FF: Bruised Hearts; Chpt 27 Pg. 98 (NEW UPDATE) - Page 13

Khushi: Ohhyou know damn well why I didnt tell him! He doesnt know I am marriedto YOU! And I am keeping it that way.

Arnav unfolds his hands and closes in on Khushi till they are just a hairbreadth away from each other.

Arnav (leans down and whispers): Then you have nothing to worry about. (Normal voice) We can work together and no one will know a thing. So whats the problem?

Khushi (furiously): I know! It goes against MY standard. Against the ethical standard that I hold MYSELF up to. I am not going to let YOU manipulate me into working with you. Sorry MR. RAIZADA but thats not happening!

Arnav: WellMRS. RAIZADA, I only see two options for you. Option 1. YOU work with me on this merger deal. Take me on as a client. Or Option 2. Disclose to the firm YOUR PERSONAL reason for not wanting to COOPERATE and offer me your legal assistance. Choice is yours. I myself prefer that you go with Option 1.

Khushi: Cut the bullshit Arnav! I do have someno quite a bit of weight and power in this firm as a junior partner. Just because I DONT want the firm to know about my personal business and my iffy marital status does NOT mean that you can blackmail me. If its necessary, then I WILL disclose.

Arnav (shrugging his shoulders): Sureif you want to be under scrutiny. I wonder how they would feel that youve withheld this information from them, what else can you be hiding? And imagine how the firm would feel that because of you, they lost one of their biggest clients.

Khushi is itching to slap Arnav. How dare he threaten her?!? How dare he use the knowledge how important the firm is against her?

Damn him! I cant stand to see the firm suffer any losses or lose a client due. Arnav Singh Raizada you are not taking away my hard-earned respect. Khushi think! Theres an option 3, you just need to find it! Youre a good lawyer. Dont fall into his trap.

Khushi: Youre so damned full of yourself! Do you honestly think I am scared of that threat? And how did you know I am with this firm?!?

Arnav: I am Arnav Singh Raizada, finding information is easy for me. (After a small pause) And you dropped your business card in my studywhen you opened your purse.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! How could I be so careless?

Khushi (sarcastic): So you came up with your brilliant plan to try to corner me.

Arnav: I am Arnav Singh Raizada. I have a clever mind, so of course its a brilliant plan.

Khushi just rolls her eyes at him. Hes so arrogant!

Arnav: Now shall we go out to lunch? Business lunch. To discuss the merger (smirk).

Khushi opens her mouth to protest but she notices Madhu leaving her office for lunch. Madhu looks over at Khushis office and on seeing the desperate look in her eyes, interrupts Arnav and Khushi.

Madhu (walking into Khushis office): KhushiI see we have a new client.

Arnav (turns around in anger and faces Madhu): THIS is a private meeting.

Madhu: Ahhyou must be Arnav Singh Raizada. Khushis sorry ass of a husband who abandoned her. (Holds her hand out to Arnav) Cant say its a pleasure to meet you.

Arnav (furious and refuses to shake Madhus hand): What the! Who the hell are you?

Madhu: Madhubala Malik. I am Khushis partner in crime, best friend and sister.

Khushi: MadhuArnav insists that I take him on as a client.

Madhu: Ahhso he wants OUR legal expertise.

Arnav: Just Khushis.

Madhu: Mr. Raizadawe handle cases together. We are partner in crime. We are like Bonnie and Clyde. Bunty and Bubli. Sonny and Cher. You get my drift dont you Mr. Harvard graduate?

Khushi (stifling laughter): Madhu. Mr. Raizada wants to go out for lunch to discuss the details of the merger.

Arnav (sputtering): What the! Khushithe lunchits for youand me.

Khushi (slyly): But Mr. Raizadayou said yourself that its a business lunch. Since Madhu is going to be part of YOUR legal team for the merger, she should join us. Dont you think?

Arnav: Damn it Khushi!

