Upd!SS:Love in Delhi University#2:CHP19:Pg135 - Page 53

"If we get this contract, we'll be going international" announced Arnav to Akash and Khushi one fine morning. They were seated at the other side of the table as Arnav revealed his new plan to them. Mr. Moseby's (Michelle's father) company had collaborated with the international brand "Ralph Lauren" and they were looking out to channelize some project of theirs in India through companies under them.

"..but Bhai! We're up against India's top 5 companies. What are the odds of us getting it? We're just up and starting" reasoned Akash, who took pride in being the cool and calm one in the trio. "What's the harm if we try?" spoke up Khushi as she saw deathly glares flash in Arnav's tiger eyes and tried to cover up. A squabble between the two was the last thing she wanted to sort right in the morning. Akash deciphered the underlying message and shut up and just nodded in return. Arnav, being a shrewd man as he was, looked through the exchange that happened between his two colleagues but did not speak up. If they did not believe in him, he didn't want to force it on them.

The conversation changed its course and Akash and Khushi delved into the on-going projects but Arnav held his ground. Knowing that Akash and Khushi were able enough to take care of projects under their belts, his mind was working out ways to get the 'Ralph Lauren' under his wings. As the other two trudged out of his cabin, Arnav eyed them cautiously and debated something inside. "It would be better to keep it to himself" he decided.

They had started out small but had started to grow in leaps and bounds, courtesy Arnav's strong determination and set vision. Hard work and transparency were his key virtues and manipulation of data was his art. His company had grown but this contract would give him the break that he was looking out for. With the tag of 'Ralph Lauren' under their belt, their company would finally get to soar in the winds that Arnav wanted to taste for so long.

The minute the two were out of sight, Arnav set to work, paying absolutely no heed to whatever came thereafter. Khushi's faltering faith had pinched him a bit but he decided to overlook it. He couldn't blame her either. It did sound nave to try for such a huge thing at such a tender stage but Arnav had a point to prove to the world and for that he was willing to try his best. Even if he didn't get it, he would never look back and wish that he'd at the least tried. Confirming the idea in his mind, he set to work that very hour.

As months passed, Akash and Khushi realized Arnav was too set and lost in his own work that he'd started neglecting the present situations. Akash and Arnav had got into quite some tiffs but Khushi had always managed to set them off at the right time. As for Khushi, she felt herself getting pushed farther and farther away from Arnav. It was almost like they weren't on the same page anymore. When Khushi tried talking it out, Arnav got volatile. "I'm pushing you away?" he asked furiously. "You're the one who doesn't believe in me!" he almost screamed. "Arnav Ji! Ap galat soch rahein hain! Main buss ye kehne ki koshish kar rahin hoon ki hum utne influential nehin hain abhi tak ki humein Ralph Lauren ka contract mil jay!" she tried to reason but Arnav had just tossed her hand, which was on his shoulder, away and walked out of the secluded board room where they were talking. (Arnav Ji, you're getting it wrong. All I'm trying to say is that we're not powerful or influential enough to get Ralph Lauren's contract.)

Deeply hurt by such a reaction, Khushi had gone to meet Arnav's Nani, who now resided with her son and daughter-in-law in West Delhi. Her knees had given away to age and thus she was now permanently on wheel-chair but that never affected the cheerful aura around her. Arnav and Khushi would often go to meet her but when Khushi came to meet her all by herself, Devyani Singh Raizada realized that something had gone wrong in the equation.

When Khushi put her head on her knees and reiterated whatever had happened accompanied with painful sobs, the olderly lady gently caressed her hair and patiently listened to all her whining. As Khshu looked up to her, teary eyed and asking for answers, all that Nani said was "Mujhe ye sab office ke baatien samajh mein nehi aati par jitna bhi samajh aya hain, main buss itna hee keh sakta hoon ki mera Chottey jaldbaazi mein kabhi koi phaisa nehi lewat hain. Woh jo bhi kar rahein hain, kuch soch samajh ke kar rahein honge. Agar apko yeh galat lag raha hain, phir bhi apko usay ye karne dena hoga taki woh apna galti khud samajh paayein" (I don't understand such office stuff but from whatever I could figure out, all I can say is that I've never seen Chotte take a decision on impulse. He must've given a thought to whatever he's doing. If you think it's a wrong step, even then you'll have to let him go ahead with it so that he can figure out where he has gone wrong and can make amends for later)

Nani's words had left her pondering for a couple of weeks after that. She discussed it with Akash and decided to let Arnav be and support him in his venture. As the two went up to his cabin and voiced their thoughts, Arnav treated them with scepticism initially but as he saw that they were actually taking interest in his idea, he began to thaw. As revealed more and more of his plan, Akash and Khushi were awed at his every step. Arnav had supposedly hired a very specialized team under him and he worked as the core. Every little detailing and intricate knowledge was provided by Arnav making it flawless like all his other works were. It took the two over a week to understand all that was going on in Arnav's head and when they finally did, they accepted their defeat.

"I'm sorry, Bhai. I should've supported you the very first time. We're all in this together. We're all by your side" spoke up Akash as the meeting of the trio in the boardroom ended. As the two brothers-from-another-mother reconciled, Khushi watched as a silent spectator. Once Akash was out, Arnav turned and eyed Khushi. "And what do we do with you?" asked Arnav menacingly, as naughty glints played in his eyes. Khushi looked up startled and as the hidden meaning unlocked itself from his sugarcoated words, Khushi's cheeks blushed up frivolously. Her feet automatically started retreating as Arnav started taking his dominating steps forward. What followed thereafter had left them both panting and satiated after months.

