Chapter 13

“Arun, I suppose you know why I’ve called you for this meeting” Shalini Gupta said as she sat opposite her ex-son in law who looked visibly stressed out. On her left sat her trusty CFO, Raj who had a calm expression on his face, making Arun Mehta sweat...he had an inkling as to why he was called here, but he prayed that it wasn't so.

“Uh...maaji…” Arun started as Shalini raised an eyebrow “Please refrain from calling me that…we both know how much respect you have for such relationships” she said with barely controlled anger as Arun looked at her with seemingly desperate eyes…his fist clenching and unclenching in nervousness

“Did you think that you will so easily launder money out of my company, and we won’t know about it?” she asked him as Mr Raj gave her a file resting on the table. She opened the file to a specific page and leaned ahead to show the contents to Arun.

“I don’t need any more proof…and any number of reasons you throw in your defense won’t work here” she said as Arun poured over the neatly printed excel sheets with attached vendor details and bills…he knew it was futile to talk his way out of this

He looked up with pleading eyes at the regal woman sitting in front of him, unable to form words in front of the fire burning in her eyes “I….I..don’t…” he started saying when Mr Raj got up and took the file away..he looked at Shalini who nodded at him and waited till he left her cabin, leaving Arun and her alone inside

“However close Raj is to all of us, there are certain things I can’t discuss in front of him…especially those which include my daughter and grand-daughter in matters where you are concerned” she said as Arun sat with his head in his hands that were shaking due to fear and anger

“Maaji…you have to understand!...I had debts…some which I took in Khushi’s name…to buy property for her” he said as Shalini got up in anger and pushed her chair away with such force that Arun was left shocked to see that much energy in her fragile body.

“Don’t you dare take Khushi’s name! You have never…ever done anything for my girls…You think I don’t know how you had planned it all? You always meant to marry Garima for her money…it was an added bonus that she fell pregnant and gave you that chance without any qualms from our side” she said as she controlled her breathing and picked up a frame from her table

She lovingly gazed at a picture of all three of them, Her..Garima and Khushi; it was taken a week before Khushi had left for the London for her undergrad… “You broke her Arun…you made her stand against her own family…you humiliated her…you did everything that one should never do to someone they claim to love…” she said as a thin film of tears formed on her aged eyes

“And Khushi…all that girl wanted was her father…but what did you give her? Nothing!..I won’t even get into things my darling had to go through due to your heinous and shameful ways” Shalini said as she placed the frame back on the table

“If you think even for a second, that Garima will once again forgive you…think again. Don’t ever show your face to her…she has moved on and I do hope that she will find someone worthy of her love..unlike you..” she said as Arun slowly got up from his chair, his shoulder dropping…he knew there was nothing else he could do…not now at least

“As for Khushi…I won’t tell her about your criminal activities, nor am I going to call the police and hand you over…it will cause too much grief for both of them, so I’m letting you go…leave this country…don’t show your face ever again!...trust me, I will make your life hell if you stay here…I have made sure that no one will hire you..so it’s best you go….think of this as your exile” she said as Arun looked at her with angry eyes

“You can't make me go away...you want to throw me out? Fine! To hell with this company....Lets see how you keep this sinking ship afloat!” he mocked as Shalini Gupta smirked at him “So much arrogance is not good Arun, I had thought that you would be at least a little bit shameful...but I think i hoped for too much...” she said as the door to her cabin opened up and two guards came inside.

“You will leave Arun..or I know ways to make you” she said, a slight glint twinkling in her sharp eyes before she walked out of her cabin…leaving Arun with the guards who escorted him out of the office building to his immense embarrasment. Arun did not know how things had gone from bad to worse…he knew it was best to lie low at the moment…and going away for a few days was the best option..though not out of the country yet..he had many things to plan.

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Arnav looked at the almost comical expression of shock on Khushi’s face as she stood like a statue outside the door….he waved his hands in front of her face “Hello! Ms Gupta…” he said, as she shut her open mouth and stepped inside the huge apartment

“Arnav? What is this? And what are you…” she started saying as Arnav shut the door behind her and interrupted her confused talk “Khushi…this is the R&S Penthouse..” he said matter-of-factly as khushi nodded at him slowly…trying to work out why he had called her up here…and what did he mean by those words he had said at the doorstep

“God woman! Are you in shock or something? Its just a pent-house!” he said as khushi gaze travelled around the magnificent penthouse…she loved the simple and elegant lines of the place with a beautiful winding staircase leading to the upper floors…she could make out two doors on either side of the living room with a large entrance into the massive looking kitchen, separated by a glass wall

“No Arnav…I still don’t get it...why have you called me here” she said as arnav sighed “Khushi…this is the R&S Penthouse …I usually stay back here if I get late…sometimes we even conduct dinner meetings here..” he said as khushi walked ahead touching the beautiful furnishing before sinking into the plush couch

“Hmm…” she said as she leaned back and relaxed into the soft leather “And why is it my home away from home? From what i've gathered so far...its yours!” she said as he went and sat besides her on the couch “Yes, its my place, but i don't live here permanently” he said as she still looked at him blankly

He sighed as he scooted closer to her on the couch “Khushi!…you live near my house, so I know how long it takes you to commute…tI’m giving you access to this place, so that you can stay back if you ever wish to..” he said as khushi gaped at him.

