Chapter 5

This wasn’t happening! Khushi felt her stomach clench as she met the cold stare of the one person she did not, in her wildest imagination expect to be standing in the close proximity of her Jiji.

“What the hell are you doing here? Mahesh... Mahesh....” Arnav screeched, more due to the shock of seeing her, than the fact that she was in his house.

”ASR... yes sir” Mahesh came running ready to shoot down whoever and whatever Arnav commanded

”What is this woman doing here? How are you letting people in without even asking ?” continued Arnav in a low and dangerous tone his eyes dead set on Khushi.

Mahesh shook from within confused which woman ASR was referring to. Surely not the one he just witnessed all other Raizadas giving warm teary hugs to.

“Umm, sir... I..” Mahesh hesitated, and that was the moment Khushi decided to put the security guard out of his misery and stand up for herself... again!

”You are kidding right! It is pretty obvious to deduce what is happening around you and what possible reason, which even I am struggling to come in terms with, can be that I can be here of all the places. Are you too arrogant to acknowledge that or just playing stupid?”

”Careful! It is a miracle I haven't yet throw you out”, hissed Arnav

“How dare you”, replied Khushi, relieved that her voice and gaze were still steady, despite what she was feeling inside.

Arnav gave out a sarcastic chuckle, "Ms. Gupta, let me assure you that you haven't seen how daring I can actually be. Why are you here? Were the insults you bestowed on me in office not enough that you thought you will continue it here at my home? I must say I am disappointed - I didn't know I was promoting some one like you to such a prominent position. My bad"

"You are disappointed", Khushi replied with the matching sarcasm, refusing to back down, while realising full well how many eyes and ears were on them, "I cannot believe some one like you is holding the reins of our entire organisations in your hands. Someone who is vindictive for no reason"

"ENOUGH!!"

"I agree, Enough!"

By then, Arnav & Khushi were standing so close that they were almost touching, both taking deep angry breaths. They opened their mouths again, at the same time, about to continue their meaningless argument, when came Devyani's voice from behind them - calm, composed and no-nonsense one, enough to jolt them back to present "Enough both of you!"

Everyone around them were in deep shock. Unable to believe the last few minutes that transpired in front of them.

"What is this? How do you two know each other?", continued Devyani, her brows scrunched up in confusion, betraying the calm voice she spoke those words in.

Arnav closed in eyes and took few deep breaths, willing his heart rate to come back to normal. He then turned his attention toward his family, every single eyes on him. He opened his mouth to answer his Nani, but was effectively shut up, when Devyani raised her palm.

"Not you Chote", making Arnav cringe as he heard his childhood name. "Akaash, can you explain, looks like you know something about this"

Akaash, who was still shell-shocked after witnessing his brother being this enraged with someone he met hardly half a day back, cleared his throat, "Khushi works in AR"

"What!!??", immediately replied wide-eyed Payal

Akaash nodded his head, "Yes, she joined us here at HQ this morning. She...", this time he was interrupted by Madhumati, with a loud, "She what!!!??"

Akaash sighed and cleared his throat again, "Umm, so as I was saying - Khushi is...", but was interrupted third time that night.

"She is working for AR for around nine years now and is the new Chief Innovation Officer we told you all about", Arnav completed, his voice still laced with irritation.

"What!!???", this time everyone around him exclaimed.

"Think I am going to faint. That was too much to digest in very little time", Manorama groaned dramatically

Suddenly a terrifying thought entered Khushi's mind. She couldn't remember at what point did her Jiji introduced her husband? Did she say it was Akaash specifically?

She felt her heart pound against her rib cage, as her eyes fell on Arnav again. Was he married to her Jiji? Was Arnav her.... Jiju she thought with a painful flinch.

While Akaash continued to explain their information explosion to everyone, Arnav's eyes rested on Khushi - this time though, he felt all the anger leaving his body as he saw different emotions fliting across her face. He frowned. What was she analysing now? Her eyes moved from Payal, to Akaash & then finally connected with his. And somehow he knew. He knew she had just drawn a completely inaccurate conclusion. For reasons unknown to him, he felt this insane need to correct her. And so without thinking, he cleared his throat, trying to get her attention, "Akaash", he whispered, "it is Akaash", making sure only she heard it.

