12

Seven major cases were coming up against Shyam. Three in Kolkata, Two in Delhi and one in Chandighar. He was charged on two counts of attempt to murder, one murder, embezzlement of funds, cheating, evasion of Tax, bribery, breach of trust. One in Nanded for abating to cause damage to the property by fire and use of explosive material. Del-Ta Liaison had filed the case against him in Kolkata Courts under economic offences for cheating and misappropriation of funds. Police were investigating the matters in Delhi and Chandighar under IPC (Indian Penal Code). His chances of getting the bail were bleak but he had filed an appeal in the high court, pending hearing in the lower courts. 

On 24th, the Allahabad High Court granted the bail on the personal guarantee of One Lakh Rupees against the charges of attempts to murder. Sham easily arranged for it and was set free on bail for health reasons. The moment he came out, he was taken under custody of Chandighar Police for murder of Mrs. Rama. This was again a non bailable offence. Arnav took a sigh of relief when he heard it from his lawyer. 

Papaji's surgery procedure was scheduled on 28th. He was to come to Delhi on 26th. Arnav had a two days breathing time. 

"Aakash, I will not come to the office tomorrow and I am going now!" said ASR lifting his bag and going out of Aakash's cabin. Aakash nodded. 

Arnav came home early in the evening. Khushi was busy on a conference call with her team. She was happy that Raghu had met Mummiji in the morning. 

***** *********
Raghu Eyyer had called up Mr. Balwindar Singh in the morning. She could not place him. "M'am I am the design head of KFH and Khushi M'am asked me to contact you." He said.

"Ok!" came the response. "M'am, I would like to meet you at your convenient time" he requested.
"Ok! Come over!" came the response. He was surprised. "umm.. M'am it will take an hour and half to reach your place. Is it ok if I come by 11 o'clock?" he asked her. She said ok.

Raghu Eyyer, a big name in fashion and fabric world was ready to meet the feeble, old lady to discuss about the IN VOGUE Fashion Event. He was dynamic, experienced, young, globe trotter, person having travelled extensively all over the world. He was back in India, when he met Mr. Balwindar Singh, a tycoon in textile industry. Mr. Balwindar Singh was very impressed by his profile. They had a long talk and Raghu decided to join Mr. Balwindar Singh as his design head in KFH. Mr. Balwaindar Singh ensured his loyalty by offering him 5% shares in the company. Raghu became his asset by accepting 5% capital in KFH. 

Raghu entered the Mansion exactly at 11 in the morning. The butler greeted him and requested him to wait. Mummiji came out with the help of her walker. Raghu gaped at her getting up in her honor. She gave him a pleasant smile. 

"Hello Mr. Raghupati... !" she greeted him. "Hello M'am!" 

"Please come. We will go to the study room!" she said taking feeble steps towards the room. He followed her. 

"Ok! Mr. Raghu, people call you Raghu, right?" she asked. He nodded. 

"Ok! Mr. Raghu, coming to the point, you came here to discuss the Fashion Event and your participation in it, right?" she asked him. He was amazed by her tone of authority. 

"Yes, M'am. Khushi M'am asked me to meet you, before you leave for Delhi!" he said getting little nervous. "What if this old lady suggests something different than planned? How can I say no to her?" he thought.

Mrs. Balwindar Singh gazed at this young man and said "Mr. Raghu, I would like to hear about your plan first. I am sure you have it by now!" she said gauging him.

"Well, since this is international event.. we would like to give it an international out...Our designers are.. "He went on explaining the couple of themes the creative team had come up with. He was not sure how much the old lady would assimilate. He tried to be simple and crisp. She listened to him with rapt attention.

She stared at him for a while when he had finished. He grew nervous. He started collecting the drawings and samples spread over the table.

"Let me ask you the basic question, Mr. Raghu! You are one of the founder members of the Fashion House, right?" he nodded.

"What was your focus in starting this fashion house, in the group of Textile manufacturing mills?" she asked him directly. He fumbled. He was confused.

"Well, fashion Industry is the major customers of fabric!" he gave the simple answer.

