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and to all my lovely follower, readers and friends....
Happy New Year 2020.....
Chapter 29 : Catastrophe
" The loneliest moment in someone's life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart and all they can do is stare blankly...."
~ Anonymous...
The day of Fashion Show...
Delhi ..
XYZ plaza....
The buzz around the whole city was that a new fashion designer was making her debut and that is with AK fashion house, where the king of the Fashion world belongs, so paparji and reporters didn't wanted to miss this event.
And finally the day has arrived for which many people were waiting for. The employee of AK fashion house and Mehra industry, the officials, designers, models and high profile celebrities.
For Raizada family it was very important because of many reasons. They are collaborating with their long term family friend Mr Mehra, it is the first big event which Arnav is handling alone and most importantly, Khushi is going to introduce as a fashion designer in today's event. Beside Lavanya is going to be the showstopper for today's show. Though, Alisha was finalized as a show stopper but last minute she cancelled it. And it was all planned by the rival of AK Fashion show. As they had already notified the matter before hand, so, Lavanya was prepared. The Raizada senior has planned that after the event successfully over, they will introduce Lavanya as their would be daughter in law and Khushi as their daughter. They are hoping that after today's evening the course of their life will take a new turn with the upcoming change.
Indeed all of their lives will take a new change, but not as they have thought. It will shake the base of their belief and will snatch the peace of their mind, at once.
Both Arvind and Manohor had the hidden wish that may be during this time period while working with each other, Arnav and Khushi would find a solution. They both had thought, that Arnav will definitely apologize to Khushi and at least they will be in talking term. And from last few days, Khushi's behaviour towards Arnav gave them a hope that things is getting better.
If only they knew it was a mirage, a beautiful mirage which will broke soon, very very soon.
Nk and Lavanya were waiting for the event to mark it as a great start for their new journey together.
They will definitely began but with an unexpected turn in their love one's life.
Arnav on the other hand was determined to have a face to face conversation with Khushi to make a bridge between them. He wanted to amend his mistakes, wanted to heal Khushi and in turn to get himself healed. He was determined to have a new start from that very day.
Arnav never knew, his wish will be fulfill very soon. Indeed his and Khushi's life will take a drastic turn and in that process both of them including the families will go through a whirlpool of heart wrenching emotions.
And the queen of the event, Khushi was waiting and counting every second with a thudding heart that how she will execute her plan, she is waiting with battling breath to hit the bulls eye. With every second approaching towards her goal, Khushi is feeling restless. An unknown, unnamed certain kind of ache is bubbling in the corner of her heart. Does not know why, but she felt she should leave everything and run from there. An unknown voice from the very corner of her heart signaled her to stop.. Deep down in her heart Khushi knew it will only bring devastation and destruction. But in the quench of thirst of revenge she forgot that, avenging someone never gave solace, if the person resided in your heart. And besides, Khushi also forgot that it's not Arnav, the Raizada's are also will be affected.
Khushi is nowhere to think in a rational mind now, but she will realize the impact of her actions soon.. Fact is that, it will be little TOO LATE ...
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As Kuhu entered the venue area, there was huge banner which was hanging by the wall and boldly stated the name of the event as ' New Face-The Fashion Show'. The fashion show atmosphere was filled with glamorous decoration and soothing music. There was a fragrance of sandalwood throughout the room and the room was strategically arranged with numbering on each seat. Decoration elements were all over the place. The ambience was kept very artistic, designed with vivid and minimal colours. Kuhu was very impressed and felt proud that her best friend is associated with the event.
There was almost an eight by fifty foot long, elevated runway extending through the heart of the room with seats surrounding each side. In attendance there were about two-hundred intern students from few fashion designing college for whom it was a great opportunity who were reading over the program schedule, chatting and finding their seats to sit. Besides 300 selected guests including an elegant audience of India and foreign VIPs, designers from all backgrounds, well-dressed business leaders and people from the media, fashion and movie industry attended.
Kuhu was fortunate enough to get her front row seat quickly and her view to the stage was clear though there were some photographers and media people who were still adjusting the setup so that they do not miss any angle of the models walking up the ramp. She was searching for Khushi but instead she was greeted by the Raizada clan. Almost all the Raizada were present except Mrs Devyani Raizada who could not attend the fashion show and little Sneha and Advay stayed in RM with her along with the maid and housekeepers.
