The Learning Curve - Chapter 3

 'The Summation of all Madness'

"What the hell!" Khushi grunted as she tried fixing the pallu of her sari for the umpteenth time! She knew it was a bad decision to wear this contraption to school, Oh how she hated sari's with a vengeance. She took down the pallu from her front and started re-pleating it, she was already quite late and she did not want Mr Raizada to reach before her..her long hair was falling over one side of her swan like neck, while her deep blouse gave an ample view of her creamy bosoms and her milky back, the dark green color of the sari making her skin glow.

She smiled as she finally got the perfect pleats in her hand and looked up in the mirror to pin the pallu over the shoulder, but as soon as she looked up her eyes fell on the figure standing right behind her, his eyes boring into her...hey eyes widened as she screamed in shock and fear as her perfectly made pallu slipped from her hands and pooled by her feet. She turned around and grabbed the first thing she could find "Get out you sicko!Or..or i will kill you"

...

Arnav was too stunned to react..how could he when the vixen in front of him had completely shook him to the core. Her long straight black hair was flying around her as her heaving chest provided a tantalizing view of her perfect bosom and flat waist, thanks to the fallen sari on the floor, he could not stop to admire her beauty and innocence as she stood in front of him wielding a toilet paper roll to attack him with.

Khushi saw the Greek God stare at her with his molten caramel eyes while she threatened him, she could not believe he was shamelessly checking her out when she was wielding a weapon...she glanced at her hand and saw what she was holding...Ok so its not really a weapon...and wait a minute! Did she just call him a Greek God!...what was wrong with her...Hades...yes...thats the Greek God he represented, all dark and...and...sick!

She saw his eyes travel the length of her and stop somewhere near her middle, she quickly looked down and was horrified to see her entire front gaping open, served like a bloody sunday buffet. She threw the toilet roll away and gathered her sari up, not bothering to pin in place as she bunched the fabric and strode towards him grabbing her phone from the dark granite slab of the washbasin " Leave from here this instance you paedo!or..or i'll call security and have them haul your ass out!" she rasped while arnav kept staring at her.

"Hello! Are you deaf? Or are you just plain dumb? Oh wait...your'e probably one of those suave looking rapists! The one's that try and charm their way in and before you know...boom!" she said, her voice showing a small wisp of fear, wondering if he really was one, it pissed her off that he had still not moved an inch "I know what you are...you are one of those voyeurs! The kind that get sick perverse pleasure watching women change...l..l..like in malls and all" she said stammering...she could see his eyes getting heated up as she stood bravely in front of him.

"I swear to.." khushi started coming forward ready to hit him if required when his controlled voice made her stop in her tracks "Enough!" arnav said in a slow voice, he was still trying to make sense of the situation..but her constant accusing and her damn fine body were a total distraction for him to think straight, plus her voice seemed familiar..but he really could not make out since all she did from the past few minutes was scream at him..he was surprised no one had come in yet.

"Listen miss, who ever you are...I am not a sicko, a paedo, a rapist or a voyeur...or all the other ten thousands accusations you have thrown at me in your mind! I was led to this washroom since the men's one was being cleaned..also if you had the slightest common sense, you would have locked the bathroom door instead of leaving it open..giving a free invitation to say a sicko..a rapist..a voyeur and oh yeah, a paedo...tho i don't understand for the life of me why you would think i'm a paedo! Contrary to what you may think...you are not a child" looking boldly at her chest, "But well, your actions speak more of a 4 year old.." arnav said gesturing to the toilet paper roll.

Khushi's eyes flashed a brilliant green as her anger exploded "Excuse me! This is a school...so any man who just walks in on anyone in a bathroom will be termed as a paedo..what if there were children here? huh? And as for that" she sad pointing towards the toilet paper, now laying happily on the floor "I was only defending myself..its the first thing i found..how was i to know that you were not some pervert!" she huffed as she tucked her sari more tightly around her.

"Oh..ok..thanks, one more word to your dictionary! Pervert...I would love to hear some more names which you are dying to throw at me, but i have an important meeting to attend and unlike you i don't have time to waste!" he said as he willed himself to tear his eyes away from her and turn around but he once again got caught in the red hot anger blazing through her eyes, man was she magnificent!..he thought as he mentally slapped himself, he was arnav raizada, not some 'sadak chaap romeo!' get a grip!

"You...you better apologize otherwise i swear I will..." khushi started screaming again, but was once again cut short by his piercing gaze as he held his palm up "Seriously..stop! You have sworn enough...its not very becoming for a woman to swear you know..." arnav said opening the bathroom door, he needed to get away from here, otherwise he might do something very much unlike himself.. "and I don't apologize...ever..its simply never my fault!" he said nonchalantly as he turned around and left, leaving a fuming khushi behind.

...

