The Learning Curve - Chapter 20

Breaking all Barriers..

Some Mature Content Ahead.

Khushi straightened her short kurti as she waited for someone to open the door. She had had to stay back after school to sort out the issue with Anaya's bullying; the three girls parents had come and Mrs D'souza had summoned her to attend the meeting as well. She had bid a goodbye to anaya, promising her that she will be along in some time. So here she was an hour or so later standing in front of the mansion door, wondering for the umpteenth time, what exactly did Mr Raizada want to talk about?

"Arre Khushi didi, please come in" a harrowed HP spoke as a bright smile touched his lips, Khushi walked in thanking HP "Who is it?" came a shrill voice from the living room to which HP quickly ran inside as if he was being chased by hellfire. Khushi walked inside gingerly to come face to face with an elegantly dressed older woman sitting on the couch reading a magazine with a bored expression.

"This is Khushi didi, anaya baby's teacher" HP said in a soft voice to which the woman gave khushi a once over before probably deciding that she wasn't important enough to miss out on whatever filmy gossip she was engrossed over. Khushi gave a warm smile to the woman who raised her eyebrow before speaking in a very cultured but still shrill voice "So, you are the teacher who is also counseling anaya?"

Khushi nodded and sat on the opposite couch as maggie rushed in with a broad smile "Khushi! So nice to see you again dear...i mean I know it's just been a day...but somehow I look forward to our silly talks" she said laughing as khushi joined in and gave her a warm hug "Hmm...I hope you also do your job miss khushi or do you come here only to chat and make jolly with the help?" she heard the older woman speak again, her gaze fixed on the magazine.

"Oh..uh, sorry...I did not realize you are here maam" maggie said getting flustered as khushi looked on with shock at someone calling maggie help! She was as much a part of this family as anaya and arnav were "Khushi, this is anaya's dadi-bua, Anjali devi" maggie said as her cheeks warmed with the insult and obvious dislike shown by the lady at her and khushi's friendliness "Uh, why don't I let anaya know you are here? She's just finishing her homework and will be down in a jiffy" maggie said as khushi nodded and went to sit down.

"Uh maggie, is Arnav...I mean is Mr Raizada home yet? I actually came here to speak to him" she said as her reason for coming here suddenly hit her, maggie smiled at her and was just about to reply when Anjali devi interrupted her "Arnav is not here yet..And why may I ask you would want to speak to him? I mean, what is so important that it can't be spoken on the phone?" she asked khushi, who by now was getting really annoyed at the woman's high-handed behavior.

"I don't know, he probably wants to talk about anaya. She has had a pretty rough time." khushi said a bit tartly to which anjali deviji looked up and keenly observed the slight girl, a very pretty slight girl with a whole lot of oomph in her. She shut her magazine and turned towards maggie "Maggie, do get some tea and refreshments for me and uh..Khushi here" she said dismissing the poor woman to which khushi bristled further.

"Khushi, why don't you sit down...I too need to speak with you on something very important" she said in a very blank tone. Khushi hesitated for a few minutes before finally sitting down, she looked up to find anjali devi staring at her "So Khushi..I know that you have been counseling anaya since some time and I'm sure you must be good at what you do...but whatever you may have concluded, the only reason why that child is acting so irrationally is because she needs a mother...and that's all there is to it. Without a mother's guidance, she will turn worse, she will not grow the right way!"

Khushi bristled with annoyance at the woman's bashful and unnecessary judgment on anaya's behavior, she took a deep breath before answering her "Anjali deviji, I know for a fact that the reason you are stating is not the reason why anaya went through such a drastic behavioral change...in fact i just came to know the real reason behind it and that's why I'm here to speak to Ar..Mr Raizada..you may think that anaya needs a mother for guidance, but maggie has done an amazing job in bringing her up the right way...and arnav is a very dedicated and loving father, she hardly needs a mother to as you said it 'Grow the right way!'" khushi said in a controlled and calm voice.

Anjali devi looked shocked at the way khushi spoke back to her; she narrowed her eyes at her and looked at her in a very condescending way "So you think that having that nanny and an always busy father is good for anaya? You mean to say that you know my grand-daughter better than me? Oh I don't care for any odd conclusions you have come up with...all I know is that I am right and I will start searching for a wife for arnav as soon as possible...in fact since you seem to know anaya so well, you can help me with it!" she said as khushi's mouth dropped down in shock.

