Chapter 45

"See? I told you Lavs - all you had to do was just talk to Uncle."

 

Lavanya rolled her eyes. "Okay fine. You were right, happy? But to be honest, it wasn't the talking that did it."

 

"Say whatever you want, but I know that's what changed his mind."

 

It was a sunny Saturday morning in Delhi, where Khushi was out for brunch with her best friend on the excuse of finally meeting Aman. While Khushi was excited to see the boyfriend Lavanya was madly in love with, she was happier to notice the changes the latter seemed to have undergone. Again.

 

Lavanya was back to her ostentatious outfits and dolled-up looks. Except for the black-rimmed glasses still adorning her eyes, there wasn't even a shred of evidence that she was the same dejected, but still determined woman Khushi had met in the mall six months ago.

 

It seemed Lavanya had come a long way from being at the brink of losing everything she held dear.

 

"No Khush, Aman changed his mind."

 

Khushi paused. Despite the prospect of meeting the still-yet-to-arrive Aman, the topic of their discussion was about something else entirely. As surprising as it sounded, they had actually spent the last half hour talking about Anand Kashyap, Lavanya's stern father who was strongly against her relationship, until two days ago when he had finally consented.

 

Of course when Khushi first heard the news, she was sure Lavanya was joking, but now seeing the absolute joy in her best friend's face, she knew it was nothing less than the truth.

 

"What do you mean?" she asked.

 

"Remember my show last week?"

 

Khushi nodded. It was Lavanya's first big break. The fashion designer she had been working with for the past six months decided to include some of Lavanya's own designs in the show, a feat that was nothing less than remarkable.

 

"Well, it was an eventful day. Armaan, my boss, had to take care of some personal things -which I personally think was just an excuse for him to sneak off to his girlfriend- so he dumped all the work on my head. I had to get up at four in the morning to get everything ready-"

 

Khushi's eyes widened. "Princess Lavanya woke up before sunrise?"

 

"Shut-up," she muttered. "But yes! Before sunrise! Can you believe it?! And obviously everything that could go wrong, went wrong. The stupid event manager mixed up the hall we booked, the stage had all the wrong decor and the models... urgh! Don't even get me started on them!"

 

Khushi snorted. "Of course you would have a problem with the models."

 

"Hilarious. But for your kind information, one of those stuck up snobs actually ripped one of the dresses! I panicked so much that I fainted right before the show."

 

"What?!"

 

Lavanya nodded. "I was running around on an empty stomach all day. And with all the chaos backstage, I didn't even get two minutes to grab a bite. You can hardly blame me consi-"

 

"Why didn't you tell me?" Khushi asked, livid. While she had attended the show, and congratulated her on its success, she was unaware of this particular detail. 

 

"Because it was nothing. And more than that, Aman already did both his and your share of yelling, so I didn't see the point of telling you."

 

"Aman? He was there at the show?"

 

Lavanya nodded. "Apparently when I told him Armaan made me in charge of everything, he was confident that something like this would happen, so he was there backstage the whole day, watching me."

 

Khushi stared at her, unable to believe her ears.

 

"So obviously, he saw me faint and called the doctor right away. After an hour of scolding and making sure I ate three days worth of food, he let me go back for the show."

 

"Wow... I mean I know you have been together for years now, but he really does love you. A lot."

 

Lavanya sighed. "All of it is so weird... I know he loves me, but seeing it like this and more than that feeling it. I never thought our long distance was a problem, but now I get it... There is so much of him that I don't know, and the more I understand him, the more I love him."

 

Khushi smiled. "So is that what you told Uncle?"

 

"Kind of...  when I went home that night, Papa came to me, which was very surprising since we hadn't talked in weeks."

 

"What did he want?"

 

"He asked me if I really did love Aman, if I really did see a future with him. And of course, I said yes. And I told him how he took care of me at the show as proof."

 

"And?"

 

Lavanya took a deep breath. "And Papa looks at me -calmly- and says, "I know"."

 

Khushi scrunched her eyebrows, not following her point.

 

"Turns out, Papa was there at the show too. He came early to wish me luck -apparently he couldn't miss my first big break, no matter how much he disapproved of it- when he saw Aman carrying me to a quiet place. He obviously followed us and the rest is history."

 

"That's what changed his mind?"

 

"I know. Can you believe it?" Lavanya said, shaking her head. "All this time, he only needed to see was that Aman could take care of me, and there I was, banging my head over how to convince him."

 

Khushi snorted. "Unbelievable."

 

"Tell me about it... I am still in shock."

 

"So I guess in the end, it was a good thing that Armaan decided to sneak off to see his girlfriend."

