Chapter 16
(above banner by me.. 
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Khushi was back after her long day at the AR Fashions.. She not feeling any great, maybe she was so much stressed out due to this Bridal Project on what she was so excited for.. She saw the calendar once and knew her 'dates' were near to come anytime this week, and so she was feeling so lazy from this evening.. She just last time did a proof read on the short descriptions she drafted relating to her Project's Designs and sighed keeping those on the side table of her drawing room..
She was feeling weak to go to the kitchen and cook, but she had to! She was so hungry.. She looked at the kitchen shelf deciding what to make, and finally thought to make 'khichadi' as it will be easy to cook and healthy to eat, and would be light for her stomach too..
She took a small cup and took 1:1 proportion of rice and moong dal and washed it to soak it in water for a while.. She took four cups of water in a pressure cooker and put these soaked wheat-moong dal in the cooker when the water got warm.. Adding a bit of salt and turmeric, she closed the cooker and topped it with a whistle.. Now all she had to do, was to wait for the whistle to blow.. She changed into her pink night dress, and went in the drawing room back and laid on the sofa and closed her eyes..
So soon to rest, the Door Bell Rang..
She saw the time and was surprised.. It was almost 08.30 pm.. Who would it be? Payal? She wished not.. She was in no mood to listen to her yappings or go out now.. She stood up and went slowly to open the door and saw that Raizada standing there.. Her muscles pulled themselves to remember he just lived opposite to her to drop by anytime he wished to..
Khushi-Aap? (You?)
She stammered looking at him with wide eyes..
Arnav cunningly smiled looking at her and then at himself..
Arnav-Ha, mai! (Ya, me..)
She looked away and folded her hands crossed under her chest.. Raising her eye brows spoke like a queen with attitude..
Khushi-Kya kaam hai? (What work u have?)
Arnav-Kyu? Kaam ke bina nahi aa sakta? (Why? Cant I come without any work?)
Khushi instantly looked at him and invited him with a mock..
Khushi-Nahi nahi.. How can I say no.. Come na..
Arnav thinned his lips looking down to hide his shy smile.. He looked up to see her giving him way to come in.. The moment he noticed this he got in and Khushi was looking at the empty hall way.. Wait, did she really just allowed him to come in? Why?!
Argh..
Khushi closed the door and went inside.. She saw him looking here and there and she too followed her gaze at what ever he was looking..
Khushi-What? Are u finding anything?
Arnav-Nope.. Khushi I - - I actually came to say sorry.. In the morning, and today during the office hours too, I - -
Khushi-I don't want to talk on that.. Anything else?
She had to stop him.. The moment she remembered him kissing her, she started to feel butterflies raising her up from the ground, making her drowsy.. But, he continued..
Arnav-Look, I know ur not okay.. Let me just explain..
Khushi-Plz don't Sir.. U should not.. Coz ur enemies wont believe it, and ur friends wont need it..
Arnav-And u are my?
Arnav looked at her and she cursed the moment she spoke out those stupid philosophies..
Khushi-I don't need any explanations from u Sir, plz leave that topic there itself..
But how can she stop him when he has decided not to??
Arnav-Khushi.. I know.. But I want to.. Look.. PAUSE.. I - - I like u..
Khushi looked up as he took a step forward towards her.. She gulped waiting for more.. Ya, he did propose her saying 'I Love You' today at the Office, but then, was he here to speak that face-to-face? What will she do if he asks her?
He came close to her and held her hanging hands in his and looked at her to smile..
Arnav-Khushi, I know u think of me as a spoilt brat, haina? But I am not like that, erm, at least with u.. Yeah Yeah, I know I tease u and harass u intentionally sometimes but.. but then, u know now why, haina? Coz I do like u.. I already told u sorry, right? I - - I proposed u as I just could not wait for more..
She was liking his small speech..
Arnav-Khushi, I - - I - - am not a Mawaali who follows every girl and blows whistle at, okay?
Khushi looked down feeling shy.. Her eyes were closed..
Just then her cooker's whistle blew, and her eyes opened with the smile still on her face.. She saw the ceiling first, and then roamed her eyes aroundto find herself lay on the sofa..
