FF - GIVE A LOVE A CHANCE CH 49 UPD - Page 23

Nk is really cute
I enjoyed khushi and nk's meeting

Hey ...

Very nice update, NK is so cute, nk aur Khushi ki Jodie khoob jamy gi

Chapter Twelve

Khushi slumped into one of the chair's around the round table as she stared at the piece of paper in her hand. LETTER OF TERMINATION. It read in big black letters. How could this be happening she stared at in shock. How could so many things go wrong in just the first three hours of her employment. Correction not even employment but internship. How could she get fired before she even got hired? What a feat you have Khushi Kumari Gupta. Brilliant!! Slouching back, she closed her eyes and recalled everything that had taken place that day, trying to figure out where she had gone wrong.

She had woken up later then she had intended, therefore had uttered a quick prayer before DM, wrapped a piece of toast in tissue paper and hurried down the stairs with Payal screeching at her from behind to slow down on the stairs and wishing her the best of luck.

She had entered the office smiling and ready for what the day had in store for her only she hadn't had the slightest clue what it exactly intended to offer her. The receptionist had greeted her with her back, but she didn't take much heed of it and went into the D-Squat, there she found most of the people from yesterday some already getting stared while others socializing as they unpacked the things that they felt they would require. Pink-dress was here too, only she was wearing blue today, a sky blue, strapless dress, that came to her knees and had a neat little slit to allow her to move her legs with comfort. Her hair was wrapped in a high bun and she wore matching blue studs in her ears, while an assortment of white, blue and silver chains decorated her neck and right wrists. The left had a simple, but very beautiful silver chained watch. She looked up when Khushi walked in, but realizing who it was gave a look of disgust that made her, otherwise very pretty face, look quite ugly. The one talking to her, dressed in an equally short and revealing outfit, gave her a similar look and turned away. Khushi, understood why Pink-dress didn't like her, but she didn't understand the Parrot Green Dress's problem. Nevertheless she smiled and headed towards them to make peace.

'Hi I'm Khushi.' Khushi began, but was rudely cut off by Green-dress before she could carry on.

'And we are not interested.' She said in a crudely. However, taking the high road Khushi continued, now looking directly at Pink-Dress.

'We didn't get off to a good start yesterday, I just wanted to apologize for what happened and hoped that we could be friends.'

'Hah. Of course you wish to be my friend, who doesn't, but sorry...Shalwar-Suit, that ain't going to happen. Not everyone has the luck to befriend Ishiqa.' She snarked in the third person.

'It's Khushi and I figured it would be good if we were all friends here, it would make these two weeks so much more enjoyable.' Khushi tried.

'Whatever... Shalwar-Suit and FYI none us here is your friend or mine for that matter, we are all competitors here or have you thrown in the towel already. I wouldn't blame you, you never stood much of a chance as it was.' She said sizing her up with distaste.

Khushi opened her mouth to say how she didn't think it should be that way, just because they were competing didn't mean they had to act like enemies but at that moment a voice behind her caught her attention.

'Hey you! Shalwar-Suit come here!' she turned around to find the receptionist huffing from the doorway between the reception and the office area. She looked quite frazzled. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes held fear in them. Khushi walked over towards her not wanting to upset her further by disobeying her command, but also stood up for herself by stating that her name was Khushi, implying how she didn't appreciate the address she had just been given.

'Yes whatever, I have a job for you. I need you to go to the conference room and serve the refreshments to the delegates that are coming over.' She said as she started guiding Khushi by the arm towards the conference room.

'Wha-? But I thought Mihraj ji said we were not supposed to go there as it was only for the formal meetings which we won't be dealing with.' Khushi asked in confusion.

'Forget Mihraj and do as I tell you.' She barked.

'Why? I mean no offense but my work here is to design the clothes, not serve as a tea-boy.' Stated Khushi.

'You will have no work if you don't do as I say,' she snapped stopping in front of the doorway that led down to the conference room and the staging area. 'Listen, honey, you should be glad of the opportunity I am providing you with.' She began.

'Why?' asked Khushi curiously.

'Because,' she said impatiently, 'You will get to meet one of the founding partners of LaANK today, impress him and you will have the job. No shh listen,' she stopped Khushi as Khushi opened her mouth to say she had already met him yesterday, 'now when you go in don't say anything ok, just be invisible. Serve the refreshments and then retreat to the corner only come out of it when they require another drink or biscuit ok? Do not participate in the meeting or draw attention to yourself, otherwise the consequences will be dire. Ok? Now go, before they arrive!' with that she pushed Khushi into the corridor and hastened away to her desk. Not understanding what had just happened, but banking on the opportunity to see the friendly face of NK again Khushi made her way to the conference room.

