[G&R]OneShots|No.Strings.Attached| upd Pge 22 - Page 15

Originally posted by: debby_11

Teri Meri Love Stories giving low TRP

Yeh toh hona hi tha...they dont have awesome story writers as we do have in IF...

The writers in IF rocks :)

Originally posted by: -happilyunknown

Ahah we are taking this as a great compliment!😆

Originally posted by: debby_11

all the writers deserve this(there are many i cant name all )..

.and specially you people...:) the awesomest ones :P

God bless all the writers who are entertaining us(the readers)...i love reading good stuffs :) and you people present in such an excellent way that i actually get mesmerized... :) keep on writing :)

{OS:Beauty & the Beast}

If anyone asked Khushi Kumari Gupta what she really loved,she would happily list a million things which were quite unrelated for other people and yet fascinating enough for her.Though chatting and being generally over-excited were her hobbies,one thing that really topped her list was Reading.She could read anything and everything.The habit developed probably because of the innumerous magazines and novels at her grandparents home ,among which she had spent her childhood.And no wonder,this love for reading had led to her to choose a profession through which she could spread this joy,this wonderful ability to be able to connect letters and words-teaching.She was a teacher because she wanted to be and perhaps she was born to be.

When explaining why she loved being a teacher,the only point which came up to her mind was the hopeful voices which greeted her everyday with a ''Khushi ma'am''.Those phrases would make her day ,and were irreplaceable by any other kind of repayal.While other teachers would spend their weekends away from the hullabaloo of kids,Khushi would do quite the opposite.Every Sunday she visited what we normally call an Orphanage-a home for children.

They were normal kids,the only hint of sadness in their lives being the absence of their parents.

Orphans.Khushi hated using this word.It sounded so cold,so very cutting.Everytime people deduced that she visited an orphanage-a spark of anger rose up in her heart.But then,how would normal people know the pains of losing the most important figures in their childhood?

Would they know the story of Azhar who had fled to Delhi on a train when his parents had been massacred in the Godhra riots?

Would they know how to give answers to Muskaan's questions about her parents when they were the same people who had abandoned her after she had been born?

Khushi saw that spark in them to learn.These children were happy even when shown a little amount of love or kindness because they had never been showered with love as others their age were.''Aasha'',the simple name was so befitting to the place.Each child in there grew up with hopes for a new life.

She looked fondly at the park where swings went back and forth ,where the sound of laughter,cries and shouts all mixed together to give one a feeling of childhood.

''Hai Re Nandkishore!Khushi bitiya I don't know what you keep thinking as you stand there staring blankly with a smile on your face.''Madhumati Sharma,fondly known as Buaji was the matron of the house.She was a bit strict but underneath all that she was lovable and extremely kind.Khushi smiled at her and went over to her side.

''Buaji!!You know this has become a habit now.Just seeing those bright faces makes my day.''

''God Bless you my girl!There are rarely any people nowadays who would spend their time for these unfortunate children''Buaji caressed Khushi's cheeks and she smiled back ''Buaji!Don't call them unfortunate.They are more than lucky to have you''

Buaji blushed gracefully ''And you too bitiya!!Anyways I almost forgot to tell you -Mr Raizada is visiting today.''

''Mr Raizada?''Khushi was confused for a moment.

''Mr Raizada the businessman,Haven't you met him?''Buaji questioned and then realised ''Oh!You have just been coming here for the past six months that's why you don't know.Well Mr Raizada is one of the richest textile industrialists of India.He visits every year on this date to donate funds for the children.But he has a huge temper,You better mind your Ps and Qs around him!''

''Businessman?''Khushi wondered and then stated confidently ''As for minding my Ps and Qs I think he better not show up his high and mighty nose at me because I am quite capable of telling these rich people what I exactly think!''

''Arrey no no bitiya!He might have a temper but Arnav Singh Raizada isn't that bad''Buaji shook her head with a small smile on her face and then looked towards the park,her eyes widening up immediately''Aamna!!stop eating sand will you?!!''

Khushi looked on as Buaji immediately rushed off towards the sand pit,surprisingly quick for her age.She then looked up at the sky and worded softly

''Arnav Singh Raizada''

**

''Arnav Singh Raizada doesn't give a damn about what Mr Sethi thinks!If he fails to fulfill his promises then he better rethink the proposal he presented to me!!!''

