Pyar ka Dard hai
Part1
She was waiting for Mr. A.K. Sharma. She was absolutely on time and she hated late comers. She re read her files again and after every sentence checked her watch.
"I am extremely sorry Ms. Gupta." Mr. A.K. Sharma spoke as he entered the conference room. Although Khushi had heard about him but this was the first time she was meeting him. She stood up and shook hands. She observed him. He was most probably in his early thirties; he was tall and handsome and had worn a grey suit with a white shirt tucked inside. He smiled and indicated her to sit
"You are incredibly too young Ms. Gupta."
Khushi hated it when anyone would touch the topic of her age in an important meeting. She knew she was young, but she wasn't a fool. She had everything and could manage everything.
"Excuse me Mr. Sharma, but that's not the reason I am sitting here. Lets not waste anymore time now. I have another important meeting scheduled after this."
"Attitude" muttered Sharma under hi breath
They were discussing a housing plan scheme that the government was soon announcing. Gupta's wanted a merger because they couldn't take a huge risk, and their plates were full. Khushi knew that Sharma's had connections in the ministry and getting the tender wouldn't be a problem at all.
The meeting had been great and Khushi had been successful into getting Sharma into a partnership. At the end of meeting both of them stood up.
"I must say Mr. Gupta is a lucky man, I wish I had a daughter like you. You have won over me Khushi. I wish to see you on top Khushi." The sincerity in his voice had given a sense of triumph to Khushi. She had always been on top. Be it in her class or college and soon she'll make it to top in the male dominant industry.
She drove to home and saw her father was standing and instructing ramu kaka. She quietly stood beside him and hugged him from back.
"papa we managed."
"oh really ms.gupta?"
"papa we're at home. I am your Khushi and you are my papa."
"so my Khushi managed to get Sharma into a partnership?"
"yes papa"
"this calls for a celebration. Ramu kaka make moong daal halwa today. My Khushi loves it."
"Papa I need to complete my college assignment can I go to my room?"
"Sure darling. Don't overstress yourself."
"I won't papa." Khushi pecked his cheeks and rushed to her room. First of all she needed a hot shower. She pampered herself and got into the shower. She was proud of herself. And she knew her father was also proud of her. She only lived for two souls; one was her father and second was she herself. After half n hour or so, she came out of her bathroom and dressed in her pink pajamas and white t shirt. She opened her laptop and started completing her assignment. Her dad called her for dinner and the father and daughter duo had the dinner together. Khushi was eating her moong daal halwa with full concentration. Shashi had a smile seeing his daughter's antics. She was still a teenager.
"Khushi bowl bhi khaogi kya?" Khushi looked at him and giggled.
"Khushi I want to talk about something."
"yes papa."
"why did you fired Priya? I know there was no fault of hers."
"papa she misplaced some important documents."
"don't lie Khushi. You are a very good liar. I know. But I am your father. You can't lie to me."
"papa, you know anuj? "
"yes. Mr.mittal's son?"
"yes. Our rival. She was going out with him. she is my personal secretary and was dating my rival. Do you relly think she was trustworthy?"
Shashi was just out of words. How on earth Khushi never misses minor of minor details. He knew if Priya would have passed on some information, they could have been trouble. But he knew his girl was never going to let trouble wander around them.
"and papa what about me being a liar and you a catcher?"
"Khushi I have seen you. You can very well lie, looking straight in eyes, but I get to know it."
"how come?"
"because I am you father. I want to tell you something else also"
"yup"
"actually day after tomorrow we're going Haridwar.
"but why?"
"listen to me first, your dadi called, he missed both of us"
"so she could have come here. I don't want to go"
"Khushi your chachu told that they want to fix Payal's marriage"
"o my god , she's getting married? How come? Well whatever I am not going. I have loads of work here"
She went to her room without listening much''.
She lay on her bed and her mind drifted to some old memories. Khushi and Payal were cousins. Both were in same class. Khushi was always the topper and Payal was jealous. Khushi never minded that and never did anything to hurt her, but Payal had a bruised ego. The never so great bond got completely broken when Payal managed to date Naman, the only guy for whom Khushi was serious. Khushi was devastated; he never talked to Payal since then. After completing her twelfth from Delhi Payal went back to Haridwar. And now Khushi gets the news that she is getting married.
