woww...thanks for the immensely good response...mmuuaah...and heaps of thanks to everyone who deemed my FF good enough to Like it and Comment...hmm...I would love to answer some of your questions regarding what Khushi has done and as to how Shyam fits into this story...but then...the element of mystery will be lost...but I am going to reveal portions of clues into this mystery...SOON...just a small portion...lol...so here...lets get back to the story...
CHAPTER 3 : SUCCESS
After the initial introductions, Khushi had relapsed into silence. Arnav already knew her whole-life history by heart,...so he wasn't paying much attention to the on-going conversation between his PA and her. He knew her age, her qualifications, even the fact that she fed milk formula to the baby instead of breastmilk and he also knew the name of her fiance. However, there were bits of contrasting details which had turned up in Khushi's bio-data that had intensely peaked Arnav's interest. But he already had a theory for those clashing reports and he knew when the time came, his theory would prove to be true. He was never wrong!!
"So dear, tell me more about yourself", asked an inquisitive Margaret. Her question was greeted with silence.
Arnav had a quick glance at his rear view mirror and saw that Khushi had fallen asleep. Arnav sneered and thought, "Has she really fallen asleep? Or is she pretending to be asleep because she simply cannot resist the opportunity to trap another rich guy? Afterall, who hasn't heard of my vast wealth and riches", Arnav mused silently. "Aah, Well!! Whichever it is...it doesn't matter...this will make everything more easier for me.."
"Margaret, I will drop you home," said Arnav outloud, changing the course of his destination.
"But, ..what about the girl?" Margaret asked worriedly.
"Margaret! I am dead tired and I don't intend to go hunting for her family at this god forsaken hour! ...And frankly speaking, if she can't stay awake to give me directions to her haven, then its pretty obvious that she couldn't care less as to where she gets to spend her night!...I am taking her home... and.if she doesn't like it then its NOT my problem...when the day breaks, she can go where ever she pleases," replied Arnav arrogantly.
Margaret quietly got out of Arnav's car. She had started working in his company when Arnav was still struggling to lay down the foundations of his empire. She knew that he was of a loving and caring nature, but that side of him was reserved only for those people who had proven their worth to him. But then there was that side of him, which was labelled as the cruel, heartless and cold multi-millionaire Playboy!!!
"Goodnight Arnav, see you tomorrow," and with that Margaret shut the door to Arnav's car and entered her blissfully quiet home, atleast there was no boss to yell at her there.
************
As soon as Arnav pulled to a stop infront of RM, he got out of the car and walked towards the rear passenger door. He opened the door and gently lifted the baby off Khushi's lap. Ever since he had bumped into Khushi, he had been dying to get a proper glimpse of the child. As he held Riya in his arms, the loving child fluttered her eyes open. Soft brown chocolatey eyes stared back at Arnav. Arnav would have noticed those eyes anywhere! Afterall, they were the mirror image of his eyes. Her lower lips jutted out with a slight wobble.
Arnav softly cooed to Riya, trying to soothe her," hellooo sweety...sshhh...don't worry, you are safe. Sleep...shh. You are home now."
Almost immediately she complied with his request, but, only after she had rewarded Arnav with her very best gummy smile and then gently closed her eyes. Arnav was mesmerised. He wasn't even sure if she had smiled at him or was she just dreaming!!
He shook his head while smiling, and carried her inside!
Meanwhile, Anjali had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Riya. Arnav had promised her that Riya will be home today and she knew Arnav always kept his word. So she sat on the sofa, waiting for the child she had given everything up for.
Arnav strode in and put the baby in Anjali's arms. Even though Anjali had known that the baby would be arriving today, but still, she was unprepared for it. Holding the precious baby, she smiled at her brother.
"Chotey...she...ooh...she is so cute nah?...Just like a little Pari...I am soo happy! " Anjali whispered inbetween her sobs.
"Shh...Di...its not over yet...we still have Khushi to deal with...so could you prepare the guest room for Khushi and Riya. Just a little bit longer Di...and then no one will be able to snatch Riya away from you. I promise you Di, Okay?" said Arnav, comforting his Di and taking Riya back into his arms. Anjali nodded and did as Arnav requested. She asked HP to fix the guestroom and then she walked to her room. She didn't want to see the woman who was responsible for her husband's demise.
************
When Khushi opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was that her baby was gone! Then she looked at her unfamiliar surrounding. Where was she? She thought.
She nimbly stepped out of the car and treaded towards the big house slowly. She kept on looking around her, trying to gauge her surrounding but since it was dark, she couldn't make anything out. She stepped through the lit entrance and into the house. There, she saw a beautiful woman, dresses in black, quickly walk away while her rescuer stood there holding HER baby. She couldn't hear what they were saying since they were talking in hushed tones. She took determined steps towards Arnav, and gently but firmly removed Riya from his arms.
"Why did you take my baby away from me?...Why didn't you wake me?" fired Khushi.
