Opposite Poles..Part 88

Part 88

“Di, I am going.. Will be back soon!” he said picking up his bag and his laptop.  Anjali gaped at him in shock. 

“Where are you going, Chote?” she asked looking aghast.

“Business Tour!” he said and turned to leave.

“Where?” came a question.  He just turned and looked at her.

“I will be available on phone!” he assured her “Take care Di!” He went out.  She turned to Aakash who had just come down for breakfast.  “Where did he go?” she asked him.  “Don’t know Di.  He has some proposals to negotiate..!” Aakash knew what information should be leaked out and what was confidential.  “He never tells anyone, where he is going!”he added.  Everyone knew that.   Anjali looked serious. 

“Don’t worry Di.  He will be back in a couple of days..!” Aakash said calmly.  Lavanya came down.

“Hi everyone..!” she smiled pleasantly.  “Lavanya, do you know?” Anjali asked.

“What?” Lavanya asked.  “Chote went on Business Tour!” Anjali said gravely. 

“What? Where?” she asked getting up with a jerk.

“Relax Di.  He had some urgent work.  Lavanya, he will call you later..!” Aakash pacified both of them. 

“Why doesn’t he tell?” Lavanya was agitated.  So was everyone else in the family.  Khushi walked in.  She saw Lavanya frowning.

“Lavanya ji, what happened?” she asked concerned.  “ASR is out on business Tour!” Lavanya declared.

“Again?” Came Khushi’s question.  “Where did he go?” she thought.  “I know, no one knows!”  she frowned too.

“This secret Agent, doesn’t want to disclose anything…! James Bond minus O O Seven!” she muttered angrily.  “Chaliye  Lavanyaji.. Let us start our training Session!” she said sighing when Lavanya finished her breakfast.  “Today, I will tell you about some important medicinal plants in our kitchen garden!” She declared the agenda.  Lavanya got up reluctantly.  They both went out.  Anjali sat there losing the track of her own thoughts. 

“He was very upset yesterday.  Didn’t even have his dinner!  This is not a good sign.  He is up to something disastrous!” She thought gravely dialing her husband’s number. 

“Hello… !” she went to her room talking over the phone.  “Hello Hi Bye Bye! Hope he has gone to some big place and get some expensive gifts..!” Mami said looking at Mamaji angrily.

“What? Had I not got you the gifts last time?” He asked her loudly.  “I am talking about expensive gifts.. hello hi bye bye..!”  she said sneering at Mamaji.  Mamaji shrugged.  Nani too was deep in thoughts.  She had sensed something last night.  Arnav’s behavior was bugging her too.  She knew their childhood turmoil and the agony the siblings suffered.  She was happy that Anjali had left the past behind and was happy with her life now.  She was worried about Chote.  He had moved in opposite direction turning his back on the brighter side of the world.  She was worried about Lavanya too.  “She will not be able to pacify the storm named Arnav!” She always used to think.

“Lavanya ji.. This is Tulsi..! Very sacred plant. Very useful in our everyday life… “ She went on narrating the medicinal values of tulsi.  They were moving in the garden.  They moved from the garden to the kitchen garden in the backyard.  Khushi went on telling Lavanya about the vegetables  and  common plants in the kitchen garden. Khushi was searching for and trying to identify the plants in the garden.  She actually was searching for the plants she gifted him.  They were not at his favorite place, pool side.  They were not in the garden also.  It was confirmed that he had thrown them away.  She was upset.  “He really does not have heart!” She concluded.  “If he gifts me something, I will throw it on his face…!” she muttered furiously. 

“Are you mad Khushi? Why will he gift you something? You are wishing the impossible! ” she concluded with a sigh. Lavanya had no interest in the plants.. she pulled Khushi’s hand and brought her to the room.

“You know, Chamakili, ASR gifted me this..!” Lavanya dreamily showed the expensive jewellery.  Khushi gaped at the ruby studded set and ran her finger on it. 

“This is so beautiful.  Lavanya ji, you will look more beautiful wearing this!” she said with wide eyes. 

“You know, sometimes he looks unreachable.  His love is unattainable..! “ Lavanya was lost in her thoughts.   “I always get scared of his wrath.  I get scared of him..!” Lavanya shuddered with the thought.  Khushi inadvertently touched her wound.  A faint smile appeared on her face with dreamy eyes. 

“He is not that bad..!” she blurted.  “Yeah! I know, Chamakili.. He is really good… but.. Sometimes I feel I cannot handle him, his anger..!” Lavanya was all lost.

“Stop thinking about it.  You two will be the best couple..!” Khushi said holding her hand.    Lavanya smiled broadly.  “We are! Chamakili!” she said proudly and Khushi nodded looking away. 

“Aree  Naniji? Where are you going?” Khushi got up and asked.  “Khushi bitiya.. yeh  Aachar  Sukhanay  Jana Tha…! I want to show sunlight to the pickle..!” Nani said.

“Laiye.. Give it to me.  I will do it!” She took the pickle container and climbed on the terrace.  She spread the plastic sheet and put weight at the corners and spread the dried pickle on it.  She got up and looked around. 

