Arshi FF: LIFE TOGETHER CHAPTER 12A uploaded on 10/04/17 - Page 4

CHAPTER 5: Kushi and Arnav meet for the second time

Shwetha Kashyap, sister of Lavanya Kashyap was stunned to see Kushi in AR designs. Kushi was studying medicine and her presence in AR perplexed Shwetha. Unless she had come there to meet someone. She was aware that Akash Gupta worked in the fashion industry, she probably accompanied him for some errands. This family stole her sister Lavanya Kashyap. Poor Lavanya unable to see through these mercenaries... Lavanya always choose Kushi and her family over her very own family... She despised Kushi for that and never let a chance to confront her.

Shwetha entered the canteen and saw Kushi at one of the tables. She angrily pulled the chair and sat opposite her glaring. Kushi was startled to see Shwetha and gulped...

cKushi thought , Oh! No ! this is not my day." " I think of her family and, here she appears in front of me"

Kushi immediately cautioned herself as Shwetha Kashyap had the history of bringing the worst out of her. She remembered the terrible incident that changed their lives when they were working for the Kashyaps. Shwetha never liked Kushi and especially after that particular incident she despised Kushi all the more. Over a period of time Kushi reciprocated that hatred. Kushi always wondered how Lavanya belonged to this family. The Kashyaps were rich and powerful and never approved of their friendship. Lavanya was her friend and they didn't have to bury their friendship because others had issue. Their friendship needed only their consent. But Kushi knew that she and her family would get hurt in the confrontation with the Kashyaps.

During her first year of medicine they made Kushi's life living hell as they did not want Lavanya and herself to be in the same class. They pulled the strings and got Kushi suspended. Lavanya warned her family that if they did not leave Kushi alone then she would drop out of college. The Kashyaps family felt that Kushi had a strong influence on Lavanya. Most of the time Lavanya spent time with them, be her birthday, her success , failures or disappointment. For the Kashyaps providing their children with the best luxuries made them the best parents. Shwetha Kashyap was fine with that but for a sensitive Lavanya it was disappointing. She was surprised by the love and attention showered by Bhai and Raghav on Kushi and she always carved for that kind of bond. Bhai did not approve of her friendship with Lavanya as he was worried that the Kashyap's would cause trouble and did not want any association with Kashyap family.

On sighting Shwetha, her immediate instinct was to flee. Kushi politely smiled at Shwetha and moved towards the door. But Kushi would be surprised if Shwetha let her go that easily, She always got a high hurling insults at Kushi.

" So what are you doing here"

Kushi did not want to mention that her Bhai worked there and so repliedl : "To meet a friend."

Shwetha : "Is he qualified to even to work in such a place."

Kushi thought there she goes, so wanted to cut the conversation and leave : " I think you are talking to the wrong person, Why don't you go and ask his employer and now I have to leave."

Shwetha " I know ASR, he would never give job to mercenaries.'

Kushi's temper was on the rise , Shwetha, take a life, do whatever you want. Leave me alone"

Shwetha was enraged : " People like you deserve to be on the other side of the road. Do you think I don't know that you fleece Lavanya"

Kushi: Lavanya is a dear friend and her wealth is not going to stop me from being her friend. But then you would never understand such emotions. We have maintained our distance, so you just leave us alone."

Shwetha: "Leave my sister alone and ask your looser brother to come and apologize to my Dad and then you don't even existt. "

Kushi : You are insane ! Stay away from me."

Shwetha : " Have you forgotten your deeds. Like mother... like daughter... Desiring for things which is not theirs"

Kushi was enraged now, her voice raised , " What do you even know about my mother when I myself do not know about her... Have some mercy for the dead!"

Shwetha : " I can make a guess what she would have been from your own character. Desiring other's possessions".

Now Kushi was completely devastated as she was reminded of that one incident she always regretted in life and which brought devastation into their lives.

