Chapter 45
Arnav cocked his head 'I have a suggestion, but we'll only do it if you feel comfortable with it ok...' he said as he pulled her closer, his arms tightening around her waist. Khushi nodded, and he continued 'Khushi I want you to meet my Nani... will you come with me?' he asked quietly, but almost hesitantly as he closely watched her face for her reactions.
Meet his Nani? Khushi swallowed as she processed his request, instantly feeling the nervousness returning and her heart beat began accelerating. She recalled him fearlessly meeting her family and talking to her parents. Not just once or twice, but on three different occasions. He had been completely honest and brave with her father never leaving her in the lurch to make the explanations, always taking care of her. No Khushi decided...she could do this. She could be just as brave as he was.
She nodded.
'Yes' she said quietly.
Arnav smiled as he pulled her close to him.
'You don't have anything to be afraid of Khushi, it's just Nani today. Everyone else is out of town, so relax...plus I think you'll like Nani... and if nothing else...you both seem to have a direct line to your Devi Maiya' he said with a chuckle as he stroked her back in an aim to calm her down. It seemed to be working as he saw a smile appear on her face.
Arnav pulled back 'Let's go' he said.
Khushi picked up her bag while Arnav collected his phone and keys. They walked out of the penthouse together, hand in hand. As they headed towards the lift, Khushi could help but steal a glance at his profile and admire him.
Arnav felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He stopped them as he answered it.
Khushi watched Arnav as he spoke and she instantly noticed his calm face transforming into ASR's steely profile as he curtly spoke to the person on the other line. Something important must have come up she thought.
Arnav turned, 'Khushi, we need to stop at my office for a few minutes. There's something I need to sort out,' he said. Khushi nodded as she wondered what the problem was. As they stepped into the elevator, Arnav looked at the woman standing by his side; he could see the question in her eyes, but she hadn't asked...she had instead followed him quietly. He couldn't help but tuck the stray strand of hair back behind her ear. This had to be done.
The elevator chimed as they arrived at the Executive floor. The doors slid open to reveal a very smartly dressed young woman wearing a designer two piece black business suit, complete with pearl jewellery and a french manicure, her hair in a sleek French twist. She was seated on the couch outside Arnav's office, her fingers expertly sliding across her I-pad as she spoke into her mobile issuing curt instructions to whoever was listening on the other end.
The woman terminated her call when she saw ASR and she stood up. Nandini Thakur Singh was AR Corp's Corporate Media Liaison Manager and it was her job was to make sure AR was always visible all the right print and electronic media platforms at the right time. Needless to say; ASR's little impromptu announcement in the States has made her job a tad difficult especially when ASR hadn't bothered giving her a head's up before he actually said anything.
As Nandini watched ASR emerge from the lift, she noticed the young woman by his side and she wondered if this was the woman whose identity the media was desperately trying to uncover. Just as quickly as the thought appeared Nandini discarded it with clinical precision; this girl was too simple and too middle class looking to be ASR's woman. Nandini knew that ASR liked his women classy, polished and with meticulous style. Like Her.
No this woman must be some admin person, Nandini decided.
ASR nodded his head by way of greeting as he approached her, 'Nandini, come into my office. I've got a prior engagement, so make this quick' he said his tone clearly indicating this request for a meeting was inconveniencing him.
Nandini picked up her belongings and followed ASR and the unidentified woman into his office. Perhaps she was here to take notes, mused Nandini.
Khushi followed Arnav, although she had no idea what was going on, Khushi knew who Nandini Thakur Singh was. Having said that, despite having met Ms Thakur before, Khushi strongly doubted Ms Thakur would remember her being Arnav's PA - she clearly didn't place any importance on people like Khushi.
Arnav took a seat in his meeting space and motioned for Khushi to sit down next to him, which she silently did as Arnav crossed one leg over the other.
'Nandini, this is Khushi... Khushi you remember Nandini right?' Arnav said by way of introduction. He knew how Nandini operated and he deliberately chose not to identify his relationship to Khushi.
