Leo's Desire

by Sundari Venkatraman

  “Exactly. You’re lucky, Dev. You just escaped from their clutches. Even Jai. The rogue’s hiding somewhere in Himachal, and not working in any company as Mom and Dad believe him to be.”

  Dev burst out laughing. “Yeah, I know about that.” In fact, it was he who had egged him on when Jai had spoken to him about that. Dev believed in chasing dreams. Now he asked his sister, “And what’s stopping you from doing exactly that?”

  Chaahat stared at him, wondering if she had heard right. “What are you saying?”

  “You want to become a model, right? In the fashion industry. What’s stopping you from doing that?”

  “But…but Dev, how could I just do that? To begin with, I need to lose weight. I’m too fat. And then there are our parents, insisting that I attend interviews. How can I…?”

  “Why don’t you move out of the house? You are welcome to live here. But I don’t think living in Karjat is going to land you any modelling assignments. You should…”

  Chaahat jumped up again, visibly distressed as she walked up and down the room. She stopped suddenly in front of Dev and said, “I don’t have any money of my own. I did earn some, but blew it all up. I…”

  “You idiot!” He pulled her back down to sit next to him. “You have a billionaire for a brother and you say you don’t have money. Come on, Chaahat! How can I help you unless I know what you want?” Dev shook his head at her. “You can’t just sit back and wait for things to happen in life, Chaahat. You need to go grab what you want out of it, with both hands. That’s exactly what I did.”

  “I know.” Chaahat sighed. “And I’m so proud of you, Dev. What do you suggest that I do?”

  “What’s happening with you and Shaan?” Dev asked suddenly.

  Chaahat shrugged. “Nothing. It’s just that he insists that I’m doing all the wrong things while trying to lose weight.”

  “What have you been doing?” While he knew the answer to it, Dev wanted to hear it from her.

  “First of all, promise not to go all big brother on me.” Chaahat raised her hand, palm up.

  Dev grinned as he slapped his own hand over hers, saying, “I promise.”

  “I’ve been skipping meals and also smoking cigarettes to control my hunger pangs. Wait! You promised me just now, so no scolding.” She held a hand in front of her in defence as she noticed the irritation in his eyes. “Believe me, it worked like a charm. I have lost seventeen kilos.”

  “Are you crazy, Chaahat?” Dev’s voice was a growl. “Smoking will kill your stamina.”

  Chaahat hung her head, muttering. “And here I thought I had a fail proof method for losing weight.”

  “Listen, it’s not enough if you lose weight. You need to maintain it. How did you plan to do that? We Wadhwas love food.”

  She looked at him with a deep scowl on her face. “How the hell do you manage to keep the weight off?”

  Dev cracked up, laughing. “For a girl who’s passed her MBA with distinction, you are pretty dumb, Chaahat. How do people stay fit? By exercising, of course. It’s as simple as that. Eat what you want, but exercise, every day. If nothing, you can go for a run or jog, a few kilometres each day. That’s what I do.”

  “Tch! It’s all fine for you to talk. I hate exercising.” Chaahat glared at her laughing brother.

  “You know something, it’s tough to become a cordon bleu chef if you hate food. It’s the same with your life.” Dev didn’t mince his words. “If you hate exercising, then fashion modelling may not be the profession for you. Keeping fit is supremely important in a career where thousands of women are chasing the same dream. And most of them are way younger than you, Chaahat. You…”

  “And whose fault is that?” Her voice wobbled, angry tears building up in her throat.

  “Look here, kiddo. You have a choice. You can either chase your dreams with singlemindedness or you can sit back on your ass, blaming others. It’s up to you what you choose to do.” He looked at her, a thick eyebrow raised in query. “Are we on the same page this far?”

  Chaahat looked into his eyes, nodding her head slowly. “Yes. I want to be a model, come hell or highwater.”

  “That’s my gal. You need to get into better shape for that and I don’t just mean your physical shape. You need a healthier lifestyle, stop…”

  “…smoking, begin to exercise, do yoga, meditate, eat well, blah, blah, blah. Did Shaan set you up?”

  “What?!” Dev shook with silent laughter. “Has he been telling you that? Remind me to thank Shaan for doing way more than the call of his duties…”

  “Oh, shuddup Dev. Shaan’s head is too blown up for his own good anyway. Don’t make it worse.” But there was a smile in Chaahat’s voice when she said that, as she couldn’t help recalling the highly sexed night she had spent in Shaan’s arms.

  “Okay. Then we need to focus on your health first.”

  “Shaan took me to a health retreat yesterday.” Chaahat admitted in a quiet voice.

  “He did? So, what do you think about going there?”

  Chaahat shook her head. “I don’t think I can afford it.”

  “You can. I just told you that you have a rich brother.” Dev’s voice was stern now.

  “But this is too damn expensive, Dev. From the conversation I heard between Shaan and the chief medical officer there, I’ll need to attend a three-week course, at the least. And that would cost around two and a half lakhs. I…”

  “Done. You don’t worry your pretty head about all that. What do you think of the place? Did you like it? Do you believe it can help you in the long run?”