With remorse on her face, Kushi said, "That s the only time in my life that I desired for something which was not mine. Myself and my family paid a huge price. Stay away from me."

Shwetha realized that her insults found the target and further fuelled her, "You sever your friendship from my sister. I am sure you are a forward girl who can find other ways of getting wealthy. Your brother has big dreams for you. He thinks you will succeed as a doctor. I promise that you will not even graduate as a doctor!"

Kushi inspite of all the efforts finally slapped Shwetha and rushed out of the building.

Shwetha yelled , started crying and asked people around to hold her.

Kushi was despondent and cursed her fate for meeting this girl today and realised that things were getting out of control. She rushed out before she was held back and humiliated further. This was her brother's work place and she should have maintained more control.

Arnav had reached to work only at 2pm as he had been at temple till noon. Since it was Pruvi's third death day Di was concerned for her Chottee and reached the temple with Sharoo to take him back home for lunch. She knew that no matter what bitterness he harboured, Sharoo could make his mood better. As he was entering his office, he could hear arguments from the terrace canteen. He was irritated as the decorum of the office was not maintained. He was about to send someone to find the problem when he heard Shwetha's voice. Shwetha was also a fashion designer and their companies collaborated in some of the projects. In the last two years, they had become good friends. Then he heard Shwetha's shriek and suddenly in a flash a girl in a blue jeans and a black T shirt rushed and shoved past him. Then he heard two people rushing behind the girl. Arnav tried to catch a glance of her but failed. He asked the security who was the intruder and was informed that she had come to visit her brother.

He reached Shwetha and consoled her, when his mobile started ringing. It was from the reception reminding him of his meeting. He assured Shwetha and drove the car to Mumabi east. He called Di to inform her that he was going out of the city to meet a client and would be back late in the night. He asked her to finish dinner and to go to bed. Sharoo never goes to sleep without his Mamoo and for the first time that day, Arnav had a smile on his face and started his car.

To be continued...

The Kashyap's although rich, don't have good hearts. Why is she out to humiliate Khushi? I hope that Shweta does not cause Akash to be dismissed.

CHAPTER 6 : CONFRONTATION BETWEEN ARNAV AND KUSHI

Kushi rushed out of AR designs, messaged her Bhai that she was on her way to meet her friends. Kushi stood outside her college agonizing over her thoughts. She covered her expression and waved to her friends.

Raghu cautiously asked: " Hey Kushi, how was your day."

She smiled , " Good!"

Instinctively he knew she had a bad day. Akash and himself knew Kushi in and out. She smiled, politely asked them how their day was and bid good bye. NK gave Raghu a questioning glance and he shrugged his shoulders in response. NK suggested that they go out for dinner. Kushi vehemently denied, excusing herself of tiredness. Now... Something has disturbed her... She never refuses food !

NK blocked Kushi, " I spoke to Bhai and he asked me to take you out for dinner. So, no excuses... Move . Bhai is held at work , he will be back only at 10pm"

Kushi did not want to be alone with her foul and desolate thoughts.

She agreed, "OK but lets go out of town".

Raghu: "Chalo Bhago!" . Raghu pushed Kushi towards NK's car.

He turned towards Lavanya " You sit in the front , I will sit with Kushi".

Raghu ushered Kushi to the back seat and slowly initiated the conversation

Raghu: " Hey Angel , How was your day"

Kushi pouted at Raghu : " Mind your language, I am not an angel. I want to be a devil"

NK turning back: " Yes , devil, I can see your horns !!!"

Kushi: " Main tera khoon pijaoonga"

Kushi started pulling NK's hair and then they started fighting like first graders. Raghu felt slightly relieved as Kushi started to relax. NK drove towards NH8 and stopped at their favourite Dhaba. They ordered food, Lavanya and NK were gossiping.

