Arshi FF: Entwined(T1) *Completed* - Page 15

Entwined:

Chapter-10(Part 1)

7 Months Later...

Arnav walked the porch, turning around to take the path leading towards the entrance of the Georgia Grand Motel, as he noticed the familiar sunflower beds neatly blooming, their weeds orderly chopped, as they gleamed back at him from either side where he walked causing him to scowl. The perspiration now almost getting into his nerves having just spent half an hour in the city and he wiped the sweat droplets off his nose and forehead frowning yet again. The cool see breeze despite the fact that it was barely a mid-day made him wince with irritation again at the ridiculousness of the climate and he reluctantly made his way towards the motel reception, recalling the list of people who would be facing his wrath just for the heck of it.

Goa, he frowned.

Anjali Manohar Jha, he frowned even more just when he reached the desk.

"Arnav Singh Raizada" he said in his usual authoritative voice, alerting the receptionist as she instantly indulged herself into the computer screen, her hands vigorously giving commands to the input devices and exactly after the 2 minutes Arnav groaned audibly alerting her ever more, yet again. Her fixed gaze relaxed finding the required information as she looked up to meet Arnav's questioning gaze.

"Sir, your reservations have been done in advance---"

"Oh! Congratulations, on that discovery! Would you rather invest your time in looking for my room number?" The girl flinched at his sarcastic voice, nevertheless held her fake smile even as she inwardly cursed him. "Sir, room 305" she said flashing another nonchalant fake smile at him irking him even more.

"You know, I was actually testing how long you would carry your fake smile with certain jerks, but you did good, well thank you--" he spoke as he received the Keys and things from the receptionist.

"I just had my first lesson sir, thank you, have a good day" she flashed another fake smile, smirking internally quite satisfied with her own retort.

"Listen you---"

"Chote?" his angry spat was abruptly interrupted and Arnav groaned which seemed like umpteenth time in this morning as he turned around to face the supposedly angelic face of his sister which rather appealed like a witch at the moment.

"Why the hell did you just call me that?" he turned around already throwing gaggers at his sister. Instead, she smiled even wide and rushed throwing her hands around his neck almost knocking him. "You finally made it!" she grinned pulling away and Arnav just twitched his nose as if annoyed. His sister was definitely in a great mood and he definitely dint like it when she wouldn't participate in their usual verbal batter.

"Whoa! Surprise!" Arnav said raising his hands in his mock enthusiasm.

"Save your act hero, surprised or not, happy or not, excited or not, you are stuck with me here, so let's get going, by the way it's been 2 years 3 months and over a 2 weeks that I've last seen you, missed you idiot!" she said hugging him sideways and he couldn't help but smile accepting inwardly that his sister did have an angelic face and her smile was injective to say the least, not that he would ever tell that to her. He let out a small chuckle and dropped a hand around her shoulder, as she walked him inside the hall.

"Who the hell counts?---"

"Oh well, I was just counting my peaceful days without you, by the way you have a surprise waiting inside!"

"I thought it's your day!"

"I thought so too, but Nani has different plans"

"I don't like the sound of it"

"Well, you should find out yourself, and where is my gift?"

"I had been thinking hard about it, but now that you asked, I'm kind of having withdrawal syndromes"

"You dare!"

"Saale! Agaya tu!"came a much cheerful plus annoyed voice effectively breaking their little talk as they finally reached the party hall. Arnav took a moment to appreciate the blue and white themed decoration before landing his eyes on the source of the voice""Jjiu" he nodded while hugging Shyam, as Shyam patted his back, a silent conversation passing through them.

"Looks like it dint take much effort to convince you this time" Shyam smirked.

"You don't know half about it then--" Anjali answered while Arnav just looked between the both of them keeping his study gaze and Shyam continued to smirk. "Am I missing something here?" she asked and Shyam deliberately coughed.

"Well, well, let me first convey my condolence to the couple, Er"I mean congratulations, Mr and Mrs Jha on successfully crossing the five year barrier in your marriage" Arnav spoke in his utterly cordial tone, completely taking Anjali by surprise nevertheless, she grinned as he drew the two of them into a group hug. "Does it not occur to you? This is extremely over the top, highly overrated cheesy thing to celebrate here every year?" he whispered to Shyam yet making sure Anjali heard it.

"Common Arnav, it is perfectly romantic trust me, what better way than to celebrate your anniversary every year in the place where he first proposed?, right Shyamu?" Anjali raised an eye-brow at Shyam and he nodded after a brief second. "True true" he added causing Arnav to chuckle instantly and Anjali to frown.

