Chapter 3 (ArHi)
Hitting himself mentally for the umpteenth time, Arnav cursed the time when he'd been fascinated by his 'Uncle Malhotra', and had decided to follow his footsteps. His own father had tried to falter him off his decision, stating that they had a business to take care of, and that he should rethink upon his decision. But he'd been adamant. Taking his mother's silence as a sign of approval, he'd gone ahead concocting plans with Akash since childhood, of how they would be the best officers one day. It wasn't until he grew up, that he understood his mother's silence only meant that she didn't want to crush his dreams, and approval was never her motive. But the damage had been done, he had involved himself deeply in his job, and had resulted in being an excellent officer. His family was also happy for him.
Now that he stood in front of the wooden door, he wondered if he could really do this. He'd argued with Shashi, that either Akash or Payal could try convincing the criminal chick, but his request had been refused, flatly. Shashi had told him that he was supposed to work with her, and it would be better if he started right now. Shashi's nonsense had always made sense to him, but today, even his sensible logic could do nothing to evade Arnav's silly thoughts.
*ting tong*
After a few seconds, the gate opened. He saw that whoever had opened the door, was moving back into the house, his back facing him. Correction! Her back facing him.
"The file is on that table, it's better if you leave right away, lest you'll be caught. I don't understand the problem with your boss. Doesn't let me rest in peace even on sunday mornings. Over-working nerds!..."
"Excuse me", Arnav finally muttered, and was rewarded by the looks of horror on her face, her mouth wide open, staring at him.
In his career, he'd learnt not to make decisions about a person, until you meet them. Despite the knowledge, he'd always formed a vague image in his mind, which was true, almost always. He'd done the same, pictured a certain helpless looking Khushi Gupta, whose teary eyes would be her key to everything.
He couldn't have been more wrong. Whatever less he'd expected, she was completely the opposite. Dressed up in a pair of denim hot pants, along with a white tank-top, he could see her move around with an air of confidence. She'd come straight out of the bed, and yet her reflexes were on the alert. Her hair were a mess, and the sight she presented, he found her too cute.
"What are you doing here?", she raised her eyebrows.
"You don't know me. I am...", he started, but she cut him mid-way with a wave of her hand.
"I know you only too well Arnav Singh Raizada, or must i say Officer A", she smirked as she observed his face, "Why the surprise? You hadn't really expected me to forget you after our little encounter, now, had you?", she came to stand in front of him.
"Honestly, i'd thought the fact that we hadn't met, could work out in my favour", he leaned along the frame of the door.
"Hmm, we hadn't met, true, but i've seen you officer, i've observed you way too close, everytime before i managed to escape right under your eyes", a smug expression covered her face.
"Are you gonna keep rubbing my failure at my face, every chance you get?", he asked in irritation.
"See! That is why i'd refused to Officer Malhotra's offer. The two of us can't have a civil conversation without eating each other's head off, let alone working as a team", she smiled in amusement.
"I need to talk to you, can i come inside?", he asked, gaining a composure.
She looked at him intently, searching his face for something, before she finally replied.
"Come in!", she walked ahead, and directed him to the couches that lay opposite the entrance door at a distance. She indicated him to sit there and moved ahead to the kitchen that was attached with the hall. He observed her from the corner of his eyes, as she moved around with an ease. Offering him a glass of water, she sat opposite him, as she sipped on her water, her eyes stuck at the newspaper in her hand. Arnav stole this oppurtunity to analyse her properly, as he studied her.
"Ehem ehem", he coughed after a few minutes, to gather her attention.
"I was waiting for you to speak something", she kept aside the paper.
"Khushi! I know neither of us is interested in Shashi sir's idea, of putting us together. But he's much more experienced than the two of us together. So if he feels we need to put up a team, to catch hold of Modi, i think we must do it", he blurted out the speech he'd managed to rehearse on his way here.
"Now really officer? Is what you're speaking the truth?", she asked, surprised.
"Oh God! Where have i landed myself?", he muttered, "Look Khushi! I just cannot tolerate you. Honestly, the thought of working with you makes me want to resign, but you're not worth it. My job is my life, and right now, my life demands me to catch Karan Modi. I'll do it, whether you agree to help us or not. The only thing that remains here is that you could be cleared off big time, for this help of yours. But why would you want that? You obviously love being called such a talented criminal, a person who doesn't have the courage to face the world, but for hurting the innocent people. That's life for you, sadistic pleasure in other's pain, am i right? How would you know what pain is, until you're at the receiving end. Infact..."
"I think you've said enough officer", Arnav looked up at her and for once, he felt a fear in the deeper pits of his heart. Khushi looked at him, her eyes were red, and her jaw was clenched. She had balled up her fists, clearly to control the anger she could spurt any moment.
"You think you know people too well, right? Wrong! You're way too wrong for your own good. You have no, absolutely no right to speak to me like this. I don't care what you think about me, i really don't. But i won't take crap from you for no reason. And as far as the case is concerned, you and your case can go and..."
A loud shrilling voice cut her words, as Khushi felt her cell vibrate in her pocket. She knew the ringtone, and she knew who was calling.
"Hello! Yes... Yeah!... Did... No... I don't want to... But... I just can't... You know why... Someone else could do it... What?... Are you serious?... I don't believe it... Ok, i'll see what i can do... I'll wait then... Bye", she cut the call, and was lost in her own thoughts. After a few seconds of her zone out, she spoke to him.
"I'll work on the case with you"
Arnav noticed that she didn't look at him as she replied. Internally, he felt a weight let go, when she agreed. For a moment back there, he thought that he'd lost it due to his impulsiveness. But guess he was in for good luck.
"Thank..."
"You ought to leave officer. I've got a friend coming over. I'll see you tomorrow at your headquarter. Bye", she said in a stern voice.
*ting tong*
She moved to open the door, and Arnav's eyes popped out of the sockets, as he saw the visitor.
"Akash? What are you doing here?", he asked, when he saw Akash hugging Khushi like old friends do.
"Oh! Arnav! I didn't know you were here? Anyways, i've come to meet Khushi. Dad sent me and asked me to brief her for tomorrow's meeting", Akash smiled.
"Do you... er know each other?", he asked.
"Yeah! The last time she was working with dad, we'd become friends. Anyways, you should get going. I think you also need to prepare for tomorrow", Akash suggested, as Khushi left for the kitchen, and returned with a bottle from her fridge, handing it to Akash.
"If you want i could also stay here, and help you out", Arnav suggested.
"No! I think we'll manage. We need to catch up on things as well", Akash replied, and Arnav could do nothing but leave. He felt things change all of a sudden. That phone call which kind of changed Khushi's reply, Akash's sudden entry, and the fact that Khushi hadn't looked at him once since he'd been rude towards her, it all discomforted him. He thought he'd been a bit too rude, considering it was their first meeting.
He didn't want to leave Akash with Khushi, but he could do nothing to change it, as he exited the door, giving a last look to Khushi, whose back faced him.
Edited by krs-ff - 13 years ago
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