ArShi:Destiny With TRAILER Thread I - Page 11

I love they why this is going.. Arnav's character looks much different from Khushi's eyes and he is so different in real.. Getting interesting.. As for the length of the update, its really fine.. 6 pages in Word is fine and Im also ok with more than 6..

nice update, do pm me when u update

thanks for PM...loved ur update

I've already commented, but thought I'd comment again to show my eagerness to read the next part. Update soon. (Im hoping for some more black satin sheets.)

What a fresh breath of air this FF is 👏

Finally the reason behind u naming the ff "past tense" Arnav doesn't like relationships he can't turn his back on his family in Liverpool but with women he can very interesting

Interesting story line!! Update soon. And PM me when you update😊

Originally posted by: chander992

PAST TENSE

In some corner of the world, a bright and early morning was breaking out just past Lake Michigan as a beauty lay threaded in her comforter. The outside world that had just woken up from a long slumber but she lay completely still with a smile etched on her face. Completely unaware, she continued to snooze even as the sun slowly spread its rays across the floor through the blinds. She tossed to the other side, flipped her pillow to get to the cold side, and slumped her head back onto it. She snored away to her hearts content unaware of the constant screams of her mother. Her phone had started to vibrate underneath her bed but the sound was falling upon deaf ears.

"Khushi," her mother yelled as she rushed around the house downstairs to prepare breakfast. "Wake up, honey. It is time for school," she shouted yet again. After her umpteenth shout awaken her daughter, Garima realized that she would lose her voice before it fell on her daughters' ears. She was getting late for work herself as well so continued to wrestle around in the kitchen.

"Garima, stop shouting' and let our daughter sleep," Shashi, her husband, said as he put his hands on her shoulders. Garima quickly handed him his coffee.

"Good morning."

"Good morning to you too' I see that you and your daughter have started the shouting match," Shashi bemused as he picked up the newspaper from the kitchen island.

"Yes, of course, I am doing the shouting while she is doing the snoring' We have spoilt her too much, Shashi." Garima said her routinely rehearsed line that Shashi was very much used to hearing. Even though it was the total opposite in the house, Garima herself spoilt Khushi to her hearts content, even more than Shashi. Khushi was their only child and she was born after quite a few problems.

Garima Gupta and Shashi Gupta knew what Khushi meant to them the moment she was born. She was their only born and on the contrary was quite a handful. Ever since she had detached herself from Garima's placenta she had been a handful. She always ran around, enlivened the entire house with her antics and was very prone to be being a klutz though that didn't dissipate the energy that she bounced off of.

"Shashi, please tell me that you have paid the bills that we last night sorted through," Garima asked in a concerned voice. "Oh, and what time are you coming home tonight? What about your presentation at the office? I have to stay put for the parent teacher meeting tonight, so I will not returning until 8' I have called State Farm and informed them about the damage to the windshield that our darling daughter damaged after parking it underneath a tree." Garima would have continued to ramble on had she not looked at her husband perched happily on the couch, watching BBC.

"Shashi, you aren't listening to me." "Hmm," was the response she got in exchange from her preoccupied husband. "So you are listening to me?" she probed, and again, "Hmm," was all she received.

"Then, I suppose I should quit my job and become a samba dance."

"Hmm," he said absentmindedly.

"And, get a tattoo."

"Hmm"

Slowly, she inched closer to his TV and said, "And go live with my mother as well."

Somehow Shashi had ended up hearing her last words and quickly refuted' "What?!"

"Yeah, you know after joining samba and getting a tattoo, I should go live my life with my mother." She was now furious. "You and your daughter have taken me for granted' when I leave you alone only then will you understand my worth," she concluded and returned back to the kitchen. Momentarily, the thought of Khushi snoozing away upstairs was disregarded.

Shashi got up and hurriedly ran behind her to avoid the disastrous situation and simmer down the ticking time bomb bright in the early morning. "Garima." He hugged her from behind and soothed her, "Sorry, but you know that Khushi and I are nothing without you. Heck, I can't even find my socks without you."

"Don't use the word heck," she brushed off his hands off her shoulders as she continued to cook the scrambled eggs. "Your daughter and you have butchered the English language as it is' and you would think that being an English teacher, I would instill some good and valuable skills when it came to speaking English."

