Kaise Yeh Rishtey - 19

Chapter 19 

Akash 

He hated her, he thought to himself.

Deceiving, conniving gold-digger – she had fooled his brother into bringing her into this house, into a place meant for another girl. She had even won over his father and Shantitai, that too, in just a few short weeks. But he would never be taken in, he thought savagely. He wouldn’t get fooled by her soft voice, her sweet smile, and her ingratiating ways. She had managed to get Radhika to smile again, but by making her forget her own parents! Of course, she would do that! Ajay, Poonam, Mummy – Khushi hadn’t known them at all, didn’t have any of the memories, the ties of affection, of love, … that she had. Khushi didn’t realize that forgetting wasn’t an option – and he would not let her get away with it. He would never let Radhika or his father – or even his besotted older brother – forget the three members of their family that fate had snatched away. He would never let Khushi succeed in letting them do that, he would never allow her to succeed in wiping out their memories. He knew what she was up to – and he would resist all the way. And he would make sure that everybody realized that Khushi was not the one for this house – he would ensure that Khushi left and that she came back to her rightful place. And with her would come … Akash smiled in quiet satisfaction. Yes, if she came back, so would her sister. That was the right solution for his house, for his family. 

But how he was going to ensure that, he didn't know. Life seemed to be passing by in a haze. He no longer knew what he was doing, where he was going. After the accident, it seemed he had lost his way, and he didn't know how to find it again. 

It was a few evenings after the conversation between Khushi and Mr. Raizada. Akash was on his way out, when he heard his father's voice.

"Akash? Come here a minute?"

Akash walked backed to the dining room. His father and Arnav were sitting at the table, both looking serious.

"What is it?"

"Akash," began Arnav. "Dad and I have been talking. We think you need to go back to college. I spoke to your principal a few days ago. There are only a few months before your exams."

Akash looked at both of them. "No," he said, flatly, his face closed. Arnav and his father exchanged glances and sighed.

"Listen, Akash," said his father, earnestly. "I understand your feelings. But you can't stop your life. You have to build your life, your career. Everything lies ahead of you…"

"What lies ahead, nobody knows," Akash broke in furiously. Didn't they understand?! Didn't they know? Hadn't they seen ...?!  "You didn't know that Ma and Ajay and Poonam would be killed so quickly, did you? Life is so uncertain. What's the point of planning anything, when I don't know if I'll be here tomorrow, or not? What's the point? We need to live for today. There's no point planning for the future, when we don't even know if we'll be there to see it. I want to live my life the way I see fit. I'm not going back to college."

"Akash," began his father. Khushi came out of the kitchen with a tea tray. She set it down on the table and looked at the three men.

“What’s the problem?” she asked, her expression indifferent, as though she really didn’t care. The three spoke almost simultaneously.

“Nothing,” said Akash savagely, annoyed at her interference, just as his father started, “Well, Khushi …” and Rahul continued.

“Ah, Khushi, there you are. Dad and I were thinking Akash should go back to college. He’s in final year. What do you …?”

“It’s not her business,” broke in Akash angrily. Khushi looked at him, her eyebrows raised in slight disdain.

“No, it isn’t,” she agreed coolly. “Akash is right. It's none of my business. If he wants to waste his life, go through it feeling sorry for himself, then who am I to say anything? Why should you both either? Why should anyone be bothered? Let him do what he likes. That’s all he thinks about anyway, isn’t it? What he likes.”

“I don’t …” Akash started even more angrily, as his father broke in.

“Now, Khushi,” he said in a remonstrating tone. “That’s not right. Akash’s not selfish. He’s just … it’s difficult for him … you know that …”

“More difficult than for you all? For Radhika?” Khushi challenged, and Mr. Raizada subsided as she went on. “Some people have the strength, the resilience to pick themselves up. Like your Radhika. But  … some people think they’re the only ones with problems in life, and they go through life feeling that the world owes them. I don’t think you should waste your time feeling sorry for him. He’s doing a very good job of that himself.”

"Now, Akash," remonstrated the old man. "Akash is not like that. He just needs some time. It’s been a huge loss for all of us. But we are all coming to terms with it, learning to live with it … and so will …"

Khushi snorted. "He will never rise, Papaji. Look at your Radhika. She has had the biggest loss. Even she has the resilience to pick herself up, and start again. Look at Arnav. He is struggling with the business, doing the work of two people, doing Ajay's share of work as well as his own. How much it costs him to go on day after day, with that loss ... he has lost his best friend, his support system. Akash is lucky - he still has you, he has a brother to help him. But he is not interested. He is happy being sorry for himself. Maybe it's better this way. At least he won’t disappoint you further."

"Khushi," remonstrated her father-in-law, his voice stern. "You are getting above yourself.  And you are mistaken. He will never disappoint me. I have full faith in him"

"I’m glad you think so, Papaji," said Khushi scornfully. "I hope he doesn't let you down, that's all." She looked at Akash, with an expression that said she was sure he would do exactly that, and tossing her head, she walked into the kitchen.

Akash looked at his father and brother, rage at Khushi's words battling with an uncomfortable feeling that he didn't want to put a name to. The doorbell rang, and Khushi emerged from the kitchen, and went to open the front door. 

Akash opened his mouth and spoke with difficulty, his tone less belligerent than it had been a few moments ago.

"You're right, Papa. I will never disappoint you. But, Papa, my lectures, my notes… I've missed so much. How will I make up? And my attendance?  It’s no use, Papa … I can’t go back now …"

"You're wasting your time, Sir," Khushi was saying. Akash looked around and his jaw dropped. She was leading an elderly gentleman to the dining table.

