Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Arnav finds comfort in seeing a rested Khushi whilst he gets up for a early morning run with newly returned home Akaash. He can’t help but notice how beautiful his wife is. Her milky complexion rosey cheeks and a smile just about at its fruition whilst she sleeps. He wonders what she must be dreaming about and knew if he didn’t part himself he’d be late for his jog. 

“Good morning bhai!” Smiles Akash who sees his brother walk down the Raizada stairwell after weeks.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes”, How was “your flight?” ASR expresses whilst putting his arm around his younger brother.

“Average, couple of drinks to get me by and little rich kid throwing sweet wrappers at my head.” Says Akash with a laugh. 

As they run the length of the local park Akash how things with Khushi were now. A month on from when she’d entered the house. 

“Good but could be better, I could do with  doing a little bit of homework on Khushi, her likes and dislikes.. 

Slowing down the pace of the run a little now to talk.

“I thought you did that already before marriage.? Asks Akaash who definitely remember this. 

“Yes but this time it’s different.” He said catching his breath, this time he was interested in the details not just the round about facts anyone could find out. 

“You’re best off talking to Khushi Bhabhis sister.” Says Aakash after a moment to which ASR throws a look. 

“Let’s just say she’s not my biggest fan!”

.. 

As ASR buttons his shirt and loops his black tie over his white shirt post shower he glances towards the poolside to see Khushis first piano lesson we’ll under way. Pleased it seemed to be going well he admired his wife’s courage. 

Carrying her fathers responsibilities, Marrying him, having enough patience for him, jumping into intimacy eyes closed because of him. Taking every challenge on was commendable even his most promising apprentices lacked the sort of strength this girl had. 

He glanced up into the mirror for a moment although he looked tidy in his three piece for the first time he wondered whether his gradual ageing  showing in stubble form, minor grey streaks in his hair and newly forming signs of age on his skin made him unattractive to his young bride.

Amazed that he was even thinking this thought ASR nods his head and then looks out of the patio divide towards Khushi and the little girl with her learning piano.

Khushi wore a beautiful white saari true to those who you saw whom took their music as a form of spirituality. The little girl from their wealthy neighbourhood was in a little pink dress and hairband no doubt she’d be a handful he thought.

Pulling him away from his observations was a call from Aman with Arnavs work from home schedule.  

Arnav takes the call per nature ends up pacing the room, “there’s a Mrs Fanandez who’s insisting on a meeting with you for some time she’s been rejected a couple of times from roles in our company. She’s a former long standing  employee in retirement so I’ve given her 20 mins in your diary.” 

Outside at the poolside Khushis very first people seems distracted from her piano lesson. 

“Is that your husband?” The little girl asks seeing Arnav at a distance on his phone. 

“Yes” answers Khushi knowing that kids were curious. 

“He looks boring and mean” she comments. Surprises Khushi a little making her want to giggle but she stops herself.

“He’s not .. He’s sweet once you get used to him I think..” the little girl noticed that Khushi didn’t seem to be too sure of how to describe him. 

“So you’re not sure.” The girl Pauses another question you could tell she was already to big for her little shoes. 

“No I er..woh” Khushi didn’t know what to say and in no time at all had the little girl hopped off the piano stool and was off towards their room. Too late to be stopped.

Knocking on the glass divide with her little hand Khushi watches from her piano as the girl gets Arnavs attention who’s just about finished his call.

Turns around at the sound of knocking on the glass behind him. 

Not seeing just hearing until he lowers his sight down to the bottom of the glass. 

Surprised to see a unexpected guest he walks towards the doors to slide and let her the girl in.

Before he could say much the little girl stepped in asked him to dip his head which he did and placed the cutest kiss on his cheek. 

“Khushi said you were sweet I was just checking.”

Arnav touched by how adorable this girl was and pleased that there was a indirect compliment from his wife raises his eyebrows playfully. He could be very sugary when wanted to be he just wasn’t aware of it. 

“Is that so? He says before drawing a smile” 

“Do me a favour won’t you, pass this on for me.” He says kissing the little girl on the cheek. 

Khushi watching from afar is amazed to see what a natural he is with children. 

..

“Message for you” the little girl says as she she climbs back on the piano seat and leans over to kiss Khushi. Surprised and a little embarrassed when they’re eyes meet khushi looks away to focus on her pupil when she notices her husband watching her. 

“He’s very sweet I like him.” Says the little girl. 

