SS - Don't want it to be you.. - Page 4

Nice let’s see how they all find out

"Buaji, amma, humein aashirwas dijiye ke humein ye naukri mil jayen"

"hamara aashirwad sada tumhare saath hi hai khushi..par hum abhi yahi kahengey ke tum raizadaon ki naukri chod ke galat ki ho, soch lo...aur waise bhi...."

"bas, bas..humnein bahut soch ke ye faisla liya hai...aap bas hamein aashirwad dijye. hum chalte hai. jiji....kal raat ko jo mithat banai thi...wo bade wale dubbey mein hai..agar aap waha jaengi to le jana"

She couldn't reply to all their queries, with jiji's wedding to akash ji her situation was only going to get complex, she had to handle it somehow she thought and fetched a auto.

"namaste, hum yaha co-ordinator ki job interview dene aayein hai"

" oh, pls write you name and other details here and then you go to the hall on the left and take a seat, you'll be called"

"ji , thank you" khushi took a deep breath as she saw 15 people seated there.....

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Chotte, kaha tak pahucha schools ka kaam? nani asked

"Nani, schools ki requirement list hamare paas hai, ab humne kuch schools ko extended support bhi dene ki sochi hai jaise ki teaching support, admin guidance... uski hiring me lavanya, Aakash aur Aman mere saath hai"

"bahut ache bitua, aur baki ki tayari anjali bitiyan agle hafte tak ho jaegi na?"

"ji, nani..sab almost ho gaya hai, pujari ji, nana ji ki pasand ka decor, food, singer, invites, daan aur usse related logistics sab ready hai.

"sach...apke nanaji bahut khush honge apne naati pooton ko itna safal dekhke." nani said very pleased.

"Lavanya bitiya ke maata pita ko bhi aamantrit kijiyega, unhe ab hamare parivar se mil lena chahiye. arnav, aap khud unko phone karengey to unhe zyaada acha lagega"

Arnav could just give a stiff nod...lavanya could just smile, and anjali just wondered where it this going.

"nani main chalta hu, lavanya i'll see you at the hiring be there by 10.30 sharp, we have to finalize the candidates today and they can be trained for the day. see you, bye"

Arnav left...Nani left soon after anjali got conversing with lavanya..

"lavanya ji aapke parents ko kis time call karna theek rahega? humein time difference bhi to dekhna hai, aur aap unka no mujhe forward kardijiye"

"Abhi kardeti hu di, done. and di...main unse baat karke aapko batati hu? ok"

"done, lavanyaji...acha aap khushiji se bhi pooch lijiye wo kab aayengi"

"uh, di...actually to tell you the truth di...i am not sure anymore"

"kya matlab lavanyaji"

"di, mujhe bhi khushi pasand hai, wo bahut achi hai....par...Arnav is my would be and i cannot compromise in anything related to him, sorry di..par khushi ka dur rehna hi sahi rahega"

Wrong, it was wrong. He knew he no longer sees lavanya as he did before, but she was who he believed to be perfect wife material....where the hell did khushi enter the picture from?!

he didn't like her a bit....and infact doesn't like her even today, but why is she in the picture for him? even nani was able to put khushi aside...but he with all the will power he has, isn't able to! this is a bloody joke!!!

He missed her, he couldn't stop calling her, just to hear her say hello and then silence for a few minutes and then buaji, amma or payal would call her and then she would say "hum rakhtein hai"...he would humm and they would get on with life.

"Bhai, its all ready...if you say we start the interviews" akash asked

"lets begin" he took the seat with Akash and lavanya next to him with the headmaster at the head of the table.

" send the first candidate in" came the annoucement via speaker and then the candidates went in and out.

Lavanya and aakash had already found credible candidates, arnav and headmaster wanted to finish interviewing all and then come to a conclusion.

And then came khushi....everything came to a standstill for arnav and lavanya.

Aakash greeted her as he always did and she greeted him and principal back, she said a polite hello to lavanya too for which lavanya gave a formal polite smile back.

She could only manage a nod to arnav, no eye contact....she felt him in the room and ever since then she was nervous...she couldn't greet him normally no matter how much inner talk she gave herself!

Aakash started with a few general personal questions and moved to interviewing her, lavanya and principal joined in as well....

Arnav slowly wheeled his chair backward and was just staring at her...after such a long time he gets to see her....I hate her!

"bhai, you want to ask khushi ji anything?"

