Part 15 

In the meanwhile

GH

Garima was feeding food to Khushi. Khushi was eating slowly as she felt so weak. Suddenly, she coughed. Giving her the glass of water, Garima caressed her back. Khushi drank water while touching her chest. She felt a sticky substance on her dress. She touched it and tried to find out what it is. Garima looked at her and she saw a drop of HONEY on her lower neck.

"It's honey," Garima said.

"Did you feed it to me?" Khushi asked.

"No... your office staff should have fed it when you fainted, I suppose," Garima said.

Khushi got stuck for a second. When she fainted, the only person who was with her is none other than her BOSS. Did he feed her the honey? Maybe, after all, he is also a diabetic. She wiped the honey drop with water.

"Take rest," Garima said.

Khushi nodded yes and lied down on the bed, thinking about the horrible day of her life.

Next Morning

Waking up from his sleep, Arnav sat on the bed, rubbing his face. Hearing his mobile ring, he took the mobile. The call was from Mr. Chopra.

"Yeah tell me," Arnav said.

"ASR, the building got collapsed"

Arnav was stuck.

"When did it happen?"

"Last night at 7:30. Someone near the building saw it collapsing"

"Ok..."

"Don't worry ASR. Everyone is safe. All the workers evicted from the building"

Arnav couldn't resist his mind from recalling the scene of rescuing Ms. Gupta.

"I will tell you later what to do..."

"Ok ASR" he disconnected the call.

Anjali is right. His parents saved him from the blame. He was there with Ms. Gupta until 7 pm. The building collapsed at 7:30 pm. Just in half an hour, the chapter of the building got over. He sighed. He could not be without believing her sister's words.

His mind suddenly clouded with Ms. Gupta. How is she? He wanted to know but she won't come to the office today. He himself provided her the leave. Maybe, NK or Aman will call her. He has to wait for one whole day to see her.

How will he face her? She has great respect for him but he behaved rudely with her and made her disappointed. He should not have done so. She already had done many favors for him and AR. But he didn't even thank her nor did he apologize for misunderstanding her. He has to wipe the wrong image of him from her mind. Arnav was distraught. He had hurt a good girl. What about apologizing to her tomorrow? Won't it help him to wipe the bad imagination about him? Arnav Singh Raizada who never apologized for anything thought about telling SORRY for the mistake he had not done.

He doesn't like to go to the office today but he couldn't stay at home. Payal's sister may get his nerves.

Arnav was right. Laya was cooking something to get his nerves.

Anjali smiled with confusion, seeing Laya in the kitchen. She is preparing something.

"Laya... what are you doing here? Hari Prakash will prepare it for you if you want anything"

"Means, am I not a member of this family?" she asked feeling sad.

"No no... I didn't mean it. You are our guest. I just want you to be free"

"I won't cook if you don't like"

"Arrey... you can do anything in this house. Happy?"

"Very much" Laya smiled.

That's when Anjali noticed that she is cooking BROCCOLI.

"Wow... broccoli?"

"Yeah... Actually, I saw Arnav eating boiled broccoli yesterday. Just thought to serve him something better" she smiled.

Anjali looked at her, getting amazed. Is she cooking for Arnav? She folded her lips and left the place thinking something. She was not dumb not to understand a girl's stupid activities. After all, she also loved Shyam before marriage. She became happy as if she had found a very good match for his brother.

Dinning

Anjali was silently observing Laya. Laya kept the broccoli bowl on the table and sat, said nothing. She knew Arnav won't touch if he gets to know that the broccoli is cooked by her. So she kept silent.

Arnav came to the dinning. Anjali kept the broccoli bowl in front of him. Arnav also delighted, as he likes broccoli. Before he thinks of touching it, Manorama said,

"Laya, you cooked the broccoli very well," she said tasting it.

Arnav's hand which extended to take the broccoli bowl extended more and took the water glass.

"Hari Prakash....."

He called.

"Bring me orange juice and toasted bread"

"Chotte, have the broccoli"

"No Di...."

"You like it right?"

"Today, I have no mood of eating it"

"At least, taste it, Chotte"

"Don't you know Di? I like only boiled broccoli. Or else would not I have asked you to cook it for me?"

Anjali looked at Laya who was looking at Arnav with disappointment. Anjali sighed. She knew her Chotte. He won't change his mind if he once decided.

Payal's condition was really miserable. She was dissatisfied with her sister's annoying behavior towards Arnav. But she didn't know her sister is targeting Anjali.

Arnav finished the breakfast with bread and orange juice. Taking the coat, he left RM.

