Vignettes - 26. Tujhpe Kurbaan Dil... Pt10/Pg10

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AparnaRenu

@AparnaRenu

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Posted: 9 years ago

Dear All,

Am not able to PM most people on my list for some reason, so please do go read the latest amongst the Vignettes series.

It got posted in the fanfiction forum! Or you can read the first 5 charpters below...

Vignettes 26. Tujhpe Kurbaan Dil...

Edited by Appurs - 9 years ago

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AparnaRenu

@AparnaRenu

Voyager

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Posted: 9 years ago

Hello my dears...

Reposting the first five chapters as I am not able to edit the old thread for some reason!

Also, IF made an automatic change and posted it in Fanfiction Forum and quite a few people PMed me asking for the link

My dear friends, old and new... thank you for your warm welcome on my return after a long hiatus.

Quite a few personal issues, which are slowly getting resolved, and the need to return to Shantivan and its inhabitants, who are as good as family to me now, having known, lived and thought about each character for years... and a few persistent readers who made it possible to return...

To my old friends, Sarada, Indu, Arun, Aruni, and all the others, who I lost touch with, very very glad that we could reconnect...

My new readers, who started reading my work after I disappeared, but kept commenting and encouraging me, thank you! Hope to become friends with you all...

Also, the IPKKND-ek Jashn, which does fall in with the evolution of the characters as I had envisaged, makes it easier to sketch the stories out, with the variations that exist in my world continuing as such...

Without much ado, here's the next chapter in Anjali's story, which is promising to be quite a long one!

Here comes the next FF in the series...

To those who missed the earlier TS -Annapoorna , this is Anjali's story...

The same Anjali, who was a mother to her orphaned brother...

The same Anjali, who kept the family of temperamental Raizadas together for years until Khushi and Payal joined her...

The same Anjali, who inspite of losing her parents, her husband and her unborn child, still manages to be the loving, cheerful, bubbly woman who hides a spine of steel in her gentle demeanor...

The same Anjali who people tend to forget, is first and foremost, a Raizada, Arnav Singh Raizada's older sister, and can the apple have fallen far from the tree?

In this case, she's the one who brought up the young man who's famous as ASR...

She is Anjali Singh Raizada, and woe betide anyone who makes the mistake of forgetting that!

Edited by Appurs - 9 years ago

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AparnaRenu

@AparnaRenu

Voyager

+ 5

Posted: 9 years ago

26. Tujhpe Kurbaan Dil...

Part 1

Meri aakhon mein tu muskuraayen
Meri dhadkan pe hain tere saayein
Poojti hain nazar tujhko aathon peher
Kaun tere siva yaad aye
Zindagi pe karam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse
Vaadein aur kasam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse
Zindagi pe karam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse

Anjali's clear, soothing voice drifting up the stairs was what woke Arnav on a cold January morning. Opening his eyes with a soft smile, as memories and images from hundreds of similar mornings flowed into his mind, he got up, his eyes immediately searching for his wife. The sound of the shower letting him know where she was, he flicked a glance towards the bed-side clock. It was still very early, not the usual time that he woke up.

Aakein dekhe koi yahan
Apne hote hain kaise
Jashn khushiyan manaati hain
Ghar jannat ho yeh jaise
Ek dooje ke bandhan mein
Band gaye hain ham aise
Koi shikwa na ho
Daur jaisa bhi ho
Fasla beech mein aa na payein
Kabhi rootein na ham tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujse
Vaadein aur kasam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse
Zindagi pe karam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse

His Di's voice almost pulling him towards her, he knocked and opened the door to their toilet-suite, and seeing that Khushi was still inside the misted-up shower cubicle in the far corner, he cleaned up his face and mouth and strode out. Quickly walking down the stairs, he came to a halt near the dining table, quietly watching his sister as she finished her morning Aarti.

Zindagi pe karam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse
Vaadein aur kasam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse
Zindagi pe karam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse

The rest of the women still getting ready, Anjali was alone in the mandir, as was her daily routine. The house woke up to her melodious voice resonating in the air, but it was rare for Arnav to be the first person to come down. Standing quietly behind her, he watched the serene face that he had grown up finding peace in, his rock in the stormy life they had both had.

For the whole world to see, it had always been Arnav who was Anjali's protector and provider, but he knew, that whatever he had achieved, whatever normalcy his life had had, it was all because of his Di. Her unshakable faith in him, her steady love and support, her laughter and little fights, it had kept him sane, it had kept him without shattering until she brought Khushi into his life. Yes, it had been fate that threw them together, destiny that brought them closer, but it had been Anjali, and her stubborn wiles that had kept them in eachothers' company long enough for them to recognize in eachother their soulmates. Arnav Singh Raizada owed almost everything to his sister, and she never failed to amaze him with her sheer resilience and optimism.

