Shopaholic V/S Workaholic - Thread 1 (Reposting)

Her head snapped in the direction of the speaker. He did not mean her, did he? Oh, yes, he did. The sadistic damned man! What was wrong with him? And why the hell was he so creepily familiar?

Oh God!

Shit!

Arnav Singh Raizada! The founder and CEO of AR Communications! Shit! What would she do now?

Ow!

Khushi glared at her friend and colleague, Lavanya Kashyap, who sat to her immediate left. She had just jabbed at her foot with her five inch high Clark's stilettos.

"Say something, Khushi," Lavanya hissed at her from the corner of her mouth. "They're all waiting for you!"

Just then, Mr Raizada addressed her again.

"You were following, Miss Gupta, weren't you? Or were you lost elsewhere?"

Her eyes darted around the room. Everyone was staring at her expectantly. She had really screwed up this time. But she needed to get out of this mess. The store closed in exactly fifty minutes now, the sales ended tomorrow and she needed that scarf! Where would you get a Denny and George scarf at seventy percent discount? That's right! Nowhere! Trying to appear confident, she cleared her throat.

"Actually..."

She paused as several people shifted in their seats and Arnav Singh Raizada raised his brows at her. If only she had followed...

"Actually... I... uhh... I was not exactly listening..."

There were several gasps around the room and even Lavanya twisted around to stare at her with a what-the-hell-are-you-doing look. Well, what was the big deal?

"You were not listening?"

Was that a spark of amusement she had just seen in Mr Raizada's eyes?

"Any particular reason for this disinterest, Miss Gupta?"

Shaitan! Laad Governor! Khushi blushed crimson as her mind poured out curses at him. If Jeff heard any of this, she could bid farewell to her career. It was not like she love her job, but it was a way she earned money lucratively and that let her do her shopping.

"I was not disinterested!" she blurt out in her defence.

"Oh really?"

"Yes, I was... I was... occupied... by... uhh... by something..."

"I hope that the something which was occupying you is a valuable excuse to miss the whole presentation."

"Yeah... actually... it's... it's about... My aunt! Yes, my aunt!"

"You aunt?" whispered Lavanya.

Now why did this stupid girl have to open her big mouth?

"Yeah, my aunt! She's in hospital poor... thing... She... she... actually, she just had a cardiac arrest. Her second," Khushi said innocently, amazed at how she could lie so smoothly. She wished she felt as cool as how she sounded and prayed fervently her little story would convince Mr Raizada.

"I was thinking if I could leave a bit earlier because I needed to see her and the visiting hours end in," she looked at the clock behind his desk. Forty minutes left! "In forty minutes, actually. So can I go?"

He watched her for some time, before finally nodding in assent. Khushi thanked him, grabbed her handbag and took off.

Thank goodness she had worn flats that day! She managed to reach the store within fifteen minutes.

"Hello again," she said cheerily to the salesgirl, once she'd caught her breath. "You still have my scarf?"

"The scarlet Denny and George?"

"Exactly!"

Minutes later, she walked out of the store a glittery black carton bag in hand. As soon as she was out, she removed the precious little ivory-coloured box and excitedly untied the black ribbon which held it shut. Her smile changed into a full-fledged grin as she opened the box.

She felt like a child at Christmas. It was a festival she had just discovered. When she was little she had never celebrated it, because she lived in India within a traditional Indian family who was totally anti-angrez and also because they were not that rich to afford the toys she and her sister would want. It was only when she had moved to London she had discovered many new things. She was overwhelmed with joy. She had never lived live like this.

And she had turned into a shopaholic. She worked for a finance magazine, she had her own column where she advised people on finance but she herself had no notion of saving money. She was indebted too. Not much though. Maybe just a few hundreds, here and there, but she would repay them back soon enough.

When Khushi had opened the package and removed the black tissue paper, the red fabric she had so much coveted spilled graciously in her hands. A dream come true! Khushi Kumaari Gupta owned a Denny and George scarf!

She giggled to herself. She could not wait to show it to Anjali, her best friend since university and equally her roommate. She tried wrapping it around her neck in the most elegant way possible and checked her reflection in a glass pane of one of the shops. Oooh! Was there a scarf in this whole universe that could make her look any better than this?

"Miss Gupta?"

Khushi froze instantly, her eyes wide as saucers, and a look of pure horror settled on her face as she recognised the voice behind her.

"Oh, c'mon Khush! Shyam has tried so hard to get those reservations just for you! You know it, na? Get ready, quick!"