Khushi stood still as the bathroom door was flung open and he walked out..'How dare he!' she thought as she quickly locked the door and readjusted her sari pallu, she pinned it quite brutally imagining she was poking the pin in his face, that rugged masculine face...that absolutely gorgeous adonis..how soft his lips looked, how built and fit he looked in that designer suit, those strong arms..What! Stop khushi..stop! What the hell is wrong with you! She thought irritated as she walked out to meet another arrogant man...she just hoped Mr Raizada was more pleasant in person, though no one could be more rude that that..that...'Mr I don't apologize!' the hell!

...

"So arnav, how is everything?" Mrs D'Souza asked him gesturing towards the hot steaming cup of tea in front of him "Thank you" arnav said as he held the cup to his lips, the hot liquid soothing out the lava which was burning through his interiors and some part of his exteriors, he thought trying to get comfortable on the chair, he looked at anaya who sat on the couch, her face totally covered by the huge book she was reading; pretending he thought looking at the stiff way in which she was sitting.

"Uh..everything's going quite well Ms D'souza..I hope the school is receiving its yearly donation on time? I was thinking of donating a new computer and IT room, in baba's name...after all his family has been one of the founding members of this school...do check with the other trustees and let me know" he said as he kept the cup down and smiled at the old lady, they were waiting since ten minutes now for that blasted Ms Gupta...but his thoughts kept wandering to that vixen who he hoped to never meet again!

"Here she is!" Mrs D'souza said as she got up and looked at someone over his shoulder, so the hag had arrived! He thought as he got up, he straightened his coat and turned around to greet his daughter's class teacher cordially, after all it was best to be civil to her, even though she was a total loony!..he cleared his throat and looked up, his smile frozen, his hand stuck halfway to shake the other shaking hand "What the!" he shouted as the woman before him widened her large hazel green eyes and swore.

The Learning Curve - Chapter 2

"The Probability of being...the One!"

"Haan buaji...i wore a sari...i did the pooja like you explained...i got the prasad and tipped the pandit as well" khushi said rushing off to her next class, her phone cradled between her neck and left ear as she balanced her books in one hand, while holding up her sari with the other, it was so difficult to walk in this contraption, khushi thought as she mentally thanked Shilpa for helping her out with it in the morning.

"Tipped? Did you say tipped the panditji? Khushi! You don't call it a tip..its called 'daan' or 'seva'..you jhalli ladki! When will you understand these things?" buaji said sighing dramatically on the phone, khushi held back a giggle as she imagined her buaji's face...the woman always meant well, but she could be such a drama queen sometimes! Inspite of her eccentricities, khushi loved her buaji a lot, she was the only family khushi had...so she happily did whatever her buaji asked her to do.

"Uff ho buaji...you know i don't believe in all this...i mean, if i'll get a distinction just by doing some random pooja...i might as well give up studying and concentrate more on the jhingalala ho haa! that the pandit's seem to mutter during the havans" khushi said imagining her buaji's horrified face at her words "Khushi!!! thats blasphemy...Hai re nandkishore! Please forgive this girl for saying these things!" buaji said loudly as khushi whined further.

"Buaji! Please...i'm only doing this for you...i know i'll do well in my thesis...i've worked my pretty little derriere off!" khushi said as buaji's stern voice got her back on attention "Chup! Ekdum chup! Who says I made you do this pooja only for your thesis...in case you forgot, doing this pooja will bless you with a handsome and loving groom..soon i hope!" buaji said, now sighing in satisfaction.

Khushi groaned as her buaji once again steered the ship towards an unwanted topic "Not again buaji...i'm sure i'll find my Mr right when i'm meant to...and I don't need any more of these poojas, upwas and vraths...please!!" khushi moaned as buaji scolded her "Fine! But don't tell me when you reach my age and are sitting in a lonely house in laxminagar, talking to your niece about how she should start thinking about marriage!" she huffed as khushi smiled on the phone.

"Ok buaji..i love you too much to argue with you...i'll do what ever you as me to ok! And who knows owing to the fantastic pooja i did today, i'll probably find my Mr right today itself...i did the panditji quite well!" khushi laughed as she came to a stop outside her class "K, i have to go now buaji...i'll call you later..love you loads!" khushi said quickly as she gave her buaji a loud smacking kiss before ending the call. She composed herself before entering into the class, time for the stern Ms Gupta to emerge!

...

"Aman Mathur!" arnav screamed as his Abha, his secretary stood shaking in front of him, he waited till the door slung open and Aman walked in, his trademark worried expression on his face "Y..yes sir?" he stammered as he looked at Arnav, a murderous expression on his face...he shivered as arnav got up menacingly and walked towards Abha.

"Did you forget to inform Abha here about my meeting this evening?" he asked as both aman and abha looked at each other, the former gulping in nervousness "Uh...wh..well...I..you did not tell me about it sir..." aman squeaked as arnav trained his eyes on him now "What? What did you say? I did not tell you?" he shouted as aman cowered further "S..sir i'm n..not sure...I..I mean..i don't recall you informing me ss...sir" he stammered as arnav walked slowly towards him.

