Striding through the aisle, he made his way to the secluded VIP section, letting himself sink into the plush seating reserved for distinguished guests. The cacophony of sounds and the palpable energy of the crowd filled the air, but he remained seated, his expression one of bemused detachment. The people around him seemed to revel in the chaotic symphony, swaying and jumping to the relentless, pulsating rhythms.

Multiple colorful lights buzzed and flashed in sync with the erratic beats, casting a kaleidoscope of hues across the venue. Each strobe and flicker seemed to drive the crowd into further frenzy, their excitement palpable as they lost themselves in the music.

He cursed under his breath as he felt himself sweating underneath the layer of his tuxedo, his hand loosening the tie and undoing the buttons of the tux, glancing at his brother seated beside him he glared as he seemed to vibe along the chaos people called music.

"Tumhe bhi jaana hai waha?" He sassed removing his jacket finally leaving him in a white shirt and black trousers. While Akash stopped abruptly enjoying the music and sighed agitatedly at his elder brother being boring as always.

("You wanna join them too?")

Akash glanced around trying to locate the clients they both were supposed to meet, as refreshments have been arrived way past, "Akash, they are late!" Arnav grumbled for the umpteenth time checking in watch frequently as he let his fingers slide through the mails. 

Excusing to call, Akash stood up as he cursed under his breath for working on a weekend.

While Arnav finally looked up from his mobile tired, walking near the balcony attached to the area, he let himself gaze around the whole frenzied zone bobbing their head to the groovy music, sweaty figures regardless of their heaving breaths and exhaustion enjoying to their last wits. 

Arnav stared at them in disdain as he shook his head at such a wasteless thing people do to relax rather than sleeping in or meditating. 

Ready to move away from the headache filled place he turned slightly but a scenario just below him caught his attention. 

A girl dressed in black retreating back near a counter as few men surrounded her in all black supposedly from a cult. Seemingly flirting with her.

Swiftly moving towards the space he halted mid-step when the scene enfolded infront of him.

"Khabardar waapas kisi aur se aisi batameezi karne ki sochi toh!!" 

The girl dusted off her hands as she settled at the bar counter, 3 men unconscious on the floor, spectators looking at her shockingly as the music stopped by the commotion. 

"One mudslide with vanilla please!" She ordered busying herself in going through her mobile to check for any missed calls from her colleagues.

Unable to stop himself, Arnav made his way upto her intrigued at how she handled these 3 men by herself but soon rushed running as another man who wasn't unconscious aiming his gun at her back.

Holding onto her arm he pushed her off falling ontop of her, his palm behind her head avoiding any head injury while the other arm bent at his elbow holding himself off of her body. 

Bang!

The gunshot rang with reverberating noise as both of them closed their eyes in stun. 

"Thik ho?" Arnav whispered while she stared up at this guy, luckily handsome she noted within her mind as her gaze drank his beauty regardless of the situation they were in.

A mesmerizing blend of intensity and allure. His chiseled jawline and high cheekbones stand out, giving his face an almost regal quality. She finds herself captivated by his dark, intense eyes that seem to pierce through her, revealing a depth of emotion he rarely shows. His thick, well-defined eyebrows add to his brooding, enigmatic presence, while his slightly tousled hair adds a touch of effortless charm.

"Wow!" She mouthed unable to stop while he blinked confused, " huh?" 

"BHAI!" Akash screamed witnessing the situation as he stepped forward recognizing the man with the gun, the client they were supposed to meet. " Mr.Malhotra?!!" 

Malhotra gulped upon noticing Arnav Singh Raizada against him as he fled from there without a word scared to his death for the situation, he landed himself in. 

Arnav stood up with the girl as he dusted off his trouser and saw her wincing slightly. 

"Kya hua?" He asked gently shocking Akash who looked at him aghast. 

"Kuch nhi wo-" She winced again stumbling on her foot as she clutched onto the nearest support she could get to steady herself, his arm. 

"Sambhalkar!" He muttered holding her closer to him by the side as he seated her beside onto the couch bending on his knee to observed, her bruised ankle cladded in heels. 

"Rukiye!" Alarmed she held him shoulder denying with her head for him to get up.

Furrowing his brows he opened his mouth to argue but understanding dawned his senses. She was clad in black one piece which stopped at her mid thighs making it awkward for her to be scrutinized in that situation. 

