Bikhre moti (Scattered pearls)

31.3 Heart Or Throne? (S2-part3)

Headnote: Controlled burning, is the intentional use of fire to reduce wildfires in forests, preventing larger fires. It creates breaks to stop the spread of wildfires. You'll need to know this for below chapter :)

Also, ever heard of 'a twist in the tail- err- tale'? No? Ensure you read till the end :P

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Of course, the room was filled with tension, so thick it could be cut with a knife! Arnav had been waiting for Mrs. Mehra to give her verdict; Khushi was still trying to process that Arnav- who was supposedly done with politics- demanded a CM post, while Rani Mehra, seating on the edge of her chair, was analyzing her thoughts.

She knew this was a dangerous gamble Arnav was playing.

But she was thinking before saying anything- something she had learned long ago during her youth which helped her survive as a lone woman amongst the political wolves!

However, Khushi finally seemed to have found her voice, as she asked in a barely controlled angry voice, "Ye sab kya hai, Arnav (What is all this, Arnav)? What do you mean by you want to be the CM? Suddenly? Where is all this coming from?"

Arnav met her gaze, unwavering, unrelenting, "Kyun, Khushi? Why are you so shocked hearing it? Or only you can be the one who is ambitious? Why is this so surprising if I am also thinking about myself?"

Khushi was hurt that there was no hesitation in his tone, no crack in his resolve.

Rani Mehra still remained silent spectator. 

Khushi not giving up, stepped closer to Arnav, trying once more, "Arnav, please. You know why I want to do this. Arvind Raizada- he- he was behind the accident where I lost Swayam. And my babuji... you've seen those scars, right? On his face, on his hands, his paralysis. You've seen how he's still not recovered from the trauma." Her voice trembled but she kept talking, he needed to understand her point, "I need to regain the position to make sure Arvind Raizada is punished for his crimes, Arnav, to make sure people like Dayal don't gain control of Delhi, to-"

"Stop it, Khushi." Arnav cut her off sharply and he too got up from his seat, "You can give these excuses to others, not to me." And then he turned his attention to Rani, his expression resolute. "Mrs. Mehra, the decision is up to you now, I have said what I wanted to."

By then Rani was ready and knew exactly what she wanted to do.

She drew in a deep breath, carefully masking the tornado of emotions within her.

The thing was, political strategist in her had assessed the situation. Khushi, already a well-recognized and popular figure, was a stronger candidate. Arnav, despite his calculated self (perhaps like her), carried the weight of his father's bad reputation- a liability she couldn't afford!

She straightened up, speaking with calm, "Arnav-" she began, "you are a Raizada, and that name carries influence, I know. But it also carries baggage. And in politics, perception is everything. Khushi is the face that resonates with people, the one who they see as a leader, as their savior. While you... you carry your father's shadow, and the public hasn't forgotten."

Arnav's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

Khushi looked between them, not really surprised that Rani Ma took her side. She was oblivious to the blood relation Arnav shared with Rani ma, and thus only felt surer that Rani Ma will favor her as Swayam's ex-wife...

Meanwhile, Arnav took a step toward Rani, "Mrs. Mehra, you underestimate me. Khushi may be popular, but politics isn't just about who smiles at the cameras, right? It's about strategy. And I'm the strategist you need."