Chapter 25
"Bauji I am willing to travel to Delhi just as previously planned" Yash said to SP while they were in the office.
SP remained silent not responding to Yash.
"Bauji...I had hoped that your anger over us would have subsided by now" Pankaj spoke not liking the long silences between the three of them. It might even impact the work if left unchecked he thought.
"Pankaj please do not bring up family matters in the office and it's not just Pratik who has bothered me of late as you very well know" SP stopped Pankaj from going further by reminding him that he too was not off the dock yet for his indiscretion.
Pankaj and Yash exchanged a look while SP who was seated took a minute to contemplate.
"Alright...as you know this is going to be an important visit. We are hoping to get the deal along with our local partners to organize the opening ceremony of the Annual National games. This is a very large scale undertaking and not unlike the award shows or parties or marriages that we have organised previously. Our partners have experience on such events. We will jointly collaborate on bringing innovative concepts and then to turn it from on-paper to stadium reality. I want this to our grand entry into such events and it should something that should leave a lasting impact and hoists our SEL flag high" SP said thinking ahead while both his sons listened attentively.
"First things first we need to get the government contract in our kitty. For that we have to do some socializing with the MPs and sports authorities who will be deciding on who gets the deal" SP continued.
"Do we really need to do this Bauji? Our brand SEL(Scindia Events Limited) has a good name by itself so wooing the authorities seems to be unnecessary " Yash interrupted.
"In an idealist world we could have kept quiet and simply sent in our tender but that is not how things work and you very well know it, Yash" SP said in an irritated tone.
"I understand Bauji and so does Yash" Pankaj spoke up speaking on Yash's behalf even though he knew perfectly well that Yash was always against such practices. But Pankaj did not want a wedge to develop between his father and brother so jumped in before the issue got bigger.
"Our partners have already started sending feelers to the concerned people notifying them of our interest" Pankaj continued.
"I am willing to look over the contracts that we have in hand and Yash as assured will do the needful in Delhi" Pankaj concluded nodding in Yash's direction.
"I want one hundred percent commitment from you Yash. You shake as many hands that are needed to be shaken, but we need to get the deal without fail" SP stressed.
Yash silently accepted. Not knowing the extent to which his father was willing to bend his ethics to get the deal.
"And what about Pratik...is he serious about becoming a restaurant consultant?" SP asked abruptly.
"Yes Bauji, that gives him time to write his second book and also oversee the catering and food department in the events that our company organizes" Yash informed SP.
"But won't our existing and long standing food and catering partners take offense at us trying to shove Pratik down their throats?" SP questioned, still doubting Pratik's capabilities.
"Let us try this out as an experiment. We need not force Pratik on them. Let us give him as an option for them. Let's leave it on them to decide if they need any input from him or not. After all Pratik has earned quite a lot of respect in this specialized world of his. I am sure people will grab him without any second thoughts" Yash defended his brother.
"Hmm..we'll see" SP answered unconvinced.
"I want you to take Aarti bahu with you. Family image might be important for some of the decision makers. I know kids cannot go with you as they have school. But do ensure to take Aarti bahu along" SP changed the subject back again to the all important Delhi trip. Leaving Yash with a feeling of unease yet again.
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"Pari...is this really required?" Aarti questioned.
"Trust me bhabhi...some pampering in the SPA is exactly what you need" Pari grinned and replied.
"Pari...we were supposed to be shopping for clothes and groceries and not..." Vidhi started to object.
"Vidhi bhabhi... a little diversion is not going to cause any problems. It's my first off day from shoot. Thought we could have a girls' day out" Pari said cheerfully.
"Will this be over soon? Need to be home before the kids come back from school" Aarti asked worriedly.
"Of course Aarti bhabhi. Relax this is your "ME TIME". And trust me once these experts are done, you are going to look like a million bucks" Pari assured Aarti.
"So you mean to say that I "need" to have experts "work" on me to look good" Aarti asked jokingly.
"Nahi nahi bhabha what I meant was.." Pari immediately tried to appease Aarti.
"Chill Pari...I know what you meant. And thanks this feels really good. This is just what the doctor ordered. Hmm...feels like I am in heaven" Aarti said as she was having her head massaged.
