HWGA Chapter 17: It's Not In Our Contact

Guys I felt bad that I kept you guys waiting over a month and then I updated with a short chapter so I decided to update today with a long chapter and visuals. But I warn you now, I'm probably not going to be updating again for 2-3 weeks. I hope you guys are satisfied with this chapter. As always purple bits are Hindi and italics are thought. Enjoy :)

Visuals: New character and Neha's sangeet outfits. 

Chapter 17: It’s Not In Our Contract

With the sangeet fast approaching and him still not being allowed in to the Haveli, Arnav decided to use his world famous brain. He started sending red roses and jelabies to Khushi. Shashi was furious at first but getting rid of the flowers and the jelabies always seemed like a waste, plus Khushi was starting to get suspicious. So Karan had suggested that they would give the flowers to Khushi and distribute the jelabies in the neighbourhood. Arnav always sent more than enough jelabies that not even Khushi could finish them all. Of course they never told Khushi who had sent her the gifts.

“Aww Karan you shouldn’t have.” Khushi had said the first time Karan had presented her with the roses and the jelabies.

“I didn’t.”

Khushi frowned. “Then who did?”

“A secret admirer perhaps. Maybe even Logan.”

Khushi blushed. “Really?”

“Khushi, Logan’s in the UK, how could he have sent you these?” Khushi blushed brighter and fumbled for her words. Karan tried to contain his laughter. “Aww you really wanted these to be from him, didn’t you?” he teased.

“Shut up.” She turned on her heels and ran. Strange things were happening to her heart. She felt elated that she had a secret admirer.

This became a daily thing. Karan would receive the flowers and the jelabies and he’d hand them to Khushi. After she had her fill, they’d go around the neighbourhood distributing all the jelabies. During this time a lot of elders had expressed their likings for Karan and Khushi’s marriage to one of their relatives but no one really wanted Khushi to get married until she regained her memories and Karan flat out refused.

The day of the sangeet had finally arrived and Arnav had never wanted to go home as badly as he did today but Amba was constantly keeping him busy. Today he had sent an extra something to Khushi along with the roses and jelabies.

Just like every other day, Karan had gone downstairs to get the mail, but today there was a package for Khushi along with the roses and jelabies. He had taken it all upstairs to her room. He knocked on the door and waited but there was no answer. He knocked again but still nothing. Irrational fear was filling Karan, he put down everything and kicked the door open to find an empty room.  His eyes widened but before he could turn the place upside down he felt a presence behind him. He turned around to find a confused Khushi staring at him.

“Karan?” she asked tentatively.

“Yeah?”

“What are you doing?”

“I umm I knocked and you didn’t answer so I umm kicked down the door.” He explained.

“Did you try the handle first?”

He looked guiltily from the broken door to Khushi. “Umm no. That thought completely escaped me.”

“You have to fix my door.”

“I will but why weren’t you in your room?”

“Amma and Buaji wanted my help in getting ready.”

“I was worried because you are always here at this time and now you weren’t so I panicked.”

Khushi frowned. “What’s gotten into you? Beating up people, kicking down doors, this isn’t like you Karan.”

“I know. I know.” He tried to change the topic to stop her from worrying, “Hey you got changed already.”

“I’m super excited. I can’t remember being to a sangeet in ages, even though Amba showed me pictures of Nikhil’s one.”

“You look absolutely beautiful.”

Khushi was wearing a green anarkali with pink borders with pick and silver designs. With minimal make up, bangles, mang tikka and a simple necklace, she looked like she could be Amba’s older sister not her mother.

Khushi smiled at the comment. “Of course I look good. Why wouldn’t I when you chose the outfit for me.”

“I do have exceptional taste. And I know how much you like the combination of green and pink. Anyway, your daily presents from your secret admirer have arrived.” He lifted the gifts up and moved into her room and placed them all on the bed.

“Karan, are you sure this isn’t all from you?”

“Yep. If I wanted to woo you Khushi I’d be more filmy, I know how much you love grand gestures. Besides, you’re not my type.”

Khushi hit him on the arm and excitedly began to open the pack of jelabies. After gulping down 5, she proceeded to open the new package in front of her. She gasped as she saw the red and cream anarkali in front of her.