"Sorry, alright' chill. I am going to take a shower." He pecked her cheek, placed his cup in the sink and made a dash towards his room but not before informing his wife that their darling daughter was still snoozing away upstairs.

As soon as the realization hit home, Garima swiftly mounted the stairs towards her daughter's room. "This girl is going to get late for sure," she muttered with each step that she took.

She knocked twice but after getting silence from the other side, she turned the door knob. "Khu'," her sentenced is stopped mid-way as she took in the surroundings after opening the door ajar. The room was a complete mess; clothes, candy wrappers, shoes and shenanigans were littering the floor. "Oh lord' what has happened here?"

She was fuming now, and she rather forcefully wrenched the comforter off her daughter. A rush of cold air greeted Khushi and in an attempt to grip the comforter back, she swayed off the bed and collided with the floor. "Ah."

"Khushi, what in the world have you done to your room. Last night it was perfectly clean and now I can't even find the floor." Her mother put the comforter back on the bed as Khushi recollected her surroundings. She scratched her head as she woozily got off the floor and deposited herself back on her bed. "Mom, let me sleep!! It is too cold to be up right now." Khushi tried to sink into the mattress but was jerked back up by her mom. Khushi then walked around the room in a daze and tried to locate her phone that was vibrating in some lost corner of her room. Finally, after rummaging through piles of trash, and clothes, and her books, she found her phone. She shut the alarm and sat back on the bed.

"Get off the bed, Khushi and go get ready' you will get late for sure." However, Khushi was also as stubborn as a mule because as she was pushed into the washroom, she sat on the long, ceramic counter, and however cold it was, she started snoozing again.

Garima pounded hard on the washroom door and Khushi hastily opened her eyes. She heard her mother's agitated voice, "Khushi, you better not be sleeping in there'. I don't hear the water running."

"Uh' no, I am not sleeping' I am trying to save water mom, I promise, I am brushing." Khushi fibbed but hurriedly grabbed her brush and jumped into the shower.

Garima rushed into her room, and stepped into the shower herself as Shashi has finished.

-----

Khushi ran from the washroom in wrapped in a towel and opened her closet while he teeth clattered. It was rather chilly November morning. Opening her closet she stood wide eyed as she tried to pick an outfit for the day. The task was harder than she though; it had looked like a cyclone had hit her room, but it was normal as per Khushi's norms. She didn't understand why anybody took the energy to clean their room, and when she had heard her chemistry teacher explain the theory of equilibrium and how things tended to get be attracted towards "mess", her beliefs were reinforced once again. Although, when she explained to her parents, her father had laughed but her mother had made sure to raise this point in the next PTA meeting. Khushi was embarrassed for herself and her chemistry teacher, who now avoided Khushi and avoided giving examples that could land him into trouble.

After finding sometime satisfactory for the day, Khushi had ended up blow drying her hair, picked her back and ran down the stairs. Their living room was rather spacious and decorated tastefully. It was all because her mom, well mostly because of her mom, and her dad's credit card. They were a rather well off middle class Indian family living in Chicago. Her father, who worked in a PR firm made good enough money for them to live comfortably yet, her mother still chose to work as a high school teacher. Khushi was presumed to go to the same high school but the board had put their foot down about problems regarding favoritism and much to Khushi's relief, had refused. However, her mother still knew every single thing that happened in her school.

Khushi went towards the kitchen, she picked up the plate her father had laid out for her, and deposited herself on the island in the kitchen. Her father was still watching his BBC news and Khushi was happily munching away on her cereal and eggs.

A few minutes into her eating, Shashi heard a Khushi's shriek and soon his remote was snatched away from him. Khushi was happily gobbling down her food and texting away her friends when she heard the name. It was his name' it had to be.

She hastily ran into the living room and squealed as she saw him perched on a leather seat, laughing and answering questions that were being asked to him. She snatched away the remote from her father, and tried to increase the volume but the remote was not working. She threw the remote on the floor and ran towards the TV set to increase the volume manually. "Khushi' that's too loud," her father nudged her.

"SSHHH," she put her finger to her lips and continued to gaze towards the TV in a star struck manner.

