Chapter 14: First Attack

Arnav held Shiv still in his protective arms as Shiv seemed to settle into them quite comfortably. He traced the child's features again, but he always kept coming back to those eyes. Those eyes of green and brown that created a mystical hazel. Those eyes that were shockingly similar to another pair of eyes he knew. No, it wasn't similar, it was the same. Even the eyelashes that framed his eyes were like her eyes. The eyes had something about them, almost like a magnet as it held a persons gaze. Arnav had always been drawn to her eyes and he had found himself lost in them many times. Now here they were, perfectly duplicated on Shiv's face.

Shiv's eyes were drooping and the steady pull of sucking on his bottle slowed. Arnav had enough practice with Di's child to know what to do. He slowly released the bottle from Shivs lips and put it down. Standing up, Arnav shifted Shiv unto his shoulders and started leaving small pats along his back trying to release a burp from the small body. Three minutes later, Shiv squirmed as a little burp escaped his mouth. Arnav smiled and settled Shiv a bit more comfortably on his shoulders.

Shivs next action shocked Arnav. He froze as the familiarity of Shiv's action moved him. Shiv had turned his head and snuggled his face into Arnav's neck, the bridge of his nose settling against the space between Arnav's neck and shoulder.  Arnav stood still for a moment, smiled, and sat back onto the couch. Just like his mom, he thought. Arnav remembered how Khushi used to snuggle up to him the same way, burrowing her face into the space between his neck and shoulder. Those times seemed so long ago. Arnav had an immense desire for those times to return, but that would take some work.

Rubbing Shiv's back in a steady pattern, Arnav also floated to sleep to be surrounded by images and memories of Khushi. Her eyes, her smile, her warmth, her scent... In his sleep, Arnav smiled at the thought of having her with him. She was his. She will be his and by his side. Always and forever.

---

Khushi's heart fluttered at the scene in front of her. Father and son were sleeping quite comfortably. Arnav was settled on the couch and Shiv on top of him. She smiled again. Shiv had taken to Arnav faster than she thought possible. She didn't understand it. He was such a sweet child and Arnav was such a Laad Governor. Shiv was still not comfortable with Mahesh even though Shiv knew him for longer. She frowned as she remembered Mahesh, what she had to do. Sighing, she walked into the kitchen to help with breakfast, every now and then eyeing her son and his father.

---

Arnav could tell it was her. He could never forget her touch. He frowned. Why was she shaking him? He realized his eyes were close and opened them to see his angel before him. He smiled.

"Arnavji!" Khushi tried again, exasperated. He smiling at her like an idiot. Was he sleeping with his eyes open now? She tried again.

"Arnavji!" Arnav broke out of his trance and realized his surroundings, felt Shiv still cuddled in his arms.

"Huh?" Arnav managed to mumble.

"Finally! Why don't you put Shiv down? It's time for breakfast."

"Won't he cry?" Arnav raised his eyebrow.

"No, he won't wake up for another hour or so." Khushi replied. Arnav noted the time on the clock to make sure he knew what Shiv's sleeping pattern was.

"Okay." Khushi replied with a small smile. Her eyes were troubled, he could tell. She kept avoiding his eyes. He mentally smirked and figured it was from their morning encounter.

"Khushi betiyan?" Nani's voice broke through both of them.

Khushi turned quickly. "Ji Naniji?"

"I had the Hari Prakash move a crib into your room for Shiv." Nani smiled.

"Thank you, Nani." Khushi smiled with appreciation.

Turning back to Arnav, who was still sitting on the couch, she repeated herself. "Do you want me to take Shiv to the room?"

"No, I'll do it." Arnav replied.

"Then go!" She said towering over him.

"Khushi?"

"What?" She looked annoyed.

Arnav smirked. "Move out of the way."

Khushi suddenly realized his predicament. Her eyes widened in understanding and she whispered a small sorry before walking to the kitchen.

Arnav watched her go. His angel.

---

At the table, Arnav realized the family looked generally happier than they had in a while. He found that he himself was happier. Khushi ceremoniously took a seat beside Arnav, but she didn't look comfortable. He was surprised their little encounter in the morning had disturbed her that much. A playful glint lighted in Arnav's eyes.

---

Khushi almost jumped out of her seat and managed to drop the spoon she had picked up onto the table with a loud clatter. Her eyes were wide with shock and her cheeks flushed.

Everyone turned to look at her with a confused expression.

"Kya hua Khushiji? Di asked.

"He-" She stammered. "He uh..."

"He? Chotte?" Di asked Khushi, following her eyes.

Khushi then realized that talking about such matters at the breakfast table was not appropriate. She gave Arnav a death glare as he looked at her almost as confused as the rest of the family. She wasn't fooled though. She could see that evil, playful glint hidden in his eyes.

"No. I mean hiccups." Khushi said. Relieved, the family members turned to their previous topic of discussion. Payal handed her a glass of water. Khushi could see it now, that stupid, heartbreaking smirk on his face. Stupid Laad Governor, she cursed in her mind.

Reaching under the table she grabbed Arnav's hand, that was groping her thigh indecently, and yanked it off. Arnav's smirk widened as she returned to her food. How dare he? That too while eating breakfast. As if his stunt in the kitchen this morning wasn't enough.

Breakfast was almost over when he attacked her again. Khushi choked on her chai, coughing and her eyes wide. Arnav quickly stood up patting her back.

"Khushi? Are you okay?" His voice was concerned, but Khushi knew him too well to fall for it. She cursed him in words that are best not revealed as the family member's flocked around her.

"Khushi, can't you be a little more careful? The chai will still be there if you drink it a little slowly! Pagal! You never change!" Payal was rubbing her back as she admonished Khushi.

"Sorry Jiji, I uh..." Khushi left her sentence incomplete. Seeing she was okay, the family members returned to finishing their breakfast.

Khushi turned to face Arnav. "You- You- How dare you?" She finally managed.

Arnav had his lips pressed together, trying to hold in his chuckles. Khushi frowned in annoyance. He'd grabbed her higher up her thigh this time. Way too close to places she didn't want him near.

"Laad Governor!" She finally muttered as she stood up to clear the table.

Arnav watched her leave the kitchen in annoyance. He smiled. This was going to be fun.