That angry bark which sent his employees looking for cover,that stubble which sent the women around him in a state of dizzeness,that crisp ironed shirt which refused to show even a hint of a crease.That was Arnav Singh Raizada to the world.Blunt,straightforward and wickedly handsome at the same time.He signed off the important documents from one hand while instructing Aman from his handsfree.

''Aman I already told you I won't be taking up any appointments today!And make sure that Hari Prakash is ready with the car at eight''

**

Khushi entered the park which was a haven for all the kids on weekends.She stepped on the grass,feeling the cool breeze of monsoon blow her hair in every direction possible.

''Ahem ahem''She cleared her throat,gathering attention of all the kids around.

''Khushi Didi!!!''They all screamed in joy and rushed towards her open arms.The little ones would jostle to reach her first while the older ones would smile and get ready with all their teenage problems for Khushi to solve.

''Ok ok Calm down now''Khushi finally managed to detangle herself and looked around at the expectant faces.She put down her heavy bag and asked everyone to make space.Every weekend all the children would eagerly await for the bag full of books she brought for them.These books were donated by her own students in school ,which the kids at the children's home would read and return.

''Ok then everyone return last week's books!

Krishna!Here is the Nancy Drew you wanted...

Azhar!Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire for you..

Aashna I swear you will love this Agatha Christie edition!!

Oh for little Fatima,The wizard of Oz...''

Khushi miraculously could rattle off the exact book she had got for each child.None of them were ever disappointed.

''Sakshi!!Now don't fight over that Enid Blyton,I got another one for you...''

Books,books were probably the only gateways of a new world for the kids.They couldn't afford to travel around the whole world but yes,each and every book was a gem for their young minds.This was the magic of words,you could keep sitting at one place and yet travel to places unseen.And Khushi wanted them to enjoy this part of childhood which she herself had once rejoiced.

She sat back on the grass even as the children around her explored their books,shouting and laughing.She took a deep breath,thinking of those days of turning pages and pages of Enid Blytons while savouring a juicy mango in the courtyard.

If happiness could come in installments,Khushi received it every week.

''Khushi didi Khushi didi!''the youngest of the kids tugged at her dupatta ''These books we can read later..but right now you have to tell us a story''

''Yes Khushi did Please?''the others chorused.

''Uff!You are all so grown up now.You still want to hear fairytales?''Khushi smiled,knowing that they wouldn't leave her without one.

''Please Khushi didi''

''Please Khushi didi''

Soon all of them started to chant and Khushi calmed them down and begun with one of the fairytales which had once fascinated her as a child.

''The Beauty and the beast...this is the story of...''

**

While all the children were engaged in this story telling session outside,the awaited visitor had already arrived.And little did Arnav Singh Raizada know the complexities of sitting in that particular office whose window opened into the park.Buaji comfortably plopped on her chair and accepted the cheque Arnav handed out to her across the table.Her office if you can call it was very much like the lady herself-warm cluttered and homely.Arnav who was used to spick and span surroundings would always comment on this and Buaji would shake it off with a laugh.

''Oh Arnav Babua!I am fine like this!We cannot all be as particular as you are''

''Actually Ms Gupta I wanted to...''Arnav started out only to be interrupted by a loud excited voice coming through the open window.

"The Beast thought for a while and shouted, "I shall spare your life, but for this you have to bring me your daughter!" "

''What the!!''he glared in annoyment at the window as if it had developed a sudden defect since the last time he had been here.

''Oh!''Buaji tried to distract his attention ''That is just the children..''

There was a moment of silence and Arnav realising that the interrupting voice had stopped,started out again.

''Ya so Mrs Gup..''

But sadly,today was not Arnav's day of peace as Khushi's story telling continued

"The merchant fell on his knees, and lifted up both his hands, "My lord," said he, "I beg you to forgive me, indeed I had no intention to offend in gathering a rose for one of my daughters, who desired me to bring her one." "

''Who the HELL is it out there?!''His voice boomed out before he could stop himself.Buaji glanced at him,slightly frightened of his temper.

''Arnav Babua its jus...''

Buaji's trials were of no use as Mr Raizada stood up,putting on his shades and proceeded towards the door.She pulled at her heavy skirt and got up,praying to Devi Maiyya to save Khushi and the children from his wrath.

