New SS: Rumor has it, Ch9,pg65 - Page 13

loved da updates... you make khushi sound like a super girl and im loving it!!!

Read it all in one go...super cool SS. I like the spunky Khushi...one who doesnt take any crap from Arnav...who doesnt go weak in the knees just bcos he is being all nice to her. Arnav needs to get a taste of his own medicine...👏

read Ch2 and Ch 3 in one go dear... loved it... so much attitude... go Khushi singh raizada go

I was in splits😃👍🏼!!!!!

Thnk you..i feel bad for arnav

Chapter 4: Pilgrim's Progress

"Rumor has it that the Singhanias are making an aggressive bid to takeover Mehta and Sons'," said Akash folding up the newspaper at breakfast the next morning.

Arnav's head shot up, and he winced lightly with pain. His neck hurt like blazes. "What the! Did we put in a bid or not?" he asked.

"No, you were away and unreachable for 9 days, remember. These are new developments. We couldn't get a hold of you, and honestly we didn't care about the bid. Too busy trying to find you," said Akash drily. Arnav blushed red.

"Well, lets put in a bid now. I don't want to let that Singhania bitch get away with anything and..," suddenly he stopped and called out loudly. "Hari Prakash, meri woh Singhania ki file laana!"

Hari Prakash who lived in the fear that he would one day not be able to locate Singhania's file had taken to haunting Arnav's room in his absence just to make sure he knew where every file was located. He came scuttling down 2 minutes later holding a slim black file in his hands. It had exactly 2 papers in it. He wondered why Arnav didn't consolidate all his files into 1 large file. Or better still, use a computer, like everyone else. He rolled his eyes at his employer's idiocy and went into the kitchen to make more tea and calm his nerves while he was there. Arnav always gave him the heebie-jeebies.

"No work at the breakfast table Chotey!" said Anjali, pulling the file out of his hands and placing it out of his reach. She smiled at him and he grimaced in return and applied himself to the aloo parathas. They were delicious.

"Rumor has it that Arnav bitwa spent the night by the poolside..kyun Arnav bitwa, am I right?" asked Manorama Bond. Arnav shot a look at Khushi who nodded 'No' ever so slightly as if to say it hadn't come from her. Shyam took the opportunity to slither into the conversation like the snake he was.

"Looks like Khushiji hasn't forgiven Saale saab for going AWOL yet. Am I right Khushiji?" he asked in that oily tone that made her want to grab the nearest available weapon and clop him on the head with it.

"Not at all. We both slept outside under the stars last night. We enjoy the occasional romantic evening, we're still newlyweds you know!" She smiled sweetly at Shyam who frowned heavily in response. Arnav grinned at his wife's sass. She was standing by him at the table, serving everyone breakfast. He reached for her and pulled her onto his lap. Everybody laughed except Shyam, who turned an interesting shade of purple. Khushi struggled to get off his lap, but he held fast.

"Nani, Khushi and I are newlyweds. I've been a very bad husband. I haven't even taken my wife on a honeymoon. I think we should go on a honeymoon," said Arnav.

Khushi gave him a look that would have frozen a lesser man's intestines. But he was Arnav Singh Raizada. He may have been a fool and not believed her when she begged him. But he was still ASR, the man in control. The man who liked to control. He just smiled back at her and tightened his grip on her waist, not letting her budge.

"Of course Chotey! You must go. Where would you like to go Khushi bitiya?" asked Naniji, surprised and pleased that her grandson was making an attempt to make amends.

The ignominy of answering her husband's grandmother while seated on his lap was too much for Khushi to bear. She pinched Arnav's arm so he yelped with pain, and scrambled off his lap in that brief second he loosened his grip. "Naniji, it's really not necessary!" said Khushi quietly.

"Of course it's necessary. You must go on a honeymoon. In fact Akash and Payal haven't been on a honeymoon either. You can all 4 of you go together," said Anjali.

Khushi's face brightened momentarily at the thought that she wouldn't have to be all alone with the laad governor for an extended period of time. Arnav had other plans.

"Di! It's a honeymoon, not a picnic. I'm not taking Akash, Payal or you or even Hari Prakash along. Akash and Payal can go on their own honeymoon. I'm sure they would prefer it that way as well," said Arnav cuttingly. Akash threw him a grateful look. Anjali laughed at her Chotey's lovesick avatar. She was enjoying this.

"Where will you go Arnav bitwa? Bali?" asked Manorama Bond, feeling quite put out at the thought of not being allowed to join Arnav and Khushi's honeymoon. She would surely accompany Akash and Payal on theirs, she resolved.

"I don't know Mami. Wherever Khushi wants to go. It's up to her, really," said Arnav glancing sidelong at his wife who was busy ladling pickle onto Naniji's plate.

"Khushi bitiya, where would you like to go?" asked Naniji.

"I don't know Nani. I need to think about it," said Khushi. Arnav's face visibly brightened at her reponse. At least she was willing to think about it.

"Baby steps, Arnav. Baby steps," he told himself.

Back in their room after breakfast, Arnav approached Khushi as she was folding clothes that were already fairly folded, just because she liked to be doing something around him. He made her nervous just by being sometimes. "Khushi, will you go away with me for a few days? Please. I think we could use the break," he said softly.

"You'll go where ever I ask?" she said.

"Absolutely," he replied.

"Let's go to London then," she said.

"Umm. Sure, I'll make the reservations," said Arnav, happily. He turned to Khushi, "Why London?" he asked, wondering if there was a reason she picked London.

"I want to compare notes with Lavanyaji on how she put up with you for all those months!" said Khushi sweetly.

"You can do that on the phone, you know!" said Arnav drily.

"Yes, but we can't put you in a barrel and push you into the Thames on the phone," said Khushi.

"I think we should go to Kerala. It's closer to home and much prettier," said Arnav, not liking the idea of Khushi and Lavanya meeting up after all.

"Sure. Munnar is a nice river too," said Khushi, not batting an eyelid. Arnav swallowed hard, and tried to think of a landlocked honeymoon destination with no water bodies in the vicinity.

This honeymoon was going to be very interesting, he thought. Very interesting. He couldn't wait for his wife's anger to work itself up into a frenzy and then fizzle out, as it surely would. Then he could talk to her. Until then, he'd have to take what she dished out. And he deserved it. Even ASR with his ego issues retained enough insight to know he deserved every bit of it.

Thanks everybody for the nice comments...I am happy you are all liking this. Buddy me for pms.

WW11

Chapter 5

Loved it! :D

Awesome update =D I cant wait to see Arnav & Khushis trip!! Cant wait!!