Posted on May 15th, 2017 | Edited on October 22nd, 2018
| . . . C H A P T E R - 2.10 : B L A N K E T - O F - C O M F O R T . . . |
There were so many minor things to focus on; I was running around in circles. Since I was technically in charge of the calendar, everyone kept coming to me to sign off on things, to get my approval, to get my suggestions, and just everything. I felt like I was doing everything that wasn't a part of my job description and every now and then, for a second, I would feel myself going crazy.
But, the rush of adrenaline kept me going. It was a major source of distraction from my life. I think I understand why some people turn into workaholics. It's almost an escape from having to face the reality of everything wrong in one's life.
I didn't realize when I started to like this fast-paced environment. By the end of the week, I was hooked.
A peon placed a brown package on my desk, "Khushi ji, your lunch."
Without looking at it, I answered. "I didn't order anything."
"The delivery guy said it was for you."
"Oh... okay. thanks." I answered in confusion and peeked inside the bag. Italian with a pack of French fries.
A chuckle escaped my lips and I was about to check if Arnav was watching when Payal walked over. "Wow, that's an odd combination."
"Yeah... my fiancé loves it."
Did I just call him my fiancé? Well... it's not like I could have said Arnav's name. Could I?
She quickly comments, "Well then, you didn't hear me say that. Though I am curious to meet the guy who likes such a combination."
I laughed along for at first, I would have agreed with her. It was an odd combination, but still sweet of Arnav to do this for me.
"Anyway, enjoy your lunch. I just came to tell you Aman is free to talk to you whenever you are."
Thanking her for relaying the information, I tucked aside my lunch and decided to go talk with Aman first. Least he gets busy by the time I finish eating. I can eat later too while doing my own work - multitask.
. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .
Since Aman's door was propped open, he saw me coming and waved me in without me having to knock work. "Khushi. Hi. How's the progress going? I'm sorry you haven't been getting much help from me this week. I'm swamped with other things."
I waved it off taking a seat, "No, yeah. I get it. And actually, it's been crazy but an experience. I didn't realize so many things went into it. And for progress... I think we're doing okay so far. We have everything we need for 8 of the 12 dresses and by Monday, rest should be here too. I am planning on catching up the team tomorrow so they can get started on fabrics. If we keep with the schedule, everything should be ready in the next two weeks. I'll just need the measurements for the models so we can make them to fitting."
He informed, "Ah, yes. I plan on sitting with ASR later today and finalize them. I can get you the list tomorrow."
"Sounds good. And, I actually do need your help with this. I'm not sure if I have to do this but the design layout the calendar...?"
"You're right; it's not your job. Once the shoots are done, the graphics team will get to work. You can, ofcourse, decide if you want to make suggestions on which pictures to use of the dresses from the shoot but don't worry about that for now. We'll get to it later. Same for press conferences, the fashion show revealing the calendar look and dress."
I breathed out a sigh of relief. "Oh, good. I feel so much better. Seriously, I have no idea what goes on there. Marketing and advertisement? I don't understand it at all."
He laughed and for now, he seemed to be a friend rather than a strict boss, "I can imagine. Your brain understands the creativity that you pen down in your designs, not the selling strategy. But the more you remain in this world of fashion, the better you'll start to understand it all."
I made an unimpressed face, "That'll be a day." I had no interest in turning something inspirational and creative into a business strategy to get most people to buy it. It's almost playing at their emotions, if you ask me. Though, I do understand. It is the way world works.
. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .
As I was walking out of the conference room after spending the hour in there by myself getting all the paperwork sorted for all the purchases and deliveries of materials, there was a sound behind me.
I turned to see it was Arnav clearing his throat to get my attention. It distinctly reminded me of my very first day here. Looking around to see no one was looking our way, I walked around the corner and into that tiny blind spot.
"Hi," he greeted.
I raised my brows at him for that could not be the reason he just hid here and got me here as well. "Hi?"
"I needed something," he admitted.
I answered ready to help, "Sure, what is it?"
He leaned off the wall to reach into his back pocket and pulled out his phone. "I don't have your new number."
My hands found their way to my hips, "You've got to be kidding me."
