Chapter 26

Hey Devi Maiya please let him be fine … Khushi repeated for the fifth time holding her OM locket tightly in her hand. She was laying flat on her back on bed. Looking up at the ceiling, her eyes were focus on some dot but her mind and heart was focus on only one person … Arnav Singh Raizada.

She doesn't know that she is angry on him or concern for him. Angry that he didn't tell her where he was going, she was his P.A and she should know about his schedule. For the past 3 weeks Khushi was maintaining and changing his schedule, so she knew about every office or outdoor meeting Arnav has. But today she didn't know where Arnav was ... Hell .. infact no one knows where Arnav was. So is she worried for him then? Yes … yes she is … because she was thinking and praying for him half the day .. isn't she? Khushi ask herself …. She recollects her day …

Around 11am @ AR

"wow Lanvanyaji its so beautiful", Khushi exclaimed with happiness holding the red and cream Lenhga which she designed for Yash Mital's daughter's wedding 2 weeks back.

"Of course it is stupid … (Lavanya smack the back of Khushi's head lightly) because you designed it", said Lavanya smilingly at Khushi.

The Lehnga was just come few minutes ago to AR, Lavanya instantly called Khushi to her cabin to show her. And Khushi was indeed happy seeing the result of her hard work in her hand.

"hmm lets see what ASR will say .. Mr. Mital will be here in noon … have to show him before handing it to the client", said Lavanya looking at the happy face of Khushi.

Khushi expressions got dim a little hearing about Arnav … she got a little nervous that what will Arnav say .. will he like it or not. Of course he is gona like it, he is the one who approve the final design on paper didn't he Khushi. Khushi thought, but still she wanted to hear from Arnav himself that he likes it.

Right then Aman came to Lavanya's Cabin. He look at the Lehnga in Khushi's hand and then look at Lavanya, "is it the order of Mital's daughter?", "yup", Lavanya nodded in reply, "now just have to show it to ASR then we will hand it over to Mr. Mital", said Lavanya. Meanwhile Aman came near Khushi and look at the Lehnga, indeed it was a beautiful one. "hmm no need Lavanya, you just give it to Mr. Mital", said Aman. "why .. what about ASR?", asked Lavanya.

"umm .. he is not here … (at that Khushi look at Aman) … he has gone somewhere", said Aman.

"where?" instantly the word escaped from Khushi's mouth. "I don't know he didn't tell", said Aman looking at Khushi. Then Aman looked at Lavanya and said, "And Lavanya you have to attend the meetings with me today and tomorrow". Khushi looked from Aman to Lavanya; not understanding that whats so important that Arnav had left his work like that, for him his work was of utmost importance.

Lavanya was thinking the same so she asked, "is he ok?" .. "yeah he is" said Aman. "then why he just left his work … he never do that", said Lavanya. Aman just shrugs his shoulder, "Don't know, nobody know what he will be thinking and doing", said Aman casually and move toward the cabin door. He open the door and turn towards them, "Meeting is at 12.30 Lavanya … come to conference room then", said Aman and move out of the cabin missing the worried look on Khushi's face but Lavanya did see that.

Khushi left the cabin quietly and move towards Arnav cabin, she went in. This morning when she came to his cabin to place his schedule Arnav wasn't there, it was surprising for her but then she thought maybe he will come late today. Then she got busy in her work, now when Aman mentions that he will not come now she remember that she hadn't been call by Arnav for any report or work either. She saw Arnav's table there were 2 files but no laptop that tells that he will not come. She became a little sad that she wont be seeing Arnav today but then she thought, why do I care … she shrugs her shoulder and went back to her desk. She checks her email; to her astonishment she hadn't got any work there. Now that's strange, why he would not give me any work?, Khushi thought. Just then her cell rang, she checked it was Anjali calling so she picked up ….

"Hello Anjaliji", said Khushi.

"Hey Khushi … do you know where chottey is?", came worried voice of Anjali.

"No Anjali ji … I don't", said Khushi.

