Chapter 20
Days passed and everyone got over of Shyam's betrayal. The news had spread all around India that the no.1 drug dealer of London is caught. Guptas, Sheetal and Dr. Preeti are arrested and everyone is given strict punishments. Sim and Pam were promoted for their help and Greg along with Jerry went back to London but promised to attend the Arshi's wedding.
Everyone noticed that Anjali is really happy. The neighbours taunted her on her failed marriage, everyone looked at her with pity and sympathy but nothing mattered to her. She even changed her saris to salwars suits and styled her hair. She changed completely as if...as if she was waiting to get divorced.
Only Arnav knew the actual reason behind his di's happiness. He had confronted her regarding Ritik right on the day on Shyam's truth. And to his utter shock, his di who talks about morals and ethics openly admitted that she loves Ritik and didn't care if anyone says that it's disgusting to have an extra-marital affair. Arnav was shocked and didn't have any option but to give his nod. And what shocked him more was Anjali's stand that she would have gone with Ritik even if she didn't have Arnav's and family's approval.
No one in the family knew about this and Arnav didn't tell this to anyone as per Ritik's and Anjali's demand. They wanted Arshi's marriage to end without any more problems. They can wait!
And it was the wedding.
Arnav sat in the altar in his maroon-cream sherwani while Akash and Anjali were beside him teasing him to core. Nani, Mami and Mama stood near the altar watching the siblings scene with a smile.
The pandit ji performed the pre-marriage rituals and said, "Kanya ko bulayiye..." (Call the bride)
Arnav, Raizadas and the guests looked at the stairs where the bride's side came descending. Some relatives of Aroras walked in first, behind them was NK holding a video camera and Khushi's father. And behind them was her.
Arnav held his breath watching her coming down in a blood red lehenga and gold jewellery. He traced her from her toes to her forehead roaming his ears all over her. She looked at him and then looked down shying. Ritik, Payal, Shagun and Buaji had held the red cloth (I don't what it is and why it is held over the bride) over her head and was walking beside her. Khushi felt her brother leaning to her and whispering, "Seems like Mr. Raizada is very impatient!" Khushi smiled blushing and heard Payal's whisper, "Khushi are you sure that he is not planning to hold your hand and kiss it?" Khushi gasped and looked at Payal and heard Ritik telling, "I think that's gonna happen. Never underestimate ASR. He is too bold! Forget hand, I fear he would surely kiss you on..."
"On...?" she asked as they walked down the stairs.
Ritik cleared his throat and said, "On...the same place where he does every time!"
Khushi gasped imagining him kissing on her lips from the stage. But wait...
"Bhaiyya, how do you know that he kisses on lips?" Khushi asked shocked.
"When did we say about lips? Did we say that bhai?" Payal asked giggling and Ritik laughed, "Oho, so Mr. Raizada is a talented kisser it seems!" he whispered inaudible to others but only to Khushi and Payal. "Bhaiyya!" Khushi cried with widened eyes at her brother's bold talks.
"Arrey, what are you kids talking? Is this the time for masti?" Shagun scolded them and said, "Khushi, beta walk to the stage!"
Khushi walked to the altar and sat beside Arnav. She looked at him who smiled at her. She smiled back.
Pandit ji chanted mantras and Anjali being groom's sister tied the ghatbandan (I hope that's what it is called).
"Mangalsutra pehnaiye..." pandit ji said.
Arnav looked at Khushi who was looking at him with her eyes filled with love. He snaked his hands around her neck tying the mangalsutra while she closed her eyes smiling heartily. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at him who was smiling at her.
Pandit ji handed over a small box of sindoor. Khushi looked at him taking a pinch of it. Arnav took a pinch of the red powder and moved his arm to her forehead. He looked at her who was looking at him with her smile and eyes filled with tears. He slightly moved her mangtikka and applied the sindoor at her hair partition.
Everyone showered flowers on the couple as they took the seven vows around fire.
"Vivaah sambann huva" pandit ji declared.
Arnav and Khushi came down the stairs of the stage and greeted the guests. It was then Arnav noticed that his shoes were missing.
"Where are my shoes?" he asked looking around.
"Bhai where did you leave it?" Akash asked joining him in the search. "Here" he said pointing to the last step of stairs.
Anjali slapped her forehead and said, "Arrey Chotte, how could you be so careless? No groom should leave his shoes because there is a ritual that the girl's side would steal the groom's shoes!"
"Ritual? Yeh kaisa ritual hain?" Arnav asked shocked.
Everyone nodded and then they heard Payal and NK shouting, "Paisa do, joota lo...paisa do, joota lo" (Give money and take shoes)
Everyone laughed and Payal said coming in front of Arnav, "My dear jeejaaji, I'm really sorry. Give me your credit card and then the shoes are yours!"
Arnav was about to say something when Akash held him by shoulder and said aloud, "Bhai, no need for those shoes. Let her take it. I have bought a spare one for you!" and he showed the spare shoes.
"YYYAAAYYY" the boy's side cheered and Payal had her mouth in perfect O.
"Arrey yaar, that's cheating!" Ritik said, "Arnav, come on. This is a ritual!"
"I think Akash is right. I have shoes then why should I waste money?" Arnav said and boy's side cheered again.
Payal huffed in anger and then ran to Akash pulling out the shoe packet. Akash pulled it back and then started the tug of war.
"AKASH!" "PAYAL!" "AKASH" "PAYAL" everyone cheered and Khushi laughed out loud. Finally she interfered and said, "Okay stop. We'll come to a conclusion!"
"Yep," Arnav said, "So since this is a ritual, let us give in Akash. Ladkiwaalo hain, let them do it!" and he snatched the shoe box from Akash and gave it to Payal.
"Bhai!" Akash whined and girl's side cheered.
"Hmm...since my jeejaaji is a sweetheart, I don't want any money from you!" Payal said, "I just want..."
"I know. A promise that he'll keep bhabhi happy!" Akash said rolling his eyes. Everyone laughed.
"Nahi!" Payal cried, "I just want to say that if you hurt Khushi, then no one can stop me from killing you! Got it?" she shouted at Arnav.
"Aapki hokum saalisahiba!" Arnav said bowing down and Payal laughed.
"But what is the difference in what I said and what just said now?" Akash asked and Payal shouted, "Shut up you akdoo!"
"Akdoo? Did you just call me akdoo?" Akash asked angrily.
"Yes, AKDOO! MR. AKDOO SINGH RAIZADA" Payal shouted. "Teri to..." Akash cried when Anjali intervened, "Okay fine. Stop!"
Akash and Payal huffed in anger and turned other side while elders watched their antics laughing.
Cricket
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