FF: When Love And Hate Collide... Pt26 pg145 10/07 - Page 77

Originally posted by: sreeja_rox

CHAPTER 6

O.M.G!!!!!!!!!Arohi is called "Phoolan Devi" in the office😲..🤣..🤣..I wonder whether Arohi will be knowing abt it or not😆.. shes smart... she already knows 😉
And the way Arjun was looking at Shanti,arrgghhh!!!!!!!!!!! The extra condition's Arohi included seem's to definately bcz she has some plan's in her mind.And Sudhir uncle is unaware of everything!!!!!!!!😆 And srry for being so so so so late you're excused 😆

Originally posted by: Varshu_Karthik

As always, absolutely well written updates di! thank you so much varshu! i missed u so much 🤗

I came here after ages and i did not know where to start, so obviously i chose to read this one, my current fav! awww... so sweet of u 😳

The track is really very interesting! The twist explains Arohi's way of living, all those rules and regulations she has set for herself! yes it does...

I think Arjun should show patience and woo her, slowly bring her out of her shell and eventually win her :D :D he should take it slow you mean... lets see if he can manage that 😆

PART 21

Naveen Malik.

Arjun was not the kind of person to hold on to grudges but without knowing or even seeing this person, he had grown to hate this name, in the span of a few hours that he had heard about him. He was not the angry-young-man types, but right now if this person came in front of him then Arjun might just bash the hell out of him. He wanted to see this person just to understand what would be going on in his mind when he had taken a step towards sealing someone elses fate for no fault of hers???

"I did not know Naveen personally. He was Richas friend, Arohi knew Richa via her guitar classes. They were a different group and I did not hang out much with them. But I could make out the change in her as she slowly started falling for Naveen. I had just met him once or twice and found him a nice person, very outgoing just like Arohi. There was only one thing I did not like… he knew that im Arohis best friend, yet he did not make an effort to know me better. I was an introvert and hence I did not push it too… and I regret doing that. Later I realised why he did not care about socialising more with Arohis family or friends."

"Just before they left for Europe, Arohi told me about how much she loved him and was happy that he will be with her now. As a good friend I was happy for her. We stayed in touch for those four years where she told me about her plans to return to India and work with her father. She and Naveen had decided that they will work together with uncle for a few years before they form a company of their own. Arohi had told everything to her parents too, so everything was set for them. They were to get married and then start work after their honeymoon."

Arjun tried to put himself in Arohis shoes. How it must have felt to have everything decided… eagerly waiting for it to happen… and then suddenly have it crash in front of your eyes???!!! A sarcastic laugh rumbled in his chest. Everyone in their life have to pick up the pieces sometime… but it still did not make the pain any easier.

"In his defence, he had wanted to sow his 'wild oats' before they got hitched. Not only that, he still did not think he did something wrong. The only thing that he felt wrong, was that Arohi found out. Because he still had plans to marry her, and he thought that this 'small incident' should not affect them. No matter how many every girls he slept with, he would still marry Arohi because only she deserved to be his 'wife'. Basically he had practically and cold-bloodedly planned to marry her as she suited his 'ideal wife' criteria. Arohi was too shocked to even slap him!!! She just packed her bags and came back to India… alone."

"The only saving grace was that she did not want a grand wedding and hence a simple ceremony was arranged. The invitations were to go out after Arohi and Naveen came back… but the cards still lie in the storage room of her house. Arohi would have been destroyed if she would have had to see her father face the social tantrums about a broken wedding. Not that uncle would have cared about it… he had always been more wise in such situations. He just concentrated on getting Arohi back on her feet, emotionally, and giving her the confidence to focus back on a greater purpose in life."

Sudhir uncle. No wonder Arjun had always seeked him out more than his father for advice. Not that his dad was not wise, but for Arjun he always held a special place in his heart.

"Arohi has guarded her heart with everything that she has, ever since. And I've guarded Arohi with every single nerve that I have in me. I know that you've developed feelings for Arohi and that even she is not unaffected. You both are adults and hence I will not do anything to influence your decision. But if you do anything to upset her or break her emotionally again… then I will hunt you down and skin you alive!"

Arjun let out a small laugh as he remembered Dhondus dhamki. The kind of nautanki that man had in his blood was amazing. When Arjuns eyebrows had raised in surprise, D had come a step closer to him and whispered.

"Don't take it as a dhamki… take it as a warning! And remember… I did not get a chance to teach that Naveen a lesson, so I will not leave this golden chance with you!!!"

That had definitely made Arjun take D seriously. He felt the same way for Natasha and so Arjun respected D's feelings towards his best friend. Especially after he had lost a chance in protecting her once.

