Chapter 30

Chapter 31

"ah well aaa erm, I meant how can she go, there is so much work in the office when he saw the rest of them were still gaping at his lame excuse, taking a moment to think, he said confidently, "Aa well, actually di, you know there was some employee crisis in the finance dept, and sarah my secretary has a finance degree, so I was planning on shifting her to that dept for 2 to 3 weeks, he stopped when he saw Payal nodding negatively at  Anjali and Akash,..

Then finally seeing how unreasonable he was being trying to stop her from meeting Kushal, he said, "no di, its all right, she does not have to work as my secretary this time if she has plans to meet her brother, fine by me.. and kept quiet. 

Anjali said, " Chote I think you should sort out your stuff remembering it is not very pleasant dealing with Payal about Khushi working with ASR, even though there was not that much of bickering between them now...

Then surprising all, including herself, Khushi explained, "Well Anjali ji, nothing is finalised as yet, Babuji will not like me going alone, so if I need to do extra work, no problem,..

"Well for now, Khushi ji and Payal ji, you both come and help us at RM for the pooja this Sunday, you know na, Nani has called all your family as well. You babuji was adamant only he should get all the sweets for the pooja. Being a full moon day, it is an auspicious day and Nani thinks everything will sail smoothly from now on!! Anjali told both the sisters. 

"Di what nonsense, everything is fine now, why this extra,.. Anjali giving him a stern look said "chote Chup (Chote quiet..)

Looking at Aman, Anjali remarked, "Aman, do I need to give you any special invitation? I want you to bring your mum as well? I know your sister is in college and cant make it, but check out and it would be nice if she comes too 

(Most of the characters are all the time alone/orphans, I did not want poor Aman to be one as well, ASR and Khushi were enough,.. don't worry I will not go into their story, but hey, I cant make everyone to be orphans, just to keep the story clean and tidy!! I hope you all don't mind)

Aman giving a slight nod agreed. This man was silent, but nothing went past his keen and suspicious eyes. Having worked in close association with ASR for the last how many godly years, he had seen Arnav and ASR. He now knew since the time an angel (he believes) fell into his boss's arms, he knew there was something majorly causing turbulence in his behaviour. Oh how he had enjoyed seeing the two of the at loggerheads. He loved the chemistry which both shared and he knew, it was only her who could push him to anything, because ASR's mind refused to think with her around!! Imagine standing in front of foreign delegates and challenging the great ASR, with employee rights? (I am referring to when she tells him he cant throw her out of work without any reason). However, working for ASR, he knew he had to keep his views and opinions, especially in this regard to himself. But he could set up an urgent meeting in London for him!! Really, may be he thought!! Oh this was so exciting, is this how Khushi jis Devi maiyya plans?? He mused...

Nani welcomed all the guests personally for the pooja. Mami and Mama were decided to conduct all the rituals. After the big incident, this was the fist time the Guptas were coming to RM, with the Gupta family trying to keep a distance from the high society'. Even Khushi and Payal had barely come once or twice when Anjali was not able to go to office. Shashi wanted to keep his daughters safe, well err, especially Khushi from Arnav. But how much could he control?? He wasn't sure if he saw it clearly.  Was Khushi looking for someone when they were all trying to greet the hosts. Did he notice she was restless?

Soon her restlessness was gone. When most of the rituals were nearly done Nani called, "Khushi bitiya, can you get chote for the main arti atleast, he will not agree..

How could she refuse an elderly lady? No. Unknown to her, she was eagerly wanting an opportunity to see him.

Arnav was sitting next to the pool watching the reflection of the full moon, lost in his thoughts when he watched her reflection by the moon. He was mesmerised. She looked like a heavenly nymph walking out of the pool.  She could see him watching her in the reflection. Time stilled, she watched as he came to her like a moth was attracted by the fire.  No words spoken both forgotten why they were here for. After what seemed like ages, Khushi heard the pooja bells ringing when she remembered why she was here for. Also remembering what he had said when Anjali had talked about the pooja, and how she had got lost in him, she said,..

"Sir, look, I know you find all this nonsense. But come down for pooja now, they will be nearly finishing it.

Arnav was fed up with seeing the sober khushi and was happy she was back to her bubbly self,.. and said, "What nonsense you and your pooja, can you not leave me alone, I am not coming. I dont believe in all this.

"haaa, how can you call this nonsense, you call what your nani is doing is nonsense. See how happy nani ji is, and your mami, mama. If you were so not interested, then why did you let them do it. You should have made a big rule, "NOBODY WILL PRAY IN MY HOUSE. Look Arnav ji, I am going down, if you want you come, otherwise.. " she tried looking here and there not knowing what to threaten him with,.. when he came near her face and asked raising his eyebrows, "Otherwise.

Khushi immediately flustered and backed out. 

Again going closer to her,, he whispered, "Otherwise, what will you do Khushi,.. Khushi could not breathe. 

She gasped, "Arnav ji, otherwise ... aaa nothing, really, nothing at all... and ran to the door. When she was near the door, still walking, she turned back and said, "Otherwise, your nani will not be very happy, or Anjali ji, or your mami, or mama, or Akash ji, or om prakash ji, or Jai prakash. . she went into a trans seeing a growing smile on his face. Loosing any other connection between the mind and her tongue, she said "actually om prakash ji and Jai prakash ji might be happy,.. and she turned around to go when Arnav shouted "Khushi.. 

The next moment, he was by her, holding her hands preventing her from falling. When she was safe, she moved away from his close proximity, irritating him. "Even while walking looking straight ahead you don't see properly, what did you think? You have eyes at your back as well? " he snapped.

"Yes I have, and I will fall, why do you care, she replied.

"Khushi, how many times should I tell, don't talk to me like that, snarled Arnav. Khushi was about to reply but hearing the pooja bells again, "See, All because of you I am missing the pooja as well. I should have refused to your nani.." and she walked away,..

Nani was very happy with all the arrangements and how the pooja was done. She was indeed surprised to see her grandson at the aarti. She exclaimed, smiling "We have to give you credit Khushi bitiya.. 

Arnav went over to Khushi and whispered, "Well I did not want to keep the prakash brothers too happy!!. Khushi turned sharp to see him giving her a smile and walking away to his room.