ArShi:Destiny With TRAILER Thread I - Page 65

Hi everyone,

here is the next part... i am sorry about the delay but the three month gap was horrible.. i have become rusty... if this isnt that well done, please forgive me.. i will write more for next time and better as well.

Take Care

PS- thank you for commenting and keeping my thread alive!!!!

Chapter 15

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

8.30PM, Manhattan, New York

She checked her phone for time again, and knew that no matter what she did, she wouldn't make it on time. Damn this stupid New York traffic that was more of a nuisance than anything else. She huffed again and knocked on the glass that separated the back of the cab from the front. "How long is it going to take?" she asked hurriedly.

"It could be more than 20 minutes. These kinds of stupid accidents happen all the time, especially during the night. NYC is never asleep," said the old, shabby taxi driver as he screened the traffic through his windshield. Another horn sounded to her right and she gritted her teeth. "The best thing to do now would be to just walk. Take the alleyway… you aren't that far… see this," he pointed towards the dark alley behind the apartments to her right and continued, "take this alley, merge into the main street, cross it, and then just walk into the alleyway at the end of the street and walk until you hit another main street. It is on your right after you exit the alley."

She mentally imagined the directions the cabbie gave her, and sighed.

"Just my luck," she muttered as she opened her bag, quickly handed him a 20, and jumped out of the cab. She shivered as the cold nipped at her skin. In the panic and hurry, she had completely forgotten her coat at her apartment. Dressed in a black tank, maroon skinny jeans with only a blush cardigan supporting her, she looked like a total idiot who was oblivious to the weather. Her teeth clattered as she hugged herself, silently congratulating herself for having the sense to wear her combat boots along with her leg warmers that were keeping her feet and legs from freezing. She quickly ran across the main road and disappeared into the pitch-black alley without sparing a second glance.

After exiting the first alley, which was not as dark since the apartments had inhabitants who were awake. She fastened her speed as warmth spread through her and continued on. As she merged into the second alley, she realized that it was shrouded in complete darkness since the hotel's alleyway had little to no light. The next few seconds were a distortion to her as she was grabbed, and in midst of the chaos, she lost her bag in the dark. The only light cascading through the darkness was that of the street.

"Let me go!" she squealed but the men did not pay any heed to request however drew out a knife to keep her silent. Panic coursed through her veins, and she chastised herself for not staying in the cab. She thought it was the end of her life, and even in this dangerous situation, she could ridiculously imagine her being on the morning news as this unknown woman found in an alley. The temperature had dropped down a few more degrees and unbeknownst to herself, she shivered and a slightly loud whimper left her mouth as the men were discussing something amongst themselves. She couldn't distinguish them properly but mentally counted down to three people. In her mind, she was already looking for escape routes when someone interrupted down from the alley.

The rest of the events were another haze to her until that voice whispered her name. She knew that voice, she could clearly distinguish that raspy voice, she knew in the pit of stomach. She gazed up and all she perceived was darkness and then pair of familiar brown and green speckled eyes dancing upon her. And that is when she sensed the first snowflake graze her nose.

Arnav gazed down at her while the light, fluffy snow descended upon them. He could only sense her in his arms because she was stock-still and tightened his hold; however Khushi was not reacting at all. At first he thought that she would be angry, or thankful, or she would start crying but nothing at all happened and his brows knotted in confusion. Khushi, on the other hand, was baffled beyond her wildest dreams or perhaps it was the excitement of the last few minutes that was still coursing through her, or maybe it was the bone seeping cold and she did what was least expected by Arnav. She fainted in his arms.

Arnav had no time to react and swiftly held her tighter. After getting a good grip, he lifted her in his arms and cradled her head against his shoulder. Without another thought, he took her straight into the hotel lobby and gently laid her on one of the enormous couches. Worried that Khushi might be more seriously hurt than he had thought, he started to shake her while saying her name. He kneeled on the floor while holding her face and shaking her.

