OS – Wedding Cakes

 

OS- Wedding Cakes

It was going to take her about one and a half hours to construct the eleven tier wedding cake,putting the whole thing together was a feat in itself. It was a marvellous piece of engineering – whomever said that she was only a baker –was soooo wrong.
No-one understood how these monsters stayed up, how each layer was held up. She had baked the dowels in place and had place metal threads and bolts in most of the base layers. Each layer carried its weight through the metal bolts and were floating layers. They would be iced to give the visual imagery that it was a solid layered cake. She needed the next double free ended bolt size 8 as she was now bolting the last two layers on she didn’t want to go down the step ladders to get them.
“Oye you –yes you. Don’t look like that at me –you’re the only one in the room so can only be talking to you. Arrre Yaar just two minutes,pass me the size 8 bolts and the matching nuts –I ‘ve already got the spanner and then you can carry on. But if you are free and doing nothing , you just seemed to be looking around you can help me with this assembly- my guy is not well- I don’t want to run late. Look, if you help I’ll pay you”
“Really? How much?”
“How long can you work for me for ?”
“An hour”
I’ll pay you five hundred Rs but no sitting on the job –huh”
“Deal!”
“Pass me that layer –support from the bottom and hold it absolutely horizontal if you drop it I’ll make you pay me Rs 500- got it ?”
“Got it !”
He lifted the layer expecting it to be light – after all it was only a cake. God the Damm thing felt like it weghed a tonne. The longer he held it the heavier it seem to get.
“Still the last support is going into place. Last layer … Carefully it’s smaller than the rest but its heavy as the last tier”
As the final tier was locked into place
“Now the real work begins – I ask you pass and wheel the ladder round as I say OK?”
For the next hour he dressed the cake attaching the sugar craft roses, white lilies, camellias , green ivy and catkins ; butterflies all made from sugar-beautifully made by her earlier –well all week.
The final touch was to add the shelling. He pushed the ladder slowly round the cake as she shelled.
All the gear used to assemble the cake was boxed and carried to the van.
She collapsed on the floor and looked at the final creation –perfect just as the bride had wanted.
She patted the floor and asked her helper to sit “water ?”
She passed the bottle she was drinking from to him. He looked horrified-
“I haven’t got cooties -grow a pair – live dangerously –share”
He looked at her hesitantly and took the bottle and drank.
“I made you work an extra half hour so RS 750 balance settled and here’s my card –if you are ever looking for a job ring me! It’s also good to see you live dangerously –keep the bottle I’ve got a spare. By the way I can’t keep calling you Oye, my name’s Khushi, what’s yours?”
“Arnav”
“Right take a picture of me next to the cake –then I’ll take one of the cake “
“Why?”
“–To send one to the bill payer and the other to the bride; if she does like it, I will have to adjust it.”
“It’s beautiful why would she change it? At this time?”
“Bride’s prerogative! It’s her day, her cake, she commands, I do and Mr Raizada pays- that’s how the cycle goes. Have you got some place to be?”
“Yes!”
“well thanks Arnav and any time you need extra cash let me know I could always use an extra body as back up- people think wedding cakes are just baking they are tremendous feats of engineering on a small scale. What do you do ?”
“Wheeling and dealing, the rag trade, buying and selling anything I can get my hands on “
“Well if business is slow….”
“Want a hand up?” Arnav had stood up to take the photos and give her hand up. As he pulled her up, he underestimated her weight. Khushi crashed into him. There she stayed for a few frozen moments staring into his eyes, inhaling his sent which was playing havoc with her senses. She felt her heart race; the longer she stayed immobile the quicker her heart beat. She had never felt like this at all – never not even when she pt the final piece of icing on her cakes ,when she ate jelabi, when she went on a roller coaster – true her heart never felt like this. Oh boy this meant trouble – she looked up at him –yup! His liquid brown eyes, his strong jaw line, his black hair perfect –not a single hair out of place. Yup she fancied the cotton socks of this guy. He was hot.
Arnav smiled down at her –he was not as unaffected as he would have it seem. She was definitelty worth getting to know better. No girl had ever made him feel like this.
“I have to go –but …wait for my call”
“Arnav –Khushi doesn’t wait for any strange guy’s call- you think I’m that desperate?”

“No – not desperate but definitely interested in what you see”
Khushi smiled –“Yeh you could say I like what I see – how about tea tomorrow at the Chai –Latte Tea House about four “
“Make it five and it’s a date”
“Can’t do five make six – and fifty –fifty –and it’s not a date”
“Agreed fifty –fifty-and its friends”
And that’s how Arnav and Khushi first met.

Fifty-Fifty
Arnav and Khushi arrived on time –not a second early ,not a second too late.
“Hi –You came on time Arnav”
“I ‘m always on time”
She laughed “I’m never on time ,It’s usually chasing me”
“What happened today?”
“Arnav happened!”
“Any more cakes to design? Any jobs going ?”
“The Black Orchid Cake Company has always got bookings!”
“I thought that was a restaurant?”
“One that you can’t afford.”
“Well pay me better and I’ll take you to dinner”
“I’ll make you dinner”
In that vein laughter and discussion carried on –although most of the talking was done by Khushi and most of the staring and listening was done by Arnav.
The bill finally arrived; Khushi split the bill and made sure that she paid half even though Arnav was insisting on paying the whole amount.
“Look –this is friends we share –agreed”
“Ok –so where do we meet tomorrow?”
“No not tomorrow – I’ve got to complete an order by the weekend.”
“Well you will have to eat and take a break so how about I bring something and meet you somewhere”
“Arnav, why don’t you come to the kitchens- we can grab something from outside –fifty –fifty.”
“Time ?”
“Say 7:30”
“Where are your kitchens?”
Khushi laughing reeled of the address.
Arnav came the following evening to find Khushi making some sugar paste flowers and shading them. They were for another one of her creations.
“How big is this one?”
“Oh not as big as the Raizada cake but big enough six tiers but she also wants cup cakes to carry through the same theme –so here I am making more flowers.”
“You are really good at this –you should market yourself better-you will make more money”
“You trying to muscle in on my business Arnav….”
“What ? No .. I was only ….”
“I was just joking.. I don’t need to grow this part of my business –if I did then I would have no time to eat dinner with you. Let’s go ”
“Where are we eating tonight?”
“Really special place follow me grab that roll”
“Are you serious ?”
“Bhai , 1 special mixed thali and extra jelabi and a large bottle of water with a proper seal”
“Khushi bhen, I always give you extra jelabi you want more ?”
“Hah Bhai ,I have to share, with him”
They all laughed.
Khushi spread the roll on a park bench and shared her thali with Arnav.
“Arnav you not had any of this-try it it is so yum.”
Without thinking Khushi took some tikki and placed it in his mouth along with some chutney.
Arnav choked and coughed “Water ….please….I can’t eat spicy food”
Khushi quickly opened the water and held it to his lips and used her duppata to dry his eyes.
Therein started the relationship of Khushi and Arnav. No longer just friends.

Slowly Arnav and Khushi’s relationship grew –totally in love with each other, friends, who still didn’t know all that much about each other but who knew what made the other laugh and smile. Khushi knew what he liked and him her. He knew what made her happy, walking on wet grass, playing on the slides in the children’s park long after all the children had gone. But he had to clear the air with her before she found out the truth-he was Arnav Singh Raizada business tycoon –he did wheel and deal just the numbers were a lot larger than she imagined. He hadn’t intentionally set out to deceive her but it just seemed to get harder as time had progressed. He had to tell her before reality became known to her.
On Khushi’s part she had to tell Arnav the truth- she hadn’t intentionally set out to deliberately deceive him she didn’t want him to be intimidated by her success. She had to tell him about her business she was the owner of the Black Orchid restaurant and bakery and owned the franchise of the cup cake factory which were springing up everywhere. But she had to tell him soon.
He sat there holding a tier of the latest cake that she was constructing. “Khushi this tier –is it made of lead?”
“No but the bride wanted sparks flying out of the cake carrying pop cakes and cup cakes –so the structure has to be solid –s-o-l-i-d get it”
“Khushi at our wedding –I’m having a plain simple chocolate cake with fudge icing”
All he hears was a squeak. “Our wedding…. ? What makes you think that I will marry you ? You haven’t even asked me ….”
“Well I’m asking now –so what do you think …of my proposal want to get hitched ?”
“Hitched? Hitched !… I create wedding cakes for a living and you are asking if I want to get hitched-Unbelievable!”
“I know I am standing here holding this ten tonne tier on which you seemed to have stopped working and you are using my words –unbelievable –really ?”
Khushi refused to speak to him while she finished the construction. All she did was mutter under her breath. “Wanna get hitched, was she a tow truck ? She ran The Black Orchid where they planned romantic proposals with romantic lighting and music and beautiful cakes and here he was saying he wanted chocolate fudge cake!”
“Well I’m waiting ? Yes or no ?”
“NOOOOOOO!”
“WHAT ? WHY ?”
“Why are you shouting at me ?
“I’m not –look …I…um…am sorry- but would you like to marry me? You know this is the first time I have asked anyone to marry me”
“What am I supposed to be grateful that I am the first girl you asked ?”
“No , look this is coming out all wrong I didn’t plan on asking you..”
“Whatever you are trying to say, you’re making a complete pigs ear of it”
They both looked at each other and laughed.
“OK Khushi, not the most romantic proposal but I have been thinking of nothing else for days …”
“This is best you could do after a couple of days?”
“No, but the moment seemed right then, but with hind sight it doesn’t seem so great. Do you know that I need less courage when I am dealing with a takeover bid than when I’m asking you to marry me ”
“Arnav there is lot of things you don’t know about me, that you need to know”
“I can say the same about me”
“I own The Black Orchid restaurant and the cup cake franchise – as well as in the business of wedding cakes”
“OK, since we are in the mood for confessions I own a few businesses AR industries and AR designs”
There was total silence as they both digested this new knowledge.
“Arnav, since we seem to be in our favourite position on the floor and I dont’ have far to fall if I faint- is you’re surname Raizada ?”
“Mmmm”
“I paid you Rs 750”
“Mmmm”
“You’re very rich !”
“Mmmmm”
“Can I have my Rs 750.00 back”
“Mmmm .. What ?…NO … a deal is a deal ! Besides I’ve still got that money in my wallet after all this time. I’ll spend it on a treat at our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary”
“I haven’t said yes”
“The biggest clue in a business decision is indecision that means the other party is crumbling”
“I’m not crumbling”
“But you’ve not said no –that’s indecision! Khushii know we live in busy worlds but I love you and will you please say yes and not ruin my reputation for being able to close business deals in my favour. You are the most important deal in my life that I have ever made or will ever make. Please say yes”
“Yes”
Khushi would always complain that it was the most imperfect wedding proposal a man could make and she would often use it as an example when marketing but her final statement would always be “for me it was the most perfect proposal –uncomplicated, honest and straight from the heart”
That’s how Arnav proposed to Khushi.

