Arshi FF : Merger Thrd # 2 Link to Thread #3 on Page 1 - Page 44

plz update soon , can't wait more :-(

Will be waiting however long it takes

Thank you for keeping us informed! Will wait patiently..

Hi,

Thanks for the note.
Eagerly waiting for the update...

A/n: Hey all. I am back with an update. My AD work finally got done. So here I am, back in my Arshi world. I missed being here with all of you.🤗

This update has some section about Aman and Anjali. Its there only in the first post of this update. Have tried to keep it at a minimum. Do read it, if you are ok. It could be any girl with a low self-confidence. And remember Anjali is a girl who has been through a broken wedding and a series of rejections from marriage alliances.

So, without any more delay, here is my latest update. Do let me know what you think.

CHAPTER 22

As Arnav drove further and further away from Khushi, towards his other world, his 'real' world, he couldn't deny the fact he was getting more and more lonely. What had changed? Factually, Nothing! He was the same. His family was the same. His circumstances and vision were the same. If anything, he must feel much lighter today - for letting go of a life-long baggage - But what had changed??!!

It's her. His mind was consumed in her thoughts. That lone figure in the night, slighlty mad and slightly disappointed in him.

As they landed in Delhi, he mechanically exited the aircraft, picked up his baggage and walked towards the exit. His phone buzzed in his pocket.

"Yes Aman."

"ASR, I am here, to your right."

He looked over his phone and spotted Aman in the crowd waving at him. It took him a few seconds to come to the present. The presentation, the Stockholm trip, designs, business, milestones. They all came back to him. He saw Aman going still suddenly. He followed his line of sight, only to see Anjali standing numbly at the exit door.

Oh God! So engrossed was he in his thoughts, that he had completly forgotten that Di was traveling with him.

He saw her standing still at the entrance and all teary. Really...Is she still thinking of yesterday's incident? He went back to her and pulled her by the elbow.

"Uffo Di! Come on!!!"

Aman pursed his lips, agitated at the way ASR was dragging her.

***

Anjali stood there at the exit door. She didn't expect to see Aman till they reached home. As soon as her eyes spotted him in the crowd, the storm within her over-took her poise and composure. Tears surfaced in her eyes. She wanted to cling on to him and never let go of him - shutting the world out, along with the complexities that it brings. She was tired. Tired of being scared. How would her family receive this relationship? Would they be upset and disappointed with her? Would it entail a series of cracked relationships? What if Aman and her family were at loggerheads and both abandoned her? She would be in the exact spot as Saritaji. And she was not confident enough if she could pull through that kind of a situation.

She felt herself being shaken and dragged somewhere. She gave into to whoever was doing it. She had absolutely no energy to fight anymore.

Arnav took her to a nearby eating stall and forced her to sit, Aman closely behind them and utterly worried.

"Di... Di..." He shook her by the shoulder. "Don't tell me you are still thinking about yesterday's incident. It was all so stupid."

"ASR, whats wrong?" Aman asked trying very hard not to show his real feelings.

"Oh...the engagement she attended yesterday broke off right after it took place."

The doubtful look on Aman's face forced him to elaborate.

"It was a typical Indian love marriage thing... Both families fought and the boy gave an ultimatum that the girl's side should apologize. And Di here thinks her friend is in this terrible situation because our society in general and the two families in particular do not support love marriages. And hence the heart break for the girl."

"And Di," he sat beside Anjali, "I say that the girl should call it off herself. How does she plan to live with a man, who abandons her at the first sign of conflict?"

He stopped as he heard the word abandon. His thoughts going back to the agitated Khushi in the room. That word is going to haunt him all his life now.

While Arnav was lost in his own thoughts, Anjali looked at Aman with quivering lips and tears streaming from her eyes. Aman watched her helplessly. Blinking his eyes rapidly to control his frustration and helplessness. Aman so wanted to cocoon her in his arms. He understood right away that she was worried as much about them as her friend.

Arnav sat beside her for a few minutes. But his watch told him that if he did not hurry now, then his Stockholm presentation would be just about average. He had to make it superlative in order to get the deal. The reason he had asked to meetup with Aman in the airport was to save on the commuting time to and fro home, just so that they have couple of more hours to have a re-look at the presentation. He as it is had this nagging feeling that something was amiss in their preparation. If they cracked this deal, they would have arrived and secured a strong standing in the fashion industry worldwide. He needed to make sure everything was perfect. But Di?!!

On the other hand, Aman decided that the last thing Anjali needed right now is any chiding from the ruthless ASR. He was never an emotional or sentimental guy. He wouldn't understand her plight.

