Chapter 21
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[MEMBERSONLY]
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Desert Rose ' Chapter 20
JENNY
was a tall, slim woman, with straight shoulder length blonde hair and blue
eyes. She was dressed in simple denims,white t-shirt and matching sneakers but her
sinewy arms and broad shoulders emphasized that she was physically very fit.
Khushi
realized that she looked smart rather than pretty.
She
leaned in and kissed Arnav on the cheek. 'How are you Arnav?' she said smiling
showing off perfect white teeth.
'I
am good Jenny,' Arnav said smiling back at her in a way Khushi hadn't seen
before, 'how are you?'
'I
am doing great, as you can see,' she said pointing her hands toward her figure,
and then she turned toward Anjali, 'hey Anjali how are you doing?'
'Fine,
thank you Jenny,' Anjali said walking up to her, 'welcome. It's nice to see you
after such a long time. It's been like seven years isn't it?'
'Well,
Arnav and I met couple of years ago at Harvard,' she said looking at Arnav, 'we
were invited as guest speakers.'
'Oh
right,' said Anjali, 'I remember that.'
Arnav
then introduced her to the rest of the family. 'This is Jennifer Logan, my
friend from Harvard. We were in the same class. She lives in Boston now.' After
introducing everyone, he finally reached Khushi and said, 'this Khushi ' my
wife.'
'God
Arnav, I can't believe this!' exclaimed Jenny as she shook hands with Khushi,
'You got hitched? Congratulations!
'You
must be a really special girl to have converted this 'I am never going to
marry' kinda guy into a married man! It's nice to meet you Khushi.'
Khushi
was amused by the other woman's exuberance. If only she knew, thought Khushi
mentally. 'Thank you Jennifer, it's nice to meet you too.' She replied back and
found herself subjected to stares from the entire Raizada family. It was
obvious that they were all a little surprised to hear her reply back to Jenny
in English. How would they know that she had learnt to speak the language fluently
working at the boutique that was patronized largely by NRI clientele?
'Please
call me Jenny,' Jenny told Khushi affably, 'I might not even respond to
Jennifer.'
'Jenny,
why didn't you tell me you were coming?' asked Arnav,'I would have picked you
up from the airport.'
Jenny
explained that she was visiting India with a group of friends, on a month-long
tour of Northern India which included a 10 day visit of Rajasthan. While her
friends were visiting Chittorgarh, she had decided to take a detour to visit
Bikaner which was excluded from the itinerary.
'I am on a really tight schedule and will have
to head back to Jaisalmer by tomorrow night. So, I am hoping to look around
Bikaner while I catch up with you.'
Jenny
wanted to see Deshnoke temple and Junagarh fort mainly. But she wanted to
squeeze in some shopping if time permitted. So it was decided that they would
go shopping first and then go to the temple in the evening. Anjali had begged
off as was scheduled to go to Ranakpur, but promised to accompany them to
Junagarh Fort the following day.
As
the discussion was underway, Shyam watched Khushi's face, her eyes reflecting something
akin to uncertainty. This was going to be interesting, he thought.
An
hour later, Khushi stood in the kitchen preparing lunch for Akash, Payal and
mamiji who would be leaving for their respective destinations post lunch.
Arnav
came into the kitchen, 'Why aren't you ready yet?' he said.
'What
for?' said Khushi stirring dal.
'To
go to Bikaner of course,' he said, irritation lacing his tone, 'Didn't you hear
me earlier? Jenny wants to go shopping.'
'Yeah
so you are taking her right?' she said adding a little salt to the dal.
'And
you are going too.' He said simply.
'No,'
she retorted,'I have to finish cooking and then I have to work on the designs.'
'Hariprakash
will take care of the cooking and you can take a break from the designing for a
little bit.'
Khushi
began to stir the aloo-methi in the pan. 'I'd rather not I -----'
Arnav
walked up to the stove and switched off the gas. He swept her off in one swift
motion and carried her toward the living room.
'Arnavji!
Put me down.' She said when she saw Jenny coming down the stairs, an amused
expression on her face.
