Arnav's Revelation of Love

Chapter 1

He hit the pillow again, using all his pent up frustration into the thrust of the punch.

Why did he do it?

Why, why, why?

All that kept replaying in his mind was the look she had as she slowly raised her face up to him and glanced over her shoulder with tears in her eyes.

Why did he do it?

Why, why, why?

Dammit!

That one tear streaming down her face said it all. It was the glisten on her cheek, a reflection from the light that caught his eye.

He had hurt her...

The evening had been a beautiful one celebrating the Diwali holiday.  It was an important tradition in the Raizada household.  There were diyas everywhere. He was not one for the holidays but his sister and their family was.  The house was filled with people, strangers, in his opinion.  He hated when his house and family became the center of attention, paparazzi outside, frantically snapping pictures to see whom of the “Who’s Who” came to the party of the year at the Raizada Mansion.

The trees outside the mansion that lined the streets had fairy lights strewn around  the trunk and between the branches, the lights glowing a golden hue as if freshly painted in a Thomas Kinkaid masterpiece.  The entire house’s walkways were lined with diyas on both sides and the fountain in front of the house was lit with a white light that made the droplets of water look like sparkling diamonds.

The inside of the house was decorated just as magnificent.  Diyas, lamps and huge white pillar candles were everywhere.  It was breath taking.  Anjali, Arnav’s sister, had this decorating thing down pat.  She truly was all that her reputation made her out to be.  Anjali Raizada was THE Interior Designer/ Decorator every woman, man and business owner longed for.  She had won many awards for her capable eyes and hands and foresight.  She could make anything, and I mean anything beautiful, whatever the condition.

Arnav walked down the stairs and as much as he hated these things, he felt very proud of his sister.  He took in a deep breath and continued down to the piranhas.

He walked over to Anjali and kissed her on the cheek and whispered in her ear,

“You outdid yourself this year, Di. It looks brilliant!”

Anjali blushed, as she always did when receiving a compliment,

Answering him,

“You really think so?” and she smiled brightly her eyes twinkling with delight at her brother’s compliment.

She did this for him, always for him. She knew he hated the hullabaloo but if she did not bring light to his dark world who would?

Anjali always worried for her brother.  He was always in a brooding, dark mood although very successful in business nothing seemed to bring a smile to his face.  Their past hurt never left him; it was deeply embedded in his heart.  He was young when the death of their parents occurred and that day broke him.  She was devastated as well but she had to think of her Chotey and live on cheerily.  She always tried to put a smile on his face, hiding her own deep pain…. she did it for him only for him.

She didn’t know why these thoughts were creeping into her mind especially on this magnificent evening.  She really did out due herself; the place was radiant.  She felt proud.

As the two of them stood at the entrance doorway greeting their guests, a young woman dressed in a simple but elegant red sari walked in.  Arnav was in conversation with Aman his office manager and he just stopped mid sentence as he gazed at the beautiful sight before him.  Aman was confused.  He turned around to see the line of Arnav’s gaze.

“Oh, hi Khushi, good of you to come.  Wow!  Look at you!” He proclaimed.

Khushi deeply blushed at her friend’s comment.

She whispered,

“Aman stop you’re embarrassing me, of course I would come, wasn’t it required?  Didn’t you say I had to,” she whispered to him.

Her hazel eyes slowly lifted and moved to look at the handsome man standing next to Aman, her heart fluttered,

“Good evening, sir.”

She shyly said to Arnav as his caramel eyes pierced hers.

Ahem, someone was clearing her throat in the background.  Khushi’s blush was still fresh on her face but she quickly recovered.

“Anjaliji, how are you?  Everything looks lovely.  Thank you for inviting me.”

Khushi had been working at AR Designs for over 10 months now as an administrative assistant.  Her relationship with her boss was a bit shaky but his sister was her friend.  She could never understand the feelings she felt whenever her handsome boss was around…her heart would flutter, her breathing increased rapidly and he seemed to have a way of always exasperating her.  He yelled at her all the time but not over her work.  He confused her.

Arnav Singh Raizada was a complex man of 28 years while she was a young, immature girl of 21.  She started working for AR Designs straight out of college.  From the moment she met him it was if she knew him. He seemed so familiar. Sure, he wanted everyone to believe he was a hard, aloof man with no feelings but she knew him better than he knew himself.  She felt that way for some strange reason.

How could she see through him so easily?  This baffled her.

She walked in and it was if the world stood still.  He always thought her beautiful for a quirky, pagal girl but dismissed the strange attraction he was feeling towards her.  ASR had no room in his life for this distraction.  That is what he called it…her…a distraction because that is what she always did to him.  He had no time for this. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her until he heard someone clearing her throat in the background.  He turned his attention back to Aman while Khushi and Anjali were conversing.  When Khushi walked away to the refreshment table his eyes went with her…

Chapter 2

“Dammit”

He hit the pillow again in frustration.

Turning over on to his back he recalled the events of the evening.

Watching her gracefully walk over to the refreshment table, he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. She seemed to be floating through the guests as if her feet never touched the ground. She was magnificent in red. His eyes skimmed over her lithe lissom body, her beauty was almost unnatural and she was breathtakingly stunning in her red saree.  When she walked in he was in conversation with Aman and he stood there, his mouth opened, but no words came, his throat dried as her almond shaped hazel eyes looked at him, doe like.  He became flustered.  Why did this girl cause him to react this way?

He was angry with himself and confused that there was a force that pulled him so strongly towards her.  It was so strong it took all his might to fight it and he didn’t understand why this girl did this to him.  ASR had many women in his life but no one, NO ONE, ever, ever affected him like she did.  Whenever he felt an urge to kiss those lips, which was too many times for his liking, he would fight with her…it was easier to make her angry with him and then she would push him away with her retaliating words.  Somehow this made him feel better as if rejected by her.

Maybe a form of punishment because he felt he didn’t deserve love?

