Itni khunnas kyun! Bhool gaye… during your high school prom you were mad for me… yaha tak ki after the dance…

His voice trailed off as their eyes met… they knew what happened that night…

2007 - London…

A 17 year old nervous Ayesha romped in her little prom dress… she looked gorgeous!

She settled near the soft green grass… her fingers playing with the dew drops on them… the tiny colored bulbs around her added a bashful glow to her gaze…

Playing with the soft brown curls of her hair her eyes searched for her heartbeat … she chuckled and decided to call him… “Sammy… oye… kitthe mar gaya tu!” she shrieked through the crowd…

Ayesha’s senses perked up the minute she heard some rustling of the leaves… she stood up immediately to notice a man pushing the twigs and branches by as he approached her... she looked at her feet as a20 year Sameer came in front wearing a dashing suit… his hair swept back… he came in front of her with a nervous smile… dusting the small bits and pieces of leaves off his coat…

He was awed by his pixie… his heart stopped for a few seconds… she looked breathtaking… her tanned skin glowing amidst the candles and colored bulbs… her eyes held a softer gaze… he couldn’t find his frenemy any more… rather a lady… and certainly a beautiful one…

Beautiful… that reminded him of the carnations that he held in his hand… he stumbled upon the last twing and cursed his ever favorite damn it and thumped the flowers in her hand...

“Umm… theek thak dikh rahi ho!” he winked at her…

“Shut up… I know I am looking pretty! Tu bhi thik thak dikh raha hai!” she squinted her eyes to him… the fact being that she felt her cheeks flush with her bestie cum crush looking so hot…

“Shut up… I know you are turned on… tera shakal dekh ke sama main aa raha hai… yeh sab chod… care to dance?” he asked… as a soft music played in the background...

Ayesha nodded… smiling and played with the flowers in her hand…

They had a gentle slow dance… it would be wrong to say that nothing passed between them… they were surprisingly graceful for their age… even though the party went on inside they had their own dance amidst the flowers and bushes which gave them a little sense of privacy.. and perhaps romance…

He had come closer… his eyes frequently trekking the beautiful contours of her face… her low gaze… the soft mouth… her straight nose… the loose curly locks which fell in front of her face… before he could take a step forward he hear Arjun calling for her…

Sameer parted immediately… smiling and assuring Arjun that he would drop her…

As he dropped her back home… she waited near the back door… her fingers clasped around the flowers… her heart thumped when he leaned close to her…

“Nice day today…” He said finally…

“Hmm” she nodded… looking aside… his fingers brushed off the strands disturbing her face… till a point that they were just a breath’s distance away… he looked into her uncertain eyes in which it had love written in them… he too was uncertain… but her glossy lips and dew drop eyes made him cup her cheeks and place his lips gently on hers…

He would have stopped that instant had her arms not encircled his neck… he pulled her frame tighter against himself… the soft kiss had indeed turned into a passionate one… her fingers stroked through his neck while his hands held her nape and waist tightly… they parted after a few minutes…

Sameer looked up at a blissful Ayesha… her closed eyes… her swollen lips…

Sh*t… he just kissed his best friend’s sister!

He parted from her immediately…

A confused Ayesha looked at him… and before she knew he left with his bike…

She tossed and turned in her bed…

As she went the next day to collect her leaving certificate from her school she saw Sameer being in an intimate relation with another chick…

“Sammy!” she said aghast…

He turned around to see a flaring and tearing Ayesha…

“Ash… listen… I guess we are best as frenemies… yesterday was like… a slip… if we can forget that… you know… and anyways I have a girlfriend… so if we just can.. chuck that out of our memories…” he said… biting his lips…

“And over that you are RJ’s sis… so yeah… kind of sorry…” Sameer told to a shocked Ayesha and ran off… like a coward…

Sameer looked into a 24 year old Ayesha’s eyes… he still remembered the faint soft lips parting beneath his ardent ones…

But that was a childish mistake… he never meant to kiss her… after that he was always there as a good friend next to her… but she always hated him…

“Ayesha… is that responsible for our fights… for pete’s sake Ayesha it was just a kiss! And not that ki main tumhara first kiss tha!” He ran his hands through his hair and looked at her silent face…

Ayesha turned aside and took in a few deep breath… this man was… was nothing like her childhood friend… who would do anything to keep her smile intact…

“Why did you kiss me that night?” she asked.. trying to control her shaky voice…

“C’mon… you were looking beautiful… you still are… so it was just a slip…” he reasoned and shrugged his shoulders…

Ayesha felt her mouth sour up… “Papa ko tum jo bhi jawab doge I am fine with that…” she said robotically…

“Oh God… Ayesha… after that night why isn’t anything normal… aur ab tum itni robotic kyun ho rahe ho? Kya farak padta hai! It’s not that you didn’t kiss another guy after me!” Sameer said…

“Unfortunately you were the first and the last guy I had ever kissed Sam…” she barked at him and threw the files on his face and stormed out of the room…

Sameer stood shell shocked… what!

Why did she save their childhood book? Why did she not kiss another man? Why was he her first? Why didn’t she be with another guy? Why does he affect her?

Sameer thought of these questions… not knowing that he actually spoke up..

“Ahem! Sir… aap kisi ke baare main itna kyun soch rahe ho ki woh kya soch rahi hai… agar woh apki soch se bahar ho toh aap uske soch main khoye hai… sir sochke batao baar baar sochne ka matlab kya hai… yeh toh sochna hi padega…” Chotu said…

“Chotu… arrey aao… sach kaha… sochna toh padega… par main kyun soch nahi paa raha?” Sameer asked as his favorite employee cum friend helped him with the files…

“Sir kahi kabaar hum dusro ke haalat dekhte hai beghair apne haalat dekhna...” he said and left the room…

Sameer pursed his lips and thought hard… why does he still remember how she tasted… why did he even kiss her? Why does her being hurt hurt him…

He pondered over these thoughts and tried to continue his work… failing over it miserably…

[CENTER]~*~[/CENTER]

“Bas Arjun… we are almost there…” Sakshi smiled..

“Kya Sakshi… after our private flight landed tum kabse drive kar rahe ho without a clue ki hotel kaha hai!” he grumbled…

Sakshi stopped and looked at the grumbling Arjun…

She laughed and pulled his cheeks.. “Ulle le… chutku babu … cuto muto baby nalaaz hai… aww… my bonny baby boy… uchu guchu puchu!” Sakshi pulled the cheeks of a certain annoyed Arjun Pratap Singhania…

“Sakshi!” he glared… Sakshi removed her hands and drove again… but suddenly he heard a baby voice…

“Kya Shakshi… aftel oul plivate flight landed tum kabshe dlive kal lahi ho without a clue ki hotel kaha hai… Kya Shakshi!” she pouted and chuckled again…

“Acha… mera nakkal utaar rahi ho!” he thought silently… “Iska badla zaroor loonga…” he thought silently…

“Waise Sakshi do you want to have something to drink…” Arjun offered her water… she smiled and gulped it… then he offered her juice… she drank that as well…

“Ab hotel pohochne main kitni deri hai socha hai jo paani aur juice gatak gatak pee gayi?” He winked at her…

“Oh sh*t… woh toh aadhe ghante ke duri main aur… mujhe… susu… oh no!” Sakshi widened her eyes in shock…

“Imagine the beautiful bathroom Sakshi… sssss… araam se susu kar rahi ho!” he laughed…

“Shuuttttt uppppp! Arrey mujhe susu lagi hai!!! Tum kitne bure ho! Susu ke liye itna liqids pilaaya aur ab susu background de rahe ho!!” she pouted and drove the car as fast as possible...

