235. OS 12: A Delicious Theft (Part 16-19)

Link to my new short story: Taking Care of You


“I thought I was dreaming when I first saw you," he said.

 “How did you know it was me?” she asked. “I could have been anybody. A thief even.”

He smiled wearily. “I don’t know many thieves who would look at me with anxious eyes and then cry because I was sick,” he mumbled.

Is it possible for love to bloom, sight unseen? Juhi and Abhay are strangers who know each other better than they know themselves. One night changes the equation and the even tenor of their lives and puts all their doubts and fears to rest.

http://pothi.com/pothi/book/ebook-smita-ramachandran-taking-care-you

Link to my first e-novel; A Home for Meenakshi

http://pothi.com/pothi/book/ebook-smita-ramachandran-home-meenakshi

"I love the way you love, Meenu," he whispered, his eyes on hers. "Such loyalty, such passion..."

Meenakshi Sharma, an orphan, lives in Varanasi with her uncle, a chronic bachelor who wants her to become a professional musician. She unwillingly relocates to Delhi to study under a renowned musician for eight months. Staying for rent in the outhouse of the Agrawals, she meets Aditya Agrawal, an attractive young man brooding over the memories of his horrendous past. Pulled between her uncle's expectations of her and Aditya's love for her, Meenakshi struggles with her feelings. How can she disappoint her uncle who had devoted his entire life to her upbringing? How can she pretend to be blind to Aditya's feelings for her? A romance that moves between the alleys of the holy city of Varanasi and the modern city of Delhi.

A blog for my VMs:

http://smitarsvms.blogspot.in/

Part 16

“Sir, Payalji has come with the cheque. She wants to cancel the contract,” Aman whispered, his hand cupped over the phone.

“Let her cancel the contract but don’t take the cheque from her. Let her go,” Arnav ordered.

“Sir,” Aman agreed reluctantly. Something was wrong with ASR and Khushiji and he didn’t know how to make it alright.

“Aman, I will be a bit late getting to the office today,” ASR informed him. “About thirty minutes. Schedule appointments accordingly.”

“Yes, sir,” Aman replied.

He returned to the room and told Payal, “You can keep the cheque, Payalji. We don’t want the money. If you are determined to leave us, there is little we can do about it.”

“But...” Payal protested.

The door of the room swung open and Akash walked in. He stopped for a moment when he saw Payal and then continued walking to join them.

“Anything wrong, Aman?” he asked softly, sitting by them.

“No, sir. Payalji here has made up her mind not to cook for us anymore. They are leaving for Lucknow soon. She has come to give us the money she owes for cancelling the contract. When I informed ASR, he said I was not to take the cheque. I was just informing Payalji about ASR’s order and how it has to be obeyed,” Aman explained.

“It is not fair, Amanji,” Payal protested. “We are breaking the contract. You should take the money.”

Aman’s phone rang. He excused himself.

“Bhai’s word is final, Payalji,” Akash said mildly, his eyes on her beautiful eyes and shining hair.

“But,” Payal tried, feeling at a disadvantage.

“Payalji,” Akash spoke in the only way he knew how, directly. “Bhai and I, we are sorry you and Khushiji are leaving Delhi because of us.”

Payal gulped and looked away.

“I know your family doesn’t have a high opinion of us, but they are wrong. Bhai is not like his father. He is like his mother,” Akash explained.

Payal blinked.

“You won’t find any scandals in his personal or business life. He is not that kind of a person. I—I don’t know how to explain—to convince you that he is a good man. He gets angry at times and is a workaholic. That’s it. He has no other vices.”

Payal stared at him. What on earth was he talking about?

He said, “And my mother may have come from a poor family, but she is loyal to a fault. She loves di and bhai like her own and would kill anyone who dares to harm her family.” Akash added, “She is my mother and I love her.”

Payal nodded. What was going on? Was she still asleep, curled up in her bed?

“I am sorry your family found our proposal so unacceptable, Payalji. We—that is, bhai and I were hoping this would work out. We asked our family to approach you because we are interested in marrying you. Bhai likes Khushiji and I—I like you,” he managed to say.

Payal would have fallen down had she not been sitting down.

“Is your meeting with Aman over?” Akash asked.

“Yes,” Payal replied, getting up on trembling legs to leave.

“Let me escort you out,” Akash offered. As they walked out, he said softly, sadly, “I am sorry you are leaving AR Designs and Delhi, Payalji. I never had a chance to taste your cooking. The employees were raving about it.”

Payal’s lips trembled.

“They will miss you,” he murmured as they walked side by side.

They reached the car park. “How did you come to the office, Payalji?” he asked.

“By rickshaw,” Payal replied.

“I will arrange a car to take you home,” Akash said.

“No, Akashji, please don’t,” she replied, feeling terrible.

“There is a political demonstration in the city today,” he informed her. He looked at his watch. “It will have begun now. I will arrange Mohan to drop you home. He knows to avoid the blocked roads.”

He led her to Mohan and gave the necessary instructions.

He helped her into the car and shut the door after her. Through the open window, he said softly, “Take care. I would like to think that you are safe and happy wherever you are, Payalji.”

Payal gulped.

“We may not meet again,” he murmured. He held out his hand.

 As if in a dream, Payal put her hand in his.

His big hand clasped hers softly, warmly for a long moment.

“Goodbye, Payalji,” he whispered, his eyes behind the specs serious and sad.

Payal parted her lips but couldn’t find words.

The car moved forward, taking a flustered Payal to her house. As the car was about to leave the premises of AR Designs, Payal turned her head to see Akash still standing in his place, looking after the car carrying her away.

‘Why does this feel like my bidai?’ Payal wondered.

                                  ***

Arnav stood before Devi Maiyya, his hands folded.

All around him, people were praying, asking Her for happiness, wealth, health, luck, employment, marks, homes etc.

Arnav wanted none of these. He wanted only Khushi.

He closed his eyes and prayed, ‘Devi Maiyya, Khushi said you will help us. That’s why I came to meet you. I want to marry Khushi and Akash wants to marry Payal. Her family doesn’t want us to marry them. They imagine me to be some kind of an ogre out to destroy their daughter’s life. I am no hero, but no demon either. I love her and want her to be happy. I know I can make and keep her happy. I want to marry her. I never thought I would marry or fall in love, but...’

A devotee rang the temple bells.

‘We went through hell, di, me, nani, nana, mama, mami and Akash. But it is done, over. Leave the past in the past. Why do you want to drag it into the present to destroy it? Di is still unmarried; nani is still crying over her daughter. You should visit us each barsi. You can see enough tears to satisfy your demands. Why do you want to punish us for one immoral man’s actions? Is there no escape from this?’

After a long silence, he asked, ‘Khushi feels that you rule the world, that nothing happens without your permission. Why was my father such a terrible man? What did my mother do to deserve such a husband? Tell me. Di and I are still living with what happened in our childhood. We have nightmares regularly. We can’t trust people. We are trapped in the coils of our past. The whole world is laughing at us. Why? What did we do?’

Even as he asked the question, Khushi’s words fell on his ears.

“Your past made you what you are today. I don’t want you to change anything. I like you as you are.”

He shook his head to clear it.

He told Devi Maiyya, ‘Don’t take Khushi away from me. I—I don’t want to—can’t go on as before. And Akash. He loves Payal. Give him Payal. Give us a chance at life. Give di a man who loves her. She deserves happiness.’

He gave Devi Maiyya one last look and turned to walk away.

As he walked down the steps, the plump lady before him stumbled.

He caught hold of her arm, preventing her from tumbling down and hitting her head. He forced her to sit down on the step and asked, “Are you alright?”