It was him. Her love, her hope, her dream, her inspiration, her everything' Arnav Singh Raizada, all in his full glory, sitting in a black suit, right leg perched over his left one; one arm on the chair's arm, the other holding a cup of coffee yet nothing intimidated her more than his eyes. Those molten rocks of chocolate in which she felt she could drown happily.

"So Mr. Raizada, what do you do in your spare time'? I am sure our viewers would like to know." The anchor quizzed him. Yet, as he spoke, Khushi in a hushed way moved her lips as well as she answered to herself, "playing sports, helping the needy, being with kids, and spending as much time meeting new people." Of course, Khushi knew this, and as he said this, she was not surprised. She knew him better than she knew herself, and knew every single thing about him.

She continued to watch the interview in a daze even when he mom had come downstairs, and scolded her for watching TV all the time. Khushi was still stuck to the TV like glue even as her mother decreased the volume.

"Isn't he so hot! And intelligent and smart'" Khushi said in a drooling voice.

Without taking any heed to what his daughter had just said, Shashi continued to sip on his coffee and continued to read the newspaper and enjoy the early morning debate of the fiscal policy and the debt crisis in Greece. "I personally think it would be better for Greece to exit Euro. I really don't know what the advantage is of staying in Europe. Isn't the power of handling monetary policies the most important role of government in terms of economy? I cannot find any larger advantage in being in euro with 17 nations," he said to himself.

"Shashi, your daughter and you are just impossible! Let's go before everyone gets late." Garima grabbed her belongings and deposited them in their car and returned back. It was past 8 in the morning so she informed her husband to get a move on it. Shashi in the meanwhile had straightened his clothes and deposited Khushi's dishes in the sink.

"Garima, she is interested in watching BBC' be happy she is taking such an interest in the business world. My baby girl!"

"She is not a baby, Shashi. She is a seventeen year old girl on her way to being a woman' she should quit being lazy' and you stop favoring her, and stop eating that bacon strip," she smacked his hand and he dropped it back into the plate.

Since the windshield had damaged on their other car, the entire family, Garima, Shashi and their only darling daughter Khushi had to use the SUV for their morning chores.

Garima quickly checked the entire house, inspecting the windows, the stove, and the heating system setting it to a normal temperature. It was very chilly outside so she was dressed in layers , and informed Khushi to wear her jacket, gloves and a scarf. "Khushi, your dad is waiting in the car, come on, hurry up!"

"Mom, I'll be there five minutes' just need to grab my bag," she informed her mother they stood in the doorway because Khushi was hauled to the door by Garima.

"Khushi Kumari Gupta, I am warning you' I'm waiting in the car' hurry up please darling!"

"Yes mother dear' I am coming." Khushi knew that the moment her mother used her 'yucky' yet full name, it meant business but she still wasn't able to detach herself from the Telly. Khushi had dashed to watch the interview but was disappointed to see that weather was being broadcasted now. She was saddened that she was not able to watch his entire interview but the honk from outside had brought her out of her reverie. She knew her mother would be furious so took her Ipod out and placed the headphone in her ears and covered them with ear muffs.

She locked the front door, and ran towards the car. Her father had given her a warning look, but Khushi happily sat in the car because nothing could ruin her morning now. Not even the math test that she was expected to get back today. True to her predicament, her mother had gone off the entire time and Khushi's father had given a pointed look as she whispered sorry through the rear view mirror.

-----

School was dismal according to Khushi until the lunch bell had rung. Her stomach was growling by the time she reached the cafeteria of her school. She grabbed a burger, a juice box and an apple and after paying, she happily made her way to her table. Her friends were already seated on the table. Since her first two blocks were not with any of her friends, she was dying to catch up to them even though they all had been texting each other all morning.

"Hey Khushi!" they chirped at her. "Hey guys, what's up?" she replied back in typical American teenager slang.

"Nothing, I am going to flunk my chemistry test' again!" Caroline complained and continued, "And this time mom is going to be pissed. Damn, I will be cleaning the entire house for a month' I am definitely going to be under house arrest!"

