Chapter 18: The Mission Begins

"Come in." Her voice called from behind the door.

Arnav smiled to himself and turned to doorknob. He entered looking more confident than he felt. As happy as he was to get this job, he was worried about her reaction.

Khushi looked up at him and frowned. A look of disbelief was obvious on her face but he didn't give her a chance to speak.

"I'm Arnav Singh Raizada. I'm the new events manager at Hope." He said in a strictly professional manner.

He saw the look on her face go from disbelief to confusion to registration to--what he had feared--anger.

"What the hell are you talking about Arnav?"

"I'm sorry M'am. I was appointed by Mr. And Mrs. Khanna yesterday. I've been told that I will be working under your supervision."

Khushi looked at him, feeling scandalized. She couldn't find the words to toss at him to express her frustration.

"Oh good. You're already here." Angad smiled walking into the office. "Hey sweetheart..." He said to Khushi. Khushi rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to speak but Angad didn't let her. "I just came to tell you that we've appointed the Events manager...Mr. Raizada. You can get all those projects underway."

Khushi looked at Angad in disbelief. "H-him?"

Angad raised her eyebrows at her. "Yeah. Why? Any problems?"

"I can't work with him." Khushi said flatly.

Angad frowned. "Now Khushi...you've only met him. Besides...he's appointed for 6 months. We signed a contract. He can't quit and can't be fired for the next six months. He's Kripa's reference...she claims he's an excellent businessman."

"If he's a businessman...why does he want this small job at a small orphanage?" Khushi narrowed her eyes at him.

"I just want to dedicate something to the place. It's a great organization. Investing money is easy...I'd like to work for it." Arnav said coolly.

"Well there you have it. I hope you two can get those events going...I've got to run now. See ya." Angad left the office just as coolly, leaving Arnav and Khushi standing in front of each other.

"Kripa gave me the information about the idea of getting the kids involved in some kind of show. I'm interested in these three...there's a dance show we could hold and the ticket money can be invested in the orphanage. Then there's the--"

"Get out." Khushi said, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Arnav raised an eyebrow at her. "Sorry?"

"I said get out." Her face was expressionless.

Arnav nodded. "Yes M'am."

And with that he turned and started to walk out of her office.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked him painfully just as he'd reached the exit.

"I want to contribute something to this organization."

Khushi clenched her jaw to keep herself from screaming. She turned away from him stubbornly and he left the office. Khushi slammed her hand down on her desk in frustration.

She knew exactly why Arnav was here, of course. She had told him to not be on the premises unless he had a valid reason and what would be a better reason to be on the premises than to be working for it?

What frustrated her was that she couldn't do anything about this! Not after the contract Angad had mentioned. Otherwise she would have found a way, a reason to fire him.

For the next couple of weeks, the pattern continued. Arnav would come to Khushi to report the progress on the next event and Khushi would listen to him for less than a couple of minutes before telling him to get out.

It wasn't easy for Arnav but he wasn't expecting any of this to be easy. Besides, he got to spend plenty of time with his children and he was more than glad for that. Khushi had seen him with Amber and Aditya. Although she didn't look happy about it, she saw that amber and Aditya were happy and so she let it slide.

Arnav found a great deal of support from Angad and Kripa. Kripa consoled him and encouraged him while Angad gave him his own experiences from when he had tried to pacify Kripa. It was somewhat a relief for Arnav to know that Angad had faced similar difficulties. Arnav could see that right now Angad and Kripa shared the kind of love he wanted to share with Khushi. Knowing that they'd gone through a similar situation and managed to look past it added to the hope in Arnav's heart. If Angad and Kripa could get through it, he and Khushi would too...as long as he didn't give up.

And so here he was again, standing in front of her office, preparing himself for another one of the usual interactions as he knocked on Khushi's office door.

"'Afternoon Ms. K. I've just come by to drop the details of the trip next weekend before I go home. We have three chartered buses and each bus will have four staff supervisors and twelve kids. We'll be staying at the Golden Palm hotel. They've got twelve rooms with double beds and there will be one staff member per room. The agenda's set for the weekend and we'll be returning on Monday morning."

Arnav put down various pages of information. She looked at him and then back at the papers. Taking her cue, he was about to step away and out of the room when she spoke.

"Assign three kids to each supervisor. That way it's easier to take care of them. Try and work it out so that the kids are with their supervisors in the same room. Make sure Angad and his family have a separate room...and if you could also put Amber, Aditya and me in the same room."