"But you're supposed to be his P.A … so should know where he is", now there was anger in Anjali's voice. Khushi got surprise at her tone.

"umm .. sorry Anjali ji but Arnav sir didn't tell me anything that he would be going or where he is", said Khushi keeping her tone normal.

There was silent for few secs … Khushi got worried … "umm hello Anjali ji you are there?", asked Khushi.

"yeah ,, I am sorry Khushi .. I am just very worried for chottey, he didn't come home last night and he just messaged me that he will be out of city for 2 days but he didn't tell me where he is or with whom, his mobile is switched off so I can't ask him either, Aman and Lavanya don't know also … I called all the branches … he isn't there either.. I thought I should ask you … I am sorry …", Anjali voice was breaking at the end. It was like she was stopping herself from crying. Khushi now got worried listening to that.

"Anjaliji … he must be busy … I am sure he will call you when he will get time", Khushi try to assure Anjali.

"no I don't think so he will call me today ..", said Anjali with a sniff. Now Khushi knew that Anjali must be crying.

"Why wouldn't he call … don't worry Anjali ji he must be busy .. that's it", said Khushi.

"No Khushi … he wont … umm .. today … today is Tania's death Anniversary", said Anjali.

Khushi got still hearing that … "Arush is also crying … its getting difficult managing him", said Anjali again sniffing.

"Arush …", thought Khushi … her heart wrenched hearing about little baby … she wanted to go to him.

"Khushi .. can you … you come here please", request Anjali. Khushi was glad that she asked her that because she too was thinking on the same line. "Anjali ji … I will come there … just let me inform Aman", said Khushi getting up from her chair.

"Thank you Khushi …", said Anjali … "no need Anjaliji .. I will see you soon", said Khushi and cut the call.

Aman was busy in meeting so was Lavanya so she went towards Akash's cabin but surprisingly his sectary told her that he too didn't come to office today. So Khushi told NK to tell Aman about her leave and she left the office.

When she entered RM, she stopped for a minute … but she didn't felt that what she wanted to feel. No slow cool breeze … No tingling feeling that remind her of Arnav … she closes her eyes … she saw Arnav's face but she knew that he isn't home. She opens her eyes and went towards the living area she saw servants working there, putting foams on the floor covering them with white sheets. A pandit was there also in front of havan fire, arraning the things for the pooja. There on a small table she saw a photo of a young pretty woman with mala of flowers around it. She knew it was Tania, she had seen her photos in newspaper magazine when she got married with Arnav. She saw Mamiji talking to Pandit about something, she went to her , "Namastey Mamiji … do you know where is Anjali ji?", Khushi asked her while greeting.

"Hello hi … bitya .. yes Anjali bitya just gone to Sasuma's room", said Mamiji with a little smile. Khushi moves toward the Mandir area, as Nani's room was beside the Mandir. When she was near the dinning area she heard Arush's voice. "Khuyyiii"

Khushi turns back and saw a handsome man holding Arush in his arms while trying to put milk bottle in his mouth. Arush probably have seen Khushi when that man brings him out of the kitchen at the same time when Khushi move past there to go Nani's room. Khushi immediately move towards Arush and extend her hand to take him but the man move him back, "Who are you?", he asked with a stern voice.

Khushi who didn't like his tone but answered, "I am Khushi .." and move her hands to take Arush but the man move one step back. Arush who was wiggling in his arms trying to go to Khushi started to make crying sound .. "Khuyiii …" when he saw that he isn't able to go to her arms.

"Please give him to me …", Khushi move forward … "Excuse me I don't know you … and I can't just gave my nephew to anybody", the man reply harshly and move from here towards living room.

Arush who saw that he was getting away from Khushi now actually started to cry, "Khuyii … naahhh.. khuyii k pass jana …." he manage to say while crying. Khushi who saw that got very angry and move forward and turn that man with a fast pull on his arm, and then quickly grab Arush from him in her arms.

"Cant you see he wanted to come to me and you are making him cry ..", Khushi said angrily. And then hug Arush to her chest swaying him a little saying soothing words to him, "Shhhshh baby .. I am here … stop crying … that uncle is bad …".

