Prologue
Gods conspire
In the wee hours of the morning, just when the first ray of dawn was blotting the horizon with a tinge of red, bringing in a promise of a new and a better today, the peaceful quietude of the dawn was broken by the cries for mercy and finally with frantic pleas for an escape into the oblivion. Now the land that once promised an hearty harvest mirrored the raging red that was fast smearing the sky. The slain bodies in the crimson puddle seemed to plead " why us?" before giving in to the diktats of fate.
Few hours later, just across the border in the district of Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, the royal staff of Arvindgarh palace was preparing for the unscheduled arrival of the President of the SPM party and the second in line to the title of the dwindling Raizada dynasty. Amidst the hustle bustle stood a man shooting out instructions over the phone. " Is the helipad ready for landing? All clearances taken care of?".Sushil Singh, PA of Arnav Singh Raizada took an early flight back from Delhi to make arrangements at the home turf of Arnav- ASR to his friends.
As he heard the rudder sound he wound up the instructions and set the support staff in action, as he himself rushed out to welcome Arnav Singh Raizada. ASR in all his glory stepped out of the chopper removed his aviators and without wasting a breath he gunned out a barrage of questions as they walked towards the palace.
"Sushil, have the party members been informed about the postponed party meet?"
" Yes Sir, and we have rescheduled it on next Friday " said Sushil, who was now brisk walking to keep pace with Arnav.
"Has Mr. Mathur been informed about my arrival?"
"yes Sir, he is waiting for you in your study"
" Good, I will be in my study, send my breakfast there and join us after you instruct everyone that we are not to be disturbed for the next hour or so"
" But Sir, Rajmata wanted to ..."
"Sushil, everything else can wait. Do as I Say"
"Right away Sir"
Sushil, as he walked away to carry out the given directives wondered to himself how his boss managed to fire away like 950 horsepowered Ferrari. The man who 6 years back came to India and successfully turned the fortune of the struggling SPM party was Live tornado. ASR's appearance didn't give away that he had slept for just couple of hours before the news summoned him back. His white Kurta and coal black Nehru Jacket didn't sport a single crease thereby proving to be poor alibis of his 2 hours journey.
Sushil impulsively spluttered 'maybe he is on steroids!' and then checked himself. 'Never... Never will ASR take the cover of drugs, In fact the word itself irked him... No... Enraged him. Sushil wondered why was that?
Dressed in RL's pale yellow polo and tan chinos, Aman Mathur was casually sitting on one of the leather sofas sipping his cup of black coffee. Pushing the rimless glasses (again designer) up his nose bridge he looked up as Arnav entered the room.
"The coffee tastes like puddle water" Aman cringed at the taste.
" And a very good morning to you too, Aman" as he headed straight for the laptop sitting squarely on mahagony desk table to check his mail. " And have you really tasted puddle water?"
" no need to mock ASR, the black coffee is all yours", as he went ahead added a generous amount of sugar and dollop of cream to his cup.
"You should watch the calories"
"Thankfully ASR i belong to a biologically blessed clan, so no need to keep a check on my weight." which was true, Aman Mathur was not the fittest man on earth but this moderately built, tall man could make a few heads turn.
" so how does the whole situation look to you?" Arnav asked with a serious tone.
"ASR, it is as you make it out to be. I wanted you to come here to cash on it. The naxalities attacked the families in Singrauli which were very close to the Rewa border."
Just then the door opened and Sushil ushered the butler who was strolling the breakfast trolley in. As the butler exited they resumed their conversation.
" And where is Jhangid at the moment, Sushil?" Arnav asked
" Sir, he is holidaying In Barbados with his latest... Ahem"
"mistress" Aman casually completed the statement of the rather embarassed Sushil, " ASR this is the best time to swoop in"
"hmmm, who are these families?"
" two landlords and one jeweller"
"OK, arrange for the visit and intimate the press, Sushil."