"What? How can I help you with finding a wife for Mr Raizada?" khushi asked, her brain going in a freeze mode while her heart started beating at the possibility of the woman actually succeeding in getting arnav married just to prove her stupid point! She was brought out of her reverie as anjali devi's shrill voice cut through "off course you can..Since you seem to know anaya so well!" she heard her saying to which khushi tried to respond but no words seem to come out of her mouth, instead her head seemed to move in a trance, which anjai devi took as a confirmation.

"Good, I'm glad you agree...now where were we? Oh yes...I know this perfect girl for Arnav..she comes from the Royal family of ranthambore and is highly qualified in economics...yes, She will be prefect...also there is this other girl that I know, her father owns the biggest steel company in India..she is an ace horse-rider and speaks 10 languages...yes...Oh this is so good!" anjali devi said as she went on to describe another girl from some other filthy rich family who probably knew how to climb mount Everest in an hour, when a deep voice interrupted their one-sided conversation.

"Anju-bua..I see you have settled in very well...and I also see that you and Ms Gupta seem to be enjoying your little evening sojourn.." he said as he glanced at the older woman and a pale looking khushi...fortunately he had dropped in while they were having the most liberating conversation..giving him lots of 'Food for thought!'

"Now, if you don't mind, I need to speak to khushi about something very important...so if you'll excuse us!" he said as he turned towards khushi at the obvious displeasure of anju-bua "Ms Gupta..I'm sorry but I have a business dinner to attend and we need to club my gym time and our meeting...so if you can please make you way there? I'll be about in a few minutes" he said as he turned around and without a second glance went bounding up the stairs.

... 

Khushi took her sweet time going to the gym, not because she wanted to irk arnav but because as soon as arnav left, Anaya had come running down the stairs. She wanted khushi to hang out with her and would not have left her at all if it wasn't for maggie bribing her with a good slice of chocolate cake, which frankly though it looked delicious only made khushi feel nauseous..Probably because of her meeting with arnav.

She took a deep breath and knocked before she heard a click and the door opened, she entered the huge spacious gym while nervously biting her lips. She gasped as the door suddenly snapped close and a kind of vacuumized sound emanated from it "It gets vacuum locked..Keeps the dust and sound out of the gym" she heard arnav's voice coming from the other end of the room.

"Uh..this is a really good gym..very well equipped" she said meekly as her gaze drank in the most erotic sight of arnav raizada running on the treadmill...his hair was wet, with sweat droplets running down his chiseled face while his vest was soaked through. His solid muscled arms flexed as he continued his run letting khushi admire his physique at her leisure.

"If you are done ogling Ms Gupta...do come and sit down" he said glancing her way before pressing the cool down button on the treadmill. He looked straight at her as he said in a cool voice "Why did you take so long? I told you I don't have enough time..." khushi she looked up to answer him when her throat went dry at the sight of arnav gulping down water, his adam's apple bobbing as he quenched his thirst.

"Ms Gupta..I'm talking to you" arnav said as he capped the bottle and turned towards her, bringing khushi out of her thoughts "Uh..Sorry...I...umm, anaya came to meet me...so we chatted for a while..." she said lightly as he picked up a towel and wiped his face and neck while khushi sat a little bit straighter "So, what did you want to talk about?" she said hoping that her voice did not sound as weak as she felt.

Armav smirked inwardly as he saw how his Ms Gupta was trying to be all cool and unbothered, when she clearly wasn't...well...mission accomplished Raizada, he thought as he went towards the weights and pulled put an impressive looking heavy dumbbell and started doing bicep curls "Oh..Just wanted to check with you about how we should proceed now" he said matter of factly to which khushi blushed hard.

"Wha..what?" khushi asked as her brain went into overdrive, trying to think what to answer him...she thought he would be the one who would maybe suggest how they should take this..this thing between them forward. Arnav looked at her innocently as he lifted an eyebrow "Yeah...I mean after what happened, we can't just let things be as they are right? I'm sure you feel the same way" he said slyly as he saw khushi biting those plump lips of hers..Oh how he wanted to devour them right now.

