eve-withu

Goldenhaze Fiction
An Evening with U 1

An Evening with U 2
PROLOGUE
I’ve always yearned for a glimpse…of U…
Do you even know I exist?
…Do you care at all?
Unknown to you, my eyes seek you…
Unknown to you, my heart flutters at your sight!
I do not know if I could ever be with you…
But I know this much that…
Everyone has a right to live it up….Just once!
…and its ok if you just do it!
…as long as it’s no harm…
But do we really live our dreams at all?
How many have the will…
How many the guts…
and most importantly,
How many can pull through a facade just to see eye to eye with their
wildest of dreams?
But here I go with my dreams on my eyelashes, living a lifetime…
Goldenhaze Fiction

An Evening with U 3
DISCLAIMER
All the work on these novels is a work of fiction.
These are novels that are penned by the author Goldenhaze. All the names,
characters, locales, businesses & professions, events and incidents are the
product of the author's imagination.
The religious or cultural rituals or any situations or any scientific or sociological,
legal and super natural assumptions made are to be understood as concocted as
part of the fiction and not otherwise.
Some facts may have been used for authenticity, but it may be understood that
these are used for purely fictional purposes and not for any other reason,
whatsoever.
ABOUT GOLDENHAZE
Goldenhaze is the pen name of the author AnuRam who is a doctorate in
Business management and writes fiction for hobby. Her first novel The Mirage,
was set in the back drop of Rajasthan and highlighted the theme of women
empowerment, woven into romance and intrigue. The sequel of the Miirage, The
Pursuit was again a romantic thriller which was much appreciated. Goldenhaze
has also written several novels including The Masquerade, An Evening with U,
and The WhisperValley and Vaishali.
Known for the variety in her story settings, and the usage of local flavors &
languages Goldenhaze is also known for her blog goldenhazefiction.blogspot.in
which has many ongoing works of her like A Dialogue in the Dark, The
Inexplicable Attraction and the Contrivance.
Currently Goldenhaze is working on the launch of a new stream of intense
romance, under the name Destiny series, with Deepthimaan- a character she
created in Mirage as the lead, who also happens to be the pivotal character in
her much acclaimed novel Destiny U&ME.
Goldenhaze Fiction

An Evening with U 4
PART-12
“Be careful in what you wish for Khushi. I seem to be in a mood to give
just what you ask for” Arnav almost whispered narrowing her eyes at her.
“Then what are you waiting for?” Khushi hissed.
“That bad huh?” Arnav winced.
“Tell you what! Let me just take a taxi and you enjoy your evening” Khushi
said moving past him…
“You came with me, you will go with me Khushi” he said sternly, holding
her wrist in a vice-like grip.
“Says who?” She demanded trying to unwind his fingers from around her
wrist.
“Says me! Arnav said now holding her by her elbow.
“Oh! I forgot the great Mr. A. S. Wadera” she mocked at him.
“You know something called reverse snobbery?” Arnav asked suddenly!
“I want to go home” Khushi said adamantly.
“I shall drop you, when I have finished dealing with whatever bloody
notions you have about me” Arnav said seriously.
“I have my own mind! So what’s it with you. Why bother about me in the
first place?” Khushi demanded.
“Lets say it matters to me” Arnav said and saw her going still.
“Why is it so very difficult for you to accept that I can be normal like you
all?” Arnav asked her.
“Coz you are not!” Khushi got back at him.
“HA!” Arnav said in disdain.
“Ha to you!” She spat back.
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An Evening with U 5
He gave a tug to her elbow and she flopped on to him her hair flowing in
all directions and Khushi put her other hand on his chest to prevent
herself from bumping into him completely.
“Who do you think you are to talk to me that way, judge me?” Arnav
whispered his breath fanning her face.
She was trying her best to come out of the dreamland she had built as a
school kid, which now as a sane woman she knew was a sham! There was
no way she could be with Arnav! She had a reality check when she
became Maya! They were leagues apart, and she tried to correct herself
by coming out of her self concocted fantasy world and stopped looking
at him and all his actions with rose-tinted glasses.
Yeah! She agreed to the fact that the bitterness showed, but she knew it
was only for a while! She was hurting, and her anger, which was directed
at Arnav actually, was anger on self for being such a crazy fool. She still
liked him but now she knew it was just a whim… a school crush!
She might not mend completely but she would try. He was not the end of
the world!
Arnav saw her face changing in its expressions and could not decipher
much. He was shocked by his own reaction to Khushi. She was just Akhil’s
baby sister! But somehow, he realised that in the past two weeks after
Maya to be precise, that it was important for him what Akhil and his sister
thought of him. At first he attributed to his connect with Akhil and his
family. But when Khushi accused him of being overbearing, snobbish and
insensitive, somehow it affected him. He Arnav Sayan Wadera who cared
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An Evening with U 6
two hoots about anyone, suddenly was trying to justify himself to this… he
looked at Khushi who was fuming at him…this girl.
“I want to go Arnav. It’s late and Deepa will be waiting for me” she said
stepping back as he left her arm.
They were going nowhere! Hell he did not know where he wanted to go in
the first place! Arnav wanted to make peace and he simply said,” Listen I
told Deepa I was going to pick you up.”
Khushi was shocked to know that.
“And why do I get that expression?” He enquired.
“Nothing” she said.
Arnav and picking her up from her college? Khushi don’t again go back to
the sham of your fantasy land! Her inner voice cautioned her.
“I got there and found that you left already” he said.
“But why did you?” She asked.
“‘Coz yesterday you said someone was following you, and I thought they
might try today too! And moreover Akhil is out of town… so…” he paused
for her to understand.
“Oh! But that’s why we waited at the Cafe! Me and Dev…so that they don’t
get to know where I stay… I can take care of myself Arnav. I am a big girl
now you know? You need not worry for my safety” Khushi thawed a little.
Awe he was thinking for her safety!
“Oh Is it?” He asked snidely!
Khushi saw his expression change and got wild.
“Yeah! I had survived my parent’s death and I got over…” She stopped
herself in time from spelling out. I have gotten over you!
Goldenhaze Fiction

