JALEBI by Jalebi Jane (EPISODE 038)
THERE WAS CERTAINLY IN THAT FIRST INSTANTof seeing Arnav Singh Raizada a sensation of strong resentment. Why-oh-why did that gentleman always appear when he was least welcome? But in the very next instant came epiphany. Beautiful epiphany! A recognition by our Heroine that if she was savvy---which she hoped she was!---she might use Arnav's appearance to seal her victory over Shyam this very evening.
The intention of the game was to convince Shyam that she was to become the wife of a man who with even greater power than himself. To show him that though he might have succeeded in reducing the Gupta ladies to pennies, they were far from friendless. And what better way to create that perception than to have The Textile Tycoon appear at the hospital nibhaying the role of Devoted Damad.
There was one problem, however. One which you may have already worked out. Would LG (Laad Governor) agree to play the role of DD (Devoted Damad)?
Why on earth would he?
Had Khushi not, in their conversation this morning, made it perfectly clear that she found him unworthy of taking her hand in marriage? "I had not known you a week before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry." Had she not refused Arnav in such unsoftened unequivocal terms then she might now have pretended to have changed her mind. Not possible now! (Here is a valuable life lesson for us, Sisters: Never say never.)
There was only one way to make this game work. She would have to beg him to collude with her. But where was the time?---he was almost upon them. Mere steps away. His eyes were fixed on her. And there was absolutely no warmth in them. Had he come with the intention to wreak public revenge on the girl who had rejected him? Had he sprouted wings and flown across the Arabian Sea soon after she had put the phone down on him?
Hai Devi Maiyya! Help me!
Khushi could not think what to do. So she acted upon pure instinct. She took five large steps and threw herself on the approaching man! Wrapping her arms around his neck. Drawing him near so his hard chest pressed into her soft bosom.
Arnav simply froze.
But only momentarily. For in the next instant, when she attempted to whisper to him and her lips accidentally touched his earlobe, he jumped as if she had touched a match to him. He tried to step away. She felt it. But Khushi would not allow it. She could not! Everything she valued was invested in this moment. She forced him back into her grip, bringing her mouth once again to his ear and whispered, "Please. I beg you, Mr Raizada, play along with me---please!"
This was hardly sufficient as an imploring. It told him nothing. But it is all she had time for. Nothing further could be said because Payal had approached. And that despicable Shyam had followed her too.
"Aap?" Payal was saying. "Mr Raizada, you have the most wonderful habit of appearing precisely when my sister needs you."
It was, of course, the perfect thing to say. And Khushi was grateful for her sister catching on quickly to the game. Let's face it---Payal was not known to be the sharpest pin in the Gupta sewing box, but she seemed to sharpen in such times of crisis.
Khushi released Arnav, but kept herself near in case he tried to run away. He was involved now and she could not afford to lose him. Infusing meaning into her eyes, she smiled fakely-sweetly into his, and said, "Arnavji and I seem to share this telepathy. I suppose it is the case with those who are about to be married. But how did you know to find us here at the hospital? Oh, of course!---from the driver. Now I understand why you insisted he convey me home this afternoon. You're so protective. More concerned for than I am for myself. But---wait!---what are you even doing here? I thought you were not returning for another few days. You wanted to surprise me? Oh, you sly thing! You never said a word when we spoke this morning..." And thus Khushi rambled on, essentially to transmit to Arnav what role he had been given in this bizarre play. And to also allow him time enough to learn the script.
But Khushi had clearly underestimated the man she was dealing with.
Arnav had played enough complex games in the boardroom to catch the rules of this simple one immediately. With Shyam's looming looks, it did not take a genius to work out for whose benefit this charade was being performed. However, he was not a man to join a game initiated by another unless he could use it to position himself advantageously too. He decided to enter into it because he was curious where it would lead and he saw how he might benefit from it. He stepped behind Khushi, and resting his hands on her waist, he drew her against him.
Khushi's breath hitched as female instinct encountered the unfamiliar but obvious aspects of a male body. She twisted her neck to convey a couched warning, and tried to create some distance. But he would not release her.
"You're the one always surprising me, Khushi," said he, with an amused taunting grin. "I returned early because when we spoke this morning, I sensed you were having second thoughts about our engagement---?"
"Second thoughts!? Kya? No! Never!" Khushi laughed, breathlessly, glancing at the two witnesses to see how this was being received.
"Oh really?" he asked, lifting a brow. "What precisely did you mean then when you said---"
"---Arnavji," she quickly interrupted, (before this man ruined everything!) "I hardly recall what I said this morning. I was tired. I was distracted. I had so much on my mind after a troubled night---but now that you are here I know you will sort out everything." These last few words she directed towards Shyam.
Shyam had been silent throughout this scene, observing them closely. I cannot say, Sisters, whether he was convinced of their charade, but he appeared to be noting every facet of Arnav.
Khushi hoped he was measuring the man and recognizing that here was an adversary beyond his reach.
It was as though Arnav internalized her hope, because he extended a hand to Shyam, and said, "You appear confused. Let me introduce myself. I'm Arnav Singh Raizada. Khushi's fianc."
"This is Shyam Jha," Payal bridged the introduction.
"Buaji's Lodger," added Khushi, with spite.
Shyam shook Arnav's hand. But it was clearly with reluctance. Almost distaste. He said, "You require no introduction, Mr Raizada. Anyone who reads the business section of the newspaper knows you. If I appear confused it is because Khushiji forgot to mention she was engaged to be married. Especially to you. Forgive me for saying so, but she has always spoken of you with the greatest antipathy. And for good reason. Didn't you discredit her reputation by releasing an unflattering video clip of her to the national media? Her family left Lucknow because your actions made it impossible for them to live there. I have to wonder---When did the villain become the hero?"
Khushi bristled at Shyam's words. And though he had spoken factually, she resented him using fact to malign Arnav now. What he had done to her family made him by far a greater villain than the one he was criticizing. The hypocrisy! She drew breath to tell him precisely that when Arnav's hands tightened on her waist.
Was it a signal? Or was it a response to Shyam's judgment. She didn't quite know.
Arnav spoke. "The hero was always the hero. And the villain was always the villain. Khushi needed some time to distinguish between the two."
Even Khushi could not have scripted something so fitting to the situation. It was perfect. And Shyam looked as though the entire inventory of bitter medicine from the hospital pharmacy had been deposited into his mouth. He soon made some vague excuse of having urgent work to do---and headed towards the exit.
The moment Shyam disappeared, Arnav and Khushi uncoupled as though that was their agreed cue in the script. And she stepped away to put herself opposite him, next to Payal.
There was an awkward moment, then Payal said, "will you excuse us, Mr Raizada, we really should check on Buaji."
But Arnav's hand closed over Khushi's wrist and he said, "go ahead. Khushi will join you later."
By Jalebi Jane
Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hain?
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