IPKKND FF: JALEBI by Jalebi Jane Thread 2 EPISODE 043-052 - Page 29

Thursday is almost over maya
Are we getting an update...
I'm checking this thread almost every day
Incase if I miss anything

The plot is so intriguing. Can't wait to see what's in store for Khushi now! I'm just hoping that she finds the pen drive somehow. Thanks for sharing your great piece of writing!

Today is Friday. Still no update 😭

JALEBI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 49)

I AM A LONG WAY AWAY FROM ANNOUNCING that Our Heroine has changed her opinion regarding Arnav Singh Raizada, but nor do I want to overlook the shift which this meeting had wrought. For the first time in her history with him, Khushi descended that winding staircase from his office with something resembling gratitude for her boss.

He had displayed thoughtfulness. And consideration. His mind had considered how her family's present situation would generate anxiety for them. And he had resolved it without making her feel oppressed or obliged in any way. He had not even mentioned it though there had been plenty of opportunity. Indeed, he had performed this gesture without conditions before he had been roped into the pretend-engagement.

Will you allow me to say, Sisters, that Khushi's heart flooded with warmth. And it was only natural then that that same heart travelled to the memory of that kiss. Is it possible that the memory of a kiss can have more power than the kiss itself? Khushi learnt that it is very-very possible.

This sweet reverie was interrupted by Miss Parisa Khan.

Pari met her at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes bright and animated. "Khushi! I've been waiting for you for ages. Conference. At once!"

Khushi resisted as Pari pulled her towards the photocopy room. "I've not greeted Devi Maiyya yet. Not yet even reported to Mr Behl. And Mr Raizada asked me to send you to him. He has some work."

"All three will forgive us," Pari said, unceremoniously shoving Khushi into that chamber of toner fumes. "Because I have something to tell you which cannot wait. I must speak to you before I explode."

This was the situation: Last night, Pari's Dadasaheb had happened to mention at the dinner table that Aman had come to the house early that morning. She realized from her grandfather's words that Aman had not only maintained her secret, but had added credibility to it. He had not revealed to the elder gentleman that Pari had fabricated the story that she was needed early at work.

But as Pari was sharing all this, she interrupted herself and asked, "I'm so sorry. Look at me! I have not even asked: How is Buaji now?"

Pari and Khushi had spoken from the hospital several times yesterday so she knew the whole situation.

Khushi briefed her on Buaji's condition and then led back onto the subject at hand. "Mr Behl is clearly in love with you," Khushi pronounced.

"Of course not! I only meant to say that he's so wonderfully protective," the beautifully blushing Miss Khan demurred.

"And handsome," Khushi said, making her brows dance.

"Stop it, Khushi!" Pari warned, in a tone which clearly urged Khushi to continue on in that same vein.

Khushi did: "I wish you could have seen how concerned he was when you were late yesterday."

Pari was unable to hide her interest. Leaning forward, she asked, "Was he really? Tell me. Everything."

Khushi put word to everything she had observed. How Aman had appeared to her when they had been waiting for Pari to return yesterday afternoon. The concern he had shown. The relief he had displayed once she appeared. How he had not been prepared to leave her side until he was assured that she was fine. She finished with, "And the way he asked whether you were fine."

"Yes," Pari sighed. "He asked if I was---"

"---If you were hundred percent," Khushi finished, with her own sigh.

Pari took up Khushi's hands to exclaim and begged to be convinced, "Do you really think he loves me? Because, I confess, I am in love. Terribly. The miracle is that I didn't know it until he asked me to go to the cinema---and then I knew that I had been in love for months and months."

Khushi made an approving sound. Because as we all know, a cinema date is the first assured step to love and matrimony. She said, "Believe nothing, Pari, but do believe this---Mr Behl is smitten."

Pari was now convinced. Her eyes glowed. "Oh, Khushi! He's so lovely. He called me last night." And here Pari relayed Aman's every word, with detailed intonation and inflection. It was not long before Pari turned from herself to Khushi. "Aman Sir told me that Mr Raizada had returned."

