Part 22

Arnav went in, took along shower to relax his muscles and his mind. His mind wouldn’t quit thinking about her so he decided to force it to think about the important matters at hand. His mind first went to the meeting he had with Mr.Chopra (head of legal department at RI) this morning at RI.

He had asked Mr.Chopra about a lawyers activities and Mr.Chopra had explained very patiently that Indian law graduate can practice law anywhere in the country and his clients could be in any corner of India. Mr.Chopra also explained that most lawyers chose to build their reputation at one place especially if it’s a city like Delhi they will have no shortage of clients if the lawyer is good at what he does. Mr.Chopra also said that even if a lawyer accepts cases from clients from other places they are most likely from influential clients, he also expressed that when he says influential it doesn’t have to be in the good way always. Some rich thugs force lawyers to work for them too.

This got Arnav thinking what if his jijaji was in trouble but he wouldn’t share it with Arnav or anyone in the family. His jijaji was a self-respecting man. He would not like to ask help from his in-laws family. What if his clients were not the good kind and his jijaji was being forced to travel every now and then and work for them. He had to find out if his jijaji needed his help, he couldn’t ask the man… jijaji would never give in.

He walked out of his shower put a towel around himself and walked out into his room and located his phone and dialed Aman…

“Sir, Good night”

“What the!! Aman… you don’t wish people good night as a greeting, you say good night at parting..”

“Sorry Sir”

“Aman I want you to get an appointment with the best detective agency in town and schedule it for tomorrow morning… tomorrow afternoon at most.. at my office.”

“Ok Sir…Sir I have booked your tickets to LA for next Wednesday, like you asked and I didn’t book the return ticket sir.”

“Ok great … see that any meetings that need me to be there personally are scheduled this week itself.”

“Sir, I thought since your schedule is already very busy for this week, I won’t change it but work little changes in your schedule so that you can conference in on meetings that you are required in from US, I have changed the times of those meetings so that they are mornings and early evenings in LA time sir.”

ASR smirked… he had the best assistant but didn’t let his approval seep into his voice too much, but made a metal note to raise Aman’s salary “Ok, did you notify the house keeper in LA.”

“Yes Sir”

“OK Aman, I want you in the meeting with the Detective agency tomorrow, so you can follow up on it when I am not here”

“Yes, Sir.. Goodnight Sir”

To which ASR just “hmphed” in reply and cut the call.

He looked up and realized he was at the poolside door again and within a split second his thoughts were filled with her… her smile.. her long hair… her eyes and her “Arnavji”.

A soft smile played on his lips ”Yup that’s what she had called him Arnavji”

“Arnavji” his own name sounded so beautiful from her lips… he hurriedly got dressed and ran down the stairs to the living room hoping to get a glimpse of her before she left, and ignored his brain that said “She is gone… didn’t you hear her sister?”

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

Just as he reached the living room he saw his family relaxing around the dining table and HP serving them hot tea. He saw the workers clearing up the decorations from the living room. He realized he was too late….took a deep breath and went to face his family. He knew convincing his Di would be a hard task but he knew if she came to know about his US trip she would not leave his side even for a second forget being angry at him. He would use that card…to pacify her.

He reached the living area went up to NK and congratulated him and his parents and settled down beside his Di and said “Di, the meeting was with clients from another country I couldn’t just reschedule on them, don’t know when they would be available next.” He said in his most apologetic tone he could muster up.

His Di just ignored him and drank her tea, he sighed and turned to his Nani and she seemed to be in very deep thought and didn’t even look in his direction, he thought it best not to disturb her thoughts.

He took the black coffee that HP placed in front of him and started drinking an awkward silence lingering at the dining table which was broken by the Sharma’s getting up and saying goodnight to everyone before heading towards their room and once again the awkward silence returned to the table. The silence kept stretching and he got up to leave from the table to leave his family in peace and that’s when it happened

“Chotey, sit down, I have something important to share with the family.” Nani said in a very serious tone.

Immediately ASR’s gut told him to run and run very far from this place but he did not want to anger his Nani further today so took a deep breath and sat down. Nani looked around the table at her family and started “I was very happy today seeing a grandson getting engaged to a worthy girl. Now I want to be selfish and ask for more happiness, I want to see my own grandson’s settle down in life. I want my granddaughter-in-laws to fill this house with love and laughter and I want to breathe my last amidst that laughter.”

Her eyes slightly misted she turned to Arnav and looked directly in his eyes and said “Chotey, I have never asked you for anything but please think of this as my first and last wish, don’t say no.”

Arnav bit his tongue and his fingers dug into his palms as he tried to control his anger and not blast of at his Nani for trying to emotionally blackmail him into doing the thing that he hated the most in this world. The worst part was she was one of the few who actually knew why he hated the institution of marriage so much...”How could she?”

“Nani…why are you doing this?? You know why I don’t believe in marriage… mom dedicated her whole life to a lying, cheating, abusive b*star*!!  He cheated on her with another married woman… a woman who sold herself for his money… it killed my mom when she came face to face with the truth…. There is no loyalty left in marraiges…I don’t know if I can be with one woman all my life I don’t want to turn into my dad by cheating on her….” He paused and took a deep breath and continued in an equally raging but a far more dangerous tone and said “And god forbid if she cheats on me, I will make her life a living hell and she will wish she was never born.” he thundered

Nani stood up she was shaking with anger or pain he couldn’t be sure “Chotey, what about Sanaa you seem to be interested in her, I am willing to accept her as the daughter-in-law of this house for you but please agree to get married…” she almost pleaded..

Arnav cooled down a little his Nani never pleads… she just orders… but he had to get it through to her once and for all that he is not going to get into this sham called marriage so he continued his tirade “Nani, I DO NOT WANT TO MARRY SANAA..”

He could see tears in his Nani’s eyes but she wasn’t his role model for nothing, she made sure they didn’t leave her eyes and blinked a few times to hold them in. But he saw her eyes mist and it hurt him to hurt her like that but he couldn’t give in, it was his life at stake here, but he softened a little more.