“Hum—theek—he, Nandkisore,” buaji gasped. “My ankle...” She lifted her head to thank him. “Shukriya...” The words remained unspoken as her eyes fell on his face.

Arnav Singh Raizada? In the flesh? Hai re Nandkisore!

Her jaw hit the floor and her eyes widened as though she had seen the devil incarnate.

Unaware of the shock she had received and he had given her, he looked at her ankle. “You must have sprained it,” he said thoughtfully. “You need to see a doctor.”

Buaji was beyond a reply.

“Where do you live?” he asked the middle-aged lady who reminded him of his nani.

Buaji hyperventilated. “Nearby,” she managed to reply.

“I will take you home,” Arnav decided.

“No, no, bitwaa,” buaji gasped. “I will go on my own.”

“I will get you a rickshaw,” Arnav said. “But you need to go down the steps.”

Buaji tried to stand up. Arnav quickly held on to her arm and helped her hobble down the steps to the entrance of the temple. 

He flagged down a rickshaw. He helped buaji into it.

“Shukriya, Nandkisore,” buaji mumbled, the pain almost flooring her.

Arnav quickly took out a five hundred rupee note from his purse and pushed it into the driver’s hand. “Take her where she wants to go and help her into her house,” he instructed.

“Yes, sir,” the rickshaw driver said, his wide eyes on the note clasped in his hand.

Arnav stepped back and the rickshaw moved away.

Arnav drew in a deep breath of the cool air, feeling calm, at peace, a feeling he was not very familiar with. He frowned, his analytical mind researching the reason for his rare sense of well-being. Maybe it was because he had helped a middle-aged lady. Or maybe it was because he had finally begun to notice people around him, become aware of other beings around him, was not shut away from them, cocooned in his own world and preoccupations.

It felt strange, but nice to feel alive.

                                    ***

Payal reached home and knocked on the door absently.

Garima opened the door. “Kaa hua, Payaliya? Were they very angry?” she asked anxiously.

“No,” Payal said softly. “Amanji said they didn’t want the money.”

“The contract?” Sasi asked, his brows raised in surprise.

“They let us break it,” Payal said, walking inside to sit by Khushi.

Into the silence came buaji’s cry, “Garima, help me.”

Garima, Sasi, Payal and Khushi rushed out to see buaji sitting in a rickshaw.

“Kaa hua, jiji?” Garima asked, frantic.

“I sprained my ankle,” buaji said. “Here, help me out. Hold my arms. Aaaaaa, hai re nandkisore.”

One hour later, buaji was seated in the living room, her bandaged ankle resting on a stool. Her family was seated around her and all were sipping tea.

Buaji said, “Sasi babua, something happened today.”

“Kaa, jiji?” he asked.

“At the temple,” buaji paused.

“Haan?” he asked.

“When I slipped and fell, a boy caught hold of my arm and helped me. I tried to refuse his help but he took me down the steps and helped me into a rickshaw. He paid the driver, Nandkisore,” buaji admitted.

“How kind of him,” Sasi remarked. “Do you know who he is, jiji? We should return his money and thank him for his timely help.”

“Hai Re Nandkisore,” buaji muttered. “It was Arnav Singh Raizada.”

Khushi and Payal gasped. Khushi raised her eyes heavenwards in gratitude.

Garima and Sasi were too shocked to even gasp.

Payal said softly into the silence, “When I tried to give the cheque to Amanji, he said that Arnav Singh Raizada had ordered that no money be take from us and that we be permitted to cancel the contract.”

Sasi looked at buaji and Garima.

“Then Akash Singh Raizada spoke to me,” Payal said.

Buaji, Sasi and Garima jumped. Khushi’s eyes flew wide.

“Did he scold you?” Garima asked, agitated.

“No, amma. He is a very soft-spoken gentleman, just like babuji. He said that he and his brother were very sorry that we were leaving Delhi because of them. He said that there is some misunderstanding, that he and his brother are not as bad as they are made out to be, that his brother gets angry often and is a workaholic, but not a bad man. He has no vices. That his own mother may be from a poor family, but loves her niece and nephew and would kill anyone who tried to harm them. That he loves his mother. Then he,” Payal paused.

“Then he?” Sasi asked softly. Khushi sat with bated breath.

“He said there is a political demonstration in the city and that it would be difficult for me to travel by rickshaw. So he asked his driver to take me home. I came home in his car,” Payal said.

Khushi looked hopefully at her parents and buaji.

There was silence for a long time in the living room. Then Sasi asked Payal, “Payaliya, do you have the Raizadas’ number?”

“Yes, babuji,” she said and gave it.

“Khussi, Payaliya, go to your room,” Garima said.

The girls got up unwillingly. Khushi’s phone fell from her hand and shattered into many pieces.

“Aww,” Khushi gasped.

“Sanka devi, is their no end to your sanak?” buaji asked.

“My phoone,” Khushi cried, gathering up the pieces. How would she call Arnavji?

The adults waited till the girls left before discussing the disturbing events of the day.

“Yeh sab kya ho raha he, jiji?” Garima asked, scared.

“I don’t know, Garima. Only Nandkisore knows,” buaji tied a red cloth around her forehead.

“The boys seem better than we thought they were,” Sasi murmured thoughtfully. “Can they be Avinash and Arvind Mallik’s relations?”

The ladies shook their heads in confusion.

“Are you sure you met Arnav Singh Raizada, jiji?” Sasi asked.

“I think so, babua. Oo kaa he, I have never seen him. I have seen only his picture, Nandkisore,” buaji said.

Sasi nodded. “Jiji, Garima, I need to meet Mohan Tiwari,” he said.

“Who?” Garima asked.

“My schoolmate. He is a private detective in Delhi now. I met him at the market last week. We need to find out more about the boys before we refuse them. It is only fair,” Sasi said.

“Yes, babua. That’s the right way,” buaji seconded him.

Garima nodded.

                                      ***

“Mohan, Payaliya and Khussi have received proposals from two boys,” Sasi began.

“You want me to look into their background?” Mohan asked cheerfully.

“Yes,” Sasi sighed.

Mohan patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t feel bad, Sasi. We have to change with the times. Earlier, relatives would do this job for you. Now people approach private detectives to make sure that they are giving their daughters to good boys. Tell me, who are the boys?”

“Arnav Singh Raizada and Akash Singh Raizada,” Sasi said.

Mohan squealed. “What?” he asked.

“Yes,” Sasi sighed.

“The businessmen?” Mohan confirmed.

“Yes,” Sasi said.

“Girls in Delhi have been dying to marry them, but both of them have been very elusive. How come they approached you?” Mohan asked.

“My luck,” Sasi muttered.

“What do you want to know about them?” Mohan asked.

“Everything,” Sasi said. “Their past. Their present. Arnav’s father is Arvind Mallik of Sheesh Mahal.”

“Ratna Raizada’s son?” Mohan asked. “He took his mother’s family’s name?”

“Yes,” Sasi said.

“Give me three days, Sasi,” Mohan asked. “I will call you as soon as I get all the details.”

Sasi nodded.

                           ***

Khushi sneaked up to the phone and picked up the receiver.

“Titliya, what is it? Whom are you calling?” buaji asked, lifting her head from the newspaper.

Khushi shut her eyes and drew in a deep breath.

“No one, buaji,” she replied cheerfully.

“Hein?” buaji frowned. “How can you call no one on the phone?”

Khushi slunk away before buaji came up with more questions.

Her phone was dead and she had no way of contacting Arnavji. Maybe she could go out and phone him?