Anjali finished her pooja and turned around to see her brother standing behind her with a wistful smile on his face, his eyes unfocussed as he stood lost in thought even as his eyes remained trained on her face. Her face wreathed in a wide smile, she walked towards him, "Arre, janaab uth gaye? Itni subah?"

At his answering grin, she held her thaal forward and once he bowed before the lamp, fed him the prasad, and asked, "Aise kyun dekh rahe ho, Chotte?"

"Kyun, main apni Di ko dekh nahi sakta?"

"Lo, ho gaya shuroo!", she sighed, and pulling at his nose, chuckled, "Khoob dekh sakte ho! Tumhe itni subah yahan dekhne ki aadat nahi hai, iss liye poocha. Ab jaao, jaake taiyyaar ho jaao. Khushiji abhi aati hogi tumhara naashta taiyyar karne. Humein bhi ready hona hai. Aaj humara ek event hai, toh hum donon ko bhi jaldi nikalna hai."

Putting a companionable arm around her shoulder, he gathered her close to his side as they walked out of the mandir. "Di, aap bahut khush ho naah? Iss naye career ko le kar?"

Being an expert in reading every nuance in her brother's voice, she understood the underlying worry and his need to shield her, and turned to him, her heart in her eyes, "Hum bahut, bahut khush hain, Chotte. Aur iss baat se aur bhi khush hai ki yeh kaam hum Khushiji ke saath milkar kar rahe hain. Tumhein nahi pata ki humein kitna kuch karne ko mil raha hain, kitne logon se mil rahe hain. Sach mein, Khushiji ka idea humare liye bilkul sahi nikla."

"So I gather, from all the glowing reports that I'm getting", Arnav murmured, a warm smile on his face as he took in the utter happiness on his Di's face.

"Sach mein? Kisne kaha tumse?"

Tunring her around in front of him and linking both his arms around her neck, he grinned, "Apparently, Ms. ASR is a formidable negotiator when it comes to sourcing the best raw materials from vendors! Di, I nearly jumped out of my skin when I heard someone mention this from a neighbouring table while I was out for lunch. Meri sweet, docile Di, aur Ms. ASR?! Aur, aapne jo fund-raiser event organise kiye the naah, last week, for the Bhatias? Well, Mr. Bhatia ke saath ek meeting tha mera, and he was also absolutely thrilled with the decor and the food. Looks like your Annapoorna is a hit, Di!"

Walking down the stairs smiling at the peals of laughter that Anjali had collapsed into, Khushi called out, "Aur nahi toh kya, Ms.ASR hai humara PR Head-cum-CEO. Hit kaise nahi hoga?"

Looking up at his wife with a glorious smile, Arnav gathered his still chuckling sister close for a tight hug, at peace finally where Anjali was concerned. He had never seen her this happy in the recent past.

Even though Khushi and Anjali had started Annapoorna several weeks ago as a Wedding Planning enterprise, they had gotten their first break when they got selected to host a corporate dinner after an impressed guest from a wedding recommended them to her husband, and then on, their clientele had become very varied, cutting across different types of functions ranging from dinners to corporate functions to weddings. And now, within a month of their launch, they had become one of the sought-after Event Managers for high-profile functions, the benefit of which was felt very much in Prateeksha, with all of the employees sourced solely from there.

And with Anjali's MBA and design skills being put to its maximum use, the solid backing by Khushi's Catering Division and Payal's team of seamstresses, had won Annapoorna the envious position of rising to the select club of elite Event Management Enterprises. With AR Group's patronage, they were sure to grow fast and steady, and no one was happier that Arnav himself at the transformation these few weeks had made in his Di. The old confident, articulate, professional Anjali Singh Raizada was back, and back to stay. But the biggest test was yet to come.

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AparnaRenu

@AparnaRenu

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Posted: 9 years ago

Part 2

"Di!...Di!...Kahaan ho aap?", Khushi ran down the stairs, with her cellphone plastered against her ear, as she looked around frantically for Anjali.

Not spotting her anywhere, she tunred to run down the corridor, only to see Anjali come rushing out of the library, a few files clutched close, her cellphone held tight in her hand, a broad grin splitting her face.

Before she could utter a word, Khushi spoke up, "Ji, Sir, ek minute hold keejiye, hum aapko Ms. Raizada se baat karvaate hain. Saare scheduling aur agreement ke baatein who hi handle karti hain", before promptly handing the phone to a gob-smacked Anjali, who mouthed "Kaun" to Khushi, only to have her shake her head and do an on-the-spot jig in her excitement.

