Liquorice Burning#2 [ArHi] Part 13-21 - Page 99

Originally posted by: pearl.b

This story is the best..awesome storyline...just perfect...I totally enjoy reading it...superb update...Please update soon...n Thank you for this beautiful update.

Originally posted by: tinsel

What is Arnav going to do? Super update

Originally posted by: jojo21

I was a bit slow and didn't realize that this was Arnav's grandmother a bit into the story. BUT boy what a connection you've made. The past rolling into the future. I like that she told Khushi to forgive Arnav, but if only for herself. There was no pressure just understanding. I wonder when Khushi will put 2 and 2 together.

In the meantime I have to admire Arnav's resilience, hopefully it gets him somewhere, but it's easy to forget that he also put himself in this place and he should grovel.

Who called Khushi? Where does she have to go? Initially I thought maybe it was Akash..but now I'm not so sure.

Originally posted by: manikka

why the hell khushi going to meet tht leech manager...?????

tht was superb part...with many revelations...for khushi...for arnav...

khushi got to know about mrs. malik...who is drowned in regret...unable to forgive her-self...least khushi know tht ske is arnav's dadi...but how is ved connected to dadi...????

arnav...he realized many things...his mistakes leaving khusi no-where and without penny...so it was anjali and akash who helped her.creating the fund things...without khushi's knowledge, behind arnav's back...tht was something they hav to do to save them-self frm the burn arnav has caused...it told him tht its not only him who can work behind back but anjali and akash too can take the same way but to help khushi out...

but thn it dawned to arnav tht may be indirectly...at least it was his money which helped khushi to reach this level...hope now he don't bring this money matter to khushi, as he always did in past...

and this lavanya's matter...???..i didn't understand it much...is she good or bad...?????

thnks for the Pm dear...

plzz continue soon...

waiting for more...

Originally posted by: FLGirl

Today I read all 19 chapters of this story in one go. What an amazing story! It held me captive from the first sentence. I had to finish it all before I could move on to doing other things that real life calls for. What touched me the most in this story was the strength of each of the characters (not just Arshi). Anjali who hid the truth from her brother and had the pragmatism to move from Shyam. The fact that she did not lose her child in this story was heartening. Akash - you really did justice to that character. So is Payal here - the way any sister should be when her own blood is wronged so cruelly. And La - the La is more realistic than La in the show. The high society girl in all realism would be at least a little bit resentful of the person on their payroll who stole her boyfriend and her dreams for a high flying lifestyle. Now Kushi's new friend, I could do without her as she is destroying could-be Arshi moments but she does add her flavor to the story.
I cannot wait to read the rest of the it. I so wish it was a completed story. I would have read it all and walked around in a trance for the rest of the day.
Can you please PM me the updates? How does it work? Do I need to send you a buddy request?

Part 20

Arnav sat slumped over his desk holding his head in his hands unmindful of all the scrunched up paper containing half-baked designs scattered all over. There was no question of getting any work done today, not till he had his answers anyway. His restlessness and desperation stemmed from that one phone call which had turned Khushi pale earlier in the morning. His intuition told him that expression meant trouble if only he could help, if only she would let him. So for the past hour he had been waiting for confirmation from Aman who had finally flown to Mumbai the day before.

It didn't help either that his last meeting had been with Natasha and they had discussed the Page 3 gossip on them more than their project, "I've been told you are notoriously famous Arnav" Natasha, charming and beautiful, had this way with words. Intrigued he had asked, "What do you think?"

"I can see why you are famous" she said, "notorious not so much yet" and tossed the newspaper back to Jeff, her chief designer, "Save this copy, will you?"

Arnav reassured her, "This won't happen again, I've taken care of that..."

"I shouldn't be complaining you know...its actually worse back home. I guess I wasn't expecting it here as well. TMZ should be paying me hefty royalty fees for all the crap they put out there" And so it was settled, just like that. Both of them had been in the business long enough to know what was going on here, and so there was no strain on their working relationship because of that nuisance.

His buzzing cell phone hidden beneath layers of crumpled paper on the desk finally broke his chain of thoughts; "Yea Aman?" the excitement was palpable in his voice.

