FINE WINE (Part 11-20)

 Part 11 Model

Arnav was stuck and Aman was surprised. Arnav let out a soft chuckle and said,

“Me and modelling? No way…”

“Why not, sir? You are exactly looking like a model… is not he?” Khushi asked Aman who nodded yes.

“She is right ASR…you are looking dashing”

Arnav rolled his eyes.

“Arrey yaar… modelling is not my cup of tea. I don’t know acting...”

“You don't have to act, sir. You just walk with a smile. It’s enough…” Khushi said.

“Just a walk with a smile?”

“Yes, sir… it’s enough. Our Ad team will edit it with effects”

“No no no… I don’t think I work”

“It will, sir… definitely it will…”

Arnav suffocated. He didn’t know what to say.

“Actually, Khushi people will taunt me…”

“Taunt about what, sir?”

“About my age…”

Khushi was stuck.

“Age? You are just thirty-five…”

Cutting her,

“Thirty-eight”

“So what, sir? You don’t look like thirty-five at all. Sir, you should feel proud to have such an aura. People will taunt us when they cannot do what we do… just ignore them and give it a try, sir. It will surely click”

“But, Khushi…”

Khushi turned towards their team and asked,

“Guys, is not ASR looking dashing?”

“Of course, he is…” Came from them.

“See… everyone is feeling the same”

“But modelling is different, Khushi”

“Sir, whatever we do, there will be someone to criticize us… good or bad, no different. If we waste our time on people’s thoughts, we can’t do anything, sir”

“Jeff…” Khushi called the cameraman who was listening to them.

“Yes, Khushi…”

“What do you say? Does ASR become a model for this Ad?”

“Yeah… why not? He can surely do it”

“Are you sure?”

“Yup… we can try”

“But, I know nothing about modelling…” Arnav said.

Before Jeff said anything,

“Jeff, let him walk… just make it like, a young girl looks at him awe-struck… what say?” Khushi asked.

“Yeah, this sounds nice”

Arnav was looking at Khushi awe struck who smiled at him brightly.

Natasha, the female model who heard their talks came to them.

“No doubt he looks handsome, but I committed to this Ad only for Ganesh Soman. I can’t act in this Ad because I have created some level of expectation in public. I’m sorry” She walked out.

Arnav looked at Khushi like,

*What will you do now?*

“No problem, sir… our team girls would be interested to do that.”

She looked at them and a few raised their hands.

“Simple…” Khushi shrugged her shoulders.

“Is it necessary, Khushi?”

“Undoubtedly, sir. When we have sources, why would we miss them and expect others to fulfil them?”

“Jeff, roll on the camera and check who has the camera genic face in those girls,” Khushi said.

Jeff nodded ok and did that. He took five minutes and then looked at Khushi.

“Khushi, are not you interested?”

All of them looked at him getting stuck.

“Me?” Khushi was stunned.

“Yeah… you look classic in my camera”

“Khushi?” Arnav asked.

“Yeah, she looks good,” Jeff said.

“No no no… it won’t work,” Arnav said.

Without giving an ear to him,

“Do you think I will suit into it?” Khushi asked.

“Yeah… more than Natasha…” He chuckled.

“Ok, I’m ready…”

“Khushi, think before doing anything,” Arnav said.

“What’s there to think, sir?”

“I mean don’t you want to get your parent’s permission?”

“Sir, I just am going to stand awestruck, looking at you… to drool over on a man, would anyone get their parent’s permission or what?” she asked teasingly, controlling her laughter.

Arnav rolled his eyes smiling and people around them laughed, including Aman.

“It’s just an Ad, sir. There is nothing to think about it seriously”

“ASR, don’t think much. Everything is falling in the right place… just do it” Aman said.

Arnav was silent.

“Shall I get ready?” Khushi asked.

Aman gestured for her to go ahead. She went to the makeup room.

“I don’t know how kids are going to react to it,” Arnav said.

That was when Aman understood why Arnav hesitated.

“The kids will feel bad if it is Natasha… they won’t feel bad as it is their favourite Khushi Didi”

“That’s why I’m nervous, Aman. Khushi has a good bond with kids. What if they think differently and start distancing from Khushi?”

“Why do you think so?”

“You have no idea what place Khushi has in their hearts. Do you know how happy they were with Khushi in the theme park? This was the first time, they ignored me and mingled with someone. Khushi is really something. She teaches morels and life hacks to kids in a simple way. They too obey her without a question. She acts like a MENTOR. They should not lose her guidance…”

“If it is so, we will make Khushi talk to kids about the Ad. She will handle the kids and they will understand”

“Mmm”

“Go and get ready…”

“Do you want me to change?”

“Of course… even though you are wearing our suits…”

Arnav went to change the dress.

Jeff saw Khushi coming, getting ready with slight makeup.

“Are you ready?”

“Yeah…”

“Please, come here… let me check the lighting”

“Yup,” Khushi came into the frame and Jeff rolled the camera to set the lighting.

It was perfect. That was when Arnav came out of the room, wearing the new suit. Khushi saw him and was awestruck. Jeff who was checking the camera looked behind and smiled at Arnav who looked dashing.

A few WOWs came from the team.

“You are looking so handsome, sir… don’t know how many girls are going to lose their sleep after this Ad release” Khushi laughed.

Arnav raised his brows feeling awkward.

“ASR, you are going to enter the Hotel with a smile after hearing my command ACTION...”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all”

“Ok…”

“Khushi, you just stand with your team and look at him all the way mesmerizingly”

“Done”

They did what he said.

“Perfect,” Jeff said.

“Is it over?”

“Yup… but we will take a few more takes…”

The same shot was captured five times from different angles.

After that, Khushi rushed to Jeff and said,

“Capture some Snaps of ASR. We will use them for magazines and posters”

“Sure…”

“Good idea, Khushi” Aman appreciated.

“Thank you, sir”

Jeff assisted Arnav in posing for the snaps.

“Aman, ask everyone to have lunch. It’s already late” Arnav said.

Aman looked at Khushi who just came changing her clothes. Khushi sent the team to the lunch.

“You too go, Khushi…”

“That’s ok, sir… I will have it after finishing the shoot” She waited.

Arnav suffocated to pose in front of Khushi who was smiling at him for the entire shoot.

“Aman sir… someone said modelling is not his cup of tea… did you see the man anywhere?” She asked teasingly and Aman laughed.

“Yeah… he is posing like a real model” Jeff smiled.

“What do you mean REAL model, Jeff? There is nothing called REAL and REEL. He became a REAL model already. I don’t know how he is going to manage his schedule and give dates to the Ad companies in the upcoming days” Khushi chuckled.

“Stop teasing me, Khushi” Arnav rolled his eyes.

“I’m serious, sir… I bet Ad companies will approach you for sure”

Arnav nodded his head from left to right with a serious expression.

The shooting was over. Jeff packed his things and came to Khushi. He extended his hand towards her for a shake. Khushi raised her brows questioningly.

“The much I know, the shooting spot looks like fire and everyone would be stressed until the shoot gets over. I have never worked so light-heartedly like today. You are a lively person who makes your surroundings light…”

“Thank you” Khushi shook hands with him smiling.

“He is right, Khushi… you made ASR a model. It’s a big achievement, you know”

Khushi smiled and Arnav became thoughtful. Yes, it was not easy to make him accept things he didn’t like. He could not believe how he agreed to become a model. Both of them didn’t realize that they became so casual with each other after the Amusement Park trip but Aman did. He didn’t take it seriously because he knew Khushi. As Jeff said, she was a lively person who made her surroundings lively.

“Let’s have lunch. I’m hungry” Aman said.

They went to the dining to have lunch. While eating, they discussed the Ads with Jeff and got to know about them.

When they came out of the dining, Khushi saw Naveen looking here and there with his friends. She gritted her teeth because she didn’t think it was a coincidence. After all, she saw him searching for someone… maybe, for her. It must be Garima who told him about her program in the Hotel Hot Heaven. She took a back step and hid in the dining hall. Arnav saw that and frowned.

“What happened, Khushi?”

“Nothing sir… I will come by the back side entrance. You go”

“But why?”

“Nothing, sir… I just…” She rushed towards the backside.

Arnav stood with confusion. What happened to her? Why did she go through the back side entrance?

“ASR…” Aman called him.

“Coming…” Arnav walked with confusion.

That was when he noticed someone inquiring about his team about Khushi.

“Do you guys belong to AR?”

“Yes…”

“Can I meet Khushi?”

“Khushi is having lunch”

“Thank you” he walked to the dining hall.

Arnav silently observed him.  he went to the dining hall and searched for Khushi. He was disappointed not to see her there. He came again and asked the same person.

“Khushi is not in the dining”

Before he got the answer from the person, Arnav did,

“Khushi left”

Naveen looked at him.

“When?”

“After the shoot got over”

Naveen gritted his teeth and Arnav frowned to see his expression. He wanted to know who he was but he thought, interfering in someone’s personal matter was not a good manner. Naveen left the place with dissatisfaction. Arnav called Khushi. She attended the call and said,

“I’m going to the office by cab sir…”

“Mmm… ok…”

He disconnected the call thoughtfully.

To be continued…

 

 

 Part 12 Fussing vermin

Khushi came to the AR before the team arrived. Khushi was upset like hell. She didn’t expect him to follow her to her workplace. She didn't know how to handle Naveen. More than Naveen, she was angry with Garima. She could even handle Naveen but Garima. What would she do if her mother was not an understanding person? She wanted to do something about the issue… immediately.. before it got severe. She didn’t like to be run away like a coward. She didn’t want to do it. Yet, she did that because she didn’t want to create a scene. She didn’t want her colleagues to know who Naveen was. She knew they would start gossiping about their relationship and would start digging into the issue which she didn’t want to happen. That was why she left the Hotel Hot Heaven before Naveen saw her. Naveen was going abroad.  She wanted to put a full stop to his madness.

