Chapter 32

Arnav was driving his car like crazy. This was not because he was angry. But because he was anxious.

DAMN IT!

He hit the steering wheel thinking about how foolish he has been not recognizing any signs. Those gorgeous pair of Almond color eyes.. Damn it how can he have possibly forgotten them? How could he not recognize his princess, the one only girl who managed to make his heart beat fast and have him spend sleepless nights. He was feeling just not seven, but seventy kinds of foolish!

He remembered about him rushing out of Gupta house once he got confirmation about Khushi being his princess.

Sasi: Haan Babua! That is Khushi. Nearly 9 years ago. It was taken in the Palace that was inherited in our family for many generations and we gave it to government on Lease for storing the food grains that were cultivated in the village. I am worried if Titaliya is there. Because 2 days before the lease got over and today they will be working on removing the sacks of grains that were stored there. It will be a complete ruckus.

Before Arnav rushed out he asked only one thing from them.

Arnav: Uncle, if the palace is being returned to you, do you mind me buying it? I know its your inheritance, but..

Sasi: Naahi Babua! It is Khushi's. It is inherited by the female descendants of the family and as they were no girl child in my generation, I was signed to protect until I can pass it to next girl child in the family, which is Khushi.

Arnav sighed in relief and he rushed to his uncle's place where he dashed in like tempest and dashed into his room leaving everyone wondering why he was rushing to his room while he should be with Khushi!

There Arnav ran to his room and found his scrapbook and turned pages as fast as his fingers could. And there he found his prince, in her green ghagra laughing and looking all bubbly like she did not have a single worry about the world.

He remembered how he wanted her to be her princess but could not as she was not legally to the age and he was not in a position to. Then he remembered how she blushed when he pecked her, the little 17 year old girl. At last he remembered the party when he broke her heart. Arnav closed his eyes thinking everytime when Khushi used to look at him as if she knew him for a long time. Now he realised that she recognized him while he did not. How could he? For past few years his memory was muddled due to the high dose of antidepressants that had severe side effects on his immediate memories and things that had pressing effect on his mind.

Khushi was one such memory the medication tried blocking because of his response to it. With tears brimming his eyes and in contrast a small smile playing on his lips he descended the steps and was about to rush out when his family who at last came out of their various states of shocks stopped him.

Jai: Chote! What is going on?

Bani: Where were you going?

Akash: Why are you crying and smiling at same time?

Lavanya: Where is Khushi?

But to all the queries he just gave one answer.

Arnav: You will get to know everything. Just stop all the arrangements here. Baki sab I will call you and tell you what to do. For now I am going on some important job.

Then he was out of the door and soon his car zoomed out of the gates and here now he was on the highway on his way to the Princess of his heart. He took out his mobile and called Jai giving instructions on what was to be done about the engagements and then made another call.

By the time he reached the palace it was 5 minutes to 4 in the evening. He pulled his car to halt in the portico of the Palace and opened his glove compartment. He pulled out a small box and put it inside his Sherwani pocket but not before caressing it with a dreamy look on his face.

Soon he rushed inside the palace not for once in his life minding the dust in the place due to the moving of grain sacks.

On the other side of the Palace Khushi stood caressing the single rose that was there always to welcome her today. She stood there like every year, just one difference. Instead of her old green ghagra, she wore a Red and Green Ghagra that Arnav designed for her specially to wear on their engagement.

She was very much happy about everything going on. She was not worried about Arnav not remembering her. But she needed a closure for the wait and her feelings that she had secured in the corner of heart for all these years. So she wanted to be at the place where she met her prince for first time for one last time before she becomes Arnav's, her same but new-in-every-way-prince.

She took a look at her watch which showed 3 minutes to 4 and she ran inside the palace from backside to the Palace front stairwell when the big old clock there started chiming showing that it was 4. She was so in hurry that she did not notice the man standing on the 4th stairwell already. She went straight and banged against his strong chest and closed her eyes anticipating the fall.

But the fall never came instead she was held by a strong pair of hands that were on her waist. She slowly opened her eyes and immediately met the molten Caramel orbs that were examining her with concern. She again closed her eyes thinking that this may be a dream that her wanton heart was weaving in front of her eyes. But she was proved wrong by the strengthening of the hold and the tug that brought her close to her Prince's heart which was beating crazy just like hers.