"ASR, do you want to discuss about the presentation. The suppliers have sent a few more samples. But we don't have samples for all the designs."

Arnav was back on his business mode. "That's not done Aman. You promised me that we would have all the samples before I fly today. We need all of them. We need to present an array of options to the customer, which no other supplier can offer."

"Alright let me have a look at what we have in hand now. And re-visit the presentation. I am telling you Aman, this is so not done. I am terribly disappointed."

As they started to review, it was evident that there was no place to keep the sample garments. It was all dirty and windy outside the airport building. He looked at Anjali. She was not normal as yet.

"Di... I need to review these samples, inside the airport lounge. Are you ok? Please don't take yesterday's event so seriously."

Anjali nodded. "You go ahead Chotey. This is nothing important." She gave him a wry smile.

"Ok Di! I will message you from Stockholm."

He collected the baggage from Aman and headed towards the Airport entrance.

***

AMAN-ANJALI SECTION

"Anju, talk to me. What's bothering you...?" Aman sat beside her, holding her hand and placing it on his lap.

Gathering her left over spirits, Anjali started the conversation which would permanently kill her will to live. "Aman, we should end all this now. No point in continuing something which is not meant to be."

"Anju, what are you saying?"

"Aman, you dont see it now. But I know and I am quite sure. This thing between us will end one day. And when something is bound to end, it is better to nip it off at the earliest. The sooner the better." Between sniffs and hoarse voice and tears, Anjali continued to place her rationale for this decision. She couldn't let Aman be affected by her ill fate anymore. She had to cut the cord.

"I am sorry I led you on all these days." She continued with fresh set of tears flowing down her cheeks, streaming down her neck, falling on her dupatta.

Aman was taken aback by this sudden outburst.

"Anju, what are you saying? Do you want to end this relationship? Why? What did I do? I am sure if you tell me I can correct myself..."

"No no no Aman. It's not you. It's me. I am cursed as it is. I am not destined to be with anyone. And in our society, nobody accepts if a girl and a boy choose a partner for themselves. It's all a big mess in my life. And it has been this way all the while. I should have been more responsible and said no to you at the outset. But I started to live the dream and hope for the impossible."

"And now you think, somehow, that dream will not turn into reality..."he completed her sentence.

"You may hate me now, but you will thank your stars later for having been rid of me Aman. You wouldn't be stuck in a relationship which has no future. You deserve someone much better than me. Who is a match for you in every way. Who will care for you more..."

After a small pause Aman said -

"So you YOU think that I would be better off WITHOUT you?"

"Yes..." tears.

"YOU are ok, if I walk away from you right now and you will never get to see me again?"

Anjali froze at his words, the reality of her decision hitting her hard. She wouldn't get to see him anymore. May be only on some official parties. But not every moment. More tears.

"And YOU are ok, if you wouldn't be able to talk to me anymore?"

She looked at him. Her hands grasping his hands on the lap.

"And YOU would be ok, if I found someone else to be with?"

She bent her head down, tears dripping incessantly.

"You would be ok, if I kissed that person."

Her hands increased the pressure on his.

"You would be ok if I made love to that person."

Her fingers dug into his palms. She shook with sobs.

"You would be ok if I stopped loving YOU and love that..."

"Stop it... Stop it... Stop it..." She covered his mouth with her fingers and clung to him, hiding in his embrace, sobbing, feeling hopeless.

Aman broadened his chest and pulled her further inside in his embrace.

The erstwhile helplessness that he felt when ASR was around was now gone. He knew exactly what he had to do. She didn't deserve this. THEY didn't deserve this. He kissed her on the head and tightened his hold, happily ignoring disapproving looks of the onlookers. And just like that, all problems had solved themselves. He couldn't hold his happiness and his lips curled into a smile.

***

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

Arnav felt an unease develop in leaps and bounds as he left his homeland and headed towards Stockholm. Some free time in the flight helped in finding out what exactly was bothering him. Three Things. Di, Khushi and this presentation.

After landing he called up Di to check on her. She seemed visibly calm.

Khushi didn't have a mobile. He decided to call her the next day.

And about the presentation, he was pretty sure they were NOT going to get the deal. They would be paying a heavy price for his erratic behavior over the past 3 months. Had he been more attentive and approachable, things would have shaped up very differently.

The next morning, Arnav and his European team arrived in the clients office. His meeting with the clients would start shortly. They quickly set up the conference room allocated to them. All his star designs and sample pieces were placed in strategic places to attract the clients' attention. The European heads of the client had given them a two day window to present their designs and garments.

