Tewari & Sons, 23, Chandni Chowk - THREAD III - Page 90

Originally posted by: Prettycool

Suhani sham dhal chuki ...

Na jane Radhika kab aayegi...

you could have given us independence day gift

I wish this story could have been filmed...I am in love with each and every character... Hope you continue to give us, readers, this joy for a very long time indeed...totally in awe and in love with both the story and the talent behind it...

Guys just finished writing. But can't edit and proofread it now because sleep comes in the way. Will do so tomorrow morning and post it. Please don't be (too) pissed. Later.

Originally posted by: YellowBoots

Guys just finished writing. But can't edit and proofread it now because sleep comes in the way. Will do so tomorrow morning and post it. Please don't be (too) pissed. Later.

Originally posted by: YellowBoots

Guys just finished writing. But can't edit and proofread it now because sleep comes in the way. Will do so tomorrow morning and post it. Please don't be (too) pissed. Later.

thx for the note

As usual a fantastic chapter!!! And an even more amazing Q&A session!😆I sooo love reading tewari and sons. Looking forward to the update.😊

Originally posted by: YellowBoots

Guys just finished writing. But can't edit and proofread it now because sleep comes in the way. Will do so tomorrow morning and post it. Please don't be (too) pissed. Later.

Chapter 19: Pappu Can't Dance Saala

Khushi was arguing with the carpenters over the quote they had given her. They were on the very tiny first floor of Tewari & Sons. This floor was originally envisaged as the office of the shop. At least that is how Mahesh Tewari used it. But then, Mahesh Tewari who had other business interests including running a cricket betting racket on the side, needed the privacy away from the main store. There was a small wall-mounted TV to track match progress and soundproofing to talk with bookies. However, once Khushi took over the shop, she seldom used it as an office. There was not enough business and orders for them to have this office anyway. So it began to be used more as a storeroom for all the ingredients they needed to make mithais. But now Khushi had decided to turn the floor into an extension of the store and add about five tables there. She had as part of her full and final settlement from Joseph's got some money and she had decided to invest that into Tewari & Sons. She had expected that Maa and Baba would not approve of this, in what they believed to be investing their scarce money into a lost cause. But surprisingly, they were rather supportive of this decision of hers. The return of Shyam had infused a feeling of a do-over among her parents. Perhaps Maa was still cautious, but Baba was back to his former self of dreams and hopes for a better future for all of them. Of course, as Faisal Bhaii and she pored over the accounts each day, they realised that the business of Tewari & Sons had seen a further fall in the last few weeks. That the Guptas had taken over Shekhawat was something that they expected to have repercussions. They were murmurs about police complaints, sexual assault and various conjectures in the neighbourhood. Even though everybody knew everybody's business in Chandni Chowk, a semblance of politeness was maintained too, so nobody asked direct questions. But Maa had told her that there were speculations and some subtle indications that the neighbourhood had begun to distance themselves from the Guptas. But nothing too drastic to worry about. Probably the next scandal is what was needed for people to focus their speculations elsewhere. But inspite of the falling business, Khushi decided that Tewari & Sons needed a do-over.

The hooligans who had come one night and damaged the shop had in a way done her good. Because of them they had redone the interiors and the place had a better look about it. The earlier dreariness was gone with a bright yellow coat of paint that the walls were given. However, she realised that everyone took you less seriously when you were a woman. Especially when the subject was traditional male bastion like carpentry and painting. This explained why she was given a huge quote, way above the market cost for the first floor renovation. When Khushi tried to argue with the carpenters they gave her the "Sir, nahin hai kya?" There were no sirs. She found herself caught at some place between amusement and annoyance.

"Khushi, phone hai aapka?" Faisal Bhaii interrupted her thoughts as he yelled from the ground floor.

She climbed down the steep, spiral staircase making a mental note to get a quote for making the access to the first floor a little easier. She also wondered who was calling her on her landline.

"Kiska phone hai, Faisal Bhaii," she asked as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

"Woh ladka," Faisal Bhaii said.

Khushi suppressed a smile. That had become how Faisal Bhaii referred to Arnav. Woh ladka. That boy. Arnav had called her last night but she couldn't take the call because there was a serious discussion at home about what Shyam should be doing. She had meant to return his call but it was too late.

"Arnav, sorry, I couldn't speak to you last night... woh ghar mein khoobh drama chal raha tha. As usual, of course."

"Kaisa drama?" the voice at the other end said. The voice sounded amused. And it was not Arnav.

"Hello.. woh.. I am sorry."

"Sorry to disappoint you, Dhanno. It is just me. But no fair that I don't get to hear about the exciting stories about the drama in your life. Mujhe bhi toh batao."

"Aman, kuch kaam tha?"

"Why? Kaam ho toh tabhi call kar sakta hoon?"

"No. You can call. I am a bit busy now. Shall I speak to you later?"

"Oh, sorry. No issues. I only wanted to say that I have given your mobile number to my mother, she wants to speak with you."

"Your mother?"

"Minu Sabharwal. That is her name. She will call you in a bit. I was trying your mobile number, it was switched off."

"Oh. Why? I mean, koi samasya ho gayi kya?"

"Big samasya actually."

"Matlab?"

"Shayad meri shaadi ka khayal dil mein aaya hai.. issi liye mummy ne meri tumhe chai pe bulaya hai.."

