Hellooooooo guyssss,

So, here I am with the first update of the week!! Apologies, for the one-day delay. Also please, note, I posted a snapshot of Raizada Family Tree yesterday. Please go through it once, before reading the update.

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for you precious support over all this time to me. Thank you for all your support and patience.

Word Count – 8.2K words.

And I shall now let you all dive in without further delay!

.............................................



20. Discovery * Hysteria

A couple of Hours later

Nearing 1:30 PM – Ooty

Khushi's POV

I can't help but smile as Arnav asks me for the hundredth time in a subtle whisper leaning closer, sideways, given that we are huddled in together cozily at the backseat of the cab that is taking us to Raizada family home – " Khushi, are you sure?? That I am unrecognizable?? Please reassure it to me once again. Thank you for being patient with my ordeal. I just cannot help but seek your constant reassurance, because, well, I do not wish to freak out a family descendant, from the very get go....,"and he goes onto readjust the turban on his head and beard and moustache get up.

Well, of course, Arnav had planned to meet the current Raizada generation under disguise. You know, just in case, any of them had seen his picture off him in family generation pictures from prior. His plan was to dawn a mask and cap over his head initially, to guise himself, because, initially, we were to meet Akshay and the broker at the land parcel for sale. But then, a sudden call from the broker had changed his disguise plans.

We have been invited to Raizada estate for lunch instead. Although, we'v been wondering, what led to the change in plan, Arnav decided that if were going to be eating lunch with his descendants, better he dawn a deeper form of disguise. Hence, he turned to his Plan B. Now, he's got a turban on his head. A heavy beard and moustache dawning his face. Super enigmatic to my eye.I chuckle and reassure him tugging on his turban lovingly – " I assure you, my love, you look nothing like your actual self at all. Trust me, I would have been fooled myself, if I hadn't seen you dawn the disguise..."

He frowns adorably – " Are you sure? Khushi??"

I nod again – " Indeed, I am..."

He says now taking out the pair of huge black rimmed glasses from my handbag – " I do think, its imperative, to put on these glasses as well.Just as a cover up on my eyes. What say?,"and he puts it on and looks back at me for reconfirmation – " how do I look??"

I grin and fickle his nose lovingly – " Exactly like, Arshbir Singha and not Arnav Singh Raizada at all..."

We'v obviously come up with a false name for him to introduce himself to Akshay Singh Raizada with. The cover up additionally is going be that he is a colleague of mine, working with me at my restoration project in Red Fort. And when he got to know, I would be visiting Ooty on the weekend, he decided to accompany as well, given that he'd always wanted to visit the place.

Arnav smiles now in relief and leans his head back in the seat– " Great...,"and he asks looking back at me – " I still don't understand, why the sudden change in plan though from their end??"

I nod looking into my phone, analysing the location of their home, which had been shared by the broker – " I guess, we will know, in five minutes, because, google maps tells me, we are just about five minutes away from our location..."

Arnav nods.

I lace my hand into his and ask – " Nervous much??"

He shakes his head – " Nah. Not much..,"and then smiles and gestures with his fingers whispering into my ears– " perhaps, just a little. I mean, its not every day, an ancestor gets to meet one of his descendants, as a younger version of himself..."

I admit smiling – "Well, the circumstances, are indeed unusual...,"and he clutches on my hand back, smiling down at me warmly – " thank you, Khushi. For being with me, at every step on the way.."

That earns him a punch on his arm – " really?? you are going to thank me now???????"

He fakes being hurt on the arm and admits mischievously – " Godammit, you woman, that's a solid punch you got there in your fist.."

And we end up sharing a happy chuckle and we lace our hands together and gaze into each other's eyes momentarily and I whisper – " It will be okay. Alright? I am sure, everything will be okay. Don't be nervous. I am right here with you. I am sure, we will hear, that all of you were able to migrate here well in time, safe and sound..."

He kisses on my hand and smiles – " I am desperately hoping to hear the same..."

I nod – " I know...,"and I fickle his nose lovingly again – "As am I..."

And right then, we are distracted, because the car comes to a halt, outside huge gates and our eyes collectively fall onto the name plate next to the gates - RAIZADA ESTATE. The security guard on duty comes to ask our names, and I quickly inform him that we are scheduled to meet Akshay Singh Raizada. Stepping aside,he uses the walkie talkie in his hand to reconfirm the same, and a second, later, he pops back near the window of the car and nods, gesturing the cab driver to head right in as the other security guard opens the gates.

The cab driver drives in through and the very first thought in my head as we find ourselves looking around the lush greenery/elevation around us as we drive through the roads up and across is – WOW!!!

Surely, Arnav's family home, stands right in the middle of this huge estate. No wonder, they named it – Raizada Estate. As I look around, the massive lush landscape spanning acres and acres of land, I confess in a whisper to Arnav – " Arnav, you see, this don't you?? This estate is freaking massive.Got to be over 20 acres..at least..."

