ArHi FF: Between two Strangers - Thread 1 - REMOVED - Page 14

Originally posted by: deepthiya

Some of you may not have received my PMs bcos I removed you from my buddy list since I dint hear you guys in a long time. I will be filtering my buddy list often and will send PMs only to those who take effort to comment or criticize my work. It takes me hours to put my thoughts into words, so I appreciate if you could leave comments and motivate me to write next chapter soon.

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I will not update next week as I will be out on business trip for a week. Thats why I have given you long update this time. Hope you like it.

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Chapter 5 ' New Beginning

Arnav woke up at 6.00AM and got ready for the day. Mike messaged that he will meet Arnav at 7:30am for breakfast.

Arnav and Mike discussed about opening second branch office in Singapore. After one long hour discussion, Arnav pulled out his wallet to pay taking the last bite of his toast. Each time he touched the wallet, it reminded him of her and smile automatically crept up on his lips. He was soon pulled out of his thoughts by Mike and they both left to office.

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Khushi, are you ready? Chachji questioned loudly from living room.

Almost done, ChachaJi! When she was about to leave the room, She took a quick glance if she forgot anything. Ah, how can I forget this? She quickly ran and grabbed Arnav's handkerchief and tucked it in her handbag and rushed out to the living room.

Khushi and Inder bid goodbye to Menaka and left to the college. Inder dropped Khushi outside the college. Khushi, this is it. You have my cell phone and call me when you are done. I will pick you up.

She nodded nervously which didn't go unnoticed by her uncle.

Khushi, you have nothing to worry about. Here, they will not rag you like in India. People are very friendly and I am sure you will have loads for fun.

I will be fine chachaji.

Best of luck! Call me once done. Inder left the place.

This is it. Count five years from this day Khushi, you are almost there to achieve your dream, to become Architect. Khushi thought standing in front of the college.

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We would like to invite passengers on Fly High flight 878 to New Delhi to begin boarding.

Arnav took out his wallet to take his boarding pass. A sense of uneasiness crept up his body as he looked at the cheque and the battle between his heart and mind started.

Don't think so much ASR, you are just attracted to her and nothing more to it. Don't waste time, get on the flight.

Arnav, for the first time you liked someone. Don't leave her. Go search for her before it's too late.

What kind of attraction is this? You don't know her name, where she lives, what she does. You know nothing about her.

Don't go Arnav, look for her. She is here somewhere. I am telling you, your heart is telling you.

Get on the flight ASR. Heart always makes people go crazy and you know you are not one of those and you can do much better than that.

After long battle, he deliberated that his mind is correct and thought its sheer stupidity to fall for a stranger after just one meeting.

And he left Singapore, leaving her behind.

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They progressed significantly and continued in their lives but no matter how many people came and left their lives they didn't forget each other and their belongings that became part of their daily routine.

Arnav who used to change his accessories every few months didnt change his wallet and its contents in a long time. Many times he opens the cheque and stares at her signature for minutes. The cheque always reminded him of her innocent face with pouted lips. And there were many times when he said out aloud Cute, thinking about her. It wasn't love for him but the innocent face in his memories gave him much needed peace and always curved up his lips.

Not much different situation with Khushi. Khushi carries his handkerchief everywhere she goes and always had it by her side which helped her tremendously especially during hard times. She always wondered how that piece of cloth calmed her during stressful situations. It always brought smile to her face no matter how many times she felt it against her skin.

She did not forget that she gave him a cheque, she checked her bank statement every single day after their meeting and wondered why he didn't deposit it. Sometimes in the first six months after their meeting until the cheque was void, she scolded him mentally for not encashing the cheque because she had to make sure that her account always had Rs.10000. More than that, she was hoping that she would come to know his name when he deposits it. And that was her only way to know his name.

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5 long years passed and they never imagined they would meet again'.

Arnav Singh Raizada is officially engaged to Lavanya Kashyap due to his Nani's stubborn insistence. Two months ago, when Arnav refused to marry, his nani starved to death forcing him to agree for the marriage. He made a deal with Lavanya and made sure that she understood his meaning of marriage. She was told that she has every right on everything that Raizada family owns except him. She should never force herself on him and should not expect his love, affection and care. She agreed to each and every condition he put forth. He wondered why she easily accepted this marriage. But he never cared to ask her because he truly doesn't care. He just wanted to put an end to Nani's drama.

