Chapter - 14
Khushi was having her Lunch in the canteen when Lavanya came running to her and literally dragged her to the next room. Before there was any scope for Khushi to speak, Lavanya squeaked, "I am right. I am right about him." and pointed her finger to the TV that was playing the news. Confused, Khushi looked at the screen and froze. It was him, on TV. The man who helped her in Tirumala. The man whose name she never knew and foolishly she never asked.
Lavanya almost jumped on to her as she squeaked again, "I told you, he is some rich and arrogant idiot but you never listened. See, this is 'The Arnav Singh Raizada' the man known for his ruthless business skills. No wonder I felt like I saw him somewhere."
Khushi readily defended him, "Lavanya, since the day you met him that was all that you thought of him. You didn't see how he helped me in the temple. He never misbehaved with me except for that first time for which I was at fault. You ..."
"Ya, ya, I heard all this before. About how considerate it was of him to shield you. How he saved you from the crowd. How he ...blah blah blah. Khushi, you are telling me about him for the past two weeks."
"That is because you are speaking rudely about him. Because you are not ready to accept that he did indeed help your best friend. That he is not as ruthless as you portray him to be."
"That is because he is not a saint either like you are thinking. Ok, let us for a second assume he is not a self-centered and hard-headed idiot. Tell me, did he ever apologize to you for yelling at you? NO. Ok, you say it was your fault. Did he at least have the basic sense to apologize to you after you said sorry to him? NO. I agree he might have helped you when you needed it but that doesn't make him good. Khushi you are too naive and trust people easily."
"Mr. Raizada", came a scream from the girl as she passed both Lavanya and Khushi. And within a few seconds, few more girls gathered around the TV as they drooled over him. Lavanya losing it, caught a girl and asked, "What is going on? What is so great about him?"
The girl replied without taking her eyes off the screen, "That my dear is Arnav Singh Raizada. ASR as people call him. He is the director of AR Fashions, which is a top designer company in the fashion industry. And on top of it, he is so charming and mysterious. I just love him."
"What mysterious? Do you know he is said to be heartless? He doesn't just win against his opponents, he is well known for crushing them. What is so charming about that?"
"For heaven's sake, Lav. Being rude and heartless are some of the basic qualities to be a good businessman. That is what makes him so cool. And as we all know, these reports exaggerate things a little. You know some say he has some bitter past. Few even speculate it is love failure. Last year he clearly said in an interview that he doesn't believe in love and that he will never marry. Now, doesn't it sound so mysterious?", another friend explained Lavanya.
Lavanya puffed angrily and said, "You are crazy. All of you."
Khushi dragged Lavanya from there before she completely lost it in front of all the ASR admires. Lavanya stared at Khushi and said, "You must be enjoying all this, right."
Khushi let out a huge sigh and replied, "What happened to you Lavanya? Why do we end up arguing about a guy who I am sure has 0% chances of meeting me again. It is not like I am going to spend the rest of my life with him. He helped and I am thankful, that's it. I don't like it when you fight with me. Please let us forget him and concentrate on finals."
------------------------------------------------------
"ASR, these are the final designs for the fashion show. Please check them?"
.....
"ASR?"
.....
"...ASR?", said Aman a bit loudly.
"Yes"
"Final designs file", he said confused. He worked for ASR for long and never saw him distracted at work, but for the past 2 weeks it was evident that his mind was not completely into work. He wondered, what the reason for the sudden change in his behavior might be.
"Yes. I will look at it and let you know."
Even though he knew better to not question ASR, his concern overpowered him. "ASR, are you fine?"
"What? Ya, I am fine.", he said, opening the file Aman brought.
"It's just that, you seem a little distracted recently. I am worried. I just want you to know, I am here if you want anything?"
"It's nothing. Thanks for asking.", replied Arnav as he looked through the file.
Aman stood still staring at Arnav astounded. Arnav raised his head and looked at Aman, who was standing like a statue. "Aman, what happened? Looks like you are not alright? What is with that face?"
"Sir did you just..."
"WHAT? Now, I want you to be in-game, Aman. You know Akash's sagai is in 2 weeks' right. I can't be at the show, so you have to handle everything there. Pull yourself together and get back to work.", he almost roared.
Aman left the room in a hurry while still hanging on to his blank face making Arnav wonder what that was about. Suddenly it hit him, "Did I just say thanks to Aman? And to my surprise, I said it so naturally. No wonder he looked shocked. That is one of the few words I have never ever said to anyone. Why did I say that? Khushi? Is she is changing how I think? I don't even know her that well but somehow she manages to distract me. I have to do something about this. I have to just stop thinking about her. I HAVE TO. I can't let mere women ruin what I established or change who I am. I will forget that face, that name, and everything related to her. I am the ASR." As he said to himself again and again not to ever think of her again, he grabbed his file and immersed himself in work.
