Part 74

Arnav froze in horror. The first thing came to his mind was his Di, ... her safety! Helplessness seeped in..! He was unable to decipher the statement. What does this mean. "Final Blast? Is he trying a blast? Where? " He stared unfocused with his head spinning...! 

Arnav was racking his brain. The first thing he had to do is tighten the security and keep a close eye on sham. Sham must be tailed everywhere... Even to the toilets...! He dialed a few numbers for the same and came down in the hall lost in his own thoughts. He knew whatever Sham was up to was either to hurt him or his Di. The other members of the family didn't matter to Sham. He thought of Khushi. She was the first on Sham's hit list. He winced in apprehension.

"Khushi...!" his heart twisted in pain. 

"What all can he do?" He asked himself thinking about Sham's game plan. "He is using my Di as his pawn.... !" Arnav clenched his fists.  "Anger stops your brain working..!" Khushi's words echoed and his lips curled up in a smile.  "Cool down, Arnav..." he reprimanded himself.   Shrewd ASR was back in action....

** *** ****
People had gathered for the wedding. Raj had already arrived. Elsa was with Guptas and was frequently found missing with her kids. Khushi had a nice time teasing Elsa. But she was not allowed to meet her Raj Bhaiyya.

No one was allowed inside without the invitation card. Arnav was at the gates personally welcoming and greeting everyone and apologizing for the inconvenience caused to them for the extra security measures. He was accompanied by Raj. Arnav introduced Raj to his guests. Mamaji and Mamiji were inside looking after the other arrangements. Mami was constantly talking to Elsa trying to give her information and introducing her to everyone she came across. Kids were playing around. Khushi was never left alone by her shadows. Arnav had made arrangements to mark sham everywhere. Anjali, oblivious of all this seemed to be very happy and was busy with the guests. Aakash and Payal were on cloud nine talking to people and accepting their greetings. The things looked to be going on well. As the time passed, Arnav got increasingly tensed up. He started missing out on greeting people, looked lost during conversations and kept looking around for the tiniest clue.

People had gathered at the Mantap, centre stage where the marriage was taking place. Arnav with Raj was standing next to Aakash and Khushi was with her sister. He looked at her breath taking beauty highlighted with her makeup and dress, and could not take his eyes off! "Yeh Aise Kyun Dekh Rahain Hain, Hamain?" She looked down, embarrassed.  Arnav's lips curled up in a smirk.  He knew his effect on Khushi...!  She left the place and came down from the stage to talk to mummiji. She was followed by Arnav's gaze. He knew, Sham was looking at him.

Sham was called aside by Anjali to help her in introducing the guests. He went away with the guests and Arnav grabbed this opportunity. He left the place glancing at Khushi. She lingered there for a while and left too. She was in his room with tightly drawn curtains and her shadows waiting outside at the closed door.

"Khushi! I know this is dangerous! But I need to tell you, there is something cooking and you need to be very careful.!" Arnav said gravely holding her by her shoulders.

"I know Arnavji! He is after me! But I am prepared this time!" she said placing her hand on the side of her waist. She had tucked a knif... Arnav gaped at his warrior Khushi "Papaji's Kirpan...!" she whispered smiling and he pulled her closer.

"Khushi..! this color suits you!" Arnav said trying to make it lighter,  looking at the sky blue lehenga and the matching amethyst crystal jewellery. Arnav could not control himself, snogging her he closed his eyes in pleasure. They were lost in each other when they heard some hasty movements downstairs. They broke apart. Tiding herself up, she opened the door and came out. Her Shadows followed.

"Khushi ji! Come with me! I want to introduce you to my guests!" came Sham's silky voice. Khushi looked around. He was standing right behind her on the staircase. "He must have seen me coming out of Arnav ji's room!" A scary thought crossed her mind and she froze.

"Don't worry, Khushiji! They are just my guests. Please come!" He came forward to grab her hand but was startled and took back his hand. One of the women had come forward shielding Khushi. She glanced at the Women. They were ready to strike any moment. She looked relieved.

Khushi could sense commotion around. People were gathering near the centre stage where the marriage would take place soon. The bride and the groom were ready for Jaymala and all family members were gathered around.

Khushi looked around for Arnav and saw him coming down from the pool side. She exhaled sighing. He glanced at her and joined his family. Lavanya held his hand and smiled at him. She too was looking stunning. Khushi got a jolt in her heart. Sham took the mike and made an announcement.