Nandini looked as Khushi and then back at Arnav... 'ASR I understand that its late and this is an impromptu meeting on my part, but I think it's important that we develop a clear line of communication on this... this recent matter' she said.
Arnav's eyes narrowed as he looked at Nandini, 'go ahead' he instructed.
'ASR the media furore around your announcement isn't subsiding; certainly not in India as least... everyone wants a statement from you and more than that... they want to who this mysterious woman is,' and so do I thought Nandini as she continued 'I think you need to release a media statement. I have therefore prepared some drafts for you to look at and we can work on the one you prefer...'
Arnav uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, his eyes narrowing and his brow furrowed.
'No' he said softly.
Khushi could see the beginning of irritation in his eyes. She sighed to herself, first mistake Ms Thakur - no one tells Arnav Singh Raizada what to do she thought to herself.
'What do you mean no ASR, you can't go and drop a bombshell like this on international television and not expect questions?! Come on ASR you know your impact on the news and now you need to talk or else they won't stop hounding us...besides what do you have to hide, I'm sure the lady in question is perfect...beautiful, stunning and everything else that the world expects Arnav Singh Raizada's partner to be isn't she...?' asked a slightly smug Nandini before thinking about the consequences of questioning ASR.
Khushi's breath caught as she sensed a shift in his energy, she watched as his eyes narrowed further and his jaw clenched as he tried to maintain his temper and tone. Oh oh Devi Maiya...
'Which part of NO is difficult for you to comprehend Nandini?' he asked in a deadly quiet voice.
Nandini knew in an instant that she had overstepped the mark when Arnav began speaking in a cold calculated voice.
'Nandini let's get this clear... last time I checked, I possessed the same civil liberties like any citizen of this country i.e. freedom of speech. I gave a media interview and I said all I wanted to in that. As far hiding anything is concerned, my... no our personal relationship is exactly that. Personal. I'm NOT issuing any further statements Nandini. Second, I don't give a f*ck about the world or its expectations... and third and most important - She is PERFECT to me!' he said decisively as he looked straight into Khushi's eyes.
Nandini Thakur Singh possessed enough manners not to gasp loudly as she quickly worked out that the 'our relationship' Arnav was referring to indeed included Khushi Kumari Gupta - so she was the girl ASR was seeing!
Arnav knew that Nandini was smart enough to work out the silent meaning in his message herself. Nevertheless, one thing still remained.
'As CEO of this organisation, I trust that I don't need to explain the sensitivity and confidentiality around this matter to you Nandini. Do what it takes to distract the media now! Call your contacts and get them to move from this story. I do not want any further coverage. We'll make future announcements when we are ready to and not when they want us to. I DO NOT want Khushi getting caught up in the media circus under any circumstance. Am I clear on that?' he ordered in a calm, authoritative voice.
Both women in the room looked a little shocked.
Hey Devi Maiya, what announcements was Arnav talking around wondered Khushi as she stole a quick glance at him.
Meanwhile Nandini was busy wondering what had gotten into the usually balanced and calculated ASR that she knew.; he had never been so brutally protective about any woman before she thought with a stab of jealousy. Certainly not with her...
'I think we're done with this discussion Nandini' said Arnav as he stood up. His steely tone and demeanour clearly indicating that his meeting was over whether Nandini Thakur Singh liked it or not. She nodded as stood up.
'Leave it with me ASR, I'll get this sorted out,' she said quietly as she turned to Khushi 'It was... ahh...nice to meet you Ms Gupta...again,' she said as she bid them goodbye, her eyes drafting back and forth between Arnav and Khushi as if she was trying to convince herself that they were indeed a couple. As Khushi watched Nandini closely, she was sure she saw something in her eyes... was it jealously wondered Khushi as she watched Nandini disappear into the elevator.
'Khushi...' she heard his voice break into her thoughts.
Khushi looked up at Arnav, her female intuition on high alert. There was something odd about Ms Thakur she decided as she stood up.
