Opposite Poles.. Part 117

 HAPPY     HOLI...!!!!

Part 117

“Humm... I think I should meet him as ... late as possible!” Mr Balwindar Singh concluded.  He was in a closed door meeting with Tushar, his finance head, Shondeep, his CEO of the manufacturing group, Raghu Eyyer, his design head! Tushar had met Mr. Raizada for the preliminary talks per BRT group’s policies.  

“Sir, he was not comfortable talking to me.  He was expecting you.  His finance guy seemed to be unprepared for the money talks”.  Balwindar Singh stroked his beard.

“Humm..”  he said! “I saw their financials and the details on the site.  They seemed to be up-to-date.  If you look at their funds flows they are bang on.  Just manage to recover from the debtors to pay off the creditors... The ratios are fine! There are no hidden overheads or costs in this proposal...! The Account statements seem to be straight.  Here is their balance sheet analysis!” Tushar placed the document.  Shondeep picked it up to have a glance at the conclusions.  Balwindar Singh closed his eyes not bothering to read the analysis.  

“Sir, AR construction is the new venture already a loss making unit with one failed deal with Mehta Construction JV.  He is plunging into another in Lucknow!” Tushar gave the vital information.  Balwindar Singh narrowed his eyes.  “Lucknow? What connection?” he asked.  

“Mr. Raizada is from Lucknow!” Tushar said.  “He has put in a lot of money into this business.. ! AR group was cash rich.. now they seem to be running on edge..! Risky venture!” Tushar said. 

“Let us come back to our business... !” Balwindar brought back the wandering conversation. 

“Sir.. We can easily take over!” Tushar was all set for the deal.  Balwindar Singh shook his head. 

“We don’t need the group now! Tushar, do you really think there is a need to take over?” he asked.  Tushar thought for a while.  It was his opinion that would make the difference.  

“No!” he gave a one word answer.  He didn’t have to justify.  “That’s ok then! Are we still on collaboration? They buy fabric from us... we help them establish in eastern part! Am I right, Shondeep?” Asked Balwindar Singh.  Shondeep nodded.  

“Sir..!” Raghu spoke.  There is another bit of information.  His design head has quit.  Gone back to his native..!” Raghu spoke for the first time.  Balwindar Singh raised his eyebrows. 

“I was asked indirectly by Regi Thomas Kannur, his ex design head, to join AR group!” Raghu said with a glint.

“Why did he quit?” Balwindar asked.  “Personal reasons..!” He knew the designer is the backbone of fashion industry!  “Strange!” Balwindar Singh blurted.

“Ok! Boys... Postpone my meeting by one week. Fix it on first week of next year, per his convenient date...!” Balwindar Singh Concluded.

“Biwi.. I am going to Delhi in first week of January.  I have plans to stay.  I am booking your ticket with me!” Balwindar Singh dialled his wife’s number and declared.  There was no answer from the other side.  He disconnected.

*********   *********

“Ji, Aap?: Khushi’s mouth fell open.

“Kya  hua  tumhain?  Theek  Toh  Ho  Naa? What happened? Are you alright?” Arnav forgot the cause of his arrival at Khushi’s place, seeing Khushi opening the door.

“Hamay? Hamay Kya Hua Hain? What happened to me?” Khushi looked at herself wondering.

“You said, you are not well.  Nani told!” Arnav’s voice rising in rage.  “She lied!” he thought clenching his fists.

“Haan... Khushi came back on the earth.  Yeah... I am not well!” she looked back inside the house not knowing what to do. Once he knew she was alright he remembered his mission.

“Hato..!” he almost pushed her and entered the house with Aakash.  Khushi ran behind them. 

“Ji.. please come!” she welcomed quite late.  He ignored her looking around.

“Where is Payal!” he has come straight to the point and both Khushi and Aakash shuddered in fright.

“Ji?” Khushi blurted.  “Bhai..!” Aakash held his hand.  Arnav looked around.

