ArHi FF: Highway to Hell, note pg 147 - Page 32

Here is Chapter 10. I still have a Chapter 9 hangover, as you will see, when you read😊.

Chapter 10: Khushi sets the bar

Khushi walked into the AR office after 7 long years. They were setting up shop there for the next 3 months. Freddy had been allotted an entire wing for himself and his staff. Khushi had a cabin to herself. A very nice cabin, she noted, with a nice view of the city from the 12^th floor of AR. The office as a whole had changed quite a bit. It had been renovated and the dcor was totally different. The style remained the same. Minimalistic. Steel grey, white and black were the dominant colors. A splash of red here and there alleviated the severity of the look. She did spot a few familiar faces that looked at her with extreme curiosity. They all knew her, of course. She was famous at AR. She had worked there temporarily, driven ASR up the wall, and then worked at his home, which had driven him even more nuts. And everyone knew how the whole Shyam fiasco had ended. It had been a public debacle.  So, yes, Khushi was well known here, and she knew it. She also knew that no one would mention it to her. And if they did, she was capable of handling it. She sat in her office, twirling around in her chair until she realized she was late for her morning meeting with the team.

She walked into the conference room. Aadit, Freddy and ASR were already there. As was the long-suffering Jeremy, and ASR's Personal Assistant, Sarika.

"Hey Khushi! Late today?" asked Aadit.

"Yes. I was checking out my new cabin." Said Khushi.

"How'd you like it? I love mine." Said Freddy, nodding at ASR.

"We aim to please." Said ASR looking only at Khushi.

"I'm glad to be in the good books of the big cheese!" said Khushi, grinning at Arnav.

"Well, should we get started with the meeting today?" asked Arnav.

"Yes. Since we're already late, let's not delay." Said Khushi demurely.

"Ms. Gupta, which fabric do you think is best suited for the new designs?" asked ASR.

"ASR, I think pure silk would look divine!" said Khushi, smiling mischievously. Arnav flashed her a warning look.

"Pure silk is genius Khushi. Lets do fuschia, magenta and deep pink. For the dresses." Said Freddy.

"Err. Aren't all of those essentially the same color?" asked Arnav.

"Green is the only color you know, lover!" said Khushi, now playing with fire. Aadit had a puzzled look on his face. ASR looked furious. Freddy looked like the cat that had caught the cream. He loved a good scene, and this was turning out to be a doozy. Sarika, ASR's assistant looked alarmed.

"What do you mean Khushi Gupta, please to explain!" asked ASR.

"That green's the color of money, the stuff that keeps you sane." deadpanned Khushi.

"Money's not what keeps me sane, and you know it." He said, now furious.

"News to me! I guess you'll really really have to show it." Said Khushi, enjoying herself thoroughly.

"Will you kindly stop rhyming with every sentence of mine!" he said, totally flustered.

"Why, I thought you loved poetry! I'm just toeing your line!" said Khushi, laughing openly.

"That's what she's been doing! God I thought you were talking funny, Minnie!" said Aadit looking relieved. "Though you were coming down with something."

"Nope. Just trying to rhyme with ASR." Said Khushi, grinning audaciously.

"Err. Why?" asked Aadit.

"Well. ASR seems to have a new-found interest in poetry. I was just trying to foster it. Cultural growth is important you know. Helps us grow as people." She said without cracking a smile. Arnav's face had turned a shade that could only be described as, well, fuschia. Or maybe, deep pink!

"I don't need your help to grow culturally! I'm as culturally developed as I want to be." ASR spat angrily.

"Now, now ASR, don't go Neanderthal on me!" said Khushi.

"You're still doing it. Ms. Gupta, I'm warning you. Stop."

"Sorry. Not happening. Let's go. Chop-chop!"

"I can shut you up in a much better way."

"Oh, really. How's that? Do you just pray?"

"Shut up Khushi. Don't try my patience."

"And here I thought you wanted us to build a relation?" asked Khushi, looking hurt.

"I do. But, outside of work. And not set to a meter. Please."

"God! Lighten up. I was funning with you, Jeez!"

"OK Min. Enough rhyming. It's annoying and we haven't gotten any work done. Sort out your differences with ASR later. Rhyme if you wish. Go blank verse if you want to. Right now, let's get some work done." Freddy's voice was firm. Khushi flushed and they started working seriously.

2 hours later, they had finished with the meeting and gotten a lot of basic details outlined. Now Freddy needed to brainstorm. The next meeting was scheduled for 10 days from now, when Freddy would present the first version of the collection. Everybody filed out but for ASR and Khushi. ASR waved his secretary away impatiently when she asked if she should wait for him.

"Why'd you do that?" he asked.

"Do what?"

"Embarrass me like that."

"How was it embarrassing? I didn't tell anyone you wrote me a long, mushy poem did I?" she asked.

"You thought it was too long?" he asked doubtfully.

"Too long. Too sentimental. Too everything."

"Too cute?" he asked hopefully.

"Maybe a little cute." She said, a light smile playing on her lips.

"Have lunch with me Khushi."

"Why?"

"Lets get to know each other. I barely know this new Khushi."

"The new Khushi thinks the old ASR is a sad sack." She said.

"But what does the new Khushi think of the new ASR?" he asked softly.

"New ASR?"

"The ASR that declares his love for Khushi frankly, and wants her in his life forever. That ASR. What does Khushi think of him?"

"Khushi isn't convinced about him. Not at all."

"So, give me a chance. Let me convince you."

"ASR, I have kids."

"So, I like kids!"

"You won't like mine. They are very naughty."

"Just like their Mom, then. And I like her." He said. "When are they getting here, by the way?"

"3 days from now." She said.

"I'll look forward to meeting them. Now, are you going to lunch with me?" he cajoled.

"Nope. But tell you what. I will go to lunch with you. On one condition."

"What's that?" he asked.

"If my little devils like you, I'll go to lunch with you. Once." She said.

"You mean I have to impress your daughters to get their Mom to go out with me on a date?" he asked.

"Not a date. Lunch." She corrected.

"Oh, all right. Lunch." He said, giving in.

So, I have to impress the junior Misses Gupta to get Ms.Gupta to go out to lunch with me?"

"Yep. Take it or leave it."

"I'll take it. Let me know when their flight lands. I can go to the airport with you to pick them up."

Oh, you don't have to. Freddy and Aadit are going with me." She said breezily.

"Why do they go everywhere with you?" he asked.

"Because they are my friends. Jealous?" she asked.

"Very." He bit out.

She just laughed and said, "You can come over to meet them the day after they arrive." She tossed her hair over her shoulder. "And if you want to impress my girls, you better have a plan." With that parting shot, she walked out.

So, whatja think?

FABULOUS UPDATE!! i simply loved it!! it was too good!! hhahahahaha🤣 khushi rhyming to arnav's sentences was just hilarious!! loved tht part!! the ending was great too.. wonder wht arnav's gonna do to impress junior misses gupta...? continue soon!! thanks a ton for the pm!!