Part 60

"Saale Saab! Can I help you? I will take your plate upstairs!" Said Sham looking suspicious.
"No! I will manage" and he paced upstairs.
He knocked on the bathroom door ensuring that the room door is securely locked.

"Khushi!" He pointed at the plate. "Come on! Have some food." He said holding her hand.
"Arnav ji, you got sweet!" She looked at the plate in surprise. "Damn it!" he was shocked. "Hope, no one suspects!" He said.
They hurriedly started eating. 

There was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" Arnav shouted. "Sham sir has sent your juice sir!" called out the new Maid.
"I don't want any juice!" he barked. "Ok. Sir!"


"Khushi listen! I got to take you out safely. I don't want any more trouble for you. You have been already through the hell" He said seriously.  Khushi stared at him... he held her hand...

"Khushi, I know you still have many questions about me. I promise I will tell you everything..."
"No! Arnavji, I do not want any answers. I don't want to hear anything that puts you in pain. I don't want to do anything that puts you in trouble. Don't tell me anything which is painful. I don't want to listen. I am not bothered about the past nor about the future." She said looking into his eyes passionately.


"Khushi, but you should know!" Said Arnav.
"No. Arnavji.. What could be the worst? You have a terrible past, so do I. Your parents died when you were young. What could be the worst than this? Your past! Just forget about the past. What could have happened in the past before I know you..! Nothing could be worst than..."  She looked at his face.  Her eyes popped out in horror.... Her throat went dry...

"wait a minute... are you... are you married before?" She asked horror struck! Looking into his hollow face! He looked at her seriously, then looked away and said.. "YES!"


"Wa..t?" Khushi froze.
"Yes, Khushi! I am sorry, I wanted to tell you this...! I am married!" He said in a heavy tone unable to cope with the reality.
"What..?" She was devastated.
"Khushi! I am married to the craziest girl and she drives me crazy all the time!" He looked at her going a few paces back. He waited for her reaction for some time.
"Khushi! Are you ok?" He asked coming nearer getting no retaliation from her...
Khushi leapt forward and banged on his chest, crying. "You knocked me dead!" She said holding on to him. He pulled her closer and smiled. She kept on looking at his bright smiling face mesmerized.  She closed her eyes to capture it in her heart... forever...!

"Khushi! Promise me, you are not going to do anything dangerous!" He said seriously. "Do not do anything without papaji's approval. Do you...." Arnav was cut off..
"Papaji? Oh my god! Hey devi mayya! Raksha Karana.. save me! ....Papaji! I have not told papaji!" Khushi screamed panic struck.
"What? What the hell! Khushi, are you out of your mind?" Arnav yelled at her dialing papaji's number.
"No! I told mummiji though!" She said finding some solace.

"Hello. This is Arnav! Khushi is here..." He said with his Bluetooth on.   He listened hard without uttering a single word, for a long time. Khushi looked at him expectantly.
"Yes. I will do that!" He said and hung up.
"What? What did he say?" she asked looking frightened.
"Nothing! He talked about business." He said in a worried tone.
"I know, he is annoyed with me. I made a big mistake. I should have taken his permission.. " She started muttering.
"Oh! Shut up, Khushi! You should have thought of this before." Arnav was mad at her.


"Bhai.. Aakash taped on the door." Arnav opened it.

"Bhai, the coast will be clear soon. Payal is at it! We can take her out then. But bhai, I wanted to talk to you! The news is to be worried about." Aakash said seriously.
"What?" Arnav said expecting the worst.
"bhai, Di is all set to transfer her shares of apparels division to Jijaji. She has already filled up the transfer form, but has not yet submitted to the board. She has more than 45% in that division, bhai!" Aakash was very serious. What was feared had caught up with them.
"Oh! Damn it! I expected this. We have to delay the transfer at any cost, Aakash! She should not transfer her shares!" Arnav said anxiously.
Khushi poked her nose. She was listening to all this. "Delay the transfer?" She asked.
"Khushi.. Please, its not concerned with you.!" Arnav tried to control his temper.
"No, but delay? Do you want to delay the transfer?" She paused for a second.
"Its simple!" she said as matter of fact. Both of them gaped at her.
"Khushi...listen.." Arnav opened his mouth to shut her up.
"Its simple, Arnavji! Inform her that the transfer matter will be taken up only in AGM (annual General Meeting). When is your AGM coming up?" She asked casually looking at them.
Arnav's mouth fell open. He gaped at her unable to utter anything. "We had it last month!" Said Aakash looking lost.
"Then Its still more simple. You have another 14 months to conduct the AGM so the delay is possible." She said shrugging.
Arnav still was gaping at her. "Wow! Khushiji, you hit the bull's eye!" Aakash said with admiration. He looked at his bhai, who was still lost.
"Arnavji, come back!" Khushi said waving her hand in front of his eyes.
"What?" he woke from his shoked state.
"This is months training with papaji!" she said proudly. Arnav smiled. He wished he could kiss her for her spark!
Payal was at the door. "Everything is ok." She said. Aakash went out to the front door. Payal went downstairs in the hall to cover up.

"Khushi!" Arnav had no parting words! He hugged her with one hand without bothering about the pain in his shoulder. She responded with passion  and he saw her going out of the room. She turned back looking at him.

"I will cherish the memories of these stolen moments with you!" Thought Arnav and Khushi, looking at each other passionately.
Amen!

Khushi went out of the house. She knew the shortcut to the gates from the garden. She broke into run towards the gate. She took a turn and collided head on with a girl heading towards the backyard. Both of them fell down. Khushi got up with a jerk and so did the maid.