Manorama intentionally finished the broccoli, sharing it with Mama. Laya went to her room fuming because her plan of "serving Arnav his favorite dish" failed. She was in full swing to trap Anjali because she believed that, Arnav won't say NO to Anjali.

Anjali ate slowly making face. Nani and Mami waited until everyone leaves.

"What happened Anjali bitiya? You look dull?" Nani started.

"Didn't you see Nani, how Chotte, disappointed Laya?"

"I didn't see anything as that" Manorama said.

"What do you mean Mami? Laya cooked it for Chotte."

"Who asked her to cook it for him, Anjali bitiya? Did you ask her to cook?"

Anjali nodded NO.

"I'm sure Arnav bituwa also would not have asked her. Then what's there to get disappointed?" Manorama snapped.

"But...."

'What?"

"I think Laya likes Chotte"

"So?"

"Don't you like her Mami?"

"It does not matter if we like her or not. It's Arnav's bituwa's life. What HE (she stressed) likes is what matters"

"But... he has to marry someone, right?"

"But, that someone should be up to his taste"

Anjali was silent.

"Promise me, you won't interfere into Arnav bituwa's marriage matter"

Not only Anjali but also Nani stunned.

"What do you mean Mami? Don't I have the responsibility in Chotte's life?"

"This is not fair Anjali Bitiya. Your marriage is also LOVE marriage, right? Did you listen to us when we tried to change your mind?" Manorama cornered her.

Anjali pouted.

"Likewise, Let Arnav bituwa select his pair. So, promise me"

"I can't understand why you are so firm"

"It's because I don't want you to make a decision, getting emotional. I don't want anyone to influence you easily"

"You mean Laya?"

Without answering, Manorama was looking at her.

"But... she is a good girl Mami"

"If Arnav bituwa likes her than I have no problem. But... please don't do emotional blackmail to get YES from him then we will definitely repent later"

"I promise. Chotte's marriage will happen with the girl who he likes"

"That's it" Manorama smiled.

AR

Arnav stopped at the doorstep of his cabin, holding the doorknob. He saw wetness in the plant-pot. He understood that someone should have watered the plant. And he guessed who it could be.

"Ms. Gupta?" his lips muttered softly.

Didn't he give her one day leave? Still, she came? But why? Is she alright? He headed towards her cabin. He stopped, seeing Aman entering into her cabin.

"How are you Khushi?"

"Fit and fine" she shrugged her shoulder with a smile.

"Thank God, your Dad called NK in the last evening or else... I can't even think what would have happened"

Khushi nodded yes.

"I saw the order wrote by Mr. Raizada on his table. I thought it is for me." She said.

"Many things would have run in your mind about ASR when you got trapped in the building, am I right?"

Khushi nodded yes whereas Arnav gulped.

"But, ASR didn't write it for you, Khushi. Please don't mistake him. That order was for me not for you..."

She did cut him.

"I know Aman"

Aman looked at her amazed. Not only him but also Arnav wanted to know how she knew it.

"Yes... I understood that when I saw him coming for my rescue. I know if he wanted to challenge me then he would not have come to rescue me. When he came putting his life in danger to save me then how would he be wrong?"

Not only Aman but also Arnav stunned. Until now, no one assayed him as she does. Now, Arnav sighed in relief. She didn't misunderstand him as he thought. She is really something no one can predict just like HIM. He got back to his cabin smilingly.

Khushi asked Aman...

"What about coffee?"

"Who says no to your coffee?"

Khushi went to the pantry smilingly and came with two cups of coffee. She handed a cup to him whereas Aman handed her phone.

"How did you get my Phone? I thought I lost it..." she asked excitedly.

"You left it in your cabin, yesterday"

Khushi frowned.

"In my cabin? But I didn't remove the phone from my bag yesterday..."

"I saw it in your cabin when I took a file from your table"

Khushi frowned. How it is possible? She was damn sure she didn't touch the mobile after she reached the office. That's why without checking it she left the office.

That's when Neha entered the office with a smile on her face. No need to say, her smile got vanished, seeing Khushi in front of her and her bad luck Khushi noticed it. Neha's face filled with nervousness and also disappointment which is clearly visible to Khushi. Why her facial expression changed all of a sudden who entered the office with a smile? Khushi thought, looking at Neha contently.

To be continued....

Next chapter available on inkitt

Khushi's approach

Neha came, hesitatingly, thinking that how Khushi is alive. But Khushi couldn't understand why Neha is looking nervous. How could a good girl like Khushi understand filthy Neha? She thought something. Is her mother okay?

"Hi, how is your mother?" Khushi asked her with concern.

"How do you know about her mother?" Aman asked her confusingly.