Chapter 11

Soon it was 7.00pm, time of party and the employees started to arrive, some in formal suits and some in casual but all going with the theme that was white and blue, as Lavanya have informed everyone about the theme. Lavanya was wearing a pretty off shoulder knee length blue dress.

She found Khushi at the buffet table.

"Khushi what are you doing here, go get ready people are coming and ASR will also be here in few minutes", said Lavanya while dragging Khushi away from the table.

"Mam, just few more minutes I just have to check the dishes", said Khushi.

"No, leave it I will do it you go and get ready.", with that Lavanya pushed Khushi towards the changing rooms at the end of the hall.

Khushi went to rooms allocated for men and women to change behind the hall. She wore a beautiful blue sari with light silver work on it. She came out after half an hour. And move towards Lavanya.

"Wow you look beautiful Khushi", said Lavanya. "Thanks Mam", replied Khushi.

"But why sari, you could have told me I would have got you a nice gown or a cocktail dress".

"No Mam, I feel much more comfortable in it" said Khushi.

"Stop with the Mam will you, we are not in office, call me Lavanya", said Lavanya smilingly.

"uh ok Lavanya ji", Khushi too smiled back.

Arnav arrived at that time with Akash, Anjali, Mamaji, Mamiji and Rahul. Nani ji excused herself from the party and was looking after Arush.

"Wow Chotey, hall looks beautiful", said Anjali looking impressed at the arrangements. Rahul too praises it.

"Di, please .. not here", said an irritated Arnav.

"Ok ok Arnav ", Anjali giggled.

Lavanya spotted Anjali and went to her, " hey Anji , how are you darling?". Lavanya hugged her.

Anjali too hugged her back, "I am fine but I must say the arrangements are fantastic .. amazing job haan" she said.

"Oh that, well its not me this whole (she gesture with her hand towards hall) is Khushi's idea."

Arnav turn his head at the mention of Khushi's name.

"What, Khushi did that?", Akash asked Lavanya, getting impressed and surprised at the same time.

"Yeah I called her in the morning as I wanted some suggestion but she went along with all the arrangements by herself. And I must she is very good with this stuff, not only at designing ASR". Lavanya answered while looking at Arnav. Arnav too got surprise to hear that.

"Ohh ... Where is she? ... I want to meet her", said Anjali grabbing Lavanya's arm.

"Sure Anji she was just right here (she turned to look at the stage) but I guess she again went to look after some arrangements. I told her to stop it . Well come on enjoy the party." With that Lavanya dragged Anjali with her.

Khushi has seen Arnav coming in the hall, looking dashing in his white coat pant, with royal blue shirt and white tie. Her heart beat instantly rose seeing him. She was feeling nervous going infront of him.

"Oh why this happens to me (her heart going DHAK DHAK) arrghh oh I hate him .. hate him" she whimpers.

Akash went on the little stage and take the mike, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. As you might all know this party is for getting the Goa deal, opening of Hotel plus resort in Goa. Bhai (he looked at Arnav) many congratulations from all of us". With that all people clapped "Now lets just enjoy the party guys".

With that the DJ started playing the music and some people went to dance floor and some were helping themselves to snacks and drinks. Arnav was looking here and there for Khushi, he haven't seen her but he wanted to know what she is wearing, will she be wearing a cocktail dress or a gown, the very thought was igniting his thoughts about her.

Meanwhile Khushi was standing by the pillar near the dance floor, Due to the pillar Arnav could not see her. She was smiling and looking at the people dancing. Aman comes to her.

"Hey Khushi What are you doing here alone? Why not dancing?" Aman asked her.

Khushi got fluster a little being asked by Aman. "uh Sir I don't have friends here so I am just standing "

"Well that can be solved now." With that he extends his hand towards Khushi and said "Hi, I am Aman Mathur, Khushi will you be my friend?"

Khushi was surprised a bit but she liked Aman, a good hearted guy and a gentlemn. She shakes his hand smilingly and said "Ok friends ".

"Come on lets dance", Said Aman.

"Oh no I don't ... I shouldn't" Khushi tried to say but Aman grabs her hand and take her to dance floor "Relax Khushi I am not gona touch you or something just a casual friendly dance", said Aman smiling at her.

