Opposite Poles..Part 114

Part 114

“What?” Sham yelled over the phone.  “What was she asking?” he asked.  He listened hard.  His face changed color, his eyes spat anger, he clenched is fists and banged on the wall. 

“Ok!” he said disconnecting.  “Khushi..!” you will pay for this.  How dare you ask about me to my colleague..!” Sham blew his head off in anger. 

He walked into Gupta House burning with rage.

“Khushi..!” he called out loudly forgetting  his polite “ji!”  Khushi came out smiling.  Buwaji was sitting on the chair gaping at Sham’s new avatar..!  

“Did you meet my friend?” he asked clenching his fists.  “Oh! Yes..!” she said plainly.  “You know what happened? I got caught by traffic police.. So I told him your name and said you are a famous lawyer.. He asked me to ..!” she started off excitedly.

“What? You got caught by police? What were you doing, Sanakadevi?” Buwaji shrieked.    Khushi winced.  “Nothing Buwaji, don’t worry! He wanted money from me!” she said as a matter-of-fact looking at Sham.  

“You know Sham ji.. he confiscated my scooter..! Then I remembered you had told me once that you have the office near High Court.  I went in search for you there!” she said convincingly.  Sham gaped at her.

There I met so many lawyers... You know.. Everywhere those black coats and robes..It looked like the huge conference of crows with white bands around their neck..!” she said grinning.  Buwaji burst into laughter.  “Crows..!” she giggled.

“Yeah, Buwaji... but you know.. Nobody knew Shamji!” she looked at sham sulkily.  “Where was your office, in that building Sham ji? I searched everywhere!” she asked moving towards him.  He took a step back.

“Then, you know? I met a group.. They knew you! One of them said he knows you! I asked him your whereabouts.  He said you hardly open your office..! Where do you practice Shamji?” she asked innocently.

“Why didn’t you call me?” he asked angrily.  She was caught again on a wrong foot.  Buwaji looked at her.

“Call you? Haan.. I had left my mobile at home and I didn’t know your number..!” she said escaping narrowly.. Sham frowned.   “You give me your visiting card, Sham ji.  That will help me!”

“What did he say?” He ignored her suggestion.  He wanted to know more.

“Who?” Khushi asked looking straight into his eyes.  “Why are you so upset, Shamji? You think, I shouldn’t have gone there?” she asked glancing at Buwaji.  

“Aray, why not? You should know where your would be husband works..!” Buwaji supported her. 

“You look upset Shamji..! I am sorry! But I couldn’t find your office there!” she said again looking at Buwaji for support.  Buwaji looked at Sham questioningly.

“Haan.. my office is not in that building.. It is at the back side of that complex..!” he said coming back to senses.

“Ok.. Shamji... Will you take me to your office tomorrow? I would love to see your office!” she said excitedly sitting next to him.  Payal gaped at her and she winked.  Sham looked away frustrated. 

Khushi had reached there asking for Sham.  She hardly found anyone knowing him in that black ocean.  When she found one.. she had spread her charm on him and tried to extract information about Sham.  The person could give her one vital information that he had he was from a rich family.  She was shocked and angry.  

“How does he earn so much?” she was puzzled.  “And if he is rich, why is he staying with us? Family? He said he is orphan!!” Khushi thought.

  “He is a very rich person! Moves around in posh car!” he had said and had gone away.  Another lawyer was standing there.  She turned to him smiling.  

“He has contacts with some political leader!” he provided further information.  “Politician?” she was in a maze.  “I can manage anything!!” she recollected.

“Koi  Baat  Nahi.. Khushi... next step is to  find out this politician and this rich family..!” she thought resolutely.  “Be careful Khushi..! Find out his intentions..!” she said to herself and she nodded in acceptance of her own advice remembering the deceitful act of the imposter in the news. 

“I should do something to stop this tornado..!” Sham bit his lips thinking hard.  

“Kitnaa  udogi  Khushi..? I will clip your wings..!” he smirked.  He looked at Buwaji and said sweetly. 

“Haan Khushi ji.. we will go to my office tomorrow! Now can I get a cup of tea?” he asked.  Khushi looked at the time.  Payal went into the kitchen, Khushi followed.

