Chapter 2

[NOCOPY]

[MEMBERSONLY]

Chapter 2

Arnav was having a very distracted morning at work that day. His mind kept wandering to Khushi and her worries about him. He all but wanted to grab her, kiss her and tell her he loved her and hope she would trust him enough to not doubt his words. But he knew it wouldn't be enough.

Growing up with a sensitive woman like his sister Anjali, he knew that actions count just as much as words; harsh and insensitive words are cancerous. One wrong word will take root in a woman's head and grow into something big,toxic, ugly and develop sinister repercussions. Women!

But Khushi is definitely worth his time. He will show her how invaluable she is to him. He will also have to tell her that he didn't have a physical relationship with Sheetal all those years ago. But that didn't mean he was celibate. He just was sure he didn't with Sheetal. Khushi will hurt if he was completely honest about his sexual habits back then, because she is naive and innocent, and he was no saint.

But first he will have fix some things, he made a mental note in his head :

To Do List

1. Woo Khushi

2. Get rid of Sheetal

He was forming some plans in his head when there was a knock on his door. He looked up to find Sheetal, walking in with a portfolio of designs she was working on. He sighed with irritation and regretted giving her a place in his company, talented or not. She really annoyed him with her constant visits to his office. Now she wanted to discuss something or the other, he couldn't pay attention, his whole focus was on removing her from his sight.

She was leaning over his shoulder and showing him her file when she stumbled (?) and fell onto his lap, hands grabbing his shoulders for support. He was livid. This has gone too far. He was about to throw her off his lap and shout when he noticed Khushi standing at his door. With her huge eyes soaking in every bit of the scene like a video. To be played over and over in her mind.

Damnit !!

Khushi!! Don't you DARE walk away ! Come and sit in here, NOW!,' he yelled when she was turning to leave. Stunned by his anger, Khushi's eyes flashed angrily and pointedly placed the lunch on the table and walked out in a huff. Sheetal smirked and stood up to straighten her short dress.

Sheetal, you don't need to show me every little change you have made to the design. From now, you work with Geeta, the chief designer. Get her input. When you are DONE, you and Geeta show me you get it?? Don't waste my time like this. Now, go.' ASR dismissed a shell-shocked Sheetal and turned to go after his wife. Only to find she had left in an autorickshaw.

Damnit !! This is not good. He was going to go after her, but Aman appeared to say the investors have arrived for the 2pm meeting.

Arnav finished the meeting as quickly as he could and rang Khushi's phone. She disconnected the call 3 times. Then he called home, and worry caused his stomach to churn. Khushi didn't go home. Which meant she was at the temple. And that meant she was crying a lot and needed privacy. With his heart in his throat, he sped down to the temple in his car.

He sprinted up the temple steps and ran through the temple in search of Khushi. He found her seated by the steps of the inner clearing, hands around her knees, her puffy eyes staring at a distance. He approached her silently.

Khushi...' and she turned to him, and her melancholy hit him full blast.

Khushi, what are you doing here? You can't be that upset over what happened this afternoon? It was a stupid accident, I threw her out ...!'

I know you did...' she said in a low voice.

Then? Barosa nahin hain mujhpe? he asked, looking into her eyes and cupping her face, as he sat by her.

I trust you completely Arnavji. I am just worried ...' she replied.

Sheetal is beautiful, smart and intelligent. She fits in at work and at home. She is a much better companion the I am, you are able to talk about business with her so easily without having to explain everything. She is modern and sophisticated, she can fit in at your business parties so well. she spoke halteringly.

I am worried Arnavji. That her being around you will regret being with me, your love will fade with time to be replaced by irritation and disdain...' she stopped as fresh tears came in the way of speech.

Faced with her brutal honesty, Arnav was scrambling for words. These are raw emotional words, her deepest insecurities. She was so mature for her age that he often forgets that she is only 20 years old. Swallowing, he reached out and gingerly folded her into his arms. While she wept into his chest, he held her tight, hushing her silent sobs.

Khushi, I am surrounded by these types everyday. They don't interest me, not the slightest,' she looked up at his face as though trying to catch a lie. He smiled ruefully and shrugged.

YOU are beautiful, innocent, carefree. Your optimism is infectious, your love heals me. My heart feels free with you, no pretenses or expectations. You don't cower from my anger, you accept it head on and douse it with your daring and effervescence.' he paused to hold both her hands in his.

I am without my defences around you, you've broken through them all. How can you say YOU are not enough for me when you are EVERYTHING to me?' he paused when his voice started to quiver with emotion.

Khushi let out a sob and gently held his face. She was about to kiss his cheek when a middle aged woman harrumphed loudly and grumbled about youngsters being inappropriate in temples. They smiled sheepishly and walked hand in hand to head back home.

Arnav was silently congratulating himself for his epic save, when they walked in to trouble.

Sheetal had brought out her photo albums from their colleges days, and everyone was gushing over the pictures. There were plenty of snapshots of Arnav and her in various events, their arms about each other, laughing, hugging, etc. After half hour, a thoroughly irritated Arnav turned to drag Khushi to their room, only to find her missing.

He found her scooping flour from a pot into a mixing bowl. Jalebis. Arnav approached her from behind and whispered in her ear.

Khushi, will you teach me to make jalebis?' And laughed at her stupefied expression.

Anjali had been feeling bad about all the fuss they made over them college photos and wanted to see if Khushi needed to talk. She found Chotey and her making jalebis in the kitchen, her hands holding his over the piping bag, squeezing batter in swirls over the hot oil. Khushi was squealing about his weird shapes, and Chotey kept darting back with the spattering oil. Which lead to a considerable amount of batter on their clothes and faces. They looked adorable. She left as they started to feed each other the sugar free jalebis. She sent a prayer of thanks to DM.

Meanwhile, Sheetal watched them with envy. How dare Arnav dismiss her for this country bumpkin? I'll show her ! This uncultured simpleton thinks she can handle a man like Arnav Singh Raizada? ...

To be continued...

Link to Chapter 3 :

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/108565224

I really enjoyed writing this and I hope you guys liked it ! 😳

☢️sageflower7☢️