Lawful Sins - Season 2 - Part 11

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Chapter 11

Her desk was messed up with papers she had to go through carefully, very carefully. Advocate Kamal was standing right before her desk, waiting for her to speak up for any necessary amendments which he thought she would ask him to make. Every single term in the defined contract was dipped in poison. She could be little lenient, show some compassion before sending those officially further. But when she picked her pen to sign them, he interrupted.

“Ma’am. Are you sure about this?”

She pressed the nib of her pen on the hard table, bending and breaking it badly. Kamal took a step back when her gaze drifted to him. There was something in that look which told her how much she wanted this deal to happen.

“Mr. Kamal. You know how many best lawyers this city has?” she got up from her desk swiftly, moved around and stood before the man himself. “I don’t change my decisions once taken neither tolerate people questioning them.”

Sweat beads slipped down Kamal’s forehead which he wiped off with his shivering fingers.

“It wouldn’t take me a minute to change my Lawyer, Mr. Kamal. So next time before you think of interrupting my work, recall this threat”

“Ye…ss… ess yes Ma’am” he nodded.

“No Apology Mr. Kamal?” her fingers gripped the edge of the wood table where she had leaned. Her knuckles cracked with the strain. Yet she showed no signs of pain on her face.

Seeing her bustling with anger and not willing to lose his job or maybe his entire career, Kamal obeyed her demands and apologized. But there was no content on her face even after the apology. She just walked back to her chair and without any delay signed the papers with another pen whose nib she broke again in the similar way she did with its twin a while ago. The deal was sealed. The end to a new beginning was soon going to arise. She just wrote the dreadful fate of Arnav Singh Raizada binding him in the chains of her slavery for this birth. It had to be fun!!

Collecting the papers, Kamal strode out to get them legally registered. She watched the clock tick, second by second, patiently for the next one hour 38 minutes until her phone rang. This was it!! She picked the receiver and held it to her ear.

“I have signed the papers” Rage simmered in his voice as he declared it but did he have a choice?

Khushi Gupta shut her eyes wanting to freeze the moment. After few seconds of terrible silence, she replied.

“You just saved your sister’s dignity then. Tell her the marriage is happening before her baby bump is noticeable to others”

No more words, no more assurances, this was enough for him to disconnect the call. Khushi Gupta put the receiver away and leaned back on her chair smiling in victory. How the hell was she going to celebrate this? It was so Huge. She took a sip of the Wine placed on her table touching her left cheek.. the same cheek where he had slapped her once. She felt her face heat. That one slap was equal to his slavery forever. Arnav Singh Raizada was now her legal property.

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

“Forever?” Ruby queried. “How can he be your slave forever when he has just signed it for 6 months?”

Khushi smirked hard. She was still in her cabin. The signed deal from Arnav Singh Raizada was back to her office with the necessary seals and stamps. The sin was stamped lawfully and she wanted to celebrate.

“Ruby, you know me since my childhood. I don’t believe in short term results. I aim for long term”

“I know but how? Arnav Singh Raizada has already challenged you that by the end of 6 months you are going to regret it hard. How do you think he will dance on your tunes for his entire life?”

“Leave that on me. It’s a surprise” she blew a kiss to her friend. “Wine?”

“No thanks. I have to go work. Lavanya and Nandakishore’s wedding news is going to be big news for my Channel”

“I want to read the Article before you release it and also amend if necessary”

“Sure” Ruby got up to leave. “Just call me and I will make the amendments. Bye Darling”

She gave a quick hug to Khushi and walked out. Khushi stared at the deal papers again.

“What should I make you do, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada?” she spoke to herself picking the papers. “Lets the show begin”

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

AR Office

“Congratulations ASR” Shyam wished him the moment he stepped in the cabin. “I cannot believe Lavanya is getting married. After all the mess you could still convince Miss Gupta”

Arnav had leaned back on his chair, having no joy on his face. Obviously, who will be happily stepping into hell? When Khushi sent the deal papers to him, he went through each and every clause and it really blew his mind. Though his 3 conditions were also included, he was still skeptical if she was going to follow them strictly. Lavanya and Nani should never know what he signed. And apart from the three conditions, he had also made it clear that she wouldn’t enforce the deal until Lavanya and Nandakishore are engaged. Whatever she wanted him to do for her, he will, only after their engagement happens. So technically, he had 2 more days of freedom.