There was fake innocence on his face even as his lips turned up slightly, "What? It's true. I don't have your new number. That's almost shameful that I don't have my fiancé's number."
For a second, I could only stare at him. For a second, my ears rang with the way he called me that. For a second, I focused on the flutter in my heart. I don't think I am used to hearing him call me that... or will ever get used to it. It wasn't a day I had ever imagined when I would be okay with what we had between us.
Then, to conceal that reaction, I purposely snatched his phone to convey I was irritated at him calling me over for something so simple as my phone number when he could have gotten it any time. Not to add, he was the boss and as such, he could have just pulled my employee file and gotten it off of there.
Even as I tapped in the digits, I commented. "One of these days, you're going to really, actually, want something important from me and I won't be giving it to you."
After saving the contact, I pressed the button to return to home screen. I was taken aback at his wallpaper. A child. I realize this must be Aarav. The smile I see in that picture rubbed off on me.
There seemed to be an amused smirk on his face when I looked up. My brows knit as I questioned it.
He shook his head, "Nothing, you'll get it later."
I was still confused but rolled my eyes and thrust the piece of device against his chest, "You make it really hard for me to not hate you."
His fingers grazed mine as he held the phone and my gaze blinked away from his to our hands, barely touching but touching still. "Nah, you know you love me," he teased back.
Normally, I would give him a piece of my mind or even call him out for being cocky. But right now, I couldn't. He didn't move his hand back like I anticipated he would. I felt my hand turning cold as I looked back up at him.
Softly, he smiled at me and instructed despite his eyes traveling to my throat when I swallowed. "Breathe."
Forcing myself to listen, I abided to the reminder before gaining enough energy to slide my hand out from under his. My hand fell to my side and weight shifted from one foot to the other as I stood there awkwardly, unable to decide if I should leave or not.
He broke the silence, "You okay?"
I nodded, my eyes still lowered.
He added a gentle command to ensure I wasn't lying. "Look at me."
It took a few long seconds but I eventually inhaled deeply and allowed my eyes to flicker up and meet his.
That comforting smile of his blinked back at me in assurance. "You're okay." He repeated but this time as a statement as if asking me to repeat it to myself and believe it, not a question to convince himself.
I stopped fumbling with my fingers, picking at my nails. His eyes, smiles, that soft voice... they all do calm me down. They do act as a blanket of comfort around me and before I know it, my heart stops protesting with its loud beating. As seconds ticked by, it returned to its normal pace and his smile rubbed off on me as if it were contagious.
He nodded back as if catching this change in my nature and looked relieved himself. Just after he turned to leave, I remembered and quickly expressed, "Oh, hey. Thank you for lunch."
He didn't turn around completely to face me, but he did turn his head side-ways, just enough for me to see that faint smile on his lips that had me smiling in return as well.
Even though he walked away, he left behind a feeling lingering in my heart.
Even though I had no idea where exactly we were headed, I could tell that wherever it was, it was in a good place. Even with everything else going on in my life, I found myself looking forward to figuring out about Arnav and I.
. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .
Sunday.
The day is meant for relaxing. But, no. Not this weekend. Armaan and Riddhima were packing as they were going on a medical camp. A week long. A common friend from our school days, Muskaan, walked into the penthouse since she had a spare key given her boyfriend, Rahul, used to share the penthouse with Armaan before we moved in and he moved out to live with her at her apartment.
She left her bag by the entrance and walked in to hand me a box given I was the closest to her. "Here you go, it was by the front door. Are you guys ready to leave?"
While Armaan answered to her, I turned the box around looking for a name or any kind of note, "That's weird."
She suggested while taking a seat on the couch, "Maybe the name tag got ripped out or you have a secret admirer."
Riddhima chuckled, "If it's a secret admirer, pretty sure it'd be for Armaan."
Armaan teased her, "Why, jealous?"
She rolled her eyes and took the box from me. "Let's see what your fans have sent this time."
Inside was a CD case. Muskaan commented, "Ah, look. Someone wants you to listen to their voice."
Armaan rolled his eyes and took it from Riddhima. "Give it to me." he proceeded to throw it away.
Muskaan teased, "C'mon, don't be a spoiled sport, Armaan. Are you not even going to humor your fans? They must have sent it with such hopes."
