Chapter 22

[MEMBERSONLY]

'Khushi, the thing is, now that you've agreed, I will not.LET.you change your mind'

Khushi got a slight idea of just what he meant when he said that the very next morning. She heard a knock on her bedroom door at 7 am , and opened it to find a freshly showered Arnavji dressed in a crisp white button-up shirt and beige trousers standing in front of her. She looked at her own disheveled state and mumbled a good morning, which was reciprocated with rare smile and proper gusto. He asked for her birth certificate and her passport size photos.  'At 7 in the morning? I don't exactly sleep with my birth certificate and photos'  she grumbled in her mind, but provided them nonetheless as she had them properly put away. After checking them, he asked her to get ready in an hour and meet him in the living room. Her sleepy brain did not register much details other then how happy he was looking, so she just nodded.

Precisely at 8 am Khushi found herself signing the Marriage Registration Application sitting in front of Arnavji's family lawyer. The forms have been already filled by the legal team and they just had to sign them, and then the lawyer was going to submit them in court today itself. From the conversation between the lawyer and Arnavji she deduced that Arnavji being in some VIP category list will be exempted from appearing in front of registrar and they can have shorter wait period of two weeks instead of usual one month before they can sign on their actual marriage certificate. Arnavji looked pretty pleased with the idea but Khushi was very glad when he asked her opinion on the wait time, because here she had one SOLID opinion to give.

'Arnavji, I think one month wait time is good'  she said.

'Why? We don't have to wait. We can have a traditional wedding in a month if we get done with this in two weeks'  he explained none too pleased.

'Arnavji, can I talk to you alone for a second?'  she requested.

He nodded and they went to Khushi's room, on the same floor as living room.

'What is it Khushi? Are YOU having second thoughts now? I told you that once you agree ...'  he started as soon as they entered the room.

'I am NOT having second thoughts Arnavji. What am I? Five? You think I'll flip on such a big decision every other day?'  she cut in.

'Then what is it?'  he asked with a creased forehead.

'It'll be six month death anniversay of naniji next month. Shouldn't we wait till then for wedding?'  she expalined calming him a little.

'I know. That's why I did not plan a temple wedding. But registry would just be signatures. Isn't it pooja and traditional wedding stuff that should be withheld before six months?'  he genuinely asked.

'About the traditional wedding Arnavji. I don't want one. And as far as I know you are not a big fan either'  Khushi shocked Arnav with this revelation.

He just stared at her for a few moments.

'Khushi you remember right? This is not just some legal formality. It's a REAL wedding '  he said in a grave tone.

'With a real me and a real you. I know Arnavji. But we don't have a family to enjoy a traditional wedding with. Who will stand in the place of mother , father, sister, brother in our wedding? It's just us Arnavji, us and the kids'  she answered with a breaking heart.  'We will miss all our loved ones anyhow, but why rub it in the face with all traditional stuff where they won't be present at their rightful places?'  she said tearing up.

Arnav stood stupefied for a few seconds, staring at his soon to be BETTER half, who was thinking about exactly that, making life better and less miserable for him. He instinctively moved forward and engulfed a now sniffling Khushi in a hug. She too rested her head on his heart.

'Shhh ... Khushi its ok. We'll do as you want it to be done. I just thought that you might want a traditional wedding and all'  he said pacifying her.

'I ... do ... but ...'  she sniffled some more bringing a sad smile on Arnav's face.

'Someday Khushi, we'll have a proper wedding. With all the traditions. Maybe when Adit Adya grow up and will be able to stand at one place for more than 2 minutes, that time we'll make them stand in for all family members. Okay?'  he tried to make her smile.

And smile she did, making his heart light. It was then decided that they will have a registered wedding after one month. Arnav then and there decided to throw a grand reception after Khushi's exams and have a honeymoon cum vacation for his wife and kids after that, but kept it to himself as a surprise.

 

'Khushi, I was hoping that you'll decide today'  Arnav said tiredly.

'I am trying Arnavji'  she replied.

'Trying what? You look like you are trying to find network for your cell phone?'  he replied pointedly.

