" And the ' Most Successful Businessman Of The Year' award goes to, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada. " Mr. Dasgupta announced followed by a huge round of applause.
Arnav stood up and went towards the stage to grab his award...his. Dressed in a navy blue Armani suit, Arnav was looking handsome and dashing, as ever. The way he walked, his style, everything spoke class and status. He went towards Mr. Dasgupta, who stood holding the award...his award. For Arnav, this was the most boring moment, because, it was very common for him now. Grab the awards, the thanks giving speech and most importantly, the fake smile. But he had to do this, though unwantedly but still, he has to maintain a status and reputation. He spoke a few words of thanks and then without acknowledging anyone, Arnav left the place.
Home-sweet-Home, is it really that sweet? ...Just when Arnav was going to enter inside, his phone rang. Even without looking at the name flashing on the phone screen, he was sure that who could be calling him at this hour.
" Khaana khaya ya nahi..." the caller questioned.
" Woh...main busy tha, bas abhi abhi hi ghar pohoncha hoon. Ek baar fresh ho jaun, phhir khana bhi kha lunga." Arnav entered the house, closing the door, he made his way towards his room.
" Jo bhi karna hai, baad mein kijiye ga. Pehle jayie aurr khana kha lijiye, humme Suszy ne bataya, ki aapne subah se kuch bhi nahi khaya, bas hawa par hi jee rahe hain. Ab chup chap khaana khaiye, phhir hi humm aapse baat karenge. Samjhe... " the caller ordered.
" Acha ji..jaisa aap kahaen..." Arnav rubbed his forehead.
" Abhi toh humme kuch kaam hai, issi liye aapse zyada baat nahi karpayenge. Aap khana kha kar, so jayiega, agar humme pata chala ki aap raat bhar jaag kar office ka kaam karte rahe, toh humse bura aurr koi nahi hoga." the caller scolded slightly.
" Nani...aap kabhi buri ho hi nahi sakti aurr aap toh jaanti hain na..." Arnav tried to argue but failed.
" Haan haan hum jaante hain, ki aapka kaam aapki zindagi hai, aap kaam kiye bina jee nahi sakte vagehra vagehra..." Nani interrupted and Arnav rolled his eyes. " Chaliye, ab jaakar khana kha lijiye. " Nani ordered.
" Ji...waise Nani, aap kal kab tak aayengi, mera matlab hai, ki aapki flight kitne baje ki hai? Aap bata dijiye, mein apna schedule, ussi tarah se arrange kar loonga. " Arnav took out his Samsung Galaxy Note Tab and opened his next day schedule, to make the edits.
" Kal subah 11 baje, humaari flight Mumbai mein land ho jayegi. Agar aapka koi zaroori kaam hai toh, aap mat aayiga, driver ko bhej dijiyega, humm..." Nani said but was interrupted by Arnav.
" Main kal 10:30 A.M. airport pohonch jaaonga, aurr ab iss topic par koi arguement nahi hoga! Ab aap jaakar, apni friend k bhatije ( nephew ) ki shaadi enjoy kijiye." Arnav replied firmly.
" Theek hai, jaisi aapki iccha...arre iccha se yaad aaya, yahaan shaadi mein humme ek ladki milli, uska naam Iccha hai, badi hi susheel..." Nani continued only to be interrupted by Arnav.
" Susheel hai, sanskaari hai, sundar hai..blah..blah..blah...!" Arnav spoke Nani's words." Nani aap jaanti hain na ki mujhe in sab baaton mein koi interest nahi hai, phhir bhi aap.." Arnav argued.
" Haan! Hum aapko aise hi pareshaan karte rahengae. Jab tak aap shaadi nahi kar letae, hum aise hi aapko ladkiyon k baare mein batatae rahengae. Arre kabhi aap bhi toh batayie ki aapko kaisi ladki chahiye!" Nani replied.
" Aap jo bhi ladki pasand kar lengi, main ussi se shaadi kar loonga." Arnav replied disinterestedly. " Acha, toh phhir hum kal milte hain. Ab aap jakar shaadi enjoy kijiye aurr main ka..."
