Smita,
Here is the interpretation to Section 1 of Part 4.
This update is about preparations. Prepare for something difficult, dangerous or undesirable.
The expression, BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES, says it all.
What exactly does batten down the hatches mean?
It is a nautical expression that means to seal the hatches against the storm.
In sailing ships there were openings in the deck of a ship - Ships' hatches, that were normally either open or covered with a wooden grating to allow for ventilation of the lower decks. When bad weather was imminent, the hatches were covered with tarpaulin and the covering was edged with wooden strips, known as battens, to prevent it from blowing off. Not surprisingly, sailors called this 'battening down'.and hence the expression batten down the hatches.
It is now used to mean to prepare yourself for a difficult period by protecting yourself in every possible way.
As Arnav paced the room, deep in thought of the best way to protect his family, from the evil intent of Shyam Manohar Jha, he paused by the bed and gazed at the relaxed face of Khushi deep in sleep. Her fair skin had taken a pearly glow and it was a sight that soothed his frayed nerves. He was having his hands full, fighting the dual battles simultaneously. One was about keeping Khushi by his side forever, the other was about safeguarding Di by exposing Shyam's intentions in front of Di. The two women whom he needed in his life were becoming distant from him. He needed to buck up and buck the odds. The need of the time was to formulate the plan and execute it flawlessly, for if it went awry, he had much to loose. Khushi's words kept reverberating in his mind. She and Mami looking for him, placing themselves in danger, taking Shyam and his goons headlong, looking at the security footage, her views about Shyam, Shyam's ego, his greed for money, his glib tongue, his willingness to stoop to any level to get what he wanted, even to the extent of murder and kidnapping, his lack of love for Di, his belief that Arnav would do anything for his Di's happiness. As her words rang in his head, the seed Khushi had sown unwittingly, sprouted into an idea. He realized that Shyam's greed was his need and it was the key. His mammoth ego, his smooth double pronged tongue, his greed for money, his lack of love for Di, his belief that Di's Chotey would do anything for his Di were the very things that could be exploited to trap the legal brain, Shyam Manohar Jha. His idea could be used, but it would be a gamble. A very big risk that he needed to take though if failed its repercussions may be severe. But it was a risk worth taking for what was at stake, if it could help them get rid of Shyam Manohar Jha. For that he needed to fortify. He needed to set things up, he needed to arm himself with a defense that was impenetrable by Shyam.
Looking at Khushi's face he knew that she was not a fair weather person. She would stand by him not just during the happy times but even in times of trouble. She was his strength now. How could he have ever doubted it? Her strength was always there but unseen, like a song waiting for you to sing. Her knowledge, courage, power, wisdom, love everything guised under her chirpy nature. She had carried it within her and had hovered around him and his family, like a guardian dove. As he watched her, her words rushed to his mind. Her views on his family and how they had their heart in the right places, how much he could depend on their support was coming vividly to his mind. Her words had impressed him, reiterated to him that all was not lost. His Di now mesmerized by her husband could be brought into their fold. When he was in dilemma and despair about his Di, Khushi had shown the path. Di might become agitated at being shown the true face of Shyam but she had enough strength on her own, their family's as well his, to overcome it. Di needed to be shown who Shyam really was and what he was upto. Knowing this he had to reach out to his family for their help and mobilize their support. So far he had been a one-man army who used to fight all the battles by himself, protecting Di as well as his family. But now the time has come to take them into confidence and operate jointly. He needed them by his side and he would seek their support. To overcome this difficult patch in Di's life, he had to chalk out his plan with care and put it in place, as soon as possible.
