Chapter 3

3 months ago

Pearl_Oyster

@Pearl_Oyster

Her breath hitched as she froze in his arms, utterly unprepared for the warmth and distant familiarity of his embrace. She didn’t know what to do, her hands hovering awkwardly by her sides. But her body betrayed her in the next moment, releasing tears she hadn’t even realized she’d been holding for years. Silent sobs wracked her chest as the weight of memories, of all she had lost and all she had buried, came crashing down.

Arnav didn’t let go. His hold only tightened, his chin brushing lightly against her hair. “It is you,” he murmured, his voice rough with disbelief and quiet joy. “You are really here.”

She swallowed hard, her throat aching from the rush of emotions she could no longer contain. His scent—clean, sharp, and unmistakably him—flooded her senses, tugging her back to a time when his presence had been her only solace.

When she finally found her voice, it came out as a whisper. “Arnav…”

He pulled back slightly, just enough to meet her tear-streaked gaze, his hands still resting firmly on her arms. His eyes, dark and piercing, seemed to carry a thousand questions as they searched her face, trying to reconcile the woman standing before him with the girl he had known.

“Of all the places I thought you could be, I find you here,” he said, his tone a mix of amazement and disbelief. A humourless smile tugged at his lips as he shook his head slightly. “Thirteen years, Khushi. And you have been working here? I don’t know whether to laugh or…”

Her lips parted, but words failed her. What could she say that wouldn’t sound inadequate?

“Come,” he said softly, guiding her to one of the chairs around the conference table. “Sit!”

She sat down, trying to limit the emotions that seemed to drown her reservations. She watched as he settled into the chair beside her, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on her. This was not the Arnav Singh Raizada who had commanded the meeting earlier with sharp authority. This was Arnav, her Arnav. The boy who had shared chocolates, whispered dreams of the future, and promised to take care of her.

“You recognized me too, right?” he asked, as if needing her confirmation. Had she masked her emotions too well in the meeting earlier? Because his realisation and recognition of her had been too apparent. At least to her eyes!

“How could I not” she answered, the words stemming from deep within her. She would have! Even if she had not seen his picture in a rain-soaked newspaper or on a television all those years ago. She would have recognised him. Just like he recognised her.

Her words seemed to soothe some part of his soul for a small smile adorned his face now. Through that hint of the smile, she felt the familiar boy peeking back at her.

However, the smile did not last long. His expression turned somber, his brown eyes growing intense again.

“How are you here? Since when? Why didn’t you…” He trailed off, visibly reigning in the torrent of questions threatening to spill. He inhaled deeply, then exhaled. “I need to know everything, Khushi. You have no idea how I have waited for this moment”.

He has?

She bit her lip, struggling to find some words. How could she explain the winding, turbulent path her life had taken without unraveling completely?

“It is… a long story,” she said at last, her voice quiet.

He did not look satisfied with the answer, nodded regardless, leaning back slightly as he studied her face now. His piercing gaze made her feel as though he could see straight through her, uncovering everything she was hiding inside.

“How are you?” she asked, shifting the focus away from herself. The question, though simple, carried years of longing. She had read about his professional achievements in newspapers and magazines, but those articles had never told her what she truly wanted to know—how he had been, how he had coped and adjusted into a new family.

His answer came after a moment’s hesitation, and it was laced with quiet sincerity. “I have missed you, Khushi. Apart from that… life has been good.”

The warmth of his words reached a long-frozen corner of her heart, and she blinked rapidly to keep her tears at bay.

“I missed you too,” she admitted, her voice trembling with the intensity of the truth. She had missed him every single day, even when she had convinced herself she had no right to or that their paths would never meet again.

A single tear escaped her eye again, and he reached across the table to catch her hand in his. His palm was warm and steady, grounding her in a moment that felt almost too surreal to believe.

“I want to know everything,” he said, his voice firm but soft. “Whenever you are ready to tell me. I…I want my friend back, Khushi. I want everything to be like it was before. You and me!” There was both a command and a desperate plea in his voice and Khushi nodded, unable to speak as emotions surged and subsided like a restless tide within her. His presence, his words, his touch—they all felt like fragments of an old and recurring dream.