She was disturbed. She hated Payal. Payal had got everything in her life without being worthy of it. Payal had mother and Khushi didn't. Payal had siblings whereas she was alone. Payal had bunch of friends in school whereas she was always alone except for Ria: Payal had Naman but Khushi didn't. But she knew she had to go. Her father would definitely take her there. She called Jay, her cousin, Payal's younger brother. He was the only one Khushi could talk to and he would tell her everything.
"hello jay"
"Khushi"
"hmm. How are you?"
"I am fine. You tell. Are you alright?"
"yes I am. Tell me one thing is Payal getting married?"
"of oh who told you?"
"papa"
"arey she isn't getting married. She has just made a mountain out of mole."
"what do you mean?"
"see she couldn't make it to any good college and has been sitting idle at home.dad decided to get her married. He is in talks with arvind uncle."
"what with arvind uncle?"
"arrey silly, his son."
"oh'. So nothing is final yet."
"yes nothing is final. As you know Arvind uncle and your dad are best friends so my dad has called yours to persuade uncle to get her married. And you know what?"
"what?"
"the would be groom knows nothing."
"OMG are you serious.?"
"yeah I am. Khushi come here soon. I am pretty much bored here. And this overacting sister of mine doesn't let me breath properly. I miss you."
"miss you too jay."
"wish you could replace Payal."
"bye jay. Have to go to college tomorrow. Take care"
Khushi was somewhat curious. She wanted to go to Haridwar now. She wanted to meet Arvind uncle. Her favorite uncle., she wanted to see how things unfold and top of that she wanted to take revenge. She knew Payal would be very excited. She knew Payal too well. She only had one aim in her life, to get married. And Khushi will make sure, that Payal had a wedding to remember.
~0~0~
In Haridwar, a bunch of boys were standing outside the Raizada house.
"when will he come, we're already late."
"shh speak softly, and its difficult for him to sneak out. You know Arvind Raizada."
"yeah the retired army official."
"yes now keep quiet nahi to hamara court marshal yahi ho jayega."
And then Arnav jumped from his window into the garden and then very quietly opened the gate and came out.
"oh he's here."
"sorry guys, bauji was too excited, his best friend is coming here tomorrow. So he was awake."
"no problem Arnav. come or we'll be late."
"we already are" spoke aman.
"Arnav you never make it on time."
"stop complaining aman."
They boys were going somewhere deep in the city to watch mujra. It had been some time now and they wanted to watch the famous mujra of rasili bano. She was the famous dancer of Haridwar. Karan, Arnav's friend led them to the place and they all entered there. Few of the dancers were sitting on the stairs that led to the hall. They were dressed in heavy sarees and gajras. Karan blew a whistle after spotting one of the beautiful girl. Arnav smacked his head lightly.
"you can take her after you show us the way."
"of oh Arnav she was the most beautiful, by the time we're out she'll be booked."
"no problem karan aman will find you the next best." Winked Arnav.
The four of them, Arnav, aman, karan and Nikhil entered the main hall. The hall was decorated with beautiful lights and flowers. White mattresses were placed on the floor in the oval shape with round pillows. Few old men in mid fifties were already sitting there and drinking liquor whereas a group of men in mid thirties were sitting and smoking. The four of them sat on the other corner.
A young boy quickly came up to them and tied a band made of flowers on their wrists, Arnav gave him a fifty rupee note.
"oye Richie rich, don't spend too much." Complained aman. Arnav gave him a look.
Aman khan was Arnav's best friend. He did not like Arnav spending too much. According to him four of them were enjoying so the expenditure should be equally divided. But Arnav was Arnav, he never listened to him and ended with hole in his pocket.
Then a young girl enters. "rasili bai is just coming."
The hooting begins and then the rasili bai wearing red anarkali suit and lots of make up and jewellery enters. She walks with style and sits in the centre. She observes her audience and then her eyes get fixed on Arnav. she winks in his direction and karan and Nikhil pat Arnav's shoulder. He sure was a ladies magnet. And then the mehfil begins.
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