ArShi GONE CASE - Season 1 - Page 62

NOTE : Hi friends! It's been a long time since I have updated this story. So, here I am with a long update. This one is to connect the previous chapters with the next ones. This chapter will act as a bridge between the two phases. Hope you enjoy reading this chapter. 😊

PS : For old and new readers, kindly go through the previous 5 chapters if you don't know the story so for or if you have forgotten it. I am sure you will enjoy reading them 😳

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6. GET SET... GO!!

It was a fine Sunday morning. Arnav, Shyam, Lavanya and Khushi were having hot coffee sitting in the huge terrace of their bungalow.

"I wonder why Shashi ji had this condition of recruiting only orphans" said Arnav as sipped his coffee.

Khushi looked at Arnav thoughtfully. "I never thought about it" she said, surprised how it slipped from her mind.

"I had asked Mr. Shashi about it" said Shyam in his usual cold tone and everyone turned to him to know what Shashi answered. Shyam continued, "Mr. Shashi said that unmarried orphans are better detective as they don't have any family bonds and they can focus on their work without any disturbance and time restrictions"

"Ooh... So that's why he called only for orphans..." said Lavanya impressed with the thought behind it.

Shyam looked at her and said, "We three are orphans... Are you too an orphan?"

Lavanya was tongue tied for a moment as she didn't know what to say. She just stared blankly at Shyam. "I... umm... Actually..." she was struggling to find words to reply.

"It's alright darling" said Arnav supporting her. Turning to Shyam, he said "Shyam, let's not talk about it. Lavanya seems uncomfortable" He looked at Lavanya with a smile and a blink of eyes as if to tell her not to worry. Lavanya smiled back thanking him.

Khushi was not happy seeing the exchange of smiles between the Arnav and Lavanya. She didn't know why but she didn't want Arnav to comfort anyone other than herself... atleast not any other "girl". She just wanted Arnav to stop smiling at Lavanya. To distract Arnav, she quickly said, "Arnav, come with me to buy grocery for this month"

Arnav was reluctant. He said, "No Khushi, not now. Right now, I think I should stay with Lavanya." He looked at Lavanya and with a wink said, "Right Lavanya?"

Lavanya too responded to him with a sensuous smile. "Sure!" she said making Khushi drop her jaw in disbelief. But then she also knew how big a flirt Arnav was.

Shyam just shook his head in disinterest and went to his room. Khushi stood up in anger and walked away with hers and Shyam's coffee mug leaving Arnav and Lavanya at the terrace.

*****

Khushi was in her room upset with whatever had happened. "How dare that Lavanya smile at Arnav in that way!! Huh! And Arnav, he denied coming with me! How can he do this to me! He knows me more than he knows that Lavanya! And she is not even a detective!" And then she suddenly realised what she was talking. "Why am I so concerned? It's Arnav's life... Let him do whatever he wants to... Let him go with any girl, be it Lavanya or Bavanya or Kavanya whoever. Why should I care!"

As Khushi was fighting her own feelings, she heard Arnav calling out her name as he came searching for her. "Here you are! I was searching for you all around" he said.

"Why? Isn't Lavanya there? Why do you need me?" asked Khushi in anger.

"Ooh" thought Arnav as he enjoyed Khushi's reaction. He thought of teasing Khushi even more. "Don't say anything against La... What did La do?" he said giving more stress specifically on La'.

"La?!" Khushi was somewhat hurt by this. "Her name..." said Khushi slowly stressing every word, "is Lavanya!"

"I know that!" replied Arnav, "but she herself has told me to call her 'La'... It makes us feel closer you know..."

Arnav was amused to see Khushi being jealous of Lavanya getting closer to him.

"Yeah yeah... I know you boys well!" said Khushi, trying to hide her anger and envy. "And I very well know what a flirt you are! Stop flirting openly with Lavanya!" she said firmly.

"Stop flirting openly?" repeated Arnav with a naughty smile. "Alright, I will flirt with her when no one is around!"

Now Khushi was very irritated. "Arnav!!! Please stop troubling me!" she finally said.

Arnav laughed. "Whom should I flirt with if not Lavanya? There's no other beautiful girl around here..." he said rolling his eyes.

"Yeah right! There's only Lavanya and me here, and I am no way beautiful" said Khushi hurt.

Arnav was thoroughly enjoying it. "Ofcourse!" he said, "La is so beautiful! You can't even be compared to her"

Poor Khushi just forced a smile and without a word stood up to walk away. Arnav noticed her wet eyes and he realised she was hurt. He quickly held her hand and stopped her saying, "Sorry sorry! I was just kidding Khushi..." Khushi pulled her hand out of his and turned to walk away.

Arnav stopped her again holding her hand and said, "Come, let's go to buy grocery..."

Khushi was about to say something when Lavanya entered Khushi's room saying, "No need to buy grocery. Mr. Shashi has sent a full time servant for us. And he will be here any moment!"

Khushi frowned. Why isn't Lavanya letting Arnav be with me? Arnav smiled reading Khushi's mind.