“Where do you live?” he asked, his tone gentler now, as though catching the drift of her overwhelmed stated and trying to ease her into the conversation.

“Dwarka,” she replied, grateful for the simplicity of the question.

“Alone?”

She shook her head. “I have a flatmate. Payal.”

He nodded thoughtfully, his gaze flickering over her face as though trying to memorize every detail.

Then, he let go of her hand, leaving her strangely bereft.

“That is quite far from here,” he remarked. “You commute every day? Do you use the office cab?”

“It is manageable.” She replied. He nodded.

“Exactly how long have you been working here, Khushi?” he leaned forward slightly as he asked the question.

She looked at his eyes, still brown and deep and curious, as if eager to absorb every information she could provide.

“Six months,” she said, a tinge of apprehension dissolving in her heart. Would he be upset that she had not sought him out earlier?

“Wait,” he said, eyes widening.

“You are the Khushi who got the bonus at the year-end party? For being the star performer of the quarter?” he asked, incredulously.

She blinked too, surprised.

“Yes. How do you—”

“Mr. Raizada mentioned it last year,” he replied, shaking his head with a rueful smile. “I remember thinking that it can’t be you. Because if it were you, you would know where to find me” His voice dropped as he finished the statement. And there it was! The question that lingered in the air between them, heavy and unavoidable. Why hadn’t she sought him out despite knowing where he was?

Her throat tightened as guilt warred with self-defense.

“I… I didn’t think you would want to see me,” she said, her voice barely audible.

The pain that flickered across his face made her heart ache.

“That is what you thought? Why, Khushi?" There was an accusation in his voice and a disbelief.

She nodded, unable to meet his gaze. What else can she say? He had not come back when she had waited. And by the time she had learnt where he was, it had been too late. She was too broken and afraid to seek him out.

“You have built a life for yourself, Arnav. A successful, amazing life. I did not want to be a reminder of…” she tried to explain but gave up, the words too complex.

“Of what?” he pressed, his voice sharp with incredulity. She looked at him helplessly and he caught hold of her palm again, as if needing the physical connection.

“Khushi, you were never just a reminder of anything. You were all I had in that place” he said with his eyes holding her gaze.

Her breath caught at the raw emotion in his words, and when she finally looked up, she saw the boy she had known—the boy who had promised to take care of her—alive in his eyes.

“I was wrong,” she whispered, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite the tears gathering once more.

“Yes, you were,” he said, his own smile breaking through. “But I will forgive you—on one condition.”

Her brow furrowed. “What condition?”

“Promise me you will not disappear on me again,” he said softly.

She nodded, her heart aching with something akin to joy at his request. It seemed like he did want to get to know her again. Before she could say more, there was a gentle knock at the door, and in walked Arvind Singh Raizada. Khushi immediately stood up from her chair.

"I see that you have found your friend" he spoke, looking at Arnav first and then his gaze shifted to her.

"It is nice to meet you again, Khushi" His voice carried the characteristic tone of fond approval, one that she had learnt to associate with him.

“Mr. Raizada” she greeted him, her own voice steady yet polite under his curious scrutiny. She had not expected this moment to arrive with such swiftness, nor had she prepared for it. What is she supposed to say to the man who is not only the adoptive father of Arnav but also the owner of the very ground they stood at the moment.

"I would have liked to meet you all those years ago at Vaatsalya, Khushi” he said, surprising her that he remembered her from the orphanage and the fact that she had refused to see him.

An embarrassed smile appeared on her face.

"I am sorry, Mr. Raizada. Back then I was childish” she answered slowly.

“Oh, not at all! You were right in not meeting me. How could you? After all, I was taking away your only friend. Right?” He said and Khushi felt more embarrassment flooding her face.

“You are making her uncomfortable, Dad” Arnav intervened.

“Am I, Khushi? My apologies. That was not my intention at all. All I am trying to say is that it is a shame I could not meet you earlier. My son here.. you were all he talked about for years” Arvind Singh Raizada said and Khushi blinked, glancing at Arnav who stood a little straighter, his expression unreadable.

"Really?" she managed, her voice laced with both curiosity and hesitance.