Soon enough, they all found Aman Mathur clad in his tuxedo looking handsome as always met with them and vanished behind the back stage. Today looks like he is extra busy. NK was in his chirpy moods, though he was busy in back stage giving Lavanya the needed moral support.
Everyone's eyes were searching for two persons and soon enough, as if hearing their prayer Khushi appeared at the exact time. The Raizada surrounded her, wishing her good luck for the upcoming project and complimenting her as she is looking gorgeous. Kuhu could not control herself anymore, after watching Khushi in her old avatar, looking so fresh and confident. She hugged her tightly and whispered, " All the best dear."
Amidst all, everyone missed the man who was standing in a far corner watching Khushi in his gawk eyes. His chocolate brown eyes were full of love and admiration for the beauty clad in red. Arnav was mesmerised, speechless looking at Khushi.
Khushi appeared wearing a red chiffon saree with golden border, with her slender, svelte figure looking like breathtakingly beautiful. Her flawless, perfect skin was glowing like a moonlit, her eclipse like eye brows of coral black, her eye lashes were silky over her hazel doe eyes adorned with black kohl, her silver ear rings were reaching upto her bare shoulder and her elfin ears and half moon cheekbones only increasing her beauty. Her button like nose is adorning with a single diamond nose pin and her blossom pink lips are holding a rare smile. She had a pristine, calcite white teeth and an electrifying smile on her lips today, her manicure fingernail and a gently cleft chin increasing her beauty only. Her midnight black hair flowed over her shoulders.
Arnav looked Khushi unblinkingly and looking from head to toe, finally his eyes settled on her puffy, heart shaped glossy red lips. Arnav suddenly remember their first kiss, 6 years before, in her birthday night.. His throat become dry and he felt restless. Arnav knew at present the equation between them is too worst to think about even holding her hands sounds impossible, but his poor heart began to beat violently. He so wanted Khushi to drag from there, pinned on a side of wall in a secluded corner and kissed senseless. Arnav suddenly felt he is going rigid and remembering the touch of her lips he felt he is burning again. He closed his eyes and recall how her lips felt strawberry sweet when he had kissed her in that passionate night. And her jasmine scent, Arnav knew now, he can take thousand death to be with her or to get back that night once again.. But alas...
" You are my death Khushi... but you are my life too..." controlling the overwhelming emotion, finally Arnav open his eyes and took steps towards the gathering where his family is pampering His Khushi, his woman.....
Arnav cleared his throat to gain the attention of the Raizada's along with Kuhu and most importantly Khushi.
Khushi looked at him with the corner of her eyes. In the three piece usual suite Arnav looks handsome as always. Which caught Khushi's attention was his aura, the confidence, the maturity surrounded by him. But Khushi shiver a little watching the dark passionate eyes of Arnav. The way Arnav was looking at Khushi with his deep, brown orbs Khushi suddenly felt uncomfortable . She became conscious about her looks, was she looking bad? And the thought itself wonder Khushi. Why on earth she is bothered about what Arnav is thinking. It reminds her of her birthday night together, their first ever passionate kiss and suddenly after years Khushi felt butterflies in her stomach. She felt irritated, frustrated yet hot under Arnav's gaze.
"No, I can not be weak at this moment. Few more hours to go and I will show you Arnav, how it feels to be betrayed by the person whom you trust and love dearly..." Khushi thought herself and closing her eyes tight finally take a deep breath, to gather her shattered thought, to gather the immense courage for the act she is just going to pull upon.
" Khushi, I think , we should go. The show is about to begin. I want to talk something very important, please come with me." Arnav said while holding his breath, expecting a rude reply from Khushi but surprised to see her agreed without any fuss.
Finally letting the family members get settled in the front row, both Arnav and Khushi went towards the back stage. One with the determination that she will destroy the man beside her, another one with the hope to get a way towards his redemption...
Unknowingly they both walk towards their DESTRUCTION.... TOGETHER....
ONCE AGAIN.....
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No sooner the lights suddenly got dimmed and the noise among the crowd got faded. It was the time for the moment to begin! The anchor, Mr Aman Mathur who willingly looked very gorgeous, took over the stage and announced the entry of the first collection. The first model appeared from behind the stage and started the cat-walk on the ramp. She was wearing a vivid fuchsia and turquoise swimming suit with a beautiful, flowing chiffon cover-up of the same colours, with a twist of lemon yellow and matching shoes. For once everyone felt that they all were on an exotic island in the Caribbean. As she mesmerized the audience, People began to clap and cheer. The fashion show for first collection consisted of thirty-five models, both male and female. They all wore tasteful garments in wonderful colours and fabrics. The designer for the first collection was 2nd head designer and a renounced person in fashion world, Mrs Kaur. She said she was inspired by the personal style of women from different continents and culture, which explains how far-ranging in style the collection was.
