Chapter 1
Year 2003
Mumbai
National center for performing arts
"I don't know what to make out of this," he said quietly as he watched his Mama made the way towards their reserved seats, "to bring me along with you. I don't even listen to songs, Mama, let alone classical. Or is this some kind of punishment for not having a decent life?"
Anirudh smiled at his niece, who was irritated at that moment. "You have to get used to these sort of things, Arnav," he said in a friendly way, "and partly, I hate when you want to stay in pub all night. You are not old enough to make decisions. Besides, this one is my favorite classical band."
"Why do I think it has nothing do with your interest in music," Arnav countered after they were welcomed and showed their reserved seats by the manager, "and something with the business of sorts? I am not sure, though."
He watched his Mama smile at his guess. "That's what I like the most in you," he replied, his eyes fixed on the proscenium, "same witty nature like your Dadaji. Yes, there is something going to happen here, Arnav. I want you to keep an eye on it."
Arnav waited for his Mama to speak further but he was silent, a smile playing on his lips as he involved talking to another businessman beside him. Arnav sat there, partly waiting for his Mama to order what he had to do, partly feeling bored as he was alone in a place which wasn't his piece of cake. It was only when the lights were turned off and the stage was set with the classical instruments that Anirudh leaned towards him and whispered regarding it, "there is this information, Vikram is making a deal with our rivals, and they are going to meet at a deserted place five km's from here. I want you to go there and hear about the deal. There is a recorder in the car dashboard. Come back after they left." He stared at Arnav as he said, "be very careful, Chotey."
"I will," he whispered, hating Vikram Mama for having a deal with their rivals, "Mama... why don't you talk sense in him? I am sure you have your ways to make him follow your orders."
His Mama laughed at those words. "There was a time for that," he said, "but Vikram is so blinded with money and status, he will not care about any of us now. And I really don't care what he does against us; we are capable of crushing him, along with our rivals. The only thing that is stopping me is Malati. I don't want to hurt her."
Taking the key and a mobile, Arnav made his way just after the play had started. He had less time to reach the said place. Controlling not to snap at Vikram when he saw him with the rival, Arnav reached his Mama's car. Reaching out for the dashboard, he took the recorder, placed it securely in his jacket's pocket and drove the shortest distance. He parked the car 2 km's away from the place, made a short trip back by a quick jog. He was used to do such things. He had used the trick to enter the home without being caught until three years ago, in his 10th grade. He used to sneak out and had a night out on roads along with his friends. It was rather funny adventure, and the only person who caught him but let him do was his Dadaji. "As long as you didn't do any such things that would make me bow my head," his Dadaji had said while patting his arm, "you do anything that pleased you, Chotey. You are my pride, my reputation. Remember this." And from that day, Arnav stopped sneaking out, but informed the family and had their permission. He smiled, that experience came in hand as he did the same to enter the place, and hid himself behind a huge tree, angling himself as he saw his Vikram Mama already reached there and waiting for the other party.
It took another fifteen minutes for the other man to reach the place, and Arnav fisted his palms, gritting his teeth as pure bile rose within him. He so wanted to kill his Mama. He wondered how different Vikram Mama was from Anirudh Mama and his Mom, though they were cousins. He never liked Vikram much from the start. There was something in him that kept Arnav at a distance, though he loved his MalatiBua. Pushing those thoughts aside, he re-positioned himself with the recorder on. The fools that they were, didn't speak in a low voice and Arnav positioned himself relatively close to them, which helped him hear every word clearly.
Before, Arnav might not understand what they were talking but now, he was a law student. He knew what exactly they were planning against the company. He had to warn them beforehand what legal procedure to follow, though they had their family friend and lawyer, Ali Yusuf Khan. They wanted to buy a trustworthy employee and misplace the tender papers. They wanted to have the project. And they were going to use Malati Bua in disturbing his family's focus on the deal. As simple as that, Vikram would pretend to have a fight and Malati Bua, as she loved him, would approach her brothers and on the behind, they would carry on with the work.
Arnav smiled at them for their plan with sympathy. He so wanted to go and explain them that was one of the worse plan he had ever heard. A part of him said that he should let Vikram Mama know about it but Arnav backed off, watching them leave the place after having their deal finalized. He had to give them that the plan might work, but not anymore. His Anirudh Mama would make sure nothing would happen now.
He walked back to his car slowly, sending a text message to his Mama that everything was under control and that he would join him within ten minutes. As he drove back to the performing center, he had a plan ready, and all he had to do was explain it to his Mama. He made his way inside the auditorium, as if he was returning from washroom, rather than after spying the men. He sat beside his Mama with a small nod in acknowledgment.