"Sorry!" Khushi muttered and ran out of the gates.

Part 59

Khushi and Arnav froze in horror. She looked around trying to hide herself. She found nowhere to go. He pushed her into the bathroom shutting the door tightly. He opened the door frowning and was shocked to see his Di and Sham smiling at him.

"Di? What is it?" He asked looking at Sham.
"Whom were you talking to, Chote?" She asked. Sham looked at him suspiciously.
"Oh! Come on Di! I had a con call with Aman!" He said in frustration trying to keep his voice steady and maintain his composure.

"Oh! Sorry Chote! We just came to show you the shopping we did for you" He had stood at the door like a wall never wanting to allow them inside. Anjali made her way in and Sham followed. Arnav had no other option than to have a look at the shopping.

"Chote, we bought a tuxedo for you. She was all excited about her shopping. Sham was looking around. Arnav had a hurried glance all over his room to ensure everything was ok.
"Why is your laptop on the floor?" Sham pointed out the flaw, looking at Arnav.
"Oh! It fell down when you two banged the door!" He looked at Sham. Sham seemed to be ok with the explanation.

"You like it, Chote?" She asked expectantly. "Yes Di! Your choice is really good!" He said looking at Sham. "Look at your choice Di! What a dirt!" His heart cried.
"Its not my choice, Chote! Thank your Jijaji. He has a beautiful dressing sense." She looked at her husband passionately. He placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Oh! Yes, Thank you!" he said looking at the couple. "And if this is over, can I go back to my work, Di?" He asked hinting that she should leave now.
"Chote! Now a days you don't have time for us at all. And you are dragging your Jijaji in this too!" She said sulking. Sham laughed.

"Raani Saaheba! We are doing all this for you! We want you to have all the happiness in your life. What say Saale Saab?" He asked looking at Arnav. He nodded.
"Di Please, Let me finish my work and I will come down for lunch!" He said getting impatient.
"Ok. Chote! As you wish. But don't make us wait for you for long! She said and both of them got up to leave.  Arnav wished they all went deaf…!

All of them heard sound of flush from the bathroom. Anjali got up with a jerk. Arnav froze. Shit!!! What the hell!
"Who is in there, Chote?" Anjali asked in astonishment. Sham had got up to open the bathroom door.
"Its ok Di! Nothing important! The flush tank is malfunctioning. I have already called up the Kohler showroom to fix it up. They are sending someone." He said trying to keep his tone calm and steady and inadvertently standing in the way, blocking Sham from going towards the bathroom. Sham looked suspicious but came back towards Anjali.
"Di, please! I am already impaired! I have to do with one hand. Please let me finish my work." He pleaded her to go.
"Ok. Chote, Take care!" she said and clutching her husband's arm she moved out of the room.

Arnav banged the door shut and reached up to the bathroom door in a leap frowning and muttering furiously...
He banged on the door. She opened it nervously. He pushed her inside marching on her angrily. "You stupid girl! Do you have to goof up everything every time?" He was burning with fury.
"Wa...What did I do?" She asked blankly, clearly frightened at his outburst.
"He pointed his finger to the flush tank. "Why the hell? We heard it!. you silly girl.!"
She realized her mistake. She started biting her nails nervously. "Sorry! You see, I have been running around since 5.30 in the morning..!" she said lamely.
"Could you not wait for few more minutes? Thank god! Your bright little brain did not think of having a nice hot water shower and sing along!" He was still furious.

"Oh god! Why did I fall for this girl?" He thought.
"You are impossible, Khushi Kumari..." He stopped!
"Say it!" she said grabbing the opportunity to divert his attention. "Say it.. Khushi Kumari Gupta!! Umm…..MS Gupta sounds much better!" She said grinning.
"Oh! Shut up Khushi!" He gave up throwing his good hand in the air and looking away.

"Now, are we going out or you want to finish your lecture session here pining me against this bathroom wall?" She asked looking at him sulkily.
His eyes flashed with mischief. "Not a bad idea! Let us continue!" He blew gently on her face causing her moan in pleasure and closing the gap between them leaning against her. She pushed him away and came out running. Arnav followed her.

"Khushi! Try and understand, this is very dangerous! We will be caught anytime. We cannot afford a single mistake!" He was very serious.
"Ok. Sorry Arnavji... I pulled you in trouble!" she was serious too. "I.. I could not control myself when I heard about your accident" she was in tears.
"Khushi! Its ok! But we have to be very careful!" Arnav hugged her.
"Khushi...wait!" He went to his wardrobe and got something out from his hung coat pocket.
"Khushi! I am sorry.." She looked at his outstretched hand. Her black thread was waiting for her. She looked at him with tearful eyes but smiling.
He tried to tie it around her neck with one hand. She helped him. This time it was tightly tug around her neck. "This is better... she looked in the mirror "Next time if you try to wrench pull it.. it will cut my throat first!" She said looking satisfied. Arnav pressed his fingers on her lips.
" Don't you ever say that again!" He said painfully! She turned around and hugged him tightly wrapping her hands around his waist. He pressed his cheek on her head closing his eyes.

The room door was banged open. They froze. Aakash and Payal were at the door. Arnav had forgotten to lock the door from inside...

