IPKKND FF: Trial by fire Part 33 updated on Pg 84 - Page 15

Arnav looked at his older friend, recollected Karan's past, felt glad to see him, felt much more comfortable now that Karan was on their side. Karan had been a brilliant student, a topnotch cadet who had been recruited straight out of college into a branch of secret service that was very hush-hush and no one knew much about. Arnav had been introduced to him at a party 2-3 years ago where he had learnt that Karan had started off an exclusive firm, Treadstone Services, for search-and-rescue operations, security and investigative work - His was not a run-of-the-mill "detective agency" of the likes advertised in newspapers. Infact, all of Treadstone's work was received by word of mouth and he only had C-level folks, foreign firms as clients. He had recruited a number of his past colleagues, men who understood the dangers and were extremely analytical, topnotch professionals.

Karan and Arnav had hit it off ...Both men of few words, very matter-of-fact and of the same wavelength in their thoughts and ideas. They had stayed in touch, on-and-off. Arnav knew that Karan had encountered a tragedy in life before they had been introduced...His wife Mythili, a South Indian girl whom he had chased, loved and married, had died giving birth to their only child - Suraj. Karan had been tied up in his work and had not been there for his wife when she gave up her life for the baby and was heartbroken ever since. He had decided to start Treadstone so that he could be his own boss, calling the shots and achieving work-life balance, being there to see all of his little one's milestones. He was ably supported by a live-in couple - Sonal and Narayan who took care of Suraj as they would their own child. Karan and Mythili had not had any close relatives and had been orphaned early on. Suraj was now a happy, cherubic child of 4 years who took after his mother and was very talkative, with the same cleft chin like his dad, the apple of his father's eye . (and what eyes! ;-)

Arnav shared that though they had informed the police, this news about Shyam had not been broadcasted out so as to be able to trap him. Karan agreed that the family could do without the undue publicity with all the stresses in their life right now - Khushi pregnant and in the hospital, Anjali about to deliver. He talked to Arnav about Shyam getting a feel of how he would think, trying to get into Shyam's head to figure out what his next step was going to be.

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In the meanwhile, Shyam had indeed tried calling the number designated as "A", and no one had picked it up. Just to be on the safe side, he decided not to go into Shantivan that night. He would make his excuses to Anjali over the phone and that half-baked idiot would understand, as usual, he thought sourly.

After spending the night out, he decided to go to the Gupta house that morning to see if they could let drop some information about Khushi. When he went there, he noticed that the washed clothes that usually hung outside were not there. The windows of the house were shut. The doors did not look locked. That is disturbing, Shyam thought. He decided to go on a reconaissance mission around the house to see if he could see Buaji or Garimaji. He suddenly ducked behind a parked car..."Wow...There are some muscled guys in there.. They have the clean-shaven, cropped haircut of cops...What does this mean", Shyam wondered. He took a cab and passed Shantivan and saw that there were more guards, albeit unobtrusively waiting around the mansion. He immediately realized that his game was up. He called the Raizada mansion...The phone was picked up by HP. when he announced himself, HP was stammering out..."Shyam bha bha bhaiyya...Aap ...aap kahaan ho? Didi aap aap ka intezaar kar rahi hai...". Shyam cut the call. He was sure now. A trap had been set for him. He was not that stupid that he was now going to walk into that.

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The Raizadas and the Guptas had been in now to see Khushi...Everyone agreed outside of Khushi's hearing that this person seemed like Khushi's alter ego -- a distorted mirror image. "Naa muskarathi hai, na roti hai...utna baatein bhi nahi karti...Yeh kya hua hai isko...Abhi tho use khush hona chahiye...Kitne saal praarthana kar ke bhi, kisi kisi ko ek bacche ki vardhaan nahi milti...Aur haamari Khushi itni naseebwaali hai ki usko do-do hone waale hai...", (She neither smiles nor cries. She doesnt talk as much either. What has happened to her, Now she is supposed to be happy. People pray for years and dont get the blessing of even one child...Our Khushi is so lucky that she is going to have two). Buaji tsked her worry and anxiety. Naani agreed. Arnav explained that the fall and the almost-miscarriage might have caused a shock. He resolved to get a pshychiatrist in later to understand how to turn her around to be the Khushi that they all knew and loved.

