Arnav & Khushi FF || Serendipity #1 || Link to Thread Two: Pg 1 - Page 44

"Arnav Singh Raizada? What a pleasant surprise!"

Arnav winced at the disruption of the high-pitched voice he so strongly detested. Meena Kapoor. Daughter of his regarded and New York situated business associate, Anand Kapoor. She was uncouth, conceited, and frisky -- yet a measly twenty years old. It didn't stop her from approaching him at every social function he attended in the East Coast, begging him for attention and offering him champagne despite being underage. He loathed her, yet the credit for AR's every deal with the successful and respected Anand Kapoor went solely to the spoilt daughter leering in his direction.

Arnav reluctantly removed his hand from Khushi's soft grasp in order to face and banish the unbearable imp.

"Aah. Ms. Kapoor. Fancy seeing you here" he said, tightening his grasp around Khushi's waist. As oblivious his persistent admirer was to the insolence in his voice, the soft gesture didn't go unnoticed and her nose flared in rage.

"Arnav," she offensively hissed. "Do introduce me to your... your guest"

"How rude of me. Meet my wife, Mrs. Khushi Raizada"

Khushi squirmed as Meena assessed her up and down, her nose crinkling in disgust as if she were the filthy rubbish in a gold mine. Feeling uncomfortable, she played with the straps of the dress and stared at the color of her toenails, praying to god that she wasn't proving to be an embarrassment to her husband.

"Well, I'm sure Ms. Khushi here wouldn't mind if I steal you for a dance, would she?"

Without the slightest indecision or uncertainty, Meena extended her hand out in invitation to Arnav. He hesitated. As much as he desired to stay as far as possible from this two faced, arrogant brute, he knew how important her father was to his business. Not agreeing to this dance could lose him the most essential deal he had settled on this trip -- the entire world knew to what extent Anand Kapoor doted on his only daughter. Arnav would have to comply. He forced himself to smile and stiffly nod at the nuisance ruining his evening, hoping Khushi would be able to recognize that his hands were tied.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As Meena draped his arm tightly around her waist, Arnav's gaze steadied on Khushi uncertainly shifting through the enormous crowd, every set of eyes settling on her dazzling splendor. She sat on a lounger in the far, hidden corner and he finally fell at ease, deciding to satisfy Ms. Kapoor with some casual conversation so she'd leave him alone for the rest of the evening.

"Well Arnav, I can't say I am not hurt. Where was my invitation?"

"The marriage was unexpected, Meena. I'm truly apologetic if I hurt your sentiments"

He thought back to the night he had lugged Khushi up the steps of the mandir that had once been her sanctuary. He thought about how he brashly filled her maang and hauled her as they circled around the crackling flames. He thought back to how he abandoned her to appease the rage of his family and spat at her face when he exposed the truth behind their sham of a marriage. He thought of her trying time and time again to clarify the reality of Shyam's deceit, pleading him to believe her and finally losing hope when he refused.

"With all due respect, as your friend, I'm not sure what you're doing with a woman of... that status"

Arnav Singh Raizada felt the most indescribable rage at the witch unconcernedly insulting his wife while swaying in his arms. He took a moment to observe Meena Kapoor that evening -- her sequined dress tight, flashy and revealing, her legs bared and her face caked with foundation. And then he thought of the woman who accompanied him this evening -- simple, elegant, graceful and demure. Meena could not even dream of being as lovely as Khushi. How dare she question and ridicule her so blatantly?

Control Arnav. Control.

He considered the millions he had invested in Anand Kapoor's contract and forced a chuckle at Meena's insult.

"The marriage was unavoidable Ms. Kapoor. We cannot all be blessed with women as enchanting as yourself"

She chortled and tightened her hold around Arnav, resting her head on his shoulder and assuring him that is wasn't too late for them. Arnav felt sick as he thought of his beautiful wife sitting in a far corner waiting anxiously for his return, and he shrugged Meena off his body in an attempt to distance himself.

"Meena, is your father here? I needed to go over the details of a very important deal with him"

She leaned into him once again and whispered seductively into his ear, "a marriage proposal, Arnav? I might just be greatest deal of your life." His stomach churned in discomfort as her teeth grazed the skin of his earlobe, all his coherent thoughts focused on whether Khushi would be watching them or not.

Thankfully, the inevitable grimace that spread across his face went unnoticed as Meena led him to the bar where Anand Kapoor was thoroughly enjoying his drink. As they walked in his direction, Arnav tried to persuade himself that Khushi meant absolutely nothing and Kapoor's business could not be risked by a temporary marital arrangement. He tightened the hold around Meena's hand and feigned a pleasant smile as he congratulated Anand on raising such an attractive daughter and graceful dance partner. Neither thought it important to reveal the news of his recent marriage as the elderly gentleman approvingly nodded at their interlocked hands.

After sharing pleasantries with the remarkable businessman and accepting a whiskey with gratitude, he turned to quickly check that Khushi was alright, nearly crushing his glass in rage at what he saw before him.