A/n: Hey all. I had planned for a rather long update. But the whole thing is not ready yet. Hence have split the update. I have some part of the next update written as well. But it still has long way to go before its completed. So, you can think of this chapter as a preamble to the next one.
And this time around the comments have been so good 😊 Thankyou and love you all.
Here goes the next chapter.
Chapter 15
3 WEEKS LATER...
What is the colour of envy, anger, despise, hatred? Create a mixture of all of them. And that is the colour in which you would find Lavanya as of now. The glass of wine in her hand would break given the pressure she was putting on it.
Ten days ago, it was declared in a staff meeting that the branch had done exceptionally well. And the profits were more than expected. Everyone asked for a party. Lavanya had suggested that they should infact go on an office trip. And should allow for one family member or friend to accompany. Everyone was thrilled. ASR had accepted immediately, as long as the expenses were within the budget and the destination safe for all employees.
So she had painstakingly and meticulously organized for this trip. Two Nights and Three days out. She had arranged for ASR's and her cottage to be beside each other and slightly reclusive. She had fantasized about the various ways she would attract his attention, enthrall him. She had shopped for whole new outfits to go with this trip.
But no, this low-life had to put a spoke in the wheel. She was sick of this... this... girl who had no aukaat. She did not let go of a single opportunity to have ASR for herself. First she got to be his executive assistant. Then within days of ASR moving to the Regional office, she got a promotion and moved there herself. And was shamelessly spending lone time with him on office holidays (yes, she had of course seen the attendance register of that Sunday. When both ASR and Khushi had come to office around the same time and left after a good 8 hours, together).
And today. Today had been the last straw. It had been only a few hours since they had arrived at this awesome place. And this useless girl had said that they had to return to the branch as soon as possible. Giving some dumb excuse of submitting some reports "immediately", internet speed was not good at the hotel, she was not able to access official data...blah..blah..blah... Bottom line, this hate-worthy girl was returning along with the Regional Finance Head, some other old man who had come to the trip as her family, and ASR. Oh... ASR... She whined in her heart. Why did he have to go back...?
Lavanya took a big gulp of her wine. She was so enraged that she could strangle that girl right at this moment.
She will and would put an end to this girl's devious ways and make ASR see the big picture. How was he even tolerating such low-lives around him? She stomped out from there, unable to see them board the car and drive away.
***
Arnav looked outside the car. The slight gap at the top of the window was blowing wind into his hair. Soothing him along the way and also removing the pronounced stench of liquor inside the car. The some-what drunk Regional Finance Head was snoring away to glory at the other window. And Khushi sat sandwiched between them. Kaka had accompanied them as Khushi's +1 family member. And as usual, he chose the farthest seat from Arnav. He was sitting in the passenger seat in the front.
Khushi was sitting at the edge of the seat, trying to avoid physical contact with the two men beside her as much as possible. But this was an 8 hour trip. Too long to sustain such seating position. She was wide awake as he was. Looking at the passing trees in the jungle.
He looked at her. There were dark circles under her eyes and her face looked pale, devoid of any spirit. So different when compared to her photos in the collage in his study.
Post her father's incident, he had spent a lot of time looking at her photos and visualizing her life for the past 13 years. Of which he had been a part, only for less than a year. At office he was surprised by her stoic and resilience. She used work as her getaway. She was still mourning. And what made matters worse was that nobody close to her knew about it. She even managed to smile in some of the meetings. Although the shine in her eyes was missing.
Compared to her life, his life seemed a cake walk. He wondered sometimes, why he was more vindictive inspite of being in a far better position than her. How come she was more tolerant? Is he wrong in pursuing his revenge? Should he be more humble and thankful?
***
After some time, Khushi saw that they had driven out of the jungle and into a village.
"Driver, stop some where. Lets take a break." She heard Arnavji say. She looked at the watch 1.30 AM. She looked at Arnavji and smiled. He was looking at her too. But she wasn't able to discern the expression on his face. Was it worry? Concern? If yes, why? About what... for whom?
The driver stopped the car near a roadside tea-stall. Arnav patted the regional Finance Head hard on is shoulder.
"Get Up... Get Up Mr. Finance Head. Let's have some tea."
He waited till all the men stepped out.
"Khushi, don't step out. Wait in the car. Do you want any tea or snacks?"
"No Sir. I don't want anything."
"Ok." He placed one of his leg outside the car to step out. But turned back again.
"You know once in a while, find your voice to point out when something unpleasant and inappropriate is happening around you."
Khushi frowned. She did not understand what he was referring to.
"By the time we are back, scoot towards that end and sit near the window. Let me know if you need anything."
"Ok Sir." He stepped out and shut the car door. Khushi sat at the window and fell asleep. She didn't even realize when the others had returned and started driving again.
This time around, Arnav placed himself in the middle and sat comfortably. Time for the Finance Head to bear the brunt of some inconvenience. He made sure he did not disturb Khushi, and tried to catch some sleep himself.
***
A soft cloth hovering over his face woke up Arnav. He opened his eyes to see his face covered with Khushi's duppatta. He removed the soft dupatta from his face, and laid it between them.
