Posted on June 25th, 2017 | Edited on December 3rd, 2018

| . . . C H A P T E R - 2.25 : D E A L - W I T H - A - R A I Z A D A . . . |

Aarav called him in an authoritative tone. "Dad."

Arnav glanced up and smiled seeing him, "Hey, Champ." He tried to hug him, but Aarav held up his hand, stopping him.

"Not today."

Arnav questioned with burrowed eyes, "What's wrong?"

"Why are you rude to Khushi?" Aarav demanded, dropping my hand and putting his on his hips instead. Arnav's eyes flickered to me for a second before looking at his son again.

"She's lying."

My lips parted at his audacity. How could he simply make that comment and pour the blame on me? "You're the one lying!"

Aarav put his hands up again, "Silence!" We both closed our mouths from further protest and then he continued, "Dad, I don't know her. But I know you. It's your fault this time, right?"

Arnav gaped at his son for finding blame in him, but even he knew Aarav was right. His shoulders slumped as he mustered up an apology, "I'm sorry."

Aarav rolled his eyes, "Not to me, dad! Say it to her."

Arnav looked at me and listened to his son, "I'm sorry, Khushi."

"Good, now hug."

Arnav drew the line at that, "Okay, that's enough Aarav."

Aarav sat on the chair with the grumpy look on his face and crossed his arms over his chest to show his disapproval. Arnav sighed, and knelt in front of him to try and explain, "Aarav, come on, I apologized na? I promise I won't do it again."

"When I fight with Jhanvi, you and mom always make me say sorry and hug."

I sit on my knees next to Aarav, "Is Jhanvi your friend?"

He shrugged his shoulder, "I guess."

"So its okay to hug your friends, right?"

He nodded. "But you're friends too, right? So you two can hug too."

I was hoping to distract him by talking about his friend, but I should have known. This was Aarav. Arnav's son. He couldn't be easily distracted. He was quick on his feet to turn the topic back to the two of us.

"I'll make you a deal, how about that?" I said, catching his attention. "If you can convince di to come with us to Rome, I will hug your dad."

He took a second to think about it. In that, Arnav whispered to me, "What are you doing?" I showed him a stop sign to wait.

Aarav nodded, making his decision, and held out his hand for me to shake. "Deal."

I slipped my hand in his tiny one. "Deal." After a firm shake, he sat up and ran out of the room to fulfil his end of the deal.

"Explain." Arnav demanded. I exhale. One Raizada stops demanding, and the other starts.

"Don't you want di to get back to designing?" His features softened and I take it that he catches on as to why I want her to join us in Rome as we shoot for the calendar next week. "Exactly." I said. "If all it takes is hugging you... then why not?"

"All it takes?" He questions my word choice. "You and I both know it's not just a hug to you."

I remain calm, unlike him. I even offer him a smile, "Arnav, I've already told you what I feel about you. A hug? That should be nothing in comparison."

"I'm not going to do that to you." He remained firm, and I truly wonder how it is possible for him to have that much control.

"Keep that up, and I will have no choice but to think you love me too." I point out to him before turning to leave.

I knew he would continue to look out for me. I just don't get why he is holding himself back. And, to be honest, I was not worried about hugging him. We've already hugged multiple times before. Granted, it was to pull me out of an attack. Still, the bottom point was that we had and if the idea didn't scare me, I am hoping actually hugging him wouldn't either.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

The guests had started arriving by the time we emerged from Anjali's room after I had helped Anjali decide on how to leave her hair. Anjali greeted her guests - friends and employees - as they greeted her and I found Payal. Aakash, Sheetal, and fellow coworker and few other coworkers joined as well. That was when the atmosphere seemed to turn normal. With a huge group, not many focused on Lavanya being a part of the group.

I excused myself when I saw the manager of the catering company looking around. I assumed he was looking for Arnav, who was lost in the crowd. "Hi, can I help you with anything?"

The lady looked hesitant while she answered, "Uh, I was looking for Mr. Raizada."

"He's a bit pre-occupied. Can I be of any help?"

"No, that's alright. I had to collect my check from him, but I can look for him another time." She turned to leave, but I stopped her.

"A check? Come with me." I walked her to the kitchen before pulling out a check book from my clutch along with a pen. "How much was it for?" I asked. When the lady narrowed her eyes, I smiled, "He's still the one paying you, don't worry about that."

She named the amount and I wrote it out after signing it with my name. Yes, the check book was Arnav's and if asked why I had it in my clutch, there would be no proper answer. I just did and I remembered seeing it in my clutch when I had opened it in Anjali's room to get a pin out. Being his fiancé, I could write a check and sign it as well.