"Jiji?" Khushi blurted. Both of them came in. "Why was the door not locked.. Bhai?" Asked Aakash looking upset.
"Sorry! I forgot! Di with him had come!" Said Arnav guiltily.
"What? Did they see her?" Asked Payal.
"No! jiji! I was locked up in bathroom!" said Khushi looking at Arnav.
"Ok. Aakash. We need a plan to smuggle her out of the house. We can do it at night!" said Arnav thinking hard.
"Night?" Khushi screamed. "I have to go back by six O'clock flight." She said looking at them.
"What?" Asked all of them, shocked!
"Yes. I have to meet babuji before that!" She said getting panic.
Arnav looked at the time. It was 1.00 in the afternoon. He calculated and said "Fine! We have two more hours. I think they will have a afternoon nap after lunch and we will have the chance!"
"Lunch? Oh! I am hungry, Jiji! I have not even had my breakfast!" Khushi said clutching her stomach.
"Oh! God! Khushi! Stop it! How can you think of lunch in this situation?" asked Arnav frustrated.
"Hunger stops my brain working, Arnavji, as much as anger stops yours!" Said Khushi angrily.

"Oh! Stop it Aakash!" Arnav barked seeing Aakash laughing. Aakash could not control his laughter.
"Ok. Listen everybody, We will go down for lunch and Khushi you lock yourself in the bathroom again and for god's sake don't goof up this time. I will keep the room door unlocked, take my plate upstairs and Khushi can have her lunch. Akakash you will have to cover up in case something goes wrong. Payal, are you staying for lunch?" Arnav started planning meticulously.

"No. Arhavji, I will go with Jiji, as early as possible and have lunch at home. Please, I don't want to put you in more trouble. Please go down and tell me when the ground is clear I will dash out of this house.." Said Khushi looking at him.
Arnav's heart sank with the thought of Khushi leaving him. "Oh! Shut up, Khushi! I will take care" He said looking at her. She too looked sad at the thought of leaving.

"Ok. Aakash and Payal, you go first. I will join you soon." Said Arnav turning at Khushi. Both of them left. He closed the door.
"Khushi! Please stay out of trouble, will you? I will be back soon with your food"
"No Arnavji. You have your food and come back. I can stay without food even for a complete day" she said looking at him.
"And what? Faint in my arms.. like you did in the office that day!" He said with mock fury. She smiled and he could not control himself.  She blushed with the brush of his lips on her cheek.

He went out, with his Bluetooth attached to his ear. Everybody was waiting for him. He reluctantly sat on the chair. The new maid started serving food. He got a phone call.
"Yes Mr. Mehta! I am available." He got up from the chair filling his plate with the food as much as possible including the sweet, pretending to be talking over the phone. Everyone else gaped at him. Aakash got nervous looking at his overflowing plate. He took the plate and turned to leave.

Part 58

"Khushi!" He blurted with shooting pain, turning his face and shutting eyes tightly.

"Arnavji..!" She was sitting on his bed. She touched his shoulder. He could feel her. He could smell her, her touch made him open his eyes in horror. He still saw her. She was very near looking at him with worriedly, tears welling up in her eyes. "Arnavji... yeh kya hua aapko?" She was on the verge of crying.

*** *** ***
Arnav had come back from his Nanded Tour. He had not called Khushi but every time he called up Papaji, he talked about her. Papaji answered all his questions about khushi and her plight after he left her. The guilt was eating him from within.

“Papaji please tell her to let go… I .. I just can’t ….!” Papaji tried to console both of them. Arnav kept on telling papaji to tell her to move on in her life.

“That’s not possible, Puttar! She can’t live without you!” Papaji tried to convince him.

Khushi never asked Papaji about Arnav again. But she had her other spy to give her all the information. Every day at night she used to call Payal to know the progress about her wedding preparations. But half the time she asked about Arnav. Sometimes Payal got fed up with answering the same question umpteen number of times. She had said "Khushi why don't you ask him yourself?"
"No jiji , I will not ask him anything. I will not talk to him!" she had said sulkily.

"Khushi, I don't understand what’s going on between you two! Whenever I meet him he keeps on asking about you.!" Payal said one day sounding frustrated.
"Jiji, promise me! You are not going to tell him anything about me. " Khushi had warned.

** *** ****
Lot of things progressed simultaneously in these three weeks. Arnav had gone ahead and floated a new company called "Del-Ta Liaison Pvt. Ltd. With the catch line "We do anything for you" with funding from Roger. He had issued an offer letter to sham offering him the post of CEO in this new company with a handsome salary plus incentives with share in the profit. Sham seemed to be very happy with this offer and had accepted it too. However he was not ready to leave Anjali alone and insisted that he take her with him wherever he went.

Papaji provided him the crucial information about Sham's activities and advised him on dealing with the issues.
Papaji had asked him to send the file of all the papers concerning his parents; their death certificates, the property papers, all those things which are related to his parents are to be gathered and to be compiled. Arnav was confused but at the same time started gathering all the documents without anybody's knowledge.
Sham turned out to be much smarter than they had thought. He had his paid men everywhere. Arnav could not find out how did sham knew everything about his company affairs. He suspected sabotage within his company. Someone from AR Group was feeding him the crucial information. It had become difficult to catch that person red handed. Arnav did not know whom to trust. His frustration started mounting.

Preparations and planning for Payal and Aakash's wedding were in full swing. The wedding planners were given the contract from Raizada family. Guptas were finding it difficult to cope with the preparations. They all missed Khushi. Payal was pestering Khushi to come as early as possible with Elsa.

