#1 ArHi Collaboration SS : Jalebis and Chillies [ Completed ] - Page 42

Chapter 6: S... for Secret Revelations!

The launch of the new clothing line of RHF was going on smoothly. Arnav thought as he watched the models walk the ramp. His thoughts went to Jalebi. She had been ecstatic when she had entered the venue and had immediately gone back stage to wish luck to all the models.

Of course she was cheerful! After all, she had managed to get three days of leave and after those three days she would be back to destroy his peace of mind. Well she was smart, hands down, mostly because she had very cleverly used the whole situation to her advantage. He thought seeing Khushi smiling gleefully and even showing some of the models a thumbs-up sign.

"Pagal", he muttered.

"Did you say something, Arnav?" Ajay asked with a hint of amusement in his eyes. He had been observing his son. He had found Arnav's eyes often sneaking glances at Khushi.

"No, Dad." Arnav said and concentrated on the show again. His father really had very big ears. He thought.

**********

"It has been a long time since we met each other." She remarked casually.

"It appears so." He told her. He forwarded her favourite mocktail. She accepted it gratefully, noticing that he still remembered her preferences. Lack of meeting had not changed what they shared. She smiled at that and glanced around. The launch was a grand success and it was now followed by the after party which was in full swing.

However, two persons were far from soaking in the enjoyment. Akash Singh Raizada and Payal Gupta had one thing in common though, their distress.

"I have something to tell you.""I need to tell you something." Both said in unison.

"Okay. Lady goes first", said Akash.

"Ermm... I got the appointment letter yesterday. I got a job as a senior research analyst."

Akash narrowed his eyes at her and released the breath he was holding. Okay, so she was not in a problem.

"Wow! Congratulations Payaliya!" He said as he engulfed Payal in a big bear hug. But why was she still frowning.

"Thanks, Akash." And the frown refused to leave her face.

"I don't sense a problem here. Isn't this supposed to be a celebration time? Am I seeing a frown there? This is your dream job, Payaliya."

"Yeah, but it is not in Delhi."

"So?"

"Akash! You know Amma. She will not let me leave the country."

"One minute. This means you did not tell Uncle and Aunty that you had applied for this job?"

Payal shook her head indicating that she hadn't. "But now that you have got the job, you should tell them. I don't think Garima Aunty will have any problem knowing that her daughter is doing so well. You haven't told Khushi too?"

"No, I haven't. I wanted to tell you first." She muttered softly.

Akash smiled at that. Nothing had changed over years. This is how their friendship has always been.

"Do one thing. Tell Khushi first. And please remove this frown of your face. It doesn't suit you."

That brought an instant smile to her face.

"You said you wanted to say something too, right?"

"Yeah, it is about Pari."

"What about her? Don't say that you have messed up again."

Akash gave her a sheepish look.

"God! Akash! Ab tumne kya kiya? And don't give me that look. I know it is your fault like always or you would not have come to me asking for solutions for problems in your love life. I know how sneaky you are about this whole thing."

"Hey, it is not my fault every time okay. And this time the problem is serious. Pari's parents are searching for a groom. They might go ahead with the first good rishta they get. Moreover, I think Bade Chacha is suspecting that I am hiding something from everyone."

When Payal did not say anything for some good two minutes, he looked at her and said, "What? Why are you giving me that mocking look, Payaliya?"

"Seriously, Akash! This is your serious problem? Yeh toh chutki mein solve ho jayega."

"Really? Then why don't you solve it for me?" He said rolling his eyes at her.

"You just tell your family that you love Pari and want to marry her. I know, your family will love Pari. She is such a sweet person, yaar. And then your family will talk to Pari's family and fix your marriage with her. Then both of you marry and live happily ever after. See, it is simple."

"It is not that simple. Ma will freak out if she comes to know that I have a girlfriend."

"No, she will not. If you are so scared to break the news to Manorama Aunty, then talk to Ajay Uncle. He is a very cool person and he will definitely guide you."

"Payaliya, you are not understanding. The main problem is that I don't want to get married now and Pari's family is not ready to wait."

Silence prevailed for a few seconds. "Oh!"

"Oh? Is that all you got to tell?"

"Um...are you planning to marry in future and have you decided who to marry, if you do it at all?"

Akash was gobsmacked for a moment or two. "Of course it will be Pari for me."

"Akash, do you realise you still haven't told me if you want to marry in future. Just think. The issue is not if you will marry now, but it is if you will marry at all. I suggest you talk to Ajay Uncle."

