THE dAWN OF THE dAWN
Chapter 5 - MahaaUpdatePart 1
8 years later...
Its the Monsoon time! The water is pouring non-stop for several days and the whole city is covered by the dark clouds. He took the keys from his driver, loosened his tie, folded his cuffs and took the wheel of his Silver Mercedes. He hit the watered roads with his windows lowered and vanished into dark but the silver car appeared as shining star racing under the constant dark cloud cover.
He stopped in front of the majestic palace and honked impatiently. A security guard came running and saluted him opening the humongous gate of 15 feet high. He gave the guard a generous tip, indicating his happy mood, and raced his car into the driveway lit by solar lights on either side.
He stepped out of the car and raised his head to look at the peak of the mansion. His eyes didnt flutter even a bit, though continuous pour of raindrops kissed his face intently. He raised his palms and brushed his hair backwards, smiling at the lit beauty in front of him. He ran to the main entrance of the palace, inserted keys into the keyhole and closed his eyes remembering his 8 years struggle and then his family flashed in front of his eyes and then he glanced at the plaque, hung to the left of the door, with satisfactory smile. The golden plaque read Raizada Mansion; it returned the shining smile with all its charm. It took him 8 long years to earn back what he lost. To add more to the special day, its Arnav Singh Raizada's birthday. The most eligible bachelor who was born in the very same house 27 years ago. Its been 8 years since he celebrated his birthday and today he is in full mood to celebrate it. And so the first thing he did is by gifting the mansion to himself.
He slowly opened the door and entered the mansion forwarding his right foot first. He was greeted by an old man, Raizadas fondly called him as Kaka, who loyally served the Raizadas for more than 2 decades. Arnav acknowledged him and proceeded his steps further. The house still carried the familiar aroma of his childhood. He walked to the Kitchen and remembered his funny moments with his mom. He is known for sneaking into the kitchen to first taste the freshly prepared curries and sweets. The moment his mom made something, he would serve himself a bowl and eat it before even sitting for lunch or dinner with family members. His sister even named him as Curry Boy. He chuckled remembering the moments.
He then walked to his parents bedroom. He sat on the bed and swept his hands on the sheets remembering how he used to slip into their bed at middle of night in pretense of nightmares. And he and his dad always ended up playing video games until dawn.
He then walked to his sister bedroom and stood by the window in her room. That window was very special to Arnav and Anjali as they shared alot of their secrets. Anjali had huge crush on a neighbourhood boy. And she would pay Arnav whenever the boy came out of his house. Much to her loss or gain, she ended up paying all her pocket money because that boy was outdoors most of the time. This was the bro-sis duo's past time before Arnav left to NewYork. His eyes moistened remembering Anjali's giggles, blush and laughter.
On his way to his bedroom, he stopped by the pooja mandir, where his mom spent most of her mornings. Typically kids wake up late during weekends. But Arnav was different, he used to wake up at 4AM along with his mom and used to help Komal with pooja preparations. Contrary to most of the moms, Komal used to plead him to get back to sleep. She used to tease him that his wife would leave him if he remains being Mama's boy. He smiled to himself thinking how different his mom was.
He took stairs to his bedroom, closed the door and fell on his bed. He closed his eyes and tried to let out everything that he kept for 8 years. The feeling of desperation and tiredness of everything. His fight to himself for 8 years wore him off. He needed someone to be there and tell him he is not alone but there is no one. He is tired of being strong and fighting constantly but he has come too far to neglect that aspect of his life as he cant risk to be on streets one more time.
Arnav Singh Raizada, 27 year old business tycoon is now a man of harsh and very few words, yet sensible; He knows his every calculated move and what affect it will have on the opposite person. The concepts Family, Kind, Love, Sacrifice, and Compassion do not exist in his dictionary, not anymore. He is now firm believer of Money, Money and only Money.
His phone rang and he noticed Shashi's name on it. As he answered the phone, Shashi's voice at the other end wished, Happy Birthday beta.
