Part 44

Papaji had tears in his eyes. Raj said... "Tej used to love mouth organ and this is his..."

"Oh! Arnav said quickly putting it down." "No puttar, this is yours from now!" said papaji looking at the portrait of Tej. 

The servant brought in Coffee for everyone.

The three men were engrossed with some political discussion and corruption in the country forgetting that Mummiji, Elsa and Khushi are also there with them. Mummiji went to her room as it was time for her medicine. Elsa went to kids' room to check whether they are asleep. Khushi was whiling away time. She was thoroughly bored with the discussion. She curled up listening to them and fell asleep. Arnav noticed and gazed at the sleeping beauty. Papaji woke her up and asked her to go to her room. Arnav had to control himself from going behind her to her room.

Somehow Arnav lost interest in the discussion after that and they broke. Arnav went to his room with his laptop. He needed to work remotely to get ready when he would return to Delhi. He kept thinking about the morning discussion. Khushi turned out to be stronger than he had expected. She was determined to expose Sham and started thinking practically after the initial shock. "After all she is not that bad!" He thought smiling. 

In the morning all of them went to Airport, Arnav dumping his luggage into the car. They waited till Raj's plane took off and then Arnav said "I think I should leave this afternoon. I will not come home and wait here for my flight. Afternoon tickets are available. You can carry on and I will complete my work from the lounge, there is wi-fi available. He avoided looking at Khushi. 

"Ok puttar, Khushi will be with you to see you off. I will send her a car later". Papaji said winking at Khushi. Arnav looked amazed. 

They settled in the Lounge. Arnav opened his laptop to work on. Khushi started talking about trivial things. After their first meeting in Kolkata they were together in public place, not knowing what to do or say. Both of them felt very awkward.

"Arnavji, where is Lavanyaji now?" asked Khushi.

"She went back to US" said Arnav looking at her curiously.

"She regretted saying all that to you Khushi!" Arnav said feeling little nervous.

"I knew, she said it in a fit of rage. She is really nice and had become my close friend" Said Khushi. She desperately wanted to talk to Lavanya or meet her.

"Arnavji, can we invite her for Jiji's wedding?" She asked excitedly. Arnav gaped at her bemused with their friendship. 

"Ok". He said. He got up after the final call and looking around shook Khushi's hand first and then pulled her into his arms. He knew no one from the family was around and that gave him courage. Khushi buried her face in his chest and sobbed. 

"Khushi... Everything will be alright" Arnav said in a hoarse voice.

Khushi pulled herself apart and tried to bring smile on her face. He squeezed her shoulder once and turned his back to go.

His plane took off. 

The game had begun and failure was not an option!!!

Arnav closed his eyes. All the events in these two days played before him sequentially. He had shocked Khushi several times in these days. Smirk appeared on his face at the thought of Khushi looking flabbergasted. "She does not know me yet." He thought. "She had not understood me. What will be her reaction when she knows me completely? " His eyeballs under his eyelids moved rapidly. 

"She knows nothing about me, about my past.... Will she accept me for who am I when she knows my past?" He opened his eyes with a start blurting "No... Khushi..!" The next passenger looked at him curiously "Did you say something?" he asked Arnav. "No" said Arnav curtly, looking away.

Back in the car, "Who is he? He is not the one I knew. Which is his true face? I really do not know him. What I know is just a tip of the iceberg. What else do I not know about him? Why does he always have to wear the mask of a smug, rude, heartless person? What is it there behind, that prevents him from being his own self?" Khushi thought bemused

" ... but why do I care? I like him the way he is and that is it. I am happy..." thought Khushi smiling. She started humming the cheerful song played on the FM in the car. She had to start her routine from Monday. She thought of staying at home on Saturday and Sunday. Papaji will be away for his Kaar Seva and she will have to be with mummiji and Elsa. Her face brightened at the idea of playing with the kids for these days.

Arnav came home late in the evening from his business tour. He was greeted by his sister. "

"Chote... you know, panditji gave us the date in October after Diwali for Aakash's marriage. There are around two months for the preparations. I am so happy for him." Arnav sighed. Two moths..." it's enough time for us to operate on our plan." He thought to himself, inadvertently dialing Khushi's number.

