PART-4:
After a few Days at Gupta Industries (GI):
Khushi kept walking up the stairs to her dad's cabin while looking around for a glimpse of her prince. She was here everyday from the past three days but couldn't see him. She wasn't sure whom to ask about Arnav's whereabouts as it might attract undue attention.
Just then the doors of one of the conference rooms opened and Shashi walked out with Shashank, Mr.Sinha and Ms.Seema. They were still talking about something for which Shashi's PA, Rita was nodding her head profusely. Khushi understood that Arnav was not in the meeting and was disappointed. She went to the cafeteria to grab a coffee.
Just then Sheetal walked up to Khushi and started a casual talk with her. Sheetal, being very ambitious and manipulative, was always careful to look courteous with Khushi as she knew how important Khushi was to her dad. Soon Rohit Sharma who is the senior manager in apparel section joined them at their table for coffee. Since the day he joined, Rohit, a handsome man in his early thirties, was bowled over with Khushi's beauty. Her being the heiress of the Gupta Industries made her even more attractive to Rohit's eyes.
Khushi did not want to be rude to her dad's employees, hence indulged in a general talk with Sheetal and Rohit although with disinterest. Sheetal noticed how Rohit was trying to hit on Khushi whereas he was unable to elicit her interest and laughed to herself. Khushi was hoping Arnav would walk into the cafeteria but got bugged when Rohit kept asking her questions. She was too drowned in Arnav's thoughts to realize that Rohit was trying to hit on her.
She finally bid bye to them and walked to meet her dad. She was just in time to catch a conversation between her dad and his PA where Rita was telling Shashi that they had to wait until Arnav came back before they could finalize something. Khushi caught on to that, and asked " Papa, where did Arnav go?" Now Shashi, though surprised, hid it well in front of his PA and said casually, "Beta, he is in Bombay this week to help in our branch over there." Shashi saw a flicker of disappointment in Khushi's eyes and was surprised.
Later Shashi and Khushi went to his cabin but Khushi did not want to stay back long. When she told her dad that she wanted to go home, Shashi agreed but kept thinking if he was missing something.
Few Days later at Chandni Chowk market in Old Delhi:
Anjali kept bugging Arnav that he had not bought her anything for her birthday.
Anjali: Chote, you missed my birthday last week and did not buy me a gift. That's why we are here. Now stop and start shopping with me to compensate for what you have done.
Arnav: Di, how many people do you need to shop for your gift? You came here with Mami and Ajit. Why did you have to drag me along?
Anjali: Stop whining Chote. Today is Sunday. Can't you spend time with your family at least on weekends?
Arnav: My point exactly Di. Today is Sunday which means I have to report back to work tomorrow. Anyhow my idea of spending time with family includes spending time with family at HOME.
Ajit: Bhai, there's no point discussing now since we are already here. We might as well enjoy this outing with the ladies.
Arnav: Really Ajit?
Mami: Hello hi bye bye Arnav bitwa, since you are here anyways, why don't we buy some sarees for me?
Anjali: Ha Mami, why don't you buy some considering it was my birthday last week?
Arnav: Unbelievable!
Ajit chuckled at his crazy family and at his Bhai's irritation.
In the same market on the other side:
Payal had dragged Khushi over to Chandni Chowk to buy some stuff. Khushi had come over sulking.
Payal: Khushi stop sulking and enjoy the market.
Khushi: It's so crowded Payal. Why did we have to come today of all days?
Payal: Not everyone can afford like you can Khushi. This is the place for me. Moreover today is sunday. Obviously there will be people.
Khushi: Half of Delhi is here.
Payal: Shut up and help me select some hand bags.
Anjali pulled her family through the crowded streets and finally ended up bumping with a beautiful girl knocking down half of her things onto the ground.
Payal: Hey lady, watch where you are going.
Anjali: I should be saying the same to you. Can't you watch and walk?
Arnav heard someone scream at his sister and was enraged.
He caught hold of limping Anjali before she fell down. "Di, are you okay?"
He rounded on Payal and blasted her for being reckless.
