Smita,😊

Here is the interpretation to Part 21.

When Arnav looked at Khushi, she looked happy. When he looked at the stately personality standing behind Khushi, he was dumbstruck. He had never expected to see the person at the party. Anamika was one person who made the rules for herself. She was a person who never accepted invitations to parties, be it official or otherwise. When Arnav took a step towards Khushi, Aman called him with an apologetic note and said, Sir Mr. Roy has come. Sighing inwardly, he turned towards Mr. Roy. Anamika standing behind a seated Khushi surveyed the parting crowd. Her eyes that would take in even the minutest of the details moved from the bold and the beautiful to successful and stopped at Khushi's curious face.

Anamika asked Khushi in her cultured voice softly, what does she see when she looks at them? Khushi turning her head and looked at Anamika's face and said, she sees beautiful people. When Anamika asked drawling, does she think they are happy? Khushi muttered they seem to be happy. Anamika queried her softly, can't the looks be deceiving? Khushi looked at Anamikaji with a question in her eyes. Anamika asked her to look at a girl in green, the one dancing vigorously. What does she think of her? Khushi told her that, the girl was beautiful and thought must be a model. Anamika told her bluntly that she was.Now she was living with a man old enough to be her grandfather, a sugar daddy. Khushi frowned and with a pity filled note in her voice and asked whether the girl does not have a house of her own? Anamika bluntly asked Khushi to save her sympathies for the deserving. Hailing from a middle class family, her parents are unable to provide her with designer clothes and foreign trips and she doesn't want to earn money. Khushi stared at Anamikaji and wanted to ask her but could not phrase her doubts into words. Anamika enlightened Khushi that the girl had was living with the man to whom she had given herself without the bond of matrimony as he provides her money and gift and she is able to rub shoulders with the Fashionistas. That way both are happy and get what they want. Khushi asked her does not the grandfather have anyone to look after him? Was he alone? Khushi's query made Anamika smile at her innocence and explain to her that the man was a lone figure as one could be with three ex-wives, a current one, four children and ten to fifteen grandchildren. Khushi could not believe it!

Pointing out to a lady Anamika asked Khushi what she thinks of her? Khushi answered that she must be somebody's Amma and about 50 years old. Anamika giving a smile filled with derision told her that not to let that lady hear such remarks, as she still thinks that she has not yet crossed 25. She asked her as to who was the man beside her? Khushi was stunned to see the person being called as a man. She told Anamikaji that he was a boy and Khushi was sure that he was that Lady's son. Anamika intrigued with her thought process, told her that boy was her boyfriend. Khushi got a jolt and he stammered, that Dadi, I mean.. Anamika with a smile confirmed that Dadi was in liason with that boy. Khushi was only just able to stare dumbfounded at Anamikaji by the revelations.

Snapping her fingers, Anamika summoned a waiter and asked for an orange juice. She whispered something in his ear. The man with utter respect left. Khushi sat there observing the people Anamikaji had pointed out. Giving Khushi a glass of juice she asked her to have it. To Khushi's whispered Thanks, she informed her that it was alcohol free and she had made sure of it. Khushi frowning to grasp the implications of her words with her eyes on the juice, she asked, alcohol? Why should orange juice have alcohol? Anamika stretching herself enlightened Khushi that in such parties as these chances of orange juices being laced by alcohol is a possibility. It would be the handiwork of witches like Lisa and such others of her caliber just wanting to make you a fool in front of your Arnavji. Khushi stared at her. She continued to say looking directly at Khushi that, she was going to occupy a place coveted by many, that of ASR's wife. Khushi in her innocent way asked her in a faint voice, So many women love her Arnavji? The thought unnerved Khushi and the glass in her hand trembled. Anamika stifling a yawn, told her that so many women love his money, his status, the comfort it brings with it. They are after him solely for the power of his money and clout his name provides. Khushi looked at her, her mouth in a perfect O and her eyes as wide like saucers.

At last, when he could find time to get away Arnav strode towards her calling, Khushi. Anamika was known to use her acerbic tongue, at times. He hoped she had not hurt Khushi with her trenchant remarks. Hearing him call her Khushi stood up with a dazzling smile. Taking her free arm in his grasp, with a worried eyes on Anamika, he asked her was she fine? He knew Anamika was a recluse of sort. She was as unpredictable as an active volcano and like it, her fury too was legendary. No one dared to go near her and any attempt to cozy up to her always ended with the other party behave like an ostrich when in fear. No one dared to do it at any cost. Arnav wondered what had Anamika said to Khushi.

