Chapter 12:
It had been 2 weeks since the incident and Karan had taken
it upon himself to sleep with Khushi every night as she kept on having
nightmares. When asked about them, neither Khushi nor Karan would give a proper
answer to their children. Amba and Nik hadn’t completely forgotten their
conversation that night but every time they remember to talk to the other,
something or other would always come up.
Khushi’s physical therapy had gone extremely well and she
was practically herself in a week and a half, she no longer had severe
headaches when they talked about her past but she still couldn’t remember much.
She would sometimes do or say something that would give them hope but that was
all. Amba and Karan had shown her pictures of the “past holidays” but nothing.
Even talking to her parents, Buaji and Payal hadn’t brought anything out of
her. No matter where Karan and Amba took her, there was barely a recollection.
Everyone was avoiding talking about the worst case scenario especially when
they learnt that Arnav and the Riazada’s were in Lucknow
now and until the wedding, but they knew that they’d have to talk about it
sooner or later.
Arnav and most of the family had moved to Lucknow
a week ago but he’d been nothing but restless. Everyone one had put it down to
work and the wedding but what really occupied his mind was Khushi. His
investigator had informed them that Khushi was indeed in contact with the
Gupta’s but every conversation they had lead to them forbidding her to come
back. He had been so angry to hear that information that he had managed to
trash his office. No more useful information had come about after that but he
had hope. He was so frustrated now-a-days. On top of that he was walking a fine
line with Lawson’s Limited, they had still not gotten back to him about his
request.
He had taken up boxing to take his frustration out. He was
in his personal gym pummelling the bag when his phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Mr Riazada, I’m Sandra, I’m standing in for Mr Lawson’s
assistant.”
“Have you got good news for me Sandra?”
“Umm. I’m afraid Mr Lawson stands by his words.”
“Well that’s too bad. I guess 2 months of preparing has gone
to waste. I’m cancelling our contract.”
“But Mr Riazada-”
“Look Sandra, it’s nothing personal. I just like competent
people to work with. And no offence, but nearly all the staff at LL are
incompetent.”
“Sir-”
“And besides, I don’t really care if I lose this contract, I
have a lot more lining up for me.”
“Mr-”
“Have you even asked her?”
“No sir.”
Arnav punched the bag to contain his anger. “Then how on
Earth do you know she doesn’t want to continue?!”
“Because-”
“No, no because. Ask her now and tell her the consequences
of saying no to Mr Arnav Singh Riazada. I’m trying to be reasonable Sandra but
I’m in a bad mood.” With that he cut the call and resumed with his boxing.
London, Lawson’s Limited
Sandra looked at Logan, who had heard every word. He really
needed this deal and Arnav knew it. The company wasn’t doing as well as it used
to. Especially with his heart condition and now Khushi’s memory loss.
He sighed. “Sandra, call Amba and put the call through to my
office.” He moved to his office and waited for the call. A few seconds later
the phone rang and he picked it up.
“Hey Logan ,
what’s up.”
“Amba, I need to talk to you about something important.”
“Ok.”
“I need you to come back to work.”
Amba was shocked. “What! But you said that I could-”
“I know I know. I hate myself for bringing you in but I need
you. The company needs you.”
Amba didn’t buy it. “What’s really going on?”
“Mr. Riazada doesn’t want anyone but you dealing with this
project.”
“Why?!” She was flabbergasted, she couldn’t believe it.
“He’s threatening to pull the project unless you lead it.”
“I’ve been working from home. Haven’t you got my stuff that
I sent?”
“He wants you to be actually there and not interactively.”
Amba got an idea. “Where is he now?”
“Back in India ,
why?”
“Will the project work if I go to India
and work with him?”
“No reason, I’ll ask dad about it and I’ll get back to you.”
“Unfortunately, I need an answer by today.”
Amba bit her lip. She knew it was going to be hard to
convince her dad to let her go to India
but she had a plan. “That’s fine.” She cut the call and did a little happy
dance. To be honest, when Logan
asked her to come in for work she had been ecstatic. She’d been bored to death
these past weeks and the fact that nothing seemed to help her mother remember
was getting her frustrated. On top of that she had no way of taking out that
frustration any more.
Amba left her room and walked downstairs to find Khushi
looking at Nik’s wedding pictures. Khushi saw Amba coming down the stair and
waved her over.
“Nik’s wedding was beautiful.” She said as she flicked over
more picture.
“It was pretty magical.”
Khushi stopped at one of the pictures and looked at Amba.
Amba could tell that Khushi was a bit hesitant but she remained patient,
waiting for her to speak.
“Amba, was Loganji and I close?” She blushed when she said Logan ’s
name.
Amba smirked. “Why would you ask that?”
Khushi got all flustered. “No I mean, umm, what I mean to
say is, uumm-”
Amba burst out laughing and Khushi realised she was teasing
her. She hit Amba lightly and blushed a lot more.
Amba held her ears. “I’m sorry. Yeah Logan and you were very
close. You visit often and he’s been our neighbour for years, I always knew
there was something going on between you two.”
