Not so innocent vixen - ArShi FF (completed)

3. Mujhe Aadat bana lo ek buri

Translation of title: Let me be your bad habit

--*--

It was finally the Diwali night! One of the major milestones of their well-set plan.

This night would make or break a lot things for her. In last few weeks, HE, as Khushi did not like to take his name in anyway, indeed try to mess with her a lot! As Khushi's thoughts took her to the memories from last few days and her interactions with him, him trying to come close to her, holding her hand (albeit in anger but still touching), letting her insult him and still having her work there only proved he was trying to come close to her. She knew that he was pretending as if he did not care but he was getting affected. He was trying to come close to her, she could sense. And if it continues, very soon he would want to have much more than holding her hand, she thought and shuddered.

Later that evening, as Khushi sat near the dressing table in her room, getting ready for the party at Raizada mansion, she felt her hands trembling, her heartbeat going erratic and her feet getting cold. She glanced at the red saree. It was supposed to be special, it was his favorite color! Shyam ji had made sure Anjali sent the saree chosen for Lavanya to Khushi. Khushi felt a weird uneasiness at the pit of her stomach. After all this was not how she had imagined her life to be at 21!

But when was the last time Khushi kumari Gupta gave up in front of the curveballs life threw at her? She had made a resolve and she would be damned if she backed down now!

So here she was, dolled up in the saree, hair let loose, beautiful bangles adoring her hands, long dazzling earrings in her ears, a bindi on forehead and very light yet evident make-up. She admired herself in the mirror! She indeed looked beautiful. As per their plan, she was supposed to play a perfect enchantress tonight, make sure she casts a spell on him and they capture first evidence against Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, one that proves he is an unethical, philanderer man after all!

And that would affect his most ambitious deal, 'Project Panache'! It was touted as one of the biggest fashion house projects and was backed by Mittal group. 

Mr. Ishwar Mittal was a mighty, very principled, and very conservative old man. If he was one of the leading industrialists of India since last 30 years, he was also reputed as a man of values who held Indian culture and family ties very dear. It was also well known that he only did business with those companies which were ethical and were headed by good people.

So far, Arnav's impression had been good. A young 26-year-old lad, Harvard graduate, has loving family and a girlfriend who he's expected to marry soon, if the words by his grandmother were to be believed. So far there was not a single blot on his character. Sure, he was known to be hot headed but that was seen as his passion for work. He otherwise was known as a reserved, private person who protected his personal life fiercely. Not to forget he respected women in his life, his sister, his mami and his grandmother to be precise. So it was clear he was a man of values.

So, after all this, if someone sees proof of him having philandering ways, how would that look like? How would it look like seeing him in arms of another woman, evidentially cheating on his supposed to-be-fiancé? Would that be ok, especially for his ongoing project with Mittal group? Would that be perceived nicely?

Definitely not! That would not have settled well for his reputation, especially Mr. Mittal's opinion about him would be severely impacted. And that is exactly what Khushi was banking on! Key step to destroy him!

--*--

Arnav was pacing in his room. He knew something was wrong, very wrong with him these days. In fact, since last few months, a certain person had evaded his thoughts like no one else and was not willing to leave at all!

He tried every trick in the book, shouting at her, insulting her, calling her names, nothing worked! And then again, one look at her face, her innocent eyes and Mr. mighty ASR here was a goner!

By now, he had realized his mistake in Lucknow's fashion event. He knew Khushi was not at any fault nor had she intended to ruin his fashion event as he accused her of (well, that's what he thought). And he secretly felt ashamed of having played with her reputation by releasing that video tape of theirs in Lucknow news channels.

But how could he apologize? He never says sorry, does he? How can the might ASR pour his heart out to a a mere no-one? Admitting his mistake was a far cry. But was she a no-one? If she was, why was she in his thoughts 24 hours, 7 days, every freaking minute of it? He had no answers to that.

But he knew he needed a distraction! Lavanya! Yes, that's exactly what he needed! 

He had hardly ever dated in college, his main focus was completing his degree and establishing his family's business, taking the reins from his Mama ji. So after briefly dating one or two girls here and there, he resigned himself to his work.

But a man has needs and that's when he met Lavanya. A young beautiful model who seemed to share his thoughts about relationships. So she became his first ever serious girlfriend if that can be called. However, she was sure serious about them, but was he, ever to begin with? And especially now?

He often wondered why she was putting up with him? He knew he was least involved in her, emotionally or otherwise. She however still decided to hang around despite how badly he treated her. Did girls these days really have no self respect at all? he wondered. 

But he knew few women who held their self respect very high. Who were as mighty as they could and had their own personalities. His di, his nani and....khushi!

--*--

Tumhe apna banane ka junoon (the craze to make you mine)

Sar pe hain, kab se hain (is maddening me since long time)

Mujhe aadat bana lo ek buri (let me be a bad habit of yours)

Kehna yeh tumse hai (I want to tell you this)

The song was being played somewhere on the stereo, probably in Lavanya's room, as Arnav descended down the stairs and his breath got stuck! Literally.

There sat a gorgeous, heavenly beauty nay angel, clad in an elegant piece of clothing, a beautiful red saree, her hair were flowing with the wind which tempted him to smell them, there was a slight smile playing on her lips as she was lighting diya's (oil lamps) in and around the hall and he felt an urge like never before to close his lips on hers! He was sure as hell that no other woman before her pulled him to her as much as she did and no one after her would do! She was an epitome of beauty and grace, and his arms were aching to hold her in them!

--*--

By the time she realized his presence, he was a mere feet away from her. She cursed herself for not being vigilant. But this happened every time when she saw diya's, the lights! For her lamps and lights symbolized happiness, they erased all darkness just like she was supposed to do. And Diwali was a festival of lights, which used to bring extra cheer to her mood.

In all this momentary joy, she forgot her mission for a brief second.

Sensing his presence behind her however, brought her out of her reverie and made her alert.

'It was time' her mind reminded her and she held her breath as she stood up!

--*--

A/n – hey guys! Hope you're all well. Let's stop here for this chapter and see how it goes ok? This chapter and next one are very critical so breaking them in 2 parts instead of making a long one.

I want to hear from you more and would love tosee more response. Do leave your reviews, and votes, and have a happy weekend! 🤗😎