UE part 35

Khushi stepped inside taking ample care not to trip again after the last embarrassment as Arnav opened the car door for her, then moved to the driver's seat of his SUV..

"You're driving the car yourself?"

"do you see anyone else in the car?"

"um..no?"

"then it fails me how it could be otherwise"

"i just asked you a straight question. You could say 'Yes Khushi, I am driving the car', but no..Arnav Singh Raizada never answers straight"

In response Arnav turned on the ignition key..

The SUV had picked up speed now..

and much to Arnav's annoyance Khushi had resumed her 'no talking.no communication' policy keeping in mind the other policy of 'better late than never'..

Seeing an anarkali dressed, drop dead gorgeous, and silent Khushi at an arm's distance from himself right on the adjacent seat was not exactly what Arnav's plan had been.

"Khushi?"

Instead of answering Khushi raised her eyebrows in questioning gesture..

which of course, an Arnav, eyes straight ahead on the road failed to notice..

"Khushi do you know I am speaking to you?"

"is there anyone else in the car?" she spoke curtly..

"no" he replied..

"then it fails me how it could be otherwise" she spoke then looked at him and grinned..

"see!see! You are grinding your teeth..now you realize it is irritating when-"

"shut up"

she sighed.."and Arnav Singh Raizada does a U-turn yet again..now, I am supposed to shut up"

Nihaal got a call as he was driving away in his Benz..

"hello?"

"oh hello Nihaal? Anjali here..Nihaal could you please come to RM for a while? Aakash is abroad, Chotte is not picking up his phone and I don't know what's happened to nani all of a sudden, I called a doctor but, oh my god, I just don't know what to-"

"chill! I am coming. With a doctor. You just chill.."

Arnav had arranged for private dining by the poolside at Pritz. The reason being to avoid the glare of the media just in case something untoward happened..because experience had taught him ,that with the two of them, it was a high probability..and today, it was not about the media..

Khushi gasped at the sight of the exquisite and classy ambience around her..the dim lights focussed gently on the calm pool water whose slight ripples led to the reflection dancing on the walls around..her own silver earrings sparkled under the effect as a slow smile automatically graced her face..

Arnav drew out the chair for her as she nodded and slowly settled herself..while he seated himself on the opposite side..

It was a tense silence enveloping them..after 10 minutes, the order had been placed and there had been hardly any conversation. 30 minutes later the food was before them, while Arnav was very close to losing it.

"Khushi WHAT the hell is your problem?"

"what? I never said a word!"

"exactly! Why?"

"i just don't get you! Do you want me to speak or shut up?"

"for one who talks at a rate of 10 words per 5 seconds I expect you to talk"

"huh!what do you know about me?" she fumed..

Arnav stopped tossing the food around on the plate with his fork and put it down,then looked straight into her eyes..

"you are crazy. You are unbelievable. You are immature . You are dangerous and you, are good at photoshop"

Khushi puffed her nostrils and crumpling the tissue paper in her hands banged it down on the table...that was it!

"I am crazy?Says the one who makes it a point to call people past midnight and throw weird demands! I am unbelievable?Says the one who proposed to me in front of a dozen cameras, live coverage, without even informing! I am immature? Says the one who..one who..i will get to that again, I am dangerous??!!oh yes, elephants ,eagles,butterflies and what not and I am dangerous! I am good at photoshop! Well..(slightly blushing)yes..that is true..you see I..(blushing stops)hold on..how do you know I am good at photoshop?"

Arnav who had lost her on 'elephants,eagles,butterflies' and was busy wondering whether they were on the same topic had a sudden change in demeanor as a slow smirk crept on his lips as he remembered the bearded Pallavi Khandelwal..

Still smirking he raised knowing eyebrows at Khushi who shifted uncomfortably in her seat..

"just a guess" he spoke leisurely..

"what guess? How can someone guess something like that?"

"since you are good at twisting facts, might as well be the same with pictures"

she again puffed her nostrils..