He nods looking around it all in complete fascination as well – " I agree. Probably around 25 acres. It's beautiful here, Khushi. Look how amazingly, the entire landscape around has been maintained..."

I smile – " I agree. Its so serene here, Arnav. So lush, green and serene. Just like it would feel in a typical English countryside..."

He smiles – " I agree...,"and then admits with a wink – " full marks to our descendants for maintaining this sort off landscape. One's got be a devoted lover for greenery to maintain an estate as huge as this surrounding the family home..."

I second him on that with a nod!

And just right then, the house, comes into my vision and my jaw literally drops open. No, no, no. One cannot term this a house.Why? Because - it's a full blown mansion. A Georgian Colonial Vintage Style Mansion.

Jeezzzzz!!! This is massive!! I gape at Arnav – " Wait, that could be your family home??"

He chuckles at the shocked expression on my face – " Maybe..,"and as the car comes to a halt in front of the main door near the main porch – he smiles – " Time to discover just that..."

I nod gulping down my shock, and step out putting a smile on my face. Had no other option – given that we spotted – Akshay Singh Raizada step right out the main door just then, with a gorgeous woman to his side, which I am assuming would be his wife.

A staff member of the Raizada's comes around, gesturing to the driver to park his car on the other end and the driver gets on with doing just that. Arnav and me exchange a knowing look a second before, Akshay and his wife reached us. I gesture him not to worry about his disguise at all. He nods back, acknowledging the gesture. I can sense he's quite overwhelmed in the moment, but is doing well to cover it up.

Right then, we both look upfront, as we hear Akshay Singh Raizada say politely, looking at me first, a warm welcoming smile dawning his lips, as he gives his hand out for a shake – " And you must be Khushi Gupta. Hello, Khushi. Lovely to meet you. I am Akshay Singh Raizada and this is my wife, Pia. We are so very happy to welcome you to our home..."

I nod and shake his hand – " Hello Akshay. I am Khushi, yes...,"and then I shake Pia's hand – " hello...Pia..."

She smiles, warmly, kindness shining in her eyes – " Hello...Khushi..."

And I finally go onto introduce Arnav, who strangely, seems to have a calm vibe take over him as he gazes at Akshay – " and this is my very dear friend and colleague, Arshbir Singha. He's working with me, in the restoration project at Red Fort. When I told him, I would be visiting Ooty over the weekend, he decided to come along and explore as well..."

Arnav shakes Akshay's hand and smiles – " I have always wanted to visit Ooty. Never got the chance prior. So I thought, why not make the most of it, now...,"and he then shakes Pia's hand as well.

Pia smiles warmly at Arnav – " Oh, we love our Ooty quite devotedly. So glad, you decided, to explore it along with Khushi. Perhaps, we are biased for its home for us, but we reckon, one would have to agree that the vibe around here in our Ooty,right in the heart off Nilgiri hills has to be amongst one off the most gorgeous and serene vibes in the whole wide world..."

Arnav and me end up answering in unison to that smiling - " well, you are right about that, indeed...."

Akshay smiles warmly – " and we are so very glad to hear you both say, that you agree...,"and then he gestures us to walk with him to the lush lawns – " come on in, please? We have arranged for our lunch, in the back gardens by the pool, given that it's such a pleasant, warm day today..."

Arnav and me nod and follow Akshay and Pia as they lead us through around, the mansion to the lunch spot, and we engage in a brief conversation about the lovely weather.

I ask Pia, if she belonged to Ooty as well and she answers – that her family lived in Conoor. She'd known Akshay all her life, almost, given that they went to the same school here in Ooty – The Good Shepherd International School. I couldn't help but smile at that. It seems, there story would surely be on the lines of childhood sweethearts. I did not pry on the same further, though.

Once, we were finally seated in our seats – and had finished drinking our respective glass of water - I couldn't help but ask now gesturing towards the main house which was now behind us – knowing that Arnav would be dying to know the answer to it too – " You have a lovely home, Akshay and Pia. Have the Raizada's always lived here?? I mean, is it like a generational family home or something?? The archaeologist in me is curious, because of the georgian colonial vintage architecture. The exterior architecture of your home surely dates way back into time..."

Akshay nodded and smiled – " Thank you, Khushi. Yes, you are right. It's been our family home, since 1947, indeed. Our ancestors bought it from an illustrious British officer, back in the day.The generations of our families, have mainly lived here since. We'v all grown up here, went to school here, lived here pretty much all our lives, expect for the time, we have spent abroad for our higher studies, before returning back home, to join in the family business...,"and he paused to look back at his home lovingly – " You can say, I have lived here most of my life as well, expect for the time, I spent in the UK, for my higher studies..."

Arnav asks suddenly to that – " You studied in the UK??"

Now that gave us a chance to strive conversation further and we hear Akshay answer nodding – " Indeed. I did my undergrad and postgrad in business management at Warwick Business School, before returning home for good. Even my younger sisters went to Warwick..."

Pia smiles – " We were at college together, in Warwick, as well.." That reconfirms my childhood sweetheart theory about the two. My bet is, they'v just always been together.

