Part 73

Arnav came home engrossed in his thoughts. He was thinking of some excuse, discarding it immediately realizing the loophole in it. He had no clue what he was going to tell his family members about the whole thing.

"Damn it! If all of them had come as my guests! That would have solved all the problems. I wouldn't mind disclosing that Raj is Balwindar Singh's son! Damn it! Khushi..." he muttered realizing how he would explain if Sham had seen Mumiji with Khushi!

With the thought of every alternative, his face brightened but overshadowed immediately. He could not sleep that night. Khushi on the other hand had put the onus of resolving the problems on Arnav and had a nice good night sleep with sweet dreams of Arnav Singh Raizada! "Arnav ji hain naa! Woh sub dekh lainge...!" she smiled in her sleep.

Arnav woke up in the morning with his cell ringing. He picked up the phone. It was Sham. He frowned. "Saale Saab, I wanted to talk to you" said Sham slyly.
"Oh! Ok. In the office" he agreed. "No! I want to talk to you, here! Its urgent!" he said.

Arnav came down and found Sham in the hall. "What is it?" He asked curtly.
"Saale saab, do you know, Khushiji has come, for the wedding!!" he was looking at Arnav piercingly. Arnav looked away and said "So? I don't care who comes for the wedding from their side." He looked at Sham.

"What? Chamakili has already come?" Lavanya screamed happily. "wow!.. I mean... she has come for the wedding? I mean.... Is she coming here? I mean.. why did she come?" she kept on changing her questions looking at both the men, not knowing which one would hurt whom.

Arnav kept his face straight and looked at her. Then looking straight at Sham said "I don't have time to discuss the guests list of Guptas!" he turned around and left for his room again.

Sham was disappointed with Arnav's reaction. He had expected a blast. Lavanya was confused.

Arnav was pacing restlessly, worrying about safety of Khushi. "Damn...!" he clenched his fists.  After a while, he pushed the grim thoughts aside and got ready to leave for the office.

He met sham in the office. "Saale Saab, when is the meeting scheduled?" He asked. Raj wanted the meeting at 11 in the morning.

"Its at 11.00" said ASR.
"I heard you are interested in buying your sister's shares in apparels Division, Saale Saab!" Asked Sham looking puzzled.
"Yes!" he got a monosyllable answer from ASR.
"I also heard, you are ready to pay me, as she wished to transfer them to me!" he confirmed.
"Yes!"
"At 5% premium?" Asked Sham challenging ASR.
ASR paused for a while to recalculate and then said "Yes!"

"I am surprised, saale saab! You want to sell your shares in Del-Ta to raise money to make good the loss and you are buying your sister's shares, paying a hell lot of money! Really surprising!!" Said Sham trapping him.

"Pulling finances and making good the loss is one of the reasons, Jijaji. The real reason is, I do not approve the slow decision making process of BTR group and do not wish to work with them in future!" ASR confided the secret on sham.
Sham smirked. "Slow processes provide opportunity to siphon out money!" he thought.

ASR was leaning back and looking at Sham waiting for his response. Sham did not answer and went off.

He came back after some time and said "Ok saale Saab but at 25% premium!" he bowled a gugli.

ASR was taken aback. That was exorbitantly high price.
"No! not more than 5%" he said firmly. Sham shrugged and went away.

*** *** **

They had gathered in the conference room for the conference call. Shondeep and Balwindar Singh in Kolkata office and Sham and Arnav in Delhi. "Good morning everyone!" Bellowed Raj's confident voice.

"Congratulations, everyone! The first project of this Liaison office is successfully closed. The acquisition order is received by the acquiring company of BTR group. Now Del-Ta will take over. The liaison is complete. We will receive our balance charges next week from BTR group next week And special kudos to Mr. sham for successfully handling this first project." Raj said pleasantly.

"Oh! Yes! Said Balwindar Singh! Congratulations on first success Mr. sham and Mr. Shondeep will take over the acquisition process from here into BTR group."
"Another issue is Mr. Raizada wishes to withdraw from this company and I respect his decision. The question is whom he sells his shares. Are there any takers among us? Or are you planning to sell them to outsiders, Mr. Raizada?" Asked Raj. There was a silence for a while and then ASR spoke.

"If someone among you is buying then I have no objection else there are people ready to buy at a premium!" he looked at Sham. He was deep in thoughts.
"I have a partner interested in this!" said sham leaning forward. ASR raised his eyebrows questioningly. Smirk appeared on sham's face "Go ahead Mr. Sham! Who is this partner?" asked Raj curiously.

