Part 27
Khushi was right thought Arnav as he walked back to his suite with his hands tucked into the pockets of his blue Levis; it had been a pretty good date. He entered his suite, pausing at the mirror by the entry. The Arnav Singh Raizada who stared back was one that he wasn't used to seeing; his un-gelled black hair was tousled from her fingers running through it, his brown eyes were aroused and dilated. His lips were red not only from the lipstick he had kissed off Khushi, but from their mutual passion.
'And we won't even look at what's going on beyond the belt region' sniggered the devil...
Arnav rested his forearms on the table and bowed his head, rotating it left to right. It was time for another shower, a cold one he decided as he walked into the en-suite, pulling the black sweater off and throwing it on the bed. He glanced at his watch. It was about 2am. Arnav knew he would not be getting any sleep tonight.
'Bet she's the same...wonder if she's thinking about us...' whispered the angel wistfully...
Arnav groaned. This was clearly driving him crazy. He really needed that cold shower to clear his head he thought as he stepped under the jets, hissing as the icy cold water hit his overheated flesh. If nothing else, this relationship was definitely going to be a test of his endurance. He knew that Khushi was not the type of woman that indulged in casual physical dalliances and he would be respecting that.
Arnav stepped out of the shower, a towel clinging to his narrow hips as he walked into the bedroom. He shivered slightly as the cold air-conditioning hit him. Time to pack and then catch up with emails he decided.
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Khushi woke up at 4:00am and despite having had only about 2 hours of sleep she felt rested and somewhat excited at the prospect of returning to Delhi that morning. She quickly showered, dressed and then began to pack. She wondered if Arnav was awake. Khushi dialled the reception and asked to be put through to his suite.
He answered on the second ring.
An abrupt 'Yeah...' followed. Khushi frowned. He didn't sound like was in a good mood.
'Good Morning...Arnav...' she really didn't intend to whisper, but that how it came out.
Arnav leaned back against the couch where he was sitting and watching the early edition of the financial news, completely forgetting about the NASDAQs and FTSEs of this world when he heard her voice.
'Good morning Khushi...' he drawled in a voice that was huskier than normal thanks to the lack of sleep. 'Sleep well?'
Khushi smiled as she answered in the affirmative, his voice setting off goose bumps on skin.
'Good. We should check out and head to the airport. I'll meet you in the lobby in 5 minutes' he said and hung up.
Khushi looked at the receiver with slight amazement; one minute he was sweet and in the next he was back to being ASR. She quickly gathered her things and began walking down to the lobby when she spotted him coming down the passage way, his laptop bag slung over one shoulder whilst he pulled his small suitcase behind him. He, a.k.a ASR was definitely back; dressed in an impeccable black suit, white shirt and navy silk tie, the hair was gelled back and the stubble had been trimmed back. They met at the reception desk. Khushi wasn't sure how she should greet him; a hug...a handshake...what??
Inadvertently Arnav solved her dilemma by jumping straight in...'Khushi the airport transfer is already here, sort out the payment and I'll get the luggage put in the car,' he ordered as he took her suitcase from her hand and walked to the concierge. Khushi wasn't sure of what to make of his behaviour; was this the same man who had been kissing her passionately a few hours ago she wondered as she walked to the reception desk. A few minutes later after finalising the paperwork, Khushi walked to the hotel entrance, she noticed that Arnav was already seated in the car. She opened the door and quietly sat down in the backseat next to him. He was busy reading something on his I-pad and he didn't look up until the car stopped outside the domestic departures terminal. His phone rang just they pulled to a stop and Arnav began issuing directions to Aman in relation to various projects and meetings as he stepped out of the car and took control of the luggage trolley that the driver had loaded for them as he continued talking. Khushi politely thanked the driver and began to follow Arnav who was speeding ahead.
She reached him just as he stepped up to the check-in counter where he authoritatively announced 'Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta.' The ground hostess looked at screen in front of her to verify their details and before she could speak, Arnav issued another instruction 'please make sure that we are both seated in business class.' It wasn't a request. The hostess looked up, 'Sir your companion is booked in economy. I can move her to business class; however you will incur a charge.' Arnav looked at her, his gaze narrowing whilst his eyebrows scrunched together in a slight frown as he spoke in his calm yet very commanding voice, 'That's fine Miss...Miss Swati Krishna' as he glanced at her name tag and handed her his platinum visa card 'please do the needful; Miss Gupta is my significant other and as such she will sit with me.' The implication was very clear and the lovely Miss Swati Krishna couldn't help but stare at Khushi somewhat enviously as she processed their boarding passes. 'Here you are Mr Raizada and umm... Miss Gupta. Please have a pleasant journey your flight is boarding at gate 7 now.'