"Khushi, damn it… get up!" he shook her yet again. After about 30 seconds, Khushi groaned and opened her eyes while Arnav sighed in relief. He was about to call the paramedics but seeing Khushi stir and groan made his itching fingers stop from dialling 911. He sighed and his body relaxed while he sat on the floor, heaving in complete relief. This woman still had the ability to rile him up, he mused but he heard Khushi groan again and sit up. He quickly stood up while he held onto her hands and helped her sit in a more comfortable position. Khushi's head was pounding, although, after a few distorted seconds, she was able to focus onto her surroundings. No sooner had she started scanning the room, a man dressed impeccably in a designer suit came into her view. As she trailed up towards his face, the recent events hit her like a brick and she speedily tried to rise. Much to Arnav's chagrin, Khushi experienced a head rush while she looked straight at Arnav and again faltered. He grabbed her, yet again, and sternly said, "Sit down, will you!"

Mortified that he had held her again, she sat down like an obedient child, slipping away from his hold. The receptionist, seeing the commotion, rushed towards them and offered Arnav a water bottle. He extended it to Khushi and gratefully thanked the receptionist who nodded in an understanding. "Here, take this… you must be thirsty," he said in a much softer tone that made Khushi look at him in perplexity. She, nevertheless, took hold of the bottle and downed the cold water. She felt better however, now her teeth clattered because she was cold to her very bone and the heat inside the hotel was not helping. As she handed the bottle back to Arnav, he noticed that her cardigan had red spots smeared on her left arm. He took a hold of her arm, much to her surprise, and lifted it up for inspection.

"No, it's alright… seriously, it's fine!" protested Khushi as she tried to squirm her arm away from him. Annoyed her defence, he gave her a stern look and said, "SSH!"

He lifted her cardigan and saw that in her struggle, she had injured her left arm with scratches. "You need to put some ointment on these scratches… what were you doing in the alley!?!" he asked as if they had known each other all this while, as if the past never existed, as if Khushi wasn't the same Khushi.

Khushi, confused to the extent that her brain refused to function, pulled her arm back. "Thanks for saving me, I… I'll take it from here." She was resistant, she was puzzled, she was embarrassed and she was unnerved with his abrupt presence. She composed herself and waited for any sarcastic remark from him, but much to her agitation, it never came. Her defences were up. He sat down next to her on the couch while she fixed her appearance. Then like a ton of bricks, it hit her! She was here for a reason, and rushed up. She looked around for her bag that held everything that she needed to deliver however she couldn't locate it anywhere. Like an epiphany it came to her, and she ran out of the lobby of the hotel like bullet.

"Khushi!!" Arnav stood up, and scratched his head. Could she get any weirder? His brain was starting to question whether he was again hallucinating.

Khushi ran straight for the alley, although, she was still very scared about recent events that occurred in the dark, creepy alley. Without much struggle, she found the bag, and quickly ran back into the hotel lobby. After checking for its content, while horrendously cold, she made a beeline towards the receptionist and opted towards the elevator.

~~oOo~~

After finishing her errand, Khushi walked out of the lobby, and walked towards the street to catch a cab. "You know, it is ridiculously cold outside," said a voice from behind her. She turned around to face the voice, knowing who the owner was. "Uh, yeah," she said not divulging into any more details. "Here, let me drop you off somewhere," he offered her.

"No, it's really alright, but thanks… for before too. Thanks for saving me." Khushi was grateful that he had saved her because no one else would heard her in the lonesome alley and god know what could have happened to her. This thought alone made her shudder involuntarily, and her body got even colder. The snow was now an inch off the ground, and she couldn't spot any cabs turning this way into the street. "Khushi, stop being childish, here take my coat," he gently placed his coat on her shoulders, but the almighty stubborn Khushi still didn't budge. However, Arnav patiently waited for the next five minutes until Khushi had no choice but to wear his coat. For Khushi, it was either wear his coat, or die from hypothermia. She could have happily done the latter, however, she knew that no matter what, dying in front Arnav Singh Raizada was out of the question, and besides she was too young to die of premature circumstances.