“Arrey socho Sakshi… the bathroom is welcoming you… tum araam se nature’s call receive kar rahe ho… araam se susu kar rahi ho! SSSS… bachpan main aise hi susu karwaate the na… ssss… good babu… sss…” Arjun laughed hysterically looking at her tight red face… as if she would blast on him!

“Arjun… ab dekho kya badla leti hoon main!” she gritted her teeth and accelerated the car to high speed…

“WT*” he swore… “Arrey Sakshi marwa dogi kya!” he said worriedly…

“Shut up.. mujhe bathroom pohochna hai… agar kuch aur kiya toh phek dungi gaari se!” she barked at him and drove.. Arjun became silent like a good guy but couldn’t stop laughing…

“Mujhe bathroom… haha… phew… haha!” Arjun chuckled..

Sakshi glared at him… finally the hotel reached… it was indeed one of the best hotels ever… The Athens (false name)...

She practically jumped out of the car with Arjun following her in heels… Arjun took the card personally and lingered around the lobby to spite her…

“Yeh Arjun kaha gaya!” she muttered angrily…

“Arrey Sakshi tum yaha kya kar rahi ho? Tum jao na apne hotel par… wait… woh toh yaha se 25 minute ki doori main hai na… Days Inn… right? Such a cute hotel… jao waha jao…” Arjun sneered at her… for the fact she had flatly refused his offer for her to stay in this hotel… of course for the fact that Arjun would be paying…

“Arrey kaunse janam ka badla le rahe ho… theek hai… yahi rahungi…” she said… her pressure increasing for every second… she almost started sweating…

Arjun chuckled… “ Ok dear!” he said and walked to the reception…

“Arrey kaha jaa rahe ho…” she asked…

“I will book a room for you first… then you go to your room and me to mine right…” he said…

“Arjun can’t I go to yours for some time… bas kuch hi minute ke baad hai… I will be quick… rest of the things later… now come.. fast..” Sakshi literally tugged his hand and walked into the lift… oblivious to the fact that the receptionist was blushing as she misinterpreted Sakshi’s hurry…

Many people knew Arjun over there and passed knowing glances to a hurrying Arjun and Sakshi to the lift…

Arjun laughed at Sakshi’s state… “Kyun madam… aur batavun kitna bhola bacha hoon main…”

“Shut up… tumhe toh baad main dekhungi… pehle toh yeh lift tezz jaye!” she bit her lips… her cheeks flushing…

A couple came in… Sakshi slid towards Arjun… waiting for the 37th floor…

He could see that Sakshi was too nervous… he caught her ice cold palms… “Ok sorry… guess it isn’t that funny.. just wait for some time… ek baar we reach the room…”

She held on to the railing… “I can’t control further…” she whispered…

“Just one minute Sakshi… hold on for a minute… we are almost there…” he said and finally the 37th floor came!

Sakshi rushed out and Arjun followed suit…

Little knowing that the couple behind had their faces painted to pink and red… thanks to the misunderstood conversation *wink*

Arjun opened the door and poor Sakshi rushed in… he almost felt guilty…

Sakshi came out relieved from the washroom… “Phew… thank God..” she muttered to find a thoroughly amused Arjun looking at her… and it had taken her no rocket science to understand the villain behind this…

“Arjun!!!” she gritted with her teeth… “I’ll kill you for this!” she growled and walked towards him in a threatening manner…

“Arrey Sakshi! Chill… kyun… chutki baby ka sus ho gayi na?” he laughed and sat on the sofa… and Sakshi just crossed her arms and gave a glare towards his direction…

“Sach main yaar… you are such a kiddo… koi bhi tumhare saath kuch bhi kar sakta hai par tumhe samaj hi nahi aata! Main paani aur juice deta raha aur tum peeti rahi! Seriously… you are an easy bait for anyone!” he chuckled… not realizing how sharp his words were…

Sakshi glare dropped down and her stance stilled… true… she had always been an easy bet for those men… it wasn’t new to being used… still she believed the MLA… she believed the man at the corner of the road to show her where the highway was… she had believed the mysterious strangers in the car to drop her to her house… she believed them all… like an idiot…

Arjun stopped laughing when he noticed her stiffened stance… he frowned… wait… what wrong did he say…

He got up from the sofa and touched her shoulders slightly… “Hey..” he said… “Kya hua?” he frowned noticing the glistening of her eyes…

“You are right… I am an easy bait for anyone…” her voice rasped out…

“No… S..” Arjun tried to reassure her to be pushed off…

She walked out of the room… towards the lift… wiping the tears off her cheeks… what was she thinking? This man had softened.. but then…

He came behind her in heels… she stepped into the lift and went…

He followed her by another lift…

Sakshi hugged herself tight… the voices swirling in her head…

“Arrey nahi beta… aapke chacha jaan ne bheja hai hume aapko pick up karne ke liye.. sach main!”

“Arrey uncle.. gaari roko… kaha le jaa rahe ho mujhe…” I yelled… they laughed wickedly… oh no… I opened the lock and jumped out of the car…

However…

Sakshi bit back her tears and walked out… rubbing her tears off… going towards her car…

“Sakshi!” Arjun’s voice came from behind…

But Sakshi walked towards the entrance… the hot wind engulfed her the minute she stepped outside…

She left the premises… panting as she reached the road… just as she was going to catch a taxi that she felt a hard tug on her elbow…

Her figure crashed against his and she looked into his angry yet semi confused eyes…

He cupped her cheeks… “Sakshi what’s wrong… see I am sorry for what happened… par… iss tarah se chali jaana… you know na that you are staying here as well… just what happened… maine aisa kya kehdiya ki tum…” he looked at her distant deep brown eyes…

“Tumne kuch nahi kaha Arjun… main hi kuch zyaada sochne lagi…” she said softly…

“Cut the crap Sakshi…” he said angrily… and Sakshi jerked off his grip… he looked at her in utter shock…

“It isn’t lovely to be the bait every single time… it isn’t lovely to be used every time… you friggin get that!” she barked at him and went inside a taxi and whooshed off…

Arjun stood defeated… his hands on his hips… his heart beat frantically against his chest… mused over the face that whether it was she or his run that made his heart pace…

