Part 23

Part 23

Arnav had told Lavanya not to make him wait for long to announce his marriage plans. The Winter collection Fashion Show was to be held the next day and both Arnav and Lavanya were busy with the Show.

On the eve of the show, in the media interview with Lavanya, some reporter poked them about their marriage plans. Lavanya opened her mouth to reply but ASR stopped her rising his hand and cutting her off  "We are getting married soon and this will be a grand marriage with full media exposure. " he declared.
He looked straight into the camera as if looking at someone he intended to address and said "I don't think anyone has any objection to this. It should not make any difference to anyone. We are getting married and that's final." 

This created sensation and they started asking about the marriage date. He ignored further questions and came back. Lavanya was left speechless. She was upset, she did not like this at all. She came to ASR and asked him the reason for this announcement. He ignored her. 

She said "You had promised me that you will wait." 

"I had told you not to make me wait for long. This is high time I made the announcement. And this is only an announcement; I haven't yet declared the date, Damn it!" He yelled. Lavanya gaped at him speechless, shocked. He turned his back and said in a calmer tone, "Leave me alone, Lavanya!", 

"Leave ME alone!" She retorted back, her face contorted with rage. She stood there and then came around facing him,  said, "ASR I need some time away from this. Once this winter Show is over, I wish to go back to my family. I will return only when I am ready for all this. Hope you understand!" 

ASR did not react. His mind was racing for further plans. He just turned his back on her and called his assistant Aman. Lavanya dismissed herself from the scene. She was furious. She decided to go to US with her parents. But before that she desperately wanted to contact Khushi. How can I find her out? Well, I need to talk to Payal or anyone who could be in contact with her. She remembered Avinash, who knew Khushi since childhood. She decided to go to Avinash.

ASR came to the conference room for the meeting with his partners in the show. But, before that he gave clear instructions to Aman that this interview should be telecast extensively without editing and should be repeated as many times as possible on all national channels. He said "now I will see who responds to this."
He came home that night with a smirk on his face. He came to his room in apprehensive expectations. He pushed the anxiety aside and waited for someone to contact. This interview about the show was aired and almost every news channel telecast this. He kept surfing the channels and watching his interview. He hoped someone will interpret and read between the lines. The last part of his interview was repeated as a breaking news and the guesses about the expected date of marriage. 

"I hope she sees this... She must see this. I am sure she will see this. Then I know she will try to contact someone here. I have to be alert this time.”  He called up the detective agency to give them instructions. 

He knew she will call. He desperately wanted her to call. What if she did not? He could not bear that thought. “Damn it!” His plan would fail. He could not sleep that night. No call till morning. He thought She might not have seen the telecast. "Khushi.. you are bound to see this.. you are bound to call me. Khushi...!"
The interview repeated several times. People thought it to be for publicity of the show. 

Khushi after deciding to stay back was sitting in the living room watching some time pass Hindi Movie that evening. She had come early home and took mummiji to the living room. They were both watching and discussing the movie trying to push away the grim thoughts from their mind.

Papaji came in and took the remote. Khushi looked up. He said the news are more interesting now a days than these Movies. He changed the channel. The repeat news of yesterday's breaking news flashed. It was an interview of Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada on the eve of his Winter Collection Fashion Show. Khushi kept looking at him unblinkingly... her eyes filled with tears of  pain. After some time she could not bear it. She got up and moved to leave. Papaji stopped her and told her to sit there. She looked at him with "You know how I feel , please let me go" looks. He looked at her piercingly. She sat there and watched the entire interview. When it was over, she had tears in her eyes. She had seen Aranv ji after a very long time. She felt drawn towards him. But when he announced his marriage with Lavanya, the last ray of hope was snatched away from her. She slowly got up. Papaji stopped her again and made her sit next to him. He took her hand and asked. 

 "Don't you want to do something about this?" She looked at him and said with tearful eyes. "What can I do now? The binding was on me.. not on him. I am tied up in the relationship. I believe in these things and will do so forever. He is free.. free from all the so called values, morals, traditions and customs.. I... I cannot do anything... !" She had lost everything.

Mummiji looked at papaji as if requesting "Do something... she is losing it.. I cannot see her unhappy!.. do something...!" 

"Khushi, puttar... have you seen the last part of interview? Did you understand what he meant? "

She looked at him and said "Yes I know what he meant and he is going to get married to Lavanya ji soon. " She blurted "I am happy for her... she got her love... but..." Tears were rolling down her cheeks against her wish.
Papaji said "Puttar, you have not heard properly. He said "I don't think anyone has any objection to this".. This means he wants someone to raise objection. This is addressed to you, Khushi. He wants you to raise objection and oppose this marriage. He wants you to come forward and declare, you are his wife! This is his game plan to know where you are. He only has announced his marriage not given a date yet"

She looked aghast. Her heart had already reached his room and waited there for him to accept her. Her mind raced behind and waited with apprehension of rejection. She kept looking at papaji all lost. He repeated his question "Khushi, "Don't you want to do something about this?" 

She said "No" in firm voice, remembering Arnav saying "Your existence or non existence does not matter to me..". Papaji looked at her and said "good choice. "
He asked her to go back to her room. He knew she was upset and may not be able to sleep. He wanted her to go though the memories of the ordeal she had gone through. "This will make her tough enough to take the right decision when the time comes" He thought.