**

Khushi outside was blissfully sitting on the grass ,unaware of the catastrophe about to take place.Arnav Singh Raizada stormed outside and turned towards the park area.His footsteps were measured and quick initially but they came to a stop at the sound of laughter.A laugh so reminiscent of his mother's that for a moment he forgot that he was the mighty ASR.

It tinkled through the park,gently ruffling each piece of grass,bouncing off each brightly coloured see-saw.He took off his dark shades in order to have a clear look at the owner of the laugh.

And truly,Arnav was enchanted after a long long time.

He would never forget the first time he saw her-laughing among the children, her long silky hair encasing a beautifully carved face.Simplicity.

''Can you SHUT UP for a while?''he blurted out,without meaning to.It was Arnav's defence mechanism and he was literally forcing himself to shout at her.He saw as her laughter came to a stop,him the cause of it.He noticed the fiery spark in her eyes as they focused on him.

She got up,tightening the light blue dupatta at her waist.

''And who may I know are you to order us?''she retorted in anger.The children around her got up one by one,cowering in fright yet not willing to leave their didi alone.Buaji had stopped a few paces behind but she had been pleasantly surprised ,secretly noticing how Arnav had stared at Khushi.

Love at first sight?Buaji wasn't too sure of what was going to happen when two different poles would meet.But then two different poles do attract each other don't they?She knew Arnav and Khushi,though for different lengths of time.For a second her senses told her to divert the argument, but her heart negated the decision.Because suddenly she had seen in Khushi -the girl who could pull Arnav back to earth.And hence she had decided to quietly witness the scene.

''Arnav Singh Raizada''he curtly stated.A flash of recognition came across her face and Khushi replied ''Well Mr Raizada that doesn't exactly explain anything to me.''

''Then let me tell you that I donate money to this home for those children''

''And I donate my time and love for them.Of which you do neither''

''Can we stop this conversation from diverting?I just told you to shut up for five minutes.In that time I would be out anyhow.Then you can go on about your crap Beauty and the Beast!!'',For a change Arnav was having fun,someone who could actually answer him back.

''Excuse me?Look there children''Khushi pointed at Arnav''That is the beast I told you about''A round of giggles and a deadly stare later Arnav decided to forget about it.He turned around to leave only to be mocked at again.

''Why Mr Raizada?Didn't have enough money to buy a tongue did you?''

And this time he looked back at her,annoyed and angered.Buaji caught the children's eyes and winked at them to escape.Stifling their chuckles,one by one all of them escaped followed by Buaji.Now it was one Khushi Kumari Gupta against one Arnav Singh Raizada on a very windy day.Sparks?You bet!

For the first time she now took a good look at his face and Khushi,who hadn't been interested in any man for days was floored in a second.But she hated to admit it.Admit that she admired the chiselled cheekbones,the handsome stubble and the intense eyes staring back at her.

''Where did you buy yours from?Somewhere second hand?''he shot back.

''Well ,sometimes second hand things can be quite useful''she waved a book up at him ''More useful than those currency notes you throw away each day''

''Hell!Why am I even standing here and arguing with a middle class girl?''Arnav muttered to himself.

''Its not a middle class girl''Khushi's sharp ears caught the statement ''Its Khushi Kumari Gupta''

''Well Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta then I will make sure you don't enter these premises again''he folded his arms and looked at her,his lips set in a thin line.

That mere statement was enough for Khushi to come storming towards him.''And how exactly do you think you are going to do that?!!''She stood in front of him,her finger pointing at his chest.He looked down at her and undeniably she was way more beautiful up close.He raised his hand and held her upraised finger.

She looked back at him,her honey dew eyes pouring into his brown ones.For a few seconds he stared back, which made her lower her eyebrows,a hint of blush appearing on her cheeks.She pulled back her hand before any of her senses could go out of control.

''All I am going to do is to tell Mrs Sharma that if she wants to let people like you come here then I am going to withdraw my donations''he calmly reasoned.

''Oh!!So now YOU are going to show the power of your money too?It is so funny you know, when I think of it-you think those bits of paper are going to bring a smile on the faces of those children?Money counts I admit but it is not everything Mr Raizada.

If it was then you could have brought their parents back again.''

Her cold voice hit him hard ,the first time someone had tried to knocked sense into him.He looked at her for a moment and she saw that sudden change in his expression.As if that single statement had mellowed him down.He turned around this time,to leave for sure.

