Khushi was working with the models. She was making sure that all of them had arrived while their measurements for the dresses were being taken.
Since the time she had come down from Arnav's cabin she had noticed how Shanaya was continuously giving her dirty looks. Though Khushi was least bothered she couldn't help wonder why she was receiving them. Finally she came to a conclusion that it was an after affect of Arnav's outburst earlier that day.
She had successfully kept away from Shanaya but also kept an eye on her every action. She hadn't noticed anything unusual taking place, yet.
She was thinking about Shanaya when someone called her and she turned around.
"Khushi, ASR has called you in his cabin." Said Priya, one of the employees.
"Alright, thanks for the information." She smiled. Turning around to face the models she said, "Girls, please continue. I will be right back."
Khushi walked into Arnav's cabin to see a girl sitting in front of him. She returned the smile that she received from him.
"Khushi, I would like you to meet a friend of mine'" he started
The girl turned around to face Khushi. They both were shocked to see the person in front of them.
"Happiness?"
"Beautiful?"
They both yelled at the same time as they ran and gave each other a hug.
"Where have you been, La?" asked Khushi, with tears in her eyes.
"Well, Hello to you too Happiness." Replied Lavanya, smiling. She pulled apart from the hug when she felt something hot touch her shoulders.
"Oh god Khushi. Why are you crying?" she continued, wiping her tears.
"Oh. That's a very nice question now, isn't it? How would you know the feeling when your best friend moves out and refuses to contact you for 5 years. 5 years, La? Where were you? Why did you never think of calling me?" Khushi had started yelling, forgetting where she was.
"I'm sorry, Happiness. Its just that after we shifted to US mom and dad had both passed away in a car accident and my whole world had turned upside down. Bhai had to take over dads business and study simultaneously. I didn't want to be an extra burden on him so I had shifted to a hostel. I had wanted to call you so many times but just couldn't. Circumstances wouldn't let me." Said Lavanya while her eyes were becoming moist.
Khushi couldn't believe what she was hearing. Lavanya had been her best friend since they were 5 years old. They had been inseparable. They had experienced everything together, be it happiness or sorrow. And here they were standing after 5 years of separation. Never in her life had Khushi thought she would see her best friend in such a broken state because all their life she was the emotional fool while Lavanya had been the one who had supported her through her tough times. But today she had to take that place.
Khushi moved forward and took Lavanya in a hug.
"I'm so sorry, beautiful. I had no idea you went through so much. How are you doing now?" she asked in a soothing voice as she moved her hand on her back, supporting her.
"I'm doing much better now." Lavanya replied as she moved away from the hug, wiping any traces of tears as she smiled back.
"Okay, forget it. Lets just move on from all of it." She finished.
Arnav on the other hand had been a silent spectator through it all. He had no idea what was going on between the two girls and finally thought of interrupting them.
"Excuse me girls. That was a very touchy meet, but can someone care to explain what is going on here?" he asked, confusion written all over his face.
"Right, that reminds me. What are you doing here, happiness?" Khushi heard Lavanya ask.
"Well, I am Arnav's PA. But what are you doing here?"
"I am ASR's college friend and I am looking after the AR in US, but he wanted me here for the upcoming fashion show."
"Okay now enough of catching up. You both know what you're doing here. Now can I also know what is happening?" Arnav asked again, his voice showing the irritation that was beginning to build inside him.
Khushi and Lavanya turned around to look at Arnav. They couldn't help but laugh at the picture he presented in front of them. His hands were in his pocket, one eyebrow raised and irritation highlighted his posture. Their laugh made him more irritated and Khushi noticed that . Sobering up, she smiled at him and walked to stand on his side and spoke,
"Arnav, meet Lavanya Kashyap, my best friend from the age of 5 and Lavanya meet Arnav Singh Raizada, my boss." Her hands were moving from one side to the other, indicating who she was talking about.
"Wait, what? Lavanya is your best friend?" asked Arnav, astonished. He had heard their conversation and had made out that they were best friends but now when he was first-handedly told the same, he couldn't help but be a little shocked.
"Why? Is there a problem if shes my best friend?" questioned a little miffed Khushi.
"No, theres nothing wrong in it. But I'm just a little' surprised?" Replied a still dazed Arnav.
