FF: It all started with 300 Rupees Updated Part 22 - Page 33

It All Started with 300 Rupees (Part 14)

P.S. I changed your password – I hope you don't get mad at me………the new password is I love you Khushi……..no spaces………

He just sat there………..

Staring at his laptop screen……….

Without blinking…………

His mind was numb……….yet loud……..

His heart ached……….yet relaxed…….

His eyes were moist with pain………yet contentment

His physical body paralyzed………..yet inner cells aggressive……..

Darkness all over the room………..yet sunny and bright outside………

Why didn't he get this message earlier…………

Why did he have to get it after what he just told her on the phone about the media fiasco……

How long is this going to work like this, he thought……..

She was absolutely right, WHY? WHY US? Or I should say, WHY ME?

I have done so much wrong in the past, will I ever be able to amend all that?

He looked back at the screen, scrolled up and read it all over again……….

He didn't know if he should be happy reading this surprisingly sweet note by her, by Khushi, by his wife……….Or regret that he read it after their conversation about the media issue, or be horrified that he broke her heart, yet again………

He was going through too many waves of emotions, thrilled to read the note, dishearten to disappoint her all over again. Happy to know that she expressed her feelings openly to him, regardless that she had written it down, rather typed it, instead of verbally expressing it. Or to feel miserable for hurting her again………

He sat there long enough, thinking a lot, A LOT, still staring at his screen………..

Finally………

He picked up the phone and dialed her number, it was ringing, but she didn't answer………

He hung up and called back, it was ringing but again no answer………

He put his phone back on the table, looked at the screen again and covered his tired face with his hands…….

Drowned himself in thoughts again, thinking how their relationship has become such a rollercoaster, the minute he thought everything will be fine again – BAM, it's back to square one……..

She just agreed to give another chance to him, to their damaged relationship, to try and work out this new life, new hope, new love………

BUT

Her words echoed in his ears again and again "WHY US………WHY US Arnav JI?"

NO, this is not how it's going to be, not at all, there won't be 'WHY US' anymore, it will be just 'US', no 'WHY'…………

He inhaled the suffocating air around him, and exhaled all the tension, stood up and told himself: there is nothing I can't do. And this is the MOST important thing of my life, heck it is MY LIFE, it's Khushi, my reason to live, my wife Khushi, my reason to breathe, I will have to make this work and I will do whatever it takes to bring her back in my life………

He smiled at his new mission, at his determination, at his goal……….

He picked up his phone and dialed his assistant and said "what's the update on the news? Did you get it done?" His assistant replied "Yes sir, most of the channels have been taken care of except one, they are still creating issues but we are on it, we will get it done ASAP" ASR spoke "Good, make sure it doesn't air again AT ALL" the assistant replied "Right Sir"…….

ASR asked "Did you arrange my meeting with Mumbai office……..who is in-charge these days?" the assistant replied again "Yes, sir your meeting has been fixed today at three in the afternoon with Roshni Saxena, she is now in-charge of the office, she is Mr. Saxena's daughter. I will have the driver pick you up for the meeting, anything else sir?" ASR spoke "No, that's it for now, bye"

He hung up the call, it was almost two and he still had to get ready for the meeting and then LOT more after that………

He went to the bathroom and closed the door, saw the bathrobe hanging there, the one Khushi was wrapped in this morning, he smiled looking at it and remembering how sexy she looked even in that robe, he touched it slightly, it still had her soothing fragrance in it, almost like she was there.

He told himself, snap out of it Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, it's not like you will never see her in a robe again, there will be many more times, yes, and maybe every day, once we live together, hopefully soon……….

I have never felt like this for anyone in my entire life, he told himself, how can she drive me crazy just by thinking about her? Only she can get me so aroused without even physically being here, and even if she is present, she doesn't even have to do much, she can just look at me with those 'sensual eyes' of hers and that would do the magic……..

He was in shower while his mind racing fast under the cold stream of water, planning the next step of what he needs to do to woo his wife again, yes his wife, Khushi……….

He got out of shower and saw her robe again, which was still hanging there spreading her aroma and announcing her presence in the bathroom, and in his life, making him smile all over again and making him feel more confident about his new mission……….

He got ready and he walked to his laptop, glanced at her note again, saved it, packed his laptop and walked out of his room towards the car………

He called her again while walking, her phone rang but she still didn't answer……….

His driver was already there waiting for him, he got to the office which he hadn't visited for long time, Aakash had always managed this office with Mr. Saxena or maybe his daughter now……..