"I can't handle so much of sweetness in here, let me go find Nani, before she thinks I ditched this year as well" He escaped still chuckling while Anjali turned facing Shyam with her hands on hips, even as Shyam turned on his defensive mode. "I dint mean---"

The couple's little banter zoned out from his ears as Arnav made his way into the room adjoining the hall to meet his Nani.

**

"Thank you, thank you!" Anjali beamed her face glowing every passing minute as she stood in her place holding her glass of wine. She was dressed in a silver long gown, her hair jewelling her face perfectly and she looked positively elegant. She threw another smile almost as if she couldn't help it and the close group of friends and her industry colleagues sitting around the long dining table eagerly waited for her toast.

"Today is a very special day, like you all already know, but--" she raised her finger emphasizing on her but, and smiled again, the alcohol kicking in a bit already""There is more to it, actually lot lot more!" she grinned.

"Anjali bitiya!"Nani scowled beside Arnav, even as he narrowed his eyes a little requesting his Nani to silently let it go for today.

"Oops Sorry Nani, just excuse me today, because today I'm super duper Happy! And that's because--" she said and extended her hand showing all five fingers.

"It's my five year marriage anniversary--" she went on animatedly showing her fingers, "I got superbly awesome tune to sing today--"

"I'm meeting my brother after more than 2 years---" she dragged her words and Arnav instantly got up to join beside her. "I love him a lot---" she said dropping a lazy hand around his shoulder and kissing him on the cheek while he dropped a tender peck at the side of her face, "He is going to go on a date with my very good friend here just for me" she said batting her eye-lashes and pointing to a girl sitting in the crowd who looked positively baffled-- &before Arnav could even protest or give a proper astonished reaction, she uttered her next words " "Because he said he owes me as much for giving him his nephew, finally"

"Holy shit!!! Are you serious???" Arnav exclaimed even as everyone around tried to replay her blabbering words and process the information. Anjali nodded sheepishly bringing her one hand onto her stomach, just when Shyam stood by her side adjoining them and Nani cleared her wet eyes obviously being aware of the news already. "Wow!" Arnav sighed and hugged the couple his face beaming with genuine happiness.

"I just wanted to make it official only when you would get to know!" she said in his ears.

"Oh di!" Arnav squealed and hugged just her again nudging her hair lightly. "This was truly a surprise!" He added.

"It means you accept the date set up, don't you Arnav?" she asked as they pulled away and Arnav narrowed his gaze as his eyes shifted from his Nani to his sister to the girl whom his sister pointed out earlier and processed the silent conversation between them. "This is high end domestic dramatic CHEATING" He exclaimed.

"Shh, Chote, are you going to annoy me in front of everyone? On such a special day?" Anjali batted her eye-lids again and Arnav groaned already knowing his answer.

"Arnav- Sheethal, Sheethal"Arnav" she smirked waving her hand between the two of them, just when the people around them started approaching her for greetings and the duo that has just been introduced looked at each other awkwardly.

**

"This is awkward--" Sheethal said chuckling nervously as they were deliberately left alone while the rest of the family and friends indulged in serious Anjali-pampering session.

"To you too?" Arnav uttered before he could stop himself. He had this distant feeling that he should probably be good to this girl, given she is his sister's friend and that's the least he could do from what he is expected to do. He would have easily given her his trademark arrogant+insult shoulder like he does with most of the other girls who normally hit on him during one of his absent moods, and today was definitely one. Not that the girl lacked in the area of looks, she didn't, in fact she looked pretty sophisticated in her knee length black dress and the bronze skin, well groomed eyes, just about the right amount of make-up, he would have been definitely interested in any other given time, but not now. Not when he started having doubts about his own choice of girls. Not when his mind is constantly stuck with images of an intimate proximity he experienced with apparently a no one' and was just a mere non-reactive form.

"Excuse me?" his distant thinking was abruptly interrupted and he snapped his eye back to the girl standing with him.

"Uh?" he asked absently.

"Are you by any chance under the impression that I'm one of those who would jump in the offer to date you?"

"Are you not?"

"Well, I did here you are a jerk, and I can see why, but I'm sorry, self-obsessed arrogant rich jerks aren't my type---"

Arnav chuckled and walked around her, stepping his foot towards the exit; he paused and turned around to look right at her. "Well then, Ms---"

She rolled her eyes. "I don't think you haven't gathered my name before, but anyway"it's Sheethal--"

"Sheethal, yeah, so I get it you don't want to disappoint my sister?"

"So?"

"Can we pretend that we like each other for an evening and have a friendly cordial dinner?"

