Part 48

Both of them woke up after a very disturbed sleep. Khushi’s fears about the hatred of Arnav’s family made her restless.  “What if they don’t accept me?” Khushi winced with the thought.

"What will happen if they don't accept me? I don't want Arnavji to lose his family for me. I will go away from him if that is the solution. .." She woke up in the morning only to find that she was crying in her sleep. She prayed "Devi mayya, please help me. Give me strength to sustain the rejection. Please, Devi Mayya, help  Arnavji!" She got out of the bed and came out in the hall. Mummiji was already at the table. She was having her morning medicine dose.

"Sorry mummiji... I got up late.." Khushi apologized. Mummiji looked at her face and called her near. "Putter, you did not sleep well last night, right? I know you are all worried, your papaji told me everything. Khushi, don't lose your heart. I am sure you will come out of it and will be happy forever. We are all with you, puttar... don't worry!" She put her hand on Khushi's head. Khushi rested her head on mummiji's shoulder for a while and then got up with a smile. "Why should I worry? When devimayya, and you all are with me?"
But again her face shadowed with sadness and pain. " But Arnav ji is alone there. He does not believe in god. He is carrying the entire burden on his shoulder. I can release my tension putting it on my Devi Mayya, and you all... but he .... I am worried about him" She said in a small voice.
"He has YOU, Khushi!" mummiji said. "He will be alright. Stand by him, puttar, I am sure everything is going to be alright..... And now, there was a call from papaji for you. Go and call him" She pushed Khushi a little.

Khushi dialed papaji's number. "Good morning Khushi puttar, I know it's a Sunday but you have to work half a day. There is an emergency. Shondeep had called me early morning. His father suffered an heart attack, last night. His condition is critical. He is in B.M.Birla Heart Research Center. I want you to go to the hospital on my behalf.
"What? Ok papaji, I will just get ready and go there. " She kept the phone and headed towards her room telling mummiji about the call loudly. She got ready in half an hour. She wanted to skip the breakfast but mummiji and Elsa forced her to have atleast one paratha. Kids were disappointed to see khushi buwa going out on Sunday. She promised them to come back as early as possible and went off.

*** ***
Arnav too had a disturbed sleep. Khushi kept on coming and going from his dreams. He woke up frequently when he saw khushi going away from him in his dreams. "I know, I won't be able to give all the passion and love she deserves. We are standing on the opposite banks of river. I am sure she will turn her back on me when she knows who I am and who my parents were. I will not be able to sustain her rejection. I will not let that happen. I will go away from her..." He thought. He swallowed hard with wet eyes at the thought of going away from her.

He got out of the bed and came down in the hall. Aakash was reading the newspaper. Sham came from the other end and greeted the brothers. Both Arnav and Sham bent to pick up the same Economic Times. Arnav looked at Sham causing him to leave the paper. Sham took another paper and sat in between the two brothers. Aakash looked at Arnav with apprehension.

Arnav sat there for a while, took the paper and went to the table to have his black coffee. Aakash too got up and came to Arnav leaving Sham alone in the hall.
"Bhai... !" He started off. "Shh! Aakash, it's a Sunday... so no business talks!" Arnav said aloud. Ram prakash served coffee and tea to them. Arnav had decided to stay home and asked Aakash about his plans. He said he was going out with Payal for lunch. Arnav's heart ached with the momory of Khushi.

Anjali and mamiji came in for breakfast. "Hello hi bye bye... Arnav bitawa, how come you are at home? We thought we have to take an appointment with your secretary to meet you even at home... " She said laughing. Arnav kept staring at her.

"Arnav Bitawa, have you ever thought about your life? Aakash is getting married, though I hate the way he is getting married and that girl... and I think you should now think about it too. You know I have some proposals for you, all are very rich and famous. Aakash..." She went on. Now there were no hopes with Aakash to get a bimbo... in the family she had turned to Arnav....
"Enough mami.... Please do not spoil my day! I have decided to stay home and if you want to go on.. then better I go to the office." Arnav said getting up from the chair.
"Chote...!" Anjali came forward and forced him to sit. "Please after a very long time we are all together..." She said. "I plan to go to the mandir... please come with us, chote...!" She pleaded.

