'STAR STRUCK'--AN ARHI FF (CHAP 10 UPDTD) - Page 3

"For the love of god!!!!!" shrieked Anjali as she shot up from the couch. Her movement had been so sudden that any on-looker would have thought that she had been electrocuted; but right now, she stood transfixed, watching events unfold on the tiny screen of her I-pad. She stood motionless, holding her breath not able to believe her stroke of good luck as she watched for the entire twenty minute duration of the video that held the key to bringing happiness back into their lives. Then as if she had suddenly been unfrozen, she rushed with breakneck speed, taking two stairs at a time as she ran to her mother's first floor bedroom. She entered into the room and stood by the bed, panting, as her body tried to keep pace with her mind which was currently working with the speed of light.

Kriya looked up from the chest of drawers she'd been cleaning and smiled at the sight of her 25 year old daughter rubbing a stich on her side as she tried to catch her breath. Her eyes shone with excitement, her face glowing with happiness as she looked about to burst if she didn't speak soon, this was the typical "Anjali Bustling With News Spectacle." Anjali went to her mother and gave her a tight hug before dancing in circles around her yelling "I found her!!!!!I found her!!!"

Kriya laughed at her over-excited princess and put a hand on her shoulder making her sit down.

"Calm down beta. Now tell me who have you found??"

"Her mom…I found Khushi!!!"

Kriya stared at her daughter, shocked. How could this be happening now…now after so long. How could her daughter suddenly find the girl that even India's best detectives had been unable to trace. Khushi Kumari Gupta, the whirlwind angel who had entered their lives two years ago, brought untold happiness to them and then, about a year ago, had vanished just as suddenly, leaving behind a trail of sadness….leaving behind Kriya's broken son…her son who had changed so much since he had first met her.

"Are you sure Anjali…I mean we've been trying for the past year and…."

"No mom…I'm sure it's her"

"How did you find her??"

"It was pure fate ma….I was searching for a video on youtube and I made a typo….Iwas just about to restart my search when the first link made me stop. It read "Samantha Daniels in conversation with Khushi Gupta." "

"But beta….can't it be someone else…I mean she isn't the only Khushi Gupta…"

"I know ma….at first even I wasn't ready to accept such a big co-incidence but then I saw the video and it really is her ma…it really is!!!!!!!!"

"Where is she then??"

"She's in Australia Mom, she's the marketing head and creative director of a chat show there."

For the first time in the last six months, Kriya felt a ray of hope. Maybe things could get better, maybe they could get back what they had lost, maybe she could get her Arnav back, may be…..if it was written in their fate…then maybe Arnav and Khushi were meant to be!!

"I'm going to tell Bhai ma" Anjali said as she got up to leave. Kriya placed a hand on her shoulder….

"No beta….I don't think you should tell him…"

Anajli shot a confused look at her mother.

"But Ma…you know how much he misses her…how he is completely broken…"

"I know beta but I don't think we should interfere in this story…after all we don't even know what suddenly happened to make Khushi leave like that…we don't know what your brother did…we don't know what guilt is consuming Arnav and how Khushi feels…."

"So you want me to forget that I know where our happiness is…shut it out and see Bhai pining away everyday?" asked Anjali a little hurt.

"Of course not beta….I'm only saying we handle the situation tactfully…Here is what I think we should do…" Kriya told her daughter what she planned to do and when she finished Anjali had to admit her mom was a genius!!!!!!

Arnav lay on his bed, tears in his eyes. He was remembering all the times they spent together…all the great times when she made him a different man…a happier man…

how she cheered him up when he felt low….

how she understood him he didn't know….

how she made his day with her glow…

how she livened up life when things got slow….

her lovely kisses and her friendly blow….

he missed her more than he even dared to show!!!

He hated himself for hurting her…for being the reason for her pain…for being the jerk to not see what she meant to him…for not seeing that he was nothing without her… for not stopping her when he had a chance…and now he had lost her…his angel…his love…the most amazing girl in the world…he'd lost his happiness…his Khushi!!!!!

He looked out at the glass ceiling looking at the stars she so loved…at the moon she defined as being the most romantic thing…he lay there searching for the only thing that mattered…he searched for her in the night sky.

Song- Talking to the Moon(Bruno Mars)

I know you're somewhere out there

Somewhere far away,

I want you back,

I want you back!!!