Sitting on the window sill now, Arjun continued staring out at the silver shining streaks of the waves, sparkling in the light of the rising sun. His thoughts had taken him through the night not realising when dawn had arrived, standing on the horizon, peeking behind from the vast expanse of the Arabian sea. Slowly but steadily, the dark black colour of the waters was replaced with a bright orange, mirroring the happy colour sported by the sun, showing its elation at the advent of a new day, bringing with it new hopes and new aspirations.

4pm… Arohi's room…

"Ye kyaa hai???!!!"

Amrit Ahluwalia and Teji Singhania rushed inside Arohis room as they heard her scream. Arohi was standing in front of them, her eyes as wide as saucers, wearing a pista green-pink anarkali with sheer full sleeves. The kurta length was longer than usual, giving her an elegant royal look. The ends of the sleeves were cuffed with gold embroidered band giving an illusion of bangles and the sweetheart neckline left her swan-like neck bare. The pink chudidar completed the look perfectly.

Both the ladies scanned her from top to bottom and smiled. "Kitni soni lagrahi hai meri bachhi… haina dadi?"

"Bilkul! Nazar na lagey kisi ki… lekin tu chillayi kyu puttar? Achha bhala darass hai…"

"Dress toh achha hai… lekin…" Arohi looked sceptically at her mother and Dadi. Blinking a few times, she pulled her hair in the front and turned around. "… lekin YE KYA HAI???"

Amrit stared wide-eyed at the bare cream skin displayed by the open back of the dress. Dadi stared too for a second and then her face broke in to a smile. "Arre waah… ye toh badi sexy dress hai!"

Arohi turned around in a flash and looked on shocked. "Lekin dadi… maine usse kaha tha back ka fitting tight hai… toh thoda adjust karo. Ye nahi ki puri back hi nikaal do!"

Amrit opened her mouth to say something but Dadi held her hand silencing her. "Toh thik haina puttar… back hi nahi rahegi toh fitting ka sawaal hi paida nahi hota. Waise ye aaj kal ka fashion hai. Meri baat maan… badi hot lagrahi hai tu."

Dadi winked and Arohi still looked shocked. Staring alternatively at her silent mother and the grinning dadi she tried to think. She never wanted to attend this function in the first place and now she had to attend it wearing THIS! Before she could say something Dadi quickly stepped forward and turned her towards the mirror.

"Tu jyaada aati jaati nahi hai shaadiyon mein issliye tujhe pata nahi hai. Sab aise hi kapde pehente hai aajkal, unko suit kare ya na kare… lekin tu bohat pyaari lagrahi hai. Ab jaldi se tayaar hojaa aur neeche aa. Thikey? Chal Amrit."

Seating a confused Arohi in front of her dressing table, Teji Singhania dragged Amrit out of the room.

"Lekin dadi… Aru ko aadat nahi hai aise kapdon ki."

"Aadat nahi hai toh hojaayegi." Dadi kept dragging the protesting mother down the stairs. "Tumlog usse darna band karo. Usski umar ki ladkiyaan ghoomti hai, achhe kapde pehenti hai, hasi majaak karti hai… aur ye ladki, sirf kaam kaam aur kaam! Bas hogaya ab. Tu mujhpe bharosa rakh… mein jo karrahi hu usski bhalayi ke liye hai."

Amrit was not a person to rebel against her elders. Taking wahegurus name, she surrendered her daughters fate to destiny and to the strong woman who was scolding her.

4.30pm… Arjuns flat…

"Stop calling me! For the 10^th time… I don't need your help Nats!!!"

"Oh come on Arjun… tumne kabhi life mein kurta pajama pehna hai? Tum kaho toh mein abhi aajau…"

"Koi jarurat nahi hai! Mein U.S. mein bhi functions ke liye kurta hi pehenta tha… so I know OK. Its not so comfortable but ill manage."

"Are you sure? Im sure you don't know what shoes to wear with it. Ill just come and help you select…"

"Natasha! Tell me the real reason. Fast."

There a minute of silence on the other end.

"I just want to see how you look in a kurta-pajama and…"

Arjun gritted his teeth. "Danish ne tumhe sab kuch bataya na??!! Oh god! This man should've been born as a woman… ek baat nahi hajam hoti isske pet mein…" He frowned spraying more than required perfume on himself.

"Shut up! Don't you dare say anything against him… Bada sweet hai bichhara…"

"Oh ho… ye Dhondu suddenly sweet kabse hogaya???"

"Jabse mere best friend ke baare mein voh mujhe baatein bataane lagaa, tabse!"

"Nats… aisa kuch nahi hai… its just that… I…"

"Its ok Arjun. I can understand. I just want you to know that I'm always there with you. And I know that you wont break Arohis heart. And I also know that you're planning to tell her today… so just wanted to wish you good luck, because I know how much this has been affecting you too."

Arjun smiled… widely. One more thing common between him and Arohi… they were blessed with the best of best friends!

