Dil Se Dil Tak
Chapter 32
[Note: sorry for the delay, was bit occupied in family commitments.,I wanted to put so much in between arnav and khushi, the feelings, words flowed on, but again edited, deleted,tried my best to limit , but again crossed the word count..It is again lengthy:(
Splitting in 2 parts. Hope you will like it]
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PART -1
“By the way, Arnav was going to same place. Manohar paused and continued looking at Arnav
. Isn’t it Arnav? Why don’t you drop her off.“
Arnav who was replying to some email, out of sudden surprise turned to look towards Manohar, raising his eyebrows, he expression questionable -like when was it discussed. He glanced at Khushi then, whose eyes were equally surprised at his direction. Before Arnav could speak, and resist going with Khushi, Khushi was the first and quick to break the unwanted silence that suddenly occupied in the room for few seconds.
“Thank you Sir,, It is very much kind of you, but I have some work on the way and I will go on my own.” She spoke facing to Manohar and then gaped again from corner of her eyes at the direction where Arnav was standing. Khushi’s statement came as bitter syrup for Arnav,how could someone reject a drive with Arnav singh Raijyada ? His eyes bitter towards her. Before manohar could respond anything, khushi hastily and politely made an excuse and left the room. As Arnav saw her going out, he turned towards Manohar again in probing way.
“Seriously?“ Arnav expressions blunt.
“What?”Maonhar spoke and then was trying to avoid his gaze.
“Dad,what is wrong with you? I just can’t believe, that you asked me to drop her?“He asked in prickly way
“Do I oversee any problem? Manohar replied, paused and then continued.“Are you anxious of her”? Manohar could next see only shooting draggers from him. He was quick to sense damage and corrected soon, It just came out naturally you see, both of you were going to same business building and you happen to know her very well,
“How caring?” he gave a mocking reply immediately.
“no doubt”
“And you suddenly decided that I have to meet shareholder and sign on papers” How well planned, Dad?
“Off course, I have son with high IQ, I need not think more on that” He winked. Only manohar could better sense that he was observing some changes within Arnav and that none of the meeting is as important to him right now.
“Without bothering to consent me?” arnav shot his brows.
“Common Arnav , I was feeling tired, so I thought I would jus..” Manohar replied being bit emotional.
Arnav got up from his chair, slying looking at Manohar, and then walked towards the door.
“Whats now?” Manohar spoke. Arnav stopped and turned to face him back.“Tell the driver to bring the car on main entrance.” He turned back to push the door, when he paused, his hands on the door, he slightly turned back and spoke again “Dad, I think you forget the fact that, your son is a celebrity” , Do remember that!. Saying that, he pushed the door and walked away.
“And son that’s’y I am concerned,”
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Khushi was lost in her own mental reckoning, imagining how manohar could ask arnav so easily.Although she did feel good for some strange reason, feeling proud of her own good image she has established in the company , when company head itself was asking something like this, but next moment she spun to think ,or was it because she saved his life?.
“Whats wrong?” kishore asked, as he shifted from his desk to face her.
“Will tell you later,. Have to rush to Bank now” Khushi spoke as she was closing her laptop off
“You are leaving to Beijing today night right? What time the flight is?”
“Its 10pm. Thank god, you reminded me, I should web check in soon. I will do that in cab. I haven’t even checked my mails on flight bookings. “She kept shuffling with her bag
“How about the evening party”
“I think I won’t attend. I have to leave by 8 from my flat. So maybe I would just skip it”
“Are you kidding? How can you miss such an event? Roz roz thori milta hai mauka.. It’s anyway start at 5. 6 sai to dinner start ho jayega considering shanghanees dinner time. Why don’t you just leave by 7:30?. I heard the location is just mind blowing, and it’s not far from your location. Kishore then suggested his idea to continue remaining work from home and then attend the party.
Khushi was still non convincible.“Waise bhi kya karna hai yar?, I mean basically FOOD is all important for me and I think hardly there will be anything for me to eat, 2 hrs is dead waste of time.
“It’s an open terrace garden restaurant. You know on top of skyscraper. Feel the atmosphere.”
“Is that why many girls here going in trial for changing dress?
“Oh are they doing? I did not know if this too happens. I can’t wait for evening then. “ Kishore was smiling to himself.