"what the hell … who are you to take him", the man shout a little and move forward to Khushi ... but stopped when Anjali call his name..

"Rohan … stop …", said Anjali from behind and came to them. "She is Khushi … my friend … I ask her to come here … and Arush loves her", Anjali said while caressing Arush's hair who has stopped crying.

"And Khushi he is Rohan … Tania's brother and Arush's uncle", said Anjali while looking at Khushi and Rohan both. Rohan who just nods his head at the introduction, he saw how Arush was comfortable in Khushi's arm with his head on her chest snuggling into her… he was trying to manage him from past half an hour but he was just fidgeting away.

Khushi extend her hand towards Rohan and said a bit sternly .. "His milk bottle please …" … Rohan handed her the milk bottle without saying anything.

"Anjali ji … did Arnav sir called back?", Khushi asked looking at Anjali … who just nodded a No in reply.

"huuh ..!! its good that he isn't here or else he would be getting many punches from me", Rohan said in an irritating tone. Khushi looked surprisingly at him.

"Rohan … (Anjali looked angrily at him) .. you know what ever happened was not his fault .. still you are blaming him", said Anjali

"I am not blaming him Di (Rohan call Anjali Di, as Arnav call her that … from the days when they became friends) … I am angry on him that he didn't trust me to tell what my sister was doing to him … why didn't he came to me .." said Rohan getting angry too.

"Just leave it Rohan … he is too much hurt … its been 2 years but still he couldn't get over it", said Anjali sadly …

Khushi who was listening to all this getting confused but she didn't ask them, because she knew its not right to ask about Tania infront of her brother … specially not today … and she knew Anjali wont tell her either so she just let it go … some day she will come to know, she thought and move towards the sofa and sat on it with Arush in her lap. She put Arush in laying positing in her lap putting her left arm under his head and put the milk bottle in his mouth with the other hand. Arush take the milk bottle this time and started to drink. Khushi was happily co cooing him and Arush was enjoying his milk being in her arms and was playing with her hair.

The Pooja started at 1 pm .. Anjali took Arush and sat infront of fire. Rohan and his father sat behind her. Then rest of the Raizada family and Khushi and Rahul sat behind them. Pooja went on for around 40 minutes. After that Pandit distributed parsad to everyone. Anjali put a little piece of parsad in Arush's mouth too. After that Khushi took Arush from her. She met with Tania's father and Arush's grandfather, when he came to take Arush as he wanted to spend some time with his grandson. Khushi sat beside him, wanted to be close to Arush. She can see the sadness of losing daughter on his face. She felt sad too for the family and Arush. She looked around everyone was sad, Anjali was crying silently while Rahul console her, Akash was consoling Nani and Mamaji was talking to pandit and Mamiji telling hari Prakash to what to do about the lunch. Everyone was there but Arnav was missing … its like an incomplete family to her.

After lunch Khushi went to Nani room, talk to her for about an half an hour, then she went to Living room where everyone was sitting … she asked Akash if he got any news for Arnav but he shakes his head. Arush was in Anjali's lap but as soon as he saw Khushi .. he said her name loud and extend his arms toward her. Anjali lightly smile at him and give Arush to Khushi … Arush instantly started to play with her … poor chap didn't knew what was going around him .. he was happy in his own little world. This didn't go unnoticed by Rohan … he can clearly see that Khushi had become important for Arush. Akash also started to play with Arush along with Khushi. After some time Rahul took his leave … Rohan and his father stayed till evening then left … they only came from US for today for the pooja and to meet Arush. Tania's father did come before few times to meet Arush. He hoped to meet Arnav too but never got the chance. After tucking Arush to his crib as he slept in Khushi's arm, she also took her leave bidding goodbye to everyone.

On her way home she called Arnav's cell, and luckily it wasn't switch of. Khushi got happy a little and waited for Arnav to pick up but he didn't … she tried 2 more times but again he didn't pick up. She reach her apartment, she called NK and told him that she is at her apartment now. She prepared dinner, while doing that she again called Arnav but again he didn't pick up. Khushi got frustrated that why he is not picking up the phone, what if anything happened to him, she thought..no .. no .. Devi Maiya please protect him, she prayed. NK came for dinner, she him everything.

