Epilogue

Khushi was walking to and fro from her window, pacing her room, peeking out of the window every now and then. What was Arnav ji plotting in his mind now. She kept replaying their last conversation, which had taken a whole day ago, in her head.

'Wha...What did you say?!!' exhaled an exasperated Arnav.

Khushi smilingly had replied, 'I said I'm not going to divorce you...what was it that you said...hmmm oh yeah...your stuck with crazy, clumsy me for the rest of our lives, Mr Raizada!!' Khushi added teasingly. Arnav still couldn't believe his ears, this beautiful fairy had not only forgiven him but wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. Him, brooding, arrogant, egotistical, pride filled Arnav Singh Raizada, who had serious trust issues. And yet she had so simply said that she would stay with him. Well correction not simply, she had flashed her radiant smile that always gave him palpitations and said brightly that she would not leave him. He experienced a new feeling, a feeling of floating, being elevated to cloud nine. Khushi Kumari Gupta, this beautiful creature he had had the amazing fortune of meeting was in his arms, caressing his hair and smiling her breath-taking smile, saying that she was his.

He took a step back and held her at arm's length, he needed to be sure that this was true and that he wasn't imagining it, 'Khushi...Khushi are...are you sure? I mean...are you sure this is what you want...I mean after everything I have done...are you sure?!!'

Khushi, who had been taken aback by his sudden manoeuvre, now smiled again at him, 'Yes my laad governor I am sure.'

But Arnav still wasn't convinced, 'Khushi are sure, I have made many mistakes and I have hurt you so much. How can you just forgive me, I haven't even done anything to earn my forgiveness yet...'

Khushi heaved a sigh, he had really bad trust issues, 'Arnav ji, I know what you have done in the past with me, after all you did it to me. But I also know that at this moment in time you would give anything to make it all right, and that everything that you did was under a really big misunderstanding, which in truth happened due to my one decision to protect Di, and in truth you were doing the same thing were you not when you married me. And yes, you should have at least given me the chance to explain, and tried to trust me, but oh well...I guess your trust is something we will just have to work on now won't we.

'And forgive you...who said anything about me forgiving you Arnav ji.' Smiled Khushi mischeiviously, 'Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, you forget who you are talking to, I will make you earn your forgiveness don't worry about that, I have many ways to make you repent...Mosquito repellent, Jalebis, loud music, excess love...' added Khushi laughingly.

'Khushi be serious please, have you thought this through, I mean I'm not exactly the kind of person you have dreamed of...I have made so many mistakes...Khushi you nearly got ra...raped because of my lack of judgement.'

Khushi's smile vanished, as a shiver ran down her spine at that reminder, whilst as a reflex she tightened her grasp on Arnav. Arnav immediately regretted reminding her of what nearly happened to her two weeks ago, but then he needed her to be serious, really needed her to think before coming to a decision. These last two weeks all he had done was think, think of every way he was to blame for every wrong in Khushi's life. And just how right Garima and Bua ji had been to take him out of her life. As much as he wanted her in his life and was trying to figure out a way to redeem himself in front of them, he couldn't shake away the feeling that it might be better for Khushi to be away from him and start over afresh. The thought of her being molested by that animal due to his idiotic decision had haunted him, and he had no idea how to repent for that mistake. And so when she had so easily said that she would accept him back in his life, as happy as that had made him, he wanted her to really think and be sure, and take the decision that was in her best interest and not in his (which she often had the tendency to do).

'Khushi, I know you want to forget everything that happened, and I am sorry for bringing it up again, but Khushi I don't want to mess my chance with you, so I need to be sure that you make the right decision, the right decision for you and not for me, because Khushi, as much as I would like to I cannot change the truth, I cannot change the past, for which I am solely responsible and so please really think before you decide whether you want to be with me or not. Take a day or two. Ok?'

With that, he began to unwrap himself from her grip and go back to his car. But she tugged hard on his sleeve and pulled him back towards her.