He walked in and looked around, quite impressed, the receptionist greeted him and showed him to the conference room, he walked in but it was empty. Ms. Saxena hadn't arrived yet, but it was still few minutes to three……..

Few minutes later, Roshni walked in with her over revealing clothes and more than needed makeup. She placed all her files on the long conference table quickly and rushed to him extending her hands "Hi, I am Roshni, it is finally so nice to meet you Arnav, I have heard sooo much about you" she said in a seductive voice while he observed her the whole time, he got up from his chair, shook hands and said "Sir, not Arnav"…….

She replied "Sorry, Aakash always told us to……." he interrupted "I am not Aakash!"

He asked her to sit down and started discussing all the ongoing and upcoming projects and who is managing what. Etc. etc. etc. He was physically there, but his mind was worried about Khushi, how she hasn't answered his phone and neither has returned any of his calls. He was lost in his thoughts until Roshni's assistant knocked the conference room door, Roshni asked her to come in, the assistant spoke "Ma'am, I am done looking at Mr. Singhania's project proposal and I think it's still little unreasonable, maybe you can have a look and confirm it since they are waiting to hear from our side.….."

He heard the name Singhania, his body became as alert as it could be, he quickly looked up and asked "Singhania who?" Roshni replied "Karan Singhania, he is also one of the reputed businessman of Mumbai, his merger with the Oberoi's yesterday has made it to all the news channels by today and one of his colleagues or his business partner, I am not too sure on that, she was honored by a prestigious award yesterday at the Oberoi's. You were there too yesterday, right? I couldn't make it otherwise I would have met you there" she said with her seductive voice again, "we are trying to work on this upcoming project with Singhanias' but they are being little unreasonable, so we just had to make some changes in the figure and get them to agree to it………

Before she could finish her sentence he interrupted "Who is working on this project from their side?", Roshni answered "We started this project with Karan's father initially, but he hasn't been working so much lately due to his health, so we deal with Karan and his new business partner, who has a big influence on Karan's decision", he asked again "and who is his business partner?" as expected, she answered "Khushi, the one who received the award yesterday"………..

He stared at some random open file on the table and murmured "whoever said if there is a will, there is a way"……

He smiled, looked up, and announced…..

"Agree to whatever they want and start this project ASAP" He said without even looking at the proposal……..

Roshni asked "But Sir they are not being reasonable at all, I have talked to them few times to negotiate but they………" he interrupted her again "Don't tell me what to do, just do what I tell you to, and yes, also arrange a meeting with them ASAP, if possible do it first thing tomorrow morning, okay?" she replied "Yes Sir, I will get it done"

He got up from his chair, without finishing looking at any other projects, picked up his coat from the chair and ordered "Get my cabin ready, I will be joining you guys from tomorrow and don't forget to call Singhanias' and set up the meeting ASAP and try to set up the meeting at their office, got it?" Roshni answered "Yes Sir, I got it" Without saying anything further he stormed out leaving Roshni and her assistant in the conference room…….

Roshni said "He is one hot piece of work, I would love to spend some time with him, I am glad he will be joining us from tomorrow, can't wait to see more of this EVERYDAY………."

Arnav walked himself to the car, told the driver to bring him back to the hotel, he sat in the car and dialed Khushi's number again, it was ringing but she again ignored his call……

He decided to message her but he figured she was still upset with him, so he stopped himself from texting as of now……

He wanted to give her little more time to cool down, after their conversation earlier, after the whole media fiasco on the television…….

By the time he got to his room, it was already evening………

He had started missing her again, no missing wasn't the word, he was craving her. He wanted to see her, now! But that wasn't going to happen, and he knew that very well, after another hot piercing arrow he had shot her with this morning, he couldn't blame her for not calling him back. He still wanted to talk to her, he was desperate to hear her voice, hear her speak, hear her say his name, but she still hadn't called him back yet, he was patiently waiting for her call.

The one thing he learned in one day which he never learned in his life; was to be patient, with Khushi. Not because she was doing this on purpose but because he always put her in these kinds of unbearable situations, where it was so hard for her come out of.

He picked up his phone again and called her, hoping that she will pick up this time, but no, she didn't…..

He couldn't take it anymore, he finally decided to message her……

He wrote: Khushi, I know you are mad at me but please call me once, I want to know if you are okay, I want to hear your voice, I want to talk to you, I am sorry Khushi, please call me back…..I miss you!

He pressed send and held on to his phone carefully, waiting to hear something back from her…..

Nothing, he waited, very patiently, but nothing, no calls, no messages, nothing at all…..

