Chapter 2

Things seemed to have mellowed down by the evening but not before another battle of the wits between the heir apparent to GHD and the most talented employee of the same. This time it had sparked off on the last cup of coffee both had wanted - black for Raizada and Milky for Gupta. The fight had turned ugly when Gupta having realized who the cup of coffee was for, had poured half a cup of milk into it, all the time smiling sadistically as she stirred it right in the face of the 'murder in my eyes' Raizada who had then attempted to topple the cup on the boss' daughter's favourite white shirt but thankfully the said Boss had made an entry just then and separated his talented daughter and his best friend's son and trusted employee with a loud booming "KYA HO RAHA HAIN YAHAN?!"

"Dad!"

"Uncle!"

"BACHCHO!"

Well the rest was drowned out in the loud whirring of the grinder as a frantic Ramu Kaka hurriedly grinded some more coffee beans, his forever there cap almost falling off the big oval head in the process but who cares about a cap when because of one sodden cup of coffee such scenes were witnessed?!

Coming back to the present, Arnav and Khushi sat in a silence, which only the blind would call 'companionable', each with their favourite style of coffee in hand, staring resolutely at the wall as Mr. Shashi Gupta tried once again to explain to the two youngsters that they were no longer children and hence such bafoonish behaviour was unacceptable by all standards.

All the while knowing fully well that it was an exercise in vain. He gave this lecture almost everyday, they fought right after it almost everyday.

"Understood?"

"But Dad-"

"But Uncle-"

Time for Plan B, thought Shashi Gupta warily to himself...acting shuru karo oye, he told himself in his head because after all jab ghee seedhi ungli se nahin nikalti toh ungli tedhi karni padti hai!

"Bachcho, please! Ek project bhi agar tum log saath nahin kar sakte toh I am sorry to say I am very disappointed in myself'not with you but myself kyonki iska matlab toh yahi hua ki maine tum dono ko professional nahin banaya..." he deliberately let his voice take on a defeated stance, a hurt, pained one bending down his head and training his eyes at the floor pattern exhibiting his hurt, or pretending to anyway as he mentally counted till 10.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 -

"Sorry, Dad!"

"So sorry Uncle!"

Score.

But he let the act remain, his shoulders drooped, his voice heavy with emotion as he waved a hand dismissing their apology, "Sorry se thodi na aaj tak kuch hua hai jo ab hoga? Kitne saal se tum log ladte aa rahe ho...humein laga bachche hain, sudhar jaayenge par nahin...tum log toh...khair, humaari hi galti hai. We failed you as Parents, as adults."

"Dad, sorry kaha na! Aage se aisa nahi-I mean jitna hua utna nahin hoga!"

"Yes, Uncle. I will try to reign the situation in chaahe koi kuch bhi kyon na kar de..."

"WHAT THE HEL-I mean, I will also try to control my temper chaahe koi kitni bhi bewakoofi na kar raha ho..."

Shashi smiled to himself secretly, his head still bent before he looked up, rearranging his face to look as forlorn as he had sounded just moments ago and surveyed the two youngsters in front of him with the air of a man frustrated beyond his means.

"Sach Uncle...I-I mean we will try."

"Yes, Dad..."

"Sach mein? Toh kya main yeh project on samjhoon?"

The two guilt stricken individuals looked at each other, appraisal of the other clear in their eyes along with the result which spelled a loud 'NO WAY!' before they turned back to him and nodded silently making it easier for Shashi Gupta to let down his act of a wounded Parent and let the smile bloom fully on his face as he beckoned the two for a group hug, ignoring the look of pure malice both shot the other's way before walking over to him and letting him envelop them into an embrace.

Touchdown.

*****

"Don't think for ONE sodden minute that I will let you ruin anything, hotshot!"

"Khushi Khushi Khushi...I think you have me confused...with YOU!"

They stood at the opposite ends of the not so modest Manza - a laser red one at that which Khushi had been gifted on the day she had graduated from the prestigious School of Architecture, Mumbai by her ecstatic father - Arnav at the taillights end with Khushi positioned at the driver seat door, both fuming and wondering how on earth they would survive this project which they just couldn't seem to get the other out of!

"I am serious, Arnav! This is important for Dad and I don't want your flippant ass to screw it up!"

"I know how important this is for Shashi Uncle and don't need your snooty ass to remind me!"

"Snooty? Me?! Oh so says the most arrogant man on earth!"

And without replying, Arnav turned around and sauntered over to his blue coloured Volkswagen Polo which had been a gift from his father on his graduation from the same college as Khushi, beeping the door open with his key and climbing in.

Khushi flipped her jet black mid-length hair over her shoulders, pleased at herself for having shut the jackass and having had the last word for today inserted the key in the door and clicked it open and just as she was climbing in, Arnav's Polo honked and she looked over to find him right beside her, the passenger seat window rolled down.

"Wrong. It's the universe. And my arrogance is backed by talent but of course you wouldn't know about that now would you? Bye Khushi. Have a goodnight and try to sleep, huh? I don't want you looking even more scary than you do tomorrow morning!"

And he drove off leaving behind a literally screaming and stamping Khushi and a scared scampering guard who had unfortunately been on garage duty that night.

Chapter 2 - Page 6

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Dedicated to all those who replied to the prologue. :)

The response hasnt been very good...I am not sure if you guys are liking the story so far or not... :p

Your feedback is much cherished. :)

PS - I have no clue whether such a college exists in Mumbai or not. For me, I made it up. :p

Also (and trust me this is important for later on :p) -

Arnav's car - Shadow Blue Volkswagen Polo

http://data.motor-talk.de/data/galleries/0/163/6911/35784223/mt-vw-polo-shadow-blue-metallic-3-7716219000424506914.jpg

Khushi's care - Laser Red Manza

http://harkuchh.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/tata-manza-in-laser-red-color.jpg

(Cant post direct links cos of IF rules for newbies. Sorry. Photo credits to whoever uploaded them :p.)

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