Smitar's: Loving Khushi #2 LINK to#3 on Pg 1(13/8) - Page 52

Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation to Section 3 of Part 5.

This update is about the fall of Jhas and is titled THE HOUSE OF CARDS as it was a speculative scheme depending on unstable factors that the planners could not control.

Arnav, in a voice that was low but firm that brooked no argument, made his opinion known loud and clear, that he wanted Shyam to shift in to a house he had taken for rent. It was a blow on the face of Shyam Manohar Jha. It was an indication that there were breakers ahead in what he had thought was a smooth sailing. A shell-shocked Shyam stared at Arnav, at having been landed a blow that he had not even dreamt off. His dream of owning a new house in Delhi was being blown to smithereens. His dream was like a cambric tea, a drink for children, made of hot water, milk, sugar, and usually a small amount of tea. Seeing her husband's face streaked in the hues of red, Anjali who was about to admonish her Chotey, stopped short. She knew she was on dangerous ground and it would be like walking on eggshell. Before Shyam could open his mouth, Nani intervened displaying a surprise on her face, asked Arnav, a rented house? why should Anjali Bitiyaa and Damadji live in a rented house when he had given her 4 houses in Delhi? Mami too asked him in a perplexed tone, why should the sister of Arnav Singh Raizada rent a house? With a smile, that was gentle that was meant to soften the blow, told them it was because, she was now the wife of Shyam Manohar Jha, a thriving lawyer, who works incessantly to meet the needs of his clients. He made known to them the gaping chasm that exists between the two, as his Di and as Mrs. Jha. Nani and Mami frowned at him, as though seeking for more explanations.

Bowing to their silent request, he clarified that he had given his Di four houses at the time of her marriage. All the houses were now leased out as Jijaji just reminded them. As per the terms and conditions placed at the time of lease agreement, the tenants cannot be asked to vacate before the stipulated term. So it was better that Jijaji and Di find a house for rent. He made known to Shyam that his attempts were as futile as gathering clouds. Shyam, furious like a wounded bull, finding his lost voice finally ejaculated hoarsely, a house for rent! He was needed to stay in a leased house? Arnav with a light frown that showed him as though deep in thought with his lips curled, asked Shyam, had he not always stayed in a rented house all his life save the three years with them. As far as he knew, he had never owned a house either in Lucknow or in Delhi. He had been always a tenant and at times a PG. Shyam, with his eyes widened and rounded like an owl's eyes, looked at Khushi who sat with an impassive face. Shyam could not refute Arnav's statement. It was like being in a glass house and throwing stones. There were two, Khushi and Payal who would refute his argument if he does not concur with Arnav as he was a PG in their house. Arnav continued his explanation saying, that Jijaji with his hard work would be having a roaring practice and procuring a good house on lease should not be a problem at all. Here too Arnav had cornered him. He could neither refute nor agree. He was traipsing around a gossamer web. The ladies nodded sagely.

Anjali, looking at Shyam noticed that his nose had flared in disgust while he asked, whether Arnav wanted his Di to stay in a rented house? That too when she is carrying? Shyam himself showed the difference between milk and water. Arnav with a smile told him, that she would be in Delhi and he was sure that Shyam's choice would be befitting her as well as his little princess who would be born there. Shyam was unable to believe that the tables had turned so fast, and everything he had counted on fell short just like a piecrust that was crispy but brittle.

