Arhi FF: It's Complicated;Chap16 Pg46! 05/05 - Page 20

just read the last two updates and they were fab...love how the story is going...and loved the precap...please continue soon and thanks for the pm

AWESOME UPDATE!! im already liking this aman character he seems really sweet!! thanks a ton for the pm!! continue soon!!

WHY WHY WHY??? why would he stop her from fasting???? is he an idiot or what? although i love this khushi! she so SWEETLY said, "ofcourse anjali ji"! 😆

WOW Nina ... awesum updates 👏 ...really like d way d story is progressing and ur evil precaps make me go crazyyy ... gr8 work and waiting desperately for d next part ... thanks for d pm 😃

A/n: The quickest update ever, I know. This chapter was just begging me to be written and I had a real nice and co-operative muse so here you go! This might be the last few quick updates in a little while though I swear I'll update almost daily once I get my laptop(which will be soon)! Hope you liked it and as always, I live for comments!

Chapter 13: A New Decision

Khushi tried not to look around like a fool as they entered the Five Star Hotel. She had expected nothing less when Arnav had informed her of the luncheon but then, she had never seen such grandeur and an almost atrocious display of wealth before. As much as she enjoyed looking around at the pricey things on display, something in her rebelled at the thought of wasting precious money on such unnecessary stuff. She thought of mouthing her thoughts but Arnav was her only company and seeing the expression on his face, Khushi decided she was safer pretending to be dumb.

As they entered the room booked for the conference, Khushi's attention converged on the delegates assembled there; they were the last to arrive and talk immediately resumed as Arnav mingled among them making them feel welcome. Khushi tagged along for the most part, though on more than a few occasions, she could see that Arnav asked her opinions on various things, making her feel included too. After a few minutes, Khushi felt herself relaxing and was even able to manage keeping a smile on her face throughout the meeting.

Khushi had always prided herself on being able to judge people correctly; and she wasted no time in observing the people who had come, trying to judge them based on their actions and words. It did not change the way she thought of them or spoke to them but it was a hobby Khushi had always had. An hour later, when then delegates moved towards the buffet, Arnav pulled her aside for a second to whisper in her ear, "We're leaving," he spoke in her ear in a low tone so that no-one will be able to hear.

Khushi turned to him in surprise; was it because she had done something wrong? She freed herself from his grip and levelled him with a questioning stare though the look on his face told her that she had done nothing wrong. Heaving a silent sigh of relief, Khushi asked, "Why? The lunch isn't over yet; I thought this meeting was supposed to..."

"Just do as I say; we're returning to the office. Aman's here and he will look after everything else," Arnav tilted his head towards where Aman was talking with the guests, a casual grin on his face indicating that he was enjoying himself. Khushi, not having any reason to retort and knowing that Arnav wouldn't give her any more reasons, nodded and followed Arnav out but not before sending a quizzical look towards Aman; he had some explanation to do.

XXX

"I won't be able to go to Shantivan for lunch today; there is a teleconference tomorrow evening that I have to prepare for. I'll send you the draft once I've gone through it; if you want, I can ask the driver to..." Khushi cut Arnav short as they entered the office together.

"No, Ar... ASR; I'll manage with food from the Canteen," Arnav nodded, his hand already punching the numbers in his cell phone. It was lunch time at the office still and thankfully, no-one was there. Khushi thanked Devi Maiyya for sparing her from having to face them once.

Only when Arnav was half way up the stairs that she remembered, "Arnavji!" she called inadvertently, biting her tongue as she realised what she had called him. I'm in for it this time she thought as she looked uncertainly at Arnav who had just turned at her voice. He raised an eyebrow in question when he saw that Khushi had turned silent.

"You haven't eaten anything since the morning; Anjaliji told me that we'd go back to Shantivan for..." Arnav waved his hand as if the matter was of no importance but Khushi wasn't convinced. Walking up the stairs to stand obstinately before him, Khushi said in a tone that was far more courageous than she was feeling, "I can't let you stay hungry; Anjaliji would scold me and not you. This was why I became your Secretary, right? Because Anjaliji thought I'd be capable of looking after your health too? I can't fail my duties."