"Don't worry, Carr, I am sure you will be fine' it is next block so you have plenty of time to come with an excuse" Khushi consoled her friend but her other friend Joti perked her head out from her latest read, Pride and Prejudice, and crooned her head towards Caroline.

"Carr, you should really study next time' maybe ask for a rewrite," Joti suggested and Caroline instantly knew that if she asked her father, he could talk with the teacher. For the time being, Caroline's tension was relieved.

"I am worried about my math test, guys," Khushi bit her lip as she continued to sip onto her beverage. "Liar," Caroline said. "You have been on cloud nine since the morning, and even said that nothing and you meant nothing could ruin your mood."

"Huh, wha' oh! Of course, you must be on cloud nine," Joti looked up from her book again. "I never said that!" Khushi tried to stop the blush that colored her cheeks but her friends eyed her with we-have-proof-so-don't-even-try-to-refuse look. "Fine, but what can I do' He is just such an inspiration' what he has achieved and how kind hearted he is' and the additional perk of such good charming manners and looks' all at the age of 25! Men like him don't exist anymore," Khushi held a dream look as she try to put what she felt for him into proper words.

"Correction, Men like Mr. Darcy aren't made anymore," Joti said from behind her book. Caroline and Khushi both gave her a bored look. "Well, Joti, since we cannot possibly go back into time and get Mr. Darcy, your British hunk, unless someone makes a time machine. Therefore, we have to satisfy with a British God like Arnav. I wish if there was some way to meet him. I would probably faint from forgetting how to breathe." Khushi continued to talk in a swooned her head until her eyes landed on her friends. They held a bored look as well. "Geez, thanks for the enthusiastic support' what would I do without you guys?"

"Isn't that why you are choosing the business field and going to a B school next year?" Joti questioned her as Caroline busied herself texting her latest boyfriend.

"Well, more because I have an interest in it' but what can I say' my career has some perks unlike like your medical profession," Khushi chided Joti but got a smack on her arm, and her apple landed on the floor.

"Believe it or not, when I go to Africa and help others and eventually get a Nobel Prize, I will not be thanking any of you good for nothing friends," Joti complained.

"Guys, guys, listen Trevor wants me to come to the Varsity game tonight' how about we go and watch it? We have not been out since our princess Khushi here damaged her car' honestly woman who puts their car underneath a tree that looks like it is going to fall apart any second!!" Caroline questioned Khushi but before Khushi could answer Caroline continued, "Save it! Anyhow, I'll drive and pick you guys up around 5.30? The game starts at 6 and then we can hit the nearest Red Robs?"

"I am already hungry," Joti said.

"Well, then that's a yes' I suppose?"

"Of course it is a yes," Khushi exclaimed. But she was distracted by the sudden and loud announcement booming through the loud speaker. "Students of Theodore Roosevelt High, this is to inform you that we have an assembly starting next block, so please leave your books in your lockers and stay put in your class. Teachers, please lead the classes when the announcement is made."

"I am sure Coach Rod wants his students to start practicing this early, and we are stuck in the stupid assembly," Joti cribbed.

"I know' stupid football' who the heck cares..." Khushi said.

"UH you do!" her friends said in unison.

"Khushi, you are the most competitive person we know' even if you don't like the sport, if you aren't winning you turn into such an angry monster," Caroline reminded Khushi that she held no chance at refuting anything that her friends claimed, mostly because it was true but she still never admitted.

"Before you refuse, don't let me remind you about that stupid game of golf! It was the most boring and mind numbing game we had ever gone to' but because you had got free tickets, we decided to go for the free game, support our school and get that free pizza' but you had screamed your head off from the stands when Brandon had missed the hole and we didn't even get the free pizza' and don't let me remind you that you got us kicked out from there, oh and how about the game of soccer where you had ended up yelling at referee' oh and'" Joti would have continued but Khushi stopped her.

"Fine, I get it' I am a lil competitive," Khushi admitted.

"A lil?" questioned Caroline and Joti in unison.

"Shut up guys, I was going to go to the library, so want to come?" Khushi asked, "I have to return this book I had taken out for extra practice in math' anyhow come on, you know how the librarian is so lazy' she's never there!"

"Half the time she is making eyes at Coach Rod' I can bet she is on the field' enjoying this beautifully cold day, in her words," Caroline quoted her.