"Aman!"

"Okay, no need to get palpitations, Dhanno Kumari Gupta. She has a pretty harmless request. Gotta go now. Apne phone ko switch on karo."

She hung up and shook her head. This Aman. So confusing. She could never tell when he was being serious and when he was making a comment in jest. She picked up her phone that was in the bottom of her bag, it had run out of charge. She decided to go back home to get her charger. The carpenters who had come to give her the quote had also disappeared she noticed.

"Itni jaldi kyun wapas aa gayi," Maa asked her as she stepped into the house.

"Phone bandh pad gaya tha," she said, even as Maa muttered something in the background about how everyone was so wedded to their phones and nobody cared about actual conversations. Maa's rant was inspired by Baba who was now in possession of a smartphone and had his nose firmly lodged in it all the time. Shyam had bought Baba the phone. Though Shyam didn't have a source of income, his spending patterns suggested otherwise. Khushi was a little worried about this. Especially in light of what Arnav had suggested. She wanted to dismiss the thoughts, but increasingly it was getting more difficult to dislodge from her mind anything that Arnav said. When her phone finally came on she noticed with some disappointment that there were no messages from Arnav. There was one from Preeto who had messaged from the hospital. She was getting a sterilisation operation done because according to Preeto, one child was plenty for any couple. Khushi had wondered why Ginny did not get the surgery instead, for it would be safer and less expensive, but it was not her place to question such a personal decision. Ginny was with Preeto at the hospital, but Khushi had promised to be there during post-op with her.

All the best, she sent a text to Preeto.

She was just about to text Arnav apologising for not taking his call when the phone rang. She didn't recognise the number, but picked it up without thinking. Now that Shekhawat's truth was out in front of her family, she did not feel terrified at the idea of phone calls from unknown numbers.

"Hello."

"Is that Khushi Kumari Gupta?"

"Yes. This is her. Who is speaking?"

"Khushi, beta, hello. I am Minu Sabharwal, Aman's mother."

"Oh.. ji.. hello, aunty.. Ma'm."

"Please don't call me Ma'm. You can call me Minu Aunty, that is what Aman's friends call me."

"Yeah sure, Minu Aunty. Aman told me you would call me.. he didn't say why though."

"Typical of him. Beta, I called you because we are throwing a party for Aman this Sunday. At our farmhouse. Like a combination party, you know. He is taking over the company, it is his birthday and a welcome back of sorts. I wanted to invite all his friends. so, please do come, beta."

"Oh, that is nice aunty. I will try to come for sure.. but.."

"No buts, Khushi. You must make it. Aman is so fond of you.. we would be very happy if you can make it. It has been difficult for him, but now he is you know back to normal. It will be nice to have all his friends. Don't say no, please."

"Okay, Aunty. I will be there. Can you tell me where and when exactly."

"I will mail you all the details? Just send me your email address on this number."

"Okay, Aunty."

"Thanks, beta. I look forward to meeting you finally."

Once she hung up she sat down on the floor while her floor charged. Maa asked her who had called, as was habit, but she did not answer right away. Party at Aman's. Another farmhouse trip. Was she going to be in trouble. But Minu Sabharwal was no Poonam Raizada. That much she knew. Hoped.

**

"Arnav Sir, your family has been so generous. most endowments support the arts and not sports. Not that we have enough arts scholarship either. But this is very generous of your family to have the Kartikeya Raizada endowment fund," Vini Mathur, the Vice Principal of Alchemy college gushed on.

"Please, Ma'm," Arnav said, "Don't call me sir.. I was but a student here not so long ago. Our family is only too happy to support talented students. Anyway, I will leave now. All the paperwork looks in order. Based on a convenient time, we can complete the formalities."

"Of course, Sir.. Arnav," Vini Mathur said, "Our new coach also would have joined by the time we do the endowment announcement. We will have a small function. Hopefully Poonam Ma'm can attend."

He nodded, shook the Vice Principal's clammy hands and left.

Once out of the Vice Principal's office, he felt a surge of nostalgia as he took in the scene around him. The place that was his home of sorts for three years, that gave him some good but a lot of painful memories. Rather, just one very painful memory. Of the guilt when Khushi did not return to Alchemy for completing college in their final year. Initially he had been too angry to care, but as he began to piece the events together, he began to feel uncomfortable. He remembered speaking with Aakash and even Khushi's classmate Preeto, neither of whom had been forthcoming about Khushi. Understandably so. And yet, inspite of recognising that his family had been at fault, in his mind he had been clouded by so much anger that he could not see Khushi as entirely blameless. Though Anjali Di had repeatedly tried to make him see that Khushi did not seem to be that kind of girl, he was too much of an idiot twenty year old to see that. He sighed as he walked past the front lawn. He distinctly remembered the place where he often spotted Khushi along with a couple of her classmates, poring over photocopies of their assignments. Though there relationship had reached its lowest after the farmhouse incident, even before that it was fraught with tension. They had a tacit understanding most of the times of ignoring each other. He remembered walking past the lawn being acutely aware of where she was, but pretending he didn't care. They had come a long way since their silly teens and early twenties, he thought smiling. As he was walking towards his car, lost in thoughts, smiling, he did not notice a familiar figure walking from the opposite direction.

"Arnav!"

He stopped on his tracks, halting his reminiscing when he saw Khushi standing in front of him, a quizzical expression on her face.