Madhu: Dont worry Mr. Raizada. As tempting as it may be to screw you over, we are professionals. Now lets go to lunch. I am famished!

Khushi silently thanks Madhu with her eyes. The three of them leave the office and go downstairs. Arnav is now in a rather foul mood. His alone time with Khushi just has been spoiled. Madhu and Khushi are doing their best to not dissolve into laughter. After all, its not every day that you get to beat the great Arnav Singh Raizada at his game.

Arnavs car is brought around to the front. He opens up the passenger seat and indicates Khushi to take a seat.

Khushi (looking at the watch and exclaims): Cant believe I forgot! I actually have a deposition hearing in half an hour. I am afraid I will have to bail out on this lunch. Mr. Raizada fill Madhu in on the details and she and I will discuss with you at another time.

Arnav: What the! Khushi!

Just then Khushis silver Mercedes M-Class is brought around. She waves at Arnav and Madhu and drives away.

Madhu (smiling at Arnav): Well its just you and I Mr. Shaatir Dimaag. Now I can get to interrogaI mean we can discuss the details of the merger. I hope youre ready.

Arnav sighs in frustration and holds open the door for Madhu as she gets in.

Driver of a white Ferrari, witnessing only the last few seconds of the interaction, stares in anger. Madhu smiling and getting in the car with a supposed strange MAN.

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RK tightens his hold on the steering wheel, trying to reign in his mounting anger. Why the hell is Madhu getting in the car with that man? Wait? Is that ASR? What the hell is he doing here in Mumbai?!? Why is the damned man with MY BIWI?!? Is he the reason Madhu wants a divorce? He slams his fist down onto the steering wheel in frustration. Damn it! Shes mine! And only mine! I am not letting that asshole take away my woman!

Arnav starts driving and RK follows them to the restaurant. He watches Arnav open the door for HIS Madhu and escorts her in. RK sits there and contemplates his next move.

In the restaurant

Arnav pulls the chair out for Madhu and waits for her to sit before taking his own. The waiter comes and takes their order.

Madhu (sits back and relaxes): So Mr. Raizada. Tell me the real reason you are here.

Arnav (innocent): For the merger of course.

Madhu: Right and coming to our firm and demanding to work with Khushi is just ALL part of the merger?

Arnav: Arnav Singh Raizada only works with the best, Ms. Malik.

Madhu (laughs): Mr. Raizada our firm is full of brilliant lawyers specializing in corporate law. So that leads me to believe that youre only here for Khushi. What do you want with her?

Arnav (sighs): I want her back.

Madhu: So you can break her heart and trust again? I dont think so.

Arnav: And who are YOU Ms. Malik to make this decision?

Madhu: WellMr. Raizada I was the one who helped her pick up the pieces and put her life back together. She is my best friend. Like a sister to me. I am not going to sit idle and let you just waltz right back into her life to shatter it into a million pieces.

Arnav: I know Ive hurt her. But I promise I wont again, I just want another chance.

Madhu (laughs again): Thats rich coming from you Mr. Wishy Washy. Your promise holds no value. Didnt you promise to love and stand by her? But the minute a storm entered your life, you left Khushi stranded. You abandoned her. So excuse me if I dont put much stock in your words.

Arnav: Are you always this difficult?

Madhu (smiles): Only with assholes.

Arnav (muses): I wonder why so bitter? Did some poor chap leave you for your sharp tongue?

Madhus smile slips off her face for a moment. But she pastes it back on.

Madhu (smiling): You can take jabs at me all you like Mr. Raizada. But it doesnt change facts. You broke Khushis heart and trust TWICE. She is not the same girl you married. Wellcant really call it a wedding now can I? Just slapping on sindoor and mangalsutra but no pheres, that makes it only a half wedding. And that too will be dissolved. The court WILL grant her a divorce. So good luck getting a third chance with Khushi.

RK storms into the restaurant and is immediately surrounded by two young, enthusiastic fans.