They still had half an hour of free time. He could no longer hold himself back from calling Khushi. It was bothering him to no end to know if she was doing ok.

He knew Khushi would be at office now. Right time to call her. But she would be mad at him again, for cheating on the punishment. But that's ok.

He took out his phone and dialed on the office landline. And stepped out into the corridor outside.

"Mallik Fashions. How may I help you?"

Arnav ordered the receptionist. "Transfer to Khushi."

"Excuse me Sir?!!" the receptionist was visibly annoyed at being ordered around. "And whom shall I say it is?"

"It is... It is..."

"Sir?"

"KK . My name is KK."

"Ok Mr. KK. Please hold while I connect you to her."

"Hello?" Khushi's voice sounded very drained.

"Khushi?"

"Sir?"

"Yes its me. Is anyone around you?"

"No Sir, it's lunch break."

"Ok... good."

After a small pause he asked her again, "Khushi?"

"Yes Sir?"

"Are you ok?"

"Yes Sir." She said emphatically.

"Look, I am sorry about all that happened ...ok? I didn't mean to..."

Not wanting to embarrass him more, she tried to lighten the conversation.

"Haan haan pata hain. You are sorry. You didn't mean to do it. Par kya karein, bas ho jaata hain." She smiled as if he could see her.

Arnav heaved a long breath. "Hmmm... ho jata hain."

Khushi sensed the seriousness in his tone.

"Arnavji, kya aap theek hain?"

"Haan, just busy with some work. I am in Stockholm right now. The client meeting is about to start. Not sure how things are going to go." He shared his anxiety.

"Why do you worry? You are Arnav Singh Raizada. You never fail."

"You of all the people would know that I am not without flaws Khushi. I make mistakes too. If I fail in this client meeting then I am not sure what the future holds for me. A lot is at stake."

It struck her that Arnav was very anxious about the meeting he was about to attend. Weighing her words, she said after a considerable pause:

"Arnavji." She said softly.

"We cannot control what happens in the future. Nor can we force a person to make a decision in our favour. So, let's not worry about that. And knowing you, I am pretty sure you have reached fully prepared for the meeting. So all you need to do now is to give your message without faltering. Without worrying about the result, just communicate what you have prepared. Rest will fall in place."

She could hear his breath from the other end. He was visibly tensed.

"Arnavji! No person or opportunity is big or small. And there is no one way to make a life. There are several other oppurtunities. This is a good oppurnity. Give it its due respect. Don't let it over power you."

It was as if she had addressed his inner fears. He was making this entire thing too big a deal. So much that he was almost scared of the consequences of this meeting. Clients looked for partners in business. Not beggars.

With a renewed self-esteem he heaved a breath of relief.

"Hmmm..." His creased brows relaxed a bit. He would give this meeting his best shot, without worrying about the results.

Khushi wasn't sure if she was able to alleviate his fears. "Am I making sense Arnavji?"

"Yes... yes, you are..."

"Arnavji, one more thing. Best things in life come to us when we make a 100% investment - physical, mental and emotional. So, give your 100% to this deal. And things will work themselves out. If not this client, may be another one."

"So, unless there is a life or death situation back home, don't worry about anything else till you get what you are hoping for. Right now, just focus on what you have in hand. Other things will take care of themselves. Ok?"

Arnav breathed hard. He was so glad he made this call to check on her. Turned out, she was checking on him and fixing his fears.

"Arnavji ... Ok?" He heard her concerned voice again.

"Yes... All ok." He smiled slightly.

"Good. Now, go get that client." Khushi smiled.

"Ok. You take care."

"Ji, bye."

He cut the call. And she smiled, putting the phone back on the cradle. It (the phone handset) suddenly seemed very endearing. She blushed a bit and got back to work.

***

AFTER THE CLIENT PRESENTATION

Two days after the client presentation Arnav had a dinner meeting with one of its European Heads.

He would know the fate of the deal.

They were half way into the meal, when the eyes of everyone in the restaurant got fixated on an elegant lady, who made a rather dramatic entrance into the restaurant. She was one of those elite, natural beauties who was a sheer delight to the eyes. Her glowing fair skin was spectacularly complemented with a burgundy back-less evening gown, which had a sweet-heart neckline and mermaid fitting.

Arnav spared minimal glance at her and went back to his meal. Suddenly occupied with the thoughts of the beautiful girl he had seen in the mirror. Whose backless blouse had stirred a range of feelings within him. Unknowingly, his lips curved into a small smile.

"She is special, isn't she?" The client asked.

"I am sure she is Sir." Arnav traced his thoughts back to the present. He thought the client was speaking about the beautiful lady in the restaurant.