"Right!" she nodded. He felt like he is being interrogated by the principal of the school.
"That means, you incorporated this Fashion House to showcase your products. That is the fabric, right?"

She had hit the bull’s eye. He nodded.
"If the objective of KFH is to showcase the fabric, why are you focusing on the designs?" she asked him shattering all his themes. He had no answer. He gaped at her with open mouth.
"Ok! Let me put it this way, Raghu.... These fashion events take place mainly with two motives.. the main is fashion designs and garments and the second which is important to us is the fabric which goes into these designs and garments. Am I Right?" he nodded again. She smiled.
"I want your views on my question... if our Fashion House is to showcase the fabric, why are we deviating from our focus? "she asked him.

"Haan?" he blurted. "Can we not come up with the theme which highlights different types of our fabrics, cloths and textures; keeping the Fashion Event in Mind?" His mouth fell open.
"Why are we selling designs and garments when we ought to highlight the fabric?" she asked him.
"M'am.. I.. I" he had no justification. She had made him to rethink on the entire premise on which they were to build their show. 

The butler brought in snacks and coffee. "Relax, Raghu, think about this, talk to your team and confirm your priorities and focus by tomorrow morning and come back... if you feel it is worth discussing further with me!" she said concluding the session. Raghu came out like a shocked, dumbstruck, hypnotized person.

"Amazing! I had never thought on these lines! She is just brilliant!" He had all the superlative adjectives for Mrs. Balwindar Singh. He forgot that he had brought a car and came out of the gate and started walking down the lane. 

**** *************
"Ok Raghu ji, we will stop here and may be talk later!" Khushi tried to wind up hurriedly. Arnav peeped into the conference room. Shondeep waved at him. Raghu greeted. "Hi Mr. Raghu... hope everything is set!" Arnav opened the conversation.

"What are you doing here?' she hissed at him. He raised his eyebrow and looked at Shondeep. He grinned. 

"Its ok. Everyone! I will let you know the next meeting schedule!" said Khushi disconnecting abruptly. 

"Why? I wanted to talk to Shondeep!" said Arnav raising his voice. "You call him up!" she said angrily and went out of the room. He followed her to the kitchen. 

"Why are you following me?" she asked in anger. "What? I want a cup of Tea!" he said closing in the gap. "You.. you go out. I will get it for you!" she said keeping the water for boiling. He opened the tea powder container and asked "How many spoons?" 

"What?" she was shocked. "Why are you doing this? Just go out... " she said struggling to get out of his grasp. He had trapped her at the kitchen platform. "Khushi.. !" his passionate voice gave her goose bumps. "Just go!" she whispered quivering and pushing him. He smiled and went out. 

Khushi saw payal entering the kitchen and turned her back to hide her reddening cheeks.
"Jiji, I am preparing tea for everyone. Take this snacks plate!" said Khushi. She brought in Tea for everyone. Nani and Mami were at the table with Arnav. He kept staring at Khushi. 


"Khushi...!" he called out from his room when Khushi was gossiping with Nani and Payal. She got up with a jerk and ran up climbing the steps. Nani and Payal glanced at each other and smiled.
"What?" she opened the door. He was on the bed with blanket over his head.

"What happened?" she was concerned and came in closing the door behind her. She sat on the bed trying to remove the blanket from his head. He resisted. She bent over and asked.

"What happened? Are you ok? Arnav ji? Are you not well?" she pulled the blanket from his face to find him smirking and in a swift movement, he pulled her over and pinned her down mounting himself on top roughly.  “Awaa… What are you doing?” she asked struggling to move. He didn’t give her any chance to speak or do anything else. She flew away with him in paradise. 

"Oh My god! Its already 7.00!" she screamed getting up and running to the bathroom to get ready.
"I have to go to the Mandir, then prepare for dinner...!" she was muttering. He was still in the bed stretching himself lazily.  She came down running to find Payal preparing for the evening dinner. "Sorry jiji, I slept over!" she apologized. "Its ok Khushi, its done!" Said Payal.

"Jiji, I have to go to the Mandir! I will just go and come!" she said running out of the kitchen and almost bumping on Arnav. She pushed him and ran out taking her bag from the table.

