ArHi FF! We, the people [Completed] - Page 46

Originally posted by: dazzling_glory

OMG...khushi and arnav had been planning all of this since so long. They have always been clear about what they wanted and have worked with perfect focus to get there

please continue soon

Originally posted by: -Crayon-

Very interesting update!

Is it just me who was reminded of JP Narayan when I first read of Shyam Manohar Jha? 😆Strange it is, the images of JPN flashed in my mind while reading about Shyam. I don't know if it's just a co-incidence.😆 I, once again enjoyed the convo of this trio. They let each other speak and even listen to each other very patiently without creating a fight like situation. It feels really good to see such conversations especially when it's about policies and other politics related stuff. Interesting discussions on Coalition and Mutli-party Government. I remember reading as a child that Multi-party system is the best form as people have more choice. But again, as we grow, we get to see the drawbacks of such a system. Parties form a coalition and different interests conflict and it leads to chaos in some cases, well probably most of the cases. I was just reading the comments and would like to quote something.

I have seen cases different from this, like people sometimes do not care about the candidate, sometimes all they care about is just the party. Some of them keep voting for a certain party for like generations...they don't really care about the candidates...even if he has a criminal background. Otherwise, there are these few small parties which have young enthusiastic people, who are educated and are ready to enter the politics but are never given a chance as they hail from some small new parties. And yes, If education is an important criterion or not is a different question altogether.

P.s. Old username : World-of-Dreams 😆

Chapter 25 – Part 2:

"I got the job," Khushi said as if she was talking about weather. Gupta senior who was buttering a toast stopped mid action and looked at his daughter who was calmly stacking a pile of toasts on her plate.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Her father asked. "You can get much cushy job in any other firm. This one is going to be hard."

"Why are you deterring me from this?" Khushi asked picking the first toast from the pile on her plate. "Are you afraid of something?" She asked, hint of a secret in her voice. Like anticipated, Gupta senior was angry. She could see it from the way he gripped his fork.

"I heard you had gone to meet Meera Nanda." He asked getting back to his breakfast.

"I did. She is a crazy-brilliant woman." Khushi said reminiscing. Her father didn't ask anything further.

"I know you two are up to something. Choosing Saini-Sampat firm, meeting Meera Nanda and Arnav's sudden interest in politics – there's got to be something," Gupta said thoughtfully. His naturally curious mind was creating various scenarios in his mind but was unable to conclude anything.

"Politics isn't what it used to be Khushi. It isn't about just winning elections, sitting in parliament and passing bills or amendment anymore. Policies are neutralization parameters for bunch of people made up of lobbyists, politicians, corporate houses, PR houses, media et al. The system is far too corrupt and morphed to an unrecognizable beast for you to go and pet it. My bet is – the two of you will be devoured by this beast before you say hello to it." He threw in the cutlery on table and left the table.

Khushi watched him leave the dining hall and got back to her breakfast. She never wasted food on her plate.

*****

"You didn't have to drive me to work you know?" Khushi said not getting down from car.

Arnav looked at her amused. "I know. But I wanted to. It's the first day of your job and I wanted to be there with you when you go," he said swallowing a smile.

"Whatever weirdo. Thanks for the lift," Khushi said opening the door. Before she let herself out, she turned around and said, "Good luck with your meeting today." There was no smile on her face nor were any expressions. Arnav didn't know if she was worried or was being friendly. He shrugged and waved. He started the engine but a knock on the window startled him.

It was Khushi. He lowered the windows immediately.

"If everything goes as per plan, then there is no turning back. Life as we know it will change and we can never, ever, undo our decisions. Lives will be changed and…there will be collateral damage." She said.

"It's a risk I am willing to take." He said not looking at her. "I know Khushi that it's a risk I am taking at the cost of people. But it's needed."

"I won't let you take the blame or the guilt alone. We are together in this," Khushi said squeezing his hands.

"I know." Arnav replied finally turning and looking up.

There was no looking back anymore, indeed.

*****

"I thought we were meeting Vikramaditya Rathore," Arnav griped as he and Meera Nanda walked through the lobby of a famous seven star hotel.

