Strangers Arms = Part 1
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3822511&PID=96482523&#p96482523
Strangers Arms part 2 .
Time to play truant. Have a day off work and see where it leads .
Never ever since Arnav could remember had he taken time off without planning and here he was playing truant . He sent a text message to Aman to cancel all his plans for the next two days he was taking a road trip!
"Aman texted him back "cancel all meetings for two days -??? A road trip ??? please explain.
Whose the boss?
u r sir
I'm taking time off going on a road trip - handle it
yes sir
Does your nani know about your err road trip ?
No tell family on business wont be back for two days don't contact me unless absoluetly urgent - Handle all business
"Hey Arnav -problem sorted ? "
" How do you know there was a problem ?"
"Your face and eyes "
"Tell me a bit about yourself as we are now travelling companions - all the way to Lucknow "
"what do you want to know - Lucknow is a long way a way "
"Why are you going there ?"
"Babu ji and Amma its holiday time , my course just finished and i haven't got a job Dehli's expensive. I am a typical student bust and broke try to get by on the free needs a job but doesn't really want one yet but will move on to another course -have to or the option is marriage , and with my skills who want to marry me I'm far too outspoken I say what i feel and Amma says I talk to much. In a relationship one need to listen not chat - Amma says i talk so much she says i need to marry a deaf and mute person that would be the perfect partner "
I wonder why ?" murmered Arnav
What do you do Mr designer shoes and apple mac man ?"
"Business "
"you really need to improve on your communication skills - business - that could be anything from a shop to a computer training "
Arnav did something he rarely did laughed !
"You could say I am into shops "
"Hey its a long wait until the next stop uncle ji can we leave our stuff here and go up ?"
Be careful Khushi Bitia or what answer will i give your Babuji and Chachu"
"oh its ok we will go up later uncle ji ."
Khushi chatted away incessantly about the next town to the guard and what her favourite food was they asked Arnav who said he liked Pasta carbonara . "
Pasta what ?" asked the guard
Khushi had the guard in absolute fits of laughter as she tried to explain what past was and then the sauce.
Arnav beta whats wrong with dal roti
"Nothing uncle ji "- he couldnt believe he Arnav Singh Raizad the great CEO of AR designs and Industrialist was sitting in a baggage van calling an absolute stranger Uncle ji all for the sake of a girl he had met hours ago. A girl who made him laugh. He nknew he was definitely attracted to this girl.
Hey Arnav do you want to see pictures of my house and my babu ji making mithai. Arnav knew that time was limited he had to find out as much as he could about this girl.
They spent an age talking it was the early hours of the evening as the train chugged along on its solitary track . Hey Arnav you want to see something amazing - come with me she grabbed his hand and pulled him out the moving carriage -"Khushi we are outside the train "
"Oh stop being such a baby follow me - "
"What the .."
Khushi was half way up the wrought iron ladder with Arnav grumbling and muttering to himself this girl is gonna be the death of me. Once on the roof of the carriage she sat crossed legged and got Arnav to sit to . She leaned against him and said watch . Together they watched the sun set and the stars come out . Arnav enjoyed the quietness and the solitude of watching the sun set taking the time to stop and actually watch the sky turn into raspberry ripple ice cream . Then the night sky come into its own it looked as though the angels had sprinkled it with glitter.
We'll be pulling into the next station dinner is on me. Come on, last one down is a chicken "
Arnav watched Khushi jump up and scramble down the stairs closely followed by Arnav.
At the station Arnav watched her jump off and zigzag between the people to a food stall what was she up to . He watched her then he couldn't believe his eyes people were ordering there food she seem to place her order , then quietly she swiped two dinners and calmly walked away to the next stall picked up some more food and then some drinks and back to the train. She hadn't paid for any of it.
"Are you serious ? I just saw what you did ?"
"What did i do ? cause chaos i got dinner for you me and uncle ji "
"Its stolen!"
