Chapter 27

Dark.. Dark.. Completely Dark. Little far away, there comes a light streak illuminating a staircase. A loud laughing voice booms over the place and there a green light coming down the staircase. But suddenly the green light flickers and slowly everything dims. At last completely darkness takes over.

NOOO!!!!

Arnav woke up screaming with his hands forward as if grabbing something out of the air! He turns his head around to check what happened only to see that he was in his bedroom in his private wing in Shantivan, his Mama's home. Now his home.

He checks the clock as he wipes of the sweat from his face and realizes that it is 6 30 in the morning. Now anytime Lavanya or his Mami will make it here with his morning coffee. So he headed to get freshed beforehand. He had to leave to the office early today, as his Feisty woman has ordered him last evening. He chuckled shaking his head as he remembered her shrieking voice over the phone.

Khushi: You better move your A*s soon out of that bed tomorrow morning Raizada! Else I will make it difficult for you to sleep not just in that bed, but anywhere else!

Arnav: What will you do Gupta? Bite me?

Khushi: I surely will! And if you try to get smart, I will even knee you down there!

Arnav: What the? Khushi!! We haven't even tried anything and you are planning to cut my cables?

Khushi: Grrr.. I am not into this discussion with you! Now get some sleep and come over early! Good night!

Ever since she had accepted on marrying him, he made her ease out around him. And it was a task. Normally friendly woman always was nervous as hell around him. But Arnav had ASR in him. He managed to get her out well and now he was seeing totally a different Khushi around him who was loud, threatening, strong woman. Though they had not taken their relationship to a physical level, little pecks were always allowed and Arnav always took his chance to teasing her with his naughty talks.

Khushi in the beginning flushed, had three o's on her face making him laugh. But she soon got over it and started getting into thrashing him. Well, he is not complaining. He actually loved to see her moving so close with him.

And she was always giving! All she asked for before officially announcing their engagement was a display of her designs, completely her design collection. And with him and AR helping her with the formalities and other necessary things, she had done it well, and today evening After 3 months of hard work was the display!

A Sharp knock disturbed his pleasant thoughts about Khushi. He quickly wore his sweatshirt track pants and opened the door only to be knocked off by the force of a Hug.

Arnav: Whoa! Slow down Lavanya!

Bani: Ah! If only she will listen to me there. She is so excited!

Arnav: The show is in the evening. Why so much excitement now?

Bani: This is not about the show.

Arnav(frowned): Han?

Bani: Why don't you tell it yourself Lavanya? Expecting your husband to break this off is out of question.

Arnav: What is going on here? Where is Akash? And Why is Lavanya going all Red? Usually it is Akash who goes all shades of red like new bride!

Lavanya(Laughing): Well. Its just something like that. But instead of new Bride, Its New father on way. So..

Arnav: What the!

Bani: Uff oh Chote. She is telling you a very happy news and you are here with yours Famous exclamation. WHAT THE! Say something else to make her feel happy.

Arnav: All can wait! Where the hell is Akash?

They all went down and Arnav ran with his coffee cup in his hand. Downstairs Jai was hugging and congratulating Akash who was smiling away. Arnav went near him and stood watching him from top to bottom and then put his hand forward.

Arnav: Congratulations Akash!

Jai: Chote! This is not a business deal where you are shaking hands after success! This boy!!

Arnav was not still not used to such open display of affection. But Akash did not show any hesitation because he had to hide his red face, so he just went and hugged Arnav knocking his breath. Arnav awkwardly tapped his back making everyone chuckle while there was one gasp!

Khushi: WHAT THE!?

Bani: Lo ji! When people see them they will not say "What a Jodi" Instead they will say "What The Jodi!"

Jai: Bani! Let her come inside.

Khushi: Let me get out of this shock first Mamaji!

Lavanya: Shock?

Khushi: Haan! The ASR hugging someone like this? And What is with Akash? Is he on mission to break his own record of being red? Why is he red? WAIT! Lavanya? WHY ARE YOU BLUSHING?

Bani: Uff! Here take some water bitiya! Your throat would have gone dry!

Arnav: If that is the case, then this woman will never talk Mami. She is miracle birth in human race! She can talk non stop without affecting anything of hers, haan but you will be having bleeding ears.

Khushi: Laad Governor! Now someone will tell me what is the matter and why I have been called here when We were suppose to be in designing section of AR?

Bani: Hmm! Lavanya, give her, her dose of jalebi before we break in the news.

Arnav: Yeah else she will eat our brain!

Khushi(Growling): Don't say anything about my jalebi!

Lavanya: Stop it you two! Being pregnant, I should be the one to throw tantrums and be demanding!

Khushi: IF pregnant yes.. but you are.. PREGNANT! LAVANYA YOU ARE PREGNANT!! HEY DEVI MAIYYA!!!!

Everyone shut their ears as Khushi shrieked and hugged both Akash and Lavanya. Arnav shook his head in disbelief.

Arnav: Khushi! Shut up! You will demolish this whole building with your shouting!

Khushi: Arnav ji! Today I am so happy, else you will be dead meat by now!