"Khushi," he said a little tentatively. Caught a little off-guard when he realised that the subject of his thoughts was right in front of him.

"What are you doing here," they said in unison and then shared a sheepish grin.

"I was here to finalise my paperwork and stuff. Delhi University has some heavily bureaucratic hoops that they make you jump through," she said, sounding tired.

"So all set to join Alchemy," he asked, somehow not wanting to scare her away by telling him the reason why he was here. Would it open up old hurts? Would she live in constant fear that she would have to run into his mother?

"I think so. So how come are you here? Were you missing your old college," she asked, almost teasingly.

"Our college, Khushi," he said in a light tone, but internally he could not help but feel a little agitated. His family had taken away many things from her, but one of it was her sense of belonging. And that might take forever to repair. Probably never. But he hoped that getting this job at Alchemy would start that process. He was grateful to Minu Aunty for starting that process. Though he was still in the dark of what her motives were.

"Yeah, of course," she said, smiling brightly. He recognised that smile of hers. That was her placating smile, something that she used not to express her happiness, but to reassure the person in front of her. He was now able to read her better. Recognise her dark mood behind bright smiles. He wondered if something was bothering her.

"Are you okay, Khushi? You look a little.. off," he finally said.

"I am okay.. nothing wrong," she said.

"Is Shekhawat bothering you? Because if he is.." he began saying, as she shook her head in negative.

"It is nothing, Arnav. You don't have to worry so much about me," she said, smiling wryly and squeezed his arms lightly as she did so. She almost immediately pulled her hand away, looking embarrassed at the briefest physical contact between them.

"You are still such a chuyimuyi, Khushi. Exactly like you were in Class nine," he said grinning slyly.

She looked at him indignantly at that and muttered something about having to finish her work.

"How did you come? Your bike," he asked her.

"No. Shyam.. my brother has taken it today. So I took the metro," she said. Was it his imagination, or did her tone change when she mentioned Shyam. Maybe things were not going so well in the family reunion after all.

"Okay. I will wait for you then. You finish and I will drop you.." he said and then adding after a pause, "at the metro station."

She nodded and then hurried into the Alchemy building. He grinned at her retracting figure. He had begun to understand her better. Small gestures worked better with her. Big gestures made her uncomfortable. Maybe some day he will be able to get through to her. Wait. Why was he thinking of all of this? Why was his mind constantly straying into the path where there really was no future. Somewhat moodily he sat down on one of the benches waiting for Khushi to return. She took her time to emerge out the building and he immediately got up and caught up with her.

"All done," he asked. She nodded in response.

They got to his car and Khushi didn't say much as she sat down and pulled her seatbelt.

"Vishwa Vidyalaya metro station," he asked her to confirm if she wanted a ride only upto the station and she only nodded in response. That place was barely five minutes away and he had this urge to turn this chance encounter with her into a longer meeting. But she was so quiet and pensive, she was not giving him anything.

"Khushi, if you are not busy, do you want to go get a cup of coffee or something? I am coming to university after so long.." he said, turning off the car.

"Oh.. where do you want to go.. We can have Banta near college," she asked and he was grateful that she said where and not why.

"I am actually hungry.. maybe we could go to one of those Kamla Nagar places," he said.

"K-Nagz," she asked grinning.

"Is that what they still call it," he asked squinting his eyes on his rearview mirror as he saw a couple of students speeding away in their expensive, foreign cars.

"Kids these days," he muttered and Khushi burst out laughing. Like a legitimate laugh that was not for anyone's benefit. That was not cautious. Just a happy laugh that literally lit up her whole face.

"Arnav! What is wrong with you? Looks like Alchemy has put you in some faraway place. Lets go to K-Nagz then.. there will be a lot of cheap food options. Meri taraf se treat," Khushi said.

"Another non-date then," he asked grinning and she punched him on his shoulder in response.

"You know something, Arnav, before we met last November for so many years we never ran into each other. And now we run into each all the time," she said as she put her hand into her bag attempting to yank out something.

"As in?" he asked, his attention more on her than on the road. Thankfully, there was no traffic on the road.

"You know after I.. left college I was so worried that I will somehow run int you or your family. Of course, initially I barely left Chandni Chowk, so there was no chance of meeting you, but later as I got.. as things.. I mean later as I began to step out I worried that I would meet you. And then out of nowhere you showed up Tewari and since then we keep meeting.." she said and offered him a chocolate bar.

"Chocolate," he asked her confused.

"You said you were hungry. I bought for Aarav.. my nephew. Par use daanton ke haal dekhkar I decided not to give him," she explained.

"You are going to be strict mother, aren't you?" he said, taking the chocolate from her and putting it on the car dashboard.

"I don't know. What kind of a parent do you think you will be," she asked him as he pulled into Ka-Nagz, surprisingly finding a parking space, "Lets go to Momo Point," she said almost jumping off from the car and determinedly heading towards the crowded eatery. He did not get the chance to answer her question. Maybe she didn't want an answer.

The place was swarming with college students and Arnav suddenly felt like a fossil.

"We are so old," he muttered as he sat down. Khushi was in a hurry or hungry herself because she had already ordered food by the time he had parked and got to where she was sitting.

"Yeah. But I am a year younger than you," Khushi said, almost solemnly, "By the way I have ordered the platter, I am not sure what you like."

