ArHi SS : Yes Boss II *Completed* - Page 45

Chapter-7

Khushi was grateful to Arnav for the way he handled everything - back in Chandigarh to in office. She really was but that didn't change her decision to stay away from him. Everything was happening so fast. She only joined two months back and she found herself in the centre of a storm all the time. Be it her joining or later those rumors and to add to her woes, Arnav's attitude wasn't helping either. His hot and cold behavior both confused and irked her. She at the present moment wanted some normalcy in her life where she doesn't have to think about anyone. So the decision to be at length from Arnav came naturally to her.

Khushi didn't have to do much effort to keep away from Arnav. He had to go to Shimla for a conference and this time he didn't ask Khushi to accompany him, much to her delight. Aman had gone with him too. Khushi too was busy in handling the schedule and researching for upcoming events. If that was not enough Lavanya was in the town to whisk her away anytime she was free, not that she complained. Khushi was happy with all the action. She knew that Lavanya was here just for two more weeks owing to her engagement and would return to Mumbai soon. Khushi was also completely aware of the fact that today was the last day she could go out with Lavanya without giving any explanation to anyone as Arnav was coming back after his four days conference trip. Off course she was counting days, it was the end of her freedom in office from tomorrow.

Khushi picked up her phone as it buzzed.

"Yes La. I'll reach there by 7"

"No, I won't be late. I'm leaving" She assured Lavanya picking up her bag.

Khushi pressed the elevator button one more time before feeling tired of waiting, deciding to by stairs. She turned on her heels and as she was about to take her route she heard a familiar voice.

Ms. Gupta

Khushi rubbed her ears to get over her illusion. Lagta hai kal aanewale toofan se pehle hi hamare kaan bajne lag gaye hain.

She ignored the voice as it repeated but she felt the source now much closer to her. She jumped in her position as she again heard her name. She turned around only to find dark caramel browns looking at her annoyingly.

"Are you deaf? I called you so many times"

Khushi blinked several times before realizing that the vision in front of her was indeed real.

"You were coming tomorrow?" she asked a question than answering his.

"The meeting finished earlier in the day, anything else?" Arnav didn't believe he was actually answering her when she was not doing any such thing other than looking at him with her wide eyes.

"I hope the meeting went well" she asked giving him a small smile.

Arnav told her that everything happened according to their plan and when Khushi told him goodbye calling it a day, he stopped her.

"I need to discuss about tomorrow's presentation"

"But office time is over" she said looking at her watch.

"It's urgent"

"I have a meeting with someone" She spoke loudly to him, trying to find a way to escape. She had made up her mind to go out with Lavanya and now she was in no mood to work.

"Meeting?" he questioned to which she nodded hoping he may let her go.

"My meeting with Singhanias is more important than your kitty party meetings" saying that he turned to get in the office.

Nerve of this man!! Hmph!!

"Always the party-spoiler" Khushi muttered under her breath.

"Suna maine"

"Suna toh ab yaad bhi rakhiyega" This time Khushi made sure that her words remain as thought alone and don't come out of her big mouth.

"How can I even expect a man like him to understand? A man with no personal life!" she didn't realize that her words were audible to him, not until the moment he turned back making her almost run into him. He looked at her with a furious expression. In that moment she knew that she has disturbed the delicate balance of The Ever-Great Arnav Singh Raizada. His next words only confirmed it, as if she needed it.

"Enough. Not a word more" he snapped.

Before he could shout at her some more, Aman joined them forcing Arnav to stop. He told Aman to join him in his cabin in few minutes and went away but not before giving an angry stare to Khushi.

Khushi sat in her chair punching keyboard with extra force while making some changes in the document for the presentation. She had called La to inform her about the cancellation of plan. Lavanya was upset initially but cheered up knowing that Khushi was not at fault if her boss shows up at the end moment. Khushi was looking at her screen thinking of a way to vent out her frustration. There was nobody in office other than her, Arnav and Aman right now. She missed Sim. If she had been here, Khushi would have talked to her and could have felt relieved. A call disrupted her thoughts and she picked up the landline to answer it.