Arnav confessed to Nani and Mami that in an indirect way, he was responsible for this sorry state of affairs. They carefully listened out to him. Shyam breathed a sigh of relief from Arnav's words. It was like an old paper that would crumble at one blow. He too listened to what Arnav had to say sharpening his mind to latch on to any loopholes in Arnav's guilt confession that could benefit him. With Mami asking how was it that he was responsible, he said that normally, a wife stays with her husband after marriage. He encouraged his Di to stay with them even after marriage. That was the mistake he had committed. As Mami and Nani nodded, Anjali protested. Her protest was like a strait that went unnoticed as it was crossed by a bridge. Arnav pretending not to hear it, as though engrossed in his remorse continued saying, that his love for his Di to a fault and his attachment to her in a blind manner, had put her in a fix between being a good sister as well as mother to him and a good wife to Jijaji. He was responsible for the cracks that appeared in their marriage. When Anjali tried to voice her protest, it was like dishwater that could only gurgle and she was once again beaten to it by Nani who concurred with her Chotey. She told that the blame lay with them too. They too wanted her with them all the time and that was one wrong decision. Mami, wiping a tear that was making its way out, lest it spread her kohl added that, they should have given freedom for the love birds to make their own cosy nest after marriage and it was a plight that they could now at least rectify. She asked Shyam to get a good house for rent, a house as good as Shantivan.

Shyam could see his House Of Cards falling down and the Domino Effect taking its root. Arnav appreciated Mami's effort saying she literally took the words off his mouth. And turning to Shyam he asked not to think that they were going to wash their hands off. Shyam once again felt a wave of relief wash over him. He was told by Arnav that he had arranged for a realtor to show him five fully furnished houses in Delhi in an hour's time, making Shyam gasp and Anjali stare at her brother as though he was making some bizarre suggestion. Arnav giving them an encouraging smile told that when once it was decided what was the need to delay and he wanted them to move out that day itself. Turning towards his Di, who like a reed was too weak to rely on and one who was easily swayed and overcome, he told her that she would be able to stay with Jijaji from that day itself. There would be no need either to call him on the sly or starve for him. And Jijaji would not have to hide behind his pots and doors like a thief to see her. An ashen faced Anjali gave a weak smile and took in the stumped look that her husband was sporting. As she began to address her Chotey, he smiled and told her that she wanted him to bring back Jijaji and he has done it. Anjali nodded in agreement. Arnav's reassurance that she wanted to lead a happy life with her husband, and he is making arrangements for that, had her acknowledge with a nod. She thought her Chotey would make things alright and Shyamji would be made to toe the line towards his responsibilities. Her Shyamji who has been in her eyes shining like a knight with his amour, dazzling her with its brilliance, would also shine like a hero in the eyes of their choti rajkumari. It was her sand castle.

Arnav fired the next salvo. Admitting to his stupidity, he told the ladies that he not only made his Di stay in his house but also was shouldering her expenses, which was not proper. Nani nodded agreeing with him and said that Damadji must have been insulted but being a gentleman he was must have held back from uttering a single word. Looking contrite, she asked Shyam for forgiveness for this grave insult meted out to him. This apology from the matriarch of the family was a cause of alarm.

All the happenings made Shyam wonder what was going on? He felt as though he was caught in a twister. Arnav further confessed that Di had been living here with her husband, drawing rent from the houses he gave her. He had also been depositing a huge sum every month in Jijaji & Di's joint account, paying the petrol and service bills of the car he gave Jijaji after his marriage to Di, paying the rent of his office in the city, the office that he had rented for him and refurbished to suit his status as an upcoming lawyer. Hearing all that Arnav had done for his Di and Jijaji, Nani admonished saying he should not have done such things. They were blatant insult to Damadji. He had just succeeded in adding insults to an already injured Damadji's pride by having to stay with them as Ghar Jamaai. Anjali gulped hearing those words. She had never seen even a bit of self respect let alone chagrin at having made Chotey foot bills. Shyam was drenched in a cold sweat. His hopes of Nani and Mami being on his side, was like clinging to a rope of sand while on a steep cliff. Further, Arnav owned up, in addition to depositing monthly allowance into Di's and Jijaji's joint account, to paying Di's credit bills and living expenses. He was downcast for having committed such a blunder and his lack of judgement made him feel ashamed and look down. He was feeling remorse for being party to their predicament, a marriage that had its base on matchwood. Nani remonstrated that he should not have done it. Arnav told her that on hind sight he has realized his folly and turning to Anjali apologized for having put a spanner in her works, by not letting her stay with her husband in a house of her own, for not letting her husband be the head of her house, for stopping Jijaji from taking responsibility of his family. Anjali was one confused soul. Still living inside her bubble, she wondered when she had ever complained so to her Chotey for paying for her clothes and poojas and living expenses and purchases and travel... Arnav tried to convince Anjali by saying that he was sad that she had to face a lot of problems because of him, all the tears she had to shed as she had to live under his roof and not her own with her husband. He told her she was free to do as she pleases and was not bound by responsibilities towards him. He reassured her that she would always be his Di, but first and foremost she would be Shyam Manohar Jha's wife. Nani and Mami were all smiles at the pact of brother-sister duo.

