Opposite Poles..Part 65

Part 65

“Lavanya ji… who…. Gunshot…. Tha… na? “ She waved a teddy excitedly to show Lavanya what she won in busting the balloons game…!  She had played with the little Lad.  Lavanya hid behind ASR and Khushi froze looking at his face.  “Gunshot!” triggered his rage.

“KAHAN  GAYI  THI  TUM? Where had you been?”  Came a question.  Khushi gaped at him confused straightening herself up.  He was waiting for her answer.

“ASR! I told you, excursion….!” Lavanya had no courage to speak further looking at his stone like expressions.  Khushi gaped from Lavanya to ASR.  He had not moved an inch.  

“KISE   POONCH   KAR   GAYI   THI? With whose permission?”  Second stupid question according to Khushi..! She gaped at him with a question on her face.. “Has he exchanged his brain with mine?” She wondered.

“Answer me!” his voice raised by a tone.  

“ASR! I told you… !” Lavanya again tried weakly.  He still had not moved and was staring at Khushi.

“YEAH   AISE  KYUN   GHOOR   RAHA  HAIN? Why is he staring like that?”  she thought gaping with open mouth.  She looked at Lavanya for the answer.  She looked scared… !  Khushi brought her gape from her to him. 

“Lavanya… go to your room!” he ordered her in a deep deadly voice.  Lavanya lingered for a second to defend Khushi.. but then losing her courage, backed away.  

Khushi looked at her dress… nothing red she wore..! His left foot had gone back. 

 “YEH   SAAND  ABHI   HAMAIN   JAMINDOST  KARANE   AAYEGAA…! This bull will  attach  anytime…!  “ she thought taking her left foot back.  Khushi got warned…!

“WOH… I went on the excursion trip!” she said at once trying to stop him..

“KISAKE   SAATH? With whom?”  he asked still not moving.  She felt little relieved.  She tried to gauge his level of rage and smiled at him. 

“MAINE  POONCHA,   KISAKE  SAATH  ?” he came on to her like a bison.  She ducked in fright.  He caught her.

“Why are you so angry…?  Lavanya ji and y..you…!” she couldn’t complete.  He gripped her in rage and shook her vigorously, sending all the shopping bags in the air.  She swayed like a doll. 

“To Hell with your Ji and Sir!” he pushed her back.  She gaped, unable to understand the cause of his rage.

“I…I just wanted you two to….!”  She started of weakly to justify.

“You wanted…. You wanted ? Who are you, Khushi Kumari Gupta? “ he asked under the breath.  She tried to free herself.  

“CHODIYE    HAMAIN…!” She tried with all her might…. 

“I …. I just wanted to give you some moments with Lavanya ji!” she said in one breath and looked at him expectantly.  She knew after hearing this, his rage will subside.  His grip on her shoulder became bone crushing.

“You wanted us? Or you wanted to take this opportunity…?” he left his sentence incomplete spitting rage.  She didn’t understand.  Her shoulder hurt badly.  She winced in pain.

“What are you saying…?” she was blank. 

“Tell me..! Who was with you?” he asked her. 

“KYA?  Many people…!” she said looking at him. 

“Yesterday, you were bugged up with his stalking… and today you seemed to be enjoying his company?” he accused.  She wrenched herself free. 

“I don’t understand! What are you talking about?” she said with tears.  He gripped her…

“Or is it that you have taken fancy for white skin? Foreigner? Your down market choice…!” she pushed him back with rage.

“What?” she was trembling with anger.

“Yesterday you had no money for recharge… And what is all this?” he pointed at the shopping scattered everywhere.  She came a step back looking at him thoroughly hurt.  He had gone beyond noticing. 

“Who were you with, Khushi? Who gave you the money?” he asked disdainfully, completing his kill.  

She paced backwards.  Arnav froze with his own statement.  She stood there clenching her fists and then blew her head off like erupting volcano.  She pushed the cane chair with all her might, which slid on the floor and hit the other end, crashing the things on the way.  

“Stop it!” she yelled and darted to her room. 

“Khushi…!” he raised his hand.

*********   *********

Khushi banged open the door.  Lavanya was pacing nervously.  “Khushi…!” she blurted.  Khushi didn’t look at her and sat on the cough panting with uneven breath.  Lavanya came and sat next to her without a word.   She had not seen this side of ASR..She was scared to the core…! She felt for Khushi… She knew what Khushi went through.   She felt a surge of pain reflecting Khushi’s plight.  