"I love you Nats… now stop bugging me. You're making me more nervous. I just hope Arohi is in a better mood today. Ive to apologise for my behaviour AND THEN tell her how I feel… I don't know how im going to do it! Ive not had the guts to show her my face also, that's why I worked from our office since morning. Im going to pick her up now. Just pray that shes not in her 'phoolan devi' avatar!"

Natasha chuckled. This is exactly what she wanted to see… nervous Arjun acting like a teenager with a crush. It would have been a fun sight to watch!

"I love you too! Don't worry Arjun. Like I told you, even she likes you. So just sit down like adults and have a mature conversation. That will help you both figure out how to take things forward, ok? And if you're still feeling nervous, I can come in 5…"

"NO thanks!!! Ok now bye. Or else ill get late."

"Fine! All the best…"

Back to Ahluwalia living room…

With every step that Arohi took, she felt the walls closing around her. The heels were not too high but she still felt unsteady on them. Her bare neck now had the rope style dupatta around it with long chandelier earrings in her ears that felt too heavy to her. Four pairs of eyes stared at her like they had seen a ghost, and that did not help!

"Is this ok?" She questioned everyone looking down at her dress.

Sanchit was the first one to open his mouth. "Di… you actually look like a girl."

That earned him a swat on his arm and he yelled. "I mean Indian clothes makes a girl look more like a girl. Issliye…"

Arohi ignored her brother and turned to her father. "Lekin aap sab aise aayenge? Why aren't you guys ready yet?"

"Kyuki hum nahi jaarahe." Dadis words stunned Arohi. "Voh kya haina puttar, aaj meri tabiyat kuch thik nahi lagrahi… aur mein akele akele uss ghar mein bore hojaati hoon. Issliye Amrit ne mujhe yaha bula liya dinner ke liye. Toh hum sab parso aayenge shaadi mein, aaj toh jawan logon ka function hai… toh tum aur Arjun ho aao."

Arohis breath got caught up in her throat. She never wanted to attend this function in the first place… and now to go with Arjun… alone? After what had happened yesterday she did not want to talk to him. A part of her had been grateful that he had not come to office today but the other part was confused… not knowing what to feel! But now…

"Don't worry puttar. Arjun is on his way to pick you up. And he will drop you back and pick up biji at night." Sudhir could see the worry in his daughters eyes. "You both are working very hard nowadays. It will be a good break for both of you."

Before Arohi could open her mouth to protest, a horn honked from the driveway and everyone got up.

"Arjun aagaya. Jaa jaa puttar. Wapas aane ki jaldi mat karna. Mehendi jaroor lagwana…" Before she knew it, Dadi had pushed her out of the main door on the front porch.

Still in a trance Arohi slowly walked out towards the black Mercedes benz awaiting her.

"Aapko kya lagta hai… humne thik kiya?" Amrit could not wait to express her doubts after Sanchit left for his room.

Sudhir nodded his head. "Its been two years now Amrit. High time Arohi snaps out of this and goes back to enjoying her life. Do saal ussne bohat mehnat karke ek majboot neev rakhi hai. Ab usse thoda apne baare mein bhi sochna chahiye."

Dadi took Amrits hand in hers. "Sudhir bilkul thik kehriyasi. Pata hai puttar… hamare zindagi mein jo log aate haina voh kisi maqsad se aate hain. Naveen ki tarah Arjun bhi Arohi ki zindagi mein kisi vajah se aaya hai. Lekin mujhe khushi iss baat ki hai, ki Arjun ki life mein Arohi aayi hai. Usska jo nazariya tha, ladkiyon ki taraf, usse badalte huey maine dekha hai. Aur waise bhi… hum aur tum kitni bhi koshish karle, hoga wohi jo rab ko manjoor hai. Toh sab usspe chod do…"

Amrit smiled and looked at the door through which her daughter had stepped out moments ago. She silently prayed for her… more than anything to protect her from anymore heartbreaks.

Khurana lawns…

Arohi agreed with her dad that attending this function will give her a break. She was definitely enjoying herself… especially since Arjun was nowhere to be seen. After the single attempt of his 'acchi lagrahi ho' and her 'thanks', in the car, they had both remained silent. When they reached the venue she did not realise when the brides sister took up the onus of introducing Arohi to everyone in the family and showing her around, eventually losing Arjun on the way. The entire atmosphere was so happy with kids running around, young boys and girls dancing in one corner, ladies applying mehendi on a platform in the centre and food and drinks counters set up all over.

She had also pulled her in the group to dance for a song. Everyone was standing in a circle and doing a step which ended up in the girls turning round and round, flaring their ghagras and anarkalis and the boys kneeling on one knee next to them, turning them around with one hand. By the end of those 5 minutes, Arohi had been laughing and breathless. She went over to the counter to have a sip of water and was watching the entire function with a smile on her face.

