Twelve
'You what?' Arnav asked failing to believe her courageous demand, he had just divorced her and she was already asking to work for him?
'I mean, I need to work at AR Designs again Arnav' Khushi apposed helplessly she knew that it was ridiculous at which timing she proposed her demand but she didn't have a choice with this.
'Khushi, we just had a divorce and you didn't even hesitate once, do you think that this is at all appropriate?' Arnav questioned in disbelief, noting just how fast Khushi got over things and by fast it meant 3 minutes and 35 seconds.
'I completely understand the difficulties that... that could occur in this but I need a job so I can proceed my life like it was before. If I'm asking for too much then don't hesitate to let me know I'll look for a job somewhere else' Khushi told, her voice falling towards the end like it always did when she wanted to make someone feel guilty, Arnav sighed hopelessly
'Start on Monday. My office 8am Sharp... Miss Gupta' Arnav stated before he walked out of the room ignorantly, how he urged to call her Mrs. Raizada. Khushi let out a breath and relaxed, although she didn't reciprocate feelings like he had expected, there was no doubt that she observed Arnav's business skills and used them better then he did. Khushi was always very sharp minded, hence her business degree and if Arnav admitted it or not, she was the best project manager he had ever had which was probably why he accepted her request, no way would he let his ex-wife work within the same building as him unless he found an advantage out of it. Little did she know that Arnav hadn't once think about his advantage this time, only her happiness.
--
Arnav walked into his home and found the whole family sitting together in the living room, the prefect opportunity for Arnav to break the news to everyone.
'I'd like to talk to you all' Arnav ordered hesitantly, the family giving him their full attention in an instant.
'Khushi, and... Khushi and me are divorced' Arnav told powerlessly, the room had silenced so well that the movement of a person's breathe could be clearly heard. Being shocked to here what Arnav had just said was way too much of an understatement. Only Anjali was understanding of the situation hence she gave him the most reassuring look she could have managed.
'What the hell Arnav?' NK said breaking the silence, he looked at his brother like he was alien to them.
'Arnav, how could you?' Nani said so broken, Khushi was the perfect daughter-in-law and she was such a beautiful soul that it pained Nani to have her relations broken from her. Arnav sat down on the sofa and explained every detail to the family; how he married Khushi for Lavanya, how he hurt her but then fell for her, how she didn't reciprocate his feeling and how for her happiness he did what she asked for. By the end of Arnav's speech Nani, Mami and once again Anjali were in tears; how Arnav longed for this girl was unreal and unnatural to see in this family by him.
'Arnav beta, I understand your pain but it was only fair on the poor girl' Nani said, much more supportive then she was five minutes ago, Arnav's rollercoaster of a marriage really broke her heart.
'Nani, you say you understand but no one ever understands. Do you know what it feels like to have your parents leave you stranded so ignorantly? And when you thought you'd never be happy again you find the perfect person in your life and they leave you stranded too? Nani, it's way too much for you to "understand" this time.' Arnav brought in painfully
'Arnav, it's not long till you forget about her. Take this as a recovery after a fall in the stock market' Anjali suggested speaking in his business language
'How can I forget about her when she demands to be working as my employee again Di. Yes, you heard right she wants her position in AR designs again and she starts on Monday' Arnav said, a little agitated now
'That's perfect' NK muttered, cooking up plans in his head, Arnav shot him a confused look
'Excuse me?' Arnav wondered questioningly
'Arnav, let me tell you straight she is our one and only Bhabi and we wouldn't accept anyone else. Her working at AR is the perfect opportunity for you, fate is merely telling you that it's your chance to win her back. Make your love defeat the mistakes that stood as a barrier between you' NK lectured, almost everyone's face lit up at the fact that he for once had a good plan plotting in that handsome head of his.
'Nice to see you come up with something half decent' Akash joked, NK shot him a glare
'He's right Arnav, maybe her working for you isn't such a bad thing' Anjali proposed hoping her brother wasn't as disheartened now
Arnav was instantly satisfied at what his family had told him. He smirked,
'I would never break NK's and Akash's heart by giving you guys a new Bhabi, after all I always listened to my brothers don't I?' Arnav said sarcastically
'Shut Up' NK laughed,
--
'WHAT?' Garima screamed before she smacked Khushi hard across her face
'Garima how dare you hit my daughter! Don't you see why she did this? That man would of stopped any money coming into our house she was vulnerable! You should thank her for saving you from starving to death!' Shashi lectured, Khushi held her red cheek and began to sob, her father instantly hugging her. Garima calmed down a little after taking in what Shashi had said.