"Don't worry kuku … he must be busy … that why … he is a CEO dear", said NK assuring her.

"Huh .. what busy .. cant he even reply back or pick up .. Anjali ji was so worried for him", said Khushi angrily.

"And you too ..", said NK giving a smile to him. "me what ..?", Khushi asked.

"you are worried for him.." said NK .."huh .. I am not worried for him", Khushi replied back.

"yeah .. I can see that … as you were talking about him for the past 2 hours", said NK while grinning.

Khushi picked a cushion and throw at him, NK quickly moves sideways. They were in the living room, sitting on sofa after dinner.

"Stop worrying ... (NK stoop up and move to Khushi) .. He is fine … he will be back tomorrow.. You will see", said NK giving Khushi a sideway hug. "I hope so too", mumbled Khushi leaning on his shoulder. NK left after an hour. Khushi arranged her things and clean her kitchen and went to her bedroom. She tried 3 more times but again Arnav didn't pick up. She huffed in anger and lay down on her bed.

Hey Devi Maiya please let him be fine … Khushi said again holding her OM locket tightly in her hand. She just wanted to see him once or hear his voice once … she wanted to know he is fine. What she heard … what she came to know... She concluded one thing that Arnav wasn't happy with his marriage with Tania. What she didn't understand was the reason … reason for his marriage … according to her thinking he must have loved his wife … if not then how come they have a son .. so that means Tania did something that made Arnav broke all ties with her … but what? She thought … something was telling her that he is pain … pain of betrayal or hatred … she just wanted to make his pain go away … thinking that she slowly drifted into sleep ….

Young boy was looking at her teary eyes … her hand was in his hand … he was assuring her that everything is going to be fine ….

"I am scared" … she said … she looked scared too …

"Don't be" … the boy said …. She sniffs …

"Here …" the young boy put something black on her neck …. A black thread … "it will protect you" … he said and put his other hand on her head … she titled her head and saw the assurance in his BRWON EYES …

You will be fine … Khushi mumbled in her sleep ….

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Arnav was standing on the balcony of his suite, hands on the railing … looking at the sky and the sea below. He saw Khushi's missed call … he was very surprise … no .. not surprise … but shocked … she never called him before not even for work. He was the only one calling her … but only about work. So why would she call him now and that to 7 times?

He was sure there was no problem about work. He can count on Aman … he knows Aman is capable of handling his office if he is not around. He had done that before. So if not work then for what? Is he in some trouble … if she was then she has Aman and her best buddy NK with her … why would she call him then? So she is not in trouble either … So why did she call then? He didn't call her back because it was near 1.00 am … It seems that he had to do some more thinking … so instead of going to bed he came to the balcony.

Why she call then? He thought again … His Di had called him because she must be worried for him, his brother and Mamaji called him because they care for him and wanted to know if he is alright. Then …. Khushi called because she was worried for him too?? … With that thought he straighten up … but why would she be worried about him … last time when they talk they had an argument.. no? … if he can recall she was angry with him … on something stupid … that he saved her from falling. A small smile appeared on his lips remembering the incident. How she fell in his arm, fitting perfectly, her dazed and angry expression … she looks cuter when she is angry he thought … and looks gorgeous when she smiles … he likes her smile …. Yeah he does. Then he remembers how one day he was having headache and she came with coffee and gave him medicine as well. And in the meeting when she was looking at him from time to time, trying to find out if he is ok or still having headache. So she does care about him … he smiles again. His heart felt contended.

