Fourteenth of April held a special place in her desolate heart. Her unfortunate skill of remembering every date and every face returned to torment her as it woefully reminded her of the day she turned a mother.
Her first daughter was born on fourteenth of the fourth month. The details of her labor were still fresh in her tormented brain. She had no one to help. Her grandmother was drunk and busy with her drunk buddies to even help her granddaughter in her premature labor.
She reminisced that she had to cut the umbilical cord by herself. Despite the pain which was unmatched by any other pain, there was no joy beyond the one which a mother experiences when she holds her newborn infant for the first time.
The infant's cry sounded like the very sound of life, tinkling of good fortune and the very manifestation of love. That instant, it did not matter to her that she was put through so much of pain to be in that moment. And the memory of that moment did not let it matter that she was too young to witness that moment.
She missed her daughters every moment of her life but on the day of her elder daughter's birthday, she was just consumed by the fire of longing. She would have grown so much older. She wondered if she would even recognize her daughter if she was to see her now.
She wanted to caress her daughter's face, smooth her tresses, feed her with her own hands and shower her with love that was burning her but she knew that it would be long before her wishes would turn true.
Donning her mask of nonchalance, she moved to ascend the car sent by her company. There was a strike by public transport employees and hence the company had made arrangements for the employees to reach office since they could not afford losing a day when their prestigious fashion show was so near.
------------------------------- Office,
"WHAT? How could she just skip this? We have to make the necessary alterations now or it would be too late. The fashion is the day after. Goddamn!" he swore as he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
"ASR, she sincerely apologized for the folly. She said her mother is not keeping well and with the strike, the situation is already difficult for her," apologized the manager.
"So what do you suggest we do? Postpone this trial till tomorrow and if there is a correction, we alter it in such a hurry that there would be room for mistakes?" he questioned in an unquestionably sarcastic tone.
"Ms.Gupta here has similar structure as that of Shayla. Maybe, she could try the dress and see the fitting?" the manager offered, earning an incredulous look from Khushi.
Arnav's gaze stopped at Khushi as he considered the idea. That seemed to be the only way.
"Ms.Gupta, would you be comfortable doing it?" he asked, eying her questioningly.
Khushi thought about the idea for a second. She was the one who designed that dress and she wanted to try it on. She had a desire to try it on when she felt the material and saw how the design looked in real. Never in her dreams did she think that she would be given the chance. Destiny has taken away everything from her and she wondered why it had turned merciful towards her for the first time.
She nodded her head in affirmative and Arnav signed to her to take the dress to try it on.
------------------------ Ten minutes later,
Arnav had gone to his cabin to attend a call in private and had asked the staff to send Khushi to his cabin once she was ready. The team approved the fit and waited for Arnav's approval when Khushi made her way towards Arnav's cabin with great difficulty. She wondered how the models carry themselves in such elaborate dresses. They were as difficult to handle just as they were beautiful. She felt the sense of achievement wash over her as everyone praised her for the surreal and exquisite beauty she had created.
She knocked at the door thrice curtly and heard his faint permission to enter.
He turned around to look at her and looked every bit of an enamored and enchanted person that made Khushi's past hurl daggers at her. He disconnected the call after whispering in his dark and husky tone that he would call back later.
Every cell of her body made her brain replay the worst memories of her life as she saw desire growing in him. His breaths hastened and he stared her in a disconcerting and unnerving way.
Arnav began stepping towards her, passion dilating his
pupils and expressing his desire to trap her image in the realms of his
mind. Nervousness and trepidation filled in Khushi's mind as she felt
her barriers go up again just as she was relishing the moment of
victory.
He moved towards her till almost no gap remained in
between them and placed his arms beside her face, caging her
effectively. Khushi's martial instincts kicked in, sensing the
vulnerability in his posture and eyes, and punched in a chop right on
his nose and kick against his crotch.
"Don't you dare come close
to me ever again, Mr.Raizada. Vivashta Bohot Seh Liya, Ab Nahi
Sahoongi. Agar Vivash Karne Ki Koshish Bhi Ki, Mr.Raizada, you would
find yourself mangled by me," she warned as she turned around to leave the room. He stared at her retreating back as he clutched his bleeding nose to stop the bleeding.
She descended down the stairs as fast as she could with the dress she was wearing. She changed into her original clothes without paying any heed to questions people were firing at her. Fortunately her belongings were not in Arnav's cabin which made it all the more easier for her to just walk out of the premises without facing him once again.
She felt furious tears forming in her eyes as she felt her brain admonishing her heart for trying to trust again. For trying to build up faith again.
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