Arnav watched Khushi as realised that perhaps the conversation with Nandini had unnerved her - after all she wasn't used this level of aggravation in meetings he thought.
'Khushi, are you ok?' he asked.
Khushi turned to face Arnav, his face was relaxed and she could see concern reflecting in his eyes. She nodded, relieved that ASR was gone and her Arnav was back.
'I'm fine Arnav... but Ms Thakur didn't look that happy as she left...' she said her voice trailing off.
Arnav shook his head 'Don't worry about her Khushi, she'll be fine - she's got a thick skin and she's used to dealing with people like me...which is why she has this job.' he said.
Khushi cocked her head 'So you've worked with her for a long time then...' she asked. Khushi knew she was prying but she couldn't help it - there was something about that Ms Thakhur that had her on the back foot and for some reason Khushi was feeling defensive, though she wasn't sure what about. Maybe it was the way she has been looking Arnav...
Arnav turned around and faced Khushi as he stood directly in front of her 'Khushi... I've known Nandini for a few years now. She used to work for a rival firm and we head-hunted her into AR... I also dated her briefly,' he said quietly.
I knew it - see I told you there was more to this story!! whispered the voice in her head. Khushi knew that Arnav clearly had a history, he had said so himself but she wasn't expecting to face anyone from that history...and certainly not so soon. Urrghh Devi Maiya...she didn't like this feeling she thought as her fingers curled into her palms. Now she knew exactly why she felt defensive - that woman had been eying Arnav and probably wondering how Khushi had got him and not her! Khushi hadn't ever felt like this and wasn't sure how to process these emotions.
Arnav watched Khushi closely but she was clearly guarding her expressions. Her hands however gave her thoughts away when he mentioned dating Nandini. Arnav bit his bottom lip as he tried not to smile - that was it... Khushi Kumari Gupta was jealous!
Arnav placed one hand against her cheek as he spoke softly 'Khushi... I'm not going to hide anything from you and if you ever have any questions about...me or my history...then feel free to ask...now or later' he said.
Khushi's head shot up 'I don't have any questions - in any case it's the past, it doesn't matter anymore' she stated as she tried very hard to sound unbothered and absolutely confident.
'It is the past Khushi...but I don't want it to bother you...'
'It doesn't bother me and... and I don't care about it Arnav'
'You sure Khushi...?'
Khushi clutched the lapels of Arnav's jacket and pulled him to her, ' Arnav I don't care about what you did before you met me, but now... well from now onwards you are MINE Arnav Singh Raizada... and I am NEVER EVER going to share you with anyone so you can tell Ms Thakhur to publish that fact in the news!' she hissed as her eyes blazed with an attractive mix of jealous and angry that really turned him on.
His tigress was back and was defending what was hers. It thrilled him to hear her claim him as hers and be confident in staking that claim. It was about bloody time! Arnav chuckled as he placed his arms around her waist and pulled her closer until their upper bodies collided.
'Khushi... say it again...' he whispered leaning his forehead against hers.
'What... that you are mine?'
'No... what you said upstairs...'
Khushi smiled.
'I love you...' she whispered 'I love you AND you're mine!'
Arnav had to smile; he didn't think he'd ever get tired of hearing her say it.
'Khushi... let's get out of here... I want to take you home...now' he whispered against her forehead.
Hello my darlings
First a big thank you for your comments and support - I cant tell you just how much your words encourage me to keep writing even when I think I've had enough and think that its time to end this story.
Now, whats the point of this chapter... well from the day that Arnav told Khushi that he wants her, he staked him claim on her and set out to get her. And whats more he's never doubted himself once the decision was made. Khushi in the meantime has struggled...struggled with the concept the someone like ASR would pursue her, struggled with him actually pursueing her, struggled with admiting her love... But now I wanted her to blatantly claim Arnav hers without struggling and without a second thought. I felt that it was importantly for this transition to take place before other events take place...
Over to you for comments !
Naina😳
Edited by warriorprincess - 12 years ago
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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