He went to his room. "... the wedding date is in October "... he told her immediately. Khushi started jumping with joy and said " two months...great.. so many things are to be planned.. the preparations.. . So many  things to be done ... lot of shopping for her wedding... you know, what I think is...." Khushi started off...

"Oh! Stop it.. now don't go on that track, Khushi.. What I mean is we have time to act on our plan ...Do you know what I mean?" He asked her cutting her off in the middle.

She landed on the ground with a thud from her dream state. "Yes, Arnavji I understand and I know what you are talking about....." She said in a small voice.

"Khushi.... Look I did not mean to bring you down like this... but you know... the situation we are going through...Khushi? Are you there?" Arnav asked worried.

"Yes Arnavji I am here and listening to you. I know what I need to do.." Said Khushi.

"Khushi... goodnight.." he said

"Goodnight Arnavji"

** ***

"Di Where is Aakash?" Asked Arnav coming out of his room.

"Chote, its good that you came out. I was to come  to you to ask about your dinner. Aakash came in the morning and now has gone out somewhere."

"Ok, Di., I will be little late for the dinner. I have a conference call now." Said Arnav and went to his study room. 

He dialed a number "Ok. Aman. Listen, I need you to keep the papers for the new project with BTR Group. We need to expedite the process of signing the MOU. I want you to take an appointment with our company secretary tomorrow morning. Keep our company financials ready. Keep the draft MOU sent by BTR Group ready. I want you to officially inform them that we are assigning Mr. Sham Manohar Zaa as the contact person in this project. Please attach his Profile with the document. If you do not have it, get one from him immediately, understand? " Said Arnav authoritatively. 

"Yes Sir" said Aman.

He scanned through his emails. There was a mail from one Mr. Banerjee CEO, Spinning and weaving Kolkata Pvt. Ltd. (A company of BTR Group) introducing himself as deputed person to acquisition of the spinning mill project. Arnav smirked. He knew what was there in the mail. He opened it to find that Mr. Balwindar Singh had introduced Arnav Singh Raizada to Mr. Banerjee as the potential liaisioning officer for the acquisition and Mr. Banerjee had written to him copying to Mr. Balwindar Singh. The hard papers would follow. Arnav admired the promptness.

Part 43

Arnav had to come up with a strategy to keep sham at the bay and try and find out more about his plans. "Puttar, do not do anything in a haste" Papaji advised.

"Yes papaji, tell him! His brain stops working when he is angry and he always is angry with someone or the other" Khushi said concerned. She had Pressed the trigger and shown him his face in the mirror.

"Oh! Shut up Khushi. I am a lot better when you are not around" Said Arnav angrily raising his voice. 

"What do you mean I am  not around? Do you think I was responsible of your anger? Did you not get angry when I was not with you?" Asked Khushi angrily.

"Khushi, grow up! And stop yelling at me!" Said Arnav yelling at her.

"What do you mean grow up? What do you think I am a small kid? Don't you think you are underestimating me? Ask papaji about my abilit....." She stopped suddenly. Arnav too turned and faced papaji. Papaji was sitting laid back folding his arms on his chest and looking stern...

"If you two have finished bickering, I want to take the discussion further." He said looking upset at the behavior of Arnav and Khushi.

"Sorry papaji" said Khushi touching her ears. "Sorry" Arnav said hanging his head.

"Ok. Now I advise you to be dormant till payal's marriage. Arnav will keep him hopeful about giving this project to him. I will assign a top level person from our company to deal with him and to interview him. I need to put myself at the background. Arnav will pretend he has not met Khushi at all"

"Does this mean I cannot attend jiji's marriage?" Khushi asked in a sad tone on the verge of crying.

"I have not said so, Khushi, we surely will find out a way to bring you in at the time for  your sister's marriage. And you have to take Elsa with you, remember?" Papaji asked smiling at Khushi. Somehow Arnav felt very happy within, though he did not show it on his face. He looked relaxed. Khushi's face brightened up with happiness.

When they came out of the study, Khushi still looked shattered. Papaji was deep in thoughts and Arnav was back to Arnav Singh Raizada, confident and proud. He knew exactly what he was going to do. He had gathered strength from his strong life partner, Khushi and for the first time in his life, from a fatherly figure, papaji! 