"Don't be ridiculous Arnav. You may be the son and heir of Raizada industries but that still doesn't warrant an audience with the senior Rathore." Meera Nanda responded dolefully.

Arnav didn't respond but followed his consultant. He had done enough homework to predict this but Meera didn't need to know that. However what he hadn't anticipated was Bhanu Pratap Rathore accompanying Imran to meet him. He was momentarily taken aback with this development but made a note to pursue this further.

"Arnav Raizada, this is Bhanu Pratap Rathore – oldest of Rathore and the future leader of Samaj Kalyan Party," Meera introduced as per political hierarchy dictated her to. Arnav held back a chuckle. If the rumors were true, Bhanu Pratap Rathore had political knowledge of a seven year old. All he knew was booze, women and when to use his surname.

"Nice to meet you sir," Arnav said summoning all the politeness he could muster. It was two in the afternoon and Arnav could smell alcohol on his breath when he said 'you too'.

"And this is Imran, Vikramaditya Rathore's personal aid," Meera continued.

Arnav had seen Imran before, in a rally, and was impressed with the way he always hung back in shadows – behind the Rathores and behind many political bigwigs of the party. If he wanted to meet Vikramaditya Rathore, then he had to make an impression on Imran first. Only then he had a shot.

"Meera has told us about your interest in the party." Imran started. "What I want to know is why; why SKP?" he asked without beating around the bush.

Arnav looked at Meera who took the cue and left the men alone.

"It's the only party in this part of the country which is powerful enough to lose at state yet have a command at the center. And I want to be a part of it," Arnav said gauging the reaction on the older man.

"That's bullshit," Imran said after a moment of thinking. Either he was really thinking about formulating most decent response or was simply testing Arnav.

Arnav was surprised. "I beg your pardon?" He asked.

"Your father has been planning on opening on steel plant for two years and is trying to get his hands on some lands which will help him in mining and provide enough resources to install a plant. And the place which fits the criteria is filled with people who vote for our party." Imran said blandly.

"Where do I come into picture here?" Arnav asked flatly. Imran narrowed his eyes.

"Isn't that what you want?" Imran asked.

"It's what my father wants. And I guess he is already working on it. Why do I care about what my father wants?" Arnav replied sardonically.

"Don't play cute with me son." Imran said quietly. There was no need to raise voices and yell at Arnav. He was a young man playing games with people whose experience in politics was more than Arnav's age.

"All I am saying is, I want to work for the party and for the leader. I am interested in politics and that's all there is to it." Arnav said without any modulation in his voice. Keeping voice neutral threw people off; he knew that.

"I think it's a good idea to have someone young like him around," Bhanu Pratap said before Imran could argue. "I think we should hire him Imran," he said turning towards Imran. "Maybe we can make some profit out of this pretty boy," he added, slurring at the end.

"But Bhanu-"

The young Rathore interrupted. "I want him in our office." He said. Arnav knew then that Bhanu Pratap's mind was like a magician's hat. No one could anticipate what came out of it. "I'll be at the bar. Talk to each other or something," he added and left the table. Arnav hadn't anticipated a support from one of the Rathores. It both elated and worried him.

Once out of earshot, Imran asked Arnav, "In the next elections, what would be your strategy to get Bhanu Pratap elected?"

Arnav knew that his interview had actually begun now. "First of all I would advise Vikramaditya Rathore to stop calling Bhanu Pratap as his heir. Clearly, the oldest son isn't capable of holding a pen at two in the afternoon let alone wins an election. Mediocrity isn't always refused by the public but Bhanu Pratap isn't a man that public is going to vote for; not even with the brand name of Rathore supporting him."

Imran sat straight in his chair.

"What should be done then?" Imran asked. Arnav had an idea that Bhanu Pratap wasn't really liked by the old school politicians who had supported the party's ideology from early on. Imran was sure one of the.

Arnav smiled. "If you want to know more, you will have to hire me." Arnav said sardonically.

Half a moment later, Imran laughed. Arnav let out a breath he didn't know he was holding and rubbed his neck nervously.