"Today is Saturday, no?" he said, "Aren't you supposed to be vegetarian?"

"Ab uski zaroorat nahi hai," she said.

"Why? What has changed?" he asked.

"You remember that guy I met? Abhimanyu Tripathi? Well, he called my bua last night and apparently he wants to marry me now. Maa is excited, but Baba has told me that it is upto me if I want to marry him or not," she said.

"No. You can't do that. How can you consider marrying someone who rejected you," he had said, not liking for one bit this sudden turn of events.

"But why not? Sometimes you misjudge a person and second chances are a good thing, right?" she said, somehow it did not seem like a point about Abhimanyu but a larger one.

Before he could respond her phone rang and she stepped out to take it. He watched her, as her expression turned into a worried one and he could see her speak rapidly to someone. She came in and said that she needed to leave immediately as her friend Preeto who had a surgery had some kind of complication.

"You finish your food and then leave. I am sorry, Arnav that I have to leave like this," she said.

"No wait. I will drop you to the hospital," he said. She looked like she was going to protest, but changed her mind and just nodded instead.

"Which hospital," he asked as they got into his car.

"FirstCare Hospital in Connaught Place," she said.

**

It took them a little longer to get there as Arnav seemed confused about the way and took a couple of wrong turns. When they did reach, Khushi almost ran in and Arnav followed close behind. Preeto was on the second floor deluxe rooms of the hospital and though it was not visiting hours, she managed to get past the security and the nurses.

"Preeto kya hua," she said almost breathlessly as she entered the room and a teary Preeto began sobbing.

Khushi shushed her and patted her gently, letting her friend cry. Between Preeto's sobs, Khushi began to put together what had happened. Ginny and Preeto had scheduled the surgery without informing their parents. Once Ginny's family realised what was happening, they they had been livid and asked to abandon the plans of the surgery. Preeto was adamant about continuing and Ginny did not want to do anything that was against his parent's belief. So while the surgery was scheduled in a few hours, Ginny had left to pacify his parents leaving behind a rather hysterical Preeto.

"Preeto, calm down. I will call your parents. They will know what is right," she said as she took out the little address book from her bag that had Preeto's parents number.

"They are coming. I spoke with them," she said between sobs and then suddenly she quietened seeing someone outside, "Khushi, what is he doing here?"

Khushi turned behind to see Arnav was standing outside the room, looking at them awkwardly.

"He was the one who gave me a ride to the hospital," Khushi said, deciding that was enough information for her friend at this point.

She then went out and asked Arnav to come in. Though now was not the time for friendly introductions, but she knew that Preeto could do with some distraction until her parents arrived. And well, Arnav would be a good distraction. Understandably, Arnav seemed reluctant to come in, but Khushi insisted that he do and he finally did.

"I guess you might sort of know each other already. Preeto, this is Arnav and Arnav this is Preeto," she said formally.

"How are you feeling, Preeto," he said and put his hand out to her. He offered a lopsided, goofy, boyish grin and Khushi noticed with some amusement that Preeto was not entirely immune to her charms as she almost smiled in return and adjusted her hospital gown and tried to straighten her hair.

"I had gone to Alchemy, where I met Arnav and we decided to go have Momos at K-Nags, that is when your called came," Khushi explained, as she realised that Arnav had still not told her what he was doing at Alchemy. She also knew that though her friend was emotionally a little fragile now, she would still expect an explanation for why Arnav and Khushi were together.

"That used to be Ginny & my favourite place. We used to take the shortcut from Lover's Lane to K-Nags," Preeto said wistfully.

"Lover's Lane," Arnav asked curiously, as he pulled the chair and sat next to Preeto's bed.

"Oh you didn't know? There is this shortcut that you can take from Alchemy to K-Nags, it was called Lover's Lane. Popular among all the Alchemy's couples actually. I am surprised you being an arts type don't know. Even though I was a science student, I knew," Preeto said.

Arnav seemed amused by this and the conversation continued in the same vein. They seemed to have developed an ease with each other, which both surprised her as well as warmed her. She wondered if she would ever feel so much at ease with his world as he seemed to to feel with hers. Probably not. In a while Preeto cheered up considerably. Once her parents arrived, Preeto looked sombre again and Arnav and she left the room, for what was likely to be a very private conversation.

Once they were out, Khushi asked Arnav to leave because she would need to stay in the hospital.

"So, I will see you then. You still need to buy me a cheap meal," Arnav said, smiling.

"Yes, of course. Sorry about today. I guess we will meet tomorrow at Aman's thing," she said in an unsure tone.

"Oh so you are coming for it," he sounded surprised, "Aman will be very happy."

"Yes, his mother called me and insisted I come. I didn't know how to say no," she said biting her lip. The awkwardness of this stuck her. She had not made it to Arnav's sister's invitation, but now she was going for Aman's party.

"Of course, Minu Aunty is very fond of you," he said in an even tone.

Khushi was surprised at this revelation. Minu Aunty did not even know her, so how could she possibly be fond of her. Of course, after Aman's suicide episode and the police enquiry that Khushi was subjected to, Minu Sabharwal had called Baba and apologised for the misunderstanding. Though at that time Baba was still mad at her, years later after the Poonam Raizada episode Baba had commented on how different the two rich women were. One acknowledged the wrong that was done and apologised and the other who denied it all.