I ask now – " And your sisters? Are they here now?"

Akshay smiles – "No. They are not here. They are both happily married and settled, in Bangalore, as of now.."

Arnav nods – taking the information in. " That is great, Akshay..."

Akshay smiles – " So,we are a huge clan that lives here, you know. We, Raizada's love our quiet, serene life here away from the metropolitan's hustle bustle. We are extreme workaholics though. We devote all our time to just work,home and family, on the usual. But, you see, just the two of us here right now, because mostly everyone else is travelling for the summer holidays..."

Pia chips in – " Obviously, Akshay, Anubhav and Abir make it a point that one of them, is here in Ooty at all times....,"and she pauses, because the staff members begin to serve us lunch.

We nod. I steal a look at Arnav sideways. I know, he's dying to know all those familial details about their huge clan that lives here but we also can't dive into it just like that without coming across as suspicious. We begin to eat. Minutes later, Akshay adds taking a bite of his plate – " Infact, Khushi, one of my maternal cousins, is attending your brother class at summer school in Oxford, currently...."

Now, that takes us both by surprise! I steal a glance at Arnav. His eyes have widened as well.If someone, named Raizada was attending bhai's summer classes at Oxford, he would have connected the dots and I ask – " really? is she?? What's her name?"

Pia answers – " Mania Singhania..."

Arnav nods instantly looking at Akshay – " Your maternal cousin, as you said...,"and gives me a side look subtly – as if to say – no wonder the surname is not Raizada...

I take a bite of my food. Arnav does the same.

Akshay nods – " Indeed, she is my masi's daughter and she speaks quite highly off your brother. When she got to know, we would be meeting you, she insisted that we invite you for a meal, at home...first..."

Oh – now I get it. That is why, the change of plan. He will take us to see the land parcels, later on, I am assuming. I smile – " thank you. Its so very gracious of you, to invite us over for lunch, first,"and I continue to eat. I look at Pia – " the food is wonderful..."

Arnav seconds me on that. Pia mentions, that she'd asked the cook to prepare all of the family's favourites local cuisine for us. We continue casual chatter for a bit revolving around Ooty's local cuisine, etc etc. The conversation then turns to me.Akshay and Pia then ask me, if I'v always lived in Oxford all my life, and our familial history of migration to the UK and the rest of the conversation for the next many minutes evolves around that as we go through lunch. I give them my entire family history – hoping that would eventually make them open up about theirs without us coming across as suspicious in anyway. Arnav keeps chipping in with one liner's here and there as well. I understand, why he is choosing to be more of the listener in the conversation, throughout. He's surely just overwhelmed observing on Akshay...all along....

He's a Raizada descendant afterall. When Arnav, first landed here, the last thing he imagined was a moment, like this...

Minutes pass by in casual conversations and to their credit, Akshay and Pia, are really friendly and grounded. I like the couple – already. Once, we have finished our lunch, and the staff has taken the plates away, Pia asks Arnav – " And what about you?We'v heard all about Khushi.You didn't tell us, if you live in the UK as well, Mr. Arshbir...? Do you??"

Arnav answers being as honest as he could momentarily – " I live in Oxford, as well, yes, I do, as of now, at least..."

Akshay was quick to catch on that – " as of now, at least? Are you planning to relocate from Oxford??Where to??"

I chip in instantly for Arnav candidly – " He might move back to Cambridge. You know because he studied there. He fancies Cambridge way more than Oxford, although, I don't quite understand why. Oxford's way better...."

Arnav shoots me a silent thank you from his eye – sideways. We both hear Akshay ask suddenly to that interested – " Really? You studied at Cambridge????"

Arnav nods – " Indeed, I did. Why? Akshay? Do I spot interest in your voice?? Did you want to study at Cambridge as well?"

Akshay chuckles – " Indeed, I did want to. But I didn't get through. One needs to be quite the scholar, to get into undergrad at Cambridge and whilst I'v been an excellent student throughout. Not excellent enough for Cambridge. Which is why, its so interesting to hear you say that you studied at Cambridge. Infact, most of us, Raizada's from the previous generation and mine have pursued our higher education in the UK or the US, but there's only one member of our Raizada family who was a scholar enough to get into Cambridge and study there. He studied literature, there...way back in time....."

Ahaa – exactly, where we want this conversation to steer. Arnav and me both know, this very person in context is – HIM.

Arnav asks curiosity evident in his voice – " Really? Who is this family member??if you don't mind me asking???"

Akshay answers, a thoughtful line taking over his forhead – " No, I don't mind you asking at all. So, its no one from our current generation, though. One of my ancestors, actually. My grand-uncle by blood. My grandfather's, Aakash Singh Raizada's elder first cousin.His name was Arnav Singh Raizada. Infact, not only did he study Literature at Cambridge, he also taught, at Oxford eventually in 1940's..."

