The Way We Were

Chapter 1

(April 1: Gates of Hell)

Sashi Gupta had considered, contemplated and then conceded. His daughter was one of the best students of Lucknow, he had known. She was close to a state topper, he had known. But when Anjali Malik had fought for his daughter's education, Sashi had realized his daughter still thought she was chained to the old beliefs.

It had taken him and his wife merely a day to decide that this was an opportunity their daughter shouldn't let go of. Bal Bharati was one of the most prestigious schools of Delhi, and one of the best in the country. Even though it was English medium, Sashi knew his daughter would have no trouble catching up to speed. So, he had taken the first train out to Delhi to his sister's place.

His sister, Madhumati Sharma, was a widow. She had one daughter, Payal Sharma who Khushi's age. The girls got along well during their mini-meets now and then, and Sashi was delighted to know that even Payal was enrolled in Bal Bharati since last two years. She had gotten in on an art scholarship due to her Kathak classes.

With a positive mind, he set out to check the school that had accepted his daughter as one of theirs. Bright in the late afternoon, the school was quite silent, no students and merely a few teachers about as a peon navigated him to the Principal's office.

The conversation with the elderly lady was quite jovial, putting his mind at ease.

"We always welcome students of her caliber, Mr Gupta. Your daughter is very good on paper, so of course I was delighted to accept her candidature."

Sashi was speechless at such high praise. "It's very warming to know that, Mam. I only hope-"

He was cut off, however, as the door burst open and an irritated peon dragged in two boys.

"Shailesh, what is meaning of this?" The principal stood up.

"Mam, these boys were jumping fences from Xavier's."

Xavier's. Wasn't that where- Sashi Gupta turned to see one of the boys looking at him in shock. "Chhote??!"

"Mr Raizada, isn't it? And is this your brother, the other Raizada?"

Sashi could see Arnav shake his head. He looked at the other boy. No, that was definitely not Akash. The Raizada jawline was missing.

"That is not Akash." Sashi said.

Everyone turned to him.

"You know them, Mr Gupta?" The principal asked.

Sashi was tongue tied. Sworn to secrecy about the Malik's son, he couldn't divulge how he knew Arnav Singh Raizada.

"My employers have entertained the Raizadas. I know Arnav."

"Munshiji, I-" Arnav tried to speak, deathly afraid.

"We will talk later." Sashi's tone was warning.

"Where is the third Xavier miscreant?" The principal asked the peon, as if these three were her own students.

"I only saw them." The peon shook his head.

The door flung open again, and a petite girl entered, dressed in a light pink salwar kameez. "Mamaji, Amma sent me for you immediately. There's been some big incident at Sheesh Mahal."

"What?!" Sashi heard Arnav cry out.

The girl looked at him sharply. Then turned back to her uncle. "Please, Mamaji. Can you come fast? She's hysterical."

"Yes. I'll come." Sashi got up finally. "Thank you for your time Mam. I should go see what's happened."

"Yes, of course, Mr Gupta. Take care, Payal."