FF: When Love And Hate Collide II Pt33 Pg64 27/08 NEW!!! - Page 33

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PART 33

"Jahan teri ye nazar hai... meri jaan mujhe khabar hai..."

"Stop it Natsss..." Arjun responded to the tuneless singing without lifting his head up from the file he was reading. "Filhaal meri nazar iss file mein likhe gaye report pe hai."

"Kya pata... shayad ussme Arohi ki foto ho... jo itna ghoor ghoor ke dekh rahe ho." A sigh escaped her lips as she tried to get a reaction out of her boss.

Arjun looked up with a dead serious look on his face, but Natashas expressions made him drop his facade.

"Omigod! Arjun kya tumhe ye raaz ki baat pata hai?"

Arjun just gave Nats a stare with a question in his eyes.

"Yahi... ke itne saalon mein pehli baar maine tumhe blush karte huey dekha hai!"

Natashas words caught Arjun on the wrong foot and he felt his cheeks go warm. The smile that escaped his lips was beyond his control and he felt like a complete dork when his friend laughed out loud on his reaction.

Banging the file on the table top, Arjun got up to teach her a lesson. Natasha jumped up with a start realising that her behind, was in serious danger of getting kicked. Intenting to leave the cabin as soon as possible she ran towards the door and turned right at the last moment. Arjun, who had sprinted behind her did not anticipate her move and crashed in to Arohi, who opened the door at the same moment and entered the cabin.

Their hands went instinctively around each other and eyes got locked as well. Nats noticed the silent scene for a few moments and without making a sound exited the cabin.

Arohi came back to her senses first as she heard the cabin door shut.

"Arjun...?"

"Hmm...?" Arjuns hands were still around her. Arohis heart skipped a beat when she looked into his eyes and a realisation hit her.

She was the not the only one who was losing her mind.

But the question still haunted her. Did he love her...?

Kuch kaho Arjun... Arohis mind silently begged, but Arjun was busy in staring at her.

Arjuns desk phone rang, bringing him out of his reviere with a start. He rushed to pick it up.

"Hello? Yes... ok... yes i will be there in 10mins."

He kept the receiver and turned to look at Arohi. "Hum dono ko meeting..."

"... room mein bulaya hai? Jaanti hoon... isiliye tumhare cabin mein aayi thi. I think we should carry the 2^nd phase expansion file too."

"Ok." Arjun picked up the file, grabbed Arohis hand and moved towards the door. He stopped as he felt a tug.

"Arjun... ye kya karrahe ho?"

Arjun stared at their linked hands and then at Arohi. "Meeting room mein jaa raha hoon... kyu?"

"Arjun... office mein haath pakadna..."

"C'mon Arohi! Ab toh hamari families ko bhi pata hai ki we are dating. And im sure the entire office knows. Sirf tumhare darr se koi hamare bare mein baat nahi karta."

"... and i want to keep it that way. I don't want gossip in my office."

Arjun dropped her hand with a sigh. Arohi moved out of the cabin and he followed her.

Minutes later... conference room...

Arohi could hear a droning in her ear as Sunil was almost halfway through his presentation. Suddenly she realised that she had not heard a word of what he was saying. Shaking her head to clear it, she looked on intently. Sunil saw her shake her head and stopped abruptly thinking she didnot agree with his point of view. All the heads in the room turned towards her. And Arohi stared back at them like a deer caught in the headlight.

"Kya hua Arohi?" Sudhir asked her in a gentle voice. "Dont you agree with the statistics that Sunil has come up with?"

Arohis eyes widened. She stared at all the eager questioning faces sitting in the room, looking at her pointedly. Including Arjun.

Especially Arjun.

Arohi tore her gaze away from him to look at her father. "Nnnooo... no dad. Actually i didnot hear... the last point... clearly."

Arohi Ahluwalia prayed fervently as she saw everyone, analysing her answer and trying to accept her reason. How could she explain that she was busy in thinking about the one man that was sitting across her and driving her crazy but he himself was not at all affected by anything. Whereas she, was only able to see his face and feel his touch every moment of the day. The MD of Ahluwalia group of companies was in serious danger of looking like a fool in front of her board of directors and some of her staff.

"Oh ok." Sudhir Ahluwalia concluded. "Sunil, please repeat the last point."

The exasperated employee sent a silent thanks to god and continued to repeat his presentation.

Arohi exhaled and shut her eyes briefly. That was close.

She slyly looked around and saw everyone concentrating on the slide. Including Arjun.

Especially Arjun.

Arohi could feel an usual anger surge inside her. How can he be so calm and focused? He is not supposed to look this comfortable!!! He should be jumpy and nervous... like me. Hes looking cool as a cucumber whereas I am feeling like a cat on live wires.

The walk from Arjuns cabin to the meeting room was hardly a minute. But Arohi felt like she had been walking for hours... on the ramp... in the spotlight.

As soon as they had left the cabin, Arjun had looked straight ahead, walking along, but she could feel every eye in the office on them. Some smiling, some giggling, some whispering... and they both were the focus of discussion. Keeping her demand in mind, Arjun had not even brushed her as he walked with her, keeping atleast a 2-inch distance. But Arohi felt as if they were still attracting attention.