She continued typing without sparing him a glance but when she didn't get a reply, she stopped typing and looked up at him over her laptop's screen. He stood there with his mouth slightly open, eyes slightly wide...surprise clearly visible on his face. She raised an eyebrow and cocked her head to the side.

Still unable to speak, he nodded and walked out of the room. He was on cloud nine as he picked up his bag and cell from his office and walked to his car. Still joyous about the fact that she'd finally responded to him, he drove straight home

The next morning, Arnav woke up early, talked to Payal and surprised her once again with the happiness reflecting in his voice. After his conversation with Payal, he went straight to Kripa's house. He knocked on the door impatiently until it opened. Kripa frowned at him and put a hand on her hip.

"SHE TALKED TO ME!" Arnav let himself in. "She responded to me. Five whole sentences. After two weeks...my attempts are finally showing effect!" He walked in and plopped down on the couch.

Kripa smiled at him and congratulated him for the small advance. They sat and Arnav gave her a run through of the conversation.

"That's great...at least she's not kicking you out of her office...I know its all business talk but that's okay...eventually, that will improve. Especially after this Goa trip...Anjali is taking her maternity leave then. You'll be the one taking over her position...so you'll be around her more than now...that should help."

Kripa excused herself to answer a phone call. Arnav sat on the couch in Kripa's living room, watching Sur and Prateek play video games. He wondered what Aditya and Amber must be doing. Angad walked in and took a seat next to Arnav and patted his shoulder.

"Don't worry man. You'll have your little family with you soon."

"Yeah right...how?" Arnav ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

"Well you didn't think that all you had to do was be the events manager to win her back, did you? It's a lot harder than that man. Trust me. And sooner or later, you're going to have to take that first step...in your case it's been a little too long since the incident." Angad smiled sadly. "It has given her enough time to solidify her opinions and to become more stubborn."

"I don't know what my first step should be." Arnav said honestly.

"Ask her on a date of course."

Angad wanted to laugh at the look of horror on Arnav's face but he didn't. He couldn't. This situation was anything but funny.

"I thought you were trying to help me win her back...not get me killed!" Arnav frowned.

Angad gave a short laugh. "I'm not trying to get you killed. That will be the first step, Arnav...you can't directly ask her to come back to you. You have to prove to her that you truly repent what you did and that you won't hurt her in the future."

Angad put up his hand to interrupt when Arnav opened his mouth to speak. "I know what you're thinking. You're thinking she'll say no. We both know she will say no. Definitely. There is no doubt about that. You should expect a lot of rejection in the beginning but if you're persistent enough and if you really want her back in your life...you'll look past those and not give up.

The two men sat in the living room, chatting about ways to ask Khushi for a date or any ideas of a date.

"Don't make the first date an isolated thing. You're going to have to rebuild her shattered trust in you." Angad frowned in a thought and then smiled. "You know what...why don't we start with, like, all of us? I mean Me, Kripa, my kids, Khushi, you and your kids? She's more likely to come in that case"

Angad stood up and started pacing back and forth in front of Arnav. "Hmm...what can we do that involves all of us?"

Just as the words were out of his mouth, Prateek and Sur ran in. "Daddy! We're going to Amber's house!" Sure said excitedly.

Arnav looked at the kids and then back at the TV. He hadn't even realized when they'd stopped playing or when they'd left the room.

"We are?" Angad looked at his kids, confused out of his mind.

"Yeah...I suggested we hang out and the kids love the idea." Kripa explained walking into the living room. Kripa smiled at Angad and Arnav knew the words before Angad even said them.

"You're coming with us, Arnav. This is technically your first date...except she doesn't know." Angad smiled evilly.

Within minutes, they were driving towards Khushi's house and halfway there, the grey clouds started pouring rain. Arnav imagined various reactions that may play across Khushi's face when she saw him there. He wondered what her home might look like. But he couldn't focus on that, he was too worried about how she would rect. He, at last, decided that whatever reaction she had to him being at her house, he'd take it peacefully.

On the other hand, Khushi was getting ready for the visit. She had various preparations done in the kitchen for a few snack recipes. Amber and Aditya were busy setting up their games and such. Just as Khushi had finished with the Jalebi batter, she noticed that it was raining outside.

Knowing exactly what would happen when the kids got here, she also made preparations for hot chocolate. She had just set aside four crazy straws when the doorbell rang.