But that was a first when he actually looked at her carefully:

The dress, sleek and form-fitting, accentuates her every curve, clinging to her figure in a way that highlights her grace and allure. 

The rich, dark fabric contrasts beautifully with her complexion, and the dress's cut, ending mid-thigh, showcases her long legs with an effortless elegance. The simplicity of the dress only serves to amplify her natural beauty.

Her earlier confidence and poise in the outfit makes it clear that she is not just wearing the dress, but owning it, adding a layer of sophistication and allure that captivated him completely.

A sudden cough interrupted his lost gaze as he cleared his throat in embarrassment as he looked onto her, a blush aborning her face yet a glare still intact reprimanding him mentally for his longer gaze on her.

Akash whistled beside as he handed his jacket to Arnav upon his insistence, as Arnav gave her to cover her bare legs for him to inspect the injury without her discomfort.

After inspecting her injury and aiding it, he glanced at her making himself comfortable opposite her as she sipped onto her earlier demanded drink. 

Arnav shamelessly stared onto her unable to stop himself, "How did you do it?" He asked the first thing which came in his mind. 

He was supposed to start with introducing himself, but wanted the know about how she was able to take over those people astonished him. 

"I used my heel?!" She spoke guessing still savoring the drink unbothered by his continuous gaze on her.

Finishing her drink, she stood up steadying herself tipping the bar tender she held onto her clutch and glanced at Arnav giving the jacket, "Thank you for the help!" Saying so she turned away as she busied herself in attending a call. 

"Oh hello?!" He called out following her suit like a lost puppy unable to comprehend how this girl could go away without even introducing herself.

Crap! He thought wishing back onto asking her name.

Though it won't be difficult for him to inquire though, he smirked as he looked onto her back finally out of his sight with few girls joining her. 

Tapping on his mobile he muttered as a smile made its way on his face, "Find her, Akash!" 

______________

"Khushi!!" A voice bellowed as she ran from the scene holding onto her bag ready to flee the scene, as her Buaji strode with belan in hand.

"Nand Kishore ka vaasta, Aaj tumka hum chodenge naahi! Eii Sanka devi, ek kaam diya hai woh bhi thik se naahi ho raha!!" Buaji ran as Khushi ran in veranda her purse hardly remaining her shoulder through the chase.

(By the name of Nand Kishore, we will not spare you today! Oh, Sanka Devi, the task we gave you is not being done properly!!)

"Arre Buaji, Humne sab kaam kar toh diya hai!! Aap chaahe toh jiji ko puchlijiye!!" She begged for her buaiji to listen to her, since morning Buaji was behind her regarding the major order of Saari's they had to ship to Mumbai which she did in her last weeks visit but Buaji bieng Buaji did not trust her 'Sanka Devi' 

(Oh, Aunt, I have completed all the work!! You can ask Jiji if you want!!)

"JIJI!!" Khushi screamed for the last time startling Buaji, as ran away at her being distracted.

"Haaye re Nand Kishore! Pata nhi ka hoga iss ladki ka!"

(Oh, Nand Kishore! I don't know what will become of this girl!)

_________________

Meanwhile in Mumbai Arnav cursed under his breath, " I gave you one God damn thing to do!!" He hung up striding through the airport cursing for the weather change in Mumbai, His helicopter was once again of no use when in need. 

Sighing he sat in seat thinking back to the day he met that girl and how difficult was for him to remove her from his constant thoughts.

He was astonished at how just one encounter could disturb him this much, after a thorough search unable to find him, he let the matter go feeling it useless to use his means just to track down a girl. 

It was never his way of doing things. 

Gazing out he texted Akash to pick him up from the airport but his phone switched before he could inform him. Cursing again he strode through the busy streets searching for an auto or a cab nearby.

Sitting in the taxi he settled in grumbling under his breath.

A sudden face caught his attention as he abruptly led the driver to stop, paying for the ride he sauntered away leaving the driver with a note of 2000 rupees.

"Excuse me?" He asked cautiously as he tapped onto the shoulder of a girl clad in bright pink chudidar.

In Mumbai, she had been the epitome of sleek modernity, draped in a simple black one-piece dress that clung to her figure in a way that was both sophisticated and effortless. Her hair had flowed like a dark river, cascading freely down her back, perfectly suited for the urban jungle. There had been a certain modern charm to her, understated yet undeniably captivating.