"Mr Aman Mathur...do i need to inform you? Do you work for me or do I work for you?" he said very slowly as he looked straight into aman's eyes, "Y..yes sir...you are ab..solutely right..." aman said as arnav's stance relaxed a little bit "Exactly! I know i'm right...you as my PA should know everything about my schedule...even if i don't tell you! You should have a sixth sense about all this!" he spat at aman before turning towards his secretary "Abha..its not your fault..aman forgot to inform you...please readjust the 4pm meeting with Ahuja's for next week" arnav said politely as abha nodded her head and sprinted out.

"Aman...wait" arnav said as aman turned to leave as well, he looked back to see arnav sitting at his desk with his head in his hands, he waited till he looked up and was shocked to see his boss looking so tired, Aman had his issues with arnav...but he also knew he was a genuine good person..he just had this really tough exterior which no one had seemed to break, not even his daughter.

"I..uh..i'm ss..." arnav started before straightening up and barking his orders again "Just ask the damn driver to get the car ready will you!" he said getting up and packing away his things. Aman smiled inwardly as he understood arnav's thoughts, he knew that arnav felt bad for shouting at aman, but apology came very rarely..or better to say never! From arnav. He nodded as an understanding passed between the two before aman left arnav alone to collect his thoughts.

...

"Oh No!" khushi moaned as the pleats in her sari came undone, she quickly adjusted the now bunched up pallu on her shoulders and started walking towards the staff bathroom when she heard a knock on the door, she turned around to see Ananya standing awkwardly at the entrance "Hi Anaya, i;m just going to be a minute...could you please go and wait in Mrs d'souza's office? Your father should be here any minute" she smiled as anaya nodded and left dragging her feet.

Khushi looked at the forlorn look on the child's face and felt bad, she wondered why such a bright and sweet looking girl would do such things she was being reprimanded for, for sure it had to be because of her rude, absentee father! Khushi huffed as she shook her head and walked into the bathroom to adjust her sari.

...

Arnav asked the driver to stop at the main entrance of the school, he always felt nostalgic when he came here, he had lots of fond memories of his schooling days when he had joined St Theresa in grade 5...he got out and started walking purposefully towards the principles office think about how he had tried to speak to Anaya last night, but she had shut off completely and locked herself in her room instead, he didn't blame her!

He walked towards the principal's office in the west wing of the shool and smiled politely to see the principle Mrs D'souza waiting to greet him "Arnav, how wonderful it is to see you, its been a while! Can you wait a while in the adjoining room? I have a quick errand to run and Ms Gupta will also come in by then" she patted him on his back and left as Arnav looked around the room. He hardly recognized the school now...lots had changed since he had come here last, he asked a passing peon to guide him towards the bathroom,

"Sir, the men's toilet is being cleaned right now..but you can use the staff one over there...Shouldn't be a problem" the peon said as he rushed past him, Arnav nodded a thanks as he started walking towards the staff room, he knocked once but no one answered, he opened the door to find the room empty so he walked directly to the bathroom and stepped in, only to be shocked out of his wits!

The Learning Curve - Chapter 1

"Enough is...well...Enough!!"

AR Headquarters

12:00 pm

CEO's Cabin

Arnav Singh Raizada kept his file down as he concentrated on the voice on the other end..it was her...again! "Yes, Ms Gupta...how have you been? Can i help you with something?" he said in a controlled polite voice, this was the third time she was calling him, probably to complain about Anaya again, he heard her sigh from the other end and somehow that sent goosebumps over his skin...when he had spoken to her before, her lilting voice had affected him...but then her stern words had equally irritated him.

"Yes Mr Raizada...you can surely help me out...by coming to the school for a meeting" she said finding her voice, she could not believe she had sighed hearing his voice, husky and all male, she mentally slapped herself as she realized he had started talking "...so we can maybe postpone it for some other time? Thanks for calling though..have a nice day" she heard him say as he went to end the call, 'What!' she wondered as she quickly spoke "M..Mr Raizada...sorry I didn't quite catch what you said..." she said trying to form words in her jumbled mind.

"I said, its my company's AGM tomorrow...so its going to be a very busy day...and then I'm out of town the day after that...so i guess we'll need to postpone it" he said getting exasperated, he did not have free time for a chit chat with a primary school teacher, he thought scowling, he was about to end the call again when she spoke up "No.." she said with finality, as if what he just said made no sense to her..off course!

"Excuse me...what do you mean No?" he said his temper rising with every passing second "I mean, No you cannot cancel tomorrow..No it cannot be postponed till next week...so please let me know what time should i fix the meeting for?" khushi said, her voice getting sterner with each syllable she spoke, who the hell did he think he was!

"I don't think you understand what an AGM is Ms Gupta..and I can understand why! What more can i expect for a small time teacher like you!" he said sneering away, he had enough of this Ms Gupta..No one spoke to Arnav singh raizada like this...he never took orders from anyone, however tempting their voice was! "Mr Raizada..I do know what an Annual General Meeting is...and I also know that it does not run for an entire day..unless your shareholders have nothing better to do then sit around the whole day and ruminate on every tiny thing your company does!" she said caustically.

