Chapter 6
Font:
Text Size:
Theme:
[MEMBERSONLY]
Hi everyone,
Thanks for all your wonderful comments. A little
investigation wouldn't do anyone any harm. Will this investigation reveal
something people have been wanting to know? Read on to find out.
Desert Rose ' Chapter 5
KHUSHI'S
legs were shaking as she made her way through the restaurant area toward the
staircase.
How dare he hold her like this in
public? Particularly when the entire hotel staff and the people on the street
were watching? Though he hadn't kissed her, that is how it would have looked to
the onlookers in the darkness, she thought with resentment. She was shamingly
aware of the grins and nudges between the waiters who were preparing the tables
for dinner. She heard someone say, 'Raizada ki aurat' and laugh.
What on earth had possessed him? She
raged inwardly as she went upstairs, avoiding a look of disapproval form
Bhairav Chauhan's wife, Sona who was standing outside the kitchen.
Was he trying to punish her for being
the sister of a girl who had become pregnant out of wedlock? Well, she would
make sure he would pay for judging them so harshly.
And if he thought these caveman tactics
would scare her into running away to Delhi, he had better think again.
In the meantime, she had decided not to
tell Payal about what was going on. She would somehow get Payal and Akash to
meet. But it would not be a good idea to tell her anything until she had
figured out a way.
She remembered Dr Manav has asked her
to come to the clinic for an injection. She would take that opportunity to ask
him about Akashji's amnesia, its treatment and its duration. At least she would
know what to do after that.
But Laad Governor's intransigence was
another matter altogether. She had no idea what could cure that, she thought as
she went into the room.
**
'F!@#!'
Arnav swore loudly as he drove back. That woman was going to be a pain he
realized. But what on earth had possessed him to grab her like that? He had
never done anything like that before. But she had provoked him to the hilt. No
one ever dared to speak to him like that -----except for his Di.
His sister's bright coloured saree on her
made her look like a super hot ''school teacher. School teacher? Well, her hairstyle and glasses made her look like
one. Was it weird that he had still wanted to kiss her? Only he knew how it
taken super human strength on his part to stop himself. God! He desperately
needed a distraction he thought as he pulled up in front the house.
When he went up to his room,
Hariprakash came to him with a glass of water and informed him that Anjali was
waiting for him for dinner. He made it a point to eat dinner with her every
night, in nani and mami's absence. The two ladies were in Jaipur visiting some
relatives. Akash's dinner was sent up to his room as he was immobile because of
his cast. He was also suffering from chronic headaches triggered due to his
amnesia.
'Chotte I have been waiting to hear
from you for so long.' Said Anjali looking up at him. 'What happened? Where is
Khushiji?'
He updated her briefly about his
conversation with Khushi, carefully omitting some parts.
'What?' she asked incredulous. 'How
could you do this? We can't just ignore this issue Chotte.'
'We can and we will,' he said
relentlessly. 'One way or the other.'
'That poor girl is going to have a
baby!' said Anjali emphatically.
'Di,
the problem with you is that you trust that people a little too much.'
'And how can you be so sure that they
are lying?'
'That is beside the point.' He said
grimly. 'Taking care of Akash's health is top most priority now.'
'But Chotte ____'
'How is the future MP doing?'
Arnav asked Anjali. 'Haven't heard from him in a long time.'
'He is doing fine Chotte, you know your
jeejaji is always busy with his work.'
Shyam Manohar Jha, Anjali's husband
lived in Delhi where he worked as a lawyer. His clients were high profile
politicians and Arnav knew that Shyam himself was an aspiring politician. He remembered
the altercation they had when he as a junior had a won the student elections
against Shyam who was two years his senior.
'Shouldn't you be in Delhi taking care
of him?' he asked her causally.
'I should, but he says that I will be
bored to death in Delhi because of his long hours of work and travelling,' she
said. 'Moreover, if I hadn't been here, who would have taken care of you and
Akash in nani and mami's absence?'
'Uhh'.. we do have Hari prakash Di.'
Arnav smiled.
'Well, in that case let me start
packing as I can see I am not needed.' Anjali said sullenly.
'Di!' exclaimed Arnav, 'I was just
kidding. You know I love having you here with me.' Just then his cell phone
rang. 'I have to take this Di''.Good night.' He said getting up from the chair,
effectively marking the end of the conversation.
'Good night Chotte' she said wistfully.
