Two month later
Javed walked into Arnav's office unannounced - partly because it was his long-term right, partly because Arnav's secretary was a bit intimidated by Javed to stop him on his approach.
Javed found his friend watching the office through the glass wall behind his desk. Arnav was very deep in his thoughts, rocking slightly in his chair. Javed speculated for a moment as to what could've brought his brother into stupor, as there were no ongoing contract negotiations or other pending issues that would require so much thought. But then Javed waved off these musings, as nothing was more important than the issue he came to discuss.
- Arnav, mere bhai... - Javed couldn't finish his greetings because Arnav suddenly halted alarmed by his voice and almost fell off the chair. When Arnav finally regained descent standing position he answered impatiently:
- Geez, Jev, you scared me to death! Did you really have to sneak up on me like this?
Javed looked offended by this suggestion:
- Relax, bhai, I did not sneak up on you, you were basically on a different planet when I came in! What was I supposed to do - sing you some calm lullaby to bring you down to Earth peacefully?
Arnav chuckled on this offer - they both knew that Javed was terrible in anything musical. That relieved the tension in the room and both man sat down comfortable around coffee table. Arnav asked:
- Man, I'm guessing you did not come here to serenade me... so what brings you here today? Missed me already?
Javed snorted:
- You give too much credit to your completely ordinary personality, man! And I'd seen you this morning, not much room for nostalgic longings yet... No, I came to talk about our housing arrangements. I came to talk about where Anjali and me will live after the marriage.
Arnav's heart sank. This was exactly the thought that occupied his mind when Javed came in. Arnav knew from the shogun ceremony that officially launched the engagement period for Di and Jev that Anjali will move out from Shantivan eventually. Javed was self-reliant, wealthy and hugely independent man who appreciated his space way too much to live in a big joint family such as theirs. Arnav knew Javed has already had some estate in Canada, France and India (both in Delhi and Mumbai) as his family and business kept him moving across the world all the time. But Arnav was sure that for Anjali Javed would build something completely new, something grand... and probably far away. Paris most likely seeing how this was a fashion capital of the world and Di was, after all, a really talented designer.
Arnav dreaded the moment when his sister will leave him for real... for the first time in his life. But he knew he had to let her go... His sister deserved her own home... his brother deserved his long-awaited family life with a women he loved. Arnav respected Javed too much to ask them to stay.
That is why Arnav composed himself and patiently waited for Javed's announcement of the sentence. And the only thought that ran through his mind was "Please, God, let it be India"... and than Javed said simply:
- We are staying in Shantivan.
…
That sounded like some cruel emotional prank so Arnav threaded carefully:
- Man, what do you mean - you're staying? For how long? Have you started some elaborate construction and need some place to wait till it's over?
Javed shook his head visibly oblivious to the tension and hope in Arnav's voice:
- Nuh, we're staying in Shantivan for good. To live. Forever.
Arnav gasped and leaned forward ready to bear-hug Javed anytime now:
- I can't believe this! Jev, I'm ALL for it... but why?!
Javed stepped away eying Arnav's prance position cautiously:
- I think, it will make Anjali happy. And I want her to be happy. Simple.
…
Arnav always knew he doesn't need to have "the brother talk" with Javed because he knew from experience that Jev would give up his body and soul for Di's sake. But the fact that he was willing to sacrifice one of his main personality treats to make Anjali happy was a heartwarming revelation. It wasn't only about life-threatening extreme situations then... it would hold for day-to-day life too... Or would it?
- Javed, you know I trust you with my sister's happiness... but are you sure? It's now something you'd be able to tolerate easily... for a long time. You've never been know for enjoying big crowds of people... and our family can be very invasive when it comes to private lives.
Javed smirked and raised an eyebrow:
- Look who's talking! You weren't big on these things too if I remember correctly - you took every opportunity to ran away from the house...
Arnav nodded agreeing to this assessment and answered matter-of-factly:
- Yeah, but now I have a reason to run back home. Khushi, Aarav...
Javed smiled and inclined his head suggestively:
- So shall I... Have a reason, I mean. And also... don't sell our family short - they are not that bad once you know how to divert their attention from your life. And if such a lone wolf as you are can do this for your loved ones than I'll pass with flying colors!
Arnav's smile turned devilish:
- I guess, you don't have much choice - I bet Di jumped on this idea once the worlds left your mouth and now you simply can't back away, can you?
Javed shrugged nonchalantly:
- I haven't told her yet. There very few things you and I needed to discuss first...
To that Arnav was really surprised:
- Man, did you come here to... to ask for my permission to stay in Shantivan?