Right now he just wanted to know, to understand his feeling towards Khushi … he is getting more and more confused … and he doesn't like confusion … it irritates him. He always had control over his emotions … but with her it seems like his emotions likes to get out of control. He had been with women in past, dated few …but no one seems to make a place in his heart expect Tania, she was the only at that time who managed to make a place in his heart as a friend. But after that incident he hated her. then the models he go out with, just to show media that he was moving on with his life, no one had strike his emotions like Khushi … he kissed few … make out with them … but he never felt the desire to touch them like he felt when Khushi is around … her glowy skin, her beautiful green eyes and more her unique flowery smell … they just make him loose control. What is this between Khushi and him? Love, Lust, Desire … need … want …? What.

He is attracted towards … Yes

He likes her … yes

He wants her … yes

He DESIRE her … YES HE DO ….

But what about her … does she feel the same about him? He remembers when he first saw her 3 years ago. It was one month after his award function … when he was invited to the institute … he was immediate attracted toward her … she intrigue him so much that he wanted to know about her right there .. Hell he even tried to search for her … but he couldn't … he did spend day and night thinking about her … even after his marriage with Tania he didn't forget her … but then with time she defiantly fade away from his mind … but never removed … she was there all the time. And he knows she is attracted toward him, he saw how she looks at him when they were in a meeting, her eyes become dazed when he touch her, when he kissed her bare back … she didn't stop him … she stammers when he get close to her … so yes she is attracted towards him … but how strong is that attraction he doesn't know.

What if she is like all other girls ? … he moves his hand through his hair in frustration. He always knew that girls like him for his money and power. Girls would try and come close to him because they will get fame being associated with him or he would buy them stuff. It was all materialistic. What if Khushi is doing all this purposely to tame him? To come close to him because his money and power? But she hadn't anything yet to gain his attention … like others too.

He looked up at the sky as the wind play with his hair … he wished that his mother could be here with him. She understand him much better, he wished he could ask her what these strange feelings he is having towards Khushi, why his heart beat fast when he touch her. He remember her mother words when she talk about love …

" there is always someone for someone … you will get to know when you met that person if he/she made for you or not … you know how? Your heart will beat fast when ever that person comes close to you … and you feel restless whenever that person goes away from you … meaning you will be connected with that person."

Instantly with these words going in his mind … he closes his eyes and see Khushi's face … his heart beat gets a bit fast … he opens his eyes … so this means Khushi is that person for him … he is connected to her? He thought a bit shockingly. He looks up at the sky … the biggest star he could see and then that star twinkle back at him. He knows now what he feels and wants … now he wants to know what Khushi feels or want, if she is genuine or she is just after him because of his money like other girls. Its not love for him he knows, its so soon … but the desire is there … it was enough for now.

little girl was looking up at him with her teary GREEN eyes ... he remove his hand from her head after assuring her everything will be fine.

"you are hurt" .. the little girl say .. looking at his bleeding hand.

"its nothing" he said ... but the little girl held his hand in her tiny soft hands and looking at it as if trying to examine how deep the wound is.

"here ..." she wrapped some red white piece of cloth around his hand ... "is it paining" ... the little girl asked looking at him.

he nodded a No ... the little girl caresses his hand and said ... "you will be fine."

I am fine ... Arnav mumble in his sleep...

TO BE CONTINUED: (i will try to update as soon as possible)

some points to clear ...

now you guys knows why arnav is hesitant from taking a step towards Khushi as he had face betrayal and manipulation from the woman whom he trusted and consider his friend.

As he think through things ... he is confirm now there is definitely something between him and Khushi .. and he does feel something for her .. but he don't know if its love ...

the part in pink ... is the dream that they both saw ... first part of dream i showed as Khushi's and then its continuation i show as Arnav's dream .. but both saw the same.

Yes they had met 14 years ago ... but they dont know each other than ... the memory is faded ... but they remember some parts of it which they see as dreams ... and thing they most clearly remember is each other's eyes.

what happened 14 years ago and how they met ... will be revealed further in story.

i just wanted to show that they are connected to each other. as in the show ... when Arshi feel each other presence ... how they understand if the other is pain ... and their connection .. was one of the things i loved most ... so i wanted to elaborate that in my story.

if still any question .. then please do ask...

Please do comments ... Specially silent readers ... so comment and like ... it makes a writer more happy ... 😳