Is This Love Chapter 7

Chapter 7

 

*At Gupta House*






Garima, shashi and madhumati were sitting in their living room busy with their ginger tea and evening talk when they received a phone call from somewhere. Buaji picked it up.

Buaji: ab kaun hai reh babua?...Areh tum hao nandkisore'kaisan ho?.. abhi tumre bare mein batat rahe hum ee logan ka'.
Garima: kaun hai madhu?
Buaji: areh humaar bachpan ki saheli hai'jiske bare mein hum bataa rahe the'jaraa ek minute thehro Garima' haan bolo nandkisore' KA??? Khusi bitiya ke liye rista????????


*At AR Corp*



Arnav was working on his laptop when Akaash came in.

Akaash: bhai'
Arnav(replies while working on his laptop): yeah Akaash ? ?
Akaash: did you hear?
Arnav(raises an eyebrow) umm what?
Akaash: lavanya is coming back to india'
Arnav: hmm.. (still disinterested)
Akaash: she is getting engaged.
Arnav: yeah I know she e-mailed me. What's the catch?( starts drinking water)
Akaash: To NK!!!

Arnav spills out the water in shock!

What?

Did you just say NK?

Lavanya was one of Arnav's closest friends. She used to tell him everything about herself. He also liked her around because she was like him really professional and sophisticated. They never had intmate feelings for each other because they were two people with big dreams about their status in the business industry but they loved hanging out. Lavanya works for AR corp and for the last three years she was handling the second largest branch of AR in United States.

It was yesterday night when Arnav had received her mail telling him that she was coming to india next week for getting engaged since most of her family was in india. Arnav was too tired or lets say distracted by Khushi to reply as yet and to ask her about who the lucky guy was'

BUT!

Never in his dreams had he thought it would be his own cousin NK!

NK lived in US with his family and he too worked for AR. He was one of the really efficient people like Lavanya so they were in the same department but they were always fighting to get each other out of that department.

This was news for Arnav. When and how did the love happen??

They were opposites how could they get attrac'

Then he stopped in the middle of his thoughts as realization hit him HARD on the face!

He too was attracted to someone so different and opposite. How and why he didn't know. So how could he expect answers for them? For the first time in his life Arnav Singh Raizada understood someone's love feelings. He wouldn't question them. He understood what they might have gone through.

But where is his someone?

Suddenly Arnav had this urge to see his special someone.

Could this be attraction?

Or was this love?

*****




Khushi was working in her cabin when Arnav barged in.

"umm Ms. Gupta I need the Mehta files. NOW!"

He emphasized on the last word making her jump out of her seat and run to the shelf to get the files. She ran quickly to give him the file and while handing it over her fingers slightly brushed over arnav's making her gasp. Arnav smiled inwardly looking at her nervous state.

"Khushi"

Hmm'

" Lavanya is coming to India and she is '."

And she couldn't let him complete when she squealed in excitement! " kya? Lavanyaji  is coming?...wow!!"

Khushi practically loved Lavanya. After all it was because of her that she got this job. Tat day when Khushi had come for a lower post Lavanya was angry and firing her inefficient PA. she immediately hired Khushi without thinking. As time passed Khushi and Lavanya became best friends. Although Khushi saw that she was a friend of Arnav she could help but envy the fact that she was so professional yet caring, sweet and loving.

When Lavanya was leaving Khushi couldn't stop crying. Not because she would lose her job but because she would lose a friend. But Lavanya to her surprise couldn't leave Khushi jobless and recommended Arnav to hire Khushi as his PA. not because she was her friend but because Khushi was extremely efficient and hardworking.

Khushi had managed to prove Lavanya right and also impress her boss. Or maybe little too impressed for that matter!!! She blushed thinking about Arnav!

That when she came out of her thoughts and saw Arnav looking at her amused at her expressions.

"where were you lost Khushi?"

"uh hum who'leave that' when is she coming?"

"Next week Friday!" and he added a while later what he couldn't complete before.



" For her Engagement!"




Now  this hit like a tsunami wave to Khushi!!!

Lavanya was getting engaged and she didn't even tell her?

Okay fine she didn't tell her about her Arnav but nothing was official yet. They were just exploring their new found attraction but here Lavanya was in love and all set to settle down!!!

She has some serious explanation to do!


*****



Arnav was really amazed with Khushi's expression. This girl surely was something. Just a few moments ago she was scared when he yelled for the file, the she was so conscious when his fingers touched hers, then she was on top of the world hearing that La was coming to India and  then she suddenly fumed with rage when she found about Lavanya getting engaged.

