22 Auction
Part 22 Auction
Khushi was shocked like never before. Her father never spoke to her that strictly. That too in her wedding matter. She could not believe that. She never thought her parents would force her into an unwanted marriage. Yes, she thought it was unwanted. She would be single for her whole life rather than marry Rajesh, a womaniser. She would die happily instead of marrying him. But why should she die? Why should she marry him when she didn't like him? Should she marry Rajesh just because her parents wanted the wedding to happen? How could they force her into a marriage in which she was not interested? She was a major. Only she had the right to decide whom to marry.
Wait... whom did she want to marry? The question arose in her mind. Of course, undoubtedly it was Arnav Singh Raizada. But what about his stand in this matter? Would he marry her? How could she tell that? He talked to her nicely. He even introduced her to his family. But how could she tell he did that only because he wanted to marry her? He did things for her... Spent time with her... It did not mean he wanted to marry her. Until he told her that verbally, she could not conclude. Why did she not ask him what was on his mind? Yes, that was what she should have done in the first place.
Khushi took her phone to call Arnav. She stopped thinking about something. Was that a matter to talk on the phone? Certainly not... it was the most sensitive matter of her life. More than that, she wanted to see his facial expression when she told him about her marriage to Rajesh Malik. She had a little hope that Arnav felt the same way about her. His behaviour told her that, but he didn't tell her anything. She knew Arnav Singh Raizada was not a man who would hesitate to utter the three magical words. He was a man of gut. He would do anything even though it was not up to his limit. Then, why didn't he tell her that he liked her? She was scared. What if he turned the tables? She did not know what to do. Finally, she decided to meet him the next day.
The next morning
Khushi got ready and came out of her room. She found Shashi and Garima at the dining table. She silently started having breakfast. That was when her eyes fell on the invitation kept on the dining table. Her eyes widened, seeing the BIRTHDAY and WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT invitation written on it.
Khushi looked at Shashi, who was having breakfast, his gaze on his plate. She stood up from the chair, pushing it behind. She grabbed an invitation and read it. It was indeed her wedding announcement invitation. She gulped her anger. Without knowing Arnav's stand, she was not ready to talk to her parents about it. Taking a few invitations from the bunch, she said,
"I will invite my friends..."
Shashi nodded okay, smilingly. Leaving the breakfast behind, she walked out. She had no appetite. How could she feel hungry when her mind was so disturbed?
She came to the Blue Moon hotel to meet Arnav. To her disappointment, he was not there. How would he be there if he went to an auction? Yes, he went to the same auction where Rajesh Malik was present to buy a particular painting to carry out his mother's plan.
Rajesh Malik was thunderstruck to see Arnav in the auction. 'What was Arnav Singh Raizada doing in the auction?' It was the only question that arose in his mind. Arnav headed to the seat in the front row that was next to Rajesh Malik, obviously with a smirk. He took a seat next to Rajesh Malik.
"What are you doing here? The more I know, the greater businessman Arnav Singh Raizada is not a fan of paintings..." Rajesh Malik didn't hesitate to ask him a question.
"I could also ask you the same, I suppose... What are you (stressing) doing here? You are also not a fan of paintings..." Arnav asked, smilingly.
"What would I do in an auction? I am here to get a painting... And I like paintings.."
"Ohhh..." Arnav said plainly.
The auction started. The painting for which Rajesh Malik was there came on display. He sat straight, eagerly. The starting price of the painting was ten lakhs.
"Twenty lakhs..." said Rajesh.
"Twenty-five lakhs... " someone asked.
"Fifty lakhs..." -Rajesh.
"Fifty-five lakhs..." Someone.
"Seventy lakhs..." Rajesh again.
"Eighty lakhs..." Someone.
"One crore..." Rajesh asked.
"Ohhh..." The crowd sighed.
The authority rang the bell and said,
"One crore, first time... One crore, second time... One crore..."
Cutting him off,
"Two crores..." Said Aman.
People looked at him dumbfounded. Rajesh was shocked.
"Three crores..." He asked, composing himself.
"Four crores..." Again it was Aman.
"Five crore..." Rajesh said, gritting his teeth.
"Ten crores..." Aman said, smirking.
Rajesh looked at him in shock.
"Ten crores, first time... Ten crore, second time..."
"Fifteen crores..." Rajesh said hurriedly.
Before Aman said anything,
"A crore more than whatever Rajesh asked..." Arnav said, smirking at Rajesh.
The auction authorities looked at Rajesh, who stood furiously and walked out.
"Shall we fix it for sixteen crores?" The auction authority asked.
"Didn't you hear what ASR said?" Aman asked.
"Sixteen crores, first time, sixteen crores second time, and sixteen crores third time... The painting is Arnav Singh Raizada's..."
Arnav signed the papers. The authorities handed the painting to Arnav. His men took it and headed out, followed by Arnav and Aman.
Arnav saw Rajesh waiting outside. Arnav and Aman looked at each other teasingly. It seemed they expected him to be there. Without giving heed to him, they headed in their car.
"ASR, you rocked today... I enjoyed the auction..." Aman said when they crossed Rajesh.
"Many more to come..." Arnav said, looking at Rajesh.
Rajesh came up to him and stood, glaring at him. Arnav raised his left eyebrow.
"Why are you doing this?"
Arnav looked at Aman, frowning.
"What is he asking about?"
"Sorry, ASR, I'm not capable of understanding CRACKS..." Aman mocked.
"Mind your tongue. Whom are you addressing, crack?" Rajesh sneered.
Arnav and Aman looked at each other and burst out laughing, which irritated Rajesh.
"Why did you get the painting?" Rajesh shouted.
Arnav flinched, chuckling.
"Didn't I say?" Aman laughed, and Arnav joined him.
"Stop irritating me... The painting was supposed to be mine..."
"What do you mean by supposed to be? How did you think it would be yours without knowing the competition?"
"You are intentionally doing this to beat me."
"Just now are you understanding that?" Aman teased.
"Stop poking your nose into my matter... Otherwise, the consequence will be worse..."
"Stop threatening me, yaar... I'm scared..." Arnav laughed.
Rajesh glared at him.
"Go... Go and do something useful, instead of wasting your time on threatening me..." Arnav tapped him on the shoulder and walked away.
Rajesh ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated.
In the meantime,
Khushi was trying to reach Arnav's number and losing her patience as he didn't answer the call. He had put his phone on silent mode before entering the auction hall. She had no clue why Arnav didn't attend her call. Her eyes filled with tears. She was helpless. She didn't know how to take it. Lavanya felt bad seeing her tears. The more she knew about Khushi, the less she cried for anything. She came a little aloof and called Aman. His phone vibrated. He didn't put his phone on silent mode like Arnav did. He saw Lavanya's name and looked at Arnav. He raised his brows.
"Lavanya is calling..."
Arnav widened his eyes as something clicked in his mind. He removed his phone to check, and Aman attended the call without wasting time and turned the speaker on.
"Where is ASR?" Lavanya asked.
At the same time, Arnav found fifteen missed calls from Khushi. He rolled his eyes and called her.
"We were in an auction. His phone was on silent mode."
Khushi looked at her phone as it rang. Khushi sighed in relief and attended the call.
"Is everything all right, Khushi?"
"Aren't you coming?" She asked, skipping his question.
"Coming..." He said.
"Please..." She disconnected the call.
Arnav ordered the driver to head to the Hotel Blue Moon.
To be continued...
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