'NO, I am trying to decide'  she curtly replied.

'Since last 1 hour?'  he again said.

'Yes Arnavji. You need to think properly before buying jewelry. Take your time. Cut, Carat, Clarity, Design everything has to be perfect'  she said smugly.

Arnav had called Raizada's family jeweler to the mansion in evening so that they can decide on engagement rings. And for the last hour, Khushi was picking rings, looking at them intently from all weird angles and returning them back to the box, making it look more like a quest for cellular network,  much to Arnav's frustration.

'Where did you learn all this from?'  he asked rolling his eyes.

'Anjali Bhabhi. She always took me to shopping with her and taught me. I know just how its done'  she smiled.

'DI? You are following HER style of shopping? You do realize that we will grow roots sitting here if we shop at HER pace?'  Arnav looked really terrified recalling his sister's obsession with perfection and speed of shopping.

That remark about her beloved bhabhi and the precious knowledge she had imparted her, did not go well with Khushi.

'Fine. You choose then. Anyways the ring is from your side'  she folded her hands on her lap, putting back the ring she was checking.

Arnav did not let the opportunity slip. He fished out two rings from the box and asked Khushi to choose one. This efficiency, was not appreciated by the bride however.

'Ji, whatever you like is fine'  she replied uninterested.

Arnav sighed  'No Khushi, you choose. Ring should be of your choice. I ... I'll just get my laptop. You take your time'. 

Miraculously, Khushi made her choice by the time he came back with his laptop. While she was very happy with her choice, Arnav, no so much. It was a small ring, with a cluster of seven bright diamonds set in a round floral shape.

'It does not even look like an engagement ring type. Arnav Singh Raizada's fiance will wear such a small ring?'  he spat.

'Is there a TYPE for rings to be gifted at engagement?'  Khushi was not liking the return of old snob Arnavji.

'Yes, they are called solitaires'  he replied undeterred.  'How did you even find this among all these?'  he asked looking at THE ring.

Khushi silently picked one of the ring Arnavji had selected earlier and gave it to the salesman and said  'Ji. We will take this. Arnavji now you select your ring'.

Arnav was stumped by sudden turn of her mood. She just relented. No argument, no lecture? He did not like that at all. But by then the grateful salesman had started showing men's ring lest the couple starts looking again in the same stack they were looking since eternity. Arnav selected a plain gold band for himself with a small diamond studded into the band. He could see Khushi genuinely participating in his selection. He felt bad that she just gave up on her choice so easily and was giving so much attention to his choice right now.

They both paid for each other's rings respectively, which was one request Khushi made with so much heart that he could not deny. She wanted to pay for the grooms ring as per the tradition, and Arnav could not talk her out of it.  'This is one single thing I can afford in this whole wedding Arnavji. Please don't say no'  she had said. Her respect in Arnav's eyes had increased many folds by this gesture.

They decided that they'll exchange rings in the pooja room next day at 7 in the evening. Since they were not going traditional all the way, Khushi decided to follow an informally traditional approach for this atleast. Arnav was okay with anything, as long as they get engaged. 

When he came down dressed in maroon formal shirt and black trousers, he found his to-be-fiance and their ring bearers waiting for him in the pooja room. All ready and looking happy. Khushi was dressed in a maroon saree, looking ethereal, with very light jewelry and just some kohl and lip gloss on her beautiful face, her long hair unbound. She had dressed their cute little angels in shades of maroon as well. Adya in a maroon polka dot frock and Adit in a maroon Disney dress.  Arnav's heart warmed at the sight of his family. Khushi made them all sit in front of God's idol and garlanded pictures of nani-nanaji, Anajli, Shyam and Arnav's mom. All four of them lighted the lamp together in front of the idol and pictures after which, Khushi put teeka on Arnav, Adit and Adya's foreheads and Arnav volunteered to put the teeka on her forehead. 