  Chaahat nodded slowly. While she had fought with Shaan all the way, she had been able to see that the serene atmosphere of the retreat and the varied treatments would definitely help her get on the right track. She hadn’t bothered to say anything positive only because she had been convinced that she could never afford to go there. Right now, Chaahat felt too tired, both mentally and physically and was more than ready to give herself up into safe hands. It would be just awesome to follow orders and not worry too much about the consequences.

  She looked at Dev and said, “It’s a great place, Dev. I’m sure they can help me. But are you sure you want to spend so much money on me? I…”

  “Idiot!” He hugged her tight.

  One hour later, brother and sister left to go to Raheja Health Resort, to book Chaahat into the three-week treatment for detox, weaning her away from smoking and improving her overall health.

  Dev also had a long chat with Dr. Sindhu Raheja once they reached there, keen to know that he was leaving his sister in safe hands. Just before he left, he took Chaahat’s hand and said, “Leave Mom and Dad to me. You get healthy and beautiful. And, Chaahat, listen, I’ll be in touch. If you think spending a few more weeks here is going to help you, do not hesitate. I can easily afford that for my little sis.”

  Chaahat hugged him. “Thank you, Dev. I’ll return every rupee once I begin to make money.”

  Dev grinned, tweaking her nose. “Let’s see. You take care. And Shaan, do you have a message for him?”

  “Nothing that I want to pass through my brother, for sure.” Chaahat gave him a mock glare, making Dev laugh. “But don’t tell him that I’m here at the retreat. I won’t be able to bear his ‘I told you so’, expression, saala.”

  But Dev never got a chance to talk to Shaan about Chaahat when he returned to his farm. All hell had broken loose in Shaan’s life by evening.

  9

  Shaan pulled out his mobile from his jeans pocket, a sense of premonition hitting him right at that moment when he saw his mother’s face on the caller ID. “Hey Mom! What’s up?”

  “Nishaan…your dad…” Nalini started sobbing before she could complete the sentence.

  “Mom! What happened? I’m on my way home. But please tell me what happened to Dad.” He would never forgive himself if something terrible had happened to his father, not after the way he had left home in a rush.

  Shaan—Nishaan—rushed
out of the farm office and got on his cycle to pedal away fast towards his cottage, even as he listened to his mother.

  “Aadarsh has had a heart attack. It was mild, says the doctor. But he needs to undergo treatment. I’ve admitted him in Rajat Singhania’s private nursing home.” Dr. Singhania was a family friend.

  Nishaan stopped for a few seconds to draw deep breaths, calming down when he heard that the situation wasn’t life threatening. His mother had given him the shock of his life. It looked like it was time to go home.

  “Can I speak to Rajat Uncle, Mom?”

  “Here, talk to Rajat.”

  “Hello, Rajat Uncle, Nishaan here. How’s Pop?”

  “Hello beta. Where have you disappeared?” The doctor didn’t wait for Nishaan’s reply before continuing, “Aadarsh is completely out of danger, though he needs to take things easy. It’s a good thing that he’s a fitness freak. But yes, he did suffer a heart attack. I’m getting a few more tests done. When do you think you can get here?”

  “By late night, uncle. You think Mom will be okay till then?” Shaan quickly packed his backpack as he spoke on the phone.

  “Yeah, yeah. No worries there. She’s just shaken and one can’t really blame her for that.”

  “True, uncle. I’ll be seeing you then. May I speak to Mom, please?” Once the phone exchanged hands, Nishaan said, “Listen Mom. I’ll reach there tonight. Pop is fine. You have to promise me that you won’t worry. Please Mom! And no crying, there’s a good girl. Pop needs your strength now, Mom, and all your love.”

  Nalini cleared her throat before replying to her son. “You’re right, Nishaan. You come fast. I’ll be fine once I have you here with me.”

  “I love you, Mom. Give Pop a kiss from me. I’ll see you tonight. I’m disconnecting because I need to book tickets. Will you be alright? I’ll call you again soon.”

  “I will.” Nalini’s voice was firmer now, as she took heart from the fact that her son was going to get back home that same night. “I’ll see you then.”

  Nishaan reached the entrance to Dev’s home, still on his cycle, just as the latter stepped out of his SUV.

  “Hey Shaan. Just the man I wanted to see. Chaa…”

  “Sorry to interrupt, Dev. Something urgent has come up, a family emergency. I need to go.”

  Dev was startled by the serious expression on the other man’s face, all the more so as his manager was always cheerful. “What happened?” Dev asked, a hand on the other man’s shoulder.

  “My Pop’s taken ill, a heart attack.” He grimaced. “I’m sorry to leave you in the lurch like this, Dev. But I’d like to leave immediately.”

  “Don’t be silly, Shaan, of course you have to go. Or should I say Nishaan?”

  Nishaan gave his boss-cum-friend a startled look that soon transformed into a grin. “You know. Since when?”

  “The past few months. No worries, your secret’s safe with me. But tell me something, I was under the impression that your father’s quite young, just fifty-two. Are you saying that he has suffered from a heart attack?” Dev gently pushed Nishaan into the waiting SUV, instructing the driver to take them to the helipad.

