Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Sparks

******Memories Continued******

He was standing by the cabinets, looking at files when he heard a soft knock on the connecting door & said "Come in."

He looked up as he heard tinkling of bangles & his jaw dropped. She looked heavenly as she glided towards him. He stared wide eyed. And then she smiled at him, "Good Morning Sir."

'Holy cow! Did she smile at him like that every day? Sure he would've noticed..'

His legs involuntarily started moving towards her. When he showed no signs of stopping, she started backing off. It was like his eyes had gone stray as they moved up & down her. She started feeling hot as she felt his gaze all over her. He raised one hand as if to cup her face. She saw it & her eyes widened, she tripped suddenly backwards on her lehenga & was about to fall when 2 strong arms caught her.

Arnav didn't know for how long he stood there holding her, looking into the depths of her eyes but letting her go didn't sound like a good idea.

After a while Khushi dropped her gaze. She had to put some distance between them. Being so close to this man wasn't healthy for her nervous system. She was about to start hyper ventilating any moment.

Also it didn't help that his hands were burning holes into the bare skin of her back and waist. With an effort she straightened up. He let go reluctantly, his fingers trailing down her back as he pulled back his hands slowly. She shuddered and stepped back, trying to get some space. They stood there for a moment not sure what to do.

Then he turned away & walked towards his desk and sat, asking her to do the same. He started dictating a letter to her but after a while she interrupted him, "Sir?"

"What?" he said not daring to take his eyes off the laptop screen.

"Sir, we already did this one yesterday." She said.

"Huh!" he didn't know what to say, he didn't usually forget such things.

"Okay, take these files then & study them, it's an upcoming project and you have to be updated." He said again not meeting her eyes.

Khushi looked at the files and then back at him, "Sir, are you alright?"

"Yeah, what?" He looked at her suddenly, surprised at her concerned tone.

"Sir I've already been through these last week & this project already started on Monday." She said looking confused.

'Dammit! What am I doing?' he thought angrily. "Get back to work." He said in a harsh voice.

"But sir, you called me for something right?"

Great! What was he going to say? 'You are looking so damn HOT that I forgot why I called you?' "Just get out Khushi, I'll call you back if I need you." He said thoroughly annoyed.

Khushi controlled herself from throwing her head back & saying 'Whatever' before returning back to her desk.

~~~~~~

Ever since she had fainted in his cabin, Arnav had asked Khushi to take her breaks on time, irrespective of the work load. So exactly at 1:00 pm Khushi joined Pari & other girls in the cafeteria for lunch.

"Whoa babe, you look red hot!" Pari said as Khushi seated next to her.

"Any guy would go flat on you today." Siya said .

"I'm sure ASR is sitting weak-kneed in his chair sweating all over." Pari nudged her teasingly.

"Not a chance, ASR wouldn't notice if someone danced in a bikini in front of him while he's working." Priya said rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, he plays too hard to get, that hottie!" Siya agreed dreamily.

Khushi looked away blushing as she remembered what had passed between them in his cabin.

Suddenly Priya changed the topic, "So what do you think about this Shyam character."

"He is a total pervert, I tell you. You should've seen him ogling at Jas the other day as if she was a piece of mutton. I swear, I'd have punched his nose right then." Reva said looking disgusted.

Shyam Jha was the new Product Manager at AR Group. Khushi had disliked him at first sight. He reminded her of something slimy wriggling in the dirt. Over friendly with a sickly sweet smile plastered on his face all the time, he was really annoying & always tried to find excuses to talk to her. But it looked like all the girls had the same opinion about him.

She was glad he had taken a leave today for Diwali. She definitely didn't want to get ogled at by that slime in this outfit.

~~~~~~

Meanwhile Arnav sat in his office not exactly weak-kneed as Pari had suggested but not completely unaffected either. He'd never forgotten what he was doing before today. 'No, I can't let such stupid thoughts divert me.' He thought to himself.

~~~~~~

A week later..

"Hello Khushiji, how are you?" Khushi heard a sickening voice that she had grown to detest and looked up from her PC screen.

"Oh hello Shyam sir" she said politely. "You needed any help regarding any project?" She asked him, trying to be to the point.

"Oh no, I just wanted to ask you how was your Diwali?" he said sitting on the chair across the desk & leaning ahead.

"Very nice, thank you." She said curtly with a stiff smile.

But he seemed to be made of thicker skin. "Really? That's great." He smiled leering at her. Khushi stopped herself from making a face.

"So what did you do..?" He was saying when the connecting door opened.

ASR came storming in saying, "Khushi, what's going on..." and stopped suddenly; his eyes resting on Shyam. He noticed that Shyam quickly leaned back & stood up on seeing him.

"Shyam.. What are YOU doing here?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

"Oh.. he he he.. nothing, just wanted the details about the winter fashion week. I was just leaving." He left as quickly as possible.

ASR turned to Khushi who was internally thanking her Devi Maiya for the welcome interruption. "Khushi, what's going on? Why are the phones not working?"

"Oh yes the phone lines are down for a couple of hours for some maintenance work." She replied.

"Never mind, come I've got something to discuss." He said turning back towards the door.

Khushi followed him & took her seat. Arnav kept his eyes on his laptop. Since last week both of them had kept their distance. It seemed to Arnav that Khushi was totally unaffected by what had happened. He had seen her several times chatting happily to everyone including Akash. But with him, her behaviour had been thoroughly professional & formal. He on the other hand had made a total fool out of himself.

He cleared his throat "Next Monday I've to be in Mumbai for a couple of meetings with the suppliers. It's a 3 day trip; we'll be back Wednesday evening. Make sure you take care of all the bookings for both of us..."

"Both of US?" Khushi interrupted him suddenly.

He looked up at her, "Oh yes, you are going with me. You've got a problem with that?" He smirked at her comically shocked expression.

"But sir, why would I have to go?" she asked. 3 days alone with him in an unknown city was not a brilliant idea.

"Khushi, it's a supplier's meeting. I always need you around when I meet with suppliers." He explained patiently.

"But sir.. Mumbai?" She said trying to find any excuse to avoid going with him.

"Oh, is there a problem?" He asked seriously. "Your family?"

"No, they wouldn't mind." She said.

"Your boyfriend, then?" He asked unable to keep the curiosity out of his voice.

"No I haven't got a boyfriend." She said looking away.

He actually found himself feeling relieved at that.

"Fine, I'll go." She said finally.

"Alright it's settled then. Talk to Akash, he'll help you with the bookings."

"Yes Sir." She said & started to leave when he called from behind.

"Oh Khushi, while we're in Mumbai we'll be attending a Fashion show followed by a party, so make sure you don't have wardrobe issues."

'He's gonna take me along to a Fashion Show?' Khushi thought surprised. There was no point asking though. "Don't worry sir there won't be any issues." She said & left. shraddska2012-08-18 16:40:25