PART 15

A loud gun shot echoed in the room and the drug peddler fell on the ground, clutching his bloodied hand in which he held the syringe,doubled up with pain.

Rota of policemen thronged the place and within seconds culprits were overpowered and handcuffed.

ASR stood in the doorway,his gun aloft,his face cold and expressionless.

Khushi stared at him,utter relief flooding her already fogged mind.

''Arnavji!''she whispered faintly,trying to get up.She took a few wooden steps,feeling completely drained and drowsy,before everything swirled.

ASR caught before she fell on the ground and held her up tightly against him.

''Its Ok khushi.You're all right!''he shushed her softly.

She calmed down,feeling protected.

ASR turned towards the officers.

''Take these low-lives and arrest everyone who is present here.We need to take their blood samples to test for traces of drugs!Seal this place.''he barked.

''Yes sir!''The personnels filed out of the room with the goons.

Suddenly ASR felt someone rubbing his nose.He looked down startled,to see khushi frowning up at him.

''What are you doing?''

''Searching for him!''she replied,still not letting go of his nose.

''Whom?''he asked bewildered,looking positively alarmed.

''Anger ....everyone says that short tempered people have anger sitting on their nose!''Khushi answered patronizingly,as if confiding a big secret.

''What the!Have you gone mad?''ASR asked amazed.

Khushi dropped her hand looking miffed.

''Everyone says that I was born crazy and that I go crazier with every passing day!And now you too!''she whined.

Her childish rebuke brought a smile on ASR's lips.

Khushi stared at him mesmerized.

''Your smile is so sweet.Why don't you remain this way and switch into a rude, arrogant laadgovernor?...You look so cure when you smile!''she chirped,pulling his cheeks playfully.

ASR looked at her shocked.He was eternally feared for his ire and yet this slip of a girl had called him cute!Impossible!

''I think you've got lots of drugs in your system,you're going barmy!Let's get you to a doctor first.''he said,lifting her up effortlessly.

ASR himself was surprised at his action.He could've as well supported her to his car,but here he was cradling her in his arms.Yet it felt so right!She fit into him as perfectly as if it were made for her.

Lost in the spur of the moment ,ASR carried her to his car,keenly hearing her incessant blabbering.

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''How is she doctor?''ASR asked anxiously as soon as the doctor stepped out of the room.

''Don't worry Mr.Raizada,I've administered her with medicines and she's fine now.She is sleeping but will come round soon.You can take her home....Now excuse me.''

''Thanks!''ASR replied and darted in the room.
Khushi was lying on the bed,deeply asleep.She had a frown on her breathtaking face and her lips were slightly open.

ASR reached her quitely and smoothed her forehead.She relaxed at his touch and inclined her face in his rough hands completely.

He cuddled her face as gently as if she were as fragile as a petal of rose and lifted her in his arms,cuddling her like a child.He carefully strapped her to the passenger seat so that she was barely jostled and drove off,unable to tear his eyes from her face for barely more than a few seconds.

He had to drop her home.

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That night he barely slept.Khushi's face,her smile,her laughter flashed before him.Never before he had been so restless.

''You look so cute when you smile!''she chirped.

ASR  smiled remembering her words.He felt lighter,happier than he had ever felt in the 14 years since his life became colorless.

Just as the Sun lightened the horizon,he dozed off dreaming of khushi.His smile lingering on his face.