"Sir, the coffee appointment has been set up for 3 PM" without wasting any more time, Arnav picked up his car keys and walked out of his office. As he got into the elevator and punched the keys to the basement parking, his thoughts once again drifted to the events of the last few days and inevitably zeroed in on her, Khushi - the woman that he had so terribly wronged. He leaned back against the stainless steel metallic walls and felt its coolness seep through even as his mind conjured up images of his Khushi, dressed in shades of grey like she was in perpetual mourning. He frowned. Everything was wrong with that. The changes couldn't have been starker, and it pricked his conscience the knowledge that it had been his doing. A Khushi who was anything but Khushi was like the worst blow to him, albeit a much needed one. He had been living in denial for so long after Khushi's mysterious disappearance that no one else but her would have been able to shake that off. Thankfully, by now Arnav knew without a shred of doubt that he had erred never mind that it had literally taken him years to accept it; which meant he was no longer living in denial. Meeting Khushi had taken care of that and in a matter of a few days; his life had taken a new turn, possibly towards a better future.

To his credit, he had returned from London with every intention to make amends but by then it was too late. Khushi was gone and had taken everything with her. Di's divorce from Shyam right after had not given him much time to think of anything else. If anything, it should have alerted him but he was far too entrenched in denial by then to care. May be it was his coping mechanism, but it kept him sane to think that he was right and Khushi was wrong, why else would she run away and not fight for herself? This most certainly was not the Khushi he had known. What he failed to realize was that, he had pushed her too far with his accusations that the old Khushi had simply ceased to be. In any case, it was easier for him to assume the worst of her than to accept his own failures. So Khushi was gone leaving behind this mountain of guilt, memories and a long list of what ifs.

But now he had a chance to make things better and he was determined to do so, in his own way. He drove off a determined man.

Deeya felt distinctly out of place sitting in the caf of a five star hotel, her anxiety heightened further by the price list on the menu "Are these people on dope? Freaking thousand rupees for a cup of coffee?" It was ridiculous. Add to that, the man was already late by five minutes which only helped to reaffirm the stereotype in her mind, about these rich irresponsible brats, "f**k" she swore as she placed her cell phone back on the table after checking out the time for the umpteenth time. Deeya vehemently disliked people who didn't value other people's time and at the moment, Arnav was ticking off all the things on the wrong list!

A distinctly male and utterly pissed off voice startled her, "Stupid Mumbai traffic" it was meant to be an apology for being late but it did nothing to appease Deeya's irritation. Instead, it sounded condescending to her, "Well, you should have flown in your private chopper then "she made no qualms about hiding her displeasure. To his credit, Arnav ignored her dig and took off his shades, "coffee?" he asked as he sat down.

Deeya meant to say something but was instantly thrown off-guard by a very obvious wedding ring on his ring finger. Arnav took her pause for indecisiveness, "latte?" He asked, and when she stared back blankly at him, he gave her another choice, "Cappuccino?" She just kept looking at him like he had just landed from a distant planet, "what? Isn't that what women drink?" Could this man be any more condescending?

She scrunched her brows, "One black coffee please..."

That surprised him, "Make that two then"

"So why am I here?" Deeya asked once the waiter was gone, "you know why" his response was typically short but to the point.

"I don't see how I can be of any help to you"

"On the contrary" his attitude only annoyed her further "you are the only one that can help me" and that only helped to further bracket him, as a typically arrogant jerk who did not respect women. Yes, Deeya unlike Khushi had googled him sufficiently the past week. The list of his indiscretions was too long, not something her friend needed to hear about but she was certainly glad to have found out. Sometimes prejudice rules over common sense, and Deeya of all the people had overlooked the machinations of the press.

"Why would I even help you?" she asked trying to make out his intentions.

"Because you care..." it sounded absurdly simple the way he put it, "About Khushi" he added soon after that pause taking her by surprise. Arnav read that flicker of emotion on her face as a sign of progress "Look...I know, you don't think too much of me and that's fine" nothing in his body language suggested otherwise either, "but I am here for Khushi and since you are her friend, You are the only one who can help me"

He had her attention alright, "How do I know you aren't out to hurt her again?" Arnav's hands stilled in reaction, "how much do you know?"

"Everything" she lied of-course, because Khushi hadn't exactly been forthcoming about every little detail of her past life.

Arnav sighed and placed his hands on the table, "I'm trying to get through to her and you're the only one who can help right now..."

"Given the means at your disposal, I find that hard to believe" which was true and precisely why Deeya found it odd that they were having this conversation in the first place, "Will you help me or not?" he asked slightly irked.

She thought about it, as she looked back at him, could she trust this man? May be it was worth a test, "Why are you here now?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he asked.

