HOW CAN I LET YOU GO?

First things first! Eid Mubarak to all my wonderful and patient readers! Have a splendid year. 
And secondly, I apologise yet again for the late update. But hope today, on Eid ,you will forgive me! :p

CHAPTER 12

Bewilderment filled the faces of those around, as they stared in pure wonder at the man who claimed not to have a heart! What else was this, if not a show of love? A declaration, nevertheless! 

Nani was old, but for a reason. She had garnered wisdom over her years of existence, that let her read through any situation, and allowed her to reciprocate in kind! As her gaze shifted between her grandchild and his betrothed, she noticed the pure awe and surprise with which she regarded him! She reached a set of conclusions of her own, and smiled inwardly at the prospect of seeing them through.

"Okay Arnav! If that is what you wish...then so be it! You may leave the house!", she thundered, earning shocked gasps from those around, as all eyes turned to her , some albeit accusing! 

"Nani...", started Khushi, only to be cut off by Arnav's vice like grip on her hands, as he all but dragged her out of his house. The house he grew up in. The house he helped rebuild. The house wherein his life, his di, resided!

"Arnavji....", Khushi retorted, struggling against his stronghold. " Please...listen to me!"

But it fell on deaf ears. He dumped her unceremoniously into the car before driving off , unmindful of the fact that his rash driving was tethering Khushi on the edge! She was close to having a full blown panic attack! 

"Arnavji...pleaseee...ssll...sllooow....do...down", she managed to whisper. 

But what Arnav failed to hear from her mouth, his heart seemed to capture, cause he glanced at Khushi, and saw her visibly pale countenance, as she gasped for breath. He braked the car immediately and unbuckled himself, before leaning over and capturing her face between his large palms.

"Khushi...", he called out, barely a whisper. When she didn't respond, he rubbed his thumb across her cheeks, wiping away her tears in the process, before calling out louder.

Khushi stirred and opened her tightly shut eyes, to the sensation of his calloused fingers  against her skin. It feels so right, she mused! She remained like that, in her semi conscious state, her eyes and lips partly open, leaning into his touch! 

Arnav felt tears prick the back of his eyes, seeing her like that, so trusting, so vulnerable! What have I done? Why did I do this to her? Why am I always the cause for all her pain? 

He recollected how she had stopped her mother from slapping him. How she stood up for him! Just like any dutiful wife. His wife! The thought soothed him. She was his! His alone! And he would be damned to let her go! If given a chance he would do it again , he realised. To make her his, he would do anything! But did she want him? Was all this just duty to her....or did she love him? 

Arnav turned back to her and realised that his thumb hadn't stopped moving across her skin. His abrupt stop, caused Khushi to peek at him through half opened eyes. On seeing Arnav though, her stupor vanished. Her eyes opened completely and then widened some more, before darting between his hands and his face! She gulped visibly, but didn't pull away. Arnav noticed this, and smiled inwardly.

"Khushi....", he husked, leaning towards her.

Khushi felt her heart go on its marathon again. But it was so loud this time, she feared it would burst! She clutched her heart with her hand, attempting to still its frantic rhythm. 

Hai Devi Maiyya!

Arnav leaned in some more, his breath fanning across her lips. 

"Khushi I......I lo....."

But his sentence was left hanging as they were interrupted by the honking of a vehicle behind them! Arnav came out of his daze and realised what he was about to confess! He cursed under his breath, which was audible enough for Khushi to catch though, before moving back to his seat and driving again. Khushi looked at him speculatively as his words from before ran on repeat in her head, over and over..... What was he about to say? I lo...what? I lost something? Did he lose something? No Arnav Singh Raizada can't lose anything...can he? Then? I long for something? What does he long for? He has everything he wants! No....ummm? I love something? Love? He and love? But he does love his sister.... He has told me before....so then.....could it be that... He loves.......me? Oh shut up Khushi! What are you even thinking? Arnav Singh Raizada ...loves you? A mere chit of a girl as he says? Its not possible.....right?

But try as she may, Khushi couldn't get the notion out of her head!

Arnav and Khushi played peek-a-boo the rest of the way, neither choosing to speak a word. Each scrutinising the other   for some sort of reaction, to what transpired earlier, and finding nothing, other than a locked jaw and fidgeting fingers! It was like this that they reached their new house. The house they would be calling their home.....soon!