Chapter 10:
The next morning, Arnav was in a grumpy mood as he stepped into his office. Why? Well, because his personal secretary had decided that she had more accounting work to finish downstairs and had gone to spend the day there, having a substitute fill in for her once again. No matter how much Arnav had tried to protest, Khushi assured him that this other substitute secretary would be better than Lavanya Kashyap, and after extracting a promise from him to not lash out at the secretary and to actually give her a chance, she had hurried away.
Arnav did not like to find himself Khushiless, he was afraid of the havoc that might be caused in his office if she wasn't there to efficiently look over the running of things, if she wasn't there to manage the little things.
But surprisingly enough, Khushi had managed to find a good replacement, a someone named Sameera Purohit.
Upon laying his eyes on her, Arnav had instantly tried to dislike her, but the more he worked with her throughout the day, the more he realized that she was actually quite a good personal secretary, "Quite a good replacement for Khushi. Temporary replacement" he corrected himself quickly. He smiled as she walked into his office with a cup of piping hot black coffee, just the way he liked it, setting it down in front of him before settling down comfortable into a chair, pen in hand, and ready to begin work.
Sameera Purohit. He tapped his fingers on the desk, his mind running in two different directions as ideas slowly floated in and out ' and those ideas didn't all strictly have to do with work, that he could say for sure.
****
Khushi stepped into Arnav's office at 6 in the evening only to find him sitting there, drawing away intently, his concentration not wavering even as she stepped inside. "Arnav?" she knocked on his door lightly before stepping behind his desk to peer at the designs he was drawing. He looked annoyed at hearing her voice, throwing her an impatient "Can't you see I'm working?" look before turning back to his papers. She tapped his shoulder again, ignoring the fact that he was working, "Arnav where did Sameera go?" she pestered him, as she hadn't seen her replacement secretary sitting outside of his office ' the desk was empty!
"Khushi. Let me finish this and I'll answer all the questions you have. Woman. Good god, I've been working on this for hours, and need to finish this now."
Rather than backing away at those words, Khushi was shocked instead, a horrified look appearing on her face before she reached over and grabbed the pile of papers that Arnav was working on, and tried to grab his arms in an effort to pull him up. "Hours? You've been working on this for hours Arnav? Have you had anything to eat all day? I know that you haven't. You know that you have to eat at regular intervals and have to take care of yourself. I'm not there for two days and you don't know how to take care of yourself" she berated him, as she marched a shocked Arnav to the sofa that was in his office and sat him down. And unfortunately for him, he couldn't even argue because what she was saying was the truth. He had just forgotten about eating, so immersed had he been in his work.
"Now, I don't want you to move an inch from here. Ok? No work no nothing. I'm going to go and bring some food for you, which you will eat, and then we're going home. Enough work for you for today" she ordered him, her bossy tone causing a small smirk to appear on his face. Unfortunately for him though, the second she saw that half smile, she whacked him hard with her handbag, "Don't you dare smile at me or laugh this off, Raizada. What do you think you are? Ugh men! Think they're supermen instead" she rolled her eyes, her annoyance only increasing before she marched out of the room, yelling at him once more to not move an inch or else'.
Arnav remained on the sofa, chuckling to himself as he watched her antics. He didn't know what he would do without Khushi. He really didn't. He couldn't have asked for a better best friend or a secretary.
When Khushi returned fifteen minutes later, some steaming hot rice and other food was set in front of him, and he was made to eat it all silently. Whenever he tried to speak, she would cross her hands over her chest and look away, and poor Arnav ' he was left with no option but to finish every last morsel of food. "Ab khush meri maa?" he asked her pleadingly, "I don't think I can fit another bite in my stomach. This was enough food to feed an army."
Khushi shook her head, "Arnav seriously. This might be a joke to you but this is your health that you're ruining in the process. Do you not understand how many people worry about you on a daily basis? Naniji, Didi, Adi, Jiju, Mamaji, Mamiji, Jiji, Buaji, Amma, Bauji, your employees, your friends, your'"
"I get it Khushiji. I get it. I promise that from now on I'll take care of myself ' whether you're there or not. Theek hain?" he asked, her folding his hands in front of her as he threw her a pleading look that he knew she would never be able to say no to.
And she didn't disappoint him. Sighing, she smiled at Arnav, shaking her head, "Chalo. Let's get out of here for the day and get you home. I'm going to call Naniji and tell her what happened, just to make sure she stuffs you with food again" she giggled and Arnav laughed as well, her smile was infectious ' something that had the power to brighten up anyone's day.
As they walked down to the parking garage towards Arnav's car, Khushi reminded him about his brides situation, "So Arnav, I have a few more girls in mind who I think would be good candidates for your wife" she begin seriously, her voice taking on more of a businesslike tone than it had the entire evening.