The next collection was from classic 1960s cinema and pop art to 1970s rock-and-roll, the line had clothes in bright colours, innovative fabrics and preppy patterns. Taking a cue from the past era, this designer's collection features jacquard patterns, polka dots and other period-inspired designs. For boys, the styles contained a sporty, urban vibe joggers and sweatshirts featuring bold graphics. Hilfiger's trademark red, white and navy color palette was punched up with pops of celestial blue, coral blush and June bug green.
The third and last collection was the most awaited one. The designer was a novice and came up with her debut collection which was themed on South Indian dresses, this being the reason the AK fashion house choose her as the head designer for this event. She is none other than Khushi Gupta. The show stopper for her collection was Lavanya Kashyap, another newbie who place her feet in the fashion industry as a model.
Everyone including the Raizada and Verma was holding their breath for the response, but the applause and hooting from the crowd made it clear about the acceptance both for the new model and new designer. Khushi retained Indian Tradition in her collection. The collection included a wide range of sarees in metallic hues with interesting drapes making it just a perfect ethnic wear. Heavy embellishments on bright colors with touches of floral detailing were a refreshing touch. Everything about this collection were so much praise worthy.
If anyone wanted to talk analytically about this fashion show, the first thing that comes to mind is the availability and costing of the garments. Fashion show spectators usually want to know how much something costs, so keeping this in mind, AK fashion house specially, Arnav already arranged it within the event. The event had an amazing arrangement of an LED TV which kept on reeling each and every garment and its price if it was available in market or on special request from the designer. The invite, delegates, eminent personalities everyone was so very impressed by the collections of the clothes specially the surprising third collection of the new designer Khushi. Flashes of camera, big round of applause proved that Khushi had silently but successfully conquer everyone's heart.
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After the completion of the ramp walk, it was time for calling the designer and the representative from the organiser group. So, Aman Mathur happily called Arnav and Khushi on the stage together. But as per Khushi's request Arnav comes alone the stage surprising everyone.
" Good evening, ladies and gentleman present over here. I firstly thank you all for giving your precious time for this event. Today, this event is important for us for many reasons. The AK house is going to collaborate with Verma fashion industry, and this embarks our journey. We are really happy to have Mr Verma now with and as our family here. A big round of applause for him and his team for their support and help, without them the event will be always incomplete. Now, let's talk about the new viva of our today's show. I am proudly announcing our show stopper Ms Lavanya Kashyap on the stage, please." Arnav's sudden announcement surprised everyone present there including Aman and the family but they all clapped welcoming Lavanya on the stage.
Holding Lavanya's hand Arnav slowly declare " Please meet the beautiful lady over here, she is not only our new model of AK fashion house but she is going to be would be Raizada bahu.." this sudden announcement make the crowd silent. They were shocked. So, is she the girl whom ASR was secretly dating? Is she his girlfriend? Is ASR going to get married? But their all speculations and confusion get cleared soon with Arnav's next words, "Ms Lavanya Catherine Kashyap is going to be Mrs Nandkishore Singh Raizada very soon. They need your good wishes for their new journey." By the time Arnav finishes NK appeared in the stage and stand besides Lavanya holding her hands and placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
The shocked audience came to their senses while Arnav congratulated the couple. Claps and flashes of camera's flooded the newly couple with good wishes, not only Nk and Lavanya but the Raizada's, Aman and Kuhu were amazed by the step Arnav took. It's really a very thoughtful gesture from him and looking at the blushing couple at the stage, all smiled in satisfaction.
" And now, please hold your breath to welcome the most talented woman of this night, who have stole every one's heart tonight by her exclusive work. Please welcome our new fashion designer Ms Khushi Gupta." Arnav declared proudly looking at the backstage.
Slowly taking her own sweet time, Khushi appeared in the stage and stands besides Arnav. Thousands of cameras flashes, media goes over gaga looking at the beauty standing beside the most eligible bachelor of the country and from the angel of the camera and from the naked eyes, they both look so good together.