She picked up a glass of juice and the hairs behind her neck stood on end and chills went down her spine.  That feeling always came when he was intently staring at her; she somehow knew he was doing this even with her back turned to him.

Slowly she turned and lifted her long dark lashes, their eyes met and it was if an explosion hit his chest, he actually staggered back.  He coughed and turned and walked away.

Khushi whispered under her breath,

“What is with him, that Laad Govenor?”

The night continued with entertaining music, wonderful food and all having a splendid time.  The room seemed as if it roared with many voices, a cacophony of sound that vibrated throughout the large mansion.

Through this excitement and buzz of the famous, a few elite photographers were chosen to capture the event, clicking their cameras with bright flashes of light surrounding the guests.  In this feverishness, a loan couple stood out;

A still, a quietness surrounded them,

As if alone,

Across the room from each other,

But their eyes found each other through the mists of the crowd.

Nothing else mattered.

As she strolled the room so did he,

Parallel.

His piercing eyes never leaving hers.

Too intense at times she had to look away;

But every time her eyes would wander back,

Searching for their home.

Nothing else mattered.

He didn’t understand what he was doing he just did it as if controlled by the Goddess of Love.

Love he thought, ridiculous!

He was ASR he did not fall in love, he didn’t believe in it.

He turned and walked away and went to the bar.  The bartender looked at him and knew he needed something to calm him, his frustration was written all over his face.

He placed two fingers of single malt straight up right in front of him.

Arnav grabbed the shot and swallowed it in one swallow.

He slammed the glass down and walked away furiously.

Khushi went to the powder room where she splashed water on her flushed face.

What was she doing playing cat and mouse with her boss?

Her heart was beating a mile a minute, her cheeks flushed with the feverishness of the moment.

“This is ridiculous, stop it right now, Khushi, what are you thinking?”

She reapplied her kohl to her eyes and her pink lipstick to her pouting lips, took a breath and went back into the lion’s den.

When she went back to the hall he was nowhere to be found.

She let out the breath she didn’t know she was holding all this time and found Anjali and Aman looking very chummy.

***

He had to get out of the house, he couldn’t breathe.  He handed the valet his keys to his SUV.  The valet brought his truck up and Arnav jumped in.  He revved the engine and with a screech he took off.

The road is long, dark, and it is as if a demon is driving the SUV.  Here he is driving in his SUV, his truck where he is free from all scrutiny...his psychiatrist's couch.  A safe haven for him to think without anyone knowing; just him, the car and the road.

A place where he can just go and drive,

and think and drive,

and think and see,

and think and feel,

and no one will know.

Yes, his psychiatrist's couch, where it is safe to think, question and reminisce.

But all these images... his mind won't stop...

Driving in his truck, where he is alone with himself, with his thoughts of her, alone with the camera of his mind, the shutters flashing the scenes before his eyes of "that girl".  Reminiscing of all the times she fell into his arms, of "that girl" looking ravishing in her red saree, of "that girl" standing in the rain and of him saving her from an oncoming car.  Her beautiful eyes, her smile, her “Good Morning!” as she places his morning coffee on his desk every day.   The beautiful curves of her body and those pouty, luscious lips he just can’t stop thinking how they would feel under his….

STOP!

STOP!

He slams on the breaks and swerves to a halt.

He gets out.

He can't take it anymore.

He questions..

Why?

Why?

Why do I keep thinking about her?

Why?

Why do I see her face all the time?

Why?

Like lying on the pyschiatrist's couch he thinks and thinks and finally comes to an answer.

 Chapter 3

The celebration was in full swing and the house was even more crowded.  Khushi was amazed as she looked around.  The Raizada mansion was beautifully decorated, her friend and confidante Anjali had really out shown herself.

‘Anjali is so talented’, Khushi thought to herself.

***

They had met while Khushi was going to school and she would go on assignments to various businesses to observe for the day.  She met Anjali on one such assignment. When Khushi walked into AR Designs her mouth formed a perfect circle, she was in awe.  Not only was the building striking but also the interior design of the place was exquisite.

AR Designs was in a large building with mirrored glass windows.  The reflection from the sun seemed as if the building was ablaze and the inside was if irradiated by that sun bright reds, yellows, oranges a hint here and there everything else a stark white.  Just brilliant!

As Khushi stood there dumbfounded, a beautiful woman dressed gorgeously walked by and asked if she was all right and if she needed help.  Khushi introduced herself and said she was there to do her internship and was trying to figure out where to report when the beauty of her surroundings distracted her.  Khushi’s face glowed with an excitement.

Anjali held out her hand and said,
“Hi, I am Anjali Raizada and I am the Interior Designer of AR Designs and I designed this office while my brother Arnav Singh Raizada is the head of this company.  You will be working with both of us.  You will be observing

both the fashion designing and decorating business. From your application it looks like you are from Lucknow, we too are from there.  We will get along famously!”

Khushi smiled broadly DM had sent her to the right place!

***

Khushi looked around,

“Where did he go?”

She looked around again scanning the hall and saw across the room Anjali and Aman in deep conversation, Anjali was laughing and was that a blush? Khushi smiled.  It seems the two had an attraction to each other and their body language disclosed an intimacy that was not usually there between coworkers. Khushi was happy for her friend.  It was about time she moved on; Anjali had been divorced for two years now from her marriage to Shyam, that deceitful, murderous thief.  He stole her heart and destroyed it after he made plans to kill her brother, herself and their unborn child.  He wanted all the Raizada fortune.  Thank DM, Khushi found out about his plans although a bit too late, the car accident had caused Anjali to miscarry the child and Arnav a fractured arm.  Shyam was placed in police custody with the evidence that Khushi had discovered and had been placed in jail after signing divorce papers.

The Raizada’s were due happiness it had been a strained few years.

***

Arnav walked back in the mansion much calmer then when he left.  He was being ridiculous.  Love was something he didn’t hope for or dream of, it was a useless emotion and he was ‘no way, no how going to be distracted by that girl.

