Part 28

Note: Intezar ka meetha phal is here. Second half is PG-13 so kiddos, pls read at your own discretion :)

--*--

It was the fourth ritual of the upcoming dual weddings, Mehendi. And they had decided to keep it at Buaji's house in Lakshmi Nagar. Although Khushi had no memories of the past, she understood how much Garima and Buaji would want to assist in the celebrations. So, when Kashish, Aman, and Lavanya couldn't settle on a mehendi venue, she suggested keeping it in Lakshmi Nagar, wanting to make sure they felt involved too.

By now, Aman and Kashish's budding romance had become something of an open secret. Their constant excuses to be around each other, Kashish being the bold one flirting with him, and a shy, lovestruck Aman always roaming nearby had given them away. It was no longer just Nani who knew but almost everyone was aware of their secret too. Of course, Arnav was the first one who suspected it, knowing it for days. Especially after he saw them walk into AR together few months ago, and then making childish excuses when he interrogated them. But like he had promised himself back then, he would stand by his foster sister and his right-hand man. [chapter 6 if you need to revise]

The Raizadas had arrived early in the morning at Lakshmi Nagar for the Mehendi ceremony. Outside Buaji's house, a mandap (canopy) had been set up where guests could sit, eat, and enjoy themselves.

On one side of the house, Aman was looking after the caterers who were offloading some stuff. To speed up the process, he too started taking some boxes. And then it happened. Aman, who was carrying a large box of groceries bumped into Kashish. She herself was too busy talking on the phone with the mehendi lady, asking when her team would arrive.

Though it wasn't Aman's fault, he quickly set the box aside and immediately started apologizing, holding Kashish's hand and checking if she was hurt.

It made Kashish swoon over her boyfriend's loving nature and peck his cheek, "I am okay, baby. Don't worry." And before he could gather his senses, she walked away with a playful smile on her lips...

Meanwhile, Buaji, who had been observing the exchange, walked up to Aman with a mischievous smile. Sure, the PDA was a bit scandalous for her but something about them told her that they were serious about each other and would be taking the plunge in near future.

"Hamare Lucknow mein ek kahawat hai, babua. Ishq aur mushq chipaye nahi chipta. (There's a saying in our Lucknow. Love and musk can never be kept hidden.)" buaji -the ever teasing one, commented with a wink.

"Ji?"

Buaji laughed, caressing his head affectionately. "Kucho naahi. Aise hi mann laga ke kaam karat raho, Nandkishor tumhari shaadi bhi jaldi kara denge. (Nothing. Just keep working with dedication, and Nandkishor will get you married soon too.)"

By then Nani also joined in this teasing session.

"Madhumati ji is right Aman bitwa, shaadi wale ghar maa kaam karne se kunware logo ki shaadi bhi jaldi ho javat hai. (Madhumati ji is right. Working in a house where there's a wedding makes unmarried people get married soon too.)" she merrily declared!

Aman, totally flustered by now, started looking around for an escape. Here he was still fretting over facing Kashish parents on ASR's wedding day and these two had already planned his!

"I -umm- I'll be back." he stammered, before sprinting away, leaving 2 laughing ladies behind. His ears had turned bright red with embarrassment from their teasing.

.

.

Inside the small hall of Buaji's house, all the Gupta and Raizada ladies were gathered around the blushing brides -Khushi and Anjali. As they waited for the mehendi artists to arrive, they started to plan the next day's ritual i.e. the sangeet. The men had been asked to stay away until after lunch when the mehendi would be done, but they all expected that, just like Aman had (found) a reason to be there, the other men -especially one London returned groom- would soon find excuses to show up at Lakshmi Nagar.

Meanwhile, in Buaji's kitchen, Kashish was busy preparing aloo-tikki chaat for everyone as she had taken sudden interest in learning to make desi food! Garima and Buaji were helping her with the ingredients. Payal and Anjali flipped through the mehendi design book while Mami ji was touching up her make up and Kashish was focused on her phone. That left Khushi and somewhat distracted Lavanya. But if Khushi noticed, she didn't say anything.

"Are we planning to hire a choreographer?" Payal said, "Waise toh itna time nahi hai (there isn't enough time), but still."

Hearing that, suddenly Lavanya's face lit up and she replied, "Yes, there should be a choreographer. And I think I know someone who will help us."

