#2 Arshi FF - The Other Half - 28 Dec - Note - pg 68 - Page 12

Literally can't wait for the next update

Where is the update yaar??

Waiting for next part eagerly.

ALL I WILL SAY IS, THE JOB OF A GOOD AUTHOR IS TO MAINTAIN INTEREST, KEEP UP THE SUSPENSE, AND TORTURE THE READERS 😃 K NOW FOR THE CHAPTER. ENJOY

She laughed to herself, her eyes glazing over as she remembered him. She coyly looked up to study her reflection again. What else did she know about him? Apart from the fact that he was good looking.. handsome.. looked great in a suit..

She felt her cheeks heat up and she slapped her palms against her cheeks, hoping to cover them. Anjali called her over and she cleared her thoughts of Arnavji and went off to do her work.

But soon, the invisible cloak of happiness with which she'd come to Shantivan slowly started evaporating as the evening proceeded, causing her heart to shrivel up from pain she never thought she would receive; her heart pounding away as Arnavji had finally made his appearance, as he finally found out the truth about what she had been doing.. which was nothing compared to what he had done to her.

~

And since then, two weeks had passed the same way with Khushi dutifully carrying out her responsibilities at work but otherwise staying away from him completely.

"Khushi, listen to me, please" He called out to her, catching her just as she was leaving for home.

She stopped abruptly, her fists bunching her top. Khushi looked back at him tearfully, the sight of her watery eyes causing his chest to tighten.

"I've heard enough, don't you think?"

Arnav's eyes blazed with fury at himself as he remembered what had happened the night of the prayers.

~

He stood by the pillar, making sure to keep himself hidden. He stayed away from sight, but kept an eye on everyone to make sure that the decorations for the prayers was going on well. Giving some instructions to the helpers, he looked around, satisfied. He was sure that Di and Nani would like this arrangement.

More often than not, he found himself glancing at the main door time and again. His eyes roamed the entrance, eager to see a glimpse of her. He smirked to himself, his prior knowledge of how this night was going to turn out and end making him have a private joke with himself.

But the smirk soon left his face when he stiffened and braced himself against the wall. She's here.

Arnav watched intently as she made an appearance, his focus solely on her, completely ignoring her Bua and her jiji. He took in her warm, wide smile, her twinkling eyes, her flushed face, her slim body wrapped in a dark purple sari. His gaze lingered, but he forced himself to look away. Now was not the time to be distracted.

They reached Shantivan just in time to set up and Khushi watched with delight as Arnavji's warm family welcomed hers. He saw as his family welcomed hers. Khushi folded her hands and met them too but couldn't stop her eyes from roaming around, wishing desperately to spot the man who had been occupying her mind for such a long time now. He noticed her delight when she folded her hands to greet them and caught the not so subtle way her beautiful eyes were scanning the area. He wondered who she was looking for.

She looked to the floor, trying to understand her deep need to see him, to know he was around. She caught her reflection in the mirror opposite her and she gasped. He stared at her as she looked to her floor before gazing at herself in the mirror opposite her. Even from the distance, he heard her gasp. It was the same look she'd seen on Shyamji's face when he was looking at Anjali's photo; the same look that spoke of how much he loved his wife.

Love..

Could it be?

No!

How could it? What did she really know about Arnavji to love him? All she knew were the basics. He was successful, rich, bipolar, arrogant, confident, always frowining.. Even his staff knew that. She didn't know anything special. Well she did know he was kind, caring, sweet, funny; even though he smiled only once a year.. but then, he had displayed a nicer side of himself to her on several occasions, and even laughed full-fledged when she'd jumped into his arms in a hug when she mistook a can for a rat.

She laughed to herself, her eyes glazing over as she remembered him. He looked closely at her; she was examining her face, looking for something. He saw a flicker of surprise, a moment of thoughtfulness, a slight smile and then she laughed to herself. She coyly looked up to study her reflection again. He saw her lost in her thoughts as she studied herself in the mirror again. What else did she know about him? Apart from the fact that he was good looking.. handsome.. looked great in a suit..

She felt her cheeks heat up and she slapped her palms against her cheeks, hoping to cover them. Anjali called her over and she cleared her thoughts of Arnavji and went off to do her work. He examined her as her cheeks heated up, she blushed, she slapped her palms against her cheeks, covering them. He heard Di call for her and looked at her walking off to get to work.

He looked at her ruefully. He wondered if she would still be smiling by the end of the night.

