Chapter 34: Flirting

Sashi and Garima retreated to their rooms, leaving the kids alone. Khushi sat down and saw that Arnav was looking between her and Nikhil and Nikhil followed her gaze and leaned into Khushi, “Who is he?”

“Nikhil this is Arnav, and Arnav this is Nikhil,” she said introducing the two.

“Friend?” Nikhil asked picking up the glass infront of him to take a drink.

“Boyfriend,” Arnav replied to which he saw Nikhil choke on the water he was drinking and started coughing, “Baby Gupta and dating?!”

“When did this happen,” he said turning to Khushi raising his eyebrow.

“I’ll tell you later,” she said and looked at Arnav who has just finished eating and got up to leave, “I should be leaving now.” Khushi asked him to stay a bit longer but he refused saying that he needed to get home and finish some work, and she said she’d walk him to the car. Once outside, she closed the door behind her and wrapped her arm around his, leaning against him with her head on his shoulder as they walked towards his car, “Nikhil is just a childhood friend, he’s here for Payal’s wedding,” she told him.

“Khushi I didn’t ask you anything about, you don’t need to clarify anything,” he said coming to a stop once they reached the car.

“But I wanted to clarify,” she said turning towards him. She placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned up and gave him a kiss on his cheek, “And you were slightly jealous,” she added with a grin and looked at him.

“I was not,” he replied grabbing her by the waist and flush against him.

“Yes you were,” she said as he kissed her lightly on the lips, “Arnav Singh Raizada doesn’t get jealous of anyone her muttered against her lips.

“Fine, deny as much as you want,” Khushi said once he had pulled his head away with a smirk adorning his face, “I’ll see you tomorrow Ms. Gupta.”

************

Khushi walked to Arnav’s cabin and knocked on his door, she heard a ‘come in’ and opened the door, “Arn..,” she started but saw that there was someone else present in to room also, “Sir the clients from Dubai are here and waiting in the meeting room.”

Arnav tried to control the smile that was beginning to form on his face hearing her mess up, “I’ll be there in some minute Ms. Gupta, call Aman and the marketing manager to meet me there also and along with you.” Khushi nodded and walked out, that was close, she thought sighing in relief. They had been trying to keep their relationship private and not wanting to get involved with the work place, the only person that new inside of Maori was Aman, and he was to be trusted.

She called Aman and the marketing manager telling them that they were called in the meeting room. After a few minutes Arnav himself walked into the room, “Good morning,” he greeted the people that were present.

As the meeting continued, Khushi took notes of what was being said but was having a difficult time concentrating as she kept on feeling her skin get heated under his gaze; every few minutes he would look at her and she was getting annoyed with it now. From under the table she pulled out her phone and texted him: Stop looking at me and listen to the meeting.

Why is it bothering you? He replied back and she looked over at him to see that he was also looking under the table now.

No, and why would it? She answered.

We’ll just see about that. he said and placed his phone back on the table.

The meeting continued for another hour as they continued to talk about the new fashion show that they were going to hold. And not once again had he glanced over at her, the nerve of this man she thought, Khushi huffed while continuing to write. But why did it matter, she was the one who told him to stop so why was it bothering her now. As the meeting approached an end, Arnav spoke, “Ms. Gupta, could you please share with us the key points and summarize the meeting for us.”

Khushi snapped her head towards him and opened her mouth to speak but tightly closed it again and Arnav lifted an eyebrow at her with a smirk. Khushi stood up and proceeded to read off the notes that she had taken,while everyone’s attention was towards her. Especially his and he continued to scan her from top to bottom, not even paying attention to what she was saying, making goosebumps form on her skin while she continued to speak.

“…..and that is all,” she finished off.

“Great, then I guess we’ll meet you all again in two weeks to go over the progress,” Arnav said to the clients as they got up to leave, “Ms. Gupta stat here I need to talk with you,” she heard him from behind as she pushed in her chair.

Once everyone had left Khishi turned around and went up to him, “You did that on purpose!” she exclaimed with a frown in her face and anger rising within her.

“Did what?” he asked innocently.

“You know what you did,” she answered back.

“I have not clue what you’re talking about Ms. Gupta,” he told her while a kiddies smile started to form on his lips.

“Ughh!” Khushi groaned, “Fuck you Raizada!” she yelled back while walking towards the door and heard him shout back, “I’d love for you to do that to with me Ms. Gupta,” as she stepped out.

*********

After a few days Arnav walked into down the stairs and saw that Di and Akash were gathered around the room, looking as if they were going somewhere, “Di where are you guys headed to?”

