Chapter 27
I Do Not Believe in Marriages
"How did you know I was in danger?" Arnav looked deep into her eyes and snaking his hand round her waist and drew her flush against him .
A sweet pain surged through Khushi and she clutched at the lapel of his shirt and looked into his eyes mesmerized and stammered, "I...I...just did."
The flashes of camera, the journalists shouting questions at a distance, and the sound of giggles behind her brought Khushi out of her trance.
"Chodiye Arnavji," she muttered embarrassed, pushing him away. "Sab dekh rahein hai!" (Let me go Arnavji! Everyone is looking at us!)
"Dekne do (Let them see)," Arnav growled and bending down kissed her full and hard on her moist pink lips.
Khushi's eyes widened like saucers, her hand flew to her open mouth. But before she could utter a word, he tightly clutched her soft palm in his large one and walked towards his grinning Jijaji who had just joined his Di, Payal and Akash at the airport!
Vikram Singh hugged Arnav. "Welcome mere sher, you did us proud by winning the competition hands down."
"Hello, bhai! Congratulations!"Akash adjusted his spectacles on his nose and extended his hand with a big smile.
Arnav took his hand in a warm grasp and patting him on the back said, " Welcome home Akash and thankyou for saving Payal's and Khushi's life."
"You don't have to thank him Chhotey, he has already got his reward," Anjali said glancing at a blushing Payal.
"And what were you trying to do Chhotey a minute ago? Arrey thoda sabr karo, sabr ka phal meetha hota hai, kyon Khushiji?" (Have patience, as the fruit of patience is sweet, isn't it,Khushi)
Khushi blushed crimson..
"The fruit of impatience was perfectly sweet" Arnav muttered under his breath, smirking at Khushi.
"What did you say?" Anjali grinned at her brother.
"Nothing Di," Arnav smiled and hugging his elder sisterasked, "Where is Naniji? "
"She is in Sheeshmahal. She is waiting impatiently to see her grandson safe and sound," said Anjali misty-eyed, hugging her brother back tightly.
Gen.Vikram Singh had to go back to work. But Khushi and Payal decided to meet Naniji before going back to the Gupta household. As Sheeshmahal loomed ahead, memories of the Diwali night came flooding back to Khushi and she smiled inwardly.
Reading her thoughts Arnav whispered, "What about continuing from where we left off Khushi?" Arnav put a loose strand of hair behind her ears, his warm fingers lingering on her neck. Khushi tried to move away from him gesturing towards the others but Arnav intertwined his hand in hers and pulled her closer on the car seat.
"By the way, do you know, who sent our special bed to Sheeshmahal before Diwali?" he whispered into her ear.
"Who?" Khushi was curious
"HP, our Hari Prakash !" Arnav rolled his eyes. "For the first time in his life he brought his brain out of hybernation and thought since there were beds in all rooms in RM, the new bed must have been ordered by me was for Sheeshmahal!"
Khushi giggled.
Naniji was standing above the stairs a big smile on her face and Khushi hissed urgently
"Arnavji humara haath chodiye!" (Arnavji, leave my hand!)
Arnav only tightened his hold.
When Khushi made another attempt to free her hand, he said exasperatedly,
"Khushi tum chahti ho main tumhara haath chhod doon? (Khushi do you want me to leave your hand?)
Said like that it sounded uncanny.Her heart lurched. She shook her head.
"Then stop fidgeting. And fussing." Arnav smiled devilishly at her.
Arnav and Khushi touched Nani's feet. She hugged both of them with tears in her eyes.
"Chotey iss baar to Khushi bitiya ne tumhe bacha liya par agar phir..."(Chhotey this time Khushi saved you but if it happens again...)
"Nahi nahi Naniji Arnavji ko kuchh nahi hoga," Khushi cut in. (No, no nothing will happen to Arnavji)
"To ensure that you have to be with me 24x7, Khushi. Isnt that so Nani?" Arnav said placing his chin on Nani's shoulder and smiling at Khushi.
Khushi gasped. Naniji smiled at both of them. "At last I will be able to see my grandson's wedding!"
Khushi blushed.