She went to her room crestfallen, dispirited, totally dejected as if her life was snatched away from her. 

Mummiji looked at papaji pleading to do something. He smiled at her and said "I know what to do. I will not let this happen to Khushi. "
She sighed a relief. She knew papaji will take care of everything for Khushi's happiness. 

"He is still blind folded with his ego... He does not understand... He still wants her to come back to him... " papaji thought.. dialing a number...." "I want all the reports of Today's Fashion Show held by AR Group in Delhi" He ordered. "And I want them before the show is aired on television... understand?" ..

Arnav waited for the call the whole next day... even in his busy schedule of the show. The show was a great success and the reports were fabulous. A French Garments company placed an order immediately for some of the designs. Talks were going on with other few companies. He was satisfied with the show and knew his business will rise with this. But he kept on waiting for the phone call. "Some one from somewhere ... please call" He wished. 

His cell rang... late in the night after the show was over....
"He felt a surge of excitement. He picked up the phone immediately. "Khushi..." he blurted.

"Sorry to call you at this late hour, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada." Said a deep forceful male voice" 

Arnav was disappointed. He looked at the screen of his mobile. "It was Balwindar Singh from Kolkata Fashion House. 

Arnav was so disappointed that his voice carried it forward. "Hello .." he said without even bothering to greet him back. "I hope I have not called you at a wrong time..." Balwindar Singh Continued.. "I wanted to congratulate you on your success, Mr. Raizada. I got all the report and all the invitees have acclaimed your show. I am sorry, I could not make it to the show." 

"Thank you Mr. Balwindar Singh" He said absentmindedly. 

Balwindar Singh went on. " Mr. Arnav Singh, we already have talks going on between us about collaboration of our Fashion Houses. I would like to suggest you that we hold the Fashion Show jointly this early summer in Kolkata and I want to have you to manage the show with us." Please think over this and let me know as early as possible. I will send you the draft MOU (memorandum of understanding) "

"Good night Mr. Arnav Singh! Hope your response be positive." Balwindar Singh Hung up, smiling to himself and stroking his beard. The game had begun......
Lavanya entered ASR's room and he just looked at her. Saying "Now don't start it all again!: he yelled and then looking at Lavanya’s ghostly face, said in a lower tone, “Lavanya,  I gave you enough time to say yes. I took it as yes and made the announcement. This helped our Fashion Show.. We got a wide publicity"
She kept looking at him thinking "Does he have a heart? Does he think about others feelings? Does he know how much he has hurt me? Is he using me...? She shuddered at this thought and said "ASR, I am going to US to my family. My Air Ticket is confirmed. Daddy had sent me open ticket. I am going day after tomorrow. 

"Ok!” he said indifferently going back to his laptop. She marched out of his room dejected.

Khushi went to her room thinking "I decided not to go home when papaji had asked me which way I wanted to go. What if I had chosen to go? Would it have any effect on today's announcement? But I am sure this would not have any effect on Arnav ji's marriage plans. Unhay koi farak nahi padata! He would go ahead with it, hurting me more . Its better I am here .. I do not want to watch the ceremony.. I cannot bear it. Its better I am away. I know my decision was right. I am better away from everyone... I will be alright soon and will not look behind. .." 

She decided to focus on work and training and never to think about that Laad Governer. 

A crucial task and an opportunity was waiting for her next day.....
Next day morning papaji woke her up early in the morning. "Get ready Khushi, three of us are going to Kaali Mandir first and then to the lake side." I need some brainstorming. So hurry up."

They were sitting facing Robindra Sarovar (Lake) on a bench. Khushi was speechless looking at the hugh expanse of the lake. The water reflecting the rising sun spread the orange light. The old style buildings on the other end brightened with the light. Khushi's heart filled with calmness and peace. She looked ahead and thought it's a long way to go but I will reach my destination crossing all the hurdles. It will be like swimming across ocean to reach home.
Arnav had many sleepless nights. He was in despair. She had not called. Payal had not budged to tell Khushi's whereabouts. In fact she only knew that Khushi is in Kolkata. But she had not disclosed that to anyone. Not even Aakash. He had been asking her every time they met. 

Arnav was disappointed and angry with himself. He felt defeated. He could not find Khushi, even after putting all his might behind it. But he did not know his opponent was mightier! 

He woke up, opened his laptop and saw the mail. Once in a week he used to receive a mail with the tagline "Khushi Kumari Gupta" under different email ids. And he used to pass it on to the Detectives. But they kept on saying that the mails originate from different locations. He looked at it and opened it. This time it was her close up. She had changed her dressing style. She wore a Salwar Kameez patiyala style with light pastel shade of green, the glitter had gone. He kept looking at her. His mood lightened a bit looking at her creamy face. He wished he got the email everyday. At least he can see her in photograph and be assured that she is safe. He stared at the photograph for a long time thinking about the moments spent with her and feeling her proximity. 

He came back to his senses and in frustration he tried to bang the laptop shut. He stopped in shock and dragged the laptop closer. He looked at the photograph and his eyes filled ... She had no ornaments on her but the black thread was still around her neck. He ran his fingers on the photo and threw himself on the bed, facedown.

Anger rising in him for Khushi for torturing him like this, he thought of paying it back with interest when they meet and when she comes back. "I am waiting for you Khushi....!" He blurted with gritted teeth, clenching his fists..