“We’re going shopping Chotte,” Di answered.

“Bhai you should come also,” Akash added.

“Akash you know that Chotte doesn’t like to shop or is find of it,” Anjali added and then turned to Akash, “And did you call Payal and Khushi telling them where to meet us?”

“Yes Di, they said that they have already left the house,” he replied.

“Actually Di wait, I’m going to get my keys and I will come with you both,” Arnav said and headed back up the stairs before either of them could utter a word. Anjali looked at him as he went up to his room, with a surprised expression wondering what had gotten into him.

Chapter 33: Pacifying Her

Three days. It had been three days since that incident and Arnav still hadn't been able to talk with her about what happened that day. Whenever he tried calling, it would go to voice mail or she would pick up and tell him that he was busy. She had come over with Payal yesterday for the wedding preparations and had completely avoided him. At work she's immediately walk out after doing what he had asked her to, only talking with short responses. He had gone over to her house to talk the morning after his outburst at the hospital, but her dad had said that she had gone out early morning with a friend. And now he was driving to her house again, hoping to get a chance to speak with her.

He knocked on the door, and was led in by her mother. After inquiring about Khushi, she said that she was in her room and told him where it was. Arnav climbed up the stairs and knocked on her door lightly. He waited a few seconds and then knocked again. From inside he heard some shuffling and light footsteps approached the door. The door opened and Khushi looked at him, she backed a bit and was about to close the door, but he held it before it could close, "Khushi I need to talk with you," he said as she turned around and stood with her back to him facing the window in her room. He stepped in the room and stood behind her.

"Talk to me or yell at me again?" She asked in a sarcastic voice.

“I .. Kh.. Khushi I shouldn’t have … shouted at you like that, I was j..just mad and took the anger out on you,” he managed to say, “I’m sorry.”

“And you expect me to just accept your apology?” she questioned and turned to look back at him, for the first time properly since he had come. He was dressed in the olive green sweater and khaki pants, his hair was gelled back, with some strands across his forehead. And from the distance that they were standing at, she could smell his cologne filling her senses. His 5 o’clock stubble shadow visible, and shadows under his eyes darker. By the look of them it didn’t seem like he had slept properly in the past days. She hadn’t been able to find out what happened to Nani that they either, only had visited her and saw that was doing fine, but she didn’t have the courage to ask any of the family members what had happened.

Khushi had wanted to forgive him already, but it just hurt her that he wouldn’t open up to her and didn’t trust her. She had told him about her life, her parents and childhood, but he had caged in all his emotions, and anytime she would ask him about his past he would  divert the topic.

“I’m really sorry Khushi,” he said moving forward and Khushi couldn’t help herself anymore as she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him. After some time she felt his hand go around her waist as he reciprocated the hug. He ran this hand along the length of her back, she realized this was the first time they were properly talking ever since he had left for the business trip, when he had come back a few days ago they were in the car but didn’t have a proper conversation as they had rushed off to the hospital after getting the call, “I missed you,” he heard her whisper against his neck, “I missed you too,” he replied.

Arnav pulled back from the hug and looked at her, he moved away the strand of hair that was in her face. He scanned her from top to bottom and Khushi followed his eyes to her bear pajamas and he looked back up at her lifting his eyebrow.

Khushi squirmed under his gaze, “I didn’t know you were coming,” she retorted giving him a glare as he chuckled. She wanted to ask him about what happened the other night and what the deal with his Dadi was, but thought it’d be better if she waited and he opened up himself instead of her trying to pry answers from him; and she didn’t want a repeat of that day again now since they had made up.

***********

Sashi walked into the house after his day at work, Garima called from the kitchen, “You’re home?”

“Hmm,” he answered walking into the kitchen, “Who’s car is it outside?” he asked.

“Oh Arnav is over, he said he needed to speak with Khushi,” she replied, “She’s been very quiet these past few days.”

“It’s probably something going on between the two,” Sashi added sitting down.

“And how do you know that?” Garima asked stirring the daal.

“Kids these days Garima,” he replied chuckling, “And Arnav has come over to talk with her. Don’t you remember our days when we used to argue over the simplest things? Nothings changed since then.”

“Yes how can I forget those days,” Garima said smiling to herself and they heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

“Dad you’re home,” Khushi said walking in and went to hug him, “How was your day?”

“It was good,” he replied and looked over to Arnav.

“Hello Uncle,” he said.

“Hi Beta, how have you been?” he asked, “How is the business going?”

