Here goes the next chapter...thank you for the support
and new readers... Welcome...!!!😃
Chapter-20
"moochon ko thoda round ghumake...
Anna ke jaisa chashma laggake...
Coconut mein lassi milake...
Aa jaao sare mood banake...
All the Rajini fans- thalaivaa
Don't miss the chance- thalaivaa
All the rajini fans- thalaiva
Don't miss the chance- do this...
Lungi dance, lungi dance..."
The SUV zoomed fast, the merriment of Paanch Pandav' ringing clear than the loud song playing at the background... Akash was driving while Payal sat at the passenger seat.
Khushi looked at them all. Everyone around her seem to be happy. The twins are very much enjoying with Anjali, Manish and Manvith. Though Payal had not yet shared anything with her she found mutual attraction between Akash and Payal. Hence she preferred sitting at the back with the teens'. Khushi managed to put all her feelings and confusion behind... concealing it with a perfect fake yet realistic smile she had managed to master in these 2 years.
The pang of separation hit her hard once again with all his rash behavior and accusation. She tried hard to remember that day but in vain. She decided to confront him either here or in Delhi after this vacation.
Within a week they would be back to their routine life. She hated to go back to her monotonous work leaving daadi, tai ji yet she felt an unknown warmth in the solitude and the work pressure. She was looking forward to returning back to her day to day life.
Khushi was lost in thoughts when they reached the farm house. Everyone are busy, jostling around unpacking the supplies and packing a picnic basket for the teens to enjoy by the lake inside the estate. Khushi denied accompanying them and went for a walk instead.
Khushi was astounded by the serene beauty of the place away from the polluted cities. The place is lush with greenery everywhere. With that it also brought fresh memories of one such trip she experienced with Arnav. Khushi heaved a sigh!!
"looks like you are fed up with this world" The voice startled her.
Though khushi acknowledged the owner of the voice she couldn't believe it is him. She slowly turned to the direction from where the voice came. She saw him in a tee shirt and stone washed jeans standing casually leaning over a tree, hands crossed over his chest.
For khushi it looked like he had been there for a long time... may be watching her she thought. As she stood there as if rooted to the ground he came forward. Her heart started pounding but she kept her ground. He came closer to her and gently lifted his hands to her face. She couldn't understand what he was doing. She kept staring at his chocolaty orbs.
Arnav lifted his hands to her face and wiped the tears rolling down her cheeks. When she felt his hand on her cheek then she realized that she was crying...!!! Love is a unique feeling where even the pain soothes you.
"Why are you crying? Are you okay?" he asked
"Yes I am fine. What are you doing here?" She replied.
"I come here often when I am disturbed. This serene atmosphere makes me analyze and draw conclusions of important projects and deals. This is my spot where I take important decisions" Arnav answered her quietly.
"Were you thinking about Nainital?" he asked her softly
She opened her eyes wide with surprise how he could still read her convincing him that he was right.
She didn't know what to answer him and glanced at her watch. She jumped with ashtonishment. She had been sitting here for almost three hours. Her mom would be worried. She started to leave the place when he caught her hand and pulled her to him.
Khushi waited for the known rock solid chest to hit her. When it happened she opened her eyes and those eyes spoke volumes.
He pointed out a place and she saw a thorn which would have embedded deep in her foot had he not pulled her to him. She gently freed herself. Both stood still. Neither of them spoke.
"khushi?"
"Yes."
"Do you still believe me?"
Her face was blank. She slowly nodded her head. Her brain defies to believe him but her heart always trusts him more than herself.
"Will you do as I say?"
"Yes. But what is it?" she asked there was an unknown feeling in her tummy as though something is about to happen.
"As I said before I am here on my office work. There is a room upstairs which is my office room. One of my office staff is present. Just pose as my fianc. Please. There will be a file with the lady. You have to finalize the designs for the winter collections. I am unable to do so. Will you help me out?" he asked ever so politely.
"Yes" she agreed. Her mind confused once again.
The walk back to the bungalow was pleasant. No one spoke but each enjoying the company of the other. As soon as they reached no one was present. The servant replied that the elders too went to the lake. Arnav showed her the room and switched on his Bluetooth.
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Khushi entered the room. The room dcor surprised her, so business like yet with a touch of gentleness. A lady sat there with her back facing Khushi. She cleared her throat as she went in and sat on the chair behind the table like a professional. Arnav had asked her to sit on his chair!!!
The lady was taken by surprise seeing khushi there.
"You..? Are you ASR's fianc ?" Lavanya Kashyap stood shocked.