The prayers was conducted peacefully, with little hiccups on the way. After Khushi had set everything up, she joined the family at the prayers area. Her breath hitched when she spotted Arnavji who finally decided to make an appearance. Her body screamed for her to go over to him and say hi, but his behavior the last few days made her think he wouldn't like her company at the moment. But then, he had given her the order of the sweets. And also told her to bring her family along. So many now he was alright? "Bipolar Singh Raizada" She muttered to herself and smiled.

"Did you say something?" Arnav inquired, standing slightly behind her but bent a little to whisper into her ear. Startled, Khushi gasped and her head jerked to the side to see her Arnavji close to her. She hadn't noticed when he'd silently made his way over to her. Swallowing hard, she cursed her throat for suddenly going dry. But how could it not be dry when Arnavji was looking as handsome as he was?

Dressed in black kurta pajama, Arnav was the very picture of handsome, sexy, mysterious and it didn't help that his face was right now staring intently at Khushi, his smoldering coffee eyes giving Khushi the feels she'd never felt before.

"What..?" Khushi trailed off, looking lost in his eyes. He shook his head and repeated. "I asked, did you say something?" He made sure to stand even closer to her, his ego lifting when he noticed her shivering from his proximity. "Yes.. No? I mean yes I said. But, no.." Khushi couldn't help it, she was a blubbering mess at the moment.

What's wrong with you, Khushi! It's not like you're meeting him for the first time. This is your boss, Arnavji, your friend, your lov- stop! Dangerous grounds.

"Khushi.. you okay?" Arnav asked with concern. She seemed to be frozen on the spot and her answer wasn't making much sense. He touched her shoulder and her eyes widened. What was happening? Was he really initially a conversation? But, why? He had been resolutely ignoring her the past few days..

"I- I'm fine." She smiled showing her teeth. "And.. you?" She asked timidly when his eyes darkened. "I'm fine too. Been very busy.. with some recent revelations." He added. She nodded sympathetically. He was after all the owner of such a massive company. Being busy was a given. She wished she could help him, which is why she was confused as to why he'd posted her to the spare office where her job had nothing to do with assisting him, despite her being his PA.

Should she ask him? He was in a good mood, it seemed, and it was right after the prayers so everyone was just standing around chatting. There was no one near them. Even if she made him angry with her question, she could always slip away and join the others. Surely he wouldn't unleash his ASRish temper in the midst of his family?

Just as she was about to ask him, she stifled a giggled when he jumped at Buaji's loud, commanding voice, shrill enough to wake up the unconscious. "Arrey sanakdevi, mithai ka hawa ko khilane khatir banaya hai ka? Jao, jaake sabke beech baant do! Sasoori humka har baat batani hoti hai isko- haire, ee kaun hai?"

["Arrey sanakdevi, mithai ka hawa ko khilane khatir banaya hai ka? Jao, jaake sabke beech baant do! Sasoori humka har baat batani hoti hai isko- haire, ee kaun hai?" - "Oh Sankadevi, have we made the sweets to feed the air? Go and distribute them amongst everyone. I always have to tell this girl everything- oh my, who is this?"]

Arnav blinked twice at the colorful image in front of him. He looked at the poor sari that was multicolored and there was no doubt Khushi's buaji, her booming voice still ringing in his ears. He remembered his conversation with Buaji over the phone. Well, the sassy lady on the phone did match the lady in front of him.

"Hai re nandkisore! Kaun hai re?" The booming voice made him jump a little in his seat. Khushi smiled, knowing that her Buaji's loud voice must've startled him.

[Hai re nandkisore! Kaun hai re? - Oh god! Who is it?]

"Main Arnav Singh Raizada" Arnav greeted.

[Main Arnav Singh Raizada - I'm Arnav Singh Raizada]

"Haan toh humne kab mana kiya babua? Hum Madhumati hai." Buaji responded.

[When did I say you're not Arnav Singh Raizada? I am Madhumati]

Arnav raised an eyebrow. Now he knew where Khushi got her style of speaking. "Woh main Khushi ka boss hoon"

[Woh main Khushi ka boss hoon - I am Khushi's boss]

"Sanakdevi ke boss! Jiyat raho babua, jiyat raho" Buaji flung her plait around her thick neck and blessed the man who'd given Khusi so many job opportunities. Arnav frowned. He was living. Khushi giggled looking at his expression.