"no"

"ok, khushi ji, interview is done...can you please wait outside"

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If she had a option she would have walked away from there, but her financial situation was such that she needed a job. So she sat and waited....she had made it to final 7 and there were only 4 vacancies.

the wait made her hungry, she informed the receptionist and went in to the small kitchen at the end of the corridor to eat from her packed lunch. She entered the kitchen with her hand in bag looking for the dabba when she felt a pull on her elbow that dragged her in to the closet. and there she was facing him.

He didn't want to...he never paid attention to any of this, but he knew...he just knew her habits..how? how did he know these thing about her? how did he know that she would go to kitchen and when? no way he ever paid her even a minute worth's attention...she was annoying all the time! then when the hell did he learn so many things about her?

whatever it may be but for the minute they were in right now....he held her elbow and they were in this tiny closet by the kitchen in a space he was visiting as a employer.

They just looked at each other in peace...no shock, no deer caught in headlight look, totally aware of what they are trying to avoid. none of them would move a step ahead no matter how they so called "felt". They know they aren't meant for each other, they aren't correct together...whatever is happening in between them is a situation they are unable to avoid....so they just stand there look up, right, left, down and back in to each others eyes.

Minutes pass by....receptionist comes by "khushi, are you here?" . she looks in the direction of the voice and back at arnav...she whispers "humein chalna chahiye" before she could make anymove..he asks "fir kab"

The two words stun her and him too, they share a startled look and as she tries to move he grabs her elbow, holds her to the wall right behind her, ANGRY! he couldn't say such things!, who the hell is this person? his hand on both side of her face...as he brings his closer and whispers...

" i hat...

The next moment khushi was in his arms...his whisper in her ear made her shiver so bad that she could keep her body from shaking and was hugging him before she could fathom what he was about to say

The next second she realised what he was about to say...he was to tell her that "he hated her"...she knew it, but before she could move her...his hands we already grabbing her tightly to himself and his head down at the shoulder and neck region causing havoc!

They stayed still, none wanting to break this moment. Arnav could feel her pulse under his lips....he could feel her heart racing....heck, he could feel his heart sprinting.....and he kissed her neck without a second thought.

Khushi shivered some more and arnav's heart soared to her reaction, he raised his head, held her by her waist with one hand and her face by the other.

"Look at me, Khushi"

She opened her eye to look at him...her eyes were scared, scared to why are they not holding themselves back....scared of where are they heading too? there is no road this way.....

"This one time khushi.....ca..can..can i kiss you this one time?

She moved back, be bought her back to himself tighter than before if possible...raising he face asking her for permission....a kiss, a kiss to survive a lifetime, maybe.

he kissed he neck..."please" looked her with all the passion...."Whatever it is in between us, lets close it with this kiss and never look back at it again"

hurt swam through their eyes, and khushi eyes looked down....she gave the slightest nod and the next second arnav was kissing her like there's no tomorrow....He couldn't get enough of her lips....he kissed her deep, he tasted her mouth..he kissed her upper lip and the lower and both and kissed her some more....

Khushi almost fainted in passion their kiss generated, arnav held her tight to himself, Khushi's attempts to kiss arnav back made him smile....he smiled in to his kiss and let her kiss him back...and as he ran his hand on her face he felt wetness.....

Tears, he held her face...and looked her teary eyes....her hands on his chest holding his shirt.....as to never let go..

he gathered her in his arms and lead her in to slow passionate kiss that lasted a lifetime.

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where were you arnav? we were all looking for you!

" i had something important to address, anyways i hope you guys have gone through the selection process, so breif me on what you have decided" asked arnav

Akash handed over the list to arnav " Bhai, these are the 4 names, i also have to add that i wanted to take khushi in our team as we personally know how creative and efficient she is but headmaster and lavanya ji are of opinion that khushi isnt qualified to be hired."

Arnav looked at lavanya " asr i believe we need experienced people here, the job is to provide guidance, khushi has no experience in this so how can she be of any help? she would need guidance rather, so i stand firm in believing that this job isn't for her"

Arnav knew why lavanya wouldn't want khushi...but the reason she presented was valid so he couldn't argue. and they agreed on names selected.

Akash suggested they give the names to receptionist and move, lavanya insisted they personally tell the candidates and give them a word of encouragement....Arnav knew what was coming.

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Lavanya insisted in addressing the candidates...

"Hello Everyone, we have selected our future team members, congratulations to the lucky four. You have secured yourself a opportunity of a lifetime...." she mentioned all the perks of the job, all financial benefits and arnav was in background, he could see khushi fidgeting her nails in anxiety....

