Chapter 8: Friend
Four days later
"Never forget," said Khushi feeling the sharpness of the kitchen knife with the tip of her index finger, "chili in fried rice and enemy in life." She picked a tomato with her left hand and holding the knife steady in the right, aimed it and plunged it with force into the tomato, twisting it in the fruit's flesh as red juice came out in spurts and spread on the cutting-table. She pulled the knife out with the same brutality and wiped with her finger, one drop of fresh juice that trickled over the knife. "What do they mean when they say, Cold Blooded Murder." she said tasting the drop of juice on her finger.
"Do you plan to murder Raizada?" said Payal stifling a yawn, "do that after you have cleaned this mess." she added pointing at the smudged table.
"Nah, I won't murder him but if I don't throw twenty five thousand in cash on his face along with the interest of my spit, you'd find my blood in the streams of Yamuna instead of water." she said brandishing the knife near her throat, "and him in jail."
"And how exactly do you plan to collect all that money, by robbing a bank?"
"C'mon babe, who robs a bank for twenty five thousand? My piss." she said waving the knife at Payal.
"Mind your tongue girl, if bua hears it you'd be at the receiving end of her piss."
"No way, that'll be enough to drown me. Yuck."
"On second thought Khushi, don't you think you are obsessed with that guy? I am sure he must have forgotten you by now." said Payal wiping the table.
"Let him but I will not, not after all the horrible things he has done to me. Not unless I have payed for the dent."
"Don't be silly, you know our financial condition, you know we are running out money." Said Payal impatiently.
"There has to be a way...yes," Khushi snapped her fingers, "job, yes a job."
"Are you crazy, we haven't come to settle here in Delhi, soon Amma-babuji will call us back and with what do you suppose I'll get a job? I haven't brought my certificates and degrees here, how do you suppose anyone can find a job without the proof of qualification and that too in a city like Delhi?"
"Woah, wait, I didn't say you should find a job. That's my problem and I will pay, not you, so I do jobs and earn, not you."
"You. You! You? Now, now get real."
"Why no?"
"The reasons are many but first being you are not even a graduate, simply twelfth pass and that too not with distinction."
"72.8% is distinction." Khushi defended herself.
"Where do you think that will take you and specially when you are none the better without certificates and mark sheets?"
Khushi's face fell for a moment as she considered for a while before she became a bout of effervescence. "I have my mark-sheets. They are in my diary, I always keep them there. Believe it or not, for now I am more educated than you." She ran to their room, pulled her suitcase from under the bed and rummaged through the items that remained in it, took out the diary and showed the marksheets to Payal, excited.
"Don't be so excited, this still isn't a guarantee that you'll get a job." said Payal.
The dining table chair screeched as Madhumati pulled it and howled, "Two lazy girls in the house, not a glass of water for the poor old grouse."
Payal hurriedly filled a glass and dashed to the hall, Khushi followed later with a jug. Madhumati drained the glass and glared at Khushi, "Dunderhead, what on earth are you doing with all the water left in my house?"
"Bua, but you always drink a jugful in one go. I saw you in Lucknow." said Khushi.
"There is water in Gomti but no water in Yamuna. No water in Delhi. And now since you are here, soon there'll be left no water, no flour, no rice in my little house. Haye re nandkissore, how much does she eat, this face of a goat, stomach of a cow, appetite of an elephant!"
"Buaji is there anything human about me?"
"No, nothing." she cried. "Seems like my troubles will end only with my end," she moaned sinking in the chair, "after your phupha passed away, his pension first became irregular and then was altogether stopped. Now my old legs are tired of running around government offices. They say, Madhumatiji file a case, but god knows how long the case would last, would I be alive then, or not."
"But bua, you had a sewing business, didn't you?"
"Arre bitiya, there were three women I employed- all left. Now-a-days everything is made in those big factories, handmade do not compete with machine-made things. All I have are the meager savings from business and then there was your phupha's land in his village which I had to sell." she said wiping a tear that trickled from a corner of her eye. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to whine in front of you children."
The girls hugged their aunt, "don't lose heart bua, we'll find a solution."
*****
ASR was greeted with a crisp breeze and light drizzle as he drove making the gentle ascent over the Meherauli hill. He turned off the air-conditioner for once and opened the car windows to let in some fresh morning air.
