My very own Arnav- Arshi FF - Page 3

PART-11:

At Arnav's (2-storey) house:

Arnav returned from Bombay after a 10-day long trip. He went to his room, showered, slept for a couple of hours and then came down for dinner to the cozy dining area that was attached to the kitchen.

Nani: Bitwa, how was the trip?

Arnav: Good Nani

Ajit: Bhai, how was Bombay?

Arnav: Ajit, this is not the first time I've been to Bombay

Arnav noticed that his Di and Mami were unusually quiet. The dinner was done in relative silence. "Surprising !!!" he thought.

When Arnav got up to wash his plate in the kitchen sink, he noticed Nani and Mamaji looking at each other with a grave expression. He heard whispers coming from the dining area while he was in the kitchen. The only thing he was able to catch onto was Mami saying "I am not sure how to tell him".

As soon as he entered the dining area, everyone became silent.

Now Arnav got impatient. "What the hell is happening here?" he said loudly.

When no one responded, but exchanged looks amongst themselves, Arnav lost his temper.

Arnav: I know there is something that you guys are not telling me. You know how I hate when things are hidden from me. I need someone to tell me what happened straight-forward and crisp. Don't beat around the bush.

Mamaji: Arnav, we definitely have something to tell you. But it will take time. I know you are tired after the journey. So we can discuss it tomorrow.

Arnav: No, I am fine and I want to know NOW.

Nani: Alright then Chote, but promise you will not lose temper or interrupt us in between.

Arnav: Nani, why are you asking me to promise all this?

Nani: First promise Chote that you will listen patiently till the end. Then we will tell you everything you want to know.

Arnav glared at his Nani.

Nani (in a cool tone): Chote, I'm your Nani. Not your subordinate at work that you can try to intimidate. So, if you give your word, we will let you know what happened.

Arnav gave up. "Alright fine. You have my word. Now tell me what happened".

Anjali and Mami looked apprehensive. Ajit looked doubtful.

Mamaji started. "Chote, Yesterday evening Mr.Shashi Gupta visited our house."

Arnav was stunned. He opened his mouth to say something but Nani quietened him immediately saying "Chote, you promised!"

Arnav grit his teeth and narrowed his eyes.

Mamaji continued.

Flashback...

Anjali opened the door to a well dressed elderly man who introduced himself as Arnav's boss.

He was welcomed warmly and seated in the living room.

Shashi: Namaste, I am Shashi Gupta, the CEO of Gupta Industries.

Nani: Namaste Shashiji. I am Arnav's Nani.

(Pointing towards Mamaji) This is my son Manohar. Arnav's Mama. That is his wife Manorama and their son Ajit. This is Anjali- Arnav's sister.

Shashi greeted each and everyone of them and was greeted back by everyone. Shashi was impressed with the manners of the family.

Nani: Please sit down. What can we do for you?

Shashi: I have come to ask a huge favour from you. But before that, I need to tell you a few things.

Mamaji: Please go on.

Shashi: I respect people who work hard with sincerity and loyalty. Arnav is one of them. He is intelligent, hardworking, resourceful and is a person with tremendous integrity. In fact, your Arnav is a gem of a person. I admire him a lot. You have instilled very good values in him.

Nani: Thank you Shashiji. It means a lot hearing such praises of our Arnav from a man of your stature.

Shashi continued: I am not sure if Arnav talked to you about this, but being very impressed with him and his character, I put forth a proposal in front of Arnav.

Nani and Mamaji looked at each other surprised.

Shashi understood that they were not informed by Arnav.

Shashi: I know it's not right to discuss this with you in Arnav's absence. I know he is in Bombay. But please try to understand me when I say I'm desperate.

Shashi took a deep long breath and continued: I have only one daughter. Her name is Khushi. She just completed last semester of Bachelors in Business Administration. I think some of you have already met her.

Anjali (out of excitement) was the first one to interrupt: "Ha Shashiji, I've met Khushi. She is a very bubbly girl". Mami and Ajit nodded.

Mamaji: Khushi is a sweet and humble person. Very down-to-earth. We all like her.

Shashi: Thank you so much. My daughter is indeed a sweet person.

Shashi: Almost two months ago, I proposed my daughter's alliance to Arnav. Meaning, I would like Khushi to be married to Arnav.

