One Year Later
Note: New Arshi FF Kaise Yeh Rishtey here -
http://kaiseyehrishtey.blogspot.in/
Arnav slammed into the office in a temper. He
glared at Lavanya.
“Where is she?!”
Lavanya grinned, apparently completely unperturbed at the sight of the famous ASR temper.
“At the site,” she said innocently, her eyes wide and guileless. Arnav cursed fluently and Lavanya listened, impressed at his vocabulary. She said as much when he paused for breath, and he scowled.
“That girl! She’ll never listen, will she! I told
her not to go, I said I’ll handle it. That contractor is a fool and a
thief … he’ll run rings around her …”
Lavanya listened patiently as he went off again, his initial tirade softened to a mere grumbling tone now that he had ascertained Khushi's whereabouts. His annoyance rolled
over her like water off a duck’s back. She knew him much better now and knew
very well that his anger was a front – thinly disguised – for his overwhelming
love and concern for Khushi. Most times he didn't even try to disguise it.
The last year had been a picnic at the office – Arnav
had bought over part share of the firm, of course, and now they all worked out of his own office. Khushi was part-owner, and her share of the profits went towards the Dewans and their care, as well as that of Pratibha and her baby, now an active toddler. Mr Suri had chosen wisely for his old friend. Thanks to Khushi, the Dewans would never have to worry about their subsistence again.
Mr. Dewan had recovered much of his mental faculties, and slowly reconciled to the loss of his only child. A good deal of the credit for his recovery went to Sona, now an adorable one year old. She was the apple of her doting grandfather's eye, and of her grandmother's. They continued to live in the house Arnav had arranged for them, and Pratibha, now fully recovered, had proved to be a good daughter-in-law, looking after them with affection and care. Khushi's mind was at peace with regard to the two elderly people who had looked after her with so much affection, ever since the loss of her own parents.
The last year had brought much change in Khushi as well. After she accepted Arnav's proposal, that impatient man lost no further time. Khushi was introduced to his grandfather, as were the Dewans, the very next day, and the wedding date settled for the next month. Within a month, Khushi was Mrs. Khushi Singh Raizada, and as her proud husband proclaimed, the wife of the luckiest man in the world.
Today Khushi was a changed person, happy, smiling, confident, completely
secure in his love … and Arnav … obviously crazy about his wife, it was a joy
to see him fuss over Khushi, hold her hand, pull her close to him, and kiss her
whenever he thought no one was looking. He got plenty of opportunity as Khushi
and he shared their office.
They both looked up as Khushi appeared at the door
of the office, her face bearing a triumphant grin. She waved a sheaf of papers
as she walked in. Arnav tried to glare at her, but failed completely as she
came up to him and planted a kiss on his cheek.
“Are you being a bear again?” she asked cheerfully.
“Stop grumping. He agreed. I told you …”
“And I told you …” he started, then
stopped. “He agreed?!”
She nodded and started to hand the papers to Lavanya.
“Lavs, sweetie, make some copies, please, will you?
All signed … all done.”
Arnav snatched the papers out of her hand and shook
his head. She scowled at him and tried to snatch them back. He resisted easily,
holding her hands in one of his, while he looked at the papers.
“I don’t believe this,” he said ruefully. “I’ve
been trying to pin him down for the last two weeks! He’s even given a firm
starting date! How did you manage this?”
Khushi twinkled at him.
“How? My irresistible charm, of course! You should
have let me talk to him earlier!”
He grinned and pulled her to him.
“On principle,” he said seriously, his tone at odds
with the gleam in his eye, “I don’t let my wife talk to any strange men. I’m
very particular that way. You just gave me the slip this time!”
Khushi giggled and Lavanya laughed.
“Very wise,” Lavanya agreed. “If one of them
kidnaps her … you should keep her under lock and key, Arnav.”
Arnav mock-glared at her, and pulled Khushi closer.
“I have a better idea,” he said mildly, “I’ll just
chain her to me instead.”
Lavanya’s eyes danced.
“As though you don’t already,” she said, and Khushi
laughed.
“Thanks, Lavs … just what I need!”
“But you love it … don’t you?” asked Arnav in a
lower voice as he touched his forehead to hers, his arm firmly around her, and
Khushi blushed slightly as she leaned against him. They looked at each other for
a long moment, small smiles on their faces. A slight deliberate cough made them
look up. Lavanya was looking at them severely, hands on hips.
“Ahem … young innocent child in room,” she said.
“Just in case you both forgot, I’m still here. Can I have the papers and go,
please? I’m feeling like a third wheel here.”
Arnav grinned and handed her the papers.
“Next time,” he said, trying to make his tone as severe as possible, without much visible effect on Lavanya, “tell me when this
girl goes haring off somewhere.”
“No, don’t,” said Khushi, equally firmly. “Lavs …
you’re on my side, remember?! You tell him what I tell you to tell him. Not a word more!”
“Yes, Sir, yes, Ma’am,” retorted Lavanya, and Arnav
shook a finger at her.
“You …” he said, his annoyed tone belied by
the grin in his eyes, on his face. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.
You encourage Khushi all the time … Lavanya, remember I’m your boss, you wretched
girl … a little bit of respect here please? … at least for name’s sake …?”
Lavanya giggled.
“Stop flirting with your wife in the office and
I’ll think about it,” she promised, and Arnav and Khushi laughed.
“Now that I can’t do,” said Arnav, holding Khushi
even tighter. “What you need, my girl, is a boyfriend of your own …”
His phone rang and he looked at it with a surprised
expression on his face.
“Neil?!”
Both he and Khushi looked at each other, then at Lavanya.
They grinned. Lavanya looked at them and shook her head slowly.
“No,” she said, firmly. “Oh no!”
“Oh yes!” said Arnav and Khushi together.
THE END
Note: New Arshi FF Kaise Yeh Rishtey here -
http://kaiseyehrishtey.blogspot.in/