PART 29

Khushi's irked anger on ASR was replaced by surprise on seeing his concern for her over night.The way he had dragged her out of auto and dropped her home safely simply refused to get out of her mind.He had been so worried about her.

Mere thought of it made her heart soar to great heights while her brain refused it stubbornly.

But,why would he?A small,rational voice asked her.

''Khushi you're losing your marbles.That laadgovernor was just being a gentleman and a responsible chief that's all!He would probably have done the same thing with other female officers over here.So no reason to get all worked up!''she berated herself thousandth time,yet howsoever hard she tried,she couldn't win over her throbbing heart.

She had seen guilt and regret in his expressive,brown eyes,had she not?Despite their hectic and absolutely draining schedule yesterday,he had not left a single chance to strike conversation with her and that too on relatively unimportant and silly issues,like a teenage boy trying to gratify his miffed girlfriend!

Khushi blushed furiously at the comparison even in her thoughts.

''Khush,are you OK?''A voice broke through swirling haze in her brain and she looked up to see lavanya standing before her.

''Huh?Of course la!There's nothing wrong with me!''Khushi blinked at her.

''But something has to be since you were smiling and blushing on your own.'' Lavanya grinned,wriggling her eyebrows like villain in vaudeville.

Khushi mentally kicked herself for her goofiness.

''There's nothing like that la!''she tried to reason out hastily.

''Of course there's something like that since you don't find a sane girl smiling and blushing on her own.''Lavanya persisted stubbornly,a cheeky smile on her face.

Khushi rolled her eyes in response,avoiding her probing gaze.

Khushi and Lavanya had always got along smoothly.In fact they were so close that no one could tell that they had met just a fortnight ago.It was as if they had known each other for years.

''Its about ASR isn't it?''Lavanya asked teasingly.

She perched atop khushi's table staring at khushi,her eyes brimming with mischief.

Even a blind man could see the spark between ASR and Khushi!

''What the!No!''Khushi gasped.But red spots on her face proved to be traitors.

''Don't lie khushi.You're blushing!''

''La,either you're reading much of twilight series and mills and boons or your love for Aman has thrown you off your chumps!''Khushi snapped irritably.

''Don't be a hypocrites khush!Its you who is going crimson and looking all dreamy and stuff not me!''But even as lavanya said,blood rushed to her cheeks.

''See who is speaking!''Khushi smirked.

They continued bickering on their who-is-in-love theory until they were interrupted by ACP Arnav Singh Raizada.

''Khushi,come to my cabin.''he ordered and sauntered off.

Lavanya shot a triumphant,I-told-you-so sort of look to khushi which was studiously ignored by her.

Once in the cabin ASR turned towards her,his discomfort apparent from his face.

He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to speak.

''Khushi about yeasterday,umm actually I wanted to...''But he was cut short by khushi who knew what was coming and suddenly felt that she didn't need to hear it.

''Its Ok Sir.I know you didn't mean it.You don't have to say sorry.''

 ''But I shouldn't have talked to you like that.I should apologize.''ASR protested.

''You don't have to.I have already gotten over it.''Khusji said and as she spoke she knew that was true.She too couldn't stand not talking to him.

''But,I should make amends.Will you come for dinner with me?''ASR asked, feeling abashed and hopeful.

''What?But,you really don't have to!''Khushi reasoned.

''Still I want to do that.It will make me feel better.''ASR persisted.

''Ok!''Khushi gave up shyly.Nobody could disappoint such a face.

ASR beamed like a small child.

''Then be ready at 9 tonight.''

''Sure.''Khushi nodded and walked out of his cabin blushing.

They were going on-as some may call-a date.