“It’s great, just got back in the country a few days back and we have another fashion show happening in some months, so going to start prepping for that,” he answered.

“Oh where is it?” Sashi asked.

“It’s here, as a matter of fact you guys should come to it,” he said.

“We will surely come if we are free then,” he replied.

“Arnav Beta why don’t you stay for dinner?” Garimav said, “It just got made.”

“No Aunty I should leave,” Arnav told her.

“It’s getting late, just call your house and tell them you’re going to be having dinner here,” Sashi added.

“Uncle I don’t want to be--,” Arnav said but was interrupted by Khushi, “Stay na,” she said and pouted so that only he could see.

“Uhm fine, I’ll go call Di and let her know,” he said and excused himself to the other room.

“Where’s Payal?” Khushi asked sitting down.

“She went to pick up Karan from the airport,” Garima said bringing over the food to the table and Khushi got up to help her.

“Oh totally forgot about that, what time is his flight supposed to land?” she asked.

“It should’ve landed, so they should be back in about half an hour,” she replied. setting the final bowls down on the table and sat down to eat. Arnav walked back in and took the seat across from Khushi. The dinner continued with a light talk amongst them. Sashi was asking Arnav about the economy these days and they were in a deep conversation while Khushi just looked at them back and forth with a bored face wondering how they could talk about such a boring topic with so much interest. After some time the door bell rang and Garima got up to answer it. The three sitting down heard voices from the hallway and they got louder as the entered the room.

Arnav saw Garima Aunty coming back in with Payal following her and someone else. It was a guy, who Arnav guessed to be in his mid 20’s, wearing jeans and a plaid shirt, his hair was ruffled and he walked over to Sashi Uncle and touched his feet, “Namaste Uncle.”

“How was your flight Karan?” he asked. Oh so his name was Karan, Arnav thought and then he heard him speak again, “It was great uncle, there wasn’t a delay so that was good.”

“Oh ho, looks who’s grown up so much since I last saw her,” Karan said going over to Khushi and Khushi got up and attacked him with a hug. Karan picked her up and spun her around, her laughter filling the room, “How have you been baby Gupta?”

“Better than ever,” Khushi said giggling and said back down, pulling out the seat next to hers motioning him to sit down.

Baby Gupta? Arnav thought. Did he really just call her that? Who was he?

Chapter 32: Uproar

Arnav headed over to the elevator that was located near his cabin, they both got in and took it down to the ground level. Majority of the staff had already left, so there weren't many eyes on them.

"Where are we going?" Khushi asked as they got into his car.

"It's a surprise," he replied. And not matter how much more she bugged him to tell her, he wouldn’t tell her.

As they were driving, his phone rang and he turned on his bluetooth. Khushi watched the color drain from his face as the other person spoke on the other line, his grip on the steering wheel tightened, he clenched his jaw and she could make out the bone structure of it.

“Di I’ll be there,” he replied back and turned off the call. She wasn’t sure if she should ask him who it was, and the silence between them remained for a few minutes.

"Arnav what happened?" Khushi asked in a worried voice. His face had hardened after the call and he was driving like a maniac now. She took grab of the side of the seat to not lose balance but it wasn't helping at all.

She looked back at him but he was refusing to talk, "Arnav will you please speak, you're making me worried."

"Nani had a heart attack," he replied back.

“W.. what?! But how? What happened?” she said and he could see how her face was all tensed now.

“Di just told me that they’re at the city hospital, and nothing more than that,” Arnav answered back, “I can drop you home if you want first…” he continued but was interrupted by her.

“No I’ll go straight to the hospital with you,” she said firmly letting him know that she was changing her decision.

Arnav pulled the car up into the hospital parking lot and they both got out and headed in.

"Could you tell me where Devyani Singh Raizada is admitted," he said in a hurry to the receptionist upfront.

"Hold on let me check," she replied and looked through the computer system.

"She's in room C209 on the third floor, just takes the elevator up, then turn right, and the room should be at the end of the corridor," the receptionist told him but he had already moved towards the elevator after she uttered 'third floor' not caring to know the rest.

They took the elevator up and got out on the third floor. They exited the elevator and headed the way that the receptionist had told them to. Arnav found Akash, Payal and Anjali waiting outside the lobby.

“Di!” he called out walking towards them and she looked up at him.

“Chotte you’re here,” she said.

“What happened to Nani? How is she doing? Where were you all?”he bombarded her with questions and Akash also approached them.

“Bhai it’s a long story, and the doctors have taken her in and said they’d let us know in some time if there were any improvements,” he said.