Sham took his time to create enough suspense and slowly raising his head smugly, looking at ASR said "He is a politician Mr. Ratan Singh Thakur...."
Nothing happened. He had expected some harsh reaction from ASR but he was again expressionless. Sham got confused at ASR's behavior. ASR was sitting leaning back and folding his arms looking at sham with satisfied expression.
"Who is he? What political connections he has?" Asked Raj. Sham started praising Ratan singh glancing at ASR.

When sham had finished, Raj seemed to be impressed. He asked ASR about his views on selling his shares to Ratan Singh.

"I don't have any objection, so long as I get my money back!" he said coolly. "But the question here is, the promoters have the privilege and preference over the outsiders to buy the other's shares. We have to have consent of all the stake holders before I transfer the shares to an outsider, even to Mr. Sham! Mr. Sham is merely an Employee of the company, not a member..." Arnav said pointing the vital point in their Memorandum of Understanding.

There was a silence for a while and then Mr. Balwindar singh spoke, "In that case, BTR group is interested in buying Mr. Raizada's shares!"

"Ok. In that case, I am ready to sell my share to BTR group!!" ASR said seriously.

The bombshell shattered Shams plans!

************

Arnav came home early after the meeting. Sham had gone away somewhere. The wedding preparations were going on in Raizada house.

"Di!" called Arnav. "yes, Chote!" she looked little tensed up.
"Chote.. I know she is coming, but.." She whispered. She was really upset that Khushi was coming for the pooja.

"Its ok Di. I don't care!" he said looking away. "Hope she doesn't create a scene again!" muttered Anjali and went away. Arnav looked at her helplessly.

** *** **
The doorbell rand and Payal with her family arrived. Aakash with all the other family members welcomed them. Before anyone from her family could speak, Arnav introduced Elsa.

"She is Elsa, Mrs. Raj and is on her research tour to study Indian culture. She is staying with Mr. Balwindar Singh since three months with her kids. She has come here to be a part of the Indian marriage ceremony on my invitation since payal agreed to be the host and enlighten her about our culture." He looked at Payal and she nodded. "And These two are for her help." Arnav gestured at Khushi's shadows! Elsa greeted everyone joining her hands and saying "Namaste!" She shook hands with Aakash congratulating him. Sham came forward. Elsa held out her hand for a shake and sham took it in both his hands, greeting her. She withdrew her hand immediately.

"Hello Ms Elsa, I work with your husband in his new venture in India" Said sham slyly.

"Oh! Ok!" She said smiling.
"Arnav, nice to meet you!" said Elsa smiling broadly at him. He nodded and shook her hand.

"Hello hi bye bye! Why in the house of Phati Saadi, I will tell her everything about shaadi!" Said mamiji aloud and came forward to shake hands with Elsa. She was excited to have a foreigner guest in her Son's Marriage.

"Come, Misshej Elsa, I will take you around! hello hi, bye bye!" Elsa looked at others and went with Mamiji, winking at Khushi.

Khushi had held Tej tightly as he was trying to run towards Arnav. Arnav glanced at her. The Gupta family went in.

"Hey, Tej! Want to come with me?" Asked Arnav holding out his hand to everybody's surprise and Tej ran towards him. Khushi was relieved. Meera was fascinated by the Goat in the house and was happily playing with Laxmi.
Esla was trying to assimilate the information Mamiji was giving in her accented Hinglish. (English in Hindi Style).

Lavanya came out from her room and another round of introduction took place.
"Hi Chamakili!" said Lavanya smiling at her. Khushi smiled back looking at her. Elsa was relieved when she heard Lavanya's fluent American English. They both got engrossed talking to each other. Arnav came in with Tej for pooja. Tej was not ready to leave Arnav.

Anjali and Sham performed Pooja and distributed Prasad. Anjali had not talked to anyone in Gupta family. She looked upset and avoided looking at anyone. Khushi too looked very tensed and kept looking down without uttering a single word.

Sham kept gazing at Khushi which made Arnav burn with fury. Khushi resolutely avoided looking at anyone. She kept playing with Meera and Laxmi.
Everybody had gathered at the table. Anjali and Ram Prakash brought in tea and snacks. Anjali looked around, Khushi and Meera were missing still playing with laxmi in the hall. She came out and waited there looking at Khushi. "Hmm" she coughed. Khushi looked up startled. Laxmi got out of meera's hands and ran out of sight. "Tea is ready!" said Anjali. Khushi silently got up and started walking.

