JALEBI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 041)
THE BUSINESSMAN MADE HIS OFFER: "Agree to my terms, and I'll obliterate Shyam."
As the last part of that statement fell on Khushi, it brought with it a flood of relief. But in the very next moment, those four words, that pivotal clause 'agree to my terms' was felt to the fullest.
Not assistance. Not even advice. But a transaction. Yet another contract.
How was this offer any different than Shyam's blackmail? Had Shyam not promised the same: marry me and your problem disappears? True---there was one material difference: Shyam was offering to remove the difficulty he himself had caused; Arnav was using that difficulty to persuade her to accept what she had already refused.
So, tell me then, Sisters: Where was the One who would come to Our Heroine's aid expecting absolutely nothing in return? Did such a One even exist? Or was he confined within the films Khushi watched and the novels Pari read?
A residual tear left her eye. She brushed it away, very quickly---but the accompanying sensation of longing was not so easily dispensed with. What did she long for? Someone she could not name.
No! There was no Saviour. There was no Hero.
In those few seconds, while these thoughts entered and left, she had forgot that she had not yet responded to him. She lifted her eyes to him.
He held a posture of watchful silence. Smug silence.
Contempt for him, for Shyam, for men like them who had power at their fingertips---but no heart, no sympathy---rose in Khushi's throat. When Mr Raizada said, 'I'll obliterate Shyam'---she had absolutely no doubt that he could. He could probably begin it right now, from under this archway, with a call to Aman, who would set things in motion.
But she also had absolutely no doubt that Arnav Singh Raizada did nothing which did not serve him first.
And for a brief moment, she wondered if she could persuade him that to help her now, would serve him. If he took selfless noble action now, he would have her allegiance for life. There would be nothing that she would not do for ASRGroup. She would work her fingers to the bone. And she would do it not because she was employed to, but because it would be an honour to serve such an employer.
Oh! What was the point of this fantasy? Persuasion was possible where a persuadable temper existed. But she had not been long at ASRGroup before learning that its CEO was the most resolute, intractable being she had ever encountered. If she had any powers of persuasion then they would be better spent persuading Shyam---
Arnav broke into her thoughts with, "Your mouth does the most interesting things when you are busy thinking. But your silence troubles me, Miss Gupta. Are you so besieged with offers that you need this much time to sift through them before you respond to mine?"
Khushi sneered, "no, Sir. It's been a rather poor week for offers. Only two. And both equally unimpressive." His brow arched acknowledging the hit. But he appeared to enjoy it, because his lips curved into a smile. "Or should I consider myself fortunate. Fortunate to have received two ardent rishtas. From men so captivated by me that they would coerce me into marriage even after I refuse them." She forced a laugh. "I suppose this is one sort of love. And there might be women to whom all this is irresistible---" here she paused and ran a scathing eye down his form, "---but I prefer a man who can accept a refusal gracefully."
"As gracefully as you declined mine this morning?"
His remark did sting. Khushi was well aware that she had gone too far in the morning. But, for Devi's sake---he did not deserve her courtesy!
She continued, recklessly now, her tone mocking, "You and Shyam are so much alike. Like brothers. In fact, he's also Lucknowi; you might wish to have another look at your family tree. He too pretended to have developed feelings for me. I gave him the benefit of doubt---but you, Mr Raizada---I never for a moment believed that you had a heart to give."
"Have you forgotten that I employ you?" he asked, in a voice more amused than he had reason to be. "Have you forgotten that I just saved your sweet ass in there?"
As a matter of fact, Sisters, she had forgotten that this was her boss. They were homeless; she could not afford to be jobless too. And yes---at least he had not exposed her charade in Shyam's presence. On a day when there had been little to be thankful for, at least that had gone according to plan. And may have bought her time and space to plan the next step.
She met his eyes coldly, and as a take-leave, said, "Thank you, Sir, for playing the role of fiance so convincingly. However, your offer to obliterate Shyam comes with terms too steep. I must decline. Again." She turned aside to leave. But before she had taken a step, he stopped her with his words.
"You have not yet heard my terms."
She swung back, to respond. "I don't need to hear them. I will never marry where I do not love. I may be desperate, but---"
"---Marriage?" He gave her a look of disbelief. "You are under the impression that I'm renewing my proposal?" In confusion, Khushi frowned. She began to question, but he pre-empted her. "Have you learnt nothing in three weeks at HQ? I don't make the same offer twice. I offered. You refused. Marriage to you has now lost all its attraction."
If not marriage, then what?
A thought entered her mind and with it a sliver of hope. "You will continue as my pretend-fiance? But you stated the futility of that plan?"
"No pretence of any sort will be necessary. I'll handle Shyam. You will never have to deal with him---if you agree."
"Agree to--?"
The question was barely out of her mouth, when the deafening crack of thunder fell on them, its power magnified under the archway.
Khushi started violently.
She fell against Arnav. He caught her shoulders. She recovered almost immediately. And in the next moment twisted out of his grip.
"Tum theek ho?"
She nodded, not meeting his eye. In truth, rather more embarrassed than injured.
And just as suddenly as the thunder had hit, sheets of rain descended. Blurring the lights of the parkade. And the path back to the hospital entrance. It would end soon. The rain at this time of the year began and ended almost within minutes. But in those minutes, it was impossible to be without shelter. She moved farther under the archway, Hugging her waist to still her trembling, she asked, "You---you were going to tell me your terms?"
He peered at her. Thoughtful. But no words immediately parted his lips. And then as though he had come to a conclusion, he dismissed her with, "Rehne doh."
Khushi stared up at him, aghast. "Leave it? Is this some sort of joke? Do you find my plight amusing, Mr Raizada?"
"Far from it. But if thunder makes you quake. My terms will kill you. Tum seh nahi paoge."
Against her will, Khushi found herself intrigued.
What could he possibly mean?
With her hand, she indicated the rain, and said, "Well, until this stops---I am your captive audience. I'd like to hear what you believe I can and cannot handle."
"Very well," he said. "But note that once you leave this shelter, my offer will rescind. You will not have another opportunity to accept it."
And in that moment, Khushi had an inkling that he had just manoeuvred her. She wasn't certain to what end---but she felt that he had wanted her to press him into stating his terms.
"Here are my terms. And they are not negotiable. Your aunt's files at the Pension Department will be expunged. There will be no trace, no proof left of her crimes. Both properties will be restored to you. You will never see or hear from that man again---if---"
Khushi held her breath in fear of what he was about to say.
"---If you agree to spend one night with me."
By Jalebi Jane
Edited by JalebiJane - 9 years ago
Current Affairs
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