"You're making me nervous by saying that Khushi" Arnav fake shuddered, eliciting a giggle from her. "After the other women you thought would make good wives, I'm seriously not too excited at this possible list'"
"No I'm sure they're great girls for you. Just trust me on this" she said confidently, a tad overconfident if you asked him.
"Well, it's in your hands Ms. Gupta" he quirked an eyebrow at her.
"And one of these women will the love of your life" she said to him spiritedly, forcing her face into a grin as she felt her heart breaking into little little pieces inside of her.
*****
When she got home that evening, Khushi simply hurried into the kitchen to start making her jalebis.
God only knows how I deal with him. Khushi, you're the only woman stupid enough in the world to fall in love with the one man who won't fall in love with you. The one man who doesn't seem to notice you no matter what.
I'll find you the love of your life. Who the hell says something as stupid as that? You're just asking for a broken heart Khushi. You're just digging yourself into a deeper and deeper hole and before you know it, you won't be able to get yourself out of it.
Another part of her started to contradict her thoughts, But what else could you have said to Arnav? He's your best friend. You can't just refuse to help him! Yeah you love him, but if he doesn't love you then you have to let him go.
What if I tell him how I feel? What if I go up to Arnav and just tell him that I love him, that I can't go on pretending like this? But then, that would ruin our friendship.
She continued to furiously make more and more jalebis, the crazier the thoughts got in her mind, the higher the pile of jalebis that sat on the plate on her counter.
****
"So Arnav beta, come in, come in and sit down. It's been a while since we've talked" Arnav entered the house to find his Naniji sitting there with some of her friends, some of her nosy, annoying friends who were just as excited to see him married as his grandmother.
"Namaste" he greeted them all politely, "I would love to sit down par woh...I have some important clients coming in to the office tomorrow that I need to prepare for" he began to decline, but his grandmother knew him too well as she shot him a disapproving look, and signaled with her eyes that he should sit down.
"Haan, of course you have work Arnav beta. You don't want to spend time with any of us old people do you? We mean nothing, just a hassle to deal with, kyun?" began that cruel Shakuntala as his Nani's other friends nodded their heads furiously.
Damnit! Being blackmailed by 65 year old women. What has your life come to Arnav? And so, that's how Arnav found himself reluctantly being seated next to his Nani and Shaunktala devi, as Di, Jiju, Payal, and Akash, stood around and giggled at his helplessness. He shot them an angry growl, promising to get back at them later as he saw their reactions.
"Tho Arnav, what have you decided about getting married?" began one woman.
"Haan, your Nani set a deadline of 3 months and 1 is over. Did you find that perfect girl for yourself yet or should we tell who we have in mind?"
"We have not one or two but quite a few girls lined up for you Arnav, any of them who would be ready to marry you. Just say the word and we can all go to see them, and find you a wife."
"Haan Arnav beta, tho let's hear what you have to say"
Arnav's eyes widened as he tried to field all the questions that were being thrown at him. This seemed to be worse than the Spanish Inquisition! "Aap...aap sab...please. Please don't start looking-" he began, only to be cut off immediately by another grandma.
"Arreh beta, how can you say that? Almost 30 years old and no shaadi waadi. Don't you want kids? It's not fun being lonely, let me tell you. I know a man, Chaturvedi Saab, who was just like you when he was younger and didn't get married and now'he regrets it so so so much. If you want, I can give him your number and tell him to call you so you'll know what it's like to be old and alone' Should I do that?"
"Nahi!" he screamed out panicking, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. What was happening? He needed a wife before the time was up or he would be subjected to this madness!
His own Nani burst out laughing then, amused to see how her usually strong and fearless grandson was being reduced to a bundle of nerves by all of her friends. Taking pity on him, she told him to go and get refreshed, and then he could come downstairs to grab something to eat. When Arnav started to protest, she laughed, promising him that she would tell her friends to not pester him anymore, and a relieved Arnav made his way upstairs.
Phew. Now that was a close call Arnav. And it really means you'd better get your butt moving ' well, Khushi better get moving. I'm just never going to protest again when she suggests that I see any girls, he thought to himself. Looking at himself in the mirror, he smiled that smile which would have hundreds of girls ready to do his bidding, "Arnav Singh Raizada. You are quite the catch."
****
When Arnav headed downstairs a little bit later, he was surprised to see the gathering og Grandmas hadn't dispersed yet. In fact, as he walked closer, he heard Payal and Anjali Didi participating in some conversation. Wait! Did he just hear Khushi's name thrown in?
Just then, he heard Anjali announcing to everyone that Khushi's family was coming over! "Haan Naniji, I just talked to Khushi's father, and he said they would all be over soon!"
