"Shyam, I cannot live without you. Why don't you understand I love you... you also love me so why are you punishing both of us... why??"
"Khushi please try and understand I cannot do anything. I will have to marry Anjali. I have no choice here.
AASHIQUI
Arnav Singh Raizada, a well-known name in the elite circle. The owner of the Raizada firms. He was the top most corporate lawyer of the north India. 28 years old, sharp minded extremely shrewd and highly dedicated.
Anjali Raizada. 23 years old, post graduate in economics. Very beautiful, soft spoken, and intelligent. Younger sister of Arnav. Loves her brother's best friend, Shyam Jha.
Shyam Jha 28 years old, a litigation lawyer, Arnav's best friend and 15% partner in Raizada firms. Loves his best friend dearly. Has a girlfriend and is damn serious for her.
Khushi Gupta, 25 years old, works in Kala Kendra (Arts Centre), Lucknow. She is very beautiful and has an inclination towards arts. That is why having a degree in law, she works as a coordinator in Kala Kendra. Impulsive by nature and very serious about her relationship with Shyam.
Manohar Jha, Shyam's father, loves his son. A very loyal servant to the Raizada's has a soft corner for Anjali.
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The sun rays peeping through the window forgot that the owner of this particular room does not want them here. Sulking over her Buaji, she gets up dejectedly and goes to the washroom. After all it was Monday morning and whole of the Lucknow knew that Khushi Gupta suffered Monday blues.
"Arey bitiya don't you have to go to work??? I have prepared your lunch. Come fast."
Wearing a yellow churidar salwar Khushi sat on the table in the small hall of her home. Buaji served hot aalloo paranthas with curd and Khushi beamed with joy.
"You know Buaji you are the best." She tore the parantha, dipped in curd and relished its taste. Her Buaji cooked the best aalloo paranthas.
"Buaji when I get married, I'll take you with me as my dowry." Winked Khushi at her Buaji. And Buaji smacked her own head. "Haye re nandkishore, these girls of today have no shame."
"Bye Buaji. I am getting late. Eat your medicine on time and don't worry about anything. Bye." Saying so she hurried off.
The next door lady, Leela was buaji's friend. "Khushi bitiya is so full of energy. And she seems to love you a lot."
"Of course she loves me Leela behenji. She is my brother's last living memory. And I am hers." Buaji
Wiped her tears and went inside. She looked up at a family photograph. It was her brother, his wife and a young Khushi about 14 years old.
Khushi's father, Shashi Gupta worked as a driver in Raizada Mansion. Khushi and her bauji lived in servant's quarter at Raizada mansion. Garima died while giving birth to Khushi. And then one day Madhumati got the news that her brother had died in an accident with the very famous corporate lawyer of that time, Arvind Singh Raizada.
Buaji took her niece with her to Lucknow and then both aunt and niece lived with each other, being there with each other and loving each other.
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Arnav Singh Raizada was getting restless at the moment. His client Mr. Nawaz Siddiqui, was the sole reason for that. Mr. Siddiqui was buying a company in Lucknow. Arnav was his lawyer. The problem was that the owner of the company wanted Mr. Siddiqui to come to Lucknow to sign up the papers. He wasn't willing to some to Delhi. Although Mr. Siddiqui agreed, he did not wish to go without Arnav. Because he trusted on Arnav's instinct and gut feeling. And he still hoped that there was the chance for negotiations.
Arnav did not want to go but Mr. Siddiqui's constant pleading got the way and he finally relented.
The tickets were booked by Mr. Siddiqui's secretary. They were supposed to leave for airport in the evening.
Arnav went to his home to do the packing and saw a very happy Anjali welcoming him.
"What happened bhaiya? How come so early?"
"Anju I have a flight in the evening to Lucknow. Have come to do the packing."
Arnav saw Shyam sitting on the dining table and eating. Shyam passed him the look which made Arnav roar with laughter. He called out to Anjali "so what new dish you tried today to kill Shyam and kaka?"
Shyam too joined the laughter. "Bhaiya I am learning cooking and I am not that bad. Am I Shyamji?"
"No anju dam aalloo are really great. You should try too Arnav."
"Leave it dude, last time she made dam aalloo and I had great difficulty in locating the damn aalloo."
"That's not fair bhaiya. I can cook now. And if you don't like my cooking, bring a wife for yourself." Said a very grumpy Anjali.
"Ok now don't get angry. Do you want something from Lucknow?" asked Arnav from his beloved sister.
"Bhaiya as such no but if you really get some time then please bring the chickenkari suit for me. They are really very famous in Lucknow." Replied Anjali. She was not a demanding sister but a sweet requesting type of a sister.
"I will definitely bring Anjali."
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"When will I see you Shyamji? It has been so long since we have met. I miss you."
"Khushi I will come to Lucknow next month. And yes I miss you too."
"Bye Shyamji. The lunch break is over. I love you and will wait for you."
"Love you too. Bye and take care."
Shyam disconnected the phone and started humming a love song. Yes he was deeply and madly in love with Khushi.
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index
part 1 above
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