Chapter 2
As Khushi stepped into the building, she was met with greetings of "Good morning Ma'am." She smiled and said hello to each agent individually before going to her office and plopping down in her chair. A new day has begun, she thought and got up to make herself a cup of coffee.
Khushi leaned against the counter and sipped her coffee, watching the agents in the precinct go about their daily business. Men far outnumbered women here, but to those women who worked for the CBI, they were given respect. Everyone knew how strenuous training was, and only the best women joined. It was for that reason that Khushi was so adored by the agency.
Becoming the youngest Special Task Force Commander for the agency that was equivalent to Interpol and the FBI was no easy feat, especially not for one so young and a woman to top it off. It had taken hard work and tenacity, but she had gotten where she was on her own merit, not because of anything else. At the tender age of eighteen, she had helped solve a double homicide when she was only studying Criminology and Forensic Science in her University at this point. From then on, her superiors had noted the efficient, no nonsense way she worked and had made her work even harder.
They had made her include a degree of Criminal Justice in addition to her existing majors. Within two years, she had finished her required courses and was a Police Head Constable, bypassing the other ranks. The director of the CBI had seen her work and was very impressed. Instead of continuing in the police force, he had invited her to join the CBI as a junior agent. In less than a year, she had solved twenty seven successful cases. From that point she was made a senior agent though she was only twenty one years old. Just last year, the agency had promoted her to STF Commander.
She was ruthless in her work. Her life was dedicated to putting criminals behind bars. Of course, she could delegate work to her subordinates, but arresting people was something she loved to do. For a woman in a man's world, she did exceptionally well for herself.
There were downsides to her job of course, the main one being having no social life. Sure she had friends, but she couldn't go to the bar or clubs with them very often. The last party she had been to was thrown for a couple celebrating their fiftieth anniversary. She had even missed Akaash's wedding due to a case!
With a great sigh, she went back to her desk and picked up the Singhania file and lazily flicked through it. A simple robbery gone bad resulted in the murder of Mrs. Singhania. All the evidence pointed towards the robbers killing the woman, but Khushi knew that she had to look underneath the underneath for this case. There was something a little more sinister at hand here. Mr. Singhania's statements didn't add up, and neither did his behavior that night. When they had questioned him, Mr. Singhania didn't show the proper stages of grief. He was already in the last stage which led Khushi to believe that not only was this homicide pre-meditated, it was planned by Singhania himself.
"Atman-bhaiyya!" She called to her right hand man. Agent Atman Kulkarni sauntered into the room and grinned at her. He was a nice man, ten years her senior and had been the big brother figure that she craved. When she first got here, it had been scary, but he had shown her how to maneuver through this jungle. In her rookie days, he had always made it a point to help her no matter what.
"Khushi, what is it?" He asked lazily sitting in the chair in front of her desk. Khushi rolled her eyes at his relaxed behavior. If it had been anyone else, she would have berated them for acting so casual in front of a high ranked official.
"Bhaiyya, can you take a couple of men and go to the Singhania house? I know that we already combed the place through, but take a closer look, especially in Mr. Singhania's room."
Atman's expression turned serious and he nodded. "Will do boss. I'll be back in a couple hours."
Just as he was about to leave, another agent came rushing in. "Ma'am! A phone call came for you!"
Khushi raised her eyebrows but held her hand out for the phone. "Who is it, Joshi?"
"Arnav Singh Raizada, ma'am. He says it's urgent." Joshi quickly handed Khushi the phone and sprinted out of there after seeing the murderous expression on his boss's face.
Atman's grin widened and he too left the office, not wanting to hear the verbal bashing Khushi was about to give to the poor man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arnav anxiously held the phone to his ear, waiting for Khushi to say something. He wasn't very surprised when she cursed loudly and said "Raizada!" In that husky tone of hers.
He smirked, pleased that he could irritate her over the phone as well. "Hello Rathod, it's been a while."
On the other end, Khushi controlled the urge to throttle the phone in her hand by reminding herself that she was in the office. "What the hell do you want, Raizada. If this is a social call, don't waste your precious energy hitting the end button, I'll do it myself." It was her turn to smirk as she heard his pathetic scoff.