"Raani Saaheba, he is a very busy person. He may not like it. I will take you all to the mandir." Sham had come to the table and was helping himself with the breakfast and tea.
"Of course Di! Your wish ... I will come with you!" Said Arnav looking at Sham defiantly.

"Ok then, get ready. I will ask nani whether she is joining us..!" said Anjali happily and went to nani's room.

Arnav gaped at Anjali’s devotion….
One incident of the parent's death, two inseparable siblings moved in opposite direction with a single knot of love tying them together. Anjali became a religious, god fearing person who spent most of her time in worship and religious affairs; Whereas Arnav became a total atheist rejecting the existence of god. That incidence had turned their worlds upside down. He kept staring at the idol of the goddess.

"Saale saab, have prashad.... " Sham offered him prashad. He reluctantly accepted it. They came back for lunch. Aakash had gone with Payal. He had no one. He did not know how to pass his time. They were at the table. He noticed a new maid serving at the table. He looked at his Di with surprise and little annoyance. Who is this maid?

"Chote... she is a new maid, he has appointed to help me.." Anjali said looking at Sham praising him for his love towards her.
"What? Why? I mean.. I could have asked any housekeeping agency to get a maid for you." Said Arnav apparently annoyed at this.
"Oh! No chote..." She said turning her eyes as the maid left for the kitchen. "She is a needy girl. Lost her husband at a very young age and is waiting for her family pension. But you know it takes a long time to get the pension now a days... so He gave her this work to help her financially." Arnav looked puzzled. What is going on? What is he up to? He looked straight at Sham.

"Saale Saab... ! Don't worry about these domestic matters....!" Said sham smiling at him. Arnav lost his appetite. He just chewed something and went to his room. There was a knock on the door after sometime. He looked up from his laptop and got up with a jerk with annoyance. "What the hell! How dare you come to my room!" He shouted at the top of his voice. The tray in the maid's hand fell on the floor with a thud.
"Di..." Arnav shouted again. Anjali came in..."Di... I don't want any stranger to enter my room. She is been appointed for you so let her do your work. No need to come to my room.." He was visibly upset at his Di.
"Sorry chote..."Said Anjali waving at the maid to go. "Ram Prakash has gone out so I sent her ..." Anjali said apologetically.
"Di... please do not repeat it again" He said and turned his back on her.

******

Khushi went to the Hospital. On her way she had picked up some fruits, biscuits and flowers. She went to the ICU section and saw Shondeep sitting outside, with his face buried in his hands.

She went nearer and called "Sir....!" He looked up at her. His eyes red, hair untidy, and cloths all crumpled, he looked devastated. She felt sorry for him. His mother looked equally shattered. He put his arm around his mother's shoulder and introduced her to Khushi. "She is my mother. And mother! She is Sir's assistant and his foster daughter Ms. Gupta." His mother forced a faint smile on her face. Khushi came forward and took his mother's hand her hands.

"Don't worry, auntiji... everything will be ok. Devi mayya is with you all. He will recover soon. Have courage." Khushi said genuinely. She remembered her babuji. She looked at Shondeep and asked "What did doctors say? Is there anything we have to do?"

Shondeep looked little relaxed. Khushi's pleasant appearance had made him little optimistic. "He has to be under observation for next 24 hours. And then they will decide about other things. Angiographies or bypass will be decided later." He said looking at her for support. She kept the flowers on the bench and gave the fruits and biscuits bag to shondeep.
"Did you have your breakfast?" She asked him. He shook his head and looked at his mother.

"Auntiji, come with me. Let us have something. You stay here and I will get something for you" She said. And not listening to her NO s Khushi took her to the coffee shop downstairs. Shondeep kept looking at her. She had taken the charge of the situation and he had submitted himself.

