Chapter 30

It had been two days since her uncelebrated birthday. It had been two days since she had broken down, wept relentlessly, calling for her friend to come back to her. It had been two days since Diya stopped speaking to her. It had been two days since Chris silently accepted her apology, understanding her better. It had been two days since she remembered her life time of pain, again. It had been two days since every memory of her Rinnie and her slaughtered her. It had been two painful days of loneliness, grief, longing...it had been two days...

 

Now she was back. In control, confident and keeping her emotions at bay. Chris was next to her, munching on croissants while they waited in the local cafe for the translator, Kishor to arrive. The previous day, Khushi had received a call from Amanda giving a green signal for their project. They were due to start in another two three days if all went well and the guy who they were supposed to meet didn't have any problem with the dates. Khushi just hoped whoever this person was he was ready for some ruggedness and rough journeys. She didn't want some so called sophisticated dude who refused to soil his pants. She would kick him if that was the case.

 

It was five twenty according to her watch and this Kishor guy was supposed to arrive at five thirty. Hopefully, he kept his time; she thought and turned to signal the waitress to get her an Irish coffee. At that moment, the bell chinked and the door opened. A handsome guy of around 25 years walked in. He was wearing dark washed jeans, a plain blue shirt and a casual jacket. Aviators and classic flip flops. A typical boy next door. His hair wasn't gelled, oh thank god! Khushi thought. She hated men wearing hair gel. Made their hair look like oily threads. She turned and gave Chris a smirk. The guy reached their table and asked in a pleasant voice, "Khushi?"

"Yes," she stood up, extending her hand, "Mr. Kishor?"

 

"Actually, it's Nandkishor," the guy replied, smiling, taking her hand in a polite handshake. Nandkishor, the name rang a bell. But Khushi couldn't quite place the familiarity. Hence, she let it go and introduced him to Chris, while she took her seat and motioned him to the same. Once they were all comfortable and ordered their stuff, they got down to business, "So Mr. Nandkishor, I am pleased to meet you. I have been informed that you are the chosen translator. How are you looking forward to working with us?"

"Please, call me NK," he smiled. Ooh...Casual and very charming, of course. Khushi's eyes were constantly making silent observations about the man in front of her. Not that she was interested in a fling or something, observing the guy for his hotness factor. Work comfort was very much important to her. If she was comfortable with the person and if the other person was comfortable with her, their work would be very easy without much hostility or annoyance. She was keen on achieving that with this man who was going to be very vital to them for the next couple of months. Any shoulder rubbing with this guy and he may seriously mistranslate some stuff which might lead them to a huge problem. She didn't want that to happen and so, she was treading very carefully with him, very anxious to maintain her sunshine image.

 

"You don't know how glad I am to have landed with this opportunity," he gushed, taking a sip of his coffee. "I am a major in linguistics and I was in California for almost a year, trying to land into various jobs to earn some decent money but nope, I wasn't lucky. This job is my big ticket and I am not willing to mess it up in any way. I am at your service for the next couple of months and I really happy to work with you guys."

"That's amazing!" now Khushi knew why this name was so familiar to her. This guy was Diya's language classmate back at the university and she was always telling about him to her. Too bad that she hadn't asked for a photograph or anything. It might have been very easy to recognise him. She smiled. This was going to be really good. "I was wondering why your name seemed really familiar to me. Now I know why."

"Why?" NK cocked his eyebrows in interest. "I am Diya's sister, Khushi," she replied smiling. NK's smile grew and he almost yelled, "Oh my god! It's you! Now I know why you seemed so familiar to me. I have seen your photograph. Your sister doesn't shut up about you. It's so good to finally meet the elusive researcher. I am double glad that I am going to be working for you."

"Pleasure is all ours," she replied, chuckling as NK got up and gave both of them a bear hug. He was this highly excited kid, according to her which made meeting him and including him in the project all the more delightful. Of course, Khushi had no idea who was supposed to accompany this dude to Western Ghats. But yeah, she was happy.

