OS |YE KAISE BAAT CHAL RAHI HAI TERE MERE DARMIYAN|
sequel to:
APARTMENT # 302
It had been a week!
One freaking week since Khushi had seen or heard from Arnav.
Sometimes she thought he was just part of her imagination but she couldn't forget the quick kiss could she!
Heck they were neighbors and she had not seen him since 7 days, where had he vanished. He did look tensed after the ill fated phone call. Curse the person who called, but this was not the problem' the problem was why was Khushi Kumari Gupta so bothered. Had she not left Arnav back in Paris, never to be remembered?
*2 years back, day 2 in Paris*
Khushi had leisurely woken up on the king size bed in the posh-est of hotels in Paris whereas poor Arnav was still deep in sleep on a comfortable yet uncomfortable couch. The view outside the window was beautiful; Paris sure had its own charm. Arnav woke up from the direct sunlight which was caused because of Khushi after she had mindlessly opened the curtains and was busy in her admiration.
"morning sunshine"
Star struck, that's how Khushi felt after seeing him in such a deshelved form.
"morning eye candy"
"excuse me?"
"excused! But I must say' god has granted you with some looks".
OK! Arnav Singh Raizada was used to admiration, open admiration but never ever in his life had he been complimented in this manner. Even Di had kept it short to "chotey you look fab!" THAT'S IT! And now he was EYE CANDY' wow, she was some girl.
"so what do you want for breakfast candy?"
"oh please no! you are not calling me with that name"
"why nooott!!!!, I am, so bear with me"
No matter how amazing the hotel must be the hotels menu was like Chinese for Khushi. Eventhough everything was written in English it was way too much from the type of menus she ordered back home, even in five star hotels!
"I suppose this is your first visit to Paris"
"ya! Don't make fun of me and order"
ORDER! No-freaking-body orders Arnav Raizada that too for an ORDER! *confusing no?* however much this girl tested his patients he remained silent and placed an order for the two. There was just this weird thing in this girl that stopped Arnav from yelling.
The order had come in exactly twenty minutes record time while Khushi had chosen to change for the day Arnav stayed on the couch to check his mails and ask Aman to postpone his delay to 4 more days. He had to take care of this crazy klutzy girl otherwise she was sure to get into trouble. The feeling of protection didn't go unnoticed by Arnav, he was a smart guy wasn't he!! But what he didn't understand was why HER? Well the answer was simple Arnav told himself, it's a good act of humanity! YES this is exactly the answer'
Pffft! Humanity and ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA! Good joke'
When Khushi came out of the bathroom cum changing room she defined "eye candy". In a orange Zara dress with small flower patterns with fuchsia she sure looked like a candy, colorful candy but the designer in Arnav praised Khushi for the choice of such daring colors together and to top it up she had pulled it magnificently. Paired with Chanel's pearl drop earrings and beige Hermes flats she looked like every designers eye candy. In all the branded items one thing was sure, she was a rich brat, Arnav mused.
"what you lookin at candy boy"
"oh god not AGAIN!"
She blocked his way and asked again.
"like what you see", Khushi was thoroughly enjoying this. She didn't care what he thought and she could be anybody with him. In seconds a pair of strong arms had trapped her and pushed her to the wall.
"you really want me to continue what I left last night?"
There goes the enjoyment, Arnav could tell she was just bugging him but he was taken aback from the innocence he saw in her eyes and couldn't stop but stare at her. All Khushi managed was to nod in negative.
"great! Then don't bug me hun sunshine!" with that he was gone to change and she shockingly headed to have breakfast.
*present*
*ring ring*
Her cellphone was consistently ringing but she had not realized it before. It was her father OFCOURSE!
She knew why he had called, it was always business for him and business is all he got from Khushi. She had to go to this god forsaken merger as she was the C.E.O. of her company now since her dad was retiring. And with that she went to change for the event still in thought of what had happened later that day in Paris.
(EXTENSION)
Khushi had arrived earlier at her office to meet her dad before the merger. He had been insistently calling to inform her that they were no more merging with Polly group but another fashion house now. Due to her lack of interest in the merger she didn't pay heed to what her father was saying and casually announced that she would drop by to her office few minutes before and collect pointers from him. Serves him right thought Khushi as she was stepping in Gupta & co. he had treated her as a doll all his life and now his biggest merger was at stake. She could feel the satisfaction bubbling inside her, now it was not her fault that the merger is happening so suddenly, how was she supposed to know all the details last minute. She smiled at her slyness and entered her fathers office.
"Dad is everything ok?"
Shashi Gupta was a clever man, he knew his daughters fake concern very well but he was her father after all, like father like daughter he thought. He turned around with a grim face but his insides were dancing. The bait had come dancing in his trap, oh the irony of it all, Khushi was dancing outside his cabin few seconds ago.
"Everythings ruined bacha. If this merger isn't carried out properly ill be nothing."
OK!
WAIT!
WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY THAT! Khushi thought.
"what do you mean by that dad?"
"Bacha, I I had put all our companies shares into the previous deal but turns out it was all a fraud. *snif* they vanished with all the money. This sudden merger is actually a take over , we are being taken over by the predator company. This is the only way to save Gupta & Co."
