SS :A Night in the Rain:ArHi-Part 4b pg 43 updt - Page 17

"If you go away with him...will you not come to see me?"

"I am not going anywhere"

"Yes...party was nice..."

"You danced with dad ?"

"Yes"

"And with him..."

"Khushi can I see him once"

"No

"Please...

"It's not simple...you know that"

"I know...ok some other time...I like watching these ripples..."

"Me too"

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"Sir, there is a confusion -- we are not able to get the stall allocated to us"

"What the...what are you saying...in an hour we start..."

"There was some miscommunication with our booking team back in Mumbai -- and instead of stall they have just allocated us part of the platform near the stage and that's too small for our requirement."

"So sort it out -- what are you telling me -- pay more money -- get what we need"

We tried that -- but organisers are not budging --the bookings are full --all international delegates and their stalls - nothing can be done at the last moment -- we spoke to their Events Head already. Only suggestion if the Hotel MD agrees to compromise the plan -- and we thought it's the best you talk to him.

"Put me through -- "

"Sir, his offices are just couple of floor down - I fixed an appointment in next 10mins for you - in person,if you could.."

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ASR, impressed by the oak-wood decor office, studied the man sitting opposite...and then his eyes went back slowly to the object he has been looking at last few minutes...

"I understand Mr Raizada...there were some miscommunication'but the stalls are all occupied now. Last minute changes not possible."

Shantanu knew those fiery, restless eyes were taking in only the photo frame kept at his desk- smiling Khushi and Anshu hugging her - a vibrant image and at the spur, he had captured the moment few months back...

Without shifting his gaze,ASR said firmly -

"What I set my eyes on, I get that ! Mr Ray, no issues ,I'll go with my space allotted but if I recollect the floor plan , the way to main ramp displaying the merchandise is via the front desk of my space - well, I am putting out my mannequins there...you see I need to adjust in the space we have now...but am sorry, it will block the way to the stage...he paused and then stressed..."hope you all can adjust with any alternative'."

Shantanu studied him -he was a man on mission and he also knew the answer '"there was no alternative" in this case...not even the other.

"Well, Mr Raizada...let me see what I can do..you can take the stall that you initially applied for. I'll talk to the delegates setting their shop there..we sure can work it out.

ASR stood up . "Thanks Mr Ray, will see you around."

As he shook hands, Shantanu was calculating ..."how soon will that be''..they all were running out of time - he, Khushi, Arnav..and Anshu too.

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Noise of applause still followed outside the hall, International buyers had loved their line. Media too impressed by their stellar presentation and expansion plans were crowding in for press bytes...With just a word to his manager, he had silently left the hall and walked down the corridors. A bell boy had told him she was in the hotel and had gone up to the office floor...

He walked down the passage -- up the elevators -- counting each moment -- and scratches of a year back memories thronging his heart -- the applause and the smells of the hotel had knocked his heart - Khushi smiling with that kid...Wasn't it that day too -he was looking for this smile on her face - the day when he had erased the careless laughter of hers...which he so missed -- in his nights of darknes...- that evening too there was ab applause that had filled the hall, when AR was announced at the best Business house in the capital - there had been a fashion show hosted by AR to grace the announcement -- it was a proud moment...

He had stormed after her - running down the corridor to catch up with her...he had pulled her arms -that time he was mad at her .

"Khushi, stop making a scene- press is there...you know how important is this for me..all the guests at the table...why did you come away like this" , he pushed hard at the retaliation...

"You carry on...I was wrong to come here in the first place."

" Okay...Khushi...take it easy...relax."

He tried to reason...people were watching...he sensed...

"Arnav ji, your special guest must be waiting for you inside. Go back !"

"Khushi, you doubting me ? You know there is nothing.." ...the tension between them crowded the corridor...

"I am not doubting you and I know you very well..but I also know better than that at this stage I scare your space...you are claustrophobic around me.Arnav ji, she or the people at the party soothe your nerves...no fear of a baby.."

He had it then...he took her hand...and started walking towards the car -- twisting her wrist with the frustration and lashing the words between gritted teeth...

'You know how important is this baby for me Khushi...you know that..yes it scares me...yes, being around you right now makes me run away -not because I don't want the baby.. only because I don't want to lose you.you know my fears very well.."

She pulled her hand back with force and returned his gaze of fire with the same intense .

He remembered the drizzle and the sounds of rain on the windshield later... the shriek and the silence.

She stood there..at the end of the corridor...long, narrow...heritage corridor...vintage Kolkata black and white images adorned the walls..he slowly started walking towards her...the passage was dimly lit..the lights from the bay window streamed in faintly through the blinds...

His profound, slow walk towards her brought the memories of an Anniversary night, when he had flown her down for a surprise to a royal haveli in Jaipur...that night when at first how they had engaged each other in the passion... her running down the corridors in bare feet, trying to give him a hard time at finding her in the maze of pillars...the sounds of her paayal breaking the silence and he calmly walking down to her and finding her behind a pillar and grabbing her by the waist and kisses on the neck, "don't you ever try run away from me ' I will always find you'."

A tear rolled down her eyes as Arnav came and stood in front of her then..the lights of the window now on his face...capturing the moistness in his eyes.

"Khushi..."

"Are grown-ups always this complicated Khushi''.Anshu's words echoed as her hands ached to trace the curves of Arnav's face...touch his heart...as her tears kept trickling down...

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcISQgbH5XU[/YOUTUBE]