Part 23 Daring Declaration

In the meanwhile,

Shashi called Khushi. Khushi didn't attend the call as she was in RM. She left her mobile in the car when she went inside the house. Shashi dialled the GI office landline number and it was also not attended by Khushi as she was not in the office.

Shashi again called Shyam. He attended the call immediately.

*Yes, Sir...*

*Where is Khushi?*

*She had left the office with Arnav even before I called you sir...*

*Oh...*

*This is what I told you sir...* he again ignited.

*Ok...* Shashi disconnected the call.

It was been an hour since Shyam called him. Khushi doesn't come home yet. He waited for Khushi. After half an hour, Khushi came home. She smiled at him.

*Hello Beta... how was the trip?*

*It was awesome... I enjoyed it well*

*Enjoyed...? Did you go for the professional trip or a picnic?* he asked sarcastically.

*It might be anything... it is all about how I experienced it...*

Shashi nodded yes thoughtfully. Khushi went to her room. Shashi sat on the couch. He wanted to ask Khushi about the matter. But what if she insulted him? She will definitely do that. She didn't like him interfering in her personal matters. She won't mind removing any hindrance that came in her way if she liked something. This problem had to be handled in another way.

He went to her room and wondered, seeing the door was not been closed. Khushi never left the door open when she was in the room. This was a new habit. He slowly peeped in. The scene he saw made him surprised. Khushi was sitting on the bed and smiling, looking at the ceiling. He stepped back not making a noise.

He could not believe it when Shyam told him that Khushi ordered the girls to stay away from Arnav. But, now, seeing Khushi's naive behaviour, he was sure that Shyam was not exaggerating. He decided what to do.

The next day

Khushi came downstairs, getting ready to go to the office.

*Khushi...* Shashi called him and Khushi stopped.

*Yes, Dad...?*

*What I heard is true?* He came straight to the point.

Khushi's expression changed instantly.

*What did you hear?*

*I'm hearing many things about you...*

She folded her hands with attitude.

*Ok... So?* there was nothing called fear on her face.

*You are a clever girl... you no need to be advised....*

*I'm getting late... bye...*

*Khushi...wait...* he said.

Khushi looked at him.

*I know very well what I'm doing... you know need to worry about it...*

Cutting her,

*How couldn't I be worried...?* he asked worriedly.

Cutting him,

*Just like you did when you got married for the second time without worrying about me...* she sneered.

*Khushi, I agree I should not have gotten married without knowing your stance on the matter...*

*It's too late to even argue about it, Dad. It's over... I think we should stop here itself. Then only you can maintain a little respect you are getting from me...*

Shashi gulped down.

*And...I don't know what you heard about me. You know very well that I have the guts to declare whatever I'm doing. Yes... I love Arnav. I will get married only if Arnav accepts my proposal...*

She was about to leave, she stopped thinking something.

*Arnav will accept my proposal and I will make him accept my proposal...*

She left Gupta house not extending the conversation, leaving his father in a complete shock by her direct and honest hit.

GI Office

Arnav was checking a file of their next project. It was created by Arnav himself. He gave the hard copy of the file to Aman and asked him to make it into a file. He saw a mistake in that. When Aman gave him the file, he said the file got typed by Kajal. Arnav came searching for Kajal. He saw her working in her cubicle. He came to her.

*Kajal...* he called her extending the file.

Kajal jumped from the chair and stood.

*Whaaaat?* Arnav asked.

*Whatever it is... please just leave the place...Arn...sorry sorry... Sir...* she stammered.

*What the kkkk*

*Please go...please...*

Seeing Arnav standing awfully, she left the cubicle hurriedly. Khushi, who just entered the office, saw her rushing out. Kajal stopped, putting a break to her legs before she bangs on Khushi.

*Ma'am... I didn't talk to Arnav Sir, Ma'am...* Kajal blabbered.

*Whaaaat!*

*I mean, good morning Ma'am...* Kajal again rushed in.

*Hey, you...* Khushi called her.

Kajal again stopped, putting a break to her legs.

*Yes, Ma'am*

*Ask Arnav to come to my cabin*

*Yes, Ma'am...* Kajal rushed in.

Khushi went to her cabin smilingly.

*Arnav, Sir... Ma'am is calling you in her cabin* she said.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

*Please go sir... or else, she may think I don't tell you*

Arnav sighed.

*Please Sir...please...*

Cutting her,

*I'm going...* he yelled and left the place, nodding his head left to right.

Arnav came to Khushi's cabin and knocked on the door as usual.

*Get in Arnav* Said Khushi.

Arnav entered in.

*Why did you call me?*

*Relax Arnav... take your seat first*

*That's ok...* Arnav said, standing, avoiding sitting.

Khushi leaned on the seat, folding her hands. Arnav rolled his eyes. Khushi smirked at her expression. Arnav sat in front of her.

*Tell me...* he asked.

*I have spoken to my father about OUR love matter...* she said casually.

Arnav was shocked to the core. He was too worried about Shashi.

*Yes... I have told him everything.*

*This is not done...*

*I did...*

*What will Shashi sir think about me? He respects me...you have ruined it*

*However, he would get to know that one day...*

*Khushi you are not understanding...*

*Really? Ok... you make me understand*

Arnav looked at her.

*I will surely understand your stance if you put a valid point in front of me... except our status difference...*

*Khushi you know nothing about a smooth and steady relationship between your father and me. He is the one who moulded us... because of him, I became what I'm today... how could I betray him? How can I take his generousness into my favour?*

*Are you stanching the position he has in this society? Or will you be abducting his properties?*

*More than that... you are his main property*

*No...I'm not... he has many more important things than me... It's me who had been left all alone... I'm an orphan even after having a man called father...* She said losing her control.

Arnav was silent. He could never argue with the point that Khushi put in front of him because he knew her words were true. He didn't know how to handle the situation. He didn't know what to answer her.

*Give me some time...* He asked her.

*I told you, take your time... but your answer should be YES. Hope you don't make me feel the same as my father did*

Arnav gulped hard. He understood what she meant. Her father made her feel like an orphan. He so wanted not to do that. But...there were many things which were stopping him to do that.

Arnav nodded yes and left her cabin. He came to his cubicle. In no time, he got surrounded by his gala gang. Arnav looked at them like WHAT?

*You said we will talk today... we are ready now... tell me what the matter is...* Aman said.

*Nothing is there to talk about*

*ASR... we are asking just because we want to hear it from you... which we already knew...*

*What do you know?*

*Khushi ma'am had fallen for you...* NK said.

*What about you?*Aman asked.

*Shut up guys... I'm already confused...*

*Don't be... clutch the chance given by fate... you are lucky champ... go ahead, yaar. * NK said.

*Will you please let me do my work?* Arnav said.

*This is not fair, Arnav* Akash said.

*I will definitely let you know if I accept her proposal...*

*That means, did she propose?* Aman asked.

Arnav sighed.

*That's great news... when is the treat?* Aman asked.

*Treat? I have not accepted her proposal yet...*

*It doesn't matter. You got a BIG proposal... Khushi Ma'am's proposal... that's enough for us to get a treat*

*Get back to work, guys...*

*Treat?* the trio demanded.

Arnav nodded yes.

*When?*

*Tomorrow evening...* Arnav said.

*That's my boy...*

They went back to their cubicles. Arnav scratched his forehead sighing.

The next morning

Arnav came from the jogging and got stuck, seeing Shashi in his house. He guessed why he was there. Somehow, he expected that. He knew he had to face Shashi one day but he didn't expect this prior.

To be continued...