---------------------------------------------------
"Arnav, did you make sure everything is loaded into the cars"
"Yes, Nani"
"Ok then, we will be leaving now. Do what you got to do but make sure you come before and not after the sagai is done."
"Very funny, Di. Call me when you all reach Lucknow."
-----------------------------------------------
"Yes, Di. I just started. I will reach Lucknow in a few hours. How is Akash?"
"He is over the moon, Chote. He is going to marry the love of his life. What more can he want? I am sure she is happy to. I mean she waited for him till he completed his studies in the UK, right. Such a sweet couple. I wonder when you will find a girl for you."
"Come on Di. Not that lecture again. I am never going to fall in love."
"You can make fun of me now but when you find her, trust me you can't run away from falling for her."
"Whatever, Di. Need to drive. Bye. See you soon."
--------------------------------------------------------
"Khushi, why are you so late? You were supposed to be here yesterday. I am very angry with you.", shouted Payal.
"Sorry, jiji. I really am. I tried but was not able to make it yesterday. Anyways, I am here now and I am not going anywhere till your sagai."
"I am happy you are here. Amma and Babuji are out on some work. You go freshen up. By the way, how were your exams?"
"Exams went well jiji. I really wanted to see amma, Babuji. I will go change then. I will be in my favorite spot. Call me when they are home or if you need anything, ok."
"You just came Khushi. I would prefer if you take rest but I can't stop you now, can I."
-----------------------------------------------------
Anjali greeted Arnav at the entrance as he parked his car. "Aunty and Uncle are out with Mom and Nani. Get changed soon so that when they come you can meet them."
"Got it, Di."
--------------------------------------------
15 minutes later Arnav walked out of his room, looking for his Di. As he walked through the corridor, he heard mild music coming from the room at the far end. Expecting to find his Di there, he took huge strides. Once near the room, he opened the door and briskly walked in only to stop after taking a few steps. Right in front of him was a big portrait of Khushi smiling. Regaining himself he looked around trying to understand why her photo was there. That was when his eyes caught a slim figure covered in white Anarkali sway around the huge room as the song, O Rey Piya' echoed around them. Mesmerized he looked at her as she moved in sync with the music. Her hair, flying with her every move. It felt like her whole body was just flowing like the wind. She was lost in the dance and he was lost in her. As she twirled around the room, she looked more like an angel than a human being. As if some magnetic field was activated between them, he moved towards her with his eyes fixed on her.
She was still whirling when he moved closer and closer to her, only to bump into her, make her lose her balance and fall into his arms. While she laid frozen in his arms, still scared of the fall which was never to come, he whispered, "Khushi". Still wondering if it was really her or just his imagination.
The sound of his voice made Khushi shoot her eyes open. She looked at him bewildered.
Anjali's voice broke the trance as she called out, "Chote". He immediately let go of her and asked huskily, "Are you ok?" sending shivers down her spine.
Unable to find her voice, she just nodded in yes.
Anjali walked into the room and said, "Chote, you are here. I was looking for you everywhere. What are you doing here?"
"I came here searching for you, Di."
"Chote, I was downstairs waiting...", she stopped mid-sentence as her eyes fell on Khushi.
"Oh, sorry. Let me introduce you to her. Chote, this is Khushiji'. Khushiji this is my brother, Arnav Singh Raizada."
"Hi!", said Arnav
Khushi still confused with the turn of events folded her hands greeting him with a half-smile.
Looking around Anjali asked, "Is this the room? Payal told me you love to dance and that whenever you are here you spend the most time in this room. You have to show me your dance once."
"It's nothing special, Anjaliji. Payal jiji dances very well than me."
Entering the room Payal replied, "Don't be so modest Khushi. You dance amazingly. Di, you have to really see her. When she dances, along with her even we forget our surroundings. Amma says, only a few gifted people can mesmerize everyone with their art."
"Payal jiij, please stop." Khushi stopped Payal from completing, feeling shy.
"Ok. I totally forgot. Everyone is back. Anjaliji, Arnavji they are calling for you. You come down to Khushi. Amma and Babuji are back."
Payal and Anjali walked out first talking about arrangements while Arnav followed them thinking, "Payal is right. Khushi is mesmerizing when she dances." He looked back at her one last time before he exited the room.
It had been 4 weeks since he last saw her and 2 weeks since he immersed himself in work trying to keep her out of his thoughts. His trick even worked a little and made him temporarily believe that he successfully forgot her. But today, when he saw her in front of him, all the doors that he tried so hard to keep shut tightly just opened back and flooded his mind with her thoughts.
************************************************
Do Like and Comment.
-Hope -
THIS IS A FICTIONAL STORY BASED ON 2 CHARACTERS ASHWIN AND RHEA/ANVI ASHWIN ...
A widow, Gauri met her long lost friend Omkara in a family function, who still ...
Life Journey of two people poles apart in career, status and style. One is the ...
Comments (0)
View all