Chapter 21

“Thanks beta....that's wonderful news...I'll let Garima and Khushi know right away” Khushi heard her nani taking on the phone as she came back from the temple visit she did with her mother every tuesday. She looked back towards the main door and saw her mother distributing the prasad to everyone

“Nani? Who are you talking to?” Khushi asked with curiosity as she saw her grandmother turn towards her with a relieved look, after the call from the detective last night, hardly anyone of them had slept; Khushi had texted arnav in the night that she wanted to talk to him about something important, but he had not replied back...even now at 10 am in the morning, she had still not received his reply

“Oh..good you are here...where is Garima?” Shalini asked as Garima came a few seconds later and offered a peda to her mother “Ma, here..have some prasad” she said as Shalini smiled and took the prasad from her “That was Arnav on the phone...he had called to tell us that he has spoken to the commissioner and they have agreed to further question Monica before talking to Garima..” she said as Khushi looked up sharply

How the hell did arnav come to know about the detective calling Garima? She has not had a chance to tell him yet and no one from the house had called him, so...her thoughts were interrupted as the same question was posed by her mother “But ma, how did Arnav come to know about it?” she asked before turning towards Khushi “Did you tell him about the phone call from last night Khushi?”

“Uh ho...let me complete first beta” Shalini said as she went and sat at the dining table and poured herself a glass of fresh juice “Apparently the detective had called arnav as well to fix a time with him for a recorded statement based on Sheetal's witness...there he happened to mention that he was going to meet Garima today” she said as both mother and daughter looked at each other

“He said that he knew what Monica said was preposterous and so tried to intervene and make the detective look further into the matter before meeting you” she said as Garima looked on in wonder “But since he did not comply, Arnav called in a favor with the commissioner who happens to be a very close friend of Yudhitsherji” she said as Garima sank on the dining table chair in relief, with Khushi holding her shoulders from behind

“This is such a relief” Garima said as she smiled at her mother before turning around to face Khushi “Please thank him from me when you meet him today at the office Khushi, I don't know how I could have faced the police with accusation in their eyes, for something that I can't even think of doing in my dreams” she said as Khushi squeezed her mothers shoulders...still puzzled as to why Arnav had not called her

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“Lavanya...where are you guys? Khushi maam has been trying to reach Arnav sir since the past hour” Aman said in his phone as Lavanya whispered back “Is it urgent? Sir is in a meeting right now” she said as Aman looked back and saw Khushi agitatedly walking along the length of her office “Uh..i'm not sure, but i think there is trouble in paradise” he said as Lavanya rolled her eyes “Shut up Aman!...ASR is in a meeting with Drita andori, I suppose Khushi mam knows about it” she said as aman's eyes bulged out

“Drita andori? The croatian supermodel turned designer?” he asked as Lavanya said a quick yes before glancing at the table where her boss was busy chitchatting with the leggy brunette “Yep! But then she might not know about it since this meeting has nothing to do with GR...its basically for the upcoming fashion week where R&S is collaborating with Ms Banks for a show...but anyways i gotta go. We'll be back in an hour or so” she said as Aman said a quick bye and walked back into Khushi's cabin

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It had been 5 hours since Aman had informed her of Arnav's meeting with Ms andori, what the hell were they talking about? She knew about the collab and was actually looking forward to the new designs being worked for it...but now she was plain annoyed...why wasn't he back yet...she thought as she finished few mails on marketing approvals before she heard a sharp knock on her door

Assuming it was Arnav who had finally decided to make an appearance, she quickly smoothed down her hair and straightened up before saying a soft 'come in'....but she was disappointed and a bit embarrassed to find Lavanya at the door...she remembered what Lavanya had seen yesterday in Arnav's cabin and went a slight shade pinker as she smiled and asker her to take a seat

“What can i do for you Lavanya?” she asked in a calm voice when she was anything but calm...she wanted to scream and ask where her boss was and why did he take so long to reach office “Oh nothing important maam, but Aman said that you were looking for ASR...so I just came to inform you that he is not coming in for the day” she said as Khushi knotted her eyebrows together

“Is he all right?” she asked with concern as Lavanya shifted uncomfortably “Y..yes, he's fine....he...he's actually still in the meeting with Ms Andori, and has asked me to inform everyone that he was not coming in for the day...” she said as Khushi took a deep breath...he was still with her....why?

