My New Boss - Season 3 - Part 17

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Chapter 17


Arnav’s POV


I speak to Mukherjee, the detective my dad referred to get details about Khushi’s problem. He has promised me to come up with some hints by the end of the day. The clock is ticking making me impatient every hour. It’s evening when I get his call.


“Yes Mukherjee, tell me.”

“Sir, Miss Gupta and Mr Jha are getting married next month.”

“What?” I shout.

“Yes Sir. His father Manohar Jha who is a well-known politician and I have learnt this marriage fact from an insider of that political party who is very close to Manohar Jha. Seems just yesterday he told a few of his party members that he is getting his son married to Khushi Gupta next month. From next week they are even going to announce it publicly and complete the Roka formalities.”

Damn hell!! Khushi agreed to marry Shyam? When? I know they are engaged but they are definitely not in good terms. I cannot even imagine what’s wrong that Khushi is literally ready to marry that arrogant dumbass man!!

“I will dig more details on this, Sir but it seems like there’s more to it. I have tracked Khushi’s phone call details and she hardly speaks to Shyam or his father much which clearly shows she is least interested in this alliance.”


I don’t think I have that strength to even speak over this.

“I will dig more and get back to you, Sir.”


The call disconnects and for a minute I am still froze. Khushi is getting married? No effing way!! A pang of jealousy and restlessness fills in my body and I want to kill somebody for hurting me this much. I don’t know why but I have this sensitive side for Khushi Gupta which is so rare that I myself cannot dissect it.

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

Khushi’s POV


The conference ends and the team disperse back to their respective cabins when the door opens and Arnav Singh Raizada barges inside. He looks mad!!


“What happened?” I ask casually.

“You are marrying Shyam Jha?”


Wait! How did he get to know this? It was only between me and Shyam so far.

“Don’t even think of hiding it Khushi. I have heard this from an insider of Shyam’s father’s political party. So tell me if this is just a gossip or is there any truth in it?”


Manohar Uncle shared this news with his party members? Shit!! I didn’t think he would so early. With Arnav’s piercing gaze on me and his fingers clenched into a fist, I realize he hasn’t liked this fact.

“Yes. So far, that’s the truth.” I answer diplomatically because I know no matter what, I am not going to marry that jerk.

“What the F*** is wrong with you?” Arnav scolds as if he has every right on me and to even question the decisions I make. “You can’t marry that idiot. Are you crazy?

I don’t say a word. I just exhale loudly and continue collecting the papers. The next instant I know, he grabs my elbow and pulls me to face him.

“Don’t be a coward Khushi Gupta. At least show the decency to face your illogical decisions when someone is pointing at you.”

There’s pure heat of rage emanating from his body and his tone.. God!! I have never seen him this mad at anyone before.

I yank away his arm from mine. “I don’t owe any explanation to you on why I am getting married to Shyam Jha. I have my reasons Arnav. I don’t think you can understand..”

“Don’t presume I can’t understand. If you have guts, tell me and then decide what I am capable of.”


Why is he so interested in knowing my problems? In sorting them even?

“Is he blackmailing you with some past? Or only because his father is a politician, he is threatening you with their power? What is it?”

“Stop” I snap, harder this time. “Stop poking your nose in my life. How many times should I tell you that? This is becoming repetitive now, Arnav. You poking me for truth I don’t want to tell you. I don’t care why you want to learn about my problems but for the last time, I am telling you this. Stay out of it. Do you understand?”

Something transpires and his expressions changes from angry to dangerous. For the first time in my life, I realize how badly I have hurt someone who just wants good for me. Arnav is not my enemy. But I don’t leave a chance hurting him at times. But he has to understand, I don’t need his help. I am not someone who can take help from people I hardly know. I have a problem sharing my heart with others even if they are close to me which Arnav Singh Raizada is clearly not. I like him now. Yes I do but that doesn’t mean I will share my issues with him. But anyway, my tone was inappropriate and I better explain it to him calmly but Arnav gives me a last deathly glare before walking towards the door.


“Arnav, stop. I didn’t mean to be harsh but-”


I try to defend but he is gone!! He is out of the room and for some odd reason, I don’t like it at all.


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

I haven’t seen him for the whole day and the next and this is pissing me off. I spoke to Ayush Sir who said he hasn’t given him any other work which could be his priority. That just means Arnav is now avoiding me and why not? I insulted him royally yesterday. I don’t like it that he is ignoring me but that’s how I should keep it so that he doesn’t poke me again. I attend the meetings alone where technically he too should have been beside me. When I call his assistant to ask Arnav to come to my cabin so we can discuss some key points to some project, I get those points in my email from Arnav instead of in person. He is doing his work well, just avoiding me. Well! I hate to be avoided too. Especially by a man like him who just a few days ago was caring me like I am his everything. A strange feeling burns a hole in my stomach as I think about Arnav Singh Raizada. But its not for too long as the call from my property broker interrupts my chain of thoughts.

“Yes, Sachin. Any luck?”