So, here we go.Arnav's theory was right. Akshay is an extension of his cousin Aakash's bloodline. Okay, now suddenly, I feel like, I can't beat around the bush anymore – and keep talking to them – under the pretext of general conversations. I need to seek out answers that we are actually here for. I am sure, Arnav feels the same. He just clutched on my hand underneath the table, in a gesture that reconfirms the same.

Now that we had finished eating, I clutch on Arnav's right hand with my left under the table and answer Akshay – " Really? That is so very interesting to know...Akshay. I mean, the coincidence is wonderful.Who would have thought, or imagined the coincidence, that one of your ancestors actually taught at Oxford as well??"

Arnav clutches my hand harder – at that.

To our surprise though, its Akshay who gets all serious suddenly as he admits, post wiping his hands with a napkin, exchanging a look with his wife , Pia – "I must be honest, here, Khushi. The reason why we invited you over for lunch instead, was to make it up to you, actually..."

I gape at Akshay puzzled – " huh?? what do you mean??"

Akshay sighs – " I mean, I have had a change of heart,Khushi. I am not interested in selling any portion of my ancestral land here in Ooty any longer...,"and he pauses and shoots me an apologetic look – " I am sorry. It was a sudden realisation that came a couple of hours prior,that I just can't do it. I won't sell it. But better late, than ever.We figured, you travelled all the way here on your brother's behalf, just to see those lands.We felt, it would be rude to cancel meeting you altogether. Hence, we thought, it would be better to explain in person. This is why we called you, home, instead....,"and he apologizes again – " I am sorry. But I will not be able to sell my ancestral lands. I could still show you around, if you are interested to see those land parcels the broker spoke to your brother about, but they are not up for sale, any longer..."

OKAY.

HIS CHANGE OF HEART IS QUITE SUDDEN. Wonder what led to that?

Before I could ask him, I hear Arnav ask softly curiosity still quite evident in his voice – " and why did you have this sudden change of heart, Akshay??if you don't mind me asking on Khushi's behalf. I mean, apologies, but she did travel all the way here for the same on behalf of her brother...."

I ask the same, faking momentary disappointment even though we were ever interested in buying those lands actually – " Yeah? Why the sudden change of heart Akshay?? Surely, there's got to be an explanation for the same? My brother is going to be so disappointed, you know..."

Akshay sighs – " Apologize to him on our behalf please. But it is what it is..."

Arnav and me say in unison – " well, surely you got a reason that is concrete enough for the change of heart...Akshay..."

Pia smiles at him encouragingly – " Go on, tell them.."

Akshay sighs and explains – "So, you could say, its an emotional call. That's all. Just a shortwhile ago, whilst I was in my study, gazing up at the family portraits of Raizada generations, I realised, even though both my chachu's and bua's and my siblings, cousins are in with me on this, from the perspective of wealth management, I felt deep down in my gut, that none of my second generation ancestors would approve of my action – today. I just suddenly realised that I would be doing a great dishonour to their memory, by even thinking of parting with one of our ancestral land here in Ooty. Khushi and Arshbir, you see, my second& third generational ancestors went through a lot, to restart here from scratch in Ooty post partition. They were the one's who actually went through the worst...selling everything that our family owned prior...to move here...just in time. They rebuilt everything here, from scratch...."

Arnav whispers nodding clutching on my hand in anticipation under the table – " Your ancestors, they all migrated here, from Lahore,around partition, isn't it? Khushi showed me your website. It's on it..."

Akshay nods – " exactly, they all migrated from Lahore..."

Pia adds now with a sad smile on her lips – " so, the granduncle he mentioned? Prior, the one who taught at Oxford, Arnav Singh Raizada.."

I nod, hiding my anticipation with great difficulty clutching on Arnav's hand as he clutched mine back as hard - " yes, what about him??okay, tell me, how did this whole migration come about to happen? for your ancestors, Akshay??,"and I admit because I caught Akshay shooting us a curious look – " apology for my curiosity, please? I am an archaeologist. Everything about the past fascinates me and your family seems to have such an interesting history...hence I asked....."

Akshay shrugs – " No worries...,"and he looks at Pia and she asks - " Shall I tell them or you will??"

Akshay nods – " You start, I will chip in , ofcourse..."

Arnav clutches on my hand the hardest he could – under the table. The anticipation is surely killing him. Well, it is killing me too.

Pia fills in now – " So, his grand uncle - Arnav was the one, because of whom, the family actually ended up migrating.He was the one, who actually convinced everyone to move. Even his maternal family due to him only.So the tale is such, apparently,no one was ready to move. The ancestors were quite stubborn about living in Lahore, forever, come what may.Apparently, he spent years trying to convince them, and then eventually he gave up everything in Oxford by June of 1946 to return to Lahore for good. He had made it his life's mission to get everyone out of Lahore due to the rising turmoil there, and by the end of 1946 – he was finally able to convince everyone to move..."

Arnav asks inquisitive before I could - " oh really?how did your grand-uncle finally convince everyone? By end of 1946? You mentioned, he had spent years prior.."