After a while, Arnav reached the office with Aman and the team.

Aranv called Khushi to his cabin to take dictation. She came with her notepad… of course, with hesitation. Arnav might ask her the reason for her sudden disappearance from the hotel Hot Heaven. What would she say?

Khushi smiled at Arnav not showing her awkwardness.

“Khushi, someone was asking for you in the Hotel Hot Heaven,” he said reading her face.

“Oh…” she looked at the notepad in her hand.

Arnav didn’t think it was a manner to ask her more as he understood she was not feeling comfortable sharing it with him. Arnav dictated her and Khushi noted it down.

“Get the printout and get my signature on it. We will have to send it today itself”

“But we have time sir…”

“Why should we wait for the last date? Is not it good to be advanced in our work?”

“Yes, sir”

“Khushi…”

“Yes, sir…?”

“We checked the Ad photos. You look good in those photos” he smiled.

“Thank you, sir” Khushi smiled.

“You said after the Ad release, I would get many modelling chances. I think you will get more chances than me if the Ad is released,” he said smiling.

She chuckled.

“Will you continue as my Pa if you get busy modelling?” he asked teasingly.

“I will continue as your PA because I’m not going to continue modelling,” she said seriously.

“Why, Khushi? You can earn much more in modelling”

“Sir, I just did it for you and our company. I accepted the offer because it was you who acted on it. I won’t do it again because I’m not interested in modelling”

“I too said, I’m not interested. Then, why did you insist me on doing it?”

“It’s because you are single… you don’t have to get your wife’s permission and can decide on your own…”

“Oh… would not have you insisted on me if I had a wife?”

“Certainly not…”

“Mmm…”

“I would not have dared to get scolded by your wife,” She said suppressing her laughter.

Aranv laughed.

“Get it typed,” he said.

“Yes, sir”

Khushi came to her cabin smiling and started typing the letter dictated by Arnav. That was when the intercom in her cabin rang. She attended it.

“Hello,”

“Khushi madam, someone is here to meet you,” The receptionist said.

“Who?” She frowned.

“He says he is your friend”

“Doesn’t my friend have a name?” Khushi asked.

“Your nice name please, sir” the receptionist asked the man.

“Naveen Gouda” the person said.

Khushi heard it and became furious. Did he come to the office? How dare he! Before the receptionist told her anything,

“He is not my friend and I’m not interested in meeting him. Send him out…” Khushi said furiously and disconnected the call.

The receptionist kept the receiver and said,

“I’m sorry sir. She is not interested in meeting you”

“Madam, please, I want to talk to her. It’s very urgent” he pleaded.

“But, she said you are not her friend and disconnected the call…”

“Madam, she is upset with me. That’s why she says so”

“It’s not my problem sir. She is not ready to meet you. I can do nothing with it. You can go”

“Please allow me to go to her cabin”

The receptionist was horrified.

“No way…! Outsiders are not allowed to enter the office. Khushi ma’am sounded furious. I can't take a risk. If she complaints against me, I will lose my job”

“She will not go to that extent…”

“Sir, try to understand. I said she sounded furious. I don’t want to take a risk… please leave”

“OK, let me meet your CEO. I will get his permission to go to her cabin and meet her”

“Sir, you can’t meet him without his appointment. Khushi ma’am is not interested in meeting you. So, please leave. Or else, I will call the security” she warned.

Arnav who crossed the reception saw the receptionist shouting at the same guy who asked for Khushi the hotel Hot Heaven. He got alert and came to them.

“What’s wrong?” Arnav asked the receptionist, looking at Naveen.

“Sir, he is here to meet Khushi Ma’am but she is not ready to meet him. He is fussing here to meet her or you”

“Me?” Arnav looked at Naveen who understood the man who was in front of him was the CEO.

“Sir, I’m Naveen, Khushi’s friend…”

Cutting him,

“Sir, Khushi ma’am said he is not her friend,” the receptionist said.

“Sir, she is upset with me… that’s why she would have said so…”

“If she is not interested, why are you fussing with her?” Arnav asked.

“Sir, I’m trying to talk to her but she is not giving heed to me… please call her, sir. I won’t take more than five minutes. Please sir… please… I need to talk to her. It’s important…”

Arnav thought for a few seconds and removed his phone. He dialled Khushi.

“Yes, sir?”

“Come to the reception” he disconnected the call.

Khushi was perplexed. To the Reception? She closed her eyes with annoyance understanding the reason. Making up herself, she walked to the reception.

She saw Naveen standing with Aranv restlessly.

“Yes, sir?” She asked without giving heed to Naveen.

Aranv noticed her not even looking at Naveen.

“Your friend is here to meet you…” Aranv intentionally mentioned him as her FRIEND.

“I already said he is not my friend and I’m not interested in talking to him, especially in the office. I don’t like if anyone disturbs me during working hours, sir… if you called me only for this, excuse me, sir” She walked back to her cabin, making Arnav stunned.

“Khushiii…” Naveen shouted but Khushi didn’t look back.

“Mr… you should not shout here. This is the office. Not your house. If she is not interested, I can’t encourage you. Leave” Aranv said strictly.

Naveen left the place with disappointment.

Arnav walked back to his cabin.

Evening

Khushi came out of the office and got stuck, seeing Naveen waiting for her there. She got irritated and walked fast. Naveen followed her.

“Khushi, please give me one minute to talk to you” he pleaded.

“Don’t you have sense? Can’t you understand I don’t like you?” She said annoyingly.

“Khushi, I agree I was wrong. I should not have behaved with you like that day, but I’m truly repenting for my behaviour. Please forgive me and accept my proposal. I love you so much”

“Love my foot… don’t insult the word love. According to me, it’s a sacred word. A rogue-like you should not utter it” She said fastening her steps.

“Won't people change in their life? Won’t they repent for their deeds?”

“I don’t care if you change or not. It’s not my concern. This is my life. I don’t want to put it on fire marrying a man like you… get lost” She said gritting her teeth.

Naveen was supposed to clutch her hand, but before he did that, a strong hand stopped him by holding his hand.

They saw Arnav standing with a sharp gaze.

“Sir, this is not your office to stop me,” Naveen said rudely.

“Mind your words… He is my Boss…” Khushi said.

“You are still in my office premises only. Even though you are not I won’t mind because you are fussing my PA. Go…” Arnav pushed Naveen.

“Don’t you dare touch me! Who are you to poke your nose in our matter?” Naveen was rude.

“Ask Khushi to tell me the same. If she asks me to leave, I will walk away from here” Arnav said looking at Khushi.

“Could you please drop me home, sir?” Khushi asked.

Arnav nodded yes, looking at Naveen, without thinking.

“Let’s go”

Khushi followed Arnav to the parking lot. They left the place. Naveeen fumed in anger. He could not tolerate Khushi’s avoidance. He left the place furiously.

To be continued…

 

 

 

 Part 13 Sharing Feelings

Khushi got in the car and kept her mobile in the place that was in between her and Arnav. She wiped her face with her hands. Arnav saw Khushi restless. He could not understand whether he should ask her about the guy or not, but Khushi herself spoke to him about Naveen.

“He is my father’s partner’s son,” She said looking outside.

Arnav looked at her and didn’t interfere. He let her speak.

“We were friends ONCE…”

“Once means?” Arnav raised his brows.

“Until a few years ago… until he went for his higher studies… we had been friends even though we have age difference…”

She gulped down.

“Before he left Delhi, he came to meet my father to take his blessings. My parents were not at home at that time. I was studying at home as I had an exam the next day. He took advantage of the situation and tried to misbehave with me”

Arnav looked at her shockingly.

“Misbehave…?”

She nodded yes.

“I hit him with a flower vase and saved myself from him. I ran to my parent’s room and hid under the bed until my parents returned home. That rogue names his action as LOVE… bloody bugger.”

“You should tell your parents about him, Khushi”

“My father passed away a few years ago and my mother wants me to marry him”

“Didn’t you tell her about what he did?”

“I did… that’s when I got to know that she already knows about that. Naveen told her about it...”

“Didn’t you tell them about it immediately?”

“He threatened me not to. He said, that if I spoke to anyone about it, he would spread the wrong information about me that he saw me sleeping with someone. At that time, I didn’t have the guts to face such a situation. I was scared to speak about it to even my father. Now, he took the lead and told my mother as if he is a saint and repenting for his deeds” She gritted her teeth.

“What’s your mother’s stand?”

“According to her, MEN are like this…”

“So?”

“She wants me to accept him because she thinks I will not get someone who LOVES me to this extent… but I don’t even like to see his face. Whenever I see him, I feel loath… I hate him…!” she said painfully with an irritating expression.

“Relax…”

“He is torturing me a lot these days, sir. I didn’t expect he would come to our office. I’m sorry about it, sir”

“It’s ok…”

“If he comes again, I will call the police”

Arnav was silent.

“Am I wrong?”

Arnav nodded no and said,

“This is a sensitive matter. One can only understand the pain”

“Could you understand my pain?”

“I do…”

“Thank you, sir” She wiped her cheek.

“Try talking to your mother in detail”

“I already done that. According to her, every man is like that…” She said annoyed.

“She may be right…” Arnav said, keeping his eyes on the road.

“How could you say that, sir?” She asked frowning.

“Yes, Khushi, men are not like women. They won’t think everything, connecting it with feelings stuff… especially, this…! A maximum of men don’t know the difference between love and lust. They don’t think both are different. Men think lust is the way of telling love…”

“You too don’t know the difference?” She asked the unexpected question.

Arnav looked at her perplexed. He didn’t know what she meant.

“Are not you staying single even after your wife’s demise? Is not your love something…? Didn’t you understand the meaning of LOVE? Then why can’t others?”