 

The Black Orchid catered the wedding and organised the most beautiful wedding cake- Khushi dream. cake
A rainbow tier, of seven colours, a chocolate fudge, lemon tier and vanilla sponge. The whole cake was decorated with sugar paste orchids of different sizes and hand painted. There were two tiny sugar craft lady birds as well; from one corner of the base of the cake hung a string of little jelabies. The cake represented Khushi to a tee – on the outside, cool and sophisticated and professional. On the inside, colourful and bursting with surprise and mischief.
It was everything that was expected of Khushi and Arnav’s wedding –lavish sophisticated, colourful, full of music and laughter.
They had a bollywood jazz band to compromise between Khushi love for filmi music and Arnav’s love for brass bands. The funny thing was as different as these two individuals were –it worked.
Her outfit was designed by him for her and then tweaked by Khushi who complained that it was to revealing –with which Arnav disagreed till Khushi pointed out that there would be other men dancing with her at her wedding where were they supposed to look and place their hands. Khushi’s bustier top grew sleeves, a neckline with a Victorian collar , which Khushi tweaked again toget her favourite neckline and it grew in length to only reveal half an inch of skin at her waist.
Arnav wore a matching sherwani and Khushi complained that he was the hottest thing on two legs she had seen. It was a shame that she had to wait till later to get him all alone to demonstrate his hotness. But a discreet pinch on his backside made Arnav smile at his wife to be. He would definitely have to look at investing in a few of these if this was the response it was going to get him.
Khushi had threatened to run round the fire but thanfully Arnav paced the ceremony out so the phera’s looked as though they were progressing at a reasonable speed. Arnav’s only comment was that he was grateful that she didn’t trip and he would have to save her from the fire. He was actually quite amazed that they had managed to get through all the rituals without Khushi managing to set herself alight.
At bidai she cried and cried and cried some more. Until Arnav whispered something naughty in her ear that made her blush and glare at him.
At home they played all the games that everyone wanted without complaint. While Arnav was trying to untie her knots on her flower bracelets and everyone was watching Arnav managed to sneak a kiss in here and there on her wrist. Khushi turned redder than ever before.
She was led to Arnav’s room and the girls claimed their nake from their brother
Thats how Arnav and Khushi came to get married
———————————————————————————————————————————–
Arnav and Khushi had busy work schedules and Khushi relinquished more and more of her control to managers, just as Arnav did so that they could spend more and more time together. They found that they enjoyed their time apart as it made them appreciate their time together even more. Khushi needed more time with him alone showing him the simple fun things in life whilst he showed her the advantages of having a vast disposable fortune being able to fly to Paris for valentines day because she had said that she had never seen the Eiffel tower.
They took time out of work to get to know one another better because it was more fun working on joint ventures than working alone. Khushi grounded Arnav to reality and stopped him from isolating himself. Arnav showed Khushi how to allow herself to dream big and then achieve even furher heights, without letting the fear of failure hold her back.
It was all a smooth journey – they were a couple and they had a few head on collisions,some minor bumps and some major bumps –but they learnt to accommodate one another and compliment one another and compromise so that both could be happy . In love there was no single winner in this race ,it was all about pacing yourselves to make sure that you got to the end of your journey together and happy.

Thats how Arnav and Khushi lived.

 

OS – A New PA needed for MR A. S. Raizada

 

A New PA needed for MR A. S. Raizada

 

A quick look at his diary –she summarised his appointments and sent Arnav a reminder of where he had to be, the required paperwork was ready with copies and electronic copies sent to mail and stored in the correct folder.
Staff at AR designs loved her for herself and the way she handled ASR. When she was around he was like a sleeping lion –no one heard his roar he only awoke and roared when Khushi wasn’t around. On those days staff hid but even then it was never as bad as he used to be before Khushi arrived to be his PA. Initially they remembered there had been teething troubles but then everything settled into place. Khushi was the miracle sent by the heavens.
She sat there contemplating what to do next, she would go and eat lunch with Arnav, after he would go for his meeting she would speak to Aman, she needed to quit her job. They all knew she had been a temporary replacement; it had been two years. Now the time would soon come for her to go soon she needed to find a replacement for herself to look after Arnav and the staff. Although she was no longer sure who needed more looking after Arnav or her work mates. When he would find out she was leaving the bear with the sore head would return.
She smiled as she set up lunch for him, he signalled that he was busy. Khushi pouted at Arnav and waited –five minutes –tick tock, ten minutes tick tock, fifteen minutes tick tock. Enough was enough she had to get him off that phone.
The see through cabin had long ago had blinds and one way mirrors placed all looking out. Khushi knew how to exactly distract him from his phone call. She slammed the office door showing her rising irritation. Arnav saw her dupatta catch in the door he knew exactly what was going to happen. Khushi had planned exactly what was going to happen.
Her dupatta caught and pulled her backwards sending her off balance –he would never let her fall. He dropped his phone and ran to save her. He caught her before she hit the floor and stared into her eyes and then he lokked further down he saw her inviting lips and then he saw her cleavage .
He saw that her top few buttons were open and he had ample view of her red lacy bra underneath. He knew exactly which one she had on. He stood up and stood her up and put her away from him.
He picked up his phone “I’ll call you back something has come up.”
Khushi smiled she thought she had lost it for a minute –but she hadn’t-she had still got it.
“Ok what was all that about ?”
“What are you talking about, Arnav ?”
“Khushi you know exactly what I am talking about that little peep show you put on for me”
“That was no peep show- sit and eat your lunch if I had decided to put on a peep show it would look like this.”
With that she hummed and started to strip watching Arnav’s eyes as they started to smoulder and darken with rising passion.
“Eat your lunch Mr Raizada and watch the lunch time performance –you don’t get many “
“I know that’s why I intend to make the most of it- I should be late for lunch more often if this is what it means!”
“Don’t get to used to the performance – my husband may object to my performance at work”
“I’m your boss and I’m not objecting”
“Are you just my boss?”
“Khushi don’t start something that you are not about to finish”
“You don’t like my new bra –red lacy and easy tie”
“Khushi I’m warning you –this is neither the time or place “
“Let me feed you “
With that she sat in his lap giving him ample view of her assets . Arnav gave up the fight. He gave up- common sense when it came to her. All sensible thought rushed out of his brain when it came to her. All his blood rushed from the frontal lobe to his lower regions where it took on its own thought pattern on. Right now she was feeding him and his hands were examining her assets .
He recognised the constant bell –it was his phone.
Arnav shook his head as if to clear his thoughts so that commonsense could return. He gently place Khushi on the sofa. “Sorry your boss can’t take care of this right now but your husband definitely will later tonight and don’t change. I want to see the rest of this red outfit.”
“I’ve got Lola Luna knickers on “
Before Khushi could protest She was under him and her lower clothing was loosened and he was straight in. Both individuals satiated lay their panting when the phone rang again.
“What Aman ? It’s lunch and you know you are not allowed to disturb me when I’m having lunch with Khushi!”
“Sir you’re running late for your meeting”
“I’ll be down in five let me finish my lunch. Khushi what am I to do with you ! You make me loose all control and sense of time. Now make yourself decent –this is not finished we are going to finish this at home OK?”
“OK – all I told you about was my knickers”
“Knowing full well how turned on I get when I think of you wearing them –they are for home not here OK Khushi you decent “
“No but I’ll try to be” she kissed him.
He grabbed his phone “Aman tell them I am running late due to my secretary , I’ll be there in 15 minutes and can you bring me the Sukdev folder “
“Arnav your folder –err..are you going to the meeting now?”
“Yes why ?”
“Err like that …maybe you might want to freshen up “
“Khushi looked up and blushed tomato red”
“I know you met Bhabhi for lunch but they don’t. Err you have red lipstick at the ….“
He glared at Khushi.
“I ought to fire my PA “
“I can arrange that sir and you were equal party in the crime –I wasn’t there alone”
“You started it Khushi..”
“Ummm you ‘re meeting Arnav and admit it you would be such a sad creature without bhabhi ji . Now go or should I tell them 30 minutes”
Grumbling Arnav left. She will send me crazy. Makes me late for my meetings and sends me looking as If I have just got out of bed. He looked back at her and smiled and winked and blew her kiss. He loved her ,she was his world. He knew that she knew that there was more to be finished when he he got home tonight.
“Hi Aman”
“Nice lunch Bhahbi –you wanted to meet me, Arnav’s office now that we are here or shall we go to mine”
“No Aman, here is fine – I need to tell you something before I tell Arnav”
Aman looked worried, she was telling him something before her husband – it had to be important and something that he wouldn’t handle well.
“You won’t tell him till I tell him promise”
“Promise whats wrong Bhabhi?”
“I want to quit my job”
“What , why , NO , you can’t life has been so peaceful since you married him two years ago. You can’t leave. Bhabhi what will we do without you? OMG going back to those days where we scurried about like frightened mice, people were scared to breathe laugh and smile. He never smiled . Those grim days I can’t face them.”
“Thats why I am telling you,I have been preparing for this I have picked a very competent replacement and have been training her –the transition will be fine and arnav wont give you too much of a hard time –I will make sure he is accommodating and first sign of any of his bullish behaviour tell me and I’ll be back to sort him out”
“Who is the girl – a lovely girl –she is a floater Preeto. Ok let’s get back to work.
Over the next two weeks, Khushi gradually introduced Preeto letting her take over the early morning and after luncg slot when Khushi rested.
Khushi rested in Arnav’s office after lunch saying that she was exhausted –he saw that she had started to sleep for about an hour after lunch and was late in the mornings- she had stopped coming in the mornings with him instead coming in with Mohan later.
“Khushi we need to get you to the doctors”
“Already been”
“When why didn’t you tell me? Whats wrong with you?”
“Nothing I am anaemic so i am getting tired very quickly and I am having iron supplements OK!”
“Khushi take time off work stay at home Preeto’s a good girl –I won’t hassel her at all”
She smiled at Arnav –“ I’m you’re only PA who is allowed to do this” and with that she kissed him.
“Khushi you’re the only one I want doing that”
Another four weeks passed, Khushi had handed over all her jobs to Preeto except one feeding her husband that was till her privilege. She had better tell Arnav about the new member that would be soon joining them. Now that she had taken care of AR designs and his working life she planned to tell him – tonight – she had planned a special dinner for him at the farmhouse.
Aman and Arnav entered his office to find Khushi standing on a chair reaching for a file.
“No Bhahbi, Careful –I’ll get that for you.”
Aman ran lifted Khushi down and got the file down and then proceeded to shout at her disregarding Arnav’s presence in the room. He didn’t read Arnav’s body language correctly –his only concern was his pregnant bhabhi standing on a chair.
“Aman stop- may I remind you that you are shouting at my wife and although I agree with all your statements stop now.”
He looked at Khushi and then at Arnav and then back at Khushi.
“You had better tell him why I’m shouting at you for taking risks –obviously he doesn’t know otherwise knowing the way he feels about you he would have shouted at you a lot worse. I swear Bhabhi if you don’t tell him I will by four o’clock today. Arnav I will cancel your meetings for the afternoon”
“What do you think you know Aman ?”
Aman smiled –I’m not as clever as Arnav but when a wife looks for a replacement for her job –that can only mean one thing when you love him so much – you said yourself you been married two years –and its time for you to leave AR but you had to find someone who would lookafter all of us and him. There can only be one reason you would let another women so close to your husband.”
As Aman left “Congratulations”
“What is Aman talking about why are you leaving AR designs ?”
“Arnav I had planned to go to the farm house to tell you- but I’m pregnant and entering my fifth month”
Stunned silence followed.
“I owe Aman an apology –he is right I would have shouted at you a lot worse –are you stupid taking risks like that standing on a chair how many employees do I have at your beck and call – FIVE MONTHS when were you planning on telling me –on the way to the labour ward ?”
“I told you tonight at the farmhouse”
Arnav’s phone vibrated a message came through all meetings cancelled .
Arnav sent a message back Sorry.
“Why did you not tell me ? why did you wait so long ?”
“I needed to make sure that everything was Ok at AR designs and you would not throw an almighty strop when I announced that I was leaving.”
“leaving to have our baby – I would never shout about that.. I had noticed that one or two things had grown bigger but I wasn’t about to complain about them.”
“Shall we leave early for the Farmhouse”

 