"I am a student - its allowed "
"Its not "
"IT is- Arnav are you hungry ? "
"Yes - but the food .. "
A mouthful of food was shoved down his throat - it was tasty ; "uncle ji" and next mouth was down his thankyou Khushi Bitia .
Khushi fed both the men in turn all the time Arnav was trying to point out the hygiene factor .
"All Khushi said was "Get a life - live a little "
The train pulled out the station you tired Khushi let me get us a berth my treat you got dinner .
"No thanks -Arnav wait a while be patient"
Arnav couldn't remember a time when he had enjoyed a day more - no money spent , no luxury - it had been a long time since he had actually stopped long enough to appreciate his surroundings .
He watched Khushi try and get comfortable tossing and turning on her bed roll.Khushi lie still will you this bed roll is big enough for both of us but will you lie still.
"Khushi bitia there is an empty berth in the first class cabin no one is coming onboard till the morning why don you an Arnav go and sleep there till the morning - go kids
Khushi closed the cabin door and locked and hi 5 Arnav . See i got us the berth .
Khush has your mother not told you about trusting and sharing cabins with strange men "
"Which strange men i can only see a friend with chocolate brown eyes the at are the mirror to his soul , trustworthy someone who would never hurt me or take a step out of line and the friendship made today i think will be for life - agree or disagree if you were going to try something ,you would have long before now ."
Arnav smiled and lay down on the bottom berth enjoying the coolair in the room he listened to Khushi chatter on disscussing what she was going to do in Lucknow at her Babuji shop till she got her job . Should she get a job apply for a course or go backpacking .
To which Arnavs quick response was" go on a course . God only knows how much trouble you would get into going backpacking, from what I have seen today. Not everyone is like me Khushi you need to be more aware of your surroundings ."
The train chugged through the night slowly rocking them to sleep.
There was a gentle knock on the door Khushi Bitia , lucknow will be here soon would you like a cup of tea ?
Khushi jumped off the top berth and landed gently on the floor and opened the door Arnav was getting up they invited uncle ji in and had their tea.
All to soon lucknow was here Arnav its been good traveling with you give me your number I'll text you mine keep in touch. Arnav had already though what does she mean keep in touch he wasn't going to be out of touch to keep in touch. He knew when he wanted some thing he got it . He had already decided that this was the girl who he was going to spend the rest of his life with . He had fallen completely totally and irrevocably in love with Khushi in less than a day, probably when she introduced herself.
Outside Khushi asked if anyone was meeting him .
"they are not here to pick me up ""
"Look I'm going to catch a auto to my house why don't you come there and meet My Amma and Babuji find out where your lift is and then go and meet them ."
"you mean an Auto rickshaw"
Arnav thought to himself he had done more in the last 24 hours than he had done in years ,- an auto rickshaw it was.
Eventually they reached home "Amma , Babuji" Khushi launched herself at them wholeheartedly.
"Khushi we were not expecting you for another 4 days "
" you want me to go back ?"
"Stupid child I'd have made your favourite "
"Amma I'm very hungry anything will do and I've brought a friend "
"Another one -Khushi - you really have to stop bringing strays home "
"Arnav this is my Amma and my adorable Babuji "
"He's waiting on a lift "
"Khushi I can talk for myself "
Uncle ji aunti ji if there s a problem i'll leave honestly - i only wanted to make sure this lunatic "
"ARNAV!"
"Your lovely daughter reached home safely "
Babuji smiled , son stay and have tea and breakfast - thankyou for bringing my lunatic ... princess home "
"If your lucky you might be able to have a shower if there enough water got a change of clothes ?"
Arnav couldn't believe what he was up to but sometime in business you had to play the cards out and thats exactly what he was doing here .
He showered and called Aman "everything ok- Im in lucknow now still on my road trip "
Arnav called for a car to pick him up but not before he was invited to dinner ,
Arnav changed his plans for the whole week he had dinner everynight at the Gupta's and met Khushi for lunch on some pretext or other until saturday . He advised the Gupta's that he had to go home to Dehli where he lived and he would miss them.