Arnav smiled as he saw khushi close her eyes and probably wonder what she had landed into...he knew she thought he was asking her about last night...when in fact he was only teasing her, pretending to keep this general, when he was actually questioning her about Anaya'He had already spoken to Mrs D'Souza about the situation and was well aware of everything.. let her suffer a little bit! Arnav thought as she opened her eyes and avoided looking at him. He waited for her to say something before he flusters her more.

"Listen..arnav" she said as arnav once again looked at her in an amused way "Arnav? Really? Ok Khushi...so what should be our next step?" he asked her as khushi took a deep breath "I..I think we should...we..uh, we should...maybe talk to anaya about it first...before taking things further" she said quickly as arnav's features softened. He was really touched that she thought about his daughter before taking any such decision.

He smiled inwardly as he made his face a little bit serious "Off course we need to speak to Anaya about it...after all, it is regarding her..I'm glad those girls are getting the punishment they deserve...no one gets away with troubling my daughter" he said and was awarded with just the kind of expression he was picturing on khushi's face "What? You were talking about that?" she said as she furiously reddened and mentally slapped herself.

"Off course khushi..what else will I be talking about?" he asked as he kept the weights down and proceeded to remove his vest, making khushi temporarily speechless, she took in the sculpted ridges of his magnificent body right from the powerful shoulders and pecks, to his surfboard abs..his chest hair ending in a downward pattern towards the low waistband of his track-pants. She felt her breath hitch as her eyes drank the Greek godliness of his perfect body...Oh yes, she is definitely following arvanism!

"Khushi? Everything ok? I asked you something" arnav said as he took pleasure in the way she squirmed...she was practically eating him up with her bold eyes, his body responding in painful tightness as her gaze lazily explored him. Only he knew the amount of control he was maintaining to get her where he wanted her.

"N..Nothing...I mean...yeah, I was thinking of the same thing..in fact, Mrs D'souza has asked me to fix a meeting with you to discuss this further..a..an..anaya is also much better now...sh..She is coming out of her shell completely" khushi stuttered as arnav nodded at her "Yes...we should have that meeting soon...but are you sure you are all right? I mean...you looked parched...do you want some water?" he asked her as khushi once again licked her dry lips, making arnav hold his groan at her innocent gesture.

"I'm fine...I mean...I wasn't thinking of anything else...what else will I think about anyways" she said quickly..trying to find a way to get out of there without looking too rude...God only knows how much more of this torture she could take "Hmm..ok, if you say so...though I think there is plenty more you have to think about..." he said in his sexy drawl when khushi understood the game he was playing with her..it was a game of seduction..a game of making her give in before him...

She took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves before flashing him a bright "Nope! I don't have anything else to think about..in fact if you don't mind..I need to get going..Your anju-bua needs my help in selecting potential brides for you" she said nastily as arnav's face showed total confusion. She smirked as she left him to go and open the door..Which for some reason would not budge.

Arnav looked on as khushi completely turned around his entire strategy...he realized that she probably understood what he was trying to do..smart girl!...he saw her struggle with the door and smirked as he said lazily "It won't open without its remote and code...which only I know" he said as he walked purposefully but slowly towards her to which khushi took a step back and leaned her back on the door "What? Open this door at once!" she demanded as arnav walked further towards her..when hardly a feet distance remained between them...she could smell his delicious cologne wafting around.

"Why? So that you can go around trying to find me a wife?" he asked her slowly as khushi widened her eyes, his close proximity was anyways not letting her think straight "Y..Yes...anju bua thinks that anaya needs a mother..so" she started saying as arnav placed one hand on her right side and leaned further in "and do you think that anaya needs a mother?" he asked khushi who was finding it very hard to breath now "Y..yes...maybe" she said as arnav smirked "Liar...I heard what you said...you think I'm doing a pretty good job" he said as khushi closed her eyes

"Khushi...open your eyes" he demanded softly as his lips inched further towards her ears, khushi slowly opened her eyes to find his darkened orbs staring right at her "Do you think I need a wife Khushi?" he asked her as she simply shook her head, then nodded...wondering why she couldn't give him a straight answer "So you are not sure..hmm...I wonder how that ranthambore princess would be like...maybe like a tigress huh? Or that horse-rider? Well her skills will definitely come in handy" he said huskily as khushi's eyes blazed with an unrestrained anger, to the utter satisfaction of arnav.