Khushi gave a nod, and without knowing what she revealed, she said, "I confess I was surprised to see him at the hospital. But the timing was helpful because---"

To this, her friend shrieked. "He came to the hospital?! How did he know to find you there---? Oh! From the driver. Of course! How super-clever of him."

"---And Shyam was there too," Khushi inserted.

But was her friend even listening? Of course not. Shyam-Balm. Pari was too busy congratulating her prescience, "I told you he would turn up the moment he heard you were in difficulty. This is so perfect. I defy any novelist to write a happier ending that this. I've always esteemed Mr Raizada, but at the same time he's so formidable that I never imagined this heroic side to him. Oh-My-Allah, you'll be his wife! My best friend will be Mrs Raizada!"

It was absolutely imperative that Pari be stopped now.

"No!" Khushi exclaimed. "I've not---" Khushi was about to say that she had refused Arnav. And perhaps even tell Pari that the man she referred to as Hero had withdrawn his first proposal and made another one too unspeakable to mention. But she realized that she could not tell Pari. She had to pretend that she and Arnav were engaged to be married, because that is what Payal had to believe until this Shyam matter was fully resolved. Payal had only been at relative peace once she believed that Arnav---in the role of fiance---would help them with Shyam.

She could not tell some people she was Arnav's fiancee and others that she was not. That was a recipe for disaster. She had to carry on as though she was deeply in love with Arnav Singh Raizada and then when the time arrived, pretend that their rishta had come to an end.

And just like that, Our Heroine reached her decision. A decision which would become increasingly difficult to maintain.

But she had the genius to add a proviso. Khushi said, "You must not tell anyone yet. Until Mr Raizada is prepared to inform his family, we have agreed to keep the engagement private. Only you, Jiji and Buaji will know."

Pari pulled her into an embrace, laughing, "This story gets better and better. A secret engagement. How will I endure all this excitement?"

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

By Jalebi Jane

JALEBI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 050)

IF THERE IS ANYTHING DISAGREEABLE GOING ON men are always sure to get out of it.* And if there is anything thrilling going on, women are always sure to be left out of it. Such was to be the fate of our two Heroines, Khushi and Pari, that afternoon. For however much we may disapprove of Arnav, there is one thing we must (albeit grudgingly) admit: He was curiously protective of Khushi.

Yes, I see you rolling your eyes. I see the incongruity too. Here was a man who was systematically setting out to compromise Khushi, yet his instinct was to see her safe. Reflect back on how hyper-aware he had been of Khushi standing too near the zooming vehicles at the hospital last night. And, of course, you know of his decision to have her house watched around the clock---a decision made prior to the hospital scene. Also to send the driver to Janakpuri this morning so Khushi would commute in safety was another clue of his concern. These were not done to seduce Khushi. These were all measures which originated from something I cannot explain.

I'm not sure if he could explain it either. Nor acknowledge it. I simply know that his desire to bed her thrived alongside his desire to not have any harm come to her from outside. Here's another instance of that impulse:

Remember how at the meeting with Aman this morning, Arnav had predicted that Shyam would come to him?---Well, it turned out to be an accurate prediction. At midday, the men tailing Shyam reported to Aman that it appeared Shyam was heading towards ASRGroup Headquarters.

Aman immediately ran into Arnav's office to inform him. And Arnav's first statement pertained to Khushi. He asked Aman, who now supervised Khushi, to find her a task in another part of the building. Somewhere well removed from Reception.

He put it thus: "I don't want him to threaten her in any manner; by word, by look, by insinuation. I want this man dealt with away from her presence."

Aman suggested, "I'll send her to Marketing. They're working on The Measure Of A Man campaign, and as she was present at that initial meeting---"

"---Fine," Arnav agreed, but then immediately offered an alternative. "No! Send her and her accomplice Miss Khan down to Archives to dig up something you know doesn't exist. Neither must remain at Reception. If Khan sees Shyam entering HQ, Gupta will know within a minute. Female telepathy."

