Arshi FF: Zindagi Ke Mausam: Part 25b UPDATED! - p.86 - Page 5

Arnav (thoughts) - I have to wait around for this small-town girl to come so I can give her a tour? You've got to be joking me. I'm not stopping all my work for her.

Arnav called his secretary and asked to have a meeting arranged for the upcoming calendar photoshoot.

This photoshoot was a huge opportunity for AR. His designs were going to be worn by models from a prestigious well-known agency. AR had competed with many other fashion houses before he had this opportunity.

If this photoshoot went well, then AR would be considered one of the top fashion houses in UK, America.

Arnav made sure he was overlooking every design himself. The calendar shoot was to go out soon. His life was going to change within the next few months. It was going to bring change. Change that he loved. Change that meant he wouldn't have anything constant in his life -- nothing would hold him back.

7 pm ----- Dinner Date


Payal was fidgeting with the dress that Lavanya had insisted she wore. It wasn't showing any skin but she never really wore dresses. She hoped Akash would like her in this attire. Lavanya and Akash had gone in the restaurant and insisted she stay outside to greet Akash who was to arrive in five minutes.

Payal: It's been...5 minutes. Where is he?

Payal felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned around.

Akash: Excuse me do you know --- Payal?

Payal: Akashji.

Akash: You look so beautiful.

Akash leaned in and kissed Payal on the forehead.

Payal: Akashji ! Here? In front of everyone?

Akash: You didn't like it?

Payal: No, I mean yes, I mean no I --

Akash held her hand and kissed it softly. Payal felt herself turning pink.

Akash: You're my fiancee, unless it bothers you - I don't see what's wrong with it. It doesn't bother you right?

Payal whispered a quiet no.

He put his arm around her shoulder and went inside the restaurant with Payal.

NK: Wowww Bhai! Look at you, what a natural! Learning the ways of a boyfriend.

Akash: Oh, you've had many?

NK: You know me Bhai, girls just can't resist. I had two, or three girlfriends at least in a month.

Lavanya: Oh really now?!

Lavanya head walked back from the bathroom when she heard him. Lavanya pinched his arm hard.

NK: I was kidding baby! Swear. Girls wouldn't even look my way, and plus you know I only love you!

Akash and Payal started laughing and NK's predicament and soon both joined in as well.

AR

Khushi finally reached AR at 7:30 pm. She knew that most of the staff would've left by now. She didn't plan to get here so late but traveling and then she had to make a stop before AR. If only she hadn't bumped in to him. But that was then and this is now. She wanted to take this visit off her checklist so she had the next two weeks to prepare for the wedding.

Khushi walked in and saw that there were a few people sitting in their cubicles working. Khushi saw stairs leading to a glass cabin - it must be that Laad Governer's.

Khushi: Hi, my name is Khushi. I'm supposed to be interning here soon.

Secretary: Yes, La ma'm told me you'd be coming.

Khushi: La?

Secretary: Lavanya ma'm.

Khushi: Ohhh yeah, she did.

Secretary: Yes, she said to send you to ASR sir's cabin whenever you got here.

Khushi What! I mean - are you sure?

Secretary: Yes, I am. You can head up the stairs there. His cabin is the glass windows all around.

Khushi: Okay.

Khushi hesitantly headed towards the staircase. She heard the secretary calling him to tell that she's heading to his cabin. She faintly heard his screaming as well.

Khushi: What has Lavanya got me in to?

Khushi was outside the door when she knocked.

ASR: Come in.

Khushi opened the door to see the back of the chair. He was looking the other way.

Khushi muttered a Thank you to Devi Maiiya.

Khushi: I'm sorry I'm late, I didn't mean to keep you waiting here and ---

Arnav turned his chair around and looked at her.

Arnav: First of all, learn how to value time. If you plan on interning here I don't tolerate excuses for being late. Ever. I don't bullshit and neither do I like to hear it. Second, I am not sitting here idly waiting for you. Lastly, you are not going to be getting special treatment from me or anyone else just because you are Lavanya's friend. You have to earn your damn place here. Get it?

Khushi didn't even bat an eyelash while he spoke. She was prepared to hear something from him if she had crossed his path.

Khushi: Now, if I may. Let me speak. I value time. Greatly. I apologized and if you accepted it, it wouldn't make you any less of a person. I am not giving you an excuse. And I don't expect any special treatment. I got this internship here because of my hard work and merit. You and I both know that very well. You didn't know who I was when you agreed to let me intern here. I earned my place when I was accepted as an intern and if I excel I will damn right earn it too.

Arnav's fists balled up. He didn't know why this girl evoked so much anger in him. He was always a damn volcano ready to burst around her. How dare she be so"so"he was ASR. She should've known better.

Arnav: Now that, that is out of the way. Come. Let's give you a tour.

Arnav's voice was very calm. So calm, that Khushi felt goosebumps. Arnav walked around his desk, behind her.

He leaned in to Khushi's neck and said "After you". Khushi closed her eyes for 30 seconds and walked out of the cabin.

Arnav: Jenny!

