New Arshi FF : Merger - Link to Thread # 2 on Page 141 - Page 74

Originally posted by: Pinky.Raizada

Nice update. I hope whatever lavanya does only brings Arshi closer.

agree... not to forget shyam...

you have growing readers here... update soon...

So they are both able to sense when something is not right with the other one...that is a connection and a bond is formed.

Originally posted by: crazy4ArnavSR

read the update...evn though there isn't much to tal abt...yet i like how concerned both are for each other in respective situations.

And..I m waiting for him to teach her how to say 'No' . ;)

waitng for next update :) I knw the real deal lies there. :P

oh yes... waiting for her to learn that 😆 😆

La is so horrible...i hope she isnt able to do anything evil against khushi...i know she will...n also she might succeed, but arnav knows how efficient khushi is, so that wud help n it will bring them more close...just like how this trip planned by LA gave them a chance to show their concern for each other...love this silent progress of their relationship

Originally posted by: shalini_s

Good one.. Hope the lion is Khushi

😆 😆 that will be nice...

Lovely update. So La's great plan was food poisoning. Meant for Khushi but others ate it instead. Love Arhi care toward each other and La is playing cupid here.

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A/n: I really thought I would be able to update this in couple of days. Didn't realize its already a week since my last update. Really tensed about this one. So please comment and let me know how you felt.

And thankyou thankyou thankyou for the wonderful comments. Love you all.🤗

CHAPTER 16

After Arnav and Kaka being diagnosed with food-poisoning, the three of the came back to Arnav's house. Khushi got Kaka to sleep on his bed. Arnav seated himself on the couch. Head hanging behind. Khushi stood at the entrance of Kaka's room, eyeing the two of them. Deciding what to do next, she knotted her duppatta at the side and set about to do her work.

She looked at the clock. 12 PM. Time for lunch. Doctor had said that mild food and good hydration were the key to recovery. And there was Arnavji's fever that had to be tackled.

She quickly assured a very thankful Kaka that she will stay till the time he has recovered reasonably. "Kaka, Do you want something to eat?"

"No bitiya. As of now, I just want to sleep. I am feeling very tired."

"Ok Kaka. Call me if you need anything." She shut the door behind her when she stepped out.

She ambled towards Arnavji. She had never attended to him personally. Very timidly she asked him.

"Sir, how are you feeling? Do you want anything?"

"Hmmm? Yeah, get me some coffee. And where did you keep my laptop, can you give that too?"

"Ok Sir." She gave him the laptop and walked towards the kitchen. "Aise chipakte hain uss laptop se jaise roothi hui biwi ho. Thodi der bhi baat nahi ki to aur gussa karegi. Hmph. Ab inhe kaun samjhayega ki inko aaraam ki zaroorat hain."

She took the coffee. He was sitting on his bed. Back to the headboard. Pillows propped up behind his back for support. Laptop balanced on his stretched legs. He was trying hard to concentrate on something. He signaled her to keep the coffee on his side table.

"Sir, do you know where the thermometer is?"

"Why?"

"Just wanted to see how much is your fever. Doctor has asked us to take a reading once in four hours."

"So, someone is not as dumb as they proclaimed to be." He cocked an eyebrow, the annoyance evident in his tone and face. "You tricked me to take me to the hospital, didn't you? You lied to me didn't you?"

"I... I... I have kept something on the stove." She escaped for now, hoping over time he would forget about the incident. If he had agreed rightaway, she didn't have to trick him, isn't it? It was afterall his fault and he was blaming her? Hmph. Some people...

In less than 15 minutes, she heard the retching sound again. She ran to Arnavji's room. He walked back to his bed and fell on it.

She looked at the empty coffee mug. Ok, no more coffee.

He continued to lay like that. Unsure how to address him, she went back to the kitchen.

With simple khichdi and medicines on a tray, she walked first to Arnavji's room. She saw him again in the same old working position on the bed.

What is Sir doing? The office is closed. Everyone had gone to the trip. There is no need to work. He needs to rest.

She kept the tray beside his bed.

"Sir, how are you feeling? Did you get a chance to check your temperature?"

He scowled at her. Scared, Khushi - the mouse, ran away.

