Your goals don't care how you feel.

Arnav Singh Raizada was mindful about the quotation. After being distracted from work and his goals for a long time, ASR was back to remind him of his aims.

He had achieved a lot of success on a national platform but his real goals of taking AR Designs out into the international market was not yet accomplished.

Work. Work. Work.

That was the mantra he chided for his dreams to come true. He didn't believe in luck, he simply relied on one's own hard work. The position he held today was obtained with his own efforts and he would make sure to be known worldwide as a personality admired for his sharp mind and his excellent sense of business.

But whoever said the above quote mustn't ever have had the girl he loved waiting down for him since hours.

It didn't occur for the first time that his eyes automatically wandered downstairs through the glass windows of his cabin to get another glimpse of the one person who more dear to him than he wanted her to be.

What the hell khushi. Why don't you just leave me alone? What do you want?

His fingers curled into a fist as he stood at the window now, glaring at the feminine figure sitting below in the waiting area.

He was letting her wait there deliberately. He had no intention of meeting her. Not today. Not ever again.

He had crystal clearly told his receptionist that he didn't wish to meet her. But Khushi had been adamant. Just like she had been adamant on calling him throughout the evening yesterday despite him rejecting her call again and again. He had been forced to switch his phone off.

But truth to be told, if he had been wasting her time he hadn't been any productive either. Both his heart and mind anticipated her. But Arnav Singh Raizada would not be called so if he was someone to give in to his heart so easily.

Aman - She's there since past three hours. Why don't you call her up and listen to what she wishes to say? Maybe it is something important!

Aman's concerned voice pierced right through his eardrums. And he turned around to reveal the ever-so-bossy ASR. Aman instantly knew he shouldn't have interfered into his boss' matter. He may not share anything but Aman had been noticing Arnav's eyes traveling to Khushi more often than required. It looked like a case of love.

Since when had his ruthless and arrogant boss developed feelings for the middle class Gupta girl he disliked initially?

Arnav - You do not get paid for keeping track on the waiting hours of Khushi Kumari Gupta. Your position, payment and responsibilities are exaggeratedly high for that.

Aman strangled the urge of showing his boss the total progress of work he managed to do today: the signature on a contract. But he was not foolish enough to dig his own grave. But how could he leave an opportunity of picking on the great Arnav Singh Raizada.

Aman - You're right. This isn't my work. But you're doing an excellent job in it!

And with that he posed a naughty grin at his employer before darting out of the room with the contract file in his hands; escaping ASR's deadly glare.

*

One.

Two.

Three.

Three hours had passed since she'd been sitting in the visitors area of AR Designs Headquarters, waiting for the permission to go up and talk to Arnav. But that permission never came.

It was enough. She couldn't wait any longer. She had lied at home. She needed to go back now.

After he didn't attend any of the calls yesterday and switched it off later, she made her mind of going to his office in the morning.

She had come to his office sharp at 10 O'Clock even before him. He had walked past her but did not care to stop and ask her why she's here. It was as if he once again was the same man she met for the first time. It had been so long since she last stepped into this building and he had been so attentive and affective towards her in the last week's that she completely forgot his ASR demeanour, especially after Valentine's day.

Is it all a masquerade or is it his anger?

He was not that busy. And he was not unaffected by her presence. She concluded it after noticing him leering at her every other minute.

Three hours of watching each other; her hazel orbs desperately tried to communicate with his dark brown ones, begging him to listen to her once.

It was after three long hours that she decided to leave. Not only would her family be waiting at home for to have lunch together but it was also a matter of self respect.

With her one foot still inside the threshold of AR Designs a strong hold gripped her wrist and she knew who it was. But before she could even look up at his form, she was already being pulled along.

*

She rubbed her wrist as it burned with heat resulting from his strong grip. She scanned her surrounding to find herself into the conference room. She had been inside the time she used to work here as Lavanya's assistant.

Arnav - Shoot. What do you want to say?

She raised her lashes to look up at him whose penetrating gaze bore into her form with sheer anger. She would have told him everything and soothed his inner demons if it wouldn't have been for his mocking tone.

Khushi - Nothing at all. I'm sorry I came here and disturbed you.

Turning her glance away from him she progressed towards the door with the intention of leaving.

He'd be damned if he let her go without answers now.

Three bloody hours she waited there but now that I am ready to hear her out she's throwing tantrums.

In the blink of an eye she was pinned against the wall with him peering dangerously into her headlights. As much she struggled to be freed from his grip, she herself was fully in knowledge of her failure. Her Jalebi and fast food filled physique was too weak to compete against the weight of this fitness freak.