Kashish frowned, coming from the kitchen. Until this morning, they had thought they would ask everyone to perform impromptu. Why was La suddenly thinking of a choreographer?

"Who is it, Lavanya?" Kashish asked, taking a seat beside khushi who herself looked at La curiously.

"Dev... I mean Devesh." Lavanya answered, a slight tint of red rising on her cheeks.

Suddenly, everything clicked for Khushi. Dev, or rather her Devesh Sir, was Lavanya's old friend. She had seen them together that day when she had fainted in college. Did that mean there was something more going on between Lavanya and Devesh? [chapter 14 for reference]

"But our Dulhan herself is a trained dancer." Anjali lovingly said.

"Di. I think Lavanya has a point. How can I alone train everyone? Dev sir would be a good help." Khushi said and observed how lavanya's face brightened up with a smile. That sort of confirmed it. She would be happy if Lavanya was moving on in her life. Ever since Arnav had told her about the past that Lavanya and he shared as well as Khushi's own complicated relationship with her, Khushi carried apprehensions about Lavanya's feelings regarding this wedding. But if what she thought was true, it would come as a huge relief.

Perhaps, she should have a word with La. They never talked about this until now...

She found the chance to talk to Lavanya when she went inside for a glass of water. By then Kashish, buaji and Garima had vacated the kitchen, so it gave privacy to talk.

"Khushi? Do you also need water?" La asked, seeing khushi coming in the kitchen.

Khushi shook her head and pressed her lips for a brief second before asking, "Lavanya, umm...we never talked about this before... but are you ok? I mean with this- wedding?" she asked, nervously.

Lavanya's eyes widened as she realized Khushi's intention, then smiled a little. "You're still my old Chamkeeli, aren't you? Always caring for everyone."

Khushi smiled faintly.

"Yes, it's true that when I left three years ago, I was heartbroken. I knew what ASR felt for you, and maybe you did too, but neither of you had realized it then." Lavanya chuckled. "You know, I even secretly wished you never figured it out, so you'd find someone else."

Khushi stared, in shock.

"I was just scared that when I hear about you two getting married, I wouldn't be able to handle it."

"Lavanya..." Khushi tried to speak, unsure of what to say. She knew Lavanya shared a warm bond with her, but how could she offer comfort?

"But that was the past, Khushi. It took me some time, but I realized my happiness wasn't tied to ASR. In fact, what I felt for him wasn't even anything real. Bass infatuation tha. And now, I just want ASR to be happy... I want you both to be happy..."

Khushi visibly relaxed hearing that and let Lavanya envelop her in a side hug.

"I wish you find your happiness soon too, Lavanya." Khushi said softly.

And, as if on cue, Dev called Lavanya.

--*--

Buaji's house was filled with laughter and merriment as Khushi and Anjali sat getting their mehendi done, amidst playful teasing from everyone. Once the brides were done, the other Raizada ladies would have their turn. But in the meantime, they decided to have some fun, teasing Khushi and Anjali (mainly Khushi).

"What name should I write in your mehendi?" the mehendi artist asked Khushi. Anjali had already gotten a 'V' in hers.

Before Khushi could answer, Kashish said, "Write 'A', but make sure you write it so small that my brother won't be able to find it even using a microscope." And then winked at Payal who giggled in reply.

Kashish was talking about this torturously sweet tradition -the groom is supposed to find his name in the bride's mehendi on their wedding night...

"Kashish bitiya, kaahe hamare arnav bitwa ki suhagraat ko flop show banana chahat ho? I want to be a dadi soon, hello hi bye bye." Mami ji said, earning fits of laughter from everyone and khushi to turn beetroot red!

"Dekho toh, hamari khushi toh abhi se laal ho rahi hai (Look at that, our Khushi is becoming red from now itself)." Payal said, teasingly. "Leave some color for your mehendi too."

Garima, who was silently observing them, got emotional, "My Khusi's mehendi is going to be the darkest shade of red." She then looked at Anjali, who was glowing with joy, more for Khushi than herself. Garima felt her heart fill with affection for this young woman. "Both our bitiyas' mehendi will be very red, as they have found very loving husbands."

Anjali gave a warm smile to Garima.

"Yes, aunty. I think very soon, we'll need to invent a name for the darkest shade of red to describe their mehendi!" Lavanya joined the teasing session.

