HWGA Chapter 16: Kids Are Hard To Control

I know I'm super late in updating this story and I'm really sorry, I got caught up in college stuff again. I also apologise that it's short. The purple bits are meant to be Hindi and italics are thoughts. Enjoy :)

Chapter 16: Kids Are Hard To Control

Gupta Haveli

Karan was in his room, whilst a concerned Khushi applied ice to his black eye, tended to his bust lip and bruised knuckles, when his phone rang.

“Hold on Khushi, this could be important.”

Khushi stopped dabbing his split lip and looked at him. “What’s more important than your health?”

“A lot of things, so please stop.”

She rolled her eyes. “Men!” she murmured and left.

As soon as she was gone, Karan picked up the phone. “Yes Logan?”

“What have you done Karan?” he asked exasperatedly.

“What do you mean?”

“Arman just called up Sandra.”

“Who?”

“Mr Raizada’s assistant. He was trying to convince her to convince me to fire you.”

“What?”

“Yep. I must say, Arnav works fast. I mean he has a lot of dirt on you; from your days as a stripper to your womanizing tendencies.”

“Wow.” Karan smirked, “I must’ve really pissed him off.”

“It’s not funny Karan, what did you do?”

“How did you respond to all this dirt?”

“Sandra said that she’d speak to me and get back to him. Karan what did you do?!”

“Do me a favour and don’t tell him we’re friends. Oh and I beat him up.”

Logan was outraged. “You did what?!”

“He asked for it.”

“I somehow very much doubt he asked for it.”

“Hey! He was the one who threw the first punch.” Karan said defensively.

“You know what, I don’t care. Does he even realise that you are the head photographer for the shoot and the show?”

“He hardly thinks with his head when he’s angry, Khushi told me. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. If you fire me, he can get another photographer.”

“Karan I don’t want to fire you.”

“Logan, you’ll lose business if you don’t. Besides, I want to stay here and look after Amba and Khushi and firing me will allow me to do that. So in a way, Arnav has really helped me.”

“I’m not going to fire you.”

“Then give me time off and hire a new photographer quickly.”

“Your family is so bad for my business.”

“But you love us anyway.”

“It’s true.” There was a pause. “How are they?”

“Khushi’s still the same. I think Amba is doing a bit better.”

“That’s good.”

“Hey Logan, thanks. I’m going to go and deliver the good news to Arnav.”

“Please don’t get in to any more fights with Arnav.”

“I make no promises.”

He cut the call before Logan could say anything and went to get ready. He went downstairs after he got ready.

“Where are you going?” asked Khushi as she caught him trying to sneak out.

Karan gave her a guilty look. “To pick up Amba, she doesn’t know her way around town.”

“You’re not going anywhere!” She ordered.

“Khushi, I’m fine. Stop fussing.”

“At least take one of the servants with you.” She insisted.

“Fine. Meena!” he shouted.

There was a sound of small feet and then a little girl came running towards them.

“Yes Karan Bhaiya?”

“I meant an adult Karan.” Said Khushi firmly.

Karan ignored Khushi. “Do you want to go with me to pick up Amba Didi?”

“Yes I do!” she jumped in joy and ran out.

Karan watched her run out in fondness while Khushi scowled.

“Karan-”

“You know I really like Meena.”

“I can see that but-”

“She reminds me of you when you were younger.”

Khushi’s features softened. “Aww Karan, that’s so sweet. Wait! Sweet talking won’t-”

But Karan had already run out the door.

AR, Lucknow

Amba had just finished her presentation. She looked towards ASR who had a neutral expression on his face.

“That was impressive. Did you do all of that by yourself?”

“Thank you and yes I did.”

“So young yet so talented.”

“I gather you were about my age when you started to build your empire Mr Raizada, so age doesn’t really affect talent.”

Arnav smirked. “I’m going to make a few small changes but otherwise I’m ready to go through your proposal.”

Amba smiled and shook his hand. They could hear a commotion outside before a small girl burst in through the doors with two men following close behind.

“What the hell Arman!” ASR burst out.

“I’m sorry sir-”

“No I’m sorry.” Arnav turned to look at the person who had spoken. When he saw who it was, he’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Kids are hard to control. I was just here to pick Amba up because she doesn’t know her way around Lucknow well enough but Meena wanted to go exploring.”

“Sorry uncle.” Meena said to Arnav, whilst holding her ears.

“It’s ok, it happens.” Arnav smiled at Meena.

“Ok, since everything’s ok, let’s go dad.” Said Amba as she tried to push Karan out of the door.

“Hold on Amba, I just want to talk to Mr Raizada for a moment.”

