My New Boss - Season 3 - Part 29

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Chapter 29


Khushi’s POV


I can’t believe I am dating. Officially. For real this time. Today morning when the police came to take the statement, I knew the only way I could show support and bring justice to Arnav’s protectiveness towards me all the time was by telling the police that he hit Shyam to save his girlfriend’s dignity, my dignity. But I had taken the decision to give a chance to this thing between me and Arnav ever since Aarti Aunty advised me to live life a bit. I was too hardened by stress and work pressure. So far, the only tension that kept me glued like a robot to my work was repaying Manohar Jha but now that I had paid off my father’s debts, I could breathe in relief. So without thinking much about the future, I decided to date Arnav Singh Raizada who was more than willing to be my partner too.


But I don’t know how he is going to handle me and vice versa. I am very high maintenance in terms of anger and attitude and he with his ego. I wonder how soon this was going to come to an end. But until it would last, I will give it my best. Because I know Arnav is a good man. And though a dysfunctional family, he still has one. I respect his father too much and I adore his mother. These two make me feel so loved and comfortable that I literally take them as my own parents at times.

After I told the Police about me dating Arnav, his parents congratulated and blessed us, hoping we would find peace and love in each other. I didn’t know how to react whereas Arnav was too anxious and excited the entire day. After breakfast I didn’t see him again as he had to leave with his mother to the hospital and get some tests done again to check his ankle’s injury and I worked with his father on some major clients from home. When they came back it was good to know that Arnav’s ankle had made a tremendous recovery.


The dinner was quiet and I sensed his father trying things to woo Aarti Aunty which is something I never thought would happen. If they reconcile, Arnav will get his parents under one roof and I’ll be more than happy too.


It’s night and since the day passed with so many different emotions inside me, I decide to check on Aarti Aunty again if I could sleep in her room. I don’t know why whenever I sleep next to her, I am always relaxed.


The moment I step in her room, I see Arnav.

“Why are you here?” I ask, as he makes his mother’s bed.

“The same reason you are here.”

I frown.

“I am here because staying close to your mother gives me some peace.”

He finishes making his mother’s bed and then reaches me, without breaking his gaze from my face.

“And staying close to you, gives me some..”

My heart swells at his reply. He’s the only one who never fails to admit how much he likes to see me at peace. Arnav has commendably tried to shove off every problem from my life without me even asking his help.


When I focus back on him, I realize he just gave me a onceover from head to toe.

“Did I ever tell your pastel color night dresses are cute?” He asks with a wide grin on his face.

The heat in his eyes gives me a hint he is flirting.

“Flattery won’t get you anywhere close to me, Arnav Singh Raizada.”

“No?” he takes a step closer and I use all my courage not to step back. “Actually, I was just thinking today is a good day.. You had a good start this morning by acknowledging that you want to date me.”

He takes another step closer and this time, I fist my fingers to hold my anxiety. Whenever Shyam came near me, I loathed. When he looked at me with those intense eyes, telling me by his gestures that he wanted more, I loathed. But when Arnav does it today, I feel wanted.. and desired.


He takes another step closer and I unclench my fingers to clutch the sides of my night dress this time to hold on to something and not touch him instead if he gets anywhere closer than this.


“You took my side before the police and behaved like any woman would to support her partner,” he adds.

“So?” I clear my throat. “What are you implying?” It’s getting hard to keep my voice from wavering. I’ve never seen so much intensity in Arnav’s eyes, so much need in his body to takeover mine.

“You deserve a thank you from me.” He finally stops few inches before me.


Oh! Arnav wants to thank me? Well.. he doesn't need to. Before I could think of saying that to him, Arnav cups my face and brings it closer to his.

“Arnav?” My voice comes out as a breathless whisper.

He kisses my forehead and then pulls away lazily, only to look in my eyes. He hasn’t left holding my face yet.

“Thank you, Khushi. For not pushing me away and making me chase you for long. God knows, I would have done that if you had that in mind.”


His words were my undoing. All that stiffness my body showed so far relaxed at his touch. I always have felt safe in his arms. Even then when we were only professionally connected. I can’t believe he is my boyfriend now. Am I too old to do this girlfriend-boyfriend thing? No.. I believe this relationship between us more meaningful, profound and deeper than that.


Someone clears throat and it brings our attention to Arnav’s mother who is staring at us from the door. I instantly shove Arnav’s palms from my face and step back.


“What is happening here?” She asks, little rudely.

“I was making your bed, mom.” Arnav answers.

“And .. I … I came here to ask you if it’s okay if I sleep here tonight.”

Aarti aunty enters the room giving us both enough stares to be worried of.

“I asked what was happening here before I came inside?”


I swallow turning to Arnav who scratches his forehead. We are both confused if she is really serious about knowing and if yes, what should we answer when suddenly she starts laughing.


“Look at your faces.” She pulls us both close to her. “I was joking. You both don’t need to give me any justifications.”

“Mom, you scared the hell out of me.” Arnav snaps.

“I know. Sorry.. And Khushi, you can sleep here tonight and in fact every other night you wish to. You are always welcome.”