"How many times do I have to tell you? I'm not interested in Shyam!"

"Just go and get ready Khushi! They'll be here any minute now!"

It had been a week since the Denny and George incident and thankfully, Jeff knew nothing of it. Sighing, Khushi went to her room and opened her closet. Seeing her clothes brought a smile to her gloomy face. What could she wear? She picked some items one by one, thinking how it would look on her. Finally she opted for a simple black knitted dress by Benetton. It had skinny half sleeves and fell to her knees. She wore her new pair of black leather London Rebel strappy sandals which had four inch high stiletto heels. Then, she took her new Denny and George and wrapped it beautifully around her neck. She hastily put on some light make-up and sprayed one of her favourite perfumes, Insolence de Guerlain.

Just as she checked herself in the mirror one last time, Anji called her.

"Khush! They're here!"

Khushi quickly grabbed her red satin clutch bag by Guess and hurried out.

"Arrey, vaah Khush! Shyam will-"

"Stop it, Anjali!"

Anji smiled but kept her mouth shut because she knew Khushi was annoyed. Whenever Khushi called her Anjali instead of Anji, she would automatically understand her friend was irritated.

***

Khushi was feeling bored. Each of the people she had come to the restaurant with knew another person here. Every now and then, they were like "Hey! I know that person other there, let me just say hi and come." It seemed like she was the only one who knew nobody and frankly, it was embarrassing. She was alone at the table at a certain point while Anji, Shyam, Ivan and Jane were meeting a few people here and there. She was feeling damned hungry and angry. If only she knew someone, anyone.

As though her prayers had been heard, she glimpsed a familiar figure entering the restaurant and right then, Anji and Jane returned, followed by Shyam. Khushi gave them a small smile before trying to see who it really was.

Oh no!

Anji was talking to her but she did not hear a word. Instead, she watched as Arnav Singh Raizada sat down at a table with an elderly man and a middle-aged woman. He Devi Maiyya. She knew she had asked to send a person she knew, but not him! He hated her. And it was not like she liked him that much. Ivan was back by then too. She wanted to show them she too knew people but Mr Raizada scared her. Suddenly, it felt like she was running on automatic mode.

"Hey look! Mr Raizada! I'll just be back. I need to go and say hi to him."

Khushi skipped off her chair cursing herself. What would she tell him? He Devi Maiyya! What kind of trouble had she thrown herself in? Stop it, Khushi! You can do this. Just go, say a little hi, ask if he's well, and then you come back. It's so easy! She inhaled deeply.

"Hello, Mr Raizada."

He did not heard her. Well, how would he? She stood behind him and the words she had voiced out were barely audible. She cleared her throat and tried again.

"Good evening, Mr Raizada!"

This time, several other people turned to look at her too. Shit! She had been too loud this time. She smiled feebly at him, even though it was clear on her face that she was really scared.

"I was here for dinner... with some... friends... and... uhh... I... uhh... I saw you and... uhh..."

"And you thought you'd say hi?"

"Yeah!"

Arnav Singh Raizada surprised her giving her an amused look, along with a half-smile, which made him look so handsome she was sure her heart would stop. Then he stood up.

"Good evening, Miss Gupta. How are you?"

She giggled, remembering how she had teased the other day, on the street, when he had had not bothered to be polite."Oh, fine and you?"

He raised a brow, still sporting his small smile.

"As you can see. Meet my parents, Ma, Pa, this is Khushi Kumari Gupta. She works for The Economist."

Khushi was stunned. Not because he was smiling. Not because his parents had also stood up to meet her. But because he knew her name. If he knew just the Khushi Gupta bit, she would understand because it was the name she used for her work. She rarely used the Kumaari with it. How did he know?

"Oh! Nice to meet you young lady!"

His father shook hands with her while his mother watched her inquisitively.

"Chhote? She's?"

The young man groaned. "Ma, don't call me that in front of people! And I told you she's a reporter!"

The woman laughed as Khushi ogled at them. Chhote? This big man was being called Chhote?

"No, buddhu! Is she just a friend, or?"

"Just a colleague!" Khushi blurted out.

"Sorry, beta. Actually, we rarely ever meet his friends..."

"Ma, you get started every time you see a girl!"

"Well, of course we need you to get married fast, don't we, Adhiraj?"

While his father nodded gravely in agreement, Khushi blushed furiously and Arnav threw her a murderous glare.

"By the way, beta, your scarf is really nice!"

