DEUCE -An Arshi FF (Chapter 7,updated 20thJan ) - Page 3

CHAPTER 3

Kushi left from work at 5.30 reached the parking lot and realized , "No car !"

She walked to the bus stop with tears of frustration clouding her eyes. She has really landed herself in a mess! May be, just maybe she should pack her bags and return to India. She steadied her breathe to control her frustration , Just then her phone started ringing.

Kushi, " Hi Brad, Is something wrong, A sudden call from you?"

Brad, " Kushi dear, I have found accommodation for you. Arnav is on the look for a caretaker for his home. You can move in, both would gain."

Kushi, " Sorry I am lost. Care taker for whom and what?"

Brad, " Remember Arnav...my trainee. He has an apartment in NY and is on the look for a caretaker. He is never in NY here except during the US open, for 3-4 weeks a year. I just spoke to him, he wants to try for a month and if satisfied your accommodation is confirmed for the rest of your stay in US."

Kushi, " But Brad... I am not sure... I hardly know this person and I don't know how it will turn out . And my Dad ... don't think he will like it. Also, I have never taken care of any apartment ."

Brad, "Don't be such a prude, Kushi! ... Don't erect walls... do you even have a choice. I can vouch for Arnav... Don't go by the image of his stardom and glamour. He will not hurt any girl... He doesn't need to. Consider...it as a job , it's no different from any of your other jobs at a food outlet. Finally it is your call. In fact you land lady is more unsafe than Arnav. Trust me, I will never put you in a situation where you will get hurt. Take pragmatic decision but beyond this it is your decision."

Kushi, " Brad don't take me wrong, I am sorry if I sounded prudish. I am sure Arnav is a great guy. It is just I feel I am on a roller coaster and my tummy feels wobbly. Suddenly all my decisions are back firing and so my mind is completely frozen. My currentday decision shouldn't affect me later. Don't ask me , how? Forget it ...lets not prolong with the argument. I will take this offer."

Kushi was frustrated at her situation and was ready to grab the opportunity. Anyway the guy will be here only for a month for his tournament and the chance of her encounter with him looked poor.

She trusts Brad entirely... He would never put her in any harmful situation... her mind did not stretch that far... she knew how to take care of herself .

She did not want to argue further. If Brad is vouching for Arnav, then no questions asked. Kushi felt that she should at least try for a month .

Kushi, " OK, Just brief me about my duties."

Brad, " Keep his refrigerators filled milk, juice and groceries. He probably expect you to make breakfast and on rare occasion dinner but his interaction will be minimal. I will ask him to leave a note about his requirements."

Kushi, " OK! Sorry if I don't sound excited ... The situation is kind of weird... to stay with a stranger, a job which I have not done before. Interacting with strangers at personal level is different but to actually living under a roof with one does seem weird. I haven't even met this guy before. In fact I would be more comfortable moving in with Akshay and his friends. Can you at least formally introduce me to him."

Brad tried to appease her , " Kushi, Don't think so much. You move in today and then when Arnav is here all three of us will meet and familiarize with each other. By the way, you are locked out and where do you plan to stay tonight?"

Kushi at this juncture did not have much choice. She accepted! Officially she was the caretaker of the penthouse. She went to Mrs. Kapoor and asked her to retain her advance payment and gave 1000USD that she had borrowed from Akash Finally she started packing to move to her new job as a caretaker..

She took her car and drove to meet Brad at the apartment. WOW! she was stunned by the size of it. When Brad offered this accommodation , she never thought beyond a place to stay. But now looking at the place, the size of it , the luxury... all her insecurities rushed back to her. She started questioning her decision.

Brad was already there and he took her to a tour of the apartment... sorry ... penthouse. The kitchen literally looked like the out of a magazine. There were three bedrooms. Two at one level and the third one at an upper level. The master bedroom looked onto the rest of the apartment and it opened out to a swimming pool and a serene terrace garden and lawn. There was a winding stairs which gave access for the rest of the house to the swimming pool and the garden. Kushi's eyes popped out at the beauty and luxury of the apartment. The place was very subtle and gracefully done, in spite of the money invested. She took one of the smaller bedrooms at the lower level. She was impressed with Mr.Raizada first by the character certification by Brad and now the elegance of the house. He seemed like a very grounded

Kushi muttered, " Not bad Mr.Raizada... very impressive."

Kushi was not used to this kind of luxury and now this was her place for the next 8 months. She was speechless with happiness but was also worried if she will fit in this ambience. This place was so contrasting to herself... a girl struggling to make ends meet... waiting to finish her intern to return home to her family and her world. This place was in stark contrast to herself and her world. She needed to tread carefully and always keep in mind that she was far away from the lives of this rich and famous. Suddenly she felt may be it was not a wise decision, she felt out of league, looked at herself...

She wanted to run from there but where can she go , she could probably stay with Akash but for how long. They were four in the apartment and she would be intruding their space. It was too late... She has no tenancy... She has to take this up may be in a month's time, she will be successful to find alternate accommodation.