Arnav was taken aback, he never thought that sad little ms Gupta was this well informed, he was just about to reply to her when her voice came back on, more caustic then earlier "It would be lovely if you stop bothering about your company shareholders and stocks for an hour and instead think about your daughter...if you can only understand this lingo then let me explain Mr Raizada...consider your daughter to be an asset, a valuable asset...you hold stock in her company...by company i mean her life! And she owns some in yours...at least i hope she does!" she said getting ready to spew more.

"So, if this asset, which is right now in danger of deferring into loss...by which i mean that whatever investment you have done for her...from giving birth to providing for her whims and fancies...is in the unfortunate fear of becoming a complete waste...since you have not nurtured your investment! If you want fruitful profits from this...if you want this investment of yours to grow in the right way, then make time for it! Strategize how to foster it correctly and the profit margins will be huge!...so i hope you get my point? I'll see you tomorrow in Mrs D'Souza's cabin at sharp 4pm. Have a good day Mr Raizada" khushi said chirpily as she ended the call, a determined grin on her face.

'What the!' Arnav stood stiff as a rod, not believing what he had just heard...that bloody teacher...that mousy fat ugly woman!..ok he had no idea how she looked...but going by her tirade a few minutes ago he guessed she was one of those unfeminine feminists who were all about making a mark in the man's world..he had no qualms about such woman in fact he respected them...but he was sure this spitfire was a hag with an angel's voice...though she sounded like death's knell right now.

He locked his iPhone as he sat down on his chair and called his PA in, "Aman, what time will the AGM finish tomorrow?" he asked as aman his PA came inside his cabin, clumsily holding his tab with him "Uh...well the meeting will start at 9am...and will be done by 11...the elected board members and you will have your personal meeting on fiscals after that..then break-up for lunch" he said consulting his boss's agenda on his tab.

"Hmm...tell me aman...do all companies keep their AGM in the morning? I mean are there any who keep it perhaps in the afternoon?" arnav asked matter of factly...he felt like such a dud right now, aman looked at him with confidence and said in a chirpy tone "Off course they do! There's no hard and fast rule...but all public limited companies keep it in the morning...owing to the shareholders time...you know since majority are working people.." he said but stopped talking as he saw arnav's face getting agitated.

"Fine! I did not want a PhD paper on it dammit! Our next AGM will be in the afternoon!Do you understand? Note that down..." arnav said as his angry eyes flashed towards aman, who was busily making notes...his glasses fell off as he struggled to hold the tab, his phone and his glasses all at the same time. Arnav saw this and got more agitated, he picked up a marker from his desk and strode towards aman, uncapping the marker he wrote on his forehead ' AGM 2013 ' 3 PM', "Now scram!" arnav shouted as aman ran out of his cabin, hoping it wasn't a permanent marker.

Arnav went and stood by the large window in his office, he looked down into the busy street below as people made their way out for lunch, children returning from afternoon school, his heart constricted as he saw a man with his son trying to cross the road...the boy was clutching his father's hand tightly..he watched as the man picked him up and crossed the road with ease, both father and son laughing their way to the bus stop.

Arnav sighed...father...such a simple word...but it meant so much...he leaned against the window frame as he remembered his childhood...his father...their simple home, his mother making hot roti's to go with the simple fare of vegetables and lentils in the evening..the way his father made up odd songs to teach him everything from maths to science...how his mother ran her tired fingers through his hair as her voice lulled him to sleep...the small space where all three slept..content in whatever they had..happy in their little world.

He walked slowly to his table wiping the tears which threatened to fall any moment, he sat down on his chair and took out a frame from his bottom drawer, he placed it on his table and stared at the photo looking back at him, those cute curls..chubby pink cheeks, her toothy grin...it was anaya's 3^rd b'day picture...she was so happy then, not aware of so many things...still not aware...He closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair, he had not been a good father...she deserved so much more...he opened his eyes and looked at her picture again, he would go tomorrow...he would make sure that he sorts out his daughter's life...he had to do it, for anaya...for..Akash.

The Learning Curve - Prologue & CS

Prologue

St Theresa International School

Mumbai

Junior School Staffroom

11:20 am

"I truly don't understand how you all cope with this madness!" Khushi Gupta mused as she sipped her cup of hot coffee, now gone tepid in the teacher's staffroom. She made a face as the bitter liquid swished along her tongue making her gag reflexively

"Oh ho Khushiji...why do you drink that yucky coffee if you don't like it? Its nothing by high-class gobar which this high-class school passes off as coffee...ahh...i so hope we had bru instant coffee with hot thick buffalo milk instead!" Saxena sir said, his huge belly doing flip flops as he laughed heartily. Khushi gave him a tight smile and got back to her books.

"Gupta , it will take time...but you will get used to it. Plus unfortunately you have been given class 4C, the rowdiest of 4^th grade. I think that satan has personally selected the kids in that class. I mean my body still shudders thinking what some of them pulled on Mrs Kulkarni in the last semester" Ms Sharada said examining her nails, her face showing the horror.

