Chapter 112

Hey guys, hope you all are doing good.

Thanks for liking and commenting on the previous part.

Here is the Part - B of Arshi's Mehendi ... hope you like this one too 😳

CHAPTER 83: -- PART - B --

When Khushi turned the corner, she gasped in surprise seeing the path adorned with rose petals. There were big Moroccan style lamps on the floor, with maroon drapes above them. She was in awe of her surrounding as she moved ahead ... the same style lamps were hung from the trees as well.

Payal was standing at the entrance of the white tent; she turned back and gestured to Aashima that Khushi is near, who was standing at the corner of tent ...where music system was placed.

Khushi looked at Payal questioningly, as she turned back to face Khushi who was just few feet away. She reached to Payal and was about to ask her when she heard the music of the famous song, she knew well, is made for this occasion.

Payal move to her side and take her in. Khushi looked in awe as Anjali, Lavanya, Prachi and Minnie started to dance on the song.

(You can watch this video to have the feel of dance and music , watch till 1:30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi5Lhi1Uxjg)

Mehandi hai rachne waali
Haathon mein gehri laali
Kahein sakhiyaan ab kaliyan
Haathon mein khilne waali hain

Naina and Divya made Khushi slowly stepped forward.

The path in the middle was clear, going towards a one-step stage. On both sides, of the thin path, were few dawans, and cusions in pink, orange, and purple were placed around.

Tere man ko, jeevan ko
Nayi kushiyaan milne waali hain

Anjali & Lavanya twirl and move to Khushi's left, while Prachi & Minnie twirl to the right side.

And they danced the same step as the lyrics repeated.

Mehandi hai rachne waali
Haathon mein gehri laali
Kahein sakhiyaan ab kaliyan
Haathon mein khilne waali hain

Khushi move forward crossing them and was mesmerized seeing the stage, in a decorated in Moroccan-Asian fusion style, with different color drapes behind the sitting sofa and lamps hanging in between them. The two decoration pieces stood on both side of the sofa.

(the mehendi stage)

Tere man ko, jeevan ko
Nayi kushiyaan milne waali hain

Naina and Divya made Khushi sit on the sofa, Divya sat to her left side arranging her lehenga, while Naina went to Aashima who was standing to the side and making a video through her cellphone.

Ho hariyali banno..

Anjali and Lavanya faced Khushi, Prachi and Minnie were behind them.

Le jaane tujh ko guiyaan
Aane waale hain saiyaan
Thaamenge aa ke bahiyan
Goonjegi shehnaai angnaai.. angnaai..

As Anjali, Lavanya, Prachi and Minnie danced the other ladies started to clap in accordance with the tune of the song.

Mehandi hai rachne waali
Haathon mein gehri laali
Kahein sakhiyaan ab kaliyan

They move closer to the stage, doing the danced steps and Anjali move ahead taking Khushi's hand in hers and lips sync the lyrics.

Haathon mein khilne waali hain

Anjali winked at her and move back. They twirl and dance.

Tere man ko, jeevan ko
Nayi kushiyaan milne waali hain

As this stanza finish, the volume of music started to low as the beat continued. And then it stopped.

Everyone clapped for Anjali, Lavanya, Prachi and Minnie.

"Wah Anjali ji, Lavanyaji you both were superb", said Khushi as the two ladies came on the stage to greet Khushi.

"You liked it na?", asked Anjali.

"I loved it, I didn't thought you guys will be dancing today as well", said Khushi.

"Well just a little surprise for you", said Lavanya.

"Thank you", said Khushi as she hugged Lavanya. Then she saw Minnie standing behind Anjali, shying. Khushi grabs her hand and pull her close, "You my dear, were beautiful".

Minnie shy more, "You're looking more beautiful, like a princess. I love your hair".

"Awwh thank you sweety", said Khushi.

"Hey get up, get up", said Lavanya and make Khushi stand up, "Let me see".

"What happened?", asked Khushi.

"Wow, the dress is very pretty Khushi. After all its designed by ASR himself", said Lavanya winking at Khushi.

"What Arnav bhaiya made this dress?", asked Minnie.

"Yup Minnie, your bhaiya designed this, only for his bride", said Lavanya in teasing tone, making Khushi blush.

"And you guys are also color coordinating", said Khushi looking at pink & orange combination of Anjali, Lavanya and Minnie's lehengas.