"Of course I just hope our hubbies are going to be prepared for what going to hit them when they see us later in the day" Vidhi giggled.
"Scindia bahus rock. Tusnami coming their way, they better watch out" Pari said and Vidhi and Aarti laughed .
All three bahus spent a very relaxing time in the most popular SPA in Bhopal and then returned home once they were done. All well groomed and looking stunning or so they told one another.
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"Wah! Wah! The "teen deviyaan" finally return. Mere bhagwan ki kasam. I was just about to call the police to report all three of you missing" Maya commented nastily upon their return.
"Jiji..they did call to inform that they might get a bit late. Anyway they have returned before the kids came back from school. So it's OK. By the way weren't you supposed to do your daily "geeta-paath" now. I hope you do not get delayed for that" Gayatri said looking very pleased to see her daughters-in-law return and noting the visible change in each of them.
"Bhabhi you are giving them way too much freedom. Look how Pari has misused it and now she is teaching her lessons to the other two. Not that that Aarti needs any lessons on that matter. She is a school onto herself. It's just Vidhi I am worried about...they will spoil her too" Maya did not relent on her viciousness.
"Bahu...all just go inside please" Gayatri asked the three of them to go inside and they did. Then she turned towards Maya and said in an irritated tone
"Jiji why do you keep pulling everyone down? Let the children live a little. Why can't you be happy in their happiness? Maybe I know what your problem is? I think it comes from you not being a mother that makes you be harsh all the time"
Maya felt like she was slapped just then. She just stood up and left the room adding this to the list of offenses she thought had been committed against her in this household.
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"Aartiji...I need to talk to you about something" Yash went straight to the bedroom on returning from the office.
Aarti was bent and setting some magazines in order on the table and turned around to greet Yash upon hearing his voice.
"How was your day, Yashji?" she asked with a bright smile.
"What the hell have you done to your hair?" Yash came to standstill and blurted the first thing that came to his mind on seeing Aarti.
"I had a hair-cut. They tell me layer-cut is the in-thing nowadays. Why? Don't you like it?" Aarti asked suddenly feeling very self-conscious and unsure of her new look.
"You cut-off some of your hair...it's length...it's reduced" Yash said accusingly still in a state of shock. He was in love with Aarti's hair. He liked it just as it was long, straight and silky. So this felt very wrong for him.
"It's just hair Yashji...it will grow back" Aarti said feeling very disappointed with Yash's reaction.
Her tone betrayed her disappointment. Yash registered it and overcame his reservations and tried to make amends for his lack of enthusiasm.
"Sorry Aartiji...It looks great...it really really does...you just took me by surprise, that's all. It is very...hmm..."layery"...just as you said" Yash said struggling to find a suitable word to praise her hair while intently looking at Aarti which made Aarti nervous.
Yash suddenly moved forward and pushed lock of hair that had come loose on her face, behind her ears. And very very slowly Yash took his hand back never breaking the eye-contact.
"You came in to talk to me about something...so shoot..tell me about it" Aarti reminded Yash so that he would stop staring at her quite so much.
"We need to go to Delhi...tomorrow... for a couple of days" Yash said concentrating hard to make sure he spoke clearly as his mind had turned to mush with Aarti standing this close by. And by the second he actually liked this new avatar of Aarti a lot. It kinda suited her better he thought.
"Alright... I was expecting this. I shall help you pack." Aarti said who was prepared for Yash's out of station trips related to business expansion as that was the main topic of discussion during family dinners these past few days.
"I said "we" Aartiji. As in you and I together" Yash corrected her.
"But the kids...they do not have vacation as you know and we cannot afford to make them bunk. Their school is quite strict about attendance as you know" Aarti said shaking her head against the idea of going away but secretly thrilled at the prospect of going away with Yash.
"That is not my intention either" Yash agreed.
"Ah ! So you do not wish to take you with me then?" Aarti asked dejectedly but trying not to sound it or show it.
"No what I meant was I will not make children bunk school. I cannot expect them to travel every time I travel. But I do wish for you to come along this time. Vidhi bhabhi and Maa are there to take care of kids"
Yash thought Aarti was not particularly keen on leaving the kids and travelling alone with him so he tried to persuade her further.