“Sakshi… kyun main tumhe nahi jaanta…” he thought and wiped the sweat off his forehead…

As Sakshi reached the motel she walked in and settled in the room… “Main kaisi ek insaan pe bharosa kar rahi hoon jo mujhe kabhi samaj nahi payega…” she rued…

---

Chapter 18

“Sashi… baby… kya baat hai… tu itna udaas kyun hai bacha?” Liza lovingly voiced out through the skype…

“Kuch nahi Liz… it’s just that some men are stupid!” Sakshi said…

“Sash… tell me… exactly kya hua… and that… Arjun… kuch kiya kya?” Liza asked tensed…

“No Liz… actually…” Sakshi recounted the entire tale…

Liza laughed at one point then looked at Sakshi… “Sash… he doesn’t even know you… neither of the things that might hurt you… ab tu bol… ek din hass ke agar tune kaha ki tera mom toh paagal ho jayega tuj jaisa beta paida karke… that might hurt him… cause his mum is no more… you know that right?” she reasoned…

“Hmm… that is there… sabko pata hai ki Aunty is no more… sheesh… I blew it a big time… par… phir bhi…” Sakshi sighed…

“Waise Dada ab bhi naraaz hai na mujhse? Pichle 7 saal se hi naraaz hai na… aur chahajaan… kab aarahe hai US main haan?” Sakshi and Liza spoke about their usual stuff…

“Chal love you… take care… aur mera fattu Dada se tu khud propose kar le… woh toh kuch kehne hi nahi waala!” Sakshi chuckled while Liza grew red in anger!!

Sakshi cancelled the video call and rested on the bed… why didn’t she tell him… perhaps he might sympathize… but she didn’t want that… she also remembers that he had said when it was raining that he can differentiate between tears and water…

And she burst on him…

Sh*t!

---

“Ya… Sam… I know you are busy… as always… par tu dekh… I kinda spoke nonsensically.. like called her a bait and stuff… and Sakshi bhadko fied on me!” Arjun spoke to Sameer…

“Hm… (as if I am the right person to speak to) you see Rj… sometimes we really dunno people… and as far as Sakshi is concerned she is a person with immense self respect… aur ek bait… bait isn’t really a good word for a female… right…!” Sameer reasoned…

Sh*t… Sam was right! Sakshi isn’t a fishing piece that he should call her a bait!

“Sam… I must say that tu jiss bhi ladki se pyaar karega… usse bohot khush rakhega!” Arjun smiled and kept the call…

“Sivai apni lady baaki sabko achi tarha se samajta hoon!” Sameer grumbled in his mind looking at Ayesha coming in with reports…

“BHAIII!!!!” A voice came from the call…

“Ashu jaan! Hay babe! Kaisi hai tu? Watcha doing? Wait… what are you doing in Sam’s cabin? Wait… what are you and Sam doing together?” Arjun volleyed a number of questions…

Ayesha gave an exasperated look… “Please Bhai… main yaha kaam karti hoon… Sa.. Sir ko reports dene aayi thi that I heard you… and wait… did u make Sashu sad?” she asked…

“ Arrey bas… ok what makes her happy?” Arjun asked… when Sameer butt in..

“Yaar Rj ek baat bata… tujhe Sashu ki fikar kyun ho rahi hai?” Sameer asked…

“Sashu? You just called her Sashu?” Arjun raised his eyebrow…

“Sorry re baap! I meant Miss. Sakshi Anand!” Sameer said sarcastically…

“Kyunki Sam agar dosti bhi ho… and that too with a girl toh phir aisi choti choti baaton kya khayal rakna chahiye.. cause a girl… is soft… and beautiful…” Arjun smiled…

“Haan toh Bhai… give her a simple gift… ussi main khush ho jayegi…” Ayesha said…

“Oh cool! Toh phir… umm… ek simple diamond necklace! Ya phir a casual Versace dress? Ok… exotic flowers bouquet!” Arjun said excitedly while Sam and Ayesha slapped their hands on their foreheads…

“Idiot bhai… simple! As in something worth not more than 10!” Ayesha growled…

“Woah… shant Ash… fine… toh 9 thousand ki Mont Blanc watch… she would love it!” Arjun smiled…

“Idiot! Fool! 10 matlab 10 dollars… not 10,000 dollars! Ab tu jaa… mujhe kaam hai… luv u Bhai… muah!” Ayesha grinned and was about to cut the call when…

“Ash… you are sad… fudge… tu bohot hi zyaada dukhi lag rahi hai… what’s the matter? And if it’s a guy I swear main uski seekh kebab bana dunga!” Arjun said coldly…

Sameer gulped…

“Help… anybody there?” I cry out… petrified to find myself tied to a roaster with fire underneath…

“You made my sister cry!!!” Arjun roars wearing a South African dress and having two big sticks in his hand… he whips me…

“Aah… mummaaa!!!” I scream…

“Tu Nahi Bachega!!! Mere behen ko rulaaya hai… nahi bachega tu… ab marr… MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!” Saying so he throws me in a boiling pot of water!

“Sir!” Ayesha calls him for the nth time!

“Mumma!!” Sameer screams…

“Sir… bhai se baath ho chuki hai… and you are supposed to be checking the reports…” Ayesha gave him a deadpan face…

“Hmm… yeah… thanks!” Sameer mutters and signs the reports…

“Btw.. the way.. ahem.. Ayesha I told Dad that I agree with any of his decision… same thing to Uncle…” Sameer says hesitantly…

“Ok…” she muttered and pretended to look over the files… he hated her indifference… well… thanks to him! SHe had been his most precious friend!

Sameer ran his hands through his hair… he had broken his friendship with her… twice… once during the kiss… and next… well as good as yesterday!

“Sameer… I am ready to marry you… waise bhi… it will be good for the families to tie up… more business profit…” Ayesha said blankly…

He stood up followed her… he caught her wrist… gently… “Is this the only reason Ayesha…” he asked her… the emotionless girl smiled a little… “Give me another reason…” she said softly… leaving him at a loss of words…

“Am your friend…” he blurted out…

Ayesha just sighed… and left the room…

Leaving Sameer to his own little miserable land…

---

As afternoon set in with a surprising few cold winds Sakshi bathed and changed into a multi colored loose shirt and jeans… she bit her lips… thinking about how to call Arjun…

Nibbling on a small chocolate she took her phone in her hands… then again kept it aside… she dried her hair and put it into a messy bun…

When someone rang the bell…

“Ting Tong”

“Ab kaun…” she thought as was about to open the door when a familiar voice called out…

“Sakshi jald hi ready ho jao… we are going out ok… lunch and dinner…” Arjun said…

Arjun!

“What… main aisi nahi aa sakti!” she shouted back… already rummaging through her dress… she needed to change into a pretty dress… not this funny loose shirt and jeans…

“Main andar aavun?” he asked..

