🤪
Thats what I look like right now... Thats how I feel... Thats the state Arhi has left me in.
Nothing else left to say
28
"Khushi where are you?"
"Kannan?"Khushi asked confused.
"No it's his ghost." He snapped.
"What's the matter? Why do you sound so stressed?"
"Just answer the bloody question, where are you?"
"I am at my apartment, Kannan, you are really freaking me out now." Khushi had just got back to her place and heard the phone ring as soon as she opened the door. There was both panic and rage in Kannan's voice, something that she was use to hearing only in Arnav's voice. She heard him sigh with relief.
"Ok...Ok..."
"Kannan are you alright? Where are you."
"I'm sorry mike I didn't mean to scare you. I am fine and on my way home. Look it's very important I see you tomorrow. Please. I promise I won't keep you away from the love of your life for long."
"I have something to do in the afternoon...How about I see you around 4-ish?"
"Promise me you won't go to Shantivaan until we have spoken?"
"What? Why?"Khushi day would not truely start untl she went there.
"Promise?" he insisted refusing to answer the questions.
"I promise."More than confused, Kannan's had left Khushi with a gut wrenching feeling that something bad was going to or that it had already happened.
"Is everything ok?" Arnav asked, still standing at the door. She nodded whilst lost deep in thought. She shook herself out of the thoughts and waved at him to come inside. "I can't I have a conference call with the offices in New York, got a feeling it's going to be a late night."
"Ok well, make you sure you get plenty of rest." She walked over and gave him a hug.
"Goodnight." She whispered in his ear before kissing him goodnight.
Khushi didn't feel any better in the morning. Her stomach was still churning and it didn't help that Kannan was not answering his phone.
"Sanka Devi, how long do you take in the shower? Arnav bitwa has left you four missed calls already. Now stop staring at me like a bhoot and call him back." Khushi rushed over to use the house phone only for it ring before she picked up the receiver. Her heart began to drum it's familiar beat in anticipation of hearing his voice.
"Gupta, were you having a shower, or building one?" Her heart jumped as she expected. Hearing his gruff voice, she knew she was the first person he was talking to that morning.
"Good morning to you to and how did you know I would answer?" She asked.
"Becuase I did.Listen, come home and I'll drive you to your interview." He said, the sleep still in his voice.
"That makes no sense, my interview isn't till 2.30. It's only 9am" Khushi pointed out.
"Khushi don't argue with me just come home." He said slightly irritated that she was making this harder for him.
"Aare baba who's arguing? ... But you know you don't have to make excuses about taking me to an interview, you can just say you want to see me." She teased.
"Khushi, come home." He ordered making her heart skip a beat. 'Home' the thought of the word spread warmth through her. Though she had lived in her apartment for a year she never felt any true connection to it. But Shantivaan had become part of her life so easily and so quickly in four months that calling it home came naturally to her.
"Home is where the heart is...I'll be there in the next hour."
Khushi headed straight to Arnav's room when she got to Shantivaan but found he wasn't there. She checked the poolside, the terrace but he wasn't around. She hadn't seen him down stairs when she had come up. She decided to search for him in the other rooms. She was walking along the corridor when she heard soft sobs coming from Anjali's room. She followed the sound to see Anjali standing by her bedroom window weeping. She turned around sensing she was not alone.
"Sorry Di, I didn't mean to pry." Khushi said seeing Anjali quickly wiping away her tears.
"Of course not, I already think of you as a sister." She said in between her sobs. It was all Khushi needed to hear for her to walk into the room and take Anjali in her arms. "He is going away on tour again. I know it's not his fault after all he is doing all of this for me. I said we should get a place of our own but he refuses any help from Chote or taking out a loan...He thinks I won't be comfortable in a small home and that's why he works so hard. But when he is gone I feel so alone Khushi. I feel so selfish." She cried letting her heart out.
"Di I can completely understand why you would want a place of your own. It's the same feeling I get every time I come here. And every woman can relate to your loneliness so, no, you are not being selfish to want these things ...Look Diwali is only around the corner. He won't be gone for too long. It's only for couple of days right? And plus we have Lavanya's wedding coming up with the functions starting in a day or two, the time will fly by." Khushi said with a smile. "Why don't you come shopping with us later today?"
"I wouldn't want to intrude."
"First you call me sister then say you are intruding, decide woman."She said holding on to her shoulders. Anjali nodded.
"Acha, what are you doing here so early all dressed up." Anjali asked.
"Your silly brother tells me last night that I have an interview this afternoon, but I think he wanted to go over some details so he called me over, but I can't find him." She said scratching her.
"Hmm discuss details." Anjali winked making Khushi blush. "Check the gym he was in his sweats before."
She walked into the gym not expecting the sight before her eyes. Her breath hitched. He was topless of course, his back towards her, his muscles flexing as he lifted and lowered the dumbbell with both hands behind his head. The morning light poured through the glass wall on the far end, making his body glisten. She bit her lip as he put down the dumbbell and lowered himself to the floor. 'One, two, three, four, five, six...' Khushi counted mentally as Arnav continued with his press ups, first with both hands and then with one. She was hypnotised by him and his muscles that danced with each and every movement.