Anjali knew that her brother had
deliberately changed the topic. The events that started seven years ago with
their parents' accident had made Arnav hard and cynical. Would he ever be able
to get past it and lead a normal life?
Anjali wondered if she should call nani
and inform her about what was going on. But she doubted even if Nani would be
able to help in this matter. Once Arnav made a decision, not even nani could
change it. That was the problem with the Raizada males ---- they were all bull headed.
She discarded the idea of informing nani about this until matters were at hand.
Otherwise mami would come down here from Jaipur and take the whole house
down with her hysterics.
She would have to try a different
route, she decided.
**
Khushi somehow managed to dodge Payal's
questions and told her that she had fallen of the scooter while trying to ride
to one of the sightseeing places. Before Payal could ask her anything else she rushed
into the bathroom to shower.
She showered quickly, flinching as the
water touched her grazed skin, but glad at the same time to wash away any
lingering contact with Arnav Singh Raizada's hands. But the actual memory of being
held in his arms might not be easy to dismiss, she realized as a hot wave
washed her body from head to toe.
Later that night Khushi and Payal went
downstairs for dinner. Bhairav Chauhan welcomed them exuberantly, and showed
them a table.
'I recommend that you order our special
thaali. You will get to taste authentic rajasthani food.'
'Khushi, you should try gatte ki kadi.
It is supposed to be awesome,' said Payal excitedly.' Akash told me about it.'
she added shyly.
As they sat waiting for their dinner,
Khushi looked at Payal. She looked refreshed after the long rest she had had
the entire day. She looked a little disappointed when Khushi had told her that
she hadn't found out anything about Akash. But she seemed to have perked up a
little after coming down.
At first Khushi found the flavour a
little sweet, but her palate soon adapted, and by the time Bhairav brought them
hot missi rotis, churma, gatte ki kadi and fried bhindi accompanied by jal
jeera, she was entirely won over.
And Payal was right. Gatte ki kadi was finger
licking good. Gatta, Bhairav had explained to them, was basically channa dal
ground and mixed with masalas and steamed, could be used in kadi, pulav or just
eaten as sabji. Khushi decided to try this dish once she got back home.
Home. Khushi thought of
her little house in Delhi and began to feel home sick. Though Payal ate up
every scrap of food with relish, Khushi felt sad that she had to eat restaurant
food when she should be eating healthy homemade food in this condition. She
would have to find a way to solve their problem as soon as possible.
For dessert they were served Kesari
Bhaat which was basically a saffron induced sweet rice preparation. Khushi, who
was basically a jalebi person, had to agree that this new rajasthani sweet dish
was indeed very delicious.
Bhairav Chauhan informed them that
since it was the Camel Festival season, some entertainment had been planned in
which local dancers would perform.
Khushi and Payal were enthralled with
the performance. The women, their faces covered with their chunris, wore
ghagras of varied colours of red, organge yellow, blue, rich with embroidery
and mirror work. Payal informed Khushi that the dance was called Ghoomar
because of the way the ghagra flared up when the dancers twirled in circles. Khushi
didn't have to ask how she knew this information. Soon, the dancers came to the
guests and asked them to join them in the dance. Suddenly, Payal pulled Khushi
and said, 'Come on Khushi, I will teach you the steps. I learnt it in Jaipur
during the wedding.'
'Do you think you should?' Khushi put
out a detaining hand.
'Just this one time Khushi.' There were
dreams in Payal's eyes. 'It brings back so many memories.'
She was young and healthy, Khushi
thought as she allowed herself to be led to the dance floor. It was wrong to
wrap her in cotton wool. And she needed all the cheering up she could get.
Khushi picked up the steps in no time
and was hooked. She had loved dancing since childhood. If she hadn't had to
work for a living Khushi was sure she would have pursued dancing
professionally.
As she began to twirl around with
fervour, wishing that she was actually wearing a ghagra, Khushi was suddenly
aware, with a little shiver of unease, that someone was watching her.
The music seemed to fade to a distance,
and the dancers became a blur. She realized she was shaking as she turned
around to the entrance of the restaurant.
Aranv Singh Raizada was standing there,
hands in his pockets. He looked taller than ever in gray trousers, and shirt in
black with a soft, silky sheen. Across the space that divided them, his dark
eyes met hers in a direct challenge she felt down to her bones, then switched
quite deliberately to where Payal was dancing, her face shining with animation.
Khushi saw his brows lift, and the
faint contemptuous smile which twisted his mouth, as he registered the scene
before him. He glanced back towards her table. Is this the innocent girl,
pregnant and broken-hearted? his cynically accusing gaze demanded, louder than
any words.