Khushi Kumari Gupta graduated with degree in Architecture and got selected in campus interviews. She bagged the Interior Design Architect position at Modern Glass Inc. Out of thirty students, only she along with her dearest friend NK were able to bag the positions. Inder and Menaka are very fond of NK and always thought Khushi and NK would make great pair. Many times they discussed about this to Khushi and NK and as always two of them ignored and thought they are only meant to be friends for life.

The day has arrived and Khushi and NK were all set to fly to New Delhi to report to their new job in New Delhi branch. They are seated in the waiting area for their zone to be called for boarding.

NK, I will be back in a min.

But Khushi, they might call us any moment to board.

NK, its urgent, I need to use rest room real bad.

Why do you always go at gun point.

I will explain once I come back. She giggled as she walked away.

I don't even wanna know. He looked in the direction of doorway worriedly.

Khushi finished up her business and hurriedly rushed out of the women's restroom and crashed into a tall masculine figure exiting from men's rest room. The laptop he was carrying fell on the ground and the pens from laptop pockets were scattered on the floor.

Oh, I am sorry. It's my mistake. I should have seen you coming'She started collecting the scattered pens without looking at the person whom she collided.

Khushi, come on. Hurry up. Its our turn now. Khushi raised her head to look at NK and sighed that she is coming. She placed in the man's hand looking at the door way. The man took the pens from her touching her palms gently. She quickly stepped forward to go towards doorway and stopped.

The touch'its familiar. I know him. She turned around to take a look at the person.

IT'S HIM''after 5 long years. He is blindingly handsome in a sharp dark suit and looked very manly in a day's worth of stubble.

THAT'S HER'..she looked breathtakingly beautiful in her cotton transparent shirt and blue jeans. Never seen her in western clothes, well in one single meeting you can't expect her to wear all types, he thought.

What a surprise? Is that you?.... She asked him excitedly without paying attention to what NK was shouting.

I guess that's me. He smiled at her raising his eyebrows.

This is final boarding announcement for Khushi Kumari Gupta. Please proceed to gate immediately.

NK ran towards Khushi. Khushi, are you crazy? Let's go. We will miss our flight. NK literally dragged her to the gate.

Wait, Arnav commanded gently but firmly, approached Khushi and handed over his business card.

I am not flying to Delhi today but shall be back tomorrow. Call me, will you Ms. Gupta.

She gave quick glance at the card while she was being dragged by NK, and cried out loud. Bye, Mr.Raizada.

He tucked his hands in his trouser pockets and watched her leave through the doorway.

Was that her or am I dreaming? How on earth 2 strangers can meet again and that too after so many years'He lowered his eyes and shook his head in disbelief with his finger rubbing his temple. She is beautiful just like she was 5 yrs ago. She hasn't changed even a bit. He drew a cute smirk at the corner of his lips thinking about her. Wait a min, who is that guy? Must be her boy friend! Whatever, he looks like a kid to me. He was snapped out his imaginative investigation when his phone rang.

Hello, Yes. I am on my way out.

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Khushi, whats wrong with you? You have been so silent ever since you met that guy. Is everything OK? NK shook her vigourosuly who's lost in her thoughts leaning to the aircraft window.

OH I am fine. Its just..nothing. So what were you saying?

I wasn't saying anything Khushi. Sometimes you are weird when you go into your trance state.

Khushi chuckled at his rants.

And who is that guy you have been thinking out so deeply? NK asked her with utmost curiosity.

Isnt he handsome?

Yeah he is. But who is he?

NK, how can he be so dangerously handsome?

I'don't know, I think you should ask his parents.

NK..Stop it! Just think how handsome he is. Deep brown eyes, symmetrical nose and that cute smirk on his well-defined lips and'

Stop! Stop! I can't believe you Khushi. Is this the way you girls talk about men? You guys are worse than men.

Khushi chuckled and pulled his cheeks annoying him more. They completed rest of their journey with similar petty fights.

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Amma, Bauji, how are you guys? Its been so long. I missed you guys so bad. She hugged them tightly.

How was your flight?

Perfect Babuji!

Jiji, how are you feeling now? Amma said you met with the accident.