“Thank you” I mumble, grabbing her hand and pressing it.


She gives us both a hug, together. Arnav and my fingers brush at Aarti Aunty’s back and I feel the spark again. It never ceases when Arnav is around.


“Can I also stay here tonight?” Arnav teases as we pull away from the hug.

“Never” Aunty fakes a stern voice. “You want to get sleep, go give your father some company. He too doesn't seem to be in the right set of mind to me.”


That sentence makes me smile.. in fact more than smile..

“Did he offer you anything nasty?” Arnav teases again, faking being offended.

“Shut up.. Your father is a gentleman. He can never ask me anything nasty.” Aarti aunty defended.

“Are you taking his side, mom?” Arnav mocks.


She holds his ear and pinches it.

“Stop teasing me and get out of my room. Let me and Khushi rest.”

“Alright.. I am leaving.. Don’t pinch me like that, it hurts..”

“Does it?” she pinches him harder and Arnav tickles his mother to set him free.


They both laugh and watching them like this, I laugh too. I am really laughing and that’s eighth wonder of the world. Just staying with these people, makes me happy. I can do anything for things to remain the same.


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

Arnav’s POV


It’s been almost three days since Khushi and I are officially dating but I have only one complain. She is too far from me. Keeping herself too distant. I realize she has work to do and so do I but she can spare some time for me, can’t she? Or is she waiting for me to take that step? She’s one attituded woman I can’t wait to handle my way. So, I pick my receiver and dial her. We are back to office since yesterday and work wise things are going great.


“Hey..” I say as she answers. “What are you doing?”

“Arnav, I am busy.”

“Okay” I frown. “Then can you pass the phone to my girlfriend? I need to talk to her something private.”


I can well imagine what her reactions would be at this comment. She must be fuming that I am wasting her time.

“What do you want?” she scolds me.

“I will tell her what I want. Pass the phone to my girlfriend please.. it’s a request.”

“Goodness” she murmurs before putting her anger down and speaking nicely. “This is your girlfriend speaking. Now can you tell me why did you call me?”

“Hey sweetheart” I greet her huskily and there’s silence at the other end.


Did I startle her with my kind words? I hope so..

“Arnav..?” Her voice was soft than before. Now that’s surely my girlfriend. I pushed my laptop away, sprawled on the chair and focused only on this call.

“Missing me?” I ask.

She goes silent again before picking up her sanity and responds.

“I told you I don’t like long unnecessary phone calls and texts. Especially at work. So no, I wasn’t missing you at all.”

“But I was..” I am being honest.


She goes quiet again.

“I want to take you out” I put forth my intention knowing very well she will deny.

“I can’t. You know my schedule. Everything is packed.”

“After office hours.”


She takes a deep breath as if thinking what her reply should be.

“It will help you relax Khushi. Come on. Unless you are scared of being alone with me.”

“Oh please” she groans. I knew it.. Just instigate her and she does things as I want. “Where are we going? At least tell me that.”

“The same club we met first.”


She takes a few seconds to remember before replying.

“Why there?”

“To loosen up.. Let’s have a drink or two and dance like the last time.”


I recall the last time we danced it was formal. She was still engaged to Shyam then and I popped her that question if she would like to date me. We had come a long way after that and now she was finally mine so I needed to build some memories with her. Good ones..


“Besides we need to celebrate that we are dating. Come on. Say yes”

“Why are you so demanding these days?”

“Don’t talk like my Boss, Khushi Gupta please.” I tease back. “She thinks I am always demanding but the truth is that I demand things beneficial for both her and me.”

“Drinking and dancing is beneficially for us?” she queries back.

“Loosening ourselves up is.” I debate. “After all the drama of Shyam and the police, I think we need some time to loosen up a bit. Now this is the last time I am asking you nicely, are you coming along with me tonight or not?”


She takes another few seconds and here literally I have crossed my fingers.

“What would you do if I deny still?”

Damn hell!! I thought she would finally give up and say yes but she was still arguing? So this time I come back to my ASR self.

“If you deny still, I am coming there to your cabin, carrying you in my arms like you are my bride and taking you to that club anyway.. My agenda remains the same Khushi. Whether you agree or not.”


I mean it.

“Okay” she finally answers.

“Finally” I sigh, lowering my tone. “We’ll wind up from here around 6:00 pm.”

“I didn’t say okay to come along with you..” Khushi interrupts me.

“What?”

“I agreed to your threats Mr. Raizada. If you really think you can pull this off by coming to my cabin, carrying me in bridal style and taking me to the club, I challenge you to do it.”

“Don’t challenge me, Khushi. I am warning you.”

“Warning disregarded, ASR. I’m disconnecting the call. Your girlfriend really has some work to do and if I remember correctly, she has assigned you some as well. Don’t forget to complete it before you coming into her cabin for taking her out.. Am I clear? Bye.”

And she hangs up on me. Like seriously? Fine!! She wants to see what can I do, she will see it today at 06:00. Sharp at 06:00.


I set my watch for 05:55 pm and continue my work.


To be Continued

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