Mr. Raizada chuckled softly, stepping closer. "Oh, yes. You must have been a really good friend. He has made plenty of friends over the years, built a life full of connections. But your name has always been there, a constant in his stories" He paused, his gaze softening. "You must come visit us. Ratna and Anjali would love to finally meet you".

She hesitated, overwhelmed by the unexpected invitation and the warmth radiating from the man who commanded respect from everyone in the company.

"I would be honored, sir" she said at last, her voice tentative.

"Wonderful," Mr. Raizada said with a satisfied nod. Then he turned to Arnav, his tone shifting to one of practicality. "We have the board meeting coming up in fifteen minutes, son"

Arnav nodded, looking briefly at her.

"I will join you in a few minutes".

"Alright" Mr. Raizada turned back to her, his expression thoughtful.

"Hoping to see you again soon, Khushi" With that, he gave her a parting smile and left the room.

The moment the door closed, Arnav’s gaze swung back to her.

"I don’t want to leave yet," he said, almost to himself, his voice low.

She gave him a small smile, trying to ease his hesitation. "You have to go. It is important."

Arnav sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Can I see you later? After work? I want to see where you live"

She blinked, caught off guard. She had not anticipated how much and how soon he wanted to reconnect.

"I… suppose," she said, her voice cautious. "But I live with Payal, so—"

"Payal?" Arnav interrupted, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

"Your flatmate?"

She nodded. "Yes. I will need to check with her first."

His lips curved into a half-smile, though his gaze remained serious.

"I’d like to meet her too. Unless, of course, you would rather take up my father’s offer and visit us tonight" He said, putting her into a trap and smiled devilishly.

She shook her head quickly. "No, I think it is better if we meet at my flat. I will leave the details with Aman..your assistant?"

Arnav frowned at that, pulling out his phone and holding it out to her. "Save your number. I will call you once I am free."

She looked at his frankness and hesitated only for a moment before taking the phone and entering her number. She handed it back, her fingers brushing against his briefly.

"I will call you," he repeated, his tone softening as he studied her. Then, as if realizing he was out of time, he gave her one last look before leaving the room.

The door clicked shut, and she was left alone, her thoughts a chaotic tangle. She stared at her hands, still tingling from the contact, and wondered what just happened.

Was she going to see Arnav again in few hours? Would reconnecting with him mean talking about things she would rather not? Was it possible for her to hide the ugly parts of her life and only give Arnav the parts where he would not have to look at her as a victim or as on object of pity?

She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts aside, but they refused to be silenced. For years, she had wondered what had become of him. And now that he was here, asking to be part of her life again, she wanted to believe that this was not another play of her fate to wound her.

She walked herself out of the conference and took the elevator for the fifth floor. Just as the door was about to close, she heard Ms. Kashyap's voice, calling out to hold the door. She pressed the door-open button and waited for her to get in.

Ms. Kashyap gave her a nod for obliging and then began looking at her phone. Khushi decided to take it on herself to ward off the awkwardness.

"It was a good presentation at the meeting, ma'am" she spoke gently.

Ms. Kashyap looked at her, eyes narrowed but then her expression eased slightly.

"It is the beginning of an important shift in the company. We have to be prepared" she replied and Khushi nodded, wondering whether it meant that she will have to see Arnav more on account of work.

"Do you know ASR?" Khushi was surprised with the question just as they reached the fifth floor.

She must have looked puzzled because Ms. Kashyap continued, "he said your name at the meeting. Does he know you?"

Khushi wondered how to answer the question. She was not sure how many people were aware about Arnav's history at the orphanage.

So, she simply shook her head. A quiet, deliberate denial.

A flicker of doubt crossed Ms. Kashyap’s face, as if she wasn’t convinced. The elevator doors slid open, and she stepped out briskly, pausing only for a second to give Khushi a pointed look—one that made it clear she knew there was more to the story.

Then, without another word, she walked away, leaving Khushi standing at the threshold, her heart beating just a little too fast for lying to her boss's face.

Lost in her thoughts, she had just stepped out of the elevator that she barely noticed Akash intercepting her path.