OS – Khushi’s Roka

Khushi’s Roka

Just wait till I get my hands on you Mr Raizada. Just who the hell do you think you are?
How dare he? Wait till I get my hands round your neck! Then we will see.
Stupid moron! Idiot! That man needs to be thrown down a well!
No that’s too good for him; he will poison the water. He’s a dim-witted brainless ….
Khushi vocabulary was rapidly running out of adjectives that currently described her feelings towards Arnav.
If it were possible you would have been able to see smoke coming out of Khushi’s ears.
Was he finding the whole situation amusing – she would show him exactly how amusing she was finding it. Which planet was the moron from? Businessman of the year –nothing! He was the most useless individual of the year! Where was his famous temper, his acumen? He just sat there like a fool! Not a sound, not a word. Not an utterance. He sat there silent staring at his food. Khushi hoped that he choked on it all the way down.
Her phone rang –the name flashed “LG” – NOW! Now the moron wants to speak!.When he had the opportunity to speak – nothing – well he could stew in his own silence for a while –she was not going to speak to him – she needed to calm down. Jelabi! That’s what she needed! Jelabis-right now!
He could wait as she saw the phone ring again –same name! How dare he do that to her! Didn’t he know his parents well enough by now, didn’t he know her parents by now!
They had all started talking about a double wedding. Hers! Payal and Akash were already getting married. Him the bright spark suggested to her father that he should get Khushi married on the same day and save himself further costs. Two for one –that’s what he said –Boodu ! Fool! Two for the price of one ! Was she a bargain basement deal! She couldn’t believe it one by one all her band members joined in –yes it was a brilliant idea- both sisters on the same day.
Khushi had found a flaw in the plan –she had provided the perfect opening ,the perfect opening, as both sides of the family started getting carried away with a new project- Khushi’s wedding,her outfit, her jewellery, her cake. The flaw in their – the perfect opportunity –“Who exactly am I going to marry?”
Silence, Arnav stared at his plate of food and then the family babbling started in earnest as boys names started being hurled at her until one name seemed to be the one that they were all settling for –Singhania- Karan Singhania – he would suit Khushi down to a tee- he was pleasant, socialable good looking, wealthy, from a good family, well educated and usually the source of laughter at most parties.He seemed to match Khushi in most ways –yes he seemed perfect.
The whole family sat and discussed his and her attributes deciding that he would make the perfect soul mate for her. Khushi looked with disbelief at Arnav –what was the guy thinking? He was silent throughout this conversation – mind you he was silent throughout most conversations that involved Khushi. Suddenly out of nowhere it was decided to approach Karan Singhania’s father for a proposal so that the two individuals could meet up.
Khushi ignored her phone and powered it down .It was 1:00 am but jelabies is what she wanted , they are what she needed before her brain could calm down.
Khushi started frying her jelabies and eating them piping hot –that was the scene that her father walked in on .
“Khushi bitia –whats wrong?”
“Nothing ! Dad !”
“I can see from the amount of jelabies that are being made nothing is wrong- and the rate of demolition –that nothing is wrong! You are going to set a personal best record here, I think –want to talk? Was it the talk of marriage? You know that if you don’t like him you don’t have to marry him –no one is going to force my baby into marriage”
Khushi smiled and hugged her dad and then proceeded to eat more jelabies.
“Khushi do you have anyone in mind?”
“I might have, obviously he doesn’t- stupid man “
“Well if you change your mind and don’t want to meet Karan let me know ….or if there is someone…..else …..you would rather meet ??? …. Khushi just let me Know…I’mgoing to bed!
Shashi walked out of the kitchen with the biggest Cheshire cat grin on his face making sure, that it was not visable to Khushi. Entering his study he quickly jumped on the phone to his best friend Mo ,Arnav’s father.
“She is making jelabies, and is furious she let slip that she might have someone in mind but he didn’t have her in his mind-how are things at your end?”
“My wonderful son has been in the most foulest of foul tempers since the party – i think he has broken another phone and a vase – he has been pacing round the poolside and still is –I have heard his skype go on and on calling someone but no answer – yes I’d say the boy is brewing nicely. Teach him a bloody lesson – think he can kiss my Khushi beti like that and get away with it. No way is she one of his flings –there is no possible way he could mess with someone so close to home. If he is messing with her I will lynch him and tear strips of him.”
“What do you mean kiss your Khushi beti ?”
“She was obviously kissing him back- we know they were both lost-Mo-he is as much my son as Khushi is your daughter- that kiss that we witnessed – they were both lost causes. Ok so now what?”
“Get ready for a second engagement tomorrow-Iam coming to make your daughter my daughter- Arnav’s face will be one to watch –serve him right ! I gave him som many opportunities and openings last night to come clean and nothing! I swear if I were Khushi – I would refuse on principle!”
“Mo don’t even think that- Khushi is so Sanki and so mad at the moment she just might refuse him!”
“She would refuse him but with men like us behind them they will eventually agree.Now I had better go check on my idiot of a son and see how things are progressing”
Perfect Arnav’s father thought to himself – he is going slowly mad he has paced round the pool so many time –he should have spoken when he had the opportunity to .
You need to stew a while longer boy – before you realise that you have won the jackpot.
Arnav was in the Office at 10:30 when he got a call from his dad informing him that the family were on the way to the Gupta household ,Shashi Uncle had invited them for Khushi’s Roka everything was settled and had been discussed last night and the early hours of the morning –since a double wedding was being considered things had to move pretty fast”
Arnav arrived in record time at the Gupta’s to find Khushi serving tea in her pyjama’s –she had on a betty boo pyjama’s and was sitting on the floor crossed leg laughing with the adults – both sets of parents were there.
“Ar..Arnav what are you doing here ?”
“Yes Son ,what are you doing here?”
“Dad you rang up and said ….”
“What did I say ?”
“Err ..you said …err ..Khushi… roka.. this morning at 11:00…?”
At that point all of Khushi tea in her mouth came spraying out all over Arnav as she then proceeded to choke !
Arnav looked at himself and his jacket sprayed with coffee.
The elders looked on at the scene surely an explosion was arriving any second now. Instead he started to pat Khushi on her back. “Tum teekh hoi?”
The parents watched in stunned amazement –he asked how she was? He did’t scream at anyone inspite of being sprayed with tea. His immaculate suit had tea stains on it. Ordinarily if anyone else had dared to do this to Arnav they would surely have killed them at the very least he would have received a severe tongue lashing.
“Roka ? whose roka? What the hell Arnav? Uncle , Aunty where is this man’s brain –has it gone on holiday? It’s Payal and Akash wedding we have had their roka and next we are having their mehendhi-Arnav how can you call yourself Indian –you don’t even know our basic ceremonies!”
“We have too many and I’m sure mum invents some as well”
“Anyway why are you all here this early in the morning?”
“Well Bittia , Arnav was right we are here for you Roka but usually the boy is not here and the girl is not in her pyjama’s”
All Khushi’s brain registered was her Roka her brain didn’t register anything else.
All Arnav’s brain registered was the boy shouldn’t be here –where was Karan he couldn’t see him anywhere.
Two individuals looked at each other staring deep into each other’s eyes excluding all others from their silent conversation. What now what were they to do ? He had to say something before it was too late.He had to speak now or he would lose Khushi forever.
“Dad , Mom , Aunty, Uncle-you can’t get Khushi married!”
“Why ?”
“Because… because …. I ..love her!”
“So if you love her why don’t you want to marry her ?”
“Huh …what ? Of course I want to marry her but all of you, are getting her married to everything on two legs that could be vaguely described as male.”
“If you want to marry her why are you stopping us ?”
“Huh what – I swear Khushi bitia is right your brain has gone on holiday”
“She sends my brain on holiday – i swear if she doesn’t send me crazy you lot will !”
“I just said the girl is in pyjama’s and the boy shouldn’t be here! Who is in pyjama’s?”
“Khushi”
“Who is the only single adult male here ?”
“Me “
“Duh …join the dots Arnav ! who could we possibly talking about; are you really my son?”
Khushi ‘s colour had changed from white to rose red. She didn’t know where to look .
“Arnav yesterday at dinner we gave you so many opportunities to come clean – but you didn’t say a word – even now you are being exceptionally dense- so let me spell it out for you in words that you understand – night of a dinner me and Shashi Uncle were discussing things in the Arbour and who should we see in the pavilion ? Do you really need me to spell it out for us what we saw..?”
“No Dad” Arnav at least had the decency to blush, and look embarrassed, matching Khushi who was now hiding behind her cup of tea and staring avidly on a spot on her kameez.
“we have been waiting for both of you to come clean –but neither of you two did- so hence the dinner last night and when you still didn’t we just decided to get Khushi engaged to you but not tell you it was you –and guess what you came running over .That must have been a record time to get you from AR designs to here.”
“So back to the matter at hand would you two like to get married?”
Both individuals concerned looked at each other and nodded.
It was a while later that both Arnav and Khushi found themselves in the Pavillion alone.
“Arnav why didn’t you say anything last night ?”
“Why didn’t you answer any of my call last night ?”
“I was mad at you for not saying anything and they had practically got me married off to karan last night and you didn’t even bat an eyelid”
“I was trying to stop myself from killing them for even suggesting Karan –they didn’t even consider me good enough to be in the running for you –how was I to know they already knew about us and wanted us to come clean. Hang on a second let me check who exactly is in the arbour”
“Why ?”
“So I can do this away from prying eyes- are we on for a double wedding?”
“One thing at a time –you owe me an apology for last night first !”
“Shashi shall we go and have our tea in the arbour?”
Garima was the first to speak- “you have both done enough –for now –sit here and drink your tea –leave them alone for now –any more rubbish from either of you and you will have me and Ratna to answer to – we both want grandchildren –so leave the kids alone!”

 

 

 

OS – His Lady in Red

His Lady in Red

Arnav arrived not in the best of moods his flight had been delayed he had been out of the country for a week. Now he was at this dam wedding. He could be at home asleep. But no the fall out would be too much –it was easier for him to attend show his face and then leave.

Where the hell was every one? Why did Indian weddings have to be so big? Did they really have to invite half the world to these functions?  HP had told him that his clothes were laid out on the recliner if he had wanted to go. Did he really have a choice? They knew the flight had been delayed –the perfect excuse he could shower and sleep –catch up the rest of the family would be back later that night- and he would be rested and in a better frame of mind to face them.

He saw the clothes laid out for him – who were they kidding ? Red ? RED ? Since when did he wear red ? He liked red – yes he loved red on women; it was his favourite colour but not on him!

That red was enough for him not to attend – they knew better than that put a red shirt for him. Second nail in the coffin, first a wedding and then a red shirt – he supposed he should be grateful for small mercies at least it wasn’t a pyjama kurta – thank god! At least some one had some common sense prevailing –no way would he have worn that and gone.

He would shower and go but not wearing that red shirt , he took a blue shirt out and called HP .

“Iron this shirt and bring me a coffee”

“Bhaiya –I’ll iron your shirt and bring you a coffee but she already chose a shirt for you and if you don’t wear it you will hurt her”

“The shirt-please”

He showered and changed and arrived at the wedding – was there no member of his family around. He was having to make polite chit chat with acquaintances .Then he spied the most heavenly creature he had seen, her almond shaped eyes and her hair in curls and a simple red bindi. She was breath takingly beautiful . If he stared at her any longer he would have to pay a tax. He was drinking the vision in, like a man in a desert who had just found his oasis.

He felt a tap on his back he looked and saw Akash –“You too !”

He looked back and the vision had gone.

Akash looked at Arnav’s shirt “We are all wearing the same colour – it was Di ‘s idea initially and when we disagreed she pulled in the muscle power to make us wear these shirts. Even you couldn’t go against the decision – you were my last hope Bhai – I thought you would make a stand but you gave in as well”

“Where is everyone ?”

“If by that you mean Di – she is helping out with the food everyone else is getting ready for the dance and Bhai we are all involved except you – who managed to find a very convenient business trip abroad !”

“I just saw…”

Akash was gone what was it with weddings did everyone’s brains go mush. Did the reasonable thought pattern go down the drain- well he should have known better –this was NK wedding he should expect total madness here. Not a sane thought or person would exist in this zone, only thing was how mad would it get? NK’s wedding would be like entering the twilight zone.

Let’s see if in this mayhem he could find Di- she would be able to help him.

“Chote”

Arnav was enveloped in a huge bear hug. “Chote we weren’t sure you would make it and NK dramabaise joi hai  was threatening to postpone his wedding unless his Nanav bhai turned up in time”

“well as you can see I am here  but where is …”

“Chote!  the music the dancing is starting challo na”

Dance after dance came and though they were entertaining he had other things on his mind; he was about to leave and then he felt it a flower hit him on his head. He turned and looked and he saw her again those eyes. This time he saw the mischief in them and he looked deep into those eyes ha saw the hidden depths of passion.  Those eyes were devouring him layer by layer. He felt those stripping him , caressing him and lingering just at hips long enough to turn him on. He felt the heat in her gaze. He felt the warmth in her gaze – there was no one in the room just him and her and then the music brought them both back to reality.

She dance around the stage as if she owned it he was completely lost – who was he kidding ? He was totally besotted with her. Just one look was enough to disarm him.

