Chapter 8

“So bhai...i was in office today” Akash said lounging about on the lazyboy in arnav's room, busy with his playstation. Arnav had just finished applying his aftershave and had walked out of his bathroom in his pants with a towel around his neck

“Oh Yeah...when?” arnav asked as he threw his towel towards the laundry basket in the corner and opened his wardrobe to pick out a shirt...he looked over his shoulders at his brother engrossed in his game

“Akash...i asked you something...why and when were you in office?” he asked him again as akash paused his game and looked up at his brother who was now putting his arms through a pale blue shirt “Sorry bhai...what were you saying?” he asked him again as arnav rolled his eyes while buttoning up his shirt

“You told me you were in my office today..?” he asked him as he picked out his jacket for the evening. He went to the mirror and gelled his hair before going back into the bathroom to wash his hands..he heard akash say something and walked out just in time to hear his last sentence

“...and man is she hot!” akash said with a dreamy face...arnav walked towards him and picked up his phone from the table as he asked him again in mild annoyance “What are you talking about Akash?”

“I just told you na!...i went in to sign some papers that yudi wanted me to sign...but when i came to meet you, you were busy with some work...so i went down to the cafeteria to grab a cup of coffee...when i saw her” he said with a goofy smile which left arnav amused

“Her? Who did you lose your heart out to now?” he asked him typing something on his phone when akash sighed and leaned back on the lazyboy, stretching his arms above him “Khushi gupta....the woman of my dreams!” he said as arnav's fingers suddenly stilled over his keypad

“What?” he asked akash, turning towards him “Did you say Ms Gupta?” he asked him to which akash nodded “yes bhai...she is perfect! Every man's dream...God...that face, that body and that luscious long hair...i just wanted to...” he said when arnav's glare made him stop talking further

“Akash...she is my colleague...and partner...I expect the utmost respect for her from you...she is not a college girl you want to roll in the hay with..understand?” he said sternly to which akash started laughing hysterically...he fell off his chair while arnav continued to glare at him

“Roll in the hay! Bhai...why are you talking like its the 80's!” he said with huge guffaws as arnav went back to his typing...akash saw his brothers stiff stance and unsmiling face and knew he had to do some big time damage control. He got up and held his ears to show his apology

“Sorry bhai...i was just joking...she is too mature for me...though she is gorgeous beyond a doubt, i think she will eat me alive if I even approach her...” he said as arnav smirked at his brother words...he agreed with him 100%

“Yes she will...now get back to your books...you have your final's in just a month...so get studying!” arnav said as he ruffled his brother's unruly hair..

“Life is so unfair bhai...i have to study while you get to party...kya din aa gaye hai (what days have come)!” akash said dramatically as arnav said a quick goodbye and left for the party...he was already very late and he had to pick up sheetal on the way.

...........................

“What time will you be back?” Garima asked khushi as she spritzed some Escada..she picked up her clutch and checked if everything was in there “Uh...don't know mamma...i personally don't want to stay there for more than half an hour...” khushi said with a grimace as Garima shook her head

“Khushi...why are you even going if you don't like him” Garima said as khushi sighed “for professional reasons mamma...i don't like Mr Jha at all...but he is a good friend of Arnav...i don't want things to go sour if i'm rude to him on personal level as well” khushi said dabbing a bit of lipgloss before stepping into her heels

Garima looked on concerned at her as she pondered over what khushi just said “Hmm...you are right...but i fail to understand how someone like Arnav is friend's with that vile man” she said as khushi nodded

“I know mamma...but who cares! Mr Raizada might have his reasons to keep him close...plus why do you assume that Mr Raizada is the epitome of perfection and won't have any flaws like choosing bad people for his friends?” khushi said with a sarcastic edge in her voice to which her mother laughed

“Are you jealous my bacchi?” Garima asked her as khushi gave her a hard glare “Why would I be jealous mamma? Sing his praises all day and night...i don't care...i just don't think that you should always stick to your first impression about anyone” she said as she stood in front of the mirror for one last time

“Hmm....i suppose...but I have failed to find a single fault in him during the times I have met him...so unless I do...I'll stick to my opinion of him” she said with a smile as khushi rolled her eyes “Sure mamma...whatever you say” she said as she leaned down to kiss her before leaving for the party....she felt like driving today!

