The Way We Were

Chapter 20

(Lucknow: 2000)

Arnav Singh Raizada had but zero idea why he was a supposed orphan when he had a complete family. And he had zero idea why he had a supposed family when had was a complete orphan. Fourteen years had been a long time, sans two days when he had visited these very grounds to light a pair of pyres. He barely counted those days of his life.

He remembered how much it had hurt when he was here on those two days but it was a mere memory, a memory buried so deep in his mind Arnav barely even remembered it. He had never tried accessing that part of his mind. Hence, to ASR, those two days had never existed. 

Arnav took long strides across the lawn he had once cherished for it was here that he had seen her for the first time. His first memory of Khushi was here, at Sheesh Mahal. And if he had his way today, he would make his last memory of her to be in these grounds as well.

A servant led him into the study, pointing that he would be right outside, should ASR need anything.

"Mr. Malik." He greeted in a tone which he hoped didn't betray his undercurrents.

"ASR, what a pleasure. Please, take a seat." Ajay Malik invited him into his space.

The man was snakishly tall, with eyes resembling a rat and a receding hairline. "Where are we with the financial reports?" ASR meant business.

The third man in the room answered. "It's not looking good with the little Malik Saab has left in his treasures. Another month, and we'd have to sell in loss. I keep telling him to take your offer now."

"ASR, don't listen to him." Ajay protested. "I have a backup for a few months. Surely, we can come to an arrangement that would profit the both of us."

ASR gritted his teeth. To be second guessed did not sit well with him. "What is the net worth of Sheesh Mahal?"

When none of them replied, he spoke again. "I am offering you thrice the market price. I am being highly generous at this point."

"Sheesh Mahal isn't a house. I have lived here all my life." Ajay countered. "My home is worth a lot more than a number in my account, ASR."

ASR raised an eyebrow. To hear this man say such a statement and not react violently had to be because of Khushi. "Home is where your family is, Malik Saab. I don't see yours around. Emotional attachment to bricks doesn't lead you anywhere."

If Ajay Malik wanted to counter, ASR didn't want to hear it. He continued. "It's been two weeks of you dodging my offer without a reason. It's been two weeks of me hiking the price. So, here's a solution to your misery, Malik Saab. You keep your attachments-"

Ajay Malik seemed relieved.

"-and I keep the bricks."

Confused, he asked. "What do you mean?"

"Here's my new offer." Arnav gave him a file. "You get to move on, without selling, and I get to move in, without buying."

Ajay opened the file, scanning the papers when his eyes popped out. "This is blasphemous! Arnav Malik died."

"Arnav Malik is standing before you, Chachu." ASR challenged. "I can get Di, a DNA test, whatever you want, but I'm way past 25 to not be the owner of the Malik estates." He got up, done with charades. "As my first call, here's a thought. Pack up and move out before Sashi Gupta comes here pointing a gun to your head."

Ajay paled. If ASR had a heart, he might have second guessed the warning.

"On second thought," ASR knew Arnav was breaking out. He hadn't pranked anyone in ages, and here was fresh meat. "Sudhir!" He called to the servant stationed outside. "Do you clean those dungeons I used to visit?"