Khushi looked at both her senior colleagues as she ticked off the right and wrongs in each notebook. She was having a raging headache and it really wasn't helping that she was subbing for grade 4! It was great that their own class teacher was on maternity leave but she felt so unfortunate that the principle thought of making her their temporary class teacher.

She sighed remembering her days as a pre-primary teacher, toddlers were soo much easier to handle. She could not wait for Mrs Bhatia to return to her class of monsters, plus she really needed more time to finish her thesis, it was the last semester for her to hand it in and she could not afford to have her mind in chaos because of the hooligans in her class! If money wasn't the issue, she never would have taken up teaching.

"Khushi ji? The principle is calling you...its Anaya again..i think you should hurry" Khushi looked up as Munna the peon came rushing to the staffroom, she stood up at once and straightened her kurti before rushing to get to the principles office. She had enough of this trouble child! Ever since she had joined 4C, this girl had been up to no good! She would make sure her irresponsible parents come today..no more phone calls!

As she came to the principle's office, she noticed anaya sitting cross legged on the couch outside, her curly hair tied in pigtails, while her eyes showed worry.She looked up briefly to acknowledge her teacher and then turned her face away from her. Khushi sighed and knocked lightly on the door door "May i come in mam?" she asked politely as she heard Mrs D'souza's soft yes from the other side. She opened the door and stepped in.

"Ms Gupta, thank you for coming, Please have a seat." Mrs D'souza gestured to a chair in front of her. Khushi took her seat and facing her "Ms Gupta, i really don't know what to do with anaya now..every other day there are complaints about her..If her family wasn't a trustee of this school, I would have taken more drastic steps!" Mrs D'souza got up and went to stand near the window

"You need to try and call her father again..I know he's always out but he needs to take this seriously!" Mrs D'souza said sternly as Khushi 's cheeks went warm, she remembered the deep baritone voice of ananya's father and how it always sent goosebumps down her spine, making her stutter like a fool..she had already called him twice but both times he was too busy or out of the country, mostly cutting her calls after monosyllabic answers.

She sighed as she looked at Mrs D'souza and got up "I'll call him mam, but do tell me...if he is so busy why don't we call her mother instead? I'm sure she will find some time...in fact i was always curious why only her father's name is on the parents contact list..." Khushi asked with irritation as she saw Mrs D'souza sigh "Oh child..thats because anaya's mother passed away when she was hardly few months old, he's a single father"

Khushi froze with this new information, her heart filled up with sympathy for the little girl, she knew how it felt to lose a parent but she could only imagine the poor girl growing without the love of her mother and instead with a father who probably had no time for her...she imagined him to be one of those rich men who bought their child's happiness with money.

She nodded her head and turned to step out when Mrs D'souza's voice stopped her "Khushi, make sure you speak to her father properly this time. You have to make sure that he listens and takes action..i know that girl has a lot of potential and she is very bright..but there are definite problems at home because of which she is retaliating here" Khushi nodded and stepped out; she saw Anaya sitting on the couch and gave her a small smile.

Anaya was wondering why her class teacher was suddenly smiling at her, wasn't she supposed to shout at her and give her punishment instead? 'Ms Gupta's gone mad!' she thought and wondered when she would call her dad for him to once again tell her that he is busy and yadaya...she was used to this now. Anything she did now a days would get her in trouble..she was too scared to tell anyone that she was being bullied by that fatso natasha and her gang. She sighed as Ms Gupta gestured her to follow her out towards the staffroom.

"Anaya..i'm going to call your father again and this time i will make sure he comes here and speaks to me..I can't have him ignore this anymore. I truly don't know why you do such silly daring things which would only land you in trouble, but i'm the one who has to answer to the principle." Khushi sighed as she looked at the sad face of the little girl, she truly wondered why she did all those pranks when she seemed to be remorseful every time she got caught.

Khushi picked up the staff room phone and dialed the number on the parents diary, she waited for him to pick up as her heart started doing its usual somersaults once again wondering how he looked.. She took a deep breath as the phone clicked and his deep voice sounded on the other end, she quickly came back to reality and said in a stern voice "Mr Raizada? This is Ms Khushi Gupta, Anaya's class teacher..we need to talk and I will not take a no for an answer this time"

ARNAV RAIZADA : The Student

Ms KHUSHI GUPTA : The Teacher

ANAYA MALLIK RAIZADA - Arnav's Daughter (To be Cupid)

AMAN MATHUR : Arnav's PA

MADHU SINHA : Khushi's Aunt ( Buaji)

MAGGIE COSTA : Anaya's Nanny

SHILPA IYER : Khushi's Neighbour & Friend

MRS D'SOUZA : Principal , St Theresa

YASHWARDHAN MALLIK : Anaya's Grandfather

When I Met You - Epilogue!!!

Mature Content...you have been warned! :p

A sunny morning on the 12th of September 2014

"Bhabhi!!! What do I do with this?" Anjali asked as she held a soiled diaper in her hands, she frowned as khushi came towards her "Anji! What do you do with a dirty diaper? You throw it in the bin!" khushi laughed as she took the diaper from her and plonked it into the nearby dustbin. She turned back to see Anjali and Raghav struggling with cleaning up a now red faced amal who was bawling away to glory.

