Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh

Chapter 31: A Step

Khushi had been lying down on the bed and was lost in Manvi's words. She slowly rose from the bed and made her way to the kitchen. Meanwhile, Manvi had been helping Jenny with the preparation of the dinner. Khushi glanced at her and stated firmly "main nahi karungi unse ache se baat!"

"Toh thik hai main yahan se chali jaati hun" Manvi declared at Khushi's resistance. 

Concerned for Manvi's well-being, Khushi interjected, "aap kaha jaogi? Abhitabiyat thik nahi hai aapki"

"Tum meri baat nahi manti ho toh main tumhari baat kyun manu?" Manvi responded, crossing her arms across.

"Aap aise mujhe emotionally blackmail nahi kar sakti ho." she argued

"Toh tum meri baat maanlo," Manvi said, a smile playing on her lips.

Frowning, Khushi expressed her dilemma, "Mujhe nahi pata kaise Mr. Malhotra se pyaar se baat karni hai!"

Manvi picked up a newspaper, placing it in front of Khushi. Khushi read the headlines, "He tops again! Women's man knows how to rule the corporate world."

"Aaj raat bahut bada din hai unke liye," Manvi remarked, "Lekin koi parivar waala unki inn khushiyon ka hissa nahi banta hai shuruwat yahan se karo."

"He always takes his new girlfriends!" Khushi retorted.

"Kyuki beti hamesha invitation phad deti hai! Unhe suna deti hai toh wo bechare kya kare?" Manvi reasoned in her explanatory tone. 

Khushi couldn't response to it and took a deep breath. A smile formed on Manvi's lips, "Tum jaogi toh mujhe yakeen hai wo uss ladki ki aur dekhenge bhi nahi." she said with a confidence in her voice.

"Aapse zyada main janti hun unhe! Saalo se dekh rahi hun." Khushi still argued with her.

"Tum bas dekh rahi ho Khushi aur jo hum dekhte hai wo kabhi kabhi sach nahi hota hai. Mujhpe bharosa karo," Manvi insisted.

Despite the ongoing battle within her, Khushi stumbled back to her room. Manvi held hope that her words would resonate with Khushi, compelling her to take the initiative to mend the broken relationship with her father. Manvi was determined to solve their differences to end the pain for Aarav and hatred of Khushi. 

Meanwhile, Aarav, dealing with the weight of his daughter's rejection, received a call from his staff about the impending event. In frustration, he shouted, "Tum logo ko itna khush hone ki zaroorat nahi hai! It means nothing to me," and tossed away his phone.

Recalling Khushi's dismissal of his achievements, Aarav sought solace in alcohol. Wearing his coat, he descended the stairs, and a lady entered the hall, seeking attention in a sexy dress.

He smiled at her aspiration for publicity. However, she doesn't know he is more opportunistic than any other woman. He looked up at the door of Khushi's room and it was shut.Exiting the house with the lady, he settled into a car with her.

Witnessing this, Manvi rushed to the scene. Lowering the window, Manvi acknowledged him, "Main umeed karti hun aajka yeh din aapke liye yaadgar saabit ho."

Downplaying the significance, Aarav added, "Koi badi baat nahi hai yeh! Tum aise bhaago mat warna girogi toh sunayegi 100 batein mujhe Khushi."

Manvi, seeing the positive in his behavior, smiled and retreated back into the house. Aarav's insecurities were evident, even in his dismissal of taunts.

The Taj Hotel

Aarav reached the hotel, striding into the banquet hall to claim his customary place in front. As he settled, the lady attempted to sit beside him, but he abruptly pulled the chair away, causing her to drop to the floor with a thud. The cameraman captured the moment, and Aarav, showing his stern gaze, declared, "This isn't your place! I've always reserved this spot for my daughter and never allowed anyone to take it."