'Arnav ji, what you say is right, you are responsible for most of my pain, and yes I should really think before I accept you. But you know why I don't need too...because of this...' she motioned towards her hand still gripping his arm. 'That is how I know, that my decision to accept you in my life is right. Because when I am scared you are the only person that makes me feel safe. Because when I am stressed, I draw courage from you. Because when you are near my heart races, races towards yours, as it finally feels it is home.

'Arnav ji, you may not be the person from my dreams, or any other girl's for that matter, but you are my Arnav ji. And as imperfect as you are, I have fallen for you and so nothing you can say or do will change my decision to be with you, whether you ask me right now or two days later my answer will still be the same I am yours, and you are mine. Arnav ji, you may not have been the person me or my family may have chosen for me, but you are the person DM made for me and so I trust her, and know that she has chosen the right person for me. And Arnav ji, when you say that you will trust me to make the right decision then why is it so hard for you to accept the decision that I have taken. Is it because you don't want to be with me?' Asked Khushi teasingly, trying to lighten Arnav's mood.

It worked somewhat, for Arnav stopped arguing and took her in to his embrace again. Crying and mumbling things in her hair. 'Khushi...Khushi I swear I will make things right between us...I won't ever misuse this trust that you have placed in me again...I swear I will make up for every pain that I have caused you and your entire family...I won't rest until I have brought a smile on all of your faces' I promise.'

****

Bua ji's loud whimper broke their embrace. Garima and Bua ji had heard most of their conversation and were moved by the way Arnav completely surrendered himself to Khushi, and asked her to take the take the decision about them. But they were not ready to let him know just yet, that his gesture and love for their Sanka Devi had melted their hearts, and so walked they towards the couple to separated them. When Arnav didn't rebel the move Garima turned to ask, 'You aren't stopping me today Arnav bitwa?'

Arnav looked up at her and replied 'No Amma, because Khushi is still yours and I have defied your orders and met her, when Bua ji clearly stated to not interact with Khushi until she had healed completely physically and emotionally.'

'You called me Amma...'

'Yes, I hope you didn't mind. I know I resisted before in my stupidity, but I realised that day at the hospital when you took Khushi away, that I wasn't only losing Khushi but my family. I felt like I lost my mother, my family again that day, and in a way I did because I had hurt you all, my own family so deeply. It ached to see you all so disappointed in me. Amma I know what I have done, is unforgivable, but I will try my best to fill your lives with so much happiness that these pain full memories will become dull and blur away.'

Garima was quiet. Not knowing how to respond, she didn't want to forgive him, as the memory of Khushi being rolled into the hospital was still fresh in her mind. But his sincere tone, his resignation to the sentence he had been given by them and more importantly the repentance that seeped from his every pore was making her heart melt towards him again. But even if she could have managed to hold all those emotions, him calling her Amma had done it. She knew how difficult it was for him to call her that, and yet he had done it in one fluid motion, as if he had always been calling her that. If there had been hesitation in his voice she would have thought for a second that may be he was only doing it to win her heart, but she knew, knew from the tone of his voice and the lack of hesitation that he truly saw her as his mother and that it really broke his heart when she had turned her back on him for his mistake. And seeing him broken there in front of her she couldn't help but forgive him, for she was a mother after all, his mother, even before Arnav had accepted her as his.

She turned to Khushi and asked, 'are you absolutely sure that you want this, that you want to be with him?'

Khushi nodded in response. She turned to Arnav and said in hardened tone, 'I have not forgiven you yet, but If Khushi thinks that you deserve a chance then I am willing to give you one. Don't disappoint me this time.' With that she left with Bua ji, flustered at her side, leaving the two together.

Khushi bounced back into his arms, and said happily, 'You have chipped a huge boulder off Amma's wall of anger against you, it shouldn't be long before you completely melt her.'

Arnav was hugging her back, smiling unbelievingly that he had been so lucky to get Khushi back and win a bit of Amma's heart in one day. When Aman's call interrupted them and he grudgingly left to sort out the problem, but not before baffling Khushi. He enjoyed doing that. When she had said, that she would go in and pack her stuff and wait for him to pick her up after work, he had said no.

