Arshi SS : Nourishing Talents - Part 9 updated Pg 23 - Page 3

Will somebody see khush's talent as well that in hospitality

interesting start, do continue soon

Awesome update
it is good payal agreed for interview ...should utilize this chance..later on she can think about her HELLO HAI HAI BYE BYE MIL ...

good she went to ar lets see how they handle mami when she joins

awesome update
arnav asking payal to come for interview ...
payal worried coz of manorama...
but on akash insistence gives it a chance...
khushi -arnav talk was nice😆
waiting 4 payal's interview...
continue soon...
thnks 4 d pm..

Awesome. So payal is going to be interviewed. Fantastic. Awesome. Update soon

Nourishing Talents ~ Part 3

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In the next few minutes all were assembled in the conference room.

ASR sat at the head of the table. On either side of him Akash and Aman were seated. Ayesha sat next to Aman and Payal sat at the other end of the table. Arnav motioned Ayesha, Akash and Aman to proceed with the interview.

Payal was nervous initially but gradually she became confident in her answers. Arnav did not interrupt during the interview. He just sat back and watched his mind wandering to another day. The day he interviewed his wife. He had welcomed her to hell then but she had thwarted all his efforts. He had ended up hurt more than even Khushi. But then things have changed for the better. His life had transformed into heaven; all thanks to his wife. He realized he had changed a lot in the past 2 years he had lived with his Khushi.

"ASR??" Aman's voice startled him out of his thoughts. He saw that they were waiting for his reply.

"Bhai we think though she has good knowledge about chickankari work we should ask her to design few dresses before we make the decision." Akash said. Aman and Ayesha agreed with him.

Payal stared dumbfounded at her husband. He knew well about her design skills. But then she was proud that he is not showing her any discretion just because she is his wife. If at all she got this job it will be based only on her talent. Of course she knew it was Khushi who arranged this interview for her and she will be eternally grateful to her for that.

"Mrs. Payal I accept my design teams suggestion. By the end of the day I need you to give me the design for 2 dresses on paper. One will be traditional and one will be a modern dress. Can you do it?"

"Of course Mr. ASR"

"Ayesha please provide her with the basic dress design and the necessary things. I need the designs by 7pm today Mrs. Payal. Once we decide to recruit you we can discuss the other details. The meeting is over now."

Akash and Aman wished Payal all the best and left the room. Ayesha took her to the intern room and gave her all the necessary information and things. She told Payal to contact her or Aman if she needed anything and left.

Payal studied the basic dress designs and started with her work. She was so involved in her work that she didn't notice when Akash came to check on her.

Akash knew Payal was capable of handling everything. But he was worried for her nonetheless. It was a well-known secret in AR that anyone who dressed remotely traditional was the target of gossip mongers. They will be subjected to endless taunts for their perceived lack of fashion sense. But it has also been proved that these traditional looking employees have been a great asset to the company. Their sense of designing even western outfits with the desi touch has helped AR reach even the upper middle class people.

Akash received a call which brought him out of his thoughts. It was Khushi. He picked up smiling.

"Jijaji did you have your lunch?"

Only then did Akash realize that he had been lost in his thoughts for quite some time.

"No Khushiji."

"Thank god. Please take jiji to lunch with you. Woh kya haina jiji jab bhi design karna shuru karthi hai, woh sab kuch bhool jati hai."

"Koi baat nahin Khushiji. I will take her to lunch."

"Thank you Jijaji."

"Par Khushiji aapko kaise pata ki Payal design kar rahi hai?"

"Arnavji ne jiji ke interview ke baad hamse sab kuch kahdiye."

"Bhai called you? Or you called him?"

"Arnavji call kiye..."

"Unbelievable"

Khushi could sense that Akash was trying to control his laughter.

But before she could ask Akash what the matter was, he disconnected the call and went to call Payal for lunch.

When he opened the intern room, he found Payal bent over sheets of paper drawing effortlessly. He knocked on the door twice. Payal did not seem to hear it. Akash smiled at her with a proud look in his eyes. He has seen as her as a daughter, a daughter in law, a sister but this new dimension to her character left him speechless.

Payal's face had a glow to it as if she would be happy doing just this and nothing else for her whole life. Akash had seen this look on her face only when she did something special for him. He stood there watching her unaware of a person standing next to him and smirking at the play of emotions on his face.

Akash was startled out of his reverie when someone tapped his shoulder. He turned around to find Arnav smirking at him. Arnav signaled Akash to be silent. Right then Shukla their canteen head came there with three plates loaded with lunch.

"Shukla inform Aman not to disturb us for the next one and half hours. And give us the plates. You can go now."

To say Akash was surprised would be an understatement. In all these years his brother had never come to have lunch with him unless he had some important business discussion. Arnav and Akash got the plates from Shukla and entered the room. Payal looked up surprised to find a plate of lunch being placed on the table. Arnav and Akash were looking at her.

"Payal are you trying to kill me?"

"What?" Payal was genuinely confused. "Arnavji aisa kuch nahin hai. Why are you asking like this?"(Nothing like that. Why?)

"If you are going to work without having your lunch break do you think your sister will leave me alone?"

Payal looked embarrassed at that. Trust Khushi to fight for something like this. She muttered. Akash looked at them smiling. This is the first time Arnav is sharing a lighthearted conversation with someone other than Khushi.

Arnav looked at the design she had made for the traditional dress. But refrained himself from commenting.

They finished their lunch chatting casually. Arnav informed Payal about her husband's position in the company and how he has supported Arnav in his decisions. This was new for both Payal and Akash.