“Chotey, I have a girl in mind for you who will surely fill your life with happiness and love.. ” she tried, by now all his family were up and at his Nani’s side not that they wanted to isolate him but he knew they could see her pain just like he could and she continued “Your mom will feel happy too with the girl I have chosen…”

His brain started working superfast at her last words… who is she talking about and as pieces of the puzzle started settling in, he held his breath and waited for his Nani to continue.. ”She is your mom’s best friend’s daughter…she is educated, beautiful, mature, and loving… what more can anybody ask for? Please Chotey.. listen to me..”

Arnav just stood there thinking of marriage…with her, having her smiles to himself, having her thoughts to himself, having her in his arms… having the right to hold her close to him whenever or wherever he wanted…. coming home to her… hell… would he be able to leave her and go to work….

Nani taking his silence as encouragement spoke up “I am thinking of taking the proposal for Payal bitiya tomorrow if you say yes..”

“WHAT!!” echoed the two horrified voices

To Arnav’s surprise no one was looking at him, including himself everyone was staring at the origin of the second voice…

“mmm….I mean….tom… tomorrow might be bad I have some …mmm… work” stammered Aakash

Everybody looked at him as if he had gone crazy and turned back to face ASR… yes now they faced ASR, Aakash had given him the break he needed to come out of his crazy thoughts about marriage and her….

“Nani, hear me out once and for all, I WILL NOT MARRY ANYONE AND I WILL NOT GET MARRIED NOW OR IN THE FUTURE” he gave a pause so that his words could sink in properly “and if you force me into talking about this in the future, I will leave this house as I don’t want to be the cause of arguments in our house.”

Nani broke down hearing his ultimatum and almost collapsed on the floor but for everybody supporting her, Arnav reached her too and helped her sit in the chair and he kneeled down in front of her and held her hands in his and looked into her wise old eyes and said “Nani, you and Di are the two people I live for, you are everything for me, ask me to do anything, anything at all and I will do it, but don’t ask me to get married…please understand.”

His Nani looked at him smiled a tiny smile, he noticed that the smile never reached her eyes, she brought her hand and caressed his face just like she used to when he was a little boy sighed and said “Chotey, I just want you to be happy, I want to be able to answer to your parents when I meet them..”

He cut her short and said “Nani, you answer to NO ONE…and I am happy this way…” he assured her…

She sighed and nodded her head as if finally understanding him and said “I am tired I want to rest now.”

All the Raizada’s helped her to her room and her bed that night and as he held her close to him to walk her to her room, Arnav noticed how beaten she looked to his eyes she looked old and tired and he did not like it one bit. He wanted her to yell at him and possibly even chuck him out of the house for not listening to her but here she was weak and looking tired of fighting this world.

He sat down on the bed beside her and said “Nani, don’t you want to punish me for not obeying you?? Shall I kneel on the floor on my knees till you forgive me or shall I do sit ups?” he asked her, he was not joking he wanted to bring back the fire in her eyes and he would do anything to take away this helplessness that surrounded her.

Nani Laughed this time it did reach her eyes she patted his knee that was closest to her and said “So you still remember your punishments Chotey, no need for all that but never ever say that you will leave the house Chotey, I will not be able to take it another time…” she concluded

He nodded and could feel all his family members relax as the grandmother-grandson duo who were both as stubborn as the other came to an agreement. They slowly started leaving the room one by one and Arnav was the last one to reach the door he turned back and said

“Nani though I will never get married, I promise you that I will do anything you want in Aakash’s wedding I will not miss a single ritual and I will not complain and I will even go ask for the girl for my brother if you want me to…Goodnight Nani” ASR turned around walked out and smirked, he had planted the seed and he could feel it grow in his Nani’s brain..

As he walked past Aakash’s room on the way to his room, he remembered and smiled at his brother’s outburst during the fight, his brain had started to connect the dots then and now he understood all the new things Aakash was up to nowadays and so he had decided to guide his Nani to go after the grandson who will fulfill her dreams.

He sighed as he got into his room “Hope his brother knew what he was getting into…”

Part 21

Just like he thought when he got home, his Di ignored his very existence and the more he tried to apologize the more she ignored. He realized the engagement ceremony was done and people were relaxing and eating and mingling with each other.

Nani came up and said “Chotey we will talk about your behavior later, but now go get changed and come down, all the guests are asking about you. It won’t be nice if you don’t say hello to them.”

He nodded at Nani, not wanting to get her too angry walked towards his room….

***********

ASR entered his room and locked the door and removed his coat and vest and started unbuttoning his shirt when he realized the pool side door was slightly open, not wanting any guests to walk in on him.

He moved towards the door to close it and what he saw at his poolside was the most beautiful sight he had ever beheld.

There she was sitting on the swing at the poolside…and lightly swinging it with her feet. She was looking up at the sky and he saw a peaceful smile on her lips. She was wearing a baby green lehenga choli… and amidst his beloved plants and at his pool side she looked like a fresh water nymph made especially to rule over this location…. his poolside…   

Between the fairy lights and the gentle moonlight her skin just glowed. Her dupatta and her hair were flying just a little in the soft evening breeze and he noticed she was now looking into the water in the pool. She stood up and walked towards the pool and sat on the edge of the pool and seemed to be looking at the reflection of the sky in it.

When she had left the swing an end of her dupatta was caught on the chain of the swing and she hadn’t noticed that and her dupatta now formed a beautiful bridge between the swing and her… now she looked like Arnav captured the picture in his mind. But he didn’t know it was in his heart and also in his soul… “Was he dreaming?or was she really there.”

Please imagine this swing at the poolside… that pool side soo deserved a swing:

 

Please imagine Khushi in this dress:

 

ASR decided if it was a dream he wanted to make himself a part of it and if it was not a dream he still wanted to make himself a part of it, so he gentle pushed the poolside door open further and stepped into his dream…. Or his reality… he was not sure.

She looked up straight into his eyes and he knew it was not a dream as he felt his heartbeat race as soon as their eyes met. He moved forward like a zoombie under a witches control and went towards the swing and unhinged her dupatta from there.

