Chapter 6

Part 6

“Employ whom?” came the reply from the door. Jaws dropped. Both Akash and Anjali stared at the door.

No sooner had they got over the shock, they heard a loud and cheerful, “Namaste Anjali ji...”

Khushi stood at the door with her mouth open, eyes as big as saucers...

“Hawww how can you be here”, obviously Khushi wasn't thinking what she was saying. In her flustered state, she didn't see Arnav pulling his hands off Lavanya who went inside to meet Anjali and Akash.

Arnav stared at Khushi. She would have been completely drenched, if the autowala hadn’t been kind enough to drop her till the gate, but Anjali’s mansion was still huge. She had to make a run to the door from the gate.

 Arnav turned with anger 

“Ms.Gupta,  if your pea sized brain has forgotten, this is my sisters house and I should be asking you that question. You haven't still stopped coming have you?” Arnav hissed bending towards her face. 

 Arnav was transfixed for a moment. It had been ages since he had seen her. She looked pale and thin. He looked into the minute details of her facial expressions, surprise, concern and colour rising to her cheeks with anger....

Khushi too had had her fill. She felt relaxed seeing him after 4 weeks and 3 days. Nope she wasn’t counting, she just knew. He looked pale and thin. Obviously, no ghar ka  Khana (home food) .

Khushi stepped back to  create a distance, his proximity intoxicating. 

“Yes I too have come to meet your Anjali ji. I have no wish to speak to you.” Khushi replied with equal fervour. She walked inside royally ignoring him, muttering to herself  “laad governor, he thinks he can scare everyone. Mmmph not this Khushi kumari gupta“ 

Arnav clenched his jaw. “how dare you..” he marched ahead to give her a piece of his mind, when, 

“Baby, look how cute Anjali has knit this...” Lavanya cooed.

Khushi turned back with a confused look. Arnav gave an irritated look at Lavanya before turning back to Khushi. Khushi immediately turned away and walked over to Anjali. Luckily Arnav got distracted by the phone.

“Khushi ji, what a surprise, we were just talking about you  Isn’t it Akash?” she gave a cheeky smile to Akash who was almost blushing. 

“Sorry Anjali ji, I wanted to call you before I started, but got busy, then when I left, my phone had no charge... anyway, I won’t take much time. Here is your Sheermal. ” Khushi opened the huge dabba and handed over to Anjali.

Thrilled to the extremes, Anjali literally jumped. “Oh Khushi ji, you have made my day.. Akash, get me a plate...”

“Di” Akash gave a shocked look, “you were just saying you were full?”

“Akash” Anjali shouted, “Don’t look at me like that. That was 5 minutes ago. I am hungry now. Khushi ji, come, let’s go to the kitchen. These people ask 100 questions before doing what’s been told. Akash, take your iPad from Arun. I don’t want him on gadgets for too long. ” She dismissed him.

Under normal circumstances, she would have stayed a little while playing with Arun, who surprisingly hadn't appeared yet, but oh no not today. The earlier she gets out of this place the better. Moreover, the weather had turned cloudy, not making it safe.

 “Anjali ji, I will just say hello to Arun and make a move.” And she was already half way towards Arun’s room.

With Akash and Arun playing, Arun wasn’t too interest in his Khushi di. “Anjail ji, Arun is too busy today for me. Anyway I will get going..”

“Khushi ji, I will call your Amma and thank her personally, but thank you so much for  bringing them. I know You are very busy. But you have made my day... sachi..” Anjali smiled broadly at Khushi who was gathering her belongings.

Still licking her lips, “After a long time I have enjoyed the dish so much. Now you need a reward. I will bless you with a good husband.. ” Khushi blushed hearing the reward, while Arnav who was making his way to the kitchen stopped with his ears all tuned in to his sisters conversation.  

Giving a shy smile, “There is still a long way for me Anjail ji,... ... first my jiji” and Khushi’s smile faded. 

“Why that will also be taken care of. Do you want me to suggested someone” Anjali was all excited at the prospect of match making.

“Khushi ji, let me contact some of my friends...”  

Khushi stopped her, bursting her bubble, “Anjali ji, its ok don’t worry, it’s too complicated.” 

“Is anything a problem? Khushi ji you are like my sister, you can confide, but it’s ok if you are not comfortable“ Anjali asked with genuine concern.

“Oh no, nothing Anjali ji, it’s only been few months since her marriage broke, so she is not too keen as of now. ” 

Having been through it, Anjali knew that pain all too well. “Oh, I am sorry, it's hard when a marriage breaks, especially when you are a girl. But do you know something Khushi ji, sometimes it happens for the best. Someone better is waiting for her. Her very own Raj kumar ”

Khushi’s eyes grew wide with surprise. ”Anjali ji knows about our raj kumar?”

Anjali continued. “Is that why you all moved to Delhi?”

“Oh no no. We were all fine with it, of course after the initial heartbreak. But this was all my mistake, trouble started because of the video, when some goons..” khushi’s tongue slipped, Anjali widened her eyes, imitating Khushi who had now closed her mouth with her hands. Anjali looked confused, but Khushi changed the topic, “Anjali ji I think I should leave now, before my Buaji comes here with her belan (rolling pin). ”

“What video, goons, what trouble,  that day she was telling the truth after all.” Arnav who was still stood near the kitchen, kept repeating in his head. “She had repeatedly told, She was there at the fashion show by mistake, she had come to visit someone. I must find out.”

Khushi came rushing out of the kitchen to bang into something hard. Arnav immediately held her waist to balance. 

Both looked at each other, reminiscing what each had gone through. Khushi closed her eyes, she was getting too emotional.

“Khushi. That day. Sheesh mahal” he whispered, his hot breath fanning her face. 

Khushi came out of her reverie and pushed him in annoyance. Arnav fisted his fingers, but luckily, Arun came rushing out. “Annav Maaama... when did you come?”

 “Hey champ.. ” Arun was soon in the air laughing, before landing in his maamas hands. 

Khushi watched with wonder in her eyes and a smile adorning her face. “Who is this man? So many faces?” she turned away and left as soon as Arnav turned towards her.

With Arun in his hands, Arnav joined Anjali when she had again dipped her hand in the box to take another bite. “Di, what have you become, how are you eating? And what are you eating? ”

Swallowing the last bite,  “Chote you don’t know the maja of eating straight from the container. Ask Arvind.”  Seeing him sigh, she continued,  “By the way, when did you come? How come nobody knew?  And Lavanya....” she left the question open leaving Arnav to form his own question!

“Di, she is still in her call must be” he dodged the question easily.

Akash, who by now had caught up  with his siblings, rushed out saying,

“Di, I will take leave, maate will be waiting. Don’t forget di, you need to come for teej pooja. Bhai, I will see you soon. ” Akash was out before she could reply.

Anjali sighed. One brother tagging behind a girl who had no clue about anything other than partying and fashion, another brother! Oh She had to find out what was happening between Akash and Khushi..