With that Aman started some dance moves while maintaining a little distance from her. Khushi laughed a little seeing Aman dance like that. She was glad that Aman was not like other guys who find this opportunity to touch girls while dancing. Khushi starts to follow his moves.

That's when Arnav spot her dancing with Aman. He doesn't like seeing her dance like that with Aman. His stare soon turn into heated gaze. Some with anger and some intense seeing Khushi in Sari "She looks extra hot in Sari", was his thought.

Khushi too sense someone's gaze on her and then suddenly she got the goose bumps .. she knew exactly whom will be staring at her, she turns and saw Arnav standing few steps away with Lavanya beside the Bar. She excuse to Aman and move to the other side.

He saw her back .. oh gosh he could see her waist and creamy back, as Khushi had put her hair in a loose bun and her hair was coming just below her neck. His hand itched to run on her back. He also notice some men ogling on her, he didn't like that a bit. He moves toward her. Khushi got nervous finding Arnav staring at her, so she moves toward the end of hall, feel like to splash some water on her face. Suddenly someone grabs her wrist and pull her behind the pillar at the corner of the hall . Khushi look and saw Arnav standing right infront of her, close. She could smell his musky after shave and fragrance filling her nostrils. She was getting intoxicated. Arnav move one step ahead and Khushi moves back but her back touched with pillar. She looked up and saw Arnav's intense eyes. She cast her lashes down. She didn't dare look into his eyes. His intense eyes unnerving her.

"So you did the arrangements?", Arnav said a little huskily. Khushi just nodded her head.

Arnav place his finger on her left cheek near ear and trace it down towards her jaw. Khushi shiver a little at his touch and grabs her sari with both hands. His other hand go back to her head and he took out the clip, her hair fall back like a waterfall , "so silky and smooth", he thought as his hand touched her hair.

"Now its better", he said. Khushi look up in his eyes. He put her clip in his pocket and turns away.

Khushi put her hand on her heart as it was beating hard.

"Waise ...(pause) ... yeh color tum pe ..(pause).. itna bhi bura nahi lagta (By the way, this color is looking not that bad on you)", he said smirking and went away.

Oh gosh why was she thinking of kissing him, when he came close like that. She smack her head a liitle "tu bhi na khushi pagal hai". (you Khushi is just crazy).

Soon it was dinner time and everyone was having dinner, Lavanya was with Anjali and other business people talking. Khushi was with Prachi and Aman having her dinner. Time to time Khushi find Arnav looking at her, which is making her nervous. Soon it was dessert time and as this was Khushi's favorite she practically filled her plate with jelly, custard and some kheer.

"Oh wowhh Khushi are you gona eat all this?, Aman asked Khushi getting surprised at her appetite.

"yes you know Aman (she dropped the Sir as Aman asked ... no, insisted her to, reminding her that they are now friends) I just LLOOVVEEE sweets every type of sweets mostly ice cream and jalebis" she chirped happily taking a spoon full of jelly and custard. And Aman smile seeing her enjoying her dessert.

Meanwhile Arnav came there to talk something to Aman, Khushi saw him and just out of good gesture she asked him, "Sir would you like some dessert? .. this kheer is really good" , as they were standing near the dessert table.

"I don't eat sweets Miss Gupta", Arnav replied. "Uh .. why", asked Khushi.

Instead of replying to Khushi Arnav look at Aman and says,"Aman give me the Goa contract file before going" and turned away.

Khushi was about to call him but Aman grabs her arm, "Khushi ASR can't have sweets ... he is diabetic", Aman told her.

"WHHAAAT .." Khushi said a little loud her hand stopped in middle as she was about to eat her dessert "shhhsh will you" Aman hush her.

"He can't have sweets ,,, he is diabetic" how come she didn't know that, thought Khushi. That something important about Arnav as she knew other many things about him and she didn't know that. Not having sweets is something Khushi can't even imagine. And Arnav cant have sweets, the thought making her sad. She just loves sweets. She looked down at her plate which still had half the dessert left, suddenly she doesn't feel like having her own and she put down the plate.

"Now What happened to you?", Aman asked "I don't feel like having it", Khushi replied

"Huh? ,,, but you said you love sweets?", Aman got confuse.