Lavanya walked close to Arnav and said, "Come ASR, let's go for a walk" Arnav quickly glanced at Khushi to see her reaction. She was fuming in anger but remained silent. Lavanya then turned to Khushi and said, "Khushi, you stay at home. The servant will be here now, someone has to be at home. Shyam has also gone somewhere just now"

Khushi felt left out as she heard this. She nodded with a smile but Arnav could see the pain behind it. He quickly said, "I am not in a mood to go for a walk, Lavanya"

Khushi looked at Arnav with surprise. Lavanya too was surprised at Arnav's denial. She wasn't expecting such a reply from him. "It's just a walk, ASR. And I told you to call me 'La'. Don't call me 'Lavanya'. The people who are special to me call me La" she said with a wink. Khushi felt a pinch at her heart after hearing this.

Arnav said, "I am not comfortable with calling you La, please don't mind" Lavanya didn't understand why. Arnav continued, "And it's better to stay back when the servant comes. Shyam isn't here as you said. Let us be at home atleast. We need to talk to the servant and discuss about things" Lavanya didn't like what he said and he could see it. He said, "We all will go on a walk tonight, okay?"

We all? Lavanya was disappointed but she agreed and left the room.

Arnav found Khushi looking at him with satisfaction and a tinge of happiness. "What?!" he asked.

Khushi nodded looking down to say "nothing".

Arnav smiled. He was about to say something when the doorbell rang.

Everyone came down in the hall. Lavanya and Khushi watched on as Arnav opened the door.

A neatly dressed man was standing at the door with a bag in his hand. Khushi and Lavanya exchanged glances. "Yes?" said Arnav waiting for the man to introduce himself.

"Namaste ji... I am Ramlal" he said with a wide smile showing almost all his teeth. When he noticed that Arnav didn't recognise him, he said, "Gupta ji must have told you that I was coming"

Now Arnav and the girls recognised him as the servant sent by Shashi. "Please, come in.." said Arnav and everyone settled down on the sofa. Arnav called Shashi to inform him that Ramlal had arrived. He also thanked Shashi.

Ramlal was shown his room. He was sent as a full time servant who would clean the house as well as cook food and take care of other household chores. Shashi had also made it clear that Ramlal would be paid by him and there wasn't any need for these four to give any money to him whatsoever.

*****

It was lunch time. Shyam hasn't returned yet. "Where's Shyam? Did he tell you anything before he left?" Arnav asked Lavanya.

"Nothing" replied Lavanya, "He just put on his shoes and went away pulling the door behind him. And I am not waiting for him. No way! I am very hungry" Lavanya pulled a chair at the dining table and sat down ordering Ramlal to serve the lunch.

Arnav and Lavanya exchanged glances. "I will call him and check" said Arnav unlocking his phone. Khushi nodded.

Arnav dialled Shyam's number but there was no response.

"Does he have any other number?" asked Khushi.

Lavanya turned to her at once and said, "How can he have another number? Don't you remember the clauses in the contract that we have signed?"

Khushi remembered the clause that they were supposed to have only one contact number that was the one give by Shashi. All their other contact numbers were deactivated. They were given new sim cards and new handsets.

"Weren't the clauses a bit... weird?" said Khushi thinking about the contract.

"No use of thinking now that you have accepted them already" replied Lavanya bluntly. "Come Arnav, have lunch with me. Khushi, you can wait for your Shyam ji if you wish..." said she making fun of Khushi.

Khushi's jaw dropped in disbelief. Arnav giggled and pushing her jaw up said, "Come, let's eat..."

*****

Time flew off as everyone was preparing for the next day... the first official day of SPYDER! They were very excited...confident yet a little nervous.

The sun had set already. Shyam wasn't home yet. Khushi tried calling him but he wasn't reachable. Lavanya teased Khushi for being desperate to know about Shyam. But Arnav too wondered where Shyam had gone without informing.

Ramlal had settled well in the bungalow now. He got acquainted with the place and his work. The dinner was ready by 8:30 pm.

Everyone, except Shyam, gathered at the dinner table. Arnav and Khushi were about to start eating when Lavanya suddenly started scolding Ramlal, "What's this Ramlal? You know I don't like cabbage! Go prepare a different curry for me!"

A scared Ramlal at once said, "Sorry madam, I will prepare another one..."

Khushi began laughing. "Oh Lavanya, it's Ramlal Ji's first day here. How will he know what you like and what you don't"

Lavanya was silent. Arnav was lost into his own thought. Khushi nudged Arnav, and tossed her head asking what happened'. He smiled saying nothing and then said, "Lavanya, you should eat everything what is served"

"Right!" agreed Khushi, still laughing at Lavanya's childishness.

"Whatever!" said Lavanya, "But ask before preparing anything from now on..." she ordered Ramlal.

"Jee Madam Ji" Ramlal replied nervously.

*****

Everyone went to their respective rooms after dinner. A little later, Shyam returned home. And when asked said that he had already had dinner. Shyam was an introvert. He never spoke freely and liked to be alone. He never seemed to like being with his team mates. He was elder to the other three, and that was considered as a reason of him not mixing with them easily. But his behaviour seemed strange at times. And this was one such time.

