Sara’s boutique was a quaint little store, tucked away in the city’s corner.
Payal had discovered it accidentally, when she took a wrong turn once.
But it was love at first sight, as Payal bought everything for her wedding from there.
The pastel tone of the store and Sara’s exuberance made Khushi feel at ease. But Payal was like a maniac, with a long list on her hands.
“Sara, we need everything. From lingerie to formal dresses. I want lounge wear appropriate for Khushi’s age but not too childish. A mixture of suits,coord sets and skirts for work. I want saris, but their blouses should be sleeveless. And for her wedding? It will be a day event, so how about a blush pink lehenga?”
“Ooh! I have a wonderful piece for the wedding”
Sara rushed off into the back, even as Payal skimmed through the rack.
“Di, this is too much. I have clothes”
“Do you realise who you are going to be after this wedding? Someone leading a magazine! I can’t have you walk in there with your plaid shirts and worn out kurtis. And don’t even start about your lounge clothes-“
“What’s wrong with my pyjamas?”, Khushi whined.
“You may find this odd, but you will be living with Arnav after the wedding “, Payal rolled her eyes, “And a man like that will be very impressed seeing your Spongebob SquarePants shorts”
Khushi pouted, knowing any argument would be futile at this point.
———
An hour later, they were stuffed back into the car, surrounded by the best pieces of clothing.
Buaji had prepared an elaborate lunch, as Khushi gathered from Payal who was on the phone.
Bored, she looked out at the bustling stream of cars and rickshaws.
A ping interrupted her musings, and she looked down at her phone.
Arnav R.: Hey! My friend wants to invite you for a movie night. Are you in?
She didn’t have to bother wondering why the text sounded so unlike him, as he was calling her the next moment.
“Hello?”, she said a bit unsure.
“Khushi? Hi! I am Aman. Aman Sethi. We met last night, if you recall?”
“Oh yes”, she could hardly sit still,”Of course, I remember “
“Well, since Arnav doesn’t want to introduce us properly , I have taken the liberty to steal his phone and invite you myself”
Before she could agree, a distant rumble of displeasure reached her ears.
“Aw come on! Arnav here says you would have no interest in an old film- is 1989 that old? Come on Khushi, Arnav was born that year! How could you be so insensitive?”
She couldn’t help but burst out laughing at Aman’s theatrics.
“Not that old at all. I’ll be there”
“Great! Can’t wait!”
As soon as she hung up, Payal coughed.
“Date night?” She smirked.
“More like a hangout, Di. Aman Sethi invited me to watch a movie with them. Feels surreal”
Payal shrugs, “You should get used to being around media personalities. After all, you are going to be one yourself soon”
Khushi scoffed, “Me? I am just marrying one”
“We’ll see”
———
Aman’s bachelor pad was the one selected for the viewing. Arnav had mentioned it to her that his apartment was undergoing minor renovations.
So when she drove upto Athena apartments, she reallly didn’t what to expect. One day in, and already she was parking into the most influential residential area in Lucknow.
The sleek black elevator greeted her with a blast of jazz.
Glancing at her reflection, Khushi pushed a stray strand of hair away.
She was surprisingly not that nervous.
“Hi”, Arnav greeted her at the door, dressed in a simple black tshirt.
“Hey”, Khushi smiled.
“You really wanna spend your Saturday night with two boring men?”
, he teased after letting her in.
“Who the hell did you call boring?!”
“Come”, Arnav rolled his eyes before grabbing her hand and leading her into the living room.
The entire apartment was truly a bachelor’s haven. Completely set in shades of black and red. Khushi was bemused seeing some strange artefacts, like the monkey statues, staring right at her in the living room.
“Interesting decor”, she quipped.
“Isn’t it?”, Aman grinned as he walked in with two bowls of popcorn.
“Khushi, Aman. Aman, Khushi “, Arnav introduced them with a wave of his hand.
“Aw come on man! We deserve better. Khushi, I am this idiot’s only friend. Held that position since college and here we are!”
Khushi smiled as she shook his hand,” Honestly, I am lucky! I have read all your books”
“Really? I hope you didn’t bring any of them to slam it in my face?”
“Nonsense! My friends and I treat them as the gospel”
“I like you already!” Aman winked.
Arnav cleared his throat, “Let’s start the movie, shall we?”
“Sure!”, she settled down next to him on the plush couch, “What are we watching?”
“Her alibi”
“It’s a Tom Selleck movie”
“Ooh! I love Tom Selleck!”
Arnav looked at her, “Have you seen any of his movies?”
“No, but I loved him as Dr Richard in Friends”
“Aah! Love that”, Aman passed her a soda before pressing play on his remote.
———
She loved it.
The old school charm of the movie. The sexy older novelist of mystery genre who rescues this beautiful, younger murder suspect, but lives in two minds between his attraction to her and doubt that she might actually be guilty.
It was just plain sexy.
She hesitantly admitted to herself that she did find the age gap sexy.
Maybe it was the fact that it was Tom Selleck . Maybe it was because her own prospects were leading into that direction.
But as she glanced slyly at Arnav, she felt herself inexplicably drawn to him. Everything that he was, chivalrous, masculine and intelligent. He had everything a girl dreams of her man to have.
Drunk on her attraction for him, she scooted closer before resting her head on his shoulder.
He turned immediately.
“Bored?”, he whispered.
“No”, she whispered back before curling her arm around his bicep.
Arnav allowed her to cuddle closer, before kissing her forehead.
Turning back to the screen, they saw the couple in their own battle of emotions.
Khushi felt a burst of contentment in her heart.
She could get used to this.
———
Much later, after a wonderful dinner and a heavy discussion on the film, Khushi was down in the parking, walking towards her car with Arnav.
“Aman is amazing! I have loved his work for so long, I can’t believe he is as wonderful in person!”, she gushed.
Arnav said nothing, simply holding her hand tighter.
“I guess I should watch more Tom Selleck movies”, she mused.
With no warning at all, he pulled her flush against his hardness in one quick second.
“You should, but only with me”
And then. That infuriatingly sexy man kissed her.
He pressed deeper into her. Caressing the nape of her neck, he pulled her closer, teasing her lips with his tongue.
She clutched onto his shoulders, before letting him deepen the kiss.
He groaned before plunging in. Kissing her again, again and again.
She couldn’t get enough. When he tried to slow down the kiss, something possessed her into kissing him back harder.
Arnav moaned before holding her tighter.
Damn it all! This felt so good!
When they finally broke off, Arnav rested his forehead on hers.
“She might have been the murderess after all”, he said with a sinful smirk.
For a first kiss, Khushi knew he had given her the best.