Gosh, another hallucination Khushi..!
But wait, what did she dream? About him, her Sir?! God.. Why did she? Was it because he was covering that little space in her unconscious mind? The second whistle blew and she got up still walking slowly and blushing.. She reached the kitchen with a dreamy smile and stood there.. The third whistle brought her back and she closed the Gas-Stove..
She had just turned the Gas stove OFF, when the Door Bell Rang for real now, and she turned around to smile widw, and RUN towards her door..
She opened the Door without asking who it was, and hugged the person standing once seen who it was.. There without any sort of hesitation for any primary thought.. The person's feet took two steps back and Khushi climbed in Him.. Her legs too folded backside on her thighs and she pressed herself on him to show how much excited she was..
Khushi-Hum abhi aap ke baare mei hei soch rahe thee.. Sir! (I was just thinking about u, Sir!)
Arnav held her waist as his heart was beating fast.. This girl was surely driving him lost for reasons never predictable.. He smiled hearing her last line and saw her climbing down and cupping his face..
Khushi-Wont u come in? U have never seen my Flat, have u?
Her eyes shined.. She glowed.. Her long open hair gone messy, and her dupatta, WAIT, that was not at all seen around her.. He next experienced her pulling his hand and taking him in and stood in the drawing room.. She turned to him and her blush made her bosoms heave.. She looked at him who was just a blank soul at present..
Khushi-Ya? U wanted to say something?
He was just tongue tied seeing those expecting eyes.. He dint knew why she was acting so hyper all of a sudden.. She was biting her lower lip and stealing glances of him while tucking her messy locks time time time..
Wait, she was happy, so happy..?! Erm.. Did she like his proposal, should he go forward with that??
Okay! He knew how to do that then.. He smirked..
Arnav-Pehli baar tumhare yaha aaya hu, kuch khilaogi nahi? (I have come to ur place for the first time.. Wont u ask me asking?)
Khushi was actually not realising when she invited him and when she held his hands and started to talk to him so freely.. She forgot she should have been mad at him and should be stealing her eyes away from facing him.. Instead of feeling awkward, she jumped to reply..
Khushi-Sure! Coffee, Tea ??
Arnav-Or ME nahi puchogi?
Khushi narrows her eye brows still smiling..
Khushi-Dhatt!
She just gave a small pat on his shoulder and now looked down..
He just was back to his casual form seeing her so bubbly and she realised what she had been doing.. She just realised herself holding his hands such shamelessly after pulling him inside and behaving like an idiot.. She felt his hands and looked around to see her dupatta dropped on the ground near her sofa and realised what an stupid image she had created of herself just now.. Shit! She turned around feeling embarrassed.. She remembered the morning lift scene and those chats and cards and His proposal and hit her fore-head.. Gosh.. How can she yell at him now? She herself created a stupid situation by jumping on him at the door step and calling him, wait, pulling him in and behaving like a kiddo..
By what base should she yell on him now? How should she turn around to face Him now? She gulped and turned to see him standing just there, but now with her dupatta in his hand, raised to pass the pink cloth to her and she went near to take it with locking her eyes with his..
Arnav-Its okay.. Relax..
He himself put the dupatta on her neck and she looked down..
Arnav-Actually I came here to ask if u are okay? U are good, right?
Khushi looked down and now weakly nodded a YES.. Not able to look at him, her temple released sweat beads which rushed in pace when she heard him ask..
Arnav-Were u thinking about ME? U just said something like that at the door-step when I - -
Khushi-Ha? No.. I - - I was doing my Project and - - Nothing else..
Arnav smirked.. So she was back to her original form now.. He nodded his head at her innocence to cover for her words and his eyes fell on the table to go there and look at the Project File she just finished doing.. He went there and took it to see the Designs and went through the Details in a minute.. Khushi who was rooted at that place since a last few minutes, looked at him and fumed to reach him and snatch back her file from his hands..
Arnav-What the - -
Khushi-Haww.. What were u trying to do?
She hugged her work close to herself and looked at him with narrow, suspicious eyes..
Arnav-I was just looking at ur project..
