Chapter 85
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Finding Khushi
Part 19
Section 9
"Garima, we will have to arrange the money for Titliyaa's marriage soon, Nandkisore. And get the jewellery polished...", Buaji said, carefully picking a black grain from a heap of uncooked rice on a plate and throwing it away.
"Haan, Jiji. We will have to pledge Gomti Sadan...", Garima said, sighing.
Buaji nodded slowly. "There is no other way, Nandkisore! Such a good boy! Such a good family! And they like each other so much! Garima, I almost fainted when Arnav Babua gave me the papers to this house, Nandkisore!"
"Haan, Jiji. He is kind and good. We have to make sure that the wedding is up to their standards..."
Buaji nodded, setting the plate of rice aside.
Khushi, who had returned home to take her phone, stood listening to them, and then left without making a sound.
That evening, Khushi declared, "I am going to sell sweets, Buaji."
"Hein?", Buaji frowned. "In Arnav Bitwaa's house?"
Khushi laughed. "No. Here."
"Hai Re Nandkisore! Garima, your laadli's brain has flown out through the window... phuuurrr...", Buaji exclaimed.
"Khussi! Kaa bak rahi ho?", asked Garima.
Babuji looked at Khushi anxiously.
She smiled and said, "I asked Munshiji if I could work from 7 in the morning to 2 at noon, instead of 10 to 5 as I am supposed to. He said it was alright."
"So?", Buaji asked.
"Now I have half the day to spare, Buaji. I talked to Happyji & Bediji. They said I can use the space next to their garage just like we did before. But this time, I won't make many types of sweets, Buaji. I will make only one. And that too, only in small quantities, mainly for the devotees who come to the temple in Laxmi Nagar in the evening.", Khushi smiled.
"You will become a halwai, Nandkisore?", asked Buaji, her hand on her head.
"I am a halwai, Buaji." Khushi tied her thin towel around her head, and pranced about with a ladle. "I look like one, don't I, Babuji?"
Babuji smiled.
"And where will you get the money for your shop, hein?", Buaji asked.
"I have it, Buaji. From my salary.", Khushi reassured her.
"I have already told everyone in the neighbourhood. I want to start tomorrow, Buaji, Amma, Babuji, because it is Friday and many people come to see Devi Maiyya on Friday. So we should be able to do good business. Soon we can get back your bangle that we pledged to make sweets earlier, Buaji."
Buaji looked at Amma and Babuji.
"Acha? What does Arnav Babua think of this halwai plan of yours, Sanka Devi?", she asked.
"Nothing.", Khushi said.
"Nothing, Nandkisore?", Buaji asked sceptically.
Khushi laughed. "How can he think anything when he knows nothing about it?"
All gaped at her.
"I am going to tell him now.", she took her phone and went to her bedroom.
Buaji sank into a chair. "This girl will drive poor Arnav Babua crazy!"
"Arnavji, I am going to make jalebis.", Khushi declared.
Arnav blinked. "You are upset, Khushi?", he asked anxiously.
Khushi burst out laughing. "No, Arnavji. I am going to become a businessman like you. No, not a businessman, a businesswoman."
"Uughhh...?"
"I am going to start Satwik Mistaan Bhandaar near Bediji's garage.", she declared cheerfully.
"Khushi... why?", he finally asked.
Khushi sighed. "Arnavji, my job in the godown will come to an end in a couple of months. You see, I was employed to enter the details in the files in the godown on to spreadsheets. At the pace I am going now, the job will be over soon."
"We can advance our wedding, Khushi...", Arnav got in, hoping that she would say 'yes'.
Khushi laughed. "Why should we advance our wedding, Arnavji? I am having so much fun now.", she teased him.
"Khushi...", he warned her.
"You send me red roses regularly, call me many times every day, take me out in the evenings sometimes, buy me channa and ber, say such sweet, sweet things ... Why should I give up all this to marry you?", she teased him.
"Don't test my patience, Khushi...", he growled.
She laughed.
"Tum has rahi ho...? Haso. You can laugh as I am not in the same room with you. If I were, you wouldn't be laughing, Khushi...", Arnav drawled in his husky voice.
Khushi blushed.
She quickly gathered the remains of her dignity together, and declared, "Anyway, I don't want to sit at home doing nothing after we get married, Arnavji. So I thought I will start a sweetshop."
"Khushi, if you want to work, you can always join my office...", he offered.
"No, thank you. I have had enough of your files and laptops.", Khushi smiled.
"Khushi, I will arrange training for you. You can learn to design dresses...", Arnav offered.
Khushi burst out laughing. "Me! Chamkili! Designing dresses for the models!!!", she gasped. "No, no, Arnavji! That's too cruel! What do you have against your models? I have no sense of fashion..."
"Khushi, are you sure you want to start a sweetshop?", Arnav asked.
"Ji. I like making sweets.", she said.
"OK. Let Aman pick an upscale locality for you. We can decide on space for rent or purchase... employees to help you... Are you sure you don't want to do it in my office, Khushi? We can have your outlet in the canteen..."
"No, thank you, Arnavji. And I don't want you to disturb Amanji. I will do my business across the road from Buaji's house.", she said.
"Khushi...", Arnav protested.
"Arnavji, let me start small..."
"Let me fund you'"
"Let me do it on my own..."
"You don't have to do everything on your own...", Arnav said urgently.
"I know. I know, Arnavji, that when ever my step falters, you will be there to catch me.", she said, her sweet voice quelling the turmoil in his heart.
Arnav sighed. "Khushi, I miss you..."
Khushi smiled. "I miss you too, Arnavji, even though we meet daily. But... but I need the 5 months. Let me set up the shop. Let it start making a profit. Then I can work part-time there and Buaji & Amma can take over. It will give them a steady source of income even after you carry me away in the doli."
"Khushi, let me make a monthly allowance...", Arnav offered.
"No, Arnavji. They won't like it. The house that you bought for Buaji... even that was too much, according to them. This way is better. Let me do it.", Khushi pleaded.
Arnav sighed.
"Arnavji, Amanji called today. He said that you summoned Pamji & Simji to your office and shouted at them!", Khushi said slowly, not wanting to make him angry.
"I did."
"And... and that you dismissed them...", she said softly.
"I did. Nobody hurts you and gets away with it. They won't find a job in this industry in this country. I will see to it."
"Arnavji...", Khushi protested.
"No appeals in this regard will be entertained, Khushi...", Arnav Singh Raizada declared.
Khushi wisely kept silent.
A few weeks later, Arnav walked into Buaji's house at night to see Khushi counting money.
"I am going to be very rich, Arnavji.", she laughed, talking around the jalebi in her mouth. "Soon I will have to employ someone to count the money!", she joked.
Arnav smiled to see the childish glee on her face, and sat by her.
Khushi leaned over and kissed him soundly on his cheek.
Arnav looked at her, happy and surprised.
"I don't know how or why, Mr. Raizada, but many of your acquaintances & employees seem to be dropping in to buy sweets from me...", she quirked an eyebrow expecting an answer from him.
He hid a smile. Well, he had dropped in a word for her... And Aman had mentioned it to a few people... What could he do if his employees were a fan of her sweets?
"Mamiji's friends are giving me orders for their kitty parties. I am making prasad for Anjaliji & Nani's satsangs. And will you believe it, Arnavji? They are having satsangs daily these days!!!!", Khushi laughed into his eyes.
Arnav could not keep from chuckling.
"Nanheji came to buy sweets, bringing Jiju, Jiji, & Mamaji with him. Now only Hari Prakashji & Laxmiji are left!", she chuckled.
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