Chapter 3
Arnav Singh Raizada was not the astute businessman that he was, without reason. Four years ago, he had started AR fashions putting together his business knowledge and his sister's excellence in designing clothes. In his steady ascend from a business management student at The Harvard to the CEO of AR fashions, he had seen and interacted with so many people and his strength lay in his people relation skills. In fact, it was this exemplary virtue which brought in the needed investors to start his venture all those years ago. His contemporaries were quite often taken by surprise by his acute sense of anticipation and ability to know what exactly ran in his opponent's mind, needless to say that this is how he was successful in clenching deal after deal. Hence it would be surprising to say that Arnav Singh Raizada was clueless and did not know what to expect as he stood along with his sister at the door step of the Guptas. He spent the time taken between ringing the door bell and the eventual opening of the door, thinking about the worst probabilities of being insulted and shown the door, if Shyam Gupta had protective streaks for his sister, to a scale that matched Arnav Singh Raizada's. Therefore it left him speechless when Shyam showed a myriad of emotions as he opened the door that ranged from a hint of residual smile to shock to resentment to guilt bordered with a tinge of joy when his line of sight shifted from Arnav to Anjali and then emotionless when it shifted back to him, as he opened the door fully to let in the guests with a customary "Welcome! Please come in!"
Shyam led his guests to the living room couches and once he ensured they were settled comfortably, he excused himself to go to the kitchen to alert his father and sister about the visitors. He had been taught well to treat his guests with respect, no matter what the circumstances be, but he wasn't sure if Khushi was up to receiving this particular guest. And by the looks of it, Arnav Singh Raizada was there to make some amendments and Shyam was worried how Khushi would take it, not because he didn't know his sister well, but because he had no prior experience in dealing with such as situation. But he was too late, as he realized that the father-daughter duo were already on their way to the lounge.
As Shashi led his daughter, he noticed the two people sitting in the living room and he instantly knew why they were there. He felt a little apprehensive about letting his daughter know about who the guests were when Anjali rose from her seat and folded her hands to say a polite "Namasthey!" directed to Shashi, which he reciprocated. Khushi looked a little startled at the new voice and a moment later realization dawned on her face as she recognized the voice.
"Anjaliji?"
Anjali came forward and placed her hand in Khushi's hand which she held instantly and said quite delightfully, surprising everyone in the process,
"Welcome to our home Anjaliji! What a pleasant surprise! I was talking to Bhaiyya about you"
"I hope it is all good, although I have no reason to think likewise"
A moment of silence prevailed while everyone shifted uncomfortably in their positions. Shashi turned his attention to Arnav who was now standing in respect before him and came forward to shake his hands with senior Gupta.
Shashi decided to put the boy at ease and said,
"Arnav !! Delighted to have you here this evening. Please take a seat"
"After you Sir!!"
That was when Khushi realized that Anjali was not alone but had a company. She visibly stiffed at hearing Arnav's voice and felt like the anger filled voice she heard this morning was not his at all, since the voice she heard now was filled with respect.
Shyam called Nakul to bring more snacks and tea and urged Anjali to take her seat. He settled Khushi carefully in the sofa opposite to the one Arnav and Anjali sat on across the center table and settled down besides her, while their father sat on a sofa that was adjacent to theirs.
Arnav observed Khushi with awe as she leaned forward to make tea for everyone. Arnav had heard that differently abled people often exhibit excellent level of self-reliability and independence. He was seeing for the first time. Khushi carefully upturned the cups and filled each of them to 3/4th level. She added one cube of sugar, placed a spoon inside and handed it over to Shashi onto her right side. She asked Anjali for the amount of sugar and added accordingly before extending the cup in the direction from which she had heard her voice. She hesitated for a few moments before asking,
"Umm. How many cubes of sugar M...Mr. R..."
Arnav quickly sensed her discomfort and answered,
"I take my beverage without sugar Ms. Gupta"
"Beverage? Do you prefer coffee?"
Surprised at the insight, he responded, "I do. But I also drink tea occasionally. So no problem"
Khushi extended her hand with tea cup which Arnav took when she heard Shashi ask him,
"Any specific reason you don't take sugar?"
"Nothing Sir! Just a little health conscious. I avoid sugar. My...my mother was diabetic."
Shyam looked up to see Anjali who threw a sad look at her brother. He accepted the cup his sister gave him. An uncomfortable silence followed, none knowing what to speak. Shashi took effort to make a small talk with Arnav, asking about his business, latest ventures, but a preoccupied Arnav was not very cooperative, giving his answers in monosyllables. Hence, silence filled the room once again. A while later, Arnav cleared his throat and addressed Shashi.