Shaking her head, Anjali took the phone, an in front of her sister-in-law's admiring eyes, transformed from her gentle Anjali Di into the cool, composed, Ms. ASR. Aftersending Arnav off to office, Khushi was busy straightening up their room and getting ready for her day at Pratheeksha when her phone had rung. Pre-occupied in planning the menu for the day's function, it had taken her a moment to recognise that the voice speaking over phone was Mr. Goyal, one of the biggest industrialists in town, and an important client of the ARH, what with his corporate account being managed by ARH for over five years.

And at his jolly booming voice informing her that he had decided that he wanted 'Annapoorna', of which he had been hearing rave reviews to cater his upcoming annual charity ball, Khushi had fairly jumped out of her skin, and barely managing to piece together a coherent sentence about Anjali being the one handling the scheduling, had run downstairs. Having attended his ball the past year, she knew what a grand function it was, and what a coup it would be if Annapoorna could carry it off successfully. the publicity from that one event would keep them booked through the year!

So engrossed was Khushi in her daydreaming that she started as she heard the tail end of Anjali's response, "... I'm really sorry. Hum ummeed karte hain ki aapko koi suitable firm mil jaayein... Nahi, Mr. Goyal, pehle se hi scheduling aur agreement ho chuki hain, aur hum yeh tod nahi sakte, kisi ke liye bhi... thank you, for your appreciation. Ok, bye."

Looking up to see Khushi standing as if someone had stolen her Jalebis, Anjali smothered a grin, even as disappointment coursed through her. At the sputtering question from her sister-in-law at having turned down the offer, Anjali sighed, "Kya karein, Khushiji, humari woh Wedding Reception, Mr. Khanna ke bete ka, ussi taareekh ko hain. Aur itni short notice mein hum agreement nahi tod sakte..."

Her face falling, as she remembered the other commitment, Khushi replied, "Koi baat nahin, Di. Aur bhi bahut saari maukaayein ayenge. Chalo, ab humein nikalna hoga, varna taiyyaariyan shuroo karne mein der ho jaayegi", refering to their event of the day.

******************************

They were on their way to Pratheeksha when Khushi's phone rang, the familiar ringtone making her smile fondly. Answering the call, she said, "Ji, Arnavji?"

His voice softening in a smile, Arnav said, "Khushi, why did you turn down Mr. Goyal's offer? Jaanti ho kitna valuable client ho sakta tha?"

"Hum jaante hain, Arnavji, lekin hum aur kya karte, ek prior booking tha, aur woh hum aise hi cancel nahi kar sakte hain naah?', Khushi sighed.

Heaving a big sigh himself, Arnav replied, "Di ko phone do..."

Grimacing slightly as she took the phone Khushi had held out, anticipating a yelling, Anjali said, "Hello...", only to hear a big sigh from the other end, "To think that this is the woman who I've always called 'Sayani'!"
Surprised by this sudden proclamation, Anjali stuttered, "Huh?... Yeh kya bol rahe ho, Chotte?"
"Di, Mr. Goyal ka account aapke liye bahut important and profitable hoga, and I would've thought that someone with your business skills would've found some way or the other to remain in the loop with him."

Brushing aside her justifications, he continued, "Di, aapki poori staff toh engaged nahi honge, naah? Uss din? Toh why now hire a make-shift crew to help you out, or even partner with another smaller firm to cater for the event? Decorations toh aap additional hired crew se aaraam se karva sakte ho..."

The silence on the other end telling him that the wheels were turning indeed in his 'Sayani' Di's head, Arnav bid her goodbye and kept the phone down, smiling to himself at how much he was enjoying this new enterprise that his wife and Di were running. He would do all he could without coming out from behind the curtains.

*********************

It was a grinning Anjali who greeted her brother that evening. His questioning look morphing into deep laugh, he asked, "Di... toh final decision kya liya?"

The answering hug squeezing the very breath out of him, Arnav gathered his sister close in a hug, smiling over her head at his wife, who too was fairly jumping up and down in her excitement. And it would take on a new dimension, the results being anybody's guess.

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AparnaRenu

@AparnaRenu

Voyager

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Posted: 9 years ago

Part 3

An evening, a couple of days later...

The sounds of laughter and happy voices leading him to the first floor Patio, a weary NK hefted his suitcase up the stairs, one hand holding his cellphone close to his ear. Leaving his luggage in his room, he stepped out to the Patio, a happy smile on his face as he talked to Pooja. Waving a 'hi' to his cousins, he collapsed on one of the empty chairs, bringing his conversation to a close, grinning at the catcalls from Akash and Dhruv.

"Okay, okay, I'm done. Come on, guys, cut a chap a break, will you. Chain se pyaari-pyaari batein kar raha tha main, with my fiancee..."