“Me too” Says Khushi after a moment of thought realising that her husband had made a place for himself in her heart.

...

Per his schedule ASR takes a seat back in his armchair as Mrs Fanandez a rather elderly looking lady takes a seat before him, inbetween them a coffee table with some of ASR’s paperwork. 

The lady was familiar and not only that she was his mothers age. Boarding on retirement but very gracefully. Traditional but working class. 

“Mr Raizada I was your fathers PA”

“I think I remember”, nods ASR with some awareness. The thing about him was that although he was very poker face most of the time his eyes were expressive. I this moment they showed respect for this ladies age and history with his company.  

“He dismissed me for a better one 20 years ago”

Yes I know, I asked for a little background before your visit.

My father had a reputation for being selective about his PA’s 

It didn’t matter to me at the time. I’ve recently lost my husband and require some financial gain.

I wondered if there would be a role for me at AR for a short time.

Arnav pondered on this, not wanting someone who should be in retirement exposed to work. 

“I’d happily loan you any money you may need” suggests ASR not in the slightest bothered about the repayment. 

But as expected the lady refuses.

“Well I don’t have a PA he says after a moment 

“and  I could do with some help organising myself.” 

I’ll have Aman draw up a contract you can tell him what hours you’d like to work. 

The smile on the elderly ladies face tells ASR he’d made the right choice.

“One more thing Mrs Fanandez.” he mentions from his chair as the lady turns to leave.

“I’m not my father” he says strongly to which she nods her head” he sternly adamant on his words as the lady could see. 

.... Once on his own sitting back a little in his chair the past involuntarily flashes by him.

Flashback:

Waiting outside his fathers office after school to be driven home and all that was memorable to him was the lady who used to leave his office at 4:15pm and he’d walk out exactly 15 mins later with signs of lipstick he’d tried to rub away and continued to check in the car mirrors as they drove home.

Flashback ended:

ASR wasn’t that man no matter how much Anjali or Nani at times would frown on their business they were both aware that Arnav Singh Raizada had vowed to be a better man. He opened his eyes and focused his mind on today. Picking up his mobile phone he dialled 

 Gutpa house after a minute staring at his phone.

“It’s Arnav Singh Raizada.” He says when the call is picked up. 

“Namaste Arnavji” Khushis mother Garima had picked up the call. 

“Kaise phone kiya?, waha sab theekh toh hai na.” (How can I help, hope everyone is well back there and Khushi hasn’t done anything to ..”’

“Khushi ne toh kuch..”

ASR cuts his mother short, 

“No not at all Khushi kuch galat kar hein Nahin sakti.” (Khushi does no wrong) 

“If it’s not too much trouble I wanted to know more about Khushi from Payal If she’s there?

ASR holds his breath a little he didn’t know why but his feisty sister in law was always a handful.

“I want to know a little bit about your sisters likes and dislikes, he explains that she is hesitant to be open around him right now.

“Well she doesn’t like you for a start” is the first thing Khushis sister says. 

It was going to one long conversation thinks ASR who find a pen and pad of paper to make a list. 

..

A long day it had been with impromptu on location meetings ASR returns home and walks up to his room. Khushi isn’t anywhere to be seen, loosening his tie he asks one of Prakash brothers where Khushi is at. 

Khushis teaching piano at one of the students homes explains OP at which Arnav is pleasantly surprised.

Walking out into the poolside he sees the little tea cup perched on the piano filled with a mix of coins and notes.

Content that her efforts seemed to be successful there’s a peaceful sort of look on his face. Before turning away he also sees that there sits on the perch of his mother’s old piano a single yellow rose. From his conversation this morning ASR recalls that yellow roses were one of things on Khushis list of things she adored.

...

When Khushi returned to Raizada house that evening a little later than planned she found Arnav with his eyes closed and head back in the lounge he’d obviously had fallen asleep waiting for her. Food was still out on the table

She tapped him lightly on the face of his palm rested on the arm of the chair. 

...  next 

Arnav overhears a conversation between Anjali and Avi. “Khushi ji has this cutest new student he looks just like Salam Khan”

The girls gossip in a corner of the house. The door bell rings and Avi opens the door to a delivery of yellow roses addressed to Khushi.

I think Khushi has a secret admirer giggles Avi and stops when she sees Arnav glare at her as he walks down the stairs.

...

Elsewhere Khushi who picks up one of ASR’s blazers to put back on a hanger could smell ladies perfume on its collar.