Bride of Sheesh Mahal - Season 3 - Part 15

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Chapter 15


Arnav’s POV

I urged Shashi Gupta that I would drop him and Khushi home after the engagement. Fortunately, they didn’t deny. Khushi is at the backseat with me driving and her father next to me on the passenger seat. He keeps on telling me about the rest of the wedding preps while I have my eyes on Khushi from the rear-view mirror. She’s too silent and I don’t even know why? Is this because of the kiss? Is she repenting giving me that much liberty to kiss her? Or am I overthinking? She glances at me in the rear-view mirror and then as if she reads my worry, she passes me a soft smile. I return her smile and continue driving. Something is off in her and I need to know what that is.


As we reach, I get down the car along with Shashiji and Khushi.

“Arnav bitwa, thanks for the drop. I had a request. Can Khushi and I take leave from office from tomorrow? I don’t have much leaves pending but..”

“Its fine,” I reply. “Of course, you two need time to prepare everything. Even I am going to work from Sheesh Mahal in a day or two, once the renovation of the home office is done.”

“Oh, that sounds great.”

I nod and wait for Khushi to say something but she is still very quiet. As if Shashiji understands our need to speak in privacy, he immediately makes up an excuse.


“I’ve to make a few calls to my sister Madhumati. She is reaching here at morning. Let me find out if she boarded her train or not. You both talk and take your time.”

“Thank you..” I appreciate that gesture. “And good night.”

“Good night”


As soon as he leaves us alone, Khushi also shows the same urgency to leave.

“You should head back home. Your family must be waiting for you..”

Before she could walk away, I hold her hand.

“I am with my family” I mutter. Her eyes gleam with a sense of pride. “What is going on Khushi? Tell me if you don’t like me touching you but don’t be so cold and ignore me. It f*cK**g hurts.”

She quickly places her palm on my mouth to shut me up.


“How many times should I tell you not to use such cuss words?”

I grab her wrist to draw away her palm from my lips.

“I’m going insane here and you are bothered of the cuss word?”


My pulse was ready to shatter at this very moment if she kept being silent over that kiss topic for even a second long. Not wanting her to see my state, I left her and looked away. Never thought I would get wound around a woman to this extent.


“It was perfect,” I hear her say behind me.

Turning around, I face her with a puzzled stare. She looks little shy but she doesn't back out now.

“What was perfect?” I ask, wanting her to say it loud enough for my heart to be contended.

She instantly shies.

“Whatever we did back there at the temple.”


When she still doesn't use that right word, I take a step towards her and she in turn takes one back.

“What did we do at the back of the temple Khushi?”


She pressed her palms over my chest to stop me from pinning her.

“You know it. Why do you ask then?”

My smile is back seeing the blush on her face.

“I want us to be open about talking these things, Khushi. Under no circumstance I want you to hide what you want from me or don’t want. It is always good to know and discuss these things..”


She nods softly looking down, trying to hide her flushed face from me. In 5 days she is going to be my wife and the Bride of Sheesh Mahal and I can’t wait.


“But why did you push me away then?” I suddenly remember.


She exhales before meeting my gaze.

“I saw those blue eyes version of you again that moment and it scared me.”

Seriously? That’s why she broke that best moment of our lives?

“Khushi you are thinking too much. Come out of these orthodox thoughts. They will only get worse if you don’t.”

“They are premonitions Arnav, not just mere orthodox thoughts. I believe something worse is soon going to hit our lives and I want to be prepared to fight it. Whether you believe or not. Whether you support me or not.”


I like it when she is so keen on fighting for me. When she’s showing so much devotion in protecting me even before our marriage, I can only comprehend how much she’ll strive to keep me safe once I am her husband.

“I’ll always support you,” I reply, my thumb grazing her soft cheek.


Her chest expands in deep inhales when I lean closer but before I could even think of kissing her again, she pushes me and runs to her home.

“All this only after the marriage now. Good night.”

I let out a sigh of frustration but then I grin too watching her giggle as she scurries to her house. Can’t wait to make her my wife.


*******************

Khushi’s POV


I go personally to pick Buaji from the railway station. The train is on time and I see her getting down from the sleeper couch with two bags that she’s hardly able to hold by herself.


“Buaji” I wave at her and she looks pleasantly surprised to see me there. I run to her and the moment I reach, I bend down to take her blessings.

“Jeeti raho bitiya” (God bless you Khushi)

I take one bag from her and she carries the other one.


“Did you bring the stuff I asked you to?” I inquire.

“Ssshh. Of course, I have. But why do you need them now?”

“I can’t tell you that, Buaji. You know how it is.”


She sighs in disappointment but I soon lighten her mood.

“Babuji was telling me, you are going to dance on my Sangeet..”


She laughs heartily as I mention that.

“Does it look like I can dance? Look at my body. It’s so rigid that I can hardly move any muscle to even walk..”

“Buaji.. It’s my wedding.. You and Babuji had so many desires for this event. I want you to dance for me..”

“fine fine.. I will. But only on one promise. You and Arnav bitwa will dance with me.”


I nod happily.

“I don’t know about him but if you are on the dance floor, how can I not join you Buaji?”

“That’s like my girl.” She pinches hard my cheeks and I wave for the autorickshaw to take us home.


After dropping Buaji there, I have to take the secret stuff she got for me to the old Mandir (temple) which is a few kilometers away from the town. And I can’t even let Babuji or anyone else know my whereabouts until I finish the task I have to.

********************

Arnav’s POV

Few Hours later - Sheesh Mahal

The family is busy in the living room discussing and preparing for my wedding while I am here at the basement with Akash and NK looking after the just renovated office cabin. All the old stuff has been dumped in the garage and now this room looks habituated with the new furniture where I can sit and work without anybody’s disturbance.


“How is it Bhai? Doesn't it look good?” Akash asks and I shake my head in agreement.

“It’s enough for now. This should do until we all fly to London.”

NK agrees with me and while I inspect the room, I hear the ticking of a clock.

“What is that sound?” I ask, turning to the wall at my left.

“Which sound?” NK queries.

“This..” I wait till I hear another tick.. “Heard?”

They both deny together.

“The ticking sound..” I snap.

“No Bhai. We can’t hear any ticking sound.”


Strange!! I can hear it so clearly as if its right next to me.. I am about to argue when my phone rings. It’s from Khushi’s number. Than God she called. I was trying her number since past two hours and she hadn’t answered. I thought she is busy with the marriage preps.


“Hello Khushi?”

NK and Akash both grin at me.

“Who is this?” a man speaks from the other end. I recheck the number and it belongs to Khushi. Who is this man then?

“Who are you? Where is Khushi? This number belongs to her.” I shoot back my doubt.

“Actually there is a woman here on the road, unconscious and this phone was lying beside her. I dialed the first number that popped up on her calling list.”

“What?” I scowl. “Khushi.. Khushi is unconscious? Where?”


I am already on my way out of the room.

“At the lane which goes to the forest.. I will text you the GPS location on your number. My wife is trying to bring her to consciousness. Please come soon..”

“Don’t hang up.. I am reaching there.. Send me the location.”


And with that I rush to my car. Lane to the forest? What the hell was Khushi doing there? How did she fell unconscious?


To be Continued.

NEXT PART

Note: Short part today as well. 

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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.

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