Arnav stayed silent.

“There are many men in the world who know the value of Love, sir…! It’s all about brought up…! Naveen is a spoilt brat. My Mom thinks he may change in the future if I marry him…! Am I an experimental rat or what? Why should I put my life on fire to change him? Doesn’t my life have value? Why should I waste it on him? Don’t I have emotions and feelings?”

Arnav nodded yes.

“But, I should thank him for one thing…” She said with her head up.

“What?” he raised his brows.

“Because of him, I became confident”

Arnav smiled.

“The process was so horrible…! I felt like I was left alone in the dark forest. I was scared for many nights without getting sleep. At some point, I realized, this is the world… this is the reality… this is how human animals would chase girls…! Then I managed myself…!”

Arnav amazed. What she experienced was so terrible. Yet, she crossed it with guts. He liked her attitude.

“How are you going to deal with your mother?” he asked with concern as he understood the complication of the issue.

“I don’t know sir…! It’s so annoying to tolerate our loved ones when they don’t understand us” She said helplessly.

“Don’t you have anyone who could make her understand?”

“No, sir… I have no one. I miss my father so much. If he had been alive I would not have bothered about anything. I wish I would have fallen in love with someone. Then, I would have eloped with him from my mother” She said feeling sad and remembering her father.

“Don’t you meet anyone who met your expectations? Didn’t anyone propose to you?”

“When I was in college, I got many proposals but I didn’t like anyone because they were not up to my expectations… but now, after meeting you, I so want to meet someone like you, sir” She smiled and Arnav laughed.

“Crazy girl… you will get a nice guy who understands you…!”

Khushi smiled.

“May I ask Dhadi to find a nice guy for you?” Arnav asked with concern.

Khushi nodded her head from left to right smiling.

“My Amma will not agree to it. I will have to elope with him to marry him”

“Why should you elope when I’m here? I will help you face your mother”

“Thank you for your support sir… but I don’t think it will work”

“Why?”

“There is no one like you…”

“With three kids…?” He teased and Khushi laughed.

“Do you think your mother won’t understand you?”

“Understanding is an art and not everyone is an artist, sir”

“It seems you read WhatsApp quotes a lot…”

Khushi again laughed.

“Sir, stop the car here”

“Here?”

“Yes, sir…”

“Are you sure?”

“Yup”

Arnav stopped the car.

“Thank you, sir”

“Welcome”

Khushi got down and Arnav left the place. Both of them felt content even though they just talked randomly.

 

GH

Khushi came home and saw Garima restlessly pacing in the living room. Khushi understood that she received the message from Naveen. He would have told her about what happened in her office. Before Garima started talking, Khushi took a ceramic flower vase from the stand and threw it on the floor angrily. It was broken and its tiny particles scattered all over the room with a horrible sound. Garima looked at her thunderstruck. It was Khushi’s favourite vase. She bought it from Rajasthan when she went on a college trip.

Garima felt a shiver to see Khushi’s wrath. She moved towards Garima gritting her teeth.

“What do you think of me? Do you think you can corner me with some cheap tactics by sending him to my office?”

Garima moved back, gulping down.

“I warn you, Mrs Gupta… if he again tries to approach me in any way, I will call the police and file a case against him. He will not come out of the prison then…” she shouted.

At the same time, Naveen who entered GH heard that and was horrified. She looked at him with the same wrath.

“Don’t you have shame? You tried to misbehave with me and now you are naming it as love…”

“Khushi, i….”

“Shut up… just shuuut uuuupppp” she shouted.

Naveen saw a few of their neighbours peeping at her house to find the reason for Khushi’s shout. Khushi’s friend Preeto was one of them. She came to meet Khushi and got stuck, hearing her shouting.

“Khushi, everyone is looking at us…” Garima said.

“Let them see… why are you bothering about them? You are the woman who doesn't care about your daughter’s feelings and emotions. What if people spoke about us? Let them know what kind of mother you are and how cheap he is” She spat fire on Naveen through her eyes.

She advanced Naveen,

“Why do you want to marry me? Haan…? If you think you can make me dance to your tunes, it will not happen. I’m not the same Khushi who hid under the bed with fear, running away from you. I will put you behind bars if you torture me again”

Naveen gulped down hard.

They looked at the entrance hearing a knock on the door. Khushi saw Arnav standing with her phone that she forgot to take from his car. He got inside with the phone and gave it to Khushi.

“Thank you, sir” her voice was soft.

Arnav looked at Garima and said,

“I’m Khushi’s boss. You know very well how hard it is for a woman to live without support in this world. Khushi will feel helpless if she marries him. Don’t make her helpless for her whole life. Understand her”

He looked at Khushi and said,

“You can call me anytime if you need any help,” he left the place.

To be continued…

 

 Part 13 Agitated Khushi

After Arnav left GH, Khushi didn’t stay there. She went to her room and locked the door.

“Who is he to interfere in our personal matter Aunty? Who gave him the right?” Naveen tried to hide his fear and showed himself strong. 

Garima was silent. It was clear Khushi was the one who gave Arnav the right. Naveen also knew that. that was what made him irritated. Khushi should have told Arnav about Naveen. That was why he spoke about being helpless if Khushi would marry Naveen. Garima didn’t expect Khushi would speak to Arnav about Naveen. She thought Khushi would keep it personal as it was a sensitive matter.

“This is how she insulted me in the office also” Naveen fumed.

“Naveen beta, after she talked about filing a case, I think we should not nag her. I don’t think she will change her mind”

“What are you talking aunty? Just because she said she would file the case, she will not file the case. She is angry. That’s why she said so. We should give her time becasue she will definitely change her mind” he said even though he was hopeless.

Garima sighed.

“From here on, don’t talk to her… be on strike… don’t cook, don’t eat… she should know the seriousness of her behavior. How could she say she would file a case against us? Won’t she respect you?” he provoked Garima.

Garima nodded yes.

“I too didn’t expect that kind of outburst from her”

“Aunty, the man who came to give her phone back is her Boss. He showed himself a supporter only because the situation pushed him to. No one will come for her help. It’s all eyewash. She has no one other than us. She will understand that”

Garima sighed.

“You may be right but for a few days, please keep your distance from her”

“Aunty, try to understand. If I keep my distance from her, we can do nothing. She will become free. Then we will have to start from the beginning… it’s a waste of time, aunty. You please leave it to me. I will manage”

“What if she really calls the police?”

Naveen was stuck. He too had the same fear.

“She won’t… she is not that brave. If she once stepped into the police station, she would face unpleasant questions not only from the police but also from people. Our society will not let the girl be peaceful who takes a courageous step, Aunty…” He said confidently.

Garima’s face brightened because she had a point to control Khushi now. She nodded yes. She would corner Khushi with the one valid point.

 

Preeto who was supposed to enter GH stopped, listening to all of their conversation. She silently left the place and reached her house which was three houses away from Khushi’s house. She called Khushi. She saw Preeto’s number and attended to it after making herself.

“Hi, Preeto…”

“Khushi, what’s happening in GH?”

Khushi was silent.

“Being my best friend, don’t you feel like sharing your grief with me too?” Her voice was sad.

“I feel ashamed to talk about it, Preeto. I feel ashamed to be a harassed victim. Do you think it’s a matter of sharing?”

“Then how did you share it with your Boss?”

Khushi was stuck.

“He spoke about your helplessness to your mother, Khushi”

Khushi managed herself. She didn’t want Preeto to know she shared the most sensitive matter of her life with Arnav that she even felt ashamed to share with Preeto.

“How do you get to know about Naveen?” Khushi asked.

“Not only me but everyone in our area got to know about him as you shouted at him”

“My Boss should have also got to know in the way only. He would have heard my outburst. More than that, Naveen came to our office today. He created a big scene there. My Boss should have connected the dots”

Preeto sighed.

“I’m sorry for whatever happened in your life, Khushi”

“Leave it Preeto. I don’t want to talk about it”

“But they are not ready to leave it, Khushi,” she said miserably.

“What do you say?”

“I heard them talking about you. Naveen is not ready to leave you easily”

Khushi rolled her eyes, gritting her teeth.

“he asked your mother to be on strike, without eating, cooking, talking…”

Khushi wanted to bang her head on the wall. She didn’t know what to do with her mother.

“Khushi, Naveen thinks you will not file the case against him at the police station”

“Oh…”

“Yes, he thinks you are not brave. I don’t know how he thinks so even after witnessing your outburst” Preeto wondered but it was not hard for Khushi to understand what made him think so. She had been hiding the issue from her parent for more than seven years. She would not have told Garima about it if he had not asked her to marry him. She sighed.

“Will you really file a case against him, Khushi?” Preeto asked.

Khushi was silent.

“Naveen was right. This society will not let a girl live peacefully once she steps into the police station, Khushi. That’s why he is so confident. He is not wrong. Please find some other solution to face him. your mother is with him. I don’t think she will understand. Don’t you know her?”

Khushi closed her eyes. Yes, she knew Garima. She belonged to a poor family in a small village in Lucknow. Shashi liked her and married her without minding about status differences, without knowing how greedy she was. She never got satisfied with anything. She spoke about what she didn’t have, leaving what she had behind. Even though Shashi was rich she needed more. She was so adamant too. She never changed her mind if she fixed something.

“I will manage, Preeto”

“Khushi, you can ask me for any help. I’m here for you”

Khushi smiled. She knew Preeto could do nothing. Yet, her words soothed her.

“Thank you, Preeto”

“The situation is not good now. That’s why I didn’t come inside. Will meet you tomorrow”

“Mmm”

Preeto disconnected the call.

