Part 15

 “I believe we may have a solution to that…just a moment!” Mrs. Silvio dashed back to the kitchen in the pretext of getting some dessert for him after Arnav had declined, “I’m diabetic…” he had to confess reluctantly why he was averse to sweets.

Besides dessert was the last thing on his mind; he only had one wish - Khushi. But after their brief encounter before dinner, Khushi had not emerged outside at all heightening his restlessness exponentially. Despite this desire to spend more time with her or that overwhelming urge to whisk her away to some place quiet, Arnav had not acted harshly much to his credit. But that didn’t mean, he didn’t want to except he was quiet for the sake of Khushi, trying to respect her wishes, please don’t create a scene, I work here – had been her exact words. And he would oblige; even though it wasn’t easy for him because patience wasn’t one of his virtues especially when it concerned her. So every time someone sashayed out the kitchen and the damn hinge made that peculiar noise, he would invariably look back hoping to see that familiar face walk through, only to face disappointment. It was just plain hard to remain seated there pretending to enjoy the dinner, the ambience when in reality everything suffocated him.

Arnav looked around the table restlessly noticing that everyone was busy with something or little nothings; preoccupied with food for example just like the old German lady who spoke even as she took a spoonful of Tiramisu never mind she was the first to dive into the Amarena gelato earlier too, “I don’t think I can eat anymore”

 All this waiting for her, for some alone time with her while sitting through a dinner with a bunch of random people with stifling fake smiles, his new business associates and an awfully irritating host – a dinner that just refused to end, was beginning to take its toll. For Arnav, everything seemed to go on at a snail’s pace and his patience was on the ropes.

 “Here you go young man” he looked up to see Mrs. Silvio place some dessert before him, “On the house!”

 “You shouldn’t have” he shifted in his seat awkwardly, still not comfortable with all the niceness or the fact that they had gone out of the way.

 “We cater to all tastes…” she continued, “Thank you” he spoke not exactly sure where it came from, surprising Mrs. Silvio – clearly she wasn’t expecting much from him.

Sometimes all you need is a tiny trigger that sets things in motion; the cake was that trigger he needed. And out of nowhere, against the tide of emotions, a tiny ray of hope flickered, a question seemingly innocuous and yet holding so much weight, did she? Could she have? - began to claw at his mind.

This was sort of a drum roll moment for him, a moment of epiphany, as Khushi’s reality finally sank in, a chef? Arnav didn’t know what hit him next except he felt it, this wave that washed through him coursing through from head to toe – this was real just like all the tingly things he felt at the moment.

 “You know, it doesn’t bite right?” the German lady nudged him bringing him out of his thoughts, he looked briefly at her and back at the cake, then smiled, this had to be Khushi! His mind drifted back to the images of her stirring the pasta sauce from earlier in the night, she was a cook! “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!!” The truth stared back at him as a damn cake!

He leaned back in his chair trying to process all the information “Ofcourse! Culinary school…fuck you Aakash” he felt dizzy at the maddening thoughts that ran amuck in his mind, suddenly so many things made sense. If only he could…just whisk her away!

Natasha turned towards him “Is everything alright?” 

He nodded reassuring her,  “Just realized something…” he spoke, his eyes suddenly brought to life by this strange reality, “That looks tempting” Natasha added, “It sure does”  he spoke even as he lifted the fork and took the first bite with great anticipation, and it did not disappoint!

---

After seeing off Natasha and her friends, Arnav hung around mingling with the remaining guests, his eyes fixed on the green door that led to the kitchen. As each guest trickled out, he felt himself slowly running out of excuses to remain back and the fire that had been lit with that first bite doused steadily with each passing moment. And still Khushi would not emerge.

Finally his patience snapped, partly because Khushi hadn’t come outside and mainly because Raul was nowhere in sight as well, “Mrs. Silvio” he called out to her even as she was busy instructing her staff, “I was hoping…” he ran out of words though, struggled to put two together and make it sound sensible, “I..um..”