She heard a soft voice asking about Aman.

"May I know who's calling?"

"I'm his wife"

"Mrs. Mathur. I would let him know. He is in a meeting with Mr. Raizada at the moment"

"What? Aman is still with him! They just came from Shimla" she sighed.

Khushi got the opening she wanted.

"Yes Mam. Sad but true. You must be aware by now how khadoos our Boss is" Khushi heard the giggle as soon she spoke. She then realized that this can go against her so she added, "But don't tell Mr. Mathur about it. They are kind of allies. You know what I mean?"

"Off course. Don't worry I won't tell him anything. Moreover he is working overtime these days, too busy to talk to me" the lady on the other side whined.

"You should tell Mr. Mathur to raise his voice against this dictatorship of this Laad Governor"

"What?"

Khushi repeated the new name she just gave to Arnav and heard the tinkling laughter of Mrs. Mathur on the line. They both laughed as Khushi continued with her tirade against Arnav, hanging up after talking for good five minutes.

As Khushi put down the phone she wondered if she had ranted too much. What if Rakshas gets to know? But she decided against it as there was hardly any chance of Arnav meeting Mrs. Mathur, and Aman she knew was not the type who would like to trouble anyone. Even Mrs. Mathur came across as a sweet lady. Didn't she say Khushi was very funny? No wonder that night Khushi worked till late thinking if Devi Maiyya has punished her for speaking badly about Arnav!

Next day Khushi told Arnav in advance that she has to leave on time in the evening which, by the way, for Arnav meant early. He was surprised as he returned only last night and here she was demanding an early leave but allowed her on the condition that she completes her work. Also he couldn't deny her when she looked at him with her hopeful eyes and a cute pout after telling him that Lavanya has to shop for her engagement.

Khushi was sitting in the posh caf sipping her Mojito as she told Lavanya about how difficult it was for her to meet La when Arnav has returned.

"C'mmon don't make him look so difficult. I've met him and he is a gentleman. Not to forget a very handsome gentleman" she winked at Khushi.

"He and gentleman!! Joke of the century La. Oh and how can I forget you'll say that. He is your soon going-to-be Jethji afterall" she laughed loud at that.

"You're ignoring the handsome part honey" Lavanya wiggled her eyebrows at Khushi.

"For me there is only one handsome man and that is Salman Khan Ji" Khushi announced raising her drink.

"You're still ignoring if Arnav is handsome or not"

"Why are you so interested in him?"

"Because you are not interested in him" Lavanya replied tongue in cheek smiling naughtily.

"Eewww.. You've a boyfriend La. How would NK feel when he comes to know that you're interested in his brother? I sympathize with him."

"And I sympathize with you Khush. You're losing out on such a sexy man."

Khushi made a face to Lavanya in return.

"You're still ignoring the handsome part" Lavanya said the line which she repeated throughout their time together as they left the caf and went from one showroom to another searching for the perfect ethnic attire for Lavanya.

Lavanya and Khushi plonked straight on the bed leaving the numerous shopping bags at its foot. They both laid there for minutes closing their eyes. They were dead tired after all the shopping. Khushi reluctantly got up hearing the door bell. The pizzas they had ordered while returning had come. They both half sat in the bed resting against the headboard. Khushi placed the boxes on the quilt they were in and they started eating it with a relish.

Khushi took the last piece spraying chili flakes on it.

"What are you doing?"

"I like the last piece to be more spicy La before that pastry"

"I'm talking about you Khush, not the pizza. What have you thought about it?"

"La please don't make it sound like I'm some 40 plus single woman"

"Why are you hell bent on ignoring every male?"

"I don't ignore them"

"You do. You even never say anything about ASR other than badmouthing him. And please keep your hand down. Let me complete.

I don't know much about Arnav but I'm sure he is not the kind of the person who only has flaws. NK has told me little about him and I understand that he is a very private kind of person. He was rude to you, agreed, but you never told me that he helped you" she smiled winking.

"I didn't tell you because of this. See your expressions. And for the record I'm not ignoring him. It's just that I've other things to talk about too."