“Ji baithiye.. Please have a seat!” she tried to buy some time to comprehend.

“Hi Ray NandKishore..! Sham Babua...” Buwaji came out and froze looking at the brothers.

“Ji? Aaiye..!” she greeted.  “Namaste!” the brothers reciprocated.  Khushi looked around for Sham.  He had vanished.  “Bhaag Gaye? Ran away?  Good! My question bank worked...!” she grinned for no reason.  Arnav gazed at her suspiciously.

“Where is Payal?” he barked.  “Ji?” Buwaji turned.  Khushi was scared to the core.

“Hey Devi Mayya! Raksha Karanaa!” she prayed hard.

“Why? What happened? What did she do?” Buwaji too was panic. 

“Nothing.. Aakash wanted to ...!” He couldn’t complete.  Khushi ran and stood between Arnav and Buwaji.

“Kuch Nani NandKishore..! I mean Buwaji.. nothing... I mean some work..!” she was stammering...

“Aray, let me ask him!” Buwaji dragged her aside.  She pleaded joining her hands.

“Jiji!” she called out loudly.  “Kya hain Khushi? I am bathing!” Payal shouted from the bathroom and Aakash looked at the direction.  Arnav flared up his nose.

“Ask her to hurry up!” he barked.  Khushi ran inside.  Buwaji asked them to sit.  Not knowing how to show her hospitality she asked.  “You had some work with Payal?” 

“Umm.. No.. I mean.. yes.. I mean..!” Aakash competed with Khushi in stammering. 

“Yeah.. he wanted to talk to her!” Arnav declared.  “In private!” he added.  Buwaji gaped at him with open mouth.  Khushi had come back.  She was flashing angry looks at Arnav.  “Is she ready?” he asked Khushi and she winced again.  Payal was at the threshold of the room and she took a step back seeing the two brothers.  Her eyes filled with tears in fright.

“Oh! Payal... We need to talk to you!” Arnav got up from his seat, so did Aakash.  He was nervous to the core.

“Can we go inside?” he asked Buwaji.  She nodded not knowing what to say. 

“Chalo.. !” he looked at the open door of Khushi’s room and marched towards it.

“What? Wait..!” Khushi ran behind.

“Why for?” Buwaji found her voice.  “Aakash and Payal..!” Arnav turned but Khushi bumped on him on purpose to stop him telling Buwaji the real reason.

“Contract... Buwaji... embroidery contract.  They want to talk about contract...!A big one!” she smiled sheepishly.  

“Yeah.. yeah!” Aakash too found out that he had a voice.  Arnav glared at both Khushi and Aakash and then shrugging called out,   “Payal...!” she shuddered.  He pushed Aakash inside the room and waited for Payal to enter the room.  He went inside and before he could close the door Khushi put her foot inside.

“No need!” he pushed her out.

“Yes need!” she pushed the door back and forced her way in! 

“Ok!” He closed the door.

“Yeh  Kya  Tarikaa  Hua? How could you...! Is this the way to...” once they were inside, Khushi broke the silence angrily.

“How can you barge in like this?” Khushi actually felt better that Arnav ji came with Aakash to patch up.  “Ab yeh  Sab  theek  Karenge  yaa  Phir  Barbad  Karenge! Is he going to make it or break it?” she was not sure.  But somehow she felt better.  Payal was trembling unable to comprehend anything.

“How dare you, Payal!” He barked and Payal jumped in fright.  Khushi jumped between them

“How can you be so rude?” she yelled.

“shut up!” he pulled her aside.  “Payal, tell me the reason for your No!” he again asked Payal in a stern voice.

“What the..! How can you ask her, after what happened at your place...!” Khushi couldn’t complete as a forceful hand came around her shoulder and was pressed on her mouth.

“I said, Shut Up!” he said in a deadly voice looking at Khushi’s head pressed on his shoulder.  She struggled in vain.  “Bahi...!” Aakash looked hopeless.