Arnav then produced the box containing Khushi's ring from his pocket, and opened it with a token help from the official ring bearer Adit Raizada Jha. Khushi gasped when she saw the ring. It was the same ring she had selected, not the one she gave to the salesman. There were very few things in life about which Arnav had changed his opinion or revised his decisions on, but in Khushi's case, it was kind of becoming a routine for him now. By simply accepting him just as he is, she makes him crazily want to change for her. However, those huge expressive hazel eyes never refrain from telling him when his actions are being disliked, he reminded himself. But, the smile that had got plastered on her face made it all worth it.

'You got THIS ring Arnavji?'  she asked with her eyes twinkling.

'Well, you have to wear it, so I thought I should go by your choice'  he said with happiness bursting from inside him at her reaction.

'Thank you. Thank you. Thank you'  she gleefully chanted, while her left hand involunteerily placed itself in his outstretched hand.

Arnav very lovingly placed the ring in her slender ring finger and caressed it with his thumb. He then looked deep into her eyes with an emotion Khushi cannot fathom, and without breaking the gaze brought her hand to his lips and kissed the gleaming piece of jewelry that marked her as his. She could not help the shy smile that came on her lips and crept up to her eyes at this display of affection. But very next second her eyes blew out of proportion, when Arnav slowly leaned forward and kissed her firmly near her lips, without warning! His handsome face lingered on to her pretty one few moments longer than necessary, making Khushi entire body shudder with a strange sensation. While he was devilishly taking his sweet time to relish the feel of her velvety skin under his lips, she had to put in a mammoth effort to stop herself from grabbing the devil's shoulder for much needed urgent support. Arnav smirked as he leaned back and looked at Khushi. She was visibly shaking, with her eyes occupying half her face, those lovely lips were mercilessly pressed together in what looked like an effort to stifle a gasp and her ivory cheeks had a very interesting shade of pink on them.

'K ... K ... Kids?'  she stammered trying to gather her wits, under his unabashed and amused stare.

Arnav promptly gathered Adya in his arms, loudly smacked her chubby cheeks making her giggle. 'See, they don't mind. In fact they approve'  he replied cheekily, now grinning himself, making Khushi blush some more if that was even humanely possible.

Khushi somehow managed to slide Arnav's ring onto his finger, with a lot of fumbling. The fact that they were sitting right now helped her a lot, else she would have fainted by now, she mused. Adit and Adya expressed their happiness at what ever was going on in front of them by giggling and clapping. A few moments later the toddlers ran out of the pooja room, leaving the newly engaged couple alone.

'Khushi, are you okay?'  Arnav asked smiling.

'I... I... I gotta go. Dinner time'  Khushi sprang up on her feet without delay. 

Arnav followed the suit very next second and held her wrist, effectively stopping her from running out.

'You know, you gotta give me a kiss too'  he told her tenderly.

'JI??' she swiftly turned and faced him.

'Ji. Raizada tradition you see. Kissing after exchanging rings'  he informed with mirth dancing in his eyes.

'Really?'  she asked confused.

'What? You don't believe me?'  he tried to sound offended.

'No. No. I mean ... You sure Arnavji? ... I mean about the tradition?'  she questioned nervously, the blush now making its way down to her neck too.

'Why would I say so if I am not sure about it?'  he challenged.

She knew very well that the true answer to this question is not something she can voice in her present condition. Accusing Arnavji for wanting to make her kiss him was not a sane idea looking at his 'Raizada tradition' mood right now. Her heart was already beating like hard rock drum against her rib cage, and she was totally expecting her legs to buckle away any moment. Any more of his mischievous onslaught, and she will sure get a heart attack. She gulped. Leaned forward. Pecked Arnavji's cheek as fast as possible and sprinted out of pooja room like a bullet train. She did not wait to see the slow smile that spread across the handsome face of her fiance behind her. Neither did she see the profound peace in his eyes, while watching this small ceremony again on the handy-cam they had placed in pooja room earlier for memories sake.

Next morning by the time Akash Roy's flight landed in Delhi, Khushi was sitting in 'her' home, with an engagement ring on her finger and a marriage application in-process in court, having breakfast with her fiance and their kids.