" Kaam nahi, khaana kha leta hoon." Nani imitated Arnav.
" Ji..." Arnav replied and ended the call.
It was late, al-most 1:15 A.M. Arnav decided not to wake suszy up, for the food. He himself went in the kitchen, heated the food in the microwave and was about to eat, when his phone rang.
"Yes, Arnav Singh Raizada speaking." Arnav answered in a typical businessman way.
" Hello sir, I am Aahana Sharma speaking. Actually i just called to conform that you're..." Aahana spoke nerveously.
" Yes, I'm coming tomorrow for the interview. There was no need of conformation. It's Arnav Singh Raizada's promise, I'll surely come." Arnav replied.
" Ok..sir, I'm sorry that..I" Aahana stammered.
" Miss Sharma, if you'll stammer like this, then how are you gonna conduct the interview. I'll be ready for it, at sharp 8 o'clock, make sure that you are ready to interview me. Bye. " the attitude of Arnav spoke. Arnav ended the call and was about to eat, just then, his phone rang again.
" Yes, Mr Roy...oh OK then, let me check once..." Arnav continued, stood up from the dinning table and proceeded towards the study. The food was long forgotten.
" Hush...this isn't happening."
" What happened John ? "
" Suszy, i feel bad for Arnav sir, he's so..so.." John tried to find the best word that could describe Arnav.
" Alone..just like you were! " Suszy answered placing her hand in Johns'.
" Yes...I wish, ki, just like you came in my life, Arnav sir ki life mein koi aisi ladki aaye jo unki zindagi aurr zindagi jeene ka dhang badal de...I wish, " John closed his eyes momentarily.
" I wish that too John...I wish that too" Suszy hugged John, rubbing his back lightly.
" uuumm...John.." Arnav who just came back from his study, muttered.
" Yes sir.." John came out of the hug and Suszy went inside her room.
" Actually, we have to leave at 7 in the morning, first is the interview, then we have to pick Nani from the airport and then finally for office. So, just be ready at 7, is that clear." Arnav asked, keeping a hand over the phone.
" Yeah.." John answered and Arnav went towards his room still continuing talking on the phone.
Exactly 7 in the morning Arnav was ready to leave. Dressed in Dolce&Gabbana suit, Arnav sat in his car, along John and proceeded towards the channel studio. John...John Clark, he's the chief bodyguard of Arnav and his wife Suszy..she's the maid of the house. But both of them are more like family members to Arnav and Nani. Exactly from 5 long years, John is with Arnav. Many bodyguard came, went away and some are still there, but John is the consistent one.
At 7:45 A.M. Arnav was there, seated on a single seater sofa, all ready for the interview. The interviewer, Aahna was busy in her face make-up, while Arnav was busy with his phone, his best companion. This was a live interview, here, the interviewer will not be the one to ask the questions, the audience sitting there in the studio, will ask the questions. At 8 o'clock, everything was set and the interview show started.
" Welcome and good morning to the viewers. It's 8 in the morning and I, Aahana Sharma, is back with a bang. Today, we have the most richest and the most eligible bachelor of the country, Mr Arnav Singh Raizada." Aahana spoke, directly looking into the camera.
" So guys, are you ready to question Mr Raizada? " Aahna turned towards the audience, in the studio, and asked.
" Yes!!!" the audience said in a chorus.
One by one, a person asked him a question and he answered it, with a fake smile, of course. And then, again the same question, " Are you planning to get married? " Oh..God, why the hell these people are interested in my marriage, ' thought Arnav.
" Well...actually, i am not planning anything, its just that, my Nani is looking out for a nice girl. She will decide, who'll I marry." Arnav spoke disinterestedly.
" So, you'll marry a complete stranger, means an arrange marriage. Don't you love someone? " a girl from the audience asked, obviously hoping for a negative response, and she got what she wanted.