  “Yeah. And he works hard at keeping fit too. The doctor says that it was pretty mild and he should be okay. But, Dev, I think it’s time that I stopped running away and take my responsibilities more seriously. I think Pop will need my help to run his construction company now.”

  Dev nodded. “I suppose. You carry on then. Let me give you a lift till Mumbai airport. You go on and check for flights to Delhi.”

  “Thanks a ton, Dev. That’d be a great help indeed. I’ll be back for a couple of days as soon as I can. I need to say ‘bye’ to everyone. I hope they won’t think too badly of me for duping them all this long.”

  “But you didn’t dupe anyone. And all the workers think too highly of you, Nishaan.” Dev hesitated but for a second before using Shaan’s given name, as the two men strapped themselves into their seats in the helicopter.

  “Please say ‘bye’ to Daadima and Anya. I’m going to miss you all. And bye Dev. Thank you for trusting me with an amazing job when I so needed one, without asking too many questions,” said Nishaan when he got off at the helipad at Mumbai airport.

  “Not as much as we’ll miss you, Nishaan. And I’m glad I went with my instincts. It’s going to be hard to replace you as my farm manager.” Dev grinned. “You take care and do be in touch.” He bit his tongue, stopping himself from mentioning Chaahat’s name. No, it’d be best if she dealt directly with Nishaan. She had been clear that she didn’t want her bro to pass on her messages to a man who was probably her boyfriend.

  Nishaan paused on his way, straightening his shoulders before turning back to Dev. “Er…your sister Chaahat. I didn’t get a chance to speak to her. Can you do me a favour, please?” When Dev nodded, he continued, “I’m sending you my Delhi number to your WhatsApp as we talk. Please share the number with Chaahat only if she asks for me.” He still wasn’t sure if it had been a one-night-stand for Chaahat or if she wanted to take their relationship further. Oh yeah, they had made plans to meet for lunch. But all that had changed now. He would rather wait to see if she wanted to get in touch with him. Dev would be the one with the answer if his manager had disappeared without a trace. It would be logical for Chaahat to ask her brother about the missing Shaan.

  Dev looked into Nishaan’s eyes, seeing only honesty there, and nodded, saying, “Got it!”

  Nishaan waved to him one more time before walking away to the air terminal, having already booked himself on a flight from Mumbai to Delhi that was to leave in an hour.

  When Chaahat didn’t contact him even after two weeks, Nishaan decided that they probably weren’t meant to be.

  10

  On an impulse, Dev’s took the permissions necessary to leave his helicopter at an empty hangar at Mumbai airport for a few hours, to visit his parents at their row house in Vashi. It was five in the evening and he knew that his mother would reach home by the time he got there. He also had a key to the house that he rarely used.

  Getting into a cab, Dev speed-dialled Anya’s cell. “Hey sweetheart!”

  “Dev! Where are you? I thought you would have got back from the resort by now. Is Chaahat okay?”

  Dev grimaced. “I hope so. It’s a major change in lifestyle. But I think she’ll survive since she’s too keen to pursue her dreams and this is a step in the right direction. Okay, listen, that isn’t why I called. I’m in Mumbai. I…”

  “What? You drove down…”

  Dev laughed. “Listen, my impatient queen. I got back to the farm just when Shaan…” He told her the whole story, before continuing, “I thought I’ll visit my parents and convince them to get off Chaahat’s case.” He grimaced again, not really looking forward to the battle of wills.

  “Oh, okay. I’m sure you’ll handle that well, Dev. I only hope you’re getting back home tonight.”

  “You bet. I want to get back to you as soon as I can. And then there is the extra work with Shaan needing to leave so suddenly. Oh, by the way, can you put a word around our social media network for a new manager?”

  “Will do that. But, Dev, I remember Jai showing interest in helping on the farm. Why don’t I ask him?”

  “Are you sure? Right now, I’m going to get Chaahat out of my parents’ clutches. Do you think it’s a good idea to bring Jai out at this particular time?” Dev could well imagine his father’s ire. Neither Durgesh nor Karishma Wadhwa had a clue as to what their younger son wanted to do. They were under the impression that Jai was working for an MNC somewhere in North India. Dev had stopped counting the number of tales Jai had spun to their parents, while he hid in Shimla, writing a spy thriller. He insisted that he had always dreamt of being a writer, probably also the reason why he was good at spinning such tall tales. Dev grinned to himself. “Okay, I’ll talk to Mom and Dad about Chaahat today. You go ahead and get in touch with Jai. We’ll spread word on social media only if he refuses.”


  “I love you, Dev. You’re the best.” Anya adored her husband of less than a year. He was so caring and protective of his siblings and treated his grandmother so lovingly. Anya was mighty thrilled to be the love of Dev’s life.

  “I love you too, sweetheart. Hold that thought and I’ll get back ASAP. See you later.”

  Dev got out of the cab after paying the driver, pushing open the gate to his childhood home. His mother had already got back from work, just as he had guessed. He rang the bell and entered when she opened the door.