OS: Gift Exchange

“Hey Devi Maiyya!  Couldn’t you make the Lad governor less of a workaholic?  It’s new year’s eve today and he’s all the way at the other end of the world!  How am I supposed to see his face at midnight?  Last year when I didn’t want to see his face, he made sure to bring himself in front of my eyes right at midnight!  And this year when his wife actually wants to see him, he’s not even in the same country as me!”

Khushi muttered as she paced around, annoyed and angered to the core that she was all alone in Raizada Mansion on New Year’s Eve.  Her husband, Arnav Singh Raizada, had gone for a business trip a week ago and he wasn’t going to return for another four days, much to Khushi’s annoyance.  What did a girl have to do to spend New Year’s evening with her husband?

“Now what do I do?  Stare at myself in the mirror at midnight so that I can spend the rest of my life with myself?  Ha!  Might as well...it’s not like he’s home much.  Most wives have to feel jealous of other women but no...I, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada, get to be jealous of his office, his files, his laptop, and that goddamn phone that’s always glued to his ear...and of course...how could I forget Aman ji!”

Khushi muttered as she sat down on the couch and angrily flipped through a magazine.

“And of course the phone is only glued to his ear for office related conversations.  It’s been nearly eight hours since we last talked and he hasn’t called!  Does he even realize that in an hour it will be midnight here?  Did he even wonder whose face I’ll see at twelve?  Of course not.”

Khushi paused flipping through the magazine as a thought occurred to her.

“Wait a minute...whose face will I see at midnight, if not that Lad Governor’s?  Jiji and Jijaji are out on their date...Di and Aman ji are also spending time together...heck, even Mamiji and Mamaji have romantic plans for tonight!”

“Khushi ji...do you want some coffee?”

Khushi looked up to see the eldest of the Prakash Brothers, Hari Prakash.  He was looking at her as if she was crazy.  Had she been talking out loud?

“Uh...N-no...thank you HP ji.”  Khushi turned red and focused back on the magazine.  Then another thought crossed her mind.  What if she saw HP ji’s face at midnight??

“NAHII!!!!!” Khushi screeched, standing up from the couch with a jerk.

“What happened, Khushi Ji?”  Hari Prakash looked at her worriedly.

“Uh...I...ahh...N-Nothing.  What are you doing here HP ji?  You should go to your quarters and relax.  It’s almost new year.”  Khushi spoke in one breath.

HP frowned at her.  His Arnav Baba’s wife was going crazy.

“It's okay Khushi ji...what if you need something?”

“That’s what I need...I need you to go so that I don’t end up seeing you at midnight...knowing my luck...that’s exactly what will happen.  Hey Devi Maiyya!”  Khushi muttered to herself.  “HP ji...I want you to go and rest...you’ve worked hard all day...good night HP ji!”  Khushi ushered him towards the door while HP wondered what he had done all day.  He hadn’t done much...what was Khushi Ji talking about?  Deciding that she needed some time to herself, HP left bidding her a goodnight.

Khushi closed the door and leaned against it, sighing in relief.

“That’s one down...now I won’t accidentally end up seeing HP ji...but what if he comes back for something...no!   I know!  I’ll just stay in our room...yeah.  That’s perfect!”  Khushi ran into her bedroom and sighed once again in relief.  Her phone beeped while she made her way to the poolside.  It was a text message from her husband.

Sorry I haven’t called, sweetheart.  My phone’s battery is low and I’m going to a new year’s party.  I will call as soon as I get back to the hotel.

Khushi’s jaw dropped.  New Year’s party?  In London?  That meant pretty gori women probably wearing barely-there clothes and he was going to end up seeing someone at that party at midnight!  No!  Absolutely not!

Mr. Raizada...you better keep your eyes closed at midnight.  Don’t you dare look at another woman!

 She typed back furiously and sent the message.  She paced across the side of the pool furiously as she waited for his reply.

Mrs. Raizada, I already saw you last year at midnight on New Year’s Eve...I think you’re already the woman I’ll spend the rest of my life with.

Khushi smiled and tried to think of a reply when her phone beeped again.

By the way, who are you planning on seeing at midnight?

Khushi frowned grumpily.

Myself!  Since my husband has more important business to deal with.

Yeah?  Well, you planned on not seeing my face last year but it happened anyway...are you sure you won’t end up seeing anyone else today?

Khushi gasped.  He was teasing her?  The nerve of him!

I’m sure.  I even sent HP ji home.  No one else is home and I’m in our room.  Maybe I’ll sleep...that way I don’t have to see anyone.

Yeah, do that. 

 That’s it?  That was his reply? 

“Devi Maiyya!!  Give him at least some romantic thoughts, please!!”  Khushi looked up at the starry sky.

