Chapter 10

Next day at AR - Wednesday ...

Khushi came to office near 8.45am and she could see almost all the employees present there, she knows that AR has strict rule about being punctual. She goes to Lavanya's Cabin and knocks.

Lavanya looks up and saw Khushi outside the door (every cabin has glass door, except ASR). She gestures her hand in a "come in" way to Khushi.

Khushi enters her cabin and said smilingly, "Good Morning Mam, how are you doing?"

"I am fine Khushi, how are you?" Ask Lavanya with a smile.

"I am fine too but a little nervous as its my first day here", said Khushi.

"Oh don't be .. come I will introduce you to the design team", with that Lavanya take Khushi to cubicles on the left side, "this section (she points to left hand side cubicles) is all for design team and this section (she points to her right) is for management team. Come", said Lavanya and took Khushi to one cubicle on left, there was a young lady sitting on the chair.

"Prachi this is Khushi", Lavanya introduces Khushi to Prachi, "she is from AR Mumbai Branch, she will now work with us, and Khushi this is Prachi, she is a good designer, she mostly design Sarees for us".

Khushi shakes hand with Prachi, "hello nice to meet you", said Khushi. Prachi said "same here".

Suddenly an employee came and said ASR is here. And everyone gets back to their cubicles and the hall which was earlier filled with talks suddenly fell silent. Khushi wonders why everyone is so scared of ASR.

Then after a min or 2 the glass door opens and comes Arnav Singh Raizada along with Akash. Looking utterly handsome in his 3 piece gray suit with white crisp shirt along with gray tie. Everybody stood up in silent. Khushi could hear some small sighs of girls, she turns her head and saw few girls looking dreamily at Arnav, "huh ", Khushi didn't like their looks.

Arnav walks toward the stair, suddenly he hear someone say "Good morning Sir" he turns and his eyes fell on Khushi, looking beautiful in white long skirt with pink top, she was smiling at him. Everyone was also looking at Khushi in shock thinking that she has gone nuts, ASR never likes formal greetings. Lavanya and Akash too looked worriedly at Arnav and then Khushi, both thinking the same that now ASR will scold the poor girl but to everybody's astonishment Arnav just gave a cold look to khushi and went ahead towards his cabin. Lavanya looked at Akash and ask her through eyes, "what was that". Akash shrugs his shoulder and went towards his own cabin.

Khushi was confuse that why everyone is looking at her. She asked Lavanya, "Mam why everyone is looking at me like this?".

"Well that is because no one say greetings to ASR as he doesn't like formal greetings.", replied Lavanya.

Khushi was surprise, "what? there is no harm in that, its good to communicate between employee and boss."

"Well darling it certainly doesn't happen here" (not since 2 years dear she says in her head). Lavanya put her hand on her shoulder.

Meanwhile Annie comes there and says to Lavanya, "Mam, ASR has asked for you and Khushi to come to his cabin, now!".

"Come Khushi", Lavanya say and move towards ASR's cabin. Se knocks twice and enters in his cabin. Khushi followed her in.

"ASR you asked for us?", said Lavanya.

Arnav who was going through some file look up and saw Lavanya and Khushi, his eyes lingers on Khushi for few seconds. Khushi saw that and turn her eyes away.

He then said, "Lavanya, Khushi will work on Sinha's designs. Tell her the details and I want to see some samples after lunch." Lavanya nods her head.

"And what about the model?" Arnav asked.

"I am working on it, until then others are shooting for the Indian wear, it will take time so the western wear shoot will start after 2 weeks." Lavanya said.

"ok but don't be late more than that", said Arnav in a clipped tone.

"Ok ASR", said Lavanya and when Arnav didn't say anything else Lavanya knew she isn't needed here so she went to door, Khushi followed too but Arnav called her.

"Miss Gupta .. have i told you to leave?" . Khushi stopped in her track and turn back and see Arnav looking straight at her, she got flustered a little but held herself and walk towards his table. Lavanya went out of cabin.

Arnav stood up and walk towards her. He came near her and said "Miss Gupta, now we will see how good you can do. Sinha's meeting is on Friday, if he liked the designs then you are hired and if not then you know the drill".

Khushi looked up in his eyes, and they stood watching lost in each other. Khushi said after few secs, "Yes Sir I know".

