The next morning for Arnav Singh Raizada came with a breath of fresh air, and well categorically so.

The weather at Houston was really good today and looking at him, nobody could tell the same man was dealing with some of the most wicked demons of his life last night and was in such a miserable condition that he had religiously tormented himself with alcohol and his own horrors of the past.

But he could never let anyone see the chip in his armor. He wasn't programmed like that, and there were things that never came naturally to him. And if a journalist had to enlist them in bullet points for a story, they would be-

-Apology

-Vulnerability

-And lastly, love.

Yes, the man wasn't designed to apologize, show his vulnerability, or love anyone with all his heart, and all these aspects were depicted through his demeanor this morning when he entered the AR building, in his classy Armani suit, that complimented his handsome face, tall and lean build, and of course, his stern countenance.

Everybody in the office was already alarmed as they watched him walk through the main hallway, paying no heed to the morning greetings that people showered on him, and that made everyone deduce instantly, there was nothing new about this day.

It was all same old, same old.

Ruthless boss.

Nonstop preparation for Fleur—that was hardly some days away.

And some or the other person getting fired for any tiny mistake they committed.

Because if not anything, they certainly knew ASR pardoned no one.

.

.

However, in their presumption for a ''same old- same old'' day, they totally missed out and remained oblivious to the fact that certain things in someone's life was not really going to remain ''same old-same old'' starting from today.

And not just them, even the person himself wasn't aware of it, even remotely.

But what happened in the next five minutes, made a lot of difference, suddenly.

To his daily routine.

To his thoughts.

To his mind.

And maybe, his heart—the existence of which he had brutally denied since the past few months.

.

.

Khushi was her chirpy self as she got down from her ever loving friend NK's bike, wearing a bodycon lavender dress, her hair tied in a fishtail braid today, with little fringes adorning her forehead as they were too small to fit into her fancy braid.

She flashed NK her most charming smile, thanking him for dropping her to office today, while the latter could do nothing but stare at her, lost in her beauty as he often did.

He knew she had been upset since last night and he didn't really ask her about it because his cousin Alisha told him that she was over it now and he doesn't need to push her back to the pit by asking her about it.

Being an understanding individual, he immediately agreed.

But a part of him just didn't feel right because there was nothing he could do to make this girl smile. He always found her insanely funny, crazy, and at the same time exceptionally adorable.

He could hardly believe that in today's world someone could actually harbor so much of optimism, a cauldron of positive vibes inside them and that too so effortlessly.

But he had grown to agree that Khushi was really one of those rare gems who not just harbored positive energy but also spread them across to anybody and everybody who needed it. And that made him respect her more.

''NK! Where are you lost?''

Khushi's voice and the clipping of her fingers in front of his eyes brought him out of his reverie and he awkwardly looked at her, realizing his mouth had been open all this while, as he was shamelessly looking at her face and before it could haunt him further, he said, ''Sorry, Khushi. I was a little lost!''

Khushi giggled hearing that and said, ''Okay, Mr. Lost and Found. I was just saying, thank you, and have a nice day!''

NK smiled widely in return, her words always capable of making even a dead soul alive, and he said ''You're welcome and good day to you too,'' before he started his bike and left the spot, the smile still plastered on his face.

Khushi exhaled as she turned to look at the entrance of the AR Fashion House, Texas, her mind all positive, since she had successfully accomplished her mission of not letting yesterday be a part of her memory canvas.

''I should technically not be coming here, right?''

She muttered to herself as a little flash of Arnav's words from yesterday morning resonated somewhere, but she tried to ignore it, as she held the sling of her bag closer to her chest, and walked forth.

Amid all this, she had been completely oblivious to the glare of Arnav Singh Raizada from the 4th floor's window, where his cabin was situated, his insides burning at the sight of her.

Well, the sight of her getting down from a guy's bike to be precise.

He couldn't even fathom why he was suddenly this enraged looking at her smiling at that guy, who was just looking at her as if he was going to eat her.

Heck, not even that. Why did she even sit on his bike in the first place?

.

.

He frustratingly raked his fingers through his hair as he turned away, now looking at the walls of his own cabin, his mind unable to understand what the hell was suddenly happening to him and why was he so bothered by this!

.

.

Kartika and Samantha were happy to the power of infinity as they caught the sight of Khushi entering their floor through the lift and soon reaching her desk in some 10 strides.

Both of them rushed to her, giving her a tight hug, and at the same time concerned if she was still upset over what happened yesterday.

