New ARSHI FF: KHUDHA JAANE...!!! Chapter 1 - Pg: 5 - Page 3

CHAPTER 1

Kushi Bhansal is the only daughter of famous cardiologist Ashok Bhansal and Celebrity Media Reporter Priya Bhansal. They have settled in London for 25 years now. Kushi was born and brought up in London. Though she grew up in a foreign country, her parents made sure she is given all the right Indian values. She is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity in every sense.

A sublime and sensational beauty as well. Her long lashes, dove eyes, perfectly shaped aristocratic nose, thin lips, and thick short curls name any part and you would come up with only one word beautiful! She did not have the glamour or sexy aura but a sublime girl next door vibes which is appealing in its own way. She was of medium build, neither too thin nor fat, but healthy giving an athletic feel. A natural beauty with all the right features, healthy frame and beautiful face. In short, a true desi beauty.

She is 23 and has completed a dual degree in journalism and media studies and Masters in Public Relations. Since her teens, she was drawn towards the glamour of her mother's career and slowly that shaped up her professional aspirations. But she was not quite okay with being in front of camera like her mother, since she have a diffident introvert personality. So after enlisting many job profiles, she chose herself the career of a PR consultant. She wanted to own her own consultancy and establish a name in her chosen field. But before that she wants to work with a top notch PR consultancy to gain enough experience and knowledge.

But before she could finalise her choices in London, her parents revealed to her that they decided to end their stay abroad and return back to their roots in Mumbai. They want to spend the rest of their lives in their hometown. Kushi did not want to be away from her parents since she is too attached to them. Hence she decided to join them and pursue her career prospects in India.

But before that she had one matter to resolve back in London, and she is just about to do that today.

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Kushi ordered a Hazelnut Cappuccino and got seated at one corner of the caf. Within minutes she saw the object of her thoughts before her with a smile intact.

"I can't believe you finally agreed to meet. I was going mad with stress. Thank you Kushi, this means a lot.

Ankit Shukla beamed at her with effective happiness. Why wouldn't he, his girlfriend, oops ex-girlfriend' (that's what she preferred), is giving him a chance to talk and convince her after chasing her for weeks. He was just an inch taller than her, with a lean frame and boyish appearance in total.

Kushi gave a feeble smile and returned the hug before gliding back into her chair and he settled opposite her. He seems excited and she didn't want to stretch his hopes anymore. So she came straight to the matter.

"Ankit, I'm leaving to India in two days

"So soon? I thought you would be leaving by the end of this month

"Hmm, our plans got preponed

"Or you got it preponed to escape me? his tone suddenly changed.

"I know you'll think that, but it's not true. Anyways I don't think I have a reason to run away or escape. If I had to, I wouldn't inform you about my whereabouts

"I don't understand why you are adamant about this. I told you, I will change. I will change everything, just...just don't leave me

Kushi sighed. She knew this is going to be tough, but she has had enough drama in the one year long relationship; now she just want to end things once and for all, if possible calmly, before leaving this country forever.

He deserved at least that much, no matter how difficult he's trying to be right now. At least for the good times sake that we had!

"Ankit, please try to understand. I tried, I tried to make this work, but you have to accept this fact that we won't work!

"I refuse to believe that Kushi. I KNOW you are my girl and I won't let anything separate you from me. And I also know you are confused, hence not giving it your full. You have still not realized my value in your life. It's ok. You want to go to India? Fine, go. I know I said long distance relationship is not going to work, but I'm ready to do it. I'm ready to adjust as much as possible. And if you want, I will also shift my base

"THIS, this is what I don't want Ankit. Why the hell are you trying to change so much for me? And trust me, even though you have the heart to say this, you will never be able to follow it. As usual you will make big promises, force yourself to follow it and fail miserably; because that's not you Ankit. We both are trying to be someone else for this relationship and it's not healthy. The basic ground of this relationship is shaky. And we both deserve much better.

"But I don't want anything else but you. Why don't you get it? I never relented or bend down before anyone but you. Why, because I love you Kushi. I want you in my life and I'm ready to go to any lengths to convince you. Please, please give me one more chance.

As usual, the conversation between them is going in a cyclic pattern. Kushi rubbed her temples in irritation, yet tried to keep her tone calm.

"Ankit, I can't handle your over-possessiveness. Nor can I handle you overpowering all aspects of my life. It's true we dated for a while, but it didn't click between us. At least it didn't for me. I tried to break of many times but you were too adamant that I kept giving this thing between us too many chances than I intended to. But now, I can't do this anymore. This relationship is affecting my life negatively. I know it's no different for you. Your mother told me that you are always on the edge these days. In fact according to her, it seems like you have always been on the edge since the time we are together. How long will this continue?