"Please Rathod. Why the hell would I make a social call to you? Why would I call you in the first place? No, I'm calling you for a personal matter, and it concerns you as well." Though Arnav couldn't see it, Khushi was hurt by his blunt words. It was always like this between them, no love, only hate. And the occasional time they did show affection for each other, it never lasted long enough. However, as soon as he had said that a problem concerned her as well, she was on full alert mode.
"Arnav, what's going on?" She asked. He could hear the seriousness in her voice. It had been a good idea confiding in her, but he couldn't tell her this news on the phone. They needed to meet face to face.
"Khushi...do you think you can come to my office right now? It's urgent." And it really was. His Di's life was at stake.
Khushi frowned, confused by Arnav's tone. He sounded worried. Had something happened? Why did he need her?
"Arnav..." She said tentatively, putting aside the negative feelings she held for him. Now she was even more convinced that something terrible had happened.
Back at his desk, Arnav suddenly felt very weak. The reality of what he was going to do to his sister hit him. If Khushi was successful, then the love of his sister's life would be gone and his sister would be broken.
"Khushi." The way he said her name shut her up. He was desperate and pleading all in one. The last time he had sounded like this was when his mother died and he had cried for the very last time on her lap.
"I'm coming Arnav. Just tell me that you haven't changed buildings and I'll be there in fifteen minutes." She picked up her purse (which had her gun) and walked out of her door. "Joshi! I'll be gone for a couple hours. If Bhaiyya comes back just tell him I'm at Raizada's building!" She called behind her not waiting for his response.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
True to her word, she arrived at the AR building fifteen minutes later. It was majestic, Khushi admitted grudgingly. No matter how many times she had seen it, it still took her breath away. Arnav had done very well for himself. But then again, so had she.
Truth be told, she was excited to come here. It had been many months, nearly a year since she had seen any of the Raizadas. She was eager to meet Akaash and his new bride Payal. Nani and Anjali called her regularly to keep her updated on what went on in the Raizada house, but there was nothing like having a good old face to face chat. She wished she had brought Akaash and Payal's wedding gift with her. Hm...maybe it was time to pay a visit to Shantivan. Seeing the people she considered family always lifted her heart.
She walked into the building and went up to the reception desk. A woman whose name tag read Pam was sitting there, typing away at the computer. "Excuse me." Khushi said politely, yet firmly. The woman glanced up at her and started typing away again.
Khushi was more than slightly miffed. Her job demanded respect from other people. She wasn't used to getting blown off by this...nobody
"Excuse me!" Khushi said a little louder. Pam sighed in a theatrical manner. "What?"
Khushi hid a smirk. She was going to have to tell Arnav how his employees treated guests. She was guessing by the next time she visited, this Pam wouldn't be here anymore.
"I'm here to see Arn...Mr. Raizada." Khushi caught herself just in time. No need for his employees to think there was anything other than a business meeting between the two.
"Mr. Raizada is busy. Why don't you have a seat and I'll let you know when he's done." Pam said condescendingly.
Khushi was very tempted to pull her badge out and show this woman exactly where her place was, heck, she may even take out her gun. However she refrained from doing so when she found a very familiar face looking at her curiously. Her classic smirk appeared.
"I'm sorry, but I'm a very busy person as well, and I need to see Mr. Raizada now!" Khushi said, completely ignoring Pam's incredulous look as she stormed into the work area.
Quite comically, the entire place fell silent. Khushi reveled in the power she had in making dramatic entrances. The people at AR didn't know how to react to any type of intrusion of this sort because they were drab and boring...most of them. Like boss like employees.
It was Akaash who broke the silence. "Khushi!" He yelled and swept her into a hug that lifted her off of her feet.
"Akaash!" She said giggling. "Put me down!" He complied but kept staring at her, and even pinched her just to make sure she was real. When she slapped him on his shoulder, he grinned. Without another word, he led her to a very pretty petite woman, oblivious of the looks of the other workers who were currently wondering why boss number two was hugging this woman in front of his wife.
"Payal-ji, this is Khushi, Khushi Rathod, the ever elusive woman and my best friend!"
Khushi looked at Payal who, to her amusement, looked slightly jealous of Khushi. Payal really was quite pretty though, with large brown eyes and soft features. She was the perfect complement to Akaash.
