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Chapter 13
Arnav’s POV
Khushi and me have finally drove to the city to pick her engagement ring. She was mostly quiet in the car and it was only me doing the talking. I know my interaction with that scary woman is bothering her because she thinks I spoke to a ghost. I don’t believe in it. She’s definitely mistaken. But how could Khushi also hear the same words ‘He is coming’ in her dream? Who is coming? Is this all really connected? I ignored overthinking once we reach the jeweler store and ask the manager to display the best solitaire rings they have.
Any woman would have been excited to pick the best ring out of these but Khushi chooses the simplest and the lowest price one.
“This is good” she points out at a simple ring.
“It’s good but I want my wife to wear the most precious solitaire on her finger.”
“Don’t compare these expensive things with our relationship. My loyalty and feelings towards you won’t be measured by how much you spend on adorning me.”
I am stunned by her sensible remarks.
“I appreciate your simple beliefs but its not a problem if I want to spend some money on my wife, is it?” I argue.
She goes silent again. I pick another ring and ask her to try but when she sees the price tag, she is hesitant to even look at it. I grab her arm and slide the ring in her finger. She stares at me in disbelief. The ring sparkles on her skin as if it’s made for her.
“Liked this one?” I ask. “Please ignore the price tag for once.”
She is about to debate but then she gives up.
“It’s perfect” she admits and I take a sigh of relief.
We choose that same ring and then quickly settle the bill and walk out of the store. It’s almost late evening and we are returning to the town.
“Can you drive us to the temple first and then drop me home?” She requests.
“Sure. You have some work there?”
“Hmm” she nods and I take the route accordingly.
We reach the temple in around 45 minutes and Khushi gets down.
“You have to come with me inside.”
I frown. “Why?”
“What do you mean why? You interacted with a spirit yesterday. The evil has a bad eye on you and I just want to relieve you from it. I won’t take long. It’s just a two-minute work.”
My mouth hangs open.
“Are you serious? I don’t believe in all this..”
“I do.. And if you want to marry me, you’ll have to believe in what I believe. Get down.”
She literally commands and when I still don’t get down the car, she reaches my side and opening the car door, she drags me out. Only because she is holding my hand and leading me in the temple, I don’t mind. Whatever beliefs she carries are beyond my understanding but I like that she is so worried for my life and safety. That’s the only thing why I agree to do whatever she tells me to.
We take off our shoes and walk to the Devi Maiyaa idol. Khushi takes out some stuff from her sling bag and then asks me to stand facing a particular direction. She then takes some ash in her fist and chanting some mantras, she starts circling her fist from top to bottom of my body. I keep staring at her as she completes this ritual and then throws the ash at the back garden of the temple.
“Done..” she takes a sigh of relief.
“That’s it?” I tease. “Just ash and few mantras will take away that evil eye from me?”
“I believe so. Now listen to me very carefully. Whatever ritual I did will come into effect only when you keep this below your pillow tonight.”
God! I am going crazy. She hands me the flower petals which were at Devi Maiyaa idol’s feet.
“Khushi.. this is too much..”
“Please.. I won’t ask you anything more than this.”
I roll my eyes and taking the petals from her, keep it in my pant pocket.
“Fine. Let’s go home now. We have a big day tomorrow.”
She nods and then follows me out. Even while getting down the car at Laxmi Nagar, she reminds me to keep the petals below my pillow while sleeping and I tell her not to worry. Even if I don’t believe in any of this, I won’t forget her commands. Happily, Khushi gets down the car and marches to her home.
It’s around 10:00 pm when I reach Sheesh Mahal. Meeting the family down I make my way to my room. It was a long day and I am exhausted. Sleep is all I need right now to look fresh tomorrow at my ring exchange ceremony. Di told me she has gifted a Green lehnga to Khushi for tomorrow’s ceremony and that would mark the first step of Khushi adorning herself as the Bride of Sheesh Mahal. I can’t wait to see her in that traditional attire. I change into my night pants and T-Shirt and about to go to bed when I remember Khushi’s commands. She had asked me to keep the petals below the pillow. I quickly take them out and admiring them in my palm when a gust of wind blows in the room, without any warning and the petals scatter from my palms out of the window with the wind.. Before I can catch them, they float in the direction of the wind and I lose them all. Damn hell.!! What would I tell to Khushi if she asks me tomorrow?