"Come tomorrow to the Rathore's house and we will talk further."

****

Winter 1999, Rathore's residence

"Come in Arnav, have a seat," Rathore called in Arnav who was by the door. Arnav nodded and walked inside the room and sat on sofa next to Rathore.

"I am impressed with your work here Arnav," Rathore said pointing towards tea tray placed on table. Arnav took a cup and poured milk into it. "Who do you think from our party should I nominate for ministry?" Rathore asked.

Arnav's hand which was stirring sugar into milk, stilled.

A year ago when he had approached Imran, he had believed that he will be on board immediately. But Vikramaditya Rathore's disinterest in engaging with a young man had set back his plans by at least half a decade. The elections were over and he had to wait for another five years to re-plan everything. There were too many factors which influenced electorate and in 1999, it was the war. Change had come after years and coalition with the center was looked forward by everyone in SKP.

"Give me a portfolio which you believe is good for the growth and visibility of the party." Rathore said making his expectation clear. Arnav glanced discreetly and Imran who sent a tiny nod in his direction.

"Yes sir." Arnav said and took a sip of warm sweet milk.

"You can do that in forty eight hours?" Rathore asked narrowing his eyes at the young man.

"I will give it to you as soon as I finish this drink sir." Arnav said. Rathore exchanged surprised looks with Imran. Imran could see that the leader was impressed and saw Arnav who was sipping milk in sheer nonchalance.

Fifteen minutes later Rathore and Imran had three different sets of portfolios with ministers identified for various agendas that SKP initially believed in and dropped over years, newer agendas for changing generation, keeping up with current promises; it was as if Arnav had been planning for months.

"Imran this is…" Rathore said looking flabbergasted at Imran.

"I told you, the kid was special." Imran said and picked up one of the files.

"Get him on board Imran," Rathore ordered.

****

"What happened to your face?" Arnav exclaimed seeing purple and black bruises on Khushi's face. "Did you get into some sort of drunken brawl?"

"The guy who was harassing the girl was drunk but I wasn't. Unlike in movies, even the rescuer gets some punches landed on their face," Khushi said happily.

"Is the girl alright?" Arnav asked checking her face for further injuries.

"She is doing fine." Khushi said amused when Arnav's inspection of her face continued. "And I am doing fine too, thanks for asking," she bit out feeling a bit snarky.

"Don't do something like this again, okay? Next time, remember the name of the person and he can be dealt with in a much…civilized way." Arnav said ignoring her barb.

"Rathore has put me onboard regarding negotiations for ministry portfolio," Arnav said taking a step back from her.

"Should I call Meera Nanda again?" Khushi asked.

"Yes, set up a meeting for early next week. And do you know someone who is good in…fact checking?" Arnav asked.

"What kind of facts are we talking about?"

"The kind which everyone keeps buried deep within vaults of foreign bank accounts under a different identity," Arnav said.

Khushi smiled. "The girl I met last night, Payal…I think she can help us here. She is a freelancer and takes contracts for vetting high profile executives and such. I'll see if I can get her into the loop," she said.

"But why do you need this for?" Khushi asked.

"Meera Nanda can only take us so far but she would need some weapons to pull the strings. This coalition government is only the starting point Khushi and by the looks of it, we may have a full term of this government." Arnav said wringing his hands.

"I underestimated the system Khushi. It's not possible to bring the change we want in next five years. It is folly to even think about it."

"How long is it going to take then?"

"I can safely say that it will take two more elections to implement what we planned for. We are under prepared, understaffed and most importantly – not fully informed. Once we have these on our side, we can make our move."

"What should we do till then?" Khushi asked understanding already where they were going with it.

"Till then, we play by the system."

Originally posted by: ivre

Interesting approach by Arnav- definitely too smart for his age. I am liking this flashback, gives a better insight into things.

It seems such a strange extension to the superhero fantasy- 2 people set out to change the system :)

Originally posted by: TheBrat

Bookmarked
Thanks to Crayon for suggesting this FF. Will catch up and comment asap :)