Khushi-It is meant to be read by only My Sir, and that too the day after tomorrow only..
He chucked..
Arnav-Same difference Khushi!
Khushi-Na.. Nothing same..U think u can steal my work and give it in ur name?
Arnav-What? Why would I!
He chuckled at her innocence..
Khushi-Coz I know my Project Summary is the Best.. Humne dill se jo kiya hai! Aur dill se ki hui cheez hamesha acchi hoti hai.. (After all I have done it by following my heart! And things u do with ur heart, always turn to be good..)
Arnav-Ek baat toh maanni padegi.. (Have to agree one thing..)
Khushi-Kya? (What?)
Arnav-Handwritting is very neat, and so are the designs.. Well done.. Am sure this Project will take over..
Khushi-I know.. And now I will work with The Best..
She said with pride..
Arnav-Ahh haa.. Not 'with', but 'under' The Best..
Khushi-Whatever.. Now do u want anything else?
Arnav smiled and nodded in denial.. Khushi spoke harshly..
Khushi-Then leave..
Arnav left once looking behind at her and caught her giggling.. She immediately stopped grinning and looked away and Arnav left.. Khushi had her dinner and slept once she wrapped her kitchen..
***
Next Day..
Khushi got ready and got out of her Flat, and was just locking her door, when her Neighbour too got out and she turned behind.. As always, she found him and his perfume attractive and he noticed her wearing a sky blue colour puff sleeved chudidaar today.. She looked so sweet.. He smiled and so did she..
He came near her and she came towards him too, as his ordering eyes pulled her..
Ooo.. Meri har mann maani bas tum tak..
Baatein bachkaani bas tum tak..
Meri nazar Deewani bas tum tak.
Tum tak, tum tak, tum tak sone yaar..
Her hand bag hanging on her shoulder and he took her one hand in his, and pulled her more into him holding her waist and she blushed supporting her other hand on his wide shoulder..
Tum tak, tum tak arzi meri..
Phir teri jo marzi..
Meri har dushwaari bas tum tak..
Tum tak, tum tak, tum tak, tum tak..
Meri ishq khumaari bas tum tak..
The file in her hand was snatched by him and he threw it in the air and started to dance with her holding hand in hand and the papers from somewhere kept raining on them.. She was happy.. They both were laughing madly.. Love was in the air..
Ek tak Ek tak gum sum naazuk..
Naazuk dil se hum tum..
Tum tum tum tum tum tum tum tum..
He carried her on his one arm and spin on his legs and her open hair flew in air.. Their faces came closer and he was still spinning on his legs.. Her hair now coming on his face..
Chala hoon tum tak.. chalunga tum tak..
Mila hoon tum tak.. Milunga tum tak..
He kept her on the ground and she was happily drowned in those deep brown eyes.. Her heart was beating fast and he gulped seeing her so close to him, willingly.. He tucked her loose locks and she gasped to close her eyes and he smirked as her lips parted..
Meri akal deewani tum tak..
Meri sakal jawani tum tak..
Meri khatam kahani tum tak..
Meri khatam kahani bas tum tak..
Tum tak, tum tak, tum tak, tum tak..
Tum tak, tum tak, tum tak, tum tak..
(The lyrics to the above song belong to 'Raanjhanaa' movie.. So the Credit goes there..)
She cleared her throat and his smiling face broke into those nerves cracking over his temple.. He had completely lost it.. There was no dance between them, and the corridor had no papers flying, her file was still in her hands, now getting dropped into her handbag..
Hallucination!
Arnav was still to lock the door of his Flat and was staring at her figure grinning like a nut-case standing near his Flat's door step.. She locked her Flat and was going down taking the stairs, and passed him, when she stopped and hissed holding her dupatta at her neck.. Her eyes went big and her mouth opened..
She dint turn behind to see where her dupatta got stuck and assumed that her crazy man would have caught it.. She dint feel a need to turn around and spoke..
Khushi-Hamara dupatta chodiye.. (Leave my dupatta..)
Was he really holding her dupatta? She was not sure, but she felt like he was.. She turned around and bit her lower lip to see how it was caught in some decorative cacti plant near His door-step.. She looked at him with apologising eyes and went forward to kneel and take her dupatta out from there and all he was doing was smiling standing there.. She looked up and saw him staring her and ended up saying..