Khushi was shocked because she hadn't expected him to give up like this.She felt guilty now.And this guilt caused her to call after him

''Hey!Mr Raizada''

He looked back and she waved the book in her hand towards him''Next time you do come,give them something that counts''

He walked away as she sat back on her heels on the grass,watching his footsteps leave the park.Khushi sat there for a few minutes before she heard the children coming back.

''Khushi didi!!''

They rushed towards her but this time Khushi's mind was somewhere else.Every time she tried to close her eyes,his face when she had said that statement kept coming back to her.She decided it was time to leave.This Sunday had been more eventful than she had imagined.As she started to gather up her bag,her eyes fell upon a book which she hadn't seen as far she remembered.

She picked it up through the chaos and read the title ''Five on a treasure Island by Enid Blyton''.The pages of the book had yellowed with time and it was an old edition.Her fingers turned the first page and a faded message on the corner caught her eye.

''To Dear Arnav on your eleventh birthday.

From Ma and Papa.''

Arnav!Could it be a coincidence?She raised the book up in the air and shouted

''Hey hey kids!!Whose book is this here?''

''Didi mine!''Rahul raised his hand.

''But I don't remember getting this for you Rahul''Khushi kneeled down and asked.Rahul contemplated for a while,his finger on his chin.

''You didn't get it...Oh ya!That Bhaiya in the suit gave it to me!!''

Khushi got up in a flash of realisation and ran towards the main gate of the area.From far she could see Arnav putting on his shades again and opening the door of the car.

''HEY!!WAIT!!!''She screamed and Arnav's hand lingered on to the handle before he turned to look sideways.

And all he saw was her,running towards him,her blue dupatta soaring with the wind,her hair slashing to either side.He asked the driver to move on and wait a few paces away and then stood back to see the running figure finally come closer to him.

She skidded to a stop before him and panted for a while.

''You...''she voiced between short breaths ''Didn't need to give your own gift...to someone ...else''

He looked confused but a stroke of realisation appeared as he saw the book she extended towards him.

So she had come to know.

''Take it'' she said ''It was a gift from your parents right?I didn't mean that you give your own memories away...''

He looked at the book and said emotionlessly ''What is the use of a lifeless book when the people who gave it aren't here?''

She stilled back in shock,her hand stiffening.He gave a sad smile and took the book back anyways.She watched as he sat into the car and left.She saw and she couldn't stop him.She couldn't stop him to say that she hadn't meant it.

**

A week later Khushi sat among the children again,following the usual routine.But this time she wasn't able to concentrate.This whole week his face had danced before her eyes,telling her that he had lost his parents too.That she was not the only one.She gazed at nothing in particular,lost among some worldy thoughts when Muskaan came up to her with a book in her hand.When Khushi looked at her with a questioning glance,Muskaan placed the book in her hand and went off.Khushi looked down at the book-

''The Beauty and the Beast''

With trembling fingers she turned over the first page and in quite unreadable handwriting was a note on the corner-

Will this one do?

She smiled widely and looked up to see him standing a few paces away.He just looked back at her with something which she could just associate with a small smile.

Buaji peeked at them from her cupid window and smiled ,because from next time the children would have two visitors every week.

**

Tada! :P

Oh and Gayathri's OS is below :)

Ok first of all i would like to thank and dedicate this OneShot to my DDD.

Dont get it?😆

Dear Darling Doc i.e my (Alan)Ki!! <3 If it wasn't for her i would have terrbily messed this one up cause of some language related problems..:)

Love you dear! <3

OS lBroken Englishl

One look at the surroundings told him that he had been a fool. A fool of the highest degree. The place was beautiful in its own way but it was most definitely not his kind of beauty.

As he thought these words a horde of children passed him, giggling in all their glory. They headed towards an icecream stall and he could see the vendor's eyes lighting up in delight at the sight of such gullible customers. He had half a mind to go with the kids and ensure that they weren't cheated. He remembered how important his pocket money was for him. But he stopped himself.

Mistakes are the best lessons. That was what his father always told him. At first he had argued. What if making mistakes become a habit? An excusable error? He wanted to stand for perfection and only perfection. This had been a 14 year old talking.

As he grew older he realized the wisdom behind those words and chose to follow it in every minimal way. An example would be that he still refused to use spell correct when he typed. Because each and every time he would go back and trace the errors and erase them.

