She was surprised to see him opening
the ceiling… The starlit sky entered their room. She gazed at her husband. He was gazing into the stars above resting
his head on the pillow.
“What is bothering him?” she sat on
the bed. He paid no attention…! She
touched him. He brought down his
gaze.
“So.. you are not signing..!” he
looked at her gravely. She shook her
head hesitantly..!
“No…!” she said.
“Ok..!” he seemed to have accepted. She wanted to talk on the issue
further. He was deep in thoughts.
“How could you do this?” she
asked. He just raised his eyebrows
questioningly.
“How could you take him on-board, not
even asking anyone in the family…?” she asked annoyed. He sat up.
“You know.. he was all set to
destroy you, with… with that Shamji…!” she said and he nodded.
“You didn’t even bother to ask Mamaji?”
she was hurt. He didn’t react..!
“Why, Arnav ji?” she asked.
“I don’t want to talk about it, I
need some sleep..” He turned his back on her.
“Yeah! Right! Hamarii neenday haram
karkay… Khud so rahain hain…!” she threw her hands in the air frustrated…!
“I am ensuring your good night's sleep…!” he
turned again to face her.
“Oh yeah? Like this? By bringing the
enemy on board?” She jerked..!
“Shuu… Khushi…. Calm down… Stress is
not good for your health…!” he wrapped his arms around her. She wriggled..!
“Stop showing fake concern…” she
spat and Arnav withdrew…
“Ok.
Go to sleep now!” He ordered angrily.
She turned her face.
“I had a discussion with Papaji…” he
confided and she blew her top…!
“You consulted him? And he didn’t even bother to tell me anything…!
Party Badalu.. Papaji… I will not spare him for this..” she got up angrily
searching for her phone. A line of smile
appeared which he tried to hide. “Teer
nishanaype laga …”
“Shuuu… Khushi… look at the time now…!”
he said and she came back feeling little better. At least her Arnav ji had consulted someone
before taking such a disastrous decision…!
“Humm… “ She sat on the bed. He took out the docket…!
“Now, sign on this…” he said and she
looked at him annoyed.
“No Arnav ji… I can’t sign on
this. This is your company. You are the Master…!” she said pulling the
duvet.
“Fine…!” he threw the docket
angrily. She got up, picked up the docket,
kept it in the drawer and came back.
“Good night Arnav ji…” she said
pulling the duvet and closing her eyes. She
never wanted to be a part owner of his company.
She just wanted him to consider the family members before taking the
decisions which would affect the family.
She never wanted to interfere in his business. But she wouldn’t ignore either if he was
taking a wrong decision. She gazed at
the stars for a long time and then drifted to sleep….!
……….
……….
“Khushi puttar, how are you?” She
heard Papaji’s voice and her muscles flexed.
“Party Badalu, Papaji…!” she gritted
her teeth.
“I am busy, preparing breakfast,
Papaji! I will talk to you later…!” she said disconnecting.
“Khushi…? What was that?” Payal
asked bewildered.
“Nothing Jiji…. The message will
relay now..!” Khushi said mysteriously.
She knew, Arnav called papaji early morning….! She smirked, taking the
parathas in a plate to serve. Arnav frequently glanced at her. She ignored him completely.
“Khushi….!” He called out from his
room while getting ready for the office.
She stood at the door.
“Pen nahi mil raha…” he said
searching for it everywhere. She came in
joining him in the search.
“It’s my signature pen… I need it to
sign the MOU…” he straightened himself glaring at her suspiciously. She continued her search.
“Where is my pen, Khushi?” he asked
accusing her. She thumped her hands on
her hips.
“How do I know?” she asked in
retort.
“I had given you, yesterday with the
docket…!” he said and “You threw the docket on the floor…” she retorted bending
down to search under the bed.
“Careful…” he pulled her up. She looked up into his eyes. He cupped her face. She pushed him away.
“Sign on the papers” he ordered and
she shook her head…!
“Khushi… I am warning you…” he lost
his temper. Ignoring him she banged the
pen on the table.
“Lo aap kaa pen…” she snapped
descending the stairs…! He clenched his fists.
“Toh tum Aise hani manogi…” He
descended calling out Aakash.
“Yes, Bhai I am ready…” They both
went. Khushi and Payal stole
glances. Anjali was looking at the
sisters.
“Whats the matter?” she asked raising
her eyebrows and Payal said.
“Nothing Di. It’s just leftover fireworks…” Anjali
grinned.
“Ab Dekhana Jiji…Kaise dhamaka hoga..” Khushi started
predicting….!