After seeing no sign of any cab, and seeing that the snow had just turned more harsher she slumped her shoulders.

"Fine, I live in the village, if you could so kindly help me get home," she said in a dejected voice because as the snow turned more fierce, the less people were on the streets. "What the heck is wrong with these cab drivers… not coming towards this street," she muttered angrily. She, after a long list of pros and cons, obliged Arnav to drop her home in his car. The driver quickly came around the curb and Arnav helped Khushi slip into the seat while he sat on the other one. After what could be described as the most awkward car rides ever, Khushi was finally able to see the street she lived on. This strangely reminded her of the first time she had met Arnav and the multiple 'awkwards' she had experienced with him. It was as if Arnav was thinking on the same lines that he coughed to get her attention. "Here you are…" said Arnav as the car halted in front her three storey apartment building.

Khushi gazed out of her window as if inspecting whether he had the correct address… if this devil was dropping her off, she wanted to make sure he dropped her off at the correct address. "Thanks," she muttered quickly and the driver opened the door for her. "Khushi," Arnav said and she spun around. "Take this," he handed her an unopened, new first aid box and said, "for your wound." Khushi was unable to say anything because of the highs of emotions she had just experienced, and simply took the box. "Thanks," she said.

The driver shut the door after she got out and gave her a salute with his hat. Khushi broke into a cherry grin, and saluted the driver as well. He then walked around and sat in the car. From the tinted car windows, Arnav could see Khushi saluting the driver and smiled. For some reason, he grinned at her antics. He watched her until the car turned around the curb and she was still standing there.

"Arnav Singh Raizada," Khushi finally uttered those words and let them tumble off her lips after many, many months. After a few seconds in the snowy, dark night, she headed towards the entrance of the building. She realized that she could still smell him in the air as she entered the building and into her apartment. It then dawned upon her; she was still wearing his coat.

~~oOo~~

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

9.45 AM, HarperCollins Publishing House,

Manhattan, New York.

She drained her coffee mug and smacked it on her pristine white desk. She ruffled her hair and massaged her temples hoping that this headache would eventually dissipate. The painkillers weren't aiding either so she got enough mettle to get up for another coffee mug. "Oh dear, you look like you had some romp last night," exclaimed a voice that made Khushi smile and turn around. "And you look as fresh as a daisy," said Khushi in a flattering voice and coiled her arm through his. "Well not to put a damper on your spirit… I had quite the night," he waggled his eyebrows up and down, making Khushi roll her eyes, "NK!"

"What," he exclaimed, "I am only saying the truth, darling… what were you doing? I texted you to come to the bar!"

"Running a "last minute" errand for my boss dearest!" she huffed as they stood in line for coffee.

"Oh no, another one of those… oh dear, poor you!" Khushi pouted her lips and made a sad face, "I know… but anyhow, I don't think gay bars are my thing anyway."

"Khushi! You think I would ever call you down with me to one of those!" he made an over dramatic gesture with his hands. "Oh please, don't be so dramatic! And yes, you have done this atrocity to me many times when they are so hot… but gay!" Khushi complained to him. "Fine, I know, I have… but I wasn't at a gay bar," NK informed her in a matter of fact way. "Yet you still manage to have 'quite the night'," she complained to her closest friend.

As their turn came, Khushi filled her mug with steaming, black coffee along with bouts of sugar. "Anyhow, if you hear the kind of night I had, you are sure to give me an award," she informed him.

"Oh my, I am all ears!" he said.

After telling him the ordeal she had gone through along with how a stranger had saved her, swiftly leaving the part out about the stranger being Arnav Singh Raizada, she shuddered as she sat down on her desk with NK in tow. "Well, how would you rate my night," she asked him sarcastically. "Are you bloody kidding me, why didn't you call the cops? And what were you thinking going through alleys for that witch and monstrosity of a boss of ours? She is such a witch, I tell you!" he cried.