Payal would not take it lying down and was about to scream back when she was pulled tightly back by Khushi. Khushi had noticed Arnav catching Anjali and then calling her Di. Khushi immediately hissed in Payal's ears "Shut up Payal, it's him. Zip up, don't fight".
Payal's eyes widened as big as they could. She whispered back in Khushi's ears "Do you mean Him? As in your prince?"
Khushi nodded shyly. Payal became quiet immediately as she knew what Arnav meant to Khushi.
Arnav dusted Anjali's sari and then noticed Khushi starting at him. He was surprised to see her in a place like this.
Arnav: What are YOU doing here?
Khushi: I.. um..um..I..I..um..
Payal was shocked to see her confident friend blabbering in front of him. She decided then and there that Khushi needed her help. She went to introduce herself as Khushi was in no position to make any talk.
Payal: Hi, I'm Payal. I'm Khushi's best friend.
Arnav looked at her up to down but did not extend his hand.
Payal then looked at Anjali and in a sweet voice said "I'm sorry about the little bump we had."
Anjali was surprised at the sudden turn of events and decided to go with the flow.
Anjali: Chote, do you know her? (Pointing towards Khushi)
Arnav: (Glaring at Anjali for calling him Chote in front of others) Di, this is Ms.Gupta. My boss Mr.Gupta's daughter.
Anjali's and Ajit's eyes popped out. They were stunned to see her in a place like this.
Anjali recovered faster and smiled at both the girls. "Hi Payal, Hi Ms.Gupta. I'm Anjali, Arnav's sister. Sorry about what just happened. It's very nice to meet you both."
Khushi: Thanks Anjaliji. It's really nice to meet you all. We are sorry about what happened too. Please call me Khushi.
Arnav thought, "Wow! So Ms.Gupta can also talk sometimes with people."
Khushi had seen Arnav after more than a week and couldn't help steal glances at him shyly every now and then. Payal pinched Khushi on her arm and told her to not make it that obvious.
When Khushi hissed in pain at the pinch, and started rubbing her arm, Arnav said to everyone in general "I think we should get going".
Ajit and Mami were also introduced to both Payal and Khushi. They exchanged pleasantries. Mami and Anjali were totally taken by Khushi's beauty, and humility.
Mami: I like your ear rings Khushi bitiya. Are they diamonds?
Khushi: Ji aunty ji. Thank you!
Anjali: And your dress looks beautiful too..Khushiji
Arnav, though, was not pleased with the interactions and thought "What crap!". Ajit meanwhile had his mouth still dangling open at Khushi. Arnav gently closed his cousin's lower jaw with his right index finger and gave him a serious 'what the!' look.
He broke the cosy meeting in the hot market and said "Di, Mami. It's time to get going."
Khushi was unhappy that she couldn't talk to Arnav but was happy that she was able to meet his family.
Anjali: Ha Arnav, Bye Khushiji, bye Payal. We should catch up sometime.
Mami: Ha bitiyas, Come home sometime. I would love to make samosas for you.
Ajit choked on the coke in his hand listening to his mom's talk on samosas. Arnav couldn't hold back a chuckle and rubbed his cousin's back.
Khushi was totally lost seeing his sexy smirk and half hidden chuckle. She thought "Devi Maiyya was super focussed on her job when she made you."
As Arnav's family started moving away, Payal pulled her friend with force. She chided Khushi.
Payal: Khushi, have a hold on yourself. I agree that he has killer looks but that doesn't mean you mumble and jumble in front of him. No wonder he has never noticed you.
Khushi: Shut up Payal. Not just any looks. He looks like Adonis, the Greek God. I get really nervous everytime I see him. Moreover our first meeting did not go very well.
Payal: Ha lady, I know about your first meeting very well. You have chanted that story at least a million times. If you had chanted Devi Maiyya's name that many times, she would have been standing before you!!!
But I have to accept, you have got it bad, really bad!!! But today at least you will have sweet dreams sweetheart.
Payal chuckled.
...Part 5 on Page 2...
Edited by SillyLisa - 9 years ago
Cricket
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