She nodded her head amazed on how he knew the exact answer she was looking for as both of them followed others further inside the house.

---

After the initial shock faded, the atmosphere of the Raizada mansion was one to behold. Everyone were ecstatic to discover how small the world really can be and that the newest addition to the AR's top most level of executives turned out to be someone from extended family. As they heard more about the accomplishment of Khushi & the roads that led her to that position, they were impressed.

Khushi too felt happy knowing her sister now had someone like Akaash in her life. He seemed uncomplicated. Someone who smiled and made sure people around him did that too. And the way he kept touching Payal every few minutes and making her laugh, it filled her heart with content. Content seeing her sister surrounded by this sea of love and happiness, something she so deserved.

In fact everyone around her were the very definition of people she didn't think existed. Her cynic mind had already begun a countdown to when the other shoe will drop and she will be proved right once again in her knowledge of people. But, the romantic in her, wanted to be proven wrong.

The dessert and coffee was served and as if on cue, she heard one of the help announce someone entering the house. And within seconds she saw Anjali sprint toward the main door and disappear.

---

"You are late", she spoke softly as the pair of familiar arms closed around her tightly

Shayam gave out a contented sigh, as he felt Anjali's hands clutch his shirt. He was home. He smiled, as he heard his beautiful wife grumble softly, complaining about how she was hoping for him to be back sooner.

He withdrew from her embrace and cupping her face lovingly, he pulled her back for a soft kiss. She shivered in his arms and with a curse he withdrew, “Will have to wait for anything more than that sweetheart. I am sure the entire family will be here any minute if we don't go back"

Anjali gave out a chuckle, and nodded, "How did your meeting go?"

"It was good. We got them to settle. My team is there to get them to sign and we should be done"

Anjali replied with a proud smile and Shayam couldn't stop himself from placing another kiss on her smiling lips. This is what he was craving for from last two days. This wonderful woman who could make him feel as if he has just conquered the world with just one smile.

"If you both want we all can make ourselves scarce. So you can continue this properly?", came a sudden and teasing voice. Shayam laughed and released Anjali with one last kiss, and then turned toward the owner of the voice who in last twelve years had come to mean a lot to him.

"There is a noble thought. How about try pitching this to Nani now?", replied Shayam, moving toward Arnav to give him a hug

"Urm, I nominate Di to do that", Arnav spoke returning the hug, and the two most important men in her life turned their mischievous raised eyes brows toward Anjali.

She rolled her eyes, "You both won't sound so fearless if I do take this to Nani" said Anjali walking past the duo who behaved more like best friends-in-crime, than brother in laws, "Come on, lets finish our dessert"

"Ooooh, yum, what did Mira and Ram decide to make today?", asked Shayam, as he followed Anjali through the hallway

"Jalebi", replied Arnav, which made Shayam frown

"That's unusual. They don't make it that often"

"Oh their is more, Payal made it"

"What, Umm, was she on leave today"

"Nope!"

"I don't understand", Shayam continued, as he finally reached the foot of the three-levelled, oval shaped staircase that opened up to a huge dining area.

"It is that kind of day Jiju. Anyways, it was because...", but before Arnav could complete his statement

"Khushi!!!??", Shayam exclaimed as he saw the unexpected occupant on one of the dining chair, his questioning eyes then turning toward Arnav.

"Shayam!!??", came an equally shocked reaction from the table, along with Arnav murmuring "And here we go again"

"Are there any more of the AR employees that are part of your family Jiji?", Khushi spoke, making everyone around the table howl with laughter.

Shayam was still confused as he finished his rounds of greetings around the table. Anjali took pity of her husband and decided to explain the last few hours of the evening, making him dissolve into some laughter of his own, "Oh, you laugh, but you should have been here before. We thought there was going to be bloodshed the way our dear CEO and the new CIO went at each other", Anjali teased.

"I still cant get over the fact that someone we have been working with so closely for all these years is Payal's sister. Khushi..." Shayam stopped, making Khushi look up, "Welcome to the family".