"What was that about?" he asked, falling into step beside her as she made her way towards her cabin.

Khushi sighed, shaking her head. "You saw that?"

"Sure, I did. What was it about?" He probed and Khushi thought she could speak about this to Akash.

"She asked me if I knew Arnav."

Akash raised a brow. "And what did you say?"

"I said no," she admitted, her voice low. "And I think she knew I was lying. That is why she gave me the look before walking off."

Akash hummed in thought. "And what about Arnav? Did you meet him after the meeting? Is that where you are coming from? It was so awkward there for a moment when he said your name and you just looked at him and then you snuck off".

Khushi closed her eyes in embarrassment. So, everyone had noticed it. She would not be surprised if Rakshit too asked her about it.

"Hello? Did you meet Arnav?" Akash asked with growing curiosity as they entered her cubicle.

She nodded and then smiled briefly.

"I did. He sent his assistant after me. I went up again and we spoke" she replied.

She noticed how Akash's eyes widened.

"And? What did he say?"

Khushi had to smile at Akash's enthusiasm. It was evident that Payal had rubbed off on him.

"He was surprised to see me. And then he asked me how was I here. How am I doing. And all that. He is..almost the same. Kind and attentive" She admitted to herself and noticed Akash's thoughtful face.

"What are you thinking?" she asked, sensing his hesitation.

He glanced around, as if ensuring no one was within earshot, before saying, "I've heard the occasional rumor—nothing concrete—but there are whispers that Ms. Kashyap and Arnav Singh Raizada are together."

Khushi blinked, surprised at the sudden revelation. She also felt a cold pit open in her stomach and she shivered on the inside.

"Together?" she repeated, unable to stop herself.

"Like I said, it's just speculation," Akash continued, "No one really knows for sure. Ms. Kashyap is extremely private about her life. She only talks business. Same goes for Arnav. He is like a closed book, as I have heard".

Khushi remained silent, absorbing the information, holding the urge to ask where he was hearing these things and why he was telling her. But then it clicked her. Was that why Ms. Kashyap had questioned her? Not out of mere curiosity but because she shared something more with Arnav?

Realizing that she was thinking about something that had no real basis or relevance to her, she squared her shoulders and shook her head.

"It is not my business who is dating whom," she said firmly. "Arnav and I had a friendship once, but that was a long time ago. We are different people now. He was just being polite by acknowledging me" As she explained to Akash, she hated how defensive and how wrong it sounded. The way Arnav had held her, the way she had broken down in his arms, shedding tears she hadn’t allowed herself in years… it had been anything but mere politeness.

She had felt secure. As the thought formed in her head, she shooed it away.

"Let's not discuss him anymore," she said, forcing a lightness into her voice. "There are more important things to focus on. Like what this meeting means for us. Do you think we'll be working with ARA now?"

Akash welcomed the change in topic with a nod. "I think so. Rakshit will be briefing us in the next meeting. We will know more then."

Khushi exhaled, relieved to steer away from the subject of Arnav. Work was a far safer terrain—solid, structured, without the threat of unspoken histories pressing in from all sides.

"Alright! Let me know if you hear anything more," she said.

"Will do! By the way, I am meeting Payal for dinner this evening. So, you have until then to tell her about your chance meeting with your long-lost childhood friend. Just a heads-up! You know I cannot keep things from her for too long."

Akash’s tone was light, but Khushi knew the warning it carried. Payal would not be as easily placated as he had been.

"Noted," she sighed, before raising a brow. "But why a dinner date on a Tuesday?"

"To keep the spark alive in my relationship, Khushi. Obviously."

She narrowed her eyes, unimpressed. "I was not aware your relationship had lost its spark. And I am fairly certain this was Payal’s idea. She has been watching too many of those relationship advice videos, has she not?"

Akash groaned. "So that is where she gets these ideas," he muttered before bidding her goodbye and striding out of the cabin.

Alone now, Khushi leaned back in her chair, pressing her fingertips together as if they could keep her thoughts in order. But no sooner had the door shut than her mind betrayed her, unspooling memories of the evening before.

How does one sit and think of anything else after meeting a person who has haunted the edges of their mind for years?