"you may leave now", said Arnav and went back to his chair.

Khushi left the cabin with a thudding heart.. "Argh .. why my heart has to beat so fast around him" thought Khushi irritatingly, as her heart was beating fast in actual. Khushi went to Lavanya and she took Khushi to Prachi and asked her to tell Khushi all the details about Sinha's project and help her through it. Prachi started telling Khushi about the project.

After lunch Lavanya and Khushi was sitting infront of Arnav showing him some samples of designs. Arnav was going through the samples but none catches his eyes, they were good but something was missing. Somehow he doesn't believe that these were designed by Khushi.

He looked at Khushi and asked. "which one is yours Miss Gupta".

"umm actually sir I didn't design any yet, but I gave input into the designs Prachi and Sameer were doing and also suggested some changes in designs", Khushi replied.

"Excuse me", Arnav sit straight and looked angrily at Khushi, "when I said that you were going to handle this project then that means I WANTED YOU TO DESIGN ALL THE COLLECTION BY YOURSELF", Arnav literally shouted.

He stood up and put his both hands on table and leaned forward "Who asked you to give God damn inputs? ... IS THIS YOUR JOB?" Arnav yelled at Khushi. "ANSWER ME ..!!!"

Poor Khushi who had never came across Arnav's anger flinched hard and cornered back to her chair. Lavanya saw the hurt look on Khushi's face said a bit loudly, "ASR, I have asked Khushi to do that as she was new to this project and wasn't familiar with the details so I asked her to help them and see if she can understand it then she can designed one or two herself", as Lavanya was now use to Arnav's anger and didn't feel anything, but didn't like that he yelled on Khushi.

Arnav sighed and closed his eyes; he too didn't like the hurt look on Khushi's face. "Lavanya, no one but Miss Gupta will work on this project, I want all the collection to be designed by her. Is that clear?".

"But ASR how can she alone do this? She is ... ", Lavanya tired to say but Khushi cut her "Its ok Mam", then look straight into Arnav eyes, he can see the hurt is still there but now with anger added in. "I will design the whole collection SIR (emphasizing on the word)" she got up and left the cabin, without waiting for his reply.

She was angry on Arnav for yelling on her like that. No one has yelled on her like that, not even her father. She moves towards the stairs to go to Prachi's cubicle as she didn't have one of her own yet. She sat down on chair beside her and asked her to tell the theme, colors and other details which client wanted and then after that she started to design the samples.

She sms NK.

"arrgh he just yelled at me :@"

Beep.. new msg from NK ...

"who . :O"

Khushi replied

"that stupid laad governer "

Beep.. new msg from NK

"huh ..!? .. come again .. whos laad governer?" (confused face)

Khushi replied

"ASR :@"

Beep.. new msg from NK

"lolz nice name kuku ... its just the beginning. Agey agey dekho hota hai kia :P"

Khushi replied ... "arrghh .. I hate him :@"

Beep new msg from NK

"really ..? :D"

Khushi replied ":("

Beep new msg from NK

"lol best of luck kuku"

Khushi replied "ttyl at nite."

And just before 30 mins of office timing getting off she designed 3 samples of Saris. She goes to Arnav's cabin knock twice and went in. Arnav saw Khushi coming in, with anger still visible on her face. Khushi comes towards his table and place the 3 samples infront of him and stood there without saying a word.

Arnav looked at the sample and instantly like them as he knew these were designed by her only. "hmm not bad but this border has way to many design pattern, it will look better with lessen patterns", he pointed out in one of samples, "and this one could do with more work on the blouse, and I don't like the color combination of this one" he said and push the samples back towards her.

"Yes Sir" said Khushi with gritted teeth and went out of cabin.

Arnav smile at her being angry, the truth is there was no problem with those sample. They were very good, he just wanted to see if she can handle the stress or not .

---------------------

Next day - Khushi designed more samples and showed to Arnav before lunch time, again Arnav liked them but still pointed out the mistakes in them, Khushi got angry again because she knew that the designs were good as she had shown them to Lavanya before coming to Arnav's cabin and Lavanyga liked them very muh. She just grabs the samples and move out of his cabin without saying any word. She designed 2 more samples and show him, and again he pointed out the mistakes acting really cool and this was increasing her anger more. She just stomped her foot and went out of his cabin, Arnav got amused by her this reaction. Don't know why but he just liked to rile Khushi up.