“What?” she thrust her hands on her hips.  “He.. He.. is such a monster..! Kept my plants here in open sunlight! As if punishing them..! Khadus Master!” she frowned.  Went up to the plants and picked up the basket.

“I won’t let it happen.  So long as I am here, these plants won’t get punishment!” she muttered and brought them down to the poolside.  She placed them in a cool place and poured the water with watering can.  She remembered and watered every plant carefully. 

“Humm! Ab Thik Hain! This is good! My plants are safe… I saved them from punishment!” she grinned, thinking about his furious face…!

********   ******   ******

“Regi Sir? Why are you upset today?” asked Khushi.  Regi had not touched his food.  He looked lost and serious.

“Is everything ok?” she asked concerned.  “Yes!” he said staring unfocused.  Khushi looked at Rekha, she shrugged.  “Come on Regi Sir, Cheer up!” she swung his hand fondly.  He smiled at her.  But got up and went to his cabin.  Khushi followed. 

“Regi sir?”  “Khushi, please.. leave me alone for some time!” he requested and she turned sulkily.  His phone rang.

“ASR!” Regi chocked, Khushi turned.  “His phone? Where is he?” She stopped and listened hard.

“ASR! Hum! No! . Ok!..” Regi turned his back.  Khushi frowned.  “Why should he sound so pathetic .. What that monster is doing to him?” She couldn’t comprehend. Regi turned and looked at her sternly.

“Khushi, Go!” he ordered and continued on phone.

‘Khushi? Khushi is there?” asked ASR.  “No, she was! !” Regi said.  They continued with the talks.  After five minutes Regi strode out of the office.  Khushi looked puzzled.  Her curiosity made her restless.  She went to Lavanya’s cabin.

“Lavanya ji, ASR Sir  Ko  Call  Kijiye  na! Call ASR Sir!” she pestered.

“Are you mad, Khushi? He will kill me!” Lavanya winced.  Khushi came back.  By end of day she was so restless, that she dialed his number without thinking what she was going to talk to him.  He picked up.

“Bolo!” he ordered.

“Umm.. Sir… I mean… Can I go home?” she asked with bated breath expecting that he would say something and she would start the conversation.

“Ok!” he said curtly.  She knew he had disconnected the phone.

“Kanjoos  Makkhi  choos.. Shabd   Bhi  Kum  Istamaal  Karanay  Hain!  Miser,  Scrooge!! Uses words also sparingly!” she muttered.

“Suna Maine!” he barked and her cell jumped out of her hand.

“S..Sir?  I mean… Woh… Regi Sir..!” she hesitated.

“Wind up and go home!” he snarled and disconnected the phone.  She stomped.  “I will have to wait till he comes back..! But when is he going to come back?” she didn’t know.  She came home sulkily.

****  *****  *****

Sham was sitting waiting for her.  She frowned.  “Now buwaji’s steam engine will whistle again..!” she muttered.

“Khushi ji.. How was your day?” he asked.  She nodded. “Good!” came a monosyllable answer.  He smiled at her.

“You look tired!” he got up from his chair to take the bag from her hand.

“No!” she refused to give the vegetable bag and went into the kitchen.  “Jiji.. Bhookh!” she yelled.

“Rakha Hain.  Kept it on the table!” Payal shouted from her room.  She was busy with her work.  Sham came forward to serve the food.  Khushi smiled reluctantly. 

“Aree…. Khushi… I forgot to give this to Panditji! Go and give it!” Buwaji ordered.  Khushi frowned and got up.  “Chaliye! I will come with you! “ Sham too got up.  Khushi had no option.  She looked at her Buwaji angrily and went out with Sham.  She didn’t utter a single word throughout.  Sham tried to open the conversation.  They were in the Mandir.

“So we will be doing Aarti together!” He said sweetly.  Khushi gave the Prashad container to Panditji and  prayed her Devi Mayya, joining her hands and closing her eyes!

“What is this, Devi Mayya? Why can’t you answer my questions? “ She said sulkily. 

“What answers Khushi?” came a sweet voice and Khushi turned.  “Aree Anjali ji?” Khushi was surprised. 

“What answers?” Anjali giggled.  Khushi blushed.  “Alone?” she asked. “Sir is not there?” she couldn’t stop herself from asking.  “No! Aakash came with me!  And by the way, Khushi, his name is Arnav!” Anjali said and Khushi saw Aakash.

“Alone?” Aakash asked looking around searching for someone.  Anjali raised her eyebrows grinning. 

“No.. Sham ji is there!” Khushi searched for Sham ji.  He had disappeared.  “Yahin To  The! He was here right now! Where did he go?” she looked puzzled.  “We are doing Aarti and Prashad here in the evening..!” Anjali said.  “Aree? That’s great! Buwaji has sent Prashad for the Aarti!” Khushi said loudly. 

“Ok then.  Wait for Aarti, Khushi!” Anjali held her hand and they together prayed !!” Khushi’s phone rang! So did Anjali’s!