My very own Arnav-Thread 2-Part 30 Updated (June 15th 2018) - Page 19

Enroute Manali to Delhi (Air India):

Khushi was deeply engrossed looking down at the clouds through the window, with her head leaning on her husband's shoulder.

"Sweetheart", he called her gently, "Where are you lost?"

She tilted her head up to look at him and smiled, "Arnav, I am going to miss Manali"

Arnav moved back just a tad so he could put his left hand around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him.

"I know honey", he said kissing on her hair lightly, "Don't worry we will come back again"

"Many people do not know this, but typically honeymoons are done every six months", he said with a wink.

Khushi laughed heartily.

"It feels like we have been in heaven from the past few days and I am scared to go back home", Khushi admitted her fears in a low voice.

"Hmm", he said thoughtfully, "Look at it this way Khushi. People who tried creating disturbances between us are out. We love and trust each other very well now. What is there to be scared about honey?"

"I... I don't know Arnav", she said, an unknown fear assailing her.

"Relax", he said reassuring her, "everything will be fine".

"Khushi", Arnav spoke after a while, "I want to discuss a few things with you", "but I have been very distracted here in Manali", he said naughtily roving his eyes on her body.

"Stop it Arnav", Khushi said slapping playfully on his chest, her eyes lowered, clearly understanding his intent.

"Alright then", Arnav sounded serious

"Khushi, I have a little more than a fortnight left with GI", he said as she looked up at him apprehensively, "Remember I turned in my resignation?"

Khushi nodded her head.

"When we spoke to your father on phone from Manali, he subtly suggested that he was waiting for me to come back", Arnav continued, "I know what he meant- he wants me to withdraw my resignation now that your Chachu is not here"

"But Khushi I am not interested in working with GI anymore", Arnav spoke with a firm tone, "Since my days in Harvard, I always wanted to set up my own company", "I want to create things with my own mettle".

Khushi, for the first time since her wedding, heard her husband talk about his dreams and ambitions.

"I want to build my own fashion house. As much as I love fashion designing", he paused, "Sales and strategic marketing are my strengths. Initially I might start designing, but once the company grows, I will recruit designers for the specific purpose", Arnav spoke passionately as Khushi listened to him with admiration in her eyes.

"I need investors to fund the design house. I will be travelling a lot for this particular reason. I plan to build clientale in phases", he spoke about his stratagems with her, "First in far east, as in southeast Asia like Hongkong, Malaysia and Singapore. Once I stabilize, I will look at Europe"

"But why Arnav", Khushi asked, "why not investors in India?"

"Because Indian market is not that big as compared to these markets. And I have friends and contacts from my days in Boston that live far east", he said gently tucking a hair strand behind her right ear.

"Oh, ok", she said listening intently

"I will reach out to these investors for the fashion firm", he was contemplative for a few minutes,"Let's see how everything goes".

"Everything will go well, just like the way you want it Arnav", she said gently rubbing her left hand over his right.

"Of course, it will honey", he kissed her temple, "But all this will require a lot of travel Khushi", his forehead creased in worry, "I don't want you to feel like I am neglecting you"

"I would never feel that way Arnav", Khushi said confidently, "I love you and I understand how important this is for you", "I am with you in every step".

Arnav looked at his sweet wife in adoration. "God, I am so glad that I was forced into this marriage", he said sincerely, "I would not have found a better woman in my life"

He lowered his head towards her with eyes on her lips.

"Not now Arnav", Khushi blushed, putting her right palm on his mouth, "We are in the plane", she reminded, "people can see us".

"I don't care honey", he pulled her close with his left hand that was already around her shoulders. His right hand peeled her palm off his mouth, and he took her lips in a searing kiss.

They lost track of time. They were pulled back to present by an air hostess calling them.

"Sir", she said, her face a little grumpy, "Please fasten your seat belts", "the flight will be landing in Delhi soon"

Next day at GI:

Sheetal was fuming from the past few days since she heard from Aman that Arnav took Khushi on their honeymoon. Though she was not aware of Arnav's confession of love, she could sense that the relationship between Arnav and his wife had improved... drastically. Sheetal was irritated that this chit of a girl was able to gain Arnav's attention and interest.

"What the f*ck?", Sheetal thought, "She is a total mismatch to a guy like him", "I can't even understand how he is accepting the relation when he was absolutely not interested in the start". She schemed, "Well, let's see!"

"Hi", Sheetal greeted Khushi, "What are you doing here?"

"Meeting with dad", Khushi was sparse in the use of her words, "See you later Sheetal", she said with a tight smile.

Khushi walked into Arnav's cabin knocking the door gently. Arnav was in a discussion with his colleague Rima. He smiled at Khushi and pointed to the couch with his eyes. Smiling back, she sat down on the couch and kept looking at him.

Once the discussion was done, Arnav walked with Rima to the door and locked it behind her. He moved towards his wife with eyes on her.

"You are such a distraction", he said impishly, pulling her up from the couch, "Why were you staring at me?"