After the dance there was only one place she would be – changing – he would catch her there.

He waited patiently till he saw her, he had sensed her before he saw her. He took three steps towards her and she backed away from him.

“Why are you walking away from me ? let me introduce myself”

He had her trapped against the wall with one arm and with his other he had hold of her other hand.

“I’m Arnav”

He inhaled her scent and caressed her ear with his lips and huskiliy introduced himself Arnav Singh Raizada”

He was barely in control of himself. He wanted this creature. He trailed warm kisses down her long  exposed neck . She felt his passion but she was powerless to stop the onslaught on her senses – but she didn’t want to.

They both heard it at the same time –“Khushi Ji”

“Nk Bhai “ she croaked and saw him come into her line of view.

Arnav had his arm around Khushi  and had placed him infront of her.

“Nanav  mera Bhai – I see you have found her – I was coming to tell her that you had arrived Akaash had seen you”

“Do you always talk this much – remind me to have a full fledged conversation on your suhagg raat”

“I’ll be back in ten make that fifteen minutes – oh and bhai instead of the hall way – go round the corner there is a very very private pavilion – and you can thank me later !”

“So shall we ?”

“Arnav –someone might see us ?”

“And ?”

“ Besharaam”

“I introduced myself what is your name ?”

“Khushi Kumari Gupta…….Singh Raizada “

“ahhh … let me think…..my wife….whom i haven’t seen for over a week and am wearing a red shirt for – so give me a little credence i need something to keep me going till later – and if they see us so what we are married ! It’s a well known fact that I can’t keep my hands of you; you’re in red you  have absolutely floored me.”

“I could say the same about you in red ”

“Khushi we have fifteen minutes -I’m not going to waste them talking because that donkey NK will come back in 14 minutes wait till he is married then see the the fun I’m going to have”

“Arnav plan later I have missed you! Its been over a week since….”

“Who’s fault was that ? I asked you to come with me but no you had to stay and support NK in his wedding plans!”

“Arnav we have thirteen minutes ”

The rest was lost .

The first sensible thing that NK did was not return in fifteen minutes and the second sensible thing was to keep everyone away from the pavillion.

OS – 3 Shot – Waiting /Intezaar (Part 2)

Chapter 2

Although Khushi agreed to meet everyone she still felt she couldn’t come home.

These days she seemed to spend her time travelling up and down between Goa and Dehli either by car or train.

Even now she couldn’t bring herself to go to her fathre’s house , he visited her at Shantivan but never at his house. She couldn’t bring herself to speak to Bua ji . Even at Shantivan they all saw a different Khushi one who still lived in the shadows.

When visitors came she would melt away into the background she spoke nothing of her life in Goa and nothing of her Baba. She couldn’t bring herself to speak to Arnav or Akash other than polite chit chat . If they came towards her she would step back . All her conversations  consisted of monosyllabuls except with one male member of the family and that too when they were on their own Zakki .

They had seem glimpses of old Khushi only with Zakki.

One day Payal asked her” what happened Khushi share  and let it go.”

“I can’t”

“Move to Delhi- be near us work here whatever your work is.”

“Its money – I have not been dependant on anyone for a long time I can’t afford to move to Dehli yet but in time I will with my Baba”

“Who’s your Baba”

“The man who gave me hope, he gave me a roof when no one else would, he stood by me when I needed him. He taught me everything. There are two men in my life I can never repay Payal Baba is one of them and Om Kaka”

“Khushi what sort of house are you looking for we will find it and don’t worry about the money –dad has plenty”

“NO!”

“Khushi I have plenty of money to buy a house you can  rent it from me and be near Zakki move your Baba here as well as well as Om Kaka if you want”

For the first time she saw a flicker of hope in her sisters eyes. “Tell me what you need and Ill see what I can afford”

Khushi gave her specification five bedrooms not big but space for a garage to fix cars at least 3 to 5 at any one time and she wanted the house in a compound type of area but still private.

Payal spoke to Arnav and Akash  later that night.

“I have never asked you before but how much money do I have ?”

“What? Payal ?” Akash was astounded. Payal had never asked him for money.

“Sweet heart what do you want to buy? Just ask me a nd I ll sort out the bill- you don’t need to worry about money”

“Payal if it’s more expensive than normal just send the bill from the jewellers and it will be covered and I’ll tell Aman to increase your monthly allowance”

“I don’t need to increase my allowance its already far too generous and its not jewellery – I want to buy a house and I don’t know how?or How much money I need ?”

Two shocked voices “You want to move out of Shantivan ?”

“What? I ask to buy a house and you guys think I want to move out ? Akaash , Bhaiya –honestly –let me start at the beginning”

“I think you had better”

Once Payal explained Khushi’s  situation – it was Arnav who spoke- “Payal tell me her specification and your I’ll sort out the property . When it comes to Khushi – there is no such thing as your money or our money its what’s best for her.”

Arnav found a property not far from Shantivan but not as grand.  It met all of Khushi’s criteria the first thing they noticed before Khusshi moved in was the security. New increased fencing ,a watch man at night and one by day. They finally met Om Kaka and her Baba when they went over for tea with Payal and Zakki.

“Khushi ‘s out in the garage tinkering – I’ll get her please sit.”

“No please tell us about Khushi what happened to her”

Both men looked at each other and said “that is for her to tell you – I will go and get her”

Slowly the family came to accept the new silent Khushi. One night they were all at Shantivan celebrating Janamashmiti  when Khushi ‘s cell rang.

“ Nani we have to go- sorry”

It was with a sense of purpose that the three left I’ll go you prepare the house and double the watch tonight. Payal stay away from mine and definitely keep Zaaki away- Jijaji can you arrange a lift for Kaka and Baba after dinner I have to go now.”

Khushi left a stunned family. Baba smiled and so did Om kaka.

“We have to go”

“Kaka will Khushi be safe – I saw  her eyes before she left she is getting ready to do battle and telling me and Zakki to stay away means she is worried for our safety . But what of hers ?”

“Khushi  spent a long time surviving fighting she knows how to protect herself. And then there’s Rohit with her –he will die before he lets anything happen to Khushi”

Arnav was the first to ask –“who is Rohit ?”

“He looks after Khushi – the rest you will have to ask her but I have seen the way you look at Khushi Arnav beta – I will tell you this much there is no man in Khushi’s life. It will take a long time for her to trust again. She has come back to Dehli she has started the healing journey when she talks to Buaji then she will be ready to move on “

“Kaka was it really that bad ?”

“It was a living hell and she was a fighter and she wouldn’t given in so she suffered more. God forgive me , I stood and watched and sometimes I beat her to make the pain less”

“where did I send her ?” Shashi buried his face in his hands

“She survived and she’s here and she forgiven you –the rest will come”

“What does she do with the cars ?”

“Restores them , fixes them and sells them for a lot of money”

No one saw Khushi for about two weeks and then she appeared as though nothing had happened.

“We are going for a picnic by the lakeside want to come ?”

“Please Masi “

As stilted as her conversation was with the rest with Zakki it was different.

They  were picnicking by the lake .

“Come and swim with us, Masi”

“No Zakki –I don’t do water well at all you go and I’ll watch”

Payal  rowed the boat out towards the centre watched by Akash and Arnav. They were watching when they saw Zaaki fall in chasing after something.

Then as if in slow motion Payal started screaming from her boat . The boys knew something was wrong bt Khushi had realised that something was wrong before anyone else did they saw a figure swimming out to Payal before they could. Khushi had got Zaaki from under the water and was swimming back to shore with Zaaki .

Khushi swam back with Zaaki as fast as she could closely followed by Arnav and Akash and Payal in the boat.

Zaaki had regained consciousness by the time he was back on the shore and crying for his mum and dad .

Khushi tore her wet shirt and cleaned Zaaki ‘s wound without a thought. Lets get Zaaki to the doctors straight away.

Zaaki was dried in the car whilst all the other wet individuals waited patiently.

Only when Zaaki was allowed home after the all clear did the tree wet individuals notice that they were still wet.

Khushi wore Payals sari with a very low cut back. Khushi took her pallu over her shoulder.

Arnav was left breathless.

” Khushi sari’s  really suit you”

“Why you wearing the pallu in such an old fashioned way”

“Its Payal’s blouse, mamiji ; the fitting isn’t very good”

Khushi managed the pallu, well keeping herself covered.

Zakki came up to her and pulled her pallu leaving her back exposed to everyones view.

“Zakki don’t do that “

As fast as she tried to cover her back it was too late everyone had seen the scars on her back.

“Khushi what did they do to you?”

“Payal don’t worry it‘s long forgotten. I got off lightly and I’m still here”

Khushi back was heavily scarred Arnav could only stare in disbelief, what tortures had this innocent soul had to bare. He remembered Kaka’s word I stood by and watched.

“Khushi what did they do to you?”

“I worked out that if you were beaten then you didn’t have to go … go …and entertain. I made sure that I was beaten every week so I could escape . They would use a whip , a cane or belt.

“KaKa helped me run in the end when I could no longer protect myself that way. He saved me from one of their clients. We were considered unwanted garbage , not wanted by our families. So we were fit only for one thing. Enough about me, Zakki, you shouldn’t pull my pallu  ”

A while later Arnav came up to Khushi – “Can you help me?”

“I’ll try”

“My car won’t start –I have a meeting “

“Keys”

Arnav handed over the keys.

“Time ?”

“Time , what time is it ?”

“Meeting ?”

“0ne hour”

“Help me”

They went out to the car and Khushi tucked her Pallu into her waist . As she bent over the engine he saw her back close up there were hundreds of marks and circles as well as lines. What exactly had she had to endure.

Arnav saw a different side to Khushi when she was working – the old Khushi relaxed chatting away incessantly and he was enjoying her self .

“try the engine when I say “

The  engine roared into life.

“Thankyou- have a cup of tea with me before I go”

“I’ll make you coffee”

Arnav’s heart filled with hope she was talking to him. Then everything happened together.

“Arnav  get the sugar please its run out –its on the top shelf “

“Arnav picked the stainless steel canister and slipped and fell on his back the canister fell out of his hands – it was sugar , it was flour. A fine mist of flour covered him and her and the kitchen.

Khushi looked at him –he looked around himself this meeting had been doomed from the start . The rage rose in him, and then he looked at Khushi . Her body was silently shaking and then it erupted.

The laughter long forgotten and hidden deep down bubbled up and escaped Khushi laughed and laughed . It was as though an exorcism had taken place. Arnav looked at her and erupted into laughter. The noise and commotion had brought a lot of the family running in. The site that greeted them was unbelievable and then when  a laughing Khushi held out a hand to help Arnav up he slipped and fell again this time taking Khushi with him. Laughter erupted in the house.

Both lay there laughing exorcising their ghosts. No one had either of them laugh since Khushi had left.

“My meeting is doomed”

“Me staying in the same clothes is doomed”

It was a long time later that that the laughter stopped

“Khushi let me change and I’ll take you home”

Arnav rushed upstairs but by the time he came downstairs after showering again for the third time that day –she was gone.

He had made headway and now she was gone. No way  he was going to have it out with her today.

She had left him waiting again !

OS- 2 Shot Waiting / Intezaar

OS 2 shot – Waiting / Intezaar ( part 1)

“Hey Khushi, Jump and I’ll catch you”

“Shhhh we will get caught “

Khushi climbed out of her bedroom window and lowered herself into Arnav’s waiting arms.

Her rucksack was on her back her and Arnav sneaked away.

“Are you going to your prom dressed like that?”

“My outfit is in my rucksack. I’ll change when I get there but I have to be back before Payal

otherwise you will find my body hanging by the nearest lamppost. Come on Arnav – Lets go ”

It was Khushi’s prom night and she had been grounded; the reason being Buaji thought it was inappropriate for her to attend. Nice girls from good homes and good backgrounds didn’t go out partying or period just didn’t go out or have any fun. Certainly not with a boy ! And definitely not with a 21 year.  One of her besties. She didn’t have a single best friend she had loads, there was Preeto, Akash who was straight as they come and pined for her Jiji but never told her. There was Lavanya who was Payal’s friend and somehow had become Khushi’s  due to their natural affinity for trouble. Lavanya ‘s madness was no less than NK’s. This group of friends had grown up together. Arnav being the oldest and most responsible, tempering the trouble that the group got into. Khushi being the youngest along with NK got into an inordinate amount of scrapes together. Payal and Akash were the sensible ones usually bargaining with the elders to get Khushi and NK out of trouble.

