Waiting
Please continue soon
Waiting
Please continue soon
Waiting .. please update soon.
Waiting for the update....
Girl, monthly oru update ah? Could we please get an update, pretty pls! *Insert puppy dog eyes*
Cheers
U like the posts dear it means u r back ..ab please update bhi de dođ
From the Author's desk: Hello peeps, I know I am late, been busy with AD, but here is the promised update! hope you all like it! and hugs for all your comments!
Happy reading!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 13: Clouds with silver lining
Part 4: Dawn of hope
âHi Sheetal, Sorry, I have been running late for the meetingâ said Arnav as he entered the discussion room where Sheetal was seated discussing with a couple of others from RP.
âHi Arnieâ Sheetal said as she looked up from her laptop. âNo Problem, I got your message. We had to start the meeting without youâ
âI asked my team toâ said Arnav as a matter of fact, nodding briefing at his other team members in the team
âASR, I have briefed Sheetal about the properties that you had asked us to line up for sale. She was asking if she could have a look at the other properties that could possibly be alternate choicesâ one of them informed him
âI feel these are prime properties and it is not worth selling them unless there is a solid plan to invest on some big fish. A and B corridor properties are appreciating as per the market trend.â Sheetal explained.
âThatâs why I want them listed. Heard of bell curves?â asked Arnav
âBut I donât think we are anywhere near the maximum appreciation limit for these assets.â Sheetal protested.
âPerhaps notâ said Arnav âbut I have a hunch that these assets value may dip in near futureâ Arnav confessed.
âAnd that would be because of?â
Arnav simply shrugged to Sheetalâs question
âIntuition perhapsâ
âArnie, you know that you need to convince the board with a solid reason. Reasons like Intuition will not workâ
âI need the convince majority of the board. I am sure I will be able to manage thatâ
Sheetal looked at Arnav with a hard glance, trying to figure out what was going inside that brain of his. He was not disclosing any expression and that made it even harder for her to understand.
âAlright, I would want to have a look at the other properties as well â the ones listed under the possession of Raizada Propertiesâ
âWe can give you a list which you can go throughâ Arnav told nodding at the other team member.
âI shall send you the list in a couple of hoursâ timeâ the man said.
âAny other clarifications?â
âSo far, I am good. I shall have to estimate the best possible price list for these prime numbers by tomorrow and we can have a meeting on the same. I shall also have a look at the list and we can discuss that tomorrowâ
âSounds good to meâ
As the other two men left the meeting room.
âCan we go out for lunch? Itâs been days since we went out aloneâ Sheetal asked just as Akaash entered the room.
âHi Sheetal, how are you?â he said as a way of greeting as he came in
âHi Akaash, I am so glad to see you here.â Sheetal said excitedly getting up for a quick informal hug
âGlad to see you too Sheetalâ Payal called out with an edge to her voice. She was just behind Akaash and Sheetal hadnât noticed her first as Akaashâs height was hiding her from Sheetalâs view.
Slightly taken aback, she quickly regained her poise as she smiled at Payal
âHi Payal, what a surprise, Didnât know you were hereâ
âI thought so, no hugs for me?â Payal asked with a sarcastic sweetness
As Sheetal fumbled forward for a quick customary hug.
âSo what are you doing here?â
âoh you know, hunting for elephantsâ
Arnav chuckled looking at a slightly mortified looking Akaash. The conversation between the ladies hadnât started well.
Payal chuckled at a bemused Sheetal.
âI was jokingâ she explained rolling her eyes.
âPayal joined here to lead our Corporate Design Groupâ Arnav informed Sheetal and then turned to Payal âHow has your first day been?â
âBeen excellent so farâ Payal beamed at Arnav.
âPretty much turning the firm into a family run business is it Arnie?â Sheetal returning the sarcasm that she received before, pissing off Payal
âWhat do you mean?â she asked in a steely voice.
âI didnât mean to offend youâ Sheetal said quickly âI was just surprisedâ
âSometimes, unintentional accidents occurâ Payal said nodding at her âIsnât finance your family business? And seeing that you picked up the family business, itâs surprising that this surprises youâ
Sheetal raised her eyebrows at this.
âI was just surprised because, coming from a movie backgroundâŚI was wondering what it had to do with construction clanâŚunless you did your grad in this field?â
Akaash was looking at Arnav helplessly. The conversation between the ladies was escalating to a level where the tension was mounting.