Khushi grinned at the woman.

"Thank you so much! I bought it for a really good price just a week ago. Really! And guess what? It's a Denny and George!" she said excitedly.

Oh crap! She suddenly realised her mistake. Khushi's eyes widened, feeling Mr Raizada junior's glare on her. Slowly she turned to him, biting her tongue inside her mouth. Arnav stared at her, brows raised and a question mark in his eyes.

And just Khushi knew she had been caught...

She was dead.

She could consider herself dead and cremated.

"Miss Gupta, isn't this the scarf you had bought for your sick aunt?"

She gulped. What would she say now? His parents were both looking quite shocked at the two of them.

"Errm... actually... what happened is that... uhh... my aunt... actually... she... errm... she... she died!"

Please, she thought, buy this! Just, please buy this, Mr Raizada! And don't ask me any more questions! Let me go!

"She died?"

Khushi nodded, trying to appear as sincere as she could.

"Yeah... right on the day I went to meet her at the hospital... and she wanted me to have the scarf..."

She just hoped her innocent face would convince him enough.

"And how exactly did she die?"

He Devi Maiyya! Would there be a day when his questions would be over? Laad Governor! He should have been a lawyer!

"Oh... uhh... actually, uhh... she... she had another... she had another heart attck!"

He looked at her sceptically.

"Well... I think... I think I should go now... my friends are waiting... It was a pleasure meeting you... Good evening..."

Khushi hurried away from the Raizada's table as quickly as she could. Anji was smiling wickedly at her.

"To, Khushi? Kya hua? Mil paayi tum? Mr Arnav Singh Raizada se?" (So, Khushi? What happened? Were you able to meet him? Arnav Singh Raizada?)

Khushi just sat silently, though her eyes were shooting daggers at her friend, and had dinner without opening her mouth even once for the remaining of the night. Her eyes, however, searched him from time to time, and what unsettled her deep within was that whenever she glanced at him, he seemed to be watching her...

***

"Khushi? Tu aa rahi hai, na?" (You're coming, right?)

"Haan, Amma, humne kaha na? Hum parso ki flight she aajayenge!" (Yes, Ma, I told you na? I'll be coming on the flight day after tomorrow!)

"Achha, vaada kar ke tu aayegi! Varna tu kabhi nahin aati!" (Okay, promise me you'll come! Otherwise I know you won't!)

***

"Fine! I promise!"

"Pakka?" (Sure?)

"Yes, Ma! Don't worry! I'll take the first flight available day after tomorrow. I need to settle some things before."

"Theek hai, Ulka ko bohot achha lagega." (Fine, Ulka will like it too.)

"Ek to business ki itni saari pareshaaniyaan hai, aur doosri taraf yeh ladki jo kuchh samajhna hi nahin chahti! Ma, you should have-" (I already have these business problems, and now this girl who refuses to understand...)

"Chhote! Hum phone rakkhte hai!" (I'm disconnecting!)

"Ma-"

Pavitraa disconnected immediately to avoid hearing her son's ranting. Arnav initially looked at his phone in astonishment, then he grinned. She always did this when she got the feeling he would start to rant with her. He chuckled and went back to his work, though one person was fully occupying his mind since a couple of months. Khushi Kumaari Gupta.

***

"Khush! I don't want you to go, yaar!"

Anji sat on the couch sipping tea as Khushi packed her bags. Her flight was scheduled for that night and they had decided to have lunch with Shyaam one last time. The two girls already had breakfast together and now Khushi had finished, she concentrated on her packing. She was only going for one week but she had packed four briefcases already.

"Khush? Isn't that way too much?"

"What? No! I haven't packed my shoes and make-up yet!"

"What? Khushi, are you kidding me? How much are you planning to bring? And by the way, what have you packed yet?"

"Oh! Just a few clothes here and there, you know..."

Anji stood akimbo, frowning at Khushi who was grinning awkwardly at her.

"Yes, I know you! Open this suitcases at once Khushi Gupta! Why do I always have to sort out your things? You should be more responsible!"

She strode to the four bags.

"You're going there for just seven days! Aur tu kapde bhi India mein hi kharidegi na? To yeh sab kya hai, Parmeshwari?" (... You will be buy your clothes there in India, right? Then what's all this, Parmeshwari?)

