Chapter 23
Three weeks later, a somewhat desolate Arnav entered his suite in Devgarh palace. Things were not looking up for him these days. His mother had stuck to her words, not speaking to him at all. It hurt. Damn it, it hurt so much. His Dadi did speak to him but only briefly and only to ask for his progress on locating Khushi. On the other hand, Maan Singh was having no luck for the gypsy tribe had moved again and he had lost track in the one week when he had reported to him. Only Anjali spoke to him, encouraging him not to give up hope.
Hope! Such a little word and such weight it carried! It was this hope that was carrying him along. Having always been very close to his mother, it hurt that she didn't even look at him. But then he couldn't blame her. In these three weeks, he had understood that she was not speaking to him because he had treated Khushi badly. Rather she didn't speak to him because of her disappointment in him. A disappointment that had its roots in the utter lack of respect he had shown a girl. It was more to do with the fact that he had actually contemplated having an innocent girl as his mistress while marrying another innocent girl. Spoiling two lives with his arrogance. It was Anjali who kept on giving him hope. It was his Di who kept on encouraging him. Otherwise he would have given up hope long ago. Hope could keep a person going when all else did not and it was that same loss of hope that made a person helpless beyond thoughts. He wondered if Khushi had had hopes when she had come to him that long ago night. Had his response made her lose hope; feel helpless and betrayed. It must have, he decided.
He slowly changed his clothes and deep in thought, went downstairs. He had to visit Thakur Alok's stables this morning. He had all been for sending the stable master in his place to check on the progress of his mares but then a thought had occurred to him. The thought of Charan and little Aniket; he wanted to look at that proud but hurt animal and his sickly little friend. He actually looked forward to coming across them today.
He came downstairs and went in the salon where the ladies of his house could be found in the day time. Sure enough, they were inside, talking amongst themselves. Conversation ceased when he appeared in the doorway. His mother looked at him, giving him a cold, blank look and his heart plummeted. Grimly he came inside and said:
"Dadi, Ma, I am going to Thakur Alok's stables and will be back shortly." He received no replies. Determinedly he bent down and touched his Dadi's feet. She blessed him without saying anything. When he turned to Mamta, she deliberately didn't do anything, not even blessing him. With a heavy heart he straightened and looked at Anjali. She gave him an encouraging smile and feeling slightly better, he walked out. He went to the stables and collecting Sultan, rode over to the stables...
On the other side, Garima was supervising the maids serving breakfast in Shashi Gupta's house. At the breakfast table, Shashi and Aniket sat in their chairs. Shashi studied Aniket's downbent head as the youngster concentrated on dipping his paratha in chai and eating it. A smile curved his mouth as he recalled the first time it had happened. Aniket didn't like yoghurt and just about tolerated vegetables but he adored paratha. Not to mention that he had been very sick. It had been a chore to get him to eat enough to build his strength. Garima had been coaxing him to eat his paratha and yoghurt at least but he only ate the paratha and drank the sweet milky tea that Garima made so well. So he had suggested to Garima that it might be better to allow him to dip the paratha in his tea and have it. Desperate to have her charge eating well, Garima, always such a stickler for protocol and proper behaviour, had agreed with alacrity. The end result was that Aniket adored that particular food and insisted on having it even now when he was much better than before and fast regaining his strength.
Garima had her ghoonghat slightly in front of her face to hide it as she served breakfast. She gave an approving glance at Aniket who was eating his meal with obvious enjoyment. She shifted her gaze to her employer and saw him smiling at Aniket. She stared at him without his noticing and felt a blush climbing her cheeks as she noted that he had a beautiful smile indeed. Not to mention that he was a good looking man who had an even kinder and generous heart. He had opened his heart and home to little Aniket and would protect him with his life even. He was what was termed a good man indeed. Shifting on her feet, she lowered his eyes to the table, feeling silly for staring and blushing and thanking her lucky stars that he couldn't see this.
A slight movement from Garima drew Shashi's attention just as he lifted his tea cup to his mouth. He looked at his housekeeper as he took a sip of tea. She made tea so well, he thought. She made all things very well indeed. She also ran his house very well but more than that, she had accepted and looked after Aniket so well. Although she had been his housekeeper for some years before this, they had come very close in their mutual love and concern for Aniket. As he watched, she raised a hand and righted her ghoonghat and he found himself wondering what she really looked like. He had never seen her face as yet. In the next instant he felt ashamed of himself. He was sitting here and pondering about the features of a woman who worked for him; a woman who was entitled to his respect and protection and not his stupid, wandering thoughts!
Once again he looked at Aniket, asking the child about his plans for the day:
"So Aniket, what are you doing today?"
"Hmmm...Charan Baba. I have to see him."
Aniket's reply pleased Shashi. Slowly, day by day, Aniket had started speaking more and more, taking part in conversations with him and Garima and the household staff. He avoided saying anything to outsiders but indoors he did talk. Not much but he did! And now that the child did talk, Shashi found he adored his voice. It was clear like bells. Along with his voice, Aniket had started taking note of things as he recovered. Now Shashi saw that the child had an extremely expressive face and when he spoke, whatever he was saying flitted across his beautiful features. In particular, Aniket's eyes were very expressive and the way they widened when he said certain things was truly delightful.
Finishing his breakfast, Shashi rose. Aniket followed a second later, pushing his chair in. Shashi was leaving for work and Aniket accompanied him to the door and Shashi was pleased to note that his limp had become better as he recovered. Now it was barely discernible. At the doorway he ran a hand over Aniket's beautiful curls before he left.
Left on his own Aniket walked back to Garima, wanting to collect some treats for Charan. But Garima was firm; she showed the way to the table. It was time for Aniket's lessons. Being a somewhat educated woman herself, Garima was determined that Aniket learn something. Hence she had started his lessons from last week. Obediently Aniket settled for his lessons, concentrating on the many hindi alphabets that Garima was teaching him today.
As a result it was much later in the morning that armed with treats, Aniket walked over to Charan's enclosure.
Just a few minutes earlier, Arnav had cantered in on Sultan to check on his mares and hopefully get a glimpse of Aniket and Charan.
Shashi himself was unaware of the Maharaja's visit since he was training horses on the other side of the fields.
The outcome of the day was up to the Gods now...
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Pushpa Impossible
55