Chapter 8

Arnav paced around his cabin, as the yesterday's event kept playing in his head. His staff was upset with him, his patrons were going gaga over the trout and the worst...Khushi's tear streaked face...he felt like he had really screwed up this time...just to prove a point. 

"ASR?" Akash called out from the door, bringing Arnav out of his thoughts "I hope you have taken a decision...?" he asked as Arnav nodded "Call her and ask her to join back...and ask everyone to get back to work, I'm fed up of watching their gloomy faces" he said as Akash gave him a quick smile but hesitated 

"Uh...won't you be speaking to her...?" He asked tentatively hoping Arnav won't blow off his head "Just call her back Akash...and if she doesn't want to come, let it go" he said as Akash nodded and left, not wasting any time in informing the rest of the staff

Arnav sat down on his chair and leaned back. What had happened to him? Yes, he was always strict and liked perfection in everything, but something about this girl...something kept bothering him to an extent, where he became downright mean and rude!...why did she affect him so much?

***

"Khushi!!!" Payal jumped seeing her friend make her way into the restaurant, late evening...she smiled as she got engulfed in a bear hug by Madhu and Payal, making her giggle "Guys...!" she said laughing as they both left her while other's from the kitchen joined in to welcome her back

"KG is back! Now we can sample some more of her amazing food!"NK,  who was upset since morning hearing about Khushi's dismissal, came bounding towards her and took her in a big hug, making her blush while other's hooted "Sorry...just got carried away! But I'm so glad that you are back...the dishes are stinking!" he joked as everyone laughed

"If the welcome party is over, please get back to your work...service is in an hour" ASR's booming voice came from behind them as everyone scattered at once, leaving Khushi standing in front of Arnav, shifting on her feet as he stood quietly observing her "Ms Gupta, if you are expecting an apology from me, don't...because you will not get it" he said as she widened her eyes at him...even after all this, he still had such arrogance

"Don't you dare look at me with such impudence, what you did was wrong...I am your boss and you showed complete insubordination when you cooked in my kitchen without my consent, even if Akash or anyone else forced you" he said as Khushi took a deep breath and nodded, she understood where he was coming from...but couldn't he be a little bit more gentle? 

Arnav observed her morose face, as she looked down at her feet, but he had to get this out of his system "I also know how much you wanted to cook here, and given a chance, you could not resist. So I was right in what I said yesterday" he said as Khushi sighed...what more could she expect from him.

"But..." he said as she suddenly looked up to see him watch her with an odd look in his eyes "I will accept that I jumped to conclusions and was too quick to judge you. You were not the only one at fault" he said, surprising her with his words...did he just?

"Furthermore, I have never taken credit for anyone else's work and whatever appreciation my patron's have shown towards your dish, was duly credited to you...but you will still not cook here till I tell you to...Is that understood?" he asked her as she nodded and stood shocked at the new turn her boss had suddenly taken.

Arnav watched in amusement as various emotions passed across her expressive face "Are you planning on standing here all day then? Get back to work! The dishes won't clean themselves" he said and walked into his cabin leaving her gaping at his retreating back "What the!" she thought as she made her way into kitchen in a daze.

***

"Really? He said that? Wow!...sometimes he so rude to you and now he's...God only knows what's up with him...it's like you rub him in all the wrong ways" Madhu said as Payal nodded "True that...but whatever it is, I'm so glad you're back!!" Payal said, once again side hugging Khushi

"I'm telling you Payal...if it wasn't for you and Akash threatening to leave your jobs, I would never have come back after what he said yesterday.  Even if he has kind of apologized in his own way...he clearly does not want me working here" Khushi said with a frown as Payal giggled while Madhu rolled her eyes

"He'll come around Khushi. Don't know what's up with him now-a-days; maybe Ms Kapoor is not putting out enough" she snorted as Khushi felt a dull thud in her chest...what was wrong with her? "Or..."Madhu said suddenly getting excited "Maybe, he likes you!" she said as Payal and Khushi both looked at her with comical puzzled expression

"Arre...you know how guys are sometimes rude to you when they like you? Maybe he has the hots for you Khushi!" Madhu said as Khushi thinned her lips and hit her on her arm "Oww..." Madhu yelped as Payal laughed "That's the worst deduction ever Sherlock! He has a smoldering hot girlfriend, in case you hadn't noticed" Khushi said as her heart suddenly started beating, remembering the tell tale lipstick mark on him, all those days ago!

