Orphic : An IPKKND SS

Chapter Three

The ornate mirror held her reflection with a grand poise. A poise, Khushi desperately wished she possessed at the moment.

She stood up, startling Sumi, who was curling her hair to the utmost perfection.
"Khushi baby" she grumbled disapprovingly.

She walked up to her window, overseeing the gazebo in the grounds. Her mummy stood supervising the brunch set up, rivalling an army officer's precision.

"The Raizadas are coming for brunch!"
She had announced so happily last night. And Khushi then saw the triumphant glance shared between her parents, so she had curbed her usual whining.
"Perfect opportunity to bag the contract", her papa had said.

She sighed despondently. Sumi grabbed her arm and plopped her in front of the dresser. Khushi smiled sheepishly, while Sumi kept on scolding.

She was reminded of when she was five and Sumi, her matronly maid, would help her get dressed. Only back then she didn't have to worry about facing a devilish man.

————

Laughter filled the air, cutlery making their presence known and the famous Gupta delicacies made it to the plates.

Khushi smiled as she brought out the teapot.
She took her seat next to Akash and sighed in relief as Mr. Arnav was nowhere in sight.

She knew Akash as well as the back of her hand since they were toddlers and could draw some comfort that she had someone to talk to.

"Hey"

Khushi looked up and saw a handsome young man, with gentle eyes and the most pleasing smile.
God! He even has dimples! She thought with a tinge of jealousy.

"Do you mind?" He gestured to the chair on her right, interrupting her perusal smoothly.

"Of course not, " she smiled back.

"Khushi, meet Noah Kelly Raizada, my cousin. Noah, meet my friend, Khushi Gupta " , Akash chimed in.

"Noah Kelly?" she asked after he had settled down.

"Yes. My mum's an American. And my dad, well he's a Raizada," he said with an embarrassed laugh.

"You didn't grow up here?"

"Nope. Otherwise I wouldn't have passed up the opportunity to be friends with such a beautiful girl!" he winked mischievously.

Khushi giggled, blushing at the compliment.

"Sorry, I'm late"
A booming voice made everyone look up at the newly arrived Raizada. Mr Arnav looked impeccable, except the frown between his brows.

"Arnav beta! Welcome! Grab a seat and pile up your plate!" her papa greeted enthusiastically, before diving back into his conversation with the senior Raizada.

Khushi looked at Shyam, who was clutching his fork, his fury visible in his clenched jaws. Hoping for the brunch to pass by smoothly, she brought her attention back to her eggs.

"So what do you do Khushi?"

Smiling at Noah, she said, " I am working as an assistant interior designer at my aunt's firm." 
Unknown to her, her face was aglow with love for the work she did.

Before Noah could get a word in,
Arnav interrupted rudely, "Typical ".

"Excuse me?" Khushi asked, her back straightening in defence.

" Your aunt gave you the job, so you could have something to do"

"And you assume that? How, may I ask?"