Akshay sighed – " well, of course, everyone back then also began to see more sense into what he had been insisting for years, given the political unrest in the air was only rising. Rumours about partition had begun, by the end off 1946, in Lahore, specially. Even though it was not official, the unrest and uncertainty was obvious.But, I guess it was also because - that my grand uncle just resorted to emotional blackmail saying that he would only marry and settle, once everyone had migrated out safely. You see by then, he was the only son of the family who hadn't married. My grandfather Aakash was married,as was the other cousin my other, granduncle – Rahul. Everyone, was desperate to see him settle down, given that he was the eldest son of that generation after all, so eventually they gave in. You know how it is in families? When nothing else works, a son's emotional blackmail with regards to his future settlement on his parent's surely will..."

To our surprise, Arnav chuckles in the moment, which he covers up saying – " well, if I were your uncle, I would have resort to emotional blackmail like that in such a situation, indeed.....,"and he paused to explain to the two as I kick him subtly under the table – " I am the eldest son in my generation too, so I understand how that might have worked...on the family..."

Akshay chuckled as well – " I would have done the same, I guess. I am the oldest in my generation as well. Emotional blackmail always worked on my parents, as well...."

Ohhh man!! I'd do anything to get a look at Arnav's face right now. I know it's taking everything off him, to hide his cheeky grin.

I asked on our collective behalf – " so what happened then?Akshay? Once, your grand -uncle Arnav convinced everyone to move here??"

Akshay answers sighing – " well, what then, by the January of 1947 as the tale in our family goes, they'd begun selling off all of Raizada's assets in Lahore. Our ancestors were one of the most affluent Zamindar family in Lahore you know. But, selling off a little over thousand acres of land, would obviously take time...right??even though it was all distress sale...."

I gape at Akshay clutching on Arnav's hand underneath harder. He never told me – his family owned a thousand acres of land in Lahore. I thought it was more on the lines few hundreds of acres – "what??? what did you just say?? A thousand acres? Are you implying that, your ancestors owned - A thousand acres of land, in Lahore, prior to partition, is it???"

Arnav musters under his breathe, soft enough for me to hear, leaning down to pick up the fallen napkin – " a little over thousand to be precise..1500 acres of land..."

Akshay nodded with pride beaming in his voice this time around – " Indeed...they did. It was about 1500 acres of land, as I am told. It just eventually took them a good six to seven months to sell everything over to the Mirza family of Karachi...who had just moved to Lahore in December 1946. They were more than happy to absorb all of our assests. They were the only one, who had the power and money to absorb it all, and see through the paperwork , fast as well.The Mirza's even took over our ancestral Haveli there...you know...eventually. In the middle of it all, though, my grandfather, grand uncle Arnav travelled to Ooty...as well...to short list on potential investments...here....infact..this very family home we live in today....was chosen by my grand uncle Arnav....as the home to be next Raizada family home. He lead the identification of all the tea estates, and the numerous acres of land, around Ooty and Conoor, that our family could use the funds to reinvest in.....eventually.Everything they chose to invest in back then,eventually became the building blocks of the business empire, we run today, guys...which is why...suddenly this morning, I felt like...I would be doing great injustice to my ancestors by even thinking of selling a portion of land, here in Ooty today. They went through so much, to rebuild it all here...."

We nod. Arnav nods in appreciation and understanding – " I understand, where you are coming from...Akshay.."

Great. Now just like that bit by bit all the pieces of the puzzle were fitting in together! I answer smiling – "No worries, Akshay. If that is your reason, I am sure, bhai will understand. I understand, where you are coming from..."

Akshay sighs in relief – " thank you so much...for your understanding. It just didn't feel right, you know..."

We nod.All we need to know, is the last very important bit, so I ask smiling – " so apparently,then, all's well, that ended well...right? I mean, all of your ancestors, did end up migrating here safely well in time before partition even happened. I am sure, your grand uncle Arnav and your grandfather Aakash made sure of that..."

To our surprise though – Akash sighs at that a sombre expression taking over all of him – " I wish, I could say, all's well that ended well, Khushi. You could say, mostly it all ended up well, but not without a heavy price to pay in return. Our ancestors did lose a very dear family member in the process, nonetheless...the dearest perhaps...none of them actually ever forgave themselves...after...blaming themselves for the death...."

Before I could ask, Arnav asks worriedly – " what do you mean? Did it not end well for everyone? Was not everyone able to migrate here safely???"

Luckily for us, Akshay and Pia think, we are so concerned and intrigued to know on this – as two listeners of their family's interesting tale...

We hear Akshay and Pia sigh collectively at that as they exchanged a knowing look – " Everyone mostly made it across safe, but him. He was the only one, who got killed in the fierce fire of communal violence on the station in Lahore, in the early morning hours of 15th August 1947..."

Arnav and me ask in unison clutching onto each other hands hardest under the table – " he...who???who got killed???????"