'Who's going to marry you now Khushi, you've been DIVORCED, do you even know how big of a deal that is' Garima said, hurt at how badly this was going to affect Khushi later on.
'Amma, I'm going to work and that is my main priority right now, but as for marriage I'll only marry a man who will accept my past and I'm sure one day, someone will' Khushi said before she walked to her bedroom. Garima shook her head in negative
'Our daughter is 22, she is old enough to understand what she wants in life. Khushi has always been mature and I know she did this with a good reason. Have faith in her.' Shashi explained calmly, Garima nodded and wept away her tears, she had to trust her daughter on this one.
--
Akash, NK and Arnav arrived at AR designs early Monday morning like they always did. They would usually head to their offices, which were all in separate wings but this time they all walked up to Arnav's cabin.
'What's the plan Arnav?' NK asked planting himself on the comfy couch in Arnav's office.
'NK you are the only one out of us who doesn't have a project manager because we always join our projects and do them together. I want Khushi to be your project manager rather then mine' Arnav explained, NK nodded approvingly
'How does that work though?' Akash wondered in confusion of how Arnav would get close to her then
'Leave it to me' Arnav said, Both brothers nodded and left for their office, Khushi would be at AR any minute.
'Im here for another round of work Sarah,' Khushi told the assistant who she very well knew from the last time she was here.
'Of course Khushi, you know where to go' Sarah beamed, Khushi smiled back and walked off to Arnav's cabin, her payal's ringing, alerting him that she had arrived.
'Sir?' Khushi called, knocking before peeping through the door, Arnav turned around to face her, he had gone from Arnav to Sir already? His heart sank completely
'Sir already?' Arnav couldn't help but ask, Khushi sighed
'You are my boss now, not my husband' Khushi mumbled loud enough for him to hear
'I'm neither actually' Arnav corrected, Khushi's eyes widened as her gaze rose to his much serious face.
'What do you mean?' She asked bewildered
'You're going to be NK's project manager, not mine' Arnav told her, Khushi relaxed as she thought he meant she wasn't getting the job, but still a little glum, why couldn't she work for him?
'His office is in the second wing, it's the big cabin quite much like mine' Arnav said dismissively, Khushi understood his ignorance and left the room, Arnav not giving her a second glance.
--
'Sir?' Khushi repeated walking into NK's office this time. He instantly drew his attention to her, although he remained quiet he hated the fact she called him Sir it sounded so wrong.
'Khus-' NK stopped halfway, not wanting to call her by her name, it was disrespectful especially if he had already called her Bhabi, hence why he went formal "Miss Gupta, take a seat'
'Miss Gupta, you are my project manager from today on, you must already know that I hadn't appointed this position because I would constantly join with either Akash and Arnav for extra support. There have been minor changes and from now I'm going to face dealing with my clients independently, this is where you step in. As my project manager you will along side me be assisting and making contracts with clients' NK explained, no matter how distant he remained it was extremely awkward treating his ex/future Bhabi like a employee.
'Sure Sir' Khushi said, not very enthusiastic as her entry was. NK knew exactly why that was.
'I'll give you today to settle into your office as my next client is tomorrow. You can involve yourself in the meeting and take notes, then I'll hand the clients over to you for any further developments like Runway's, hard copy designs, etcetera' NK told her, Khushi nodded and began to leave
'Wait, I haven't appointed a room to you yet' NK said confused
'Cant I have the office I had before?' Khushi asked, NK smiled at how that was the nearest office to Arnav's, a playful smile appeared on his face.
'Sorry Miss Gupta, during your... absence that office was appointed to someone else' NK lied 'You're going to have to take the office on ground floor in the storage alley, that's the only one we have left'
Khushi gulped, the storage corridor was a very dodgy place but she had no choice, she simply nodded took her things and left. Khushi walked to the door in the very cramped, dark corridor and opened it. She walked in and flicked the lights open and surprisingly found the office was very well built with all the equipment neatly put in place. The large desk sat beautifully with an unused computer sitting on top of it. The walls were painted a very creamy light yellowy color. There were comfy beanbags in the corner next to a side table with a reading lamp on it. Khushi instantly fell in love with it. The office was so cozy and likeable that Khushi was so glad she moved to NK's wing, his designing and furbishing was all the more welcoming. Khushi instantly settled down and turned to the large shelf case so begin to order her files.