And that is exactly he wanted to do now. He wanted to go back to US and erase the error of coming back to India. Coming back to Lucknow.

Arnav was the typical lost NRI caught in a familiar but strangely unfamiliar place. He was rich. He was 27 and was working under his father. There was nobody in his life that he loved and respected more than his father. He was Arnav's role model. But his role model had presented him with a very difficult assignment.

Arnav was to head a project of one of the branches of their office back in India. Nothing big for an efficient and experienced man like Arnav.

But things would have been so much easier if he had known hindi.

He mentally smacked himself for not learning to speak it till now. He could understand the language well. His mom and dad insisted on speaking it at home no matter how much it irritated him at times. They always spoke highly of the place..Of Lucknow. It was a place he barely remembered, having left it behind at the age of four or so. He would have picked up the spoken version of hindi too if he hadn't been sent to a boarding school. College followed once again causing him to completely forget of his shortcomings.

But now, here he was, in drastic need of a time machine and a tour guide.

But he would not give up, he decided as he looked around him. These were people. His people, more connected to him than the people back at US. He would find a common base with them. And he would enjoy the little things here. Who knew whether he would ever be able to come back after this project was over?

The fair was bustling with people even though it was nighttime. Families walked around him, haggling with vendors or enjoying rides. Screams of laughter were heard and he couldn't help but smile. See, he reminded himself, People are the same everywhere.

All such sane thoughts were knocked out of his head as he felt someone launch themselves over him. He fell down with a thud, enhanced by the weight if a soft body over him. Even though his eyes were shut due to the fall he could feel the flashing lights of the rides on them. He opened his eyes after a few seconds to see a face.

A face would be an understatement. The first thing that his eyes and brain focused on was her earrings. They were long enough to touch her chin. It was a chain of small beads. They were beautifully white and ended with plastic rings. Feathers were attached to the end..wait a second..feathers?

This girl, whoever she was had a very weird fashion sense, he decided.

He followed the earring to her chin. Soft, plush and pinker than normal people. Perhaps a result of its contrast with her pale creamy skin. He yearned to touch her cheeks to see if they were as soft as they look but decided against it. A stranger just didn't do that. He had just met her.

Yet this stranger's gaze went over from her chin to her lips which were parted and very similar to a rose bud. Again he thought about her cheeks and wondered which would be softer-her cheeks or her lips. He looked at her button nose studded with a gold nose ring. He smiled as he realized that her nose had turned red too. He didn't know whether to be thankful or upset. Red was his favorite color. And this girl was on the way to be added to his favorites list too. He couldn't stop himself. Maybe it was the situation, the atmosphere or the mere moment but he could sense that something very very special was happening.

Dil yeh mera
Bas mein nahin
Pehele kahbi
Aisa hota tha nahin.

That was when he tried to look into her eyes for a confirmation. For a hint that she felt the magic, she heard the increased heartbeats too. Her eyes which were clenched shut a moment ago opened slowly. Subconsciously he noticed that the fireworks had started and sparks were flying across the sky. Her eyes..At first there was apprehension, and fear. But then, as if someone had turned over the page of a book all these disappeared. Her eyes glazed over as she looked into his giving it a dreamy faraway look. He could sense her emotions, her thoughts as she looked into them. Her eyes were liquid, warm and the most beautiful shade of brown.

After what seemed like an eternity she lowered her eyes thus giving him an opportunity to observe how her eyelashes shaded her eyes when she wanted them to. Before he could decided between tightening his arms around her and grabbing her and kissing her someone yelled.

"Khushi Di!"

"Haan..haan chottu" She replied as she tried to get of him. She looked flustered at being found out like this but he was on cloud 9.The day was the best day of his life, but it also contained his most painful moment. The moment when she moved away from his arms. He felt a loss like he had never felt before. His heart constricted as if this was the last time that he was seeing her. This couldn't be the last time right?

She straightened her blue dupatta in a flourish and her hands moved up to her hair trying to detect any lose strands. Arnav got up slowly from the ground and moved to a sitting position and covered his face with his hands. But hands and have fingers and fingers have gaps and through them he could see the concern on her face. He rejoiced. She cared about this stranger.

Tuhi bata
Iss dil ka main
Ab kya karoon.

