Chapter 10 – Part B

Arnav had to try harder than necessary to not turn his head to the left to look at Khushi who was in the passenger seat of the car if he doesn't want her to think he was a creep.

Arnav spend the whole day giving himself pep talk every two hours, so that he doesn't back out from going to the party. He took unofficial off from work which just means that he logged in his ID, but didn't do anything more. However, Khushi didn't have the same luxury. She came to work two hours later than usual after settling everything for Vihaan until she returns from the party. Then she went about her regular works and around six, she asked Arnav permission to get ready for party in his guest room saving her travelling time and got ready in record time for any woman Arnav has known.

Arnav was waiting in the couch dressed in his best black dress shirt and grey trousers with jacket of the same colour tossed aside him, when he heard the door of the guest room open and Khushi announcing that he was ready. He was surprised by her quickness and turned around to appreciate her for it, when his words stuck in his throat.

In a simple red georgette saree that had thin line of black glitters in the border, Khushi looked stunning. Her hair was left open except a clutch that pinned few strands from left side to the centre and a above the forehead puff that was intentionally made to look messy. She had long gold plated earrings, but her neck, in spite of the wide neck blouse that ended with 3/4th sleeve, was left bare giving Arnav glimpse of the lone black mole in the size of mustard on her shoulder blade that he hasn't seen before.

"I am sorry. I don't have a gown. This is the only decent attire I own." She smiled apologetically biting her lips and Arnav noticed she had a pale red lipstick on her lips in addition to bright kajal that enhanced her already lively eyes. Apart from that, her face was clean.

"You look beautiful." His voice came out in trance.

Khushi narrowed her eyes before an amused chuckle left her lips. "Why, thank you." She said

Arnav cleared his throat and immediately shifted his attention to finding his car keys and phone.

"I am sure I kept it here." He said scattering the magazine on the table more in effort of finding the keys.

"It must be...." Khushi drawled walking towards the stand on the bookshelf. "...here." she dangled the key in her hand and smiled.

Arnav has seen Khushi smile many times, however this time it seemed different. For the first time, he noticed the curve of her lips, the bulge of her cheeks, her natural blush and those always gleaming eyes seemed more prominent. It was as if he saw a new Khushi and ever since he was not able to take his eyes off her for two minutes at a stretch. Also, that is the reason he had more trouble driving in the traffic than he usually has.

***

"Do you think I will look like a sore thumb?" Khushi asked self consciously as she adjusted the fleets of her saree eyeing major female population in the party dressed in gowns and dresses.

"Doesn't matter. Anyway, when I am here, no one else is going to be centre of gossip." Arnav said sorely.

Khushi lifted her head from smoothing her saree and frowned at Arnav.

"Are you not comfortable?" she asked

"Of course, I am not." He grumbled. "I have not seen some of them in months. And I am so not looking forward to any reunion."

Khushi knew it must be a big deal for Arnav to even come to this party. So, she was not going to push him to any social experiment that could make him anxious. Arnav staying at the party till mid night in itself is going to be victory from his part. She was only planning to be at his side as a support system while he is going to decide what he has to do.

Arnav was glad that he didn't have to look for Akaksh long as he came to Arnav's side as soon as he entered the party.

"Look who is here!" Akash held the widest grin possible and that only means that he was already tipsy.

Arnav frowned as Akash gave him a man hug bypassing his outstretched hands for a handshake.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to this lovely lady?" But Akash didn't wait for Arnav to do the onus, he introduced him to Khushi as Arnav's office wife making Arnav roll his eyes and preposterously began to call Khushi Arnav's date.

Well, she was Arnav's date, but not in the sense Akash was implying when he introduced her to other members of their team.

Arnav realized Akash was not going to be of any help to him at the party. With every glass, he was getting goofier. Also, thanks to Akash some interns misunderstood Khushi was Arnav's girlfriend and began to ask how the two met and how things started. Though Khushi seemed to find all this only humorous, Arnav didn't want to make her uncomfortable in anyway. So, he excused them both from the clown party and made their way to the open bar.

"I want to experiment." Khushi said as soon as Arnav turned to look at her for her order.

"Experiment?" he raised his one eyebrow. "Let me order then."

Khushi didn't like whatever the blue colour drink Arnav thought he would like and ended up swapping that for his sweeter drink.

"I love this." She said taking a sip.

"Don't you want to know its name?"

"Nay!!" Khushi nodded her head. "I might forget the name before I come to a party like this next time."

"It won't be long before you become a chief guest of such parties or even host some." Arnav smiled.

"Oh!" Khushi scoffed. "My optimism doesn't need more motivation. Don't give me diabetes." She waved her hands in front of him.

The party wasn't as challenging as Arnav expected. After customary interaction with executive team and his own team, he spent most of his time with Khushi talking and laughing about random things. It is not really socializing when you are stuck beside the person you meet every day. But, he has at least grown balls to come out of the house and face the lot. The effort has to count for something right?