"you know what? Sometimes I feel you simply enjoy picking up a fight with me"

"stop feeling"

"see!"

The waiter entered with the ice cream bowls and placed the tray gently on the table..Arnav gave him a slight nod as he moved out again..

Khushi picked up the bowl and put a large scoop inside her mouth and shut her eyes tight at the impact..

"that thing, is supposed to be eaten slowly, you are not participating in a competition" Arnav stared at her..

Khushi slowly opened her eyes..

"you miss the whole point in things you know..ice cream, is meant to be enjoyed! You gobble the entire thing in one go and test your tolerance power. I had a game with bhai on it. 10 seconds without gulping a middle sized scoop of totally frozen ice cream has been my best till date"

"congratulations"

"you want to try?"

"no thank you, keep the thrill to yourself..i have better ways of testing my 'tolerance power'"

"like watching your sister and my brother together without flinching?10 seconds. Your best till date too"

"rubbish"

Khushi smiled mischievously "oh come on! You know it's true! I have started including bhai in my morning prayers because of the looks you have started giving him"

"rubbish"

"ya right..."

"what do you know about me?" Arnav raised his eyes to her..

"well..you are unpredictable, you are strange, you are cement-ish, you are dangerous, you are unpunctual, you are-"

"unpunctual?" Arnav cut in.

"yes..you made me wait for 30 minutes in your office despite an appointment"

"that was very much intended. And by the way, says the one who took 45 minutes to dress up?"

"i did not have prior notice mind you! And I NEVER take this long normally"

she immediately regretted her words as Arnav gave a slight tilt to his head, a cool amusement in his eyes..

"i see.. so this was-"

"this was yet another outcome of your strange plans. Can any of your plans ever work out properly?"

"oh I see, perhaps I should learn something from your ingenious breakup plans I guess"

she colored.. "excuse me! You were very much a part of them"

" 'you come with Supriya I come with some whateverhisname and we breakup'..as far as I remember that was your plan"

"which you ruined. You could have reminded me..and by the way, who came running to my house for some mysterious purpose,ruined my pasta, angered my mother and invited the engagement?"

"who gave a big sermon on relationships and the sin of breakup in full media glare spoiling the very first breakup plan?" he retorted..

"who came running to a blast site and gave me weird looks which got published all over the papers leading to this rumor in the first place?"

in her fury she had stood up from her seat and so had he.

"oh really? Who gave long descriptions of how romantic I was in front of a dozen cameras ,talk about hearts, chocolates and what not! Not to mention who broke the news of our dating each other in the media in the first place!"

"OH I SEE!" she stepped forward "so now it becomes my fault! If you remember it was you who told me to do it in the first place!"

"you could very well have refused" he stepped forward too "who talks 24*7 but couldn't start one damn fight in the restaurant!"

"as if you could! Why didn't you? And why did you miss that golden opportunity of declaring a relationship with Pallavi Khandelwal! Who was stopping you?"

"oh you didn't seem to have a very big problem with it back then! I wonder why!"

closer..

"why should I even care! Go ahead breakup if you want to. Who is stopping you?"

"why don't you go ahead and do it then? Go ahead. Take off the ring and throw it in the pool!"

"do I see you hesitating to do it first?"

"hesitation my foot!"

"I DON'T GET YOU!"

"AS IF YOU COME WITH A USER MANUAL!!"

"WHY DO YOU ALWAYS FIGHT WITH ME! HELL WHY DO YOU KEEP COMING IN MY WAY!"

"COMING IN YOUR WAY! I GUESS IT'S JUST THE OTHER WAY ROUND!"

"I MEET YOU DAYS AGO AND BAM! YOU ARE MY FIANCE!"

"FOR YOUR KIND INFORMATION I WAS NOT DREAMING OF YOU SINCE INFANCY!"

"MY PLEASURE!"

"JUST SHUT UP!"