"Muski, one more word and I swear, I will..."
"Wait." Riddhima spoke interrupting him and all of us turned to see the grave expression on her face.
Armaan was the first to ask, "What is it?"
She let the box be on the couch and walked off towards the bedroom to get her laptop. I picked up the box to see what else she saw inside that had her acting this way and why the color from her face had drained off.
How rude of me. I forgot to congratulate you last time. Consider this a wedding present. -V.
Armaan got the box from me given I might have had a similar reaction on my face. Vivek... he left this box right outside of the door where I lived. He could have gotten someone else to do it for him, but he had still gotten close.
It unnerved me to simply think about it.
Armaan cursed crumpling the note in his fist in anger, "That son of a bitch."
Riddhima gasped, hearing whatever she did in her headphones, and shut the laptop screen. I asked, "What is it?"
She shook her head, "N-nothing."
Armaan crossed over to her but she held on to the laptop with her dear life refusing. "Basket, hand it over. What's in that CD?"
Riddhima tightly gripped his wrist and jerked it off, looking him right in the eye and warning, "You don't want to know, Armaan. Let it go." When he opened his mouth to argue, she repeated in a command, "Let it go."
I inhaled sharply. There were only so many things I could think of that could be in that CD. Without realizing myself, I approached her. My heart thudded in my chest, telling me I had no business in wanting to listen. My brain, however, wouldn't listen.
With Riddhima so transfixed on getting Armaan to back off, she didn't realize when I took the laptop from her.
"Khushi, no. You don't..."
I didn't listen. I turned a deaf ear to her as I plugged in her password.
And, all hell went loose. Just one second. One second is all it took for me to realize what this CD entailed. My screaming. My begging.
Riddhima didn't prolong the torture and shut the laptop screen, pulling the earphones out of my ears. Her hands than cupped my face to blink away from the device and to her face as she scolded though with sadness in her voice, "Why do you never listen, Khushi?"
And yet, ironically... I did listen to this, one which I wish I could unhear.
What does he want now?
Sending these messages, this recording... it was torture. It feels more of a violation than the torture I have been suffering through all these years. It feels more personal.
And sick. Just sick.
If his purpose was to inflict terror, he succeeded.
. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .
Armaan and Riddhima did not want to go. As much as their heart wasn't into leaving me alone, I reminded them they had to go. This wasn't optional and it was a part of their class; their training. The only way I could convince them was agreeing to stay at Arnav's place while they returned, and the reason I agreed was because I figured it would be harmless.
That Anjali would be there as well and as such, it wouldn't just be the two of us.
However, when Arnav showed me to a guest room, I asked. "So, where's Anjali di?"
"Nainital," he answered leaning against the doorway while I dropped my shoulder bag on the bed. "She left earlier yesterday hoping to convince our uncle to let Kripa shift here in Mumbai... better job opportunity and all but truly, Kripa just wants to get away from there. Can't spend any more time around them."
I nodded along knowing how Kripa felt. She'd said it enough times how she felt choked out of her freedom trying to live under her dad's roof with his orthodox thinking and all the strict rules. And if there is one thing about Kripa... it's that all rules be damned.
He marked his exit by saying, "Well, I'll leave you be."
Once the door clicked softly, I exhaled and sat at the edge of the bed before laying back and staring at the ceiling. Thoughts continued running through my mind.
Why was Vivek coming back now? Why would he? Does he not care for himself? If he ever showed his face... he had to know. He would end up in jail. Armaan would make sure of that. He's always said how he wanted them to pay. He's just never been able to do that as we had no idea where they were.
. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .
| . . . A U T H O R - N O T E . . . |
So I imagine this may be a bitter-sweet chapter... good moments with Arnav countering those of the cd. But again, with this chapter being a new addition, let me know what you think!
Also a quick FYI, I was trying to 'perfect' a scene in chapter 12 as best I could - which is why for over a month, there were no updates on tapas and even here on wattpad, they were slow. BUT, I FINALLY am happy with the outcome so you can expect tons of updates soon! I have atleast till chapter 21 properly edited with all the changes I wanted to make. Not a lot of different POVs, but already tons of improvements which I think are equally new.