'Jenny,'
said Arnav, continuing on up the stairs, 'why don't you wait in the living room
and we will be down in just five minutes?'
When
they reached the bedroom, Arnav put her down unceremoniously and turned toward
her.
'You
have to go with us because I hate shopping and if Jenny goes all by herself,
the locals will just rip her off. So stop arguing and change.'
How
dare he order her about like this? As if
she had no other work in the world. 'No.' She moved back few paces, folding her
arms about her middle.
'What
the ___!' he walked toward her, backing her up until she the back of her knees
hit the bed.
'If
you think I ---'
Arnav
bent down, grabbed her waist and kissed her, shutting her up effectively.
'I
want you down in five minutes.'He turned around and walked away leaving Khushi totally
breathless. Laad Governor! How was
she going to converse with an American woman who was a total stranger to her?
Couple
of hours later, Khushi forgot that Jenny was a stranger, bonding over a common
love for shopping. Jenny wasattracted to Bikaner's famous leather products,
delicately embroidered 'mojris', lacquer work, camel and sheep wool carpets and
other handicrafts. They found a store where she picked up short kurtis and
blouses with typical Rajasthani motifs, like mango, lotus, peacock, elephant
and camel,embellished with mirrors, beads which she could wear with denims and
skirts.
They
lunched together at one of the local hotels where the proprietor recommended
them to visit the famous Ganga Singh museum. Both women were fascinated by the
museum's rich array of archaeological discoveries from prehistoric Harrapan and
early Gupta period. Khushi was especially impressed by the sections that
displayed paintings, arts and craft, terracotta, pottery, carpets, coins and
ancient Rajput weaponry.
Right
after that, Arnav picked them up and drove them to Deshnoke, a small village
thirty kms away, along the Jodhpur road. Arnav explained to them that the
Deshnoke temple was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh, in dedication to Karni Mata,
who was a 14th century ascetic.She was believed to be a
reincarnation of Goddess Durga,whohad helped the poor and down trodden people
through her divine powers.
When
both Khushi and Jenny stared at him, he said, 'Of course I known our history. I
was born here dammit!'
Sitting
in the back seat of the car, Jenny began to rifle through her packages. 'You
know Arnav, Khushi was an absolute darling, helping me out with the shopping
today,' she gushed to Arnav. 'She is so good at bargaining. I have a feeling I
have been ripped at all my previous shopping I did till now.
'But
she just wouldn't shop for herself, how much ever I pressed her.' She looked at
Khushi, 'So, I bought these slip-on shoes you tried and put back in that store,
Khushi.'
'No,
Jenny I couldn't take them!' protested Khushi, but Jenny had pushed the packet
onto her lap. A side-long glance told her that Arnav had suddenly tightened his
fingers on the steering, his knuckles showing white. Khushi was relieved when
they reached the temple.
While
Jenny began to click pictures, Khushi was enthralled by the beauty of the temple.
The temple was situated in the centre of a beautiful courtyard, fronted by a
majestic marble faade with solid silver doors. The outer boundary wall was
constructed like a fort with a platform for guards to protect the miraculous
temple.Beyond the doorway were more silver doors with panels depicting the
various legends of the Goddess. The entire temple was built with marble, while
its domes and mandap were made of gold and silver.
When
they reached the inner sanctum, Khushi prayed to the Goddess, thanking her for
good fortune she had bestowed on Payal and Akash and mental strength for
herself.
After
returning from the temple, Jenny had quickly finished her dinner and retired
early as she had a really early start that morning.
That
night, as Khushi sat in one of the upstairs bedroom, working on her drawings, her
thoughts went back to Jenny.
Khushi
realized that Jenny was a genuinely nice person. She was easy going, thoughtful
and good natured. Though aninvestment banker by profession, Jenny'sreal passion
was adventure. She worked really hard at the bank so thatshe could be off on long
weekends and holidays so she could pursue her passion for hiking, biking,
mountain climbing and other similar activities. She was a member of the Boston
International Adventure Travel Club, where she and other like-minded people
like her travelled to amazing and adventurous places around the world, which
was what had brought her to India this year. Khushi had been sad to learn that
Jenny's parents were divorced and that she visited them only once in every few
years as they were settled with their own families.