She felt his breath near her cheek as he bent to her ear.

Arnav: Tum teek ho?

He asked her just like he did 9 years before! Khushi so wanted to believe that all this was happening really.

He pulled out to look into her eyes again as he caressed her cheeks. Then he leaned in again making her breath heavy.

Arnav: My beautiful Princess. Please forgive me for not recognizing you! I am so sorry Princess.

And that broke the dam and Khushi put her hands around his neck and hugged him tight. She broke into sobs that rocked Arnav and tears that wet Arnav's sherwani near his heart. With each minute her hold on him grew tight as if she was afraid that he might disappear or worse this might one of her dreams.

But he had to assure her. So he slowly pulled out even though she was not letting him to and raised her face with a finger under her chin and made her meet his eyes.

Arnav: I am not going anywhere. Not this time. Trust me Khushi.

That only got him one more sob.

Arnav: Shh.. Khushi! Stop crying. You know my old chubby princess was not rotlu like you. She looked into my eyes and let me kiss her.

He said with a smile in his voice that mirrored in his eyes which made Khushi widen her eyes. Seeing the twinkle there she realized that he was mocking her. She started hitting him on his chest with her dainty fists.

Khushi: Aap bahut burey ho. You are so bad! First you say you wanted to make me your princess, then tell me that I was too chubby and wanted to reduce weight and then you disappear. 8 years later you come before me as a Khadus Laad governor asking me Your place or my Place. Hamein Kahin nahi jaana aap jese Laad Governer ke saath. Samjhe aap! Aap bahut hi burey ho. YOu are so bad!

Arnav let her do as she pleased and stood taking all the hits she gave him for troubling her so much. But seeing her cry more he held her wrists and pulled her into his arms and he put his arms around her waist holding her tight as she tried to wriggle.

Arnav: Khushi! Listen to me. Do you remember how you were 9 years back? You were so cute, chubby, all curvy. Ab agar tum itni patli hokar mere saamne aayegi toh main kya karun? Main tumhe kese pehchanu? (Now if you come in front of me becoming so thin, what will I do? How can I recognize you?).

Khushi hit him on his arm again.

Khushi: Aapne hamein phir se mota kaha?(You are calling me fat again?)

Arnav: Nope. Just telling you that you have become thin. But I don't see you dieting! You eat so much... Ouch! Oye. Maarna Mat!

Khushi: Oh I will hit you! You have troubled me so much! But how come you are here. You were supposed to take care of our engagement arrangements.

As she realized she pushed him back and went hysterical.

Khushi: Hey devi Maiyya! Aaj shaam ko hamari sagai hai! And here I am chit chatting with this Laad governor!

Arnav: What the! Khushi Tum wahan sab ko heart attack dekar yahan aa gayi kisi ko bina bataye! Now you are putting all the blame on me?(You were the one who came here without informing anyone giving others heart attack..)

Khushi: Hamein aapse koi baat nahi karni!

Arnav: Too bad! Then get engaged. Don't talk.

Khushi: Engagement? Woh toh Delhi mein.. (putting her hands on her mouth covering her O wali mouth and opened her eyes more wider) What are you doing Arnavji?

She screeched seeing Arnav standing there putting forward the engagement ring so that she could see. The pink Tourmaline stone shine blended with the pink hue spreading in Khushi's cheek.

Arnav: You asked me to never go on my knees. So I am here standing with your engagement Ring that signifies love that makes my heart beat continuously for you. Will you marry me and become my Princess?

Khushi did not have any words for this. Even when he did not remember her, she was ready to share her life with him and now that he knows her was only a cherry on the cake.

Khushi just leaned herself on him placing her left hand on his heart and whispered a YES that only he could hear and feel.

Arnav slipped the ring in her left hand ring finger that was on his heart and had straight connection to her heart, so she says. He again lifted her face with her chin to meet his eyes only to see that her lashes were screening her eyes.

Arnav: Khushi, look at me.

Khushi shook her head.

Arnav(huskily): Khushi..

And that got him what he wanted. Her eyes rose to meet his and the darkness of his orbs warned her about what was coming next. She moved forward giving her consent which was all Arnav needed. He bent to her face and was about to meet her lips when they heard someone clearing their throat which brought them out of their trance.

