Chapter 5

Hi to you all,

I didn't name this story -but thanks to a another member -surrazdan  -it now has a name !

One i think is apt -and lovely -thankyou -and reflects Khushi in this version.

 

Arnav started looking into Aman's personal file for his home address -really Laxmi Nagar that was his address nine years ago -and hadn't changed. Why he was a very affluent individual now -wealthy in his own rights -maybe not to the extent that he was but still he had money and power to be reckoned with courtesy of AR designs and the fact that he was second in command.

Emergency contact - next of kin -sister -Khushi Gupta - now that was interesting.

in all the time that he had known him not once had he mentioned family and especially not a sister. Not once. Why ? Was he ashamed of her ? No that was not the Aman, he knew. So why did he keep her hidden.? Well it was time for Khushi to come out of the shadows -he was interested in her.

Why did she wear overalls that said AKG motors. That name he knew that AR designs/AR coorp and AR Enterprises paid a regular amount of money to AKG motors to keep his fleet of cars on the road. Any time they need a spare car or driver or rescuing -it was usually through AKG motors.

Time for a basic google search - what was the mystery behind who owned AKG motors and where was it located ? What was Khushi's part in it.

A few presses of the button revealed that AKG motors was a limited company registered at companies house with two major share holders -Akash Gupta and Khushi Gupta. From the accounts that had been presented -was a thriving company which an exhibited a high profit margin.

The more he researched the more he realised that they had ventured from just fixing cars to renting and selling cars as well. They had a lorry section as well as bikes. they had truly diversified themselves and captured the automobile and now were taking over the bike market.

They were an expanding growing business.

Well it wasn't everyday that you learnt that your second in command worked for you because he wanted to not because he needed to. He was independently wealthy. Arnav saw many pictures of Aman at meetings and presentations and openings of various events -Khushi -behind him or at the side.

The Gupta's were worth millions, in there own right and this was the information that was readily available to him-so the reality was he was probably worth a lot more. So why Laxmi Nagar -not the poorest but then not the most affluent either. An area prone to electricity cuts and water shortages.

Arnav realised that the man he had worked with and considered a friend for the last nine years was a real mystery. An unknown commodity. He had to re-evaluate 

Arnav liked nothing better than solving a mystery -layer by layer.

"So Aman my friend what else are you hiding ?"

"Time to pay you a visit"

Also this was the first time in nine years that Aman had rung in and said he was unable to attend work. the perfect excuse -visiting a sick work colleague.

Arnav arrived at Laximi Nagar and slowly manoeuvred his way to address on file but stopped short.

The site that greeted him was unbelievable. The middle of the road had been cordoned off- and turned into a make shift cricket ground. Khushi was bowling and Aman was batting -there was a whole host of people watching and seemed to be playing children adults and teenagers.

the site that greeted him was beyond belief, inconceivable, unthinkable, unimaginable.

It was as if there was a street party except that it was a cricket match.

Arnav got out to watch the spectacle as there was an incredible hush over the area.

"Bowl Didi -like you have never bowled before -get him out he is the enemy -not your bhaiya!"

"Aman don't falter man - you have to hit the six for the game or they win and we have the forfeit-she is not your sister !"

Arnav watched the crowd who seem to hold their breath -it was obvious that this ball held the fate of the game in the balance.

He watched the silent communication between brother and sister -"Game on"

Khushi bowled the best that she ever had -and Aman batted as though he was batting for India.

He hit the ball for six but was caught out by one of the fielders- the perfect catch!

The spectators erupted into joyous cheers every single one. 

In reality there was no sides every member of each family had been placed on opposites side so that the outcome was irrelevant they would all celebrate as a community. And now it was time for celebration.

He saw a group of boys pick Khushi up on their shoulders and carry her off on a victory parade to Aman .

Aman joined the group carrying khushi round the perimeter singing and laughing-till he spied Arnav. Handing over his precious cargo he walked over to the man who had just given him a heart attack -by his mere presence -what was he doing here ? How had he found his way here ? that too in the middle of a working day ! when he had the day off. Either he was in big trouble or their was big trouble brewing. Either way his mere presence spelt TROUBLE for him.