"I WILL NOT! WHAT WILL YOU DO. WHA-"

(And resisting the strong, very strong sadistic temptation of writing- and then they sat down and peacefully finished dinner, update ends. The writer proceeds..)

It was then, that yet another four letter word made an 'unexpectedly expected' entry into the relationship . It was sudden, it was a first, it was a shock, it was impulsive, it was magical, it was inevitable, it was firm, it was gentle, it was confusion, it was acceptance, it was denial, it was pleasure, it was panic and it was..love, as their lips met each other.

After 5 seconds- it was panic, it was panic, it was panic, it was panic, it was panic as they literally flew apart realizing what actually happened.

After another 5 seconds- it was confusion, it was staring, it was gasping, it was backing away, it was "what the.." it was "oh..", it was 'was it?', it was 'it better not be', it was 'you speak', it was 'you first', all through the eyes. It was the aftermath.

Another 5 seconds later-

Khushi blinked, then blinked again, her mouth an open O ,numb, head spinning and well, the zoo flourishing into a sanctuary in all it's glory..

she shut her mouth, opened it, then shut it again..

Arnav backed, set teeth upon teeth, face absolutely grim and looked at her..

he was confused, he was furious, he was lost, he was rooted and he was sure he was qualified insane.

Note for future help-

talking.meeting.communication is a pathetic excuse of a plan. Do not follow.

if you do,Never take the girl forcefully out on a date

if you do, never let her take 45 minutes to dress up

if she does, never look at her

if you do, cancel the date

if you don't for heaven's sake keep a check on the ambiance..

if you don't never urge her to speak

if she does, do NOT listen.certainly do NOT participate

if you do, don't get up from your seat. Ensure the same for her

If she does and if you do, for goodness' sake do NOT step forward..if you do..

bear the consequences.

While Arnav was making the above mental note for future help, the present was not being too kind on him..Khushi moved forward..and before he knew, she had used her long nails to pinch him in the forearm as hard as she could..

"WHAT THE!" Arnav shouted in surprise..

she gasped.."i was checking if this really happened..you..actually.."

"why don't you try these things on your own self dammit!" Arnav grinded his teeth as he spoke..himself reeling from the shock..

and then another 'unexpectedly expected' happened for Arnav Singh Raizada.

Khushi gulped, took a step back,then shot a look at his car keys placed on the table and before he knew..

Khushi Kumari Gupta ran out of the hotel at top speed with his SUV keys..

Nihaal stood beside a worried Anjali as the doctor did the checkup on nani..the doctor had left after a detailed check up stating there was nothing much to worry..though Anjali was still looking all worked up..

"wonderful lady isn't she?" Nihaal whispered into Anjali's ears..

she raised questioning eyebrows and Nihaal pointed towards the young nurse in attendance. Anjali shook her head incredulously at him..

"like seriously Nihaal? Nurse?don't you even dare..she will inject you with poison and you'll never know..be happy with your history with sandals"

"this was a direct insult to my 'way with women' "

"i see..your famous 'way with women'.."

Nihaal gave her a 'wait and watch look' and stood beside the girl giving her a wide smile...she slightly pursed her lips in response, Anjali grinned..

"wonderful professionalism I must say...you are highly qualified in your skill"

"thank you sir"

"by the way Miss...miss-?"

"you can call me 'miss' sir, I am fine with it"

"yes..ya fine. How...professional..you are in this profession since-"

"Sir could you please move aside I have to attend the patient"

"sure...sure.."

Anjali bit her lip to control herself from bursting into laughter, Nihaal came and stood beside her, red and serious..

"Nihaal, I can see she has fallen for you..yet another display of your 'way with women'..."

"she is not my type anyway"

"i see..who then, may I know, is your type?"

"you"

silence..

"what did you say?"

"who..who is my type..um..lemme see.."

Anjali fiddled with the bangles in her hands..had she really heard..

Her thoughts were interrupted as Nihaal's phone started ringing..