They all knew That Khushi had been banned from the prom by Buaji and they all knew she was going to go. They just hadn’t worked out how she was going to do it.

Khushi knew who her true ally would be in this case – NK would land her straight into Buaji’s lap with her head on a platter. Lavanya would be good – but still couldn’t get her there ; Akaash and Payal would not support her but if she got caught they  would help get her out of trouble.

The unlikeliest member of the group would help; He had a soft spot for her but never revealed it to the rest of the group. He would help her all she needed was her lower lip to tremble and her eyes to fill with tears. He always gave into anything she wanted but never in front of anyone. In front of everyone else he was hard and unyielding, arrogant, his heart had been carved out of stone. But they all knew when it came to them he was a completely different person. His guard would partly come down, they would see the hardness disappear from his eyes and even occasionally smile.

That smile was never seen in the public domain it was reserved solely for his family and friends.

Arnav knew that Khushi had been banned from her prom, he also knew that she would go. There was damage limitation to be done. He knew that she would land herself in trouble up to her neck with her family. He had warned her the price would be too high. But Khushi Kumar Gupta was was a steam train on full speed heading for a train wreck- all he could do was be there for her. Recently she had been in trouble every time they looked away.  Her teenage antic’s had got her family worried but as ever Khushi’s heart was always in the right place. Buaji threaten to send her away to boarding school and that to a military style school if she got into anymore trouble.

“Khushi are you sure?”

“Arnav – stop being boring I’m almost sixteen –I’m not going to miss my prom. How old are you Arnav – life is for living”

“Khushi you may not have much left when Buaji catches you; and she will- the price is going to be very heavy for you and for us”

“Arnav stop spoiling my moment – let’s go!”

Khushi arrived at her prom and danced the night away with her best friend Preeto. She had the time of her life. She smiled and chatted to all her friends from her class and danced nonstop. She did nothing wrong while she was there. She had helped with the organisation of the function, the decorations, she was part of the committee and she had been banned from her own party. Buaji just didn’t understand.

At 10:30 Arnav came back for her and helped climb back into her bedroom window.

“Arnav you’re the best”

“No , I’m just making sure that you are not stupid enough to get yourself into trouble with some boy or other by hitching a lift at this time of night – Now stay out of trouble Khushi – I mean it ! I’m not helping you anymore”

Arnav thought about Khushi – on his way home ever since they were children she had been able to wheedle anything out of him right or wrong. He was 21 and she wasn’t even sixteen what hold did she have over him, everytime  she asked him ,he gave in. He probably felt like this since she was the youngest and the naughtiest member of the group. Well, here was another escapade that he had safely managed to get Khushi out of. Who would look out for her when he was gone. He was on his way to Harvard in the fall who would help her then.Who would look after her? Payal and Akaash and Lavanya were a year behind him and that left  NK  a year behind them-and he was almost as bad as Khushi. When those two planned something together they had a potentiating effect on each other the trouble they got themselves into was compounded. Who would look after his Khushi when he had gone? His Khushi ? When had she become his Khushi and not their or our Khushi? Enough he spent too much time replaying her antics in his brain.

Khushi climbed in the window and saw her Jiji in bed asleep .

“What the ?”she wasn’t even late now Jiji knew –well she would get her telling off tomorrow –her Jiji would never rat on her.

x————————————————————————————————————-x

Khushi was now 24 years old.  That evening had been the turning point in her life. Arnav had been right there had been a huge price to pay. She hadn’t realised the personal cost to herself and her family. But she had been caught that night. Some well meaning parent had sent pictures of her to her father showing her at the prom with his daughter.

“Look our angels are growing up fast “– had been the caption.

All Shashi saw was red, all Buaji saw was a rebellious, disobedient teenager putting their family reputation at risk and that too when Payal was coming up to marriageable age. Something had to be done and something was. Buaji had made sure of that.

Khushi felt as though she had been ripped out from the loving protective arms of her family and sent to a military style school for rebellious teenagers for girls. There had been no love, no friendship no warmth. She wasn’t a rebellious teenager she just found herself in trouble.

Slowly they killed her soul at the school the light died in her eyes; she was a born fighter and survivor she would make it through this. No contact with her family and friends was like a death sentence for Khushi. When she was allowed home for two weeks in the summer, Shashi and Payal questioned  Buaji- had they made the right decision ? Was this the right school?  Khushi seemed to be a mere shadow of herself lack lustre eyes, shadows under her eyes. She seemed to have lost weight . But Buaji had been adamant this was the best place for her –had there been any trouble ?

Had they heard a peep out of her ? were they worried what next ? No life was peaceful. Shashi said his life was empty without her Buaji fought adamantly to keep Khushi in that school for another year. That would sought her out then they could bring her home and get her married.

Khushi ran away on her eighteenth birthday. She had mixed with all sorts of girls and learnt a lot of trades that ordinarily she would never have come in contact with.

She knew how to pick locks, hotwire cars , infact she knew how to pull apart car engines and put them together. She had struck up an odd friendship with one of the caretakers there when she was continually put on car washing duty as part of her punishment.

Khushi now twenty-four had lived by her wits and moved away as far as possible from Dehli and that school. That had been another life. She had seen more than her fair share of misery and knew that her looks would attract unwanted attention; she knew that from school –that’s why she had run –no one was going to listen to her. A troublesome teenager –she had run with her virtue barely intact.

She ran and ran. Stealing to get by making sure no one knew that she was a girl till she arrived in Goa and helped an old man who had a garage. Here she finally found some peace and learnt all the skills that he could teach her. She had turned into a proper grease monkey. She had learnt about engines and cars from him. She could strip an engine down fix it and put it back together again. She lived with her Baba working for him from sunrise to sunset. She spent her evenings with him talking and finally letting her guard down. He had slowly over time had help her heal. He knew she had been traumatised, she had runaway and now she had forgiven her family but she had not forgotten.

Khushi had started to smile –it had taken her six years so far-but the haunted look in her eyes never quite disappeared.

She kept tabs on her family, but never let them know that she was ok.

Payal had got married to Akash and had a three year son. From the papers she saw that Arnav had risen to the top but his eyes seemed to have hardened and he always had different women on his arm. NK and Lavanya had somehow become an item but not married. Her Babuji seemed to be a lost soul now like she had been for a long time. Buaji seemed to have mellowed but Khushi felt no emotion towards her. She had been solely responsible for the trauma in her life worrying more about what society thought than what was happening to her.

Khushi heard that her father had a heart attack and was in hospital she picked up her bags and told her Babathat she was going to see her father before it was too late.

Khushi waited till visiting hours were over and sneaked into his room and saw her father.

She sat and talked to him about all the things that she had done and what she was doing now. She didn’t know if he could hear her- but she told him she didn’t hold him responsible for anything. She kissed him and a tear escaped from her eyes and landed on his face;  his eyes flickered open. Shashi stared into his daughters eyes unblinkingly. The medication was powerful and his eyes closed when he opened them they were gone.

Shashi fought through the haze of medication was he hallucinating , did he want to see Khushi so badly and just say sorry –now that death had knocked on his door – a warning sign. Had he imagined those eyes? He had to find Khushi.

As soon as Shashi was better he called Payal and Akash and Buaji –“ I dreamt that i saw Khushi – I want to find her”.

“Babuji we have tried and every year that has passed since she disappeared it has gotten harder.”

“Akash use Arnav and his power please find her for me, I know she has forgiven me but I need to see her again-tell her I was wrong!”

“Babuji you rest I’ll see what we can do, Bhai has a good detective agency they will look for her –it will take time but we will do what we can to find her”

Payal and Akash headed over to Arnav’s office and by the time the conversation was over a vase lay shattered on the floor. The group would get together, Khushi would become their fulltime case.They would rack their brains to see if they could remember anything about her that might lead them to her.

They sat there not voicing their fears – a single girl 18 no education , a madcap, a fun loving souls in this cruel world what would have become of her –how would she make her way through this world.

Was she still alive? How would she have survived? There was only one way for a girl to survive, the oldest profession since time. Arnav couldn’t bear to think about Khushi and what she would have had to face since she had run away. He hadn’t found out for two years that she had run away from school- he had looked, they had all looked but no one had found her. Now he was rich –he would find her.

Six weeks later the first report from his detectives made for grim reading .  He swigged the shot of whisky to calm his nerves and rising anger. Today he would go and have it out with Babuji and Buaji ,Payal  and Akash were told to be there.

The hopeful smiles disappeared instantly with look that they all saw in Arnav’s face. The anger was evident. They had never seen him so angry and that was saying something.

Arnav launched into attack ,by the time he had finished Payal and Buaji were sobbing and Shashi uncle had tears streaming down his eyes. Akash sat in stunned  shocked silence.

Who the hell had found this so call school , whose idea was it ? Khushi was naughty not rebellious.

She hadn’t deserved to be sent to a reform school. As Arnav read out the report of what his detectives had found out – they sat in disbelief as they heard – they had seen the signs but ignored them. The punishments were inhuman and cruel the cane and the whip . There was no schooling in the formal sense just trades that girls were taught.

There were side line trades run by some of the people in charge some of the girls traded sexual favours for an easier life –everything was a trade off. They had thrown Khushi into a pit full of Vipers and she had run –there was no surprise. They had found an old man who had retired who remembered Khushi and told them that he helped her escape and what had happened arrived from. She had almost been raped that night until he came along. He lost his job because he had interfered.

She had escaped; he had given her enough money to run. That’s all he revealed.

The detectives noted that he seemed to living better than his means –they found out that a postal order arrives every month for him. It originates somewhere in Goa.

The detectives feel that it can only be Khushi no one else –so they believe that she is still alive.-is that good or bad, god only knows, with what you are responsible for making her endure!

She was the most innocent soul I have ever known and you both are responsible for ripping her apart.

If she is still alive I will find her and trust me we will do everything it takes to get her back to the Khushi we knew.

The detective seemed to come to a dead end they couldn’t trace the money any further. But with the evidence they had collected the so called school was shut down. Charges were being brought against most individuals in that school for corruption, drugs and sex trafficking and just plain cruelty.

X—————————————————————————————————-X

It was about three months later when they were all sat round dinner at Shantivan. They had been discussing the traumatic events of the day. Akash and Payal had been busy arguing in the mall they hadn’t noticed Zakki get bored and wander off. They had found him in the security office. He was happily sitting their eating icecream with not a care in the world. Payal was sobbing by this time and Akash was frantic with worry.

Arnav looked at Zaaki “Zaaki you can’t just wander off a mean person might take you away from us”

“I wasn’t alone and I didn’t wander off”

“Zakki did you leave your mummy and daddy ?”

“Yes, but only because I saw maasi and mummy and daddy were fighting. I hate it when they fight. I saw her so I followed her. She bought me the ice cream and left me with the policeman. All you grown-ups are the same. Even she told me don’t ever leave mummy’s hand no matter what, some mean people might take me away. And then what would mummy do? She also said I should never have sweets or chocolates from strangers or get into people’s cars if I didn’t know them and if they were to try and take me I should scream really loudly and bite and kick. I like that maasi a lot she even made me practice kicking”

“Paayal at least one of your friends talks sensibly – why didn’t she just bring Zakki to you or just ring you –she must have known that you were very worried”

“Zakki which maasi was it ?”

“Khushi masi she is so cool-and so much fun”

Zakki chattered on in all innocence whilst  at the table there was pin drop silence .

Arnav was the first to ask “Zakki where did you meet Khushi masi ?”

“Can’t remember”

“At home ?”

Puzzled Zakki answered “No – besides she told me I was her secret masi and I’m not supposed to tell anyone about her” As soon as Zakki had said that he clapped his mouth over his mouth and started to cry. “Now our friendship will be kutti!” big tear swelled in his eyes and trickled down his face.