Little did he know, she was standing right behind them, and Khushi gestured him to shut up with her eyes. "She's behind me, isn't she," he squeaked. Khushi nodded.

"Good, good… very nice dramatization of one of the plays," he fibbed to Khushi and hurriedly ran towards his desk.

Khushi smiled uncomfortably at her boss and shielded her face, whilst getting back to reading the first chapter of 5 new manuscripts. She shook her head at her friend's antics because getting away from the witch of a boss was something he expertly did. He was the closest friend she had ever since she started working at Harper Collins. Granted he was always up to antics, Khushi felt like she could just be herself with him and he amused her to no depths. Of course, because he was such a gossip queen, she was always filled with shenanigans happening everywhere around her. Not to mention, he lived in her building, which made him all the more amusing and annoying at the same time.

NK, short for Nand Kishore, was such a funny soul to say the least. He was very nice to those who were nice to him and Khushi was one of his closest friends.

~~oOo~~

Khushi kicked the photocopier machine because her boss was too cheap to replace this one, and she wanted the money back the company had promised. "Urgh" she grunted as she kicked it hard with her pointy, leather boot and it finally resurrected to life.

"So, tell me about this knight in shining armour of yours?"

Startled by his sudden appearance, Khushi gave him a baffled look. "Who?!"

"The guy who saved you, helped you and took you back to the hotel…" he trailed his sentence seeing that Khushi had caught onto who he was referring. "Oh," Khushi said as she tried to focus on the photocopier. She was purposely left out the part that she knew the person, he was no stranger, and that he had given her a lift back to her house. "YES, oh…why aren't you spilling out the details, woman!"

"There is nothing to spill out," she told him as she took the papers, stapled them and walked back towards her desk. "Oh yes there is! I know when something is fishy!"

"Seriously, NK… please leave me alone… don't you have emails to answer back to your mother… for another excuse as to why you aren't thinking of marrying a girl from one of her picks!"

"Oh god!" he said dramatically as Khushi rolled her eyes, "That is a low blow! Just because she doesn't know that I am gay doesn't mean…. Ohhh, this is cover… Now, I know that something for sure happened last night that you are not spilling… but I will get to the bottom of it!!!" and saying so he marched off towards his own desk down the hall.

"Drama queen!" Khushi yelled as he just waved her off.

Truth to be told, Khushi still had a hard time trying to compress what had occurred last night. She wasn't sure whether she had hallucinated him or not, and she wasn't sure how she was feeling if Arnav was back. The last time she had seen him, they were different people… well at least, she knew she someone else. Yet, she was feeling overwhelmed with his presence, and a part of her was chiding her because that part was always on the look out for him in the crowd. She merely didn't just forget about him, her trip to London and about their last encounter. She was also pulling back her defenses up again. She was sure that if he was back, he ought to have a storm accompany him.

Ignoring her foolish thoughts, Khushi tried to focus on her work. "It's not like I am ever going to see him again," she muttered. Another part of responded, "Yes, you will… you still have his coat." But of course, she ignored that voice as part of the continuous headache banter in her head.

~~oOo~~

8.45AM Friday, November 16, 2012

Starbucks

"Yes, Gloria, I have finished five manuscripts, and ill be done today… don't worry about it," Khushi spoke into the mouthpiece of her cell phone. "Of course, I'll be done, and please don't give me anymore until Monday… I know it was quite a lot… ha ha, thanks, you are the best," she continued.

"Yeah, please hold on for a second," she halted the conversation as she reached the cashier and said, "Morning, could I get a venti cappuccino please."

After paying for her coffee, she waited in line while she conversed on the phone. "Oh, party, that sounds awesome… well, NK… please he is just a drama queen!" she laughed, grabbed her coffee and turned around.

Exactly when she was strutting towards the door, she looked down and abruptly collided with someone. "AH!!" she screeched.

