Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Diwali Celebrations

Khushi was packing her bags, Pari had insisted that she come & stay with her till the wedding. Payal walked in & handed her a box of bangles, "Here you go.."

"Thanks jiji. I'll be wearing them for the wedding & please be on time." Khushi said.

"Of course Khushi, Pari is my friend too." Payal smiled at her.

Amma & Babuji were not going to be there as they had another wedding to attend. But Payal had insisted that she would be at Pari's wedding. She didn't want to leave Khushi alone just in case..

As soon as Khushi reached Pari's place there was so much to be done that she hardly had any time to relax. At night Khushi & Pari sat in Pari's bedroom with mehendi adorned hands.

"So one more day to go before D-day." Khushi teased her.

Pari just smiled back.

"Fine.. out with it. I know you're itching to say something." Khushi said suspiciously.

"How are you Khushi?" Pari asked.

"What..? What do you mean? I'm right in front of you.." Khushi gave her a confused look.

"I know, I can see you & I can see how hard you are trying to be happy for me."

"Oh! It's for Karan too, you know."

"Stop it Khushi." Pari almost screamed.

"Whoa, whoa.. keep a check on the decibels sweetheart or your mom will kick me out of this room." Khushi laughed.

"Can't you for once stop changing the subject?" Pari said in a stern but hushed voice. "Look, I'm getting married & you know Karan's family. It will be ages before the post wedding rituals will get over. I won't be able to see you for at least a couple of months. Don't you think we should talk about what happened that..?"

"No" Khushi interrupted her, "and besides you already know what happened."

"Khushi we practically grew up together. I know when you lie."

"I'm not.."

"Khushi I know you haven't told me the whole thing. The trauma that you went through' your version of the story is not convincing enough to explain that."

"I've already told you everything." Khushi said getting annoyed. "What exactly do you want to hear from me?"

"The truth. You can't shut yourself up all the time. You need to open up. Maybe it will help." Pari pleaded.

"And maybe it will not. I don't want to talk about it Pari. I know you care for me but I'm just not ready to talk about it yet." Khushi said not meeting her eyes.

Pari frowned.

Khushi sighed, "I'm just asking for some time Pari. Is that too much to ask for?"

"Yeah, alright!" Pari gave up.

"Tomorrow's Haldi & the bride cannot have dark circles. So let's sleep now." Khushi said & quickly turned off the lights.

Khushi lay awake in her bed annoyed at herself, annoyed at everyone. All everyone wanted to do was talk to her about what happened. Why couldn't they leave her alone? She was already having a hard time forgetting what happened.. Forgetting HIM.. his memories were branded on her soul for life. How could she forget the memories.. the good ones.. the bad ones.. and the terrifying ones..

******Memories******

"So, what's ASR's PA wearing tomorrow?" Pari asked her excitedly as she sat next to Khushi in the lunch break.

Everyone was excited. Akash had announced earlier that day that for the next 2 days the dress code would be traditional & festive for Diwali celebrations.

"Khushi sighed, "I'm ASR's PA, ain't I? So I wear western formals." She said pointing at her woollen skirt & long sleeved shirt.

Pari looked scandalized, "But the celebrations are for everyone."

"Forget it Pari, it's useless to even discuss." Khushi said letting out a frustrated sigh.

As soon as she had heard the announcement, Khushi knew that it wasn't for her. Her first day was still fresh in her mind & she was seriously not up for a repeat telecast.

Next day as Khushi stepped in at work with a heavy heart & looked around, she could've burst into tears. The place had never looked so colourful. She ran to her cabin before anyone tried to speak to her. All the girls were dressed in beautiful lehengas & sarees & here she was in her hateful formals. She sighed & got to work hoping that it would take her mind off the celebrations. She had a mail from ASR that he wouldn't be in until lunch.. Relief! She skipped lunch not wanting to answer her colleagues about her dress.

At two pm 'The ASR Phone' rang, "Khushi dictation" and the line went dead.

She entered his cabin and saw that he was dressed in his usual. She knew she had done the right thing by not wearing traditional.

"Good afternoon sir." She greeted.

He looked up & stared at her. "What are you wearing Khushi?" he asked.

"Huh?" Now what was wrong? She gave him a confused look.

"Why aren't you dressed as per the theme?" he asked looking at her.

"I.. I thought you wouldn't.."

"That's ok. You can follow the theme tomorrow. Sit down." He said quietly.

"Yes sir."

~~~~~~

She whooped as she returned to her cabin later. 'Okay so he wasn't that bad.' She thought.

~~~~~~

At home Khushi picked up her favourite saree that she would wear next day & put it on her chair & went to Payal's room.

Payal's room was a mess. Her wardrobe stood wide open & almost empty, all her clothes were spread on the bed.

"Hey jiji, running away with your secret lover, are you?" Khushi asked her, "wassup?"

Payal gave her a shocked look, "I don't believe you. Did you actually forget that we are going to buaji's for Diwali?"

Khushi hit her forehead, "oh yes I forgot."

"Khushi..! You were supposed to pack your stuff." Payal said getting upset.

"I'm so sorry jiji." Khushi said giving a huge yawn.

"Alright, go sleep, I'll pack for you." She said grumpily.

"Thanks! You're the best, jiji." Khushi hugged her & went back to her room.

Early next morning Amma, Babuji & Payal were to leave for buaji's place & Khushi would be joining them later in the evening after work.

When Khushi woke up, the three of them had already left. After her bath she looked for the saree but it wasn't on the chair where she'd left it last night. She looked all around but it was nowhere. She went to her wardrobe thinking she must've put it back & forgotten. But as she opened her wardrobe, she got the shock of her life. Payal had literally raided her wardrobe.

She ran to her phone & called Payal. "Jiji where's the saree I'd left on the chair last night. She asked breathlessly.

"Oh, don't worry dear, I've packed it in your stuff. You had particularly taken it out so I figured you must want me to pack it. I've got it with me here." Payal assured her cheerfully.

"No jiji" Khushi said sinking on the chair. "I was supposed to wear it to work today."

"Oh no.. I'm so sorry Khushi, I didn't know." Payal said worried.

"It's ok jiji. I'll manage." Khushi hung up & walked back to her wardrobe.

Payal had taken away all her best sarees. 'They were going only for 2 days for crying out loud.' There was only a red lehenga left that may be good enough. Payal must've left it only because she had worn it last Diwali.

But it wasn't something she would choose to wear at work.

"Too revealing!" Amma had complained when she had bought it last year.

The lehenga was low waist and the blouse was completely backless, held together with only strings.

She had no option besides she had already lost some time over the missing saree.

As she walked in the office she bumped into Karan. "My my; someone's looking HOT!"

She gave him a huge smile, "Don't let Pari catch you saying that."

"So ASR's PA is allowed to be celebrating with us lesser mortals?" he teased her.

"Yeah seems so." She winked at him.

"See you at lunch, as you won't be hiding today." He smirked.

She slapped his arm & entered her cabin. A few minutes later the phone rang & she was summoned by ASR..

She walked up to the connecting door & knocked..

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

IMPORTANT: We are going in to the past totally now. It will take a few more chapters before we get into the future track. Lots of you guys are asking me what actually happened & I will be revealing it all without any interruptions in the coming chapters.

But Likes & Comments will only motivate me in updating faster so keep them coming.

Buddy Me if you want PMs

Chapter7: Sparks

[NOCOPY]