But
amidst all this conversation Khushi had discovered a very important thing ---
about her husband. Arnav Singh Raizada had been an adventurer in his college
days. During their course, he and had Jenny, along with a group of friends had
gone on adventure trips together. After graduating from Harvard and securing
plum jobs at Bank of America, they had come to India, en route to Europe which
they had decided to visit as a backpacking trip. But Arnav's parents' had met
with the accident changing Arnav's course of life. After the funeral, Jenny had
returned to America alone.
What
might have happened to Arnav's life if his parents had been alive today,
wondered Khushi her eyelids closing shut, drawing her into a dreamless slumber,
and that is how Arnav found her when he came looking for her a little later. He
carried her into their bedroom, laid her on the bed and covered her gently with
the comforter.
Khushi
woke up the next morning to feel something bristly under her fingers. She
opened her eyes to find herself staring at Arnav face, his eyes closed in
sleep, his thick crescent shaped lashes fanning his cheeks. As her eyes dropped
to his sharp aristocratic nose and down to his lips her dhak-dhak began in
earnest. She snatched her hand back, got off the bed and rushed into the
bathroom.
Later
as she dressed in the closet, she opened one of the drawers and was startled to
see wads of money sitting in her bangle box. Just as she wondered how the money
had appeared, she remembered. Arnav had deduced from Jenny's
conversationyesterday, that she did not have any spending money with her. She
smiled to herself, her heart overwhelmed with joy.
A
little later, at the breakfast table, as Khushi served some poori to Arnav,
Jenny said, 'Arnav you really have changed haven't you?' When everyone looked
up at her in surprise she explained, 'you never liked anyone hovering when you
ate. I remember you asking the waiters in the restaurants to leave as soon as
they had brought in our orders.'
Khushi
remembered the day in the guest house when he had said the same thing to her.
But before Arnav could say anything, Manav walked in the door. He was there to
check in on Payal.
'Sorry
Manav, I completely forgot to call you,' Anjali apologized. 'Payal and Akash
left for Delhi yesterday. They will be there for a few days. Anyway come join
us for breakfast.'
As
Manav took his seat at the table, Khushi got up from her seat and went round to
serve him some poori aloo as Anjali introduced him to Jenny.
'Manav,
we are planning to go to Junagarh after breakfast,' said Anjali munching on a
piece of poori aloo, 'why don't you join us. Today is Sunday and you don't have
to go the clinic today.'
'Sure.'
Manav agreed right away.
'Don't
people don't fall sick on Sundays?' Arnav asked him sardonically, 'How can you
close the clinic?'
'Don't
be silly Arnav,' retorted Manav. 'I don't close the clinic. I have assistant
doctors working. They will call me in case of emergencies they can't handle.'
Looking
at the way Arnav face had hardened Khushi wondered if he still irked about the
incident that had occurred on the night of Anjali's birthday party.
Soon
they were on their way to Junagarh fort in the car with Arnav at the wheel,
Khushi next to him in the passenger seat, Anjali and Jenny in the back seat.
Shyam was going to join them later andManav had opted to drive in his own car,so
that he would have the flexibility to leave any time he needed.
As soon as they reached the fort, Khushi was
riveted by its grandeur. The fort was a formidable structure surrounded by a
moat. Arnav, Anjali and Manav took turns to explain the history of the fort.
The
Junagarh fort was a 16th century fortress which had never been
conquered. The fort was also a unique illustration of composite culture. It was
highly influenced by Gujarati and Mughal architecture.
As
they began to take a tour they explained that the fort contained antique
monuments and excellent objects of art, such as the symbolic hands of Sati,
seven historic Parole (gates), nine attractive temples, little shrines of
various deities, four deep wells, three beautiful gardens, post medieval
stables and barrack, an old jail, and armoury stones in the ground floor. The
fort also housed old palaces complete with their porches and pillars, gates and
doors, galleries and corridors.