“Hey Devi Maya, this is gorgeous!” she exclaimed and proceed to examine the outfit further.

“Khushi there’s a note.” Pointed Karan.

Khushi picked up the note and read it out loud, “‘Wear this to the sangeet today’. So who ever has been sending me the roses and jelabies is going to be there today. I’m so excited to finally meet him Karan!”

“Yeah me too.” He said in an indifferent tone. “So are you going to wear it?”

“No.” she said almost immediately but looked quite shocked that she had said that. “I mean I’m already dressed and I have to match jewellery and make up and I can’t be bothered. Besides, I want the man to confront me on why I’m not wearing the anarkali so I can see who he is. Unless you want to confess that it’s you Karan?”

“Sorry Khushi, it’s still not me.”

When Amba arrived home, Karan had handed her her outfit and she changed immediately without questioning him. She was too tired to do anything and she knew she’d be spending most of the night on her phone trying to sort out the mishap in London. They finally left for the sangeet around 6pm with the rest of the family.

When they arrived they had a sensory overload. The place was bursting with people, music and colours. It was a wonderful site to see. Payal had somehow managed to spot them and she reared them away from the crowd and towards the family.

“Amba, I haven’t introduced you to anyone in the family except Tara.” Said Payal or more like shouted because of all the music.

“It’s true. I’ve been so busy with work, I’ve barely have enough time to spend with family.”

“Sounds a lot like someone we know.” Said Akash and they all laughed.

“Leave my Chote alone Akash. In fact she’s turned him into a workaholic again.”  Anjili said with fake accusation in her tone.

“Yeah, I’m sorry about that but we have so much work.”

“Enough work talk. Sangeet is a time for family.” Said Payal. “Alright everybody gather around. Amba, this is my husband Akash.” Amba shook hands with Akash. “And this is Sanjay and Sachin my oldest.”

“Hey, what’s up?” They said in unison.

Amba was slightly taken aback by their coordinated speech. “Hi.”

“Sachin why are you wearing that ridiculous t-shirt under your blazer?” asked an annoyed Payal.

“It’s stylish not ridiculous.” He replied.

She turned to Sanjay. “And why are you wearing ripped jeans?”

“Same reason as him.”

 “You better be properly dressed at the wedding or else.” She threatened. 

“Yes ma’am, I mean ma.” They said giving her a salute.

Payal rolled her eyes and continued. “And this is Krishna and Nandini, they are my youngest.”

Amba bent to their height and greeted them. Krish struck his tongue out to her and then ran away to play with his friends but Nandini stayed and shook her hand.

“You’re very pretty.” She said to Amba.

“Thanks, you’re very pretty too. In fact you look like a princess.”

Nandini’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

“I never lie about looking good.” Replied Amba.

Nandini smiled. “I like you. We’ll be good friends.” She kissed her on the cheek and ran away.

Amba smiled after her and motioned for Payal to continue. “This is Anjiliji and her husband Viren Sharma.”

Amba shook hands with them both. “Congratulations on you daughters wedding.”

“Thank you.”

Payal turned to address Khushi. “Look who decided to turn up.”

“Who?” she asked.

“NK of course. Come on, I know he’s dying to meet you.”

Payal dragged Khushi, Karan and Amba to meet NK and his family. As soon as NK saw her he ran towards her and pulled her into a hug. At first Khushi was uncomfortable but then she sensed familiarity in his touch so she relaxed into the hug. When she was finally released, she was pulled into a hug by another person. She watched as his family greeted Amba and Karan and she could tell they had known them for a long time and was very close to them.

“Khushi, this is NK, Diane, Jake and Max.” introduced Payal.

“Namaste.” She said whilst putting her hands together.

“I didn’t think you were going to make it.” Payal said to NK.

“Yeah well, it’s not about me or Nanav. It’s about Neha, so I came.” He turned to address Khushi. “How are you feeling now Khushiji?”

“Much better Nanheji.” Everyone was shocked to hear her call NK Nanhe. She was progressing. “I’m sorry I don’t know why I called you Nanheji.”

“It’s ok Khushiji, that’s what you used to call me so please continue.”