Khushi didn't reply to that and said, "its getting late I should go home".

"Oh ok I will drop you", Aman offers and but Khushi refuses, "Its ok Aman I will manage", she give half smile to him and moves from there.

Arnav who see all this also moves towards Khushi. Khushi spots Lavanya talking to some employee and moves toward her, "Excuse me Lavanyaji, its getting late I think I should go home" ..

"No no wait .. I want you to meet someone", Lavanya said and moves to find Anjali.

Khushi fidget with her Sari and then she hears Arnav asking her, "Khushi why did you left your dessert?", as he wanted to know if she loves sweet so much then why she had left it.

Khushi who was not expecting this, looks up in his eyes rather sadly and without answering she turns away and moves toward exit.

Arnav who clearly not expecting this got angry suddenly, "How dare she avoid my question and walk away?".

That time Lavanya came there with Anjali along, "where is Khushi?". Arnav who was about to shout call back Khushi stopped as he cant do it in front of his sister. He moves towards the exit too.

Anjali asked him, "where are you going?" But Arnav didn't answer... at same time Lavanya gesture towards exit, "hey there is Khushi" Anjali looks towards exit and saw a girl wearing blue sari with long hair move out of exit, she could only see her back. And Soon Arnav too followed Khushi out.

"Khushi stop", Arnav said a little loud seeing Khushi about to turn a corner but Khushi didn't stop and moves towards elevator, as she doesn't want to have any encounter with him. Arnav got more angry and took hurried step towards her.

Khushi went into the lift and press the Ground Floor button, before the lift's door could close completely, a foot came in between and stop the door from closing. Khushi looked up and saw none other than Arnav standing before her. Khushi becomes a little scared seeing Arnav's angry expression, she knew what she had done would surely made him angry.

Arnav came in and lift door closed behind him. "How dare you walk away when I was talking to you?", said Arnav angrily.

Khushi was now fidgeting with her sari pallu in her hand and said "Its late and I want to go home" looking down.

Before Arnav could say something the lift stops with a jerk and lights went off. Khushi screamed, "ARRNNAAAV SIR" and extend her hand to locate Arnav. Arnav got worried hearing Khushi's scream.

"Khushi relax I am here", said Arnav and caught Khushi's arm. Khushi immediately hugs him.

"humain undhery se bhut dar lagta ha (i am very scared of dark)", said Khushi with panicking voice.

Lift jerked again and moved down a bit. Arnav and Khushi both stumbled but Arnav held himself and Khushi too. He held Khushi against the lift's wall. Khushi's back to the wall and she was facing him. Arnav quickly takes his cell out and press the button and held it near her face. The cell light fell on Khushi's face.

"Khushi its ok light must went and the generator must be having problem in starting, it will be alright in few minutes", said Arnav.

He can clearly see fear on Khushi's face. Khushi place her hands on his chest and grab his coat in both her hands and nods her head at what Arnav said. Arnav couldn't help but admire her beauty even in the minimum light coming from his cell. She looks so pure and innocent with her eyes looking at his chest, breathing a little heavy. He thought to distract her and place his left hand on her back at waist and said very huskily, "Khushi ".

Khushi's eyes shot up and met with his eyes (its the first time Khushi heared her name from him consciously as before she was scared due to darkness so couldn't focus on her name. But now she feel warm about it and a little happy, she could feel her skin burning where his hand was placed. She gulps a little at the new feeling.

Arnav move more closely, his chest now touching her heaving bosoms, Khushi place her hands on his shoulder. Arnav started drawing invisible pattern on her waist with his finger, Khushi felt a shiver ran down her spine and she starts to breath more heavier, she looked down not able to meet Arnav's intense gaze. Arnav caresses her cheek with his right hand still holding the mobile and whispered, "Khushi ... Why didn't you have the dessert?".

Khushi was not at all expecting this question from him, looked into his eyes all confused. His hand on her waist playing havoc in her body, she was so lost in his touch, " huh ..." that's all that could came out of her mouth at that time.

"Khushi mein ne pocha k tumne apna dessert kion nahi kahya (Khushi i asked that why didnt you have your dessert?)" , asked Arnav. He was loving the affect he is having on her.