"What the," a male voice said as Khushi stood there in complete shock, drenched in coffee although most of it spilled on the floor. "Bloody he…" her sentence stopped mid way as she looked up and gazed those eyes, and that face. "Just my luck," she muttered.

"I am so sorry, Khushi," said Arnav while Khushi grabbed a few tissues and tried to wipe her the coffee from her sheer navy blouse, as well as from her blush coloured trousers. "It's okay, leave it… the coffee mostly spilled on the floor," she told him as she tried to walk past him. "Please, listen… it is my fault. I wasn't looking… how about I make it up to you by buying you another cup of coffee?"

"No, really, it is alright."

Khushi wasn't ready to face him just yet. He was still a hazy memory and she wasn't expecting to come into contact with him let alone collide with him. It felt like she was a magnet and he was the North and South Pole. Everywhere she went, no matter where, he was there and she was being pulled towards him. Although, she had to admit that he looked amazing in his beige trousers, chequered shirt, grey sweater, along with a navy blazer. He held onto his trench in his free hand while other was deposited in his pants pocket. Even in winter, wrapped up in layers, he still managed to look amazing. She noticed that his hair no longer fell on forehead, but they were pushed back and he now supported five o'clock stubble. He looked even more sexier that before and Khushi was slowly getting sucked into his charm.

"I should get going," she said after she realized that he had caught her checking him out however no sarcastic bursts came out from him. She shifted her trench from her arm to another seeing that the snow was descending still and the sidewalks were filled with the white powder descended from the heaven.

"Come on, Khushi… one coffee, I feel bad that you spilled it because of me," he pleaded her that surprised Khushi to an extent. He actually held a sincere look in those brown and green speckled eyes. "Uh, alright… yeah it was a venti cappuccino, thanks," she stuttered as he smiled at her.

As he merged into the line, she went ahead and seated herself on the couch next to the window that faced the street. She heaved a long sigh, utterly confused and baffled at her sudden start to the day. She realized that she cut her phone in the middle of a call so quickly texted her colleague as well as NK to let them know that she is running slightly behind schedule. Since it was a Friday, the office didn't require her presence until 9.30. She rolled her wrist to check the time and leaned back to check where Arnav was. She knew questioning anything right would be akin to inviting a storm and a migraine. For the time being, she wanted to live in the moment that meant running away to her office as soon as she could.

"Here you are," and a coffee mug was extended to her. Her gaze followed his arm and locked with his eyes, and she was slightly unnerved by his look. "Thanks," she whispered as she stood up and pulled on her coat. "No worries… listen I was wondering..." he was cut by her, "oh dear, look at time, I really have to go. Good bye," she said swiftly and bolted out of the door like a bullet.

"Um… alright," he said to himself.

~~oOo~~

HarperCollins Publishing House,

Manhattan, New York.

"Tell me, now! Who is stranger was!!" NK was again pestering Khushi for the umpteenth time for she was not divulging into any details about the mystery stranger. "NK, please stop pestering me, I have really had enough of this for the past two days, I told you, I don't know!"

"Really, then why don't I believe you," he asked her. "I have no idea, get lost from here," Khushi exclaimed as she smacked his arm that finally got him to get back to work. Not wanting to think anymore about Arnav, Khushi tried to read the manuscript again.

As an hour passed, Khushi suddenly saw commotion from the corner of her eye but ignored it. A few minutes later, NK passed by her desk to which she stopped him. "What is going on?"

"Oh, I am all news since someone wont divulge into details… but apparently someone is here to meet with Tracy, about the publishing house."

"WHAT! You don't mean that they are planning on selling it?"

"No, as per my intelligence, which by the way runs very deep, it is along the lines of partnership."

"Alright, well, I guess that makes me feel a little bit better," Khushi murmured determined to finish her last manuscript and show Tracy Collins, her boss, that she deserved the promotion that was being discussed. As soon as she finished, she realized that another hour had passed so as per her boss's orders, she went to drop it off to their editor, Mark Wilde, for more suggestions and ideas. It was Khushi's job to filter out the promising ones from the pile after reading a few chapters. Khushi felt like it was a stressful but nevertheless, an amazing job. Sometimes, the stress did get to her because she felt like someone's future depended on her.

