Arshi FF : A Love Marriage | Thread 2 link Pg 1 - Page 25

Arnav looked at the velvet box in his hand, and then at his reflection in the mirror.

"Thank you Khushi. For making me smile" he practised the dialogue nth time, feeling nervous again. A perfectionist needs to have everything perfect. This is proved. The Arnav Singh Raizada, was nervous about saying this one simple line to a girl! Like, seriously?

He exhaled deeply, picking up his phone and dialling Khushi's number.

"Hello?"

"Hello Khushi" he started, "I'm going to office right now."

"Arnavji. You called me to inform this that you're going to office?" she asked at his lame statement.

"No Khushi. I called you to ask if you'll join me for a dinner today evening" he softly said, smiling anxiously.

"Dinner?" she asked amused, "Theek hai Arnavji" and she blushed.

"Perfect! Be ready. I'll come to pick you up at 7" he excitedly said.

"Arnavji. Where are we going?"

"You'll come to know dear"

"Okay. See you soon" she said.

*

At exact 6.30, Khushi was ready for her first official date. It truly was a great feeling - butterflies creating havoc in her stomach! She stared at her phone, waiting for her Arnavji's call.

'I think its too early right now' she self-composed herself and went back to the novel which nowadays longed to be read by her.

*

"Mr. Raizada. It is the sales month. We can't lower the price of the material right now" a delegate from China spoke in his peculiar accent. They were seated in an official meeting since past an hour, but they were not able to come to an agreement.

Arnav looked at his watch nth time in this past hour. He was getting late and the meeting seemed no end today.

"Mr. Mikimoto. We are buying the material from you in much bulk. I think the prices are above notch" Arnav said, agreed by his personal assistant Aman.

"But we can't do anything Mr. Raizada. We are also bound to our officials" the Chinese delegate replied, making Arnav groan.

Arnav looked at his watch which showed 7.15; his face was completely filled with irritation. Khushi would be waiting for him. He was late for his first date. How he thought to leave the office at 6.30 and then freshen up a bit at his home and then go to Khushi's place. But damn these meetings which come up at odd times.

His phone buzzed in vibration mode, flashing Khushi's name. He closed his eyes tightly, gulping up his frustration.

"Mr. Mikimoto. I don't think there's anything left to discuss now. As we've already said, that your firm providing us with the material, would bring in to the benefit to both the companies. But if you're not interested.." Arnav firmly said, trying best to finish off.

"No no Mr. Raizada" the delegate replied, shaking both his hands, "We're very interested. Just give us some time. We'll talk to our officials" sounding very serious about the deal.

"Okay that's good. I think we can surely arrange for a meeting tomorrow morning. I hope your officials agree for this deal" Arnav said, standing up to see them off.

No sooner did they leave, than Arnav picked up his phone and car keys, instructing Aman about the meeting to be held. He hastily went towards the parking area, glancing at his watch which showed 7.45. Muttering dammit's a number of times, he sat in his car. His phone again rang.

"Hello?"

"Arnavji?"

"Sorry Khushi"

"Aap kahaan hain?" (Where are you?)

"I'll be there in just 15 minutes Khushi"

"Okay" saying so, she hung the call, pouting. He was late. And like all girls, she too hated unpunctuality.

*

He stopped at some distance from her house. Taking out a napkin, he wiped his face off all the sweat. After all, one should look good on his first date! And here was a direct office-return. He then took out a perfume from the dashboard-drawer of his car, which he kept for business meetings, if by chance, he doesn't get time for freshening up. He sprayed some on his shoulders and some under his armpits, to make him at least smell good; taking in consideration the fact that girls love good-smelling guys!

He called up Khushi, "Khushi? Are you ready?"

"Since 6.30 Arnavji" she said irritated.

"Sorry" he spoke pleadingly.

"You just close your eyes for 10 seconds. And I'll be there" he said, making her lips form a faint smile.

He started the car, driving it to her home, taking exactly 10 seconds. He blew the horn, and saw his Angel coming out, clad in an extremely beautiful pink anarkali. How good she looked in every color! He came out of the car, smiling at her pouted face.

"Sorry" he apologized again.