AS YOU KNOW, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WARFARE. I have absolutely no interest in the games men play. But for the sake of your curiosity, I will look in on this significant encounter between Arnav and Shyam and report what I can manage to decipher.

From what I gather, Arnav's plan against Shyam was what they refer to in the art of war as the strategy of the void. By denying Shyam any targets, there was a void---nothing with which Shyam could blackmail the Guptas. The more subtle aspect of this strategy was to demoralize the villain. This was a bit of a risk, because Shyam was not entirely powerless. He was corrupt and such people could find shelter in those even more corrupt. It was not incredible to think that Shyam may possess a list of those who would owe him deep favours; those whom he had once bailed out.

Perhaps it was such proofs which the elusive memory-stick contained.

When Shyam arrived at Reception, he was informed (as all unscheduled visitors were) that Mr Behl was responsible for Mr Raizada's calendar, and that Shyam would have to see Aman first to request an appointment. Though Shyam was insistent that the matter was personal and not business, the Receptionist would not allow him direct access to Arnav. Shyam's voice rose. The well-trained Receptionist remained calm but firm. Which only irritated Shyam further.

And as this conversation was unfolding, Arnav entered the building. (He had been in the courtyard waiting to time his entrance. By first refusing Shyam access to Arnav, it would generate frustration; frustration which may trigger a slip. It was all part of the plan.)

Shyam had his back to the doors, so he did not see Arnav, and continued to berate the Receptionist with warm words.

"Mr Jha," Arnav interrupted, "do you by rule threaten all women? Or only those under my protection?"

So abrupt was Arnav's appearance, and so damning his statement, that Shyam actually coloured. He began to speak, perhaps to rationalize, perhaps to complain, but Arnav prevented it by saying to the Receptionist, "I'll take care of this visitor." And he showed Shyam, not to his office, but to the Boardroom.

He cordially offered him a seat (which Shyam accepted) and refreshments (which Shyam declined). Shyam should have declined both, because Arnav chose to sit on the edge of the table, which gave him the advantage of elevation. These things matter in war and be assured, both men were aware of it.

"Why are you here?" Arnav got straight to the point.

Shyam replied, "To warn you. There is something you should know about your fiancee."

Arnav's response was a half-amused half-disinterested lift of his dark brow.

"She is neither pure nor virtuous," Shyam continued. "She---in fact, her entire family---are cunning and grasping. Ready to do anything for money. She played me with her innocent-girl act. I sent a rishta. They accepted. Until a wealthier candidate---you!---came along."

*Adapted from Jane Austen's -Persuasion-.

By Jalebi Jane

JALEBI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 051)

IF TIME WOULD ALLOW IT, I MIGHT GATHER ALL of Mr Raizada's business rivals in one room and we could enquire what most infuriated them about The Textile Tycoon. I suspect they would all say that it was the manner in which he always took the line of least expectation. He did the extraordinary. And when they began to anticipate the extraordinary, he did the ordinary. He could not be predicted, and this frustrated---and terrified---them.

Shyam fully expected Arnav to be offended when he suggested Khushi was marrying him for his wealth.

But he was mistaken.

Arnav gave a laugh. "I'm glad to hear it. It confirms I'm marrying a woman of sound judgement."

Shyam leaned back in his seat, continuing to bait, "I thought you had more pride than that, Mr Raizada."

"I have pride enough. But I have sense too. I park my pride when I have something to gain by it. If all this---" Arnav spread his arms to indicate his empire "--- is Khushi's objective then it is a paltry price to pay for all the pleasure she brings to my life."

Shyam scoffed with derision. Or disbelief. I know not which.

Arnav added, coming to his feet, "Now, if you have no other warnings to deliver---"

It was a clear dismissal and this made Shyam stubborn and (to his detriment) reckless. "I have one more. A final warning. Inform your fiancee I no longer have an incentive to protect her family. Especially that crooked Buaji of hers."

Arnav gave a nod of agreement. "That is as it should be. The role of protector to the Gupta family belongs solely to me."