"Well, I am done… so I suppose I get off early," she rubbed in NK's face as he pouted. He quickly fell in step with Khushi, much to her surprise, and coiled his arm through hers. "Where are you headed to?" she asked him.

"I need to ask Mark something as well, and going there alone is so boring," he complained and Khushi just laughed it off. As soon as they entered the editor's office, NK whistled under his breath while Khushi's heart plummeted to the ground. In midst of this chaos with her heart and the chiding from her brain, she dropped all the manuscripts and stood still as a statue. "Shit," she cursed as she blinked at least a few times to get back to reality because it had to be a dream. In front of her stood the all-almighty Arnav Singh Raizada just like she had left him at the coffee shop. "I am sorry, Mark… we didn't know you were busy, we can come back later," Khushi said in a hastened voice and spun around. "Khushi, no it is alright, I was just ushering Mr. Raizada out." Khushi had no choice but to face them again as everyone in the room looked at her in a daze.

Arnav couldn't help but smirk at the aloof expression wore by Khushi. He had no idea that when he was getting up this morning that he would be seeing Khushi not once but twice in a matter of few hours. He was highly amused and felt himself getting attracted to her. Just plain and simple her. He couldn't believe that she was the same girl because right now she looked like a young lady who was completely in charge of her life. And he felt instantly attracted to her. He couldn't point out what, where and when, but right now he wanted to touch her. So he extended his hand and said, "Hi, I am Arnav Singh Raizada."

He knew that look that adorned her eyes; it was fear. So, he eased her by not recognizing her at all. "Hi, I am NK," said Khushi's companion in a more abrupt way. "Hi," and he extended it towards Khushi who shook it slightly.

Khushi again felt her cheeks heat up and saw that everyone was still looking at her. She gazed up and straight into Arnav's eyes and he pointed towards her feet with his eyes. She then realized that her manuscripts were still on the ground. "OH, oh, yeah… these are for you Mark... I have already finished them and marked the promising ones in red."

"Great, Khushi… Arnav, she is one of our best interns we ever hired," Mark praised her as color filled Khushi's cheeks. "And that is our assistant of PR, NK."

"Oh, so you are an intern here. That's really great," Arnav said and NK moved closer to Khushi's ear and whispered, "Please pray to god that he is gay!" which earned him a jab to the rib from Khushi. " So, an intern… I am sure she is an amazing intern and hope she will use any way possible to complete her work… even alleyways," Arnav said and laughed. Mark didn't really understand that reference but laughed as well.

A hitch of breath next to Khushi as the laugh died down and she knew NK had figured it out.

"Yes, it is pretty awesome… well, we'll let you be then, Mark, Mr. Raizada… good bye," Khushi said and ran out of the room. "NK, please head to the board room, the executives and assistants are meeting up," Khushi heard behind her and sighed because she knew that now she had to spill it to NK, or ignore it. But whatever she chose, she knew Arnav was bound to come into the picture.

She sat back down, suddenly the idea of running home because all the more lucrative and since it was a Friday, she could finish off in another hour. For that hour, Khushi tried to finish off any more remaining work. She then tidied her desk up and proceeded to shut down her computer when it chimed, indicating another email. Thinking that it was another work email, she opened her company server.

To: KhushiGupta@harpercollins.com

From: ArnavSRaizada@icloud.com

Subject: Food for amends

Good to see you. Lunch for past amends, please?

Arnav Singh Raizada,

CEO, Sswann Telecoms

Surprised beyond her wildest dreams, she wasn't sure what to feel. And she wasn't sure about anything anymore. She shut off her computer and slipped her coat on while she trudged towards the elevator. As the elevator door shut, her face broke into a smile.

thanks for the update...i really missed this FF...when can I expect the next update...so eager to read