Arhi/Arshi - Inverted - Page 46

Chapter 11

Arnav got out of the car and waved the driver off, he was on the stairs to the Gupta's entrance when a very familiar voice called "Khushiji..." he whipped his head around and...

Jijaji?? "What are you doing here?"

Shyam Manohar Jha looked at him questioningly "What happened Khushiji? are you mad at me?"but when Arnav stared back bewildered, he laughed.

" Relax Khushiji, i just came by to ask you about your job and talk about buaji's pension case"

Oh yeah he's a Lawyer, must be handling their case.

Arnav smiled "oh.. its going good, the job... i dont know about the case..."Shyam cut him off, "its okay Khushiji, I'll talk to buaji myself, anyways.." he smiled again at Arnav then continued "Khushiji, I'm leaving town for a few days, i thought I'd let you know, don't miss me too much" he laughed at Arnav's confused expressions.

"I'll see you soon Khushiji, best of luck at the job."he smiled again and Arnav smiled back, after all he had no idea how to react to his sweet talking jiju any other way.

"Better get going Khushiji, everyone must be waiting for you" with that he grinned and walked off. Arnav shrugged then walked over to the entrance. Breathe... this is it Arnav Singh Raizada.
...
Arnav woke up feeling extremely annoyed, why? He had no idea; He had been feeling quite touchy from a few days. He just wanted to Lash out, yell, be angry or ' cry? Yeah he was a little sad too'why? His entire body ached, especially his lower back, he hadn't been to gym but he was feeling extremely tired'maybe it's the bed.

The week since he had arrived was quite uneventful. The Gupta's had bought his story about, late night work at AR and her boss (him) being nice enough to provide her with pick and drop facility from now on and the raise in salary because of her promotion as the personal secretary.

He had observed that her family where not even close to gold diggers' unlike her; in fact they were pretty much like his own family, only they weren't as rich. They weren't much bothered when he had insisted sleeping on the couch, simply shrugging and calling him Sanka Devi.

It was all very new and interesting for him. But eventually he had started sharing the bed with Payal, of course this he hadn't told Khushi but he couldn't get much sleep on the couch and well sleep was essential.

He had been in touch with Khushi; apparently she was handling things well. They met at office daily, discussing the problems they were facing and now he knew a lot about her and obviously the other way around although he was still very much conservative.

He was missing his family, although Payal was just like De, she'd help him choose and wear dresses, braid his hair and all. It was eerie that he was getting quite accustomed to her girly life style.

Ouch! Dammit' he was snapped out of his thoughts by a pang of pain in his stomach.
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Khushi was getting way too adjusted in her lifestyle. She glanced at herself as she dressed in ASR's typical attire, adjusting the crease of her pants to align with her glossy black boots. Yeah, way to adjusted. She turned around to find De holding a glass of milk and her tie.

It was morning ritual she'd come to enjoy; she couldn't tie her own tie, so De had taken to doing it for her. De reminded her so much of Jiji that she was almost at home here. Only she couldn't indulge in her passions in the light of the day. Last night, she'd had this irresistible urge to devour jalebies and she had to sneak into the kitchen in the dark of night to do that. And when she'd eaten her fill' she'd fell sick. How was she supposed to know that the impeccable ASR was human? That he suffered from diabetes? No wonder he was so bitter' thankfully, De had come looking for him after not finding him in the bed. She'd given her the medicine that had made her feel much better, although she'd shed quite a few tears before she felt alright.

Anyway, it was kind of scary that now she considered his elder sister in the same way she thought of her jiji and she was well on her way to thinking of the rest of the family members as her own as well.
That wasn't good. She had to go and see her own family. She called the driver and ordered him to pick her first, before going to pick Miss Gupta. Funny, but she had no trouble making that an order rather than a request. No doubt, ASR was a bad influence.

She let De fuss with her tie and hair, and made her way down to the Arti. At first, everyone had been kinda shocked to see her regularly attending the morning service but a week later, they were all expecting her.

They all stood praying and Khushi sent her own special prayer for Devi Maiya. 'Please help me get back in my body.'
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Arnav stared down, trying not to panic. He knew what was happening, knew it was just a natural process that was no reason for concern but' dammit, there's so much blood!

He didn't know what to do. What if he was wrong and this wasn't normal? After all, Khushi didn't look like she had this much blood in her and here she was, losing it so fast. He gulped, took a tissue to wipe it off and grimaced.

He was freaking out! This was' this was bad' too much blood. Maybe she had some rare disease and he was now bleeding to death. Maybe that was why she wanted to exchange bodies with him'
What should I do? Think, dammit, think!

Aha!

He rushed outside, still holding a tissue to his bleeding core (dammit, I should not have to think that!) and called Payal. 'Jiji! Jiji!'

He must have sounded as panicked as he felt because Payal came rushing. 'What's wrong?'