She held Khushi’s hand and sat there for a long time.  Khushi was lost. Even her tears had left her, leaving her eyes burning.  She gazed blankly with a stone face.  The wicked magician had turned her into stone, snatching away her soul from her body.  

She did not understand what was more hurtful… his whipping words or the presence of Lavanya when he was taking out all his anger on her.  Lavanya sat with Khushi on the couch not knowing how to console her.  She jest held Khushi’s hand and gazed unfocused.  

*********   *********  ****

ASR had turned himself into Stone standing like a statue with the shopping bags scattered all around.  He turned his back and went to his suite.  He sat on the couch with a thud and banged his head back.

“What have I said..?” he didn’t understand his own feelings.  “What was more tormenting?  She going on excursion with other people, or she going without his permission leaving him alone with Lavanya!  He had done the damage.  He had hurt her beyond repair.  He gazed unfocused in the darkness without switching the lights on.   He closed his eyes, with the darkness filling his heart.  

**********  *******

Khushi pushed back her hair from her forehead, gathered the waist length silky wavy hair and tied in a hair band.  Lavanya gaped at her.  She got up and came out.  Walking down the verandah, she came to the spot.  She started collecting the shopping bags putting the things neatly into the bags.  Lavanya came to her help.  She brought in everything, except the basket of plants,  took out a huge cotton bag from the luggage.  She took out a key chain and held it out to Lavanya.  The wooden charismas tree shape with letters ASR carved on it.  Lavanya took it and smiled.  “That carver was doing it for everyone.  I bought this for you..! its inexpensive..!” Khushi spoke for the first time after an hour.

“This is beautiful, Khushi!” Lavanya took it in both her hands… then said brightly..

“Chamakili, show me your shopping!!” Khushi’s eyes brightened up.

“Come on, let us open your Pandora’s box..!” Lavanya was excited…! She pulled all her shopping bags closer….!

******   **********

ASR opened his eyes with a start and looked at the time.  He ordered for black coffee and came out, a cane basket with two earthen pots with etched and sculpted faces on its surface… one male with long mustache and the other female face with big eyes.  Two beautiful plants loomed out of these pots. He picked up the basket and brought it in.  He gazed at the plants closely, keeping the basket on the table.  

One was a Clivia plant with yellow flowers blooming as a bundled yellow ball. “ Clivia….I do not have this in my collection!”  He looked at the tag.  The other one was a cluster of three sensitive plants. (Touch me not!) with pink and red tiny flowers peeping out.  His eyes twinkled.  He touched the leaf and it shrunk… shutting close its leaves tightly together.  His heart ached.  “No!” he tried to hold the plant with his palms and all the leaves shut tightly like a shockwave… “No, Khushi…!” he tried to open the leaves forcibly in anguish.. They remained tightly shut.

“No..!” he turned back. Left his coffee on the table with the plants and went inside to get ready.

He came out ready to leave and glanced at the plants.  The leaves were back to normal plopping merrily with the breeze.  His lips curled up in a lopsided smile brightening up his face.  He bent down..

“ MAIN   TUMHAIN  MANAA    LUNGAA,   KHUSHI  !  I will… I will bring back your smile…!” he mumbled and tickled the leaf fondly.  It shrunk and shut closed, shying away.  It looked more like a girl shying away, than a plant.  He picked up the basket and kept it with his luggage.  

“Lavanya.. we are leaving in ten minutes..! he picked up his cold coffee mug and opened the newspaper, waiting to leave for Delhi.  “Driver and Maid…!” he smirked…!

Opposite Poles..Part 64

Part 64

“ASR!” Lavanya called out brightly.  He smiled faintly.

“Did you see Khushi?” he asked looking around.  Lavanya shook her head with twinkling eyes.  He turned to leave.

“ASR!” she wrapped her arm.  He stopped.  People were slowly making their exit.  He lingered behind in search of Khushi.  Many had left for excursion arranged by the organizers.  Lavanya was happily giggling with the acquaintances.  His eyes moved all over the place.  

“Damn it! Lavanya, where is she?” he asked her furiously.  She looked shocked.

“How do I know, ASR?” she retorted.  She was little upset.  He stared at her blankly.  She looked at his worried face…

“Ok! Wait! I will ask someone!” she said in a consoling voice.