'Have you dealt with your mistake?!' a cold, angry voice greeted Khushi as she entered the conference room, which itself was cold, not just the air but the atmosphere. It lacked all the colours and liveliness of the office space outside. Here it felt like she was in a proper office conference room, with the standard rectangular table, the blue/black swivel chair and a wall made of windows on the opposite side. The refreshments table to the corner on her left and the vicious voice to her right. On the wall behind that person was a weird looking painting of a vase, which the owner of the voice seemed to be looking at. He spoke into the phone on the desk next to his chair, the speaker of which was on. As he was away from the chair and the phone, for he was now investigating the corner of the painting. His back was to Khushi, so she couldn't see who this man was, while he hadn't turned to acknowledge her, leaving her wondering whether he had heard her come in or not.

'Yes, sir. I have just sent in a replacement she should be there.' Came the terrified voice of the receptionist from the speaker.

'Hmpf.' He grunted. 'Once the sponsors are here, lead them directly to the conference room. And find out where the hell NK is, he should be here for this!' he snapped into the phone before cutting the line. 'Don't just stand there and stare at my back, get to work. Start arranging the biscuit trays and place them on the table, then bring me my mug of coffee. Strong, with two teaspoons of milk, no sugar.' He commanded, without even turning to look at her. Annoyed at his lack of politeness, Khushi did as he asked, thinking it better not to appeal against it, he didn't seem like the man who would take heed of her words rather would probably end up firing her for it. He seemed to have that sort of an authority, she could tell from the fear she heard in the receptionist's voice and then there was his voice which reeked with authority.

Khushi huddled over to the refreshments table and began un-wrapping the biscuit trays. They were a whole assortment of freshly baked biscuits that smelled delicious. Being a sweet tooth herself she ached to try one but refrained herself, thinking that the man on the other side of the room wouldn't approve. Besides she figured, she could snuff some while the meeting was going on, the receptionist had told her to be invisible, so while the people were conferring may be she could sneak one or two, she thought mischievously. She placed the trays on the table, equally spaced between every four chairs so that everyone would be able to reach and then went back to make Sour-voice's coffee. Who drunk mostly black coffee with no sugar. Ugh how bitter. No wonder there was no sweetness in the man's approach. She hated the taste of coffee herself, it was too bland for her. She didn't understand how people liked it. Once the coffee was done she made her way to the man in the black suit. He was in his chair now, at the top of the table, his head bent over some papers so she still couldn't see this unpleasant person's face. As she approached him she steadied her hands, something about his vicinity unnerved her, even with two chairs separating them she could feel the hair on the back of her neck standing. His coldness extended around him making anyone cautious in his surroundings. Her eyes were on him as she drew closer, which was a mistake, for if she had heeded caution she would have kept them on the floor, allowing her to see the table leg that jutted out. But as they were trained on him out of curiosity and thrill, she didn't see and disaster struck.

Her foot tripped over the leg, causing her to disbalance, thereby making the treacherous mug jerk out of her hands and throw-up all its' contents on to the man's polished Italian shoes.

'What the -?!' he jerked up, anger rising in his voice, as Khushi kneeled down to retrieve the mug and try to salvage the damage to his shoes.

'Sorry, sorry, sorry. My foot got stuck on the table leg and it fell. I didn't mean too I'm so so-' Khushi stopped as the face from her nightmares came face-to-face with her. 'HIC' Khushi hiccupped as she saw Arnav Singh Raizada squat down to see who had dared spill coffee on him. It was a nervous reaction, she often got hiccups when confronted with sudden fright. Many a nights she had woken up with the hiccups from nightmares and Payal had consoled her. But there was no Payal here today, only this man. Who seemed equally shocked to find her of all people under his table.

****

Chapter Thirteen

What the hell was she doing here?!!!! This could not be happening. He closed his eyes and opened them again, but there she was, she wasn't a spectre but was physically there.

'What the-?!! Who let you in here?!!' He snarled through his gritted teeth, desperately trying to control his anger. He couldn't let it lose when his foreign delegates may arrive any minute.