“Ok, sure...no problem Lavanya...i'll give him a call later” she said as Lavanya got up to leave but stopped midway “Uh....he may not take his calls...but since its you, he will...off course” she said as Khushi looked at her in amusement “Why? He'll still be in the meeting?” Khushi asked in a light voice when Lavanya looked at her with unease “Uh, I just booked a table for him and Ms Andori for dinner...i suppose the meeting will run a tad bit longer” she said before saying a quick goodbye and sprinting from her office

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“Payal...where is Ritwik? I've been shouting his name since the last fifteen minutes” Shashi asked as he made quick work of tying his tie while sipping his coffee at the same time.....He saw his daughter walk towards him shaking her head “God papa...when will you learn to knot your tie properly!” she said with a sigh as she adjusted the tie for him while he smiled into his coffee

“Till the time you are here to do it for me...but then, once you get married and leave...I guess Ritwik will have to take care of this for me” he said with a wink as payal rolled her eyes “In that case, be prepared for a lifetime of wonky ties if you want that brat to do it for you” she said as Shashi let out a loud laugh

“Oh and since you asked, Ritwik is currently busy with his music composition...he probably can't hear you cause he has those huge earphones of his on...probably at a very disturbing level of volume” she said as she stepped back to see her handiwork “Thanks darling...this looks perfect” Shashi said as he admired her work

“Anytime papa...accha, i'll be late today...I need to choose my extra-curricular activities at uni today...so i'm gonna look around after classes...” she said as Shashi nodded “Ok, but make sure you have your phone on full charge...and if you get very late, let me know...i'll come and pick you up” he said as payal smiled, but their conversation was interrupted mid-way when the door bell rang

“I'll check who it is” Payal said as she turned and walked to the door before opening it to find a very beautiful girl in a chic business suit looking at her with a big smile “Hey! You must be payal...i'm Khushi...Khushi gupta” the girl said as payal came out of the stupor...it was a crime to look this good early in the morning

“Oh hi...yes, i'm payal...papa's told me about you...please come in” Payal said ushering Khushi inside the cosy living room where her father stood with his briefcase ready to leave “Oh Khushi...I was just on my way to the mansion...I suppose you have already met my daughter Payal” he said as Khushi smiled

“Yes we did...its so nice to finally meet you payal....are you settling in well?” she asked the younger girl who looked kind of detached but gave her a small smile in the end “Yeah...its ok...i'm still very new to this city...and just joined my uni...so...” she said while shrugging her shoulders when Shashi spoke up

“Yes and she has already had a brush in with this idiot who ragged her on her first day” he said as Khushi looked on in surprise and shock “Really? Thats horrible!...did you complain to the principal?” Khushi asked payal who was glaring at her father for casually speaking about her humiliating episode

“I can take care of myself...plus if I ever see that dolt again, i'll be sure to hit him where it hurts” she said with a smile as khushi laughed “Well, i'm sure you will...but just be careful ok...these sick guys are always in packs...it will be best to let the authorities take care of him” she said with genuine concern which irked payal...who was she to advise her...but before she could speak more on it, shashi interrupted them

“Yes, she is right Payal...now Khushi, we better leave...” he said as Khushi nodded and said a quick goodbye to payal who did not seem very happy to have not completed her part of their conversation...nevertheless she smiled at Khushi and hugged her father as they both left the house...leaving her to get ready and rush to uni...she had tons of work today...and she hoped to God that she would meet that jerk again...to complete what he had started

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“So Khushi...what do you think?” Shashi asked her as they surveyed the place and saw the plans which were getting chalked up for a new manufacturing plant to expand the mills productivity. The new projects which GR was getting for the mill had more or less exhausted their resources, so plans were on for more recruitment and expansion

“I think this place is perfect” she said surveying the huge old mill which they were in the process of buying out “The structure is perfect and works with our vision for the new mill” she said as Shashi nodded “Yes, i think so too...i don't think we should delay anymore” he said as Khushi nodded her consent

“Yes, i agree...but can we meet the previous owner once more before signing the papers? I really want to know his reasons for closing down...I mean, everyone knows the financial reasons for the closure, but since i haven't met him yet, it will be good to have his perspective on it” she said as Shashi nodded