Khushi, meanwhile, was getting impatient and restless! Impatient as their teasing was never ending. And restless because she was missing Arnav... She had been so sure he would find an excuse to show up before lunchtime when all the men were supposed to arrive. But as the minutes ticked by, her eyes kept getting wary waiting for him.

"Khushi, can you taste this tamarind chutney and tell me how it is? I made it from scratch." Kashish said, feeding her a spoonful of just the chutney she finished making.

Khushi nodded, savoring the taste and before she could tell her verdict to Kashish, something or rather someone standing by the kitchen door caught her eyes. Buaji's house had two entrance doors: one from the hall, and another from the kitchen, which was visible from where Khushi sat. And this someone she saw was standing by the kitchen side entrance.

He then took off his Ray-Ban glasses and Khushi's breath hitched in her throat, as that "someone" was indeed Arnav!

She blinked her eyes slowly. This must be her imagination. How would he come from the backside door? Why would he come from there?

She watched with held breath as he took out his phone to call someone and instantly her own phone started ringing, flashing his name. He cut the call on second ring.

She understood. He wanted her to come to him.

She herself wanted to go to him.

Thankfully, Kashish had moved on to Payal for her 'tasting' session, and the others were preoccupied. Khushi asked her mehendi artist for a short break, and making sure no one was watching her, tiptoed into the kitchen and slipped out the backdoor.

There he was. Waiting. Leaning against the old, brick wall.

This being backside of the house, there was no one else here, thus giving them full privacy.

As she stepped into his space, Arnav's eyes took in her appearance. Dressed in a light coral Anarkali suit, her long, silky hair left open, and mehendi on her hands, she took his breath away.

He slowly reached out, intending to hold her, but she quickly pulled her hands away and hid them behind her back.

"What the!"

"You cannot see my mehendi today, Arnav."

"Why not?"

"Because you can only see it on-" she stopped and bit her tongue realizing what she was about to say.

But it was enough to give him a hint. "On-?" he pressed, a slight smirk on his handsome face.

"Nothing." She quickly shifted the topic. "Why are you so late? I've been waiting for you!"

"Really? But weren't we told not to come before lunch?" He was amused as well as excited that she was also eager to see him.

"That was for others, not for you." she complained. Didn't he know she always, always wanted him in front of her eyes?

"I see." His voice dropped slightly. "But why did you want me here earlier, Khushi?"

At that, Khushi blushed. When he asked that way, she had no answer. Unable to meet his gaze, she started looking anywhere but at him.

Arnav, not holding back anymore, moved in one swift step. He clutched her petite waist and pulled her closer. Meshing their bodies...

Khushi gasped, eyes wide in shock, and met his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Although, this is where she wanted to be, she made a half-hearted attempt to break free...

"Khushi," he murmured, "If I let you go without seeing your mehendi, can I get something in return?"

She frowned cutely at that, not familiar with his 'deal' business from past, "What do you want?"

In answer, he suggestively moved his eyes slowly from her long, fluttering lashes, down to her rosy cheeks, then to her inviting lips.

Her eyes widened in shock as she understood his demand.

Arnav patiently waited for her reply, his heart thudding in anticipation as well as preparing to be disappointed thinking she would turn him away any moment now.

But nothing like that happened. Instead, he was pleasantly surprised when she shyly nodded and then waited for him to take whatever he wanted...

This was such a catch-22! He wanted it, at the same time, he wasn't expecting she wanted it too!

His fingers caressed her waist and watched how she inhaled a sharp breath. A logical part of his brain told him to be a nice man and just kiss her cheeks and let her go.

But hadn't he always let his brain rule his heart and mess his love life? So, screw logic. And screw being nice!

He slowly released his hold on her waist and gently cupped her face, his touch tender and reverent. His thumbs traced the soft contours of her skin, the delicate strands of hair grazing his fingers. He searched her eyes, silently asking for one final confirmation. In response, her gaze flickered between his lips and his eyes. He needed no further encouragement.

Without wasting another second, his eager lips captured her velvety soft ones.

It started as a tentative brush, the contact sending electric currents through their bodies.

And then it wasn't enough. As if he was thirsty since eons for her touch, for her lips, he sipped from them, and upon her satisfied sigh, he dived further into her sweet mouth.

Their breaths entangled in a beautiful mess; their heartbeats raced in sync to make a beautiful melody...