Khushi became considerate. Preeto’s words made sense. She never thought of sharing her grief with even Preeto who was her best friend. Then how did she share it with Arnav? She didn’t know. Could not she avoid it if she wanted? She was sure Arnav would not have nagged her to tell him the issue. She could have stayed quiet. Even though he asked about it, she could have said she was not interested in talking about it. But she spoke to him even before he questioned her about Naveen. Though it was not his concern, how gently he paid attention to her…! He tried to find a solution and also advised her mother too…! Her respect for Arnav became tenfold. How nice he was…! Poor his wife, she was not lucky enough to live with him! She felt bad for his wife who did not exist…!

Khushi didn’t like to eat anything. She had no mood to meet her mother again who decided to be on strike. She was exhausted. Though she showed herself bold she was broken inside because there was no one for herself.  She felt like she was left in the world alone. Even her mother was not understanding her. Then what would she do? Where would she go? Her eyes tear up. She didn’t know what to do. She felt helpless. She felt like running away from everyone where there were no humans. She wanted to make a decision immediately about the problem. She could not tolerate the torture.

She lay on the bed, switching off the lights. Tears rolled down from the corner of her eyes. She sighed with annoyance when her phone rang. She thought it was Garima. She would call her for dinner to show fake concern. She was supposed to disconnect the call but widened her eyes seeing Arnav’s number flashing. She knew he would ask her if she was all right and it was obvious. He would have thought she was a brave girl. He might appreciate her for facing Naveen gutful.

She sat on the bed and attended the call.

“Hello, sir…”

“How are you, Khushi?”

“I’m all right, sir”

“Khushi, I know you can’t be all right. You should be broken down. Don’t feel bad. The situation may be harder. It may lead you to think you have no one and it’s obvious. Don’t lose hope. Sometimes, life pushes us to the edge. You already faced a more terrible situation in your life. It was a cruel phase in any girl's life. There was nothing more than that that could strike a girl… but you withstand it. You don’t know how brave you are…! Be strong and show nothing can shake you. you can do it, Khushi…”

Arnav stopped. He didn’t get any reply.

“Khushi…”

No reply. He sharpened his ear as he heard a slight whimper. He was shocked.

“Khushiiii… are you crying? Khushi…”

Cutting him,

“How do you know I’m broken down? Even my mother doesn’t understand me, sir” She choked.

Arnav was stuck.

“Yes, sir, I’m broken down. I’m not as brave as I show. I’m so scared and helpless because I have no one as mine to support me. I don’t know what to do sir” she sobbed.

“Khushi, don’t cry. Every problem has a solution…”

“No, sir, I don’t think they will leave me peacefully…”

Arnav felt bad for her. He didn’t know what to say but Khushi decided what to do.

To be continued…

 

 Part 15 Concern

Arnav felt bad for Khushi. He didn’t know what to say but Khushi decided what to do.

“Sir, could you do me a favour?” her voice choked.

“Anything, Khushi. Tell me what do you want me to do?”

“Could you transfer me to some other city’s branch of our company?”

Arnav was stuck. He knew why she wanted to get a transfer. In fact, it was a good idea but he didn’t think it was the right solution.

“I don’t want to be in Delhi, sir. I will lose my confidence completely if I will be here…” She said and she knew Arnav would arrange for it but,

“No, Khushi… you should not leave Delhi. You should be here as an answer to your problem. Why should you run when you are not at mistake?”

“But, sir…”

“You don’t realize the negative side of the problem. In Delhi, some people could help you. You have earned some friends here. What will you do in the strange city? What will you do if Naveen and your mother follow you there? How will you handle them alone?”

Khushi was stuck. Yes, why didn’t she think of the possibility? Garima and Naveen were capable of doing that. What would she do if it happened?

“Don’t make any decision when you are stressed. Take two days and think, calming your mind. Then decide… ok?”

Khushi gulped down hard.

“Sleep well… sleeping is a good medicine for any problem. It will refresh your mind. So, without giving a place to Naveen in your mind, sleep. Just throw him away. Don’t let that idiot occupy a space in your mind”

“Ok, sir”

“Good, go and eat something first. It’s not good to be on an empty stomach and you can’t sleep when you starve”

Khushi was stunned. How did he know she didn’t eat anything?

“Sir, how do you know I don’t eat anything?”

“When the situation is worse, you would not have the mood to eat anything… it’s not a big deal to understand that”

“So sweet of you, sir”

“Go and eat something first. Good night”

“Good night, sir”

Arnav disconnected the call.  

Khushi felt content. It was so soothing to have someone to ask, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

Arnav was right. She could not sleep if her stomach was empty. Even though she was not in the mood to eat anything, she didn’t want to ignore Arnav’s words. So, she decided to eat something. At the same time, she was not ready to go out. Garima would be there. She didn’t like to interact with her mother… definitely not at the moment. She felt better after talking to Arnav. She didn’t want to lose her temper again. So, she waited for all the lights to be switched off.

After 10:30, Garima went to her room after switching the lights off. Khushi came out of the room and headed to the dining table. Taking two bananas from the table, she again got back to her room and ate the bananas.

Khushi lay on the bed, thinking about Arnav’s words. How caring he was! He had no necessity to console her. Yet, he did it with concern. He was right. If she went to some other city, she would be left alone there. No one would be there for her help… especially, Arnav. She sighed and closed her eyes. She opened them jerking, hearing a message beep on her mobile. It was from Arnav. Taking it hurriedly, she read it.

“Did you eat anything?”

“Yes, sir… I ate bananas” she sent the reply.

“Good” his mobile went offline.

Khushi lay on the bed with a smile. She liked Arnav very much… for his concern, for his humanity, for his kindness…!

 

The next day

Khushi got ready for the office and came out of the room. She saw Garima sitting on the sofa making a face. Without giving heed to her, Khushi walked out, making her disappointed. Garima thought she would check the bowls on the dining table and raise a question about why she didn’t cook anything but it didn’t happen. Why would Khushi ask her when she knew Garima was going to be on strike?

Khushi came to the office. She saw Arnav’s driver Mohan waiting out of her cabin with a bag. He smiled at her.

“Arnav sir asked me to give it to you, Madam”

Khushi took it from him and saw tiffin boxes in the bag. She understood it was her breakfast. Mohan left the place. Khushi walked into her cabin. WHY ARNAV WAS SO SWEET? Was the only question that was raised in her mind. Did he know she would be hungry? Did he know she would not have eaten anything? She started eating spilling tears. She didn't know why she cried. She didn’t want to think about anything, especially about her mother and Naveen. Yet, she continued crying. She felt helpless.

Arnav wondered as Khushi didn’t come to his cabin nor did she call him. He didn’t know why. Taking the intercom, he called her.

“Good morning, sir”

“Good AFTERNOON Khushi”

“Good afternoon, sir”

“Come to my cabin”

“Yes, sir”

Arnav disconnected the call. Khushi made up herself and went to his cabin. Arnav leaned on his seat hearing the knock.

“Come in, Khushi,”

Khushi entered with her notepad, plastering a smile. Arnav folded her hands. He understood she was not out of the problem yet.

“Are you all right?”

She nodded yes looking down.

“Did you eat breakfast?”

She nodded again.

“Was that tasty?”

She again nodded.

“I expected you to thank me for sending you a tasty breakfast…” he tried to talk to her casually.

Khushi was silent.

“Won’t you talk to me? Are you upset with me?”

Khushi raised her head and Arnav panicked to see her eyes teary.

“Khushi… why are you crying? Did they trouble you again? Are they…”

Cutting him,

“I didn’t want to see you…”

“Whaaat?”

“it’s because I know I could not hold my tears if I see you”

Arnav was dumbfounded.

“Why are you caring about me when even my mother is not…?”

Arnav blinked his eyes.

“You understand everything beautifully whether I eat or not, worried or not, sleep or not… everything… why my mother is not like you, sir?” she sobbed closing her face.

“Khushi relax… don’t cry”

“I too don’t want to cry, sir but I can’t hold myself…” she said miserably.

“Khushi take your seat and relax…”

“I’m really, sorry sir… please excuse me… I’m sorry…” she rushed out of his cabin.

Arnav felt bad for her. He could understand her condition. He thought of helping her to get rid of the grief. He dialed Mohan. He received the call.

“Yes, sir”

“Don’t take children to RM. Bring them to AR from the school. I will tell Dadi”

“Ok sir”

Arnav disconnected the call.

He believed Khushi would get fresh if she spent time with his kids.

 

Evening

As Arnav said, Mohan brought the children to AR. They rushed to Khushi’s cabin straight. Khushi looked at them and smiled managing herself.

“Hiii…”

“Hi, Didi”

They rushed to Khushi and hugged her.

“What are you guys doing here?” Khushi asked.

“We don’t know… Mohan uncle said Dad wants us to come here” Shali said.

“I guess he is going to take us for an outing,” Aarav said.

“Haven’t you guys met Dad yet?”

“No… we came to meet you first”

“Go and meet him. Don’t know why he called you” Khushi said.

“We will meet him later,” Shamli said.

“Bhai, ask her the riddle joke you asked us,” Shali said excitedly.

“Riddle joke? What’s that?” Khushi asked.

“Which is the strongest animal in the world?” Aarav asked.

“Elephant…”

“Wrong”

“Giraffe?”

“No…”

“Then?”

“Snail…”

“Snail?” Khushi frowned.

“Yes, it’s because it carries his HOUSE on his back” they shared hi-fi laughingly.

“Ohhh…” Khushi closed her eyes smiling.

“When it is bad luck to see a black cat?” Shali asked.

“When we are going to auspicious program…”

“No… when you are a mouse…” She giggled.

“Eeeeee…” Khushi laughed.

“What makes the leaning tower of Pisa lean?” this was Shamli.

“Whaaaat?” Khushi asked, making a face.

“It doesn’t eat much…!”

“God… I can’t bear this…” Khushi chuckled.

“Why can’t penguins fly?”

“It’s because they are heavy”

“No, they can’t afford plane tickets” They cackled.

