CHAPTER 4: THE UNEXPECTED
'Ayaan I'm still not sure about this' arnav said on the phone.
'Dude chill. Chicks love such stuff'
'You better be right about this. Ok yeah. Talk to you later'
Arnav sat waiting in his office. Where was Khushi? She was never late.
'Hey' Khushi walked in to arnav's office.
'Hi. Hw come you're late today?'
'Overslept. Had to drop off. So what's new for today?'
'The usual. Except we have a meeting at eight. Ill send the driver to pick you up'
'Why the driver?'
'Umm I uhh gotta be somewhere'
'Ok just asking'
It was a busy day. Arnav ad Khushi both hadn't had much chance to talk so at lunch time arnav asked if Khushi wanted to go and grab a bite. And they headed to the nearest restaurant for a quick lunch.
'And dad says I don't work. Today was crazy'
'You're right it was. I'm soo tired'
'Anyways let's not talk work shall we. I've had enough of it for now and we've gotta go back. What shall we order?'
They placed their orders and talked while the food arrived. Khushi placed a napkin on her lap n began to eat but arnav suddenly started laughing.
'What?' asked Khushi.
'You're so typical' he continued laughing, 'You're eating a burger dear lady. You do not place a napkin on your lap while eating a burger.'
'Oh. There is nothing wrong with it'
'Yeah right. And looking at the way you're holding that burger.'Arnav shifted khushi's fingers to show her to hold a burger'
'Seriously arnav. What does it matter? In the end I'm eating that burger. Who cares?
'Ms. Khushi Sharma if you're gonna eat that burger the least you can do is hold it the right way'
'Oh stop laughing and eat. But arnav kept bursting into fists of laughter now and then.
As the waiter brought the bill, arnav reached for his wallet. He was about to place the money when another hand reached the bill before his.
'I wanna pay my share'
'No let me'
'Arnav I WANNA pay'
Arnav smiled,'Oh sure. Well if that's the case you wouldn't mind paying for me too will you?'
'Huhh. What kind of a gentleman asks a girl to pay for him?'
'What kind of a lady pays for herself when a gentle man is sitting right across the table?'
After a second or two of silence Khushi gave up, 'fine. Have it your way.'
'Now that's wasn't so hard was it'Arnav laughed
Triumphantly he paid for the lunch and they drove back to the office ready to finish off the pile of work waiting for them.
Khushi was walking out of the office when arnav caught up with her.
'Hey lemme drive you home. It might give you more time to get ready. Lol'
Arnav loved how calm Khushi acted when he teased her. Although he could sense her irritation.
'Alright.' And she started to walk towards arnav's car. Arnav followed smiling to himself.
After he dropped her of arnav got to work. This was an important meeting after all. 'Ayaan how's everything going?. Yeah ill be there in about half an hour.'
Ayaan drove home as fast as he could and dressed up for the night. His nerves were a wreck. He'd never been this nervous before. Well here goes nothing.
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'Where are you going?' asked Anushka entering the room.
'Hey. Got a meeting. How come you're home so late?'
'Another presentation. Ugh. Anyways leave that, So you'll be going with arnav, to this meeting?'
'That obvious'
'Lol oh yeah. Anyways will be home for dinner or will you be late?'
'Depends. Either way don't wait up for me'
Anushka's eyes sparkled, 'Sure have fun'
'It's a meeting Anushka'
'Oh seriously now. You know what I mean' she smirked as she left for the kitchen.
Khushi shook her head but smiled anyway.
"Hey I think your ride is here. And it's a damn good one may I add' Anushka called from the kitchen.
'Don't you get all worked up. It's not arnav. He sent the driver to pick me up. Apparently he had some work to do. Anyways I'm off. Bye'
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The driver parked the car and opened the door for Khushi. This didn't seem like a place for a meeting. It was beautiful though. A hundred fairy lights twinkled from the parking lot leading to the gate. Once she stepped inside the gate she was surprised to see darkness after all the light display. Just then a light appeared. Khushi walked towards it. As she stepped near the light another one lit up, and another, and another.
What is this place? Maybe the driver got the wrong address. Yet, she continued to the follow the lights out of curiosity.
And just when she got near the last one a blast of light hit her. She blinked several times before adjusting the light. Whoa!. The place was beautiful.
'Glad you like it' She heard arnav's voice from behind her
She turned around startled.
'Arnav what is this place and what are we doing here? What about the meeting? We'll be late. Shouldn't we leave?'
'That' was a lot of questions. I lied, Khushi. There is no meeting.'
'Ahaan. And uhh why did you lie to me?'
'I thought you needed a break. You stress over work too much'
'Umm that's very thoughtful of you but arnav this really wasn't necessary'
'Yeah well now its done. Might as well enjoy.'
'Umm''
'Seriously Khushi I spent money here. C'mon'
Khushi smiled. 'How typical of you. Alright.'
'Great! Come on'
Khushi had to give arnav credit. The food was great, it was peaceful here. The place was beautiful. 'Wait earlier on how did you know I liked the place'
'Oh that's easy. It was written on your place. You just stood there looking around' Arnav shrugged.
'Hmm'
'So you do like the place?'
'Yeah it's very calm, quiet.'
'Glad to be of service' arnav smiled.
After dinner arnav offered to show Khushi around. His dad owned this farm house but it was seldom used. They walked around the place talking and looking over at the spectacular view. Even at night the place had its charm.
'I should go now. Anushka would be waiting'.
'Uhh ok'
They walked towards the parking. As they reached the gate arnav broke the silence. 'Khushi there was something else'
'Yeah'
'Khushi' This past week has been good. Working with you I learned so many things and' I think we make a great team'
'Yeah I guess we do'
'And well''
'Yes arnav.'
'I think that there might be something more to it. More than just being partners or friends'
'Wait... Arnav what are you...'
'I'm saying that maybe we could be more than friends... And I would like us to give it a chance.'
'What?' Khushi froze. And then very slowly a smile spread across her face.
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