He Loves Me Not - Part 19

PREVIOUS PART


Chapter 19

Khushi waits for the machine to dispense coffee in her mug. She wants to escape without having any conversation with Arnav Singh Raizada. She has avoided him enough from past two days but this time he is more prepared to tackle her than before. The beep of the machine brings her out of stance. She picks the heavy mug and turns around only to find him blocking her exit of the Office Pantry. His eyes dart in hers. There is so much she wants to read in them. He is frustrated by her alliance progress with Akash Sharma. But he has no rights to stop her from going against him, especially when he never showed any consideration to her wishes.

Her posture turns defensive. If he tries to touch her, she will show him he has no right to do so henceforth. At office or outside, he is just her Boss. She stirs her coffee and makes her way to the exit, he presses his hand on the wall, blocking her way out. Considering her history of feelings for him, these gestures should have weakened her knees but it doesn’t. It makes her feel agitated. Before she can start a fight, he speaks what he is here for.

“I want to meet Akash Sharma”


Did he really say that? She gives him a warning look. How did he get to know the name? Did Aman tell him because 2 days back Aman had met her and Akash in the same coffee shop. She doesn’t know if it was just a coincidence that Aman showed his presence there or a well implemented plan. It shocked her when Akash said he knows Mathurs from past 10 years. Aman seemed very casual with them, as if it didn’t affect him. It was hard to read his mind. Probably he was happy that his sister, Sheetal’s way is clear now. He had demanded a picture of her and Akash together to which Khushi had clearly denied at first but Akash insisted and she simply couldn’t argue.

So, who told Arnav about Akash? Her father or Aman? Whilst she is busy linking dots, Arnav takes enough time to gaze her. Ever since she has met Akash, she seems to look different. He doesn’t know if it is only him who feels that way. Earlier she wore lots of red, his favorite color and now she hardly wears that color at work. She has stopped leaving her hair loose on her shoulder, instead she has started tying her hair into a pony. Has anyone suggested her that or is she doing this to break everything that connects them?

“How do you know his name?” she breaks his stance.
“I know a lot beyond his name. Saw his picture too” he pauses. “With YOU”

Aman!! He is the only one who can show Arnav that picture. Was Aman there with some motive in the café shop?

“Liked us together?” she mocks. “Happy that I won’t be irritating you for accepting me henceforth?”
“You never irritated me” he replies.

His tone is serious and his gaze studying her expressions constantly.

“You just tried hard to break my decisions” he adds.
Khushi swallows.
“And I have given up now” she laughs with sarcasm. “There is a limit for everything. You helped me see I have crossed mine. So, thank you for showing me where I belong and where I don’t”

He can read pain in her voice.

“I want to meet Akash” he comes back to the point.
“Why? To see if he is worth me?” she snaps.
“To ensure he can keep you happy”
She laughs at his silliness.
“Who are you to decide whom I stay happy with? And what if you don’t like Akash? Will you make me get rid of him?”
He nods.

“Yes, if I have to”
“What Rubbish” she scowls. “Did I get to choose your fiancée? Or maybe you thought I would reject her obviously because even you know she is not the one for you”
Arnav grits his teeth.
“I am not here to discuss my compatibility with Sheetal”
“Then you don’t have any rights to check my compatibility with Akash either”

She pushes his arm and walks out.

“Khushi” he shouts but she doesn’t stop. Arnav notices some of his staff walking around and decides not to create a scene for them. He dislikes the fact that Khushi is avoiding him and now she is not even letting him to test Akash.

*******************

AR Office 

“Mom?” Arnav gets up from his seat to welcome his mother in the cabin. She looks far young in those Brown Palazzo pants. He recalls it was his father’s choice. After a lot of rejections, his father had selected this attire to gift his wife on her birthday.
“Hello Son” Revati comes ahead. “I need a favor from you”
Arnav is always happy to help her.
“Ayush is busy in a meeting. He had promised to take me to the jeweler. But now, he has changed the plans. Will you accompany me there?”
Without even looking at his schedule or worrying about it, Arnav agrees.

“I will”
“Great. You are such a sweetheart” she pats his cheek. “And yes, Shashi’s daughter… uhh… whats her name?”
Arnav’s body warms up.
“Khushi”
“Yes.. Khushi” she nods. “We are taking her as well. She has a great taste in diamonds. Ayush couldn’t stop praising her last night. He wants me to take her for the selection”

Arnav’s heart skips a beat.
“I wouldn’t have taken her but I cannot ignore your father’s request” she adds.

That’s the beauty of his parent’s relation. They love each other very much. Seems Revati was his father’s childhood sweetheart. Both studied in the same school. His father had told him that story once. It took 5 years for Ayush to propose Revati and by then the two were in College. Revati’s high headedness wasn’t so dominant feature then. She was sober and extremely polite. Her simple traits had been an eye catcher for Ayush. The attitude which his mother carries now has all come after the marriage but his father still loves her and vice versa. And when you love someone, you tend to ignore each other’s flaws and accept them as a part of your own life.

“Arnav?” Revati pats his arm. “Can you check if she is ready down? I have already sent Pam to inform Khushi”

Arnav doesn’t want to involve Khushi in his family matters, especially when his mother is related. He is afraid that they will spoil each other’s mood.

“I will check”

He walks back to his table and picks the Intercom to speak. Revati throws a powerful gaze at him. She doesn’t come to AR office often. The last time she was here when she wanted to surprise Ayush on their wedding anniversary which he had forgotten and came to work. Arnav had planned a surprise cake cutting ceremomy for them at office. This boy has never failed them. Ever since he has joined their family, they have progressed. He is like their lucky charm. The day they adopted him legally, AR bagged an International contract. Ayush had handled the company well all these years but when Arnav took over the CEO role, the profits suddenly rose and they are still number one Company in this Country.