My neighbours think I'm crazy,

But they don't understand

You're all I had,

You're all I had!!!

At night when the stars

Light on my room,

I sit by myself

Talking to the moon., Trying to get to you!!!

In hopes you're on the other side,Talking to me too

Oh, am I a fool, who sits alone, Talking to the moon.

STAR STRUCK

PART 5

OKAY GUYS...I'M BACK...HERE'S THE LONGEST UPDATE I'VE WRITTEN TILL DATE...I DON'T THINK I'VE DONE IT FULL JUSTICE BUT I SIMPLY WROTE WHATEVER CAME TO MY MIND...HOPE YOU ALL LIKE IT!!!

HAPPY READING!!!

INDIA

Arnav entered his room…he was tired…it had been a most grueling practice session…but he welcomed such strenuous practices nowadays …after all only when he was tired to his bones was he able to catch some sleep….otherwise he would lay tossing about in his bed all night…restful, peaceful, sleep had evaded him for the past ten months…his guilt was eating him alive….he wanted to make things right but he didn't know how…he was helpless…his mind went to the one time when a girl had cursed him…a curse which had come true to it's words and crumpled up his being.

Arnav entered the party with Aakash…he was greeted by Mr.Singhania at the entrance…

"ASR…so glad you could make it….how are you feeling now??"

"Quite well…why??"

Sameer shot him a weird look…"Aakash told me you were unwell yesterday…"

ASR bit his tongue and looked at Aakash who was motioning him behind Sameer's back and patting his stomach….Asr got the hint…

"Oh ya Sameer…just an upset stomach…nothing to worry about… I'm really sorry I couldn't come for the meeting yesterday.."

"Oh that's ok ASR" said Sameer still looking a little suspicious.

Aakash knew that it was best to change the topic fast …

"Mr.Singhania….I heard that your daughter was here…"

Sameer beamed with fatherly pride…"Ya…my Lavanya just returned from Havard after completeing her MBA….she must be backstage now….some of her friends are in a band and they will be performing tonight…"

Barely had he said this when the emcee called everyone to attention and introduced the band called Potential….it was a two guy two girl band….everyone clapped as they entered the stage…

Arnav, who was quite near the stage, looked at the band members….they were wearing masks…his eyes roamed to the lead singer and his eyes got stuck to her….she was wearing a short black off-shoulder dress which hugged her in all the right places, showing off her beautiful curves… ….he couldn't see her face but all that he saw was enough to get him stuck….her ebony black hair falling carelessly on her bare shoulders and still looking perfect…her pale and perfect skin glowing in the light…her pink luscious lips which she bit in nervousness…her slender hands holding a mike….her petite waist emphasized by a white belt…her sleek long legs that ended with high-heeled white boots ….she was quite an exquisite beauty and Arnav was already lusting for her…he was looking at her face when she saw him and suddenly her entire demenour changed….she slumped and fell back….by now everyone was waiting for the band to begin their performance…she came to the front…

"Before we begin guys…I've something to say…infact a story to tell…"

All eyes were on her now…listening with interest as to what this girl might have to say…

"I had a friend called Neha…she was my bestest friend in the world…we grew up together…we shared everything with each other…she was my support….but I…I lost her yeaterday…and do you know why…Because of ASR!!!!!!!"

There was a murmur in the crowd as all the heads turned towards him…ASR gulped…what was happening…when had he killed a girl…

The girl continued…."ASR and Neha were having an affair…they were dating for two months….he kept telling her that he loved her a lot…and she…she was madly…head over heels in love with him…she never understood the hollowness of his words until it was too late…She came to him excited with the news that she was pregnant with his child…she expected him to be happy and marry her…but alas she was mistaken…he blankly told her that he already had another girlfriend and that he had nothing to do with the baby…he slammed the door on her face…she begged and begged but his stony heart wouldn't melt….yesterday when I came to her house I saw her hanging from the ceiling…yes people…Neha…my Neha…had taken her life because she couldn't bear the shame…My Neha killed herself because of this man here….My Neha is dead and you are the only reason for it Arnav Singh Raizada…." With that the girl succumbed into tears and ran off the stage….her band members followed her and left behind a silent gathering.

