Deciding to leave the couple alone, Lavanya and Aman headed back down to the party. Arnav and Khushi stayed back in Arnav's apartment, cuddled together on the couch.
"Arnav?"
"Hmm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
Arnav looked down at Khushi. "Anything."
"Um... why... why do you live here? W-why not stay in the dorms?"
Arnav smiled softly and ran his fingers through her hair. "Well it's definitely an improvement than that box they call a room," he smiled.
Khushi smiled lightly.
"But the main reason why I came here is for business."
Khushi scrunched her eyebrows. "Business?"
Arnav nodded. "As you may know, my dad is a well known business man - he worked hard to get to where he is today. And I want to do just that, so I started from the bottom and did some networking."
"Networking? Here?"
"Not here at first, no. Last year when you were away, I didn't have much to do so I would go on strolls. Several times I would walk past this place and I always saw these men dressed for business. I was curious but when I found out what this place really was, I assumed it was just role-play or something along those lines. But when I saw some of my dad's business partners, I knew it was more than that.
"After investigating a bit, I realized once office hours were up, these people would come here. Some of them even live here. And they're all successful so I knew immediately that if I could network with these guys, I would definitely end up successful."
"So you just asked if there was an apartment for rent," Khushi asked.
Arnav chuckled. "No, it's not that easy. I started coming here, learned more about it. Then, slowly, I began to make some friends. They introduced me to others and the networking just happened on it's own. Eventually I was asked if I'd like to live here and I agreed."
"But what about the money? I'm sure this place is expensive."
"It is, but all my expenses are covered."
"What do you mean?"
"I got in contact with the owner of this place. We talked several times and became friends. Then we got into business, and now my company helps his club."
"Your company?"
Arnav nodded.
"But how did you-?"
"My dad. He wanted to do so much more, but I wouldn't let him. In the end, I couldn't get him to step down, so he helped me with starting up."
"Wow, that's sweet of him."
"Yeah," Arnav smiled.
Khushi smiled and glanced around at the apartment. "And here I thought you were doing things at this place."
Arnav cocked an eyebrow. "Things?"
Khushi looked at him. "Yes, things."
"What kind of things," he teased.
Khushi looked deep into his eyes. "Things that would have broken me."
Arnav looked into her eyes and could see the guilt in them. "Khushi-"
Khushi wrapped her arms around Arnav's neck and hugged him. "Promise me you'll never let me go."
Arnav wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in the crook of her neck. "I never have and I never will."
Tears formed in Khushi's eyes and she held him closer to her. "I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too, Beloved."
Khushi pulled back, smiling softly. "Why do you call me that?"
Arnav tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. "Because I love you very, very much."
Khushi blushed and looked down. Arnav smiled softly and kissed her softly on her cheek. Khushi glanced up at him, her eyes landing on his lips. Temptations crawled within her and the urge to kiss him was flaming in her eyes. She slowly leaned forward, glancing from Arnav's eyes to his lips. Arnav stayed still, wanting Khushi to kiss him and take charge. Her lips tentatively met his and she kissed him softly. Her cheeks crimsoned and she let go to look up at him. Arnav traced the back of his hand on her cheek and Khushi nuzzled into his hand.
"I don't how I could have ever gone on with my life if my worst fears were true," Khushi whispered.
She took hold of his other hand and placed it over her heart.
"You've become my life," Khushi stated.
Arnav smiled softly and kissed her forehead. "And you, mine."
Khushi smiled and took both of his hands into hers. "I don't want to let you go."
"I won't let you. In fact..."
Arnav freed his hands from hers and took her into his lap.
"... I don't want to let go of you either," and he kissed her again.
Khushi couldn't help but to smile as she kissed him back. She shifted her body so that she was now straddling him. The two continued to kiss and their emotions heightened. Khushi's hands moved on their own, running along his chest. Arnav's hands wandered on their own as well, gliding from her waist to her behind. Desire bloomed, and things only continued to heat up.
When the two drew back to catch their breath, they leaned their foreheads together and gazed at each other, their chests heaving. Arnav's hands continued to run on their own, moving slowly up her body to her very-much revealed back. Khushi gasped and shut her eyes, tingles running through her body as his warm fingers met her cool back. Arnav kept his eyes on her as he continued to run his hand along her back. Seeing Khushi's reactions triggered something within him, and it had taken over. He glanced down at her and noticed the high slit. Leaving one hand on her back, he brought his other down to her leg and Khushi's eyes shot open. She was breathing heavily and her eyes blazed, filled with nothing but passion and desire.
Without another thought, Arnav kissed her and Khushi cupped his face in her hands. The kiss was heady and all Khushi could think of was getting even closer to Arnav. It seemed as though even if their bodies had melted together, it still wouldn't have been enough for Khushi.
"I need you," Khushi whispered. "I want you."
Arnav pulled back and met her eyes. Lust had taken over Khushi, shadowed in her eyes. His eyes reflected the same, but Arnav knew better.
He cupped her face in his hand. "I need you too, Beloved, and I want you as well."
Khushi smiled softly.
"And one day I will have you."
The blush on Khushi's cheeks reddened, ignited by the fire in Arnav's eyes.
"One day," Khushi whispered.
"One day," Arnav confirmed.
He picked Khushi up and helped straighten out her dress. Khushi fixed the creases on Arnav's shirt and tux, as well as his tie.
"You look very handsome tonight," Khushi smiled softly.
"And you look very beautiful, Beloved."
Khushi blushed harder and Arnav smiled.
"I love how you blush so much."
Khushi blushed harder and hid her face within his chest. "Don't tease me," she pouted.
Arnav chuckled. "I wouldn't dare."
Arnav held onto her, resting his chin atop of her head. Finally, everything was okay and all was right in their little world.
Well... almost.