Shyam was so baffled that he was dumbstruck. He glared at the two crones and the crafty Arnav Singh Raizada who had cornered him with finesse. Shyam thought that with a single stroke Arnav had got rid of his Di, a limping baggage and his Jijaji, who had his eyes on Khushiji! It was an emergency and endangerment. He needed time to plot his plan of action ahead. Now revenge with vengeance was the only option. Knowing that it was as futile as to oppose an earthquake with argument, he thought it was better to acquiesce now and gain time. Anjali who was happy, hugged his arms and asked him whether he was not happy? He turned to look at the yoke he had to bear for the past three years on his neck, luckily on an irregular basis. Now she would be behind him weighing him down with her weight 24 hours. She was like the Vetal to his Vikram. What a play of fate! When all he wanted was Khushiji to be with him 24x7, he was stuck with Anjali day in and day out! He knew right now he could not do anything except.. As soon as the thought came, his eyes gleamed like a flintstone and breathed out, hard and still, as a statue might whisper and he said that he would go to the realtor he has arranged. Let Rani Sahiba remain here. Her condition is not condusive to traipse around Delhi... He thought that it was a brilliant strategy to escape by pulling a cobweb over their eyes. He could leave the house and make some excuse not to return, not to select a house that day. Later, in solitude, he could use his crooked brain in peace and come up with some brilliant plans to stop Arnav, even if it meant dispatching him to his parents. It was like china, luring yet fragile, that needed to be handled with utmost care. Arnav with a smile informed him that, when he said that the realtor would be showing him the five houses fit for their use, he meant that he would come over with pictures so that Di can help him to choose the house of her choice. If he were him, he would not dare to get up from that chair. Shyam stared at Arnav forlornly, as forlorn as the night-owl's sob of fear. It was a case of rat being cornered by a cat. Anjali unaware of the by play smiled capaciously, a smile, like the exaggerated reflection of a concave mirror. She thought that her Chotey was extremely thoughtful of his Di's happiness and looking at Nani and Mami she asked, you would be visiting us in our new house won't you? Both nodded in agreement. While Mami asked was it something to be asked of? Of course, they would visit, Nani told her, that they would help her to set up the house. Anjali clapping her hands with glee told that it would be fun shopping for curtains, upholstery, good furniture if she doesn't like what is in the house. Nani and Mami gave her an indulgent smile.Anjali could not see her card house was in danger of falling apart.

Suddenly, Shyam jumped up saying that he has another appointment and he needed to.. saying so his voice trailed off. Anjali showing her displeasure frowned and queried, another appointment? Today? Then how were they supposed to select the house? Arnav with a smile told him that there was no necessity to do anything as he has three brothers-in-law who would meet all his needs. Anjali smiled at Shyamji, excited at the prospect of going to her own home. At that point, NK and Akash entered the room. Their eyes were cold and piercing, like chill, and their faces set in hard lines. Akash shoving Shyam back into the chair asked, why doesn't he take his seat? Shyam sat down quaking like a jelly as once again he was being outwitted. He could now see storm clouds brewing around. Things were not as simple as he had thought of. He needed all his wits to get out of this situation.Then NK and Akash grabbed two chairs and sat on the left of Shyam blocking his exit. NK took out five brochures from his pocket and handed them to Anjali saying, these were the brochures brought by the realtor and he was waiting outside for her to decide on one of them. Not knowing that she was on thin ice, it made Anjali jump about in excitement. Nani and Mami took seats by Anjali to peek into the brochures.

