Chapter 6

Patience was something Khushi had in abundance. She was practicing this virtue for all 22 years of her life. And she valued this quality. But she never knew that this trait of hers will one day become such a boon in her life. Patience has become her only strength these days while dealing with two very naughty almost 1 year olds and their arrogant uncle. All three test her limits everyday for some reason or the other. Kids because they think they own her, and Arnav Singh Raizada because he thinks he owns the world. Babies were atleast behaving their age, she sighed, but Arnav, he has such stamina to be grumpy and cranky for days at end that he could give Adit and Adya a run for their money. Its been two weeks since he has been the 'main attraction' of the Raizada household with his mood swings. No one knew what's wrong. It could be anything, maybe his office issues, maybe something nani said to him, maybe some new reason he has come up with to hate her. Does this man even need a reason to get angry? probably not, sighed Khushi. And people around him can keep wondering if something wrong happened to him or did they do something wrong.

So naniji has come up with this shrink style idea of keeping him in company of the kids to help his temper and cool him off a little. She thought that company of happy little kids of his di would help him look past his current problems towards the bigger picture of life. Also nanji wanted to start spending more time with her grandson and great -grand- children for everybody's benefit. Everybody, BUT KHUSHI. She involuntarily became a part of this 'family time' to her utmost horror. Adit and Adya refused to leave her for long stretches of time and she wanted to refuse these long stretches of time with their uncle, who was an integral part of the package deal. But she can not break naniji's heart. 

Naniji was her only well wisher left in this world. Spending time with her has made Khushi realize what she had missed in her life in form of a mother. Naniji  gave her first ever experience of how a household actually works. She was learning cooking from her, she helped her in pooja's, accompanied her and the twins to mandir. These were the normal things she never got to do in her life. Naniji even taught her how to drape a saree. Khushi shied away from responsibilities of the house and kitchen that naniji wanted her to take over, as she knew Arnav would never approve. The maintenance conversation that day at breakfast was a proof of that. But still once in a while, when it became too much for the old lady, she chipped in, but tried to stay as inconspicuous as possible. She knew that agitating Arnav Singh Raizada and then living under his roof was in no way a good idea.

So the 'family time' kicked off. It had a rocky start because all parties involved were unwilling to co-operate except naniji. Arnav wanted to stay in his room and work away on his laptop. Khushi wanted to goto her room on any pretext available under the sun in order to avoid one particular Raizada. Toddlers were confused as hell, as to what was going around them. They did not appreciate a change in their schedule and resisted it just like the grown ups. But did some wise man not say, CHANGE IS INEVITABLE. On those lines, with naniji staying firm on her stand of having family time, slowly things changed in Raizada mansion as well. Naniji's room became the hub of activity after dinner daily. Arnav started bringing in his laptop with him to occasionally check on work related emails. His phone was however banned by naniji. Adit and Adya settled too after intial hiccups. They have not started walking yet, but entertained themselves by crawling, jumping and rolling all over the room and on the people present in it. Khushi and naniji chatted on mundane stuff while Arnav would put in his two cents here and there while playing with the twins.

After a week or so everyone gave in and stopped questioning the utility of this arrangement. They all just got accustomed to show up in naniji's room after dinner and spend their time doing stuff of no great importance. 

However, Khushi was totally surprised by Arnav Singh Raizada. He was nothing but cordial with her during family time. First she thought its because of naniji's presence in the room, but when had he cared about the audience around him before expressing his mind. So scratch that. Then she dwelled on the possibility of him trying not to scare away the twins by his anger, but then they are too young to understand the unnerving cold glare and sarcastic taunt brand of anger that their uncle champions in. So scratch that too. It only means that some one has kidnapped Arnav Singh Raizada and this is an impostor. Yeah, that would be the most logical explanation, chuckled Khushi. 

But seriously speaking, WHAT THE HELL HAS HAPPENED? Why is he being SO nice to her? She would be very happy if he would just ignore her. She does not need him to talk to her as if all has been well between them since forever. It's AWKWARD. Not that she is going to go and tell him or naniji that. Though she can not help but think that her biggest reason to try to avoid the family time has turned out to be a non-issue, zilch, nada. It was as if he accepts her as a family member. Something he always warned his sister against. Oh yes, she did over hear his conversation once with Anjali bhabhi 'warning' her against getting too friendly with 'people like her'. Then what happened now? No one has come and claimed her to be the heiress of unlimited riches, nor has she herself earned millions. She was the same orphaned poor girl trying to be a part of the family which is not hers to begin with. What the heck has changed??

TWO WEEKS!!... TWO BLOODY WHOLE WEEKS!! That was the amount of time it has taken Arnav to come to terms with the reality that had been staring in his face since last three months. But finally and very painstakingly he has made his peace with the fact that Khushi might be a genuine person. MIGHT BE being the keyword. This in no way meant that he will trust her blindly. It just means that he can divert his mind and energy to more useful places than trying to figure her out all the time. He has seldom been wrong in his life. And two weeks of hard pondering over that he might be wrong this ONE TIME has taken a toll not only on him but everyone, specially his sweet nani. She has gone to the extent of arranging some 'family time' for his benefit. And boy did it benefit him, Hell Yeah! He got his chance to mend bridges with Khushi during family time. It is very difficult to talk to her and behave with her normally. Well okay, not difficult but AWKWARD for sure. He has gotten so used to behave in a certain way with her. But he has never been the one to give up. So he is trying. SERIOUSLY TRYING. 

And what other option did he have anyways, a thorough background check, testimonials of di, jiju and nani, and most importantly his own critical observation of her for last few months have revealed nothing threatening about her. He also can not overlook the seriousness with which she was taking her responsibility towards the kids. If she would have been  working in his office he would have given her a raise and great recommendations by now, he accepted. And being cordial with her was costing him nothing. He could still go back to his previous line of thought if she gives him one slightest reason to do so. Its a win win for him. His cordial behaviour will definitely make his nani happy and ensure the welfare of his niece and nephew. Also it will keep the peace and calm that have been attained in the house after the tragedy intact. Keeping his now very small family happy is his highest priority. And Khushi has an important role to play in that happiness.

'So Miss Khushi Jha', he muttered into the darkness of his room, 'You're Welcome to Raizada Mansion'.