Arylie FF: I'm Happy Here With You

interlude I ~ dil kyon rota hai

[this part is a flashback chapter, this is the story of the Rathores after Arvind's death, up till they came back to Delhi]

ye jo gehre sannate hai, waqt ne sabko hi baante hai

thoda gham hai sabka kissa

thoda dhoop hai sabka hissa

... ... ...

The exterior of Rathore House was beautiful. It wasn't the first time Shweta had driven in this driveway, she'd been working for the company since senior Rathore was the boss. But each time, she had to take a moment to admire the garden. Today, she felt that even the garden looked somber. It's just knowledge shaping human perspective, she thought. She knows what tragedy is eating up this household, so she felt that in the trees and the flowers too.

She grabbed the files and got out of her car. She was dreading this. With Arvind gone, this family, this business was without any guardian now. Arpita was headstrong, but will she be able to overcome the shocking misfortune so soon?

She grimaced as she heard the loud clicking of her own high heels on the path. She should have changed shoes before coming here.

The front door was open, so she walked in. Her eyes went to Narmada first. She was pacing near the big comfy sectional, worry lines and tear tracks both visible. Arpita was lying on that sofa, seemingly asleep. A huge Husky dog was sitting near her head, on guard.

Aristotle knew her, so he just let out a small warning growl at her presence. That made Narmada look, but she didn't acknowledge her. Arpita didn't move at all. Shweta felt more and more uncomfortable with each passing second.

"Can I help you?"

She turned back swiftly to face Aryan, he was sitting on a three legged stool next to the door, as motionless as the rest of the house. She must have passed him while entering but hadn't noticed him.

He looked terrible. Unkempt and unwashed hair, face full of beard, his shirt was dirty with sweat stains and mud, and what suspiciously looked like blood. Shweta knew that he was a laid back sort of guy who had no interest in the family business. But she'd always seen him well groomed and well dressed. After all he was trying to build a modeling career.

"I know this is bad time," she said, "but I need some decisions. Should I, can Arpita..." She felt guilty even asking this. But she didn't have any choice.

"Don't bother Didi. Tell me what you need."

"You?"

"You realize I own as much shares as Didi right?"

"Ownership is different," she sighed, "We need a capable CEO. The company is at a bad state, the strike is still on, share prices are falling. If I get your approval, i can fill in as interim CEO while the board interviews candidates. I already have a list of people we should approach."

"That won't be necessary, I'll take over."

"You," she stated with evident disbelief.

"Yes me. Majority of the board is our family and friends, I'll get the votes necessary. Don't worry," Aryan replied, not at all bothered by her reaction.

"It is not about the votes. Look, I know you feel obligated, but running an at-risk big company isn't easy. Your half assed MBA won't help Aryan. Let somebody else take care of it, someone who actually knows how to salvage this."