The drizzle had ceased when he reached his destination. He parked his car and got out but involuntarily left a window open. The site had been cleared of on-lookers and other people, there were only the contractor, the chief engineer, the architect, ASR and his manager. The men discussed the proposed mall for over half an hour, till a consensus was reached. Even if ASR had heard the engine of a sports car at a distance, he had chosen to ignore it.
As he walked over to his BMW, a very pink box marked 'Gift a Cake' placed on his dashboard could not be ignored. "Typical Lavanya." he sighed. A moment later the engine of a sports car was heard again, this time not at much a distance.
Her statuesque frame stepped down from the car. Wearing a short strapless sky-blue tunic ending well above her knees, showcasing her flawlessly toned skin; a slight, attractively dusky complexion. Her sculpture perfect curvaceous figure could intrigue any man at sight but not quite much, the equally well sculpted man standing ahead her while casually resting his arm at the door of his BMW. He looked at her, approaching him just with as much interest as he'd look at any random employee of his walking towards him, the only difference being, he did pay notice to her. The only thing that slightly interested him about her at that moment was see how she managed to tread on the uneven rocky terrain in a five-inch pencil heel.
"I expect," said ASR as Lavanya Kashyap threw her slender arms around his broad shoulders. "A kiss?" she said winking at him. "An explanation..., for that." he said pointing at the cake.
"Peanut-butter cake with no sugar, just what you like, for just the man I like." she said flashing a dimpled smile.
"Occasion?" he asked wryly.
"Well my ignorant Leo, it's your birthday today!" she said kissing his cheeks. ASR rolled his eyes - a sign of boredom. "I know ASR, you find birthday celebration and parties cheesy, but I had to do something on such a special date and you would not appreciate if I did so in office. So I thought of giving you a surprise here and see," she said putting her smooth curls on one side, "I even missed my hair appointment..."
"I see," said ASR cutting her short, "that I'll be wasting my next ten minutes cutting this cake with you."
"I am sorry, you are terribly busy," she said bringing out the cake and cutting a small piece herself, "but c'mon ten minutes aren't going to hurt".
"You know what Lavanya, "he said, a slight smile appearing on his lips, "you are among the very few people entitled to waste my precious ten minutes without a prior permission."
"Really Ace? she said flashing her dimples the second time as she turned to face him again, with a small piece in her hand. She adored what she saw. "Now comes that sort of half -a - smile on your lips and I fall in love with you a hundred times all over again..."
"The cake's good." he said, interrupting her as he took a very small bite from her hands.
"I am so glad you liked it." she said waiting for him to return her gesture.
"Now what?"
"Aren't you going to do the same with me, it's your birthday after all." He sliced a small piece, nonchalantly and fed her. "Happy birthday sweetheart." she said, "would you mind wasting your time taking me out tonight?"
"I was considering that."
"Great, see you in the office then." she hugged him and pecked his cheek. "Bye." she said getting back in her car.
ASR checked his phone which had been on silent mode, he hadn't been home last night. Instead had spent it working in his private penthouse atop his office. There were twenty seven missed calls from Anjali between 00.00am and 02.00 am; twenty from Lavanya, seven from Akash, six from MJ, five from Devyani, four from Manorma, three from a distant cousin, two from his solicitor- Mr. Roy, one from Aman and several others he didn't care about. He headed back for his office, there were a lot of things to work on as he was looking ahead for a major collaboration with a Russian Giant this week.
*****
Devyani Raizada prayed for longer than usual this morning. She made her usual offering to the deity and returned with her thali to the central hall where her daughter in law sat in the couch, reading newspaper alongside her granddaughter who was busy with her phone. "It took you long, praying for something special mom?" asked Manorma as she took the Prasad. "Yes indeed, I asked for another daughter in law."
The Laddoo fell from Manorma's hand as she stood up in shock, "All right, mother in law, I know you don't like me much but let me tell you that your son is not getting another wife. He's way past that age." she said pouting.
Devyani scowled, "And have you ever pondered over why I don't like you much, that's because even at this age, you never talk sense. I am not talking about your husband, I am talking about my grandson."
"Wrong choice of words, say grand-daughter in law, milady." retorted Manorma. It was Anjali's turn to be surprised. "Relax nanz, it's too early."
"Early? For god's sake, he's twenty eight, its just the right time, I should commence looking for a suitable girl for my sonny." said Devyani.
"Sonny's a step ahead, he believes in self-service. He already has..." Manorma blurted.