**

Chapter-10(part 2)

I-F has gone nuts ..everyone's facing problem in punctuation marks and some other things...so you don't have to say sorry

coming back to the update --I loved arnav & anjali's banter...they do share a sweet bond..but seriously he's seeing his di after 2 years 3 months?? that's a really long time..his mind is still occupied with khushi..did he keep tracks on khushi in this 7 months or just cut it off..??what happen to khushi.??? did she recover??

First of all i hope your hand is in a better condition now!!!

glad that Arnav is off the hook... waiting to c how they meet again..

Originally posted by: dedeepyalove

---- Arpita, is what I suppose your name na? Firstly thank you girl, I love your comments!! Felt really yest.. Thank you, I'm relaxed I guess it's problem with IF I'll check on it again now...
N my hand is fine.. It was a small muscle bent at wrist n hence was advised not to type...although I ignored it initially, got worse... Nyway...I'm good now thank you for being with the story...

love the brother sister duo...but missing khushi...arnav still feels something for khushi...have some special choice for his girl...

Entwined:

Chapter-10(part 2)

"1 cheese hamburger, chicken sandwich, 2 cokes--"

"And fries!" uttered the boy who looked like nearly 10 year and Khushi wrinkled her nose nudging his hair adoringly. "We have a candy free with it, do you want?" she asked looking down at him.

"A cotton candy?" he asked grinning.

"Yep! We have the offer every Saturday--"

"Nicee!" the lady appreciated while Khushi mouthed a thanks.

"So, can I confirm the order?" Khushi asked, concentrating on her touch pad and the lady nodded. "Don't forget the candy!" the boy added as Khushi started turning away. "I won't!" she called behind her back flashing a genuine smile as she finally reached the counter.

---

Life, as Khushi would describe it, has been scattered into various pieces in every possible way, at every turn in her journey, so much that all she wanted was to live, without thinking of collecting the shattered pieces. From innocent joy to deceit, from anticipating dreams to harsh reality, from losing to being lost, from loneliness to dying, from running away to facing it, from giving up to trying hard, from fear to acknowledgement, she have been through it all, seen it all and if not anything else, she have only learnt to live, make the day and at the end of the day just be content with her own self.

The incident on the terrace wall of that building and the days following it gave her the time that she needed to think through. Having recovered from the trauma, it took good three weeks for her to be able to stand on her feet, yet her treatment wasn't completed. She then had to go through various physiotherapy sessions, psychiatric sessions, counseling therapies, brain activities, and counceling to get over her fear for the opposite gender, everything under the guidance of Dr Angad's wife, Dr Kripa, who was the physiatrist herself. Having recovered from such serious accident, or so she told the world, and getting a mere chance to start her life all over again was in itself a miracle for Khushi, and she wasn't determined to give up this time. Not that she did before; she always tried hard, too hard for her own good and was hurt immensely in the process. Yet she wasn't the ones to give up on her life, not before and definitely not when she was getting a chance to start it all afresh. All she needed was determination, which she had in plenty, but she also needed her mental stability, her mind to think beyond the trauma she was subjected to in her past and Dr.Kripa was exactly helping her in that area.

It took her a little over two months to recover in actual terms and gain the courage to take the day as it comes, look beyond her past and just move forward. Kripa helped her all through this in her own intellect way, giving her space as well as genuine suggestions that showed results. Of course the sudden physical contacts and more than casual touching still scare from the opposite gender still scare her but not enough for others to know, she have learnt to manage and keep her meaningless fears at bay.

She moved to a working women's hostel after her physical recovery and visited Kripa regularly. She sold the gold of her mother that had been of no use to her ever since her parent's death and even claimed medical insurance, the funds which she used for her living. However half of the funds she received went into Arnav's bank, with the help of Angad of course and she was determined to clear his dept as soon as possible. It was one of these days that she voiced her decision to move to a different place and find her own way to life, on her own and may be earn a living to be able to clear the rest of his debt.

