Arshi FF : Merger Thrd #3 Chp 34 - Pg 86 - 2 Posts - Page 19

Originally posted by: shree10

Nice and long update. I hope khushi understands that arnav loves her and vice versa. There were enough honts to each other with so much shared bet them. But still I hoping for no confusion or my ahead.

both waiting for each other approval but they both are the victim

Originally posted by: -fullmoon-

Read the whole story in one go.. must say it was superbb.. waiting to read more and more..😊

Welcome..

Eagerly looking forward for the update ..

Originally posted by: 9290860623

Update kab milega i read this story in one go oh this is awsome pls continue soon pls update jaldi dona

at least few comments about the story

Originally posted by: sriif

😃 😃

Originally posted by: KtotheM

Waiting

yes waiting

please do continue soon..waiting for the next update eagerly..

Hope all is well. .

Must be... busy

take care

A/n: First and foremost - A note was long pending from my end. Two notes actually.

One as a woman and One as the author of this story.

***

I have a message to all my readers who are girls and women. Our bodies and minds are designed to take a lot of stress. And while doing that, your vitals are tested. Lack of awareness has let a lot of women to suffer in their later lives.

Educate yourself about your nutrition requirements and start to follow it at the earliest possible time - which is now. Young girls in twenties have the advantage of time, so start early. You may be active now, but life ahead will test your body to no end. Prepare your body right away. I have learnt it the hard way. There are so many women around us. But none of them are able to guide us, because they are not aware themselves.

Eat right, take calcium and vitamins. Get your annual check ups done. Trust me, you will thank yourself when you get older.

Some readers have already let us all know how they are suffering too. I urge you to take care of yourself and also spread awareness among the women around you. We tend to take care of everyone in the family, but very rarely some one takes care of us. We need to care for ourselves too, don't you think?

***

My next note is about the last two chapters. You all have appreciated and understood the essence of what I was trying to put across about Love and Marriage. But what is written in the story is what we "wish" it to be. But I do wonder how many of us have actually experienced it in life.

Marriage is a very vast and complicated topic. It has so many facets that no person can describe or prescribe how it should be dealt with. Because it's a relationship. There is no one hard cast way to manage the relationship.

Unlike western culture, where a marriage is predominantly between two people, in India and similar cultures, the marriage involves members of two families. And every person, other than the couple themselves, seem to have a say in it. This is a factor that I have not covered, but this facet has a huge bearing on the relationship.

My take away, after seeing a lot of people and incidents, is only this. The woman needs to evolve herself over time, be the larger person; Safeguard herself first - physically, financially and emotionally. Because trust me, as I said earlier, more than once you will find yourself alone and neglected. When your spouse sees you as capable of standing high and tall, no matter what the problem is, they will evolve themselves too. This is when you have a trying relationship or a relationship which is not so bankable.

And in general, be fair, reasonable and most of don't forget to live your life, during the marriage. No matter how much you are berated, never forget your self-worth and always keep up your self-esteem.

Do one thing in a day that you like and makes you happy. And pursue that happiness!

Some marriages may have sections of trying times, when they stand on the verge of breaking. Unless your spouse is absolutely unworthy of your affection, let the marriage survive. Even if it seems hopeless at the moment. Because, more than anything, it is the path you chose, and a different path will be as difficult to tread, if not more.

Again, what I say will not apply to so many other cases, because relationship advise is very subjective.

These are my thoughts and I sincerely urge you to share your perspective as well. Because we as a group, can support and guide each other. And we never know how one person's casual statement might have a life changing impact on another one.

***

Coming to the current update, as usual, I am quite apprehensive about it. Being the most crucial one, I honestly hope I have been able to do justice to it. As a rookie in writing, it was a bit challenging for me, to keep up the flow of the story of Arnav and Khushi; and at the same time run the parallel stories. And most of all to keep the business jargons to the barest minimum and not bore you to death with it. J The peripheral characters have made some progress in this update. More to come in the next chapter.

I know it has been long since I updated, but I had to get it right. I really hope you understand.

And thankyou for all those wonderful comments. Really really grateful.

So here goes the next update. You may want to ready the last few paragraphs of the previous update, before starting this one.

Eagerly waiting for your views.