“Forget it! I will do that!” he spat back, taking out his phone and dialing Khushi’s number.  Her mobile was switched off.

“Damn it! Even after recharging last night…!” he was furious.  He looked at Lavanya.  The announcement was made that the last bus for excursion would leave in five minutes.  The conference venue looked deserted with very few people around, who were talking to each other only business.  Lavanya looked happy and contented holding ASR’s hand and leaning on his shoulder.  He kept glancing at her but his eyes searched for Khushi.  No trace of her made him blow his head off in rage.

Lavanya came out with him and moved towards the car. 

“ASR! Don’t worry! She is enjoying..!” said Lavanya smiling shyly.  He gaped at her. 

“What the hell, Lavanya!” he spat anger.  She gave him a light hug and whispered in his ears..

“She went with the excursion group for site seeing…!” to his shock.

“Oh! ASR, I am so happy! Finally we got some time together alone with each other…!” he gaped at her bright face.  

**********    *********   *********

Khushi fell short of two eyes. 

 “Devi Mayya, can you not give me some ten pairs of eyes, like Ravan, just for this site seeing?  I will take in the beauty from all the angles… !” she looked up grumpily.  She was so excited to see the snow capped Himalayan peaks.  The tall trees of chinar, oak, walnut looked as if they were competing with the height of the mountains..! Khushi  was gaping everywhere unblinkingly.  

“Governer’s House!” someone pointed at the huge monumental structure and Khushi winced remembering her Laad Governer.  “Was it necessary to spell out the name? “ she frowned with a knot in her heart.  

“WOH DONO KYA KAR RAHE HONGE? What all  they must be doing?” she thought.  Smile on her face wiped off for a moment.  She tried to push away the thought but his face kept flashing.  She frowned as if it was his mistake that his memories flashed in her mind.  

“Naina Devi Temple…!” she forgot everything and ran up the stairs to pray the goddess. 

“YEH   KITANA   SUNDAR   HAIN!!  Sacred and Blessed.  She touched down her head sitting on the floor and prayed for everyone.

“Hey Devi Mayya, I am fortunate to be here at your feet.  Please bless me, protect me! And protect my Amma Babuji…. And Buwaji… and Jiji… Ok! Protect everyone!  Even that Laad Governer..!” she frowned again.  She closed her eyes again..

“Hey Devi Mayya…Raksha Karana!” she mumbled  Devi prayer and stood up, ready for the next sopt.  

“Oh! Hello Ms Gupta! Nice to meet you again..!” someone came grinning sycophantly.  She shuddered and looked at Ramanand.  She smiled looking around for some known faces and she found one.  A lady with a five-six year boy was coming out of the temple with Prashad and Aarati Thal.  She hurriedly went and said.. “Come I will hell[ you!” she held the hand of the boy and took the Aarati Thal.  The lady smiled approvingly.  Khushi returned the smile.

“Daddy…!” the boy screamed and ran forward to hold Mr. Ramanand’s hand.  Khushi grinned.

“Arree Uncle ji, KITANA PYARAA BACCHA HAIN, AAP KAA!  Your son is so cute!!” She nailed him.  He smiled sheepishly and went ahead with the lad. 

***********   *********   **********

“ASR! Say something…! I have been talking all the time!” Lavanya poked him sulkily.  He looked at her. 

“I am listening!” he said looking lost in his own thoughts.  It was just five thirty in the evening.  The excursion team had left at one thirty.   Lavanya had plans for a romantic lunch at lake view point.  

“You know, I have seen Nainital so many times.. I don’t have any interest in site seeing.  That Chamakili was so excited…! I mean… it sounds so stupid… to go that Naina Devi Mandir and all!” she said resting her head on his shoulder.  He looked down at her without any expression.  

“Hey Devi Mayya… Raksha Karana..!” he heard muttering and startled. 

“Don’t over do it, Lavanya, when you can’t handle it!” He looked at her glass.  She looked at him sheepishly. 

“ASR! I don’t know what to say… but sometimes I keep thinking about our future..!” she said dreamily.  He stared unfocused.

“I mean… its so weird…. I just can’t cope up with all those people… Nani, Mami and all.  But sometimes I feel… I should learn their way…I “ She went on. 