 

Lavanya stared at her, a strange expression hovering on her face. "Or maybe it was a good thing that I listened to Arnav and took those invitations that day we went shopping."

 

Khushi tried to keep a straight face. "What do you mean?"

 

"Because if I didn't end up going to that party, I would never even have met Armaan, forgetting handling his show."

 

"Of course you would," she replied nonchalantly. "You are talented Lavs."

 

Lavanya stubbornly crossed her arms. "So you are still going to keep lying to me then?"

 

"I don't know what you are talking about."

 

"I know both of you sent me to that party on purpose, even though I told you very clearly that I wanted to do this on my own."

 

Khushi sighed, defeated. "Fine. If you want me to confess, then yes, I knew those invitations were to an after party of a fashion show."

 

"How-"

 

"But," Khushi interrupted, holding up her hand. "It wasn't my idea to send you there. Arnav came up with that all by himself - so blame him. And while you are at it, you can also blame him for thinking that going to that party is more meaningful for an upcoming and talented fashion designer, than two nerds who only care about the shares of AR Designs. I know - it was a stupid thought, but I have stopped questioning his logic a long time ago."

 

Lavanya shook her head. "You really are crazy Khush."

 

She grinned sheepishly. "And you still love me."

 

"Apparently. But honestly, thank you. It may be Arnav's idea, but I know he did it for you."

 

Khushi smiled, relieved. "Just for the record, you would have still gotten your first break as a designer, even if you didn't go that party."

 

"I know, but I am still thankful," she replied. "And to return the favor, I decided I am going to design your wedding outfit."

 

She rolled her eyes. "You were going to do that anyway."

 

Lavanya smirked. "Yeah, but now I have an excuse that you can't refuse."

 

"Says who? I am still going to refuse."

 

"Stop being such a spoil sport! It's your wedding - show some excitement!"

 

Khushi gloomily picked up her almost empty coffee cup. "What's there to be excited about?"

 

"I am serious. By the way where's your ring? Your brother is okay with you and Arnav, right? So why aren't you still wearing it?"

 

She glanced at her bare fingers, but didn't offer an explanation.

 

"You know I still haven't even seen it yet."

 

"I will whatsapp you a picture of it," Khushi muttered. "If you promise to stop pestering me after that."

 

Lavanya frowned. "I am pestering you because you already said yes. How do you think Arnav is going to feel when he realizes that you aren't wearing his ring?"

 

"He already knows - the ring is still with him."

 

"What?"

 

Khushi let out a sigh. "I am not ready Lavs-"

 

"To get married or to tell the world about it?"

 

"Both! I am only twenty-six for crying out loud! I haven't even saved enough money to buy myself a small apartment - what on earth makes you think I am ready for marriage?"

 

"You have a job-"

 

"In a company that half the city doesn't even know exists!" she interrupted heatedly, her patience vanishing. "You know me better Lavs... I spent my entire life preparing for a big career. And now, when it's time for me to actually start building it, I am supposed to settle down? How is that ever going to be okay? If I am not happy with myself, how can I make someone else happy?"

 

"No one is asking you to give up your dreams Khushi, least of all Arnav, who probably wants them to happen as much as you do. The point is accepting the fact that you love him, not just to him, but to everyone."

 

"And do you know what's going to happen once I do? The moment I put that ring on, everyone is going to start treating me like Arnav Singh Raizada's fiance."

 

"Why is that such a bad thing?"

 

"Because he is freaking Arnav Singh Raizada!"

 

"Khu-"

 

"You don't get it Lavs! I don't love him because he is rich or he is successful. I love him because he makes me be a better person. But not everyone knows that. And when word gets out that we are engaged, not even a single person is going to hesitate reducing me to a greedy, materialistic girl."

 

"You don't know that."

 

"Maybe I don't. But what I do know is that if I marry him without earning myself a place, then everything I do after will be because I am married to him. And the last thing I want in my life is to be called someone's trophy wife!"

 

Silence followed her outburst. While Lavanya stared at her, slightly aghast, Khushi looked down at the table, wishing she had avoided this conversation altogether. She wasn't really expecting her friend to understand her inhibitions.

 

"Look," Lavanya finally said. "I know how important your ambitions are to you. But I also know how much you both love each other. People will talk as much as they like, but as long as you know who you are, no one can label you."

 

Khushi was quiet.

 

"Yes, Arnav is rich and successful; he comes from a very affluent family. But so do you. You are his equal in every sense."

 

"Maybe one day I will be, but not today."

 

"And what about Arnav?" Lavanya pressed. "How long are you going to make him wait until you find yourself good enough to get married?"