There
were hardly any visitors around Khushi observed as she walked in silence next
to Arnav. Hewas engrossed in a very interesting conversation about India's
economy with Jenny. After 10 minutes into the discussion, when Khushi realized
that she wouldn't be able to contribute, being completely ignorant about the
subject, she slowly hung back to join Anjali and Manav.
Soon,
Manav's anecdotes had both Khushi and Anjali in splits. Suddenly, she felt
Anjali catch her shoulder and sway holding her tummy. Manav rushed to her side
and together they helped her to a seat.
'I
am not feeling too good, Manav,' rasped Anjali, 'I have severe cramps in my
tummy and am extremely nauseous. I wonder where Shyam is.'
'Is
this like the same thing you had the other day?' he asked her and when she
nodded he turned to Khushi, 'Khushi, I will need to give Anjali an injection
that I have in my case in the car. I will take her there. Will you be alright
by yourself?'
'I
will go with you.' Khushi said anxiously.
'No
Khushi, you continue to see the fort,' insisted Anjali, 'we will be back here
in no time. I will be fine in a jiffy with that shot.'
As
the duo left, Khushi decided to look for Arnav and Jenny. As she picked up her
phone to call Arnav she realized her phone was dead. She cursed herself for her
bad habit of not charging her cell phone regularly. She decided to take the
same path she had seen them take earlier and as she walked along one of the
corridors, she caught a glimpse of Arnav and Jenny talking animatedly with each
other leaning on the railing of the first floor corridor. As she reached the
corridor what Jenny said stopped her in her tracks.
'Arnav,
you have always wanted to settle down in the States,' Jenny said, 'what
happened to that plan? Have you completely abandoned it?'
'Well,'
began Arnav, 'you know what happened all those years ago, Jenny. I had an
entire family depending on me when my parents died.'
'And
you did well Arnav,' shepaused, 'Remember how we thought we would live like
nomads travelling the world? Do you ever think about that?'
'Sometimes.'
Khushi couldn't help noticing the wistful note in his voice.
'Now
that your family is well settled, would you consider moving back to the
States?'Khushi didn't really want to hear the answer to this question. Her
heart began to beat fast and her palms began to sweat.
'I
am married now, Jenny.'What was that supposed to mean? thought Khushi dismally.
'That's
not really an answer to my question Arnav,' Jenny said but when Arnav continued
to be silent she asked him, 'Never mind. How did that come about? --- Your
marriage.' She added.
'That's
'.a long story.' Khushi sensed the hesitation in his tone.
'Come
on Arnav,' Jenny cajoled, 'give me a quick version.'
'Well,'
he paused, 'I had no choice.'
Khushi
stumbled back, tears filling her eyes as a sharp squeezing pain struck her
heart. She began to run into the interiors of one of the palaces.
A
pair of sinister eyes watched with a twisted smirk, from behind the door. His
plan to spy had proved fruitful, he thought. He followed Khushi.
After
a few minutes Khushistopped and looked around to find herself in the armoury
room. She took a deep breath, clutching a hand to her heart to calm the
incessant clamouring. Stop this nonsense Khushi, she told herself as she dabbed
at her eyes.She knew he didn't love her and had only married her out of sense
of responsibility. She had no right to feel possessive about him. Her jealousy
was unreasonable and uncalled for.But why
was this pain not going away?
'I
told you he would only give you tears Khushiji.' Khushi whirled around to find
Shyam blocking the entrance to the armoury room. A trepidation akin to fear
began within her as she realized there was no one else in the vicinity. Hey
Devi Maiyya, please protect me she prayed silently.
'Shyamji,'
she tried casually, 'Di was feeling a little sick, so Dr Manav has taken her to
give her some medication. She was asking for you.'
'Khushiji,'
said Shyam in a patronizing tone, 'don't try to change the topic. You have
better things to worry about than Anjali's illness. Aren't you least bit
worried that you husband might leave you very soon?'
Khushi
induced nonchalance in her tone. 'I am least bit interested in anything you
have to say.'