“Jiji, I am going out to the market,” Khushi muttered as she quickly slung her bag around her torso.

“Why?” Payal asked.

Khushi paused to think.

“Ber,” she finally came up with an answer.

“I need chudi. I am coming with you,” Payal said, getting up from her bed.

“Jiji!” Khushi screeched. “I will get you chudi. You sit here and rest.”

Payal frowned. “Acha? How will you get the measurement right? Will you take my wrists with you?” she asked. She draped the dupatta around her neck. “Come on,” she called.

Khushi followed her, as meek as a lamb. ‘Poor Arnavji,’ she thought. ‘He must be so worried about me.’

                                   ***

Mohan Tiwari called Sasi Gupta.

“Sasi, the report is ready. Can you come over now or should I come to Laxmi Nagar?” he asked.

“I will come to your office,” Sasi said. “It is better that the children have no idea of this.”

“Fine,” Mohan said.

Rash's interpretation:

When Akash apologized to Payal, his Bhai and he for being instrumental in driving them to the decision to leave Delhi, his words though heartfelt could have been construed as a lie by Payal but his action of making her reach her house safely conveyed the truth of his thoughts... 

Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase... It's like Wi-Fi, invisible but has the power to connect you to what you need... Arnav's faith in Khushi and in turn her faith in her friend, Devi Maiyya, led him to the door of Her Abode... His prayers, may be awkward and a feeble attempt in the name of his belief in his Khushi, but....the power of prayer is in the One who hears it and not in the one who says it... Prayers do make a difference... Sometimes all it takes is just one prayer to change everything... It brings about positive energy, putting good out into the world, taking care of each other... This was what happened with Arnav Singh Raizada and Providence provided an opportunity [psst...read as Smita please ;) ] for him to help Buaji and that too without knowing whom he is caring for...

Words may show a man's wit but actions his meaning... Arnav's act of kindness to an unknown lady, Akash's act of helping out Payal did give Gupta family a point or two to ponder over...

At a certain point you'll know when you have reached a time for change... Its then you have to avoid looking down at all things that could go wrong but deal with them when and if they ever even happen... Its the time to spread the wings and ascertain that you are in the right path... That's what Shashi set out to do... and he contacted his friend Mohan Tiwari to do some sleuthing... on all known and unknown facts about Raizadas and their connections... He is taking his time to deliberate, so that when the time is for action he need not be jittery about the consequences....

Lovely update Smita... All actions are expressing their priorities...



Supriya Sahasrabuddhe:

What attracted me to IPK was the fact that not just the protagonists but every single character had an intriguing story to tell. Alas, not one of them was ever brought to conclusion. With the storyline slaughtered to shreds and numerous threads left open, in the end it was all greek to me!! Your stories have a way of picking up the fragments, putting them together and giving us the closure every character of the narrative deserved.

Filthy rich ASR might have bragged about the power of money being able to govern his own destiny. Plutocratic much, haan ASR ?!? But Shashi, definitely not one of the most well-heeled in the society, has certainly proved to be as astute a businessman as the lofty Haridwar brain. Above all, a doting father to his lil girls and a patriarch who keeps his family cocooned in the warmth of his love. Seriously Smi, I so wanted see this Shashi!!!

Frankly, as adults we are who we are because of the choices 'we' make. Most of us fail to dig this fact. Before striving to really know an individual, we tend to draw a character certificate based upon their family background and their status. I guess it's just human nature. We are quite judgmental that way! ASR has to swallow a nasty dose of this very bitter medicine. All the riches in the world cannot win over the heart of a father who will pull out all the stops to keep his daughters away from potential harm. Convincing the father that allthough he might be a Mallick by birth, ASR is a Raizada by breeding... that's gonna be a tough nut to crack.

Loved how you have taken the 'aukat' bull by its horn. wink emoticon

My heart melted at how ASR's love for Khushi, coaxed him to place his faith in Khushi's faith. One genuine heart-felt plea from Khushi's Arnav and Devi Maiyya has already begun to veer their love story to a Happily Ever After!! And in doing so She has made ASR realise that not money but magnanimity brings sunshine into the lives of one and all. Khushi and her DM are a lethal combination. I am guessing, in future ASR will frequently exploit this very precious alliance?!?

This story also gave us a level-headed Aakash-Payal. Loved Payal's confidence in walking up the steps of a multi-million dollar conglomerate to handover the cheque, with her head held high. Elder sister to Khushi and a more composed mind of the two, the reins of Devi Maiyya Caterers are truly in very sound hands. BTW, she seems to be quite persistent with her demand to accompany Khushi to the market. I wonder if she has an ulterior motive in doing so ...... hmm, food for thought. tongue emoticon

Admire Aakash for cutting right to the chase, for calling a spade a spade. I don't see him just defending himself and his bhai. He bluntly highlights Gupta family's gross error in making assumptions based on past events.

I have always enjoyed your mamiji, Smi. You know that. I absoutely like Payal in this story. Maybe in the future, you could give us a tale where Mamiji and her DIL Payal play Kamdev/cupid/Eros/whatever in bringing Akhdoo Singh Raizada and his Jalebi Rani together. In the show their chemistry was reduced to the cliched saas-bahu saga. Your version will be such fun to read!!

Part 17

Twenty minutes later, Sasi looked through the voluminous file, muttering, “Yes, Arvind Mallik and Ratna Raizada—he was a rat by all accounts—poor lady—He Devi Maiyya, all this happened on Anjali’s wedding day! How terrible!”

“Yes, poor kid,” Mohan added. “And Avinash Mallik threw them out the next day.”

“He Devi Maiyya! Is he a human being? Even animals are better than him!” Sasi was moved to exclaim.

Mohan nodded.

“So the Raizadas took in Arnav and Anjali and they moved to Delhi,” Sasi said, studying the report.

“Yes. The report from Arnav’s college is that he was silent and studious. No drugs, no drinking. He used to play basketball and drums. No news of any girlfriend,” Mohan said.

Sasi nodded, looking at the photos included in the file.

“He is diabetic,” Mohan said.

Sasi’s eyes met his. “At such a young age?” he asked, feeling sorry for the boy.

“Yes,” Mohan said. “And Akash Raizada was an average student. No sports. No girlfriend. No drugs, no drinking. He grew up in the protection of his brother and is very attached to Arnav and Anjali.”

Sasi nodded. “Then Arnav went abroad?” he asked.

“Yes, Harvard. He returned and started his business,” Mohan informed him.

“Where did he get the money for it?” Sasi asked.

“Devyani Raizada sold her land in Lucknow and Manorama Raizada sold her jewels,” Mohan told him. “He worked hard, still does. Managed to make a success of it. Has offices in Delhi, Paris and London. Akash works with him.”

“Good, good,” Sasi nodded.

“And best of all, he bought Sheesh Mahal from Avinash Mallik two years back and threw the crook out,” Mohan said, smiling.

“He did!” Sasi was pleasantly surprised.

“He bought the house in his sister’s name,” Mohan informed him.

“Good,” Sasi smiled. “That’s justice.”

“Yes. Avinash Mallik had managed to incur heavy debts. Arnav was keeping track of his uncle's financial dealings and took the chance,” Mohan said.

Sasi nodded.

Mohan said slowly, “Sasi, I can’t blame you for not wanting to give your daughter to Avinash Mallik’s nephew and Arvind Mallik’s son. Akash Singh Raizada’s mother comes from a poor family and his parents’ marriage was a scandalous affair. We can’t fight these facts. Nor can we turn a blind eye to them.”

Sasi sighed. "I know, Mohan," he said.

