Part 29 ASR's Idea

The next day

Akash became happy when he heard Khushi was going to relieve him from ASR's PA post. It was Arnav who conveyed the happy news to him. Or else, Akash would not have believed it.

"Akash, I decided to relieve you from my PA's post" Said Arnav.

Akash was shocked. Was Arnav going to DEPROMOTE him? What wrong did he do?

"But, why, sir? I didn't do anything wrong" he asked miserably as he was clueless.

"No no... you are going back to your old Boss, Aman" Arnav replied removing his awkwardness. Yet, Akash was confused. Then what Arnav would do without a PA?

"Will Aman sir have TWO PAs?" he asked pointlessly.

"No way... Ms. Gupta will take charge of mine"

Akash was surprised. At the same time, he was glad. Was Khushi ready to relieve him from Arnav? Thanks to Khushi. He inwardly thanked her.

"It seems you don't believe it?" Arnav chuckled.

Akash smiled.

"You may go"

"Thank you, sir"

Akash came to Khushi's cabin but she had not come to the office yet. He looked at the clock and saw TEN to TEN. She would come anytime. Before that, he would like to meet Aman to thank him. So, he walked to Aman's cabin. He didn't notice Arnav following him to Aman's cabin, giving him enough distance.

"Good morning Sir"

"Good morning, Akash. Did your Boss send you for any purpose?" Aman smiled as usual.

"I came to thank you, sir"

"For?"

"ASR said you are taking me back as your PA"

Aman was stuck. He felt bad for Akash who looked extremely happy.

"Sorry, Akash. Khushi denied" he said feeling sad.

More than Akash, Arnav was shocked who followed Akash. DENIED? Did Khushi deny being his PA? He became furious. He didn't expect this. He walked back to his cabin as there was nothing to talk to Aman anymore. He came to talk to him about it only. He saw Khushi just entering her cabin with her bag. He headed to her cabin.

"Why did you deny being my PA?" he asked.

Khushi turned behind and saw him standing like a furious lion. She didn't know what to say.

"Are you scared?" he asked coming back to his teasing mode when the silence stretched on.

Khushi gulped down hard and said,

"Haan, I'm scared..." She sat on the chair making him frown.

"From when Ms. Gupta started accepting her defeat? It doesn't suit you, Ms. Gupta"

"I too am thinking about what SUITS me," she said.

Arnav frowned.

"What happened to you? Why are you answering irrelevantly?"

"Why are you questioning me irrelevantly?" she questioned not looking at him.

"I'm not talking irrelevant. You are going to take charge as my PA and that's final" he turned to leave, but stopped hearing,

"No... I can't..."

"I'm not giving you options, Ms. Gupta...! You MUST do it"

"Why should I?"

"You ought to do what I say. That's why"

Khushi tried to say something, but Arnav stopped her showing his palm.

"Don't think of resigning from the job. Think about Anjali before making any decision. She recommended for you... I too tolerated your tantrums only for her. Don't make her feel bad for the decision to bring you to A2" he used Anjali as a trump card.

Khushi closed her eyes, biting her lip.

"Get ready...! Today, you can be free but from Monday, you are ASR's PA... understand?" he came out of her cabin and saw Akash standing.

Arnav walked crossing him. Akash came inside her cabin. Khushi composed herself.

"I'm sorry Khushi... because of me you are forced to..."

Cutting him,

"Because of you...? Don't feel yourself superior, Akash. ASR will fire you if he hears you thinking of yourself equal to him" she tried to be normal with him.

Akash smiled.

"You are right...! I too don't think he is doing this for me" Akash said hesitatingly.

"No one knows why he does this" she murmured.

"Why don't you want to work for him, Khushi? You always talk to him joyfully. I think he enjoys your company"

Khushi smiled sarcastically.

*He and enjoying my company? He wants to defeat me openly. That's why he purposely made me his PA* she thought.

"Khushi, Payal wanted me to remind you about our meeting"

"I don't forget it, Akash. I know today is Saturday"

"We will go together from the office..."

"Akash, the restaurant is only five minutes from our office...! Don't be so formal. I will come on my own"

"Ok..." Akash left smilingly.

Khushi sighed. She didn't know how she was going to cope with Arnav from Monday. She went to Aman's cabin.

"Good morning, sir"

"Good morning, Khushi"

He noticed her being dull.