The trio laughed and threw their garbage away, and made their way towards the library.

Good start. I am happy to know that khushi is from midwest. Like the way u described the life style. Thank you.

Originally posted by: chander992

Thanks to each and everyone of you guys who commented or pmed or liked my update. I have never ever got so many comments of likes for my previous stories... here is the much awaited update... and it is all ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA.

Just to clear any confusions, this is set 30 hours before my last update in Chicago finished. So when Arnav is at BBC giving his interview at around 1pm... it is being broadcasted at around 7 am in Chicago since there is a six hour time difference.

Another thing that someone had mentioned was that my updates may be too long and that some people dont like reading very long updates.. anyone else feel that i should cut them in short??? My usual update is six pages in word and i never feel it is enough. Please do let me know about this.

Dont forget to hit like and comment... not just the good but the bad and the ugly as well. I want to hear more opinions.. :)

PAST TENSE 3

Some 30 hours ago'

In another corner of the world, a beast was sleeping away in a large room that was covered in a cloak of darkness. He was breathing loud and hard whilst he lay on his stomach. One could easily mistake his loud breathing for rage and his nostrils seemed to flare as well. His eyelids were shut; his brows were still creased even in sleep; he lay bare and completely motionless wrapped in a satin black sheet. His right hand was tangled in a mesh of blond hair and his leg was draped over a striking creature beside him.

It was a still very gloomy outside, and sheets of rain were hammering down disturbing the peacefulness of this early morning. He, however, lay slumped on his large bed which most of his body was sprawled on. The creature lay crushed underneath the beast's limbs but perfectly asleep. Suddenly, the silence of this world was shattered with the ringing of his cell phone that lay next on his bedside table. He slowly opened his big, brown, daunting eyes, and soundlessly untangled his limbs from her. He stretched over with his strong, tanned arm and picked up the phone.

"What is it Aman, it is five in the bloody morning. What could possibly happen in the last 4 hours?" he yelled into the mouth piece as he sat up and slumped his tired body against the head rest. He rubbed his sore eyes as he tried to make sense of where he was. He recognized that he was very much in his apartment. He then focused on the voice coming from the other end of the line.

"Oh really' they sent their revised copy of the contract' That's great' Ok, send me the revised contract now!"

The voice on the other end halted his already racing mind. He was eager to read the contract and place his final demands.

"Oh shit, of course, it completely slipped my mind'the BBC interview, damn' uh Aman, send the contract, I'll read it on the journey over. Yeah alright' see you there."

He disconnected the call and placed the phone back on the table. He had a very bad head ache and his throat was parched. He squinted around the room to make out the objects in the dark. His eyes landed on the blond creature lying next to him sharing his bed. She stirred a little but she was too tired to open her eyes. He probed around the bed for his clothes since the only thing he had on was the sheet. He spotted his jeans carelessly dumped on the floor. He hurriedly grabbed hold of them as his eyes adjusted to the darkness in the room. He stood up and slipped his jeans on. He then opened the curtain slightly to let in some light. Walking towards the washroom, he pushed away the clothes, shoes and the wine bottles that were in his way. The clear and concise remnants of what must have occurred last night. Though he regarded not even the slightest, and stood in front of the washroom mirror to wash his face. The remnants of last night's party were pronounced loudly in the form of dark circles, lipstick marks, and alcohol breath. The images of last night flashed in his mind as he tried to remember how he had ended up in his room. He remembered going to the opening of a club; he was sure he got drunk, and he was even surer that he had ended up having sex after seeing the condom packet lying empty of the floor. Who was the girl? He didn't quiz himself further; he splashed cold water on his face and drank some water from the faucet. His one day old stubble was still itchy and he needed a shower but before he could jump into the shower, he heard a knock on the door.

He opened the door, clearly looking annoyed, and rude asked her, "What is it?"

The brave and flirtatious look that lingered in her eyes when she had worn his shirt off the floor along with her thong seemed to fly out of the window. She looked visibly petrified and distraught to see the sudden difference in the person whom she has spent the last night in bed and the beast who seemed to growl at her right now. She politely managed to smile at him and said, "Oh, I just needed to use the bathroom."