'No need to pack your things today Khushi as I am not taking you home.' And with that line ringing in her ears he had left, only to come back and leave a kiss on her cheek, leaving her more flustered than before.

And since then she had been trying to decipher the meaning behind that last line and his goodbye kiss and that mischievous smirk of his. Bua ji had gone on, on her tangent of how she knew that man was good for nothing, only egging Khushi on to disappoint her, while Amma and Babu ji had not said anything but were deep in thought, not understanding why when he had been so repentant and had wanted to take Khushi home and now even had their approval then why was he delaying it.

She had called Payal hoping she might shed some light on what was going on in Arnav's mind, if he had said anything about it at home, but she had been evasive and put the phone down saying she had a lot of work to do as Khushi wasn't here to help her.

She was becoming impatient now, not knowing what to do. He wasn't outside today, like he had been for the last two weeks, and he hadn't even gone to work, she had called the office. Payal had mentioned something about him needing to leave for Lucknow urgently this morning, but had not elaborated as she had no idea what he had gone for. The mentioning of Lucknow gave her goose bumps, and made her worry more over him, she knew that he did not have good memories from there. She had never asked, and he had never told her, but she did not need him to voice his thoughts when it came to Lucknow and his past, she knew that place haunted him and so she could not understand why he had gone there out of all places, especially when things were getting better. He wouldn't even answer her calls to let her know how he was.

She was worried sick and feeling nauseous when there was a rap on the front door. Bua ji went to open it as she limped into the lounging area to see who it was and was completely taken aback as she saw the lounging area being filled up by every member of the Raizada house, except for the person she wanted to see, they all were looking at her and beaming.

Shashi, Garima, Madhumathi and Khushi all exchanged looks unsure of what was going on, when Nani ji came forward and beckoned them to sit down as they had much to discuss. She called Khushi to come next to her.

'I know you are all startled to see us here like this without any notice, but it was high time we came and did this on behalf of Chotey.' She took Khushi's hand in hers and turned to look at Shashi and Garima, 'we have come here on the behalf of my grandson, Arnav to ask for your lovely daughter, Khushi's hand.'

Madhumati, Garima, Shashi and Khushi all gave expressions of confusion still not understanding as to why they were asking for Khushi's hand when she and Arnav were already married. Nani ji smiled, 'I know what you are thinking, what is wrong with me why am I asking for Khushi's hand, when she is already Arnav's wife, well because our Chotey, he works in mysterious ways, and no one really ever understands what goes on in that head of his, but what he has asked me to do this time I completely understand and agree. See yesterday when Chotey came home, he came to me and asked me to formally go and ask for Khushi bitya's hand as he said he wanted to do everything right this time round when he bought our Khushi home. He said he wanted to re-marry her and have all of us present at the ceremony unlike last time. And I for one totally agree with him, I always wanted khushi to be my grand-daughter-in-law but how it happened last time none of us were pleased, and so when Chotey suggested a re-marriage tomorrow at their 6 month anniversary I was thrilled, because I have always dreamed of seeing Chotey as a groom and Khushi bitya as a bride but we missed that chance when they eloped but Chotey wants it to happen this time and I, actually we all back him. What we want to know is whether you agree or not.'

Khushi had tears in her eyes, her Arnav ji thought of everything. She couldn't believe it, he had not taken her home yesterday as the six months were up and she was no longer his wife, she had forgotten but he had not. He was going to marry her and take her home legally. And here she had been thinking God knows what about his behaviour thinking that maybe he still wasn't ready to be with her. She fell in love with him all over again.

Garima, Shashi and Madhumathi were all speechless, they had expected Arnav would do something in order to win their love and respect back, as he himself had said so, but they had never thought it would be this, that he would give them their dream, their dream of preparing for Khushi's wedding and seeing her as a bride.