[Sankadevi ke boss! Jiyat raho babua, jiyat raho - Khushi's boss! Live long son, may you live"

"Babua, kauno baat puchni thi" Buaji asked in a softer voice. "Tumri tabiyat toh theek hai na?" She asked in a concern voice.

[Babua, kauno baat puchni thi - I wanted to ask you something | Tumri tabiyat toh theek hai na? - Are you okay?]

Before he could say anything, Buaji continued. "Ooh ka hai ke tumne humri titaliya ko naukri di. Woh toh ek dam pagal hai. Pata nahi kaise usko naukri de di tume babua" Buaji joked.

[Ooh ka hai ke tumne humri titaliya ko naukri di. Woh toh ek dam pagal hai. Pata nahi kaise usko naukri de di tume babua - You gave Khushi a job. She is totally crazy. I don't know how you agreed to hire her]

Buaji mistook his silence, not realizing that she actually wasn't giving him a chance to speak.

"Babua! Sab theek toh hai na? Khusi ne kauno gadbad toh nahi ki? Tumri office ko jala toh nahi diya?" Poor buaji asked frantically.

[Babua! Sab theek toh hai na? Khusi ne kauno gadbad toh nahi ki? Tumri office ko jala toh nahi diya - Is everything okay? Has Khushi done something? Has she burnt down your office?]

"This is my boss, Arnavji" Khushi made the introductions. Buaji's eyes turned dreamy as she inspected Arnav like he was the next hero of the daily soap she kept watching. "You are Arnav babua? God bless you, jeeyat raho" She blessed him. Arnav looked uncomfortable with Buaji but just smiled. Khushi distracted Buaji and led her away. Arnav was thankful for that. His eyes hurt from seeing his own Mami dressed as a rainbow all the time, he didn't need to see another woman doing the same thing.

Soon Khushi came around to hand out the sweets and took the special plate of sugar free ones for him. With a sudden spring in her step, she walked up to him and held out the plate, gesturing him to take. He was about to take when Buaji popped up again.

"Tell me one thing, has my sankadevi turned you crazy yet?" Buaji wriggled her eyebrows. Khushi huffed. Arnav looked at Khushi in a manner she didn't understand but the next second his face was blank. "Yes." Arnav said seriously before he flicked her nose, causing Khushi to gasp and Buaji's jaw to fall. "She's such a.. a terrific PA that I'm going crazy over the fact that I've only just met her. She should have been in my life much earlier." He complimented, sounding every bit sincere.

Khushi was still confused with his behavior, but she wasn't about to question it. No, she would enjoy it. Taking the sweet, he winked at her before stepping aside to instruct the helper with the next task.

Soon after, Khushi looked around, noting that Arnavji was standing across the hall speaking to Di. She looked at Di, Nani and Mami. They were nice people. Her insistence on getting this job done may end up causing them hurt. But.. Ah, no backing out now. She tilted her head to look at the second level, watching for any sign of her partner in crime. But he was nowhere to be seen. Where are you! It's almost time..

She slipped away unnoticed and went to the corner to make a call. "Where are you? Oh ho, come soon, we have to start right now! Okay, see you." She ended the call and turned.

"Oh- Arnavji.. what are you doing here?" Khushi squeaked.

"Who were you talking to, Khushi?" Arnav looked at the phone that she hid behind her back.

"No.. no one. I- it was a wrong number. Shall we go?" Khushi indicated to join the rest in the hall. Arnav conceded. "Yes, lets. I have a very important announcement to make. Shall we?"

We shall, Khushi thought as she walked side by side Arnavji.

Finally, Arnav thought, the time for the evening to end the way he thought it would was now here. And again he found himself wondering if she would still be smiling at the end of it.

NO PMs - look out for the title + date for latest post please. 😳

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Chapter 19

was so eager to read this chapter

edited :

Aapne Ramanchi ki hai... I was so eager to read what has happened, and now I have to wait dome more...

poor Khushi, already feeling bad for her...hope you update soon

fantastic superb waiting for more

Oh !you again stopped.

We are eating a plate of mouth watering dishes. And some of our evil friends have sneaked from behind and totally snatched the plate away. This update is like that. Such a beautiful POVs of both Arnav n Khushi. Wow!! Madhumatiji is more than terror for the great ASR!! What is the suspense behind the announcement ??

Is ASR planning to introduce Khushi as his Girlfriend or planning to absorb her as a designer in AR??

Fabulous chap but stil dont know what happened😭