By the end of day she had shown 3 more samples to him and he just nods his head and say, "Well lets see, tomorrow in meeting with Sinha" and looked up at Khushi. Khushi got confuse that why he didn't take out any mistakes in them. Arnav saw her confuse expression and found her looking very cute.

"tomorrow .. Miss Gupta" he said again. Khushi just stared at him . Not getting any response from Khushi, Arnav looked at her cocked his eyebrow with that Khushi quickly grabs samples and said "yes sir" and went out of the cabin.

Meeting day - Friday

The meeting with Sinha's was after lunch. Khushi was getting nervous as the time passes. She designed 2 more new designs with great care, taking in details and Arnav's suggestion on the previous designs. She clean and redo the designs which she had shown to Arnav yesterday. Till lunch time Khushi separated 10 designs of Saris, of different color and designs. She put them in a folder and waited for the meeting. She doesn't have the appetite for lunch due to her growing nervousness. After lunch Lavanya came to her and asked her to come with her to conference room for meeting.

Khushi, "Mam , what I am going to do there, you take this folder it has the designs, you can show it to clients."

" Nope you are going to show them dear, because only you had designed that collection, and it should be you", said Lavanya and grabs her wrist "come on".

Lavanya and Khushi enter the conference room. Arnav was already presented. Khushi looks at Arnav and her too looks at her.

Arnav gosh she is looking pretty, as Khushi was wearing long beige color skirt with navy blue top, her hair was in high pony tail giving him the look of her creamy swan neck. He wanted to lick her there and taste her skin, "huh .. what dude come on what I am thinking remember you are ASR, not some fool teenager." Thought Arnav and turn his head away to his phone.

Khushi - ohh my why he have to look handsome always, Arnav was wearing black 3 piece with mehroon shirt, his one leg was bend over his other, his one hand was on table raised by elbow and other was busy with his phone, Khushi too saw him looking at her for a minute and then he move his gaze away.

Then the door open and Aman came in with 2 men following behind, "here we are Mr. Sinha", Aman said to a middle age man.

Mr. Sinha moves forward shakes hand with Arnav "ASR" he said while shaking hands. Arnav just nods his head and looks at Lavanya," Lavanya the designs?".

Lavanya push Khushi forward, "yes ASR, Khushi could you please show Mr. Sinha the designs."

"Yes Mam", said Khushi and put the folder on table infront of Mr. Sinha and opens it, "Sir the designs". Said Khushi.

Everyone seated on their respective chairs.

Mr. Sinha smiles at Khushi and looks at the designs. He went through 5 designs and was impressed, well he hardly doubt that, that he would be disappointed as it was AR he chooses for his collection, it should be perfect and yes it was.

"Nice ASR, these are nice and really exquisite." He went through all the designs then moves the folder towards his PA and discusses something with him then said, "ASR all are fine , I was thinking this design has a very simple blouse, don't you think, some more could do it", and also he point out some other things in 2 other designs.

Khushi was about to say something when Lavanya held her hand under the table as she was sitting beside her and gesture through her eyes in a NO. She remain silent, Arnav just said "hmmm" and looked at the design Sinha was pointing.

He could see that Khushi wanted to say something as it was evident from her posture, "Miss Gupta, you wanted to say something?", Arnav said in a firm voice.

Lavanya looks at Aman in surprise, he too was looking at her with same surprising expression on his face, another new thing happend. ASR never allows his employee to say something or more suggest something in a meeting; it was always ASR doing that and now he asked Khushi to say something. Lavanya looked at Arnav, who was looking at Khushi in a concertizing manner.

"Whats going on between these two", thought Lavanya.

Khushi looked at him and then at Mr. Sinha,"Sir may I suggest something", Sinha look at the young lady and smile and said "yeah sure".

"Sir this design has simple blouse because if you can see the border of this which is going up the shoulder have a little heavy border, if we put designs on blouse then neither the border would point out nor the blouse, it will get mixed with shade when wore in lights you know. The simple blouse will enhance the border more and will also give contrast to the skin". She also counters her other designs in which Sinha want to do changes.

Sinha got impress by her explanation and said, "well you are right . Thanks dear" then he looks toward ASR, "well ASR we will take all of them, as it is as they are".