'You
heard them didn't you?' continued Shyam not cowed down by Khushi, 'He really
misses his freedom Khushiji.Now that he had fulfilled all his responsibilities,
why would he stay?'
Khushi
realized that Shyam had been spying on the conversation! He was more dangerous
than she thought.
Shyam
continued on. 'Why would he choose to be with you when he can have a 'no
strings attached' relationship with a like-minded partner like Jenny?'Don't you
see how made for each other they are?'
'This
is none of your business!' Khushi spat out vehemently.
'No,
no Khushiji,' said Shyam a little forcefully, 'this is very much my business
because it is very important you understand who your true well-wishers are. Who
truly care for you. And who truly love you.'
'What?'
said Khushi completely astounded by his admission, 'how can you say things like
this Shyamji? You are a married man!'
'So
what Khushiji?' he countered, 'love can happen anytime, can't it? You are
married too. But I don't mind. We could still be together.'
'Are
you out of your mind?' she whispered, as a drop of sweat trickled down her
spine.
'Yes
Khushiji,' he said with an ugly sneer, 'from the moment I saw you. But Arnav
ruined everything by marrying you.He
always does.
'The
only reason he married you was because he wanted to keep his image intact at
that time. Like he said, he had no choice. But if you don't leave him, he will
find a way to get rid of you. Just like he got rid of his pregnant fiance.'
'Enough
Shyamji!' raged Khushi, 'Arnavji had nothing to do with Lavanyaji's death. The
police exonerated him!'
'Is
that what he told you?' Shyam mocked with derision. 'Money works wonders
Khushiji. The police obviously fell for that fake witness who saw him with some
fake alibi.'
Except that the alibi
hadn't been fake.
Khushi had heard enough. 'Let me go, or else I will scream.' She said
desperately.
'Oh
don't worry Khushiji,' Shyam said, his tone laced with indolence, 'I am not
going to hurt you. My work is done. You are free to leave.'
'Aren't
you afraid I will tell Arnavji and Di?' she asked completely baffled by his
behaviour.
'Oh
I am not worried at all, Khushiji. You won't tell them because they would never
believe you in a hundred years. You see I was never even here.'
Khushi
whizzed past him and began to run fast, her heart thudding erratically. The
corridors began to feel like a maze but she kept on running blindly until she
reached the courtyard and spotted Manav at a distance. She had never been more
relieved to see someone in her life. She called out to him and took a step in
his direction and failed to see the three four steps ahead of her. She toppled
and fell hurting her ankle in the process.
Manav was at her side in a minute, helping her
onto the step so that he could examine her ankle. He immediately dialled
Anjali's number letting her know that he had found Khushi. Seeing Khushi's pale
face, he was about to ask Khushi what had happened, when he saw the silhouette
of a man standing in the far end of the corridor. Was that Shyam, he wondered.
Suddenly,
Arnav was upon them, his face hard when he looked at Manav holding Khushi's
ankle He pushed Manav aside and kneeled down beside her.
'What
are you doing Arnav?' Manav asked him irked by his rudeness. 'Khushi has hurt
her ankle. I need to take a look at it.'
'There
is no need for you to do anything,' Arnav bit out, sweeping her up in his arms.
'I will take her home and take care of her myself. If there is a need to, I
will take her to see a doctor later.' He began to walk across the courtyard.
'You
are still angry with me because I went behind your back and helped Anjali
aren't you?' Manav challenged Arnav stopping him in his tracks.
'What
you did or did not do is the least of my concerns,' Arnav shot back, 'trivial
things like that don't bother me.'
Manav
continued on, 'It's obvious from your behaviour that you don't think of it as
trivial. In any case, it is time someone told you that it was your
imperiousness that left us no choice. And I am not going to apologize for what
I did. In fact, you are the one who should apologize ' especially to the woman
you married as a consequence of the mess you
created in the first place!'Manav walked away from the courtyard his entire
body seething with rage.
Khushi
watched with dreadas Arnav carried her across the courtyard, his simmering eyes
and clenched jaw clearly indicating that he was furious as hell.
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