Akash had a look of relief on his face when he looked at Payal. Payal looked at him reassuringly and smiled. When Arnav had informed everyone that he married Khushi only to save his sister's marriage as he suspected that she had an affair with Shyam, Payal was disgusted with him. She did not have a heart like her sister's to forgive even people who wronged her sister. Even though Khushi had forgiven Arnav and was happy with him, Payal did not share the same feelings. Akash had noticed that Payal was ignoring Arnav after that and pointedly ignored him whenever he tried to talk to her. He had also seen the hurt in Arnav's eyes where he had expected anger. That was when he decided that he should interfere to clear the air. He knew what his brother did was wrong. But he also understood the inherent fear which his past had instilled in him that made him make the worst decision. So he took Payal out for dinner and informed Arnav's true nature. He did not tell her Arnav's full history as it was his to decide whether to share or not. But he made her realize that only because it was Khushi and the fact that he loved her, Arnav decided to marry her. Had it been anyone else he would have destroyed them completely. After that Payal did not ignore Arnav but she did not trust him much either. Over the course of next few months, she had observed him. He took care of Khushi like even she had never had; giving in to all her whims and fancies; making Khushi truly happy. She had also seen his love for his family and the little things he did even for her albeit silently. She now knew what a gem he was at heart and how the mere presence of her sister in his life had brought him out of whatever his dark past had bestowed on him. Arnav and Akash decided to leave for their cabins. The moment the lunch was over, Arnav took the back seat while the mighty ASR took reins.

"Akash check on the venue details for the Summer Collection show. Ayesha said she was having some issues with the material suppliers look into that and give a report ASAP."

"Ok Bhai. Bye Payal."

"Mrs. Payal, I want the designs by 6PM sharp."

"It will be ready Mr. Raizada."

Arnav nodded at her and left the room. When he neared the door, he turned around and whispered a sorry to her and left quickly. Payal's respect for this man grew. But he still had a long way to go to win her trust completely.

Evening 7 PM:

Akash, Payal, Ayesha and Aman were waiting for Arnav in the conference room. Arnav entered the room at 7PM exactly and signaled Payal to start her presentation. Payal was confident about her designs and it was clear in the way she presented it. Arnav was impressed but all that one can see is the stone faced ASR who never showed appreciation or rejection leaving the presenter always in a confused state. But for the first time Arnav found that the meek and shy Payal was not who she portrayed herself to be. She was the confident artist who is proud of her work. Payal was not deterred by Arnav stone face. The clenching and unclenching of her fingers were the only signs of her nervousness which she pretty much hid by holding her designs. But nothing escaped ASR's sharp gaze. Once Payal finished with her presentation, Arnav asked the others to share their opinion on her designs. Both Aman and Ayesha accepted that the designs were indeed good and that they can take her in as an intern for 6 months before making her a permanent employee.

But Akash had different idea. He wanted to give Payal a week's time to do the chickankari work on the western dress and another two weeks to finish on the traditional one and then decide. Though the design was good on paper he wanted to make sure if it will work on the real dress. Arnav contemplated both the decisions and decided to take in Payal as an intern for three weeks and if her design satisfied him she will be made permanent. Little did the others know that Payal's appointment letter was already signed by him and she had a major responsibility to carry out.

"Mrs. Paya, do you think you can manage this?"

"Mr. Raizada, I will work on the designs. But I will need two more weeks in addition."

"Why?" Arnav asked though he knew the answer.

"Because I don't want to neglect my duty as a bahu and a sister. I hope you will understand."

"Okay. You can take another week not a day more than that."

"Okay Mr. Raizada."Payal had not expected ASR to accept for this as he has always maintained professional life and personal life separate. But she knew he too didn't want to make Khushi take extra burden.

Finally, Akash, Payal and Arnav left for home.

At Raizada Mansion:

Mami was sitting in the living room talking with nani and Anjali. As soon as the three entered, nani and Anjali welcomed Payal and started questioning her about the interview and her first day at office. Mami interrupted saying -"these Gupta sisters have no shame. First they conquered this house and now they will not leave the office too. I don't know why khoonbaritaang doesn't let my Akash be happy for even sometime."

"Manorama..."Nani yelled. But mami was not in the mood to listen today as she has seen the blatant admiration for Payal in her son's eyes that was never there for her from both her son and husband.

Arnav's eyes had been searching for Khushi from the moment he returned but she was not in the living room. So he went to the kitchen to see Khushi running here and there doing various works at a time. HP was nowhere to be seen. Arnav saw that she looked worn-out as if she had been working nonstop without a second of rest. When Khushi spotted Arnav in the kitchen, looking at her, her face lit up with a bright smile. She looked around and after ensuring that they were out of everyone's eye sight, hugged him tight, kissed him on this cheek and rested her head near his heart. Listening to the rhythmic beating of his heart soothed her and she felt her exhaustion seep away. Arnav was shocked by this PDA from Khushi but he did not say anything. He hugged her back tightly and kissed her parting. After few minutes, Khushi came out of his embrace and said -"Arnavji, you go the living room and sit with others. I will bring tea and snacks for everyone."

Just then HP entered the kitchen.

"HP bring tea and snacks for all of us."

"Ji Bhaiyya." (Ok Bhaiyaa)

Khushi started to protest but one look from Arnav silenced her. She followed him out of the kitchen. That was when they heard mami's taunts. Arnav was about to say something when mami started her taunts but Khushi grabbed his hand and shook her head asking him to be silent. But when mami paid no attention to nani's warning and continued to bad mouth Khushi and Payal, Arnav had had enough.

"ENOUGH" the voice echoed in the hall.

Nice..but very less arshi...continue soon..

Excellent story ..loved it till now