âWe have always believed in family getting involved in the businessâ Arnav said easing out the tension âBesides, with a brilliance like Payal, I would be a fool if I donât onboard herâ
âThanks Arnavâ Payal murmured as Sheetal looked on.
âBy the way, why donât you both join us for lunchâ Akaash asked Arnav and Sheetal as he looked at his wrist watch.
Sheetal looked expectantly at Arnav.
âI just came in half an hour back Akaash. But it is a good idea, you three can carry on. I will grab something from the pantryâ Arnav told Akaash
âokaayyyyâ Akaash said watching Sheetalâs reaction.
âHey, I am sorry, I have to push on as well. I have a meeting on the other side of the city in couple of hours, I donât think I will be able to stay for lunch, you guys carry on, we will catch up next timeâ Sheetal said getting up.
âOhâ Akaash said raising his eyes at Arnav who simply shrugged back at him.
âMay be next timeâ Sheetal told him.
âNo problem Sheetal, see you tomorrowâ Arnav said standing up to shake her hand.
Sheetal quickly shook hands with Akaash, and then throwing a customary bye to Payal went out of the room
âSo you came only half an hour back eh?â Payal asked as soon as Sheetal left âwhat were you doing all this while? I know you started early from homeâ
âHad some business to attendâ
âWith whom?â she asked waggling her eyebrows.
Arnav rolled his eyes.
âOh come on, you cannot hide anything from usâ she said to Arnav.
âreally?â he asked.
âItâs not as if you are great in keeping secrets. Khushi just called to ask me about my first dayâ
âSo?â
Payal grinned at him
âArnav, do you know your ears have gone red right now? Like really reddened like Rudolph's nose...â
âPayal, I wish you apply this imagination at work, It will bring us a lot of benefitsâ he said nonchalantly not looking up at her.
âArnav, are you sure you donât want to come?â Akaash asked again
âNo, I am serious. you guys carry onâ
âI have a hunch that you were trying to avoid going on a luncheon with herâ Payal asked abruptly
Arnav looked up at her this time
âWhy would I?â
âYou look stressed out, why baba?â
âAm I?â
Payal nodded biting her lower lip and then dramatically declared
âI think itâs something about this morningâ Payal said âEither something happened then or you are so upset that Sheetal left without dining with you, in which case, I will call her backâ Payal told winking at him
Arnav rolled his eyes at her
"Wow! where do you get these ideas?"
Payal glared at him
"Escapist, always!"
âAkaash, arenât you getting late for your lunch date?â Arnav asked his brother, trying not to smile at Payal's comments.
âYeah we are leavingâ Akaash said pulling Payal along
âOur conversation is not yet done, wait till I tell Anjali about thisâ she called back at Arnav before they closed the door behind them.
"My pleasure!" Arnav commented as he waved them bye.
***
"What was she doing here?" Payal asked as soon as they were out of the room"
"Payal, we have partnered with the Kapoors for financial consulting needs. She is our consultant"
"Really? On one hand he doesn't want an engagement with her and on other hand, he wants to work with her... what is he up to?"
"What ever he is upto, I know one thing for sure. He is well sorted and knows his limits"
"And she? will you say the same thing about her?"
"I don't know."
"I don't think so, I mean, I didn't realize that the kapoors directly get involved for consulting projects. Don't they have hired consultants? If Sheetal wants to work on this it has to be for Arnav's sake right?"
"Probably yes."
"This guy is leading her on. He needs to put a stop to this some time"
"What do you mean leading her on? Arnav is not someone who would take advantage like that... my brother is..."
"Hold your reigns, I know him and I am not demeaning him. I just meant that Sheetal would be hoping for things to get on track again and unless he is serious about this, he needs to spell it out to her clearly. pretty soon. Otherwise, he is going to land himself in more mess"
"You are right"
"I am always right Mr. Raizada"
***
âHey Anjali, how was your first day at college?â Khushi asked the younger girl as she entered her room.
âGood, atleast I am happy that the college started. Itâs kind of upsetting that everyone have already started leaving home and I will be all aloneâ
Khushi nodded at her. She understood what Anjali meant. Mama and Mami had gone to Lucknow for a break as Mami was really upset and Nani had gone with them too. NK and La had also returned back to Australia last night. Akaash and Payal was going on their honey moon in a couple of daysâ time. With everyone busy at the moment, Raizada Mansion looked awfully quiet and deserted.
