ARSHI TS- With You By My Side,Ill Always Be Allright COMPLETED - Page 21

Part 3 (c)

Arnav met Khushi halfway and led her to a rather secluded corner of the hall,Khushi let him lead her as she was too craving for a moment alone with him.They stared at each other for elongated seconds and just as Khushi thought he would tell her that Arnav moved back a step and said.

"That was quite a scene isn't it Khushi!"

"She deserved that and more,don't act you were oblivious to what she was trying to do".Khushi spoke vehemently,here she was thinking that he would tell her he was impressed but here he was telling her that she created a scene.

"What was she trying to do Khushi?".Arnav feigned innocence fully enjoying seeing her so riled up.

Khushi would have answered and told him in exact words what that Amrita was trying to do when she caught the teasing gleam in his eyes.She pulled at the lapels of his coat bringing him closer till their faces were an inch away from each other and made him spoke stating the most profound truth to him.

"Listen Mr Arnav Singh Raizada and listen good,you belong to me .From your head to your toe,every inch of yours is all mine NOW and FOREVER".

She looked so adorable when she claimed her rights over him,just the way he did over her,it was like seeing his mirror reflection.Being in a space where there were no pretences,no laid up masks,no undue pressures of turing upto someone's expectations,a place where you can be yourself holding nothing back.where you were accepted as you was flaws and all included.

Hadn't his mind been aware of the presence of so many people and the media hovering around them,Arnav was sure he would have kissed her right there.Khushi was still holding him tight and he gently untucked her hands and then held them close to his heart wordlessly seconding what she has just said to him.

His phone beeped at the same time ,it was Aman's message informing that everything was set asking him and Khushi to come and take their seats.

Amrita was about to walk out from the party but at the same time the host made the announcement for everyone to be seated as there was some announcement that was to be made which made her relent and took her seat grudgingly.

Arnav led Khushi to the dais that was set up for them took their respective seats.Their family too sat closer All the media people that were invited were seated in the front and the guests were guided to their designated places tailormade so that they also could see the happenings clearly.

Aman came upto them and whispered in Arnav's ears that the judge of Mrs India Competition has expressed his desire to say few words.Arnav asked Khushi her opinion about this and getting her agreement gave Aman a go ahead for it.The male judge took his position and started his speech.

"I am judging Mrs India Competition for years now but this time it was an experience in itself as I got to meet Khushi as we all have known her.And yes you all heard it right,till the very last day of competition we didn't know she was Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada and we hadn't come to know has someone not tried to disgrace her".

"Khushi is one of the most hardworking,honest,kind hearted and sincere persons I have ever come across.If she wanted,she could have easily used her name and position to win this competition but she kept it at bay and with her sheer dedication she won the crown of Mrs India which was so well deserved."

"Though,I would like to add first when we get to know it was as much as a revelation.Even after working in such close quarters and inspite of Mr Raizada being the sponsor ,he never favoured his wife in any matter because she wanted to win it on her own.But one word about his wife and Mr Raizada didn't take a second before leaving the sponsorship not caring how it would affect his company.They truly are a match made in heaven".

Huge round of applause followed his speech and for few seconds the dias went absolutely dark and no one noticed the interchange that happened between Mr and Mrs Raizada.Arnav actioned Aman to switch the lights off well aware of Khushi needing a moment to compose herself after hearing those words.

The protective instinct on him which were always on high when it concerned Khushi kicked in with more force as he wrapped his arms around her and wiped the lone tear that escaped her eyelids.

Making sure she was okay,he stood up,the softness that his eyes were exhibiting gone now replaced by the steely determination to do what he was set out for.

Everyones attention was focussed on him while the reporters waited anxiously for him to speak up.Their wait finally came to an end as Arnav Singh Raizada started speaking.

"You all have already been notified that today I am going to make an very important announcement but before that I have question for all of you .Can you tell me what does the word PERSONAL LIFE implies?".

It was an completely unexpected question and all the reporters including the experienced interviewed remained silent trying hard to form an answer while all the guests looked on having no idea where it was heading too.

Arnav shifted his gaze towards his family standing together at a distance offering their support as always and then at Khushi who sat there totally unpeturbed by all the commotion,her eyes fixed on him,she gave him a small smile and he started speaking again.

"It seems all of you are fairly new to this concept,well let me answer this very simple question,personal life means just that personal which no one has a right to intrude in unless you are given that permission to".

"Being journalists,you all have the power of pen in your hands but that does not give you right to misuse it,you can't go on and publish any dam thing without getting your facts correct".Arnav spoke trying hard to control his voice from rising as the events of the day before came reeling back to him.He took a deep breath and continued.

"All those people who have the nerve to do that and write things without getting their facts correct,I hope you all know what are the implications of yellow journalism and yes do not forget to look into your respective mailbox tomorrow".

The ones who know whom the statement or rather the underlying warning was directed at could only scrunch their eyebrows at their peers and wonder what awaited them while others could only practically gawk at the personality Mr Arnav Singh Raizada was.His aura was reflected by every word he spoke and his actions were right there on spot knowing exactly where to make the mark.

