My New Boss - Season 3 - Part 39

 

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Chapter 39


Khushi’s POV


When I enter home, Aarti Aunty is busy talking over the phone. I don’t want to overhear that conversation so I just wave at her and try to leave to my room when she finishes the call and stops me.


“You look exhausted dear,” she sighs scanning my face. “Are the Raizada men responsible for it.”

“Not really but yes, your son is surely responsible for a part of my mood off.”


Aarti Aunty chuckles at my honest reply.

“I thought so. He called me to tell he is not coming for dinner tonight. And could be late.”

I am confused. Arnav had left the office early, I thought he was coming straight home. In fact this is why I didn’t continue working for longer than my usual time so that I can spend some time around me, even if we still don’t talk lovingly to each other.


“Any… any idea where he’s gone?” I probe.

“Umm, yes. He said he is going to the Malabar pub.”


Malabar? Like seriously? I recall Ayush Sir telling me today that Mitali Ghosh’s is also going to be there at the Malabar celebrating some event. Can this be a coincidence?


“Khushi, tell me what would you like to eat for dinner tonight? I’ll ask the chefs to cook accordingly.”

That’s very sweet of Aunty but knowing Arnav is at the Malabar has suddenly put off my appetite.

“I… I won’t be eating dinner at home tonight. I have plans too.”

“Oh..” she sighs. “Means I’ll have to tolerate the senior Raizada all alone?”

“Any problem with that Darling?”


Ayush Sir enters the mansion and of course he has heard Aarti aunty’s mocking.

“Speak of the devil and the devil is home,” she whispers before turning to Arnav’s father.

“Unless you don’t bore me with your business talks over dinner, I won’t mind eating with you.”


That remark makes me smile because I know she is just faking it. She loves when Ayush Sir tells her how much he slogged at work every day because silently Aunty takes pride in every achievement of his. I wonder what have they decided about their relationship? They are divorced long ago. So, will they remarry and stay together hereon? In fact, does a legal relationship between them now is even necessary?


I watch them speak softly, as if he’s telling her how much he missed her the whole day and though Aunty is a tough nut to crack, she can’t hide the blush on her face. I can well imagine me and Arnav in their place, after maybe thirty years of our courtship. He will be the same romantic kind like his father whereas I’ll be the one adamant in accepting how much I loved that side of his.. Like Aunty does most of the time.


I let them alone and stride back to my room. Arnav is at Malabar tonight and I can’t wait to know why?


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

I almost was on the verge of texting him to know why he was in that pub but then I decide to watch him live instead. Nope.. I am not jealous or suspicious that he would be with Mitali but I just can’t figure out why would he go there? Why tonight? Why didn’t he tell me about this plan? Or did he make one after our argument at work? But if he happens to see me there, I don’t want Arnav to think I came there to spy on him. What should I do? Go or not?

After almost two more hours of this silly debate of my mind and heart, I decide not to go there and ruin his plans. If he has really planned dinner with some of his old friend of business associate, he deserves his privacy and if he is there for Mitali’s event, I am still not going to stop him from being a part of it. That’s his choice to make. Even if I like it or not.


I don’t have dinner and though Aunty comes to my room to check on me, I tell her I am not hungry and will have later when I feel like. She doesn't force me and kissing my forehead, she wishes me a goodnight and leaves the room. I open my laptop and try to work but thoughts of Arnav and my argument today at office puts off my mood again. He might have said sorry but was that enough? Am I holding the grudge unnecessarily? But what is he doing? Instead of spending time with me to rectify the situation he is busy having dinner with someone else?


I put off the laptop at around 11:00 and decide to sleep. Though I know I wouldn’t be able to sleep well tonight, I still shut the lights and lay down on the center of the bed. After almost few minutes of tossing and turning, I realize the other side of the bed dipping and before I can switch on the lights and see, I feel him… Arnav gets under the covers and spoons me from behind. When he slides his arm around my waist, I shove it off.


“How was your dinner?” I ask, controlling the urge to snap at him instead.

“Why didn’t you come?” he queries back and that for sure surprises me.


I turn around and meet his gaze. He has changed into his nightsuit and is also freshly showered. He always showers at night before sleeping.

“You thought I would come there?”

“I wanted you to come there.. Had left a few clues through Dad and Mom, which you blatantly refused to connect.”

“Clues?”

His thumb strokes my cheek and this time I don’t mind. Maybe I am too busy analyzing his words right now.

“Hmm.. Clues Miss Gupta.. First Dad told you that Mitali could be in Malabar and then through Mom I conveyed you that I am also dinning there tonight. I thought you will connect this and will come to Malabar but you didn’t..”

He left the clues on purpose through his parents? Now I know why he did that.. I grab his wrist to stop his thumb from caressing my face.


“You thought I would be jealous and come there thinking you are Mitali could be together?”

“Hmm..” he unashamedly accepts. “Don’t tell me you didn’t think of that at first?”

“Arnav..” I growl but he shuts my mouth with his palm.

“I had booked a table for us so that we could dine together Khushi. Mitali was just an excuse. I knew you wouldn’t come out with me tonight after the argument we had so I used this way to coax you to somehow be present there and…”


I push his palm away to speak.

“That was a silly trick, Arnav. I am protective of you and yes every other woman who want you make me feel jealous but I trust you.. I know you wouldn’t cross your lines because it is me you want.. not them..”


His face blooms. Arnav cups my face instantly and kisses my forehead.

“I want you.. you are right.. I want only you, Khushi.”

It brings a smile back on my face especially when he kisses me again on my forehead and his lips linger there for a bit long.

“Next time, ask me if you want to take me out.. don’t leave clues…” I command.

He pulls away and looks in my eyes again.

“Even if we had the worse argument at work?” he clarifies.

“Yes.. even if we had the worse argument ever.. Let’s keep work and personal life separate because that’s the only way we can sustain in this relationship, not..”


Arnav presses his lips on mine, before I could complete it. I don’t kiss him back nor he kisses me deeply. He pulls away too soon and looks at me with a grim expression.


“Never even dare speak of ending this thing between us.. We have a long span to cross together, Khushi, and we will. With love and respect for each other.”


He entwines our fingers and brings our handhold to his heart.


“At Business, we can fight as much as we like but when we step inside the house, we are going to leave all that at the door and still love each other passionately as the night falls. Promise me..”


He is right. I don’t mind having uncountable arguments with him at work but in our personal life, I need his love, respect and support and if he gives me that, I wont mind promising him whatever he needs from me.


“I promise..” I murmur, before stroking his face with my palm and then placing a soft lingering kiss on his lips. The night finally feels blissful after getting into his arms..


To be Continued.


NEXT PART

Note: Short part tonight.

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