'Final call for Lufthansa flight LH302 to Paris, Passengers please proceed to gate No 27' Khushi got up as the final call for their flight was announced, she looked over at Arnav who was gazing at her as she got her things ready and plopped the book she was reading into her bag.
He got up after a few seconds and packed his laptop along with the other things he had scattered around as onc of the lounge assistants came running towards them "Excuse me Ms Gupta, you and Mr Raizada need to board now...the gate will be closing in 10 minutes" she said in a worried voice Khushi smiled at her and started walking ahead
She glanced back to see Arnav walking behind her with his cabin luggage, his eyes on her...she picked up the pace of her walking as his voice called out to her "Khushi...wait" he said as he caught up with her and got hold of her elbow
"Can you please stop being this way?" he asked her as she looked back and glared at him "Really? You are asking me this?" she said as he closed his eyes and sighed while Khushi turned around and started walking straight towards the departure gate...Arnav looked on and followed her into the plane quietly as they finished all the formalities and settled down in their seats in First class.
As she sat down and clicked on her seatbelt, Khushi leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes while arnav twisted around from his seat adjacent to hers to observe her...he could make our her irritation and annoyance with him...but he only did what he did for her safety.
He waited for a few seconds before wordlessly placing his hand on hers and waited with bated breath as after an initial hesitancy she entwined her fingers with his and snuggled more into the comfy seat, a serene look on her face, making arnav smile warmly at her.
After a few more minutes of watching her, he too inclined his seat back and rested...the events of three days ago, running amok in his thoughts...making him more determined to find out the b*****d who was behind it all.
Three days ago...Night of the R&S Show.
"Are you leaving Arnav?" Drita asked him as he waited outside the elevator Khushi had left in fifteen minutes ago...he was actually ready to go right after her; the desperation of holding her in his arms, making him impatient, but he had waited for a few minutes to make sure that the media was no where around.
Luckily for him, all of them were busy with the latest celebrities who had just walked in, Fashionably late...usually at such times it was expected of him to greet them and mingle for a bit, but right now, he did not give a damn...he had stealthily stepped outside into the lobby again when the head of IFW had spotted him...after chatting with him with a few minutes, he had made his way towards the elevators when Drita and Aalim had called out.
"Yes, I have a room booked here...its too tiring to drive all the way back!" he said as Drita gave him a quizzical look "Are you all right? Its only 11pm..not that late actually...why don't you call your driver to pick you up...?" she asked out of concern as Arnav gave her a tight smile "No, its ok...I'm having a bit of a headache...plus I have a meeting in this hotel tomorrow morning again...so its best not to travel for an hour and half again!" he said as Drita nodded, still unsure of his reasons
"Ok well...take care Arnav, Aalim and I will be heading out in a bit as well..." she said as Arnav nodded and gave her a hug "Great show again Drita...we'll meet up tomorrow afternoon to discuss the next line of action" he said as both Drita and Aalim waved their goodbyes...he turned back to the lift as it happily pinged and opened...Arnav took a sigh of relief and punched in the 11th floor, a small smile etched on his face.
...
Khushi waited patiently as she came out of the bathroom...in her haste she had forgotten to get the lingerie she was planning on wearing for tonight...she smiled as she recollected how this absurd idea had come to her just this morning and she had acted upon it before she changed her mind. This was the perfect plan for them to finally take that step of intimacy which they both craved...and now that the mad week of preparing for the event was over, they could finally spend some quality time together.
She looked around the spacious suite and dimmed out some of the lights, making it look more romantic...she had never planned anything like this before...and though she was nervous as heck, she knew that the ever smoldering heat between her and Arnav won't really need any planning...it had been too long that they both wanted this and tonight, nothing was going to stop them.
She was just about to go towards the attached balcony to draw the curtains when her she heard her phone beep...she picked it up to see a text from her mom, her cheeks coloring up at the small lie she had told her mom about her spending the night at the hotel owing to the after party that would last till the early morning...her mother had agreed that it was wise to stay back instead of driving alone since Khushi refused to take a driver along.