“She is waiting at the car for us” he keeps the Intercom and informs.
“Great. Lets go”

Arnav follows his mother out. He wonders how Khushi agreed to go with his mother? And does she know it is not Ayush Singh Raizada but him joining the two for the Store? Probably not!!

********************

Parking – AR Office 

“Dad.. why am I getting involved in the family duties of Raizadas? First you sent me to Shantivan and now want me to accompany Mrs. Raizada to a jeweler?” Khushi asks her father who is waiting for the Car to arrive.
“I am sorry baby, but Ayush Sir and I were discussing about this the other day. I told him how good you are in selecting diamonds. How would I know he will ask your help at such a short notice?”

Khushi sighs in disbelief.
“You wont praise any of my trait before them anymore” she warns.
Shashi chuckles.
“Okay.. I wont. Happy? Now please get into the car”

The car arrives and she takes the backseat. She is still hesitant to go for jewel shopping with Revati Raizada because she knows how arrogant that woman is.

“Arnav?” Shashi exclaims seeing Arnav coming out with Revati. “I thought Ayush Sir is joining you Revatiji”
Revati rolls her eyes.
“Your Sir is busy in meeting”
The driver opens the door for her to get inside. Khushi stiffens.
“Hello Ma’am” she mumbles.
“Hi” Revati fakes a smile and sits next to her. Arnav takes the front seat. As the vehicle accelerates, Khushi looks at Arnav who wants to see her too but doesn’t turn around. He is a man whose emotions speaks through his eyes. He looks at her from the front mirror. She turns her gaze back to Revati who has questions for her.

“How do you know so much about diamonds?”
“Uh.. One of my friends in London is a daughter of a diamond merchant. I always used to visit their store and even volunteered in their exhibitions”
“I see” Revati glues her eyes back on the smartphone, messaging someone.

Khushi looks outside the window. It is a very uncomfortable situation. She hadn’t expected Arnav to join them. Her phone rings. It is Akash’s call. She wants to ignore but decides that will be very rude of her.
“Hi Akash” she answers.

Arnav gets alarmed. So, they are in touch regularly?

“Yes.. I am out” she continues to talk softly. “Today? Uhh.. looks impossible to me Akash”

Arnav’s nose flares. What is he asking her for?

“Okay” she agrees. “Pick me up by 06:00 then from office”

Revati glances once at her and then looks back on her mobile screen. Arnav is shaken. Akash is taking her out and she even agreed for that. She seems to have really moved on or at least trying to.

“Bye” Khushi hangs up.
“Boyfriend?” Revati queries her.
Khushi is confused what to reply?
“No, just a friend for now” she replies.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Dad wants me and Akash to know each other well before marriage”

Revati’s brows narrows.

“Oh.. I recall it now. Ayush was telling me about some marriage proposal yesterday. Is he the one?”
“Yes” Khushi fakes a smile. Arnav is boiling.
“The Sharmas are good people. Raj has some family tie-ups with them”

Arnav had no clue about it. Why didn’t Aman tell him that he personally knows Akash and his family? He wouldn’t have to convince Khushi otherwise to let him meet Akash once. Now he knows whom to contact to test that man.

“And I heard Sheetal was the one who insisted her father to show this proposal to you. She took that initiative” Revati informs.

Both Khushi and Arnav are shocked at that disclosure. Khushi had guessed it right. Sheetal saw her as a possible threat in her upcoming marriage and hence decided to fix her up with some other man before things get worse. Arnav gets mad.

“Are you sure Mom? Sheetal really recommended Khushi for Akash?” he asks.

Khushi senses his frustration and decides not to intervene between the two.

“Yes, Ayush told me. This information cannot be wrong. And I really like that attitude of Sheetal. She is so kind enough to think about others, isn’t she?”

Khushi fakes a smile whereas Arnav lets out a curse. So, it is all his fiancée’s doing!!

*******************

Khushi helps Revati select a diamond studded bracelet. Arnav is mostly away from the two women but his eyes are constantly on them. He wanted to see some kind of bond between his mother and Revati but stopped expecting it years ago because he knows Revati Raizada is very class conscious and Khushi can never be her choice. He had always heard Revati praise her rich friends’ daughters even though none of them had that charm of simplicity. To be precise, she wants a rich daughter-in-law who fits to their family’s fame. This is one reason why Arnav never expressed his desire for Khushi openly, because he knew it will hurt his mother and that’s the last thing he wants.

After sponsoring for Khushi’s higher education in London, Arnav had pushed her away from his life and shut the doors of his heart never to let them open for her. It took a year for him to come out of her memories. Then he got engrossed in his education and soon joined the AR Business. He had no time to even recall he once liked a girl and secretly loved her until she returned back in his life on his engagement day. He had become selfish towards her for the happiness of his adoptive parents. But seeing Khushi’s love still untouched for him even now, he feels terrible. Wish he had made some constructive decisions for them earlier, today Khushi would have been his fiancée and that bracelet his mother is buying would be for gifting Khushi not Sheetal Mathur. But things have taken a wrong turn and he has to accept them and move on rather than complicating it for everyone.

To be Continued


NEXT PART


To Read He Loves Me Not from the Start. Click HERE

Books by Madhuri Tamse

FREE Amazon Kindle Unlimited Romantic Books