Everyone gasped. There was a minute of complete silence in the room. Shashi waited.

Nani was pondering how to let Shashi know that Arnav's alliance was fixed. Then she started speaking slowly.

Nani: Shashiji, it's a great thing that you could consider my grandson worthy for your daughter. I don't know how to tell you but just recently Arnav's alliance has been fixed with a girl from Lucknow. In fact this sunday is his engagement ceremony.

Shashi (In a low voice): I know! That's why I said I need a huge favor from you and that's why I'm desperate as we are pressed for time.

Shashi did not tell them that the real reason for his desperation was fear for his daughter's life. Shashi also decided not to mention that the main reason for his presence in this house today is Khushi being in love with Arnav.

Shashi continued: I guess after I spoke to Arnav two months back, I should have come home to you with the proposal. That would have made it much easier. I apologize I did not come to you earlier. I am not here to cause any inconvenience to you.

But I really do not want to lose a guy like Arnav. Not only do I see him as the future-husband of my daughter but also as the future-head of my company.

Shashi waited for the impact of his words to sink in. Everyone waited with bated breath. Mamaji instantly realized the meaning of Shashi's words.

Shashi: I know you must be thinking about the Lucknow alliance. If I may take liberty, I promise that I will talk to their family personally and help them find a good groom for their daughter soon.

Shashi continued: Another thing; I do not want any one of you to be offended by what I'm going to say next. I apologize beforehand if it hurts any of your feelings/ sentiments. I came to know that Arnav's Naniji and Mamaji have some health issues. Since you will be a part of my family, I promise to help Arnav in taking care of you- financially and emotionally.

While Nani was about to say something, Shashi interrupted and said, "Please consider me as you consider Manoharji. You have all the rights to chide me if you think I'm going overboard." Nani fell silent.

Shashi: Lastly, one more thing I came to know about your family and I would like to help. Since Anjali bitiya is the same as Khushi bitiya, I promise to get Anjali married to a good guy within six months.

Anjali gasped. Everyone looked at her.

Shashi: Like I said before, in case you think i'm going overboard, you have every right to chide me. This wedding will be positive in every way not only for Arnav, but for all of you. Please don't think that I'm trying to take advantage of you, because I'm not. As you can understand, the only reason I'm so desperate is because I don't want to miss a gem like Arnav and certainly not miss an amazing family like yours for my daughter.

Shashi: I understand that you would want to discuss this amongst your family. Please let me know your decision once Arnav comes back from Bombay. This is my card. I have written down my personal cell phone number on the back. I really hope to hear a positive response from you. I'll be eagerly waiting for your phone call.

Shashi then turned towards Nani, Mamaji and Mami and folded his hands in greeting. He wished Anjali and Ajit and left.

Flashback ends...

Originally posted by: amira039.303

Just read the whole thing in one go and I love it!!! I feel really sorry for Khushi because Arnav doesn't love her back. I just hope her father's ways don't turn Arnav against her even more... And this girl he's gonna get engaged to... Please say it's not Preetham...

Thanks for the pm and pls update soon...

PART-12:

The next day (Judgement Day):

Shashi left for his office way earlier than usual. He knew that Arnav would be back to office today as he returned from Bombay yesterday.

Shashi sat with his head on the head rest in the back seat of his BMW and closed his eyes. He had told his driver to take the longer route to the office. He needed to think, to contemplate. He went over the happenings of the past two days.

Khushi- flashed in his mind. He remembered how he had instructed his family and servants to keep a strict eye on Khushi, monitor her every move and report to him incase anything looked out of ordinary. He was worried for his daughter. Her last sentence- I don't see the point in living anymore- kept running in his head. She hadn't spoken a word after that.

"In case Arnav refuses, what is the next step?" worried Shashi.

Just then his phone rang, Shashi was happy to see the number he wanted to see- his friend and private investigator Swaroop.

Shashi had discussed everything with Swaroop and Swaroop was the one who provided information on Arnav's family including Anjali's broken alliance. Shashi and Swaroop had gone through different permutations and combinations regarding the issue at hand. Swaroop promised he would help his friend out of this situation.

The driver's voice that they reached the office broke Shashi's thoughts.