Shyam, convinced by this bland statement that Arnav must not have any knowledge of Buaji's fraudulent past, said, "There are some things you cannot protect them from. Just tell Khushi. She'll understand." After this cryptic statement he stood, and turned towards the door to exit.

But Arnav stopped him with his words. "As you are already happen to be here, Mr Jha---sorry, do you prefer being addressed as Jha or Wardhan?"

Shyam whirled to look at Arnav. His jaw set and tense. His eyes showing a mixture of surprise and worry.

"Before you go, Mr Wardhan," Arnav continued, "you had better sign these deeds." He indicated a folder on the table which had heretofore gone unnoticed.

Staring at the folder, the man opposite him choked out, "Deeds? What deeds?"

"The deeds which return the two properties which you embezzled from the Guptas. Do you require me to show you where to place your signature? These legal forms can be perplexing to those like you who are only pretending to have studied the law. Incidentally, I'm curious what the CBI would think of your pretence and your threats to the innocent public---I suspect they frown upon that sort of thing. I am acquainted with one of your superiors, and he's always boasting of the impeccable standards his officers are held to."

Shyam's cheeks darkened as he realized the danger he was now in. In fact, beads of perspiration appeared on his forehead as he speedily calculated how much Arnav knew and what may be done to countermand it. I can't say that I felt sorry for Shyam---for he deserved it all!---but I can certainly say, Sisters, that I felt for the position he found himself in. To play chess with Arnav Singh Raizada was no game.

But nor was Shyam so easily subdued. He weighed the matter, and he realized that he was still superiorly positioned. After all, he had evidence of Buaji's criminal activity. And with his confidence thus restored, he mocked, "It's not quite so simple, Arnavji---Arnavji? Isn't that what Khushi calls you?"

"Only in public. In private, she calls me Laad Governor. And when she is feeling especially tender, she calls me Rakshas," Arnav replied with a smile.

"She can call you Chief Justice if she wants, but it won't keep her Buaji out of jail. Only I can do that. And I'll keep these properties---" Shyam tapped on the folder, "as my fee."

"Buaji? Jail? I don't follow, Mr Wardhan?"

It was now Shyam's turn to smile. "Has your fiancee been keeping secrets? Well, allow me to acquaint you with the character of her family." With renewed swagger, he returned to the table. "I told you these people are only after what they can get. Anything for money. Her aunt has been merrily defrauding the Railway Pension Fund for years."

"Oh, yes," Arnav said, "Khushi did mention something about your baseless accusations. And for my own amusement, I had my assistant visit The Treasury this morning. Our contact there tells us that there has been absolutely no inappropriate activity involving the aunt. She is pristine. And I must warn you against saying otherwise and exposing yourself to a charge of slander. You should know that all meetings in this Boardroom are recorded."

It took another moment for Shyam to recover. But to his credit, he did. He said, "So you have suppressed official evidence? To be expected. I would have done the same. But I have scans of cashed checks! I have truth on my side."

"Could that be what Khushi found in your garden room?" Arnav returned. "She mentioned something about evidence. However, I confess, I wasn't paying very close attention. I get distracted when I'm in her presence."

Now Shyam did wobble. His swarthy face paled. And his fists clenched. His burning desire to throw a punch at Arnav was evident. How he contained himself spoke of his iron will.

Arnav opened the folder. "Sign here, Mr Wardhan."

By Jalebi Jane

Shyam is worse then pathetic...he is insinuating that Khushi is a gold-digger...guess what Shyam, Arnav already thinks so...despite taht he is willing to protect her from you...take that ...hahahaha

I really miss reading this story...every morning my first instinct was to check my phone to see ur updates.

JALEBI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 052)

WHEN ARNAV HAD THE REQUIRED SIGNATURES he showed Shyam Wardhan outside as far as the main security gates. It was an edict never to return to ASRGroup property. Shyam was scowling throughout, but his parting look was so lethal, it reinforced Arnav's prediction that the man would return. And soon. As he climbed the stairs to his office, Arnav wondered (not for the first time) why Shyam had been willing to give up the properties and keep silent on Buaji's fraud in exchange for Khushi's hand. It seemed to Arnav that a man of Shyam's avarice would choose money over a girl with no wealth, no power, no connections---no overwhelming distinctive asset or quality.