Thank You. Its just another day.
I know but a special day and congratulations!
Thank YOU.
Their conversations were always brief and thats the expectation Arnav set from the beginning.
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Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to dear Khushi...Happy Birthday to you....All the guests wished Khushi in unison.
You are the best daughter one could get. I am so fortunate. Shashi hugged her daughter, blessing her.
Papa, I want you to meet someone. Papa, he is NandKishore.
Namaste beta. I hope you are enjoying the party.
Ji, ofcourse. Thanks for inviting me.
Khushi was so excited to introduce NK to her dad. NK and Khushi are finally decided to get married and she invited him to party to talk about the same to her father.
After everyone left, NK and Khushi approached Shashi and Garima.
Uncle, Can I talk to you for few mins?
Sure, please sit down.
Uncle, I really like Cookie. We love each other. We wanna get married.
What? He angrily looked at Khushi in disbelief.
Khushi sat next to Shashi while Garima closed her mouth in shock.
Papa, I really really love him. We know each other for 8 years. He is a very nice guy.
He may be the best guy in the whole universe, but the marriage will not happen.
Papa, please dont do this to us. We cant stay away from each other. We really love each other.
Mr. NandKishore, I am sorry. I cant get my daughter married to you.
May I know why? Khushi exclaimed angrily without letting NK speak.
If I say NO, it means NO. Shashi said adamantly.
Papa, I have had enough. I appreciate if you could come up with convincing answer or else I will walk out of this house at this very moment. She spoke in threatening voice and she is capable of doing that because she is no less than Shashi Gupta after all she has taken up after him completely.
Dont you dare Khushi. You cant marry him.
But why?
Because you are already engaged.
What? When? With Whom? Khushi collapsed onto the couch unable to understand when and how. She held her head in her palms baffled and confused. As far as she remembered, she never got engaged to anyone. She looked at NK who gave her disgusted looks and tried to walk away.
Khushi, in a swift movement, she gripped his wrist, Believe me NK, I dont know anything about this. I promise. I have no clue.
Cookie, you got 2 weeks time. Sort it out and come to me without any strings. Until then...He walked away releasing his hand from her grip.
Khushi ran to her room crying uncontrollably. Shashi always warned her from the beginning not to have any relationships. He repeatedly told he will choose the groom for Khushi. But love never knocks the door, it gets invited by itself.
Shashi collapsed onto the couch. What should I do Garima? I cant back off from the promise.
I will talk to her, you dont strain yourself. I am sure she will listen to you. Garima tried to console him.
Ofcourse she will. But what kind of father am I, snatching her happiness and love from her. Shashi sobbed silently feeling helpless.
May be you are right. But can I say something, a man who built his lost empire, putting his heart and life into it, and a man who till date worships his family cherishing every memorable moment, is the perfect man for my daughter. She may be adamant now but there will come a point where she will see the difference and she will thank you for your decision one day. You just have to be firm until then.
I cant see her in tears Garima, she is my angel.
She is. She will come out of it. I will go talk to her.
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Garima noticed Khushi crying on her bed. She sat next to her and touched her head. Khushi shrugged her hand off.
Khushi...
Amma, please go. I dont wanna talk to you guys.
Dont you wanna know why your papa had to take such huge step.
NO, whatever may be the reason. Its stupid and insane of you guys to take that step.
Khushi, I dont appreciate if you talk about your father like this. You wouldnt have born if Aran bhaiyya had not come to our rescue. Before talking any nonsense, you better shut up and listen to what I have to say. Garima pulled Khushi and made her sit on the bed. Thats the first time Garima ever raised her voice and Khushi is stunned to learn that her mom too can get angry.