"Good , said Arnav" he takes the folder from the table and extends it towards Aman, "Aman take these designs to work shop and tell them to start working on them, I want to see some designs ready by next week." Aman takes the file and moves out of the room.

"When we will get the collection ready ASR?" Asked Sinha.

"You will get them within 3 weeks time", said Arnav.

"Well don't be late then that my boy" Sinha laugh a little .

Arnav stood up and put his both hands on table and said in a deep voice, "AR is never late with its delivery Mr. Sinha".

Sinha smile fell. Before there could be any dis-pleasantries Lavanya quickly said, "Come Mr. Sinha I will tell you about further details". Mr. Sinha followed Lavanya out of room.

Khushi too stood up to go out but then Arnav said, "Well miss Gupta its like you have earned the job", Khushi instantly turn back and look at Arnav in surprise. "I never back out of my words Miss Gupta, Client liked the designs and you got the job, that's the deal wasn't it? Be in my cabin in 15 minutes." With that he moves towards the door, he was about to open it when he heard a little growling. He turn towards Khushi and saw her hand on stomach.

Khushi looked embarrassed, not meeting his eye. "Have something first then you can come." With that Arnav moves out of conference room, leaving a surprise but happy Khushi behind.

After 30 minutes Khushi was sitting infront of Arnav in his cabin. "here .. (he extends some papers towards Khushi) your AR contract, go through it and sign it" .

Khushi took the papers and read it, its a one year contract stating that she will only work for AR for one year, no freelance work, she can't reveal anything related to AR to a third person. She cannot leave the job before 6 months if she does she will have to pay 6 months' salary in advance. That's what she wanted isn't it, to work in AR, to work along side him, she thought and she signed the papers.

Arnav took the paper and said, "Welcome to AR Miss Gupta" Khushi look him in the eye, there was a certain glint in his eyes, she couldn't tell what it was but she gulped a little seeing that and her heart started to beat fast. She remembered Lavanya words that ASR doesn't like formal greetings then why he just said welcome to her.

"Well Khushi now you will be here around me for a long time, we will see how you can deny me" he thought, oh yes he wanted her, that was for sure now ... but why he doesn't know himself but he wants to find it out asap.

Khushi stands up and said "thank you sir".

"ASR", Arnav said.

"what?" Khushi replied.

"Call me ASR not sir". Arnav said in a commanding tone.

Khushi fidget with her fingers looking down, "I don't like that". Arnav raised an eyebrow at that.

Khushi looked at him and said, "I .. mm ... I don' like that .. ASR ... It sound like you are some type of mafia or don", Khushi said hesitatingly. Arnav was amuse at her comparing his name who scare others and she is comparing that with mafia. "you are weird Khushi", thought Arnav.

Khushi looked up and saw Arnav's serious expression, "umm can i call you by your name, I like it that way more", Arnav look at her, she is looking so cute with her nervous expressions.

He thought at first to deny, but then said "ok".

Khushi instantly smile wide and said "thank you Arnav Sir" and she left the cabin Arnav was mesmerized how good his name sounded from her mouth, oh how will it sound when he will take her to extreme pleasure, oh shit ... why I always think about her ... dammit!, he sighed and close his eyes.

After few minutes his cabin door open and Aman came in, Arnav opens his eyes and look at Aman "ASR, Sharma's are here to sign the Goa deal" Arnav nodded his head and move to meeting room to sign the deal.

Few minutes before the closing time Arnav stood near the wall size glass window, he slides it open and looks down at the entire hall. He saw Khushi standing beside Prachi in one of the cubicle, "LISTEN EVERONE", Arnav voice boomed in entire hall making everybody silent, and look up at him.

"AR got the Goa's deal and now soon opening a Grant hotel plus resort in Goa at the end of this year, for that there is going to be a small party tomorrow. Be there". Everyone clapped and congrats ASR, but Arnav held his hand up. "LAVANYA you handle the party, it will be at AR in evening tomorrow."

"Alright ASR" Lavanya thumbs up to him, he rolled his eyes at her gesture and turn towards his desk. He was happy to sign that deal. Another huge step taken by AR towards success.

TO BE CONTINUED ... (next update will be on monday)

PRECAP: Party @ AR ... Arshi in a lift ... Kiss or no Kiss 😛