"Wo hum mm app (me ... you)" , Khushi stammered.

"Hum kia Khushi? (me what .. khushi) ", asked Arnav, again in a very husky voice.

"Ap nahi kha sakhtey na (as you can't have it) ", she said sadly yet so innocently that Arnav couldn't help but smile.

The fact that Khushi left her desert because he had diabetes and he can't eat sweets made him a little happy. It's the first time that someone, other than his Di, felt for him for not having sweets.

He didn't know what to answer so he just did what he never did before in his life, he leaned in and peck her cheek softly. Then look straight into Khushi's shocked eyes. Khushi could feel butterflies in her stomach. She looked at his lips then his eyes, she suddenly have this feeling to kiss him, she look at his lips again. Before both could comprehend further lift jerked again and started to move down slowly. Khushi shout "Hey Devi Maiya" and hugged Arnav. Arnav felt the desire building inside his body due to her soft body touching his hard one. He places both his hand on her back and hug her back, careful of placing his cell on upward direction so that there could be a little light inside the lift.

Then the lifts lights came back and Khushi pulled herself back from the hug, too embarrassed at what she did, she just moved away from Arnav to the other side of the lift. Arnav put his cell back in his pocket and looked at Khushi. He could see red color adoring her cheeks. Lift came to the ground floor. The door open and Khushi move ahead to walk outside the lift and at the same time Arnav press the B button for basement.

Khushi walked out of lift but left a tug on her sari pallu, she quickly turn back and see her sari's pallu got stuck in Arnav's wrist watch and she look at Arnav. Before the door could close, Khushi went into the lift again with hurried steps. She tried to take the end of her pallu out from his watch but couldn't as her hands were shaking a little.

"Wait ", said Arnav and takes her pallu out.

Khushi moved back a step. The lift door open.. Khushi went out quickly but stopped after few step, she was now in basement underground parking. It was dark with only one or two lights on. She gasp and turn back and bump into Arnav. Hed her with her arms and steady her. He could see the fear again on her face.

"Come I will drop you?" said Arnav, he did another thing which he doesn't do, asking a girl to drop her home.

"Nahi hum khud chaley jayein gey (No i can go by myself) ", said Khushi looking down and moves towards the lift to go to the ground floor.

But Arnav held her hand in his and started to move towards his car. Khushi silently followed him, as she knew it won't help arguing with him and also somewhere in her heart she too wanted to be with him as she was still scared. Arnav reached his SUV and open the locks with pressing the button on his car keys. Then he opens the passenger door and gesture Khushi to sit. Khushi hesitantly sat in his car. He then sits on the driver's seat and started the engine.

He then put on his seat belt and asked Khushi to put on hers too. "Seat belt pehno (Wear the seat belt) ", said Arnav a bit sternly.

Khushi who was still very nervous because of Arnav being this close was having difficulty with the belt. Arnav saw this and leaned ahead and put the belt on her. Khushi leaned back seeing him do that and held her breath. Arnav then drove the car out of office building.

"Where is your home?", he asked and Khushi told him her apartment address.

Arnav drove in silence, Khushi looked at Arnav. He too looked at Khushi at the same moment. Khushi seeing that quickly turn her head and started to see outside the window. Arnav could not help but smile. Arnav time to time move his eyes towards Khushi while driving. Khushi was aware of his gaze but couldn't see towards him as she was feeling very shy. She too was smiling remembering what happened in the lift, how Arnav distracted her with his question and then kiss her on her cheek, on this her hand flew to her cheek on its on accord. Arnav saw that and see the smile on her face, he too smile a little remembering the reason of her smile.

After 20 mins of driving they reach her apartment. Arnav looked at the 5 story building ahead and asked her, "which one is yours?".

"2^nd one to the right on 3^rd floor. 7-B" , said Khushi and went out of the car.

Arnav too came out of car and stand facing the building. Khushi came to him and said "hum chaltey hain (i should leave)". Arnav just nod his head.

She moves towards the building, climbed the 4 stairs and move toward the building door, Arnav stood there watching her go. Khushi stopped suddenly and turn back and saw Arnav still standing there looking at her with his hands in his pant pockets, she hurriedly moves toward Arnav and stand right in front of him. Arnav took his hands out and was going to ask her what happen.