"He doesn't want to go back," she continued. The gentleman greeted the other men. Khushi introduced him. "Papaji, Arnav, this is Prof. Sharma, Akash's principal."

After the greetings, Prof. Sharma spoke. "Mr. Raizada, I got your message yesterday. Actually, I have been wanting to call you. I have spoken to Akash’s lecturers and professors. The exams are very close – and he has missed a lot. Normally, we would not allow him to take the exams, due to his poor attendance, but the circumstances are exceptional. We all know about your loss and we would really like to help in any way we can. Akash has always been one of our best students, and we would be very sorry to lose him. I will personally ensure that he doesn't lose this year, if he comes back now to college. His lecturers say the same. They will be happy to give him all the help he needs, and I'm sure his friends will do the same. Please do send him back."

"Thank you very much, Prof. Sharma," said Arnav. "We were trying to persuade Akash to do exactly that. I'm very grateful that you've taken the trouble to come yourself to add your voice. Akash?"

Akash looked at all of them, turn by turn. His father looked pleadingly at him. Arnav nodded encouragingly. Akash was backed into a corner, and he knew it.

Khushi tossed her head, and went toward the kitchen.

Akash gritted his teeth. She didn't believe he could do anything right, did she?! He would not give her the satisfaction of being proved right. He turned to Prof. Sharma.

"Very well, sir. I'm grateful for your help. I really didn't want to lose a year. I'll join from tomorrow. Thank you very much for your personal attention."

"Oh, well, that was the least …" began his principal, but Arnav swiftly interrupted him. Khushi looked back on her way to the door, and urgently shook her head imperceptibly.

"We really are grateful to you, Prof. Sharma. Not too many people would take such personal attention in their students. Akash is lucky to have you as his principal."

"I'll take your leave, then," said Prof. Sharma, smiling as he stood up. "Akash, I look forward to seeing you in college tomorrow."

"Akash, escort the professor to the door," said Arnav.

Akash nodded. "I'm going out for a while," he said, unsmiling, and followed the older man out.

As soon as they were out of earshot and the door shut behind them, Khushi appeared, a small satisfied smile on her face. Mr. Raizada and Arnav looked at her, and identical smiles appeared on their faces.

"Well done, beti," said Mr. Raizada, smiling. Arnav looked at him in surprise. It was the first time he had called Khushi that. That was the name he had called Poonam, his beloved daughter-in-law. Arnav swallowed a lump in his throat. Khushi had worked two minor miracles tonight, not just one.

“You actually managed to get that Prof. Sharma to come here,” Mr. Raizada continued, and Khushi smiled.

“People want to help,” she said softly. “They all know about the ... the accident. All his teachers, all his friends. They all felt terrible about it. I didn’t have to persuade the professor very much at all. He was only too happy to do what he could. Although he was a bit puzzled when I said I’ll keep out of the way, but he just took my word for it that Akash would be easier to persuade if I didn’t get involved because I was too new in the family.”

“Not knowing that the only reason Akash agreed was because you were involved,” agreed Arnav, smiling slightly. Mr. Raizada laughed out loud, and shook his head. "Poor Akash," he said, still smiling. He turned his eyes to Khushi, and his smile disappeared. He held out his hand to her. 

"Thank you, beti. This feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. We should have done this a long time ago, but he never listened to us. He needed this."

Khushi smiled back at the old man, and squeezed his hand slightly before releasing it. "You mean I manipulated him, and he fell for it? I know I was a little mean to him. Thank you for agreeing to go along with this, papaji." 

Arnav smiled. "When you make up your mind, Khushi, going along with you, as you put it, is not really an option. It's inevitable."

Khushi grimaced guiltily and made a face at him. Both father and son laughed again. 

"He's too innocent," said Khushi, becoming a little serious. "He doesn't know when he's being manipulated. Anyway, he'll start college now, and I have asked his friends to take him to the next college do. When he talks to you about it, I'll make some nasty comment. That will make sure he decides to go!"

Mr. Raizada chuckled. "You are a devious, cunning woman."

Khushi looked at him. "So, papaji? Have I won my bet?"

He laughed. "Yes, you have. Fair and square."

"And you'll give me anything I want?"

"Yes, I will."

"Right, then," said Khushi, briskly. "Tomorrow morning, a physiotherapist I know, is coming to take a look at you and start your exercises. I have also shown your papers to your doctor, and got your medicines. So you will take them regularly now. I will give you your medicines myself. And your exercises as well - you will be regular with them. The physiotherapist will come every day to start with. That should get you going for the time being. The massage has already started giving you some strength, so now the exercises will benefit you more. Radhika wants to supervise you. I think the idea of giving orders to her Dadaji to do his homework appeals to her."

Mr. Raizada looked at her, his laughter dying away.

"Khushi, …"

"You said you would give me anything I wanted if Akash agreed to go back to college," Khushi reminded him.

"Yes, but … I thought you would ask for a present! Some gift for yourself!" exploded the old man.

"This is a gift for me, Papaji," said Khushi, softly.

He looked at her for a long moment, then at his eldest son.

"This is a crooked little thing you've brought into this house, son," he said, sternly.

Arnav was looking at Khushi, and he was smiling very slightly, his eyes dark.

"Yes, Dad. Very crooked."

Khushi looked away, her face growing warm at his husky tone.

 Arnav looked at his father then, and his smile widened. "I did good, didn't I?"

The old man's face changed. He smiled tremulously, his eyes filling with tears. He held out his hand to Khushi. Slowly she approached, took it in hers, and knelt at his feet. His hand caressed her hair.

"You did very good, my son. Very, very good. God bless you both."