Khushi could not help but giggle while Anji threw open her luggage one by one. Whenever Anji was annoyed with Khushi, she called her by her full name, or names like Parmeshwari, Sanka Devi, Chamkeeli; and she also started speaking Hindi. She did feel guilty for causing so much trouble to her dearest friend, but what could she do? Anji had herself said, "Pack what you need!" So Khushi had done exactly that.

She had packed what she needed. Really needed. But Anji would not understand that, would she?

***

"Bye, Khushiji. Take care of yourself."

"Yeah, Khush! Take care. And call me once you reach there!" Khushi rolled her eyes. As if she could forget that? Anjali had chewed her brains during the full two hours they had taken to reach Heathrow Airport, constantly reminding her to take care, enjoy and call her at least once every day. Shyaam did not speak a lot. Well, he never did. He was too dumb! He was a nice guy, but not Khushi's type, and she hated the efforts Anji made to put the two of them together.

"I know, Anji! Kitni baar bologi?" (... How many time will you tell me that?)

Anjali just beamed cutely at her, while Shyaam smiled shyly. They were not that closely related, even they shared the same family name. In fact, their dadas (paternal grandfathers) were the sons of two brothers. Apart from the name, they had nothing similar. Khushi shook her head and headed to the immigration desks. She had already completed her check-in formalities. Actually, she had felt quite disappointed when Anji had cut down her total luggage to two suitcases and one handbag, and these contained all what Anjali thought was 'REALLY NECESSARY, NOT STUPIDITIES YOU WON'T HAVE THE TIME FOR!'.

***

Arnav sat in the lounge, reading his mails. He hated leaving work. He was attending this stupid wedding only for his Ma's sake. He did not care about Ulka at all. He did not even understand how people could be stupid enough to decide getting married. He himself did not believe in marriage. People got married, had children, but then they found out they could not handle things, the marriage broke and the kids suffered the consequences...

Never mind! He shook the idea from his mind. Why think about the past?

His Blackberry beeped. It was his Ma.

"You are coming, right?"

He smiled at the message.

"Yeah, I told you not to worry!"

He sent the message and finished his coffee. As the boarding was announced, he checked his mails again for one last time, entering the plane, then, he put his mobile to silent mode, wondering why he had ever agreed to go back to this place he hated so much...

"Arnav Singh Raizada?"

He nodded, his usual frown in place. He looked at the man suspiciously. He was dressed casually, unlike Arnav who wore a dark maroon suit, but he was chic enough.

"I'm Tanishq Talwar. Ulka's fiance."

"Oh! Nice to meet you."

They shook hands.

"So, shall we?" Arnav was tired after the flight and he had not gotten an ounce of sleep thanks to one of those babies who had spent the whole time crying and screaming. Now, all he wanted was to go have a nice hot shower and then sink in a warm bed and sleep. But the heat here made the idea repulsive. He could just have a cold bath and sleep. Unless an air conditioner was available. He noticed Tanishq hesitate.

"Sorry, I'm waiting for another person too. She was on your flight. I wonder why she's taking so much time..."

***

Khushi was having difficulty with her trolley. When she looked at it she saw it had a faulty wheel. Sighing, she put all the effort she could in pushing her crippled trolley out. Thank God she had been able to sleep. In fact, she had fallen asleep right after the take off. The lady sitting beside her complained about a baby crying all along the flight duration, but Khushi had not heard a thing. Well, good enough!

The warm of her hometown enveloped her, bringing a beautiful smile on her face. The smile widened into a grin as the sunrays fell on her. She inhaled deeply the air of this place she had grown up in, with her loved ones. Four years already since she had left it all to go to London for her studies. She had taken up a course on journalism, which had lasted two years. She had begun with a freelance career before she had finally been recruited by The Economist. And it was all thanks to Anjali. Khushi had initially applied to fashion magazines only. It was fashion, in reality, which truely appealed to her but she had been rejected by all of them. On her best friend's advice, she had applied to other magazines.

"Try everywhere, Khush. You might get a chance somewhere at least," Anji had told her. So she had applied every vacancy in that field, she had gone to every interview she had been called to and in the end, she had gotten the job at The Economist. A dry smack on the back of her head brought her out of the past.

"What were you doing, duffer, taking all your time and going in the opposite direction? D'you have any idea how worried I was? We've been waiting for so long!"

Khushi turned around. The sun was blinding and she couldn't see who was talking to her but she already recognised him by his voice and words.

"Bhai!"

She flung her arms around his neck.

"Aap kaise ho?" (How are you?)

"Tu baat hi mat kar mujhse! Why did you take so much time?" (Don't you dare talk to me!...)

