ArShi SS: Reversed Ch.16 B updated, page 22, 12/11 - Page 14

good one and waiting for the next

Lisa was civil throughout the meeting. May be the effect of presence of her rivals. But Khushi looked uncomfortable. He thought. Not that there was any visible sign of her being uncomfortable. Her crisp instructions throughout the meeting with Singhania and his lawyers, her amazing attention to the details and counter argue each of his lawyer's argument was done so efficiently that there was no room for even imagining discomfort in Khushi. May be he was imagining the flash of taut nerves on her forehead or the upward arc of her brows, because it now seemed like only his imagination. Khushi Gupta never let the work stress get to her, let alone let her features belie it to the world. A nervous lawyer is no lawyer at all, she said once to him.

"Mr. Raizada?"

But he seemed to be in his own world. That irritated Khushi.

"Arnav!!!" This time her voice could be heard downstairs.

"Huh? Ma'am? What?... I was just.." Arnav was halfway through the process of jumping out of his skin when he pulled himself together.

"I don't pay you to day dream in my office."

"No. I was not day dreaming. I was just thinking of something Singhania said or did."

"What?"

"What did he say that disturbed you? I mean you looked... disheartened."

"What gave you the impression that I am disturbed?" Khushi asked in a flat voice.

"No, I mean. It's just something.."

"Are you done reading the clauses of Singhania's partnership contract with Lisa?" She clearly didn't want to dwell on the topic.

"Yes."

"Now, find the loopholes and get back to me."

"O..okay."

It was a tough job. The contract was drawn with detailed clauses, leaving out any scope for loopholes. But law is something that can create loopholes even if there is none. Singhania was a leading director of Indian cinema and as it was the trend, he was making films based on books. And Lisa was the author cum script writer of his latest venture. As Lisa's case provided, Singhania had changed the storyline without her knowledge and though the name was hers under credit of script writer, the story was not hers. And Singhania refused to acknowledge that this is an instance of defaming the writer, especially since he retained right to make changes in script according to the contract signed.

After three hours and a half of toiling through the contract and the holy Bible of corporate lawyers, he had found a potential clue to what has to be done.

But Khushi was nowhere to be found. And no one knew where she was. In such cases there is only one person who could help, as Madhu- the canteen owner told him. It was Aman Mathur.

Aman looked up from his Mac as he heard someone knocking his office door. It was Khushi's new assistant. Though he didn't remember the name this assistant goes by.

"Come in, please."

Arnav shuffled his feet as he entered Aman's office. Aman's reputation as a lawyer acquired him the adjective of 'genius'. Anyone would be intimidated by a genius.

"Mr. Mathur, actually..."

"Oh please! Call me Aman. And take a seat, Mr...?"

"Arnav. It is Arnav Singh Raizada."

"Ah! Yes. Nice meeting you finally, Arnav."

Aman's calm voice instantly made Arnav comfortable in his presence. This is why Aman Mathur was an excellent lawyer.

"Actually the pleasure is mine. I came to enquire about ma'am. I can't seem to locate her in the office and Madhu aunty said you would know." Arnav explained with ease.

Aman Mathur couldn't help but smile. This chap called the catering lady aunty'. What was Khushi thinking, making him her new punch bag? He would survive, Aman could tell but not without a blow to his cheerful disposition, and the child like honesty.

"Khushi would be in the top floor, most probably in the terrace. If not, then take the narrow staircase leading downstairs from the terrace and you would see a teak door and wooden floor at the end. She would be in that room."

"Thank you so much, Aman." Arnav started to leave with a smile on his face but Aman stopped him.

"Arnav, how about you and me work a case together? I actually need an associate to do the homework."

Aman wanted to know what Khushi saw in him.

"Yes, of course. But..."

"Don't worry, I will talk to your ma'am. Aman said "and yes, you might find Khushi's room but you won't get in without this."

Aman extended what looked like a room card towards Arnav.

"Don't knock, she wouldn't answer. Use this."

Arnav was uncertain for a moment but he took the card. It must be the devil's lair, he thought.