" No, I am not in love, and i am sure i'll never ever fall in love! And the girl i'll marry should understand one and the most important thing, that for me, my work is important and i can't love! " Arnav was on the verge of loosing his anger, as to why, these people especially these girls are so much interested in his personal life. don't they understand the meaning of a simple word, 'personal', thought Arnav.
" Haayyyeee...kitna handsome lag raha hai Arnav. "
" Arre, woh toh humesha hi handsome, dashing aurr charming lagta hai. "
" Kash...Arnav ki Nani, mujhe choose kar leen, as Arnav's bride. Life set ho jayegi yaar."
" Wahi toh...pyaar ho na ho, money, fame and most importantly, itna charming person aapka husband ban jaye, toh lottery lag jaye."
" Arre Khush, tu kuch nahi kahegi..? Bata na, tujhe Arnav kaisa lagta hai ? "
* No Response *
" Arre Khush..bata na...! Dekh na Tanu, yeh kuch bol kyon nahi rahi hai! "
" Arre...Shreya, firstly remove those earphones. Here, we are talking about such an important thing and she...aaarrggghhh" Tanu whined.
Shreya removed the earphones, to which Khushi whined and shouted, all of a sudden.
" What the hell is wrong with you guys? " Khushi asked.
" Wrong with us! Take a break Khush. Humm yahan itne important topic par discussion kar rahe hain and you...you are listening to songs!" Tanu replied frowning.
" Important topic..seriously!" Khushi asked to which both Tanu and Shreya nodded in positive.
" So will you guys tell me, what is so important about a guy being in love or married? " Khushi raised her brows.
" A guy...Khush, he's just not a guy, he's Arnav Singh Raizada, The ASR. I'm sure, you too want to marry someone like that! He's every girls' dream man yaar..." Shreya spoke dreamily.
" I...in love..with Arnav Singh Raizada...Ohhh phhuulleezz...he's not my type! " Khushi shrugged her shoulders.
" Not your type.." Shreya repeated, widening her eyes and in a shocked manner.
" Will you do the honors of telling us, who is exactly your types? " Tanu asked.
" Well, i don't need money and fame, what i need is trust, complete trust. Agar woh mujhe trust karega toh pyaar bhi kabhi na kabhi ho jayega. Arre woh mujhe pyaar se, ek stone bhi offer kare na aurr kahe, ' Khushi, this is for you, only for you' tab main woh stone bhi khushi (here it means happiness) se accept kar lungi. Agar woh mujh par trust kare aurr khudh bhi trust worthy ho, then agar woh handsome na bhi ho, toh i'll adjust! " Khushi told while closing her eyes momentarily.
" Bas bas, Sadhvi Khushi Gupta ji, humm samajh gaye, aapko aurr kuch kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai!" Both Tanu and Shreya joined their hands, as if praying.
And the three of them laughed at this. They were still laughing, just then Khushi's phone rang. Seeing the name flashing on the screen, Khushi smiled widely.
" Hey Payal Di, how are you and how's the preparations going on. So, excited about the wedding ? " Khushi asked.
* No Response *
" Arre Di, main kal aa rahi hoon na, aurr phhir toh main aap logon k saath hi rahoongi na, toh phhir aap udaas kyon hain. " Khushi sat in front of the dressing mirror.
* No Response *
" Di, what happened ? Aap kuch bol kyon nahi rahe ho ? " Khushi frowned.
" Khush...* Sobbing *" Payal tried to speak.
" Di...what happened? Aap ro kyon rahe ho? Di...? " Khushi stood up, frowning hard.
" Khush...main.." Payal stammered.
" Di..relax..tell me, exactly what is it ? " Khushi asked.
" Tu toh jaanti hain na Khush, ki bachpan se main chahati thi, ki main Church Marriage karoon. The white gown, orchids, the vows and everything. Par ab, Mom-Dad, ne sab preparations kar li hain, everything is set, it's beautiful but it's not what I want. I need you Khush! Sirf tum hi, sab ko Church marriage k liye manna sakti ho. Please jaldi aa jao. Please! " Payal spoke, still crying softly.
