
CHAPTER 1. MEET ARNAV, HIS DI AND HER FOE!
Arnav Singh Raizada nodded at what his assistant was saying as they stood in front of the elevator. The elevator opened and Arnav blinked at how crowded it was. They entered the elevator and Arnav had to press himself to the wall to find a place to stand in. As they stood there, Arnav's mind wandered to the last time he was in such a crowded elevator. He smiled softly. Khushi! That was the name of the girl he met few days back and try as he might he couldn't remove the girl's name or her face from his heart. His heart beat faster as he wondered when he would meet her next. Where are you Khushi? And when would you meet me again? He sighed.
The elevator finally reached its destination and Arnav strode out of it. He walked towards his car and got in. Ordering the driver to drive home, Arnav looked out. What was happening to him? He wondered. He had met so many girls in these years. Many had even flirted with him in his College days. But none of them had affected Arnav the way this girl had done. What is so special about you Khushi? That you managed to grab my attention and have yet to leave it. What is this that I feel for you? He chuckled.
Soon Arnav reached home and he smiled as he took in the name Shantivan written on the name plate attached to his mansion. It had been a year since he had shifted to Dilli with his Di and had bought this house and yet even after a year it sent a thrill through his spine. This was their first house! Before this, they lived in a duplex apartment and before that in a flat. In his 28 years, this was his biggest achievement. Yes, he was a big businessman and yes, he owned AR Constructions in Kolkata and now he was launching his company in Dilli too but as far as Arnav was concerned, gifting his Di her dream Mansion was his biggest achievement.
Make his Di happy, that was Arnav's goal in his life. Arnav had lost his mother in childbirth and his father died when he was 13. And since then his Di had become his world. She was his mother, father, sister and best friend. She raised him since then and made him what he was today. She didn't even get married and had yet to live her own life. She had dedicated her whole life to him and hence, Arnav wanted the sun, moon and the stars for her.
Arnav get out of his car and entered the Mansion. With eagerness on his face, he headed towards his sister's room. "Di!", he called out. "Di!", he called out again in excitement.
"I am right here!", came his Di's voice and Arnav turned towards one of the corners of the room where Geet Raizada, his Di, sat on an easy chair with a book in her hand. At the age of 35, Geet Raizada looked as beautiful as she looked in her younger days. Long and lustrous locks, bright eyes, pink lips, she was a beauty even at this age. Dressed in classy Saree and classier jewelry, she was an epitome of grace and elegance.
Geet put her book down and looked at him curiously, "What is the matter Arnav? You sound so excited!"
Arnav grinned, "Of course I sound excited Di! I am excited. Coz the news I have is that special!", He entered the room and kneeled in front of his Di, "Your dream is coming to reach its target Di! Everything is set! This Sunday, AR Constructions will be launched in Dilli too! And soon we will be the best Construction Company in Dilli just like we were in Kolkata!"
"Oh Arnav! I am so proud of you!", Geet mumbled as tears welled in her eyes.
"Oh no Di! No crying business! You get emotional so easily!", Arnav whined as he wiped his sister's eyes.
Geet chuckled, "Of course I am crying. I am so happy today!", she cupped his cheeks and kissed his forehead.
"Di! I have favour to ask from you!", Arnav whispered.
"Favor? Beta you are my jaan! You don't have to ask favors! You simply have to order me my Jaan!", Geet replied lovingly.
Arnav grinned, "I want you to cut the ribbon of my company!"
The smile died from Geet's face, "Anything but that Arnav!", she replied sadly.
Arnav huffed, "I don't understand you Di! Why don't you get out of the house? You did the same in Kolkata! When I launched AR there you refused to come out to inaugurate that either. You never even came with me to any AR parties! I am not happy with you Di! This is not fair! I don't know Di! You are coming for the inauguration on Sunday and its final!"
"Arnav!", Geet shouted and glared at him, "You have no right to force me! You promised me that remember? You will do as I say and you will not force me against my will. That was the promise you made when you were eighteen, right?"
