SS: Breathless (Updated Part 11 & 12, 11/20) - Page 6

They both were lost in each other's eyes. For that moment everything around came to a halt. Khushi and Arnav could hear each other's harmonious rhythmic heartbeat. They felt at peace, something that both have not felt in years. It surely felt like love, magical and pure.

Then reality hit and Khushi remembered how Arnav had treated her when they met in Sheesh Mahal in a similar set-up. Khushi breaking the trance in an embarrassed tone said, "Leave me." Arnav obliged. She was shocked to see Raizada's in London. She went and hugged Anjali, met Nani' Gupta's met Raizada's and had usual conversation. All this while Arnav just stared at Khushi and couldn't stop admiring her beauty and this new found grace and persona.

Anjali invited them for dinner and was elated to know that they lived so close to their house. Mamiji was shocked to know that Khushi was doing so well for herself. Anjali and Nani were really happy for Khushi. Khushi still did not trust herself around Arnav and so avoided him all night. She could still feel her heart doing dhak dhak at the very sight of him. She hates to admit it but she still loved him.

Arnav questioned La about Khushi and what is she doing if London.

La: ASR it was Khushi's wish and it was better at the time. She needed to prove herself and without that she would have completely shattered. She needed to live, move on and without you. I know you ASR. You would have never confessed your feelings for her, then why show charity. She is a smart girl and she does not need your help to become someone. (With a smile on her face) You still love her! Tell her. How long will you both let go of your love for pride?

After changing to something comfortable Anjali came to Arnav's room and sat next to him. Placing her hands on his shoulder,

Anjali: How long will you hide from the fact that Khushi is the girl? We all know that she was as much of a victim as me. La had told me a while back about Khushi and that she is in London. It was then that I started planting the idea in your head that we need to move out of Delhi. I knew that you were expanding work in London.

Arnav: (Shocked) You knew she was here? She hates me. She told La to tell me that she is not in London and refused to accept any help from me.

Anjali: That should make you proud of her. Chote you both are very similar. Why would she accept your charity after you threw her out of your life?

Arnav: Di I didn't throw her out of my life. At that time I had no choice but to send her away from Delhi.

Anjali: Don't lie to me. You did throw her out because you were too scared to face your feelings. Last 5 yrs I have seen you die every day, regretting what you did but you are too proud to admit that. How long Chote? I am sure she loves you but she is deeply hurt and rightfully so.

Arnav: (Softly) But how can I be... when you are still not..

Anjali: When I meet the right person and time is right I will again find love. I have forgiven Shyam and moved on with my life. You were never home to see that I am fine now. He was a psychopath and just because we made a mistake once with him we cannot stop living and believing in love. This house needs someone like her to get back the happiness that Shyam snatched from us.

Arnav: Di she hates me. Did you notice she was avoiding me today evening?

Anjali: I noticed that she was only observing you despite the fact that every guy in that wedding was trying hard to make an impression on her. Chote trust me she loves you and this time you have to treat her delicately. It will not be easy. She is deeply hurt and I saw too much pain in her eyes. But at the end it will be worth it.

Anjali left and Arnav sat there watching rain and thinking what should he do. Should he try to woe Khushi or...He loves her and this he has realized in the last 5 yrs. No one knows it more than him that life is not worth living without her.

Next morning ASR had to leave early because he had a meeting with a big client. This was a big deal but some upcoming company would have got the deal if Arnav had not called them personally and requested for a meeting with client and the new company head.

Arnav walked inside client's office and was waiting for his competitor. He was stunned to see Khushi walking down hall. She was wearing a formal skirt suit, high heel pumps and wore a pearl set. Her hair tied in a pony tail. She looked professional. Arnav had never seen Khushi like this, a business woman- his competitor. For some strange reason his heart was filled with pride.

Khushi came prepared to give her best and hope that she will be able to win this contract. It is difficult to defeat ASR. Arnav and Khushi walked into the board room.

Khushi started her presentation. Arnav was impressed but even more importantly client was very impressed. Arnav gave his presentation and like always he was convincing. Client told both of them frankly that they love Khushi's concept but are not confident that her company can handle a project of this scale. How will she get money to buy raw material etc. On the other hand AR being the big established name they did not see the passion that Khushi's company had so they were very confused and requested if both of them could work out something.

