105

“Oh!  Ok!” Khushi looked at the Inspector and handed over the phone to him….

“Yes..?” The Inspector responded and then disconnecting the phone, gave it back to Khushi.  Khushi gazed questioningly.

“He had already reached…” The inspector said and left immediately.  Khushi sighed…!

“Now, what is this new trouble…?” Nani asked and Khushi sat holding Nani’s hand.

“Nothing, Naniji… There is some enquiry about some financial transaction and Arnavji is required to present himself in the police station…” Khushi was vague enough not to let out any details and was assuring enough that Nani took a sigh of relief…!

“Humm… Ok!  Chote will handle it…” she said nodding.  Khushi looked at Nani, tentatively. 

“Umm… Nani… I mean,  Can I… I mean.. Should I go and see what is going on?” she asked getting up.

“No… Bitiya… Chote will handle it…! Don’t worry…!” Nani said holding Khushi’s hand and said further…

“Call Akash and ask him to contact Chote…”

Khushi gave a nod, dialing the number.

“Khushi Bhabhi… I am here with Bhai… with our Lawyers…” he said.  Khushi sighed relief. 

**********  ******  ********

“Aakash…. Time to act…!” ASR said while they were returning home after the bail amount was ensured and a bail bond was issued. 

“But..  Bhai…” Aakash felt a catch in his heart.  This meant his bhai will not be around…!

“Aakash.. If we want to save this company, we have to do this…!” said ASR gravely.  His heart twisted with the thought of leaving everything behind what he had built alone in these years, sacrificing everything… ! But he would have to do it… for a greater cause… He must leave everything behind ….!

“Aakash, promise me… You will look after everyone…!” Arnav was emotional and Aakash lost his control…!

“Bhai… Please…don’t do this…! I… I can’t handle everything….Bhai.. I need you…!” he stopped the car breaking donw.  Arnav patted on his back.

“Aakash… I am sure… you will handle it…!” Arnav tried to pump in some confidence in Aakash.  “And mamaji is always there…!” he said and Aakash looked up.

“He can’t take your place, Bhai…!” Aakash held his hand desperately.

“Bhai… please… don’t do this…!” Aakash pleaded urnestly.

“I have to, Aakash..!” Arnav said and signaling him to start the car said…

“Control yourself, Aakash… No one should know about this…!” Aakash ignited the engine and they drove towards their home…! 

“Thank God..! You are back…!” Anjali came smiling happily.  Khushi close behind looked on.  Arnav avoided her gaze.

“What is it, Di..?” It was obvious that Anjali was oblivious to what happened in the day. 

“Aray… let them come in…” Nani called from behind, squinting at Arnav.  Aakash dashed to his room and Arnav stood in the hallway….!

“Shondeep’s parents called…” Nani gave him a hint and he nodded smiling. 

“Ok! So? What is the date?” he asked looking at his Di’s happy face.  Khushi grinned and holding Anjali’s hand said…!

“Its only a month… Arnavji… 26^th is the D day…!” she declared and Arnav forgot all his worries…!

“You know, what, Arnavji…? Di wanted some earlier days… say tomorrow?!!!  But you know, we insisted that we need atlest some breathing time for preparation….!” She winked at blushing Anjali…!

“Oh! Khushi… shut up…!” Anjali said holding Khushi’s hand. 

“Chaliye na Arnav ji…!” Khushi pulled him along..!

“Where?” he asked astonished.

“I will show you the list…!” Khushi desperately wanted to take him away from everyone.

“Oh! You have already shown me several times, Khushi… I am not interested…!” Arnav dismissed her and she blew her head…!

“Yeah… very well! You have seen the list and not done a single thing from it, till date…!” she retorted ….

“Yeah… and even you don’t have to do anything… Just take rest, Ok!  I will handle everything…” Arnav took over and Khushi stood there thumping her hands on her hips. 

“Now can I get a cup of coffee?” he asked angrily and Khushi turned stomping to ask Ram Prakash to prepare a hot black coffee.

Arnav marched to his room.  He had a very little time…! Once Di’s wedding over, he would not be around…! He must finish the unfinished tasks…! 

*********  ********   ******

“Any board member can call for a meeting…!” Krishna Kant was sitting in Mehra’s office.  Mehra felt silent for a while.  He didn’t want to do anything which would hurt ASR but he also saw a bigger gain joining hands with this Krishna Kant.  He would easily get entry into real estate business with this man who claimed to have political connection in Uttar Pradesh.  Krishna Kant was a big name in national political circle.  He was termed as king maker…!

“But there is nothing I can call for…!” Mehra stated meakly.

“Oh! There is… !” Krishna Kant said confidently.

“There is arrest warrant again him for economic offences and ignoring Court Summons…to appear in the cases…!” Krishna Kant provided enough ground for the Board member Mr. Mehra to call for the emergency meeting of AR group of Industries..!

**********  *

“Khushi…! Take care of yourself… Ok? And don’t exert..!” Arnav took coffee cup from her to put an end to her over enthusiasm.

“And who will do the work? You?” she asked disdainfully.

“I will get it done, Khushi…!” he said confidently and she wrinkled her nose…!

“Hired people can’t replace personal touch….! I want to do it.  For Di… After so long she is getting some happy moments…” Khushi said with a lump in her throat.  Arnav understood her feelings.  He sat on the bed all lost…!

“Tell me…!” she sat beside and asked.

“What?” he looked at her…!

“About the morning drama…!” she asked and he sighed.

“Yeah … got a phone call from commissioner… and I reported to the police station, with my lawyer…!” he said briefly.  She looked on….

“Got a bail and came home..!” he finished the story.  She sighed….!

“This is desperation…!” she blurted looking into the distance in the pool water.

“What?” Arnav asked.

“Desperation of that father… of that dead person…!” she said and Arnav shook hopelessly.

“Khushi… he is not dead.  People have seen him recovering…” Khushi looked at him in disbelief.  He held her to his heart…!

“You don’t have to worry, Khushi..! I will handle him…!” he said tightening his grip around her.  She was lost….!

“If he is alive, then what was that she felt… he collapsed, when the bullet hitting him…? “  Khushi felt doomed.  Five months into pregnancy, Di’s wedding in just a month, and now this Krishna Kant and his son….! Is he really alive? Must be! When Arnav ji says he is alive….then he must be alive..! She was not ready to accept the fact.  ….  

“But…!” she started off raising her head… he pressed his hand on her mouth…!

“Its ok.  He is dead…! For us, he is dead..! Now don’t think about it…!” he said and raising his voice .. warned her…

“I don’t want to discuss Sham, in this house again… you get that?” she sensed his anger and nodded.  He removed his hand. 

“And no tension…!” he said turning to her.  She again nodded.

“Good!” he said.  She looked away angrily.

“Aur Kuch? Any other order, Sir?” she asked angrily and he raised his eyebrow teasing her.

She walked out of the room muttering angrily.  He pulled his laptop and soon engrossed in his work till Ram Prakash knocked on the door to declare that the dinner was ready.