He was interrupted by that noise again and he turned towards the door half-annoyed and pretty much resigned to see someone else walk through, except this time, it was her! And the world stopped spinning throwing things in his universe off balance, for the second time that evening.

Khushi stalled at the threshold momentarily before walking out. The effect of alcohol was taking its toll on her, and she had gone quiet. She didn’t feel like talking to anyone either because she could feel herself grasping at the control that was slipping with each passing moment. It felt like she was floating, almost like this strong current of air had swept her off the ground; and the world seemed different, surreal almost like she was looking through lenses that were not meant for her eyes.

Raul was right behind Khushi steadying her; Arnav went green seeing how close they stood.

“I’m going to drop Khushi home …call the driver” Raul told his mother, making sure Arnav heard him right.

“That sounds good, it’s terribly late” Mrs. Silvio added before turning back to Arnav, “You were saying?”

But his focus was on her, that half-lidded expression and an apparent disinterest in engaging was ample evidence of something being amiss, this was definitely not Khushi. “I’m  sorry…” Arnav looked back at Mrs. Silvio briefly only to turn right back at Khushi who nearly tripped over her own feet, and then it hit him, she was tipsy! Was she?

Not wasting any more time, he strode towards Khushi and offered to take her home instead “I’ll drop her home” To his surprise, Khushi did not flinch away from his touch but she was awfully quiet though, what the hell was going on, Arnav couldn’t quite understand. “I’ll take it from here”

Raul protested slightly but he was held back by his own mother, “I think that’s a good idea Raul” surprising both the men, “But Khushi is…” Raul hesitated, “I think I might be guilty here…” he confessed, “I didn’t realize she is new to alcohol”

“Thanks to you” Arnav glared at Raul, “And you too” Mrs. Silvio gave him a reprimanding stare. Arnav shrugged.

When Arnav and Khushi were outside on the pavement, Raul turned to his mother demanding answers, “Now what was that all about?” he was not amused about Arnav dropping Khushi off.

“Do you know who he is?” she asked.

 “No?”

“That’s the ex-husband”

“Oh!....” Raul ran his hand through his hair, “No wonder…” and stared outside where he could see their silhouettes in the dark, “I should have guessed…Do you think?” he raised a curious eye-brow as he looked back at his mother.

“How would I know…”

“So why would you let her go home with him and she’s not exactly herself you know…” Raul meant to walk out and intervene, he did not have a good feeling about this at all, “There is a reason why he is an ex and not the husband …” he tried to reason with her.

“Stay out of this Raul…”

“But…it’s…” he felt exasperated with his mother, “What is the matter with you? They are divorced…and we don’t even know what he is like”

“This is not Rome...besides you are going back in less than two weeks, its better if you stay out of all of this”

“But Mama…” he was relentless, “I’m going out there…” but he was stopped by his mother, yet again “There are ways to deal with things… Raul…just keep your eye open. For once trust me”

“whaaaa?” to say that he was puzzled by the cryptic words of his mother would be an understatement but his immediate concern was Khushi- so he walked up to the window, his eyes fixed to the outside “I’m going to stay here.. I don’t trust that man…”

Mrs. Silvio shook her head, “You are stubborn, just like your father”

“If he tries to take her away…I’m going out there…”he made sure he was loud enough for not only his mother but Arnav outside to hear him as well; he knew the purpose had been served when Arnav looked back at him and their eyes met.

Outside, Arnav had all but given up on extracting any word out of Khushi, nothing. She had gone absolutely quiet barring a few random monosyllables, there was nothing! So with nowhere to go, no address of her home, he had no choice but to take her with him, not that he minded one bit. May the universe was finally conspiring in his favor! It must have been for Khushi wouldn’t have agreed to go with him so easily, he knew.

“Wait a minute, what do you think you are doing?” Arnav stilled when he felt a hand on his shoulder as he was about to close the door after helping Khushi get in.

 “What the…” He turned around abruptly to see a skinny but a feisty looking girl, wearing a red bandana and casual tees starring back at him with her hands on her hips, annoyed at this sudden intrusion, Arnav narrowed his eyes at her “You?”