Khushi held on to tears as she realised she hadn't got the position, akash gave her words of encouragement , lavanya gave her a polite distant word on why she wasn't selected. she held herself very well, until her eyes clashed with his and the tears succumbed to gravity, and she made out of there in no time.

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Everyone gathers around in raizada household at the arrival of Lavanya's parents.

Pleasantries are exchanged, family members are introduced after a pleasant lunch they sit in the living room with lovely tea made by lavanya

Lavanya's father is surprised by lavanya's transformation " Devyaniji, i have to say, my daughter is a changed person, and i mean this new change just great, there is a new maturity in her persona. i have to ask how did you do this" he asked laughingly yet very curious to know....

Devyani looked at lavanya with utmost love and complimented lavanya on her acceptance towards change. totally avoiding khushi in the conversation and masterfully keeping that name away from the limelight.

Arnav watched this with hurt in his heart. he couldn't say anything could he? may be.

Devyani who was observing her grandson interjected at the right time "arnav babua, ab aapne bhi shaadi ke liye haan kardi hai...lavanya ke gharwale bhi yahan hai...acha rahega agar hum shaadi ki baat karle"

Lavanya sat next to arnav, a lil shy and excited...she grabbed arnav's arm.

he immidiately undid her arm and heard door open...all the members turned to look at the door.

and here walks in the gupta family , with khushi.

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Anjali and nani greeted gupta parivar

anjali greeted them all the same, but one could easily see nani's behaviour change towards khushi

"Payal bitiya aaiyein" nani ji cooed with happiness, "oh khushi bitiyan bhi ayi hai"

arnav wasn't sure what he was doing...wether he was trying to get khushi look at him or was he avoiding her.

"Arnav, aakash, hum chahtein hai ke nanaji ki barsi ke function ke agle din aap dono sagayi karle" before anyone could say....she raised her hand and said , madhumati ji....khushi bitiyan ki shaadi bhi hote hote reh gayi....

Arnav snapped his neck at the speed of light to look at nani..he knew what she would be planning...

"hamare jaan pehchaan ka ladka hai, nandkishore naam hai..khushi ke liye bahut acha rahega, ladke ke bare aap koi chinta na kare...acha svabhav hai, acha kamata hai...ghar bhi acha hai. agar aap ha karde to khushi ki bhi sagai usi din karde.

nani ji.....khushi said.....

"rukiye bitiya, apni amma aur buaji ko bolne dijiye" nani said overtaking

"humein maaf kijiye naniji...par apko pata hai ke humari sagai ho chuki hai" khushi replied adding to that she said in a lower voice " hu...hum kisi ke ho chuke hai" touching her engagement ring.

arnav's heart soared....

Lavanya, nani mami tried to convince khushi for accept the proposal but she only politely declined... then mami tauntingly passed a comment

"Rehne dijiye sasuma, jaise lavanya ki kismat me arnav ka pyaar hai, waisa khushi ki kismat me ho sakta hai kya?"

Mami didnt know what implication her line had

Lavanya openly lovingly looking at arnav, arnav stealing glances at khushi and khushi completely avoiding all eyes and rubbing her arms to calm the goose bumps down!

Khushi is right. Her situation is so complicated right now. Hope she does get a job away from the mess.

Lavanya is trying to keep Khushi away from Arnav. In her place she can't be faulted for that. She is keeping her man away from another girl. But these things never do work.

What luck! The new job is with the same bunch of people. So much for staying away.

He hates her and still goes after her, hugs her, kisses her. Make up your mind man.

Lavanya is rejecting Khushi. If she didn't need this job so much, she would have good riddance. But she needs the job.

"Khushi...." lavanya called out when she found khushi by herself near fountain.

"Lavanyaji, kaisi hai aap"

"im good khushi, how are you..did you find another job?"

"abhi nahi mili lavanyaji, par i am trying"

"Good khushi, par kya hai na market mein jobs kum hai, you know political climate, inflation..oh! kya ye sab, main bhi na. tum karo try, that is good. waise kis tax slab main hai ye jobs jo tum dekh rahi ho?

"uh, lavanya ji...zyada nahi bas...."

"oho kushi, no tension mil jaegi, waise acha hai..tumari nayi shuruat meri bhi..."

