Chapter 1:
It was a clear, bright, and sunny day. Everything seemed perfect in Raizada Mansion, but they say never judge a book by its cover.
Like every morning, Arnav had woken up to Khushi's beautiful face next to him on the bed. And like every morning, he had got up accidentally waking her up in the process. Then, they would argue for some 10 minutes before Khushi would give up and get ready for the day ahead. This, like always, upset Khushi. She was not one to give up.
Khushi had walked into the kitchen mentally cursing at herself for giving up in the morning. As was routine, she would begin to cook for the family with Anjali and Payal. Today, however, was a special day. It was Khushi's birthday and Payal had a surprise in mind. She, and the rest of the family, was planning to throw Khushi a party. For the party, though, they would have to keep her out of the house all day. Their solution to this problem was simple; they would send her to AR with Arnav.
**
At AR:
Arnav and Khushi were trying to get along, but as always, they ended up arguing. Arnav had asked her to do something, which she did to the best of her ability, but that wasn't enough for Arnav. Arnav always wanted perfection, and what Khushi had done wasn't perfection.
Arnav had asked Khushi to organize all the clothes on the racks for a certain photo shoot by colors and then by length. Khushi's fault was that she placed a short black dress after another black dress that was an inch longer. Arnav accused Khushi of purposely wrecking his yet to happen photo shoot. Khushi had defended herself, by explaining to Arnav, that organization to such boundaries was not necessary. Arnav had heard none of it and blamed her for this and the past disaster of a photo shoot.
Of course Arnav had only assigned her busy work. He didn't think she was capable of anything more. If only he wasn't so ignorant.
Khushi was so engrossed in her work; she had forgotten it was her birthday. She spent the rest of the day arguing with Arnav about small mistakes.
**
It was late and Arnav was just wrapping up his stuff to go home. He took a look at the clock; 7:35. He usually went home by 5, but he was extra tensed about some Japanese clients. Taking a deep sigh, he started down the stairs.
"Khushi! Where are you? Are you done yet? Hurry up! I want to go home and I don't plan to stay here all night so you can finish careless work! Arnav screamed around the empty office.
"Mr.Raizada! For your kind information, I have finished my jobs, and I was making myself some coffee. said Khushi as she appeared from the canteen.
"Well, let's go! I don't have all day!
As they proceeded to RM, Khushi realized it was her favorite day of the year; her birthday. As the realization seeped into her mind, she felt the puny, yet peculiar, desire to celebrate. It was peculiar because the first thing she had wanted to celebrate since her marriage to Arnav. It was puny, because she knew no one remembered.
"Arnavji, can you pull over at the sweet shop on this road?
"Why? Don't tell me your craving jalebis at this time of day!
"Well. . . yes. . .kind of.
"What the hell goes on in that brain of yours? Unbelievable! He said as he pulled over to the sweet shop. "Just jalebis right?
"and rabri! Please!
"Whatever.
"Thank you!
**
As they pulled into the drive way, they noticed an eerie silence. Also, the lights were all out.
"Where is everyone? asked Arnav.
Arnav unlocked the door and they both went in.
"SURPRISE! Everyone screamed.
"What's going on here?
"Chottey! Don't you know it's Khushiji's birthday today? Anjali asked sad and shocked.
"No Di, she didn't tell me! I. . .no.
"Well! Wish her now and apologize!
"Di, it's okay. Intervened Khushi.
"No Khushiji, it's not! How can he forget your birthday? He is you husband! He should have been the first to wish you! Anjali accused.
"Di, it's seriously okay, and any way, you guys set up this beautiful surprise for me! It's all so beautiful; fairy lights, red roses, ribbons! I just love all this stuff! That's the nicest thing someone has done for me! Thank you all for this!
"I'm glad you liked it Khushi! I even made you biryani! Amma, Babuji, and Buaji are bringing you your favorite pethas, rasgulle, jalebis, and rabri! I was going to make the rabri, but Amma insisted! Payal said with great enthusiasm. She dragged Khushi with her to rest of the family where they all hugged and wished her.
Arnav was still in shock. It was Khushi's birthday and she hadn't let anyone know.
**
After the small party, everyone retired to their rooms.
"Khushi, why didn't you tell me it's your birthday?
"Arnavji, my birthday is just another ordinary day. I see no reason to think otherwise, and anyway, why would you want to celebrate the day that I, the woman you hate so much, came into this world?
"It's not like that, I mean Payal told me that you always celebrate your birthday and you love this day!
"I used to. I used to love this day beyond measure, but now I don't like anything, let alone love.
"Oh yeah? May I ask why's that?
"I was forced into a marriage with someone for a year.
This was probably the first time in Arnav Singh Raizada's life that someone had left him speechless, besides his Di.
"Whatever. Take your pillow and blanket and go sleep on the recliner.
"I know my place, you don't have to remind me.
"Just making sure you don't start dreaming.
"I don't dream anymore.
Arnav sat down on the bed and began continuously working on his laptop. He had an important deal to make with a company that AR highly depended on.
**
Next Morning:
"Aman, you bloody have to be kidding me! Why? What the hell? You know how important this deal was! How could Diva Fashions just take over? What the. . . Aman they haven't even seen our presentation yet! Arnav screamed in the phone.
Khushi woke up to Arnav's loud screaming on the phone.
"Arnavji, is something wrong? Khushi asked groggily as she saw Arnav screaming on the phone and as she saw his worried face.
"DO YOU ACTUALLY THINK YOU CAN HELP ME? JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! Everyone had gathered outside the room and were knocking constantly.
"Khushi! Open the door! Is everything okay? Khushi! said Payal
"Khushi bitya? Chottey?
"Khushiji! Chottey? What happened?
"Phatti Sari? Arnav bitwa?
"Bro? Khushiji?
Khushi opened the door and walked out.
"Everything's okay. Arnavji is mad that he wasn't the first person to wish me yesterday. That's all.
"But Khushi. . . Payal interrupted.
"Jiji, he's probably planning a surprise for me! Khushi walked off as soon as she whispered that to Payal. She needed to find out why Arnav was so worried. She called Aman knowing he is probably the only one who knows about the whole situation. She would use her KASR influence to get him to fess up.
**
"Hello, Amanji? How are you?. . . I see. . . That's great. . . Anyway, I wanted to know, is something wrong in AR? Arnavji has been acting weird. . .Really?. . . I see. . . Thank you so much!
That's chapter 1 for you! Lots of twists, turns, and secrets for you. Some will be easy to guess, others not so much!
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