“Enough… I can’t…” Khushi joined her hands, making a crying face.

“Last one… last one…”

“Ok…” she sighed.

“What do you call a sleeping bull?”

“What I call…?” She thought.

“A bull-dozer…”

Khushi burst out laughing.

“Bhai, we will ask Dad also,” Shamli said.

Khushi chuckled.

“You too come with us, Didi”

“No, you go…” Khushi said.

“No way… you should come with us”

They started dragging her with them. Without any choice, she went to Arnav’s cabin. They pushed his cabin door and entered with Khushi without knocking on the door. Arnav smiled seeing them. He was not surprised to see Khushi with them. He knew they would go to her cabin and meet her before coming to his cabin.

“Did you come?”

“Yeah… we came…”

“Why did you call us, Dad?”

“Khushi wanted to meet you… that’s why”

They looked at Khushi who was perplexed.

“Didn’t you want to meet them?” he smiled.

“I want to meet them but…”

Cutting her,

“That’s why I called them here,” he said smiling at Khushi.

Khushi looked at him like, AGAIN? Yes, she understood he called them there to make her mood up.

To be continued…

 

 

 Part 16 What was that?

Khushi looked at Arnav like, AGAIN? Arnav smiled at her.

“Thank you, sir. Thank you for everything. I don’t know what I will give you in return” Khushi said emotionally.

“Relax… don’t stress yourself. You are a nice girl. I know you will feel better if you meet my kids, that’s why I brought them here” Arnav blinked his eyes, smiling.

“What happened to you, Didi?” Aarav asked.

“She is upset with her friend and was crying for the whole day. That’s why I called you here as you are her friends…”

“Really?” Aarav asked.

Khushi nodded yes.

“Dad, didi laughed when I asked her joke riddles”

“Joke riddles?” he frowned.

“Yeah…”

“Bhai, ask him the riddles. We will see if Dad can answer”

Khushi controlled her laughter and nodded her head from left to right in the manner of warning him. Arnav shrank his eyes.

“Do you think I can’t answer?”

She nodded yes.

“You can’t even guess the answer sir… these guys are so smart,” Khushi said smilingly.

“Don’t underestimate me, Khushi. You don’t know how intelligent I’m….” Arnav said proudly.

“You are the one who is underestimating them, sir. They are not what you think” She openly warned him.

“Ok, I bet… I can answer better than you”

“Sir, I didn’t even answer a single question” Khushi laughed.

“Ok, I will try to perform better than you, what say?”

“Dad, you can win the bet if you answer a single question…” Aarav said.

“I will answer all the questions”

“Ok, what’s the bet?” Aarav asked.

“Anything…”

“You should take Khushi Didi to dinner if you lose…”

“Ok, what if I win?”

“You can ask anything,” Khushi said.

“You should cook for me, what say?” he asked Khushi.

“Done” Khushi accepted.

“Shall I start?” Aarav asked.

“Yeah…”

“What do you get from a PAMPARED cow?”

“Pampered cow?” Arnav thought frowning.

“Dad, quick…”

“Wait…” he thought but nothing came to his mind.

“Ok, I lost…”

“SPOILT milk…” Aarav said and others laughed.

“What the…” Came from Arnav.

“This is how their riddle would be, sir. You may be intelligent but not more than them…” Khushi laughed.

“Ok, next one…”

“If you see an elephant in your car, what TIME is it?” Arnav asked.

“How could an elephant sit in my car?”

“Dad, don’t question us but answer us…”

Arnav sighed and nodded no.

“TIME to get a new car… because the car will get crushed if an elephant sits in the car” he laughed sharing hi-fi with Khushi.

Arnav rolled his eyes and Khushi laughed out louder.

“What kind of dog has no tail?”

“Dog without tail…??? Mmm… Dalmatian?”

“No… HOT DOGS…”

“Damn it…”

“Why are teddy bears never hungry?”

“It’s because they are toys…”

“No… they are already STUFFED”

“This is ridiculous…” Arnav sighed.

Khushi laughed sitting on the chair.

“I will answer your upcoming questions for sure,” Arnav said confidently.

“Dad, only one question is left…”

“My god… ok, ask me…”

“What fish only swims at night?”

Arnav’s face brightened. He caught the answer. It was STARFISH.

“Jellyfish” he intentionally said the wrong answer because he thought Khushi needed a refreshment. She could get it only from an outing. She would forget everything if she was with his kids.

“Dad, it’s starfish…”

“Oh…”

“You lost the bet. You should take Khushi Didi on an outing”

Arnav nodded yes pressing his lips.

“Dad, we would have eaten Khushi Didi’s handmade food if you had won the bet”

“So what? I will cook for you one day” Khushi said.

“Yehhh… thank you, didi” they cheered up.

“Dad, where are you going to take Khushi Didi?”

“You guys decide”

“Taj?”

“Noo…” Came from Khushi.

“Why Khushi?”

“Please prefer a simple restaurant, sir”

“What about an open restaurant?”

Khushi nodded ok.

“We will start at 6:30,” Said Arnav.

“Until then we will be in Khushi Didi’s cabin,” Shali said.

“Let her do work,” Arnav said.

“We won’t disturb her. We will do our homework” Said Aarav.

“ok, don’t make noise”

“Okkiii” They rushed to Khushi’s cabin.

Khushi looked at Arnav and asked,

“Why did you give the wrong answer for the last question, sir?”

Arnav was stuck. He smiled not answering. After all, it was a simple question.

“I saw hope in your face when Aarav asked the question. Yet, you answered wrongly”

“Just forget everything for a while and be relaxed… you will get a solution to your problem then” he smiled.

She nodded yes gulping down. So, her guess was right. He did everything to make her feel better. She headed to her cabin. She stopped clutching the doorknob and looked at him for a few seconds and left the place. When Khushi came to her cabin, the kids were doing homework. She started her work smiling.

 

In the meanwhile,

Monish came to Indar’s cubicle and saw disappointment in his face.

“What happened dude?” Monish asked.

“Don’t ask me about it, I’m fed up like hell”

“Why?”

“Two girls are calling me to their place this evening,” he said irritatingly.

“Oh my God…”

“What a beautiful chance… how hard I worked to get this chance… I’m going to miss one…”

“Can’t you ask them to change the program?”

“Arrey, yaar… their parents will not be at home this evening. I don’t know when I will get such a chance again…” he sighed irritatingly.

“What are you going to do now?” Monish asked.

“I will have to choose one among them”

“Who is your choice?”

“Undoubtedly, Rose”

“Why?”

“I saw her photo. She is damn beautiful”

“What about the other one?”

“I have not seen her yet and Angel is not her real name too. So, I don’t want to take a risk. What if she is not as beautiful as Rose? I’m not ready to miss Rose”

“Will you miss the other?”

“I have no expectations with the girl because I don’t know what she looks like but Rose is not like that. I have been expecting a chance to relish her… So, I will deal with Angel another day.”

“May I ask you something?”

“What?”

“This time, give me the chance…”

“What do you mean?” Indar frowned.

“It’s not hard for you to trap girls. You can get many but I’m not that talented like you. So, this time, let me go to the girl’s house instead of you… please please…”

“What do you think? Do I put effort into trapping her for you to relish?” Indar asked with attitude.

“We will have a deal. I will give you a big treat in Taj… what say?”

Indar thought for a while.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah…damn sure”

“Ok, her name is Angel. I will send you her location after receiving it from her. Get ready”

“What if she asks about your chatting?”

“I will send some of our chat screenshots to you. mug them up and handle her according to them.”

“Ok…”

“Don’t forget, my name is Chandar… don’t blurt out my real name”

“Ok ok…”

 “One more thing… be soft… don’t pounce on her right away. Don’t leave any evidence there… don’t agree to take pics if she wants, use condom… be careful”

Monish grinned and Indar rolled his eyes.

“I’m so curious…” Monish said.

“Enjoy…”

“Send me the chatting screenshots”

“Mmm”

Monish went to his cubicle gladly dreaming of spending his time with Angel in the evening.

As planned, Indar went to meet Rose, whereas Monish went to Angel’s house.

 

On the other hand, Arnav left the office with Khushi and the kids. They headed to the open restaurant. Children liked the restaurant as the tables were arranged on the turf. They occupied the six-seater table.

“Khushi didi, do you cook?” Aarav asked.

“Not so good like this food…” she said.

“Will you really cook for us one day as you said?” Shali asked.

“Why not? Will surely cook for you… that too your favorite one”

“But, you don’t know what’s our favorite food…”

“I know…”

“How?”

“You told me”

“But, we never spoke about our favorite food…”

“You did”

“What’s that? tell us”

“Suspense…”

“Ohh nooo…” They sighed.

Arnav frowned.

“I will cook it for you one day”

They didn’t know what she was talking about.

Khushi saw a woman at another table looking at her again and again.

Khushi finished eating and waited for the kids to finish.

“You go, Khushi, they will be late. You wash your hands” Arnav said.

She nodded ok and went to wash her hands. She crossed the same table and heard the woman telling her husband,

“Being a mother of three kids, she looks so young. No one would believe she is a mother of three kids”

Khushi was stuck and looked at the woman. She was thinking that the kids were her children. She turned her head and looked at the kids who were eating, chitchatting with one another. Khushi left the place thinking about what the woman said. She washed her hands and came back to the table. She felt something in her heart… she didn’t know what that was.

To be continued…

 

 

 Part 17 One’s deed would burn him!  

Khushi gazed at the kids who were eating and chitchatting laughingly. She smiled lovingly, remembering the lady’s words. She looked at the man who was their father. She would be the luckiest person in the world if the lady’s word would come true. Even his wife was not lucky to be with him… then, could she be the lucky girl? If Arnav was ready to accept her as his wife, how would her life be? Would not she be happy with him and his kids? She would… undoubtedly she would…! Arnav would be the best husband for sure. If he showed concern for his PA to this extent, then he would give his best to cheer his wife. She had no doubt. Would he accept her as his wife? Khushi gulped down. She wondered about her thoughts.