Arnav turned to Khushi 'let's go.' Khushi had to practically run to keep up with his long strides as they sped through the boarding gate and into the aircraft where they were promptly shown to their seats. Khushi glanced at Arnav from the corner of her eye as she buckled her seatbelt; he was being so...businesslike! She was grappling with whether she should say anything to him when she noticed him rubbing the bridge of his nose as if he had a headache. 'Arnav... are you ok?' she asked gently. He turned 'yeah, I'm fine Khushi' he said without volunteering any further information. They reached cruising altitude and a light breakfast was served. She noticed that he hardly ate anything, instead choosing to recline and close his eyes. She really felt like prodding but didn't know how to, so she sat quietly, occasionally stealing a glance at him. His breathing evened out and he sighed, his extra long luscious eyelashes resting against his cheeks. He was asleep. Khushi couldn't help taking advantage of the opportunity as she stared at him; his jet black hair curling slightly on his forehead which was marked by his frown lines, the brows that gave him his numerous expressions, the little triangular scar above his left eye, the little freckle on his cheek hidden on by his stubble, his sensuous lips and proud chin...
The pilot's voice announcing their decent into Delhi woke him up and she caught herself staring into his deep brown eyes. She quickly looked away embarrassed, it was the same feeling when her amma caught her with her hand in the Jaleebi dabba when she was a child.
The flight landed and they retrieved their luggage from the carousel before heading to where Mohan was waiting for them in Arnav's car. A short time later they arrived at AR Corp. Arnav instructed Mohan to leave the bags in the car as they stepped out of the car. They walked silently to the elevator heading to the executive floor. They exited, Arnav walked to his office and Khushi to hers. She stared at him through the glass partition. Why was he being so... indifferent? What was going on?
'KHUSSSHIII !' his voice came booming down.
She grabbed her notepad... well this was comforting in a strange sort of way!
She raced into his office where he was behind his desk looking at his computer screen.
'Khushi, I need some letters transcribed...here are the tapes. I dictated them earlier this morning. I'm emailing you a proposal in relation to project we've received, I need you to summarise it by mid-day and get it back to me. Call Mr Jain and ask him where his paperwork is and also can you call Aman and Akash and get them to come in here now. And a strong black coffee ASAP' he said curtly.
Khushi wordlessly noted everything he said and quietly walked out of his office to get his coffee. Maybe it was all over now that they were back? Why else would he be so...cold? She took the steaming cup from the coffee machine and walked back to him and placed it on his desk. He continued working.
Khushi walked back to her desk and began working on the tasks he had allocated her. It was her own fault; a Rakshas clearly didn't change his spots overnight no matter how sensitive he might have been only a few hours ago. Once a Rakshas...always a Rakshas Devi Maiya she thought as her fingers furiously stabbed her keyboard. She looked up and glared at him through the glass; he was too busy talking to Aman sir to notice. The remainder of the morning passed slowly for Khushi as she tried to reign in her simmering temper. Eventually Arnav came striding out announcing that he was going out to attend a meeting and would be back at about 4:30pm. 'Yes your Royal Rakshas-ness...whatever you say' she muttered under her breath, keeping her eyes glued to the screen; two could play this game she decided.
7:00pm and he still hadn't returned. Khushi would have left hours ago had her luggage not have been in his car. She was fuming. Maybe it wasn't too late to re-think this whole thing Devi Maiya, she pondered as she heard the elevator doors slide open and HE walked in. She waited for him to say something but he walked straight into his office.
That was the final straw for Khushi and she went in after him. It was time to give Arnav Singh Raizada a piece of her mind. If this was his idea of a relationship, then he had another thing coming!
She walked in to find him slumped on his chair, his head thrown back and a fine sheen of perspiration was beginning appear on his brow. She walked to him, laying her hand on his..it was cold and clammy. The little hairs on the back of Khushi's neck began to rise. She knew in an instant what was wrong with him as she bent down and opened the desk drawer where she retrieved a glucose meter, test strips and a small lance. She took his hand and pierced his index finger. He winced. A bright red bead of blood appeared which she dabbed on the test strip and inserted into the machine. Twenty seconds later the machine beeped. 65 mg/dL. She had been right, thought Khushi as she ran to the kitchen. His blood sugar had fallen and he was in a state of hypoglycemia; normal blood sugar levels were around 70mg/dL so she had to act quickly. Khushi poured some orange juice into a glass and ran back to him. She held his head and raised the glass to his lips, encouraging him to sip which he did. She waited for about five minutes, his hand clasped in hers. Her eyes carefully scanned him for any deterioration. She squeezed another drop of blood from his finger on the test strip and ran another test. 69mg/dL. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Arnav felt the haziness clearing from his head. He took a deep breath and tried raising his head slowly to combat the dizziness. He opened his eyes, his gaze encountering Khushi. 'Are you ok Arnav?' she asked quietly. He nodded, slowly leaned forward his arms resting on his thighs, his head bending. 'Arnav what time did you eat lunch?' enquired Khushi. 'I didn't get a chance to stop for lunch, so I had a juice on the go and that was about it' he responded. Khushi really really felt like yelling at him; unfortunately now wasn't the time. She spoke quietly 'stay here and I'll go make you a sandwich' she ordered. She returned a few minutes later holding a tomato and cheese sandwich and more orange juice which she placed on his desk. 'Eat' she commanded as she sat down opposite him and watched.