“But the boys are not bad. I couldn’t find anything distasteful or disgraceful in their personal lives,” Mohan admitted.

Sasi nodded, his eyes on his clasped fingers.

“Sasi, Arnav Singh Raizada runs a fashion business. Models swarm around him. And he is filthy rich. If he was like his father, he would have led a life of debauchery and it would have turned up in our investigation,” Mohan said softly.

Sasi nodded, looking down at a photo in the file he held on his lap. It was of Arnav viewing a fashion show in which his models were displaying clothes designed by his designers. His face was cold and tired, his gaze flinty, his body language shouting inaccessibility. He could have been looking at a forest full of trees for all the interest he was showing in the models.

“He is known to be hot-tempered, short-tempered, reserved, stand-offish, unsociable and hard working. Works from office and home. Stays late working. Comes early to office. His secretary is male, a man named Aman,” Mohan said.

“Yes,” Sasi agreed.

“He travels for business and always takes Aman with him. Leaves Akash in charge of the office,” Mohan said. “Akash dotes on his brother. Has a serious case of hero worship. Never does anything his brother vetoes. The employees call him Laxman to Arnav’s Ram,” Mohan said, laughing.

Sasi smiled.

“The boys are not bad, Sasi,” Mohan concluded.

Sasi sighed. “If it were business I were doing with them, then this information would have been enough, Mohan. But this is marriage. How can I risk my children’s lives? I need you to give me a day-to-day account of both boys for six months. Can you?”

“Why not?” Mohan asked.

“Charge me as you would another client,” Sasi insisted.

“Let me think about that,” Mohan evaded a straight answer.

“Mohan,” Sasi threatened.

“I said I will think about it. Go home now,” Mohan led Sasi out of his office.

                                              ***

Sasi woke up at midnight, a cry on his lips.

“Kaa hua?” Garima sat up, scared.

“I had a nightmare,” Sasi panted. “Spineless fellow. How dare he!”

“Kaun?” Garima asked.

“The boy who left Anjali at the mandap. How dare he! He should have married her and taken care of Arnav,” said Sasi.

Garima sighed. “When you were telling us about the information in Mohanji’s report, I was thinking of Payaliya and Khussi in Anjali’s place. What a fate! Poor thing,” she said.

“Still unmarried, still scared. And the Raizadas are looking for brides for the boys. They should conduct her wedding first,” Sasi said.

“It must be difficult for her to get a boy. The family—just as we wanted to avoid their proposal, other families too must have refused to link themselves to the Malliks,” Garima said.

Sasi wiped the sweat off his forehead.

“Some people consider a girl to be unlucky if her wedding is cancelled,” Garima said softly.

“How unfair,” Sasi had to say.

“This is the way of the world, Payaliya’s father,” Garima said sadly.

                                             ***

Arnav looked at his phone, anxious, distraught. Why was there no calls from Khushi?

Could he call her? What if her family found out?

After moments of weighing the pros and cons, he decided to try. He called and called and called.

What was wrong? Was she fine?

Distrait, he paced his room.

“Chotey,” Anjali called him from the doorway.

“Yes, di?” he asked.

“Chotey, tomorrow is teej. Will you take us to the temple near the banyan tree?” she asked.

“You are fasting?” he asked, his face stern.

“Yes, Chotey,” Anjali scrunched up her face apologetically. “Bear with me, please. Gussa mat hona. You are my papad ka tukda, aren’t you?”

Arnav looked heavenward for support.

“Yes, I am. But don’t think I will let you endanger your health if you sweet-talk me,” he growled.

Anjali pinched his cheek and walked away, laughing.

Arnav looked at the display of his phone, feeling helpless and disconsolate. Where was Khushi?

                                             ***

“Payaliya, Khussi, both of you have to fast today. Aaj teej he, Nandkisore,” buaji announced.

“Ji, buaji,” Payal replied.

“Alright,” Khushi said quietly, drying her wet hair.

The plate fell from buaji’s hand to the floor.

“Hai Re Nandkisore! Did I just hear Sanka Devi agree to stay hungry for a day? Sasi babua, I didn’t imagine it, did I?” she asked, her eyes wide.

Sasi hid his smile. Garima chuckled.

“Titliya, you are alright, aren’t you? Tabiyat to theek he na, Nandkisore?” buaji asked.

"I am fine, buaji,” Khushi said dispiritedly before returning to her bedroom.

“What is wrong with her?” Garima asked in wonder. “No smile, no mischief.”

“She has been silent for a couple of days,” Sasi said thoughtfully.

“Kaa hua isse, Payaliya?” buaji asked.

“I don’t know, buaji. Maybe she is in low spirits because her phone broke. She tried to get it repaired, but the boys in three shops laughed at her because it is in pieces. She had to buy a new one and will get it tomorrow. Maybe when she gets it, she will be more cheerful,” Payal said.

Sasi, buaji and Garima shook their heads.

“This girl,” Garima said.

“Why is she so attached to her phone, Nandkisore?” buaji asked.

“She has hundreds of songs stored in it, buaji. Maybe that’s why,” Payal explained.

“Pagal he,” Garima grumbled before turning to speak to Payal, “Payaliya, ask Khussi to get dressed. We have to go to the temple in one hour.”

“Ji, amma,” Payal smiled.

                                       ***

The Guptas minus buaji climbed up the steps of the temple, fighting the crowd of devotees all intent on meeting Devi Maiyya on this auspicious day.

“Khussi, Payaliya, tie the dhaga on the banyan tree and join us here,” Garima said. “We will wait here. The bheed is too much for us.”

“Ji, amma,” Payal said, dragging Khushi down the steps with her.

Garima said, “Suniye, shall we sit here?”

“Yes, Garima. Sit down. I think it will take us a couple of hours at least to get to Devi Maiyya’s presence,” Sasi said.

They sat together and watched the crowd surging towards the sanctum sanctorum. A long time later, Garima asked, “Isn’t it time for the girls to return?”

“Yes,” Sasi muttered. He stood up and scanned the people moving towards the temple with alert eyes.

“Sasiji?” came a call.

Sasi and Garima looked in the direction of the call and saw the Raizadas in full force.

They quickly folded their hands and greeted them. Sasi and Garima studied Arnav and Akash Singh Raizada to their heart’s content. Arnav’s face was lean, his expression stern, his demeanour remote. Akash took his cue from his bhai and stayed in the background as the elders exchanged greetings.

“Jiji was right. They’re too handsome,” Garima whispered to Sasi. “Especially Arnav. Acha he, Khussi doesn’t know him.”

Sasi nodded.

Arnav looked around frantically. Was Khushi with them? Would he be able to see her? Akash kept his eyes open for Payal.

“How are you, uncle, aunty?” Anjali asked cheerfully.

“Fine, beta,” Sasi replied.

“Are you fasting today?” Garima asked.

“Yes, aunty,” Anjali replied with a wide smile.

“Hamri Anjali bitiya never lets a vrat go without following it, Hello Hi Bye Bye!” Mami informed them. “She is phasting for two days to tie raksha dhaga around her brothers’ wrists.”

“Acha? It is very crowded,” Garima said. “And hot. I hope you are not feeling faint.”

“Hum bhi wahi kahe rahe,” Devyani said. “We told her to rest at home but she wanted to pray here.”

The Guptas nodded.

Arnav felt acute disappointment. There was no sight of Khushi anywhere. Akash sighed. It looked like the Guptas had left the girls at home.

“Sasiji, Garimaji, this is Arnav and that is Akass,” nani introduced them.

The Guptas folded their hands in greeting. Arnav and Akash reciprocated.