Before Arnav could say something, a question from a desperate reporter come across, " Welcome Ms Khushi Gupta. You are a fabulous designer, your every creations is beautiful. Congratulations for your amazing start."
Khushi smiled acknowledging his wishes but the next questions from the crowd put them together in awkward silence.
" Are you ASR's secret girlfriend, Ms Gupta?" Arnav and Khushi both looked at each other speechless and their silence were treated as a consent, so that question leads to another and so on.
" Will we take your silence as a acceptance? That means you are a couple?"
" For how long you both are dating?"
" You are from Lacknow right, then when and how did you met ASR?"
" Did you trapped ASR in your web? In your beauty?" and that's was it.
Arnav's patience flew in thin air and he just roared, " Just shut up. Don't say anything nonsense. Don't make any false assumption as per your choice. And besides, we are here for totally because of a professional reason, so, you are not be entertained any more if you ask any further personal question.. You..." Arnav was about to say more, but Khushi placed her hands over his shoulders, surprising Arnav. Slowly she took the mike from his hand and smiled at him. With an unsure look Arnav slowly took a step back but still let Khushi take the lead.
" Thank you very much for your precious time to attend the show." The moment Khushi's magical yet confident sound spreads in the venue hall, the murmured stop. As if she has spelled a magic.
" I am overwhelmed the way you all accepted me and my creation, it means a lot. I am really happy today that my dream of becoming a designer becomes true today. Before proceeding further, I want to congratulate Lavanya and Nk for their new journey ahead. They are my close friends and family..I am happy for both of you. " Khushi threw a flying kiss looking at the back stage where Nk and Lavanya were standing. Though they were smiling but were surprised too seeing Khushi over there speaking so comfortably after the reporters attack.
Something is wrong...very very wrong...
This thought was lingering in not only NK and Lavanya's head but Aman, Kuhu, Shyam and Payal were in same thought.
Condition of Arnav was altogether a different matters, he was so amazed to see Khushi and her way to handling of reporter, that he just ignore Khushi's artificial smile and cold eyes.
" Now, let's proceed. I want share with you a few little things about me. You are very right that I am from Lacknow, I completed my education there. Though I started in Harvard but due to some unwanted circumstances I left the university and here come your answer, how I met with the heartthrob Mr ASR. I was his junior in college but hey, don't imagine anything unprofessional, we both were mere acquaintances beyond that there was NOTHING in between us. But Now I am very very grateful to Mr ASR for giving me the opportunity. You may ask, why I get the opportunity. I believe it's because of my ability and skill majorly, but there was a small part which call favour. Well how? You know Lavanya is my good friend but she was not the connection why I got the opportunity over here. I am sure you are curious to know the reason, well just few more minute. You all are right in one point, ASR is no more SINGLE, and he has someone in his life..." Khushi looked at the crowd in front of her who has become silent, with surprise or shock, that she cannot decipher. She did not meet the eyes of the Raizada family members or Kuhu but she looked at the eyes of Arnav...
Arnav , who was standing few feet away from her looking dumbfounded, clueless and surprised. Khushi felt satisfaction looking at Arnav face.. She was in the same place years ago, few more minutes and Arnav will be helpless, broken, devastated, shattered just like her.
Smirking Khushi started her next words looking at Arnav's eyes, " Yes, everyone, ASR is in love. Your very own, ASR was taken years ago, but today I want to share the information with you all in this grand occasion. Because the person, who stole your ASR, who is the dream girl of ASR, is my very 'close' friend. As a well wisher of both of them, I want to do the honour. Please welcome, the lady love of Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, his life... Ms Sheetal Kapoor."
The moment Khushi spoke the words, Shyam and Aman closed their eyes in desperation. Kuhu was annoyed and Payal was feeling anger bubbling through her every nerves, while the other members were simply shocked. Soon a spotlight fell on the stage and Sheetal came on the stage with her artificial fake smile.
Everyone of the guest and invites claps happily unaware about the fact, there were continuous flashed of camera but the family members, Aman , Kuhu and even Daksh frozen in their place. They were too shocked to react, to produce a word in Arnav's defence.
Arnav stood in his place like a statue. He still could not able to digest the fact that Khushi has declared Sheetal as his girlfriend. He was in daze. The exact moment Arnav remembered the stormy nights when he had poured his heart out for Khushi, when he had said that how Sheetal actually had molested him.. It was a nightmare for him after he came to know about the real truth that how he was actually being abused and molested by Sheetal, not once but day after day. Khushi knew everything, still she declared this? Did He broken Khushi to that level, that today, she had become female version of ASR ? Attacking people on their weakest point?