“What do you mean it’s a long story? How did this all even happen?” he asked.

Akash looked at Anjali, who had also looked him.

“What happened?” he said looking between the two and noticing that they were exchanging worried looks.

“Woh… Chotte..,”Anjali’s voice trailed off.

“Woh kya Di?” he asked.

“Bhai Dadi’s back,” Akash completed her sentence for her, and they all saw the color of Arnav’s face drain off even more, and he clenched his fists, rage rising inside of him.

“Where is she now?” he asked in a stern voice.

“She’s at home now, Mom and Dad are with her,” he replied.

Arnav was in no mood to stay calm now, he needed to be alone to himself. Turning away from them, he headed towards the other side of the corridor, trying to find a quiet place.

“Khushi you? Here?” Payal asked. Anjali and Akash also turned their eyes towards, they had completely unnoticed her when Arnav had arrived.

“I… I was with Arnav.. and then he got the call so I came with him also,” she replied. Khushi looked back to where he had headed and no longer saw him, where could he have gone now?

“I’ll go see him,” she told the others and headed towards the direction he had gone off into, completely not hearing Anjali attempts of telling her that he liked to be left alone when he always got mad.

hey exited the elevator and headed the way that the receptionist had told them to. Arnav found Akash, Payal and Anjali waiting outside the lobby.

“Di!” he called out walking towards them and she looked up at him.

“Chotte you’re here,” she said.

“What happened to Nani? How is she doing? Where were you all?”he bombarded her with questions and Akash also approached them.

“Bhai it’s a long story, and the doctors have taken her in and said they’d let us know in some time if there were any improvements,” he said.

“What do you mean it’s a long story? How did this all even happen?” he asked.

Akash looked at Anjali, who had also looked him.

“What happened?” he said looking between the two and noticing that they were exchanging worried looks.

“Woh… Chotte..,”Anjali’s voice trailed off.

“Woh kya Di?” he asked.

“Bhai Dadi’s back,” Akash completed her sentence for her, and they all saw the color of Arnav’s face drain off even more, and he clenched his fists, rage rising inside of him.

“Where is she now?” he asked in a stern voice.

“She’s at home now, Mom and Dad are with her,” he replied, “She said some very harsh words to Nani and that led to the heart attack.”

Arnav was in no mood to stay calm now, he needed to be alone to himself. Turning away from them, he headed towards the other side of the corridor, trying to find a quiet place.

“Khushi you? Here?” Payal asked. Anjali and Akash also turned their eyes towards, they had completely unnoticed her when Arnav had arrived.

“I… I was with Arnav.. and then he got the call so I came with him also,” she replied. Khushi looked back to where he had headed and no longer saw him, where could he have gone now?

“I’ll go see him,” she told the others and headed towards the direction he had gone off into, completely not hearing Anjali attempts of telling her that he liked to be left alone when he always got mad.

*****************

Arnav had found a set of stairways at the end of the corridor and decided to sit there and clear out his thoughts. Why had his Dadi come back? And that too after so many years? She hadn’t remembered them anytime before, so why now? After all she had done and ruined them. All the memories from the past came rushing back and he would never be able to forgive her for what she had done.

He heard some footsteps approaching a few minutes later, and looked over his shoulder to see who it was. He saw Khushi come up behind and him and was about to take a seat next to him, but he stopped her, “Khushi just leave .”

She stopped halfway as she was about to sit down and stood up again, “I can’t leave you like this,” she replied seeing his eyes had reddened.

“I don’t want to talk to or see anyone,” he added looking the other way.

“B..but,” she said but was interrupted.

“Why can’t you understand that I want to be by myself! Just because we’re seeing each other doesn’t mean you have to intrude in everything! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU“ he roared and she stumbled back at his sudden outburst. She couldn’t stop the tears that were caught in her throat to come out and he heard her muffled cries

A few seconds later he turned around and saw that she was no longer there. Why did he talk when he was angry? he asked himself burying his face in his hands.

Chapter 31: Uncertain Plans

Uncertain Plans

(Chapter 31)

1 Month Later

Khushi walked into her house, looking around she saw that nobody was home; so she went up to her room. She checked her phone to see if she had gotten any missed calls and there were none. She then went into the bathroom to get changed out of her work clothes. After changing, she heard her phone ringing and quickly went to grab it.

Before the person on the other line could even say anything, she started bombarding him with her questions, "You were suppose to call me 2 hours ago? Where the heck were you?"