“No way… I’ve not got anything nice on!” She replied…

“What! You’ve got nothing on… I must come in then!” he chuckled…

“Shut up Arjun!” she shouted back… though chuckling herself…

“Sakshi please open the door…” Arjun said…

Sakshi bit her lips… and opened the door…

“Arjun am in a mess right now… par phir bhi… anyways… I like… wanted to say… umm.. ermm… sorry…” she said to find Arjun looking at her…

“Kya?” she asked… scratching her neck…

“Sakshi… you do look beautiful…” he whispered to a surprised Sakshi…

This was the first time he had seen her so casual… and she looked breathtaking indeed…

“Woh.. Arjun… as I said I am…” she was stopped as Arjun hugged her… it was awkward…

“I am sorry Sakshi… I behaved like a jerk! I am really sorry…” then he realized that he had to part *wink*

“Ab chalo… bahar chalo…” he said… smiling…

“What! Issi main… I can’t go into a five star hotel with this!” She complained…

“Who cares? And wait… hum 5 star hotel main nahi jaa rahe hain… hum waha jaa rahe hai jaha pe tum humain lekar jaana chahti ho!” he smiled…

She noticed a small yellow flower in his hands and she slightly smiled on that…

He came closer to her…

“Show me your world Sakshi… I want to know… how it is… to be normal…” he sighed… a simple yellow flower still in his hands… for some reason Sakshi took the flower amidst her fingers and walked off… with him grinning and following her…

---

“Maine kaha tha na Arjun… yeh Casino Shasino bhool javoge after you see the beautiful museums aur adventure land!” Sakshi  giggled while tucking into a nice noodle pack…

Arjun looked at the plastic plate which had the chop-suey in it with a delicious looking sauce…

“Is it good… I mean… can’t we have buffet at the Palazzo?” he toyed with the food…

Sakshi took his plate and poured the sauce on the noodles.. causing it to soften and look delicious… she knew there was only one way that Arjun might like this…

She scooped up the noodles in a fork and held it in front of his mouth… “Try it Arjun… agar tumhe Chinese pasand na ho then I will look for something else…” she smiled…

“Nahi nahi… I love Chinese… par… I mean it’s just a 10 dollar meal na…” he shrugged his shoulders…

Sakshi seemed put off… “Haan… it’s ok… sorry I forcibly brought you idhar…” she said quietly and kept the fork down…

And then Mr. Idiot Arjun realized that she had kept the fork up to feed him…

“But if you feed me I wouldn’t mind!” he smiled… and she shook her head and chuckled…

“Flirt karna koi tumse seekhe!” she laughed and held the fork out for him and he took a bite… oh my… it was delicious!

THe semi crunchy semi soft noodles was a treat to him… it was not long before he ordered another pack for him…

“Sach main Sakshi… it was damn awesome… damn se yaad aaya… I’ll call Sam to check up on work…” Arjun said and Sakshi giggled…

“Damn se Sam yaad aaya!” She laughed…

“Yeah yeah… fine… I sent him a message… chalo… let’s see the town eh? Kya bolti ho?” he asked and Sakshi nodded…

As they walked through the town… surprised by the contrasts it held… the breeze picked up it’s pace…

And while crossing the road Arjun linked his hand with Sakshi’s and she turned to look at him for a minute… but what surprised Arjun was when she tightened the grip around his palm… and he turned to look at her…

Background Music starts…

(italics for imagination - normal for reality; whichever couple they see… assume Arjun and Sakshi to be wearing that… )

Sakshi smiled at herself and crossed the road… looking at the various colors the city had painted itself too… as they walked close to a remoter part of the city… which looked more like a set out of a movie Sakshi gazed around happily… with a childlike joy..

For Arjun the city was nothing… it blurred into oblivion and only the radiant face of Sakshi’s remained in his sight… he gently withdrew his hand from hers…

And to his surprise and joy… she seemed disappointed…

“Wait… main kyun chah rahi thi yeh… main yeh kyun maang rahi thi ki woh mera haath pakde?” she thought and turned to look into his gaze…

Sakshi and Arjun looked at a cute couple in the corner…

(Dil ki maangein thodi thi kam
Har dua bhi thodi maddham)

Sakshi twirled in her orange dress and pouted… it had been 15 minutes since she was waiting for Arjun… she smiled at her own foolish heart!

She felt her heart throb… it meant he was nearby… she smacked herself for these thoughts.. yet she looked down at the red rose she held… waiting for her beloved...

(Tune kaandhe pe sar jhukaya jab

Jaise dargaah pe baandhe dhaage tab)

Arjun comes up from behind and clasps his warm arms around her waist… she smiles…

He bites at her earlobe then licks the soft skin as she gasps his name…

(Bina maange hi mil gaya hai sab)

He turns around Sakshi towards him and presses his nose against hers… and smiled

(Meherban hua hua

Meherbaan hua hua

Meherbaan hua, meherbaan hua rab)

He tickles Sakshi near her waist and tangles his fingers with her smooth hair… causing her to chuckle yet be right next to him… he presses his lips against her forehead… and she locks her arms around his neck… enjoying the pure moment of bliss… and satisfaction… her ring finger gleaming with the proposal ring…

Sakshi comes out of her reverie as she misses a step and Arjun holds her tight…

Their notice goes towards a church as the bride comes running out with her groom… throwing the bouquet behind!

(Duaa rang rangiya yun malang laal laal rang

Rooh ki patang baandhi tere sang

Tab hi toh laga

Meherban hua Rab)

Sakshi laughs in joy and squeals in surprise as he picks her in his arms and twirls her around…

Sakshi throws her bouquet towards the sky and locks her arms tightly around Arjun’s neck

The crowd cheers and dances for the wedded couple… showering them with petals…

(O din ye sehre sa saja

Meherbaan huaa Rab)

Arjun puts her down and dances with the crowd… Sakshi blushes and runs away… with Arjun chuckling and teasing his wife till they reach the room to spend the wedding night…

Sakshi turns crimson as he keeps his coat and tie aside and gently removes the laces of her wedding dress… his hands tracing her figure… he passes soft feathery kisses on her exposed skin as she looks aside…

Sakshi pushes him aside to only fall back into his arms… and her cute husband offers her the most innocent smile… and she chuckles… as if oblivious to his intentions...