"My dear family members and friends, I am honored to have, our special guest today, who is the most renowned personality. He is my friend and business partner too. He graces a chair in the Assembly of Uttar Pradesh! Please welcome Mr. Ratan Singh Thakur!" He clapped hard and Ratan Singh with his men and security personnel came in. It was a small crowed of around twenty nasty looking people, gathering around the stage.

Raizada family looked shattered. Guptas were confused as to why suddenly everybody looked so serious. The gathering of guests clapped for this important guest.

Khushi saw Arnav clenching his fists and Naniji holding his arm trying to stop him from advancing and striking. She looked around for help but was shocked to see Anjali's face. She reached Anjali in one leap and held her from falling down. Anjali looked ghostly. She almost fainted but tightly held by Khushi.

Mr. Ratan Singh Thakur came up and asked panditji, who had stopped, to proceed with the wedding ceremony. He looked at Sham's idiosyncratic face and smiled. He looked around and locked his gaze on Arnav who was held tightly by Naniji. He turned to Anjali moving his dirty gaze from head to toe and took a step forward towards her saying "This must be Anjali, your wife! Sham?" Sham nodded and moved towards Anjali to bring her forward. Khushi, instinctively pulled her back trying to save her from Ratan Singh's gaze. She looked at Sham loathingly. Sham completely ignored her.

"Do you know who this is?" Ratan Singh bellowed arrogantly. "This Anjali and her brother..?" He turned to the crowed and smirked. Taking the mike from Sham he looked at the crowd as if he was about to share a secret.

Khushi looked at Nani for help. She signaled and Khushi understood. She pulled aghast looking Anjali back and her shadows shielded her. Khushi took her away from the sight.

Ratan Singh smirked and turned to Arnav. He opened his mouth again to speak "And this must be Chote, I mean Arnav Singh ..." but abruptly stopped!. Everyone turned and looked back at Arnav.

Before Rattan could continue, they all heard siren and the motorcade came in through the gates. Ratan Singh Froze. Mr. Balwindar Singh with the Union Heavy Industries Minister got down from the car. Arnav striding forward welcomed them and brought them in.

The minister was surprised to meet Ratan Singh there. Ratan singh had nowhere to hide himself. "Hello Ratan! What made you come here?" The minister asked sternly. Ratan joined his hands greeting the Minister and said "Namaste Sir ji! I did not know you were coming. um.. I came here at his invitation!" said Ratan. "I was about to leave, Sir. It was really nice to meet you here Saab ji!" said Ratan in shaky voice

"Don't try anything different during this election time Ratan, you have to shoulder the responsibility of a campaign." said the minister sternly looking at Ratan. Ratan Singh Thakur turned to leave signaling his men, body guards and Sham. Sham looking at the Union Cabinet Minister forgot the manners to see his partner off.

Arnav introduced Mr. Balwindar Singh to the gathering and welcomed the Honorable Minister!

The tension seemed to have eased out. People looked relaxed, When Khushi came in, leaving Anjali in her room with one of her shadows, she saw Papaji and Arnav talking and smiling with the guests. She had to control her urge to run forward and hug her papaji. Realizing, she looked around for kids. They were nowhere to be seen. She got worried and left in search of them glancing at smiling Arnav.

She saw Shondeep at the gates and welcomed him. She brought Shondeep in and took him to Mr. Balwindar Singh smiling broadly at him. He too smiled at her saying "Its good to see you Mr. Gupta! Have I missed it? Am I late?" He asked holding out his hand and Khushi shook his hand looking around. She saw Arnav staring at her. Raj had joined them.

Mr. Balwindar Singh introduced Raj, Arnav and Shondeep as his young brigade to the Minister.

Khushi went away in search of Kids. Sham had hurriedly left the place.
The storm was successfully turned away.

Khushi went in search of the kids but could not find them. As the time passed she grew panic and asked everyone around. She looked for Elsa who was busy shooting the marriage ceremony. She called Khushi and said not to worry. Khushi was far away from her sister's marriage mentally worrying about the kids. She smiled at people absentmindedly and tried to get away from the center stage.

She couldn't find any of the family members to ask about the kids. She pulled buwaji aside and asked about the kids. She went on asking everyone. She could not find Arnav. She thought Tej must be with Arnav ji, but where was Meera? Everyone else seemed to be happy and relaxed but her.