“Zakki you only told us by accident and we won’t tell anyone so don’t worry but the next time you see her or play with her tell us we want to play as well”

After Zakki had left “What do you think?”

“Bhaiya I don’t have a single friend called Khushi “

“It’s got to be her. I’ll see if anything shows up on the mall close circuit cameras”

They looked but it was as though she was a ghost – nothing.

Khushi didn’t want to be found she wouldn’t

X——————————————————————————————–X

Time came and went still no further. It wasn’t till Zakki’s fourth birthday.

“Mummy ,mummy I got a secret for you come with me”

Laughingly Payal let her son pull her into the poolside.

The others watched on he climbed on the chair then the table what was that monkey up to. He made Payal turn round covered her eyes and kissed her on her cheeks.

Akash saw Payal turn a shade of white as her son scramled of the table and ran off.

Payal sat down shocked.

Akash came rushing in and Payal was crying by the time he got there.

She was holding a letter in her hands.

Akash took the letter from her hands “Payal What is wrong “

“Khushi came today to the house she gave Zakki a kite they played for half an hour on the roof flying it she asked him to give me a kiss and keep it a secret and this letter.”

Jiji ,

Sorry. I had no choice. I had to run. Please forgive me.  I come by time to time and play with Zakki – if you don’t want me to I won’t meet Zakki anymore or my niece and nephew who is due next.

I will never let my reputation affect yours,

Always love you

Khushi

“We will bring her home – don’t worry Payal. Lets tell Arnav she won’t be far”

How does she do it come and go and never be seen. But the one thing they knew she was alive.

x——————————————————————————–X

Devi Maya had been watching from above decided to lend a helping hand to Khushi, she considered Devi Maya to be one of her best friends, she needed to help matters along a little.

It was Khushi birthday  and Payal decided to pay Devi Maya’s temple a visit to bring her sister home safe and sound. She dragged the whole family including Arnav.

As they silently sat there praying , Zakki got bored got up and went and sat next to his Masi .

Payal , Akash and Arnav kept a watchful eye on him his wandering habits would get him lost one day.

They noticed that he had moved two rows up and was playing with a ladies plait.

Payal didn’t know what to do she couldn’t move. Arnav was silently laughing at his nephew. Go on take the kid to more puja’s see what happens.

Akash was silently cursing his naughty son. They all watched as he put his little hands over her eyes and kiss her. They all gasped.  Zakki only did that with his mum no other member of the family.

He said he was a big boy now and only kissed special girls that didn’t count as girls, like his mummy.

Who would he voluntarily be kissing.

Khushi felt someone pull her hair- a child. It could only be one child Zakki and then she felt small hands cover her eyes. She turned to see him and smiled and saw all of them sitting there nani  mamiji , Di, Akaash , Arnav  Babuji and Buaji .

Instant recognition between all of them. Khushi’s eyes flashed a multitude of emotion hurt regret ,pain, fear and then anger when she saw Buaji .

She turned back to complete her prayers.

Then as everyone stood up to get the prashad  Khushi withdrew into the crowd ready to run Payal had already guessed her intention she walked out of the temple before the Puja was complete. Akash and Arnav lost her in the crowd. Di had Zakki.

They heard it “Khushi stop”

But Khushi was already running and Payal was no competition for a girl with Khushi’s street life experience. Arnav and Akaash were chasing her but she vanished then they heard a scream Payal lying in a crumpled heap on the floor. Both Arnav and Akash forgot their quarry and  ran over to an unconscious Payal. Akash worried sick picked her up Arnav saw Payal as well she opened her eye winked at her husband and Arnav and carried on with the faint.

“Bhai she’s serious lets go straight to the hospital you know the baby and all”

“I’ll get the car”

Akash gently laid Payal in the back of the SUV whilst Arnav drove.

“I  think that was well played – bring her to us”

Arnav asked for a side room. “She won’t appear till we have gone and we can’t leave early – she will be watching from a distance .”

It was close  to midnight when a nurse came with her med

Payal just said “Khushi” and held her arms out to her, forgotten was the plan to raise the alarm. Both sisters sat there crying and hugging each other.

“Khushi come home where have you been all this time ?”

“I can never come home your reputation will be gone”

“I don’t care what you have done or what you have been doing I just want you home Babuji wants you home and Buaji feels bad for what she did to you”

“I have a lot of baggage. Your society will never accept me –remember I ran away – I’mnot a good girl am I.”

It was 4:00 am before Payal pressed the buzzer. Arnav and Akash rushed in to find Khushi sleeping next to Payal

“Shhh look who’s come home”

“How long has she been here?”

“Since 11:00”

“You call us now “

“Am I always going to be waiting for this girl?”

“Always Arnav –always”

Just Good Friends (Chapter 6)

Just Good Friends – Chapter  6

By the time she finished tonight the scores would be even and then she see her friend sweat !

Then he learn to appreciate her .

 

Khushi made The Adrak wali chai and Pakoras weighing everything out in terms of La

“OK La think  the two of you want tea”

“Arnav loves coffee”

“He loves Adrakwalli chai as well usually in the monsoon after we have been playing chase in the rain – you know I love to splash him in the rain- and he complains how can you when you are already soaked. Forget that  how long does it take you to get your make up out ?”

“A minute”

“Thats how long it takes you get everything ready”

“How long to put your make up on about 15 minute”

“Good grief are you putting make up on or getting a plastic surgery ! Ooops sorry La sometimes my tongue runs away before my brain goes into gear sorry La  but really you waste 15mins putting that gloop on your face?”

“Let me show you sometime after your Adrakwalli Chai”

“Well it takes as long as your make up does!”

“Right what do you think you need for the  adrak tea?”

“Water ,milk ,tea, sugar and adrak!”

“OK almost right this is for Arnav Ji –no sugar put in some sweetener instead ,how many people are you making for ?”

“Two”

“in go two cups of water, two teaspoons  of adrak and sweetener and boil for five minutes then add an equal amount of tea , boil for as long as it takes to curl your lashes and put your mascara on and then simmer with one cup of milk – twice the amount of foundation as blusher foundation = water  blusher =milk . Simmer till you’re make ups’done . Right try it !”

“You know Chamkeli thats funny it makes perfect sense to me “

La tried it and made a perfect cup of tea .

Now the pakora Khushi broke it down for her in similar terms .

Later that evening –when Arnav arrived Khushi asked La “ Please  make tea and pakoras for everyone and don’t forget the magic formula make up and love”

“What ?”

“Make up and love –that’s the language La understands”

A while later the tea arrived,  brewed to perfection and the crispy pakora –little bites of crispy fried explosions of taste. The light fried crispy batter contained sweet and sour soft fluffy potatoes,  just like Khushi and everyone loved them except Arnav who hated them!

He had to sit there and eat them every single one that La had placed on his plate. Khushi smiling added chutney to his plate. He scowled up at her whilst everyone praised Khushi and La for their snack.

Nani 1 = Arnav 1 the scores were looking far better. Khushi was getting immense amount of praise and the next sentence had three of them choking on their tea.

“Few more lessons like this and she will be ready for the engagement party.”

In her revenge strategy against Arnav she had forgotten her ultimate goal. He scowled and glared as she guiltily looked at his face and then at La’s whose face had just fallen, as she too remembered her goal.

One step forward two steps back, this was all Arnav’s fault.

 “Serves you right for dumping on me in the morning”

“What are you too whispering about ?”

“Nothing Nani ji, just reminding Khushi how much I love aloo ke pakaora”

“He hates them Nani Ji”

“I know he does but he still ate them”

“Owww”

“Nothing Nani ji I was just thinking that maybe we should get tables bigger legs ?”

“Why Arnav?”

“For self preservation”

He couldn’t believe it he had just been kicked by two different legs. He looked at two sets of eyes .

“Why did you eat them?” one voice whispered

Whilst the other whispered “You never usually eat them you always play the dying swan when I make them !”

“Well you didn’t make them!”  Arnav  whispered back.

“Then get engaged!”

“Crap!” In his anger at Khushi he had forgotten his ultimate goal.

“OK Nani wins this round we need to regroup and replan!”

“OK now you remember your hide is on the line,- you want to regroup and re plan”

“Please Khushi” he looked at her with imploring eyes .

Nani looked at the trio at the far end there was some serious planning going on that end and that look that Arnav gave Khushi meant only one thing he was getting her to do something she didn’t want to ! Why was he so stupid couldn’t he see he had been in love with her since she had first come to this house. Why was he being stubborn? All he had to do was listen to her and he would end up with the perfect girl – his best friend.

Well she had experience on her side he would be engaged to the right girl by hook or by crook.

The trio withdrew to the poolside on the pretext of business.

“Now what since we successfully screwed that up!”

“Arnav Singh Raizada –shut up and let me think !”

Lavanya could only stare at Arnav open mouth as he closed his mouth and sat down. When he went to open his his mouth Khushi face palmed him and he stayed silent. Lavanya watched in total disbelief. No one ever spoke or behaved like that with him and here he was just listening to this girl. Lavanya had worked out in that instant that Khushi was very special to him- she had known that she just realised how special –even the great Arnav Singh Raizada had not realised but she had. Lavanya thought I wonder if nani suspects? She had just started liking Nani and Nani her.

Lavanya thought to herself a double cross was required here she would have to test the waters subtly with Nani.

“Arnav there’s nothing for it –you have to get engaged to Lavanya “

“What ?”

“No!”

Both anwered at the same time.

“Well at least you still both feel the same.  Plan 1 OK we need outfits for your engagement – right –you design them that might buy us some time that might delay things a bit. Plan 2 you have to dance –well with the two left feet you have got Arnav that will definitely buy us time ”

“Khushi he’s not that bad”

“I’ve seen him dance trust me he’s bad –he got no sense of rhythm”

“What Khushi ?  He has definitely got a sense of rhythm”

“I’m trying to help you both here –at least work with me –a little”

“Ahhh i get it – I agree he’s got no rhythm!”

“Finally the penny drops”

“Do I have to be bad at everything can she be bad at something”

“Arnav why does everything have to be a competition for you – we are trying to help you here –may I remind you – Plan three if all else fails and we need time play your ace –you’re diabetic card –pretend to get sick from the stress. Nani can’t stand it when you get ill she will give into everything you want – that’s the best for now. Can either of you come up with something better?”

“A business trip and I get delayed on my return”

“So you will leave Nani Ji alone to be mocked and made fun of?”

“No – I can’t do that!”

“I could just not turn up on the day”

“Nani Ji has another girl in mind – thats what we need to find out who is she and make sure that she is not there and then Arnav will be the standing joke not Nani Ji – you’ve got broad shoulders you can take that amount of scandal and still turn up to  work next day”

Tomorrow was a new day.

Lavanya sat with Nani trying to carry out chicken embroidery. She tentatively broached the subject of her engagement.

“Nani if i hadn’t come along who were you going to get Arnav engaged to?”

“I had a girl in mind – still do –stop with this idle talk and focus at the task at hand”

“Nani what if i don’t succeed and please you then what?”

“You’re trying aren’t you or have you already given up?”

“Nani can I say something ?”

“Of course you can”

“I think Arnav is love with Khushi and Khushi with –they just don’t know it”

Nani Ji looked at Lavanya carefully –why was she asking this? Was she going to make Khushi’s life hellish or did she have another plan.

“Nani I like Arnav and I love Khushi – I don’t want to marry him”

“Won’t you be upset if he doesn’t agree to the wedding –you are trying so hard to fit in with this family?”

“Nani can I share something with you?”

  Lavanya told her of their original plot and the future plans that had been discussed last night.

“Arnav and Khushi – I should have known better – anytime I ask her to go against her precious Arnav she fights me tooth and nail all the way always taking his side. Lavanya are you willing to help me get those two idiots to realise what the hell is going on otherwise  it will be the next lifetime before these children get their act together.

This is what we should do .

Lavanya was laughing by the end of it. She would be finally one up on Arnav Singh Raizada finally.

The Rise of the Phoenix (3/?)

The Rise of Phoenix

Chapter 3

Bright Star came out, his Jockey sporting phoenix colours of fiery red and  burnt orange.

Khushi and her team all wearing stunning outfits, all variations on the Phoenix ‘s colours.

All three designs were striking.