Amidst all this, a constant thought kept nagging her mind. Arnav. After learning what happened to her and what part he played in her recovery and how, Khushi was left astonished to say the least. She dint know how to process that information and what to make out of it. Her very first thought was disgust, on her own self for leaving them no choice except what they chose to do; she wanted to set her mind right before anything else and remove the influence her past has on her constantly, even from her subconscious mind. She regretted her reaction to Arnav, yes, and even understood his stance but she wasn't really sure if her mindset would have been this approving back then, even if she had learnt the truth; for, the images of that night had been so prominent for so many days, even now sometimes, that she found herself in a constant self battle, so much that she couldn't think of him without those not-so-good images flashing right back into her mind. She hated it, the images were so impulsive, so unwanted, she just dint know how to deal with them. And hence, all her physical efforts to somehow reach him, thank him the least she could do, never proved to be easy at all. Her mind always deceived her, and she found herself stuck and hence she chose the next best thing she could do, repay him as much as she could. Although it might take years, she was determined. And the fact that he might really be aware of her efforts to repay him and yet there has been no effort from him to approach her only made it worse for her. She hated that she couldn't be grateful enough for his help, and maybe he considers it all worthless, only added to her inferiority complex. &she stopped trying, instead indulged herself in an earning spree, the least she could do, or so she thought.

---

---

Today, after a little above 4 months from the time she joined the cozy fast-food restaurant attached to the sea-bed of Cavelossim beach Goa, she has managed to get promoted to the store-manager level with her determined over-times, dedicated work, deliberately developed genuine hospitality, restored smile and natural warmth added to the instantly developed cordial friendship with the restaurant owner. The girl who was merely in her mid-twenties gave Khushi the job right away along with accommodation and Khushi repaid her by reforming herself into a friendly person thus dedicating her time to her work completely. While 70% of her wage goes into her repayments through Angad, with the rest Khushi manages pretty well for herself.

"And the ever so loving friend is waiting again?" her long thought process has been abruptly interrupted and she looked up to see Mrs Jane busily shuffling through her belongings packing them back in her big loose bag. Khushi got up from the cozy corner at the porch of the Eat-See-Sea' restaurant, a place she reserved for herself to look out at the ocean in her free time. She held open the big bag for the lady while she smiled stuffing her things into it.

"She must be on her way Mrs Jane--"

"You should sleep more bachi, it's like you stay to send off everyone and even be here to receive everyone in the morning"

"That's the best part Mrs.Jane, you know the feeling when you drift away into a deep sleep as soon as you hit the bed?" Khushi smirked as she fastened the bag onto Mrs. Jane's arm. "Thank you" she acknowledged and finally looked up to meet Khushi's gaze.

"More like escaping the struggle to sleep on bed?" she raised an eye-brow and Khushi's gaze dropped before looking up again awkwardly""Uhh---if you put it like that-" she confessed sheepishly even as Mrs. Jane walked around her to descend the small steps leading outside the restaurant.

"You know I'm keen on not eating my husband's burnt food today and instead cook him some?" She said before turning around and heard Khushi chuckle. "Well good-luck with it!"

"Yeah, and tell your friend that I ticked her off today as well!"

"But you dint!"

"Just tell her alright?" she said and chuckled mischievously. "Mrs. Jane she isn't careless, she just has so many other things to look after beyond ESS(Eat-Sea-See), and I'm glad she could use me--"

"Right.Good night Khushi"

Khushi smiled before nodding a Good-Night to her as she stared at her walking form, the sound of the waves echoing in the lonely silent night, the moon staring back at her from above the bluish oscillating water bed, the cool breeze playing with the little strands of hair that escaped her high pony; she opened the front buttons of her dark blue uniform coat letting the cool air in and she sighed contently. It's for this feeling, she chose this part of the country"the sea, the waves, the breeze has always been fascinating to her, while Mumbai did offer that to her, there is just something about the calmness and tranquility in this part of the world, exactly what she always wanted.

A distant sound of a car screeching to a halt and the sound of the phone ring, alerted her, both at the same time and she pondered for a moment before deciding to take the call first.

**

"Are you waiting up as usual?" Sheethal asked clutching her phone to the side of her face as she stared out into the sea.

"Yeap!" she heard the voice from the other end of the phone and smiled, warmth filling her instantly.

"You think we have some coffee left in store?"

"Of course, I'll make it right away, what time you coming in?"

"I'm just at the entrance; I have a guest with me. So is the order taken Manager?"

"Yes, boss! Be seated, I'll be right out in five"

"Thanks baby"

Sheethal dropped the phone back in her clutch and looked to her side to meet a smirking Arnav and she raised an eye-brow questioning him.

"Let me guess, apart from being the arrogant daughter who ditched her father's business for a lame hotel management and set up an obnoxious company, you also have an incorrigible secret boyfriend?"

She laughed out loud, the sound of her laugh lingering in his car. She was funny, he could easily like her, but something was amiss. He would make his sister happiest if he dates this girl for longer, but something was definitely not right, he just dint know what. But he was glad that she wasn't interested either, making it really easy for him.