I handed it over to the manager, who feebly thanked. I then walked back to the hall to look for Arnav. It was best I give it back to Arnav before I carried it around and lose it somewhere. With so many guests at home, it wouldn't be wise. I found him talking to some of his department managers and I fought the urge to scold him. Even in a party, he was surrounded by business. What was I supposed to do about him? He just couldn't seem to forget about work.

I tapped Arnav's shoulder. He turned at the touch. Seeing me, he turned back to the men and said, "Excuse me." He walked a couple of steps away from them with me walking beside him.

I held out the check book. "Could I ask what this was doing in my clutch?"

He looked at it, "Oh, this. I needed to write a cheque for the caterers. It wouldn't fit in my pocket so I kept it in your clutch. I forgot to tell you."

I inform, "Well, I found their manager looking for you, so I wrote it out for her." When he didn't reply and just showed acknowledgement, I asked, "Can you keep this with you? I would keep my clutch anywhere and forget it. I wouldn't want this to get lost."

"No one can do anything with a check book without any of our signatures. It's okay if you misplace it." He didn't seem to care much about losing it.

"Still, if it can be avoided." I pressed.

He sighed, "Okay, I'll go put it back in your room."

I smiled and asked, "Oh, and one more thing. Could you not talk business for atleast one night?"

He chuckled. "I'll try, boss."

"That's like an good employee." Continuing to grin, he walked away towards the stairs and up the flight of them. My eyes followed him till he went into the room and then came back out a couple of minutes later.

I was interrupted by Sheetal, "Wow, you really have no shame. Do you?"

I turned towards her. "I'm sorry?" I was confused of what the topic of conversation was that I was being accused with.

"This, the gestures you give ASR."

Before she could continue, I rolled my eyes and cut her off, "Please, could you just mind your own business? When you don't know anything, you shouldn't accuse people of anything you feel like."

"Oh, I'm accusing?" She spat back. "See honey, there is a difference between accusing someone who isn't guilty, and confronting someone who is guilty of the accusation towards them."

"I don't have time for you." I muttered and walked away from her.

I walked up to Anjali and whispering in her ear, told her that it was time to cut the cake. Even if neither she nor Arnav ate the cake, one was still ordered for the guests. Besides, what's a birthday party with no cake? Isn't that what people come for? That and free food.

Arnav made the announcement after the music was cut off and everyone gathered around the center where there was a square trolley with a white piece of cloth covering the stainless steel. On top of it rested a two-layer cake in colors of blue and gold decorated with daisies and 'happy birthday' written on the top layer.

I started to feel uncomfortable with having so many people all around me. I pushed my way to the front. Or I tried. But hardly anyone would move. Arnav noticed my struggle and forwarded his hand out towards me. Seeing that, everyone paved way and grabbing his hand, I walked up to the inside of the circle instead of being squeezed and surrounded by tons of bodies.

Arnav stood on one side of Anjali while I was on the other. Lavanya was next to me with Aarav in front of her. Anjali proceeded to make a wish. Since Arnav couldn't eat the cake, Anjali applied a pinch of frosting on his cheek, and he didn't even pull back or put up a stubborn act. He just grinned and hugged her, wishing her for what had to be the hundredth time. She turned to me and fed me a piece as well.

I smiled at her loving affection and took a tiny bite. It was no surprise that seconds later, everyone started looking towards the people next to them and began gossiping about who I could be that the boss was feeding me cake personally. Arnav looked at me concerned.

"I'll have this cut and served." I told Anjali and called for one of the maids who worked in the kitchen. Still, Arnav followed me on the pretext of wanting to wipe the cake frosting off his cheek.

"Khushi?" He called me, nodding for the maids to leave. He took the knife from my hand, "I've told you not to go in the kitchen."

"It's a cake knife." I point out. This could hardly hurt me. Still, he didn't return it.

"Are you okay?"

I continued to avoid his eyes as I went on place the cake pieces in small plates. "Why won't I be?"

He remained still for a few seconds. Then, he moved the pile of empty plates aside. Wrapping his hand around my wrist, he tugged me to turn around. The index finger of his other hand lifted my chin, "Look at me, Khushi." When he used that soft voice with me, I couldn't fight it. I glanced up. He searched my eyes as he asked again, "Are you okay?"

"What part are you asking about? You avoiding me or the gossips that just started?" I questioned, not being able to hold back the venom in my tone.

His index finger under my chin dropped, his hand coming to rest at his side. "I'm sorry." He apologized again, the same tone he had used when Aarav had made him say it.

I tugged my wrist out of his grasp, "No, Arnav. You've said that enough times. We both know you care, so why are you doing this?" He looked away, remaining silent again. "Forget it." I sighed, turning my back to him and continuing to distribute the already cut out pieces of cake in the plates.

