Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Shashi Gupta looked at the watch.8:38 pm, it read.

He once again went through the contents of the fridge but today he seemed to be out of all luck. At the shop today, there had been a case of wrong delivery of a rather large shipment of sweets which had kept him occupied till the evening. He hadn’t gotten the opportunity to have a proper lunch.

Having arrived home earlier than usual, he had expected to help Khushi in preparing an early dinner so the duo could sit down and he could tell her all about today’s debacle.

But the house was locked and Shashi Gupta had shaken his head, not too surprised.

Sheesh Mahal served as Khushi’s secondary house. Shashi Gupta still found it baffling how all of that had begun. He had been very surprised to learn that his mischievous daughter had surpassed all her previous fiasco’s and entered the Mango orchards of Sheesh Mahal.

Meeting Birendra Singh Malik and learning of his humble nature had further surprised him. Since then, Shashi Gupta had respected the man. Over the years, he had further opportunities of meeting the generous man who made sure every festivity in Sheesh Mahal should involve sweets from ‘Gupta Misthaan Bhandar’. The gesture had meant a lot to Shashi Gupta and he knew Khushi’s bond with her Malik Uncle was the only reason why someone with such a towering stature would bother with his very modest shop.

Shashi Gupta had tried to return the favor in his own limited ways. He made sure to send home-made delicacies by Garima to Sheesh Mahal on every Holi and Diwali. Because, if there was anything the Mahal lacked, it was feminine and homely touch. It also explained why Birendra Singh Malik was so fond of Khushi and her antics. Shashi and Garima had been invited to the Mahal on every birthday party of Akash, and they had attended most of them. It was only after the passing away of his wife that Shashi Gupta had cut himself from attending all social events which included visits to Sheesh Mahal as well. Birendra Singh Malik had again surprised him by his compassionate nature when he had visited him after his loss. It was these noble acts on part of Birendra Singh Malik that allowed Shashi Gupta to be supportive of Khushi’s friendship with the family.

Shashi Gupta looked at the washed vegetables sitting on the kitchen counter and decided to get started. There have been times when Khushi has been more late in coming back.

He took the basket and a knife to start peeling the potatoes when the doorbell rang.

Looks like his daughter was home just in time!

Shashi Gupta walked to the door and unlocked it.

“I was just going to start. I am thinking we can..You brought dinner?” He exclaimed, looking at the bags Khushi was flashing before his eyes.

“Technically, he brought dinner” Khushi answered and Shashi Gupta noticed the man behind her.

“Namaste, Uncle” The young man stepped forward and joined his hands in greeting.

“Namaste, Beta! I am Khushi’s father. You’re?” Shashi Gupta asked, still standing in the doorway and trying to place the face. It looked oddly familiar.

“Babuji, let him come inside first! And you guess who he is! Don’t tell him, okay?” Khushi grinned as she looked at her father and then at Arnav.

Arnav shook his head and noticed her father doing the same.

“Come in, beta!” Shashi Gupta finally moved away and allowed Arnav to walk in.

Khushi also walked in and trotted behind her father.

“Guess na, Babuji!” She said.

Arnav watched Khushi’s gleeful face as she talked to her father.

“Alright” Shashi Gupta said and then looked at Arnav again.

“Uncle, I am..” Arnav decided he didn’t want to be assessed by Khushi’s father in the very first meeting.

“Arnav” His answer coincided with Shashi Gupta’s answer.

“Ji, Uncle” Arnav said, nodding and looked at Khushi who looked thoroughly amused.

“Correct guess, Babuji” She said.

“When did you come back, Arnav beta? You live in Delhi, right?” Shashi Gupta kept his attention on the eldest son of Birendra Singh Malik. If he was surprised by his presence in the house, he didn’t show it.

“Ji, uncle. I came back a few days ago” Arnav answered.

“Good! I am glad you came back. I finally got to meet you. I have met Akash beta several times, and he keeps talking about you. Come, sit. Khushi, bring something for him” Shashi Gupta moved towards the sitting area and Arnav followed.

“It’s alright, Uncle. I am sorry we got late. The traffic was very slow or we would have reached sooner” Arnav continued talking to Shashi Gupta and Khushi walked to the kitchen with the bags.

As she served the food in plates, she found it strange that Arnav Singh Raizada was sitting in her house and talking so amiably with her father. Who would have thought?

