Chapter 12

Everyone was seated at the dining table having their breakfast. Anjali thought of something to check and asked Akash, while keeping an eye on Arnav, "Akash you remember na what I asked you yesterday".

"What Di?", Akash who got confused.

"About Khushi", said Anjali and she noticed how Arnav suddenly look at her with strange expressions and instead of Akash it was Arnav who asked her, "What about Khushi?".

Oh so we are not that unaffected are we chottey, Anjali thought and smile inwardly.

"That I want to meet her", Anjali replied.

"Why?", again questioned by Arnav. Now everyone was taking interest in the conversation.

"Because, I want too (pause) and also I need her help.", said Anjali with a smile while she feed Arush his cereal.

"Why you need her help Di?", asked Arnav.

"Well yesterday I really liked how she arranged the party and I was thinking to arrange some charity function at Second Life so I thought to ask her help in it." Anjali replied coolly.

"She is a designer not some management worker", Arnav replied. "Beside why we have Event planners for, I can arrange some for you".

"No, I don't need some planner, I need Khushi's help". Anjali replied looking straight into Arnav's eye.

"But Di she has work at office to take care of", Arnav tired to say, as the thought of not seeing Khushi in office was making him a bit uncomfortable.

"How many designers we have at AR?", Anjali asked.

"Huh..?", Arnav got confuse as why she is asking that.

"Haan Akash, tel me (Anjali looked at Akash) how many designers are there in AR?"

"um .. mmm I guess around 30-40 Di", Akash said while trying to remember how many there are in AR.

"So if I take one of your designers to do my help, it will be not much of a problem will it?", Anjali asked Akash and Arnav all lovy dovy.

"Nope, I guess not", Akash replied and Arnav quickly gave him an angry glare, which didn't go unnotice by Anjali

hmmm not liking that are we, thought Anjali looking at Arnav.

"So its settle then Akash can you talk to Khushi about it", Anjali said to Akash, who just nodded in response.

After a thought Anjali said, " mmm chottey why don't you give me her number after all it was you who dropped her yesterday, isn't it?", Anjali said while looking at Arnav.

Arnav, who was drinking his juice, choked a little hearing this.
"Sambhal k Bitwa (Carefull Son)", said Mamaji.

Arnav looked at his Di and said, "Di . how . .. you .." he was about to ask but then he understood remembering Akash and Di waiting for him yesterday night. He looked at Akash, anger clearly visible on his face.

"uh .. bhai .. wo umm you left the party so suddenly and didn't even pick my call so I asked Amit about you (he paused a little and pointed towards Anjali) .. uh bhai I didn't want to but Di made me call him", Akash quickly finished.

Arnav knew he cant deny that and also he never like to Lie so he just shurgs his shoulder a bit and said, "yeah so I dropped her".

"Chottey apne ", Nani who also got surprise hearing it, as Arnav don't do such things and that too helping his employee, was about to say something but Manorma cut her.

"Arnav bitwa ap kahe dropped kiye rahey uuh Khushi ko haan? pehley toh kabhi kisi ko isterhan drop nahi kiye rahey? (Arnav why did you dropped that Khushi? you never drop anyone like that before?) ".

Arnav who was now getting irritated stood up and said, "Whatever ... I have some work to do", with that he moves toward his room.

Anjali who was noticing all his expressions and reactions concluded one thing that there is something about Khushi thats making Arnav behave this way. After their mother, it was Anjali who actually raise his brother keeping in mind his every need and mood. So she can sense Arnav's behavior and changing moods better with the passing time. And how could she forget that smile on her brother's face yesterday, which she have seen after so long and she had decided then and there that she will defiantly meet this Khushi and find out if there is really something between her and Chottey.

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Khushi was climbing down the stairs of mandir, as she has gone to her Devi Maiya to thank her for giving her the job at AR. She was eating the parsad while waiting for rickshaw to go home when she saw a little girl running on the street. Girl got tripped on something and fell on the road; Khushi eyes got wide seeing a car approaching her. She quickly run in her direction and grabs little girl's arm and pull her away from the street before the car could get close to her.

"Ap theek ho beta? (Are you all right beta?)", Khushi asked the little girl who was now crying.

"Didi, dard ho raha hai (It is paining Didi)", little girl said while crying and showed her elbow to Khushi.

"ohh ... ro nahi beta hum abhi thek ker daitey hein .. ap kahan se arahey ho, gher kahan ha ap ka (Don't cry dear, I will make it right, where are you coming from, where is your house?) ", Khushi asked the little girl grabbing her elbow and running her hand on it soothingly.

The little girl gestures towards a building behind them. Khushi pick the girl in her arms and walk towards the building. She went in through the open black steel gates, she could see gardens on both side and kids of different ages playing. Khushi looked up at the building and instantly become sad seeing the signboard.

"Second Life Orphanage and Women NGO".

Khushi moves toward the bench, in the garden besides the gates and place the little girl on it.

"Wait beta hum abhi atey hain (Wait dear I will just come)", Khushi said and look here and there if she could found an elder who can help her with girl's injury.

The little girl didn't stop crying so Khushi bend down and wipe her face with her dupatta (Khushi was wearing light blue churidar and kameez).

