ArShi Intense FF(Collab): Destiny That Unites|Part 12|16/8 - Page 32

Part - 11(B)

Thoughts in bold italics.

It was 9:30A.M. and Khushi had reached her office. She had woken up and followed her normal schedule today and then braced herself to work a little extra, but it didn't hurt after evaluating the profits that her company would be gaining. She was proud of herself for fulfilling her father's dream. As she reached office, everyone greeted her with a pleasant smile, and she returned their greetings with a dazzling smile of her own, making almost all the male employees go flat on her but the surprising thing was that none of the female employees were jealous of her or had negative feelings towards her. This was solely because of her friendly nature and the fact that she never let her personal turmoil affect her professional life, except in extreme situations, which she was unaware were coming to her door in the form of Arnav Singh Raizada.
Khushi entered her cabin and called up her personal assistant to inform her about her schedule for the day. In a matter of five minutes, the schedule was lying in front of her and Anita explained to her, "Ma'am, yesterday, we didn't have any meetings except the one with Kaynaat Fashions to discuss that contract for copyright to their Chikankari designs so that we can increase their sale with our marketing and that'll lead to 60-40% profit sharing..." Khushi stopped Anita then before she could say anything, since she had been going on and on without noticing that Khushi had stopped typing on her laptop and was staring at her with an amused expression.
"Ms. Anita Aggarwal, may I?" asked Khushi mockingly.
"Of course ma'am, but why are you asking for my permission, I mean I am only your P..."
"Stop Anita! Calm down, breathe in and breathe out..." Khushi did actions with her hand indicating her to breathe in and out which she followed funnily, adjusting her glasses with her middle finger as they would drift towards her nose in every two seconds.
"Have we calmed down?"
"Yes ma'am!"
"Great. So now listen, when you say that we had a meeting with Kaynaat Fashions, I understand what you're referring to because I get follow up mails, right? So I know already what the progress is till when I did not attend a certain meeting. I only need to know whether it is a done deal or no, IN BRIEF. Are we good now?"
"Yes ma'am!"
"Good. Now, are we done with your yesterday follow up?"
"Yes ma'am!" she adjusted her glasses again.
"Okay. What do I have for today?"
"AR Fashion House wants to propose a deal to you in a meeting at 10:00A.M., followed by the Ajmani Cloth House and then finally we have the conference call with John Pierre and his French clients in the evening."
"What did you say? AR Fashion House?" asked a shocked Khushi.
"Yes ma'am!" followed by another round of spectacle adjusting.
"Fine. Leave me alone for now Anita. I'll see you in the meeting with AR!"
"Yes ma'am!" and she exited her cabin, closing the door softly.
'What do you want now Arnav? Why are you doing this? But what would he want now? Is he doing it because of profits? No, after all that happened in the cabin the other day...no I will not fall for this anymore. Get a grip Aahat Singh...Raizada. Yes, I am still his wife and our marriage is a registered one. But do I really want to face this? Can I separate myself from him? Maybe I should give it another chance, after all what Bauji said was right, he too has a past. But will he be able to understand mine completely?'
She was lost in her thoughts when she Anita knocked her cabin, "Ma'am may I come in?"
"Hmm"
"Ma'am Mr. Raizada and his team have arrived."
"Make them sit in the conference room. I am coming."
...
Arnav was sitting in the conference room in his ASR mode. He was silent and stiffly nodding to the welcomes, while Aman whispered to him, "Sanka Devi aane vaali hogi. Don't let the mask slip."
"Aman."
"Hmm..."
"YOU ARE FIRED THE MOMENT WE GET OUT OF THIS ROOM."
"This is officially the 321st time that you are firing me ASR", teased Aman and in return, received a glare from Arnav.
Just then everyone went silent and Arnav looked up to see that it was none other than his Khushi who had entered. Now, he couldn't really control himself, could he? Especially when she was there in a monochrome outfit, a strapless peplum black jumpsuit with six inch heels and her look screamed of sheer elegance. Her long hair was drawn in a high ponytail, while her fringe fell on her forehead.

He could see that as she entered, her expression was all about work-something similar to what he had most of the time-and she was trying her best to avoid meeting his gaze or spot him but her heart defeated her mind and her gaze softened a little as their eyes locked together. The moment seemed to freeze as the two became oblivious of their surroundings. It seemed as if their eyes were speaking to each other, conveying the pain of the distance, wanting to meet each other, to complete each other and to merge that molten chocolate with those hazel orbs.