Khushi outfit -stunning and simple

The team turned heads when they walked in, emanating an air of sophistication, class and breeding, ingrained in every one of their movements. Something only years of training and experience in the very best of finishing schools could provide.

They would be voted the best dressed, wearing the most sought after designs. Phoenix’s designs would soon be being produced on every sweat shop floor in the industry renowned for manufacturing fakes.

Phoenix watched her horse win and smiled when Bright Star was paraded in the winner’s circle.

As he and his rider circled the paddock, she knew her father would be taking someone to task.

Second time in a matter of weeks she had snatched victory from him. Once she had surprised him , he could forgive himself, twice in a row he would find unforgivable. Shashi Gupta loved the taste of victory, he was never happy coming second. Recently he had been losing out to AR Designs and now to Phoenix. He didn’t like losing, for him it was irrelevant who the opponent was. He hadn’t heard from his daughter for years. It had irked him that his plan hadn’t come to fruition. In fact the opposite instead of two design houses joining forces they had become bitter rivals and in the recent past AR Designs seemed to be winning more than losing .

Shashi Gupta had felt a twinge of guilt for his daughter all those years ago-but he remembered in his world girls added no value to his business-they couldn’t make it grow or take it forward. He hadn’t had a son to carry his name forward. That really annoyed him. He had had other children with other women but they were all girls. He had only ever married Khushi’s mother. In his world girls were a commodity to be used and bartered. Khushi ‘s only worth had been in what she could guarantee  in a business deal  by joining another family and creating a new  bloodline. She had failed at that. Failure in his eyes was unacceptable.

Shashi Gupta had loved the races especially horse racing, he had a stud farm. Khushi spent her summers growing up around them, talking to the trainers and grooms. She had learnt about horses from a very young age. She recognised a good runner when she saw one. She had watched Bright Star train and won the occasional race. But Khushi noticed his form, he was just a baby, he had a long way to go. She had met the struggling owner and come to a deal. She would provide the funds to train him properly and get advice from a very well known sought after trainer who was semi retired but would return to the racing world for her. They would not reveal to the world who the real owners were, up until Khushi said.

In the winner’s circle on the podium the Jockey and the owners were up to take the prize money and the cup , next to them Bright Star .

Repoters asked for comments .

Phoenix’s comment “The Phoenix has risen –don’t try catching her , her fire may scorch those who try and keep up with her.”

Khushi left as unobtrusively as she had arrived. She was not at the winners party. Had anyone looked carefully they would have found a girl simply dresses Andy cap on her head faded t -shirt and jeans  her hair in a loose bun ,her face smeared in dirt marks in jodhpurs and riding boots as she groomed and cooled Bright Star down and gave him water.

She happily spent the next two hours with Bright Star and his regular groom talking and humming to Bright Star. Khushi was one of three people who regularly road Bright Star.

When she needed to think or relax, often you could find her with the horses mucking out the stables, cooking or even designing.

These came naturally to her. You never know had she been a boy she may even have been a horse trainer or a jockey. Her father never gave her credence for that she was a girls, they learnt to cook and draw and at best be pretty and grace someone’s table. Be knowledgeable in world news and events to listen politely but only ever comment in agreement, never have an opinion.

Well his opinion was going to be forcibly changed. Phoenix was out for blood she was going to drag her father into the 21^st century, if he didn’t recognise her talents or worth he would be destroyed in the process.

Khushi had long ago set the wheels in motion to take everything that mattered to her father away from him. Leave him a shell, a mere shadow of the man that he thought he was. Evil like his had two paths either be destroyed, so they could no longer hurt anyone else or repent and change. The latter was never going to happen.

Arnav had seen her again, he sensed her the minute she entered. Strange he thought to himself –still? He had always been able to sense her entry into his room, was it her scent? Or her footsteps? Even now her presence made his heart race in anticipation. Anticipation of what? Gone was her tinkling laughter. The laughter and smile on her face as charming as it was did not reflect the sadness, in her eyes. She would never come up to him now kiss him or hug him from behind covering his eyes. He had had a glimpse of heaven with her. He had known what it was to be truly happy if only for fleeting moment. He wanted it back. But how was he going to win her over. The sequence of events all those years ago scarred him and he was a strong individual but her ? She had been an innocent –there was no way neither his father nor hers could ever be forgiven for what they did to her. He had been away, but he knew he looked equally guilty in her eye. He had not found out for a long time what really happened and even then he was not sure if that had been the whole truth or was there more to discover?

There were bridges to be built but how did one begin and where had she hidden for all those interim years. She was back and from what he had found out and could see, there was a game plan in play. He just didn’t know what it was. All he had found out using his private detectives is what everyone had known. They had not discovered anything that Phoenix didn’t want revealed.

No –one knew where she had been till Phoenix appeared on the fashion scene launching her design in all the major shows. At each event she either won the prize or came runner up.

Prior to that no one had heard about her there was no paper trail. No bills, her tax returns were those filed by her father as part of the business. She had vanished when she was sixteen and resurface now as Phoenix eight years later.

The detectives had not been able to gain any information from her employees or household staff. A lot of money had been offered but no information was forthcoming.

She lived and worked with a very loyal group of people. They would not be bought with money. It made his job harder, but he was glad finally she had found a group of people she could trust, who would not sell her out.

She looked stunning once again in her designs –they would be a hit –he knew that –she carried herself with poise and grace. Khushi had developed over the years a style that made her stand out in a crowd. Although she was very much in the public eye she still managed to maintain a very private persona. Only releasing the briefest of information about herself but still managing to give herself the biggest articles in all the newspapers and plenty of free publicity. She was currently the hottest thing since sliced bread.

Arnav saw her at the winners circle, receiving the prize. What was her game ? She seemed to be targeting very specific markets one that he and his father in law reigned supreme. Was she out to prove herself against them? Or was she here because she loved horses and was naturally talented at designing. After the award ceremony he expected to find her and her team at the dinner but they were not there. He wondered, he guessed she always loved horses ,would she ? He ambled of to the stable area and noticed a slight figure – a girl grooming a horse. Ordinarily the person would go unnoticed, someone of little consequence ,but he recognised her Khushi was grooming her horse. He watched her from the shadows discretely hidden, serene and relaxed thats how she appeared.

“Whats your game plan Khushi ?  What arena will I find you in next ? You seem to be challenging us in every arena ? Have you laid down a gauntlet ? Have we not noticed it ? I will come to you Khushi, I will win you , once you have had a taste of heaven you can never let it go. Bring on the game there are three main players in this arena, I hope you win whatever you are playing for . I hope I am not a casualty of your war and that we can stand side by side in time to come, friends, lovers companions. I hope you will be able to forgive me at the very least ”

 

 

 

 

 

The Rise of The Phoenix Chapter 2

The Rise Of The Phoenix

Chapter 2

Khushi , NK and Preeto  had scrutinising the papers every picture and word written had been looked at dissected for hidden meanings any clue in the papers to her true identity had not been revealed.

She still had the mask of Phoenix publically. As long as she had her mask Khushi felt in total control.

No one could get near her. She knew that both men responsible for her past had been there last night , she had seen neither of them, that she had made sure.  Give them a glimpse, leave them wanting more that was what she had intended for both in different ways. Grab the trophy gain the number 1 position that’s all that counted.  Her had grabbed the prize  from right under her father’s nose. He never gave credence to the underdog, only the established main frame players were in his line of sight. Everyone else was not worth his time. From now on he would look, no matter how small the opponent was. He would take the time to carefully consider each player. Next round he would be more ready, but she had been taught by the best and she had learnt pretty quickly the value of herself  in their market. The Pawn was back to play again except now she was a queen she had gained the skills to take them on , her game plan held every possible outcome and in every strategy she came out the eventual winner – in some the cost was higher and in others it was lower. But in all her game plans no one other than the three contenders would be hurt, her father, her husband and herself, of that she had made sure. Those two would lose to a far greater extent she would be the minor casualty this time around. There would be no innocent casualties in this war of that Khushi had made sure. She had lost so much already Khushi questioned what more could she lose?

The second man that had to be enticed she knew she had him hooked –his favourites colours red and gold she wore the outfit to reveal enough cleavage to leave the observer wanting more.

When she twirled in the swathes of chiffon it revealed enough of her shapely legs up to her thighs. He would want to see more.  She knew there was striking maturity about her since he had last seen her he would come after her. She knew he wouldn’t be able to resist. She had sweetened the honey pot just enough to let people think that Phoenix designs was a small company looking for partners to aid in financial expansion. The same thought that had been her father’s all those years ago. Second time around who would lose –not her!

“The emails are flooding in with orders queries, joint venture possibilities more dates invitations there is so much – Phoenix  Designs is an overnight success  Khushi lets make the most of it . Get Phoenix to the top and forget the rest.”

“NK it’s only the rest that got me so far it’s my driving force, you remember that jar in my office what do you think is in that jar –it holds pride of place. You all think that vase is important to me.”

She looked up tears shimmered in her eyes, she now only ever opened her soul to the two people she loved and trusted the most NK and Preeto. They could see the pain seared into her soul even after all these years –she had never told them fully what had happened but they knew the cost -her child.

Sudden realisation dawned on the pair as they looked “Khushi you have not let her go after all these years. It’s been 8 years Khushi  – you need to let her go Baby you can’t heal till that day”

“I promised her that either both her parents would let her go or both the men responsible for her death would pay and then I would say bye to her till, then her ashes are with me –they are my driving force”

“Khushi whatever the outcome of this one way or another the little ones ashes have to be scattered –you can’t move on till that has happened. How long are you going to let revenge be your driving force ? This amount of energy is best spent doing something for other people leave revenge behind no good can come of it –you are not that kind of person”

Preeto got up and came to Khushi – after tis whatever the outcome we have to let her ashes go –promise me you will do that – Promise me Khushi ……….PROMISE ME KHUSHI ON YOUR DAUGHTERS ASHES YOU WILL LET HER GO !”

“I promise after this ….. i will let hergo …..but i will win first !”

“But what’s the price Khushi ? What if the price is to high ? Then what ?”

“Where these men are concerned human cost is inconsequential only money and power counts , so money and power is where I am going to get them. I am going to turn the screws first on Gupta Fashion house first and then AR designs.”

All these message any from my main competitors?”

“Only Gupta Fashion House”

Ignore all invites for three days let’s take a holiday and be unavailable lets go back home for at least a week or two be unavailable. Curiosity will not die about Phoenix but when she is not seen at the next few events as is tradition- it will get tongues wagging and then we will make a comeback at the Derby races – At every major event we will be seen – the three of us wearing Phoenix designs.  We will attend a few races and disappear we won’t be seen at the after events.  I am already in negotiations with the owners of the horse that I think is likely to win the race or at least make a good showing. I was a rich man’s daughter I learnt a lot of things that I didn’t even know that I had learnt from my father; I imbibed a lot of things just by being around him. He taught me the meaning of winning and ruthless.  Remember I always back the underdog. I have already convinced the owners that Phoenix will be part owner of the horse and both the horse and jockey will wear Phoenix’s colours and designs in the finale. Win or lose Phoenix will be

“Khushi we don’t have the time come up with all these designs”

“Do you really think I don’t have some spectacular designs up my sleeves the drawnings are already done ready to go to production for all three of us ,the jockey and the horse –remember this has been long in the planning .Time to go  back home – regroup make our designs we will back in three weeks for the races !

Both Preeto and NK looked on excited but guarded hoping that they would come through safe and unscathed –it had taken them a both a long time to drag her out of  her depression. If things didn’t turn out the way she wanted where she would end up and if they did would she be able to live with the guilt of what she had done or would she fallback down the spiral of hell and depression that had hold of her for so long. Who could make her see she was on a self destructive path and all they could as bystanders be there for her and pick up the shattered pieces again when the final curtain on her drama closed. They were sure she wouldn’t leave this stage unscathed.

x—————————————————————————————–x

Ok so how’s it coming ? 

christmas without you -(reblog) Final part

OK I  finally put together a final chapter for “Christmas without You.” before the epilogue of My Gap Year

Chapter 5

He looked on at the group and kept reminding himself not to quickly. Time – thats what he needed time slowly he would get her back and his son well that was completely another ball game -he reminded him of himself when younger. He was adorable – how had Khushi managed all these years no memory and a baby to boot . How did she support herself ? Singing that was it ,Gaz had said she was singing in bars. That must have been hard -not anymore . She was never leaving home again. She was never going to leave his side. He could see from her they had a long way to go before the old fun loving Khushi could return – the one who had a passion for living -here stood a shadow of her old self . He would get her back.

