My New Boss - Season 3 - Part 11

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Chapter 11


Khushi’s POV


I am speechless the way Arnav shares his thoughts about Shyam. Why is this man so good at face reading? He figured about Shyam so easily which I couldn’t vocalize in the past few years. As Arnav said, Shyam is cunning, wicked, arrogant. He doesn’t treat me well and vice versa. Yes, his eyes give me an odd feeling too especially when he stares at me intensely. And I don’t like the way he makes me feel. It’s terrible. The only thing that comes to my mind whenever he is around is when I can be freed of him. But I can’t let Arnav poke in my personal life even if his intentions are good. So, whilst he waits for me to say something and give him a hint why I am engaged to that jerk, I decide to end the subject here.


“Whatever Shyam is, he is still my fiancée and my headache. I don’t give anyone that right to question my choice.”

Arnav frowns.


“I am warning you he’ll be a trouble in future,” he adds.

“It’s my lookout. And good night. This conversation ends here.”


I pick my phone and walk back to my room with Arnav’s heated gaze piercing my back. I know he didn’t like the way I spoke to him but I know how to handle my headaches. Arnav Singh Raizada need not be bothered. But a part of me liked his extra concern. Almost everyone from my extended family knows Shyam and none of them ever cared to point out my choice is wrong. Coming to my friend, Lavanya, she just knows half of the picture of my life. Huh!! Life!! It’s never as easy as I try to pretend it to be.


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

Next morning when I wake up, Arnav is not in the suite neither he left any note. I know he has to attend a wedding today but never thought he would leave this early. I have no clue where he saved that report on his laptop which we need to present before the Oman Client tomorrow when we fly there. How can he be so irresponsible? Or he did this on purpose because we had a fight last night. I still can’t believe I dozed off on his shoulder and he had to wake me up. Ignoring those thoughts for now, I decide to call him up.


I dial for three consecutive times and he doesn’t answer any of them. Fine. I take a shower and message Shyam I would directly reach the venue and he doesn’t need to pick me up but he instantly replies back that he will pick me and we will have to go together. I hate this!! I had no intention to attend his friend’s wedding today and had declared the same last night but I couldn’t ignore the fact that being engaged to him I was bounded to fulfil a few responsibilities. So, when he called me again yesterday after I reached home, I agreed to go along with him.


I have attended many Indian weddings so far, but none where Shyam and me went together as a couple. It really irks but I have no choice. Until I am engaged to him, these things are unavoidable. I check my phone again. No message from Arnav on where he saved the report on his laptop. He is clearly ignoring me. I won’t let him do that. Where is his professionalism now? I dial him again and this time he answers.


“How dare you leave the hotel room without informing me? And why are you ignoring my calls? You are acting ridiculous, Arnav Singh Raizada?” I vent out in one breath and wait for him respond.

“Khushi?”


My heart skips a beat. That’s not Arnav but his mother Aarti Malik. Oh no!! I am doomed. How would I know she will answer his call and not his mother?


“Aunty? I.. I thought Arnav picked the call and.. I … I am sorry I …”


Words stop framing in my head. Of course, no mother would like anyone scolding her child like that. Will she shout at me? Stop speaking to me? I am still thinking on the consequences when suddenly I hear her laugh. Thank God she didn’t take me seriously. I breath normally, liking I could make her laugh without any efforts.


“I can’t believe this,” she finally speaks holding her laughter. “This is how you shout at my son?”


I bite my lip. I’m nervous.

“And for what?” she adds. “Only because he left the room without informing you?”

“No” I clear my throat. “That’s not the point. Actually, whatever work we did last night, he has it on his laptop and he didn’t tell me where he saved. In fact, I don’t even have his laptop password. So..”

“Oh I see. Actually, its not his fault. I called him early morning to accompany me for some last-minute shopping. And he forgot his phone here in my hotel room. Now’s he is dressing up for the event so I answered but wait, he’s out. Let me pass the phone to him.”


I am glad she is passing the phone to Arnav because I didn’t know what else to speak to his mom. She is genuinely sweet and if I were in her place and someone had spoke to my son like that, I would have whacked that person black and blue.”


My son? What am I even thinking? I have never thought this far. Anyway, I hear Arnav’s voice speaking to his mother softly before answering the call.


“What the F***” Arnav says.

“What?” I snap. “What did you say?”

“I said What the F***.” He repeats. “That’s my laptop password.”