"Yup, that was my idea", said Lavanya, "I asked ASR to show me your dresses ... but no, he said only you will see it first (Lavanya roll her eyes) so I demanded him, to at least show me the design, so he emailed me the sketches ... from there I got to know your dress's color and then I told others what color combination they should go for".

"Not only the dresses, but all this dcor colors were kept in contrast with your dress", said Anjali gesturing her hand around.

"Everything is beautiful", said Khushi in appreciation, feeling happy and overwhelmed seeing, how much they have done to make this function special, "And you all look beautiful too."

As she her eyes roamed around, the tent was white with few lamps hanging from its ceiling right in the middle. The cushions placed on both side of the path were orange, pink and purple. Few dawans were placed behind them in the same color combination. The area was not that big, just enough to accommodate 40,50 ppl. And they had around 30.

"Thank you ... Thank you", said Lavanya, bowing her head a little.

"Ok now let's get the Mehendi started", said Anjali and called out to her Nani.

Nani came on the stage and first did Khushi's arti and then take the Mehendi cone from Anjali and put a small line at side of Khushi's palm, starting the ritual of Mehendi. Khushi smiles at Nani when she tapped her cheeks lovingly.

Anjali call the artist and tell her to start on the design. The artist handover her design book to Khushi to select from it. She and Divya went through the book and selected the design.

"Amma how is it?", Khushi showed the design to Garima, who come on the stage with Buaji and Sriti Massi.

"Its nice bitya and it will look more beautiful on your hands", said Garima lovingly. Khushi smile wide at her mother.

"Which company's cones are you using?", Sriti asked to the artist and then look at Buaji, "Now a days we can't know which one is real and which one is fake ... what if the color won't come out good".

"No no Aunty, its not fake ... we make our own Mehendi", said the artist who put the cloth over Khushi lap and started to put Mehendi on her forearm.

"Arey Sriti Behen ... it doesn't matter ... even if the Mehendi is fake, the color will come out dark ... because our Arnav bitwa loves our sanka devi very much", said Buaji in a teasing tone, making Khushi blush and she lower her eyes.

"Jiji is right Didi, you will see, Khushi's Mehendi will be the darkest", said Garima as she run her hand over Khushi's cheek, which was pinkish due to all the blushing.
"Aunty ...", Anjali come to Garima, "Please come, you also apply Mehendi". Garima and Buaji both pinched Khushi's cheek lovingly and went down the stage.

Anjali had arranged for 6 artists, one was applying Mehendi on Khushi's hand and other started on her feet. The reaming 4 artist started to apply Mehendi to other ladies.

Khushi looked around in search of her baby, but didn't see him anywhere. She called her Jiji and asked where Arush is.

"He slpet while coming here, so Arnavji told me to put him in hi room", said Payal, "Don't worry Shobah ji is with him, she will bring him here when he wakes up".

"Still Jiji, can you go and check on him please. What if he had woken up due to the music", said Khushi concerned for her baby.

"Ok I will check, you just focus on your Mehendi", said Payal patting her cheek lovingly and move from there.

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"This is not fair, they are enjoying there and we are just sitting here", said NK in boredom

"Bitwa it's a ladies function, the men are meant to get bore on this day", said Mamaji, making Shashi, Sanjay and Rajat chuckled seeing the low faces of NK, Akash, Dhruv and Anuj.

Arnav was sitting with Aman, talking about some arrangements for the wedding. While Rohan and Kunal were engaged in some political discussion and Rahul had went behind the tent to look over the arrangement of dinner, a huge buffet was getting ready... which is place in the middle area, between the two tents, so that both ladies and gents can access to it easily.

NK stood up and went over to Arnav and Aman, "What kind of a groom are you? Don't you want to meet Khushi or see her Mehendi, why are sitting here and not trying to sneak in?".

Arnav look at NK, who was looking down at him in irritation, "Why would I sneak in? When I can just go in and meet her", said Arnav in slight confusion.

"Then why aren't you going then?", asked NK.

"I will, when this Mehendi stuff gets over ... why are you asking me this anyway?", said Arnav.

"You are such a bore type of groom, whats the fun in that? The real fun will be when you go and meet Khushi when the Mehendi is still going on ... or wait ... (NK pause) you are afraid to go in, because men are not allowed?".

"What rubbish? I am not afraid of anything", said Arnav in stern tone.

