6

Papaji gaped at both of them and then said in a grave tone. "Khushi, Arnav, you need a break and I am going to give that to you at any cost. I will handle all your problems for next eight days. But you have to go leaving all your baggage and responsibilities here!" They both gaped at him. "How can he be so irrational?" thought Khushi.


"Look, let us sort out your problems one by one. Your sister will stay with us here in Kolkata and we promise you we will not leave her alone even for a second. Your police case will come up only at the end of this month after the remand is over!"


"Your office work. I will help your brother and we together will manage. I have already talked to your brother regarding this and he is comfortable with this arrangement. In fact, he wants you two to take some time for yourself." Arnav could not believe his ears. Papaji had thought out everything.


"But I have a scrutiny coming up on 20th" said Arnav feebly.


"Ok. Don't worry about your Income Tax Date. Its on 20th and you will come back by then. I will help your brother in that. I have faced many of them in my lifetime. So don't bother about it."


"But..." Arnav opened his mouth. "How can I disclose that there is pressing matter of the damage caused by my BIL and he is on selling spree of my sister's properties?" Arnav thought swallowing hard. He never wanted to tell this to anyone. It was his battle and he had to fight it.


"I think I sorted out all your problems. Is there anything I do not know yet?" asked papaji looking concerned.


"Umm.. No! I mean.." Arnav hesitated.
"Khushi, can you get us tea? I need it after all these arguments!" said papaji looking at her. She nodded and went out.


"Now, tell me Puttar, what is bothering you? Is there any problem with my daughter?" asked papaji in a worried tone.


"No.. Not at all!" Arnav cut him off. "That is not an issue! I mean.. I have some other matter which I cannot avoid attending to!" Arnav said in a grave tone.


"Ok. If you don't want to discuss with us, its fine!" said papaji looking away drooping his shoulder.


"No No! it’s not like that. But .. I mean.. it’s something related to Di!" said Arnav. Papaji looked startled.


"What?" he blurted. Raj came forward and said "Arnav, you can tell us. I mean we are family now. Though she is not my real sister, she is more than that for me!" he said seriously.


"No no! it’s not like that. But... Ok! The problem is I had bought a house for Di in Delhi a couple of years back. It was on her name. And now Aakash gave me the news that it got sold a couple of months back and we do not know where the money went!" he said looking down frustrated with his BIL.


Papaji and Raj gaped at him for a while. Arnav was still looking away not knowing how to handle this.


"Ok! No problem! I will find out everything about the deal. Your brother will help me in that. By the time you come back I will keep the information ready!" papaji broke the silence.


Arnav felt guilty for all this. He was asking too much form his in laws!
"No.. But.. I mean .. I should handle this. I mean... this is altogether a different issue. " he started off. He did not know how to explain.


"Puttar.. I know, it’s your fight. I am sure you will handle this. But please allow me to do something. It’s not help, it is an opportunity to show my gratitude..." said papaji looking at Arnav intently.


"No No.. What are you saying? It’s not like that! I mean I should be thankful to you all.. I mean...!" Arnav could not complete his sentence. His voice filled with emotions, he chocked.


"I mean... with all these things on my mind.. I mean I won't be able to... I mean it will be difficult to stay away ..i mean.. taking a break is out of question!"


Papaji and Raj looked at each other. Papaji placed his hand on Arnav's shoulder and asked "And what about your promise to me?"


"What?" Arnav was shocked. "Remember? You owe me a favor?" papaji took out his trump card. Arnav gaped at him speechless. They saw Khushi coming in with the Tea.


"So, this is the time to return the favor!" said papaji grinning at Arnav. He had trapped his Son in Law and there was no escape out.


"What?" asked Khushi. "Nothing!" came the answer from Arnav.
"Nothing? Again? Why am I getting the same answers from different people?" asked Khushi loudly in astonishment. "Mummiji said the same thing 'nothing!' when I asked her about the evening plan!" she said bringing smile on everyone's face.


"So.. Decide the place!" Raj thumped on Arnav's back and went out.


"You have half an hour to decide!" ordered papaji and went out.


Elsa looked at the couple and smiled. "Well I am here to help you!" she said taking out some tourist booklets from papaji's table. Khushi and Arnav looked lost.


*** **** ******
"Khushi...! So we are going ....!" said Arnav dreamily. They were in their room that night staring at the ceiling, switching off the lights. The winter night was cool and it was cozy in the room. They were feeling each other's warmth under the blanket.


