Chapter 3

3

 

It had been something around a month or so that Arnav Singh Raizada & Khushi Kumari Gupta were going to office together every morning. It was completely win-win for both of them. Khushi could avoid being late at office with no hassle of looking for an early morning auto; Arnav got his free dose of nerve-relaxing spa in the car. They got into this routine without even discussing once. She got habituated to let free auto pass away just as Arnav got habituated to pick her up on his way to office. It was mostly the same thing every morning of the weekdays. Khushi would stand in that one very spot from 8.30 am in the morning. Arnav would reach there by 8.45 and stop his car in front of her. She would get in & wait for him to help her with the seatbelt. Arnav, seemingly, not noticing her at all would buckle her with in & drove off. As they would depart in his private parking space after Arnav would free her of the seatbelt, she would thank him to which he would shrug or just appear nonchalant. They hardly met beyond that and no one was aware of their little time together every day.

 

By this time, of course, Arnav had learnt a lot about Khushi Kumari Gupta. Thanks to her & her unbelievable mouth .. yes mouth .. pink .. full .. luscious .. (Shut up, Arnav! I meant the mouth with which she talks .. focus!). Oh, yes, her mouth .. & her blabbering! She was not someone to sit silently for long. In spite of Arnav's regular glares & "shut up"s & threats to abandon her midway, she could not control herself from sharing things with him – may be not very consciously. Arnav could make out from her non-stop self-talk or effort to strike up a conversation with him that she had a sister, name not known, whom she called "Jiji". Apart from her parents, her Buaji lived with them. She was working because she was in need of money. Her father was probably not fit since she talked a lot about his medicines. She was from Lucknow .. oh, and of course, water ran out at her place by 9 in the morning. Her excitement would know no bounds at the sight of Gol Gappe. Sometimes she would be busy popping Chana into her mouth constantly and then embarrassedly would try to clear the remaining from her seat. And yes .. every time she seemed worried, she would talk of Jalebi.

 

Of course, Khushi did not learn anything about Arnav. He was the same Laad Governor, surprisingly, giving her a ride everyday to office. He talked, very rarely, in monosyllables or at doubles mostly, "shut up" being the most spoken till date. The only thing, any different from usual he did, was when he had to be away for a business trip for 3 days. Well, not that he really did something himself but Khushi understood why suddenly all the employees holding the designation of Personal Assistant received his  Out of Office notification which never had reached them before. She was secretly happy with this little attention. And just on the fourth day, he was there again to pick her up. By this time, she had become simply "Khushi" to him just as he had become "Arnavji" to her. Miss Gupta & Sir were lost somewhere in the streets of Delhi.

 

Devi Maiya sighed. This was not enough progress. These two were impossible. One month of morning time together and they were still stuck almost where they had started. It was time she intervened again.

 

On a Wednesday morning, Arnav had just walked in to his office when he received a call from his PA, Simran. She was down with flu and would not be able to make it to office. Arnav allowed her sick leave and started to think of having a reliever fast. He could not survive a day without a PA when his schedule was this hectic. He called up Lavanya and asked her to assign someone as his PA till Simran was back.

 

Lavanya entered his office some 15 minutes later.

 

"ASR, how long do you think you would need a reliever for Simran?"

 

"She said Flu. So should not be more than 3-4 days I guess."

 

"Great. If you are okay, I think my PA can help you for few days. Since I am going on leave tomorrow, she would be free mostly till I am back."

 

Lavanya's PA. Arnav's attention to her words suddenly heightened.

 

"Your PA? Means .. Khushi .. mm .. Ms.Gupta?

 

"Yes, ASR. I know she looks a little different but she is really efficient. And I am sure she will behave herself with you. She sometimes may talk a bit too much .. but if you can just put up with that .."

 

"Fine." Aranv cut in.

 

No one needed to tell him how much Ms. Gupta could talk. Arnav was not sure why but the prospect of having Khushi around the whole day bothered him – well, not in a bad way really.

 

"ASR. I hope you did not mind that I cancelled our next date. I really need to go to Pune."

 

Arnav did not notice much the added warmth in her voice – his mind still busy thinking how it would be to have Khushi around in his office. Would she bring her lemony essence in his office also?

 

"It is fine Lavanya."

 

Lavanya smiled at ASR a little coyly. She was really surprised when Arnav had asked her to accompany him to a corporate dinner some three weeks back. Since then, they had been on four more dates. ASR had not really advanced their relationship much but he had accepted her invitation to spend some time with her for coffee after their last date. The coffee in the couch had been followed by little caresses & kisses but ASR abruptly had left leaving Lavanya all confused. However, the following day he had again asked her out for a Friday night dinner. Sadly, she had to cancel since she had some family urgency to solve.