Javed's eyes popped in mock disdain:
- C'mon, don't be ridiculous! I've gotten a permission to live in this house years ago... and I've already spoken to Nani-ji about this and got her blessing as she is this house's elder... - Javed shook his head in disapproval, - Tsk-tsk, bhai, you and your big-headiness!
Arnav was a bit offended that his opinion on this matter was valued so little... but to be real - he wouldn't say "no", Nani-ji was elder to them all and Javed was a part of this family beyond any Arnav's opinions. So he swallowed his pride and got back to the matter in hand:
- So, why did you come today? To bring me the happy news personally? Or do you actually have something that needs MY input?
Javed smiled hearing childish pettiness in Arnav's voice... he thought to himself to smooth over Arnav's wounded ego later... after he takes care of what he came for:
- Yeah, I didn't come here to ask for your permission to live in Shantivan. I came to ask for your permission to rebuild it. Pretty much from the scratch.
…
- Wait... What?! You want to destroy my house? - Arnav's voice wasn't hysterical... yet. But it was getting there... the idea sounded ridiculous!
Javed sighted heavily:
- Man, you have selective deafness! When have I spoken about destroying anything? I said "rebuild" meaning "make it broader, higher, more comfortable and overall more accommodating to our rather huge family". What did I say wrong?
Arnav growled:
- Our family fitted in Shantivan just fine, thank you very much! I don't think your arrival will be that much of a problem!
Javed stood up and started pacing across the office - he had too much energy surging through his body to sit. It was a really important conversation, he just had to succeed! But Javed knew Arnav won't be supportive of this idea... at first. It was time for some shots to be fired... First - obvious:
- Ok, bhai, be real for once! Akash and Payal WILL come back soon and they'd bring a new member to this family!
And more family reunions:
- I hear things are going pretty smoothly in Toronto so Maama-ji will come back with Akash too.
Seeing how Arnav's expression changed from protective to cautiously attentive Javed continued - this time with guilt trip:
- Also, bro... I didn't want to say anything at first... but that's not descent - your in-laws live in a shed! Have you seen that place?! They are Khushi's family - how could you let it goon for so long?!
Arnav's shoulders sank and he tried some excuses:
- I tried, but they Garima-ji still has this crazy guilt complex towards our family and they don't want to "burden us"...
- Words, Arnav! You need to get them home because Shashi-ji needs medical care, Garima-ji needs to see first-hand that you don't hold anything against her and Madhumati-ji... well, it's just so fun to watch her and Maami-ji bicker all the time!
Arnav smiled remembering the latest meeting between those two... yeah, that was a lot of fun, especially when his wife joined the brawl!
- Ok, Javed, point taken, they're in! Who else?
Javed paved an easy withdrawal from heavy family stuff:
- NK... You just know that he's that houseguest who won't ever leave! And you have to consider that if he ever convinces his girlfriend to marry him, he'd bring her here too.
Arnav hiccupped with surprise:
- Umm... that'll be awkward. She already lived here...
Javed nodded with understanding - the last time Smiley lived in Shantivan it was in a status of Arnav's fiancée.
- The more reason to make this house really big!
Before Arnav had time to dive in the idea of NK ever bringing Lavanya as bahu to their family, Javed changed the course of his thoughts to happier family additions:
- Inshallah, Anjali and me will have kids... and let's face it - it's not long before Aarav will ask for a little brother or a sister.
Something warm spread through Arnav's chest instantly and his breath hitched as he thought of having a kid... with Khushi. She'd be the messiest pregnant in the family... she'd be stress-eating all the time and get really big and round with all the jalebis... she'd run around trying to fix her dabba business for the period of her maternity leave... and then they'd have a baby. Let it be a girl! Somebody exactly like Khushi - happy, open, brave, really beautiful...
- ... Roger! Roger! Do you read me?
Javed smiled happily. He knew that mentioning Arnav's kids will seal the deal, it was his joker card... but he didn't quite expect that this thought will send Arnav into blissful stupor with idiotic wide smile spread over his face. But then he couldn't blame him too - the idea of having children with the women he loved did things to Javed too... He knew it wouldn't be an easy task considering Anjali's health issue... but he would make it happen for both of them!
- ... Back to you, Javed! Roger! Roger! Are you with me, man?
Javed nodded and threw himself out of daydreaming mode. He disheveled his perfectly styled and sighted heavily - he wanted to get back to those dreams so back... to make them a reality...
But not now. Now he had Arnav eying his with understanding gaze. Javed almost whispered:
- Guilty as charged. It's just that... kids... family... Bhai, I've waited for so long...