"Sorry, Bhai! My trolley's crippled!"

He laughed, "Ok, fine. Chalo."

***

Arnav pinched himself hard enough to draw blood. Was this real or was he just dreaming? Only seconds ago, Tanishq had excused himself. Finally the cousin he was waiting for had come out but she had taken the wrong direction. Arnav watched as the guy walked up to a girl and smacked her head from behind. And when the girl had turned around, it was his world which turned upside down.

Khushi Kumaari Gupta!

What the-?

Where had she come from? He watched her hug Tanishq, smiling brightly like the Lucknow sun. Arnav was convinced it was a mirage, but the pinch he had given himself contradicted the idea. He regained his posture and frown, seeing them approach.

If he had been negative about this trip, something now told him things would be better. More fun, maybe. With this girl around, he felt... strange. He was not himself. He was no longer The ASR. It felt more like he was Arnav. The same Arnav he had been years ago, before a storm had wrecked his home...

***

"Bhabhi nahin aayi?" (Sister-in-law did not come?)

"No."

"Then, why had you said 'we' earlier?"

"Actually, I'd come to fetch Ulka's cousin too. He was on your flight, you know? And I tell you, don't you dare repeat this to anyone, but he's a bit scary."

Khushi laughed. "What? Scary? Seriously, Bhai? Well, Khushi Kumaari Gupta is not scared of anyone, mind you!"

Tanishq smiled at his little cousin. "You have not met him yet, Chutki. Don't judge him beforehand, you might get a surprise!"

Khushi rolled her eyes. Four years and it seemed that her cousin had forgotten her already. But she had not. Tanishq had always been a quite shy guy, easily intimidated by the stronger. Hearing hthat he was getting married had not been such a startling news, but the fact that it was a love mariiage had certainly knocked Khushi off her feet. It was difficult not to love her sweet and cute cousin but how on earth had he managed to declare his love to Ulka was a mystery to her. Tanishq was Khushi's favourite cousin, after Payal of course.

He was Payal's Buaji's (aunt) son, her only son her husband had given her before her had died during his military services. After becoming a widow, Madhumati had moved in with her brother, not married yet at that time, due to her in-laws' constant nagging about her being barren; it had been five years of married life and yet, she had not given the family good news. The Talwar's youngest son had ended up dying without an heir. Few months later, Madhumati had discovered she was pregnant but continued staying with her brother and she gave birth to the shy Tanishq. He was three years older than both Payal and Khushi. These three, having been brought up in the same house were closer than any siblings on Earth.

"Khushi, meet Mr Raizada. Mr Raizada, my cousin, Khushi."

Raizada? The name broked through her thoughts. Raizada? The name was familiar... Oh crap! Not again! Raizada? She squinted to see him, but the morning sun shone fiercely, right behind his figure, creating a bright halo around him. She could not distinguish the man's features at all. Was it really him?

Please Devi Maiyya, not him, not again!

"Good morning, Miss Gupta."

As if conscious of her trouble she was having to see him, Arnav moved. Horror settled on Khushi like a drape. She was frozen of the spot, unable to utter a single syllable. Every time she was in front of him, that was exactly what happened to her. She lost her faculty of speech. Literally.

Tanishq had been right. Mr Raizada was indeed intimidating. Scary, too, when it came to her. A voice in her head was clearly laughing at her. What happened, Khushi? You are not scared of anyone, are you?

You might get a surprise. Tanishq's words resonated in her mind, which felt empty. Her mouth had dried. He had been wrong there. Surprised? My foot! It's a bloody shock! He Devi Maiyya, why are you doing this to me? Was the prasad I had made the other day not good? You did not like it? Is that why you're making me run into this inquisitive Laad Governor all the time?

Dark pools of coffee, beckoned her, attracted her, and as she looked into them, she saw a faint glint of humour. Yet, he was still sporting his signature frown. Khushi realised her heart was beating faster than usual. Was it the fear of him? Or was it something else?

***

Arnav watched as the happiness on her face metamorphosed into stark horror within the fraction of a second. He was definitely going to have fun. He knew it...

Khushi winced. Would Buaji ever stop calling her... that?

"Haye re Nand Kisore! Tum aayi gayi Bitiya!" Madhumati pulled the girl in a tight embrace, almost suffocating her. (... You finally came!)

"Jiji! Saans to lene dijiye Bitiya ko!" (...Let her breathe!)