There was a silent excitement going on. Khushi was excited to meet a new friend and everyone else was excited to see Khushi’s memories start to reappear.

“Come on, let’s meet the bride and groom.” Payal lead them towards the area where the bride and groom was. “Neha, Raj, this is Khushi, Karan and Amba.”

Raj stood up and shook everyone’s hand. “Hi, I’m Yuvjaj Verma, but everybody calls me Raj.” He lingered too much on Amba’s hand when he shook it. She could tell he was undressing her with his eyes so she tried to adjust her dupatta. This proved to be difficult considering that it was thin and sheer.

“I’ve heard of you. You’re father own a chain of hotels.” Said Karan.

“That’s right. I’ve also heard of you Mr Malik, your father also owns a chain of hotels.”

“Yeah but that’s not what he’s famous for.” They laughed. “His scandals are what makes business but your father is totally clean.”

“Thank you sir.”

 “They met in Harvard in their first year of business.” Said Payal.

“How was Harvard?” Amba asked Neha.

“Boring. I didn’t want to go there in the first place but Mamu made me. I don’t know why, I mean Aarav is going to take over the family business anyway. I dropped out but Raj and I still kept in contact. After a while, he proposed.”

“Speaking of Aarav, do you know when he’s coming back?” asked Payal.

“He should’ve been back today but his flight got cancelled because of bad weather. He should arrive tomorrow or the day after.”

“Ok. Have you seen Priti or Tara, I haven’t seen them all evening.”

“Urgh, like I care about Priti. She’s probably off in some corner doing someone.”

“Neha!”

But Neha just rolled her eyes. “I think Tara is getting changed, she was telling me how she couldn’t find her cloths.”

Meanwhile, Tara was in her room staring at the pink lehenga choli on her bed with distaste. She had planned to wear a turquoise anarkali but she couldn’t find it any where. The strangest thing was that all of her event cloths had suddenly disappeared. When she had asked one of the servants about it they had said that they were all in the wash. The only thing that was left was that pink lehenga choli. It’s not that she didn’t like it but it’s just that it exposed too much of her body that it made her uncomfortable to wear it. She was debating whether or not to ask her mother for a saree when Priti burst into her room.

“What are you doing?” Priti asked her.

“That should be my line. What are you doing here?”

“Seeing if you’re ready or not. We have to be on stage in an hour and you’re still not ready?!”

“My cloths are in the wash.”

“What’s that on the bed?”

“I don’t want to wear that.”

“Why not? I got you that for your birthday.”

“It exposes too much.”

“So what? If you got it flaunt it.”

“I’m not like you Priti, I’m not as confident or as bold.”

“We don’t have time for this discussion. It’s only for one night. And do you really want to face the wrath of my sister.”

Tara shuddered. “No I don’t.”

“Good, get changed.” Prtit was about to leaved the room when Tara’s voice stopped her.

“You put all my cloths in the wash, didn’t you?” accused Tara.

Priti turned and smirked at her. “Maybe.” She turned and ran away before Tara could do anything to her.

Tara sighed and decided to get changed.

Khushi was enjoying every minute of the sangeet. As she watched Tara and Priti on stage, her head started hurting. She started getting flashes of images she couldn’t remember but she could sense happy and sad memories connecting to them. A blurry image started to become clearer. Just as she was about to see a clear picture, a hand on her shoulder jerked her out of it. She looked to find Arnav staring at her with concern. At first she could feel her heart beat increase at the site of him but then something in her made her jerk away from his touch. She looked around to find both Karan and Amba missing.

“Are you ok?” he asked, his voice full of love and concern.

“I’m fine.” She said slightly coldly. Again Khushi surprised her self with the amount of hostility in her tone.

He didn’t even blink at her tone. “Are you enjoying the sangeet?”

She forced the weird feelings down and tried to be civil. “Yes, I haven’t had this much fun in a long time.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” There was a pregnant pause as Arnav gathered courage to ask her what he wanted. “Khushi?”

“Yes?”

“Why aren’t you wearing the anarkali I sent you?”

Khushi’s mouth dropped open and formed a perfect oval. Arnav almost laughed out loud. He had missed this so much. He had missed her so much.

