My New Boss - Season 3 - Part 22

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Chapter 22


Khushi’s POV


I didn’t sleep well at night. All thanks to my nightmares. Yesterday’s events in the hotel room kept flashing in my head nonstop until early hours of the morning when I finally got some sleep but the alarms woke me up sharp at 08:00 am. To find myself in a completely different house and to believe that I am going to be staying here for the next couple of days feels odd. Taking a quick shower I descend the stairs of AR Mansion, only to find my Boss Ayush Singh Raizada enjoying his morning coffee while reading the newspaper.


“Good morning Sir.” I say as I reach him. “Didn’t know you are a traditional news reader.”


He laughs and then greets me morning.

“News is always the best when on papers, what do you think?” he replies to my comment. “Hari Prakash, get Khushi some coffee please.”


Last night I couldn’t see this mansion well but today I realize its even more beautiful than I thought it would be. In my career of six years with the AR Group even once I didn’t get a chance to visit this place. Ayush Singh Raizada was a very private man and he liked to keep his personal and professional life separate which is why he never threw any official parties in his mansion.

“You have a great house, Sir.” I add.

“Thank you. Aarti had designed this..” he proudly mentions and then goes quiet.

I don’t want to poke why he and his wife got divorced when he still seems so fond of her.

“Did you have a good sleep?” he changes the topic.

“No. A few nightmares kept me awake. But they will stay for some time, I know.”

“Seems like you are used to them..”

I nod.

“I don’t forget such incidents very often. Every dark moment of my life keeps torturing me for days. I am used to it now.”

“That’s sad.”


My coffee is served and I have it with my Boss. It’s different to be with my Boss at office than being with him at his house.


“Morning” Arnav’s voice breaks my reverie. In a black satin robe, with ruffled hair and the huskiest voice I have ever heard, he takes a seat next to me on the couch, opposite to his father. He is limping a bit and I instantly worry.

“How’s your ankle?” I ask as Ayush Singh Raizada puts the newspaper away and stares at his son.

“Bad. It’s swollen but I can walk.”


I breathe unhappy with the update. He did so much for me last night and now I am the reason for his bruised ankle.

“We need to get the X-ray done today” his father mentions. “I am taking an appointment.”

“Have taken one already” Arnav cuts him off. “I am going at 11:00.”

“I am coming with you.” I say first.


Arnav gives me a soft smile as if he likes that too.

“I think Khushi you should rest today,” Ayush Sir intervenes. “I can take him to the hospital.”


Arnav stares at his father, dislike on his face is evident.

“It’s hardly a matter of one hour, Sir. I don’t mind going with him. Don’t worry.”

“A young female company is always better than an old father” Arnav mocks winking at his dad who rolls his eyes and then laughs in agreement.


I don’t know what to do so I just smile back. Arnav’s phone buzzes the next moment and he checks the message, then frowns and turns to his father.


“You told mom about this incident?” Arnav inquires in a not so happy tone.

“What else was I supposed to do? She had called me last night as you didn’t answer her phone call. Probably you were busy handling things with the police in that hotel. Your mother called me and when I sounded worried, she forced me to tell her what the matter was.”

“Dad..” Arnav sighs. “You know she has messaged me now that she is coming to India..”

“What?” Ayush Singh Raizada’s face lights up. Do I see some feelings here? I think he still likes his wife a lot.

“I don’t want Mom in India until we sort this mess Dad. I’ll ask her to cancel her trip.”


His father’s face falls but he gives Arnav a go ahead. Arnav messages his mother and then takes a sigh of relief.


The breakfast is simple and both father-son force me to eat well which I still can’t. Food is the last thing in my mind as I am yet to analyze if the Jha’s can really try to hurt me to this extent.


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

Arnav’s POV


We get down at the Hospital where I am supposed to get my X-rays done. Khushi has accompanied me and we have two guards with us too. I couldn’t risk letting Khushi out with me without security. I am being very careful since yesterday’s incident. My ankle aches like hell and I realize something is wrong with it because it pains even when I walk. As if Khushi realizes my pain, she gently tugs my arm to help me walk. That simple effort from her makes the hair on the back of my neck stand in attention. We meet the doctor and get the tests done. Luckily there is no fracture, just an injury in the bone which will heal in a week or two. But the doctors have warned me for partial bedrest which means I am not supposed to go to office.


“I have heard from your father you don’t like medicines, especially syringes.” The doctor comments.


I nod. That’s right. I hate them.

“But you’ll have to take one today. It will help cure your injuries faster.”

“No” I snap instantly. “Give me medicines. I don’t need an injection.”


Khushi stares at me and then looks at the doctor.

“Don’t listen to him Doctor. Do what you think is the best.”

“Are you kidding me?” I shout back at her. “I am not a kid to be forced like that. I can take my decisions on my own.”

“You are acting like a kid at this moment Arnav. It’s just a needle. It won’t prick much.”

“Oh yea? Then why don’t you take one?”

“That’s because I am not the patient, you are.”


By the time we debate, the doctor is ready with the syringe and he waits for us to finish.

