IIT meets DU - Removed * Note on Page 105 * - Page 53

Part 24 B : Can of Worms

They took the elevator to the tenth floor and then climbed the final flight of stairs for the terrace. Khushi was really curious but thought better and acted nonchalant whereas our IIT Prince practised his new found ability to keep his mouth shut. Their teachers would be so proud of the pin drop silence they maintained.

A spectacular view of the Manhattan cityscape lay ahead and Khushi stood near the railings but still a little away. Though due to Arnav's mission her acrophobia was not that prominent but its vestiges still lurked around in her mind.

He immediately recognized her hesitation seeing her standing a little away from the railing, her back facing him. At least she is better than before. He closed the terrace door behind him and started speaking before she put forward any other stupid demand of hers.

"Time for some serious talk" Devi Maiyya put away her crossword puzzle and sat attentively in her chaise lounge with a command " Let's get the ball rolling ! "

Without any hesitance Arnav began "Aarav and I are twins - identical twins, I have already told you that long back. By meeting him, you must have realised look wise how similar we are " he took a pause to take a deep breath and said "I am elder to Aarav by 3 minutes." Khushi turned a bit in acknowledgement and then again got back to staring the platinum swathed skyline.

"You two are very similar. I would have confused him for you, had I not known better "

"How did you distinguish? I mean what sets us apart? " Arnav was curious

"Cut it Arnav, I think you wanted to tell me about Aarav " she was in no mood to fan his ego.

Arnav shook his head and continued "Of course! Didn't it surprise you that he is CFO at such a young age? " he questioned as the atmosphere plunged from playful and light to grave and serious.

"I guess he is qualified. You told me once that he went abroad for his studies" she shrugged.

"Do your homework Khushi. It always helps to know the opponent" he said "For the record, he didn't complete his graduation from US. Yes, he did get admitted to Princeton University for Bachelors in Economics but he didn't complete the course"

Khushi was surprised to say the least and turned around to face him.

"My father's health started suffering few years back and Aarav being the dutiful son, promptly returned to help him. I admit he is a very good son, one I could never be! He hardly needed any Bachelors or MBA degree for salvaging the situation at Raizada Corporations. Business and manipulation is in his blood " Arnav's voice was devoid of emotions.

"It is in yours too" she interrupted. Arnav gave a bitter smile and continued looking her in eye "I am a businessman's son, Khushi! and a brother just by birth , it is not my thing. What does your Paulo Coelho call it - personal calling. It is not my personal calling "

" You are not making sense " confusion muddled her brain.

"Ok , so let's start from the beginning. Get ready for your bedtime story Cinderella" he smiled wryly. It was not his playful endearment and she knew that.

"My father built his business from the scratch. Business was his passion, his lifeline, his addiction and it came before everything else for him , even his family was secondary. In my father's bible every business kingdom has only one king. Hardly any business has survived with two people at the helm. If there is more than one heir, it always disturbs the equilibrium, they kill each other in wake of cut throat competition or the business splits up after a major court room battle. My father always wanted a lone heir, unfortunately his calculations went wrong when we were born - twins, that too twin boys. He didn't want his hard - built business to suffer a downfall or division in future. So he started a game of his own. He watched us growing with a hawk eye. It's said that among twins - one is strong and the other is weak. It's sort of scientific information, right from the time in the womb; the twins have a fight for survival, initially the fight is for nutrition, later for being the first to come out of the womb". Arnav paused divulging into his past and after few moments he continued "My father decided to continue that fight between us even after we were out of our mother's womb. He used to indulge us in bicycle race, swimming, etc and used to watch who comes as the winner. Both of us never realised we were being manipulated or scrutinized for our capabilities and my father's seemingly innocuous competition drove the wedge between us from a very early age."

Khushi had a shocked and disbelieving look on her face which indicated that she was having a hard time to believe what he was saying.

"Let me give you an example. When we were in third grade, I got an A grade whereas Aarav got a B grade, so my father gifted me a bicycle whereas Aarav wasn't. He was always partial to the topper or winner "

"Seriously? How does it matter - A or B? That too you were just in third standard! " Khushi was dumbfounded.

"I know the logic is skewed but painfully true. He wanted to instil a sense of competition between us so that he could know who was better and decide his heir from our victories. Fortunately for us we had our Ma to maintain the equilibrium between us despite dad's shameful tactics, till she passed away" he said. His eyes having a faraway look and a yearning in them." Ma used to balance out dad's shrewdness with her love. She loved us both equally and unconditionally. We fought for the first position in class at school in the morning but coiled up on our mothers lap together in the evening " he tried to control his emotions which was trying to overwhelm him at the mention of his mother.