Devyani glared at her. Anjali tensed for a moment, "Mami is just kidding, aren't you mami?" she chimed in. "No, I am not. Arnav has...", "no girlfriend." spat Anjali shaking her head, pleading Manorma to keep quiet. Devyani looked suspiciously at both of them. "I hope you are not trying to hide something Anjali, in any case if Arnav already has a girl in his life, I'll be happy to take his choice into consideration. The only thing is, as far as I know your brother, choice is one thing, an amiable agreement over which is not happening easily between the two of us."
"How am I supposed to know that your granny doesn't know what half the planet would know?" Manorma said in a loud whisper as soon as Devyani was out of earshot.
"Because she is not supposed to know about this, not unless I have asked Arnav. I am not sure whether he's serious about her as of yet." Anjali said in a hushed whisper.
"Not serious? Hasn't Arnav been dating that Kashyap girl for many months now?"
At a distance, Devyani pretended to be busy with her pet, she had caught the word that mattered in the conversation. "They think I am a fool, don't they my dear?" she said patting the animal, " a Ms Kashyap, is she?"
****
"I am not joking, how long will buaji go on with no source of income?" argued Khushi as she picked up the used dishes from the dining table. Madhumati snored heavily in the adjacent room. "Think practically Khushi, how will you find a job in a new city with bare minimum academic qualification, no approach, no acquaintance, no knowledge about anything, no nothing. Zero." mourned Payal.
"Acquaintance?" said Khushi scratching her chin. "Of course, I know somebody in Delhi who can help. Why didn't the bell ring before?"
"Who? Bedi uncle? You'd work in his garage?"
"Arre no, you remember I told you about that Shyam guy who saved me from goons, he's a lawyer, he even gave me his card." Khushi scrambled to her room, Payal followed, apprehensive as ever. Khushi dragged her suitcase out again and began throwing her stuff out. "Hear it from me Khushi, I am not going to clear this mess you made here." said Payal looking at the floor. "GOT IT!" Khushi yelped holding the small white business card. "Wait, are you sure you are going to ask him for a favor?" "Haaye re nandkissore Payaliya," Khushi said mimicing her aunt's tone, "how much do you worry bitiya?". She went inside Madhumati's room where she was still snoring and clapped her hands near her aunt's ear. Madhumati stifled and turned on her other side and let out a massive snore. Khushi was relieved, her aunt wouldn't wake up for at least another hour. She returned to the dining room and picked up the ancient round-dial black landline phone. She wasn't going to pay the roaming charges by making a call from her mobile phone. Payal pinched her on her arm. "What now?" Khushi said rubbing her arm. "Be nice and courteous, don't start blabbering find me a job. First tell that you hope you are not bothering him. Okay?. "K".
She dialed the number looking from the card and heard the ring..."Hello." said the voice.
"Hello Shyamji?"
"Yes."
"Me speaking."
"Hi Me, how can I help you."
Khushi bit her tongue, "I mean, I am Khushi, you know Khushi from Lucknow..." Shyam smiled, what joy it was for the bored lawyer to hear the voice he had been so hoping to hear again for the past week. A voice that he had recognized the moment he heard it. "No, Khushi from Delhi it is." he said.
"How do you know I am in Delhi?" she asked surprised.
"Well, I believe a number beginning from 011 belongs to Delhi."
"Of course, how stupid of me. Actually Shyamji, I needed a favor. I was looking for a job, you see I can do any kind of job, all I need is a decent salary."
"All right, there is a vacant post of a watchman in my village, say, should I suggest your name?"
"No, no, I mean a job in Delhi, I hope I am not bothering you." she said, remembering Payal's instruction.
"Please, cut the formality Khushi," he said and added on a serious note, " is there some urgency? If it is, I mean if money is what you need then please don't hesitate, I'd only be obliged to help."
"Oh no Shyamji, I wanted to earn my own. If only you could help me find a job, I don't know anyone here, you see."
"Well, I'll try my best but it will help if you could be more specific about the kind of work that would suit you. Like, something related with your interest or some skill that you have.."
"Yeah, I can cook well." she said encouraged.
Shyam hesitated, "well maybe, I won't be able to help much if you plan to work in a restaurant. Tell me anything else you could do, like your academic qualification, we could have some options then.
For the first time Khushi regretted to not have attended college. "Actually that's not very impressive, I am only a twelfth pass but with honors in commerce."
"That's not bad," he said trying to encourage, "I hope you are in possession of your marksheets, we'd need them."