“My bad, I fail to shut in front of you …” Khushi spoke seeing kishore
She put her bag pack and left the cabin and rushed towards lift. Oh shit. She came running towards the lift door seeing it getting closed and held her left hand in between the fast closing doors of the lift. Before she could peep inside, she heard kishore calling her out. She stood exactly in between the lift doors, “Your mobile?” Kishore called out loudly.“Baap re. Thanku so much!. You see that’s’y I said I will miss u back in India.” She made a puffy face, took the mobile from him.
“If you are pretty done with exchanging the things and thoughts lets allow the poor lift to do its job” Khushi eyes were large on hearing the voice, and she turned to see Mr arnav singh raijyada right in front of her inside the lift. She engulfed her breath and pushed herself inside the lift soon.
“You see that’s’y I said I will miss u back in India” –“Is she going to marry him, a cartoon?.Arnav could possibly think when he heard Khushi saying
“Why don’t you speak like normal people” Khushi spoke seeing him sideways
“Look who is saying?” He replied seeing her from the same side angle
“I should have recorded few golden words you spoke few minutes before.”
Arnav did not bother to reply. Then at next floor, few people rushed in the lift and then next few seconds went in silent, both of them avoided seeing each other, yet feeling each other’s gape on them. As the lift halted to ground floor, Khushi rushed out as fast as she could, and walked past the entrance without turning back and Arnav in his tracks too was quick to move towards entrance.
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Arnav took off the car keys from the driver, before he could drive; he received a phone call from his assistant. After ending the call he drove the vehicle towards the entrance gate and then took left, and before he could pace up the accelerator he saw khushi waving to stop the vehicle.
“What the”. He applied the break suddenly.
He lowered the windows and looked at her questionable. Khushi eyes were inflamed seeing him and spoke “aap?
“What the!. You waved to stop the car”
“Aapki car ko? oh No, I am so sorry, I was looking for taxi to stop”
“Mercedes S model , is looking like a taxi for you?
“Iam really sorry, I am in hurry, muje laga taxi aa rahi thi, it was just beside your vehicle, I think your vehicle blocked.. shit..
“Whaaat” He could not possible think of replying anything the way khushi was speaking seeing him in a confused way. Khushi kept pressing her fingers and then turned to look for any taxi. She could sense windows running up, engine sound puffing up. She checked her watch, shit.
“Itna sorry bola, he can’t even ask if I need a drop, Agar koi actress hoti , jarur puchta ..why he will ask me,kaddwa karela..muje bhi kaun sa chhaihie”
“Why are you anxious of her?” His father words running through him, He pushed the clutch ,when he saw tensed khushi looking for taxi, then to her watch, few of hair strands falling on he rcheeks, and she brushing it off her from her face and tagging behind her ears.
“His one side of brain again wanted to push the limits. He almost gathered the words to ask her if she like to join him,but words always restraint. But it was she who herself has rejected when manohar asked. He was began to fume on accelerator when he heard her in no time
“Wait wait. Actually bank will close soon, Iam travelling and its bit urgent, otherwise I would have taken the taxi” She spoke in her usual fast pitch, but this time her lips moved in a requesting gesture.
“So you want my help?”
“NO, I mean yes.. Bank will close by 3:30 and its already 2 past.” She bites her nails.
Arnav just gestured her to come in and watched her as she came to opposite side of the car seat. She was trying to pull the seat belt, but yeah Mercedes luxury model, and she was hell trying to pull the belt and wasn’t able to successfully pull the drag.
“seat belt..” Arnav said raising his eyebrows.
“yeah ,” khushi hesitated and kept on trying to pull the drag, How could she tell that she hardly sat in front seat of any high end cars. Arnav sensed she was fussing around
“wait”.He bent his body towards her slightly. khushi could just feel his aroma , the cologne smell. She has started to identify that peculiar smell of the perfume, unaware of the brand though. The look on that shades he was wearing, his face barely few inches away and those hands passing near to her, it almost skipped her heart beat.
“Here this one”, he said, and pressed the small button to the seat to her left hand side.
“Uff.” Khushi murmered as Arnav was back to his position. When the car took its pace, she was awestruck sitting in that super model version of merc, slight smile appearing on her face
“No doubt you are Schiziophrenic, but did not know you keep smiling to yourself”,Arnav said taking a left turn and looking towards left side view mirror when he glanced towards Khushi.
“Schizio..whaat?”..She confusedly looked at him and in no time unlocked her phone and went for google search. Arnav gaped her from corner of his sight, who looked immersed in herself. “I thought your word power might be good” He sarcastically replied.