She then woke up Kaka and got him to eat the Khichdi and take the medicine.

Arnav looked at the bowl kept beside him. Uhhh Yuck... Naani's food. How he hated khichdi. No way he was eating that. He took out an energy bar from his emergency stock. Took couple of bites, lest his sugar levels increased too much. And then took the medicines.

An hour later, Khushi went in to Arnavji's room. He was talking to Amanji. The Khichdi was untouched. But the medicines were taken. She kept a glass of orange juice beside him, heavily diluted with water (she knew diabetics shouldn't be drinking too much juice). Went to Kaka. Kaka took the juice promptly.

Couple of hours later, she made a pudding with granulated wheat (sooji). He was now talking to someone on the phone in an American accent. She was surprised. Had never heard him speak that way before. He spoke about deliveries by air to a location in Paris and Gothenburg.

She saw the morning khichdi and juice. She kept the pudding and cleared the rest.

She peeked in an hour later. He was still on call. Straining to talk. The food was not touched.

An hour later, she went inside with buttermilk. Again the pudding was not touched.

She was getting concerned now. Arnavji had taken the medicines on an empty stomach. This was so wrong. He could hurt his health more if he didn't eat.

She informed Kaka. He told her that he prefers the foreign food sometimes. May be she should try some of that. Unsure, she made a simple spinach soup and added some peas to it for a different touch and taste. She also kept a glass of milk beside it. Decided against the cereal, he wouldn't be able to digest it anyway. When she entered his room, Arnavji was lying on his bed. With one hand covering his eyes. Hearing the sound of the door open, he woke up. She felt guilty.

"Sorry Sir. Did I wake you?"

"No..No... I have a call in 5 minutes. I was just lying down." His voice was strained.

Aaah... Good. The Lion has calmed down. She tried her luck again.

"Sir... fever...?"

His cocked eyebrow and glare gave her the silent message. 'You have some nerve to pursue it even now.'

Hanging her head down, she went out quietly. But now she was extremely worried. Kaka was resting in his room. He was feeling very weak as it is. She did not want to bother him more.

At 8 pm she went in with some more soup. The earlier bowl remained untouched. What was the problem? Didn't he like what she had made? But he had eaten food that she had cooked. The last few times when Anjaliji had visited. So, she was sure it wasn't the taste. Then what was it? Was his tummy hurting? She had to know the exact situation. Only then they would be able to fix it. But Sir had not spoken a single word about his status. And he had spent almost an entire day without food. He was a diabetic. And a victim of food poisoning. The situation could spiral out of control any moment.

"Aman?" She heard Arnavji say. "I spoke to the European customers this afternoon. They need couple of deliveries quickly by air. Rest can go normally."

"And spoke to Steve just now. He says he would be able to drive down to New York City by 2.30 in the afternoon his time. That's at 1 AM IST. I guess we can get the presentation ready in the next few hours. Shall I confirm the conference call with him?"

<<Silence. Aman talking.>>

"Ok. I have sent the meeting invite. You accept it. And ask Steve to send the meeting invite to the customer from his email ID."

Something snapped inside her. She banged the tray of food beside him. Arnav was taken aback at the sound. She snatched his phone from him.

"Amanji. Mein Khushi. Do you remember me? We met the other day, when you came to visit Arnavji."

<<Silence. Aman talking>>

"Haan. Ji. I am ok. But Arnavji is not. He is ... he is..." Arnav mouthed a BIG NOOO!!! to her.

"No, nothing serious. Just a viral fever. Who kya hai na! Kaka is also not keeping well. So I just came over to help."

Arnav was furious. How dare she? Moreover, now Di and the family will fuss all over him.

"I just wanted to let you know that he looks very tired. If he doesn't take rest now, then his fatigue will last for many more days. Instead it is better to nip the fever at the bud, isn't it?"

<<Silence>>

"That's exactly what I was hoping for. Thankyou."

<<Silence>>

"No. I don't have a mobile. You can call on the landline. Ok. I will give the phone to Sir now."

She held out her hand. He snatched it from her.

"Yah Aman. Don't listen to her. I am perfectly alright. She is lying."

