Air Beneath My Wings(On Hold)

Escape

As Khushi walked beside Anjali, she asked. "You aren't surprised about what Arnav told you?"

"About my father? Not at all. Nani told me as much when I got older. I had no idea he was this cruel. Should have guessed."

"And about... about us?"

"Khushi, Chhote has been so... childish lately. Happy, excited, encouraged to do better. I had an inkling it was you. And Akash helped."

"Akash?"

"He has seen you visiting Chhote's office and his glasses getting tinted."

Khushi turned red.

Anjali laughed. "It's fine. I know Chhote. I doubt he ever did that for anyone."

"What do you mean?"

"I have never heard of him using those office settings with anyone."

"You... you know about that?"

"It was me who insisted on it. He used to trash that place every month like clockwork. The whole office was disturbed because of it."

So the setting had nothing to do with keeping women in? It was to keep him contained. "So you insisted he hide his temper? Instead of controlling it?"

"His temper is... an issue, yes. But I think, it's not a problem anymore."

"Huh?"

"I haven't seen him angry since you started dating. And once it's permanent, I doubt it will come back." She patted Khushi's cheek. "Get some rest, Khushi. You have a big day coming up."

*****

Khushi awoke to the ringtone of her phone. Without checking, she picked it up.

"Where the hell are you, Ms Gupta?"

"Lavanya?" She asked groggily.

"Are you still in bed, Ms Gupta? It's the middle of the day!"

Khushi looked around, and sure enough the wall clock said it was 11:45am. "I've had a bad... bad night. I should have informed you. I thought I'd make it to the office."

"Is something wrong, Khushi?" Lavanya's voice softened.

"Khushi? Are you awake?" Khushi heard Arnav knocking.

"Just give me one second, Lavanya." Khushi requested. She opened the door.

"Good morning sleeping beauty." He smiled.

"Good morning Arnav. Can you wait? I have Lavanya on the line."

"Oh brilliant, can I talk to her?"

"Hey Lavanya, ASR wants to talk to you."

"Wait, that was ASR? Calling you sleeping beauty?"

Khushi laughed. "Yes. We had an... emergency. Like I said, bad night. I'll try to make it for after lunch, Lavanya."

"No, you won't." Arnav said.

"I won't?" Khushi asked him.

"Khushi? What's going on?" Lavanya asked.

"One sec." Khushi turned to Arnav and gave him her phone. "Handle her. I need to use the washroom."

She skipped off and locked herself.

*****

Arnav heard Lavanya. "Khushi? Are you there? Is everything alright? I have heard about ASR. He is known to lead women on."