"Is everything alright?"

Khushi nodded no.

"What happened Khushi?"

"Mr. Raizada ordered me to become his PA from Monday"

Aman was stuck.

"Did he order you?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"I'm sorry, Khushi. If you want me to talk to ASR about it, I can't do it after he ORDERED you"

"That's not needed sir"

"Means, did you agree to it?"

"I would not have agreed to it if he ordered me but he talked about my gratitude for Anjali. I don't know what to answer him, sir,"

Aman smiled inwardly. ASR became skilled in handling people it seemed.

"But, why did he talk about Anjali? Did you talk about resigning your job?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"I don't think you need to bother about him, Khushi. I can see he is becoming soft towards you"

Khushi rolled her eyes. How could she say he even taunted her a few minutes ago too?

"You are a clever girl, Khushi. I admire your skills a lot. You can easily handle ASR"

She would be the happiest person in the world if she could do that. She thought.

"Don't feel stressed, Khushi. Be free"

Khushi sighed and gave him a file.

"This is our next project file, sir. Will we work all together, or, will you work with Akash?"

"I too don't have any idea, Khushi but ASR would have scheduled it as of now. Just follow his instructions,"

"Yes, sir"

Khushi walked out of his cabin. Arnav noticed her from his cabin. What the hell was wrong with her? Why did she look gloomy? But... why did he bother if she was gloomy? Why could not he concentrate on his work? He didn't know.

Taking his mobile, he called Khushi. She got stuck, seeing Arnav's number flashing on her mobile. She clutched her phone tight.

*Hold on, Khushi. Don't get weak. You are a strong girl. What if he is your husband? Don't leave him if he taunts you. Lash the arrogant man back as always* she made up herself.

Taking a deep breath, she attended the call.

"Hello..."

"Ms. Gupta, do one thing... ask your parents to search for a nice groom for you," Said Arnav making her dumbfounded.

Though she was ready to lash him back, but she didn't know how to answer his question.

"Since yesterday, you look stressed..."

Khushi was thunderstruck. Did he notice her to this extent?

"Get married and start fighting with your husband. If you let out your anger on him, you will feel free. What say"

"From when did you become a counselor, Mr. Raizada?"

"From just a few seconds ago... you are my first client"

"Thank you for your idea... I have a lot of work. Please let me do it" She disconnected the call.

Arnav looked at his phone smilingly.

Evening

Khushi left the office before Akash. He was busy with Arnav in winding up his PA role.

Khushi saw Payal waiting in the roof garden of the restaurant. She smiled at Khushi brightly.

"Payal?"

"Khushi?"

"Yeah..."

They shook hands with a smile.

"Where is Akash?"

"He will be on the way I suppose" Khushi said.

"Thank you so much, Khushi. Akash said you are taking charge as ASR's PA. Akash was so worried when he was appointed as ASR's PA"

Khushi smiled softly.

"Akash said, ASR is a workaholic. He will not think of anything when it comes to his work. That was why he was worried but today, I sensed relief in his tone"

"Akash will easily manage his role. That's why he must be worried"

Payal was confused.

"I didn't get you, Khushi. If it's easy for him, why would he be worried?"

"He wanted to manage not only the PA's role but also the HUSBAND's role. That's why...! if he is ASR's PA, he could not be a good husband. That's why" Khushi smiled and Payal laughed.

That was when Khushi got a call. Opening her handbag, she removed her phone. She attended it as it was from Garima.

"Haan, Amma..."

"Khushi, I'm going to the temple. If you come home, take the key from the money plant pot. I'm keeping it there"

"Ok, Amma"

Khushi disconnected the call and she was about to keep the phone in her bag, but Payal stopped her, seeing her screensaver photo.

"Wow, you look so pretty, Khushi"

Khushi smiled. Payal tried to take her mobile from her hand. In the process, Khushi's bag fell.

"I'm sorry..."

Payal took it bending down. She saw a black bead chain in her bag. She took it out.

"Mangal Sutra?" she looked at Khushi questioningly.

Khushi snatched it from her hurriedly.

"Mom found it somewhere, I suppose"

"It's design is so cute," Payal said.

Khushi kept it in her bag quickly. Payal was about to say something, but stopped, hearing someone calling,

"Hi, Khushiiii..."

Khushi saw Nirupama smiling at her from the table that was two tables away from them.

To be continued...