Part 3
"Khushiji whats up?" NK smiled mischeviously and asked her.
"Kuch nahi Nanheji. Khayi mein koodne ja rahe hain."
"Khayi? U mean valley? OMG! Khushiji! Are you going to commit suicide? Please dont do that. How will I live? How will..."
"Nanheji!!!! Hamara matlab hai ki humein..."
"Arnav Raizada ko interview karna hai. I know. I heard everything. Main door ke paas jaan lagakar baitha tha." He said conspirationally.
"Jaan nahi kaan Nanheji. Lekin ab hamari madat kijiye. Hum kaise karenge?" She asked helplessly.
"Actually Khushiji I too have no idea. I mean Arnav Raizada has been to Australia but I never paid attention to him you know."
"Great! Now what do I do?"
"Have jurabis."
"Jalebis Nanheji."
"Oh sorry."
"I got it!!!!! Yes yes yes!"
"You know how to interview him? How?"
"No. I am yet to figure out a way how to interview him."
"Then why did you say you got it?" NK asked while picking up a jalebi.
"I meant I got it what I have to gift Payal and Akash for their wedding." She smiled enthusiatically.
Payal was a fellow jornalist with Khushi who fell in love with Akash. The owner of the media house they worked in. Akash too confessed and their wedding was that night itself.
"1 min. No wonder Akash gave me this assignment and made Aman the deputy head. He will go for his honeymoon while I go and bell Arnav Raizada."
"Of course Khushiji! Akash is very smart you know that."
NK, Khushi, Akash and Aman were college buddies who started their career together. while Akash started the media house others joined to him out which turned out to be a huge success in a short span of time. NK shifted his base from Australia, Aman and Khushi left their previous jobs and Akash with his brother's help set up the media house.
No one had met his brother. And they didnt even bother Akash with his whereabouts. Though Khushi felt weird when Akash said he was always travelling and met the family only on some rare occasions.
They had met Akash's sister and the rest of the family. Akash mother was a hilarious character. With her over-the-top makeup and dressing she seemed ever ready to go to a wedding.
"And hello! Khushiji you were thinking about how to interview Arnav Raizada and not the wedding gift."
"I've too much on my hands Nanheji. I havent gotten them a present till now. Got to pick up my dress for tonight from the designer. Have to revise last minute for the exam and...interview Arnav Raizada."
"Big list I must say Sanka devi." Aman smiled. Khushi stuck out her tongue at him.
"Hey Aman buddy! Got any help for Khushiji?"
"Why dont you help her NK? Poor girl surely needs some help esp with the last part of the list."
"I can help her with the initial things man. Totally clueless with the last part."
"And Akash has given me only 15 days. Starting tomorrow." Khushi held up her arms in the air in despair.
"I'm sure you'll find out some way Khushi." Aman smiled sympathetically.
"For now lets go shopping!" NK cheered.
***********
"I've already thought of my present Khushiji. What about you?" NK asked as soon as they entered the mall.
"Let go to that shop and see. My brain is fried up in hot oil and is in the process of making jalebi."
NK guffawed loudly. "You seriously never think of anything except jalebis do you Khushiji?"
"Hmm?" Khushi asked absent mindidly as she looked through the shops for the gift.
As Khushi was looking through she suddenly froze.
Dhak dhak! Dhak dhak!
There! Again! Again in the mall.
She looked around but saw no one.
"I shouldnt have come here." She said and quickly picked up a show piece and hirried to the counter.
"Wow! That's nice Khushiji. Good choice I must say." NK complimented.
"Thank you Nanheji."
************
"All the best for you exam tomorrow. Though I still say I'll drop you off to your home. Its late at night." NK said as they returned after the wedding.
" I'm perfectly fine Nanheji. Plus Its just round the corner. You need to go home too. You look very tired."
"yeah! *Yawn* I need to sleep. Go safely Khushiji. Good night."
"Good night!"
NK left and Khushi started walking when she felt it again.. It had been happening since the last many days.
He followed her while walked. Alone. In the middle of the night.
She could feel someone following her. She could see the shadow. But damn!
Whenever she would turn back. It would vanish. Like thin air.
"Is he a vampire or a ghost?" She wondered aloud.
He smirked on hearing that.
"Very soon you'll find out." He thought while she turned round the corner and entered her house.
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Hope you enjoyed it
Anupamaa
14