“Dad.” Amba pleaded with her eyes.

“I will only talk.” He whispered in her ear. “Unless he starts getting physical, in which case I will defend my self.”

“Please don’t let it get to that.”

“I won’t if he doesn’t. Take Meena and wait in the car.”

Amba gave him an uncertain look before she took Meena and went out. Arman stood in the room until ASR gave him a nod to leave. When they were finally alone, Arnav sat down and motioned for Karan to do the same.

“Mr Malik, how may I help you?”

“I just wanted to come and thank you in person.”

“What for?” Arnav asked in a confused tone.

“For getting me fired.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Did you know I was the head photographer for this project?”

Arnav’s eyes widened but he gave no other reaction. “I wasn’t aware.”

“I free lance so I can get another job easily but you could easily sabotage that too couldn’t you?”

“Perhaps.”

Karan smirked. “I’d like to thank you for my unemployment because this mean I get to stay in India and take care of Khushi.” Arnav’s jaws and fists clenched. Karan leaned in so he was inches away from Arnav’s face. “This time I’m going to protect her properly so you won’t even get a chance to talk to her never mind hurt her. So thank you for this opportunity Mr Raizada. I wasn’t able to do it in the past but I’m going to make sure I’m there for her now and you made that all possible.”

Karan smiled at a raged Arnav and left his conference room. He had barely stepped outside when he heard the sound of things being broken. His smile widen as he walked away.

Today is a great day.

As he walked into the car park his eyes met a concerned Amba’s.

“I didn’t touch him I promise.”

Amba let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

Over the next few weeks, Payal and Akash brought their children over to meet Khushi and Khushi had gone over to the Sheesh Mahal to meet them too. Arnav had tried to sneak in to the Haveli may times but he would never get passed the guards that Karan had employed no matter what he tried. They would make sure that Arnav was at work when Karan took Khushi over to the Sheesh Mahal but even then they wouldn’t stay too long.

“Karan, why do I get an uneasy feeling?” Khushi had asked Karan the first time she was getting ready to go to the Sheesh.

“Must be Buaji’s cooking.” He had joked.

“I’m being serious Karan, something doesn’t feel right.”

Karan frowned and looked her in the eyes. “I promise if you feel unwell we’ll come straight home ok?”

“Ok.”

They had gotten a warm welcome as soon as they had arrived. Payal had introduced Khushi and Karan to everyone and vice versa.

“I would introduce you to NK but he and Arnavji had a little disagreement so he’s staying in a hotel until his wife and kids come.” Said Payal.

“Who’s NK?” asked Khushi.

“Only your best friend ever.” said Karan.

“I thought you were my best friend?” pouted Khushi.

“True. Your second best friend ever.”

“I can’t wait to meet my second best friend.” Khushi said with glee.

“Khushiji?” Khushi turned to see who had called her name. “I’m really sorry Khushiji.”

“Who’s that?” whispered Khushi to Payal.

“That’s Anjiliji, Arnavji’s sister and the mother of the bride.”

“She makes me feel slightly uneasy.” Payal gave her a disapproving. Khushi turned to address Anjili, “Why are you sorry Anjiliji?”

“About everything.” Anjili said earnestly. Khushi gave her a puzzled look. “About you losing your memory and everything.”

“Oh yeah. You don’t have to be sorry. Congratulations on your daughter’s wedding.”

“Thank you.”

The rest of the visit had been uneventful but whenever Khushi came to the Sheesh Mahal, she’d make it a point to avoid Anjili as much as possible.

Amba had been given strict instructions from her father to keep Arnav occupied as much as possible. This wasn’t very hard as their deadline was nearing and there was still so much to do. Still Amba would make sure to get him to the office by 5am and make him leave at 11pm the latest. Arnav was getting irritated that he hadn’t seen Khushi since that day he had fought with Karan. Knowing that she was in the same city as him and the fact that she came to his house regularly and he wasn’t able to meet her, was killing him.

“Why don’t we work from the Sheesh Mahal?” Arnav had suggested one day.

Amba raised an eyebrow. “That’s highly unprofessional Mr Raizada. I prefer to keep business and personal things separate.”

 This frustrated him to no end and he ended up lashing out at work, especially to Arman and Amba. Though Arman stood there and took everything ASR threw at him, Amba was less lenient. She always gave back as good as she got. She was so much like Khushi that it angered him further. Only one thing kept him going; the sangeet was in a few days and he knew Khushi would be coming to the Sheesh Mahal. This was the only thing that was keeping him sane, keeping him from kidnapping her and taking her away from everyone else. He had waited 22 years for her, a few days of torture were nothing compared to the promise of having her love forever.