Why was Khushi's family coming over? They had just been over for dinner the night before! A confused Arnav remained on the stairs, listening to the conversation.
"Khushi? Aur Amma and Bauji? But why?" questioned a confused Payal, and one of the grandma friends piped in then.
"Arreh Payal ab tho Khushi is also almost 25. I have some good boys that I know. Rich, good families, studied in Amerrikaaa and are now settled there"
Arnav continued to listen intently, as Payal spoke, "Haan? Sach mein Auntiji? I know Amma and Bauji and Buaji were talking about looking for someone for her but if you know anyone, I'm sure they would be more than happy!"
"Arreh. We're all way ahead of you Payal. I already talked about this with Devyani and Anjali the other day. I know one boy whose family wants to get him married off really soon. And he's coming to India this week so we can arrange a meeting between Khushi and the boy and get the astrologer to look at horoscopes and-"
"Aha! And that's why you want to Amma and Bauji and Buaji to come over with Khushi!" exclaimed an excited Akash, happy to have figured out the gist of this entire conversation.
All the women had burst into their own conversations, the excitement at the possibility of Khushi's wedding contagious as some of them began discussing wedding clothes!
And of course, our man Mr. Raizada couldn't handle it ' his anger inexplicably rising with each passing second. "What is going on here?" he thundered, and everyone paused, stopping what they were doing to turn and look at him, stunned at his furious expression.
"Chotey?" His sister walked over to him, a puzzled expression on her face, as she gently soothed her hand over his arm. "Chotey, why are you so angry?"
"Because of what I just heard! Why are you looking for guys for Khushi? Did she even say she wanted to get married? Why are you guys making all of these decisions for her? Payal," he turned his attention to Khushi's sister, "Payal she's only 24 years old. Why would she be getting married right now?!"
Payal didn't get a chance to answer as his grandma stepped in, his own Nani, "Chotey", she began sternly, "Why are you yelling right now? First, lower your voice. This is a matter of happiness, not anything to be angry about"
But Arnav refused to be silenced, "Par Nani. Khushi's only 24! Why would she even want to get married now?" he continued his stubborn and angry tirade. "You guys would just be forcing what you want on her. Pressuring her into marriage when she doesn't even want to. Why can't she just find her own guy?"
Payal didn't get a chance to respond as his grandma stepped in, his own Nani, "Chotey" she began sternly, "Just because you want to be single for the rest of your life doesn't mean that everyone else on the planet does as well. Besides, we know what's best for Khushi, and we all only want what's best for her. If the boy is nice, then why should she have a problem with marrying him?"
"Um because she doesn't love him?" He couldn't stop himself from arguing further, trying to protest once more against finding Khushi a husband.
"And since when did you start thinking about love saale saheb?" Shyam asked smugly, a twinle in his eye as he stared his brother-in-law down.
Arnav was stunned to silence. That was true. Since when had he even thought love was important? It wasn't. He himself only intended on getting married to someone he got along with, forget love shove.
Akash couldn't resist adding his own thoughts , the Akash that had been sitting there silently this entire time, and should have known better than to spite his brother. "Arreh Bhai - we know you're going to miss Khushi. She's your secretary, but I'm sure you'll be able to find another secretary really soon. Or better yet ' what if she trains someone so that you won't miss your secretary?" his brother smirked.
He shot a furious look at Akash, promising with his glare to make his life hell as soon as possible, "You know she's not only my secretary Akash." Shit. SHIT. Did I just say that? Oh brother. Arnav, my man, you sure know how to get yourself stuck in a rut.
"So there is something going on between you both then?" he heard the shocked gasps from everyone, as they sat there looking absolutely scandalized, especially the entire set of grandma aged women who were sitting there shaking their heads disapprovingly, tsktsking.
Before he could respond though, he heard another voice enter, the actual topic of conversation make her presence felt, "Aisa kuch bhi nahin hain! Auntiji, aap aisa kabhi bhi mat sochiye. Please. Something going on between Arnav and me? Pigs would fly first" she scoffed, before making her over and hugging all the women and saying her namastes before seating herself next to her sister.
And Arnav was left standing in silence. Stunned to silence to be more precise. Was I just insulted or'.?
*****
Hi Everyone!
So the next update should be next week because I have classes again (AHH!) and yeah, I won't have time to write anything intense. Um, again, if you want to be PM'ed please leave a comment and I will add you from my PM account .Naina.!
Adding THIS account will, unfortunately, not result in PMs :)
I hope you enjoyed this ginormous update! I adore writing about this fun Arnav and Khushi and all of their nok-jhok moments. I'm dreading kicking into the more serious parts cause I know they're going to stink so be patient with me please!😳😆
Anywho! Thank you all again for being such wonderful readers! 🤗
Cheers!
Naina
Edited by ..Naina.. - 12 years ago
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