She strained her ears to listen to the conversation going on in the sitting room but the voices were faint from the kitchen.

So, she decided to focus on what she was doing yet her mind kept wandering back to the time she had spent with him in the car. He had smiled and laughed. Khushi wanted to call Akash and tell him everything in detail.

He would be so pleased to hear. But, that can be done later.

She carried the plates and bowls to the dinner table and arranged everything properly.

In the meanwhile, she also noticed her father and Arnav deep into conversation. Arnav’s face looked tight and she wondered what her Babuji was talking about. Arnav noticed her looking at him and she smiled at him.

He didn’t smile back this time but went back to talking to her father.

Khushi loosed a breath. It was so challenging to stay with him on one foot. One second he was such a warm person and another second he was a closed book.

“Dinner is ready” She announced, walking up to them.

“Come, Arnav beta” Shashi Gupta rose from his chair.

“After you, uncle” Arnav said and the three moved to the dining table.

~~**~~

Dr. Kumar walked into Malik’s room still wearing his white coat and holding a bunch of files in his hand. He located his friend hunched over an open suitcase that was sprawled on the bed.

“Moving in, are we?” He asked, walking up to his friend.

“Thanks to you” Malik answered, nodding his head.

“Did you get everything you need? I asked Dayal and Hema to bring your clothes and other stuff to this room. The medical equipment will be moved after the dinner” Kumar said.

“Yes. They told me. I will sit in the library when that happens” Malik said, still rummaging his suitcase.

“What are you looking for in that?” Kumar asked, sitting down on the bed.

“Papers” Malik answered.

“What papers?” Kumar asked.

“I will tell you but you tell me first! How was the day at the hospital? Did you just come back? What are these files?” Malik said, closing the suitcase and turning to his friend.

“Day was hectic as usual. There were cases back to back! But, then this appeared on my desk and I rushed straight here” Kumar waved the files before Malik.

“So, are you going to tell me or just sit there looking giddy?” Malik asked.

“These, my friend, are your scan results from last week” Kumar answered.

“And?”

“And it is a lot of medical jargon beyond your understanding! So, I will simplify it for you by saying that it is good news. You’re still in Stage 3A and the results show that we can put you up straight for surgery without going for chemo!” Kumar said with a happy face and Malik nodded his head, slowly.

“I said it is good news, Malik” Kumar said.

“Yes, it is” Malik replied.

“So, can you at least look happy?” Kumar asked his friend, narrowing his eyes.

“I am happy. I just..Can you..How much time does it give me? How long do I have?” Malik finally asked.

Kumar placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“You aren’t listening to me, Malik! This is the first good news we have had in months. By now, your cancer should have advanced to 3B, but it hasn’t. The new medicines are working. And after the surgery..well, for now, let me tell you this is the healthiest you have been in a long time. And we will make sure you remain healthy. I have talked to your specialist. He says if you remain stable for another two weeks, we can have the surgery by the end of this month” Kumar said.

Birendra Malik listened to the information very carefully and only nodded his head at the end.

Kumar shook his head at the lack of response and looked at various papers lying on the bed.

“What are these papers? What were you looking for?” He asked.

“I have called Mr. Siddiqui to the Mahal tomorrow” Mailk answered.

“Why suddenly? Does it have anything to do with the business? Are you still trying to secretly work from home?” Kumar raised an eyebrow.

“No, I am not. I sit in my room all day. I eat, shit, and sleep. Just like you and Akash want me to” There was irritation in Malik’s tone as he recounted his daily schedule.

“Good. So, why did you call Siddiqui?”

“I am having my will changed. I have been thinking of doing that for some time” Malik answered.

“You’re not..”

“going to die! I have heard that a hundred times already, Kumar. Regardless of your belief, I still need to do this” Malik said.

“Fine” Kumar said after a second.

“I am also going to talk to Akash about Sujata”

The expression on Kumar’s face was that of a surprise but then it changed to understanding.

“He asked you?”

“Yes. He did. I don’t know if I would have ever told him if he hadn’t asked. Even now, I am so scared, Kumar. What would he think of me? Will he be disgusted? Will he be ashamed of me?” Malik wondered out loud to his friend.

“Are you going to tell him only about Sujata? Or everything? About you and..”

“Everything” Malik looked intently at his friend and Kumar shifted his gaze, looking at the floor.

“Kumar..”

“I have to go, Malik. I need to change. I will talk to you later” The doctor said and stood up to leave.

