Chapter 7

 

A shrill ring jerked Arnav awake from his deep sleep. Cursing under his breath, he groggily lifted himself off the bed and stumbled through the dark room, his hands blindly groping for that wretched telephone.

 

"Hello..." he stifled a huge yawn.

 

 "Sir...this is Aman. Were you sleeping?" a voice responded back.

 

 "Oh no, Aman...not at all, I was swimming on my bed," Arnav replied sarcastically.

 

 His secretary obviously realized he had got on the wrong side of his boss and immediately launched to the damage control, the only excuse he had for calling his boss at this hour.

 

 "Sir, there is an emergency! The show stopper we had booked for the Paris Fashion Week, Elina, is critical...health issues and now that position is vacant...what should I do, sir?"

 "Don't do anything, Aman, just dance around, screeching 'We have a stinking problem' at the top of your lungs," spat back Arnav, "is this why you get paid? To call me in the middle of the night to ask what you should do when there is position vacant. Of course get another model on board, dammit! Should I teach you that?"

 

 "Oh just shut up, Aman and keep your goddamned sorry to yourself" Arnav hissed, fuming that his secretary had woke him up at 2 in the morning "just select another model from the shortlisted ones. Understand?"

 

 

"Then hang up the bloody phone, dammit!" and throwing back the receiver on the ledge, Arnav walked back to his room blindly and fell on to the bed.

 

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It was a moment of rejoice and celebration for the whole team on board Serene as their maiden individual project had been a huge success. For a team just starting their voyage on the rough seas, this victory was a huge blessing and a pillar of strength. Yet the team didn't forget to accolade the whole success to the two people because of whom it was made possible-Rodriquez and Gupta. Partners in strength and in weakness, these two women never wavered slightly from the task they were to be performing. Their determination and fortitude had made this one hell of an achievement. They were finally able to discover the animals that infested the deepest places of the Marina Trench and make a report of it, telling the world that were lot more left to discover about the colossal worlds of water. Animals were just the beginning.  They were still a million pages left to turn...

 

Khushi was sipping her chocolate, talking animatedly with Amanda about the future projects they would consider about. The beauty of working with Amanda was being absolutely professional. She never gave into any nonsense and always had a very dignified approach about everything. And that was what Khushi wanted. When she heard her boss was a woman, she had panicked thinking maybe there were going to be lots of gossips and talks about her personal life but clearly, Amanda had proven her wrong to the bottom.

 

Khushi could tolerate anything but showing weakness. She just couldn't be weak in front of others and if anyone would ask anything about her personal life, her hidden weakness would crop up and she hated that. Amanda had come to her rescue and in this team, discussions about anything personal was strictly prohibited. The field they had chosen to make their career was very demanding and tenacious and it absolutely had no time and patience to delve into such frivolous matters.  

 

"By the way, I have had an idea" Amanda stated as a matter of factly.

 

 Khushi raised her eyebrow in confusion as Amanda started to explain "I really think all of us need a well deserved break." Khushi's heart sank as she understood where this conversation was heading to.

 

 

Some part of her mind, a very sensitive one at that, wanted to protest this idea of her boss but the logical one seemed to accept the fact that they wanted break. At least her team mates wanted a break for they had worked round the clock. It would be purely selfish of her to expect others to work just because she was having some nerve problems.

 

In spite of herself, Khushi responded "I think it is great Amanda. We definitely need a break."

 

Amanda smiled at Khushi but in deep she knew very well the confusions that plagued this young lady's mind and heart and to sort this out, probably Khushi was the one who needed a break more than anyone else.  "I am glad you agree on my terms. Let's go and announce this to everyone. I am sure this news going to be a blast for them."

 

Khushi let herself steered to the deck by Amanda. She appeared relaxed and carefree yet from the inside, she was goo. Amanda broke the news to everyone and sure enough, the news was welcomed heartily and loudly at that.

 

Khushi smiled at her team mates who came to give her group hug and sank into the moment of being in midst of all the caring and affection, knowing that once she went on a break, she would miss all of this terribly.

 

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 Anjali threw the phone on the couch in frustration. Arnav again hadn't picked up her calls. For a random outsider or sometimes, maybe even for her husband, it would seem that Arnav was very busy but she knew the actual reason. It was just sheer avoidance. He was yet again avoiding her calls.

