Chapter 18: Tere Mere Beech Mein Part I
Curious brown eyes peered from behind the door watching with interest at what was happening inside the home office. Radhika was tapping the soft rubber end of the pencil against her nose in deep thought. She'd sketch something on the notepad and then crinkle her nose in disappointment before erasing part of it to start over again. A gentle smirk formed along the lips of the watcher amused by this method of creative designing. He pushed open the door and entered the room.
"Oh Arjun Sir," Radhika greeted. "How are you feeling?"
"A bit better. I made some chai," he replied holding up the small tea tray displaying his work. He read the surprise in her eyes and added, "Don't trust the chai?"
"No, not at all Sir."
"So you don't trust me?"
"No that's not what I meant," shaking her head. She reached over and took a cup showing she was accepting his offer.
"I made sure I coughed a lot while making it."
Radhika looked up and caught the mischievous twinkle in his eye. She chuckled lightly at his joke and then took a sip. "It's very good Arjun Sir. You added some ginger?"
"My mom use to make ginger chai for me when I was sick. Helps smooth the throat and clear the sinuses."
"That's what my mom tells me too." Arjun noticed how her face suddenly reflected a sense of disappointment at a thought. "I didn't even make you some yesterday."
"It's okay. I wasn't exactly in my right senses. I'm still a little off today as well. I forgot about it myself until just a few minutes ago I wanted something hot to drink."
"Why didn't you tell me? I could have made it for you."
"You're not the house maid Radhika. I am perfectly capable of boiling water and milk even in this condition." His eyes then fell on the notepad, the scattered files on the desk, and the laptop. "So, what are you working on?"
"No, you're not supposed to be working Arjun Sir," Radhika replied as she cleared away the papers and closed the laptop.
"I'm only asking. And I'm still your boss."
"We're not in the office today...you should be resting..."
Arjun let out a gruff cough while she gave him a I-told-you-so look. After he had recovered from his coughing fit he cleared his throat and replied, "But this is my house and you're using my office."
"So are you cooking us lunch then?" She held her lips tightly together trying her best to suppress the laughter in her throat when she saw the disappointed expression on his face. "I'm joking. You're not in any condition to cook. What would you like for lunch Arjun Sir?
"Should we go out or order something in?"
Shaking her head negatively, "You should not be going outside and eating outside food...home cooking only Arjun Sir at least for the next couple of days. If you want some fresh air you can always go sit outside on the back porch."
Arjun smirked in reminiscing amusement. "You sound like my mom right now. Something she would always say to me."
"Ma always believed at least for the first couple days of the cold you should eat home food. You don't know what preservatives are being used in store bought or restaurant food. Your body is already weak...you shouldn't introduce anything foreign to it that could potentially make your body weaker. Ridheema Di use to fuss about this rule and one year when she caught a cold she snuck out and had chole bhatura...she came back home and had a really bad case of diarrhea for two days along with her cold. "
"Does your sister know you tell these stories to complete strangers?"
"You're not a stranger Arjun Sir," Radhika replied. "It's a true story and I didn't go into any gory details. Simply making my point."
"I don't know how your sister would feel about that," he softly said and took a sip of chai. "I think your mom and my mom would have gotten along great."
Radhika smiled at his words and then checked the time on the clock hanging on the wall. "I have to call into the meeting Arjun Sir. It should be a short meeting and then I'll take my break and we can figure out what we will have for lunch."
Arjun nodded his head and then left the office with his cup of chai in hand. As he made his way to the back porch he heard the sound of a mobile phone ringing. He looked to and fro and found Radhika's phone on the kitchen counter. He saw the caller Id flash Ma and immediately picked up the phone. "Hello..."
"Choti did you catch a cold too?" Arjun crinkled his eyebrows in confusion at the voice on the end of the line. It was not Mala Mishra. His eyes rose upward in thought pondering if this was Mr. Mishra. "I did tell you to take your vitamins every day and to make sure to take walks on the weekends. Got to stay fit. City living is very different from here." However, the more the person spoke Arjun started to doubt his initial conclusion. "Choti? You there? Hello?"