Secretary: Ye-- yes, yes sir?

Arnav: Give her a tour of AR. Tell her how I work, how we work and what I expect. Everything an intern should know about AR, she should know. Do you understand?

Secretary: Yes sir.

Arnav headed back to his cabin when he stopped.

Arnav: See me in my cabin - before you leave.

Khushi knew that that he was talking to her and as much as she tried to ignore it, she knew she couldn't. His secretary would make sure she saw him before she left.


Jenny was nice. Khushi liked her already. She liked how she explained everything and didn't mind if Khushi had questions. She liked AR too. There was something about this office that she liked. She couldn't figure what it was though. While she toured, a thought in the back of her head would not leave her head.

What did that laad governer want to meet her for?

Jha Mansion


Payal and Akash walked in the mansion, both lost in each others eyes.

Madhumati: Haye Nand Kishore, look at them staring at each other so lost in each other !

Devani: I'm telling you, I knew Payal was right for Akash.

Madhumati: Sachi, they look wonderful.

Devani: Akash beta

Akash and Payal snapped out of it and realized they were in the house.

Akash: Ye, yes Choti Ma?

Devani: Where's your little brother?

Akash: He went to drop off Lavanya.

Payal: Choti Ma, I'll go now..Ama and Bauji must be waiting for me.

Devani: Don't worry, I'll call them and tell them you're here with us. Come, sit.

Payal: Ji

Madhumati: Payal, where's Khushi? I haven't seen her all day.

Payal: Buaji she had some errands to run, she should be home by now.

Madhumati: Okay okay, Akash bitwa come, sit with us.

Akash: Chachi, I'm going to just freshen up and I'll join you.


AR

Jenny: Well, that was the tour. Do you have any questions Khushi?

Khushi: No, no, thank you. Actually, what time is it?

Jenny: It's almost 9 pm.

Khushi: Oh my, I'm so sorry I kept you so late.

Jenny: Don't worry. I'm used to working like this.

Khushi: I'm getting late too. I should go now. It was nice meeting you.

Khushi turned to leave when ---

Jenny: Khushi, sir wanted to meet you before you left.

Khushi turned back towards Jenny.

Khushi: I know but it's late --- can you tell him I was running late?

Jenny: Khushi please, he will get so mad if I let you go without him. I really don't want to upset him because I have to request a day off next week. Please.

Khushi: Okay, I'll see him.

Khushi really didn't want to go. Like she really, really didn't want to go but she didn't want someone to get in to trouble because of her.

Khushi cautiously walked up the steps and walked in to an open and empty cabin?

Arnav: Knock; learn how to knock next time even if my door is open.

Khushi turned to see him standing on the opposite end of his cabin, next to an open glass panel.

Khushi: You wanted to see me before I left?

Arnav: Did Jenny explain everything to you?

Khushi: Yes.

Arnav: Questions?

Khushi: No.

Arnav: Come here.

Khushi: Eee -- excuse me?

Arnav: I said, come here.

Khushi did not know why she listened but walked towards him. When she was a step away she tripped and knew she was going to fall out of the cabin. But she didn't - because he caught her hand.

Khushi opened her eyes and saw he was holding her from falling out. Why the hell wasn't he pulling her back in?

Arnav: This is for talking back to me. I am Arnav Singh Raizada. Learn it, memorize it, and commit it to your memory. This is my fashion house. If I can facilitate the route to your success, you better believe I can make sure to drop you back to where you came from as well. You better damn well remember that.

With that he let her go and she fell, fell on to a bunch of boxes.

Khushi was so astonished that she remained sitting on the boxes for the next two minutes. As she thought about it, her blood boiled with anger. What an asshole !

She got up off the boxes and straightened herself up. She walked out and decided she would respond to this behavior, and that too with interest.

Khushi remembered that Jai Prakash had left for the night. She knew he had a family who must've been waiting for him at home so she had asked him to leave the car keys with her and given the money to him to take a taxi home.

Khushi found the keys in her bag and sat in the car. She started the car and locked the doors.

It had been a while since she had driven a car. She drove home and thought about her day.

As she parked her car and tip toed towards the Jha guesthouse ---

NK: Khushi Kumari Gupta!

Khushi (thoughts) Oh shit. I'm going to get it.

NK came and angrily grabbed her arm.

NK: What the hell is wrong with you?! I told you not to drive. You know exactly why too! There was nobody in the car with you, what if you had a f**king episode in the car? Anything could have happened Khushi! Where the hell is Jai Prakash??!!

Khushi: NK please ---

NK: Where is he?!

Khushi: Home.

NK: Where?!

Khushi: Actually I, what happened was that --

NK: I don't want to hear it Khushi. Go home. Now.

Khushi: NK, I'm sorry, I --

NK: Khushi, go. NOW !

Khushi trembled when she heard him scream. He was mad, really, really mad. Khushi went home and went to bed after meeting her parents. She didn't even wait to see that her sister hadn't returned home yet.