Later in the day, the psychiatrist - an old, dapper fatherly figure, came around during his rounds. He sat down with Khushi, talked to her for a long time taking care not to tire or stress her out. He then spent some time with Arnav trying to understand how Khushi was before this accident. Arnav confessed high-level details of their major argument. On the doctor's prodding, he shared about the stresses in Khushi's life recently. The forced marriage, the family's reactions, his behaviours, the kidnapping and the subsequent return home, period of happiness and trust and finally the incident yesterday..."If you were to go the scientific route, we can monitor her hormone levels, check for imbalances...But these symptoms have to last atleast 3-4 weeks before we can pronounce a diagnosis. But based on what you are telling me and my years of experience, what you are seeing is some mild post-traumatic stress. You must have heard about it in the context of war veterans - they go through extreme mental and physical stress. While Khushi may not have experienced all that much of stress, for her bubbly nature ...all this yo-yoing emotions must have left their toll and that is why she is shutting us all out. There are medicines that can be given ...But nothing in her current state of pregnancy. I would advise that you just give her time, lots of love and unforced attention. Treat her normally, do not have the family throw crying fits in front of her...And she will come around by herself gradually." , the doctor advised. He provided his contact number to Arnav and urged him to call any time he had questions or doubts..."I dont hand out my phone number to everyone...But you seem like my son and I see how much in pain you are with your loved one in this state. Anything I can do to help will make me feel like I made a difference in your life. Please call!", he said as he shuffled out.

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Another day had almost ended. Anjali had filed the divorce papers in court. She wanted the matter settled as soon as possible. Arnav had arranged for his lawyers to meet Anjali and help her out with all the paperwork. she also got HP and OP working and had them clear out all of Shyam's things, the baby items he had purchased ...Now that everyone in the Raizada parivar knew, she wanted to get rid and erase his presence at Shantivan and get the "Shanti" back into the home. She moved all her things into Naani's room which had two huge beds. Naani temporarily banished Laxmi to be with HP and OP as she took charge of her grand-daughter's care. Anjali and Shyam's room was stripped out and the interior designer whom Anjali had invited, provided ideas on remodelling. Anjali ushered the decorator out after she was done and closed the door. She heard a bell ring again. Thinking that the designer must have forgotten something, Anjali opened the door with a smile on her face and was stunned into silence. There stood a tall, broad-shouldered and very fit guy staring at her. Anjali was tall - But this guy seemed to be atleast a head over her... "He has an animal magnetism", Anjali thought .."..and smells good too...the clean fresh scent of a pine forest", she thought. "Shush...what am I thinking - It must be my pregnancy hormones - heightened sensitivity to smells", she nodded her head to expunge such thoughts..."...Amidst all that is going on, do I need any more man problems?", she thought dismissing all the feelings evoked. "Yes...?", she asked. "Hi, I am Karan, Karan Shah, Treadstone Services...and you must be Anjali. We talked yesterday.", Karan said . His brain was functioning on another plane, while his eyes were still mesmerized by this vision in front of his eyes. "She is someone else's wife", he told himself.

"Just thought I would stop by and introduce the guards to the family and make sure you all know each other and everyone had each others' contact numbers. I met with Arnav today who gave me Shyam's profile and we are working diligently on locating Shyam.", Karan shared the reason for his presence. He then met with all the members in the family, introduced all his team members by name so that the family knew who was on their side. He then advised the care that needed to be taken while travelling outside Shantivan, about the advance notice to be given inorder to mobilize adequate support, etc. He left soon after and everyone commented on how smart and professional Karan was. Anjali just felt all the words wash over her...She should not be thinking of another man when she was pregnant with Shyam's child...But something beyond her was pulling her towards Karan's thoughts, his words. She quickly banished them.

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