"First, the baby was not lying in a comfortable position, she would have fallen off your lap,... so I brought her in. Secondly, I Don't owe you ANY wake up calls!! What kind of a mother are you? You should have woken up as soon as I removed the baby from you, but you were too busy catching up on your beauty sleep!" reponded Arnav.
"I...I am sorry...I...woh...I was worried about Riya,...I am sorry, you helped me out and I talked so rudely to you...I...uhh...where am I?" asked Khushi nervously.
"You are at my home. Since I didn't know where you wanted to be dropped off and you didn't show any signs of waking up anytime soon, so I brought you here. Tomorrow morning, you can ask one of the drivers to drop you off where ever it is you wish to go. I am tired and am going to bed. This is Hari Prakash. He will show you to your room and if you need any food or anything, just ask him. Goodnight." said Arnav while walking away from Khushi.
" Thank you...uhh...Mr Raizada...and goodnight to you too," Khushi replied after him quickly when she saw him disappearing up the stairs. Arnav stopped briefly, turned and nodded his acknowledgement before resuming his route.
"Come Khushi ji...I will show you to your room,"said Hari Prakash.
************
Next morning, after Khushi had woken up and had come down for breakfast with Riya tucked away in her arms, she found several different brands of milk formula waiting on the table, all ready for the baby. She also met Arnav there.
"Goodmorning, thank you once again for your kindness, but I really should be on my way," said Khushi.
"I know you women barely eat these days to maintain that figure, but I am sure the baby is still too young to go without breakfast. Looking at your figure I don't suppose you breastfeed her either!" said Arnav sarcastically, angry that Khushi thought to leave without feeding the baby.
Khushi was in tears. How could she explain to him why she didn't breastfeed Riya.
<FLASHBACK>
Khushi: Doctor, where's my baby?
Doctor: I am sorry to say but your baby was still-born. It was a boy.
Khushi breaks down in tears hearing this. She didn't know what to do. She had been date raped in a drug induced state. She didn't even remember what had happened that night nine months ago. She didn't even remember her assailant's face!!! Its only when she had become pregnant that she had linked that incident (to be the only possible explanation), to the day Payal had taken her out.
Since she considered life to be God's gift... she had refused to have an abortion...
She had lost her virginity then...and now she had lost another part of herself. She felt violated and robbed.
Just then Payal came into her ward, being pushed in a wheelchair by a nurse, carrying a child in her lap.
Payal: Khushi...I heard that you lost your baby...
Khushi: Jiji...I.. *sobs* ...I lost my baby...my son...I didn't even get to know him...sing lullaby to him... *sobs* ...
Payal: ...Well... what does it matter...you can have THIS one...I hope you remember that YOU stopped ME from aborting as well...and YOU had promised me that you will look after IT if I don't change my mind...well...I haven't changed my mind...here...take HER...BUT remember Khushi...I am still IT'S MOTHER...NOT YOU...so NEVER forget that...and I don't want YOU feeding YOUR milk to MY CHILD...understand...otherwise, I will give IT up for adoption... The day I feel any motherly affection for her...I will come and take her from you...and you will give her back to me without a fight...Do you give me your word?
Khushi: Yes Jiji...I agree to ALL your conditions...and I give you My Word.
Saying that Khushi had hugged the newborn infant to her chest and found new joy in life. And she had stayed true to her word. Even though she had died each time a little death when she couldn't breastfeed Riya as she would have her child...she had fed milk formula to Riya.
<END FLASHBACK>
"I don't think you have the right to judge me. And as helpful as you have been to me, it is still non of your business as to how I live my life and what choices I make for my child," defended Khushi.
"Whatever...feed the kid...and you can leave then," replied Arnav, unaffected by the show of her tears.
Wiping her tears, Khushi located the same formula, which she fed Riya daily,between all those other milk formulas. She quickly fed Riya, cleaned her up and descided to leave instantly. Arnav cleverly accompanied her to the door, saying he would give her a lift on his way to work.
************
Just as they came out of the house, camera's started flashing from everywhere.
Reporter 1: Mr Raizada...Is it true that you got secretly married?
Reporter 2: Whose baby is that?...Mr Raizada...is that your baby?...Is she your wife?
Reporter 3: When did you get married, Mr Raizada?...Where did you guys meet?...
The camera's mercilessly flashed repeatedly at Khushi and Riya. Finally, having no other options available, they all dashed back into RM to take cover from any further onslaught of questions.
As Arnav followed Khushi back into the house quietly, no one saw the smirk that he hid so well behind his fake worried mask. He was congratulating himself on the success of his Plan 2...and before the end of the week...Khushi would have no choice but to be his wife...his TEMPORARY WIFE. Success will be MINE, Arnav promised himself quietly.
**********************************************************************************************************
Comments and Like please, generously... lol ...and to all those creators who update their FF daily with a flawless touch...you all have WON my ultimate respect...I hope one day I will be as good as you all...until then please guide me with your comments and help me fix my flaws... 😊
Edited by s-576 - 13 years ago
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