 

"So when are we starting?" NK asked, thrilled to jump the gun and take off to the Ghats. His enthusiasm was so contagious. Chris too smiled at him warmly before he started to explain everything. The terms were met and the dates were decided. In two days, they were ready to kick off the project and already, adrenaline was pumping in her, her heart was beating rapidly. She was going to Western Ghats- the green universe. Her mother nature was beckoning her to come fast and forget herself...               

 

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Arnav was packing his clothes. He was supposed to go the previous day to meet the researchers and get a briefing about the project but he was again, all time low. It was just three days since Chippu's birthday; he wasn't really in the mood to meet new people.         

 

Anjali came in with fresh laundered clothes and set it on his bed. She started helping him pack when NK came with a huge pack and dumped it on the floor, panting hard. He rubbed the sweat off his forehead with his sleeves and sat down on the floor to neatly pack everything again. Arnav chuckled at his state. Oh he was going to have real fun this time seeing NK struggle to trek, climb mountains, and take splashes in cold river water. He couldn't wait.

 

This was his much needed break. After everything that happened in the past couple of days, he was completely wired and this project had come like a blessing at the right time. Being amidst gurgling waters, towering mountains, soothing greens, Arnav always felt reinvigorated. The nature was always another thread that connected Chippu and him. She loved it. How he felt that she was there to enjoy all these with him. How he wanted her to be there. Only he didn't know that it was because of her that he was getting this chance. Only he didn't know that his Chippu was feeling the same now, thinking the same now.

 

"Bhai," NK asked, staring at the list of items that he was supposed to take with him. "Why the hell do we need so much of stuff?"

"What do you expect?" Arnav smirked, "you are going to be in the jungle, brother. No one will be having a hotel or a supermarket in the middle of the woods to welcome you. You need to be equipped with everything."

"I still can't believe you are a seasoned trekker," Anjali quipped. To say that she was shocked was an understatement. She was always under the impression that Arnav didn't like anything in the world except his work, his laptop and some really random English music that she had heard him play. But Arnav was totally ambiguous to her very opinion about his personality. That made her love him all the more.

 

Arnav smiled as he came and sat next to her, folding his t shirt, "You don't know a lot of things, Di," he smiled and ruffled her hair. Anjali smiled as she handed him the rest of his t shirts which he packed in his backpack. "You are going away for three months!" she exclaimed suddenly, scandalized. Arnav smiled, "Relax, Di!"

"But how am I going to be without you?" Anjali wondered aloud, using her hands to exaggerate the point. Always the drama queen, his sister- Arnav thought fondly. He gave her a hug and said, "Di, this holiday is very important for me. You are going to have Lavanya with you. She's going to make sure you won't die of boredom, so chill. I'll call you whenever I can, okay?"

Right on cue, Lavanya walked in, "he's right, Di!" she smiled as she handed him some set of movies. "You are going to forget about your brother while you are with me. I am going to make you watch all the sitcoms now. No escape."

 

Arnav rolled his eyes, "not that ridiculous Friends again! How can you even watch that thing? It is so damn boring!"

 

Lavanya flared, "oh hello! I am not asking you to watch. I'll watch and make Di watch and I am pretty sure she's going to love it. Unlike you, there are people who love shows like Friends, Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother!"

"I love Sherlock!" Arnav retorted, "Makes tremendous sense to me and I see no point in HIMYM at all. They ruined the ending."

"Will you shut up!" and this went on and on while NK and Anjali were staring from Lavanya to Arnav like spectators of rigorous tennis match. NK smiled fondly to see his bro and sister back to square one, being the awesome friends again. How much he had wished for this day, only he knew. Anjali too had the same thoughts running in her mind while the other two argued about some Sheldon Cooper or Sherlock Holmes or Joey Tribbiany or some Ted Mosby and Barney Stinson. Only they both knew what it meant.