Akshay sighs – " My grand uncle – Arnav. The very one, who initiated the migration here for all for my ancestors. They very one who chose it all for us here to restart with. The very one who chose this family home for us to live in buying it for us from that british officer, back in the day. As fate would have it,he was the only one who did not make it here alive. He was the one, who died, in the most gruesome way, stabbed, butchered, murdered by a communal mob on the station in Lahore, in the early hours off 15th August, 1947. He was only 30.Died unmarried. He did not even receive his last rites....,"and he paused, his eyes glistening in emotion - " no one in the family ever forgave themselves after. They blamed themselves for a long time, saying, if only they'd have heard his pleas's prior...if only they'd moved prior...if only this...if only that...my grandfather...Aakash...to whom...my grand uncle Arnav was the dearest cousin...lived with a heavy baggage of guilt and remorse all his life...after....as did my grand uncle Arnav's parents and sister..."

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

DAMMIT.

GODAMMIT.

NOOOO.

Akshay did not just say that!! Arnav was the one who died on 15th August, 1947 at Lahore station, butchered, stabbed, to death by a communal mob????? He died when he was 30???????????

No way...

No freaking way...

Hysteria. Pure hysteria begins to take over all of me. I JUST DID NOT HEAR WHAT I DID.I will begin shaking and shivering any moment.i control myseld with great difficulty as hysterical tears threaten to leave my eye. Arnav's seem to be stunned in shock too. I'v clutched onto Arnav's hand under the table the hardest as good as a force as I could have cut it off. He responds back by clutching back my hand as hard – back. I know he is too stunned to even respond, so I ask covering up my bubbling hysteria with great difficulty, shock evident in my voice – " what did you just say Akshay?? He was the only one who died? But that should have been impossible right? given that everyone in the family had enough time to migrate here safely? how did this even happen????????? Your grand uncle and grandfather would have planned it all out – right?"

I pick up a glass of water with my other hand to gulp on water, in the meanwhile. Arnav goes onto do the same.

Pia answers now solemnly – " I know, it is shocking, that the one who had planned it all for the family, only did not make it here alive...Khushi...Arshbir"

Akshay explains sighing– " so mostly, the sale of all the Raizada commercial and land assets had been completed by 15th July, 1947, Khushi. Only the final transaction off the handover of our ancestral Haveli was left, given that it was decided to leave that one to sell as the last given that the family were all living there. On 16th July, 1947, it was decided that everyone else would leave Lahore in transit to Ooty, everyone but – my great grand uncle – as in Arnav's dad – because the Haveli was in his name solely. He was the only one needed there to see through the sale/handover of the Haveli to the Mirza's. But my grand uncle – Arnav did not agree to leave his father behind in such a volatile atmosphere alone. He decided to stay back with him. Looking at this, his mother, and sister decided to stay back as well. The four of them, stayed back, promising to everyone else, that they would see everyone in Ooty in a fortnights time, once the Haveli's sale had gone through. No one wanted to leave them behind, as we know. But the Mirza's guaranteed their safety. They assured that no matter what, they would help the four to get out of Lahore safely, in time. Then my grand uncle – Arnav insisted that it would be foolish for everyone to remain – so everyone else left Lahore by mid July but them.They even have a last family picture clicked together at the Haveli from that day. Anyways, the Haveli's transaction eventually finally went through by 10thAugust, 1947, but by then, the floating news of partition started thickening even more, the uncertainities, regarding borders, boundaries, was at its peak, and hence riots broke all around Lahore, from the 10th August only. You see, we know now, that the bill of partition as in the Indian independence act was accept by the political parties, in July only, but it was only announced much later to the public at large. Around the 10th of August, riots were in full swing. Everyone who was attempting to migrate was slaughtered on the spot. What followed in those days, as we are told, was complete mayhem – ofcourse. Communal riots,burnt Lahore. The Mirza's really helped. They kept the four of them, safe and sheltered in the Haveli, on all those days. But by the 14th night, the four of them knew, they had to attempt escape, nonetheless, because partition had officially come about. The Mirza's were the one who helped them plan their escape as well. They helped the four of them sneak to the station in the night time, safely, so that they could get on the departing train scheduled to depart for this side of India,by midnight...but....,"and he paused.

I can't breathe. I legit cannot breathe. I ask quite hysterically – " but what??"

Pia sighs – " but, as fate would have it, by the time, the four of them made it to the station, along with the rest trying to escape, the communal mob began nearing there as well, with marshalls alit in their hands, knives, and swords up their sleeves, which led to the train officers to prepone their departure by a good ten minutes. You see it would be too much a risk to let the communal mob get on the train, then everyone on it would have been killed..."

