ArhiFF. Rishton ki Dor- Updated:CH 34 (pg136) 10/31/14 - Page 6

very interesting read in one go superb ff thanks for the pm

awesome !!! loved the way arnav's father played khushi's words and on other hand arnav knows what khushi would have done... so arnav singh raizada is not letting khushi off the hook and on other hand khushi kumari gupta is thinking about someone whom she have met in study and instead have been spending sleepless nights from past some days.. loved the update.. it is very interesting story.. do continue soon.. 😃

A nice and different story.. thanks for the PM

Chapter 7

Lavanya was having a good day. It was only a couple weeks away before the deadline for the photo shoot. This was a huge opportunity for her, the big break she had been looking for. She had come a long way from being the nave 20 year old, wide-eyed and awestruck. In the 3 years that she had worked as an assistant fashion designer, she had come to realize that the industry was made up of nothing but a bunch of insecure and selfish people. She got along well with her colleagues, went out with them after work, but none that were close to her. And Lavanya liked to keep it this way, so she could remain focused on her work. It was her dream to launch her own line of clothing and now, she felt like she was one step closer to achieving that dream.

"Lav, he wants to see you." She looked at the intern and nodded.

'He' was her boss and mentor, Dev. Since the first day she had started working with him, he had taken her under his wing. He had not been easy to work with, his temper always on a short fuse and un-approachable when he was in one of his foul moods. It was probably that was what made him one of the most sought after designers today. But over the years, they had managed to find the groove that worked.

She knocked on the door and entered his studio. As usual, it was chaotic, the drawing board in the corner with odd scribbles on it, fabric piles littered on the cutting table and Dev himself, sitting behind the desk, talking on the phone. He waved and gestured her to take a seat.

Lavanya tucked the pencil behind her ear and moved the papers from the chair and sat down.

"So," Dev said hanging up the phone. "Give me an update."

"Well...all my designs are ready. I am waiting for the models to come in for fittings, which incidentally is scheduled for tomorrow. And then we can have the photo shoot the following week. It will give me time for any contingencies," she finished in a rush, her eyes a tad anxious.

Dev smiled and nodded. "Excellent. Now the one thing I wanted to talk to you about. I know you have worked with Abhay in the past, but it so happens that he will not be able to make it this time."

"Aw...but why? What happened? Dev, he is so easy to work with!"

"I know. He is out of town, some family emergency. The magazine is sending someone new."

Damn, Lavanya thought. She had been hoping that nothing would go wrong. Working with a new photographer on her first solo project was not something she was looking forward to. On the other hand, if it meant that her designs would be published in Vogue next month, it would be a small price to pay.

"I know," Dev said and got up to walk around the room. "The new guy should be arriving anytime. I'd like you to stay here and meet him."

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. The intern who had delivered Dev's message to Lavanya, stuck her head in and said, "He's here."

Lavanya turned around and her mouth fell open as she saw who walked in the door. It was NK Singh Raizada. She couldn't believe her eyes and it seemed that NK had the same reaction. He stood frozen for a second when he saw Lavanya and then turning shook hands with Dev.

"Welcome," Dev said. "Meet Lav, aka lavanya ."

Lavanya slowly got to her feet and walked forward. "We've met," she said and held out her hand.

NK nodded, took her hand and dropped it after a brief shake.

Dev looked at one to the other, puzzled.

"It's a long story, Dev." Lavanya explained. "My cousins are living with the Raizadas. My uncle and NK's dad were good friends."

"Ah," he said, not really understanding.

NK was keeping a tight rein on his tongue. Khushi and Muskaan may trust their cousin, but he was having some issues with that. The treatment that those two girls had undergone at Lavanya's house still made him furious. Granted he had not known them for long, but he felt very protective towards them. And he believed that Lavanya could have done more to help her cousins. How could he know that with his lucky break for working freelance for Vogue would bring him here? Imagine having to work with her!

Lavanya spent the rest of the morning with NK going over her ideas. He did not say much and just let her speak. She seemed very confident about what she wanted and he got the idea that she did not like being told she was wrong. It was going to be an interesting couple of weeks, he thought.

"That's it," Lavanya finished. She looked at NK expectantly, waiting for him to say something. She got the distinct impression that he did not like her. She understood that it was because of Khushi and Muskaan. Lavanya felt deeply ashamed of her parents and had told them so several times. This man, however, did not have the right to judge her. So, if he had issues, they were his to deal with.

"Thank you," NK said getting up. "I'll be in touch with you and we can set up a time to meet next week." He turned to leave.

"Mr. Raizada," she called. NK turned and made a face.

"Please...Mr. Raizada is my father. Call me NK."

"Ok then, NK. Is it going to be a problem for you to be working with me?" she asked.

It seemed to take NK by surprise. His eyes narrowed as he studied her.

"No. Why would I have a problem?"

"I am just asking. This project is really important to me and I do not want anything to jeopardize it."

"And you think I would do...what?" he asked, flaring. "In case you didn't know, I do take my work seriously and this is a big deal for me too."

"Meaning that I don't?" Lavanya said, starting to get annoyed.

"I don't know and neither do I care to find out. Let's just stick to doing what we do best and leave it at that."

Lavanya looked at the barely contained fury in his eyes and felt the need to explain.

"NK...about Khushi and Muskaan, I can..."

"I don't want to hear anything!" He walked to the door and stood with his back to her. "I don't know why, but they seem to like you. For their sake, I am willing to tolerate you. But if I ever find out that you've hurt them, you'll have me to answer to."

Lavanya heard the door slam and winced. That was great, she thought with sarcasm. My first big photo shoot and I get to work with the guy who hates me, for allegedly torturing my cousins! I hope you are happy mom, she thought bitterly and wanted to cry. What was the point, Lav, she asked herself. It was only going to be for a couple weeks anyway. She thought of her cousins and felt a little sad. Lavanya hoped that her uncle and aunt were at peace. As much as she disliked being accused of ill-treating her cousins, she couldn't help but feel bittersweet happiness that NK had stood up for them!

Buddy me for pms and check out the character sketch on my blog, the link's on pg 1 at the end of the first chapter. Thank you.

Chapter 8

Hmmm I have to wonder if NK and Lav become a couple while working together, a nice update setting the story's pace..

Originally posted by: LadyR

Hmmm I have to wonder if NK and Lav become a couple while working together, a nice update setting the story's pace..

You are right, Lavany and NK will have a parallel story to Arnav and Khushi.

well not bad.. nk & lavanya's meet was not bad.. lavanya have not ill-treated her cousins and nk is trying to hard only for them.. he will be ok with lavanya when he will get to know her.. loved the update but missed ARSHI..

Loved it

waiting for arhi

Nice update!

Read all the parts n it's a wonderful story.