Chapter Eight - Silver Linings

The room had quietened down, after viciously celebrating Arnav’s win. Arnav smiled a devilish smirk – things like winning in organised street-fights were bound to happen when you start of your career as a street fighter. But what these people wont know, couldn’t hurt them. A siren suddenly blared through the room. It was time to see who had placed bets on Arnav.

 

“Ms. Khushi Gupta placed a bet of 40 million dollars that Mr. Raizada would win, with just one injury to his face”

 

Arnav let the announcers blare become a faint buzz in the background. He lightly brushed his fingers against the small cut on his face. Something close to a grin lit up his face. So much for throwing handkerchief’s in the dustbin – challenge posed by Khushi Klepto Gupta wasn’t going to be as difficult as he had thought.

 

And in any case, he was Arnav Singh Raizada. And he always had to win, in the end.

 

* * *

 

“Leave us alone” Devyani commanded, as Lavanya stood in the centre of the room, stark naked. The circle of girls walked out quietly. It was futile to try and oppose Devyani, here she was at power. This was her circle – vicious and merciless. The last to trail out was Anjali. There was a certain indecisiveness in her steps, like she’d rather stay back. Anjali could feel Lavanya’s eyes appealing mercy to her back, however Anjali ignored it. She neared the door, and turned just in time to see the blue-grey eye appealing for help. Then her eye fell on Devyani’s, looking back at her with vicious, unveiled anger.

 

With a fleeting stab of pity, Anjali closed the door.

 

Anjali walked slowly back to her room. The stabbing of pity became deeper, like gouges from her conscience. All the girls felt pity for the girl, but Anjali felt it more deeply. For she knew what was happening in the closed door. For Anjali had been there, behind the closed doors, once upon a time. She knew the acrid taste of fear, the waves of disgust which followed.

 

What would your baba say? Suddenly her conscience prodded her. The memories of the happier days hit her with full force. She knew what her father would say. With a sigh, she wheeled back and ran towards the door. She knocked politely and entered. The most horrific sight greeted her eye. Devyani, half naked and Lavanya with tears down her eyes. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if this was how she would have looked to an outsider. She pulled herself together, and looked into Devyani’s eyes. “Devyani, the commissioner wants her” pointing to Lavanya. “Won’t settle for anything else”

 

Devyani closed her eyes. She smiled a ghoulish smile. “The customer comes first.” They were free to go.

 

Lavanya dressed with surprising speed, and the women quickly ran out of the door. “Thank You” she whispered shakily to Anjali, once Devyani was out of earshot. “You better be worth it” Anjali replied dryly, before walking back to her room.

 

* * *

 

Payal was having a surprisingly good day. For starters, she had scraped enough money to pay off Govindan. Today was a day to celebrate; the café was finally free of debt. The sun seemed a little bright to her, and her smile, even brighter.

 

The noise at the café abruptly thinned, and Payal looked up with surprise... and then shock. The click-clack of the shoes against the cracked linoleum seemed to her like a death knell.

 

Khushi Kumari Gupta in her café, again.

 

“What can I get you, ma’am?” Payal asked with supreme effort. Khushi looked back at the clearly frightened woman with impatience. “I’m here to make you a business deal. When will you shut off the café?”

 

The noise in the café began to swell again. “Today being Monday, I’ll be closing the café early, by around one”

 

Khushi glanced at her watch, it was twelve-forty five right now. Which meant Khushi would have to wait for 15 minutes. “Great, I’ll wait here”

 

Twenty minutes later, when Payal finally flipped the closed sign on the door, and turned to Khushi, her fears were abruptly stilled.

 

“So Anamika” Khushi began, examining her nails. “I have a business proposition for you. You cook pretty darn well, and I have always wanted to own a restaurant. What do you say, we collaborate? You will handle the kitchen, I’ll handle the business. You will not have to worry about accommodations, and you will be paid. Quite well.

 

Payal glanced around the cracked linoleum floor, at the mismatched chairs. She weighed in her mind all the pro’s and cons. She knew that if she took up the job, her little lie would be caught. On the other hand... this was a chance to finally escape this life of poverty and struggle. What should she do?

 

Payal glanced at Khushi’s face.

 

“I’ll take it” Payal said, heaving a sigh of defeat. “But...”

 

“We’ll fix the details of your contract later. Please do not speak about our little discussion to anybody. From now on, you are an employee of mine, and your first and foremost priority should be that nobody should know what you are to me. I hope that is understood?”

 

Payal grimaced and nodded.

 

Khushi walked out quickly, leaving Payal sitting weakly on the chair. With a sudden sob, Payal ran into her kitchen. One little line running in her head, again and again.

 

Nobody should know what you are to me...

 

Unknowingly, Khushi had touched a raw nerve with Payal. And for a moment, Payal hated Khushi.

 

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