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Chapter 91

rulama

@rulama

[MEMBERSONLY]
[NOCOPY]

(Thanx a million, Naughtymallu!)

FINDING KHUSHI

Part 22

An impeccably dressed lady opened the door for Arnav & Khushi, and motioned them inside. "Ana Madam is waiting for you in the studio.", she said, smiling, her eyes running all over Khushi with professional interest and female curiosity.

Khushi looked around, too shocked to even sigh in appreciation. Mannequins wearing glamorous costumes, rich fabric draped over lifeless models... The very air spoke of class, something she had never encountered before. Not even in AR Designs.

Even Arnav, used to the industry and designer clothes, had to look around appreciatively. Anamika was in a class of her own.

He looked at Khushi's face, captivated by the clothes and the decor.

"Khushi...", he whispered. She looked at him. He cupped her face. "Anamika has a sharp tongue. Like a razor. If she hurts you, call me, Khushi. You don't have to listen to..."

Khushi laughed at Arnav. "Arnavji, why should Anamikaji hurt me? Even if I make a mistake and she gets angry with me, it is alright. She is older than me, like my own Jiji..."

Arnav stared at Khushi's face. She must be the only human being on earth who would dare to claim Anamika for a sister!

"Mr.Raizada, Khushiji..., Mama is waiting for you.", a male voice drew Arnav & Khushi's attention from the clothes and the ambience.

They turned around to see Gaurav. He was smiling sheepishly at Khushi.

"Err.. I am sorry, Khushiji... At the party...", Gaurav apologised to the pair staring at him, flushing slightly.

Arnav frowned.

Khushi gaped. "You are Anamikaji's son?", Khushi, being Khushi, asked.

"Ji. Mama said that I had disturbed you at the party...", Gaurav said, shamefaced. "I am sorry, Khushiji..."

"Not Khushiji, Florence Nightingale!", said Khushi, laughing into his face.

Gaurav looked at Khushi's open face and malice-free laughter, and joined her in laughing at his performance on the night of the party.

Arnav smiled, relieved. Khushi had made another friend.

Gaurav took Khushi & Arnav to Anamika's studio.

Seeing her guests, Anamika left the silk she had been fingering, and walked towards them. "Come in, Khushi, ASR. We need to take measurements..."

Khushi smiled at Anamika, "Namaste, Anamikaji."

Anamika nodded, a slight smile on her face.

"Gaurav is your son?", Khushi asked.

Anamika nodded.

"Hi!", said Arnav.

Anamika nodded. "Gaurav will take you to the measuring room for men and do the needful. After he is done with you, you are free to leave. Let Khushi remain here. After the job is done, I will drop her at her house."

Arnav nodded reluctantly, looking at a smiling Khushi.

"She will be safe here.", Anamika said, her face expressionless.

Arnav looked at her for a moment, and nodded.

He then bent and dropped a gentle kiss on Khushi's rosy cheek, uncaring of the many eyes looking at them.

Khushi blushed.

Anamika watched ASR with sharp eyes.

As assistants measured Khushi, Anamika walked around her eyeing her.

"Untie your hair, Khushi.", she said.

Khushi pulled the tie away, trusting Anamikaji to do what was right.

Her silky dark hair fell like a cloud around her shoulders, down to her waist. Anamika fingered it lightly. She said 'Good."

Khushi smiled at Anamikaji.

"Are you free for the day?", Anamika asked.

"Ji. Munshiji gave me leave today. I have to reach home only by 3pm.", Khushi smiled happily.

"Munshiji?", Anamika asked.

The helpers looked at each other, unable to believe their eyes or ears. Anamika did not talk while working, and demanded complete silence in the studio. The employees walked on tiptoes and drew only shallow breaths for fear of disturbing her. And here she was talking to the future Mrs. ASR?

Khushi talked about Munshiji and his radio, the godown, the work she did, her Amma, Babuji, & Buaji, her Jiji & Jiju, her Nanheji, her Naniji, her Anjaliji, her Mami & Mamaji, her Hari Prakashji & Laxmiji, the sweets she made at home and sold in her small shop, the orders for sweets she got from Arnavji's family, friends, and employees...

The eyes of the helpers grew wide and wider as they learned more about Khushi. More astonishing was Anamika's total lack of surprise at Khushi's revelations. She asked leading questions, and helped experts work on Khushi's face, body, & hair. Khushi was measured for footwear, and many fabrics were placed across her body to gauge the look she should sport.

The only topic Anamika did not touch was ASR and how Khushi had met him.

Khushi stood & sat without complaint, drinking and eating whatever Anamika offered, chattering nineteen to a dozen. In between, Gaurav's puppy, Scooby, peeked into the room. Khushi scooped him up and set him on her lap, tickling him and scratching behind his ears, making him writhe in pleasure.

When they were done, Anamika sent Khushi home in her car, sending an assistant along, and instructing her driver to drive slowly & carefully.

A few weeks later, Khushi & Arnav went to Anamika's studio to try out the dresses she had designed. Gaurav took Arnav to the men's changing room, and Khushi accompanied Anamika to her room.

As Khushi watched with wide eyes, Anamika, dressed in a cream tunic and black trousers, took a sari from the rows of clothes hanging there, and draped it over the diwan.

Midnight blue with a heavy gold border. A red silk blouse. Khushi drew in her breath, staring at the beautiful sari.

Anamika looked at her face with a small smile on her face.

"You made this, Anamikaji?", Khushi finally asked.

Anamika nodded.

Khushi's eyes filled with tears. "You made this for me?", she asked through a throat choked with tears.

Anamika smiled slightly. "Yes."

"I..I have never seen anything more beautiful.", Khushi confessed.

"Good.", Anamika said.

Khushi, being Khushi, threw her arms around Anamika, hugging her to within an inch of her life.

The helpers waiting to assist Khushi felt their hearts stop for a moment.

Anamika hated to be touched. Only Gaurav touched her. No man, no woman was permitted to touch Anamika. Not even shake her hand.

As they watched, Anamika lifted her arms, and slowly hugged Khushi back.

"Stop crying.", Anamika said. "Or you will wet your new sari.", she stated.

Khushi smiled through her tears, and nodded.

Anamika handed over a box of tissues silently, and went to make sure that all the accessories were ready and laid out.

"Why?"

Anamika turned around to look at the only man who dared to ask her questions.

Ganesh Vidhyarti. A bear of a man with a beard and kind eyes hidden behind his specs. A very, very successful fashion photographer who worked freelance... The only man she trusted.

"She is a gem.", Anamika said.

"ASR is a stubborn ass.", Ganesh reminded her.

Anamika smiled. "He is getting better. And she is a worth the effort. Let me know what you think after meeting her."

Ganesh looked at her for a moment, and nodded. He respected her judgement.

"Ganesh Uncle, can we go bowling tonight?", Gaurav threw his arm around Ganesh's waist.

Ganesh nodded, his eyes softening behind his specs.

Part 21 : 81610944 Part 23 : 81833453

rulama2013-05-17 07:12:57