She moved forward as if to talk to him but the same words and voice interrupted them. He uncovered his face to see a small boy of about 8 or 9 chattering away to Khushi in hindi. He smiled as he heard her reply back with equal speed. So she was from Lucknow. His mom always wanted him to marry such a girl. Simple, sweet and most importantly Indian. He strained to listen into their conversation but realized he couldn't. It was not language or distance this time which came as a hinderence. It was her voice which intoxicated him beyond comprehension. He gave up trying and just listened to her.

The boy gave her a cotton candy stick from a group of them that was in his possession. He saw her eyes dart over at him for a second. After a sentence spoken by her the boy handed over another cotton candy stick to Khushi before leaving the two alone. Well as alone as they can be in the middle of a fair.

"Aap theek hein?"

"Uh..yeah.I am ok"

It was only when she offered him her hand that he realized that he was still sitting down. He took her hand gladly, hoping that his excitement didn't show on his face. He relished the warmth of her hand around his and smiled at her equal apprehension at letting go of his hand.

She offered him the cotton candy and he refused with a shake of his head. She looked a bit disappointed and his heart's pace seemed to slow down, punishing itself for hurting her. Who knew pink soft balls of sugar and fluff could cause such agony. He needed to talk to her. He wanted to tell her how he felt. It was necessary for him to breathe.

She opened her mouth to say something but he interrupted knowing it won't do him any good if he heard her voice.

"Listen Khushi..I know that we just met now and that too in such a weird..umm unexpected situation. I mean I wasn't even supposed to be here you see. I was supposed to be at my flat doing some research on this new project I have to do but I felt kinda bored so..Well I am Arnav.Arnav singh Raizadaa..I..uh I am not from around which might explain why you have not seen me around but just in case you would like to you know..see me around from now.."

kehene pe
Chalta nahin
Kuch dinon se
Meri bhi sunta nahi

He took a business card from his pocket and clasped it in her hand and continued his rant, trying not to look at her face and mess everything up. He would have continued rambling if someone hadn't caught her hand and dragged her away from him, unaware of the conversation going on.

"Call me as you get home!" he yelled. He noticed she didn't turn her head away from his direction until it became nearly impossible for her to walk forward.

******

She didn't call.

Those were the three words that had been ringing in his head for the past few days. It was an afternoon and he was at his air conditioned office room checking a presentation by one of his employees.

She didn't call.

He squinted, trying to find something other than these three words on the screen of his laptop but he couldn't. He sighed and closed it. There was no use. He couldn't concentrate anyway. He rested his head against the back of his chair as he leaned back and closed his eyes.

Something was very off. His heart was beating faster than it should..Was this acidity or something?.He dismissed the idea then itself. He could hear her as she entered the office. The tinkle of her anklets were nothing short of his personalized alarm. He leapt up with uncontained vigor and rushed towards the glass pane which allowed him to look upon his employees.

He was right. Khushi was here .She was dressed in a long flowing pink and purple salwaar. Her hair was let down this time and he was left to wonder about how smoothly and perfectly the wind caressed it causing rather heart stopping impressions. She walked around his office chatting to his employees with a wide smile on her face.

Tu hi bata
Iss dil.. ka main
Uff ab main kya karoon

Main kya karoon
Iss dil ka kya karoo

He felt a pang of jealousy .How he wished it was him instead of them. And he could tell by the way her lips moved that she was speaking to them in hindi. She handed a dabba to each table that she passed, her smile an added bonus to them. His gaze penetrated her as she did and suddenly she looked up at his glass cage and directly at him, as if she felt the burn.

He found no surprise there but a blush creeped up to her cheeks. He smiled unknowingly, his complaints about a forgotten phone call gone with the wind. He noticed that she had given the dabba's to everyone but him. If she was a normal supplier then somebody must have alerted her of their boss' impending arrival. To his delight he saw an extra dabba in her hand. She made her way up the stairs with a shy smile on her face. Any moment she would enter his room.

But on her way Mohan stopped her.

"Ji?" he heard her ask questioningly.

"Khushiji ek chotti si samasya hai"he said.

[Khushiji we have a small problem]

"Kyun?Kya hua Mohan Ji?"

[Why? What happened Mohanji?]

""Hamare sir diabetic hai. Jo khaana aap laaye ho voh yeh nahi khaa paayenge"

[Our sir is diabetic. He cannot eat the food that you have made for him]

There was a pause after which she slowly muttered something. He had to strain himself to catch the words.