Khushi- I am telling u, if ur cacti will tear this dupatta na, toh - - toh I will - - Its my favorite dupatta.. Argh.. Ab ghoorte hei rahoge ya madad bhi karoge? (Will u only stare or help out too?)
He looked angry, was she really?
Arnav turned back to pull his door and auto-lock it and kneeled down with her.. He was still lost in her and without looking down, he stared to help her in getting her dupatta out from that thorny plant and his fingers rubbed hers.. Her reflex action was take her hands away from his and looked at him who was lost in admiring her partially.. She blushed and her dupatta got out.. In the process, he never realised that a thorn pricked his hand and his finger started to bleed.. She was feeling shy and looked down to see his finger andher heart skipped a beat.. She immediately looked at him and next what she did was she tore her dupatta and pulled his hand to wrap the same around his hand and looked at him with a pout..
Khushi-Cant u be a bit careful? Zyada lagg jaati toh? Dard ho raha hai kya? (What if u got hurt more? Does it hurt?)
Arnav smirked still lost and nodded a no.. She jerked him and he came to Earth and saw a piece of her dupatta around his finger and got what just happened.. He looked at her.. She was blowing air on his finger..
Arnav-Kya hua tumhe? (What happened to u?)
Khushi-Hame? (ME?) Kuch bhi toh nahi.. Hamee koi fark nahi padta.. (Nothing.. It does not matter to me..)
She stammered looking away..
Arnav-Sacchi? Koi fark nahi padta? (Really? Does it not matter at all?)
He tilted his head like a baby and she looked at him not sure about what she was saying..
Khushi-erm.. ha.. koi fark - - nahi - - padta.. (Erm.. Ya.. It - -does not matrer - -at - -all..)
She stopped in between her words and he chuckled..
Arnav-Muhje samjha rahi ho ya apne aap ko? (Are u making me believe or urself?)
Khushi got up irritated for no reason and Arnav too got up..
Khushi-Humne kaha na hame koi farak nahi padta?! (I told u na it does not matter to me?!)
Arnav-Then why u tore ur favourite dupatta for me?
He raised his one eye brow and waited for her to answer.. In a second to count she grinned a BIG time and spoke..
Khushi-I dint wanted ur finger to hurt much, or else ur handwriting would go even worse..
Arnav-Ya, then how would u understand my Next Love Quotes for u, right?
He winked and she turned to run down not answering him.. He laughed and followed her but she had already ran for her Office bus and he took his Car today for a change.. He drove to AR Fashions and got a call on the way which made him a bit late..
***
At AR Fashions..
It was afternoon and Khushi got a call from her Boss Mr. Dave.. She happily attended it..
Khushi (on call)-Ya Sir! How are u? When are u coming back? It looks like years passed.. PAUSE.. Ha? What? PAUSE.. Oh ya Sir.. Ur pla - - I meant children are all fine.. And, u? You sound low? What happened?
Mr. Dave replied from other side..
Mr Dave (on call)-What to Do beta? Am not well to be true.. Actually.. I am suffering..
Khushi-WAIT.. What happened Sir? Are u okay?
She was really worried..
Mr. Dave-Ya beta.. Am okay.. Actually, I cant sleep after I wake up, and cant feel hunger once am full.. Its such an unsafe disease u know?!..
Khushi was confused.. What was her Boss speaking?! Ya, he was a crack pot, but then.. What was with him today? She dint understand what to reply..
Khushi (on call)-Erm.. Sir, did u consult a doctor? PAUSE.. Okay.. What did he say?
Mr. Dave-He gave me two these pills.. One to take after I go to sleep, and other to take before waking up.. That will solve my all problems beta.. I just got them today only.. Anyway, all going good there?
Khushi was confused.. But she choose not to speak much..
Khushi-erm.. ya Sir, am fine.. All is good here as well.. Sir, I need to go.. Bye for now..