Kartika was mentally wondering what would be ASR's reaction on seeing her here, since yesterday he had asked her to leave, but she didn't have the heart to bring that up in front of Khushi lest she broke into tears like yesterday.

In the little time that she had known Khushi, she had only hated one moment, and that was yesterday. When this girl with a heart of not gold but diamond, broke into tears.

She knew Khushi was the most selfless person she ever came across and she deserved all the happiness in the world. The girl should never shed even one drop of tear.

But she knew when ASR was her boss, this was a statement that could barely meet its zenith, for he seemed to have a weird sort of attitude towards Khushi. This was something she and Samantha has unequivocally agreed upon yesterday over the phone, when they were both discussing about ASR's sudden outburst yesterday and how that had affected poor Khushi.

However, for a change she was happy that the tears were long gone from Khushi's eyes and right now, she was her normal self.

After exchanging a few words, Kartika got a call from the accounts department related to something about her recent address change, while Samantha too got busy as she had to prepare the conference room for an upcoming meeting that was to be held there later today.

Khushi smiled as she bade them a quick bye for the time being and looked at her desk that was all messed up with files and papers, some of which also included her rough designs all scattered here and there.

She sighed as she recalled how she had ran away from the office yesterday, as a result of which she couldn't clean her desk at the end of the day like she usually did as a routine every day.

And so without wasting another second, she quickly began clearing her desk of all the unwanted trash in the form of used papers that were of no use to her anymore.

.

.

However, as they say, sometimes seeing is believing taken too literally can cause havoc. And that was the case with Arnav Singh Raizada as he descended the stairs and the sight that met his eyes made a weird kind of feeling bubble inside him.

''She is leaving?''

The question suddenly buzzed him from within, and he didn't know why a new stream of anger flooded through his veins as he saw her clear her desk, paying no attention to anyone else around.

Without a second thought, he took dangerously quick strides towards her desk and she didn't even realize there was someone standing right behind her until his voice greeted her ears in an indefinably close proximity.

''Didn't you read the papers you signed before joining AR for the internship?''

He gritted through his teeth.

.

.

Khushi was suddenly taken aback as she heard the dangerously threatening voice of Lord Voldemort with a nose from behind, and it caught her off guard as she quickly turned, and in the process she lost her balance and was about to fall down, but that never happened as she felt two strong hands grip her tightly from the shoulders, hindering her fall.

.

.

She was speechless for a moment as she lifted her gaze and instantly saw his dark orbs, the same monster's who had repeatedly made her hunky dory life full of timely glitches, but she didn't know why, for that brief moment that she gazed into his eyes, she didn't feel any hatred in them as he often portrayed it to be.

.

Arnav was suddenly lost for a moment.

This girl, this clumsy girl who was so petite and could easily hurt herself, by things as petty as a chair or even the floor, was staring at him, standing so close as he held her shoulders tightly and he couldn't help staring back at her, looking at her hazel eyes, her porcelain skin that was as fair as the snowy beaches, and he didn't know why he felt something different there right away.

.

.

The constant chatter in the office as people ran their errands broke their eye lock and Arnav immediately left her shoulders while she too straightened herself, a little flustered by whatever happened and so she looked everywhere else but him.

He too was struggling to find some words and he hated it when such a thing happened to him.

Rendering him speechless was nobody's cup of tea but ever since this chit of a girl entered his life, he was often caught in such a quagmire where he lost his words.

Sometimes she would bite a shoe so that it didn't cause her a shoe bite, sometimes she would check the surface below every car parked in the parking lot so that there were no ''kitties'' or ''cute puppies'' in her words that could get harmed. And if that was not all, she practically had a soft toy named Mr. Snuggles, whom she treated like a living being as she spoke to it on a daily basis and also brought him to office.

Gosh.

She easily made him speechless.

But now, this time, the reason for his speechlessness was something entirely different. Something he didn't understand. Or maybe, didn't try enough to understand.

He was cursing under his breath about this weird situation that he was enmeshed in when suddenly his eyes fell on her empty desk and he instantly knew what he was actually here for, in the first place.

Without further ado, he gazed back at Khushi, this time in his usual rude avatar, as he remarked—

''Your internship is for SIX months! So, don't even dare to leave before that! Do you get it?''

.

.

Honestly, Arnav had no idea why he was saying those words as if he owned them.

Wasn't he the one who didn't want her here in the first place?