"So how many was that Gupta?" Arnav said jumping up after what seemed like a life time. He was stretching his arms across his chest whilst walking towards.
"Hmm what?" Khushi jumped at the sound of his voice.
"How many push ups was that? You were watching me for quite a while I would have expected you to at least keep count." He said with a smirk she recognised to well. Arnav scanned her from head to toe, she was dressed in short black and white polka dot dress with a short blazer and red heels. Her hair was out, just the way he liked it with loose, flowing waves.
"Y-y-y-you didn't ask me to keep count." She murmured. Lost in his intense stare.
"You're going to your interview dressed like this?" He couldn't keep his eyes off her milky legs, which were calling out to him to be touched. She noticed his stare and tried to pull the hem of her dress down.
"Arnav." She blushed, taking steps back edging away from him. But he was too quick and pulled her into his arms.
"Arnav, kuch toh sharam karo. What if someone see's us?" She said trying to sound stern but ended up giggling instead.
"Then they will think it's a good job those two are getting married." He nudged his nose against her before passionately kissing her soft plump lips. His raw manly scent was driving her wild. Every time she thought it was not possible to want him more than she already did, the want intensified.
"Arnav, you are getting your sweat all over me." She giggled pushing him away. "I can't go to the interview smelling as if I have been running to get there."
"Why don't we take a couple of layers off then?" He smirked edging closer to her again. Khushi's mouth dropped open in shock sending Arnav into fits of laughter.
"Ok Gupta you can stop catching flies now." He said lifting her chin to close her mouth.
"Go take a shower you stink!" Khushi said pushing him out of the gym after figuring out that he was pulling her leg. Again she failed to look upset as big grin appeared on her face hearing him laugh. He pulled on his hoody and turned to bear hug her.
"Gosh you really are affectionate in the morning aren't you? Not that I am complaining." Khushi said, her arms around his waist.
"It's cause I have missed you all night." He whispered against her neck. She could feel his scent taking over again.
"Arnav, shower." She ordered.
"Do I smell that bad?" He said poking his nose through the top of is hoody. She caught sight of a small bead of sweat making its way down his neck. She placed her hands on his shoulders, anchoring her weight. He saw her lick her bottom lip before she kissed the salty water on his neck. Sending jolts of electricity down both their bodies.
"No, you smell the opposite of bad." She said in an alluringly as she gently pressed her nose against his jaw line. "I'll be waiting." She said, stepping away and walking past him, eyeing him from head to toe, leaving him there to think how the tables had turned so quick? How the seducer had now become the seduced.
Khushi was whistling down the corridor, lightly skipping on her way to Nani's room when she heard him call out her name.
"Khushiji." Khushi gritted her teeth. 'Always too sweet for comfort.' She thought.
"Jijaji, good morning." She greeted him.
"Morning, tell me did Saale saab find that file?"He enquired.
"You'd have to ask him." She said trying to walk away. She could still remember the way he was looking at her the night she had fallen out withArnav. It was the same way he was looking at her now.
"Sure sure, how are things between you two now?" He asked again with too much concern than what was actually needed. But his eyes gave away his dirty game
"They are great, I mean why wouldn't it be. He is perfect...Beside I feel if you paid less attention to mine and Arnav's relationship and more on yours and Di's then she would be crying her eyes out upstairs." She said curtly hoping he would get the message and back off. "Anyway," she said as a thought occurred to her. "I mean I am no expert, but how is it that a lawyer who deals specifically with civil cases has to tour soo much? I mean it's not like you're a rockstar...Kannan's never been on a single tour." She said noticing apprehension on his face when she mentioned Kannan. She left knowing he wouldn't call out to her again if he knew what was best for him. And that her and Kannan need to have a serious talk.
The thought of Kannan had reminded her that she had made a promise not to go there until she had spoken to him. Her stomach began to churn again thinking of all the possible reasons for his call and at the fact that for the first time she had broken a promise.
Arnav was down in no time all suited and booted in full ASR mode discussing the agenda for the day on his Bluetooth. Khushi watched in awe as the Greek god made his way down the stairs.
"Khushi...?" He called walking to her. She could see his lips moving but couldn't concentrate on the words leaving them. "Gupta?" He said waving his hand in front of her face bringing her back to reality. "How ready are you for this interview?"
"As ready as I will ever be." She tried to hide the nervousness in her tone.
"Fine, it's done then. I have moved your interview up into the next hour, which means no more waiting around or having the matter daunt on you." He placed his hand on the small of her back ushering her towards the front door.
"WHAT?! Are you insane, in the next hour, what?!" Khushi rambled.
"Look you are ready now, so get it over with. I know you, the more you spend your time thinking about it the more you will confuse yourself." He said impatiently
"Thanks, but I think my intelligence deserves more credit than that."
"It's not your intelligence I am talking about it's your track of thoughts that will, no doubt, turn into one of those Jalebis you love eating." He explained. Khushi smiled and wrapped her arm around him and giving him a peck on the check.
"Hmm you smell good...tut look at the circles under your eyes I told you to make sure you get some rest."