Brad interrupted her thoughts, " Give me your bank account number so that money will be transferred into your account to buy groceries and also a salary for the care taker job."

Kushi, " Brady, I am feeling uncomfortable about the whole thing. I just can't take any salary. I am here basically for a roof over my head and I don't even pay for it. In that scenario, how can I get a salary for it. No way! About the grocery purchases, I will give the bill and collect the cash. I am really new to this and am out of sorts. So please understand."

Brad, " No issues! As you wish, you give me the bills and I will get it refunded for you."

Brad looked at her worried face and smiled. She looked utterly confused, unsure...Kushi was a lady with so much contrast... confident and nervous... polite and tough... she was precious... He had known her only for three months... ... She was beautiful but oblivious ignorant about it. He has never seen her dressed for any date or outing. Its always a jeans and some T shirt. She is one among the boys... She can spend time with Akash and his friends without any hesitation. She is a buddy... to many.

Sometimes he wondered what she was doing in this city all alone. Her father who was her emotional support probably sent her because of Akash, a childhood friend of Kushi.

"Darling! Don't worry everything will be fine and if you are not OK with it , you can leave in a month's notice."

Kushi, " Oh yeah ! I forgot , I have a month's probation time , only then my stay will be confirmed for the next seven months. But does Arnav know that I am from India , did you mention it to him. Mrs. Kapoor never really liked me, what if he feels the same way?"

Brad, " That is not an issue. He is excited about your move here."

Brad crossed his fingers for the white lie. He knew Arnav was sceptically about the arrangement... unhappy about it ... Brad was exploiting Arnav's inability to refuse him for this dear girl. In fact, Shanthi Raizada called to discuss on this but Brad convinced her too . After all what are friends for. Its his duty as Kushi's friend to make sure that she is comfortable.

Brad continues, " His previous caretaker had a high life , a highly entertaining lady. In Arnav's own words, there were condoms thrown all over the place and she tried to hook him too. He was thoroughly pissed off !

Kushi, " You are kidding me. He actually said that... I think he is exaggerating ."

Brad, " In the tennis circuit he is the golden boy looks, talent, wealth... I can see many girls vying for his attention . I only hope that you do not fall for his charms."

Kushi smiled, " Yeah! Sure I will and then live happily ever after in this castle. Thanks for the fairy tale but My Prince Charming is in India."

She hugged Brad, " Come on Brad! I just cracked a joke . At least laugh. I am just so strung up. "

Brad, " There she goes... Why do you equate everything with marriage. Arnav is right, Indian girls do expect proposal on their first date. Its OK to go for a date and have some fun . Don't jump into matrimony."

Kushi, "Because Kushi will marry ... of her father's choice. I don't even need to look at my prospective husband...Probably all this sounds strange to you but it feels very normal to me. I don't play the date game ... So, why not let my Dad choose my husband... Its my way of paying back to him at his old age ... the pride of getting your daughter married...no questions asked ...for me that's perfectly normal. Kushi Kumari Gupta will do anything for her Babuji."

Brad, " Stop it Kushi...too much of melodrama... Don't be indebted in life... Lead your life."

Kushi just shrugged and lifted her suitcase and moved to her assigned room.

Brad dialled Arnav , " Hey man!... thanks for the help. Congrats you have a new caretaker."

Arnav curtly said, " Transfer money into her account and ask her to replenish the supplies ."

Brad, " She refused the money for the job and she will collect the money after furnishing the bills."

Arnav, " What! I am really impressed. But I don't live on other's charity."

Arnav thought , What a fake , impostor!

Brad realized that Arnav was upset. He tried to explain ...

Arnav called out , "What's her name?"

Already he started feeling uncomfortable about this lady. She seems cheesy , trying to impress everyone with her "I don't care about money attitude."

He became all nervous... His subconscious commanded him to get out of this and send the girl out of the house. He was surprised as he never felt this negative towards anyone. He wanted to withdraw his offer of job but knew it was too late as she was all set to move next week.

Then he heard a voice,

Kushi, " Brad! I love this place, I could live here for ever."

Brad, " Kushi!"

What kind of name was that ...very Chessy... he could smell a dead rat.

Arnav started sweating and disconnected the call. He had to stop the girl from moving in. He has to do this fast as she will most probably move on the 1^st of next month . That means he has just one week to invert this mess . He again called his Mom, the one person he always calls during his distress time.

Arnav, " Mom, did you talk to Brad?"

Mrs.Shanthi Raizada , " Hi son!. I did but the girl does not have any place to stay. There are three bedrooms in your apartment, I felt she could use one."

Arnav yelled , " No ! I don't want any intrusion. He took a deep breath and said "I will do something , I will try to get some accommodation for her . I will message you the details. I am travelling to Key West and then from there to NY. So I cannot talk to you for next 4 days. But please follow it up with Brad."

Mrs.Shanthi Raizada disconnected the call and sighed. " Why was her son over reacting!"

To be continued...

Originally posted by: corie

Khushi dont want to stay and he doesnt want her there. Cant wait for the meeting. Awesome continue soon.