It had been a month since the night when Khushi had broken down in Arnavs arms. Both Arnav and Khushi were sure about their feelings as well as the others. In the past month both of them had become extremely close. They would share everything with each other. For Arnav Khushi had officially become "KHUSH". It came as a surprise to all the AR staff who always used to try to gain Arnavs attention, but in vain. They had noticed the blooming friendship between their boss and his PA and were extremely annoyed with it. There were times when they used to be really rude to Khushi but she had never reacted, but there was one time when Arnav had heard one of his staff saying that Khushi was one of those cheap, middle class girl who was trying to get into their bosses pants, and that had been his last day at work. Arnav had left no stone unturned to insult him and throw him out of the office.
Arnav was sure that Khushi had feelings for him and all he wanted to do was to tell her that he loved her. He wanted it to be extremely special, and that's when he remembered about Khushis birthday. She had told him that her birthday would be coming up in 2 days. He now knew what he had to do. He called Aman to his cabin to get everything done for her birthday. He heard someone knock his cabin door and asked him to come in. Aman came and stood in front of Arnav on the other side of his desk.
"Sir, you called?" he asked
"Yes Aman, I need you to do a few things but also remember that no one is supposed to know about this. I don't want anyone to know what I am going to tell you. Is that clear?" Arnav narrowed his eyes in warning and Aman being the loyal manager that he was readily agreed.
"Yes sir. I will not let anyone know."
"Good. Now I need you to'"
About half an hour later Arnav had give Aman all the instructions about what was to be done. Aman left his cabin to get the work done. Next Arnav went into Khushis cabin to invite her for her birthday dinner.
He entered her cabin to see her hair loosely tied in a bun and her head dug into one of the files with a pencil in her mouth. She was wearing her usual jeans and t-shirt. This had always been one thing that Arnav loved about her, she would never act like someone she was not. All the other girls he knew would always try to dress up and put loads of make up only to impress him but his Khush would never do that. She would always be in her jeans and top with minimal makeup. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he went inside her cabin and stood in front of her. When Khushi heard a slight noise from near her she looked up from her file to see Arnav standing right in front of her with a smile on his face. Smiling back she said.
"Hey, whatsup?"
"Hey. What are you up to? Its almost time to leave."
"Yah I know, I'm almost done with this file. Just another 5 minutes."
"Alright, I will leave you home then." He said making himself comfortable in the chair opposite to hers.
"So Khush, what plans for your birthday?" he asked a little hesitantly. He only wished that she didn't have any plans so that he could take her out.
"Oh absolutely nothing. Since it's a Saturday I don't have to come for work either and jiji is also not in town. She has to go out for some work and would only be back late that night." She said a little disheartened. She had always loved celebrating her birthday. This was the first time when she had nothing and no one to celebrate it with. She anyways hated to stay alone on even a normal day, let alone her birthday.
"Oh great then, I'm taking you out for dinner then." He replied, happy that she had nothing to do.
"No Arnav, you don't have to do this." She said almost instantly.
"But I want to do this, Khush. Its your first birthday with me and I want to make it special for you. I want you to remember this birthday all your life. Oh come on, please let me do it! Please?" he asked almost begging. She sighed, she didn't like it when he tried to blackmail her like that, but she absolutely enjoyed the kind of pampering he did on her. Smiling brightly she finally agreed.
Two days passed very quickly with both Arnav and Khushi being extremely busy with work. It was finally Khushis birthday. She was woken up that morning by Payal wishing her with a plate of her favourite jalebies. She was sitting on the couch in the living room when her phone rang and seeing it was Arnavs call she picked it up with sudden enthusiasm.
"Hey Arnav."
"Hey Khush, Happy Birthday." He replied.
"Thank You so much."
"Okay Khush, I have sent a parcel to your house with my driver, please wear it for the dinner and be ready at 8 I will come and pick you up."
"Arnav, you don't have to do this. I can wear something off my rack. This is absolutely ridiculous." She sighed.
"Khush, shut up. We have already gone through this and I don't want to fight with you on your birthday, so just wear what I have sent and be ready on time, is that too much to ask for?" he spoke visibly irritated. He wanted this to be special and all Khushi was doing was throwing tantrums. Why couldn't she just listen to him for once.
"Okay, fine. I will wear it and be ready on time, don't get so irritated."
"Thank you very much. I cant even begin to tell you how grateful I am for your co-operation." He said, sarcasm dripping out of every word that was coming out of his mouth.
It was already 7 when Arnav checked the time on his watch. He had been extremely busy all day making everything perfect for the date.
Looking at his watch he suddenly felt nervous. He didn't know what to expect from todays dinner. He knew Khushi had feelings towards him, but he was not sure if she would accept him. If she would not approve of him then he was sure that it would affect their friendship as well and he certainly could not take a risk with that. He was getting more and more apprehensive by the minute, he didn't want to loose her. In the past month, he had become so close to her that if he did not meet her or speak to her even for one day, he would feel restless, like there was no meaning for him to live if she wasn't around. He had gotten attuned to her. He wanted her but he also didn't want to loose their friendship. What they had shared in the past month, each and every moment, whether it was a fight or one teasing the other, he would cherish all of that, but at the same time he wanted to make more beautiful memories with her. And tonight would be the night when he would either get her for life or have to move on in life, and he was hoping to get the former. He didn't know what to do anymore and so letting go off his thoughts, he left from the venue to get ready and pick Khushi.
At sharp 8 Arnav was standing in front of Khushis house, waiting for the birthday girl to appear. He was going to honk again when he saw the door of her house opening and she stepped out. Looking at her he couldn't take his eyes off her. She looked like an angel in the black saree that he had designed for her. He had never seen her in a saree before and today looking at her he was sure that it was definitely worth the wait. He saw her looking at him with a smile on her face. Getting out of the car, he went to her side.
"Khush, Happy Birthday!" he said, hugging her tightly.
"Thank you." She said smiling brightly at him and hugging him back.
"So where are you taking me?" she continued.
"Well now that's a surprise. You will have to wait. Come on." He said winking at her. He opened the door for her and when she sat comfortably he closed the door and went to the other side.
They had already reached their destination in 15 minutes. It was one of the best hotels of Delhi, The Taj. Getting off the car, he went to her side and opened the door for her.Taking his extended hand, she looked around. He led her to the back of the hotel, into the large garden. He was getting nervous by the minute.
Khushi on the other hand was looking around the lavish architecture of the building and that was when she noticed that he was leading her to the back of the hotel. Reaching the garden she looked around and what she saw, caught her breath.
Seher Hone Ko Hai
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