A Hundred Flukes

Mr. Hyde

Mr. Hyde - Chapter 25

Arnav stepped out of the emergency, a faint, tiny smile appeared at the corner of his lips. Entrusting the lawyer with his sister's happiness had been the toughest decision of his life, but how did it relieve him now that he had consented their betrothal.

Three years ago...

Arnav forced himself to surrender his drowsy state and sat up on his bed. The past week had been tiring as hell and it was only this morning that he was able to catch some sleep and when he had slept, it was like after years he had slept so soundly, for AR designs had successfully launched its first clothing line independently and trade gurus had already predicted that the market response to it was going to be huge.

Anjali entered his room as usual unannounced, he had observed his sister to appear happier in the past few days. He knew this happiness wasn't solely because of his accomplishment. He had also noticed that she seemed to have wanting to tell him something but was only too busy to listen. It had been his sister's practice, ever since he was a little kid, to confide in him all that she felt about any damn thing whether he cared for it or not. Most of the time Arnav's only reaction to her talks would be a slight nod or even a 'why are you telling this to me?' statement, but however disinterest he might show it never hindered Anjali from gushing to him. He was and would remain to be the first person to hear all news about Anjali from Anjali.

Secretly, Arnav treasured these moments he spent with his sister. He worked very hard throughout the day to restore all that he and Anjali had lost years ago, all he now wanted was to see his sister happy, secure and content.

He watched her as she drew the curtains of the window aside, letting sunlight fill his room- the only moment of the day that made him welcome a new morning. She carried a mug of his black coffee in a tray in one hand and phone in another. She placed the tray on the side table smiling brightly at him and gave him the phone, "Morning bro, Akash is online for you." Akash had been persuing his masters from the U.S. and had called his brother for congratulating him upon his new feat. Once Arnav was done with the call, Anjali cleared her throat. "Arnav, I...I wanted to share something with you." she said in a nervous excitement. Arnav gave her a knowing grin, "I knew it." he said.

"You did?" she exclaimed looking surprised.

"Would you tell me now?"

"Well..." she smiled a little and then as if abashed at something she turned to face away, "Arnav, I think I am in love." she uttered and turned to face him again to see his reaction. He stared at her blankly for a moment, no expression over his face and finally said, "with what?"

Anjali furrowed her eyebrows, "I mean I am in love with a man Arnav" she said clearly disappointed with her brother's 'what'.

Arnav stared at her in the same way before bringing his gaze over to his hands, "Do I know him?" he asked quietly.

"I guess you do." she replied as she seated herself on the edge of his bed. "Aren't you happy for me Arnav?" she asked studying his face.

"Di, who is this fellow?"

"Shyam." she said smiling and drawing circles with her finger on the bed sheet.

"Who is Shyam?" Arnav said, his sharp, long nose crinkling a little.

"Uh, Arora Uncle's assistant, you know." she said surprised that her brother shouldn't remember the guy who always accompanied their family solicitor. Arnav's features cringed a little more, "Are you sure Di." he said trying hard not to sound disgusted.

"Why? What’s wrong with him?" said Anjali suddenly wary of her brother's opinions. "I like him Arnav."

What’s right with him? Arnav would have said but didn't, he could see that might hurt Anjali but still it was beyond him to fathom what made people say that they were in love with somebody. "You know what, I have never felt this way before for anyone" Anjali continued, "he makes me feel special Arnav. He makes me forget about all the bad things and says he'd always want to see me smiling. I always believed in love but I had no hope that I'll find it someday but a couple of days back when he climbed up the pipe to my window at half past midnight to propose me, I knew that I was in love."