Chapter 2
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OS 2: Finding Khushi
"I am going out for lunch, Khushi.", Munshiji said. "I will get you the next batch of files when I return. You have your food and rest for a few minutes."
"Ji.", replied Khushi, over the noise of the radio that Munshiji switched on when he came to work in the morning and switched off only when he left in the evening.
"Dil Garden Garden Ho Gaya...", the radio sang.
It was company for them. Stuck in the godown filled with cabinets & racks of files, the elderly man and the young girl needed the company of the friendly voice on the radio, the songs, the news...
Khushi saved the entries she had made, shut down the laptop she had been given, and got up to wash her hands and face. Drying herself, she took out her lunch box from her bag, and sat down at a small table to have her meal.
Poori .. aaloo.. jalebi... Her favourite food. And Buaji had smuggled the sweet into the box to tempt her appetite. Because Khushi no longer ate well...
The radio played an advertisement for slimming tea.
She tore a piece of the poori and dipped it into the aloo curry. She stared at the food held in her fingers. She was not hungry. But if she didn't eat it, her Buaji would want to know why. She slowly brought it to her mouth.
Pehla Pehla Pyaar He..., the radio crooned. Khushi looked at it, startled.
Pehli Pehli Baar He...
Jaan Ke Bhi Anjaana
Kaisa Mera Yaar Hai...
Kaisa Mera Yaar Hai...
Her fingers dropped the morsel into her lunch box. She got up to switch off the radio. The last thing she needed right now was a pesky love song that gnawed at her heart strings ... The look in his eyes as he had walked towards her by the pool... the feel of his hand as he had cupped her cheek... the way her heart had felt as though it would shudder to a stop...
Two weeks without seeing him had done little to diminish the burn, the hurt, the pain of him sticking a knife in her heart and pushing it in... Pehla Pehla Pyaar! Love should be banned! Especially when the man you loved was spineless!
Her hand reached towards the radio.
"Khushi..." The whisper reached her over the music.
She froze.
She turned around slowly to see Arnav Singh Raizada standing in her congested office.
Uski Nazar, Palkon Ki Chilman Se Mujhe Dekhti, Uski Nazar...
Uski Nazar, Palkon Ki Chilman Se Mujhe Dekhti, Uski Nazar...
Her beautiful eyes... wide with shock... He felt his heart skip a beat before racing faster than his breath. His eyes ran all over her, storing everything he could see for future use and comfort. He clenched trembling fingers.
Uski Haya, Apni Hi Chaahat Ka Raaz Kholti, Uski Haya...
She looked away at the other occupants of the room... the tables, chairs, the old fan, the cabinets & racks with files, Munshiji's old umbrella hanging from the peg... She was in Kanshi Ram's godown... She pinched herself. No, she was not dreaming. She looked into his waiting eyes.
Chhup Ke Kare Jo Wafa, Aisa Mera Yaar Hai ...
Between them rose the ghosts of Khushi & Arnav on Diwali night, their lips on the verge of meeting... Khushi swallowed and looked away. Not again. No more. She had cried enough.
Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai ... Pehli Pehli Baar He...
"Aap? What are you doing here?", she took the initiative, making her voice businesslike.
Woh He Nisha, Woh Hi Meri Zindagi Ki Bhor Hai, Woh He Nisha...
Woh He Nisha, Woh Hi Meri Zindagi Ki Bhor Hai, Woh He Nisha...
Arnav swallowed at the closed look on her face.
"Di said that your phone is switched off.", he said, his husky voice doing unmentionable things to her spine and nerves. No. No, Khushi. No more tears for an unworthy man.
She straightened her spine, and looked him in the face.
"I am working." Her tone was casual.
Usse He Pata, Uske Hi Haathon Mein Meri Dor Hai, Usse He Pata...
"Nani called you at night. The phone was still switched off.", Arnav said.
"I return late from work.", she said.
Saare Jahan Se Juda, Aisa Mera Pyaar Hai...
"Di...", Arnav started.
"My work in your house is done. I have moved on to the next job.", she stated simply.
Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai, Pehli Pehli Baar He...
Arnav clenched his jaw. His eyes showered fury at her.
"How can you call it a job? After all the love and respect my family gave you...?"
Khushi smiled at him with pity.
"I took up the job unwillingly because Anjaliji threatened me."
Arnav stared at her.
"I am a Complan boy! I am a Complan girl!", the radio shouted.
"When I refused her offer of a job to train Lavanyaji, Anjaliji said that I would have to pay the 1 lakh I owed you the next morning or turn up at your house for the job."
Arnav felt his breath hitch.
"Why are you surprised? She is your sister, the sister of the great businessman, Arnav Singh Raizada, who is full of dimag..."
"Yeh Fevicol Ki Jod He...", said the radio.
"So, unable to pay the amount, majbooran, I came to your house to teach Lavanyaji. My job was to make Lavanyaji acceptable to Naniji. You did my job for me by proposing marriage to her in front of your guests." Her heart clenched in grief, but she pushed the pricking images away from her mind.
Arnav stared at her without blinking or breathing.
"Lavanyaji became acceptable to your Naniji on Diwali night. My job was done. There was no further need for me to come to your house. I was free of your contract. I could finally lead my own life. Which I am trying to do..." She indicated the room.
"Utterly, Butterly Delicious, Amul Butter!
Boss Ko Salaam, Subah Sham
To Pure Honge Saare Kaam..
Kyonki Makhan Se Chalti he Duniya...!", the radio informed employees.
"I suppose I should thank you. For my freedom...", Khushi said, her voice bland.
Arnav stood staring at her, unable to speak.
"Magar Chaap Machar Batti!", the radio listed its advantages.
"We may not meet again. So congratulations on your sagai and wedding. And good luck for your life ahead." Khushi smiled.
"Gale Mein Ho Kharash..Ya Band Naak...Vick Ki Ek Goli Lo..."
Arnav turned and walked away.
Khushi sank on the floor, her legs giving way, her eyes filling with tears...
"Women's Horlicks...", sang the radio. "Khud Par Yakeen Karne Lagi... Yeh Sach He Main Badal Rahi Hoon... Main Badal Rahi Hoon..."
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