She texted back to her mom's 'Is everything ok, how is the show?' with a 'All's good...Show was excellent...go to sleep, good night' she smiled as her mother replied back within a few seconds with a 'Good night baby, love you' making khushi feel a little more guilty about the way she had twisted the lie.
She took a deep breath and decided not to think about it; she could never tell her mother the real reason for staying back here but she would be totally honest with her when she tells her about her and arnav, once things get back to normal in their house...the impending murder case was really taking a toll on all of them.
She kept her phone down and turned around quickly to hear a soft knock on her door...she took one last look at herself in the mirror and walked quickly to the door to open it with a smile only to falter when there was no one there...she was just about to close the door when her gaze shifted to a small flat box on the floor...she stepped out to check if anyone was around, but got curious when she saw her name written on top of the box
She smiled wondering if Arnav had maybe sent her something as a surprise and picked it up...she left her door unlatched in her excitement as she went and sat herself down at the large comfy couch in the living area of the suite. She bit her lip wondering what Arnav might have sent her and opened the box with a lot of expectation...but what she found inside made her freeze..and that's how arnav found her few minutes later.
...
Arnav stepped out of the elevator and started walking towards the rooms marked from 1121...when he came to Room 1125, he hardly wasted any time and knocked loudly to get Khushi to open it...the last thing he wanted was anyone spotting him and turning it into unwanted gossip...but as he knocked, he found the door open, making him wonder why Khushi had left it so.
"Khushi?" Arnav said softly as he walked inside the suite to come face to face with a very pale looking and stricken khushi as she held something that looked like a photograph, ...she did not even look up when he called her again, her gaze scared and fixed on the photo in her trembling hands
Arnav did not waste even a second as he quickly crossed the length and sat beside her; he wrapped one arm around her shoulder and pulled the photo from her hand, wondering what has affected her this way...but as he looked at it..his heart thudded loudly at what he saw.
He quickly kept it aside as he gathered a stiff khushi in his arms and stroked her back, trying to get her to react... "Khushi...its ok, we'll get to the bottom of this...nothing will happen...ok, trust me on this sweetheart,...please...talk to me...where did you find it?" he asked her as she slowly wound her arms around him
He sighed in relief at her reaction and held on more tightly as her erratic breathing slowed down, making her take deep breaths as streams of tears flowed over her pale cheeks... "Ar...Arnav...I...I don't know..." she said as Arnav stroked her hair "Shh...its ok, just relax...now tell me, where did you find it?" he asked her as she laid her head on his chest and sniffed...her nails digging into his back
"Sss...someone kn..knocked...I thought it was y..you...but when i opened the d..door...I found no one...j..j...just this bbb...box was there..." she said as she sobbed over his dress shirt...Arnav kept stroking her hair and pulled back to wipe her tears... "Khushi, some sick b*****d is playing a game here ok...it can be anyone...but whoever did is is just trying to scare you ok...you need to be strong...I promise I will not let anything happen to you...ok" he said as Khushi nodded and leaned back on the couch
Arnav took the picture and placed it back in the box, making sure that he doesn't touch it a lot...he needed to get the police involved here...whoever this sick person is, he will ensure that he would be behind the bars...plus this will act as evidence also in the ongoing murder case...he took the box and kept it on the dining table before pouring Khushi a glass of water
"Here...drink this sweetheart..." he said as Khushi took the glass gratefully and gulped it all down in a go...she was feeling a little better now that Arnav was with her...she smiled gratefully at him as he sat down next to her...he took her hands in his and kissed her knuckles "You need to go home Khushi...I don't think its wise to stay back here." he said as khushi nodded without protesting
She knew he was right about this...she slowly got up as Arnav helped her put on her stole which she had packed up with her night stay bag...he then went and took a laundry bag from the room and placed the box in it after which both of them left the room...they walked hand in hand to the lobby, not really caring if anyone saw them, fortunately the media was no where in sight till arnav's car was bought in by the valet.
The drive to Khushi's home was quite as Arnav sat holding khushi's hand in his free one...it took them less than an hour to reach her house, thanks to the lack of traffic at night...as he parked in front of the main gate of her mansion, Arnav turned back towards her as she took her seat belt off "Khushi...you will be staying at home only till we leave for Paris.." he said as Khushi widened her eyes and opened her mouth to protest.