It was time for Papaji and the Minister to leave. Shondeep was to join them next day. Raj, Shondeep and Arnav were having a hearty chat and were enjoying. She approached them, Arnav looked at her in surprise.

"Where are the kids?" she asked in tension. "Don't worry they are safe playing with laxmi" said Arnav "In my room!" he whispered.

Lavanya approached them looking at Arnav and Khushi. "Chamakili! What are you doing here? Everyone is looking for you!" she said eyeing Shondeep. Khushi introduced Shondeep to Lavanya and leaving all of them, she left to join her Jiji.

Khushi gazed at Arnav talking to Lavanya happily. Arnav sensing her gaze looked at her raising his eyebrows. She left the place going back stage. He followed.

"Arnav ji, Anjali ji is in her room..." Arnav looked at her.  "I think you should go...!" said Khushi pretending to be picking up something. Arnav went to his Di's room. Anjali was devastated. He came forward and hugging her said "Di don't worry! Everything is fine. He went away!" She started crying.

"Chote.. I don't know how your Jijaji knows this person. He had never mentioned to me. Today, your Jijaji seemed a stranger to me as if i don't know this Shamji. Why did he invite this Thakur when he knew everything? Why is Thakur back in our lives, Chote?" She asked him in despair.

"Its ok di! Forget about it. Come! Let us go out. Aakash is waiting for you Di!" said Arnav helping her get up.

The maid came in with coffee mugs. Arnav looked at her. "Was she hinting at this blast? Or is there anything else I don't know yet?" thought Arnav. The maid held out the tray and Arnav gave one to his Di who was still wincing.

The maid turned to leave. Arnav got up. "Di, get ready, I will be back!" he said left.

He went in the kitchen behind the maid. "Tell me what else you know!" he demanded. The maid looked at him. She stared at the floor and said "I do not know anything else. I just overheard his conversation and thought of warning you, sir! He is a dangerous man. He has ruined many lives!"

"I know!" He said gravely.

He came back to his Di and holding her hand brought her out. Khushi looked relieved. Anjali was still not herself. She looked lost though she was greeting and talking to people. Arnav stayed close to his Di.

Guests were pouring in. Payal and Aakash exchanged garlands. People around clapped for them and wished them a great future together. Arnav looked at the couple with a glint.

He closed his eyes for a moment and he saw himself and Khushi greeting people on the stage in elaborate wedding arrangements and smiling at each other, holding hands. His heart ached as he heard Raj calling him, he never wanted to open his eyes. He wanted to go back to his room and continue his dream. He wished it was only two of them... He and his Khushi!   He forgot the crowd around, forgot everything, forgot himself.

There was a commotion behind him. His sister Anjali was held by Shondeep supporting her to stand up on her feet. She had fainted under mental pressure. Shondeep had held her caringly and had taken her to a nearby couch. Arnav ran forward. He lifted her and carried her to her room. Shondeep followed with a glass of water. Arnav put her on her bed. Shondeep helped her to sit cushioning her back with pillows and gave her a glass of water. He looked at Arnav, "She looks unwell. You may have to call a doctor!" he said. "No.. No need" said Anjali faintly. "I am alright!" Shondeep looked at her and slowly gazed at her feet. She withdrew and hid her braces under her saree and looked away. He straightened himself up while Arnav was drawing a blanket over his Di's feet. He looked at her kindly smiling and said "I am Shondeep, from Kolkata!"

"Oh! Yes, I almost forgot! Di, he is Shondeep MD of our new company!" he said "And she is my elder sister!" Shondeep smiled at Anjali. "I wish I could meet you in good health!" he said kindly. She smiled. Lavanya came in hurriedly. "ASR, what happened to Di?" she asked worriedly. "She is ok, now!" Said Arnav.
"Ok. I will be with her. You carry on!" she said sitting beside Anjali. Arnav and Shondeep came out of the room and saw Sham coming in. Arnav inadvertently looked for Khushi but did not find her. Sham approached them and asked "What happened to Raani Saheba?" he dashed in and hugged his wife. Anjali slowly removed his hands, turned her back and said "I need some rest!"

"I am calling the doctor!" he said.

Lavanya came out of the room and went to join the family members. Arnav stood there thinking "Why am I complicating the matters? Why can't I just go and tell Di everything about Jijaji? She is going to be heartbroken one day, why not now? There are family members around. They will make her feel better. She will recover from the shock and I will be able to throw him out! Earlier the better!" He came back to his De's room determined to tell her everything