Khushi curved towards him and made an irksome face “I don’t have masters in English . ok? and she paused “ nor that I have grown up in foreign lands. “ She blurted out. Arnav who had his sight fixed on road starred back at her. And I was smiling because, I just.I felt, I.”khusi was not able to complete the sentence and nor that she wanted to express it what she felt.
“You mean to say,You are trying to tell, you are feeling good sitting in Audi, with Arnav Singh raijyada?” He smirked.
“Nothing like that…” She overlooked through windows, trying to avoid stupidity she expressed.
You have international license? “Shit,how stupid question ?” she murmured but words were already shot.
“You think I would be driving without having that one?” Then with the signals coming, he just applied the brakes and looked at her side when she had peacefully rested her head on the seat.
“You know owing a car and driving a one is in my secret wish list..”
“Oh, I can’t even recollect any low end cars ?’ he sneered.
She frowned with his remark.“Haan offcourse I will go with in my budget,,,usmai kya hai…”
“Good. No one should forget their status”
“Right. No one should forget. And I am proud of it” She spoke facing his eyes straight, Arnav applied the break with signal coming in, before he could counter reply, Khushi cell started ringing, Arnav could just flush his eyebrows hearing that strange caller tune..
“yes Amma, reached safely? I was about to call you”.. She did not take it lightly of the news of goons rushing to her house few days before. How could someone ignore?
For some strange reason, khushi felt to get the shifting done before the sun rise. She has doubled payed the booking team to ensure it is carried hussle free. Payal ensured her she will take care of things before she leave for office. This new home address no one should know of!
“c/o Devyani R
NO 42, 5th main road
Dollars Colony
Bangalore “
“Mambooking in name of?”
“Payal”
“Payal darling I love you”.she mentally thanked her after recollecting all their shifting plans.
“Yes Khushi. We have reached the new home safely.But it’s expensive locality, You did not mention me this?, Lagta hai Aman ka friend bahut rich hai. I am so grateful for all his help”
“hmm.. Achha Amma.. ab you guys settle . OWNER ki koi jhik jhik nahi kuch..pata nahi kahi foreign mai hai…so tension free raho.. Khushi could not control the happiness she was feeling from her mother words. Madhumati takes phone from Garima hand, and shouts with happiness.“I have never stayed in my life time in such a big house!. Khushi. pehlai hi sab saaf karne ko bol di kya? It’s so beautiful, NEWLY PAINTED and CLEAN.
“Shit! I never discussed anything with Aman about new house in detail. How irresponsible I have been. Did he all manage to get it ready for me? She mentally thanked him.
“Haan amma bol dungi thanks AMAN ko..aur uske friend ko bi, jab wo milega tab!!!..khush ?? Pata nahi kabhi kabhi anjaan log bhi kaise dil ke rishte bana jaate hai…” As she said, she looked unknowingly towards Arnav,whose eyes were now on gps navigational panel, but it did not miss to overlook her from corner of his eyes.
“Irony of life”
She cut the call and thanked god. She then texted aman a thanku message and it got delivered. She then messaged asking if he reached safely. A ride suddenly went in silence for few seconds..And then Arnav suddenly heard some strange sound, he did not bothered to look at khushi. He ignored and then he could smell something strange.
“What the”. This time he looked at the direction of khushi.
“whaa what? I did not had my lunch.. I am so much hungry”
“So you want to have here?” IN car?”
“What better place. You have portable heater or anything such?”
“What?Are you crazy?”
“Aapke society mein bhooka insaan khana khaye to crazy kehtai hai?”
“Unbeleivable”he twisted his brows.
Aroma of food was too much to easily overtake the Rajayadas scented fused car. He did not like it.The smell is so ”
“awesome na..I love this smell when aloo paratha is infused with butter and this pickle;it comes too good when it’s hot”
“Don’t bother” Arnav murmered and kept his eyes fixed on road trying to ignore her remarks.
“you want?I have 3?”
Arnav face frowned and in disbelief , a clear headed NO.
“OK.fine.Just wanted to ask Hamare society mai ham sab ko share karke khaate hai. ”
Arnav did not respond back. She finished two. And then looked towards him again..”I have one more last…asking you again? Want? akelai akelai ajeeb lag raha hai.”
“Shutup!.”
“Theek hai..theek hai..dont bother..” Khushi was about to take the bite from the third one when she saw something passing by..