"No, please don't argue...just listen to me once...whoever has sent this is a pyscho...he is also likely to be your father's murderer...I cannot allow you to step out of your house unprotected...you can work from home if you like but I forbid you to step out...do you understand?" he asked her as her face turned grim and she pulled her hand away from his
"Arnav, I can't stop living just because some madman is trying to scare me...yes, I am worried...and also feel sick at the fact that my father's murderer was so close to me...that he knew I was staying in that room and could have very well killed me off at that time..." she said as Arnav looked at her angrily "Shut up Khushi...nothing will happen to you...and for that, I need you to listen to what i'm asking for" he said as a desperate need to make her understand was felt in his plea
"I understand arnav...but please, I can't just stay at home...there is so much work to do...my presentation, the samples...I can't abandon all that..." she tried to reason with him as his eyes turned to steel "Khushi, this is the only thing I have ever asked of you...please try and understand the gravity of the situation...I wish I could be with you 24/7...but I can't...and I can't bear it if anything happens to you...please, i'm asking you this only once...listen to what i'm staying...its only two more days, we leave for Paris after that...also these two days will help the authorities find out who might be behind this...these people usually leave some clue or the other..." he said as Khushi looked away
She really did not know how to agree with Arnav...she had never asked for, or needed someone's concern like this and was finding it really difficult to accept it...on one hand, it felt really good to see him so worried about her, but she also did not want him to concern himself so much with her...she could handle this on her own...it felt strange to know that someone wanted to take care of her, look out for her like this...and she was finding it hard to digest.
"I'm not happy about this Arnav, but I won't argue with you...I'll stay at home for the next two days, but I really want to know the b****d who is responsible for all this" she said as she saw arnav finally relax and reach out for her hand... "Thanks khushi...please understand i'm only asking this of you as a necessary precaution...I promise you'll know everything as and when I get any updates" he said as he smiled and reached towards her to kiss her lightly on her lips
"Also, I don't think you should tell your mother and nani yet...it might just..." he said as khushi looked worried thinking about how they would react if they found out...Arnav squeezed her hand "Everything will be ok Khushi..." he said as she nodded "Thanks Arnav...you are right, I should not let them know about this yet...it will only make them worry more" she said as she sighed while arnav re-started his car once again and drove inside the mansion's driveway. He parked the car in front of the mansion and got down to walk Khushi to the main door.
"I know you aren't happy that I'm forcing my decision on you, but trust me...its for the best" he said as Khushi hugged him tightly "I know Arnav...It's not that i'm not happy, it's just that I have always taken control of my life...and now a days it feels like i'm losing it...like life is just throwing so many things at me and i can't seem to dodge them" she said as he raised his hand and caressed her cheeks
"You'll get through this Khushi...i'm with you ok...now just go and relax, I will come and meet you tomorrow after work...we can discuss and work on the Paris proposal tomorrow ok?" he said as khushi nodded and smiled softly at him before kissing him quickly on his cheek "Good night" she said as a man servant opened the door for her...she waved one last time as arnav got into his car and drove off.
He stopped his car a few meters outside her house and dialed a number "Hey...I know its late...but this is urgent...I need your help" Arnav said as the person on the other end laughed "Its always urgent with you my friend...what is it this time?" he asked as Arnav sighed "Its about Khushi...someone sent her something very disturbing" he said as the man on the other end went silent "Come over, i'm still at the station" he said as Arnav ended the call and drove away.
...
"This will really help in the investigation you know..." a tall well built man said as he sat in his cabin with Arnav opposite him, he saw arnav press his thumb across his forehead and lean back into the chair on which his suit coat and tie rested "We need to find this b*****d Avi...and soon" he said as he looked at his friend perched on his table observing the photograph in front of him.
Inspector Avinash Bali, ACP Mumbai police and a close friend of Arnav...co-incidentally he was also the nephew of the current commissioner who was a very good friend of Arnav's dadaji...Arnav and Avinash knew each other since childhood and had been fast friends during school times, but had drifted apart in their late teens only to be united back when a small legal case of R&S had come under Avinash's Jurisdiction two years ago;
The Arun Mehra case, which was taken over by the CBI at present was also being overseen by Avinash on Arnav's special request and since it was so easy to twist the Indian law, the CBI had been forced to share the details with the Police, making the case a unique joint effort between the two rival organizations.