Babuji said he would miss him . Khushi texted Arnav everydayand skyped him - and like this 3 weeks rolled by there conversations were getting longer and longer .
Arnav missed Khushi until one day she I'm coming down to Dehli I've got 3 interviews with different companies for internship for my masters. Before khushi could complete the sentence - Khushi Kumari Gupta no hitchhiking infact tell me when you are coming and I'll book the tickets for you and arrange your accommodation no more traveling alone in guard vans and stealing food.
Ok Arnav today is friday , my interview is on monday and tuesday. Right let me see what the time is ok pack your bags get to the airport there will be a ticket at the desk for you
"Airport " squeaked Khushi
"yes airport ! your hitchhiking on a plane besides I owe you from last time "
"but its so expensive Arnav "
"you will be here sooner - more time to have fun "
Arnav couldn't wait to see her he had missed even though they spoke every night - he still didn't know who her internship interview was with . He would find out when she got here - infact he didn't even know what masters degree she was contemplating .
He booked the plane ticket and sent the confirmation via text better go down and sort Nani and Di out .
Nani ji Di your both together - good eer you see its like this .. umm i have a friend who is flying in unexpectedly ...um they just booked the tickets ... they couldn't get a hotel room ..you see...
Chote what are you talking about -you are not making sense .
I have a freind who will be arriving from Lucknow in a few hours . I am going to pick her up. I haven't had time to arrange hotel accommodation can she stay here ?
"From Lucknow - of course she can stay here "
"She loves chaat and allo ki tkki and paani pur are her favourite as she says little taste bombs in her mouth that explode with flavour - thodi si meeti ,thodi si khati ,thodi si thikki ."
Di was the first to close her gob smacked mouth " you seem to know an awful lot about her likes and dislikes "
She was elbowed sharply by naani don't worry you bring your friend home and i'll sort the dinner to her liking.
Arnav muttered under his breath" it will probably be too clean for her "
Arnav met Khushi at the airport rucksack and huge portfolio in tow .
He grabbed her rucksack from her whilst she hung onto her portfolio .
"how was the flight ?
It was amazing - thankyou but you shouldn't have. "
" I didn't want you doing your usual antics "
By the time they had left the airport Arnav's hand was firmly grasped in Khushi's and MR Arnav singh Raizada was papped unknown to him.
Arnav drove her straight to Shantivan Khushi asked which hotel had they come to - Arnav smiled and said it's my home . You took me to yours and now, I've brought you to mine to meet my mad family that i live with you will fit right in "
"Exactly how many shops do you own ?
Arnav smiled - a few - its not important ; enough to give me a comfortabe living "
"OMG- you must have been laughing at me - i made you travel with the baggage"
"Khushi i am a grown man - i could have left at any time; we are here and here is something for you to think about ."
Arnav bent down and lightly kissed her lips - the last thing that Khushi was expecting.
"Thats so there is no confusion .Look Nani 's at the door and Di and just about the whole family "
Arnav's whole family came spilling out the door all dying to see the girl that Arnav had brought home . They knew Arnav had girlfriends but he was very careful no gossip ever came home about them but now he had actually invited someone over and had asked Nani permission for them to stay - she must be special .
Ok khushi ready - He grabbed her rucksack came round and opened the door for her . Khushi mind was in a whirl he had just kissed and said so that there is no confusion but now that's all that existed -confusion .
Khush grabbed her portfolio whilst Arnav grabbed her free hand - come and meet my mad family he squeezed it reassuringl.
He walked up to the family holding Khushi s hand so that there could be no mistake on anyone's part how important she was to him.
My family couldn't wait for you to come inside they have all come out to meet you- shall we go inside and I'll introduce you to everyone.