"Um, this isn't Choti...I'm Ar-ju---"
"Arjun! Choti's boss?!"
"Ji Sir," he replied formally.
"No need to add Sir. This isn't Choti's father. I'm Choti's father's father...call me Dadaji."
"Dadaji?"
"Yes...my Bahu accidently took the wrong phone with her. She's Dadaji and I'm Ma! At least for this week. Our phones look the same and Ankush was changing our cases and put the wrong phones into the right cases!" Arjun remained silent not sure how to respond to the elder Mishra's laughter on the other end. "Arjun..."
"Ji Dadaji?"
"You read the newspaper?"
"Haan."
"Good very good. Do you work on crossword puzzles or Sudoku?"
"Yes Dadaji I play crossword puzzles and Sudoku," Arjun replied with a bit of apprehension at the sudden line of questioning.
"Excellent! As expected...you know what I always say? Of course you don't...you haven't spent much time with me. You should come and visit Hrisikesh...it's a very beautiful place if I do say so myself. I think you would like it here."
"Ji I heard it is very nice there."
"Ah yes as I was saying...I hear you question Choti...You challenge her!"
"Uh..." Arjun naturally responded in concern at the direction of the conversation.
"Don't worry...I'm not saying anything against your managing style. What do I know of business? But I do know an idle mind is a waste...you should always challenge yourself...complacency is the root of all evils. Thank you for challenging her! Forcing her to bring out her very best."
"Radhika is extremely talented Dadaji. I don't think you have to worry about her being complacent. She is not one to be like that...she is still very down to earth with no airs despite the early success she has had in her career. The big city hasn't taken away her values."
"Hmmm...well, tell me Arjun why are you at work if you are sick?"
"I'm not. I'm at home..."
"I see so Choti is at your house?"
"Um, no...I mean yes but she's working...in the office...my office...she was helping me yesterday and the office was afraid if we came to the office we would get everyone else sick. There is a big account presentation next week so we need everyone healthy. Radhika's not sick...I'm staying away from her...she's perfectly healthy."
Arjun heard laughter on the other end and hoped that it was a good sign. He realized that no matter how he explained the situation it would sound suspicious to any family member. Why was a co-worker of the opposite sex working in his home office when he himself was sick? Why wasn't she working from her house or in the office? He didn't want Radhika's family to think he was being inappropriate with her.
"Choti carries pepper spray and if she hasn't pepper sprayed you yet I think you'll be fine. Heard you will be alone for the next couple of days...without the caretaker of the house or your aunt's presence...as independent as you may be there is something to be said of having one's own with you especially when you're ill."
"Ji Dadaji..."
"It's been a nice chat. Make sure Choti doesn't work too much."
"Ji, I'll make sure she takes proper rest herself. I don't want her to catch my cold."
Arjun heard another round of mysterious laughter and Dadaji replying with the words "Hmmm...as expected...Arjun...as expected. Choti makes excellent chana palak paneer, okay? Bye!"
Arjun started down at the mobile with a look of confusion as to whether the conversation ended well or not. He had heard Radhika talk about her grandfather a lot and now that he had finally spoken with him he could see why. He was an interesting fellow, a bit quirky, and liked to talk a lot. After meeting two of Radhika's family members he could see where she inherited her traits from. Her mother was calm and she possessed a great warmth in her ways. Radhika's caring nature was inherited from her mother while her talkativeness was something she had definitely inherited from her Dadaji. Arjun found himself smiling at the thought about her other family members. He wondered what Mr. Mishra was like, her Ankush Bhaiya, and her Ridheema Di. What was their family dynamic like? He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard Radhika's voice from behind. "Arjun Sir?"
He turned around still holding her phone in his hand and replied, "Your Dadaji called."
"Oh really? I was wondering where I left my phone," taking the mobile phone from his hands, "I'll call him back later. So, Arjun Sir have you decided on what you would like to eat?"
"Oh...um, chana palak paneer?"
"Wow, really? I didn't know you like that..."
"I didn't know either..." Arjun mumbled.