They were still silent, digesting everything that had just been revealed when Anjali approached them, 'Aunty, Uncle, Bua ji I know why you are hesitating, it's not easy to forget what happened and none of us expect you to just forgive and forget it all, because that would be wrong. All we are asking you is for an opportunity, an opportunity to right our wrongs. To show that we truly do love Khushi ji and wish to give her what she deserves. A wedding. The right that comes with being Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada. But most importantly a loving family like you have always been to her. She has showered us all with endless love and it is time we begin to return it. So please, please try to look past the things that happened and see what is in store for the future. We all love Khushi ji, who wouldn't, she is so special that everyone just loves her, and so we want her to be a part of our lives forever. But more importantly I know, I have seen how much Chotey loves and needs Khushi ji, when he is with her he forgets his past and his pain and is able to live again, and so as his sister I beg you for his happiness, which lies only and only with Khushi ji.'

'Sshh...Ssh...Anjali bitya...Sssh you and Arnav bitwa all won our heart when you asked for Khushi's hand. We were silent, not because we were hesitant but because we couldn't believe what Arnav bitwa had decided to give us. What more can I ask from you or him or anyone but to respect my daughter and that's what you gave her and all of us by coming here and asking for her hand. I want nothing more, Khushi is yours just as much as ours and we are completely humbled by your decision of a remarriage.' Answered a very teary-eyed Shashi.

And with that the festivities began. NK motioned the band players to come in while Aakash told the decorators outside to start their work. Anjali called the mehndi girl. While Garima and Bua ji cried and fretted with Payal for not telling them before hand about all this, and now how were they to arrange everything at such a short notice. To which Mami ji replyed in her taunting way that they need not worry considering the groom side were preparing everything which meant that there would be no goof-ups, and thereby starting the 'healthy' banter between Manorama and Madhumathi. While Payal, Nani ji and Garima went off to see what needed to be done instead of wasting time over their silly repartee.

Only Khushi remained still glued to the sofa, unable to take in everything that was happening. She was getting married. Everywhere in the neighbourhood lights and speakers were being set up for her wedding. Arnav would come riding on a horse and marry her. Ok well maybe not on horse, but in his Fortuner, after all he was her Laad Governor and would probably never sit on a horse. She smiled at the thought of him in a Sherwani on a horse. He would look good in it, but would never wear it as he never did. Her heart began to race again, and she instantly looked up to see if he had come, but he wasn't there, and she looked away disappointed, as happy as she was for what he was doing for her, she did not want any of this without him. She wanted to see him, be near him and enjoy all of this with him. But he wasn't here, he wasn't even in the city that she could motor across town to him and force him to join her.

She was still lost in her thoughts about Arnav, when Anjali laid her hand on her, and sat down next to her. She looked up to find a sheepish Anjali not meeting her eyes. 'Di?'

'Khushi ji, I don't want you to think that just because all these preparations are happening and that everyone is happy, that I have forgotten the wrongs I have committed against you. I want you to know that I am deeply ashamed for my actions that resulted in Chotey bringing him back home. I am so sorry that I didn't believe you, and trusted him. Khushi ji, I can never forgive myself for what I let happen. Khushi ji believe you me I thank DM everyday that she opened my eyes on the right time and made me walk in on you and him at the right moment to stop anything from happening. My insides churn every time I think about what I nearly let happen, and what would have happened if had not realised that the 'medicine' he had left on the side table for me was actually poison and therefore would not have come to your rescue. Khushi ji, I know forgiveness is too much to ask but I hope you will give me the chance to try and earn your forgiveness everyday from today. Please, please tell me you will give me that chance.'

Khushi swallowed the hard lump that was forming inside her throat and took Anjali's hands in hers. 'Di. Di how could you even think I would be angry or upset with you. You made a mistake yes, but I don't blame you, I know how devious that man can be, I have had my share of experience with him. Di I harbour no hard feelings against you. And Di, even if I did, I know how sorry you are, and I don't think anyone can be angry with you for too long Di, because you are too sweet.' Smiled Khushi encouragingly at Anjali, but she was still unsure so Khushi went on to add.