Khushi being her chirpy self asked him, does he know Anamikaji? Arnav with a nod, greeted her saying Hello, Anamika. Anamika just acknowledged it with a nod. He told her with a face expressionless that he was glad that she attended the party. He held Khushi's hand securely in his. Anamika with a drawl told him that he had been inviting her often enough and she had thought it was time to put him out of misery. Arnav looked at her in silence. She told Arnav that his wife was a very interesting lady making Arnav nod and relax a little bit. Khushi with a laugh informed her that they were not married yet and the wedding would be after five months.

Arnav watched with wonder, Anamika's face relax into a slight smile at Khushi's quip. She asked Khushi, where had she bought her saree from? Khushi looked down at herself and with a fond smile she answered that, it was beautiful wasn't it? Anjaliji, that is her Arnavji's sister had gifted it to her. Anamika could see the love and pleasure that was visible on Khushi's face while taking the name of her future sister-in-law.

She looked at Arnav Singh Raizada. ASR's wife was not a nobody, she reminded him making Arnav agree and retort that Khushi was not a nobody. Anamika with a nod told him that, it was time to introduce her to the world. It was high time the world knew of it, especially the models who kiss and tell, don't kiss and still tell and kiss and tell more. In other words, she meant all those who meant nothing to him had to be put in their place.

Arnav stared at her. Khushi ping ponged her head from Anamikaji to Arnavji, not having a clue as to what was going on. Anamika with an authoritative note declared, five pieces for five months for Khushi and him. Arnav was shocked to the core. Still gathering his wits quickly he asked her, to let him.. but was not allowed to complete. She cut him coldly saying that, no, he could not pay her for her clothes. Giving him a royal snub for trying to offer her money in return, she turned towards Khushi and asked her, would she wear the clothes designed by her? Khushi with genuine happiness to know that Anamikaji designed clothes, and said, she designs clothes! Then she definitely would wear whatever she designs. Anamika raising an eyebrow asked what if it was not to her liking. But Khushi being Khushi declared happily, without even thinking for a moment and said, how could she not like it? She was her friend and she, without any doubt would like whatever Anamika made for her. Anamika was enamoured by this declaration of Khushi, with a smile on her face, she raised her eyebrows at Arnav as to ask now what do you have to say. All Arnav could do was smile in return as Khushi had no idea of who Anamika was.

This update too is about the learning process of Khushi but with a difference. So far she had to experience things to learn from it. Now she is being introduced to the ways of Fashionistas and their world by seeing things. She is being advised and trained, in a word, MENTORED.

When Arnav looked at Khushi he saw her happy. It was a relief for him after the previous party fiasco, but it was short lived as he saw that she was with Anamika, the recluse fashion designer who designed exclusively for her elite and chosen clients. She was the prima donna of the Fashion world. Though Arnav meant to reach Khushi, his duty as the host diverted him.

"Character is doing what you don't want to do but know you should do"

~ Joyce Meyer

Anamika who had observed Khushi from the sidelines and sitting in the unlit area earlier, had taken a liking to her. Her innocence, her directness, her curiosity, her sweet nature and even the gentle admonishment had enchanted her. She knew here was a girl with a Golden Heart that was unmatched and unsurpassed, but clearly needed direction with a firm guiding hand if she needed to survive among the vultures in the industry. It was a refreshing sight for her to see Khushi, who was not even aware that she was talking to Anamika, the high priestess of the Designer world. Deciding to mentor her she begins to train her. This she took up not because of Arnav Singh Raizada, but because of Khushi Kumari Gupta and her nature. Whatever she had seen of Khushi had appealed to her very much. She had found a kindred spirit in her, bringing out her protective feelings, making her want to train Khushi so that she would never ever shatter into pieces by the ways of the ugly world.

"True leaders bring out your personal best. They ignite your human potential"

~ John Paul Warren

First, she asks Khushi what she gleans from the crowd. When Khushi answers beautiful people she asks does Khushi think they are happy. Khushi's answer they look happy makes Anamika tell her

that, the looks could be deceiving. Pointing out to a girl, first questioning what Khushi thinks about her, then goes on to enlighten her that, people not always do things within the bounds of matrimony. At times they indulge themselves outside it too, and that need not be the norm but that was also prevalent. Men do it for their enjoyment, and women most of the times for glitter, fame, money and upscale living without the need to work. Many a time the liaisons would be between people who could be of different generations. Anamika points out two sets of people to illustrate this point. First, was the young girl with her sugar daddy and the second a lady in her fifties with her young gigolo.

This was a first set of initiation by Anamika.