Kushi was the Rajdhani express of the group and today she was refusing to come out of her mood of isolation. She appeared to be in deep thought and this was clawing at Raghu's heart. She ordered for some beer and now Raghu was certain that something unpleasant did happen. He felt that the drink may settle her. All three except Lavanya grabbed a beer. The food arrived and slowly everyone relaxed and chatting spiritedly. Now the Rajdahni express was at full throttle, bringing a smile on his face. Raghu relaized that Kushi was on her fourth beer and looked very flushed. Both Kushi and NK were completely tipsy but there was no stopping her. Kushi's phone was displaying Bhai's number, means time to go home.

Kushi did not take the call because her brother would realize that she had consumed too much alcohol and would get worried. She messaged him that they were about to leave from the restaurant. She ushered everyone to leave and they reached the car. Lavanya suggested that she would drive but NK said that since that he would drive it till the high way as by lane was poorly lit. But unfortunately before he can turn into the main road, a dog rushed in front of the car and to avoid it NK crashed the car against the lamp post. All the four friends clambered out of the car.

The sudden impact of the vehicle startled everyone, NK rolled out of the car onto the pavement, Kushi started feeling sick with a throbbing headache, Raghu had clamed himself ( alcohol usually did that to him) and Lavanya was worried.

Kushi looked at her watch and realized that it was almost 11.30pm. She was desperate to reach home as Bhai would get worried. As if on a cue her phone started ringing.

Bhai: "Kushi, where are you guys? It is 11.30 pm, you should have reached home by now"

Kushi assured him, " Bhai, our car has a break down , hence the delay . We will take some other transport and reach home at the earliest. Don't worry everyone is with me. "

Kushi wanted to hitch a ride but Lavanya felt it was unsafe.

All the days events rushed to Kushi. She moved towards Lavanya, hugged her and pleaded : "Lav, I am worried baby. Whatever happens don't ever break this friendship."

Raghu walked over and hugged both of his besties and said,

"Hey Angel you cannot get rid of her that easily, right Buddy".

Lavanya smiled and in turn hugged them both. Lavanya was something did happen to disturb Kushi. She was the strongest person Lavanya had ever met. Both Raghu and her Bhai derived strength from her . But today...wonder what happened.

Kushi comforted , said , "Now lets go home" .

She picked the beer bottle and walked to the middle of the road to hitch a ride. Lavanya ordered her to come back and that she would call a cab.

Arnav was on his way back from the meeting feeling exhausted. He took Di's call and assured her that he was on his way back. Suddenly from no where a figure jumped into the middle of the road. He slammed the brakes, the car skewered and stopped but in the process he banged his head on the steering and there was a painful gash on his temple. He rested his head on the seat and tried to collect his frayed nerves. Arnav was in an uncontrolled rage, he could have killed the person and could also have got killed.

He slammed his car and moved towards the person who was so obviously drunk. He reached the person and was stunned to notice that it was the same girl from the beach rocks. She was completely drunk and dazed with her eyes closed. He struggled to control himself and yelled at her irresponsibility. She was so drunk that there was no response from her.

"Dammit!" Who the hell are you and how dare you?" He was struggling to control his temper. She suddenly opened her eyes and smiled. Arnav's breath stilled for a moment. He had never seen such a complete smile. Her entire face lit up with so much of radiance, her dimples, her slightly opened lips to show a faintly crooked teeth... He was confused as the smile reached out to him and stirred depth of emotions inside him. He came out of his trance when he realized the location and incidence. Anger erupted in Arnav as this person reminded him of all the wrong people who deceived him and his family with their pretended goodness.

To be continued...

Both the meetings were in wrong situation ...

good story line and great writing

awesome update

RECAP:

Arnav was on his way back from the meeting feeling exhausted. He took Di's and assured her that he was on his way back. Suddenly from no where a figure jumped into the middle of the road. He slammed the brakes, the car skewered and stopped but in the process he banged his head on the steering and there was a painful gash on his temple. He rested his head on the seat and tried to collect his frayed nerves. Arnav was in an uncontrolled rage, he could have killed the person and could also have got killed.