"Khush you know that you can't lie to me. We both know you're hiding something. Do you still love Shyam?"

"Nooo" Khushi answered immediately in a loud voice.

"Do you miss him?"

"No. Strangely he doesn't bother me at all. I mean I'm over him. It's just that I can't forget that I was fooled so easily. How could I be so nave to not see through his lies? He conned me, ME - Khushi Kumari Gupta. I always thought I'm very intelligent and perceptive. This is so difficult to digest."

"But what has that got to do with anyone else?"

Khushi knew Lavanya only wants best for her and she too wanted to vent out everything that was in her heart. She already felt so heavy by keeping everything inside her. She thought it was better to let it all come out and she won't get a better person to share it all with other than Lavanya.

"It has nothing to do with anyone. I just don't feel like trusting anyone anymore. I talk normally with everyone but I don't want to go through all the pain again. I guess it will take me some time to start believing in people again"

"You know I was very worried for you initially specially those few days when you talked about only that Jha. But I felt relieved in a few days when you joined AR"

Khushi looked confused at Lavanya's statement. Did La mean that the change in company made Khushi appear happy? Before she could ask Lavanya, Lavanya explained for her.

"When you saw the real face of Shyam, you cried day and night talking about him. But after joining AR, or should I say since you met Arnav, you never bothered to mention him. It felt as if he ceased to exist for you. Rather you had fun picking names for ASR, making fun of him and his What The's. Yes there are shadows of the past but still there is so much new happening. I'm happy for you. You've come out strongly from the past. And I like that you're still that silly woman I once befriended in my school" she laughed saying that.

"Silly I am, otherwise I won't have believed Shyam, and not when you told me that his behavior is a bit odd with all the coming and missing acts"

"Khush, snap out of it already. I didn't bring him in our conversation to make you sulk"

"I'm such an idiot La. Why didn't I believe you?" Khushi asked helplessly in a broken voice.

Lavanya engulfed Khushi in a tight hug as she sobbed in her arms. That night Khushi cried her heart out regretting not taking Lavanya's words seriously, regretting saying yes to Shyam, regretting that her one decision left her with such a bad experience, regretting to be part of a relationship where every word was a lie.

Khushi stood with Lavanya wearing a plain silk sari in the combination of peach and pink with silver work on it. Lavanya dazzled in a deep pink lehenga choli, her choli in brocade and zardosi work. She looked splendid and her happiness reflected in her dimpled smile. Every eye was trained on Lavanya and NK who at the present moment stood on stage exchanging rings amidst the hooting and cheering.

After receiving all the wishes Lavanya and NK came down from the small stage to take a break and taste the delicious food and drinks available for the evening. Khushi felt heavenly tasting the snacks. She was amazed at herself for holding so long without eating. Lavanya hadn't allowed her to leave her side even for a second throughout the ceremony.

Arnav joined them congratulating NK & Lavanya once again.

"Welcome to the family Lavanya. But let me warn you that NK has a loose screw in his head" he joked light heartedly.

"Not a word against my NK. At least not till the time we get married" she laughed.

NK feigned having a broken heart and everyone broke in peals of laughter. Khushi took the entire scene in front of her and smiled. She was genuinely happy for Lavanya. She had made a correct choice as NK for her life partner. Not only he loved her but also his family was very lovable. If she ignored her rarely speaking boss, everyone else in the family was lovable. Be it his slightly melodramatic mother Manorama, his warm yet not much speaking father Mahinder or his beloved Dadi. It was a lovely set of family.

"Nani you please sit down. You've been up on your toes taking care of everything for last so many hours. Now rest time please" Arnav forced Devyani Raizada to take a seat on the chair he just pulled up for her.

Khushi knew Arnav cared when he wanted to but with his family he didn't look one percent of the arrogant man he behaved in the office. It was a welcome change for her to get a sneak peek in his personal side.

Khushi couldn't stop herself from congratulating her best friend once again and hugged her telling how she has chosen the best guy for herself. Khushi heard a familiar voice congratulating NK and she broke the hug to look at the person.