She had stood up by now and took the end of the dupatta he handed to her in her delicate hands and gave him a slight smile and he was lost all over again in her. Akward silence followed Khushi was trying to figure out what to say and Arnav was just staring not being able to think at all…

Then she said “We.. we have never been properly introduced…” and held out her hand for him and said

“Khushi…. Khushi Kumari Gupta..”

“Singh Raizada..”

blurted out Arnav and when he saw her frown a little he immediately said “I mean Arnav Singh Raizada..” and stepped forward to take his hand in hers but just as he was about to touch her…

“Khushi are you ready we are leaving now..” he heard her sister call her from the terrace that was looking over the poolside. She immediately dropped her hand said…”haan Jiji I am ready..”

She turned to him smiled a little and said “Bye….” and walked away briskly from him towards the terrace entrance to the poolside..

ASR’s heart and mind were in turmoil, she was leaving already… and he was feeling as if she was walking away with something of his that was very precious to him…. He just couldn’t figure out what… he just kept staring at her… wanting to say something to make her stop but no words were coming out of his mouth….

But she stopped at the base of the stairs and looked back at him and said “Arnavji, I .... I wanted to tell you your garden is beautiful…” smiled at him and left…

Arnav watched her till she disappeared completely out of his sight. Then he collapsed on to the swing and took a couple of deep breaths to free his chest of some constricted feeling he was having… put his head in his hands and thought about what had just happened…

Whatever it was there was only one word to describe it….Magical….

Out of nowhere a thought popped into his head “why does she wear all the colors but red .. dammit..”

Part 20

ASR was frustrated, irritated, infuriated… all at the same time.

He was frustrated that he was not able to keep his feelings in control, when he saw her or even when he thought about her.

He was irritated at Sanaa who was talking non-stop at all the wrong topics, about the girl in yellow and her rude friend.

He was infuriated at NK who was blocking ASR’s view of her. He wanted to see her …. And NK was in the way.

ASR and even one of those feelings was not a good combination, in the current situation it was ASR and all of those feelings at once… it was a fool proof formula for disaster.

Here is how he invited his own misfortune that night…

He snapped at Sanaa which she recognized as the ASR way of asking her to keep her mouth shut.

He picked up his phone and dialed NK’s number and said

“NK we need to go. Something has come up… are you done?”

“Nannav…we need to leave… so soon, we just ordered ice cream.”

“Yes NK, now.”

“ok wait Nannav…” he heard NK say something and heard Lavanya say something…then NK was back on the line saying the last thing ASR wanted to hear

“Nannav, Lavanya says she will drop me, go guys go ahead… see you at home.” And he cut the call

“What the!!” Arnav said to the disconnected phone and looked in the direction of NK’s table. NK had turned to look at him too and then NK proceeded to wave goodbye and made a saluting gesture to say goodnight.

ASR was fuming now, he got up with such force that the table almost toppled over, Sanaa stood up too surprised and worried about ASR blackening mood. She didn’t want to be caught in the storm. She followed ASR out of the restaurant hurriedly.

ASR realized the door out of the restaurant was facing away from her, there was no way he could even get one more glance of her… that was the last straw and he barked at everybody and ever thing the rest of the night and the following morning too…

He had had a terrible night thinking about her, deciding not to think about her, thinking about her unknowingly and then realizing that he was thinking about her again… it was a restless night for ASR. So the next morning ASR was in a mood that would scare satan himself.

His family recognized his mood and steered clear of his path, which ASR thought was a very good thing but it was actually a very bad bad bad thing….  He didn’t realize that his life had turned into “a series of unfortunate events” till he stepped in to the house that evening.

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

As soon as he stepped in he noticed the festive atmosphere that was there in the house. He walked to the living room and joined his family. Just then NK came up to him and said

“Nannav mere bhai, we are the only two who were left out of the fun, the rest of the family had a great time.” pouting like a girl

ASR frowned tried to think about what NK was referring to when he came up with nothing he looked at his Di for help.

“Chotey, today was the Roka ceremony for Lavanyaji, NK couldn’t come as he was the groom.. so he is upset.”

ASR relaxed he missed nothing important, but his thoughts changed in a split second when he heard Nani speak.

“Khushi bitiya makes the best Jelabis hain na Anjali bitiya?” Nani asked her eyes unfocused a small smile playing on her lips like she was remembering a very fond memory.

“Ji Nani, It was so nice to meet Payalji and Khushiji again today. It wold have been great if Garima aunty would have come too but it seems she had some other work.”

“Di, why didn’t anyone tell me about the ceremony?” ASR growled

Everybody started at him, and when they realized he was really expecting an answer from them, Anjali cleared her throat and tentatively said “Chotey, you were in such a bad mood this morning we didn’t want to irritate you more by asking you to attend a ceremony. We know you hate such things so we thought it best to leave you out of it.”

ASR was not used to this things usually went the way he wanted them to go, here in a short period of two days he seemed to have written his fate to do the exact opposite of what he wanted. If wanted to see her and he could have done that if had kept his mood in control this morning!!

“Nobody can mess up your life better than yourself.” Some wise man had said some day and ASR realized the saying’s worth this day

He stood up and stormed out of the room leaving the family to wonder what they had said/done to throw him back into a black mood.

***********

The engagement was fixed for a week after the roka ceremony so that NK’s parent s could make it in good time for it. Shantivan was a flurry of activity as it was decided that the event was to be held in Shantivan as all the wedding ceremony’s will be at the bride’s home or at a place of her choice.

ASR was busy too, his plans to expand to cities other than New York in USA for his Raizada Real Estates brach were moving forward pretty quickly and he was busy in that and had no time to spare for anything at home.

When he did get home late at night and HP would receive him and he would have a quick word with his family at breakfast before he hurried out. Di was complaining about his lack of involvement and he promised her he would be here at home for the engagement.

***********

On the day of the engagement Arnav got up really early, got ready and almost slipped out of the house without anyone noticing…but as he was about to open his car door he heard

“You are going to work today, beta?”