Shyam looked at the Raizadas, feeling hunted like the boar encircled by hunters and hounds, with NK and Akash on his left, Nani and Mami on Anjali's right, his exit effectively blocked, could feel his head spinning. He looked at Arnav, the master-mind who had trapped him. While Arnav looked back at him with amused eyes, Nani and Mami let go of their pretence and their faces revealed all the contempt they felt for the charlatan, the chiseler. Shyam could feel himself sweating profusely. Now Shyam could see the rocks ahead in the murky waters that had surrounded him. Anjali, oblivious to all that was going on around her was engrossed in poring over the details of the houses, exclaiming over the size of the rooms, the location, the sunlight that would enter the dining hall, the gardens. Her eyes and mind were on the minute details showed in the brochures. Shyam pulled at his collar feeling suffocated. He tried to calm himself with pep talk. He told himself that all was not lost. The amount left in the joint account was quite substantial. He could always rent the house Anjali wanted and move in and later through Anjali he could siphon money off Arnav for all the new things that she wanted to buy for the house. Very soon, it would be the beginning of the next month. On the first, with clockwork precision, Arnav would deposit money in to the joint account. He would get the rent of 4 houses... Anyway it was a win-win situation and the risk of moving out was worth it. With Anjali under his clutches and Arnav feeding him with money it would give him more freedom, to travel, to manipulate her, to escape her. He could always make her stay at RM when he was away and that way he would have access here as well as his freedom. He could have his cake as well eat it too! His serpentine mind was cooking various ways to fleece Arnav off his money and assets. He thought it was a crisis from which he could milk out a lot.

When Anjali picked a house and showed it to Arnav, he smiled and asked her to show it to Jijaji. As he was the one who would be paying the rent, his preference mattered. An irked Shyam bit back his ire, as he knew he could not afford the luxury of displaying it, if he wanted to get his way. With a disinterested look he glanced at what Anjali had chosen and found it to be a huge house that would eat quite a chunk of money. Anjali went on babbling about the changes, additions and alterations she needed. Meanwhile it had Shyam grit his teeth and clutch his chair. Anjali asked him whether he liked it for confirmation. As Shyam nodded his assent, Arnav said perfect and HP came out lugging three big cases. HP informed Arnav that he has packed Anjali Di's sarees and cosmetics as he was asked to, earning himself an appreciation from Arnav for his good work and was asked whether he has packed everything. HP listed out all the things and said, that's it, all were packed. Shyam stared at Arnav, snatching furiously at breath, like a tiger snatching at meat, and asked him, he let a servant pack Rani Sahiba's things like jewels and the important documents in her locker? Jumping up, like a strand of hair that was cut short, swayed in the sudden grip of anger he shouted at the top of his voice, making Anjali stare at her husband and wonder what was wrong with him? HP, looking scared like a rabbit that had heard the howl of a wild wolf, wondered whether he would be accused of stealing now. His eyes were on Arnav Bhaiyya for his pronouncement. Before Arnav could utter, Nani spoke out saying, Hari Prakash is not a servant. He is a member of their family. All his brothers have been serving them for years, and they have no doubts regarding HIS or THEIR honesty. She unequivocally made it clear where the doubt lay and whose honesty was at stake. Mami quipped, isn't that so? Arnav with a gentle smile, thanked HP and asked him to go, making HP reel with shock at the wonderous smile and a word of gratitude from Arnav Bhaiyya, an unexpected gesture, that lightened as well as gladdened his heavy heart. He rushed to the kitchen before Arnav Bhaiyya could change his mind.