Khushi cut the call immediately and went to washroom to splash some water on her face.. She needed to cool down after she spoke to her Boss.. His talks were driving her crazy too.. Khushi left for the washroom, and there, Peppy's butterflies exchanged her Project File with Peppy's and no one came know..
Peppy saw the Project and asked her butterflies..
Peppy-I asked u to do this at the last monent, then - -anyway.. Its okay.. U all leave..
Peppy's work was done and she was happy..
The day passed and Khushi was still not feeling good.. Her back was aching a bit and she needed a half day, but she managed to complete her work at the desk.. There she was leaving as the day was off, when Lavanya called her from behind..
Lavanya-Khushi.. Listen..
Khushi and Lavanya walked till the Office Exit and walked till the Bus-Stop near by..
Lavanya-Listen, I talked to Aman.. *blush*.. He agreed to let out about our Relation in a 'Official way'.. He is throwing a Party Next Week.. *giggles*
Khushi-That's really Lavanya.. But I need to go now.. Will see u later..
Lavanya-Hey, u sound too low, all okay?
Khushi-Ha yaar.. All is good.. Its just that - - Gosh, am tired and this bus is not coming.. Nothing much..
Lavanya-Ok, should I drop u home today?
Just then the bus arrived and Khushi smiled at Lavanya..
Khushi-Na yaar, thanks, but the bus came.. I should go..
Khushi stepped up in the bus with her Project File and Hand Bag in her hand and bid a bye to Lavanya and settled herself on the second last seat and dosed off there only.. Her Flat arrived and she woke up as the bus brake's pushed her body.. She went inside her Flat and just dosed off on her bed without eating, once she locked the main door..
Next Day..
Although feeling not that well, Khushi went to Office excited about her Project Presentation today.. She knew what she had prepared and she was so confident.. She reached the office and saw many Girls and two or three guys standing in a queue near the Board Room.. Khushi directly went near her desk and asked the peon passing by..
Khushi-Hey, what's all this going on?
Poen-Woh Khushi didi, actually that some Project Selection - - what was it - -
The peon was scratching his head when Khushi interrupted..
Khushi-The Bridal Project?
Peon's eyes shined..
Peon-YES.. The selection of those are going on in the Board Room..
Khushi-But why Board Room?
Peon-Sir ka room is small na, and the Board Room is much bigger and convenient.. Are u also taking a part?
Khushi smiled and nodded in anticipation..
Peon-Then what are u doing here? The selection is almost done! U should have come there 2 hours before, dint u know?
Khushi was shocked..
Khushi-WHAT?
Peon-No problem.. The Final Selection is done in Sir's Chamber.. I guess only two three People could reach.. U go there directly now, Fast..
The peon pointed at ASR's Chamber and Khushi rushed without thinking twice where she was heading to.. She almost tripped two-three steps while rushing towards Arnav's Chamber, but managed to reach there and ran in without and knocking.. There were Peppy, ASR and some Random two three girls..
***
ASR's Chamber..
ASR was just waiting for Khushi and went hyper when she dint appear? He was having a look on the Final Project's that Aman had approved for ASR to select from.. ASR was speecless after seeing Peppy's Project, and was even more shocked to understand that it was Khushi's Project turned to be in Peppy's name now..
He had already seen Khushi's Project, and how could he forget her handwriting? He looked up at Peppy who was looking at him with flirty eyes and he looked away to the other participants, just then Khushi barged in..
Khushi-Sorry Sir I am late.. Actually I - -
Her words melted in her mouth once she saw ASR.. God! It was His chamber.. So was she going to work under Him?
ASR-Khushi where were u? erm.. I mean, Miss Gupta, where were u? U know ur too late? Where is ur Project? Pass here..
Peppy was grinning at Khushi's situation and ASR dint miss that.. He knew well how wicked she and her mind were.. He got an idea k Peppy had only played with his innocent Khushi.. Khushi trembled to see ASR asking for her Project and her heart skipped beats when she understood the meaning of his words he spoke that day in her Flat..
*FLASH BACK*
Khushi-Haww.. What were u trying to do?
She hugged her work close to herself and looked at him with narrow, suspicious eyes..
Arnav-I was just looking at ur project..
Khushi-It is meant to be read by only My Sir, and that too the day after tomorrow only..