"Haan, but you're hot too! At least when you don't prance about in this too big an apron and loose fitting chadars you wear" Payal said as Khushi opened her mouth "They are Kaftan's...and very comfortable" she said as the other two girls giggled "Ok, but please tell me you will wear something good for the staff party tomorrow night" Payal said wiggling her eyebrows as Khushi looked on, confused

"Oh...I forgot to tell you...ASR announced it today morning. Amidst the sad staff that is..." Payal said as Madhu piped it "The Delhi restaurant is nearly done and ASR wanted to celebrate it with all of us tomorrow, so after service, we are all going to Ambroz!!" she said excitedly as Khushi widened her eyes "Ambroz? That new club? But...isn't it really expensive?" she asked as Payal shrugged her shoulders

"ASR is one of the partners there...so it's all cool! He is reserving the VIP section for us and all of us are invited with a plus one!" she said as Khushi smiled. She had not been to a club since a really long time; the last time being an after party of one of Rhea's shows, a few months ago.

"It's ok if I come alone right?" Khushi asked perplexed as she realized she did not have a plus one "Fear not KG! I shall be your date tomorrow night!" NK said loudly as he came and joined their group "I'm single and ready to mingle..." he said goofily as the three ladies laughed "Great!...that's sorted then...now let's get back to work guys before ASR once again catches us gossiping!" Payal said as everyone left to do their work

***

  

"Are you ready ASR?" Akash asked him, adjusting his casual jacket, as Arnav nodded "The rest of the gang will come in a bit, can I catch a ride with you?" Akash asked him as Arnav smoothened out his shirt front before picking up his wallet "You're not coming with Payal?..." he asked as Akash looked up "No, her car's full..." he said as Arnav nodded slightly "Uh...you told that girl right? She was not there yesterday morning when..." he said as Akash smiled

"Yes, Khushi knows, and they are all coming in Payal's car...by the way, you look good today" he said and smiled as Arnav suddenly felt light. He was looking forward to the night ahead...late night at this time "I always do" he said with a wink as his white shirt and denim clad body walked out of the cabin leaving Akash stunned at his unusual carefree attitude...what just happened?

***

"Stop it Khushi! You look gorgeous!" Payal said as she watched Khushi pull down the hem of her dark blue thigh length dress. It wasn't that she was the only one wearing something this short since the other girls too had dresses of similar lengths on them, but the dress was way too snug on top for her liking and her entire back was on display.

She had never been very comfortable showing this much skin, but Rhea had sneakily replaced the simple black shift dress she had chosen with this dark blue peplum chiffon dress, with lace detailing on shoulders and back. The dress itself was very elegant, but the plunging back was a bit of a discomfort for her.

They had gotten ready in record time, after freshening up from another crazy day. It did not take her long to loosen up her mass of thick curls and brush on some lip gloss and mascara. She had lined her huge eyes with some dark kohl and sprayed on her perfume, which she kept reserved for such occasions.

NK, being her plus one, was coming along with her in Payal's car since he would obviously be drinking, while Akash was surprisingly Payal's plus one; something which she had told them at the last moment. But he had already left with ASR. Khushi smirked as she now had tons of questions to grill her friend about tonight!

***

"There they are!" Akash said with a big smile as nearly everyone from the restaurant came in at once towards the VIP section. Arnav looked around casually as if giving a lazy glance, but his eyes were looking out for only one person...who was apparently not with the rest...where was she?

"Iyer!...ASR" Payal said as Arnav gave her a quick smile "Where are NK and Khushi?" Akash asked her as Arnav's ears suddenly pricked up. Why had he not noticed NK missing?... "Oh! Khushi is NK's date tonight...you know her plus one? And she is looking too hot tonight, so obviously needs more protection" she said with a giggle as Arnav scowled at them "They are dating?" he asked as he felt an unknown rage take over him

"Oh...no...since you said plus one...you know, like me and Akash"she said as Arnav rolled his eyes "That was only if you have someone in your life...and you and Akash are dating..." he said as Payal quickly shushed him "No one knows Arnav...and we'd like to keep it that way..." she said as Akash chuckled while Arnav shook his head in amusement

"No one knows Payal...and even I wouldn't have, if I'd have not caught you two red handed" he said as Payal blushed "That was the only time ASR...we are very professional in the restaurant otherwise" she said as Arnav smiled at both of them "I know...or you'll both be out of a job by now" he said as they all laughed when his smile suddenly dropped