"Okay, hurry up." That was all he said to her. Inside the washroom, she hastily finished her business and came out. As he was going to enter the washroom, she blocked his way. "Arnav' come join me in bed," she whispered seductively but rather than getting an approval in response, she was shocked to see him impatiently rolling his eyes. "There is a car waiting for you downstairs' I just called my driver; he can drop you off anywhere you would like. Your clothes have been cleaned, ironed." He said calmly and before she could get in a word further, he slipped into the washroom and shut the door. Every night like last night, he was with someone different, but just like every morning, it was a past tense to him. Then he shrugged his shoulders. He could care less, so he hopped in the shower and let the water run over his body, relaxing his muscles.

That was Arnav Singh Raizada: a British billionaire, owner of Sswann, a playboy, a risk taker, an Aries by sun sign, unattainable with a surplus of good looks.

After finishing his necessities, he ordered breakfast from the help, and turned on the news. His every morning started like this, and he liked it this way. Living far away from his relatives, at opposite ends of the country, he liked it better not having to deal with his family, but saw them periodically. They were in the picture standing in the middle and stood far away on the side; far away from them but just in their reach. He turned the volume up of the TV; the only news being splashed was of his interview that was scheduled in the afternoon. He went towards his walk in closet, and selected a thin, black tie to go with his deep rusty colored shirt, and black dress pants. He picked up his blazer and placed it on the bed bedside him as he went through his emails. He ate his breakfast and later he sauntered around the now clean room that his help had cleaned while he was in the shower. He noticed that the day had started to clear up, though clouds still hovered about and the morning had turned into a rather ugly grey color. Arnav Singh Raizada packed his belongings which included his laptop, some work files, and a few clothes; he handed the bag to his help, who deposited it in his car. He dismounted the stairs, and with a curt nod to his help, left the house. His driver stood holding onto the car door, and Arnav slipped in the back without taking off his eyes from his phone.

"Aman' yeah' I am leaving right now. Yes, I'll see at the airport strip, you got the papers? Great," he said to his assistant.

"Oh and Aman, before I forget, I need you get this ' Anjali has emailed it to me, I am forwarding it to you' some teenager something' some Justin Timberlake jacket is being auctioned, yeah see to it that you get it. Okay' see you there. Bye."

He hung up the phone and told the driver to proceed towards the airport. At the landing strip Aman was waiting faithfully like he had promised. As Arnav quickly proceeded towards his plane, Aman cleared the formalities with the officers and boarded the plane right behind Arnav. He filled Arnav with the details, and they took off into the cloudy morning.

During the flight Arnav read the contract, and discussed the changes that he wanted to be done. The flight was scheduled to reach London in about an hour and half from Bristol where he had gone to his friend's club opening. He rested his head back against the head rest and slowly allowed his eyelids to droop.

----

"Mr. Raizada' we are about to land." Someone shook his knee and Arnav slowly opened his eyes. His assistant was sitting opposite him and his hand was perched on Arnav's knee. He sat still as Aman removed his hand and fastened his seat belt.

In the next5 minutes, the plane had landed in London. Aman dismounted the plane and double checked whether his car had come. Meanwhile, Arnav went to the washroom and freshened up. His hair was combed back with a few strands resting on his forehead. His wrist watched indicated that it was just past 9.30 in the morning. Arnav disembarked the plane and sat in the car joined by Aman.

"Aman, let's go to the office first, I want to sit with the finance team one last time before we pitch them our last offer." His secretary nodded at the driver and the car was jerked into motion. "Mr. Raizada, there are rumours circulating about this merger, I am afraid that it may cause harm to this proposition," his assistant looked straight at him.

"Aman, don't worry about that," Arnav said calmly and continued, "I want rumours to be circulating around' they are just baseless rumours' they won't be causing any harm on the contrary, they will be helping us."

Aman looked astonished and thought he had never heard a more preposterous thing coming from such a well sought out businessman. Ever since last year he had been working for Arnav Singh Raizada, and he thought he was the luckiest person alive. He worshiped Arnav and his career but right now Aman he seemed skeptical. Did he make a rash judgement?

"But'" he couldn't put into words the worry that was nagging him.