Gosh!

She was amazing!

This time Khushi saw Arnav smiling lost in some thoughts. She didn't know when a smile appeared on her face looking at him smile. She liked seeing him smile..

It was true he hardly smiled'

But whenever he did it was genuine and breath-taking!

Just thinking about him made her stomach flip with anticipation. He was so addictive! Great! So now the attraction was changing onto addiction? What now?

" Khushi we have to start preparing for the Fashion Show today itself. It is next week Saturday and we need to be the best. I want you to assist Aman in organizing the event and I want everything perfect."

"But sir don't you think this is a very big responsibility?"

"I know."

"Don't you think you should have given it to someone more experienced and reliable?"

Arnav held Khushi by the shoulders. "Khushi you are the most reliable person for this case. I trust you completely". This made Khushi's eyes well up with tears. Arnav said he that he trusted her. What else could she ask for?

But she was so simple and didn't know about fashion. How would she possibly manage? Will she able to impress the world's most famous designers with her arrangements? Or will they consider it low class?

She had so many questions running through her mind. Arnav said he trusted her so she would comply with honesty and so she asked him.

"Arnavji there will be so many people in the event. All famous designers. I don't even know anything about fashion. Wouldn't they consider my arrangements low class?"

Arnav's grip tightened on her shoulders. How could she consider herself low class? And now that she was completely honest Arnav would be too. So he began in a soft voice making her tremble slightly'

"Khushi' how can you say that? I am one of those high class designers as anyone would say and when I consider you completely breath-taking then how can you doubt your fashion sense? Baby you are so beautiful. And with relevance to the event I chose you because this show will need simplicity, a vibrant environment, a lively and full of life event can only be organized by a person who herself is such."

He paused for breath.

"And according to me you are the only that I know of is capable enough to fulfill this responsibility. Please believe me baby. I am not giving you this task because I like you or I am attracted to you but because you deserve it."

To say that Khushi was overwhelmed by this confession would be an understatement. She was so speechless to hear his words that she conveyed her feeling by hugging him tightly! She wound her arms around his neck making him stumble back a few steps but he eventually smiled and put his manly arms around her petite waist.

Wow! Arnav thought.

This was their first hug. It was actually happening. He was most glad about the fact that for the first time in his life he was able to convey his feelings so openly to someone. And even more glad that she understood.

What could be more perfect than this moment?


Slowly Khushi moved out of the hug smiling shyly looking away. Arnav was mesmerized by her completely! How could she not do anything yet do everything to his heart? How could she make him so restless?

Just this simple blush of hers was making his heart do a million summersaults! She indeed was amazing!

And wait what did he just say moments ago?

Memories came flashing in his mind'

"'it's not because I like you '."

He had just said that he liked her? He did not say attracted!

The words that Arnav spoke moments ago were unplanned and straight from his heart. This meant that he actually liked her! He had not thought of it before but now he had said it! And he was going to stick to it.

As Arnav was realizing what he said moments ago Khushi was lost in the same words echoing in her ears. He likes her!!!!

Oh my god!!!

Was she dreaming?

Arnav knew that Khushi was thinking about the same incident he couldn't help but bend down to kiss her left cheek before leaving her cabin, smiling.


****


It was evening and Khushi was waiting for the rickshaw when Arnav was leaving in his SUV. Arnav stopped his car in front of Khushi.

"Need a lift sweetheart?"

Khushi's eyes grew wider. "Sir what are you saying? What if someone hears you?"

Arnav simply smiles. "Come on. Get in!"

Khushi hesitates. " Na..Nahi'hum chale jayenge'"

And Arnav waited no longer. He got off the car and came to her. " will you get in madam or should I repeat what I did in you cabin today?"

Khushi's mouth turned a perfect "O" as she remembered what had happened. She playfully smacked Arnav's chest earning a smirk from him.

"Aap'"

Before Khushi could complete Arnav had already opened the door for her like a driver would. Who would believe that the world's richest man was actually doing this for a simple girl?

As they say that love changes people.

And in this case' we can see the change, can't we?

Khushi got in the car quickly before too many eyes stared at them. As they started driving Khushi could help but ask. "Sir why did you that? What if someone saw us? What would they think about us?"

"They would only think what they want to. And what they might think is true, "replied Arnav casually.

"What is true?" asked Khushi confused.

Arnav didn't reply for a while and Khushi started looking outside the window. When she suddenly felt his hand hold hers. And he replied in a low and serious voice. "That I feel for you Khushi."