 

To that, Khushi had no answer.

 

"I know he is patient, but that doesn't mean you can be unfair with him. It's not his fault he is a Raizada."

 

"I am not blaming him-"

 

"But you are definitely punishing him. And I don't think he deserves that."

 

Khushi knew Lavanya was just being honest, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel she was being partial. What was so wrong in waiting for a bit? She, Khushi, never said she didn't want to ever get married.

 

Before she could voice any of that, however, an unexpected voice spoke:

 

"Sorry I'm late guys."

 

Khushi froze, the blood draining from her face. She could recognize that voice from anywhere, though at that moment, it belonged to someone she wasn't quite ready to meet.

 

It was Lavanya who answered. "Typical Akash... always late to everything."

 

To Khushi's utter surprise, Lavanya stood up and hugged Akash, who appeared to have changed dramatically since the last time they met. While his eyes were still framed by glasses, a noticeable stubble covered his jaw. His usually well-kept hair was ruffled and his once handsome face was gaunt. It seemed as if he had suddenly aged ten years.

 

"I don't know what you are talking about," Akash cheekily replied, taking a seat in between them. "I am not the one who always misses first period because I need more time to get ready."

 

Lavanya rolled her eyes. "At least I am not as sloppy looking as you! What is with the beard?"

 

He absent-mindedly rubbed his chin. "Apparently painters need to look soulful... so I thought I should drop the good boy image."

 

"That's the dumbest thing I ever heard! You have been clearly hanging out with the wrong crowd."

 

"What can I say?" Akash answered with a shrug. "Not everyone is as talented as Lavanya Kashyap."

 

She nodded approvingly. "That's a valid point. But seriously, get rid of the beard. You look soulful enough without appearing like a forty-year-old man! By the way I forgot to introduce you both. Akash, this is my friend Khushi and Khushi, this is Akash."

 

Khushi looked up startled, almost furious to hear Lavanya's sarcasm. The situation was awkward enough without her biting comments.

 

 "What?" she asked feigning innocence. "Since you two were acting like strangers, I thought you might have forgotten about each other."

 

"It's not funny Lavs," Khushi muttered, avoiding Akash's eye.

 

"I know it's not," she answered, serious. "But given how childishly both of you are behaving, I don't know what else to make of this."

 

Khushi pressed her lips.

 

Lavanya continued. "It's been almost a year since both of you broke up -mutually might I add- and moved on. So why are you still acting like bitter enemies?"

 

Akash intervened. "Lavanya-"

 

"If you are going to defend her or yourself," she interrupted. "Then save it! I don't know what you both are upset about, but whatever it is, it is not going to disappear on it's own. I am tired of being stuck between you both. So do me a favor and just talk it out."

 

Collecting her bag, she stood up to leave. "Aman is meeting both of you for dinner tonight and I hope you guys will show up like my best friends, instead of two cut-up ex's. I will text you the address."

 

And she left without another word.

 

Khushi watched her retreating back, wondering when the carefree Lavanya became so responsible.

 

"I never thought I would see Lavs like that," Akash murmured.

 

"Tell me about it."

 

He let out a sigh and looked down at his clasped hands on the table. It seemed, like her, even he didn't know what to say. Khushi didn't blame him. After everything they had been through, she was sure there was nothing they could say.

 

Akash cleared his throat. "Erm... I am not sure where to start."

 

"It's fine," she mumbled, awkward. "I know Lavanya forced you to come-"

 

"Actually she didn't."

 

Khushi looked up, amazed.

 

"I asked her if all of us could meet up again, just like old times. I don't know what she told you though"

 

"She said Aman wanted to meet me here."

 

Akash grimly nodded, his thoughts obvious: he wasn't expecting her to have come otherwise.

 

So, she quickly added, "But it was pointless. I would have come even if she told me the truth."

 

"You would?"

 

His surprised pinched her deeply. "At some point, we were friends... best friends."

 

"Were? Or we are?"

 

Khushi stared at him, trying to understand what he was getting at. In truth, she wasn't angry with him. No, as she explained to Arnav months ago now, she had no hard feelings for Akash at all. She wronged him in so many ways that she had lost the right to be mad at him.

 

But she wasn't sure what to expect from him. After he violently stormed out on her that day, she kept her distance from him, simply because she didn't know how he would react. Would he forgive her for feeding him lies during their brief relationship? Would he resent her for moving on so quickly to his brother, who incidentally was also the nemesis he tried forever to overcome? Or would he pretend as if nothing happened?

 

It had been impossible to guess any of these answers. So, instead she simply accepted his cold shoulder as both his punishment and her way of repentance.