Khushi smiled as she walked towards them and kneeled down towards her son, with his dark brown hair and molten brown eyes, he looked just like his dad "Aww…my darling…why are you crying my baby? Mamma's here!" she cooed as amal looked at her and stopped crying, at the same time, anjali and raghav were successful in getting his new diaper on, they sighed with relief as amal now smiled his cute toothless smile and raised his hands for khushi to pick him up.

"Seriously khushi bhabhi…me and anji are not planning for a kid for at least another 10 years! And if we do have one before that time, I'm leaving it with you!" Raghav said as he wiped his perspiring forehead, he winced as anjali pinched him and went to take amal from khushi "Shut up! I wanna have one as soon as we get married! I can't wait to have my very own amal" she said as she tickled amal's tummy making him gurgle in pleasure.

"Gosh! You both started again! Who will say that both of you are getting married in three days!" khushi shook her head as she went to pick out some clothes for amal from the huge suitcase. She took a baby blue bunny suit and handed it over to Raghav "Now you need to powder him and dress him up…that's it! Your training is complete!" she said as raghav groaned "Aww…bhabhi! I don't know why we insisted on learning about babies! It's too much work" he said as khushi patted his cheeks and kissed amal on his forehead before leaving them to it

"Be prepared! Next is learning how to feed him!" she laughed as she gave some instructions to the nanny, leaving her son in the care of his bui and his future fufa for now. She started walking across the huge foyer towards the massive gardens, a small smile on her lips as she remembered the many memories they had made here, in fact she was pretty sure that they had created their amal right here…at Neemrana.

...

He had his back to her as she admired his strong lithe body, even after all this time of being with him she still felt butterflies in her lower tummy whenever she saw her husband. She smiled fondly as he guided the decorators and the wedding planner about how the venue should be done up for his beloved sister's big fat Indian wedding. She waited till he finished talking to them before moving behind him and wrapping her arms across his torso, she rested her head against his back and sighed as he leaned back into her and placed his large hands over her smaller ones.

"Hey babe…I missed you" he said as he turned around and held her lightly by her waist, he looked down appreciating her pale pink sundress, her shoulders bare, only tiny straps holding the cotton dress to her frame...her hair flying about in the breeze, he trailed his finger over her plump lips as he bent down to claim them, she sighed in satisfaction as his lips took hers in a gentle kiss.

"Umm…why didn't you wake me up?" she said as she broke the kiss and smiled up at him "You were sleeping soo deeply and amal had kept you up all night…so I let you sleep in…though I really wanted to wake you up in our special way" he said as he nuzzled her neck "Arnav! Stop…everyone is watching us…and by the way he kept both of us up all night…" she said holding his hand as his eyes wandered about "Speaking of which, where is he? I thought you'll bring him with you" he said as he tried to spot a baby stroller with the nanny.

"No, it's not a very favourable weather for him and plus anji and raghav are going to look after him today…right from changing his diapers to feeding him, they said they wanted training to.." she said as he jerked up and looked at her with a horrid expression "WHAT! You left my child in the care of brat and blob?" he said as khushi hit him lightly on his arm "Stop calling them that! If raghav ever comes to know what you call him…" she narrowed her eyes as arnav smirked "Well, his nose is a little like a blob..i mean how do girls find him attractive I wonder!" he said as khushi frowned at him

"Well! He's very well read and a fine gentleman..aand…" she said as arnav placed his hand over her mouth "Ok stop! I don't want to hear his praises from your mouth…even though he is marrying my sister…I still find it very disturbing that he once pursued you!" he said twisting his mouth annoyingly "Arnav! He did not pursue me! We just spoke!" she said pinching his arm as he winced in fake pain "Now show me what all arrangements you have done so far!" she huffed as he followed his wife smiling behind her "Aye aye capt'n!"

"Hai re Nandkishore!!!!" buaji said as khushi and arnav strolled in to the presidential suit after their recce of the garden area, they had decided to have the actual wedding on the vast terrace overlooking the hills while the reception would be held in the gardens. "What happened buaji? Why do you look so worried?" khushi asked her as she came and stood in front of her "Khusi! Why did you leave lalla with anjali bitiya and raghav bitwa? They are having a huge fight over what to play with him! God only knows if both of them will be present for their own sangeet tonight!" she slapped her forehead as khushi smiled at her.

"Buaji! They need to do this together...they wanted to take care of amal...and don't worry, how much ever they fight they love each other much more!" she giggled as dadiji and maya came to the room as well "Arre madhu...don't worry, they'll be fine...right now they have taken lalla for a stroll" dadiji said as she came and calmed down buaji, khushi looked on at the besties, yep dadiji and buaji were inseparable! In fact her family had insisted that buaji should stay with them only instead of any other house...everyone loved her eccentric ways and adored her love and care for anji.

