Chapter 11

~ CHAPTER 11 ~

Khushi hummed while stirring the pot of kheer and stared at the time. Already 6.30 p.m. Arnav had messaged her earlier that he would be home a little later as his meeting was running late. Khushi sighed and tasted the kheer. Hmmm...Good. The taste had come just right even without the added sweetner. She smiled happily and thanked the internet for the ideas for the recipe for diabetics. She would surprise Arnav with the kheer for dessert tonight at dinner. She remembered him telling her during one of their nightly chats that kheer had been his favorite sweet dish before the diabetes. She just hoped that he liked the kheer she had made especially for him.

The doorbell brought her out of her happy imaginations and Khushi hurriedly switched off the stove and after wiping her hands with a towel, moved towards the front door.

"Coming...2 seconds"

Khushi opened the door thinking it was Arnav and was surprised to see the visitor. "Ji...Aap?"

-----xxx-----

Arnav leaned back on the backseat of his car and listened intently to the person speaking over the phone "Mr.Maxwell. What do you mean the new report shows inconsistencies? She had been to the rehab plenty of times already and no one bothered to give a different report!"

Mr.Maxwell began to sweat just hearing the cold fury in ASR's voice, even thousands of miles away "Yes Sir. But we used a different rehab this time than the one we did in the past. And Dr. Richards, who is the psychiatrist of the new rehab, has found some inconsistencies in the previous reports and he has mentioned them in her discharge papers"

Arnav took a deep breath "OK. Mr.Maxwell, I need to speak to Dr. Richards on this. Just get me an appointment with him for next week, All right? Tell me what have you done about the other matter we discussed?" he asked.

"Sir, we did a private investigation on Mr.Jha as you ordered but it came back squeaky clean. He doesn't even have a speeding ticket."

Arnav sighed tiredly. He didn't have time for this. "Mr.Maxwell, how long have you been working for me now?"

"Four years, Sir"

"Then you must already know this. I don't believe anyone can have a squeaky clean record unless they are just born or they don't exist. If Sheetal's legal advisor's record is spotless without a blemish, then it's been tampered with. Dig deeper and give me a comprehensive report within 2 days. Understood?"

"O..Ok..Sir"

Arnav shut the phone down cursing the new complication which required him to fly to US, just as Raghu maneuvered the car into their parking spot.

-----xxx-----

Arnav unlocked the door with his key and entered the apartment with a spring in his step. He was seeing Khushi after a long weekend. He hadn't been able to see her in the office today either due to back to back meetings. He kept his laptop bag on the couch and began to remove his coat."Khushi, I'm home" he called out while opening his cuff links, wondering how come she hadn't come out already. She usually was there the minute he entered. He heard some noise from the kitchen and moved to investigate the reason for Khushi's reticence today. But the sight that met him wasn't the one he had ever imagined he's see.

There stood Khushi, listening avidly and nodding to his Nani, as they peered over a dish on the stove!

"Khushi...? Nani...?!"

Both his favorite ladies turned in unison and smiled at him. Khushi's face lit up as usual it did whenever she saw him and his Nani's smile was pure mischief, like she had unveiled a secret, which she had, obviously, considering she was standing here in this kitchen.

"Arnavji. When did you come? I didn't hear you" Khushi hurried to him.

Arnav nodded to her absently, his eyes still on his grandmother "Nani? You...here?"

Nani smirked noticing her grandson's stunned expression "Why bitwa? Did you think you could hide things from your Nani forever and I wouldn't find out? Rishtey me hum bhi ASR ki Nani lagte hain, Kyun Khushi bitiya?"

Khushi laghed along with Nani and turned to Arnav "Arnavji, Even I got a shock to when I opened the door earlier to her. I was terrified and didn't know what to do at that moment"

Nani looked at Khushi fondly "I came here because I wanted to clear a doubt, but one look at her hands and everything was crystal clear to me. You gave her your mother's bangle bitwa. And she has put the smile back in your face. Then how could I not accept her?"

"Nani..."

"But I'm a bit put out that you didn't think you should mention this to me. My bitwa falls in love and hides it from me. I felt really left out. NK knows this too, doesn't he?"

"Nani...I wasn't sure..." Arnav hesitantly began.

"You weren't sure I would be happy for you that you found the girl who makes you happy?"

"No Nani...I..."

"Or you thought your Nani would take the high road and reject Khushi bitiya because of the unfortunate circumstance of your marriage?"

Arnav stood quietly with his head bowed down.