“And..i also know that you don’t get a driver…its not safe for a women to drive very late in the city…that too so far…I just thought it would be better to have an option if you feel like staying back…” he said as khushi nodded silently.

She was trying to work out how Arnav’s mind works…just two days ago he was ranting on about how unfit she was for her job…then today morning he apologized and now he was offering her keys to his apartment…ok, not his apartment but his company’s penthouse?

“Arnav…thanks for all this, but I don’t think I can accept it…plus I can’t possible ever stay back..my mom and grandmother won’t agree” she said as arnav smirked at her “Ms Gupta…I’m not asking you to move into my apartment for a raunchy time with me..I’m only providing you with a safe option if you ever get stuck late…so quit being all weird and thank me for my generous gesture” he said pulling her hand forward and thrusting the extra set of keys in her soft palm

Khushi, whose face had warmed up at his words seconds ago, laughed heartily as he pushed the keys into her hand…his fingers stroking her palm, a second more than required…she pulled her hand back, clutching the keys as soon as he let it go “Fine, I suppose it makes sense..thanks arnav…though I don’t think I’ll make use of these” she said playing catch catch with the keys in her hands

“We’ll see…” he said as he got up, suddenly feeling too warm sitting next to her…her intoxicating perfume swirling around his nostrils in the cosy space…he turned back to look at her observing him..her gaze softer than usual…but comforting in a way “Uh…I’ll show you around” he said as she quickly tore her eyes away and nodded, following him around the house

He showed her all the various rooms, nooks and spaces in the huge apartment and asked her to choose any of the bedroom, except for the one of the left from the living room “That belongs to my brother, who never really stays over…but apparently uses to study when there are guests at home..total lie!" he said as he smiled, making khushi’s lips turn up in mirth..she always wanted a sibling and wondered how it would be like having one.

“And the one on the right of the staircase, at the end of the corridor…is mine…so stay away!” he said as khushi rolled her eyes… “As if, I’m dying to go to your room..God only knows what I’ll find there!” she said as arnav looked at her seriously “Only my secret Harem” he said as she looked on at his straight face before bursting out laughing.

“Yeah right!” she said as arnav shrugged his shoulders “Guess, you’ll never find out” he said and stopped to look at her before continuing “Also, no bringing over anyone…I mean..” he said as khushi held back a smile “Oh…you mean my romantic interests? For a raunchy time?” she added his words as she grinned at his sheepish face

“Yep…not that you will, seeing that you don’t have one…just setting the rules you know” he said as khushi jabbed him in his arm “Oye! I’m not a saint…like you said, I’ll eventually find the right one right? But I still won’t bring him here..” she said with a cheeky grin and left to go and see the kitchen, something that always fascinated her

Arnav looked on as she whooshed past him…her gorgeous long legs hurrying towards the kitchen…he could not help but check her out…she was beautiful…there was no doubt about it, and he was enjoying this gradual peeling away of her layers…she really was a puzzle and he did not understand why he was so drawn towards her…it wasn’t merely as passe as an attraction....which he was. Attracted that is.

Yes, he had realized it that day at the mela, when he saw her for the first time, without any pretense…he always felt she was trying to prove something to him, in her strict and proper ways…but that day, he saw something which left him restless…in that simple dress holding a small child who looked at her with so much trust, he just knew that she was different and special.

He had always been attracted to her like a man is to a woman...she was breathtakingly gorgeous. But this was more than that…he admired her, he loved the way she always stood up for the people she loves…the way she speaks her mind and does not hold back…the way she accepts her faults and applauds her achievements without being egotistical about it..yes, she was special....but he knew he could never cross the professional boundary...not with her.

He shook his head as he heard her calling his name from the kitchen…he was amazed at the fact that he gave her access to this place…a place which was his secret heaven…somewhere only his close friends and family were allowed…it did not make sense, his reasons, though genuine, were made up.

He just wanted her to feel like she belonged; he had judged her too harshly and wanted to make it up to her…she deserved to share this with him, like they were sharing G&R..and maybe this was his way of repentance...yes, that's what it was. What else.

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“Madam, here is the resume you were asking about…” Mr Raj said handing over a file to Shalini as she went about signing some official papers. She was glad that they were done with Arun Mehra…a fact which she had conveyed to her daughter some time back.

She was happy that Garima had taken this news positively; the only worry she had of her daughter being against it...vanished as Shalini saw a new dawn break over her family…the dark shadows of the past finally lifting off as Garima openly supported her mother in front of her one-time love.

Shalini Gupta took a deep breath as she flipped through the impressive resume…now that Arun was no more their country head, it was time they bring in new blood in to the company…except for Khushi, no one was capable to take over from Arun, but Shalini did not want her to take up this responsibility...not that she did not trust her to do it, but because she had other plans for her grand daughter

She smiled and handed over the file to Mr Raj and nodded “Let’s get him down from Bangalore for an interview as soon as possible…I think he will be best suited for this role…plus I had met him when he was promoted to sales head in ‘Sulaja Textiles’…and was very impressed” she said as Mr Raj smiled and nodded before leaving.

Shalini twirled the paperweight on her table and closed her eyes as thoughts of her company ran amok in her head…they were doing fine, but competition was fierce...plus Arun's departure will have a great effect on them…good? Bad? Only time will tell..till then, Shashi Dinkaran was their best choice…she just knew it.