I Found You, Almost! -Thread One- [NTL PG143] - Page 35

Khushi stepped out of the shower a fresh towel wrapped around her form. She sighed as she towel dried her hair, looking at her pale face in the mirror. Her heart was a mess as she recalled her meeting with Arnav at Shantivan. What irritates her most was the presence of Lavanya there. What was she doing there? And was not she supposed to be in US? She applied little moisturizer on her body and sat on the bed lost in thoughts.

Does that mean, he have really moved on? And already in a relationship with Lavanya Kashyap? If that is the case, then I should...

She closed her eyes as she thought of her father's words before he left last night. Neel. Think about him Khushi. She forced herself off the bed reaching for her cupboard. Neel had asked her out for a lunch date and she had no other option than accepting it. Why was she holding back now? When the man in question was living his life, as he wished. Why was she backing away from these stuffs now. She would just set everything aside and approve this proposal.

She removed a purple-netted sari and searched for matching accessories in her dressing table. She fixed her hair and wore the sari beautifully. If Neel is going to be her bright future as her Dad had mentioned, she would just allow herself to feel that way.

"I am almost ready, are not you coming to pick me?"

She quickly sent a text to Neel and did a light touch up before leaving her room.

**

Arnav curtly nodded to the employees who greeted him with their laced with sugar good mornings. He quickly strode through the hallway and reached for the elevators. He looked at the woman who was already inside and with the look on her face he realized that she was waiting for him.

"Hello Mr. Raizada we are happy to have you here. How do you like your new office?"

She asked smiling brightly at him.

"Its good..."

He said briefly, his eyes fixated on the door while he sensed her shift on her legs, nervously.

"My name is Reshma Ahuja, your new P.A.."

She said trying to compose herself.

"Great"

He said stepping out of the elevator and Reshma followed him to his cabin. She watched him remove his black coat and threw it onto the arm of the chair. He sat on the chair and switched on his laptop. She waited for him to look at her but he made no such attempt. She cleared her throat to gain his attention and he looked up at her coldly.

"This is your schedule for today, sir"

She said as she moved a notepad in front of him. He read through the same and returned it to her.

"Mail me the same from next time.."

"I had mailed you sir...but I guess you did not.."

"Do as I say..no more questions and explanations. Try keeping it short.."

He said as he tapped on the keypad furiously while Reshma waited for him.

"What?"

He asked irritated while Reshma flinched at his tone.

"Is there anything I should.."

"Please get out..I will call you if there is anything.."

"Sorry sir.."

***

"Did you tell my girlfriend off? You are an ass Raizada"

Neeraj frowned sipping his drink while Arnav's eyes narrowed at him.

"Girlfriend? You have a girlfriend?"

Arnav asked his tone mocking and Neeraj let out a sigh.

"Yes I do. Her name is Reshma.."

"Ohh...Reshma Ahuja... don't tell me it was your recommendation that my HR dept. appointed her.."

"Then who do you think did it. Man, be a little gentle towards her...she just finished her course and your company is the first she has joined.."

"Fine..I will be careful...from next time.."

Arnav groaned gulping down his drink in a swift swig.

"Easy boy..you are going to burn your throat.."

Neeraj exclaimed stretching his legs onto the lounger while Arnav read through the tabloids.

"Were you upset over something?"

Neeraj asked out of the blue and Arnav's eyes snapped at him.

"And why are you asking this to me?"

"Because you are normally very gentle with your female employees..and as far as I know..you had yelled at her..the whole office was buzzing..you know?"

"I have many reasons to be upset..not your concern..."

Arnav said leaving his seats and Neeraj sighed.

"Is it about Khushi getting engaged to Neel?"

Neeraj was stunned to see the crestfallen face of his friend as soon as those words left his mouth. He stuffed his mouth with some snacks and looked at the shining water of the pool.

"What did you say?"

Arnav urged turning on his heels his eyes fierce and cold.

"Um...looks like you..."

"She is getting engaged to that..."

Arnav trailed off fisting his hands in his pockets and then entered inside his room. He squeezed shut his eyes when the same feeling had crossed him when they had met after she got back home, graduated.

Neel that good for nothing... His jaw clenched at the thought itself and he rushed out of the house. Neeraj gulped down the food and took a sip of his drink,

"For the record... Arnav Singh Raizada is a liar. And precisely his pants are on fire"

**

Arnav did not know as where he was been headed to, the passersby yelled at him for his reckless driving. He forced a stop at the same place where he had once quarreled with her for some stupid reason. He rested his head against the steering wheel and tried to calm himself down.

"I know..why you did it.."

He said to himself before pulling the car out of the road.

"And that's makes my doubts stronger that you still feel for me Khushi..I don't believe how stupid I sound to my own ears..but that is the truth.."

He smiled looking at his reflection in the rear view mirror then it got lost as he got reminded of her grieving face when she had left his house.

**

Sasi was thrumming with happiness as he phoned and invited everyone for his daughter's engagement ceremony. Khushi was trying hard to be cheerful with the preparations but her heart was still waiting for the unexpected. 2 days had passed after the news of her engagement was been out. Neel was a known figure in Indian business industry and they wanted to announce it to public as well as media.

Khushi was positive enough that it would bring out some reaction from Arnav, if he feels anything for her. There was little hope left in her heart that they cant end like this. Something has to happen between them..

She sighed looking at Avni's huge form as she strolled towards Khushi in her maternity wear.

"Khushi, did you decide on your sari?"

She asked sounding very cheerful while Khushi could easily read the worry lines on her sister's face.

"Spit it out and save the drama.."

Khushi said going through the brochures of the sari's and Avni sat next to her, her one hand supporting her back with difficulty.

"You are happy, right? Tell me you are.."

She asked squeezing Khushi's hands and Khushi looked up at her forcing a smile on her lips.

Upsetting her expecting sister was the last thing she wanted to do. So she lied.

"I am. Cant you see? Besides, I know I have to move on.."

Avni watched her curiously and then hugged her sideways.

"I feel like a rice sack.. Aman said he will have to book for a big car.."

Avni laughed hugging her huge baby bump and Khushi giggled.

"You look lovely...and pregnancy have added glow to your face..."

Khushi added kissing her cheeks lovingly.

***

A/N

Sorry for the delay. It was unintentional. From now on I will be updating once in a week. Too busy these days and my classes are starting.

New readers those who have asked for PMs I will add you to my PM list. Other please buddy _FriedPMs_

Thanks to every reader who liked and commented on last chapter.

And welcome new readers

"MysticRiver"

"segad"

"russelskhushi"