"shhs beta rotey nahi, ap toh achey bachey ho na (Shhsh don't cry, you are a good girl right)", Khushi tried to calm her down.

"Reena kia hua beta ap ko? (Reena what happened to you dear?)" Khushi heard a lady's voice behind her and she stood up and found a pretty woman of early 30's, wearing jeans and white kurti who was now bending towards the little girl.

"Didi chot lagi (Didi i got hurt)", Reena said while crying and showing her elbow to the woman. Woman saw the wound and quickly stood up and call someone, "Ramu kaka Ramu kaka " an old man came running there.

"Ji Bibi ji", said Ramu kaka.

"Ap jaldi se first aid box le ayi aur ik glass pani bhi (quickly bring the first aid box and a glass of water)", said the woman. Ramu kaka nods his head and moves in the building.

Woman now turn toward Khushi and asked, "Ap?".

Khushi replied, "umm I am Khushi.. (she point to the girl) she was running on the road and fell down, a car was coming towards her so I hurriedly picked her up and came here. Is she .. is she? (Khushi pointed toward the sign board).

"Yeah she is an orphan", woman said in a low and sad tone. Then extends her hand towards Khushi and said, "Hi I am Anjali and thanks for helping Reena".

Khushi shakes her hand with Anjali and smiled, "no problem at all". Ramu kaka came with the first aid box and glass of water and hand it to Anjali. Khushi takes the glass and made Reena drink it and after that she stopped crying. Anjali bandaged Reena's wound and told Ramu kaka to take her in.

Anjali and Khushi started talking, Anjali told her about the place. That how she was an orphan herself and decided to make an Orphanage home to help Children with the help of her brother. Later how she turns this orphanage into an NGO as well, a year back, who will help troubled women. Anjali showed Khushi around the building. It was 3 stories wide building which have big lawns on both sides with swings and all usual playthings for kids. There was a courtyard at the back and further ahead another building for women.

The ground floor contains of offices, Emergency room and Food Court Area. The first floor contains of rooms for little children aging from baby to 8 and the 2^nd floor contain rooms for a bit elder children aged 10 to 15. Khushi was happy seeing all this, being an orphan too she sometimes visits to Orphanage, near her home, to donate money and stuff when she was in Mumbai. Anjali hugged Khushi when she told her that she too was an orphan and how later her parents adopted her. Anjali and Khushi became friends after that. Khushi jumped with joy when Anjali take her into the baby's room, where isolated babies were placed in cribs.

"Anjali ji I just love babies, they are so adorable and cute, hain na", Khushi said happily. And Anjali just smile wide at her, "yes they are indeed" and saw Khushi playing with one of the baby girl.

Soon it was evening and Khushi didn't know how time passed so quickly. She said good bye to Anjali with the promise that she will come to Orphanage more often.

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Next day Monday - RM

Arnav was all set to leave for office when he saw Rahul coming through the front door. "Jiju you at this time?", Arnav asked.

"yeah I come here to take Anjali and Arush to the hospital", Rahul replied Arnav with a small smile.

"Why what happened to Arush?", Arnav asked and Rahul notice the hint of concern in his voice.

"What do you care? Haan", said Anjali from behind carrying Arush in her arms.

"Di .. please just tell me what happen", he said and moves towards Anjali and put his hand on Arush's forehead to check if he has temperature or not. Arush who saw Arnav touching his forehead, quickly grabs Arnav's coat cuff and started to wiggle in Anjali arms so that he can go to Arnav's arms.

But Anjali move Arush away from Arnav and said, "You go to office and no need to worry for him, remember you told me that you don't care about him and beside he has ME, he doesn't need you", said Anjali looking straight into her brothers eyes to see if she can see some emotions or not and surely she was not wrong, she did saw anger flash in her brother's eyes but as usual he quickly hide it under his cold avatar.

Arnav fist his hand to control his anger. Rahul who saw that, gestures Anjali to go outside while he put his hand on Arnav's shoulder and said in a calm tone, "Don't worry Arnav, nothing is wrong with Arush, its just a regular check up".

Arnav nods his head to Rahul and moves toward living room to take his bag. Rahul who was about to go out of the front door when Arnav call him back, "Jiju (pause as he didn't know what to say) .. umm wo ..".

Rahul smile and said, "I will call and tell you about him" and move out.

Arnav got relaxed thanking his jiju mentally for understanding him. Then he called Akash to go for office and went out.

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@ AR ...

Khushi was happy and smiling, she just came to office around 8.30am and put her stuff on her cubicle (as she got her own cubicle now between Prachi and Sameer). She went towards Arnav's cabin as she brought fresh yellow, white and red roses to thank him for helping her on party night and also to drop her home. A slight blush appears on her face as she recalls the lift incident how he had kissed her cheek. She looked around his cabin to find something to put flowers in, thats when she saw an empty glass vase on rack in cupboard. She takes the vase and place it on his table and put the flowers in and arrange them. Then she was about to go out when she remembers and quickly wrote a note and place it beside the vase and happily moves out and went to her cubicle.