How could she think like this? Arnav was a nice man. He had no romantic ideas in his mind. What would he think if he got to know what she thought about him? She looked down, feeling awkward. She slowly raised her eyes and looked at him. He was laughing at the blunt joke uttered by Aarav. Khushi’s lips curved into a beautiful smile. What was wrong in that, if she wanted to marry him? She was not going to snatch him from his wife though. His wife was no more. He could not even take the kids to the Theme park without a woman’s help. He indeed needed a woman’s help to grow his kids. Why wouldn't she be helpful for his whole life?

Would she be ready to be the SECOND choice? Her MIND questioned her. He was a nice man she never met. There was nothing wrong with being the SECOND choice of the BEST man. Her HEART answered.

The kids went to wash their hands. Arnav followed them.

“I will just come, washing my hands,” Arnav said.

Khushi nodded her head smiling. How sweetly he informed before going to wash his hands…! How simple this man was! She had a huge respect for Arnav in her heart. She sensed her respect turning into admiration.

Shali and Shamli headed to their table after washing their hands. Suddenly, they started running, towards her giggling. They pulled her hand and made her stand from the chair. Clutching her hands, they rotated her. Khushi smilingly played with them.

Aarav who came following his sisters smiled seeing them playing with Khushi. He got stuck hearing a little girl asking his mother.

“Mom, see how their mom is playing with them. Why don’t you play with me like that?”

Aarav looked at Khushi without moving. She laughed with Shali and Shamli gladly.

Arnav saw him standing alone.

“Aarav… what are you waiting for?”

He nodded his head from left to right and walked with him. Seeing Arnav coming, Shamli and Shali stopped playing smilingly.

“Guys, why are you troubling Khushi?”

“There is nothing called trouble, sir. I like to play with them” Khushi caressed Shali’s hair smiling.

“Khushi, these guys will make your mouth dry, if you start playing with them” Arnav warned her smiling.

“I won’t mind because they are good kids… am I right?”

Shali and Shamli nodded yes.

“Ok… you are good kids. Let’s go. We have to drop Khushi home”

Khushi’s facial expression changed. It was annoying to go to a place where there was nothing called solace. Arnav noticed that and felt bad for her.

Arnav started the car after they got into it. Arnav noticed that Aarav became silent.

“Aarav… what happened? Why are you silent?”

Aarav nodded NO and looked outside.

Khushi was chitchatting with Shamli and Shali but Aarav didn’t interfere in their conversation. Arnav frowned, seeing a sudden change in him.

They dropped Khushi home and took her leave. Khushi went to her room and closed the door. Garima was perplexed. She was fully set to be on STRIKE but Khushi turned the table and did what Garima planned.

  

In the meanwhile,

Indar was hoping inwardly to see Rose who looked more beautiful than the photograph. Using his tactics, he made her fall into his trap. Rose was even ready to submit herself to him. Would Indar leave such a chance? No, right? He got ready to take her to bed but his bad luck, her parents reached home unexpectedly. Both of them were shocked to the core. She hid him in her room and went out to manage her parents.  

Indar was stuck in her room for more than one hour. After making sure that her parents would not come out of their room, Rose locked their room door from outside and sent him out of her house. He rushed to the lift and got into it. He sighed in relief and annoyance as well. He went to many girls’ places but never faced such a situation in his life. He was highly disappointed because he missed Rose. He should have chosen Angel instead of Rose. Then, he would have enjoyed this day to the fullest. He missed both of them. Monish would have gotten to know what she looked like and relished her too. He sighed. There was no use in thinking about the missed opportunity. He missed both the girls. His hard work of trapping them went in vain. He could not think of meeting Rose again because he could not take a risk. He might get caught. He came out of the lift thinking about all of these. He started his bike and headed to his home.

On the other side, Monish finished what he came for. He didn’t follow Indar’s strategies. He used his own way to get the Angel who looked really like an Angel. He was not ready to miss the chance. He knew he could not get another chance if he missed it. He didn’t care about anything. He just mugged up their chatting details and used them to cover her up. He got to know Angel was not ready for a physical relationship before the wedding but he was not ready to back off. He gave her word that he would marry her. Of course, it was not true. That melted Angel. It seemed she loved him truly. She was scared that he would leave her if she disappointed him. As she did not want to miss him, she became submissive towards him.

RM

Arnav came home with the kids. Dadi was waiting for them.

“How was your dinner outing?” Dadi asked.

“It was so awesome,” Shali and Shamli said.

Aarav was silent. Arnav didn’t know why. He was so cheerful in the restaurant. What happened to him that he became silent all of a sudden?

“Go and get fresh…” Arnav said.

Shali and Shamli ran to their room, whereas Aarav walked behind them slowly. Arnav frowned. He didn’t know what happened to him.

…….

Indar came home. He was supposed to press the calling bell, but before he did that, the door was opened. Indar was shocked to the core seeing Monish getting out of his house. Both of them were shocked to see one another. Indar saw his sister standing behind Monish fearfully. Indar understood Angel was none other than his sister. He had been chatting with his own sister without knowing the truth. She also chatted with him under a fake name just like how he chatted with her. Everything was ok but he himself sent Monish to his sister and spoilt her life. That was a HIGHLIGHT here. He sent his house location sent by his sister to Monish without checking it in the urgency of meeting Rose.

Monish was confused to see Indar there. He didn’t understand why he came there after sending him to Angel. He was thunderstruck hearing, Angel calling him,

“Bhaiiii…”

Monish looked at her shockingly.

“He is my friend, Bhai,” his sister Rima aka Angel said.

Both the guys were shocked. They didn’t know how to handle the worst situation of their life. Monish left the place hurriedly not wanting to make the situation critical.

Indar sat on the outer step of his house, all broken. One’s deed would burn him…! he forgot it.

 

RM

Arnav was watching the news sitting with Dadi in the living room. He saw Aarav coming changing into his night dress. Arnav smiled at him. As he didn’t expect, Aarav lay on his lap. Arnav raised his brows smiling and caressed his hair lovingly.

Aarav looked at him and asked,

“Dad, what would Mom look like?”

Arnav was stunned. He looked at Dadi who was also in the same state. Arnav never showed Anjali’s photo to the kids because she was his sister. Kids would think she was his wife. He didn’t want it to happen. Now, as Aarav raised the question, he didn’t know what to answer because he could not avoid it.

To be continued…

 

 Part 18 Suffocating Arnav

"Tell me, Dad, what would Mom look like?" Aarav asked.

"She looked beautiful"

"Why don't you show us her photo?"

"I don't have her photo" Arnav lied.

"How did she die?"

"Accident"

"Everyone in my class has mom..." He said making Arnav gulp.

"Can't we get a mom?"

"Aarav, your mom is no more. You should understand that"

"Can't you marry someone just like my friend's dad did?"

"Aarav, you should not talk like that. I can't marry someone like your friend's father did"

"Why Dad? We will get a mom if you marry someone"

"No Aarav... No one would like to be your mother but only my wife. You don't know about women. They are selfish. No woman will be sweet. She will torture you"

"No Dad... Khushi Didi is not selfish. She won't torture us but love us"

Arnav was stuck. Dadi who was listening to them raised her brows. Arnav composed himself and said.

"Not everyone will be like Khushi..."

"Can't you marry Khushi Didi? She loves us. She is a nice girl"

"Aarav, she is my PA and small girl too..."

"Dad, she is a big girl Dad..."

"You can't understand it, Aarav... I don't want to marry anyone. I don't want to talk about it. That's final"

"Why Dad?"

"Aarav, I warn you, Khushi will hate you if she gets to know you have such an idea in your mind. No girl would like to marry a man who is a father of three kids. She will get angry with you if you talk about it. Then, never accompany you nor will come to our house"

Aarav's face hung. He could not even think of being hated by Khushi. Could not they get Khushi as their mom? Would she hate them if he asked her to marry their father? He walked to his room spilling tears.

Arnav looked at Dadi who was looking at him questioningly.

"You don't want to get married for kids. You may not need a wife to buyt kids need a mother"

"Dadi, it's obvious if he feels to have a mother when he sees a complete family. There were many families in the restaurant. That's what made him talk like this"

"You are taking them outings often. Didn't he see families there? Why did he feel to have a mother all of a sudden?"

Arnav was silent. He too didn't know what made Aarav talk like this but Dadi guessed it. Somewhat Khushi must be the reason. Her kindness and loving nature should have made Aarav think about having her as their mother. Though Dadi understood that she didn't tell Arnav about it. She knew Arnav would start keeping his distance from her. The children were happy with Khushi. They liked her company. She didn't want it to get cut off.

“Aarav asked about his mother today… children are growing. Hiding the truth about their parents is not good because one day they will get to know the truth…”

Cutting her,

“How would they get to know the truth?”

“It’s because it’s truth…”

Arnav was dumbfounded.

“It will be a good idea if you tell them the truth. If they get to know that through someone, that someone would tell that in their WAY. We can’t expect it to be a good way. That’s why I’m saying tell them the truth that you are not their biological father”

“What the hell are you taking, Nani? How could I say that? Won’t they break down?”

“They will break down more if someone says that to them”

“They will feel insecure, Dadi”

“Then get married to a nice girl like Khushi. She will take care of the kids and their feelings…”

“Stop it, Dadi…! This is ridiculous. Khushi is a small girl. Do you know what’s our age difference? How could I think of marrying her?”

“When did I ask you to marry Khushi? I just said MARRY A NICE GIRL LIKE KHUSHI because she is a nice girl. Kids love her so much…” Dadi smiled.

Arnav was stuck.