Coming up the stairs was his object of both irritation and fascination. If he had thought that Khushi was pretty earlier, today she looked magnificent! The dark blue, nearly black dress fit her perfectly curvy body snugly, while the skirt flared softly below her waist...her legs...God, they were gorgeous...toned, long and made more sinful by the heels she was wearing

What had happened to the simple Ms Gupta whom he had always seen covered under an oversized apron? "Hi Guys!...this place rocks ASR..."NK said as Khushi looked everywhere but at him. He gave a slight nod to NK and asked him to enjoy the night. He too wanted nothing more, than to sit and relax with a drink...this was not really his scene, though he was a partner of the club

"What would you like to drink girls?" Akash asked Khushi and Payal as they both asked for wine. Akash left them to get the drink, as NK bent down to say something in Khushi's ears, absently brushing her hair away which made Arnav clutch onto his drink a little bit too hard

Khushi frowned at him as he smiled and left "He's just going for a smoke. Though I don't like it, can't force someone to stop" she said to the others, as Arnav gulped down his drink "Looks like you are very concerned for NK..." he said with a sneer at which Payal gave him a weird look

 "I'd be concerned for anyone who would voluntarily waste his life away" Khushi said before turning around to look at the dance floor and away from him...why was he always so high strung?

Arnav avoided the accusatory look in Payal's eyes and looked away before she could say something, when his gaze connected with Khushi's back...her nearly bare back. He felt his breath hitch as she walked away from him, her smooth alabaster skin so sinfully on display... "Why are you so rude to her?" Payal asked him, bringing him out of his thoughts, as another screechy voice broke through the loud music

"Arnie!!" Sheetal screamed as she came and hugged him and kissed him on his cheek, making him gently push her away in disgust. Her strong perfume gave him an instant headache as she linked her arms with his and wiped away her lipstick that had gotten transferred from her lips...making him remember the other day

He looked at Khushi who was staring at them, before she looked away in embarrassment...Hell! he was more embarrassed than anyone right now "What are you doing here Sheetal? I never invited you...and how dare you take liberties with me when I have made it very clear to you that I do not want anything to do with you" he said as Sheetal pouted at him

"C'mon Arnie...I'm just being friendly...and my movie will release next week, so I'm trying to be as much in the limelight as I can" she said with a glint in her eyes as Arnav peeled her arms away from him "I love this club Arnie...but it's so weird to share this VIP space with your staff...I mean, these people have cooked and served me...so odd"she said as Arnav thinned his lips 

"They have been invited by me Sheetal, while you are not. So if anyone should not be in this section, its you" he said not too kindly as she simpered at him "I'm just joking darling...how about we dance?"she asked as he shook his head in a No "Just one dance Arnav?...I have a rep to keep...after that, I'll be on my way and you on yours...I promise" she said and he relented...if the price to be forever Sheetal-free is one dance, he will gladly do it

***

"Looks like ASR is enjoying...I don't think I have ever seen him on the dance floor" NK said as both he and Khushi looked over at the beautiful couple...Sheetal was wearing a bold golden dress which fitted her pert body like a glove, while Arnav looked sexy in his attire...both of them making a stunning pair

Khushi ignored the annoying prick she felt in her heart as she stared at her boss...he really was a very good looking man, and if it wasn't for the permanent frown on his face and his rude disposition, he would have been any girl's dream man...even hers.

"Earth to Khushi! Or is dancing with me so good, that it's taken you into a trance like state!" NK joked making Khushi giggle...she truly liked NK's company and felt very comfortable with him, making her glad to find such good friends at her workplace

"I think your one dance is over Sheetal..." Arnav said as he pulled away from Sheetal's tight grip while she giggled "Come on Arnie...one more won't hurt...and look around, all your staff is dancing too!" she said as Arnav now noticed many of them next to him...including Khushi and NK who had gone missing for a while making him wonder where they had been. It had been an excruciating 10 minutes that he had spent dancing with Sheetal while his eyes had wandered around the place

He once again felt some latent anger surface as NK danced with Khushi, who was laughing at something he said. He saw NK's hand on her bare back while she had hers on his shoulders. Though they had a dignified distance between them, it just did not seem right to him

Suddenly the music started suffocating him and he left Sheetal, who had anyways found one of her page 3 friends' to dance with. But as he made his way back to the seating area, he bumped into NK and Khushi who had stopped dancing "Oh Thank God...ASR, can you please dance this one with Khushi? I have to pee so badly and this is her favorite songs" he said as he quickly ran away from the floor, leaving both of them looking at each other awkwardly...now what?