Khushi slapped her forehead lightly, for once she was really tensed that Payal might be in a serious problem, but this...ohhh God...it sounds simple and the wedding is bound to happen in any way but how will she make her Mom-Dad and the rest of the family agree to this. But one thing, Khushi was sure of, was that, Payal needs her and she has to go, though its not a huge matter, shaadi toh hokar hi rahegi, but still it's Payal's dream wedding and Khushi can't let Payal's dream to shatter. So let it be!
" Fine Di...! I'm coming. " Khushi declared and ended the call.
" Guys..i need to go back..now! " Khushi announced, all of a sudden and started removing her clothes and accessories out of the closet.
" But Khush, how? I mean , tumhaari toh kal ki flight hain na, and aaj aurr abhi tickets arrange karna, it's quite difficult. " Tanu frowned lightly.
" I don't know anything other than that, Payal Di needs me and I'm going. Kaise..mujhe nahi pata, but I'm leaving for Mumbai, just now! " Khushi zipped up her bags.
" Bye guys.." Khushi bidded them and left to began her journey. From Delhi to Mumbai.
" Excuse me, can you please arrange a seat for me, in the next flight to Mumbai ?" Khushi asked.
" I am sorry Ma'm, but there's no seat available. "
" Ok..then what about the next one? "
" Let me check" " I am really sorry Ma'm but there's no seat available, only if somebody cancel's their booking then only, we can provide you a seat. I am sorry."
" Ohhh God...ab main kya karun...?" Khushi sat on the chair and rubbed her forehead.
" Kya hua beta, aap bohot pareshaan lag rahi hain. " an old lady asked, keeping her hand on Khushi's shoulder.
" Kuch nahi aunty, bas aise hi..." Khushi shrugged and then her eyes fell on the tickets in that old lady's lap.
" Aunty aap Mumbai jaa rahi hain..?" Khushi asked.
" Haan..kya aapko bhi Mumbai jaana hai? " the old lady questioned.
Suddenly Khushi hugged that lady and started crying and said, " Aunty...mera Mumbai jaana bohot zaroori hai, par mujhe ticket nahi mil rahi hai. "
" Arre beta, pehle shaant ho jayie. " they broke the hug and the lady wiped Khushi's tears. " Ab batayie kya hua.." the lady asked.
" Kya hua.." Khushi muttered and thought for few seconds..." Woh aunty, woh meri Dadi hain na, she's on her death bed aunty. Woh marne se pehle, mujhe aakhri baar dekhna chahati hain. lekin, mujhe flight ki ticket nahi mil rahi hai aurr ab meri Dadi ki aakhri iccha, mujhse milne ki iccha poori nahi ho payegi..." Khushi cried some more.
" Acha..." the old lady frowned to which Khushi nodded innocently.
" Theek hai, aap aisa kijiye, aap humaari ticket le lijiye. Hum to kal bhi Mumbai chale jayenge, par aapka jaana zaroori hai. Humaari jagah, aap Mumbai chale jayie. " the old lady handed her flight ticket to Khushi and wiped some remaining tears.
" Thank you aunty. I wish, ki Devi Mayiyaa, aapki sabhi wishes poori karein. " Khushi clasped the lady's hands and went to the ticket counter.
" Kash aapki yehi dua humaare kaam aa jaye. " the old lady sighed.
Khushi was more than happy while sitting in the plane. She felt guilty for cheating that lady and lieing about her fit and fine Dadi's death but what to do, for her, her family is the top most priority. Payal is her elder sister, her family and she need her. For Khushi, the most important thing was to be with Payal and support her decision. She could understand what Payal's problem is but that lady couldn't. So what if she had to lie, there was no other way!
" Hey Devi Mayiyaa, main jaanti hoon ki maine jhoot bol kar galat kiya, but aurr koi raasta bhi toh nahi tha. Payal Di ko meri zaroorat hai, so i had to lie! Bas ab jis kaam k liye, maine yeh sab kuch kiya hai, woh poora ho jaye." Khushi prayed silently.
" What...! Aap mujhe yeh keh rahi hain, ki aap aaj nahi aa rahi hain...ki aapne, apni ticket kissi aurr ko de di." Arnav asked Nani on phone.