Arnav rolled his eyes internally; trust her to find reasons valid enough to make him hesitate. His whole purpose of appointing Khushi would be defeated if it came to Anjali's knowledge that he hadn't had his lunch which, by the look on Khushi's face, was exactly what would happen.Sighing, Arnav gave a nod, "Alright; just send me something from the Canteen. Just remember..."

"No sweets and less spicy; I remember," Khushi chirped out, happy at having convinced him. She skirted around him on the stair and was about to skip down when she tripped. Arnav caught her arm, struggling to hold on to her entire weight since he was afraid that if he held her too tightly, he might sprain her arm.

Turning slightly, he held her by her shoulder, watching as her too wide eyes returned to normal size and the panic in them receded. When he was sure she was breathing normally and hadn't gone into shock, he asked, "Are you alright?"

Khushi nodded, gulping down the sudden surge of fear; if Arnav hadn't caught her? But he always does the undeniable truth rang in her ears, making her flustered and embarrassed to be in his presence. Giving him a quick look, Khushi walked down the stairs carefully, not wanting to make another show of her clumsiness; a trait that seemed to manifest itself especially in Arnav's presence. As if the connection between her limbs and her mind got disconnected everytime she faced him.

XXX

"Khushi!" Anjali greeted her happily as she entered the house with Arnav. Thankfully, Arnav had told her that he'd take her home since it had apparently gotten later than he had thought it would. Khushi had chuckled to herself, thinking of the same Arnav, who had, a few months back, made her stay back until midnight and hadn't bothered at all about her safety.

The car ride had been silent; Khushi had no idea was running through his mind but of her thoughts, she was reasonably sure. All she felt for Arnav was gratitude and a measure of surprised admiration. How could she have thought of him as uncaring? Or could someone be this thoughtful and completely inconsiderate at the same time?

Aman had returned an hour before the office had officially closed and he had immediately come to her room to explain. "ASR called me when he saw the arrangements I had made. It was supposed to be a vegetarian hotel but unfortunately, the situation called for a mixed buffet. I hadn't told ASR about the change thinking he wouldn't mind. He regularly attends such meetings and knows how to skip eating without seeming to be. But you were relatively new to it and he didn't want to risk it. So he asked me to step in during the lunch; it was only necessary that ASR be present for a second to assure those people. The rest of the deal could have been finalised by any of us. I didn't know why ASR insisted on taking you along but he changed his plans as soon as he came to know about the food. That's all there is to it. I'll see you tomorrow, Khushi. All this eating and talking has sucked out my energy; Good Evening," Aman had departed as suddenly as he had come but his words had made such an impact on Khushi that she hadn't even noticed that he had left.

She had no doubt that Arnav had returned so abruptly because he hadn't wanted to inconvenience her, but why did he take her there in the first place? If what Aman had said was right, she needn't have gone at all! Did this mean that he actually liked having her around? For some odd reason, the thought that Arnav might actually not want her gone made Khushi smile and even when Arnav scolded her rather sharply for one of the mistakes she had made in the Offer letter, she took in stride, giving him a calm answer instead of breaking into tears or yelling back at him.

"Anjaliji, you seem so happy today! Anything the matter?" Khushi asked as Anjali led her into the house by the hand, Arnav trailing behind the two as if he didn't really want to be in their company. Anjali, noticing Arnav's sullen expression, chased him over to his room. Khushi too excused herself and followed after Arnav; Anjali didn't object, much.

She caught up with him at the entrance to his room; he would have gone in and slammed his door shut if she hadn't called out to him. Even then, she wasn't sure he would stop for her. Turning, he waited until she reached where he was standing in a jog, slightly out of breath as she stood before him.

"What is it?" Arnav snapped when even after a few seconds, Khushi kept looking at him and twirling her Dupatta in alternation.

His sharp tone bringing her to reality, she stuttered out, "I just wanted to thank you Arnavji..."