An Evening with U 7
“Got over what? Arnav did not miss her slip.
“Nothing! Please let’s go” she said.
“So there you are” Lavanya’s voice was carried over by the wind…
Khushi tried to spring apart but Arnav stalled her saying “Hi La come!”
Lavanya gave a dirty look to Khushi who flinched under her scrutiny as
she immediately staked her claim to Arnav by looping her arm through his
elbow saying, “What are you doing here? Don’t you check your mobile? I
rang about hundred times and then took a chance and came here hoping
to find you. And what have we here! Some private party between my
fiancé and some …”
“LA! That’s enough!” Arnav was the first to speak.
“What’s enough? And what are you both doing here?” she asked a little
louder, and Arnav closed his eyes in exasperation.
“You were supposed to go with me to select a gift for yourselves that I
would be giving you for an engagement and you are with …wait a minute!
Have we met before?” La pulled Khushi by her arm towards her and as the
beach was lit by lights which were far and few, she struggled to make out
her features.
Khushi felt embarrassed. Then anger rose like a tide in her.
How dared he! Just because of him, she was being insulted by a…&*^% of
a woman!
But she did not speak as Arnav simply extricate her from La and said,” La!
I am supposed to drop her home and….”
“What? Who is she and how come you are here with her?” La was now
absolutely filled with rage.
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An Evening with U 8
Khushi was shocked…as Arnav coolly said,” She is my friend Akhil’s sister.”
“Whoever! How come she is here with you? and…” LA was furious and
tantraumatic…
Arnav again said,” Are you asking me?”
LA went mute for a second and hissed,” I have a right to know.”
“Yeah! But you cannot question me…yet!” He added as an after thought.
Khushi felt odd about them.
They were supposed to be engaged to be married and this whole
scenario was like out of a court room! There was something amiss or was
she imagining things!
“I told you she is my friend’s sister. I need to drop her home as she was
being stalked and her brother is out of town” Arnav patiently explained to
La, who was looking at Khushi as if she was about to pinch her family
silver…”and…” Arnav continued “…I dropped by to pick this up… he pulled
out a document from his breast pocket and said …. for tomorrow…my gift
to you.”
La visibly thawed and she was all over Arnav saying,” Awe! You were going
to give me a surprise! “Oh! I am so sorry! I think…er… I …jumped at the
wrong… cue… and…”
Arnav just stared at her….
“I am sorry she said giving him a peck on his cheek, and Khushi felt a pang
deep inside but she patted herself mentally…
Khushi this is the reality! Learn to accept it!
“You better be! Now let me drop Khushi and come” He said very plainly.
Goldenhaze Fiction