Now, if she wanted to have a roll around in the hay that would be a different story’, his lop sided grin showed his wicked thoughts.

He strolled casually over to the bar as the bartender placed in single malt on the bar.  This time it was neat and he savored the flavor of the burning liquid. His eyes radar scanned the hall until …

BULLS EYE

He had hit his mark.

She was across the room in the corner with Di and Aman.

He wondered why Di and Aman were having a conversation in a private corner of the hall and not circulating the room?  And from what he saw, Khushi appeared a little uncomfortable standing there with them.

“Hmm, I’ll have to ask Aman,” he thought.

He finished his drink and sashayed across the room feeling a bit more relaxed.  With his eyes boring into the back of Khushi and his grin becoming more devilish as he approached, scanning her from behind his heart beat stronger.

Dhak dhak,

dhak dhak dhak,

Dhak Dhak dhak dhak .

Each beat stronger and a bit faster than the previous one.

He took a deep breath and dismissed what he was physically feeling and placed an iniquitous thought back into his mind.

He had plans for her and it wasn’t love.

She felt the hairs on the back of her neck start to rise and a familiar tingling went down her spine.  He must be here and staring at her.  She turned around expecting to see him across the room and there he was walking straight towards them.

She quickly turned around to the conversation of Aman and Di and interrupted them.

“Anjaliji, would you come with me outside for some air, I feel a little light headed.”

“Khushi, are you all right? Quickly, let’s go.”

Anjali grabbed her hand and placed her arm around her waist and walked Khushi slowly towards the sliding doors, which passed through to the softly lit poolside.  As they passed Arnav, Khushi smiled at him broadly as if laughing at escaping him.

His eyes glared at her.  He strode passed her with an air of indifference and walked straight to Aman, slapping him on the back saying loudly,

“Aman , why are you hidden is this corner when there are beautiful starlets amidst the guests?  Come, let’s enjoy our guests.”

He turned around with Aman and nefariously winked at Khushi then walked up to a beautiful woman in turquoise and her companion, who was just as beautiful in emerald green and in his sexily husky voice said,

“Hello, ladies……”

Khushi’s neck was straining as she wanted to see and hear what he was up to but she had made her bed and now she could lie in it, Anjali was continuing walking her outside.

At poolside, Anjali helped Khushi to the lounge chair,

“Khushi, rest here and the fresh air will help you, I will be right back,”

And went to get her a glass of water.

Khushi looked up, the constellations of the sky were shining brightly, illuminating the poolside.  She loved star gazing, always looking for the brightest stars which she considered her parents looking down at her.  She whispered,

“Mama, Papa why do I feel this way?  What do I do?”

A loan tear slid down the corner of her eye.

“Khushi, are you crying?”  Anjali asked.  She placed the water beside on the table.

“Is everything okay?”

“Umm, yes Anjali, I was just thinking about my parents.”

“I can understand, it is during the holidays when I miss mine the most,” Anjali answered.  “You rest now, I will be just inside if you should need me.”

Khushi nodded.

She took a deep breath and needed to be alone with her thoughts.

Chapter 4

The diyas around the edge of the pool gave off a soft glowing patina of light.

She noticed that at the far end of the pool the diyas flames had been blown out by the wind.  She saw a matchbox on the table stand, next to the lounge chair, and went to light the diyas.

Leaning down she started to light the oil lamps.  The soft glow of the lit diyas reflected against the pool and her appearance became almost ethereal.

He walked outside, taking a breather from the airhead women he was trying to have a conversation with.

He looked up at the sky, remembering that Khushi once mentioned that she believed her parents were the stars in the sky.

He too, had lost his parents at a young age and with the evening of festivities he had become melancholy and his parents were on his mind.  So he looked up and smiled.  Maybe this pagal girl was right, the stars shown so bright he actually felt his parents’ essence.

He felt better, relieved almost, knowing that they were there for him to see, then he thought, “Crazy”, and shook his head.

He turned and what he saw next was a sight for sore eyes to behold,

An Angel, but not in white but in that beautiful red color that he loved so much.

He silently watched her as she went from diya to diya, lighting all the ones that must have been extinguished by the soft breeze.

When she finished lighting the last one, a broad smile lit her face and she stood up, losing her balance and twisting her ankle.

He ran and caught her just in the nick of time.  Her arms went flailing as she was pulled close and landed hard against his rock hard chest.  Her eyes tightly closed, her hands landed on his chest and shoulder.  She knew it was him even with her eyes closed, she felt him, she smelled him, mmm… that beautiful aroma of man and cologne.  Yes, it was he, his cologne made her lose her senses everyday.

He scooped her up in his arms and carried her over to the chaise lounge.  Placing her gently on the lounge, she slowly opened her eyes and was staring straight into his chocolate puppy dog eyes which were intently and sexily staring right back

at her.  With her hand still on his chest, the tip of her tongue moistened her pouty lips and all he could do was watch her.  He couldn’t move, he wouldn’t move, something inside stirring and making him feel quite uncomfortable.

He let go quickly, stood up and took a step back and sat at on the chair next to the chaise.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Um, yes, it seems I just lost my balance.  Thanks for catching me.”

They had a little bit of awkwardness at first but their conversation flowed easily.  She was quite intelligent and he loved the fact she knew what she wanted out of life.  She impressed him and he was surprised.

He actually liked her.

He got up and turned to walk away and she slowly rose to test out her ankle.  She stood and let out a hiss at the little bit of pain she felt.

He turned around right away and said again,

“Are you sure you are okay?”

Her eyes grew wide and then softened at this man’s response and she blushed.  She looked away and whispered,

“Yes.”

He was just about to turn and walk away when something stopped him.  He turned and looked at her.  Something was stopping him from going. His feet felt like lead and he just couldn’t lift them.  Instead of leaving, he turned slowly towards her.

Did she want him to stay?