Khushi had bound her hands around his neck, lost in the heady passion. She could feel his hot breath fanning her lips, she could feel his warm hands cupping her face, she could feel herself leaning against his body, so she didn't lose balance. All she felt was him.

It was finally the need for air that made them break apart. He still kept her within his arms, and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Wow! That was..."

"Perfect." she completed his sentence.

After a few moments of beautiful silence as they worked to get their hearts in control, she tilted her head to look up and found him intently watching her.

"Why are you looking at me like this?" she softly asked.

"Just wondering for the infinitieth time what a fool I was that Diwali night to take Aman's call." He was of course remembering the first time they had been this close to kissing and then the ringtone of his Blackberry had broken that moment.

"Kya? Matlab (What do you mean)?"

He ran his thumb over her slightly swollen bottom lip and leaned further towards her, cherishing the closeness, "Kuch nahi (nothing)."

Just then they heard voices from inside the house, calling khushi as by then everyone must have noticed her absence.

"Let's go before I am tempted to skip these rituals and jump to the main thing!" he said, making his not-so-innocent intentions clear.

She gasped and slapped his shoulder and then ran inside the house.

Arnav followed her after a couple of minutes so that no one noticed khushi was with him.

Buaji was the first to spot Arnav. "Babua, why did you come from the back door?"

Arnav looked at Khushi who was trying hard to ignore him and said, "kisss-" he deliberately drawled out that word and got desired effect as Khushi's shocked eyes met his, "kismat se ek parking space mili (by luck I got a parking), buaji. Backside lane of your house. So, I came from that door." He said, enjoying the flustered look of khushi.

"Accha, accha." Buaji replied.

Thankfully, there were no questions yet on his early arrival...

Just then, Kashish approached him, holding a bowl. "Bro, can you taste this and tell me how it is? I made this imli chutney-"

"I already tasted it, Kashish. Just a bit too sweet so adjust sugar." Arnav blurted, not realizing the implications of what he had just said.

Kashish frowned. "But you haven't eaten it yet, how can you know-" and then stopped, realizing what her brother had just said.

Unlike her, everyone had understood what he implied linking Khushi's absence to his sudden presence and was stunned while khushi was plain mortified at what he just insinuated.

Kashish's smile turned mischievous as she glanced between Arnav and Khushi. "Oh-oh! Looks like you got to taste the starters already. My bad!"

Khushi shot up from her seat, face burning with embarrassment. "Hum abhi aaye." she muttered, rushing inside.

"I'll go and check if Aman needs my help." Arnav said, quickly taking another exit route.

And the entire room erupted into peals of laughter, seeing these two vanishing from the scene of crime!

--*--

Next day was sangeet. It was arranged at the same location where Arnav and khushi had performed a few months ago for her college event- a place holding sentimental value for them.

And it was everything a perfect sangeet should be. It was vibrant, it was lively, and it was filled with music, dance and endless cheering. Both couple's closest family members enthusiastically performed amazing dances, which basically included everyone from both families (including Prakash brothers!) as well as Kashish, Aman, Lavanya and Devesh. Even Vikrant's parents also shook a leg!

However, there was no competition as the final performance by none other than Arnav and Khushi beat the game and left them mesmerized. The song they had chosen was called 'Teri ore (Towards you)' and its lyrics perfectly mirrored their own feelings at that moment...

Dil kho gaya, ho gaya kisi ka
Ab raasta mil gaya khushi ka
Aankhon mein hai khwaab sa kisi ka
Ab raasta mil gaya khushi ka
Rishta naya rabba dil chhu raha hai
Kheeche mujhe koi dore teri ore
Teri ore, teri ore, teri ore haye rabba
Teri ore, teri ore, teri ore

Click here for YouTube Link

As their dance came to a close, the applause was deafening, and Arnav and Khushi shared a look that spoke more than words ever could. A look that promised a lifetime of love.

--*--

A/N - Very nervous about this one. I don't generally write intimate details, but I hope it didn't suck 🙈 Also, I kept the sangeet short as we had detailed dance performances in earlier chapters. Let me know your reviews, please. Hope you all got ArShi and AnVi's shaadi invites. Don't forget to RSVP (i.e. vote, vote, vote and comment) 😊❤

p.s. would you guys prefer 3 long chapters like this one to end the story or split in smaller ones?