Arnav turning to Shyam, who was feeling the pinch of their action, said that his concern does him credit, but very much misplaced as there was nothing valuable in Di's room to be stolen. Shyam glared at Arnav, who was sitting his legs crossed showing Shyam that whatever he tries to do, amounted to being a speck of dust on his shoulder that he deemed fit to be brushed aside. Shyam just could not believe what Arnav said. The diamonds, the deeds to the 4 houses, the bank records, the credit cards, all these things were being considered by Saale Sahib as nothing of any value? Just baubles? Shyam huffed and puffed. Shyam was enlightened by Arnav that his Di had given him her diamonds for safekeeping. Anjali beamed at Shyamji thinking how much her cared for her and was taking utmost care of her possessions! Shyam squealed in what? unable to believe what he heard. He felt that he was on quick sand, slipping away from the terra firma. He was also given to understand by a smiling Arnav, who was enjoying playing a smiling silent assassin, that Di had transferred the whole amount in her joint account to his, transferred the ownership of her 4 houses to him. Though her credit cards are in her purse and can use them, he will not be footing those bills and he could very well have that privilege, Jijaji! Arnav said this in a soft voice, his face pleasant as he smiled encouragingly at his Di. Shyam was speechless, turned his head to look at his wife for confirmation. She affirmed by bobbing her head eagerly and saying that, what Chotey said was true and Shyamji need not worry about the diamonds or the cards. For the first time Shyam felt the hazard of marrying Anjali who had Arnav as a brother. Anjali was smiling because her Chotey had explained to her that it was a temporary measure, to be reversed once Shyamji began looking after his small family. Chotey had mentioned a period of three months, after which he would transfer everything back to her name. Now Shyamji would take care of her as her Chotey had been doing for the past many years. She need not worry herself over these things.

Shyam throat was parched and his muscles protested to even swallow a bit. He felt like a serpent struggling in a vulture's grasp. His life had become like gruel, weak and runny, kind of slop, the prisoners were made to eat! Arnav told him that he was welcome to keep his car but he would have to foot all its expenses. Anjali wondered what why was Shyamji silent and standing amidst them while the rest were seated? Arnav without a care of how Shyam would react informed him that he will not be making Di's monthly allowance or take care of the rent of his office and he can take care of them. Now Shyam knew that the fragility of the glass was such that it could not only break but also let the shrads of glass pierce the skin of the one who breaks it while flying all around and he all along had thought Anjali as the glass he could break and thereby Arnav Singh Raizada!

Khushi and Payal looked at each other for they knew the monstrous face of Shyam. It was really quite ugly, his real face. Their fears became reality. Within seconds they were treated to the spectacular display of the real face of Shyam Manohar Jha. Shyam the menace. Shyam bellowed, like a wounded bull, what sort of mischief is this! Anjali jumped seeing this new facet of Shyam that she had never even dreamt about. She had known only the one, the gentle, loving man who always spouted sweet nothings. This man in front of her had little semblance to her husband, Pati Parameshwar. He had never raised his voice in the three years of their marriage. He was an epitome of patience and a soft-spoken person. This man was like a parchment, stiff, flat, thin, decoloured and aflame, lit by burning anger. But now it was as if a door had been opened into a furnace, his eyes were ablaze. Mami placed her hand over Anjali's arm to comfort her, when the truth, a bitter pill spills out. NK and Akash stood up too.

Shyam began his tirade of abuse against Arnav. He said, is that what he was getting in return for putting up with his lame sister for three years? Arrey, even labourers working for a daily wage get a better deal! His words penetrated the haze Anjali had been living in. It penetrated like a gimlet. It bore a hole through the shield she had covered herself with. She stared at this man who was a stranger standing in front of her, shouting. His words, putting up with her, lame, had her shake her head and wonder as to who was this stranger? But her Shyamji had told her that he loved her, that her bad leg did not matter to him.She felt the pinch of his words that went to her heart like shards of glass. Shyam denouncing Arnav, asked him how dare he insult him like that? He was a cheat. He took Khushiji away from him. Anjali stared at the man she had beatified with sainthood. The halo around his head vanished into thin air like a bursted bubble, as she heard his words. Now she could see him for what he really was a knave trickster who was cheap, unfaithful, double-timer, money mad and phony along with being a slickster. Her marriage had been threadbare and she was unable to see it. Continuing his diatribe, Shyam accused Arnav that he knew that he loved Khushiji, she was his life, he was insanely in love with her so much that he was ready to leave Rani Sahiba for her. Knowing it, he had eloped and married her? Shyam listed out his grouse without a care as to who has been listenening to him and its repercussion on his life. He was jeopardizing his life with his Rani Sahiba who was the only support he had. He was like a drowning man, mindlessly flailing his limbs trying to survive but succeeding only to get a watery graveyard quickly. He was digging his own grave in the besotted eyes of Anjali Singh Raizada and getting the curtains down to that phase of life. Hearing his denunciation, Anjali trembled in her chair thinking of the peril she was in. and Mami held on to her firmly. Continuing his ranting, Shyam shouted at Arnav, how dare he take the money that was his due? How dare he dream that he would let him do so? How dare he think that he would have an easy walkover? Arnav, still seated, without even moving a muscle said, that he had earned the money and worked for it.

