Part 98

The Morning was pleasant and Arnav had a good sleep. He felt fresh and came down early in the morning. He saw Sham at the table reading the news paper. Sham smirked. "Good morning Saale Saab! You seem to be happy today!" Arnav refrained from reacting.

Nani came out from her room. "Chote, we have to go to Guptas to decide on the pooja and havan dates. I want you to come with us."

"No! Nani, I have some urgent work!" he said rejecting the proposal. "Aakash will come with you!" he added.
"Chote, I want you to come!" said nani sternly. Arnav did not budge. He had his tea and turned to leave. "Saale Saab! If naniji wants you to come, then you should come!" said Sham slyly.

Arnav stared at him making him nervous. "Nani, I really have some urgent work!" he said.
"Saale Saab, you may want to read the news paper!" he held the news paper. "I read them online!" said Arnav and refusing to take it from him left.

He opened the site and glanced through the headlines. Same old news of election campaign, mudslinging, frivolous accusations... accidents ..!

"Damn it!" he said and shut his laptop. There was a knock on the door and Sham entered. He looked crooked and smug. "Take this newspaper, Saale Saab, you will find interesting news!" said Sham.

"I have read it!" said Arnav. "Oh! No, you haven't! Um.. Let me see.. Um here on page three..! Read it!" sham held out the paper again.
"I don't read gossips!" Arnav dismissed.
"Oh! No! You will read this!" smirked Sham, still holding the paper. Arnav reluctantly took the paper looking at him suspiciously.

Arnav scanned through page three and locked his eyes on his photo with a caption “Framed!”  He froze! Sham was waiting with fingers crossed to enjoy!! Arnav collected himself in time and with a straight face gave the paper back to him.

"JIJAJI, I am in fashion industry.. I am bound to be in news!" he said trying to keep his voice stable. Sham looked shocked at this reaction and then said..
"Saale Saab, this is not regarding your so called fashion statement... its regarding you!"

"I Know! And I don't give it a Damn!" Arnav said his anger mounting. "And if you have finished giving me the important news, I have a call to attend!" Arnav dismissed sham.  Sham went out and Arnav sat on the chair with a thud.
"How could it be leaked?" he wondered dialling a number!

** *** ****

"Yes Puttar?" papaji picked up the phone.
"Papaji, where are you?" asked khushi eagerly.
"What is it? I am busy with the meeting!" said papaji sounding puzzled.
"Come home soon!" Khushi screamed.
"What? Is everything ok?" asked concerned papaji.
"Yes! More than ok! the designer dresses arrived!!" she was all excited.
"Oh! Khushi..!" papaji took a sigh of relief.
"Khushi, let me do my work now and I will come later!" he said and disconnected.

Khushi was little disappointed. "Should I call Arnav ji?" she thought, but then decided otherwise.
She was waiting for Papaji. But when he came he was in no mood to pay any attention to Khushi's chirping. "Khushi, please leave me alone for some time. I have a work to do.." he said sternly and went into his room. Khushi gaped at him.

"Arnav puttar...listen, I read the news! It’s come in Kolkata edition too!" Papaji had dialled Arnav back.
"Puttar... I suggest, you ignore this news. There is no need to react on this. And please be careful, there reporters would hunt you down anytime!" papaji said seriously.
"Ok!" said Arnav. He switched off his phone.

He was staring at the news. He had parked his car and was talking to papaji on phone. He read the news again and again.
"The Fashion tycoon... the Hunk, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada framed!!
Or should we say tricked, or wooed???
"The Fashion Garment industry Magnet Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada is reported to get married with a low class, small town girl. It is said that he was tricked into an affair with this girl and now under duress, is compelled to marry her!
"The Hunk was not available for his reaction. But it is said that the marriage will take place at the end of the month, the place is yet to be disclosed. This has created sensation in the Fashion world and many models are heartbroken"
"The girl he is marrying is supposedly a lower middle class, inadequately educated, orphan girl who managed to woo the Magnet in the relationship which would end up in a wedlock. Soon the secret behind this relationship will be disclosed....! Said one of Mr. Raizada's close associates"

Arnav was furious about the so called hot news in fashion world. He knew who did this! He knew something would come up, but had never anticipated it to happen so soon! He picked up his phone and called up Aakash.