Grinning cheekily, Dhruv retorted, "Haan, haan, khoob karo, par humare saamne karoge toh thodi si leg-pulling jhelna padega.Waise NK Bhai, itni saari goodbyes kyun bol rahe the? Kal kaam par nahi jaa rahe ho kya?"

Sighing as he leaned back, NK looked over at his Nannav, who was sitting in his usual chair, silently enjoying his family's company, his wife sitting on the floor in her customary pose, leaning against his leg, and replied, "Actually, no, I'm not. Nannav, abhi-abhi office se nikalte waqt par Dad ka phone aaya. Our close family friend's son's marriage got fixed all on a sudden, and they want me to attend. The wedding is day after, toh mujhe kal jaana hoga."

Seeing Arnav sit up straight, he raised a hand, palm out, and continued, "Everything is delegated and the week's schedule has been handed over to Pooja. You know she will handle everything. Waise bhi, I'll be gone only for a few days."

It was Anjali's turn to reply then, "NK Bhai, yeh toh badi khushi ki mauka hai. Aur Jaa hi rahe ho toh kuch din ke liye rehkar aayiye naah, apne maa-baap ke paas. Itne dinon baad jaa jo rahe ho." Turning to her brothers, she asked, "Chotte, Akash, tum donon bolo naah..."

Sending a quick glance at his brother, and nodding once, Akash replied, "Ji, Di, NK Bhai bilkul reh sakte hain. Pooja hi kaafi hain ARH ko sambhaalne ke liye, she's that good!" HIs smile turning mischievious, he went on, "Par NK Bhai apni mangetar se itni door kitne dinon ke liye reh paayega, yeh toh hum nahi jaante..."

And away went everyone into peals of laughter again, until Arnav's phone rang. Holding Khushi back as she made to move away to let him stand up, he answered the call, making quick work of it. Looking up on finishing it, he grimaced as he looked over at Akash. "Woh Frankfurt-wali plant mein quality control inspection chaalu tha naah, wahan par kuch zyada hi problems hain. Looks like we'll have to make a trip. Akash. That too, this weekend, else we wont be able to review everything before the final inspection on Monday. "

Still not moving from where she sat, Khushi looked up at her husband, smiling her agreement, thining to herself how far they both had come in their marriage. There was a time when the very thought of being away from him would've made her hyperventilate. But Mrs. ASR understood, approved of, and supported the demands made on her husband. Looking over at her Jiji, she saw the same smile reflected on her face as she looked at Akash.

The evening progressed along its normal course, until Manorama called them all down to dinner.

*****************************

Burrowing further into his side, Khushi wrapped her free hand around Arnav's waist, one bleary eye focussing on the table-clock, sighing in relief as she saw that there was still a couple of hours before he had to start getting ready for the early morning flight. The past couple of days had been very busy with NK leaving for Australia, Akash and Arnav in hurried preparation for their German trip, and Anjali, Khushi and Payal in preparation for their mega event. With their days taken up with work, they had had gotten only two nights to spend with eachother. And this Friday night, they had not had time to go out for their weekly dining out.

Sighing as he pulled her closer, Arnav turned over, murmuring, "Time ho gaya?"

"Nahi...do ghante baaki hain...", she whispered against his neck beofre falling asleep again.

Three hours later, Khushi sat on the bed, watching him cross-check his travel pouch for his passport and wallet, and asked, "Toh aap donon iss budhwar tak wapas aayenge naah?"

Smiling up at his wife, Arnav asked, "Missing me already?". Walking up to her, he continued, "Haan, pakka. Would've come on Tuesday, Khushi, lekin short notice mein tickets available hi nahin hain." Sitting down beside her, he took her hand in his, "Tumhara event toh kal raat ko hain naah. I've been watching you and Di running around getting everything ready, and the arrangements seem foolproof. How is the catering being handled?"

"Woh toh Di baat ki, Mr. Goyal se, aur unhon ne hi iss kashmakash ki hal nikaale. Do tarak ki food chaahiye tha, appetizers and hors-duvres during the ball, and then the dinner. Toh hum pehli turn le rahe hain, aur dinner doosri catering group sambhaal rahe hain, jinko Mr. Goyal hi appoint kiye hain. Di sab kuch manage kar rahi hain, apni Ms. ASR avtar mein," she giggled.

Grinning as he got up, dropping a soft kiss on his wife's head, Arnav took his travel bag and followed Khushi out. Akash and Payal joined them outside their room, and the two couples walked downstairs, the pre-travel routine being carried out on auto-pilot. The elders were waiting downstairs to see them off, and Anjali walked up with her Pooja thaal to see them off. Quick goodbyes later, the men were off, driven to the airport by Dhruv, wishing their sister and wives the best of luck for their event.