"Oh! Who is getting married?" Arnav asked confused.
"Why you Chhotey," Nani was surprised.
"I am not getting married, Nani! You know I don't believe marriages!"
Khushi stared at Arnav bewildered."But you said we are going to live together Arnavji!"
"Yes we will. But what does marriage have to do with it! I love you, and that is what matters." Arnav scrunched his eyes.
Khushi's eyes welled with tears . "I know Arnavji, I understand that you were deeply pained by Maa's death but she herself would want to see us married. She gave me her chunri (veil)." Khushi touched the red chunri she was wearing reverently.
"What crap!" Arnav barked.
Everyone was now staring at them now and Khushi felt humiliated by the man she loved.
Nani's voice cut in, "Chhotey tum kya keh rahe ho? Khushi bitiya iss ghar ki bahurani nahi banegi?" (Chottey, what are you saying, Khushi will not become the daughter-in-law of this house?)
Anjali moved towards her brother saying, "Chhotey do you think her parents will let her stay here with you if you don't wed her ? If you don't believe me ask Payalji."
"Never !" Payal shook her head. She looking anxiously at Khushi who looked as if a storm had just hit her.
"But is that what Khushi really wants? Marriage?" Arnav turned to Khushi, raking his hand through his hair..
"Yes, I do," Khushi thrust out her chin in determination. "But do you care about what I want, Arnavji?" she shouted at him.
"What the.. Khushi! I am not marrying, period. Samjhi tum!" (Do you understand!)
"Oh! Is that so? Then that is too bad, Arnavji! Because I still love you but I don't want to see you again. I can never defy my parents wishes." Khushi grasped Payal's hand and made for the door, without looking back at him.
Inspite of their protestations, Akash insisted in driving Khushi and Payal home, while Naniji and Anjali were hell bent on accompanying them.
Don't worry Khushiji. I will talk to Chhotey later," Anjali said with more confidence than she felt.
"You know him Anjaliji. He will not budge," Khushi smiled a ghost smile.
At the Gupta household, Buaji refused to let them go without drinking a cup of tea; to which they agreed reluctantly.
A vehicle screeched to a halt in front of the house, a door slammed, and Arnav barged into the house. Before anyone could react he pulled Khushi by the waist in a tight embrace.
"Hai re nand Kishore!" Buaji slapped her head.
"Chhotey!" Nani and Anjali admonished Arnav.
"Arnavji Chhodiye!" Khushi struggled to break free.
"No Khushi !," he said softly. "You took a risk loving me, against the notions you grew up with. I will take a risk marrying you, against my beliefs on marriage that I held so long !"
Then turning to Shashi Gupta he asked, "Babuji will you let her stay with me forever, if I marry her?"
"Hai re nand Kishore, yeh kaisa prashn hai?" (What sort of question is that?)
"Jiji! " Shashi quietened his elder sister and looked straight into Arnav's eyes. "Why do you want to marry Khushi beta?"
"Because there is no other option. She will not agree to anything but marriage. And I can't live without her," Arnav said simply.
There was pindrop silence for a minute, and suddenly everyone present started laughing.
"Ab aaya uunth pahar ke nichey," Anjali grinned. (A Hindi proverb meaning, the mighty have fallen.)
Sanjkadevi ka sankababu, Buaji was in splits at her own joke!
Shashi Gupta smiled, "Jeete raho, beta. Mujhe yakin hain tum meri bachhi ko bahut khush rakhogey." (May you live long son. I believe you will keep my daughter happy)
Arnav sighed in relief. "Okay! Then the deal is done. She is moving in with me today because we are getting married today!"
"Aaj?!!"(Today?!!) Garima blinked her eyes in disbelief
"But what about the pre-marriage rituals, Chhotey?" Anjali inquired.
"Hey that's really unfair Di! I agreed to marriage. No one mentioned pre marriage rigmaroles?
"But that's part of marriage, Arnavji," Payal smiled at him.
Khushi angry voice cut in above the din. "What about my consent?! I am not marrying him ! He did not propose marriage to me! "
"That's true Chhotey," Anjali supported Khushi with glee.
"Go ahead, bhai, do it !" Akash encouraged a frazzled Arnav.
