ArShiFF: The Dawn of the Dawn - Thread 8 - COMPLETED - Page 24

Author Notes: Starting from this chapter, until ArShi's SR, all chapters are dedicated to my friend Nishu who is taking a very big step in her life. Congratulations Nishu and life is going to be beautiful, if you enjoy bitter and sweet moments equally. God Bless Ya! Muaahh.

The next few chapters will have multiple parts as I dont want to break the sequence of events and I give multiple parts not to lose the current track's essence by posting it different chapters. The chapters are only going to get longer as wedding is coming up. For those who want ArShi SR, sorry folks, you gotta wait, I will not rush without they enjoying the wedding and without sharing some moments of their past.

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Its been 3 hours since Arnav left to the studio leaving Khushi at the office. Everytime his phone beeped with email message, Khushi's mehendi feet pic popped up distracting him each time. Many times he tried not to look at his phone but his eyes automatically escaped to take a quick glance at her slender feet, convincing his mind, it to be one last time. Unable to concentrate on the fabric he is working, he flipped the phone upside down, determined not to look at the phone until he is done with the first phase.

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The situation is not any better for Khushi. She was put in-charge to approve some contracts on his behalf, and so Aman dumped a pile of contracts asking her to sign. When Aman told her that she now has equal rights on the company as much as ASR does, she felt overwhelmed and called Arnav but ended up hearing his voicemail. Understanding his busy schedule, she didnt try again, leaving him alone peacefully without her chitter chatter. That thought brought huge smile on her face thinking how he complained last night about her non stop talking. She even ended up asking Aman if she really talks alot. Poor guy was almost about to answer YES but smiled NO and left her cabin in hurry to save his job.

Khushi, excitedly signed first bunch of papers, but as the signature count increased, her fingers gave up, her shoulders drooped, and she literally rested her face on the desk signing the papers lazily. She wondered how Arnav manages to go through so many contracts in a single day. Her eyes started turning red and watery and she decided to take a break. She prepared herself coffee checking the clock ticking 11. She sat in the couch and looked through the blinds into his room. Sipping the coffee she checked his table and then shifted her gaze to his chair. She smiled imagining how he sits upright all day, his eyes glued on papers or his second wife, his laptop. She looked at her phone to see not a single message. She flipped it couple of times contemplating to text him but she gave it a pass as she was sure he will call once he gets breathable time.

Her eyes fell on the sketch board and pencil and then she looked at his empty chair. With coffee cup in her hand, she walked to the sketch board and took a pencil. She looked at his chair one last time and closed her eyes imagining his touch, his breath, his eyes, and his face before the first stroke and then she went into her own dreamland totally engrossed in sketching him. After that first stroke, never once she lifted her head to take an overall look at the sketch to make sure she is getting it right. She sketched his eyes emoting perfect expression of happy glint in his eyes. She didnt know how she was to able to sketch it so perfectly without looking those pair of piercing eyes; she just went with the flow as her heart guided her and to her surprise, they turned out beautiful and emotional with glint of shine around the corner of his pupils.

She dropped the pencil absentmindedly and took the sheet in her both hands and stood by the window. She remembered an incident with NK. Several times NK asked her to sketch his portrait and she tried god knows how many times but she never got it right. She is all confused what is happening to her. How could she draw him so perfectly without even looking at him once. Was he always meant to be hers? Were they always meant to be for each other since their birth? She felt emotional and overwhelmed to slowly realize that her heart always knew what she failed to understand for all these years. She hugged his portrait to her chest wiping her tears.

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Arnav was talking to one of his tailors, instructing her the type of embroidery stitches needed at the bottom of the lehenga, which is when he felt something disturbing, something not right. His heart felt heavy as if its bleeding with tears. He closed his eyes and took deep breath, Khushi's face flashed in the dark behind his closed lids.

Khushi? He called her name aloud and immediately checked for his phone in his trouser pockets. He didnt find it, he searched through all the tables and found it at last in the pile of fabrics. He excused himself to his room and hurriedly called her.

One ring..two rings...three rings... He grew impatient. Pick Up Khushi...

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She stood by the window looking out at the busy fly over focusing at nothing in particular but thinking about him, how he is so happy these days. When her phone rang, she immediately ran to the couch and noticed his name. Seeing his name made her condition worse and she broke down crying, smiling, holding the phone tightly in her palms. She quickly sucked her tears and answered the phone,

Arnav, one sec. Her voice shaken, hoarse. She muted her phone and gulped water hurriedly and cleared her throat to sound as normal as she can.

Why are you crying? He questioned straight to the point with no HI or HELLO.

No..I..I wa..wasnt crying. She stuttered, trying to hide her emotions.

Then why did you mute your phone?

Woh aise hee. Wait a min, how do you know?

You didnt answer me. What happened?

Nothing happened. How is it coming along?

Are you going to answer me or Shall I drop everything and come to you?

NO, please dont do that...As much as I prefer the latter option, I can understand you are busy. She said a bit sadly.

He understood she is missing him, Khushi?, he called her in his softest voice possible.

I am fine Arnav. Seriously! I am fine now that I heard from you.

Sorry, I was just tied up, but I was planning to call you at lunch time.

I understand.