"Aman, see, the negative can't possibly harm our shares, not even the slightest bit' it however, has turned the eyes of many onto us' therefore, on our shares have experienced a slight up' and the moment we announce this merger' just watch how our shares skyrocket. Then, it would a perfectly good opportunity to raise our prices," Arnav explained it to his assistant. He had very thoroughly planned it all out ever since FOX studios and Sswann had started negotiating this merger six precise months ago. He himself had started to spread rumours so that he could keep the market right where he wanted' in his tight grasp. They were now in the very core of the merger so Arnav knew every step had to be cautious.

"And this interview is exactly what we need, to let FOX know one last time the position Sswann possess in the world," Arnav pronounced arrogantly yet his calculative eyes screamed of shrewdness. The car stopped in front of his office building, and Arnav said his last words, "you have a lot to learn Aman." He then exited the car, and slipped on his aviators.

He entered through the revolving door, and proceeded towards the elevators. Everyone greeted him as passed by the long lobby of his office and he curtly nodded once in a while. He pranced towards his office like a panther, robbing every one of their ease. The one day old stubble made him appear more scary and monstrous, and walked like a force possessed him. His every stride was confident, and no one could mess with his realm. He informed everyone to meet him in the board room so that he could tell every one of his final changes to the contract.

----

By the time he reached the BBC office, it was close to 12.45 with only a few minutes to spare until his interview. The anchor was freaking out, but as soon as she saw Arnav and his raised brow, she silenced. Instead of yelling at him, like she had planned, she gave him a flirtatious smile, and laughed nervously when he introduced himself.

"I know your name' Arnav Singh Raizada' I am so very glad to see you finally; I mean of course I am glad' I mean I knew you were going to come' I mean I didn't mean to call you sloppy or late' I am Rita Skeeter."

She finally slipped in her hand into his and smiled nervously. "Great, let's get on with it then." Arnav said and took his hand back from her. She seemed to be star struck and hurriedly ran to the washroom to fix her appearance for the third time in the past ten minutes.

As the cameras were positioned to give a clear view of Arnav from all possible angles, he slipped calmly into his seat.

The host sat down onto her couch seat as well, and as the countdown began, she took a breath and started, "Good afternoon Britain and hello to the rest of the world' This is your very favorite show Up Close where we bring you the most well-known people that you desire to know up close and personal. And today we have someone who has been born and brought up in Britain itself and who now as I quote has been listed as one of the 100 most wealthiest and influential people in the world by the times magazine' yes, of course, it is none other than the very good looking and successful Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada."

"Thank you for that' and hello to the entire world," Arnav smiled and nodded towards the camera.

"So Mr. Raizada, I know that people have been moved and very well touched by your personal story and ask you all the time' but we would like to know it as well. Please do tell."

Arnav sighed and rolled his eyes inwardly, and narrated his life story. It was very much known to everyone' he had rehearsed it quite well by know. To tell the truth, he was quite bored of it himself.

"Very tragic' must have been hard to lose your parents at such a young age."

"Yes, well one has got to do whatever they can."

"Of course," the host tried to show sympathy towards him but Arnav could see right through her faade.

"So Mr. Raizada, what do you do in your spare time'? I am sure our viewers would like to know." The host quizzed him. Arnav spoke with as much simplicity as he could gather and said, "Playing sports, helping the needy, being with kids, and spending as much time meeting new people." And he could hear the entire studio and the audience watching the interview sigh admirably. He smirked inwardly and picked up the coffee mug. He was definitely getting hungry and a little edgy. Right before coming for the interview, they had faxed their final offer to FOX and were expected to receive a reply in a few hours since American time was hours behind. He just wanted the interview to be over now' the host had been quizzing him with absurd and very boring questions.

"That is exceptionally generous and thoughtful of you. We hear that your company is in the talks of a merger with FOX studios? Is there any validation to that rumour?" she asked.

"Well Ms. Rita," he addressed her and gazed directly into her eyes and continued, "One should not linger too much on rumours' the damage done could be irreversible."

