(-NishaSobti-'s creation!)
Part 3
Khushi walked home like a zombie, not registering the traffic or the people who passed her by. She opened the gates of Anand Sadan, and walked slowly into the spacious courtyard of the house. She made her way to the topmost floor of the building at the far end of the compound. Soon, she stood at the door of a room.
"Baba?", she called hopefully.
"Come in."
She walked into a suite of rooms, making her way to the thin, tall man sitting in his arm chair and looking out through the large window.
She let her bag fall on the floor, and sat at his feet, leaning her head against his knee. Slowly his hand fell on her head, and his long fingers patted her hair. She hugged his legs, and buried her face against them. Tears leaked from her eyes, and they fell silently, wetting the legs of his pyjamas. When she was all cried out, she heard the most beautiful sound imaginable.
Her Baba humming, and then slowly singing her favourite song. Taarva ginat ginat maikko raina in Bibhas. The voice that lakhs of people yearned to listen to, the music that could waken even the sleeping gods was hers...
Soon she wiped her tears away and joined in, and they explored the raaga with relish, drowning all their sorrows in the pleasure of making magic together, teasing each other, egging the other on to delve deeper into the raaga, loving the chance to make music together...
When the song was over, Baba asked gently, "Are you alright now, my taarva?"
Khushi nodded, smiling. And kissed his hand.
Arnav looked at Anand Sadan, seated in his car, hiding his presence. An old, big building or more than one building on a big parcel of land in a crowded locality. As he sat watching, batches of kids went inside through the gate. Students to learn music? So that was how she earned a living?
(Nishita, thanks!)
But why should and how could she live in such a big house? How did she pay the rent? Or did she own it? Or, rage filled his heart & mind, was she sharing this house with some man? If... if she was, he would... he would burn this building down, take her away from him...
He shook his head, trying to clear it.
"Aman, get me the details of this Anand Sadan. Who owns it? Who lives here with her? What is Khushi's source of income? Now."
"Sir." Aman cut the dead phone.
What was happening to his boss? In the six years he had been employed in AR industries, he had never heard of ASR being involved with any one. The opportunities were many. The models contracted by his fashion house always tried to hook ASR, but Aman had never seen ASR even glance at a model. No love letters or gifts had ever been received or sent by ASR. No suspect phone calls, no lipstick marks. ASR had never been seen with any lady anywhere, not in restaurants, not in hotels, not at parties. The photo of his unsmiling, stern face appeared regularly only in the business section of newspapers. He was a disappointment to all journalists wanting to peep into his private life. He kept it that way, private.
All Aman had seen him do in six years was work. Work all day, everyday.
Arnav sat in his car outside the house for hours, thoughts battling each other in his head. As he was about to drive away, he saw her.
Dressed in a simple yellow anarkali with long sleeves and a high neck, she had the yellow & green dupatta neatly draped across her chest, hiding the lines of her body from other eyes. Her hair was in a neat, low, stylish bun. As he watched, she walked away from the house, thali in hand. Must be to some temple, he thought. He drove slowly through the narrow road, keeping an eye on her.
Khushi prayed to Devi Maiyya, desperate for peace of mind. Ever since she had met Arnav Singh Raizada, ever since he had made her the disgusting offer to buy her body, she hadn't been able to sleep. Every night had been filled with nightmares, her hidden insecurities raising their heads to be heard in her dreams, making her days and nights devoid of peace.
She turned around and looked straight into Arnav Singh Raizada's face.
Her breath hitched. He watched shock leach the colour from her face, leaving her creamy skin looking milky white. He quickly caught hold of her arm, and slowly led her away from the crowd.
Looking into her beautiful face, holding her warm arm with fingers that wanted to do a lot more, he asked, "Did you think about my offer?"
Khushi looked into the hard chocolate eyes, and her throat worked to swallow, her mouth dry.
"I gave you my answer that day. In your office...", she whispered. She tried to free her arm, but his hold, though gentle, was firm. Her other hand held the thali.
"Sure you won't change your mind?", his husky voice had a very strange effect on her skin. It seemed to touch her through her clothes. He could feel her trembling through the fine cloth of her suit. He moved his fingers slightly, caressing her. The trembling increased.
"No."
"No, you are not sure?"
She looked into confident, molten eyes, revealing the pleasure he was deriving from touching her, holding her.
"No, I won't change my mind."
She managed to free her arm with little fuss. Maybe because he had decided to let go of her.
"You will regret refusing me, Khushi." The threat sounded like an endearment.
Part 4: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/3239275/ss-keeping-khushi-part-14-updt-on-th-2?pn=31
Will be posting Part 4 tonight. Enjoy!
CID
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
290