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Chapter 59

rulama

@rulama

OS 2: Finding Khushi

Part 18

Section 1

Khushi stilled, her body freezing in his arms.

Arnav shut his eyes in despair. He had hurt her too badly for her to trust him so easily, regardless of how much she cared for him. How could she give her heart & life into the hands of the man who had never shown her the least consideration and had used every chance to humiliate and mock her & her values?

"So, Khushi, shall we go down?", he made his voice neutral.

She lifted her head and looked into his eyes.

What ever it was that she read there calmed her. She nodded. She then turned to leave.

"Khushi, wait for me.", Arnav requested.

He picked up a small jewel box that Di had entrusted him with and pocketed it. He checked that his phone was with him, and taking hold of her hand, left the room.

Nani, Anjali, Mami, Mamaji, Buaji, Payal, Amma, & Babuji watched Arnav and Khushi come down the stairs holding hands.

"Hello Hi Bye Bye! Bhat a pair! Bilkul Romeo & Julietwaa!", said Mami.

Nani glared at her for invoking the name of ill-fated lovers.

"Hasn't Akash come down yet?", Arnav frowned. "NK was helping him'." He still held on to Khushi.

"Nannav, we are here'", said NK.

All turned to look at the boys.

Akash was wearing his sherwani, and looked very dapper in it, but his turban was askew.

"Ee kaa hua! Did you boys fight over the turban?", Mamaji asked, laughing.

"NK Bhai said that I should wear it at an angle, like a hat'", Akash said, looking at a beautiful Payal with shining eyes.

"This NK Babua! He will make his Maasi die laughing!", Mami exclaimed.

"Where were you till now, NK Bitwaa? You should have come earlier!", Mamaji teased Mami, and set the turban straight.

"Khushiji, Khushiji, doesn't Akash look good in his white sherwani?", NK asked.

"Very, Nanheji. Jiju looks good in everything he wears.", Khushi smiled. "You look handsome too.", she consoled him.

NK's face lit up. "Who looks the best, Khushiji? Akash in his white sherwani, me in my red sherwani, or Nannav in his old, boring, BLACK suit?", he teased Khushi.

Khushi looked at Jiju. He was handsome. She looked at Nanheji in red. He was very good looking. Seeing Khushi looking at him, he preened. Biting back a smile, Khushi looked at Arnavji. Her eyes got trapped in his, her breath hitched.

"Arnavji'", she said.

"That is partiality! That is beinaami, that is beinaami!", exclaimed NK.

"Beimaani, NK Bhai!", Akash & Anjali said together.

"Whatever.", pouted NK. "But it is still partiality!"

Arnav smiled into Khushi's eyes, expressing his happiness at her choice. Khushi blushed.

"They have become Heer & Mirza, and now Khushiji finds only Nannav handsome!!!", NK complained, hiding his smile.

"Hai Re Nandkisore!", Buaji cried. "Heer and Ranjha and Mirza & Sahibaan!"

NK frowned. "Who are the other two, Buaji?"

Buaji hit her forehead with her hand. All laughed.

Guests started arriving in earnest then, and both families set about welcoming them in. In the middle of the greetings and the laughter, the crowd and the joy, Arnav retained hold of Khushi's hand, pressing her fingers at intervals.

It was time for jaimala.

Arnav had to leave Khushi's side to support Akash during the function, but his eyes remained on her glowing face and twinkling eyes. Mamaji helped Babuji do the kanyadaan. The bride and the groom took the seven steps and the seven vows, and Arnav stood by Khushi, watching the wedding happen.

"Soon, it will be you in Payal's place.", he whispered in her ear.

"Acha?", she countered.

"And me in Akash's place.", he murmured.

"And if I say 'No'?", she teased.

"I will carry you away.", he promised.

Khushi looked at him with saucer-like eyes.

"I will carry you to a temple, and marry you. You won't have to take the seven phere. I will carry you around the havan.", he said softly.

Khushi looked at him in silence.

"And don't think anyone in our families is going to help you. They will all hold the doors open for us and cheer us on our way."

Khushi glared at him.

"And then we can have our suhaag raat.", he said, looking into her scared eyes with amusement.

Khushi gulped.

"Don't think I will let you sleep even for a moment, Khushi!", he warned, hiding his smile, loving her horrified look. "You are making me wait 6 months to marry you. So be ready to pay the price."

Part 17:Section 3: 80167090 Part 18:Section 2: 80357816

rulama2013-04-10 21:50:10