She looked at him almost disappointed that he was leaving. He was compelled, as she nervously wrung her hands and looked away.  Seconds passed but it seemed like an eternity and then her eyes slowly shifted upward gazing into his.

She had just given him permission, which was all he needed.

He started walking towards her, intently looking into her eyes, her lips quivering and for every step forward he took, she took one step back.

She too could feel it,

the strong attraction and mesmerizing pull.

Thud….

There was nowhere else for her to go she was up against the wall,

cornered.

He walked forward, coming closer…

Closer…..

Closer….

She could feel the heat of his hot breath upon her skin.  The sweet scent of mint lingered as he exhaled.  There was barely any room for her to move.

He reached and caressed her face,

She closed her eyes in bliss, his touch so appealing.

Her breath started as a shallow pant, high in her chest, but then deepened and came hard and fast,

He moved her so much.  It shocked her.

Her hand clenched her sari.

He wanted her with all his being; he couldn't fight it anymore.

And she like a small animal caught by his prey, stunned, just waiting to be pounced upon, stood still,

very,

very still,

unable to move.

Her lips gently parted,

Her pink luscious lips called to him…

and ever so slowly he answered their call.

 Chapter 5

It was like heaven.

Arms intertwined, lips melding together, tongues tentative at first and then fervently dueling.

The atmosphere was heating up, as if they were standing in a suana.

***

He was just a few feet away…..

from the fantasy taking place in his head.

His lips were just about to answer hers when Khushi’s hand came between their mouths.

She placed her hand over his mouth and with wide eyes said to him,

“Arnavji, what do you think you are doing?”

Now it was his turn, his eyes went wide he came out of his trance.

The spell was broken and the dreamy look he had in those beautiful eyes turned to a sinister one.  His gussa came to the surface.  The crease on his forehead furrowed into his brow and fire, not one of lust but of brimstone shone in his eyes.

You could see and feel his anger.

He grabbed her hand and pushed it away from his mouth and spewed,

“What are you talking about Khushi Kumari Gupta?  Do you think this rich man has any interest in kissing you?  It was just a prank.  Nothing more, I wanted to see how a characterless girl like you would react.  Nothing more.  It meant nothing.  You mean nothing to me.”

He turned and walked away as Khushi all doe eyed watched, a single tear sliding down her cheek.  She looked down and then as she raised her eyes ever so slowly, as he turned around their eyes met.

For just a second she thought she saw anguish in his eyes.

‘Why did he say those terrible things to her?’  She thought.

She sat on the chaise and cried her heart out as he watched her from inside.  A pain in his chest felt like his heart was breaking but his anger took precedence.

‘Who does she think she is?  Doesn’t she know who I am?  I could care less about her.  She is just another woman; she means nothing.’ He argued to himself.  He then turned and headed straight to the bar.

Khushi ran to the bathroom and looked at her tear-streaked face.  Splashing cold water on her face, she just continued to sob.  Her mind was racing with all kinds of questions.

‘Was it that she wanted him to kiss her?  Was she disappointed?  She had no idea what had happened and if she wanted him to kiss her then why did she stop him?’

She wiped her face and touched up her makeup and decided it was time for her to go home.  She would let Anjali know she was leaving.

Upon leaving the bathroom she surveyed the hall and found Anjali in that same corner with Aman.  She was laughing and blushing.  Khushi could sense there was something more to this pair’s relationship then coworkers or friends.

She walked over and excused herself for interrupting their conversation and told Anjali she was leaving but at the same time Arnav had also just reached his sister.  Khushi looked at him, burst into tears, turned and quickly walked away leaving the party.

Anjali turned to her brother and said,

“Chote, what did you do to that girl?”

He answered,

“What the?”

and walked away.

Aman and Anjali stood there in confusion but then went happily back into their own private world.

Arnav angrily closed his bedroom door.  He threw his suit jacket on his bed and was unfastening his buttons of his vest at what seemed to be the speed of light.  He sank onto his bed and ran his hands through his thick hair.  His head was pounding.

What happened?

Why was he feeling this way and WHY should he CARE?

Why was he feeling so bad?

She was just another woman.

What did it matter?

***

The next few months found Arnav in a reckless way.

He ran his business smoothly and professionally.  He was making more money than he knew what to do with, his business was prosperous and he had become   renowned in the fashion industry.

But his nights were a different story.

Every night he was at the most fashionable clubs where he was treated with a VIP status and found drinking and hooking up with top models.  His picture was snapped by the paparazzi and could be found in the entertainment gossip column of the newspaper almost every other day.  He found himself on the cover of the top entertainment and fashion magazines, as well as Forbes and the Fortune 500.

Arnav Singh Raizada was at the top of his game…

but he was miserable.

He had distanced himself from Khushi reassigning her to work for Anjali.  He couldn’t be close to her, she drove him crazy and stirred feelings inside of him he just didn’t understand.

He avoided her as much as possible.

Just looking at her brought him a twinge of pain to his heart although he couldn’t figure out why. He would become lost in his thoughts of her but his day was so busy that those stray thoughts would disappear as quickly as they came.  He kept himself and every second of his life occupied with work and when he was not at work he was at play.

He played hard.

His relationships were meaningless and worthless.

He cared for no one.

He used the women and threw them away but they didn’t seem to care all they wanted was one night with the great ASR for their own reputation and fame.

Arnav Singh Raizada needed no one and wanted no one.

He would come home at night a little buzzed but always in control.  He would take the lucky woman who was the flavor of the night to his private apartment that he kept for this purpose, for his entertainment, since obviously he couldn’t take her to his own family’s home.

One night with ASR, was a night of passion that the woman would never forget.  He was a magnificent lover but what he engaged in was not love but sex.  He was aggressive and certainly not a giver.  He could care less about the woman he was with; this time was for him to release his pent up feelings of frustration.

His muscled body would work up a sweat, glistening he looked like a Greek god and he always pictured the same angel face as he culminated the deed.