Its all in your head Arohi...

Faking concentration, she decided to keep her thoughts on hold... for now.

As the meeting got over, Arjun got busy with Sunil, telling him the changes and alterations to be made and everyone else started returning the calls and emails they had received during the meeting. Arohi started leaving when Danish came to her.

"Arohi... Sudhir sir ke Singapore tickets confirm kar doon? I've got a good deal and need to book them soon."

Arohi didnot know what to say. She looked at Arjun but he was busy with Sunil.

"Uhh... actually D..."

"Dont book my tickets Danish. Book Arohis. She will be attending the conference with Arjun this year."

Sudhirs gentle but firm voice came across the room, saving Arohi from answering that question. Arohi saw Sunil look at her very briefly in surprise before he turned his attention back to what Arjun was saying. Nodding to D's questioning look, Arohi left the cabin.

Arohis cabin...

"Come in..."

Danish walked in hearing his boss' tired voice.

"So... Singapore huh?" D planted himself in a chair.

"Dhondu please... Agar kuch important kaam nahi hai toh leave me alone."

D looked at her anxious eyes and grinned.

"Whats so funny?" Arohis brows frowned in anger.

"Tumhe pata hai... tum aaj extra khatarnaak lag rahi ho?"

Arohi gritted her teeth and Dhondu laughed.

After a minute he sobered up. "Kya baat hai Arohi? Tum itni... distracted kyu ho?"

"Because i am distracted!" Arohis outburst made D jump back in his chair. "... and i don't like it D!"

Danish's eyebrows raised. "Please explain... in detail." Arohis helpless-irritated-damsel look amused him.

"Pata nahi D!!! I am... i cant... kuch samajh nahi aaraha. I cant focus or concentrate anymore. Im doing one thing and my mind is thinking another. And he is just perfectly fine... usse kuch farak hi nahi pad raha..."

"I'm guessing he' matlab Arjun... right?"

"I always felt that i could keep my personal and professional lives separate but it looks like i cant. I just don't know what to do."

"If you don't know what to do... then will you do what i tell you?"

Arohi looked on.

"Stop thinking Arohi... or rather over thinking. Somethings in life, you need to feel... experience... live... don't kill it by analysing these moments and feelings."

Arohi looked at Dhondu like he grown two horns and a tail.

"What?! I know im a man... but i can still be sensitive..."

D walked over to his best friend and sat on the arm of her chair, putting his arm around her. "Aru... i can understand how you feel. Jab mein Shefali se pehli baar mila tha... tab mujhe bhi aise hi feel hua tha. Fark sirf itna hai ki i was happy... not traumatised like you!!! Thats because i had accepted the depth of my feelings towards her..."

"Main bhi accept kar chuki hoon D... lekin... ek ajeeb sa darr lag raha hai. Ek uncertain si feeling aarahi hai... which is making me uncomfortable. What if... what if..."

"What if he doesn't love you as much as you love him?"

Arohi jerked back in surprise.

"Surprise hone ki jaroorat nahi hai Aru. Im not just your secretary... im your best friend too. Itna toh tumhare baare mein jaanta hoon... tum batao ya na batao..."

Arohis heart beat picked up pace. If D can make out that shes in love then...

"Dont worry... i don't think Arjun realises yet!" D comforted her watching the question in her eyes.

"D... hes not a fool! Im sure he must have noticed..."

"Arohi... when people go through emotional changes, they all act like fools. Arjun is busy trying to avoid looking like a love-sick puppy to notice how deeply you feel for him. Infact you both are busy in understanding your feelings... and so you both are least interested in anything else."

Dhondu laughed and Arohi glared at him.

"Im sorry, but its just fun to watch you two control freaks, like this... completely out of control. But you are wasting this golden time by fretting over it. Be thankful that despite whatever happened... you are able to love again... whether Arjun is in love with you or not."

Arohi felt a small smile creep up her face. She didn't know what was it about having this friend in her life but he just managed to relax her completely. She nodded at him and hugged him sideways.

"Thanks Dhonds! You're the best..."

D kissed the top of her head. "You're welcome. And remember... i love you a lot."

Arohi grinned.

"And by the way, this is the first time you've called me Dhondu or Dhonds in office. I like this change too..."

Arohis smile grew wider. D got up from the chair and stopped at the door.

"By the way... im booking an early flight for you guys, so that you get to spend sometime there before the meetings start. I think you both deserve the break."

Winking at her naughtily he opened the door. "Oh and yes! I will also be going a weeks holiday, the minute you fly out."

Dhondu shut the door just in time to see his boss's eyes widen in surprise and a laughter leave her mouth. He turned around to an astonished staff who had heard the unusual sound in office, wondering what must possibly be the cause of it!!

Arjuns cabin... evening

"Is The Fullerton good?"

"Its the best... we should book over there."

"Ok... but there must be other hotels too..."

"Yes but its close to Clarke Quay where you can go in the evenings to unwind..."

"Ok. And for flights, its Singapore Air... business class seats."