This was very common now. Both the families accepted that these two were an unbelievable couple. And Bani and Jai were so fond of Khushi that Arnav felt as if they were her Mami Mamu than his! When he said Khushi the same,

Khushi: Just like my Amma Bauji are yours more than mine! You robbed them off me and I robbed Mami and Mamu off you. Simple!

Elders would laugh seeing the younger's antics. Jai and Bani adored Khushi as she was the one who gave them their chote back and also saw the depth of love in her for their chote while Sasi and Garima adored Arnav as they saw the love and respect he held for their little princess and the trust their precious daughter held for him.

After all the congratulations and sweet sessions, Arnav and Khushi left for their office for last minute checking. everything was set for Khushi' s big day. The launch of MERRY's, Khushi's exclusive designs.

Evening, Launch!

The Venue was set in a posh hotel in the mid city and many celebrities and other designers were invited for this. Arnav and Khushi made their grand entry from their Black BMW.

They were complimenting each other in their midnight blue outfits. Khushi was looking gorgeous in her gown that Arnav has specially designed for her and he was in his tux looking all hot. Officially they entered the venue as a couple and answered media wherever necessary. Khushi trembled a bit at start but with him on her side giving her strength, she made herself unique that evening.

Soon her designs were introduced and models were walking on the ramp displaying her work. It was overwhelming experience for Khushi to see her work being praised for what it is than linking it with either AR or Malhotra's. Suddenly a hand wiped the tear that had made way down to her cheek without her knowledge. When she raised her eyes, she saw a pair of molten chocolate orbs looking at her with full of love.

Arnav: Big day Ms. Gupta. You made it.

Khushi: Nothing without you Mr. Raizada. We made it.

Saying she wounds her arms around his left arm and sighs. With him by side she felt so calm and protected.

Arnav: I am honored! well.. Ready to walk on the ramp Princess?

He asked forwarding his hand to her. Khushi's mind went to that night. But she put all those bitter thoughts behind as she knows that the man standing in front of her now is nothing like she thought to be on that night.

She holding his hand, went close to his ears and whispered knocking his breath.

Khushi: I don't ramp walk.

Arnav smirked following Khushi in her game. He bent to her ears and blew her baby hair there making her breath hitch.

Arnav: Just follow me.

Saying he took her hand in his and walked on the ramp with the host announcing the name of designer. He left her hand when her name was announced and clapped very proudly for her. Khushi smiled trying to contain her tears. And again Arnav stood by her side helping her. She smiled up looking at his smiling face.

Soon the show was done successfully and the Launch party started. Drinks and food were served and dance floor was open. Arnav and Khushi were enjoying with the family and attended the business associates when needed. Khushi went to get some water leaving Arnav with Lavanya and Akash. She turned from the table and stood watching Arnav chuckling with his cousin. She was enjoying seeing him opening to his family at last. She smiled. Then only she felt that it was just not her who was admiring the little scene. Beside her Bani stood with the same small smile looking at Arnav. But Bani was though smiling she had a pearl of tear in her eyes. Khushi frowned.

Bani: You must be thinking why am I crying at something so normal like this..

Khushi: With him, everything is anything but normal. But now actually you should be happy.

Bani: I am. Just never thought I would see Chote like this.

Khushi: I know that he was Khadus right from the beginning..

Bani: That was just a mask. From inside he was a broken child Khushi. When Jai brought him to us from his parents he was barely normal. He won't talk, play, not even smile. He would just.. It was just himself. We tried to engage him in many things to make him come out of it. But then Anaya and Ashok planned their divorce and then they died taking Arnav's childhood completely with them.

But still we tried to bring him out. And we thought he was doing good. He got into his one peculiar hobby. Of visiting historical Mansions and making a scrap book of it. So we thought that he is recovering. We thought that he was really happy. Mainly after his visit to Meerut. So only we agreed on sending him to Harvard for his studies. But we never knew that he was doing all this for us. He was lonely from inside and cheery from outside and once he was alone in harvard he succumbed to it. So much that he got into depression. It was so worse when the management called for Jai. It took a hell of time to bring him back.

Anti depressants though made him feel better, still the loneliness ate him. I had to shift with him against his wishes and we made him undergo therapies and sessions to bring him out. Only that the depression made him push certain things to the dark corner of his mind. And when he started his business in UK, and got busy with it, he started forgetting his past. At least he tried. He worked like maniac and built his empire just because he did not want to feel so helpless like he did before. But he needed someone like you bitiya to actually bring him out. And you did it. Today he is laughing, enjoying. More than anything LIVING. Our chote is Living his life like a man should.

Bani was pouring out everything without knowing the storm waking inside Khushi. When Bani touched her hands in gratitude, Khushi took a shaky breath and with a very difficultly found voice she made her query.

Khushi: When did he visit meerut and when did he make to Harvard?

Bani: like some 8 years before. He happily returned from Meerut and next morning he had letter from Harvard. Jai was so proud when he heard. And Seeing Chote happy we agreed on sending him and within a month he left for Harvard.

Khushi: 8 years before!!!!