"Hello? Arnav? Are you okay?" asked Khushi, waving her hand in front of his face.
"Uh'yah. Yah I am okay." Stuttered Arnav.
Lavanya had noticed how Khushi was interacting with ASR. She was surprised that he wasn't the rude self that he usually was with everyone. This was the first time she had seen him being nice with one of his employees. She stood there, witnessing what was going on and only took two minutes to notice the eye talk that was going on between the two of them. Now she only had to ask her happiness about it.
"So, Khushi, do you have anything to say to me?" she asked with a sly smile and saw her best friend look down while a blush crept up her face. That was it! She knew what was going on and Khushi's reaction to her question was enough for her.
"Happiness? Everything okay? Why are you blushing?" she continued teasing her and looked up to see ASR looking at her with a smirk on his face.
She could see the love radiating between them. She was glad that her happiness could find someone as good hearted as ASR. To the world he might be the arrogant man but she had seen the good side of him, the side which loved his family to no ends. She knew that he was one of the most loyal man alive, if he was committed to something, be it his work or his family, he would never back down from his responsibilities.
Arnav on the other side had been listening to the conversation taking place in his cabin when he noticed the sudden mischievous glint in Lavanya's eyes. He had understood at that moment, that she knew what was brewing up between them but had chosen to stay quiet. He had promised his Khush that he would not tell anyone about them till she was not comfortable and so he decided to silently witness everything. When Lavanya had started to question her, he had thought that she would be uncomfortable but he was surprised when she had blushed. He looked down at her and couldn't keep the smirk off his face. He loved how she would instantly turn red when she was teased about him.
"Yes, happiness? Do you want to say anything?" he heard Lavanya asking again. He knew what she was trying but he also knew that she would be disappointed when she got no answer for the same. He was going to warn her when he heard Khushi speak very softly.
"Yes beautiful. Its what you think it is." She said, trying to indicate what she was talking about.
Arnav was surprised that she was telling La about them. He had not expected that she would be ready to tell anyone, anything yet and so decided to speak up. Now that he was sure La knew about them he didn't care to maintain the distance and so walked up to her. Putting his hands around her waist he pulled her closer to himself and spoke softly.
"Sugar, you don't have to do this. You are not obligated to tell her anything, Baby."
"I know Arnav but La is my best friend and I have never hidden anything from her so I am not even going to do it now." She said looking into his eyes. Her eyes held trust, the trust that she felt for her friend.
Silently nodding, he gave her full reign to take any decisions she wanted and felt were right. He held onto her, showing his support on the decision she made. She lent on him, wanting him to hold onto her while she told La about them.
Taking a deep breathe, she spoke,
"Yes, beautiful, Arnav and I are in a relationship."
Suddenly she felt herself being engulfed in a huge bear hug. She even felt Arnav's hands still on her waist, holding her tightly against him.
"Oh my god, happiness. I am so so so happy for you. ASR is a great guy. Oh my god, my little happiness has become so big. Tell me everything. How did it happen? When did it happen?" A very excited Lavanya blabbered. She kept on speaking, not noticing the amused looks she was receiving from both her friends.
Arnav knew that Lavanya could speak for as long as she was asked to and so he finally decided to stop her.
"Okay okay that's it. We are in office. Lets get down to work now. Can we have these informative conversations later?"
"Right, I want all details so we will finish it tonight. I am coming over to your place, happiness. Don't tell Payal di anything. I want to surprise her. Anyway I am going down to look at things. You both take your time." Spoke Lavanya in the same excited tone as she mischievously winked at them and left.
Both Arnav and Khushi looked at her retreating back and smiled amusedly. She was one antique piece, hyper all the time and had a heart of a child but she was also one of the most loving person they had ever met.
Arnav looked at her and said, "Khush, she really is your friend."
"What do you mean by that?" she asked eyeing the smirk on his face.
"Well shes absolutely crazy, for starters." He said and saw the 'O' form on her face. She brought her hand up to hit him when he held her by her wrist and pulled her towards himself and softly whispered.
"But shes also one of the most kind hearted and loving person I have known." He smiled at her.
She looked back at him with a small smile playing on her lips. She had missed her beautiful so much in these past 5 years and now that she was back, she couldn't wait to spend time with her.
Debate Mansion