" Arre beta, usska Mumbai pohonchana zaroori tha, humm toh kal aa sakte hain na. Par uss ladki ka aaj hi Mumbai pohonchana zaroori tha." Nani explained.
" Yeah right..." Arnav rolled his eyes.
Khushi was very excited as well as tensed to meet her family. excited, because she was going to meet them after 2 years al-most and tensed, that how the hell is she gonna convince her family on Payal's Church marriage! But the thought of being with her family, excited her more, so she was literally running on her way out the airport.
On the other side Arnav was still busy, talking with Nani on the phone, still arguing over the ticket issue. He was so lost in the conversation that he ignored a child, about 12 years of age running towards him, along his skateboard. When, all of a sudden, the 12 year old child collided with him, the boys' skateboard fell down and Arnav mistakenly stepped over it, resulting, Arnav lost his balance and tried to find something to hold for support.
Khushi was still running, as if she thought that her running might help her reach her house an hour early. But there, there she spotted a manly figure, about to loose his balance and al-most fell down, al-most.
( In normal circumstances, it would have been Khushi falling in Arnavs' arms. But what actually happened was a bit different! ).
Now, Khushi doubled her speed, in order to save that man from falling. She didn't knew why she was bothering, but the one thing she knew was that, the man, might get hurt.
Arnav lost his balance completely and was about to fall, he closed his eyes because of embarresment and fear. He was still trying to hold something to gain support. Just when he lost all his hopes, a hand, actually a girls' hand held his manly one and her other arm, went around him, backwards, supporting his back.
So the scenerio was, Khushi holding on Arnavs' hand, her arm around him, preventing him to fall and Arnav, he was there in arms, still his eyes closed. Lately, when Arnav was sure, that he didn't fall, somebody was there, to hold him, actually. Arnav slowly opened his eyes and saw a girl, a hazel nut eyed girl, dressed in a baby pink suit, just a typical girly look, with raised brows and a weird kind of expression on her face.
Khushi was staring at the man lying, actually hanging in her arms, whose eyes were still closed. ' Ohhh...God...why the hell these guys are so heavy. But what the best part is, i gotta know, that how much stronger I am. Holding a Dara Singh types, He-Man is not an easy task.' Khushi thought.
Slowly, when Arnav opened his eyes, the thing that grabbed Khushi's attention the most, were the chocolaty-brown , no the coffee-brown,, na...no...the chocolaty-brown, ' arre color chahe jo bhi ho, but his eyes are most captivating ones' thought Khushi.
And, Arnav, he too was staring at those big almond shaped, hazel nut, no..actually the most amazing hazel nut colored eyes. ' Never ever, I have had seen such a color of eyes...its beautiful.' thought Arnav, which was preceded by a mental slap on his forehead. Wantedly or Unwantedly, both of them were literally staring at each other, forgetting their surroundings.
As if, the interruption was God sent, a shrill sound of Khushis' phone ringtone, when fell on Khushi's ears, she withdrew all her support to Arnav and what Arnav had feared of, actually happened. Without any support and lack of concentration, Arnav hit the tiled floor.
" Ouch..." Arnav rubbed the back of his head and neck.
" Hello...uumm..just wait a sec Di.." Khushi said on phone.
Khushi bended a little, to Arnav's level and said, " Sorry buddy, I need to go! Next time, be careful while walking. Ab har baar, main tumhe bachanae nahi aaungi. Bye.." she winked first, then grinned slightly and waved her hand in front of Arnav who was frowning hard, still sitting on the floor, and by this she went away.
" How..how..how dare she! " exclaimed Arnav.
" Arre uncle, ab saara din, yahin baithe rehne ka iraada hai kya ? " asked the same 12 year old boy.
" What the..." now Arnav realized that he was still sitting on the floor. Embarrassedly, Arnav stood up, straightened his clothes and made his way out of the airport.
Edited by dmegha - 12 years ago
Bigg Boss 19
Hindi TV Shows
Financial markets and global economy
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