"aap bhi kaam badal rahi hai kya?" enquired khushi

"nahi khushi...mera kaam independent hai, mujhe koi kaam de, aur nikal nahi sakta i work for myself, after all mere parents ne mujhe itna padhaya mujhe support kiya and maine bhi bahut mehnat kari hai. main aisi basic choti jobs ki tarah kisi ke liye kaam nahi karti"

Though its laden with facts, khushi couldn't ignore the factual snide remarks unloaded upon her. lavanya interjected khushi's train of thoughts

"par ek issue hai khushi...pehle sab theek tha..par fir na jaane kaha se ye issue aa gaya"

"kya issue lavanya ji"

"main jab iss ghar me ayi, usse pehle hi arnav aur main ek relationship me the, aur fir is ghar me aake woh rishta aur bhi pakka hota gaya, par fir"....she looked at khushi pointedly " main arnav ki hoon khushi,and arnav mera hai, mujhe koi fikr karne ki zaroorat to nahi hai na?"

Before khushi could respond arnav showed up behind khushi "Lavanya..your parents are looking for you....and khushi you guys should get going"

Lavanya looked at khushi before leaving...and once she was gone as khushi moved, he stopped her.."you were saying something about your engagement" he teased....weirdly feeling light hearted in this moment, after all only they knew the ring she wears on her finger is by him.

"Ji, shyam ji called. He said he'll be back next week and we could marry immediately after " and walked past him. all hell broke loose, before he could stop himself he held her wrist dragged her back to himself and screamed on top of his lungs " you are doing no such thing...understood! no such thing"

Khushi tried her best to get out of her hold....he had screamed real loud she was sure people heard it and were going to come looking any moment...she struggled to get out of his hold only for him to be blinded in anger and pull her even closer.

He held her with one wrist twisted behind her and another holding her hair from behind......as if telling her the further she tries to go the closer he'll drag her to himself.

In the last few minutes he had been on cloud nine! hearing the importance of the ring on her finger and the fact that she said she belonged to the man who put the ring on her made his heart soar to new heights! The kiss they shared, the mutual craving for each other was imprinted on him...NO DAMN WAY HE WOULD TAKE THIS LYING DOWN!

They ran to protect khushi....afte all arnav's anger was world famous! but when they all ran after each other in one direction...they froze, and nani was the first to get her voice back...."ARNAV.....ya kya batameezi hai, chodiye khushi bitiyan ko"

"Nani..stay away ye khushi aur mere beech ki baat hai" arnav replied not a degree cooler

"say it again khushi" "i dare you to repeat what you said" arnav challenged her bringing her face closer than before.

One may say arnav was angry....but it was more than that, the room could feel passion emanating from both the parties, captive and the captor.

"Khushi...ye kya hai" screamed garima, khushi was startled by garima's voice and tried to get out and turn towards her arnav held her back this time by waist.

"Chodiye humein arnavji" tearfull khushi pleaded.

anjali walked closer to arnav "chote jaane dijiye khushi ji ko, yaha sab hai"

and that is when arnav slacked him grip and khushi could move out of his hold......

Nani ji was furious, she could not let this go as she did last time, as all were moving away she stopped gupta's

"Madhumati ji humne payal bitiya ko pasand kiya hai apne aakash ke liye, aur hum aaj hi apni is pasand pe kayam hai...par aaj ke baad khushi iss ghar me nahi aani chahiye, aur ye zimedari aapke parivaar ki hai"

"Nani ye aap kya".....anjali tried to apeak

"bas anjali....humein kuch nahi sunna, ye jo abhi dekhka iske baad bhi aap kuch bolna chahti hai" Naniji said.

"nani....apke rules sirf iss ghar tak hi ho sakte hai, mujhpe aap pabandi nahi laga sakti" arnav replied to nani

"aap par koi pabandi nahi hai arnav, aap jis ladki ko iss ghar leke aayein hai, aur jiss ladki se shaadi ka wada kiya usse nibhana koi pabandi to nahi hai, jo bhi hua hai aapki hi pasand aur marzi se hua hai" Nani reminded arnav.

Yaha shaadi aur lavanya kaha se aagayi nani....?

Chote, aapko pata hai ke aap kya kar rahe hai? lavanya bitiya ki feelings kaise hurt kar rahe hai? aap aise khushi bitiya ke saath! CHI...

"Nani, main apna koi vaada nahi bhoolta, lavanya hi meri wife banne ke kabil hai....mujhe pyaar mein vishwas nahi hai par lavanya hi meri wife..." arnav was interjected rudely by a hysterical payal as khushi fainted on her!

While all the ladies and men were in shock...

Arnav just leapt over and held khushi before she touched the ground....he was all over her...calling her name, tapping her cheek as gentle as a feather.

di please bring some water to the room, he lifted khushi in his arms and took her to his room.