"Didn't I say you should call be ASR in the off..." Even before Arnav could complete what he was about to say, Khushi interrupted, "But we aren't in the office any longer, are we?"

Having got himself into a secure corner and knowing it, Arnav said, "Was this what you wanted to talk about?"

Khushi shook her head in a yes first and then realising what she was doing, shook it in a no. With a muttered, 'Unbelievable', Arnav bit out, "Whatever you want to say, say it before this century at least; I have work to do."

"I was about to say before you interrupted me with the Arnavji thing when it wasn't even my fault! How could I..." Khushi trailed off when Arnav took a step towards her, letting his hold on the door go. The door slammed shut, making her stop her blabbering.

"Will you ever get to the point?" Arnav muttered in a furious whisper, barely stopping himself from reaching out to hold her by the shoulders. It always rattled her when he did that and the last thing Arnav wanted was to make her cry. Stepping back purposefully, he waited for the telltale tears; he was thoroughly disappointed as Khushi stood straight and thanked him for the afternoon's arrangements.

Surprised and more than a little thrown, Arnav merely nodded before he entered the sanctuary of his room where Khushi couldn't surprise him anymore. No, he wasn't ready to accept that she was, or could be, something other than the weak moralled middle class girl that she had seemed at first.

XXX

"Will you keep the Vrath for Karva Chauth tomorrow, Khushi?" Anjali asked as they were assembled at the drawing room later and before Khushi could answer, Arnav's voice interrupted, "No way, Di. Khushi isn't fasting again."

Everyone there looked strangely at Arnav who had just arrived with the ever present file in his hand and Bluetooth at his ear, noticing the finality in his tone; as if he had every right to decide in the matter. It also made Khushi feel mad, for some reason…

"Of course I am, Anjaliji," Khushi replied sweetly, ignoring the burning look from Arnav all the while as he cut the call with Aman and took a seat beside Anjali which also happened to be opposite Khushi.

"That's great, Khushi! You will also get as wonderful a husband as I have then. I only wish there was some Vrath for men so that we could have Chote do it so that he could get a good wife too," Anjali replied half mockingly half seriously and suddenly, Arnav's temper shot up.

"Di, that's quite enough about my marriage. I've told you time and time again; I don't believe in these relationships; they never last long. And Lavanya has just proved me right once again. I'm never wrong, Di; all this marriage business is trash," Arnav spoke in his usual cutting manner but Anjali who had rarely ever been the brunt of it flinched and turned away.

Both Khushi and Shyam stood to console her and Khushi sat back down, letting Shyam soothe her. Shaking him aside, Anjali faced Arnav once again. "So what do you call mine and your Jijaji's marriage, Chote? A farce? Do you think your Jijaji would run after someone else in a few years just because marriage isn't a long lasting relationship? Is that what you want in my life?" Shyam's head snapped to Anjali's face. He saw the raw pain on her face at the mere mention of being separated from him. How could I even think of doing this to Rani Sahiba?

Khushi observed that, though Anjali was hurt, she didn't show it outside after the initial shock and few drops of tears. She was as strong as Arnav in holding onto her stubbornness she hides her hurt as much as Arnavji does the thought rose in her and Khushi realised that truth behind it as she looked into the stricken expression on Arnav's face. But a moment later, it was gone as Khushi saw Arnav's face linger on Shyam's. Oh no...

Khushi's eyes widened as she realised what was about to happen and in an effort to stop it, she stood up hurriedly from her seat and took a sudden hold of Arnav's arm. His reaction was as she had hoped; distracted. He narrowed his eyes at her and she subtly shook her head in a no. Reality had by then caught up with him and the significance of what he had been about to do shut him up.

Khushi let out a sigh of relief as she saw Arnav close his eyes for a moment; his sense had caught up with his temper and now he was out of danger. She waited with bated breath for the grounded Arnav to come back, looking at him imploringly. His breath was a little ragged as he finally replied, "I'm sorry, Di. I didn't mean to say that; I didn't mean it that way. What I... Di you know I don't like talking about marriage and you were going on about Vraths and Poojas and I..."