And with that, both decided to break the most important news of their lives to their respective families.

**********

Khushi was enjoying her dessert when she heard Chilli's voice from behind her. "So, Ms. Gupta is celebrating her new found vacation with an ice-cream."

Khushi flashed her white teeth triumphantly and said, "Oh yes. Want some?" She forwarded her spoon filled with chocolate ice-cream and retreated immediately saying, "Oops! You cannot eat that, right? You have diabetes", and then licked the spoon clean. Did Jalebi look a little bit remorseful at that? No, not at all!

Arnav gritted his teeth. "You should have told me about Avni, yesterday."

"When should I have told you? When you were shouting at me?"

"No, when you were giving me stupid lessons on anger management issues."

"Oh, please! Don't tell me that it was my mistake. You do not have any patience to listen to what the other person has to say. You come to your own conclusions", she said nonchalantly, "and I think you should follow my advice and take anger management classes."

"You think you are too smart?" Arnav hissed.

"I don't have to think. I know I am smart." Khushi said and started walking.

"So, are you joining office from Wednesday, after your so called unnecessary 'three-days leave'?"

She stopped at her tracks looked behind her shoulder and said, "Why? Are you going to miss me? And yeah by the way, your secret is safe with me."

At his perplexed expression, she continued, "The very secret you hid from Ajay uncle, something about firing me."

She gave a saucy smile and winked at him. She then sashayed to where Smita and Garima were chatting, leaving a stupefied Chilli behind.

Did she just flirt with him and also wink at him?

**********

Manorama looked at her three children and missed Anjali's presence. She then found Payal and Akash immersed in a deep conversation. A secretive smile broke out on her face. She could not wait for the day when Akash would formally introduce her as his girlfriend. This was all because of Khushi and Arnav. Their strange friendship or rather enmity had made both Smita and Garima to meet each other which in turn resulted in them opening a school together. And now Shashi bhaisaab was their family doctor too. This only aided in the growth of the relation between the two families. She was now impatiently waiting for this relation to turn into something more and she hoped that it happened soon. She was one impatient mother, after all.

**********

Avni's phone pinged, informing the arrival of a message.

How are you, wakil sahiba?

I am fine now and stop calling me by that name, Mathur. Avni typed back.

Arrey, why not, why not? Just a few more months and then you will be a lawyer. You threatened me yesterday telling that if I did not treat your sprained ankle properly, you will sue me in court.

What the! When did I say that? :O

Ah! Now you are speaking like a perfect Raizada daughter!

That was neither funny nor rhyming. -_- Wait till I tell this to Bhai.

Wakil sahiba, mujhe murder karne ka iraada hai kya? Kitni mushkil se toh tumhare Bhai ke gusse se chhutkara mila hai.

Excuse me. I thought you were Bhai's best friend.

Yes, we are chaddi buddies. Both had same coloured chaddies :D

Erm.. TMI, Mathur.

Okay, sorry. Anyway you are coming day after tomorrow for the check up right?

Yes, Doctor.

"What is his name?"

Avni jerked upon hearing Arnav's voice. "Huh?"

"I asked what your boyfriend's name is."

"Oh please, Bhai. I don't have a boyfriend."

Arnav narrowed his eyebrows and said, "Don't lie, Chhutki."

"I am not lying, Bhai. You will be the first one to know if I ever date someone."

"I know, I was just kidding."

"By the way, why are you still single, Bhai? Both my brothers are useless. I mean you both are smart and handsome. Then why don't you get yourself girlfriends. Take some advice from Bade Chacha who is still romancing with Badi Ma."

"You talk too much, Chhutki."

"Kya karein, I am bored with you all. Akash Bhai ka toh kuchh nahi ho sakta, at least you get married soon and bring my bhabhi home. At least, I will get someone new to talk to."

"Don't you have to study?"

"Huh. You always change the topic when I talk about your marriage." Avni sulked.

"You are such a drama queen."

**********

Three days later, when Khushi entered RHF, she felt like some celebrity when from the guard to the peon to the employees asked her why she was absent. She faked some health issues and answered another round of questions about how she was feeling now.

She dropped her bag on her work table and slumped on the chair when a loud voice made her jump again.

"Hellooo! Khushi Kumaaarriii Guptaaa!"

She looked at the person sitting at the other end of the room, her jaws tightening. There sat her arch nemesis from school with a thousand watt smile plastered on his face and a wicked glint in his eye.

"What are you doing here, Nikhil Khurana?"

**********

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