As Aman got up to leave Arnav said " And Aman... ditch the suit for this occasion"
Aman smiled to that while turning towards the door that would lead him out and threw the casual retort over his shoulder " I am not the poor man's leader here, I dont need to keep appearances"
" Damn! How I miss strolling in my boxers!" was Arnav's parting statement followed by a chuckle from the indomitable Aman and a series of coughs from a very beetroot red PA of ASR.
Khushi was taking her usual well trodden road back from school, and thinking about her students woes. Khushi Kumari Gupta was a teacher at a school in Ajora village in Rewa. She was the only daughter of a well respected, small time businessman Shashi Gupta and chose to teach because she loved teaching and interacting with kids; guiding them to a path of knowledge and enlightenment, so that one day they would become successful individuals and make their small town an household name across the country. Each of her students had unique abilities and shortcomings. Khushi had realised that a teacher is the only person who can vouch for and accept the fact each individual is different. Today, she was worrying over a boy who usually faired well in studies and was a budding artist to keep an eye out for. However, lately Suraj had taken to misbehaving in the class, was skipping his homework and generally was disrespectful towards teachers.
So lost was she in her thoughts, that she forgot to take her regular detour to the Thal lake where she usually loved to enjoy a few moments of peace. just as she stepped in her house, her mother Garima Gupta's eyes brightened and she walked towards Khushi with plate full of Jalebis, " good you are back early Khushi, I need you to go to Shukla chachi's house and give these jalebis, you know how much she loves them."
At that Khushi's face dropped, " Maa, why don't you go give it, I am really tired..." Seeing the light in her mother's eyes die she agreed and left. it's not that she didn't like the Shuklas, actually she liked them a lot, they were afterall their close family friends but their daughter Sarita's girlie behaviour irritated her to much for her own sanity; the girl was always huddled over a magazine with a group of friends, gushing over the latest movie star, and then again there was her brother Sushant, who literally froze at the sight of her and would stare like he had just shook hands with a ghost!
As she stepped onto the verandah of Shukla's residence she encountered Sushant who was walking out and in no time his casual disposition metamorphosed in an ice sculpture. Khushi in a plain tone wished him " namaste" and walked in. She headed straight for the kitchen to avoid Sarita and her friends who were sitting in front of the TV set.
"Nirmala Chachi, Maa Ne jalibiyan banaii thi, toh aap Ke liye thode le aai"
(Maa made some jalebi's so thought you would like to have some. )
The plumpish middle aged woman was ecstatic to see the offering of her favourite sweet. " Shukriya beta". ( thankyou)
Khushi reentered the living area and was shocked to see the little assembly of girls were watching a News channel! Really? and a heart beat later she realised why their eyes were glued to the Television. Arnav Singh Raizada appeared on the screen sitting on a cowdung plastered bench in pristine white kurta and was intently listening to the pained narration of the dreadful naxal attack that the families in Singrauli were recently subjected to.
" oh, he is so handsome!" opined one of Sarita's friends.
" he looks sooo 'ahem' nice in that white kurta" gushed Sarita " I wonder what is going on in that pretty brain of his."
" Same as what's whirring in yours!" an exasparated khushi couldn't help but butt in.
All the heads which housed a treasure of silly trinkets within, turned to look at the person who dared to break their reverie.
" what do you mean Khushi?"
" I mean, he is also thinking about the very white kurta which at moment is being sullied by the dirty bench he is sitting on"
" oh come on Khushi, for once behave like the 21 year old that you are and stop behaving like a middle aged school teacher!"
" can't help if you girls can't see that he is not visiting the families to empathise with them but is there to strengthen his vote bank!"
She realised her banter was falling on deaf ears and so she turned to leave, busying herself with thoughts of how she was going to convince her parents to allow her to accompany the students on a study tour to Bhopal next week. just then she heard Sarita say " I wish Arnav Singh Raizada will come visit our village someday!"
That stopped Khushi in her tracks, and she whirled around with contained anger," watch what you wish for Sarita. The man only visits when disaster befalls someone, so by wishing for his presence here you are wishing for something bad to happen to our people."
And that statement froze in time... Unknowingly sealing the fate of two people.
The next chapter ( chapter 24) will be updated tonight. Fingers crossed!
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