...........................

“Are you sure she is coming to the party?” a rough voice spoke on the phone as the other man whispered back “Yes...its confirmed...she should be here any minute” he said as the voice on the other end took a deep breath

“Great...i think we can use this to our advantage...i'll call you back in a few minutes to explain the plan” he said as the other man nodded, his palms clammy with the thought of once again doing something unsavory for the man on the phone...

He ended the call and wiped his forehead as he took a huge gulp of his drink...he kept the crystal glass down as he walked back into a brightly lit corridor of Club Viver...he smiled at the familiar faces as he made his way inside the VIP section and picked up another glass of scotch from a passing waiter

He sat down on one of the plush chairs and removed his phone from his pocket...he waited.

...........................

“You know its in fashion to be late right?” Sheetal asked arnav as she adjusted her very short red dress before getting out of their car. Arnav turned towards his driver and told him that he will be out in half an hour max “Oh c'mon Arnav...you were not serious about that were you!” sheetal exclaimed as arnav gave her a hard look

“Look sheetal...i told you earlier as well....i don't like Shaym Jha...and i cannot stay at this party for more than a few seconds...half an hour of my time is more than what that man deserves” he said as he pulled his jacket together and started walking towards the red carpet laid out for the guests.

Sheetal pouted at arnav's very cold demeanor but forgot about everything as the press started clicking their pictures... “Oh..ok fine baby...as you wish” she said as she laid a peck over his cheek and entwined her fingers with his while they walked towards the entrance of Club Viver

...........................

“May I say you look absolutely ravishing today my dear” Shyam slurred giving Khushi an appreciative look, making her cringe. She was mentally berating herself for wearing this dress but unfortunately she had yet to unpack properly and this was the only thing she could find at the last minute suitable for this party (see pic below)

“Well, this is probably the 10^th time you have told me this Mr Jha...seems like your alcohol level is climbing at top speed” she said sarcastically and turned around trying to catch some known person's eye...a task she had been doing for the past 15 minutes that Shaym had stuck to her like a leech.

“Oh....your words stab my heart Khushi...you do have a very sharp tongue...sharp enough to cut maybe? Sharp and beautiful..” he started saying when khushi narrowed her eyes “Please stop commenting on my tongue Mr Jha...you will never be fortunate enough to get with 10 feet of it” she said as Shyam's eyes widened..but a deep voice from behind made them both turn around at the same time

“Looks like its slice and dice time!” Arnav said as he glanced at the purely irritated and completely embarrassed faces in front of him. 

When he had walked into the club 10 minutes ago...Sheetal had gotten herself busy with her other friends leaving a visibly happy Arnav behind

He himself was trying to spot Shyam to say the customary hello and then leave, and he did only to find himself stop and admire the woman talking to him, she had her back to him, but as she flicked her long gorgeous hair over one shoulder...something about the gesture made it look very familiar.

As he walked towards the duo, his eyes appreciatively took in the woman's perfect body fitted to a tee in a figure hugging lace dress...the sheerness of it and the underlaying skin colored fabric..leaving little to the imagination

But the shocker for him was when he caught the tail end of their conversation...Sharp tongue indeed...it hadn't surprised him that the damsel who was currently annoyed with Jha was none other than Ms Gupta herself

“Arnav!!” Shyam said as she lunged forward to hug him, giving Arnav a waft of his strong smelling alcohol breath. He pulled back quickly from the hug and said a quick “Hey Shyam..” before turning his attention to Khushi.

He was momentarily left tongue tied as he took in her dark kohl lined eyes and pouty red lips...plus the dress she wore left him wondering more about her...till now he had only seen her in office wear and formals...this...this was totally new for him.