âYou know Khushi, this is the worst part of the holidays. When my brothers are here, I have a gala time and when it is time for them to return, it makes me awfully sad and depressedâ
âYour eldest brother is still hereâ
âItâs as good as he is not here. I hardly see him these daysâ
âAnd Akaash and Payal will be just gone for a fortnight. They will be back in 2 weeksâ timeâ
âUntil then? Khushi please donât leave⌠pretty please?â
âI am not leaving, at least not nowâ Khushi almost laughed âso these antics was all to make me stay here?â
âno, seriously. Imagine, if you also left⌠It me and Dadi, the worst punishment that can be given to me everâ
âI can see how eventful it will beâ Khushi chuckled.
âTalking about eventful days, what have you been upto?â Anjali asked
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I see that you don't seem to be missing my brother as much as I do...So what is going on these days between you two?" Anjali asked without beating around the bush
âWhich brother?â Khushi asked her innocently
âThe one who is surprisingly making it a habit to reach office late these days?â Anjali asked cocking up her left eyebrow precisely reminding Khushi of the very brother Anjali was speaking about.
âWhat do you mean- these days? As long as I know, he has always been late before as well⌠I mean- every time I went there â he was lateâ
âOh so there is a before and after between you both eh? Interesting! And what happened in between this before and afterâ
Khushi rolled her eyes
âAnjali, please stop all this. It is not sounding rightâ
Anjali smirked at her
âWhat is not sounding right?â
âthis- what you are trying to do. Teasing me and Arnav ji- the innuendos. I know it is all for fun⌠but imagine if someone else hears it⌠what will happen if âŚIf Sheetal comes to know of it⌠That would be a disasterâ
âWhy would it be a disaster if Sheetal hears of it?â
âAnjali, donât act childishly. Nobody would want her man to be teased with another girlâ
âWho told you that Arnav is Sheetalâs manâ
Khushi was getting now pissed off with Anjali. Why wont she understand
âthey are getting engaged soonâ
âNo they are notâ
âwhat do you meanâ
âThe fact.â
"Dont joke Anjali"
"I am not joking"
âI was there ok? I heard Dadiji announcing their betrothalâ
âreally? And where did you go after that?â
Khushi looked at Anjali bemused.
âDo you even know why Arnav and Dadi are not talking to each otherâ
âThey are not speaking to each other? From when?â
âFrom that night when she announced that bakwas engagement. They had a big fight after the guests leftâ
âWhat? Are you serious?
âDonât tell me you donât know⌠where were you? Went on hibernation?â
âBut why? He is in a relationship with Sheetal right? I mean, I saw her the other day in the study with him⌠and I know they meet often too⌠what is he playing at?â
âMay be he isnât as serious about the relationship as we thinkâ Anjali offered an explanation.
âwhat does that mean? That he doesnât want a commitment?â
âMay be it is not about commitment at all⌠it could be the girl that mattersâ Anjali told her hoping her hint rang a bell in Khushiâs mind.
âBut stillâŚâ Khushi was lost in thought
Anjali got a call in her mobile. It was Payal.
âOk, I will leave now. Payal is calling me to help with her packingâ
Khushi was still lost in thought as Anjali hugged her
âThanks for staying back Khushi, for whatever reason you decided to stay back, I hope everything gets crystal clear soon. Good night!â
âGood nightâ Khushi responded, absent mindedly.
***
When Khushi knocked at Arnavâs door, she heard a strained âcome inâ
Wondering what was he upto to give out that strained tone, she clicked open the door to find him working out with his weights. Dressed in sleeveless sweatshirt and casual shorts, drenched in sweat, he looked spectacularly appealing to her eyes.
She stood there dumb stuck, momentarily forgetting why she was there in the first place.
Arnav looked up after a brief silence
âoh hey Khushiâ he said putting down his weights and standing up âI thought it was Akaashâ
âI am sorry, I ⌠eh, Didnât know you were ..err.. working out⌠I will come laterâ Khushi stuttered.
âThatâs alright! I am done anywaysâ Arnav said grabbing his towel âWhy donât you come inâ
âNo thatâs alright, I am fine hereâ
âOk so?â
âSo? What?â
âyou came here to stand at my door and stare at me?â
"you wish!"