An Evening with U 9
“Oh! Let me join too…we shall go and drop her and…” LA was LA, and
Khushi just could not see how Arnav could like a person like La who was
so conceited and basically she felt there was no trust in their relationship.
And why was Arnav busy dropping another girl when he was to be
engaged to La…this was weird. Anyway! Why should she bother!
Arnav again very coldly said,” NO! You don’t! Go home La! Go to the bord
de l’eau and wait for me. We shall spend the night there…you have a
surprise there” he said.
Khushi closed her eyes and looked away. She knew… Akhil told her about
the apartment, Arnav had on the beach, which he used to get away from
his busy life…they were going to spend the night there? It hurt but well…
how many times she had to tell her heart… it was all over!
“Awe Darling!” La clung to him saying,” You are such a …”
“La I am getting late, and I want you to be there when your gift gets
delivered and receive it personally” He said.
“Of course my love” she said preening under his attention and left after a
few minutes without even wishing Khushi.
Khushi felt odd at what she saw. There was definitely something missing!
Did Arnav not make out? They were all wrong for each other. Enough
Khushi! Just stop it! She mentally chided herself.
Arnav turned and looked at the sea and then suddenly asked,” Do you
mind if I have my dinner?”
“What?” Khushi was shocked! He just was so simple sometimes and so
very pompous the rest of the time! she could not understand these
switches in his personality.
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An Evening with U 10
“Yeah! Please carry on! I shall take a taxi…” Khushi said trying to sound
casual…
“I SAID I WILL DROP YOU” he yelled at he… and added softly,” And I shall!
Just that I had an early breakfast and something came up that I missed
out on lunch. Couldn’t have my snack at THE DEN, courteousy you, and
well as such I have a habit of having an early dinner” He explained.
Khushi had no other choice but to accept if not reluctantly.
“Lets call Deepa she should be worried” he said and Khushi for the first
time noticed that he looked tired and troubled.
He switched on the speaker and called Deepa.
D: Oh…ok!
A: Deepa we are on our way… please don’t mind buddy and Khushi is here
with me.
K: Hi Deepu! Will be there by 9.
D: Khushi…you alright?
K: Yeah Deeps! Not to worry! Er…Deepu…” she improvised, “Make
something lighter for me for dinner will you?”
D: Er ok…done…and……Arnav… take care of her…
A: I shall! Be seeing you!
He cut the call and asked Khushi,” What would you like to eat?
“I shall have my dinner at home Deepa will wait for me!” Khushi raised her
chin up daring him to defend.
“Little loyalist! Aren’t you?” Arnav’s quip made her confused again.
Well she thought he would talk about her class, as she was being rude
not joining him.
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An Evening with U 11
“Er…” Khushi looked at him helplessly. He smiled and said “…then
something to drink?”
Khushi chose a mocktail and he was served dinner. He was hungry she
noticed, and felt bad for a second.
How romantic… beach front… warm breeze… fantastic food… well only
one difference. She was not having dinner with him and definitely she was
not his woman. She deliberately denied herself that, as she would have to
be very tough with herself. One slip and she would slip into the
bottomless pit called her obsession for him. She shook her head and he
asked,” What?”
“Pity you won’t be having your dinner with your girl!” She said to cover up.
“Yeah! Pity isn’t it? Arnav said ruefully.
Khushi again felt very odd with his expression! But nevertheless she said,”
I am amazed how you handled her and well…”
“You expected a cat fight?” Arnav was incredulous.
Khushi shrugged her shoulders and said,” Sort of. well… Any woman will
be upset her guy is out with another woman on the eve of their
engagement!” She said smiling.
“Any woman! Not the likes of La” he said shocking Khushi yet again.
“What…do you mean?” Khushi couldn’t stop herself from asking Arnav.
“Yeah Khushi! Just give them what they want and well you are at ease” he
said sipping on his drink.
Khushi shivered at the coldness in his voice and said,” You talk as if…as
if…its a …”
“Deal” He finished for her munching on his food.
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An Evening with U 12
“Yeah! Human relationships are so! You see let me explain” he said again
surprising Khushi.
“My mother is a Bhimani” he said and waited for that to sink.
“OMG!” Khushi smarted “You mean The Bhimani of…”She just stared
ahead…
“Yeah Vaishnav Bhimani the great industrialist’s only daughter, and my
father a Wadera. Their marriage was a business amalgamation.
