100

“That’s enough…!” Arnav passed a verdict and closed his laptop.  He only was present in the room with others, virtually not doing anything of planning.  

“What?” Khushi looked up and then turning to her notepad said.. “You go and have some sleep… ! There is still lot to be done…! I will just…” But her voice faltered as he came around pulling her up.

“I said, enough…!” He dragged her along.

“What? How can you..? I mean… the work…” she again said raising her voice.

“Enough of work, Khushi! You need rest now…” he said sternly and Nani shouted…

“Haan… Bitiya… you need rest…” Khushi heard laughter from Nani’s room and she glared at Arnav angrily.  He was just not bothered…!

“Chalo…” he ordered seeing her stop on the flight…!

“Yeah.. Coming..!” she said stomping up the flight of stairs..! 

“KHUSHI…!” he screamed leaping up, seeing her missing a step and slipping down…

********  ******

“Rattan Singh Thakur?” someone asked and Rattan Affirmed.

“Yes…!”  Rattan sat up straight.

“Yes… I will… Yes… Immediately..” He got up hurriedly.

“Yes… Thank you..!” He disconnected and moved towards his room excitedly.  His personal assistant ran after him.  

“Jaggu…! Summons from hi-command…” he said excitedly and Jaggu too nodded excitedly. He was called to Delhi as soon as possible to discuss the elections ahead…! There was a possibility of securing a place in the central ministry, playing a bigger role in national politics.  Rattan sat on the bed dreaming about his cabinet ministry.  His phone buzzed again.  Jaggu answered and then glancing at Rattan said… “Yes, he is there…!” Rattan gestured.. “Who?”

“Zaa Sir…” Puzzled…Rattan took the receiver!

“Yes?” he answered and Krishna Kant spoke again.  When Rattan kept the phone he was very tensed up.  Two news in a span of five minutes… One good and one very bad…! 

******  *****

Arnav’s phone buzzed in the middle of the night.  He looked at sleeping Khushi in his arms, lifted her head gently and kept it on the pillow, slipped out of the bed and came to poolside, closing the door behind carefully.

“Yeah.. tell me!” he said and the other person spoke something hastily…!

“Are you sure, he booked it?” he asked and the answer was affirmative.  

“Private charter plane…” the other person informed and Arnav turned seriously. 

“So he is out of it…!” he blurted. 

“Seems so..!” 

“Ok.  Keep a watchful eye… don’t miss any detail and keep me informed..” he said disconnecting.  Calling papaji at this hour of night was out of question.  He should wait till morning…! 

“I should be more careful… “ he thought of adding and tightening the security. 

“He could afford a chartered plane… There must be someone behind this…Some very big shot, very well connected… a politician? Industrialist?” he must find out.  The mystery around the duo of Krishna Kant and Sham Manohar was thickening..! Arnav sat on the armchair gazing at the flickering blue reflection of the pool water, worrying about his family and his business…! He must act fast… !”