Khushi crossed her hands on her chest, challenging him. She was very upset. Arnav just did not care.

<< Silence...Aman talking>>

"Aman listen to me. Fix the call for tonight. The earlier we know the customer's expectations the better."

<<Aman talking>>

Aman declined the email invite that Arnav had sent. And said that he would email Steve that they could not do the conference call today. It was originally scheduled for two days later. So, it was not as if they were losing anything.

Arnav was in no mood to haggle with him. "Don't tell Di and others that I am not keeping well. This is nothing that a good night's sleep cannot fix."

"Ok ASR. You take care. Bye." Aman cut the call.

"Bye"

As soon as he said bye, Khushi snatched away the phone from him.

"I just want to tell you that right from this moment I am confiscating your phone."

"Xcuse me??!!" Arnav scrunched up his face.

"Ji. This is the limit. You have not eaten anything since morning. And have been working non-stop. Our office is closed till tomorrow. So what kind of work is this?"

She held the bowl of soup in front of him with her right hand. His phone tightly held with the left.

"Now, eat this chup-chaap. And I am going to get some khichdi in a while and you are going to finish that too."

"Stop this." He pushed her hand. Some of the hot soup spilled on her fingers.

"Aaah" she yelped in pain.

"Tch" He took the bowl and banged it on the side table. Some more was spilt on the table and the floor.

Khushi wiped her fingers with her dupatta and kept blowing at it to soothe it.

"Khushi, give me the phone."

"Nahi." She put her hand behind her and hid it from him.

Moving his hands around her, he tried to grab the phone. Shit, he could not touch her. Else, he would have just turned her around and grabbed the phone.

"See, I have a younger sister who is more stubborn than you are. I have all day and night for this. But remember, eventually it will be you who has to give in. Don't you see, I am doing all this for your good?"

Oh really?!! Now you will tell me what I should do or not do. And what is good for me and not. I am a freaking CEO of an MNC, OK? So don't you dare talk to me as if I am an idiot. And you of all the people is advising me to "eat". Aren't you the one who made the rule "not-eating-is-the-solution-to-all-my-problems".

She frowned in confusion. How does he know that secret of hers?

"And let me enlighten you. I have single handedly taken care of myself for the past 13 years. Many a times, even my cousin did not realize I was sick, even though we shared the same room."

"So, stop ordering around and mind your own business. And I am asking you for the last time. Give my phone back. I will not ask once again, and don't blame me for what happens next."

"Haawww. How dare you say you took care of yourself alone? How can you undermine what your Amma and Babuji have done for you? Do you even realize how much your Amma will be hurt if she heard you say this? As if she has done nothing for you? If she was here seeing you neglect your health, then she would have done the same thing as I am doing now. And probably more. I am definitely going to tell on you, if I get a chance to meet her. Dekhiye ga." She warned him with her forefinger.

"Aur kya kar lenge aap. Mein bhi dekhti hoon. I am getting Khichdi in half an hour. And by that time I need that bowl of soup finished. Samjhe?"

She turned around to go out. And immediately felt her wrist grabbed hard and yank her back. She hit a hard chest with full force. Her hand which held the phone was twisted behind her into the small of her back. She crunched up the shirt with the other hand and held on to it for support. She looked up and what she saw scared her to the core. Arnavji had wrath written all over him. He twisted the hand behind her again and again, pressing her more towards himself.

"Kya kahan tumne? My Ma will be hurt? Nahi hain meri Maa. Aur naa hi mere Papa. Both are dead. Do you get that? Both are dead. And no, my Maa is not around to see or feel anything. Understand?" He tugged again on the wrist which was in his grasp. Twisting it further, pressing her more into him.

"Hum to bas..." Tears formed in her eyes.

"Tum to bas kya Khushi?"

"Humey...humey... I did all this only out of concern about your health... You have not eaten anything since this morning... Taking medicines on empty stomach...I didn't mean to..."

"Again, Don't. Try. To. Mother. Me. Don't do things to others which you haven't received yourself."

Khushi was taken aback.

"I am not trying to mother you. Nobody can take the position of one's Amma and Babuji." She looked over his shoulder, the pain in the arm and the fear in the heart, forgotten momentarily. "They are one of a kind. And nothing and nobody can replace them."

