IF readers: this could be the last chapter I update here if you all don't start responding. As it is, I post the chapters here despite only a handful of readers active here as I wanted to cater to them. But I've seen even that reducing and I don't want to waste my efforts like this. So, pls start pressing 'like's and post reviews or there will no CSD updates on IF any more.
--*--
It was a beautiful and radiant Saturday morning. And as first rays of wintry sunlight entered through the windows of Shantivan, he got up in his usual happy and cheerful avatar...the fact that he was jet lagged had never been an issue. His excitement to meet everyone surpassed any such bodily restrictions.
And thus, he was the first one to reach the breakfast table. This being a weekend-morning, the rest of them were either still fast asleep(read: kids) or trying to get out of their bed with efforts (read: the one n only, ASR and Mrs. ASR). So, except payal-akash's 9-months-old son Palash, no one's voice was really heard.
And then, he exclaimed, looking at the deliciously hot dishes being placed on breakfast table by HP and other staff at Shantivan, "Woah! Homemade desi food after soo long! I can't wait to have this narama-naram khana (hot food)." he said pulling out a chair and a loud sound of laughter emerged from HP and others who were looking at him with awe and affection
"NK bhaiyya, even after so many years, you haven't changed! It is garama-garam khana, narama-naram nahi." HP said correcting him and Nandkishor aka NK aka Nanhe ji scratched the back of his head at his old habit and joined in the laughs...
Of course, how could he change? It is not like he lived in India or stayed with his family for so long, is it? Sure, there were occasional visits in between from the Raizadas to Australia or him to India but they were barely a week or 2 long. And then, during the last 3-4 years it had become close to nothing. He was settled in Sydney and had his life there. He fondly remembered the time when he as a then 23-years-old NK, came to visit his aunt-Manorama in December of 2011. That trip had been special for so many reasons. That was the trip when he felt first bouts of true-affection for someone - Khushi ji! He smiled fondly at that memory. Then he saw that same girl fall in love with his khadus cousin Nannav (NK rolled his eyes remembering Arnav of that time), and then he saw himself become her strong support and true friend. That trip taught him so much about love, friendships and family. So, when he went back, he had amazing foundation of love to start his career in Sydney.
After he returned to Sydney in 2012, he started his career as a freelance photographer and soon got many good offers...His parents were also alive then and him being a single child, used to live with him. Then, Arnav-Khushi and Payal-Akash visited him in 2014 during Christmas. He smiled remembering how he teased akash as just after this trip, Payal's pregnancy's news came out!
The next time he visited India was when Nannav-Khushi's son was born! Oh, how he loved his cute-faced nephew. He secretly told Khushiji that 'thank God Kavish took after her', in nature he meant, and then ran away from there when he turned around to see an angry faced Nannav who had overheard it! He chuckled at that memory! How a sweet Khushi ji tolerated that angry-man nature of his brother, his did not know! But he knew one more thing, Nannav loved Khushi ji beyond limits of devotion...
He got emotional remembering the time of 2017 when his parents passed away within a month's gap and that was when Raizadas came to visit him there. He still felt moved as he recalled how they all insisted he move to India and live with them. But he told them he had his life in Sydney and liked it there.
There was also another reason for his denial. Jaz! His then-new girlfriend! Jaz or Jasmeet as her real name was, was also so much like him. Born and raised in Australia in a family of Punjabi-Indian immigrant parents, she barely had any understanding of Hindi or Punjabi. And no matter how much her parents tried, her Hindi was even worse than NK's!
They initially bonded over that and gradually many other things they liked in each other.
He eventually proposed to her in summer 2019. And finally when they decided to get married after 3 years of dating, in summer 2020, the covid-pandemic happened! They had already agreed on a wedding in India since Jaz's most of the relatives lived in India and so did his family who only consisted of Raizadas. But due to the ongoing travel bans, the wedding had to postponed for 2 more years. He also missed to come and visit Delhi when his cutie-patootie nieces Arohi and Pari were born, and his newest-nephew Palash was born.
And finally, after almost 5 years of being together, NK and Jaz could finalize a date of Feb 2023 as their wedding! And the fun part was, it was to be held in her hometown, a small village near Chandigarh!
Currently, he was staying here at the Raizada mansion while Jaz and her parents were staying in a hotel for 3-4 days so they could meet Raizadas in-person and decide few things. And finally, all of them were to fly to Chandigarh from where they would take hired cars to reach the wedding venue. It was going to be a week-long wedding and he couldn't wait to start the festivities already! In all these years, as he had watched and participated in others' weddings he had dreamt so much about his own big day. He couldn't contain his excitement as finally that day was near. Cherry on the cake was, Khushi ji was going to be in charge of his baarati-squad! He grinned remembering how they had been discussing about this for hours on their weekend video calls and Nannav used to be annoyed in the background!
Speaking of which, where were his lovebirds brother and bro's-wife?
--*--
"Arnavji, chodiye na humein, kitna late ho gaya hai (leave me, it's so late already)." she tried to unsuccessfully free herself from his iron-grip around her.
