Chapter 4

"Just a minute...hold on...people have no patience these days", Madhumati hurriedly walked toward her door muttering to herself & wishing that the person on the other side of the door would stop hitting the door bell every ten seconds.

She lived alone in a beautiful gated community, few minutes of drive away from the university where she taught economics. She had a busy life with weekdays dedicated to her students & coming up with better course plans, whereas her weekends were spent in weekly chores around the house & visits from her university friends, relatives or more often her niece Payal & her family. When four years back Payal mentioned that she had fallen in love, Madhu, as most her closest acquaintances liked to call her, was elated. Her nieces had gone through several heartaches that no child should ever go through. And so, when Madhumati met Akaash for the very first time, her worries evaporated for at least for one of her niece. She now just prayed that her other niece, who got the worse end of it all, would find some peace in her life.

"Here I am... what...", her statement came to a mid halt the moment she opened her door without looking through the peephole.

Eyes wide, mouth open in shock, no words followed, as she stared at the person in front of her.

This couldn't be. Her eyes were deceiving her surely. No way, her Khushi was standing in front of her after so many years.

She kept staring, eyes filling up now, when she heard a soft "Buaji"

Madhumati gave out a painful wail, and she had her baby in her arms.

"Oh my god, is that really you Khushi"

"I am sorry Buaji, I am so so sorry"

Madhumati quickly pulled Khushi in and closed the door. By now, Khushi was sobbing so hard that it broke Madhumati's heart in pieces.

She kept running her hands on Khushi's head, crying herself, but still hoping to calm Khushi down.

"shhh, enough. You are home now. You can relax baby", but it kept going.

After what seemed like hours, Khushi's sobs slowed down.

She withdrew from Madhumati's embrace. Her face covered with streaks of tears and she exhaled loudly.

"Here drink some water"

Taking large gulps of water greedily, Khushi spoke again, "I am sorry Buaji"

"Stop saying that again and again. You have nothing to be sorry about"

"No...", Khushi tried to stabilise her breathing "I need to say this. I... I should have kept in touch more. I shouldn't have run. I.... I shouldn't have sever all ties with you and Jiji. I didn't even try. I behaved like a coward... I am sorry, I am so sorry"

Feeling an actual ache in her heart, Madhumati cupped her face lovingly "No, you don't have be sorry baby. You did what you had to. You dealt with the situation the best you could. Every one deals with grief differently & that was your way. I just wish I could have helped you more. I wish I could have been there for you"

"But you were Buaji. You & Jiji, you kept me going. Just knowing you both are here, it helped so much"

Khushi hugged Madhumati again - not able to bring herself to part from her warmth. Not able to believe how did she kept away from the only two people she could call her family.

Minutes passed, when finally Madhumati asked "How come you are here Khushi?"

Khushi looked up and wiped her face of some more tears she didn't notice escaping her eyes yet again. "I am here for work. I should have called before I left States, but as usual I was scared"

Madhumati knew how successful Khushi was professionally. She was always brilliant & gifted even as a child, and Madhumati couldn't be more proud. If only, she could be near her family.

"Are you...", Madhumati hesitated, "Are you here for good?"

"For few months only... six to eight months probably"

Madhumati nodded, knowing this was no time to argue.

"How is Jiji? I haven't spoken to her for months. How is her husband? I should have asked this before. Is she happy with him?"

Madhumati smiled, "She is fine. And she will be ecstatic to know you are here. And she is happy... I am so glad that she found love in her life. You will like her family. They are lovely people. In fact, why don't you freshen up and take some rest. And if you feel up to it, we can go there for dinner"

Khushi nodded. She was still scared of facing Payal. But, the urge to see her now surpassed any guilt she felt.

---

The familiar scent of fried dough permeated the entire Raizada house as another batch of Jalebi sizzled in the sugary syrup.

"Ram, you can keep these in oven. Make sure they stay warm. Also, did you finish making parathas. No, no, I will make the Jalebis, you can start setting up table after this", Payal was moving nonstop, trying to think of every single recipe that she could remember her sister liking. She wanted to make everything. If only she had more time.