"What was that?" Arjun shook his head pretending that he had not said a word. "It's actually one of Dadaji's favorite dishes of mine that I cook. It's my own recipe...I was in charge of cooking one day...and I was suppose to go get groceries after school but my English teacher held us back for an extra twenty minutes of lecture because two boys were misbehaving. We also had extra homework that day. It was so unfair. So I had to rush home and I didn't get the groceries I needed. But we had some chana, some palak, and some paneer...separately there was not enough to make their own dishes but together they became chana palak paneer. Now whenever I go back to Hrisikesh to visit Dadaji always requests that I make the dish. I hope you like my version Arjun Sir."
"I'm sure I will. I like pretty much everything you cook," Arjun answered with tiny smile making Radhika gently blush in return.
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Neil entered Sam's office carrying his notebook and a cup of water. "Ready for our 2 o'clock?"
Sam looked up from her computer and nodded, "Yeah, I just need to finish this email and then run to the ladies. You mind sitting down and waiting for a few minutes?"
"Not at all," Neil replied as he made himself comfortable in the chair in front of her desk.
"Okay, email sent. I'll be right back Neil," Sam stated and hurriedly exited the office.
Neil took a sip of his water and then started to twirl his pen along his fingers as he waited for Sam's return. He eventually got up from the chair and started searching her desk for a pack of gum. He knew Sam usually kept one at her desk. His eyes fell towards Sam's phone when he saw a text flash across the screen. He curiously stared at the phone as he read out loud, "We're still on for Friday night? Wear that sexy red dress. It will be like old times. Love Manny."
"So ready?"
Neil quickly diverted his eyes away from her phone and picked up the packet of gum tuck in the pen holder and waved it in the air, "Was looking for these."
"Sure," Sam smiled and took her seat at her desk while Neil returned to his chair. He popped a piece of gum in his mouth and chewed sourly as his mind wandered back to the text message. Who was this Manny? Sam had never mentioned him before. And he knew most things about Sam as they had shared a lot with each other. He knew about her elder brother Jai who died in a car accident. He knew about her relationship with her mother. He knew how Radhika had help bring the Khanna family back together again. He even knew some of her ex-boyfriends' names but this Manny he had never heard her talk about him before.
"Neil? Hello Neil?"
He looked up and saw Sam staring at him wondering what was wrong with him. "Are you okay? Don't tell me you're feeling unwell? You do live with Arjun."
"No, I'm okay Sam. And you were over last night...you've been feeling okay?"
"Yes, I've taken my vitamins and drake some orange juice. I'm going to bed early today and I think you should too."
Neil nodded his head. "You're right...I should..." He watched as Sam got preoccupied with her phone as if another text message came from Manny. He noticed the way Sam's lips curled upward into a smile as she texted something back to Manny making him twinge uncomfortably. "So anything important?" He inquired motioning his eyes towards the phone.
"Oh, nothing really," Sam replied and put her phone down. "So, how are Zubin, Teji, and Kritika doing with the fruit juice account?"
Neil was surprised that Sam didn't offer an explanation to him as she usually did when it came to messages on her phone. He swallowed the lump in his throat and began to answer her question. This is going to be a long meeting he thought to himself.
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Arjun glanced over to his right and frown seeing the look on his cousin's face. He wasn't paying attention to anything being discussed at the dinner table. He gently nudged his shin with his foot and motioned with his eyes that Radhika had been talking to him.
Neil looked up from his plate and focused on Radhika. "Sorry, I was thinking about some stuff at work. What were you saying?"
"How's the food Neil?"
"It's great Chashni," he replied and quickly broke off a piece of warm chapati and dipped it into the khatti meethi dal before placing into his mouth. "Thanks for making this. I missed out last time and I can totally see why Arjun was raving about it."
"We had some chana palak paneer left over from lunch...it's in that bowl...try some?"
"Sure..."
"Wow Chashni!" Neil exclaimed. He was back to his cheery self again as he ate her food. "Can you move in? No offense to Ramu Kaka but like seriously Chashni your food is great."
Radhika laughed knowing Neil was spouting his usual flattering words. "Or maybe I can move in with you and Sam. Got room for a third roommate?"
"Seriously Neil?" Arjun asked looking at him.