“Whoever it is… how could I…?” he said composing himself.

“If Aarav keeps asking for his mother, you have to answer him. On some days, Shali and Shamli may join him… they are girls… more sensitive than Aarav. You should handle them carefully…”

“I will manage”

“How will you manage, Arnav? You can’t even handle them alone on the one day’s outing. You always needed a woman caretaker to look after them…”

“They are kids. They will manage themselves as they grow up”

“Then they need more care that can be given by only a mother because not everything can be shared with a father. Father can’t understand everything even though they share because it’s all girl thing. Only a girl can understand when and where a girl needs what. Handling growing girl kids is kind of walking on eggshells Arnav. A little bit of carelessness will lead you into trouble…”

“Dadi, there is no one who could understand someone’s kids…”

“Why not? Is not Khushi the kind of girl?”

“Dadi, no one would be like Khushi…”

“Shall I talk to Khushi’s parents?”

“Whaaaat?”

“You only said, no one would be like Khushi. Then why not we try for Khushi?”

“Dadi, please stop it… she is already in problem. That’s why I brought kids to the office to cheer her up”

“See, Khushi would be happy with kids and vice versa. Why shouldn't we talk to her parents?”

“Dadi, please understand… her mother already fixed her wedding with someone…”

Dadi was disappointed.

“If her marriage is fixed, why did you cheer her up through kids? Won’t her would-be do that?”

“Her problem is her would-be himself…”

“Means?”

“She hates him”

“Yet, her mother wants her to marry the guy?”

Arnav nodded yes.

“By the way, how do you know her personal issues?”

“She told me”

“That means, she is more comfortable with you than her mother and her would-be…”

Arnav was stuck.

“What does that mean?”

“Dadi, the guy came to AR to meet Khushi. That was when she told me about him because of the situation”

“That means, she too needs someone just like how you need someone to take care of your kids…” Dadi sighed.

“She is a nice girl, Dadi. She has her own desires and future. Please, stop linking her with me. we should not do that” he left the place.

Dadi sighed. Arnav was not wrong. They had a huge age difference. Not only Khushi but any girl would like to get a young husband only. It was her life. Just because they were in need, they should not expect her to accept Arnav.

Arnav was thinking about why Aarav talked about his mother. He didn’t get anything. He really didn’t know how to handle him. What would he do if Aarav adamantly asked him to get married? 

…………

On the other side, Khushi was thinking about Arnav. He was a multimillionaire. People would taunt her that she married him for money. Whatever we do, people would talk about it no matter what. Then why should she care about them? Her intention was not wrong. Then why should she hesitate? Arnav didn’t think of getting married to anyone because he would not have gotten someone who understood him. Why wouldn't she be the one? Rather than marrying a scoundrel like Naveen, marrying a father of three kids would be better… and the father was none other than the great man Arnav Singh Raizada. She smiled.

The next day

Arnav saw Aarav moody. He didn’t ask Aarav anything because he didn’t want to make Aarav speak anything. He believed that Aarav would be all right in a day or two. So, he left RM sooner than usual.

 

AR

Khushi knocked on his cabin door.

“Come in…” Said Arnav.

Khushi entered. There was a big change in her eyes. Her eyes, those always carried briskness were missing. Instead, they had adoration in them.

“Good morning, sir”

“Good morning, Khushi”

“How is Aarav?”

Arnav’s hand stopped hearing that. he looked at her frowning.

“Why do you particularly ask about him?”

“He looked moody when we left the restaurant. It’s obvious if kids like to be enjoying all the time”

Arnav nodded yes.

“Is he all right?”

Arnav nodded no.

“Means?”

“He is upset,” Arnav said leaning on the seat, sighing.

“But why, sir?”

“He remembered his mother…”

Khushi was stuck. She needed a few seconds to compose herself.

“Then, bring them a mother…” She said.

Arnav was stunned as he didn’t expect her to say that.

“Their mother is no more” he typed something.

“I know… marry someone and make her their mother”

Arnav looked at her frowning. What happened to all of them? Why did everyone want him to get married? He nodded his head from left to right.

“Why, sir?”

“Khushi, I’m thirty-eight…”

“So what? Don’t people in their fifties get married…? You are just thirty-eight… and not looking like thirty-eight but young…”

Arnav chuckled.

“Go and do your work, Khushi…”

She walked slowly. She stopped at the doorstep and looked at him.

“Sir…”

“Mmm?” he lifted his brows.

“I will marry you if you are ready,” she said making him shocked.

Arnav was gazing at her with mixed feelings. He didn’t know what to say. Her face was serious. He didn't think she was joking. Khushi was also reading his face. Both were looking at each other.

That was when an attendee rushed to Arnav’s cabin and said,

“Sir, Indar committed suicide”

To be continued…

Part 19 Because I like you

“Indar has committed suicide,” the peon said, making Arnav and Khushi were shocked.

SUICIDE?

Arnav and Khushi looked at each other perplexed. Both of them knew Indar was not such a guy who would think of committing suicide. He was the guy who enjoyed his life without caring about anyone. What happened to him that led him to commit suicide?

Khushi looked at Arnav for further instruction because the office staff might want to attend the funeral.

“Ask all the staff to take half a day off alternatively,” Arnav said.

Khushi nodded ok and left his cabin.

Arnav leaned on the seat and closed his eyes.  Indar committed suicide. Undoubtedly it was shocking news but his mind didn’t stick in it because Khushi’s statement shocked him more than that. Was she serious? She didn’t seem to be playful and she would not play in his matter. He knew that. He opened his eyes gulping down. Aarav’s recent demand of asking for his mother disturbed him like hell. Adding to it, Khushi…!

He should stop all this nonsense. If Khushi got to know about Aarav’s interest, she might become stubborn and vice versa. Khushi was a nice girl. She was stressed due to Naveen’s torture. She wanted to get rid of him. That was why she would have told him like that without thinking. Arnav supposed.

 

Khushi came to the main hall and informed that everyone could take half a day's leave to attend the funeral. The employees split into two groups according to their comfort and decided that one group would go to the funeral in the morning and the other in the afternoon. Half of the staff went to Indar’s house to attend the funeral.

Khushi frowned seeing Monish in the office. Was not he the dearest friend to Indar? Why didn’t he go to his funeral? He ought to be at his home for the whole funeral…! She saw Thara missing. Her cubical was next to Monish. She knew Thara didn't get to the funeral in the first group. She didn’t know where she went. She came searching for her but she was nowhere. She came to the washroom too but Thara was not there too. She was supposed to go to her cabin but stopped hearing a whimper. Khushi thought it was Thara. After all, she loved Indar truly…! But, to her surprise, the person who came out of the washroom was not Thara but Monish. His eyes were red and swollen. He was stuck to see Khushi and left the place composing himself. She felt bad for him. After all, he was Indar’s best friend…!

She came to her cabin and saw Thara there with teary eyes.

“Thara… I was searching for you…”

Thara looked down.

“We will go to Indar’s house in the afternoon,” Khushi said.

Thara nodded no and said,

“I’m not coming…”

“Why Thara?”

She again nodded no.

“Thara, listen… he is dead. Don’t think about his previous deeds…”

“No, Khushi… I don’t want to see his lifeless body. He might be rogue but…” she choked.

“Relax…”

“I don’t know why he took such a decision. He is not that kind, Khushi… I can’t believe he committed suicide”

“Mmm… I too can’t believe it… who knows what was there in his life? he too should have had some stress in his personal life”

“No Khushi… he was so happy yesterday too.”

“Means?” she frowned.

“He and Monish were so delighted yesterday. I heard him asking Monish for a treat…”

“Is it?”

“Yes, I think Monish should have known the reason for his death”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes… I saw Monish in his cubicle. He is Indar’s best friend. Then, why has not he gone to his house yet? I know them. Something is surely wrong…!”

“Are you sure?”

“Cent present sure”

Khushi thought something and came to Monish’s cubicle. He was not there. She came to the washroom and stood outside. As she expected, Monish came washing his face. Khushi came in front of him with a sharp gaze. Monish was supposed to leave the place, but Khushi stopped him blocking his way.

“Why did Indar commit suicide?” Khushi asked.

Monisha was shocked as he didn’t expect her to raise such a question.

“I don’t know…” he said averting his gaze from her.

“You are lying,” She said seeing his nervousness.

“Why would I lie?”

“You are… it’s because you are the reason for him to commit suicide…”

Monish looked at her shockingly, widening his eyes. Tears rolled down from his eyes. That made Khushi surprised. She said that just to get the truth from him but the shock in his face told her something.

“What are you talking…? Why would I be the reason for his death? I’m his friend…”

“Then what are you doing here without attending his funeral?”

“I won’t go”

“Why?”

“I can’t see him in this condition”

“It’s a lie… you don’t want to attend his funeral because you will get caught if you do that. Am I right?” Khushi purposely said that even though she was not sure about it but again she saw shock on Monish’s face.

“No… it’s not true…” he walked away.

“Ok… police will find the truth… let me call them” She took her mobile out.

Monish looked at her horrified and went on his knees in front of her. Khushi was taken aback to see him doing that.

“Please don’t do that, Khushi… please don’t do that. I will surely marry his sister… don’t spoil my life by calling the police” he said joining his hands.

Khushi was horrified. Was Monish the reason for Indar’s death? She tried hard not to show any expression on her face as she understood something was wrong.

“Don’t call yourself a friend. Is this what a friend does?” she added.

“Trust me, it’s not my mistake. Even Indar didn’t know the girl was his sister whom he chatted with. That was why he sent me to his sister unaware of the truth as he wanted to go to another girl’s house who looked so beautiful. I didn’t know she was his sister until he came to his house and saw me there with his sister”

Khushi was horrified to hear the reason behind Indar’s death. She felt like her heart might blast anytime. She could not believe Indar was so cheap that played with girls’ lives so casually. Indar deserved this. She gritted his teeth.