"Bitwa...All I want is your happiness. It's what every mother wants for her child. Yes, I would have been happier if the circumstances had been ideal, and I could welcome Khushi bitya with all the respect she deserves, into our home. But I would never be angry because you finally found someone to share your life with, society notwithstanding"

Arnav's face brightened. He hugged his Nani and whispered quietly "Thank you Nani".

"I want you do one more thing bitwa" she informed Arnav as they parted. Arnav looked at her enquiringly and Khushi looked confused. Nani asked them to follow her and went into the living room where she had seen the deity placed. She took the vermillion box kept in front of the small statue and extended it to Arnav.

"Fill her maang" she said as both Arnav and Khushi stood shocked "She is already your "ardhangini" in everything that matters. I want you to apply this vermillion and give her that status in the presence of Devi maa and your elder. If Devi Mayya wishes, I have full faith that we will also see to the legal bond quite soon. Go on bitwa..."

Khushi's eyes filled with happy tears as Arnav slowly took the box from his grandmother and filled her parting with the red powder, sanctifying their union in front of Devi Mayya. Then they both touched Nani's feet for blessings.

"Hamesha Khush raho" Nani blessed them "Now, bitwa freshen up fast and come for dinner. Khushi bitiya has made a special kheer for you"

Arnav grinned and went into the bedroom while Khushi shyly looked down.

"Wow Khushi. This is awesome" Arnav took a second helping of the kheer and began to enjoy it. They had chosen to have dinner in the formal dining room today, in respect of Nani, rather than the kitchen table where Arnav and Khushi most often ended having their food. Nani had already been impressed with Khushi's cooking skills during the dinner, and Arnav had enjoyed the glow of pleasure on Khushi's face at the praise. Arnav realized this was how his life would have been had he not been a victim of circumstances 6 years ago. The warm atmosphere around the table soothed his heart at the same time stung. He shook the melancholic feeling and decided to enjoy the moment. Just then Khushi went to the kitchen to get some more kheer for him.

Looking at Khushi, who disappeared into the kitchen, Nani whispered something to Arnav.

"But Nani" Arnav began doubtfully "I know Khushi. She wouldn't agree to this"

"Leave it to me" Nani said confidently "I will make her agree". Just then Khushi entered dining room carrying the kheer and smiling. Once the dinner was over, Nani and Arnav retreated to the living room making small talk while Khushi began to clean up.

"Khushi bitiya, will you please come here once?" Nani called her and patted the seat next to her. Khushi obediently came and sat next to her while Arnav looked apprehensive.

"Ji Naniji...?"

Nani took Khushi's hands in hers and pressed gently"Bitiya, Please forgive us for not giving you the right to the Raizada name and our home. However we see it, we are your culprits."

"Naniji..." Khushi protested but Nani wasn't finished.

"We are. You should by right have equal rights over Arnav and all his worldly possessions. But due to circumstances he cannot give them to you"

"I have Arnavji and that's enough for me Naniji"

"I know beta. That's what makes you all the more worthy. I have no doubts at all for what I am going to do. I know you will always stand by my grandson, no matter what"

Khushi nodded slowly, puzzled as to where this was going.

"Khushi bitiya. Today was unofficially your first "rasoi" where you made sweets for your husband and his family. So by tradition we should give you some gift too. I want to gift you my shares in the ARI as your shagun, please don't say no" she hurried as she saw Khushi was ready to refuse "They are not much. Arnav has the controlling shares. He made me a partner when he started the company again after the bankruptcy. He was going to give them to Dhruv after he joined the office but..." her voice trailed "He cannot give you his shares as it may lead to a scandal, but my shares are independently owned and I can gift them to whoever I want. And I want you to have them."

Khushi looked from Arnav to Nani as they both looked expectantly back at her. She didn't know what to do. She had never expected such warmth from Arnav's grandmother. She couldn't refuse the shagun, it was the blessing from elders, but such a huge gift? She wasn't sure.

"Khushi, please accept it, for both Nani's and my sake" Arnav said when he saw she was about to refuse. Khushi stared at him for a moment and finally nodded slowly.

"Ji, thank you Naniji"

Nani hugged Khushi happily and Arnav smiled.

-----xxx----

"Arnavji...I can't do this. 45 percent shares?! But Naniji said they are not much and you have the major shares!" Khushi protested next day when Arnav presented the papers for her to sign.

"So I do" Arnav smiled as held the pen to her "I own 55% shares and will be the controlling partner, whereas you will be the minor partner with 45%. Now sign it Khushi. Nani will be SO disappointed if you refuse" he said with a sideways glance at her.