"You're just upset that you didn't think of this idea first. I can eat Chashni's food every day and when Mala Aunty visits...even more delicious food!"
"They aren't a dhaba that you can place orders as you please. They work and get tired too. You should at least try to make something for them...I can at least make paneer tikka."
"Oh paneer tikka," Radhika voiced with great interest. "When are you making that?"
"Uh..."
"I'm joking Arjun Sir..."
"No, no, no, when I get better from this cold," he sniffled.
"Paneer tikka? Hey how come you haven't cooked this for me?" Neil inquired with a pout.
Arjun sighed, "I haven't made it in a long time."
"We should have a party," Neil suggested. "Invite everyone over. Why doesn't this house have a pool?"
"Because grandpa didn't want one...it was actually filled in...he didn't want to deal with the up keep."
"Even though we can't have a pool party we can still have a get together. I'm sure we can convince Aunt Nandini."
"I'll leave that in your department."
"Please, you're her favorite nephew. If you just ask she will say yes," Neil prodded. Arjun just gave a half grin in response.
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"Good Morning," Radhika greeted as she walked into the BirdSong office. Neil who had just grabbed himself a cup of coffee stared at her in bewilderment as she walked passed him to sit at her desk. He quickly gathered his wits about him and walked over whispering, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm going to work like everyone else," she replied.
"Where's Sam?"
"I don't know," shrugging her shoulders. "When I woke up this morning she wasn't in the house. I thought she must have come to the office early."
"You need to leave."
"What?" Radhika gasped. "Neil..."
"I'm only saying this for your own good. If anyone else in this office catches a cold you know you will be blamed. Get up." Neil grabbed her purse and a bunch of files from off her desk. "Come let's go."
"Neil..." Radhika had no choice but to get up and follow him as he walked to the front of the office. "This is ridiculous."
"I know all these color coding files...it's beginning to be too much. I mean what is mauve? It looks like purple to me but no it's mauve. I had a thirty minute lecture from Kritika on the color mauve."
"Look there's Sam..." Radhika pleaded. "Sam...Sam...help me here."
"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay home?"
"I thought you were joking last night."
"It's just until the Maybelline presentation is over."
"Well what about Neil? He lives in the same house as Arjun Sir."
"He hasn't been taking care of him," Sam explained. "I'm sorry Radhika."
"Don't forget to take your things," Neil said as he handled her all her things back.
Radhika crinkled her eyebrows in disbelief as the main glass doors of BirdSong where closed right in front of her. Sam and Neil both waved from the other side while she just sighed.
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"How are you feeling today Munna?" Ramu Kaka inquired as he handed him a cup of ginger chai.
"A lot better. Thank you."
"Staying home today?"
"Yes, I've been ordered to," Arjun replied chuckling lightly. "They don't want me to infect the office which I can understand."
"Take things easy Munna. You've just started recovering...it would be a shame to get sick again after Miss Radhika spent all that energy looking after you."
"I will Ramu Kaka. I don't want her efforts to go in vain. I'm only attending a meeting in the morning and then I'm not doing any work for the rest of the day."
The elder care taker smiled at his words. "Very well. I'll be doing the laundry if you need me. And I'll call Mary to come over tomorrow to clean the house."
"Okay." Arjun took a sip of his tea and then went back to the crossword puzzle he had been working on in the newspaper. His concentration was interrupted by the sound of the door bell ringing. "I'll get it!" he shouted and walked to the front door. His eyes widened in surprise as he looked through the peep hole. He opened the door to see Radhika with a stack of files in her arms.
"Sorry Arjun Sir. I got escorted out of the office," she explained with a forlorn look.
"Escorted out of the office? By whom?"
"By Neil and Sam. They won't let me come back until after the Maybelline presentation." Arjun broke out into laughter at her response. "Arjun Sir?"
He stepped to the side indicating she could come inside the house. "I'm sorry but that's just funny...Sam and Neil escorting you out...they are taking this seriously."
"A little over the top if you ask me."
"You sound upset."
"Wouldn't you be?"
"Earlier maybe," Arjun replied with a tiny smirk. "So, I take it you have come to burrow my office?"