"Aakash, stay at home! Attend all the calls and do not give away any information to the media... Tighten the security Aakash and do not allow anyone in the house to talk to media..Understand?" he instructed Aakash adequately.

"How dare they! How dare they write about her like that!!" Arnav was enraged. He picked up the phone to dial the news paper office... but then it would create more sensation.. And there will be digging out the past and the present. He felt frustrated. He should go back.. he should go back home! He took a U turn and came back home.

 He called Aman, "Aman, manage everything at the office. I am not coming .. cancel my appointments!" he ordered and switched off.

** **** ****

Khushi was sulking... Papaji had not come out of his study. Elsa was busy with the kids. She went into mummiji's room. Mumiji was with her physiotherapist. She lingered there for a while and picking up the news paper came out in the hall. She scanned through the paper, humming a song and her eyes locked on Arnav's photo. Smile appeared on her face. "Arnav ji?" she muttered in surprise and began to read the news!

With every printed word she read in the news her anger grew out of control. She tore the paper into pieces in a fit of rage. She stood there with the paper shreds around her. She was shaking from head to toe. "I have lured him? Have I? How dare!" she screamed. Papaji came out and froze looking at the site. He came forward but Khushi pushed him away. She ran to her room and closed the door shut.

"Khushi... Khushi!" papaji called out. But she did not open the door.  She floundered. She was enraged, she was insulted, she was humiliated and her near and dear ones just watched! She was infuriated with everyone. She did not want to talk to anyone!

"Why can't they do anything about it?" she was frustrated!! All her joy, her excitement had evaporated!
Everybody in the house felt helpless. Papaji tried Arnav's number, he had switched off. He called home, Aakash picked up. Arnav had disappeared! Had locked himself in the study! Media was lurking outside the Raizada House!

"Break open?" Elsa looked at papaji. "No!" he said. Let us give her some time to calm down. I will talk to Arnav and then ask him to talk to her.

** **** ****

Khushi did not open the door till evening. Everyone was tensed up. Papaji tried Arnav's number several times.
"Ok! I am calling his home!" said Papaji in desperaton. No one picked up! Papaji came back.
"Khushi! Open the door!" he roared. There was no movement from inside.

"Khushi, I want your sister's number!" Papaji ordered. He waited.
"Take the number... s" shouted Khushi and blurted the number. Papaji dialled the number.
Payal picked up. She was in her bedroom.

"This is Balwindar here! Where is Arnav? " he asked. Payal looked confused.
"Who?" she asked suspiciously. "Khushi's Papaji! Tell me where Arnav is!" he ordered.
"Oh! Papaji! Arnav ji is in his room!" she said. "Give him the phone!" he ordered sounding desperate.

Payal ran to Aranv's room. Sham was sitting in the hall watching her running with the phone. She knocked on the door. Arnav did not open. He was pacing the room like a trapped lion!
"Arnav ji! Phone for you!" she whispered.
"Go away, Payal. I am not answering the call!" He yelled back. Sham was enjoying the conversation. He was curious about the caller.

"Arnav ji! Please... its... its!" she stopped glancing at Sham who had left his place and was approaching her. "Whose call is it, payalji?" asked Sham. She fumbled. Payal was growing desperate; Arnav had not opened the door! Sham came near and tried to take the phone from her hand. She cut the call immediately and withdrew her hand. "It’s not important..!" she blurted and turned to leave.

"Whose call was that, Payalji? I thought it was Khushi ji!" said Sham loudly. Arnav inside the room froze. "Khushi? Khushi had called? Why didn't i answer it? Damn it!" he rushed to the door but held himself back. He waited for Sham to go back.