***** ****
*****
“You made a big mistake accepting
the offer, Saab ji…” Krishna Kant banged his head, talking over the phone. Rattan remained silent. There was no option left for Rattan Singh… he
was in custody desperately wanting to get out.
Only Arnav offered him the solution and he grabbed it.
“Ok. Now listen to me carefully…!”
Krishna Kant spoke gravely.
“Accept that offer of 10%...! Wait
patiently till my son is out of this…” Krishna kant said
“You don’t have to advice me on
this. I know what I am doing…” Rattan
Singh snapped and Krishna Kant fell silent.
Was he losing the grip? He wouldn’t know. He looked at his ailing son on the bed with
numerous tubes and monitors attached to his body and closed his eyes. He would trap Rattan only when his son wakes
up from his ‘deep slumber’ coma..!
“Rattan Singh… I still have
everything under my control… You wouldn’t do anything against my wish…” Krishna
Kant smiled. His ailing son was a
blessing in disguise…! He could twist anyone’s arm threatening to expose them…
His son had gathered lot of information about these politicians and big shots
in government, being one of their aide… The insider…! The only hitch was,
Krishna Kant didn’t know where his son had stored all the information…! He was
desperate…!
“He might have collected evidence
again me too…! All my deeds are not hidden from him..” he shuddered. Now the information was more important to
Krishna kant than his ailing son…! “What if it falls in the hands of Raizada’s?”
He clenched his fists in frustration. He
had made a big mistake taking his son out of India..!
He dialed a number…“I want the house
and office search of Raizadas…” he demanded.
“That’s not possible…! We already
did…” a rough voice said.
“Find out a reason… Send someone
unofficially… Search all his places…” he ordered. The person, Minister of State, Information
and Technology, in New Delhi swallowed.
He was already facing corruption charges…! He wouldn’t do anything
illegal now.
***** *****
*****
“Ab Dekhana… kaise phone ki line lag
jayegi…! Now the phone calls will start…”
Khushi rubbed her palms gleefully. Nani
raised her eyebrows smiling…! Khushi and Payal grinned…
“See… First Aakash Jijaji will call
payal jiji…” Khushi said winking and Payal blushed.
“Jiji… Khabardar… Jo unaki bato main
aagai…! Don’t heed to his tactics… Jiji..” Khushi warned raising her
finger. Nani giggled.
“Hello hi bye bye…What’s going on? Hain?”
Mami looked at Payal.
“Nothing, Sasuma… Its just her
prediction….” Payal waved at Khushi and Khushi sniggered…!
“Then Anjali Di will get call from
Shondeep Sir…!” Khushi winked at Anjali.
Anjali looked away blushing but then said..”That’s because he has some
work…!”
“Oh yeah~! We know what work…”
Khushi teased.
“Anjali.. umm… umm… How are you? I
mean… I have a meeting in fifteen minutes… Just though of… I mean… How are you?”
Khushi mimicked.
“Then… Di will say… “I am fine…Umm…
I just had food… Umm… I mean.. I … I am going to the temple in the evening…”
Khushi giggled.
“You know Nani… Both will beat
around the bush… but will not tell the other that they miss each other badly….hihihi…”
Khushi nudged Nani.
“Shut up…!” Anjali got up to go
blushing furiously with red face.
“Hello hi bye bye… Look at her… Anjali bitiya… look at your face… It’s
lit up like rising son…” Mami had her share and Payal’s phone rang..! Khushi laughed wickedly. Payal’s face changed color. She answered blushing….!
“Yeah… Ok. I will ask her…” she said glancing at Mamiji.
“Umm… He wants to take me out for
Dinner…” she said shyly and Mami raised her eyebrows…!
“Haan… Bitiya…. Shouk se jao… And
enjoy the dinner…” Nani grinned looking at Khushi.
“See? Told you…! And then… After
Shondeep’s Sir’s phone… Elsa Bhabhi will call me during lunch hour…! Then in
the evening… Again Papaji… to gauge my mood and Finally at dinner time… Mummiji…!”
She concluded among laughter and suddenly her face lost color…!
“Mummiji… No! Nani… I must not take
her call… I know… She… She… I mean I can’t say no to her…! Nani ji… you take
her call…. And give any reason… Hey Devi Mayya… Raksha Karana… Woh toh Yeh ASR se bhi Khatarnak hain…!” She pressed her
palms on her ears and Nani burst out in laughter…!
“You don’t know, Naniji....!” Khushi
looked scared and Nani said…
“It’s ok. I will talk to her…! Now drink this milk and
go have some rest. “ Khushi went to her
room and Anjali’s phone rang.
“See?” Khushi smiled resting her
head on the pillow…!!