“You don’t seem fine” Shyam replied. “Any problem?”

Arnav didn’t want to share it, didn’t want to add one more person in this mess and complications.

“What got you here?” he asked diverting the topic.

“The Staff is happy. They just read the article and everyone wanted to congratulate you”

Article!! Yes, he read that too. Khushi Gupta’s friend Ruby published that article on her business channel blog. It had their Company logos on it. Both Gupta Industries and AR Group logos along with a picture of NK – Lavanya together.

“So the engagement is after 2 days?” Shyam asked.

“Yes. And I wont be coming to office for a week Shyam. Call me in case there is anything that needs my attention”

Shyam nodded and was about to leave when Arnav realized something.

“One more thing, Shyam”

He stopped and turned around.

“I want you to keep a close eye on every management decision that happens. Nothing can surpass my ears. No contracts, no deals, no clients. Even the smallest change in the Company affairs has to be brought to my notice. Am I clear?”

Shyam was suspicious but he agreed and left out. Arnav raked his fingers in his hair, frustrated. He was very sure Khushi Gupta would try to get into the skin of AR Group and he wouldn’t let her do that. The reputation of his company should never fall.

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

Shantivan
When he returned home in the evening, he was surprised to see the Gupta siblings in the living room talking to Nani and Lavanya. Khushi Gupta was once again in a formal attire – a knee length black skirt and a casual white top tucked in. She sat crossed leg beside NK, talking something to Nani.

“ASR” Lavanya happily got up. “I was about to call you”

She dragged Arnav in while he kept his eyes glued on the Gupta woman. The way she looked at him reflected he was in danger very soon.

“Hey ASR” NK got up and hugged him. “I am so glad you and Khush sorted out the differences and are willing to get us married this week”

Arnav faked a smile.

“Kishu” Khushi interrupted. “If things were possible, I would get you both engaged like right now. What do you think Mr. Raizada?”

Her eyes sparkled with joy.

“Whats the hurry Miss Gupta? And 2 days are not very far enough. Have some patience”

“I am running out of patience” she said biting her inner lip. Arnav exactly knew why she was so hurrying. She couldn’t wait to see him obeying her silly demands.

“I cannot believe this” NK intervened. “Its our marriage and our siblings are losing patience to see us married. So good to know” he teased.

Khushi turned back to Nani.

“Now that your grandson is here, lets get to the main point” she stated.

Arnav took a seat on the couch, his eyes focused on Khushi Gupta only.

“The engagement will happen in Gupta Villa. And only between some close friends and relatives”

“We are okay with that, what do you think Chotte?” Nani asked.

Chotte? Khushi smirked.

“As you say Nani”

He didn’t care where the engagement happens.

“But Khushi bitiya, the pre marriage rituals will happen here in Shantivan. I mean the Sangeet, Mehndi and Haldi”

“I have no issues” Khushi replied.

“And obviously the wedding will also take place in Shantivan as decided” Nani added.

“I am okay with that too” She replied then turned to Arnav. “Have you informed your Nani that she is going to stay with us in Gupta Villa?”

Arnav hadnt spoken to his Nani about it. Both Nani and Lavanya were surprised.

“Chotte? Why will I stay there?”

“Nani… Lavanya needs you. Someone has to look after her”

“Naniji..” Khushi addressed. Arnav hadnt thought she would call Nani as Naniji… adding so much respect for the old woman. “Your grandson doesn’t believe I can look after my sister-in-law”

“That’s right” Arnav snapped.

It shocked the others and when he realized that, he softened his tone.

“Nani, Miss Gupta has no idea about dealing with someone’s pregnancy. The way you can take care of Lavanya, no one else can”

He had a point.

“But Chotte.. what about you? You will stay here alone?”

“Don’t worry on that Naniji” Khushi interrupted. “I will keep him occupied”

Arnav swallowed. Did she realize she was infusing some wrong ideas in their family’s eyes about them?

“Nani, please don’t deny” NK pleaded. “Its our first baby and I don’t want any complications. If you stay with us, we will be at ease”

Nani sighed.

“That’s not a problem Nandakishore” Nani replied. “But my responsibility doesn’t end up with Lavanya’s marriage. You know we are looking proposals for Arnav too. And the sooner this happens and he settles down, I will be at ease”

Khushi stiffened. She could visualize an unknown woman touching Arnav Singh Raizada inappropriately and he didn’t mind her doing that. Only because that woman had a right over him. But how can someone else have a right on him when for the next 6 months he has given her the rights? Though he had strictly put a condition already that she wouldn’t interfere who he dates or marries, she still couldn’t adjust well with that fact. Why? Her body gave her mixed feelings right now.