Arnav smirked at the pout on Khush's angry red face. He walked slowly towards her as everyone watched with waited breath.
He went down on his knees and gently taking her hand in his proposed, "Will you please marry me Khushi and be mine forever?"
Khushi could not believe her Laad Governor was proposing to her in front of their families. Her voice shook with emotion,
"Haan Arnavji, hamesha ke liye!" (Yes Arnavji, forever!)
There was a hushed silence and then everyone started cheering. The room was full of happy smiling people.
"Di bhai has done all your bidding, you must definitely give him a concession and prepone the marriage," Akash appealed to Di while hugging his bhai .
Anjali consulted with the elders for a while and then clapping her hand said, "Okay okay, people! Since the groom has been on his best behavior ever, we will give him a concession. Khushi will be all yours day after tomorrow, Chhotey! Tum bhi kya yaad rakhogey!" (We have condescended to give you something you will remember!)
"Thankyou, my merciful Di !" Arnav said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"Welcome Chhotey! Anjali smiled at her brother and then whispered something in Nani's ears.
Nani nodded and folding her hands, said politely, "Shashi Babua, Madhumatiji, Garima Bitiya, aap ki aagya ho to hum abhi Khushuji ko Shagun' dena chahengey." (If you give us permission, we would like to give the Shagun to Khushi today itself)
Babuji folded his hands and said, " Jaroor, jaroor ! Yeh to Devi Maiyya ki kripa hai ki Khusi ko itna pyaar karnewala sasural mil raha hai!" (Ofcourse, ofcourse! It is Devi Maiyya's blessing that Khushi is getting such loving in laws)
Naniji walked up to Khushi and unclasping her heavy pearl and diamond necklace put it on round her neck. Khushi touched Naniji's feet and received her blessings. Then Anjali took the red chunri from Khushi's shoulders, and put it on her head. Then taking off Maa's golden kangans (bangles) from her hand she adorned Khushi's wrists with it.
"These are Maa's kangans Khushiji. She had left it for her Chottey ki dulhan...and there is a letter for you too..."
Khushi nodded, as her eyes filled brimming with happy tears, "I know Anjaliji..."
She remembered she had heard parts of that letter....Gussa bardasht karna aur pyaar sood samet lautana(Tolerate his anger and retun his love with interest)...when he had kissed her for the first time by the poolside.
She looked at him from under her eyelashes. Their eyes connected and his eyes reflected her emotion. He smiled at her and winked. Khushi's heart skipped a beat.
"There is so much to do and so little time! Lets get going! Time for a shopping spree! Anjali beamed.
The rest of the day passed away in hectic and.crazy shopping, shopping and shopping! Anjali bought sarees, jewellery, handbags, footwear and everything under the sun for Khushi till the latter was dead tired of trying on everything. Anjali also purchased many gifts for rest of the family members, especially Payal.
Arnav wanted to get back at Khushi for siding with others, not marrying him immediately and agreeing to the pre marriage rituals, but at the same time he wanted to surprise her by delving into his private collection and designing her Mehendi and Shaadi(marriage) lehenga and her marriage trousseau under his personal care. It was a difficult task in the limited time available to him but he was determined to do it for her. So he dropped her, Payal and Anjali at the market but did not join them , pleading important work in Delhi.
"Bye Khushi. I will try to be back before the marriage if I can," he said with a straight face and was gone.
"What!" Khushi stood staring after his accelerating car with an open mouth.
"Forget him Khushiji. He is just being wicked because he had to agree to the marriage rituals."
Sheeshmahal was fixed as the venue for marriage. The initial preparations were handled by Akash. He was soon joined by Jijaji, Aman, Mami and Mamiji, who flew in from Delhi. While Mami joined Anjali, Khushi and Payal in their shopping spree, Aman, Mamaji busied themselves with Akash! The excitement was palpable. As Naniji informed friends and family about the marriage, people started streaming into Sheeshmahal.
There was the same atmosphere in the Gupta house. Khushi's friends from Gosak were the first to arrive followed by NK and Neha from Delhi. Shashi Gupta was much relieved to have so many helping hands in his beloved daughter's marriage preparations.
