A Hundred Flukes

Twenty Five Thousand

Chapter 7

"HOW DARE YOU DO THAT ?" Khushi found the words coming out of her mouth, "Tell me Mr. Raizada, if you have any grey matter in your top story, you should have known how damaging your actions can be, especially for a girl." she rebuked him in a high pitch.

"What? Damage you? The only thing damaged here is my damn car." he shot back fuming.

"That damage can be repaired, but the damage you have done to me cannot be made up for, Mr. Raizada you have nearly ruined me." she said her voice turning hoarse.

"So you are ruining my day? Do you have any idea how expensive this car is? If I had to put a price for your entire life, it won't be remotely close to that of my car."

"What are you made of? You mean, you are comparing a living human with this car?"

ASR narrowed his eyes, "I don't get this, first at the couture, then at the dargaha and now here in Delhi, I see you; all of this cannot be a coincidence. Tell me, are you following me or something?"

"Follow you? Why would I follow you?" she asked surprised.

"You want me to spell it, c'mon you are not that naive. Apparently, you are trying to trap me to get money out of me, you seem to be in need of some."

"Again money? Listen mister I have no interest in you or your dirty money, there is a world beyond money. But if that's the only language you understand, then be it, I am gonna talk money. I'll pay now for your damaged car. Say how much?" she said rummaging through her tote bag.

"Twenty five thousand for the dent." he said wryly. Her eyes popped out. He turned towards the door of his car, a few vehicles honked.

"Wait, I will pay you when I have that amount with me."

He turned to face her, a smirk on face, "that was not even the starting price to deserve an argument with Arnav Singh Raizada, you are way past yourself miss." The signal turned green, the traffic cop rushed towards them as the other cars violently honked their horns. ASR shoved a thousand rupee note into her hand, "get your mirror fixed and a return ticket to Lucknow with what remains. Bloody gold digger", he cursed as he swiftly sat back in his car. The traffic cop stood in front of his car. He showed him two crisp thousand rupee notes, the cop grinned wide, "this way sahib" he directed him out of the melee of vehicles. Khushi too tried to move in the direction, another cop stopped her, "oye, where?". She shoved the newly acquired bucks into his hand, he glared at her, "trying to bribe me?". "N..no sir, it just fell from my hands..I need to get, oh my god, please my aunt is dyeing, I have to get to the medical store." she let out a shrill sound. "Okay go now.." the cop grunted, pocketing the note. Khushi zoomed towards a large red plus sign board across the road. She stopped just at the counter. "Hello miss, breaks failed or what?" the chemist gazed at her. "One asthma pump please, quick." she panted. "You seem to be in need of one." sighed the chemist and produced a box. "150 for this". She took the box and placed the money and turned to leave. "What have you been doing with my scooter?" inquired a stout surd. Khushi froze, "sorry sir, I did not steal, my aunt had an asthma attack, I couldn't find any other.."

"It's okay lassie, Bedi's scooter, public scooter, where is your aunt?"

"She's at the metro station, oh my god I need to hurry." she cried raising the broken rear view mirror.

"Oye, broken? Never mind as long as you are fine lassie everything is fine, hop in the carrier I'll fly you to your aunt."

"Thank you so much sir." Khushi exclaimed jumping into the carrier. Bedi took off for the station. "Where do you live sweet girl?" he shouted over the traffic roar. "My bua resides at Lakshmi Nagar" she too shouted. The surd beamed at her. "What a coincidence, I live there too, I run a car repair garage, who is your bua?"