"Arnav!" a shrill voice halted Arnav and Khushi's banter about cons of having buffet at parties. Sitara made her way towards where Arnav and Khushi were sitting in a table for four.

"Why are you hiding, man?" she patted Arnav's forearm in mock reprimand. "It is such a lovely party we have here. Come on, karaoke is going to start soon. Don't you want to sing?" she didn't wait for his reply. "Or are you hiding because we all might ask you about singing? " She narrowed her eyes and smiled at him like one smiled at a naughty young boy. "Arnav, Arnav." her voice sounded extra screechy. "You can sing fearless this time. No one is going to be unimpressed with you." She winked.

Sitara's eyes flew to Khushi and she acted surprised to find him with a woman, but truly he knew that she has been looking at them both since they walked in.

"Hello!" she greeted Khushi. "Sitaara." She extended her hand. "Arnav's friend."

Khushi took Sitara's hand. "Khushi." She said. "Arnav's friend."

Sitaraa's eyes grew round with a glint that Arnav hated.

"Friend?" she smiled. "How sweet! Then you must know how well Arnav sings."

"I haven't had the pleasure." Khushi said

"What!" Sitara looked appalled. "Arnav! What is this? You have changed." She fake pouted. "Now, let me go and get things ready. Now, all of us want to hear you sing."

Sitara left their table with a smug smile. Arnav swore viciously as soon as she was out of ear shot making Khushi spin her head in his direction in shock.

Arnav immediately regretted his behaviour. Well, not cursing Sitara for he knew she deserved it, but for doing it in front of Khushi. He preferred to be gentleman that she thinks he is and which he is most of the times.

"What did you say?" Khushi was confused rather than angry. She was not going to be a prude and say that a woman shouldn't be cursed. However, she didn't expect Arnav to behave ill mannered.

Knowing Arnav the way she does, she was willing to give him chance to explain and hold her judgements till then.

"Whatever she said is not as straight as it sounded." He said

Khushi waited for him to explain more.

Arnav sighed deeply and closed the heels of his palms over his eyes frustrated.

"Khushi, please don't judge me." He implored. "She is the Devil of deceit. She is also part reason for my divorce with my second wife."

Khushi's eyes widened in surprise. It was news to her that people in his office knew his ex-wife. No wonder he tried to stay away from office. She knew how awkward it can get when your social circle coincides with you ex's. Khushi had lost every single friend she had made in four years to her ex-husband.

"You don't have to talk about it." Khushi assured. "Unless you want to, of course. You say you have your reasons and I believe you."

Belief. Something he had struggled gaining in and giving due to his own bitter experiences. How easy has this fell in place between Arnav and Khushi??

Arnav didn't know if he wanted to talk about it. Sitara's clever insinuations had brought back bitter memories. He felt a mix of anger and frustration build inside him. The loud noise around him agitated him and gave him a headache.

Arnav stood up from his chair abruptly.

"I think we should leave." He informed.

Khushi didn't argue. It was his office party. If he wanted to leave, she was not going to push him against it. She could see how Sitara's words had affected him. Khushi's didn't understand the full depth of it, but was sure it somehow affected Arnav. She had promised herself that she will support him in any way he wants and she is going to follow it.

The car journey back from the party was filled with silence. Khushi tried to sooth the silence with carefully selected songs and thankfully it seemed to work on Arnav for his grip on steering wheel loosened and his body relaxed.

"You can drop me around the corner. I will walk from there."

They had left the party good two hours before 12 and now Khushi should have no problem going home alone.

"Khushi, I am sorry that you had to leave the party on my account. I know you were excited about it." He said guiltily.

Khushi laughed. "I went to the party for you. I am not a kid to be disappointed for such silly things."

"Good! Then Vihaan will have tough competition." Arnav joked lightening the mood.

The car stopped where Khushi has requested and she opened the door to get down when Arnav called her.

"We had decided to bring New Year together this year and I would like if we can still do that. I know you must tired of spending time with grumpy me in my house always. But, if you can put up with my company some more, I know a place where we can start the year peacefully."

He wanted her to say yes. No matter how much he practiced to enjoy his company, he can't be alone today. Not after the sullenness Sitara created. Not when he wants to put an end to this bitter year and start New Year with positivity. He couldn't think of a better person than Khushi to help him achieve the serenity. His happiness strangely felt dependent on her presence.

"Please." He beseeched. Something Khushi didn't expect. She didn't think he would show his desperation even though it made him vulnerable and that only made Khushi feel more responsible towards him. Taking a quick call, Khushi closed the door of the car. She turned towards Arnav and smiled her acceptance. Mouthing a thanks to her, Arnav began to drive to his destination.

***

All I want to say is Stay Safe.

Next part must reveal Arnav's past. That is what I am planning. Let's see how it goes.