Chapter 18

CHAPTER 16: Yeh Kaisa Ishq Hai Tera Sajna!

It was evening. Arnav rushed to the designing unit to pick Khushi as they had to go the event venue to check things. But as he reached there, he saw Khushi working on the last minute changes and checking of the design as from the next day, that bridal wear has to go to stitching in production unit. She was yet to notice his presence as she was very much concentrated on her work. As he saw, her small fringes were disturbing her from doing her work. She looked so cute when she was all worked because of it. She tried moving it, but they kept coming back on her face n eyes. She saw here and there and then took a pen from the nearby holder and pushed it in her hair holding them at place. Arnav who saw all these chuckled and stifled his laughter at her kiddish antics.

Arnav: Khushi, a pen is supposed to be used for writing. For your hair, I think this will do good.

Saying he slid a hair slide fixing her hair and stared her shocked orbs. She had stood up at his uninvited help and turned to him to ask the reason for his arrival. Those hazel almond eyes stirred some memory in him. But it was too blur for him to clear his misty mind. Her doe eyes kept holding his gaze. He moved more close to her and leaned forward holding her face gently in his plams. Khushi clutched the pencil tight with which she was working on the design. As he leaned more to her luscious lips she closed her eyes. But there was a moment when he saw those emotion flicker in her eyes before she shut them. But before he could proceed what he should do at the moment, his mobile's shrill ring broke the spell. Khushi immediately opened her eyes and lowered her lashes not letting him know what she is going through. He turned and attended the call. As he finished the call, there was an awkward moment. But both knew that there were more work for them to dwell on this.

Arnav: Err.. Khushi, are u done? We should leave to the Venue to check the arrangements for our corp.

Khushi fumbled for few seconds gathering herself as if arranging the things to their place.

Khushi: Yes Arnavji. I was just going through the last minute check before sending them to stitching. I am done. We can move. Have you asked mohan bhaiyya to take my..

Arnav: Your darling scooty is already on its way to home. You come with me.

Khushi: yeah its my darling like you kiss your SUV.

Khushi was back to her defensive mode hearing his mock. Arnav felt relieved as he cannot afford her going missing after whatever happened few minutes before. He realized that lately, that he cannot let her away from his eye sight.

Arnav chuckled.

Arnav: I don't kiss my SUV.. but I love my SUV.

Khushi: Yeah yeah, love it, marry it and give birth to Chote chote SUV.

Arnav: Will you stop that!

Khushi: Do u stop?

Their banter continued till they reached the car. This was the first time she was going with him in car as all time they used to go in her darling scooty. So there was another silent moment as they got into car and left for the said place. But the silence was confortable one. With a chilly evening and each other's company, it made them comfortable that they dint want to use words here. But as the silence prolonged with a little long journey, Khushi broke the silence.

Khushi: Arnav ji, you said that you live alone in that BIG HAUNTED MANSION of yours. Why are you not living with your Mama and Mami?

Arnav(chuckling): that's a very beautiful artistic mahal in the city Khushi. I don't know why u call it Haunted Mansion. Seriously you are one of your kind. And about Mama and Mami, I like to be alone.

Khushi: but why? Don't you like to have a family? They are like your Maa and bauji.

Arnav: They are not.

Khushi: I know that no one can replace parents...

Arnav: by saying they are not, I meant that Mama n Mami are 1000 times better than my parents. They are not at all like my parents.

Khushi: Esa kyun?

Why so?

Arnav: because they were never like parents to me. Mom was a social butterfly and dad was alwars involved in his business. They had many clashes due to this. But in all this they forgot that they had a child, ME. They used to fight a lot and sometimes their fights were so nasty that they don't even realize that their kid was watching them. I was 10 years old. I could never understand their fights. All time, I was looked after by nanny and servants left to crave for Parents while they were busy in their world to look after me.

Khushi: Arnav ji?

Arnav: anyways I got used to it. I grew up like this. all stubborn. That's when Mamaji came to our home at Australia. He saw what I was put through and brought me to India to their family and made me study with akash. He thought that he can make his sister's life better, but it only got worst as my parents decided a divorce. When they flew back to India for the same, they died in a plane crash. But I was numb as I couldn't connect to my own parents. We were that much detached.

The around them thickened. He dint know why he shared the important details of his life with her when he never said that to anyone before. She dint know how to react to this. she doesn't know what it feels like as she was pampered daughter. But she felt a sudden urge to take him in her arms and absorb all his bitter pain. Both controlled themselves.

