Part 86

Arnav took a short trip to Luknow and came back with the documents of ownership of Sheesh Mahel! He had won first round.

Sham walked in to Raizada House a couple of days after the Gupta House incident. He saw Buwaji and Amma into the house and looked surprised. He hurriedly came in and asked Anjali who was at the table. "Raani Saheba? Is everything ok?" Anjali got up with a jerk and moved towards him. She held his arm and said, "You freshen up first and I will tell you!"

Arnav stared at him. He avoided Arnav's gaze and left. Arnav waited for him at the table. But he did not come out. Anjali had followed him. Aakash came down from his room.

"Aakash, jijaji has come back! Di is updating him!" He exchanged dark looks.
They both waited for Sham patiently. Sham reluctantly came out when Anjali dragged him for breakfast and was disappointed to see the brothers at the table.

"Hello jijaji!" Aakash greeted him. Arnav flashed  disgust at Sham. Sham looked back startled.

"Hello saale saab!" Sham greeted back. He looked at Arnav and said slyly "I heard about Gupta House. Its good that you brought them here. Here they are safe!" He stared back at Arnav. Arnav clenched his fists. Aakash sensed the tension.

"Bhai, we need to go to the office" He poked Arnav. Arnav got up and instead of going to his room went to his Di's room. Sham looked surprised. "Saale Saab, your sister is here!" he called out from behind. But Arnav did not stop. Anjali asked sham to have his breakfast and went after Arnav.
"What is it Chote?" Asked Anjali concerned.
"Di, I want the file back, which I gave you yesterday for your signatures!" He said holding out his hand.
"Oh! That file! Wait I will get it!" She started rummaging her cupboard.
"Di, its urgent!" Arnav was impatient.

She could not find the file and was panic. "I had kept it here on the table.." she muttered. Arnav waited at the door.

She started searching on the floor and under the bed. He too bent down. His eyes locked on a old antique looking big metal box. It took him to his childhood. He used to hide his possessions in the box.

"Di..!" he called out in hoarse voice.
"Chote, here is your file. I have signed on the papers!" said Anjali looking relieved. Arnav was not in present but had travelled years back.
"Di..!" he asked pointing at the box.. "You got that?"
She bent down and looked at the box. Her eyes filled with her parents memories. She straightened herself up and said "Chote ... I brought in whatever I could gather when nani had come to take us!" Tears rolled down her eyes when she looked at her brother's wet eyes.

"What is it saale saab?" Asked Sham from behind.
"Nothing!" said Arnav pointing at the file. "Oh! ok. Tax returns file!" Said Sham.
Arnav turned and left the room. He was getting ready to go to the office and Ram Prakash entered the room knocking. Arnav just looked at him raising his eyebrow, "Arnav Bhayya! there is someone at the door with a packet. He wants to meet you!"

Arnav rushed down to see who it was. A person was waiting at the door with a packet neatly gift wrapped. Arnav looked at him. He handed over the packet to Arnav and said “Sir, please accept the gift from Mr. Balwindar Singh!" Arnav looked bewildered. He took the packet. By this time the family members had gathered. He stood there with the packet. Aakash poked him and said "Bhai, open it!" Arnav slid his finger to rip it open.

"Bhai! careful!!" Shouted Aakash and the packet fell down from Arnav's hands. He looked at Aakash irritatingly. Aakash burst out in laughter. He came closer to Arnav and whispered "Look at the card.. it’s from her! You might get hurt!" He enjoyed Arnav's irritation. "Oh! Shut up, Aakash!" Arnav barked picking up the packet and ripped it open.


There was a key in a neatly decorated velvet box. He gaped at the key. Aakash peeped in.

"Bhai! what are you waiting for? Lets go out and see!" Aakash almost screamed and without waiting for Arnav dashed out, leaving everyone flabbergasted.

Arnav went behind him and there they saw in the porch, a beautiful Black Mercedes SUV with pink and white satin ribbons and a bow. Aakash had reached the car and was surveying it mesmerized.

"Bhai.. its a beauty!" he screamed. Taking out the card stuck on the bonnet! Arnav was quick enough to snatch it away. He hid the card in his coat pocket. He wanted to read it in private. He knew whose card it was.

Aakash smiled and winked at him. He looked away. He unlocked and opened the door. There was a box of the vehicle documents lying on the seat. Aakash had already occupied the front seat. He took the wheel and they drove away....!

Arnav called papaji to thank him and decided to call Khushi in the night!
When they came back they had to face the fury of the family members. They were bombarded with the questions. Arnav did not know how to explain. He saw questions in everybody's eyes. Sham was staring at Arnav. Arnav knew no one has heard the person bringing in the key. He did not want to tell them that it was a gift. Aakash came to his rescue.

"We had booked it long back. It has arrived today!" He said looking at everyone. Anjali got aarti thaal and did puja. Sham stood there rooted to the floor staring suspiciously. Aakash went to his room, but Arnav stayed there looking at Sham piercingly.

Sham came forward, standing up to Arnav he hissed "Saale Saab... I know... I know what you are up to! Remember its not going to be easy crossing me!"

Arnav looked at him. Sham was losing his control..! Arnav smirked and said,
"Where were you Jijaji? You could have been of great help .... Anyway, I have handled it my way. The police commissioner is looking into it personally." Sham gaped at Arnav. His blood boiling, he turned to leave.

"Jijaji.. What happened to your phone? Di tried calling you, you were unreachable.... and there were calls for you on Di's phone! What is it Jijaji? Are you in trouble?" Arnav asked to the back of Sham. Sham froze.
"And, there was a courier in your name. I received it. Di must have given you!" Arnav knew the effect.

Sham turned around in a jerk and glaring at Arnav said, "Its none of your business!"
"I know Jijaji, but why are you so upset? I know it must be from one of your desperate clients...!" Arnav had the desired effect.