Chapter 2

Anjali opened the door and smiled at the people in front of her. It had been ten long years since she had seen them all and she welcomed them inside. She bent down and touched the feet of her elders and then hugged the two girls with them. Finally, she smiled shyly at the young man who entered last.

"Anjali beta, it's so nice to see you after so many years. You've grown into such a beautiful young woman. Amit and Asha would have been proud to see you like this."

Garima finished with tears in her eyes as her husband moved his hand slowly and patter her shoulder. Khushi looked at Anjali whose eyes had momentarily lost its sparkle, before she restored it hastily.

"Yes aunty. But I know that they're watching us from above and looking out for us always."

Khushi smiled at her and felt proud of her strong attitude. She turned towards Payal, who was looking around the house and she smiled inwardly. She threw a glance at Satvik who shook his head in exasperation and then proceeded to put her sister out of her misery.

"Anjali di, where is everyone else?"

"Mama, Mami and Akash should be down any minute. I think Chote's in his room. Probably buried in his office work."

Khushi was puzzled by this last statement. Arnav was buried in office work? Sure it had been ten years since they had last met but she had expected him to come down and greet them at least.

She saw Payal sit up straight and looked up to see three people walking down the stairs. She instantly recognized Manohar mama and Manorama mami and figured that the young man next to them was probably Akash. She had last seen him when he was a short, plump little boy who was so shy that he barely spoke to anyone. He and Payal would sit quietly with the elders as she and Arnav would create chaos and drive everyone nuts with their antics. She smiled fondly at the memories and once more she felt inclined to go and find him out.

Life had changed drastically in the last few years and she knew that Arnav and Anjali had lost their parents shortly after Arnav's eleventh birthday. She was in Lucknow at that time and she would have visited them but fate had other plans. Her own life had consequently spiraled out of control along with her cousins Payal and Satvik. As much as she wanted to meet Arnav and Anjali, she had been forced to wait till the time was right. And that time happened to be a good ten years down the line. They had all come here to ask for Anjali's hand in marriage. But before anything was moved forward, Satvik had asked his father to let him speak to Anjali once and explain the situation to her.

"How have you been Anjali?"

"Fine."

Anjali nodded shortly and continued to prepare the tea. She had initially been very happy to see him but it was soon replaced with anger and sadness. Why hadn't he come when she needed him the most? When she was so young and had suffered so much, where had he been?

"Anjali, I know you're very upset and I don't blame you. I'm really sorry I couldn't be here when... But I want to explain why. We were in Lucknow at that time. Shortly after we heard the news about Amit uncle and Asha aunty, we were attacked. Goons hired by our rival company had burnt down the factory and had raided our house. We were taken completely unawares by the attack. It was terrible and..."

Anjali looked at Satvik, her heart had started beating erratically and she had a very uneasy feeling in her stomach. She implored him to continue and he gulped heavily before letting the blow fall.

"... Babuji was severely injured and our whole house was torn down. But the worst part was that we lost Karthik chachu and Malini chachi in the riot.

Anjali gasped and felt her throat tightening. Tears had started to form in her eyes and she felt terribly guilty for bearing a grudge against Satvik for so many years.

"We lost all our business and money that day. Babuji was in the hospital for around six months, recovering from external and internal injuries. Amma had to look after Payal and Khushi while I searched for a job. I really wanted to come to you Anjali, but I couldn't and I'm very sorry about that. I had to wait till I had recovered what we had lost as well."

"Satvik, I'm so sorry. So much happened and we didn't have a clue. Here I was thinking you had forgotten me and didn't want me in your life-"

Satvik wiped away her tears and slowly took her hand in his.

"Why would you even think something like that? I had to work not only to support my family but to establish myself so that I could ask for your hand in marriage. I love you Anjali. I always have and I always will."

She hugged him tightly and sobbed quietly into his chest. She was so relieved that he had come back. But then a thought struck her.

"Khushi? How was she able to..."

Satvik smiled sadly at her.

"I can't even begin to tell you about her. She's such a strong girl. My poor Khushi, she suffered so much but she never gave up. She kept encouraging me and she made sure that she and Payal completed their education. She's such a brave girl, Anjali. I'm so proud of-"

...

Khushi walked up the stairs towards the third floor. Arnav's room had been by the poolside and she guessed that it was probably still the same one. She looked inside hesitantly and was startled by the change. Arnav had never been a very exuberant or lively child but his room had always been warm and welcoming. Now it seemed like she was stepping into a cold and emotionless box which seemed to be full of a very strange and distant feeling.

Her eyes fell on a tall figure standing near the poolside. His back was facing her and she studied the broad shoulders, stiff with tension, the clenched fists and lean frame which was rigid and quite intimidating.

This definitely wasn't Arnav.

She was about to leave when the young man turned around. Her breath hitched as she took in the sight before her. Closely cropped hair with razor sharp edges, strong jaw line, mouth set in a firm line and eyes blazing with an indefinable emotion. He was so handsome yet so frightening. He looked her over once and clenched his jaw tighter. She could see him getting more angry and finally managed to let out a barely audible response to his frightening gaze.

"A-Arnav?"

His eyes narrowed and his brow furrowed. He took two steps towards her and gave her an even more menacing look.

"It's Khushi. I-I know it's been many year, but don't you remember me?"