Anjali, who had by now recovered, (courtesy of the sight of Khushi trying to appease Arnav) smiled waterily and nodded. She walked out of Shyam's arms and walked slowly to where Arnav was standing. Surprisingly, she turned to Khushi first. "It's safe for you to let go of Chote now, Khushi," she replied with a chuckle and Khushi jumped away from Arnav as if she had just realised what she had been doing. Even Arnav seemed a little taken aback; like he hadn't noticed Khushi's proximity before. Before he could ponder any further, Anjali began speaking to him, "Its alright, Chote. I was just making fun of you but I guess it was a little too much. I'm sorry; I shouldn't have talked that way..."

Arnav hurriedly closed Anjali's mouth, "No, Di. You have every right to speak any way you want with me. I'm your younger brother; your Chote. Whatever changes or doesn't, this will never change," Anjali hugged him tightly, breaking out in tears again; but this time, they were tears of happiness and even Khushi felt the moisture prickle her eyes.

Looking over the siblings' shoulder, Khushi say Shyam looking at the two with a kind of jealousy; as if he had noticed her, Shyam turned to Khushi and she saw why. They were brother and sister too; weren't they? But in all the novelty of shifting to Shantivan, Khushi had entirely forgotten about why she had come here. Well you were a little preoccupied with thoughts about Arnavji, weren't you? a part of her mind reminded her and Khushi shook her head resolutely. Deciding that she would, this instant, get rid of all those unnecessary thoughts, Khushi smiled warmly at Shyam. He looked suitably taken aback and an unsure smile crept on his lips.

Anjali was smiling as she walked away from Arnav and sat on the couch and everyone followed suit. "But Chote, you never did tell us why you don't want Khushi to fast?" she asked with a glint in her eyes that Arnav knew meant she was trying to land him in trouble.

Her Vrath and fainting episode was enough the first time; what if I am not around when she falls again? What if she gets herself hurt? the answer rose promptly in his mind but Arnav refrained from answering. It just didn't seem right, somehow. More than that, why was he thinking about Khushi anyway? What did it matter to him?

The answer to this, Arnav thought he knew for sure, "Because, Di, she is my Secretary now and I can't have her fainting all over the office because she is keeping some silly Vrath, can I?"

Anjali nodded, "Oh, yeah, I almost forgot that! By the way, you don't have any problem with her praying for a good husband, do you?" Arnav sighed internally; what was this? 'Question Arnav about Khushi day?'

"Why would I care, Di? She can pray for whatever she wants so long as she is efficient in her office work. I don't care who she marries or divorces," Arnav replied curtly, effectively ending the conversation.

"Don't worry, Anjaliji. I'll keep the Vrath anyway. Last time I wasn't prepared for it but this time I will manage on my own," Khushi replied and for all, it seemed like a normal answer. But Arnav knew, by the look in her eyes as she looked at him, that she was effectively telling him that she did not need his aid.

We'll see Khushi Kumari Gupta, how you finish this Vrath. I'll do everything in my power to make this impossible for you. Let's see who wins in this; your stupid ideals or my practicality.

A/n: I hope this wasn't too much of a filler chapter? The next one definitely won't be(It is going to be Karva Chauth after all)! And here goes my evilly precap!

Precap:

"What the..? Khushi, is there a sane explanation for how you did this to yourself?" Arnav asked, beyond annoyed. First there was her insistence that she needed to break her Vrath that very instant and now this.

"I… It was near the Water Purifier and fell on me!" Khushi retorted, glaring; Arnav wasn't sure who she was glaring at-the thing on her or at him.

"Hey Devi Maiyya! The Moon!" she exclaimed right at the moment, looking at the orb like it was the most amazing creation in the Universe.

Awesome, cant wait to see what would arnav do to bread khusi's fast.

amazin part...dis arnav is lyk d show but we get to knw his internal thoughts...awesome chapter...nyc precap lookin forward for next part

⭐️good one 👏

anxiously waiting for d next upd...

loved this part! goota wait and read to see what arnav plans to do. hope he doesnt go too far and make something nearly happen to khushi.