“Just don’t..” I tell him again.

Khushi presses my arm.

“Be a sport.”


I bite my inner lip, holding every thought to run away from here.

“Where do you want to take it?” the doctor asks and my cheeks flame in embarrassment.

“Of course, on my arm. What do you mean where?”


I am not a child to take it anywhere else than my arm. When I turn, I see Khushi holding her laugh.


“Don’t” I warn her before raising the sleeves of my T-Shirt. The doctor wipes the spot with the spirit and then injects me.

I wanted to act normal but the stinging pain forces me to grab whatever I can at the moment to suppress it. It is only when he is done that I realize I had squeezed Khushi’s arm and she didn’t seem to mind.

“Sorry” I mouth seeing the bruises of my hold on her wrist and she still doesn’t seem to care. I have never seen Khushi so relaxed with me. But I know she will want her answers soon as in how I learned about the secret she was trying to hide from me.


We get back in the car and drive home. As soon as we reach the mansion, our jaws drop.


“Mom?” I mutter seeing my mother in the living room, speaking to dad who is in a kind of daze as she talks to him.


The moment she hears me, she turns around and runs to me.

“Arnav… oh my god..”


She gives me a tight hug and then scans me head to toe once.

“Where are you hurt? What did the doctor say?”

“I am fine but what are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you not to fly to India? And.. how did you reach this soon? I mean.. from London to India..?”

“You think I would stay there in London knowing someone attacked my son?”

“No one attacked me, Mom. They attacked Khushi and I just helped her.”


The moment I talk about Khushi mom shifts her attention on her and then gives her a hug.

“Thank God you are fine sweetheart. I was so worried for the two of you.”

“Mom..” I intervene. “How did you get to India so fast?”

“My friend owns a chartered plane. He could do that much favor on me.”

“HE?”


No. That’s not me who asked her that. It’s Dad who did. Mom looks over her shoulder to reply him.

“You shouldn’t have a problem with that anymore, Ayush.”

“You never told me you have such good friends” he argues.


Wow!! What the hell is happening? I can literally see my dad fuming over this new information from Mom. Me and Khushi give a glance to each other once before turning back to them.


“Why would I tell you? We are divorced, Ayush.”

“But we have a son together, Aarti.”

“You being Arnav’s father has nothing to do with whom I befriend with.”

“Mom.. Dad..” I interrupt. “Can you two please not get into a fight right now?”

“Sorry” they both say together.


I take a sigh of relief and then we all take the couch in the living room. We finally tell Mom the updates so far on Khushi’s broken engagement and how I think those goons were from the Jha side and how I saved her. Mom later asks Khushi everything what the doctor said and she looks pretty upset about my ankle.


“I am not going to leave you alone and unattended for even a bit for the next 10 days until your ankle turns better. I have booked a suite in the Renaissance hotel. I’ll pack your bags.” She tells me and I am confused.


But before I can ask her Dad interrupts again.

“Why will he pack his bags? My son is already in his home. He is staying here with me.”

“Ayush Please. This is not about us. It’s about Arnav and a mother knows to look after her son better than a father.”

“Says who?”

“Says history, Ayush”

“You studied the wrong history then, Aarti. A father can do a lot better too.”


God they started again.. Khushi is just as confused as I am at the moment but she chooses to remain quiet and not intervene in our family matters.


“Dad… Mom.. You can’t be serious?” I snap.


They go silent again.

“Mom, I am staying here with Dad and so are you,” I declare.

“What? Why.. why will I.. I can’t”

“Mom please..” I insist. “I want you both under one roof with me and Khushi until this matter sorts. Please. And I don’t want an argument over it.”


Mom looks nervously at me and then she turns to Dad.


“Are you okay with it? If.. I stay here?” she asks.

“This is your home, Aarti.”

“Was..” she corrects him and then exhales heavily. “I’ll shift my luggage here by tonight.”


I smile at her and then I just don’t know why I smile again. I am happy that for the first time after all these years I get to live with both my parents together and its only possible because of Khushi Gupta. Though she is not actively responsible for it, I still want to thank her for the same.


Khushi gets up from the couch before I get this opportunity though.


“I’ll check with Aman if anything at work needs my attention.”

“Take a break today Khushi. It’s been a tiring day for all of us..” I suggest.

“I don’t take orders from my juniors..” she mocks and looks at my father instead. “We had a few deals to close this month. I should take a look on their progress.”


Dad nods understanding the urgency.

“You can use the study room. I mainly work from there. Let me know if you need anything else Khushi and please don’t stress much.” Dad replies.


I keep staring at this strong woman before me. Despite so much happened in her life she is still being strong and confident. I like that about her. I like everything about her these days.. Even her silly anger and the mocking comments she throws at me. I don’t know how long I watch her like that speaking to dad until she finally leaves my sight. When I turn back to Mom, she is already looking at me and by the look on her face I can tell she knows my feelings for Khushi. Hell no!! I didn’t expect that so soon. I give her a smile and then change the topic.


To be Continued

NEXT PART

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