Returning inside, the family went back to bed, seeing how a few hours were left before they had to start their day. Only a day left to prepare for their biggest job till date, Anjali, Khushi and Payal decided to meet up in the afternoon from their respective offices to do the last minute detailing. But their world as they knew it was set to change irrevocably in the coming days, that too with their men not by their side...

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AparnaRenu

@AparnaRenu

Voyager

+ 5

Posted: 9 years ago

Part 4

...Zindagi pe karam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse
Vaadein aur kasam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse
Zindagi pe karam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse...

Anjali's voice was joined by the melodious chorus by her sisters-in-law as they finished the morning pooja. The day of their mega-event, where Annapoorna and Abhilaasha had joined hands to manage, design and cater to Mr. Goyal's annual ball, dawned bright and shiny. The only thing dampening the ladies' spirit being the absence of their men, who were the silent strength of their venture, all three stepped out of the mandir, ready and pumped-up about the day ahead.

They had just gotten their blessings from Devyani, Manohar and Manorama, when as if on cue, Anjali's and Payal's mobiles rang. Recognizing the ringtones, the elders and Khushi looked on fondly as Arnav spoke to his Di and while Akash apparently said something to his wife which made Payal beam with pride and confidence.

Listening to Anjali's side of the conversation with a smile, Khushi sent up grateful prayers at the transformation their venture had brought in her Di.
"...haan, Chotte, sab kaam ho gaya! Doosri catering agency ko Mr. Goyal ne khud appoint kiya hain naah, toh unki supervising humari contract mein nahi hain. Phir bhi Khushiji ne ek baar unn logon se mili thi, menus compare karne keliye aur service sequence check karne ke liye..."

"... haan baba, hum stressed nahi hain! Tumhein kya lagta hain, Khushiji humein bhaari work karne degi? Tumse bhi worse hain woh! Sab bhaari kaam apne upar lekar humein aaram se baidhne ki hukoom deti hai!"

"... thank you! Hum jaante hain ki wahan baithke bhi tumhara saath hain humein... aur lo... apni Khushiji se baat karo...", Anjali smiled as she handed over the phone to Khushi just as Payal handed her Akash's call. Swapping phone, she took Akash's call with a grin as she watched Khushi fairly leaping in her excitement in talking to her absent Laad Governor.

Delighted to have gotten a chance to talk to Arnavji before starting the day, which normally didn't happen considering the time difference with Germany, Khushi eagerly put the phone to her ear. "Khushi..."

Closing her eyes as she listened to the emotions brimming over in that one word, she replied, "Hum theek hain, Arnavji, aur Di bhi... aap pareshaan mat huyiye...", perfectly in tune with her husband, whose disappointment in not being with her and Anjali on their big day, whose concern that he wasn't around to handle any issues that may crop up and whose absolute misery in being away from his Khushi was all conveyed in that one word.

"Be confident, Khushi. You both and Payal make a formidable team, professionals with the right personal touch. Sab arrangements par ek overall monitoring karna, especially since one part of the event is being catered by another team. I have full faith in you and Di, go have a great day!"

The pride and confidence on Khushi's face as she listened to Arnav's words making her smile, Anjali replied to Akash's questions egarding the day's arrangements. The two phone made a round around the room, with everyone getting a chance to talk to both sons of the family. It was Payal's turn to talk to her Jethji when he asked, "Payal, Dhruv hain, kya , wahan?" At her affirmative reply, she was asked to pass the phone to him.

After instructing Dhruv too, to stick close to the ladies in case they needed support in any manner, Arnav kept the phone down. Looking across the room at his Bhai, Akash noted the worry on his face, "Kya baat hai, Bhai? Itna woried kyun ho? Payal bol rahi thi ki sab under control and perfectly arranged hai."

Rubbing his face with both hands, Arnav murmured, "I don't know, Akash. Everything sounds fine, but I just can't shake this feeling that this was the one time when we should have been there. Just hoping that its an unfounded feeling."

Watching Arnav walk back into his bedroom, Akash hoped that his Bhai's famous hunch was not at work. It usually never failed.

*************************************************************

Pulling Anjali aside, Mr. Goyal gushed, "Ms. Raizada, your team is incredible! I am being praised left, right and centre by everyone here on the quality, elegance and class of the decor, the event management and the food! Mrs. Raizada's team has done wonders with the appetizers."

Brushing her thanks aside, he continued, "Obviously, you have been referred to as "the" event management team to every one of my acquaintances, and those who aren't must have decided anyway seeing this event. I am just hoping that the dinner that I had arranged through E&C events match up to the standard that you have set. I will be sure to call up Mr. Raizada and update him tonight."