 “Oh my god, you pervert, let her go” and she started to pull Khushi out of the car, “oh my god, Khushi, why are you so quiet? Is everything okay?”

“Deeya…” one word from Khushi and Deeya knew, her friend was not exactly herself, “oh my god, you got her drunk and were about to take off with her?”

“What the hell is going on here?” Raul barged outside.

“Look he is kidnapping Khushi…after getting her drunk..., Help me!”

“I am not!” Arnav felt offended, “Who the hell are you anyway?” Arnav stared at Deeya. Laad Governer… Arnav was pretty sure he heard Khushi mumble in that very Khushi like way, “What?” Deeya tried to make out what Khushi was saying but to no avail, she had gone virtually quiet; except for a few random words that Deeya just couldn’t pick up.

“I’m her sister” she replied, still trying to pull Khushi out of the car, but Arnav’s grip was stronger.

“No you’re not!” Arnav shot back, “you are most definitely not her sister!” he was adamant.

“How would you know, you pervert, let her go!” She was relentless alright but unfortunately not strong enough “Are you crazy!”Arnav was appalled at what was going on, “let go of her!”

“No…you are the crazy pervert here #$%**” Deeya swore at him as she struggled to free Khushi.

“Stop saying that!” Arnav roared, “I’m not a p...” he couldn’t even bring himself to say it.

“Yea…he isn’t” Surprisingly, it was Raul who came to his defense, “He’s the ex”

“Oh!” and it was Deeya’s turn to be shocked. Her hands stilled right away, and she turned towards Arnav with her mouth agape, “so you’re…”and as it sunk in, she raised her hand and covered her mouth, “ohh…”

“Now can I go?” Arnav asked finally relieved that this useless drama had come to an end.

“No!” and she was back at it again, “Now that I know who you are, you are most definitely not going anywhere with Khushi…”

“Why should I listen to you, who the hell are you anyway?” Arnav’s voice was meant to sound intimidating but Deeya was not the type to get intimidated, “I’m her roommate, her friend…”

“Bodyguard’s more like it” Arnav mumbled, “I was dropping her home, there happy?”

“No need, I’m here. I’ll take it from here Thank you” Deeya turned to Khushi, “Let’s go Khushi…”But Khushi refused to budge.

“Oh shit!” she dropped her hands and paced the pavement frenetically, “I can’t take her like this to the hostel!”

“You guys live in a hostel?” Arnav seemed outraged at the very idea, “Is that even safe?” he had suddenly gone pale.

Deeya looked at him like he had lost his mind and shook her head, “Why am I even surprised”

“So I’m taking her with me… try and stop me” Arnav challenged her openly, and walked towards the driver’s seat. But Deeya was quicker; she opened the back door and took a seat, “What the fuck?” Arnav looked back from the driver’s seat,“Are you crazy?”

“I go wherever she does” She crossed her arms and settled herself comfortably in the back seat.

“What the hell!”

“Its either both of us or neither!”

“Fine then...buckle your seatbelt” he started the engine, “You are annoying!” he stared at her through the rear-view mirror, “Pervert!” she shot right back.

“I am not a …” he was cut off by a giggling Khushi, “Pervert” she said amusing Deeya no ends. For some reason, Arnav seemed scandalized by that one word from Khushi, for a brief moment he went pale as he stared at her. But not for long because Deeya was back bugging him from the back seat.

“Why would you get her drunk otherwise?” Deeya accused, “I did not!” he replied.

“Oh come on, who are you kidding here”

“Stop talking to me” Arnav told off Deeya half-way through their ride, “I’m wasn’t…” her response wasn’t that convincing.

Except she wished, someone had been or that he had the radio on, anything but this silence because it was truly maddening; and highly uncomfortable.

