IIT meets DU - Removed * Note on Page 105 * - Page 44

Originally posted by: reallyhappy

whr r yu?updte kb milega?

Originally posted by: Nidsubh007

Please update soon!

" When were you going to tell me about Aarav ? " he hissed, eyes full raw emotion. Khushi who was till now struggling to free her wrist stilled as the air bristled with tension.

" I don't know what you are talking about ? " she said. Though completely unnecessary and uncalled Khushi actually got a little intimated by his demeanour. He looked possessed as his gray iris pinned her down with an unflinching intensity.

" You know exactly what I am talking about. But to your benefit , I shall reiterate - Xenflox Media Networks is signing a joint venture with Raizada Corporations and you my Sunshine are heading the team from Xenflox's and Aarav from Raizada's. " he said " Work and pleasure mixed together , quite a heady combination "

His voice did it for her and her brain kicked in .

" True , very much so. By the way , who the hell are you to question me ? I date Aarav or anybody else , it is none of concerns " she bit back , her tone matching his.

" But I choose to make it mine " he snapped back. " How many times have I told you about Aarav and his..." he left her wrist and caught hold of both her arms.

Khushi had enough of his theatrics and unreasonable attitude. She pushed him with both her hands, which made him slack his hold on her and his hands dropped to his sides.

" For the record you haven't told me anything about Aarav expect that your father favours him over you. You always start and then stop without telling me anything. And one more thing - I don't owe you an explanation. I work with Aarav, date him or sleep with him , it is none of your concerns. I am here only because of Mish. Had it not been for her and Aman's birthday plan , I would have never crossed your path ever. If you think that you can summon me like an accused just because of our stupid six month relationship , you are highly mistaken. It is my life and I will do what I want . Do you understand ! " she yelled. Anybody could walk into the kitchen anytime , but she was past caring now .

Arnav raked a hand through his hair. She was right , he had never told her anything. But hearing the news from Manohar Uncle had made him go into an unreasonable tirade. She was right , he had no right to question her like this . He had not stopped at questioning about Aarav and had gone ahead and accused her of... What was wrong with him ?

" I am sorry. It's my fault , I didn't tell you anything ever. Can we talk ? " he offered.

" I don't give a dime about you and your explanations. Keep your opinion to yourself, for all I care." she said pointing a finger at him and turned on her heels to storm out of the kitchen but stopped at the threshold for the parting shot " And one more thing - try this push and pull stunt again and be ready to bear the penalty "

Khushi went back to the lobby after giving him an earful. The high volume of the music had prevented their heated confrontation from gaining an audience. Her cheeks wore a faint colour due to the anger bubbling inside her. She wanted to go back to the kitchen and slap him or even better beat him black and blue. The pent up frustration and anger of the past 4 months started resurfacing and to curb the rising emotions she dunked the entire contents of a glass containing soft drink in one go. Her phoned chimed and it was a text from Aman saying that they had reached the building and will be at the apartment in about two minutes. Damn you Mish !

Just when she was about to go again to the kitchen to fetch the cake , she saw Arnav coming out with the cake in his hand. He kept it on the centre table with a knife and all.

" Guys Michelle will be here any moment. We will switch off the lights now " he announced like a showman between cheers and hoots. The lights were switched off and the gate was left a little ajar. Khushi tried to cool down and not spoil the evening. She had been craving for this fun-filled time after a long day at work but apparently it was not meant to be so. She stood beside the pillar as lights were switched off and everyone was waiting for the birthday girl to come.

The phone call from Manohar Uncle informing about Aarav's presence in States and the deal with Xenflox had rattled him and his mind had conjured up thousand possibilities. Fear and his own insecurity had possessed him and precisely at that moment Khushi had entered the kitchen. Had she not come at that point of time, he wouldn't have reacted in that way. Probably he would have broached the topic more sensitively and warned her about his twin brother but the key word was probably.

Arnav knew that he had crossed the line and if he left the things as they were , he wouldn't be able to bridge the gap later. And that was not happening, not in a million years.

She heard shuffling of feet as someone came and stood beside her. She didn't need light in the room to know who it was.

" I am sorry. I was being a jerk "

Hallelujah !

" Can we talk and I promise not to try the push and pull stunt. I care for my future children " she sensed rather than heard the laughter in his voice.

But before she could reply the lights were switched on as everyone cheered for a totally surprised Michelle. Michelle was totally taken aback by the sight of her colleagues and school friends cheering for her. Khushi had carefully drawn the guest list especially ensuring that her school friends, whom she had not met in a long time, make it for the party. And the childlike glee on her friends face assured her that her efforts had totally paid off.

" Happy Birthday Mish " she hugged her friend , who hugged her back , tighter.

" Thankyou " Michelle whispered as they separated. " Thank him , he planned it all " she replied indicating towards Aman , who was standing beside them. Michelle faced Aman, who was smiling down at her with love filled eyes. She held her face and kissed him full on the mouth, uncaring about others.

Khushi smiled seeing the two together - atleast someone was happy. Michelle proceeded to cut the cake which was followed by the dinner. They had arranged a kind of buffet with all the dishes kept at one side of the room. Arnav served himself pancakes in the ceramic plate. He was hardly interested in the food as his eyes were glued to the lady in black who seemed to be having a gala time, chatting up with someone. Khushi was trying hard to follow what the guy who had introduced himself as Alex was saying. He was Michelle's colleague and she was introduced to him just now through her. Though she had thought about politely excusing herself earlier when Michelle had withdrawn from the conversation on pretext of talking to someone else, but had changed her plans feeling Arnav's eyes on her.

She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her all worked up and affected, so she stayed put with the tall , lanky guy who was obviously trying his luck.

Eating the pancake at a speed which would put a snail to shame Arnav realised one thing - for good or for bad he couldn't stay away from her. She had reserved a place for herself in his heart permanently and he couldn't let her go. Even visualizing her with someone made his blood boil and he was sure , if he did see her with someone else with his own eyes he would surely end up in jail. And that was not good for his career.

It was not just jealously but the urge to keep her safe from every evil which was troubling him. Maybe someone had mixed something in his food. Yes, that's the reason he was going all lyrical. He took another helping of the pancake as mind went back into its brooding mood. Such a reflective and analyzing Arnav Singh Raizada was a rare sight , something that occurs once in a blue moon.

The girl who was busy pretending to take a lot of interest in the conversation had done something to him . Each and every memory about the time they spent in Delhi was crystal clear in his mind. Where he had expected those memories to blur , they had grown their roots and had the uncanny tendency to spring up anytime.

Michelle and Aman had joined Khushi and Alex and the four of them were happily chatting away, quite oblivious to him. She laughed merrily at something and her diamond earrings twinkled in the light and it was in that fleeting moment between one wisp of thought and next - he finally surrendered :

He loved her.

He wanted to be the reason for her laughter.

The reason for her joy.

The pivot of her existence.

If that is what people call love , then so it be.

Instead of being frantic and delirious because of the realization , he felt a sense of calm and peace engulfing him. He was tired of finding excuses and after all losing was not that bad.

He kept down the half eaten pancake and strode towards the smiling maiden. He had a long list of amends to make and wanted to start right away.