Chapter 15

Pearl_Oyster

@Pearl_Oyster

PART 15

"Okay, what exactly do you have to shop for?" Arnav finally asked Anjali after completing third round of the entire shopping mall.

"That's the big question, Bhai. I myself don't know what I want to buy! I mean it should be elegant, beautiful and yet traditional. You know na, it's the wedding of my best friend. I should look gorgeous" Anjali finished.

"That's the sixth time you have told me this. And I don't understand why you wanted me to come with you. You have credit cards to pay and drivers to carry your shopping bags. What's the point in wasting my time along with yours?" Arnav complained with slight irritation.

"There, Bhai there! You yourself are answering your question. You hardly spend any time with me and now shopping with your only little sister seems wastage of time to you? You don't love me anymore. All you care about is earning more and more money" Anjali made a small pouting face.

"Yeah. I knew this was coming. Emotional drama! The invincible weapon of women! Fineee! Continue your non-existent shopping. I will shut up and follow you around" Arnav said in a surrendering which made Anjali's face brighten.

~~***~~

Khushi was sitting in her room. Arnav's words were constantly playing in her mind. She couldn't digest the fact that Arnav can think so low of her. Did he actually think that she might be sleeping with Abhay?

Disgusting!

'You haven't changed a bit, Arnav. You are still the same man who never paused for even a second to think how deep your words or your deeds can hurt others. I hate you'.

She decided that she didn't want to see his face anymore and will stop going to his office! But on the next thought she realized that Mr. Roy has signed the contract which said she can't leave the job before completing it. Damn her! Why did she accept the offer in the first place?

She got up and checked the calendar. 10 more days. Maybe I can survive 10 more days in that hell. She sighed and retired to sleep.

"My life can never be good to me" was the last thought she had before closing her eyes. Her sleep was going to be a disturbed one. She knew.

~~***~~

"Slept well?" Abhay asked her at the breakfast table.

"Yeah" Khushi answered.

"Doesn't seem so. Your eyes are red and those dark circles! You look horrible. You can tell me if anything is bothering you" Abhay pried and asked with concern.

"No there is nothing" Khushi tried to avoid.

"Are you still disturbed about your temp-boss yesterday? Still thinking about those shitty talks of him? If it's gonna make you feel better, I'll go and give that bastar..."

"You don't have to go anywhere, Abhay. I'll handle it myself." Khushi's answer was rather sharp but Abhay didn't mind.

"Khushi.., I know you are disturbed. And it's all because of that Raizada douchebag! But trust me, if you'll share your worries with me, you'll feel good. And.." Abhay tried again, trying to be a good friend.

"Wrap it, Abhay! That's enough. Now you are stepping in my privacy. Why can't you just leave me alone with my problems? And is it necessary for you to keep reminding me about him? Who do you think you are?" Khushi snapped finally, looking at him with angry eyes.

"Khushi, I was just trying to help you out" Abhay replied in a small voice, confused as to why she was angry at him. Even hurt a little.

"And when exactly did I ask you to help me? I can help myself very well. And if you still want to help me leave me alone for some time. That will be the biggest help" Khushi said and left.

Abhay sat there staring at her untouched plate, trying to comprehend where he went wrong.

~~***~~

Arnav was walking to and fro in his cabin. Somewhere in the middle of the night he had come to the conclusion that he had spoken too much. He shouldn't have said that to her. Her personal life shouldn't matter to him, and even if it does he shouldn't have made that loud and public. He needed to apologize.

Wait.. He won't apologize. Why will he? Okay, he was wrong but he won't apologize. Apologizing was so not him. Maybe he will just tell her that he doesn't mind her living with Abhay.

What the? I do mind that. Gosh..! I am so hell confused. What do I do?

Arnav was still deep in his thoughts when Khushi entered the office. A gush of wind informed him of her presence. He looked through the glass walls of his cabin and noticed her walking towards her own cabin. And the seconds stopped running for him. Dressed in a red shirt and black trousers, she was a sight to behold. But the sight was walking towards her cabin. He had to stop her.

"Khushi" he called from his cabin but the glass walls absorbed his voice within. He quickly took out his cell phone from his pocket and dialed her number.

Khushi's phone started ringing and she stopped walking. She took out her cell phone and checked the caller identity. It was him. She automatically looked towards his cabin in response. There he stood. Dressed in dark blue shirt under his black coat, he looked dashing and excessively hot. But definitely that wasn't something which was going to affect her at this moment because she was pissed. Very pissed.

She received the call and resumed walking.

"Yes?" she spoke stiffly.

"Come to my cabin. I need to talk"

"I am busy. I have to complete my last set of designs" she answered.

"How dare you to.." he screamed but stopped midway. No, he has to stay calm.

"I mean this is important. Come at once"

"And so are the designs, Mr. Raizada. The deadline is tomorrow and I have to finish them" she answered while entering in her cabin.

"Khushi, maybe you have forgotten that although temporarily but I am your boss nonetheless. You can't deny my orders" Arnav's temper was again on the edge.

In return, Khushi disconnected the call and fell into her chair.

Arnav couldn't believe that Khushi Gupta just hanged up his call. Leaving behind all his ideas of staying calm and relaxed, he stormed towards her cabin.

~~***~~

Khushi knew that she shouldn't have disconnected the call. But it was high time that Arnav Singh Raizada should realise that she is not his puppet. She was too much tensed to handle anything from him. On her way to the office, she had done nothing but cry. This was after a long time that she had snapped at Abhay for nothing. The feeling of guilt hung heavy in her heart.

'I should call and say sorry to Abhay' she thought and dialed the number.

"I knew you would call. But I am busy right now" Abhay spoke before she could say a hello, his tone evidently hurt and curt.

"Abhay.. I.." And before Khushi can say anything more, Arnav snatched the phone from her and threw it on the floor, breaking it into pieces.

"So this is what keeps you busy? Gossiping with your boyfriend?" he shouted.

"Arnav.. You are once again interfering in my personal life. And Abhay.."

"Shut up, Dammit! Why can't you stop chanting his name?" Arnav grabbed her by her shoulders.

"Arnav, you are misbehaving" Khushi replied while struggling to get out of his grip.

"Really? And few minutes back, what did you do? When I asked you to come to my cabin, you disconnected the call and walked away. Won't you call that 'misbehaving'?" By now Arnav had pinned her to the wall, making any escape impossible. Their bodies inches apart from each other.

"Arnav, You are hurting me." Khushi said feebly, tears filling her eyes.

"Tell me, Khushi. Do you lo..lov..love him?" Arnav asked, his voice faltering.

But there was no reply. Arnav looked closely at her face and noticed that she had become unconscious.

He carried her to the couch and placed her gently on it. His heart was racing like never before. And in that second, he realized that he was glad Khushi didn't reply to his question. What a stupid question to ask! Does she love Abhay? Did he want to her answer that question? How will he do if she said yes?

Arnav couldn't help but feel dread as the realisation dawned upon him.

He is falling for Khushi Gupta.

__________________________________________

Pearl_Oyster2018-08-18 07:46:17