Orphic : An IPKKND SS

Chapter Two

The rhinestones felt soothing against her skin, as she ran a hand over it. The red dress clinging to her body and tapering down in a gorgeous flair.

"Stop fidgeting Khushi, " Garima admonished.

" Mummy, do I really need to be there? I hadn't even heard of the Raizadas until a week ago!"

" Your grandfather was a good friend of Veer Raizada, Khushi ", her papa spoke up from beside the driver.

" And anyway it's a party. Your friends, Payal and Preetika will also be there!"

Sighing with defeat, Khushi settled down against the plush leather, her heart dreading at the thought of meeting a particular Raizada.

——

The white mansion sparkled in glory from a distance. The flurry of cars surrounding it gave a glimpse of the scale of the party thrown by Anjali Jha nee Raizada to welcome her father and brother back to Lucknow.

Their Benz rolled onto the gravel, and Khushi heard Garima gasp admiringly at the arrangements.

She grudgingly alighted from the car, and placed an arm around her father's as he led them into the venue.

———

" Welcome! Welcome Mr Gupta!"

Khushi looked at the man who had become the star politician and the next-in-run to be chief minister at the mere age of forty. Shyam Jha was a charming man, who had worked his way up into high society. And the one who had helped him climb that ladder was none other than his wealthy, well connected and beautiful wife Anjali, who now stood by his side.

" Garima aunty!" Anjali kissed her mum's cheek, "What a pleasure to have you home this summer."

"Well Anjali, we decided to keep Khushi company here in India. She was not willing to give her job a break! Wonderful party by the way"

Khushi rolled her eyes discreetly.
So this was the deal her papa wanted to crack.
Her parents were set on acquiring the contract for building the Raizada group's latest hospitality venture. And for that they even sacrificed their annual vacation in London!

Shyam's voice boomed out loud " Mr Gupta you have met my father in law already, haven't you? He's at this party somewhere. Can't seem to catch hold of him you see?"

And that's when she became aware of a certain tension between her papa and Mr Jha.
Just then Anjali led her husband away to another guest, and Khushi heard her parents' hushed discussion.

" He wants one of his corrupt cronies , that Rocky Khandelwal to get the deal Garima "

" I know Shashi. But we need to be patient here. We have the quality of work and their friendship on our side"

It was the proof of her mother's stressed state , that she left Khushi unchaperoned at that moment and went off in search of Rajiv Raizada.

Shrugging to herself, she looked around for Payal. Preetika was definitely to be found in some dark, dingy corner romancing some poor lad ,and Khushi had no intention of walking into that.

"Khushi!" Payal's soft shout made her turn around and found her friend looking rather flustered.

"What's wrong?"

"Akash has asked me to meet him up at the terrace, " she explained breathlessly.

" Not you too! What am I going to do alone in this boring party?"she whined.

"Find a boy! You are old enough!"

And with that Payal rushed off to find the nearest staircase leading up to the terrace.