Thankyou and Lots of Love

-Suri

CHAPTER 30

Arnav slowly opened his eyes. His tears blurred his vision, similar to how they had been for the first few months after his parents' death. He raised his face to look at Khushi, resting his chin on her chest. His arms still holding her in a tight embrace. Khushi looked on at him, worried... tears clouding her eyes as well. Blinking her tears away, she gently wiped his face with her hands. Arnav closed his eyes and let those soft palms caress him. He felt her breath hovering very close to him... and then two soft lips placed a warm kiss on his forehead, slow and long... Arnav relaxed visibly... the havoc in his mind easing by the minute. The lips parted from his forehead and Arnav felt his loneliness returning. He opened his eyes to look at her. He felt Khushi nudge him by the shoulder. Arnav reluctantly loosened his hold on her. She made further distance and taking support of his shoulder, stepped down on the floor from the sofa. What was the need... It was better when she was on the sofa... His heart was beginning to feel restless again. She made some more distance between them... stepping away from him. Arnav felt his fear return in leaps and bounds. He held her tightly by the wrist, trying to stop her from going away... from leaving him alone.

Khushi decided to get Arnavji some water... It would help him to compose himself. Just as she stepped towards her seat, where the glass and the bottle were kept, she felt a strong hold on her wrist. She turned back to look at him. That's when it hit her. How wrong she was in gauging his fear. He seemed as vulnerable as an infant.

Sucking her breath in, she went back to him and cupped his face with both her palms. Nodding a "no" to him, her eyes pleaded him to not go back there...into the feelings of sheer hopelessness. She knew how it felt. To be thrown in the middle of this harsh world with nothing to lean back upon. You feel... You feel as if you are exposed naked in the middle of a market. Everyone can see how vulnerable you are. And then you are no longer capable of trusting anyone. The fear of being used and taken advantage of always lingers at the back of your mind.

She pressed on his shoulders nudging him to sit on the sofa. Arnav abided.

She walked to the desk, knowing very well that his nervous eyes were following her. She had to pull him out of it... She would not let him be so weak. That's not her Arnavji. He was a fighter... and will continue to be so...

She walked back to him and sat down very close to him. Holding his nape with one hand, she held the glass near his lips for him to drink. Arnav let her treat him like a child. He drank the water and not once did his eyes swerve from looking at her. The liquid cooled his inner senses. As he finished the glass, a couple of droplets slipped from his lips. Scrunching her eyebrows, she pulled her dupatta to wipe the water away.

Arnav saw this girl. This young girl... who had been and is still going through so many hardships... But she had it in her to shoulder him in his pain. What was he weeping about, he chided himself. All said and done, wasn't his life far .. far better than her's? He did have a set of elders to fall back upon... he was never short of basic needs like food and clothing... He was given ample opportunity to pursue his studies and better his future. But Khushi... ??

Frankly, wasn't he better off... Wasn't it better off to have a pair of dead parents than to have them alive and know' that they donot want you. Compared to what Khushi has gone through, his hardships seemed miniscule. And yet this girl... some where along the way of growing up, had figured it out how to "live". She had learnt to "smile".

She was still wiping his face, worry creasing her face, tears brimming in her eyes. Her heart was weeping... "For Him"... Most likely it was also in as much turmoil and pain as his own heart was.

Overwhelmed by the feelings she had for him, Arnav lunged at her pulling her into a tight hug. Khushi lost balance, and hit the backrest of the sofa. But did not get any grip. She slipped and fell on her back, taking Arnav along with her.

She felt Arnav quickly cup the back of her head, lest she hurt herself. How could he? Even Now? How could he think about her' when he himself was going through such pain? How could he prioritize her above himself even at this moment?

Her heart longed to be as close to him as possible. Her arms moved on their own and slid around his neck. And Arnav willingly went into her arms, hiding himself in the crook of her neck.

A few moments passed... And then some more...

Both of them were so exhausted, they had neither the time nor the energy to worry about societal boundaries. They were completely enslaved by their need to have the other for themselves, to reassure their insecure hearts.

Buzzz... Khushi felt something shaking and humming between them, close to her hips. She was in a trance at the moment and was in no mood to come out of it.

Buzzz... Arnav was trying hard to ignore the buzzing of his phone. Wishing the call away. Hoping desperately to not lose the moment.

The buzzing continued and finally it registered in her mind - Their position - Naaniji - Boundaries - Maryada - Amma - The Present - The Reality!