"If you don't mind?" Radhika asked with apprehension. "It's just you have everything set up and at home we don't really have an office space."
"Not at all." He saw her beam a smile at his response making him feel good inside.
"Thank you so much Arjun Sir! How are you feeling today?"
"I sound worse than I'm feeling. The congestion is still there but I'm feeling a lot better. Don't worry I'm not really working today. I'm only going to attend that 11 o'clock meeting we have," he explained as they walk to the home office together. "Make yourself at home. Ramu Kaka is back so you don't have to worry about me. I'll let him know you're here. I'll be back in a little bit before our meeting."
"Okay Arjun Sir," Radhika replied as she unloaded all her files from her arms onto the desk. She then proceeded to boot up his laptop and start her work day.
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"It's been decided...Radhika will lead the pitch on the Maybelline presentation and Arjun will discuss the specifics about market focus and forecasting," Piyali announced. "Any questions?"
Arjun and Radhika were sitting around the telephone in the home office attending the staff meeting. There was a moment of silence on the phone indicating no one had any comments. "All right meeting adjourn then. Radhika and Arjun do feel better."
"Thank you Piyali Ma'am," Arjun replied.
Radhika frowned as she heard a series of get well wishes from the staff at BirdSong as everyone was leaving the conference room. "Chashni feel better!" She could recognize Neil's voice from anywhere. She clenched her fist remembering how he had escorted her out of the office earlier this morning.
"That rattled?" Arjun inquired trying to suppress his amusement as he hung up the phone.
"No," shaking her head. "Not at all Arjun Sir."
"Okay then..." He reached over towards the laptop and placed a message on her Lync messenger and put her status to away.
"Arjun Sir..." Radhika voiced as she read the message he had placed. Luncheon meeting with Arjun Sir. "You can't go out anywhere. We had this discussion yesterday."
"I'm tired of sitting at home...and this coming from me...you should be happy that I'm feeling better like this."
"I am, but..." Radhika followed him out of the office into the living room with a worried expression. Arjun grabbed his car keys from the key cupboard and motioned for her to follow him. "Arjun Sir..."
"Ramu Kaka we're going out. We'll be back in a couple of hours," Arjun announced.
Radhika heard a faint "Have fun" from the back of the house. When she turned to speak to Arjun again she saw him missing and the front door open. She sighed and walked out onto the front steps of the Mehra mansion.
"Get in the car Radhika," Arjun ordered as he sat himself down in the driver seat. He hid his smile as he saw her close the door and walked towards the car through the rear view mirror.
"This isn't right Arjun Sir," she voiced as she put her seat belt on.
"Look in the back." Radhika turned around and saw a large picnic basket sitting in the back seat. "So will you relax now?"
Radhika sat forward again and smiled, "You're very resourceful Arjun Sir."
"I can be when I have to," he replied as he put on his aviators and drove the car out of the driveway.
Twenty minutes later they were sitting on a blanket in the park with the picnic basket open. "I didn't make lunch...it's Ramu Kaka's cooking. Hope everything is fine."
"The lemon rice is delicious Arjun Sir."
"More water?" he offered holding up a bottle of water to pour into her cup.
"I'm fine. But is there more papad?"
"Sure here," he replied opening a round tin for her. "Let's see," checking the picnic basket contents, "We have some grapes...a couple of apples and pears?" He held the knife in his hand trying decided what he wanted.
"I'll do that Arjun Sir," Radhika offered as she attempted to take the knife from him.
"You finish eating Radhika. I can do this."
"It's just that you look kind of scary holding the knife."
Arjun's eyebrows arched at her giggles. He ignored her teasing comment and asked, "Apple or pear Radhika?"
"Apple Arjun Sir."
He carefully cut into the apple tilting the knife slightly so he could easily cut out slices. He then cleaned them up removing some of the unwanted middles and placed the clean pieces on a separate plate. "Here you go."
"Thank you."
Arjun smiled and then went back to eating his plate full of lemon rice and spicy pickles. They sat there quietly eating at first but then started discussing work related items before veering off to other topics. As they started packing up their picnic basket they were approached by an elderly couple. "Excuse me would you mind taking our picture?"
