Chapter 5

Since the last three months that she was in Raizada Mansion, she had had no bad experience. Staying under the same roof as Arnav Singh Raizada and not getting cold stares and deadly glares was a feat, something she was never able to achieve in the past, even though they seldom met each other then. It was as if he was off her case. They both kept their interaction limited to a mellow 'Hello' from her and a borderline respectful nod from him. Any question from either side was concisely answered by the other party. And she was very thankful to God for that. She has no energy left in her for any drama these days. Adit and Adya were becoming very naughty and kept her on her toes most of the times.

The fact that she, Adit, Adya and naniji lived on ground floor, and Arnav's room was on first floor also helped the matter. They seldom crossed each others path. Raizada's ate together. So breakfast and dinner were two times of the day she met Arnav. On weekends she had to share two more meals with him though. He sometimes came to the nursery after dinner to play with the twins, who have started warming up to their uncle now. She at those times left them in the room alone to bond. After all, she was not going to stay here forever, those who will should get along on their own, she told herself. Also she liked to keep into her limits. God knows when Arnav Singh Raizada's fuse would blow up, and she did not want to be on the receiving end. Arnav have issues with her and it was no secret. Anjali bhabhi had very many times tried to cover up for her Chotey's rude behavior towards Khushi. No body asked her and thus she never told anyone, but she was not a fan of the great ASR either.

The civil manner in which they were living these days under the same roof wasn't something that Khushi has brought about. Power always lied with him and this civility was HIS choice. She could just hope that it continues, he smirked. He liked to be the one in control and had sufficient tact and will-power to get things done his way. Giving up or letting go type of words did not exist in his world. 

Khushi was an asset at the moment. She was the only one who had successfully handled Adya and Adit after his di and jiju. And he did not want to rock the boat at present. Things were going smooth and he intended to keep them that way.

He was aware that Khushi did not try to grab his attention in any way during her stay at Raizada Mansion, though the opportunities were many. Infact he could count their interactions of last three months on his finger tips. She steered clear of his way in general. Whenever he spends time with his niece and nephew, Khushi is always absent from there. At dining table she keeps her distance. She has no intentions to impress him either, he mused, as he has seen her more free with people of the house when he is not there, rather than in his presence. When presented with the documents to sign for opening her salary account in the bank, she did not create a fuss and signed them quietly. She did not use cliches like 'Cut the rent amount from my salary' or 'I don't need your money' etc etc much to Arnav's astonishment considering her initial refusal regarding compensation. It was as if she is trying to stay away from reasons that could lead to any kind of confrontation with him.

Maybe she will use her proximity with the kids to her benefit someday, his mind warned. But then she was not out to impress them either. She was as loving and as strict with them as a mother would be, he had many times noticed. She never hesitated to discipline them in front of him or nani. And the way they cling to her, they loved her equally. But whenever HE asks her any kind of question, her response is always proper and precise. Now that he thinks of it, she does not behave in any other manner with him than what an employee would behave in front of his employer. While she mingled with everybody from nani to Adit-Adya, from Prakash brothers to his driver Mohan, she kept him out of her life. This girl is staying in HIS house and avoiding HIM in such tactful manner. Some guts she has, he concluded grudgingly.

Attention was something he was used to. Loads of it. Being avoided? THAT was something Arnav Singh Raizada did not like. NOT EVEN A BIT.

Next morning at breakfast table, nani brought up the issue of some maintenance work to be done in the left wing of the mansion. And the way Khushi was well informed about the matter, from problem to its solution, from cost of construction material to its suppliers, it would not take a genius to gather that she was not only taking care of the twins , but has become the caretaker of the whole mansion. 

There we go, sighed Arnav. How could have he missed it? She is impressing nani and taking things around the house under her control. So he was as always right. These type of people never change. Too bad he started to doubt himself last night.

He was pulled out of his reverie by nani.

'Beta, did you hear what Khushi bitiya said? Where is your attention? Contact that supplier and get things started. I don't want to delay the maintenance work anymore' she said.

'Arre, how would Khushi know what to do? She was just repeating what Hariprakash told her yesterday. He is the one who is in talks with the contractor. He left the details with her as he is on leave today. Did you not notice? He takes so many offs these days, huh'  nani said as a matter of fact.  'Khushi bitiya is so busy with these little devils these days that she has had no time to learn the Hyderabadi Biryani I want to teach her since over a week. We barely manage to squeeze in our cooking sessions in her schedule due to these hyper kids, let alone her taking care of never ending maintenance issues of this huge house'  she said looking adoringly at Khushi, who was feeding Adit some mashed fruit.

DAMN IT! Back to square one. Why is this girl becoming so difficult to figure out? And if she is not posing any problems, then why am I even bothering with her?ARGHHH...WHATEVER.