“Where is your vehicle, Khushi?” sham too had followed.  “Oh! I got it back.. I took help of your friend...!”  she said smiling sweetly.  He smiled with a glint.  She smirked.  

*********   *********   ******

Babuji’s health further deteriorated.  Khushi was worried.  Even after two months of his stroke and physiotherapy there was no improvement.  

“What do I do now?” she thought gravely.  “Should I change the doctor? Or should I take him to the hospital again?” She didn’t know what to do.

“Khushi...!” Payal never stopped crying.  “What will happen now?”  she was in tears. 

“We will do something, Jiji! Stop crying..!” Khushi was irritated with Payal’s timid nature. 

“Amma, why is she like this.. A cry baby..?” asked Khushi irritably.  Payal cried more...! Buwaji banged her forehead in frustration.  Amma came and pulled Payal in her arms.

“It’s our mistake, Khushi!” Amma said seriously.  Khushi looked questioningly at her.

“We had taken her to a Mela.  She was very young ...! And we lost her.. We kept searching everywhere..! No trace of her..! We searched for hours together.. Then late in the evening someone made an announcement that a baby is found..! We went and picked her up!  She had never stopped crying.. When i picked her up.. she clutched on to me for days together, not even letting me to go to the bathroom..! She was traumatised so much that she never came out of it.  Even now, she gets scared of crowd, can’t talk to strangers, gets scared with loud noise...! Khushi, its not her fault, its ours..!” Amma too had tears.  Khushi kept looking at both of them unblinkingly with hazy vision.  Then coming back to normal said...

“Amma, are you sure, you got back your own baby?” She pulled Payal from Amma’s embrace and surveyed her from head to toe..! 

“From any angle, she doesn’t look like you Amma! And Babuji? No way!” She giggled. 

“Khushi..!” Payal came on to her and Khushi hid behind Buwaji to save herself.  Amma smiled broadly looking at the sisters...! 

“I am fortunate to have you Khushi... I don’t have to worry about Payalia ...! I know you will always be there for her..!” she looked at Khushi fondly and wiped her eyes.  Payal and Khushi went into the kitchen giggling.  Buwaji gazed unfocused worrying about everything that was happening around her.

********   ********   ******

“Hi Re  NandKoshore..! Itana  Badaa Office!” Buwaji was overwhelmed by the grandeur of his office.  He smirked.  Khushi had gone to deliver Jilebees early morning and Sham had entered the house.  Since Khushi was not there, he took Buwaji with him to show his office.  Buwaji never stopped praising him for his flourishing practice.  He had shown his friend’s office and was able to hoodwink Buwaji.  If she is convinced, she can play for him, he knew!

They came in the afternoon after lunch and Khushi was busy taking tuitions.  Buwaji was so eager to talk to her that she asked the children to go home for now.

“Buwaji... let the time be over..!” Khushi was annoyed for the disturbance.  She closed the room door and continued.  Buwaji sat in the hall waiting for Khushi to come out.  Sham had gone inside to look at Babuji.  Amma was with him.  

“Umm Aunty  ji, I will look after him now!” he said slyly.  Amma got up but somehow found that the grip on her wrist was tightened.  “You want something?” she asked Babuji.  He was expressionless but his fingers moved.  She sat there again.  “Ok.  I will sit here!” she said and his eyes filled with tears..! She sat there holding his hand.  Sham came out and sat with Buwaji.  Buwaji was all set for Khushi’s wedding.

“Kya hain Buwaji?” Khushi asked irritably. 

“Aray Khushi.. you should have seen his office.  Such a big office...!” Khushi gaped at Buwaji’s bright face.  She looked at Sham questioningly.

“Woh... you were not there when I came in the morning.  So I took Buwaji to the office...!” he said smiling slyly.  Khushi narrowed her eyes.  Buwaji went on describing the grandeur of the office and Khushi gaped at both of them.

“Khushi.. tomorrow I will go to Paditji with your horoscope..!” Buwaji declared.  Khushi winced.  She looked at Sham.  He was staring at her.  She changed her stance. 