Sometimes her name would almost slip out of his lips.

She was always on his mind.

Chapter 6

Kushi Kumari Gupta was in a state of confusion, these last few months were a daze.  Arnav was totally ignoring her.

She expected some awkwardness after the Diwali night but this, she never expected.  He transferred her charge and duties to Anjali and completely stopped speaking with her, avoided her gaze at every chance.

Aaannnddd…. he was being so reckless, it seemed he had a hangover (she wasn’t sure what that was but everyone was gossiping about his escapades) a few days a week.

She was worried about him.

Why was he being so destructive?

This was a question she would have to investigate.

“Anjali?”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t you think Arnavji is acting very strange lately?”

“Khushi? What are you saying?”

“You know, he is acting strange.”

“Khushi, I think Chote has a lot on his mind.”

“Yes, it seems something must be bothering him.  We must find out what it is.”

“Why, Khushi?”

Khushi thought about how she would answer Anjali.  Why did his behavior bother her?  What answer could she possibly give?  He was her boss for goodness sake; it was his life, why should his behavior affect her?

She looked at Anjali and muttered something under her breath and walked out of Anjali’s office leaving a very confused Anjali.

As she walked out of the office talking to herself, she collided with a brick wall, a solid, sculpted brick wall, who reached out and caught her as she was losing her balance.

Her eyes met with his and it was as if she was looking into a pool of warm chocolate.  His eyes softened and then just as quickly as she saw desire in them they turned angry, fierce.

“What the?  Can’t you watch where you are going?” He snapped at her.

She answered him, “Sorry sir.”

She quickly walked away.

It had been so long since he had had an encounter with her.  His hands felt all warm and tingly just from the touch of her skin.  Her jasmine scent lingered as she ran away, arousing something deep inside.  His eyes followed her as she ran into her cubbie catching a glimpse of her long cinnamon colored hair cascading down her back.

Arnav became frustrated.

Again his infamous words slipped from his mouth, “What the?”

Anjali was watching his reaction from her office and smiled.  Her brother was bothered by her assistant, one Khushi Kumari Gupta…

“Perhaps,” she thought…

“Chotey?”

ASR was brought back to reality.

“Um, yes, Anjali, do you have those estimates on the Singh deal?”

Anjali smiled knowing that Kushi dazzled her brother.  Now she would have to make a plan and talk with Aman about bringing these two together.

***

Khushi was scattered, never had she thought a fall into his arms could affect her like it did.  Her thoughts were confused and she was not only breathless but also frustrated.  What was it about this man that did this to her?  Whenever he was around she felt as if she was back in grade school.  Yes, they could and did have intelligent conversations but when he looked into her eyes she would always feel butterflies churn in the pit of her stomach.  ‘This is ridiculous,’ Khushi thought.  She delved into the pile of folders on her desk and figured work would be the best way to get this man out of her thoughts.

Anjali sashayed into Aman’s office and closed the door behind her, as she loudly demanded that she must speak with him in private and ‘how could he treat Mr. Singh that way!’

He smiled from behind the desk

“Good one,” he smirked.  “I love it when you punish me.”

“Aman, stop that,” Anjali blushed, “we have a project to do together.”

He answered her with a wink, “Oh, yes we do!”

She smacked his shoulder hard and smiled.  “Aman, I want to plan a rendezvous for Arnav and Khushi.  I feel like there is something between them and they just won’t jump on it.”

He got up from his chair and came around the desk and pulled her close to him and said,  “First we have something to discuss amongst ourselves,” and kissed her hard on the lips.  Her arms caressed his neck and she leaned into their kiss demanding just as much as he was.

Anjali sighed…she was happy.

“Don’t distract me, really this is serious.  These two are stubborn.  Help me!”  She pleaded with those bruised lips from his kiss.

Aman smiled they would have to come up with something for he wanted to spend his time with Anjali romancing not conjuring up schemes.

***

Swish,

swish,

swish,

swish,

the tennis ball swiftly darted back and forth.  ASR hit the last shot with all his energy and Lavanya missed the ball swinging.  It was the end of the game and of course Arnav Singh Raizada had won again.  He took the white terry towel from around his neck and wiped his sweating brow, his tan skin glistening from his work out. His brown tanned skin and his long dark hair against his white outfit made him look rather like a model posing for athletic wear.  Lavanya came over whining,

“That’s not fair Arnie, you should have let me win atleast one game!”

He took a deep breath and blew it out.

“Lavanya, cut it.”

She clamped her mouth shut, she knew him by now that when he played the game like he did today something was bothering him.  They went and sat in the café at the country club and as they sipped their beverages, Arnav noticed Khushi carrying a large package across the room.  She strained to hold the bolt of fabric wrapped in the package and just before she arrived at her destination she tripped.  Arnav bolted out of his chair and caught both her and the package before they hit the ground.

“Khushi, be careful.” He said rather softly and then gruffly added, “You are such a clutz.”

She gathered her wits about her and thanked him, placed the package on the table and turned to grab the other packages.  He asked her, “Do you need some help?”

Her eyes grew wide and she wondered why he was being so kind to her.  She answered, “That would be great, follow me.”

Lavanya saw the conversation between Arnav and Khushi but it wasn’t the words she found strange but their body language.  The couple seemed to fit into each other’s space and there was a slight blush on each other’s cheeks.  Even ASR was a bit flushed.

“Oh, God!”  Lavanya said in exasperation and she finished the last of her martini and left the café in a huff.  She knew the signs and signals of attraction and three’s a crowd; she wanted nothing to do with this situation, it could only end badly for her.  She wondered if ASR knew what he was getting himself in to and then thought to herself what does she care anyway?

She left the café and ran into a colleague outside the country club.  Taking hold of his arm she said to him, “Anil, how are you, daaaarling, how would you like to show me a night on the town?”  Moments later ASR was out of her thoughts and Anil was in.

C’est la vie!