"That's your assumption"

"I'm trying to ..." He paused, "Look there was a phone call, this morning" he stopped wary of revealing too much, "How do you..." her words died right after as it occurred to her, "Ahh yes, you've been stalking her...I know"

"Stalking?" that's not what he would call it, "You talk about that?"

"When it concerns a stalker yes, we take our precautions well"

"You don't really like me a lot do you?" he asked, "I thought you would never notice"

"Look Deeya" he narrowed his eyes at her, "Just tell me if there is anything...wrong. If something is ..."

"What do you mean?" she wanted him to spell it out for her.

"Is something bothering Khushi?" he asked, and Deeya's eyes shot up at the irony in those words, and for a brief moment she was tempted to tell him, no actually YELL at him, "Yes, YOU" but when she saw him shuffle in the chair uncomfortably and retreat slightly, almost as if he understood, she decided to let that go. Instead, Deeya weighed her options, since she could not go with Khushi, Arnav would do, and judging by how desperate this man seemed, may be it would not be such a bad idea after all, she reasoned and let it out, much to his surprise, "Her old Manager is giving her a hard time"

"Old Manager?"

"Khushi used to work at Paradiso" Deeya gave him time to process the shock, "she used to work there? That's a big..." Deeya smiled smugly, "Get used to it, she's a damn good chef"

"Italian..." He mused, "That's Khushi alright" Deeya didn't let him dwell for too long. But still, it was news for Arnav because knowing her, he wouldn't have expected Italian to be her choice, the thought needed more exploration, he knew.

"Why did she quit?" he asked as he took another sip of that coffee.

Not keen on divulging too much information, "look, she is going over tomorrow evening at six to meet the manager, I just don't want her to be alone"

"I'm actually surprised you are letting her go all alone" it seemed odd to him, "Well unlike some privileged people, we actually have to work for a living"

"So will you keep an eye out for her or not?" she asked.

"You didn't tell me why she quit" he answered with a question of his own.

"That's for you to find out...so?" she was expecting a confirmation from him, "I'll take care of it" he said but curiosity got the better of him and he asked, "How did you two even become friends?"

Her response was too quick for his liking "Just like you two got married" Deeya wasn't the type to take his belittling ways quietly. He walked away without sparing her a second glance.

Part 21 - Scroll Down

Part 21

Khushi paid the auto and stepped out apprehensively; now that she was here, she wasn't too confident anymore. But since running away was not an option she took a deep breath and decided to go through with it, once and for all.

"You want to talk out here?" he wasn't keen on that but Khushi was adamant and sat down on a chair in the middle of the restaurant, "I'm fine here"

He looked around and satisfied seeing Paradiso virtually empty "As you wish" he sat down, "Don't say I didn't warn you"

"So what have you decided?" he asked without wasting any more time, "I've already made my decision" Khushi looked at him, "I am done here"

He smirked as he leaned back on the chair, "So you have decided to pay the fine for breach of contract?" Khushi saw him twiddling his thumbs and it only reminded of his improper advances, "I refuse to pay anything. As far as I know, I've worked here for less than six months, and there is no notice period"

"Clearly, you haven't read that contract you signed. Care to refresh yourself?" he asked, "After what you tried to pull off, why you think I care about anything?" If looks could kill, the man would be dead by now.

"Because... you wouldn't be here if you didn't care" Khushi's face fell at the truth in those words, "So pick your best option and let's settle this like two consenting adults" his eyes sparkled with an inappropriate mischief, "I'm not used to losing" he said, "There is an easy way out for you. It would be a shame..." he couldn't have made things any more obvious, "You can go places, you know...so young..." It was almost as if Khushi's fear fueled him on.

"You disgust me" she spat out, "Shh...not so loud" he looked around, "You've got more to lose" there was a sinister edge to his voice, "I told you its better if we take this inside my office"

"What's the amount I owe Paradiso?" Khushi asked, "Why are you making this so hard for yourself Khushi..." he placed his hand over hers only to have Khushi pull back right away, "S.T.O.P!" she jerked back, "I'll take you to court" but her voice was lacking any real conviction. Amused by her hollow threats, he arched his brows quizzically; "By paying the lawyer peanuts?" he was having fun now.

"You know what, do what you want, I'm through with this" Khushi got up, "You aren't worth the trouble"

"Wait" he lunged forward and tried to grab her hand unmindful of curious eyes around them. Luckily Khushi pulled away on time ready to flee until she hit a solid wall behind her, "What the!?" she spoke surprised by the block- there was no wall here! It was only when she saw the Manager stare behind her that it registered, and she turned around only to find Arnav glaring at the Manager! His jaws were set at a grim line and his hands fisted by the sides told her all she needed to know, he was angry. To say she was surprised would be some understatement. But before she could react, she felt him push her away slowly till it was him standing in between. She wouldn't admit to it of course but Khushi was more than glad to see him there.