I know her first reaction would be to panic and that would spoil her mood for the entire event tomorrow which I don’t want. But I can’t lie to her either so I decide to tell her after the ring exchange. Shutting the windows, I get back to my bed to sleep.
*********************
Khushi’s POV
Last night I saw the same dream again. The same whispers ‘He is coming’ kept haunting me throughout the night. Dreams like this are rare because so far I could only hear whispers from Devi Maiyaa, giving me enough hints to save the life of innocents but this dream wasn’t a sign or hint.. it was more of a warning and it always ended up with the face of Arnav in those blue eyes. I didn’t know how to connect the dots or read the warning this time. But one thing was sure, Arnav’s life was in danger and I was the only one who could save him.
Babuji knocks at my room door asking me if I am ready to go. It’s my engagement today and I am wearing the green Lehnga which the Raizadas gifted. He admires and then blesses me for this event before leading me out. Every ritual of this wedding is arranged in the temple and I am glad that Devi Maiyaa will be blessing me and Arnav, protecting us from the evil that’s somewhere around our lives. I could sense it and the worse, I had no clue what that is.
The Raizada’s greet us at the temple. Payal is next to me and I am glad because she’s the only one whom I am comfortable with so far. The Raizadas are good and friendly but I might take some time to adjust in their family. I take Daadi’s blessings and then Arnav’s elder sister Anjali takes me to the canopy which is decorated for the ceremony to take place. That’s when I see Arnav. In a grey suit, he looks adorable.
“Lucky you..” Payal whispers to me. “Your fiancée has not taken his eyes off you.”
Is it? I swallow my fear as I recall the major things Payal and I conversed about intimacy the other day. It’s hard to believe I was going to be part of all that process in future with this man here.. All my plans to stay celibate had gone in vain the day I agreed to marry Arnav Singh Raizada. I quickly glance at the Devi Maiyaa idol and ask for forgiveness.
“Khushi, your focus should be on my Chotte now.” Anjali Di teases, bringing my attention to Arnav again who stood next to me.
“Hi” he mumbles, giving me a onceover head to toe and my body heats up. I quickly cover my exposed waist by the dupatta and when I meet his eyes again, he frowns.
The family soon announces that the mahurat is up so we quickly exchange the rings. I slide the gold ring in his finger and he puts the solitaire one around mine. We take the blessings of the Raizada family and my father who is in tears. He literally joins his palms before Arnav asking him to look after me hereon which he knows he would but Arnav instantly, pulls his palms away.
“You don’t have to plead me to look after her. It’s my duty now to make sure she gets every happiness she deserves. But contrary, I think your daughter has more power and to keep me safe from every trouble.”
His remarks bring a smile on Babuji’s face and I am so glad that he could lighten the emotional moment. We take wishes from the guests and only when all are busy, Arnav grabs my arm and leads me away from the crowd. It is only when we are at the backside of the temple, he stops pinning me to the wall behind.
“Why… why did you bring me here?” I gulp as he pins both his arms at either sides of my body, caging me between him and the wall.
“Why do you think I brought you here?” His husky voice does something to my body and I feel even more embarrassed for having such feelings inside for him inside a temple.
“This is a holy place, such … such activities around here is a sin..”
“Which activities?” he gives me a lop-sided smile.
I know he likes teasing me and wants me to speak about the forbidden things which we haven’t conversed about yet.
“This activity.… whatever you intend to do bringing me here.. won’t be allowed until we marry.”
Arnav laughs at my condition.
“Relax. I got you here because I couldn’t talk to you before my family. Actually, i…”
He pauses and I gape at him, waiting for him to continue.
“Those petals you gave me to put below my pillow when I sleep, I couldn’t do that..”
“Kya?” I shout in anger. “Why?”
“Because of the wind. The window was open and the petals flew out and I couldn’t hold them back. I am sorry. I know how much that meant to you but..”
“Hey Devi Maiya…”
I quickly try to think of the possibilities of his actions when he grabs my arms.
“Khushi relax. I don’t think it mattered anyway because I really got the best sleep last night.”
“It wasn’t about sleep. I told you that ritual was incomplete until you follow all of the commands I tell you and keeping those petals close to your body was one of them..” I shout back.
“Yea.. fine.. I agree but…”
“You think this is all a joke?” Tears spring in my eyes but Arnav quickly wipes them off and cups my face. His touch is tender and warm on my skin.
“Calm down. Breathe in…”
I try to shove his arm but he holds me tight this time.
