Chapter 4 (part #3)
Khushi had kept herself busy in the odd-jobs around the kitchens all morning. Breakfast had been served and lunch preparations had begun. Khushi was peeling cucumbers at the kitchen table and absently staring out the window. There were three other girls working in the kitchens with her. One of them, Payal, had become her good friend. She lived in the city and her main job was that of housekeeping including the bedroom chambers of Lord Arnav and his grandmother. In their free time, Payal always gossiped about Lord Arnav. She had a soft spot for him. Who wouldn't, Khushi thought, shaking her head.
"You look lost Khushi' what are you thinking?" Payal asked, while she placed the dishes in the dish washer.
"Nothing much. I was thinking what the Ball is for?" Khushi said, casually.
"Oh! Well, I know all about it. Lord Arnav is turning twenty seven next month and his Grandma wants him married by the end of this year. She has asked him to choose a bride from among the ladies invited."
Khushi felt like she had been pinched. And here she had been thinking that there had been something between them. There was something between us! She had sensed it. Khushi thought of the day she had fallen in his arms, the kiss that had affected her intensely, his caresses in the barn and the way he had held her while sleeping. Clearl, he hadn't sensed a thing since he was planning to wed now. Anyway, how does it matter, Khushi. He has his pick of all the beautiful ladies from the most esteemed families. He wouldn't want a poor thing like you. But somehow her heart refused to believe it.
"Oh and you know what, Khushi, it will be a masquerade ball! How exciting! But if all the ladies are masked, then how will he know whom to choose." Payal continued.
When she got no reply from Khushi, she abandoned the dishes in the sink and moving over to the kitchen table, sat down beside her.
"Personally, I think it's great. We could dress up and wear masks and go to the ball ourselves and enjoy!" she whispered, gleefully.
Khushi smiled watching Payal's expressions and her enthusiasm.
"It's not entirely a bad idea." She replied, winking.
An orderly entered the kitchen just then.
"One of you needs to go to the Lord's room. He spilled coffee on the bed sheet by mistake. He just left so please change the bed sheet before he returns."
Payal looked at Khushi and appealed "Honey, would you go and do it for me. I still have two loads of dishes to be done and Naany will be back soon. She'll kill me if she sees they are not done yet."
"I can't Payal. I'm scared of him. You should go and I'll do the dishes. "Khushi replied, alarmed.
"But he's not even here. It won't take long. Please please go." Payal begged.
"No"
"Please"
"No"
"Please pretty please"
Khushi sighed and consented finally.
"Oh alright! But only because he's not here AND you owe me bigtime!"
"Oh, of course. Thank you, thank you, thank you." Payal said, briefly hugging her.
^^^
Khushi entered his chambers and was amazed by the simplicity of the design. His chambers were poles apart from the opulence of the rest of the Manor. It was painted white and the carpeting was light blue. The study was a just a small alcove on the left side of the room and the desk was placed opposite a large window which looked out into the lawns. Double doors opened out to the balcony on the right side of the desk. A large square bed, its head board against the right wall, occupied the center of the room. A blue colored velvet recliner was placed next to it. Another door led into what she presumed must be the bathroom. So this is where he lives for real, she thought appreciating the simple beauty and comfort of the room.
She liked the room so much that she took her time exploring around the room before realizing what she was there for. Quickly, she moved towards the bed and removed the bed sheet.
HIM
Where the hell did I leave the tax documents? Arnav wondered, as he reached the Manor. He had ridden out to the City Council for a budget meeting and now he was riding back within minutes of arriving. The documents he had got were regarding the Ball. He must have mixed them up on his study table. The damned Ball! Frustrated, he quickly dismounted. He could have sent a servant to fetch the papers but he didn't trust the morons to know right from left in his study.
He covered the main stairwell in the middle of the hallway, taking two steps at a time. He walked into his room and saw a housekeeper was busy changing the sheets, her back facing him. He silently went to his desk and found the papers.
"Please inform grandmother that I will be lunching with the administrators at the Council meeting." Arnav said, as he turned and started walking out. Straightaway, he stopped dead in his tracks and finally looking at her face. He stared at the girl, who stared back at him equally stunned.
(still reading... great! thanks! would love to hear from you and you can visit my blogs for the entire story inc. previous chapters
www.alldromance.wordpress.com
www.timeless-fairytales.blogspot.in)
Udne Ki Aasha
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Fan Fictions
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
527