Chapter 89
FINDING KHUSHI
Part 21
Arnav looked at Khushi. She looked happy. He looked at the tall figure standing behind Khushi, and his mouth almost fell open in shock.
Anamika! But she never accepted invitations to parties, official or otherwise!
Arnav took a step towards Khushi, but Aman called him, almost apologetically, "Sir, Mr. Roy is here..."
Sighing inwardly, Arnav turned to greet Mr. Roy.
Anamika stood behind a seated Khushi, slightly to her right, and looked at the partying crowd. Her all-seeing eyes moved from the bold and the beautiful and the successful to Khushi's curious face.
"What do you see when you look at them, Khushi?", she asked softly.
Khushi turned her head, and looked at Anamikaji's face. "Ji... Beautiful people..."
"Do you think they are happy, Khushi?", Anamika drawled.
"They... they look happy.", muttered Khushi.
"But looks can be deceiving, can't they?", came the soft query.
Khushi looked at Anamikaji's face, a question in her eyes.
"Look at the girl in green. The one dancing vigorously. What do you think of her?", Khushi's new friend asked.
"Beautiful...", Khushi said. "Must be a model..."
"Was. Now she is living with a man old enough to be her grandfather.", Anamika's directness was unmatchable.
Khushi frowned. "She doesn't have a house of her own?" Pity dripped from her words.
"Save your sympathy for the deserving.", Anamika was blunt. "Her middle-class parents can't provide her with designer clothes and foreign trips. And she doesn't want to work to earn money."
Khushi stared at Anamikaji. She opened her mouth to speak, but didn't how how to phrase her doubts.
"She has sold herself to that man. She lives with him like his wife, and he gives her money and costly gifts, entry to the world of the rich and the famous... Both are happy.", Anamika looked at Khushi, expecting more questions.
"The.. the grandfather doesn't have anyone to look after him?", Khushi asked. "He is alone?"
Anamika smiled at Khushi.
"As alone as a man with 3 ex-wives and a current wife and 4 children and 10-15 grandchildren can be.", Anamika retorted.
Khushi gulped.
"Look at that lady there. What do you think of her?", Anamika asked.
"She must be somebody's Amma.", Khushi said. "She must be about 50 years old, Anamikaji?"
"Don't let her hear you. She is still 25 in her head.", Anamika smiled sardonically. "Who is the man standing by her?"
"Man? He is only a boy. Like my Nanheji.", Khushi smiled. "He must be her son.", Khushi was very sure.
"Acha? Well, he is her boyfriend.", Anamika stated.
Khushi straightened in shock. "That Dadi' I mean..."
"Yes, that Dadi.", Anamika smiled.
Khushi stared at Anamikaji, speechless with shock.
Anamika summoned a waiter with a click of her fingers, and asked for an orange juice. She whispered something in his ear. The man nodded respectfully, and left. Khushi sat still, looking at all the people Anamikaji had pointed out.
"Here, drink this.", Anamika gave her the juice.
"Shukriya...", she whispered, and sipped the drink.
"There is no alcohol in it. I made sure of it.", Anamika said.
Khushi frowned at the orange juice. "Daru? Why should orange juice have daru?"
"Orange juice in such parties will have daru in it. It will be added by witches like Lisa who want you to make a fool of yourself in front of your Arnavji.", Anamika stretched her spine.
Khushi stared at her.
"You are going to occupy a place many have longed to occupy... that of ASR's wife.", Anamika said, looking directly at her.
"So many women love Arnavji?", Khushi asked faintly, the glass with the juice trembling in her tight hold.
"So many women love his money. His position. The comfort his money can buy. The clout his name can provide.", Anamika said, yawning.
Khushi looked at her, her mouth a perfect 'O' and her eyes like saucers.
"Khushi...", Arnav strode towards her. Anamika could be cutting at times. He hoped she hadn't hurt Khushi with her sharp tongue.
Khushi stood up, smiling.
Arnav caught hold of her free arm.
"Tum theek ho?", he asked Khushi, looking at Anamika with worry in his eyes. She was unpredictable, her fury legendary. No one dared to cross her or attempt to cosy up to her. Not at any cost. What had Anamika said to Khushi?
Khushi said cheerfully, "Arnavji, do you know Anamikaji?"
Arnav nodded. "Hello, Anamika."
Anamika nodded.
"I am glad you came to the party.", Arnav said, his face expressionless, his hand holding Khushi's securely.
"You have been inviting me often enough. I thought I would put you out of your misery tonight.", Anamika drawled.
Arnav looked at her in silence.
"Your wife is a very interesting lady.", Anamika told Arnav.
Arnav nodded, his face relaxing a tad bit.
"Anamikaji, we are not married yet!", Khushi laughed. "Our wedding is after 5 months."
Arnav watched Anamika's face relax into a slight smile at Khushi's quip with wonder.
"Your saree... Where did you buy it from?", Anamika asked.
Khushi looked down at herself. "It is beautiful, isn't it?", she smiled. "Anjaliji.. that is, Arnavji's sister, gifted it to me."
Anamika looked at the love and pleasure on Khushi's face at the mention of her future sister-in-law.
She looked at Arnav Singh Raizada.
"ASR's wife is not a nobody.", she reminded him.
"Khushi is not a nobody.", Arnav retorted.
Anamika nodded. "Then it is high time the world knew it. Especially models who kiss and tell, don't kiss and still tell, kiss and tell more..."
Arnav stared at her. Khushi looked from Anamikaji to Arnavji, not understanding what was going on.
"Five pieces for 5 months for Khushi and you.", Anamika declared.
Arnav stood shocked. Then he managed to gather his wits together. "You must let me..."
"No. You can't pay me what my clothes are worth.", Anamika said coldly. She turned to Khushi, and asked, "Khushi, will you wear what I design?"
Khushi smiled. "You design clothes, Anamikaji! I will definitely wear whatever you design."
Anamika lifted an eyebrow. "What if you don't like it?"
"How can I not like it? You are my friend! I will definitely like whatever you make for me!", Khushi declared happily.
Anamika looked at Arnav, smiling, and raised both eyebrows.
Arnav smiled in return. Khushi had no idea who Anamika was!
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