Khushi came back talking to his mother animatedly, trying some Bengali words. His mother looked little energetic and was listening to Khushi smiling. Khushi had brought coffee and sandwiches for Shondeep. He refused first, but then Khushi forced him to eat and have coffee.
"Sir, if you have any urgent work, I will stay here with auntiji.... I will take care" Said Khushi.
"No. Ms Gupta ... My relatives stay in Asansol and will be arriving in a shortly. My mother's sister...." He said looking at her.
"Its ok. I will be here till they arrive. I will be with her" She said looking at his mother and holding her hand. He actually smiled in his state of distress. The burden on his shoulder was released with her gesture.

Khushi stayed with them till their relatives arrived. Then she talked to Shondeep and told him not to worry and god was always with him. He forced a smile on his face. He felt depressed when she was leaving. He thanked her for all her support. She promised his mother that she would come again and left. Shondeep had all the admirations for her. He just kept looking in her direction.
Khushi came home. The kids were waiting for her. She told Mummiji about Shondeep's father and went out to play with the kids in the garden.

Papaji came home late in the night. Khushi had curled up on a sofa and was watching TV.

"Khushi, why are you up this late?" Asked papaji.
"Nothing papaji, I just could not sleep" She sat upright on the sofa. She told him everything that happened in these two days, even the story of Arnav forgetting his cell at home and Sham picking it up. Papaji listened to her patiently and said "Ok. Puttar, now go and sleep! Your routine will start from tomorrow with additional duty of the project.
"Ok. Papaji, goodnight" She went to her room. She picked up her phone to call Arnav.
*** ***
Arnav was upset to see the new maid in his house. He was upset with everyone in the House. Afternoon was the worst. He had to bear with his jijaji and mamiji's nonsense talk. He repented for staying at home. In the evening at tea time, they were all gathered at the table. Mamaji said he needed to meet the chartered accountant for his tax returns.

Arnav Asked "Di, did you fill your tax returns? And you?" He looked at sham.

"No chote... I have to do it. We have to get it done for nani also. I will ask our CA to complete it." Sham had ignored his question.

"Ok. Di, give me your file with the bills and bank statements. I will arrange to complete your account statements." We need to file our papers as early as possible. The due date is approaching for the professionals to file the tax returns. Aakash and I have done it already." He said looking at Sham. Sham avoided his gaze. Arnav grinned.

Part 47

"Hello sale saab! How was your business trip?" asked Sham when Arnav was about to leave for the office skipping his breakfast. Aakash was nowhere to be seen.
"Yeah ok. It was good." Arnav said indifferently.
"Where had you been?" asked Sham innocently.
Arnav looked at him piercingly but did not answer. Sham was waiting for an answer. "Had been to various places" Said Arnav with a straight face. Sham turned.

"How was your Kanpur trip?" Asked Arnav looking straight at Sham.
Sham was shocked as it was his secrete mission. No one knew, not even Anjali. "How does he know that I had been to Kanpur? What else does he know?" he glared, then said "Yeah it was nice.. had some court matter to finish... " he said.
"Ok Then. I am leaving for office" Aranv turned to go with a smirk on his face.
Sham had asked Aman to book his flight ticket.

Arnav went to office. Aman had prepared all the papers. He scanned through the profile of sham.
"Aman get the supporting testimonials and credentials from him and file them. Send this profile with other documents to BTR group to one Mr. Banerjee, I have copied you on the reply to him. Send him our company profile too" instructed Arnav.
"Yes Sir" Said Aman.
He wanted to call Mr. Banerjee. He looked out for his phone. It was missing. “Shit!!” immediately called up home. Naniji answered. He requested her to send his cell through the driver.
She said..."Chote...just now I sent it with.. oh wait..." and called out holding the receiver, "Sham bitawa... please give that phone... I have to send it now only. " Arnav Froze.. His phone? With sham?

"Chote.. I will get it ..." Nani said.
"Nani, get the phone right now... how many times do I have to tell you? "I don't like anybody touching my belongings..!" Get the phone!" He yelled.
Nani shuddered and the receiver fell down from her hand. She hurriedly called Ram Prakash to get the phone from Sham. She saw sham getting out of the House. Ram Prakash ran behind him and asked for Arnav's phone.