The room was suffocating him now, the room's oxygen had turned into a poisonous gas trying to burn his lungs, memories of her being in the same room were haunting him now, it was becoming unbearable, he almost wanted to rip his heart out and throwing it outside the window for causing him so much pain, so much ache, so much despair…….

He rushed himself out of the room and went to the balcony and saw the ocean, the waves……

It reminded him of Khushi again, how the waves soothed her. He tried looking at them, hoping that they would soothe him as well, just like they soothed her…….

He stood there, just staring at the ocean, the waves coming and departing in similar rhythm, she was right, he thought, it is quite calming……..

It was dusk now, she still hadn't called him back yet. It had been over eight hours that he had heard her voice, it felt MUCH longer though.

He didn't like this feeling, not the feeling of being in love, being in love was wonderful, but not being able to be with your love was horrible. It was pure torture, worse than someone taking a sharp knife and stabbing you to death. Separation was worse, definitely.

He couldn't remember when was the last time he had felt so helpless, he was Arnav Singh Raizada for god's sake, nothing was impossible for him, NOTHING, except this, controlling his feelings for Khushi.

Khushi, where are you? Please call me, he thought, still staring the ocean which looked black now……

He had always heard people talk about love and pain. But he didn't know it could be this severe. If falling in love is so wonderful then why isn't everything else that goes with it?

He checked his phone again, he didn't have any messages, no missed calls, no voicemails…….nothing…..

He was lost in his thought again, when his phone rang….

His body almost jerked, with panic, with excitement, with anticipation…..

He looked at it, but it wasn't Khushi, it was his assistant calling……

He answered in a very disinterested voice "Yes", his assistant answered "Sir, the office called to inform you that your meeting with Singhanias' has been set up for ten in the morning tomorrow at their office, Roshni has emailed you all the details about the new project."

That's the best news he had heard since he left his office in the afternoon…….

He was too thankful to say anything, his assistant asked him "Sir, is that fine with you or should we postpone the meeting?" he quickly replied "no, that's perfectly fine, text me Ms. Saxena's number right now, I have some questions about the meeting. Bye".

In few seconds he got Roshni's number, he quickly dialed her number and spoke "Ms. Saxena, this is ASR, about the meeting tomorrow with Singhanias', who will be attending the meeting from their side?" she answered "I think, Karan, his assistant, his two other associates, who are usually there for all the meetings, and Khushi with her assistant, I can't recall the assistant's name though".

This is the only time he liked Roshni's voice, when she confirmed that Khushi will be there at the meeting, he smiled, and replied "are they aware that I will be joining you guys?" she answered "No, sir, everything was arranged via email, they gave us a list of people who will attend the meeting but they haven't requested any list from our office, should I tell them that in particular that you will be attending the meeting too?" he quickly replied "No, don't tell anyone anything, it's fine, I will see you there tomorrow morning, thanks" saying that he hung up the phone…….

Some more torturous more hours and I will see her, he thought……

But he still wanted to talk to her once, he called her back, once again, hoping that she will pick up this time, but nothing……

He just stood there on the balcony, closed his eyes and saw Khushi, how she had fallen in his arm the very first time, in that green lehenga, how beautiful she looked, even then……

But how he had mistreated her after the show……

By breaking her pearl string of her blouse, shattering her just like the broken pearls on the floor…..

Her moist eyes, her pleading, her begging, he remembered each and every detail of that night like it was yesterday…….

Not only that night, but ALL their meetings, the images were so crystal clear, how with every meeting he had humiliated her more and more, without showing any mercy……

How could I complain of all the pain I am going through right now? I should be grateful that she still gave me another chance after so many intentional blunders…….

His phone beeped…….

It shocked his body, yet again……

He didn't want to look at it only to get disappointed again…..

But he had to check it….

He checked his phone…

One new message, from Khushi……

His fingers froze, he couldn't muster any courage to press open and read her message……

He had never been this scared of anything else in his life……

He was waiting for her message for so long, then why couldn't he just check it……

He couldn't…….

He just held the phone, just like that, in his hand, staring at it for the longest time…….

Finally…..

He pressed the button, the message opened, it read Arnav ji: I am fine, don't worry about me. Even if I am not fine, I will be. I am just busy with these non-stop meetings, it's a hectic day – it's going to be worse tomorrow, our company has this big meeting for this project that we have been trying to negotiate for long time, don't wait for my call. I don't want to sound rude, but I just need some time, I hope you understand, I am sorry, good night.

He read that over and over again, trying to analyze her mood from this message, obviously she was still upset with him, but she did text him back, which was good enough as of now, he reassured himself….