And then it broke. Constrains of long-term longings, having to keep it together, not raising his hopes to high, not pushing too far, not demanding and only accepting what is given to him... it all went away. Fell off… and Javed felt like he breathed in for the first time in ten years. It washed over him like a healing wave of expectations and dreams that were now within his reach... he was marrying Anjali... she loved him... he will finally have a family... and not just them two... the messy crowd of big joint parivaar that will meddle and mess with his live.
Javed bowed his head to hide a secret smile from Arnav. There was one thing his best friend got wrong about him... everybody did. He wasn't against big family... he just didn't have one. His mom never wanted it and they had to go with her wishes on this issue... and Javed taught himself not to crave for things that were impossible to get.
Except one time in his life... when he fell in love with somebody else's wife... and now she loved him back. And with her the rest of the things that Javed never expected to have been coming to his life too.
... Javed heaved overwhelmed with happiness. It was happening! It was happening!
He leaned against the wall and tilted his head back to get more air. Arnav hurried to him:
- Javed, bhai, are you all right? Some water, maybe? Or something stronger?
Arnav hollered towards door to his secretary "Sweta, water, now!" and tried helping Javed back to the coffee table. Javed softly took Arnav's hands from his elbow and shook his head:
- No, man, I'm fine. You know how it is... being happy...
Arnav nodded. He knew those happiness attacks when he woke up at night brimming with emotions... not believing that his life was real, that he deserved it to be real! But then he could turn over; hug Khushi who was sleeping in her usual all-over-the-bed style and his center of gravity was back to normal... in his embrace.
Their mutual happiness strike was interrupted by Sweta's bringing the water which gave Javed just enough time to even his mood. He sat straight and said happily:
- I guess I have to use to it.
Arnav patted his back:
- Don't worry, hopefully you never will... But since we are back to full sentences and normal breathing... what do you have in mind for Shantivan reconstruction? You've already convinced me we have quite the headcount... but I bet you came with more than just words.
Javed nodded:
- First I wanted to come with blueprints and stuff... But than I figured I really ought to ask you first - so I came pretty much empty-handed. I thought once I convince you we can juggle some ideas and than I have an architecture office on a standby... Once they'll finish with the modeling, I will talk to Anjali... and then we can bring this idea to the rest of the family. I guess Akash, Payal and Maama-ji will be back by then...
Arnav was already deep in thoughts. The first thing he came up with was:
- We need way bigger kitchen! Khushi is taking over the whole house when she cooks!
Javed suggested:
- We need a design studio for Anjali - glass walls, a lot of light...
Arnav nodded and added:
- I guess, we both can have an office. I'd have mine by the indoor garden... You can have yours with terrace entrance so you'd have your privacy for prayers.
When Arnav said this the same thought crossed their minds and the almost shouted in the same time:
- Temple!
Javed added first:
- We really need a big one! I'd say we make it a separate structure so it will have some space to be around. Our elders would love it.
Mentioning elders reminded Arnav something:
- Yeah, we need a gym. Not only for us but for Shashi-ji too - for his physiotherapy.
Javed considered for a second and suggested:
- Let's make it a stand-alone structure too, add an indoor pool - the real one - and co-join it with playground for kids. Like a little sports center.
Arnav nodded:
- Yes, kids. We need some green space, more of a garden type... so they can learn how to climb trees, ride a bike and all that.
Javed's ideas went traveling along that line:
- Bhai, we need some house pets. I mean, Lakshmi is fine and all... but she won't play fetch. We need dogs. Or monkeys. Whatever your fancy.
Arnav thought of monkeys throwing banana peals from the palm trees and shrugged. He declared:
- Dogs it is! Maybe some birds. No monkeys!
Javed brought discussion back to the topic:
- Just for equality sake I think we need something for Maami-ji... to please the Goddess, so to say. Maybe some sauna area, like little beauty parlor... Because, bhai, seriously, if I have to leave common room because of her cosmetologist arrival again, I will smash a wall!
Arnav nodded eagerly:
- Oh, man, I so agree with you! She makes me hide in my room for a day when her masseuse comes because "common room is the only space big enough for her beauty treatments" - Arnav made a really good impression of Manorama's voice completed with high pitched tone and corrupted English.
Javed laughed wholeheartedly and stopped when they'd heard the knock on the door. Arnav shouted:
- What's up, Sweta?!
His secretary came in with a trey of camomile tea (Arnav'd recognize this nasty smell anywhere) and placed it on the serving table in the corner of the room. She asked politely:
- Where would you like me to serve your lunch after this tea? Will Javed-ji be joining you for lunch? - she asked both of them smiling politely.
Arnav asked firmly:
- What with the camomile tea? When have I asked you for tea at all?