Raj took them out for lunch. Arnav enjoyed the continental food. They had a peaceful lunch. Raj had a plan to go to the talkies for a masala hindi movie. But everybody else voted against. All of them wanted just to go back and rest for a while. 

Coming home they went to their rooms except Arnav. He wanted to go back to hotel as he had some work. But Papaji offered him his study and his desktop to work on. Arnav reluctantly agreed. But then Raj offered him to take him to his hotel to pickup his luggage and check out. He said without looking at his father for approval, "You are staying with us!" Arnav looked at papaji. Papaji shrugged.

Both of them went to get the luggage. Everybody else had a nice afternoon nap. Raj and Arnav came home and Arnav was given a specious guest room. He worked there till evening and when he came out of the room, everybody was getting ready to go to the mandir. Khushi looked little tensed. She knew Arnav did not believe in god. She was afraid that he would say something or refuse to come and hurt feelings of papaji and mummiji.

They were about to leave and Arnav not knowing what to say lingered back. Khushi came back and looked at him pleadingly. He said "Ok." He joined the family and headed to the mandir. 

Panditji gave Aarti after they all prayed. Khushi tied the thread on everyone around the wrist. She was not sure about Arnav's reaction and she avoided him. 

She joined her hands and prayed. "Hey devi mayya, protect him. He does not understand your power. Please forgive him and bless him" She had tears in her eyes. 

When she opened her eyes, she was shocked. Elsa was tying the thread around Arnav's Wrist and he accepted it with devotion by closing his eyes. "He has changed a lot!" thought Khushi. Elsa came forward and tied the thread around khushi's wrist too. She beamed at Khushi. Khushi reciprocated. She glanced at Arnav and found that he was gazing at her unblinkingly. She quickly looked away. 

Both Elsa and Raj touched the feet of Mimmiji and papaji followed by the kids. Papaji lifted the kids and kissed them on forehead. Khushi signaled to Arnav, but he did not understand what she was hinting at. She kept on signaling at mummiji's feet. 

Meera pulled Arnav's coat and said, "Uncle, Khushi buwa is telling you to touch their feet and take blessings from them." Givng him a 'can't even understand simple things' look. Arnav looked embarrassed. He came forward with Khushi and they both touched Mummiji and papaji's feet together. Mummiji hugged Khushi and papaji patted on Arnav's shoulder with wet eyes.

"Now another round of devotion" declared papaji. "I am taking all of you to Gurudwara!" I have something else to do there. They went and prayed at Gurudwara. Papaji declared his wish to do Kaar seva (Service rendered to the devotees visiting the temple) at the temple over the weekend on Saturday and Sunday. Arnav mused. . 

“How come a formidable person like him does Kaar Seva; lifting footwear of people, serving them food, cleaning the temple complex and anything that is required?” He admired papaji and felt lucky to have him on his side. He looked at Khushi. She was looking at papaji with all admiration. 

"I do Kaar Seva before I start any of my missions.." He told Khushi and Arnav. 

They came back home for dinner. Raj took out his old guitar and started tuning it. He asked Arnav about his interests in music. 

"Arnav Singh Raizada and Music? They are far away from each other.."Khushi thought. But to her astonishment, Arnav said he used to play mouth organ.

"Oh! Is it?.. Greeat! Wait a minute!" said Raj in excitement and hurried inside in his mother's room. They could hear rumbling sound for a while and Raj came out with a velvet box. There was a Carl Essbach's French piece, beautiful mouth organ in there. Arnav's eyes widened. He took it in his hands and ran his fingers on it dreamily. He touched it with his lips and exhaled through the up tuned reed resonating a beautiful high pitch sound and when he inhaled it resonated beautifully through its down tuned reed, He looked at Raj.

"I just loved Larry Adler" he said.. 

Papaji started singing his favorite hindi song "Hai apanaa dil to Aawara...na jaane kis pe aayega..." and Raj and Arnav played the background music on guitar and mouth organ. Then there was a series of hit hindi songs with interludes of mouth organ or guitar. 

When Arnav played the Titanic song on his mouth organ, looking at Khushi...

"My heart will go on...

Every night in my dreams I see you, I feel you.

That is how I know you...go on....

Near, Far, wherever you are,

I believe that the heart does go on...

....

You are here, there's nothing I fear and

I know that my heart will go on.....

... you are safe in my heart and

my heart will go on and on....