From the moment he lost his Dadaji, Arnav had been sensible enough to look into the problems he never knew had in the family. Gone was the reckless stubborn pampered kid. Arnav had changed from that kid into the guy with maturity - who had his a tight grip on his thoughts and emotions. He molded himself such that without his consent, even his eyelash would not give away what he was thinking at any given time. He always let his happiness during family dinners, but not his grief behind his lose. No one could fill the void his heart had. No one but his Dadaji himself, which was impossible. He hardly smiled these days that reached his eyes. He could feel the responsibilities his Dadaji placed on his shoulders, not with taking over the business as per will, but beyond that. Arnav knew exactly what Dadaji meant by his true heir. Dadaji wanted Arnav to fulfill his wishes, and Arnav was ready to do that. All his life, Dadaji had shared his dreams with him, right from providing a livelihood for the factory workers and education to their children. To change the society, change yourself first, and then people around you - that was his Dadaji's moral mantra.
As he followed his Mama back to the car, he pushed those thoughts away, focusing on the matter in hand. He stared ahead, on the windshield, as he spoke, "they are keen on having the tender project, Mama... or the exact truth, they are as keener to make us loose that." And he handed the record back to his Mama's extended hand, and so the mobile. "What I don't understand is," he continued, "instead of going there yourself, why did you choose me for that, Mama? You very well know I can make mistakes. I am just a 19 year old, who hated both the men over there, and can very well give into my anger."
"Beyond that," his Mama spoke gently, "you are Amarjit Raizada's heir, Arnav. I agree 19 is young considering the fact we will lose millions, along with relations, if ever you committed a mistake." He smiled as he asked, "do you know a boy visited Jallianwala Bagh Massacre at the age of 12, participated in Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement at 13, and died at 23... creating himself a niche in Indian history and that we got a great warrior with a name Bhagat Singh? And the boy named Manarana Pratap turned into a great ruler right from his childhood?" Watching Arnav, he said at last, "age is just a number, Arnav, nothing more than that. It is an excuse to escape a punishment after doing wrong things. You, for us, are the heir and we want to test you, whether you really deserve to be that or not."
"What is the tender about and why are we interested in that?"
Arnav asked calmly, to which Anirudh smiled. "It is an auction and the land is relatively close to remaining that of which is our labor's residential quarters. There is no particular idea of what we are planning to construct in it, but it benefits us, in any way, to have that piece to make ours a whole. The government's starting price is 10 lakhs, and the family is poor, without any basic needs."
"Not only they want that land," Arnav said thoughtfully, "but they will also plan something to construct that will definitely harm the quarters in a way or the other." Arnav stared at the windshield, thinking over the whole situation. "What are you going to do to stop him, Mama?"
Anirudh laughed as he said, "that, I have to think now." He turned serious as he explained the real reason behind sending Arnav. "Whatever you have on your shoulders isn't a small thing, Arnav. We all know your Dadaji well to understand this much. He not only left his property on your name, also wants you to do something for him, which no one has an idea as of now. Whatever it might be, you have to be ready to face it, and it is our duty to train you in that way. Keep your eyes open and observe your surroundings all the time." Pausing for a while, he studied Arnav and then continued, satisfied his words were having right effect on the kid, "you did well, in fact great. The way you parked the car two kilometers away from the place," he laughed as Arnav stared at him, shocked, "do you really think I will send you to such dangerous place all alone? This is what I am trying to tell, keep your eyes open in all the directions. You didn't notice the man who had been following you. I hope you get it."
"I get it, Mama," Arnav said, understanding just well what he did wrong in the whole act.
"I want you to think a solution to solve this issue, Arnav" Anirudh patted his head as they headed into the home, "we all want to see what Babuji saw in you that he trusted you as his heir. Show us what you got in that mind, okay."
"Good night Mama," Arnav called behind him and made his way towards his Dadaji's room. He sat silently on the nearby couch and watched his Dadi's sleeping form, thinking what his Dadaji would do in such a situation.
Rishikesh
Gupta Nivas
Giving up her tries to sleep, Khushi yanked the duvet and made her way towards the kitchen downstairs, not wanting to be caught by anyone. She looked around, brought the stool and climbed on it to reach the box of Jalebi, just the way she liked, prepared by her Chachi. She sat on the dining table and started munching, muttering under her breath as how none in the family cared for her or her happiness. "I don't understand the use of moving from here," she said while having a large piece of sweet in her mouth, "what happened in Rishikesh that we have to leave and leave right away? What is there in Mumbai, other than tall buildings with noise pollution? There is no Ghats, nor peaceful atmosphere."She continued with her ramblings, eating piece by piece, "all my friends are here. I will be very alone there."
It didn't seem fair for the sudden decision of shifting to a bid metropolitan city, leaving everything behind. Her mother said it was because there were numerous educational options for them, and that they all want the best for the kids. The only best part she loved was, she was going to live with the whole family. Her Dadaji, who loved Rishikesh, also decided to leave for their better future, wanting to be together. She didn't know that her Babuji and Chacha had been having a business over there too.
