IPKKND FF: Masquerade [Chapter 18] Updated 10 Sept - Page 2

"Yes Di. I'm catching the 5 o' clock flight back this evening. My meeting went well so you can stop worrying."

Arnav Singh Raizada rolled his eyes as his sister said something about keeping away the Evil Eye from her favorite little brother.

"Di, I'm your only little brother. So stop fussing. I'm getting another call, speak to you later."

"Yes Mr. Singhania. Sure. Just hold on."

With that he stopped the car on the side of the road, got out and started consulting a few details on his laptop. As soon as he had taken care of his client's problems, he put his laptop into his case and was just about to get into the car when he heard a strange rustling noise. Curiosity got the better of him and he looked around for the source of the noise. All he could see was a large mansion surrounded by a brick boundary wall and an old banyan tree growing next to it. He walked towards the wall and took one more look around.

Nothing.

All of a sudden there was a frantic rustling noise and then something fell into his arms. Correction, someone.

He looked down to see a pair of eyes scrunched tightly shut as if waiting for the impact of the fall. His eyes travelled downwards and came to rest on the most beautiful pink lips he had ever seen. Not that he had ever paid much attention to a woman's features before. Talking about features, she had suddenly snapped open her eyes and had realized that she was in the arms of a stranger. Albeit, a handsome one.

"Let me go!"

Her tone surprised him and a frown immediately creased his forehead. He put her down roughly and was about to give her a piece of his mind when she turned and ran off, disappearing around a corner.

He stared after her for a long time before muttering to himself.

"Unbelievable."

...

Anjali combed her wavy, brown hair and gazed wistfully ahead. Suddenly she saw someone in her mirror and her face lit up. She turned around and rushed towards the person who had changed her mood in an instant and gave him a big hug.

"Chote! You're back! I'm so glad to see you. "

Arnav smiled at his sister's reaction before adding quickly.

"Di, I was away on a trip for 30 hours. What are you going to do next time I leave?"

Anjali's smile turned into a puzzled expression and she looked questioningly at her brother.

"I have to leave the day after for a week. I have to finalize the deal with Mr. Singhania. And you know him; I'll have to attend four or five parties before he gets down to signing the contract. Uff! I hate stuck up businessmen!"

Hearing this, Anjali let out a big huff and walked out of the room. Arnav sighed to himself as he wondered how he would make it up to his precious Di this time.

...

"I hope you're having a good time Mr. Raizada? I must say, you look quite dashing today."

Arnav nodded curtly and tried to prevent himself from biting off the annoying woman's head. If she hadn't been Mrs. Singhania, he might not have been as generous.

His eyes wandered around the room and finally came to rest on a rather interesting back.

She was wearing a short, black dress which had a racer back, beautifully showing off her milky, white shoulders and elegant neck. Her hair was pulled into a French knot and he was dying to get a glimpse of her face.

When she finally turned around, he was struck by her beauty. Flawless skin, perfect features and impeccable sense of fashion - this girl was definitely something else.

Mr. Singhania motioned towards him and introduced her to him.

"Mr. Raizada, this is Ms. Menon. She is a renowned journalist and is doing an exclusive on our ancestral treasures."

Arnav gazed at the girl in front of him as she greeted him and proceeded to make small talk. He noticed that even though her eyes were grey, they still had a lot of warmth in them.

Before he realized how the time had gone by, she thanked Mr. Singhania and was about to leave when her phone beeped. This was the first time he was able to observe her properly, minus her continuous chatter and tinkling laughter. He watched as she read the text message and her expression hardened a little. Her eye makeup was smoky black and there was a hint of kohl on her lower lid. His eyes travelled lower and suddenly came to a halt.

Her lips. They were the same luscious pink ones that he had stared at for so long just a few days ago. There was no way he could mistake them. After gazing at them for so long and consequently having quite a number of questionable dreams regarding them, he was sure that those lips were the same.

That was the girl who had fallen into his arms from the banyan tree.

...

You know what to do people! 😉

Chapter Two