In another part of town:

Arnav knew Shashi Gupta would be waiting for his response today.

Arnav sat with his head on the head rest of his bed and closed his eyes. He needed to think, to contemplate. He went over the happenings of the previous day.

Khushi Gupta- flashed in his mind.

The discussion about the alliance with Khushi, opinions and advices of his family members ran through his head. Arnav was pissed, super pissed. He did not think Shashi Gupta would pressurize him through his family. Mamaji had promised not to call Shashi Gupta until Arnav met Shashi Gupta and discussed things with him straight. Arnav was prepared to explode not discuss. 😡

"Nice move Mr.Gupta, but two can play this game". He had thought. He would not marry a girl whose social and financial status would not match with his own. That would be a disastrous combination. There would be no compatibility.

He would not sacrifice his life for anything in the world.

Arnav was never keen on the Lucknow alliance; He had said "yes" for the sake of family. He had to anyhow get married sometime to someone; Nani and Di were very happy with the Lucknow girl and her family; And Arnav himself did not see any major incompatibility issues between the girl and himself.

Mr.Gupta offered financial and emotional help (what crap!) for Nani's and Mamaji's treatment. "How dare he? Who does he think he is? I am capable of earning well for my family" thought Arnav. "I may not be stinking rich like the Guptas but still I can fend well for my family. Tsk, tsk, Arrogance of the rich!!! If I marry Ms.Gupta I'll have to tolerate this on a daily basis."

Arnav had decided to throw Mr.Gupta's offer back on his face until...

Until Nani's late night visit to his room yesterday. The only point that Nani made, and that Arnav couldn't contradict was Di's marriage. And they knew how difficult it had been trying to find a decent alliance from the past 10 years. Di, in her early thirties now, had already given up all hope. Di needs to settle down, she deserves a happy life with her husband and kids...

Gupta Industries (Sharp at 9AM) the same day:

Arnav walked up to Shashi Gupta's cabin, gave a tight smile to Rita and asked her if he could go in since he did not have an appointment scheduled with the big boss. Rita asked him to go in right away as she had been given strict instructions in the morning to let Arnav enter as soon as he came.

Arnav knocked and walked into the cabin with determination.

Shashi Gupta: Hi Arnav, please come in and take a seat.

Arnav: Thanks Mr.Gupta.

Shashi: Would you like something to drink- coffee or tea?

Arnav: No thanks. Coming straight to the point, Mamaji wanted me to meet you first before we- I mean- my family made up a decision regarding the matter that you discussed in my absence.

Shashi: Arnav I'm sorry to discuss it when you weren't there, but I had to, before your engagement. I didn't mean to pressurize you or ...

Arnav stopped Shashi with his palm and said: Don't bother Mr.Gupta. I am not here to discuss or ponder over your so-called reasons. Let's get to the point. I am ready to marry your daughter. But I have some conditions.

Shashi was stunned... and relieved.

Shashi: Sure Arnav, anything you ask.

Arnav: First of all, My position or work relationships in the office will not be disturbed. I will not be treated as the CEO's son-in-law in the office. You will not do me any favours in an official setting. I will grow on my own mettle. We will maintain a strict employer-employee relationship here.

Shashi: Done! I'll ensure that no one treats you as the CEO's son-in-law here. You will be treated just the way you are being treated now. There will never be any special treatment or breach of employer-employee relationship.

Arnav: Good. You will do no favours on my family. I don't need your help emotionally or financially. I hope I am clear.

Shashi: Yes, you are.

Arnav: The last and the most important condition is- You will help me in finding a groom for my sister. After that, the relationship that I share/ not share with your daughter will have no impact on my Di's married life in future.

Shashi was shocked at the clause of "Arnav not sharing a relationship with his daughter" meaning a separation/ divorce. But then he remembered the love Khushi has for Arnav, and given Khushi's gentle nature Shashi firmly believed that Khushi's relationship with Arnav would turn out to be permanent.

Shashi: I agree to all your conditions Arnav. Please let your family know that they can visit us at our house anytime since your Nani hasn't seen Khushi. We can then discuss how the wedding rituals can proceed. I'll talk to your Mamaji regarding the same.

Arnav nodded. He said "I'll get back to work" and left.

...Part-13 on Page 6...