When Khushi woke up in the morning, her eyes strayed towards his side of the bed, seeking his presence. It looked neat and unslept. An anxious Khushi sat up in a flash, only to see him sitting on the recliner with his eyes planted on her. They stared at each other and in that moment, seeing his calm face and eyes shining brightly, she realized that he had prepared his plan of action and asked him so. Arnav nodded and told her that he had a day and at the most two, to set all things up to his satisfaction and let the ball roll. Khushi though listening to him intently was silent. Arnav sought her help. He was not ashamed to seek it from Khushi, who had seen him when in dumps, desolate at the time of his kidnap. Khushi nodded and he continued to say, he needed to talk to the family and get in touch with Mr. Roy, his lawyer. Khushi nodded once again. Arnav stated that he wanted her by his side when he spoke to the family but Khushi warned him that he was making his task cumbersome. Her presence would hinder him in his endeavour. Arnav with a smile that lit up his face told her that he was ready to risk. He knew now whatever happens he cannot and will never ask Khushi to stay away. Be it Di or the family, Khushi would not be sidelined and made a scapegoat for someone's misconception. Getting up he walked up to her and held her in a tight hug. As she wiggled to get away, he pulled her tighter into his arms. This was one place he loved securing the hatches. He wanted Khushi to be an integral part of his life and was very much a part of this plan too.
At breakfast, it was the replay of previous night. Rest of the family barring Khushi, cajoling Anjali to have a few morsels and she adamantly refusing was the jist of it. She continued with her strong, wanting the return of Shyam-fuelled hysterics. Her unreasonable behavior, throwing tantrums like a petulant kid bordering insolence had Mami and Nani in tears. Payal, NK and Akash were an anxious lot at Anjali's unwavering decision to starve even if it was at the expense of her unborn child. Arnav knew he had to strengthen his family against this onslaught of tears and emotional blackmail by his Di.
Arnav asked the family to let him deal with his Di alone. Unwillingly they moved out and gathered in the hall. Arnav asked the newly appointed nurse to keep a close eye on Di and went to lock the wicket gate at the steps from the yard to the terrace, effectively cutting off any trespassers, in particular, Shyam Manohar Jha. This was a first step towards fortifying. He handed the key to Khushi for safekeeping telling her what he had done and it would make Shyam unable to reach Di, even if she calls. Khushi heaved a sigh of relief. When he asked her whether she could be with him as he talked to the family, without uttering a word, putting down her comb she walked along with him. HP was setting the table for breakfast. At Arnav's beck, HP came to him. In a soft voice, Arnav told him that he had noticed that the glass of the windows and the door leading to the garden in Di's room were not very clean. Hearing this HP thought, Arnav Bhaiyya would go through the roof and tear a strip off him. He stood still, bracing himself against the storm, knowing fully well that he would be hauled over the coals. Arnav told him that he should clean them now, as Di was awake. She would otherwise be disturbed by the noise if it was done when she sleeps. HP was stumped to see the calm demeanour of his master! That too instructions came in a soft voice! HP nodded in a hurry and quickly went to Anjali's room to do his bidding. While he was moving away, Arnav asked him to get the maid to change the drapes in Di's room now itself. HP scooted to inform the maid and collect the cleaning stuff to clean the windows that were squeaky clean. Arnav whispered to Khushi that he had a nurse appointed exclusively for Di who would monitor her 24 hours. As Khushi looked on he let on to her that HP and the maid will be in the garden right outside Di's room, till they return. Di won't be able to call Shyam and even if he graces them with his presence, he won't be able to get in without being seen. As Khushi nodded he set about to do the next thing that needed to be done that was tackling the family. Once he had his Di's hands tied up against contacting Shyam, grasping Khushi's hand in his, he led the way to the hall where the rest had gathered.
