The Contrivance-4

4

“Is she coming Nitin?” Arnav’s voice boomed through the din of the award’s function.

“She said she is on the way an hour back Arnav! Please! Just be patient…” Nitin said nervously.

“I swear! This woman is… anyways! Five more minutes and I am going to go in without an escort. Get ready for the…” Arnav stopped short of finishing the sentence, as Khushi Sanjyothiya was walking towards him in a teal green shimmer something that was draped around one of her dainty shoulders while the other was left bare and it cascaded down her petite frame flaring at her ankles. She held an evening warp and a small clutch purse with her left hand while she was actually waving at him with her right and several press men caught her at it, and took shots while he moved forward to receive her.

Bloody hell! As if she was the celebrity and he the novice!
She smiled artificially and threw her hands round him saying,” I missed you darling!” …as more photos clicked…

Arnav gritted his teeth and said mock sweetly,” Never was missed this much my dear…shall we?” And took her in where they were promptly ushered into a premium seating section, where several heads turned and gasps heard as people started wishing Arnav and asking him about Khushi.

“So! Am I going to be nominated too?” she asked him mock sweetly and at his steely glare explained, “ …for the best actress award?”

He glared at her and said, “ If you don’t listen to me and do as I told in the next fifteen minutes, I am going to bag the best character artist award from the film section besides my best Business Man of the Year Award.”

She frowned… he was going to get an award?

“Ok! What are your aspirations in life?” He asked.

“What?” She stared at him…

“I don’t have the patience to repeat questions… “he said in a clipped tone.

“And you thought I will reveal my life and its ambition to you and for what?” She demanded.

“I need to know” he said clapping for the best scientist award.

“Why?” She asked him…

“Coz I will see to it that it’s fulfilled.” He said firmly.

Khushi this time just laughed…
“Awe so very pompous of you…. Just like that!... Kutch bhi!” She shook her head in mock exasperation.

“Tell me…” Arnav insisted.

“What…I don’t have anything to do with you. I am here coz Nitin begged me. And also I want you to clear everything…”Khushi was still talking when Arnav spoke…

“But you ruined it by your over enthusiastic ‘I missed you darling!’ back at the entrance” … and noted her reaction…

“Don’t tell me” she said with her hand on her chest and Arnav couldn’t help but notice how genuine she looked amidst all the glitter of artificial people.

“Khushi listen all your dreams- money, career and whatever I can arrange for… but…as a part of a deal…” He was going on…

“What?” She asked him irritating him.

“Are you deaf?” He asked her irritatedly.

“I am not! I am the Princess of Persia…” she told him and as he gaped said, “I have the Aladin’s lamp and I found the ginny!Yay!” She clapped.

“Shut up!” Arnav spat at her…, “This is serious. Yes ofcourse!” she said taking a fruit punch that was being served.

“I have a very good offer for you. “He went on…“But first tell me what do you want?”

“I want the best journalist award…” she said seriously.

“…ok…2016 can be arranged… done…next?” He asked her.

“Then…ummmm…. I need a sea-side villa…” Khushi said narrowing her eyes in anger at him…

“Done” he said and waited for her other demands. She was easier than what he thought her to be…

“I want the Tajmahal…and…” her vpice trailed as it dawned on to him that she was kidding.

“What the $%^&! I am talking to you seriously… “he said. “…and for gods sake woman there is no time.”

“Oh!” She said smiling at their neighbouring couple.

“Tell me…” he was adamant.

“Charminar?”She asked wistfully!

He glared at her and held her arm in a vice like grip and hissed…,”Three minutes and I wont wait further.”

Khushi could sence the finality in his voice…

“I don’t believe in taking charity! I shall work my way through” she told him squarely.

“Forget it! It will take ages but you can actually earn it right royally if you do as I say.” He said.

“I don’t want to listen to you…”she spat at him.

“Tough! Coz I have decided differently” he drawled even as she made a face at him and continued saying, “ Its in your interest if you comply…else…”

“Else? Else what?” Khushi couldn’t help asking. The arrogant swine!

