Chapter Twenty Eight

With everything put away and the couple settled, they ordered in room service and ate, then crashed in bed. Absolutely taken over by jetlag, both Arnav and Khushi ended up falling asleep and didn't wake up until early next morning.

Khushi was the first to awake, finding herself comfortable within her husband's arms. She couldn't help but to gaze at Arnav for a moment; he looked absolutely at peace, holding onto her. Not wanting to disturb him, Khushi simply laid beside him... until she felt her bladder kicking.

Slipping out of his hold, Khushi tiptoed over to the bathroom and did what she needed. She washed up and took a quick shower, and changed into a comfortable selwar kameez. As she came out of the bathroom, running her towel through her hair, she saw that Arnav had awakened, sitting up in bed, stretching.

"Good morning," she said softly.

Arnav turned to her and he paused. For some reason, seeing Khushi in this state, even though he had seen her running a towel through her wet hair numerous time, just always did something to him no matter what. He watched her as she moved over to the vanity and went through her many bags, taking out products and using them, and then bring out her pot of sindoor. She took a pinch of it and placed it through her parting, and again for some reason, no matter how many times he had seen her do it, Arnav felt a burst of happiness and pride within him.

Why he would always feel this way, he truly didn't get it. Yes he knew that he loved her, but still - to always feel this way no matter how much time had passed... it was just all too interesting to him, fascinating really. To feel such a way for someone... it truly was amazing.

"Are you just going to sit there all day?"

Arnav snapped out of his trance and looked at Khushi, who was giving him a teasing smile. Arnav smiled in return and shook his head, then got up to get ready for the day. Once he did, he quickly ordered up room service and they ate happily while enjoying their view of Paris.

"So, what should we do today," Arnav asked.

"Umm... I don't know. I don't really know much about Paris except that there's the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre."

"We could do either of those. We could even go see the Eiffel Tower at night, see it with all of the lighting and what not."

"Okay."

"I'll look through the guide book to see what else we can check out, although there are some places I already have in mind. And then of course we're going to Versailles three days from now."

Khushi nearly choked on her water. "Wait what?"

Arnav looked at Khushi confusion while she looked at him in shock. "Well yeah - what's a trip to France without going to Versailles?"

Khushi simply blinked at him.

"There's a train that takes you there; I think it takes like an hour or so to get there."

"Wow... um... okay."

Arnav watched Khushi as she looked from left to right, and then glance around their room. He instantly understood what was going through her head and reached out and took her hand in his, Khushi's wide eyes darting up to his.

"Don't," he simply said, and that was all it took for Khushi to understand that he knew what she was thinking.

"It's so much," she said softly.

"It's not an issue at all."

"But-"

"Hush," he soothed, caressing her cheek as his thumb traced over her scar. "Don't think about it."

Khushi felt her body hum at his touch, and her worries quickly faded. She forgot about all of the money that must've been spent for their lavish honeymoon and only thought of Arnav's touch.

"Now then," Arnav said as he leaned back, letting go of her, "let's see what we can do today."

Arnav got up and went to get the guidebook and Khushi let out her breath. She was absolutely affected by her husband, and that too more so than ever before. It was as if that knowing that they were here on their honeymoon, seemed to play a larger affect on her.

But will anything of that sort happen, Khushi wondered.

Arnav came back moments later with the guidebook. He went through it for a bit while they finished up breakfast, and then decided to go sightseeing, as Khushi had no problem with doing anything. So the couple quickly got ready, and while Arnav had an easy time putting on a casual button down and shorts, Khushi somewhat struggled to get ready.

When the plans were set for them to go to Paris, Mona had surprised Khushi with some shopping that she had done, getting Khushi some outfits to wear while they enjoyed their honeymoon. So along with her traditional clothes, were also western clothing, that too by way more than how much desi clothing she had. Mona had made sure to help her pack her bags, but Khushi was beginning to somewhat regret this choice, seeing what was in her bags. She browsed through it again, her eyes catching onto a casual catsuit that was light blue and white striped with full sleeves.

Khushi glanced out of their closet and saw that Arnav was almost done getting ready, glancing at his phone.

What do I do? Should I wear it? I mean, it's not like western clothing is entirely foreign to me, I've worn a few things here and there but....

Khushi looked at the catsuit again, running her hands over it.

Well... it's not like there's elders around, it's just Arnav and I... what they hey!

Without another thought, Khushi quickly put it on before she changed her mind and stepped out of the closet. She went to the vanity to quickly fix herself up, brushing her hair a little, when Arnav looked up from his phone.

"Okay, so I've reserved tickets- whoa."

Arnav looked Khushi up and down, somewhat shocked. In all these months of marriage, asides from when they were in the gym, Arnav had never seen Khushi in anything but a sari or selwar kameez.

Noting the expression on his face, Khushi turned to him, fidgeting with the sleeve of her catsuit. "I-I can change... if you want."

Arnav looked at her with confusion. "No, why would I want for you to change? Why even think that I would?"

Khushi shrugged, still tugging on her sleeve as she looked away. Arnav watched as she fidgeted, and he remembered her expression from the day before.