NO WAY!
NO FREAKING WAY WAS ANYONE TAKING AWAY THIS COMPANY FROM HER.
No matter how much Khushi hated her father, this company was established by her mothers money, her jewelry, she had put her own sweat into its making and in the process she had died. Khushi still remembered the first designs her mother had made and she had modeled them for her at an age of 12. After she died it all changed, her father got busy with G & Co. and later he just wasn't interested in the fact that he had a daughter. He had married a socialite who was a divorcee and had a son of her own who was the exact age of Khushi. Luckily for her, her step mother was never home, not that she was a bad woman, she tried everything in her to make Khushi happy but she could never be her mother in true senses. Arhaan her brother was a gift from god amidst all this, he was understanding as he was going through the exact same situation. In Arhaan Khushi found a person to lean on and since he was a few months older he treated Khushi as his younger sister.
Shashi saw Khushi collapse on the sofa, check mate he thought. This is exactly the reaction he was waiting for. The dead silence was interrupted by a knock which was from Arhaan, he had come to inform them that they need to leave now.
LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION.
This was the scenario at the merger. Celebrities of the corporate world were present, this was one of the biggest mergers of the fashion industry. Khushi stood arm in arm with her brother posing for the camera, her mask in place, no one could detect the turmoil inside of her. She was dying to talk to Arhaan about it but something or the other came up whenever she tried. The merging companies were supposed to have a private meeting and later the announcement was supposed to be made. Khushi was the complete contrast to the dcor of the party. The theme was midnight hues and the dcor was chosen accordingly in colors mainly of black, dark blue and purple. Her sheer golden backless gown was complimenting the surrounding and making her stand out in the crowd.
Where women had worn exquisite black gowns and silvers she was a lone person shinning through the massive crowd. After basic pleasantries she was led to the meeting room along with her brother. The moment she saw the man standing with his back towards her she knew who he was.
"Arnav"
The name came out as a mere whisper but Mr. Raizada was well signaled, he turned on the exact moment with the thought that someone had called him and there she was. It was a Chanel for sure he thought, he had seen it in London and surprisingly had imagined her in it. And MY GOD she made a spectacular view for his eyes 'eye candy', he chuckled at his thoughts, the memories of that day still fresh in his mind.
*PARIS 2 years back: day 2*
After the quiet breakfast it was decided they would go to all the places Khushi would pick, since Arnav had already seen Paris. They went to Sainte-Chapelle, a beautiful church, well why church? Because Khushi wanted to pray. For a person like Arnav who didn't believe in God, he was keyed up to go to the church, he had heard a lot about its magnificent beauty but never got the chance to visit it without being judged. Later they went to Musee Picasso, Bohemian Paris which was every artists dream. The place in itself spoke of its beauty, the famouse Moulin Rouge is to be found here and the stairs show a splendid view of Paris. Their last stop of the day was Notre Dame de Paris, throughout the journey they had not spoken much but this place and the serenity of the banks of the Seine did allow the strangers to mingle with each other.
"I wish I could travel the world like this, with a stranger, without a care in the world".
Khushi had had a tiring yet glorious day, Arnavs company had been an added bonus. He knew about almost all the places they went to, he saved her time by taking her to worthy places and even after Khushis insistence he had hired a cab for them which saved her from aching legs and swollen feet.
"why sunshine? You have no goals in life?"
Goals!!! She had "goals" in life but those goals went with her mother in her grave.
"I was a mamas girl".
There was a one minute silence as Arnav did not know how to respond to this change in topic.
"was?"
"my mom died when I was 12 and lets just say all my goals went down the drain".
"why would you do that sunshine? My parents died when I was 15 but I still fulfilled my goal. Im living the life I want."
"my goals were snatched handsome."
Handsome! She was back to being her crazy self. Just when she was about to walk past him he stopped her.
"who would dare to snatch your goals, your highness?" he mock bowed infront of her to show that she was a princes.
"my father." And with this answer she walked away, disentangling her elbow from his hand. This meant the conversation was over, no wonder no one had come looking for her and she wasn't using her cards so that her location is not known. That night the two of them laid down but were awake all night. Arnav was thinking about her life and what wrong would have happened and Khushi was thinking if ever she would achieve her goals which she had set with her mother.
*present*
And here he was, moving one step forward in making her achieve her goals. He had not heard a word when Khushis father was explaining that they were merging with AR group and he was the owner of AR, Arnav, Singh Raizada.
"Khushi Gupta, nice to meet you."
Khushi had not gotten time to register all the facts, this was too much for her. This man was taking away her mothers company and this is all she knew. How could he?
"I wouldn't say the same to you Mr. Raizada".
The entire room fell into silence after Khushis response. Arnav had no idea why she was behaving like this, was it because he left her for a week. Maybe?
"im sorry Mr. Raizada, lets just say my baby sister is not really happy with the merger."
Baby sister, Khushi had a brother. Point noted.
Arhaan the bro man to the rescue khushi thought. He was always there when she needed him and she knew if the merger was not necessary he would never carry forward with it.
