PART-19:
At GI (the next day):
Arnav was occupied with work the entire day. There were people working on the legal documents needed to seal the contract with Ruffel industries. The 1st floor of the GI was in an uproar. Ruffel industries was well established in Europe and was trying to expand its base in India. This pact would be mutually beneficial to GI and Ruffel.
Shashi Gupta was very happy. He applauded the teams that had put in effort for the success; specifically Arnav, Samar Kaushal, Seema Gopal and Sheetal. Everyone congratulated them. The CEO of Ruffel industries sent an invite to all Gupta employees for a party held to honor the deal. The employees were invited with their families. It was scheduled to be organized on the evening of next saturday.Arnav drew in a deep breath of relief that it was not this saturday since he had planned to take Khushi out with him. He was excited about their trip to Manali. He had booked tickets for early morning flight on saturday, so they could reach Manali, spend a couple of days together and get back late night on sunday. Khushi had asked him a few times where they would be going. Arnav told her that it would be a surprise for her, and hence he wouldn't reveal the name of the place. He knew Khushi was very thrilled about the whole trip. "She can be such a kid sometimes", he thought lovingly.At the Mall:
Payal had suggested to Khushi that she needed to shop before their upcoming honeymoon. She had taken the day off from Aman citing an emergency. Khushi (laughing): I can't believe you gave the reason as an emergency and took the today off.
Payal: Of course, it is an emergency considering your trip is in two days and considering the 'state of your wardrobe'.
Khushi: What do you mean the 'state of my wardrobe?' I have good clothes and tons of them.
Payal: Khushi honey, you need sizzling dresses for this outing and those that can also be taken off easily...
Khushi (turning red on her cheeks): Shut up Payal. You are acting as if you have been on multiple honeymoons..
Payal: I haven't but I wouldn't mind either. The person in question is you now. And I'm very happy about your honeymoon considering the fact that Arnavji did not...
Payal bit her lip. She chided herself. "What was I about to say? God, Khushi doesn't know he refused her first."
Khushi: 'Considering the fact that?' Continue Payal.
Payal (adjusting herself): Nothing, just that you both did not seem lovey-dovey in the start but looks like now romance is in full bloom.
Khushi (smiling): That is true, initially I was very worried that he was not interested in me. But slowly things have improved. He is more connected to me now. And he is very passionate.
Payal (teased): Hoye, hoye, so, let's get you ready for some passion this weekend. Khushi beamed from ear to ear.
Payal (continued): I'm very happy for both of you. I see Arnavji at office everyday. He is a very good person. He is totally focussed on work and is mostly on ASR mode there. Who would assume he would be this frenzied with his wife?
Khushi: Payal, can I ask you something? Promise me, it will stay between us.
Payal: Do you even need to say that? Of course, things always stay between us.
Khushi: How is Sheetal Arora?
Payal: The head of fashion department?
Khushi: Yes
Payal: She is ok, I guess. I mean I don't get to work with her a lot, so I really don't know much about her. But everybody says Arnavji and Sheetal make a very good team. Why do you ask?
Khushi hesitated. She didn't even know where to start. Khushi: It's just that..um..she kind of..um..I feel that...
Payal: Pagal, say it straight, it's only me. You don't have to worry about anything.
Khushi (taking a deep breath): I feel she has an eye on him
Payal: What? On whom?
Khushi: On my Arnav
Payal: My Arnav huh?.. Well technically now he is only your Arnav.. but I can see someone here is possessive and jealous...tsk..tsk..
Khushi: I'm serious Payal
Payal: Okay, meri maa, I'll keep an eye out. I'm going to be your spy at office. If that Sheetal really has a roving eye on the apple of your eye, I promise we will pluck her eyes out...
Both of them laughed at this heartily.
Payal: Shall we go eat now? I'm super hungry.
Khushi: Sure, Preetham will be joining us here.
Payal: What? Why?
Khushi: She just came back from US yesterday. She gets bored at home, so I invited her to join us.
Payal: Grrr...I hate you Khushi
Khushi: Thank you, the feeling is mutual...Smiling, they got into an italian restaurant while Khushi called Preetham and gave her the address. Preetham was already on her way, hence joined them in 10 minutes.Payal and Preetham exchanged pleasantries and sat down to eat.Payal: So, Preetham how is life in California?
Preetham: Good Payal, but I miss home here. How about you?
Payal: I'm doing great. Khushi and I finished our bachelors and now I'm interning at GI.
Preetham: Oh, that's awesome! Do you report to Arnav?
Payal was surprised to hear Preetham call Arnav by his name rather than as Jeejaji. Payal's brain started working in a different direction.
Payal: No, I don't report to your Jeejaji. I report to someone else.
Preetham flinched at the word Jeejaji which did not go unnoticed by Payal.
Preetham: Which department do you intern under?