"Do you need a ride? It is in their Sainik House farmhouse? I can pick you up," he said. She was surprised by the offer because she somehow thought that he would be upset with her. She was glad that he was not.

"If it is not a problem," she began.

"Obviously it is no trouble. And anyway the most interesting conversations we have these days is when I am driving you somewhere," he said grinning.

"By the way, Arnav, what should I get Aman? I have to get him something, right?" she said. Suddenly this seemed like another thing to stress about. Buying a present for someone she didn't know that well, and yet she did. Someone who seemed tot have it all and yet needed stuff.

"Your presence is gift enough," Arnav said with an evil grin.

"Very funny. I will think for something," she said. She also wondered what she should wear for such a party. She did not have any of those farmhouse party type of clothes. She considered asking Arnav's suggestion, but would it be too weird a thing to ask him. But then had a fashion business, so maybe it wouldn't be that awkward after all.

"I will pick you up at seven, be ready," he said as he got ready to leave.

"Arnav, thanks for the ride and I hope you know the way out. Don't get lost again. I am surprised you found this place so difficult to find," she said.

"I have never even heard of this hospital until today, so that was the reason why," he said.

"But.." Khushi began and then stopped herself.

"But what?" he asked, walking back towards her.

"Nothing.. I mean, some months ago I was at this hospital when Preeto's daughter was unwell and I saw your dad in a wheelchair getting into a surgery or something.." she said.

"What?" Arnav asked, looking genuinely perplexed.

"Must have been a mistake. I will see you tomorrow," she said and walked back into Preeto's room

**

"Arnav, what is the matter with you? You look so lost? We barely get to speak these days and on the rare occasion you visit us, you won't even talk," Anjali Di complained in her usual good-natured way.

After the hospital detour, Arnav had come to Anjali Di's house and the first thing he did was to raid her fridge as he was ravenous. It was such a pity that now Anjali Di's food tasted exactly like the food at Raizada House because HP was preparing both. After a heavy meal he was in no mood for a conversation. Actually after the meeting with Khushi, he was left with too much to think. First the news of her suitor resurfacing just bothered him far more than necessary. She could not marry some random guy who sounded like a bonafide loser. Who had even rejected on the most strangest of grounds. Something was off. He only wanted her to marry someone worthy and someone who would keep her happy. Yes, that was all that bothered him, he convinced himself. Then there was the Aman business. Minu Aunty's fondness of Khushi made him suspect that it was not something that had a very simple explanation. He had to admit that a part of him was somehow not thrilled because of this. But wasn't he the one to suggest that Khushi befriend Aman. What was wrong with him? And then the weirdest thing of the afternoon was Khushi mentioning about his dad in the hospital. Surely it was a mistake. But with his parents, there was so much unsaid that one could never be sure.

"Di, is dad okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"As in, his health and stuff. Do you think he is alright?"

"Arnav, you live with him, in his house. Why are you asking me?"

"I mean Di, if dad had some kind of health trouble, he and mom would tell us, right? I mean, we are not that crappy a family, are we?"

"Arnav, don't be cryptic. Tell me what you know."

"So Khushi.. wait, did you just groan?"

"I have a bad feeling about wherever you are going with this?"

"Hmm. So Khushi told me that some months ago she had seen dad at FirstCare hospital.. he was apparently on a wheelchair."

"Whose dad?"

"Di, why are you being so slow? Our dad, Anand Raizada, that is who."

"At FirstCare hospital? Why would dad be there of all places?"

"Why not?"

"It is not where the family goes. So anyway, what did Dad tell Khushi?"

"She only saw him.. she didn't speak with him."

"She is only willing to tolerate you from our clan.. and Jun. Must be only having a thing for handsome, young men."

"We are not young. Or handsome."

"No need to be so self-effacing, lil brother. Don't you think, your Arnav Maama is most handsome, Thumpa."

"Don't objectify me with my niece around. It is creepy. Anyway, there are enough and more handsome, young men in Khushi's life."

"She really is captivating, I must say."

"Quit being sarcastic, Di."

"No, I really mean it. She just won't be friends with me."

"She didn't show up for one thing and you are behaving like a scorned lover. Lets face it, Khushi just wants to avoid mom at all costs. Though now it looks unavoidable."

"Oooh. Are you finally going to ask her to marry you? Please let me there when you break the news to mom. She will need to be wheeled into First Care hospital."

"Okay, I am leaving. You are completely crazy. Motherhood has only pushed you into early senility."

"Oh, Thumpa, looks like Arnav Maama is mad at your mumma. Time for you to charm him," saying this Di got up and placed a gurgling Thumpa on his lap. Arnav played with her little fingers and his sister emerged a while later with two cups of chai.

"So seriously tell me. How are mom and Khushi going to meet?"

"There is a party at Aman's farmhouse tomorrow, right? So Khushi has been invited for that."

"Ah, okay. But maybe mom won't go. Minu Sabharwal is hardly a favourite. But are you worried about them meeting?"

"Not worried, just I don't even know what I am feeling."

"Hmm. But yeah, I am sure Khushi has made a honest mistake in identifying dad. I am sure our family is not that dysfunctional that mom and dad will keep something this big and serious from us."

"I am not sure, Di?"

"Really?"