Both his hands come to rest at me elbow. I freeze as he takes a step closer and I can feel his chest against my back. "Khushi..." I can spot the dilemma in his tone without having to turn around and see it in his eyes. "Believe me when I say this... if you knew everything, you'd be devastated. And... I feel as if I've just now gotten you back in my life. I don't want to lose you again because of our past."

They weren't the exact words I wanted to hear, but they conveyed the message perfectly. I realized he had said everything he wanted to when his hands left my elbow and he moved back to leave. I reached for his hand, stopping him, "Then why can't we forget the past? Live in the present and for our future."

He answered warily, "Because our pasts are the reason for who we are. There is no forgetting."

His words confuse me to no end. What past of his is he talking about? It can't be the personality he held in college about being a player. That had never been an issue with us, until he had used it to push me away. And that was long forgiven as well.

Aarav ran into the kitchen, clutching on his legs, "Dad! Guess what?" Arnav pulled him up to carry him and Aarav continued to gush in excitement, "She said yes! I told her I wanted her to come with us to Rome."

"Us?" Arnav questioned.

He nodded, "Well, mom is going and you are too. I knew you would leave me with di, so I told her we should all go." Arnav didn't look too happy. Maybe he didn't want Aarav to be there when it was a business trip? "Isn't it great?"

Arnav forced a smile and nodded, "Sure."

Aarav held his arm out towards me, "Come on, Khushi. Now your hug."

Despite the heavy atmosphere between Arnav and I before he came in, I smiled and walked to him. "I should know better than to make any deal with a Raizada, huh?" I commented, though he didn't get the true depth of the words. Any deal I had made with Arnav, I always lost. Why should it be any different with Aarav?

I hugged Aarav at the same time Arnav's arms wrapped around my back in a side hug. Turning this in a group hug was somewhere more acceptable. After parting, Aarav pointed towards the cake, "Can I have cake now?"

I nodded, giving him a plate. Arnav put him on the floor, and with the plate, he ran out towards where the party was. I told Arnav before he would leave as well, "The past may not be forgotten Arnav, but it can definitely be forgiven."

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .

The flight from Mumbai to Rome was 12 hours long, and it took another hour to get off the plane, claim baggage and exit the airport. It was noon by the time we arrived at the hotel. Arnav left Aman to deal with who was to share the room with whom in which room. Aarav and Anjali followed him.

I heard Sheetal comment, "Isn't that Lavanya's kid? He seems to be too friendly with ASR."

I answered, silencing her, "Yeah, so? We all know Lavanya and ASR have been friends since before."

"It's weird, just saying." Sheetal muttered. I didn't know what to think except to develop a dislike for Sheetal. She claimed to be Lavanya's friend, but still was talking about her behind her back.

I was glad I was sharing the room with Lavanya. Ever since the camping trip, it was easier to be around her. She was completely different than the image I had of her. With having Aarav in the same room as well, it was that much easier. Atleast there was an escape I found in the little guy.

I dropped my phone on the bed, slipped out of my boots, and walked towards the window to open it. The view opened to looking at the busy two-way street. There was a church close by and tons of stores across the street of all kinds. Café's, restaurants, clothing stores, jewelry store, bridal stores, watches. There were all sorts of boards. More than anything, I was in awe at the architecture everywhere. The place was rich with history.

Aarav asked, "Mom, can I go down to eat? I'm hungry."

Lavanya walked out of the washroom, drying her face, "Sure, but how about a shower first, hmm?"

"Okay." He answered and started going through his suitcase deciding what shirt and pants to wear after.

She then asked me, "Hey, you okay?" When I looked at her confused, she offered, "I've been hearing the office gossip after Anjali di's birthday party. Some of them even saw you with him in the kitchen."

I assured her, "That is last of my worries, believe me."

"Then what's up? If you want to share, that is. I know we're not best friends, but I'm guessing we'll keep running into each other so might as well try."

I knew what she meant. With what she shared with Aarav, she was always going to be a part of our lives. "Arnav is being confusing. I used to be the one who wouldn't acknowledge what we had, but even when I told him I loved him, he's trying to push me away."

Her eyes widened, "Whoa, wait. Back up. Did you just say you told him you loved him?"

"Is that so hard to believe?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

She smiled, shaking her head, "Not at all. I always knew it. I just didn't think you'd tell him." Then her smile turned into a frown, "What the heck is he doing pushing you away then? He's been waiting for this only for forever!" I was as clueless as she could be. She offered, "I think he might be worried about Aarav. Ask him?"

I nodded, wondering if that was it. But, if it was, it wasn't that big of a topic. I already knew he had a son, and I was okay with that. Why would he say the other things about me hating him, or losing him, or not being able to forget the past?

There had to be something else that I was being kept in the dark about.

. . . ∞ . ∞ . ∞ . ∞. . .