"Yes I am."
"Did you ever go to a university, however short the period."
"Yes I did, to Lucknow University, I dropped out last year but I have my admission letter."
"Not being intrusive, but could I ask the reason why you opted out?"
"Simple, I realized Bcom wasn't what I wanted to do in my life. You know, when you don't feel like you belonged somewhere. It just wasn't me. It was so irritating."
Shyam felt his heart racing at her words."I admire you. Anyway, you can still find a clerical job. All we need is your marksheets, certificates if any and most importantly a strong worded application. If you want, I can write that for you."
"Thank you so much, but I think my sister can do that for me. Just tell me what all should it have."
"Ideally it should include a few details about you, your qualification and a copy of proof for the same. Also your field if interest, your achievements if any, your particular skills and job experience if any. Although cooking and commerce don't go well together, is there something you are exceptional at, apart from that."
Khushi knew she was exceptionally good at lying but she was not going to tell him that. "I bagged the first prize in inter-college racing tournament." she said proudly.
"That's good but I mean, any subject you are good at."
"of course, Maths." she said smiling at her mark sheet, the only subject in which she scored 90 plus in both years. "I am average at accounting."
"Great, I know just the job for you, in an inventory, you know, keeping account for supply of goods."
"Hey I have experience with that, actually I took care of the store, the ration, milk, ghee, sugar everything at our Satvik Mishthan Bhandar. In fact I remembered the figures so well that you could wake me up and 2 in night and I could tell you."
"That's great, you have the right job experience but remember to call it sweet mart instead of mishthan bhandar in your application."
"Done but how will you get the papers? I am not allowed to move out of my house."
"If you aren't allowed to move out of your house how do you suppose you'd work outside?"
"I'll convince my aunt by then, you see, I am under her house-arrest!"
"Where do you live?"
"Lakshmi Nagar, first street to the right after the signal."
This was an extreme case of coincidence for the lawyer. "That is barely a kilometer from my office. I could come over.."
"Oh no, not tomorrow, I'll need at least a day to convince bua. But wait, I have your address on the card, I can post them. The post office is five steps away, I can manage that...and listen thank you so much for all this."
"Hey, in the days of inflation, thanks is not enough. I'd ask you for a treat once you have appointment letter in your hands."
"Sure."
The line kept on playing in his mind as he fell on his bunk, 'You know, when you don't feel like you belonged somewhere', so there were still some people in this world who did just what their heart told them to, he thought. Some really lucky people who took such risks in their lives not caring for consequences. Could he do the same? That would be the beginning of an all new chapter in the lawyer's life. Shyam smiled to himself, was he falling in love with her? Or he already had? Whatever be the case, it was still too early to say...
*****
She walked but could barely find her way in the darkness. Why was his world so dark, she wondered. She sensed a faint light coming from a distance whose intensity increased gradually as she walked towards it, so did the intensity of sounds of people, which she followed. Soon she could see the stairs, she climbed up and her heart jumped up when she saw him. Peering at the gallery, he took no notice of her. She couldn't deny that he was breathtaking in a dark brown three piece suit, so dark that its color seemed to dissolve with the surroundings. She clutched her tote bag slinging on her shoulder, "Arnav Singh Raizada," she called out his name, "what now?" he asked wryly. "Have your money" she said unzipping her bag and flung a big bundle of notes at him, "twenty five thousand", she said but was disappointed to see that not a single note hit his face. He stood dumbfounded. She flung another bundle of notes at him, "fifty thousand" she yelled and climbed a stool kept at her side and began emptying her bag's contents over his head, "One lac". He became furious, "What the hell are you doing, you are spoiling my hair. You know how expensive my hair is? If I had to put a price to your entire life...", "Oh shut up!" She got down the stool. The crowd in the gallery clapped. She bowed, "Myself Khushi Kumari Gupta from Lucknow." SPLASH! Khushi jerked up on the bed and stared foolishly at her sister who had a tumbler in her hand". "Who exactly doesn't know your name and address in this house Khushi?" "Duh, dream." Khushi said rubbing her wet forehead. "Morning dream! Jiji an early morning dream, I can't wait till it comes true."
"Early morning?" Payal thrust the alarm clock in her sister's hand. 9:15 it showed. "Now get up and wash yourself, or bua rains from the tap in place of water."
"With thunder and lightning." she said getting down from her bed.
****
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
Real Estate
142