When, Buaji got out the way, Khushi saw her Amma and Bauji beaming at her. They performed the aarti for both her and Mr Raizada before allowing them to enter the Sheesh Mahal where they would all be staying until the wedding. This was also the wedding venue and Khushi had to admit it was lovely. There were other people who had arrived. Some she knew, some she did not. She did see Mr Raizada's mother, who stepped forward to hug her son once her aarti was over. Garima too hugged Khushi.

"Kaisi ho, Khusi?" (How are you, Khushi?)

The girl just nodded speechlessly. In these years, this woman who had raised her with so much care and affection had not changed the least bit. It felt as if Khushi had never left. But when she looked at her Bauji, it was a totally different story. The man had aged a lot. Maybe because of the stroke he had suffered from a couple of years earlier. She touched his feet.

"Bitiya, chal hum tujhe tera karma dikhate hain, tu thoda araam karle, achha?" (Come, I'll show you to your room, you'll rest a bit, okay?)

"Nahin Amma, humein sabse pehle Bhabhi se milna hai! Bhai?" (No ma, I'll meet my sister-in-law first! Bro?)

"Ulka abhi aati hi hogi." (Ulka must be coming.)

***

Arnav could hardly keep his eyes off her as she met every one, smiled politely, made acquaintances, engaged in conversations. If anyone looked at her closely, they would see she was starting to feel tired but it appeared that no one really saw, and seemed not to mind. When someone even noticed her weary eyes and told her she could go and rest, she would refuse.

But Arnav wanted some sleep. He had just spent sleepless flight. After meeting his cousins and talking for a few minutes with them, he asked his mother to show him to his room. It was only at dinner time that he emerged. Miss Gupta had bathed and changed. Gone was the stylish London girl. She now wore a baby blue Anarkali; the upper part of the dress was made of velvet, the lower part of a soft flowing fabric, woven with thin strips of silvery thread. It had a thick white and silver border at the bottom, while at the neckline and short translucent sleeves, the border, with similar designs and colour, was narrower. He noted a small velvet pompom hanging from each sleeve, a shade darker than her dress. Her dupatta rested on the right shoulder, and she had tied the two ends at the left. The knot fell to near her slender waist. She had her beautiful long hair tied in a low ponytail. She looked like any typical Indian girl. Only, more beautiful. In fact, the most beautiful he had ever set eyes upon.

She had an affinity for kids, she noticed. Earlier, when she had been with the adults, she had been a bit shy. But now, surrounded by children, playing hide-and-seek in the yard of his father's hotel, she had a glint of childish mischief in her eyes. The evening Lucknowi sun gave an orange glow to her white skin. She smiled constantly, not the least bit tired now, giggling from time to time as she teased the child who had his eyes blindfolded.

"Bhai! Khaana khaane jaaiye, na!" he turned to see Ulka walking to him. "Arrey, yeh kya? Yeh log ab bhi khel rahe hain? Aap andar jaaiye, main inhein bulaakar aati hoon."(Go and eat! What's this? They are still playing? you go, I'll call them.)

She walked in, a bit out of breath, behind the horde of kids, laughing with them, her skin slightly flushed. Arnav could not take his eyes off her. Even throughout the dinner, all those who sat at the monstrously large table talked in small groups; she talked too, poking in some argument here, adding a comment there, laughing, smiling, complaining. As if she were the life of the different conversations around the table, she integrated each of them, teasing, giving her ideas and opinions, defending.

She dazzled him, astonished him. How could someone be so lively, so full of ideas, so well at ease? It was beyond his understanding. He himself, despite being a fast rising businessman like his father used to be in his youth, often had difficulties in handling a decent conversation. During dinner that night itself, he just grumbled a few answers in response to the questions arising from his surroundings. And here was this girl, who could participate in every conversation possible, who could switching from one topic to another in the blink of an eye. Arnav, as for him, could converse only about the economic, financial or business world.

Later that night he was sitting in his suite, typing furiously on his laptop as sleep refused to come. Maybe it was because he had slept earlier, and then he realised how Miss Gupta had been smart. She knew that if she slept during the day, she would spend a sleepless night. He went outside to take some air. Somehow, this lack of sleep had been useful to him. He had been able to catch up with his work and had even been able to cover up more than what he had wanted.

"Bhai? Aap, yahaan? Iss vakt?" (You are here? At this time?)

He turned to see Ulka, watching with an amazed expression.

"Yeah... Can't sleep... Tum?"

