IIT meets DU - Removed * Note on Page 105 * - Page 31

With her high heeled stilettos clicking faintly on the marbled floors Khushi strode towards her father's office with a confident gait and a little smile on her lips. She deserved that smile.

Raizada's had swept the first round and this had puzzled her to no extent. She had racked her brains and sneaked in the computer records and histories of the employees. The fact that emails and electronic communication was monitored had proven to be a boon. After 10 days of snooping the pieces of jigsaw fell together - someone was leaking insider information. She talked to Shashi regarding her doubts and also shared her initial findings and was surprised when he didn't dismiss her fears as mere misunderstanding but instead launched a full blown secretive probe. He was also a bit astonished while analysing the first round of negotiations but hadn't gone all Sherlock Holmes and was instead waiting for the second round.

But her fears were confirmed true - Rupert Glint was helping Raizada's by leaking insider dealings. Shashi was infuriation personified and had fired him while taking care that he didn't get a job elsewhere. This incident had also gained Khushi immense favour with her father and she was assigned the major responsibility of the joint venture henceforth. Though initially a bit reluctant, she had accepted it as it was a major opportunity to prove herself. And moreover Shashi had promised that she would never be left at sea as he will be personally monitoring every step.

Shashi had also decided to not call off the joint venture because Xenflox stood to gain a lot from the local expertise and operational skills of Raizada Corporations to expand operations in India. And moreover such malpractices were common in the corporate world with every company trying to gain an upper hand over the other. The keyword was - caution. You have to be extremely clever, lapping up every opportunity while keeping a wary eye on the opponents. Check and mate.

She knocked on the sleek door and was allowed in by her father's deep baritone , but was instead rooted at the threshold itself. Her entry drew the attention of the two men in the room, to her. One was her father who welcomed her with a small smile and a nod in acknowledgment while the other...

" Holy shit ! " she cursed under her breath.

It couldn't be.

It just couldn't be.

Time froze for her as her breath was caught in her throat.

What the hell is he doing here ?

" Twist dumbo !! " Devi Maiyya admonished, blowing cool air on her fresh coat of harlot red nail- polish.

Before Khushi could question her sanity and grow roots at the threshold of the room, Shashi's voice registered in her mind " Come in Khushi , I wanted you to meet Mr Raizada "

Aarav Singh Raizada - the man Arnav hated so passionately was standing in front of her with a ghost of smile touching his lips.

Aarav and Arnav were identical twins or more so mirror images of each other. The same height , the same physique , the same eyes. As if God had produced two copies from the same mould. They could easily fool even the most sophisticated face identification systems in the world.

Hell !! she was doubtful whether their fingerprints were same.

Despite the striking similarity he was not Arnav. She hadn't confused him for Arnav, not even for a second. He was just not him.

Arnav was well ... just Arnav

" Please meet my daughter Khushi Kumari Gupta and this is Aarav Singh Raizada, CFO of Raizada Corporations " Shashi introduced the two young bloods.

She willed her stiletto clad legs to move forward and stood opposite him.

"Pleasure to meet you Ms Gupta " he held out his hand. Khushi visibly gulped, put up a tight smile on her lips and reigned in her nervousness.

" Event - Oscar Nominations

Category - Best Actress

Nomination - Khushi Kumari Gupta " Devi Maiyaa took out her iPod earplugs and noted down her name. This earthling had surprised her. When she expected her to flip or faint she had clearly held her ground.

A round of applause for Khushi Kumari Gupta , a big round of applause.

She shook his hand and didn't respond because in reality words failed her. She was so involved in adapting and learning in the new environment that she had blissfully forgotten about his twin. How could she ! She should have remembered about Aarav who would obviously be working with his father in the company, given the numerous occasions Arnav had mentioned his father's fondness for Aarav and detestation for Arnav.

Confidence is the biggest virtue of man she chanted again and again as they settled down on their respective chairs.

