Chapter 1

“Hello Khushi. Thank you so much for coming tonight.”Arav, one of Khushi’s clients had invited her to a cocktail party that he was throwing that evening. She was dressed in a simple red saree. She didn’t like coming to these things that’s why she usually sent Adi and Shweta but this time she had been personally invited. Arav had come to her house two days earlier to invite to the party. “It’s my pleasure.” Who was she kidding? It wasn’t a pleasure. These parties brought back too many memories that were too painful, but for tonight she would just have to bear it. It would all be over soon and she could sleep it off. “Khushi, I know I invited you here for a party but I saw it as an opportunity to do business as well. I hope you don’t mind. I was meaning to speak to you about one of your designers. I think her name is Sania…”

“Hai Devi Maiya! I hope she didn’t make a mistake with the designs again. Please don’t take the trouble, I’ll investigate the matter and get the problem sorted out.”Khushi had started panicking, Arav was one of their biggest clients and they couldn’t afford to lose him. Khushi and her childhood friend Kajal had started a business together when she moved back to Lucknow. It was a design business where the best designers in Lucknow created designs for other companies according to their tastes and preferences. Khushi and Kajal were then paid for those designs. K & A Designers had earned quite a reputation in the short time they were in business. “Relax Khushi, please. There is nothing to worry to about. Everything is fine. I wanted to ask you if she is bound to your company by a contract because I would really like to employ her permanently at my company.”Khushi breathed a sigh of relief. “Of course your company would still be getting payment for designs as she was your employee and we are still your clients.” “The employees are handled by Kajal and Adi so you are going to have to speak to them but don’t see any problem although we might have to enter into a contract between the two companies. I’m sure if you came by the office in the morning to speak with them we could come to some sort of agreement.”

“Of course. We will definitely come by tomorrow. Thank you Khushi”

“It’s no problem at all.”

“I have some other guests to attend to. Could you please excuse me for a while? I’ll be back just now.”

“Yes sure. Please go ahead, it’s your party.”Khushi took a deep breath.

She could finally be alone for a little while. She needed some fresh air and was just about to take a step towards the door when she heard someone call her name. “Khushi?” she turned around to see her three friends and business partners standing behind her. They hadn’t told her that they were coming for the party tonight but then again that’s probably because she never went with them to any party so they gave up trying a long time ago. “What are you doing here? You never come to these things.”Kajal asked with a look of great shock on her face. “Actually, Arav had invited personally so I couldn’t turn him down.”

“Are vaah… the next time I ask you to come, you’re coming with me. Understood? If you even try to talk your way out of it I’ll make sure I get every host to invite you personally every time.” Adi always did this to her. She didn’t go out very often. She always just went to the office and then home. He looked for excuses and now that he found one there was no way she was getting out of this. She knew he wasn’t joking this time. She also knew she would be tagging along for the next party hosted by one of their clients. “Okay Adi. It’s not like I’ll have a choice so there’s no point in arguing okay.”Khushi said as she smiled. Adi was the only person that could make her smile even when she was really down. It was something she had forgotten how to do when she came here but Adi brought it back. She smiled but was never for the small things she used to enjoy. Someone was right when they once told her that the world is stone-hearted and merciless. Her friends knew something was wrong because the same Khushi that left Lucknow was not the same one that came back. She hadn’t told anybody the reason for coming back. It was a year and still nobody knew why. Khushi knew that if she told her friends everything they would still be by her side no matter what happened but she felt that if she had to relive everything that happened again she wouldn’t survive. Not this time. It just hurt too much. “Khushi, there are a lot of prospective clients and grooms at this party so I’m going to go hunting with these two because you know I need an opinion. Would you like to join us?” Kajal was up to her old tricks again. She was single and always ready to mingle but she would never do it alone. She always needed advice and second opinions. After all, what are friends for? “No, I think I’ll just hang around here for a while then leave a little earlier. If you look for me and don’t find me call my cell because that means I already left okay.”Khushi said as she nudged Kajal Iightly in the ribs. All three nodded their heads as if to say “Yes ma’am” then went ‘hunting’. After they had left Khushi was about to bolt for the door to get out of there when her path was blocked by more of their clients querying about the company. Khushi had given up all hope of leaving early now.

She was beginning to feel a little uneasy and decided to get something to drink. She headed over to the bar to get a soft drink. She figured the little energy she needed to make it through the night. Khushi was sipping her drink when she saw Shweta take the seat next to her. “Tired already?” Shweta was always the one that looked out for Khushi even when they were kids, but she seemed to care more when she came back. Khushi knew that if she ever needed to confide anything in anyone it would be Shweta because she could trust her with her life. Shweta sympathized with Khushi but Khushi could never understand why. The truth was that Shweta knew everything. It was the reason she started caring for Khushi even more. “I guess so.”

“Khushi, I have to tell you something. It’s urgent.”

“I'm listening. What is it?”

“Actually, that… Ar…”Shweta was cut off by a very excited Adi. The two were engaged and Adi couldn’t even stay away from her for a minute. He loved her too much. “What is it Adi? I need to speak to Khushi.” Shweta didn’t look too happy. It was a cause for concern because this was one of the things that Shweta loved about Adi. “You can tell her later. Karishma is here. You need to meet the woman you are going to be competing with for the best bahu award.” Khushi smiled at Adi. He always had something to say every moment. Shweta was about to tell him that it couldn’t wait when he was already dragging her towards the other end of the room. She threw Khushi an apologetic look but Khushi just shook it off. Khushi had finished her drink and was heading back to mix with the crowd. This time she was ready for them to pounce on her, she was ready for the attack. Her uneasiness hadn’t disappeared but she just ignored it. She just turned around when another one of their clients had spotted her. She was bombarded with questions about the latest fashion trends and styles. She knew everything she needed to know and could answer the questions but all of this didn’t interest her. It was all just a distraction to help her forget but even a year wasn’t enough. The wounds were still fresh. She was speaking to one of the clients when Arav came up behind her. “Could I please borrow you for a while, Khushi?”

“Sure Arav, excuse us please.”Arav had now made his way in front of Khushi and was speaking to her. “Khushi, I’d like you to meet one of my friends and also one of the most successful businessmen in our industry.”Khushi’s uneasiness grew even more now and she could feel a wind blow through the room. She knew that feeling all too well and it had been a very long time since she felt it. Khushi turned around as Arav walked towards the person standing behind her. “Khushi, this is Arnav Singh Raizada, owner of Arnav Raizada Fashion House.”