Part 28
Arnav leaned back in his chair resting his forearms on his thighs as his superfast brain processed what she was saying and began working through the choices. He knew in an instant what the option was and he did what he was renowned for; instantly making a decision on the spot. 'Fine then Khushi, you won't be working for me anymore,' he said with a deadpan expression.
He was serious.
In an instant her dreams for Jaleebi Junction and her father's recovery began flashing before her eyes. Khushi spluttered as her eyes clashed with his, her hands grasped the chair, her body mirroring his... 'You're firing me because I've agreed to be in a relationship with you?!' she asked, her voice reflecting her agitation. Khushi couldn't believe this was happening. 'You...you can't be serious...' she whispered...
'Did I say that I'm firing you Khushi?' he questioned in a very low voice. Khushi immediately detected a glimpse of ASR in his eyes.
'You said that I wouldn't be working for you anymore...so as far as I'm concerned that means that you are firing me,' Khushi shot back, her eyes blazing.
'So Khushi if I said that you need to pick one... work for me...or...be in a relationship with me; which one would you pick?' he drawled. Khushi stared at Arnav, was this some sort of crazy test? Maybe the low blood sugar had affected his thought processes?!
'Khushi...?' Arnav murmured, his husky voice making an endearment of her name as he prompted her, breaking her free of the cyclone of thoughts spinning in her head.
She glared at him. If he was Arnav Singh Raizada, then she was Khushi Kumari Gupta. 'Arnav, I wouldn't choose either,' she as looked directly into his eyes, 'because I will continue to do both' she said with a quiet coolness.
Arnav had to smile. His woman was on the mark. He had somehow known without a doubt that she would be.
'Khushi that would technically be the correct answer, but there's a slight...what shall we call it... modification,' he drawled.
Khushi snapped. 'Arnav, I'm this close' she indicated a distance of about one centimetre between her index finger and thumb 'to walking out of that door and never seeing you again. That includes both as your personal assistant and ...and the woman currently in your life. If you want to play games, then go find someone else. I have priorities and a goal that I intend to see to completion and I have no intention of leaving a paid position until I have secured finance for Jaleebi Junction and... and there is no way you can fire me without a reason,' she said as she glared at him, her eyes blazing in anger and with a fight.
'Ooohhh the tigress has claws and she's not scared to use them!!' Chuckled the devil.
Arnav had to admit that it still gave him a kick to wind her up and see her unleash herself at him and give back as good as she got as this was a side of her that he had so very rarely ever seen. The only difference now was that he, under no circumstances, wanted to hurt her. Ever.
It was time to soothe the infuriated tigress.
And he was just the man with a plan to handle the job.
Arnav stood up and pulled Khushi up to her feet encircling her waist with his arms as he did so. Khushi wasn't in the mood to be pacified through distraction and she tried to undo his hands but she was no match for his strength as his broad, muscular arms encircled her waist. Arnav let her struggle until she gave up and stood still. Khushi glared at him having to crane her head to meet his eyes; he was a good six inches taller than her. 'Khushi if you calm down then we can talk, otherwise I am really quite comfortable like this' he said as he hauled her even closer, joining them from breastbone to hipbone. There was no way Khushi could think let alone have a rational conversation in this position. She conceded. 'Fine...I'm calm, can you please let me go' she whispered. Nothing. 'Arnav...let me go,' she said. Arnav breathed in her strawberry scented hair and slowly released her. He took her hand and led her to the meeting area of his office. The same couch where he placed her when he found her in the dark copier room, only this time he sat right next to her.
'Khushi look at me' he commanded quietly.
She instantly detected the change in his tone and that he was serious. She slowly turned herself to face him.
'Khushi, clearly today hasn't been the best and I can now see why you have concerns about us working together while we try and build a relationship, which is hard enough for you given that it's me you're trying to do this with...' Arnav said with slight smile '...I obviously didn't factor what the daily interactions would be like and I know I certainly haven't given you the attention I should have today - difficult day or no difficult day. Khushi, I know I need to work at this, but I need you to guide me as well ' you need to tell me when I make you mad or when I get things right ...that's part where you get to teach me..Ok?' Khushi nodded silently.
Arnav continued, 'Khushi, I meant what I said about you not working for me anymore' he said as he heard her sharp intake of breath. Arnav placed his finger on her lips so that she didn't interrupt... 'Hear me out Khushi,' he requested as he took a deep breath, more for courage than anything else...'Khushi, last night I told you exactly why I want to be with you... I connect with you; you understand me and I don't intimidate you... I need to be with someone who can match me, challenge me...teach me...that is you... I want this to work.'
Khushi let go of the breath she'd been holding, trying to reconcile that this man sitting in front of her, trying his best to communicate honestly with her was the same man she had called rakshas only hours ago. Khushi had to bite her bottom lip as tried very hard not to smile at Arnav. He might be a rakshas, but he was her rakshas. For now anyway.
She was willing to hear him out.
Khushi took his big hand in hers, interlacing their finger admiring the contrast between her creamy skin and his tanned strong hands. 'Ok Arnav, I'm listening,' she said quietly.
Arnav looked at their linked hands and knew that she meant it.
He unlinked his hand from hers. He took a deep breath. This would either work out as he hoped or it was going to backfire on him really quite badly.
'Khushi, this is me as Arnav Singh Raizada, CEO of AR Corp and your boss, as RR...your mentor and... And as Arnav... speaking as one...does that make sense?'