 

Lavanya came forward cautiously and pecked on his right cheek. Arnav just curved his lips which, if one wanted, could consider as a smile.

 

"Send in Ms. Gupta immediately."

 

"Sure ASR."

 

Lavanya was a nice girl, Arnav thought to himself as she left the room. Apart from being a workaholic like him, she indeed was a nice company – quite sensible, suave, intelligent. Logically, she was perfect for him to be in a steady relationship. He had tried to make it work – he had tried being cozy with her in her apartment. But the result of his effort was him running away from her place when he had tried to kiss her neck. Her exposed sexy, dusky skin hugged by the Deep Blue off-shoulder dress vanished as he moved forward. All he could see was tiny droplets of water running down the pale skin of a beautiful neck .. the collar bones evident .. how he wanted to suck those water droplets off her, every time he visioned her.

 

Khushi Kumari Gupta.

 

Arnav had run away .. but he was not planning to move back. He would get her off his mind. She was just a bad addiction – a bad virus that had impacted some unutilized cells of his brains – those cells wanted women. He had called Lavanya again to set a date and he was determined to make it work this time.

 

Of course, Devi Maiya had some other plan.

 

Some ten minutes later Arnav heard a knock on his door. Followed by his "Come in", Khushi Kumari Gupta entered his office, for the first time on her own, not trying to hide her nervousness & excitement at all.

 

"Woh .. Arnavji .. mm .. sir .."

 

"Khushi, log in to Simran's computer with your own ID. IT will give you access to her folders and also my calendar. I don't need anyone to remind me of my meetings. You will do only what I will ask you to do. Clear?"

 

"Ji .. Arnavji .. I mean, Sir .."

 

"Stop stammering! Arnavji is fine. Now leave. And get me a coffee."

 

Khushi almost ran out of the room & started panting as she shut the door to his cabin behind. It must be her lucky day! She could finally punch in to the Executive Floor with her own card! Yes, may be for a few days .. but this was a great start!

 

When La-ji had told her that she would have to assist Arnav for a few days, Khushi's first thought was – the whole day with Laad Governor! Lavanya was rather shocked to see her smiling at this proposition.

 

"Khushi, this is an opportunity, yes. But no need to get so carried away. ASR is really difficult."

 

Khushi was almost in a trance dreaming of a day with Laad Governor but Lavanya's words brought her back to world.

 

"What were you thinking Khushi," she muttered, "Why are you so happy? You should be panicked .. the whole day with that arrogant brute!"

 

"O .. o .. Arna .. I mean, ASR-ji is aware?"

 

"Of course. Now pack your things and start right now. Your access card is configured already. Let me know if you face any trouble, ok?"

 

"Ji, La-ji"

 

"Aargh. You will never get over with the 'ji', will you? Anyways. ASR is diabetic, Khushi. Don't give him sugar ever. And He likes his coffee black. For any thing else, just call Simran, ok?"

 

Diabetic? Laad Governor? That explained why he always talked so bitter! Khushi could not control herself from grinning at this discovery, shocking Lavanya again.

 

"Are you alright, Khushi? What are you finding so amusing?"

 

"O .. kuch nehi, La-ji. I was just thinking that I am so lucky that ASR-ji chose me .."

 

"Sorry to burst your bubble but  I chose you, Khushi. ASR probably did not even remember you existed. So stop self-gloating. And don't disappoint me. I hope you will keep my honor intact."

 

Khushi nodded her head but could not agree with La-ji.

 

"How can he not remember me?" Khushi muttered as she started gathering her stuff from her desk. In 15 minutes, she was standing outside his cabin door.

 

Khushi knew she was supposed to feel panicked but somehow she was excited with this new arrangement. Khushi first logged into the computer in Simran's cabin that was adjacent to Arnav's plush office. She then prepared the coffee and took it to him. Arnav took the coffee from her and he felt weird. It felt very homely .. as if she were offering a cup of coffee to him as he sat on his green recliner at home, spreading her lemony smell all around.

 

Arnav groaned inwardly as he could smell something familiar in his cabin.

 

"Khushi. You will need to gather daily reports from HR & Procurement and make a summary for me by 4 pm every day. I am sure you will find the old reports in Simran's folders. Else you can call her. Ok?"

 

"Ji, Arnavji."