“Amma, babuji,” Payal called as she and Khushi managed to make their way through the crowd to their parents.

“He Devi Maiyya!” Garima gasped.

Sasi drew in a deep breath. It was a risk, but he had to take it.

“Payaliya, Khussi, you know the Raizadas. This is Arnav Singh Raizada and that is Akash Singh Raizada, Devyaniji’s grandsons,” Sasi introduced the boys to the two girls staring at the boys with eyes as wide as saucers. “This is Khussi and that Payaliya,” he said.

Someone rang the temple bells.

In that moment two things happened.

Payal folded her hands and said, “Namaste” to Akash who reciprocated. They gazed at each other with bashful interest.

Khushi rushed forward and hugged Arnav Singh Raizada as tight as she could. “Arnavji,” she wept into his coat, her fingers clawing at his back, trying to absorb him into her being so that no one and nothing could keep them apart.

The Raizadas gasped.

Sasi and Garima were too far gone to gasp. They stared in shock at the sight of their supposedly sanskaari, heart whole and fancy-free daughter hugging a boy in a public place, that too a temple, with wide, disbelieving eyes.

Their sense of having been hit on the head with a heavy hammer after being given a drink of bhang increased manifold when they saw the cold face of Arnav Singh Raizada relax and become soft, his hard eyes melt into an expression of tenderness, his arms close around their weeping daughter gently, his left hand rise to cup her head and hold her close and his right hand pat her back lovingly.

“Khushi,” he whispered in his husky, warm voice.

That was all it took to reveal the entire story to an astute Sasi.

The Raizada ladies took one look at the Guptas’ stunned faces and cringed.

“Hello Hi Bye Bye!” mami murmured.

Payal blinked. Who was this girl hugging Arnav Singh Raizada as though she were a tree lover and he a big tree under threat of being bulldozed? Was it—was it really Khushi? Why was she hugging a man she had met just once?

“Sasiji,” nani began, her voice trembling.

“Maybe we could go home, Devyaniji and talk about this,” Sasi suggested.

“Yes,” nani agreed.

All looked at the couple that was still hugging, lost to all considerations.

“Chotey,” Anjali called out a warning. Testing Sasi uncle’s patience and goodness could be detrimental to the cause of her brothers.

Arnav blinked, becoming aware of his surroundings.

“My phone fell, Arnavji, and broke. That’s why I couldn’t call you,” Khushi told him. “Were you worried about me?”

“Yes,” Arnav said.

“Chotey, Sasi uncle has invited us to his home,” Anjali said, her eyes serious, pleading.

“Khushi,” he called softly.

Khushi moved a few inches away from him reluctantly, her fingers still clutching his coat. She looked around, saw her parents and flushed. Her fingers let go of the coat.

“Aayiye,” Sasi invited the Raizadas, making an effort not to look at Khushi’s face.

“Shall we travel together, Sasiji? Mohan is here with the car,” nani suggested.

“That’s kind of you, Devyaniji, but we borrowed a car from Happy Singh’s garage. We will meet you at the house. Jiji is at home. Please ring the bell and wait inside if we get there later than you,” Sasi said.

“Ji,” nani replied.

After one lingering look at Khushi, Arnav joined his family and they left the temple.

The Guptas followed.

                                 ***

On the way home, Sasi asked Khushi, “How did you meet Arnav?”

“I went to get the cheque from Arnavji after the pooja at Shantivan,” Khushi explained in a low voice, too much in love with him to want to hide anything from anyone. “That’s when I met him for the first time.”

“Phir?” Garima asked.

“I fought with him and met him the next day to prove a point. He fainted,” Khushi explained.

Garima covered her mouth in horror. Sasi took his eyes off the road to stare at his daughter.

“What did you do to him?” Garima asked.

Payal’s face was a study in confusion.

“I—I asked him to starve. He did,” Khushi explained shamefacedly. “And fainted. I didn’t know he was diabetic.”

“Then what did you do?” Payal asked. “Apologise to him?”

“No, I fought with him again,” Khushi said, her voice low, tears filling her eyes.

Sasi looked at Garima. It was looking more like a hate story than a love story. Why was Arnav bent on marrying a girl who was always fighting with him and was hazardous to his health?

“I told him I would never cook for the poojas in his house, never see him again. So he drafted that contract and sent Amanji with it. We accepted it and he built a new kitchen for us,” Khushi explained.

“He tricked you?” Garima asked with a frown.

“No, amma. I knew he was behind the contract. I went into it willingly,” Khushi admitted.

Payal gulped. She hadn’t known what was going  on under her nose.

“Then?” Sasi asked.

“I used to pack lunch for him, babuji. Woh kya he, Arnavji can’t eat many of the things others can because he is diabetic. I used to take his food to him before I returned home,” Khushi confessed.

Payal felt like kicking herself. So this was why Khushi always stayed back while she and the boys returned home at noon.

‘What did they get up to alone?’ Garima thought, the blood leaving her face. ‘Koi uunch neech ho gaya to...’

“We talked a lot, babuji. He told me all about his family and its past, about his parents and their death, Anjaliji’s wedding being cancelled, his work...I told him, babuji, that his family should approach you with a formal proposal when you came to Delhi. I never thought—I had no idea, babuji, that you would dislike his family so much. I thought you would like him. Amma, babuji, he is very nice, very sweet. He is very hard working aur sab se acha, he thinks I am the best chef in the world,” Khushi said seriously.

Sasi looked at Garima, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

“The kitchen in AR Designs was built to our specifications, babuji,” Payal chipped in. “And no expense spared. They looked after us well. Anything we wanted, we just had to ask. It was a pleasure to cook in. There were cleaners and servers assigned to us. We just had to cook.”

Sasi said nothing. Garima buried her head in her hands.

There was silence in the car till they reached Laxmi Nagar.

Rash's interpretation:

The truth will set you free, but first it has the tendency to put you off… Shashi Gupta was quick to realize this after going through the file compiled by Mohan Tiwari… After coming to know what really happened with the Raizadas’ he was not really averse to give them a thought… It was a step ahead from not wanting to even have a peek at them… But their dear daughter with her open heart,  who was unabashed to confront her feelings and embrace it with open arms showed them which way the wind blows… Both Arnav and Shashi found  out… In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back...  they need to be worked out…

Shashi and Garima got a glimpse of Arnav’s integrity as they came to know of his disclosure of his past to Khushi. It told them that he is upfront in his intentions, realistic about the life ahead and truthful of his past… He showed his willingness to take the risk of being bonded or shattered by the truth of his past… Above all he showed he was not afraid to tell the truth in the fear of rejection but came out as a person having backbone who was ready to prove his mettle to reach his goal…

For Arnav, Khushi is like a sunbeam, who warms his heart… a moonbeam that charmed him… and the damsel who sought shelter in his arms making him forget the world around and build a cocoon around them.… He is like a cold, weary traveler who will hold on to whatever keeps him warm inside but with due consent from her parents without defiling her dignity... All these things would have been perceived by Raizadas’ and the Guptas’… The Raizadas’ would have seen the thawing of the ice and Shashi Gupta would have mentally noted all the positives found in favour of Arnav…  The impulsive action of Khushi to hug Arnav with abandonment is bound to have left a deep imprint on each and every member present there...  

Smita….A very interesting way of putting across of tilting the balance…

Part 18

The Guptas reached Laxmi Nagar before the Raizadas.

Sasi stopped the car and looked at the tear-ravaged face of his daughter.

He asked softly, “Khussi, do you like Arnav?” even though he knew the answer.

Khushi’s face lit up. “Yes, babuji, very much,” she said.

“Why?” Sasi asked.

