True Colors : ARHI FF Thread 1 - Page 61

Anjali looked up at the clock. It was close to 11'o clock and there was no sign of Khushi and Arnav. She wondered what was wrong.

She had been observing them for close to a month. She knew something was wrong though they were civil to each other in front of her and others. But something was wrong'

But not for a moment did Anjali doubt their love. She was never going to make that mistake. Anyone could see they were mad about each other.

If he was laying out her vitamin tablets and health drinks on the dining table for her to remember them, she was laying out his diabetes pills and salads.

If he was getting her gifts and flowers, she was busy making sugar-free sweet and snacks to his taste.

If he was watching her when she was busy, she was hanging on to the window till his car disappeared from her view when he went to work.

Anjali was touched to see all this, so what if they were somewhat miffed with each other. Wasn't her marriage proof that sweet words and endless smiles did not mean a perfect marriage?

Pain slashed through Anjali at the thought of her marriage and Shyam. A tear drop was forming, but she resolutely thought she would not shed it. Not another drop for that slimy creature that was called her husband!

Well she would have to change that and file for divorce. Arnav had not pushed it. But both of them knew this would have to be done. Again she felt the old grief creeping on to her'.And just then she saw Khushi come down the stairs.

Marriage suited her, Anjali thought. The sindoor on her head, the black bead chain on her neck, the shy smile'.Khushi looked every bit a happy wife.

"Di, I am sorry I slept late. Hope you ate," Khushi said with concern.

"Don't worry I'.."before she could finish she heard Arnav's loud scream, "Khushi! Khushi! Where are you? Where is my laptop? I can't find it. I had kept it beside the bed," he screamed.

Khushi looked at Anjali guiltily and said "Di. Don't search for it. I have hidden it. I don't want him to go to work today. I want him home with me!" she said like a small child. Anjali smiled at that and winked back.

Arnav came thumping down the stairs, "Khushi where is my laptop. I need to go to office. I have an important meeting."

Khushi gave him a blank stare, "How would I know. You should know where it is. It is your laptop," she said and left for the kitchen.

Arnav continued to search the whole house. This wasn't a small mobile or car key. This was his laptop dammit! And then it struck him! Khushi! She must be up to some tricks.

He came into the kitchen and found her smiling to herself. "You can stop smiling Khushi Kumari Raizada. I know you hid my laptop. Tell me where it is and why did you hid it?"

"Me! Would I do something like that?' she asked innocently.

"I am sure you would do something like that," Arnav said.

"If you are smart enough to find out I hid it, be smart enough to find out why I did it and where I hid it. I am not giving you any clue," she said resolutely.

Arnav closed his eyes in exasperation. Was she going to have a child? She was no better than a child herself most of the times.

"Ok done. I am not that smart. Tell me the reasons," Arnav said in a resigned way.

Khushi came close to him and shyly put her arms around him and said, "Don't go to office today. Please! I have missed you for so long'." She said.

Arnav's irritation turned to a tender smile, "Khushi all you needed to do was tell me."

"You will?" her face brightened up and she hugged him even closer, if that was possible with her huge tummy.

He almost gave in. But the meeting was important and he had tons of work including a presentation he had to make. He said, "No. I have to go Khushi. Try to understand'"

"No!" she said stubbornly, "I will help you in your work. Please stay."

"You?" he cocked an eyebrow at her. "Really? You don't know a thing about my work. Come on Khushi. This is not cooking and stitching," he said.

That got Khushi all upright, "So you think cooking and stitching is easy?" she asked.

"Compared to my work it is," he said smugly.

"Well then. It's a bet. You cook something very simple today," Khushi said. This also meant Anrav Singh Raizada would not go to office, she thought to herself because he would never resist a bet.

Never one to turn down a challenge, Arnav said "No big deal. But what about you? You need to make a PowerPoint presentation for me. Can you?" he mocked Khushi.

"Power '.what?" she asked and seeing Arnav's sarcastic smile, "Done. I will create. What do you want in it?" Khushi asked, having no idea what a PowerPoint was and how to do anything on it. Arnav had taught her to use a computer, send and receive mails and create some word documents. He had done this to make sure she was able to do the basic work for her shop. She even knew Excel because he had taught her. But PowerPoint? What on earth was that?

Arnav knew Khushi did not know a damn thing about PowerPoint. But he was going to enjoy winning,

"Ok what do you want me to cook?" Arnav asked. He was sure he could manage anything.

"Well let me see! I want aloo sabji, dal, roti and rice. It is the simplest thing to make," she said.

"Cool! So it's a deal. You create a PowerPoint and I cook the meal. If you win then'." Arnav was wondering what Khushi would ask.

"I want you to spend a whole week with me in our farm house without working," she said.

"Done! " Arnav said. "And what will you do?"

"Hm'" Khushi was wondering what Arnav would ask,

"Ok, if I win I will take you to the same farm house and we will have uninterrupted lovemaking for a week!" he said and smile at Khushi's enraged expression.

"A week! No way!" she said.

"Deal or no deal? Tell me or I am leaving right now to office," Arnav threatened.

"Ok deal!" Khushi agreed not wanting to let him go," And how many hours to achieve the target?"

"Approximately 2 and half hrs. No reading anything from Google or anywhere else. That's rule number 1. Rule number 2 no asking anyone else. Rule number 3 the end product should be reasonably good," Arnav said.

"Ok," Khushi said bravely but she was quaking inside.

"And yes. For my PPT'Ok PowerPoint," he corrected, looking at Khushi's perplexed face," I want you to create five slides with images and content about the recent trends in the fashion industry."

Khushi gave him one more nervous glance. Arnav was kicked She would lose. She did not know PowerPoint and even if she figured out she would know where to find images and how to write well in Engish. If she lost he would have uninterrupted lovemaking with her without any of her usual nakhras of pujas and vrats and other excuses.

Arnav was sure he would win. What was the big deal about cooking, he thought, though he had never ever even made even a toast for himself.

"Who will be the judge?" Khushi asked. And then both of them screamed, "Di."

Anjali came in and she was briefed about the bet. She was amused but agreed.

"Ok Chote! Ok Khushi the time starts in 10 minutes. Get all your equipment together."

Khushi rushed and got the laptop to the kitchen table. Arnav took out all the vessels. He called Aman and told him to go ahead with the meeting along with Akash.

"Ok time starts now'." Anjali announced.

Arnav looked at the vessels blankly and Khushi looked at the Laptop screen equally blankly'.