Transcendental Love

Part 30

"What.did.you.say.to.him?"

Khushi froze momentarily at the coldness in Aman's voice. He had never, in all the little time he'd known her, ever talked to her so coldly.

"I didn't say... Lavanya did.", she said meekly.

"Who the hell is Lavanya?", Aman nearly yelled.

"My best friend. She was talking about Arnav's dad and he heard it.", she whispered looking at all the employees quietly trying to eavesdrop. One look from Aman sent them rushing.

"Whatever it was Khushi, it has cost ASR his calm. He rarely lets his personal life affect his professional one and yet today he's all over the place.", Aman snapped at her.

"I am sorry Ama..."

"Save it. I don't need your sorry. I will personally destroy this friend of yours if she so much as annoys ASR again. Now go. He's in his office.", Aman warned dangerously.

It warmed Khushi's heart to see someone so fiercely protective about Arnav. The very thought that her fiancé was surrounded by such a loyal friend brought a wide grin on her face. But it faded as soon as she reached his office. She knocked with her heart in her mouth.

A curt 'Come in' followed.

"What the hell is this? I clearly remember asking you to get in tough with the software team to make a method for customer feedback. You cited your friends and family as customers and garnered all positive feedbacks. HOW DARE YOU?", Arnav yelled looking positively murderous.

"Sir I..."

"You're fired. GET.OUT."

"Sir please. It won't happen again."

"When joining ARM, we ask for only honesty. There is no substitute for that. LEAVE.", Arnav said gesturing Khushi to sit.

"And Pam. If I don't get the report in one hour, show yourself the way out.", he glared at another.

Arnav was furious. He had gone on to take Khushi out for a drive and on return was met with doubt about his loyalty. He had escaped to the only place he could think of to drown out his annoyance. But if only his staff was competent! On top of that his throbbing head was not helping matters.

"Is there something else you would like to throw at my face?", he snapped at Khushi massaging his fingers on his forehead.

"Arnav, I came here to clear things up. What La said...", Khushi ventured slowly.

"What? That I am as good as my father? That I will cheat you at the first chance I get? Did she even describe in vivid details how?!", he said through clenched teeth.

"La is mean. But she only meant good for me."

"I am sure.", his voice clipped.

"Arnav please...", Khushi pleaded.

"I go to my fiancé's house to meet her and am instead told that I am a potential adulterer. Do you expect me to dance in joy?"

"Your father's image precedes you. People think like that..."

"I DON'T CARE WHAT PEOPLE THINK KHUSHI. I CARE WHAT YOU THINK.", he screamed.