Chapter 5

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

Khushi, still panting, checked the time at the wall clock. It was quarter past three. She realized she was sweating really bad and the fan was not helping at all.

 

"Hey Devi Maiya," Khushi groaned, "Now he has to intrude my sleep too? This is so not fair."

 

Khushi carefully got down off the bed, not willing to wake up her sister Payal and slowly walked to the dining area. She poured a glass of water for herself and moved outside the house, into the verandah.  She slowly sipped the water staring at the clean sky, trying to shake off the image of an angry face with two chocolate eyes reading into her soul through her eyes.

 

"Amma," she whispered to the stars, "I told you about him, naa? All these days, I thought, people misjudged him. He hardly talked to me, I know but he did drive me to office every day. He scolded me too once in a while but I must have irritated him with my continuous banter. I know I talk a lot. And he hardly talks. I understood him, Amma. I never took it to heart. I respected him, Amma. I think I still do. But why did he scold me then? That too in front of someone else? And he thinks I manipulate people? If that is how he felt about me, why has he been giving me lifts every day? Why did he bother to let me know he would be out of office?"

 

Khushi did not realize when her eyes welled up. Drops of tears slowly started sliding down her cheeks.

 

"Why did he behave as if we shared nothing, Amma," she continued to look for solace into her twinkling mother.  But nothing was calming down her heavy heart. For last three days, she was being tormented in a way she never had been before. There was a pain in her heart – a pain she could not define. She was in a fix - whether the pain was because he behaved badly with her or because she was keeping aloof from him – she herself was not clear of. She could not forget their last conversation. She answered him and she answered him well. But for the first time in her life, Khushi Kumari Gupta was not happy for giving someone the answers he deserved.

 

His voice kept ringing in her ears.. You will come to office with me .. And I will leave you home now, too .. I am just trying to say you something, dammit ..

 

After saying her all that, after behaving as if the morning drive did not matter, why was he so desperate to talk to her? What did he want to tell? Why did he still want to drive her to office?

 

"Amma, you are not helping too," Khushi complained, "Devi Maiya is not helping. What are you two up to, tell me? Are you trying to teach me a lesson or something? Fine! I am not talking to any of you now. Hmphhh."

 

Khushi marched inside the house and in a few minutes she got herself busy. The batter was done. The sugar syrup was ready. The oil started boiling in the pan. And the jalebis started to be fried. She poured few drops of Rose Water in the syrup and the rosy smelled jalebi tickled all her senses. She started gobbling down jalebis one after another as she kept making more at the same time. Only Jalebi treatment could heal her now .. at least for some time. She had not made so many Jalebis in years. She had been making jalebis at night for 3 days in a row & all credit goes to Arnav Singh Raizada.

 

"If I ever decide to open a Jalebi Shop, I am surely going to keep him in the vicinity," Khushi muttered, "He can easily make me fry Jalebis the whole day. May be I should give him some tomorrow and he can die a sweet death.."

 

Khushi's swirling hand suddenly froze in the air. Batter started to fall on the oil seamlessly, as Khushi completely became unaware of her surroundings.

 

"Hey Devi Maiya," Khushi panicked, "You know I did not mean that, don't you? I really did not wish that. I can never wish that to him. Please Devi Maiya, forgive me.  If needed, take some years from me and add to his .."

 

The cloth in her hand was empty now. The full batter was being deep fried in heaps, almost starting to burn. Khushi stood frozen, her thoughts frozen, her feelings frozen .. Did she just offer her years so that he lived longer? Why was she even bothered so much about him? She tried hard to push the image of his face only inches away from her – glaring at her, with his hot breaths exhaling on her face, his eyes piercing through her thoughts .. the perfect sharp nose almost touching hers .. and those lips .. those thin lips shivering with anger .. so close to her. She shuddered involuntarily remembering the sensation his every touch aroused in her. She could not deny .. She was not in denial.

 

Hot smoke & pungent smell brought Khushi back to the kitchen. She quickly turned off the stove & removed the pan. She kept staring at the burnt oil & the burnt heap as the emitting smoke slowly started to vanish in the air. She wished Wednesday did not happen. She wished she did not go to assist Arnav. She wished everything were like as it before Wednesday. She wished she could pass her weekends for Monday to come. She wished she could just wake up tomorrow morning with a smile like every other weekday and carefully dress herself wondering what Arnav-ji would think about her if he ever noticed her.