Aman, who expected something like this to happen, coughed a little, bringing them back to their senses before the other employees got a chance to notice anything and suspect them. Thus, Khushi took her seat at the head of the table and then started, "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, I am the Co-CEO of Singhania Designs, Aahat Singh...ania. I have been told that AR Fashion House has a proposal for us. Since Ehem Singhania is not here, I will solely be in charge of this issue. Now, I would like to hear what you have to offer us", she completed as she looked at Arnav who had flared up as she referred to herself as a Singhania.
Just when his strategist was about to stand up, Arnav signalled him to take his seat and then stood up himself, "Good morning, I am Arnav Singh Raizada the CEO of AR Fashion House. I would conduct this conference myself and put forward the proposal. I see that our two companies have not had any professional relations in the past but we have always had friendly relations, never rivalry", he said eyeing Khushi who maintained eye contact with him.
"I have heard much about the innovative marketing strategies and the designs that Singhania Designs has to offer in the market. Right from its establishment in 1973 under the Singhania Group till today, it has been one of the leading companies in designs with joint establishment in India and London. Looking at the profit graph, I must say I am impressed, especially with the margins in the last three years therefore; I am here to put forward a proposal for a deal which offers three joint fashion lines between the AR Fashion House and Singhania Designs.
"Now, my aim behind this is obviously, gaining profits, like any other businessman would want for his company and also, because I have closely followed the success of your lines and I strongly feel that if the AR marketing strategies are joined with your business strategies then the sale would be absolutely huge. If we follow business forecasting here, then I have already done some amount of personal research and the results are quite pleasing", he signalled one of his employees to hand over some papers to Khushi, who took them and her eyes widened looking at the results. "See? If we are to follow this then it'll favour both our sides. Of course, since we are on the settlement stage and that too only from our side, I would not go much into details about the ideology around this offer, but this is just a sample.
The profit sharing margin that we put forward is 50-50%. Any questions?"
The employees looked at each other and then broke into a round of applause before they turned to Aahat, who seemed to be in deep thought. Finally she answered, "I would like some privacy to discuss matters with Mr. Raizada. Guys, take 20 please."
The Singhania employees knew that it was a big decision and thus left immediately while the AR employees looked at Arnav for confirmation, to which he nodded with a smirk on his face. Everyone walked out instantly and Aman winked at Arnav before leaving them alone. As the door closed behind him, Arnav walked towards Khushi, who had stood up.
"Why did you want to be left alone?" he raised his eyebrow.
"Don't fly too high Arnav. I only want to discuss certain terms."
"The discussion will happen once you initiate the second meeting, if you agree to the proposal."
"I know that just fine. Will you listen to me now?"
"Sure."
"I have a few terms which I think you need to know before I agree to the proposed deal.
First: The discussions on the themes, strategies, designs, fashion shows etc. will happen with equal participation from the employees and solely based on merit.
Second: The materials used in the Fashion lines would require us to sign contracts with those people jointly. There is bound to be difference of opinion and thus, we both have to have veto power, if one does not agree then we have a discussion and the person in favour prepares a report and if it doesn't work out, the deal is cancelled.
Third: Our companies have different expertise in certain areas and so, we have to work in sync to get the best results and best profits for sharing. We will appoint a team of best professionals to work on a particular Fashion line and only they will work on that line.
Fourth: In order to get the best results, we will both be working together in certain matters like appointing professionals after going through their work profiles and heading over the joint committee. We will be personally supervising them and working with them in areas of our expertise.
Arnav, this is an important professional decision for both our companies and we could face huge loses if we don't work together with conviction, keeping aside our personal matters. So, if you agree to these terms, we draft them for the next meeting. Agreed?"
Arnav was surprised to see her determination and the feistiness in this professional side of hers. He smirked inwardly as he was proud of her. Although, she had been professional and determined before, but now he could clearly see a glimpse of ASR in her. 'She is Lady ASR after all', he thought. And then he finally did what he had went there to do.
"I agree to everything and these are extremely well thought out professional terms but I have a few personal terms of my own..." he was cut off by Khushi, "But...no..."
"Nah, aah. Listen to me, first. I want you to sign each and every deal and contract henceforth as Mrs. Aahat Singh Raizada. I definitely saw the hesitation in your voice earlier hence but I want you to know that the wedding which...did not happen was just for the families. Khushi...you still are my wife and I just want you to give this relationship a chance, but I will never force you to do this. I know I don't deserve it but you do. I am saying it again, I love you Khushi and I don't care about anything else. Stay with me for two months and then if you want...you can file for...divorce. I will never stop or force you after that. Please Khushi...I wanted time, but not anymore, never. I know it's difficult for you to accept me again after all that I've done but...please Khushi", his eyes became moist as he looked into her eyes which were now filled with tears, looking at the man in front of her, her husband.
She was touched by the softness in his voice and had an urge to hug him but as her hands were about to lift, visions of the day of their incomplete marriage came in front of her and she moved back. Shashi's voice rang in her ears.

We know that your love for him was too strong and you cannot just forget him in the blink of an eye. That's why you married him in the first place. No matter how much you ignore the fact, you ARE married to him. He is your husband and you two are legally wedded husband and wife. Either you make a final decision and divorce him or try to talk to him. Titaliya, we know how hurt you are but this separation will result in even more drastic consequences and it will hurt you the most.

Khushi, even he has a past to deal with. Do you remember how you used to have nightmares when...when jeeji and jeejaji died in the accident? It isn't easy for him too. Arnav had to choose between his mother's memories and his love for you. You know right, that he is still dwindling between his parent's suicide and his present. Do you think it was easy for him to suddenly relive all those memories?