ArHi SS:The Life-Changing Pact [Note on Page 147] - Page 11

The most profound silence prevailed for one long minute over the phone, with Khushi still taken aback by the newly received news of a potential wedding, her wedding, while her mom was waiting with bated breath for her reaction. An icy atmosphere could be sensed on both sides, and finally Khushi ended the awkward conversation by voicing in sheer anger:

"Amma, please tell me that it is a joke! How could Babuji even think of my wedding?"

"Khushi, you promised not to be angry! And tell me what is wrong about this? We are your parents and it is our responsibility to think about your future. For how long are you planning to remain alone?"

"But Amma, am no longer a child! I can make my decisions on my own and I don't even know that Aman or whatever. I mean how could Babuji decide to fix my wedding with him? And even you are on Babuji's side, right?"

"Bitiyaan, we are doing this for your well-being! Aman will keep you happy! Khushi, there's one more thing I need to tell you!"

"What now?"

"Hmm ...khushi...hmm your babuji has called them to our place this weekend to go ahead with the rishta'and we have given them word that you would be present!"

Khushi went into a fit of coughs, thinking of what she had just heard. As if hearing about her wedding was not enough that now she was expected to be in Lucknow in two days.

"Amma, I need to cut the call...I've got a very important meeting to attend right now! I'll call you later, ok?" Khushi answered in an attempt to buy time to ponder upon what she just had heard over the phone.

"Ok Khushi! Take your time but remember that we love you! Will be waiting for your call"

Khushi threw her phone on the table and replayed the conversation in her mind, wishing all of it was just a bad dream.

"How can they do that to me? Getting married? Now, they have even promised that I would be in Lucknow! What should I do? Think Khushi think! If I don't go, amma and babuji will not forgive me and I will not be able to forgive myself for giving them pain! Wow, this emotional blackmailing that they always do to me! But then, if I go, what am I supposed to do? Say yes and get married to that Aman, ruin my whole life!!! What can I do to control the situation and still bring it to my advantage somehow?"

Just at that moment, a knock was heard at the door and Khushi gave permission to enter.

"Sorry to disturb maam...hmm I just wanted to have a few words with you!" Arnav told.

Khushi was clearly astonished to see the assistant that she had just fired have the audacity to enter her cabin and ask to hold a conversation. And she was in no mood to argue anymore after the breaking news of her marriage which only worsened her day.

"Oh, so you must be here to collect your firing letter and the cheque?" asked Khushi.

"No...yes...hmm no...actually I just wanted to say sorry and also ask if by any chance, you could reconsider your decision! It was a mere accident, which I strongly regret and I even promise never to be late again. In fact, I'll be the first one entering this office and the last one going from it! I'll do anything that I can do as an assistant and even more! Just place your order and you'll be served maam" uttered Arnav at the quickest pace possible to ensure that he could speak everything he had planned to say.

Khushi's eyes opened wide and her mouth formed a perfect O when realisation struck her following the words 'Just place your order and you'll be served' and her mind bulb lit up. Arnav was waiting for an answer despite knowing that his chances were very low but what actually confused him the most was to see the boss murmuring to herself in low volume as if she was debating the pros and the cons.

"Sit down Mr Raizada!" told Khushi with a faint smile which sent shivers down Arnav's spine.

Overwhelmed by a sudden feeling of jolt in front of a smile that had never seen the day in the office, Arnav reluctantly sat to hear the verdict ' the cabin looked no less than a court room in his eyes.

"Okay, am ready to give you another chance!" Khushi let out.

"What?" asked Arnav not willing to believe what he just heard. "I mean thank you so much Maam, I'll not let you down"

"I'm accepting to take you back in the office only on one condition" Khushi said.

How could he have forgotten that Khushi Kumari Gupta, being the shrewd Lady Governess, would never have accepted without laying down her conditions!

"So, do you accept it?" asked Khushi.

"But what is the condition?"

"You just told me that you were ready for anything to save your job, right?"

"Yes, I did and I reiterate this fact!"

"Good then! So, my condition is that you need to come with me to Lucknow and ..." Khushi started to say and thought a second time before finally voicing "We need to act as a couple in front of my family"

Jerked by the bombshell, Arnav frantically stood up and tried to digest the condition that was placed.

"What...Lucknow...we...couple...family" were the only words that Arnav managed to let out.

"Yes...Lucknow, we, couple, family'.Is it clear enough?" told Khushi in a sarcastic tone.

PRECAP

Arnav: "I accept your condition! But I have one as well!"