Part27

Raizadas were looking at Akash and NK, dropping their jaws. They just said Raizadas that Arnav is throwing a party in AR the next day. Usually, Arnav scolds if anyone talks about parties or gatherings. Their Chotte is not at all their Chotte they supposed.

There must be a hidden reason behind this party. Anjali strongly suspected.

"He is celebrating Tiwari's downfall," Akash said happily.

"Yes, Tiwari bribed our staff Neha and both of them got caught," NK said.

"Really?" Anjali asked curiously.

"Yeah... Khushi caught them red-handed"

"Khushi....?"

Everyone uttered her name at the same time.

"Yes" NK raised his collar proudly.

"NK, it's Khushi, who caught Tiwari, not you." Akash teased.

"So what? She is my friend, after all. I will celebrate her victories and will stand for her in hard times."

They saw Arnav entering with a laptop in one hand and his coat in another. The hall became pin-drop silent.

"Is it true, Chotte?" Anjali interrogated.

"What?" he asked without any expression on his face.

"Are you throwing a party?"

He nodded yes still there is no expression on his face.

"Am I not dreaming....? Shyamji... pinch me..." Anjali extended her hands towards Shyam.

Arnav rolled his eyes.

"It's not a simple victory, Di."

"We know Sale Sahib."

"That's why I'm arranging this party"

He tried to go to his room,

"But, Arnow bituwa, Tiwari is not only your business enemy but also related to our family story. Then why are you celebrating the victory ONLY with your staff? Won't you invite us to the party? We are also happy about Tiwari's downfall, Arnow bitiwa...."

Arnav was tongue-tied... Raizadas in AR's party? He left the place said nothing. Raizadas spared a glance with one another sighing. Raizadas expected that Arnav will invite them to the party. But nope. He didn't invite them to the party.

Next day in AR

The whole AR looked like a fashion show stage. All the female staff looked like a model in grand outfit expect ONE... for whom Arnav arranged the party...Khushi. She looked normal with a simple cotton salwar as usual. Arnav was disappointed, seeing her heedlessness.

Khushi started working on the project in which AR bagged. She wanted to discuss about it with Aman. When she came out of her cabin, she banged on Arjun who is Akash's PA.

"I'm sorry Arjun" Khushi apologized.

"That's ok Khushi"

He collected the file from the floor and gave it to Khushi.

"Thank you so much, Khushi"

"Thank you? For?"

"Because of you, I got the job"

"Because of me?"

"Yes, if ASR had not wanted you for himself, I wouldn't have got the job."

"Ohh..." She smiled.

"Actually, I wanted to thank you on the first day itself. But you are always with high-level people."

Khushi raised her eyebrows, getting amazed.

"I really hesitate to talk to you. I thought you won't talk to a mere man like me."

"Not like that"

"Really?"

"Really"

"Friends?" He extended his hand for a shake.

"Yeah, friends"

Khushi shook hands with him.

"Ok, Arjun... I have to go."

She left the place. Arjun was looking at her retiring figure smilingly. His face drained when he turned around. Arnav was standing, spitting fire on him through his eyes.

"Am I paying you to get friends here?"

"No Sir..." Arjun gulped.

"This is office... not a park."

Arjun bowed down.

"Where the hell are you roaming in the working hours?"

"Akash Sir called me..."

"Then do what he said."

"Yes, Sir"

He was supposed to leave the place,

"Listen... if I see you wasting time on unnecessary things in the office, you will be fired without a second thought. Understand?"

"Yes, Sir" he rushed to Akash's cabin.

Why the hell every man is behind Khushi? He was annoyed.

.......

"Hi, Aman" Khushi greeted him.

"I'm upset with you, Khushi." Aman said making face.

"Why? What I did?"

"This is the first party of AR Company. And you are the root cause of the party... look at yourself... how simple you are... All are enjoying the party except you."

"Who said I'm not enjoying? Work while you work...Party while you party... this is my policy."

"I didn't get you."

"Now, I'm on duty. So I'm looking as usual. I will be like a party-bird, in the party"

"Ohh... that's great"

"Actually, I won't be comfortable in saree."

"Are you going to wear saree?"

"Yes..."

"But, this is a fashion house's party, Khushi"

"So what? Why should I wear what everyone wears?"

"Good question..."

"I will wear what I like, not what others like."

"You are so unique Khushi..."

"Thank you"

Evening

Arnav frowned seeing a Black forest cake is kept. He thought Aman will buy a chocolate cake as per Khushi's like. He called Aman.

