PART 38

''Happy Birthday Akash!''Khushi squealed.

''Thanks Ms.Happy!''Akash smiled and immediately pulled khushi in a hug,catching Anjali's eyes.

ASR glowered at them and it was only so much he could do to not to force them apart physically.

''Hello khushi.''he said in a clipped voice.

Akash and khushi broke their hug and turned towards ASR.

''H..hello Sir.''Khushi stammered,confused on seeing a pulse jumping in ASR's vein.

As khushi stared at him,she was struck by his dapper looks.His well chiseled,broad chest was evident beneath the coat he wore,emphasising how muscular he was.His tight jawline and immaculately gelled hair made him look more handsome.His flashing,intelligent eyes were dark jade,yet they had a strange appeal in them.

Khushi found herself trying to decipher the emotion that smouldered just below the surface in his eyes when Payal's soft voice pulled her back to Earth.

''Happy Birthday Akash.''

''Thank you Payal!''Akash's face was a sight to behold with a grin that stretched from ear-to-ear.

Raizada clan saw the drama unfolding from a distance with a smile and the brightest ones were on Anjali and Armaan's face,the shenanigans behind the entire act.

''They look so perfect together!I can't wait to get them enter wed-lock!''She gasped with sheer adoration on her face.

''Don't worry Anji,that day will come soon and sooner so if we go by the adage 'Love is not blind but jealousy'.''Armaan said smugly.

''As in?''Anjali asked,confused by her husband's vague talks.

''Just wait and watch!''Armaan replied,his eyes shining with mischief.

He walked off and took up the mic.

''Ladies and Gentlemen,I thank you all whole-heartedly for being present here on the happy occasion of our Akash.I hope you guys are enjoying the party.So,here I welcome you all to dance floor!''Armaan announced amidst enthusiastic cheers.

Anjali,on understanding her husband'd intentions,signalled Nani and Mami and the trio reached where Akash,khushi,Payal and Arnav stood.

''Hello hi bye bye,Akash bhy are you standingj here like this?It ij your birthday party,you sould enjoy yourself!''Mamiji blabbered.

''Manorma is right Akash.You should be the first one on dance floor tonight.''Naniji quipped.

''Exactly,why don't you go and dance with khushiji?''Anjali suggested,pushing them towards the dance floor,turning a deaf ear to khushi's meek protests.

ASR was outraged and in utter disbelief.This can't be happening!His family members were trying to put Akash and Khushi together!

He saw Akash holding khushi's waist and a red haze obstructed his vision.They sawyed gently to a melliflous,romantic song and the crowd cheered.Gradualy the tempo increased and so did there pace.ASR could clearly see khushi enjoying herself and a vile,savage best roared in his head.

How dare she dance with Akash like that?

Khushi spotted ASR standing on the edge and it seemed he was having aneumarysm.His face was an angry puce and his jaw was clenched with a force that could have flattened even steel!

As she stared at him,the song reached its climax and everyone cheered,gathering around them.

Suddenly she felt a grip as tight as tourniquet on her wrist and before she knew,she was wrenched away from the dance floor  and away from the room where the party was going on.

Khushi found herself being dragged by ASR.

''Sir where are you taking me?''She queried bewildered.

But there was no reply and instead she was pulled in a room and out at the poolside.

Khushi stumbled a bit and looked around herself,awestruck at the place.It was simply beautiful.She wanted so much to explore for herself the beautiful pool side, but was stopped short by a curt, furious voice.

''What the hell were you doing khushi kumari gupta?''