FF: D for Desire Th# 1 (Ch 1 - 14) - Page 68

13

Khushi kept staring at herself in the mirror. She was convinced with the way she looked. She was in an elegant red chiffon with her hair loose & eyes accented. She had not worn any jewelry except for her favorite diamond studs in the ears. Red has always been her color but she was very selective in wearing red. She was wondering if the Red sari was a bit too much but the theme of the party was red & black and she did not have anything black to wear.

In fact, she did not have anything red to wear too.

When Mr. Sharma called her to inform her of the party, she was in her Buaji's house in Laxminagar. She had met her Buaji on the very first day she arrived in Delhi but could not manage on the following days. So today she was spending the whole day with her at her house. She had no more work left. Khushi was surprised of the sudden invitation from AR Industries. Her heart twitched because a party by the AR meant Arnav would be hosting it – he would be there. Khushi was a proud professional – she knew she should not mix up her personal interests with her professional responsibilities. It would be a professional courtesy to attend the party and so she informed Mr. Sharma that she would reach the guest house in time.

As soon as she came back to her hotel at around 6, she got flustered. On the bed lay a wrapped box along with an envelope on top. It was an invite to the party which specifically mentioned that the theme of the party was Red & Black. The box had a small card on it – "From AR". There was a beautiful red chiffon sari inside the box – it had to be the best Khushi had seen so far with exquisite red-matte golden embroidery & red sequin work. The sari came with relevant accessories that fitted her perfectly.

A flustered Khushi went for a bath and when she was drying her hair she received a call from AR. They were sending her a car to reach the party since she was the only one living away from the guest house. Khushi hanged up and instantly called Mr. Sharma to tell him she was not going.

Though Arnav had not contacted her since morning, she could feel him around. A red sari, a blouse that fitted her perfectly, a car for her and above all, a party out from the blue – she was not a fool. She connected the dots but could not understand what Arnav was trying to prove. That he was sorry? Or was he trying to convince her for their non-committal affair? Khushi was, in fact, feeling raged. What did he think of himself?

Khushi wished she could give him a piece of her mind. Instead, she told Mr. Sharma that she could not come making an excuse of severe headache but in vain. She was advised to take rest, have medicine and reach the party a little late if not in time. Mr. Sharma did not forget to mention what AR Industries meant to his business.

Khushi took all the time she could to get ready. The party was scheduled at 7.30 and it was already 8. The car was available for her from 6 pm. But Khushi had no rush. She wanted to reach as late as possible & leave as early as possible too. She checked herself in the mirror again & sighed. If she had time, she would have never worn this sari – she would have shopped something for herself, preferably in black, a Kurta perhaps. She sighed again. No matter how much she was appalled by the Sari, she could not deny it was beautiful. She had to leave now no matter how much she did not want to. Mr. Sharma had already called her twice.

A 30-minute drive took her to the AR Guest House which was on the outskirt of the city in a very lovely location. It was a three storied building with a large hall in the ground floor accompanied by a grand pool & fine garden. Khushi had to admit that the guest house was one of the finest she had seen. The pool & the garden were decorated and managed tastefully. Khushi could see the guests in the hall through the glass walls. It was not too crowded – it was a party for hardly 50 people but the arrangement was splendid. Khushi entered the hall and was greeted by Mr. Sharma followed by her other colleagues & few known faces from AR. Khushi felt a bit awkward as she realized she was the only one in red in the floor – everyone, even the few ladies from AR were in black. She cursed herself & Arnav silently. She was the odd one out and how much she had hated to draw attention all her life. She excused herself from the group and went for some appetizers & drink.

As she munched on some appetizers, she eyed the hall. A few guests were out in the pool & garden also. There was no sign of him anywhere. She felt relieved but in some corner of her heart there was a sigh too. So had he not come to the party? Khushi decided to leave the party soon. He was not here but she was not in the mood for party too. Khushi could identify that slight twitch in her heart .. she knew a part of her hoped he would be here. A glance at him would have soothed her eyes. She hid a sigh and went for the second glass of cold drink where she met the other ladies of the AR Industries. They greeted her warmly and soon Khushi found herself engrossed in conversation with them. Khushi was happy to have them as company – somehow their interests matched. They were talking on different aspects & trends of the industry and suddenly the topic shifted to someone who apparently was of their common interest too.

"Where is he? I have not seen him yet in the party."

"I wonder if he is not coming. Sir is always on time."

"I would have cared less about my dress if I knew he is not coming."

"As if he is coming to the party to see what dress you are wearing! Has he ever glanced at any of us?"

"There is always a first time, darling!"

Khushi's heart beat raced as the girls kept on talking about their "Sir" who apparently was the single fantasy everyone of them cherished. She glued a smile on her face as she intently listened to their banter on the man.

So he never dated anyone from the industry? Lavanya apparently was his childhood friend? He had never been into anything scandalous? He never asked or showed anything personal to any of his female employees? Though all the models clung on to him, he never indulged?

"Why are you being so happy, Khushi Kumari Gupta," Khushi cursed herself, "As if he would issue a press ad on whom he is involved with. Does anyone know about you & him? There has to be other secret rendezvous he has had over the years."