Sheeshmahal was stood proud in all its glory and magnificence, shining against the darkness of the evening like a diamond crown Every bit of it was decorated with the tiniest of fairy lights and pastel coloured tissues and silver laces. The smell of fresh flowers filled the main hall and the huge chandelier in the middle of the intricately carved marble ceiling glowed with a purpose.
Under it two people in love exchanged rings, and declared to the world that they were soulmates. But they were no ordinary couple and so their nok-jhok was full on!
"Why didn't you call me even once from Delhi? Khushi hissed at her fianc. "How come inspite of your tremendously busy schedule in Delhi, you found the time to buy me this magnificent ring for me to match with my lehenga?!" Khushi's blue silk and satin lehenga swished around her as she fumed under her breath while smiling at those who had come up to congratulate them.
Arnav smirked and teased her, "Oh! I thought you were more interested in marriage rituals than in me! So I let you be! But you think the ring is beautiful, huh Khushi ?! A blue diamond ! My choice after all!
"You are mistaken, Arnavji! The beauty is in my hands, not in your ring! In fact it will look more beautiful when I have mehendi on my hands. And you have to put mehendi on your hands too!"
"Me?Are you crazy! No way, Khushi!"
"Okay then there will be no marriage tomorrow."
"You are not serious..."
"Try me," Khushi said sweetly and walked away.
Anjali was shocked out of her life when her brother agreed without much ado to apply a spot of mehendi on his hand.
Sitting at a distance, with her friends, and the mehendi wallis Khushi smiled in triumph, patting herself on the back for getting back at her Laad Governor!
Khushi's mehendi had almost dried when Neha, Tasneem and Rohit pulled her up to dance with them, while nandini and Shaila sang with the others. NK took over the bholak alias the dholak (Indian drum). Anjali and Payal also joined them. They also dragged Buaji and Naniji into the fray!
But it was Mamiji who was the star of the show. She stood out with her tip tap face, heavy jewellery, and the gaudiest banarasi saree in the whole of Banaras and her thumkas !
Khushi was really enjoying herself when she felt his presence behind her. She swirled around. He looked every bit the man he was in his dark grey worsted suit. She swallowed hard as her hazel eyes absorbed the burning desire in his caramel ones. As he approached her she withdrew into the crowd of dancers, smiling at him from beneath her lashes.
"The lehenga has fitted you so perfectly, hasn't it?" he called out to her
Oh! He was just admiring his work and I thought...Khushi bit her lower lip.
"Yes. Its perfect Arnavji. And you did not even take my measurements!" she said earnestly.
"I don't need your measurements for making a dress for you, Khushi," he said huskily, sauntering towards her, "I know every inch , every curve of your body darling," he said smirking.
Khshi gasped as giggles broke out around them.
Khushi fisted her fingers and charging at him punched him on his chest. Arnav laughed sexily and held her wrists pulling her closer to him. Khushi's knees wobbled as he looked passionately into her eyes and kissed the mehendi on her wrists, the mehendi on her palms and the mehendi on her fingers so gently, never taking his eyes off her face even once.
Khushi trembled as springs of pleasure erupted inside her and she moaned his name in a trance. Arnav cupped her face and crashed his lips on hers in a earth shattering kiss, while their friends danced around them blocking them from the outside world that was busy drinking and dining at the lavish spread.
Arnav woke up from sleep early in the morning. And the first thought that occurred to him was that Khushi would come to live with him today!. "Finally!" he grinned at his reflection in the washroom mirror and made his way to the courtyard.
He was suddenly surrounded by the ladies of the house who reprimanded him for being late for the Haldi ceremony.
Haldi? That yellow murk?! Arnav shrieked!
"Chottey don't make a face," Anjali giggled. This is also a marriage ritual. Behave like a good boy and apply it, please! Anjali giggled.
"What the Di! What is this for!"
"Ee tumko aur bhi handsomewa banana ke liye,.Arnav bitwa!" Mami tried to increase Arnav's general knowledge! (This is to make you more handsome, Arnav)
Arnav grumbled, "Khushi likes me the way I look ! What if she does not recognise me today and refuses to marry a stranger?!!" he asked Mami with a straight face!
