Differences Between Us :: Arshi FF [COMPLETED] - Page 5

"Shukriya, Khushi," Ashima beamed back before turning to the youngest Gupta sister, then to their parents. (Thank you, Khushi.)

But Khushi's smile vanished soon, for she had seen Arnav Singh Raizada across the hall, speaking to Akaash.

"Yeh Laad Governor to haanth dho ke peechhe pade hai!" she muttered to herself. (This Laad Governor is obstinately after me!)

"Tumne kuchh kaha, Khushi?" Ashima asked, touching her nanad's arm and thus bringing her out of her thoughts with a jerk. (Did you say something, Khushi?)

"Humne? Nahin to!" (Me? Not at all!)

***

"Hi Payal."

Khushi saw Akaash talking to her sister, who blushed furiously. As he had his back turned to her, she winked mischievously at Payal before turning to her friend again.

"Ussne aisa kaha?" Shivanee repeated. (He said that?)

Khushi nodded with a tight smile.

"Aur tujhe boora nahin laga?" (And you didn't feel bad?)

"Laga!" (I did!)

"Phir bhi tumne kuchh nahin kaha?" (Then why did you not say anything?)

She huffed in exasperation. "Kya kehti?" (What would I say?)

"I don't know... Kuchh to kehna tha! Teri teekhi zabaan ko kya hua?" (...You should have said something! What happened to your sharp tongue?)

Khushi shrugged and Shivanee embraced her. "Chhod na! Usski vajah se mood kharaab mat kar. Main houn na!" (Leave it! Don't let your mood go bad because of him. I'm here!)

Shivanee looked earnestly at her friend and Khushi ended up giggling.

"Theek hai, baba!" (I'm here!)

***

"Chalo Khushi! Aaj mera birthday hai, tumhein bhi dance karna hoga!" (Come on, Khushi! It's my birthday today, you will have to dance!)

Ashima had suddenly appeared by Khushi's side while the girl had been watching her sister with Mr Dogra. Payal seemed to be happy, more than usual. She tore the eyes from the couple to look at her sister-in-law. Her mouth opened in a silent protest which died, her eyes widening as she saw Arnav Singh Raizada standing on the other side of Ashima. There was this look of indignation on this face, which as usual held a scowl.

"Jaao, Khushi!" (Go, Khushi!)

"Bhabhi-"

"Kya? Tumhaara partner nahin hai? Iss liye? Ruko." Ashima scanned about the room but she did not need to look too far. Her eyes fell on Arnav. (What? You don't have a partner? That's why? Wait.)

***

"Mr Raizada! Kaise hain aap?" (... How are you?)

He quirked an eyebrow. After hearing the conversation between the two women it was definitely not the question he had expected. On the contrary, he had thought that the birthday girl would have paired them up instantly, but it seemed that she opted to be a bit more subtle and polite. He nodded gravely.

"Fine."

"Enjoying the party?"

He nodded again, glancing at Khushi.

"So, Mr Raizada, don't you dance?"

Here it comes! Now Ashima Banerjee was coming to the point. He noticed Khushi Kumaari Gupta's eyes widen in horror as she realised what her relative was up to. The girl tugged at her sister-in-law's pallu only to be ignored.

"Any savage can dance, Mrs Banerjee," he replied.

Ashima gave a short laugh and pulled Khushi forward. "Then I hope you don't mind accepting my nanad as your partner? I assure you she dances very well and is a delightful companion."

"Bhabhi!" he saw her imploring as quietly as possible. Then, she turned to him with an expression of dislike mixed with disgust. Ashima raised her brows at both of them in expectation.

Arnav thought again. He glanced at the middle Gupta daughter once more and he realised how wrong he had been. Not just in her beauty, but also in her character. Khushi Kumaari Gupta was not an ordinary girl as she appeared to be. She was maybe from a middle class family but she had a different aura around her. Almost royal, she inspired a lot of respect. Maybe because the brilliance that shone in her intelligent eyes. Or the fact that she understood and made understand many things which a mere look. Suddenly, he wanted to know her more.

***

She expected him to refuse, wanted him to, and she knew he would. He did not dislike her and her family, he hated them. There was always disgust in his dark eyes for them and she rivalled it reciprocally, with the feelings he himself emanated around her. She relaxed slowly, the feeling of his refusal strengthening and she looked up directly in his eyes.

"May I have this dance, Miss Gupta?"

What? Had he just-? Khushi eyes widened again and her heartbeat increased. Was Arnav Singh Raizada out of his mind? Was it even really him or some look alike? No. She could never mistake these hatefully cold eyes. She steeled herself. He had insulted her, so she would have her revenge now.

Not good looking enough, was it?

"I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well enough to dance," she replied sardonically. "And besides, I might just be too poor and not pretty enough for a handsome and rich man that you are considered to be!"

With that she turned on her heels and went to Shivanee who had seen and heard everything and the latter gave Khushi thumbs up with a great victorious smile. She knew Ashima would be disgruntled because of what she had told Mr Raizada but she did not care. Now she could rest in peace.

"Khushi! That was awesome!"

She smiled at her friend and they hugged joyfully.

"Good for that arrogant ass!"

"Shivanee!"

"What? You must be feeling very happy, na?"

Khushi shrugged. "I'm just thankful that I have gotten the opportunity to hurt his pride as he did mine."

***

"I might just be too poor and not pretty enough for a handsome and rich man that you are considered to be!"

Her words echoed in his mind throughout the night. So she had heard what he had said to Akaash about her. And needless to say it had hurt her ego. He turned on his right side in bed as he mulled over her. He did not care.

Or did he? If he did not care, why did he feel a bit guilty deep inside? Why did he feel he had been a little too judgemental about her, looking at her social status and family background only. But he had forgotten that diamonds came out from stones.

His Blackberry beeped loudly to signal he had just received an email. It was from Pallavi. Arnav sighed and deleted it even without reading...