ArShi:Destiny With TRAILER Thread I - Page 12

PAST TENSE 4

Saturday November 25, 2006

8am London, England.

Arnav could only muster to open one of his eyes' considering the bleary state that he was in. He checked the time on his cell phone as he slowly untangled his body from the comforter. A rush of air greeted his warm body and he stood barefoot on the wooden floor. It gave him great relief to come in constant with the heated flooring. He sighed as he walked towards his washroom to brush and splashed cold water on his rugged face.

He looked refreshed in a matter of few seconds; he ran his stand on his hardened jaw and his stubble pricked his fingers. His daunting brown eyes looked like melted chocolate with specks of black; they always managed to stir up foreign and sweet emotions in women and in some men as well. His morning hair was tousled and he quickly tried to fix it, but to no avail it fell back onto his forehead in an untamed way. He picked up his brush and leisurely brushed his teeth occasionally spat out the foam that gathered into his mouth.

Arnav walked into his kitchen and turned on the coffee machine and until then, his help had come. Arnav nodded at his greeting. He walked off towards his bedroom and quickly threw on a grey wife beater that showed his light chest hair and black sweats. His laced his running shoes, and grabbed a chilled water bottle from the refrigerator.

He, then, descended down to the bottom floor of his penthouse, and entered his gym area. Completely equipped with treadmills, stair climbers, ellipticals, and weights it provided him a sanctuary when his thoughts appeared jumbled. Arnav stepped onto the treadmill and started with a slow jog that was slowly switched to a full-fledged run. He turned on the flat screen hung across from him and turned on the news channel. Apparently, the channel had gathered some useless economists and financial consultants who were discussing the prospects of a future merger of Sswann and FOX. He turned up the volume and continued to run even as the beads sweat formed on his chest and soaked his wife beater.

It appeared as if he were on a mission to lose the fat on his, though, there wasn't any. Every ounce of food he consumed was burned away by his body, and instead he had a body that was chiseled with muscles. He wasn't brawny. No. He was lean and built and possessed just the perfect amount of muscles on his body that was now drenched in sweat.

After half an hour, he stopped running and whipped his neck with a towel. His wife beater was now completely drenched in sweat so he took it off. He wiped his chest with it and threw it on the floor. His perfectly sculpted body still glistened with sweat. He exited the room and hurriedly jumped in the shower.

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After a long time Arnav enjoyed the feeling of warm water soothing his muscles as well as his racing thoughts. He was still agitated regarding the merger so as to block his thoughts from attacking his brain anymore; he leaned his head forward and placed his arms on the shower tiles in front of him. The water ran smoothly down his head and washed his body.

Since it was a Saturday, the office was closed though a few selected people still did show up. They were mostly his executives and consultants that stayed for part of the day. He dressed himself in a light checkered grey suit and a stripped blue shirt along with a deep maroon colored tie. There was never a time when you could catch him in the wrong clothes, not even in his washroom.

He reached his office in the next hour and quickly called for his assistant.

"Aman, what's the latest news?" he quizzed as his assistant handed him his usual coffee from Caf Nero.

"Uh, sir I just received a call from the CEO of FOX and he plans to land at Heathrow tonight… he will be boarding the red eye." Arnav's eyes quickly shot up and he leaned forward in his seat. "I thought he was coming tomorrow…"

"Yes, Mr. Raizada but he wants to sign the papers by tonight and retrieve by tomorrow morning. He has some personal business that needs to be taken care of." Aman handed him the final copy of the contract after getting it spell checked and ready. Arnav flipped through the pages and as Aman stood patiently, Arnav nodded at page as he read.

After 10 minutes, he nodded his head and Aman placed the copy in a file marked 'Confidential'.

"Aman, make sure all the preparations are done… make sure that his hotel is booked and that we appear on top of our game." Aman nodded in understanding and left Arnav to dwell on his thoughts. Arnav fingered the rim of his BELL & ROSS watch in a clock wise motion and watched the ticking of the seconds hand. He couldn't wait to sign the papers.

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Saturday, November 25, 2006

7.30am Chicago, Illinois.

Khushi lay asleep with her legs dangling off the bed. Her comforter along with her pillow was kicked off onto the floor. Her mouth was slightly open as she was lightly snoring. Suddenly, the loud vibration of her cell phone jolted her awake. She snorted and tried to make sense of the sudden noise...

The bedroom door creaked as Khushi sneakily popped her head in. Her parents lay asleep in their bed; her dad was snoring which sounded like a bad orchestra. He snickered but quickly covered her mouth as she tiptoed towards their bed and nudged her father. "Dad," she whispered.

"Wake up," she poked him harder on his shoulder. Shashi opened his eyes slowly and raised his brows in surprise. He never in a million years would have thought that Khushi would be waking him up and that too at 7.30 in the morning. He thought he had mistaken the time and glanced at his watch again.

"Khushi," he said. "Shh." Khushi quickly covered his mouth her hand and nervously glanced at her mother who was sleeping beside him.

"Khushi," he said again in a horse whisper. "What are you doing here?" It is 7.30 in the morning!"

