"ASR, one more investor has refused to meet us tomorrow" Aman informed him and he cut the call without waiting for a second more. He had no more strength to listen to anything more. It looked like, one by one everyone was leaving his side.
Arnav was a young 14-year-old boy when his whole world turned upside down, his mother snatched was away from him, his sister's life ruined on the evening of her marriage, and he was thrown on streets. He was broken but had not lost his faith in himself, his confidence intact that he could change things, he could write his own destiny from there onwards.
And Arnav Singh Raizada did! 10 years later, he was a Harvard graduate setting up his startup in India and within next 3-4 years he had made himself so powerful, so capable that the same house where his life was ruined, same street where he was thrown out, he bought that same Sheesh Mahal and that same street watched in awe as the owner of that land walked on it!
But today, some 10 more years later, he was once again at the similar turn as he was as lost as that teenager. Only difference was, this time he felt his faith faltering. The Arnav of that time could take risks, take any bold decisions, if need be, he could even go work in any place to earn a living.
But today, he couldn't, his wife and his 3 young babies were dependent on him to fulfil their dreams, they looked at him like he was a hero. How was he going to face them like this? As a defeated hero?
He was standing at poolside, lost in thoughts, looking at the stars, contemplating where to go from here.
And that is when he felt her hand slide into his. Khushi. Her hand might have been soft, her hold maybe little light but it contained so much strength, so many promises. As if she was imparting all her strength on him. He turned to look at her, his eyes watery, vision almost blurred.
Her eyes, on the contrary were shining with all the love she had for him, all the trust she had on his capability.
And he hugged her tight. She was here, she was with him, even if no one else was!!!
"Ho chaandani jab tak raat, deta hai har koi sath
Tum magar andhero mein na chodna mera hath
(Until it's a starry night, everyone stays with you
But you don't leave my hand during darkness)"
(a/n – from 'Jab Koi baat Bighad jaye' the lyrics are one of my favorites)
--*--
3 days later
Nanhi chinti jab dana lekar chalti hai,chadhti deewaron par, sau baar fisalti hai,aakhir uski mehnat bekar nahi hoti,koshish karne walo ki kabhi haar nahi hoti | (a/n – famous Hindi poem by Harivanshrai Bachhan)
Khushi was teaching this poem to twins, but Arnav knew it was applicable to him too "do you know when little ant tries to carry a sugar cube in her mouth? She fails so many times, but she doesn't give up. At the end, she succeeds. Because the one who tries never fails." She translated the meaning for twins who understood very little but Arnav who was standing there did get the hint.
Actually, in last 3 days the news had started spreading and media gotten a whiff of it. As it is, they only needed reasons to speculate. So this was adding fuel to fire.
Just then Kavish came there carrying something behind him and stood in front of Arnav.
"What is it baby?" Arnav asked and Khushi too looked curiously,
"Take this papa, this will help you." Chiku said handing him his piggybank with a small smile. There was no hint of sadness or hurt in his voice, like a ditto copy of Khushi, bilkul uski chavi(copy), as compassionate, as giving!
Arnav was shocked, unable to do or say anything.
Khushi got up then and came there, "Chiku, what is it beta? Why are you giving your piggybank to papa?" she asked in a calm voice
"Because hum ab poor ho gaye hai na (we have become poor right)?" he asked, looking down
"Kya? Who told you Chiku?"
"My friends in school were saying, mamma. Papa, will we have to give away our cars? Will I have to travel in taxis and bus to school?" he asked Arnav and Khushi decided to take matters in her hands,
"No Chiku, first of all it's not true. And second, let me tell you, travelling in buses and taxis is not bad baby. Happiness has nothing to do with how big our house is or which car we use Chiku, it's dependent on how big our heart is. You have seen HP kaka's kids Vikas bhaiyya and Sonali didi right? they always travel like that. Have you ever seen them not being happy or only being sad? And ek aur baat, aapko pata hai aapka dil sabse bada hai. Toh hue na aap sabse amir (and you have biggest heart, so aren't you richest)?"
Kavish nodded gleefully and ran away to play, albeit taking his piggybank with him...
"He has gotten a heart of gold Khushi; you have raised our son so well." arnav said with emotional voice
"OUR son. He is as strong and caring as you Arnavji." Khushi said, resting her head on his chest as he wrapped her in his arms, the only thing he could give her now.
--*--
Next day, all Raizada ladies were sitting downstairs in the hall, with kids playing around. It was a Sunday so there was no school, so they were happily playing. However, adults of the house were doing their best job to hide their tensions. Akash and mamaji were trying to call a few investors, Arnav was upstairs till now and Nani was doing Puja to seek God's blessings.
Just then, HP informed that their family Jeweler Mr. Singhania was here. It was a regular site in Raizada mansion as they generally did jewelry shopping at home with their family jeweler bringing all assorted jewelry at home.
However today was different. They couldn't splurge now.
As a widely smiling, dressed in a crisp white safari suit, Mr Singhania walked in, Payal and Khushi exchanged worried looks.
