A/N – this one was a pending request from a reader, to read more on Payal. Hope you all like it. I have also clubbed small part on twins' birthday towards the end, as arshi's princesses have recently turned 2! Don't forget to wish them and give your blessings 😊
--*--
"Kishu, no more Jalebi for you. You have already had 3 since morning." Payal admonished her nephew, Kavish. It was a known fact that she and Khushi were in charge of disciplining the kids in the house while their husbands did the best job of being lenient!
"Please Payal maasi. Just one more. Pleeeease." Kavish said making a cute face. It was difficult to say no when he made a cute face like that. 'Raizada kids' Payal said in her mind but stayed firm in her stand.
"No kishu. Kal milegi ab (tomorrow) ok? Your teeth will go bad if you keep eating sweets like these." Payal said ruffling his hair. But kishu's face fell. He, like Khushi, was fond of sweets, Jalebi in particular, and could go on munching them for whole day. But Payal being a caring aunt she was, was trying to put a stop on this for his own health.
In all this, she missed that Arnav had witnessed the whole scene and his face reflected one of those stern expressions, which meant he was either angry or upset. He approached them in quick steps, that's when Payal noticed him, coming there with a stern face.
For a minute Payal thought he was going to say something to her, maybe argue with her (which had never happened but still). But instead, he addressed his son,
"Baby, aap ko new videogame khelna hai (do you want to play new video game)?" hearing about new game immediately made Kavish jump and follow his father to his room, leaving Payal feeling restless.
Arnavji must have felt angry on her. Afterall he never liked anyone denying something to his kids. Why did he not say anything to her then? Was he is SO upset that he will not talk to her? Maybe he will complain to Akash. She should have let Kishu have a jalebi. All these thoughts quickly clouded Payal's mind, and she felt her eyes water.
Khushi entered the kitchen just then and looked surprised as Arnav lifted Kavish in his arms and stormed to their room, not so much as acknowledging her.
But before she could ask her Jiji, payal herself said,
"I am sorry Khushi. Arnavji ko ghussa aya hoga na humne kishu ko aise daant diya?" and then narrated what had happened a short while ago and how Arnav took his son away.
"Offo, aap bhi na jiji, you are really silly. Chiku jitna hamara hain utna hi aap ka bhi. (Chiku is as much yours as he is ours). And I as well Arnavji knows that you have never differentiated between Piya and Chiku. Don't worry, it's nothing." Khushi tried to convince Payal at her best. In the corner of her mind though, she also feared if Arnav was really upset but she will talk to him.
"lekin fir bhi. Arnavji-" Payal started to voice her doubts again but khushi didn't let her. Her jiji shouldn't worry about these things, least when she was heavily pregnant and had her own mood swings.
"Jiji, don't mind him. Unka bass chalein toh kisi ko bacchon ko daantne na de. But that doesn't mean we will let it be na? now come on, tell me which cakes do you want to order for your laadlis (darling daughters)?" khushi cleverly changed the subject to twins' birthday cakes and Payal happily helped her in choosing the cake, forgetting her worries. The event management firm in charge of twins' birthday party had given them few choices for the cake flavors, which would be custom made as per each girl's likings and Arnav had asked Khushi to choose, him being busy with guest list and other arrangements.
--*--
The day of twins' birthday:
It was an intimate function in a banquet hall of Maurya Sheraton, a five-star hotel in outskirts of Delhi. Selected eminent personalities from the Raizadas' friend circle were invited, along with some media people. The press was very happy as they will get to finally capture Delhi's power couple's daughters' photos. Until now, only unofficial photos of the twins were available and that itself used to make their readers go aww. But mr. and mrs. Raizada had carefully guarded their kids' privacy, even their son's first official images were made available when he turned 2 and same went for their daughters now.
It was a fairies & princess themed party, apparently that's how the girls were called by close family. The whole atmosphere spoke of grandeur and merriment. On the dais, two multi-layer cakes were kept side by side, along with balloons and confetti blasts being ready.
And finally, the guests of honor arrived. Mr and Mrs Raizada, (Arnav and Khushi) made a grand entry amongst cheering from their family and friends, they were holding one girl each in their arms and their son Kavish as well as their niece Piya were leading the way!
And as Arnav made Pari cut the cake while Khushi held Aru's hand to help her cut the cake, there were tears of joy in Khushi's eyes. That of course was a moment of the day for the press, where they captured proud parents and the birthday girls!
"these are happy tears." she said when Arnav looked at her questioningly, although he almost knew the answer.
He kissed her temple, giving another picture of the day and the guests proceeded to have their food, while some approached the dais to bless the kids and give them gifts. The twins loved this attention, even Pari seemed to be ok with it, even gladly holding a small toy Aman and his wife got for her.
And then there stood his Anjali Di, along with her husband and her son. Good that her mother-in-law was missing, especially after how things had become bitter after their last meeting at Raizada mansion. Anjali had later called and apologized to him and Khushi, as Nani had told her what had happened, but Arnav couldn't really forgive her. The way she had let her son hurt his kids had deeply hurt him too and probably soured his relationship with his Di. So when she came to wish the twins and Pratham extended large gift wrapped boxes they had gotten for the twins, Arnav only smiled. Although he did engage in a polite talk with Di's husband, Navin, who was a gentleman. Khushi however seemed to hold no grudges as she greeted his Di nicely, even accepting the gifts (which none of the twins showed any interest in, making khushi give an awkward smile to Anjali but Arnav was happy with his daughters).
When almost all guests started leaving, Payal and Akash came to the stage to greet their nieces properly, as until now, even they were busy with the guests. They gave 2 neatly packed gift packets to Khushi, which Aru wanted to immediately open and see. They all laughed at her eagerness for the gift her maasi and chachu got for her, and indeed, there lay a beautiful frock, handcrafted with gota work (something Payal would make for Khushi and had gifted her on her birthday too)
pic credit: Google
"Jiji, gota work, aapne kiya na? Its so pyara." Khushi complemented and Payal beamed with happiness
"Glad, our princess liked it, Payal worked on both girls' dresses since last week. Pari's is similar too, just in different color and design." Akash added
"Its very beautiful Payal." Arnav too complemented making both sisters share a smile.
--*--
Later that night, as everyone went to bed utterly tired and exhausted from the party, there was a radiant smile plastered on Khushi and Arnav's faces. And why not, their daughters got everyone's blessings, they were happy and they had a family that loved them.
Arohi had asked to be changed into the dress Payal gifted her, refusing to sleep otherwise, and even now, she had tightly clutched on her dress as if her mamma would change it while she slept.
"Payal really knows our baby's liking, no?" Arnav asked, as he tucked Aru in her bed
"yes, maasi jo hai (she is aunt after all)" Khushi replied being pleased. and why not? her jiji loved their kids and Arnavji knew this, what could be better than that to end this beautiful day?
--*--
A/N – I was planning to keep it only about Payal but then added a brief update on twins' birthday too! Hope it turned out ok.
With this, we are almost at 2/3rd mark of this book, with what I had planned. But, given that we keep adding impromptu chapters, it might be a bit more. Keep the love coming with your votes and reviews :)
p.s. arshi contract marriage anniversary is coming up(feb 14th), and so it will make a presence here too :D stay tuned.
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Shilpi @shils28
+ 2
2 years ago
My anniversary is also on 14th feb... 😂😂