Arnav sighed and then nodded, "I am sorry Di! I forgot about the promise! Fine! I won't ask you to come! Bye Di! I am hitting the bed!"
An upset Arnav walked out of the room and Geet heaved a sigh. How can I explain to you Arnav why I cannot come? She sighed as she stood up and walked to the window in her room. She looked out and took in a deep breath. I am sorry Arnav! I can fulfil your every wish! But this is one wish I cannot fulfil! Because... She looked down sadly. Because if I come out then there is a good chance Maan will see me. If not in person, then atleast through some photograph that will be taken at the inauguration. And that I cannot allow. Especially now that we are in Dilli, in Maan's city. In Kolkata itself, I was scared that he will come to know my existence. But here I have to doubly careful. I cannot let him know about my existence. I vanished from his life fifteen years ago and I refuse to come out till I have destroyed him. And then I promise you Arnav, I will stand beside you at every event and every party. I will let the world know how proud I am of you. But till then, I have to stay in shadows. She closed her eyes as a tear trickled down her cheek.
While Geet was thinking of destroying Maan, Maan was in a dinner meeting with his clients.
"Have you heard the news Mr. Khurana?", one of the clients spoke up and Maan looked up from his dinner. Dressed in three piece suit, Maan Singh Khurana looked as dashing as he looked in his young age when he started Khurana Constructions. Even at the age of 40, he was a handsome man. No one could understand why such an eligible, rich and dashing man had yet to get married. Many rishtas came for him but he always refused them with an enigmatic smile. Many asked the reason behind his refusal to get married, but he always refused to let the world know his reasons. After a while, people simply stopped asking questions and let Maan be.
"What news?", Maan asked.
His client smirked, "Why? Haven't you heard it? You have a new rival in the market! Arnav Singh Raizada, I believe is his name! At 28, he has managed to become the top construction company owner in Kolkata and his company's Dilli franchise will be inaugurated here this Saturday! Don't you know it?"
Maan chuckled, "That's such an old news Mr. Sahai! You came to know about it now! I knew about it since he landed in Dilli. For past one year, Mr. Raizada has been under my radar. I know everything that I need to know about his company!"
Really?", another client spoke up, "Then I assume you have taken measures against such a strong competition!"
Maan looked amused, "Why would I need to do that? Only insecure men fear from competition. Men like me actually cherish a good competition. A healthy competition is always good for everybody!"
The first client warned, "But you better be careful Mr. Khurana! The boy seems quite ambitious. What if his company surpassed your company?"
Maan let out a laugh, "Ah Mr. Sahai! You are forgetting something. We are of older generation and Mr. Raizada is from today's generation. It is our job as seniors to guide them, support them and encourage them. So if he surpasses me, I will only be proud and infact, I will propose a merger between his company and mine and gladly take retirement. I will sit back and let young blood run the company!"
"But Mr. Khurana don't you think your Company should go to your family? After all you have to think about them too!", the second client spoke up.
"Mr. Malkhani!", Maan replied, "My family is independent and self reliant. They can take care of themselves! They don't need my name or my company to survive!" And the conversation about AR Constructions ended right there. The topic changed and the meeting continued.
With that ends Chapter 1.
Also Khushi and Arnav will meet in next chapter once again.
For those who are curious about the Geet and Maan's past then you have to wait for a while coz Geet is going to narrate it few chapters later only. Till then watch the story unfold. And if you are waiting for Maan and Geet to meet once again, you may have to wait for a while here too coz I need to set the stage before I do it.
By the way, have you guessed it yet?
Which movie is this FF inspired from?
Have you found the answer yet?
Do let me know!
Also, here is the character sketch for characters introduced till now.
Maan (40 years old)

Geet (35 years old)

Arnav (28 years old)

Khushi (25 years old)
Thank you, take care and have fun,
Kalpana
Edited by Kalpana_KaCy - 8 years ago
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