She was trembling from head to toe, what was he doing here, how could this be happening all over again and why? Dear God, why in every meeting with him was she destined to ruin something of his, last time it was his fashion show and this time his shoes. He seemed angry enough to skewer her alive. She opened her mouth to try and explain her presence but only gurgling noises came out, infuriarating him more. She tried again as his nostrils flared up waiting for her to get out of her dumb state, 'I...I...receptionist...biscuit trays...you asked for coffee...' she stammered out, he followed enough to understand that the receptionist had sent her in to serve the refreshments, as the secretary who was responsible for this job had decided to take a sick day.

'Malika sent you!!! But what the hell are you even doing in my office?!!!' he blasted at her.

'I...I...in...internsh-sh-ship pr-programme...' she began but stopped as she realized he said this was his office, that wasn't right , 'your office?! What do you mean your office...this is Nanhe ji's office.' Khushi stated, straightening up, for up until now she had been bending backwards, away from him, wanting to keep a safe distance.

'Who? This is my office, LaANK. I am the co-owner of LaANK!!' he spat back.

'No you are not, LaANK stands for the founding partners,' she had finally done the research last night, not wanting to appear a fool again, 'Nand-Kishore, Lavanya and what was the third one...Oh yeah, Arnav...yeah it belongs to these guys...not you...you are...Arnav Singh Raiza-' the blood drained from her face, as the realization hit her, that he was Arnav Singh Raizada, as in Arnav the third partner, 'you are...A-A-Arnav...oh God. I'm sooo sorry, I- I' she tried to salvage the situation, but he had heard enough of her ramblings.

'Save it. Just get out of here, before you cause more damage!' He grabbed her by the arm and began leading her towards the door, in no mood of listening to her explanations. He had just gotten to the door when it opened from the outside and in walked Malika, the receptionist, with the sponsors. He tightened his grip on her arm and pulled her closer to whisper in her ear, 'you better not make a mess in this meeting or it will be your neck in my hands, understand?!' with that he let go of her and shoved her towards the refreshments tables, as he made his way towards the delegates, greeting them in the most polite manner.

She despised him. How could he be evil incarnate one minute and so cordial the other, not wanting to give him another reason to blow on her she preceded to the table, rubbing her arm as she went.

The meeting began without any further hitches and after serving the guests with their choice of beverage Khushi settled in her corner to tune out Arnav and his droning proposal on why these people should sponsor LaANK. Well if they asked her, she would tell them don't as sponsoring LaANK would mean having to deal with cantankerous Arnav Singh Raizada and in her opinion that was reason enough to not want to have anything to do with the company. He was awful that man! What was his problem anyway, never a smile, never any communication that he understood another person's plights. It was only opinions, his opinions and ultimatums with him. Obnoxious, bitter man!!

Skulking over him, she didn't realize when she started scarfing down the biscuits that sat in the tray next to her. It was only when a bitter tasting one entered her mouth that she realized she had reverted to her habit of eating anything sweet when upset. Only the last one wasn't sweet but was one of those savoury biscuits, ugh! Who even put these ones amongst all these delicious creamy ones. It was like putting Arnav Singh Raizada amongst all the nice lively people who worked at LaANK, he completely stood out in his sober colours compared to the vibrant ones the others wore. Him acidic and the others sugary. What a contrast. She searched for any fluid with which she could wash away the bad aftertaste the biscuit had left, she found a water bottle on the other side of the table. She went over to it and started drinking, after she had taken one sip and the tangy taste had left her mouth, however, the sudden onslaught of water in her mouth made her realize how thirsty she was, the biscuits had left her mouth quite dry. She began drinking more, but she drank to quickly and began choking on the water.

She coughed and sputtered, dropping the water bottle on the floor which exploded with a crash, as it was a glass bottles not plastic, thereby making sure everyone had her attention if they hadn't had before with her coughing noises. Someone exclaimed from the table, 'Oh my God, she is choking, someone help her!' But Khushi didn't see who it was her eyes were on the dark, furious ones, in which she could read murder. Someone came from behind and started slapping her on the back to get her to settle down, but the hiccups had started, out of fear. 'There, there, you're okay.' Someone said soothingly as they rubbed her back, to which she only managed to give a stiff nod, it was okay for her to think that Khushi was okay now, she didn't realize that she would have to deal with Arnav Singh Raizada, which would be worse than choking to death.

