"Have you heard of AR, Kushi? It is a big fashion industry. You have to join immediately" Nikita said and Kushi froze listening to that

Did she hear it correctly? Or was she simply hearing things, well because she has a habit of that.

She could still remember her imagining Arnavji's face in rikshaw drivers and chaat walas. Is it possible that her mind is again playing games with her. Making her hear things related to him.

"Nikita ji? I didn't hear you properly. What name did you just say?" Kushi asked

"AR fashion industry. You heard of Arnav Singh Raizada? Oh wait, in your resume you have mentioned that you have worked in AR for almost a month? Is that right?" Nikita asked

"That's right Nikita ji. I have worked there once. But that place is not for someone like me. Can you offer me a job somewhere else?" Kushi asked hopefully.

"Kushi, you know the company protocols. If you deny one offer, you will automatically go to the bottom of the list. Your next turn will come only after all other people gets an employment. If you are okay with that, I can pass on the offer to the next candidate" Nikita said apologetically

'Hey Devimaiyya. What kind of test is this now? Why are you siding with that rakshas who doesn't believe in you. I am your devotee. You are supposed to be on my side. Helping me in staying away from that monster. Not the other way around' Kushi complained, looking at the Devi maiyya sculpture in the corner of the room

"Kushi? You there?" Nikita asked

Does she even have an option? She can't wait around for her next turn to come. Their financial status doesn't offer her that luxury.

"Ji Nikita ji. I will take up the job. Errand you said? Right? I wouldn't have to work directly with the CEO right?" Kushi asked and Nikita laughed out loud

"Kushi. ASR is a very important man. Every single second of his is expensive. He wouldn't spare time to work directly with the errands. You must know this. You worked there once" Nikita said and Kushi remained silent

She knows a little too much about this expensive ASR.

And that is the problem

"Okay Nikita ji. By the way, how long is this employment?" Kushi asked

"Two months. The one who was working in your place has gone on maternity leave. So, you will be replacing her for a couple of months. And if they like your work and luck is on your side, you might even get a permanent position there" Nikita said

Kushi shuddered at the thought of being in Arnav Singh Raizada's vicinity permanently.

Nikita passed on some more information about the job and hung up.

Kushi walked back to her room in a daze

So, Arnav Singh Raizada again scored.

Well, this will be his last point. From the next day, if they happen to lock horns, the points will be hers. Not his.

She will not let him win again.

"Jalebi?" Advaith snapped a finger in front of Kushi, who seemed to be in another world.

"Oh yes" Kushi said staring at her sister and Advaith

"What happened, Kushi? You got the job?" Payal asked

"Ji. In AR" Kushi said and Payal looked at her sister in horror.

She could still remember the tortorous days Kushi suffered while she worked in AR. She almost died.

Payal shuddered remembering a lifeless Kushi being carried in by none other than The great ASR

"No, Kushi. You are not going there again" Payal denied hotly

"I don't have any other option jiji" Kushi said

"Ofcourse you have. We can look for another job" Payal said

"None would pay as much as AR does" Kushi said

"Money is not everything, Kushi"

"I know. But we are in need of that now. Don't worry jiji. I will not let him bully me again" Kushi said vehemently

"You almost died once. I can't let you go there again" Payal cried out

"Died? What are you talking about?" Advaith asked

Payal explained everything Kushi went through while working at AR. Advaith heard everything in horror.

"Payal, don't worry. I will be there to look after her. The AR - D fab collaboration begins with a fashion show. So, I will be working closely with AR. Most days, I will be there at AR too." Advaith said making Payal releived a bit.

"I am still not happy with this" Payal said huffing angrily

"It will be alright jiji. I am a big girl. I can handle everything" Kushi said

*****

Next day

Aman was making a coffee for himself, when he heard the tinkling sounds of an anklet.

Who is wearing an anklet in AR?

Nobody!

The last time he heard this was when Kushi Kumari Gupta worked here. No one since then.

Aman turned around and his eyes widened seeing Kushi standing in front of him awkwardly.

Last day, he heard from other employees that Kushi had come in to meet ASR. He was down at the basement, so he didn't see her. People said there wasn't a fight. But that doesn't means that the same would happen today.

What is she even doing here?

"Aman ji?" Kushi called out

"Kushi. What are you doing here?" Aman asked.

The office was almost empty. Only him and a few cleaners and peons were there.

Kushi extended an envelope towards him.

He opened it and his eyes widened in horror.

"You are the new temp?" Aman asked, already sweating.

If ASR comes to know this, he will be fired for sure. Why hadn't he looked into the details of the new temp?

Oh god! How was he to guess that Kushi would end up here.

"Oh Kushi! I am so dead" Aman said

Then he saw Kushi' eyes widening and she clutching her heart.

"He is here" she mumbled

"Who?" Aman asked in confusion.

"Arnav ji" Kushi said

Arnav ji? Kushi calls ASR as Arnav ji? Since when?

"ASR? He is here? You saw him?" Aman asked in panic

"He is here" she said again.

"Oh God! Kushi hide. Go into the pantry. Don't come out until I call you" Aman said and lightly pushed her into the pantry and hurried to the main door.

ASR walked in, quite earlier than his usual time.

Why does every bad thing happen at once?

"Good morning ASR" Aman greeted ASR with a fake smile.

ASR stopped suddenly on the threshold

That has never happened before. He always makes a beeline for his cabin, without even stopping to greet anyone.

He watched in astonishment, as ASR's hands slowly crept upto his chest.

"Kushi" Arnav Singh Raizada mumbled softly, but Aman, who was closely watching ASR, heard it perfectly clear.

What the bloody hell is happening here? Aman wondered