He wanted to sleep, but couldn't. If I sleep, it will be less miserable, few more hours and I will see her again. Yes, finally!

He turned his laptop on to prepare for tomorrow, not for the meeting, but for Khushi…….

After working on his laptop for long enough, he decided to sleep, if he was able to do so, with all the excitement and nervousness……

He called the reception desk and asked if they had any place where he could print some documents, the reception informed him about the available computers and printers on the first floor……

He went downstairs, got to the computer and printed all what he needed for tomorrow……

He made his file, looked at it, all ready for tomorrow and said…..

Mrs. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada…………..get ready to see what you have NEVER SEEN BEFORE………

He went back to his room, forced himself to sleep, only sleeping could reduce the amount of time left until he could see her again……..

NEXT MORNING

He was up early enough. He got ready and left for the meeting…..

Singhania's Office

Karan and Khushi were already in the conference room with their respective assistants, waiting for others to join them...

Roshni walked in with her assistant, few minutes before ten, with her assistant and two more employees from the office…….

Karan welcomed all of them and asked "should we start the meeting?" Roshni replied "No, not yet, our boss will be joining us in this meeting as well, he should be here anytime". Saying that she called him to find out where he was, he answered the phone "Yes Ms. Saxena", she asked "Sir, we are all here already, we are just waiting on you now", he asked her "is everyone there from their side?", she replied "Yes sir, everyone is here" he answered "I am walking in the office right now, will be there in less than few seconds" and he hung up the phone…..

Khushi was just sitting there, without saying much, lost in her thoughts about the evening they spent together, about how she wrote that note to him, pouring her heart out, about his old password, and how she changed his password, she was dazed out when she heard the door open…..

She looked up…….

SHOCKED to see him there…….

What was he doing there? Is he here because I didn't call him back? I hope he doesn't create a scene here. I hope he still remembers his promise…….

Roshni got up and greeted him "Good morning Sir, this way", she told Karan "This is Mr. Raizada, our boss, he will be working in this project with us now", Karan got up and greeted him "Nice to meet you again Mr. Raizada, I had no idea Roshni was talking about you, thanks for joining us for the meeting, welcome!". The whole time Karan was talking, all Arnav did was stare at Khushi, without blinking, and answered "It's nice to see you too, yet again!" and smiled……

She looked beautiful, little tired but still very beautiful……..

Karan introduced him to everyone briefly, one by one, lastly Khushi, Karan said "and you have already met her yesterday, but again, this is Khushi" he walked to her and extended his arm out, she hesitantly brought her hands to his…….

Not wanting to lose her senses by his touch, she decided to quickly shake hands and be done with it…..

But….….

He held her hand, just like that, in front of everyone, not letting her hand go, not so fast…….

He intentionally stroked the center of her palm using his thumb, in rhythmic circles…..while smiling at her the whole time…….

Making her shudder, sensation ran through her body, making her lose balance……..

Her body jerked with his sensual touch, she held on to her chair for support, while trying to pull her hand from him…….

He saw her, her face, her pretty eyes, pleadingly looking at him, to let go of her hands……

He didn't want her to plead him for anything, not now, not EVER…..

He slowly let her hands slip away, pulled her chair for her to sit down and walked back to his chair……

Sitting directly across from her…….

Karan announced "Shall we start the meeting everyone?" Roshni replied "Yes, sure, not that everyone is here".

Before Karan could even say anything, Khushi's phone beeped, startled by the sudden beep, she quickly picked up her phone to check the message and read it…….

Good morning SWEETHEART! It was from him…..

She looked up and saw him, he was just sitting there smiling, staring at her…….

She read the message again and noticed the emphasized 'sweetheart'…….

She avoided looking at him, trying very hard not to give away her feelings……..

Her phone beeped again, she quickly checked it, another message from him again……

I love you, you look gorgeous! She almost smiled reading the message but controlled herself…….

Roshni spoke "Please silence your phone, we are in a meeting right now and it's quite rude". Before Khushi could say anything, Arnav gave Roshni a furious look and spoke "I am sure it's something important." Khushi quickly turned the ringer off and placed it back on the table and said "Sorry!" Her phone flashed again, she slowly picked up her phone, hiding it under the table, she read the message…..

Don't say sorry, it was my fault. I am sorry. Did you eat breakfast?

She looked up again to see him, he was waiting for her to answer his question…..

She didn't reply anything and turned to look at Karan who was giving his presentation…….

Her phone flashed again, this time she looked at him before checking the message, he was still sitting there, quietly smiling at her, she read the message...

You didn't right? I am about to order breakfast, make sure you eat!