Khushi had promised her that she would try her best. Elsa was very excited about this marriage. Khushi had started explaining her all the rituals of the marriage ceremony step by step. Khushi had kept herself so busy that sometimes even Papaji found it difficult to talk to her. She still was sulking on papaji's favorable behavior towards Arnav. She felt he is more inclined towards Arnav. Day by day she was becoming more peevish and touchy. Papaji and mummiji tried to pacify her but she ignored them completely. She avoided talking to papaji.
Papaji had called Arnav to tell him that Khushi is going out of control and Arnav needed to do something. Arnav did not know what to do. He had so many things on his plate that he was unable to cope up with all the pressing matters. He had started messing up with the things even missing out his crucial meetings. He had started shouting at everyone around him.

That day he already was running late for the meeting ....

*** *** **
"What?" Khushi screamed. Payal had called. She gave her the news and Khushi got up with a jerk that night. "Tell me everything, jiji" Khushi had asked her jiji in a worried voice trying to control herself from crying.

"He is ok, Khushi! Nothing to worry about. Take it easy, Khushi. Don't do anything in haste. Khushi, ask papaji first." Her Jiji was trying to pacify her, but Khushi was not ready to listen.
"Jiji, I will call you later" Khushi said hurriedly and hung up. She opened her laptop ...

*** *** ***
"Jiji I am boarding the plane in a short time now. Do something... Take Jijaji's help. Do anything. " Khushi had called her jiji.
*** ***
"Khushi? Is that you?" he asked extending his hand touching her face and running his fingers on her face like a blind man. She held his hand and said "Yes its me!"
Khushi was in his room looking at him with tearful eyes and touching his hand in a sling. He was running late and had fallen down a flight of stairs injuring his arm. There was hairline fracture in his wrist and his hand was hung in a sling.

"Khushi! He could not believe his eyes." She was looking at him like never before. He lost his control and pulled her closer with his good right hand. The whole world had fallen into his arm. He closed his eyes swallowing hard.

"Khushi...!" Arnav was overwhelmed with emotions. He was happy to have her in his arms. Time had stopped for them both.
"Arnavji..." Khushi blurted and Arnav, like waking up from the deep slumber came back to his senses.
He got up with a jerk from the bed, causing his laptop fall on the floor. Ignoring her shocked looks, he pushed her away.
"Khushi...! What do you think you are doing here? What the hell is this? I had asked you not to meet me again. Why did you come here? Go away Khushi...! Just leave!"
"What?" Khushi was unable to take in anything he was saying. She too stood up with a jerk.
"I said, leave! ..Khushi! Just go back to your world!" Pushing her further away and next moment coming on to her aggressively Arnav spoke with gritted teeth. "Go! Just leave! Go back and have a new life, Khushi, with that CE.. " He chocked! He couldn't even take Shondeep's name. "Go back to Kolkata! I never want to see your face.. just GO" His voice trailed off.
"Tell me where your trigger button is, Arnavji! I will smash it out once for all!" Khushi shouted furiously, putting a step ahead towards Arnav.  Now it was Arnav’s turn to get a 440 volt shock. 

"What? Are you Nuts? What the hell!" He yelled losing his control.
"Not hell, Arnavji, Bell!" Khushi was right up against him looking into his eyes with fury.
"The bell rings in your so-called smart head and the next moment you go all berserk. One moment you are normal and the next you are out of this world with your anger!" Khushi said pointing her index finger at him. "Every time, the same scene repeats with same reaction!”  She paused to catch up with her lost breath…” But this time I am not let this happen. I will smash the trigger, You understand?" She pushed him back. He was so shocked; he forgot to react and gaped at her outburst.
"Khushi... " he started off angrily regaining his senses, but was stopped in the middle by Khushi.
"Stop it! I know, all your famous dialogues, Mr. Raizada, I am not a match! I am a small town girl, going after money, a Gold digger, you call it!; I am uneducated, stupid, manner less girl and no way near your status...!” she fumed… “ Please! Don't repeat the record which I have by hearted by now, Arnavji...I know all these things. Tell me something new, this time!" She pushed him back again causing him pain in his shoulder. But Khushi had gone beyond noticing his pain.

"I know you want me to go away. Fine.. I will go away, never to return. You do not want to see my face; I will never show my face to you again. You want me to go away from your life; fine! I will never come back. You want me to  free you from this forced relationship, I have never bound you in this! I will never expect you to be nice with me! I will go and make sure that our roads never cross each other... !" She stopped breathless, tears welling up her eyes. But this time the tears were of fury. She took a deep breath,
"Khushi..!" Arnav spoke coming forward, visibly hurt!
"Let me finish! " She stopped him raising her hand! "Arnavji, I will do whatever you ask me to. I will go from here, from your life, from this world if you want... but please don't push me into the forced relationship with someone else...Please... this is my last request... don't try to push me towards anyone else..." She could not continue... She turned her back.

"Khushi...!" Arnav gripped her shoulder. She freed herself with a wrench causing him groan in pain. He clutched his shoulder pacing backwards. "Khushi!" he said groaningly. She turned.. ! She saw his pain….
"Arnavji! Are you ok?" She came back! "Arnavji...." She touched his hand in the sling, his pain reflecting in her eyes.
"Khushi...I am sorry! !" He said clutching her hand with moist eyes.  She turned to leave…"Please don't do this to me, Khushi! Don't leave me in this hell,alone! Khushi!" He touched his ear looking at Khushi with hope. She was still looking at his injured hand with tears in her eyes.

"Look at me..! khushi" He pleaded. She refused to look up! "I said, look at me!" He ordered. She resolutely looked away. He shook her furiously "Look at me, Khushi!" She reluctantly looked up, sulking. Their eyes met. 