And just like that, she lost the grip on herself. She was tired of telling herself to behave like a grown up and not ask for things that did not belong to her. The child in her, yearned for her father. Wasn't she entitled atleast to wish and hope for it? Even if it would never be fulfilled? She was transported into another world.

And Arnav was brought was brought back to the present. He saw the tears which had been brimming in her eyes till now, spilt over. Drop by drop. And then in a stream. He looked at her fingers, which were crunching his shirt more. Her soft light body, which was upright till now, slackened and leaned on him.

What was he doing? He was hurting her in a fit of rage. Di was right. He turned downright cruel when he was angry. He didn't mean to make her cry. She was just being unreasonable and childish.

But she was entitled to be, wasn't she? As far as she knows, he has not eaten anything since this morning. She had no idea he had been surviving on those energy bars. She had no idea that he had a life outside of Mallik Fashions.

He slowly lifted his free hand wanting to cup her face, turn her face towards him, tell her he was sorry and wipe those tears away. And tell her that he would listen to her and do as she said.

Just as he held is palms up, thinking of all the things he would do next, he saw Khushi let go of his shirt. She took the phone which was in her other hand, the hand which was still in his tight grip, and placed it in his raised palm.

Arnav enclosed his fingers around the phone. Losing all chances to wipe those tears away.

"Humey maaf kar dijiye. I was way out of my line." She looked down and wiped her tears.

Her bent head was touching his chin. He tilted his head to look down at her face. And slowly realized their close proximity and let go of her hand in his grip. She took a step back and walked out of his room, closing the door behind her.

Arnav looked at his phone. He threw it on the bed and slumped on it. How come his body found infinite energy to be harsh and cruel even when he was feeling sick? He hated himself for reminding her of her father.

Khushi ran to the kitchen and drank a large glass of water. No, she would not do this to herself. She had vowed not to think about her father anymore. And she was not going to go down that road again. It was just too hurtful and futile.

Quickly wiping her face with her dupatta, she went about to make some Khichdi for Kaka. Atleast if he is fit and fine, he would know how to take care of Arnavji. Her hands deftly made the preparations for the Khichdi, while her thoughts remained fixated on her Arnavji.

Arnavji's parents were no more? And he said he was taking care of himself for the past 13 years. Which meant his parents must have passed away when he was a very young boy. How horrible. Atleast she had her Amma beside her. Wasn't her position better than his? His young heart must have felt so clueless, hurt, scared.

And what was he saying that he was a CEO of an MNC. Then, wasn't he the head of Regional Branch for Mallik Fashions? Was he working on two jobs for money? Was he short of money? Then where was the need to take such a big house and have Kaka as a man-servant. She would ask him to live frugally. No... she would not repeat her mistake. She would not interfere in his affairs.

Hearing the sound of someone walking, she turned towards the door. Arnavji stopped at the entrance. "Ummm..." He fidgeted at the entrance. And walked inside looking here and there. He opened the lids of the vessels beside the stove.

Khushi moved aside a bit. Creating more space between them.

"Aap ko kuch chahiye." No matter what, he was not keeping well. She could not stop caring for him.

"Umm... I will take some more soup." She looked at him surprised.

It is in that vessel. She pointed a finger.

Arnav served some soup in a bowl. And stood there, putting all the peas back. He hated the combination of the sweet peas and the tangy spinach. Heated the bowl in the microwave. That one minute seemed the most uncomfortable. He had never felt that way around her and was ashamed that because of his one act, things had turned sore between them. And he didn't like that one bit. He took the bowl out of the microwave and turned towards her.

"What is that?" He pointed at the cooker.

"Khichdi."

"I will have that too."

"You don't have to have it if you don't like it. I can make something that you like... You just have to let me know."

"No..no... I will have what you have made. Ummm..." hesitantly he confessed. "Can you make it with Toor dal next time. I don't like the moong dal khichdi."

"Sure... shall I make some now?"

"Not now, next time." This was his softest voice she had heard till now. She understood. He was feeling very apologetic.