"Ok, then maybe you just doesn't have the courage to go in? Because then you have to face the wrath of all the ladies", said NK in challenging tone.

Arnav looks at the challenging expressions on NK's face. He looked around and saw everyone's eyes on him. Arnav titled his head a little to side and give NK an amusing look as if saying are-you-really-challenging-me?

Aman shakes his head, looks at NK and then at Arnav, he knows that look pretty well. Arnav never backs off from a challenge and specially the one which he clearly knows that stood no chance against him and he will win.

Without saying a word Arnav stood up and walk out of the sitting area, making everyone else stand up too.

NK was surprise to see him going and follow after him with Akash & Dhruv in a tow. Rahul who was coming inside, saw this and asked Aman, who told him what had happened. Rahul chuckles and then they also moved out. They both knew that it is futile to challenge Arnav. Rohan & Kunal, being curious, as to what will happen now move behind them.

"Oh man, he is really going in", said NK giving an anxious look to Akash, as he saw Arnav going inside the tent where Mehndi function of Khushi was going on.

"So what did you think that you will challenge bhai and he will just sit there", said Akash as both move ahead and stopped at the opening of the tent, seeing the scene unfolding before their eyes.

There were loud gasps seeing Arnav striding in; every eye focused on him. Aunties and ladies started murmuring among themselves.

Anjali, Lavanya, Payal and Khushi's friends, who were sitting on the carpeted floor ... with cushions around ... near the stage, got startled seeing him.

"Chottey, what are you doing here?", asked Anjali as she stood up. Arnav give her a smile and went straight to Khushi.

Khushi look up at him, surprised and nervous. She felt a blush creeping up her cheeks when she saw his eyes roaming all over her.

She looks more beautiful up close, thought Arnav, and admired her hair adorned with little white flowers.

"Chottey, you shouldn't be here", said Nani as she came near, "I told you its a ladies function, no men are allowed here", her voice was stern.

She didn't want Khushi's Dadi to get upset or other ladies to make gossips about it. But what she saw next literally shocked not only her but everyone around in that tent as well.

Arnav went down on his one knee and give a charming smile to Khushi as he extended his hand (palm upwards) towards her. Khushi looked at him questioningly and asked through eyes, what he is up to.

Arnav gestured with his eyes towards her hand, filled with half Mehendi design. Khushi look down at her hands and then up at him gesturing with her head gain, what he means.

Arnav swipe his palm over her one finger ... transferring the mehndi ... Khushi got shocked as she looks at his hand, having a blotch of Mehendi now.

Arnav turn and look at Anjali, "Di ... i fulfilled your demand (showing her the hand, which has the blotch of Mehendi) ... so now i can stay here i think, right?".

Anjali bites her lower lip and give a sheepish look to Nani, who shakes her head ... understanding what the matter was between the siblings.

Arnav look back at Khushi as he stood up and bend down to her eye level.

"Beautiful", he whispers in his husky voice, making Khushi lower her eyes with shyness.

He then look at Divya, who was sitting beside Khushi, "Make sure she has my full name on her".

Khushi look up at him with surprise ... which turn into a shocked gasped when Arnav leaned in and kissed her temple ... making Divya blush too ... Ashima and Poonam ohhhed.

He moves back, smirking, seeing her red cheeks and lowered eyes.

NK, Akash and Aman had their mouth open and eyes wide. Rahul chuckles and closes Akash's mouth and look at NK, "Penny for a thought ... never challenge Arnav ... especially regarding the people he loves dearly". Kunal and Rohan were also surprised at this scene.

Arnav came to his Nani, "I won't do anything else here, promise". Nani sighed and nods her head ... indicating that he can stay. She doesn't want to start an argument and sit down on the dawan and Arnav too sit beside her.

"Arey arey ... where are you going?", said Lavanya standing in front of boys, her arms wide blocking their way.

"Men are not allowed", shouted Aashima from behind and giggles.

"Di ..!", Akash called Anjali, "That's not fair, if bhai is allowed then we are too".

"Chottey put the Mehendi on his hand as per the demand, that's why he is allowed. Would you like to apply the Mehendi too", said Anjali in sickly sweet voice.

"Is it necessary?", asked NK, "Please, we are getting bore there, lets play some game or Antakshari".

"Idea is not bad Anjali bitya", said Shalini Masi, who was sitting close to them and was also getting bore with no music and dance.

