Polemic Jackanapes #2: [COMPLETE] Chapter 13-27B - Page 90

Originally posted by: meera30

Since this story is only 2 chapters down since AD crashed all over me, I am re-starting my FF reading journey here. Twiggy...You aren't going to post another chapter today, are you??? (hoping and praying and of course, ducking Charu's chappals!)

Originally posted by: vgedin

Looks difficult, Meera. AD has decided to be mean to me too this week. Update will be up in a day or two max, but not today.

Sorry, people. But worry not, I am at it 😊

Cant believe IF gobble dup my whole long typed comment! uff 😡

In short now- As a parent I might most probably do what Shashi did - my kid will oblige like Khushi or not Not sur abt that.

When Madhu supported Shashi's live-in all those years back- I wonder what is making her so hysterical abt Khushi's wedding in this era?

Garima's turmoil abt strain bet Shashi and Khushi. Shashi forcing Khushi and Khushi's distancing - you wrote that beautifully Twigs. As a mother and wife I can relate to it.
So Payal is going to States.

Hope you are settled and will be regular here Twigs!

When are you thinking of updating Twiggs?

Any chance of getting an update today?

Chapter 27 A

Anjali smiled brightly, happy with the outcome of all the hard work, as she watched her family and the Guptas chatting merrily with each other. Arnav was keeping Garima company while Aakash and Shashi seemed to be deep in conversation. She saw Payal bring Devyani a cup of tea and a plate of pakoras for them to share. She wished her husband was here, but Shyam was busy at office and had been unable to make it. That was the explanation he'd given and she had chosen to believe it, for the sake of her own sanity. However, Arnav and Akash hadn't bothered to even pretend that they'd bought the story.

For someone who was least excited about the little get together, Arnav had been a good sport. Never one to make a big deal about his achievements, he had been mildly embarrassed by the little surprise arranged by his sister and his grandmother. But he had played along with their plans and it looked like he was actually having a good time. Anjali had made sure to invite only those who mattered most to Arnav - and that list was rather small, consisting of just his own family and the Gupta's. Friends of his who were close were all out of town, or simply out of touch. The thought of college friends had made her nostalgic, and on an impulse, she had decided to call up some of her old friends that afternoon. She had smiled and laughed more than she had in years as she spoke to her people and relived the best years of her life. She wondered why she had never thought of doing this before. Why had they lost touch in the first place?

She broke out of her reverie when she noticed Arnav quickly glance at the door, presumably waiting for Khushi. When he noticed her looking his way, he excused himself from the conversation and walked up to Anjali. He picked up a pakoda from the plate in her hand and popped it into his mouth; "Hmmm these are delicious, Di", he complimented.

"All for you", she smiled as she walked to her left and took a seat on a chair.

"This is all very nice, Di.", he said as he took the seat next to her. "But you really didn't have to do this! It's not like I won a case or something. It was an out of court settlement and yes, I managed to seal the matter peacefully. But that hardly warrants a party."

"You don't understand", she looked his way and smiled sweetly; Arnav didn't let her almost uncanny resemblance to his mother distract him for longer than a second. "It isn't about how big or small the event is, Chote. It's a happy day, and I am turning that into a reason for all of us to come together and have a good time. Something important happened today, and we are celebrating it together. All the people you love under one roof - do the nitty-gritties of my reasoning or your case really matter?"

"You do have a point there" he said softly and took another look at the beautifully decorated living room of their apartment. The white silk curtains that adorned the windows, the flowers that bedecked all the corners and the huge bouquet on the centre table, the dining table full of mouth-watering deliciousness - all of them his favourites, prepared with love especially for him by his sister and his Nani. He was touched; putting his arm around his sister, he pulled her close. "Thank you" he said and kissed the top of her head.

And that's when he heard the excited shriek from near the door; he didn't have to look up to know who it was. "I have the cake!" Khushi squealed and tried to balance the huge bag in her hands as she tried to shove her slippers under the shoe rack with her feet. Anjali took the bag in her hands and placed it in the middle of the dining table.

"Sorry, I messed up the icing." said Khushi, panting as she came to stand next to Anjali. "I tried my best to fix it, but it still reads Congratulations Armaw'. I don't know why I tried icing in cursive! And its so hard baking with Splenda! I should have just let you bake the cake, Di."

"Its okay, Khushi." Anjali said smiling. "I'm sure the taste is delicious."

"Yes, I'm sure it tastes absolutely delicious" Arnav said as he came and stood behind her. Had she imagined the pure devilry in his timbre as he made the innocent remark? His sister seemed totally oblivious. Khushi knew she was right when felt him pinch her butt. She gasped in surprise and bit her tongue when she saw the concerned look on Anjali's face.