"Di, will you make your prawns frittatas. I mean I know Ku loved mine, but after I tasted yours, she would love them too. Actually, I don't even know if she still likes the same food. But, who doesn't like food isn't it. I am sure she will still taste everything. But what if doesn't. She was a fussy eater even then. May be I should also whip up some simple pasta. Or, I don't know, may be something else. What do you think Di... what if.."

"What the hell happened here", Akaash exclaimed as he walked inside the kitchen with Arnav right behind him, both having the same expression of bewilderment on their faces as they looked around, things scattered everywhere. And Payal's blabbering came to a stop.

"Umm, Payal went a little overboard" Anjali spoke with a light chuckle

"A little" replied Akaash, one by one peering into strings of pots & pans placed all around the kitchen counter, "Wow that smells amazing", he continued only to be met by deafening silence.

He turned & was greeted by a deep frown adorning the face of his beautiful wife

Akaash put his hand up in surrender. He inched towards Payal & softly pulled her into a hug, hoping to placate her.

“You can get help, you know that right. And how come you are home this early? I thought your had that surgery”

“I did in morning. I cancelled my appointments for the day after Buaji called", she sighed, "I just want everything to be perfect for Ku. I have missed her so much"

He nodded his head & lovingly placed a kiss on side of her forehead.

"I am a big supporter of perfection. How about I get another cup of perfect coffee please then. I have a conference call & I would love some caffeine to get through it”, said Arnav placing his empty cup in the sink and turning toward his otherwise docile Di, standing with her hands on her hips.

“How about make your own coffee and by the way how are you home this early? Causing all sorts of interruption. Your health ok?” Anjali mocked while touching his forehead earning a chuckle from Akaash who still had his arms around Payal

”Oh I am causing interruptions... what about him, busy romancing his wife. How is that not a disturbance?”

”Benefits of marriage Bhai. May be its time you take the leap too. Want us to arrange for you or that last model we saw you with is the one”

Arnav threw the dirty coffee filter he just removed from the coffee machine towards Akaash, which he successfully dodged making the filter fall on the floor, scattering the coffee remains everywhere.

Akaash laughed with a childish “whoop”, Arnav looked for something else to arm himself and throw next on his little brother who looked too smug, Payal exclaimed “You people need to go now so I can continue” and finally Anjali pushed Arnav out of the kitchen.

“I am Arnav Singh Raizada you know” Arnav spoke with mock hurt expression

To which came a quick reply from Anjali “not here, you are not”

Arnav finally smiled “Fine. but I was serious about my call. Please don’t disturb me for next two hours. And Akaash, when you are done playing Romeo, I need you to come play the COO”

"Aye aye sir" Payal and Anjali both saluted loudly from inside the kitchen, including Akaash, making everyone, including Ram who was busy setting up the table laugh.

Shaking his head Arnav walked toward the stairs to his floor, with a soft smile on his face. He knew Payal was never comfortable talking about her family. In fact the only person from her family who was part of Akaash and Payal’s wedding was her Buaji. He knew she had a sister too, but that was a sore subject and therefore, he or anyone from his family never prodded Payal for information. In fact he had a feeling even Akaash didn’t get to talk about this with Payal much. But going by the atmosphere at his home right now, Payal‘s sister sure sounded like Payal's replica, even before she had stepped in the house, she had filled his home with so much laughter.

---

Khushi was nervous. She stepped into the driveway of Raizada Mansion, closing the door of Madhumati's car, her eyes downcast, myriads of thoughts running wild in her head.

Although she was known in her professional circles as one of the best negotiator & conversationalist, she couldn't think of a single thing to help her start the conversation with her Jiji & her family. She couldn't help feel anxious - what if she didn't love her the way she did, what if her family didn't like her, what if this meeting broke the last of the flimsy thread that her relationship with her sister was hanging by.

Her eyes still lowered, she followed Madhumati, trying to come up with a monologue, when suddenly she was enveloped into pair of warm familiar arms.