“Yup. We have good news. We got a buyer for your apartment. I have sent them pictures and they liked it.”

“Oh thank god”


I take a sigh of relief.

“Who are they?” I ask further.

“Don’t worry. All my clients are genuine. This couple was looking for a house from past few months and they liked your apartment. They will come today to see it personally. Around 7:00pm. Is that okay with you?”


I check my watch.

“Yes. I will be there at 7:00 sharp.”

“Great. Bye.”


I hang up and take another sigh of relief. Selling my apartment will help me arrange 80% of the remaining funds I owe to the Jha family. The rest 20% I am taking a personal loan to clear it up. So, I don’t get to marry that Shyam Jha and I can be freed of his debts too. Finally!! It feels sorted.


At 07:00, I meet the couple at my apartment. They look decent. The husband owns a small business in Kerala and has recently shifted to this city where they need an apartment to live. They like my house and negotiate the price. I had carefully etched out how much I could sell the apartment for so I don’t have a problem negotiating because they still have agreed to pay me more than I expected. Great!! I thank them and also state my urgency in finishing the sale deed this same week which was obviously my only criteria when I hired this broker so that he could find only such clients who could pay me instantly. So all that discussions are positive. We fix a date to do the sale deed which is in next 3 days. I’ll also be getting my personal loan disbursed in three days which means all is well. I have nothing to worry about.


They leave and I look around at my house. This is the only asset I could build on my own money so far. And now I had to sell it off to repay my father’s debts. I don’t mind. I know my capabilities and I also know I can build another one soon with my hard-earned money. In all these years Life has taught me many lessons and the most important ones is that hard work always pays off. Six years I have slogged to be where I am today. That reminds me suddenly what will I tell Lavanya why I sold the house? I might have to stay in a hotel until I find a small rental apartment for myself. I can’t hide these changes for long. I don’t want to. By hiding, I recall I how badly I have hurt Arnav from digging into my life. I think of something and dial his number. If nothing else, I can at least say sorry to him. I know I usually don’t say sorry that easily but somehow I think I deserve to apologize this time. That still doesn’t mean I will let him dig in my life. I will ask him to draw borders between our whatever relationship we share so that neither I interfere in his, nor he does in mine. With that in mind, I call his number to see if he can meet me now but he doesn’t answer my call. What had I expected? I know he is avoiding me royally. But if he thinks I will give up reaching him, he is totally wrong. I dial his Ayush Sir who I know is aware of all his whereabouts.


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


Two hours later I am in the same club where last time we met Akash. Ayush Sir told me he and Arnav are here for drinks. I didn’t want to disturb them but when I made an excuse I was getting bored, he offered me to join them there. I couldn’t resist. This was so not me but yet here I am, only because I want to speak to Arnav and clear a few things, also put his ego at ease by apologizing.


I see them sitting at a corner table, at the dark zone where hardly anybody else can even see them. My eyesight is good. Anyway, I reach their table and say hi to the older Raizada first.

“Hello Sir,”

“Khushi, you are here..” Ayush Sir gets up and then gives me a formal hug.

I hug him back. He is drunk but he is a good man. Always looks after me like I am his daughter. When I turn my gaze to the junior Raizada, he looks shocked and surprised and confused and angry at the same time. Only he can gives those expressions. He then rolls his eyes and finishes the rest of the drink. I take a minute to observe. In a grey suit, with his jacket unbuttoned, and his white Shirt inside clearly visible, the man looks handsome indeed. He has got his looks from his father and the cuteness of his mother. I don’t know where he got those tantrums from? His parents are so down to earth unlike him.


“It is so nice to see you here.”


I realize Ayush Sir is pretending to be oblivious of my presence when the truth is that he is the one who called me here.

“I just happened to come here for a drink.” I answer.

“You don’t drink, Miss Gupta.” Arnav interjects. “So stop lying and Dad you.. you don’t have that knack to lie on my face. I know you told her I am here..”


Wow!! Impressive. Arnav has made me speechless for now by his mind reading skills. He finishes his drink and then gets up.

“I am leaving home.” He says to his father. “You and Miss Gupta can continue.”


He is about to leave when I grip his wrist. He’s hot!! I mean his body is burning and I assume that’s because of anger and frustration. Arnav looks down at our handhold and then gazes back on my face.


“I came here to talk to you, not your father.”


He yanks my hand off his in a similar way I did it the other day when we fought.

“Well, I don’t want to talk to anyone as stubborn and self-contained like you.”

He is about to leave when I block his way.

“It’s you being stubborn now. I am here to say something and I wont let you go until you hear me out.”


“Come on, Arnav. Hear her out. When a lady requests so much, a gentleman always listens.” Ayush Singh Raizada intervenes.


I mouth a thank you to him and then wait for Arnav to make his mind.

“Fine.” He murmurs.

“Good.” His father smiles at me. “Now you two carry on. I am sleepy. Will go home and rest. Have a good time you two. Bye Khushi.”

“Bye” I nod and Arnav smiles as his father makes his way out.


To be Continued.

NEXT PART

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