After all introductions were made teas drunk and chat eaten. Khushi got up after dinner and helped clear up like a member of the family - Nani ji I'm tired may i go to bed.
"yes of course ."
Di said " I'll show you "
Whilst nani said maybe Arnav would like to show her ?
Arnav replied i've actually got some work to do, Di you show her and then you will have ample opportunity to interrogate her . I'll call by after i have made my calls and arranged for Mohan to be free Monday and Tuesday to take you where ever you wish.
By the time Arnav came across Di and Khushi were sitting on the bed laughing ,Khushi had had her shower and was drying her hair."
Di had tears of laughter coming out of her eyes "you didn't "
"What didn't she do Di ?"
"You traveled in the baggage cart - you ! that's priceless ! no air conditioning ! OMG ate food from a thela wala - the original Mr OCD ."
I knew he had changed for the better over the last four weeks and your the reason - Thank you for being brave enough to take him on and welcome to our family. We will carry this conversation on in the morning . If i stay here much longer someone will kill me " looking directly at Arnav .
"Arnav why were you so rude to Di ?"Arnav came in shutting the door because " i wanted to do this for a very long time "
He pulled her towards him and slowly lowered his head giving Khushi ample opportunity to change her mind. It was a long time later when when Arnav surfaced for air -" look i'd better go back to my room Nani 's waiting on me . I can only push her so far - the fact that she let you stay is amazing ".
"Arnav I'm more confused than i was when i arrived what exactly is going on ?"
For someone who is supposedly intelligent you are amazingly slow - I am in love with you dammit . I fell in love with you the minute you jumped into a strangers arms - and I hope you will like my family well enough to make them part of yours . Oh this is not coming out right - Will you marry me ?"
Khushi launched herself at Arnav "Yes "
And there were no sounds only actions lip on lip action.
There was a discrete knock on the door - It was Nani "Khushi bitia can I come in?"
"Yes of course nani Arnav placed Khushi in front of him to hide the extent of his arousal which was evident.
"I just came to say goodnight and to tell you that if you want to pooja is at 7.00 am . Don't be too long, let Khushi bitia rest and come and say goodnight before you go to sleep ."
With that Nani said good night and left . "Ok i'd better go those were my marching orders to leave your room "
Arnav popped his head into nani 's room - goodnight Naniji
"she's lovely Arnav and I don't know which is more important that you are besotted with her or her with you. Have you already asked her to marry you or is that later ?"
"I've asked and shes's accepted .
Pandemonium broke loose in the house everybody was called from their rooms, Nani had tears in her eyes and had kissed Arnav about a thousand times .
Nani's tear stricken face had the family worried as to what trauma had taken place . The whole household broke out the celebrations when it became known that Arnav had proposed and Khushi accepted. Music, drinks ! all in all a minor party was held and nani gave thanks . She commented that she thought this day would never arrive .Khushi Bitia we will have to take shugun round to your family .
The first time all evening the look of fear entered Khushi eyes . Nani we are simple folk my fathers a Halwaai and I'm a halwaai 's daughter we are not anywhere as rich as you .
Khushi is your father honest and hard working - has he met Arnav -?
"oh yes He thinks Arnav's a good stabilizing influence on me ."
"Then the rest is not important . Arnav has chosen you and that's good enough for us all !" The whole entire weekend was filled with wedding discussions till Arnav said" STOP!"
"Shes here for a few days if I don't get to spend time with her I might change my mind and by the way has any seen the paper i have had half a dozen text message from Aman to see page 3 ; Otherwise Khushi and I will go out and buy a paper."
"He saying someone has papped me with a girl he needs to know if its current or old ."
"Why doesn't he take a picture on his phone and send it to you."
The pictured arrived, it was of Arnav and Khushi at the airport .
"Don't say anything - i repeat don't say anything . PR will work out a story for the press" was the message texted to Aman.
"Ok, Arnav so who is she ?"
"My road trip ".