He stood peeking at her from the door and felt his heart well up. Here he was, bleeding, quite possibly dying and all he had was these nice strangers who'd taken him in as their own. Payal reminded him of De so much and he missed her and now, he couldn't even tell her how much he loved her'

'Khushi' are you' crying?' Payal pushed past him in the room and held his face. 'What's wrong? Khushi' say something, you're scaring me!'

He didn't know how but his eyes blurred and he started sobbing his heart out. He was dying' at least, someone cared. He buried his head on her shoulder and cried.

'Jiji' I'm dying!' he hiccupped.

'What? Don't say things like that!' Payal pushed him back, wiping tears from his face.

'But I am'' He swallowed, 'Its' ouch!' he bent over as another pang wrecked his body. Payal helped him to the bed. He sat down gingerly and leaned back, the pillows below his back feeling heavenly. Well, at least he'd die comfortably. 'I'm bleeding to death.'

'You're bleeding'? Khushi, you idiot!' To his surprise and considerable annoyance, Payal started laughing.

'What's so funny?' He asked sulkily.

'This isn't your first time, you big lumphead!' Payal ruffled his hair affectionately.

'But there's too much blood and my back's aching and I have a terrible headache.'

'Yeah' like you always do.' Payal stood shaking her head, and went to the wardrobe, pulling out panties and a sanitary napkin and holding them out for him. 'Get inside and put these on, you're spoiling the sheets. Go on!'

He didn't feel like getting up but Payal pushed him to the toilet and shut him inside. 'Put those on and wash your pajamas. Idiot'' she went away muttering.

He looked at the things in his hand for a moment, then banged his head into the door. 'Why me? Why???'
No one answered.
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Khushi was outside her home when she realized how awkward this would appear to her family, the boss coming home to pick her up. She checked her blackberry organizer and saw there was an early brunch she was expected to attend. Good, now she could use that as an excuse.
She got out, told the driver to wait and walked up to the front door. She stood for some time, trying to work up the courage to ring the bell. Finally, with a deep breath, she did. The door opened almost immediately; Buaji looked up at her. 'Yes?'

'Oh' uh' I'm, uh, Arnav Singh Raizada' Khushi's boss''

'Oh, yes, yes, come in, come in!' Buaji led her in and sat her in the lounge. 'Wait here babwa, I'll call her. Would you like some tea?'
She was tempted to drink Buaji's delicious tea but last night was very clear in her mind and she had no desire to experience the sensations again. 'No thanks, I'll just take water.'

Buaji bustled off as Jiji came into view, muttering under her breath. 'Jiji!' she couldn't control the exclamation. Payal rounded on her, eyes wide. She realized her mistake and smoothly covered it, 'You must be Khushi's sister. She talks a lot about you.'

'Uhmm'' Payal eyed her suspiciously, 'well, she's unwell' so''

'Unwell? What's wrong?' Khushi stood up, heart racing. Had he deliberately taken some poison to kill her so that he could get rid of her? Wait, that doesn't make sense'

'Yes, unwell' nothing serious.' Payal went her way. Khushi waited for her to move out of sight before she rushed to her room to find Arnavji lying on the bed, looking pale and drawn. Her heart jumped into her throat.

'What have you done?' she rushed inside, placing a hand on his forehead.

He gave her an evil glare. 'I haven't done anything' it's your own body's problem''

She stared at him for a few seconds, then the meaning of his words sank in. She started giggling.

He gave her another glare, 'What's with the laughing huh? First Payal' now you' this isn't easy, you know''

'Oh I know, alright!' Khushi controlled her giggles for a second, then gave into another round.
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Arnav eyed her evilly. If looks could kill, she'd be so dead. Laughing at him when he was suffering so much' oooh, how he wished he could pay her back in kind'

Wait, maybe he could'

He smiled sweetly. 'So, what're you doing here?' She stopped laughing and regained her composure. 'I thought I could pick you up' I wanted to see my family''

'Hm' okay, well, I'm in no condition to come to the office now, you see.' Khushi nodded sympathetically, no doubt because she knew exactly how painful it was in her body.

'We'll keep in touch via phone.' She pointed to the headset in her ear.
'Good, good. Well, then, talk to you later.'

Khushi turned to leave. Time to implement the first stage of his plan. 'Oh, and Khushi''

'Yeah.'

'You're free after the brunch, right?' Of course he knew she was free. It was his schedule she was living.

'Uh uh' so?'

'Oh well, there's this movie my friend sent me. He wants me to review it' since I can't watch it, why don't you do that?'

'A review' like, write it down?'

'Yeah' he's a journalist.'

'Oh, okay, I'll do it. Where is it?'

'It's in my bedroom.' He told her, grinning.

'So, I'll do it when I get home.'

'Yeah' call me if you need help.'

''kay, then, bye.'

He watched her go out, feeling triumphant. And now, Miss Gupta, we'll see who's laughing'
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Chapter 12: page 83

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