"Your beliefs become your thoughts,

Your thoughts become your words,

Your words become your actions,

Your actions become your habits,

Your habits become your values,

Your values become your destiny"

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Anamika calls up a waiter and asks for the drinks giving him certain instructions and when she gets it, hands a cup of orange juice to Khushi and asks her what it was. Getting the answer as orange juice she tells her that while in a party she needs to be careful, as there would be chances of it being laced with alcohol just for kicks on part of the jealous people like Lisa, so that Khushi would make a spectacle of herself in front of her Arnavji. As to the reason for being jealous, it was because Khushi was the one to occupy the much coveted post of ASR's wife. Khushi's naive question of so many love her Arnavji? was answered with no, so many love his fame, fortune the clout and the perks his name brings.

This was the second set of initiation by Anamika her mentor.

"A careful foot can step anywhere"

~ Chinese proverb

When Arnav came near Khushi he was a worried man. Knowing Anamika's unpredictable nature and her legendary fury, and seeing them converse for such a long time with gestures and varied expressions from far, he wanted to know whether Khushi was fine. Seeing her happy visage he was relieved, but had his reservations while he was greeting Anamika. First he was stunned to see her make an appearance, then he was thunder struck to see Khushi in conversation with her. He was surprised to hear Anamika say that his wife was an interesting lady making Arnav relax a tad bit and help him gauge the atmosphere. When Khushi corrected her that their wedding was still five months away, it amazed him to see a visibly relaxed Anamika with a smile on her face. Anamika getting a truthful answer for query on Khushi's saree,that it was a gift from her to be sister-in-law and the love and happiness at the mention of Anjali's name, confirmed Anamika's gut instinct that this girl was worth all the trouble one could take. Here was a girl who had genuinely admired the sari designed by her without even being aware of who had designed it. This was also something that Anamika had not come across for her products. She wanted to make Khushi the Fashion Icon to put an end to the speculations and all the bitchiness. Her offer of 5 pieces for 5 months knocked out Arnav Singh Raizada, and again when his offer to buy it was rejected out rightly he was stumped. When asked Khushi gave her unconditional and outright acceptance of the clothes she designs for her without even having the idea of what she designs, making Anamika smile and Arnav speechless.

"Nothing brings down walls as surely as acceptance"

~ Deepak Chopra

Now let me explain what I have gleaned from the last bit. Anamika though the name suggests one without a name contrary to it, is in fact one of the most sought after designer who commands her own market and her choice of customers who are ready to wait for her to design custom made pieces for them. She is extremely choosy of people whom she mingles with and Anjali has an entry into that fold. The saree now worn by Khushi, a gift from Anjali, was custom made by Anamika for Anjali. Her clothes are extremely expensive but are divine to wear. Maybe Anjali got it done for Khushi or for herself. I think she got it done specifically for Khushi because, of this line in the previous update.

"You are Khushi...?", the lady asked, her low, husky voice sounding like music.

She had recognized the sari she had designed and had observed her while sitting in the far corner in darkness. She had observed that Khushi was not only simple and beautiful, but also, endowed with loving and giving nature with lots of compassion. She had observed Khushi needed guidance and when guided properly there could not be anyone better than her to occupy the coveted post of ASR's wife and all would see what stuff she is made off. This would make them see their worth that amounted to nothing but dross in their own eyes.

"A diamond doesn't start out polished and shining. It once was nothing special, but with enough pressure and time, becomes spectacular"

~ Solange Nicole

She wanted Khushi to wear those outfits she designs and be like a show stopper in a fashion show, setting the trend, not just with clothes but with the behavior too. She wanted her to be the role model. When mentored by Anamika the Fashionistas were bound to listen and would let Khushi make her way in life comparatively peacefully. Anamika who was a seasoned veteran took Khushi into her fold. She gave her the valuable lessons and one among them was not all are bad in that world. There are some good ones too. It depends on how you pick.

"Leaders..should influence others..in such a way that it builds people up, encourages and edifies them so they can duplicate this attitude in others"

~ Bob Goshen

Khushi has agreed to wear her designer clothes without even knowing really who Anamika is and what is the price range of her clothes. She just thinks from her heart, Anamika as a friend. This was quite a refreshing attitude for Anamika as she has seen people always come to her in the guise of friendship just for their benefit. Here was a girl who just bonded with her in friendship and nothing else. Is it strange that Anamika got enchanted with Khushi Kumari Gupta and she decided to Mentor her?

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses"

~ Abraham Lincoln

This has made Arnav Singh Raizada aware that Khushi Kumari Gupta is definitely worth everything he owns. She, the lioness who had matched him step to step, at every roar he made, with her own brand of roar, now, had a Mentor of great repute, who was overwhelmingly powerful, backing her.

"The best teacher is not the one who knows most but the one who is most capable of reducing knowledge to that simple compound of the obvious and wonderful"

~ H.L. Mencken

That's why I titled it as MENTORED.

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy it.

ADDENDUM

Smita, that was a wonderful choice to name the Prima Dona of fashion as Anamika the nameless.

rulama2013-04-27 22:08:55