He turned around to face Mr.Neeraj Sharma and Mrs.Meena Sharma, they had landed in India a two days back and had settled in well. Right now it looked like they were returning from a morning walk together.

“Uncle, the engagement is at night, I have things I need to take care of. I will be back by the time it starts.” He said wondering if the couple will feel bad but to his surprise

“No worries Arnav, work is important and you are absolutely right no need to waste the whole day.” And Arnav saw Meena aunty nodding in the affirmative to what her husband was saying.

ASR was amazed if this were any of his family members they would have tried a variety of emotions on him to get him to stay back from begging to emotional blackmail. And here were the Sharma’s who not only understood his logic but also agreed with his decision.

“NK was a lucky guy… a family that does not interfere what else could one ask for..”

He didn’t know this is the very same issue that is making NK run away from his own family and try to be a part of ASR’s family.

ASR said his goodbyes and drove to work.

All day he was really busy and he had no choice but to ignore his Di’s calls but he asked Aman to call home and find out if there were any problems… and to inform them at home that he is busy now and he will call as soon as he is free.

Aman had come back and whispered to him saying that Di was very upset and angry that he was not home. He just nodded in reply and went back to the conference that was going on.

BY the time everything was wrapped up… it was he saw the clock and it said “7:00 PM”

ASR knew he was in big trouble when he got home… as the engagement time was 7:00 PM …”S**T, Di is going to kill me today”

Part 19

“What the!!” Arnav said as the door on the passenger side of his car swung open and in jumped NK on to the passenger seat.

“Nannav mere bhai please.. please… don’t say no…” NK was literally begging

“Say no to what?? NK.” Arnav asked with controlled temper.

“I have to be on a date with Lavanya and there are no cars or drivers left in the house. Di and Maasi have taken one to go shopping for the dhoka ceremony tomorrow. Nani has taken one to some party with her friends(Satsang). I don’t know where Aakash is but he left in his car when I was getting ready. There is only one car left in the house and no driver. I am sure if I drive in Delhi’s traffic either I will kill someone or I will get myself killed…..please Nannav please take me out for my date today…” NK explained breathlessly

“NK I am going out on a date myself…” Arnav explained exasperated

“ooh that’s even better Nannav.. you can go on your date to the same restaurant… it will be perfect..” NK settled in the seat and pulled on the seat belt and looked at Nannav who was looking at him like he was crazy and said

“Come on Nannav.. I don’t want Lavanya to wait for me.”

Arnav sighed giving up and put the car in gear and asked “We will pick up Sanaa on the way. Which restaurant?”

NK answered him as Arnav dialed the restaurants number for a reservation, yes it was an exclusive restaurant and you needed a reservation. But no one would say no to ASR. Just like he thought the manager had gushed over the phone about how it was a privilege to host ASR at their place that evening and assured him that everything will be to his liking. ASR told the manager the time he will be there and then cut the call and dialed Sanaa’s number to tell her about the change in plans and asked her to be ready and in her parking lot in exactly 12 minutes as he was not coming up to her flat today.

“Nannav .. isn’t Sanaa the girl you invited to last year’s Diwali party at home and Nani was very angry with you.” NK asked trying to remember how the girl looked; he just remembered that she wore a very very short inappropriate dress for a Diwali party.

“mmm” was the answer that Nannav gave.

Arnav remembered how disastrous that evening was, Sanaa had invited herself to the party at home. It was too late for Arnav to correct it as by the time he had come downstairs she was already introducing herself to the guests as his Girlfriend. Nani had held it together till the guests left and had thundered on him about his values.

He understood where Nani comes from. He understood she was thinking that there were still girls who respected culture and stuff out there in this world. He hated to bring reality in front of her in her old age. Those times were gone where girls waited patiently to find their life partner and reserve every right over their mind, body and soul for that special someone. Boys were even worse nowadays, at least he was trying to make his relationship with Sanaa work, though he saw no future for it.

Nani thinks Sanaa doesn’t have his best interests at heart, she says that Sanaa will only be there by his side as long as he can support her life style. He knows that Sanaa is a clever woman and that she is putting up with him only because of his wealth and power but isn’t that life? Isn’t that what all couples do? Even if it’s an arranged marriage they look at the boys and the girl’s financial and social status and fix the match. Just because the elders are out of the equation the basics don’t change.

It was simple. Sanaa was putting up with his arrogant personality and his temper because of his wealth and his power. He was putting up with her whining as she was a social butterfly and will grace his business parties with him and act and manage herself in a way that did his business good. The s*x of course was enjoyable. It was that simple.

 Nani wanted him to get married.. she doesn’t understand that the loyalties that hold a marriage together don’t exist anymore. She said that she was even ready to accept Sanaa if she saw love in his eye’s for Sanaa or love in Sanaa’s eyes for him. What Crap!!.. Nani will not accept that there is no such thing called love, it is just an over abused term by the acting world and the hormonal teenage world.

Anyway, he had told Nani that night that he was never getting married and that Sanaa will be his girlfriend till either Sanaa or himself decide to call it quits. Nani had not spoken to him for months after that and it had taken all of Di’s, Jeejaji’s, Mami’s and Aakash’s cajoling techniques to get her to forgive him… temporarily. He knew the topic will come up again and this time it was going to be a war.

He stopped in Sanaa’s parking lot and saw that she was ready and waiting… she understood him so well… what else does he need…..

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

NK dashed out of the car as soon as they came to a halt in front of the restaurant causing Sanaa to look at him with raised eye brows. He just shook his head and shrugged as an answer to her unasked question of “What is wrong with him?”

They got out of the car as the valet opened the door for Sanaa and he walked to her side and she put her hand on his arm as he handed the car keys to the valet and took the token from him. The doorman saluted them with extra effort to which Arnav nodded in response and Sanaa ignored as usual.

He and Sanaa were escorted to their table by the manager himself who served them champagne of the best quality which the manager insisted was on the house. ASR nodded and complimented the manager on the new changes in arrangements of the restaurant and then dismissed the manager with another nod. He picked up his champagne glass and was about to look at Sanaa when his eyes caught the most beautiful sight sitting  a little further away from their table and he just stared.