“I said Breathe in…” he commands and I do as he says.. I take a deep breath. “Good. Now breathe out..”
I oblige. He makes me repeat this twice and all my tension eases for now.
“When I have such a dutiful devotee of Devi Maiyaa next to me, I don’t think any evil will ever harm me, Khushi. Plus, this Raksha Dhaaga that you tied on me? I am never taking that off. So you need not worry. But if you still think I am not as shielded as you are, there is one way you can transfer some of your powers to fight the evil, to me..”
Really? How? My eyes shine with hope.
“Are you willing to do that?” he asks and I nod my head in agreement.
He grins and his arms flex again at the wall, pinning me there while he aims for my lips.
Note: Will post another update of this tomorrow.
“Don’t compare these expensive things with our relationship. My loyalty and feelings towards you won’t be measured by how much you spend on adorning me.”
I am stunned by her sensible remarks.
“I appreciate your simple beliefs but its not a problem if I want to spend some money on my wife, is it?” I argue.
She goes silent again. I pick another ring and ask her to try but when she sees the price tag, she is hesitant to even look at it. I grab her arm and slide the ring in her finger. She stares at me in disbelief. The ring sparkles on her skin as if it’s made for her.
“Liked this one?” I ask. “Please ignore the price tag for once.”
She is about to debate but then she gives up.
“It’s perfect” she admits and I take a sigh of relief.
We choose that same ring and then quickly settle the bill and walk out of the store. It’s almost late evening and we are returning to the town.
“Can you drive us to the temple first and then drop me home?” She requests.
“Sure. You have some work there?”
“Hmm” she nods and I take the route accordingly.
We reach the temple in around 45 minutes and Khushi gets down.
“You have to come with me inside.”
I frown. “Why?”
“What do you mean why? You interacted with a spirit yesterday. The evil has a bad eye on you and I just want to relieve you from it. I won’t take long. It’s just a two-minute work.”
My mouth hangs open.
“Are you serious? I don’t believe in all this..”
“I do.. And if you want to marry me, you’ll have to believe in what I believe. Get down.”
She literally commands and when I still don’t get down the car, she reaches my side and opening the car door, she drags me out. Only because she is holding my hand and leading me in the temple, I don’t mind. Whatever beliefs she carries are beyond my understanding but I like that she is so worried for my life and safety. That’s the only thing why I agree to do whatever she tells me to.
We take off our shoes and walk to the Devi Maiyaa idol. Khushi takes out some stuff from her sling bag and then asks me to stand facing a particular direction. She then takes some ash in her fist and chanting some mantras, she starts circling her fist from top to bottom of my body. I keep staring at her as she completes this ritual and then throws the ash at the back garden of the temple.
“Done..” she takes a sigh of relief.
“That’s it?” I tease. “Just ash and few mantras will take away that evil eye from me?”
“I believe so. Now listen to me very carefully. Whatever ritual I did will come into effect only when you keep this below your pillow tonight.”
God! I am going crazy. She hands me the flower petals which were at Devi Maiyaa idol’s feet.
“Khushi.. this is too much..”
“Please.. I won’t ask you anything more than this.”
I roll my eyes and taking the petals from her, keep it in my pant pocket.
“Fine. Let’s go home now. We have a big day tomorrow.”
She nods and then follows me out. Even while getting down the car at Laxmi Nagar, she reminds me to keep the petals below my pillow while sleeping and I tell her not to worry. Even if I don’t believe in any of this, I won’t forget her commands. Happily, Khushi gets down the car and marches to her home.
It’s around 10:00 pm when I reach Sheesh Mahal. Meeting the family down I make my way to my room. It was a long day and I am exhausted. Sleep is all I need right now to look fresh tomorrow at my ring exchange ceremony. Di told me she has gifted a Green lehnga to Khushi for tomorrow’s ceremony and that would mark the first step of Khushi adorning herself as the Bride of Sheesh Mahal. I can’t wait to see her in that traditional attire. I change into my night pants and T-Shirt and about to go to bed when I remember Khushi’s commands. She had asked me to keep the petals below the pillow. I quickly take them out and admiring them in my palm when a gust of wind blows in the room, without any warning and the petals scatter from my palms out of the window with the wind.. Before I can catch them, they float in the direction of the wind and I lose them all. Damn hell.!! What would I tell to Khushi if she asks me tomorrow?
