Arshi FF#2:THE SEED OF PASSION, Chapters 9 to 16 - Page 51

Originally posted by: anu1017

Just waiting for the "conversation" R!!! I hope you know what day it is today!!!!! 😉

Originally posted by: wiwy

I know A !🤗 But bad case of AD!😭 I will try to post by late evening😳

Khushi's reaction!

Khushi ran up the stairs of the AR office, anger burning her veins! She ignored the receptionist Sheela, outside Arnav's cabin, and barged into his room!

Arnav was in an important meeting with his staff and he looked up surprised. He was annoyed to be disturbed and said in a cold steely voice,

"What do you want Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta? Who allowed you to come in ?"

Sheela peeped in, her face red and said nervously,

"Sir, she just walked into your room in spite of my protests." She glared at Khushi.

Khushi scowledat her and looking straight into Arnav's eyes, said, "I want to talk to you now!" Khushi stamped her foot and stood her ground.

"Get out Sheela! I will deal with you later! And as for you, Miss Gupta, this is my office! And I am your boss here! So don't you dare shout at me!" Arnav barked at her and swiftly rising from his chair, covered the distance between them.

Sheela beat a hasty retreat!

Khushi moved backwards, a little scared, as he loomed over her threateningly!

But then she saw noticed that the men in the room were watching them curiously and smiling at her discomfort.

This reiterated her resolve to give ASR a piece of her mind and she hissed at him,

"Arnav! Did you threaten Pankaj ji?! Did you say you will hang him by the toes if he thinks of marrying me?!"

"Oh the little boy has complained to big mommy has he?!" Arnav raised his eyebrows and smirked at her. She could make out that he was laughing silently at her.

Khushi was raving mad. "Who do you think you are?! What gives you the right to talk to my fianc, like that?! Laad Governor kahin ke!"

"What the! What did you call me? Laad Governor! How dare you!" Arnav roared.

Just then Aman entered the room carrying an armload of files.

He looked at the duo...their voices raised, their tempers flying, their breath coming out in gasps! Aman was not Arnav's PA for nothing. He grasped the situation quickly and gestured to the men in the room to leave it immediately!

As soon as Aman and the other AR employees left, Arnav grabbed Khushi's arms tightly, his eyes filled with anger.

"And why did you call him your fianc, Khushi? When the hell, did you get engaged to him?!"

"I haven't got engaged. But I will! I was undecided earlier. But after what you have done I have decided to get engaged to Pankaj ji after all! He is a good man and will be a good husband too!" Khushi raised her chin defiantly at Arnav in spite of the pain he was inflicting on her.

"You are not marrying him Khushi. And that is final!" Arnav's voice was dead cold.

"What's happening Chhotey?" Anjali's voice sounded at the door of the cabin.

Khushi was relieved to see Anjali . Arnav let go off Khushi's upper arms and turned towards his sister.

"What are you doing here Di?" he asked her spreading his hands and shaking his head in exasperation. "Have all women pledged to drive me crazy today? And that too in my own office?!"

"Chottey," Anjali retorted, limping into the cabin, "Remember, you had asked me to drop by your office before going for shopping, to sign some papers? So I came here. And what do I hear? You are dissuading Khushi from getting married! But why, may I know?"

Arnav shrugged his shoulders," Well, for starters, Khushi is too young Di! She hasn't completed her studies! She doesn't know this chap! She..."

Anjali interrupted Arnav. " Chhotey, the match has been fixed by Diwanji, and he will not give Khushi or Payal's hand to any undeserving boy. Diwanji has a frail health and I can understand why he wants Khushi to get married early. It seems the boy's side has no problem with Khushi continuing with her studies. So why are you opposed to her marriage? What is your problem?"

Arnav pursed his lips and glanced at Khushi. He looked so vulnerable. A lump formed in Khushi's throat. Hey Devi Maiyya what does Arnav want?!

As if Anjali had heard Khushi's silent question she asked Arnav in a gentle voice, "The reasons you cited, Chhotey... are they the real reasons why you don't want Khushi to marry Pankaj or is there something else on your mind..." she said hesitatingly, looking from her brother to Khushi and back!

"What do you mean Di...?!" Arnav's tone was defensive and he deliberately looked away from Khushi.

Anjali hesitated for a moment and then she spoke her mind frankly. "I mean...maybe you think of Khushi more than a friend...You may not say it but I know how special she is to you! Is that why you don't want her to marry someone else?!"