 

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Khushi threw her luggage on the temporary luggage rack installed on the rental Range Rover. Chris was arranging all the equipment behind in the boot space. They were finally leaving in a few minutes and she couldn't wait. It was five thirty in the morning. They were supposed to pick the other two up from some Raizada Mansion as it was in the way they were travelling down south. NK had already called her twice, demanding to know when they were starting. Khushi already started to love this guy. He was amazingly zealous and very energetic. She was really looking forward to this.

 

Diya too had forgiven her sister in the prospect of her disappearing for another three months. She was still sulking though, that her best friend too was going away for three months only after 2 days he was back. NK had come to their house the previous night, had a blast with Diya and the rest and they had even gone to have roadside dinner with him.

 

"I am going to miss you, Di" she hugged her fiercely. She held her tightly in arms, kissing her forehead and revelling in her presence before she would start to miss her terribly. She had this idea of taking Diya with her but her school where she was working as a language teacher didn't grant her permission. Screw them! Khushi thought scornfully. Her dad too gave her a huge hug and asked her to take care. Only people missing were of course, her mother, her aunt and her sister. They were incredibly happy that she was disappearing for three months and didn't think it was important to forgo their sleep to say her goodbye. And Payal, she had returned really late owing to the work and shows she had got due to walking for AR and she would explode if someone blew her sleep. Even her dad thought it was best to leave her alone. Still, Khushi felt really sad. But she didn't let it get into her head. She had other matters to worry about.

 

Chris hugged Diya and said, "Bye dynamite. See you in a few months," and he clasped her father's hand in respect, "Take care, sir. It was a pleasure knowing you and thank you for letting me stay in your home."

"Pleasure was mine, young man," her father gave him a hug which pleasantly surprised him, "take care of my daughter."

"Of course, sir," he smiled and off they went, racing in their Range Rover. The forests of Western Ghats were waiting for them and their first major stop was Matheran.

 

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Insistent honking made Anjali come out to the foyer. NK's friends were here to pick NK and Arnav up. But they both were having their breakfast. Anjali had absolutely refused to let them leave the house without having anything and reluctantly, they gave in.

 

"Please come in," she smiled at the two, "they are having breakfast."

"Oh, that's fine," the guy in the shotgun replied, "let them finish. We'll wait here."

"No, no," she shook her head, "please come in and have some coffee at least," Anjali insisted. The guy looked at his friend and after a while, they got down from the car. The girl was extremely pretty. Beautiful without effort, Anjali noted. She was in cargos and black round neck t shirt that said WILD. Her hair was braided neatly and her face was devoid of any make up. She just wore silver earrings and a fastrack adventure series watch. The very same that her brother was currently wearing. What caught Anjali's eyes were the shoes. Expensive Nikes, black and fluorescent green which looked every bit a guy's taste. She was surprised to see a woman who hardly cared about her appearance. A complete tom boy. The guy too was similarly dressed. Beige cargos and a cream t shirt that had a picture of a bird on it. Were all research people like this, Anjali wondered as she introduced herself.

 

"I am Chris McKinley," the guy said. He had a friendly smile, a healthy tanned body and very infectious attitude. The girl was the same. Khushi, she introduced herself. She was totally defining her name, Anjali smiled as she led them into their home. Both of them looked around impressively but that awe didn't last too long. It was as though they didn't care about status or richness. Anjali was liking them more and more each passing second.

 

NK was standing near his chair, stuffing his paratha into his mouth. Anjali smiled as she went to him and made him sit on the chair again, "Relax they are here. You people will leave only after they have had some coffee."

 

She turned to Khushi and Chris, "please make yourselves at home," they were about to join the table when Khushi's eye caught someone rapidly climbing down the stairs with a backpack in his hands. Their fourth companion. Khushi was very curious to meet him. NK had absolutely refused to give any details to them about who he was so the mystery had been too much.

 

Only Khushi didn't know her curiosity was going to culminate at a big shock.