Luckily Annie and not many other employees were in yet, thats why Khushi came early so that she can place the flowers in Aranv's cabin.

Soon the office filled with employees and Arnav too comes in along with Akash. He didn't stop for a second and went straight to his cabin.

"uh oh ASR is not in a good mood today", Prachi whisper to Khushi. Khushi looked at retreating back of Arnav who was on stairs and the gone.

"Annie my coffee NOW", Arnav barked an order on poor Annie who just stayed mum and nods her head. Arnav move in his cabin and then stopped in middle as he saw the vase with flowers on the table. He seethe in anger as who dare put those flowers on his table when everyone knew he hate that kind of thing.

"ANNIE ..", he roared in Anger. Khushi who was about to put some papers in a folder, jerk as she hear his loud voice. Everyone stopped and look up towards his cabin's glass window as to see what is going on.

Annie hurriedly went inside his cabin and asked a little shaken, "yes ASR?".

"What the hell is this?? Who PUT THIS HERE?", he asked furiously.

Annie saw the flowers and her eyes widen in shock seeing flowers on her boss's table. She quickly went towards it and saw there was a note as well.

"mm ASR I don't know who put it here, it has a note as well", she picks the note and extends it towards ASR.

Arnav snatch the note from her hand and see what was written in it .."

Arnav Sir Thank you for all the help on Saturday

. Khushi

Arnav crumbled and note and throw it on the floor and looked at Annie and said, "GET OUT" .

Annie hurriedly went out. Arnav moves towards his glass window and saw some people looking at his direction, he saw Khushi talking to Prachi

"Miss GUPTA " he said very loudly .

Everybody got quit and look back and forth towards Khushi and Arnav.

"In my cabin .. NOW" he said and Khushi got scared a little seeing him in Anger again. She looks toward Prachi who gestures Khushi with her head to move now.

Khushi moves towards the stair, aware of the people looking at her. Arnav moves away from the window and stand next to his table.

With knocking twice Khushi enters his cabin and saw him standing near his table. She comes and stand infront of him few feets away.

"What the hell is this Miss Gupta?", Arnav asked Khushi poitning his hand towards the vase.

Miss Gupta? From Khushi to Miss Gupta again?, thought Khushi then say "These are flowers Arnav Sir", while looking at him, "for you" and smile a little.

Arnav who was already in a bad mood due to Anjali's comment about Arush and then he remembers how Anjali caught his smile and how he decide nothing will happen of that sort.

"What do you think .. haan that I don't know your real motive behind all this?", Arnav said angerliy.

Khushi who was not at all expecting this got shocked hearing it and said "Excuse me, what are you saying Arnav sir?".

"Oh that the middle class girls like you always try to find a way to trap their boss", said Arnav and took one step towards Khushi.

"What? How can you say like that?", Khushi got angry shocked as Arnav accused her of very a wrong thing, which she can never ever think of, forget doing.

"Thats because I know girls like you, who first try to act innocent and ... and then trap rich men by doing all sort of these cheap things (he gesture towards the vase) to impress them and then they try to trap them (as now he remembered about sheena) what you think haan I will get trap by your innocent charms and ... "

Khushi cut him in the middle, "Not everyone is like you Mr. Raizada kuch bhi boley ja rahey hain app (you are saying what not) bolney se pehle soch lia kijye ap .. (think before you speak). Khushi said in equal anger.

"How dare you? NO ONE SPEAKS TO me like that", Arnav was now in full rage.

"Then someone should dare to speak to you like that", Khushi answer back. "I thought that after what happened in lift (Arnav notice a slight nervousness appear on Khushi's face) you .." Khushi try to speak but then Arnav roared back.

"Mere nazdeek tumhari ya us baat ki koi ehmiyat nahi . SAMJHI TUM (there is no importance of you and of that thing near me, do you UNDERSTAND)" and he grabs the vase without thinking and throw it on the floor, the vase broke with a loud bang. Khushi who was not at all expecting this, move backwards frightened.

"Don't you forget whom you are talking to, I am ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA, your boss remember that and don't you dare talk to me like that (Pause) AGAIN." Arnav said loudly.

Khushi who was in equal anger moves ahead and bends down to pick up the flowers and said "hur koi ap ki terhan ghatiya soch nahi rekhta hai samjhey app (not everyone think cheap like you)"

"How dare you?" Arnav was about explode again but then Khushi exclaimed in pain ."uh aahh" .. as she was trying to collect the flowers she pricked her hand with the glass pieces and blood comes out.

"Careful Khushi ", Arnav said quickly as a reflex and moves toward Khushi. Khushi who saw Arnav coming toward her stand up and held her hand in other, with flowers in her arms.

"Leave it Mr. Raizada" she stood up and then moves towards the cabin door and open it, "I just wanted to say thank you for helping me, and as good gesture I bring this flowers but I guess I am wrong, you don't need it " with that Khushi move out and shut the door behind her.

Arnav run his hand through his hair, he didn't want Khushi to get hurt but then again he couldn't even control his anger towards her, he didn't like that one bit. He saw the broken vase and two flowers lying there one white rose and one red rose.

TO BE CONTINUED ...

(next update on Saturday) ... waiting for ur comments and views

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