What was he doing here? She asked
herself and the answer presented itself in the form of a woman who walked up to
him. They vanished into the dark street so quickly that Khushi wondered if she
had really seen him standing there.
Khushi found her heart was hammering,
and her mouth suddenly dry. If he had come to see Payal, he couldn't have
chosen a worse moment. He'd be convinced now that she was just another silly,
pretty bimbo hell-bent on a good time. She could have screamed in frustration.
The music ended , and Payal returned
glowing.
'That was wonderful,' she said. 'Akash
loved to watch me dance.' She gave her sister a quick hug. 'Everything is going
to alright Khushi. I know.'
Hey Devi Maiyya, I just hope Payal is right, thought Khushi as she returned her hug quietly.
The next morning, Khushi walked up the
slope of the road leading to Dr Manav's clinic.
To her relief, Payal had not persisted
on her initial offer to tag along, agreeing to meet up with her later.
Khushi had a very restless sleep the
previous night and the aches and pains due the accident was only part of the
reason. She was worried about the conversation she had with Arnav and wondered
what she would do if the doctor refused to help her out.
Dr Manav was obviously a friend of the
family and might think like Arnav, that Payal was a minor problem, easily
brushed aside.
She sighed as she walked along the
crowded pavement, where shops displays overflowed into the open air. She found
herself edging round stands of beautifully woven fabrics in bring colours, cascades
of embroidered lines and wall hangings. She promised herself she would come
back here another time but right now she didn't have another minute to spare.
Khushi remembered how people had reacted
when she had mentioned the Raizadas. Arnav Singh Raizada was not only a wealthy
man, but also seemed to belong to a well-known, powerful family ---- maybe even
a royal link going by the painting she had seen at the haveli. And she and Payal were outsiders. She
couldn't forget that for a minute.
Nor could she forget the heat of his
body as he had held her against himself ' nor, more fundamentally, his parting
warning. For her own peace of mind, she should keep out of Arnav's way, and
common sense suggested a strategic retreat back to Delhi.
But, in spite of her personal
misgivings, it was Payal's interests she had to consider, and those of her
unborn child. Payal had come to Bikaner to be reunited with the man she loved.
And I have promised to help, she thought.
I can't go back on that now simply because Arnav Singh Raizada alarms and
disturbs me.
When Khushi reached her destination,
she realized the clinic was a beautiful old stone building, with arched Georgian
windows. She entered the clinic to find herself in an immaculately clean
waiting room. She went up to the receptionist and told her that Dr Manav had
asked her to come in today. She was immediately ushered to his office.
Khushi knocked on the door which had
the nameplate "Dr Manav Solanki" written on it.
'Come in.' came a voice from the
inside.
Khushi opened the door and walked in.
She saw that it did not look like a regular doctor's office. This room was
bright with natural light and airy as there were wide french doors opening into
a beautiful garden.
'This building was a British government
office before independence.' Dr Manav explained at Khushi's awed look.
'You seemed to have chosen the loveliest
room.' Khushi gaped with open delight at the lawn, where water flowed from a
beautiful fountain. Surrounding the fountain were shrubs of a plant with the gorgeous
pink flowers she had seen at the haveli.
'Sit down, Khushiji. How are you
feeling today? Any fever or headache?'
'I am fine Dr Manav, except for some
soreness. I don't really need antibiotics.' She paused. 'But I would like to
talk to you about something else.'
'Sure, how can I help you?' he asked
pleasantly.
Khushi took a deep breath. 'I want to
ask you about Akashji's amnesia,' she said carefully. 'I think you might have
an idea about why my sister and I have come here.'
'Well, the matter had been mentioned.'
The doctor's face was devoid of expression.
'I am here to request you to help me Dr
Manav. Can you please tell how long it will take for Akashji to come out of his
amnesia?'
He shook his head. 'This is a very tricky
question Khushiji. I don't think I can answer it easily.'
'Please Dr Manav,' pleaded Khushi tears
welling up in her eyes. 'My sister is going to have his baby.'
'Alright,' he paused for a few seconds
before continuing, 'Luckily, Akash has Transient Global Amnesia or what is commonly
known as temporary amnesia. A person in this condition remembers who he is and
the people he knows very well, but is unable to remember recent events that
happened a day, month or even a year ago.