They both remained silent experiencing the first pinch of staying away from each other. Arnav grew restless while she felt choked and suffocated in his absence.

Did you eat your lunch? Khushi broke the silence.

Not yet, what time is it? He said settling himself in the chair, closing his eyes tiredly.

12.00.

Already? Did you eat?

No, I will in few mins.

I will order something here.

Wait! I packed food for us in the morning, remember? Raghu is bringing your box. He should be there in few mins. Can you wait until then?

He heard a knock on the door. I guess he is here. Arnav took the box from Raghu and sighed him that he will manage and closed the door kicking with his leg.

Khushi, how do you do all these ahead?

Do what?

Packing, sending, making sure I eat on time.

Just like the way you called me when I was missing you.

He thought for a moment and asked her to wait on line.

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Arnav, where are you? Whats taking so long..

Wait, patience pays off!

If you have to work, you can keep the phone and do whatever you want. I dont have patience to wait on line.

Uff itna gussa. Bas ho gaya. Check your Phone. I sent you something.

Wait! She put him on speaker and tried to change screens to access Messages. Why does this phone have to be so complicated? Back...Back..Back...She literally talked aloud of what she was doing, making him burst into laughter at her antics. Finally! almost there, wait.

credit:: Pooji..I love you! (Lets ignore Anjali in the background😡)

She blushed opening the short video clip of him blowing kiss at her using his two fingers, making her forget that he is on phone until she heard his voice.

Khushi?

Yeah I am here.

Did you get it?

What? She decided to trick him.

What the? Didnt you receive any message from me?

NO. Did you send anything?

Yeah. I sent you a kiss, well not exactly, a virtual one. Dammit, This POS ruined my surprise. He tried to fiddle with this phone checking the messages.

Sorry. I got it. I was just playing with you.

That was not at all necessary. He feigned anger.

Sorry! Achaa laga! She blushed and he could very well make it out in her tone.

Kya achaa laga? He softened his voice putting his romantic mood on.

What ever you sent! She smiled shyly.

What did I send?

Something that I really needed.

And what was that?

Same thing that you are eager to get in reply!

Sooo. What is stopping you to return one?

She remained silent, blushing hard and the way whole conversation changed its course.

Khushi?

Hmm?

What are you doing? He just knew that she is doing something more than just blushing.

Do you really wanna know?

Every bit of it!

Just brushing my thumb on your face in the clip.

Care to go in details?

As in what exactly I am touching? She asked naughtily.

Not bad Mrs. Raizada. That is even better. I am all ears.

My entire thumb covers your face which is the only part visible in the clip, so I guess everything. She giggled.

I knew it. I knew when you asked that question, you would come up with something crooked. But just so you know you can still zoom and touch specific features if you really need to. He said in naughty tone.

Even if I do, do you think I will tell you.

No one knows how to spoil romance better than you.

Look who is talking. I guess you need to rewind 12hrs to our bedroom and check the facts.

Why do I have weird feeling that I will be taunted for the last night decision all our life.

Any doubt?

OK. This conversation is not going in the direction I would like it to. Lets just change the topic. Shall we eat?

Eat? OK bye then. Enjoy Food.

Lets eat together.

How?

Put your speaker on, open the lunch box. We will talk while we eat.

Are you sure you are not watching bollywood movies these days?

Shut up and open the box. I am hungry.

They talked, discussed each other tasks in hand, him guided her through the contract she will be working on in the noon and spent together their much deserved break.

When does your last mtg end?

Huhhh thanks to you Mr. Raizada, apki meherbaani, ends at 6:30PM. She complained nagging like typical wife.

He chuckled, Its OK to work once in a while Mrs. Raizada.

What do you mean?

Just kidding. Are you all set for the meeting?

Yeah I have all the details. Dont worry I will handle.

Oh I am sure. I dont doubt that. He said confidently bringing smile on her face. OK couple of things, First of all, Close the blinds between our cabins.

Why?

Just do it. I dont want you to keep looking at my cabin and I am sure you will sit there crying. Do as I say.

Arnav, pls..

No arguments Khushi. Do it.

Can I say I hate you now?

NO, NEVER.

FINE. Blinds are closed.

Secondly, I am going to txt you my credentials to access my office email. I want you to check an email that is saved in DRAFTS folder and give me your opinion.

What is it about?

Just few pics of fabric samples for the upcoming bridal show. Let me know what colors you like most. And make it quick. I need it in an hour.

OK. I will take a look.

OK, that's it I guess.

See you soon.

Hey?

Hmm?

Take good care of my precious wife. I really miss her.

She smiled, Come soon. I will be waiting.

I promise.

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In next few mins, Arnav sent her his username and password details for his webmail account.

Reading his password Fr3@K1ngW0rk, Khushi's eyes narrowed trying to understand. After re-reading it couple more times, she was finally able to decode it and rolled her eyes muttering As complicated as he is!

As the inbox is opened, she gasped noticing 233 unread emails. She scrolled down to see the time frame. All came in last 2-3 hrs. I never knew he could be this busy. She muttered in shock and opened the DRAFTS folder to do what she was asked to.

She texted the fabric number she liked the most, only to receive his brief one word reply, DONE!

His one word replies started making more sense to her after seeing his inbox. Her head started reeling and she forced herself to shut his mailbox and carry on with her work.

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