Khushi smiled, "Thank you Shayam. That's very nice of you. Trust me, I am still in the process of making sense of this entire day"

---

Arnav was irritated. He knew that. But what irritated him more was not knowing why was he this irritated. Was it because his family members looked so besotted with Khushi, treating her as if she was a lost angel who finally found her way home. Or, was it because the said angel was behaving as if he did not exist under the very roof she was in right now, being showered with this over the top attention. And what acted as the fuel to his already agitated mind was the fact that some how he knew she could sense him because every time he walked past the couch she occupied, he felt her stiffen.

From the way the evening was going, he knew that Khushi and Buaji will be forced to stay the night. And so refusing to endure any more of these festivities, he decided to make himself scarce. Might as well get some work done before calling it a night to a day he was sure will be etched to his brain for quite some time.

He was in kitchen, getting himself a bottle of water, when he heard Anjali walk in.

"Where are you going? Not sleeping surely?"

He sighed, "I had few things to do. I will see you in the morning", he placed a soft kiss on Anjali's forehead, and picking up the bottle he gave her a smile, "Night Di"

"She is not that bad, you know that right"

He stiffened, and stopped, "Di, I really don't have the energy to talk right now"

Anjali broke out in a warm smile, "It is easy to misjudge people. Especially, when they are intent on showing only their chosen side to others. But, spending more time with them can lead to discoveries full of pleasant surprises"

Arnav narrowed his eyes and turned toward Anjali. He never, for the life of him understood why his sister chose to talk in such complex and indirect statements, especially when his brain cells were beeping red.

"Di, I really don't know where you are going with this, but trust me when I say that I am not interested in making any such fascinating discoveries. I am content with my knowledge so far, as long as it will work favourably for my company", He almost turned to walk away, but stopped in the last second to add, "Also, whatever this mystical and angelic side you have discovered, how do you know it is not a façade?

"Because, words can deceive, face and body language can be trained to cheat, but eyes, somehow they always reflect the truth. And what I saw in there was innocence. Someone who is beautiful, not just from outside, but inside too"

She placed her palm on his shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze, and walked out with a soft "Night Arnav" leaving him with his jumbled thoughts.

---

It was around 3 am. Raizada Mansion was peacefully silent, with crickets chirping in the distance.

Arnav softly padded down the stairs and made his way to the kitchen. He was attempting to sleep from last two hours, but his rebellious mind couldn't stop playing the entire day in a loop. He tried multiple methods to shut this stream of thoughts - he worked for few hours, he then tried reading a book, he even played some calm music. But, eventually realised, his traitor mind will not stop analysing the mystery woman who barged into his life not even twenty-four hours ago and had managed to throw it into a disarray. For now his only hope was a trusty old cup of joe.

He noticed a yellow stream of light coming out of the kitchen area and he frowned. It wasn't usual for anyone to leave the lights switched on for the night. He moved further toward the kitchen and his nostrils registered the all familiar smell of caffeine, and his frowned deepened. Confused, he reached the kitchen entrance, unprepared for the sight that greeted him.

Perched on one of the kitchen stool was Khushi, reading some thick book he couldn't make out from its cover, wearing baby blue tapered bottoms, coupled with a simple white coloured short sleeved top, that he guessed were from Payal's wardrobe. The ceiling-mounted lamps right above dispersed yellow hue around her, illuminating her every feature. Her face was scrubbed of any makeup, her hair were tied loosely in a ponytail with few rebel tendrils that managed to escape the confinement, and moved ever so slightly with her. Arnav felt an unfamiliar ache develop in his chest. Arguing with her for the better part of the day, he somehow forgot how breath-taking she was.

Another wayward strand fell on her cheek and he was overcome with an impulse to tuck the soft silk behind her ear. As if in trance, he felt himself inch toward her, when suddenly Khushi looked up.

She felt her breath hitch as she took in the intruder. The same intensity she was burnt by few hours ago was back, and she felt it hitting her like tons of bricks. If immaculately dressed Arnav was gorgeous, this dressed down version in black tracks and faded T-shirt was heart-breaking. He looked different, simple, relaxed and yet every bit beautiful.

He took another step toward her and Khushi straightened herself, not able to tear her eyes away from the ones that held the unspoken command which she unwillingly complied in that moment.

Suddenly, the heavy book in her hand lost her attention, and before she could react, fell on the floor with a thud - effectively wrestling them both to reality.

Arnav cleared his throat, shocked at how close he was standing to her.

