Chapter 15

Please Note: Arnav has nothing to do with Khushi's recent career development...

Arnav opened the invitation card that seemed to be selected by someone with excellent taste. It was an exclusive invitation to the inaugural party of Rohan Chaudhry's Emerald Design Studio. Arnav scowled at the inoffensive card as though it had personally wronged him. He hated going to these parties... Such parties always involved crowd and dancing. It reminded him of a certain party he had once attended in Mumbai... and his mind conjured up vivid pictures of what had followed later on.

He sighed resting his head on the back of his chair. These days he tried to avoid going to parties. Or to be more precise he avoided meeting people. It was like he was trying to shut himself up from the world. This was Ram Chaudhry's son's party though, couldn't afford to offend him especially when AR was planning to do business with RC Creations.

There was a soft knock on the door & Akash entered in his office.

"Oh great Akash, I was just about to call you. I need a favour." Arnav stood up on seeing Akash.

"Yes Bhai, what is it?" Akash enquired.

"Akash, Rohan Chaudhry is throwing a party for some design studio this Saturday." He said. "I really don't want to go but it's a RC Creations thing. Could you go there & represent AR?"

"Oh I would certainly have done that bhai but I'm leaving for Bangalore this evening. Just came in to check on you..." Akash replied. "I wouldn't be here by Saturday."

Arnav sighed. "Yeah, I forgot about that Bangalore deal. Not an issue, you carry on and have a safe journey. I'll manage here." There was no escaping this party after all. He thought bitterly.

If only Arnav had read the entire card and not just the address of the venue, he would have read the Head Designer's name at Emerald Design Studio. Probably he might not have been as reluctant to go to the party then.

~~~~~~

It hadn't taken even a week for Khushi and Rohan to become close friends. Rohan was a very easy to like. And easier to work with. He gave her full reign of the studio and never interfered with her creativity. He supported her, made her laugh and forget everything else.

Khushi had loved the Studio the moment she had set foot in it. It was a two storey place with the display store & managers office in the lower part. Whereas the upper part consisted of a large state of the art production area, Khushi and Rohan's cosy but spacious cabins and a small coffee room for employees to hangout.

Three months later Khushi had created a stunning Wedding line as desired by Rohan. Rohan had managed to rope in some important clients and both of them were very pleased with themselves & each other.

"Huh... Big day tomorrow..." Rohan sighed as he stopped his car outside Khushi's house at 10:00 PM.

"Hmm... Nervous?" Khushi asked him biting her nails.

"A little... but not as much as you are." He winked giving her a teasing smile.

Khushi rolled her eyes, "Not every one has a devil-may-care attitude you know..."

"Relax baby, we've done a great job." He tried to cheer her up. "Tomorrow is going to be the day of our success."

"I fervently hope that you are right." Khushi smiled at him warmly. "Anyways, thanks for the lift. Good Night."

"Good night. And be ready on time, I'll pick you up by 6 PM sharp tomorrow." He reminded her.

"ROHAN..." She said exasperatedly. "I am perfectly capable of reaching the studio on my own. You're gonna spoil me with all this picking up and dropping back home everyday. I hate to trouble you like that."

"I don't mind," He shrugged, "As long as you keep bribing me with Jalebis. Besides that Saree that you are wearing tomorrow..., I'm afraid you'll cause traffic jams & road accidents if you come alone. It's best you come with me."

"Yeah alright," she rolled her eyes again, missing the slightest hint of a protective flavour in Rohan's casual teasing, "there's no point arguing with you anyways."

"But you still don't give up, do you?" He asked cheekily.

"We don't want anymore air going in that already over inflated head of yours; do we? I have to keep a check on you." She smiled winking at him as she got off the car. "See you tomorrow and don't be late. I hate to be kept waiting." She said throwing mock attitude and then giggled.

"Yes Ma'am." Rohan replied with a salute and drove off.

~~~~~~

Khushi watched Rohan drive away and sighed. She turned around and started walking towards her home as gloominess engulfed her. Ever since she had started working with Rohan it had been like that. Rohan made her forget all her worries, as long as she was with him she would stay cheerful, happy even. But as soon as he walked away the shadows of the past would reappear immersing her into gloom.

She used her key to enter. Payal, Amma & Babuji were staying at buaji's as she wasn't well. Khushi freshened up and went to the kitchen to grab a glass of milk while calling Payal. But her phone was busy.

She drank the milk not having dinner. This had been her routine these days. She had lost appetite. She ate only when Amma was around to keep an eye on her. Other times she just had milk or a cookie just to kill the hunger so that she could sleep.

She called Payal again but her phone was still busy. Sleep again was a painful ritual there would be days where she would sleep like a baby without a care and then there were days when those nightmares would come back haunting her. At least she didn't scream anymore so Babuji had believed when she told him that she no longer had bad dreams. But still every day when she closed her eyes and waited for sleep to take over, there would be a dread in her heart if she would be sleeping peacefully or not.

It had been almost an hour and Payal's phone was still busy. "Who is Jiji talking to, this late in the night?" Khushi wondered aloud.

She decided to give it one last try before hitting the sack.

"Hello Khushi?" Payal answered finally.

"Jiji... Oh Finally! Who were you talking to? I have been trying to call you since an hour now and your phone's been busy." Khushi complained.

"I-I'm sorry Khushi." Payal replied uncomfortably.

"That's Ok Jiji, but who was on the phone with you?" She asked.

"Umm... Umm... It was... It was S-Shweta, my friend Shweta." Payal answered uncertainly.

"Shweta? Why was she calling up so late?" Khushi asked suspiciously.

"Oh God! Stop being a detective Khushi." Payal laughed nervously. "You know she is getting married, so she likes calling me and telling me all about her future husband."

"Alright then..." Khushi wasn't fully convinced but let it drop. "Jiji I called to check how Buaji was doing."

Payal sighed, "Oh she is still not well. We can't come to the party tomorrow."

"That's too bad, I wish you all were there. It's such an important day of my life and my family is not with me." Khushi said sadly.

"I know Khushi, we feel terrible about it. At least I would've come if Buaji was any better but that's not possible as of now." Payal replied.

"That's Ok Jiji. You take care of her. I got to sleep now. Big day tomorrow." Khushi said trying to keep the sadness out of her voice.

"Yes take care dear and wish you all the luck." Payal replied.

"Thanks Jiji, I need it. Bye..." Khushi hung up.

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

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Chapter 16: The Inauguration Party

[MEMBERSONLY]

shraddska2012-08-18 16:52:20