Once the breakfast was done, Arnav had all assembled in Nani's room. He enlightened them all about Shyam adding Buaji's, Amma's, Khushi's and his experiences with him and topped it with Shyam's last visit to RM, the previous day. When he finished, Nani's heart wept for her granddaughter. Thinking of the heart ache and the heart break that was in the offing for her only granddaughter, her tears fell over her weathered cheeks like a fretful stream over boulders. When she voiced out how sad Anjali Bitiyaa would be, Arnav told her in the voice he always reserved for his Nani, where words dropped upon the ear as soft as rose leaves on a wall, that if left as it is without taking any action, Shyam might kill her as well as her baby. This thought left them silent and troubled, like the seas that were vexed by the warring winds. Arnav put forth his plan before them and honed it with their input. Soon he had, all of them involved in his plans and a retrieval squad set up for mission Rescue Anjali Singh Raizada. Arnav lead his team to Anjali's room to begin their mission, with Khushi waiting outside. He reminded them that the first phase was depriving contact medium and to succeed, Di's phone and the nurse's phone needed to be removed from Di's reach. While the rest would engage themselves in distracting Di and then removing her cell phone, Payal was asked to call the nurse out and take her phone from her. Noting well, what was assigned to them, they entered. As they entered, the nurse stood up, while Anjali, unaware of them, was engrossed in watching HP clean the window while her eyes were spitting fire. The maid was about to leave after changing the drapes. One look at his Di's face made Arnav sigh inwardly, that it was just the beginning! She was already worked up and set to blow her top. Taking their cue from Arnav, HP and the maid left the room. Payal drew the nurse aside and asked her softly to bring her luggage along and follow her to the room prepared for her. While they were on their way, Payal requested Mona, the nurse, that if she would have no objection, could she keep her phone downstairs, for just 2 days. They don't want Di to be disturbed by the ringtone. She knows that the phone could be kept on silent mode, but they would like her to keep a close watch on Di. If she was distracted by calls, it would create a problem. Payal's request in a kind and soft voice went down well with the nurse and she immediately complied. Soon Payal led her to her room. One source of contact that had the possibility of being utilized was fastened tight.
Arnav, as soon as he entered asked his Di how she was, while his eyes were searching for the object of their objective. Noting that it was on the night stand on her left side, he took a seat on her right side. It made Anjali turn herself to look at him. He had placed him in such a way that she would not even have the peripheral vision of the cell phone. He informed her that it was he who had asked HP and the maid to clean the room, as the air that the mother breathes if polluted, is harmful to the baby too. Mami quickly slipped in and clambered on to the bed hindering Anjali's view of her phone even a bit if it was there, abetting her Saasumma in her foray, as Nani made a phone thieving incursion. Arnav cupping Di's face asked her to eat something but she was adamant. Nani taking the phone passed it on to Akash. When Arnav pleaded his Di to have atleast a glass of milk if not a morsel, Anjali who was about to refuse was beaten by her Chotey's, won't you do it at least for my sake? While Arnav had her engaged, Akash slipped it into NK's hands. Anjali was put in a fix. She felt she was torn into two between her love for her husband and her Chotey. But to everyone's amazement, her love towards her brother overpowered her love for her husband. Her love for her husband was great, but not so great that it could wipe away the memories of a shared childhood and the deep love she had for her papad ka tukda. Looking properly at his face, she found lines of stress etched on it, nodding that she would drink the milk, asked him softly, whether he had his medicines. When it came to the crux of the matter, it was Chotey's Di who prevailed over Shyam Manohar Jha's hoodwinked wife. Arnav nodded at her and hugged her pressing her head against his shoulder as NK slipped out silently and passed the phone to Khushi. With this done, they had effectively cut off Di from communicating with Shyam. Arnav had secured the hatch around Anjali.
Fourteen years back, one murky day, standing on the lawns of Sheesh Mahal after being booted out of their home by their uncle, Arnav Singh Raizada, then Arnav Mallik, had vowed to protect his Di. He had vowed to make sure that she was safe and happy all her life. And he would do it, despite her actions to endanger her own life. He would not let that creep Shyam either take advantage of her or harm her. He was now prepared to combat Shyam. Arnav had come a long way from the vulnerable fourteen year old to the present confident young man who had seen the world. Then he was helpless and a green-horn to the ways of the world to protect her as he too was exposed to it. But now he was equipped to protect her through her difficult phase of life.