"What happened Khushi?"

"Yes, what happened, Khushi?" Arnav also asked as he came and stood in front of her.

Khushi cursed under her breath as she tried to put on a smile on her face and managed to mumble "Nothing, I'm fine Di."

"Enough with the pleasantries.", Khushi was thankful for Aakash's timely interruption. "Let's get to the cake, shall we?" he said gleefully, his eyes fixed on the bag on the table.

"Akash!" Anjali chided him and moved to take over the baking tray from inside the bag. She peeled off the foil covering the tray to reveal the cake, and tried not to laugh at Khushi's rather pathetic attempt at icing. When she looked up, she realised everyone was hovering over the dining table, clearly waiting to just dig into the chocolaty mess.

"Cut the cake, Chote" it was Devyani who spoke this time, her eyes shining with pride and excitement.

"Do we have to do this, Nani?" Arnav made the last attempt at escape.

"Yes, of course! Cut the cake already, and put Aakash out of his misery."

Finally convinced that he really didn't have a way out, Arnav decided to go ahead with the whole thing. If this made his people happy, so be it. He found it oddly reminiscent of his childhood birthday parties, where he'd cut the cake and then everyone took turns to hug him before jumping at the food, the food his mother so loving cooked for him and his guests. He'd refused to celebrate his birthdays once he lost his mother. Overtime, he had overcome his aversion to parties or the gut wrenching pain that followed all the nostalgia, but he had his moments. But today, as his sister and grandmother held him in a tight embrace, as his brother patted his back, as Garima held his face in her palms and tenderly kissed his forehead, as Shashi shook his hand and said he was proud of his son', he felt the unpleasantness leave his body, leaving him just grateful and giddy with joy.

He opened his mouth wide as Khushi fed him a huge piece of the cake; it was lumpy and hard but he hardly noticed. Khushi took a look around; once convinced no one had their eyes on them, she placed a quick kiss on his lips.

"Stop now or I'm going to drag you to my bedroom." he warned, his voice threatening and tempting at the same time.

Taking a step closer, "Later" she whispered teasingly in his ear, and stepped back as she noticed Anjali coming toward them.

"Get a room, you two." she remarked and served herself another piece of cake.

"That's what I was saying!" Arnav smirked and was rewarded with the sight of two shocked faces in front of him.

"Shut up!", said Khushi, face flushed and crimson. Turning to Anjali, "How was the cake, Di? Have I totally ruined your recipe?"

"Nothing like that. It was lovely. See, this is my second helping.", she pointed at the plate in her hands.

"Thanks. But now tell me, how do you really think the cake is?" Khushi asked again, a knowing look on her face.

Anjali smiled, stole a glance at her brother who was clearly enjoying the scene. She knew Khushi wouldn't budge until she said something. "The taste is perfect. Just work on the texture next time. Beat the egg whites separately and whisk them with the sugar. And add the yolks one at a time and mix once the rest of the batter is done. The cake will melt in your mouth."

"You'd make a lovely teacher, Di. I was expecting criticism, and what I got was advice that makes sure I do better next time." Khushi said, genuinely pleased.

Anjali left when she heard Devyani call her. As they watched her retreating, Arnav placed his arm around Khushi's waist; she didn't protest.

"Thank you, for the cake. For everything. It's not even a big deal, you know. Its not like I went to court and fought and won a case." he said softly.

"That's not what matters," she replied. "It was an important day for you and I wanted to be there for it. All of us did. And stop understating your achievements, Arnav. You wouldn't have been working so hard the whole time if all of it was so easy. It-" she was interrupted mid-sentence when she heard both Anjali and Devyani call for her from the latter's room.

Turning to Arnav, "I'll go check" she answered his unspoken question and left for Devyani's room.

Arnav looked around the room; Anjali had been right - all the people he cared for were under one roof, and they were here for him. These were also the people who had been with him throughout the days he had no time to be anything but miserable. He had been so consumed in self-doubt, and later with the need to prove himself that he hadn't even taken the time to appreciate all the people who had been his support system. Nani, for her unwavering faith in him. Khushi, for being his strength. Shashi and Garima, for never making him feel like he may be unworthy of their daughter. Anjali, who had taken time despite her own problems to be there with him as often as she could. Even Om Prakash, who made him cups after cups of coffee when he was working late at night.