Khushi moved into Shantivan . In the short time that ASR was there he usurped Arnav position of being able to command and throw temper tantrums.

Arnav watched on and played with his son and tried to  disciplined him when he thought he was up to no good but all he got was telling off from Di,Nani and Mami ji. How dare he raise his voice at their  little angel. All Khushi could do was laugh “Let them get used to him they will start shouting at him themselves once the novelty has worn off. He hasn’t revealed his true colours yet -but he will”

Arnav smiled slowly he could see with the passing of time Khushi was getting comfortable in her surroundings. Slowly he started to do the littlest things for her that made her feel special and wanted. A rose on her bed , a little note , left here or there he would play with ASR . he noticed that Khushi was scared of …. the list was endless – but he helped through all of this. It was one night when there was crashing thunder and lightning that Khushi sat up in bed frozen in terror tears pouring down her face shivering.  “Khushi can I come in” there was no answer. Arnav felt uncomfortable opening the door but peering round it he was glad.

“Khushi !” He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. She felt safe and secure nothing could get through.Nothing could harm her. She wasn’t alone anymore; floating, the coldness that was numbing her body had stopped spreading, her arms didn’t have to stay locked holding onto onto what ….. she was floating . She didn’t have to gasp for each precious breath. The will to live was strong from somewhere deep buried inside her it had surfaced making her fight nature not allowing the sea to claim another victim. Another victim -a faceless person being dragged away from her she was being pulled away from him , she had to leave him why ? who was he ?she could only save one ? who ? what right did she have to live at the expense of another she had to let go faces ,images were mixing and blending into one Arnav ASR they were interchanging with the faceless image NK was in the mix. Who was she going to lose. The cold had started spreading again the water was swirling around her pulling her further and further away .She was suffocating ,she couldn’t breathe she could taste the salt water. It was choking her, burning down her throat how much more could she take -unlock her arms and let  slide Khushi she thought . The pain would be gone, she would be warm, she wouldn’t have to fight for each breathe. She would at peace. She felt her fingers unlock slowly and part company and her head was slowly falling below the surface she was going to lose this fight she had enough. She would let herself go -Forgive me Devi Maya . I love you Arnav .I am sorry. She saw his smiling face. His tears his voice demanding “come back safe”. The will to fight returned  her fingers meshed and her arms locked ,her feet kicked. She  would die fighting -there was someone waiting for her at home. Today she did not belong to the sea.

She jolted back to the present being held by Arnav -she fought the sea to be with him. The face she remembered but nothing else. He had been her courage when she had lost hope ,when she had almost given up it was him who had pulled her back. He was her strength then and he was here now.

Khushi stared up at him unblinkingly staring at him she ran her finger over his face highlighting each brow, then the outline of his lips it was his face those eyes that had pulled her through slowly she raised her lips to taste him.

Arnav froze he wanted this more than anyone could imagine but not like this when she was scared and terrified with tears coursing down her face.

“Khushi stop” pulling away from her .  “No Arnav , kissing you is like coming home there is something so familiar but missing, I need to find it, I need to remember -you. Please kiss me”

Arnav lost his fight he took her lips and plunged in looking exploring all the corners of her mouth .Her mind might not remembered him but her body knew him well her hands knew exactly where to caress to drive him over the edge , exactly where to kiss and where to blow .There bodies imprint of each other returned each knew what the other wanted, each knew how to send the other to edge of sanity and finally both came together in a cataclysmic climax. Both lay next to each other panting short of breath ,letting there heart beats return to normal.

“Thank you Arnav”, she held his hand ,their fingers laced. with her head on his chest and drifted off to sleep. The first uninterrupted night’s  sleep she had since her accident. A sleep free from dark shadows, nightmares and death.  No faceless body to haunt her. She slept late into the morning when her eyes open she remembered the previous night. She saw Arnav working on his laptop and a mug next to him. There was no steam rising. What time was it ,her heart started racing, she sat up quickly “ASR”

Arnav looked at Khushi first with pleasure then fear. “He’s with Nani and Di being thoroughly spoiled. How about you ?”

“No regrets Arnav, about last night”

Arnav closed his eyes in relief –“You sure I didn’t take advantage of you – you were vulnerable and upset and then I….”

“Ssshhh- did exactly what I wanted and needed”

“ Not that I have a problemwith the view except that If you don’t cover up, I’ll be coming back for seconds sooner than I had planned”

Khushi looked down at herself, the sheet had fallen round her waist leaving her breasts exposed. She quickly pulled the sheet up and blushed

“It’s red”

“What’s red”

“Your nose – I wonder if it could get redder”

Arnav walked over waited giving Khushi an opportunity to pull back to retreat to change her mind. He swooped down and pulled her into his arms and took what was rightfully his and had missing from his life for a long time a kiss from his wife.

“Do you remember anything?”

“I remember fighting with the sea, to stay alive it was your face and eyes that gave me courage when I had almost given up.

Last night I felt that I had come home it’s so familiar yet not quite so because something is still missing. But it no longer matters memories or no memory  I want to be with you because it feels right to me.”

“Khushi have you any idea how long I have wanted to hear you say that”

“So what next ?”

“Lets start living again “

Time waited for no one certainly not  Arnav ,Khushi  and ASR . Flashes of memory returned slowly. Two christmas came and went and Shantivan walls echoed with laughter. Khushi ‘s confidence grew slowly anything could trigger a panic attack a car engine backfiring ,a storm with thunder and lightening , heavy rain. The smell of firecrackers was the worst that would almost make her break out in a cold sweat. But slowly with Arnav’s help she learnt to cope.

“ASR where are you ? You little monkey wait till I find you ! I’m going to pull your ears ! ASR COME HERE RIGHT NOW!”

Khushi hadn’t been able to find him anywhere in the house she had looked and looked . She asked HP and Nani who had all joined in the hunt. She could feel the rising tide of panic -where was he. Stop she told herself what would Arnav do – offer him a bribe .
That was the next thing she tried . “ASR come out come out and I’ll give you a bar of chocolate”

Khushi could feel the panic strangling her. She had an increasing sense of nausea and taste  bile in the back of her throat . She grabbed her phone “H..H..Hi”

“Khushi what’s wrong ?”

“I…I…cccc can’t……. find……… ASR “

“Khushi I’m on my way stop panicking you know what a monkey he is -he is probably hiding somewhere. Have you looked on the roof top , I said when I came home I would help him fly his kite, send HP  or OP to take a look.”

HP ran up the stairs and shouted down the door is unlocked .

Khushi didn’t wait, her fear of not finding  ASR was greater than her fear of heights.

She ran up the stairs closely followed by Di and then lagging behind Mamiji and finally Nani ji.

There on the parapet’s ASR reaching up trying to untangle his kite from being caught in one of the roof top tree branches .

HP halted , Khushi stopped dead in her track fear and panic coursing through her body. He could lose his balance any second now ,adrenalin pumped through her body, her mother’s instinct far outweighed any fear she had of heights or closed spaces. Slowly, calmly, she walked across the rooftop towards her son stealthily  gaining on him so as not to surprise him. She was almost there when Mami ji arrived “ASR careful” she screamed.

ASR turned to look who had called him concentration lost he stumbled and lost balance and started grasping at fistfuls of air. Khushi lunged herself half over the parapet and and clamped her hand round his wrist in a vice like grip.”MAAAAAA” the scream resonated in her head .

She teeterd at the edge her mind calculating the best thing to do she was losing her grip. Swing him back over with enough force but that would mean to equal the swing and force required she would go over but her baby would be safe. Khushi swang ASR as hard as she could back up and over the wall to safety but felt herself fall. A calculated risk she knew the outcome a distance but if she knocked herself into the wall ,a few hard knocks and some pretty deep scrapes but it would break her fall slow her speed protect her head she should come out with a few broken bones and a few  stitches  but she would live. Her odds were better than the last time. She had made all these calculations and decision in an instant of a second. Her baby was safe.

Arnav arrived home to the echoes of screams and his son screaming “MAAAAA”

Khushi groaned she hurt all over, she was flitting in and out of a semi lucid state.

Arnav’s voice issuing orders, ASR holding her hand a siren, someone blinding her with a piercing light . A voice saying  this might hurt. Bloody hell all of her hurt.

“Don’t take my ma” Arnav’s voice soothing him. Issuing orders ” take her I’ll follow”

Darkness .

A strong smell of antiseptic,  white walls she hurt ,really hurt all over as she tried to move she couldn’t . Fingers were laced with hers -she knew them -Arnav.

“Arnav ” a croak voice came out. He was up in a flash looking down at her. “Shhhhh” placing a finger on her lips . Don’t say anything let me lose myself in you.”

Arnav just stared down at her unblinkingly. He placed his palm on her cheek “I love you “

Khushi survived the fall had 6 broken ribs, one pierced lung, fractured leg in three places that needed plating and arm that had been broken in more places than fingers had joints numerous stitches . She had literally been pieced together by a fantastic surgical and orthopaedic team and had spent innumerable  number of hours in surgery being glued and sellotaped together.

She spent 6 weeks in hospital before she was allowed home with majority of her body in plaster but most of the stitches were removed. ASR and Arnav had almost lived at the hospital since that day. ASR was quiet and cried his apology to his mother initially. Khushi told Arnav to take ASR back oon the rooftop and fly the kite get him over his fear.

Everyone noticed a distant sadness in Khushi’s eyes when she thought they were not looking. The reason was unfathomable. But Arnav had told them all that the nightmares had reappeared with a vengeance. Khushi’s headaches were back.

16 weeks after her accident there was a huge thunderstorm with lightening. By the time Arnav found her she was sobbing hysterically fully clothed under a hot steaming shower. He picked her up dried her and held her all night while she sobbed. Finally in the early hours of the morning she fell into an exhausted sleep. She came down for lunch, her eyes red rimmed and  swollen from the night before. They saw her go into the temple and light five candles and came and sat down pulling ASR into her lap.

“You sad ma?”

Looking directly into Arnav’s eyes “I’m going to be just fine now -Let me tell you about my candles the first one is for me,  to say thank you for bringing me home safely  after 5 years. The second one was to give thanks for both of you . The third was to say than you for allowing me the privilege to work with one of my best friends -Jas and to celebrate the way he lived. The fourth was for the children I couldn’t save that day.  The final one was for allowing me the strength to remember accept and move forward with my family.

“How long Khushi ?”

“It’s been coming in bits and pieces but the jigsaw came together in the storm – the faceless man of my nightmare was Jas telling me not to cut the line – if I hadn’t cut it we might have both lived  or both died. I can’t change what happened , my calculations were correct , I did the right thing – fate intervened. “

“What now Khushi ?”

“I told you I have shed my last tear. I am goingto stop being scared of my own shadow and learn to have fun and live a little. Now ASR think of something the first thing in your head “

“Kite”

“Di what about you ?”

“A big bunch of balloons”

“No Khushi No !”

“Arnav name something “

“No , NO NO!”

“Arnav “and she flashed him a wide smile

“jelabi!”

“Akaash ?”

” a helicopter “

“Akaash are you mad you know what she’s got planned don’t you ?”

“Yes !Lets see her get a helicopter “

“She will”

Khushi erupted “TREASURE HUNT – car in 5- come on ASR “

Everyone was caught up in the moment scrambling over themselves.

“I’m driving “

“No you’re not Khushi I am –  I have barely got you back from hospital – you are liable to hit a moving tree- and I’m driving -“

“Spoilsport ” but she stood on tip toe and kissed him in front of everyone .

His Khushi was back, it had taken 5 years and he had almost lost her twice during the process but he had gained so much more-ASR . Soon he would have to discuss having a brother or sister for him. It was no fun growing up on your own. You need at least four people to have a decent treasure hunt.