"hey, it's cement pile"

"excuse me?"

"your brother"

"EXCUSE ME?"

"hello? Hey bro wassup?"

"is Khushi home?"

"Khushi? She must be with you right?"

"wrong. Your sister just ran away in my SUV"

"WHAT?..wait , let me decide what to react on first, 'my sister' or 'ran away' or 'with your SUV'"

"start with the fact that she is driving the goddamn thing away on the road while I am sitting in a restaurant"

"Lattu is driving your SUV?" Nihaal gasped..

"yes" Arnav replied dreading the exasperation in the tone he sensed at the other end..

"God bless your SUV bro" Nihaal chuckled and disconnected..

Arnav stared at his phone in worry and soon his mobile flashed with a caller id..

Khushi calling..

he'd see her alright...

"what the he-"

"Arnav" Khushi interrupted in the sweetest, softest tone possible, the 'wet in honey' tone..

Arnav raised an eyebrow..

"Arnav..have I ever told you that no matter what I say deep down within me I think you are an outstanding businessman?"

Arnav ran a palm across his forehead..so the damage had already been done..

"not to mention that despite being an external cement pile deep down, very deep down, very very deep down-"

"Khu-"

"very very deep down, right at the bottom, you are also a passable human being"

"where.the.hell are you?"

"good human being?"

"Khushi where is the damn SUV?"

"exceptional human being?"

"Khushi WHAT THE HELL have you done!?"

"NORTHERNTOWNSTREETNO4ANDBEFOREYOUSAYKHUSHIKUMARIGUPTADAMNYOUITWASNOTTOTALLYMYFAULTANDJUSTONEDOORANDTHENUMBERPLATE-"

"KHUSHI SHUT UP!" Arnav shouted ..

silence..

"now speak. In human language"

"Northern town. Street no 4. and before you say Khushi Kumari Gupta damn you, it was not my fault and-"

silence..

"you better stay there.."

"no, I..i will take a cab and-"

"Khushi I said something. Didn't you understand?"

"but-"

your call has been disconnected.

Khushi eyed her bruised arm with a frown and then the dented car door with a deeper one..

15 minutes later-

"God gives his people strength, if we but trust in our hearts

he is sure to do his part, God gives his people strength"

The slow singing voice of a frowning Khushi Kumari Gupta leaned across a dented SUV, eying the large culprit tree ahead of her with a look which would put environmental activists into emergency mode echoed in street no 4,Northern Town..

while Arnav Singh Raizada's Mercedes zoomed through the streets of Delhi heading towards Street no. 4, northern town..

"The trick you see" Nihaal stood by Anjali holding the ice cream bowl in his hands "lies in developing high will power. You just need to try"

She took the bowl in her hands hesitantly..

"i have never ever done this before and I can't believe I am doing it now"

"it is AWESOME fun, just try once!"

Anjali scooped out a generous, very generous amount of frozen ice cream with a large size tablespoon and shutting her eyes put the entire thing in her mouth..and laughed as well as flinched at the impact..

"MMM!!! mmhhmm!" she groaned..

Nihaal grinned as he recorded the time on his watch..

Anjali gulped it down, almost teary eyed by now...with laughing as well as with the horrible pain in her teeth...

"5 seconds!" Nihaal shouted "not bad for starters..gosh look at you! You are red!drink water..helps"

"whats your best till date?" Anjali asked as she gulped the lukewarm water down her throat sighing as it restored her to normal condition..

"10 seconds with completely frozen butterscotch, one ladle"

"10 seconds with one ladle??!!"

"i know I am a genius"

"oh wait and watch Mr Gupta" Anjali grinned in a challenging manner as she picked up the bowl again..

And moments later you could hear shouts, laughters, "THAT WAS CHEATING!!", "NO IT WAS NOT!!", "WOOHOOO!!" ,groans, moans, squeals and what not in the Raizada dining area..

Anjali Singh Raizada, had never enjoyed ice creams, this much before...

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