Chapter 1

                           The Uncanny Morning !

   It was the day of Akash and Payal's  wedding. All other functions like Sangeet, Mehandi, Haldi had been completed with surprisingly pleasant incidents for both the families, except KKG & ASR who were into an infinite mind churning process to figure out what came over them. Guptas were going to arrive at the mansion by evening where the main wedding function was to be held. All the preparations were done  by the event managers already with  fair amount of  'what the' and 'Do it fast , Damn it!'  from ASR. So there was nothing left much to do for Raizada family. They were sitting at the table and having their breakfast.

         Arnav descended down the staircase and sat on his chair. HP served him his toast and juice. He looked around the table. Nainji was feeding Laxmi. Mamiji  was discussing about different shades of eye shadows with Anjali. Mamaji  the only blessed soul  bestowed with silence eating silently. NK was busy smiling to himself and Akash ,where is he? Somehow  these days he used to skip  breakfast or meals saying he is not hungry or has to make some important call and  other family members were not  even bothered much about his weird behavior . 

   'Unbelievable..' he thought.

  "Di,  everything is done. You don't have to worry ok?" He said to Anjali.

  
  "Of course Chote! Has it ever happened that I needed to worry about something  when my Chote is there?" She beamed.That made Arnav feel warm.


 "But chote, how come you are at breakfast table before your usual time? Is everything alright?"
  

 "It has to be alright Di. I just came early from jogging to check if all the preparations are done or not.  Khushi  should not feel that anything is left undone'" he vaguely completed only to be startled with the outburst.


 "Phati sari?"

 "Khushiji?"
  Mamiji and NK asked in unison with confused faces ...


  "I meant to say Payal's family should not feel that anything is left undone. And some of our important clients  are attending the wedding too. So everything should be perfect" He answered keeping his eyes on his plate.


 "You are right chote" Anjali said trying to hold her laughter and winked at Nani. Nani nodded in understanding.


 After few minutes strangely feeling something missing out he added,
   
 "Waise Di, I am surprised as you have left discussing about my settlement kind of things at breakfast table nowadays. What made you to stop thinking  about  the whole and sole purpose of your birth on this earth?"
  

 A pin drop silence spread over whole Rzizada mansion. Even Laxmi stopped chewing something and HP composed himself as he was going to drop the water jar held in hand. And then suddenly the air filled with different kinds of coughing sounds.



    A quick glance around the table made him wonder and concern took over. Arnav realized  how careless he has become towards his family. All family members are suffering from severe cough and he even did not notice. He decided to make a call to his family doctor.

   If only he knew to be less alien to all this teasing and leg-pulling business. 'And here adds number two to the Cardinal business list never known to ASR.'


  "chote'" Anjali started too overwhelmed  by the topic chose.

 That put his guard ON and At that exact moment Arnav left the table in two strides and reached at the foot of stairs and declared 
 " Di, I have to prepare for an important deal. No one should disturb me till Guptas arrive."


 Shrugging her disappointment, that was immediately replaced by mischievous glint she said 
" You don't worry Chote and you don't bother about attending Guptas. We won't  disturb you for that too" How hard it is to tease your brother  keeping your face strait ..Anjali thought.


 "It's fine, Di! I can manage that one" Arnav said earnestly and went to his room.
  

  "Hello Hi Bye bye, wbhat  exactly happened  to Arnav bitiwa? Bhy ijj he carings so much for gupta peoples ? Pahale hi hamar akash bitwa carings for khoon bhari tang's family. Now Arnav bitiwa too bites the dustwa? Hamaka to lagat hai wu koi bilack magic kar diye rahe hamar beton pe." Mamiji could not control  herself from mentioning about Gupta's capabilities of doing Black Magic on 101th time. 


"Manorama apko tayar hone nahi jana?" Nani tried to divert her attention.

 "yes yes sasuma,Hum to forgetiya hi rahe. Wu parlour wali ane wali hai hamar help kare khatir. Humka jaayka  padi taiyar hone" Mamiji went to her room surprised.She had almost forgotten about an appointment with a beautician. It must be Gupta's another black magic trick indeed.

Ironically,Magic wand had indeed whirled over, few miles away on a certain Khushi  Kumari Gupta.