How had he missed all that? And what was it that he achieved at the end of it? He was chasing something he didn't understand himself, trying to find meaning in things that were defined by the world. Despite the fact he was never made to feel like he needed to do that by anyone who was close to him. How had he allowed himself to come to close to complete despair when he had everything in life to be happy about? What was it that he really wanted? Or did he already have everything he desired? The questions had only just begun to plague his mind when he saw Payal walk towards him, the last person he wanted to speak to at this time.

"Congratulations, Arnav", she said sincerely and held her hand out.

He smiled and mumbled a "Thank you" as he returned her offer to shake hands lackadaisically. What followed was an awkward silence as Payal tried to come up with something appropriate to say, and Arnav wondered how best to make his way out of the conversation.

Payal had wanted to speak with him for some time now, but for once in her life, she was tongue-tied. She had thought about what Aakash had said, reflected on the affect her words may have had on him once she was able to think beyond what Aakash's had done to her. And while she still believed that she wasn't completely wrong in what she had said, she accepted now that her words were brutally phrased and hurtful. And that they warranted an apology.

She wanted to apologise without sounding patronizing or insincere, and now was a good time. "Look Arnav, I am...I'm really sorry about that day. I was horr-"

"What are you talking about, Payal?" He really didn't want to have this conversation. It was an unpleasant memory that was better forgotten than revisited like this.

"Look I know it was unpleasant, but I just need you to know that it was wrong on my part. I shouldn't have spoken to you that way.", she tried to explain.

"Its okay, Payal. I had even forgotten about it.", he shrugged, trying his best not to show his impatience. Why couldn't she just drop it?

Payal was surprised, and she didn't hide it. Why was he acting as if nothing had happened? "Just hear me out once, Arnav. I said some horrible things that day and I shouldn't have. I poked where I knew it would hurt the most and it was just...really insensitive on my part. I am sorry.", she finished, unable to look at him in the eye.

Her apology was genuine, just like it was the last time she had apologised; Arnav knew that. She wasn't one to admit her mistakes easily and she had done that in front of him twice in less than six months. Yet, he wasn't feeling particularly generous. He didn't know why, but he didn't think he could give her what she wanted easily this time around.

"You were hurtful, Payal. You made me doubt myself, you questioned my love for Khushi and you desecrated everything I have stood for." he said, his voice low yet stern. "And it took me all this time to understand that you were wrong."

"I was!-" she exclaimed. "It was-"

"Let me finish, Payal." he raised a hand to gesture that he wasn't done. "Like I was saying, you were wrong that day. How were you trying to define failure' anyway? Was it because I had a setback in my career? Or because you thought my vulnerability made me less of man? I trusted you Payal, I trusted you with my secret because I thought you were a friend, a well-wisher. And what did you do? You mocked me and demeaned my feelings. And the fool I was, I actually believed you!" he hissed. Taking a step back, he ran a hand through his hair trying to control his temper that seemed to be flying off the handle.

He wasn't very successful. "Yes, I don't have the kind of passion that fuels you to do better at your job. But I am sincere and I do my job well. Did you know that I couldn't sleep for days after we had that conversation? I tried to deny it, but it affected me alright. I worked on this case like a maniac as if this wasn't just a case. I worked as if this was something that was going to change my life, something that would define who I am - perhaps change my status as a "failure". I built a solid case again my client's husband so he'd be forced to settle out of court to save his own ass. But you know what? Nothing has changed! The case is over and we are all here and theres cake and everything. But I feel just the same. I, am the same. It isn't like I've never worked this hard before. I always did, my efforts have never been lacking. Except, before this, I wasn't a mad man trying to put a tag on what the outcome would mean to me. Chasing an imaginary place in life that doesn't even exist. Success isn't supposed to make you arrogant and sententious, Payal. It's supposed to make you humble, grateful for what has come your way. I understand now why nothing has changed, why I feel the same way I did yesterday or the day before that or the days before Lavanya died. It's because I was never a failure in the first place, Payal. Never." he sighed as he stopped speaking, both in relief and in exhaustion.

It was as if his own world was clearer, like his words had physically wiped out the mist that blurred his vision. He saw Payal - she was about to argue but this time, she held her tongue, still unable to meet his eyes. Head bent, shoulders stooped - she had accepted defeat in this round and that was evident in her stance. On any other day, he would have made an attempt to comfort her. Given in to the urge to make sure the conversation didn't end on an unpleasant note. But today, he wanted this moment all for himself. Unable to help himself, he patted her shoulder briefly. Hoping that gesture would be enough, he walked away to look for Khushi.

xxx

PS - Party abhi baaki hai 😊

Res

God I missed this... Twigs my unRes shall be delayed though (not too much)., something else that I need to do first :)