Khushi makes it

Introduction

“Nani Ji, Nani Ji”

Khushi entered the house like a human tornado that she was throwing her arms around her adored Nani Ji , with not a care in the world.

She had arrived, she hadn’t seen her Nani in about three years. It didn’t matter who was there or what was going on – this was her time, and her moment.

“Khushi Bitia”- as overjoyed as Nani was to see her she didn’t lose sight of her surroundings and company.

“Sorry forgive everyone – one of my favourite people has just landed – a day early I might add -so forgive if I call a halt to this meeting but I haven’t seen her in three years – we have a lot of catching up to do. Forgive me , I hope you understand”

Excuses and apologies made meetings rearranged – Nani turned to Khushi – “bitia – Let me look at you – it has been such a long time”

“Nani – what time is khadoose coming home ?”

“Khushi! – Dont call him that”

“Accha sorry -when is his royal Highness coming over”

“Khushi!”

“OK, sorry, sorry, King Raizada making an appearance, so I can make a disappearance”

“He’s not expected home till 8pm for dinner”

“Then I’ll stay for tea”

Khushi stayed and chatted with her beloved Nani ji and waited for the other members of the family to slowly arrive – one by one all were hugged and greeted, kisses and tears were exchanged -why had she been gone so long.

Studying and passing exams takes time and concentration -she was done and finished ; so now she could come home before starting a new job.

Everyone was excited where was her new job who with ? How long for

Khushi dropped the bombshell -“ Raizada Fashions – I’m the new intern”

Pin drop silence followed – not a sound.

“Say something – Hello? Congratulations ? Well done ? Something?

“Khushi – Does Bhai know?”

“Of course he knows”

Everyone was holding their breath – Let out a big sigh of relief simultaneously

Then Khushi added “he must do – he signed the acceptance letter”

Akash fell into a chair in a big heap, holding his head, breathing and counting.

“Khushi, its a standard acceptance letter from the head of department, Bhai has no idea who the team hires at that level”

“Oh”

As the significance of his statement reverberated round the room.

Historically it was a well accepted fact that Arnav and Khushi didn’t get on except for arguments with Khushi usually managing to break something of his or damaging some part of him. He always had a knack of being there when she’s plans were going awry.

Then quietly as the enormity of the situation grew – Khushi could hold back no longer as the laughter bubbled out of her – do you remember the last time I saw him – everyone’s minds flitted back to a fateful night about 5 years ago when she came tumbling into the gardens, while Arnav was holding an important annual meeting. She crashed into the table, sending the ice sculpture flying, smashing into millions of pieces- the sculpture which was time to melt away and leave the big reveal to everyone – a key to the treasure chest which housed his new design launch was lost.

The chest had to broke open – the event was certainly the most talked about event but for all the wrong reasons – shattered pieces of ice melted on the runway and models slipped and one broke her ankle – there was a huge settlement, clothes ripped as they fell and Arnav exploded – and all was caught on film and flashed in the newspapers – The event of the year was certainly a talking point for a very long time.

It was then a decision was reached to send Khushi away to study in safety till things calmed down.

And now this .
Once the laughter had settled – what shall we do ?

Akash thought aloud – “well Arnav doesn’t really have anything to do with the interns – pay is sorted out by the accounts department -Khushi will be paid as the rest, and Ill keep her out of Arnav’s sight – one year will pass like that – and Khushi you will be on your best behaviour – you follow- no messing around – you will be that boring intern that no one ever hears from or notices – you understand.”

“Yes ”

“Khushi don’t yes me ! It’s taken us 5 years to get you back, so that Bhai won’t kill you on sight – his terms were I don’t want to see her, hear her or be in the same vicinity as her. I have an exclusion zone! She is not allowed any where near it. It’s either me or her. This country is to small for the both of us”

“But Akash Bhai, I got the job – I thought he had forgiven me”

“Sorry Khushi”

Then suddenly Khushi was clapping “this is even better”

“Now what Khushi ?”

“This means I got the internship on my own merits – I must be good ! Hell that means a lot more to me. Initially I thought he had forgiven me and given me the job because of that”

“Khushi – Nani this year is going to kill me – how am I going to hide her for a year ?”

“ Akash – you will have to manage and now Khushi before Arnav realises that you are back in Delhi -leave your a secret -remember that”

Khushi thought back to that fateful night when she recreated Arnav’s well planned fashion show -she smiled and shook her head followed by a shudder – if that was someone else and it were her fashion show -she would kill them – she supposed he showed a lot of restraint – To save her the family sent her to boarding school abroad. Now it was her turn to payback with interest – make up for that disastrous evening and the support he had given her even if it were for the wrong reasons.

Arnav had wanted her gone; she was a liability an accident just looking for somewhere to happen -his family loved her – he would fund her education far -far – far away -Arnav thought that he had killed two birds with one stone. But what Arnav had forgotten was that school would finish and she would return that he had not banked on.

Chapter 1

Over the five years because Khushi had grown, and matured. She was no longer a gawky teenager with a mouth full of metal but a stunning individual on the precipice of her career.

When she left she had made herself a promise that she would use this time to make sure the family would never be embarrassed by her again she would go where ever she needed to to learn what ever skills she had to in order for her to be part of society that her family moved in on her return.

Khushi had worked hard at not only reinventing herself but getting herself recognised as an upcoming designer with talent. She had won numerous awards, through design school. Her designs were selected and presented on major cat walks and in these corridors whispers followed her, saying she was the one to watch, she was the one to follow, she was going to be the one to succeed.

In the professional world she signed her name KKG -no one at home was aware of her accomplishments; these she had kept hidden so that she could reveal herself in time and make the family proud of her.

In the last five years, Arnav had taken his company from strength to strength having removed Khushi from his surroundings, his company had grown with exceptional designs and he had recovered but not forgotten that last fashion show.

–

Khushi sat pondering why had she taken the internship at AR designs she knew she was far better and much more capable than an intern was, but she wanted to prove herself to Arnav.

She wanted him to recognise her talent her worth and her accomplishments. Khushi planned, she would keep her head down for a short while, not raise it above the parapet, only to get shot, but her design was going to be the centrepiece of his next fashion show.

Arnav didn’t know it, but KKG alias Khushi Kumari Gupta had arrived, she had to announce arrival into the design world as spectacularly as the way she had left it. Khushi had to make sure that this the centrepiece of the show was going to be the design of the year. Then and only then would Arnav forgive her and and allow her back into the family, in effect her Visa would be stamped for permanent stay – not exiled from her family.