"Not that one." The client said pointing at the beautiful lady. "I meant the one who had occupied your thoughts just now."

"Oh...no Sir. There is nothing of that sort." Arnav flushed.

"My boy, if there is a woman who can withdraw you from the world and occupy all your thoughts in an instant, then she deserves to be treasured. Especially the one who can bring a smile on your face even in a tough situation like this one. So, don't you dare tell me she is not special." The old man scoffed jovially.

Arnav smiled broadly, his happiness and pride for Khushi reaching his eyes. He didn't feel like negating the old man's comment. Khushi was different, she was ... ummm... special.

The client finally took pity on him. "Ok my boy. Enough of this small talk. Let us come to business. The thing is, you made it to the top three suppliers."

Arnav relaxed visibly.

"Nuh-Uh.. I wouldn't rejoice my boy. You barely made it to the top three. Remember only one supplier will get the contract. Your fate will be decided in the American meeting, which is about 2 weeks from now."

"You need to present us "something extra" and "different". You know what I mean? What you showed us this week is almost the same as your other two competitors. To top this, you are only a start-up. So, you have to pull out a miracle to get an emphatic yes, from our American leaders. So, it is entirely upto you now."

***

Arnav lay on the bed of his hotel room. His eyes were closed but he was still awake.

The client had communicated a mixed and confusing message. What was he supposed to do now? The client had clearly said that he didn't stand a chance in the American meetings. They why should he even make the effort to make a presentation there. His pragmatic mind almost convinced him to give up pursuing this contract.

"Arnavji," a soft inner voice called out to him. "There are a hundred reasons to not do a thing but only one to do it."

"Arnavji, the best things come to us when we make 100% investment. Give this deal your best shot."

Arnav propped up on the bed. He knew exactly what he would do. He started making calls to Aman and his European and American teams.

***

CONTINUED IN NEXT POST

The week entailed a whole lot of tension. Sarita returned back to the PG in couple of days. Khushi did not prod her with any questions. Her friend was unusually quite. Khushi stood by her silently. She would wait patiently and give her friend all the time she needs to recover from this incident.

On the Saturday afternoon, Khushi walked into her room with two cups of tea. She didn't go to the office, hoping to be with her friend as much as possible.

Sarita silently sipped on her, sitting on her bed. Her eyes were listless.

"Is it too much to ask for respect and affection, from those whom you love?" Sarita finally ended her week long silence.

Khushi heard her silently. It killed her to see her friend hurting.

"Do you know a man who sees you and only you? Not your family or friends."

"Do you know a man on whom you can bank on in your hour of need?"

"Who would share your pain when you are hurt."

"Who feels the need to explain his actions."

"Whose touch is a caress and eyes shower you with affection."

"Basically a man who keeps you on the same pedestal as himself, because you are as important."

"No you don't right? That's because men just cant help being MCP's." She voiced her frustration and agitation.

"You know Khushi, I went and apologized to NK's parents for all the things that my father spoke. NK let me beg them to pardon my father's folly. And didn't even wince when his mother said that I was a s**t. Its all over Khushi. Its all over."

"Sarita, you cannot end a relationship like this. Please remember the reasons why you chose NK for yourself. You need to find a way out of this and every fight you would have in future."

"No Khushi, a lot has happened in the past week. I apologized to his parents for my father's words. While NK thinks he doesn't have to apologize for the obscenities his mother threw at me and what his father spoke to my father. NK thinks it should be my first priority to keep his parents happy as they are displeased with this alliance as it is. So, all my energies should be focused on getting their approval and bear with anything that they say in the meantime. And since his parents don't like my parents, my interaction with my parents, post wedding, will have to be limited apparently."

Khushi started to say something, but was cut off.

"Khushi, it is not the fight. Everybody fight. The important thing is what happens after a fight. A relationship cannot mend itself. Both the parties need to mend it and meet half way through."

"When your partner has been mean to you and an outright jerk, you would still be willing to be with him only when his apology is genuine. We all make mistakes Khushi. No one is a saint. But what distinguishes the good from the bad is what you do when you realise the mistake. The least you can do is to apologize and mean it. And not make your partner feel cheap and lowly instead."

"Khushi let me share an intimate thing. When NK used to kiss me earlier, I used to feel loved and treasured. And when he kissed me yesterday I felt as if I was conquered upon. As if he is superior to me. Trust me, I am not being a feminist here."