Arnav - Khushi. Kumari. Gupta! What do you want to achieve with this attitude of yours?

In the course of time she dropped her attempts and just hissed under his tight grip. Her distress caused him to loosen his hold on her. He just can't bear her in pain. She shifted under his scrutiny, his words still fresh in her mind weighing her down.

Same behaviour but different label.

If he acts like this, it's his anger but if it's me with the same manner it's my attitude!

Khushi - I'm sorry. I apologise for my attitude. I forgot I'm standing in front of Arnav Singh Raizada.

He was not a kid to fail to perceive the hint of sarcasm in her voice. If it were for his brain, he'd be shutting her up in the most harsh means ever, by throwing heart-wrenching words at her. But somehow his heart didn't assent with his mind.

He released her wrists off his hold taking a step back, looking intensely into her eyes. Her hands slid down and she moderately met his piercing gaze with her gloomy one.

Why do I see affection for myself in your eyes Khushi?

Because they display the feelings in my heart for you.

Their eyes conversed in a way they didn't, not yet. But Arnav's mind worked through the Spiel that took place between them on terrace.

Why does this happen Arnavji, that whenever we are near, our heartbeats become fast?

He was certain she nourished feelings for him, she loved him as much he loved her. But what is the matter with NK? Why is she going out with him? Hell, it can be just as friends too but he can't endure any man with her other than himself.

Arnav - How Khushi? How can you do this to me? After everything we-...

He took in the shift of emotions in her eyes as she thinned her lips. An answer to his unfinished question was all he craved for, wishing she would deny the accusation; tell him she meant to tease him.

He inspected her as she leaned against the wall and let herself loose. Her next words touching his nerves with ease.

Khushi - I came here to clarify everything. But you weren't ready to listen. You didn't take any of my call and didn't meet me.

Arnav - What else should I have done? I was stood up by you, you didn't care to even call off Khushi. And when I was ready to forget it all, you accepted his proposal for a date right in front of my eyes! You made your choice very clear.

His fingers curled into a fist as he brought forward his point of view. The bottled up anger inside him proclaiming itself in dispute.

Khushi - You think Nanheji is my choice!?

She straightened herself, her voice indicated obvious hurt and disappointment. The tension in the room suddenly seemed to have become palpable as she put her feet in motion. His dark brown eyes followed her walking to the door. But before disappearing, she halted at the threshold to make one thing known.

Khushi - You were my choice. You always have been...Only You!

*

A dense and dark trail of clouds camouflaged the afternoon sun in the sky as an abstracted young girl marched through the driveway of the property. Her hand absentmindedly wiped the one lone tear off her cheek which jeopardized to mingle with the approaching downpour.

I'll never meet Arnavji again. He doesn't care for my feelings at all. All he cares is his his anger and jealousy. Nothing else! I just won't show him my face again.

But it seemed the almighty had other plans in store for her. She was unaware of the same man she was wanting to stay away from approaching her in quick strides. The sound of his footsteps drowned out by the loud thunder of the violent storm set on the celestial sphere. Only a familiar clutch on her hand alerted Khushi to adjourn her activity and take in the sight of the person behind.

Arnav - We're not done yet Khushi. Remember the night, on terrace, I said I'll talk to you later?

How could she forget that? Each and every word he said that day was summoned into her mind. Even though he failed to declare his love that night, it manifested a substantial time of her life.

But it didn't matter anymore. Not to her.

Khushi - I don't want to talk to you anymore. It's going to rain, so I just want to go home. Leave me.

Her revelation that he's her only choice had swayed all of the indignation. But as always, the stubborn nature of her irked him to the core. However he decided to not lose his calm and handle the situation with composure.

Arnav - Ok. Get into my car, I'll drop you home.

Khushi - Thank you for the generous offer Mr. Raizada but I prefer to go by Auto.

His senses were on the verge of betraying his easygoing masquerade as due to her obstinacy both of them fell victim to the terrific rainstorm. And he was cognizant of her weak immunity system, so his concern for her health took over the ire in his eyes.

Arnav - Khushi, stop behaving like a kid, you'll get sick.

Khushi - I get sick or even die; what does it matter to you? Why do you care???

He couldn't control the surge of adrenalin he experienced at the thought of her deliberately acting so oblivious to his feelings.

Covering the distance between them with one step and clutching her forearms into his hands, he drew her closer with force before startling her form with his next words.

Arnav - I CARE BECAUSE I LOVE YOU DAMMIT!!!

*

There is it, he finally confessed it and said those three words. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. Do lemme know :)