He Loves Me Not - Part 25

PREVIOUS PART


Chapter 25

Gupta Apartment – Next Morning 

Khushi comes out all set to go for work. Shashi had a sleepless night though. The revelation from his daughter that she loves Arnav Singh Raizada made him weaker and helpless. He didn’t expect that to happen ever. Poor girl, she loves someone so dearly and instead of being loved back, is facing the worst nightmare. He cannot even imagine what Khushi must have gone through seeing Arnav – Sheetal engaged. Whatever little hopes she still had, all drained away after last night. Seems like she has cut off that part of her life forever now, promising never to turn back. She might sound happy, look normal but he knows she is only pretending. She is broken but will never show it on her face. Her mother Garima was just like her. He wishes Garima was alive today to give that motherly affection to her, because there are some things which a daughter can share only with her mother than father. And no one can give that warmth to a child which a mother’s hug can. He rubs his eye to ensure Khushi doesn’t see him weeping.



“Dad” she comes out with her purse. “I am leaving. Looks like you still have some time to get ready. Sorry but I cannot wait because I need to wind up everything there soon”

Shashi nods.
“Breakfast?”
“No time for that Dad. I will grab something on way” she passes him a quick hug. “You okay?” Shashi purposely asks.
She smiles.
“Feeling better. Don’t worry about me”
“Okay” he shakes his head and watches her leave the house. She is a fine actor. How easily she hides her tears behind that smile.

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

AR Office 

Ayush has reached his office cabin and the first thing he does is call up Aman to check if Arnav is still there. Last night after their conversation, Arnav had been out and he never returned. Aman called Ayush though and informed that Arnav is with him, at their farm house. Probably, Arnav went to see his best friend to take some friendly advice from him and share his pain. He is glad that Arnav has that kind of support. He has never shared his issues directly with them and that still makes him wonder what have they missed giving to Arnav which is why he considers them still distant from himself?

Aman answers the call.

“Uncle, Good morning”
“Morning Aman. Where is Arnav? Are you both still at the farm house?”
“No.. I am on way to work and even Arnav has left for office. He should be there any moment”
“Hmm” Ayush clears his throat. “What.. what did he say? Is he fine now?”

Aman doesn’t understand how much he should share this with Arnav’s father.

“He is not fine, Uncle.”
Ayush’s heart aches to hear that. Not that he didn’t know it.
“What has he decided?” Ayush further digs.
“I don’t think he wants to make that decision. He has never been outside your words so, it might never be easy for him to choose what his heart wants”

Ayush is frustrated to hear that.
“I have never laid my decisions on him. I have always tried to make him do what he wishes to. I don’t understand where have I lagged that he thinks I will be unhappy if he chooses to overrule my choices”
“You should speak to him about it” Aman suggests. “You should intervene, Uncle. Right now more than a friend, he needs some reassurances from you”

That’s right. He should intervene now before its too late.

“I will talk to him tonight. Thank you, Aman”
“No problem, Uncle”

Ayush hangs up. He will speak to Arnav and try to understand what he really wants. If Khushi is all that he desires, then he will support his son.

His intercom rings.
“Sir, Miss Gupta wants to see you. Should I ask her to wait until your conference is done?”
“No. send her in”
“Okay Sir”
He disconnects.
“Come in” Ayush leans back on his chair, waiting for Khushi Gupta to show up in his cabin. He doesn’t know why she suddenly insisted on seeing him? But considering the present situations, he didn’t delay either to allow her few minutes before he indulges into his next Conference.

Khushi walks in, her steps calculative, as if she doesn’t want to intrude more than required.

“What can I do for you?” Ayush asks authoritatively. She might not be totally responsible for the mess in their family right now but she is also a part of it. Had they confessed their feelings for each other before, a lot of this pain could have been avoided.
“I wanted to handover this cheque to you” she places the envelope on the table.
“What cheque?”
“Raizadas had paid for my sponsorship. I really didn’t know it was a paid one and not because of my intelligence. I would never have let the Raizadas invest on my education otherwise”
Ayush sighs but doesn’t speak.
“Please check the number once. If it’s less, I will repay the rest once I get Job in London”
Ayush gets up from his seat and returns the envelope to her.
“This doesn’t belong to me. I didn’t pay for your Sponsorship. So, hand it to the man who did”

Khushi swallows hard. Arnav really paid it? How? He wasn’t even earning well those days. She recalls her father telling her that Arnav paid for the sponsorship and she even heard it from Arnav when they fought last night, but she still needed to know if Ayush and Revati Raizada had contributed too. It would be torturous to know she was using their money all this while. But as Ayush just confessed, she got the confirmation that Arnav didn’t let his adoptive parents spend for her even a single penny. He did it by himself. But how did he manage to do it? What was his source?