“ASR, are you listening?” she spoke little loudly.  He dialed the number.  It was not picked up.  He clenched his fists in rage.  “How dare she!” he muttered.  

“What?” Lavanya asked looking suspicious.  “Nothing!” he dismissed her doubt.

She went on talking about her future plans holding the glass of wine.  He glanced at her.

“Lavanya, stop! Order lunch and we are leaving..!” he had cut her short.  She frowned.  

“Did you even hear, what I was talking?” she asked feeling hurt.  “Yeah!” his monosyllable answers were back.  She understood.  They had their lunch quietly.   When they came back he brought out his laptop and pulled the cane chair in the verandah! 

“ASR!” Lavanya was thoroughly hurt.  “Let me finish my work, Lavanya!” he said calmly and engrossed himself in the work.  Lavanya sat next to him whiling away time plugging the earphones and listening to music.  As the time passed he grew restless, clenching his fists.  He lost his focus.  

“Lavanya, call her!” he ordered.  Lavanya couldn’t hear him.  He pulled the earphone and spat

“Call her!”  She looked at him and took out her phone. 

“Call is not getting through!” she looked helpless.  He dialed with his phone.  Same!  He got up restlessly. 

“This girl will drive me crazy, one day!” he muttered dialing a number!

“Raizada here… I want the list of people on the excursion…!” he ordered over the phone to one of the organizers.  He listened to the members names… 

“I knew it!” he banged his fist on the wall in rage listening to Ramanand and  Waldemar Abendroth among the others..!  He was pacing restlessly.   With every minute passing, his rage saw no boundaries.

“ASR!” Lavanya tried to pacify him changing the subject.  She held his hand and brought him down to sit on the cane chair next to her.  His eyes spat anger.   The long shadows were hinting at sunset.  

*********   ***********   ********

Khushi  stared unblinkingly at the sunset standing on the sunset point.  The sun set and the darkness started engulfing the peaks, the mountain, the valleys were already in dark! Slowly the world around her went into darkness and she shivered.  She wanted to go back.  She was uneasy…!   

With the nightfall she became sentimental… “Do you even know.. how worried I was…?” someone whispered in her ears and she turned with wet eyes.

She desperately wanted to go back…!  She suddenly fell silent on her return journey to the cottage. 

She saw the bright lights illuminating the cottage and her spirits lifted up.  She started gathering her shopping bags…! She was back…!

**********   **********   **********

“ASR! Please… !” Lavanya was morose.  He  felt sorry for her for a moment and wrapped his arm around her.  

“I am alright, Lavanya!” he said in a soft tone making her sit beside him.  She rested her head on his shoulder putting her arms around his tummy.  He smiled faintly and gazed into the darkness.  

“Lavanya go to your room…!” he said in a deadly voice, hearing the brakes of the excursion busses.  He saw her figure at the entrance and as she approached, he got up clenching his fists…!

“Go to your room, Lavanya!” he ordered straightening himself up in a stiff posture…!  Lavanya gaped at him with fright but didn’t move.  Khushi saw Lavanya in Verandah and grinned.

“Lavanya ji….!” She called out laden with her shopping bags.  She had a cane shallow basket in one hand with two earthen potted plants in it!… a huge plastic bag and numerous smaller bags all over her hands and shoulders.  She climbed the stairs excitedly speaking animatedly…!

Opposite Poles..Part 63

Part 63

“Chamakili.. What are you doing here?” Lavanya was shaking her.  She got up from her trance.  Thousand rupees with three zeros vanished.  She looked around.

“Umm.. Nothing!” she said.  Lavanya seemed to be still high.  “Dinner?” she asked Khushi.  Khushi didn’t know what to answer.  “Not in conference… so I may have to pay for my dinner…!” she thought seriously.  

“Ok, I will order!” said Lavanya turning to move in.  “Umm Lavanya ji.. Is it .. I mean .. Included in conference fees?” she asked stuttering. 

“No! We have to pay for this..!” Lavanya said.  “Why?” she asked. 

“No.. I am not hungry..I had in the conference !” lied Khushi.  Thousand rupees still dancing in front of her eyes, she went in with Lavanya.  And then to cover it up said

“You can have your dinner with Sir! He has returned!” she said brightly, happy with her idea.

“I was going to do that only, Chamakili..!” Lavanya didn’t like Khushi giving her the idea. 