He entered his office, crossed the floor and went to the open doorway leading to Aman's office. Aman came to his feet when he saw Arnav at the threshold.

"You watched the meeting as it recorded?" Arnav asked.

Aman nodded, and began to speak, "Sir, I wanted to mention---"

But Arnav interrupted him. "Inform Mr Chopra that he must work faster. Dig deeper. Wardhan won't take long to lick his wounds and we need something more significant to squash him. Have him also research Khushi's family history. Not the Guptas, but her own parents. I want to know the reason why Wardhan is so interested in Khushi."

"The same reason as yours, I presume," Aman ventured. Quite boldly, if I may say so.

Arnav approached Aman's desk. "You equate him with me?" It was a question voiced in a tone which lesser men would not dare to answer.

But Aman did dare. "Not in person but in motive. Perhaps she had also humiliated him and he wanted to punish her."

"Humiliated how?"

"As he said in the Boardroom. He sent a rishta. She accepted. Then later reneged," Aman speculated.

Arnav shook his head and took a seat opposite Aman so that Aman would then sit. "I don't believe that claim. He may have made an offer, but I highly doubt she accepted. In any case, it still defies logic. He managed to successfully inveigle them out of two properties which are collectively worth more than a CBI Officer could earn in two decades. Are you suggesting that he would give that up simply to punish her for some past humiliation?"

"Perhaps it is more basic than that," Aman said.

"Could you be less f**king cryptic, Aman?"

In a calculated move, Aman paused and said, "Because she brings pleasure to his life." Aman had consciously quoted Arnav's own earlier words.

Arnav held Aman's gaze for a long second and said, "You know those words were spoken only for Wardhan's benefit."

Before Aman could reply, there was a knock on the external door which led to Aman's office. Aman bade entry and Khushi and Pari stepped cautiously into the room.

Khushi's eyes flew immediately to Arnav. His eyes took her in, they widened slightly and then a small smile appeared on his lips. He sprang to his feet, so he could have a better view.

Pari was explaining to Aman, "We've looked through all the boxes, and we cannot find that affidavit." Her wavy hair, which was wild at best of times, was now a gorgeous mess.

With difficulty, Aman managed not to laugh at the sight. He simply said, "Don't worry about it."

Khushi inserted, "There are some boxes at the very top. We could check those but we'll need to borrow a ladder from Engineering."

"That won't be necessary," Aman assured her.

"But you said it was urgent. And important. We'll not give up until we find it, Sir," Khushi promised.

"You've got cobwebs in your hair." This helpful contribution came from Arnav. Khushi glared at him, but could not suppress a shudder. A lock of her hair fell across her face. She tucked it back impatiently, not aware that she left a long streak of dust across her cheek.

Arnav noticed. He told her so. She mistook the wrong cheek, and left a streak of dust on that cheek too.

Removing a crisp handkerchief from his pocket, he stepped close to her, and wiped the dust off her face. Khushi was too surprised by his tenderness to move. In fact, she could only stare up at him in astonishment. He met her eyes and said, "I suggest you shower before dinner."

Khushi's eyes flitted to Pari and Aman, who were observing this exchange, and in embarrassment she stepped away from Arnav.

"Dinner?" she repeated.

"Our dinner date?"

"Date?"

"Your sister called earlier. While you were in the dungeon. She invited me for dinner this evening. It seems your aunt is keen to meet with her nephew-in-law."

AWesome blow by Arnav to both Shyam and Khushi...

wow four updates...thank you ...youu dont know how much we missed this story..very interesting conversation between shayan and arnav...what is shyam hiding...arnav will get bottom of this issue...in all this it is interseting to see arnav emotional growth and kushi passion for each other...and our other pair aman and pari...
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