"Mom and Dad have their secrets. From each other. And together from us. Of that I am increasingly sure about."

"I think Khushi is good for you, Arnav."

"Really, Di, where did that come from now?"

"Until sometime back, one of your problems was that you only saw things as completely black or white. But now you see shades of grey. That is good progress. Maybe I was wrong, the girl is good for you."

"Haha. Kuch bhi, Di."

"No, I mean it. You have my blessings. Not that you need my blessings, but you have them anyway."

"Okay, this is cue for me to leave, I guess."

"At some point you will need to confront your feelings, lil brother."

"So feelings hour has begun now? There are no feelings. Besides I think Aman is interested in Khushi."

"Really? I wish I had grown up in Chandni Chowk and had a Scarlet O-Haraesque waist size of seventeen inches."

"Says the woman who dated ninety percent of all the eligible men of South Delhi in her heyday. Besides I don't think women wear corsets anymore, do they? And this is all vaguely body-shaming and offensive."

"I meant it as admiration. I am hurt, Arnav that you think I would shame women and their bodies. Anyway, the thing is there can a be a thousand Amans and Aakashs but I don't think to Khushi they are going to be better than you. If she puts up with you and is nice after what mom put her through, there has to be some crazy, stupid feelings involved. Wear your best suit to the party tomorrow, I say."

"Speaking of Aakash.. you will be very intrigued by a conversation that I had with our cousin the other day," Arnav began. On cue, Thumpa started bawling because evidently she had been ignored enough by the adults. Or probably to express her feelings for her Maama's sad romantic liaisons.

**

"Vijay, I just don't understand these numbers," an impatient sounding Poonam Raizada told the AR Administrative Manager, Vijay Shastri. As was norm, the man looked confused and like a headless chicken. Yet Poonam had to concede that inspite of his excessive feudal-slave-like mindset, he was a trustworthy and efficient sort of aide. And in the times that they were living in, this was somehow very important. While Arnav and Aakash had taken over the AR interests and even Anand was now fairly involved, the main decisions were still Poonam's responsibility. Also, she noticed that all the three men seemed a little off lately. Anand looked worried, almost all the time. Arnav and Aakash who seemed to be working very well together had a sudden undercurrent between them. The casual bonding between the brothers was now replaced with an awkwardness. She knew something was afoot, but she had been too distracted by other concerns to find out what it was. She had a hunch though. It was probably something to do with Khushi. It always came back to that girl.

That Girl was a permanent thorn in her life. She considered meeting her, to talk to her. But for the first time in her life, found herself to be out of water when it came to Khushi. That Girl did not seem to have any kind of animosity towards her family. By all accounts, she and Arnav seemed friends. Her son did occasionally help her, but it always seemed small gestures. The equation between them seemed platonic and there was no doubt that her son actually valued his friendship with that girl. And yet, it had to be more. That girl was surely not after her son's wealth, that much she was convinced about. But she had to admit that perhaps she was seeking some kind of redemption from him, for mostly Poonam's faults. Perhaps she should speak to that girl. Or perhaps she should ignore and it will eventually die, like the last time. But something told her, this time things would be different.

Her thought were interrupted when Vijay came into her office again with a pendrive.

"Ma'm, this has a spreadsheet with all the transactions of the last two weeks. I don't think Mihir Gupta is doing anything.. but.."

"But what," she asked as she impatiently scanned the excel sheet.

"But. Ma'm, Anand Sir has made several big withdrawals. That is why they didn't come to you for approval," Vijay said, almost looking embarrassed.

"That is fine. Other than Anand, are there any other big withdrawals," she asked. He shook his head in response and she asked him to leave.

Vijay knew much of Poonam's business, but not about her fragile equation with her husband. Why had her husband needed to make so many big withdrawals that too this close apart, she wondered. Instead of confronting him, she decided to speak with the private investigator who was already shadowing Mihir Gupta.

"Ma'm I was just going to call you," the PI surprised her.

"Why? Is there any news about Mihir Gupta," she asked.

"Kind of, Ma'm. We now know that he is in Delhi and in fact.." the PI trailed off, hesitation in his voice.

"In fact what?" she asked trying not to sound impatient.

"Ma'm he has met Anand Sir. I have a hunch that Mihir Gupta is blackmailing him," the PI said.

**

"How are you doing, NK?"

"Payal, why are you so friendly suddenly?"

"One text message is not me being friendly. I just thought of saying hello. We should catch up one of these days."

"You know Arnav is so much nicer after the two of you split. And even you seem more human-like."

"I regret initiating this conversation."

"Yeah, yeah, Lets meet soon. I suppose you want to extract Raizada gossip out of me though."

"Haha. Nothing happens with the Raizadas, NK. Don't be dramatic."

"I think you are very wrong about this. So are you and Aakash an item now?"

"Oh. So Arnav told you?"

"Told me what? No, Arnav doesn't kiss and tell. Or in this case not-kiss and tell. I got this information from an unlikely source. Or a likely source. Depends."

"Very cryptic. Please tell me more before I die of embarrassment."

"HP. The one and only. Anyway, don't worry, we will meet and talk. The Raizada men have the worst love lives ever."

"Aakash is not a Raizada."

"Only in name. Surely you know that, Payal. Dinner tomorrow?"

"No, I have a thing at Aman's place. It sounds ghastly. I am so not looking forward to it."