She looked up again, surprised, to see him act like this with her, she didn't know how to respond to this……

She heard him "Excuse me Karan, I am sorry to interrupt your presentation, but can we get some breakfast while we work?" Karan answered "Sure, I am sorry I didn't ask you earlier", saying that he asked his assistant to bring everyone breakfast…..

Few minutes later, breakfast arrived, Khushi's phone flashed again……

Eat! That's all it said this time, she decided to ignore his message and just sat there while everyone got their breakfast……

Her phone flashed again, Why aren't you eating?

She avoided looking at him, neither did she reply to his text, nor she got up to get something to eat……

Her phone flashed once again – I am hungry Khushi!

She looked at him now, not knowing if he was just bluffing to get her to eat or he really hadn't had his breakfast, regardless of what it was, she couldn't keep him hungry, not for anything, she couldn't risk his health, she quietly got up and walked herself to get breakfast, she turned to see him, he was looking at her, gently……

She came back and sat herself down and started eating, she looked at him again, he still wasn't eating…..

She didn't know if he was waiting on her to tell him to eat, should I text him back to eat, no, I don't want to do that, but he needs to eat, how do I make him eat, after thinking a little, she finally looked at Karan and said "Karan, Mr. Raizada ordered breakfast but I guess he didn't like it, look, he is not even eating" Karan replied "Mr. Raizada, how come you are not eating, is there anything in particular you would like to eat?" He replied "No, I am fine, I will eat" saying that he looked at Khushi again, the changed Khushi, the confident Khushi, the smart Khushi…….

Her phone flashed again – Well Played!

She looked at him again, confused at how he was admiring her, something he has never done in the past. Before he got up to get his breakfast, Roshni spoke "Sir, should I bring your breakfast?" before Arnav even looked at her to answer her question, Khushi quickly turned to see who was talking, she noticed Roshni, her clothes, her attitude, her body language, then she looked back at Arnav, who was still staring Khushi, observing her facial expressions while she was decoding Roshni. He answered "No, I will take it myself", smiling at Khushi again…….

He got his breakfast, came back and started eating, while gazing at Khushi……..

Her phone flashed again – Did I tell you how sexy you look right now? Can I kiss you?

She almost dropped her phone while reading his message. Startled with his message, she couldn't even look up to see his face, his gazing eyes, how they could make love to her just by looking at her……

She kept staring at her phone, reading his message over and over again……..

"Can I?" He asked out loud…….

Alarmed by his question, like this, in everyone's presence, she looked at him with anger all over her face….

He asked again "Can I?" She looked at everyone staring at her, she was getting uncomfortable now….

He noticed her being uncomfortable, he didn't want her to be anything but happy…..

He said "Can I borrow your pen Khushi?" Relaxed by his proper cover up, she handed him her pen, and noticed him taking it from her unhurriedly...

She had a new kind of feeling inside her, she didn't know what it was, but she felt something, something good, a tingling feeling in her stomach, making her unable to sit properly, she was fidgeting in her seat, still avoiding looking at him…….

Her phone flashed again – I love you SWEETHEART!

Her heart started beating faster, making it very obvious in her fitted dress shirt, she was embarrassed at the effects of his message, knowing that he was sitting right across her, noticing her every movement……

It was becoming too over whelming for her, she didn't want to give in that easily……

She looked up to see Karan and said "Karan, please excuse me, I……." Karan replied "What happened? We are in a middle of a very important meeting"

Before she could answer Karan, her phone flashed again – Go to your office, I will meet you there, at least we can be alone!

She looked up at him, shocked about his message, she had never seen this side of him, he was different, but good, a new Arnav Singh Raizada…….

"It's fine, I am staying here", she answered thinking if she is here with all these people, he won't actually do anything, other than sending her those irritatingly sweet messages…….

ASR asked Roshni to hand out their side of the project plan to everyone; Roshni distributed the files to everyone, the copy of the new project's file which had all the facts and figures and the plan with future projection. She was about to hand Khushi her copy of the file when Arnav stopped her, he spoke "here let me give it to her" saying that he took the file from Roshni, placed it on his side of the table and handed Khushi a whole new file.

Khushi thought it was so weird, why was he changing her file…….

She took the file from him and opened it………

Shocked at what she saw inside it……..

She looked at the file and then at him………

Who was still smiling at her, gesturing her to go ahead and open the file and read……..

With another text message Open it sweetheart, it's exclusively designed for you, only you, from your husband – Arnav!

To be continued………….

Please LIKE/Comment, I do appreciate each and every comments!