 

Never before had Khushi Kumari Gupta felt that her wardrobe was inadequate. She did not know when it all started but every morning, for last three weeks, she had been spending more than reasonable time in front of her closet wondering what dress to pick, which bangles to match .. if to use ribbon in her plaits, if to wear a bindiya. Her family members had finally learnt to ignore the number of her last minute checks in front of the mirror. He never looked at her but if he did, she wanted to look her best. She convinced herself that it was only because he was the boss and she did not want him to feel that she had any less fashion sense, working in a fashion house. But whom was she fooling? Every day she left the parking lot disappointed since he never noticed her but the next morning, again, she took all the time in the world, to get ready for him.

 

No matter what she told herself, Khushi Kumari Gupta was well aware from where really her need to impress Arnav Singh Raizada originated. She was never scared of facing anything but now she was scared of facing herself. It must be the effect of too much of Bollywood movies – she had tried to reason. Whether it was his extremely good looks or his total indifference to her - Khushi was not sure what really drew her so much to him. No, she could not deny. She was definitely not into denial.

 

Khushi cleaned the kitchen & went back to bed. Turning on her right, she sent a silent prayer to Devi Maiya.

 

"Please make Simran-ji better tomorrow. I don't want to be near his office ever again. This is absurd, you know that, right? Would I have been this hurt or angry with La-ji? Who am I fooling?"

 

Devi Maiya sighed. How could she deny what her favorite devotee asked for? But this time, she sighed with a smile.

 

The weekend was long but tomorrow was also going to be a long day.

 

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Arnav checked out his reflection in the mirror for one last time. It is not that he looked any different than any other day but he had carefully chosen his today's outfit. He was in a Charcoal Grey suit with slate grey shirt & black silk tie – everything exclusive from Brioni. He strapped on a Roman Dialed, leather belted Patek Philippe & satisfied, left his room in a pair of Gucci. He was looking forward to a fresh Monday morning after the most tormenting weekends in years. He was the master of his fate. His well thought plan was already halfway through.

 

As he was climbing down the stairs, his elder sister, Anjali stopped him in his tracks.

 

"Where are you going so early, Chotey?"

 

"I have an early morning meeting, Di."

 

"You and your clients! Does anyone really hold a meeting such early?"

 

"I know but she is playing hard to get .."

 

"She?"

 

The increasing curiosity of his sister did not miss out on Arnav.

 

"Ahh .. yeah Di. She starts earlier than usual."

 

Anjali cheked her brother out from top to bottom.

 

"So, this is why you are so dressed today? To impress her?"

 

"I don't need to dress to impress anyone, Di."

 

He huffed as if irritated and Anjali smiled.

 

"Yes, that is right. My brother is the handsomest man in the world. But you do want to impress her, right?"

 

"I don't need to impress anyone, Di."

 

Anjali smiled again. She knew her brother more than he would admit. He was definitely up to something today. She suddenly put a tika on his nape using her Kajal, taking him by complete surprise.

 

"There you go! May you always remain this handsome."

 

"Come on, Di!"

 

And again taking him by surprise, she put a tika on his forehead. She was just back from Puja.

 

"Di!!! You are spoiling everything."

 

"Your look, Chotey?"

 

Anjali winked.

 

"Whatever!"

 

Anjali could not but grin.

 

"Blessings from the God, Chotey. It does look like you need some today!"

 

Arnav shrugged.

 

"But you look tired, Chotey. Are you not sleeping?"

 

The sudden concern in her voice softened him.

 

"No, I am fine, Di."

 

"I hope so but you do look tired."

 

"Can I take my leave now, Di?"

 

"Sure, Chotey .. but breakfast?"

 

"I will have it in office. Bye, Di."

 

Not wanting to let Anjali investigate more, Arnav quickly bid her bye and left the house. He was a man on mission today and he had no intention to get distracted. His hand automatically moved to his forehead to wipe off the tika as he checked himself in the rear view mirror before starting the car. His hair was gelled up with perfection & satisfied, he put on his Aviator glasses & drove off. She would not have the guts to avert him now, he smirked inwardly. He needed her inside the car. He needed her for his own selfish reasons. No one says "NO" to Arnav Singh Raizada. And no one wins over him.