 

Khushi:

 

Sitting there in a dress as bright as the sun and completely lost in some thick book was the girl who created havoc in his mundane existence. The girl from whom ASR wanted to run away from and run towards at the very same time. She looked magnificent in the simple sleeveless yellow anarkali suit. Since the dance program blue had joined his list of favorite colors which was previously just red. Now yellow was making it’s way there.

It was a simple dress with clean cut lines, which outlined her figure to perfection. She had her dupatta on one shoulder and her hair was let loose to fall about her shoulders. He saw and admired her long beautiful hair. He could make out just how silky it was as the restaurant lights were reflecting off of it.

Whenever she moved to turn a page in the book, her hair would disturb her dupatta making it almost fall of her shoulder and she would raise her free hand to adjust the dupatta. Every time she did this his attention was drawn to the length of her arms which were completely exposed to his view as it was a sleeveless dress, her skin looked so soft, he thought if he were to touch her even slightly his rough hands would bruise her. But the idea of him touching her pleased him infinitely.

On one hand she had a thick flat yellow bracelet and on the other she had around a dozen thin red glass bangles, whose clinking he could hear even from this far when she turned the page of her book. It was music to his ears.

He saw that she didn’t seem to be aware of her surroundings and was so engrossed in her book that she didn’t even notice that the waiter had served her a steaming cup of something. Then something more beautiful happened she smiled at the book and tilted her head a little to one side, the lights in the restaurant reflected of something on her nose and there was a sparkle on her nose.

“What is it?” he wanted to find out “Is it a nose ring?” As an answer to his question she moved her head again and there was that sparkle again…”yes it’s a nose ring….it suits her so much…”  his opinion on nose rings changed that very second..

“ASR, shall we order?” he almost jumped out of his skin when he heard Sanaa’s voice cutting through his thoughts. Years of practice of not show casing his emotions came in handy that moment and he just nodded and asked her to order first while he picked up the menu and tried hard to concentrate on what’s written there. When Sanaa was done he ordered the first thing he could read.

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

The food hadn’t even come and it was becoming harder and harder for him to concentrate on what Sanaa was saying. He tried not to steal glances at the girl in yellow but it was not in his control any more, his eyes kept moving back to her. She hadn’t even ordered food yet, but was sipping on her beverage every now and then, still completely engrossed in her book.

Just then he saw a little boy of the age of 7-8 who was sitting at the table nearest to her go to her and tap on her shoulder and say something to her. Her expressions changed immediately she laughed and nodded her head in a positive way and said something to the boy. To which the boy went back to his table a beaming smile on his face only to get back to her table with his plate and settle in the chair opposite her.

She closed her book and put it on the table in front of her and talked away to the little boy animatedly and the boy was just as enthusiastically taking part in the conversation. But every few minutes she reminded him about his food by pointing to his plate. He wanted to go there and join them and laugh with them. He wanted to be there beside her holding her hand and enjoying every word she said, just like the boy was doing right now.

“ASR ?? did you hear what I asked?” there was Sanaa’s voice again pulling him away from imagination and bringing him closer to reality.

“What did you say Sanaa?” he asked with a slight frown on his face

“I said look at that girl there how she has no dress sense at all… wearing a cheap Indian suit to such a prestigious restaurant. These restaurants, I tell you, shouldn’t allow people who are not dressed to a particular standard… What do you say ASR?” Sanaa asked

His blood started boiling, he tried to reason with himself “Why are you getting irritated with your girl friend over a girl who you have not even met officially?” but his anger was not coming under check.

He didn’t know what he would have yelled at Sanaa when he heard someone else answer for him.

 “It’s a restaurant in the capital of India, whose employees are all Indian and it serves Indian cuisine. I don’t see anything wrong with a person wearing an Indian outfit to this place.” said the girl in dusky complexion dressed in the latest western wear.

Arnav saw her hand was entwined with NK’s and knew he had just met Lavanya Kashyap. As he stood up to greet Lavanya, he saw Sanaa size Lavanya up. He saw Sanaa taken in Lavanya’s expensive attire and notice Lavanya’s  hand in NK’s hand and Sanaa’s stance changed immediately. He saw Sanaa’s frown at Lavanya’s reply to her previous question turn into a overly sweet smile and Sanaa said “I didn’t mean Indian outfit, I meant her choice of color… look at that color it hurts my eyes. It’s like a piece of the sun is sitting there, how can she wear that color?”

Arnav was ready to blow up but he was caught off guard when he saw the look in Lavanya’s eyes. Lavanya’s glance was cold so cold that an involuntary chill went up Arnav’s spine, it was like Lavanya was throwing iced daggers at Sanaa. Lavanya smiled at Sanaa if that could be called a smile, it was like somebody had held Lavanya’s cheeks and forcefully pulled her lips into a smile.

“It’s her complexion.” Lavanya said simply as if that was the obvious answer

“Excuse me…” Sanaa said confusedly

“You know she can wear that dress and make it look good because of her flawless complexion and texture of her skin, for the likes of which many people waste tons of money and achieve nothing.” She took a pause and continued “And anyway all the men in this restaurant don’t seem to agree with you. If you observe, all of them are glancing at her more often than they are looking at their companions for the evening.” Lavanya finished coolly looking straight into Sanaa’s eyes as if to say “You want to have another round go ahead.”

Arnav saw this exchange with interest; His senses though went into high alert at Lavanya’s last sentence. He looked around the restaurant and saw that Lavanya was right more men were throwing glances at her every few minutes. He had this urge to personally chuck every male out of this restaurant with his own bare hands.

“Nobody is allowed to secretly admire her but him.” He decided

He immediately realized what he was thinking and pondered “Why does she always bring out these extreme impulses in me?”

 He brought back his focus to the present company and saw Lavanya looking at Sanaa with a challenge in her eyes that said “Come on try me”.

She was something this Lavanya… She will be good for NK, he approved. He also made a metal note to not to mess with NK’s better half. He gave Lavanya a genuine smile as she turned to him and took her hand in his and said “Arnav Singh Raizada at your service.”

