Chapter 1
Whether Arnav Singh Raizada would admit it or not he knew that he was no longer the man he used to be. Looking after his business, taking care of his own health and his ill grandmother was now all beyond his reach.
Arnavs grandmother was terminally ill, in fact she had fallen ill ever since the daughter in law of the house had took her leave. Even though that was never put into words Arnav hadn't failed to notice the coincidence.
Things were different very different in Raizada house now, Arnav's choice of relationship with Lavanya over the last two years had pushed away many of the Raizadas from the family home.
The three main residents were Arnav himself, his girlfriend Lavanya and Naniji.
The others were not around much. It was late in the evening when Arnav returned from work, he loosed his collar and tie, carried a very sluggish and tired look walking into the house.
As per the norm he would start off by visiting his grandmother in her room. It seemed to be on many occasions these days that she would be asleep when he got back from work. The nurse gave Arnav some space and he took a seat beside his grandmother. He took her hand into his and gave her an affectionate look stirring his fingertips over the front of her frail skin.
Not long after the nurse re-entered the room with a list of prescriptions his grandmother would need which only seemed to increase with time telling Arnav that things only seemed to be heading one way.
...
She needed proper care, not the care of a nurse and certainly not Lavanya he thought whilst he entered his room and saw her packing for her holiday. His Nani had never seen eye to eye with Laavanya in fact she hated her. She wasn't the traditional type of girl he wanted for her nor was she ever going to be fit for the family in the grandmothers eyes.
There was a clash of culture, clash of mindset clash of everything between the two ladies and Nani would never accept Lavanyas care. As the very carefree Lavanya wished ASR goodbye for the few weeks she was going away with her friends Arnav didn't seemed to react. Not to her words nor her proximity or the kiss goodbye. Infact it took him a few moments to realize that she was leaving before he wished her back. His mind was very much occupied with worry for his grandmother more saw today than ever. He seemed to see things in a new light today. Maybe even Lavanya who instead of reading his worry was in a world of excitement for her time away.
...
Later that night after seeing Lavanya off to the airport ASR had crashed on his lounger for a moment, put his head back finally after a long day before having a very thought. Taking out his mobile phone from his trouser pocket, ASR dials Amans number. "I want you to put an ad in the paper Aman ."
...
The ad loosely translated to "A female Hindi speaking, committed carer for an elderly terminally ill grandmother, excellent pay in return for professional loyal caring persona."
Elsewhere in a smaller part of the city, the ad was being circled on the newspaper that had just arrived with the start of a new day.
This was perfect Khushi thought, she'd go along to where the interviews were being held and if her devima was on her side today she'd even get the job. It was just what she and her parents needed right now.
For some reason today she felt as if a saari after many a day would be appropriate, out of the blue just spontaneously it seemed but she went with her gut instinct. She wore a pale yellow,. left her hair loose only pinned back a certain potion to give a neat but pretty look. She was ready, apart from two things. Her employment file she picked up from her drawer and sat behind it was her sindoor and mangalsutra.
...
When Khushi walked out of her room she could hear her mother and bua saying something or other from the kitchen.
"jiji aap ko nahin lagta khushi bitya .. aaj aise lagat hai jaise woh interview mein nahin apne sasural jaa rahin ho." (Garima don't you think it seems as if Khushi is on her way to her inlaws rather than a job interview. )
When Khushi looked their way she saw them only smile at her a little oddly as she told them she was off out and would be back soon.
...
She asked the waitress where the job interviews were being held in the caf stated in the news clipping and the lady pointed to a table in the far corner of the caf. Thanking her Khushi made her way towards the table only to notice that the posture of the man sat in the chair at the table seemed very familiar for her second her heart believed it was him but then she silenced it. It couldn't have been a man who she had avoided successfully for two years would not be here she thought but she was wrong.
The closer she got the more she realized how wrong she was.
"Khushi..?' She heard a voice say.
It was Aman a familiar face, a familiar smile that bought happiness to Khushi for a moment. Aman had been a great friend to Khushi over the years, he was a good man with a good heart.
He invited her to sit down, they spoke about one another and then finally it wasn't too long before they were at the crux of the matter. The newspaper ad was for naniji, something that saddened Khushi deeply. Naniji was one person who Khushi had really connected with in Shantivan. She felt a great deal for her, there was silence for a moment as Aman explained. Explained that he had no idea that she would turn up for the role but now she had maybe it was meant to be?
It was easier said then done and Aman could understand Khushi's reservations. Finally there was a point where Khushi asked one question that confirmed what Aman knew all along, all this time despite the circumstances.
"Woh kaise hai Aman?" ("How is he Aman"? )She wouldn't have asked if she didn't care. Her tone of voice breaking a little as she did ask about him and the way she spoke of him even now was expressive of the place he still held for her.
For her sake he would tell her that ASR was fine even if he knew better than that.
There was nothing more for her to say she took his leave with a smile and kind words to which Aman made a very bold move.
"The job is yours if you want it, kise pata shayad yey kismat ka khel ho?" ("Who knows maybe this is fate") he said before she could leave. She didn't answer but his words would surely stay with her that was for sure.
...
Next chapter:
As Arnav gets ready for his day ahead one of the house maids brings the news of the new carer for Naniji having arrived downstairs.
Please leave your feedback as it will give me an idea as to how well this is going down and if it is worth continuing . .
Edited by jagrutid - 9 years ago
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