But before he could say something, Khushi leaned in and peck his right cheek and said near his ear, "Thank you Arnav sir" and runs inside the building without looking back at him.
She wanted to thank him for his concern in the lift and care for dropping her home, it was an impulsive move on her part. She also knew its not right as they don't share any other relation beside of employer and employee but she doesn't know what made her do this but she did it and has no regret about it.

Arnav stood there stilled, surprised at her gesture. His right hand flew to his cheek where her lisps had touched just few secs ago. Her lips are so soft, he thought. He was lost in her lips thoughts when his phone beeped, he saw a msg from his Di asking where he is and when he is coming home, he replied back that he will be home in 15 mins and sit in his car and drove to his home.

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Khushi hurriedly walked to her apartment and went in, close the door and leaned her back to the door. She clutched her sari near her heart, as her heart was beating fast. She placed her hand on her cheek where Arnav had kissed her and she blushed remembering that. She still could feel the rough texture of his stubble and his soft but warm HOT lips. She smiled at her own thinking and put her index finder between her lips chewing on it. Then she remembered that she too kissed him on his cheek. She smack her head, "Oh God Khushi what did you just do? You kissed him on his cheek Oh GOD you are really mad jiji is right", she thought nervously. "What if he doesn't like it? What if it makes him angry?" Khushi slowly moves toward her room while thinking that. She changed into her pajama bottoms and loose tee and went to bed.

She took her OM locket out and tosses it in her hand, remembering the lift incident, smiling and blushing, she finally fell asleep.

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Arnav went into his home with a smile playing on his lips, not his usual smirk but a real smile. Anjali and Akash was waiting for him in the living room, Anjali worried a little as he suddenly went from the party. She saw Arnav coming towards the living room with a smile on his face. Anjali stunned seeing his brother smiling after so long.

She quickly grabs Akash's arm and said, "Akaaasshh pinch me".

"whaat ?" , Akash said looking at her confused.

"Akash pinch me, will you I am surely dreaming", said Anjali totally lost.

Akash looks towards where Anjali was looking and he too got surprised looking at his brother.

Arnav comes in the living room lost in his own thoughts. "Chottey" he heard his Di. Arnav looks up and saw a surprised looking Anjali and Akash.

"What?", he asked. Anjali came forward and places her hand on his forehead.

"Are you alright?", said Anjali.

"I am fine Di", said Arnav and removes Anjali's hand from his forehead.

"You are smiling, you know (she cupped his cheek) I am seeing you smiling almost after 2 years. I am so happy" said Anjali with moist eyes.

Arnav suddenly change his expressions into his usual cold one. "Its nothing Di." With that he moves towards stairs to go to his room.

Anjali turn and looked at Arnav. She held Akash's arm again and said, "Akash I have to meet that girl, the one in blue green sari, Khushi was her name right I have a feeling that girl has something to do with Chotey's smiling like that."

Akash looked towards his Di and nods his head, "yeah Di, I too wonder what Khushi ji had done", he said smiling a little.

Arnav enter his room, frustrated now. Why he was smiling remembering her, he thought and banged the door close. He takes his coat off and throws it on bed and paces to and fro in his room, clenched his hand into a fist. His Di noticed his change behavior. From the past two years he had practice the art of indifference, not to show any kind of emotions not even a smile. He didn't like that because of Khushi his behavior is changing. Why does he have to make Khushi relax in the lift and why he dropped her home? He don't like being soft towards anyone, he don't want to be that person. "NO it wouldn't happen", he thought irritated. He has to keep his persona of being arrogant intact. He took his towel and went to washroom to change.

After few mins he came back and lay on bed. He is ruthless and arrogant ASR to the world except his sister Anjali, she meant a world to him, but this girl Khushi Gupta, its been only 5 days with her and she had already started creeping into his life and he did not like the feeling of it. He doesn't want to be that caring person he once was. "It was just a stupid thing to do", he thought about his cheek kiss. "I will make sure nothing will happen of this sort again", thinking that he tired to sleep.

TO BE CONTINUED ...

(next update will be on wednesday)

PRECAP: Khushi meets Anjali

comments are welcome 😊