"Aayen!!! Ee to bhery bhery big praablem wali baat, kyun Anjali bitiya?!! Sochne ka padi.!!!" (Aayen! This might be a big problem! We need to think about it Anjali !!)
"Mami, Chhotey is just pulling your leg." Anjali stifled a laugh and glared at her brother.
"Pull karat hai legwa... (He is pulling my leg...)" Mami looked at her legs in confusion and scratched her head.
"Chottey this haldi which is being applied on you will be sent to Khushiji's house and then will be applied on her."
"Okay Di. Then its okay," allowing her to smear haldi on his face to her heart's content.
Once the silver utensil containing haldi reached Khushi's house he called her up.
"What is it Arnavji? Say fast. They are applying haldi on me."
"Khushi that thing they are smearing on you was applied on me first. Its like I am touching you on our wedding morning."
Khushi blushed, "Aap bhi na Arnavji!" she whispered.
"Khushi," Arnav ticked her off in mock anger, "You of all people are not taking the ritual seriously! Tell me, where am I touching you now?"
"Wo...hmmm..." Khushi mumbled shyly
"Arrey titliya saree uthao aur phonewa rakho!"(Arrey Titliya, lift up your saree and keep the phone down!) Buaji who was applying haldi on her instructed her loudly.
Arnav caught on, "Legs ?"
"Hmmm..." Khushi was sweating now.
Arnav was enjoying himself. His voice was husky ,"Did I tell you you have such lovely legs Khushi...long, white, slender, sexy..."
"Hum phon rakhtey hai Arnavji," Khushi disconnecting the line hastily. Buaji, Amma and the elderly ladies of the small middle class neighbourhood were staring at her red face curiously while Payal, Neha, Shaila, Tasneem and Nandini were grinning away to glory!
A vision in red and green, Khushi climbed up the steps leading to the private temple in Sheeshmahal, accompanied by her Jiji and friends. The marriage ceremony was to be held in the temple as per the wishes of Arnav's mother. Maa had blessed us on Diwali night when arnavji had wrapped me in her chunri and she will bless us again today, Khushi thought misty-eyed! As she reached the top, her eyes sought and met Arnav's.
He was seated in front of the holy fire. A self-made, caring and generous man, a handsome figure in a dashing blue sherwani. Her heart filled with love and admiration for him as he smiled at her.
Maybe the solemnity of the occasion and its meaning got to him as the Panditji explained the meaning of each phera, he took with her and she with him.
He watched his wife fascinated as a glow suffused her face as he put the mangalsutra round her neck and filled her maang with sindoor. Khushi smiled into her husband's eyes proudly. Hey Devi Maiyya who would have thought that I would one day marry this LG who broke my bed, she mused as everyone showered flowers on them and came forward to bless a special couple.
Khushi bid her family and friends a teary farewell. Anjali hugged her.
Arnav was distressed, "Di why is she crying?"
"Chottey you have to carry Khushiji in your arms into Sheeshmahal, only then will she get her smile back " Anjali giggled.
"Don't worry that is a ritual Arnav won't mind," said her husband, General Vikram Singh.
"Jijaji is right. I won't mind. I will do anything to make her smile. In fact I will carry her all the way!" And saying that he scooped her in his arms and started walking towards the main building. Everyone cheered behind them. Khushi clasped her arms tightly around his neck and dug her face in his chest, sighing happily. Arnav did not stop until they reached his room.
He locked the door behind them and put her down gently. The room was beautifully decorated but the Suhaag Raat bed was missing.
"Where is our bed?"
"Missing the bed already," Arnav teased her.
"Arnavji, boliye na," Khushi pouted looking around.
"It is in Raizada Mansion, Khushi, and we are going to it !" Arnav whispered in her ear conspiratorially.
"What?" Khushi giggled. "You think anyone will let us leave here?"
"We will not tell anyone, Einstein," he said rolling his eyes. He pulled out his buildering gear from a solid wooden cupboard and beckoned to Kushi, "Hurry up. Let me tie you round my waist. It is a short climb to the terrace, where the helicopter is waiting for us."
