IPKKND FF: JALEBI by Jalebi Jane Thread 2 EPISODE 043-052

JALEBI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 043)

THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN SWEPT AWAY by inappropriate passion are much to be pitied. I have nothing to say to those who believe that a kiss must be a consciously calculated act, dispensed only to a well-behaving man and executed at the peak of one's rational powers. The Sisterhood is not a sorority demanding vows of chastity and purity; our lives are not morality plays---we are here to explore every juicy aspect of the life of a Heroine. The strengths. The temptations. The failures. The desires. Above all, to support every woman's right to live on her own terms, whether they are consistent with ours or markedly radical. The only shame I know is that of blindly adhering to the unexamined values of our society and repressing our inner guide. If your intent is to play safe, sit properly and crush every yummy yearning, then you might wish to choose another parlour.

You will not be comfortable here.

Arnav Singh Raizada's first phone call when he made his way back to his vehicle was to his assistant, Aman. In fact, the call connected before Arnav had even climbed behind the wheel. This was that conversation. (And if he sounds somewhat incoherent, know that it had nothing to do with the lateness of the hour, and everything to do with the memory a woman's flushed cheeks and trembling mouth.)

Aman: Sir?

Arnav: Where is he now?

Aman: He left the hospital. Returned to the aunt's house---

Arnav: ---He's still at the house?

Aman: No. I was informed that he went into the garden room. Left almost immediately. Entered the house through the back door. He was in the house for no more than half an hour. Then exited through the front door.

Arnav: So where is he now?

Aman: One of our men followed him to a flat on Temple Road. Chopra's looking into whom that place belongs to.

Arnav: There are still two men watching the aunt's house?

Aman: Around the clock, Sir.

Arnav: The Misses Gupta must not know they are being watched. But, Aman---make it clear to the men that they need to be close enough in case Shyam returns. Under no conditions should he be permitted to enter that house once the women are inside. They're on their way back from the hospital as we speak. They're being dropped off by the driver.

Aman: I've informed the men to be alert. But there is a difficulty---

Arnav: How so?

Aman: Sir---Our men can observe Shyam's movements, but they can't prevent him from going into a house he legally owns.

Arnav: f**k that! They are not to allow him on that property. Am I clear? We'll deal with the legalities if it comes to that.

Aman: I'll convey that to the men.

Arnav: Keep me informed throughout the night.

Aman: I will.

Arnav: We need to talk strategy first thing tomorrow. Come to the Roof by 7. Better bring Chopra. Anything else?

Aman: I---

Arnav: Hang on. Arrange for someone to watch the hospital tonight. The aunt is being kept for observation overnight. We don't want her disturbed by Shyam. He's just the sort of nutter that'll try something on the old woman.

Aman: Got it.

Arnav: You were saying?

Aman: I spoke to Di this evening. She mentioned the surgery.

Arnav: Yes, she doesn't want Ash to know about it until after. You know Di. More worried for Ash than herself. I'm going to take Ash on the pretence of a holiday, and by the time we return Di will be in recovery.

Aman: I can take Ash and you can be with Di for the surgery.

Arnav: Di feels that Ash will be suspicious if both her and I are absent. Miss Sheikh will accompany Di. It'll be fine. We'll discuss dates after I speak with the surgeon.

Aman: Fine. If there is nothing else, Sir---

Arnav: Keep me informed on the Guptas. I'll see you in the morning.

Aman: Goodnight, Sir.

"KHUSHI? WHAT'S GOING ON?" her sister whispered. They were in the back on the ASRGroup vehicle.

"Can we talk about it at home---?" Khushi whispered back.

"I find you kissing---!"

Khushi had no choice but to poke Payal in the ribs. "Jiji!" she glared. Indicating the driver with widened eyes.

"He paid the hospital, you know," Payal continued. "When Buaji's doctor requested she remain at the hospital, I went to make arrangements for payment. But it seems Mr Raizada has taken care of the bill."

"Kya?!"

Of all the high-handed actions! Does he doubt her ability to bear the expenses of her own family? He had no right to act as their caretaker---but wait!---when did he do all this? He was with her since he entered the hospital. Since before she drew him into the pretend-engagement. So he made the payment arrangements before he came to meet her? Before the charade. Irritation shifted to puzzlement.

Payal was saying, "Moreover, he requested that all further charges be sent to his office. Why would he do that?"

Khushi simply said, "I'll reimburse him when I return to the office tomorrow."

Her Jiji would not be deflected. "What is going on between you two? I don't understand---"

"Please, Jiji," Khushi begged, again. "---Later. I'm more interested in what Shyam is doing at this moment. He's probably already at the house waiting for us. Sitting in Buaji's chair. Drinking our tea. Eating our snacks. Opening cupboards---"

This revolting visual worked on Payal. She remained silent for the rest of the drive.

Khushi said: "It's good that Buaji is safe at the hospital this evening."

Payal made a sound of agreement. She understood what Khushi meant. And she clasped Khushi's hand. To lend strength; to borrow strength.

When they reached Janakpuri and drove into the market area, the driver offered to remain outside the house in case he might be needed. But Khushi felt she had kept him far too long. She asked if he had eaten. And invited him to wait until she could prepare dinner. Or if he was too hungry to wait, he could have a meal as their guest over at Humpty's Chai Palace---their chole bhatura was famous!---but the driver politely declined. He would return to HQ and eat there.