Riddhima: Ahem ahem.. ASR! Sorry for the disturbance. But your family and Khushi's family are waiting in the terrace for you to appear for the engagement ceremony. So yeh sab baad mein. Now I need to take Khushi there.

Arnav looked as Riddhima took his Princess whom he just met! He felt Arman patting his shoulder sympathetically.

Arnav: You had to bounce with your basket just now! Unbelievable man!

Arman: Oh please! few hours before aapke Fireball ke chakkar mein, you gave us a lot of disturbance. Its not like doctors get a lot of holidays!

Arnav: What the!

Arman: What the nahi. Lets get you to the terrace before we get attacked by your fireball and my basket. We cannot afford that!

Arnav: Yeah right!

Soon they were at the terrace, Arnav in sherwani that Khushi designed for him and Khushi in ghagra/Lehenga that he designed for her. It was just family and the Malik's. As soon as Arnav made his presence in the terrace that was decorated modestly for the function Bani and Co cornered him!

Bani: Yeh kya tha Chote?

Arnav: Woh Mami.. This is where I met Khushi first. So...

Lavanya: How romantic! But you had to remember that just 4 hours before Bhai?

Jai: I never knew you to be impulsive.

Arnav: Mamu please! Khushi had been visiting this place for past 8 years just because she wanted to catch a glimpse of me. And this is just a small way to respect her love.

Everyone smirked and he understood that he had spoken out his heart! He just excused himself when Bani caught him.

Arnav: Don't blame yourself chote. You did not forget her on purpose. But see the bright side. You got here when she needed you the most. That is the power of love.. (with a teasing smile) So Chote.. Was this why you were all smiles when you returned from Meerut that day 9 years ago?

Arnav looked away embarrassed and with that flushed look he was so cute. Bani just giggled and took him to the place where Khushi was standing waiting for him.

He had planned all this when he was on his way here. He asked Jai to bring everyone here to Lucknow Airport in their private jet and from there to here in Chopper. They reached here even before he could and managed to bring this place's liveliness as he proposed Khushi downstairs.

Garima: woh.. Arnav bitwa..

He forwarded his right hand surprising Khushi. Garima happily wound the Raksha Dhaga on Arnav's wrist while Bani did the same to Khushi. Soon they were asked to exchange rings. Arnav simply pulled the ring in Khushi's finger a little and then put it back in its place where it should be.

Ashwin brought Khushi's ring to Arnav which was a lovely surprise to Arnav. She put the Green tourmaline gold ring with diamonds, a perfect match to hers, on his hand as she spoke.

Khushi: This your engagement ring that signifies heart healing. When my heart was broken beyond repair, you came along picking the pieces and healing it. Prince ho ya Laad Governor, I am always yours Arnav ji! Only Yours.

Everyone clapped while Arnav had tears in his eyes. He always thought he never deserved love. That made him a non believer of the emotion because of what he went through with his parents. But came along Khushi, his princess, who made him see the Love that was everywhere around him.

Within a moment she became the queen of his heart ruling it with nothing but just love.

While everyone were busy celebrating, Arnav pulled her back to the same stairwell where they met.

Khushi: Arnavji, yeh app.. Where are you taking me.

Arnav(keeping finger on her lips): Shh!

Saying he gave her some papers. Khushi frowned.

Arnav: This palace was just given as lease to government. 2 days before it ended and today it legally came back to your family. Your father said that this was inherited through female line of the family which means, this is yours. This place which brought us together is yours Khushi! We are not letting this go now, are we?

Khushi shook her head and went into his waiting arms. Never did she think that everything could end so easily. She was so unhappy about this palace going into the hands of the Government because this was the place that gave her Arnav. And just like her prince chanrming, Arnav fulfilled her unsaid wish.

Arnav pulled her out and looked into her eyes.

Arnav: Are you happy Khushi?

Khushi: When you are by my side, how can I be anything but that Arnav ji?

Arnav(rolling her eyes): Tum kitni filmy ho!

Khushi: But not as much as you! Ahan! Don't deny. Everyone up there and the arrangements speak for you Arnavji.

Saying She giggled and Arnav captued her giggling lips in his. The palace clock chimed happily seeing the happy love story, the start of which was written on the same stairwell of this very same palace 9 years ago.