Sham came back in "I am going towards that side only and I will give it so sale saab." He said. "No Damadji, he may not like it... you know his anger. So please give it to me as he has asked me to collect it.." Nani said stretching her hand out.
Sham had held the phone in his hand and was twirling it with his fingers. He gripped the phone for a second in his hand tightly and then releasing it, "Ok. Naniji. I understand .. take this." He gave it back to her.

"There will be lot of opportunities... " he thought. He turned his back and went out. He had the phone for more than ten minutes in his hand. and he had not flicked it on... "I will scan through Saale Saab's phone on my way... There is no point trying it in the House. It should not look suspicious..." He had thought. Now he had lost the opportunity.

"Chote.. I have your phone with me and I am sending it right away." Said nani and she hung up. Arnav sighed. He was not sure for how long the phone was with Sham. He decided to keep quiet about it and wait for Sham's reaction. He waited for his cell phone. " I must image lock the phone....Hope Khushi had not called when the phone was with HIM" he prayed keeping his fingers crossed. "I have to be more careful. How come I forgot my cell? This all is getting on to my nerve." He looked tensed and frustrated with the situation he was thrown in.

** ****
Sham went out of the House dialing a number. "What have you done with the work I had assigned to you?" he asked sternly. "I had asked you to get the information immediately.. have paid you for that" Sham looked upset.

"Yes and I have a good news for you. He has sent a mail to that company suggesting your name as official contact person. He also has kept the files ready with the documents. Someone from the client company will be coming soon to talk to you." Said the person from the other end.

"Good! Keep sneaking! Give me every detail " smile appeared on Sham's face. His field setting was working perfectly for him. Aman from the office had called him late last night and had asked him to send his profile. He had done that immediately after coming home in the morning and now was all set to start his day.

*** ***
Arnav came home in the evening. It was not a good day for him. He had forgotten his cell and it was in HIS hands. His heart had skipped a beat. He did not know what all sham had known. Sham came in the afternoon to the office and casually asked about the progress of the acquisition. Arnav had told him the progress. It had matched with Shams information. Sham looked satisfied. He kept on telling his plans on the project. He had asked for a separate chamber for him. Arnav gaped at him but then said he would arrange one for him.

The only good thing happened was his meeting with the company secretary. There his work progressed. Aakash came to the office late in the afternoon when sham was still around. They both could not talk much about anything. Sham looked relaxed and confident about the project. Arnav was amazed at his confidence.
He called Khushi after dinner when he went back to his room; sham was missing but Arnav did not talk about anything.
Khushi picked up the phone. "Sorry Arnavji! I could not take your phone in the morning and could not call you after that. I had to go to the office since papaji is not here. We have started working on the project." She said apologetically. Arnav sighed.
"Oh! Ok. I thought you were waiting for my 14th call to answer." He said smirking.

"Oh! Yeah! I should have waited ... you are a busy man and have no time to talk to me! A heartless person like you will not understand how worried I was about you all. " She went on. Arnav's heart filled with happiness hearing her voice. She was really annoyed and he was happy to have annoyed her. He came back to his senses.

"Khushi... hold on! You will be shocked. I had forgotten my phone at home and that person took it!" Said Arnav seriously.
"What?" Khushi Screamed.... "Oh my god! Hey Devi mayya save us!!.. He must have seen my name... oh my god what do we do now?" khushi raved pacing restlessly.
"Khushi... khushi... wait ! don't go on deliriously like this. Listen to me! Khushi... Khushi... stop crying...Khush!" Arnav kept calling her name... He could hear her sobbing, he forgot everything.. He just wanted to be there with her. Khushi...!..

"Arnav ji... change my name... change it to anything... like Khushvant singh or like some xyz, or Sanjay, or Mary or anything... change it ! change it right now..." she went on ranting...

"What the hell... are you crazy?" Arnav yelled back.
"Change the name in your mobile... give it some other name. I will also change your name from my cell!" Khushi had really gone crazy in panicky.
Arnav was astonished. He realized what she was trying to convey. But what was that about changing his name in her cell? He was bemused.
"Khushi... I will change your name per your suggestion, OK... but are you planning to send your mobile to him ?" he asked with fake seriousness.....smiling to himself.
"What? What are you talking about? Now who has gone crazy? Why would I send him my cell?" she asked angrily.
" You proved yourself, you empty headed girl...!!....What is the point in changing my name in your mobile?" He asked laughing... She understood her stupidity.