Shouting out his invective, Shyam said he earned it too and asked Arnav, does he think it was easy to run into his sister at the temple, to make her believe he loved her, live with her and her bad leg, put up with her tears and her whining...? Anjali stood up on shaky legs her whole body shaking like a leaf. She was like a weeping willow, her face downcast. Mami and Nani supported her while Payal moved closer to her. Shyam, continued his harangue much to Anjali's discomfiture. He shouted, now he was saddled with the brat! Carry her burden too! How dare he be cheated of the much deserving money? Shyam tried to catch Arnav by his collar and drag him out of the chair. Shyam's action was that of a demented man forgetting that he was not the threat to them but they were the threat to his very existence amidst luxury.

NK and Akash restrained Shyam by his arms before he could touch Arnav. Arnav stood up slowly, facing Shyam. At the soft cry, Shyamji, coming from behind, Shyam turned around to see Anjali standing there with tears pooled in her eyes, like honey dew, gathered upon the almost withered lily. Keeping an ice on her sore heart, she told him that Khushiji was right, Payalji, NK Bhai all had spoken the truth and she alone was blind as any noon day owl, with the belief that he was true to her! Slight light seem to pierce through a small crevice into his brains. Suddenly a redder light shone as if the very gates of hell were swung ajar. He realized what he was talking, where he was talking and in front of whom. He was letting himself open to be imperiled. All the anger suddenly dissipated and he tried to backtrack calling out, Rani Sahiba..., only to hear Anjali whisper back, Don't Rani Sahiba me ever again, you rogue, you schemer. Such a betrayal! So much of lies! Shyam tried to take hold of her by her shoulders. Moving back, and raising her hand, she let her hand administer brisk slap to his cheek, the resounding thud reverberating through the Raizada Mansion. Shyam was left clutching his left cheek, for his fragile looking Rani Sahiba had packed a mean punch. Her stentorian announcement, get out, get lost, she never wants to see him again, had her brothers rush to fulfill her wishes while she clung to her Chotey weeping her heart out for being such a short-sighted moron!

Her feelings are depicted perfectly in this bit of poem.

"As the drained fountain, filled with autumn leaves,
The field swept naked of its garnered sheaves;
So wastes at noon the promise of our dawn,
The springs all choking, and the harvest gone"
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

The dreams of both the Jhas, Shyam Manohar Jha and his wife, Anjali Shyam Manohar Jha, had toppled like a House Of Cards and the Domino Effect of it was the end of Shyam Manohar Jha's days as a freeloader at RM and the re-emergence of Anjali Singh Raizada, who kept the trust of her brother and his belief in the strength of their love for each other intact. With Arnav Singh Raizada pulling the rug out from under Shyams' feet, he proved that he was a force not to be toyed with. But there exists a parallel force that he has to contend with and that is Khushi Kumari Gupta, Singh Raizada for the time being. Now, he needs to concentrate on this aspect or else his marriage too will be like a House Of Cards. Lets see what will be the Domino Effect of this, on his marriage.

That is why this is titled THE HOUSE OF CARDS.

"A fine glass vase goes from treasure to trash, the moment it is broken. Fortunately, something else happens to you and me. Pick up your pieces. Then, help me gather mine"

~ Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.