Khushi: But Arnav ji, you were in London na?

Arnav: Hmm yeah. I went there for my studies in a prestigious university and settled there with my business as I dint want anyone around me. I want to be on my own. I dint want to become burden on anyone like I was for my parents.

Khushi: Arnav ji, your mama n mami are not thinking u as a burden I am sure. And Akash also admires u as a brother.

Arnav: I know. But seeing my parents, my belief on relations are lost. That's it.

Khushi: Ek ke galti ke liye, aap sab ko kese ignore kar sakte hain?

For mistake of one, why are you ignoring all?

Arnav: I don't ignore. Just that I don't get involved.

Khushi knew its useless taking to him.

Khushi: For how many years you were there? I mean in London? When you left India?

Arnav: I went there when I was 21 years. and settled there.

Khushi: Aur Ab poorey Angrez Laad Governor banke Laute hain.

And now returned turning completely into a laad governor.

And Arnav openly and loudly laughed at her comment. If anyone else would have said this they could have taken their teeth from ground. But this was his Khushi, his own crazy Khushi. While he was laughing, she was admiring him open laughter.

Arnav: Tum Ajeeb aur Pagal ho Khushi, pata hai tumhe?

Your weird and mad Khushi, do you know that?

Khushi: bachpan se! vese aap haste hue, bilkul bhi Laad governor nahi lag rahe the.

From birth! And you don't look like Laad governor when you laugh

Arnav turned to her side for a brief minute with his raised brow making her flush.

Arnav: Toh kya tumhare sketch ke shaitan lag raha tha?

Then what? Was I looking like the demon like in your sketch?

Khushi(dazed): Rajkumar lag rahe the.

You were looking like prince.

Arnav: Toh is shaitan rajkumar ka sundari ban jao!

Then you become the beauty of this beasty prince!

Meenu: One more confession. Show mein toh ek ke liye taras gaye!! Yahan pe toh Confession ke rainingwa ho rahi hai HELLO HI BYE BYE!!

That broke the spell. Khushi turned to window avoiding his gaze. That's when they reached the venue and Arnav pulled the break.

Khushi: We reached! Lets finish our job soon. We have to leave soon.

Saying she moved out of the car.

Arnav: For how many more days will you escape like this Khushi?

Saying Arnav too went to park the car and joined her in the venue.

Arnav and Khushi checked all the arrangements. All the while Khushi was admiring how he very intently checked every minute details and suggested changed. No doubt he was an all rounder and now Khushi knew why people called him perfectionist. She also noticed the charm he spread and how demanding he is. In fact, his charms got his demands dine! She saw him giving instructions to the decorators to take extra care about the bridal theme as theirs was chosen for the show stopper. Here Khushi was talking to the event manager.

Khushi: Mr. Goenka, take care that there is no artificial allergic fragrances are arranged for the event. Make it as natural as possible. And can you tell me about your security arrangements?

Arnav who by now finished his work came to call her was amused hearing her business like behavior. She was dealing more mature than he has seen her in office. That made him proud to see how she changes according to the place. That moment what ever he was feeling for her grew seeing her concern for him. but her EYES!!

Meenu: Iss eyes pe hi aake u are stuck Arnav babu. Think a little more and you will know!

Mr. Goenka: Don't worry Ms. Gupta. We have arranged tight security as there are many celebs coming to the event. Moreover we are aware of ASR. I assure you that there wont be any discomfort from our side. We have arranged armed guards too.

Khushi: Phir bhi, tight them. And make sure that there is only one gate opened for visitors...

Before she could continue, Arnav jumped in and asked from behind making her gasp.

Arnav: Khushi! Why are you frying him with your blabbers?

Khushi could sense the laughter his voice held. She immediately turned to him with her hands on his hips glaring at him.

Khushi: acha? All this time you were pakaoing those decorators. Did I say anything? And here if I am worrying about your security I am frying? Aap Ramanchi kar rahe hai Arnav ji!

... You are cheating!

Arnav: What the! I am pakao? And who is raman? Your boyfriend? And what is so CHI about him?

Khushi: Its Ramanchi..means cheating. Don't say outside that you know hindi, you are such a duck in it!

Arnav: don't you dare Khushi. You r insulting the CEO of AR group and 2 times enterprenuer of the year Awasd winner and top businessman in UK, THE ASR.