Hearing footsteps from her behind, she shut her eyes tightly, praying it shouldn't be her mother, who would give her a nice tight slap if she saw her eating Jalebi's at 2 am. She relaxed when she heard her name being called in a low whisper, realizing it was not her mother. Opening her eyes wide, Khushi smiled at him and offered him a piece which he took while sitting beside her, pulling the chair as noiseless as possible. "Varun Bhaiyya," she whispered audibly, her mouth filled with the sweet, "why are you awake at this time? And what is that paper?"
Khushi loved Varun, her Bua's son. He was three years elder to her and they always stayed together. He was her real life hero, who always rescued her from her mother's wrath. They stayed together in their thick and thin, like one whole piece, complementing and completing each other. They were best of friends and Khushi could never have any other friend who understood her like he did. "I have a solid plan of what to do after reaching Mumbai," he said, unfolding the paper and placing it on the table, "I know you will not sleep, knowing we will leave this home in few days. Moreover, I knew it for sure as there are still few pieces of Jalebi's in kitchen. I saw you eyeing the box during dinner."
She grinned along with him and stared at the paper. "Wow Bhaiyya!" she exclaimed as she rubbed her juicy fingers on her dress and held the paper close to read, "you decided in which school we are going to join and also our list of places to visit! That's great... you are the best, Bhaiyya." She said rather loudly and threw her arms around him, "I can't wait to reach Mumbai now. We will have fun, right?"
"Of course we will have, Khushi." Varun chuckled at her while taking the box away from her, ignoring her protests, "now, I don't want Mami to find an empty box and come after you. Now, it's really late. Come on, let's sleep."
"But Bhaiyya," she stopped him and pulled his arm towards her as she whispered in his ear, though they had no audience, "how are you going to convince our family that you wanted to take kickboxing? I don't think Bua will allow you to fight that way."
Varun sighed, remembering his mother's rejection when he showed interest in watching such shows. He was sure his mother would kill him with her own hands if she came to know he was interested in that in real sense. "There is a plan for that too," he said with a smile that said I-have-planned-it-all, "the school in which we are going to have our admissions," he whispered slowly, making her eyes go wide, "it is compulsory we have to participate in any of the listed extracurricular activities, you know. That forces me to pick kickboxing and you, well, there really are numerous choices for you."
"You two..."They heard their names being called in an angry tone and spun around, to find an angry Garima Gupta eyeing them. Shaking her head, she came forward until she hovered over them as she asked in serious tone, "are you here to eat Jalebi's, Khushi? Don't open your mouth to support her, Varun, or else you will not have breakfast today. I am going to prepare razma, you see."
Varun gulped at the name of his favorite dish but Khushi was on the verge of crying, truly scared her mother was angry on her. Because, if Garima Gupta wanted to punish them for the kids mistakes, she would cook all their favorite dishes and not let them have a bite. And so, it was natural for his Khushi to be scared not to have her Jalebi's for at least a week. "No Bua," he spitted out, unable to bear a Jalebi-less crazy Khushi, "she is not eating Jalebi's. We don't know we still have them too. She is unable to sleep and so she woke me up. We came here to discuss our places to visit when we reached Mumbai. See," he brought the folded paper in front of his Bua, unfolding it, "this is what we really are doing."
She stood there, intimidating. "Really?" she asked, suspiciously, "you both are here, at 5 in the morning, to discuss this? But Varun, why is that Jalebi stain on her dress, then? Was it from last night's piece?"
Giving up, Varun cursed under his breath as when would his dear sister learn eating manners. Not, he had no other excuse to pacify his Bua for lying, a major problem, than sneaking for those Jalebi's. Before he could find an escape for both of them or before Garima speak another word, Khushi broke into a loud cry as she hiccupped between, "we are going to leave our home. I am going to miss my friends and this place. I will leave our trees in backyard and that small plant that Dadaji and I planted just few months ago. I am sure no one will be in this home to take care of those plants. They will die. Do you know how much it pains to watch my plants die, Mamma? I never thought I will leave them to their fate. And here you are accusing me of steeling those Jalebi's when all I did was had few bites to console myself." And she ran from there, not wanting to miss that chance. As she was about to turn the corner, she turned back, winked at Varun, and escaped.
Garima shook her head. "Pagal," she scolded affectionately as she held Varun's ear, "and you are the one to receive cold for her mistakes. Here," she said, asking him to follow as she took the box, which the kids closed not just long ago, and opened it. Taking a plate from the holder, she placed three big pieces and handed it to him, "I am not going to give anymore to you both for the rest of the week, until we reach Mumbai. Okay?" she warned with love and chuckled as he ran towards Khushi's room. "When will my Khushi stop using her tears?" she wondered loudly.
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