"Yeah! Very funny! You be in my position.... Then you will understand my anxiety ... I am dying with the tension here and you have all the heart to crack jokes like this" She was upset and was annoyed with Arnav. How could he laugh at me? She thought of the situation again and then smiled herself.
"How silly of me! Why would I change your name in my cell?" she started laughing with Arnav.
"Khushi... where are you right now? In the hall?" asked Arnav sounding little nervous.
"No. I am in my room. Why?" she asked. She waited with baited breath. She knew he was going to throw another bombshell on her.
"No... nothing.. just like that ... what are you doing now?" He asked huskily. He missed her so much. His soul and body craving for her, .... .
"I...I am sitting at the dressing table...." She said in a dreamy state. She could feel his passion. Her cheeks grew pink, her heart missing a beat she whispered "Arhavji, What is it?"
"Khushi... I ....Nothing.... I .. I mean.... Have a good night sleep and sweet dreams....!" He said controlling his emotions. He just wanted to be with her and forget everything. He closed his eyes. He wanted to meet her at least in his dreams.
"Good night Arnavji and sweet dreams!" she carried his emotions in her heart and closed her eyes.

Part 46

"Aakash, believe me.. I am really confused... why did he go after Khushi?... I mean he had everything... money, status, a beautiful wife like Di…We all believed him , Damn it!!" Arnav blurted clenching his fists, looking at Aakash's aghast face.

"But he has done it Aakash... He has ruined Khushi's life. She had nowhere to go.. He..did ruin.. “Arnav swallowed hard. 

"Bhai.... That night she was tormented by our behavior... I mean we should have at least given  her a chance to speak up....I mean ... how could he do this to her?" He looked furious.

Arnav knew.. Akash believed Payal... Aakash was with them now.
"Aakash.... Look... he has taken Di's power of attorney to manage her finances and now all set to take up this new project in his hands.... He took five lacs in cash from her under the pretext of bribing people for this new project..." Said Arnav with solemnity.
"What..? five lacs? God!... Bhai this is looting... what do we do now? How do we stop him... Stupid me... I supported him in the board meeting...I am sorry Bhai.. I .. I really did not know..." Aakash put his hand on Arnav's shoulder. 

Arnav held his hand and said "Aakash, we have to be very careful. We have to decide when to expose him with minimum hurt to Di's feelings and our family... This will be impossible for her to take it. We have to keep quiet for some time. We have to keep an eye on his activities, find out his ulterior motive, collect the evidence and then hit hard on him.. Aakash, this is difficult but not impossible... and even if its impossible, we have to make it possible to save everyone from his clutches..." Said Arnav seriously.

**** ***
"Raani Saheba... were you sleeping? Did I call you at the odd hour?" Asked Sham calling Anjali on her cell...

"No, no... Actually I was waiting for your call... when are you coming? You know... Chote and Aakash both have returned from their business tour. Aakash's wedding date is fixed in October. I am so happy for them... we really have to make it a grand wedding.... " Anjali said passionately. 

"I just called you to tell you, that I am coming tomorrow. My work is over and it was a success. I am really happy that I am of some help to the family. You know... I could do it in an hour's time what other people take around a day.... Raani Saheba... I just could not resist telling you this news. " Sham said equally passionately. 

"Oh! That is great. I will tell chote about this tomorrow. By the way, I told him that I gave you money and he said he will reimburse the money. Please get the bills so that he will reimburse." Said Anjali innocently.

"What? Did you tell him about the money? Why? I mean I could have told him once I start the work officially... Raani Saahiba,,, How can I submit bill for a bribe? I was planning to return the money once I am assigned the project... " Said Sham sounding upset.

"Oh! No need. I will manage ... And, don't you worry about the project. Its yours. Arnav told me that he is preparing papers. " Said Anjali.

"Ok Raani Saheba... goodnight and miss you!" Sham hung up thinking...