"5 more minutes." he mumbled and went back to cuddle her from behind and then hide his face in her neck.
"You said that 30 minutes ago. Even my babies make better excuses. Leave me now."
"huh? Really now? Ok, then let me change it. A kiss and then you can go." he negotiated.
"haww. Arnavji how shameless-" she said turning her face around and that was the mistake she did! As soon as her eyes locked in his warm-chocolate orbs, the rest of her thoughts flew out of her mind. The charmer cast his magic spell, as his skilled fingers started playing with her skin, one hand caressing her face and removing a strand of hair to tuck it behind her ear, and then, she was taken in a toe-curling kiss...
.
.
By the time, she got ready and came downstairs, everyone had either finished their breakfasts or were about to, baring kids of course. They were still sleeping, today being a school-holiday and she let them. Arnav had asked for breakfast in their room as he had a call with a client.
She greeted Akash, Naniji and Mamiji but her eyes searched her dearest friend and brother-in-law, and so, taking a seat and pouring a cup of chai for herself, she asked, "Mamiji, Nanheji uth gaye kya(Has NK woken up yet)?"
Before Manorama could finish the food in her mouth to reply, Khushi had a tap on her shoulder and then an accusatory voice came, "You are late Khushi ji. You promised 10 am sharp, it is 10.15 now. See?" NK said with a dramatically long face and showed his watch for better effect!
She smiled guiltily and was about to get up leaving breakfast, when NK dropped his charade and lightly pushed her down, "I was kidding Khushi ji, finish your breakfast first. Makan abhi khula bhi nahi hoga(the house won't even be open yet)."
He was greeted with Khushi's heartfelt chuckle, as she corrected him, "Makan nahi, dukaan(shop) Nanhe ji, dukaan must not be opened yet."
And everyone broke in peals of laughter.
The thing was, she had promised NK that they will go for his wedding-attire-accessories selection today. The wedding-day clothes for him as well as all for all of the Raizadas were obviously being designed and supplied by AR. But other stuff like jootie(shoes), jewelry, perfumes and gifts were to be ordered or purchased. They had also decided to print a few wedding cards, despite most invitations already given over phone or emails. But this special touch was Khushi's idea, and everyone liked it.
As they had limited time before they left for Jaz's hometown, they had to go shopping almost every day. And Khushi had promised him that they will leave early in the morning...but since her laad governor husband was in particularly romantic mood today (not much different from other days but still), she was late...
Baring her, mamiji who was in NK's mother's place now after his mother's demise, was also going to join them. Payal was to join them post-lunch as Palash's morning routine were still not set. It was earlier decided that kids would stay at home with Naniji but Chiku and Piya outright refused! They wanted to go shopping for their NK chachu's wedding! So, they were allowed to come on board.
And now about the twin princesses! Arohi and Pari had taken some time to warm up to NK and Jaz when they met them at the birthday party. Even if they had seen these 2 on video calls many times, meeting them in person overwhelmed them. So, Pari chose to stick to Khushi while Aru mostly frowned at NK whenever he tried to take her in his arms!
But when they saw this man play with their Piya didi and Chiku bhaiyya and he and that pretty-aunty with him showered them with chocolates and toys, they could trust him a little...
Aru was first amongst the twins to talk to him. Last night, when NK, Piya and Kavish were watching an animation movie on his laptop, she walked up to them and asked this 'new chachu in the house', "Can I also watch, pwease (please)?"
NK smiled at her cute gesture, her mannerisms were too much like Nannav, then pulled her up to seat in his lap to get her a 'front seat' and said, "of course, sweetheart. You never have to ask your NK chachu, ok?"
"Ok" she grinned and decided she liked him. She had to tell Pari too that this man could be their friend!
.
.
It was decided that, after kids woke up, and got ready, Akash would take them for shopping. Then, they will have lunch outside where Arnav would join them with Pari, Mama ji, Payal and Palash and the rest of the shopping will continue with all. Nani too wanted to go but they convinced her to stay back as her aging body couldn't often support the long hours in these shops, no matter if her ever-youthful heart said otherwise.
However, as they almost got ready to leave, kids jumping ahead in front of them, they were surprised by a voice that startled them,
"I am sorry, but you all have to cancel this plan."
To be continued...
--*--
A/N - As most of you had guessed, it is our dearest NK ji :P. Many months ago, happyy_me asked me if NK will make an appearance on CSD and I told her I had not planned it as was the case then. But in December last year this plotline took form in my mind while listening to a wedding song. So, here we are :) It will be an elaborate desi-shaadi with lots of fun and functions and of course, kids enjoying rural-India in their own ways (you'll know what I mean) ;) and Arnav-Khushi reminiscing over their own wedding time (both shaadis :P). I really hope you'll enjoy it, but pls let me know your reviews :) Happy weekend!
p.s. know that I detest vote targets, but as long as silent readers don't do it without me asking, they will stay. And it's going to be more stringent going forward.
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Shilpi @shils28
+ 2
1 years ago
Love it! ❤💕❤And of course, I can read it on wattpad. No issues :)