"Should I assume that she is yet to know about our marriage Mr. Arhaan.?"
Shit, crap, @#$#$%Y&%$#@@!
This arrogant ass had to mention it now. Arhaan knew Khushi was looking at him, she was demanding answers but how could he face her when she was throwing daggers at him.
"What nonsense Mr. Raizada, what marriage".
"Our marriage sunshine. Hasn't ur dear brother and loving father told you anything".
"Arhaan? What the hell is all this."
"Khu I can explain."
"EXPLAIN MY FOOT, WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS HE TALKING ABOUT."
"Khu relax, lets sit and talk like adults."
"I DON'T FUC-"
"I want to talk to Khushi alone, may I Mr. Gupta".
"why not Mr. Raizada, Arhaan lets go beta."
With that Arnav and Khushi were left alone to talk to.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK OF YOURSELF, I WOULD NEVER MARRY YOU. HOW CAN YOU EVEN THINK OF SNATCHING MY COMPANY AWAY FROM ME. I HATE YOU ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA.
Arnav stared at Khushi in disbelief, he knew she was high on temper but how could she misjudge him. Judgment is one thing Arnav singh Raizada hated the most. And here he was trying to save her.
"Fine! If you don't sign these papers infront of you then you wont even get the 50% share of G&Co. and the company would be entirely mine. Either you marry me and save the company or you say good bye to the precious belonging of yours. The choice is yours."
Surely the ASR in him was out, he just couldn't tolerate people screaming at him in those 5 days he had never shown her this side but it was time she had a one on one with the mighty ASR too.
*later the evening*
She was angry, mad, fuming, irritated but more so she was hurt. She did trust him, back then and now too, he knew about her anger issues didn't her. Then how can he so easily snatch something so precious from her. She was brought out of her reverie by the doorbell. The person standing at the door was the second last person she wanted to see, first being Arnav.
"what do you want Arhaan?" she asked coldly.
He noticed that she was crying and his father had tactfully stopped him from going behind her.
"you have been crying kido."
"why do you care"
"what have you done??"
"WHAT HAVE I DONE, I? I HAVE DO-"
"LISTEN TO ME KHUSHI GUPTA AND LISTEN WELL, I AM YOUR BROTHER AND I WONT TOLERATE THIS BEHAVIOR. IM NO LOVER BOY RAIZADA WHO WOULD PUT UP TO THIS ANGER. SO IF YOU WANT TO TALK, LOWER DOWN YOUR VOLUME."
In the entire conversation she had heard only one thing "love boy raizada" what had her brother meant?
"Aru.. what?"
"you made a grave mistake kido."
"you will save me".
"im afraid I cant this time, only you can save yourself".
Khushi crashed in her brothers arms and cried out all her pain, a while later when she had sobered up she got to know the real story.
"a year ago dad got to know that you were in Paris a year before that with Arnav Singh Raizada. Though he is never interested in places you run off to but his sources had found you through his search for Arnav. Dad had wanted to do business with Arnav since a long time but he was never available, you know the reputation dad has. Arnav had always refused to meet dad so dad was looking for some dirt. He had hired detectives who told him that Arnav was looking for a girl named Khushi frantically, sources said the girl was his said love as he just wouldn't stop looking for her."
Arhaan stopped for a while to let Khushi sink in this information.
"when investigation was done it was proven that you were the Khushi he was looking for. All the investigation had taken 5 months and then 4 more moths to contact Arnav. Dad had paid Arnavs investigators to slowly lead him to dad. Dad forged some of the accounts and showed Arnav that he would go bankrupt. The company we were supposed to merge with was hoax and was laid down by dad himself. In their first meeting dad had offered 50% shares to Arnav and very tactfully by sounding distressed and desperate offered you."
The look of disgust was similar on both the siblings. How can a father stoop so low.
"when I got to know about the truth I went straight to Arnav and we made this plan."
"plan??!!??"
"yes my shmuggles, plan. The plan was that Arnav would give 50% of shares to you of G&Co. and in return he would divorce you after 3 months. He knew the share transfer would take 3 months along with your ID change. These 3 months would give us time to repay him back and then our company, your mothers company would be yours solely. Not even dad would be able to take it from you. And.."
"and?"
"In these 3 months he was planning to woo you. He was going to tell you the truth after the merger but god knows what happened and you went. Through out the merger he was some other person entirely and vanished by the end."
"oh god what have I done. I judged him Aru, he hates being judged. That's why he left me. What? How would i what have I done."
"heeyyy, relax kido, undo this.. go find him. He really loves you, you know. Get him back in your life and to do that I can only help till a limit."
"what would I do without you bro?"
Apartment #302 held so many memories for Khushi now. now her lives solitary aim was to search for Arnav and bring him back in her life. However this did not turn out that easy for miss Kumari.
*to be continued*
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HOPE YOU GUYS LIKED IT!!
DAY 3,4,5 LEFT, WHICH MEANS 3 MORE OS'S AND THEN THIS STORY ENDS.
TABBY. -
Udne Ki Aasha
Kumkum Bhagya
Arjun
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