Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Khushi watched with a nervous face as Arnav dialled her father’s number. She had a bad feeling about this. What if he did not agree to let her stay? What if he asked her to come back at once?

“Namaste, Uncle” Arnav greeted her father.

“Ji, Uncle. No, uncle. No. Yes. No, that is not the reason, uncle. Yes” Arnav continued in monosyllables while Khushi tried to catch the drift of the conversation through Arnav’s expressions.

She frowned when he slid open the glass doors and stepped out onto the poolside. She watched his face turn insipid, his expression contrite. The light in his eyes dimmed as he spoke slowly, glancing at her once through the glass that separated them.

Khushi felt her heart stumble at the change in his face and manner. What was her Babuji saying?

She waited a few more minutes as he turned away, his back to her now, still talking. When he finally finished, he put the phone away and walked back into the room.

She waited as he reached her, his eyes still dull.

“No?” She asked in a dispirited, low voice.

Arnav nodded.

“Yes?” She asked, standing up.

“He said I am to bring you back within a week” Arnav said.

“Really? That is good, no? It means I can stay” Khushi said, face brightening.

Arnav finally smiled. A little!

"Yes. It is wonderful," he answered, and Khushi was mildly surprised when he pulled her into a hug.

She hugged him back anyway.

When he pulled back, his smile had grown.

"There are so many things I want to show you. But the first place I want to take you is my office. So we will go there tomorrow," Arnav said, lacing his fingers through hers.

“Office? Why?” Khushi asked.

"Because that is where I spend most of my day. And there is something there I want you to see."

Khushi nodded. "I will come."

“Great” Arnav said.

“We should be going downstairs now. I am hungry” Khushi said.

“Yeah. Let’s go” He said.

Khushi couldn’t put an end to her smile when Arnav reached for her hand again and interlocked his fingers with hers.

Together they went downstairs and found Devyani Singh Raizada already there.

"Hello, Nani. You finished your puja early today?" Arnav asked, guiding Khushi to the table and pulling out the chair beside his own.

"Yes. I started early," she replied, watching the two of them.

"What kind of puja, Nani ji?" Khushi asked politely, curiosity plain on her face as she settled into the chair.

Devyani Raizada looked at Khushi upon being addressed directly.

“I do puja every day before eating” she replied in a plain voice.

“Before every meal” Arnav added.

Khushi nodded, smiling faintly. "That is nice, Nani ji. My Amma used to do that too," she said.

"Used to? She does not any more?"

"She passed away a few years ago. But when she was there, I used to sit with her for the puja. Only in the evenings, though. I was too lazy for the mornings." Her smile wavered, something wistful moving into her eyes.

She felt Arnav's hand find hers beneath the table and press it in silent support.

Devyani remained quiet and nodded once.

She felt Arnav’s hand reach her hand under the table and press it in silent support.

Nani ji remained quiet and nodded just once.

The silence at the table filled slowly as the others trickled in.

Akash arrived and greeted Nani ji. She only nodded.

The table grew louder when Manorama walked in, followed by Manohar Singh Raizada.

"I do hope Hari Prakash made the paneer exactly the way I showed him on YouTube," Manorama said, pulling out her chair.

"You should have made it yourself. I am sure you could do better than him," Manohar said.

"I could, but that does not mean I intend to slave in the kitchen all day. Especially now that we have extra people to cook for," Manorama said, glancing at Khushi.

Arnav shook his head, and Akash pretended not to hear. But it was Devyani who spoke.

“Is that a way to speak before the guests, Manorama?” Nani ji’s voice was strict enough for Manorama to blink. Then, she looked at Akash.

"I did not mean it like that, Akash bitwa. I only meant that I do not want to experiment on guests, you understand," Manorama said, her voice sweetening.

Akash nodded.

Soon the food arrived and everyone began eating. The conversation picked up pace when Akash mentioned he was leaving right after dinner.

"I would still ask you to stay longer, Akash bitwa. Your Mamaji would love to show you his office. He even has a business idea he wants to explore in Lucknow," Manorama said.

"I wish I could stay, Mami ji. But Baba needs me there," Akash replied.

The brief silence that followed was broken by Devyani Singh Raizada.

"Do let us know when the time comes. I would certainly want to be there for his last rites."

The words landed on the table like a hammer, heavy in their impact.

Only Manorama seemed to find it amusing, failing to suppress a small snicker.

Arnav was staring into his plate and Khushi’s face went slack with surprise at the words.

Akash stopped eating, his fists clenching at his sides. But, it was a quick, pleading look from Arnav that stopped the words on his tongue.

Dinner turned sombre after that, the rest of it passing in silence. Khushi stayed quiet too, watching Devyani Singh Raizada more than eating.

If the old woman noticed, she gave nothing away.