"I know it is hard for you to understand Khushi since you are the only child. You never had to fight for love and care from your parents" she turned away from him hearing this, he didn't know her past. Arnav, didn't notice this, he continued "Everyone who has a sibling experiences some sort of comparison - made intentionally or unintentionally by the parents. But this competition often aids us to perform better as we have a benchmark to look up to. After Maa's death, things spiralled out of control for Aarav and me because the competition spilled into our everyday activities making even the routine tasks some sort of sporting event where we had to showcase our excellence. Our father knew very well that young minds are easiest to mould and can be shaped, hence Arjun Singh Raizada did what he wanted, he created a big rivalry among his sons which lead me to hate Aarav and vice versa. Till date, I never had a civil conversation with Aarav, forget sibling bond or banter. I think Akash and I was more of brothers than Aarav and me. As I told you, our father created this competition between us to select the heir of the Raizada conglomerate. One who wins with inherit everything and the other would have to be happy with a measly share in inheritance" he paused.

"Growing up days always witnessed we brothers being at loggerheads for each and everything as we tried to outdo each other. It was kind of an impasse - sometimes he would succeed and other times me. Call it the disadvantage of being twins - we were almost identical in our abilities, just as we are in our looks"

Khushi's curiosity shot up several magnitudes on the Richter scale as she heard the story of Arnav which he had buried within him for years, she moved towards him, bridging the distance between them.

"When Ma died we were just 14 , I went into depression and completely lost interest in this ongoing competition of dad's 'win-every-race-then-only-u-will-b-my-heir'. Ma was my support system and her... her death kind of rattled me to the core. I withdrew into my shell, got involved with a bad crowd and lost my dad's love. It was then, Manohar Chacha took me under him and from then on I lived with my Chacha and Chachi till I got selected in IIT and moved to hostel"

"And Aarav? " she couldn't resist asking.

"He wasn't close to Ma ever. Though he was disturbed after her passing away, he coped up soon, stayed with my father and started contributing big time in business. He went on to assist him in an overseas project when he was just 17. And by assisting I don't mean just taking notes and sitting on the sidelines, he was a very active participant in the drafting of the final deed."

Khushi's mouth hung open. Jeez ! He drafted the final deed at 17 !

"I know, he is a business wizard, a sharp player " Arnav smiled wryly.

"You have caught a mole he planted in your company?" He questioned her with a smile. There was a hint of admiration and pride in his voice

She nodded absentmindedly.

" Well ! He won't take it lightly. The very fact he is here signifies that he has everything planned and in control. He is an expert at cornering his opponents and getting things done his way. Call him master manipulator if you want to. If I am right about my dear twin brother he already has a plan in place. I don't know exactly what it is but I have seen him play his opponents and trust me he is too good. I believe that's why he is here now "

Khushi shook her head to clear her mind and asked " Why are you worried so much - if he is some sort of business wizard, my father is no less. Xenflox wasn't inherited by him. I guess he will handle it just fine" she couldn't help but point out the virtues of her father.

"I hope so. I really hope so. I am not worried about your father but you". There was a pause when they both stared at each other; surprise written in Khushi's eyes while Arnav's eyes were unreadable.

"I will tell you something - Do you remember Yasmin Media which published an influential political magazine? When Khushi nodded, he continued " Yasmin Media was acquired by Raizada Corporations for peanuts. All thanks to my genius brother. Aarav had done some essential snooping on Zeeshan Malik , son of Chand Malik. His shady political dealings were bought to the forefront which caused a domino effect and the market worth of the company rapidly decreased as its articles and sources were deemed untrustable. Cutting the story short - he can do anything to get what he wants. It won't hesitate in planting some false evidence or getting private photos leaked or for the matter anything Khushi...anything... I will get in touch with Manohar Chacha to see what I can get hold of but I guess it will be futile. " Arnav's agitation could be felt in his words and his next words oozed out his concern for her.

"I just don't want you to become his target. Please be careful, it is not as simple as it seems. Promise me" he tucked a wayward strand behind her ears as she gazed deep into his gray eyes, burning with concern and sincerity. They stood there staring at each other, brown orbs to gray eyes, lost in each other, while the tranquil evening breeze blew on the terrace.

The fact that he opened up on his family because he was concerned for her , warmed her heart. She had numerous questions flooding in her mind but... this would suffice for now.

" I will be careful . I promise"