Arnav jolted from his place when he felt a hand slowly clasped his own hand. Looking at his side he found Sheetal Kapoor was standing close to him, pestering and almost grinding herself with him, trying to rub his hands with her dirty hands.
Arnav felt his whole body was burning, he felt he is drowning in a puddle of mud, he is felling that his heart and soul being ripped apart. The way Sheetal was smirking looking towards him, Arnav felt nauseated and so, so dirty. He felt he is being stripped off among the whole crowd.
But Sheetal Kapoor was not his concern, he is thinking about the woman who posses his heart and who herself is breaking his heart PIECE BY PIECE at this moment...
Did Khushi felt the same way when he, humiliated and abandoned her 6 years before? Did Khushi's soul died a silent death on that very moment? How Khushi survived afterwards? These questions were running in Arnav's mind as he knew He will probably not able to survive anymore. His body will give up soon..
Arnav's head snapped towards Khushi, as she was still speaking about 'them', about how Sheetal is Arnav's life or how Arnav can do anything and can go any length to fulfil Sheetal wish. But Arnav felt breathless when Khushi muttered her next words, " You all will get the invitation of two grand marriage. It's not only Lavanya and Nk is getting married but ASR and Sheetal too... please show your support and love with the couple. And Congratulations Sheetal, I am very happy for you. Your dream come true today and ASR, no need to thank me, I owe you one... So, it's my small 'gift' toward both of you..." Khushi was avoiding eye contact with Arnav since long but while speaking the last line, when accidentally her eyes met with Arnav, Khushi felt her whole world crashed in a second.
It's not Sheetal's closeness with Arnav or the way Sheetal is trying to touch Arnav or Arnav's stiffen body but Khushi stuck in those beautiful brown orbs, which look DEAD...
DEAD...??
The moment looking at Arnav's eyes only one thought came in Khushi's mind, is " LIVING DEAD" looks like Arnav? Because the very moment Khushi observe how every emotions slowly leaving Arnav's eyes, trust, love, desire, naughtiness, longing and at last HOPE.......
Khushi wanted to scream towards the crowd, she wanted to say that it's all were a bad joke, a very vile prank, that Arnav does not love Sheetal, Arnav never loved Sheetal, but no words came out from her mouth..
Khushi wanted to run towards Arnav and hugged her tightly, she wanted to console him saying everything will be fine, she wanted to wipe the moisture of those brown orbs which is looking at her unblinkingly, without any question. She wanted to do many thing, alas she could not do anything more..
Unable to see the dreadful site in front of her, Khushi slowly takes few backward steps and run from the stage...
Run... Run... Run...
She wanted to run so far that the misery of those brown orbs will never reach her heart but the more she takes steps away from him, the more she felt lost...
Khushi Gupta felt the same feeling of abandonment once again... after 6 long years....
It was suppose to a victory moment for Khushi, but all she felt was shattered. Today she realised the real meaning of 'revenge'. Not only it destroys the person you take vengeance from but also yourself... whole of you, Completely and Definitely .
Controlling the overwhelming sobs which was erupting direct from her soul, Khushi run out from the hall went towards the back stage to hide herself from the whole world, most importantly Khushi wanted to hide herself, FROM HER DESTRUCTIVE SELF..........
To be contd...
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Author note:
Hello, lovely people over here...Hope You all are doing well..
Happy New Year 2020. Hope all of your dreams come true and stay blessed.
Here is the next part of this FF, Chapter 29 "Catastrophe " .
Thank you for reading this story..
How was the chapter? What do you think about Khushi's actions ?
What will be the Raizada family, Payal, Shyam and Aman's reaction?
What will be Arnav's reaction after this event?
I have started a new Romantic ARSHI SS, "Sweetheart" .. If you prefer "Romance" and lovey dovey cute Arnav, then " Sweetheart" will surely earn your attention.
Besides two other Arshi story named, " Beauty and The beast" and "Rising Phoenix".. Please check it and share your opinion.
And TS is posted based on Sheetal track named, " It's too late" and on Diwali track named, "Come back please", have a look.
Waiting for your review regarding this chapter....
Love and Regards..
Your story teller
Mamree
01.01.2020