She looked away after a while saying "Don't look at me like that. You know I get nervous with that stare of yours." He smiled and slid his hand around her waist, pulling her closer. She tried to push him away, "Don't touch me! You know, I cannot resist you!" she said in a whisper and he brought his face nearer staring at her. She closed her eyes.. "No! please don't .." but before she could complete her sentence he had shut her up with his lips!

"Khushi! Tell me how did you come?" Arnav asked after a while.
"What?" She was still lost. They were sitting on his bed with him placing his right hand around her shoulder and she resting her head on his chest. 

"Oh! I boarded the plane early morning. Jiji and Jijaji did the rest of the planning. They have taken everyone out for shopping. Aakash ji managed to keep the front door unlocked. I waited outside the compound wall of your house for them to leave and then came to your room like a thief!" she said sulking, "What not I had to do for this silly blue sling of yours!" She looked at his injured hand. He smiled. But then the smile disappeared from his face.

He looked serious. "Khushi, do you have any idea what amount of risk you ran into, simply to see this sling?" He asked her.
"And do you know what amount of pain and anxiety I endured hearing about this sling? Mr. Arnav SLING.. I mean.. Singh Raizada? She asked him staring at him. " He smiled pulling her towards him

Both of them jumped, startled with the knock on the door..!

Part 57

"Arnav puttar, sometimes its easier to talk to a third person. Puttar, its painful for you but I feel you should talk it out. If you do not want to talk to anyone... go into the fields and talk to the trees, mountains, wind! Vent it out, puttar,  release your burden! Get back your strength" Papaji paused for a second and said with twinckling eyes..." You cannot talk to the stars like khushi does..... Its overcast now. "

Arnav looked at papaji. "I want to talk to you!" he said. Papaji placed his hand on Arnav's shoulder and they started walking along the fields not bothering about the noise and disturbance of the passing by vehicles.

"Arnav was talking for a very long time, without waiting for the responses from Papaji." Papaji was a good listener. There was a complete silence for a long time after Arnav had finished his story.
"This seems to be a big trouble. But it was good that you talked about it. We will be well prepared for this. Arnav puttar, however we try to run away, our past catches up with us like a ghostly shadow. Let us face it. We have to find something for counter attack.... Shastra se Shanti! We can ensure peace only with the weapon. This seems weird but it's a fact of life. Power and weapons bring peace, law and order. Weapons work as deterrent power. Let us find out a weapon powerful enough to counter attack."

Arnav gaped at papaji. He felt much better. He had someone who shared his secret.
"That's why I want to keep everyone away from this trouble. I need to face it alone. No matter what will be the out come. But I don't want to put anyone else in trouble anymore. " Arnav said seriously.
"That's right puttar, but remember your near ones are going to be affected anyway by this. So why not take them into confidence and fight it out together?" Asked papaji.  Arnav shook his head gravely.

"I know, Di too will have to face it with me. She will be devastated. But.. how can I tell this to Khushi? You know her beliefs! She will not accept this. I cannot take her rejection. So I decided to stay away myself." He said with wet eyes.

"Puttar, this is what you think about her reaction. How can you be so sure? You have an option. You can decide not to tell her anything about it at all. Or just go and tell her everything and face the consequences." Said papaji. Arnav had no answer.
" .. Ok. In that case, do you want me to talk to her?" Papaji asked Arnav.
"No! if at all she should know about this, I will be the one, I will tell her. But I need some time and your support ...." He said resolutely.
"Yes. I can understand..." Said papaji placing his hand on Arnav's shoulder and pulling him into a hug. He felt sorry for Arnav's plight.
"Arnav puttar, its only 9.00 pm and I have to talk to my lawyer. I am sure we will soon have something up our sleeves for counter attack and by the way, .... Please remember, you are not alone. I have people who play a big role in UP elections..!" Papaji said smiling. Faint smile appeared on Arnav's face.


Khushi waited eagerly for Thursday to arrive. Papaji and Arnav were to finish their business tour and come back on Thursday. She had decided not to go to the office  that day. But she had to, since Shondeep had some urgent work to finish and wanted her help.
She was furious about Arnav's behavior. "Every time he leaves me like this. But this time I will not let him do this to me. I will have all the answers from him. He cannot do this. I am not a toy, play for some time and throw away.. He must answer me this time." She thought anger mounting and smoldering her.

She went to office but waited for Papaji's call. At lunchtime she saw papaji entering the office. She ran forward looking for Arnav. But papaji went straight to meeting room. She ran behind "Papaji, when did you come? And where is he?" she asked looking around.
"Puttar, he had some urgent work so he took a Delhi flight from Mumbai, curtailing his trip." He said expectantly. He waited for her outburst and it did. "What? He did not come? I should have thought about it. He ran away again from my questions. Papaji, I am not going to leave him like that. I will get my answers from him." She trembled with fury, her face red and nostrils flaring up she went on ranting...

"Khushi! Control yourself!" Papaji roared raising his voice above her. She switched off immediately shutting her mouth.
"Khushi! This is office. Control your emotions. We will have enough time to talk about it. Please go back to your work." Papaji said calmly.
She came back to her cabin muttering and frowning. How could he do this to her? Why couldn't he understand her feelings? What did papaji talked to him, which made him, leave her like that? She had to wait till papaji got some time to talk to her. She tried hard to concentrate on her work.
In the evening she waited for papaji to finish his work. She wanted to go home with him, Papaji came out of the meeting room with Shondeep late in the evening. Khushi was getting impatient. She took car keys from him and headed toward the parking lot. "Khushi! Let me drive" Papaji said taking the keys from her.