She was shocked. So many revelations in one day? Was this laad governor planning to kill her or what?

She hesitated but managed to ask.." Fe'Feel what..Arn..Arnavji?"

"I don't know yet Khushi. All I can say is that you are special. Really special to me."

He was a man of few words and his words made her go on the 9th cloud every time he spoke. Arnav could clearly see her blushing and he smiled tightening his hold on her delicate hand.

****

Arnav dropped Khushi home and drove back home. As he rang the door bell he was greeted by a happy Anjali and nani. They were definitely upto something!!!

He did not know what but this behavior of his di and nani told him a lot. As Arnav entered the living room. Nani called him. "Aao chotey baitho."

Arnav went and sat quietly when Anjali began. " Chotey we have seen a girl for you. She is really high class and very much like you. She will be a good life partner. Her name is Shirani."

"what the??"
Arnav did not understand why were they doing this all of a sudden but he did not know that this was Anjali and nani's plan to know what Arnav actually felt for Khushi. They wanted him to confess about his feelings. After all they were desperate to organize their only "chotey's" wedding!

They were eager to get home chotey's bahu ?

"Haan Chotey I want to see my bahu in this house before I die"

This was emotional blackmail!!! But what to do? This ar

Arnav might be really fast with business deals but he was too slow in the matters of the heart. He needed a little push and getting him angry would give him the needed push.

"Di and Nani. Please! I really don't want to discuss anything about this now. Can I please leave."

"NAHI CHOTEY!"

Nani faked the anger and stood up firmly. Arnav was taken aback. Nani continued " you cannot just avoid us anytime you want. We are your family. How can you consider us unimportant in your life? This is very important for us and you are just ignoring us? Fine I will not eat or drink anything till the day you are ready to discuss this topic!"

"Nani!!" Arnav had never thought that nani would say or do something like this. Why was his marriage so important all of a sudden? Whatever the reason Arnav now had to take action. His family was important.

Arnav got up and went to nani. He held her and made her sit on the sofa while he sat near her lap.

"Nani I am not avoiding you. Please believe me nani. Its just that I am not ready for taking such a big step in my life just yet. i'ii'(he hesitated trying to thik what to say)..i don't want to marry until I love someone."

"Chotey" Nani smiled and said in a soft voice "Is there someone in your mind? Someone you love?"

Arnav had to be honest here. He shrugged his shoulders. "Nani I don't know. I like her but I don't know about love just yet. She didn't even say that she likes me too."

"What is her name?"

"Khushi"

"Areh Waah! What a beautiful name! Theek hai I will give you time but please be quick. And one more thing. I want to see Khusi bitiya"

"Soon nani"


****


Arnav had changed into casuals and was working in his laptop when Anjali entered his room. Smiling she came and sat on his bed and Arnav closed his laptop.

"Chotey about what you said to nani earlier today'"

"Yeah dii.."

"You said she didn't even tell you that she likes you. I just want to tell you that a girl speaks volumes through her actions. She gets conscious, she blushes and she gets nervous."

"really dii? Khushi does that  around me! Does this mean she likes me?" he asked excited like a small child. Anjali laughed looking at him adoringly. After a long time Arnav was excited about something. He too had hopes for something. After a long time she felt her Chotey too was human. All thanks to Khushi! Anjali owed a lot to Khushi. She was bringing life to the house before even entering the house! This was amazing.

"Yes Chotey she likes you."

"but dii I want her to confess like I told her?"

"YOU WHAT??"

Anjali could not believe her ears! Arnav confessed his feelings to someone. Oh my god! This is miracle!

"Umm yeah.."

"Oh my Chotey. You love her!"

"How can you say that dii?"

"Arnav you don't just confess things when you just like someone. You really love her!!"

Now Arnav was actually getting sure of the fact that the feelings that he told Khushi earlier about was actually love!

"thanks dii"

"That's fine Chotey. After all I am the one benefiting more from this. " she laughed.

"how come?" he asked confused.

"Hmm I will make her do all the housework. Just kidding. I love Khushi too. She is so friendly and lively that I would love to be with her always."

"Unfortunately you cannot.( Arnav too joined in the teasing)"

"Why?"


"Because you will be married off!"

Anjali blushed hard and threw a pillow at Arnav.

And after so many years Arnav and Anjali sat all night chatting and laughing all night. Anjali giving him tips to impress her. Him joking about anjali's marriage. The night was one memorable thing for them