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“Khushi.. I have to catch up with a lot of things…! I was away from business for so long…” he said sitting by her side on the recliner.  She folded her arms and snapped…

“Who asked you to come home, Arnavji..? I would have managed…!” she got up and went away.  Arnav looked on hopelessly, clueless on her mood swings…!

“I must ask Avinash about this…!” he thought getting up to go….! 

“Not even a single day of rest and peace…!” She muttered walking past him into the kitchen.

“Bewk…Bewk…What is that?” Khushi contorted her face.  The nausea was unbearable… She ran out clutching her tummy…! Ram Prakash looked puzzled but the maid smiled…!

“Hotaa Hain aisa…!” she said 

“Khushi….!” Arnav stopped her on the stairs.  

“What?” she jerked irritably.

“Come with me to the office.  Then we will go for dinner…!” he said trying to pacify her.

“Office? That Office? Where you only humiliated, insulted me? You want me to come there?” she blew her top in rage.  Arnav clenched his fists trying to control his rage.  

“What’s wrong with you, Khushi?” he asked holding her shoulders.

“Wrong? With me?” She again jerked away.  Arnav gaped at her reddened face.  

“What was that? Why she is so angry?” he didn’t know.  Khushi went into the room.  Arnav stood on the stairs for a second and went into the kitchen.

“This is not done, Khushi…!” She pulled out the hair pins letting lose her hair untidily. 

“These people won’t even understand what you want, Khushi…!” she said staring at her reflection in the mirror.  She herself didn’t know what she wanted….! 

“Khushi…!” He stood behind and she flared up again.

“Now what?” She turned angrily.  He kept the glass of milk.

“Have it..!” He said calmly.  She looked at the glass.

“Milk?  No..!” she contorted.

“Yeah.. Milk… Chilled Milk… You like it, with lot of sugar…!” he described and she touched the ice-cold glass.

“Humm…!” She sighed picking up the glass…! He smirked.

“Now, Don’t say, I do not know what you want..!” he raised his finger and she gulped the last drop sheepishly.  

“You go… you will be late…!” she gave permission calming down.  He sat beside her.

“Come on… get ready… We are going together…!” he said and she looked up smiling.

********  *********  ********

“Aakash… We need a major restructuring…!” Arnav said pulling the file.

“Why, Bhai? Is there a problem?” Aakash asked concerned.

“No.. Not yet.  But it’s a preventive measure…!” said Arnav looking out of his cabin.  Khushi was down in her cubical.  Her cubical was kept vacant with her Devi Mayya’s idol on her desk.  She was whiling away time by chatting with her old mates.  Arnav had more pressing matters in hand.

“We need to bring in a big shot on board..!” Said ASR and Aakash looked up surprised.

“You mean politician?” he asked and ASR nodded gravely.

“Why bhai? We always stayed away from these dirty politicians…!” Aakash was thoroughly confused.

“I Know, Aakash… But things are not the same now… I am sure these Thakurs will strike back any time with vengeance.. We need to be prepared…!” He said signing on the papers of routine matters.  Aman was waiting outside with some urgent matters…!

“Aman..” He called out.  Aman came in and glancing at Aakash assumed his seat.

“Sir… “ He said in a hushed voice….!

“Tax Audit…!” he said gravely and Arnav nodded.

“I know…!” he said.  Aman looked relieved.

“I will handle it, Aman..!” ASR Assured.  Aman got up to go..!

“Wait a minute, Aman.  I need to talk to you…!” Aman sat on the chair again.  ASR got up from his seat deep in thoughts.

“Work out a restructuring Plan with Aman, Aakash.  Aman, we need to be extra cautious about our legal matters…. Things may not happen our way…” ASR said gravely.  Aman nodded.

“Fix an appointment with our Company Secretary, Aman and you and Aakash will handle this.” Arnav took out a docket and handed it over to Aman.  The preliminary Plan for the Organization Restructuring…! Aman nodded and went away….! ASR and Aakash were engrossed in the discussion and they heard the giggles from Khushi.

She was with Aman and her old gang….! Rekha was missing.  She was transferred to Bangalore office on her request since her Husband had shifted to Bangalore.   

“Yeh Khushi… Crazy…!” Arnav shook his head hopelessly seeing the gang moving towards canteen.  

“Bhai, I will handle it…. You go with her…!” Aakash offered his help.

“Go where? Canteen?” Arnav’s rage shot up.  Aakash worked hard to hide is laughter.

“I want your opinion on this…!” ASR pulled out another docket.

“I need to pull out of this business for some time now…!” ASR said seriously gazing at his empire…! He needed to do this to safeguard his business empire.  

“What? Why, Bhai?” Aakash was shocked.  Arnav stared at him gravely.  “Will he be able to handle it?” Arnav looked away.  He had never bothered to groom the second line of management.  He had handled everything  himself.  Others were to execute only his decisions.  They were never a part of Decision making process.  But this time, ASR must take chances with his people…. His trusted people…. Aakash and Aman….! 

“Aakash we will discuss it later but I need your opinion before we discuss… understand?” Arnav got up picking up his Laptop….! Aakash sat there dumbfounded.

“And another… From tomorrow, you will use this cabin… I am shifting out…!” ASR gave another shock and Aakash merely nodded not taking in anything.  The things were beyond his comprehension…! 

A lot of things were to be taken care of for ASR…. His worst fears would come true anytime from now…! He brushed the grave thought aside and went in search of his Khushi…!