Khushi forgot to breath.

Part 42

Thursday morning Arnav called up Aakash only to find that he was in Mumbai for closing the deal with the supplier and he will be going back to Delhi in the evening. 

"Bhai" he said. " There is one more thing I wanted to ask you. It seems, yesterday, when I left Delhi, and you left for your business tour, Jijaji came to our office and was asking about the papers of this new project to Aman. Aman tried to contact you but could not reach you. Had you asked jijaji to take it up? I mean, we haven't yet talked to the client about this new change...." Arnav froze. "Bhai.. are you there? " Asked Aakash.

"Yes, Aakash .. I am listening and I am surprised at his move. The task is not yet assigned to him. Did Aman give away any information or papers? Asked Arnav in a tensed voice. 

"No Bhai... Aman called me and I told him not to give unless you say so. " So jijaji went back. But he must have felt hurt, we need to talk to him about our practice in the office to clear his doubts.." Said Aakash.

"No!... No need to talk to him Aakash, I will manage..." said Arnav and hung up.

"He is really fast." Thought Arnav, getting ready to visit Khushi's place. 

He immediately called up Aman "Aman, listen to me. Do not give entry to anyone to my cabin. And don't give any information to anyone on any of our ongoing projects.. understand?" He said in a stern voice.

"Yes sir. Yesterday Sham sir had come asking about the papers. I told him that the papers were not with me and I cannot give any information about it as the files are with you." Said Aman.

"But sir, it was strange. He wanted to talk to some of our staff members too. I told him that I will talk to you and then arrange a meeting of staff with him. He had a long chat with our HR guy! What is it Sir? I mean... He had never come to our office like this and now ..." Said Aman in confusion.

"Its ok. Aman I will manage. We will discuss when I come back! Make sure, he does not talk to any of our staff members unless the project is kicked off. And do not give away any financial information on this project to anyone. Understand?" Arnav said and hung up. "I have to go back as early as possible." He thought.

He came to the mansion, with his mind preoccupied with all the problems. He rang the bell. Khushi pulled open the door eagerly and gave him a broad smile. He looked at her, forgetting his worries, his spirits lifted. He was back to his self. He gazed at her with a strange look on his face and pushed her aside to enter the house. Without looking at her he walked straight to hallway and was greeted by Raj. Khushi looked furious. She turned around, stood there, thrusting her hands on her hips and giving him an angry look. He glanced at her, his eyes flashed mischief and turning his back on her he busied himself talking to Raj. 

Both of them came into the hall followed by furious Khushi, where papaji and the kids were playing. Papaji greeted him along with the kids. Khushi went straight inside without looking at any of them. Papaji gave a puzzled look at Raj, he shrugged. Smirk appeared on Arnav's face. 

Khushi came out with the butler to lay the table. Without looking at any one she went back to get the breakfast for everyone. Mummiji came out with Elsa. Everybody had their favorite dish for breakfast. She had prepared special dish for Arnav but asked the butler to serve with denial on her face. Papaji and Raj looked confused at her changed mood. Earlier in the morning she was so excited and now, she just looked furious. They tried to tease her and pull her leg to lighten her up but made the things worst. She looked angrier than before. Mummiji looked at Khushi and then Arnav. He was looking at Khushi with glint of prank and she understood. She scolded her husband and son with a mock fury and warned them not to trouble her, glancing at Arnav. He looked away to hide his smile. 

"Ok. Now, here is today's plan. I need to discuss some urgent business matter with Arnav and then we are all going out for lunch. In the evening we are going to kaali mandir as desired by Khushi and then coming back home for dinner." Papaji declared raising his hand.

"but.. I am planning to go back this afternoon" Arnav said looking at everyone.

"No way!" roared Raj. "I am leaving for US tomorrow and you are going to see me off."

"But.." he looked at papaji for his support "I have some urgent work back in Delhi" Arnav started off.

"No buts and ifs... You are staying and that's final" Said Raj raising his hand and looking again at papaji for support.

"Your urgent work can wait, puttar.... Please stay for his sake..." Pleaded papaji.

He looked at Khushi. She was resolutely looking away. He nodded in acceptance. For the first time in his life someone was overpowering him. Someone was forcing him to accept. "Why am I feeling so good to accept someone's domination?" Arnav Singh Raizada was bemused. 