"Ok. That is it. He finally agreed. He trusts me... I need to be cautious... He is a very shrewd businessman. I need to know more about this "Spinning and Weaving Kolkata Company" I need to do a lot of home work before I next meet my saale saab. Anyway, my today's work is a success... so... everything that starts great ends great... Congratulations Sham Manohar Zaa.... You are heading towards accomplishment of your mission...." He thought smiling and feeling great about himself. He had set the field for the Raizadas..." Sham patted his back praising himself.

Khushi kept on trying Arnav's number but there was no response. She got frustrated. She wanted to talk to him desperately and he was not picking up the phone. She could not sleep for a long time and kept thinking about what might have happened in Raizada House. 

******   *******
The door bell rang in Raizada house morning at 6.30 and Arnav woke up with a start. He opened his room door to see the servant opening the main door. Sham came in. “Shit! My day is ruined…!”Arnav banged shut his door thinking  He stopped at this thought. Since when did he become so superstitious? He remembered Khushi's silly superstitions  and a smile appeared on his face. He picked up his phone. He wanted to talk to her to tell her about Aakash. He saw 13 missed calls from Khushi. "What was she doing all night? Calling me up?" he mused and dialed her number. 

This time she did not pick up the phone. "What does she expect from me now? Call her 13 times?" he asked himself in frustration. But did not try to call her again.
He got a ring in 15 minutes. It was Khushi. "Why did you not pick up the phone?" he asked her angrily.

"What? Do you expect me to carry the phone to the bathroom?" She asked furiously. "And why did you not pick up my phone last night?" she asked.

"Oh! I had put it on silent mode and forgot !" He said and immediately regretted having said that. She had started off ..."Oh! You mean you did not find it necessary to see...."
"Oh! cut it Khushi... there will be enough time for us to fight... now coming to the point." He said cutting her off. "Look, I talked to Aakash yesterday night. Payal told him everything..." Said Arnav

"That's what I wanted to ask you last night. Jiji told me .. I wanted to know his reaction. Is everything ok? Arnavji...." She asked in a worried tone.

There was a knock on the door. "Khushi... I will call you later.. Someone is at the door." Said Arnav hurriedly and hung up.

Khushi got frustrated. She threw her phone on the bed. " Fine.. tell me when you have time... Arnavji... hope you find out some time for me..." She muttered angrily.
Arnav opened the door. It was Aakash looking like a sleep deprived person."What is it Aakash? Are you ok?" Arnav was worried. 

"Bhai... he said sitting on the bed. I could not sleep last night. I think I was rude to Payal. I should not have reacted like that.." Aakash started off.
"Oh! Aakash... come on! Call her up and say sorry... or go and meet her!" Arnav said in "this-is this simple" tone.
"Bhai... should I call her now and later? I mean can I go to her place now? What will she think..?" Aakash blurted looking lost. "Oh! Aakash, if you are so restless, call her first and then go to her home." Said Arnav in hopeless tone.

"And now if you excuse me.. I am calling Khushi!" he said.
Aakash looked at him with "Now how is eager to talk?" glare. Arnav avoided his eyes and said..."Ok Aakash if that is it then..." 

"Ok bhai,... I ... I saw him now... Bhai I am worried ...!" said Aakash "Its OK Aakash, we will talk about it later" Said Arnav looking around. 

"Khushi.." Papaji called her. "Yes papaji?" she came out of her room forgetting her cell on the bed. "Khushi, go to our Weaving office this morning and meet Shondeep Banerjee. He is the person assigned for the acquisition of the spinning mill. Help him prepare the papers. Go with him to our lawyers’ office.  Meet Das if possible.. and then tell me everything on Monday. I am leaving to Gurudwara and will be back tomorrow night." Papaji instructed her and went off. 

She then went into the kids' room. Woke them up and gave them morning breakfast and milk. She went to mummiji's room and took her to the mandir. They came back at around 9.00. She got ready to go to the office. She saw Arnav's missed call. "But now there is no time to talk. I will call him later" She thought and almost ran out to catch the Metro to go to the office. She used to take a car when papaji used to be there with her.
She went to Office and met Banerjee. He discussed with her about the acquisition for a long time and then they went to the lawyer’s firm in his car. "It's a lengthy process to convert a co-operative venture into a private unit. Lot of government approvals are to be taken. " The lawyer had told them. She couldn’t meet Dasgupta….!