Why would she...?

Arnav went over to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, causing Khushi to look up at him.

"You look beautiful," and he kissed her forehead.

Once again, Khushi felt her body hum at his touch, but she felt something churn within her, especially when he had called her beautiful. She instantly thought of the scars on her face, and mentally, she disagreed.

Arnav pulled back, and again, he noticed the small tinge of sorrow in her eyes. However the moment he spotted, it instantly faded away, which made Arnav curious.

"Um, shall we get going?"

Khushi nodded and they left, Khushi at first opting to take a small handbag she had brought, rather than the birkin. However the thought of it staying by itself in the room, troubled Khushi, her imagination getting the best of her; and so in fear of it getting robbed, Khushi took the birkin instead, Arnav quite happy that she did so.

They went down to the lobby and while Arnav spoke to the receptionist in french, Khushi looked at him in complete awe. A taxi was quickly brought for them, and the couple got in and went to the sight of where their bus began its tour. They quickly got their tickets and went to the top, getting some good seats. More and more people came on board, and soon the bus pulled off.

The bus went off to various places, the tour guide giving brief history and background information in English, of course with a thick frnech accent. Khushi watched in daze, taking in the wonders of Paris. On the guidebook which Arnav had brought, Khushi jotted down on the sights they saw and the potential places she would like to see, to which Arnav was very happy.

When the tour finally ended, Arnav and Khushi decided to get lunch, so they stopped by a small, quaint restaurant. Khushi had a little difficulty reading the menu, as it was all written in French, so Arnav helped her out. Hearing some of the things offered made Khushi's stomach churn slightly in disgust - especially when she heard the option of a bucket of snails. But Arnav and her both ordered something not so repulsive, and enjoyed their meals. Khushi noted Arnav's glass of wine, but she didn't say anything and stuck with her water.

As they ate, they went over the different sights they had seen today, and decided when they would go where. As for the rest of today, the couple could feel jetlag kicking in once more, and decided that they wouldn't do much more today. So once they were done with lunch, the couple headed back to their hotel room and hung around on the couch, watching some TV. They called back home and spoke with everyone, letting everyone know everything had went well and apologized for not calling sooner.

The calls went by smoothly, until Khushi spoke with her mother. Sumitra instantly began to flip out over the phone, telling Khushi continuously to be careful and to not leave Arnav's side, in fear of her getting lost. Khushi could not believe what she was hearing, and Arnav couldn't help but to chuckle, hearing everything as the phone was on speakerphone. He convinced her that he would take care of Khushi and that she would be just fine. Arnav helped her to calm down a bit, Khushi shaking her head with annoyance as she glared at the phone, the two hearing her father sigh in annoyance too. But once that was all settled, they bid their farewells, and the couple decided to get dinner.

They went down to the hotel's restaurant and ordered dinner. Soft music played in the background, everyone lost in their own conversations.

"So we're going to Notre Dame Cathedral tomorrow morning, and we'll check out the Eiffel Tower at night," Arnav said.

Khushi nodded in agreement as she enjoyed her spaghetti. It was honestly just too good!

"Okay, and then the day after we can go by the Seine River, and do some shopping later. We could do some more the day after as well."

"Sounds like a plan," Khushi smiled softly.

As she went to get another forkful of spaghetti, Khushi noticed from the corner of her eyes that a woman was staring at her. She could see the way the woman was looking her up and down, and then mutter something to her friend beside her. Khushi immediately looked away, looking down at her plate. She had suddenly lost her appetite, so she pushed away her plate.

"Done already," Arnav asked, though he was a bit confused.

"Yeah, I'm full. Can we go back upstairs please?"

Arnav definitely noticed the slight shift in her, but was curious as to why. So he simply agreed and requested the check, paying their bill. As they got up to leave, Arnav noticed Khushi quickly glancing at two women before leaving - so quickly, he almost missed it. He looked back at the two women and when their eyes met, the women quickly looked away, somewhat flustered.

Hmm.....

Getting on the elevator, they made their way up to their room. Arnav didn't say anything and observed Khushi as she casually held herself. But had he not been looking carefully, then Arnav never would've noticed the way her grip would tighten on herself now and then. He wondered what she could be thinking about, but Khushi managed to hide that very well except for those brief seconds her emotions would gloss over her eyes. If he hadn't been keeping his eye on her all this time, then he probably never would've spotted it.

They arrived to their floor and Khushi let go of herself. They made their way to their suite, Arnav swiping the keycard and letting them in. Khushi went straight to their room and Arnav quietly followed behind. He carefully watched as Khushi gathered her nightwear and caught her briefly looking at her reflection - more specifically, her face. In that brief second that she did, Arnav saw her eyes gloss over once again in her reflection for just a brief second, before she went away to change. Once the bathroom door clicked shut, Arnav wondered what that was about.

She was just fine and she was enjoying her meal. So why...? Those women... the way she looked at herself, her eyes... were those women-?

Arnav immediately realized what had soured Khushi's mood.

Fucking bitches.