Khushi smiled at Payal who tentatively smiled back. To Payal's surprise, Khushi pulled her into a hug.
"I can't believe that our Akaash is finally married! But seriously Bhai, after three months of marriage, you're still calling her Payal-ji?" Khushi teased him and Payal who blushed in unison.
"Khushi, what are you doing here?" Akaash asked her after glaring at Khushi.
Khushi's smile vanished slightly. "Your idiot of a brother called me here."
The people around her gasped at this woman's audacity. She had called Raizada sir an idiot? If he heard this, she would be dead. Even Payal was stunned at her callousness.
"Bhai?" Akaash asked confusedly. "But why?"
Khushi shrugged. "I'm not sure really, he called me a little while ago and said it was important. I really should go though. You know how he hates waiting." She laughed slightly. She didn't notice the footsteps coming down the staircase and stopping right behind her. She did feel the hairs on her back standing up though, and knew who was close to her.
"Well if you know how much I hate it, then why aren't you in my office yet?" A voice that never failed to draw shivers from her said from behind. Arnav. Just his voice did wonders to her body. She controlled her emotions and turned around, putting on what she hoped was an indifferent expression.
He stood there, handsome as ever in his three piece suit, arms crossed across his chest, staring at her with such an intense gaze that would have melted a normal woman. Khushi Rathod though, was made of sterner stuff. She wouldn't succumb to him, no matter what. These two had known each other since...forever. She could read him like a book, and he could do the same to her. He was tense.
"Arnav." She said in an exasperated voice. "I was just on my way. I haven't seen Akaash in ages and I even missed his wedding! Give me a break."
"A break?" He walked forward, expression never changing. "Khushi, we had important matters to discuss. Akaash can wait. Plus, you called me an idiot. So excuse me if I'm just a little angry." His voice got progressively lower as he came closer and closer. They were only a foot apart now. They glared at each other fiercely, neither backing down. The people around them watched in fear as their boss and this unknown woman had an intense staring contest. Their eyes were shooting invisible lightning bolts at each other.
Akaash sighed at their antics. "Bhai! Khushi! Please don't start! For once, can't you two have a civil conversation?"
Both of them spared one glance at Akaash who flinched under the combined pressure of their gazes. It was like two Arnavs put together.
"No."
"Never."
Without another word, Arnav grabbed Khushi's arm and dragged her all the way to his office.
Those in the workroom stared at Akaash as if demanding an explanation.
"That was Khushi Rathod?" Aman asked his other boss. "The one that Sir wanted to see?"
"Yep, That's our Khushi." Akaash said nostalgically. "The only one who could control Bhai's anger as well as raise it to very high levels."
"He looked as if he wanted to kill her when he asked me to call her." Aman said truthfully, fully aware of what would happen to him if Arnav found out what they were talking about. ASR hated gossip.
"Was it that creepy smile?" Akaash chuckled slightly. "Because if it was, then that's a completely normal face when it concerns Bhai and Khushi. She hates that face of his, she has since we were kids."
"You're childhood friends then?" Payal asked quietly. Akaash grinned at her.
"Oh yes! She's my age, so she and I were always very close, like siblings. NK Bhai and her had a very interesting relationship. She loved to manipulate him. He pampered her so much, and she let him. And then there's her and Bhai. Since the beginning, those two were like fire and ice, never mixed but somehow remained compatible. They fought constantly, and Di would have to come in and be the peacemaker. She's like our sunshine, the person who even Bhai will smile for...though, now that I think about it, Bhai smiles about her when she's not in the room.." Akaash mused to himself, lost in the memories of happier times.
It was then that Akaash realized that he was still in the office and that he had the full attention of these gossip mongers. They were like hungry dogs looking for more food.
"What are you all doing! Get back to work!" He barked. Akaash may not have been as terrifying as Arnav, but he was still a Raizada. And for the most part, a Raizada could scare the living daylights out of anyone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arnav stared at Khushi as she made herself comfortable in his office. She hadn't changed one bit. Not from the proud tilt of her chin, to her kissable pink lips, to her straight nose, to her hazel eyes, to her perfectly straight hair. She was still the beautiful woman who he loved to hate. But as his eyes traveled lower over her body, he couldn't help but notice the things that he never wanted to notice. Like how her blouse was cut low enough so he could see a hint of cleavage, or how it didn't hide the soft curves that he knew she had. She might know how to kill someone without blinking an eye, but she was still all woman, something that he couldn't deny no matter how much he tried.
