Chapter 9

Part 9

Anjali stood knocking at Arnav's door since 15mins. He did not meet her after coming from the office. He sent the medicines through Aman. Finally the door opened. She notice him wet and realized he might be in the shower and hence did not open the door. She went and started drying his hair with the turkey towel while he started working of the laptop.

Arnav: di, yeh Aap kya karre? Please sit down...he settled anjali on the bed.

Arnav: di, I'm tired of telling you. Why you stress yourself so much..?

Anjali just smiled and arnav can't help it. He started working on his lappy again

Anjali: acha chote, I gave you the store room keys rite? Where are they?

Arnav pointed towards his draw. Anjali limped towards the draw and found the keys. Another interesting thing she noticed is Arnav's watch. A thin white cloth piece was struck to it. Anjali wondered. Well, she has been noticing him since a week. He is lost in thoughts, less grumpy and mostly smiling. She narrowed her eyes, went and stood in front of arnav with her hands folded across her chest and in a question mark face. Arnav frowned in confusion and asked

Arnav: what?

Anjali showed the watch in air waving it making sure the piece of cloth is visible to him. He immediately snatched it from her hand and worked on his laptop again watching anjali from the corner of his eyes

Anjali: kya baat hai! What's up with the watch chote?

Arnav: nothing di'he tried to be casual as possible

Anjali: acha? Then what is this? She asked pointing towards the cloth, with sparking twinkling in her eyes.

Arnav: piece of cloth di'he answered innocently

Anjali: oohhh'.

Arnav: oh common di'its nothing. He tried to shoo off the matter. Anjali excitedly sat beside arnav and asked

Anjali: who is that girl chote, tell me naa.

He shut his laptop and went towards the pool side and told

Arnav: oh di please, it's not some other girl. Its kushi

Anjali eyes widened. What arnav is doing with kushi? How did they meet? She is eager tho know everything. Here arnav knew if his di wants to know something she will do to by hook or crook

Arnav: I met her at the medical store di. I dropped her back at the home

Anjali: aur?

Arnav: and her sari stuck to my watch..

Anjali: aur? Arnav got irritated

Arnav: kya aur aur kare aap? I told naa her sari stuck in my watch and while pulling it tore. There's nothing other than that.

Even anjali was satisfied with the answer. He knew chote is not interested girls. Even if he is, not kushi type because his choice is always well sophisticated and top models. So she dropped the idea of arnav interested in kushi

Anjali: okay chote, leave it. What about the pictures I shown you?

Arnav rolled his eyes and spoke

Arnav: di please'

Anjali: why are you behaving like this chote?

Arnav: why do you ask these many questions di? I told n aim not interested.

Anjali: but one day that girl will come into your life chote..

Arnav closed his eyes and saw kushi. She is breaking the cold walls he built for 3years. There is something special and pure about her. He took a deep breath and replied

Arnav: when she comes then I'll think about it. His answer shocked anji. He always brushed off the topic that he will never ever marry but now he said he will see. She prayed to god to send the angel into his life as soon as possible.

AT HOPE

Esther: kushi how are your painting classes going on.

Kushi: fine maa ji' now kids have holidays naa, so many new kids joined.

Esther nodded and continued reading bible. Kushi was cleaning the cupboards in Esther's room. Esther noticed a small tear on kushi's sari.

Esther: kushi how did this happen? She asked pointing towards the sari. Kushi's eyes widened and remembered how her sari stuck in his watch. She started heaving. Esther narrowed her eyes, kushi composed herself and spoke

Kushi: who maaji, aapko yaad hai? Arnav ji and anajali ji?

Esther: ya bilkul'even yesterday they dropped tinky here.

Kushi nodded her head and replied

Kushi: I met arnav ji at the medical store and he gave me lift. Then my sari stucked in his watch. So it happened.

Esther got satisfied with her answer and replied

Esther: okay leave it. You went to some office the other day? What happened?

Images of all the events, how he yelled at her, their proximity and closeness, his past, his hidden tears, the coldness yet warmth in caramel eyes flashed in her mind. She brushed off all the thoughts and answered

Kushi: I forgot to give you maa ji. Wait

Kushi went to her room bought the check and gave it to Esther. Esther was shocked seeing the amount and immediately asked

Esther: this huge amount at once? Who gave this?

She saw the signature and asked

Esther: arnav Singh raizada? Who is he kushi?