“Listen… if you don’t marry Indar’s sister, I will not leave you. if the police started checking his accounts, you would get caught”

“No, Khushi. I will surely marry her. I decided when I got to know she was his sister. I agree I pleaded with Indar to give me a chance but this is my first time and I got to know his sister is a nice girl. Indar trapped her only after putting in a lot of effort. She really loves the guy with whom she chatted…”

“But, how will you tell her the truth?”

 “No, I’m not going to tell her the truth. According to her, I'm the one who chatted with her. Please don’t tell anyone about it”

Khushi nodded ok.

“By the way, Khushi, how do you know about all this? Only I and Indar knew it…”

Khushi so wanted to tell him that she got the truth from him only but she didn’t want to...

“We should not think we are smart” saying she walked.

Monish gulped down hard.

Khushi came out and stopped to see Arnav standing. Monish stunned. He understood Arnav listened to them.

“Sir… I’m sorry, sir…”

Arnav slapped him hard. Monish stood holding his cheek, bowing down.

“You will be in this job only if you marry Indar’s sister”

Monish nodded his head. Arnav left the place. Khushi followed him. Arnav came to his cabin and looked at her turning his head behind. He stood straight, seeing her.

“Did you think about what I said?”

Arnav frowned.

“I said I will marry you if you are ready”

“I’m not ready” Came from Arnav.

“Ok, I will be waiting for you until you are ready” She was supposed to go but stopped hearing,

“Khushi, wait”

She looked at him.

“It will not happen… ever…”

“Why, sir?”

“I don’t want to get committed”

Khushi nodded ok and left the cabin. Arnav stood looking at her with a frown. He didn’t know what she was up to. He followed her and came to her cabin. Khushi looked at him sternly.

“Look, Khushi, you need to get out of your house. That’s why you are ready to marry an aged man like me. You will get a nice guy. Don’t let your mind waver… ok?”

“Ok sir…” She smiled, making him more confused.

Arnav turned to leave,

“Sir…” Khushi called him. he turned behind and looked at her.

“You are right. I want to come out of my house… it’s not new. I have been thinking about it for a long, even before you came from Europe. But now, I would like to come out of my house to come to YOU because I like you. I will be happy if I’m with you. Not just because you are an understanding person. I’m done with young guys. They are not loyal. One tried to touch a girl and said he was in love with her… the next one trapped girls in the name of love... and another one didn't mind spoiling a girl’s life… how could I trust them? I’m done with all of this. No problem if you don’t want to marry me because I too don’t have an idea to marrying anyone…other than you,” She said carrying a smile on her face.

To be continued…

 

 

 Part 20 Shocking Shock

The second batch of AR went to Indar’s funeral. Arnav, Aman and Khushi were parts of it. Arnav ordered Monish to attend the funeral. Without having a choice, he joined them. Indar’s sister was surprised to see him. There was a satisfaction in her face. She smiled in between her tears. She thought Monish came to the funeral for her.

Monish faced a hard time not to cry.

“Look at her face, she thinks you are here for her…” Arnav said and Monish bowed down.

“How are you going to manage her? What will you tell her when she gets to know you are working in the same office in which Indar worked?”

Monish nodded his head from left to right as his mind was not in the state of thinking anything.

“Tell her you recently joined the office and didn’t get a chance to interact with Indar,” Arnav said and Monish nodded ok.

Indar wrote a letter before committing suicide that no one was the reason for his decision but ONLY HIM. He apologized to his parents for being unable to make them proud of himself.

“My son is one in a crore…! No one could get such a lovable son in their lives. He always took responsibility for our family. He respected us like anything. Don’t know what made my son take such a decision…” His mother cried.

Khushi looked at Arnav who averted his gaze. He knew the meaning of her look.

“Indar had created a good image in his family and had a worse side outside the house without their knowledge. Not only Indar, but many people live like that only. Men or women, everyone is the same… no difference” Khushi said only Arnav to hear.

He looked at him sharply.

“But… we are not like that…!” she added.

After a while, Arnav left the place with Aman. Khushi went to GH thinking about her daring approach. She could not believe she openly told Arnav that she wanted to marry him. She felt good about the decision to marry Arnav. She could never get a better choice than Arnav, she supposed.

 

On the other side,

Arnav was driving the car with a cloudy mind. His mind was full of Khushi’s thoughts. There was no idea in his mind about marrying her. Yet, he could not avoid thinking about her. He didn’t know how to avoid her. He could easily do that but he could not hurt her because she was a nice girl. Without hurting her, he didn’t think he could avoid her.

 

The next day

Arnav was having breakfast silently looking at Aarav who was drawing lines on his plate.

“Aarav, you are getting late to school. Make it fast”

Aarav looked at him and then again looked at his plate, said nothing.

“Aarav…”

Aarav started eating fast and left the place, making Arnav perplexed. He closed his eyes helplessly. He went to Aarav’s room. He saw Aarav crying, lying on the bed. Arnav came to him and caressed his hair, sitting next to him. In no time, Aarav laid on his lap and cried.

“Aarav, don’t cry…”

Aarav sat on the bed, wiping his cheeks.

“Dad, please, marry Khushi didi. She is a sweet woman”

Arnav sighed.

“Aarav, listen to me. Khushi is so smaller than me. I’m nearing my forties but she is just twenty-four. People will laugh at Khushi and insult her. Khushi’s mother will not agree to our marriage. She is a nice girl. She should be happy in her life. We should not be selfish, Aarav. We should not spoil her life for our happiness. You are a good boy… understanding too…! You should understand her stand. We should not think of her like that and more than that, no woman would love someone’s children. if Khushi started hating you after the wedding, we could not do anything. Don’t you trust me?”

Aarav sobbed silently.

“I’m sorry, Aarav. I’m really sorry” Arnav left the place.

Aarav again laid on the bed and cried.

 

AR

Khushi came to Arnav’s cabin and saw him pressing his head. His head was blasting thinking about Khushi.

“Good morning, sir” Khushi wished Arnav with a bright smile.

“Good morning” he again pressed his head.

“Shall I make coffee?” She asked.

Arnav slightly nodded yes as he badly needed one.

Khushi went to the pantry that was being attached to his cabin. She went to prepare coffee for Arnav.

She didn’t notice the wire of the induction stove touching the vessel at its BOTTOM. She boiled the water to prepare expresso and the wire also melted equally. Arnav sensed the smell and Khushi as well. She became horrified and pulled the wire away. In that process, she touched the melted part of the wire. The very next minute, she was thrown away by the current shock. Khushi fell to the ground lifelessly.

Arnav who rushed inside the room saw her falling and got horrified. He switched the stove off and tapped Khushi’s cheek, kneeling.

“Khushi… Khushi… what happened to you? Open your eyes, Khushi…”

There was no movement in her. Arnav checked her breath which was stopped due to the shock. He was shocked to the core. Without delay, he started giving CPR. He pressed her chest to get her breath back but it didn’t work. Without any choice left, placing his mouth over hers, he blew gradually. With the third blow, Khushi coughed. Arnav sighed in relief and sat on the floor.

Khushi sat on the floor slowly and saw Arnav also sitting on the floor. She didn’t miss to notice the lipstick that was stuck on his lips. It was not hard for her to understand what would have happened. She knew she had been electrocuted. She felt herself being electrocuted. So, she guessed what Arnav would have done to her. His question confirmed that.

“Are you all right?”

She nodded yes.

“Take rest… you may feel dizzy”

She tried to get up, pressing her hand on the ground. Her hand slipped and she again fell.

“Khushiiii…” He held her head in his hand before it hit the ground.

He helped her to stand and brought her to his cabin. He made her sit on the couch and gave her a glass of water. Taking it from him, Khushi sipped it.

Removing his phone, Arnav called the doctor and asked him to come to AR. Disconnecting the call,

“The doctor is coming. You can go home if you feel tired”

Khushi blinked her eyes slowly.

“Sir…”

“Mmm?”

“Lipstick” she raised her finger.

“Whaaat?”

“Wipe your lips, sir”

Arnav looked at his image in the glass door and got stuck, seeing her lipstick on his lips. Fetching his handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped his lips. He was feeling awkward. It was not wrong to save a girl’s life by giving CPR. It was just first aid but the situation made him embarrassed. He should have been cautious about the lipstick. He didn’t know her lipstick would have stuck on his lips.

“Oh… I…”

“I know…”

He got stuck. What did she know? She leaned on the sofa closing her eyes. Arnav waited for the doctor.

After a while, the doctor came.

“What happened?” the doctor asked.

“She was electrocuted, doctor”

“Oh… then?”

“She fainted…”

“Did you do first aid?”

“CPR…”

“That’s good”

The doctor checked Khushi and injected her. He prescribed a few medicines.

“She will be all right by tomorrow. Follow the medicine properly. Take rest for today”

“Ok, doctor,” Arnav said.

The doctor left.

Arnav removed his phone and called Mohan.

“Get the car ready. You have to drop Khushi home” he disconnected the call.

“It’s ok, sir…” Khushi said.

“No, Khushi, don’t strain yourself…! Our driver will drop you off. Let’s go…”

Khushi walked out slowly. Arnav followed her cautiously. He came to her cabin with her. Khushi took her bag and was supposed to hang it on her shoulder, but Arnav took it from her hand. Khushi looked at him wondering.

“I will bring it,” he said, wondering her more.

He walked out. Khushi followed him. Arnav made her sit in the back seat.

“Drop her home carefully. She is not feeling well”

“Jee Sir,” Mohan said and started the car.

Khushi lay on the seat, feeling tired. Arnav thought something and got in the car, making Mohan wonder.

“Go…” he ordered.

Mohan headed to GH. Arnav guided him.  

To be continued…