"Khushi listen I'm sorry...," Arnav started off but was interrupted by her.

"Don't Khushi" me ok!" she said, "I'm not talking to you."

"Well you're stuck with me for the rest of your life, so you will have to listen to me," Arnav replied.

"We will just see about that Mr. Raizada," she retorted.

*flashback*

Khushi was slightly bored at the New Years Party as she didn't know anyone or had ever met them before. It had been a bit over an hour since they had come down to the party, and now Arnav was talking with a few colleagues so she had left him alone. Looking up at the clock, she saw that it was almost midnight. Khushi walked outside through the doors that were located in the back of Maan and Geet's house to get some fresh air. A lot had changed since Arnav and her had come for this business trip. They had gotten to know each other a bit more than before.

Standing looking up at the moon, she heard the door behind her open then footprints approaching her. Khushi looked over and saw that it was Arnav, who came and stood beside her. They stood there in silence, just watching the night's sky, only to be broken out of there thoughts from the loud noise inside that had begun; the countdown till the new year.

Arnav took Khushi's and turned her around to face him, and looked up at her face that held a confused look.

"Khushi I know this is a bit too early for us to decide anything about the future, and I usually don't believe in these kinds of things, but it wouldn't hurt to try. We barely know each other, and we can change that in the future," he said but she just scrunched her eyebrows.

"About what Geet said she read in the newspaper that if you see someone else at exactly at midnight, then you'll spend the rest of your life with them.," he continued then cupped her face. He leaned in till his lips met hers and slowly kissed her. Khushi felt her heartbeat pick up pace as his lips moved along hers, taking the breath out of her lungs. She heard the faint final countdown till the New Years "5!...4!...3!..." Arnav broke the kiss and rested her forehead against hers, "Happy New Years," he whispered as the abrupt cheers from inside could be heard.

*flashback ends*

"Yeah we will," he told her, "But for now let me tell you that there was no network so I couldn't call you, and I just called Di before you."

"I have to go for meeting now, will call you tonight," he said.

"Bye," she replied hanging up the phone then threw it onto her bed.

Last night, Arnav had left for Sydney because the AR branch there was having some problems. He had told her that he probably be back till a couple weeks and left her to help Aman, as he was always given the job to handle the office whenever Arnav left.

In the past month since they got back from London, they had been on multiple dates; out for dinner, to the park, the cafe across from AR during their breaks and many others. They were now becoming more and more comfortable with each other's presence around one another, and able to talk about anything. Also helping Akash and Payal with the wedding preparations as the date was soon approaching.

*************

"Khushi can you go put these reports in the filing room with the rest of them," Aman said handing her a stack of the recent balance statements.

"Sure," she said grabbing them.

"And then you can leave for the day," he said looking up at the clock.

Khushi went over to the filing room, which was located in the back of the office. She turned on the lights then went to place the records in the correct files. It took her awhile to find the correct one as there were so many of them. Grabbing the nearby stool, she placed it in front of the shelf then got on top if to reach them. While doing all this she didn't notice a pair of eyes that were watching her from only a few feet away.

She filed the reports then held onto the shelf for support as she tried to get off the stool. Nut before she could even place one foot on the ground, the stool tilted to one side making her lose her balance and her hand let go of the shelf.

Khushi let out a yelp as she fell backward and closed her eyes tightly anticipating the fall on the ground; but that didn't happen. Not feeling herself hit the ground, she opened her eyes slightly and looked around, and met her gaze with a pair of honey brown eyes.

"Arnav you?!" she said placing her hand on his shoulder to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.

"Yeah me, did you expect someone else," he asked placing her on the ground.

"But you weren't suppose to come till tomorrow night," she replied.

"Do you want me to go back then?" he said smirking but was slapped in the shoulder and then engulfed in a hug by her.

"No but really, how come you're here early," she said her arms still around him.

"My work got finished early so I got my flight moved," he said moving out of the hug.

"How did it go here for you?" he asked.

"You've asked me that same question almost everyday on the phone," she replied smiling.

"I have?" he said and she nodded.

"Ok then let's get out of here," he replied taking her hand but Khushi quickly came out of its grasp. And this was one thing that just annoyed him too much; she wanted for them to not show public affection in the office because she didn't want for the employees to think that he's favoring her over them.

Arnav headed over to the elevator that was located near his cabin, they both got in and took it down to the ground level. Majority of the staff had already left, so there weren't many eyes on them.

"Where are we going?" Khushi asked as they got into his car.

"It's a surprise," he replied.

_____________________________________________

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