Her eyes shifted from the person who had been helping her and onto her pursuer as her heart gave a wild jump. He was walking right towards her, in deliberate, controlled strides. Automatically, Khushi began moving back, adrenaline pumping through her body as she thought of an escape route. One hand reflexively enclosed around her abdominal area, to protect her baby from this man, while the other groped around her in hope to find something that may help her in her escape. Suddenly her back hit something solid and cold, the wall. Oh crap! She had nowhere to go. Panic was written all over her flushed face as her hands frantically fumbled on the wall for some release from this situation. Her fingers landed on some sort of a tiny handle. Was her back on the door? Excellent all she need to do was pull the handle and she would be out of this room. She yanked with all he might, but no door opened instead, police sirens began to wail in everyone's ears.

What On Earth?!!! Khushi looked around, what had just happened, why were sirens blaring around them; and then out of nowhere a shower opened up on top of them. For one wild minute Khushi thought it was raining, but then how was that possible, even if it was raining outside the water would not be coming inside there was a ceiling for crying out loud. What the heck was going on?!! There was chaos all around her, everyone of the delegates were leaving the room, with a panicked look about them, leaving only Arnav and Khushi there, getting drenched under the shower, which for some weird reason the ceiling had opened upon them all. Not understanding what was happening she turned to face the only other person in the room, who looked like he was going to kill her. His fists were bawled, his nostrils flared, his jaw twitching and his pupils dilated. However, their attention wasn't on Khushi at the moment, but on her fingers. She too followed his gaze to see why he was staring at her hand, when she spotted what was it that held his attention, her heart sank and everything that had occurred in the last 20 seconds came into sharp focus. Her hand still clutched the handle that she had pulled, only now she saw that the handle belonged to the fire alarm not the door. She was in for it now. Khushi Kumari Gupta count your final blessings for this man will not spare you! Khushi thought as she closed her eyes and began praying ferociously to DM.

Nothing seemed to happen for the longest time, yet Khushi kept her eyes closed too afraid to open them and find that the world around her had dissolved and she was standing in mid-air. It was only when the sirens stopped blaring and the sprinklers above ended their bathe did she finally open her eyes to find a completely drenched but vacant conference room. Where was Arnav Singh Raizada, it was unlike him to spare her. She looked around the room but didn't find him, she even looked under the table, may be he had taken refuge from the sprinklers there as ridiculous as that sounded, she still checked he wasn't there either. She gathered up the courage and peeked outside the door, no sign of him their either. What had happened? Where had he disappeared to? May be he melted away in the water, just like the wicked witch in Oz, god knew he was evil...don't be stupid Khushi Kumari Gupta she rebuked herself, although a giggle did escape her as she imagined him liquefying in the water, although this time she had to agree the fault was hers', even if it hadn't been intentional.

She made her way back to the D-Squat, mulling over what had taken place in the conference room and how Arnav had left without saying anything. May be, just maybe he had spared her, understanding that she had not meant for any of it to happen, maybe she had been wrong and he was capable of understanding...

Only he wasn't as she saw now, clutching the termination letter in her hand, he had fired her. For a mistake, it seemed unreasonable and unfair. He hadn't even heard her side of the story, even the judges' let a murderer give his statement before committing him. But he hadn't, only left the damned letter on top of her bag, where she had found it moments before, causing her to reflect over everything that had happened. This was unfair and injust. She could not let him do this. He couldn't fire her before he had hired her!

Her mind made up, she squared her shoulders and marched upstairs to his office where he had retreated to after the downpour in the conference room, it was clear now that the office space upstairs must be his considering it was the only place that lacked colour and warmth in this office, just the way he lacked them.

****

Hii All

I have some important news to tell you. I will be inactive for the next three months. I have some family things to deal with and so unfortunately will not be able to come on the forum. These last two chapters will be the last updates until I come back on the forum. Really sorry for making you all wait for the rest of the story, but life calls and I have to answer it. Hope to reconnect with you all in January.

Lots of love.

Abeer

well, another IPK scene and that too in a different set up. loved it
that was seriously stupid of khushi and i don't think Arnav did anything wrong in firing her but for khushi's defense i can only say that the receptionist should be blamed as it was not khushi's job at all to do. moreover, when he found out he should have asked her to go, having got the coffee incident 1st hand, whether the delegates came or not, that was not the reason.

will miss ur updates for so long... can't even say that update soon as it is not possible because family comes first...

chapter 11

Beautiful. Poor khushi no one is der to support her

hope you are able to sort out you problems

Oh Lord what a second meet!!!

everything went wrong for her

and now he fired her