No... not really, thought Khushi but she was willing to listen.
'Just say it...it's not going to get any easier the more you wait...you know that' prompted the angel gently.
Arnav Singh Raizada started speaking.
'AR Corp is in the process of diversifying its portfolios; we're moving into acquisitions and investment. We already have a kick-off project and I'm going to have team of ten headed by Aman leading this project. The site is about 25km from ASR Corp headquarters and that's where the team will be based. This is an 8 month project and I'm kicking it off on Monday morning. Khushi I want you to move into that team as a project coordinator. You will, in effect be Aman's right hand person.'
RR jumped in.
'I think this project will give you some experience in management which is going to be critical when you start Jaleebi Junction. And Aman is definitely someone you need to work with and learn from; I don't know if you know this Khushi... I met Aman in Harvard. He has a double MBA, specialising in Finance and International Business from Harvard and Tufts ' which is why I have him on my team. Khushi, Aman is a lot more qualified than I technically am so if you want to learn more about business then you aren't going to find a better mentor than Aman,' he said quietly.
Arnav spoke last.
'Khushi, I think the arrangement will give us the space we need for this to work... but also enough room for both of us to still concentrate on our priorities. I've worked too hard on AR Corp and there's still a substantial amount of work to be done to take this company even further. I have to put in the hard yards now while momentum is there,' he paused to draw breath and ran a hand through his hair 'I know why Jaleebi Junction is important to you and to your family. Khushi offering you finance, setting it up for you and keeping you right here next to me every day would definitely be the easiest option. But you aren't one to settle for easy. Don't get me wrong Khushi; I will still be here for you when you need advice for when you are ready to approach investors...like Maan or Amina maybe' he suggested 'I just think this is worth a shot...' he said as his voice trailed off.
Khushi was grappling with a multitude of emotions. On one hand, she was entirely blown away with the plan that he put forward on a moment's notice with such clinical precision that there was not one intelligent argument she could make against it. Devi Maiya, if this is what he can think of at such short notice ' what does he come up when he has time to sit down and plan, she wondered in amazement. Khushi had to admit that she was completely humbled at how he had considered her professional development, her dreams and ambitions and their relationship and come up with what was a win-win situation for her. Her breath caught, her rakhsas was turning out be her angel in disguise. But... There was always a 'but'... Khushi was petrified. Could she take on such a big responsibility? What if she couldn't do the job and messed up; it was bad enough to do that when he was just her boss.. But now she could potentially be messing up in front of her boss and boyfriend! And what about Jaleebi Junction? This meant another eight months before it became a reality. Devi Maiya...help!! Khushi silently but feverishly prayed for guidance.
'Khushi...talk to me...' prompted Arnav gently. She looked so torn and overwhelmed, he thought feeling this strange never before tug on his heart strings. He had put Khushi Kumari Gupta through a lot over the last 10 days so it was perfectly acceptable for her to feel so overcome; any other woman would have probably gone screaming into the hills.
'Khushi...' he tried again. She remained silent, her brow knitted as her mind was miles away deep in thought.
'Ok, Khushi...think about it tonight and we can talk more tomorrow,' he suggested sagely knowing that problems appeared less overwhelming after a good sleep. Arnav glanced at his watch, it was almost 8pm. He really should get her home and then take himself off to bed. He needed to catch up on sleep as well.
Arnav stood up and held his hand out to her. Khushi remained seated. Her gaze was locked on a speck of dust on the coffee table. He placed his hand on her shoulder, bringing her back to the present. Khushi looked at Arnav as she rose to her feet. She suddenly felt very very tired. She was extremely thankful that Arnav hadn't asked her for an instant decision. He was right. She needed to sleep on it.
'Khushi, I'm going to drop you home...let's go' he said.
'You dont need to do that Arnav...Dharam-ji can drop me like he does everyday' she said silently. Arnav's eyes narrowed and he was about tell Khushi exactly what he thought of that idea; Temper...warned the angel... Arnav he stopped. He sucked in a deep breath. 'Khushi... I will drop you home. Get your bag.' His tone clear indicated that he wasn't going to entertain any further discussion.
Khushi went back to her desk and turned off her computer and took her handbag out of her desk drawer just as Arnav came out of his office to her desk, the car keys jingling in his hand. They silently rode the elevator down to the basement parking and walked to his white SUV, where he opened the door for her. Khushi climbed in and watched as Arnav walked around the front and sat in the driver's seat. 'Seatbelt' he said as he set the car into gear and began driving out of the basement. 'Khushi... I need you give me instructions to your house' he said.
After about forty minutes they finally pulled up outside her house in Laxmi Nagar. Khushi groaned as Arnav stopped. Sitting on the veranda were her Babuji, Amma and Bua-ji.
Looking straight into the car.
At Arnav.
Arnav turned and looked at Khushi. 'Well Khushi, I guess it's time for me to meet your family.'
o...k!! thats another bumper update with two parts rolled into one to make for longer reading. If you reached this far then PLEASE leave a comment... I really do like the 'like' button, but today I could really really do with written feedback...
Naina 😊
P.s after reading initial comments, two points to note...
1. Arnav isn't asking for a break from their relationship.
2. Don't assume that the master classes are over just because khushi knows that RR is Arnav... Just saying...
Edited by warriorprincess - 13 years ago
Anupamaa
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