“I am sorry, Kumar” Malik whispered the words once the doctor had left.

~~**~~

Arnav bent down to touch the feet of Shashi Gupta when leaving. The man smiled generously and blessed him to be happy.

“I will walk you to your car” Khushi said after Shashi Gupta wished Arnav good night and walked into the house.

Both Arnav and Khushi stood in the verandah outside the main door.

“No, it’s quite late now. I will go on my own” Arnav answered, hands inside the pockets of his trousers.

“Okay. Thank you for the dinner. It was delicious” Khushi said to him.

“It’s no problem” He answered. Both of them stood silent fora few seconds, neither leaving.

“I will see you tomorrow in the Mahal” Khushi said, finally.

“I wouldn’t be there” Arnav replied.

“Where are you going?” Khushi asked, curious.

“Work” He answered, thinking it would be enough. But, he was wrong.

“What work?” Khushi asked.

“I have a meeting with a builder and then there are other people to meet. Finally, I have to go for a site inspection with them” He gave her his itinerary for the day.

“Sounds like too much work. All the best with it” Khushi said.

“I don’t particularly need it but thanks!” Arnav answered  and Khushi shook her head.

“You’re…” She said.

“What?” Arnav raised his eyebrow at her.

“weird” She finished.

“That’s some talk coming from you. You’re weird yourself.You practically hounded me to come here to drop you” He said to her.

“As if you had something better to do in the Mahal than sit and brood” She replied.

“Brood?” Arnav repeated.

“Of course! Isn’t it good that you came here? Wasn’t this fun? You met Babuji too. He seemed to like you” Khushi said, showing teeth.

Arnav weighed her words for a few seconds and nodded.

“This was not bad” He admitted.

Khushi appeared proud of herself at his admission.

“I’ll go now. Good night” He said to her.

Khushi nodded her head.

“Good night, Arnavji”

She watched as he cringed before her.

“What?” She asked.

“Every time you call me that I feel like some middle-aged uncle, Khushi. It was easier to ignore when I didn’t have to hear you chatter so much. But now, avoid it” He told her and Khushi looked affronted.

“What’s wrong with Arnavji, Arnavji? You’re elder to me” Khushi said.

“By four years! That’s barely a reason for you to make me feel like a wrinkled, old man” He replied and Khushi finally laughed at his indignant tone.

“I didn’t know you were so fussy, Arnavji” She said, tongue in cheek.

Arnav shook his head and turned to leave.

“Good night, Arnav” She wished from behind.

“That’s better. Good night” He said without turning back, still walking away. The smile on his face remained with him until he reached his car and then all though out the drive back to the Mahal.

Arnav!

He liked the sound of it from her mouth. It felt that he was getting somewhere with her . A friendship? He didn’t want to think of labels. Not when he was feeling so light after so many years.

~~**~~

By the time Arnav reached the Mahal, he found the servants carrying away the empty dish bowls from the dining table.

So, everyone had eaten. Good that he was not around for it.

Deciding to check on with the work back at his Delhi office, Arnav pulled out his phone and called Aman.

By the time he was finished with the updates from his manager, he had already walked inside his room and removed his shoes and socks.

Putting away the phone, he decided to take a shower before going to bed.

Once he was done with the shower, he changed into pajamas and a loose t-shirt.

He was planning to finally get in bed when the knock sounded on his door.

“Bhai?”

“Come in, Akash” Arnav answered, glad that it was his brother.

Akash walked in looking tired than usual.

“What’s up? Why do you look like you spent the evening shoveling something?” Arnav asked as Akash plopped down on Arnav’s prepared bed.

“More like moving equipment from the third floor to the ground floor. Dr. Kumar said Baba can shift into the room. Being on the ground floor shall be much more convenient for Baba and for us” Akash answered.

Arnav nodded his head, his mind going back to the moment he had held his father’s limp body in his hands.

“My son”

The words were still stuck in his mind.

“How is he?” Arnav asked casually and Akash’s head bobbed in surprise. It was first-time Arnav had asked the question to him and that too without sounding positively revolted.

This was an improvement, Akash told himself.

“Much better, Bhai. Kumar uncle said we may not have to go for Chemotherapy at this stage. They will operate the tumors first and see the results to decide further course of action” Akash provided.

Arnav mulled over the news for a minute.