They took the list of documents required for this project and the contract documents from the lawyer and came back. "Ms Khushi, we need to peruse this new deputee's profile. His name is some Sham Manohar Zaa and he is a lawyer." Khushi winced at his name. "Hum? Yes" she said. "We really need a good lawyer for this." He muttered.
"We have to interview this person" Said Banerjii. "Not us... you! You have to take his interview" Said Khushi smiling. "Oh! Yes. His profile seems to be ok, though he is inexperienced in such acquisitions! " he said. 

Khushi came back in the evening exhausted. Kids greeted her. She forgot all her worries and settled playing with the kids.

Part 45

He came out to the dining table. Sham was nowhere to be seen. "Di where is jijaji?" he asked. He hated to call him Jijaji. 

"Oh! He has gone out of Delhi for some urgent work today early morning" said Anjali. "Chote, I am so happy that he has started working with you all. This way your burden will shift. You know, he is working so hard. He said he will have to manage so many government officials for this project. He requires lot of money. I told him that if he is working officially then the company will provide him with all the required facilities and  money..." Arnav chocked. 

She looked at him... "Chote what happened?"

"Nothing Di. I mean yes... company bears all the expenses... upon submitting the bills, at actuals..." He said thinking hard and reviewing his options. 

"Yes Chote, but you know he had to go out for the work and you and Aakash were not there so I helped him with the money." Anjali said.

"Wa.. what? I mean.. ok. Ask him to submit the bills once he comes back. I will reimburse the money to you, Di! .. By the way, how much did you pay him?"
"Five Lacs.." Said Anjali. "What? And all in cash?" Arnav asked in a hollow voice.
"Yes, but why? " Anjali asked looking hurt.

"No.. I mean.. Its ok Di. But please issue a cheque next time when you want to give him any money. Cash transactions are difficult to justify you know..." Arnav told coming back to his senses. 

He could not continue with his dinner. He came to his room thinking about sham and where he might have gone.

** ***
Sham boarded the bus to come back to Delhi in the night from Kanpur. He had taken a flight from Delhi to Kanpur in the morning. He had finished his work pretty fast and was happy that everything went as per his expectations. He did not have to worry about it anymore. A smirk appeared on his face. "Raani Sahiba....thank you for being in love with me...." He muttered. He had done lot of things in these two days of Arnav and Aakash's absence to keep himself ready to take over this project. 

*** ***
Khushi had called Payal in the evening on Friday. "Jiji, you can now tell the truth about shamji to Aakashji. I know it might have been difficult for you to hide this from him. And now you can tell him. But please call me after that. I want to know what his reaction is. But keep it a secret from everyone else.." She had told Payal.

Then she had called happyji garage wala. "Hello happyji. How are you?" she had greeted him.
"Hello Khushiji. How are you? From where are you calling? I saw you a last week here. But you had no time to talk to happyji." He said little hurt. 

"That's why I called you happyji, I am sorry I could not talk to you when I was in Delhi. I have taken up a new job you see and I could not stay for long in Delhi. You know, I am worried about my family. But I am happy that you are all around and I am sure you will help them." Khushi said apprehensively.

"Yes Khushiji. Don't worry we are all here. " Said happyji happily.
"Happyji I will keep calling you frequently to ask about them. You know they don't tell me anything, thinking that I will be unnecessarily worried. So I will be calling you and you have to tell me everything ok?" she told happyji.

"Yes Khushiji I will keep an eye on them and will tell you if anything happens. By the way Sham ji is not to be seen now a day. What happened? The other day he had called. Did he leave your place? He was telling me that he got a new house. He was asking about you. I told him you are here in Delhi.." Khushi was able to turn the conversation in right direction.

"Yes Happyji. He has left but he is very much concerned about our family, If he calls back tell him that I was asking about him.. you know.. I wanted to meet him but could not. Ok then I will call you some other day. " Khushi hung up.