He would have been glad had she gone out of here. After all, his and Aman's truce about this was seeing her performance for one month before deciding if she was fit to be here or not.

But then why was he so fixated with this perspective when it came to the thought of her quitting rigt now?

Why suddenly?

His conscience bugged him yet again, but he chose to ignore it like every other time.

.

.

Khushi was stunned at that remark from him.

Why the hell was he thinking she was leaving?

Why would she leave?

Yes, he told her to leave yesterday. But she was Khushi Gupta, and she was never a quitter! Her offer letter clearly mentioned her internship was for a span of 6 months and she wouldn't even think of leaving halfway.

But then, why was this Lord Voldemort with a nose suddenly concerned about her leaving?

''Concerned? You fool! He wants you to stay till your tenure so that he can torture you more. Don't you get it?''

Her conscience mocked her and she instantly became alarmed.

''Oh, right! He wants to torture me more! Of course, what else can you expect from him! Mr. Broody with a big B!''

''Oh Khushi, stop giving him so many nick names. Just stick with one!''

The many voices in her head continued and when she looked at the heated gaze of him, she tried to muster up some courage and do what she did the best.

Solving the problem.

And so with a determined face she tried to throw Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada in another fit of speechlessness, as she averred,

''But weren't you the one who asked me to leave yesterday?''

.

.

''WHAT THE!''

.

Yeah, that was Arnav's ego shouting!

But he didn't verbally utter it.

''This girl!''

He cursed under his breath knowing very well that she was stronger than what she looked.

A pocket sized powerhouse maybe, given her petite frame but larger than the lion presence of mind. And so he curled his fingers into tight fists before saying, ''I asked you to LEAVE, not RESIGN. Don't act too smart Khushi Gupta. Now back to work!''

And before the girl could put him into some more unwarranted situations, he turned on his heels and lashed out of the spot, leaving a suddenly smiling Khushi behind.

.

.

It was around 3 p.m. when Samantha was rushing here and there in the conference room since the responsibility of the upcoming meeting was on her.

Yesterday she had been upset about her cousin, who was dealing with her parents' divorce and though Khushi had helped her come out of that instantly, ASR's reaction and Khushi's tears had escorted her back to the space of worry as she had spoken to Kartika till late night yesterday about the matter. And today, she had an evening train to catch to visit her cousin who needed her the most now.

So because of the sleeplessness as well as confusion, nothing at work was going right for her today. She was being a little unmindful.

The only good thing that had happened today was Khushi's comeback.

She was glad her friend was here.

.

.

''Phew! I guess it's done.''

She said to herself as she kept the presentation CD near the laptop, checked the projector once again before letting ASR's PA know that the conference room was ready for the 3.30 p.m. meeting.

.

''Wow! You look happy!''

Khushi said to a busy Samantha as she started packing her stuff, all ready to leave for the day since she had to catch a train in the next hour.

''Yeah. Gonna meet my cousin after so long!''

Samantha said with a smile, but Khushi could read the underlying worry in her easily. And so she held her shoulder, making her look into her eyes, and averred in a calm voice,

''Sammy! Relax. It will all be good. Remember we discussed yesterday? And you don't need to worry. Hope remains till we live, and take this from me, the world is not ending any time soon!''

Samantha smiled wide on hearing Khushi's words.

The girl always had some magic in her voice and words and knew just when to say what, and Samantha instantly felt empowered.

However that feeling was only a little too short-lived as soon as both of them heard a roaring voice from the conference room and they knew that the world might just end a little too soon after all.

.

.

Kartika too rushed to the conference room along with five other employees, which also included Khushi and Samantha as ASR looked at his visibly shaken PA, and barked,

''WHO THE HELL PLACED THIS CD HERE? IT IS OF OUR FASHION SHOW FROM 2 YEARS BACK! I HAD TOLD TO KEEP THE PRESENTATION CD HANDY!''

As soon as she heard that, Samantha felt a chill run down her spine, knowing very well that in her haste and clouded state of mind, she had placed the wrong CD here.

She was sanguine that her apocalypse was right here, because the anger that now reflected on ASR's face only meant he would fire the culprit right away.

.

''But sir, I am sorry. I didn't keep the CD here. It was-''

His PA was trembling with fear as she said she wasn't the one who has prepared the conference room for the meeting.

.

Khushi saw Samantha's shocked state and she had known all this while it was her who had arranged things in the conference room and right now, looking at her face, she knew Samantha would collapse any minute if ASR cornered her for her mistake.