'Di, I truly don't have any bad feelings for what you did, because I know how sorry you are. And Di I just want to move on now from the past. I don't want to remember it anymore, I just want to think about our beautiful future together as one happy family. So Di no more tears ok, just happy thoughts. It's happened now, so let us just keep it in the past and step into a happy future.' And with that she gave Anjali one of her large bear hugs, to cheer her up. Anjali finally relaxed in her embrace, feeling relieved that Khushi was happy to forgive her, while promising herself that she would do everything to be worthy of that forgiveness.

****

Khushi hobbled into her room, after her conversation with Anjali, to lie down and get some rest, as she had gotten none all morning being tensed over what Arnav was planning, and would get none once the mehndi lady arrived to weave intricate hena designs on her hands. She had just managed to doze off, when her phone started ringing, she grudgingly picked it up to see who was calling. Her heart leapt up at the name that flashed on the display. Laad Governor.

'Arnav ji?! Arnav ji where are you? Why didn't you answer any of my calls since this morning do you know how worried I have been. And what is this about you marrying me again, why didn't you tell me?'

'O wow, did I dial Di's number instead of my wife's?' Arnav asked in an amused voice.

'Haha, very funny. You know it's me, answer my questions. Why aren't you here? Why are you in Lucknow?' replyed an annoyed Khushi.

'Well I know it's you, but I could have sworn you sounded like Di just now...hmmm maybe I should not let the two of you spend too much time together otherwise all day I will get worried calls from the both of you and then get no work done at all.' Khushi was silent on the otherside, not in the mood to be part of his joke. 'Ok fine, what was your question, where am I? Well you already know that, but I will still tell you I am in Lucknow. Why I didn't answer your calls, well I was a little busy, why did you miss me? And about whether I knew you would be worried well yeah I did, that's why I called, well that and your 20 missed calls were some indication of your worry. And about marrying you again, well seriously Khushi I thought you out of everyone would understand that better than anyone else. Our contract has come to an end so I couldn't take you home now could I when you are no longer my wife, and I figured I need to marry you as it is so why not do it in grand style. So does that answer all your questions or is there more?'

Khushi took a moment to reply, 'No that about answers it. But why are you doing this. I mean I know why you are marrying me again, because we no longer are husband and wife, or won't be from tomorrow, but why are you throwing a whole wedding, when we could just go and get married in court, without anyone having to know, I mean I know you would prefer that, you don't like all rituals and stuff.'

'Well yeah we could have done that, without telling anyone, but look how well that turned out when we did it the first time round. And if it was just about marrying you Khushi Kumari Gupta then I would have done it, but this is not just that, I want to do things right this time, with all the traditions. Because that is the way you have always wanted it Khushi, I took your dreams about your wedding away once already I'm not going to do that this time. You deserve to live your dreams Khushi and I will ensure that you do. Besides I know everyone will be happy this way, Di, Nani, and Mami have planned my wedding since I was a kid so I'm not going to take that away from them this time. And I'm sure Amma, Babuji, Bua ji and Payal have all had plans regarding your wedding too, so this way they are all happy. But most importantly, you, my Khushi is happy. And that is what matters to me the most. You are happy right?'

Sniff. A sniff was the only response khushi could muster up after everything Arnav had just related. 'Khushi? Heyy...shh...please don't cry. What is it? What don't you like tell me and I will change it. Is Di or Mami being overbearing regarding the wedding, tell me and I will set them straight, I told them already that everything should be the way you want it, so tell me or tell them straight if you don't like something. Khushi? Khushi...please don't cry. Tell me what happened.'

Another sniff. And then a hard blow of the nose. Two more sniffs and then finally Khushi said in a hoarse voice, 'No...Nothing Arnav ji everything is perfect. It's all perfect. I...I can't believe you are doing this all for me. I...I...thank you Arnav ji.'