Ankit is enraged but he's trying not burst owing to the sensitive situation. He just want to make things smooth between them again and anger is not going to help that. Waiter came in time with her coffee. He ordered an espresso and looked out of the caf blankly not knowing how to bring her back on line.

"I know you still want to make us work. But it will do us no good in the long run Ankit. No matter how hard you try, unless we BOTH don't have feelings for each other it's meaningless. Try to understand.

A thin sheen of tears appeared in his eyes which he tried hard to blink back. He could see he is losing it here. He loved Kushi too much to let go. His stubbornness to work this relation might be wrong since she don't feel the same way, but he simply can't let her go.

"If you walk out of this caf, you are going to take a part of me with you as well

Kushi sighed. This has always been his last resort. Emotional blackmail and it has always worked since she didn't want to hurt him. It is true that she didn't love him anymore but she never could bring herself to hurt him; otherwise she would have taken a firmer stand long before. But for how long will they keep pushing the bar. A breaking point is inevitable for them and it's now or never.

"This time around emotions are not going to pull me down Ankit. I'm being selfish here, but trust me you will also benefit from this decision of mine. Its better you handle this pain now than later. Delay will only increase the bitterness and I don't want us to be a bitter memory.

He did not reply anything but his face screamed stubbornness.

"I know you will not understand this today, but one day you will thank me for doing this for us. Trust me Ankit, this is best for us.

A heavy silence loomed over them. Waiter came with the order again and left without disturbing the tension in the atmosphere. But none touched their cups, the drinks are obviously wasted.

"I know you won't be interested in remaining friends. But any day if you want a friend, you know how to get in touch with me

He neither responded to her words nor moved a muscle. She waited for few minutes but seeing him unresponsive, she decided it's best to leave. She got up to ask for bill, but he suddenly interrupted her and asked for the same and without even waiting for her reaction paid the bill.

Stubborn as always, she sighed.

"I'm sorry Ankit. I hope you will one day find it in you to forgive me

No response, she got up to leave.

"Goodbye. Wish you get everything in life; that losing me would mean nothing one day

That said she was leaving when she heard him.

"I don't think you realize how painful it is to see the one you love don't reciprocate your feelings. I hope, you never have to face such a day in your life Kushi

She felt stung by his mock sympathetic tone, but she didn't wait there anymore for any bitter exchanges.

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She is in the metro heading home. It's going to take at least half an hour to reach her destination. She is lost in thoughts staring into nothingness.

Did I do wrong by him?

No we were never going to work. It is better we parted now.

She had met Ankit on one such metro train two years back and they didn't realise when a hello-hi' turned into a full-fledged relationship. They met each other on the same train every day which led to a friendship. Soon they started going out on dinners, coffee and before they knew it they were drawn to each other. And why wouldn't they, both are good looking and had a lot of things in common. They had topics to discuss, high level attraction and parents who supported their union. Everything was rosy for few months. Then started the paradigm shift.

It's true that when a person gets into a relationship, they present their best version to the partner in order to impress and then to make it work owing to the initial excitement. But with time, reality precedes artificial touch ups given to the relationship and then comes the reality check. In their case, Kushi was able to see the truth sooner. Ankit's over possessive and bossy nature which she found cute initially started to become over-bearing in no time. She tried to adjust with his flaws, since that's what a relationship entails, but she couldn't go on pretending to be okay with it for long giving her individuality for a toss. And in this day and age, who will compromise so much? She definitely was over the love' phase which was actually just an infatuation from her side.

But Ankit was far from over. He got used to her accommodating behavior and loved to have his way with her. So when she started to resist, his first reaction was anger. He tried to overpower her with anger, and it worked for some time. But when she started being fatigue with all the stress she had to deal with, he changed his game plan and started to emotionally black mail her. He simply couldn't do without her. He had found his perfect match in her. She was everything he wanted in his girl beautiful, intelligent, career oriented but at the same time with family values and manners. He didn't find a reason to reject her and he didn't find any reason for her to reject him as well.

Hence for months this cat-and-mouse game continued with him trying to make her stay in the relationship with all the tools he could secure. But then her parents decided to move out of India and he wasn't sure of a long distance relationship. He couldn't handle distance between them and they were not doing well by being together so he wondered how they will work in long distance. So he proposed her for marriage and then she lost all patience and broke up with him. But he still tried to pursue her by taking an official proposal to her parents through his mother. But nothing worked in his favor and hence he forced himself to accept the long distance relationship; anything to not lose her.

But Kushi is firm in her decision this time. She got swayed many times in the past due to her feelings for him. Yes she did love him still, but it is not the same heady feelings as in the past. She is practical enough to understand that these feelings is not enough for a lifetime relationship. She is sure that he is not the one for her. She talked it out with her parents and they understood her perspective reliving her of the little guilt she felt. They advised her to break it off before it's too late.