 

"I know I really wasn't at my best the last time we met," Akash said in a guilt-ridden voice. "And I would understand if you didn't want to forgive me after everything that has happened since, but I am sorry."

 

Khushi was stunned. Of all the possibilities she thought of, he apologizing was not one of them. "Why are you-"

 

"I should have been there that day Khushi, when your mother passed away. I should have know what you were going through and I should have been there for you."

 

She looked down at her lap. While she had long surpassed the grief that clouded her upon Garima's demise, she was still yet to be immune. And judging by her progress, she seriously doubted if she would ever be. There were just some things in life that time couldn't heal and losing a parent was one of them.

 

"I am very, very sorry," he finished softly.

 

Khushi took a deep breath. "It's fine... you didn't know. You couldn't have known."

 

"But that's my point. Dating or not, the truth is I wasn't a good enough friend... at least for you to share your pain with me."

 

She felt odd to hear that. "It wasn't about being good enough Akash. You are a great friend and a great boyfriend. The fault was all mine."

 

He shook his head. "I knew you didn't love me Khushi. I knew it for pretty much the entire time we were together. I just thought that maybe after going out with me, you would change your mind and see me differently."

 

She averted her eyes, remembering how much she wished for the same at one point.

 

"But the thing is, you can't force someone to love you... between two people it either works, or it doesn't. There is no in-between. I should have just accepted that, instead of dragging both of us into a big mess."

 

"It wasn't your fault," she replied, earnest. "Believe it or not, I was trying to make "us" work too... or I thought I was anyway. And for what it's worth, I didn't give up until I had to."

 

Akash shrugged. "It doesn't matter anymore... we both made our choices, so we should just move on."

 

She gingerly stretched her hand out to hold his. "I know it doesn't matter, but I want you to know that I never stopped caring for you and I never will. I know it's pretty rough between you and Arnav, but believe me, that had nothing to do with us. I didn't choose him over you, and I definitely don't think he is better than you."

 

"I know," he murmured, with a weak smile. "It actually didn't take me long to realize that my problem wasn't with the fact that you fell in love with another man, but it was that that man was my brother, who everyone has been comparing me with since day one. And the moment I understood that, my anger at you became pointless."

 

"Aka-"

 

"The thing is," he continued, not letting her speak. "You were always going to fall in love Khushi. If not with my brother, than with someone else. If not today, then at some point in the future. But what remains unchanged is that it won't be with me... ever."

 

She didn't know what to say.

 

"And I'm okay with that. Like I said, two people either work or don't. There is no in-between. So I know you didn't choose Bhai over me, because there is no "me" to even begin with. You love him; you always did and you always will."

 

Khushi couldn't help but be touched. "Thank you," she said softly. "For understanding, for taking the first step... if it was up to me, we would still not be talking."

 

"And thank you for being the closest friend I ever had. I know things may not ever go back to the way they were, but I want to at least try. I really do miss having you in my life."

 

"I miss you too. It just doesn't feel right not having you constantly being the voice of reason in my ears."

 

Akash grinned. "You are lucky Lavs is not here."

 

Khushi snorted. "I love her to death and all, but reason and Lavs are two opposite things. And I think she figured that out my now."

 

Before he could reply, however, a waiter stopped at their table, asking for their order.

 

"Give us five more minutes," Khushi said, dismissing him. Food was the last thing on her mind.

 

"So," Akash said. "Now that the awkward part is over, I brought you something."

 

A line appeared on her forehead. "What?"

 

He neatly pulled out a black colored file from his jacket and handed it to her. "Before you explode, just - just give it a thought okay?"

 

Khushi skeptically opened the file. What could possibly be so bad that he was advising caution even before she started reading? Her question was answered instantly. Staring back at her were legal documents, carrying the seal of AR Designs. She only had to read the first paragraph to understand what Akash was saying.

 

She gaped wordlessly at him.

 

"So?" he asked, nervous. "What do you think?"

 

"You want my opinion or my answer?!" she replied incredulously. "Because the idea is stupid and my answer is no."

 

He sighed, as if he had been expecting that reaction. "Just think about it. Please."

 

"Think about what?!" she cried. "I am not taking your shares of AR Designs!"

 

"Why not?"

 

Khushi stared at him, aghast. "Why not? Because this is your inheritance! Do you even know what that means?!"

 

"No, I don't and that's my point. I have had these shares for twenty-six years now, and I still don't know what to do with them. But you do. It was your dream to work in AR Designs, to bring it to new heights. And this is your chance - take it."

 

"There are other ways of me working in AR Designs without becoming a part-owner. But why are we even discussing this? My answer is no - I am not taking them."