They have been very good parents mind you but as a couple I find them
very…lets say interesting.
Ma… lives her life and dad his. They agree to disagree” he smiled and
Khushi understood what he was saying.
“They did not indulge in any indiscretions Khushi…” He corrected her
thoughts. They are morally very astute no doubt…but its coz they cannot
afford to make any mistakes, being a celebrity couple. That’s why no
affairs etc., but after producing me…” Khushi winced at how he referred to
himself as a factory product.
“… they realised they can’t stand each other anymore.
But life had become a deal by then. Together they hold the biggest
business in the country and they cant even dream of separation.
So I have seen them pining away for a normal life and never being able to
live it up inspite of literally all luxuries!
I realised I too am a leaf from the same garden. Now any woman is dazed
by my wealth and name no matter what I as a person am lost behind all
that. So I am reconciled to the fact that I should be with one who I can
manage easily. See that’s predictable easy and manageable” he paused.
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An Evening with U 13
Khushi flinched at the way he was discussing relationships.
“And feelings?” She asked.
“Where is the place for those my dear?” He asked her.
“They are just a sham! Did you see how I managed La with one
masterstroke? Property and a fabulous gift, and well I shall spend the
night with her and get some…” he looked at the sea and said
…er…diversion and of course pleasure…a good break… from stress and
routine.”
Khushi blushed a crimson. Oh God! This was what it was all about! But it
was so cold and cut and dried!
“…and what about the other party… the lady’s feelings?” She asked…
“Well! I pay for her, I take care of her. Keep her happy…” he paused for
Khushi to understand what all it involved and then said “…what else? You
know even Akhil asked me couldn’t I get a better girl! I see my parents.
None adjusts and it’s very tough to please my mom. I have seen them
always arguing or sneering at each other with disdain. Now I know if I
marry some big wig’s daughter, I will end up like them. So I chose a
woman who I can manage. Give her what she craves and you are at ease
and at the helm of affairs” Khushi felt that it was disgusting.
Was this the man who she loved all along!
How cold and calculating he was! She couldn’t help but look at him with
disdain. “And why are you looking at me like that Ms. Marwah?” He asked
wiping his lips with the napkin having finished with his dinner.
“Coz, I feel bad for you! How very poor you are amidst all this…luxury” she
said. He laughed out loud saying,” I knew you would say that! You will
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An Evening with U 14
grow up don’t worry. Initially it seems so. You get to know a guy then you
will be wiser. I swear!” “Are there any boyfriends already?” He asked
casually.
Khushi gulped at his insinuation, and she was enraged coz what he was
saying was actually true. Her debacle had already taught her the
difference between fantasy and reality. In the absence of anything else in
defense she lashed out at him saying,” When I fall for someone it would
be to be engulfed by love and not to be a programmed robot.”
Arnav looked at her sharply and said,” Are you by any chance insulting
me?”
“Nope! I am just stating a fact. If anyone treated me like you did La, that
would be the end of it. Anyways I would never even get into such a
relationship in the first place” she said boldly.
“And what is that?” He asked her.
“The one where you seem to be a spectator and not a party to it.” Khushi
continued…
“If I get a guy both of us would be burnt- something like spontaneous
combustion! I wouldn’t stand on the platform and watch like you and La
do. Trying to wrest things off each other or trying to outwit one another
with wealth and favours” she sneered.
Arnav looked at her expressionlessly.
“What?” Khushi asked.
“You watch a lot of movies?” He laughed.
Khushi had had enough! She got up saying,” You think this is all … unreal.
Let me tell you… to be in love is to be in an inferno that burns you
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An Evening with U 15
completely, and you still lament in your ashes to be with your beloved. It’s
like a roller coaster of yearning, connection, and rainbow of emotions that
overwhelm you so much that you win by loosing yourself. Anyways … you
won’t understand lets go.”
She walked towards the entrance as Arnav signed and got up but called
her,” Khushi? She turned, standing where she was…
Then he asked straight… “Did you get burnt anytime?”
Goldenhaze Fiction

Goldenhaze Fiction
An Evening with U 16