'Khushi', now Arnav's voice was heavy with emotion too, 'Khushi, I know I have not given you any reason to believe before, but from now on I will make sure you have every reason to believe me doing this and many more things for you. Because Khushi you have no idea the happiness you have given me by accepting me in your life, I still don't understand why or how you accepted me, but I'm not going to question it any more instead I just wish to shower you with endless happiness, and that starts from today.'

'Arnav ji...I...Khushi what are you doing, come outside, the mehndi lady is here, time for your mehndi...', floated in Payal's voice.

'Khushi, you go now get your mehndi and other things done I will see you tomorrow. Don't keep me waiting. And Oh yeah, don't forget to get my name written in your mehndi, I will look for it.' Added Arnav teasingly, before he disconnected the line. Leaving butterflies flying in Khushi's stomach, as she made her way to the lounge to fully embrace the beautiful gift Arnav had given her. Her dream.

****

Khushi sat in her room, draped in her mother's bridal dupatta, wearing the sari Arnav had picked out for her on Aakash and Payal's wedding day (6 months ago), admiring her mehndi. It was a beautiful shade of maroon, Payal had teased her about how it showed the depth of Arnav's love for her. She traced Arnav's name with her finger in her mehndi, it was written on her left hand right below her ring finger. A tear escaped her eye, and dropped onto her hands. It was happening, it was all happening. He had made it happen for her. She didn't know what she had done to deserve so much love from him. It was still unreal for her, all that was happening. Sometimes it felt like it was all a dream and she would wake up and all would end. But then someone would do or say something and remind her that this was her reality now. That she finally had surpassed the worse and it was her time to be happy.

Everyone was bustling about, getting last minute things done before Arnav and the Raizada's arrived. Every now and then Payal, Amma and Bua ji would come by her, teary-eyed and give her a hug or a kiss. Babu ji, Jiji, Amma, and Bua ji were all so happy, and all thanks to Arnav ji. They had spent the night before in her room, reminiscing about her childhood days, and also talking about her parents, relating to her how proud and happy they would be today for her. She would miss them all so much, but then it was ok, she knew Arnav ji would bring her here whenever she wanted.

Arnav ji...how had she become so blessed to have ended up with him she didn't know, but was only thankful to DM for bringing him into her life. And today, a year to the day they had first met, she would be his. For today was not only their six month anniversary but also an anniversary of the day she had fallen into Arnav Singh Raizada's arms in Lucknow. What a year this had been, so many things had happened, and now, finally she was going to be Arnav's forever.

Tenu leke main jawaga... (Salman Khan's song from Salam-e-Ishq) Salman Khan's voice blasted in from the window, interrupting Khushi's thoughts. Another one of Arnav's gifts. He had ordered the band to play only Salman khan songs, as he was Khushi's favourite. He had taken care of every little detail to make sure everything went her way. She had no idea he had paid her so much attention.

Khushi's heart-beat began to increase, telling her he was near, and then came the confirmation in the form of one of the neighbours who yelled 'Baraat Agaie (the groom side are here)'. Khushi placed her hand on her heart and closed her eyes trying to calm herself. A lot was going on outside. There was laughter, teasing and what not, but Khushi did not go to the window to see what was happening. She stayed on the bed with her hand on her heart. Happiness, nervousness and love were all bubbling up inside her, and her heart was in no hurry to calm down. When she finally gave up on trying to calm her heart and opened her eyes, her jaw dropped. Arnav, in a white Sherwani, holding a draped thaal, was standing in the doorway, smiling at her. She abruptly got up to her feet, and jerked her hand away from her heart.

Flustered she asked what he was doing here. 'Khushi relax. I took everyone's permission before I came in, and believe you me it was not easy, but I am Arnav Singh Raizada, so...'

'But why are you here? I mean we are about to get married in a bit, then why are you here before it all.'

'Well see, there is a slight change of plans. I am marrying you, today.' Added Arnav hastily seeing Khushi's colour change, ' Just not here, I forgot to mention to Di yesterday that I had a location already booked, that is why she didn't know and so didn't tell you all. And as much as I love the sari you have worn, and If I am not mistaken you have worn it just for me, there is actually something else I would like you to wear, if it is not too much to ask.'