"So?" She asked papaji in a tone of cross examining him. "So what, Khushi?" he asked gauging her. "Papaji, don't try my patience. What did you tell him on Sunday night?" She asked in accusing tone. "Nothing Khushi! I briefed him about the information I got about this Sham" He waited to take breath and then said, "Khushi this sham has a political connection. He works at the orders of some MLA in Kanpur. That upset Arnav. Now he has to deal with politicians too. That's it!' He said all this in one breath and stopped.
"So? What does this so-called politician has to do with our relationship. Why did he behave like a stranger next morning? She asked clutching papaji's hand. He did not answer.
"Papaji, you are hiding something from me. Tell me what is it that made him so unreachable?" Khushi asked raising her voice.

"Khushi! Things are not that straight forward as you think they are. Dealing with these people is a very dirty game. He wants to free you so that you don't get hurt and he can take on these people. "
"What? How does cutting me off from his life help to take on the bull by horns? I don't understand both of you. And I have observed! Now a days you always take his side. I don't approve of this. You are my papaji!" She went on another track.

Papaji smiled. "Khushi puttar! Try and understand. These matters are very difficult and complex to explain. He needs some time to gather himself. May be he wants to be free from this relationship!" He had pulled over had parked the car on the edge of the road.
"What? He wants to be free? But I never bound him in the relationship. Why is he pushing me away? He only said he wants to marry me again... " She clutched her head for stopping it from spinning. She was all lost.
"Khushi, its not like that. May be he wants you to be more happy with someone else!" he said gauging her.
"Someone else! My foot! How can he think about it? He.. He is so unpredictable! I ... I will not leave him like that... I will .. I will!" She was so furious; she forgot what she was saying. She started frowning and muttering.

"Stop it! Khushi, come back. He is not here! He is not listening to you and probably will not! So stop sulking." Said papaji shaking her.
"Fine! If he does not want to talk to me, so be it. I will not talk to him till he talks to me! I will wait!" She said resolutely, tears rolling down on her cheeks.
"Khushi, don't worry! Everything will be ok!" Said papaji. ":What OK? Nothing is going to be ok from now on." She said crestfallen. Papaji had no answer.


**** ****
Arnav was on his bed trying to concentrate on work staring at his laptop. His eyes were burning. He needed a sound sleep badly. He had not slept well for last three weeks after he came back from his Nanded trip. The sleeping pills had not worked eigher. He felt sleepy but he knew that would not last long.  He dozzed off only to wake up with the nightmare.

He was walking with his Di down a never-ending deserted street with tall green trees on either side of the road. He saw someone dragging a girl. Sham was dragging Khushi away. A muffled scream left him "Khushi..!" But his Di stopped him from going after her. She ran forward, and started dragging Khushi with Sham, away from him. He saw people shouting at him and pelting stones at him. He wanted khushi to run away from that place but she had freed herself from the clutches of Sham and Di with a wrench and was running toward him getting hit by the pelting stones. He floundered like a fish out of water. "KHUSHI!" he screamed...

"Arnavji" He heard Khushi's voice. He opened his eyes and saw Khushi standing at the door of his room. He closed his eyes tight. What was that? Hallucination? Was he having another nightmare in this nightmare?"

"Arnavji.." he heard her voice again. He saw her coming in the room shutting the door behind her. A surge of pain in his shoulder blinded him.....

Part 56

Khushi ran back to her room searching for her life.. The black thread, everywhere. She was hurt by Arnav's attitude. She was shattered with the missing thread. She searched for a long time and then came back to the hall where mummiji was waiting for her looking puzzled.
"Mummiji... I lost it!" She said almost sobbing and touching her neck. She started crying.

"Its ok Khushi. We will find it out. Don't worry!" Mummiji said consoling her. But Khushi shivered with premonition... Something had gone wrong! Very very wrong... ! She thought of contacting Arnav but knew he might have switched off while on the flight.

She did all the chores mechanically and got ready to go to office missing her daily visit to the Mandir. Mummiji did not insist. Khushi went to the office. She got the message from Shondeep. He had asked her for some information. Khushi thought of Arnav and his reaction when Shondeep talked to her. A faint smile appeared on her face but the next moment it was wiped off when she thought of his morning behavior.

"Why did he behave like that? What was wrong? What did I do to annoy him?" She became breathless at this thought. Coming back to her senses, she took out the file and sent it through the office boy to Shondeep. She started working on the "to do" task list. She lacked concentration and focus, redoing the work and correcting the errors. At lunchtime she saw Shondeep approaching. She immediately turned her back and pretended to be working.

Shondeep came in and said "Ms Gupta, Sir had called and they have reached Mumbai. He has asked you to email him the entire folder of this acquisition.....Are you ok MS Gupta?" He asked concerned looking at her pale face. She just nodded.

"Ms Gupta, is there anything I can do for you?" He asked coming nearer. She paced backward in a jerk and said, "No sir, I am fine. I will do it." Leaving Shondeep puzzled.
"Ok. So they have landed. Let me call him...!" she thought dialing Arnav's number. He did not pick up. She tried several times in vain. She called up papaji. He picked up and said "Khushi puttar, did you get my message? Have you sent the folder?... I want you to upload it to our server so that we can download it through FTP (file transfer protocol)."