“Sure Khushi, he's a very well known man...if circumstances were good, he would never have sold this to us” he said as Khushi nodded while Shashi dialed the man's number...after a few quick words he turned to Khushi and spoke “He'll meet us for dinner tonight at the yacht cub” he said as khushi confirmed the same with aman

“Great, I'll head to GR now...I'll see you tonight, should we go together?” she asked him when he shook his head “No, i'll meet you directly there...have some personal bank work in town, will be better for me to meet you there instead of coming back home” he said as both he and Khushi walked to their respective cars to leave for their offices

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“ASR? Khushi maam just got in...you said you wanted to meet her” Lavanya asked carefully as she waited for her boss to say something “Uh...oh yeah, I'll go and meet her...do i have any meeting for the next hour or so?” he asked her when she looked into her diary 

“Nope...nothing till the next hour, plus if you need more time...i can always shift the next meeting...” she said as Arnav interrupted her “Ms Kashyap...do not suggest something which I haven't asked for..” he said as she shut her mouth and watched him walk briskly out of his office

He knew he was a bit rude with Lavanya, but after the incident two days ago which she was privy to, he was a bit on the edge with her...plus it did not help that he had hardly got a wink of sleep since that blasted moment with Khushi....all he kept thinking about was how perfectly she fit in his arms...her eyes heavy with want and desire

He tried to blank his mind once more as he knocked on Khushi's door and opened it without waiting for her answer only to find her look up from her laptop with shock as he walked inside her cabin and sat down at her table in front of her “Hi...Lavanya said you were looking for me yesterday” he said trying not to stare at her gorgeous hair which she had left open today

“Uh...yes....Arnav....I, I actually wanted to thank you for talking to the commissioner about...” she started saying when arnav held up his hand “Please Khushi, don't thank me...that Monica is a lunatic to accuse you mother, Plus the detective has to interrogate her personally before pointing fingers at anyone...she is coming back tomorrow i think...and only after they have taken her statement will they talk to your mother where you will be present as well” he said as Khushi breathed in a sigh of relief

“Thats great Arnav...I did not know Monica was getting back this soon...but I won't be surprised of she is involved somehow in all this” she said as Arnav nodded “Hmm....” he said as he rubbed his hand on his tired eyes making Khushi look at him with concern “What happened? You look tired” she asked him as he yawned and replied “Yeah, i hardy slept a wink last night...so my body is protesting against the lack of it” he said as Khushi's mind went to her and Lavanya's conversation yesterday

She knew that arnav had dinner with that supermodel last night...was that why? She thought as Arnav's voice interrupted her “Khushi?” he asked her when she looked at him with something akin to disgust, how dare he...he slept with that model after kissing her senseless the day before...what was all that talk about some unexplainable pull?all bull shit off course...he could not wait to jump in bed with that b***h

“Hey...you look a bit zoned out there...” he said as Khushi gave him a tight smile “Oh, nothing much...i was wondering how your 'meeting' went yesterday?” she said as Arnav smiled “Oh, it went great...Drita is such a treasure house of experience and knowledge...her stints with all big fashion houses has given her so much in-depth knowledge...you should meet her” he said as Khushi cringed inside

Off course...lots of experience...something that he definitely benefitted from, she thought as Arnav looked at her with a gleam in his eyes that she failed to notice as a certain green eyed monster clouded her vision “Anyways, i have to get going...have some personal work” he said as she nodded before asking him “Did you get my text the other night?”

“Oh yeah...i had slept early...i saw it in the morning...but I assumed it was about the detective...sorry forgot to text back” he said as she shrugged and saw him leave her office. She kept staring at the closed door with a twinge of irritation and hurt at the way he was acting all cool and aloof...as if, that kiss had never happened...as if he wanted to forget about it...but then he did didn't he...she had asked him to...so why the hell was she feeling like her heart was on fire

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“I'll have a white wine spritzer please” Khushi said as the waiter politely nodded and turned to the other two men at their table, one being Shashi and the other Mr Chaturvedi, the previous owner of the mill they were going to buy...the conversation was going very well as the older gentleman explained his reasons for the tough decision he had to take with his mill

She mused how at one point, Mr Chaturvedi's mill was their strong competitor, but with the next generation of his family not showing any interest in the working of it, the Mills he owned had to be shut down and eventually sold off to the Gupta's. She smiled as Mr Chaturvedi regaled the olden days when Khushi's nani was just making her place in the industry...she loved listening to her grandmother's praises...but today her heart was not in it.