Her features changed from that of the ice queen she had become for Sanaa to a slightly warmer look and said “Dr.Lavanya Kashyap, nice to meet you ASR. I am a big fan of your fashion house.”

NK butted in just then and said “We wanted to know if you would like to join us for dinner.”

Arnav noticed how Lavanya looked away and felt she wasn’t too interested in the idea of all of them dining together so he said “No we have already ordered and we need to discuss some business too. You guys carry on. NK just give me a ring when you are ready to leave.”

Lavanya and NK had nodded at him and left from their table, Arnav noticed how Lavanya hadn’t even glanced at Sanaa after their initial interaction “She is definitely something…NK’s Lavanya…” he thought

But the very next moment he cursed himself to hell, as he saw Lavanya and NK walk right to her table and she had looked up at them and smiled her thousand watt smile. He saw NK and Lavanya joining her at her table as the waiter came to take their order.

“Ofcourse they were friends weren’t they.. his family had talked nonstop about it and his stupid brain had forgotten that little detail. A little detail which would have taken him close enough to her to know her choice of perfume.” He cursed himself some more

He forced himself to listening to Sanaa as there was nothing else to do, as now NK and Lavanya were blocking his view of her.

Arnav Singh Raizada realized he had just missed the opportunity of a life time.

Part 18

As soon as they entered the upstairs balcony, both said at the same time…

“I want to ..” started NK

“I have a …” Lavanya started

Neither finished. They looked at each other and smiled.

“Ooh gosh… those dimples are so cute…” NK thought but immediately “NO .. no NK don’t think any further, not until she says yes to your requirement.”

 NK walked over to the railing, bent and placed his elbows on it, relaxed and looked over the beautiful garden.

“ooh… he has such a cute rear…Noooooooooo don’t start thinking like that…” Lavanya reprimanded herself. Smirked admitting to herself that she had thought about much more than that downstairs. Yes, Lavanya liked this man-boy; he had a boyish charm but coupled with just the right dose of manliness. It amused her how he interacted with his family and hers downstairs, pulling everybody into conversation. Laughing whole heartedly even at the silly jokes his Maasi was making. He even spoke properly to the house help. Actually he had sort of scared Ramu kaka with his Hindi, she smiled remembering.

When the conversation had turned to her profession, he had looked into her eyes rather seriously and asked her what he should do first when he thinks he is getting a heart attack. When everybody else questioned him he had said something about a person called Nannav yelling too much which could lead to him having a heart attack soon. All his family had burst into laughter at that and a smile had formed on her lips too… unknowingly.

Yes, she liked him. She liked his easy going nature. She liked his boyish charm. She liked his well built body. She loved his smile which brought a twinkle in his eyes. She liked the bonds she saw in his family. She liked his broken Hindi and his whole hearted effort to learn it.

Last but not least she liked the special feeling she felt in her heart and inside her tummy when he looked at her with admiration in his eyes. If only… he would agree to her condition.

Lavanya came back to this world when the house help came up and asked where to leave the tray of refreshments.  Lavanya took the tray went and sat down on the sofa and placed the tray on the coffee table and said “Help yourself if you want anything.” she said crisply hiding the nervousness out of her voice.

“No I am fine.” NK replied just as crisply.

An awkward silence followed, both of them deep in thought about how to approach the other.

“You were saying…”

“You wanted to say…”

Again both started at the same time and stopped at the same time. NK turned to face her completely and said “Ladies first…”

“Nope, you go ahead..” Lavanya wasn’t in the mood to encourage gentlemanliness

“Please I insist.” He persisted.

“No, you first” it’s either Lavanya’s way or the high way, she wanted him to get the hint.

He got the hint “Lavanya, I have a requirement that my life partner should commit to, only if you are interested in it we will take this further. That requirement is essential for me.”

Lavanya nodded frowning a little and said “I have a condition too. If you are not interested then there is definitely no point in taking this further.”

NK nodded, he knew she was a fiery one. He had noticed how she kept silent down stairs and had given everybody an air of high handedness, especially to his Maasi. But he had seen her eyes softening when she asked Nani how she was, he understood behind that hard and fierce exterior there was a soft hearted young lady.

When he had seen that smile on her face after his question about heart attacks, he knew she was special. The smile was so pure he wanted to see more. He wanted her to come out of her shell and laugh and he knew he would cherish her laugh. He decided to make it his life’s mission to make her laugh as much as he could… but …. only if… she can agree to his condition.

“What if she says No? What then NK?” his subconscious questioned, “I don’t know ….” he replied truthfully, he really didn’t know.

He knew it would be hard to forget her, her beautiful eyes, the dimples on her cheeks, her exotic complexion, her wonderfully curvy figure… and her smile which touched his heart though he had only a glimpse of it.

“Ahem..” He heard her clear her throat as if to say what next and an idea struck him.

“Lavanya as neither of us want to proceed without our conditions being accepted by the other, I think we should talk about the conditions now. It is only fair that both of us know the others condition at the same time so that there will be no influence of one condition over the other…. So I propose we write down our conditions on a piece of paper and hand it over to each other… ok?” he said enthusiastically

Though Lavanya wasn’t much interested in kid games, she didn’t have the heart to say no to his enthusiasm. Also there was sense in what he said, what if one condition was to influence the other. She agreed and went to get a paper and pens from her room.

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

“I won’t leave India.” Said the note that NK opened.

“I want live in India after the wedding.” Said the note that Lavanya opened.

They looked up at each other astonishment and wonder written clearly on their faces and burst into laughter after the initial shock wore off.

“How could this be? How could he want the exact same thing she wanted? Was he playing with her?”.. she looked at him still laughing…”No…. he was not the kind to play with emotions… he was just made for her…. there was no other explanation for this…” she thought and went back to laughing at the situation.

He looked her laugh, if he was not bowled over before… he was now… there was no going back for NK. She is the one who now holds the reins of his heart in her hands.

“Why?” she asked looking into his eyes wanting to know about his condition.

He smiled took her hand in his and said “Since I am ok with your condition, I hope we can take this forward…” he explained at her stunned reaction to his actions.