*** **
"Bhai, are you still awake?" Asked Aakash, knocking on the door. "Yes Aakash get in" Said Arnav shutting down his laptop and getting ready to talk to Aakash. 

"Bhai, are you still awake?" Asked Aakash, knocking on the door. "Yes Aakash get in" Said Arnav shutting down his laptop and getting ready to talk to Aakash. 

Khushi's cell rang. It was payal. "Khushi... you know... the wedding will be in October... Khushi..?" Payal sounded very happy. Khushi already knew about it through Arnav.

"Oh! Is it? That's great JIJI .. Congratulations... we can plan for the wedding from now on. I have thought about so many things for your marriage... and you know I am inviting papaji's daughter in law Elsa for the wedding.. She will really love to be a part of Indian Wedding... You know she is an American..." As usual Khushi chirped.

"Khushi... wait... there is one more thing I want to tell you. I met Aakashji this evening. He gave me the news about our wedding. Then we went for a walk in the park. I told him everything. Initially he was shocked but then said he could not believe this. He was not ready to accept that his jijaji would do such things. Khushi he did not speak anything after that and we came back. He just left without even wishing me ....Khushi.... Khushi? Khushi? Are you there?" Payal screamed in panic. 

"ye.. yes jiji, I am here and listening... " Khushi said coming back to her senses.
"Khushi... I am afraid... he just could not digest it. He was so upset. I think he did not believe my words... Khushi... I am really scared. What if he goes and tells it in the house and these people reject... I mean, I know I have told only the truth but ... Khushi.. did I make a mistake?" Payal was really panic and scared.

"Jiji, you did the right thing. May be he is upset that you did not tell him before... he must have felt hurt.."Khushi said in a fake optimism. She knew something was wrong and if Aakash ji did not believe Payal and there is possibility that he may turn his back on her... then their plan would fail and Arnav will be all alone to handle it. Her heart ached.

"Jiji, don't worry... It's a shock for him so he behaved little weird. Everything will be alright. Now please go to sleep. I will call you tomorrow." Said Khushi in a firm voice.
She tried calling Arnav but he did not pick up the phone.

*** ***
"Hello Aakash, Congratulations...! The D Date is finally fixed." Said Arnav smiling and outstretching his hand for a shake. But Aakash looked all lost.

"Bhai, we need to talk. I am shock with Payalji's revelation. I just can't believe it. Bhai..." Aakash looked around and said "We need to go out. I cannot just take it in.."
"Ok. Aakash let us go.." He put his phone on a vibrate mode and left with Aakash. He knew what was coming ....

"Bhai... " Aakash blurted. They were in the car and Arnav was driving. "Bhai I cannot believe this. Jijaji... how could he do this? I mean its unbelievable ... but then why would payal ji tell me this if its not true. But how can it be true?" Aakash went on muttering.
"Aakash... stop it and tell me what did payal told you.." Arnav looked at Aakash questioningly, pulling over the car at a secluded place.

"Bhai.... She told me that Jijaji was staying with them as paying guest and he got engaged to Khushi ji. And was about to marry her. And when Khushiji came to know about his truth he tried to put all the blame on her in front of you and you married her to resolve the issue...But how is it possible? Khushiji used to come to our house almost every day. How come she did not see him in our house? I mean this is unbelievable. I ... I really don't know whom to believe..." Aakash said all this in one breath and then stopped to breathe.

"Aakash, The same was my reaction when I saw them together in the temple that night. I too didn't know whom to believe. I married her in the same state of confusion and then realized what I had done. But Aakash, its true...what Payal told you is true." Arnav said gravely looking at Aakash.

"But bhai... Di and Jijaji...I mean they are so deeply in love ... l used to look at them as ideal couple. This is impossible to accept. They are so much in love with each other...."
"Love? Did you say love? Aakash, its only Di's love" Said Arnav painfully. "Whether its dumbness or blind faith, I do not know... but ...Di loves him blindly, she has closed her mind on everything else. Di is in deep trouble..." Arnav said gravely.

"What? What do you mean Bhai? Why...?" Asked Aakash.