A momentary shock flickered in his eyes before it was replaced with fury.

"I'm sorry I didn't visit you in all these years. I heard about Asha aunty and Amit uncle. I'm really sorry Arnav. I know how you feel. I-"

"Just shut up!"

...

Anjali looked up, startled at the shout from upstairs. She looked at Satvik and they both hurried towards the source of the noise.

"You think you can turn up after all these years and then tell me that you understand?! What the hell do you think of yourself Khushi Kumari Gupta? How dare you say something like that? You and your god damned -"

"Chote!"

Arnav looked towards the door to see his sister standing there, a shocked expression on her face. Next to her stood a man with an equally puzzled look. Arnav clenched his jaw before addressing the man.

"Why the hell have you come back after so many years? Where were you when Di needed you? Coward! You ran away and left her to face everything! Well you and your bloody sister can go to hell!"

Anjali took a few quick strides and slapped her little brother. He looked at her, hurt and betrayal swimming in his eyes. She then went towards Khushi and gently took hold of her shoulders. She had been listening to all this while tears had silently started falling down her cheeks. Anjali saw Arnav make a slight movement and spoke to him coldly.

"Chote, I have tolerated this behavior of yours for too long. You cannot speak to people like that and just jump to conclusions."

"But Di, I-"

"If you had let Khushi speak you would have known why she said she understood."

"Oh please Di. I don't want to hear her stupid excuses. I-"

"You would have known that Karthik uncle and Malini aunty were killed by hired goons the day after we lost Mumma and Papa in the plane crash."

Arnav's heart stopped beating for a second as her words started sinking in. He looked at Khushi and cringed at the sight of her trying her best to control her tears and failing to do so. He turned towards his sister who gave him a disappointed look and led Khushi out of the room.

He banged his fist on the wall next to him and silently cursed himself for his terrible outburst.

...

"I'm so sorry Khushi. I didn't know and you... you must be feeling terrible. I can't tell you how sor-"

"It's ok Anjali di. Please don't worry about it. You all had no idea about what had happened and it was always going to be difficult to give you the news. I'm fine. Really. Don't worry."

She smiled brightly and hugged Anjali. Even though she hadn't shown it outside but her heart had sunk during Arnav's outburst. What had happened to him? It was like he was a completely different person.

"Umm... Anjali di? Can I ask you something? What's happened to Arnav?"

Anjali looked at her sadly and told her about how her loving, little brother had changed completely after their parents' death. Manohar mama had just started his business and it was very difficult for him to provide for all of them. Amidst the struggle, Arnav had become cold and aloof, immersing himself in his studies and soon he had taken over from Mamaji. In a matter of months, he had transformed it into a highly successful company.

"And now, less than two years after taking over from Mamaji, he's become Delhi's most successful young business man. Sure we have an abundance of wealth now but we have lost our Chote."

Anjali finished speaking wistfully and made her way out of the kitchen Khushi couldn't believe what she had heard and tried her best to not break down right there. How could this happen to him? Her best friend who was so mischievous and loving? How could he become a cold and ruthless businessman?

Khushi was stressed and decided to do what she always did when she was stressed-Make jalebis. She was about to search for the ingredients when she saw Arnav enter the kitchen.

He had taken off his coat and had loosened his tie. His eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness and she realized that he probably wanted to apologize for earlier. She waited eagerly for him to speak but he said nothing. He continued to stare at her, looking away occasionally and clenching his jaw in frustration.

Khushi's heart fell as she understood that this new Arnav would not be able to apologize to her. She sighed and spoke to him as normally as she could.

"Listen, about earlier, let's forget about it. You didn't know about what happened and I don't feel bad about what you said. Ok?"

She looked at him enquiringly but his expression didn't waiver. There was no regret, no relief and absolutely no hint of softness in his features. Khushi felt utterly disheartened and turned around to take the flour container out of the cupboard. It was on the top most shelf and she had to get on her toes to bring it down. But sadly she lost her grip and the container fell, emptying its entire contents on her. Her eyes closed as soon as the flour fell on her and she stumbled backwards, colliding with a shelf and successfully knocking off a second container which tipped a sticky liquid all over her.

Her eyes shot open and she saw Arnav gaping at her. She could feel the liquid dripping down her face and she dipped her finger in it and proceeded to taste it.

Her eyes grew wider as she recognized the taste and squealed in delight.

"Gud!"

In her excitement to taste the jaggery rolling down her cheeks and nose, she had forgotten all about Arnav. Her attention was brought back to him when she heard a strange noise. She looked around and was shocked to see him clutching his stomach and writhing in uncontrollable laughter, tears of mirth streaming down his face.

The various noises had brought the rest of the people into the kitchen and they couldn't believe what they were seeing.

Anjali was the first to recover and she searched about for the source of her Chote's uncharacteristic laughter. Her eyes fell on Khushi and she burst into giggles while the rest of the family chuckled at the sight of her.

Khushi however was oblivious to all of this. She could ee only that one person before her, who had seemingly changed into someone completely alien to his former self. All her initial disappointment was washed away as a big smile formed on her face.

I know you're still down there somewhere, Arnav. And I'm going to get you back. That's Khushi Kumari Gupta's promise to you.

...

Do like and comment. Next chapter either tomorrow or Sunday 😉

Chapter Three