"Ahhh"
"Don't say aaah in that tone of voice ,"
"This is a text message how can there be a tone,Arnav ji ?"
"Her name is Khushi Kumari Gupta"
"The name sounds familiar - I just dont know why"
"Just so you know Aman i proposed to Khushi and she accepted"
"Proposed what ?"
"MARRIAGE YOU IDIOT !"
"Don't shout at me - congratulations to sir and madame. That name Khushi Kumar Gupta sounds really familiar do you want me to run the usual checks"
"No!"
" Your the boss -ok sir"
It was at the breakfast table monday morning when Arnav finally asked " where do you need to get to today. I don't know I'll get the addresses and Mohan can take you there. Call me after the interview . Walk me to the door "
"Why ?"
At the door in the sheltered nook he stole a kiss from Khushi. Thats why ! See you in the evening ."
Khushi arrive at her first interview 10 minutes early .
She introduced herself as Kushi Kumar Gupta and Aman looked up , he was doing the first interview after that the shortlisted candidates would go to Arnav for final interview"
"Does Sir , know you are coming here for an interview"
"I don't know this is my interview letter ."
"Give me a minute Miss Gupta "
"Arnav sorry to disturb you, but i am confused the interview is it genuine?"
" why are you asking "
"The road trip girl , your fiancee, my interviewee are one and the same . Is this a genuine interview orrr..."
"Aman,what are you talking about , come clean spit it out "
"My interviewee , let me show you the designs and tell me what you think "
Aman realised that Arnav had no idea who was waiting in the other office , for that matter Miss Gupta had evidently no idea who the boss was - time for fun.
Aman returned a couple of minutes later ," ASR let me show you these designs and you tell me what you think , this year the quality of the work submitted is exceptionally poor."
"Aman your talking crap these designs are exceptional "
" I think they are a load of rubbish "
" Aman, these designs are exceptional ,some of these can go straight into production - what are you talking about .Crap designs - sometime Aman even you take the mick. Shortlist the candidate and I'll interview after lunch."
"ASR what are you doing for lunch , I'm having it with the candidates would you like to join me ?"
"count me out ,interviewing candidates that's your department"
"You sure boss ? One of the candidates is a fine piece of a..a..ummm...a really good looking girl"
"AMAN !FOCUS! and don't call the candidates a fine piece of anything !"
"ASR just remember that i said she was a good looking girl -OK and i offered you lunch with the candidates and YOU turned down an opportunity to quiz the candidates."
"That's why I have you "
"So your road trip - would you want me to quiz her and have lunch with her - From that look you just gave me i gather not "
Amman turned on his heels and left the room , wondering how long before the whirring wheels in ASR's brain came to inquire about the strange questions that he had just asked.
"Aman didn't interview any further candidate and instead showed Khushi through to lunch and discussed her portfolio. About 15 mins into lunch ASR walked in "Amaan what exactly did you mean by have lunch with my roadtrip ?"
"Your not on form 15 minutes into lunch then you ask me!"
Khushi recognised the voice and started to turn round
"What are you doing here ?"
both asked each other simultaneously .
Aman interrupted "Road trip AKA Khushi Kumari Gupta shortlisted for two roles internship at ASR designs and wife for the successful bachelor Mr Arnav Sing Raizada meet The great ASR AKA successful bachelor Mr Arnav Sing Raizada head of ASR industries and ASR designs and ASR constructions but to name a few I suggest your office to carry on the conversation in private andi 'll get the lunch sent up boss and remember i said she was a beautiful candidate "
A long while later Aman entered the office after knocking to have his eyes almost pop out their sockets designs scattered all over the conference table and Khushi bent over her design and ASR with his arms around her from the back hugging her to him whilst Khushi spoke.
"What Aman? not even looking up whilst Khushi tried to break free and put some distance between them. " Can't it wait ?"
"err what exactly should i release to the press?"
"I'm in love and engaged . ASR is off the market "
Shiv Shakti
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