Tangled || ArShi FF

Chapter 19 - A Split Second

Though she recalled how Arnav was worried about Akash and Payal too.

In their confrontation last night, when Khushi had angrily spoken about their cousins, Arnav had sternly told her not to mess with them. He did care... for Akash. A small doubt began to take hold in her heart. The way Arnav had cautioned her of not sabotaging Akash's happiness, could the threat work...?

The fleeting thought went away as soon as it came in her mind. There are some lines she wouldn't cross. Ever.

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Khushi and the team spent the next few days and nights going over the company articles, the directives and the loophole- trying to find a way to stop the vote on Monday.

Khushi had made the office cabin a temporary home. She spent sleepless nights trying to conjure up something, find out some technicality. With time maybe they could have zeroed in on something but time was what they were short of.

Sheetal's lawyers had spent months getting around the loophole and ensuring that no one could object. Sheetal had slyly kept her in the dark for months. How was Khushi to find a solution in a few days? Though that didn't prevent her from trying.

It was frustrating and exhaustive but they pressed on till the ill fated Monday, 31st July was on them.

They had spent a week trying to figure something out and had failed. The faces of Khushi's small team were marred with disappointment. Khushi tried to give them a pep talk. She appreciated their efforts and apologized for the lack of foresight. Her team, baring Aman, told her that she was not responsible for it but that didn't make her feel any better.

On Monday morning, Khushi got out of the elevator to head to the conference room but her feet wouldn't move. She took a deep breath and instead strode over to Arnav's cabin.

Mustering courage and shutting all her rationality, she walked past Arnav's PA and entered his cabin.

Arnav, who was standing near the table, with a file, raised his eyes to look at the unannounced visitor. His eyes didn't betray what he was thinking. Whether he was shocked, happy or angry to see her in his cabin, she couldn't tell. The last time they were in a room together, she had slapped him.

Khushi opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. The vote would begin in a few minutes. This was it. This was the moment to say something, maybe threaten him to back out using Aman's idea. But she couldn't conjure up the words.

Wordlessly, she exited the cabin and went to hers. She composed herself and exhaled deeply. Nothing could prepare her for what was coming next. A company that she had built would be snatched from her and she couldn't do anything. She felt so helpless.

"Ma'am," Lavanya's soft voice startled her. "It is time."

Khushi slowly walked to the conference room where the vote would take place. She gathered every ounce of energy to make her feet move. She felt sick on the inside.

Sheetal and Arnav along with the Board of Directors were already present when Khushi took her seat. Sheetal began with the introduction as to why they were there. A low murmur engulfed the room as the Board contemplated what Sheetal had said.

"A sale of Magnolia?" one of the board members, Mr. Mathur, voiced everyone's query, "At this stage of it's growth?"

"Yes," Sheetal nodded, controlling her disdain. Sheetal despised the directors because they had always backed Khushi.

"Then let's begin the voting process," the director replied. "Since there are 3 of you," his gestured to Sheetal, Arnav and Khushi, "There is no case of a tie and hence no involvement of the board. We'll get the decision immediately."

Khushi till now had avoided facing Arnav who was sitting right across her. She tried hard not to look at him because if she did, her emotions wouldn't be in control and she feared she would breakdown.

Yet, she could feel his eyes on her, boring in her skin. It made her angry, frustrated, defeated and hopeless.

Mr. Mathur gestured to the company secretary who began, "Good morning everyone."

Khushi's heart started racing as the end of her dream began.

"The agenda for today's meeting," the CS went on, "is the vote for sale of Magnolia. The parties involved had been intimated last week, on the 24th of July, regarding this as per the directive. So, let's begin the process with Ms. Sheetal Kapoor- the group MD, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada- Magnolia's MD and Ms. Khushi Gupta, CEO"

Khushi froze. She could feel her heart beat wildly against her rib cage.

The CS spoke the next words slowly and clearly, "All those in favor of selling Magnolia, please raise your hand."

Sheetal's arm shot straight up and she smirked. Khushi took a deep breath and turned her head to face Arnav for the first time. As she had sensed, he was looking at her.

For a split second, Sheetal's smirk started to mitigate when Arnav didn't respond. For a split second, Khushi, against all odds, hoped that he was not going to go through with the vote.

It was all for a split second because the next moment, Arnav raised his hand. To Khushi, that was akin to him ripping her heart out of her chest.

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