But the short climb was breathtaking as stars twinkled above them and Sheeshmahal shone below. Khushi gushed, hugging him tightly, "Oh Arnavji this is heavenly ! Just like last time when we climbed up to my apartment ! And we are so close to our dear ones who have become stars, hai na?
"Yes Khushi, " he murmured softly, kissing her hands.
As the plane took off, Khushi munched on a chocolate that Arnav offered her and said, "Arnavji, let me get this clear. We are going all the way to Delhi, stealthily,without telling anyone, in the middle of the night, only to sleep on our bed?!!"
"Hmmm..." Arnav said absent mindedly, his eyes darkening with passion as she licked the chocolate off her lips.
"Life with you will be interesting, husband. I think I kind of like you," she said playfully.
"How much? he growled, leaning towards her, "Show me!"
Khushi bit her lower lip nervously. Then she pecked him on the lips and withdrew."
That's all ?" he pouted.
She laughed and shook her head. Then without warning, she slammed her lips on him and kissed him hungrily. Arnav was shaken to the core and groaned in pleasure, willing to go wherever her spontaneity took them.
They broke apart from each other panting as the pilot announced their landing at the RM terrace. Arnav gave the thumbs up sign to the pilot as he flew away and picked up his beautiful wife in his arms, her red chunri, billowing behind them.
As Arnav walked down the steps Khushi saw the poolside sparkling in the dark. It was lit by hundreds of scented candles all around and rose petals were strewn on the glistening water. And right next to it was their bed! Khushi's eyes widened with excitement at such an ethereal sight and she clasped a hand to her O shaped mouth in her joy!
"You like this?" Arnav whispered into her ear huskily.
Khushi was speechless but her eyes told him all he wanted to know.
Laying her gently on the bed, he said lovingly, his brown pools of desire setting her ablaze, "This is where I always wanted to love you Khushi, by the poolside, on our bed..."
Khushi thought her heart would burst and she opened up her arms to him, to unite with him in body and soul, in love and bliss.
Arnav woke at the crack of dawn to the wonderful feel of her beautiful bare breasts pressed to his muscled chest. Her long silky hair lay strewn on his pillow and her smell tantalized his senses. He closed his eyes as his body shuddered with wanting her again. Khushi felt his desire and in an instant the fire emanating from him consumed her. Arnav rained hot kisses on her face and shoulders before finally claiming her lips. Khushi felt herself drowning in a hot pool of passion as his hands caressed her curves till they ached for his mouth. Khushi fisted her hand into his hair, pulling him closer ,wanting to melt into him. Sensing her desire, he brought her legs to circle him and pushed against her moaning her name again and again till he melted into her and she into him.
They had just drifted into a contended slumber when Khushi's phone rang.
"What the! Must be someone from my crazy family ! Put the phone on speaker." Arnav muttered irritatingly.
"Its Di, " Khushi said putting the phone on speaker.
"Haan Di, boliye?" (Yes, Di?) Khushi said cheerfully.
"Khushiji I know Chhotey will be very angry but are you coming down for the morning pooja?"
"Wo, Di! Actually we are not in Sheeshmahal! We are at Raizada Mansion!" Khushi was extremely embarrassed!
"What! Yeh Chhotey bhi na!" (Chhotey is too much)
Arnav cut in, "Di, with all of you away in Sheeshmahal, I thought the Gods in Raizada Mansion were not getting enough attention, so I brought Khushi here to look after them."
"Oh! I see Chhotey. Now that you have taken her there also pray with her!" Anjali laughed
"For what Di?"
"Maybe my nephew or niece! Enjoy yourself! " Anjali guffawed and disconnected the line.
Arnav grunted. Khushi thought for a moment and turned to Arnav shyly, "Arnavji, about what Di said..."
"Shut up, Khushi !" Arnav said huskily, " This is all my family's ploy. I am not going there until I have enough of you first," he moulded her body to his and ravished her again much to her delight and pleasure! And the bed creaked!
THE END
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I end here in the hope that I might make a comeback!😉
Thankyou so much my dear priyanka1998 for this beautiful end! 🤗
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