What no one else knew, especially the Gupta's was that it was Arnav who had made this possible by pulling a few strings "You know, I fail to understand why you are so bothered about this case...I've asked you this earlier as well...why so much interest..especially in Ms Khushi Gupta?" Avinash asked as Arnav smiled
"Lets just say, its personal..." he said as Avinash nodded "Fair enough, the fact that you were in her hotel suite says it all..." he said with a smirk "I'll send this to forensics and get my team on this at once...I'll also get the hotel to share the CCTV capture near Ms Gupta's room, that would definitely help in ID'ing our guy" he said as Arnav got up and shook hands in gratitude
"Thanks Avi...it means a lot...I really want to know who did this...I don't think I can rest till i do" he said as he looked at the photo now lying carefully on butter paper on Avinash's desk...the eerie glow of a yellow lamp over it...a picture depicting love, a tainted love...a picture of khushi and her father Arun Mehra.
The innocence and love in the picture was evident in the way Arun was carrying Khushi on his shoulders, both of them smiling widely at the camera...but the huge red cross across Arun Mehra's face was what marred the pure look of love in his eyes for his 2 year old daughter...but what was more disturbing was a circle around Khushi's face...the text below making arnav shudder 'YOU ARE NEXT PRINCESS'
Present time...
"Sir...sir..." Arnav got up as he felt someone shake him lightly...he looked up groggily to see the stewardess hovering above him "We will be landing in a few minutes sir, would you and madam please straighten your seats upright" she said sweetly to which Arnav nodded. He saw Khushi deeply asleep next to him and smiled at the innocence her face showed in her slightly parted lips and soft breathing.
"Khushi? Get up...we are landing in few" he said as shook her slightly making Khushi open her sleepy eyes slowly ...she saw their entwined fingers and pulled her hand away from his...she took off the blanket, which was probably put over her by him and straightened in her seat.
"Are you still upset with me?" he asked her as she looked at him "Yes..I am..." she said as Arnav pursed his lips and held his ears "Sorry baba...I was only looking out for you" he said as Khushi rolled her eyes "Arnav, you did not let me work on this proposal at all! You stayed back in office till early morning hours for two days straight without taking any help from me when the samples got ruined due to the blasted factory mishap!" she said agitatedly, the frustration of being cooped up at her house making her lash out
"You did not even tell me about the new samples our team had to recreate within a mere two days time!Also you had promised that you will come and meet me after work especially since we had to work on that presentation together! I head marketing dammit...I needed to make that presentation, not you! How can we work like this Arnav...I feel like such a loser!" she said as Arnav held her hand which she tried to pull away but he tugged on it and kept it imprisoned in his
"You are not a loser Khushi...I did not tell you about the ruined samples because then you would have come to office right away...or gone to the mills to oversee the work...You needed to be in the house and safe...why don't you understand my reasons" he said as she sighed and kept her hand on his
"I understand you Arnav...I know you care about me...but I am not used to being clueless about my own work...I need to make sure that I do my work with full dedication, not thrust it on someone else whose work is not even related to what I do" she said as arnav smiled
"Hey...i'm not that bad at making presentations...plus you'll have time tonight to beautify it!" he said as Khushi rolled her eyes again...she finally smiled at him and leaned in to kiss him lightly "Just promise me that whatever happens, you will keep me in the loop...GR is very important to me and I cannot, not know what is going on in the company ok" she said as he smiled and nodded "Ai ai capt'n!" he said as khushi snuggled into his arms while the plane descended into Charles De Gaulle airport...Paris was finally here.
OK! No jootis and chappals please...I know many of you are thinking 'Dil ke armaan aasuon me beh gaye!'...but sabr karo yaar...what you all want is coming soon...this was a necessary twist in the tale :) Plus it has gotten them much closer and made them realize things they were in denial about...so stay tuned for the Paris update! City of love...whaddya know! :P
Tum Se Tum Tak
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