She opened her eyes, visibly in shock. Arnav felt her stiffen. He knew the moment was lost. Unwillingly, he withdrew too. Just when he was about to raise himself away from her, the phone stopped buzzing. He stay put. Still on top of her. She was looking here and there...awkwardly. He hated this. She should've known by now... She should've known that now these things are ok' between them. Because... Because they love' each other. In the true sense. And it was ok to show it... to each other...in every which way possible.

This was the time... the time to tell her to not shy away from these feelings... But before telling her anything, he had to tell her... In no uncertain terms... That he would not be able to survive if he had to go through what he went through just an hour ago. The fear of her leaving him.

"Khushi..." He called out to her. She stopped wandering her eyes and focused on him. Mostly surprised that he was not feeling awkward at all.

"Khushi...Mein..."

Buzzz... The phone started to ring again. He tried to ignore it.

"Khushi... Mein Tumse... I mean... You are..." But Khushi's concentration was completely on the tingling sensation near her thighs. What the hell was it? Her eyes looked down, in the direction of the buzzing.

Having lost the moment and her attention Arnav "Tch"ed loudly. And moved away from her.

Taking the phone out of his pocket, he almost barked, miffed with the caller

"Yes?"

Khushi was trying to get up herself. Looking at her unease, he lent a hand to help her up.

"Bhai, it's me" Arnav heard Aakash's voice on the other side of the phone.

"Tell me Aakash."

Khushi slid her hand into his, taking his support to get up from the sofa.

"Bhai, I just called you to say, there is nothing to worry... Khushiji's suitcase and stuff is still at home. I kind of panicked unnecessarily... I thought she had gone away... No worries... I will call you once she is back home." He rattled on.

"Aakash... Calm down... there is nothing to worry... She is with me!" He pressed her palm and held it securely. His face beaming with a sense of confidence.

Khushi stood up, coming closer to him.

"Khushiji, is with you Bhai?"

"Yes... Now, she is with me." His face relaxed feeling contented.

Aakash took a moment to understand the intrinsic meaning of his Bhai's words. Heaving a sigh of happiness, he spoke

"Bhai... I cant tell you how glad and relieved I am - To hear that she is "with you"!"

"Take care Bhai... I will see you in the evening." He cut the call. Finally... Finally there was some hope for this family. In the form of Khushiji. No...no... she is his Bhabhi now... But not officially as yet... Hmm... What should he address her as now... What should he call her, when they meet in the evening...Hmmm??

Khushi was feeling flustered. His eyes... They spoke so much more than him. Giving her confusing messages... She slipped her hand out of his hold and strutted quickly towards the door and picked up her bag.

"Chaliye...Arnavji... you freshen up a bit. We have lot of work to finish up..." She told him walking towards her computer.

Arnav's eyes followed her... he had that tinge of a smile adorning his face.

He was in no mood to go back to the real world... but work beckoned... She was right!

He walked up to the door and turned back. "Khushi..." He called after her. She turned her face towards him expectantly. Wondering what he had to say. "Thankyou!!" He hoped his thankyou' could let her know how grateful he was to have her in his life.

But how could you ever guess her reaction. Her face transformed... her brows creased, eyes glared, lips pursed. She turned away from him in anger. Dropped her bag harshly on to the chair beside her. And typed on the keyboard loudly. Her nose was turning red by the second.

"Khushi... what happened... what's wrong now?"

"I didn't know our relationship was obliged with thankyou's and sorry's." She glared at her computer's screen. Because more than angry, she was hurt. Because, just like that Arnavji had told her how far they were from each other. Do you say thankyou to a person you love? No...atleast she didn't think so!

"You are right! I take my thankyou back." Arnav raised his eyebrows, as if he was thinking deeply. He ambled towards her and came to stand by her side. Placing his hand on her shoulders, he bent down to come face to face with her.

"Our relationship is way beyond thankyou's. So here." He gave her a soft peck on her cheek. "Now you know what I have to say." He smiled, looking into her eyes. But Khushi sat shell-shocked, eyes wide open at his gesture.

Arnav smiled again and walked out of the room, towards his desk.