Shakily, Khushi bent down, to pick up the fallen book, at the same time Arnav decided to help her do the same. Their hands collided, and feeling the burn yet again, they withdrew sharply, and mumbled soft 'Sorry' to each other.

Awkwardness descended around them, both trying to find some semblance of equilibrium.

"Coffee?", both spoke simultaneously, looking at each other with wide eyes, bewildered to what was happening to them.

"Couldn't sleep", came another statement together and for the first time since they met each other, they broke into a smile.

“I...ahem... I just made a fresh pot if you want”, Khushi pointed to the silver machine, before setting herself back on the kitchen stool, desperate to put some distance between them.

”Thanks”, with a whisper Arnav moved further inside the kitchen to pour himself some of that liquid gold he was craving for and was relying on, to reset his frazzled nerves.

While the cup filled, his eyes flickered over to Khushi again. Her eyes were back on the book, but the way she stared at it, he was sure she was not reading a word on it. Her chest heaved as she tried to slow her breathing down. This made him pause - Was she able to feel this weird energy between them too? Was she also trying to make sense of this?

Desperate to bring some normalcy to the atmosphere, he cleared his throat, and proceeded to take a seat on the opposite side of the kitchen island.

”So, all set for the meeting with Suraj Khanna tomorrow?”

Khushi blinked in surprise, grateful to start talking about something which didn't start or hopefully end with an argument.

“Yes! I am looking forward to it. I just have few points that are lacking answers. Few details in their financials don't add up. I tried to make some calls when I was in NY, but didn’t get any response. I am waiting to see if tomorrows chat will provide some clarity”

Arnav nodded, his eyes closing with satisfaction as warmth from the coffee started making its way to his veins.

"That's great. I had a look at the report you shared with Akaash few weeks back too. And I agree, some of their revenue stream don't seem to have any starting point"

"Its like it appeared out of nowhere"

"Exactly!"

"In fact", Khushi straightened her back, the book in her hand long forgotten, "I was going to talk about this in office tomorrow morning, but, I got my assistant to contact their lawyer. Trying to get them to release all their detailed financial statements. But, they were legally stopped from release. I wanted Shayam to probably utilise some of his connections to see if we can still do this before we absolutely have to subpoena them. If we take that route, we might as well drop them now"

Arnav was beginning to understand why every single person they spoke to as part of Khushi's interview process, had something extraordinary to say about her. He had asked Akaash to try other tactics too, to make sure all recommendations that came attached to her were in fact genuine. He wanted to find at least one person who would call out at least one flaw they noticed in her. Many of the external partners that she was personally leading were approached too. But short of picking some pompoms and start cheering for her, they did every thing they could to speak about how amazing she was. And now, sitting here with her, few hours before morning, when even his own brilliant brain was struggling to be at its best, Khushi looked charged and ready to take on the world.

"I like that. Ok, I will ask Aman to coordinate with other assistants and get us all in one room before our face to face with Suraj. I would like to revise our strategy slightly, and then Shayam Jiju can carry out his wand waving in background.

"Sounds good Mr. Raizada"

Arnav looked up and locked eyes with her, "Arnav. It's Arnav. We just shared a coffee and discussed the possible problem with someone we are considering signing a deal with in our pyjamas. Think we are well into the first name territory"

Arnav had no idea why he chose that moment to say this. But, somehow he knew he had to get rid of that ridiculous formality they bestowed on each other that started the whole unpleasantness between them.

Khushi's eyes widened with surprise. But she chose not to say anything other than nodding her head and mumbling a soft "Of course", with a faint smile.

"I will see you in morning then"

"Yes you will. Night....Arnav", his name came out more like a question, almost as if she was testing each syllables in that name.

He swallowed thickly, shaking his head, confused why his name on her lips sent shockwaves down his spine. Embarrassed with the way his body today was well on its way to being a complete moron, he decided to get away from her.

"Night Khushi", he replied, his voice more husky than he intended to.

And then it was Khushi's turn to shiver. The way he took her name, she felt his voice wash over her and surround her like a warm blanket.

Confused and awkward again, they retreated to their rooms. Chalking up this whole day and their reactions to each other to a bizarre unexplained phenomenon. They finally drifted off to sleep, confident that what they felt was nothing more than a fluke and will disappear with the dawn of the new day.