The girl was already palpitating because of her cousin's matter and if this new fiasco was going to be added up, Samantha was surely going to lose it.

And so, before ASR's PA could take the name of Samantha, Khushi blocked her words right away as she said,

''It was me who put the wrong CD there by mistake. I am sorry.''

.

.

Her statement made three pair of eyes go wide in shock.

First was Samantha, who was stunned to see Khushi take her blame on herself.

Second was ASR's PA, who knew very well that this sweet girl was just taking someone else's blame because it was Miss. Samantha who had prepared the conference room today.

And the last one was the mighty ASR himself.

He didn't know why did it always have to be her.

.

The reason for everything that was directly or indirectly related to everything that was going wrong in his life...

.

.

''WOW! I should have expected it! Who else could it be? Right, Miss. Gupta?''

He taunted her, yet again in front of others standing, though this time the crowd was visibly smaller than before, but the impact his words left, was nonetheless exactly the same.

Khushi didn't say a word as Samantha looked at her with tears in her eyes, while she too knew another bad day was in store for her, courtesy the monster in front of her, and she struggled hard to keep her tear gates in control, but with each word he spoke, her control only broke.

''Is there anything you can do right, Miss Gupta? Anything? Oh right! Maybe there is! You can rightly do wrong stuff.''

His words were toxic and Samantha was almost about to divulge the truth but Khushi squeezed her hand, stopping her from doing it.

Kartika too understood right away the gist of the matter and chose to stay quiet, lest her words only aggravated the bad, bad situation further.

''You know what? Just get out! And don't show me your face today!''

Arnav spat harshly and that seemed like the final nail in the coffin for Khushi as she finally left Samantha's hand and turned away, running away from the spot without turning back.

She was hurt yet again.

And the reason, the person hurting her was the same, yet again.

And so, she called it a day and just left from office, not caring to take anyone's consent.

She could feel the insult creeping into her veins with each second that passed

.

.

It was around 8 p.m. and Kartika was packing her stuff to leave for home.

The day was thoroughly dramatic after that incident in the afternoon and she hated it when the gossip mongers in the office just fried such incidents repeatedly to circulate the juice gossip.

Samantha had already left long ago, and Kartika was one of the few people remaining in the office. When she was finally done, she stood up from her chair and was going to walk out of her cubicle when suddenly a familiar voice greeted her from behind.

''Ms. Kartika?''

She turned to see ASR's PA standing in front of her with a concerned look on her face.

She had been Arnav's PA for over 5 years now, from Delhi. And when he decided to shift his base to Texas, he gave her the opportunity to move to the States. She was a lady in her late thirties, a single mother, and had known ASR very well. So, when he had offered her a position in his Texas branch, she had readily accepted it. She knew working for him meant dealing with his daily quirks, but she also knew what the man was going through at this moment and hence, tried to adjust as far as possible.

''Yes, Ms. Roberts?''

Kartika replied, a little surprised looking at her.

The lady flashed a small smile at Kartika before asking her in a calm voice, ''Is Miss Gupta okay? I mean, I know she was not the one who placed the wrong CD, it was Miss Samantha. But why did she take the blame?''

.

.

Kartika sighed as she heard a genuine concerned Miss. Roberts and lowered her gaze as she stated slowly, ''I know, Ms. Roberts. But that's Khushi! She just can't see others sad. Samantha had been sad about something related to her cousin since yesterday and that's why she was distracted the whole day today. So she accidentally placed the wrong CD in the conference room. When ASR sir began shouting, Samantha was horrified and Khushi saw that. She knew if Samantha got screamed at by ASR, she would just faint or something, and so she took her blame on her to face Samantha from sir's wrath.''

.

Miss Roberts had always known that Khushi Gupta was a very, very sweet girl. She was beautiful and very attractive, yes. But what made her class apart was her pure heart.

And today, her inference only got cemented as she heard what the poor girl did to save her friend from the mighty ASR's rage, and in the process, it was only her who got so hurt.

''She is a sweetheart, Miss Kartika. That's why I was so concerned. Anyway, I hope she isn't too hurt by all of this. Do let me know if she is okay when you talk to her.''

Kartika nodded at that before both the ladies together left the hallway and proceeded towards the elevator.

What they didn't know was that their conversation was overheard by the man in question here, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, who in one day was spellbound for the third time now, realizing what he had done, and all he could utter to himself was, ''DAMN IT!'' as once again his toxic words to her in front of the people resonated in his ears.

**