Khushi was staring at him dumbstruck, she still had not gotten over the shock of him being in her room and now he was telling her that the wedding would take place elsewhere and that she had to change. Well she would let the marriage take place elsewhere but she wasn't going to change.

'You can't just come in here and start you're governorgiri...if everyone has agreed to go to the other location then fine but I'm not changing!! I like what I am wearing and may be you didn't realise but this is the sari..'

'You and I picked together during Aakash's wedding. Yeah I know, I recognised it instantly Khushi Kumari Gupta. Why do you think I was standing speechless at your door, it wasn't because you were trying to calm your heart, that amuses me your heart's reaction to my presence, but doesn't render me speechless. But that sari and the way you look in it right now is...breathtaking.'

That did it again, his sly compliment and her heart began to run a marathon, and this time she saw the amused expression on Arnav's face who realised what had happened. She looked away annoyed at him. Arnav set the thaal down on her bed, and approached her. He turned her around and sat her down on the bed. Pressing his hand on hers, which was holding her heart, he calmed it with her and then looked up at her to say, 'Just look at the dress I have brought for you, if you don't want to wear it I won't force you. I just thought you might prefer that better. That is why I got it, but you can stay in this sari if you wish, I don't mind, I love it.' With that he turned her towards the thaal and pulled the drapes away, to leave an astounded Khushi.

The lehenga she had fantasized about was before her folded neatly on the thaal. Next to it the most beautiful jewelry, intricately designed matching her Lehenga. And two sets of beautiful bangles, alongside a pair of very pretty anklets, adorned with many jingles just the way she liked them. She looked from them to Arnav with tear filled eyes, while Arnav's seeked her face to know whether he had managed to get her lehenge the way she had imagined it. She nodded to let him know that he had made it even more mesmerising than she herself had envisioned it. She took the blouse of the Lehenga in her hands, it was a deep red with intricate gold work on it. While the lehenga itself was green, with the deep red border and heavy, but very delicate gold and red work on the green. As she unfolded the blouse she noticed one difference to the way she had imagined her lehenga. One addition Arnav had made to it, which made her heart stop. Tears began to flow from her eyes as her fingers stroked the single line of glistening pearls that adorned the back of her blouse. And in that moment she understood why he had left so urgently for Lucknow, it was to get her pearls. The very pearls he had broken a year back, in Sheeshmahal. She turned to look at him, the pearls in her hand, unable to voice her feelings. But he understood and took her into his arms.

Khushi held him tightly, and after a while choked back her tears to finally whisper the five words in his ears that she had been wanting to say since yesterday, 'Arnav ji, I love you.'

****

Arnav picked Khushi in to his arms, after taking the blessings of all their relatives and the Goddess in whose temple, he had 6 months ago dared to disgrace Khushi and the pure bond of marriage. Only to place in both of them the highest love and respect today. He cradled Khushi in his arms and walked down the mandir steps, entering their new life as true equals. He led her to the carriage that waited for them at the entrance of the mandir. Khushi had been right, Arnav would never sit on a horse, but he had done the next best thing for her, he had hired a carriage for them to ride off into the sunset in. Ok well maybe not into the sunset but to Shantivan, where their new lives awaited them.

-Finis -

But wait...picture abhi baki hai mere doston

a special vm just for you all below

EDIT

O THIS WAS THE OTHER WAVELENGTH CROSS-CONNECTION ME N THE CVS HAD (that i mentioned to some of you)...THE RE-MARRIAGE N THE PEARLS...which was way cool...I mean of course we all new there would be a re-marriage ever since the contract-marriage happened...but i had no idea they be doing it right now...as in when i was writing this i didn't realise that they had come to the end of the six months in the show too, n so marriage would be on the cards now...so it was way cool when i wrote this and a few days later khushi left RM n we find out that the six months are coming to an end...o n yeah of course the fact that the marriage day is the day they first met was me utilising my creative license...not really true...

ACTywm2012-08-27 18:39:30