"Arnav." Khushi snapped her fingers in front of his eyes. He had a glazed look, something that he had never had before. Things must be really bad. "Arnav!" She shook him slightly which made him glare at her.
"What?" He snapped. She looked at him in disbelief.
"Excuse me? I come to your office on a split seconds notice and you have the gall to not talk to me?" She nearly yelled.
He had the decency to look slightly sheepish. He couldn't tell her that he was checking her out. It would mean a lifetime of humiliation. "Khushi...sorry."
She gaped at him. Had he really...said sorry? Gently, she reached over and placed her palm on his forehead. "No fever." She muttered. "Are you feeling alright?"
Arnav shot her an angry look which made her back down. When Arnav was like this, he just needed to vent. But the anger dissipated to what looked like fatigue. She noticed the circles under his eyes. Had he been sleeping properly? There was a tick to his jaw. He was irritated...and anxious. Khushi got up and went to sit on his desk so she was right in front of him. Her proximity startled him.
"Arnav." She said in that tone that always calmed him down. "Talk."
For the first time in a long time, Arnav Singh Raizada averted his eyes from the person who was talking to him. Instead, he got up and paced around the cabin, aware of Khushi's burning gaze.
She was patient, letting him take his own time.
"You were at Di's wedding, right?" Arnav finally said, though he already knew the answer.
"You know I was." Khushi chided gently, gesturing for him to continue.
He looked at her, holding eye contact for a long time. "Did you ever find anything...odd, about...jijaji?"
Khushi stood up straight, not liking where he was going with this. "Arnav, are you saying what I think you're saying?" What he was implying was not something she liked in the very least.
He wearily nodded and sat back down, his back to her.
"So when you said that this problem concerned me...you meant that Di might be in danger and you need my help?" Khushi concluded slowly.
All of a sudden, a patronizing smirk appeared on Arnav's face. It was one she knew very well. "Oh good, I was beginning to think that you forgot that you solved crimes for a living."
Usually, this would lead to a big fight between the two of them, but not now, not when Di was in danger. "Arnav, just stop. I'm not in the mood for this. Tell me everything that you suspect, and don't leave out the slightest detail." She pulled out a notepad from her purse and he could glimpse the gun she held in there. If Arnav had any doubt she was a cop, it was gone now.
So he told her, all of his suspicions, Shyam's odd behavior, the money, everything. She paused him every so often to ask a couple more questions.
"Arnav...has he ever...you know...hurt her?" Khushi asked quietly. If that monster had, she would rip him apart limb by limb.
Arnav turned around so fast, she thought he might fall. He had a wild glint in his eye. "He wouldn't dare."
Khushi got up and put her hand on his shoulder. "I know, but I had to ask." She let her hand linger on his muscled arm, drawing in his heat, and he let her. It felt comfortable.
"Di's happy." Arnav growled. Khushi didn't move, not even when he got up and grabbed her. "She's happy with the man who is most likely stealing from her, cheating on her, and ruining her life! He... He...!" Arnav couldn't go on and Khushi didn't urge him to. He stepped even closer to her, invading her personal space, smelling her scent, letting it fill him. Roses and gunpowder...that was Khushi, unique to only her. It was an odd combination that seemed to work, sweet and musky. If he leaned even closer, her head would fit right under his chin...
No! He stepped away from her in the next instant, trying to rid himself of these pesky thoughts. He didn't think of Khushi in that way...did he? Whatever the case, he had to get her out of his head. They were here for Di and Di only.
Khushi sensed the turmoil withing him and couldn't help but pity him. "Arnav, it's good that you called me. What you said about the money appearing suddenly in his account made me think of a case from a couple weeks ago. Someone was embezzling funds from a research company, and the money was being deposited in the West Indies. Though the situation is different, perhaps we can connect some dots. I'll have my people look into it."