“Why tomorrow, Buwaji? Why not today?” she asked sweetly.  He smiled with a glint.  “You will have another blow...! And then no one can stop me from marrying you!” he smirked.

“Let him give his Kundali, horoscope to Buwaji... I will dig out further...!” she thought turning her face.  “I won’t marry you, Sham ji unless I find out!” she resolved.

**********   **********   *********

“Khushi, chalo naa shopping Chalatain hain..!” Lavanya pestered her.  Khushi looked around. 

“But Lavanya ji?” Khushi was reluctant.  “Khushi bitiya..!” Nani called and Khushi felt relieved.  Ram Prakash was in her room sorting out the laundered clothes.  Khushi went in and Nani said...

“Help me, Khushi bitiya... I am cleaning my cupboard!” Khushi agreed happily.  Lavanya was at the door.  “Khushi..!” she called out sulkily.  “Umm Lavanya ji, I will finish this work and then we will go!” she said consoling Lavanya.  

“Hmm.. how come you came in the evening today?” Nani asked.

“Woh.. Lavanya ji had some work.  She called me!” Khushi said smiling.  “And I had not come in the morning..!” Khushi justified.  

“Hmm.. How is your babuji?” Nani asked.  Khushi simply nodded.  She was worried but didn’t want to tell this to anyone.  She froze suddenly while taking out the pile of clothes.  A mild breeze told her about his arrival.  

“what happened?” Nani asked.   “Nothing..!” she resumed. 

He stood at the door and Anjali came forward.  “Aray Chote, you came early today!” she was surprised.  

“She is here..!” he declared.  “Who?” Asked Anjali.  “No! I mean is Lavanya here?” he asked looking at his sister. 

“ASR!” Lavanya came running into his arms.  He looked around. 

“How nice of you...!” she said happily.  She didn’t want Khushi to accompany her now.  ASR went straight to his room.  Khushi had busied herself in Nani’s room.

“Khushi bitiya.. go and call chote for Tea!” ordered Nani and Khushi gaped at her.

“No .. I mean.. Ram Prakash ji will ...!” she stuttered.  “No Khushi bitiya, you go and call him.  He liked hot tea!” said Nani and Khushi came out.

She knocked on his door.  “Woh... Nani has called you!” she shouted from outside and before he could open the door, ran down to Nani’s room. 

“Chamakili... I will go with ASR!” Lavanya declared and Khushi nodded.

“ASR! Take me to shopping..!” Lavanya said authoritatively and ASR blew his head off in rage.

“Lavanya I came here for some work!” he said and looked at her.

“But ASR..!” Lavanya opened her mouth.

“Stop it Lavanya... I have an urgent conference call!” he said.  Khushi gave him tea and looked at Lavanya’s sulky face and turned to him angrily.  He was staring at her.  She clutched her mouth not letting the words come out.  His smirk grew.  She contorted her face angrily turning her back on him. 

“Chote, after your work is over.. take both of them for shopping... buy whatever they want ..!” Nani said reasonably.  Khushi turned suddenly.  

“No!” both Lavanya and Khushi said at once.   

“Why not Khushi bitiya? You said you had planned to go with Ms Kasyap..!” Nani asked her.

“But Nani.. ASR is there with me now.  I don’t want her..!” Lavanya said holding ASR’s hand.

“Yeah..!” Khushi said smiling.  “She doesn’t need me now!” she glanced at ASR.  He still had not reacted.

“Inkay  Saath  Jaanay  Say  Achha  Hai  Hum   Laxmi  Ji  Sath  Khelay..! Its better I play with Laxmi.. than going with them for shopping!” she muttered turning her back on them.  He raised his eyebrow.  

“Yes Nani.  I will take Lavanya.  There is no point taking her to the classy shopping mall.  She won’t get anything downmarket there....!” he said loudly pointing at Khushi and Nani looked at him angrily.  Khushi turned and flashed at him.  He was glaring back.  “She can play with Laxmi..!” he said loudly and Khushi shuddered in fright.

“What?” Nani asked looking at Khushi.  “Nothing doing! Take her also with you for shopping.  Its my order!” Nani declared. Lavanya frowned with disgust.  Arnav smirked.