She took a seat on the ledge of the pool and thought back to last year’s New Year’s Eve.  So much had changed within this year.  A year ago she was Khushi Kumari Gupta...Now; she’s Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada.  A year ago her and Arnav were busy masking their feelings for each other and now every moment they found, they let each other know how they felt.

Khushi recalled with a smile on her face how Akash jijaji had come to meet Payal and had managed to get himself glued to one of Buaji’s chairs.  Arnav had been called in those desperate times for help.  Khushi was out distributing jalebis and wishing a happy new year to her neighbours.  When she’d gotten home, she’d excitedly counted down to midnight, thinking that her jiji was in the room with her.  When she opened her eyes, the first person she had seen was Arnav Singh Raizada.

The night had taken a comical turn when Buaji had woken up and NK had showed up.  Khushi chuckled to herself as she remembered how she had hidden Arnav on her bed, making it look like Payal was sleeping there.  A small blush crept up on her cheeks when she remembered that Buaji had forced Khushi to get into bed too.

Her heartbeat had raced that night as she lay next to him under the blanket on that small bed.  That was one of the few things that hadn’t changed in this year.  Even after being married to him for all these months, her heart still raced impressively when he got into bed next to her every night.

She heard fireworks in the distant and glanced at her cell phone to check the time.  Five minutes to midnight.  She stood up from the ledge and made her way into the room.  She stood in front of an enlarged picture of her and Arnav.  If not Arnav Singh Raizada himself, then his picture will have to do for tonight.

Her fingers reached up and ran over his image as a smile crept up on her face.  She closed her eyes and remembered the various expressions he displayed.  Her heart started beating loud and clear in her ears.  Just the thought of him still drove her heart crazy.  She let her hand fall from his picture and rest over her heart.

“I wish you were here Arnavji.  I miss you.  I love you.”  She spoke her mind out loud to the picture.

“I love you too.”

Khushi laughed at herself as she heard his voice in her head.  She opened her eyes and they immediately widened when they saw him standing in front of her.  He stood there with a gentle smile on his face, his eyes full of love, his arms crossed across his chest in his signature ASR way.  Khushi shook her head at herself.

“Arnav ji is right...I am Pagal...now I’m even imagining him!  If buaji was here, she’d call me Sanka devi.”

The imaginary Arnav’s smile widened and an eyebrow rose up on his forehead.  “Sach mein... Sanki Ho tum...”

Khushi frowned and squinted.  Was she imagining him or was he actually here?

“No...No no.  He just said he’s going to some party...”  She sighed sadly. “How can he be here?”

She turned to walk to her bed when she was suddenly pulled back with force.  Her back was pressed against his muscular chest.  She felt his warm lips against her neck next.

“I am here, Khushi...” he murmured against her skin.

With a gasp, she whipped around to face him, her hands landing on his chest while his arms stayed around her waist.

“A...aa...aap?”  She gasped.

“Haan...M...ma...main.”  He imitated her stutter.  He smirked when her mouth formed a perfect ‘O’.  “Did you really think I would miss seeing my wife today?”

Khushi gasped and slapped his chest looking scandalized.  “Aapne ramanchi ki!”

Arnav raised his eyebrows and smirked.  “Sweetheart....it’s not ramanchi...its called surprise.”

Khushi smiled at him and he rested his forehead against hers. 

“So what were you saying...something about missing me?”

He smiled victoriously as he saw the red hue appear on her cheeks.  “If you can say it to my photograph, you can say it to me...” he whispered huskily.

“I missed you...a lot.”  She choked on her last word when she felt the tip of his nose against hers.  She knew what would follow.

“And?”  He whispered.

“I...I love you.”  She whispered inaudibly.

Arnav, as last, swooped down and pressed his lips against hers.  Khushi felt overwhelmed at the sudden burst of butterflies in her stomach.  The electric feel that danced along her spine made her knees feel wobbly.  Her mind and senses were flooded with the feel of his lips against hers coupled with his heady musky scent.

His presence alone was enough to overwhelm her at this moment.  He had returned from his trip four days early...just to spend New Year’s eve with her.  An affectionate warmth engulfed her heart at the realization.

Khushi’s arms snaked around his neck as she pulled him closer.  Arnav smiled into the kiss.  He always appreciated it when his wife responded to his touch openly, not bothering to be her usual shy self.

Within seconds, the gentle kiss turned into a demanding one.  Khushi made sure she expressed how much she had missed him in that one kiss.  Her hand fisted his hair at the base of his neck while his hand rubbed along the few inches of skin exposed waist between her blouse and the waistline of the saree.  Khushi gasped when his nails lightly dug into the soft skin, granting him more access to her mouth.

Their tongues danced together in a familiar and well practiced harmony while the world outside counted down the end of a year and the beginning of another 2014.  Just in time, Arnav broke away from the kiss with a gigantic effort, chuckling at Khushi’s protesting moan.  He rested his forehead against her and kissed her nose lightly.

“Happy New year Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada.”  He said breathlessly.