“But.. if I may have a say in this” Ayush breaks her chain of thoughts. “then you don’t have to return it, neither he will take it back from you”

She cannot keep their favors. It will always be haunting her. But she decides not to argue over this with Arnav’s father.
“I don’t want to meet him again. Can you please hand this over to him”
“No” Ayush strictly denies. “I don’t want to intrude between you both over financial matters at least. So, if you wish to return his money, give it directly to him, not me”

Somehow, she doesn’t understand why Ayush wants her to even interact with Arnav further? Shouldn’t he object their further communication?

“Fine.. I will handover it to him then” she takes back the envelope and makes her way to the door. Ayush doesn’t stop her. It is their matter and only they can sort it. Plus, Khushi should know how Arnav managed to raise that much amount for her education in London. Earlier he too was clueless why Arnav is putting so much efforts and money on a mere employee’s daughter. He knew Arnav was too generous from the beginning but spending his hard-earned money entirely those times for this reason seemed like a waste to Ayush. But he had always given Arnav his freedom to decide what he wishes to do with his finances. He never restricted him and he is still glad he didn’t. Khushi deserved a good life and she really has those capabilities to shape a good future for herself. She is deserving candidate.

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

The conference begins. Shashi joins his Boss Ayush Singh Raizada, working as normally as he did before. But when the conference is over, Shashi makes his way to Ayush’s cabin again. They lacked exchanging any sorts of personal talks today. Usually Ayush asked him what his plans for the weekends are and even Shashi kept advising some good tips for Ayush to enjoy some gala time with his wife, impressing her, making her feel loved. But today they both hardly exchanged talks, forget the personal ones.

“Sir” Shashi follows Ayush inside the cabin.

Ayush looks at him. He can only see Shashi as a father today, not as his employee. Shashi is dull but so is he.
“I have dropped my resignation today”
Ayush is stunned.
“Resignation? You didn’t even think of informing me first before submitting the papers?” he shouts.
Shashi looks down.
“I didn’t feel it necessary at the present situation. But if it bothered you, then I am extremely sorry.”

Ayush shakes his head dismissively.

“You don’t need to do this, Shashi. You know that too. You have served this company for years and I feel my Company is incomplete without you working for it”

Shashi smiles.
“I am honored, Sir. But I don’t think I can work here anymore.”
Ayush’s jaw hardens. He being the boss has still tried to stop Shashi from taking this harsh decision but if this man is still adamant in going ahead, so be it.
“You will have to serve the 3 months’ notice period. And ask Maria to take interviews. We need someone experienced to replace you”
“Yes, Sir” Shashi nods and leaves the room.

Ayush feels frustrated. What is happening here? His son is lost, his Personal assistant Shashi is going quitting the job his will and Khushi wants to repay all their favors? How much more mess is he going to handle?

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

Evening 

Khushi looks blankly at the envelope she is yet to handover Arnav. The more she delays to give him the cheque, the worse things might start turning against her. She knows he has come to Office but her heart is not letting her face him again. But she has to regain her energy and meet him one last time to settle his favors. She gets up from her seat and makes her way to his cabin.

“You cannot meet him now” Pam, his personal assistant stops her. “He is with his fiancée inside”

Khushi is speechless. Fiancée? Sheetal Mathur is here?
“Okay, let me know once she is gone, I will meet him then”
“Sounds impossible Khushi. Seems, Sir is taking her out. They will be starting any time now. I just got a call from him 5 minutes ago asking to get his vehicle ready”
Khushi grips the envelope in her hand.
“Oh”
She has no clue what to do. Probably, he has decided to mend things now. He wants to focus on what he has rather than what he wants. But that doesn’t stop her from closing their chapter.
“Okay, can you please handover this envelope to him? If not today then tomorrow?”
“What is this?” Pam asks again.
“He will know. I will leave a message with it. Hold on”

Khushi takes a notepad and writes a one liner on it and puts it back in the envelope.

“Don’t forget to give him this”
“But you can give him tomorrow” Pam suggests alternatives
Khushi passes her a weak smile.
“It’s my last day today, Pam. My tenure here is over. I won’t be coming to office from tomorrow”
Pam is surprised.
“I didn’t know. Hope you got a good farewell”

Yea. She got one she can never forget!! Khushi nods.
“Yes. Thank you and good bye”

Handing over the envelope to Pam, she exits the floor.


To be Continued.


NEXT PART

Note: Short update but will extend it tomorrow again. I mean next part will post tomorrow. 

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

____________________________________________________________________________

Other Works

Non Arshi Blog

Madhu's Ebooks in Amazon 

Ebook PDF copies