"Dad, did you forget what happened last night? Let me jog your memory, I am grounded and you are in trouble!" A confused looked still harboured on Shashi's face. "DAD!" she whispered angrily, "Our plan? Remember we have to be the dutiful beings that we really are not… we need to get the anger to simmer down! Seriously did you forget? Come downstairs now, and start cooking breakfast… I'll help. HURRY."

Khushi grabbed his arm and dragged him out of his bed. "Khushi," he protested but she silenced him again and followed her. She pushed him in the washroom, and indicted with her finger that he had 15 minutes to brush and come downstairs. She glanced once again at her mother and sighed as she saw that she was still snoring lightly.

Shashi sighed as he tiresomely brushed and walked down the stairs. He had no idea what else Khushi had planned this early and he was not looking forward to it either. After the walking down flight of stairs, he turned left and walked straight down the hallway into the kitchen. He was highly amused at the seeing playing in front of him; Khushi lay slumped on the dining table, drooling and snoring away so her father was left to deal with the breakfast situation.

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Around 10, after having breakfast in bed, Garima walked down the stairs, showered and fresh. Khushi, as soon as she heard the footsteps, started to vacuum the already clean carpet. She pretended to ignore her mother's presence but her mother had figured it out. She was being pampered throughout the morning and she was highly amused to see her husband mowing the lawn in the cold morning. She shook her head in amusement and plugged out the vacuum from the plug.

"Enough drama you two," she walked and opened the window and told her husband to come inside. Shashi came running inside, while Garima hugged Khushi as motherly affection completely took over her. "Khushi… oh honey, I love you. And I'm not mad anymore!"

"Really mom?" Khushi raised her eyebrows in surprise and looked at her father standing in distance.

"Of course… I had a horrible dream …urgh… I don't want to even remember it… I love you," she sniffed lightly as she kissed Khushi on the cheeks. Khushi was surprised beyond her wildest dreams, "I love you too mom!" Shashi shook his head at the dramatic scene playing in front of him. He knew that Garima could never stay mad at Khushi and he watched the two loves of his life smothering each other in a bear hug.

"So then I am not grounded anymore?" Khushi figured that her mother was feeling so generous that she may try her luck. "Of course you are not grounded." Garima untangled from Khushi and brushed her hair off her forehead. "You are only grounded for two weeks." She kissed Khushi's forehead while Khushi frowned. "What!" she yelled.

"Yes, from four weeks, it is reduced to two weeks." Khushi mumbled, "but, I… this…" her mother raised her eyebrows as she tried to make sense of what Khushi was saying. Khushi eventually gave up because she realized no matter what, her mother's strict teaching instincts would always come in. "I am so glad you aren't mad anymore," said Shashi as he wrapped his arms around Garima. She shrugged his hands and walked away from him. "What? Am I not forgiven? Was I not in the dream?"

He sulked as Garima shook her head, "I am still very much upset with you," she complained.

"What!" They both walked towards the kitchen and Khushi could faintly hear him making plans for dinner for tonight. She smiled at them; they were completely perfect and fit together like the uneven pieces of a jigsaw.

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Saturday, November 25, 2006

7.30pm London, England.

Arnav stood in his conference hall with the CEO of FOX network Peter Rice, and handed his pen to him. Congratulatory phrases and applause surrounded them as Arnav Singh Raizada cracked the deal of the century. He signed his name, just his name, and everything about him, his company, and his life suddenly shifted. Soon, the press that was bombarding the building outside was let into the lobby. Arnav stood arrogantly as question were being thrown at him, and he answered them with ease.

"Thank you," said Arnav as he concluded the press conference. "We will hold an official party and a press conference will be called this Tuesday at FOX's main office. Thank you for coming on such short notice." Peter Rice said into the mike and waved at the reporter one last time before disappearing into the elevator with Arnav.

"That was handled very well by you Mr. Raizada. And of course, we will hold an official party at FOX." The elevator dinged and they both were back on the top floor of the building. "Sswann is looking forward to benefit FOX in any way possible Mr. Rice." Arnav said as they walked towards Arnav's office with his assistant in tow.

Arnav handed Peter Rice a drink, and made one for him. He was gleaming with joy as they both sat down on the plush leather couches and Arnav directed his assistant to get Mr. Rice to his hotel when he wished.

"Mr. Raizada… Are you okay with holding the official party on Tuesday at FOX's main office?" Arnav, pleased with the old man, smiled and said, "Sounds great… my company is looking forward to being officially introduced with FOX." And they both toasted to that.

In the next half an hour, Arnav had wished Peter Rice good bye and watched as his car zoomed towards the exit of the parking lot. His assistant was sent with him to make his stay at the hotel hassle free. Arnav soon exited the office himself as his car came and waited for him in front of the exit. He could see a faint outline of a girl standing by his car as he walked through the main lobby. Judging by her clothes and her appearance, she appeared to be a reporter. "Can I help you, lady?" he asked her and she started firing away questions. She explained that she had missed the press meet and would like to ask a few questions.