Khushi smiled. “Because he is very funny,” she replied.

Sasi and Garima looked at each other. Nothing in the report they had received had indicated that Arnav Singh Raizada had anything remotely resembling a sense of humour.

“And because he is very kind, very sweet. He teases me,” Khushi said, smiling beatifically.

‘Hot-tempered, short-tempered, reserved, stand-offish, unsociable and hardworking,’ Sasi repeated Mohan’s words in his mind. ‘Are we talking of the same man?’

“And because he loves me more than anything in this world. Sach, babuji, Arnavji would do anything for me. Aap ko pata he, he never thought of marriage before meeting me. Pata nahi kya jadu ho gaya, babuji, but when we met he wanted to marry me. But I didn’t know him. Isliye I fought with him. That is why he had to spend lakhs to build a kitchen for me. And babuji, he worked for everything he owns. He has never stolen anything,” khushi said with conviction.

“What?” Payal asked, a frown of bewilderment on her face.

“When we met, I thought he was out to steal our recipes and my secret ingredient, but later I understood I was mistaken,” Khushi clarified.

“He Devi Maiyya,” Garima whispered.

Sasi, being a fond father of a sanki daughter, realised that this was just a glimpse into a complicated and convoluted love story. Not having the heart, guts or time for a detailed unravelling of Khushi’s crazy thoughts and actions, he summed it all up with one last question.

“Do you want to marry him, Khushi?” he asked.

“Yes, babuji. Very much,” Khushi replied without hesitation, her face lit by love and happiness.

Sasi sighed. “Go in. I will park the car and come in. Let jiji know that the Raizadas will be joining us,” he instructed.

“Babuji, one more thing,” Khushi stopped him.

“Yes?” Sasi asked.

“He knows that I am an orphan, that you adopted me. He doesn’t mind at all,” Khushi informed him.

“You told him?” Garima asked, surprised. Khushi hated to talk of her past.

“Arnavji is very honest, very straight forward, amma. I couldn’t be anything less to him. So when he told me about his past, I told him about mine,” she replied.

Sasi nodded.

“One more thing, babuji,” Khushi stopped him from alighting. “Arnavji thinks I have magical hands. He loves my cooking. So he gave me these bangles.” She lifted her hands, sending the white stones on her bangles glinting.

Garima clutched her heart. “He—he gave them to you and you took them?” she asked in a hushed voice.

“Yes, Isme kya he, amma? They are pretty, aren’t they? I wonder from which store he bought them. We can get jiji a pair too, can’t we?” Khushi asked.

Sasi stared at his bewakoof daughter in silence.

Garima did not share a similar speechlessness. “You idiot! We won’t get it from any store, only from a jeweller.”

“Kya?” Khushi asked.

“These white stones are diamonds, you fool,” Garima said, shaking her head in exasperation.

“Diamonds?” she whispered. “Real diamonds? Heere?” Khushi stared at the bangles as if they were snakes on an impersonation spree.

“The Raizadas have reached Laxmi Nagar,” Sasi said softly, looking in the rear-view mirror. “Go in.”

Garima and Payal dragged a shell-shocked Khushi with them into the house.

                                     ***

The Raizadas walked into the house.

“Please be seated,” Sasi invited. “Garima has gone to call jiji.”

Buaji came limping out of her bedroom.

Arnav drew in a sharp breath of recognition. Buaji came to a shaky halt.

“Shukriya, Nandkisore,” she said softly.

Arnav stood up, feeling unsettled. He had never dreamed that he would come across the lady he had helped. And to know that she was Khushi’s aunt...it blew him away.

The Raizadas looked at him and buaji, not knowing what was happening.

“If you hadn’t helped me that day,” buaji began.

“It is fine,” Arnav tried to downplay the incident.

Seeing the anxious look on the faces of nani, mami and Anjali, buaji explained, “I would have fallen in the temple had your pota not helped me. He put me in a rickshaw and paid the driver to take me home, Nandkisore.”

Mami turned to nani and whispered, “Saasumma, hamre Arnav bitwaa in a templewaa? No bays. Laagat he Madhumatiji ijj mistaken, lekin don’t tell her. Let the marks come to hamre Arnav bitwaa.”

Khushi brought tea and snacks for the men and nani. She smiled into Arnav’s eyes as she handed him a cup of unsweetened tea and then served the others.

“Devyaniji, you proposed Khushi’s marriage with Arnav and Payal’s with Akash,” Sasi said.

“Yes, Sasiji,” nani said, hope in her heart.

“I was thinking—if you don’t mind—that we should take six months to decide on this,” Sasi suggested.

All looked at him.

“We don’t know the boys. These six months will give us time to get to know them,” Sasi said.

Nani nodded.

“We had no idea that Khussi knew Arnav,” Sasi said. “I would like to be sure that she genuinely cares for him and that he too cares for her.”

“Ji,” Nani agreed.

“Is it alright with both of you?” Sasi asked Akash and Arnav.

“Yes,” they replied.

“I don’t want them to see or talk to each other in these six months. That will tell them and us if their feelings are genuine or not,” Sasi said.

“Babuji,” Khushi exclaimed in protest.

“I don’t want either of you to regret this, Khussi. That’s why I am insisting on a complete stopping of contact between you for six months. If at the end of this period you still want to marry each other, I will conduct your marriage with joy,” Sasi said, his face reflecting his sincerity.

“We agree,” Arnav said. There was no use rushing this. Trust had to take birth and grow in its own time.

Khushi nodded, her eyes eagerly running over Arnavji to save the memory in her head and heart.

Rash's interpretation:

With Khushi revealing her thoughts on Arnav and her revelation that Arnav is privy to the knowledge that she is their adopted child, a fact that she was always reluctant to speak about with anyone,…. the path that Shashi had to tread was clearly visible for him… You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf… His idea…. That his daughters deserve somebody who makes them happy… somebody who doesn’t complicate their lives…. somebody who doesn’t hurt them… given their past had led him not to consider the Raizada brothers for them… He has now accepted that Khushi is ready to become Arnav’s bride as she has expressed it as her wish… She has shown a different façade of Arnav Singh Raizada as Arnav very different from the ASR the world knows and Mohan Tiwari complied… but the Guptas’ are yet to be fully convinced about ASR being the best for their Khushi… His acceptance of ASR didn’t mean that Shashi is resigned to fate… It meant his understanding, of Arnav and Khushi and their budding feelings… He feels that there got to be a way through to test out its genuinity… whether their feelings and love would withstand the test of time or is it a case of out of sight is out of mind…. Hence his proposal of a six months space of separation with no contact … Arnav Singh Raizada with his eyes held in steady gaze on Shashi Gupta, giving it a careful thought, understanding that half measures will not bring him his treasure, being sure of self and the love of his love, with steadfast will and determination, agreed to the proposal… Just this acceptance was a proof of the quintessential quality of astuteness of Arnav Singh Raizada to Shashi Gupta… He understood that Arnav knew it was a test which he needed to take for the sake of the happiness of their life ahead…  Shashi has thrown the challenge and Arnav has accepted…

It’s no wonder that Khushi is reluctant as she sees that even a call is not allowed… What Shashi doesn’t know is that his daughter’s and Arnav’s day begins and ends with listening to each other’s voice… But they do have their Rabbave connection and the meghdhoot…Don’t they Smita??? ;)

Good update Smita…

Part 19

“This is applicable for Payal and Akash too,” Sasi reminded them.

Payal and Akash nodded.

“I am sorry for making you wait for six months, Devyaniji,” Sasi apologised.