She had not sought him out in all these years. Not truly. While growing up under the protective care of her Buaji, she had often wondered about him. Even spoken about him to her Buaji on several occasions. But, as her Buaji had grown sicker and responsibilities had begun to plague her life, coupled with the growing influence of Shyam Manohar Jha, she had blocked away all thoughts of Arnav from her mind. After all, wasn't it Arnav who had given up first? He had moved on with his new life, never to return. And so she had done the same. Yet, she there had always been some guilt inside her for staying out of his path deliberately, for pretending to forget him. That guilt and struggle had only grown when life had continued to whisper his whereabouts to her. His name had echoed in the spaces where success was measured, where the weight of a surname and the influence it carried determined one’s standing. The distance that she knew existed between them had only grown wider in her mind. Not only separated by kilometres but an altogether different world. The audacity to cross that distance, to fill that chasm had never seemed possible.

And between that chasm of distance, there was Shyam’s voice, an old and mocking caution still murmuring in her conscience—Approaching him now would mean taking advantage of what he has built.

Even if Arnav may not think of her that way, others could. His family. His colleagues. The world that now surrounded him, polished and poised, ever watchful for those seeking to claim a piece of what was his.

And she could not—would not—be seen as one of them.

She had always promised herself that if she would ever seek him out it would be only when she had something to call her own. She was not certain if being employed at his father’s company qualified as that moment, but it was still leagues ahead of where she had once been.

Meeting Arnav now did not seem like a terrible thing. And he had seemed happy to see her.

“I want my friend back, Khushi. I want everything to be like it was before. You and me "

His voice drifted through her, unshaken in its sincerity. And if she were to be honest with herself, she wanted it too. She wanted to know him again—to learn the shape of his life, the rhythm of his days, the thoughts that filled his silences.

Friendship.

Yes, she wanted that.

Tilting her head back, she let her eyes slip shut, allowing herself a rare indulgence—to retreat into the slow and steady days of childhood, to the grey skies that loomed over a weathered orphanage, where sorrow was a quiet companion but life had been bearable, softened by the presence of a boy who had once been hers.

She wondered how they had nurtured their friendship, despite being so young. She had been only eleven, and Arnav had been thirteen. Or had their bond flourished precisely because of that innocence—because they had been untouched by the world's cruelties, unburdened by expectations, free to exist in a space where companionship needed no explanation?

Would it be possible to rekindle that same friendship now, years later, when life has sculpted them into different people? When the past is no longer a shelter but a shadow stretching between them? Arnav spoke of wanting their friendship back, and she—she wanted to believe it was possible. She wanted to look forward to it, to find a place for it in the life she had built. But it would have to be done with caution. She cannot risk the crumbling of her life. She will have to do it slowly. Having decided that, she went back to her work.

As the day drew to a close, she received a call from Rakshit, summoning her to his cabin. When she arrived, she found Akash already seated, his usual relaxed demeanour intact.

"Great! Now that both of you are here, let me put it on the table," Rakshit began, leaning back in his chair. "This is regarding the meeting we had earlier with Mr. Raizada..both the Raizadas. Akansha and I met with Ms. Kashyap after lunch to discuss how we will execute the Raizada Textiles and ARA project. It has been decided that between our two teams—Akansha’s and mine—one will be responsible for analyzing the trends in production and sales for Raizada Textiles, while the other will do the same for ARA. After a month, we will reconvene and discuss the strategy for bringing the two companies together."

Khushi exchanged a glance with Akash, who voiced the question already forming in her mind. "And which company are we handling?"

"It is not official yet, but since I am smarter than Akansha, I pitched to Ms. Kashyap that we are more suited to staying put with Raizada Textiles. We have worked here, we know the company, so it is going to be much easier for us to compile the reports. Purely smart work. It will be announced in two days, but Akansha's team will be dealing with ARA," Rakshit declared, clearly pleased with himself.

Khushi was uncertain how to feel. Was she relieved? Disappointed? The answer eluded her.

"That does sound like a wise decision, boss," Akash remarked with a grin before glancing at Khushi.

She nodded, keeping her expression neutral.