Every now and then, Arnav would look at Khushi, at every stop or whenever he could, almost like he need a visual confirmation that she was still there; he wanted to believe desperately that this was no dream and he’d only have to look back to know that it wasn’t. Deeya kept staring at him throughout the ride, he could feel her eyes drilling holes through his back, it was unrelenting and highly uncomfortable, he had to break it, “Is she always like this when she is…you know?” Arnav asked, looking briefly at Khushi and that drew out a cheeky remark from Deeya, “Nope, when she’s doped, it gets worse!” she answered like it was everyday stuff.

He braked hard, “She dopes?” he was positively scandalized this time around!

“And you’re a wuss”

It took him a good few seconds to understand what she meant,”I can see someone’s a good influence”Arnav narrowed his eyes at Deeya, he didn’t like her.

“Yes, I can see one too” she stared back defiantly as well.

He resumed driving.

It was Deeya who broke the silence yet again, “You don’t talk a lot do you?”

There was no response.

“This is an expensive car” she looked around, it was true.

There was no response.

“It’s okay, not great” Deeya commented on the car, “I think leather seats are overrated anyway”

And almost as if in response, Khushi threw up! Arnav slammed on the brakes and looked at Khushi stunned, “See even Khushi agrees with me!” Deeya couldn’t help but throw that one in there but to her great surprise, he did not look angry at all, if anything, he looked concerned as they helped Khushi clean up.

~~~

“What kind of a billionaire lives in a house with just one room?” Deeya was at it again.

“This is an apartment, not a house” was his curt response.

“Fine, no need to be so touchy about it” Deeya threw her bags on the couch and walked towards the other side of his bed. He looked on totally amused, “What do you think you are doing?”

“Sleeping…” she looked at him as if he had lost his mind, “you got to be crazy if you think, I’m letting her stay here with you. I goes where she does. Good night Mr. Raizada, I’m sure, you’ll find the posh sofa in your living room comfortable for the night”

“Bodyguard!” he closed the door on his way out but not before sparing a glance at Khushi, his Khushi who was sleeping peacefully on his bed, wearing one of his Harvard shirts… he could have spent a life-time starring. Deeya was quick to break his peaceful trance; “No you can’t join…” he meant to say something in response but stopped himself before he did, it was useless arguing.

As he walked back to the living room, he smiled for the first time in many days; the irony was not lost on him either. Now that he had found her, she seemed even more further away, always someone in between and yet even with this impatience that clawed at his nerves, he could feel a strange calmness spread through him, putting him in ease in a way perhaps only Khushi’s presence could bring to him.

The thought that come tomorrow morning his wife was going to wake up her in house…in her bed after all these years felt all too good to be true. He walked towards the kitchen and took out chilled water from the refrigerator lost in his thoughts; I can deal with this…though he mused, even the bodyguard! One day at a time.

“Do you have a lighter?” he spilled water on himself, “What the?”

“You smoke?” he asked looking at the cigarette in her hand and pulled out a lighter from the drawer nearby and threw it to her, “Please take it outside in the balcony”

“Everybody smokes Mr. Raizada…why do you look so shocked?”

“Everybody?” he really did not want to know and yet a part of him did, Deeya was not forthcoming. She shrugged, “You can find out yourself tomorrow morning” and walked towards the balcony. Arnav took this moment and strode towards his room, to see Khushi sleeping peacefully.

“How did you find her?” it was Deeya again, she was back- with the cigarette, “I told you not inside the apartment!”He chose to ignore her first question.

“Stop being such a wuss about it, will you?” and she royally ignored him much to his chagrin, he walked right up to her, and snatched the cigarette away, “My house, my rules”

“Apartment” Deeya corrected him, “ not a house” and walked away after snatching her cigarette back, “I’m watching you!” she warned not that he would be too alarmed by her, if anything, he had already started to see a positive side to her presence.

When she was gone from the room, Arnav turned around to look at Khushi, “What have you been upto?” he asked as he knelt down by the edge of the bed and pushed away the wayward strands of hair. She stirred at his touch slightly, causing him to pull back almost instantly, afraid he’d wake her up. Arnav still could not believe his luck. He promised himself that this time, he would not push that luck too far either.

Unknown to him, Deeya was watching him from a distance, forming her own opinion about Khushi’s ex.