"Why did you buy a Black forest cake? Didn't you ask Khushi?"

"This is Khushi's choice only ASR"

"But she likes chocolate cake..."

"Really? How do you know?"

"I heard NK talking about it"

"Ohhh.... But she asked me to go with a common flavor because not everyone likes chocolate cake."

Arnav got irritated. He wanted her favorite flavor cake to be cut at the party. This girl is really a tough nut to crack. He supposed.

Arnav got a call from Anjali. He attended it without delay as usual.

"Haan Di..."

"I'm upset with you Chotte"

"Why Di"

"You are partying without me"

"Di, this is a company party..."

"So what? Who is going to question you if you bring your family members?"

"No will question me but I have my own rules"

"You and your rules.... By the way, don't' be with your kiddos expression. Enjoy your first ever party with a smiling face."

"I will try, Di"

Disconnecting the call, he raised his head. He was dumbfounded seeing Khushi in RED saree with open hair. She looked completely different, making Arnav speechless. 

Everything around him went black except a girl who was in RED. His eyes were researching her from tip to toe as if he has not seen a girl in his life. Of course, Khushi is the only girl HE sees. Arnav gulped.

Khushi was busy with Sowmya who is praising her new look. Aman came to Arnav and saw him lost. He looked at the direction and got to know the reason. He coughed to get Arnav's attention. Arnav looked at Aman and composed himself.

"Is that ready?" Asked Arnav.

"Ready, ASR" Aman showed him a paper bag.

Arnav nodded yes.

"Shall we start?" Aman asked.

Arnav again nodded yes. Aman observed Arnav. His eyes were, again and again, stealing a glance of Khushi.

"Wow...." Aman intentionally babbled, looking at Khushi.

Arnav looked at Aman.

"What?"

"Is that Khushi? She looks so beautiful. Wait. I will just come"

"Where are you going?"

"Just to tell her, how beautiful she is"

He rushed to Khushi not waiting there, leaving agitated Arnav. Khushi smiled at Aman.

"Wow, Khushi... I didn't expect you would give me a heart-attack like this. You are so stunning" He said pressing his heart.

Khushi threw a fainting smile on him which made Arnav hell mad. He has to start the party to stop this nonsense.

Everyone's attention turned towards Arnav who was standing right before the cake.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you all to the party. This is a celebration of an important victory of our company. My PA worked for it impressively. I would like to honor her here."

Not only Khushi but the whole AR board was stunned, seeing him praising someone openly.

"Khushi, come and cut the cake" Though it was indeed an order he said calmly.

Khushi was hesitating. Aman was observing Arnav whose gaze was on Khushi. Arnav knew Khushi has to do that without any choice because she won't dare to deny in front of his staff. As he didn't expect, NK came for his help.

"Come on, Khushi. Do it" He cheered her up by clapping.

Everyone started clapping which brought a smile on Arnav's face. Khushi moved towards the cake and Arnav handed her the knife. Khushi cut the cake embarrassingly. Taking a piece of cake, she extended it to Arnav. He took it from her hand and stuffed it in his mouth smilingly. He took a piece; slightly bending down, before he forwarded it towards her mouth, Khushi herself took it from his hand, getting his intention which made him disappointed.

Arnav gestured Aman and he gave the paper bag to Arnav. He removed a box from the bag which was being wrapped by a glittering paper.

"This is for you Khushi" Arnav extended it to Khushi.

This is heights of awkwardness. She knew he is intentionally doing this. She denied, asking anything from him the previous day. He is giving this, in front of everyone, so that she couldn't deny. Again NK clapped overwhelming as his friend is getting honored. Without any choice, she took it from Arnav.

"Thank you, Sir"

"Pleasure is mine" He smirked.

The cake and juice were distributed. Khushi got engaged with NK, Aman, and Akash whereas Arnav was busy admiring his girl who is shining in RED. But she didn't even spare Arnav's glance at least once which made Aman upset more than Arnav. He was damn sure that Arnav had fallen in love with Khushi but she seems disinterested.

Everyone started dispersing one by one. Khushi also left AR after taking her stuff from her cubicle. Arnav was so satisfied with the party. Everything happened as per his plan. He came to his cabin and his face changed its expression, seeing the gift box which he gave to Khushi. It was being kept on his table with a chit.

"Sorry, sir... I can't take it. Thank you."

Arnav crushed the chit, tightening his jaws.

To be continued...