"Sir! I hope you are aware of the happenings in my office this morning"
Khushi and Shyam suspended whatever they were doing, that is sipping tea and ogling Anjali respectively and perked up their attention to the man who had been rehearsing in his mind since none knew when. Shashi gave an affirmative nod and Arnav continued,
"Although I have my reasons for my anger, I have absolutely no justifications for my inhuman behavior towards your daughter"
Shashi saw that Khushi felt very uncomfortable being an audience to this conversation and so raised his hand to stop him and said,
"Arnav! From what I have seen and heard of you, I was a little surprised when I came to know about today's occurrence. As much as I am sure that there has been a misunderstanding, unfortunately, my daughter has been the recipient of the outcome, although a mere misplaced outburst. I appreciate your gesture, however, it is not me you have come here to speak to, isn't it?"
Arnav nodded his head.
Shashi gazed at Arnav for some moments and a few more at Khushi before he asked Anjali, "Anjali beta !! Do you like gardening?" If Anjali was surprised at the deviation, she didn't show it. Instead she answered politely,
"I love to admire gardens full of flowering plants. But it is chote, I mean, Arnav, who is interested in gardening. He personally overlooks the maintenance of the garden at our home".
"You must be having some personal favorites?"
"Roses, Uncle"
"Then it is a crime if I keep you away from our exclusive rose garden."
Shashi rose from his place and addressed Shyam,
"Shyam, Why don't you take Anjali to our garden?"
"Dad..."
Anjali took the cue and interjected, "Oh you have one? That's wonderful. Shyam! I would love to see it"
Shyam gave a pointed look to his dad before leading Anjali out through the massive French windows into the lawn that led to a vast expanse of garden outside.
Shashi ignored his son and turned to Arnav when his phone rang. He couldn't have thanked his sister more, when her name flashed on his caller ID. He took the call,
"Yes Jiji! When are you coming..."
He gestured Arnav to carry on with his conversation with Khushi before walking towards the study.
Arnav was amazed at how Shashi had orchestrated everything like it was the most natural thing to do. He felt grateful to him for giving some alone time with Khushi to comfortably apologize'. But the difficult task awaited him. He turned his attention to Khushi and noticed for the first time, probably, how innocent she looked. She was wearing a maroon full length cotton skirt and a cream coloured sleeveless top. A matching maroon dupatta completed the simple yet classy look. Her unblemished face had no makeup and her silky hair was let loose making her look like an angel. She kept fidgeting her dupatta showing her nervousness at being left alone with him. The scene playing in front of him was straight from an old Hindi movie, where the cupid family leaves a prospective bride and groom to talk to each other alone.
What the hell!!! Where did that come from?! Arnav you have officially lost it. Arnav chided himself.
He was about to open his mouth to say something when he heard,
"Mr. Raizada !! There is ..."
"It's Arnav, Ms. Gupta"
"You will be Mr. Raizada to me as long as I am Ms. Gupta. Listen, there is really no need to ..."
"Khushi"
Her name in his voice sounded like a whisper that caressed her physically, making goosebumps erupt all over her body. Unaware of the little hormonal trigger he had caused, Arnav continued,
"Khushi, I am sorry, I really am. You and your family have shown immense magnanimity in treating us with respect after all that happened this morning. But my conscience knows that I have behaved terribly and I don't deserve to be treated so nicely. I am disappointed with myself and will be able to look at myself in the mirror only if I know I have been forgiven for my misdeed."
"Arnav"
It was now Arnav's turn to be physically jolted.
"Arnav, I understood even then that you had mistaken me for someone else. True, I was shaken by your choice of words and felt that no woman, whether at fault or not, deserved to be spoken to in that way. I came to know from Bhaiyya, what happened with Anjaliji. I felt your anger was justified although the reaction was not. "
Arnav felt his chances of getting forgiveness were bleak. And after a long time in his life, he felt helpless.
However, he was put out of his misery, the very next moment.
"But I guess, everyone has their moments of strength and weakness, isn't it? I yelled at you too, which is not in my nature. So I think, we are even." She paused.
Arnav did not know how to react. Did she really give him a benefit of doubt? Would he have, had he been in her place? He still needed to know if he had her forgiveness. Hence he prodded her.
"So...does this mean that you..."
"I forgive you, if that is what will give you peace"
Khushi gave a dazzling smile, which took Arnav's breathe away.
Angelic.
Wait. What? Forgiven? Just like that? Where did she harbor so much of warmth?
"Tha...thank you !!"
"Since you have said what you wanted to and I have told what you wanted to hear, should we join bhaiyya and Anjaliji in the garden? I am sure bhaiyya must be very tensed for me, you know."
"Quite naturally so. I didn't give any reason not to, did I?"
"Oho Arnav, you know, this remorseful tone doesn't suit your voice. In fact, I couldn't recognize your voice a while ago at all. I don't mean you should be yelling all the time. But this is abnormal too. Come on, lets go"
Arnav was taken aback by the ease with which Khushi normalized the tension between them.
"Wait !! I have brought you something"
"What?"
