FF-Oh Yes,thats Love!!Ch21-Th2-LINK-pg1(20/7)new - Page 5

Chapter 4

Asad Ahmed Khan was a tradional man and alas as the result , so was his mindset. As he drove to AR for the board meeting, he couldn't help but think that - maybe his Ammi and Najma had always been right that he was a little too uptight in Life- he never knew how to have any fun, loosen up a little..smile for non-existence reasons..sometimes he wondered why did he always let his past get the better off him- as he recollected Miss Farooquis joke on him at breakfast when he had smiled over a matter and She had claimed it to be a monumental moment to see him smile.

It had been almost a week since Cyclone-Zoya had hit his house, she just never stopped picking on him and yes, that irritated him to the core but at the same time sometimes when he saw her smile and joke along with almost everyone and just be so lively and full of life - his heart did envy the fact that it ddnt know how to beat like that- beat of happiness.For that matter even his new friend Khushi was similar when it came to positive outlook at life.Infact it was maybe from the information about Zoya, that Khushi kept filling him up on, that made him feel that yes however irritating she may be with her abnoxious adjectives for him- such as Akdu Ahemed Khan, Jahapana,and Hitler and Jailer etc etc- deep down she had a clear heart.Also deep down he was pretty glad that khushi and Zoya had come over- well firstly coz he had found a really good friend in khushi, he had never been genuinely friends with a girl other than his childhood friend Tanveer, who was his neighbour back in the times when they lived in Bhopal. and Secondly Najma was really happy and thirdly- Miss Farooqui and him also were a little bit more cordial towards each other and somehow that really pleased him. .However,that didn't change the fact that His mind was on red alert when she was around, specially when his heart had already found some treacherous corner for her killer dimpled- smile.Yes she was beautiful and attractive to her credit and perhaps that was what made his ditcher of the heart discover and feel a totally alien-ly different sort of feeling when she was around.Sometimes he couldn't help but wonder as to how Life would be If he knew how to live it differently.But then the truth would strike him- that His Life could never be any different because his past was always around. Ammi's suffering, his fathers betrayal- anger rushed through him as he thought of his name sake biological father- Rashid Ahemed Khan who had simply just gone ahead and broken their home and was living with his second family.He hated him to the core..yes he was his father..and perhaps the only good thing he had ever done in his life was - to be decent enough to Stay out of his.

The only relations he felt meant something to him were his step- siblings.He was very close to Aayan and Nikhad.And his world of family and relationships only included Ammi, Najma, Nikhad ,Aayan ,Arnav and his family.Perhaps another reason why Arnav Singh Raizada was a brother to him was that they were both one of the few in the world who knew about each other family's dark past and just understood it and the roles their families played in making them who they were.

And so as he reached AR, he cleared his mind and reminded himself that this was not the time to revisit the past.Arnav and Asad were also on the board of each others companies as they were business partners in most of their projects.And So Asad walked himself up to Arnavs cabin.

Arnav- Hi Asad well you are on time as always.But the meeting has been delayed by 30 mins as Di is stuck in traffic.

Asad - not a problem ASR, how's Di btw and Jijaji?and would be coming soon right?

Arnav- yeah , end of this week on Friday- Saturday is Akashs anniversary celebration, so yeah Di, Jijaji and mamiji are definitely getting totally worked up about it.

Asad laughed- now that's a scenario not new to any of us...trust me it cannot be more worked up than it is at home right now...

Before Arnav could reply, Lavanya entered his cabin-

Lavanya- Hello Asad,she smiled sarcastically as they both shared the common dislike of each other

Asad- hello Lavanya,

Arnav- yes Lavanya what is it? Is everything ready for the meeting...

Lavanya- Yes ASR, and also I came in to tell you that my flights tonight for Europe as its Fashion Week all over and this time I am going on our companys behalf, like u know.My first stop is Paris.

Arnav- get to the point Lavanya, I already know all of these things, don't waste my time

Lavanya sighed- well ASR I was hoping we could catch up for dinner before I leave..it's a long trip..I'll miss you..

Asad was trying his best to not laugh at the scene in front of him.He reminded himself to ask Arnav why he tolerated this drama ,yet again.

Arnav- yeah, we'll..il think it over.Talk to u after the meeting.Now leave...

Lavanya smiled at him and walked out- ASR always spoke to her in such an indifferent voice all the time with clearly no importance to the fact that they were also seeing each other.Sometimes, it greatly bothered her that she knew that she didn't matter to him as much as he did to her.And maybe she never would.It was totally insane to expect anything from him, specially when the grounds of their relationship had always been clear to her.Anyway, she shrugged the thought away and told herself - so what even if its just a namesake thing- something is definitely better than nothing at all...and her mind shifted to her trip- for which she had been genuinely excited for weeks.

As Lavanya walked out-

Asad laughed-seriously arnav, take my advice u don't need this drama at all..

Arnav - yeah I know..but it's convenient and gives me an excuse from Di,s radar from marriage at least

Asad- oh really...thn what was last week about..she's Di she knows you in and out...she knows u care a damn about Lavanya..