There was a sharp intake of breath and Arnav rasped,

"What crap, Di! I have learnt early in my life not to be fooled by stupid emotions! Khushi is not important at all! She means nothing to me! She can marry any half -baked nitwit she wants to, for all I care!"

Khushi's face fell and a clammy cold hand wringed her heart.

And before Anjali could stop her she ran out of the cabin and AR office. She hailed a cab.

And it was then that the tears started rolling. She touched her wet cheeks and burrowed her face in her hands. What was wrong with her! What had she expected him to say!

Her phone rang. It was Pankaj ji.

She wiped her tears and connected and trying to sound casual said,

"Pankaj ji! I spoke to Arnav! Like I told you he was just joking! Pulling your leg, you know! You don't have to fear him!"

Pankaj replied "Okay, okay Khushiji. I knew he was joking. I wasn't scared...he he he!"

Secrety Pankaj was relieved !

Clearing his throat, he said, "I am looking forward to meeting you when I return from Pune," he said. "My brother, Niraj is also coming from Dubai next week. He too is eager to meet Payal ji."

"Oh Okay Pankaj ji," Khushi said. " I will talk to you later. I am nearing home."

She had just got down from the auto in front of her house when she received another call. The number was unknown.

"Hello?" Khushi spoke into the phone.

A sing song voice said,

"Madam I am calling from the sky diving club. I had called Mr. Raizada to confirm his participation in the Hot Balloon competition tomorrow. He had given your name as his partner since it is a couple contest. But now he says you are not interested. Please madam if you back out now...the proceeds will go for charity..."

Khushi gritted her teeth.

"He said I am not interested did he? How does he know everything about my state of mind? Will he take all decisions on my behalf?" Khushi fumed into the phone.

There was an embarrassed silence at the other end and Khushi calmed down.

" I am sorry, please don't mind. Tell Mr. Raizada I will be there tomorrow... come what may!"

There was a finality in Khushi's voice as she disconnected the line.

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The next morning Khushi found it very difficult to convince Buaji that she would be safe and not fall off the hot air balloon.

"Its for a good cause, Buaji. The amount collected will go towards the schooling and lodging of street children," Khushi said hugging the elderly woman.

Payal supported her,

"Yes and it will be an experience of a lifetime for Khushi!"

Babuji, looked up from his newspaper and said, "Let her go, Madhumati. Arnav bitwa will be with her. He will not let anything happen to her."

That riled Khushi but she did not protest. She looked at her watch.

"I should be going now" she said looking at her family. She walked up to Buaji and said ruefully "Please smile for me, Buaji!!"

Buaji shook her head. "Hayye re Nand Kishore! Abhi ladki ki shaadi bhi nahi hui aur wo marney chali! Jo man main aaye taun karo, Sankadevi! (The girl hasn't even got married and she is all set to die! Do whatever you feel like, Sankadevi!)"

She flopped down on the couch and slapped her head, muttering a series of Sankadevi!

Khushi was at a loss but Babuji smiled and gestured to her not to mind Buaji and leave. Khushi nodded her head and walked out of the Gupta house.

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The sky diving club was bursting with activity! Khushi stared excitedly at the huge red, yellow, blue, green, orange hot air balloons with hissing fires burning inside them and big baskets hanging under them.

She went up to a man in an official uniform. He was ticking off a checklist in his hand. She raised her voice above the commotion around her.

"Excuse me. I am participating in this competition with Arnav...I mean Arnav Singh Raizada. Will you please check our names?"

The man looked at the list. "Oh yes of course," he shouted back, "You are partnering ASR. You must be Lavanya Kashyap," he smiled at her.

"Lavanya?" Khushi was confused. "But I am Khushi Kumari Gupta. Please check again."

A familiar cold and stern voice broke into their conversation.

" There is no need to recheck, Miss Gupta! He is right. I changed my partner. I am taking Lavanya with me, not you!"

Khushi turned around, her temper soaring. Arnav was standing with his hands folded on his chest, his eyes blazing.

"What do you mean? How can you do that?!" Khushi was shocked.

"Why can't I?! Do you think only you have the copyright to choose a partner, Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta? I am Arnav Singh Raizada and I can do anything I want to, don't forget that!" Arnav said his eyes bloodshot.

Tears stung Khushi's eyes. She knew he was trying to get back at her. But why? What had she done? He was the one who had told Anjalidi that he did not care about her, that she was not important to him!

"Hey! What's up Khushi? Can I help?" someone tapped her shoulder.