Whatever she tried to reason, Khushi could not control feeling good hearing all the girls chattering about Arnav. They were really fond him. It was not just his good looks, they revered him for the man he was – his success, honesty & mannerism. He may not be very social but he apparently was a decent guy. If he never indulged himself into flings, Khushi wondered what made him get intimate with her. Was it because she took the initiatives? Other girls must have tried too. Suddenly, Khushi started to feel suffocated. Her simple life did not seem so simple anymore. This one man had taken away her peace of mind and she kicked him mentally. She excused herself from the group of ladies as they went on with their discussion on Arnav. She could not take it anymore. She needed some fresh air.

Khushi went outside of the hall & strode to the poolside. A corner of the pool area had a beautiful sitting arrangement with wooden benches & trees, fairylights illuminating the corner softly, giving a look of delightful mystery. Khushi sat on a bench silently as she watched the ripples of water beautifully reflecting the lights. The weather was quite breezy & Khushi was enjoying her time by the pool thoroughly. She wanted to clear her head, forget Arnav & enjoy for a while. But the man kept occupying her thoughts. Under such lovely environment, thankfully, only the good & intimate moments she had shared with him kept lingering. Khushi smiled as she remembered how she had panicked in the middle of the road because of her foot & how Arnav took care of her.

"You are such a drama queen, Khushi," she chuckled.

The breeze suddenly got stronger; there was smell of rains in the air. Her hair was getting all messed up & her saree pallu started to fly in the air from her shoulder where she had pinned it neatly. Khushi tried to manage her hair & pallu with her hands but it was not doing much good. She decided to move inside when she suddenly felt someone tugging her pallu softly & bringing it over her other shoulder, slightly brushing her right shoulder with his fingers. Khushi froze as she knew that touch – she knew it more than her own.

"The party is inside, Khushi," his voice huskily rang from behind.

Khushi stood up & without turning or giving any reply started to walk towards the hall. She managed to take only 3 or 4 steps when the voice roared from behind, "I am talking to you, Khushi."

Khushi could take another few steps before she felt herself grabbed, pulled, turned & crashed into his body, her hands tugged tightly behind her, hurting. "Don't leave when I am talking to you," Arnav hissed as they stood with their front flushed again each other. Khushi looked up but looked away on the next instant unable to meet the heat of his glazing eyes, dangerously close.

"Why are you doing this, Khushi?" Arnav mellowed.

"What am I doing?" Khushi tried to keep her voice sound unaffected, still looking away beyond him in the horizon.

"Look at me when I am talking to you," Arnav hissed again.

Khushi took a deep breath & looked into his eyes. There was no point in running away. He was here.

"Don't be childish, Khushi."

"You said the party is inside & I was going."

"I hate it when you walk away."

"Let me go, Arnav. It is hurting. And anyone can see us."

Arnav realized how he was holding her. He loosened his grip.

"I don't care what others think, Khushi."

"But I care. I am not Arnav Singh Raizada and no one is going to spare me if I am noticed with you like this."

Arnav let her free.

"Khushi, I need to talk to you."

"About what?"

"About us."

"We already have talked about it, Arnav. I have nothing else to add."

"But I do."

Khushi moved a bit away from Arnav trying to smoothen her messed up hair. Her saree pallu was still on her shoulder. She started fixing it as her heart started to beat faster wondering what Arnav was up to. So he had no issue with him being spotted with her? What else he wanted to talk about them? Khushi stole a glance at him. He was in a jet-black tuxedo with black tie & an impeccably white shirt. He was looking devilishly handsome with his stubble & perfectly gelled up hair complementing his attire perfectly. He never looked overdone. There was no way to resist him. Khushi skipped a heartbeat and tried to focus on her saree pallu again.

"Khushi .."

"Where were you all this time? Everyone thought you were not coming."

Arnav was surprised at the sudden turn of the conversation.

"Wh – what?"

Khushi was still focused on her saree and hair.

"Yes, where were you?"

"I was upstairs in my room."

"What were you doing there?"

Arnav smirked.

"If you are trying to avoid the discussion, Khushi, let me tell you, you wont succeed. And if you really want to know what I was doing, I was taking a bath. Do you want to know how I bathed too?"

Khushi looked up embarrassed & flustered and Arnav smiled inwardly as his favorite "O" was back.

"No .. I really wanted to know. I mean .. everyone was worried .. wondering .. where you are."

"I guess "everyone" includes you too. So now that you know where I was, can we get back to our discussion?"

Khushi kept fidgeting with her pallu while thinking fast how to run away making any excuse.

"I – I am hungry. Can we have the discussion later?"

"Fine. We can carry on the discussion as we have our dinner. Let's go."

"No!"

Arnav frowned. Khushi swallowed.

"I mean, I cannot talk when I am hungry. Orrr when I am eating."

"Khushi, we will have this discussion, now or later - here in privacy or inside in front of everyone. I give you the choice. You decide."

Khushi swallowed again. She had seen this look on Arnav's face before, in office. He was determined and there was no escape. sighed in defeat.

"Ok, lets wrap it up now."

Arnav looked into his eyes.

"Khushi, I think I am obsessed with you and I cannot stop thinking of you."

Khushi's eyes widened.

"I have thought over this and decided that I would take the same route you did. Let's spend a day together. I will score you and when you fail, I can go on with my life."

It was payback time.