“Don’t be, Sasiji,” nani said. “I understand. Please get to know them. You won’t find better boys than my grandsons for your daughters.”

Sasi nodded, a small smile on his face.

“It is time we left,” nani said regretfully. “We have to attend the evening pooja at the temple and I want Anjali bitiya to rest for a while.”

All stood up.

“Thank you, Sasiji,” nani said from her heart. “You won’t regret this.”

Sasi nodded.

“Babuji, can I tell Arnavji one thing? Just one thing?” Khushi asked eagerly. “I won’t be able to see or talk to him for six long months. One thing?”

Sasi nodded.

As both families watched, Khushi strode to Arrnav, caught hold of his arm and pulled him to one side.

“You gave me diamonds?” she asked, lifting her hand to show him the bangles he had gifted her.

“Yes,” he smiled.

“Real heere?” she confirmed.

“Yes,” he replied, a smile playing on his lips.

“Why?” she asked.

“Because one heera deserves another heera,” he replied.

Her mouth fell open. “Aap ko bata dena chahiye tha na that these are real diamonds? I didn’t know.”

He looked down to hide his amusement.

“What if I had lost them? Thrown them away?” she asked, outraged at his hidden hilarity.

“I would have bought you more,” he said simply.

After a moment of shocked silence, she said, “Aap bhi na! There is no limit to the money you waste on me. My kitchen, my bangles...”

He smiled at her, his eyes tender.

She caught hold of his hand in both of hers in an agony of grief.

“Arnavji, six months...” her voice quavered. “I won’t be able to see you smile.”

He swallowed hard.

“It will be tough, Khushi. But this is the only way we can convince your family that we are serious. You want your babuji to be smiling when he gives you to me, don’t you?” he asked softly.

Khushi nodded slowly.

“Six months will fly by, Khushi. Just—just don’t forget me,” he said, trying to tease a smile out of her.

“I may forget myself, Arnavji, but not you,” she said, her voice low but firm.

He smiled.

“Arnavji,” Khushi asked a question that had been troubling her. “What will you do about the employees? Their lunch?”

“I have asked Aman to arrange a restaurant to supply lunch for six months,” he replied. He pulled out his wallet and extracted a key from it. “Your kitchen has a lock on it. This is the key. Keep it. You can open it after our wedding and continue with your catering. Nobody will use your kitchen other than you.”

Arnav placed the key on her palm and held her hand.

Tears filled her eyes and flowed down her cheeks.

“Khushi, don’t cry,” he pleaded in his husky voice.

“I can’t even call you?” she asked, already missing him.

“No, Khushi,” he replied, feeling terrible.

“I can’t see you, can’t talk to you, can’t hug you,” she wept. “Arnavji, how will we—six months kaise?”

“We have to,” he replied softly. There was no way he was going to risk the chance he had been given to marry Khushi.

“Chalein, Chotey?” nani asked.

“Yes,” he replied with an inward sigh. He wanted to hug her, kiss her at least on her forehead but her family was watching them from far. “Bye, Khushi,” he said softly before leaving with his family.

                                             ***

It was one week after the Raizadas had left.

Sasi and Mohan sat in the detective’s office late in the evening, looking at that day’s reports on Arnav and Akash Raizada.

“Arnav left the house at eight today,” Mohan summed up the report. “Breakfast meeting at the Taj. Then he went to the office and attended a series of meetings. Had unsweetened tea at ten. Lunch was a sandwich. At four he had another unsweetened tea and a pill for headache. Stayed at the office working till eight in the evening and then drove home,” Mohan said.

“Then he will have dinner with his family and work till eleven before going to bed,” Sasi said, a frown on his face. “What is this, Mohan? He has been doing the same things or something similar all week.”

“Sasi, we have been watching him closely. We haven’t missed anything,” Mohan assured him.

“I know you haven’t. That is why this list of activities irritates me. Doesn’t this boy do anything other than work?” Sasi asked.

“He doesn’t, I think,” Mohan rubbed the back of his neck. “The detectives are bored of covering the routine.”

“I am bored of reading this routine, Mohan. I can’t blame your detectives,” Sasi said.

Mohan laughed.

“And I suppose Akash got to the office a bit later in the morning every day and accompanied his brother to all meetings?” Sasi asked. “Drove him home in the evening?”

“Yes,” Mohan said.

Sasi sighed, angry and sad at the same time. “They are wasting their youth, Mohan. Remember how much fun we used to have?”

“Kite flying competitions,” Mohan smiled reminiscently.

“Organising Ram Leela,” Sasi added.

“Fireworks,” Mohan said. “Remember how we used to wake up the street at midnight with rockets and loud bombs?”

“How can I forget those days? Tumhe yaad he, the mango eating contests,” Sasi reminded him, a naughty glint in his eyes.

“The trips we took to Varanasi,” Mohan said, laughing.

Sasi said with glee, “The cooking we did in your mother’s kitchen when she was on a visit to relations. We almost burned down your house.”

Both men fell silent.

“I will see you tomorrow,” Sasi said finally.

“I hope the boys change something in their daily routine,” Mohan said, flipping the pages of the report.

“Arnav has lost weight,” Sasi said, looking at the accompanying photo.

“And Akash looks like someone snatched his kulfi from his mouth,” Mohan concluded. “How are the girls?”

“Looking lost. Absent-minded. I asked them to start the catering business once more. At least it will keep them occupied for six months,” Sasi said.

“Acha kiya,” Mohan supported him.

                               ***

Two days later, Sasi said, “So Arnav and Akash took their family to the temple today morning.”

“Yes, a change,” Mohan said happily. “The detective was so relieved.”

Sasi looked at the photos of Arnav and Akash standing with their hands folded and eyes shut. Arnav’s cheekbones were becoming prominent and he looked tired.

“He looks sick and has lost weight. I hope he is taking his medicines on time,” Sasi murmured.

“Not just sick. He looks like he is starving,” Mohan commented.

“Mohan, I am happy about one thing,” Sasi said.

“Kya?” Mohan asked.

“After marriage, Khushi is never going to fight with him and come and stay with us for more than two days,” Sasi said happily.

“Uuhh?” Mohan asked.

“If she does, he will starve and Khushi will never let anyone starve, especially not her Arnavji. She will return to him,” Sasi smiled.

Mohan chuckled. “Sasi, waise, ASR shut and locked the kitchen he built for Khushi,” he said. “And gave the contract for supplying food to the employees to a leading restaurant for six months.”

“I see,” Sasi remarked. “So he is sure that Khushi will return to him after six months?”

“Looks like it,” Mohan said with a smile.

                                            ***

“ASR has finally broken the routine. He is in Mumbai for a three-day meeting,” Mohan said, his hands folded in grateful prayer.

“Devi Maiyya ki jai ho!” Sasi said.

“He has taken Aman with him. Akash is holding the fort here,” Mohan reported.

“What has he been doing in Mumbai?” Sasi asked.

“Ye lo,” Mohan slipped pictures across to Sasi. “He is staying in the hotel where the meeting is being held,” he said.

Sasi looked at the photos.

Arnav working on his laptop, Arnav going through a file, Arnav working out at the hotel gym, Arnav and Aman leaving the conference hall, Arnav sitting before a full plate, his attention on his phone....

“What do you think Khushi saw in him?” Sasi asked Mohan.

Mohan looked at him with eyes filled with laughter.

“Matlab, girls fall for hero-like boys who flirt, who are flashily dressed, who sing and dance—and here my daughter has fallen for the sadu of the century,” Sasi remarked.

Mohan chuckled.

“I was scared he was like his father. Mohan, I did him a great disservice. He is as unlike his father as he can get,” Sasi said.