 

Anjali watched her brother leave. She smiled as she knew he was feeling better now. Last few days, he was in a terrible mood and poor Hari Prakash, their house help for years, had had the worst time of his life, as the rest of the family kept using him as the shield. Anjali tried talking to Arnav  but like always, she did not succeed. Arnav was not really famous for being in a good mood always but this was not his usual tantrum. Something was definitely bothering him and Anjali was curious to know what suddenly drove him into sudden insomnia – the dark circles were really evident.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Khushi worriedly checked herself out for one last time in the mirror. Not that she cared but she still took a lot of time dressing today. She was finally in a Chudidar in shades of Turquoise with silver sequined embroidery after trying a few others. She had kept her hair loose unlike other days. She had seen La-ji always keeping her hair lose or in a bun. She never had been to any meeting with any external parties till now. She wished La-ji was available to advise her on how to dress or behave in such meetings. Still not very satisfied with the way she looked, Khushi finally left the house. She did not want to be late and get her mood spoiled again by a screaming Laad Governor. Khushi cursed Arnav again remembering their conversation over phone at 6 in the morning.

 

Khushi: Hulllooo. (yawns) Kaun?

Arnav: (pauses) Arnav here.

Khushi: (yawns) Kaun Arnav? And why are you calling so early?

Arnav: I am Arnav .. Arnav Singh Raizada.

Khushi: Hawww! Good Morning, Arnav Ji? Kaise hain aap? Breakfast kiya? ... Chodo! Tu hain kaun?? Why are you bothering me so early in the morning? Do you even know who I am? Of course you do .. otherwise how will you know about Arnav-ji ..

Arnav: Khushi ..

Khushi: ..  but who are you? You thought you would fool me? Huh .. I am Khushi Kumari Gupta! Arnav-ji does not even have my phone number. Understand?

Arnav: Khushi ..

Khushi: .. And even if he had, you think he would ever call? He does not even know how to say sorry and he would call .. Laad Governor, Kahin ka! First he scolds me and then he asks me to go to office with him? What does he think of himself .. But who are you .. and how dare you wake me up in the morning .. Don't you have mom or sisters at home? Wh ..

Arnav: ENOUGH!

Khushi: Huh .. wha ..

Arnav: Khushi. Kumari. Gupta. SHUT UP and LISTEN to me. If you want to save your job, get ready and wait for me at 7.30 near the signal.

Khushi: Arrr .. Arr-nav-ji??

Arnav: Did you listen to what I say?

Khushi: Jj..ji, Arnav-ji..

Arnav: Great.

Khushi: Wait, wait. When do you need me at office? Tell me. I will be there. No need to pick me up.

Arnav: I don't need you at office. You are going with me to a meeting.

Khushi: But ..

Arnav: 7.30

Khushi: But  ..

 

And he hanged up.

 

Khushi saw the white SUV brake in front of her in the usual spot.  She immediately opened the door and got inside the car, not looking once at the person in the driving seat. She consciously went for the seatbelt not wanting him to help her. She reached first but he reached only after a micro second.

 

Khushi froze as she felt her right arm being enveloped by his strong, masculine arm. Suddenly she felt a thousand butterflies dancing in her stomach, causing her an unknown sensation that did not let her sit calm & straight. As if being in the same car with him, was not enough. She waited for him to remove his hand but he did not. Seconds flew away and Khushi slowly turned her face to look up to him. Their eyes met and Khushi gulped. Why was he not removing his hand? Why was he bending like that?

 

Arnav broke the silence.

 

"Move."

 

"Wh .. what?"

 

"Move, Khushi. Let me fix the seatbelt."

 

"I .. I will do it myself."

 

Arnav frowned.

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"Yes .. of course."

 

As soon as Arnav moved away from her, Khushi instantly pulled the seatbelt and started trying to fix it. "Devi Maiya, madad karna," she chanted but of course, in vain. Arnav patiently watched for a minute as she kept fumbling with the seatbelt.

 

"You cannot do everything by yourself, Khushi."

 

"I can."

 

Arnav stared at her for a second and then snatched the seatbelt from her hand and latched it.

 

"I don't have all the time in the world to let you do everything on your own."

 

"I just need some time to figure it out."

 

"You can practice it some other time. Not now & definitely not in my car."

 

"But .."

 

Khushi did not complete her sentence and turned her face away from him as she remembered what was going on between them since Wednesday. "Laad Governor nehi .. Rakshas hain ye," she grumbled. Arnav heard what she said and glanced at her once before starting the car. He knew why she had stopped but he was confident now he did not need to bother about that.

 

The long-practiced indifferent demeanor of Arnav Singh Raizada was not giving away at all what was brewing inside him. No one would understand from his deadpan manner that literally his heart was thumping in an unknown ecstasy right now. The tiredness & fatigue of the last few days were nowhere around. His famous anger was into hiatus. His brain cells have started jogging after loss of functioning over the last few days. His senses were hyperactive in devouring the new loose-haired look of his co-passenger. His nerves were over active breathing through every single pores of his skin. It finally seemed perfect.

 

His lemon was back in the car.