"Well I hope that you get the perfect wife for all your needs...and I'll make sure I am successful in finding the right one! Not that it makes any difference to me!" she said angrily as her eyes flashed green, making arnav inch further towards her "really khushi? It makes no difference? Then why did you kiss me back last night? Why did you lose control last night? Why are you looking at me as if you want to fulfill all your...darkest...most sensual...secret...desires...with me" he asked her in a husky voice, to which her eyes widened making her heart race erratically..how did he know?

"Touch me khushi" he demanded softly as khushi's eyes turned dark again...her earlier anger vanishing..leaving a burning desire to do just as she was told...she watched in fascination as arnav placed his other hand on the left side, imprisoning her between his arms. He looked on as khushi;s chest heaved in anticipation...he closed his eyes as he waited for her to explore...he waited for... "Uhhh..." arnav groaned as her soft dainty hands touched his shoulders, slowly trailing a burning path across his broad chest and abs..making it difficult for him to breath.

He opened his eyes to find khushi's eyes glued to him as she explored his sweat slicked body to her will...her hands moved erotically over his entire upper body, from his front to his tightly corded back...she was enjoying the play of muscles as her palms felt the rock hard perfection. She looked on in wonder as she trailed her hands over his strong arms, his veins protruding out with suppressed need. She looked at his face to see the look of pleasure on it and rejoiced in the fact that she had that effect on him.

"Kiss me khushi...wherever you want" he demanded again as khushi gulped down her raging desires..she knew it was very difficult for him to control but she was always the obedient one she thought, as she placed her soft lips over the same path she had just traced with her hands...she kissed him on his chest...lingering her lips over its vast expanse'making him shudder and groan loudly...she held his back as she kissed him on his shoulders while moving her lips towards his strong jaw'her hands caressing his abs...

Arnav was too gone by now...he knew he would probably die of self-control if she went any further and was just about to stop her when he felt her hot tongue encircling his nipples...his eyes shot open as he saw khushi nip him with her teeth...that's it! He thought as he pulled her up against him and crashed his lips to hers. Khushi was too lost in the salty taste of his body and could not help but lick his chest...she was still in her exploration stage when she felt arnav pull her up and slam his lips on hers...it took her a moment to register but soon she started kissing him back with the same ardor.

Arnav slipped his hands under her kurti and grabbed her small waist as she clung to him for support. She moaned as his hands pressed her soft body,  trailing up towards her back...he quickly undid her bra clip and slipped his hands under it to cup her full breasts "Umm...Arnaavv.." khushi moaned against his plundering lips as arnav thrust his tongue inside her hot mouth, starting a duel of eager tongues waiting to mate with each other.

He kneaded her breasts and rolled her hardened nipples between his fingers as his lips left her mouth and went to her neck, biting her and soothing her with his tongue...khushi threw her head back as she felt a hot need pulsate between her legs'she pulled the offending kurti off her, giving arnav more access to her delectable body as he continued his way towards her shoulders. She pressed herself on him as both gasped at the first skin to skin contact between their bodies, the feeling too pleasurable to describe...but at the same time making them realize just how far they had come...and if they continued there will be no point of return.

They pulled back reluctantly as arnav touched his forehead to hers.."Khushi...what do you do to me.." he said huskily as khushi blushed prettily, awareness flooding her mind at the state of her undress. She quickly bent down and faced away from him to put on her bra and shivered as arnav helped her hook it on "You are soo beautiful khushi" he said hoarsely as he kissed her back lightly before turning her towards him...he picked up her kurti and slipped it over her head, making her wear it.

"I'm waiting for the day when I actually get to take off every scrap of clothing off you instead of putting it on" he said as khushi shyly smiled at him before she laid a hand on his chest "Me too...but its not the right time...we have too many things to work out" she said softly, surprising arnav with her frankness. 

He leaned in to take her lips in another searing kiss as she responded equally before pulling away "Go khushi...go before I make this the right time!" he said and punched in the code for the door to open with a whoosh. Khushi looked at him one last time before she turned towards the door and stepped out...arnav smiled as he heard her say softly before she walked away "It does make a difference by the way'".