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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…!!