"Thank you Mrs. Mathur. I thought you were too happy sitting in the corner with Aman" NK said teasingly.

Khushi looked at the lady who looked graceful in the double shaded mauve silk sari with a black border. Her one arm was linked to Aman as she smiled freely reflecting her exuberance. Their telephonic conversation played in her mind and she thought if trouble was around the corner for her. Mrs. Mathur seemed too friendly with the family. Khushi was totally wrong in thinking that Mrs. Mathur won't meet Arnav ever. You assume so much and too fast Khushi Kumari Gupta for your own good!

"Congratulations to you too Ms. Kashyap"

"Please, you don't have to be so formal with me Di"

Di, Khushi was confused. How does Lavanya know Mrs. Mathur so well?

"Khushi meet Mrs. Anjali Mathur nee Raizada and this is my best friend Khushi" Lavanya introduced both of them. Khushi prayed to her best friend Devi Maiyya that Anjali had forgotten about her. Khushi said a polite hello to her.

"Are you the same Khushi who works in AR, the one I talked to last week?"

Khushi coughed slightly praying mother earth to swallow her before she once again makes a fool of herself in front of everyone.

Arnav answered on Khushi's behalf and asked when Anjali had talked to Khushi, curious to know.

"The day you didn't free my husband even when you guys just returned from Shimla" Anjali said mock angrily.

Arnav and Aman chuckled listening to her shaking their heads clearly indicating that they were habitual of her theatrics.

"It's nice to meet you Khushi" Anjali told Khushi after a while, shaking hands with her.

"Same here Mrs. Mathur" Khushi was happy that Anjali didn't let anything slip in front of everyone.

"Call me Anjali please. You too are now connected to us personally"

"Ji, Anjali ji"

They stood there chatting, the three women busy in conversation of food and clothes. Khushi heard another familiar voice and she knew to whom it belonged. She stopped herself from looking at him but had no choice when Anjali and La stopped talking and looked at the person who just reached them.

"Congratulations NK & Lavanya" Khushi ignored the sweet saccharin voice and its owner. Lavanya glanced at Khushi before turning to the man she didn't like one bit standing in front of them with a bouquet.

"Thanks Mr. Jha" NK replied smilingly oblivious of the disgusting glare Lavanya was throwing at Shyam.

"Please excuse us" Lavanya told NK as she took Khushi by her hand and left the place.

"What is he doing here?" Khushi asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

"I don't know. NK doesn't know about him, remember? But I'll tell him to not invite that Jha in any other ceremony"

Khushi knew her friend was doing this for her but she didn't want her to do anything especially when he could be a family friend of NK.

"You won't do any such thing La. He might be NK's friend or connected to his family"

"Whatever. But I can't stand his sight. People like him can never be a friend to anyone"

"La you wanted me to get over my past. May be this is the way Devi Maiyya wants it to happen"

Lavanya looked for a long time at Khushi's face looking for any sign which could prove that Khushi was doing this for her and NK. Lavanya hated the man who tricked her innocent friend and she didn't want Khushi to go through all the pain. But seeing the determination on her face, Lavanya decided to not interfere in the matter as of now. She could stop all the drama anytime she wanted and this time she was present with Khushi to stop that man going from anywhere near her again.

"Khush but you'll come to me if he tries to act over-smart?"

Khushi nodded to her smilingly at the same moment as NK came there, telling them to join everyone on the dance floor. Khushi smiled as NK extended his hand for Lavanya to take and they headed to the centre of the dance floor, their eyes never leaving each other as they danced completely in rhythm with each other.

Khushi wished all the happiness for her friend. They looked happy and perfect with each other. She wanted to dance but with no partner she was forced to not dance. She decided she would shake a leg when DJ would change from the romantic song to some party number.

She wondered if she would ever find love in her life especially when the evil was lurking around looking at her, following her. She didn't want to give any opportunity to Shyam to find her alone and so she took her seat next to Devyani Raizada and sat there chatting with her trying to ignore malice presence of Shyam in the party.