I know her first reaction would be to panic and that would spoil her mood for the entire event tomorrow which I don’t want. But I can’t lie to her either so I decide to tell her after the ring exchange. Shutting the windows, I get back to my bed to sleep.
*********************
Khushi’s POV
Last night I saw the same dream again. The same whispers ‘He is coming’ kept haunting me throughout the night. Dreams like this are rare because so far I could only hear whispers from Devi Maiyaa, giving me enough hints to save the life of innocents but this dream wasn’t a sign or hint.. it was more of a warning and it always ended up with the face of Arnav in those blue eyes. I didn’t know how to connect the dots or read the warning this time. But one thing was sure, Arnav’s life was in danger and I was the only one who could save him.
Babuji knocks at my room door asking me if I am ready to go. It’s my engagement today and I am wearing the green Lehnga which the Raizadas gifted. He admires and then blesses me for this event before leading me out. Every ritual of this wedding is arranged in the temple and I am glad that Devi Maiyaa will be blessing me and Arnav, protecting us from the evil that’s somewhere around our lives. I could sense it and the worse, I had no clue what that is.
The Raizada’s greet us at the temple. Payal is next to me and I am glad because she’s the only one whom I am comfortable with so far. The Raizadas are good and friendly but I might take some time to adjust in their family. I take Daadi’s blessings and then Arnav’s elder sister Anjali takes me to the canopy which is decorated for the ceremony to take place. That’s when I see Arnav. In a grey suit, he looks adorable.
“Lucky you..” Payal whispers to me. “Your fiancée has not taken his eyes off you.”
Is it? I swallow my fear as I recall the major things Payal and I conversed about intimacy the other day. It’s hard to believe I was going to be part of all that process in future with this man here.. All my plans to stay celibate had gone in vain the day I agreed to marry Arnav Singh Raizada. I quickly glance at the Devi Maiyaa idol and ask for forgiveness.
“Khushi, your focus should be on my Chotte now.” Anjali Di teases, bringing my attention to Arnav again who stood next to me.
“Hi” he mumbles, giving me a onceover head to toe and my body heats up. I quickly cover my exposed waist by the dupatta and when I meet his eyes again, he frowns.
The family soon announces that the mahurat is up so we quickly exchange the rings. I slide the gold ring in his finger and he puts the solitaire one around mine. We take the blessings of the Raizada family and my father who is in tears. He literally joins his palms before Arnav asking him to look after me hereon which he knows he would but Arnav instantly, pulls his palms away.
“You don’t have to plead me to look after her. It’s my duty now to make sure she gets every happiness she deserves. But contrary, I think your daughter has more power and to keep me safe from every trouble.”
His remarks bring a smile on Babuji’s face and I am so glad that he could lighten the emotional moment. We take wishes from the guests and only when all are busy, Arnav grabs my arm and leads me away from the crowd. It is only when we are at the backside of the temple, he stops pinning me to the wall behind.
“Why… why did you bring me here?” I gulp as he pins both his arms at either sides of my body, caging me between him and the wall.
“Why do you think I brought you here?” His husky voice does something to my body and I feel even more embarrassed for having such feelings inside for him inside a temple.
“This is a holy place, such … such activities around here is a sin..”
“Which activities?” he gives me a lop-sided smile.
I know he likes teasing me and wants me to speak about the forbidden things which we haven’t conversed about yet.
“This activity.… whatever you intend to do bringing me here.. won’t be allowed until we marry.”
Arnav laughs at my condition.
“Relax. I got you here because I couldn’t talk to you before my family. Actually, i…”
He pauses and I gape at him, waiting for him to continue.
“Those petals you gave me to put below my pillow when I sleep, I couldn’t do that..”
“Kya?” I shout in anger. “Why?”
“Because of the wind. The window was open and the petals flew out and I couldn’t hold them back. I am sorry. I know how much that meant to you but..”
“Hey Devi Maiya…”
I quickly try to think of the possibilities of his actions when he grabs my arms.
“Khushi relax. I don’t think it mattered anyway because I really got the best sleep last night.”
“It wasn’t about sleep. I told you that ritual was incomplete until you follow all of the commands I tell you and keeping those petals close to your body was one of them..” I shout back.
“Yea.. fine.. I agree but…”
“You think this is all a joke?” Tears spring in my eyes but Arnav quickly wipes them off and cups my face. His touch is tender and warm on my skin.
“Calm down. Breathe in…”
I try to shove his arm but he holds me tight this time.