Akash finished his food earlier than others and stood up.

"I will take a cab, Bhai," he announced.

Arnav rose too, leaving his plate unfinished.

"You are not, and that is final. I will go and get ready. Meanwhile, Hari Prakash will bring your bag from your room," Arnav said.

He looked at Khushi, who nodded. She would be fine in his absence.

Akash nodded slightly, and the two brothers walked off toward their rooms.

That left Khushi at the table with Nani, Mama, and Mami.

"I suppose you are staying, then?" Mami said to her.

“Ji” Khushi replied.

“For how long?” The question followed.

Khushi hesitated over her answer.

"She will stay for as long as she likes, Manorama," Devyani Singh Raizada interjected.

Gratitude flickered in Khushi's eyes as she glanced briefly at the older woman's stern face.

"Ji, Sasu Ma. I was only asking because.."

"It does not matter why you were asking. It is none of your concern. This is between Chote and her. Let them be," Devyani said, and rose, having finished her food.

Khushi stood up too. "Let me walk you to your room, Nani ji," she asked eagerly, her voice soft.

"You do not have to," Devyani replied, and signalled her son instead.

Manohar rose at once, taking her hand and leading her toward her room.

Khushi stayed where she was, watching them go.

“Don’t think that I don’t know why you’re staying here. But my mother-in-law is a tough nut to crack! So, whatever your plans are, you will not get very far with her," Manorama Raizada said with a smirk.

Her expression shifted the instant she spotted Akash coming downstairs with his small bag. Leaving Khushi where she stood, she moved toward him instead.

"Why are you carrying this yourself, Akash bitwa? HP could have helped you," she said, her voice honeyed.

"It is just a small bag, Mami," Akash replied, his tone impassive.

"Do visit again, Akash bitwa. I will call you when Lavanya arrives from Sydney. She would love to meet you. The two of you could be great friends," she went on regardless.

Khushi joined him and pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you for everything, Akash," she said, ignoring the face Manorama was making beside them.

Akash's mouth curved into a small smile.

"Anytime, best friend," he said, ruffling her hair as she stepped back.

Khushi was still smiling when Arnav joined them, keys in hand.

"Ready?" he asked Akash.

Akash glanced towards the direction of Devyani's room.

"It is alright. I will let her know you were running late," Arnav said, his voice heavy.

He knew Akash had wanted to see her before leaving, but the comment at dinner still weighed on him. It weighed on Arnav too. He was simply better at masking it.

"Okay. I am ready," Akash said, picking up his bag.

"Namaste, Mami," he said, joining his hands toward Manorama, who still stood nearby.

"Have a safe journey, Akash bitwa," she said, and walked off.

"I will see you in a week," Khushi said, walking with them toward the porch.

"Call me every day," she added while Arnav went to bring the SUV around.

"I will," Akash said, and then, after a pause, "You spoke to Uncle?"

“Arnav did” She replied.

“How did it go?”

“He didn’t tell me much. But Babuji agreed” She said.

"That is good enough," he said, turning away for a moment.

"And do not worry about Nani ji. You will win her over, sooner or later," Akash said, turning back with a flash of his usual smile.

It made Khushi smile and exhale.

"I hope so," she said, as Arnav pulled into the porch and gave a single honk.

"You will," Akash said, and gave her one more quick side hug.

"I will miss you, best friend," she said softly, before letting go.

“Of course you will” Akash said, winking, and then he got into the car, throwing his bag on the back seat.

“Bye” He waved at her.

Khushi waved too until the car was gone. When she walked back into the Mahal, she felt light.

~~***~~

Doctor Shailesh Kumar closed his eyes and attempted to block the thoughts swirling in his mind. He had had an early dinner with Birendra Singh Malik and thereafter had retired to his room on the pretext of work.

“Stay with me tonight” Birendra Singh Malik had asked as he was leaving.

“I have work” He had answered.

“You can work here” Malik had said.

“I will probably work till late. You need your rest.”

It had been a lie. There was no work waiting for him, nothing but the silence of his own room and its walls.

Ever since he had read Malik’s post-surgery reports, he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Medicines, experimental drugs, surgery, he had tried it all. But, they still hadn’t beaten the cancer. It remained there, slowly killing the man he loved. Doctor Kumar didn’t know what to do any more. How to stop himself from breaking, giving up! For everyone’s sake, he carried the tough exterior, the optimism. But he knew all of this will be short-lived. And the thought petrified him to the core.

So much of their life had already been spent dealing with the fallout of bad choices, theirs and others'. The only truly stable stretch had come after Arnav left, though even that had been shadowed by Malik's guilt. There had never been a moment of real happiness, real freedom. A life lived in secrecy, in stolen moments, and somehow it had always felt like enough. But now, with the end drawing closer, Doctor Kumar found himself wanting more. Wishing for a second chance to live it all differently. But that was only wishful thinking. Their time had run out, and he did not know how to make peace with that fact.