Kushi took a huge breath and narrated the whole story, and how she did not recognize arnav. Esther smiled at kushi's craziness that she believed everything what reena had told. Kushi narrated everything except their encounter at the wall and his past. She did not feel right to disclose his past to everyone.

Esther: he seems a very nice boy

Kushi smile in agreement. Esther continued

Esther: he is helping us and also dropped you here. I want to thank him specially kushi.

Kushi eyes widened. Thank specially? Does maa ji mean that to go and meet him in person? If so it is so dangerous. His looks at her and his smirks is making the hell out of her head. She instantly replied

Kushi: no problem maa ji. I'll call anjali ji, she will tell him. Why we need to go?

Esther got shocked at kushi.

Esther: what are you talking kushi? We need to thank when someone helps us. And you are saying there's no need. Is this you learnt here these many years?

Kushi pouted and replied

Kushi: okay maa ji, we will go to his office tomorrow

Esther smiled and caressed her hair.

Esther: you are really crazy'.now go to bed.

Kushi smiled and hugged Esther and went back to her room. She saw the sketch again. She didn't know why those eyes appeared in her dream, but the same caramel, chocolate brown eyes are troubling her life making her feel new sensations and weird experiences.

NEXT MORNING

Kushi woke up and started her work. All the kids were playing. She was gathering all the newspapers to sell them. She started bargaining the man. Finally he came to kushi's rate and then she noticed some familiar face. None other than ASR, arnav ji.

She also noticed a pretty girl beside him wearing a short dress but very beautiful. The article says that her name is sheetal. Wow she thought. Little she did feel some pain feeling seeing their proximity in the pic but she brushed it off. The article also said that "arnav sigh raizada conforms that he is in relationship with sheetal Kappor, his PA" they both looked good together. There is some happiness in his eyes which is missing now. But she felt happy for them and sold the paper along with others

AT AR

Kushi and Esther got down the rickshaw. Esther was stunned to see the office. Its just like another place, polished, modern. Kushi led her through the gate. She saw the same girls who teased her on that day. She searched for reena but didn't find her. They both sat at the reception when the same girls came to them.

Girl: oh you came again?

Girl2: won't you understand once we told you right? There's no place for you third class people here!

Esther stood up in annoyance she can't bear anyone shouting at her kushi. She stood and asked

Esther: don't you know how to talk with others? No respect?

Girl1: oh old lady, just shut up okay?

Girl2: why you came here? For donations?

Kushi: look, we already had an appointment with him. It's best we close the matter here. I don't want to involve in any arguments,

Girl1: oo baby, why do you need an appointment for money? If you go on the road many will be there to throw a coin at you. After all girls like you will'

Before the girl continued her words they heard a big voice which filled with anger

Arnav: ENOUGH!!!!

He got down the stairs furiously. His eyes looked fierce full. The girls gulped down in fear. The other girl tried to cover up and asked sweetly

Girl1: hello ASR. I'm just telling these people to get out

Girl2: they don't belong here

That's it, Arnav's anger has no limits. He would have slapped them, but he doesn't want to cross his limits like they did and make him cheap. He called out

Arnav": AMAN! Now!

Aman came running. Even reena was in aman's cabin on some work. She saw kushi and understood that the girls might have teased her again.

Aman: yes..sir (stammering)

Arnav: I want these girls out. I don't want them to be seen in my office ever again. Do you get it?

Aman got terrified. Of course, h is anger is common for him but this time he can see asr's anger burning more in the flame. That anger contained some possessiveness.

Arnav: and you.. he said pointing towards the girls

Arnav: apologise'now!

Girls: but sir?

Arnav clenched his fist and his jaw tightened. The girls were scared and they decided to say sorry. The girls replied

Girl: I'm sorry'she whispered

Arnav: louder!!

He barked. All the employs were stunned at his voice. The girls folded their hands and replied

Girl: I'm sorry maam and you too kushi. We are sorry. Kushi and Esther nodded their head. Kushi was amused at him. She like the way how he protected them. She smiled thinking of him but also scared of his anger.

Arnav: you are fired. And listen everyone. I don't want any off the employs to comment them. They are very dear to me. If I listen anything such happen then I swear..

With that he left to his cabin marching furiously leaving .Esther and kushi with their mouths open.