My cheeks burn at his reply. Really?


“Who keeps such indecent passwords?” I argue.

“Now you have problem with my passwords too?”

“Oh please. It’s totally gross and unprofessional.”

“Actually, I keep changing it a lot” he continues. “Depending on my mood. Last night I changed it to this one because after our argument this is what I felt for poking in your personal life.”


I am quiet. He’s really taken it to his heart.

“Anyway, I don’t owe an explanation to you why I keep such passwords because that’s totally my call. The file you need is on the desktop, folder name ‘Oman Project’. Feel free to check the report before you transfer the file to your email id. Anything else?”

I think for a second if he missed anything. No. He’s given me what I need.

“That’s it. You may now dress up.”


I knew his mother said he was dressing up, that’s why that came in my mouth.


“I’ll dress up when I like or I won’t dress up at all. You don’t have to command me. It’s personal.”


I wish he could see me rolling my eyes.

“Fine. Do whatever you want then.”


I disconnect and turn on his laptop. Even while typing that offensive password, he has, makes my fingers shiver. But I type it and I’m able to log in. Finally!!


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

Shyam picks me up sharp at 04:00 pm. By now the wedding is done but seems we are only attending the reception party which has begun.


“You look ravishing..” Shyam says sliding his arm around my lower back which I instantly shrug off.

“Don’t touch me unnecessarily, Shyam. We had talked about this.”

“Had we?” he grins.


I open the door of the car and sit inside. He leans at the door staring at me. “How do you know its unnecessary? What if I say, I really like touching you.”

“Screw you liking then” I snap. “Now can we just drive to the wedding and finish this?”


His idiotic frown is back but I don’t care. I really want to finish this and focus on my tomorrow’s deal. We reach the venue in 30 minutes and the instant we get inside, I see Aarti Malik. She sees me that same instant and my jaw drops. Excusing herself from the group she was talking to, she reaches to me and Shyam.


“Hello pretty woman, what are you doing here?”

We give a quick hug to each other and then I stare at Shyam again.

“Who is your friend you said?”

“Nandita, the bride.”

“Oh, so you are team Bride then?” Aarti Malik chuckles. “Me and Arnav are team Groom. Manish, the groom is my friend’s son. But this is such a coincidence that we were supposed to attend the same wedding and we didn’t know.”


Shyam fakes a smile while my eyes quickly scan around. Whom am I searching for? Arnav Singh Raizada? No!! I swallow and focus back on Aarti Malik.


“Good that I have a company at least while Shyam gets busy with his friends.” I mock and Shyam grins again, leaning closer.

“I am not leaving you alone for a second baby. You haven’t met my friends yet so, shall we?”


No!! I have no interest meeting his friends but Shyam doesn’t let me deny. I quickly press Aarti Malik’s hand asking her to excuse us and then stride away with Shyam.


“Where are your manners, Shyam?” I mutter. “You dragged me when I was still speaking to Aunty.”

He chuckles. “She is your Boss’s Ex-wife. When he didn’t keep relation with her, why are you so interested?”

“Because I don’t judge people based on other’s recommendations. I have my own opinions and I know whom to pick in my life and whom to discard.”


I shrug his arm away and stop. His low thoughts really piss me off. He is about to argue when his phone rings.


“I’ll be right back attending this call. Suit yourself.”

And he goes. Thank God. At least I can breathe now. I pick a soft drink and wander alone in the party. It’s a beautiful wedding and the groom and bride look very much in love with each other. More than them, their families look excited and exhausted too. A wedding like this has so much preps, planning and feelings behind. My parents had similar dreams from mine if only they knew what kind of man they have chosen for me. If only!!


I turn to Shyam who is very far away from me, talking on the phone. He is mad at someone. I have never shown much interest in knowing him ever nor I wish to do so in future. But one thing is clear, he can never be the man with whom I can live in peace. If I really have to marry, it has to be someone else. Though marriage is not a compulsion in my life. I want stability and growth in my career, that’s enough for me to spend the rest of my life, working.


“You are alone?” Aarti Aunty is back. She is displeased. “Where is your fiancée?”

“He had to make a few calls.”

“Oh I see. Nevermind. Would you like to meet my friends? I am sure you will love them.”


I don’t know why I don’t deny. Maybe I have started enjoying Aunty’s company and its definitely better than spending time with Shyam or waiting for him.

“Sure” I walk with her to a group of women and she introduces me to everyone.