Since they couldn't tell him to leave right away, they had him seat and have chai-nashta(snacks). And as he finished his cup of tea, he grabbed hold of his big briefcase to take some boxes out with a huge smile, "Ye sab toh hota rahega bhabhi (this all is fine bhabhi), but see what I have brought this year, something special for Raizada princesses!" he said excitedly as he retrieved the boxes.
By then, Arohi and Pari both had come there, feeling curious. And Arnav found the exact moment to descend the stairs!
The Jeweler indeed had brought special jewelry, cute little tiaras with diamonds studded on them. He lovingly showed them to the twins, and before anyone could say anything, they grabbed it. After all, they were like any normal innocent toddlers! Smiling widely at their reactions, he put them on their small heads and they immediately liked their tiaras, smiling ear to ear!
All of this happened so suddenly that no one had time to react. Mr. Singhania had expected to see his surprise being liked as he knew Raizadas always shopped in abundance for their kids and this year, he was especially looking forward to more business because he knew ASR doted on his daughters!
Oh well! There was no way they could afford to spend so much money right now...
Khushi and Payal gathered themselves and both reached out simultaneously and slowly took out the tiaras from Aru and Pari. As expected, they started crying!
Arnav felt his heart break into million pieces. If it was sometime back, he would have gotten them entire jewel shop let alone these diamond tiaras but now...
Devyani Raizada saw her Grandson and granddaughter-in law's pain and came to their rescue,
"Maaf kijiye Singhaniaji, par abhi hum ye nahi le payenge (I am sorry Mr. Singhania, but we cannot buy this right now). Arohi and Pari are very small, and these tiaras have diamonds, so they can try to nibble on it and-" Nani said and signaled Khushi and Payal to pacify the twins. Khushi nodded, feeling grateful.
Asking Payal to take Pari while she herself carried a hysteric Aru, she walked towards Arnav's Garden. She already had an idea on how to pacify her babies.
Khushi asked HP to bring a thick thread and also explained her Jiji her plan. And then turned to her daughters,
"Pari, shona, you know mamma is going to give you most beautiful tiaras now. Do you want to see?" she asked and their cries subsided a little. They looked curiously as Khushi and payal plucked a few rose buds and in no time made small, cute, tiaras!
"hamari nazuk aur khubsoorat princesses ke liye tiaras bhi utne hi nazuk aur khubsurat chahiye hai na (For my delicate and beautiful princesses, tiaras too need to be as beautiful right)?" Payal said placing them on their heads and they immediately smiled too.
Kids are like that, innocent, unblemished. They don't understand difference of diamonds vs rose petals and their materialistic prices. In their world, beauty is still about things that make you happy!!!
--*--
Late that night, they were in their bedroom, Khushi sitting on the bed and Arnav lying down with his head resting on her lap
"I have failed, Khushi. I don't feel like getting up, I feel as if I can't do it." he said in a weak voice. He needed her, her comforting him, her taking care of him, telling him what to do even. But when she spoke, he was surprised,
"hmm. Ok Arnavji. I will not force you if this is what you think." She said still caressing his soft hair and as he looked up feeling surprised, she spoke again, "But I also want to tell you a story tonight. Sunenge (will you listen)?" She asked and he nodded. "Good. So this is a story of a small boy. Once upon a time, there lived a young, bright teenager boy who had most loving mother, perfect house, and everything. But you know what happened? Suddenly, one day he lost everything, his house, his family, and he was made homeless." she said trying to hide emotions from showing in her own voice.
Arnav was calm in her lap, so she could say he was listening. "Do you know what he did? He did not give up. He rose from that destruction like a phoenix bird who rises from ashes, and then he showed the world that he was indeed a hero. Day by day, brick by brick he built his entire empire from scratch. And then the world had to bow in front of him. Do you know who he was?" she asked looking down,
He raised his head from her lap and then looked up with puppy eyes resembling Chiku or their daughters' "who?" he asked, eager to hear his own name
"Hamare laad governor." she smiled and pinched his nose, proud evident in her voice, "Arnavji! You are that same person Arnavji. And if you have done it once, why can't you do it again? In fact, then you didn't have us with you but now look at these little bundles of joy, they trust you so much, they know you are their hero. And I know my Arnavji can only rise from this. Setbacks and failures are a part of life Arnavji. It's life's rule, haar ke baad hi jeet hai (success follows failures). Toh ab aage sirf aur sirf jeet hai, thik hai (so from now on, it's only winning for us ok)?"
He clutched her palm in his and kissed her fingers. She was the answer of all those prayers he never even had made, she was his mamma's blessing. And if she believed he can do it, he WILL do it. he will rise from the ashes like a true Phoenix and show the world what ASR is capable of doing, every single time!
--*--
A/N – There will be one more chapter. This chapter was mainly to show family being real strength and Khushi being his strong support. I know many people who lost their jobs during covid pandemic, and their lifestyles altered but that was also the exact time when family support meant a lot. Some had a very strong support. Humility and compassion were tested, and I think at the end of the day, that is what matters right?
I was feeling very tired today, liked emotionally tired, don't know why :( But had to keep the promise of Friday evening update. Hope it turned out ok 😔