Fan 1: OMG! Its RK!

Fan 2: OMGOMGOMG! Can I have your autograph please?

RK: You need an appointment to deal with RK. Now kindly step out of my way!

The two young girls dejectedly step out of his way. Poor thingswish someone had warned them not to get in front of a raging bull.

RK looks around and spots Madhu sitting and smiling at that bloody bas***d. He stalks over to their table.

RK (controlling his rage): BiwiDid you forget about your Patidev so soon? Are you not going to invite me to sit down with you for lunch and introduce me to YOUR FRIEND?

Madhu spits up her drink and slams the glass down on the table.

Madhu (sputtering): RK! What are you doing here?!?

RK: Biwican a man not come and see his wife?

Madhu: No! And I am not your Biwi! So please leave (sees people looking in their direction) youre creating a scene!

RK: Aahaan Legally we are still married. So YOU ARE STILL MY BIWI.

Arnav stands up and extends his hand towards RK.

Arnav: Hi. I am Arnav Singh Raizada.

RK grabs hold of Arnavs hand in a tight grip and gives it an extra tight squeeze before letting go.

RK (glittering eyes): RK. Superstar RKand Madhus husband. Did Madhu tell you that shes married?

Arnav just raises his brows at this and looks at Madhu.

Madhu (hissing): RK..! This is real life not reel life. You cant just barge in and cause a scene!

RK: Biwibiwibiwidialogue mara band karo. Thats Superstar RKs specialty. And how am I causing a scene? I just want to join my wife for lunch.

Madhu (to Arnav): Please excuse me.

She grabs RKs arms and pulls him to a secluded part of the restaurant. Once she makes sure that they have privacy, she turns to him furiously.

Madhu: What the hell was that about?!?

RK grabs hold of her shoulders and pushes her up against the wall.

RK: I could ask the same thing of you Biwi?!?

Madhu (pushing him away from her): How dare you barge in like that and cause a scene? I am NOT your Biwi. We have no relationship. YOU have NO right to interfere in my life!

RK: It was that easy for you to move on?!?

Madhu: Huh?

RK pushes up against her and puts his hands on the wall on each side of her head.

RK: Who the hell is he to you?

Madhu: RKI just told you that MY life is none of your damned business. (Trying to push him off to give her space) And stay the hell away from me!

RK: Is he Taras father?

Madhu (confused): Huh?!?

RK (rages): IS HE TARAS FATHER?!?!?

Madhu: Wellyes! ASR is Taras father.

RK (punches the wall in rage): Damn it!

Madhu jumps up in shock. She stares at RK as hes materialized into a beast.

Madhu (furiously): What the hell is the matter with you RK?!? Why are you so bent out of shape that ASR is Taras father?

RK (grabs her shoulders again and shakes her): Do I mean nothing to you?!?

Madhu (pushes his hands off her shoulders): Are you freaking kidding me? How dare you ask me that question? YOU? Who played with my heart and my feelings for the sake of REVENGE! For four slaps! YOU pretended to love me and then discarded me like a piece of garbage once you achieved your goal! And YOU are asking ME do you mean anything to ME? I should ask you, what the hell do I mean to YOU? Nada! Nothing! Zilch! Zero! You didnt want to complete the pheres. So as far as I am concerned Mr. Rishab Kundra, you and I ARE NOT MARRIED! We have NO RELATIONSHIP! So just STOP trying to barge in my life! I am NOT A DOLL THAT YOU CAN TOY WITH ANYTIME YOU WANT!

RK (frustrated and angry): Damn it woman! I DIDNT COMPLETE THE PHERES BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO PROTECT YOU!!!!

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This is quite frustrating. I am not a grammar police. But the missing apostrophes and sometimes even the running of words are irritating me to no ends. That is clearly not how I am posting these passages. 😡

Anyway...please read, like and make comments. I love reading all the feedback. 😳