“Nani, we can find a girl for ASR from Gupta Villa too” Lavanya suggested. “And then get him hitched with her” she giggled.

Arnav rolled his eyes. He had no plans of marriage so soon until he knows his sister is happy and settled in her life.

“What kind of a girl are you looking for him, if I may ask, Naniji?” Khushi suddenly enquired.

Arnav gritted his teeth.

“That’s none of your business Miss Gupta. Because I am sure the woman I like can never be in your circle”

Khushi didn’t like his reply. Even NK and Lavanya were confused why he got annoyed?

“No No.. that’s not the point” Nani tried to cover up. “Arnav’s choice for his wife is very simple. He doesn’t like today’s high society girls who have no regards to relationships and commitment”

Khushi raised her brow.

“Interesting. Very rare breed to find” she mocked.

Anger coursed through his body.

“What happened to your wrist Miss Gupta? Any accident?” he purposely asked.

Khushi was speechless for a second.

“Uhh.. yea. Another accident” she lied and then they glared at each other.

“You got to be careful next time. Not every accident can save you every time”

She adopted a serious face.

“I am not scared of death Mr. Raizada. But I will be careful from next time. And in fact just today I have signed a new insurance. It’s the best I have dealt with so far”

Only she and Arnav knew she was talking about the deal and not some life insurance. Khushi rose to her feet.

“We should leave now. I will see you all on the engagement” she said to Nani.

NK quickly took Nani’s blessings and then whispered something to Lavanya. Arnav, Khushi and Nani didn’t wait for them to finish. They kept walking out.

“Oh.. I had some sweets packed for you. Let me get them” Nani left hurriedly to the kitchen. Arnav and Khushi continued walking to the door.

“You deleted the photos?” he roughly asked.

“Yep” she smirked. “Though I liked a few of them.. they were like perfectly shot. How about I show them to whoever you plan to marry in future?”

Arnav stopped and so did she. He glared down at her, his mouth set in a grim line.

“Don’t play games with me, Khushi Gupta”

“You cannot say that Mr. Raizada. You have sold your next 6 months to me. I can do anything I like. But..” she smiled. “I wont show our pictures to anyone. They are OUR SECRET” she leaned closer and whispered.

What the hell was she doing? Arnav clutched her forearms and pinned her to the wall behind.

“Have you DELETED the pictures or not? That was the deal Khushi. I sign.. you delete them forever. And you know I will back out if you don’t follow this”

He calling her ‘Khushi’ sounded so good. Khushi was perplexed why she got these unusual tickles in her body when he called her by name and not ‘Miss Gupta’. Something was surely wrong with her. Either she was too elated by her win or it was more than that..

“Your Nani is coming here” she murmured unable to take her eyes off his frustrated look.

“If I ever see those pictures again, you know the consequences” he barked and left her arms.

Khushi neatened her dress before anyone could watch her so messed up. Pin, pull, push was a serious NO for her. She termed it manhandling.. And it was a strict No. Anyone else doing that to her, she would have sued him by now.

“Khushi bitiya. That’s for you and Nandakishore” Nani handed the sweet box.

Arnav looked elsewhere. Anyone could guess he was annoyed. It was all over his face.

“Bye” she said the old lady and got in the vehicle. NK soon followed. Lavanya waved at them as the car drove out.

“I am so happy ASR” she hugged her brother. He wrapped his arms around her.

“Me too”

Lavanya could be blind to Arnav’s turmoil but not Nani. Something was fishy and she decided to find out.

In the car, NK kept on blabbering his plans for the engagement and what he was going to gift Lavanya but Khushi had no ears to him at all. She unlocked her phone and glared at the only picture of her and Arnav Singh Raizada from Prem Nivas which she had not deleted unlike the rest. That one picture, her finger ached to delete but not her body. That one picture which was still enough to screw a lot of things between them. That one picture which made her insides coil and clench. The feeling whenever she saw this picture was out of the world. And even though Arnav Singh Raizada was presently her biggest enemy, he was also the only one who could bear to invoke that kind of feelings inside her. She locked her phone again and put a smile on her face. 2 days and he would dance on her tunes.


To be Continued.



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