My dear friends, old and new... thank you for your warm welcome on my return after a long
hiatus.
Quite a few personal issues, which are slowly getting resolved, and the need to return to
Shantivan and its inhabitants, who are as good as family to me now, having known, lived
with and thought about each character for years... and a few persistent readers who made
it possible to return...
To my old friends, Sarada, Indu, Vidya, Arun, Siaa, and all the others, who I lost touch
with, hope we can reconnect...
My new readers, who started reading my work after I disappeared, but kept commenting
and encouraging me, thank you! Hope to become friends with you all... *especially you,
Harshita*
Also, the IPKKND-ek Jashn, which does fall in with the evolution of the characters as I had envisaged,
makes it easier to sketch the stories out, with the variations that exist in my world
continuing as such...
Without much ado, here's the next chapter in Anjali's story, which is promising to be quite
a long one!
Part 4
...Zindagi pe karam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse
Vaadein aur kasam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse
Zindagi pe karam tujhse
Har khushi har gham tujhse...
Anjali's voice was joined by the melodious chorus of her sisters-in-law as they finished the morning pooja. The day of their mega-event, where Annapoorna and Abhilaasha had joined hands to manage, design and
cater to Mr. Goyal's annual ball, dawned bright and shiny. The only thing
dampening the ladies' spirit being the absence of their men, who were the silent
strength of their venture, all three stepped out of the mandir, ready and pumped-up about the day ahead.
They had just gotten their blessings from Devyani, Manohar and Manorama, when
as if on cue, Anjali's and Payal's mobiles rang. Recognizing the ringtones, the elders
and Khushi looked on fondly as Arnav spoke to his Di while Akash apparently said
something to his wife which made Payal beam with pride and confidence.
Listening to Anjali's side of the conversation with a smile, Khushi sent up grateful
prayers at the transformation their venture had brought in her Di.
"...haan, Chotte, sab kaam ho gaya! Doosri catering agency ko Mr. Goyal ne khud
appoint kiya hain naah, toh unki supervising humari contract mein nahi hain. Phir
bhi Khushiji ne ek baar unn logon se mili thi, menus compare karne keliye aur
service sequence check karne ke liye..."
"... haan baba, hum stressed nahi hain! Tumhein kya lagta hain, Khushiji humein
bhaari work karne degi? Tumse bhi worse hain woh! Sab bhaari kaam apne upar
lekar humein aaram se baidhne ki hukoom deti hai!"
"... thank you! Hum jaante hain ki wahan baithke bhi tumhara saath hain humein...
aur lo... apni Khushiji se baat karo...",
Anjali smiled as she handed over the phone to Khushi just as Payal handed her
Akash's call. Swapping phones, she took Akash's call with a grin as she watched
Khushi fairly leaping in her excitement in talking to her absent Laad Governor.
Delighted to have gotten a chance to talk to Arnavji before starting the day, which
normally didn't happen considering the time difference with Germany, Khushi
eagerly put the phone to her ear. "Khushi..."
Closing her eyes as she listened to the emotions brimming over in that one word,
she replied, "Hum theek hain, Arnavji, aur Di bhi... aap pareshaan mat huyiye...",
perfectly in tune with her husband, whose disappointment in not being with her and
Anjali on their big day, whose concern that he wasn't around to handle any issues
that may crop up and whose absolute misery in being away from his Khushi was all
conveyed in that one word.
"Be confident, Khushi. You, Di and Payal make a formidable team, professionals
with the right personal touch. Sab arrangements par ek overall monitoring karna,
especially since one part of the event is being catered by another team. I have full
faith in you and Di, go have a great day!"
The pride and confidence on Khushi's face as she listened to Arnav's words making
her smile, Anjali replied to Akash's questions regarding the day's arrangements.
The two phones made a round around the room, with everyone getting a chance to
talk to both sons of the family. It was Payal's turn to talk to her Jethji when he asked,
"Payal, Dhruv hain, kya , wahan?" At her affirmative reply, she was asked to pass
the phone to him.
After instructing Dhruv too, to stick close to the ladies in case they needed support
in any manner, Arnav kept the phone down. Looking across the room at his Bhai,
Akash noted the worry on his face, "Kya baat hai, Bhai? Itna woried kyun ho?
Payal bol rahi thi ki sab under control and perfectly arranged hai."
Rubbing his face with both hands, Arnav murmured, "I don't know, Akash.
Everything sounds fine, but I just can't shake this feeling that this was the one time
when we should have been there. Just hoping that its an unfounded feeling."
Watching Arnav walk back into his bedroom, a now -worried Akash hoped that his Bhai's famous hunch was not at work. It usually never
failed.
Pulling Anjali aside, Mr. Goyal gushed, "Ms. Raizada, your team is incredible! I am
being praised left, right and centre by everyone here on the quality, elegance and
class of the decor, the event management and the food! Mrs. Raizada's team has
done wonders with the appetizers."
Brushing her thanks aside, he continued, "Obviously, you have been referred to
as "the" event management team to every one of my acquaintances, and those
who aren't must have decided anyway seeing this event. I am just hoping that the
dinner that I had arranged through E&C events match up to the standard that you
have set. I will be sure to call up Mr. Raizada and update him tonight."
He was about to turn away after giving Anjali a warm hug, when he paused, "And
oh, the event being covered widely by the press, some of them have asked me the
details of the event planner and I have taken the liberty of sharing your details.
They might just be the last push that takes your company into national limelight.
Well deserved, my dear..."
Blushing at the lavish praise and overwhelmed by the admiration she was seeing on
the faces of the guests, Anjali turned away to find her sisters-in-law and share the good news, safe in the knowledge that their part in the evening
was almost done. They had to stay back and ensure the service sequence, but the
food section was to be handed over to the next team and the musical and dance
night being declared as having ended, they only had to supervise the dismantling
of the stage and the set after the guests left. It was time to sit down with her favourite ladies and enjoy the evening.
Khushi being busy in sending out the last few plates and Payal assisting her, having
finished her role of decoration and lighting much earlier, they had to contain their joy
at the fabulous feedback, saving the celebration for later.
Having shared the good news with both women, Anjali made a final round of the
kitchen and the dining hall, playing the role of the hostess to perfection, as she took
a last survey of the food service by E&C that was slowly wrapping up. She had just
sat down with an overjoyed Khushi, who had been personally visited and thanked by
Mr. And Mrs. Goyal, at a nearby table and taken a bite of the appetizer when the
best evening of Annapoorna came crashing down.
Author's Note:
A cliffie after a very long time, folks! It feels wonderful to be back! Comments and
feedback eagerly awaited...
Next chapter on Saturday
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