"Just a friend, a girl friend--" she emphasized pausing to see his reaction and chuckled when as expected he raised his eye-brows. "Don't worry, I'm not setting you up, but she makes the best coffee something you would love it at this time of the night and you sure would not want to miss it---" she said getting out of the car; she turned around bending to look at him through the mirror to see him pondering over the decision.

"Common in, to my lame restaurant, you would only get a few more minutes to insult me more, so much for the only insult I gave you in the evening--"

He laughed out loud, "You mean the self-obsessed rich jerk, one?"

"Argh! God forbid your ego, would you ever forget about that? You have been giving me back for it, the whole evening!"

"And I thought you invited me in wanting to accept a little more of my insults?"

"Coffee or no?" she said rolling her eyes boringly.

"Well, after the horrible dinner you made me eat in your hopeless city, I could surely use a coffee--"

She giggled again begging him to stop, as he got out of his car and they made their way towards the sea view setout, of the cozy bar-restaurant.

**

The hot pot of black liquid was poured into the two coffee mugs and she added milk orderly into each mug, angling it and making pattern at the periphery of the rim leaving central white foam. She then added a thick layer of whipped crme using the machine and placed the two mugs in a tray, adding packets of ready-made sugar into the tray. Khushi held the tray in her hands bringing it up to her nose level and inhaled the aroma of caffeine; she instantly had this urge to serve herself one as well.

Smiling, she walked with the tray in her hands into the restaurant area. Finding the place empty, she smiled again realizing her friend's favorite spot and walked around towards the outer set-out. As she approached the front open exit, she heard the light laughter of her friend followed by a foreign laughter and she smiled more as she realized her friend might be having a real good company.

Another moment, another laughter and another few steps later, her ears recognized the sound of the person, her hands stilled on the tray ends, her breathing resumed from being even and her eyes locked with the brown orbs just when he looked up meet her hazel ones. It was the moment, the moment of meeting him again, something that she have lived numerous times in her imaginations, something for which she has been preparing herself or so she thought, because what she felt at the moment was something indescribable. She held his gaze as her steps faltered a little and she could see his laughter died almost instantly. His eyes went wide, not as much as she expected and there was a note of surprise, amusement, shock, confusion all in one boring gaze. She tried to smile looking at him, her lips trying to curve up as her gaze fixed back to his eyes and instantly her moving steps stilled.

"And that is Khushi!" she barely heard Sheethal say, but her gaze was fixed on him completely. He has this look in his eyes, like he could see right through her with those daggers, the intense boring stare striking right through her defenses making her heart skip a beat. And then it happened, his boring gaze brought back the uninvited, unwanted, unwelcomed or rather disguised images of a certain memory and she could see him living them in that exact moment as well. Like a reflex action, or like she was used to react each time that memory haunted, her hands shivered and sweated, her eyes turned red, her breathing became uneven, her stance jerked a little representing that of a child alerted by a thunder-storm and her lips quivered, making it impossible for her to keep up the brave exterior.

"Khushi, are you alright?" she heard Sheethal say but it has been late already. The tray slipped her sweaty hands, the mugs trashed the ground hitting it hard, spilling the coffee all over her skirt and she jerked again with the sound of it all scaring her two spectators even more. Arnav instantly got up stretching his hand but was stilled in his position as he realized what might have caused the sudden reaction. His gaze narrowed and dropped disappointment filling his nerves, yet something about the way her eyes flickered with a little hesitation and a bit of self loathing stopped him from walking away.

"I"I'm sorry--" she managed to utter and he remained still in his place observing every nerve in her movements.

"It's okay Khushi, but are you alright?" Sheethal asked.

"I'm fi"fine--" she shuttered and closed her eyes determined to face the moment finally. She then shifted her gaze to Arnav and tried to fix her eyes as best as she can despite her inner default fear which he surely did not have to put up with. "I'm fine" she repeated a little more clearly, avoiding the shivering voice as much as she can and tried to assure him with her eyes.

He exhaled a deep breath which he dint know he had been holding and tried to smile acknowledging her. She is trying. He gathered and that thought made him feel better, for now.

"Let me get another coffee for you two" he heard her say and she bent down to pick up the mess. "Leave that Khushi, just give my friend company here, looks like you have had a big day, allow me to make the coffee" Sheethal suggested.

"But--"

"No buts Khushi, just stay here, I'll be right back--"

"Sheethal---"

Too late, she was gone already and Khushi looked up to meet the only other pair of eyes in the room.

**

Chapter-11:

helo

Awesome update very interesting story

Loved the update, they met Atlast.and wow khushi is really brave.