Khushi: In Rome the Romans do.. This is India!

This argument went on as they forgot their spectator who was watching them with a smile.

"They make a cute pair" He thought.

Mr. Goenka: ASR, Ms. Gupta. Please don't bother. All your demands will be taken into account. You can be at peace.

Saying he left while these both glared at each other.

They both moved out to the car and it had crossed the dinner time by then. Khushi dragged Arnav to a dhabba and had dinner. She specially ordered for less spicy food and got herself a healthy spicy meal. Arnav smiled inward seeing her all concerned to him. But there was something stopping her from opening up. Soon he had to find that out. May be that will get him to solve all the puzzle of THAT NIGHT n also the familiarity of her eyes!

He sighed thinking about it. But then they wrapped up and left. He dropped a sleepy Khushi home asking her to rest well. He asked her even to come late to office next day as she was in dress desgning for past many days and now as its production, she can rest. She just nodded and both called it a day. Next 2 days went in jiffy as Arnav was busy with the production unit in getting the dress designed. He saw to that the dress which was his dream and Khushi's hardwork come out to be worth.

Finally the day dawned. It was the day of their prestigious event and AR's day. All the bridal collections were ready and the show stopper outfit was kept with Arnav for seciruty reasons.

Evening Arnav and Khushi reached the place together in his car. Arnav came out first and led out his arms for Khushi. She got down with a little hesitation as the papperazzi was present there and this was the first time she is being brought to lime light like this. But Arnav's one squeeze on his palms was enough for her overcome all these. They both elegantly walked in on the red carpet.

Arnav's outfit

Khushi's outfit(imagine black floral design instead of silver)

They made a very beautiful pair. They were dressed according to the INDO WESTERN THEME. Arnav was in his Red and black indo western suit with neatly gelled hair looking like a prince while Khushi was in her indo western sleeveless silk gown with black flower designs at the upper part, curled hair, white n red stone neck n ear piece and red stilettos . Khushi's dress was designed by him while his was by her. They were complementing each other beautifully. Their family who were there with VIP passes were awed at the pair they made.

Soon the show started and all the fashion houses displayed their talents. When AR's name was announced Khushi became hell nervous behind the stage. Arnav saw this and very gently rubbed her arms giving her a small smile and she got comfortable. This was because this was the first official show for Khushi as a designer as before she was junior designer. This project was given to her by Arnav with so much trust after seeing her talents. But she was not able to trust him back in just one thing.

The Outfit designed by Khushi

Soon the show stopper made entry walking elegantly like a bride and posed for the cameras. It was such a beautiful moment for Khushi and her family to see her talents being praised. Arnav who saw her happily smiling and crying chuckled. After all she was his crazy Khushi!

The results were really tough as Jha Fasion industry and AR were so close. But in a very close call AR won leaving a Fuming Jha people. Arnav and Khushi made to the stage hand in hand when they were called for the award. Khushi was at cloud nine that night.

Soon the party followed and everyone were praising AR and ASR and Khushi. Some praised their pair and understanding too. Both just smiled and ignored. Soon their family left as Party was till late night. In all this, Khushi forgot 2 things. One, her last party with Arnav and two, the threatening letters.

Suddenly in the middle of the party, Khushi started feeling uneasily suffocated there. Arnav took her out to the car to make her feel fresh air.

Arnav: Party is for our winning and here I am standing with you in open car park! Unbelievable!

Khushi: Arnav ji, you go and enjoy the party. I dono why, I am feeling so uneasy. Like something bad is gonna happen.

Arnav: Seriously! Khushi, we just won.. you are being praised, AR has stamped its place in India and you say this? how stupid.

Khushi: I know you don't believe such things. But I really feel Arnav ji. Lets check the security once.

Arnav: Khushi, its just you are scared about the letter. That's why I dint show that to you. Nothing can happen Khushi. The security is at every place with guns. How can someone...

Arnav kept talking while Khushi turned her eyes to the rear view mirror of the car near by. What she saw there made her open her eyes wide and tremble in fear. Only one word escaped her mouth!

ARNAVJIII!!!!

A bullet from silencer fixed pistol made its way to Arnav.

SHOOT!

And everything went blank!

Meenu: Evil much 😉. What do you think happened here?

PINGU.. THIS QUESTION IS DEFINITELY NOT FOR YOU. SO BETTER STAY AWAY 😆

Break your heads till next update. I am going to celebrate my day!