Removed - Page 2

Her first day at work had been great. There had not been too much on her hands but she had enjoyed it fully. She had had lunch with NK and Marilyn had helped her with familiarising around.

On the other hand, NK had a great workload to bear. Khushi smiled as she thought of him. He was a boy she had grown up with. He was Arnav's adopted brother, a cousin in fact. Anjali and Shyaam had taken him in and raised him up as their own son when his mom and dad had divorced, refusing to take his responsibility. He shared a strong relationship with Arnav and anyone who did not know about NK's past would truly believe that the two of them were really brothers.

Now, the reason why NK was so popular as a doctor had nothing to do with his medical skills. To tell the truth, he was a handsome man who could attract women like ants on sugar. Khushi, who had obtained the post of NK's secretary for the time being – she would get a place in the casualties once Dr Mustafa had taken his retirement – had herself seen the long queue of women of varying age groups waiting outside his cabin, faking all sorts of illnesses.

Her shift was near to end and she was just putting her things away before going home when a strong voice startled her from behind.

"NK's still here?"

She jumped and turned around to find herself nose to nose with a smirking Arnav Singh Raizada.

"K-k-kya?" (What?)

"Kya 'kya'? Maine poochha NK hai? Mujhe usse milne hai." (What 'what'? I asked if NK's still here? I need to meet him.)

She blinked a few times before his words finally sank in her confused mind. "H-h-haan..." (Y-y-yes...)

"To... Main andar jaaoun?" (So... Can I go in?)

"Aap..." (You..)

Arnav chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Unbelievable," he muttered, brushing past her and into his brothers cabin.

***

"Tum ab bhi yahin ho?" (You're still here?)

Khushi jerked again at his voice. Damn him! Why did he have to arrive just when she was thinking about him? About the things he did to her only by looking at her. And damn Lavanya too! where the hell was she?

"Where's Lavanya?"

"Huh?"

He breathed in with slight frustration. "Jab bhi tumse baat karta hoon, tumhein sunaayi nahin deta. What the hell is wrong with you? Tum theek to ho?" (Whenever I talk to you, you don't hear. [...] Are you alright?)

Khushi nodded, fearful of his angry tone.

"Hearing problems?"

She shook her head vehemently, her eyes widening by the seconds.

"Are you in love, Khushi?"

"What?" she spluttered.

Arnav gave her a wolfish smirk and nodded towards the car park. "Chalo. Main tumhein ghar chhod dounga." (Come. I'll take you home.)

She lifted her chin and looked straight ahead. "La aati hi hogi." (La must be coming.)

"Oh really? Phone karo." (... Call her.)

Khushi glared at him and whipped out her phone.

"La? Whe-... What?... Okay fine!"

Arnav was watching her with his brows raised. She noticed his lips twitching. His... God! Why had she even noticed that? Now it had her mind reeling all over that kiss they had shared nights ago. She felt herself blushing, so she looked away from him immediately.

"So? Lavanya ne kya kaha?" (...What did Lavanya say?)

Khushi sighed. He would not leave like that, would he? "She's at the hairdresser's."

"Of course she is," he grunted back. "Is she ever here when you need her?"

"Is that any of your business?" she snapped back, looking into his eyes.

He frowned pensively at her, silent for a few minutes, then he motioned her towards his car. "Come, I'll drop you home."

"Hum khud jaa sakte hain!" (I can go by myself!)

"Shut up, Khushi! And get in the car!" she opened her mouth to object but he interrupted her before she could get the least sound out. "Agar tumne meri baat nahin maani, I'll pick you up and throw you inside." (... If you don't listen to me...)

His grin broadened as she shot him a horrified look.

"The choice is yours..."

***

"Khushi?"

Her heart thumped furiously at his voice as she was getting down. they had not spoken during the whole journey back. She turned, biting her lower lip, wondering what he might want to tell her.

"Yes?"

His eyes travelled slowly over her, pausing momentarily at her eyes and her lips. It made her stomach flutter nervously. She sighed to hide her emotions and clenched her jaws tight.

"Aap kuchh keh rahe the?" (You were saying something?)

He gave her one of his killer smirks and shifted on his seat.

"Yeah. Actually, there's this Summer Banquet coming up and I was thinking, will you come with me?"

Khushi felt her eyes widen and her skin heat up. Arnav Singh Raizada? Was asking her out?

"Are you out of your mind?" The words had come out before she could realise it. She blushed deeper, it had not angered him though.

Instead, Arnav chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes then."

Khushi frowned; she turned around and started stalking towards her house. She heard him open his car door but did not look back.

"And Khushi?" he called out.

She paused to glance at him.

"Do something about your hair and clothes."

With that he got into the sleek black Porsche and purred it to his house next door.

Khushi went back to biting her lip again and walked in. Her father was not back from work yet, her mother was off to see a friend and La... well, La was wherever she wanted...

She sank in the couch in her room and removed her high heeled Manolos, then unpinned her hair from the sideway bun she had arranged it into for work. Khushi stared at herself for long in the mirror. One lone question came to her mind repeatedly.

What the heck did Arnav Singh Raizada want?