"Give me the winter collections file. I have to go through it" Khushi demanded. "...and you may sit down. Why are you so shocked? Don't you know that we were in relationship since 2 years? We finally decided to tie the knot. Do you have any problem in that?" She handled like a professional, though her heart and mind were racing.
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Arnav who was viewing everything from his room smirked at Khushi and her behavior and the expression on La's face was worth to watch. He just kept his fingers crossed that everything goes well as he planned.
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"So all your problems are solved?" La asked.
"What problems?" Khushi gave her an inquisitive look.
"between you and Arnav...sorry ASR" La stuttered at the confidence of khushi.
"You are not paid to chit chat about some rumors which is absolutely none of your business" she barked.
"It is not rumor. I know. I saw you running away from the park crying after watching us kiss each other."
"Did you seriously think if you kiss him forcibly then I would fight with him and break my relationship with him? childish" she gave a haughty laugh.
"No one can separate us. La. Keep that in your mind. I am would-be-Mrs.ASR...The Lady ASR. Better keep that in mind and behave if you want your job intact"
This angered La very much. She just fumed and started to shout.
"But how do you know that I kissed him forcibly? Even Ashray thinks that I kissed Arnav just to separate you guys but I had a crush on him and wanted to take revenge on you for stealing him away from me. Because of you I lost and had to settle for the second best- Ashray. I am engaged to him though it is only for money. You may not have any problem with me kissing Arnav but he surely doubts on you having an affair with Ashray." She laughed cruelly.
"Ashray? Why?"
"Because we spiked your drink and made you dance with Ashray intimately. I also planned on you getting raped but that stupid professor saved you. Ashray liked you. All I had to do to make him listen to me is by flashing some skin and that fool agreed to do everything I asked him to do. So we made a deal. We break your relationship... he gets you. And I get Arnav by hook or crook. After that day you disappeared. Arnav didn't even notice me. I had tried even to seduce him. But couldn't, though I worked under him he never paid any attention to me. Hence I made that foolish Ashray believe that I love him and got engaged. What will ASR say when he sees his fianc drunk and surrounded by many boys trying to molest her?" Lavanya laughed. "I have a video of that scene. How will Mr ASR accept you?" she laughed once again when a slap stung hard on her left cheek.
Lavanya stopped laughing when she found ASR standing by khushi supporting her but the slap was from Ashray who slapped her once again before breaking off their marriage. Arnav and Ashray shared a few words before he walked away. Lavanya is fired.
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Arnav sat on the couch with khushi huddled close to his chest. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. Arnav lifted her gently, carrying her to his room. There both sat silently...enjoying each others' warmth and presence.
"sorry Arnav...I..." he didn't let her speak as he pulled her into a deep passionate kiss shutting her up.
They broke the kiss after what seemed an eternity.
"phir laal ho gayi..." arnav teased.
"haan Arnie beta..." She mimicked mano and giggled seeing his expression.
"sorry..." she began once again.
"If anyone should apologize then it is me khushi... I should not have come to such abrupt conclusion. Atleast it would have saved us from these horrible two years and I would have had you beside me when I went through all that alone. Thank Your DM that we have met."
"Even I misunderstood you Arnav. But why do I feel that you are talking about something else and not our separation alone..." she asked him quizzically.
"sigh! Yes khushi. I have a burden in my heart which I am unable to understand. I don't know how to deal with it I wish you to hear me out and then help me deal with it."
"anything for you Arnie..." She giggled. "has it something to do with your disappearances before our nainital trip?" she watched his facial expressions and the sudden rigidness confirmed her guess.
Khushi took his hand in hers caressing it and waited for him to speak.
"you are right jaan. I don't know how this truth about me affects you but as I know you and understand you I feel that you will stand by me by any means. But there is no pressure. Feel free to share your thoughts about it."
"Arnav... you are scaring me. I don't want to hear any truths for now. I believe you and trust you. Nothing is important to me. Let us enjoy this reunion... Let us celebrate. You always tease me. But now I have so many people on my side that they won't spare you if you tease me."
"ok... tamatar. Let anyone say anything. But I am not going to spare you, Should make up for the missed two years."
"but how are we supposed to say to the family about our love Arnav?"
"main hoon na khushi..." Arnav looked at her worried face.
"oh... now The Lady ASR is afraid... what a sight!!!" he teased her, she in turn took a pillow and chased him to hit him... their laughter ringing loud and clear in the whole mansion.
Precap:-
Will Khushi's parents agree for their marriage? What is the truth that arnav is so emotional about?
That's it for now dears... I had planned it differently but this version seems better. Let me know whether you liked it or not by your valuable comments...
Love,
Utthra...!!!
Mangal Lakshmi
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