Khushi sat on her couch lost in thoughts.  “Chamakili, I am going to have dinner with ASR!” said Lavanya and left.  Khushi took a sigh of relief.  She darted in, took out her bag and took out the box of Laddus and namakeen packed by her Jiji.  She smiled broadly.  “My tummy is in this box..!” she said smelling the laddus with satisfaction.  She had her own time and space to fill her tummy with her favorite laddus and namkeen…! 

She switched on the TV and stuffed a full big laddu in her mouth and the door banged open.

“TUM   KHANA  KHANE   KYUN  NAHI  AA   RAHI   HOAN?” Came a rude question.

ASR was at the door.  She looked at him blankly with puffed cheeks.  He surveyed her and her surroundings ,  with two Tiffin boxes, full of Laddus and Namakeen  on the couch and a remote in her hand.  

“Woh… Shrrr!” she got up with a jerk, spraying particles of Laddu from her mouth.  His eyes twinkled.  “Carry on!” he said turning his back on her and went out closing the door behind.  

Late in the night Lavanya returned wrapping her hand around his.

 “Wish only we two were here, ASR!” she planted a kiss on his cheek.  He opened the door for her and gazed down at the couch.  Khushi had curled up like a purring cat in sleep.  He couldn’t take his eyes off.

“Oh.. I told her to sleep on the bed… but she refused…!” Lavanya justified.  ASR didn’t bother.

“Lavanya give me the pen drive… I am waiting..!” he sent her in.. To have a better look at Khushi…?  May be…!  Lavanya came out in a few minutes… !

********  ********   *********

ASR returned to his den, kept working on his laptop for a long time, sitting on the couch and then shutting it down.. Rested his head back.  He closed his eyes drifting away in sleep on the couch.  

“No… I am not an earthen pot.  I can resist temptation..He was holding his mother’s hand…. He was at the mazaar looking at the falling water filled pot …. She was holding it saving it from breaking …. Earthen pots came crashing down on his pool side…. A gunshot reverberated…. She was falling down… Khushi was falling down…!” He got up with a jerk shrieking… “KHUSHI..!”  

 He wiped off sweat from his forehead.  He drank the glass of water in one gulp.  

“No..! I have to put an end to this, before it goes out of my control…!” he thought gravely.  He pulled his laptop, to continue  his work…!

**********   ********   **********

"Woh.. That man was constantly staring at me, stalking me everywhere..!" Khushi shuddered even while telling it to Lavanya.

"They are flirts, floating people, Chamakili.. We just have to ignore them...!" Lavanya was very casual.    "Hmmm!" Khushi kept quiet.  Lavanya spoke after some time...!

“You know Khushi… I had so many romantic plans for this trip..!” Lavanya said sulkily, next day morning, getting ready.   She was taking her won time to get ready as she had a task of compeering the closing ceremony.  Khushi had prepared placards for her and arranged them neatly per the schedule.

“Lavanya ji, these are your cards… and all the best!” she said genuinely.  “Thank you, Chamakili..! You have been a great help!” Lavanya reciprocated.  

“I will wait outside!” she said and came out.  She had got ready in just a few minutes and knew, Lavanya will take more time.  She was looking at the mountain peaks engulfed and embraced by the clouds.  The rain had stopped completely.  

“Yes, Di! I am Fine! Don’t worry….!  Yeah… She is fine!  Yeah Di… I will take care… ! Yeah… We will leave Tomorrow Morning…! Yeah Di, take care…!” ASR was on phone busy talking to his Di.  

Khushi’s eyes flashed.  A great idea just hit her.  She smiled broadly and realizing that he was gazing at her, turned her face embarrassed.   He looked confused.  “She is up to something…  Warning, Arnav! Keep a watch on her!”  He knew her well by now.  He would never let that happen, what she was up to.  Smirk appeared on his face, his eyes twinkled…

“What? Smirking? He is up to something, Khushi Kumari Gupta… beware! Don’t let him know about your plan…!” Khushi warned herself, warning bells ringing in her head.  

“G..Good Morning!” she greeted.  He still was looking at her with a smirk.  They both waited for Lavanya without a word engrossed in their own thoughts.  

Lavanya came out.  She was looking stunning.  Khushi gaped at her with bright wide eyes.  “You look so beautiful…!” she complemented smiling broadly at her.  ASR gaped at Khushi!