"Get lost!" the Manager wasn't amused by this untimely intrusion, "Where is the contract?" Arnav asked, his voice was controlled but Khushi knew restraint didn't come naturally to him.

"Who the f**k are you?" the Manager hissed angrily, "Oh wait" he stopped as it dawned on him, and then he looked back and forth between Arnav and Khushi, a sly smile broke his lips as he said, "You two ..." his fingers pointed at them, "That's why you want to quit, you found this chocolate face to screw..."

Khushi didn't even have time to process those words when she heard a resounding slap, and the very next moment Arnav was holding the Manager by the collar, his words threatening and his tone ominous, "Get this in your f**king head, she is N.O.T coming back here"

The Manager, not a man to succumb so easily spat on his face in response and mouthed a "f**k off" even as he struggled to free himself from Arnav's hold. Khushi was too shocked to react.

Arnav didn't want to create a big scene wary of the press that was always on his heels, the last thing he needed now was for them to get a whiff of this, "My lawyer will be here tomorrow to clear the dues, if any" he stressed on those words, "Otherwise I'll see you in court"

"For what?"

"Don't worry" it was Arnav's turn to give him a wry smile this time, "You'' find out soon..."

"You don't scare me chocolate face... and I have nothing against you, it's that bitch, isn't it" he tried to move towards Khushi but nope, no one was going to get away calling Khushi a bitch at Arnav's face. Enraged at his lewd insinuations, Arnav snapped and held him back and before the Manager knew what hit him, kneed him on the groin, "That is Mrs. Raizada for you" and again before shoving him away hard onto the tables behind them. The big guy yelped in pain as he staggered back, but he was quick to recover, "Raizada? as in AR Designs?" he knew then, that he'd messed with the wrong man.

Arnav walked over and warned him one last time "Stay away from her" And with that he turned around and without looking at Khushi, grabbed her hand and led her outside, she scampered to meet his pace studying his face which was an impregnable mask at this point, his words ringing in her ears, "It's Mrs. Raizada, Mrs. Raizada...what the?" Her head was spinning already.

Eyes wide, "Mrs. Raizada?" Khushi stared at him for clues as he led her to the car "Let me go you big bully" she struggled but couldn't free herself from his hold.

"Relax Khushi..." he said as he pushed her into the passenger's seat and slammed the door shut, "This is not a joke, you know" Khushi argued, "You can't just go around ..." but he kept on ignoring her, "You can't walk away like that, what that was supposed to mean?" her eyes followed his movements to the other side of the car.

"What!?" he asked, "You said Mrs. Raizada?" her voice dropped as he got in the car suddenly aware of his presence in that confined space, "Yes, So?" he raised his eyebrows like she was the one being unreasonable, "So, I said Mrs. Raizada. Now unless you want to go back there and tell him otherwise, stop complaining" No this was not how he had planned on telling her but he couldn't change it now, "I had to get him off your back. Now he won't trouble you" Arnav averted his eyes and started the engine hoping she would let this go for now.

"I don't need your favors..." she crossed her arms and refused to fasten her seat belt knowing very well that irked him no ends. If only Khushi had realized he hadn't been making things up about them...

Arnav chose to ignore her protest and focused on the road instead. It wasn't easy for either of them, to be together like this and not really be together or to be caught up in silence when there was so much they could talk about. The silence was a shackle both struggled to break off.

It was Khushi who turned first and it was like nothing had changed between them because his expressions gave nothing away. He was still the every bit mysterious enigma who had his way, always. Would this ever change? She wondered. Scared at the direction of her thoughts, and afraid that the emotions she had struggled so hard to keep away would resurface, Khushi forced her eyes away from Arnav, from the only man she had ever loved; who could go from prince charming to the devil at the drop of a hat. Khushi sank back into the seat and closed her eyes, trying to shut out everything. He was not a good influence for her sanity, she knew all too well.

When Arnav finally looked at her a few minutes later, he was overcome with a strange emotion, if only he could keep her by his side like this, safe and protected, forever. If only. This wonderful person whose laughter he had robbed!

Khushi opened her eyes only when the car stopped, eager to get away from him but her hopes were dashed right away, "This is not my hostel" she looked up at the apartment that towered right above her, "You are staying here tonight" he spoke, "It's better..." it wasn't a request and she knew.

