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“Biwi…. This Rattan Singh… He is up to something disastrous…” Papaji said pulling on his sweater…! 

“Humm… And Arnav had given him the entry into his business…” Mummiji was not at all happy with Papaji’s advice to offer shares to Rattan Singh..!

“That was needed, Biwi… to keep an eye on him and that Krishna Kant..” Papaji was serious too.  They had no other option.  Mummiji was not convinced.

“Look… To acquire shares he will go to any length…” Papaji sat beside her. 

“That’s why…!” she said worried about Arnav and Khushi.  

“Biwi… the vesting is for two years… He will own the shares only after two years.. So we have time to…” Papaji was cut off angrily.

“He too will have enough time to hollow the company with insider information…He is not only a shareholder, Balwinder, you people have brought him on board..” Mummiji spat back.  Papaji shook his head.  

“Biwi we are trying and marked him with our person…. !” Papaji disclosed the plan.

“Balwinder… Two years are more than enough for a person like Rattan Singh to take over…” Mummiji now had left her emotions behind and was analyzing the situation businessman-like. 

“Look… he will turn someone to his side for crucial information… use that information to his advantage… That Sham did the same thing…! Imagine… if the data leaks out… it will affect his entire group and ours too…! We have a very complex shareholding pattern… They both are on our board but we have nothing to do with their companies… Not even Khushi..! Once Rattan comes to know about this arrangement he will try to infiltrate into our group also….He will crush Arnav under his heels… Can you not see that?” Mummiji asked holding Papaji’s hand.  He nodded gravely..!

“Why invite trouble, Balwinder? Withdraw the offer and settle it once for all…” Mummiji said impatiently.  

“Its not that simple, Biwi.. He needs to be in front of our eyes… There is always an element of risk… We want to keep him away from his Den, Kanpur.  We want to break the partnership of Rattan and Krishna Kant. “ Papaji said.

“You know, this Rattan is only a puppet… Krishna Kant is real puppeteer…!” Mummiji said gravely. 

“Balwinder, mark my words… These two will try to destroy Arnav completely… Its not only the family feud, but something else…You need to know that..!” Mummiji said raising her finger..  Papaji gave a nod..!

“That’s why, Arnav wanted to bring his grandmother to Delhi… She is the link… of four generations…! But she refused to come….!” Papaji said gravely.  But Mummiji’s eyes flashed with excitement…!

“Does she know about Khushi’s pregnancy?” she asked and Papaji looked up at once.

“I don’t know..!” he said aghast.

“Then know it, Balwinder… and Let her know that Khushi is pregnant…! The possibility of great grandchild will  compel her to rethink.  Get her to Delhi and then you are free to take on to Thakurs…!” She said equally gravely.

“Ok.  Let me check…” Papaji got up to call Arnav.  

*********  ********

The early morning call from papaji disturbed Arnav to the core.  He had not told his Dadi that Khushi was pregnant.  He was skeptical about her reaction.  Khushi’s relation to Nirmala wouldn’t be taken nicely by Dadi.  Khushi always reminded her of Nirmala, her husband’s first and last love.  They couldn’t live together but they had preferred to die together…! Arnav was not sure… He was worried about his family, his Khushi, his baby and now his dadi.  She was better off where she was…! Bringing her here would be another risk for Khush’s safety…! 

He clenched his fists and turned.  He saw Khushi in deep slumber and came in.  Inadvertently he pulled her gently into his arms and embraced her around her waist protectively.  “I want to keep you happy, Khushi… Always smiling..!” he swallowed hard.  Khushi turned in her sleep raising her head and putting her arm on his chest.  He couldn’t even blink.

“Arnav ji…” she blabbered in her sleep. 

“I will eliminate every trouble from your life, before the baby is born, Khushi..!” he stroked her head.  She stirred in her sleep a bit.  

“Baby…?” his insides twisted… “Really?” he was excited, a bit nervous, a bit worried, a bit jealous…! Now Khushi will be busy with the baby….! She will bear the child for nine months, she will go through that excruciating, life snatching pain, she will bring the baby in this world and what will I do? Just proclaim to be a  proud father…! 

“No..!” he pulled her closer.  “I will be with you, Khushi… always…” he closed his eyes feeling her soft tummy…! 

Their sweet moments were disturbed by the loud ringing of the phone.

“Damn..!” Arnav reluctantly picked up the phone…! Khushi blinked open her eyes to know what time it was and sat up on the bed.

“Yeah…!” he as usual picked up the phone rudely.

“Yeah.. tell me…” he said going out to the poolside and Khushi got up slowly and went into the bathroom.

“What…? How? How do you know?” he asked shocked…! The other person on phone spoke for a long time and he only listened silently.

“Ok.  Let us wait and watch… But don’t let them out of sight…” he warned and turned to find Khushi gazing at him suspiciously…!

“Who?” she raised her eyebrows.  Arnav ignored.

“Hey, good morning…” he said brightly.  She narrowed her eyes…

“What’s so good in this morning…?” she asked frowning feeling dizzy.  He smirked. 

“Anyway… I am going for my workout… You want something? Tea?” he asked ignoring her questioning gaze..!

“No..” she curled up her lips..!

“Then Milk?” he asked

“No.. buke.. phew..No milk..” she contorted her face even with the feeling of drinking milk. 

“Ok.  Take rest… You don’t have to get up early… I will get black coffee when I return from my gym…” he brought her inside and tucked her under the blanket.  

“So far, so good…” he sighed and moved out of the house ….!