"Sure," Radhika smiled and took the mobile phone from the woman with silvery hair.
"Sorry to bother you both."
"It's no bother at all."
"I told him that we should buy...what is it called again? Ah, yes a selfie stick?"
Radhika gave a warm grin. "Ji, it's called a selfie stick."
"There is no need for a selfie stick," her husband replied. "There are always people who are willing to help. Isn't that right Son?" Arjun looked up realizing the man was speaking to him. He watched as the man nodded his head causing him to nod his head as well. "See, he agrees with me."
"If you had your way we'd still be carrying a camera," the wife replied.
"What's wrong with a camera? It's what you use to take pictures with. It was specifically made to be used that way. Nowadays these mobile phones..."
"They are convenient. They don't take up too much space. Live in the present."
"I am living in the present. All I'm saying is there is nothing wrong with older technology." Looking at Arjun, "You tell me do we shot movies with mobile phones or cameras?"
"Film cameras.."
"But there have been some films made by mobile phones," the wife replied.
"Oh and how do you know?"
"Youtube..."
"Youtube?" the husband repeated in disbelief.
"You can find lots of information on Youtube."
"Nothing beats a good old newspaper and a proper news channel. You read the newspaper?"
"Ji Sir," Arjun answered.
"Good." He then smiled and gave him a friendly slap on the back, "I like this fella!"
"Where would you like this picture to be taken?" Radhika inquired.
"Hmmm...how about over there...yes there is some nice flowers in bloom over there," the wife replied. Radhika and Arjun followed the old couple to the spot and waited for them to stand ready.
"Stand straight don't slouch," the wife instructed.
The man grumbled and did his best to stand straight. He put his arm around his wife and said, "This good enough for you dear?"
"Excellent."
Radhika took a few shots and then handled them back the mobile phone. "These look all right?"
"Yes, thank you Beta. I'm sorry we disturbed your date."
Arjun and Radhika both looked at each other and replied, "We're not..."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I just assumed," the elderly woman chuckled, "And why not? Two attractive looking people."
"Please excuse my wife. She has a habit of playing matchmaker."
"It's not a habit...it's become a part of what I do." She pulled out a card and smiled, "Neeti's Wedding Events & More...I come from a long generation of wedding planners. And I'm carrying on the tradition. My daughter is in the business and my granddaughter has started too."
"That's wonderful," Radhika replied.
"So how old are you?" Neeti asked eyeing Arjun. "I think you're around the same age as my granddaughter." Arjun swallowed uncomfortably and could only mouth nonsensical words unsure if he should reply or not. Neeti then glanced over at Radhika and grinned. "Hesitation. It's a good sign. But don't make him wait too long." Radhika's eyes went wide while the elder woman laughed.
"Neeti, I think that's enough making them uncomfortable."
"I suppose so. Well, thank you both very much for helping us."
"You're very welcome," Radhika smiled and waved farewell. Her grin only grew when she saw them holding hands walking slowly out of the park. When they were alone again she let out a small sigh as her mind recalled a past memory. "She reminded me of my Dadi."
"Her name is Neeti too?"
Shaking her head, "No. The way she talked and she was a bit of a matchmaker too," chuckling lightly, "Dadaji and her were quite a pair. They bantered a lot. Gosh, I miss Dadi."
"Why don't you call her up?"
"I wish I could but she's no longer with us."
"Oh, I-um...I'm sorry Radhika."
"No need to apologize. You didn't know. I was thirteen when it happened...the train accident. I wasn't feeling very well...I had a sore throat because I ate too many golas and Ma was taking me home and was scolding me...well more at Dadaji for letting me have so many. My Kaka, his wife, their daughter Sakshi, and Dadi were in the other car stuck in traffic. They told us they would catch the later train. Dadaji, Ma, Papa, and I made it home but they...Kaki died instantly...Kaka had protected Sakshi...using himself as a shield...she only had a few bumps and bruises...Kaka was in a coma when he came to the hospital...he passed away after a week. Dadi she had severe injuries and needed surgery. I heard later that she made Dadaji promise no matter the outcome that he would not give up on life. He had to watch us grandchildren grow up and see the great grandkids. Sakshi went to live with my Chacha...she married a year ago and moved to Canada...Ridheema Di is married now and has two year old Ved...Ma is looking for a girl for Ankush Bhaiya...and I was engaged to Saral but now I'm here in Mumbai chasing my dream of being a copywriter..."