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Khushi couldn't concentrate on the task at hand. She couldn't control the restlessness that seemed to have taken hold of her. And her refugee, as she called it, didn't seem to help. Even as that thought crossed her mind, her eyes held the ice cold glow of resolve. She put her hair up in a bun and held her hand steady on the vast space of pristine white.

Arnav hesitated for full five minutes before he decided to make use of the key card.

The click of door lock unfastening, sent his heart galloping. You are now in the devil's lair, his brain warned him and wouldn't stop its chant. He closed his eyes and entered. As he regained his sight and the world was born again, he thought he had entered through the cupboard to a land of magic where anything could happen. Where Khushi Gupta could be in a messy blue overall with patches of paint and a pair of latex gloves, looking like the girl from a Hollywood chick flick, where Khushi Gupta could be the girl in who is painting in a room looking over the city from its French windows. She looked nothing like the Khushi Gupta he knew, except for the icy resolve in her eyes and the brows furrowed in concentration. She perfected the look of coldness, even while doing something as warm as painting. She could as well be icing the person or the painting in front with a look. 'Ice Queen' he muttered under his breath. A mistake!

"What the hell are you doing here?" The ice queen froze his vocal chords. Khushi had not heard Arnav come in and stand behind her. She was too engrossed in her brushes and their smooth strokes over the canvas in front of her. Her concentration was broken with a distinct whisper of 'ice queen' and she was amazed by a certain Raizada's audacity to enter the room where no one dared setting foot in, except on her invitation. And her invitation was extended to only one person.

"Ma'am, you told me to get back to you." Arnav's vocal cord took a lot of cajoling to start working.

"So, you came here? And your mannerisms didn't allow you to knock. Is it?"

"But..."

"What did you think? That you could charm your way into my company with that disgusting trick in the book. I know men like you, Raizada and you have to be in the lowest category of them by far. Where did you get this card from?" She fought the urge to snatch the key card away from his hand. And to tear him down.

"Ms. Gupta, please! I..."

"I told you, it's ma'am for you. I am asking you for the last time, who did you steal it from? What else have you been stealing? ANSWER ME!!"

Arnav should have been scared. But all he felt was anger and... resentment towards this someone who looked like she is capable of everything worse .

"Ma'am, you asked me to get back to you once I am done with the work I was assigned. I was doing my job. I have no interest in making my way into your company. Or in you for that matter. I am not stealing anything from anyone, much less you. This card was given to me. May be you should check with those who have access here and make it clear that their right of entering this room is non-transferable. Also I didn't see any 'entry restricted' sign outside. May be you should think about using one."

Arnav fought to keep his calm and his battle was not in vain. He saw the changes in Khushi's demeanor. The rage in her flushed face has cooled. Instead he saw amusement lurking just behind the curtain of professionalism. As professional as she could look in her attire and streaks of blue in her hair and red on her forehead.

"Have a seat, Raizada."

"Ma'am, if you prefer to discuss anything, I will be in my cabin. Or I will wait for you in your office."

Arnav handed her the key card before he walked out of the room with his file in hand.

That was the first time Arnav defied her orders and she could see herself extend a grudging respect towards him. His defiance had been thoughtful along with being a defiance. He seemed to know, this room was intimate. And she didn't want to be seen in her most vulnerable.

The lashing out was out of character for her. But she had her reasons. Though not good enough.

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Guys! I am sorry I am two days late in posting the second part. I have my own faults in time management to blame. Also I had been thinking, may be I should shift this story to blog. I mean since I am not sending out pm for this one, it is the same thing whether I update here or there. Those who are still reading this, I will send you guys a heads up either through mail or pm when I update the next part in blog.

Hi.. I have a lot to catch up..i have been busy for some time now.i will comment once i complete reading all the updates.

Hi just read all parts n its an awesome story khusi is playing arnav's part in this story so its kind of different n I would love to read more

Loved it .. I hope I get notification

I just can't explain how much I am loving this story!!!!!!!

hey

loved reading three parts in one go.. Arnav was superb and Khushi is not angry with his outburst but kind of impressed.. well that is impressive.. amazing parts.. 😊

Arnav is so calm and cool.