“Mr Raizada...I wondered if you were going to show up!” she said as he raised his eyebrow....he picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and looked back at her “You knew i was coming?” he asked her as she shrugged her shoulders

“Well...after Mr Jha mentioned how close you both were...i assumed you will be here” she said as he looked at her uncertainly, but their conversation was cut short by their only spectator who suddenly did not want this talk to continue “Uh...i have to go and meet some people...Khushi, why don't you come with me?” he asked her with a smile

Arnav saw the way Khushi hesitated to go with him and stepped forward before wrapping his arm around her waist “Oh...I think I should take Ms Gupta to meet some of our partners?” he said as khushi sighed in relief as shyam looked pointedly at arnav's arm

“Yes...off course...Uh...i'll see you both later” he said and walked away towards the other side of the club “He is so strange!” khushi said as arnav chuckled besides her, his arm still holding her close to himself...a fact that both realized at the same time and literally sprang apart as if burned

“Uh...yes...he is strange...and the only reason he ran away like that was because he knew I was going to tell you the truth” he said as khushi raised one perfectly arched eyebrow...the sudden loss of warmth in the back of her mind “the truth?” she asked him to which he nodded

“Yes...the truth....that i hate that man's gut!” he said as khushi's mouth opened in a perfect 'O' “Really? But he told me how close you both were...” she said as arnav made a sour face “Close? Me and him?” he asked with a sardonic twist to his mouth as Khushi's eyes turned stormy

“Why that lying bastard..” she said making arnav raise his eyebrows further more...she looked at his horrified expression and smiled “What? He told me that you guys were very good friends and had done a lot of work together...so i thought professionally it would be very wrong of me to not attend an event he personally invited me to” she said as arnav shook his head

“Oh i'm not surprised he lied to you...Shyam Jha is an expert at this...the only way he gets his way is through lies...” he said as khushi gave Shyam's barely visible back a disgusted look “Yeah...i have dealt with him earlier...and i know exactly the kind of person he is!” she said as she saw a blur of red come towards them and literally stick to arnav's right side

“Baby....who is this? Won't you introduce us?” sheetal asked a very irritated arnav; he was just about to say something when Sheetal held her hand forward to khushi “Hi...i'm Sheetal kapoor...Arnav's girlfriend...and you are?” she asked khushi who took a second to give her a once over before shaking her hand and smiling

“Oh hi...i'm Khushi Gupta...Arnav's partner in GR...” she said as Sheetal squealed “Oh my God! You are Khushi Gupta!!...Gosh i''ve been meaning to meet you since the time i heard you were going to work with Arnav” she said as khushi stepped back from her overwhelming response to meeting her

“Oh...thats great...its really good to meet you Sheetal” Khushi said trying to think of one reason why Arnav was with this woman...and as always she came to the same conclusion she always did...all men think of only one thing...and Arnav singh Raizada was nobody different, Khushi thought eyeing Sheetal's ample bosom and killer body

“Same here...but listen....I really need to ask you something” Sheetal said as khushi looked at her “Are you still dating Sujoy Banerjee?” she asked her with a dreamy look which arnav did not fail to notice...

What! That same name...he had asked Lavanya that day who this dude was when she had looked at him with wide unbelieving eyes and had only said one thing 'I don't believe you don't know him! Which rock are you living under ASR?'!..he had meant to search him on the internet...but had forgotten

He saw khushi's eyes flash red before she took a calming breath and pursed her lips...he knew that look...she was not happy. He looked at his totally clueless girlfriend and tried to ease the situation before it worsened

“Oh uh...Sheetal? Shyam was saying he wanted to show you the VVIP lounge...apparently some big Bollywood celebs are up there...maybe you should join in too...you can discuss your plans for that story you were writing?” he asked her as her face brightened

“Really? Oh that's great...who's there? Is Ayubji here? I always wanted him to direct my movie” she said as she said a quick 'see ya later' to khushi before waking briskly towards Shyam while a smiling waiter came towards khushi “Mam...Mr Jha sent this drink over for you...its a special Appletini” he said as khushi shook her head