The host fumbled with her words and she looked down at her lap, and Arnav knew that she was just one of his admirers'. That thought was later established when she had asked for his autograph and a picture. He couldn't remember anyone touching him so much on his shoulder. The interview concluded when Aman had announced that FOX sent their reply back. He abruptly ended the interview but had pecked the host on her cheek when he was leaving. Any sour feelings that she had because he ended the interview so fast flew right out of the building; she was left with only butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

-----

Arnav spun in his chair and looked at clock hung on the wall in front of him; it was past six o'clock and after much deliberation Sswann had sent their approval to FOX. The FOX CEO had made plans to fly down to London and sign the contract in a couple of days. Then, they were to officially announce their merger by the end of the week followed by an official party. After running around all day long, Arnav was beyond tired. All he now wanted was the comfort of his bed and the relief of a steaming cup of coffee. Just as he was sitting in complete silence on this particular Friday evening, his phone rang shattering the silence.

"Hello," he spoke into the mouth piece without checking the caller ID.

"Hi, big bro! It is me' Anjali," said an excited voice from the other end of the line. Instantly, Arnav's mood lifted as he spoke to his sister.

"Hello small sis' how are you?" he asked Anjali as he got up from his chair and walked towards the large bay window of his office. He placed his left arm on glass as he continued his conversation.

"Don't even ask me! Where have you been? We have not heard from you for over a week now! Why do you busy yourself so much that you can't even take time out for us," Anjali complained to him. Truth to be told, she was the only one that could voice out her concern without getting blasted by Arnav. She was his beloved younger sister and she was the only one who could persuade him to do just about anything.

"I hope you are not forgetting that my birthday is coming up?" she questioned him.

He smiled the slightest, and some would even think that it was just twitching of the facial muscle, and not a volunteered smile but it was a slight, genuine smile. How could he ever forget her birthday.

"Firstly, I have been busy' you know I work for a living' and don't go to a regular school from Monday to Friday and hog at home on the weekends! And secondly, I am perfectly alright' no news of any disasters meaning I am perfectly fine' And lastly, no I have not forgotten that your eighteenth birthday is coming up' Happy?" he asked her.

"I do not spend my time hogging around the house! To let you know, I have been trying to learn karate now' you never know when a woman needs to defend herself' especially if you and Akash bro are here! And good that you have not forgotten' and just to clarify' this time no one is flying out! Actually correction' you are not allowed to fly out any one of us from Liverpool but rather taking out your precious time and coming home' We all miss you' and we want you to come back home for a visit."

"Anjali' I' fine' I'll come home for your birthday' alright?"

"Alright," replied a chirpy voice.

"Goodbye then," he concluded but Anjali stopped him, "wait!" she said. "What about my email?"

"Your email has been forwarded to Aman, and he will get it to you as soon as possible." Arnav said as he rubbed his forehead as a headache was coming on. "Blimey! Why do I even ask you'I should just email Aman like always! Or better yet make him my brother" Anjali was clearly annoyed that her brother never took the time to personally send her anything she asked. He always told his assistant to do the work.

"Anjali," warned Arnav because he knew where this conversation was heading to.

"Yeah, yeah' keep your knickers on' I am disconnecting."

"Alright' good girl' now good bye and take care of yourself." He said one last time and disconnected the call.

Somewhere in Liverpool, Anjali excitedly gripped her phone and ran out of her room. She ran down a hallway, down the stairs and ended up in the spacious living room. Out of breath from running, she tried to speak, "he'. Ssaid' yess' he is' coming!" she announced to her family.

Somewhere in London, Arnav still stood in front of his office window, and looked straight ahead. The clouds still hovered and any moment a downpour was going to descend. It was a chilly November evening, and he couldn't help but reflect on the deal that he had just clinched. It was an exciting new expansion' and then he remembered how his sister had asked him to come home. He had not been home for a few months now. But he never went home, and he never did relationships because he felt suffocated being there ever since the death of his parents. His thoughts were interrupted by Aman and he was informed about a meeting with a previous client that was scheduled. The client was waiting and Arnav left with his assistant to tackle the next problem.

Good work.Canu please move the story little further in each chapter...though i liked ur description.

wow.. just read all the part.. it is different and interesting story.. i can see the reference of Harry potter.. specially rita skeeter.. love your writing style ...