***

Arnav grabbed the five other packages that Khushi had brought to decorate the country club for an engagement party they were having that evening.

“Thank you, Sir for your help.  I am not sure where everyone is.  They were suppose to be here.  Anjali and Aman said they were coming to help.”

Just then her phone rang and it was Anjali who said they were running late so she should start the set up and they would join her in a little while.

Arnav said, “Khushi let me shower and change and then I can help you.  I don’t have any meetings on my calendar today.”  He went to the showers, freshened up and came back feeling invigorated to help Khushi.

His feelings surprised him, it had been months since he had any real contact with her and here he was excited that he was going to help assist her in the setting up of the event.  He must have a fever, he thought, why was he being so nice to her and why in the world would he want to help her out anyhow?  With all the questions revolving in his mind, his feet still followed straight to the path of Khushi.   They worked together diligently and cooperatively, to a perfect rhythm; what one would start the other completed, in total unison.

Khushi’s phone rang again, it was Anjali.

“Kya?... Canceled? …Kya?.... Really?”

She hung up and looked at Arnav.

“They canceled the event.  After all this work, I am sorry, sir.”

“Khushi, no problem, I didn’t have much to do today anyway.  Akash and Aman are taking care of things in the office.  I was taking some time off.  I guess we should clean up.”

The two of them continued to work in unison and when the last drapes were down they sat down in the chairs exhausted.  They hadn’t realized how much work the two of them actually did.  Arnav ordered them some refreshments.  Khushi drank the liquid down in one gulp not realizing how thirsty she was.  She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and looking up saw that Arnav was intently watching her.  She blushed and wiped her hand on her dupatta.

“Sorry, I was just so thirsty.”

He laughed and the beauty of the sound of his laughter overcame her and his smile gleamed white, he actually looked less fearsome and quite handsome, she thought.

They continued to sit there for a few moments with no words being exchanged and then suddenly they started conversing and they just didn’t stop.  They explored each other’s pasts and found many things in common such as their hometowns and that they both were orphans due to tragic accidents their parents were no more but the sadness didn’t stop the conversation.  Khushi continued to share her belief of her parents becoming stars in the sky always guiding her and that idea interested Arnav.  He liked that idea instead of believing they were gone forever and that shocked him but somehow made his heart feel at ease.  She made him feel at ease.  There was something about Miss Gupta that kept him intrigued; maybe it was her simplicity and nonchalant attitude.  Everything she did, she did with a smile and exuberance, which seemed to be contagious.  He liked being in her presence.  He caught himself smiling.  What the? He thought.  He closed his smiling mouth and tried to recover with just a smirk as he continued to listen to her melodious chatter.

Hours had flown by and before they knew it they spent the entire afternoon in conversation.

Arnav cleared his throat and asked Khushi, “Miss Gupta, would you like to join me for dinner?”  Khushi blushed, “ Um, I would have to call home…let Buaji know.”

He handed her his phone.

Chapter 7

Khushi closed her bedroom door and slumped against it, she let out a big sigh.  She couldn’t believe the evening, no, the day she spent with Arnav Singh Raizada.  It was wonderful!  She blushed as she remembered every detail of his handsome face, those lips, his lopsided smirk just tilting slightly up to the left and his chocolate brown eyes made her feel warm and melt inside.  A rush of warmth spread over her body as she thought of him.  Butterflies tickled her stomach and she became breathless. 

This is what ASR did to her. 

She ran over to her best friend DM and started asking, “Why does he make me feel this way?  What does this all mean?  Why was he being so nice?  I have never seen him this way,”

…. but she didn’t get an answer.  She would have to figure this out by herself.

After she changed into her pajamas she went out and sat under the night sky.  She looked up to see the full moon in all its glory slightly tinged the shade of honey, it was Friday the 13^th of June, a special moon was out.  As she gazed at the honey tinged moon, she blushed as she thought about Arnav and the day.  Talking to the stars she asked,
“Amma, Babaji, did you see him? I thought he wasn’t a nice man but I was wrong.  He makes me feel all warm inside. Amma, what does that mean?  Please give me a sign, let me know if you too think he is good.” 

As she continued her conversation with her parents right before her eyes came a shooting star.  As it flew across the dark sky, Khushi jumped for joy.  Was this a sign from her parents that they liked him too?

 She closed her eyes tightly and made a wish.

***

Arnav came into the house whistling.  Anjali snickered as she sat in the living room having her evening chai with Naniji; Aman and her plans seemed to pay off she thought.  She wanted Chote to spend time with Khushiji and this was the only way she knew he would do it.  So she sent Khushi to a imaginary event knowing Arnav was at the club playing tennis and then she called Khushi saying the event was canceled.  Fate was with her when Lavanya and Arnav were at the café as Khushi came in.  She would have to do a pooja in thanksgiving for DM help.

“Chote, you seem happy.  Where have you been?”

Startled Arnav stammered, “Um.. Di what the?  What are you doing?” 

He answered trying to change the subject.

“I am tired. I am going to bed.” 

And he quickly took the steps two at a time whistling all the way up to his room.

Anjali snickered and turned to tell the story to Naniji.  Naniji was so happy knowing that Khushi was the woman that Anjali spoke about.

“What a nice girl,” she said.

There were now three in the club to bring Arnav and Khushi together.

Arnav closed the door behind him, went to the washroom to change into his sweats and after a relaxing shower retired to the poolside.

He lay on the recliner looking up to the honey tinged moon and the stars in the sky and smiled.  He didn’t feel alone he actually felt his parents were there with him.

For once in his life his chest and body didn’t feel tense on pins and needles, muscles taut, he actually felt relaxed, relieved…happy?

This feeling of elation was an unusual emotion for him.  What was it?  Every time he remembered his conversations with Khushi and her smile and exuberance, he too smiled.  He was pulled in to Khushi’s fantasy.  Were their parents really looking down upon them?  He decided to let everything go, all his pent up anxiety, hurt, pain and disbelief and decided to try to speak with his parents.  He couldn’t speak the words out loud so he looked up into the night sky and thought about his parents.  ‘Hi’ he thought.  ‘What the?’  “What the hell am I doing?” he said out loud.