"What happened to your face?" Asked Elsa looking at Sham. Arnav smirked, Anjali reflected pain in her eyes and Khushi looked straight into Sham's eyes. She loathed him and wanted to whack him again. She clenched her fists. Arnav glanced at her.

"Nothing much, he had a minor accident!" said naniji.

"Oh! Ok. I thought he got beaten up!" Khushi said still looking at Sham. Nani looked startled. Even she had thought the same when she had looked at him wounded. Khushi suddenly withdrew herself and came out in the hall. She was breathing heavily with frustration and fury, her eyes were fuming with rage.
"Hi Chamakili!" Khushi heard lavanya. "Namaste Lavanyaji" She said feeling awkward.

"Chamakili! How are you? You look pale and weak!" Lavanya said holding her hand. Khushi's eyes filled with tears. She looked away.

"Chamakili, are you ok?" Lavanys asked in a soft voice.

"Yes, Lavanyaji, I am fine" Said Khushi smiling at her. "Chamakili, I am sorry for whatever I had said that day! I really regret at it!" she said sadly.

"Its ok Lavanyaji!" said Khushi looking away. They saw Arnav approaching and stopped talking.

 "ASR.." Lavanya approached Arnav and Khushi left the place pretending to be calling Tej who was running around. Arnav's gaze followed her. Tej had reached the pool side and was bending over the water dangerously. She ran after him and tried to catch him. He dodged her and ran over the edge of the pool. She screamed in fright and lost her balance.

A strong hand pulled her back and she closed her eyes. "Khushi.."  Arnav was holding her around her waist lifting her off the ground in one hand and he had lifted Tej in the other. He pulled both of them back and released. Khushi gasped for air and choked.

"Khushi.. are you ok?" asked Arnav softly. She nodded and looking around, left with Tej.

The Guptas were ready to leave and Mamiji invited Elsa and Kids to stay in Raizada House.

Elsa turned the offer down politely and agreed to come over whenever possible. Khushi glanced around and came forward and touched Nani's feet. Nani blessed her. But Mamiji looked furious.

"Khushiji, I heard you work in Kolkata!" Sham retaliated.

"Yes. I work in Kolkata!" said Khushi keeping her voice steady. "As a care taker?" he asked staring at her. Arnav clenched his fists in frustration.

"Yes, as a care taker!" Khushi said standing up to him and looking straight into his eyes.

"It is better to work and earn than live on someone's money!" said Buwaji coming forward in support.

"Oh! Ok. I thought you found another person!" He looked at her provokingly.

"Enough!" Arnav screamed. Everybody looked at him startled.

"I will drop you all home!" said Arnav and left the place. The kids looked frightened. They had never seen this side of Arnav. Tej came to Khushi and hugged around her waist. She placed her hand on his head and turned to leave.
No one talked on their return journey. Arnav drove silently. They all got down. Tej refused to look at Arnav. Arnav lifted him from behind and carried him on his shoulder inside the house. He bent over and whispered "Sorry! Buddy!" in his ears and Tej gave him a broad smile putting his arms around Arnav's neck and kissed him on his cheek.

Arnav looked at Khushi. She nodded. He smiled and left their home.

**********
Khushi was burning with rage in the car. "How dare he talked to me like that! I should have brought papaji's kirpaan with me. I would have killed him!" she muttered furiously. Arnav was driving patiently waiting for her anger to subside.

"Khushi! Relax! three down, another eleven days to go! Remember?" asked Arnav. She was still fuming. He placed his hand around and pulled her nearer trying to pacify her. "Khushi, calm down! Take a deep breath! " Said Arnav pulling over. She got down from the car and started striding down the road.

Arnav caught up with her and pulling her hand said "Khushi, Chalo! Wapas Chalatain Hain! Khushi let us go back! Come!" he turned around with her. "Khushi sit in the car!" He ordered. Khushi had gone beyond listening to him. He forcibly pulled her and pushed her inside the car.

"Khushi! Control yourself. This is not done yet. We have to go a long way before we could touch him...... Khushi! Talk to me damn it!" he screamed. She looked at him and started crying. He felt helpless and hopeless. His phone rang. It was Sham. "Saale Saab, where are you? I was waiting for you for dinner!" Said Sham. Arnav looked at Khushi and said "Yes I am coming!" Khushi opened her mouth to say something, Arnav clasped his hand on her mouth to shut her up. He disconnected the phone, switched it off and said, "It was him!" he removed his hand. She was aghast.