As though his thoughts had reached the very man he was thinking of, a soft knock sounded at the door, followed by a voice.

"Are you nearly done with the work?" Birendra Singh Malik's tired face appeared through the door before he stepped in slowly, leaning on his walking stick.

Doctor Kumar cleared the files scattered across the bed and watched him approach.

"Why did you walk all the way up here? Do you not listen to anything I tell you? You are not strong enough. Only four days ago you were on an operating table with your chest cut open," Doctor Kumar said sharply, though Malik ignored him and settled onto the bed, resting against the pillows.

“Look at your face! It’s so pale” Doctor Kumar continued while Malik steadied his breaths, eyes closed.

"Are you listening to me, Birendra?" Kumar said, turning to face him properly, his friend, his partner.

Malik slowly opened his eyes and looked at Doctor Kumar.

"I do not want to sleep alone any more," he said, his voice slow.

Doctor Kumar blinked.

"I know you lie to me all the time about how much time I have left, and I do not question you on it. That is because I no longer care about the time. Whether it is a year, a month, or a week, it does not matter to me any more. I am done spending the last of my days alone. You are here, in this Mahal, and yet you feel so far away. We have never once shared a room in all these years, because we had to keep up a front, hide from the world what we are to each other. But I do not want to hide any more. Everyone who matters to me knows now. So let me be here, Kumar. I want you beside me, in case I pass away one night in my sleep." Malik said, voice heavy and eyes imploring.

"That is not how it works. You are not going to pass away one night out of the blue," Kumar replied, but his voice was thick and his eyes were glassy with emotion.

“I do not care! I am staying here and you cannot kick me out because I am sick” Birendra Singh Malik said and switched off the light on his side of the bed.

Doctor Kumar watched and shook his head.

“You are still a stubborn, spoiled Nawab” He said, but his expressionhad softened.

“That is what you liked about me” Malik murmured from his side of the bed.

"I still do," Kumar answered, and switched off his own light, sliding closer and wrapping his arms around him.

He felt, at last, light. Content. And drifted into a peaceful sleep.

~~**~~

The next morning, the house woke to the sound of the conch.

By the time Khushi made her way downstairs to the puja room, Devyani Singh Raizada was already concluding her prayers.

The night before, Arnav had come straight to her room after dropping Akash off. They had spent a few good hours talking, until Khushi had finally pushed him out, insisting she needed to wake up early.

"For what?" he had asked.

"For nothing," she had said, and wished him good night.

He had walked away with a mopey face.

Now, hurrying to Devyani's side, Khushi scolded herself for sleeping through the first alarm.

"Good morning, Nani ji," she greeted, her voice bright.

Devyani turned and looked her over, head to toe.

Freshly bathed, Khushi had chosen a loose, yellow chudidar salwar and kurta, the dupatta arranged over her head before she'd entered the mandir.

"Good morning," Devyani replied, once her scrutiny was complete. The absence of a frown, Khushi decided, counted as a positive sign.

"I wanted to join you for the puja, but I slept through the first alarm," she said.

"It is alright. Lean forward," Devyani said, her voice smooth but clear.

Khushi set her thoughts aside and leaned in, a hand resting on her head.

Devyani dipped a finger into the crimson roli paste and pressed a teeka (round dot) to her forehead, right between her eyebrows.

Khushi could not help the faint smile that came over her as calm settled through her. It had been years since anyone had put a teeka on her forehead. Her mother used to, on the mornings she managed to wake for prayers. After Garima had passed, it was a small ritual her father had never picked up. Neither had Khushi.

Instinct made her bow and touch Devyani's feet. Khushi could have sworn there was a flicker of surprise on the older woman's face as she rested a hand over her head.

"May God give you a long life," The blessing slipped past Devyani’s lips.

When Khushi straightened, a slight wetness in her eyes, Devyani chose not to notice it.

"Take the prashaad," she said instead.

Khushi cupped her right palm over her left and received it.

"Thank you, Nani ji," she said, eating it with reverence.

Devyani nodded and moved past her, the prashaad plate in hand.

But then she turned back.

“Is Chote up?”

“I don’t think so, Nani ji” She replied.

Devyani shook her head. "He wakes late on purpose, so he does not have to come down here."

"And the others?" Khushi asked, walking alongside her toward the hall.

"They wake up even later than Chote," Devyani said, handing the plate off to Hari Prakash.

Khushi kept following her, until Devyani finally stopped.

"Is there something you want?" she asked.

"No," Khushi said, instantly embarrassed.

"I sit and read scriptures for an hour. Breakfast is served around eight. Until then, you may walk in the garden, or do as you please," Devyani said, the dismissal plain in her tone.