"You're late by one whole hour" she whimpered, looking at him reproachfully.

Arnav raised his eyebrows, making a puppy-faced poor expression, "I was in a meeting Khushi"

"It's ok. I think we should leave now" she said, and went to the other side of the car.

Arnav held the car door open for her, gentlemanly, while she settled herself on the seat opposite to Arnav's. Arnav sat on the driver seat and drove to the hotel. He opened the car door for her get out, while the guard showed them way in.

Khushi pressed her lips together, feeling nervous again. She quietly walked beside him to the table where he had booked. It was an exquisite place, the peaceful environment adding charm to the romantic atmosphere. Arnav pulled a chair for Khushi gently for her to sit; while she smiled acknowledgedly and seated herself. Arnav moved to sit opposite to her.

"Thanks Arnavji" she said softly, smiling.

Arnav gave her a faint smile, "For what?"

"For bringing me here. This place is so beautiful" she whispered, seeing everything around her.

Arnav grinned at her innocence, feeling so comfortable now that his girl is no longer angry at him.

"Beautiful people need to be taken at beautiful places dear" he said in a flirtatious tone.

Khushi looked down smiling.. rather blushing, in turn getting another comment from him, "Why do you blush so much?"

"I don't know" she replied in a barely audible whisper.

The waiter came towards their table to write down the order. Arnav gave the order, consulting each and everything with Khushi. After the waiter went away, Arnav turned towards Khushi, "you're so cute Khushi"

"Ji?" she looked at him confusedly and then realized his compliment and again felt warmth rising her cheeks. How girls love compliments!

"You know what. You are the first girl I've been out with for dinner" he said, smiling.

"Really?" she asked, "That means you haven't dated any girl before me?"

"That means you used to have guys around you. No?" he asked her teasingly.

"Yeah. I used to be surrounded by guys in the college" she said, biting her lip to control her grin, "but I never gave consideration to any of them"

"Accha? Then why are you giving consideration to me?" he again teased her, stressing upon the word 'consideration'.

"Because I'm getting married to you" she lied, not wanting to speak anything about him at this moment.

"That's it? You are just coming out with me because we're getting married?" he asked amused, raising his one eyebrow.

"Haan" she shrugged her shoulders.

He was about to say something else, but was stopped as the dinner was served. They started eating silently, stealing glances every now and then.

After paying the bill, Arnav and Khushi walked out of the hotel, stopping beside their car.

"Arnavji?" Khushi looked at him, suddenly getting reminded of something, "You said that you want to give me something?"

"Haan" he beamed with happiness, anticipitating her happiness after receiving the gift.

He slipped his hand in one of the pockets of his coat, and took out a red colored velvet box. Extending it towards her, he confessed,"Thank you Khushi, for making me smile!"

Her lips curved into her most prettiest smile, her eyes shined with sparkles as she picked the small box from his hand. As she opened it, she felt her surroundings become blur, she felt just her and him to be a part of this world. Her heart had already skipped many beats and skipped yet another one as she saw the content that beautiful box. It was a beautiful diamond chain with a small heart-shaped pendant hanging down from it. The shine from the diamonds made her eyes twinkle with immense joy.

She realized how well he knew her. She loved light weighed jewelery, and he knew it. She loved diamonds, and he knew that too. She took out the chain from the velvet box ever so slowly, and smiled widely at Arnav.

"It's so beautiful Arnavji! Thank you so much. You are the best" saying so she involuntarily hugged him, flinging her arms around his neck. His heart almost stopped as he felt her against him. If he gets to see such kind of happiness from her every time he gifts her something, then he didn't really had a problem buying gifts for her everyday. He too wound his arms around her, completing the hug.

Khushi parted herself away from him, moving back a step. She felt her cheeks going red, and looked down blushing.

"Shall we leave?" Arnav asked her, bending his head sideways to look at her bowed head. She nodded slyly and went to sit in the car.

Who says that love cannot happen between two people engaged in an arranged marriage?

😳

~~

I guess it was a pretty long chapter. Was it good? If you like it, please tell me. And if you don't like it, please tell me that too. 😃

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Next?- Shagun.

Stay blessed.

Love,

-Sanjana.