Arnav was flabbergasted. "She went to the Mandir!" said Payal smiling.

"What?...Khushi wait!" he called out. She was out of earshot. He sat on the sofa thinking about her.

The time passed and he grew restless. He tried calling her but she had left her cell in the kitchen. His anger started mounting.

She came in at the time of dinner with prashaad. "What the hell you thought you were doing? I had warned you not to go out alone!" he hissed at her. 

"I came home in time!" she told him raising her finger. She gave prashaad to everyone and keeping one piece on Arnav's palm said "I did Aarati for Papaji!" he took the prashaad with no arguments. 

********* ********** ******

On 26th, noon, Khushi saw Shondeep and Anjali getting out of the car with Mummiji and Papaji. She ran forward to greet them. Ram Prakash took the luggage in. Arnav helped mummiji and they all came in. Nani and Mamiji greeted them. Aakash and Mamaji were in the office. Payal was in the kitchen. 

"Papaji, Mummiji.. how was your journey?" Khushi asked. "Good!" they both said. Anjali went into her room to freshen up. Guest room was ready for Papaji and Mummiji. It was on the ground floor which would be convenient to mummiji. Khushi's chattering never stopped bringing smile on everyone's face. 

"Mummiji, great idea!" she whispered looking around. "Which idea?" asked Arnav from behind. Khushi stopped at once. She looked at him in rage. "Don't eavesdrop!" She ordered raising her finger. Mummiji smiled. 

"Papaji, Avinash is coming at 4 this evening" said Arnav on a serious note. Papaji nodded. "Lunch is ready" declared Payal.

***** ********** ******

On 27th Morning Papaji was admitted to the Hospital for pre surgery tests. Khushi stayed with him.
"Khushi puttar, listen to me! If anything goes wrong, promise me, you will take care of your mummiji!" he said gravely.

"Papaji, nothing will go wrong! I am sure! And don't you ever talk to me like this!" she forcefully told him.

"I know, you all are there. But in case, if anything happens, promise me !" he said holding her hand. He had suddenly become sentimental. 

"Khushi, I have prepared a succession plan for the four of you! It is with Das. It will be opened in presence of all four of you. Please listen to me carefully.... You will have to execute the plan per the instructions!" She opened her mouth to stop him. But he stopped her raising his hand and said "Khushi, My Will is with Dasgupta! I have kept two separate letters for you and Arnav. You help Raj to take over!" he said seriously. 

"Why are you telling me this now?" she was agitated. "Nothing is going to happen to you!" she said on the verge of crying. 

"I know, Khushi... but you should know... you should know everything!" he was serious.
"Here? In this hospital?" she asked him angrily. He smiled and kept quiet. 

"Actually, I am putting up a brave face but I am scared of surgery!" he confessed. I hate doctors!" he said. Khushi grinned. 

"I knew it!" she said.. "Darapoke!.. chicken hearted!" she muttered. He thumped hard on her back. She almost fell down from the bed. She grinned at him. "That's like my papaji!" she said hugging him and looking at his smiling face. 

The surgery next day was successful. The entire Raizada clan was at the hospital. Papaji kept grinning at everyone. The endurance was over. In the evening, Shondeep was to leave for Kolkata. "Sir, I will be back next week! I have to visit Nanded for assessment and evaluation of losses incurred in the blast. " He turned to Khushi and said "Go through the insurance claim papers if you find time. Else send those to Kolkata head office and someone will take care!"
"No! I will do that!" she said. He shook hands with Aakash and hugged Arnav lightly. He glanced at everyone and turned to leave. He came out of the room.

"Shondeep ji!" called out a soft voice of Anjali. He turned at once. He looked at her.
"umm.. Thank you!" she said looking down.

"For what?" he asked staring at her. She looked up. "Thank you for everything!" she said in a whisper. He came and held out his hand. "Bye Anjali! We will meet soon!" he said looking at her. She hesitated and then smiling at him shook his hand. His grasp on her hand tightened a bit for a fraction of second and then he was gone. 

********   *************
Hello
Sorry for late update... Got a new member in the family....
Suggest a name...!!

A golden Retriever... Just under two months.. Adopted...!! My little baby...!