*** ***

Papaji clenched his fists in frustration. He came back to Khushi's room.
"Khushi Puttar, open the door. I am going to call Arnav now and was thinking of giving you some time to talk to him!" he tried to lure her to open the door.
"I don't want to talk to anyone!" she screamed.
"Khushi, let me in. I want to talk to you alone. Khushi, please open the door!" mummiji was knocking the door. She signalled papaji to go away. He turned.

"Khushi, I am alone here. Please open the door!" said mummiji pleadingly. Khushi unbolted the door and peeped through the slit. Mummiji was waiting leaning over her walker. She opened the door and took her in. closing the door again. She looked devastated.

"Khushi! Listen to me!" mummiji held Khushi hand and made her sit on the bed.

"Khushi! One should not be so disturbed with this media stunts. These are their tactics to increase the readership. This is their stunt to create some kind of sensation and provoke people to react and then to cast a smear on someone. Media is not bothered about any body's feelings, Khushi, you know it better. You already experienced the media wrath yourself! You had to leave your place and come to Delhi!

Today they might have targeted you, tomorrow will be someone else. The same media will praise you tomorrow when they have maligned your reputation today. Don't take them seriously, Khushi, otherwise your life will be miserable." mummiji said mildly. Khushi seemed to have calmed down a bit.

"But why? Mummiji, why? Why do they have to be so pokey and eager to ruin some one's life? What people will think about me now? That I am characterless girl wooing rich people?" she was agitated.
"No, Mummiji, I will not tolerate this. I will retort back" she said angrily.

"They are waiting for that Puttar. This will start a series of mudslinging. They will drag everyone around you in this. Your Amma babuji, Buwaji, Arnav .. Everyone! Can you see them in trouble? At this point of time? With only few days left for your wedding? Will you be able to see them suffer in this media game?" asked mummiji earnestly.

Khushi had no answer. She gaped at mummiji. "What should I do now, mummiji? asked Khushi in a defeated voice.

"Don’t get so disappointed, Puttar! Wait for the opportunity. Your time will come! you strike back!" said mummiji seriously.

"Khushi, try and find out who is behind all this. and I know, you know who the person is!" said mummiji looking at Khushi apprehensively.

"Yes, I know who is behind all this. And I am going to teach him a lesson!" she said resolutely. She came out smiling with mummiji.

Papaji came forward. "Khushi Puttar!" but Khushi ignored him. She still was sulking about papaji's helplessness. She went in to kids room and busied herself playing with them.

** ***

Arnav switched on his phone and the ring never stopped. He hurriedly tried Khushi's number but it was unavailable. He tried papaji's number, it was engaged. He got frustrated! He came down. But Sham was still there in the hall enjoying himself with a cup of coffee. Payal went in the kitchen and Arnav followed. "Papaji!" she muttered and came out of a jug of water. Arnav went back to his room and dialled papaji's number.

This time papaji picked up! "Arnav Puttar, thank god you called. I was worried. I couldn't stop her from reading the news!" he told in despair.

"What? She read? Damn it!" he was tormented feeling her pain. He banged his fist on the wall.
"Papaji... what.. I mean is she ok?" Arnav asked anxiously.

"Ok? Puttar, she had shut herself in her room the whole day without talking to anyone" he said.
"What? Where is she now? I want to talk to her!" Arnav said raising his voice getting restless.

"Her mummiji could bring her out! But she refuses to talk to anyone and is in kids room!" said Papaji.
"She is not even talking to me!" said papaji sulkily with his hurt ego.
"I want to talk to her!" Arnav demanded.
"Ok! Let me see!" said papaji moving into the kids room.
"Khushi, its Arnav! He wants to talk to you!" said papaji holding out his cell.
"No! I don't want to talk to anyone!" she said turning her face.