Even if it was unintentional, she had used an appropriate word - Relationship - He was in a relationship... he was related... Connected... by an invisible cord... to his Khushi! A cloud of happiness enveloped his heart. The thoughts of Mallik, or his parents or the incident all those years back suddenly didn't seem to disturb him so much.

Smiling into his laptop, he started his work for the day... and this is how Aman found him a few minutes later.

Khushi heard Amanji's voice in the other room and slowly she forced herself to focus on her work. This was the limit... First it was the other cheek, now both her cheeks were burning. Next time he did anything like this, she would ask him to keep his American ways to himself. Hmph... this Arnavji...

Focus... Focus Khushi... She placed her fingers on the keyboard but was at a loss... what was I working on again? Her breath hastenend... All she could think of now were the kisses...his strong hold on her while in embrace...The way he casted his eyes on her... That warmth... that something...love? ...Those eyes... Sometimes filled with affection, sometimes with mischief and sometimes... in pain... Pain... Unbearable pain...His Parents...Mallik...Yes, Mallik... She would not let him go... Rage seemed to be overpowering her...She would do everything to bring him down... She would make Arnavji's revenge a reality... She would pursue nothing but bringing peace to Arnavji... Her Arnavji.

With renewed energy she started to review the books of Mallik Fashions again. Now, she had the right perspective and the context. Now she knew what she aimed for. The target was to bring Mallik down. Bringing the company down did not necessarily entail the downfall of Mallik. And then there is Shyam as well. Mallik Fashion had to be only a tool and not the target itself. She would sift every public information available to bring both these demons down.

***

MALLIK FASHIONS OFFICE

"PAISA!! PAISA!! PAISA!!" Hemant Mallik banged his table and towered up... Bellowing on two sitting in front of him.

"How the hell did you mess up so badly Shyam? You told me...assured me, so goddamn confidently, that you had everything in control. Then what the hell is this..."

"Uncleji...woh..." Shyam tried to woo him with his sweet talk

"DON'T YOU DARE...DONT YOU DARE camouflaging the murk we are in Shyam. You don't know me. You are a bachcha in this game. If you mess with me, you have no idea how far I will go to straighten you up."

For the first time Shyam saw the glimpse of his negative side. For the first time, Shyam doubted if he was right to mess with Mallik in the first place.

"You may not know me... But you CFO. You know me since the beginning of all this... You know everything about me...I backed both of you, despite the Board of Directors warning me against you. Why? Because I thought your idea was feasible... You had thought through it and could pull it off... But looks like I have taken the side of nothing but fools here."

"It's not like that Sir"

"That's exactly what it is CFO. I will butcher you if you try to save your dirty face. You made me leverage all my assets to invest in the company. Giving me hunky-dory stories of how we can take advantage of the rising share prices. But did you check on the business risks...?"

"But Sir the Marketing and Operations Directors took wrong decisions for the company... It wasn't my decision..."

"You should've paid attention to the contracts... They expired when? Almost 10 months ago? And you didn't have the time of the day to renew... to make sure we had the best deal in the market..."

Shyam and the CFO sat mute. Hemant Mallik seemed an aloof owner, but obviously they were wrong.

"And after using all my assets, you have the gal to come back and ask me for more money? Where the hell do you think I am going to get more money?" He walked restlessly around the room.

"Now, I've had enough with you. Shyam, get out of my office right now and control the damage. If I see any further drop in the shares and if I hear the European company reconsidering its decision to buy over this company, think that you have invited the hell upon yourself." Mallik warned Shyam brandishing his fore finger.

Shyam scurried away to his cabin, leaving CFO behind as a scape goat. Little did he know, that the CFO was the key here. He not only knew the nitty gritty's of Shyam's plan, but was also privy to some of the dark secrets of Mallik.

"CFO tell me the truth. How bad is it?" Mallik's demeanor was more approachable now. He was after all speaking to his own man.

"Saheb, we need a lot of money to set the business right. Only renting Sheesh Mahal will not do Saheb. We will have to sell it."

"Ok, did anybody show interest?" Mallik asked him.

"Saheb, there is an NRI party, who wants to start a hotel in Lucknow. I have asked the real estate agent to share the pictures. They are asking for the documents now. What shall we do?"

"So? Why haven't you given the property documents?" Mallik asked, miffed with his CFO's silliness.

"You don't understand Sahib." The CFO clarified. "You do know that Seesh Mahal is still in the name of your brother. So, legally, it belongs to his children now."