"Yes papaji .. I will do that... but .." She started off getting annoyed at him.
"What is it?" At last he asked.
"Papaji, where is he? And why is he not picking up my phone? Papaji what happened? What did you tell him yesterday night? Why he behaves like a stranger? Papaji...." She almost sobbed.
"oye oye... hold on! Puttar, nothing to worry about! He is ok. Just a bit disturbed after our discussion. Don't worry. He is here with me. Do you want to talk to him?" He asked looking at Arnav and extending his cell to him. Arnav had no other choice than to talk to Khushi.
"Hello Arnavji.... Are you ok? I know something is wrong with you. If you don't want to tell me, its fine. But don't do this to me. I cannot sustain it anymore. Please .. please talk to me Arnavji...!" She started crying.
"I am ok. And nothing is wrong with me." He said glancing at papaji. "I will talk to you later... " He hung up leaving Khushi crestfallen.

He gave back the cell and turned his back to hide his emotions from papaji. Papaji did not react. He continued with the business talks. Arnav slowly came back to his composure.
Khushi Skipped her lunch. She was all lost. She went to Shondeep's cabin to ask permission to go home early.
"Of course you can go home Ms. Gupta. But is everything ok? Can I be of some help to you? Should I drop you?" he asked getting up from his chair.

"No sir, everything is fine. I .. I have a headache ...!" she said turning back to leave.
"Wait Ms. Gupta, I will drop you in my car." He said taking out his car key from the drawer.
"No.. its ok. I will manage.." She resisted. But without listening to her he asked her to come with him.
He dropped her at home. She was engrossed so much in her own thought, that she did not notice he too did not utter a single word on their way home. She came in. Mummiji was surprised to see her.
"Mummiji.. headache... I will go and take some rest.." she said without looking at Mummiji and went straight to her room.
Without bothering to change she threw herself on the bed and burst out in tears....

**** *****
Arnav did not speak a single word in their entire joirnay and papaji did not try to break his chain of thoughts talking to him. He too kept quiet utilizing his time in planning for the future. They landed on Mumbai Airport. They had a meeting in "Cotton Corporation Of India" in Navi Mumbai. This was under Ministry of Textiles. They had a presentation and open defense of their proposal. Papaji was all set for this meeting.

Arnav's mobile flashed "Aman2" several times, Every time causing him pain the heart. He resolutely avoided taking her call. She had called papaji and then Arnav could not avoid her.
He almost broke down hearing her painful voice. He again had left her in a mess. But he had no other option... "I am sorry Khushi.... I .. I just can't carry on .... I have to set you free from this relationship.... I am really really sorry... Khushi!" He thought swallowing hard.
He remembered the discussion with papaji.
Papaji had asked him.. "Arnav puttar, My suspicion had proved to be correct. This Sham has an accomplice. Or rather I should say a boss. Sham works at his orders. " Arnav was speechless. He could not think of anyone who could be Sham's boss.
"Arnav puttar... Do you know someone called Ratan Singh Thakur? He is MLA (Member of legislative Assembly) from some constituency from Kanpur District." Papaji had asked looking worried and putting his hand on Arnav's Shoulder.

Arnav froze. Without uttering a single word he had come to his room. He could not sleep. His head was spinning. Sham knew Thakur? What relation do they share? Why are they after me? He could not think of anything. But he knew the gravity of the situation. If sham is accomplice to this Thakur then the disaster was very near, round the corner and he had to save every one else from the storm. He should evacuate every one else from his mind and relationship. He resolutely came out of his room. Came to Khushi's room sometime after midnight. She had not locked the door. He pushed it open. She had curled up on her bed. He knelt down and sat on the floor looking at her breathtaking sleeping beauty, for a long time. He had to fight himself to control his emotions and from kissing her. He slowly brought his hand to her neck and with one small wrench pulled her black thread. He tiptoed his out of her room looking back at her, never wanting to leave her like that. He came out of the room and started walking towards his room. Half way through he turned back and again entered her room. She had kept the lights on. He looked around. The paintings were lying on the dressing table. He took the painting she had drawn for him. "How apt!" he thought. " I am really a storm struck person and have to be a loner." He switched off the lights, turned back and came to his room never to meet her again....

*** **** ****
Arnav and Papaji had a very successful meeting. Papaji had demonstrated his skills in turning adamant and rash people to his side. Arnav was amazed at his contacts in political circles. Everyone in power as well as in opposition had greeted papaji warmly. The project was theirs. The officials had signed the acquisition order by permitting the spinning mill for privatization.

"How do you know these politicians from Maharashtra?" Arnav had asked papaji.
"Puttar, I do not care about these politicians.. They are in power for a very short time. They come and go. What I do take care is the Babus.. Administrative officers of these ministers... They are the key persons. They have a great influence on these politicians. They remain on the post till they retire normally. And if we manage them... they are there to help us."
"Puttar, I have never ever offered any bribe to any of these officers. Everyone has at least one good rare quality, however corrupt they seem to be. I try to find it out. That quality is their switch on button. You push that button while talking to them... and they are there for you to help..." He said looking at Arnav. He wanted to pass on his lagacy, his style of working to the younger generation ensuring a second line of management.

" Like.. you puttar, you are the icon of success. You have achieved so much in your young age. You are dashing, aggressive and gutsy, never afraid of taking risks and turning adverse situations to your advantage. I am proud of you puttar." He said looking straight into Arnav's eyes. Smile and satisfaction appeared on Arnav's face.
"See.... I pocketed you...!" Papaji said bursting into laughter. Arnav laughed with him in realization. He had understood the trick of the business. He had all the admiration for papaji.