" Patience is the biggest virtue of man, not confidence honey " Devi Maiyya chuckled at the expense of her favourite earthling. She switched off her daily soap. Who cares for the saasu ma bashing the docile bahu when the life on earth was even more spicy. She threw the remote carelessly and sat in rapt attention.

" Mr Raizada, Khushi will be heading the team from our side. I wish the two of you get well acquainted so that we can avoid any miscommunications in the future " Shashi started in an icy polite tone.

" Please Sir it is Aarav for you . I totally agree with you on this matter and am looking forward to working with Ms Gupta " he replied with warmth dipped voice, throwing a quick glance at her.

Khushi controlled the urge to roll her eyes. Poker faced shrewdness and hypocrisy were a norm in corporate circles. Raizada's were not unaware of their underhanded approach getting busted but chose to feign ignorance. Shashi had sent strong feelers that any kind of shrewdness in the future will have a great impact on the joint venture and they seemed to have got the message straight and clear.

" I am surprised that you chose to arrive early for the dealings Aarav " Shashi enquired.

" Sir, I wanted to have a word with the principal negotiators. You know how the dynamics are very dynamic and we don't want to lose our edge " Aarav said with a hint of a veiled challenge.

Shashi smiled appreciatively. Though they were at loggerheads, he already liked the boy for his confident demeanour bordering on shamelessness. He had been in the business for many years and could identify the potential, which was hidden from the untrained eye. And this boy had natural talent. Not everyone had the guts to sit so confidently in front of Shashi Gupta after getting their ass busted.

" Good luck with that Mr Raizada but underestimating the enemy is the biggest mistake we can ever make " Khushi smiled with sarcastic sweetness, butting in the conversation.

" I can't agree more with you Ms Gupta " he shot back, tilting his profile, his gray eyes gazing down at her.

Khushi's earlier nervousness was replaced by growing temper at his haughtiness. Maybe her father was right, she needed to control her fraying temper. Control and not temper works for businesses.

" What is your take on meeting the increased supplier demands for the joint venture Mr Raizada ? " she asked , her eyes holding his steady gaze.

" That's not a issue Ms Gupta. Raizada Corporations has enough contacts in the Indian market to converge the suppliers to meet our demands for the joint venture. Having said that I would like to restrict the discussions pertaining to the deal for the boardroom. It is more of a personal visit for getting better...acquainted. "

A soft knock on the door interrupted their volley of words and Janice , Sashi's assistant peeked through the door " Sir, the clients from Japan are waiting for you in the conference room "

" I will take your leave Aarav. It was pleasure having a word with you, outside the boardroom. I am pleased you came here " he stood up , shaking hands with Aarav and continued " Khushi I want to meet you and the HR Head after this meeting for discussion about the entertainment channel. We need to make a few changes " and strode outside the cabin.

Khushi collected her bag and made way for the door only to be stopped by a raspy voice

" Khushi "

She whirled around to see him standing confidently with an impassive expression etched on his face.

" It is Ms Gupta for you " she shot back.

" Sure whatever you find comfortable Ms Gupta. I am fine with whatever suits you. Though I must say it was nice talking to someone so vibrant and enthusiastic " he smirked, his one hand toying with the translucent paper weight on the table.

The nerve of this man. First he dares to use those dirty tricks and then comes walking into the office as if we will lay down a red carpet for him.

Welcome Arrogant Sucker Raizada , Welcome !!

Both the brothers are same - born morons

" I am sorry but I don't share the same sentiments. Now if you will excuse me , I have better things to do the waste my time with you " she snapped and turned on her heels only to be stopped again.

" Until we meet again "

She didn't bother turning or replying and marched outside the door with her heels clicking a little more on the polished floor.

" It will be... fun " he swirled the paperweight on the desk and left the cabin.

What more can I say other than a big thank you to all of you who have stayed with me.

I love you all.🤗

Do leave in your comments.😊