Arnav raised his eyebrows at her and was about to tell her off for her tone but decided not to when he saw her expression. He ate quietly, grateful for the food and the concern. He looked up at her; she didn't look happy. 'I'm fine Khushi' he drawled. 'Well, good for you Arnav-ji,' she said curtly 'could you please give me your car keys so that I can get my bag. Its late, I'm tired and I want to go home.' Arnav was perplexed. What was wrong with her?? And why were they back to 'Arnav-ji'?
'Khushi, is there a problem here and why are we back to 'Arnavji'?' he asked. Khushi cocked her head as she watched him. 'Arnav-ji you are my boss and I don't think I can call you by your first name at work; especially when things are so...professional...here. Either way, I'd just like to go home' she said. She knew she was being abrupt and a tad childish but right now all she wanted to do was to go home and get away from Arnav Singh Raizada.
Arnav wasn't one to shy away from confrontation. He could clearly see that there was a problem. It was time to tackle it head on. 'Khushi, clearly there is something and we could play this game going back and forth; or you could just come out and say it. What would you prefer?' he said quietly.
Khushi took a deep breath, 'I don't understand what going on with you. Last night you...and me...you were completely different and today you've barely noticed that exist. I don't know how this is going to work if... if today is any indication of what it might be like...' her voice trailed off and she look down at her hands.
Arnav groaned inwardly.
He walked over to her side of the desk and sat next to her. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs, hands folded. 'Khushi, I run a multi-billion dollar business and having been away from everything for three days means that I have 72 hours worth of catching up to do. Plus, as Murphy's Law inevitably has it; whatever could go wrong has...which is why I haven't had the time to eat.' Arnav wouldn't have ever tolerated anyone questioning him but he knew that this rigidity would have to change with Khushi. He just wasn't sure what else to say to her. 'Khushi, remember what I said to you last night...there are thing you need to teach me... being considerate is probably one of them,' he sighed 'I'm sorry I haven't been more attentive today,' he said quietly.
Khushi looked at his profile. He really was trying. The Arnav Singh Raizada she knew would have never acknowledged his shortcomings, let alone apologise for them. 'Arnav, how are we going to do this? I don't know how to be your personal assistant and be your...your' she fumbled...' significant other...partner...woman' he supplied helpfully with a smile...she glared 'at the same time...' she muttered.
Arnav swivelled his chair around and turned hers too so that they sat opposite each other, their knees touching. 'Khushi, look its day one today and while wedidn't really get off to a good start, primarily thanks to me, we'll try again tomorrow.'
Khushi looked at him apprehensively. 'Arnav I don't know...'
His deep brown eyes clashed with hers, his voice dropping a pitch further, 'What are you saying Khushi? That you don't want to work for me or that you don't want to be in a relationship with me?!'
Khushi didn't know what to say. She was struggling and she was tired; it was not the best time to be making any decisions. 'Arnav I dont know!!! All I do know is that balancing the two is harder than I thought.'
Arnav leaned back in his chair laying his hands on his thighs as his superfast brain processed what she was saying working through the choices. He knew in an instant what the option was and he did what he was renowned - making difficult and critical decisions on the spot.
'Fine then Khushi, you won't be working for me anymore,' he said with a deadpan expression.
He was serious.
First a longgg update because the last one was shorter and... well I had more to say this today 😆😆
Ok, so I read somewhere that 'a woman's sense of self is defined through her feelings and the quality of her relationships' and 'When a man loves a woman, periodically he needs to pull away before he can get closer...to know when to go away and when to come closer is the key to any lasting relationship...' (by John Grey in case anyone is wondering... 😳)
I think these two quotes capture Khushi and Arnav's state of mind quite apptly as they navigate this new, strange and undefined space that they've found themselves in today. Relationship aren't called work for no reason!
so... the question is... where to next?
your thoughts on this chapter my darlings?
Naina
Edited by warriorprincess - 12 years ago
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