Watching them from the corner of the dining room Shyam's blood boiled with frustration and rage. He would have her one way or another.He would have her he vowed to himself.
They pulled up outside a small shop in the heart of the city. It was still going through renovations, the windows were bare and the sign was in the process of being changed.
"You've got his." Arnav said squeezing her hand. "Look I could have just got you this job our bought you the gallery, but I know you want to do this on your terms."
"So no pressure then." Khushi pointed out sarcastically.
"I believe in you."He spoke into her ear. Those words only meant for her to hear.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you?"
"You can start right after you get this job." He winked. They climbed the small set of stairs to the main glass doors and walked in.
"Ahh you must be-."
"Kannan?! What the hell are you doing here?" Khushi asked confused.
"Me?! What are you doing here? You are supposed to be busy...with him!" Kannan pointed at Arnav, who was not impressed by the current situation.
"I am busy. I am here for an interview...Now your turn." She said folding her arms.
"I own this place." Kannan said quietly, slightly disappointed. Khushi eyes were wide in shock.
"What the-." Arnav commented.
"Exactly. Exactly, could not have put better myself, good going Raizada. What the fudge Kannan?" She lifted her hand up to Arnav for a high-five but Arnav just stared at her palm confused as to what to do.
"Saab kuch mujhe hi sikana parega." She tutted under her breath.
"This was meant to be a surprise I didn't want you find out like this." Kannan said.
"But the head hunter told me the owner of this shop is in Dubai." Arnav told Khushi.
"I just got the papers today...Don't worry ASR I am lawyer it's all legit, you know how I don't like to deal under the table."He said with a smile that held no warmth.
"But Kannan, this must be a pricey place I mean its central location." Khushi said looking around at the interior.
"Yup but the inheritance fund finally came through."
"YEY!" Khushi jumped before hugging her best friend. "About time."
"Khushi I can't hire you." Kannan said stepping away killing khushi's laughter.
"But why? You always said loved my work. You know I am qualified." Khushi said quite hurt that Kannan would turn her out like that.
"Khushi, it's ok. There are plenty of other art galleries in the city." Arnav took hold of Khushi's elbow.
"Easy there tiger." Kannan said before turning to Khushi. "I can't make you my employee because I want to make you my partner."
"Are you serious?" Khushi asked excitedly before turning serious. "But I don't know anything about business." She admitted looking from Kannan to Arnav.
"You let me deal with the business aspect and you can be in charge of the skills. Khushi I need your knowledge and background in art...But before I make you an equal partner you will need to make an investment. Until then its 45%-55%"
"Kannan I don't have the kind of money-."
"You know I don't speak that language." Kannan shot a look at a tense Arnav. "I want ten paintings. Ten original Khushi Kumari Guptas." He folded his arm with a smug look on his face.
"No Kannan, my paintings?"
"I told you I love your work and it deserves to be out here for everyone to enjoy. Of course these paintings will have to be new...Some of them won't sell."Kannan thought back to the large painting of Arnav in her room, cringing a the image of it hanging in his gallery.
"What's the catch?" Arnav finally spoke.
"What do you mean?" Kannan asked genuinely clueless.
"You're just going to hand this to her on a platter, no financial investment, no responsibilities." Arnav said taking an intimidating step forward.
"What the hell is your issue Raizada?" Kannan matched his step not appreciating the animosity whilst rolling up his sleeves.
"I thought you would never ask."Arnva said through gritted teeth.
"ENOUGH!" Khushi was standing between the two men trying to push them apart. She knew that they hadn't even started yet but she wasn't willing to let it go that far.
"I don't know what the hell is going on here and to be frankly honest with you both I don't give a crap anymore! If this is some 'my sword is bigger than your sword' bullshit then just get them out and lay them on the table to measure them up cause I am sick an tiered of this squabbling." Both men stopped glaring at each other and stared at Khushi in disbelief as she stood in between grabbing both the men's collars
"Wait Mike did you just tell us to get out our-."
"I haven't finished!" She snapped. "I love you." She said to Kannan the words Arnav felt were only for him. He could feel his heart about to break. "And I am in love with you."She saved him. The fervour that was there when she spoke to Arnav of her love for him was not present when speaking of this love to Kannan. But the green monster still roared at the thought of sharing even a fraction of his Khushi's affections with another man. "So take my advice, both of you need to grow an actual set and deal with this like grown men. I am going to buy some jalebies and when I get back you guys will be playing nice and if you are not then you Mr can find a new BFF." She said looking at Kannan with narrow eyes. "And Raizada you can find someone else to put this ring on. If I can't have both of you in my life I don't want either of you." She turned and left in huff before turning back around.
"Raizada, wallet. I think I forget mine at home." Arnav handed his wallet to Khushi not looking away from Kannan. He waited until he heard the glass doors shut again.
"I plan to tell her everything and then you will leave town."Arnav informed Kannan. Once the truth was out in the open Khushi would know that she would have to make a choice. And once that choice has been made there would be not need to Kannan to stay in town.
"You think she will still want you after everything she knows?"
"I trust her to make the right choice."
"And I trust Karma."
There we have it folks... a bit of a bleh chapter but we need the bleh ones to get to the boom! ones...
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Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
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