He slammed his car and moved towards the person who was so obviously drunk. He reached the person and was stunned to notice that it was the same girl from the beach rocks. She was completely drunk and dazed with her eyes closed. He struggled to control himself and yelled at her irresponsibility. She was so drunk that there was no response from her.

"Dammit!" Who the hell are you and how dare you?" He was struggling to control his temper. She suddenly opened her eyes and smiled. Arnav's breath stilled for a moment. He had never seen such a complete smile. Her entire face lit up with so much of radiance, her dimples ,her slightly opened lips to show a faintly crooked teeth... He was confused as the smile reached out to him and stirred depth of emotions inside him He came out of his trance when he realised the location and incidence. Anger erupted in Arnav as this person reminded him of all the wrong people who deceived him and his family with their pretended goodness.

CHAPTER 7

Arnav shook the intoxicated girl who was swaying with her eyes shut. He was contemplating his next move, when he heard a voice behind him. He turned to find a girl rushing forward and two more guys sitting on the pavement completely sloshed.

Arnav was a teetotaller, not even a social drinker. He had seen his father succumb to alcoholism. He never sermons on alcohol consumption but he definitely kept away from both alcohol and alcoholics.

He probably would have been a little more tolerant if it was some other day. But today was the day Purvi died and his day had started at 4.00 in the morning. He had been awake for almost 24h. He just then realized that the same probably holds true for the girl.

Arnav muttered: " I don't believe this. What a nasty day"

Kushi repeated: " What a nasty day!"

He glared at the girl, she again repeated " What a nasty day!".

Arnav yelled out , " Shut up!"

Arnav was irritated that the drunk girl repeated his words. His anger was on up rise and he had an intense urge to smash something, just then the other girl behind him said:

Lavanya : " Kushi, Goodness me! what are you doing. Raghu come here dammit, help me.

Lavanya: "Kushi, wait I will call a cab"

Apparently, the newcomer had not consumed alcohol. But she looked familiar and reminded him of some one.

By then the so called Raghu reached them . " Angel..."

Now that there were other people so Arnav decided to leave. He understood that the other girl was trying to reach for a cab.

He turned towards the car when he heard a voice, " Why were you crying ?" Arnav was stunned; so this girl, Kushi did recognize him and remembered the morning incident.

That minute, he hated the girl for having witnessed his grief and felt that she was taunting him.

Kushi closed her eyes and she could visualize the man from the rocks and his tears. An unexplainable emotion assailed her. She wanted to share his pain and soothe him. With her eyes closed , she asked again,

" Why were you crying ?"

Arnav closed his eyes in frustration and felt that she was taunting him. He wanted to get out before he harmed her in his anger, so he moved towards the car

Lavanay called the cab service and then exclaimed.

" But we cant wait for another hour, we are already late. I will pay you twice the amount"

Kushi's phone started ringing , She got startled and opened her eyes wide fighting against sloshing,

" Yes Bhai, I am just leaving. Will be there in 45 minutes"

" No... No ... I just had one drink"

Lavanya , "Kushi, we didn't get a cab"

Kushi, " No cab! We will hitch a ride. Come one ! someone will give us a ride home. See there that guy, I will ask him."

She moved towards Arnav and there was absolutely no recognition of him , " Can we have a lift."

Arnav was stunned how she managed to switch her emotions and attitude so fast. Before she can request again Arnav said, " No, I am busy, I cannot give a ride to your home."

Kushi : ...But... Lavanya ... will pay ...you.

Arnav did not even respond to her and moved away. " What an arrogant girl."

Lavanya was looking helplessly at both of them. She could see the disgust on the stranger's face, probably seeing Kushi drunk. He was misunderstanding Kushi... Her adorable Kushi... who brought her bestie, Raghu into her life. Someone who believed that being alive is a blessing and rest does not matter. Some one who loved her Bhai beyond life. But then Kushi is not going to worry about his opinions about her

Lavanya was certain that this person was not going to help them.