"Well as you all know this party is to commerate my wife's winning Mrs India Competition alongwith the very important announcement I need to make".

HE glanced at Khushi once and spoke,his each word filled wih pride for the person concerned.

"AR CORP PROUDLY WELCOMES ITS NEW CHAIR PERSON MRS KHUSHI ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA".

Khushi was not even sure that she heard it correct,has Arnavji taken over her craziness?.What was he talking about ,she the of AR,he has definitely gone insane.She was still struggling with her self thoughts when the spotlight fell on her and she has no option but to stand .Arnav came by her side,leading her to front and handing her the legal papers for the same.

The reporters though weren't done as yet as the questions started pouring in again,repetitive as they were in words and meaning with alikes of "Is this surprise for you Mrs Raizada?","Did you knew he has this planned for you all along".

But Khushi having seen her husband all this time handling media and the sessions that she had done with the PR team knew exactly what answer she needed to give to put fullstop to these neverending questions.

"It indeed is but then my husband suprises me every single day.AR is a part of us and there cannot be a bigger honour than to be associated with it in this manner.I accept it whole heartedly ".

After the official press release as they both stood together while people kept coming to give their wishes,they both watched Amrita leaving the party hahphazardly.It was said that the best victory when your enemy knew he has lost the game without you making it obvious to them.

Seeing Amrita leaving and the way she has looked at them,Arnav and Khushi knew she has gotten it finally that all the while she was hitting on a wrong target.Though Khushi knew Amrita was lucky she was a woman and Arnavji respected woman a great deal to give her an answer because had it been a man ,she was sure he wouldn't be able to even recognise his face till now.

The memory of him beating the goons in Nanital when they have hit her flashed making her smile but she concealed it there only.She was supposed to be angry on him not smile at his acts she told herself.

Arnav saw her trying hard not to smile and by the looks of it he knew it was related to him.She was a bit put off since she hasn't spoken a word to him after the announcement.Clearly,she hadn't expected it and more so because even after she was involved with everything that was related to the party he hadn't given her an idea about it.But then it was meant to be a surprise to her as well he mused.

The host announced the first dance of the evening by the couple and Arnav for once was more than glad for it. Yes,he still didn't enjoyed dancing but with Khushi dance has also become a routine especially when they were in their personal space.

And now it was providing him the opportunity to talk to her and patience was clearly not his virtue especially when it concerned his beautiful and now very visibly looking angry wife.

A soft music started playing in the background and they started moving to the beats in synchronisation. The lights started to fade slowly and the spotlight rested on them.Khushi was looking down not exactly facing him and was startled as Arnav pulled her dangerously close and whispered her name.

"Khushi".

How on earth was she to remain angry on him if he took her name in that voice,still she tried nonetheless.

"Aapko humein pehle batana chahiye tha"(You should have told him before).Khushi said expressing her disliking for him hiding such an important thing from her.

"What difference would it have made ?".Arnav said knowing what was about to come.

"Aap aisa kaise kar saktey hai Arnavji,AR CORP Arnavji,yeh aapki pehchaan hai,aapne kitni mehanat aur lagan se,isse is mukaam pe pahuchaya hai aur aapne humein chairperson bana diya".( How can you do this Arnavji,its AR CORP,your identity,you have created it and bought it to the position its in today with your sheer hardwork and dedication and you made me the chairperson).

"Tum aur main alag hai Khushi"(Are you and me too separate entities?).Arnav asked her the question,they both already knew the answer too.

She had no answer to his question as he just stated the truth that their whole life was laid upon.They were not two separate souls.They were one in all sense,word and actions and rightfully so what belong to him was hers and hers his.

All Khushi could do was to stare in those eyes as they got lost in each other,everything fading around them while everyone present watched awestruck the passion and the love that flowed between Mr and Mrs Raizada as they danced together lost in each other oblivious to everything around them.

What followed after the night of the party were the constant public apologies in all the newspapers that has published that lame article days ago.Alongwith the repeated calls and requests to host a joint interview of Mr and Mrs Raizada and the constant pleas to take back the lawsuit which was filed against the news agencies that has published that article.

Though the answer they all got remained the same ,no joint interview or a bite was available to any of them as their PR team and their ever efficient manager Aman handled everything perfectly maintaining the privacy that now has become a synonym to them as for days to come no one even got as much as glimpse of the couple who had become the talk of town.

Mr and Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada has flown far away that very night to some destination no one has any idea off not even Aman or their families. Where they had each other all by themselves,no responsibilities or commitments to be paid heed too.

A place where there were only Arnav and Khushi cocooned by the warm blanket of their love.

I HOPE THE LAST UPDATE OF IT WAS AS EXPECTED.THE FIREWORKS WITH THEIR UNBOUND LOVE.😳

MY HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERYONE WHO LIKED THIS STORY.

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LOVE

ANKITA