OS:A bum called Raizada

THE BUM CALLED RAIZADA.

"Mr. Raizada, what kind of light fixtures do you want on your new cruise ship?"

"Mr. Raizada, we're having trouble finding a 3-D camera for your personal home theatre."

"Trust me, Mr.Raizada; these automatic safes are the best place to keep all your riches. And they are dead cheap. Ten lakhs is the starting range."

It came from all sides, every nook and cranny of his cabin. Arnav Singh Raizada simply sat there, wondering what evils had he done in his past life to be so brutally deprived of a moment of peace.

Everyday, it was the same story. Some idiot or the other would come with a Goddamn business deal, or sale offer, or some sort of a mind-boggling issue which was likely to ruin Arnav's day at work. Being a multi-millionaire was turning out to be a curse for him.

"Sir?'' Aman, his faithful blue-tooth best friend and manager came forward. Arnav could feel his hands grow cold. 'Please, Aman, please,' he begged in his mind. 'I'll increase your salary up to 20%...just don't say a word.'

"Sir, the Agarwal's have proposed a new deal. Instead of returning the ten crore that they owe you, they are willing to sell their factory in Manchester. What are your views on this offer, sir?"

"Mr. Raizada…"

"Mr. Raizada…"

"MR. RAIZADA!!!"

"YOU GUYS CALL OUT MY NAME ONCE MORE AND I'M CHANGING IT!!!!" Arnav blasted.

The silence lasted for approximately ten seconds. Then came the biggest complain box of all.

"DADDYYY!!!!" the voice of his sixteen-year-old daughter, Aisha, rang through his years. "I just came back from the mall and they rejected my credit card!!!"

She was followed by at least ten of the staff members and his security staff who was carrying God knows how many shopping bags.

Arnav nearly burst into tears of frustration. As if work pressure wasn't enough, he was now blessed with the presence of his highly considerate, adjustable yet temperamental and expensive daughter, who would spend money like water.

"DADDYYY!!!" she cried again, snapping him back to the horrendous reality of his life. "You aren't listening to me!"

"Yes, baby?" came out his tired voice.

She took out a credit card that looked as if an elephant sat on it. "This card is all worn out. My name used to be kinda bumpy and now it's all smooth. And…" she paused to check her card again, clearly ignoring the fact that her father was on the verge of hitting the ceiling. "I'm sure there used to be a black strip at the back of the card somewhere."

She looked at her daddy again. "So, I'll need your cards for a few weeks." She took out the required objects from his wallet. "Thanks!!" and saying that, she was off.

Arnav sighed heavily and turned around to face his mob of workers again. Only this time, he was greatly relieved to find only Akash standing there.

"I sent them away, Bhai." He said. "I had a hunch that they were getting on your nerves."

"NERVES??" Arnav replied hysterically. "They were beginning to crawl all over my Central Nervous System!"

Akash smiled sympathetically. "Well, Bhai, being a rich businessman comes with a price."

Suddenly, it struck him. The perfect gimmick. Why hadn't he done this before? Heck, why hadn't he thought of this before?

Arnav looked at his brother. "Akash…you're a GENIUS!!"

"Bhai?"

"You're ab-so-lu-tely correct. Being Arnav Singh Raizada does come with a price. And I hate it!"

"Surely you don't mean that." Akash asked.

"Oh, yes I do" Arnav sat down on his easy chair and looks determinedly at him. "I want to stop being Arnav Singh Raizada and become a bum for a day!!"

"HUH!!!???"

"Yes!!" Arnav replied to his thoroughly confused brother. "I'm going to quit being ASR and become a bum…a beggar…for at least for a day."

Akash seemed to consider the situation and he didn't like the consequences. 'But, Bhai…isn't that…I don't know…kind of dangerous?"

"Definitely!" Arnav answered enthusiastically. "And about time too!"

"But, Bhai…"

"Akash, my mind's made up." He leaned on the table and asked. "Are you with me?"

Akash groaned inwardly. This was one experience he could have done without. But how could he deny his own brother?

"Okay, Bhai. I'll stick with you through thick and thin."

"Good!!"

Arnav said happily. "Now lil' bro, lets prepare the bum outfit!!"

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

"Arnav!!! What in the world are these?!" Khushi exclaimed.

Her husband had come home with six humongous packages. For once, he had decided to personally shop for his new get-up.

"This, my dear, is the result of the best one lakh rupees that I've spent." he grinned and replied.

Khushi's palms immediately flew up to her mouth. "One lakh rupees!!? Hai Devi Maiyya!! Arnav, what did you buy?"