"Accha isliye unhone humse gudiya ke baal nahi liya"

[Oh.so that is why he didn't hake the doll's hair from me.]

"gudiya ka baal?" he heard Mohan ask echoing his confusion.

[Doll's hair?]

""Voh mithaai jo mele mein milti hai...vahi jo rangeen badlon ki tarah dikhti hai"

[That sweet that we get from fair's..that colorful cloudlike thing]

"Cotton candy!" he heard Mohan say, laughing.

"Haan wahi"

He came back after the meeting feeling more tired than usual. He hadn't slept well for the past few days and he had skipped lunch today too. He threw his coat onto his cabin chair and loosened his tie. He just wanted to go back home and think of today's incident. He would surely see her again and he needed to tell her the truth.

It was only then that he saw the Dabba placed neatly in the middle of his desk. He opened it to find steaming pasta. He felt his heart soar at the sight. He knew that it was her and only her who had made it for him. Unknowingly she had made his favorite food too.

He dug in, thinking that made for each other might not just me a clichd term after all.

Karta hai, awaargi
Iss pe toh dhun chadhi
Hai pyaar ki

"Ugh I cannot believe it took me one week to figure this out!" If arnav could he would smash all the things in his office room but it was not his but his dad's. He is going to have to find other methods for venting out his frustration.

He looked at the book in his hands. The book of glory. The same book that would offer a solution to all his problems.

Hindi -English dictionary.

She didn't know english. And even if she did know a bit of it his accent must confuse her. That explained her dazed expression as he talks to her, her lack of response, her not calling him back..She had just not understood him.

"Mohan"

"Yes Sir"

"Send that dabba service girl in..she is here right?"

"Uh..Yes sir..Is there anything wrong with the food?"

"N..Yes. Now send her in"

He didn't want people gossiping about their boss and the Dabba service girl. Not until she was ready for accepting his love.

The glass door swung and she got in within minutes. Her face was more flushed than usual and they were now scanning him for any sign of discomfort.

"Aapko Kya hua?Hume maaf kar dejiye..hum"

[What happened to you? Forgive me..I]

"No no!!I am ok.I just wanted you to come in that's all!"he yelled watching her eyes shine with unshed tears. She looked back at him her expression unfathomable except for the tears that were now running down her cheeks.

Ulti yeh baat hai
Aise halaat hai
Ghalti kare yeh
Main bharu
Uff dil ka main kya karoon

Main kya karoon

He didn't deny himself from the pleasure of wiping them away. She stood still as he ran his hands over her cheeks, her eyes fixed on him. She had the same glazed eyes that he had noticed that day. He felt her hot breath against his face. He could hear her heart beat now. Not just hers. His too. The rhythm had finally become one and the same.

He took her hands and his and said slowly.

"Khushi..I don't know if you understand ok? But I want to say something to you"

She looked a bit confused but slowly repeated the words. Then she added "Aapko humse kuch.."

"Yes! That is it" He beamed. She finally got it.

She smiled and nodded in encouragement. He felt her squeeze his fingers trying to soothe him of his obvious tension.

He took a deep breath. He didn't remember being this nervous even before his exams. But this was the biggest exam ever. The exam of a lifetime.

He looked into her eyes.

He knew exactly what to do now.

He forgot the lines that he had spent a night rehearsing. He forgot the promises he wanted to give her. He forgot the arguments planned out if she rejected him. He forgot the pleas to get her to reciprocate what he felt for her.

Instead he smiled softly, letting her know that he was completely free of tension. He lifted their hands to his chest and placed hers on top of his heart. He knew she could hear it racing. It was rejoicing the arrival of a feeling that it had been deprived of for all this time. First love.

He cupped her cheeks with his hands brought down his lips towards her ears. He whispered what he wanted, the way he wanted.

"Mein tumhe batana chahta tha ki" He paused for a moment listening to the way her breathing had become faster "I love you dammit"

The way she flung her hands around him was enough to let him know that she heard him. Loud and clear.

"Hum bhi aapse I love you dammit"

Iss dil ka kya karoon

Main kya karoon

*******

Ok i know you people are too busy drooling thinking of Ranbir Kapoor/Arnav now but don't forget to comment and like!😆

Gayathri