She opened the door and smiled at Sur and Prateek. The two hugged her around her legs and ran into the house to greet Aditya and Amber. The children burst into excited cheers just as Kripa walked in and gave Khushi a hug.

"Where's Angad?" Khushi said pulling apart.

"Right here." Angad's voice rang just outside the door.

Khushi looked at him and Kripa stepped out of her way. Khushi felt every muscle in her body tense and freeze at the sight of Arnav. Her heart plummeted into the pit of her stomach. Her heart was no longer smoothly beating in her chest...it was roaring like a jackhammer.

Kripa glanced between Arnav and Khushi nervously.

"We had a guest. I hope you don't mind." Angad said casually, giving her a quick brotherly hug and walking into the room behind the kids and Kripa.

Khushi looked away from Arnav's captivating gaze. He blinked and closed the umbrella he's been holding. He was taken aback seeing Khushi in her usual way of dressing. She wore a red and white churidaar and her hair fell gracefully just past her shoulders. Ever since he had run into her at the dargah, this was the first time he was seeing her dressed in something apart from white and black.

"Hey." He decided to speak when she didn't. "Angad and Kripa asked me to come...I couldn't refuse...I hope you don't mind." He said just loudly enough for her to hear.

She turned her glare to his face and frowned. She clenched her teeth and fists. Arnav felt the disappointment rising in his heart but he pushed it away. 'You expected this...do not give up', he told himself mentally.

Khushi waved her hand once, in a gesture for him to come in. He smiled at her and walked in--ignoring the fact that she stepped away from him, putting some distance between then, when he passed by her.

As soon as amber and Aditya saw him, they ran to him excitedly.

"Buddy!" Aditya said as he jumped at Arnav.

Arnav caught them both and gave them a hug. Angad and Kripa exchanged a smile.

Within minutes, the kids were in the backyard, playing in the rain. Angad had joined them too. Realizing how much joy Angad's involvement had brought to Sur and Prateek, Arnav looked at Amber and Aditya. He smiled to himself, walked out into the pouring rain and joined them.

Khushi and Kripa chit chatted and cooked in the kitchen for a while. Once they had all sorts of piping hot snack ready, they walked into the living room and looked out into the yard where four children and two grown up men were having fun. Kripa ran out to join her husband and children as well.

Khushi leaned against the French door's pane and observed as an oblivious Arnav played with the rest. He had no idea that Khushi was standing there watching them. He looked genuinely happy and so did the kids. Khushi smiled to herself and the smiled faltered when she felt a stab of guilt. She had kept her children away from the love of a father. As amber and Aditya played with Arnav, Khushi could see how important a father's influence would be later in their lives when they were older.

The kids saw Khushi standing there and they ran to her. They both grabbed one of her hands and started pulling her out into the rain.

"Come out with us na mamma!" Aditya pleaded.

Khushi kneeled in front of them, oblivious of Arnav's stare. "Mamma doesn't feel like it right now." Khushi frowned when she saw Amber and Aditya make a puppy face. "Oh alright, you little blackmailers!"

Khushi held their hands and walked out into the yard as they screamed, smiled, and giggled. As soon as she reached the middle of the yard, Angad put his handkerchief around her eyes, blindfolding her.

"Blind tag!!" He exclaimed and gave Khushi a twirl.

Instinctively, Khushi put out her arms. The kids giggled and ran away from Khushi any time she came near them. Kripa started teasing her by patting and poking her shoulder from behind and moving away as soon as Khushi turned.

Angad waved his arms to get Arnav's attention and then he jerked his chin in Khushi's direction. After multiple attempts, it finally dawned upon Arnav. The realization made his eyes go wide. Now both Kripa and Angad pointed and waved furiously in Khushi's direction.

When Arnav didn't move, Kripa slapped her forehead and snuck up behind Khushi. Taking Khushi by surprise, Kripa pushed her. Khushi tried to regain her balance and her arms caught something...or someone.

"I caught--" She began but she swallowed her words as she registered who she was holding on to. Even after all these years, she could tell it was him. His woodsy, musky, spicy, Arnav scent engulfed her.

She let go of him and took her blindfold off. He looked back at her with a calm expression but his eyes looked guilty. Then his expression became apologetic. Khushi pressed her lips together and handed him the blindfold.

She ignored the sudden rush of heat in her fingers which started when his fingers touched hers in the process of taking the blindfold. Khushi walked away only to notice that everyone else was standing at the opposite end of the yard, watching. Kripa walked to Arnav and tried the blindfold.