A couple of days passed yet NK was still giving Khushi the silent treatment. Everyone in the house knew something was up but they weren't sure what it was. That is, of course, except for Payal. Payal knew why NK was mad and she herself was upset when she found out Khushi drove the car without someone accompanying her. She didn't stay mad for too long however because she noticed it NK's anger was really dampening Khushi's mood.

When the incident had happened four years back, the doctor had advised for Khushi to avoid certain activity that would cause any tension, which in return would trigger the seizures. They did not even consider that driving would be an issue, however a couple months after the incident stress triggered Khushi's seizure while she was driving. Thankfully, Payal grabbed the wheel and pulled the hand brake before they got in to an accident.

It had been four years since the first and only time Khushi had seized while driving. Even then, from that day on, NK's orders were if Khushi drove it would be with someone accompanying her.


Khushi sat on her bed sketching a design that would not seem to come out right. She'd been trying for days but the creative bulb in her head would not turn on. She kept throwing the pages in to the trashcan and now it was overflowing.

Payal was distressed with the situation; especially there had been no signs of improvement.

Payal knew she needed some help if she wanted to fix this.

Payal walked out of the guest house and towards the Jha residence.

Payal: Choti Maa, Choti Maa !

Payal felt a arm grab her waist and pull her in to a hug.

Akash: Hey beautiful. Shouldn't you be screaming my name like that?

Payal: Akash ji ! Aap? Let go, what if someone sees?!

Akash: Tho, so what?

Payal: Bauji !

Akash moved his arms around Payal and leaped a foot back.

Akash: What?! Where??!

Payal burst out in to laughter.

Akash: Payal !!!

Payal: Sorry Akash ji !

Payal tried to regain her composure but the laughter wouldn't stop.

NK: What's all this commotion about ---

NK: Di? What happened? What's so funny?

Akash: Yes, Payal, tell him what's so funny.

Payal suddenly turned quiet, how was she going to tell NK what happened?!

Payal: Nnnoo-nothing. Just like that.

NK looked back and forth between them in confusion. He eventually gave up and headed back to his room.

As he left, Payal sighed deeply as she sat on the sofa.

Akash: That was a deep sigh, what happened?

Payal: NK and Khushi had an argument. They aren't talking to each other. It's been way too long. NK's wedding preparation is going to start. It's bothering me and I don't know how I can help fix it.

Akash: Just that? I can help you fix that.

And together Payal and Akash concocted a plan to make things better between NK and Khushi.

Later that day


NK was sitting in his backyard working on his laptop when his phone rang.

NK: Hello? Hey babe -

Lavanya: NK I know you must be busy because of Khushi so it's okay we can just cancel tonight's plans and I'll come over too.

NK: Because of Khushi?

Lavanya: Well, yeah I mean she hasn't been well for a couple of days now. I've been meaning to come visit her but last minute preparations are just keeping me so busy.

NK: Oh. Yes. Busy.

NK didn't want to admit to Lavanya that he was upset with Khushi, but Lavanya knew he was and was part of the play Akash and Payal had made.

NK's ego would not let him budge from his seat, but was she really not well? What had happened to her? Did she have another seizure? Or fever? This girl would be the death of him, why did she not learn to take care of herself?!

NK was in a dilemma and he did not know what to do.

Jha Guest House

Khushi and Payal were in their room when Payal's phone rang.

Payal: Hello, haan...ji Akash ji? Oh no! What?! But is he okay? I'll come there, right away.

Khushi: What happened Gigi?

Payal: Nothing Khushi.

Khushi: Tell me, Gigi, what happened?

Payal: NK's car got in to a small acci--

Khushi did not even let Payal finish when she sprinted out of the room.

Khushi came running in to the Jha household screaming NK's name.

NK heard the screaming and came in to the living room. Fortunately, no one was home except for both.

NK: Khushi?! Khushi what happened?!

Khushi ran towards him and hugged him.

Khushi: You're okay right? You didn't get hurt?! Everything's fine? How did it happen! Did someone ---

NK: Khushi, khushi stop! Why are you here? You should be resting! How many times have I told you to take care of your health?!

Khushi and NK: What are you talking about?! No. What are you talking about?!

They both nararated the stories they were told when they realized it was all a plan to get them talking.

Khushi: I'm sorry Bandar! I know you told me not to but Jai Prakashji's wife and daughter ere at home waiting for him. It was his daughter's birthday. I didn't want to keep him any longer...

NK: Khushi. You know why I --

Khushi: I know. That's why I'm sorry.

NK hugged Khushi tightly.

As they both released ech other from the hug they both smiled.

Khushi: That means --

Payal: That means we were all in on it !

Payal, Akash and Lavanya walked in to the Jha household.

Lavanya: I say this calls for a group hug !

They all engulfed each other in a hug that resulted in them toppling over and falling on the ground. They all erupted in laughter when the adults walked in.

Devani: Should I even ask what's happening?

Madhumati: Haye re Nand Kisore!

NK: Yes Chachi?

Khushi: Stupid she meant like you know Nand Kishore ji not you !

Everyone started laughing harder. Everyone in that room silently wished that their life be full of happiness always.