But now, in Lucknow, she was a vision of tradition. The bright pink chudidar wrapped her in a vibrant, culturally rich aura, contrasting sharply with the monochrome palette he was accustomed to. Her hair, once a wild cascade, was now neatly braided and oiled, adding a touch of classic elegance that spoke of the city's rich heritage.

 The small bindi on her forehead and the jhumkas that swayed with her every movement were a far cry from the minimal accessories she wore in Mumbai. And the side bag, adorned with cute little pom-poms, was an endearing touch that seemed to echo the local flavor.

The stark difference was almost overwhelming. How could one person embody such disparate worlds? In his mind, he couldn't help but draw a vivid line between the contemporary allure of her Mumbai appearance and the traditional grace of her Lucknow look. It was as if he had encountered two completely different sides of her—each enchanting in its own way, yet each so distinct that it left him momentarily speechless.

"Aap?!" She gasped her eyes wide as she looked around afraid to be caught speaking to him.

(You?)

"Tu-tum?!" He uttered still in disbelief of her being the same girl. He closed his eyes for a while, maybe it was just his hallucination, his wore off working days acting up in this way.

(Y-You?)

With a shaking breath he opened his eyes but was astonished once again on not finding her anywhere,

 "Aye Sanka Devi!!!" Buaji hollered running behind Khushi who was sprinting away from the scene, Arnav gazed on baffled, he saw her hiding behind a shop in an alleyway as she signaled him to remain quite, unable to understand the situation he moved his head in denial as Buaji turned towards him for any hints of a girl in pink chudidar, 

"Offo Eeii Khushi kaha gaayab ho gayi, Aane do ghar usse hum chodenge nhi!!" She muttered going away with her belan.

(Oh no, where has Khushi disappeared? Let her come home; we won't let her go!!)

Arnav leaned back onto the pillar of a mandir as he gazed at Khushi praying with a tensed expression.

He smiled, still unable to digest the situation he witnessed earlier.

"Woah! Sanka Devi!" He muttered as soon as she returned paying her respect to her Devi Maiya

He chuckled lowly as she scowled at him, sitting on the steps opening the box of sweets she savored the Jalebi's silently forgetting about the company she had with her.

With a scowl she offered him in courtesy but he denied with a soft nod making her happy to relish onto the sweet wholly.

"So Khusi?" He prompted opening a convo he had in his mind all these past week.

"Ji?" She uttered with an attitude. 

"Aap hume naatak company ka naam bata sakte hai?" He uttered in seriousness a gleam of amusement present in his orbs as he stared at her with a blank face.

(Can you tell me the name of the theater company?)

She contemplated with a thoughtful expression making it harder for him to control his laugh and when she began to reply, " Wo Ram chacha ke-" He burst into fits of laughter unable to control it anymore.

(Ramu uncle's-)

With a huge puff she sat with her back facing him, embarrassed with the situation as she glared at the stone floor.

"Okay I'll stop!" With a final chuckle he gazed at her adoringly, he liked her for some reason.

He admitted, it was ironic how he never used to waste his time on emotions was now here on the steps of Mandir pacifying an almost strange stranger. 

"Toh Khushi naam hai aapka!" He stated reminiscing her Buaji's grand entry making him smile involuntarily. 

(So your name is Khushi!)

"Bahot khoobsurat hai!" He gazed at her scornful gaze which turned warm at his compliment. "Hum Arnav!" He forwarded his hand for a handshake. "Arnav Singh Raizada"

(It's Beautiful) 

"Aapka bhi!" She muttered a shy smile adorning her face as she accepted the handshake giving it a firm tug.

(Yours too)

"Hmm?" He questioned knowing well what she said, but wishing to hear her voice more. 

"Khoobsurat hai!" She replied as her hazel orbs clashed to his deep brown ones, a silent appreciation for the upcoming future they may have.

(Beautiful)

A warmth they knew seeped in as they smiled softly at each other which soon turned into chaotic laughter as they recited the funny incidents and how they felt.

____________________

AUTHORS NOTE

I was so excited to write this!! 

Oh my Gosh! 

I don't know, its quite a challenge yo write about khushi, I mean portraying her in modern avatar is truly a difficult task...I don't know if I did it well or not but I just wanted to showcase how both styles should be normalised...according the situation or place we surely need to blend it as it makes us feel special at certain occasions. 

I hope I really was able to potray it well.

Please do let me know about your thoughts on this one.

If I get a positive feedback I'll surely experiment more with the characters, 

Thank you Amigos 

Amor 

Seem.