Arnav sighed-yeah guess u are right , anyway so what were u saying about the scene at home..

Asad laughed at that- oh yeah you gotta come and witness, home is a Hit by the Cyclone- Zoya.

Arnav couldn't control his grin at that- what?Cyclone Zoya- seriously, Asad...that's one name..but she's funny and nice you know..I kind of get along with her.

Asad surprised- and where did you meet her after the first day to come to that particular conclusion, brother?

Arnav laughed- well we live nearby u know...and I've met her and her friend a few times over jogging...although mostly it's me and Zoya who run and Khushi just chooses to silently sit and listen to her music at the park bench...which is actually kind of strange u know...she totally goes on the mute zone around me...is she like that at home as well?

Asad- well no, that's surprising...I talk to her all the time at home...it's strange.I'v never seen her mute at least.

Arnav was now highly confused and irritated with Khushi...firstly her face wouldn't stop haunting him and secondly -Hed met the two 4 out of 7 days on his daily morning run and expect for the general hi's and Bye's, he hadn't got a chance to speak to her at all, because everytime he would make an effort to and even just utter her name, she would make some random excuse and just walk off, and that pissed him off to the core because She was becoming more of a mystery to ASR, now- and he hated the fact that he still couldn't stop thinking about her, the times when he had also caught her staring at him and then just looking away, there was this alien kind of pull he felt towards her, and then the icing on the cake of his frustration was the new knowledge from Asad, that she talked to him all the time.Whatever the hell was happening….he was going to find out.Arnav Singh Raizada had never, and would never let anyone be a Mystery to him.

Asad –Kya hua, where are you lost..??

Arnav- Nothing was just thinking about what you said…asad…do u know the reason why the girls have come to India??Has Khushi told u anything??

Asad – No not exactly, actually, now that you mention it, Ammi just said they have some important work, but I don't think so even she knows the reson exactly..wait has Miss Farooqui mentioned anything to you on that??

Arnav now greatly confused- no, even Zoya hasn't mentioned anything at all..

And before they could continue with their talk, Anjali walked in-

Anjali- Sorry brothers, got stuck in traffic..lets start with the meeting..but the serious look on their faces made her ask- is everything alright chotte, asad?? Did I interrupt anything??

Arnav quickly replied- No di, nothing at all..we were just discussing the points for the meeting..

Asad agreed and smiled- yeah di, lets get the meeting started.

Asad and Arnav headed for the meeting But the confusion and mystery around their girls of interest didnt leave their mind.

Chapter 5

Later that day- 10:30 pm

Asad walked in home really tired.It had been a long long day..the board meeting at AR had lasted more than the expected time and secondly after that he had had a line of meetings.

Dilshad smiled and welcomed her son- Asad, dinner meeting kaisi thi? Tum bahut thake hue lag rahe ho…

Asad- Haan ammi..it was a long day..aapne sabne khana khaya?? Aur ghar mein itni shaanti kaise hai aaj??

Dilshaad replied worriedly, knowing the fact that what she was now going to say was going to make her son really angry- who asad, khushi, zoya aur najma..bahar gayein hain..

Asad confused- bahar kidhar ammi?

Dilshad- well woh they all wanted to go for a movie and dinner..and unhone mujhse poocha aur maine permission dedi..

Asad- haan who toh thik hai aami..par time dekha hai apna..raat ke 11 30 baje hai..aur najma ghar nahi luati hai..he fumed..he dad never let his sister out so late her curfew time was 8.

Dilshaad- haan asad , par tum chinta mat karo na…khushi aur zoya haina uske saath..aajayenge…

Asad fumed- aajayenge..ammi…just when I started thinking ki Zoya mein kuch toh akkal hai..woh itni gerzimmedaar kaise ho sakti hai..kamsekam fone toh karsakti hai na ki late ho rahe hai..aur iti raat ko teen ladkiyan kaise akele..ammi…you know its not safe!! Aur zaroor yeh Miss Farroqui ka idea hoga…..aapko pata hai ki I want najma in the house on time..and this woman..

Dilshaad- Asad, tum shaant hojayo..mein abhi phone karti hun..

Asad fumed- Ammi..aaj aap mujhe mat rokiyega…and joined his ammi..in waiting for them to return.

Najma was scared. Really scared.It was 11 already as they finished dinner and for the first time she had stayed out this late without bhaijaan and ammi.And so as they finished dinner, she was again and again looking at her watch.

Zoya- oho kya hua najma..bass hgaya hai..aur khushi ne cab bhi bula li hai…Mr.Khan kuch nahi kahenge..

Khushi smiled- Haan Najma..we are all together right…nothing is going to happen…

Just then Najmas fone rang..

Khushi- wait najma give it to me..il talk to fufi..and tell her..tum dono bahar aajao..meanwhile ill just go speak to her outside, as the signal is pretty low here.