"Tomorrow, when we get married, I want a man to make love to me Khushi. Not be physical with me because he owns me. Yesterday, the way NK behaved, does not give me the assurance that we are partners in this whole thing. He will NOT put the effort needed to make it work. I can see that he is not in pain Khushi. He wants his and his parents respect to be replenished. He is not bothered that I am in pain too. His heart never melted when I was weeping. In the end, he kissed me saying he is willing to forget everything and I should make sure my parents stay away from all of us. As of now, he is already travelling to take up his new role. He took a unilateral decision that I am supposed to wind up my affairs here and join him asap."

"I want an apology from NK as well Khushi. Not to my parents. But only to me. No one else has to know. Not to satisfy my ego but because the situation demands it. I need to be apologized to as much as him and his parents. I am even discounting the need to apologize to my family. Don't you think I am entitled to even this much of respect Khushi? If he is not with me at a nascent stage of our relationship, then what can I expect from him when life gets more and more complicated."

"So what have you decided Sarita?" Khushi asked her hesitantly.

"I am going to tell him that the engagement is off. If he is interested then we can continue the relationship and see where things go. Else, he is free to go."

***

Khushi looked at the ceiling. It was close to 3.30 AM and she had not slept a wink. She kept running her conversation with Sarita over and over again in her head.

Did she know a man who has all those qualities that Sarita mentioned? Yes, she knew.

Arnavji. Her dear dear Arnavji. He was the only one who had seen her real self. He was the only one who saw her beyond her clothes and appearance. Had encouraged her to make the right choices instead of succumbing to her mother's cynicism. Has been with her in her hour of need. Had apologized genuinely everytime he messed up. Though indirectly, he had helped her to gather herself together when she found out about her father. And had been downright silly and childish when he had imposed this silly punishment on himself (Even though he did a teeny-tiny ramanchi on it when he made the call last week).

But then,she wondered, how would it feel when he touched her? Would she feel the same way as she felt when they danced together? Or the way she felt when his warm chest leaned on her bare back. Feeling shy, she embraced her pillow and hid herself in it. She felt as if she was hiding in Arnavji's embrace, just like that day when Chutki went missing. She closed her eyes feeling more shy.

She rolled on to lay on her back and Arnav rolled on top of her, still holding her securely within his arms. Their faces inches away from each other. "Khushi" He called her name softly. She slowly opened her eyes. The pure unadulterated affection visible in his eyes was overwhelming.

All her interactions with him ran through her mind in a jet light speed. The way his angry face softened when he took coffee from her near his cabin door, to the way he had coming running to her in the railway station, the way he held her during the dance, his pasta for her, his hug, his apology, his caress while wiping her tears last week.

"Kyun ki ... BAAT TUMHARI HAIN." She recalled his most precious words.

She felt his eyes taking her in. His arms tightening around her, not wanting to leave even the tiniest of space between them. He didn't have to tell her how much he cared. His embrace and eyes were essaying all his feelings. Slowly his eyes fell on her lips. She shuddered anticipating what was to come. His lips slowly descended. Eyes closing serenely.

THUD!!!! Khushi sat up on her bed, pushing the pillow away. It fell on the floor with a slight thud. What was she thinking... She and her fertile imagination. She stepped out of the room to wash her face. As she looked at herself in the mirror of the wash room she castigated herself for even encouraging such thoughts. Where was Arnavji and where was she. He was the CEO of an MNC. And she was a nothing when compared to him. Their worlds were far and apart. She was pretty sure he was just humouring her when she spoke to him. Just being nice and nothing more. If he knew about her background, her father, he would end all ties with her. Her background was despicable.

She splashed water several times more, hoping the hard hitting water would clear her stupid imagination and bring her back to reality. Looking sternly at her image in the mirror, she resolved - "Arnavji is her boss and she his subordinate. That's all there is to this relationship. And she would make sure she stays within her boundaries."

And as the night progressed tears of dismay stained her pillow. What is wrong with me? Why am I crying without reason? She asked herself. But her tears would just not listen to her today. They had to come out to tell her that it was all not as simple as she put it.

A/n: Please do let me what you think with your COMMENTS or press LIKE BUTTON. Very eager to hear from you.

Thanks to each one of you for being so patient with me in the last month or so. And apologize again for not updating for so long.

what a beautiful update.. why is Anjali so scared..am sure her family wants her happiness and Aman is a good guy..he will never leave her..she should give a try talking to Arnav..

thxxx for such a nice update Suri

Excited to see the second part and loveeeddd it...hope Kushi's dream comes true soon.. thxxx for looonggg update

Yay you're back!!!?
I really felt for Anjali in this update! The conversation between her and Aman was wonderful! I hope she releases all those fears inside of her!