"Why would I listen to you? Take me back to the hostel" she demanded but he did not respond. Frustrated with his stubbornness, Khushi opened the door ready to take off on her own. And then just as she was about to get off, she stopped because it happened so quickly and unexpectedly that both of them stilled and looked at each other and then back down on his hand which was firmly clasped over hers! A mere touch served as a reminder of happier times, when a spark was enough to light a fire. Uncomfortable under his steady gaze and his touch; she pulled back her hand awkwardly, "I should go..."

"Khushi please..." his strained voice stopped her from fleeing, but it could not kill the uneasiness around them. Afraid that any more silence would push her further away from him, Arnav blurted out the first thing that came to his mind, "You don't want to be hounded by the press Khushi" Arnav was game for anything that would give him more time with her, as long as it didn't hurt her.

"Kya?" used to a life of obscurity, Khushi didn't get it right away, "They follow me everywhere Khushi" which wasn't entirely false, "and with what just happened" he played with the car keys nervously, "By now, every reporter worth his salt will have got a whiff about what happened back there. And if they find out who you are...they might..." he stopped hoping she would understand, and immediately softened up as he saw fear in her eyes," Khushi, trust me it's for your own good. I promise I'll drive you back to the hostel tomorrow morning by which time Aman will have taken care of everything"

"I don't really have a choice do I?" she asked wryly. How could he respond to that? What was he supposed to say? The truth would only drive her away, so he chose silence and led her to the elevator lobby instead, "This way..."

Khushi went through her options and realized that there was a grain of truth in his words; and as much as she hated being with him, it was still better than having to deal with random strangers aka pesky reporters, she had no desire to entertain. A sullen LG was at least somewhat predictable. So she chose the lesser of the two evils, until Deeya's shift gets over, she told herself.

Arnav kept stealing glances at Khushi throughout the elevator ride even as she was lost in her thoughts. It wasn't till they were between the 11th and 12th floors, that he finally spoke "You shouldn't have gone there all alone"

"Why?" she asked, her eyes focused on the 544 Kg weight limit as written on the wall, irrelevant information that she would soon forget.

"He could have hurt you" he said.

Arnav could not decide which was more lifeless, Khushi or her words, "I don't hurt so easily anymore"

"He will be taken care of. I assure you, he will never bother you again" No one could have guessed that they had a life time worth of pain to deal with beneath that calm faade.

When she did not respond to his assurance, he expected her to walk out when the lift stopped at his floor but to his surprise she did the exact opposite. Khushi turned around and looked at him squarely in the eye and said something, he would never ever forget in his life henceforth, "I expected you to do this that night" numbed with her words, he could only stare as she walked away from the elevator and towards his apartment.

He followed her wearily. Their eyes met briefly as he took out his keys and unlocked his apartment door, Khushi walked in without another word only to stop before the French windows overlooking the vast ocean outside. It looked so serene...she noticed.

The click of the door, usually non-existent was amplified in the silence. It felt strange to be back here Khushi realized, the last time only a few days ago, she had woken up to a nightmare... and yet here she was back again! Sometimes life did not make any sense. She could see his hazy reflection on the glass but she did not have the gumption to turn around and face him, "Khushi..." he treaded cautiously unsure how to take things forward, "Please look at me..." he spoke with all the tenderness he could muster up, "We need to talk..."

Khushi turned around uneasily "I shouldn't have come here..." he noticed she was fidgeting with her dupatta, "I...umm..." and looked towards the hallway connecting the bedroom to the living area almost like she expected someone to walk out from there, "I ... will go back" her eyes furtive as she avoided eye-contact with him.

"Damn" he swore silently as it hit him, there was no point keeping her guessing, taking a deep breath he said, "I live here alone..." and saw her head jerk up in surprise. Arnav walked a few paces towards her and convinced he had her complete attention, "Natasha is a new business associate of AR Designs, it is a strictly professional relationship...just like the dinner last week was" Arnav said, "I'm not..." this was hard, "As is Lavanya who works in AR... I don't expect you to believe me Khushi but I've kept my end of the deal..." they both knew what he was referring to. His honesty reflected through his eyes and it held her captive, for the first time in years; Khushi couldn't look away even if she wanted to. Arnavji had truly surprised her.

PMs will be delayed.

Originally posted by: -Aria-

wow 2 reservations - lovely news

Originally posted by: -Aria-

Reserve for update 20