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Sunday, November 26, 2006

London, England.

The next morning, she woke up in his bed. Arnav was reading the newspaper while munching on cereal. The newspaper had only one story covering the front page: Arnav Singh Raizada's Sswann's merger with FOX network.

She tried to talk to Arnav but after receiving a cold shoulder, she broodingly left his penthouse. Arnav was still engrossed in his newspaper.

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Sunday, November 26, 2006

Chicago, Illinois.

Khushi had woken up way past in the afternoon. She showered and freshened herself and skipped down towards the kitchen. Her stomach was growling with hunger and for temporary relief she had started munching on a chocolate bar. She saw a note left on the refrigerator. She plucked it off and read:

Gone to visit family friend, be back soon…

Love, mom and dad.

Ps- there's food in the oven.

Khushi yawned and poured some cereal for herself. A few minutes later, she lay sprawled on the couch as she watched re-runs of her favourite show Friends while eating her cereal. She was in the middle of watching Joey explain to his friends all about 'how to smell the fart acting' when her phone rang. She checked to see that she had a text message from her class mate.

From: Sara

Hey Khushi, I still haven't received any update about out English project from you. Have you finished making the Lady Macbeth story box? I have written the report just need to confirm.

Sara.

Khushi smacked her forehead against her phone and quickly ran into her room to start on the project. She had completely forgotten about it ever since the football game and idling around at the house. She was thankful that her father had bribed her with money to clean her room yesterday. She could now work on her project in her room. Her supplies were tucked away underneath her bed; she grabbed them and soon started to apply paint to the shoe box.

She slipped into silence as time ticked on, and half an hour later, she gave a satisfied sigh. She placed the box her left side while she collected all the paint bottles. One of them accidently slipped out of her hands and red paint was smeared all over her cream carpet. She knew this was bad, hell she knew this was a nightmare situation. Without thinking much, she ran down the stairs and grabbed hold of the first thing that came into her hand: The Chicago Sun Times newspaper.

"Stupid Khushi, so much for getting on mum's good books… she is going to kill you and bury you in the back yard," Khushi muttered to herself as she ripped the newspaper and tried to salvage what was left of the carpet. "Who told you to clean the room, see never ever take a bloody bribe," she continued to mutter, angry at herself for spilling paint and that too red paint on the cream carpet that was vacuumed just yesterday.

She sat hunched on the floor and put her hands on her face. Maybe pretending that it doesn't exist will make it disappear, she thought. She angrily slapped her hands on the carpet when the stain was very much there; her right hand thumped against the remnants of the newspaper. Something caught her eye and she hastily shuffled her hand. She, then, saw the photo of Arnav Singh Raizada, well his half of his face was torn off; she tried to read the article that was written about Swwann. After her third hopeless attempt, she threw the clipping into the garbage since it was smeared with red paint. She ran down the stairs, out of her house and rang the bell of her next door neighbour. It was an old woman, widow, who lived alone and was way too snooty for her own good according to Khushi. Still, she impatiently rang the bell. When the door flew open, Mrs. Willow came up with a disapproving look in her eyes.

"What is it?" she asked annoyed that she was missing her latest episode of The Desperate Housewives.

"Sorry Mrs. Willow but could I borrow the Chicago times newspaper… ours never came today." Khushi lied and smiled a bit too much at her snooty neighbour. "No, no… I don't have the newspaper."

"Please, Mrs. Willow I know you do since your grandson had come to fetch ours last month when your dog ate yours." Khushi stood on her tiptoes and tried to look behind the old lady to see whether her newspaper lay somewhere close. "Fine. But I need it back," she huffed, smacked the door and went inside to fetch the paper. Khushi in the mean while cursed the old lady as she tapped her foot impatiently. The door opened again and Mrs. Willow thrust the paper into Khushi's hands. "Thank you." Khushi said as the lady shut the door again.

She flipped to the front page, and squealed in delight as she saw his picture. "OMG, you have to be the hottest and the kindest person on the planet," Khushi said as she admired his picture. He stood wearing a grey suit along with an unknown person. She read the caption underneath the picture.

Arnav Singh Raizada, after signing the merger with the CEO of FOX Network, Peter Rice.

Her eyes hurriedly swept to the top and she started to read the article. She reached the end of the article and read out loud, "Arnav Singh Raizada is expected to be at the main FOX Network this Tuesday for their official party to announce this merger to the entire business world."

Khushi stood motionless but soon burst into bouncing up and down with delight. Mrs. Willow looked through her window and saw the crazy girl, Khushi, who resided in the house next door. She had paint smeared all over her face and she saw her jumping up and down, completely destroying her flowers and her garden.

But nothing could stop this crazy girl from destroying whatever was in her way.

All for one reason and one reason only: Khushi knew where FOX Network's main office in America was. It was in Chicago. She had been forced by her mother to go there on numerous occasions… like when it was take your kid to work day ever year at her school. She could never forget the numerous trips she had made to the building. All because her father worked on the 3rd floor of Chicago's FOX Network's main office building.