"It is just for a couple of days Aartiji. We will back before they even know it. Trust me everything will be fine even in our absence"
"But why do I need to tag along for your business trips?" Aarti finally asked. Making sure her over-enthusiasm did not show and trying to play it cool.
"Business dinners, socializing...that sort of thing Aartiji. Necessary evil ...unavoidable. Our work actually starts after we bag the contract. And for that Bauji thinks it is important to project the family image" Yash disliked having to give that reason.
"And what do you think?" Aarti asked noting Yash's discomfort.
"I think that people should give importance to the work done by someone and not get carried away by the image they project. The quality of work should speak for itself... that should act as an advertisement in itself to get more work our way. One need not have the perfect background to be good at what they do" Yash said voicing his opinion.
"But still you are willing to do as Bauji says even if it against what you stand for?" Aarti questioned as she concluded what she could make out from all this.
"I am going to freshen up, then change and hopefully we can break the news together to the kids" Yash said smartly avoiding answering Aarti and leaving before she pressed for an answer.
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"We don't want to go to school...it's just two days, we too will come with you "Ansh said when his parents informed them of their trip while putting them to bed that night.
"Yes we will come with you too" joined his two sisters. All three kids had a determined expression on their faces. And Aarti wondered if they will be a tearful goodbye tomorrow morning looking at their faces now.
"Aartiji...I knew it...I told you this was gonna happen. I won the bet, now hand me my winning amount. I told you our kids were still young-ones who needed constant attention. They just cannot do without us" Yash tried his hand at reverse psychology and winking at Aarti to continue the act.
"Nahi nahi Yashji...do not be so hasty. You see Ansh here...he is 7 and is a very brave boy he is going to be the protector for his other two sisters while we are away" Aarti caught on what Yash was trying to do and played along.
"Mummy we do not need any protection. We are brave girls as well. Of course we can stay away from you for a couple of days. Can't say the same about Ansh though" Palak said falling nicely into the trap her parents had set.
"Papa...I think you have lost the bet. All three of us are going to enjoy ourselves here with Pratik chachu, Paridhi chichi and others and not miss you at all" Ansh said not wanting to fall behind the girls in this matter. The three children shook each others' hand as if they had proved some point to their parents.
Yash and Aarti looked at one another feeling triumphant at having succeeded in convincing the kids.
"Dekha Yashji...I told you...I will only win. Our kids are the best" Aarti gave all three of them a hug and kiss in turn.
"I guess I will have to concede defeat this time Aartiji. So ask what do you want on winning the bet? You will get anything you want...that's a promise" Yash said taking in the picture of his family huddled together and feeling very happy inside.
"Be careful before you give me a carte-blanche Yashji. You may regret it" Aarti said challengingly.
"Oh! I am prepared for the worst Aartiji...I am prepared for the worst" Yash answered back. And both shared an intense look with each other.
Somehow they had slipped into another plane altogether and were talking about things that neither of them totally understood, till Aarti grew hot and bothered and broke the spell.
"I will take a rain-check now. But believe me I shall hold you to it" Aarti said and hugged her children some more before putting them to sleep after reading them a story.
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"Yashji once we come back...there is something I need to tell you about" Aarti told Yash while they were preparing to sleep that night.
"Why the suspense, Aartiji? Tell me what you want to talk about" Yash asked as he sat on his side of the bed.
"No...not now...I somehow feel that you will need all the time in the world to face this news" Aarti said seriously.
"Oh! Aartiji..this is just not fair on your part...first you say you have to disclose something and then you withhold the information. Now all throughout the Delhi trip I am going to keep thinking about what you wanted to tell me about" Yash said missing the serious tone or the expression on Aarti's face completely.
"Have patience Yashji...I promise once we get back I am going to tell you about it" Aarti said regretting ever broaching the subject when she was not willingly to open up fully as yet.
But I cannot postpone things further. The more I delay the difficult it might get and just have to share it with you Yashji.
"I can't afford not to" Aarti said quietly when Yash had slipped into sleep.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil
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