"Clothes." He replied simply.

"Clothes??! For One Lakh?!" What do they have, Gold trimmings??" When she saw that he wasn't paying any attention to her, she sighed. "Darling, we already have our hands full with a daughter who is an incurable shopaholic. Now you too? What is it with you two father and daughter?"

"AAH, Khushi!" her husband replied gleefully. "These clothes here will put Aisha's clothes to shame."

"How so, Mr. Moto?"

"Because for once, this shopping trip has proved to be highly beneficial and attractive for me!"

Khushi narrowed her eyes. "Arnav, what's cooking in that half-baked brain of yours??"

He gave her a shifty look. "You'll see."

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

"OMG!!! Is that Arnav and Akash Singh Raizada?'

"Christ, it is them!"

"I gotta get my camera!!!"

"That's ASR!! Why's he wearing such weird clothes?"

"Look, mum!! There's a circus in town!!"

These were the shocked, surprised and wise-guyish comments the people made. And why wouldn't they? It's not everyday that they could see a self-made multi-millionaire parading down the streets with a custom-made bum suit and accessories.

Arnav's attire was a classic. He had worn a black, faded suit which probably the English beggars of the 12^th century had probably worn once upon a time. The waistcoat, tunic and blazer were black, although it was rather indistinguishable. Akash was wearing a pair of patched-up shorts, all colour coordinated, a white vest and a brown leather jacket, topped with a brown fishing hat. They appeared to be rather well-dressed bums. And that's what caught the public's attention.

Thus, with dirt smeared on their faces and carrying over-turned umbrellas, the Raizada brothers stepped out to astonish the world.

"You're heading for trouble, Arnav." Khushi had warned. "I would back out right now if I were you."

'I'll show you, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada." Arnav challenged her mentally. ' I'll prove you wrong.'

"Bhai," he heard Akash call. "Where do you think can a never-do-well bum get a bite to eat around here?"

They checked the place out for a while. After searching Arnav pointed to a nearby seafood restaurant.

"Oh look, Akash!" he exclaimed. "Someone threw out a lobster dinner."

"Waste not, want not, Bhai."

As they sat down to eat, the chic and outrageously expensive Volkswagen of Aisha Singh Raizada came up the street. "Thank Goodness for these mirrors." Aisha said to herself. "It's so convenient; no hassle in putting on make-up…WHOOPS!!!!"

SPLASH!!!!!!!

In the prospect of putting her gloss, Aisha didn't pay attention to her driving. She drove straight into a puddle, thus making the mud fall all over two 'bums' who were about to have lobster.

Aisha got down from her car in a hurry and saw that her Volkswagen was covered in mud. She flew into a temper.

'Mud…all over my 60,000 Rupees worth of bum outfit.' was all Arnav could think.

"YOU!!" He heard Aisha scream angrily. "You splashed mud all over my Volksy, you…you…BUM!!! Wait till I tell my daddy…he'll bop you all the way off to Never-Never land!!!"

Arnav, who was already angry, advanced upon his daughter. "Watch who you're calling a bum, Ms. Aisha S…" but before he could finish, she screamed "EEEKKK!!!!! A nasty, smelly bum is attacking me!!! POLICE….POLICE!!!"

"Bhai," Akash said, tugging his fuming elder brother's sleeve "Let's go while we're still alive!"

"But she…"

This time it was the wails of the police siren that stopped him.

"Bhai!!!RUN FOR IT!!!"

Those two ran like their asses were on fire and didn't stop until they reached the gates of Shantivan. Arnav stopped to catch his breath. "That…" he panted "…was close!!"

"I…agree."

"You…know...what, Akash? I…think I'm really…too busy…to…do this"

Akash nodded in agreement. "Your appointment book is rather full, Bhai."

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Next Day….

"Mr. Raizada, this bill…"

"Mr.Raizada, the camera…"

Arnav relaxed on the coffee lounge. "AAH…" he said, stretching himself "it feels so good to be back home where everyone knows who I am."

"And we know you the best, Mr.Raizada." Khushi and Aisha said together, who had accompanied him to work on his request.

"Mr. Raizada, the buffet yesterday…"

"Mr. Raizada, Mr. Rao called to reconfirm the deal…"

"Mr. Raizada, Mr. Lockwood from London wants you to contact him."

The gabbing had started again. But this time, Arnav didn't complain.

"Keep it coming, guys" he said "I can listen to this all day long."

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So...hwz it ppl!!?? comment n like, k??