I am totally fine now. First of all, congratulations for your new job! Time to celebrate.

Ofcourse Jiji. Where do you wanna go? It will be my treat.

Ofcourse it will be.

Amma, Bauji, Jiji meet my friend NK.

Namaste Aunty, Namaste Uncle! Hello Payal, heard a lot about you from Khushi.

I hope good things?

Ofcourse, there cant be any bad things about a beautiful girl like you.

Payal became conscious of herself and blushed at his outrageous flirting comment.

Stop flirting infront of my parents, you dumb. Khushi pinched his arm and whispered in his ears.

Oops, sorry, just got carried away. He whispered in her ears, running his fingered through his hair.

I think I will leave Khushi. Mom must be waiting for me.

Alright NK! See you on Monday.

Do you want me to pick you up?

Nope. I got it.

See you. Bye.

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Next 2 days, Khushi was extremely busy catching up with her childhood friends and completely forgot that she met a man named Arnav Singh Raizada.

It's already 2 days dammit. Why didn't she call me yet? Is it only me always thinking about her and not the other way? That's what it looks like. If she really cared, she would have called me by now. She must have lost the number, Arnav. No, I can't afford that. She better not. He slammed his laptop with force and drove to home.

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Chote, perfect timing! Come on sit with us, I need to discuss few things about your marriage.

Not right now Di. My head is hurting.

Are you OK Chote?

I am fine Di. It's just office work. Could you please ask HP to make ginger tea and send it to my room?

Ok you take rest. I will send it.

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Here you go Lavanya. Take this cup to Chote. I am sure he will feel better after seeing you.

Di, he is in bad mood. I don't think he will like to see me.

Lavanya, you are his fianc and he needs you most when he is stressed. Relax. Nothing will happen.

I am his fianc only for the society Di. How can I ever explain this to anyone? She thought to herself and left to his room. She knocked his room to hear him say Come in.

Lavanya, why did you bring it.

Di asked me to.

Listen, you don't have to do all these things. I already made it clear.

Yes but..

Please don't make this hard for me. And I am not in a good mood, please leave me alone.

I just came to say that I am leaving to London for few weeks. She turned around to leave. She stopped momentarily hoping he would say something but he didn't. He stood like dead pole. I think I have to re-evaluate my priorities and needs out of this marriage.

What do you mean? He asked with threatening voice.

You will come to know upon my return. She left closing the door behind her.

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Khushi, do you have change for 100 rupees? Payal asked Khushi searching through her purse.

Yeah, Jiji. Take it from my purse.

Payal took the cash out of the purse and while closing it, a business card fell from the purse and she read the name as Arnav Singh Raizada. She kept the card inside and left the room to join Khushi in living room.

Khushi, I will go to the market and will be back in an hour. Make sure you lock the door and be careful.

Ok Jiji.

As Payal slipped her feet into her sandals, she remembered the business card.

Khushi, who is Arnav Singh Raizada? You never mentioned about him?

Huh? Khushi widely opened her mouth with brooding look on her face. OMG Jiji, I totally forgot. Its already been 2 days. Oh God, how can I forget?

Khushi, relax. Calm down. What happened?

Nothing Di! You go and come back soon. I will be fine.

Are you sure?

Haan Jiji.

Payal left closing the doors behind. Khushi rushed to her room and picked up the phone carrying his card in one hand.

Its 8:00pm, is it too late to call him. She thought nervously pacing down the room. Khushi, if you don't call today, you will not be able to call until tomorrow evening because you have to report to work, remember. Her innerself reminded her days that she lost track off.

Ooof, lets do it! She picked up the phone and dialed his number. With the first ring, she disconnected the phone nervously.

She dialed it again and disconnected. She continued this several times as she terribly shook each time she heard the first ring.

Thank God that Arnav didn't pay attention to his stalker's phone call else she would have seen the terrible side of Arnav by now.

Khushi, now or never! Do it. That's it! She gave herself ultimatum to call him and she did and this time she waited without disconnecting the call.

He got up from his recliner when he heard his phone vibrate on the bed and answered the call.

Arnav Singh Raizada here.

Hello'I amm'I amm Khushi Kum'.

Where the hell have you been? What took you so long to call me?

Khushi shocked to hear his outburst, that too in their first phone conversation.

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