 

"I already signed the papers Khushi. It's done."

 

She was stunned. "But why me? Why not give them to Arnav... or maybe even sell them?"

 

"Because you care. More than I ever did and definitely more than some random person who buys them. You know so much about this company, how it started and why it was started. Even now, you don't want them because you know the sentiment my father had when he wrote these shares on my name and after him, my brother."

 

"So if you know all that, why are you still hell bent on giving them away?"

 

"I have said all my life that I want nothing to do with this company.  I meant it then and I mean it now. If I ever want to be able to look at Bhai in the eye without feeling guilty or insecure, I need to do something on my own. And I think you of all people will understand that."

 

Her retort fell away even before she could voice it. "You know I can't argue with that."

 

"Good," he said simply, the least bit regretful. "I don't want you arguing with me. I want you accept these shares. Starting Monday, you will be the part owner of AR Designs."

 

Khushi bit her lip, words failing her. She knew he had thought through his decision, that he wasn't making it in a haste to prove himself. But even then, she felt odd taking something that she was a long way from deserving.

 

"Fine," she finally said. "I will accept them, but on one condition."

 

Akash sighed. "Of course you have a condition."

 

"I will take only fifty percent of your shares. You are going to keep the rest."

 

His face fell. "No," he objected. "I don't want any of it-"

 

"I take fifty percent or I take nothing at all."

 

"Must you always argue?"

 

She merely shrugged.

 

"How about I keep five percent?"

 

Khushi narrowed her eyes. "Forty percent?"

 

"Ten percent - final offer."

 

"Twenty?"

 

"Khushi-"

 

"Fifteen?"

 

Akash simply glared at her.

 

"Fine!" she muttered. "Ten percent it is."

 

"Good. I see Bhai has taught you how to compromise."

 

"I would hardly call that a compromise! But seriously Akash - if you ever want to come back, you just need to tell me."

 

He smiled. "The ten percent I am keeping is my way to come back - if I ever want to. But if I have learned anything these past few months, it is that being a part of this company has nothing to do with being a part of this family. I always thought it was the same thing, but it's not. This is just pure business - there is no sentiment to it. I just wish my dad understood that before writing his will."

 

Khushi exhaled, knowing he had a valid point. Shares or not, he was still going to be Akash Singh Raizada and there was nothing in the world that could change that.

 

"And more than any of that, I trust you Khush. I have been thinking about this for a long time now and every time single time, I can only see you taking my place. Without any bias whatsoever, you deserve this... and not because you are my close friend or because you are going to be married into the family, but because you are capable. You are cut-out for this job; you have always been."

 

That was the first time Khushi realized in over a year just why Akash was her best friend. And from that second onwards, she was never going to forget it.

 

"Are you ready to order ma'am?" It was the waiter, diligently back to take their order.

 

Akash gave her a reassuring smile, before looking up. "Yes, we are going to take the breakfast combo. And probably a refill for the coffee."

 

The waiter nodded and left.

 

It was as they eased back into a casual and not to mention, a less taxing conversation, reminiscent of days bygone, that Khushi saw it, flashing at the bottom of the screen on a nearby TV monitor.

 

"-so Payal ended up taking the apartment," Akash finished. He had recounted the story of how he decided to move out of Shantivaan.

 

Only Khushi couldn't hear him. Her mind was occupied with the news scrolling at the bottom of the NDTV Profit channel.

 

"I was actually the most surprised with Bh-"

 

"Shh!" she said, waving him off to keep quiet.

 

The news anchor had just begun speaking and she had to strain her ears to hear over the murmurs of the restaurant:

 

"... sources says this incident will be a major setback for Joshi and Sons, which has dominated the clothing industry for more than a decade. Now with the sudden and not to mention shocking drop in shares, it has lost its prestigious place as the highest grossing company of the city. Overtaking their numbers by a wide margin is the broadly acclaimed AR Designs, headed by the notable business tycoon Arnav Singh Raizada. Experts claim owner Shashi Joshi will have a difficult time compensating for this loss and regaining his position in the market, if it is at all possible.  Let's take a closer look at their standings as of this morning."

 

Khushi stared at the figures flashing on the screen, not believing her eyes. She vaguely felt Akash shake her shoulder.

 

"Khushi?" he called. "What's wrong?"

 

She shook her head absent-mindedly as her hands flew to her phone, dialing for the only person she could think of at that moment.

 

"Come on," she muttered, her heart thudding wildly.

 

Arnav's baritone voice echoed cheekily through speaker. "Is the brunch so bad that-"

 

"Did you see the news?!"

 

He paused for what felt like a century before saying pointedly, "Have they finally aired it?"