"Khushi beta, i'm so glad you suggested this place for the wedding...it's simply breathtakingly beautiful! No wonder you and arnav come here so often!" maya said as she hugged khushi from the side "I know mumma, isn't it wonderful! Just you wait till all the dcor is done...it's going to look fabulous! And Ashaji is also coming for the wedding...who knows...all our prayers might be answered here" she gushed as she smiled remembering what mamaji had told her about his love life.

Apparently his girl-friend from college, Asha had left for US after they completed graduation...thus breaking his heart...he had never married since he had given his heart to her...and recently they came to know that she too had remained unmarried and was back in India, Khushi had joyously taken up the responsibility to play their personal cupid, much to the annoyance of arnav and delight of the rest of the family.

Watching the ladies gush about his poor mama's love life, arnav came striding towards her "Ok ok, everyone! All the guests have checked-in and Raghav's family is also here...I have arranged lunch for all of us in the queen's garden...so please be there in an hour's time" arnav informed everyone as they continued their chit-chat while walking towards the door.

"And now please go to your own suites as my wife needs some sleep...she's been up all night thanks to amal...so we'll see you in an hour" he said ushering everyone out "Oh really? I wonder how much sleep she'll get in an hour...and don't use my grandson name's for your..." maya's voice trailed away as the three ladies made their way out, arnav turned back to khushi and looked at her amused face "So..Where were we?" he asked wriggling his eyebrows

"Arnav Singh Raizada! Shame on you! I can't believe you just made them leave like that!" khushi said as she shook her head at him, arnav smirked as he walked slowly towards her "Well, excuse me if I want to spend some quality time with my wife...i mean I can't remember the last time we were alone! I mean I love our baby, but I think you're not being fair to your first baby! And now that La is coming tomorrow...I can just imagine how busy you both will get! Especially gossiping about her firang fiance!" he sighed as his arms went around khushi.

"Aw...my first baby!" khushi said as she whispered in his ears, arnav closed his eyes feeling her lips caress him, he held her more tightly as her arms went around his neck pulling him closer "I missed you too hun...but one hour is too little...and don't worry I'll make sure La and anji don't take all my time..Because all of it is only for you and amal..i promise!" she said as she kissed his jaw.

Arnav groaned as he slid her dress strap away from her shoulder, leaving feathery kisses along her bare skin, she moaned as he cupped her breasts while kissing her neck,  they were just about to kiss when the shrill bell rang in their room "What the!" arnav shouted as he looked at khushi's flushed skin.."Go and check who it is!" khushi pushed him away adjusting her clothes and hair.

Arnav strode angrily towards the door and opened it with a thunderous expression, but his face split into a huge smile when he saw anji holding his son in her arms, raghav and the nanny in tow "Bhai! We had such an amazing time with amal today...I think we are totally prepared for a child now!" anjali giggles as Raghav shook his head in complete No behind her, arnav smiled as he took his son from her, 'perfect couple' he thought shaking his head.

"Bhabhi!" anjali called out to khushi from the door "Anji..why are you standing there? Come on in you two.." she said as their nanny went in to get amal's things in order "No bhabhi...we need to go and start getting ready...i mean I need to! We'll see you later!" they both waved as anjali kissed her nephew and brother on their cheeks before once again getting into some silly argument with raghav.

"Made for each other I tell ya!" arnav grumbled as he carried his son to the huge couch by the window, he sat down resting amal's little body against his arms, cradling his head the way khushi had shown him. Khushi looked on at father and son as they both made silent communication as if they were engrossed in some political debate, well not that silent since arnav was cooing to him...She laughed as she thought what an impossible sight this would have been two years ago!

"So what did you say earlier? You wanted to spend some quality time with me huh? Why don't I call the nanny? She can look after amal you know..." khushi said pulling his leg, she knew that when arnav had amal with him, everything else was forgotten including her sometimes "N..no..I want to play with him..I mean I've not seen him since morning...so" arnav said already lost in amal's gurgles, khushi smiled as she left them alone, after all he needed some quality time with his son too.

...

"Did I tell you your perfume intoxicates me" arnav whispered against khushi's ears sliding his hands over his wife's bare midriff, her red sheer sari hardly covering it. She tilted her head up and smiled at him "Really? I never knew that..." she whispered back as arnav inhaled near her neck and sighed "Yep...it truly does...in fact did you know I was introduced to your perfume before you?" he said smirking at her, khushi turned around in his arms to look at him as if he had lost his mind "What? How?" she asked as he pulled her closer

"Let's leave that story for another day..right now all I want to do is rip off that red sari and take you right here" he said huskily as he pulled her away from the function towards the exit. "Arnav! Are you mad? The sangeet is still going on...and we need to take amal as well" she said pulling her hand from him, but arnav was quick for her as he pulled her back and led her away "No its not and no we don't!" arnav said smiling at her naughtily.

"What?" khushi asked as they walked across the scented corridors adorned with white lily's towards the private lift which would take them directly to the presidential suite of the hotel. "I mean...we have danced all we can..everyone is leaving now and mom is taking care of amal tonight...the nanny will be staying with them as well...she really wanted you to rest it out...said you looked pale and tired...but little does she know that I don't intend to let you sleep at all!" he rasped as they reached the elevator.