'It is a seemingly harmless condition
which is unlikely to occur again. These episodes are short-lived but it is
difficult to say when he will get back his memory. But I have seen cases where
a jog to the memory can restore it suddenly and completely.'
'Do you think that seeing my sister
again could be just the jolt he needs?' she asked excitedly.
Manav hesitated before he answered, 'It
is a possibility.'
'Could you please arrange for them to
meet Dr Manav?' she asked hopefully.
'I am sorry Khushiji,' said Dr Manav
his face grim. 'Arnav has given strict orders not to let you or your sister
anywhere near the haveli.'
'This is heights of tyranny!' Khushi
exclaimed emphatically. 'Just because he is rich doesn't give him a right to
rule people!'
'Khushiji!' Dr Manav was shocked at
Khushi's reaction. 'You shouldn't say that. You don't understand. Arnav had to
take responsibility of his family and business at a very young age. He was just
22 when his parents died in an accident along with Akash's father, his maternal
uncle.'
'Well even I was young when my parents
died,' said Khushi, 'and I didn't have
family money to fall back on,' she added bitterly.
'There was no family money here either
Khushiji. Arnav's father was so deep in debt that they had to sell the haveli
and move back to Delhi. The factory had to be shut down. Arnav started AR
industries from scratch and within a year made so much profit that he bought
back this haveli by paying two times its value. He then revived the factory
back to its former glory.'
'Looks like lady luck has always been
on his side, hasn't she?' Khushi grated in frustration.
Dr Manav continued. 'Since the accident,
Akash has always looked up to him as a father figure. Naturally, Arnav is very
protective of him.' He paused, looking uncomfortable. 'Maybe he is trying to
keep him from making mistakes that he knows will lead to unhappiness.'
'I am sure the mighty Arnav Singh
Raizada has never put a wrong foot in his life.' Khushi said bitterly. 'He is probably
Mr Perfect personified.'
The doctor shook his head. 'Not really
Khushiji,' he corrected gently. 'The loss of his parents and the subsequent death
of his fiance a week before the wedding---- all these were tragedies he has
had to cope with. And they have left their mark, I think.'
Khushi gasped. 'His fiance died?' she whispered.
It was the last thing she'd expected to hear. She bit her lip, remembering how
she had accused him of being without a heart --- without feeling. Clearly that had
not been true --- once upon a time. But shouldn't that make him more
understanding of Payal and Akash'
She said, 'Couldn't you talk to him
from a medical point of view Dr Manav? Convince him that letting Payal see
Akash would be worth trying at least? It is equally important to both of them.'
'I will give it a try Khushiji,' he
conceded. 'But I will not guarantee anything. Arnav is my friend---- and a
friend to everyone here.' He gestured around him wryly. 'He funded this clinic
at his own expense. But, like his father and grandfather before him, he is an
autocrat. His word has always been law, and he expects no argument with his
decisions.'
'Khushi got up. 'Then it is high time
there was,' she returned crisply.
His brows rose. 'You are a brave woman,
Khushiji.' Dr Manav's phone rang and he excused
himself as he walked away from her to talk in private. She heard him speak in
low tones before he rang off.
He said, 'There is an emergency I need
to attend to Khushiji.' He paused looking slightly embarrassed. 'You will have
to excuse me. Please have some tea before you leave.'
'Please don't trouble yourself Dr
Manav.' Khushi hesitated.
'It's no trouble Khushiji, I will have
someone bring it in.' The door closed behind him.
Khushi walked over to the French door
and looked out in the garden. The sun warmed scent of the pink flowers, carried
on the faint breeze, seemed to fill the room. Their fragrance and colour caught
at her throat --- lifted her heart.
I was right to come here she thought.
He had made no promises, but at least he had given out a glimmer of hope.
She heard the door behind her open
again.
She said, 'Dr Manav, I wanted to tell
you how grateful I am for your help. I am sure between us, we can persuade
Arnavji to change his mind.'
'I wouldn't count on it.' The silken
mockery of an all too familiar voice assailed her ears.
For a moment Khushi stood, frozen to
the spot, then slowly she turned and looked across the shadows of the room to
the tall man who stood by the door way. Blocking, she realized her escape
route.
'Good morning, Khushi Kumari Gupta,'
said Arnav Singh Raizada, and smiled at her.
I feel motivated to
write more when I hear from you so do comment and feel free to give me your
feedback.
My previous works:
Your reaction
Nice
Awesome
Loved
LOL
OMG
Cry
Post Your Comment