A Hundred Flukes

Decisions

Chapter 22

"So Arnav didn't go to his girlfriend's place last night, he went to rescue Khushi?" said Devyani surprised upon being enlightened by her grand daughter. Anjali nodded. "How is that child now. I hope she is fine." she said sipping her morning tea.

"Nani I called her home, her sister said she was fine but was really angry."

" That she rightfully was," Devyani reasoned, "anyone would be after what your brother did." Her face stiffened. "But if he is adamant then I am his grandmother, and I know how to deal with him."

Anjali hoped their dealings do not give rise to another battle between the two.

The evening before

The Singhanias had been close family friends of both the Raizadas and the Malliks. The families had observed rare solidarity for generations but post Pratap Singh Raizada's demise, the relations had weakened and there had been no attempt made from either side for their revival.

Ramesh Chandra Singhania had for the past three years hoped for reconciliation but could never muster the courage to make a start. When Devyani Raizada's phone reached him this fine evening, he felt his luck showering blessings upon him. After the exchange of pleasantries, Devyani proposed the alliance of her grandson and his daughter. Ramesh Chandra Singhania, an industrialist turned politician could hardly contain his joy at the proposal. By the time the call ended he had at least assured Devyani a hundred times that the alliance would be to the best interest of both the families.

At present Devyani had been waiting for the Singhanias to arrive with their daughter, so that they could meet Arnav before he left for office. The door bell that rang was answered by Manorma whose gleeful cry could be heard in the living room. "Anjali", she called, "look what has come for you dear."

Devyani understood that it couldn't be the Singhanias. Manorma appeared with a parcel a moment later, all smiling. "I wish my hubby ever did something like that for me." She chirped nudging Anjali, handing her the parcel. Anjali opened it with excitement cruising over her soft features, as she found in her hands a small satin box and a letter signed in her husband's name. "If you don't mind, can I gaze into that?" sought Manorma looking at the red satin box marked Tanishq. Anjali nodded happily, she was in any case more interested in the letter that said:

To she, who makes my heart beat

   Am I allowed to apologize for being late again?

   Hoping to make up for it with this little token of affection,

   See you on Teej

love

MJ

She looked up from the letter, tears of joy rushing to her eyes and then she saw the ring her aunt was scrutinizing, the one which he had sent for her. A simple gold ring with a tiny diamond over it. Manorma put it in Anjali's hands, the disapproval on her face was what Anjali chose to ignore. Devyani noticed the tears in her grand daughter's eyes, "Anjali, are you all right dear?"

"No she's not."Manorma chimed in, "of course, she's crying, I mean the diamond is so ridiculously small, any woman would cry looking at it."

"You better keep quiet Manorma" Devyani berated, "don't speak, when you don't understand what is to be spoken and what not. Learn something from Lakshmi, at least she knows how to be silent."

Manorma scowled in the most melodramatic manner, shaking her head showing exaggerated shock and ran to her room whining. Devyani rolled her eyes, "Anjali I hope you don't mind what your mami says..."