"They are very dear to me"

His words stuck in her mind. What is her to him? Why does he care so much? Just because she saved his sister? His thoughts occupied her mind when she heard aman's voice

Aman: maam, ASR is calling you

Kushi nodded and led Esther to the stairs. All the employees including Aman are in dilemma. Who is this girl? What is she to him? One thing they were sure is that she is very special to him and they should be careful along with her

Kushi and Esther climbed the stairs worriedly wondering if he is angry still. But they were shocked to see him with cool face waiting for them. He immediately stood seeing Esther rand wished her like a gentle man

Arnav: Namaste

Esther: Namaste beta. God bless you. She blessed him laying her hands on his head and prayed to god to keep him happy always .he smiled at kushi and she gave her warm smile. He leaded them to sit

Arnav: you have some work? If you have called I would have come. He said looking at kushi

Esther: aree nai beta. I wanted to meet you in person. Arnav became curious to know the reason they came.

Esther: actually we want to thank you for your help. Arnav brows frowned and before Esther can continue he interrupted

Arnav: no mother, please don't say thanks. That's the least I can do. You always say naa, there's a purpose for everything.

Esther and arnav began talking. Kushi was amused at him. At once is as cold and an ice block which doesn't melt even if it's warm, and on the other so loving, so sweet and understanding. And mostly his eyes. They are so beautiful which are going through some pain. Her chains of thoughts were broke by Esther

Esther: kushi, chale?

Kushi nodded and both got up. Arnav interrupted

Arnav: mother, I will drop you

Esther: aree no beta. Don't trouble yourself. We will go by ourselves

Kushi: haan arnav ji, hum chalejayenge.

Arnav: no mother. Its mid afternoon and there will be no autos. Now don't talks please come?

With that he took his keys and went down. Esther shrugged her shoulders and both followed him. All the staff stood up seeing the trio. He opened the door for Esther and kushi and zoomed off.

They arrived at hope. The security waved hands at arnav. After all he is coming almost every day to drop kushi. Arnav hesitantly waved him back. Esther and kushi got down. Kushi did not speak anything. She knew he wants her to talk something. she sent esther telling that she will follow her

Kushi: how's anjali ji?

Arnav nodded. He knew she is trying hard for the conversation. She waited sometime and asked again

Kushi: how's nani ji? How's everyone?

Arnav nodded gesturing that she is good. He waited for her to say something else

Kushi then remember of sheetal. She thought to congratulate him. How can she forget? She asked him

Kushi: aree haan. How's sheetal ji? I saw your pic in the news paper. You both look really great together

Arnav's jaw tightened. His cool face turned in to stern one with bloodshot eyes. His wrists were clenched. Kushi observed his change. She got scared of him again. What's wrong? He was fine till now? She saw trying to control himself. Before she can say something he turned towards the other side. His nose fuming in anger and we can see his veins very clearly. Still facing backwards he said

Arnav: bye

Kushi was surprised at his behavior. She just wana make sure he is okay. She shouted

Kushi: wait..

He stopped but he doesn't want to stay there anymore. He feels disgusted and blood rushed in his body with anger. He heard her footsteps. She said trying to be calm.

Arnav: leave me!

Kushi: but what happened are you okay?

That sit, he anger fumed and he need to blast it out. In an instant of a blink of an eye kushi saw herself pinning to the car very roughly. His eyes were blood red. His nose flaring with anger. He looks worst than a monster. Her lips shivered. There is no space between them.

Kushi: what ..are you'before she completes her words he spat at her

Arnav: not a word!

Kushi managed to whisper through her sobs

Kushi: what did I do?

Arnav pinned her again with much force

Arnav: what did you do? What do you think? If I smile at you it doesn't mean that you poke ur nose in my personal matter. Be in you r limits. Am I okay? How can I be okay? How dare you take her name? What do you think? You can use me? I know you girls, act all like traditional and if we give some space, that's it try to make us rich people dance to your tunes.

His words were pricking her chest just like a monster stamped over her heart. A huge lump formed in her throat along with the gush of tears flowing from her doe eyes. Her hands were terribly hurt at his grip. Still she managed to talk

Kushi: I don't know what you are saying'

Arnav: you know exactly what I'm saying'just stop acting'and never interfere in my life

With that he pushed her aside and making her tumble but she managed to stand, he zoomed off in an extra speed leaving teary kushi behind.

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