"Pyaas lag rahi thi to paani peene gayi. Neeche Khushi se mili to hum dono ne thodi baacheet ki. Ab sone jaa rahi hoon." (I was thirsty so I went to drink water. I met Khushi downstairs and we talked for sometime. Now, I'm going to sleep.)

"Voh abhi tak soyi nahin?" Arnav was taken aback. He had thought Miss Gupta would be in bed, sleeping tight by the time it was. (She's not sleeping yet?)

"Nahin, itne saalon baad Lucknow vaapas aayi hai na, she's feeling a bit down." (No, she's back after so many years...)

Ulka walked to the balcony and leaned on it with a sigh. Arnav followed her, and it was only when he had leant there too that he realised Khushi was below, in the garden. She sat there, near the fountain, huddled up, her knees brought close to her chest, her face raised to the sky which was lit with a crescent of the moon and billions of stars. She wore a peppermint green salwaar, her dupatta wrapped around her like a shawl.

"I had heard a lot about her but it's today I've really met her. You know, Bhai, she's very strong."

Arnav listened to his cousin, suddenly highly interested, but his eyes were helplessly glued to the fairy who sat there.

"Yeah?"

"Hmm... Tanishq had told me so much about her, and I had always thought he was bluffing. I mean, who can cover her own worries and sadness so well to appear happy just for the sake of others? But I saw it today. And now I believe him..."

"What? Kya keh rahi ho tum?" (What are you saying?)

"Bhai... usse kehna nahin ke maine aapko yeh sab bataya hai... She's an orphan, Bhai..." (... Don't tell her I said this...)

Arnav felt hot and cold both all of a sudden.

"What? Par main usske parents se abhi abhi to mila hoon..." (But I just met her parents...)

"No, Bhai, they're Payalji's parents. In fact, they're Khushi's Maasi and Maasa... Her parents died when she was ten... It disturbs her a lot till today because she saw them dying without being able to do anything to help. She feels so miserable. But she doesn't show... for her family... even now she was talking to me cheerfully enough but I looked in her eyes... those feelings were still raw there... Garima Mami took her in when her parents died, so she calls them her parents..."

His heart went out to her. Who would have known by looking at her? And what had Ulka said? She had seen her parents die?

"How did they die?"

He noticed his cousin shiver, although the night was warm. What was it? Something horrible?

"Bhai... they were killed in a riot... in their own house... Tanishq had told me about it, what Khushi had remembered and told them... For some reason, the muslims and hindus had started rioting against each other. For safety, Khushi's had avoided leaving the house but a group barged in there. They just had time to hide their daughter somewhere in a cupboard, I think... but Khushi saw everything from a crack... how they killed her mom and dad... She still cannot sleep well because of that... It still gives her nightmares... Tanishq had told me, whenever she cannot sleep she goes out to watch the stars. Garima Mami had told her her Amma-Bauji had gone to Devi Maiyya but they watched upon her in the form of stars. She still believes that, you know. She still looks for them up there..."

Arnav stood there, his thoughts in tatters. Riots never included mercy, and watching people being killed could be traumatic. Now think about seeing your own parents die... his heart broke for her. He heard Ulka say something about going to bed, but he could not focus on anything but the lonely girl out there. When did his feet transport him down the stairs and into the garden, he knew not. But he found himself standing behind her, suddenly, watching silently as she watched the stars for her parents in the silent night...

Khushi jumped when she heard his voice behind her. She turned to see him sitting by her side, his back against the stone walling of the fountain and his long legs stretched in front of him.

"Beautiful, aren't they?"

She kept staring at him but her heart was already racing in the dhak-dhak she had become familiar to. The dhak-dhak that started whenever he was near, he talked, he looked at her, or even when she made the mistake of thinking about him. What was wrong with her?

"Miss Gupta? Are you alright?"

"Hmm... yes."

"You know, the other day, when I had seen you, I had never thought you could have this... Indian side to you."

Her eyes widened at his smirk. So, had the media been wrong all these days? She had read everywhere that Mr Arnav Singh Raizada never smiled the least bit. But every time she had met him, he had always given her one. How come?

"Yeah... umm... I... I was born here... and... I... umm... I was raised here too..."

He smirked wider. "Why is it that each time I talk to you, you cannot talk straight?"

"S-s-sorry?"

"You stammer, Miss Gupta. When I talk to you, you stammer. Why?"

Khushi felt herself blushing. What would she tell him? That she was scared of him? She lowered her gaze to her fidgety hands.

"I... I don't know..."

