Chapter 17

Chapter 17

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Arnav pursed his lips and clenched his fist at NK's inquiry. Who the hell was this guy, he thought who had referred to Khushi as my girl'? And how dare he ask Arnav Singh Raizada his credentials!

Arnav's reaction made Khushi nervous! She bit her lower lip and put a hand on NK's chest as if to restrain him. But this incensed Arnav even further and he looked NK up and down with eyes flashing anger and said in a very cold voice, "You don't know me because I don't mix around with pea-brained idiots like you! "

NK eyes turned into saucers and he stammered,"Wh WhWhat?! How rude...!"

NK called Arnavji rude! Devi Maiyya, ab kya hoga! Raksha karna! (DM, What will happen now! Save us!)

She saw Arnav's eyes darken in rage, his nostrils flared as he advanced upon NK and grabbed him by the collar, almost lifting him off the floor!

"You have not seen even 1% of my rudeness, you worthless fool !"

NK shivered with trepidation and Khushi who was all this while chewing her nails vigorously, jumped into the foray before things went out of control! She put a light hand on Arnav's arm on which NK's life was hanging and putting on a cheerful voice said,

"Arrey! Arnavji! This is NK, Nand Kishore, my friend and NK this is Arnavji, Arnav Singh Raizada. And don't mind NK, Arnavji he didn't mean to question you and he just calls me his girl jokingly!"

Arnav rolled his eyes and said, "Joke? My foot! I have seen it in Shyam's case too.You are very gullible Khushi You will believe anything a guy tells you! But I know these sort of fellows! If this nitwit calls you my girl' ever again it might be very bad for his health!"

Meanwhile NK's eyes had popped out hearing that this man was ASR, the man who had the power to send that scoundrel Shyam to jail, the man who was the wealthiest businessman in India!

NK spluttered in ASR's hold and remarked, "I can't believe this. The mighty ASR?!" Then extending his hand in the cramped space between his jaw and Arnav's fist said, "Aap se milkar bahut khudkushi hui (I am very suicide to meet you)!"

"What the!" Arnav rasped through gritted teeth, his eyes narrowing.

NK tu to gaya, Khushi smiled inwardly and immediately corrected him, "Khudkushi nahi, NK, khushi(Not suicide NK, joy) !!

"Sorry," NK grinned sheepishly, Aap se milkar bahut khushi hui Nannav(I am very pleased to meet you)! Believe me,I would never betray Khushi like Shyam did!"

Probably the honesty in NK's voice and eyes compelled Arnav to put him on the floor and loosen his hold on him.

"Hope you live up to your words or you will be in serious trouble!" Arnav barked at him.

Then turning to Khushi he asked,"I am leaving for the hospital, do you want to leave with me or do have better things to do?" And glared pointedly at NK

NK made a sad face at Khushi and quipped, "Hospital? But Khushi I came to drop you to college since you were sounding so harried last night, I thought better not to leave you alone."

"That is exactly what she needs right now! Leave her alone!" Arnav growled.

His temper had soared again! The rage in his voice was evident! Khushi winced!She had to stop Arnavji before he hit NK, now!

"NK, actually my classes start at 12 today, so I can go with Arnavji to visit his injured factory workers.

Poor NK gulped and said, "Okay Khushi tumko jo cheap lagey (Okay Khushi whatever you find cheap)!

Cheap nahi, NK theek (Not cheap, NK, correct)!" said Khushi correcting him again under her breath.

"Enough of this tomfoolery!"Arnav snapped, "Let's go, Khushi." And saying that he marched towards the door.

At the door he turned back at NK and said in a threatening tone, " Remember what I said."

NK bid goodbye to Khushi with a forlorn face as she waved at him from Arnav's SUV.

As soon as the SUV hit the main road, Khushi looked at Arnav disapprovingly and asked, "Did you have to be so rude, Arnavji? NK was just trying to help me!"

"Yes, I could see that! He all but molly cuddled you!"

"That is because he is my friend!"

"Just a friend? Calling you his girl is a joke, huh?" Arnav spat in disbelief.

"Oh! That is his habit."

"A habit that could be hazardous!" Arnav muttered to himself!

Then speaking up asked," And how do you know that he does not have designs on you?"

Khushi lowered her eyelashes and thought furiously... if Arnavji comes to know that NK's and her parents wanted them to get married and Shyam had asked her hand in marriage, he will explode! But then why should he care and be so possessive about me!

She asked him curiously "Kyon, aapko kya faraq padta hai? (Why, what difference does it make to you?)"

Arnav was silent for a fleeting second and then answered nonchalantly,

"Mujhe koi faraq nahi padta, samjhi tum!(It does not make a difference to me, do you understand?) !"

His lips set in a thin grim line, he pulled into the hospital premises, bringing the conversation to an abrupt end.

Arnav chanced upon the doctor as soon as he stepped into the hospital and went with him to his chamber. Aman, who was waiting for them at the foyer, took Khushi to meet the patients.

When Arnav emerged from the doctor's chamber about half an hour later he was surprised to hear laughter emanating from the ward where his employees were admitted. He walked over to the area silently, Khushi was sitting on the hospital bed, surrounded by his workers, some sitting some standing but all were laughing with mirth at some funny tale Khushi was regaling them with.

As soon as they saw their employer walking into the ward, they became quiet. Khushi turned to see what had heralded the hush and her eyes met Arnav's. She was caught unawares by the soft, gentle look in his eyes and rising to her feet quickly stammered, "Ar Arnavji, I was just..."

"Its okay Khushi. Thank you for bringing a smile back to their lips." A soft sigh escaped him.

Then approaching the group, he glanced at his Rolex and said, "But I am afraid we must leave for your college now. I don't want you to be late for your classes."

The oldest among the men smiled at ASR and said, "We can never thank you enough for what you have done for us, Sir! You are so kind and generous! And thankyou for bringing such a sweet and charming young lady to meet us! Aap dono ki jodi salamat rahe!(May God Bless both of you as a couple)!!"

The old man had obviously mistaken her to be his employer's girlfriend but Arnav chose not to rectify the mistake. Instead he nodded at the man and looked straight at Khushi with a glint in his eyes which made her weak at her knees!

She mumbled her goodbyes and made her way out of the hospital, literally running after Arnav as his long legs carried him fast outside.

Arnav raced the SUV towards her college, and looking at him from the corner of her eye, Khushi wondered if she will ever understand him! He could be the rudest and most arrogant person as well the most kind, caring and dependable person! His employees held him in high regard, there was no doubt.

"Mujhe koi faraq nahi padta(It does not make a difference to me!" That is what he had told me minutes ago, Khushi mused but his deep brown pools seem to say something else! Is he jealous of NK ? Why is he so possessive about me? Does he feel something for me? Why didn't he correct the old man when he mistook us for a couple?

Should I confess to Arnavji?! What will be his reaction ?!!!!!!!

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wiwy2013-09-07 05:59:37