“Shall we go for a walk, my lady? And I will explain in detail…” and when she nodded, slowly lead her to the stairs that lead off the balcony and into the wide gardens.

They walked and talked and walked some more and talked some more. Neither was ready to end this. The more they talked the more they wanted to. He made her laugh and cherished her laughter. She was amazed at how he was breaking through her barriers and coming closer and closer to her heart. The way he felt comfortable expressing his feelings about how he wishes to build his future broke the last barrier to her heart as she realized they both wanted the same thing.

She felt bad she couldn’t open up to him as much and had said

“I need time, I can’t feel comfortable so easily with people…” he had simply said

“Take your time Lavanya.. we have the whole bandagi ahead of us…” And she was in love…

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

By the time they got back to the house, their families were done talking…. Actually they  were even done watching a movie together, they didn’t even ask the couple what their decision was. Nani stood up and walked over to Lavanya held her hands and said “Welcome to the family Lavanya.”

Lavanya nodded with joy and with a wide smile on her face said “Thank you.” And then bent to take Nani’s blessings and Nani had blessed her stopping her midway and saying “May your life be a bed of roses.”

NK hugged Nani and said “What next Nani?”

“NK bhai… please get a hold on your enthusiasm and move aside so we can also welcome our Bhabi..” Anjali said walking over to the couple.

NK shrugged and moved aside and said “She is all yours for now… Di”

Which brought smiles and laughter in the room, sweets were distributed and discussions about what the next step would be were held. It was decided that the decision will be conveyed to the bride’s family after the Raizada’s have a talk with the Sharmas. However, the bride and the groom were allowed to go on a date the following evening.

NK left the Kashyap’s a happy man looking forward to the next evening.

Part 17

Two days later….

Shantivan:

“NK bituwa, she is a very nice girl.” Nani told him

“And she iz bhery bhootiphol and bhery rich.” his maasi added

“She dances very well, NK bhai” Anjali Di added

“And she iz bhery rich and bhery bhootiphol.” his maasi added… again…

“She has great friends.” added Aakash

Making everybody stare at him, Aakash saw them and said “who you choose as friends does reflect on your character…” he trailed off.. hoping nobody had picked up on anything..

Nani nodded understandingly, his mom narrowed her eyes at him but said nothing and went back to her “rich and beautiful” statement. But he caught his Di’s eyes, they were looking at him … calculating… a weird smirk on her face….ooh god no….

 Just then Arnav walked in back from his morning jog, nodded to the gathering in living room and headed for the stairs to get ready for work. Anjali stopped him by saying

“Chotey, will you be coming with us to see the girl for NK bhai.”

“No. I think even you guys shouldn’t be going, it is not a thing for everyone to go and see, she is a person, NK should go by himself and decide if he likes her, then you guys can go meet her.”

Anjali pouted, she knew he was right, but she was so excited to be able to do these things at least for NK bhai, god knows how long it will be for her own brothers to get there.

Aakash nodded, his brother was always right, his logic was crystal clear.

Mami said “hmph.”

Nani spoke up though “Chotey it is tradition that the families meet too. Ofcourse, NK and the girl can talk in private.”

ASR opened his mouth to say something… but was cut off by..

“Nannav mere bhai.. Naniji is so right.. even in the one of the bollywood movies I watched in your office…the whole mohalwa went with the groom to ask for the girl.”

Arnav just kept looking at his silly cousin not understanding his cousin’s need to speak in Hindi and embarrass himself.

“mohalwa nahi mohalla.” corrected Aakash and Anjali

NK looked at them and said “yeah, that’s what I meant. Nannav, you coming right.”

Arnav walked away and started climbing the stairs and yelled back “NO. but I will give you a piece of advice. Don’t speak to her in Hindi.”

NK looked disappointed immediately

“Don’t worry bituwa, he never comes for such things, we are all going right.” Nani consoled

“Arnav bituwa, has too much work.” his Maasi defended her son.

“NK bhai, lets so see what you can wear.” encouraged his lovely Di

“Bhai has some very important meetings he can’t get out of.” justified the ever loyal Aakash “NK, Shall we take a gift like some flowers or chocolate or something for her?”

NK smiled he reassured them it was ok. Thanked Aakash for the idea and said they will pick up something on the way and said he will get ready and headed to his room.

This is what NK wanted, he wanted a close knit family like the Raizadas. Yes, they were practically his family, all his vacations were spent here with this family. He had grown up with Arnav and Aakash. He had shared Di’s affection. He had enjoyed Nani’s bedtime stories. He had lived through his Maasi’s spankings for naughty doings… yes, this was his family. But more than that he saw how close they were, if one member in the family was bothered all the others would stand up for them. He had seen this family pull through the hardest of times both financially and emotionally all because of the bonding and strength they drew from each other. He was proud to be so close to them.

Not that he had a family who hated each other but the bonds were just not as strong. Personal preferences always came before family. It was convenient for NK as he was free to do as he wanted… but he always craved for a family like this. His first step towards achieving that was to have a wedding arranged by his family in India. He wanted his family to find him a girl who they think will suit his personality, who they all approve off and though he will make the final decision if she is the one or not, he wanted them to be the people who brought him and his life partner together.

He had only one condition; if the girl agrees to it then he was all hers. He took a shower and came out and put on his jeans and t-shirt when he heard a small knock on his door.

“Come in..” he said

“NK bhai, I came to show you these, I had them designed for you at AR Fashions, when I got some shirts designed for Aakash and Arnav for important occasions.” she said handing over the a set of 5 shirts

“I thought you might like to wear one today..only if you like them.”

“wow, Di, these shirts are awesome… ooh now I understand why Nannav and Aakash look sundar aur susheel all the time. You get their shirts designed…”

Anjali put her hand to her mouth and started giggling…”NK bhai, “sundar aur susheel” isn’t used for boys it’s only used for girls…” she explained after she could get her giggling in control.