She looked up at him and gave him a dazzling smile before pacing a feather light kiss on his lips.  “Happy New year...Lad Governor.”

He laughed out at that.  He would never admit it to her but he loved this silly nickname she had come up with for him.  She said it with so much love, it was hard to not like the way it sounded.

“Where’s my gift?”  She demanded.

Smirking, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box.  With the excitement of a child opening a birthday gift, she opened the box and gasped.  She looked at up at him surprised.

“You lost the one you wore when you crashed my bachelor’s party.”  Arnav winked.  “It was the first time I saw you wearing one and I wanted to see you wearing one again...”

She blushed as she remembered that night.  She had danced for him when she had decided to crash his party, refusing to let him see any other woman dancing.  That night was special to her for various reasons.  It was the night she had given her everything to him.

He took the box out of her hands and lifted the piece of jewellery before tossing the box aside.  He knelt in front of her, making her eyes go wide with surprise.  With a wink in her direction, he brought his arms around her as he wrapped the elegant chain around her waist.  He could feel her skin trembling under his touch.  He decided to tease her further.  He clasped the chain shut but leaned in to tighten the hook with his teeth.

Khushi gasped and held his shoulder for support when his teeth and lips grazed against the skin of her waist, creating havoc within her.  He placed a kiss on her skin just above the chain making her tighten her grip on his shoulder.

He stood up, still smirking at the effect he had one her and placed his hands back on her waist.  His fingers caressed the waist chain, making her breaths tremble.

“Where’s my gift?”  He said suggestively, knowing well that she must’ve “forgotten” to get him a gift.  He never anticipated gifts...it wasn’t his thing.  His family knew better than to try and buy him anything.  But with Khushi...he always claimed his gifts in the form passionate love making.

“I have one for you.”  She said smugly, making him frown.

“What the?!”

“Thank you for the kamarbandh...it’s beautiful...unfortunately...the gift I have for you won’t allow me to wear it.”  Khushi tried dropping a hint.

He raised his eyebrows.  “Are you going to start dressing in western clothes?"

Khushi frowned in confusion.  “No...Do you want me to?  I thought you liked me wearing sarees.”

“I do...even more so now.” He said hooking a finger around the chain and tugging on it suggestively.

Khushi blushed and Arnav chuckled at her shyness.  It was always amusing to him.  How she went from a shy wife to a passionate tigress within minutes and then back to the shy wife again was amusing to him.

“So what’s my gift, then?”  Arnav asked, pulling her closer.

“It has been ordered...but it hasn’t been delivered it yet.  They said it will be ready after a few months.”  Khushi grinned.

“What?  How dare they delay Arnav Singh Raizada’s wife’s order...tell me where you ordered this gift...I am going to shut their business down!”  Arnav said angrily.

Khushi just rolled her eyes at him.  “And you say I’m unbelievable.  Can you put aside your business for a bit?  The gift is in this room but it’s not completely ready.”

“Where is it?”  Arnav frowned in confusion.  He had no idea what Khushi was blabbering about.

“You’re holding it right now.”  Khushi whispered.

Arnav cocked his head to the side.  “You?”

“Offo Arnavji!”  Khushi slapped her own forehead exasperatedly.  “I meant this...”  Khushi moved his hand from her waist to her stomach.  “You will have your gift delivered to you in about 6 months.”

Arnav stared at her with a blank expression, unsure whether or not he had heard her right.  Khushi looked at him while his eyes moved between her stomach and her face.

“Khushi...?”  He let the question linger.

Khushi nodded.  “I’m...I mean...we are three months pregnant.  You’re the first person I wanted to tell.”

A toothy grin broke out on his face before he swept her into another breathtaking kiss.  A few minutes later, he pulled apart in desperate need of oxygen, and knelt in front of her immediately, gently caressing her stomach.  Khushi was surprised to see his eyes misted as he looked up at her with a smile.

“Our baby...” he whispered.

Khushi bit her lower lip to keep tears of joy at bay as she nodded at him.  She chuckled when he placed multiple feather light kisses against the soft skin of her belly.  He stood up again, lifted her off her feet, and spun her around once making her laugh out loud.

“This is the best gift ever!”  He placed her on the floor and kissed her gently.  “Thank you.  I love you so so much.”

“I love you too...”

“So why can’t you wear the kamarbandh?”  Arnav frowned.

“For now I can...in a few months...it won’t fit around my baby bump and the—”

He didn’t give her a chance to finish as he crashed his lips to hers.  He kissed her hungrily, letting a week’s missed passion take over.  And the way Khushi responded in agreement, nibbling and biting his lower lip, Arnav lost his control sooner than he had expected.

Before either of them could register anything, they had ended up under the covers on the plush bed, their clothes strewn carelessly all over the room.  Their groans and moans substituted as their own version of the fireworks as the couple united and welcomed the new year with pure love and happiness.