After the meeting they were all set to travel to Nanded. Papaji had arranged for a taxi. He wanted to take Arnav to Nanded by road. It was almost an overnight journey of 14 hours.
He kept on talking to Arnav for a long time. Arnav tried to concentrate, but many times he got lost in his own thoughts. Papaji had to nudge him to bring him back.

They had dinner in a hotel on their way. Arnav was still lost in his thoughts. Papaji stopped Arnav from sitting into the car after dinner. He asked the driver to have some rest. He asked Arnav to accompany him for a walk for some time. Arnav agreed. Papaji took him for a walk with him along the roadside fields full of cotton plantations.

Part 55

Khushi and Arnav came back home. Kids were already having a party gathering their neighborhood friends. They were all enjoying food and party games. Meera and Tej came running towards Arnav and Khushi and started pulling them into their games. Tej wanted Arnav to be with him and pestered him to play. As usual Arnav looked little nervous playing with the kids. He looked around and was surprised to see kids engrossed in painting and drawing.

“Khushi buwa, We are playing portray your partner!” Meera said excitedly. 

“What?” Khushi asked.
“Khushi buwa.. look. I painted Tej. He was my partner. Look!” She showed her painting to them and both of them burst out laughing. She had drawn monkey face and given the name Tej! Tej came forward sulkily and showed his painting. He had drawn a big circle with tiny three circles in place of eyes and lips with black ponies in place of ears. He had doodled colorfully for the background. Khushi wondered at his drawing skills at the age of three. She looked into the other paintings also. She wondered at the kids imaginations.

“Uncle!” Tej was pulling him with a canvas and brushes in his hand. “This is your paper. Now you paint khushi buwa.. and she will paint you…” He said giggling. Both of them looked at each other and immediately looking away said, “No. I cannot !”
“No way! You cannot escape from this. Look at us! These kids have put us to work!” came a mild voice from behind and both of them looked back startled. Mummiji and Elsa were busy with paper, colors and brushes. Mummiji had painted the landscape of Robindro lake and one single big tall green tree with a dark and plesent shadow below. She had drawn a bench in the shadow. “He is like a tree giving cool shadow no matter who takes the shelter under the tree..” She said dreamily. 

Elsa had drawn a cliff hanger with a person rappelling reaching almost at the top. “Raj relentlessly endeavors to be at the top.. no matter how many times he has to try…!” Said Elsa. 

“And now… you have exactly one hour to complete your picture of your partner and your time starts now!” Screamed Meera. Arnav and Khushi reluctantly took their positions opposite each other with drawing board, canvas, colors and brushes.
After one hour… The kids had already finished the party and were eagerly waiting for both of them to complete their paintings. Arnav and Khushi looked like they have painted themselves rather than painting on the canvas … Arnav looked at Khushi who had all brown and red color smeared on her face and Arnav looked like a blue-green jackal in the kids story… they both laughed at each other. And exchanged the paintings.
Both of them were speechless looking at the paintings. 

“Khushi… you are like the monsoon sky showering life and happiness, on the thirsty earth making her rejoice with life and passion... Waiting for you Khushi… You are my life.” Thought Arnav handing over his painting to her.

“Arnavji, you are the loner, storm struck, thirsty and waiting for the blessings from God, though you deny it. But some day reality will dawn and you will be full of life, joy and happiness… Believe me Arnavji, I will do anything to bring you back into this beautiful world. “ Khushi swallowed hard looking away.
Arnav and Khushi were lost in gazing at each other’s pictures. Khushi had tears in her eyes. They did not notice papaji entering the hall. They all gathered around him showing each one’s creations. Papaji took them out for dinner. When they came back, papaji said goodnight to everyone and said “Arnav puttar, I would like to talk to you before you go to bed.” Arnav nodded. Khushi looked at Arnav stretching her hand to take the painting from his hand. He moved closer. “Khushi, you owe me a goodnight kiss…!” he whispered looking at her. She looked at him blushing and looking around hurriedly went to her room. 

She kept waiting for him but he did not turn up for a long time. She dozed off waiting for him. 

Papaji and Arnav were to leave early morning for their busiess Trip to Nanded where the acquisition of Sahakaar spinning mill was to take place. Khushi got up early and came to hall. Papaji was already ready to leave. She looked around for Arnav. He entered the hall looking like a sleep-deprived person. He did not look at her at all, nor wished her. She was puzzled. 

“Arnavji…” She called him out but he completely ignored her. He looked like a complete stranger to her. She got nervous. She looked at papaji questioningly, but he looked grave. Arnav resolutely looked away. She was not ready to give up.
“Arnavji… what happened?” she asked concerned.

 “I think we should leave now…” He said to papaji ignoring her.

Without looking at her he left with papaji. She ran towards the main door leaning against it she looked at him opening the car door. He paused for a second and turned around and came nearer. She gave him a broad smile but he did not respond. 

“You go and meet Mr. Banerjee’s mother as early as possible…” He said seriously without looking at her. “What? Stop holding on to it…Arnavji..” She said grinning… but was startled to see Arnav had already reached the car. She was puzzled. “What has happened to him? Why is he so serious?” she bemused. 

She came inside and waited for Mummiji to wake up. She could not go to her room. She decided to go to mummiji’s room. She peeped into the mirror on her way to mummiji’s room and stopped dead. She kept running her hand around her neck horror struck. Her black thread was missing from her neck…..

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Note: Please click on My page for the paintings....