PART 49

Khushi bathed and dressed up in a white eyelet sleeveless shirt which she had teamed up with a blue jeans.She took towel and sauntered,bare-footed in the kitchen still unaware of ASR's presence.

''Jiji,where are you?Jiji?''Khushi called.

ASR turned as he heard her pursuit and felt his heart jump to his throat.She looked absolutely stunning.He was so lost in her beauty that he didn't even notice Payal coming.

''Oho khushi why are you screaming?Even a person standing metres away could clearly hear your voice.You truly have got a set of lungs girl!''Payal glared reprovingly at her younger sister.

''Jiji,from where are you coming?''Khushi asked puzzled.

''I went to help Shmita maasi with some motifs that she had embroidered yesterday.....Why?What's the matter?''Payal queried at the dropped jaw of her sister.

''I f you weren't there in the house then who....who helped m...I mean who was there  here?I swear that there was some...''Khushi blubbered,looking positively terrified.

Someone had entered the bathroom when she had been wrapped in only a towel and had helped her wash her face!If ever her buaji,Maa or Papa found out.....

''Don't panic khushi.Arnavji was there and...''

''Arnavji!''Khushi shrieked,as soon as she found her voice.Her reddened cheeks could've put even a ripe tomato to shame.

Payal and Arnav jumped a foot in the air at her sudden outburst.

''Khushi what......''Payal began bewildered.

''Khushi that I...I.''ASR stared at some spot above her head,ill at ease.

Khushi stifled a yell that threatened to leave her by stuffing her fist inside her mouth and ran as fast as her legs could possibly carry her to her room.

''Khushi wait!''Payal called,unable to comprehend her sister's reactions.

''I think I scared  her!Um..I'll go and talk to her.''ASR mumbled and went to khushi's room,leaving behind a flabbergasted Payal.

''Khushi..I..I'm sorry.Actually I tried to tell you,but you didn't let me speak and Payal was nowhere in the vicinity,that's why I had to...You know...''ASR tried to explain himself,words nearly tumbling out of his mouth in a mad rush.

Khushi and ASR stood  a foot apart in the room,gazing fixedly at the floor.They didn't have the guts to look at each other and looked in a serious search of a pit to disappear in.

Khushi glanced up at him fleetingly from under her lashes and decided to save him from the embarrassment.

''No,that's Ok!I know you weren't at fault.I don't mind.''She said shyly,before realizing what her words could construe to mean.

ASR's surprised eyes flashed up to meet hers.What did she mean by she didn't mind?A wicked glint came on his face and khushi acknowledged that she had put her foot in her mouth.A major 'oops'!

''So you don't mind huh?''ASR asked stepping forward.

''No...I...I mean that I didn't mean that...''Khushi stuttered,stepping backwards.

''Then what did you mean?''He asked,enclosing her between his arms and the wall.

Khushi felt the world whirl as ASR's breath washed her face and he leaned even closer in the non-existent place between them.

''Arnavji''she whispered,closing her eyes in anticipation.

ASR suppressed a smile at her reaction,quite pleased with the effect he had on her.He leaned forward and trailed his nose from the edge of her jaw to her earlobe,making her shiver.

''Next time,check the water level before going for bath.''He whispered in her ear and stepped back chuckling.

Khushi opened her eyes and glared at him furiously.He had made her show her longing for him.

After an hour after enjoying khushi's discomfort under his intense gaze,ASR returned RM,unaware that his family was waiting to pounce on him the moment he entered.

''Chote can you please take nani,ma and mamiji to khushiji's house?Actually it has been several days since we visited her.And since Armaanji and Akash are busy,I was hoping that you'd take us?Besides she is your team member so you should also come with us,being a caring and responsible chief.''Anjali asked innocently.

''Di actually I don't...I mean I can't come.''ASR tried to explain,though he very much wanted to go.

But,it really wasn't decent to visit someone's house so freequently.

''Very bad chote.She's your teammate.You should come with us.''Anjali chided him,hiding her smile.

''No di,its not that!Bhai is refusing because he just returned from khushi's house!''Akash informed,wriggling his eyebrows like villain in vaundeville.

''What?''Anjali,nani and mami feigned surprise.

''Chote since when did you become so caring that too for a girl?''Nani teased.

ASR glared at his family.

''Stop it Please!I'm going to my room!''He said frustrated.

He stomped upstairs,leaving his smug family at his wake.