Akshay continues – " As my grandfather told me, it so happened, that amidst the rush, mayhem and frenzy my grand uncle Arnav – made sure he was able to get his parents and sister on the departing train first. Once, he got them on – the second last bougie off the departing train – he was running to get on it too -in the last bougie – he was the last one running on the platform to get on the train as it crossed the platform - but before he could get on it – he had been pulled back by the communal mob that had managed to infiltrate the platform running in blindly just then – ready to kill anyone on sight. And the mob was violent and angry, because they'd spotted the rest of the train departing the platform safely – so they took out all the communal anger they could on him, butchering him mercilessly to death whilst his parents and sister watched in distress and hysteria from the train departing in far vision. Oh, his parents and sister saw him die, right in front of their eyes, butchered by hundreds, stabbing him all at once and I don't think any of them got over the emotional trauma off it after until their very last breathe. As I am told, they screamed and cried for hours in sheer agony, after. It broke the hard, that they couldn't save him...."

MY HEART BREAKS...

IT SHATTERS.

IT DIES.

I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER GET OVER THE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA BY JUST LISTENING TO THIS. TO JUST IMAGINE – Arnav – meeting his end in the most gruesome ways – makes me wana die myself. Cannot even imagine, what his parents and sister must have gone through watching him get stabbed on the platform, from the departing train..

I am at the risk of blowing apart in hysteria and horror and I don't understand why – Arnav's vibe has gone all calm instead. He should be as horrified and hysterical as me, right? But, no. Suddenly, he's gone all calm on me. I can feel it in his hold in my hand. Knowing him,and his selfless streak - I guess – a part of him is just glad to hear that he was able to get his parents, sister and the rest out to safety. That only he was killed...

Dammit him!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Arnav asks calmly now as if a part of him just knew, he would have done this in the situation – pushed his parents and sister to safety first – " Oh, that is so very sad, indeed. But did his parents and sister, reach here, safely?? I mean, it would have been a pity, if they didn't make it here safely. He gave his life, making sure, they got on the train first..."

Akshay sighs - " Of course, the three of them made it here safe. But given the shock and trauma of what they had witnessed, they were not in a healthy mental state when they arrived obviously. Would you believe it? They travelled here straight making the three - day commute without a drop of water or food? They could have stopped for rest along the way in the refugee camps, but they did not. They just came straight here. And it was only then when they met the rest of the family here in Ooty, did they breakdown. The rest of the family here, had been scared to death thinking they'd have lost all four of them...in the meanwhile. They were relived to receive the three of them here, but the deep agony they all collectively felt, at the news of Arnav's death was unexplainable..."

To my dismay, I hear Arnav sigh in relief at that as he mustered underneath his breathe – soft enough for just me to hear – " thank god that at least Maa, baba and Anjali made it here safe. Time would have helped them heal..." and I swear I fight the urge to just turn the damm table upside down in front of me in sheer hysteria.

How dare he be so calm and relieved right now??????? When all of me is dying?????????????

Okay. I got to get out of here.

Now.

Right very now.

I look at Pia and say making an excuse looking down on my phone – " Akshay, Pia, sorry to interrupt our conversation but will you both excuse Arnav and me for a bit? I just received a message from our senior at work, that we need to get on a call immediately...with them...I am sorry...is there somewhere inside, where we can attend this work call? We won't take long..."

Pia and Akshay immediately nod at that and Pia says that we could use the drawing room inside, that was at the back of the house and she gets up as well to guide us there.

Arnav understands my que that I need to be alone with him now, and he stands up instantly and fakes asking me - " Oh is it Sinha sir, who messaged??"

I just nod – glaring at him hard. And we follow Pia, in silence, to the drawing room.Once, we got in there, and Pia stepped out nodding, closing the door shut in behind us – I finally let the hysteria and horror take over me as I begin to punch Arnav's shoulders, horrific tears beginning to roll down my cheeks non-stop – " how dare you??????? how dare you be so calm and relieved to know that you were the only one who died in the fire of partition dammit???? how dare you sit there and sigh in relief, dammit???? right to my face????????? how dare you???????????? how dare youuuuuu??????? How can you be so calm about this????????? When all of me is freaking dying...right now??? I can't breathe. I can't even freaking breathe...."

Arnav sighs, trying to hold my hands and to my utter horror I see a smile curve up the side of his lips and I exclaim punching his shoulders harder at that – hysterical to my very core – " did you just smile? did you just smile on me right now??? you think my hysteria is funny??? You think this is funny?? Dammit, how dare you think this is funny?????????????the news that you were the only one who was killed, is funny to you??????????"

He instantly pulls me in for a crushing hug at that in a rushed force and kisses my head and explains – " Calm down, please? Will you???Khushi??????Listen to me...please. Ofcourse, I am stunned and shocked over the discovery that I was the one who died. But, I got to find a silver lining in there, don't I? At least, I was successful in getting everyone else across safely. That had been my agenda from the very start...dammit...and you know that... "

But I cannot calm down. I pull back at him glaring hard clutching on his collar, hysterical tears leaving my eyes continuously – " Don't you freaking ask me to look for a silver lining, dammit. You may be able to. But I cannot. Oh, I surely know, you well enough down to every cell of your body to know, that you are relieved, that everyone else made it alive...but you. You were the hero of your family surely. But what about you, dammit? Did you not hear what they said? You died on the platform in Lahore in the process? You were butchered and murdered by a communal mob, stabbed to death by hundreds all at once...dammit. You were just 30. You did not even receive your final rites. How could you? When your body was butchered into pieces???"