White curtains flow through and hours pass by…

(Haathon ko tere apne

Haathon mein le leti hoon

Ki takdeerein apni saari padh loon)

Sakshi and Arjun are wrapped up in a single white sheet… sitting on the balcony edge… she locks her palms with his and looks into his eyes as he passes her a reassuring smile and gently kisses her forehead…

Sakshi closes her eyes in satisfaction…

(Aankhon mein tere chhupte

Armaan main dhoondhtaa hoon

Bas tu soche, aur poore main kar doon)

Arjun picks her up in his arms and places her on the white bed… he pecks her eyes… and intertwines their hands as a sign of pure unadulterated love… a sign of promise… forever… as a sign of their unending happiness…

(Abhi abhi to hum adhoore thhe

Poore ho gaye tere roobaroo)

Sakshi cups his cheeks and pulls them sweetly… she laughs and tries to escape but he has caught the sheet and pulls her closer…

(ye bhi dikhe na

kahaan main khatam, kahaan tu shuru)

He hugs her tightly… as if to never part from her… he rubs her nose slightly with his… her eyes became teary feeling the immense pleasure and bliss…

(Aankhein teri girti hain jab)

As she closes his eyes he sits up with her arms tightly wrapped around his… seeing her eyes close he nuzzles into her neck and smiles… closing his own eyes in happiness…

(Ab to neendein aati hain tab)

While she gently ruffles his hair… breathing deeply as she feels his puffs of breath on her exposed collars...

(Hum ko lagta hai kuch dinon se ab)

He pokes her perky nose slightly… and smiles at her angelic face…

(Tu ibaadat hai, tu hi hai mazhab)

She smiles and places a soft kiss on his forehead as he lays her down gently… her eyes shut close… in anticipation...

(Bewajah kaise, kyoon kahaan aur kab)

He pulls the sheet over them as they toss and turn… white curtains flow through… petals waft lazily through the air…

(Meherban hua hua

Meherbaan hua hua

Meherbaan hua meherbaan hua rab)

Their giggles echo in the air… the candles are blown off… Sakshi whimpers softly while clutching the blankets… Arjun cups her flushed cheeks and touches her forehead softly…

As they lay next to each other… their hands locked… he looks at his wife… indeed.. he has been blessed… he has been lucky… she’s the talisman of his life… he kisses her for the final time...

And then they smile and drift to sleep…

Arjun coughs suddenly… snapping her out of her trance… they have walked into the city as the carnival arrives… some of the ladies… flutter around them in their extravagant costumes…

Sakshi becomes too excited to join them… she giggles and runs to dance with them… her innocent laughter echoes as the most pleasant sound in the air…

He notices her every feature… her now flushed cheeks… her eyes twinkling beneath her spectacles… her feet tumbling a little as she tries to match the fast steps… her loose hair moving in a rhythm of their own…

He leans against the wall and notices the minute details of her that he must have skipped before…

She is beautiful…

And… perhaps… he is in… love?

(Rab ne banaaya sabko

Par kaun bataaye Rab ko

Mar ke tum pe, hum saans lete hain)

Arjun just gazes at her… his heartbeat paces faster… his cheeks have started flushing… has he fallen for her?

He picks out his phone… clicking her pictures… and smiling… his heart beating faster every second…

(Rab se karun jo duaayein

Ab ye tujhi tak jaayein

Tu jo sun le toh sunta ye Rab hai..)

Sakshi notices him taking her pictures… suddenly she feels the temperature to have risen as he gazes at her intently… she blushes and moves out… standing quietly next to him… they eye at one of the digital posters… a beautiful gif of a couple…

(Jaane naa jahaan

(Jaane hai kahaan

Mili thi meri teri haan me haan)

Sakshi’s laughter cuts into the air as Arjun twirls her around the beach… she giggles and throws him in the water… running away…  as a naughty Arjun grins and pulls her back… Sakshi looks at him in shock as he passes her intense looks…

(Sach hai yahi tujh sa kahin

Nahin hai nahin)

She cups his pouty face and pulls his cheeks a little and smiles… she sits on him gently… her head touching hers… and she holds him tightly...

(Meri raahein aayein tujh tak

Iss janam se har janam tak)

He smiles at her and kisses her bare stomach gently… she gasps his name and her eyes tear… he smiles as she understands his wish… to be the mother of their children…

(Waqt ko rokein aa zara sa ab

Usko samjha dein ishq ka matlab)

He gives her his famous intense look which sends a shiver down her spine and then he cups her cheeks…

She closes her eyes as he bends down and takes her lips into his… his arms hugging her possessively… while her fingers stroke through his wet hair…

(Chhod ke zidd ye maan lega ab)

He smiles at her pink face… and rubs her nose against hers.. it being his favorite gesture…

Sakshi and Arjun comes to reality as a car honks…

(Meherbaan hua hua

Meherbaan hua hua

Meherbaan.. hua

Meherbaan hua Rab

Meherbaan.. hua

Meherbaan hua Rab

Meherbaan.. hua

Meherbaan hua Rab)

They both look at each other’s faces… surprised to see their flushed cheeks…

They imagined the same thing!

They avert their eyes and start walking back to the hotel… they don’t know how to look at each other… their hearts thumping… their breaths quickening…

The birds sang… the sky painted itself to various shades of pink, orange, yellow and red… the colors of love…

Sakshi didn’t know what was happening to her… she felt as if her heart would burst out in happiness any minute…

Arjun didn’t know what went through him… he felt… liberated… free… in fact he felt as if he was alive again…

Had their Gods been merciful to them? Had they been blessed with the most sacred emotion in the world… was the other one feeling the same… did they pulsate by each other’s breathing…

Sakshi’s breath hitched as he wrapped his palm around hers… and tightly tugged her towards himself as a car zooms by…

As the two walk into the sunset… unknown to the fact that they themselves look like another picture perfect couple…

---

CHAPTER  19

Arjun and Sakshi stopped for dinner…

“Umm… kuch khaogi…” he asked… his palm still locked with hers…

“Bhook nahi hai… tumhe?” she asked with a nervous smile…

“Not exactly… but then for Dinner let’s go to the hotel next to mine! Waha pe bohot acha Thai cuisine milta hai…” Arjun said…

“Okay!” Sakshi smiled… “But… I will pay half…” Sakshi smiled…

“Fine… but I have a condition…” Arjun teased her…

“Ab kya?” Sakshi pouted… “See either I pay your full dinner bill ya phir you pay half and follow my condition…” Arjun crossed his arms across his chest…

“Theek hai… maanti hoon re baba… ab toh bolo kya tha?” Sakshi asked…

“Tum mere hotel main rahogi! Company pay kar raha hai… anyways Sikandar is paying for one room that is mine… toh company has to pay for one extra room aur woh tumhara hi hoga…” Arjun shut Sakshi’s mouth…

“Arjun… tumse toh koi baat bhi nahi ki jaa sakti hai!” Sakshi chuckled…

“Par wait… agar hum tumhare hotel main khane ke liye jaa rahe hai naa… then please let me change… I will just take five minutes… please please please!” Sakshi gave her best puppy eyes look…

“Theek hai chalo… waise bhi tumhara luggage lena padega na…” Arjun smiled and Sakshi slapped her forehead…

---

“Sakshi… kya pehen rahi ho?” Arjun yelled… it was 5 minutes since Sakshi went in the bathroom to change and Arjun was sitting on the bed… reading a magazine…

“Arjun bas 5 minute hi hue hai… woh chotu sa bag dekh rahi ho… haan woh hi mera luggage hai… and argh Arjun… you have called me 10 times!” Sakshi yelled…

“Sakshi!” Arjun still called… he loved to piss her off!

