Intertwined Fates -- An IPKKND FanFic

The Witching Hour

Anjali looked over the pictures that Arnav had sent her. For the price, this warehouse was perfect. Still, maybe one of them should go in person for a final verification that this was really what they wanted.

After all, it was their first venture into the Western hemisphere, and it would be better to be safe than sorry.

She replied to Arnav quickly before opening a file to look at some new designs that she'd been sent.

Her phone buzzed, and she quickly picked up when she saw Aman's name. "How's it going?"

Aman laughed. "He's here!"

"Congratulations! How is he? And Tania?"

"She's resting now. He's in the NICU right now, but the doctors said he'll be fine."

"I'm so happy for you. Tell Tania congratulations from me, and I'll drop by after work."

"I will. Ma Ji was so happy when I told her. I can't tell you how grateful I am that you came by so early in the morning to be with her. I tried to get in contact with her aide but I guess she was asleep. If it weren't for you, I don't know what I would have done."

"Aman, you're embarrassing me. You know I don't mind. Besides, all I did was keep her company."

"Still--"

"Enough of that. Tell me about you. How are you feeling?"

"I'm so relieved. I was so terrified when Tania woke me up this morning, and then the surgery and everything...but it's fine now. Everything is fine now."

They continued chatting for a bit until Aman yawned, at which point Anjali insisted that he get some rest and hung up.

She smiled and got up to tell Arnav the good news.

****

"Now...let's talk."

"There's nothing to talk about," Arnav said.

"Is that so?" Anjali looked to Khushi for confirmation.

Khushi nodded uncertainly.

"You don't look very sure," Anjali commented.

Khushi hesitated. "Actually, there is something..."

Anjali smiled encouragingly. "Yes?"

"Mr. Raizada has someone following me around."

Anjali looked at her brother in astonishment.

"It's not like that," Arnav defended. "I hired a bodyguard for her after what happened on the day of the reception."

"I see. And how do you feel about that, Khushi?"

"How should I feel about it?" Khushi exclaimed. "Obviously I'm mad about it. He's crossing his boundaries."

"You're not the one who decides my boundaries," Arnav shot back.

"Chote, wait your turn please," Anjali admonished. "Why do you think that, Khushi?"

"Because he has nothing to do with me! We're not even friends anymore, for God's sake."

"Chote? Do you agree?"

"That we're not friends? One-hundred percent. I didn't even want to be friends with her in the first place--she bullied me into it."

"I bullied you?"

"Khushi Ji, please. Let Chote finish speaking. So you resent becoming friends with Khushi?"

An angry Khushi slammed the sugar bowl on the counter before turning around to look at him.