They were standing outside meeting room and both were thinking how to address this situation.

Khushi: This project is very important for my firm and its future. You don't have to work on this project. Assign it to someone like Akashiji and this way it will work for both of us.

Arnav: It works for me. We will have to work..

Khushi interrupted him and said...

Khushi: from my office

Arnav: No. We will have to setup a new site because this is a big project. I will start the work and in interim basis we can meet at your office.

Khushi: We!

Arnav: This is a big project and AR's name is at line so I will personally oversee this project but you will have complete creative freedom. You are a partner in this deal, not an employee.

They informed client that they will work it out together. Arnav offered to drop Khushi to her office but she responded that she drove her car. Arnav felt stupid later because he should have known that she came in her car, but he didn't expect her to drive. Maybe he should stop under estimating her. She is his Khushi, not like any other girl.

Khushi was really worried and not sure how will all this work out. She has to be tough. She cannot show him what his presence does to her. She has to hide every feeling that she poured out last time. She cannot repeat the same mistakes. All this was just a business arrangement and nothing more.

Anjali had invited Gupta's over for dinner. Khushi did not want to go but her parents and Payal insisted. She said that they should leave; she will join them a little late. She had to finish some assignment.

Anjali greeted them and was sad to see that Khushi did not come. Payal told them that she will join shortly. She had some urgent work to complete. Payal wore a simple salwaar kameez. Arnav joined them and greeted them and sat patiently waiting for Khushi to end her work and join them. It was time for dinner. Payal called Khushi and reminded her that she needs to come now. In haste Khushi forgot to change. She was in her white pajama's and silk pink shirt. Her hair was tied in a bun, two pencils were tucked into her bun and few strands of hair fell on her face. She grabbed her long coat and walked to RM. Bell rang and Khushi entered. She hung her coat and entered their living room.

Garima: Khushi what are you wearing? (Sighed).

Khushi suddenly realized what she was wearing and her eyes popped. A smile spread all across hall. Arnav could not help but admire how sexy she looked in white pajama and silk shirt.

Khushi: (making a cute face) Oh God! Sorry amma. I was working..

Garima: Working? (Looking at Naniji) Last five years this girl has only been working. I am proud of her but it's time for her now to start thinking about settling. Both my daughters don't want to get married. There was a time when both use to be so excited taking about marriage.

Khushi: Amma what will I get by marrying some guy. I am happy and content the way I am and anyways I have too much work.

Anjali: Auntyji marriage will happen when it has to happen and with whom it has to happen.

Khushi sat next to Payal and made faces to apologize. Anjali wanted both her brothers to spend some time with Khushi and Payal. So she asked both of them to show the house. Khushi hesitated saying that she is fine. Anjali insisted.

They started walking towards their indoor pool,

Akash: How have you been?(looking at Payal and then Khushi)

Payal: Fine. All thanks to Khushi we are doing very well here in London.

Khushi: Jiji don't say that. We all worked very hard and we are fine.

Arnav: Have you ever wished you were in Delhi?

Khushi: No never. London is good.

Khushi did not enter any of the rooms. She was waiting for them in corridor. She saw the temple, similar to what they had in Delhi.

Arnav: (Whispering in her ears) Delhi is not all that bad. We decided to keep some old memories with us and not erase them all.

Khushi looked around and did not see anyone.

Khushi: Where is jiji?

She saw Payal walking down stairs and cutting their conversation in middle walked towards her sister. Arnav kept looking at Khushi and wondered if she really felt anything for him anymore. Before he could see her blush, breathe heaviely etc..when he was around but now..

Anjali: Chote dinner is ready.

Rest of dinner was a quiet affair. Khushi did not look at Arnav even once. She was very quiet and that was very unusual. They all thought that she may be worried due to work.

That night laying on his bed Arnav wondered what Khushi is thinking. Last five years every night he has spend tossing and turning remembering what he said to Khushi. He has regretted every action of his and wished somehow Khushi comes back to his life. Time has worn him down and he needed her more than he ever imagined. But how will he get his Khushi back? She was ignoring him and maybe she will never forgive him.

Khushi sitting on her bed wondered how she will get through this project with Arnav. When he came that close to her, his breadth touching her ears she felt a rush of emotions that she has not felt ever since that Diwali night. She had to keep up this tough facade if she did not want to go through what she went last time.