Just then they heard a vehicle moving in their direction and Kushi jumped suddenly on the other side of the road to hitch a ride.

Lavanya ," Kushi, STOP, you will get killed."

Arnav who was close to Kushi immediately rushed and pulled her from the way. The car zipped past them and the passengers whistling and making cat calls at them. "Another bunch of idiots" Arnav thought.

Kushi was leaning on him and Arnav pushed her to make her standstill. Kushi was swagging with closed eyes. Arnav knew that he was sucked into this because irrespective of personal grouse he harboured against these idiots he cannot leave them behind. He turned to Lavanya and asked her to hold Kushi and that he would drop them.

Lavanya was relieved but had difficulty in holding a drooping Kushi. Lavanya was mad at all her friends for putting her in such a situation and she took a bottle of water and doused it on both NK and Raghav. Both got up startled and NK started yelling.

Lavanya: " Dammit , hold Kushi and bring her to the car.

NK: " Lav, first help me to the car and then I will help her to the car I cannot move a bone."

Lavanya: " You idiot, if you sit in the car , how can you help her"

Raghu was muttering , " Angel! are you OK"

Raghu held Kushi and moved her towards his car. But Kushi resisted and Raghu was pleading her to come. Arnav felt she was a spoilt and pampered girl. He wondered if wealth had created such attitude in her. Kushi was bullying her way through everyone, including him.

He held Kushi and literally dragged her to the car. She opened her eyes, looked at him intently, "Had a bad day " and put her dead weight on Arnav.

He supported her to the car and pushed her in the back seat , followed by NK and Raghu. Lavanay got into the front seat.

The car was filled with silence, Lavanya was so embarrassed that she did not even attempt a conversation. Suddenly the phone started ringing.

Kushi picked the phone : " Bhai , on my way, please don't call again."

He wondered why her brother and friends put up with her arrogance.

They introduced themselves and Raghu started the conversation " Sorry for the trouble. We never expected that our car would break down. Thanks to my friend NK. Unfortunately Kushi's Bhai will be waiting for her.

Arnav felt that was weird. They all seem to be worried about Kushi but what about themselves. He wondered may be she belonged to an influential family.

Raghu continued, " We are medical students from Mumbai medical college, myself and NK stay in hostel so we will not be missed by anyone . And Lav..."

Lavanaya interrupted , " I informed my family so they would not be waiting for me. But Kushi's Bhai will bring the roof down." Arnav wondered how her brother accepted her drinking habits.

Arnav suggested that he would drop NK and Raghu in the hostel, Kushi at her home and then finally drop Lavanya. Arnav drove towards Mumbai with Lavanya and Raghu making conversation.

Kushi suddenly said, " Can you please drive fast? I need to reach home"

Arnav was mad, " Shut up!"

Immediately Raghu leapt to Kushi's defence, " Don't take Kushi seriously, she does not mean it. So, please do not get offended."

When the boys got down, Raghu had to literally carry NK, " Good night Angel. Will see you tomorrow". Kushi stretched completely on the back seat. Kushi's phone started ringing and Lavanya took the call. From the one sided conversation , Arnav understood that something was wrong.

Finally Lavanya firmy said: " Akash, we will be there in 10 minutes and come and collect your sister."

Arnav drove to the apartment complex and Lavanya shook a slightly dazed Kushi. With great difficulty Lavanya was balancing her. Unwillingly Arnav got down and helped Lavanya to drop the girl in the apartment complex. The girl did not even acknowledge him, not that he cared but he expected her to thank him.

They entered an apartment complex and there was the girl's brother waiting anxiously for his sister. Arnav was stunned as it is was the new manager at AR, Akash Dogra.

Kushi rushed forward, "Bhai! Did you eat dinner."

To be continued ...

Thanks for the update. Nice story. Enjoyed it

She meets Arnav twice and both times don't seem to be good. He definitely is not getting a good impression of her. But she did have a hard day too.