I am impressed how good they all are to each other and welcoming to me. Aarti Malik has a good circle. They all are enthralled to know I am the CEO of AR Group and that opens up the window of even more appreciations. I take it all, mix up in the group, enjoy the mocktails they suggest I should try and the desserts too. I almost forget whom I am here with as the company of Aarti Malik and her friends is magical.


I don’t find Shyam anywhere around now. It’s like he is absent from past one hour. To be honest, I don’t care! Once I am alone again with Aarti Malik, Arnav Singh Raizada joins us. The way he looks at me, is obvious that he saw me here before we meet each other now.


“Arnav.. did you meet Aliya?” Aunty ask, and I wait to know who that is?

“No” Arnav clears his throat taking a swig of his drink.

“Then you should.”

“Come on Mom. This is why I don’t like attending such events with you. Stop match-making.”

“Why should I stop?” she argues.


I am a silent listener. Obviously, I know what this conversation is about. Aunty wants Arnav to pick a girl and get married whereas he is disinterested.


“Khushi, you tell me. Don’t I have the right to see my son married and give me grandchildren?”

Aunty’s question drags me into this debate and I am not sure whose side to take?

“Don’t even say yes..” Arnav warns me as I open my mouth to speak.

“You don’t tell me what I have to do.”

“I will.” He takes a step. “If I can’t poke in your personal life, you can’t poke in mine.”


I don’t know why but that remark me laugh.

“You sound so childish right now.. If I can’t touch your toy, you can’t touch mine.. That type..”


I said this in the most simplest way yet his eyes blaze with something other than anger.. Did my remark give him a double meaning? Probably.!!

“Arnav, she is right” Aunty intervenes. “I asked her opinion. You don’t have to shout at her. And in fact, I think I need Khushi’s help.”


Aunty turns to me and holds my hands.


“Khushi, I leave this task to you. Now that Arnav is in India and I am not around him, how can I even look for his type of bride? I can’t trust Ayush will show any interest in this subject which leaves me with only one option and that’s you.”


My jaw drops.

“You find him a bride.”

“Mom??” Arnav tries to intervene but Aunty doesn’t listen to him. She keeps talking to me.

“He likes ambitious women that’s for sure. And preferably sober types because he is already very arrogant and if his bride also has that similar attitude, I don’t know how they will handle a relationship. You being in such a good position at AR Group might meet so many women in this category. And since Arnav is working with you, I am sure no one better than you can find a match for him..”


This is too much to process. I am speechless.


“Mom don’t embarrass us.. please.” Arnav threatens his mother by his gaze but she doesn’t care.

“All I want is you married and settle down Arnav. If not this year, then next or next. What’s so odd about this?”


Aww!! A mother’s heart and feelings always works that way. I can totally relate her to the feelings of my mother. So, I don’t reject her request.

“I think you should marry” I take her side and pass my comment looking sharply at Arnav who clenches his jaw.

“Will you?”


What? What is that supposed to mean? He just stops his response in those two words. What should I infer?


“Will you marry someone only because your parents think you should marry that person?” Arnav finally completes the question but it hurts me.


The silence tells him all and he turns again to his mother.


“I will find my woman when I am ready for commitment, Mom and God knows when I do, nothing and no one can come in my way to claim her as my life partner,” he declares and for some reason when he says this, his eyes are back on me, sending shivers to my spine.


Now what the hell is that supposed to mean? Why did he look at me? I am sure even he doesn’t know that.


To be Continued.

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FORBIDDEN

Standalone Enemies to Lovers Romance

Jhanvi Sikand
I was supposed to marry my childhood friend Mohit Raichand. Call it fate or destiny, I tied the knot with the Forbidden Heir of the Raichand family – Aarav Raichand, instead. I knew nothing about him except that he used me as a pawn to start a war to snatch from the Raichands what was legally his.


Aarav Raichand
Despite being the firstborn in the Raichand family, they forbade me from the rights and tags I should legally own. My father was secretly married to my mother, his middle-class lady love. Yet my egoistic grandmother got him re-married to another woman from her rich circle. She considers their offspring, Mohit Raichand, as the true heir of the family now. I would have ignored it all had her actions not taken my mother’s life. I pledged on my mother’s grave to crush the ego of my grandmother and snatch what is rightfully mine, including the woman she was getting Mohit married to.


A Fight for dominance altered to War for Love. One war, Three Lives, Only Two could survive.

Book Releasing in November 2021.