Arnav was a benefactor at the hospital where Birendra Singh Malik had gone for his diagnosis. He had been personally informed by the doctor-in-charge of the oncology department when the results had come positive. The doctor had told him that it was a Stage 3A lung cancer and advancing progressively. The survival possibility was very low in his father’s case who was already in poor health due to weak liver condition and blood pressure complications for the last five years.

Arnav had been stunned in silence for a long time before he had hanged up the phone. It had taken him almost a day to figure out his thoughts and conclude this was his father’s karma. Ever since then, he had been prepared. Ready to hear the news any day, any week, or any month! But, the news hadn’t come.

And now Akash was telling him what? Was there a chance the man will not die?

“What does that mean? What’s the survival chance?” He asked as much.

“Doctor Uncle didn’t say much. He said he can say anything only after the surgery. But, I am hopeful, Bhai” Akash said.

Arnav remained quiet.

“So, you had dinner at Khushi’s house?” Akash said after a second, his face becoming curious.

Arnav turned his head towards his brother to notice the curiosity.

“Yes” He answered.

“And you met Shashi uncle?”

“I reckon you already know the details, Akash” Arnav answered. Information really traveled fast between his brother and Khushi.

“Yeah. I talked to Khushi. But, I want to hear your details also” Akash said, looking at his brother’s face.

“Details? Of what, Akash? I dropped her home. I ate dinner with her father. It was all good. What else is there to say?” Arnav replied, unsure why Akash was acting so inquisitive.

“Arey! I mean Khushi and you, Bhai. You two don’t know each other..at least not in person. I just want to know what you think of her? She is a friend. I want both of you to get along. I know how pissy you can be and how crazy she can be. You two are opposites of each other. So, forgive me if I am curious to know how your interaction went with her” Akash said.

Arnav listened to his brother and huffed.

“She is alright”

“Alright?” Akash repeated, holding in his laugh.

“What?” Arnav asked, feeling slightly miffed now.

“Nothing! She gushes about you and you say she was alright. How typical!” Akash said, finally laughing.

Arnav looked at his brother for one good minute.

“She did she say?” He asked.

“She said you were not all ‘khadoos’ and that you actually made a joke. You bought food, you were polite to Shashi Uncle, you asked about Shashi uncle’s shop and suggested business ideas, you asked about Khushi’s college, and you asked her not to call you Arnavji” Akash said everything in one breath, grinning by the end.

“So, tell me, Bhai. What did you think of my Khushi?” Akash asked further, still grinning.

Arnav looked at his brother.

“I think your Khushi talks a little too much” Arnav answered.

“Can’t say that’s not true” Akash said.

Arnav knew he was a damned fool for asking, but he willed the words out.

“So, she is just a friend?”

Arnav watched the smile leaving Akash’s face.

“Bhai” Akash said, sitting up on the bed, looking sideways.

“Do you like her?” Arnav knew he was being the biggest fool in the world.

He watched his brother’s attempts at trying to speak but no words came out of his mouth. That alone had Arnav’s guts tightening for reasons he didn’t want to know.

“She is my best friend, Bhai” Akash finally spoke.

“I know that. But do you want more, Akash? Or is there someone else? Because over years, I have heard you talk about no one but Khushi” Arnav probed. Now that he had opened the box, better to see what lurked inside.

Akash struggled for words again and Arnav realized it. If it had been a clear no, Akash would have said so by now.

“I don't think about it that way, Bhai. I just know that she is a big part of my life and I don't want that to change” Akash finally found the words to tell him.

“So, you don’t love her?” Arnav asked one last time. He needed to hear this clear.

“No” Akash answered in a slow but clear voice.

Arnav could have hugged Akash for that. But he remained seated on his side of the bed, unsure why he felt so relieved.

Akash does not love Khushi. But they are still close. Closer than most friends!

And Khushi is close to his father. Closer than he has ever been or would ever want to be.

So, he does not have to run from Khushi Kumari Gupta. He just has to be careful.

“Why are you asking all this, Bhai?” Akash said, breaking Arnav’s thoughts.

“Because you were probing me for details. It is fair enough that I probe you back” Arnav answered.

Akash bought his answer and shook his head.

“Good night, Bhai” He said, getting up from the bed.

“Good night, brother” Arnav answered.

When he returned to the bed after locking the door, he picked up his phone and typed a text.

“Good night, Arnav” The reply came back almost instant.

It indeed was a good night.

_________________________________________

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