Chapter 17

[MEMBERSONLY]

Chapter 17: The Big Opportunity

It had been a few weeks since the inauguration, Khushi and Rohan were settling down with the business. Workload was increasing day by day but they both knew that this was their studio's success. Khushi was slowly getting comfortable with her surroundings. The Studio gave her a feeling of belongingness and work kept her mind off unpleasant thoughts.

One evening she was just wrapping up her work before going to look for Rohan. Khushi shook her head smiling as she remembered how Rohan never listened to her protests and insisted on picking her up for work every morning and dropping back at the end of the day. After almost four months of working together Rohan had become a very close friend, someone she could rely on and who understood her.

There was a knock on the door and Rohan entered her cabin without waiting for her to ask him to do so. "Khushi there's something important I wanted to discuss." He said gravely which was very unlike him.

"Right now? Rohan can't it wait? It's 9 PM, Amma will be waiting." Khushi said a bit surprised. Rohan never made her wait back late.

"Khushi this is very important, it needs to be discussed right now." He stated matter of factly.

Khushi took in his expression and leaned back against the chair, "What is it Rohan? Any problem?"

"Yeah, kind of." He replied not meeting her eyes. "Khushi, you know RC creations will be representing Delhi in India Fashion Week and Dad wants Emerald to do the bridal range."

Khushi blinked a few times, "You mean us? In India Fashion Week? Hey Devi Maiya!!! Rohan this is great news. Such a huge opportunity." Khushi smiled.

"Yes, it is a big opportunity but..." He hesitated.

"What? Why don't you look happy Rohan? Do you think we'll not be able to do it?" She asked a little worried.

"No it's not that Khushi." He paused to take in a deep breath. "RC Creations is representing Delhi but... but alongside AR Group..."

"Which means?" She barely whispered, her eyes wide in shock.

"Which means, we have to work together with them." He replied worried.

There was a long silence as Khushi stared at Rohan, "I... I can't..." she managed somehow.

"Khushi I know I have promised you that I will never ask you about the time you worked in AR Group but was it really that bad? Is it worth sacrificing such a big opportunity? Think about the name Emerald with earn after this." Rohan asked.

Khushi turned away from him, "Yes Rohan it was very bad. Have you ever seen me overreacting?"

"Khushi, I still won't ask you what happened but just think about it. Dad has given us this opportunity with so much trust. If you don't want to work on this project I understand. Someone else in RC Creations will do it. But after that it will be really difficult for us to prove ourselves worthy of such large project." Rohan tried to make her understand. "At least just think about it."

"Ok Rohan, let me think and I'll tell you my final decision tomorrow." She answered after a while.

"That's my girl." Rohan said giving her an encouraging smile. "Mr. Raizada is coming tomorrow afternoon for a meeting with us. Try and decide before that."

"Arnav Singh Raizada is himself coming for a meeting? Why? If I'm not wrong as Delhi Representatives there will be five different Lines of clothing that have to be designed and Bridal is just one of it. He can appoint someone for it right? Why does he have to come?" Rohan could clearly hear the annoyance in her voice.

"It's not just any show. It's India Fashion week Khushi," Rohan answered wide eyed. "Of course Mr. Raizada is giving personal attention to every detail. Besides, AR group has represented Delhi in the past. It's the first time for RC Creations we do need their help."

Khushi could clearly see how much Rohan was looking forward to this opportunity.

"Alright Rohan, let me think about it, we'll talk tomorrow." She replied.

~~~~~~

At night Khushi couldn't sleep for a long time and when she did fall asleep, it was only for the nightmare to reappear. Khushi saw herself running wildly through a dark passage. She knew she had to run as someone was following her. She could hear heavy footsteps following her. She ran with all her might but she was getting breathless and her feet started to drag. The sound of steps was dangerously growing. She felt unable to breathe. All of a sudden she felt a strong grip on her arm and she was ruthlessly jerked around. She looked up in the bloodshot eyes of Arnav Singh Raizada and a chill ran down her spine. He pulled her towards himself, his hands rubbing her waist and back. Her heart froze into ice as she saw him lower his face down on her neck. With all her might she pushed him back and again started to run but no matter how much she ran, whenever she stopped ASR was always beside her his hands pulling her towards him and touching her in ways that made her shudder in disgust. She tried to push him away but he would come even closer, a mad glint in his eyes. He pushed her back on one of the benches she didn't know existed until she fell back on one. He leaned on top of her grabbing her face roughly and bending over to capture her lips...

She woke up all of a sudden with a gasp. She looked around and relaxed to find herself on her bed. She got up and walked to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her sweaty face. She came back and sat cross legged on her bed thinking. The nightmare had returned after a long time. For how long was she going to live in this dread? Hadn't she decided to move on? Why did he keep coming back into her life? What was in store for her in future? Well Rohan was right, turning down such a huge opportunity would be bad for business. Rohan had been nice enough to not ask anything about her past but his father may want to know the reason for her refusal to work with AR.

In the end she decided what she had to do. She would talk to Rohan, working with Arnav Singh Raizada wasn't something that she would be able to manage...