To my horror again – Arnav's lips curved in a smile as he exclaimed trying to get a hold on my hands that were still punching him – " For a second, keeping that gruesome piece of news about my death aside,momentarily, I just have to say thank god, I will not be jeopardising the very existence of my future bloodline descendants, because, hey, guess, what, there were never any to even exist. I died unmarried. My particular bloodline, died with me..."

I gape at him – horrified to my very core. How could he even say that right now in front of me???????? Damm, he's frustrating me even more.I turn around and walk up to the wall, and aim to bang my fist on it in frustration. Before, I could get satisfaction of release through the first punch on the wall – I feel Arnav's hand come over close over my punch and he pulls me back forecefully into the warm circle of his arms and hugs me hard and whispers kissing my head – " Don't hurt yourself , please? Just breathe. Breathe, Khushi. Breathe. And hear me out...please? I am so calm right now because, the truth also is – that I am not dead yet dammit. These events are yet to unfold in my time. I am alive here, in front of you dammit. Its still 1944 for me back there. I am only 27 now.The whole point of this time travel is that – I can go back in time and change a life event remember??????? I will go back and do the needful, Khushi. I will survive..."

I hug on to him hard at that. Dammit. I'd forgotten that. Thank God, for his reminder. It helps with my hysteria. Not much though. His arms get around me the hardest in a strong hold and placing my hand over his heart – I try to calm down. I take deep breathes, letting the rhythm of his heartbeats soothe me and I admit – " We need to get out of here, Arnav. Fast. I know you wanted more information about the Raizada clan but I feel we need to speak to Rahim and Fiza , asap. They will have to explain the possibility of you changing this life event of your death to us, like what could be the probabilities? The Chances? Of you changing it successfully????You cannot die at 30, dammit. You just cannot die at 30 dammit..."

He sighs – " You are right. Let us get out of here, first. We need to talk to Rahim and Fiza on priority..."and to my utter dismay though he sighs hugging me harder, his vibe getting extremely vulnerable all of a sudden – "but what if I am fated to die at 30,nonetheless? Despite the time travel situation? What if I am fated to die at 30, Khushi? Whether I live in the past or this future? What if the fate of my soul, in this life, is to die at 30,Khushi???"

Oh, he is scared too. He's horrified as well. He's vulnerable too.He's just been trying to cover it up for my sake. I can feel it...

Damm.Despite my turmoil, I have to comfort him. Perhaps, this is what it means to be madly in love with someone. That despite you feeling like a zombie within, you would find the courage to comfort the one you love...

I pull back and cup his face and shake my head in a No – refusing to accept the mere possibility he's suggested - " No way. That is not the fate of your soul in this Life, Arnav. Listen to me, Arnav, that is not your fate.Or else, your fate wouldn't have you time travel. Your fate wants you to change this life event of your death, too...."

His eyes lock with mine as he cups my face and caresses my cheek tears glistening in his eyes - " Let's hope, that is the case."

I nod and caress his cheek – " that surely is the case Arnav..."

He whispers now holding my face snug in his hands, two lone broken tears leaving his eyes - " Thank god, I time travelled here, though dammit. Because, I met you. It would have been a pitiful life, otherwise, to have died, without experiencing love in all its glory. Now, I feel like, I cannot even imagine dying...without having met you...without feeling...everything you'v made me feel...without having loved you....without these memories I have of you, off us...,"and he pauses and then kisses my nose – " say, even if I am fated to die at 30..this time around...I'd only die...post loving you to my heart's content...Khushi...."

I put a finger on his lips at that instantly as tears leave my eyes, our gaze holding the other's all vulnerable and emotional – " Shhh...shhh....don't you say that..dammit. You are not fated to die at 30, Arnav...you are not. I will not let you die on me dammit...I will not. You will go back and undo this life event. Just go back and undo the flow of events that led to you being there on the platform on the day, and it will all change. You will be safe. You will survive......,"and just like that we lean forward to kiss each other hard in the moment- right there – in the drawing room – of the Raizada family home. We don't care if Pia or Akshay, walk in on us. All we know, is that we need each other's breathes in our system to get ourselves breathing in the moment...

Why? Because, when we walked in here, a shortwhile ago, none of us expected to come across the discovery as soul shattering as the one we did. And that is precisely why, with tears running down our faces, we continue to kiss each other harder – in a soul shattering kiss – that is a agonising, poignat kiss off vulnerabilities, hysteria, fear, and disbelief combined.....

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HOWWZAAAT GUYS?

Hope you all enjoyed reading this update. I loved writing and compiling it so much...😉 Also no shoes, at me for stopping there.. Just had to end at this cliffhanger for the dramatic affect...

Attaching a picture of Raizada Family tree here again

Next Update : Friday/Saturday Night.

Thanks so much guys.

Much Love * Infinite Gratitude

Prachi