"God.. It has been a week!" Arnav exclaimed seeing Khushi in front of him 

"Arnavji" Khushi nodded in meek acknowledgement. 

"Where the hell have you been??" He asked 

"Er.. Uh. Home Been busy lately" Khushi stuttered nervously

"Oh." Arnav whispered suddenly realizing the way he had been talking.

"I-I should be.. Leaving Arnavji. Got company" Khushi said 

Arnav nodded looking into her eyes. She was sad, But why? Wait.. Company?

Khushi turned the other side and walked away while Arnav stood frozen at his place. still trying to figure out the reason for her sadness and sudden discomfort

A while later, Arnav was sitting in a cafe waiting for Yash Singhania to show up. The two had to work together in an event and thus, Despite not wanting to be here ethic had forced the ASR to stay and wait for the son of their oldest allies in the fashion world. 

"Just five more minutes Aman and we're leaving this place if he doesn't show up" Arnav said

"Alright ASR." Aman snapped

"What?" Arnav turned to aman

"What's bothering you?" Aman asked

"Nothing. Why would something bother me?"

"I can see it on your face. You're more worried for something or rather someone than you're pissed off on That Singhania for being late" Aman said

"I saw her. After almost a week. I saw her in this mall" Arnav said

"And?" 

"She was troubled. I don't know why" Arnav said

"Everyone has a life Arnav and their own set of problems. If she wants to she will tell you what is bothering her. If not... You can't necessarily force  her into revealing the worries of her life to you" Aman explained 

Arnav sighed agreeing to his friend 

"Finally Mr. Singhania is here" Aman whispered gesturing towards the man in his late twenties coming towards them with a lady 

"Hello Mr. Mathur, Mr Raizada I am really sorry to keep you waiting. Actually the lady here took long in shopping. Right lady?" Yash asked the girl who nodded meekly

Arnav looked up only to find a very familiar pair of eyes staring at him with shock and disbelief 

"Kh-"

"That's Piya" Yash introduced 

"Aman Mathur. And this is Arnav Singh Raizada" Aman forwarded his hand to the lady who stole a glance at the man on her side and after getting an approving nod shook his hand

"Piya Sharma" She whispered 

Arnav looked up abruptly when the former lowered her gaze

"I am hoping I am not troubling you by bringing her as an uninvited guest" Yash asked  

"No trouble at all. I am hoping Miss Piya isn't feeling uncomfortable with the men" Arnav spoke up first time in a while

"Oh She isn't. Are you honey?" Yash asked sweetly

Arnav saw Yash giving her a murderous look after which she responded with mere shake of head plastering a fake smile on her face

"So Mr. Singhania. Shall we start?" Arnav asked

Yash nodded 

For the next two hours, While Yash discussed the upcoming event Arnav didn't remove his gaze from the lady sitting next to Yash. His Khushi! He saw a change of emotions on her face every time he or Aman disagreed with yash over something. Suddenly she let out a loud yelp of pain and ran to the washroom. Arnav noticed that her hand was bleeding. 

"Is she fine?" Aman asked

"Yeah.. I guess something pricked her" Yash said

"She needs to get her wound dressed. The wound was deep" Arnav said making Yash lose all the colour on his face for a few seconds.

"What??" Aman exclaimed 

"I will go and check on her" Yash said whilst getting up

"It wasn't her fault. She was doing great at hiding the wound. I am just observant enough" Arnav said making him freeze. 

"Then she wasn't good enough at it Mr. Raizada" Yash whispered inaudibly

"Do that to her one more time, And you'll see the worst of me" Arnav warned intimidatingly 

"What are you talking about??" Yash asked 

"I hate to repeat myself Mr. Singhania" Arnav said flatly and made his way towards the entrance after gesturing something to his RIGHT HAND MAN 

"He is more dangerous than you think Yash. Be very careful and don't try to hurt her again. Or else, As he said You'll see the worst of him" Aman said

"Mr. Mathur"

"Meeting dismissed Mr. Singhania. You can leave. And don't worry I will personally drop Miss Piya home" Aman said

"She isn't going with anyone but me!" Yash said

"I said you can leave!!" Aman said

"Dare you.." 

"LEAVE MR SNGHANIA! RIGHT NOW!!!" Aman roared 

"You are going to pay for this!!" 

"You shouldn't have messed with ASR. One statement from that girl and I can get you behind the bars for abusing her. And you know very very well how one thing leads to the other. Buy yourself some time and prepare your defense. Because I have the one thing Aman Mathur and ASR need to get you to your knees. Leave!" Aman said

"Piya is not going to say anything!! She is a puppet at my hands. Nothing will lead to nothing. That girl is a scared kitten who wouldn't dare cross me!!" Yash warned and left

Khushi re-entered the scene after a while

"Y-Yash" She stuttered 

"He left. Please come with me" Aman instructed

"But. He really left?" Khushi asked amazed "Just like that??"

"Yes, He did. Now if you please Follow me" Aman insisted

Khushi followed confused 

Aman led her towards the Parking lot where the two stopped outside a car

"Khushi! Are you okay??" Arnav engulfed her in a hug

"AS..ASR" Khushi rasped causing Arnav to break the hug and cup her face

"Get me the First Aid kit from the back cabinet Aman" Arnav ordered and made Khushi sit inside the car 

Aman handed him the First Aid and Arnav started to tend to Khushi's wounds 

"Is it paining?" Arnaav asked softly as he dressed the wound

Khushi didn't reply instead got out of the car 

"Thank you for your help ASR" Khushi said and began to walk away leaving a shocked Arnav

"Khushi!! Khushi wait!! Where are you going?" Arnav called 

Khushi stopped and turned 

"Wherever life leads me!" She replied.

"You are coming with me Khushi. Sit in the car. We are going home!" Arnav declared

"There's no home for girls like me Arnavji" Khushi said

"Khushi.. Don't say that" Arnav whispered moving closer to him

"Don't come near me" Khushi stepped back.

Hope you enjoyed.

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Love
Vinny

PS: Do check out my other works.