 

Anjali had no idea why he behaved so coldly with her. For her, her little brother was her whole reason of happiness and for him, she was an obligation. It was not a day that he had sat and talked warmly with her, held her hand in assurance, showered her with affection and respect. He was a brother who hadn't even come to attended his sister's wedding for he had more important stuff to do than bring a smile on Anjali's face.

 

Vinay walked inside to find his wife flustered and unhappy. He went up to her and gently laid a hand on her shoulder "Anju? What's wrong?"

 

In a flash, Anjali turned and buried her head in her husband's chest, the loneliness bile up out of her. Vinay instantly knew what was bothering his wife and in equal fervor and affection, he embraced and consoled her "shh...it's okay!"

 

"Why does he do this?"she cried "why does he not want me?"

 

"It's nothing like that, Anju..." he consoled her "he might have been really busy"

"You are his darling sister! Why wouldn't he talk to you??? I am sure he will" Vinay tried futile attempts to convince her "but, Anju, you know how Arnav is na?"

"I know but what will he lose if he talks to me for five minutes?" Anjali sobbed "what will he lose if he once treats me warmly? Why does he have to behave like that?"

 

Realization dawned on Anjali as she understood the pains and emotional backlog Arnav was enduring. Her loneliness and emotional problems diminished to a point of nothingness when compared to that of Arnav's. She, at least, had her husband to rely upon but Arnav was totally alone in this world.

 

"Which is why I want him to talk to me" she whispered softly "I don't want any vestiges of pain to remain in him. I want it all to be thrown out of him. I want him to be happy. Is that too much to expect out of him?"

"He is not in a state of mind!" Anjali hissed "I have been hearing this damn answer from the past 15 years! 15 years? Does it take 15 years to become normal? I really don't think!"

Anjali fell silent for she had no answer to this. She might be overreacting but she just couldn't tolerate this attitude of him anymore. She made up her mind to speak to him once he got back home.

 

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"When's he coming back?" Lavanya asked for the umpteenth time.

 

 "I don't know, Lavanya and probably will never know until he knocks the door" said an exasperated Anjali who didn't understand why Lavanya asked the same question a million times even though she knew the answer she would get.

 

"I just wish he comes back early. I don't understand what sort of work he has that takes so much of his time. He owns the business and it's not like it's going to crash down any minute now. Why does he take so much stress?" Lavanya bantered.

 

Anjali smiled at the concern this young lady had for her brother but never had she been to explain the reason of why Arnav did what he did. First, he took a detour from their family business when his brains could have taken the business to the level of sky; second, he acted cold and unconcerned at the thought of it; third, he rarely spent any time with the family and got himself over loaded with work, work and only work and lastly, he really cared less about all the happenings. Though she partly knew why her brother had turned to be so cold, she had no idea of what he was facing every day.

 

"Lavanya, you know Arnav. So why bother about him when he is there to take care of himself? He knows what he is doing and if that is what that makes him happy then fine, let him go on...he will come back when he wants to," said Anjali as she smiled at her and taking the dish she prepared, she walked out of the kitchen, leaving behind a deeply in thought Lavanya.

 

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Wind gushed at his face, making the skin of this face that was left uncovered go raw pink, as he lunged forward into the ice, streaking down with all the might he had and pushing the ski poles deeper into the ice. He skidded down the ice in a tremendous speed which made the ice fly by as he streaked past them with a striking whoosh.

 

 His mind was alert, taking in the surroundings through his deep chocolate brown eyes, which cast a molten gaze on the ice, which rippled as though the heat was melting it into a puddle of water. His legs moved effortlessly through the sharp rocks that were blocking his way, threatening to tear him apart if made a mistake of getting on the wrong side. The snow blanketed his vision, yet, the mind didn't freak out, and the eyes didn't waver. It was calm, composed and confident and finally, he managed to glide to a halt at the foot of the mountain and threw the ski poles onto the ice, where it fell down with a dull thud.

 

Arnav removed his eye gear and jacket and fell headlong into the ice before getting up, picking up his skiing gear, and jumping back onto the cart that would escort him back to the top of the mountain from where he would ski back down for another time.

 

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