IPKKND SS: How Kunal Roy Won (Chap. 10) UPD:8/02 - Page 46

CHAPTER 10

Kunal sensed, rather than saw, the dark thundercloud behind him. Instantly guessing why Arnav Singh Raizada was seething and hovering in the background like a villain from a slasher flick, Kunal couldn't help the evil grin that twisted his mouth. Gently kissing the little angel on his lap, Kunal gave in to his inner devil (never quite as "inner" as it should be) and agreed with Naina saying that "Mamaji was, unfortunately, not a man who knew anything about women. He was---and not to put too fine a point on this--- basically an idiot."

Arnav fumed, the air around his head growing steadily darker with the smoke of his outrage. Kunal, cuddling the little girl in his lap, knowing how interested an audience he had right behind him, now happily went on. Kunal was enjoying himself, as he told Naina how he, Naina's new favorite Uncle Kunal, had long thought that Khushi Mami-ji had married Mama-ji because she had accidentally gotten married to her charity project and was now stuck with a rude, silly, mean bear as a husband.


"Such tragedies can happen when these extremely soft natured women like your Khushi Mamiji meet men they feel very sorry for," said Kunal, comfortingly stroking Naina's head as he heard white, perfectly even teeth grinding loudly behind him.

Naina, a little confused by how swiftly this new uncle had agreed with her sulky outburst, turned and saw her Mamaji standing two feet away behind the sofa, clearly ready to do murder.

"She's a smart kid..." Kunal thought, as Naina, without another word immediately wriggled down the seat, and dashed away from the living room with alarming, if understandable speed. Turning his head to regard the furious man behind him, Kunal smiled, and asked Arnav to have a seat, and join him to enjoy the tea he was about to be served. Poor Anjali watched the entire scene with horror, as her brother's faced darkened and his eyes shone with that very special, very scary light.

"There will be a murder, and this man will die in my house. not by his enemies, but by my brother"though Anjali, as she stumbled in through the kitchen door, half running, half sprinting, with the tea tray held in her shaking arms. Kunal immediately got up to take the tray from her at the exact moment that Arnav reached her side, to perform the same action. Two men, one smiling lazily, one with lock jawed, furious eyes stood before her, both waiting for her to choose who would take the tray and help her sit down.


"And I thought getting Mr Roy to use my ideas was going to be hard!" thought Anjali, dismayed and charmed by her two would-be heroes at the same time. This was almost as awkward as that first night with the robe!

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"Di! How awful of you! I told you to wait for me so I could take that tray! Give it here!" And, like a blessing from the gods, a smiling Khushi appeared from absolutely nowhere, taking the problem literally out of Anjali's hands. Setting the laden tray down, dressed in a beautiful blue sari, and looking bright eyed and refreshed, Khushi started to hand snacks and drinks all around. Kunal, before he knew what hit him, found himself sitting across from Arnav, a full plate in his hands. He watched appreciatively as Khushi somehow made her tense, about to do murder husband sit, drink his coffee, and even smile as she chattered on, including them all in a torrent of conversation.


Kunal was as aware of Khushi's talents as anyone could be. He had, after all, known that Khushi Gupta was a force to be reckoned with from the days of doing the coverage during "The Love Story On Page Three." But now he saw how firsthand how formidable she truly was as she effortlessly smoothed the tension in the room. Like a seasoned politician, Khushi gently directed her volatile husband into calmer waters, tossed teasing comments to him, and gave Anjali a chance to relax and enjoy Kunal's company. Khushi herself was sweet to Kunal, including him in jokes and pleasant discussions that charmed him, even as he realized he was being skillfully managed by a very smart woman.

A few times Kunal looked up to see her unexpectedly shrewd, thoughtful eyes studying him closely, but he would blink, and Khushi would again just be a charming hostess, smiling and entertaining her guests.

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The evening finally drew to close, and when Kunal got up to leave, Arnav Singh Raizada sprang up, almost shadowing his footsteps to the door. Kunal exchanged a grin with Khushi as he was very obviously "escorted" out of Raizada Mansion, and was pleased when she twinkled merrily back at him, as if she got the joke on how her husband was behaving.

"The smartest thing you ever did, Raizada, was to catch that woman when she fell into your arms, and then keep her there" said Kunal as he fished for his car keys. Arnav, who had come out to give strict instructions to the security guards to NEVER let this man though the gates again, paused to look at that bas***d Roy. A reluctant smile crossed Arnav's face, and he nodded his head, slightly, fully in agreement.

"How is she feeling now?" asked Kunal still looking for his keys.

Leaning against Kunal's BMW that was parked in his driveway, Arnav wasn't sure if he wanted to talk to this man at all, much less discuss anything about Khushi. But the nimbu paani thing had worked wonders where twelve different doctors' remedies had failed to give Khushi any relief. What if this bas***d knew more natural, homeopathic ways to help his jaan? Reluctantly, Arnav replied: "She is looking better, I tried your mother's recipe, this evening, and it did the trick. She has bad nights though, and I am worried about how much it affects her strength, so if there is any other thing you can suggest..."

The conversation went on, as Kunal listened to Arnav's worries about Khushi's health, and gave his own opinions about what had worked for his sisters during their many pregnancies. Arnav listened to all this seriously, taking notes and asking questions. Talking and discussing Khushi's health, the two men strolled away from the driveway, walking towards the potting room near the end of the garden where there was a night-light, so Kunal could call his mother for more pregnancy care tips for the worried tycoon.

Kunal's car, sitting deserted and alone the driveway, hummed gently, as the little green light on the device stuck to the under carriage switched to red.

And, so, it was their concern for Khushi's morning sickness that ultimately saved both Kunal Roy and Arnav Singh Raizada's lives when the car-bomb exploded, tonguing the night air with rabid red-gold flames, rending the peaceful stillness with its ear singing, explosive fury.