"Ok. Let us go to my study for the discussion" said papaji getting up from the chair so did Arnav.

"Khushi puttar, would you like to join us?" Asked papaji looking at Arnav. Arnav was puzzled.

"I feel, you should join us." Papaji took the decision himself. Khushi obeyed. The three of them went into the study room.

"Arnav would you like to open the discussion?" Asked papaji. He was looking at Khushi who looked so confused. Arnav then told Khushi about what happened after she left. She was shocked and furious.

"But what right he has to come to your office like that? This is your company and He cannot do this..." She had got up in anxiety. "You should have thrown him out..." she burst out. 

"Calm down Khushi, these are business matters and he cannot do that. Both of you need to keep cool." Said papaji. Arnav kept gaping at her outburst. 

"Now what will you do?" she asked Arnav. She looked worried. "Is there anything I can do?" She asked Arnav. He looked at her and said "No. I have to handle it myself."

"Khushi, both of you need to be very careful." Said papaji gravely. 

"Khushi, he knows you were in Delhi. He still thinks you are in Delhi." Said Arnav looking at her.

"What? How?" she was shocked. "That garage wala told him" Said Arnav. 

"Oh my god. Devi Mayya, please help. Please modify happyji's memory. Let him forget everything. Please.. let him not tell anything to that.... Person... " She prayed joining her hands and looking up at the ceiling. She looked panic. Arnav controlled his urge to hold her hand. She looked devastated. 

"What will he do now? Will he trouble amma babuji? I know, he will start blackmailing them. Oh god!" She blurted her thoughts aloud. She was on the verge of crying. She hid her face in her hands. And then.....

"I won't let this happen. I will do anything to stop him from causing any harm to our families, Arnavji. I will kill him if he tries to do anything to you....!" She said furiously losing her control. Arnav kept gaping at her. She looked like a tigress, strong and resolute that he felt she would do it if sham was here in front of them.

"Khushi!" he held her hand to calm her down. She was trembling from head to toe, in rage and hatred. Papaji waited for both of them to calm down and then said

"You don't have to do anything Khushi! Just keep yourself away from him. We have to find out a way to expose him!" 

"I will tell Aakash about this and I am sure he will understand". Said Arnav.

"Hope no one from my family has told anyone about it. I am sure about Avinash, he won't tell ! He has given me his word!" blurted Khushi.

"This is a very tricky situation... One wrong move from our side will turn the table for him." Arnav said gravely. He was thinking hard about his alternatives.

"He can do anything! I know... even he can kill someone! I know..." Khushi again thought aloud.

"Oh my god!.. he is the one responsible for babuji's heart attack. Avinash said babuji was given wrong medicine and most of the time HE was administering the medicine to babuji..." She got up clutching her hand on her mouth. "Arnav was shocked. Khushi started pacing restlessly. 

"Anjili ji, naniji, my jiji... Oh! Everybody is at danger." Blurted Khushi....

Arnav got up from his chair thunder struck. "He has the power of attorney from my sister. He can do anything to her after he is done with snatching away all her wealth." He looked aghast. 

"Quiet... both of you!" Roared papaji. "Do not spread panic everywhere. Though the danger is around, he will not dare doing anything like that in near future. His greed will keep him from harming anyone for now. And I will make sure he stays greedy... take it from me both of you." Said papaji resolutely. He looked at both of them. 

Arnav came back to his senses first. "Yes I will make sure he does not harm anyone. I can do that." He said. Khushi was sitting horror struck. 

"We have to think about our alternatives" said Arnav looking at papaji. "We need to expose him before the family first and then take action against him" said Arnav thinking coherently and sensibly. "Payal already knows everything. I need to tell Aakash. We will do something together" He said. 

"I think Payal jiji should tell Aakashji about it. She had promised me that she will not tell this to anyone. But she was feeling guilty for concealing this from her life partner. And now they will be together forever...., I feel ...." Said Khushi.

"Yes. That's sounds good. She should disclose this to Aakash. Khushi, you call payal later and tell her." Said Arnav and inadvertently looked at papaji for approval. Papaji nodded.

The three of them kept talking about their alternatives for a very long time. Khushi and Arnav kept on discussing most of the time and papaji listening to their discussion and advising them about the further course of action whenever required.