Payal: Sales
Preetham: Which department does Arnav work in?
Khushi: Fashion designing.
They caught up on other talks while Payal narrowed her eyes at Preetham. Preetham went to use the bathroom leaving Payal and Khushi at the table.
Payal: Khushi, don't mind me asking you this but why is Preetham so interested in Arnavji?
Khushi: Probably because she just wants to know about her Jeejaji.
Payal: No Khushi, something is not right. She does not even call him Jeejaji.
Khushi: She just came back from America, maybe she just likes to call everyone by their names.
Payal: America, my foot! You are blind when it comes to your family.
Khushi: I know you have never liked her, but I didn't know that you never trusted her either..
Khushi got a call from Nani and stepped out of the restaurant to speak to her.
Payal (thought): I still don't trust her. Guess I should keep an eye on Sheetal Aurora and Preetham Gupta.
That evening at Arnav's place:
Arnav rode towards his house as he had received a call from Mamaji. Mamaji had asked him to be home by 6 pm.
When he reached home, he found everyone busy. He found Khushi helping Mami in the kitchen. Arnav was very surprised. Khushi had not told him that she would be coming here.
When Mami stepped out of the kitchen to talk to Nani, Arnav sneaked in and hugged his wife from behind. Khushi tensed for a second and then instantly relaxed in his arms recognizing the touch. He snaked his left hand under her saree pallu and started drawing circles on her bare stomach. Khushi arched into him with her back touching his chest. She placed her left hand on his left hand adoringly.
Arnav: Hi Sweetheart, what are you doing here?
Khushi: Nani called me here
Arnav: You didn't tell me that you were coming.
Khushi: Nani told me not to tell you, they wanted to surprise you.
Arnav: Hmm..I see, good that you are here. It's been a long time since we kissed.
Khushi (shyly): Stop it Arnav. You just kissed me today morning before you left to office.
Arnav: That's what I am saying. It's been 10 long hours.
Arnav started placing light kisses on her back, neck and Mangalsutra.
Khushi: Arnav, someone might walk in.
Arnav: Don't disturb me when I am busy
Khushi (giggling): Do you even know why we are here?
Arnav (kissing her continuously): Nope, enlighten me.
Khushi: Di got an alliance from a good family.
Arnav (lifting his head up instantly): What?
Khushi: Ha, they will be coming here in half an hour.
Arnav: Wait, I need to talk to Mamaji first.
Saying this, Arnav went to find Nani and Mamaji. They convinced him that it was a good alliance from Pune. Mamaji himself had spoken to the groom on phone, and Mamaji's friend had met the groom in Pune personally.
Arnav met with Anjali and asked her if she was okay with this. Anjali, though a little apprehensive, said she was willing to try out.
The next couple of hours were manic. Shashi Gupta entered the house with the potential groom, Shyam Manohar Jha and his brother Jatin Jha. The Jhas had lost their parents in an accident when they were young. Shyam was a lawyer in Pune while Jatin was training to be one.
Anjali and Shyam spoke for a long time in private and felt comfortable with each other. Shyam was already informed of Anjali's previous broken alliance and did not have any issues with it.
Nani called the pandit to fix the dates for Sagai (engagement) and marriage. Shyam requested that he would like the process expedited as he could not afford many absences from work. Shyam also politely asked if they could have the Sagai this weekend before he and his brother would return to Pune.
Arnav was baffled. He and Khushi instantly looked at each other. Sagai this weekend would mean they had to postpone the trip.
Arnav was upset that Khushi would be disappointed as he knew how excited she was for this trip. He was equally vexed that he would have to wait long before he could talk to her about the past. With him being completely occupied at work on weekdays and then, the celebration with Ruffel industries the next saturday, it would be at least 2 weeks before he could plan the outing with Khushi again. Arnav groaned in frustration.
Arnav was brought out of his thoughts by Nani calling his name. She asked him what his opinion was. Arnav contemplated silently, "This is related to Di's life. It's more important. I can convince Khushi and take her out later."
The moment he looked at Khushi again, Khushi blinked her eyes and nodded at him indicating that she would be okay staying back this weekend. Arnav felt blissful that she understood him so well.
Arnav: We are fine Nani. Khushi and I have no objection for Sagai this sunday.
Nani: Fine then Shyam beta, let us have the Sagai this sunday morning so you and Jatin can return to Pune by evening.
Everyone congratulated Anjali and Shyam. While the family was busy with discussions about the upcoming function, Arnav looked at Khushi who was enthusiastically exchanging her views with them.Arnav (thought fondly): I have to count my blessings that I got married to her. I'm really fortunate to have you Khushi.
What Arnav did not know is that, he would very soon come to know how lucky he truly was.. with that Angel in his life...
...PART-20 (I)...
Edited by SillLisa - 6 years ago
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