Part 16 Trip to Bengaluru

After picking Arnav up, the car reached GH. Arnav got down and went inside. Shashi smiled at him and they shook hands formally.

*Take care of Khushi* Shashi said thoughtfully.

*Sure sir* Arnav said, remembering their yesterday's talks about Khushi.

Arnav saw Khushi having two medium size bags. Before Khushi lifted the bags, Arnav lifted them. He didn't know why she carried this much luggage on the trip which was for only two days. He loaded the bags in the car dickey and sat in the front seat, beside the driver. The car travelled to the Airport to drop them off.

The car reached the Airport after one hour of the ride. Khushi was awed, seeing only one bag for Arnav. Arnav tried to take all the three bags. Khushi stopped him and took one of her bags. After finishing all the formalities, they headed to the flight. Arnav and Khushi occupied their respective business class seats. Within a few minutes, the flight took off.

*Then?* Khushi asked Arnav.

*Then...?*

*What's the plan?*

*What are you talking about?*

*Arnav, do you want anything to be described in detail? I don't how you are leading a team successfully...* she chuckled teasingly.

She started teasing him intentionally. So that he will also do that in return. It will help them to get close to each other and Arnav may share his personal issues including his health condition.

*Without knowing anything clearly, we should not talk ma'am... It will keep us safe from unwanted problems* Arnav smiled.

*You mean, you will get into the problem if you answer me?* She asked with a serious pout.

Arnav didn't know in what sense she was asking.

*Especially with you... after all, you are the Boss...* he managed.

*Oh... do you think, I'm talking to you in the manner of a Boss?*

Arnav got struck. Was he talking casually with the BOSS Khushi? Nope... Didn't he know how the Boss Khushi was...?

Khushi nagged him as she didn't get a reply.

*Certainly not. Don't I know the BOSS?* he pulled her leg.

*Then...?* Khushi chuckled.

*Ok... I will answer you without thinking...* He said joining his hands and Khushi laughed.

*I never thought I will be laughing with a man who got scolded by me the other day...*

*Yeah... I can't believe that I'm accompanying the same woman who scolded me once...*

As Arnav didn't expect, she pinched his hand. Arnav hissed.

*I'm sure, now you would believe...*

*No doubt...* Arnav said, rubbing the place where Khushi pinched.

*That's it...* Khushi chuckled.

*If you don't mind, can I ask you something?*

*I don't mind...*

*Why were you so rigid with the employees at the beginning?*

Khushi pressed her lips together.

*I was like that... I never had a friend... I don't like talking with people... I don't think anyone is concerned with others... all are selfish...*

Arnav understood whom she was talking about... Shashi Gupta... the biggest impact of her life. Arnav so wanted to ask her 'how she liked him?'

*Do you think I'm not selfish?*

*I don't think anything... I liked when you helped me even though we were not on good terms...*

Her answer satisfied Arnav. He nodded yes.

*You may change your opinion about me if I say the truth...*

*What's that?* Khushi frowned at him.

*I helped not for you but Shashi Sir... I have huge respect for him...*

Khushi nodded raising her brows.

*You are right. I have changed my opinion...*

Arnav gazed at her.

*You are so better than I thought. Your respect for my father is proof. No one would have questioned you even though you didn't help me... right?*

Arnav smiled softly.

*By the way, what's your father?*

*Bank manager...*

*Oh... that's why you resigned from the job so easily...? * she asked sarcastically.

Arnav chuckled, nodding yes.

*There is no pressure on me from my parents...*

*Are you the only child?*

Arnav nodded yes.

*oh... go... your next generation will not have siblings...* she said, chuckling.

Arnav laughed.

*Yes... I too feel loneliness often...* He said.

*I felt it badly...*

Arnav looked at her with concern.

*That's why you went abroad?*

Khushi nodded NO and gulped.

*I left India after my mother's demise...*

Arnav didn't expect she would open up her personal matter to him.

*The woman in our home is not my mother. She is my father's wife... My Mom died of Cancer...*

She observed Arnav's expression when she uttered the word *Cancer*. Arnav's facial expression was gloomy as he knew her story already but Khushi thought he feels sad for himself.

*I was fourteen years old at that time. I had seen my mother's bonding with my father. He loved my mother a lot. I can't believe he could replace her easily...* she sounded painful.

*He might have thought of helping you...*

*Who asked?* She sneered forgetting that they were on the flight.

*Did I ask him? He didn't even consider my feelings...* she gulped the lump which was blocking her throat.

*Did you ever talk to Garima madam?*

*Why should I?*

*She may like you...*

*I don't care; who she is... what she is... she is the unwanted guest of my family... I don't like her...* she said breaking the shell.

Arnav didn't ask anything more about Garima as she became emotional and also angry. But he wanted to light her mood.

*I don't know how you went to Swiss for years... you know what happened in my home when I got ready for Bengaluru?*

Khushi looked at him and said nothing.

*My mother started giving me advice... don't take bath in the cold water... don't eat street-side food... don't roam here and there... don't forget to wear a sweater... Thank God, she didn't say, clutch your Boss's hand and don't leave it ever... just like she said when I went for the school excursion in my childhood...*

Khushi laughed out louder hearing that.

*I want to take you to my home and tell my mother, see our Boss who roams around the world all alone...*

*Sure... but, it's not as interesting as roaming with a companion... I had no choice other than roaming alone... which I don't like ever...*

Arnav felt bad for her.

*Will you come to a mere employee's home?* he changed the topic.

*Will you take an arrogant Boss to your home?*

*Arrogant Boss? About whom are you talking?* he frowned.

*You are a good actor you know?* Khushi smiled.

Arnav nodded NO.

The air hostess dragged their attention, announcing that they reached Bengaluru. And she requested the passengers to secure themselves with seatbelts.

Arnav and Khushi got ready to Land at Kempegowda International Airport of Bengaluru.

To be continued...