**

Anjali had managed to put Thumpa to sleep when her phone rang, startling her. She cursed and patted Thumpa again as she stirred. She picked up the phone an almost whispered.

"Hello."

"Anjali Di, this is Khushi."

"Khushi?" Anjali said and got up to walk towards the balcony. Why was she calling her, she wondered.

"Anjali Di, I am very sorry I couldn't make it to your place the other day."

"That is okay, Khushi. Arnav said that you were not feeling well. Alright now," she asked.

"Woh toh tha.. I mean, I am sorry Di but I didn't want Thumpa's day to be ruined because of any awkwardness my presence would bring," Khushi said. Anjali was surprised by her moment of candour.

"Ah, of course, I understand. I appreciate your candour. But I think it is time to let bygones be," though she phrased it as a statement, it was in fact a question.

"Of course, Di. I agree. Maybe some other time," Khushi said, though there was no real conviction in her voice.

"Why don't you come to my house next Thursday for lunch," Anjali finally said in a moment of inspiration.

"Lunch?" Khushi's voice came doubtfully.

"Don't worry, I have a very good cook. And my mom won't be there. No Arnav either. Jun.. Arjoon is not in town either. Just us and Thumpa," she said.

"That sounds nice, Di. I will be there," Khushi said. Anjali was amused at how relieved she sounded.

Once she hung up she noticed to her chagrin that Thumpa was not only awake, but seemed in a playful mood.

"You naughty girl, I spent two hours trying to get you to sleep and you won't even sleep for two minutes? By the way that was Khushi. The girl your Maama likes, but your Daadi does not. Lets see what you think of her, yes?" Anjali said and picked up Thumpa and twirled her around mid-air. When NK or Jun did exactly that with Thumpa she would indignantly snatch away her daughter from them. But now that she was alone with her daughter she did exactly that and realised the little girl enjoyed it after all.

**

"Kahin bahar jaa rahi ho, kya" Maa asked her as Khushi stood in front of the mirror readjusting her sari pallu.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror, and thought she looked good. But Chandni Chowk good and not Sainik Farms good. But this was her, so they had to deal with it. She was probably the only one who was going to be in a sari, she thought. She finally decided to not wear earrings at all. She did not like the way they pulled at her ears. She always felt weighed down by them.

"Bataya to tha, Maa, woh Aman ke ghar jaa rahi hoon," she said to her mother, who looked a little worried. She noticed her Maa and Baba exchange a glance. She knew that something was bothering them and she had a hunch that this was about Abhimanyu Tripathi. She couldn't marry him, could she? And yet, if she did marry him, it would give immense joy to her parents, that could not be denied. She was also a little worried about the sudden change of his heart. Why and how did she suddenly go from too old for him to a suitable life partner. It did not seem right to her. Thankfully she was saved from a conversation when her phone rang. Her ride had arrived.

"Maa fikar mat karna. Arnav ya Aakash wapas bhi chodh dega," she told her worried looking Maa.

"Gift le lo jo khareeda tha," Maa reminded her and Khushi hastily picked up the gift and ran out.

"Khushi, ruko," Baba's voice stopped her.

"Kya, Baba?"

"Koyi samasya ho jaayein toh apne Shyam Bhaiya ko call kar dena," he said nodding in the direction of her brother who smiled at her.

"Iss baar koyi samasya nahi hoga. Kaisi lag rahi hoon?" she asked Baba, almost preening.

"Achi lag rahi ho, lekin bahut zyada patli ho gayi ho.. pehle se zayada," Bua who was lurking around said.

"Iss kamar ka faisla ghar aa kar karoongi, Bua. Aati hoon," she said and ran out as her phone rang again.

"Wow. You look.. beautiful. Back is your colour," Arnav said as she pulled the car seatbelt, somehow feeling a little conscious in her flimsy sari.

"You look very beautiful too. Black is your colour too," she said, meaning it. She was surprised that he was wearing an Indian ensemble. Not Indian, but somewhat Indian, she decided. A fitted short kurta and black jeans. She barely understood fashion, so she could not tell what his outfit was called, but she had eyes and enough hormones to know that he looked very handsome.

He grinned at her, and his attention was drawn to the gift on her lap.

"So what did you get, Aman," he asked curiously.

"A vintage print framed, from the film Sholay," she said grinning.

"Ah. Well played, Dhanno," he said as they drove to the farmhouse.

Life had come a full circle. Years ago, he had triggered a chain of events that saw her enter a farmhouse alone and unwelcome. But today, he was walking her into that world himself. Perhaps she was still not welcome, but at least she was not alone.

**

Arnav watched from next to the bar, his best friend and Khushi chatter. Rather Aman was saying something and Khushi seemed caught between being exasperated and indulgent. She was beautiful. And it was not her Scarlett O'Hara waist as his Di had ridiculously suggested. It was her eyes, that communicated vulnerability and fierceness in equal measure. He noticed that she seemed at ease with the surroundings. Aman's mother had really taken a shine to Khushi and she had literally been pulled away from his side when they walked in so that she could be introduced to all of Minu Aunty's friends. Aman circulated around, but Arnav noticed that his eyes followed Khushi as she went around. She was hard to miss in the crowd anyway. The few of the New-Ons crowd who had come in all went and spoke with Khushi. Aakash and Payal came in, separately, of course. Aakash got a big from Khushi and Arnav had to admit it evoked weird feelings inside him. Like he was a little boy who had been robbed of his share of candy. Surprisingly even Payal walked in and spoke for a good twenty minutes with Khushi. Maybe now that Aakash and Payal were an item, her befriending Khushi was not a surprise, Arnav thought wryly. Divyesh and Khushi who had the most unlikely friendship in his opinion seemed to be having an argument about something. It was a good-natured argument, that much he could make out. Khushi, she was not a misfit among the New-Ons crowd after all. Only in his house, his family did she not seem to fit. Rather, she did not want to fit, he thought woefully.