Sweta tried being brave and composed herself:
- Arnav-ji, your wife, Khushi-ji, left very specific instructions to when I should serve your lunch and that I should bring you camomile tea before it. Also, - she said barely concealing her victorious smile, - she told me to call her if you wouldn't... comply.
Javed exploded with laughter:
- Allah, bhai, your wife recruited your employees to take care of your health! Man, aren't you just lucky or what!
Arnav tried being formidable but failed and smiled:
- Yeah... you wait till she will be your bhabhi - you will see no end to her care!
Sweta cleared her throat to get their attention:
- Lunch? Where should I serve it?
Javed shrugged:
- Dunno, bhai, I haven't brought anything form home.
Sweta interjected politely:
- Khushi-ji has sent food for you too, sir. She said that you two would have lunch together.
Arnav turned to Javed full of surprise:
- How? Have you told her why you were coming? - he squinted and asked suspiciously, - Did she give you tips on how to convince me?
Javed raised his hands in surrender motion:
- Man, I'd told you - I only spoke to Nani-ji, then you, after that I'll go directly to Anjali... and you can tell Khushi yourself!
Arnav asked Sweta:
- Then how did she know that Javed is here?
And before Sweta had a chance to prove her innocence in this case of info leakage, Javed offered an explanation:
- My car is in service, I took one of Shantivan's cars and then let the driver go back. Maybe, it's the same driver that brought your lunch and he'd told Khushi that he dropped me off in your office and she'd figured that I may still be here... and so she packed lunch for me too.
Arnav agreed to this version with short nod:
- See, she already takes care of you! Wait till you get sick and she'll try to feed you one of Bua-ji's potions! Or when doctor will say that camomile tea is good for your sugar level and you won't be able to find any other drink in the whole damn house! I mean, the family drinks tea, milk, juices, coffee... and all I can find is camomile! And I've searched! She'd even placed a pot of live camomile in my garden! She plans to grow this stuff domestically! Ufff...
As he said it Arnav was getting more vocal, supporting his false outrage with erratic hand wavering. When the storm calmed, Javed told Sweta:
- Would you please serve our lunch here, we still have some things to discuss. And I'd like to have a cup of tea, if you please.
Arnav added less politely:
- Yeah, me too. Bring that awful yellow drink here.
Sweta smiled, served their teas and went to the kitchen for their lunches.
When the door behind her closed Arnav whispered:
- My wife has snitches all over the place. Trust me, you are already in the system and Di would know your every move! So try to play along with all crazy dietary rules they have... it's much easier this way!
Javed sipped his tea and answered:
- I don't mind actually. I lived by myself for too long, if somebody tries to take care of me - I'm all for it!
Arnav murmured under his breath:
- You say so now...
…
When lunch was over both Javed and Arnav had this pleased saturated state of mind. They went through the list of ideas for new Shantivan and Arnav's face darkened:
- For one, we'd also need a bigger garage. Second... Jev, I just don't see how it will all fit into our current estate. It's big, but not that big!
Javed was unfazed:
- We'll take that pine forest to left of Shantivan. It has up to 8 hectares... I think... I don't remember specifics, we need to check property papers.
Arnav gasped:
- You've bought it?
Javed nodded and Arnav asked again:
- When? Why? It must've cost a fortune! I tried buying it before but that crazy just wouldn't budge! How did you do it?
Javed shrugged:
- It's all about people you know... leverage you have... and a small fortune, indeed. Let's just say man wasn't paying enough attention to the safety of his forest... and I wasn't going to endanger my family just because that little bold so called "tycoon" had bothered to sustain pine tree forest in tropical climate but did not bother to hire some decent security team.
Arnav clarified:
- You mean you'd bought it after the shootings? I thought you'd buy some estate after the engagement...
Javed looked at the glass wall for a long time and then said:
- Let's just call it wishful thinking - I was kinda hoping I might need some place close to Shantivan for... a family.
Arnav smiled on Javed's careful word choice when he was admitting to dreaming about his Di... and for some weird reason it wasn't awkward between them. It was... as it was meant to be.
- But when we got out of that shooting alive I went to see that to talk security issues. He... let's just say he was irrespective, negligent and I wasn't in a mood to teach him manners. So I simply found a way to convince him to sell his land. This convincing may or may not have included foreclosure notices on his warehouse facilities across India... - Javed shrugged nonchalantly implying that he most certainly endangered somebody's business just to kick him out of the house.
Arnav laughed little evil laugh - he didn't like his former neighbor too - and checked:
- What about his house?