Exactly 27 years ago on this day, I was lying on the flooded roads with labor pains. We were very poor and we didnt had money to afford a cab. Your father literally begged ever car and auto that came our side. I was losing blood rapidly. He was helpless and almost dead to see me in that condition. Finally after trying 4 hours relentlessly, a black car stopped and took me inside. You know who that is? Aran bhaiyya and his wife Komal who is also pregnant and they were on their way to hospital. She too was going through labor pains. Aran bhaiyya admitted us in the same hospital as his and paid everything.
When we refused to take his money, Aran bhaiyya said "Your daughter brought us luck. Komal was going through complications but both survived and doctors say its miracle." I still remembered that day, he took you in his arms and said "This little angel is our Khushi, who lightened our lives. My son is alive because of your Khushi."
Thats how you were named Khushi, later your father added Kumari after your grandma.
Amma, thats very kind of them to help us at that time but dont you think, my marriage in exchange of it is little too much.
Thats not it Khushi. Aran bhaiyya and Komal bhabhi insisted to meet us every weekend. But I was not comfortable. They were extremely rich and we had nothing back then. Your father had to struggle even to get milk powder for you. But whenever we went, they always shared good news and Aran bhaiyya always gave the credit to you calling you their Mahalakshmi.
When you and chote turned 2...
Chote?
Aran Bhaiya's son who's born on the same day. When you both turned two, bhaiyya gifted us 1 lakh, which was huge amount back then. Your dad refused to take the money, but he insisted. Then Bhaiyya said something which I will never forget till my death, I cant forget that man's generosity, He said "You have given us beautiful angel. I have every right to give anything I want to my daughter, including my son". Strangely, as if you understood his words, you laughed at him and always lingered around bhaiyya, calling him Ungul...Thats how you used to call him back then. Garima chuckled remembering baby Khushi.
Your father started clothing business. He knew stitching but he didnt know business side of it. Bhaiyya helped him alot and soon your dad became top entrepreneur in clothing industry. Our lives changed for the better. Your father started worshipping his only friend more than the God.
Only friend? But you said Arnav's dad is the only friend to Dad...
Yes. Arnav is no one but Chote.
What? Oh God, now I am scared to listen to further story...Go ahead. She said keeping her palms over her head.
When you and chote turned 5, your father promised bhaiyya that he will give anything and everything in return as gratitude. Without waiting a moment, bhaiyya asked if he could get you married to Chote. There was no doubt in your fathers mind, your father instantly agreed and you guys were engaged. I understand, all this will look very superficial to you but their friendship meant alot to them and they spent more time together than with their wives. Garima smiled wiping her tears. Thats how your dad gave his word to Aran bhaiyya and Komal bhabhi.
Amma, leave me alone for sometime.
Khushi...
Amma I heard what I needed to hear. Please leave me alone for sometime. Khushi closed the door after Garima left.
She sat in front of the mirror and recollected everything that happened between her and Arnav.
Their College days..His flirting, teasing. Then all of sudden his anger and rude behavior towards her.
Her one year contribution to his company after her dad pulled her out of NY school. She came to know that she was working for Arnav when he was awarded as youngest entrepreneur and when they aired his interview announcing his company name AR Designs which is the same company for which she worked for an year. When she confronted her dad for hiding the owner of AR Designs, he had no answer. That is also when she realized that she was blamed for none other than Arnav parents death. The reason behind her father's accusation came into light today.
The elders made stupid promises and she was engaged with Arnav. Then they are kept separate...Why? It didnt make any sense to her. Her head ached more and more as she thought about it. She is engaged but she is in love with NK. The only hope she got now is Arnav, who is already aware of her relation with NK. She decided to meet Arnav and plead him to help her.
Papa, I want to meet Arnav. As soon as possible. Thats all she spoke and she left to her room without turning back.
Khushi is very practical and not superstitious like her parents. She literally brushed away her father's accusations. She didnt give damn about what everyone else thought because she knew she did not do any mistake intentionally or unintentionally. As a matter of fact when she connected the dots, she felt sorry for Arnav's loss but never once held herself responsible for it.
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Part 2 Next Post~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edited by deepthiya - 12 years ago
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