Since yesterday morning, she was feeling lost....like she was losing out on something very important...and it was silly to think that it had anything to do with a certain Mr Raizada...but she had to accept that it did...indeed it did. It had upset her to think that he was spending so much time with that model while not even responding to her texts and calls...if nothing else, they were business partners...does one forget work in front of a pretty face!

And then, she had hardly slept all night...visions of their kisses kept repeating in her mind, and his confession about not getting much sleep...she kept thinking about him being intimate with that Ms Andori and it stung her...real bad...she was hurt that he had so easily gone to another woman..but then she had never given him a reason not to...dammit! Why can't she stop thinking about all this...

Plus the ongoing investigation was making things worse for her....she so wished that she was still in the US, she wished that GR had never happened...that she had never met Arnav Singh Raizada...that her father was still alive...but the chain of events that had gotten her to this current state had happened..and nothing in the world would change that.

“Excuse me gentlemen, i'll just be back” she said as she got up to go the washroom...she also wanted to breath in some fresh air to clear her mind a bit...it wasn't fair that she could not give 100% to the conversations at their table.

She was just turning towards the entrance to step out, when the hem of her blue dress got stuck on one of the wall surfaces....she tugged on it to release the fabric when his husky voice reached her ears “Khushi?” great! She was hearing him too! She thought as she whirled around, only to come face to face with him... “Arnav?” she asked him as she saw his eyes rake her from top to bottom, his eyes drinking in her sight and that of her bare legs in the figure hugging dress.

She blushed slightly at his blatant admiring look and was about to ask him what he was doing here when she saw a slender arm wrap itself around his left bicep along with the rest of the beautiful perfect body coming into view...and a smiling gorgeous face attached to it... “Hi...” she said as arnav left his eyes from roaming over Khushi to acknowledged the woman by his side

“Oh uh Khushi...this is Drita by the way...I believe you haven't met her yet and Drita, this is Khushi Gupta, my business partner at GR” he said smiling at the model who smiled a genuine beautiful smile at her before holding her hand out for khushi “Hi Khushi, its great to finally meet you” she said as khushi smiled back “Same here Drita” she said as she shook her hand.

“So, you here for dinner i suppose?” Arnav asked her to which Khushi nodded absentmindedly...still shocked from seeing both of them together...now it was hard to dislike her as well...she looked like a really nice person and she was too damn gorgeous to feel any superiority over “Uh..yes, I'm here with Shashi and Mr Chaturvedi...from Samyukta Mills..” she said as Arnav nodded at her

“Oh thats great...anyways we'll let you get back to your dinner...as it is, we are heading to the club upstairs...do join us if you like” he said as Drita chirped in “Yes, it will be great if you can...Arnav gets too boring sometimes!” she said with a grin as arnav rolled his eyes...the domesticity of the scene making Khushi choke...she could probably cry right now, she thought as she took a deep breath

“Thats sweet of you to invite me, but I'm not feeling too well; so will be heading home after dinner...great to meet you though Drita, Im sure we'll meet again” she said as Drita gave Khushi a quick hug “Off course Khushi, I'm coming tomorrow for the Gala organized by India Fashion week....I suppose you'll be there too” she said as Khushi gave herself an imaginary kick...she had complete forgotten about that in all this mess! She and Arnav were supposed to go together for it

“Oh yes, I totally forgot...” she said as she turned towards arnav “What time do we have to be there?” she asked him as he shifted uncomfortably on his feet “Uh, Khushi...is it ok if I take Drita along with me? She's new here and doesn't know anyone...you'll be fine coming on your own right? The invitation says 8pm” he said to her as Khushi felt the earth moving under her feet

Khushi's Dress

“Sure...no problem...” she said in a soft voice as Drita squeezed arnav's arm “Oh Arnav, i'm so excited...it will be great to meet so many amazing Indian designers” she said as arnav smiled at her and placed his hand on hers...the gesture making khushi's eyes tear up....she had to get away...now 

“I have to go...uh...i'll see you guys tomorrow” she said quickly before any of them had a chance to reply...she walked briskly towards the washroom and got into one of the cubicles before letting the tears flow...for something she could never have. 

Drita Andori