Arnav could feel all the eyes on him…he could feel all the angry glares…he could see the hatred and anger lined in all their faces…but there was nothing he could do…what could he say when nothing made sense to him only….he didn't know about any Neha…he had never been in a relationship since he was 22…he was so ultra careful then how could he have made a girl pregnant…had he done something when he was drunk??? ASR left the party and stood outside in the hallway thinking to himself….

Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder…he thought it was aakash

"I'm not in a mood to talk Aakash"

"Waise bhi Mr.Raizada….you never talk…you just bite peoples head off…"

ASR turned around to see the girl who had been on the stage….this time she stood without her mask…this time he could see that it was none other than Khushi Kumari Gupta…

"You….how dare you….and what was all this rubbish that you were saying…"

Khushi looked at him with a smirk…

"How does it feel Mr.Raizada when you are shouted at for no mistake of yours….how doeas it feel when someone embarrases you and you can do nothing but stand silently.."

Arnav was very angry now and drove her against the wall…he held her shoulders tightly and shook her…

"What the hell do you think you were doing…do you know what people would think about me…do you have any idea what harm you have done…you Bi**h…do you even have any brains???"

Khushi's anger rose higher and higher…

"Do you know how it feels when you are removed from a job that you loved because some pea-sized celebrity uses his influence to get you chucked out….Do you know what it feels like when you are shouted at and insulted by a boss whom you have whole-heartedly served for 3 years without chance of a complain….do you know how it feels like to feel helpless and just hear insult after insult being hurled at you because you gave someone what he deserves….no you don't Mr.Arnav Singh Raizada….because you only know how to use your status and get what you want…you and your big fat ego can't understand reality….you just do what you feel like without thinking about others….you feel the world revolves around you….you have never lost anything have you…you've never been hurt Mr. Raizada…I curse you…>ASR…one day…you will lose something you loved more than your life….you'll want it back…you'll suffer and pine…but you won't be able to get it back….I curse you…."With that she pushed him aside and walked away….before turning the corner she yelled…"BTW I'm not as cruel as you…..Sameer uncle declared on the stage that it was just a prank"….with that she disappeared out of his sight leaving him feeling angry as well as a little guilty.

Arnav saw how her words had come true on him…he'd lost the thing he loved the most…he'd lost his Khushi and now he was suffering and try as he might he couldn't get her back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AUSTRALIA

Khushi entered her house and shut the door with a bang, escaping the incessant unseasonal rain in Australia. She looked at the empty house and sighed. This wasn't what she had wanted from life….this wasn't what she had expected for herself….never in her worst nightmares had she thought that she would ever have to face all this in her life. This emptiness, this hollowness, this pain, this darkness which now surrounded every living hour of her life killed her every second, maimed her…left her defenseless and broken. It had been ten months since that day when her world had shattered, when the earth had sunk below her feet, when everything…every happiness…every colour in her life had ceased to exist…leaving only her broken heart behind…leaving behind a pale shadow of what Khushi Kumari Gupta had once been. It seemed God never wanted her happiness…infact she had lost all confidence in her Devi Maiya….what kind of goddess would take away everything from her most devoted worshipper…what kind of goddess would first give her more happiness than she would have imagined and then take it away before she could even realize what was happeneing….no there was no Devi Maiya…no higher being who helped you….there was no one you could depend upon except yourself. It had been so difficult to move here…to show a happy face to everyone…to act like nothing had happened….to put on a fake smile….to hide her tears behind that pretence of being an introvert….to live like a ghost who just ate, slept and worked….she hated her life and she hated the man who had made her life this way….she hated Arnav Singh Raizada….but she hated herself even more….because even after what he had done to her…she still loved him!!!!!

She kept her bag on the couch…she wished there was someone she could cling to and cry…someone into whose arms she could rush and let go of this pretence…Always in her life Khushi had made it a point to have a dog…right from the time she was 18 she had kept a dog…because she had loved dogs…she felt that they were always so dependable and cuddly…they seemed to have some sense of understanding human emotions…thay came and licked you just when you were down…they would do crazy antics to make you laugh….they cuddled into you when you needed warmth…somehow they just understood you….but she couldn't do that anymore….because now every dog reminded her of him….she remembered that day well…

Khushi hadn't slept the whole night after coming back from the party….she had kept on thinking what she was gonna do…where would she get a job…she kept on cursing him for doing this to her….she hated him…that Ba***rd….she had thought the whole night and only in the wee hours of the morning had she fallen asleep…

She woke up suddenly hearing the shrill sound of her phone…she picked it up without seeing the caller ID…

"hello"

"hey Khushi….I need you in the office right now"

"But Karan it's a Sunday and I don't work there anymore"

"What????What do you mean you don't work here anymore??"