“Ab bathroom ke andar hi aa jao!” Sakshi screamed…

“I would love that! Hahaha…” Arjun laughed…

“Shut Up!” Sakshi said and walked out…

“I mean seriously Arjun tum na dood peete hue bache se bhi battar ho… main kabse bol rahi hoon ek do minute do… par nahi Jahapanah ko abhi mulaazim ho dekhna hai… and.. Arjun… Arjun?” Sakshi placed her hands on her hips to see him gaping at her…

Wearing a royal blue georgette shirt and black leggings she looked beautiful… she had placed her glasses on her nose… which just complimented her… he didn’t know that a woman being so fully covered could look even more beautiful than a lingerie model…

Or was it because of the slight freckles that she looked beautiful? Or the little grin she gave him… or the simple straight hair that she tucked behind her ears… or the little kohl in her eyes…

“Achi lag rahi ho…” he said…

“Thank You…” Sakshi smiled… though her cheeks tinted slightly…

As she carried her bag Arjun decided to tease her…

“Blush lagaya kya?” he asked…

“Nahi toh… kyun?” she asked… frowning a little…

“Toh phir yeh gaal laal kaise?” he asked… she shrugged her shoulders…

“By the way tum toh Sikandar ko milne ke liye bohot utaavle ho rahi hogi!” Arjun chuckled knowing how much she detested Sikandar…

“Oh please… by the way… Raina came na… you… you must be staying with her…” Sakshi said… slightly put off…

“I broke up with her… like two weeks back…” Arjun said…

“Really!” Sakshi shrieked excitedly to find a shocked Arjun looking at her… she immediately cut down her smile and licked her lips… biting her tongue to control her happiness she turned towards Arjun and made a solemn face…

“Really…” she tried to be as sober as possible…

“Hmm…” he replied… the two walked… trying to control their laughter…

“I am very sad you know…” trying to put on the best fake sad face ever…

The fake solemness lasted for two minutes… and then the two burst into peals of laughter!

They ended up looking like retarded seals flapping their arms in the air…

“Tum kitna dukhi ho… yeh dekha jaa raha hai! Par tum log separate kyun hue… mere saamne toh bada romance womance  ho raha tha… yaad hai college graduation!” Sakshi chuckled…

“Arrey tab main ek alag insaan tha…” Arjun smiled…

Sakshi smiled back at him…

“Acha I will just take a Tom Yum soup and Veg Green Curry and Thai Fried Rice aur last main ek Mango Sticky Rice and after that Vanilla Ice Cream with Litchi!” Sakshi said as they entered the restaurant…

“Bas… aur kuch nahi…” Arjun asked sarcastically…

“Shut up.. yeh tumhare aur mere liye hai…” Sakshi smiled…

“Oh… so madam… how is your first date with The Arjun Pratap Singhania?” Arjun winked at her…

“Please… yeh koi date shate nahi hai! It’s just a dinner…” Sakshi clarified…

“Acha… kyun date nahi hai?” Arjun raised his eyebrows…

“Arrey date main ladki formal dress pehenti hai… ladka bhi acha formal dress pehenta hai… dono ek high class restaurant ya long drive pe jaati hai… they have a nice time… then they come back… and I guess ek kiss bhi hota hai… aur phir proposal!” Sakshi grinned…

“Arrey wah… matlab mujhe tumhare liye aur apne liye ek aur formal dress khareedna padega… apne Rolls Royce ke saat seher karwaana padega… mere saath rahogi toh nice time ho hi ga… aur phir ek ring khareedna padega… aur last main toh… sirf kiss se kaam chalega… mera toh waha pe nahi rukega… kamre tak aa sakta hoon na…” he winked at a mortified Sakshi Anand…

“Arjun… I am not having dinner with you… tum theek toh ho… chi chi!” Sakshi said and Arjun tugged her arm… “Sorry maate… ab chalo bhi!”

As they received the soup Sakshi closed her eyes and inhaled the essence of the fresh Lemongrass… some herbs…. the slight lemon touch… her mouth salivated slightly..

She slurped the soup and her eyes closed in satisfaction… “Mmm” she softly whispered…

“It’s amazing! It’s only good food that can make your eyes go round, your head spin and say mm…” Sakshi said to find Arjun ready to say something…

“Actually no… there are other things too which can make you go mm… eyes widen… head spin!” Arjun chuckled…

An innocent Sakshi looked at him… “As in?” she asked…

“Tum maarogi mujhe…” Arjun said… “Arrey no… tell me na!” Sakshi pleaded…

“Mere kamre main aao…main guarantee de sakta hoon isse zyaada acha lagega… bhai itna talent toh mujhe hai!” Arjun began to ran away as Sakshi chased him with a knife…

“Arrey yaar… main mazaak kar raha tha Maa Kali!” Arjun yelled… running around the restaurant… unaware of the fact that all the other people were noticing them… some were giggling while the others were shaking their head at their childishness…

“Itna ghatiya aur battar jokes… chi chi… tumhe toh issi jurm main sazaa e mauth dungi!” Sakshi said… grabbing his neck… he did slow down so as to she can catch him…

The two laughed as he did sit ups…

“Well well who do I see here?” an icy voice said from behind…

Arjun and Sakshi turned and their smiles faded from their faces… as Raina crossed her arms across her waist and looked at them…

“So I find here Juno and his reason to ditch me… Sakshi… not bad Juno… boss or PA ki love story… it’s sensational… I am sure tum dono ek hi kamre share kar rahe honge? No wonder Sakshi is wearing full sleeves…” Raina commented…

Sakshi gave a disgusted look to Raina…

Arjun stepped in front… “Listen Raina… we are through this… and stop gossiping around… please… I don’t think we are compatible anymore…”

“You know Arjun what really surprises me is we have slept innumerable times yet you don’t find me “compatible” khair chodo… all the best for your life…” Raina remarked sarcastically…

“That was just s*x Raina… making love is another aspect altogether… and yeah… thank you and same to you… chalo Sakshi…” Arjun glared at Raina and left…

“Waise Sakshi… he’s very good in bed… trust me… am sure 2-3 din main tumhe bhi pata chal jayega… arrey why are you looking so shocked… he’s young blood… he can’t stay without ahem… trust me… first he’ll take you out.. then a dinner… followed by a goodnight’s kiss… and am sure he is dying to slip inside you… kyunki tum actually ho bohot sundar… and moreover you are a virginal beauty…” Raina told her…

“I exactly am not that interested in your gossip mill…” Sakshi folded her arms…

Raina laughed… “Yeah right… tumhe kya lagta hai… agar tum itna khubsoorat nahi hoti toh woh tumhare saath rehta kya? Waise bhi make sure you are waxed… trust me… you will have a time of your life…” Raina chuckled…

“Bye sweetheart… enjoy tonight… waise he would walk on your left… and before you go to your room… have your kiss…” Raina chuckled and left…

Sakshi shrugged her shoulders… no way… Raina was saying false…

Arjun wasn’t a perv… agreed he’s young blood but no way… Raina’s just speaking crap!