Her breath hitched, & without even realising streams of tears burst again.

"Jiji" she whispered, only to be met by Payal's arms tightening around her

"You are here, you are finally here" Payal kept chanting, her own tears staining Khushi's top, but neither of them cared.

After what seemed like several minutes, they finally parted, Payal immediately wiping Khushi's tears, without caring about her own, just like she did in their childhood.

"Jiji" Khushi hiccupped softly, "I am sorry, I am so sorry"

"Shhh, you have been saying that word for too long Khushi. You need to stop now"

"But.."

"There is no but", continued Payal in her whispered tone "You are here. Whatever the reason be, but you are here. That's all that matters to me"

Khushi closed her eyes, taking deep pained breath, her fingers clutching Payal's in desperation, "I missed you Jiji"

"I missed you too Ku"

A small smile broke out as Khushi felt the warmth of her sister's love wash over her with that silly nick name she gave her years back. How she used to get irritated when Payal started calling her Ku, but soon, it turned into their personal term of endearment. It shocked her that just a tiny little name could bring so much peace to her.

"Ready to meet the others?", Khushi nodded wiping the last remnants of her tears and followed Payal toward the group of smiling faces, waiting eagerly.

Devyani, the matriarch of the family, was the first one in line. Khushi gave a small smile & bent down to take her blessing "Thanks for having me here"

"You don't need to thank bitiya. You are Payal's family, which makes you part of ours too. Call me Nani, and remember, you are welcome here anytime any day, ok?"

Khushi nodded her head & moved toward other members of the family, only to be received with the same warmth.

She was bestowed with blessings by her Jiji's father & mother in law, she was engulfed in a warm hug by Anjali. And then, there were Ram, Mira, Mahesh and few others in the line, all standing with a smile & nodding their heads with respect. Although they were all help, the way they all stood there & welcomed Khushi, it gave her an impression that they too were in awe of their employers & were considered as extended family.

"Where is...umm.. Jiju?", Khushi tasted that word, feeling strange saying it for the very first time and flinched with guilt again

Payal smiled in understanding, "Its ok. He had an urgent call which seems to be overrunning. But, why don't we go inside & you can meet him in some time"

---

For the first time since being on the grounds of the humongous estate that her sister called her second home, Khushi looked around. Spread across ten acres, the luxurious property around her was an amazing combination of traditional architecture with modern and elegant lines. The entrance was grand & the pathway toward it was lit up by tiny lights embedded into the ground throwing soft yellow hue everywhere. The garage, located toward her far left, closed with a soft click, as she noticed Mahesh walking away, after what she can tell, parking Madhumati's car. The entire house looked like several sections placed next to each other in perfect harmony. Each section had two to three levels, and each walls facing outwards adorned with huge, strategically placed windows, each of which she could tell were meant to present the residents with an amazing view.

Just when she thought she had seen & imagined it all, the moment she entered the house, she felt her jaw drop in awe. The central staircase with glass railing was located at the end of the entrance hallway. It spiralled up to the upper levels. Vaulted ceilings and wooden beam gave the surroundings a rustic feel and a electric fireplace with stone exterior sizzled with fire on the side of the open-plan living room. It was as if her eyes couldn't get enough, & kept moving at their own accord.

"You have a beautiful home Nani", she spoke with admiration, to which she received a soft reply and palm lovingly cupping her face, "After dinner, we will give you a tour"

"Ah, perfect timing", Payal looked toward the spiral staircase & smiled. She placed her hands on Khushi's shoulder to get her attention "You were asking right, here you go, here is your...."

"Akaash!!??"

"Khushi!!!!!??"

Came two voices simultaneously, effectively shutting Payal up with shock.

"Umm, you two know each other? How, I don't understand"

Akaash, now at the foot of the stairs, eyes still wide with surprise, opened his mouth, followed by Khushi, who too chose the same moment to answer her sister. But, before either of them could utter anything., another thundering voice descended from top of the stairs

"Ms. Gupta!!??"

Gasping loudly, came an answer "Mr. Raizada!!!"