 

Arnav skidded to a halt near the foot of the stairs. His backpack fell out of his hand as his eyes met the furious ones of the designer girl. She was looking at him as though he had run her through with a sword. His expressions weren't any less dramatic but they were a lot more pleasing. He was pleasantly shocked that the woman whom he was desperate to found was actually standing in front of him in his house. But hey, what exactly was she doing here?

 

Khushi stared at him, unblinkingly. It was as though destiny was playing a cruel joke on her. She had been tested at every single point in her life. Every time, she endured all the challenges thrown at her. She tolerated. But this was the limits in her eyes. To break open the inner sanctum of her precious temple of nature to someone like the man in front of her, against whom her heart, on its own accord, had fortified itself from all the volleys of insult he threw at her, was unbearable. After that force he demonstrated out of sheer anger  the other day, she had a very disgusting image of him in her  mind. He was someone who raided her peace and made it a mush of trials and battles. He was someone who rigged the sail of her ship to a tempest. How could she remain mum about the prospect of him accompanying them to the purest form of devotion she had. She could never forgive herself if she kept quite. Her anger steadily rose as she eyed the person in front of her and bit out in utter contempt,  "So you are the person who is going to join us?" she asked incredulously. Chris turned around and his jaw literally dropped down.

 

It was then he noticed the words on her t shirt, WILD and it clicked. This woman was the researcher. She was not a designer. No wonder all his searches met a dead end.

 

"He is the guy from the fashion show!" the guy said out of nowhere. "Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada!"

"Yeah," Arnav was bewildered but extended his hand for a polite handshake nonetheless. Chris took it but the momentary awe in his voice and his face had vanished the next second.

 

"This is Khushi by the way," the guy said, "and I am Chris."

"Hey," Arnav smiled. NK soon joined him and when he saw the look on Khushi's face, he smirked and said, "that's exactly why I didn't want to tell you guys who was accompanying me. I love to see the look on the faces when people come face to face with the daddy of the fashion world. It is priceless."

 

But Khushi wasn't awed. She was annoyed beyond explanation, "Great! Now my project is officially ruined!"

 

Arnav did a double take. Was she actually telling that he was the reason that ruined her peace on his face? Yeah she probably did. But NK seemed to understand it in a different way, "Hey, hey. Just because he's in the fashion world doesn't mean he doesn't know anything about trekking and stuff. He's an ace in all that. He's probably the most experienced among all of us. You'll be really glad he is joining us."

"Glad?" Khushi snapped, "I hate this man!"

"Excuse me?" Arnav raised his eyebrows, "you are talking to the managing director of AR group. Mind your tongue."

"What if I don't?" Khushi put her hands on her hips. The atmosphere suddenly had gone dead silent. There was not even a breeze while everybody else was staring at this woman who had the guts to stand up to him even though she was practical stranger. It was a record. It hadn't happened in almost, ever!

 

"What exactly is your problem, woman?" Arnav almost yelled, "This is the scenario with us every time we come across each other!"

"Oh you should tell me what exactly is the problem because you have the most stinking attitude in the world!" she screamed, poking him in the chest. Arnav stared at her wide eyed. The others just forgot how to breathe.

"I have the most stinking attitude?" he roared, "what about you!"

"Oh, lemme think!" Khushi was on a roll, "I don't kiss people forcefully to stop them from proving a point. You do that!"

 

That was it. The truth hit Arnav like a mountain in his guts. Of course, she had a problem with that. Nobody ever kissed a woman forcefully and got away with it. But hey, she responded to him. "Okay, I kissed you in the middle of the street to prove my power but you responded back! What was that?"

 

Khushi looked stumped. She had no retort for this but she knew she wasn't wrong, "You are not coming with us. I am not ready to jeopardise my whole project for a douche like you. That's it!" and she walked away.

Arnav turned to NK, "Do you f**king believe that?"

 

But neither NK nor anyone had any answer to that. They were just staring at Arnav as though he had grown horns.