She walked back to her table… Arjun smiled at her…

“Kaha reh gayi thi.. main kabse wait kar raha tha… chalo.. let’s have main course…” he helped himself and started devouring on the food…

However Sakshi fell into a dilemma… she toyed with her food… Arjun noticed her quiet behavior…

“Raina ne kuch kaha kya?” Arjun asked…

“Woh… agar tumhe Raina pasand nahi tha toh tum aur Raina physical relationship main kyun the?” Sakshi asked out of the blue…

Arjun kept his fork aside and looked at Sakshi’s uneased face…

“So Raina told you about us sleeping together for like hours together?” Arjun asked bluntly…

“No…” Sakshi shuddered at the thought…

“See Sakshi.. I mean… hormones makes our desires and cravings… but after marriage it would only be with my wife… and I would love her.. with and without clothes… and see these are flings… one can make love and stuff… one night stands and things… but after marriage it’s a beautiful commitment… it’s about love then…” Arjun explained…

“Is making love so cheap? Ke kisi ke saath bhi…” Sakshi said bitterly…

Arjun sensed the change in her tone… “No love… not at all… I wouldn’t say one night thing was a healthy stuff… no way… it’’s circumstances… Sakshi… in my life I might have slept with quite a few women… but making love… no… yeh kabhi nahi hua…” Arjun sighed….

Sakshi nodded… “You know Arjun… main kabhi kabaar sochti hoon ki mujh jaise Plain Jane se tumhari dosti kaisi hui…” she half smiled… completing her dish…

“I dunno Sakshi… actually if you ask me college main tumhe mujhe thappar maarna chahiye tha… I damn deserved that! Aur dosti… kyunki we connected somehow…” Arjun smiled at her…

Sakshi breathed in… what was she thinking.. believing on Raina? Seriously… the girl who insulted her… please!

Finishing their ice creams he offered to drop her till her room…

Sakshi nodded…

Arjun saw her being relatively quiet…

“Waise how was the food?” Arjun asked… his gaze flicked towards her thoughtful eyes… her perky little nose… the slight smile… she was the first lady of substance he ever saw in his life…

“Delicious… waise kal kya pehen rahe ho?” Sakshi asked… they swiped their cards at the interior of the lift… it would automatically take them to their room floor…

“Umm. emerald green shirt aur ek jet black suit… tum?” he asked…

“Wow! Am wearing a…” their conversation was interrupted as Raina stepped in the lift…

“Oh hi… waise kal main aa rahi hoon party main!” Raina smiled at them..

Sakshi gave a polite nod… “Toh kya pehen rahi ho? Am wearing a Versace gown… waise koi aam kapde mat pehenna… oh… tum Ayesha se borrow kar hi logi… ya phir Jun toh hai hi tumhe gown “gift” karne ke liye… otherwise seksy lagna toh tumhare bas ki baat nahi hai… ” Raina sneered…

“Am not putting myself up for sale that I have to look seksy… as far as looking beautiful is concerned… yeah… I would work to look decent enough… aur jaha khubsoorti ki baat kar rahi ho… saree pehenlo… tab pata chal jayega…” Sakshi sneered back…

The lift stopped at Raina’s floor and she walked off… Arjun gave a high five to Sakshi…

“Waise Raina 2nd floor se toh aayi.. kar kya rahi thi woh?” Sakshi mused…

“Sikandar has his special suite their… am sure khud rang raliya mana rahi hai! Isliye sehen nahi ho raha hai that you are normal!” Arjun chuckled…

They both walked out of the lift…

“So…” Arjun said… as he walked on her left..

“Why are you walking on my left?” Sakshi asked…

“Aise hi… tumhara kamra tumhare right main ayega na…” Arjun told..

Sakshi nodded… as her room came the two stood like idiots… fumbling with her fingers…

As Arjun came closer… blood drained from Sakshi’s face… she didn’t like physical intimacy… in fact she had a phobia against them… ever since childhood…

Arjun noticed her looking pale and fingers whiten… he cupped her cheeks… “Sakshi… wait… are you fine…” he looked at her.. tensed…

He opened her door for her and made her sit on the bed… “Now sleep like a good girl… kya hua? Was it the food? I’ll throw the chef out… what was it?” He checked her temperature…

Sakshi smiled at his concern… he is an epic piece!

“Arrey nahi… bilkul bhi nahi… I just get these spells of dizziness…” Sakshi smiled…

Arjun folded his arms… “Yeah right… heart attack deti ho… aur uske upar… yeh lo chocolate…” he gave her the chocolate from the mini refrigerator…

“Nahi Arjun! Yeh expensive hoga!” Sakshi claimed… Arjun laughed on that… seeing her pout he held his earlobes…

“Acha baba sorry… but you are so cute!” he said when Sakshi asked him…

‘Arjun… am I pretty…”

Arjun looked at her beautiful face… “Not just pretty Sakshi… you are beautiful…” he caressed her hair…

“Well let me leave… otherwise yahi so javunga… arrey tumhe kha nahi javunga!” Arjun chuckled and left…

---

CHAPTER 20

Sakshi bit her lips nervously… in this event should she wear this?

She scratched her head and called up Liza…

“Liz… kaisi make up karoon? Jamaila.. maine life pe make up nahi kiya apart from kohl!” Sakshi pouted…

“Dikha kya pehen rahi hai?” Liza asked and she mouthed a wow on seeing it…

“Madam… ab ke liye na… put smokey eyes and slightly rouge lips… bas… uss pe lattoo ho jayenge saare!” Liza joked while Sakshi grinned…

Taking an exotic bath she dried her hair…

She remembered there was a spa here…

She asked them if there was a beauty salon and walked in there… she was nervous… this was the first time in her life that she had walked in such a beauty salon…

When Arjun called… “Sakshi… kaha ho tum?” he asked…

“Main… salon main… itna ajeeb lag raha hai na! Oh sh*t!” Sakshi said all of a sudden…

“Kya hua?” Arjun asked…

“Woh Raina… and forget that… hair straightening is… what… 2100 dollars! Forget it main kamre main jaake hi apne aap ko theek kar lungi!” Sakshi muttered…

“Wait… Sakshi… meri designer aa rahi hai… agar chaho toh woh tumhe touch up kar sakti hai…” Arjun said…

Sakshi bit her lips… “Nahi uski zaroorat…” she started to be cut off by Arjun…

“Zaroorat hai!” he said… authoritatively…

“I will send her to your room… tum ready ho jaana… main ek meeting kar ke straight Casino pe javunga… so don’t worry… bye.. lo… I mean… bye..” Arjun said quickly and cut the phone…

Sakshi half smiled at the phone in her hands… what did Arjun mean by lo… was it love?