"Our past is the forge upon which we are hardened and tempered, to prepare us for the present. We are like a fine blade that must be hammered into shape before it can be ready to make its finest cuts"
~Larry Atchley Jr.
Getting the cell phone, Khushi, rushed to her room and switched it off, while NK rushed off to get a glass of milk for Di. Later, Arnav, with Khushi sitting by his side told his family that with the cell phone out of her range, all contact between the two, Shyam and Di have been cut off. NK listed out to Arnav, the gate was locked, no cell phone to contact, Shyam can't walk in through the front door, so all possible sources of contact have been cut off. But the sharp brained Mami threw in a query, what if he tries to sneak in late at night like a thief? Nani declared that she would sleep with Anjali Bitiyaa and the nurse could sleep in the room allotted to her. All thought, with Nani sharing the bed with Anjali, Shyam would not be able to converse with her even if he sneaks in. Arnav muttered that he did not want to beef up the security lest Shyam gets the inkling as to the rest being in the know. He wanted Shyam to feel secure, that no one was privy to his clandestine meetings with his Rani Sahiba and he was having an upper hand. Akash giving a side hug assured his Bhai not to worry as they were all there for Di. Mami announced that she and Payaliyaa would hover around Anjali Bitiyaa all through the day and would see who would dare to cut through their shield to meet her. Akash volunteered to work from home sitting in the garden right outside Di's room. NK too volunteered to join him in their vigil. Arnav agreed. Arnav was successful in mobilizing his family into taking turns for continuous vigilance without Anjali being aware of it. With at least one member of the family hovering around her he had successfully buttoned up the possibility of Shyam having an access to Anjali.
Arnav told them that he was needed in the office as he had a meeting scheduled with Mr. Roy and he needed to set things in motion. All nodded but their faces were grave. They were reminded of the kidnapping that had occurred and the danger that Arnav faced due to the greed of one man to deprive him of his wealth, the result of his toil. Both Arnav and his family had realized that they needed to safeguard themselves, for any one of them could held in ransome for his wealth. So he had sought the legal brains of Mr. Roy to secure the hatches, in this forte that Shyam Manohar Jha excelled in.
As Arnav got ready to leave, he looked at Khushi. Silently she got up and walked with him to the main door. Placing his bag down, he hugged her tight. Khushi caught unaware stood still for a moment and then slowly her arms looped around his shoulders to support herself as her legs were giving away. After a long moment, he whispered his gratitude and said if not for her... Khushi with a sardonic smile told him that, if not for her, he would not have had to deal with such a difficult situation. Arnav with a smile that said it was a welcome difficulty if it meant she was staying in his life buried his face in the lush waves of her silky hair that played with his breath. Taking in her fragrance said that if she was the difficulty in his life, she was also the solution. He knew that she was the one and the only one who could prepare him for all the troubles he would have to face. She was the one who had shown him the path he needed to take. She was the one who had given him the strength to face it. She was the one who showed where his strength and Shyam's weakness lay. She was the one who made him come out of his desolation and take the action. She was the one who made him realize that there was yet some hope in the situation. She was the one who led him to believe that his Di's life could be still salvaged with some tough decisions. For she taught him that he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed, that means, he who forges ahead with the feeling of oneness, sincerity of intention, and a steadiness of mind, that constitute the requirements when under duress and affliction, can only succeed or else they would be like a wave driven with the wind and tossed about. It was Khushi who planted the idea of the necessity to batten down the hatches and Arnav executed it faultlessly so far using his shatir dimaag.
That is why this is titled BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES.
"I believe luck is preparation meeting opportunity. If you hadn't been prepared when the opportunity came along, you wouldn't have been lucky"
~ Oprah Winfrey
That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.
Edited by rulama - 12 years ago
CID
10