“Payal, is there anything wrong with my brother?” This time Arnav was mild.  Payal gaped at him gripping Khushi and shook her head.

“Answer me Payal!” his voice raised again.  “No! Woh  bahut  Achhe  Hain! He is a gem of a person!” she started crying.  Aakash came forward to hold her hand.

“Stop crying!” he barked and Payal stopped freezing.  Her tears went back in fright.  She looked frightened.  Khushi slapped on his hand to free her mouth.

“You will not get a person like my brother anywhere in this world!” Arnav was really proud of his little brother.  She nodded.  “I know!” she gazed the floor.  

“Don’t worry about the incidence, Payal! I will handle it!”  he assured.  Payal looked up.

“But... but.. you know, my baraat... I mean I don’t know!” Payal was on the verge of breaking down.

“don’t bother about the past!” he said gravely and turning to Aakash asked..

“Break up is not a solution! Think about it Payal.. Talk to him! “ he said and Payal nodded.  Aakash smiled broadly.

“Yeah.. we should meet and talk!” he was happy to have her back. 

“Done! Aakash, you take over!” he said as if concluding a business meeting and removed his hand from Khushi’s mouth. 

 “Haa... huf..huf.. haah...”Khushi was trying to catch up with the breath.

“Chalo!” he barked.  “wh... what? No!” She looked at Payal and Aakash.  “Jiji.. !” she tried to go to Payal.  He grabbed her and said sternly.

“Leave them alone! Chalo!” he pulled her along.

“No wait..! How can you force her like this?” she yelled.

“forced? Ask your sister, Khushi Kumari Gupta!” he gestured at Payal.  Khushi gaped stupidly at Payal’s blushing face.  

“See?” he turned.

“Aray  Khushi, Bahar  aao! Come out Khushi!” Buwaji was knocking the door.  Khushi and Payal jumped in fright.  “Buwaji!” they both looked aghast.  “Arnav ji .. Please don’t tell this to anyone.. please... not now!” Khushi joined her hands pleading and for the first time Arnav nodded without any argument.  Khushi ran to open the door.  He came out with Khushi and they both froze!

Lavanya was at the door.

“Lavanya ji?” Khushi tried to find some words..!  

“Khushi.. ASR?” what are you doing here.  Lavanya was shocked to see ASR in Khushi’s house.  Her face contorted with rage.  It was Khushi’s turn now!

“Umm.. Lavanya ji! He came to get the file...!” Her spontaneity was sure to put her in deep trouble. 

“ASR?” Lavanya looked at him.  “Oh yeah!” he said looking away.  They still were standing outside the door of Khushi’s room.

“Which file?” Lavanya asked suspiciously.  “which file.. umm.. this.. i mean... that file.. pink..!” Khushi fumbled not knowing which file.

“Mehta construction file, Damn it!” Arnav came to her rescue.  “What?” Lavanya couldn’t comprehend.  “What is that file doing in her house?” she asked turning to ASR now clearly in doubt.

“Woh  Lavanyaji ,  I had taken it to the site .. when that accident happened..!” Khushi was back with her drama.  “What?” Lavanya still was not convinced.  

“Stop it Lavanya!” Arnav knew only the snub the questions.

“No Lavanya ji!” Khushi had to convince to avoid further misunderstanding.  “Actually that day i had kept it in the bag and in the commotion got it home.  It contains the termination document with original signatures... I couldn’t find it.  Aakash sir and ASR sir came over to search it.  Aakash sir and Jiji are still in search of the file inside...!” Arnav gaped at Khushi’s presence of mind.  She had talked her way not only for her but for Aakash and Payal too!”

“Hainaa  Arnav ji?” she confirmed.  He nodded.  Lavanya looked ok with the explanation.

“Aray, aap yahan kaise? How come you are here?” Khushi asked the sensible question after all this nonsense talks.  

“Aray  Nani said you were not well! I came to see you Chamakili! What happened?” Lavanya too remembered her purpose of coming to Khushi’s rubbish house.  Khushi too remembered her lie.