“You!”

“Yes me.”

“You’re the one sending roses and jelabies and now cloths?”

“The dress was a one time thing because I was hoping that you would wear it to the sangeet.”

“I’m sorry but I had already put this dress on when your parcel arrived and I didn’t feel like changing. Can I ask you something?”

“You just did.” He said cheekily.

She laughed causing Arnav to fall in love with her all over again. “Are you always like this?”

“Only around people I like.” He replied with a wink.

Khushi’s mouth fell open again. “Besharam! Why are you sending me things?”

“Because I like you.”

Khushi decided that for the rest of the evening she wouldn’t close her mouth. There was no point, it would just open up again.

“I can’t believe how blunt you are.”

“I once played games Khushi and I lost. I don’t like losing. I think if you want something it’s best not to wait and watch how things turn out.”

“All good things come to those who wait.” She said without missing a beat.

“But the best things come to those who actually do something about it.” He replied just as easily.

She smiled at him and stuck her hand out. “Khushi Kumari Gupta.”

He grabbed a hold of her hand and brought it to his lips. “Arnav Singh Raizada.”

Needless to say, Khushi’s mouth was open for the rest of the evening.

Amba had gone to the garden to sort out yet another mix up in with the company. She was getting tired of this. Whoever said that with age comes wisdom was lying. All the idiots she had to deal with tonight were at least 10 years older than her yet they couldn’t follow simple instructions. It seemed like there was no way she was going to enjoy the sangeet. She sighed. It didn’t matter now, most of the guests had left and her family would follow shortly.

No one knew this but Amba loved weddings and all the rituals that came with it. She had enjoyed Nik’s wedding so much she couldn’t wait to go to more. Yes the wedding and all the preparations had been a big hassle but that’s why she loved it. She loved working on a tight schedule and a deadline, that’s why she loved her job so much.

At least I can look forward to the mehendi and the actual wedding.

She hung up the call and sighed. She heard a noise behind her and turned. Yuvraj was staring at her with hungry eyes. A shiver passed along her and it had nothing to do with the cold night air. She tensed and began to walk towards the house but he blocked her way.

“Excuse me.” She said coldly.

“Why the hostility sweetheart?” he said with a grin.

Amba wanted to smack that grin off his face but she didn’t want to create a scene. She tried side stepping him but he blocked her way again and grabbed her arm.

“Don’t touch me!” she pulled her hand from his grasp.

He held his hands up in surrender. “Fine, I just want to talk.”

Amba crossed her arms. “So talk.”

“I have a proposition for you.”

“How very businessman-like of you.”

“Well you’re a businesswoman and I’m a businessman so I thought this would be the best approach.”

“Continue.”

“I want to have sex with you.” He said bluntly.

“Excuse me!” Amba was outraged.

“It will only be for tonight and we’ll never speak of this again. It will be in one of my hotels and no one has to know.”

“I don’t sleep with married men.”

“It’s a good job I’m not married then.”

“Or cheaters. Does Neha know about this side of you?”

“Please!” he scoffed. “Neha knows I’m not marrying her because of love.”

“What?!”

“I’m marrying her to extend business.”

“But Aarav will inherit the company, she said so.”

“It doesn’t matter. They are family, they’ll be useful backing in business ventures.”

“And what does Neha get out of all of this?”

“Me. Silly girl has wanted me since she first laid eyes on me. I told her I’m not a one woman man but she wouldn’t leave me alone. Then she came with a proposition; if I marry her, I get backing from one of the most successful companies in the world. I couldn’t refuse an offer like that.”

“Does she know that you’re not going to be faithful?”

“I never said I was going to be. It’s not in our contract.”

“You made a contract.”

“Of course. Every deal comes with a contract.”

“So this is just a contract marriage?”

“Yep. So about that proposition.”

“You make me sick-”

“Raj!”

They turned to find Neha staring at them both.

“How much did you hear Neha?” he asked casually.

Dun dun dun. I know I'm evil. I like creating misunderstandings, it's so much fun. I now understand why the CVs constantly did it. Alright guys I'll see you lot in 2-3 weeks :-*