23. OS 18. Too Tempting to Resist (Part 23)

Part 23



'You are being hyper. Too hyper,' ASR told himself. 'Why are you agitated over the fact that Akash's haldi is to be held here while Payal's is to be held at her home?'

Hazel eyes swam into his mind.

'Work, work. Think about work,' he told himself. Maybe he could escape to the office.

Akash put paid to that plan.

"Bhai, you will stay by me, won't you?" he asked, blinking his eyes behind his gold-rimmed specs.

ASR almost rolled his eyes. Akash was twenty-six, for God's sake. That is, if He existed.

"Chotey," Anjali pleaded.

ASR sighed. Was there no escape for him from this turmoil in his chest region when he thought about her?

                                                                   ***



Khushi heaved a sigh of relief. She didn't have to see the Rakshas on jiji's haldi day. He was stuck in his house and she was safe in her own.

She leaned back in her chair with a smile of deliverance.

"Why are you smiling, Nandkisore?" buaji asked suspiciously.

"Nothing, buaji," Khushi replied, trying her best to look innocent.

"Hmmppfff," buaji snorted.

Jiji's phone rang.

The display read 'Akashji'.

Delighted at getting a chance to tease her jiju, Khushi grabbed the phone before Payal's haldi-stained hands could reach it.

"Akashji," Khushi crooned, making her voice deliberately low and alluring.

There was perfect silence from the other end.

Payal's eyes grew round in horror.

"Akashji, I am waiting eagerly for our shaadi. Every moment away from you is like a yug," Khushi continued in her come-hither voice.

Only a choking sound could be heard from the phone.

"Khussi," Payal whispered, scandalised. "Give me the phone."

Khushi smartly stepped away to escape Payal and continued on her merry way.
 "Akashji, why are you silent?" she asked huskily. "You are tadpaoing me. Aap bhi na, bade natkhat ho!"

"What the!" came the incredulous exclamation from the other end.

The phone fell from Khushi's suddenly numb fingers. He Devi Maiyya! It was not Akashji, but Laad Governor! She was doomed. Maybe she could run away to the Himalayas and bury herself in snow to get away from his fiery anger!