Sakshi hit her palm on her forehead…

“Madame, may I come in?” An expert with a group of people walked in… Sakshi nodded… well Arjun wouldn’t leave her with another choice!

---

Arjun walked in… which followed a round of applause… as people wished him and spoke to him…

Well he was a known celebrity… but today the applause didn’t appease him… where was she?

He paced around the ballroom… fiddling with the gold cuffs… he smoothened his gelled hair… he had changed into a tuxedo for the night…

“Well well… koi aaj kuch restless dikh rahe hai?” Sikandar comes and hugs Arjun…

Arjun hugs Sikandar back out of politeness…

“Well Sikandar… aapko hi dekhne ke liye bechain ho gaye hai hum! I must say, it’s a beautiful party…” Arjun smiled…

Sikandar bowed… “But after all you are paying for it… I had to make sure it’s up to the mark!” Arjun smiled back…

“Aapki Secretary kahi dikhayi nahi de rahi hai…” Sikandar mused next to a hot dashing Arjun…

“Sikandar… I must say that you find my secretary more interesting than the deal…” Arjun remarked sarcastically…

Raina looked obviously over dressed… sorry under dressed in a total see through gown…

When suddenly everyone in the hall stopped talking…

Arjun and Sikandar looked towards the door as they found everyone to be quiet…

And the glass of champagne dropped from Arjun’s hand as the most beautiful and seksiest girl in his life stepped before him…

No more was Sakshi Anand a naive innocent girl… she had indeed become a woman… a beautiful breathtaking woman…

Wearing a deep emerald coloured saree … a deep beautifully cut blouse, her eyes smoky with kohl… her lips tinted to a soft shade of rose…

Her hair was smoothened to natural curls…

And the biggest thing… her spectacles were off her…

“Oh my…” Sikandar whispered out Arjun’s thoughts…

Which brought Arjun back to reality…

Sakshi stepped down from the staircase… a slight smile playing on her lips… the media captured her photographs immediately…

She walked towards Arjun… whose mouth was just open seeing her… his gaze searched her intently… Sakshi felt her cheeks turning to a warmer shade… she clicked her fingers in front of Arjun…

Arjun gulped and smiled… he had forgotten that he had dropped the glass hence shook his fist in mid air to drink…

Sakshi broke into a bewitching smile… Arjun was transfixed at her laughter… all words evaporated from his mind…

Over there Raina burned in jealousy and stomped her foot when a wicked plan came into her head…

“You are looking gorgeous my lady…” Sikandar holds her hand and bows…

Sakshi gives a polite nod… her gaze goes back to Arjun who seems to have disappeared…

She frowned… where is he?

As Sakshi searched around for Arjun, giving a polite nod to all those who complimented her…

“Sakshi… yaha balcony main aao…” Arjun sent her a text… Sakshi shook her head and walked towards the balcony to find Arjun waiting for her with a drink in his hand…

“What is it?” she asked, partially annoyed that he didn’t say anything…

He held her hand and made her sit on a chair… the soft glow of the paper light added another charm on her golden skin…

Sakshi looked at him… puzzled… when Arjun sat on a chair opposite to hers…

“What is this?” Sakshi asked him…

“Now… I can see you to my heart’s content…” Arjun smiled and locked his eyes with hers…

Sakshi turned into a deep shade of red as his eyes were transfixed on her… he noticed each and every detail of her…

The emerald green saree was beautifully contrasted against her creamy skin… Sakshi found herself to turning to various shades of pink and red… Arjun was waiting for her to blush like a blooming flower, but to his surprise she got up and pinched his nose… “Ab saari umar aise ek tak dekhte rahoge kya? Chalo deal finalize toh karo!” Sakshi grinned and walked towards the hall…

Arjun chuckled to find the same old Sakshi back… “Aha… so someone is oozing charm and confidence here eh?” he leaned against the door frame… his eyes checking Sakshi out from top to bottom. “Arjun, aise roadside Romeo mat banno… samjhe? Aur haan… ab deal finalize karna hai ya nahi?” Sakshi chuckled and dragged Arjun inside the hall…

To his surprise Arjun found himself falling to Sakshi’s charms even harder, her unabashed smiles, her same confident nature… he found himself stealing gazes all the time… however this madame seemed unaffected!

So he suddenly pulled Sakshi towards him… and saw her cheeks flush to a deep shade of red. “Arjun.. choro… sab dekh rahe hai!” she whispered and looked down. Arjun chuckled “Matlab koi nahi hota toh theek hota?” his husky voice sent shivers down her spine. Sakshi looked at the pupils of Arjun, and blushed to see it widen as they locked with hers, but then a fright crept up her skin… as his fingertips held her back gently… Sakshi was unsure whether it was something pious… or unbridled lust in his eyes. He hadn’t once mentioned how she looked.

But Arjun put a rest to her thought as he gently took a rose and gave it to her “Listen, did I tell you how beautiful you are looking?” he murmured softly. As his nose rubbed against her cheek Sakshi felt her heart quickening in pace.

“Bas bas” Sakshi shied away and ran  off.. leaving a grinning Arjun! He shook his head and smiled at her sudden shyness. He called up Chotu “Chotu, buy a solitaire diamond ring.”

Arjun smiled, today he would make Miss. Sakshi Anand as Mrs. Sakshi Arjun Rawte…

~*~

Sakshi toyed with her glass of juice…. her heart was thumping hard. “Yeh… yeh… main Arjun se…” she put her face in her palms…

Oh God… her life seemed to be at the best moment now! When her phone rung… “Haan Lizu bol jaan!” she said.

“Wow… koi bohot khush hai! Listen Shree kuch din baad tujhse baat karega! AUr haan… Chacha jaan USA aa rahe hai, do mahine baad!” Liza screamed excitedly…

“Really!! WOWOWOWOWOW! Main kitni khush hoon yaar! Aur sun I have something important to tell you Lizu…” Sakshi fumbled with the edge of her saree…

“Ahem… somebody’s in love haan?” Liza teased… “Shut up LIzu! Chal rakh rahi hoon… bye jaan!” Sakshi cut the call and walked towards Arjun…

“Okay… everybody listen out here…” Sikandar picked up the mike while everyone cheered.

Raina spat in anger by seeing Arjun and Sakshi together… she picked up her phone and called up someone.

“So my dear people, the gentlemen and beautiful ladies! I announce the partnership of the two most powerful companies in aircraft business, Lionex and Voyage Enterprises!” A burst of paper confetti and claps filled the air!

“Let me call on stage the dashing business tycoon, none other than Arjun Pratap Singhania!” Sikandar called Arjun towards the centre of the hall as people cheered for him. From the side Sakshi felt herself swelling in pride looking at her Arjun…

Arjun stood in the centre, as Arjun turned left and right till his eyes settled on the person who occupied his head and heart…

He decided…

No matter what, he would confess today…

~*~