Branded: Chapter 2

A FF collaboration between myself (Mishty Shah) and Mrinalini!

I will be updating on blog, while a thread has been opened on IF as well. 

Please shower us with your love!

Writer's Comments

Thank you for the overwhelming response and such appreciative comments! Please keep them coming, we read all the comments.

We would just like to clarify to all our readers that Khushi was not raped by Arnav. She was touched, and she probably feels violated, but she still is a virgin. Being touched by a stranger can be traumatic, and can change the way someone behaves.

We hope you like this story.

~ Love Mishty & Mrinalini ~

Chapter 2

Khushi woke up with a clear goal in her mind. She knew whatever happened yesterday was not right, and the man was clearly not in his senses, however it should have not happened to her or any other girl for that matter. She needed to get revenge from the man, who destroyed her purity. 

Since she had woken up, she had tried to get rid of his touch from her body. She went into the shower, and turned on the cold water. As the water cascaded down her body, she grabbed a sponge and squeezed the soap into the sponge. She rubbed the sponge against her naked body, harshly, trying to erase his touch from her body. She felt unclean. 

However much she cleaned, that touch could not be forgotten. Finally her knees weak, she slid down the shower wall and sat down, while the water flowing from above drenched her. She didn’t know how long she sat there, staring into oblivion. Her fingers were wrinkled. 

She was branded with his touch. 

Suddenly there was a harsh knocking on the door; the maid had come to find her. She suddenly jerked up and looked at the door. She followed her instincts, she replied as if everything was normal. She couldn’t let anyone find out; otherwise her reputation would be ruined. Her father was a well-known businessman. Respect and Reputation had meant everything to him. In a society where the family name was very prestigious, it would be a big crime to let her secret out. The socialites of Delhi would make this a page 3 story, which would affect her father’s business. 

Her father had meant everything to her since a young age. He had looked after her, from the age of 5, when her mother died from brain tumour. She couldn’t remember he mother, but her father had always told her that she was as beautiful as her. Only if fate had not been against them, then maybe she would be still here. 

Khushi Gupta had never missed her mum so much, as much as she missed her now. She needed someone to share all her troubles. Her heart was getting heavier with all these thoughts. She didn’t want to fight alone, but she knew that she couldn’t involve anyone else too, because if this news spread, then it would destroy them. 

Her father couldn’t know either because he would get her married to someone as soon as possible. She knew how much he loved her, but he would want her to settle quickly before anyone else found out. She couldn’t let this happen. 

It had been her childhood dream to become independent, like her father, rising to all the challenges in life. She wanted to show the world that she was capable to do something in life, rather than just to enjoy the luxuries that her father had given her. If she wanted to make her dream come true, then she would have to keep this to herself. With that thought, she grabbed the nearest towel, and wrapped it around her cold body. She had a clear goal in her mind. She stepped outside the bathroom, and quickly got dressed. 

She left her room and walked straight into her dad’s office. Her father was on the phone and he told her to wait, silently. She grabbed a chair in front of the desk, and sat down, waiting patiently for him to finish the conversation. 

Soon he was finished, and he looked at his daughter. 

“Good Morning beta how was your sleep? You came back early last night!” said her father. 

“Yes dad, I was really tired,” said Khushi. 

“Did you enjoy the party? I know that I took you forcefully, but you are 22 and you really need to start attending these parties. I never forced you before, but I think you need to meet some people from the business world,” said her father. 

“Yes dad, you are right. I need to get out more. That is why I have decided that I should start working, it would give my career a boost,” said Khushi. 

“That’s brilliant beta, you could work in the office!” squealed her father with pride. 

“Wait, Dad no! I mean I want to work, but not for our company. I want to do something for myself for once, without being just given to me. I need to do this myself please, dad!” said Khushi. 

“Why do you want to work for someone else when we have a big company ourselves? At some point this company will be yours to run!” said her dad, impatiently. 

“I know dad, when the time comes. However, I need some experience right now. I know if I come to work in our company, I will be treated as a higher authority, and I want to be treated normally. Please dad, a year in another company is all I am asking for,” said Khushi, with a sigh. She looked at her father with anticipation and eagerness. She could tell that he was currently analysing her words in great depth. 

“I am not happy about this, but since you want this so badly, I will agree! Have you decided where you want to apply?” asked her father. 

“I haven’t looked yet!” said Khushi. 

“Okay, there is an opening in AR for a secretarial post. I know the CEO of AR very well, a talented young boy, graduated from Harvard. I know that interviews are currently being held. I can only recommend you so that you will be offered an interview; the rest is up to you,” said her father. 

“Thanks dad, I love you so much!” said Khushi, as she got up from her chair and hugged him in glee. She knew that her father would understand. He may be slightly strict, but he loves her. He smiled at her. 

“I love you too,” said her father. He texted someone, and soon his phone beeped. 

“Bingo, the interview is at sharp 9.00 am at AR, tomorrow. I spoke to Aman, he is ASR’s right hand man, and he will make sure that your name is down for selection. All the best! You are a Gupta, remember that and we never lose!” said her father, kissing her on her forehead. 

“I will remember that dad!” replied Khushi. 

Khushi left the room, feeling gleeful. At least now she could work. She went to her room and began prepping for her interview at AR. 

The morning sun had risen to the highest point in the blue sky. The humming birds were chirping gleefully while the frogs were hopping in between the Lily pads. The sycamore tree was swaying in light, gentle, mid-summer breeze. Although the morning was bright, the atmosphere was dull. Like a heavy storm had just passed. 

Arnav Singh Raizada opened his eyes. His vision was hazy. He was woken up from his dream. The dream where he was kissing, a girl. Her soft, white skin. Her soft red lips. She was an angel. He wondered where he could find someone like her, probably didn’t even exist. In the dream, he couldn’t see her face though. He could only feel and smell. Her rosy scent. 

Great Arnav Singh Raizada is now making up women in his mind. Grow up ASR, he thought. 

He came out of his thoughts and looked around and saw that he was sleeping outside by the sycamore tree. His head felt heavy. He couldn’t remember much, from yesterday. The hangover was bad. He slowly got up, holding his head in pain. He tried to remember, what had happened. He was out with his friends and was drinking. He probably had too much to drink and passed out, while his friends decided to leave him there. 

He began walking back to the mansion. He had given holidays to all the staff for today. He didn’t want any hassle, however now it looked like a bad idea. He strode into his bedroom and decided to have a hot shower, easing his muscles. 

He came out of the shower and decided to make some green tea, to reduce the hangover. It was a Sunday, so he was fairly relaxed. He decided to check his schedule, but it was all over the place. This was why he needed a secretary to take care of all of this. 

Why did I fire the last one? He asked himself this question, probably because she spent too much time looking at him.