IPKKND FF: JALEBI by Jalebi Jane Thread 1: EPISODE 001-042 - Page 59

Looks like the ring too does not want to get out of Khushi's finger.

Fabulous...

JALEBI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 025)

IT IS A COMMON ENOUGH SENTENCE THAT KNOWLEDGE IS POWER; but who hath duly considered the power of misknowledge? Knowledge slowly builds up what misknowledge in an hour can pull down.*

Or in a day, in Arnav Singh Raizada's case.

The knowledge---the misknowledge---that Khushi was at point of marriage had been unwelcome to Arnav. Unwelcome (he told himself) because earlier today he had deliberately planted a belief in her that he himself wished to court her.

Of course, he didn't wish anything of the sort.

It was a plan initiated to punish her for making public her opinion of him. A way to correct her impudence. To crush her smug superiority. To teach her some lessons on the difference between a lion and a lamb.

But upon hearing Aman's report of her engagement it became much more. It become a necessary point of pride that he fully conquer her for himself. He could not allow her to enjoy the belief that she had touched his heart, without taking hers---and more!---in return.

Yes, dammit!---it was a fact---he was hot for her.

And if her body's response to his kiss earlier was evidence, then he knew, as a man knows, that this heat was entirely mutual.

Perhaps, Sisters, we ought to stop and give thanks to Anita Sharma here. For without her prompting, Arnav may never have acknowledged to himself, as he did now, that the fierce battles between himself and Miss Gupta had been a surrogate expression of the frustration he felt. A desire to possess her had sparked off at their first meeting and smouldered steadily since.

Arnav and Aman had now nearly reached the airfield. And not a single word had been exchanged between them since leaving Janakpuri. Not so unusual. Nor was it unusual that Arnav was behind the wheel. For he was one of those men who found it impossible to sit in a vehicle as a passenger.

All this time Aman had been pleasantly occupied texting Parisa Khan. But when Arnav broke the quiet to enquire whether he had learnt anything from Payal (while he had been otherwise occupied in the kitchen with Khushi) Aman immediately put his phone away, and shifted in his seat so he could address Arnav.

"Each time I attempted a question," he said, "she treated me to a five minute monologue on something unrelated."

"A family trait, no doubt," Arnav sneered.

"Perhaps a female trait, Sir," corrected Aman. "For the two are not related by blood."

Arnav's eyes left the road, and turned to meet Aman's. "Who told you they are not related? Your tea stall informant?"

"No," Aman gave a laugh, though imagining that his tea stall informant would probably have done so given enough time. "Miss Khan mentioned it a while back. They share a similar history."

"What history---?"

"Both were orphaned as children. Parisa, er...Miss Khan was raised by her grandfather. But Miss Gupta had no family. She was left to the care of her father's business partner. He raised her as his own. And to honour that kindness Miss Gupta took his surname."

This information left Arnav with a strange sensation.

The realization that the woman---whose ruin he had been so recently plotting---had once been a child, caught him by surprise. It was almost as though he had believed that she had no past, that she came into existence only moments before she fell into his arms that evening in Lucknow.

Of course, he had noted that Khushi and Payal did not at all resemble each other, but that was not enough reason to assume they were unrelated.

It was often so in families. In his own family, he strongly resembled his father; whereas, his sister had completely gone after the maternal branch. As did his niece, Asha.

As Arnav had never met Asha's father, and had compelling reason to be curious about him, he had often attempted to trace some feature, some mannerism, some expression in Asha to someone other than Anjali. But he had failed. Asha appeared to have no trace of anyone but Anjali.

Aman was voicing his speculations. "I can see only one reason why Miss Gupta would sneak into her fiance's room: she suspects he has been unfaithful and went to seek evidence."

"No," Arnav disagreed, "This is Khushi Kumari Gupta we are speaking of. Have you learnt nothing of her in the past three weeks? If she believed herself betrayed in love, she would not climb through windows to carefully gather proof. She would confront him. Lecture him. Preferably at the centre of the market. At its busiest hour. And then with a toss of her pom-pom'd plait, and a tug at her dupatta, she would march off and never look back."

Arnav's picture of Khushi's actions was so comical, yet so apt, that Aman chuckled and added, "You forgot to mention the part where she collides with the sabziwalla."

"Why is she marrying him?" Ar---nav asked. It was spoken in a low voice. Almost as though his thoughts had been involuntarily expressed.

Aman didn't quite catch his words. "Sir?" he asked.

Arnav changed his question. "What is his name?"

"Jha. Shyam Jha."

Arnav continued, "I want to know everything about him. Get Chopra on the case."

"Mr Chopra?" Aman asked, his voice betraying reluctance.

"I know, Aman. But he is the best," Arnav replied, with shared sympathy.

Mr Chopra was the thoroughly superior private investigator whom ASR Group used under special circumstances. His discretion was assured. His skills were unsurpassed. However, he had some dramatic tendencies which sometimes tested the patience of younger men.

"I'll call him," Aman sighed.

They were now at the airfield, and Arnav drove directly to the aircraft. He switched off the engine and said, "I'll be back in two days."

"What about Busan? The equipment?"

"It will wait. Miss Gupta will not."

And with those words, Arnav exited the vehicle. A member of the cabin crew was waiting. And at Aman's signal, he retrieved Arnav's suitcase from the trunk.

Arnav shook Aman's extended hand, and then climbed the steps. He was at the door of the cabin when he stopped and turned around.

Aman's eyes were on him. It was his habit to wait by the vehicle until Arnav's jet lifted off the runway.

Arnav held up his phone. A signal to Aman that he had something further to say, and it would come to him by message. Then he ducked his head and disappeared into the aircraft.

His text beeped on Aman's phone within seconds. It read:

Keep an eye on her.

*Adapted from George Eliot's -Daniel Deronda-

By Jalebi Jane

absoluyley love this
He knows her and now he's too curious to know about her engagement

I dont understand. I do remember reading about Anjali in the previous chapters. Has Arnav never met his brother in law? I think I should re read the chapters. I am sure, I have missed something here.

Wow!! Arnav is really smitten...😉

wow...right on time for the next update...thankyou...am just loving this work of yours...😃

The update as usual was very interesting...Arnav can plot and plan all he wants against Khushi, he may be under the assumption that he is setting a trap for Khushi to break her, but the truth is that Arnav is surely getting attached to Khushi..I might not be wrong in saying that he may even like her more than he lets on and just wants to keep her close..the way Arnav knows Khushi, the way currently she is his priority right now, the way Arnav told Aman to keep a eye on Khushi, it is obvious he is protective about her too...very nice update..good going...👏

I have an inkling that Shyam may be Asha's father...