And just then a shooting star crossed the sky.

Arnav Singh Raizada was DUMBSTRUCK.

He couldn’t believe his eyes.

Did his parents just answer him?

Maybe Kushi Kumari Gupta had something.

Maybe he too can have it as well, maybe he wasn’t alone and maybe they were with him all the time.  He smiled and felt warmth spread throughout his body.  He fell asleep under the stars, a smile on his face and Khushi on his mind.

Arnav Singh Raizada was happy.

***

He had never seen a woman eat so much food before.  He smiled as he watched Khushi gobble down her dinner.  It actually was a relief to see her eating like this because as of recent, the women he dated ate like birds.  They were always watching their figure and to tell the truth he was a little annoyed with the fashion industry and how much pressure it puts on the models to stay slim.  He was relieved as he himself relished the food and the conversation in between bites.  Khushi Kumari Gupta turned out to be an interesting partner for a dinner date.

Khushi was so hungry and the food was so delicious that she ate ferociously until she remembered she wasn’t alone.  She looked up into a pool of chocolate, his eyes, as he sat across from her with a lopsided smirk on his face.  Arnav was watching her and not just casually but intently.  She blushed, embarrassed at the thought that she was eating the food like she hadn’t eaten for days.  She swallowed her food and wiped her mouth on her dupatta.

“Sorry,” she whispered.

He asked, “Why?  You were amazing.  I am sick and tired of seeing women eating nothing.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching you eat Khushi.  There is nothing to say sorry for.”

She smiled.  Their night continued with more conversation.  They were surprised to find out that there paths crossed many times in their lives.  They went to the same elementary school although he attended years before her and even shared the same favorite teacher in 3^rd standard, Mrs. Paro Rudra Ranawat.  They loved the same cricket player, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and spoke about the team’s upcoming tour of England.  He was surprised that Khushi liked sports.  The evening’s revelations were pleasant for both of them.  Never once did a negative thought creep into either of their minds.  They ended the evening with dessert, her favorite of course, Jalebi.  Arnav refused because of his diabetes but encouraged her to order a plate and then he smiled as he watched her licking her fingers every time after eating the delicious sunny colored coil.  Arnav Singh Raizada felt a tightening in his chest and a warming sensation as he watched her.  His loins stirred and this shocked him.  He started to cough and reached for a glass of water as Khushi handed him the glass.  Their eyes met, fingers overlapped as he reached for the glass and a blush of crimson flushed Khushi’s cheeks.  This small touch of their fingers felt like a surge of electricity and both of them let go of the glass.  The water spilled over the table but neither paid attention to it for they were carried another universe.  Everything around them disappeared and a soft mist billowed around them and was that music they heard?

The waiter interrupted, “Sir, Madam, is everything all right?”

He started clearing the table and wiping up the water.

A clearly embarrassed couple rose from the table and Arnav answered,

“Everything is just fine.  Thanks.”

He grabbed Khushi by the hand and they walked outside.

Khushi’s hand felt like it was on fire.  She quickly pulled her hand away.  He again smiled at her and shook his head.  He opened her car door and said,

“Get in, I’ll take you home.”

***

Khushi opened her eyes; she just made a wish on the shooting star.  It was such a wonderful evening!  She hugged her knees; the smile on her face wasn’t disappearing.  She really enjoyed her evening with ‘Sir’ and this surprised her.  She had butterflies in her stomach just thinking about him.

***

Wasn’t he supposed to do something when you see a shooting star?  Didn’t Anjali cover his eyes and make him do something?  Oh yes, make a wish.  He laughed to himself, why in heavens name would such a thought come to his mind? But he closed his eyes and Arnav Singh Raizada did something he had never done in his life before.  He made a wish.

Chapter 8

The next day both Arnav and Khushi woke up with smiles on their faces causing suspicion from their families.  They both ate their breakfast as fast as they could, wanting to get to work early.  Arnav’s thoughts kept straying to Khushi.

He was shocked by the feelings she stirred in him, feelings he thought were long dead.  He felt lighter, gone was the sensation of heavy burdens his heart was holding.  He felt as light as a bundle of feathers. 

‘So this is what happy feels like’, he thought to himself.

***

Khushi made it to the office first.  She was nervous.  She was sitting at her desk talking to DM, her heart beating a kilometer a minute.  She felt like her chest was going to burst.  Her thoughts of Arnav possibly ignoring her and worrying whether he would acknowledge her today or were things going to go back to the way they were, constantly weighed her mind. She asked herself, “I wonder what today will bring?  Will Sir speak to me?  Will he remember yesterday?”

Just then the doors of AR Designs swung open with a force that could be felt throughout the workplace.  Khushi yelped and jumped out of her chair.

In walked Arnav Singh Raizada, with a strut of a proud peacock and a slight lopsided grin on his face.

Khushi quickly sat back down on her chair and quickly returned to work.  Her heart was palpitating and her face flushed.

“Good Morning, Miss Gupta!” 

Arnav rang out as he passed her office.  Khushi quickly looked up and he winked at her as he entered his office.

Khushi’s heart fluttered and she smiled broadly.  She decided that she would do something nice for Arnav and went to the café and made him a cup of his favorite Morning beverage, a steaming cup of black coffee.

Khushi knocked on his cabin door and asked if she could enter.  He said,

“Come in, Miss Gupta and how are you today.”

“F..f..fine, thank you? I made you coffee.” She timidly answered.

Arnav looked up from his desk and took the cup,

“Uh..thanks, Khushi…uh....Miss Gupta.”

“Khushi is fine.”  She blushed and they both smiled at each other.

He said, “Have a seat, I want to talk to you about this project I would like you to collaborate on with me.”

