Chapter Five
"Amar"
"Arnav"
"Amar"
"Arnav"
Lavanya plucked one petal at a time as she mumbled the names alternately.
She and Khushi were in their girl's night out and contradictory to Khushi's belief of presence of ice-creams there were alcohol bottles this time.
Lavanya slurred the words as she continued playing the most played game by almost all the girls at least once in their life; deciding life's important decisions by plucking petals of a poor flower.
"Wait a minute" Lavanya mumbled and looked into the skies as if contemplating to clear her doubts directly from the heavens above. "Which is my final result? The name which accompanies the last petal or the name which is on my lips after I pluck the last petal?" she murmured to the skies and upon receiving no response, she dumped the flower as she ambled towards a lone figure that was standing in her balcony, looking into the night sky.
Standing beside Khushi who was lost in the beauty of the night, Lavanya heaved a sigh as she mumbled "You know what I hate multiple choice questions right since childhood"
That seems to have caught Khushi's attention as she turned to look at Lavanya, her countenance marred with confusion.
"You see choosing between two nice guys is tough. I rather prefer my doggie boy Saran, but yes of course he wouldn't prefer me. Tragedy of my life!" she said swaying catching the railing, while Khushi moved forward to steady her.
"Easy Lavanya, you'll get hurt" Khushi said trying to stabilize her friend and finally managed to get her inside the room and on the low mattress frame of hers.
As she saw a slurring Lavanya and an almost empty bottle of alcohol beside her, Khushi touched her hand to Lavanya's cheek.
"How much drunk are you?"
"Very" was the one word reply of Lavanya.
Khushi shook her head and stood up to close the French windows and pull the curtains, knowing that it was time for Lavanya to get some sleep.
When she sat beside Lavanya on the mattress, she felt Lavanya crawling to her side and resting her head in her lap, while Khushi smiled and passed a hand over her hair slowly.
"I will kill the doggy boy Saran. He made me female version of Devdas. Haw! I don't like Devdas. I mean look at his name, it is so outdated. I don't mind the name Dev though" she whispered making Khushi smile.
"Why are you smiling now?" Lavanya said frowning at Khushi. "Is there something on my face?" she said trying to wipe her cheek.
"No, there's nothing" Khushi said stalling Lavanya's attempts and caught her hand. "You should sleep you know"
"No"
"Lavanya"
"Geeks, I want to talk please?"
Khushi sighed knowing she can't win Lavanya. "Okay talk"
"Your boss"
"What about him"
"Tell me about him"
Khushi closed her eyes to draw a deep breath. "Mr. Raizada owns Raizada construction company. His family has been settled over here for three generations as I heard. A genius at his work and'"
"You forgot with what soap he bathes and what shampoo he uses? Geeks, I want to know what he is as a person"
Khushi smiled as she eased a frown on the upturned face of Lavanya.
"He's a nice man. I have been working here since four years. The first time I stepped into Raizada constructions was for internship. I was nervous when we had to give a presentation before the CEO and after watching Mr. Raizada's face which was permanently etched with a scowl, we were terrified." She smiled reminiscing the first meeting.
"I was wrong then, wrong that my stay there would be numbered. I was scared about him first but later got used to his working style. As serious as he is concerning his work, he's a jovial person outside. I have seen him participate in several events raised by CSR. I've seen his jovial self when he was playing baseball with children from orphanage; I've seen him laughing when he dined with all of us when we went camping back then. Though he is a billionaire, he always tries to be one of us"
She felt a soft smile dance on her lips as she thought about the four years she had known him.
"You like him" Lavanya's words shook her out of her reverie and she faced Lavanya with a surprised stare.
"What?"
"You like your boss"
"I do but'"
"Then why are you welcoming Amar into your life?"
"Lavanya" Khushi said softly "I like Mr. Raizada but so does all of his employees. I respect him for the steely spine he has, I adore him for the amazing human being he is. But the truth remains the same that he is my employer, and I, his employee. Our equation can't be changed"
She paused a beat as she let her head fall back against the head rest of the bed.
"Papa knew Suraj uncle for years now. Suraj uncle had been Papa's regular customer. You know two Indians bond stronger over Indian food, when they are abroad. No wonder Suraj uncle and Papa's friendship grew stronger. Suraj uncle visiting home had become normal over the years, him and Papa going to Golf practice ever Sunday had become a tradition." She said as she smiled at Lavanya who was waiting for her to continue.
"I respect Suraj uncle as much as I respect my Papa. When they decided on something, I am sure they would only desire my happiness. If they want me to meet Amar, then so be it, if they think he's perfect for me, then I won't go against their wishes"
"Can you answer my one question Khushi?" she heard Lavanya ask and nodded her head.
"Do you just admire your boss or do you limit yourself to admiring him on purpose?"
Khushi smiled before answering that "There's a limit to everything Lavanya, even to dream. I can't afford to see dreams which I can never chase"
She saw Lavanya take her hand and press it against her cheek as she whispered now "Why is life so complicated?"
Khushi smiled back as she whispered "I don't know"
There was a beat of silence before Lavanya turned her face to look at her and asked "You know what, I think I know what to do, I am dumping the doggy boy tomorrow. I instead will get a kitten. A male one"
Khushi controlled a smile as she asked "And?"
"And I'll get a female kitten for you"
"And?"
"And we will see them grow and let them mate and then they'll end up having kids"
"And?"
"And we will become proud grandmothers of the litter. You see you, me, our kitten children and grand children. Ours will be a happy family. No men, no complications"
Khushi laughed as she passed a loving hand through Lavanya's hair.
"What say Geeks, deal?" Lavanya asked with her expectant eyes.
"Deal" she murmured pressing her lips against her best friend's crown.
- - -
This update was written to answer one of the reader's question which said why was Khushi inviting Amar in his life if she's interested in Arnav. I think this answered the question :)
Also I started a new SS, do try it if interested :)
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3596367#83574735
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