He chortled. "You're doing it again, Miss Gupta! Nevermind! What are you doing out here? Aren't you sleepy?"

His question reminded her why she was out. And also that she had been crying. She hoped she had wiped all her tears and that he would not realise that. What would he think of her?

"N-n-no... I could ask you the same, Mr Raizada."

***

Arnav smiled. At least there was some improvement; she had spoken one whole sentence without tripping over her words once.

"I had filled out my quota of sleep during the afternoon. And if I'm not sure, you had not."

She rested her head meekly on her hands which she had clasped on her knees. "I can't sleep."

"Why?" He knew why, but he could not tell her that.

"Bad dreams."

She sighed and closed her eyes briefly. He used that to his advantage, watching her. The moonlight played on her, giving her already milky skin and greyish pearl glow. Her long eyelashes fanned her face nicely.

"Yeah... I have them too sometimes."

She opened her eyes, and he saw they were filled with tears. Before one slipped out Khushi stood up hastily.

"I think I... I should go now... Good night, Mr Raizada."

"Good night, Miss Gupta."

She had already turned towards the Sheesh Mahal but she paused when he had wished her.

"Please, call me Khushi. Miss Gupta make me feel old!"

She was smiling now. Unbelievable! One moment, she looked like she would burst out crying, and the next, she was smiling at him. Ulka had been right about her.

"Call me Arnav then. Mr Raizada suits my dad!"

She giggled shyly and left. Arnav sighed and smiled up at the galaxy above him. This could be the beginning of something for him... Nothing serious, of course! Arnav Singh Raizada never got serious with any one! But it could perhaps just be an ordinary friendship, with an extraordinary girl...

He watched her retreating figure, his heart aching for her. He understood her well enough. Garima may have adopted her, she may have raised her with a lot of love, but it would never be the same. He knew what it was like to grow without a mother.

Arnav got up, and stared at Sheesh Mahal for a long time before he returned to his room.

Sheesh Mahal... where everything in his life had started... and ended...

***

As per her habit of early riser, Khushi Kumaari Gupta was on her feet by six o'clock, even though she had not had an ounce of sleep the whole night. But she she looked fresh and joyful as she always did.

"Jiji!"

She ran down the stairs of the huge palace, to her sister, Payal, who had just arrived. The sisters hugged each other tight.

"Kaisi hai, Khushi?" (How are you, Khushi?)

"Jaise hamesha hote hain! Aap?" (Like always!)

Payal did not really need to answer, her smile said everything. Khushi welcomed her brother-in-law, Akash, with her loud squeals. She snatched her nephew from Akash's arms, cooing at him gently.

"Aap dono jaayiye, humein apne Laddoo ke saath rehna hai!" (Both of you can go, I want to stay with my Laddoo!)

***

"Khushi! Lunch!"

She looked up from the boy in her arms to nod at his cousin with a smile. He had been right. She had an affinity with children. She loved them. He smiled too. Well, she was one herself, from what he had witnessed of their previous encounters.

The Denny and George scarf. Arnav chuckled. She had not been good enough at fooling him. He had already realised she was just lying. She was a mysterious little thing, like a maze it was difficult to understand her. Almost a challenge. And he loved challenges.

He knew that someone else would not have caught the lie. She had looked so innocent that in the begging he had started to fall for her story, but he had been able to realise her trick somehow. But she was good at heart. Now he feared, she could be too good, too naive. And that would hurt her one day.

Hold on! Why did he care? He did not know her for so long. He never had a proper conversation with her. Then why was he trying so hard to solve this living mystery? Why the hell was he even following her from afar?

***

"Here, jiji! Take your Akshay. He's so cute."

Payal shook her head and kissed her son's plump cheek.

"Missed Mamma, Akshu?"

Khushi laughed when the one-year old said some incomprehensible gibberish words. The two cousins talked for some time, until Akash came back to the room. Khushi left the small family, letting them spend some time together and went out on the terrace, hoping it to be desert. However, she found Mr Raizada there, pacing and talking actively on his hands-free. She turned to leave, her mind already searching for places where she could be alone.

"Khushi?"

***

He was just trying to get rid of one of his clingy female clients when he had spotted her, walking towards the stairs. He had called out her name and she had swung around in surprise. He raised his hand and smiled at her.

"Miss Brown, I'll talk to you later."

He disconnected without waiting for an answer, his eyes still on the orange-clad girl before him as he walked to her. And as the surprise on her face grew, he felt his smile widen too...