"But...let me at least say good night to my sweety..." she said turning back to go towards the function, but arnav held her hand "I've already kissed him from both of us..and now if you go there..they won't leave you...and I know how you get when amal's with you...you'll never come back and convince mom that you'll be fine and yadda yadda.." he said as the lift started moving upwards, she gave him an annoyed look but felt her insides heat up at his darkened eyes.

Khushi gasped as arnav picked her up as the elevator reached their floor and walked to their room, she wound her arms around him as he slid the door open and stepped inside before locking it and placing her down gently on the soft carpeted floor, he then pulled her towards him as he slammed his lips on hers, his mouth sucking her lips till she moaned with need, their tongues played the practiced game of dominance as pure hot desire took over both of them.

They had missed this, this mad passionate love making...it had been a while since they had gotten time for themselves...so there was no gentle foreplay...no words of romance...it was pure unadulterated heat which sweeped them off their feet as clothes were discarded with urgency, the need to feel each other's bare bodies taking over their senses, khushi moaned as arnav's hot mouth latched onto her straining peak, his tongue ravishing, his teeth biting...his hand busy moulding the other...the thought of having too little time for this making things more exciting.

Khushi's hands grabbed his proud arousal as he hissed in pleasure "Khushi...God...I've missed this so much!" he said, his voice hoarse with need..he shut his eyes as khushi stroked his length, her hands skilfully sliding themselves around his member. He pulled her hands up to warp them around his neck as he pushed her buttocks up to rub het wet core against him, her own body far too aroused to think anything.

Arnav fused his mouth to hers as he took her towards their bed, he gently lowered her on it as he kneeled besides her, his lips slowly tracing a path of hot kisses from the tips of her toes to her core, he smiled against her nub as his tongue pleasure her senseless, he could feel her body writing under his as she thrashed around, waiting for him to fill her up.

"Arnavvv...nn...now...pl..please..." khushi moaned as he bought her to the brink of insanity, but arnav did not still have his fill as he kissed her further up towards her abdomen, dipping his tongue in her navel, she cried out in frustration as she got up and pushed him down on the bed, she then straddled him as she sat over his abdomen, her eyes blazing with unfulfilled desire "I'm taking over" she said breathlessly as her slick hands once again found his engorged member, she positioned herself over him as her dripping core slid on him easily.

Arnav groaned in pleasure as he felt khushi sheath him, her muscles clenching against his arousal as she rode him in her wild passionate way..arnav loved this about her...her uninhabited nature when it came to their love making...he was purposely delaying her because he knew how wild she got when he kept her waiting...his breathing became heavy as he saw his magnificent wife above him, her hands resting on his chest, her hair bounding about her as her body connected with his in the most primal form.

When he knew she was at the brink, he pulled her down and under him and thrust into her, he too could feel his climax building up as she screamed into his shoulder "Harder...baby...please...harder..." arnav could not hold it any longer, with a final hard thrust both came together, joining in unbridled ecstasy as their bodies shuddered into peaceful oblivion, lulling them to a deep slumber.

...

The peaceful hours of sleep was disturbed with the ringing of their doorbell, khushi stretched and yawned as she pulled on her robe and went to open the door, she smiled as she saw maya with amal who was now wide awake "Khushi beta...I fed him his formula once but now I think he wants your milk...he's become very fidgety" maya said worriedly as she handed over amal to her

"Don't worry mamma...he's a fussy baby...he just doesn't like formula...no worries, i'll take him with me...thanks" she said as maya kissed them both and left for her room, khushi closed the door as she spoke in baby tongue with her son "Who's a naughty boy? Who's he..yes...you my baby.." she cooed as arnav came yawning behind her, "Hey! Look who's here! Could not stay away from ma and pa for long huh little guy? He said as his son caught his offered finger very tightly.

"Nope, he can't and neither can his parents" khushi said as she went and laid him on the bed next to her, she cleaned her breast before feeding her son who latched onto it hungrily making her gasp "Well, looks like he's just like his papa" arnav chuckled as khushi threw a pillow at him "Arnav! That's disgusting..." she giggled as amal fell asleep after his fill. She laid him straight in between her and arnav and placed pillows around him.

Arnav leaned over and kissed his son before pulling his wife for another lengthy kiss, he then kissed her once again softly on her forehead as he held her hand over amal "Thanks khushi..." he said as khushi looked at him with a confused look, "Thanks for giving me amal...you know i'm pretty sure we made this little angel right here..in this bed one and a half year ago...and I hope we made another one now...today...what do you think? You want one more amal?" he asked as khushi laughed with him.

"Hmm...maybe, but how about...a little princess? Someone with your eyes" she said huskily as arnav smiled at her, "No...I want her to be just like you in every sense...I love you khushi..." he said as his eyes conveyed the truth of his words, khushi smiled as her eyes shone with her love for him "I love you too arnav..." she said as both fell asleep gazing into each other's eyes...their dreams of tomorrow already taking effect...their life...perfect.

xox