That is when she noticed a fuming Arjun stalk towards her.

Grabbing the glass from her hand, he slammed it on the counter and pulled her away from the crowds into a gazebo behind the lawns. Arohi, who was stunned for a few moments, finally found her strength and voice, and pulled her hand out of his grip.

"Ye kya karrahe ho???"

"Mein kya karraha hoon? TUM waha kya karrahi thi?"

Arohi frowned. She hated it when people answered her question with a question. "Paani pi rahi thi. Aur kya…"

"Voh nahi. Usse pehle."

Arohi frowned more. "Usse pehle? Naach rahi thi… lekin tumse matlab?"

"Right. Naach rahi thi… voh bhi inn kapdon mein?"

Arohi felt her anger boil now. What the hell did he mean by that? "What is your problem Arjun? Im wearing a salwaar kameez… not a bikini!"

Arjun was taken aback for a moment at her answer. He gritted his teeth and grabbing her arm, pulled her closer.

"Tumhe… tumhe pata bhi hai… ki…" He came closer and whispered. "Ki tumhare iss dress ko back nahi hai???"

Arohis eyes widened in shock. She had been too busy enjoying, to even remember her discomfort with the dress. She jerked back and Arjun left her hand, looking around to avoid her eyes.

Arohi gulped and tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. Arjun cleared his throat and stared at his shoes.

"Voh… tum… tum jab gol gol ghoom rahi thi… tab tumhare baal udd rahe they aur… aur… pata hai kitne log tumhe ghoor ghoor ke dekh rahe they???"

The last accusing part came out louder than Arjun intended and Arohis head jerked up. Fuming eyes met smoldering ones.

"Toh? Tumhe kyaa… tum kahi aur dekhte! Mein yaha enjoy karne aayi hu aur mein vohi karrahi thi. You do want you want ok… and just…"

"… leave you alone???"

The fire died in Arohis eyes when Arjun completed her sentence. She turned around to leave but Arjun held her hand and turned her back, pulling her closer. Arohi looked down, trying to hide the mist in her eyes… trying to hide the fact that this man affected her so much.

"Im sorry Arohi. I know ive hurt you and im really sorry for that. But understand one thing… that I will not… leave you alone. Mujhe tumse kuch baat karni hai…"

"Lekin mujhe tumse koi baat nahi karni!" Pushing him hard Arohi walked out of the gazebo leaving a stunned Arjun behind. Jerking out of his state, he sprinted behind her.

"Meri baat toh suno Arohi…"

But Arohi kept walking ahead. "Tumne sorry kaha aur maine suna. Apology accepted. Now theres nothing left to talk between us."

"YES… there is!" Just before she turned around the corner to go where the function was happening, Arjun again held her hand and pulled her to him. Arohis heels twisted at the impact and Arjun held her against his chest to steady her. Arohi gasped as she felt Arjuns warm fingers on her bare back. She felt him caress her bare skin for a moment and then he removed his hand.

"There is something Arohi… between you and me. I dont know what it is... lekin mein jaanta hu ki tumne bhi voh mehsoos kiya hai… so don't bother to lie. I just want you to know that im aware of it too. And I want to explore it!"

Arohis stopped breathing and stared at Arjuns eyes. From this close, she could make out that he was being completely honest. The clarity in his soul was shining in his hazel eyes, giving him a complete adorable aura. She had never seen this side of him… the straight forward, vulnerable Arjun. But she reminded herself that this was just a part of him. She had seen the rest of him too… Taking her silence as approval, Arjun continued.

"I don't mind in taking the first step and confessing that Im attracted to you Arohi. I don't know what is it about you that pulls me to you… but whatever it is, its very strong and real. I have grown to like and respect you as a person… as a woman… as a partner. And I like being around you, I love your company, I…"

"… and for how many days do you think this will last Arjun? 10 days? 20? 1 month? 2 months??? Eventually you'll grow out of it and move on. I know that for you this is not something new but for me… Im not a guinea pig to experiment with! I donot want to get involved in a relationship which has no future."

Before Arjun could argue or stop her, Arohi freed herself and ran away from him.

how was it??? i guess most of you can tell what is going to happen next 😆 please leave nice and long comments 😳

"Toh? Tumhe kyaa' tum kahi aur dekhte! Mein yaha enjoy karne aayi hu aur mein vohi karrahi thi"

finally Arjun told her about his feelings n I am expecting this reaction from Arohi

Originally posted by: Arjuhi_kk

I cant tell u how much i loved dis updt<3 speechless rite now! Will give u full fledge comnt later! One more thing...while reading this updt i felt like i was reading raman di's write up...it had the same feel n intensity <3 awesome updt!!!