“I am beautiful, Chamakili..!” declared Lavanya smugly.  She sounded like ASR.  Khushi looked startled.   

She nodded saying… “Yeah! You are beautiful! But you look stunning today…!” she looked at ASR to know the effect of Lavanya’s beauty on him and shuddered looking at his eyes gazing at her. 

 She got nervous.  “What have I done wrong? Am I not supposed to give complement to Madam?” she was confused and looked away avoiding his glare.

“ASR!” Lavanya wrapped her hand around his and he brought back his gaze to her. 

“What?” she looked at herself raising her eyebrows.  “Good!” he responded.  Lavanya felt happy.  

 Khushi walked behind them gazing at both of them.  He was back in his black everything business suit and she was complementing him with White backless gown.  She was carrying herself so well. 

Khushi admired both of them.  “KITANE  ACCHHE  LAG   RAHE   HAIN   DONO!” She mumbled smiling.  

Inadvertently she looked at her dress.  She was wearing a white skintight churidaar, a deep blue Anarkali with a lot of girth and glittery embroidery on her white dupatta!  She smiled sending her wavy hair back by jerking her head.  A few still wandering curly locks lingered on her forehead.  She ran behind them to keep up the pace.  

“Lavanya ji!” she held her hand pulling her back before entering the conference hall, clutching the program schedule in one hand.

“What is it, Chamakili?” Lavanya looked confused.

“Here… I have a plan…!” she whispered in her ear for some time. 

“Really..? That will be great!” Lavanya said dreamily.

“Shhhuu! But he should not know about it!” Khushi warned her.  She nodded.

“It’s your responsibility..!” Khushi raised her finger.

“Yeah! Done! Thanks Chamakili!” Lavanya was excited.

“Now Go and All the Best!” Khushi raised her thumb.  She hurriedly occupied a chair at the back realizing that ASR was glaring at her suspiciously.  

“You won’t know, Mr. ASR SIR!  But you will be happy!!” she muttered. 

******   ********   *********

Lavanya was flawless, witty, well rehearsed.  Her placards played a major role.  There was no question of jumbling up.  It was a short,  one and half hour long valedictory program.  Khushi kept on looking at the watch.  ASR was at the front.  Khushi was happy, initially!  But then she saw the seat next to her is occupied and she shuddered.  

“Planning for something?” he asked her with gritted teeth.

“Who..? What..?” she asked with an innocent face and then frowned.

“ISS RAKSHAS KO YAHI AAKE BAITHANA THAA! Of all the chairs this Monster  found this place only..! Octopus..!” she muttered under her breath.

“SUNA MAINE!” he was deadly enough to send shivers through her spine.  “HAAN   TOH??” She put up a brave face.  

There was a little time left for the program to get over.  Khushi fidgeted.  The participants and the dignitaries were felicitated.  Arnav Singh Raizada was specially felicitated for his Key Note Address.  He rose from his seat and went to the dais when his name was announced by Lavanya!  Khushi grabbed the opportunity and vanished.

He came back after a while to see the vacant seat next to him.  He looked around.  She  had just disappeared. 

Khushi’s name was also announced among the other participants… but she had gone.  No one knew where!

“What the? Where is she?” he thought looking around.  

Opposite Poles..Part 62

Part 62

He was comfortably talking to those people putting his hand around her shoulder.  She tried to break away, his grip tightened.  The moment those three moved away, he pushed her back glaring at her angrily. 

She looked at him with hatred.

 “Why? Didn’t you like being held like that? Enjoying their company weren’t you?” he asked disdainfully.  Her rage went over the edge. She gritted her teeth for a moment and then started mumbling.  He looked at her bewildered not knowing what was she doing.  He was expecting an equally disdainful response from her.

“What?” he blurted.

“Counting the numbers, Mr. Raizada! … Before I hit you!” she said clenching her fists.  His eyes flashed.

“Hit me? will you?” he gripped her wrist again. 

“If you continue to misbehave, I will!” she hissed in rage.

“Oh, really? Let me see!” he challenged her, twisting her wrist behind her back and closed the gap between them.  Her knees gave way.  “Leave me!” she said with quivering lips.  He stared at her, holding her, without bothering about the crowd around.  She felt weak…

“You... you are scaring me!” she said frightfully. 