Khushi bit her tongue…She had forgotten she hadn't told him…

" I…um…"

But Karan cut her off…"Khushi tell me the story later….right now Papa is in the office and wants to meet you urgently…So come here fast" With that he cut the phone…

Khushi didn't know what to do…why did Mr. Malhotra want to see her again…weren't the insults he had heaped at her yesterday enough…well anyway she would go…she had nothing to loose and if he did shout at her again then she would give him a piece of her mind…arghh…this was all because of that scumbag…ASR….!!

Khushi got dressed and came to the office…Karan was waiting at the entrance and told her to hurry into his dad's cabin….she knocked on the door and entered…

"Welcome miss Gupta….sorry to wake you so early in the morning…"

Khushi was stumped….why was this guy suddenly talking so sweetly to her…

"I sir…um…"

"Well anyway miss Gupta….we have a guest here…Mr.Raizada.."

Khushi looked at the chair which had now turned to face her and saw him sitting their with a smirk on his face…"Hello Ms.Gupta….pleasure to meet you…again"

Khushi's blood boiled listening to his voice…she wanted to break his teeth and wipe the stupid smirk off his face….she decided to ignore him…if not for anything but for her own mental peace because she knew the guy would get onto her nerves and make her angry…

"Sir why have you called me??"

"Well Khushi….Mr. Raizada has decided to forgive you and give you one more chance after your rude behaviour to him yesterday…he says he wants you as his manager….you should be thankful to him young lady…even after everything you did he has the kindness to give you another chance…"

Khushi was speechless…the audacity of this guy…if embarrassing her had not been enough now he was acting like he was doing her a favor by doing something right…something which had been his own fault to begin with…oh the balls on this guy…

"But sir….I…"

"I don't think you are in a position to argue here Ms. Gupta….I suggest you take Mr. Raizada to your cabin and start working…"

Khushi knew she could do nothing else and had to keep her calm if she wanted to save her job….

"Alrigt sir…"She turned to ASR…"If you'd follow me Mr. Raizada…"

She started walking in to her cabin and sat on har seat….taking a few deep breaths to control herself…..she looked up as he entered…

"So Khushi….shall we start working…??"He asked with his traditional smirk…

Khushi just nodded not trusting herself to speak….

They went on working for an hour…neither doing anything to rile the other up….just politely discussing various stratergies…and also making stratergies in their heads as to how to let the other person down…currently both were testing how the waters lay and so did not want to bicker….she was just jotting down some points when he yelped…

"What is it Mr. Raizada??"

"What the hell is that dog doing in the office??"

Khushi looked at the security guard who was moving around in the office with a sniffer dog…

"That's just every Sunday routine Mr. Raizada….we use dogs to make sure there are no hidden camera's or microphone's in the building…after all we don't want our clients information to be leaked…"

The security guard got the dog into Khushi's office….ASR stood up with a jerk…

"I…I'll just be back…"He looked warily at the dog and taking side steps just went out from her office….Khushi couldn't help laughing…The Great ASR was scared of Dogs…amazing…she would definitely use this information…Didn't he say something about showing his goodwill by making him visit some orphanages…well well…Mr.Raizada….I'm gonna do everything to Keep Up your image…And we begin by going to the dog shelter….She smirked and continued her work sure that she would get her revenge tomorrow.

Khushi broke out of her reverie and walked to the window…she could see the raindrops falling on her window sill….she couldn't control any longer….she finally let her guard down and let her tears fall…

Song- What Hurts The Most(Cascada)

I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house,

That Don't Bother me,

I can take a few tears every now and then,

And just let them out….

I'm not afraid to cry…every once…. in a while..

Even though…goin on…with you gone…

Still upsets me!!

There are days…every now and again…

I pretend…I'm okay…

But that's not what get's me…

What hurts the most…

Was being Sooo close…

And having so much to say…

And watching you walk away!!!!!!

Superb update...👏 Loved it when khushi talked abt him infront of everyone...that will teach his ego a big lesson...cant wait to read the next chap..continue soon and thanx for the pm...