Khushi was lost in her thoughts. She was excited by the thought of going on honeymoon. She had heard it form Payal and her friends about it. But the thought of leaving Anjali behind was bothering her. She was not sure what she wanted.


"Khushii, are you listening?" he asked turning to her side. Arnav had decided to go. He had to return the favor. He was surprised that papaji had asked for that return. He was determined to spend time with Khushi and make her happy. Khushi was still lost.


"Arnav ji! How can we leave her behind?" she was in pain. "Why this Sham ji, had to do those things? It would have been so nice if he ..." she muttered.


"What?" asked Arnav sitting up. "No.. I mean... can we take her along?" she asked innocently. Arnav gaped at her. And then, hugged her tightly. "How much she cares for my family! And what have I given her in return?" he thought pulling her closer.


"Khushi.. Don't think about it now!" he said drawing the blanket over the head.


………..
On 10th January 2013, early morning, Khushi and Arnav landed on Zurich Airport wrapped with layers of winter wear! Khushi looked around little frightened and excited. She held her husband's hand tightly. He looked at her and wrapped his hand around her pushing the luggage trolley with the other; walked her through the crowded area out of the exit. He hailed for a taxi to reach the railway station; the rail which would take them to the twin cities of Davos and Klosters.


"What? Is this a railway station?" she asked in amazement. He smiled at her. "Khushi forget about India now for few days and enjoy!" He said.


"But what language these people are speaking?" she said trying to listen hard at what the other people were talking.


"Khushi, just shut up! These are mixed people. From all over Europe! And now we need to board the train! So don't lag behind and hold on to me!" he said warning her. She was ready to board the crowded rail. She entered the rail and froze.


"What?" only these many people? Is this the terminus?" she asked surprised again comparing the overcrowded trains in India.


"Khushi, you need to change the definition of crowd, here!" he said seriously. Throughout the journey of two hours she fixed her eyes watching the passing scenic beauty of snow, foggy lakes, and high mountains covered with white snow everywhere. She had never seen this before though she had seen Hemalayan beauty in India. The weather was cold beyond her imagination. She kept on covering her mouth with her hands. Arnav kept looking at her excitement. "Arnav ji! Camera?" she almost screamed with the thought of clicking the pics. He smiled and handed over the camera.


He had visited Switzerland before in winter and had enjoyed winter sports with his friends. He was not sure, how Khushi would enjoy it. "Was it a good idea to come here? Instead of going to warm sea shores?" he asked himself.


"Arnav ji... it is stopping. Let us go! Everyone is getting out of the train" she said hurriedly.
"Khushi.. Wait! It is not our destination!" he stopped her. They were only two and no one was in vicinity. She looked nervous. "You know where to get down, right?" she asked him in a whisper. He nodded smiling at her and said "Yes, I know, Khushi! And stop getting nervous! I know everything!" she stared at his eyes and moved away muttering "same glint of pride!"


"Excuse me! What did you say?" he asked her. She fidgeted. "Nothing" she said nervously.


They got down at the Devos station and checked in into the opposite hotel Flela Davos, prealpine exquisite hotel. He preferred this prealpine place to the high altitude Alpine one. He took her to their room. She was flabbergasted at the exquisite atone finish Helvetic look of the room. The fire crackling in the fireplace, the room gave them a warm welcome. She looked around revolving and gave a hard look at Arnav. He knew his choice was perfect. He pushed away the curtains and she saw the snow covered Alps mountain range at one side and the foggy freezy lake on the other side. A cable car ran overhead joining the mountain peaks and taking the tourists to the ski slopes hi points. She looked hypnotized. She couldn't take her eyes off the scene. "Are we in paradise?" she whispered. "Yes!" responded another whisper from Arnav. He held her from behind and was looking at her. The beauty inside was more mesmerizing than that of outside, for him. She turned in his arms to face him. He stared passionately at her.


She looked around. He had started removing the outer layers of his winter wear. She followed him removing her long jacket and sweater. Elsa had made elaborate arrangements and given her enough instruction about the clothing, the weather, the climate and also some romantic tips. Khushi blushed remembering those and looked away. They sat in front of the fireplace for a long time. Arnav had nothing to do but to keep looking at her. And she had everything to see, to glare, to enjoy to chatter! She kept moving from one side to another to take in the scenic beauty of the surroundings.