~~~~~~

Next day...

Khushi was sitting in the coffee room of the studio when Rohan took the seat opposite her.

"Rohan, where have you been all morning? We were supposed to talk remember?" She asked sarcastically.

"I know but dad called and I had to go to office." Rohan replied apologetically, "He says Arnav Singh Raizada was very impressed by your designs during the inauguration of Emerald and it was HE who suggested our name for the bridal range."

Of course he did... Khushi thought almost groaning in frustration.

"He'll be here any moment. What have you decided Khushi?" Rohan asked.

"Rohan, if you ask my opinion, I don't ever want to work with him. But I realise how important this is for Emerald, so I will not back off but..." She hesitated.

"Yes?" Rohan asked hopefully.

"Rohan, I have a few conditions." She said.

"What are they?" Rohan asked a bit sceptically.

Khushi drew in a deep breath, "Firstly... I will never interact with Mr. Raizada directly or alone. You have to always be there. Even if it is anything to do with the designs. Secondly, all work will be carried out over here at Emerald; I will not step into His office under any circumstances. Lastly, I do not want any interference in my creativity. If he disagrees with anything I create, he can give suggestions but not force me to accept them. And these communications too will be through you."

Rohan stared at her wondering how he would ever demand something of this nature from THE Arnav Singh Raizada. "But Khushi..."

"I'm fine with it." A deep husky voice interrupted him.

Khushi and Rohan's heads snapped up to see the man himself standing at the entrance of the coffee room. Both of them stood up surprised.

"Mr. Raizada?" Rohan almost wondered what was going on.

Arnav walked up to them lazily one hand in his pocket looking straight at Khushi, who was looking at Rohan. "I'm fine with the conditions." He repeated. "Would it be fine for you to work with AR now... Khushi?" He asked nonchalantly, though in his heart he was really scared as to what her reply maybe.

"Mr. Raizada, I would prefer you called me Miss Gupta." Khushi said looking at him pointedly. "And yes, if you agree to work as per MY terms, it would be fine for me to work with AR."

"Thank you... Miss Gupta." He said looking at her with narrowed eyes.

Rohan just gaped from one to another. The tension in the atmosphere was almost tangible. He was awed at Khushi for talking to Arnav with such audacity. He personally had considered Arnav to be extremely formidable. But what surprised him most was that how easily Arnav gave in to Khushi's unreasonable demands. What was up with the two? He wondered. Before the situation got any worse he decided to intervene.

"Mr. Raizada I would like to discuss about the financing and organisation of the show." He said. "Let's sit in my cabin and talk." He offered.

"Sure." Arnav agreed.

"Rohan, since financing and organisation has got nothing to do with me, I'll get back to my work. I'll be in the production area if you need me." Khushi said looking at Rohan and walked out, ignoring Arnav completely.

Arnav watched her leave and sighed closing his eyes and cursing himself before following Rohan into his office. He would do everything that would make this easier for her, he decided. So when he heard her conditions, he instantly agreed. At least she hadn't declined the project totally or forbidden him from seeing her at all. He had three long months until the show and he would apologise every day if he could.

~~~~~~

Khushi went to the production area and sat down at one of the designer's desks. That's it. No more running away Khushi. She thought to herself. If fate has decided that I cross paths with him then so be it. It's just three months and I will be working over here. Of course he will not come here every day. No need to worry at all. I will not be weak and let him overpower this time. It will be my rules from now on. My way...

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

Thank you for all your love and lovely comments but right now the stage at which this story is I'm not able to answer any questions of yours. In the next few updates will reveal a lot...

Likes and Comments to lets me knows...

Buddy Me for PMs but don't blame me if I reject your buddy request if you don't leave a comment or like...

Chapter 18: A Feeling Of Unrest

shraddska2012-08-18 16:54:11