He walked towards the door, and she turned towards the stove to finish up the cooking.

He slowly walked back and stood close to her.

"Khushi."

She turned her head towards him. Very aware of their close proximity. He was just a foot away from her. But looking somewhere on the stove.

"Ummm... I know what I did some time ago cannot be forgiven. But for what its worth, please accept my apology."

"Sir, you don't have to..." She turned completely towards him. "I was the one who was out of line."

"No..no..." he shook his head. "You have been trying to take care of us since morning. And I have been nothing but difficult to deal with. I could have just told you in the morning why I was not eating."

"I don't like moong-dal khichdi. And give me just water, instead of diluted juice. Juice is meant to be taken the way it is made. And please don't add sweet peas to spinach. They just don't go together. I don't like weird combinations in food. I like my food mild but well flavored. And no milk please. Yeah...may be with some cereal... But just milk?" He made a face...

Khushi couldn't control the bubbling laughter inside her anymore. Listening to him fussing like a child on a matter other than the office work just seemed so...so... funny. Her fertile mind imagined a Chef Arnavji "You brinjal - pass. You lauki - fail."

Arnav saw her smile. "What??!! Did I say anything funny? And I don't joke about food?"

With that the entire kitchen was filled with Khushi's laughter.

Embarassed, he walked out of the kitchen saying "Get that lousy thing ready soon. Feeling really hungry now." He walked towards his room with a full blown smile adorning his face.

From that moment onwards Arnavji ate whatever she gave. Albeit in record speed. At times she doubted if she was actually tormenting him, under the name of taking care.

Kaka informed her that Arnavji sometimes worked all evening and all night. He barely got to see him most of the days. Sometimes he would not even step out of his study for hours together. The only sign of him living in the house were plates in the sink and piling up laundry. All night Khushi's mind played the scenes of a young Arnavji working overtime for money. Every four hours she went in to check his fever. Placing her hand on his forehead and cheek. It was subsiding.

It was 6 AM. She washed up and stepped in to check on Kaka. He was fast asleep. She then went to Arnavji's room. He was asleep too. She tip-toed near him. Placed her hand on the fore-head. No fever. On the cheek. No fever. She turned to go to the kitchen and start the breakfast. But her hand was grasped again. No. Not grasped. Held. She looked down at Arnavji. He was holding her hand. And looking at her.

He sat up and showed her a small paper. It was his fever readings. Taken promptly every four hours. Around the same time when she had been checking on him. Had he been awake everytime she was checking on him, she wondered.

She smiled at him lovingly. He looked like a cute child trying to make up for his mischief. His hair all messed up. If they were a tad closer, she would have caressed him on the face and told him she was never upset.

He smiled back at her. If they were a little closer, he would have personally escorted her to the bed in his study and forced her to rest for a while. She had been up all night because of him.

And just like that, something changed between them. They were no longer just colleagues or good acquaintances. This was not friendship either. Something more... Something different.

And so Hitler Khushi had reigned that household for two more days. Arnav kept his calls to the minimum. The doctor's visit went off well. They were advised to keep their food intake simple and light.

Once they returned home,

"Kaka, do you think both of you can manage on your own?"

"Haan bitiya. I am feeling lot better. We can manage on our own."

"Then I will go back to my PG, Kaka. I have already taken a day off from work. I need to go to office from tomorrow. I can come in before and after office hours to help you out. So, please do not hesitate to call me anytime."

Arnav walked her to the door when she had collected her luggage.

"Thanks." He told her softly.

"Not at all Sir. Please Take Care. Good bye. Will see you in the office in a few days."

"Goodbye."

He closed the door when he saw her enter the lift. Suddenly his house seemed bare and empty. Work was the only thing that would drive away this feeling of emptiness. He entered his study instead of his bedroom.

Kaka shook his head. It was not his cup of tea to get this Saheb to listen to him. Wonder how Khushi bitiya managed to reign him all these days?

NEXT: BETRAYAL AND CONSEQUENCES

A/N: So how was it. I would like to really know. So please please COMMENT or hit the LIKE BUTTON.

Awesome update. Khushi's tlc is what just Arnav needed. He's the CEO of MNC? can't wait to read more.