Arshi FF:My Love Behind The Mask Thread Two - Page 51

Hey guys.Most of you noticed I didn't post any of my stories and I got a lot of pms regarding that.Anyways just want to let you guys know I will be more regular now.Not like posting everyday but once or twice a week is a definite.

Part 12

It was 5 PM when Khushi reached home.She had finally gotten rid of that Arnav when he wasn't looking.It was her first day at work and he had said she could leave early at 3.That liar! He had purposely kept her there for absolute no reason.

"I'm home" Khushi announced as she entered her house and closed the doors.She frowned when she didn't hear anybody else "Mom? Dad?"

"In the living room Khushi" she heard her mother say.

Khushi smiled and made her way there "I am back from work" she said but didn't see the guest sitting on the chair as she passed him.

"Khushi there is something we need to tell you" Garima said.

Shashi spoke after a moment of hesitation "Meet Angad Raizada,the man who has asked for your hand in marriage"

Khushi widened her eyes in shock and turned around to see a man about her age.He had dark brown hair which could easily be mistakened for black.His eyes were black.He wore a black shirt with jeans to match.He smiled at her "Hello Khushi" he said in a deep voice which made Khushi come out of her thoughts.

She looked more closely at him and couldn't help but notice there was a familiarity about him.He slightly resembled to Arnav.There was something about his looks that matched Arnav's.Not his eyes but perhaps the shape and perhaps his skin tone.The way he raised his eyes at her reminded her a lot of Arnav.

Khushi gave a hesitant laugh to him "Um hello.Have we met before?"

"I believe we went to the same college in Florida"

That was it.She had seen him a few times while she was in college but wasn't really familiar with him.They had never exchanged words so why did he come to her home after years to ask for her hand in marriage "May I talk to you in private please" Khushi requested boldly.Shashi and Garima nodded.Angad smiled and stood up.Khushi led him outside to the small garden.She turned to face him "I don't mean to be rude Mr.Raizada-"

"Angad.Call me by my name" he interrupted.

Khushi hesitated "I am sorry but I probably shouldn't get so familiar with you.I'll just be striaght.Why have you come to ask me for my hand in marriage?"

Angad tilted his head "Well who wouldn't want to marry you?"

Khushi looked down at her ring finger where Arnav's stubborn ring refused to move from it's place.How had he managed to place it on her finger with so ease? She had tried everything to take it off.Using soap and water.Pulling it off with her hand.She had even tried pulling it off with her teeth.But there it remained on her finger,undented and sparkling as if laughing at her failed attempts.Khushi made a face and quickly hid her hand before Angad could see "Mr.Raizada.I just came back from Florida a couple days ago and I would like to focus on my career at the moment.Not marriage.I hope you understand" Khushi was about to turn away when she froze.Wait a second.Raizada? She turned to Angad "Are you by any chance related to Arnav Singh Raizada?"

"No" came the immediate reply "I am in no way related to him.It's just a coincidence our last name is the same" Angad looked at her and took a step towards her "Khushi I believe we can make things work with both your career and our marriage"

Khushi shook her head "No I am sorry but my answer remains the same"

She turned around to go back inside but Angad grabbed her wrist.Khushi turned around and looked at him slightly confused and bewildered "Khushi don't you remember me.It's me Khushi.Your Masked Man"

Khushi widened her eyes "E-Excuse me!" she narrowed her eyes at him "What proof do you have?"

Angad smirked.He pulled out a mask.Khushi gasped "Remember? This is the mask I always wore" he said.

Khushi frowned "Follow me" she said.Khushi turned around and walked inside the house.Angad followed her into her bedroom.Khushi opened a drawer and took out a small piece.Of what? Angad couldn't tell.Khushi turned around to face him and showed him the small blue piece "Mask please" Angad gave her the mask.Khushi looked at the mask closely and the small piece.She frowned at Angad "You liar! You are not my Masked Man.I could tell even without the mask.My Masked Man had dark brown eyes,not black.His hair was black,not dark brown.He is taller than you.I highly doubt he grew short.He was also much musculer than you and his voice was much more deeper than yours.I know him.He most likely would keep it a secret and let me find out myself"

Angad looked at her bewildered "W-Wha-"

"How many men did you fight for me when I was walking home alone?"

"Um..ten?"

"Six.Where did you first meet me?"

"At a cafe?"

"At a school dance.How did you first communicate with me?"

Angad gave a confused look "With my voice?"

"A text message.What did you gift me before we officially met?"

"Jewelery?"

"A dress.What color was it?"

"Blue?"

"You don't even know the color of the dress my Masked Man gave me and yet you expect me to believe you are him" Khushi showed him the small blue piece "I don't need the same mask to know if you are him or not.I will know it's him when I see him.This small blue piece fell off my Masked Man's mask when he fought for me.Please get out of my house.There's no way I could ever marry a man like you!"

Angad gritted his teeth.It was time to go back to the drawing board.With whatever respect he had left,he left her bedroom and the house.

"What happened?" Garima asked when she saw Khushi tense.

"He wasn't a good guy" Khushi stated.

Shashi nodded "For some reason he was quite desperate to marry you"

Khushi pursed her lips "Yeah" she looked around "How come bhaiya and bhabhi aren't here?"

"Oh yeah we forgot to tell you.Samar had to go see some clients in Nanital.He took Anjali with him and they won't be coming home for a couple of days" Khushi nodded.Garima continued "Khushi there's a wedding tomorrow.Are you coming?"