"Something that's yours"
Arnav picked up a bundle that lay besides him and went to sit by her side leaving a comfortable distance between them. He placed the book in her hands, which she held and ran her hands over before exclaiming,
"My book? Thank you"
"And this is also yours" saying which he pulled out a phone from his coat pocket. He placed it in her free hand. She held it and realized what it was.
"No Arnav. I can't accept this. You have bought a new one, haven't you?"
"Please Khushi. I broke it. So it is only reasonable that I replace it"
Khushi kept quiet for some time and then like something struck her, she told him.
"Okay I will accept this, if you promise to attend our fund raiser charity show."
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Shyam and Anjali walked through the garden in silence. Whether it was comfortable or otherwise was subjective at that point of time. Finally it was Shyam who broke the silence.
"Anjali ! I am sorry for hurling those hurtful words at you this morning. I didn't mean it."
Anjali stopped in her tracks and looked at him for a longer moment before breaking into beautiful smile. The setting sun and her outfit enhanced the radiance that emanated from her form, or was that her inner beauty, wondered Shyam.
"Is today marked in the calendar as a day of apologies?"
"What?"
"Oh Shyam !! Please don't apologize. Both of us know that it was momentary and that you didn't mean it. Please let it go. You know Chote is very sorry for his behavior too. And I hope Khushiji forgives him"
"Chutki is very kind hearted. She would forgive. I only hope that whatever happened today never happens again."
"Shyam !! I don't know what came over Chote today. He has anger issues, I agree, but it was never this worse in a very long time. I apologize too on his behalf"
"Its okay Anjali. Lets forget all about today" told Shyam and gave a reassuring smile.
They came to stop in front of a bench and sat there.
"You have a beautiful garden Shyam !! Our garden in Shantivan is not this vast. But it gives a sense of peace, just like here"
"This was my mom's creation, she loved roses."
A pregnant silence followed. Both knew from each other's conversations that both had a permanent lacunae in their lives left by their respective mothers.
"After she passed away, dad is maintaining it. He is able to sense her presence here. In fact this garden has helped him to not fall apart after she left."
Shyam paused and it was evident that he was trying to compose his emotions. And then he continued.
"You know Anjali, I had the fortune to witness my parents so in love with each other. Although I didn't know what it was at that time, when I reminisce every happy occasion we had spent together now and later learnt from my dad how they fell in love and married, I understand the depth of their love. If only it had lasted longer"
Shyam said almost in a whisper. Anjali couldn't help but think that time does very little to make one not miss their departed near ones. She thought back to the time when she had spent the best time of her life with chote and their mother.
"Not everyone is lucky enough to have such love in their lives, Shyam"
This left Shyam a little confused. Who was she talking about?
"How old were you Shyam, you know, when..."
"I was eleven"
"Oh My God! Khushi must have been a baby then, isn't it"
Shyam met her shocked gaze and did a little struggle with his emotions. When he decided to speak up, they were interrupted by their respective sibling.
"Bhaiyya !! You know, Arnav here, has consented to be the guest of honor for our fund raiser"
Shyam met Arnav's gaze with apprehension but relaxed as he saw him nod.
"That's wonderful Chutki. So now that the date is finalized, I will ask NK and Payal to come over tomorrow to discuss the plan. We have a month now. Is the time sufficient?"
"Yes bhaiyya !!"
Arnav said, "I think we should leave now Di. Its getting late and Nani will be worried"
He turned to Shyam, "I am sorry, you had to witness all those today. I am surprised you didn't wring my neck"
"Aah! I would have loved to execute it at the earliest, had it affected chutki very deeply or had you not been the gentleman that you are to have come to pacify my sister and even agreed to be a part of a program that is likely to draw some media attention"
"I guess I have been lucky then that you spared me without as much of a scratch. And as for media is concerned, I am not averse, I only hate being questioned about my personal life, which is where it finally ends up in. But this time around, I have prepared myself mentally to undergo all that torture, since that seems to be the only way I could earn your sister's forgiveness"
"Haaw!! That's a false accusation. I forgave you even before I brought up the topic of fund raiser."
Arnav raised his hands in surrender and said, "Okay fine !! Jokes apart, I am glad to be a part of such a wonderful cause"
Anjali smiled and felt relieved seeing the easy camaraderie that Arnav and Khushi had developed in such a short time. To his credit, Shyam was astounded to find his sister at ease in the man's company who was hell bent in threatening his sister's sanity that very morning.
The group made a move to go into the house and were joined by Shashi. Soon the Raizada siblings took their leave, leaving behind a relieved Shyam, excited Khushi and a very happy Shashi Gupta. The old man was happy since he had witnessed from his study, the little scene in the garden between the Gupta and Raizada siblings that gave a small but strong ray of hope of a possibility of something long lasting to take shape for his children. If the belief about the impact of positive vibrations and wishful thinking were to be true, then it can be stated with confidence that this evening witnessed the beginning of some beautiful relationships, except that, one of those had was destined to have a smooth journey and the other, a very highly complicated and difficult one, full of emotional upheavals.
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To be continued...
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