The warm cozy room made her dizzy after some time. Arnav, sensing that said "Khushi, let us go to the restaurant!" she looked at him, never wanting to go anywhere. He had compelled her to wear layers of winter wear and skiing pants.


"Come on! Khushi, I know you may not like the food here. But try to develop the taste for such kind of food!" he tried to set her expectations. They went into the restaurant section and he ordered for them. She was not happy for Arnav taking winter Red wine but kept quiet. He forced her to take a sip. She did not like it but got a warm feeling in her throat. He smiled at her. They came out and she saw the cable cars running overhead. She stopped and looked at them in amazement. He looked at his watch. The skiing time would start in half an hour, he thought and said "Khushi want to have a ride?" she nodded excitedly.


He booked a skiing lesson and took her inside the cable car. It started moving with her scream. She held on to him tightly. "Khushi..don't look down. Look around!" he said. "What?" and as if defying him, she looked down and screamed shutting her eyes tightly and holding on to his jacket for dear life. She hugged him in fright.


"Khushi, I told you not to look down! Now open your eyes and look around. She slowly looked around with narrow eyes and then with wide open eyes in amazement. Arnav had held her and they had reached the mountain peak. They got down. Their tutor came forward. Khushi saw a real crowd there. She kept on gaping the way people were enjoying the skiing. She could not believe when Arnav asked her whether she wants to give it a try. Her mouth fell open and she looked around in fright shaking her head.


"Don't worry! You will be safe!" said the tutor helping Arnav with the poles and skis. They were at the "bunny hill/beginner hill down slope for the novice skiers. He put on his sunglasses, and tightened his cap. He started sliding down the hill balancing with the help of the poles smoothly, keeping the poles parallel like a seasoned skier. Khushi screamed standing at the top.


"Come on lady! I will help you! I will give you a guided trip!!" he started tying her special shoes and skis. He gave her the glare glasses, adjusted her scarf and tightened her cap. Her nose went cold and her heart took summersault. She thought of running away from that place. Arnav was nowhere to be seen downhill. She had no option. She did not know that Arnav would come back.


She thought there is no way back from the downhill. She prayed devi mayya and got ready for the deadly experience. "Hey devi mayya! If I die here, please please take care of Arnav ji! He will be alone in the snowy mountains!" she prayed and looked at her tutor. He smiled and placed himself ahead of her on the same ski and said "Hold on to me! He held the poles tightly and started maneuvering ... she followed holding on to him. They slowly started moving down. She felt adrenaline rush releasing dopamine which gave her strength and everything went numb, painless. She felt as if she was flying. She screamed and screamed till they reached the bottom. She freed herself from the skis. Arnav was waiting for them down and when she saw him approaching them, she forgot everything and ran forward.


With her usual haste she fell down. Arnav came struggling in the knee deep snow and tried to pull her up. She gave him a huge tug and they rolled in the snow further down. She screamed with joy and said "What an experience!" Arnav ji! She hugged him tightly and said "Thank you my laad Governer!" He looked at her and kissed her hard. She tried to free herself looking around but could only see people hugging each other and kissing after the skiing experience. He grinned at her and pulled her down again to roll over in the snow..  “Vasuli…!” He said pinning her down and kissing her mouth deeper…!


They had another round. This time Arnav and Khushi together and she felt she was again flying above the heaven on earth. They were exhausted. He gave her nuts and chocolates to eat to keep her energetic.


She was playing in the snow like a kid, looking around and following the other kids. She started making different shapes in the snow. Arnav stood aside watching her. She made a snow ball and threw at him with all his might. He dodged it and smiled at her. She was determined to hit him she tried and tried. He dodged all her throws and then took one on his chest. She was victorious. She came running towards him and gave him a big hug.


People started retreating and Arnav said "Come on Khushi, let us go!" she reluctantly returned with him only after taking a promise from him that they would come here again.


On their return she suddenly became very quiet. Arnav tried to provoke her but she just held on to him and wrapped silence around her. "Khushi, let us eat something!" he said. He knew the problem. The high altitude thin air breathing had made them giddy and they might soon get the severe head ache. He pulled her into the restaurant. She had no apatite but Arnav forcibly fed her salads and bread and gave her medicine. She was feeling dizzy again. They had a big cup of hot chocolate and came back to their room. The warmth of the room was relaxing