"What kind of life we are leading? Can't go out, can't talk to each other, can't be with each other, married but can't live like husband and wife?" she muttered in frustration reflecting  Arnav's thoughts exactly.

"Khushi! This will get over soon! Everything will be ok!" he said optimistically.
"Hope so!" said Khushi gravely. "You know! He has seen mummiji!" declared Khushi.

"Yes!" Said Arnav looking at her.

*** *** ****
Four days before marriage, Papaji called up Arnav "Puttar, I may not be able to come a day before. I will be there only for an hour. I will attend the marriage with Shondeep and leave. We have taken over the spinning mill and I need to make further arrangements. But my wife and Raj will come tomorrow morning and she will be staying with Khushi! I request you to make arrangements for Raj!" Arnav was relieved.

"Yes Papaji, he is my guest!" Said Arnav happily. He knew Khushi will be furious.

"Another request, Arnav puttar, I am not sure but I may bring in another guest with me of a very high profile, if you permit!" Papaji requested.

"Yes, of course Papaji! Your guest is my guest!" Arnav said politely.
"Ok. Puttar, meet you at the wedding."

Arnav smiled and left for the office.

"Saale saab! What is this?" Sham looked furious.
"What?" asked ASR.
"What is this all about? I mean what is the need for doubling the share capital of this Apparel Division?" He asked raising his voice.
"The reason is written in the notice with the financial consultant's note. We need to do this to increase the net worth of the company!" Said ASR coolly.
"What? I don't approve of this!" Sham looked frustrated.

"All the other members worth 53% have consented. We have a majority approving this." ASR said throwing a file on the table. "Look at this. The individual consent letters are here in this file"

"What? I hold 47% the biggest share and I don't agree" Sham lost his control.
"No!" bellowed ASR. "You are not yet the owner of the shares as the transfer has not yet taken place." He threw another letter in front of him.

"This is Anjali Raizada's ... I mean Anjali Zaa's consent letter to increase the share capital. She still wishes to transfer her shares to you, Jijaji, but not now.... ! So, this is her consent..." He said now smirking.

Sham gaped at the letter visibly aghast.

"Now with this increased share capital, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, MD of the AR Group, who is buying all the shares, holds 55% of the total share capital and Anjali Raizada holds 23.5% to be exact!" Declared ASR.

Another blast shattered Sham second time in a row!

** ** **
Arnav came home that night looking relieved and light hearted. He actually smiled at the family members and took part on the final touches of the preparations. Everything was perfectly arranged. Pooja and Snageet were flamboyant. The wedding planners had done their best. No untoward incident took place. "So far so good!" Thought Arnav.

He was sitting in a hall talking to the other relatives who had come for the wedding, Sham came in. He looked upset and was busy talking over the phone. He enjoyed looking at his Jijaji! He came back to his room and was working on his laptop. Arnav and Khushi had decided not to meet again when they narrowly escaped from Sham's sight. Sham with Aakash had paid a visit to Guptas that night and had seen Arnav's SUV parked outside. Aakash had come to the rescue of Arnav saying "Ok! Bhai, thank you for bringing in the material in your SUV!" Arnav had left the house immediately.

He resolutely avoided being at home when the Gupta's were expected to be. But often met them on his way in to or out of the Raizada House. The thought of leaving Khushi alone ached his heart. He was thinking about Khushi. It was difficult to stay away from her. Every single free moment brought her memories back to him making him desperate to meet her. His heart was not ready to listen to his brain and that made his heart wrench in sadness. He had never felt so helpless.  He waited for every opportunity to meet her, look at her, communicate with her with his gazing eyes. The more he missed her more desperate he got to meet her.

*** ** ***
There was a knock on the door. The maid entered his room. She kept the Juice tray but before leaving lingered there trying to say something. Arnav looked at her and ignored. But when he saw her still around he came forward and stood before her questioningly.

"Sir, please take care of your family members!" she said and turned to leave.
"Hey, wait! What does that mean?" He asked with clenched fists.

"He is upto something!" she said shaking in fright.

"What? How do you know?" He was confused whether to believe her or not.
"I heard him talking to someone!" she said still looking at the floor.

"What? What did you hear?" He asked taking a step forward.

"He said everything is done. One final blast and they will be brought down to pieces!" she said.

Leaving Arnav speechless, she left the room.

*** *** **