“Else you will have to do something that you loathe! Now that’s not something that you would like doing. Would you?” he retorted.

“Just what do you take me for? And what do you think of yourself? You can’t make me do something that I wont like to do and anyways why should you be bothered about my aspirations in life? You will do better if you concentrate on yours” Khushi said crisply.

Arnav looked at her sideways and swore inwardly. Any other woman would have either cowered or would be floored by his intimidating stance. This one was spewing fire like a dragon! And he ….didn’t have time!

He looked at the dais and said,” I am giving you a life time offer! Just think about it!”

Khushi glared at him. And what did he want in return? It could not be that he was going to play Santa just to put her off his track. ASR could easily get rid off her, if he wanted to…she knew that very well. And after the previous day’s fiasco, actually she was the one who was ill placed. He was used to it and publicity was welcome to such people! Then why was he making an offer to her!

She took a deep breath and asked him softly,” What do you want?”

Arnav smiled still looking at the dais, as people around them were more than curious at what was brewing between ASR and the new woman friend…of his.

He said,” That’s what I call a wise woman.”

“Woman and wisdom don’t go together! Haven’t you heard about that cliché?” Khushi asked him sarcastically.

Arnav looked at her sideways and said,” There is always a first you know? “Like what’s going to happen today”

“Oh? And what is it Sir?” Khushi asked.

“I am going to get the award in… “he looked at his watch and at someone who was a little to his right who showed him his palm closing and opening twice indicating ten minutes….

“…ten minutes… “Arnav drawled…

“Oh! I got it! You want me to cover it?” Khushi asked.

Arnav turned his face and looked at her and smarted and aid,” You are right. Women and wisdom don’t go together.”

Khushi made a mock bow still seated and said,”Thank you…”

“Now shall we get back to business?” He quipped and she asked him, “Business in leisure also ASR?” She mocked him.

Arnav gritted his teeth and said, “ I want you to do as I say for the next six months in lieu of which, I will fulfill all your aspirations and this would be a confidential deal and we shall not reveal the terms to anyone.” He said in one breath.

“……..”

There was no noise from the other end, and Arnav turned to look at her staring at him oddly…

“What?” He demanded from her.

“What What?” She asked him incredulously.

“So what have you decided?” He asked…

“Are you crazy? You haven’t spelt out anything! And how could you assume that I would give you an answer?” She asked.

“So does that mean you agree to the deal?” He probed.

Khushi shook her head in exasperation and said,” That means I need to know what it is all about! And if its illegal, don’t even bother to explain.”

“Its perfectly legal and er…very… profitable for you… “he drawled.

“And may I ask why I am being showered with this grace, especially when I am not exactly in the list of your favourite persons? And why is the Deal master ASR trying to make me profitable?Tahts not you at all!” There! Khushi enquired boldly!

Enough of this cat and mouse ASR. Come out with the facts!

He grinned and said,” Just… think that I am …er… trying to be good for once!”

“Sorry! Can’t believe that!”She told him on his face!

He turned completely and looked at her then. She looked lovely! With the hair cascading down her waist and infact he thought she looked very adorable as amongst all the artificial glitter, she looked completely serene. He closed his eyes and chided himself!

ASR! Stress is telling on you! Else why would you find a two-penny gossip magazine’s journalist to be enticing?

He squared his shoulders and said, “My deal my terms! You agree. I will take care of you. You don’t? You will be taken care off! Now! The organisers are calling me back stage! I am going and when I go on stage gimme a sign that you have accepted by standing and clapping.”

“And what if I don’t?” Khushi asked going pale at the inflection in his voice, which sounded ominous.

“If you don’t,………………………………… he paused and threw a packet that he extracted from his breast pocket, into her lap and said,” That shall explain” He looked into her eyes, got up and was gone leaving a stunned Khushi with a wrapped packet that ticked like a time bomb in her lap.