Arnav was enthralled by the way she chewed her pen, signaling her anxiousness. Yet that was the only sign of her discomfort with the situation. Now, she was in her 'zone' as NK had always called it. Once Khushi focused on something, she could never be deterred from it, much like himself. She loved his Di as much as he did, and he knew that she would do anything for her. Anjali had always been there, cheering everyone up, breaking up the fights, sacrificing her 'me' time for those younger than her. The very thought that her own khushi was being threatened hit both of them hard.
"It's my fault." Arnav admitted softly. Immediately, Khushi knew what he was talking about and tousled his hair lightly, just like she used to back in the day. It didn't exactly have the same effect because his hair was laden thick with gel. However, it elicited the response she wanted from him: annoyance.
"Seriously yaar, that has always been your problem. You blame yourself for things you have control over! Not everything that goes wrong is your fault, Nav." That was the first time in years she had used his childhood nickname. Those were also the same words she had used when his mom had died.
He must have recognized it because his head snapped up. She gave him a smile, a real one this time. "Don't be so glum, Arnav! I'm going to help you...she's like my Di too you know. I can't stand the thought of anyone hurting her, especially not jiju. Should I even call him that anymore? What should I do? I mean I can't just pull my gun out and shoot him right? Argh!"
Arnav shook his head at her mindless chatter and stood up. "Come on, let's go back down so those idiots I call employees don't think that I called you here so I can have my way with you." Arnav gave her a naughty grin to which she couldn't help but blush. She smacked him on the arm.
"Oh shut up."
They got out of the office and made their way downstairs, walking in companionable silence for the first time in decades.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Akaash saw them first and blinked...once...then twice...and then thrice. Bhai and Khushi...together...not shouting...not even scowling at each other? This...it's a miracle! Just what were they doing in Bhai's office? Could it be...were they... No Akaash...don't have thoughts like that. That's your best friend and your brother, the two people who can never get along. I'm sure there's a good explanation for this...
Arnav walked Khushi to Akaash's desk. Akaash grinned at his Bhai and Khushi. "What's this guys...no fighting, no split lips, no bruises. Khushi, where did all of your fighting spirit go?"
Khushi laughed and ruffled Akaash's hair. "See Arnav, this is hair that I can mess up. Lose the gel next time I come and visit."
Arnav scowled at her while Akaash's eyebrows rose at what she had just implied. Bhai let her touch his hair...and didn't kill her?
"Thankfully Khushi, there won't be a next time."
Khushi just smiled mysteriously. "Don't be so sure about that Raizada." With a quick hug to Akaash and Payal, she turned around and started walking towards the main entrance. Just as she was halfway there, Arnav's voice stopped her.
"Oi Khushi!" His shout made the entire place quiet down. He watched as she turned, an annoyed look on her lovely face.
"What, Raizada?"
"You're coming to dinner tonight." He said authoritatively, using his ASR voice and knowing that it would never work on her. Though, he really should revert back to his ASR personality when dealing with his stupid employees who all were gaping at their boss. It was annoying!
Although he wouldn't admit it, he wanted Khushi to get started right away on putting Shyam behind bars so Di would be safe. What better way to get Khushi to come over than dinner?
Khushi knew exactly what he was doing and complied. She wanted to look at Shyam with fresh eyes. Hopefully he would be there, and plus she would see everyone again.
"Same time as usual?" She asked. The Raizadas always ate at 7:30 sharp, no exceptions. Even when Arnav was working late, dinner was always out at that time.
"What do you think?" He retorted.
"Fine by me. Now I can give Akaash and Payal their wedding gift too!" Khushi exclaimed. She guessed what he was going to say next and stopped him. "Don't worry about sending a car Raizada. You're not the only one who has cars and people to drive them." She turned around again, concealing the smile on her face at his flabbergasted expression.
As she passed the reception area, she caught sight of Pam's frozen face. Khushi smiled sweetly at the woman. "See, I told you Arnav wanted to see me." Khushi watched in satisfaction as the woman gulped. She was feeling particularly vindictive at the moment so she added, "And the next time you deny me entrance, you will be fired." Khushi smirked when Pam frantically nodded her head.
The last thing she heard as she existed the building was, "Bhai, are you staring at Khushi?"
Which was followed by a vehement denial. For some reason, that just made her smile much wider.
Please comment/like and buddy me for a PM😉
Edited by vedu22 - 12 years ago
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Sensational South
Bigg Boss 19
Book Talk