He chucked..
Arnav-Same difference Khushi!
Khushi-Na.. Nothing same..U think u can steal my work and give it in ur name?
Arnav-What? Why would I!
He chuckled at her innocence..
Khushi-Coz I know my Project Summary is the Best..
*FLASH BACK ENDS*
She stared him for a while and looked away closing her eyes. She took a sigh and lost it all at once, when she saw her File already in his hands.. She was confused.. She removed her Project File from her shoulder bag, and opened it to go blank.. She looked at ASR as he stood up and came to her and took her Blank File from her hand.. He flipped the pages and saw some Random Fussy Designs on the next pages and stared at Khushi who was on the verge of crying now..
ASR fumed on Peppy, but he could do nothing.. Khushi was still not aware how and when her files got exchanged and with whom.. Khushi kept looking down and ASR spoke..
ASR-Miss. Gupta, is this ur presentation?
Khushi looked at him with embarrassed eyes and nodded a 'no'.. He just wanted to hear that.. He was cent percent sure it was Peppy who was behind all this.. He knew he has fans here!
Although ASR wanted Khushi to win for what she deserved and more to that, but, he was now more interested to not let Peppy get what she wanted.. He smirked and let the extra girls out..
Peppy looked at Khushi from the corner of her eyes,a small evil grin playing on the corner of her lips.. Khushi's eyes were looking down and Peppy was just more than happy to see herself winning this opportunity to work under ASR..
Arnav looked at the file once and then at Khushi.. He thought of something.. He looked at Peppy and got up from his seat to take steps towards her.. He smiled..
Arnav-Congratulations Peppy.. This project is yours..
He shook his hand with Peppy and Khushi's blood boiled looking at Arnav.. She knew he knows its all her Hardwork, still he dint do anything? How could he? But she remained silent..
Peppy-Thanks ASR!
Arnav nodded..
Khushi kept looking down and waited for this 'other girl' to leave his chamber.. Peppy left and Khushi's all fume was just to pour on ASR, when she heard him..
Arnav-Sit down Miss.Gupta, I know want to talk..
He closed his chamber door and the venetian blinds of his window and she sat on the chair opposite to the table to which he settled.
Just then a knock appeared on ASR's Chamber door and Peppy came in.. She was passing a shy smile to ASR.. Khushi stood up from the chair and looked away fisting her palms..
Peppy-Sir, from when should I join u? I mean, I am now supposed to work under u, right?
Arnav looked at Khushi.. She was fuming badly.. ASR had his own brain to let things happen as per his will.. After all, uske baap ki Office hai..! (It is his dad's office..!)
ASR-Peppy, after looking at ur project, I can see ur very very much efficient..
Khushi's jaw dropped and she got up.. Arnav saw this and looked at Peppy again whose head was up in fake pride.. She was stealing a loser Khushi's glance, and was laughing at her in her mind.. She looked at ASR again with all the innocence possible on her face, and waited to listen more, when..
ASR-Yup.. Ur almost perfect, I guess u should be my Boss too! Anyway.. U cant be my boss, but seeing ur designs, I guess u should get something even more deserving.. So, I have decided something.. PAUSE.. U shall work with Aman..
Peppy's world crashed! Khushi's eyes caught his form coming near her and she took a step back when he almost came onto her in Peppy's presence.. He smirked as he knew his next words will turn Peppy down and get him what he wants and his girl (Khushi) deserves..
ASR-And u, Miss Gupta.. I guess u need more training for urself, as I beleive, u can do a lot better than this.. Peppy is perfect! *turns towards Peppy* Peppy, u can leave, and *turns at Khushi and leans a bit over her* Miss. Gupta, u will work 2 hours extra with me, each day, starting from today, till next 2 weeks, okay?
Peppy's jaw dropped and so did Khushi's.. ASR was ASR.. He did manage to hunt two goals with one decision! Peppy left thumping her foot in anger and Khushi gulped feeling hyperventilated.. Peppy was out and ASR winked at a puzzled Khushi giving her a lope-side smirk which was worth dying.. Khushi collapsed on chair and no one did faint this time for a change..
xx
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