"Great... what about local transport? I think we should book a limo..."

"No... they don't have too many limos in Singapore. Lets just get a nice sports car, so that we don't have to depend on a driver."

" Ok. You think we should get one of those one day tours? You know just to see all the famous local places..."

"I feel if you want to capture the essence of any place then you need to walk on foot and visit all the small local hubs than the museums or monuments."

"Hmm... i agree so that itinerary should be kept open. Ok lets also discuss the breakfast? American or continental or..."

"I think American should be good..."

"AHEMM!!!"

Danish and Natasha stopped discussing and turned their heads towards Arjun, who just cleared his throat loudly. Arohi was sitting next to him on the couch with an amused look on her face.

"Guys... agar tum dono HUM DONO ki Singapore trip ke decisions lene waale ho... then why have you asked us to join you?"

Danish and Natasha looked at each other guiltily.

"Im sorry Arjun. I mean i know what you will like and D knows what Arohi will prefer so..."

"Exactly my point Nats! Agar tum dono ko sab pata hai and you are capable of taking these decisions, then why are WE BOTH a part of this discussion. You guys decide and just let us know by the end of it."

"Ok thats good. We will do that."

Natasha made a gesture to D and they both hurriedly picked up their diaries and documents and fled from the cabin. Arjun waited till the door was shut and then he turned to Arohi.

"So will you prefer American or Continental breakfast?"

Arohi burst out laughing and so did Arjun.

"Can you believe these two?" Arjun shook his head.

"No i don't. But i love them..."

"Yaa... me too! But i guess they started getting along well before we did..."

Arohi smiled at him. "Tomorrow, one of my college friends is throwing a birthday party. She called me to invite me."

"And you're going right?"

"Im thinking."

"Am i invited?"

"She didn't mention anything about getting a date along so..."

Arjun just stared back at her.

"I mean maybe... because she knows about Naveen and..."

Arjun watched her carefully.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No Arjun... i don't need you to protect me. I think its time i face it myself. Even if anyone asks me i feel im ready to answer now."

"You know i can always drop you and wait for you outside..."

Arohi smiled at him and placed her hand on his. "Thank you. But i think i can handle this."

Arjun raised his hand and kissed Arohis back of the palm. "I know you're very strong. And i love you for that."

Arohis breath hitched and she smiled awkwardly, removing her hand from his grip. "Uhh... i think we should go home now."

"Itni jaldi kya hai? Lets just relax and talk for sometime."

Arjun watched her hurry towards his cabin door.

"Actually i wanted to stop at the mall on our way... So that I can to buy my friend a gift for tomorrow."

"Ok... Sure!"

Arohi smiled and Arjun kept staring. He had seen how Arohi was much much softer than usual with him today. And everytime she smiled he felt like hugging her or kissing her... basically find a reason to touch her. Only he knew how hard he had controlled himself in looking in her direction in the conference room. She had already warned him about giving a reason for gossip in her office and he didn't want her to be upset. But sitting in the same room as her and not steal a look, had taken lots of efforts. He wished he could prepone the Singapore trip so that he can finally have her to himself. No family... no work... no office... no Dhondu... no Natasha! Just Arohi and Arjun...

When Arohi went to the shop in the mall, Arjun excused himself to freshen up in the washroom. On his way back towards the shop he saw a beautiful necklace displayed in a window. Arjun looked at it and smiled. The diamonds were square in shape and perfectly set in order, just like Arohis teeth which shone when she gave her heart-felt smile. The necklace was simple and classy... just like his Arohi. The thought made him smile and he moved around the corner swiftly, bumping into someone.

Two bags got flunged by the impact and a variety of chocolates fell out of them. Arjun quickly apologised and bend down to pick them up. Stuffing them back in the bag, Arjun picked them up and handed to the pretty woman with whom he had collided.

"Thanks" The woman said softly.

"No problem... and happy birthday."

"Ji? Aaj hamara birthday nahi hai." She looked on confused at Arjun.

"Achha? Mujhe laga itne saare chocolates buy kiye hain toh shayad aapka birthday hoga aur aapne party ke liye shopping ki hai."

"Haha! Ji nahi these are for my daughters birthday."

"Oh! You have a daughter? Aapko dekhke lagta nahi hai." The woman blushed at Arjuns dimpled smile.

"Thank you for the compliment. And thank you for helping me out."

"No problem. Im Arjun." Arjun held out his hand and she took it.

"My name is Khushi. Aap naye hain yaha? Kuch dhoond rahe hai?"

Arohi finished her shopping and paid for it. Tired of waiting for Arjun to return, she wandered out of the shop in the direction of the entrance. As she pulled out her phone to call him, her eyes saw a pretty young woman, smiling widely and chatting with Arjun with her hand held in his! A sudden twinge of jealousy surged through her and she started marching towards the two people, that were chatting with each other oblivious to the world, like some long lost friends.

OK this is a sort of inbetween chapter and im not so happy with it lately have been having a writers block! so pls help me out with suggestions and comments... also let me know what do you want to see ahead 😃

Originally posted by: moonkmh

i love it...i love this chap ❤️