He released her immediately and took a step back.  She stood there glaring at him.  He looked shocked.  He turned his back and merged in the crowd.  Khushi sat on the nearby chair, completely shaken.  She wanted to run away, go back to the cottage…! She searched for Lavanya, who was busy networking with people and had no time for Khushi.  ASR had vanished somewhere, she couldn’t find him.  She moved around in the crowd aimlessly.  As the time passed, she grew panic.  ASR and Lavanya both were nowhere to be seen.  That Ramanand was again staring at her..! She tried to hide herself in vain.  

“Hello Ms Gupta! So, you are working with AR Group! Great!” he came near with a glass of wine.  He offered her one.  “No!” she refused and tried to move away. 

“Why not?” He followed.  She was nervous.  He persisted. 

“I work for a Bangalore base garment company, Jakarta!” he went on.  Khushi was not at all comfortable talking to him.  She fidgeted. 

“Ms Gupta, you seem to be new to such conferences..! These are meant for networking with people..!” he was again advancing.  She paced backwards smiling nervously.  She looked around praying her Devi mayya and saw him.   

ASR was talking to someone with his back on her.  She desperately moved towards him and without any inhibitions, stood next to him gripping his elbow.  He looked at her surprised. 

“Umm.. Hello!” she looked at everyone smiling. She was safe, with her Monster!  He took her aside “What?” he asked her bewildered. 

“Known devil is better than an unknown angel..!” she said grinning at him.  “What?” he flared up and came on to her.  She dodged and moved out of his reach. He turned his back on her moving away.  

 “No! Wait!” she ordered.  He turned and raised his eyebrow.  “Please?” she pleaded.  His lips curled up in a wicked smile.  She frowned. 

“I want to go back!” she declared.  “So?”  He asked her.  She was furious.

“So? You want me to go alone? With that person following me everywhere?” she asked him directly.  His eyes flickered.  “You are scared of me and still want me to come with you?” his eyes spoke.  She understood.

“Ok! Fine!” she saw Lavanya.  She went hurriedly towards her.

“Lavanya Madam..!” she pulled her hand.

“Chamaki.. I mean Khushi? Where were you?” she asked still holding a glass of wine.

“Lavanya Madam, you are not well.  We should be going back!” she said taking the glass from her and keeping it on the table.

“Oh! Yeah! I forgot! That’s why! I was wondering, why I am feeling so weak!! Right, I am not well!” she said blurting.  She had lost it completely.

“Come on! Let’s go!” Khushi started walking with her.

“ASR… where is ASR?” Lavanya now remembered.

“I told him, already!” Khushi said glancing sideways.  He was glaring at her.

“ASR!” finally Lavanya saw him.

“ASR! This Khushi says, I must go back!” she said wrapping his arm with hers.  He nodded.  Khushi had a wicked smile.  “We are going back!” she said and left the venue with Lavanya, looking back at him raising her eyebrows, grinning victoriously!

“Pagal!” he turned and merged into the crowd.

********   ********   *********

“Sham… are you trying to double cross me?” Rattan was furious on the other side of the phone.
“No, Rattan Saab! Try and understand.. Eliminating her won’t solve the problem.. What we need is to stop the inquiry!” Sham tried to convince his boss. 
“I assure you, they cannot trace it back to you or me! It was fool proof plan!” Sham was confident.   Rattan seemed to be not convinced. 
“Look Sham, any finger pointing at me will be cut off… If you can’t handle it, I will do it..! Either stop the inquiry or eliminate that girl…!” he threatened. 
“Rattan Saab! Have patience.  My plans never fail.  We have done it before.  We are hollowing out his finances from within.  Don’t worry!” Sham tried to pacify Rattan. 
“What happened to the property in Lucknow? You said you will get it at throw away price..!” Rattan was furious again. 
“Umm  yes! I am trying for that!” he gave false hopes.  That property, “Gomati Nivas” was bought by someone already, he didn’t know who!

***********   ***********   *********
“This Sham won’t be able to do much.  We have to do something.” Rattan spoke to his man.  The man nodded in acceptance. 
“If the matter is dug out further, I am sure they will trace it down to us!” Rattan was serious. 
“Shall I?” his man asked.  Rattan didn’t speak.  The man took a step back. 
Two persons were trying desperately to save Khushi; Sham from Rattan, knowingly and ASR from Sham unknowingly…!!
Khushi, oblivious to the conspiracy against her, was enjoying her stay in Nainital!! Her Devi Mayya was always there with her..!