"Whats wrong ASR ?"

"You're meant to be sick !"

"No I'm not -I took the day off -without pay -you can check! Whats wrong, why are you here?"

"I came to check on a sick friend -someone who has never had a day of sick in the last nine years ! I thought you might be dying -Aman I was genuinely worried "

"This was my punishment for being late yesterday -it was rakshabandan and by the time i got home it was already 10:30. Never get on the wrong side of Khushi , she knows exactly what buttons to push to make you suffer"

"Well are you going to ask me in? Offer me a drink -after all I have come to visit a sick colleague"

Both men eyed each other up. Trying to work the other out.

"Lets lay down a few ground rules ASR- by now you will have checked my personal file and found out everything about me and Khushi -or so you think- she is strictly off limits to you! I know she has caught your eye, but then she does -she catches everyones eyes. it falls to me to look after her and ASR one foot out of line with her and I will have no hesitation in striking back -employee or not- this is my sister "

"Point taken.Thanks for the warning"

"Its not a warning -it's fact -it comes with this" Aman pointed to his rakhee. "When it comes to Khushi -there are no holds barred - I will do what I have to do to make sure men like you stay away from her!"

"Aman - I've heard you. Now for that drink"

"come in...Arnav mind the rangoli-Khushi spent hours making it -if you step on it she will have you she has left gaps in the pattern for your feet-follow me hang on let me tell Khushi your here"

Arnav looked at the rangoli -that was not a rangoli -it was a monster -it covered the whole of the front yard-had she made that ? How ? it covered the entire of her front yard.

Arnav saw Aman signal to her and she signalled back hand and then he laughed and shook his head.

"What was that about?"

"She asked if we were married ? You can't seem to live without seeing me on a daily basis and she said mind the rangoli and if we step in it  ,leave our shoes outside she doesn't want coloured footsteps in the house!"

Arnav entered a simply furnished house but busting at the seams with colour. An array of colours decorated the house. All he could do was stare at the collection of colours and sparkle.

Aman looked at Arnav's face and laughed-seeing the designer him looking at the non existent colour scheme-probably sacrilege to the designer in him with his love of clear cut simple lines and colour. Their house was anything but -it followed no colour scheme or design scheme. It followed Khushi love for anything Khushi loved -in their house nothing matched , nothing synced but it all matched and blended in Khushi'style.

"Khushi likes colours -hence the rainbow -she seems to add every year but forgets to clear out!"

Arnav then heard it a jingle of bells -"thats Khushi she has come"

khushi entered and smiled at both men -one made her smile while the other made her heart flutter. What was wrong with her ? Why did her stomach churn and start doing a dance every time she saw him. He was not for her -no man was. Not in this life time- why didn't her heart listen to her brain?

She came in and hugged Aman and stood next to him and had a conversation with him which amazingly enough Arnav followed.

"Whooped your ass! another forfeit coming your way - opening show for the latest Salman Khan movie!"

Arnav saw Aman shaking his head -begging then pointed to ASR -it was his fault that he was late, for raksha badan -why should he punished alone.?"

"Tell him"

Aman looked at Arnav and held in the laughter ...Khushi says you have to pay the forfeit fees"

"Why "

Arnav looked at her directly, Khushi pointed to the coloured footprints leading into the house to the spot where he was standing and "secondly you two are joined at the hip one would think you are married or lovers at the very least- so take your punishment together"

Aman glared at Khushi at her last comment.who simply glared back and said in her own way "well it's true"

Arnav laughed at Khushi apologised and held up his hand to her admitting defeat.

Aman looked at Arnav at amazement -"ASR the show is this friday -and you don't know my sister-be prepared -you know I actually feel sorry for you-bring a couple of tranquillisers your gonna need them- she has no voice -but she still manages to create the most hungama at the cinema hall!"