Arnav told Khushi about this wonderful upcoming project and felt she was ready to take a managerial role.  He wanted a runway show, one of which the fashion world has never seen.  He wanted her to work with Anjali to make sure the runway was decorated using an innovative theme.

“I know you can do this Khushi,” he said.

Khushi was nervous but very excited and felt proud that he had faith in her.  They had come a long way just through a day of conversation.  She wouldn’t let him down.

***

Anjali and Aman were having lunch together and discussing Arnav and Khushi.  Anjali said to Aman, “Do you see our plan worked?  He is so happy!  All day he has been whistling and I haven’t heard him yell at anyone today at all!  Khushi is the one for him!  So how do we get him to propose?”

Aman said, “Whoaaa…Anjali, propose?”

 “Ha, yes why not?” was her response.

***

Naniji was on the phone with Anjali and asked her to ask Khushi to come home for dinner. Naniji had plans she wanted Anjali to follow and the pair were spinning their wheels to get the Jodi wed.

***

Before Arnav knew it the day’s work had finished and he was ready to go home.  He looked around wondering where Khushi was.  He thought he might give her a ride home.  But she was nowhere to be found in fact Anjali and Aman were already gone for the day too.  Arnav was disappointed he wanted to see her again, talk with her again, spend time with her again.  He left a little forlorned and drove home.  He was starving.  His appetite seemed to increase when he was happy. 

“Happy, what the?”  He murmured.

***

While driving home Arnav couldn’t get Khushi off his mind.  Images of Khushi in a red sari, tangled in fairy lights, playing hide and seek in his office, falling into his arms, flashed through his mind.  As he passed the mandir he even imagined them eloping. 

“What the????”

His car came to a screeching halt. 

What in the world was he thinking? Marriage? 

“What the?”

He then thought of all the places he wanted to take her on a honeymoon.  ‘Honeymoon, hmmmmm.’

“WHAT THE?????” He shouted.

“I am going crazy.  What has this woman done to me?” 

 He shook his head and with a lopsided smirk said to himself that he was becoming as crazy as that pagal girl named, Khushi and he drove home.

***

He walked into Raizada mansion still in shock of his wandering thoughts; he was smiling…again.  What the?  He said that AGAIN! 

‘Why can’t I get her out of my thoughts?’

He heard some laughter, a familiar voice that was soothing to his ears, he turned to see Khushi sitting and laughing with his family at the dinner table.

Something felt right about the sight of Khushi with his family.

Something felt right, he felt content and happy!

As he walked over to the dining table he thought,

‘Khushi Kumari Gupta , I will make you mine!’

Chapter 8 (continued)

The family was sitting around the table and there in the midst was Khushi all smiles. They stopped laughing when they saw Arnav.  Naniji said,
“Chote, you are finally home!  Come sit here next to Khushi.” 

He came around the table, placed his suit jacket on the chair behind him and sat down, giving Khushi a lopsided grin.

“What’s the occasion?  Is it a holiday that Miss Gupta has been invited?”  He asked and winked at her.

She looked at him in shock and her mouth formed a perfect O and she was ready to yell at him when Anjali said,

“No Chote, just an informal dinner and I wanted to chat with Khushi about the project over dinner.” 

So they had a nice dinner and the conversation was light and much laughter and happiness was had by all.  When dinner was over Arnav turned to Khushi and grabbed her hand saying,

“Miss Gupta I want to show you something that may help you on this project,” and pulled her across the living room and up the stairs to his room with Anjali and Naniji snickering in the background.

Once in his room he closed his door.

Khushi looked at the door wide eyed.

 “Arnavji, um Sir, what are you doing?  Why are you closing the door?”

He slowly turned around, desire in his chocolate puppy dog eyes and started towards her and she took steps backward until she could go no further and Arnav was a breath away.  Her heart was racing, her blood rushing she could hear her heartbeat through her ears and she was breathless.  He made her this way.  He paced his hand against the wall just above her right shoulder and the other sweeped around her waist and pulled her to him… their bodies touching.

“Ar..S…Si..Sir?”

His mouth came crushing down on hers and he heard her squeak and then moan.

Her body went limp and his hard as steel.

Khushi’s tentative lips and tongue were coaxed by demanding Arnav and before long a bliss came over them that neither ever experienced.  Her arms wrapped around his neck and their kiss deepened.

A knock on the door interrupted them.  Anjali’s voice came from behind the door,

“Chote, don’t you want me to be in there too to “discuss” the project.”  She snickered.

They quickly separated.  Khushi’s hand went to her swollen, bruised lips and Arnav adjusted himself. 
“Uh, no Di,” he yelled back, “I can just talk with Khushi, she will fill you in later.”

Still giggling Anjali answered,

“Oh, okay Chote.  I will talk to Khushi later.  Carry on!”

A deep sigh of relief escaped from the embarrassed Khushi lips but before she could even take her next breath Arnav had her in his arms again.

He was kissing her silly.

***

Chapter 9

The next day at the office Khushi was all smiles again and so was Arnav.  Khushi and Anjali worked diligently all day in Anjali’s office preparing for the upcoming runway show.  The theme would be black and white with a splash of red, red for passion and Arnav’s favorite color.

Arnav was becoming frustrated he hdn’t seen Khushi all day since they were locked up in Anjali’s office with the door closed.  Anjali had warned him that she wanted him to be surprised.  As much as he argued with her that morning telling her he didn’t like surprises and he was the CEO of this company etc. etc., he hadn’t convinced her to share any information or get into her office.  He wanted to see Khushi, he needed to feel her lips on his.

He slid his long fingers through his hair in frustration pulling on the ends.  Why was he feeling this way?  What happened to him?  He didn’t believe in love or marriage but now it was all he could think about.  He wanted her not just as a girlfriend but as his wife.  He wanted to lay every night with her in his bed and wake up every morning with her sprawled on his chest.  He wanted to make love to her every moment of his day and night.  He didn’t care if he ever slept again.

 to be continued