WW About Last Night (Apr30-May08 2012)) - Page 76

May 06 2012 | 11:49

The person who cannot rejoice in her husband's success and pleasure must be an unattractive combination of insecurity and self-absorption, Khushi realized as she returned the newspaper to Anjali. Her first breakfast (aloo puri) at Sheesh Mahal (poolside) had been destroyed by a photo of Arnav Singh Raizada (proud attractive man) standing close (shoulders definitely touching) to Angelica (cool pouty beauty) in the business pages. Anjali had brought it to her attention. The headline read, 'Heavenly Alliance' and the article referred to 'an eleventh-hour rescue by AR Group of Industries of the struggling refrigeration giant 'Angel' blah blah blah'. The photo was snapped yesterday at midnight when the two companies signed the deal at a lush resort hotel in Goa. Goa! Arnav was in Goa with a person with one-name-only three hours after they texted and he had made no mention of it. The waving palms in the background of the photo seemed to mock Khushi's pain.

"This photo doesn't do her justice. She's more beautiful in person. And, according to Chotte, she has a brilliant business mind," Anjali said, unaware of the multiple layers of damage she was doing to her Bhabhi.

"You've met her?"

"Chotte introduced us. They were at business school together. She's heir to her father's business, something to do with--?"

"--refrigeration," Khushi corrected, coldly.

"Chotte mentioned it? I'm pleased he speaks to you about his work. Otherwise he holds it all inside."

No, Di! Your Chotte tells me nothing of import--whether it be his heart, or matters near his heart, such as his work, Khushi mumbled under her breath.

She knew that was an unfair assessment, but in this crisis of self-doubt--in contrast to an Angelica--Khushi saw herself as uncouth and undeveloped. Even though they had communicated last night, Arnav had not mentioned the signing of this significant deal because he obviously believed she would have nothing meaningful to contribute on the topic. Or worse, that she was uninterested in his work life. How mistaken he was! Doesn't he know that every atom of his staggering mind--his thoughts, his hopes, his achievements--is more interesting to me than my own mind? Doesn't he know that when I make his favourite sabzi, I am saying that I am ready--beyond ready!--to know and act on all things he loves? I don't have a father with an empire to bestow nor have I attended business school, but I can be an equal and worthy partner to you, Arnav Singh Raizada--just let me in!

She recalled the pleasure of supporting him when he secured the deal with Ashok Sen. He had not asked her to befriend Taty. She had recognized a need and a role and acted upon it. Why wait to be let in, Khushi? A ray of understanding flooded her with hope. Her objective was their shared happiness. She could best achieve this by recognizing what he needed from a partner, and creating the space in their life so when he wanted to share, he would reach for her. When she had texted him last night, she had not even stopped to ask about his day, where he was, what he was doing. She had launched into her own concerns. He may have already been in Goa, maybe even between important meetings. She groaned inwardly realizing how her insecurities had probably added to his stress yesterday--and shown him that she was too self-absorbed for him to share his larger concerns. Khushi saw now, with perfect clarity, that her chaotic and unfocused habits would not serve the life she wanted to create with Arnav. She was not immature but her habits often were. She was not trivial, but her behaviour showed she lacked serious thought. She was not negligent but she was careless. What had he said to her yesterday? That life with her was like living with a child. Khushi had to shut her eyes at the deep embarrassment of seeing herself through his eyes.

Had the servant approached the table in that moment he would have found the two pretty Raizada women looking wistful.

Anjali was thinking about how unlike Khushi, she had never talked to Shyam about what he did between the hours that he left home in the morning and returned in the evening. Perhaps if she had spoken more, asked more she would have known the truth sooner. She would have caught the anomalies and the irregularities that were a clue to married women to be vigilant. She had taken her brother's generous love and used it to settle into a life of elegant luxury and quiet apathy. "That ends here," she said, rising from the breakfast table.

"I agree. That ends here," Khushi said, rising also.

Both women deep in independent thought but somehow united.

Anjali asked. "Are you leaving now?"

"Yes, shortly," Khushi said, reaching for her phone. "I'll be back in the afternoon and help you with the party plans."

Anjali said, "bilkul nai. It's your birthday party. I want every aspect to be a beautiful surprise for you. I'll manage with the house staff, and Payalji has provided me with a list of the best shops in Lucknow to procure goods." Khushi was about to insist when she saw Anjali distracted by something on the other side of the pool. Khushi saw her eyes light up with a luminosity that the family had feared had been lost forever. Anjali took a few steps forward. Khushi saw Yash standing at the french doors leading into the house. Little Khushi was standing next to her father, clutching his leg with one arm and in her free hand hung an armless tangly-haired doll.

What happened next was so subtle, so achingly minute in its beauty that Khushi would later believe she had imagined it, but in that moment--in that very moment--Khushi did believe that she saw a woman give her heart away to that trio--the man, the child, and the doll.

Anjali and Khushi went to greet them. A small overnight case in Yash's hands seemed to hold some significant meaning to Anjali. Khushi saw Anjali reach for the case and noted that the two exchanged a smile that only they understood.

"What about the one-roof rule?" Anjali asked.

"Amended by a one-night-only clause," Yash replied.

"Where do I sign?" Anjali asked.

"No signature required." he said, and added, "but I do reserve the right to call and check on her an infinite number of times throughout the evening. And, probably a few panic calls between midnight and four am."

"I'll keep the phone near my bed," Anjali promised.

The two Khushis listened to this exchange but were no better informed. However, Big Khushi knew what Little Khushi was yet too young to know, that a private language between two people was the first assured step towards falling in love.

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May06 2012|23:52 Pg113 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/2956956/ww-about-last-night-apr30-may08-2012?pn=113

if it was in some other FF i wud hav seriosuly hated these insecurities but wen it cums 2 About Last Night,i luuuv it..i really hoped Arnav will b cumin 2 Lucknow but as usual in ALN,unexpectd is alwez expected..