"What rubbish? They have been missing for 14 years. Why are you bringing that up now?"

"Saheb, all I am saying is that we should have made the moves to legally transfer the property in your name. There is no report in the police station that the children went missing 14 years ago. And you have made no attempt to make a search for them. I know, you are the next of the kin, but law has some procedures..."

"Law...law...law... to hell with it CFO. I don't know anything... Just sell the goddamn property. It is nothing but a money-pit now. Sell it, so that I can save this company from a disaster. Figure it out, CFO... At this point of time, I need a solutions..." Mallik seemed frustrated.

"Ummm...There is a way Sahib. But it would be a fraud. If the NRI party finds it out, then we will be done for."

"Spit it out." Mallik asked him quite rashly

"Sahib, let's make a Power of Attorney. From your brother to you. It will have a date before his death. And I will make sure that the words in the Power of Attorney are acceptable by law, but..."

"But what, CFO?"

"But the document per se will be a fake one. Let's hope that the NRI party does not catch on to it."

Mallik brooded on the point for some time. "What is the worst that could happen, CFO? He asked after a while. The party will refuse to buy. What do we have to lose?"

"But if the property does get sold, then I can save this company. And sell it to that European company, and retire as a millionaire. I am fed up with all this now. I would like to close everything and relax." He propped both his legs on the table.

"Now go, and get the Power of Attorney done as soon as possible and send the documents to the NRI party."

"Ok Sahibji."

"And CFO, I don't think I have to remind you to not share any of this with anybody... ANY.BODY!" He glared at him, hinting how ugly things can get if the CFO tried to back stab him.

The CFO knew only too well. If any of this got out, the first noose would be around his own neck.

BACK AT ARNAV'S OFFICE - 9 PM

Khushi opened the door of her conference room and stepped out. She saw Arnavji on the phone, so she stay put in her place, not wanting to disturb him.

"And what's the status of Shyam Manohar Jha?"

<<someone was speaking on the other end>>

"OK... Good...good... The factory?"

<<someone speaking >>

"Hmmm? How many trucks did you see moving out of the factory?"

<<<...>>>

"Ok.., 17?... Ok..."

"What's the status in Gupta residence?"

<<<...>>>

Arnav smiled into the phone. "Make sure the little girl is safe, Mr. Security. I don't want anything untoward happening to her." He told the security agent on a serious note.

Khushi was moved by his commitment to her family.

"Alright, I will talk to you tomorrow. Same time. Bye."

Arnav turned back to his laptop and spotted Khushi at the door. "That was the daily report from the security company. Looks like Payal is keeping them entertained." He smiled.

Khushi smiled and walked to sit on a chair opposite him.

"Do you want to go home? I have some work. Will call the driver." He reached his hand out to the intercom, but Khushi placed her hand on his to stop him.

All of a sudden she said - "Arnavji, I am ready"

Arnav shot a glance towards her. That statement could mean a lot of things...

"I am ready, to strike Mr. Mallik."

He leaned back on his chair, surprised by her change of stance. Waiting for her to elaborate.

"Arnavji, I realised I am unnecessarily worrying about the date when we will strike Mallik. You were never an employee of Mallik Fashions. So, you are safe. And as for me, I am too small an employee to come under their radar. Unless ofcourse Shyam picks on me. But let us strike Mallik directly. Shyam is bound to get caught in the net."

"Hmmm... We will have to hire a professional for this... Someone who can keep it confidential as well."

"No Arnavji. No one should know other than the two of us. We have a strong case. In about couple of days, I will have the case file ready. What the authorities need is proof. And that is what we have collected over the past 10 days. I just need to put the data in a logical flow. Then they will build the case themselves."

"Are you sure Khushi? What if there is something lacking in the papers. All this effort will go waste."

"Arnavji, I am very sure of one thing." She said with a finality. "I am not willing to jeopardise your future at the cause of Mallik's downfall. If a third person was even to get a hint of this, then they can blackmail us for a lifetime. Apart from what we have, there is nothing more to share with anyone. If the authorities don't press charges against Mallik, then lets just leave it as bad luck. You promised me that you will move on with life, remember?"

"Yes... yes...yes... I remember. Aur kuch?"

<<CONTINUED IN NEXT POST>>