Arnav asked Shyam where he had been. Khushi said that atleast he should have informed.

To this, they got a curt reply from Shyam that, "I don't like anyone questioning about my personal life". Saying so he walked away to his room.

Arnav and Khushi exchanged glances. Lavanya seemed least interested.

*****

Khushi noticed that Arnav seemed a bit disturbed as she saw him from the balcony of her room. She thought of having a word with him and went to his room.

Arnav was staring out standing in the little balcony of his room. Khushi went near him. Placing a hand on his, she asked, "Is everything okay?"

Arnav came out of his thoughts. "Yes, why?"

"Don't lie to me" said Khushi, "You seem disturbed..."

"Is that so obvious?"

"I don't know about others, but I know you well enough to say that something is troubling you"

Arnav smiled at the thought that Khushi knew him so well. "You have changed a lot, Khushi" he said looking at her.

"Changed?" asked Khushi, confused.

"Hmm..." replied Arnav. Khushi kept looking at him with a questioning gaze expecting him to elaborate. Arnav understood and continued, "You were totally crazy when we had first met, and look at you now... You are a different Khushi altogether after the training. You seem so composed. You have changed..."

"So have you" replied Khushi with a smile.

Both just looked at each other for a while. It felt a whole new world to them whenever they were together.

"Now tell me... what is it?..." said Khushi breaking the silence.

"I was thinking about Shyam. Where might he have gone? I think something is fishy. This guy Shyam has always makes me think. I find him strange. There's something about him... something that he is hiding from us... something that we are not able to see..."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know Khushi..." said Arnav, "You better be careful... Keep him away, okay? Especially when I am not around"

Khushi felt great seeing that Arnav cared so much about her. Before she could say anything, Arnav continued, "And be careful about Ramlal also... We don't know him yet. It's only a day since he is here. Do you understand what I am saying?"

Khushi nodded in yes'. "I will tell this to Lavanya also..." she said quickly.

"No!" said Arnav, "That's not required..."

"Why?" asked Khushi, confused. "Not that I mind" she murmured.

"What did you say?" asked Arnav though he knew exactly what Khushi meant.

"Nothing..." said Khushi trying to ignore it.

Arnav smirked. "Whay are you so possessive about me?" he asked in a teasing tone.

"Possessive? And that too about you? Huh! That's your misunderstanding" replied Khushi though she herself was unsure about it.

Arnav smiled to himself and said, "Oh okay... I have to go on a walk with La. Will leave now" He turned to leave but was waiting to see Khushi's reaction.

"You better stay away from Lavanya!!" said Khushi at once.

"Oooh... Someone's being possessive!" teased Arnav.

"Look! I have known you for longer than Lavanya, I am your friend first. I have more right over you than she has. I can make you stay with me whenever I want to. I can share with you whatever I want to. I can go with you wherever I want to. I can do whatever I want with you. But she can't! Do you understand?!" Khushi's heart was beating faster as she said it.

Arnav was surprised. He didn't fail to notice the wetness in Khushi's eyes. "Relax Khushi, I am not going anywhere" he said to calm Khushi down.

"And don't call her La'!!" said Khushi sternly.

"You have a problem with that?" asked Arnav purposely.

"Yes!" said Khushi strongly.

"And why is that?" Arnav asked raising his eyebrows. He never missed to pull Khushi's leg whenever he got a chance.

"I don't know!" said Khushi, "She is just not right for you..."

"Oh is it? Then who is?" asked Arnav with a smirk, "You?"

"Stop it Anrav!" said Khushi not wanting to continue the conversation.

"I didn't know you were so emotional" said Arnav. Khushi remained silent. Arnav knew exactly what Khushi felt. "Want a hug?" he asked. Khushi was reluctant though she desperately needed it. Arnav noticed Khushi hesitation. He moved closer and held her into his embrace. Khushi hugged back. This was a moment Khushi would capture in her heart forever. It felt great being with the person she could rely on.. being with the person she could feel safe with. The warmth of his embrace was just so perfect that she would never want to come out of it.

"Feeling better now?" asked Arnav. Khushi nodded in his arms.

Arnav had flirted with many girls till now but it was never the same with Khushi. He never felt like flirting with Khushi. He was naturally attracted to her.

"Ready for tomorrow?" asked Arnav.

Khushi came out of his embrace. "I think so..." she said with a nervous smile.

"I want to see that confident and dashing Khushi I had met while getting Gagan caught" said Arnav encouraging Khushi.

Khushi let out a laugh. "I feel as if there's a race tomorrow... a race between my fear and my courage" she said.

"I am sure courage will win the race!" said Arnav with a wink.

Khushi's nervousness was gone with this. "Let the race begin!! Woohoo!!" she suddenly shouted leaving Arnav surprised. "On your marks..." she paused looking at Arnav waiting for him to join. "Get set" they both shouted together, "Go!!" And then they laughed their heart out.

"I was wrong... You are still the same!" said Arnav, "Crazy!!"

"So are you!!" replied Khushi.

And Arnav's room filled with laughter.

~END OF SEASON 1~

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