Unexpectedly Expected Part 1

Khushi shut her diary with an exasperated sigh. Two hours. She had been waiting since two hours, and why just her, she wondered as she glanced around herself at the hoard of journalists all around the place. In a temperature of 42 degrees on the celcius scale , when the whole of Delhi was rushing to, or was already in the air conditioned comforts of their houses or offices, there they were — mikes, pads, cameras, all ready and waiting since hours.

 

For him.

 

For the Arnav Singh Raizada.

 

"The Arnav Singh Raizada," Khushi laughed dryly to herself. Yes, why not, and then he'd come throw them an 'I don't think I saw you' look and move straight ahead of them. His bodyguards would push the reporters away...he could even be on his cellphone so probably wouldn't even listen to them.

 

What rubbish.

 

She hadn't interviewed him ever, and had only seen him on television or in magazines. Touted as the 'most eligible bachelor', the 'business tycoon', the 'Mr.Important' in town, even the look of the man had told her everything about him.  This would be a damn arrogant man!

 

She wondered if it was the rising temperature that was making her so groggy.

 

Chill....this is your job...Arnav Singh Raizada or no Arnav Singh Raizada, she reminded herself.

 

Her small sips on a can of coke were interrupted by the deafening sound of a helicopter, making her frown.

 

So he was there...finally!

 

---

 

 

Four men in black attire, wearing equally sinister looks on their faces got down first.

 

And then he stepped out.

 

A frown marked his expressions as a gush of hot air blew on his face, waving his hair a little. He then put on his signature plastic look, and adjusting his impeccably spotless coat lightly on himself he stepped down.

 

"Arrogance personified," Khushi muttered, not too softly, and people around threw looks at her.

 

And then the usual drill started. Reporters were pushed away as he looked straight ahead, walking on the ground as if he ruled the world, amidst shouts of "so when are you getting married?" and "Is it true about the talk doing rounds of you and-”, etc., which were all, of course, falling on deaf ears.

 

One look at the situation was enough for Khushi to know she had no chance there. There was no way she could push past that crowd. Therefore, she decided that she would straightaway leave for AR.

 

And so she did..

 

Arnav Singh Raizada was just out of his car and about to enter the multi-storied AR office as a voice rose from behind him. A panting, tired, voice.

 

"Excuse me sir!! I am-”

 

He shut his eyes and drew in a breath. Not again. God. Why couldn't these people just get a life?

 

As his uniformed bodyguard made a move forward to tell Khushi to get going, Arnav raised a hand at him in a gesture indicating him to stop, and advanced forward himself.

 

She stood there panting from all the rushing around she had done that day, from the heat which seemed to have left her dehydrated, and from the worry that arose from the apprehension of the task that lay ahead of her.

 

"Sir I-"

 

He motioned her to stop, and stepped closer to her. Looking straight into her eyes, and with an expression across his face like he didn't even register her existence, he finally spoke—

 

"I am not married/ engaged/ to be married/ to be engaged/ wanting to get married/ wanting to get engaged. Are we done?"

 

Khushi fumed. Of all the nerve! So she spends hours sweating, running around, rushing, and this is how he talks to her? Well, was he talking to her at all? By the look on his face it was as good she were a wall. Enough! To hell with who he was!!

 

Arnav had just turned to leave when a voice snapped behind him.

 

"Well I'm sorry about that and am afraid I can't be of help regarding the matter. And besides, I, for one, am not done."

 

He stood still for a moment before slowly turning back to face her. And this time he saw her. Even though she was dead tired , there was not a doubt the woman was drop dead gorgeous, he noted. She was dressed simply, but it was her eyes which caught his glance. They had a stubbornness in them. Eyes that showed fire, and that currently screamed her indignation and anger at her self respect having suffered a blow.

 

"And why should I care whether you are done or not?" he asked.

 

"Because I , have an appointment." she replied. "Khushi Kumari Gupta, Indian Times"

 

He stood looking at her for about two more seconds before whirling around and heading straight for his office.

 

Khushi fumed. She fumed as she wiped the sweat on her forehead.

 

There was no way she wanted to interview this - this 'Mr High and Mighty I rule the world' now...it would be better to stand under the scorching sun some more, than waste time on a man who didn't have the manners to even speak without throwing some attitude around..by the first look, the very first meet, he was despicable.

 

And now why on earth was she wasting her time in this heat compiling an assessment on him? Khushi turned to leave, mentally preparing herself for the hand waving in air for a taxi to halt on the street for her.

 

"Excuse me Ma'am!" a voice sounded from behind her, causing her to turn around.

 

"Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada has called you in his cabin."

 

"What?"

 

"I guess you are Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta?"

 

She nodded softly.

 

"Yes Ma'am, I guess you have an appointment, follow me please."

 

Khushi hesitated, picking up her foot and putting it back down. Did she even want to meet him? Never! But she had already wasted precious time on him, better get something of it now! But really, God help her, she wondered. After all the great Benito Mussolini waited for her at the other end.

 

"Ya..sure," she replied.

 

"This way please.." the guard gestured.

 

And thus, for the first time Khushi Kumari Gupta heaved a sigh of relief as a gush of cool air conditioned air blew on her face as she stepped within the AR office.

 

 

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