"That's emotional blackmail Arnavji..." Khushi complained "I thought it would 5 or 10%. But 45%? Please think about this again Arnavji"

Arnav made her hold the pen "I have thought about it already Khushi. Now sign it. I have a meeting after this. You are delaying me"

"Hawww. Laad governor kahin ke, Hamesha apni manmaani karte hain" she grumbled and signed on the dotted line making Arnav happy.

"Get ready in the evening. We are going out " He winked and quickly pecked her on the lips as he went out with the papers, leaving a bemused Khushi.

-----xxx-----

"WHAT? Are you sure?" Sheetal Khanna shouted at her legal advisor, stunned by the news he had just imparted.

"Yes. As of today, 45% of ARI shares are owned by a certain Miss. Khushi Kumari Gupta. My source just confirmed it" Shyam Jha replied.

"Those shares belong to me by right! How dare he give them to some nobody?" Sheetal raged.

"Erm...He didn't do it actually, the shares were transferred by his grandmother to the girl"

"Oh, Shut it. We both know his grandmother wouldn't lift a finger without his say, and here we are talking about almost half of his company! Do you know what and all I had to do for that bloody wealth?" Sheetal's face contorted as she looked at Shyam.

"I know..." Shyam Jha tried to calm her.

"I acted like a grief stricken loony for over 5 years just so that Arnav Singh Raizada is still on a guilt trip and won't divorce me. I kept him on the leash by pretending to be so hung over his dead brother, just so that he keeps me in the lifestyle I'm used to. Dhruv never knew I got purposely pregnant by him" she laughed cruelly "That poor kid! He fancied himself in love with me. If he had lived, I'd have been set for life. He had told me that his brother was going to make him a partner in his company. But then he had to die and leave my life in a mess. But I still had the kid. I decided to make the baby my lifelong meal ticket. I married that iceberg of a brother of his and decided to wait for the baby, who would then have been my one way ticket into Raizada coffers"

"Why didn't you divorce him later, you would have still gotten half his wealth, right?"

"I would have, had he not made me sign a pre-nup before the registration! I signed it then, thinking that anyway the baby was going to get half the property. But then I miscarried. Well, the doc had told me to stay away from drugs but I just couldn't. If I had divorced him, I would have gotten only a puny amount. When I was in the hospital thinking about what to do, I heard him make some long speech which began and ended with "Sorry" , and I realized that he had an unhealthy amount of guilt in him. When HE tried to divorce me later, I decided to capitalize on it. I seduced the doctor and blackmailed the poor fellow to write a report in my favor so that Arnav Singh Raizada would never again think of divorcing me!"

"Making yourself into a mentally handicapped spouse was a stroke of genious. But why didn't you go to India with him then?" Shyam asked curiously.

"What? And stay away from my supplier? You gotta be kidding. I already knew it was useless trying to seduce him. He saw me as some kind of platonic sister who was his saintly baby brother's girl. So I decided to go the grief stricken widow way. I went to those rehabs he forced on me because invariably after that my allowance would rise, more guilt money I guess, but, who cares? This way, I get to keep my life style AND my sugar" she shrugged.

Shyam was impressed "Smart plan"

"I was waiting for an ideal time to hit him for Dhruv's shares, and now he has gone and given them away to someone ELSE? He will pay for this. Find out who the girl is and what is her relationship with the Raizada family, if the old biddy gifted her half the company!"

"Okay...but you have to be careful Sheetal. That new rehab doctor looked sort of suspicious. I don't like the look of him" Shyam cautioned her.

"Don't worry. I was an amateur actress in college. Not even the most qualified can detect that I DON'T have a mental disorder" Sheetal scoffed confidently.

Shyam looked doubtful but left after collecting the papers, leaving Sheetal to fume silently.

----xxx----

Arnav and Khushi spent their Christmas eve cozily ensconced in each others arms, after Arnav had treated her to a night in town and helped her in selecting Christmas gifts for the kids of the orphanage, blissfully unaware of the oncoming storm.

Khushi leaned back and snuggled deeper into Arnav's chest as they sat looking at the Christmas tree in the corner, which they had set up in the evening. Arnav covered her properly with the comforter to ward away the December chill in Delhi.

"Arnavji, you would never leave me alone na?" Khushi asked in a low voice as she stared at the twinkling fairy lights on the tree.

Arnav turned her face up to him "Never, Khushi. What brought this on?"

Khushi sighed "I'm so happy Arnavji, that sometimes I get scared. What if..."

Arnav pecked her on her lips before she could complete the sentence "Nothing will happen Khushi, Don't worry. I will love you with every breath that I have, forever"

Khushi kissed him softly before whispering back. "Forever, Arnavji"

~ END OF CHAPTER # 11 ~

[NOCOPY]