‘Stoppppppp plz” Khushi shouted almost making Arnav to shudder
“what the,” he took side and suddenly applied the brake.
“I am so sorry. I just happen to see Indian grocery shop and I have to purchase something urgently”
“Are you kidding me..”
“Plz 5mins I will come” she opened the door and pushed back with a force
“What the..!sloww. It’s not a bull dozer..” Arnav woofed
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5mins passed
Arnav has now started feeling hungry.He has to take his medicine. He wanted to have lunch going home, but then with sudden plan, was left with no choice. He looked to his side for any eatery shops, but it did not go well with him. And then accidently his eyes fell on the Tupperware box she kept it. He was annoyed,that how his car has been turned into mess. Upon that Aroma had already profuse within. He resisted looking at box.
10mins
No signs. He later picked up his mobile phone and dialled Karan , he hated the fact that Karan was showing so much interest on the mysterious women for no specific reason. The call went unanswered. Arnav was now bit concerned,“Damm Karan, pick up the phone!. Why you have been so resolute this time?” he cursed him mentally.
He then looked at the rare view mirror, no sign of khushi coming in.
15 mins passed. Arnav checked his watch again “what the!.The anger within was throbbing now, no one could ever make him wait like this and here this girl was taking his hell lot time.
20mins already
He eyes fell on the box. He was feeing drizzy bit. Medicine has to be taken. No signs of Khushi coming in..He immediately took the container and goofed the parantha within, cherishing every bite..he closed it and kept on her seat.
25 mins..
He picked up his phone in fury to dial her. Her number? He then remembered, she called him yesterday evening to inform him about manohar’s health. He glanced at the number on recent call history. Fingers playing its own game, Call her or not? My foot why should I call her? Then he noticed, it was not saved with any name. save or not save? A quick mental hazardous game and locked the phone out of frustration. He was overlooking over windows, when he heard that ring tone again, he turned in surprise to see khushi’s mobile near footrest .He realized khushi has dropped the phone. The ringtone was bothering him so much, but still he managed to ignore it. The call got disconnected. 3 sec, and then he heard the same ringtone again . This time the ring bothered him too much and he picked to make it silent,
“Mr Leech calling”. “Who would save someone as Leech, parasite name? ” , he wondered. He extended his hand to press the side pin to mute the call volume when the call got disconnected. He was about to knock the steering wheel, when he saw her from mirror coming in 2 ft distance carrying 2 small bags. She made a pupp like face and overlooked at window, holding 2 bags she managed to open the door. Before Arnav could show his frustration, she immediately in child like manner apologized.“I am so sorry..sorry sorry sorry sorry .“almost metled his volcano heart seeing that innocent face..
“Do you have any idea that..” Arnav still managed to blur it out, someone cannot take his time for granted., Before Arnav could complete khushi apologized again
“I am sorry. You know I wanted to buy urgently some ready to eat snacks umpa packet, poha packet..then there was parle G stock. She picked that parle G small bundle and showed him”
“You are mindboggling!" You know the time difference between 5mins and 25 mins?”
“Dekhiye..I don’t know if you feel the same way what I feel about the
“Whaaat”he puffed his one eyebrow to look at her in confused way , asking in lower tone.
“Like you plan to purchase one item, but you end up buying so many..”she was high in her pitch, but seeing arnav reaction, she suddenly lowered her tone, her voice staggered..”20mins will pass in blink of eye.not my fault.” .. She twisted her lips.
When she settled comfortably, she opened her box and was shocked to see it was empty. Eyes widened.
“Where is my 3rd parantha?” She immediately turned to look at Arnav in disbelief, but his eyes were fixed on road.
“Mr Raijyada?”
“whaat?”
“My 3rd paratha is missing”
“Why don’t you file a missing case?” he crocked his eyebrows
“I mean, I remember I had kept one. “ She looked towards him
“What? You mean to say I have eaten.? .How daring Ms Gupta”
“No.How could you, But where it will go. I remember there was one”
“Why don’t you call and ask parantha itself…”
“Agar mile to puchu na..did I really eat 3!” she pressed her head and murmured to herself..”But I know I ate 2..”
A touch of humor came into his eyes,followed till his lips.
Next few minutes,Arnav was overdosed with her talkative style..it was given a full stop when Khushi phone started ringing again.
She was hesitant to receive the call. Mr Leech calling. She kept glancing on the screen
PART 1 end
Anupamaa
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