Arjun stood quietly at a loss for words. He always had these strong assumptions that Radhika had never dealt with true pain before. Her life was generally happy thus her happy-go-lucky attitude. It never crossed his mind that she had lived through a personal tragedy and had lost a close loved one. The reality was that she had lost before and not only one loved one but three. His eyes softened when he saw her gently rub her left eye; evidence of unshed tears.
"We got everything?" Radhika inquired as she crouched down to inspect the picnic basket. "Looks like we have everything Arjun Sir." She handed the basket over to him and then folded the blanket. "So shall we go?" He nodded and followed her to the car.
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Radhika sat in the car quietly listening to the radio. She had been noticing from some time now that Arjun seemed to be very silent as if lost in his own thoughts. The sound of the radio was the only thing keeping the car cabin from being completely void of silence. Her eyes gently roamed along the roadway and realized that they had been driving for some time. She had initially thought he was taking a short cut but now it was clear he was driving to some place. "Arjun Sir, where are we going?" Just as she asked the question the car made a right turn onto a dirt roadway. As they drove further inward she could see an old factory coming into view.
Arjun parked the car and without a word simply got out. She followed behind him as he continued to walk towards the gate. A few seconds later the padlock had been unlocked and the old iron gates were pushed open. She watched as Arjun made his way to an area of blackened soil and partially crumbled walls. "There have been a lot of offers for this piece of land despite what happened here. A fire...you can see how it charred everything..." He paused briefly before continuing, "Even though our family won't be reusing this plot of land to build anything...I can't seem to let it go...and I know I'm being selfish...I was selfish back then...so selfish..." taking a haggard breath, "I fought with them the day before...over a trip to Europe...a group of us wanted to go to Europe after our high school graduation...sort of last hurrah before college started...I had everything planned out...but Papa had other plans for me. He wanted me to work at the factory during the summer...heh, learn to shoulder some responsibility...and I fought with him...fought with him hard...I had already spent time during the school year going to the factory...I couldn't understand why he wanted me to spend my summer vacation there too...and when Mom tried to be the voice of reason and stop the fighting...I didn't even spare her...all she was trying to do was negotiate a reasonable solution...and that's when I got slapped. I was so anger I...I told them...I wished I wasn't their son and that I was glad I was going off to college in a few months so I wouldn't have to see them again and deal with their rules. I stormed out of the house and went to a friend's house to crash there for the night. And the next day I didn't go home either...until Ramu Kaka called to inform me...that...what had happened...here this fire." Arjun closed his eyes and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. "How I wished I had never said those words to them...the last words they ever heard from me was my anger and hatred...I had pushed them away from me forever...the two people whom I loved the most in the world..."
Radhika stared at the back of Arjun's white shirt and the way the fabric fell against his slumped shoulders. She could feel the anguish and anger he had for himself. His right hand was clenched tightly into a fist trying to contain those emotions.
Arjun's breath caught in surprise as his eyes opened to Radhika's presence. He could feel the gentle pressure of her arms around him. "Radhika..."
"You looked like you needed a hug Arjun Sir," she said her right cheek resting against his chest. Arjun could feel his arms rising up with his hands hovering in hesitation to touch her back. But ever so slowly he let his hands fall inward. Radhika's eyes gently widen as she felt his arms tightening into a firm embrace. An unexplainable shiver traveled down her back when she heard his husky voice whisper a soft "Thank you" against her ear.
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Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter.
I think last time I mentioned that there would be more NeSam and unfortunately I didn't get to put everything I wanted for them in this chapter so it will be definitely developed in the next chapter 😳
As you saw from the title this is part 1 so what is going to happen in part 2?
Just a small hint: To what lengths will Neil go to find out who this Manny is? 😉 😆
<<< On to the next Chapter Chapter 19 >>>
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Hollywood
Seher Hone Ko Hai