Khushi kept walking beside her anyway.

Devyani noticed, opened her mouth to speak, but Khushi got there first.

"I would love to sit with you and read, Nani ji. I like reading too. In the Mahal, I used to read all the time. There is a huge library there," Khushi said in a rush, her voice eager, imploring.

Devyani considered it for a moment.

Khushi was certain she was about to be turned away.

"Very well. You may join me," Devyani said, and Khushi's face broke into a bright smile.

They walked into Devyani's room, and Khushi watched her retrieve a book from the shelf, wrapped carefully in a clean red cloth.

"Why is this not kept in the Mandir, Nani ji?" Khushi asked, as Devyani settled into her rocking chair and gestured to the seat beside it.

"Because sometimes I read it at night, before sleeping," was all Devyani said, opening the book and drawing out the red thread that served as a bookmark.

"Would you rather listen, or read?" she asked.

"You should begin, Nani ji. I can take over once you are done” Khushi said.

Devyani looked at her eager face and shook her head, just slightly.

Then she began to read.

~~**~~

When Arnav came downstairs for breakfast, he expected to find Khushi already at the table. Ready himself, he had stopped by her room first and found it empty, assuming she had gone ahead.

She had not.

He looked around and asked HP.

"Have you seen Khushi?"

"Ji, Arnav Bhaiya. She is with Nani ji," HP said, hurrying off toward the kitchen.

"Interesting," Arnav murmured, deciding not to interrupt. If Khushi was with his Nani this early in the morning, it was clearly deliberate on her part, and he did not want to get in the way of that.

Still, he wanted to see her. She had shooed him out of her room the night before, and he had not even managed to remind her about the office. He hoped she remembered on her own.

"Good morning, Mamaji," he said to his Mama, who was buried in the newspaper at the table.

"Good morning, Arnav," Manohar Singh Raizada replied, without glancing up.

Typical.

Arnav looked around and spotted his Mami making her way toward them.

"Good morning, Mami," he said.

"It will be a good morning once my food arrives on time," she replied, calling out to HP to hurry it along.

Typical, again.

Arnav waited patiently, scrolling through work emails on his phone.

"Well, this is new," he heard his Mami remark, and looked up to find Devyani walking into the hall with Khushi beside her.

Khushi was smiling, mid-story about something. More surprising still, Devyani appeared to be listening with genuine interest.

"And that is how I ended up inventing this new kind of jalebi," Khushi finished, laughing.

"I do hope your parents did not fall ill eating it," Devyani said, as Khushi pulled out her chair for her.

"Nahi, Nani ji. In fact, it sold wonderfully at the shop. Babuji named it Khushi ki Jalebi, and it became quite the hit," Khushi said, her eyes bright.

Arnav, amused, noticed the small shake of his Nani's head.

An amused shake, he knew.

"I could make it for you, if you like," Khushi offered.

"You need not. I think it is better left to my imagination," Devyani replied.

Khushi nodded, and finally turned to look at Arnav.

"Good morning," he said to her, his voice husky.

"Good morning, Chote," Devyani said first, making Arnav clear his throat.

"Good morning, Nani," He replied.

"How was your morning?" he asked.

"Are you asking me?" Devyani said, well aware his eyes had already drifted to Khushi.

"Of course, Nani," he said, pulling his gaze back from Khushi's glowing face.

"As usual," came her answer.

Arnav nodded.

A few minutes passed in quiet eating before he cleared his throat again.

"Be ready in an hour, Khushi. We will leave then," he said, aware now that every eye at the table had turned to him.

"Leave for where?" Mami ji started to ask, but Devyani got there first.

"Office, Nani. I want to show Khushi around," Arnav said, glancing at Khushi, whose face had flushed under all the attention.

"Well, why not? She might own half of it someday, if you decide to marry her, of course," Manorama Raizada said brightly.

"Manorama," Manohar Singh Raizada cut in, his tone sharp with reproach.

Khushi had started coughing at the mention of marriage, and Arnav's face had gone perfectly still.

But it was Devyani Singh Raizada who looked practically livid.

“Marriage is no child’s play, Manorama! It has the potential to rip apart people’s lives. So, take notice of what you speak from the next time” Devyani said in a harsh voice.

Arnav did not meet Khushi's eyes, still busy drinking down a glass of water.

Manorama merely shrugged and returned to her food.

Once Khushi finished, she stood.

"I will go get ready," she said to Arnav.

He nodded.

Once she was gone, he turned to his Nani.

"No, Chote. We are not discussing that now," Devyani said, before he could get a word out.

"Then when?" he asked, after a beat.

"Once you have given me your promise," she said.

Arnav said nothing, and went back to finishing his breakfast.

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