Chapter 13

Swati

@SwatStar_Arshi

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Chapter 13 - Sheetal desperate and digging her own...

Sheetal knew Khushi was getting bold now with her friends around and Arnav giving her attention. And not to forget she had much more authority as his wife!!

Sheetal really did not know what Arnav sees in behnaji type girl like Khushi and went on to marry her twice!! Neither she matched his status nor was she rich. When did Arnav start liking immature teenager like Khushi? She thought he always dated smart and beautiful women! What changed? No doubt, Khushi was very pretty girl with a nice heart but still hard to digest ASR's choice as wife after he dated so many models and mature women.

Oh hell with her! I will see to it that she is send packing from Arnav's life.

Tomorrow they had another client's meeting with lunch. It was one of the most important foreign client and Sheetal had guessed Khushi might bring lunch tomorrow as well.

She decided to trick Khushi into being asked questions by client and get her insulted in front of Arnav. "Wow" she patted her own back and that will sure be a major setback for Arnav and Khushi will never dare to step in the office after such incident and then she will plan more tricks for her at home.

"John, Mrs. Raizada usually comes during lunch time. You could ask her opinion as well for the fall collection theme" Sheetal suggested John casually while serving him coffee.

"Yeah sure. More inputs, the better it is" John was VP at London based design company and was here to finalize the deal with AR Designs and collaborate for their fall collection.

"Now I will see how Khushi steps into AR ever in future?" Sheetal smirked and got ready for the meeting. Sheetal also instructed the receptionist to send Khushi to conference room directly as soon as she comes in.

Khushi arrived at AR with lunch at 12.20 pm. She went to conference room as instructed. She knew his meeting was until 12 so thought Arnav must be in the conference room alone now.

She opened the door and saw the dark room and presentation was still going on.

"Come on in and join us" she could hear someone instructing her. Khushi knew it was a major meeting so she did not want to be impolite so she walked in and sat in the end chair. She was scared to disturb Arnav's meeting.

Lights were turned on and everyone clapped after the presentation concluded. Khushi happened to see beautiful pastel color designs, heard summary of the project last 5 minutes and was about to silently walk out.

"Hello, Young lady" John talked to Khushi.

Arnav immediately walked towards Khushi, put his around Khushi and introduced her to John. He did not want Khushi to feel awkward or scared.

"So Mrs. Raizada, what's your opinion on our fall collection?" John asked Khushi casually.

Sheetal was so waiting for this moment and smirked.

Arnav was worried now. He knew Khushi was put on the spot. He looked at Khushi and Khushi was also stumped at the sudden question but she was aware how important her answer would be. After sucking in the initial surprise, Khushi thought for a couple of minutes in her mind about the designs and summary she heard few minutes back.

"Those are beautiful intricate designs Mr. John. Definitely double thumbs up but I do have a suggestion" Khushi replied politely. Everyone in the room was shocked including Arnav.

"What would that be Mrs. Raizada?" John was now curious.

"Pastel colors used are absolutely gorgeous but this is a fall collection. So introducing the designs with fall colors with earthy tones that match nature would be more appealing. Like shades of yellows, orange, rust, red, browns and greens inspiration from nature. Again this is just a thought" Khushi expressed herself politely.

"Wow, I never thought about it. What do you suggest ASR?" even Arnav and his lead design looked at Khushi admiring her. She simply nailed it and indeed fall colors would be way more appealing than pastels.

"John, maybe we can redesign couple of dresses using earth tones and see. Then take it from there" Arnav indeed liked Khushi's idea but did not want to offend John.

"Not a chance. I think Mrs. Raizada has a valid point. Fall colors it is. Bold, beautiful and inspiration from nature - It can't get any better. Let's change it all and we can revisit it next week. I will remotely conference with you to finalize them" John concluded.

Everyone in the conference room clapped for Khushi and Arnav was so proud of her. He side hugged her in front of everyone.

"Thank you Mrs. Raizada, really appreciate your quick thinking and color suggestion. ASR, no wonder your employees value her opinion so much. Thank you Sheetal" John really appreciated Khushi's inputs.

"Absolutely, Khushi has realistic approach, knowledge on intricate designs and cloth plus her lookout towards everything is simple yet deep and beautiful. You should see her chicken embroidery work on cotton as well as silk" Arnav openly praised Khushi.

Khushi was wondering how Arnav got to know about her interest in chicken embroidery, maybe Buaji must have told him. Khushi was just happy to be helpful in Arnav's important project that she didn't even realize Sheetal's motive.

But Arnav understood clearly what Sheetal had tried to do. She had laid a trap for Khushi to walk into and embarrass herself or Arnav. Though Khushi came out as a winner and saved the day for both!

Sheetal was hopping mad. Not only her plan had completely back fired but Arnav got to know what she was trying to do. Idiot John, he had to thank her in front of everyone, she muttered to herself...

Arnav now needed to act fast before she does any damage to Khushi. His protective instincts towards Khushi were kicked in sharp! He decided to start with the weakest link - Aarav. Arnav had Aarav on his mind and the questions he wanted to ask to the kid. So he asked Khushi to wait and wrapped up work and left home by 2.00 pm. Sheetal again came to Arnav's cabin and saw both walking out of AR.

Sheetal was getting restless, did some quick thinking and left AR behind them as well.