~

8 months later

Arnav looked at the file before him with awe. Akash and Khushi looked at Arnav, sitting on the other side of the table, with raised eyebrows. They were summoned to his cabin when the PA delivered the file to Arnav. Akash and Khushi kept waiting for Arnav to break the silence but nothing happened. Only sounds of heartbeats filled the solemn air. "Arnav Ji? Sab theek toh hain na?" (Is everything alright, Arnav Ji?) Khushi asked tentatively. Bad images had started playing in Akash and Khushi's mind due to Arnav's prolonged silence. "Bhai! Say something!!!" urged Akash. Worry lines had started to creep up both their eyebrows.

After what seemed like hours to the waiting duo, Arnav finally raised his eyes to meet their piercing ones. "Ralph Lauren" he muttered so softly that Akash and Khushi had to lean in to figure out what he had said. No one said a word as they feared the worst. When Arnav didn't say anything further, Akash slumped back on his chair dejectedly and Khushi covered her face in her palms. It seemed like their dreams had faltered.

"We got the deal" said Arnav, a little louder than the last time. Akash and Khushi's eyes flew open and "What?!" they screamed out at the same time. "We got the deal! WE'RE GOING INTERNATIONAL!!!!!!" Arnav's voice boomed cheerfully in the cabin as he got up from his chair to embrace in his colleagues. Their chances of getting this contract were trivial yet they didn't give up. Arnav, Akash and Khushi had worked day in and out to accomplish their dream and today they had their reward in their hand. 8 months of hard work and turmoil had borne fruit today.

"Arnav Ji!!!!" squealed Khushi out of happiness, exasperation, anger, all at the same point. Akash slumped back again but this time, sighing out of relief. Khushi, clad in a simple mauve and white churidaar, rushed over to the other side and jumped up to hug him in excitement and kissed Arnav on the cheek. Akash's face had broken into a huge grin. "This calls for a massive party!" he announced. On hearing that, Khushi's grip around Arnav loosened but Arnav took her elbows and held her in place, not allowing her to budge an inch from her place. Finally, things were falling into place. He hugged her in, tightly and inhaled her soft smell; the smell that kept him on the ground. There was no other place he would rather be at the moment than in Khushi's arms to celebrate this joyous moment of his life. They stayed like that until Akash finally had to cough to bring them back to Earth.

"We need to break this news to the others!" Arnav spoke from his position. Nodding in agreement, all three of them walked towards the cabin door. They descended down the stairs majestically and called for an informal meeting ASAP. It wasn't even five minutes before everyone scurried in for the meet. Everyone waited with abated breaths as informal meets were generally called to announce something of the extreme emotions. They watched the trio before with anticipation.

Arnav stood in the centre and Akash and Khushi flanked beside him and all of them had a grim expression on their faces. The employees started exchanging worried looks amongst themselves. Whispers started leaking into the air, guessing about what could've happened. "Shayad ASR ko pata chal gaya hoga ki maine naya wala photocopy machine kharab kar diya hai" complained a nerdy newbie in the crowd, tad bit too loudly. (Maybe ASR has guessed it was me who wrecked the new photocopy machine) Arnav, Khushi and Akash looked at him with cocked eyebrows, trying to stifle the laughter bubbling inside them.

"OK, everyone. I've got news. I don't know how I should break this to you and I have no idea how all of you are going to take it" announced Arnav with a straight face, mocking importance. Akash managed to keep one too but Khushi looked down, trying to hide her spilling infectious laughter. Everyone's expression had turned forlorn. "She's crying" someone pointed at Khushi from the crowd. Khushi started shaking vehemently at that comment. Before anyone could react any further, Arnav continued "There's something everyone here should know"

"We.."

"Analk Designs.."

"have bagged.."

"THE RALPH LAUREN CONTRACT!!!!!!!!" all three of them announced in unison loudly.

The entire house broke into a huge celebration. Every differences were kept aside for the day as everyone hugged each other, rejoicing their success. The hierarchy was long forgotten as the head trio was pulled into the crowd and embraced like the next person in the room but even then Arnav's eyes didn't leave Khushi. When he saw Khushi being pulled to the other side, Arnav cleared his throat. The poor employee, who was hugging him, lost in the heat of the moment, stepped back startled and embarrassed. He turned away and hugged the next person he came in contact.

It would be before long that their company would now rise in their stature very quickly and Arnav would be able get back at Malik with all his might. The very thought of being able to beat Malik cheered him up for a second but as Khushi's reaction to the party came back to him, he stiffened. He knew she couldn't make due to her Buaji. He was getting tired of their little cat and mouse chase and it was time to put his foot down. They weren't in college anymore for God's sake.

Arnav cut through the crowd and walked over to the other side of the room and grabbed Khushi by her arm. Khushi, who was busy talking to someone, looked up with startled eyes but understood his motives when she read his eyes. Nodding in acknowledgement, she turned back to the lady and bid her goodbye before she walked out of the office with Arnav, knowing it was time to sort themselves out.

~

CHAPTER 17, Pg 102: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/74042239