“Yes, I can’t believe he is Arvind Mallik’s son,” Mohan agreed.

                                     ***

“Khushi, come with me to the market,” Payal invited her sister.

“No, jiji,” Khushi replied, burying her head under the pillow to hide her tears.

“I will buy you ber,” Payal tried to tempt her.

“No, jiji. I don’t want ber,” Khushi replied.

“Golgappe?” Payal tried again.

“No, jiji, I don’t feel like eating anything. Let me lie down for a while. We have to start work at noon for the evening party,” Khushi said.

Payal nodded and left with one last look at her listless sister.

“Kahan jaa rahi ho, Payaliya?” buaji asked.

“To the market, buaji. We need to stock badam and kishmish,” Payal replied. “Buaji?”

“Haan, Nandkisore?” she asked.

“I think Khushi is not feeling well. I asked her to come with me. She refused. I tried to bribe her with ber and golgappe. She refused,” Payal said.

“Hein?” buaji asked. “She said no to golgappe?”

“Yes,” Payal said.

“Hai Re Nandkisore! Sanka Devi is sick, very sick. Hum kaada banake laavat he,” buaji said, moving towards the kitchen.

Sasi folded the newspaper and set it on the low table in the living room. No kaada could help Khussi. She was pining for her own workaholic piya.

                                             ***

“So Arnav is back in Delhi?” Sasi looked at the photos.

“Yes. This is one taken in the temple near the banyan tree,” Mohan said.

Sasi looked Arnav Singh Raizada, the billionaire businessman, standing in the temple premises, looking all lost.

The next photo was of Anjali and Arnav. They were walking down the steps of the temple and Arnav was holding her hand.

Sasi sighed. “Mohan, do you know of any boy aged between 33 and 40 who is unmarried?” he asked.

“Why?” he asked.

“For Anjali,” Sasi said.

“What about Kishore, Ram Lal Gupta’s son?” Mohan asked.

“He married last year,” Sasi said. “Do you know anything about Vicky, Nathuram’s son?”

“Too much. He won’t do,” Mohan looked away.

“Why not?” Sasi asked.

“He is gay,” Mohan said bluntly.

“He Devi Maiyya!” Sasi exclaimed.

Two days later Mohan said, “Sasi, your damad won an award.”

“What award?” Sasi asked.

“Some international award for young businessmen held at The Leela Palace,” Mohan said, handing over a photo.

“Akash won it?” Sasi asked.

“No, Arnav did. But he sent his brother to receive it in his stead,” Mohan smiled.

“Why? Is he ill?” Sasi asked.

“No, he was busy striking a deal with an Italian company at a hotel nearby,” Mohan said, showing him a photo of Arnav and a dozen formally-dressed men leaving a hotel.

Sasi shook his head in despair.

"Aur haan, he attended a party," Mohan said with a smile.

"He did? Really? Were his friends with him?" Sasi asked.

Mohan frowned. "Kaun friends? He has no friends. It was a party given by him for his employees at Kempinski Ambience. He spoke a few words and left, Akash following him. They returned home while their employees had a good time."

"Mohan," Sasi clutched his head.

"Sasi," Mohan echoed his frustration.

"What are these boys made of?" Sasi asked.

"Some rare material," Mohan replied.

                                            ***

“This is terrible, Mohan,” Sasi buried his head in his hands. “Arnav has lost about five kilos in one month and is working all hours of the day. How can he be so careless of his health?”

Mohan nodded. “His last meeting began at nine at night yesterday. He got home about eleven and was in his seat at seven today,” he said.

“And here I have a daughter who won’t step out of the house, is either cooking or weeping, won’t eat properly and is killing me with her sorrow. I am surrounded by  male and female versions of Devdas,” Sasi sighed. “And there Anjali is doing the rounds of temples, her brothers in tow. He Devi Maiyya, if only we could get a good boy for her.”

Sasi’s phone rang.

“Hello,” Sasi said.

“Uncle, this is me, Anand. Don’t tell me you have forgotten me,” a voice filled with laughter fell on Sasi’s ears.

“Babua,” Sasi was too choked up to speak.

“Uncle, are you in Lucknow now?” Anand asked.

“No, Delhi,” Sasi said.

“That’s great,” Anand said. “I will be flying to Delhi tomorrow. Can we meet?”

“Yes, yes,” Sasi said. “I am with jiji.”

“At Laxmi Nagar?” Anand asked. “Garima aunty? Payal, Khushi? Are they with you?”

“Yes, babua,” Sasi said.

“I have to meet someone in Delhi. I will get to Laxmi Nagar by night, uncle,” Anand said.

“Stay with us, babua,” Sasi invited.

“Yeh bhi kehne ki baat he?” Anand laughed. “I will be there with my boriya bistar.”

They talked for a while before cutting the call.

“Was that Deendayal’s son?” Mohan asked.

“Yes,” Sasi said with a fond smile. “It has been years since we met.”

“Is he married?” Mohan asked.

“I don’t know,” Sasi replied. “He left Lucknow after his parents died. I will ask him when we meet tomorrow.”

Mohan nodded.

The next day he called Sasi at noon.

"I have some khush khabri for you," Mohan said, trying hard not to burst out laughing.

"Kya?" Sasi asked.

"Arnav Singh Raizada has joined a cooking class," Mohan declared.

"He Devi Maiyya!" Sasi exclaimed before falling into his chair with a thud.



Arshipriya has sent me a poem:

Heere se jyada chamak hai tumhari, heere se jyada kimat hai tumhari. Lutadoo tum pe duniya ye saari, kyonki tumhi to ho zindagi humari.

Rash's interpretation:

Their relationship is like a cup of tea… A very special blend of Arnav and Khushi…A unique blend… She is hell-bent on tackling him about giving her expensive presents and he with a resolute shrug all set to enjoy the sight she presents… yet they are dogged by the thought of separation of six months… Just the knowledge that they could be together later has been the strength that is pulling them through… When they had realized that they wanted to spend the rest of their life with each other, they wanted that rest of their life to start as soon as possible…

Arnav’s daily itinerary report, has Shashi and Mohan yawning, set to a pattern without any significant change or diversion… Arnav was committed to his work… His day revolved round his work and family… Whatever he did it was with dedication and would follow the same pattern tirelessly day in and out… Khushi was no less… She was brooding and pining for him unlike her usual self… even the simplest of things she had found enjoyment in were lusterless for her without her Arnavji…

And Akash was no less than his brother who was like his shadow… It looked like he was confirming the statement… You are the sun, and I’m the moon…. In your shadow I can shine….

Shashi got good vibes from Arnav and Akash, but he and Mohan thought that they were witnessing workaholics who had forgotten the outside world other than for their work and family… He also realized that Khushi would have a blissful life with Arnav once they are married. Arvind Mallik and Arnav were like chalk and cheese…  Arnav Singh Raizada marches to the beat of a different drummer and he himself makes the beat…

Shashi Gupta is a determined man… He wanted the best for his daughters. Along with that he wanted to set things right for Anjali Bitiya…. His soft heart felt bad for the girl who had been wronged for no offence of hers and had tasted bitterness of the society… He knew there was no need for scores of suitors but need only one, the right one… So Shashi Gupta and Mohan Tiwari set out in search for the right boy… and now they have zeroed in on Anand…

Finally when Shashi found that Arnav had found a new interest, it was only to realize how deep his feelings were for Khushi… What stumped Shashi was the adaptation of Arnav… What a lovely way to seek solace… To feel Khushi and her presence by doing exactly what Khushi does… Rabbave… 

Rabbave… ;)

Loved it Smita…