The game began again and Khushi ensured that she kept her distance from him but somehow he always ended up near her. Eventually Khushi saw what was happening.

Kripa and Angad kept nudging Arnav in her direction. Well then. If that's how they were going to play. Khushi walked around Arnav and stood next to Angad. She followed him everywhere. Khushi proudly gave her a mental pat on the back because she saw that Kripa and Angad weren't happy with the change of plans.

Kripa frowned at Khushi. Khushi crossed her arms and glared back at her. She could feel Angad moving behind her and then she saw Kripa look at him. Khushi knew what they were about to do but she couldn't fall prey to their trick again. Kripa smiled slightly and then shoved Arnav towards Khushi.

"Perfect" Khushi thought to herself as Arnav stumbled towards her. She had anticipated exactly this. At the last second, Khushi cleanly took one big step aside and Arnav landed in Angad's arms.

The kids found this amusing and burst into waves of laughter. Kripa couldn't help herself and joined in the laughter as well.

Arnav and Angad regained their balance and Arnav took the blindfold off of his eyes. Arnav handed the blindfold to Angad as the two also had a small laugh.

The games went on until the rain subsided a little bit and the Prateek's teeth started clattering. Kripa and Khushi ushered the children inside.

Kripa tossed a towel to Angad and sat down to dry off Sur. Angad had just started drying off Prateek when Khushi stepped out with a couple of towels in her hands. Aditya and Amber stood shivering in front of her and for a second she was faced with the dilemma. Who should she dry off first? Just then, Arnav extended a hand towards her and she frowned at him.

"I'll dry off Adi..." He said calmly.

Khushi looked at her son and daughter and decided, why not? She handed a towel to Arnav and the two got down to work.

Soon, everyone was dried off except for Arnav and Angad. Kripa had also changed into one of Khushi's dresses. Everyone sat around in the living room, enjoying the snacks. Kripa walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water for Angad. Khushi got up and followed her.

"What's going on?" Khushi demanded as soon as Kripa saw her.

"What?" Kripa tried to act nonchalant.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. What was that during the game?" Khushi crossed her arms.

Kripa made a mistake and seemed panicked for a quick second--but that was long enough for Khushi to notice. Kripa knew she couldn't deny the obvious mischief during the game.

"Well...there's no point in hiding. What do you think of Arnav?" Kripa's mind came up with a quick story.

"What?!" Khushi exclaimed.

"Oh come on. You know I've been trying to set you up with someone for a while now. I think Arnav is perfect for you. The kids also love him, you won't have to change your last name...and he's here to adopt anyway...if you two get together, he becomes Adi and Amby's legal father! It's as if you two were meant to be!" Kripa smiled giving her a mental pat on the back for coming up with this.  "Besides...he's oh-so-handsome, you know.."  Kripa winked.

Khushi glared at her. "And you know that I'm legally still married."

"Pfft" Kripa waved her hand dismissively. "Who cares? You haven't seen his face for, what, five years? You've had no contact with him. He hasn't bothered to come and get you. Arnav is still legally married. We haven't exactly told him that we're trying to set you up with him...I think he's still waiting for his wife to come back."

Khushi raised an eyebrow. Kripa shook her head. "Yeah. I don't know what happened between them...he doesn't like to talk about it. But he still loves her and he's still waiting for her to come back. But I'm sure no woman stands a chance against you. I mean--"

"Enough!" Khushi said sternly. "I don't want to talk about this. I appreciate what you're trying to do but I don't need a man in my life. I've gotten through my life just fine all these years and I will do so in the future too!" Khushi's eyes were filled with tears and she couldn't explain why.

"Oh please! You might not need a man but Adi and Amby need a father! Why don't you see that? And why are you lying to yourself? You know you'll eventually need a life partner." Kripa looked at Khushi in disbelief.

Khushi took a deep breath in and slowly breathed out. "Look Kripa...when I feel the need, I will tell you to find me a guy but for now, please don't try to push me towards Arnav."

Kripa nodded and walked out of the kitchen. She paused at the entrance and looked to the side where Arnav stood, leaned against the wall.

"Sorry" she mouthed and left.

Arnav stepped into the entrance and looked at Khushi's back. He cleared his throat to get her attention. She turned to look at him but didn't show any emotions.

"I'll get going. Thank you for having me over. I'll see you in the office on Monday." He smiled, turned on his heels and paused at the entrance. He looked over his shoulder but didn't turn completely. "I'll talk to Kripa and tell her to stop." And then he left.