******  *****  ********  ********
Lavanya and Khushi came back to cottage.
“Lavanya Madam, you take rest!” Khushi said picking up her blanket.
“Chamakili, umm.. You can sleep here!” Lavanya said thumping on her bed.  Khushi looked up at her.  Then said resolutely.
“No Lavanya Madam.. I will sleep on the couch..!” she smiled at Lavanya.
“Look Chamakili, I am sorry!” Lavanya apologized.
“No Madam, please.. I am used to sleeping alone.  I will be uncomfortable here..!” Khushi lied.  She had never slept alone. She was scared of sleeping alone.  Her Jiji was always used to be with her. 
“Chamakili..!” Lavanya looked hurt.
“No Lavanya ji, you sleep here.  I will be there on the couch.  Call me if you need anything… and take this.. Your medicines..You have to fit and fine for tomorrow!” she said smiling. 
“Ok!” Lavanya took the tablets from her.  Khushi came out.  Rain had stopped completely but the skies were overcast.  “Hmm!” she sighed looking up in the sky.

*************   *********  ********

She sat on the cane chair in the verandah and dialed Rekha’s number..!

“Hello, Rekha Madam! Sorry couldn’t contact you yesterday… actually caught up in an emergency..!” she said.  Rekha spoke something excitedly from the other end.  Khushi giggled. 

“Yeah! Your phone rang in the middle of the conference… but you know.. It helped…!” she said bursting out in laughter remembering ASR’s furious face.

“ Rekha Madam.. How was the party? Regi Sir must have had a shock!” she went on asking the details.. And Rekha described everything in detail and how they all missed her.  Khushi laughed and giggled responding to the descriptions..! 

“Khushi, is everything ok with you? Are you alright?” asked Rekha in a concerned tone.  Khushi fell silent for a moment and then smiling from ear to ear, said

“Everything is just fine, Rekha Madam, it’s only that I missed you a lot!!” smiled on her face was fading.  She missed her office.  

“Khushi, you know, what name Regi registered for his daughter?” Rekha asked stretching Khushi’s curiosity. 

“What?” she asked in excitement.  Her phone beeped in the middle of the conversation…!

“Oh! Rekha Madam, Sorry! No balance..! Will call you later..!” she hung up, frowning.  She didn’t know from where to recharge her mobile.  

She saw a pair of shoes on the floor and then gazed up to the person wearing those shoes.  She got up with a jerk hiding her cell behind. 

He took out his cell and held it to her.

“Use this!” he said plainly.  “No!” she paced back refusing his favor.  A surge of rage ran through him.  He clenched his fists.  She took out her phone from behind and said weakly..

“ Woh  Recharge Karana Tha…” before she could complete her sentence, he snatched her phone.  She gaped aghast. He pocketed it.

“I will recharge it!” he was normal.  She gaped at him in disbelief.

“Will you? Really?” she asked.  “Yeah!” he said looking at her.

“Wa.. Wait!” she ran inside and brought a fifty Rupee note. 

“Here, Forty Rupees Recharge and ten Rs. SMS pack..!” she held out the note.  He stared at her smirking.   Realization dawned upon her,  and then remembering what happened to her phone earlier…

“No, please…! Don’t take it away…! Please.. This is my Babuji’s phone!” she urged helplessly.  He smirked.  “Please…!”    He turned, ignoring her.

 She ran forward and stood in his way.  

“Give my phone back!” she said threatening him raising her finger.

“Haath Neeche!” he hissed at her.  She looked at her finger and took her hand back. 

He took out his hone, pressed some keys frantically.  She gaped with open mouth.  Her phone beeped.  He took it out and looked at the screen.  

“Recharged!” he  gave it back to her.  She checked her balance.  

“Are you ..? what.?” She screamed bewildered.  “One thousand rupees?” she sat on the cane chair with a thud. 

“I…I don’t have that much money..!” she said aghast.  He turned to leave..

“I will deduct it from your salary!” he said and she raised her hands to strangle him in rage.

“EK KAAM BHI THIK NAHI KAR SAKATE!  He can’t do a single thing right… LAAD GOVERNER!! POORE SAAL KA EK MAHINE MAIN KHATAM KAR DIYA…! He exhausted my one year budget in one month!! “ She muttered furiously clutching her head! One and three zeros were dancing in front of her…!