He was about to turn away after giving Anjali a warm hug, when he paused, "And oh, the event being covered widely by the press, some of them have asked me the details of the event planner and I have taken the liberty of sharing your details. They might just be the last push that takes your company into national limelight. Well deserved, my dear..."

Blushing at the lavish praise and overwhelmed by the admiration she was seeing on the faces of the guests, Anjali turned away to find her sisters-in-law and share the good news, safe in the knowledge that their part in the evening was almost done. They had to stay back and ensure the service sequence, but the food section was to be handed over to the next team and the musical and dance night being declared as having ended, they only had to supervise the dismantling of the stage and the set after the guests left. It was time to sit down with her favourite ladies and enjoy the evening.

Khushi being busy in sending out the last few plates and Payal assisting her, having finished her role of decoration and lighting much earlier, they had to contain their joy at the fabulous feedback, saving the celebration for later.

Having shared the good news with both women, Anjali made a final round of the kitchen and the dining hall, playing the role of the hostess to perfection, as she took a last survey of the food service by E&C that was slowly wrapping up. She had just sat down with an overjoyed Khushi, who had been personally visited and thanked by Mr. And Mrs. Goyal, at a nearby table and taken a bite of the appetizer when the best evening of Annapoorna came crashing down.

Edited by Appurs - 9 years ago

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AparnaRenu

@AparnaRenu

Voyager

+ 5

Posted: 9 years ago

Part 5

"Mrs. Anjali Jha?",

A disembodied voice asked from behind the blinding light glaring on to her face, as a microphone was thrust at her, almost hitting her chin.

"How do you feel? Do you think this event is going to take away all the notoriety that your much publicized divorce from eminent human rights lawyer Mr. Shyam Jha brought about?"

Anjali sat frozen for a monent, even as Khushi drew in a sharp breath, jumping up to shove the reporter back if necessary, her first instinct as always, to protect her Di from the big bad world. But as it is said, things had to get worse before they started getting better. The first reporter's question only a preview of what was to come, it was a barrage that followed.

" Or is this an initiative to cash-in on the power of the limelight that is on you now?"

"How does your brother feel about you coming out into the open?"

"Has he expressed concern over your negative influence on AR's stock market performance?"

"His wedding was also broiled in one controversy after the other, so isn't this becoming a trend in your family?"

"What do you have to say to justify such actions from you and your family?"

Khushi raised her voice, her heart breaking at the expression on Anjali's face. "Arre, yeh kya tareeka hai ek function mein pesh aane ka? Aapko zara si bhi tameez hain? Humein koi comment nahi hain, ab aap log jaayiye warna hum security ko bulaayenge! Aapko andaaza bhi nahi hain ki hum kya kar sakte hain!"

Seeing Payal and Dhruv hurrying towards them from the corner of her eye, she stepped back, satisfied at the panic on the face of the reporter, and the others who were warily eyeing her. Turning to Anjali, who was sitting unmoving, staring at the reporter who had thrown all those questions at her, Khushi crouched, "Di, chaliye, humein waise bhi nikalna chaahiye. Party almost khatam jo ho chuka hai..."

Tearing her eyes away and focussing on Khushi, Anjali looked at her blankly. Then slowly, her face became composed and with a grim smile and a slight pressure of her fingers on Khushi's arm, she stood up, drawing to her full height, staring straight at the camera with a slight smile.

"Humari zindagi mein jo kuch bhi hua, woh humari private, personal maamla hain, lekin aapke concern ke liye dhanyavad. Aur haan, hum ek nayi shuruath ki hain, kuch aise logon ke saath milke, jinhon ne apni zindgi mein bahut kuch sahaa hain, aur overcome kiye hain. Toh agar aap iss function ko unn logon ki zindagi ka ek naya adhyay maanein aur suport dein, toh ek humanitarian effort hogi, meharbaani hogi."

One could have heard a pin drop at that moment, when Anjali stopped speaking and with a serene smile, turned away from the cameras, walking back to the organizers area, flanked by a proud Khushi and a teary-eyed Payal.

His fists relaxing as he surveyed the scene, Dhruv turned to a flustered Mr. Goyal, who was vehemently asserting that he had given specific instructions to the security that only reporters were allowed inside, not their camera crew, and that too with crisp instructions that they weren't to interact with the guests, only to observe and report.

"I would be lying if I said 'Koi baat nahin', Mr. Goyal. This shouldn't have happened. Aur aap jaante hain ki jab mere donon bhaiyyon ko iska khabar milenge, toh all hell will break lose. Humari Di toh recover ho rahi hain, dheere dheere, aur aisi ek reminder is cruel. But I know that you had taken every precaution. So please make sure the security detail is brought to task for this lapse and that this never happens again."