As he drove away, the sisters climbed the stairs with trepidation. The windows showed no light. While Payal unlocked the door, Khushi leaned over the balustrade to see if there were lights showing from the garden room. There too there was darkness. The two sisters stepped into the house. They switched on the light and found---a mess!

But no Shyam!

He had been inside. Everything that had been on a shelf, in a cupboard, in a box, was on the floor. It was clear that he had been searching for something. The memory stick, no doubt. So he knew now that it was in their possession.

Khushi raced into the kitchen. More disarray. Broken glass. Broken china. No sign of Shyam. She checked the two bedrooms. The two bathrooms. All clear. But untidy. Clothes hanging out of the armoire. Everything in a jumble. She returned to the main room.

Payal was drawing the latch across the door. "The garden door!" she yelled.

Khushi ran back into the kitchen. The door which led to the garden was already locked, but she latched it too. Shyam could come for them now, but he would not be able to enter with the key alone. He would have to knock and demand entry. She pressed her back against the door and a long sigh slipped from her lips.

For tonight they were safe.

Payal came into the kitchen. "Are we safe?" she asked, her eyes wide and searching. The man had overturned tins of rice, dhal, flour---everything onto the floor.

Khushi joked---not because she was feeling particularly playful, but because she could not bear to see Payal's horror-stricken looks.

"At least this tells us that whatever was in the memory stick was of value to him. He's searched everywhere. Even Buaji's underwear drawer was not safe."

But this was not like those other times in the past. Those times when Khushi's humour could ease Payal's fears. Payal now burst into tears and buried her face into her hands.

Khushi ran to her. "No! No, don't cry. You break my heart!"

Payal made incoherent sounds which Khushi interpreted as, "I'm sorry. I can't help it. I'm so scared! I miss Amma. I wish Bawji was here."

Khushi guided her into the front room, and straightening the cushions, she seated her on the sofa. Sobs wracked her sister's tiny frame. Khushi could not bear it. Of course, she was also crying by now. Every pain her sister felt, she felt twice as much.

"Stop this," she demanded, using her own dupatta to mop up their collective tears. "There is nothing to cry about now. We are perfectly safe."

Between sobs, Payal said, "For tonight, yes. But what of tomorrow? And the day after. Next week. Next month. This nightmare will never end."

Khushi's heart clenched, knowing that her sister spoke fact. They would not be able to rest until Shyam was dealt with conclusively.

"Listen, Khushi," Payal continued, "tonight, we'll pack up what we can carry. Then at dawn tomorrow, we'll return to the hospital, get Buaji, and go to the train station. We'll disappear. We can change our names!---No! Don't hush me! He works for the CBI! This cannot augur well for us. Who will side with us against an officer of the nation? Who do we go to?"

"Mr Raizada!" It was out before Khushi knew what she was saying. "Mr Raizada has promised to take care of everything."

"You spoke to him? You told him of our troubles?" Payal brushed a few stray tears away with the heel of her hand.

Khushi decided in that tiny space of time between question and reply what her approach must be. Payal had seen the ring on her finger. She had been present when Arnav played along as her fiance. And, finally, she had witnessed that kiss. There was only one way out.

She nodded, "Of course, I told him. After all, he is my fiance."

"Kya?" Payal popped up from her seat. "Not pretend but real?"

"Yes. Real."

"Since when?"

"Some time now," Khushi lied. "Oh, don't look so angry. I wanted to tell you but I struggled. My history with him is such that I felt you would be disappointed with my choice."

Payal did not appear convinced. Indeed, she looked very skeptical. "But yesterday when you believed he had come to propose, you were angry. And you said---"

There was much mending to do.

"---Forget all that I said yesterday. We had a silly row at the office. I called it off. And I was angry." Khushi watched her sister to see how this settled. "You were right to suspect that something was going on between him and I all this time."

Payal appeared more reconciled to the story. "Yes, I noticed how you were with each other last night. Have you made up now?"

"Yes, we have. I'm wearing his ring, aren't I? And that is why he came around yesterday evening before he went to Dubai. He wanted to give me the ring before he went to inform his sister."

"And when were you going to inform your sister?" Payal asked, peevishly.

Khushi pulled her into a forced embrace. "Jiji! I wanted to tell you today, but how could I? Was I suppose to sandwich I'm getting married!' between the haveli news and Buaji's suicide attempt?"

"But, Khushi---" Payal asked, "how can you possibly be in love with him? I saw the way you were kissing him, and it was very---very passionate. But you and he are so unalike in your personality. And you belong to entirely different worlds. Can you be happy with such a man?"

At least here she did not have to lie. "True, he is different from me, but that makes our relationship exhilarating!"

"But do you love him?" Payal forced Khushi's chin up so their eyes met. "Do you?"

Khushi came to her feet and gave a laugh which she hoped sounded like the laugh of a woman-in-love. "You know me. Only the deepest love could induce me into matrimony."*

Payal returned her laugh. "That's true. I've always known that." And laughing some more, she said, "Well! If you are happy, Mrs Raizada, I am delighted for you. I would not have allowed you to part from me for anyone less than the best-est, the most deserving of men."

"Oh, Jiji!" Khushi cried, and fell heavily into Payal's arms. Payal could not see her face. Which was well. Because Khushi's eyes were screwed shut as tears flowed from the corners.

*Adapted from Jane Austen's -Pride and Prejudice-.

By Jalebi Jane