“I said Breathe in…” he commands and I do as he says.. I take a deep breath. “Good. Now breathe out..”
I oblige. He makes me repeat this twice and all my tension eases for now.
“When I have such a dutiful devotee of Devi Maiyaa next to me, I don’t think any evil will ever harm me, Khushi. Plus, this Raksha Dhaaga that you tied on me? I am never taking that off. So you need not worry. But if you still think I am not as shielded as you are, there is one way you can transfer some of your powers to fight the evil, to me..”
Really? How? My eyes shine with hope.
“Are you willing to do that?” he asks and I nod my head in agreement.
He grins and his arms flex again at the wall, pinning me there while he aims for my lips.
For a moment I don’t realize what he intends to do but when his lips part nearing my lips, I get the idea. He is just teasing me. But even though I know what his next action would be, I have no strength to push him away or break this moment. Unknowingly, I shut my eyes, welcoming Arnav Singh Raizada to complete his long-desired wish.
To be Continued
To be Continued
NEXT PART
Pic Curtesy to the uploader.
Pic Curtesy to the uploader.
Note: Will post another update of this tomorrow.
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STOLE MY HEART - eBOOK RELEASED
SHE STOLE MY HEART (RELEASED ON AMAZON KINDLE)
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A Standalone Office Romance by Madhuri Tamse.
BLURB
How does it feel when the most charming man in the city chooses you for a dance, ignoring every other gorgeous face around? Splendid, isn't it? And what if that man is also your Boss who has never shown a bit of interest in you so far? Bizarre!! But that's how Ritwik Bajaj, the most eligible bachelor in the Fashion industry, also known for his playboy nature, swooned me. It was not just a ball night to remember but the most nerve-tickling three weeks of my life after, where he fulfilled all my romantic fantasies, which I wondered a man like him will ever shower upon me.
But Why? My mind kept asking me that a million times, whilst my heart coerced me to go with the flow.
"They say charming a woman was my art, though none ever stayed in my life cart. But with flowers and wines... gifts and dines, She Stole My Heart ~ Ritwik Bajaj."
Wow so romantic and lovely update.Khushi has already accepted Arnav as her husband and started loving and caring about him.she has started avoiding her inhibitions for him.waiting for their marriage.
ReplyDeleteOohhh my God...! Arnav is being soo lenient towards her every action... Growing up in abroad, these things might look little too much to him... And still he agrees and follows and also be honest with her... For a moment I thought he would lie to her that he slept with petals under his cushion... ❤️❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteAnd alas... Seal the deal with a kiss...!!! 💯😘😘😘
Awesome Update. Arshi are finally engaged. Glad that Khushi didn't push Arnav . Will Arnav really kiss her. Arnav is really nice the way he assured Shashi Gupta. Khushi is really simple and naive but she will soon understand Arnav's feelings and emotions and adjust with him. Hope Khushi saves Arnav from the evil. And the he must be Arnav's twin who is coming. Waiting for the next part eagerly and also for some Arshi moments.😍😍 Thanks for the Update.
ReplyDeleteHuhuhu!! That's a long one. I love it!!
ReplyDelete;)
Finally they are engaged…..I hope now she can protect him more easily.
ReplyDeleteArnav needs to understand the seriousness of this situation and he won’t understand it unless he realizes on his own. Khushi is trying hard to save him so he should help her and not tease her about everything she trying to do. I don’t know who this blue eyes guy. It can be arnavs twin but there is no involvement of his family yet in the story. At least dadi. Waiting for the next chapter.
ReplyDeleteLoved the update , very beautiful
ReplyDeleteNo upload my new boss tomorrow
ReplyDeleteYou do like to tease us with cliff hangers. Lovely, I like the way he respects her beliefs even if he does not believe in it. You have us so wrapped up in these characters that I cannot decide which stories AK or any of the other characters (Ayush/Arti) I like/love. Happy New Year! to you and all your characters
ReplyDeleteWow awesome and amazing update
ReplyDeleteWowww... Awesome update. This story is soooooo different from others and scary also but loved it so much. Hope Arnav will understand the seriousness of the situation and act accordingly Khushi.And yah cliffhanger.plz update soon can't wait now
ReplyDeleteBeautiful update. Thank you for updating even in this festive season its a treat.
ReplyDeleteFabulous awesome update dear
ReplyDeleteKhushi is getting warning after warning to protect arnav but evil is not ready to leave him
ReplyDelete