Part 18 

In the meanwhile RM

Laya came searching for Anjali... her target. Anjali was in Nani's room, chitchatting. She stopped and overheard their talks.

"No Nani... I won't"

"Arrey... it seems it will break anytime."

"Yeah, I'm doing all the work, wearing this ring. That's why it waned"

"It's obvious Anjali bitiya. That's why I say change it"

"It's not only my wedding ring but also a sentiment ring Nani. I can't change it."

"Your wish" Nani sighed.

"I have decided to do Pooja for Chotte"

"Pooja? Why suddenly?"

"He looked very upset yesterday, Nani. For the very first time, I saw him so helpless. He was distressed. Chotte faces everything bravely. I don't know why he looked washed-up"

"But... Chotte usually doesn't care about business deals..." She said thoughtfully.

"That's why it makes me bothered"

"Ok if you would like to do pooja than we will surely do it"

Anjali nodded ok in relief.

Laya silently left the place as she something clicked in her mind to make Anjali feel good about her.

AR

Khushi frowned at Arnav who didn't stop the car at the entrance of AR. She thought he will stop the car to drop her and then he will park the car in the lot. But Arnav directly went to the lot and stopped the car. But she couldn't question him. After all, he is the BOSS. They got down from the car and walked together. Though it embarrassed Khushi she became cheerful when Neha saw them furiously.

Adding to it, Arnav maintained the same speed of Khushi while walking who always enters the office like a storm which made her stomach more burn. This time, fate also joined hands to pour oil in Neha's burning stomach. The carpet which is in the entrance tripped Khushi's feet and she stumbled. In no time, Arnav's concerned arms surrounded her protectively. And Khushi clutched his coat to get a grip.

Arnav's eyes got fixed on her face. He was holding her thin, petite figure tightly forgetting their surroundings. He got his sense only when she pushed him pressing his chest to come out of his clutch. Arnav released her from his clutch.

"I'm sorry, Sir. My leg tripped" She stammered looking down... breathing hard... gulping down.

This is the first time; Ms. Gupta is speaking without looking at him. Doesn't she speak looking at eyes gut fully? A rare smile bloomed on Arnav's face unknowingly.

Another face also had a smile seeing him smiling. Who else it could be other than Aman? It's a treat to see Arnav's smile and that smile appeared for a girl for the first time. Aman has never seen him smiling at a girl. Khushi hurried to her cubicle. Arnav also left to his cabin smilingly. That smile made Neha tear the paper into pieces which is in her hand.

Arnav was not sure about his feeling but Aman and Neha were damn sure about it. Because they knew his gestures more than anyone. Aman was with him since their college days. He knew very well Arnav didn't give damn to any girl. And Neha...she knew how he treats his staff.

Aman went to Khushi's cubicle.

"Hi Khushi"

"Hi"

"How was your conference experience?"

"Awesome"

"Really?"

"Yeah... Krish also was there" she said cheerfully.

"Krish?"

"Krish Sinha"

"Ohh...yeah... he is starting a new fashion house..."

"Yeah..."

"Do you know him?"

"Of course, he is Rajesh Sinha Sir's son"

"But he is not interested in his father's business...?"

"Yeah..."

"Then how do you know him? Would he come to Sinha's office?"

"Often..."

"Oh, now I got it. Then... anything interesting?"

"I got to know one thing."

"What?"

"Mr. Raizada has a demand between women it seems," she said nodding her head as if she found a secret.

"Demand? What are you talking about?" Aman asked not showing his curiosity even though he guessed what she is talking about.

"A woman called him ARNIE"

"Who is she?"

"Mrs. Bhatia"

"Ohh... she?"

"Do you know her?"

"Everyone knows," she said sarcastically.

Khushi looked at him bafflingly.

"She is the second wife of Mr. Bhatia. That old man married to her after his first wife's demise as his son settled down in Singapore. She roams with anyone she likes. Do you know how respectful man Mr. Bhatia is?"

Khushi's eyes popped out. She bit her nail.

"She has been trying for our ARNIE for long. But our hero is not an ordinary fish but a blue whale" he said proudly.

"He respects Mr. Bhatia I suppose"

"ASR respects himself. He is not a man who uses chances. He has values Khushi..."

Khushi nodded yes.

"What about you? You are continuing yours teasing session towards Neha it seems?" Aman intentionally asked her even though he knew she didn't do it intentionally.

"Do you think I knowingly fell on Mr. Raizada?"

"You didn't fell on him intentionally but he saved you AGAIN intentionally"

He intentionally said "AGAIN". Khushi was silent.

"Tell me, Khushi, when you got trapped in the building, being a diabetic, didn't you feel dizzy not eating anything?"

"I felt... I almost fainted"

"Really? That means ASR picked you out?"

Khushi knew Arnav picked her from the building. Garima told her that "she got panicked when she saw her in Arnav's arms".

She nodded YES.

"Thank God, ASR reached there on time and PICKED YOU from the dangerous building."

Aman saw nervousness in Khushi's eyes. He knew Khushi is maintaining distance from Arnav because of his previous behavior. But he was sure Arnav is repenting to it and Arnav already started liking Khushi. Arnav's soft gestures towards her and his jealousy are evidence of it. Being a good friend it's his responsibility to erase the distance between them.

While Aman thinking about erasing their distance Neha was planning something else. She was burning in jealous. She couldn't tolerate Arnav's concern for Khushi...especially his smile. She wanted to do something BIG to destroy Khushi's image in AR and she badly wanted to make Arnav hate her completely.

To be continued...

Next update available on Inkitt

The Ring

Next day (Sunday)

Anjali was crying non-stop not finding her wedding ring. She was a sentimental woman, after all. Everyone is searching for the ring in every corner of Anjali's room.

"Where did you keep it Anjali bitiya?" Nani asked her worriedly.

"I kept it on the dressing table with other jewels Nani. I didn't find it on the table when I came taking bath"

She cried.