NK held up his palms as if in surrender and said “My mistake…Di”

He picked the one he liked best in the lot, a Navy blue shirt with red subtle design in it, went inside the walk in closet and changed and walked out excitedly saying

“Di, don’t I look awesome…”

Anjali smiled lovingly at her little brother, this is one person whose heart is as pure as it can get, “Please keep him away from all the filthy minds in this world.” she sent up a silent prayer to the protector.

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

“Lavanya, I can’t come, nobody is ready to exchange their shift with me today, everybody seems to have plans…” she heard Khushi wail into the phone

“Khushi… you are dead meat the next time I set eyes on you…” she clarified her friend’s fears before she cut the call.

She closed her eyes and could see a picture of Khushi standing in the middle of NICU her hands joined in prayer and begging her Devi maiyya to change her best friends mind. Unknowingly a smile spread on her face, she is so predictable thought Lavanya.

Lavanya walked out on to the balcony of her room; in the next hour she is going to meet a boy and a few hours after that she is going to be asked if she would like to have him as her life partner.

She knew her answer, it was a definite NO. She didn’t need to see him, just the information that he was an NRI was enough to not like him. She didn’t even bother to ask about his name or details, she didn’t care, she was not leaving India.

She thought back to her chilhood. She was sent to India to live with her Nani as her mom was finding it hard to take care of the new baby along with her career, taking care of her other kid Dhruv, the house etc etc. Lavanya’s mom had decided that her daughter was being neglected and sent Lavanya to Lavanya’s Nani so that she could get the attention she needed. She was just a one year old then, she didn’t remember much, but as she grew she believed Nani was the only true family she had though she talked to her mom on the phone she never felt the bond, she just couldn’t relate to it.

In the early years of school she remembered being jealous of her classmates when they talked about their parents and families and stuff. She had felt vulnerable and it scared her so she chose to hide her feelings under the mask of haughtiness.

Until, she met one of her new classmates. Khushi was always smiling, always helping and always finding something happy in her life. It had irritated Lavanya so much, she used to act extra snobbish with her, still Khushi’s smile never left her face.

One day after PTA meetings were over Lavanya and Khushi were summoned to the class teacher’s room. When they reached there, the class teacher had asked Khushi about her transfer certificate which had not been submitted to them yet and the teacher said her parents had said that Khushi had the TC with her.

“Hey Devi maiyya, maam, I will just get it, it’s in my bag…” Khushi had ran out of the room like a bullet

The teacher had then turned to Lavanya “So your parents didn’t come for the PTA meeting even today.. how irresponsible of them Lavanya… don’t they care about your progress in school? There have been a lot of complaints about your behavior from other kids and I was hoping to tell them today. But they never come… it’s like they are sending you off to school so that they don’t have to care of you, not because they want you to learn something… I have found out from your previous teachers and they said that your parents have never attened a single PTA… sometimes your Nani comes but not often… how can a family be so careless…” the teacher saw tears in Lavanya’s eyes and her heart softened..

“Go tell them, I would like to meet someone from your family as soon as possible.” as the teacher finished Lavanya had turned to leave and she saw Khushi at the door. Lavanya had run past her trying to hide her helplessness from this girl who seemed to never feel unhappy.

She had run to the deserted playground and sat on the stone benches laid there and had broken into huge sobs. A little later she felt soft hands holding her close and she looked up to see Khushi.

”Where are your parents?” she had asked gently

“They live in Australia, I live here with Nani, she is sick and can’t walk very far, so she can’t attend PTA meetings.” Lavanya had sobbed in the comfort of her enemy’s arms, what Khushi had said next changed her life.

“Lavanya, don’t cry at least they are alive and well, mine are dead. I was just lucky to have an uncle and aunt who love me like their child just like you are lucky to have Naniji.”  

She had just stared at Khushi, she had realized she was trying to wipe a smile off the face of a girl who had lost her parents and she had just hated herself. She had realized that she didn’t have anything to be unhappy about, her parents were well, they loved her in their own way by giving her lots of money, Nani was there to shower her with love, she had the freedom no girl of her age could have. That minute Lavanya had turned into a new person.

From that minute she and Khushi had been inseperable. Khushi’s family had welcomed Lavanya into their home and their hearts. Nani had also become fond of Khushi and life had become wonderful. Of course, she hadn’t let go of her haughty behavior with outsiders it was just too much fun.

The day Nani had passed away, Lavanya remembered with tears in her eyes, Khushi and her family had been her support. Khushi had not left her side for a minute, she had consoled Lavanya and cried with her. Showed Lavanya the clear night sky and had pointed to the brightest star and said

“See Lavanya, Naniji is talking to my parents, hope she is not telling them about when she caught us helping your servant write a love letter to her boyfriend.” both of them had giggled at the memory and had cried some more.

If Khushi had to leave her Payal had been there, holding her hand and sharing her strength with Lavanya and when Lavanya had asked her “Will this pain ever go away?”

“Yes Lavanya, it will, when you begin to realize that she is never gone, she is a part of you.” Lavanya had found solace in her words and had lain down with her head in Payal’s lap and had slept for the first time after the incident.

She had seen the meaning of true bonding when Garima aunty had come with a plate full her favorite dishes and Garima Aunty and Buaji had force fed her till they were satisfied. Sashi uncle had taken care of everything that had to be done and did not even disturb her once with mundane matters. By the time her parents and her brother had arrived Lavanya had been well on her way to recovery.

After a few days her parents had started talking about taking her back to Australia with them. Pain and panic had shot through her heart like a bullet. She had felt like she was being taken away from her family, not like she was going to be with her family. That day Lavanya had realized that there was no way, she was going with her parents, they were practically strangers for her. Her life was her in India between the people she considered family.

It had been easy to convince her parents on the pretext of her education as she was in the third year of her medical college. But now they were hell bent on getting her married to their friend’s son from Australia, as her residency can be done abroad too. She saw no other way out but to refuse the boy.

Lavanya was rudely jerked out of her thoughts when she heard the honk of a car at the main gate, she saw two BMWs waiting at the closed gate. She noticed the security man running from the main house to the gate to open it.

She sighed and went into her room to get ready for the boy she will never see again…