Chapter 25: chapter 25

Varun had been watching Arnab, with a lot of interest for the past two days. In all the functions. The way he behaved, talked and acted. Everything. He had been livid with Simrit for not informing him about Mowri,'s alliance and then the quick marriage. But she had insisted that she hadn't known anything about it. And he had let it go. There was an interesting bit of information she had given him this morning about Abhay. So all was not perfect with the latest addition to the Vij family. His main interest had always been the business Simrit's father had. It was doing well. And they were a moneyed family with three daughters and no sons. Of course the only son in the entire Vij clan was Nihal's son Kuldeep but he was busy with his father's factory. So far Varun hadn't had any competition and the amout of respect and adoration he commanded he had always got more than that. Only Mowri, and biji, were smart enough to see through his act but both his in laws were wrapped around his finger. Hisplan had been to deeply imbed himself in their business so later he already had a hold over it. Mowri, was not going to get married consideringhow she was and Preeti still had a few years. But with Arnab, coming in the picture it had become important to test the water and see where eachof them stood. He was an army man with his own amount of riches. But who knew what interested a guy? Maybe if he had Arnab, on his side since the beginning things wouldn't be so difficult in the future. Besides p0or thing mightnot have any idea about who he had married.Out of all three sisters Mowri, was the worst probably because she could see him for who he really was. So here he was, trying to make an acquaintance with the new son in law and give him an advice or two."Hi" Varun said with a smile on his face."Hi" Arnab, replied politely as he looked at Varun keenly. There was something about the man he didn't like. Not that he knew him or he had said something that he wasn't supposed to but just the man himself. There was something shifty about his personality and Arnab, had a great dislike about such men. The smile he was giving did not even reach his eyes. Instead there was acalculative glint there as if this conversation wasgoing to bring some kind of calculated result for Varun. "Did you have dinner?" Arnab, asked politely again."Yes,' Varun said with a certain arrogance but it sounded hollow to Abhay's ears but he refrained from saying anything. "The party was great. It is good to see how you arranged everything in such a short time. You see we just got our invitations last weekend so we did not have much time to prepare for all the ceremonies but you will see in Kulraj's wedding we will surely rock' he said and Arnab, found it quite irritating.His manner of speaking wasn't correct. It sounded as if what he was saying was differentfrom what he meant or even what he was thinking. Arnab, rarely judged people this fast but people like Varun were so transparent there was just so much you could do."l am sure you will" Arnab, said, "we wanted a small wedding." he said and shrugged."Of course you did" Varun said in anunderstanding tone and Arnab, had his doubts if he did, "considering it was Mowri, you got married to" he said deliberately.Arnab, narrowed his eyes. He didn't like the way he took Mowri,'s name. It sounded offensive and Arnab, didn't like men disrespecting women and everyone who knew him knew that and so they stayed away from such topics in his presence at least. But Varun didn't know him. He sounded educated but it seemed he wasn't."I don't understand" Arnab, said tightly.It seemed the warning was lost on Varun. Because he cheerfully continued."What with her age and all and you know that reputation she carries around with her and a broken engagement," Varun said and Arnab, all but punched him.How could he talk about his own sister in law like that? Forget about her being related to him she was his wife now but he put his arms across his chest or give in to the impulse. It wouldn't look nice if he was to punch Varun publicly. Not when they were both part of the same family now."You probably didn't get much chance to get to know her," Varun carried on shamelessly missing the glint in Abhay's eyes completely, "did her family hurry you into this marriage? They could do that you know" he said, "they are like that. But now you are part of the family you would soon find out how they are. I was duped too intobelieving they were decent folks but in five yearsof my marriage I have seen how they are. Beeji is the shrewdest of them all" he said, "don't fall intothe trap of trusting them, he advised.Arnab, didn't know what to make of this man. He was stupid, just plain stupid. Who in their right minds said something like that? Apparently he did. He Sounded like the old aunts who liked to gossip about everything they knew and didn't.Simrit was a pretty girl what did she ever see in a man like him. Maybe she was just the same. Varun was a tall man easily about six feet. But there was no depth to his character. He sounded so hollow, seemed so shallow it was appalling."l just thought I should warn you" Varun said witha shrug. "you know friendly advices after all we both are now related and are the son in laws of this family. If ever you need advice on how to tackle them let me know. I have been married longer and I know how they all work. It would be easy you know." he said.Arnab, wanted to laugh out loud but he didn't. Varun didn't even deserve that."What do you do?" Arnab, asked curious to know what a man like him could make a career of."I have my own travel agency in Solan," he said with pride, "we handle all kinds of tourism domestic, international. And my family has lots of acres of land where we have our own orchards and recently we have opened our own small construction company in Himachal,"' he said with undiluted arrogance, "you should visit us to see how big we are." Arnab, could only hear boasting. He was a typical male with typical attitude problem. 'I am so and so' with 'so much wealth' when in actuality he would probably be nothing. Arnab, just nodded he wanted to get away from this stupid conversation."Great" Arnab, said, "'we will definitely drop down someday." he said politely."Sure" Varun said as if he had been successful in whatever he had set out to accomplish, "and remember if you ever need advice on how to handle Mowri, let me know" he said with a smirk and wink.Before Arnab, could tell him to get lost  someone else replied for him."First you learn how to handle that hellion youcall a wife." They both turned alarmed to find Mowri, standing behind them with her arms across her bosom.Varun didn't know where to look. His face blanched. Here he had been thinking he was having a man to man conversation with Arnab, where he had swayed the other man to his side and here she was putting dent into his carefully laid plans. Arnab, was surprised to see Mowri, there and with so much anger he was positive she wouldscratch Varun's eyes out right here and then  juggle them around. She looked furious. Arnab, was suddenly worried. Sure thing she knew how Varun was but she didn't know him much.What if she took this the wrong way? What if she thought he was as much a part of this stupid conversation? He wasn't sure what she thought.She didn't even glance at him as she walked up to stand between the two. Arnab, just hoped he hadn't messed up on his wedding day.************