Khushi walked out of the restaurant and spoke to fufi for a few minutes, who informed her of Asads anger and that he was furious and was waiting up for them.Khushi informed Dilshaad that they were just leaving and asked her not to worry.

Arnav had just finished with his dinner with lavanya, and she had left for the airport from the restaurant itself and Arnav had just seen her off.The only reason why he had agreed to meet her over dinner was because he had to dicuss some work issues with her before she left for her trip and secondly, he felt that it would only be decent to atleast have dinner together.Although for a while, he had seriously been pondering over the thought of ending this casual affair, as he knew Asad was right at the end of the day- he ddnt need the Drama because he had realized the fact that he would never be able to care for Lavanya the way she wanted him too. It was right then when he saw Khushi, talking on the phone.What would she be doing here?he wondered, and walked up to her to inquire about the same.

Khushi- haan fufi..well be right there..just leaving…don't worry!!

Arnav- Khushi..hi…tum yahan..??

Khushi was surprised as she saw him and literally dammed the effect of the husky sound of her name from his mouth had on her.And unlike the rest of the week, she knew she coudnt find an excuse to walk away, and so she gave an awkward smile and replied- Hi Mr.Raizada, who actually we were out for dinner, just waiting for Zoya and Najma to come out and I guess the cab will be here soon as well..then we are just heading home..

Arnav – Cab at this time Khushi..?Asad will be annoyed..

Khushi- oh yes, that he is..I was just talking to Fufi and apparently hes really annoyed that we took Najma out this late.

Arnav- yeah I know, hes a possessive brother..ill drop u guys…maybe later , finally you can tell me the reason why you have been running away everytime Iv tried to talk to you.

Khushi was shocked at his frank inquiry and was quite embarrassed to know that he had noticed her attempts.Khushi ranted to her defense- Excuse me, Mr Raizada..i don't know what do u mean by that.I have not been running away alright and now if youl excuse me , I need to get Zoya and Najma and leave and thanks for the offer for dropping us home.but well manage..and she turned to walk back into the restaurant, when he caught hold of her hand and pulled her back towards himself.

Khushi- excuse me, whats wrong with you.its a public place..what do u think you are doing??Aap batemmezi kar rahe hai…

Arnav smirked, she looked so stunning when she was angry- khushi, batameezi toh maine shuru bhi nahi ki hai khushi..i was just stopping you from doing what you claim to not do everytime you see me..i.e- running away. I am serious..i just wana know why..?

Khushi was greatly embarrassed, as she was at a loss of words, she ddnt know what to say, to admit the fact that she felt this strange feeling everytime he looked at her and this weird pull towards him...and that it scared her to bits or just make an excuse yet again, but right at that time she spotted Najma and Zoya getting out of the restaurant and quickly replied- I..I…pls just don't do this..they are here..

Arnav left her hand and looked at her, straight into her eyes and said- Fine Khushi.But this discussion is not over and I am not gona let it go until you answer me.

And before Khushi could reply-

Najma- Arnav bhaijaan…aap yahan…

Arnav- haan najma..i was just passing by when I saw khushi..cmon lets get you home..your brother is very restless..

Najma- oh god…pls bhaijaan..youv gotta save me…

Zoya chirped in- oho najma..pls vls kya keh rahi ho..Arnav ne kaha na…who dekhlega tumhare akdu bhaijaan ko..

As they drove back to the Khan's, Khushi knew that his eyes were on her through the review mirror and it was so obvious that even Zoya noticed Arnav constantly gazing back at Khushi through the review mirror.But before she could read between the silence her phone buzzed-

Zoya picked it and ranted in anger- SEriously zack, you don't give up don't you.Khushi wouldn't pick up your calls so you deceide to irritate me instead.Well she doest wana talk to you and no she is not gona give you a chance to talk or explain, coz uv already blown your chance alright.Its over, its better you accept it and move on.And she cut the call, and looked at Khushi- seriouslu Khushi..hes just not letting up..hes giving me the same crap about it being an misunderstanding.Well I don't believe him for a second..i hope u don't deceide to talk to him about it.

Arnav was surprised to see Zoya literally blow the hell outta the person who had called, and he could judge that this definetly involved Khushi and so he asked trying to hide his inquisitivity- who him Zoya..whats wrong??

He caught Khushi looking down, breaking his eye lock and look outta the window..before he heard Najma answer- oho bhaijaan..ill tell u…I guess that was Zack..khushi's ex-.They just broke up…apparently coz…

Zoya still angry from her rant- yeah coz she found out that that jerk was cheating on her..

Khushi just mumbled- pls Zo..i don't wana talk about this..lets just get home alright..im am not gona spoil my mood because of him again..its over..

Arnav Singh Raizada was surprised at the sudden rage he felt at the Stranger Zack, because of the new information that was just revealed to him and befor he could comprehend his feelings further, Najma turned on the radio , in order to lighten Khushis mood.

As they reached Khan's , Najma and Zoya quickly ran in..and before Khushi could follow them in, she felt the familiar hold on her hand and heard him whisper softly – tum theek ho? You seem upset..