 

"And you would memorize my schedule everyday and handle my calls accordingly. Do not transfer any call to me before asking me."

 

"Ji."

 

"Now get me 20 copies of these reports. I will leave at 1 and I need the copies ready by then."

 

"Ji Arnavji."

 

Khushi hastily took the report from Arnav and inspected it. It was a 100 plus page report. She better rush if she wanted to get it finished by time.

 

"Why are you standing here?"

 

"Woh .. woh .. kuch nehi."

 

Khushi almost ran out of his office to find out the utility room and started copying the report.

 

"Laad Governor!" Khushi muttered as she pressed the copy button. "La-ji was right. Did he even remember you, Khushi … that you are the Khushi who comes with him every morning? In his car? He must be suffering from some sort of amnesia. How could he pretend not knowing me .. .. .. .."

 

Her muttering continued.

 

Arnav finished a hurried meeting in one of the small discussion rooms in his floor. AR had a fashion show scheduled next week and there were still a few things to be finalized. Arnav started walking towards his office, disturbed by the callousness of the agency who was handling the set. If they screwed up, he was going to cancel their contract, Arnav swore. As he was crossing the Utility Room, he heard the sound of carefree laughter that calmed his heart immediately. This was unusual! No one laughed like that in the Executive Floor. This was the floor that ran the business after all!

 

Arnav almost knew who was laughing and he could not control but to check if it was really her.

 

There she was – laughing her heart out, all bright & sunny, lighting up the precisely lit utility room with thousand lights. Her dark purple dupatta fell off her left shoulder as she continued laughing uncontrollably. Arnav has seen all a woman possesses but her dupatta free shoulder, even though wrapped under a sea-green not-so-fashionable dress, made Arnav gulp. Only a few seconds passed and Khushi quickly settled her dupatta back but those few seconds glued Arnav on his spot. He did not even realize when a slow smile appeared on the corner of his mouth as he stood watching her laugh.

 

Only a few seconds of bliss. His smile suddenly disappeared as she started copying again, still laughing and Arnav realized she was not alone. Raj, an associate to his CFO, was standing only a few feet away from her, slightly leaning towards her, laughing with her, staring at her .. saying something to her. Raj was single, in his early 30s, quite charming, evidently good looking. And here he was laughing with Khushi Kumari Gupta comfortably as if they knew each other forever. She had been here for an hour at maximum and already she was busy with guys! Arnav could feel his blood boil and he did not bother asking himself why he was really this mad. He took long strides and in seconds he was at the door of the Utility Room.

 

"What is going on in here?"

 

Khushi spun around at the booming voice and Raj already started moving towards the door sensing danger.

 

"Sir, I was here to take some print outs. I was just leaving."

 

Arnav glared at Raj first and then glared at Khushi.

 

"I think I said I needed the copies before I leave."

 

"Ye.. Yes, Arnavji." Khushi stuttered. "I am copying the reports. You will get it on time."

 

"The way you are loitering your work hour, I doubt you will get anything done at all, Ms. Gupta."

 

Khushi could almost hear his teeth gritting in the awkward silence of the room. Did he call her Ms. Gupta?

 

"Woh .. we were just talking .. I am working .."

 

"Shut up, Ms. Gupta. I don't need any lazy bum in my office who does not take her work seriously."

 

Raj was still standing there, feeling really awkward and not understanding what to do. He wished he could stand up for her but knowing ASR, he remained silent. He could not even leave as ASR stood blocking the door.

 

Khushi did not understand at all what was happening. This was the first time she really had seen ASR in his notorious angry mode. She had imagined how his rage can be but it was nothing even close to that. His eyes were blazing, nostrils flaring, jaw tightening .. and his voice was as cold as ice. Khushi almost started trembling, still trying to understand what had went wrong.

 

"Woh, Arnavji, I promise I did not waste a second. See I have already made 4 copies."

 

Khushi tried to show him the copies she had already arranged in folders. Arnav was, of course, in no mood for that.

 

"I cannot believe I agreed to Lavanya's recommendation. I should have known what you are capable of. One hour in the floor and already you are busy trying your manipulation tricks? Did you really think Raj can do anything for you?"

 

Khushi & Raj both stood shocked. Raj recovered quickly knowing ASR better but Khushi could not infer where that came from. Manipulation?

 

"Arnavji .. what .. I don't understand .."

 

"If you want this job, only focus on your work. I don't want to see such nonsense in my floor. If you need someone to laugh with, find outside this building. Not here."

 

Giving an icy look to both of them, Aranv turned and left, leaving a frozen Khushi behind.