 "Why is he talking to a low class, uneducated girl who wooed him?" she was agitated.
"Puttar, it’s not his fault!" papaji said pleadingly. Arnav could hear the conversation.
"Khushi.....!" he screamed at the top of his voice. The people downstairs in Raizada house winced. Sham got up and moved towards Arnav's room.

Arnav was enraged. "How dare she think about me like that!"
"Puttar!" Papaji sounded helpless.
Arnav took a deep breath closing his eyes. Sham had reached his room. Arnav came out of his room and looked at sham sternly. Sham turned to go. Arnav locked his room and went to the secluded poolside. Papaji was still on the line not knowing what to do.

"Papaji, is Tej around?" Asked Arnav. "Yes, she is playing with him!"
"Tell him that it’s my call and give him the phone!" Arnav almost ordered.
"Ok!.. Hey Tej, it’s your buddy Arnav!" called out papaji looking at Khushi.
"Wow!" screamed Tej jumping in the air and snatching the phone from papaji's hand.
Khushi gaped at Tej and turned to leave.

"Hi uncle!" Tej screamed. Khushi had reached the door.
"Wow, are you coming?" he screamed again. Khushi turned in surprise. "Arnav ji is coming?" faint smile with curiosity appeared on her face.

"Hmm.. ok... I don't mind... " Tej was responding. Khushi grew restless and walking up to Tej she waited thrusting her hands on her hips.

"Tej.. put it on speaker mode!" instructed Arnav from the other end.
"Khushi..." Arnav's voice made khushi's heart miss a beat. She did not answer.
"Tej.. tell your Khushi buwa... I don't give it a damn, if she is not talking to me!" said Arnav angrily from the other end.

"Then why did you bother to call me?" she screamed angrily. Smile appeared on Arnav's face. She was back to normal and they were in talking terms.

"Tej, tell her I have not called her, I called you!" Arnav retorted. Tej looked at his Khushi buwa.
"Khushi buwa, why are you fighting with uncle? He called me, not you" Tej added oil to the already burning fire.

"What? I am fighting? And what was he doing?" Khushi was crossing the line with her rage.
Arnav knew where to stop.
"Khushi... talk to me!" said Arnav in a tone down voice.
Khushi gaped at the phone! "Khushi... hey buddy give her the phone" Arnav said and his buddy obliged.

She took the phone and forgot to answer!
"Khushi.. Are you there?" asked Arnav. "hmm" was the answer. He heard Tej resuming his play.
"Switch off the speaker!" he ordered. "What?" she blurted.
"Switch off the damn speaker, Khushi!" he raised his voice.

Khushi hurriedly switched it off and pressed the phone to her ear coming out of the kid's room.
"Are you not going to do anything about it?" she asked angrily.
"Khushi... listen to me...not at this point of time. We have to keep our heads down."He said trying to pacify her.

"Head down? Is this Arnav Singh Raizada talking? Who will take this insult so coolly?" she was upset at his attitude.

"Khushi... listen we cannot afford media wrath at this point. I promise you! I will pay back, and pay back with interest! Khushi Trust me!"
"Trust you? Trust you, Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada? What happened to the trust i had when we got married? What happened when our clipping was all over the television which made us leave Lucknow?" She asked furiously.

"That was not my fault, damn it!" Arnav screamed back. Then coming back to his senses he said in a soft voice.
"Khushi... listen. Please shut your mouth and don't go on ranting on the same issue. Listen to me carefully,  ok?" ordered Arnav and waited for her response. She did not. He took her for granted and went on.

"Listen, we are not going to do anything till the wedding. And the reception will be with full media exposure and we will be back with the vengeance. I promise, I will retaliate back! Khushi... are you listening?" asked Arnav suspiciously.

"hmm" she said. She was disappointed but she knew Arnav would retaliate. She calmed down a bit.
"I will not keep quiet! I will teach him a lesson!" thought Khushi resolutely.

"Khushi..Only 12 days left..!" Arnav spoke  hoarsely giving her Goosebumps. She blushed.