SS: Breathless (Updated Part 11 & 12, 11/20) - Page 3

Khushi turned off alarm and with only one eyes open looked at the watch- 7am.

Khushi: "What!" and ran straight to restroom. She wore a pink turtle neck sweater dress, knee high boots, wrapped grey scarf around her neck and a trendy cashmere hat. She applied light make and rushed downstairs.

Garima: Khushi eat something before you leave.

Khushi: Amma I am running late. I'll grab something on my way.

Saying this she ran, grabbed her long coat and left for her work. Today it was 5 years since they left for London. In these five years life has changed drastically. She joined a fashion institute to formally get educated in fashion. She had opened a boutique which with her hardwork she was now able to extent into a brand. She was growing at an unprecedented rate and all due to her hardwork. All she did was work, work and more work. She has become known name in Europe's fashion scene and was also getting slowly introduced in India. Compared to her design she was still simple. They had bought a big house in London in a very prestigious locality. They could buy this house with La's father's help because he knew the owner. Her father was cured and she opened him a small Indian Grocery store to keep him busy. Payal helps Khushi with her business. They had again built a life here. Things were not like Lucknow where Khushi was impulsive, innocent girl. Life had matured her and every step she took was measured. She was a successful business woman, a youth icon and really sought after by guys. She had it all; looks, money and success.

It was afternoon in India and Arnav was at work. AR had also grown at an unparalleled rate. He was taking over businesses ruthlessly. He was growing business in Europe. ASR had completely immersed himself to work. He went to home only to sleep. It's been 5 yrs since he had attended any festival, especially Diwali. Anjali was heartbroken when she was informed about Shyam. In the last five years Arnav had tried everything but nothing changed for Anjali. Arnav was opening a new headquarter office for Europe in London and he wanted his family to accompany him. They all needed to get out of Delhi if they had to move on. Arnav had contacted a realtor. Because of time constraints he did not get a house where he would have preferred but the locality where they bought was prestigious but not what he would have preferred. They bought two adjacent houses and renovated it into a big mansion. He had contacted the best interior designer to add that wild factor.

Khushi returned home in the evening and went for her usual evening jog with payal. They both admired the beauty of this new big mansion.

Khushi: I heard some Indian business family from India is moving in here. Isn't it amazing that an Indian is this established. They must be filthy rich. It took me so much planning and hardwork to buy a simple house here and imagine they actually bought two big houses and then build it from scratch.

Payal: Yeah. I was told by neighbors that they will be moving in today. Oh! we already reached home, wow. It was quick.

Khushi and Payal entered home. Khushi went straight to her home studio to continue working. She felt like Arnav was somewhere around. She paused and closed her eyes. In the last five years if anything has kept her going it was the feeling to be more powerful than ASR, richer than ASR, be everything she was not when they met. She still remembered the way he insulted her outside her house in Delhi saying that she is a gold digger. That was her first love and all she got back in return was heartbreak and pain. He helped her family when they came to London but she always questioned his intentions, was it because he was afraid that Shyam would have left his sister for her or was it because ….

Payal: Khushi dinner is ready.

Khushi promised herself that she will meet him one day when she is as rich and powerful as ASR. She had kept a track of AR's success and achievements. This is what has kept her going for the last 5 yrs.

Raizada's reached their new house in London. Everyone was impressed by Arnav's efforts. This was a beautiful house, even bigger and magnificent than their home in Delhi. It was very tastefully decorated. Arnav hoped that maybe this change will let Anjali move on with her life. Arnav felt like Khushi was somewhere close by. He removed the thought from his head thinking it is ridiculous how she can be somewhere close by. La had told him that they left London and she had not accepted any money to help Khushi. Everyone was tired and went to their respective rooms to sleep. Arnav and Anjali sat near their new indoor poolside and sat quietly watching rain. She had made fresh ginger tea for the two of them.

Khushi held a cup of tea and was stood near the window watching rain.

Next morning, Khushi got up early and started working. It was weekend and everyone was lazing around except her. Today was La's wedding and she had to leave for her home shortly so she wanted to wrap up her work. In this foreign land La has always been next to her. She helped her setting up her boutique. Her father guaranteed Khushi's bank loan and that is what made it possible. Khushi sensed that Arnav wanted to pay for her boutique and she got real upset with La. She made her swear on their friendship that she will tell Arnav that they left London. She did not want Arnav to know about her whereabouts. She wanted to move on after what happened in Delhi. He blamed her for things that were not her fault, treated her like crap, and used her feelings….

Anjali reminded everyone at breakfast table that they had to attend La's wedding tonight. She was happy that someone was finally finding happiness. She was excitied to attend her wedding and demanded that Arnav will also have to attend her wedding.

Arnav: Di wedding? I will meet her before wedding but I can't take all over the top ceremonies

Anjali: How can you forget that how she helped Khushiji because you wanted her to without even hesitating once. She has always been a true friend.

Arnav: O.K Di.

Khushi wore a beautiful crimson red lehenga mermaid style, net duppata with lot of sequim work. Her hair was open, light curls. She wore tasteful stylish jwellery to with her dress. She looked gorgeous, like a dream. She was with La and they both have been chitchatting and having fun. She was like family to La. La's mom called for Khushi to look over some arrangements and guests. Khushi was greeting guests and roaming around. Every guy in that wedding was trying to catch her attention but she was least interested in any of them.

Arnav with his family came and they met La. La told them they are up for a big surprise. A very dear friend of her has arranged a special function so they all should take seats. She had arranged front row seats for them.

Arnav almost froze as he looked at Khushi on stage. She looked breathtaking. Everyone (Raizada's) looked at her with surprise.

Khushi: Hi everyone and hope you all are having a great time. We have arranged a dance drama showcasing how the bride and groom met and how their love story progressed. Dances are in bollywood style so I hope you guys have fun.

Anjali: Chote Khushiji is speaking so good English and that too with British accent. Isn't she looking gorgeous?

All Arnav could see that evening was Khushi, dancing … making faces and smiling. It was the last act and while dancing her heels got trapped in lehenga and she tripped. She landed herself straight into Arnav's arms.