- Well, I had to buy it too... but that was a hideous structure designed by who believes herself to be an architect. She tried to raise the price on that ugly building but seeing how I brought demolition team the day we signed off on the deal... she kinda got the gist that I don't like her creation all that much. It's gone by now, but the foundation is still there... maybe we can use it for sports center, there is enough space for a pool and such.
Javed stood up and went to retrieve his laptop from his briefcase he'd left by the door. He opened it to show Arnav an outline of the estate he was proposing to attach to Shantivan's area:
- See, here's the foundation... we can make some lane to the main house... and here a gazebo, it's actually really nice...
Arnav raised an eyebrow questioning this assessment as Javed just now criticized architectural taste of previous owners. But Javed nodded in conformation:
- The gazebo was build earlier and it partially consists of rock culture beneath the whole area, it practically grows from the ground. I guess they just didn't know how to destroy it so they'd let it be. But honestly, man, it's nice, I've seen a lot of those across the Europe... my mom would like it.
Javed swallowed hard remembering this difficult subject. But he was hopeful these days:
- Dad says they talked. Like, for real. He believes they can go back to together eventually... Anyways I want to have something for her when she comes visiting... we can keep the part of this forest... it's more Scandinavian flora than Mediterranean but it will do.
- And the rest of the forest?
Javed was drastic:
- To hell with it! I did not come to live in India for the rest of my live to be surrounded by Europe in my own home! Chop most of it off and plant some Delhi flora... I want banyans... and figs... other than that - I leave it to our ladies to take care of the garden.
Arnav started back from Javed's emotional speech - he didn't even know it was such an issue for his friend. He must've missed India much more than he'd ever showed.
- Ok, man, relax, as you wish! After all, it's your estate!
Javed looked at him surprised and a bit offended:
- What do you mean - mine? It will be ours! Our elders, you, me, Akash, the ladies of the house, kids whenever we have them... This is OUR land, OUR home, OUR family!
- Ok, sorry, bhai, I was wrong, it's Ok!
Javed shook his head disapprovingly:
- Man, sometimes you can be insensitive to the point of being cruel. Has nobody told you that?
Arnav shrieked - he messed up the beginning of his marriage for exactly this reason. And he won't do it to anybody again... but old habits die hard.
- Sorry, man.
- It's Ok, bhai, I know you just didn't have time to think it through. Anyways... I already have the new property papers ready, we just need final estate blueprint and a whole bunch of signatures to make it official. But I think it can wait until AFTER we talk to the family, right?
Arnav's phone beeped and he swore softly seeing a message he received:
- Javed, bhai, I have to go now, but I guess we're finished here... Send our ideas to your designers and once you have the overall model ready we'll discuss it once again and than bring it to the family. What do you think?
Javed stood up to leave the office and free Arnav for his urgent thing. He checked his phone for some dates and answered:
- I have to leave for ten days, some work stuff in Paris... But I think the model will be ready when I get back and then we'll talk. I'll schedule a meeting with your secretary?
Arnav was open-eyed about this suggestion:
- Are you kidding me, bhai? Since when do you make appointments with me? And wouldn't you see me home?
Javed smiled:
- First of all, when I say "model" I mean not just some digital picture, I mean an actual 3D model of our future estate... and it's gonna take up to half of this office. So we're going to have to go to the designers office to see it and make corrections. For that I'll ask Sweta to clear your schedule for that day. Second of all... bhai, you won't see me at home. I'm the groom, remember? I'm not supposed to see the bride other than for the ceremonies. So... office meeting for us.
Arnav nudged Javed's ribs:
- Told you Khushi is the best bhabhi ever! She'd convinced Di that traditional is the way to go! Aren't you just happy that you'd see Di only four times for the next three month? According to Khushi it makes wedding so much more special!
- Doesn't it?
This simple question stopped Arnav on his heels. He remembered his wedding, all the drama that went along with it... but how happy he was to finally have Khushi by his side... forever... to have and to hold... for seven lives and whatever comes after.
- Yes, man, it does.
- Than I'll wait. I've waited longer...
Arnav never knew afterwards why he'd said what he said... the moment wasn't calling for anything deeply emotional. But he shook Javed's hand:
- I'm glad, you did, bhai. I'm glad... you haven't lost hope and didn't settle for something less. For both your sakes.
There, he said it. He wanted to say it for a long time... but how do you thank your best friend for making you sister happy?
Javed suddenly yanked Arnav's hand and hugged him. He said simply:
- So am I, bhai. So am I.
They stepped away from each other not sure what to do after this. Javed regained his composure first:
- Ok, Arnav, see you in ten days. Keep my family safe!
- Always, bhai, always.
And with that they parted ways... to meet again in twelve days in front of huge model of their new home.