She was still sleeping. Exhaustion was written all over her face. She and her team had been working day and night to finish up their reports. Hers were among the last to go. And the Head Office had asked for some more information. She had refused to come to the trip in the first place. But he had insisted that everyone should go, without exceptions. So, very reluctantly she had agreed. But had warned that she would return if things got out of control.
Arnav had received a call from the Head Office pretty much as soon as they had landed at the hotel. And apparently those reports needed some kind of declarations signed by all heads of the branches. So, he, the regional finance head, Khushi and Kaka had to return at short notice. They took the first taxi available.
He asked the driver how long it would take to reach their office. Just half an hour more.
Upon reaching, he gently woke up Khushi. They took the luggage and the files up to the office. Arnav asked Kaka to continue the taxi till his house along with their luggage.
***
Three hours since they had reached the office
"Khushi. I am not feeling all that well. How much more time do you need to finish up?" The Regional Finance Head asked her.
"Sir, I am done with the calculations. I have to put them in the declarations and give it to Sir for signature."
"Are you confident about the numbers? I am really not feeling well. I would like to go home."
"Ummm... not a problem Sir. I will finish this up."
"No mistakes... ok?"
"No Sir, I will double check." She smiled, assuring her boss that she would take care.
The Regional Finance Head left.
After checking and re-checking her work, Khushi took the papers for Arnav's signature to his cabin. She tapped at the door. When he did not open for a while, she turned the knob and stepped inside. His seat was empty. May be he had stepped out.
Planning to go back to her seat, she turned around. But mid-way she spotted him lying on the sofa in his cabin.
She went near him and called.
"Sir..."
"Sir..."
He did not respond.
She stepped forward to tap his palms and wake him up.
Oh God... His palms are so hot. "Sir..." She pushed on his shoulders to turn him over. She placed her hand on his forehead, then his cheek. Oh God, he is burning with fever. His face had become all dark and oily.
"Sir... Sir... wake up." She shook him hard.
Arnav slowly opened his eyes. And jolted up to sit.
"I ... I... dozed off. Did you want something from me?"
"Sir you have fever."
"Nothing much. Will take a pill once I reach home. Did you want something from me? Are your reports done?"
"Yes Sir. Here, you can sign on them."
Arnav signed. Khushi gave him some coffee and told him she would be back in half an hour.
She sent the reports to the Head Office quickly and rushed back to his cabin. She heard a retching sound from the bathroom attached to his cabin. She stood at the entrance of the bathroom, not sure if she could go in. In a few minutes Arnav appeared near the door. She moved aside to let him out.
"Are you done?"
"Yes Sir."
"Ok. Then let's go home. You need to get some sleep. I will drop you on the way."
"No Sir. I will drop "you" first. You are not feeling well. You need to go home first."
"Not the right time to argue Khushi."
To avoid exerting him, she gave in for the time being. "Ok... let me order for a taxi first."
The taxi arrived in half an hour. In the meantime she asked him if he could eat some biscuits. All sugar. He said no. He wanted coffee. She gave him. He threw up the entire thing, minutes after drinking it. Something was terribly wrong with him.
He made way to the taxi on his own. She carried his laptop bag. He slumped inside the taxi. And asked her to guide taxi driver. She gave the address to his house.
"Tch..." He frowned in anger. People just don't listen. He had no energy to argue with her.
She frowned back at him. People need to take a step back when they are sick. She asked the taxi driver to make it quick.
Once they reached his house, she asked the taxi driver to hold on. She would let Kaka know about Arnavji's status and then leave for her PG. But the scene at the house was worse. Kaka was hardly able to walk. He somehow managed to open the door. And was relieved to see the two of them.
"Bitiya. I am not feeling very well. Can you please take me to the doctor. My stomach hurts very badly."
Khushi was worried now. Arnavji and Kaka were both not ok. Coming to that, even the Regional Finance Head said he was not feeling well. It must be something due to the tea and snacks they ate a few hours ago.
"Sir, I think you should come too."
"Oh, I don't have to see a doctor. You guys go."
Hmph...some people... She was beginning to see the stubborn side of him.
"Sir, Can you please accompany us. I don't know how to deal with doctors."
Kaka was confused. She has single handedly taken care of her mother through her illness. How can she' say she is not good at this?
"Ok." Arnav agreed. He badly wanted to rest. But couldn't leave Kaka unattended. They took the taxi standing outside.
Once in the hospital, Khushi moved around like a pro'. Filled up the forms, answered the doctor's questions. Shared her suspicion of food poisoning. And much to Arnav's annoyance, Khushi made a scene at the hospital and got his tests done too.
As she had suspected, both, Arnavji and Kaka were diagnosed with food-poisoning. Since Arnav was diabetic, the fatigue and side effects would be worse. And the doctor could not give him powerful medicines to recover.
And so the three of the came back to Arnav's house. Khushi got Kaka to sleep on his bed. Arnav seated himself on the couch. Head hanging behind. Khushi stood at the entrance of Kaka's room, eyeing the two of them. Deciding what to do next, she knotted her duppatta at the side and set about to do her work.
NEXT CHAPTER : LAMB VS LION
A/n: I know. Not much in this chapter. Will try and get the next update asap. It is half ready
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Kumkum Bhagya
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
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