Chapter 3

[MEMBERSONLY]

PART-3

When they came downstairs everyone had a grave look on their face. Everyone was looking sad, but there were a couple of eyes which were red out of anger. But nobody seemed to notice those pair of eyes. Khusi was hell nervous and trying to hide behind Arnav. He squeezed her hand, conveying her that he is with her. His eyes told her to relax and she smiled feebly to him. Seeing them down everyone stood up.

Nani: "Anjali bitya, ask them to stand on the door, so that we can finish this ritual".

Anjali came forward and holding Khusi by her shoulders took her to the door, asking Arnav to follow her. After reaching at the door, the rituals started. But the expressions playing on the faces of raizadas was worth watching. Mamaji and Nani had a sad yet stern face while Mami had an irritated face, Anjali was trying to be happy for her chote but sadness reflected quite well. Payal and Akash had confused look. The most prized expression was obviously on Shyam's face. Which showed all except happiness. To everyone's utmost surprise Arnav went through all the ritual procedures without any irritation and it seemed he was enjoying every bit of it, and that irked Shyam even more. After the ritual Anjali asked Arnav-Khusi and Akash-Payal to wait in the living room, while she went to decorate their respective rooms for the wedding night.

There was total silence in the hall. But it was the eyes which did all the talking. Akash was throwing a questioning look to Arnav, which he failed to notice as he was busy ogling at his wife. Payal was looking extremely angry at Khusi, while Khusi kept her eyes low and even if it raised, it was only to meet the chocolate brown eyes of her hubby.

After sometime Anjali came and took Payal and Khusi to their respective rooms, asking Akash and Arnav to come after sometime. Akash wanted to utilise this time to talk to his bhai, but Arnav got busy as Aman called.

After sometime in Payash's room:

Akash entered the room and saw Payal was already asleep on the bed. He thought of waking her up but decided against it as he thought, she must have been tired both emotionally as well as physically because of the wedding and what followed after that. So he took the other side of the bed and went to sleep. Payal felt him on the bed, gave a side glance to him and turned on to the other side and closed her eyes to sleep with anger evident on her face.

In Arshi's room:

When Arnav entered his room, the first thought that came to his mind is he has got into someone else's room. The whole room was decorated with flowers, scented candles and fairy lights. But when he saw his beautiful wife sitting on the middle of the bed, face hidden under the veil waiting for him, he knew he was not only in the right room but the perfect place where he had always wanted to be. He had dreamt of this night with Khusi many times but facing it actually was making him hell nervous. Not knowing what to do, he went and sat before Khusi. He could feel Khusi is equally nervous from the way she had clutched her hands around her legs and he was sure she is taking to her devi maiyaa mentally. He removed her ghunghaat and saw the angelic beauty that is his forever.

He called her in his husky voice as if urging her to open her eyes.. Khusi opened her eyes to look at Arnav. In his eyes he saw unlimited love for her... but wait there was also repentance and sadness. Not liking it a bit Khusi cupped his face and enquired:

"Kya hua Arnavji? Aap thik to hain na?"

Arnav: "I am sorry Khusi. Its because of me that everyone is angry with you. Even your family left you. Its all because of me.."

Before Arnav could continue, Khusi said: "Aapne hume hamare parivaar se door nahi kiya hai. Aapne to hume parivaar dia hai. Sach kahein to hum apne parivaar se usi din door ho gaye the jis din hamare amma babuji is duniya se chale gaye the. Gupta parivaar ne hume godliya. Hum ye nehi keh rehe ki unhone hume pyaar nehi kiya. Unhone humse pyaar kiya lekin har waqt is bath ka ehsas karwaya ki hum anath hein aur unki meherbani se ji rahe hain. Jab bhi jiji koi galti karti tab use maaf kar dia jata tha, eie kehe ki woh nadan hai, par jab hum hum koi galti karte to hume bohot daant padti. Par phir bhi woh ache hain, ek anath ko godh lekar uski parbarishi ki hai unlogon ne.."

("You have not separated me from my family instead you have given me a family. To tell the truth, I had lost my family the day when my parents died. Gupta family adopted me. I am not saying that they don't love me, but everyday they made me realise that I am an orphan and surviving at their mercy. Whenever Jiji does any mistake, she was forgiven. But when i did any mistake I would get a lot of scolding. Still they are good people, as they adopted an ophan and took care of her." )

Arnav: with pain evident in his voice "Khusi..."

Khusi: "Aap ko pata hai humne to apne liye jina bhi chod dia tha. Hamesha ye soch kar ke jeete the ki hamari bajah se unko koi pareshani na ho. Apne dard ko chupa kar haste rehte the. Humesa ye dikhaba karte the ki hum khus hain. Hum to apne khusi bhul kar unsab ko khus rakhna chate the. Par apko pata hai unhone aaj humse saare naate tod diye, ye keh kar ki hum unke apne nahi nahi..." (Smilling sadly, she continued) "... par hume iss baat ka koi afsos nahi hai. Kyunki ab aap jo hain hamare saath. Ab hum apne liye jiyenge, apne pati ke liyye jiyenge. Ab hume koi dikhaba karne ki koi jaruraat nahi. Kyunki hum jante hain, ab hamara koi apna hai. hum jese hain, aap hume waise hi apnayenge. Jindegi bhar humse pyaar karenge. Karenge na Arnavji??"

("You know Arnavji I had forgotten to live for myself. I would always think that they should not face any problem because of me. I would keep smiling hiding my pain. Would always show that I am leading a happy life. I forgot my happiness in order to make others happy. But you what today they broke all their ties with me, saying that I am not their own... ... but I am not feeling bad for that. Because I know that you are with me. I don't have to showcase anything. Now I will live for myself, for my husband. I know you will love me for what I am. You will love me forever. You will na Arnavji?")

Not trusting his voice at the moment Arnav hugged Khusi tightly assuring her that he will always be there for her.

Khusi: (Still in his embrace) "I have to tell you something else. And that's very important. Its..its regarding Shyam.."

Arnav: "Its not required Khusi. I trust you."

Khusi: "No Arnavji.. there's more that you need to. Shyam was the one whom I was engaged to.."

Arnav: "WHATTT.."

Khusi: "Yes, Arnavji.."

She narrated from the day she meet Shyam to the recent events in Gupta house and also that happened in the terrace. And at the end of that Arnav was in rage and promised himself that he would punish Shyam for all the misdeeds.

Arnav: "Relax Khusi.. for now forget everything. We will make him pay for all the misdeeds that he did."

Saying that he was about to capture her lips for a kiss, when someone knocked on the door. Cursing that person under his breadth he moved away from Khusi to open the door, while Khusi shook her her head at the frustration of her laad governor. He opened the door to see Anjali standing there with a glass of milk. Before he could say anything Anjali forwarded him the glass of milk saying that she had forgotten to keep it beforehand and went away..

He took the glass and went towards Khusi and smilling mischievously said:

"Di gave this...You know this is my first wedding night. So I have no idea about this. So tell me why milk is given to the couples this night.."

Khusi looked at him with wide eyes and blurted out: "This is also my first wedding night. How can I have any idea about this. I..." She was about to say something more but realised Arnav is teasing her and blushed like anything. Seeing his bride blusing so much, he kept the glass on the side table and sat near Khusi.. viewing her beauty. Thats when there was another knock on their door.

Arnav muttered: "Not again Di.." and went to open the door. While Khusi giggled at the frustrated state of her husband.