'All done' NK said walking into Arnav's office, he smiled
'What office is she in?' Arnav asked eagerly
'Oh, the one that I built very recently, or as you call it the colorful one?' NK told
'And did you tell her the shelf case hasn't been drilled against the wall yet because it was still under construction?' Arnav asked hesitantly, almost scared
'it.. its not drilled against the wall?' NK asked confused, Arnav's expression instantly became raged
'ARE YOU DUMB! THE SHELVES CAN FALL AND CRUSH HER EVEN IF SHE TOUCHES THEM!' Arnav barked before he sprinted out of the room and down towards the office, NK gulped in guilt.
Khushi continued to put the heavy files on the top shelves whilst standing on a stool, all of a sudden she began to hear a rumbling noise and before she knew it the case was falling forward. All in the same moment Arnav flashed into the room and pulled Khushi towards him as he spun her to the other side, the sharp end of the shelf cutting his hand in the process. With a large bang the tall case was on the floor probably broken. Khushi clung onto Arnav, her arms still wrapped around her neck as he held her close like in embrace, both breathing heavy. Arnav pulled back harshly and eyed her most angrily
'ARE YOU STUPID? DO YOU PLAN ON KILLING YOURSELF?' Arnav shouted, Khushi opened her mouth to speak but her jaw dropped as she saw the blood pouring unlimitedly out of Arnav's hand.
'Ar-Arnav are you okay!' Khushi cried, almost in tears seeing how badly he had been cut, calling him sir didn't come to mind at that point. She brought her hands around his hand pulling it towards him. Arnav stiffened and instantly pulled his hand back, Khushi looked at him questioningly
'Arnav your hurt!' Khushi stated, Arnav looked at her before he left the room silently, his ignorance eating her up so badly
Arnav was lost in thought as he walked back to his office completely ignorant of his deep cut that continued to bleed. He knew if he kept away from her, she'd question herself, as much as he hated doing this it might just work.
'Is she okay?' NK asked as soon as Arnav walked into the cabin
'She's fine, just move her to your joint cabin' Arnav said not meeting his gaze
'Arnav but tha-'
'Just do it NK' Arnav said a little louder this time, NK nodded and left the room to break the news to Khushi.
--
'Then why doesn't he come and tell me that himself?' Khushi questioned NK
'Arnav's just not in a good mood, I suggest you just leave him alone' NK said truthfully, Khushi nodded miserably and walked with NK to the joint cabin. Why did Arnav hate her all of a sudden? Whatever it was, she didn't like it.
'Arnav what are you doing? Why are you making this difficult? Cant we work together normally?' Khushi asked barging into Arnav's office
'I am working normally thanks' Arnav said bitterly
'No you're not, your being so cruel and I don't like it' Khushi admitted
'Just because i'm not giving you special attention and i've stopped treating you like a wife doesn't make me cruel Khushi, it makes you less important to me. And thats what you wanted isn't it?' Arnav told her, Khushi knew he was right but she hated it, she was no longer in the soft part of his heart and he had pushed her out completely only to be greeted my his coldness again. Khushi left the room silently questioning what she really wanted.
--
'Miss Gupta, I must say that was a remarkable performance from you. You did exactly what the clients required if not more. They were one of the biggest deals for AR Designs in a long time. I got a call from them and they said they were very pleased by your welcoming aura.' NK said proudly
'Thank You Sir, I did my best this week' Khushi explained confidently
'Great, well he said to definitely bring you along to the after party with Arnav, Akash and I, its formal wear so go western' NK advised happily
'Of course Sir' Khushi replied
'Oh and Miss Gupta, it's a classy party so all three of us are taking dates, you should to' NK proposed, Khushi's eyebrow shot up as she crossed her arms
'All three of you?'
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Part Thirteen: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/69046906
Thank You for reading; woah 8 pages long chapter :O
Anyways I have decided to turn this into a FF rather then a OS so it'll be longer, (:
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