Khushi shook her head "I have work"

"Oh okay then.We will be staying with the family for a day or so.We won't be home"

Khushi nodded "Okay"

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The next day Khushi came to AR in a horrible mood,the previous day's memories still fresh in her head.She settled into her cabin but immediately the phone rang.She picked it up and before she could answer Arnav spoke in his demanding voice "In my office Khushi.Now"

He cut the call.Khushi gripped the phone in a deathly tight grip and nearly slammed it down.She walked to Arnav's cabin without even bothering to knock "What do you want?" she grumbled.

Arnav smiled and leaned back on his seat "You look lovely"

"Not in the mood so buzz off!" she snapped.

Arnav looked at her startled and concerned.He stood up and made his way to her "Hey,you okay?"

"Why would you care?" she asked annoyed "I can't wait to get out of here.Why did you call me here?"

"Khushi" he said softly.He pushed her gently on to a chair and kneeled to be as the same height as her "You don't look so good Khushi.Did something happen? You can always tell me"

Khushi was about to snap at him once more but froze when she looked clearly into his eyes.Dark,molten,chocolate brown.Almost like...No! It couldn't be possible! Could it...Khushi looked at his hair.It was black.Pure black just as...her Masked Man's "A-Arnav..."

"What is it Khushi?" he asked concerned.

"Why did you marry me Arnav?"

Arnav stiffened "Why do you ask? You already know the reason"

"You do realize I am not going to help you break my brother and sister in law's happiness right?"

He shrugged "You might change your mind"

Khushi rolled her eyes and stared at him.She bit her lip "Why did you ask me to come here?"

"Um just wanted to wish you a good morning"

Khushi raised an eyebrow but decided not to say anything "Okay then.Good morning to you too.Um bye"

Khushi stood up to leave.She opened to door but stopped when she heard Arnav's voice "Khushi,if you feel tired you can go back home early today"

Khushi turned around and stared at him "Thank you" she said softly.She turned around and left.

******************************************************

Unfortunately Arnav had back to back meetings with his clients so he couldn't check up on Khushi.It was late at night around 11 PM when he was finally free.Arnav rubbed his temples and grabbed his coat from his chair.The employees had long left.Arnav walked past Khushi's room and then stopped.He turned around and saw Khushi playing with a paper weight.

'What is Khushi still doing here?' Arnav wondered 'She should have left by now' Arnav walked in her cabin "Khushi? What are you doing here? You should have gone home by now"

Khushi looked up "Oh is it time to leave already?"

Arnav looked at her through narrowed eyes "It's 11 PM.You should have left hours ago"

Khushi widened her eyes and shot her eyes to the clock "I didn't even notice! I hope I get a taxi"

"It's late Khushi.I'll drop you off"

"No way!" came the immediate reply "You can't be trusted"

"Neither can taxi drivers be trusted late at this timing"

Khushi scoffed "I'll take the risk"

She tried to walk past him but Arnav held her wrist "Khushi I mean well for you" he said truthfully.

"And how is marrying me without my permission meaning well for me?" When Arnav didn't reply Khushi waved his hand off "Exactly what I thought"

With her head raised high she walked out the door.

******************************************************

'Me and my big mouth' Khushi thought to herself in frustration.It has been half an hour since she was waiting for a taxi and not one came 'It wouldn't have been that bad to get a lift from him' she thought 'But no,my pride had to get in the way'.Arnav didn't even bother coming after her.Khushi was about to add on to that thought when she saw a taxi coming her way.Khushi stuck her hand out in a sign for a lift and sighed when it stopped in front of her.'I don't need him' she thought happily.Khushi sat inside the taxi and gave the driver the address.

Khushi looked outside the closed window.It was raining harder than before.Thunder roared making her jump.Khushi looked at her drenched clothing.She would catch a cold if she didn't change soon.Khushi shifted her gaze back outside to watch the rain patter against the window.Khushi widened her eyes when she realized this wasn't the route to her house at all.Khushi looked at the driver "This isn't the way to my house"

"We are taking a short cut" came the abrupt reply.

"I don't want the short cut"

"Well we are going to take it"

Khushi's heart began thumping wildly in fear.Arnav's words came back.Neither can taxi drivers be trusted late at this timing.

Oh why did he have to be right about this from everything? "Stop the taxi"

"No"

Khushi widened her eyes "Stop the car right now! Or else I'll scream"

"Go ahead.Nobody will hear you" He was right.The roads were deserted.Oh Arnav why did you have to be right about this...

The driver stopped the vehicle after a while in the middle of nowhere.Khushi didn't waste a second.She opened the door and got out.She tried to run but the driver grabbed her wrists and pushed her up against the vehicle "LET ME GO!" Khushi screamed.

He flinched but didn't let go "Let her go Sonam" came a familiar voice.

The driver immediately let go and took a few steps back.Khushi'e eyes grew so wide it was possible for them to fall out of their sockets "Arnav" she gasped.Without thinking for another second Khushi dashed towards him.She literally threw her body on him and clung to him tightly "Oh Arnav" Khushi whimpered.Her heart immediately calmed down after seeing him.She felt Arnav wrap his arms around her.

"Take the taxi home Sonam" she heard him say.

Khushi heard the vehicle come alive and drive off.She looked up at his drenched face.His hair stuck to his face like hers did.His eyes were unusally darker than it's normal color which for some reason made Khushi remember the times her Masked Man had looked at her whenever she wore the dress he gifted.