"Great, then! We will meet first thing in the morning and decide where to begin. See you two tomorrow," Rakshit said, already moving to wrap up the conversation.

Akash stood up and exited, but as Khushi turned to follow, Rakshit called her name.

"Khushi."

She halted, turning back.

"Arnav Singh Raizada called out your name in the meeting," Rakshit said, his voice level but probing. "Do you two know each other?"

Her fingers tightened around her notepad. A single moment stretched between them before she shook her head.

Rakshit held her gaze for a second longer, then nodded. "Alright. Ms. Kashyap asked me to confirm. I will let her know."

She walked out, but the words clung to her. So, Ms. Kashyap had not believed her.

Was it wrong to lie? But it was not a lie, not really.

She had known Arnav. Not Arnav Singh Raizada.

And knowing the latter was a journey she was about to begin—starting tonight.

The thought reminded her that she had yet to inform Payal.

Reaching her cubicle, she pulled out her phone and dialed.

"Missing me already?" Payal’s chirpy voice brought a smile to her lips.

"Hard not to, Payal," Khushi replied.

"So, what is it? Another late-night rendezvous with your laptop at the office? Just a heads-up, I already have a dinner date with Akash, so I will be late too."

Khushi hesitated. If only Payal’s guess had been right today as well.

"Are you sure you will be coming back late?" she asked, drawing out her words.

Payal laughed. "It is a weekday, Khushi. I am not staying over at Akash’s place. Unless... he is really charming tonight."

"But why do you ask?"

Khushi struggled to find the right way to say it. How did one casually mention that a long-lost friend was coming over?

"Ermm! Nothing in particular. I just wanted to be prepared about whether to expect you or not," she hedged.

"Cool! I will be back late. But in case my plans change, I will drop you a text. Now, I gotta go, sweetie! Bye!" Payal said and disconnected.

Khushi stared at her phone, guilt gnawing at her. She should have told her. But she knew how long that conversation would have been. This was better done in person.

Just as she put her phone away, it rang again.

An unknown number. She frowned before answering.

"Hello?"

Silence spread on the line.

"Hello?" she repeated.

"It is me, Khushi."

Her breath caught at the deep, familiar voice. Everything around her seemed to still.

"Arnav," she said, his name feeling foreign on her tongue after so many years. It will take some getting used to.

"Did you speak to your flatmate?"

"Yes, I did. She will not be home until late. So, you can come. I will text you the address," she said, choosing her words carefully.

"Yes, send it to me. But I am already waiting in the parking," he informed her, sending a fresh wave of surprise through her.

"Parking?"

"At Raizada Heights. Your office. We will go together. You can guide me."

He was here. Again. Twice in a single day.

"Meet me at the exit of the parking," he continued.

Her pulse quickened. "Which level are you on? I can meet you there."

A pause. Then—"B1."

"I am coming," she said before disconnecting.

She exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself. Arnav was waiting.

Grabbing her laptop bag and handbag, she headed out.

As the elevator descended to B1, she realized she was standing amidst the senior officers and managers—people who worked on higher floors, held higher ranks. The B1-level parking was strictly meant for them.

As the doors opened, she hesitated, letting the others step out first. Once the space cleared a little, she stepped forward and glanced around.

She expected Arnav to be in one of the high-end luxury cars.

She did not expect the sudden tap on her shoulder.

She turned sharply, eyes blinking as Arnav’s face came into view.

He smiled. A quiet, knowing smile.

"Hi," she said, her voice betraying nothing of the turmoil within.

"Hey," he responded, his gaze resting on her long enough for her to shift uncomfortably, suddenly aware of their surroundings.

"Where is your car?" she asked, eager to move.

"This way."

He led her to a sleek black sedan, elegant but understated. She watched as he unlocked the car and then opened the passenger door first.

"Get in" There was a soft, boyish smile on his face and she obliged, getting into the car as quickly as she could. Then, he walked over to the driver's side and got in. As he started the car and it began to move out of the parking, Khushi allowed herself to close her eyes for a few seconds and let the moment settle in her memory. She was with Arnav in his car and they were going to her home. A stretch of twelve kilometres. Should this be a stretch of silence or conversation? She had no idea which one she preferred.