"Arguably, it's flattering"
âNo, I came to ⌠toâŚâ Completely blank, Khushi tried hard to remember why she was there
âWhy do you have money in your hand? There are no charges for stepping into my room, you know?â Arnav smirked at her
âOh thisâŚâ Khushi said suddenly remembering âI came to return this to you- 6000â
Arnav raised his left eyebrow
âThe sum you paid for Sameerâ
âIf you have to return this, then how about the previous times I paid for you? My petrol cost for driving you around, breakfasts lunches⌠those dresses, sandalsâŚand ah⌠how can I forget that? My car wheels⌠Khushi, this is not enough to pay all your debtsâ
Khushi looked at him open jawed before he broke into a maniacal laughter
âItâs Ok khushi, you donât have to return thisâ
âNo⌠You donât have to pay for my friend⌠please take itâ
âSo you are ok with me paying for you?â he asked smirking at her
She simply glared at him.
"I.."
âHariprakash, How many times I have to tell you to replace the batteries in the AC remoteâ They both heard Payal speaking into the intercom as she stepped into Arnavâs room and then stopped abruptly taking in the scene in front of her.
Cutting the call, she stood there at the door way in her casual white shirt and denim shorts with her hands on her hips and a big grin on her lips
âwhat is going on here?â
âwhat do you want Payal?â
âAC remote! Can I borrow yours for a while?â
âIts next to my pillowâ
Payal was smirking as she crossed them and went to the bed to retrieve the AC remote
âReturn it backâ said Arnav âthen donât complain I barged into your room for it and embarrassed youâ
âwe are only packingâ Payal replied as a matter of fact âBesides, there is something called knocking the doorâ
âWow, really? Hypocrite!â Arnav asked jokingly
âbeing one has its benefits... I wouldn't have known about this late night chit chat otherwise.â Payal laughed.
âItâs only 10â Arnav chuckled as she stepped out.
âPayal Bhabhi sorry, I forgot. Here are the batteriesâ they heard Hari Prakashâs voice just outside the room
âthanks HP, give this to Arnav Bhiyyaâ they heard Payal replying to HP âand remember to knock before you enterâ they heard her say to a bemused HP who knocked dutifully at the open door
âArnav Bhaiyyaâ
âIncorrigible!â Arnav muttered as he took the remote from HP while Payal laughed her way to her room.
âI will take leave thenâ said Khushi
Arnav nodded at her âGood nightâ
âand thisâ she said extending the money forward
âNo wayâ
âWhy are you so difficult, I was intending to return the money to youâŚOtherwise I wouldnât have taken it in the first placeâ
âThatâs Okâ
âArnavji pleaseâŚI canât let you pay forâŚâ she said but stopped abruptly, her eyes widening at the sight behind him. Arnav too turned back wanting to know what had abruptly caught her attention.
To be continued
__________________________________________________________________________________
Haha, How I like ending the update with a cliffhanger! so, what made Khushi stop? Keep wondering until the next update and haan... Comments please!
It is so good to have you back and updating a story that has always been so much fun to read, so intriguing and worth re-reading again.
The dynamics are slowly shifting and things are coming to the forefront but, I was wondering when will Aman make an entrance and spice things a bit and what is his relation with Khushi, that makes her smile that smile of hers.
And, coming to the intriguing part, dude who is behind the doors? Canât wait. Keep us posted!
Welcome back and hope you stay awesome. Thank you foe coming back to complete this gem. Hope you get the chance to finish this story ^_^
It is so good to have you back and updating a story that has always been so much fun to read, so intriguing and worth re-reading again.
The dynamics are slowly shifting and things are coming to the forefront but, I was wondering when will Aman make an entrance and spice things a bit and what is his relation with Khushi, that makes her smile that smile of hers.
And, coming to the intriguing part, dude who is behind the doors? Canât wait. Keep us posted!
Welcome back and hope you stay awesome. Thank you foe coming back to complete this gem. Hope you get the chance to finish this story ^_^
Dear after waiting sooo long we got a treat but I was looking for more cute moments of Arshi
Short n cute but I missed arshi moments.
Finally got an update. I've been waiting for it. It's so good to read your updates and when you leave a Cliff hanger, it's getting more interesting. Waiting eagerly for next update
comment:
p_commentcount