“Ek zooth  Chipaanay  Ke  Liye  Hazaar  Zppth   Bolanay  Padatain  Hain!” she repented having said that she was not well.

“Oh.. I mean.. I had fever last night.  Couldn’t sleep at all!” she said bringing some sense in her lie.

“Oh! I know, why! Khushi.. I mean... you know..I am really sorry, Chamakili for yesterday...!” Lavanya started off apologetically.  And the door bell rang.  Khushi again jumped in fright.  “sham ji?” she thought.  “No, can’t be.. My  questions chased him away..!” she again grinned and Arnav looked at her suspiciously.  She bit her tongue and went to open the door.

“Hamain  bahar  chalnaa Chahiye!” Aakash was not ready to leave her hand.  He had got his treasure back.  She got up and said  “Aakash ji!” he reluctantly came out and saw Lavanya sitting next to Arnav.  Aakash shuddered looking ghostly.  “What is going on?” No one knew.

“found out the file, Aakash?” Aranv barked and Aakash came back to senses.  He looked at his empty hands to confirm that the file was not in his hands and then said “No Bhai..!” he came and sat by his side.

“Aaap?” Khushi had pulled opened the door and froze looking at Nani at the door.  Khushi fainted with her head spinning!

“Aray.. Khushi bitiya... careful!” Nani supported Khushi and Arnav – Aakash duo got up with a jerk.  Aakash tried to find out escape route to vanish from the scene.  Arnav stood his ground.  Lavanya too got up with a jerk and supported Khushi.  She was the first to come back to her senses and  to remember her mission.  Seeing Nani at the door she grabbed the opportunity to show concern about Khushi’s health.

“Come.. Khushi bitia... Sit here!” Nani found out the place vacated by Lavanya by the side of Arnav.   Now Nani got a chance to look at the congregation..!  Aakash was still in statue position.  Arnav was looking at her defiantly and Lavanya was holding Khushi’s hand.

“Hi Ray NandKishore! Aray Aap? Please come!” Buwaji came out third time to greet the unexpected person in her house.  Nani joined her hands accepting the greeting.  Buwaji pulled another chair.  There was an awkward silence for a fleeting second.  Everyone wanted to ask the other why he was there.  Nani broke the silence.

“Chote, you came to see Khushi Bitiya?” she raised her eyebrows smiling happily.

“No!” said all the three, Khushi, Lavanya and Arnav! Nani’s eyebrows vanished in her hairline over her forehead.  She looked at Arnav for explanation first...

“Garage!” he made the blunder and Khushi banged her fist on her forehead.  Aakash came to his rescue.

“The Car Dadi.. was give for repair in the garage across the road.  We came to collect it!” she gave a small nod and looked at him.

“Umm.. I.. I came to search the file... Khushi ji.. lost it!” he blamed Khushi in haste.  Khushi flared up her nose...  Now the drama queen should take over.

“I didn’t lose it Nani ji! Woh.. it was lost during that building crash incident.  It was important it seems! I don’t know where it fell down..!” Khushi glared at Aakash and Arnav.

“I came here to see Khushi, since you said she is not well! You know? I was so worried! Khushi, get well soon!” She held out a chocolate box.  Lavanya had a genuine cause.  Payal and Amma came out with tea and snacks.  

“Sorry... The physiotherapy was going on..!” Amma said wiping the sweat from her forehead.  Payal was still trembling.  Khushi’s mouth was still open in shock.  Arnav gaped at Khushi’s flushed face and smirked controlling her urge to grip her wrist, to give her fright!

“Nani?” he asked questioningly. 

“Aray.. I also came to see Khushi Bitiya... and found you all here!” Nani said broadly smiling. 

“See Khushi Bitiya? Sab  Tumsay Kitanaa  Pyaar  Karatain  Hain? How much people love you?” she looked at Khushi and Khushi blushed furiously.  Arnav stuffed a sugar free Malai Barfi in his mouth hiding his smile.