“I'm sorry....i'm driving...and i've already had two drinks...so my limit for today is over” she said as the waiter nodded and turned away hesitantly...arnav looked up to see Khushi taking a deep breath “Looks like this is a tough night for you” he said as she nodded

“Yeah...you can say that....i just hope it doesn't get worse” she said as she saw another couple approaching them...her father and his wife “Khushi beta...you are looking gorgeous...I've been waiting for you since a while now!” Arun mehra said as khushi did the customary air kissing...and let him give her a side hug...she knew she could not show her indifference in public

She looked at monica who looked much younger than the time she had married her father...thanks to plastic, she thought as she gave a tight smile to her “Khushi...how lovely to see you...Arun's been talking about you non-stop for the past couple of days now...he is soo happy to have you back!” she gushed as she came forward to hug her

“Yes, its grand seeing you too” khushi said as she thrust her hand forward for a mere handshake making it very clear that there was no way she would hug her....she got a small satisfaction seeing a bit of red tinge Monica's perfect cheekbones..but she composed herself very quickly before anyone could notice

“You should come over sometime...” she said as they shook hands, khushi gripping her's a bit too tightly for monica to understand what the younger girl was trying to convey “Uh....ok...I uh...have some people to meet” she said as she went on her tiptoes to kiss her husband before leaving the other three

“Arnav...good to see you out and about....i hardly see you for these things” he said as arnav gave him a small nod...he could cut the tension in the room with a butter knife “Yes...i do come out now and then...but i'm a pretty private person” he said as arun smiled

“Off course..its always good to be private and have some time to yourself....especially in this busy life” he said as khushi turned her icy glare towards her father “Oh, that's fancy coming from you....when did you believe in privacy? What with your habit of washing your dirty laundry in the open...” she said caustically before turning around a walking out if the room....she had enough for one night.

...........................

Arnav saw khushi briskly walk away from the two of them, leaving Arun mehra very flustered in front of him...her outburst did not surprise him anymore...even though he hardly knew the girl..he just knew that when her father was in the frame, she was nothing short of a live wire

He said a quick goodbye to Mr Mehra whose entire face was blooming red and walked towards the exit he had seen khushi take. When he reached the now deserted reception area he saw her fidgeting with her clutch.

“I don't suppose you have a genie in there?” arnav asked her as she suddenly turned around with a startled expression “Oh...Mr Raizada...n..no i was looking for my valet ticket...i'm leaving” she said as arnav nodded “Yep..i figured..” he said as khushi closed her eyes and turned back towards him

“Listen...do you want to go for a coffee or something...I mean...i just can't go home right now...and some company would be great” she said as arnav raised his eyebrows...he was about to say something when khushi slapped her forehead

“Shit..i'm so sorry for asking you this...i totally forgot you came here with your girlfriend” she said as arnav shook his head “No..no...listen, i'd love to join you...in fact i was leaving myself..is it ok if we take your car? I'll leave mine for Sheetal...she's going to stay her till the club closes anyways” he said as khushi smiled uncertainly

“Are you sure? You don't have to do it out of pity you know....” she said as arnav laughed...his entire face transforming with the action

“Are you serious? Me take pity on you? I don't think that will ever happen...lets just go Khushi...i mean...Ms Gupta” he said as khushi smiled at him warmly “You can all me Khushi...Ms Gupta was getting a bit too stifling!” she said as arnav smiled back

“And you can call me Arnav...” he said as Khushi nodded and gave her parking ticket to the valet. Both waited in comfortable silence as arnav suddenly spoke up “By the way...i know this is out of the blue....but who is Sujoy Banerjee?” he asked her

He expected her to blow a fuse on his question, but was pleasantly surprised when she gave him a small smile “I'll tell you if you tell me something i want to know” she said as arnav nodded and waited for her question “Does Sheetal really write?” 

Khushi & Arnav's Outfits