"Nanav, if you are interested, you should just ask her for a dance," a voice interrupted his thoughts.

He turned to see that it was another former New-Ons classmate and his oldest friend, Lavanya. He smiled and hugged her.

"Where is the husband?" he asked looking around to see if the Major had accompanied her.

"Nope, man. Country first then parties of people whom one has barely been in touch with," Lavanya said wryly.

"Wasn't Aman your very first crush," he asked, smiling.

"Ah. You knew that? I thought only I knew that," Lavanya said looking shocked.

"Hardly. Everyone knew everything in New-Ons," he said, offering her a drink.

"True that. So why don't you ask your crush for a dance? Don't give me that Raizada stink-eye, it was always obvious that the pair of you were the great unrequited saga of New-Ons."

"Hmm. Speaking of unrequited sagas, your Mr Unrequited is heading our way," he said. Even as Lavanya groaned while Aman whisked her away to the dance floor.

He watched the couples dance. Though honestly none of this could be called dancing because the party had quite literally the worst music ever. Either the songs were Punjabi remixes or straight up lullabies. Nothing in between. Finding that Khushi was finally alone, he walked up to her and she smiled at him, like she was glad to see him.

"Oh thank god you are here. i thought you had left."

" I wouldn't leave without you, Khushi, don't worry."

She only nodded in response and watched Lavanya and Aakash dance. Aman was dancing with the elusive Juhi Chawla, who had made an appearance.

"You want to dance," he asked her.

"No.. I mean I can't and please don't tell me everyone can dance, because that is not true," she said.

"I wasn't going to. People often do things that they don't know how to do. Like sing, play a sport.. you know for fun."

"Not if it makes you look silly, right. I bet you went to some finishing school where you learnt to dance and you know manners and all."

"Wow Khushi, you are a good person, but sometimes you are so casually a reverse snob, you know," he said grinning.

"I know. That was really a stupid thing to say. I am sorry. I think this is not Coca Cola, maybe something is mixed in it," she said viewing her glass suspiciously.

"No, no, you can't blame the poor cola," he said, not willing to let her off the hook easily.

"You are right. I am sorry, Arnav. That was stupid and insensitive of me," she said, her eyes now looked troubled and he felt guilty.

"I will accept your apology on one condition.. you must dance with me. Just once. Come on," he egged on and she nodded.

"This is the worst music ever," she said echoing his thoughts as the DJ played some suicidal music.

He held her hand gently and led her to the dance-floor, not too close to the funny looking DJ and not too close to the centre so that they were less noticeable. Thankfully the DJ obliged and switched from suicidal music to something more upbeat.

Pappu can't dance, Saala. Seemed fitting and Khushi hitched up her sari and kicked off her shoes grinning.

"I am not chuyi muyi," she declared as she jumped up and down the the beats.

It had to be said that there were few things more intimate than dancing with someone. Even if it was to ridiculous Bollywood number which required you to just bounce around like balls. You are at your closest and most vulnerable in front of that person. Like you sae saying, hey look at me, I know I look silly, but I don't mind being silly in front of you. I don't mind pretending that we are the only two people in a place which is packed with people. Though they barely touched each other, because it was more of a wave your hands around and be ridiculous song, he felt in that moment, he and she were close sans any of the baggage, a moment of true kinship when all uncomfortable history between them had been erased. Just for those five minutes as they made fun for poor Pappu who evidently had a lot going for him but din't know how to dance.

She was obviously lying about not being a dancer. Either that or it was a massive blindspot for her. For she was a natural. Graceful and fluid in her moves. Looking more beautiful than ever. When the song was over, she looked flushed and excited. He held her gently, helping her steady herself and she surprised him with an unselfconscious hug. She then looked at him, not bemused or with any feeling of awkwardness inspite of where they were. There little moment was broken when Aman tapped Khushi on her shoulder and said, "Basanti in kutto ke saamne mat naachna." Arnav threw a mock punch his friends way while Khushi merely rolled her eyes. The DJ's next song was some sappy one called, humaari adhoori kahani. He groaned at it while Khushi made a mock vomit gesture. Aman berated them for not appreciating soulful music. He then hugged Arnav and said, "Thanks bro, for coming. Means a lot to me."

He patted Khushi on her head and walked away to troll the next person.

He stood there for a while with Khushi, suddenly the familiar awkwardness had returned.

"I am hungry," she finally said breaking the silence.

"Lets get some food then," he said and held her hand as he led her to the buffet area. The place was packed. Aman surely was popular, he thought. As they pushed their way through the dance floor, they were interrupted by a voice.

"Arnav.. Khushi."

They stopped and right in front of them was his father, Anand Raizada, looking at them with open curiosity.

Khushi pulled her hand away from his.

**