“Besharam! What about his wife?”
Amba’s smile dropped and she sobered quickly. “They were
both in a car accident when Logan
was 10. His wife died instantly and he was put in intensive care for a long
time. We practically raised Logan
after that.”
Khushi had a confused expression on her face. “How can Logan
be married when he was 10?”
“They had a son also called Logan .
We sometimes call him LJ.”
She had a distant look in her eyes. “NK.”
“What?”
“No it’s this fuzzy memory I have of someone asking me to
call them NK.”
Amba tried not to get her hopes up as Khushi had been doing
this for the past 2 weeks. “Do you remember anything else?”
Khushi frowned and tried really hard to remember anything
but nothing came to her. “Sorry.” She whispered.
Amba sighed and put on a smile. “It’s ok, it’s only been 2
weeks. Do you know where dad is I need to talk to him.”
“He went out shopping for a few things.”
Just as Khushi finished her sentence, Karan walked in with
his hands full of grocery bags. Amba and Khushi went over to help him. They put
the bags in the kitchen and then Karan got a call. As soon as he saw who the
caller was he left the house. Khushi looked questioningly at Amba, Amba
shrugged and began to put all the groceries in their right places.
When Karan was sure he’d gained a little distance from the
house he picked up his phone. “I didn’t think I’d ever hear from you. What!
He’s out! How’s that possible? Fuck that! And they actually believed him? Ooh
he’s good. No I’m not compromising on the safety of my family; I know exactly
what he’s capable of. I want a restraining order on him. And I want our files
classified. Thanks Matt, I owe you one. Yeah, I agree with you. India
seems like the only logical option. Alright bye.”
Karan sighed and pulled at his hair. He was so tired. Tired
of protecting everyone, of keeping secrets, tired of everything. He wanted to
march back in the house and tell Amba and Khushi the whole truth and nothing
but the truth. He swallowed his urge and put on the mask of a man in control.
He pulled out his phone and made a call. “Hey Rhiannon. I
need 3 tickets to India .
First class. Preferable in the next 3 days. Thanks, you’re the best.”
He walked back to the house and asked Amba to meet him in
the garden. There were 4 chairs and a table in the middle but Amba went towards
the swing. Karan pulled up a chair next to her as she lightly swung on the
swing.
“Amba.”
“Yes dad.”
“I know how hard this must be for you.”
“Yeah?”
“How good is your Hindi now?”
“I can get by, why?”
He took a deep breath. “I think we need to go to India .”
She surprised him by saying, “I think so too.”
“Umm good. Pack your bags, we leave in 3 days.” He stood to
go.
“Umm dad I need to tell you something.” He turned around and
waited for her to continue. “Umm have you told Nik?”
“I’ll call to tell him and the Logan’s in a while but that’s
not what you wanted to tell me.”
“Logan ’s calling
me back in for work.” Karan’s jaw dropped. “No, I said I could work from India .
I know you can’t get any holidays right now. I’ll keep my meetings short and
mum has family there. I promise I’ll keep an eye on her and I won’t put my work
first.”
Karan rubbed his forehead. “Fine. You know if I could raise
you kids again, I’d be stricter.”
Amba pouted and gave him her puppy dog eyes. “I love you.”
Karan melted. “I love you too. Now go and pack.”
She skipped off to her room but not before she gave him a
quick peck on his cheek.
Karan went inside and found Khushi admiring Logan Sr’s
photos. He raised an eyebrow but didn’t do anything about it.
“Khushi?”
Khushi was startled and immediately began to flick through
the pictures, pretending that she wasn’t focusing on Logan .
“Yes.”
“We’re going to India
in 3 days, pack your bags.”
Khushi squealed and launched herself at Karan. “I finally
get to go home?”
“You finally get to go home.” He whispered as his eyes filled with water.
Amba went to her room and called Logan .
“Hello.”
“Logan , I’m
leaving for India
in 3 days, send over whatever I need.”
“Wow that was quick. Why 3 days?”
“We’re taking mum over so I thought why not.”
“There’s no other way for her memory to come back.”
“I’ll send over whatever you need. Can you ask Karan to call
me?”
“He will do in a bit.”
“Amba thank you so much.”
“No problem.”
Arnav Singh Riazada was dealing with his sister in crazy
wedding mode when a call came for him. He was thankful for the distraction and
slipped away, leaving her prattling on about something or other.
“Hello.”
“Mr Riazada, she’s agreed to take back the project.”
He smirked. “I’m glad to hear that Sandra.”
“There’s just one thing, she’ll be going to India
to do her work.”
“Why?”
“Family stuff, I’m not authorised to say. Will that be a
problem for you?”
“No, she’d have needed to come to India
anyway. The thing is I’m not in my Delhi
branch, send her to Lucknow .”
“Ok, goodbye Mr Riazada.”
“Bye Sandra.”
He cut the call and smiled. Finally it seemed like things
were going his way.
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