Chapter 3:
Two weeks before:
AR Headquarters (Delhi)
Arnav was leading the presentation. There was pin drop silence in the conference hall. Already seven hours had passed but the great ASR's wasn't tired when other people looked drained. It was already evening. But no one dared to even clear their throat.
"The demand of AR Label in European market in already 40% increased. This sudden rise is due to change in visa policies. The number of Indians settled there is increased." He pointed at the graph that showed indians in each European country. The department heads nodded understanding."This means we have to present a collection-" but ASR stopped midway. As Aman entered the conference hall looking terrified for interrupting his boss. Everyone gasped as no one, means no one disturbed Arnav Singh Raizada, ceo of AR Enterprise during a meeting.
"ASR." Aman said solemnly.
"You better have good reason, Aman Mathur." Arnav said furiously as trying not to break the pointer into two. "You know the rules. No one disturbs the meeting except-"
Aman not wanting to get a lashing at such crucial time, blurted out, "Anjali ji is hospitalized."
"DAMMIT." ASR shouted and the pointer broke into two pieces. Everyone looked shocked as Arnav Singh Raizada, who never left a meeting was out of the hall in the blink of an eye with Aman tagging behind.
***
One week before wedding:
HP was closed to tears and so was his brothers. Nani was praying in mandir while Mami was going to hospital to meet Anjali. Akaash was also already there.
Their beloved Chotte has unleashed his ASR persona at home. He had become a devil who would punish anyone who dared to come in from of him.
He had broken fifty two coffee mugs in last week at HP's feet. And today he broke seven mugs, not liking the taste of his coffee.
"Naniji," HP cried. "Arnav bhaiyya... Coffee...humme bacha lijiye." He sat down in Nani's feet. "Hum ko unn se bahut darr lag raha hai." With that HP started sobbing.
When Arnav thundered again, "HP, WHERE IS MY COFFEE?"
And HP looked scared to death. Nani could only sigh. Ever since Anjali attempted to suicide, there is no peace in their home. Chotte had become so stern that even stone will melt in front of him. She couldn't understand why Ratna's children had to suffer so much. Wasn't it enough that they lost their parents, their home? That the god had to send that vile Shyam in Anjali's life. It was relief that Chotte got to know Shyam's real face soon or only god knows what have happened?
But that Shyam episode had left a huge scar on her grandchildren's life. Anjali had tried to suicide. Her trusted and loved one had failed her. She had been meeting Shyam for two years and had recently informed her wish to marry Shyam. Anjali was heartbroken when she heard Shyam's truth. Ever since happiness has left their home it seemed to her.
But they couldn't live their lives like this. She needed to talk to her Chotte before the matters become more worse. And she had idea to make her home, home again.
***
Nani entered Chotte's room. It looked like a tornado had hit the room. There were broken pieces of the coffee mugs. A few shattered lamps and the coffee table was broken. Papers and files lying on floor. She was shocked would be understatement.
"Chhote ee sab kaun ne kiya?" Nani asked in her stern voice.
"Meine kiya hai." Arnav replied without looking at her. He continued typing in laptop.
"Pehle humri taraf dekho." She ordered her grandson.
Arnav stared at her. "Aapko kuch chahiye tha?"
"Naahi. Par hum tumse Anjali bitiya ke baare me baat karne aaye hai." Nani sat down on the couch beside him, but Arnav didn't even batted an eyelash. "Tum chahte hona Anjali bitiya wapas se apna jeevan shuru kare."
Arnav blinked in ascent.
"To tum usske saamne udhaaran banno. Usse wo do Jo wo hamesha chahti thi." Nani had only implied but this was unacceptable to Arnav."Impossible." He muttered. All knew Anjali had wanted her Chhote to marry.
"Kaahe? Tum kahat ho ki apni behen ke liye kuch bhi karoge to kya tum uski itni si iccha Puri nhi karoge." Nani knew how to handle her grandson. "Phir jab wo tumko khush dekhegi to eesab bhi karna bhool jayegi. Soch lo chhote agar wo abhi yaha hoti to tumhara ye haal dekh ke usse kitna dukh hota."
She lovingly patted his head. "Baaki tumhari marzi. Doctor pehle hi kahe h Anjali bitiya ko khush rehne ki jarurat hai. Unne koi dukh nhi hona chahiye. Iss se unke dimaag par bura assaar hoga."
Saying this Nani left him alone to think. He was there when doctor said this. Dammit, he muttered inside his head.
"Why did you do this, di? That you forgot your papad ka tukda." He asked the thin air.
Anjali was in the hospital. She was going to be discharged in one week. And Akaash was currently in the hospital.
***
A day before marriage:
Anjali was going to be discharged tomorrow evening. Akaash and Nani were in the hospital with Anjali. Arnav has just returned after spending the whole night at hospital.
He took a shower when he got the call from the police commissioner of Lucknow informing him about another wife found of Shyam. That sick bas***d he thought. And that is when he remembered the Gupta's.
Aman had informed him that Mrs.Gupta wanted to talk to him. As he remembered he promised to help them. So, he called the Mrs.Gupta, if she needed financial help.
He never knew what he would end up agreeing after this small phone call. He got to know about media's involvement. Mrs.Gupta was crying on the phone telling how they have to face the taunts of society and her daughter was ruined.
Out of the blue then she asked, "Do you believe my bitiya is innocent? That she wasn't Shyam's lover."
Knowing the Gupta's before arresting Shyam there. Arnav knew it was an arranged marriage.
"Off course, aunty. I believe you." He said bored. He had more tensions in the world.
"Then why is that beast still behind her. He had made our lives hell. No one will marry my bitiya now." To this Arnav remained silent. How could anyone ask such a question to ASR?
"Do you remember the promise you gave to Shashi ji?" Garima asked.
"What promise?" He asked confused. He never gave Shashi Gupta any promise.
"The promise where-..." Garima took a deep breath, "Where he asked you to marry Khushi?"
"WHAT? NEVER. I DIDN'T PROMISED." He shouted in the phone. And felt guilty as he heard silence on other side.
"Y..you are right, beta. Hum se bhool ho gyi. Kaha app aur kaha hum. Humme maaf kar do." He heard the small of her voice. "Nevertheless thanks for calling."
He was going to end the call when he saw Anjali's photo in the corridor. He didn't know why but he asked, "How old is your daughter?"
"21."
"I can marry her but only if we married tomorrow." He stated thinking about when Anjali was coming home and how long it would take him and his wife to come back to Delhi.
And they discussed the rest of the arrangements.
****
And that's how Arnav Singh Raizada found himself marrying Khushi Kumari Gupta at Devi Maiyya's temple. The last place he ever wanted to visit with the last thing he ever wanted to do in his twenty nine year old life. Saying that he was angry, would have been an understatement as he once again had lost against fate.
(Next chapter- Arnav and Khushi's first day of marriage.) Please show your support with Reviews and Likes.
Edited by pinkys78 - 9 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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