"Arn...", she was cut off as he closed his lips on hers.

When they came up for air, Khushi smacked him softly on his arm, "You do this every time I come to your office"

"This is the tradition here", he said in mock seriousness, "my cabin demands it"

Khushi smiled shyly, "In that case, avoiding your cabin is the best idea"

"Really?" he asked pulling her closer into his arms, "why are you here now?"

"Papa called me", she said, "do you have any idea why he wanted to talk to me at work?"

"I am not sure", he spoke in a deep voice, "but he has blocked off my calendar too for the next hour",

"Let's find out what he wants to talk to us", Arnav pulled her out with him.

At Shashi Gupta's Cabin, GI:

"Hi Papa", Khushi said hugging him

"Hi beta", "Hi Arnav", Shashi greeted both of them

"Hi sir, why did you call both of us?", Arnav was as usual straight to the point.

"I am sorry Arnav, I blocked your schedule off during office time", Shashi was shrewdly apologetic.

"No problem but I should say that I am indeed surprised, specially with Khushi joining us", Arnav said.

"Arnav", Shashi continued though a little hesitant, "I want to talk to you about something important"..

Khushi paid careful attention to the conversation.

"Go on", prompted Arnav.

"Please take back your resignation", Shashi said, "Don't quit GI"

Arnav and Khushi looked at each other instantly. Khushi looked concerned- for both her father and husband. She didnt want either of them to be disappointed.

Arnav exhaled a deep breath. He couldn't upset this nice man. Arnav had grown to like and respect his father-in-law over a period of time.

He couldn't thwart his own ambitions either. "Gosh, this is such a spot", Arnav ran his fingers through his hair, "I have to convince him gently without hurting him".

"Sir", Arnav said still thinking how to go forward with it, "um... "

"Arnav", Shashi interrupted, "You will be treated just the way you were before. Shashank is also not here anymore, Why do you still want to leave?"

"Sir", Arnav decided he had to do this, "Setting up my own fashion house is my dream", "And I really want to fulfill it"

"As much as I enjoy working here, I think it's time I surged forward to realize my ambitions", Arnav continued, "Please understand me"

Shashi sighed. He knew it was impossible to convince Arnav once his mind was made up. But he was not aware that Arnav wanted to set up his own design firm. Shashi was pleasantly surprised, he wanted the young man to achieve his dreams.

"Ok", Shashi said, "Setting up your own design house is a great idea", "I want you to accomplish your dreams Arnav", he spoke genuinely, "But then, I have a couple of requests"

"Thanks for understanding sir", Arnav breathed relieved, "What do you want me to do?"

"First off", Shashi said, "you will let me help you with the fashion house", he paused looking at Arnav.

"Um... ok", Arnav did not want Shashi to feel rejected, "But you will not do any kind of financial help", "You can introduce me to some investors that you know but only as my well-wisher not as my father-in-law"

"As you say young man", Shashi chuckled having known Arnav's ways very well by now.

"Secondly", Shashi continued now looking at Khushi, "I want Khushi to take over your role here at GI"

"What?", Khushi screamed suddenly, "No papa, I am not prepared for that"

"Not a word Khushi", Shashi said sternly, "It's either you or Arnav", "One of you should definitely be with me at GI"

Arnav folded his hands over his chest and looked fondly at the father-daughter duo.

"But Papa..." Khushi was interrupted

"Why not Khushi", this time it was Arnav who chimed in, "I think you are pretty capable to do this job"

Khushi's jaw dropped at her husband's suggestion, "Arnav you too?"

"What's the problem Khushi? Are you not educated enough?", Arnav questioned

Shashi heartily enjoyed this banter between his daughter and her husband.

"I am not ready Arnav", Khushi protested huffing, "I can't... I won't", she blabbered

"Well then Arnav can help you get prepared", Shashi said, "he still has two weeks left here", "you can shadow him and learn stuff"

"Great", Arnav chortled thinking, "More distractions", "It will be fun having her around though"

"Arnav has no objections beta", Shashi riled her up more, "Why are you concerned then?"

"Because...", Khushi thought furiously even though she couldn't come up with anything.

Shashi and Arnav chuckled at her efforts.

"Alright", Arnav spoke with a finality, "It's decided then", "you will shadow me from tomorrow", he smirked at her.

Khushi was totally stunned at how the discussion had suddenly turned around. "How did I get stuck?", she kept thinking.

"Sure Arnav", Shashi said, "Carry on"

"Coming with me Khushi?", Arnav asked the poor lost soul, "It's almost lunch time"

"Huh?", she said clueless at what just transpired

"Go on beta", Shashi said smiling at her plight

Khushi walked out with Arnav, seriously staring at her dad for getting her into this mess, while Shashi laughed at her cute expressions shaking his head.

"This company belongs to you both", he thought gleefully, "Arnav, you might set up your own design firm", "And you may not want to help me with GI now", "but when Khushi heads it, you will not be able to refuse her!"

If anything, Shashi Gupta was a shrewd man... he knew his business and his daughter very well...

...PART-29...