With that, he took one final glance around the room, his sharp eyes coming to a halt at one table, where three of the four occupants were staring at the media versus security staff ruckus ongoing, while the fourth one was sitting back at ease, his gaze unflinchingly fixed on the three women walking away from the hall.

Recognizing the look on that famous face, the look that sent a spear of fear through many a wrong-doer, the look that promised the nation that his attention was engaged and that the matter would be investigated and cross-questioned until a satisfactory answer to his questions were obtained, Dhruv felt a momentary spark of panic. But before he could dwell on the matter, his phone rang.

Automatically smiling at the familiar caller-tune, he answered, "Haan Bhabi? Abhi nikal rahe hain? Lekin dinner service toh ab bhi chaalu hain naah? Kya Di utna upset hain?

Her voice softening from the harsh tones that the situation had forced it into, Khushi held her Di tighter to her side, "Nahi Dhurv, aisi baat nahi hain. Woh theek hain. Lekin koi shak nahi hain ki yeh scene ab tak aired hua hoga. Aur ab calls aana shuroo ho jayega. Hum chaahte hain ki tumhare Bhaiyya se hum baat ghar jaake karein. Aur yahaan sab dekhne ke liye tum, Jiji aur Gautamji hain naah, toh koi gadbad nahi hogi. Tum buss jaldi aa jao taaki hum aur Di ghar chalein. Humein tumhare pass function ki kuch details chod ke jaana tha, jo Jiji akele Mr. Goyal se discuss nahi kar payegi."

Turning away, sparing one final glance at Raghuveer Singhania, who was now calmly eating the appetizers as he chatted with others at his table, looking as if he was merely a guest enjoying the evening, Dhruv walked off, hoping that he had misread that famous expression. The other option was too scary to think about.

Author's Note:

Another cliffie! Those who have read Hai re Nandkishore would have recognizd this name... but who is he and what was the "look"?

Next update on Wednesday...

Also, I am stopping PM... please follow the index or this story thread...

Quote

Hriju321

@Hriju321

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

Aparna,

Loving your story😊

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AparnaRenu

@AparnaRenu

Voyager

+ 5

Posted: 9 years ago

Posting a day early, in line with a new episode!

Love you all! Would love you more if you left comments, though!

Part 6

The day everything came crashing down...

Her Chotte rescued by Khushiji... their claim that it was her husband behind

everything...

His vehement denial and him being thrown out by Chotte...

Her collapse and attempt on taking her life...

Chotte's turmoil, at her freezing out Khushiji without understanding or comprehending

the truth...

Her baby... the fall, the pain...

Chotte's agonized face as he tried to comfort her...

His and Khushiji's tears... as they held her close...

Shyam's and Dadi's machinations...

Her efforts to smile through heart-wrenching pain at Chotte's wedding...

Shyam's repeated attempts to worm his way back into their lives and her guileless

belief in him...

His mask ripped apart and his arrest...

Chotte's rage and torment at what she had to suffer...

The days of darkness where it took all her willpower to get out of bed in the mornings...

Her slow crawl back into normalcy...

but her baby... it always came back to that... her poor, much-loved baby...

"Hey Devi Maiyya!"

Khushi's involuntary exclaimation brought Anjali out of her reverie. Looking around,

she saw Khushi staring at her phone in horror.

"Kya baat hai, Khushiji?", she asked, putting a comforting hand on Khushi's arm.

"Looking up with stricken eyes, Khushi replied, "Di, woh video clip whatsapp par

circulate ho rahi hain. Abhi Pooja ki meesage aayi thi. Bahut upset hokar pooch

rahi thi ki yeh sab kaise hua."

Leaning back and closing her eyes with a sigh, Anjali said, "Yeh toh expected tha,

Khushiji. Asal mein hum surprised tab hua tha, jab uss aadmi ka arrest hua tha ki

koi media fuss nahin tha. Chotte aur Akash ne lawyers ke saath milke kuch na kuch

kiya hoga, media ko door rakhne ke liye. Lekin woh hamesha ke liye nahin ho sakta

tha..."

"Par Di, ab toh Arnavji aur Jijaji bhi videsh mein hain. Ab toh inn logon ne shuroo

kiya hain, toh kya hoga?", Khushi almost sobbed, seeing the resigned expression

on Anjali's face. It was her fault, she should never have dragged her Di into this

event management business!

Reading her mind, Anjali's eyes snapped open. "Nahin Khushiji, aap apne aapko

dosh mat deejiye! Yeh toh hona hi tha. Itni badi news thi woh, aur AR itna bada

company hain, toh media attention humare upar rehega hi. Hum kuch bhi karein,

kahin na kahin humein yeh face karna hi tha. Toh shayad ab waqt aa gaya hoga.