No, this is the right decision to make. I have already delayed it enough. I don't want to give him the hope of a long distance relationship and again see we failing to handle it. I can never be the girl he wants me to be and I can't force him to be the man I want in life. That's not fair. If anyone comes into our lives, they will have to love us for what we are. I hope he finds the girl destined for him soon.

With that final thought she walked out of the train at her destination.

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In another part of the world, Entrepreneur of the Year India Awards 2017 program is going on live. This year marks the 25^th year of EOTY India Awards season. Finalists and Winners of the program is getting felicitated at the grand Awards Gala, amidst a gathering of India's leading business icons, investors and guest of honors from various walks of life.

The Youngest Businessman of the Year Award is being announced on the stage by none other than the Chief Minister of Mumbai.

"The Youngest Businessman of the Year Award goes to, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada

Arnav Singh Raizada aka ASR, is less than 30 and has been into his ancestral family business, AR Builders for only three years; but the turnover and popularity of their firm has tripled in these three years. He is known for his hard work, creativity, management brilliance in his field. AR Builders is in business for more than 65 years and is one of the prestigious Builders of India. It got its origin under his grandfather's initiative and it became their concrete family heritage. Later when it was passed on to his father, the firm struggled for years before finding a rise again in the hands of Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada. So yes, he did deserve this honor in every right.

He rose from the audience and walked up to the stage amidst the applauses with grace and style which is unique to him. He is a green eyed, dusky skinned handsome man with a decent body which is neither macho nor too lean. But his eyes, his charm and style got him the label of a stunner and charmer in no time. Media is no less privy to his sexy charming ways with ladies. It is said that he can handle any girl with unmatchable patience, charm and player attitude. He is a well-known playboy and one of the most wanted hot bachelor of India.

After receiving the award with a pleasant smile, he addressed the audience and as usual charmed them into his web with sugary polite words and unmatchable wit. Concluding his speech, he met some of the eminent personalities of the day, wishing and getting wished and soon left the venue followed by his personal assistant-cum-closest friend Aman Mehta.

As soon as he got into the car, he pulled his tie and relaxed off the suit. His limousine provided enough space for him to change into casuals and Aman fixed him his drink.

"Thank God Aman, I'm relieved it's done with. I was stifling among all those oldies.

"Haha can't help it ASR. You have achieved in no time, what those oldies achieved over the years. So it's only natural that you get to mingle with the big heads of the country.

"Sure, but there was scarcity of women! Only as many as can be counted on your fingers and that too oldies. Why don't young chicks win themselves such achievements, so that I can get some company at such events?

"Well, I hope Sheetal doesn't hear your words

"Oh Damn, I forgot to give her a call. Now she'll bite my ears off

Soon he was on phone with his girlfriend Sheetal Arora. She was pissed with him for not being invited to his big event as his lady and then with the delay of his call. But soon he worked his charm on her with sweet nothings and smooches over the phone and a promise to meet up and make it up to her for today. Aman chuckled at his boss.

After that he gave a quick call to his mother; he conveyed to her his day and asked if his grandfather has taken his medicines. He did not ask for his Dad and ended the chat asking her to call it a night since he is going to party with friends till wee hours. She agreed and kept the call with a smile. She herself was just back from her kitty party, but she is pleased that her son never forgets to include her in his life, unlike his father. He is her happiness and strength; her pride. His mother is the biggest love of his life, or rather his only love so far. His mom, grandfather and Aman alone encompass his close circle. He can go to any lengths for them.

Soon they headed out to the pub and Arnav was surrounded by his usual gang of friends. In no time girls started falling on him and he obliged them gladly. And like any other day of celebration in his life, girls, drink, dance, partying played its role out for the most part of the night.

He is a player in every sense of the word. He is full of love, as in really FULL of LOVE; so much that he cannot hold himself onto one girl. He is so large hearted that he wants to love every women that he meets because he feels indebted to do it. He considers it as one of his calling in life, to pleasure women, in any which way they desire from him.

But the truth is, he hasn't yet realized the true meaning of love, or met a girl who could make him feel that emotion, in its true sense. And Aman is not sure if such a day would ever come, seeing his friend enjoying each moment of his life to the fullest and least bit regretting it.

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While in London, Kushi Bhansal with her parents has boarded the plane to India. She is ready to face India and the new life awaiting her, or is she?! Where is this journey going to take her? Let's wait and see!

NOTE: Guys, I'm going for vacation for a month. I wanted to give first chapter before I leave so that you get acquainted to Arnav and Kushi here. I have not read through, so if any mistakes, please forgive.

Next update will be in October. Do let me know your thoughts.