Hum taiyyar hain, aap log hain na humare saath, toh humein koi darr nahin hai."

Smiling tightly, she turned back to look out of the window, unseeing eyes staring out

into the darkness.

***********************************************

"Arre, aap log aa gayi bitiya?", Devyani Singh Raizada smiled in welcome as they

two women walked in. Oblivious to the happenings of the evening, she smiled again

as she recalled the exhuberant call she had received from Dhruv a while ago,

describing what a success the event had turned out to be. Proud beyond words of

her grand-daughter and grand-daughters-in-law, she had just held out a hand to beckon them to sit by her, when Khushi's

phone rang.

Khushi, who had been expecting her husband's call any second, jumped up, but

frowned as she heard a different ringtone. Snatching the phone from the teapoy,

she quickly answered, "Haan Jijaji?"

His voice shaking from extreme anger, but not rising an iota above the normal,

Akash said, "Khushiji, maine Payal ko phone kiya toh pata chala ki Di ko lekar aap

wapas ghar ja chuki hai. Is she okay?"

Looking across at a calm, composed Anjali, who was briefing her shell-shocked Nani about what happened, Khushi replied, "Ab theek hain, Jijaji. Pehle

nahi thi, lekin sambhaal rahi thi apne aap ko... Aapne dekh liya?"

Taking a deep breath, and failing in calming himself, Akash almost snarled, "Yes I

did. I can't believe Mr. Goyal would let the media in! And I have no clue how Bhai will

react once he gets to now about this after his meeting. As of now, his phone is with

me, and all the messages and calls are being fended off by me."

Groaning, he continued, "Aur Khushiji, mujhe yeh samajh mein nahi aa raha ki aap

log wahan akele hain, aur kaise sab kuch sambhaal lenge! Na Bhai, na main, na NK,

reporters ko handle karne ke liye. Ab tak toh woh log baahar camp set up karna

shuroo kar raha hoga! We'll take the first flight back, I just hope the flights are on

time!"

"Toh Arnavji ko ab tak nahin pata? Woh hi to! Hum soch rahe the ki aap se pehle

toh unka phone aana chahiye tha. Jijaji, sara unka khayal rakhiyega. Yeh sab

dekhke aur sunke woh pareshaan ho jaayenge aur tabeeyat bhi kharab ho jayega",

Khushi exclaimed.

"Haan, Khushiji, bilkul. But it is really terrible that this had to happen now! When

we're not there. Lets just hope aur kuch nahin hoga and that this will die a natural

death when some other scandal captures the media's attention." Having been born

and brought up in a well-known family, Akash was well-versed with how fickle the

media was and how short their attention span. "Dhruv hain wahan?"

"Nahi, Jijaji, woh Jiji ke saath ballroom mein hain, sab sambhaal raha hain."

"Achcha, main usse baad mein baat karoonga. Aap Di ko phone deejiye, please?"

As he started talking to Anjali, Khushi went to sit beside an emotionally overcome

Devyani, who, while proud of the way Anjali was handling herself, was terrified that it

was just the calm before the storm. She was about to ask Khushi something when

Manorama's voice rang out, "Ee kaa ho raha hain eehyan? Phatti saadi, tum wapis

aa gayi?"

Spotting Anjali as she barged in from the foyer, her eyes welled up, her loving heart

overcome by the brave smile on her beloved niece's face. Controlling herself, she

just gave a one-armed hug to Anjali, who was still on the phone with Akash, and

went and sat by her mother-in-law, taking her phone out to show Devyani the video of the question-answer session that was now circulating on the web.

***********************************************

A little far from Shantivan, the kurta-clad man sat back, his fingers steepled under

his chin, and swiveled away from his office table. Staring out into the foggy night, he

frowned, unused to having his focus shift away from the task at hand. Just when he

was about to get up to fetch a drink of water, a soft voice said, "Chai piyoge, beta?"

At his nod, Radhika Singhania smiled and walked back, unaware of how the fates

were about to take her long-standing prayer into consideration. Her son was about

to wade into life in all its murkiness and glory!

Quote

Hriju321

@Hriju321

Rocker

Posted: 9 years ago

#10

Aparna,

I am intrigued about Raghuveer Singhania. Do update quickly 😊 about his entry into Anjali's life.

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Posted by: dellzcreationz · 9 months ago

INTRODUCTION As a writing prompt given by my dearest friend Jasmine, by being inspired by the movie Pappayude Swantham Appoos which means Papa's...

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Vignettes - 26. Tujhpe Kurbaan Dil... Pt10/Pg10

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