"Haan, lets do something new, the time is changing so a little change to traditions won't harm", said Sriti Masi, who also came there.

"Haan Di, lets play Antaskshari", said Minnie excitedly.

"Yead Di come on", said Akash as he takes a step forward.

"Akash why are you so impatient to come in haan? NK, I can understand, that he has a girlfriend here. Are you hiding a girlfriend here? tell.. tell", said Anjali in a little loud voice.

At the mention of girlfriend Akash eyes move towards Payal, who also look at him. Anjali didn't miss his glance and turn her head to see Payal turning to other side.

Hmm, there is something with these two; I need to find out, thought Anjali.

"No Di, its nothing like that", said Akash trying to be serious.

"Come now Di, let us in", said Dhruv.

"Yeah, or you re not letting us because you know that you're going to lose to us in Antakshari", said Anuj.

"Oh you didn't just said that, little man", said Lavanya in stern tone.

Aman smiles, he well knew that tone ... which indicated that Lavanya is full on ready to beat on the opponent.

"Then let us in and prove it that you're not afraid of challenge", said Aman.

"Oh Challenge haan", said Aashima, "Then we should up the challenge with a condition ... what say girls".

"Yesss", Anjali, Lavanya and Minnie said in union.

"Ok ok ... we are not afraid, right guys", said NK looking at Akash, Dhruv and Aman, who nodded their head.

"So what's the condition?", asked Anuj.

"Whoever loses, will become a server to opponent team members", said Aashima, "Meaning loser party will serve the winning party food, drink and whatever they want for tonight".

The boys thought for a while and then agree to the condition. They move ahead to settle down in the middle of the tent ... Boys on one side and all girls on the other side. The boys started to talk among themselves, recalling some songs.

"Payal bitya, go call your Baba and Masa ji, they would be getting bore there with only talking", said Sriti Massi.

"Ji Massi", said Payal and put Arush down, who had woken up from his afternoon nap few minutes ago. Payal asked Divya to look after Arush and move out of tent.

Arush saw the cone and Mehendi and run to it. "Arush baby no ...", shouted Khushi and Poonam and Divya both run to him, stopping him from putting the cone in his mouth.

Divya quickly picked him up, "Bad baby, its not to eat".

"Nahh choc choc", said Arush in crying tone, pointing toward Poonam's hand filled with Mehendi.

Poonam shakes her head, "its not chocolate, pagal".

But the little guy was just familiar with the color, which seems similar to him as of the chocolate.

"Baby we will get it later on ok", said Divya.

But Arush wanted his choc choc now. "Divya", Khushi call out to her, "I brought the chocolate for him ... I told Aashima to put it in fridge ... can you ask her to bring half of it".

"Ok Khushi", said Divya.

"Mamaaa ...", Arush run to his Mama but was again stopped by Divya, so that he don't spoil Khushi's Mehendi.

Our little baby never liked being stopped from going to his Mama, so he started to cry. Khushi looked helplessly at her Mehendi and then at Arush ... but when Arush called out her again she was about to ask Divya to let him come ...She doesn't care about her Mehendi more than her son. Just then Arnav came there and picked Arush. Divya smiles gratefully at him and went towards Aashima.

"Hey champ, why are you crying haan?", said Arnav as he cradle Arush close to his chest.

"Papa ... mama pass jana", said Arush. Arnav move near to Khushi, "See Mama's hands are looking so pretty haan".

"Choc choc ...", Arush pointed towards the Mehendi, making Arnav chuckled.

"Hey did Arush gave his mama a kissie today hmmm?", said Arnav, "Should Arush give his paari to mama".

"Pariii", exclaimed Arush as he extended his hands towards Khushi. Arnav come close to Khushi and put Arush on her lap, holding him with his hands, as Arush move in close to Khushi face and give a kissie to his mama.

"Good boy, now give kissie to papa", said Arnav. Arush immediately move close to Arnav's face and kiss him on cheek.

"Good boy", said Khushi in happy loud tone, making Arush exclaimed and clap his hands.

Khushi looked at Arnav and said softly, "Thank you".

"You can thank me later", said Arnav as his gaze fixed on her lips making Khushi blushed deep.

Arnav then move from there, taking Arush so that he can distract him with other things. Khushi couldn't help but admire him and Arush ... they look good together. She prayed to keep them just liked that ... always.

Aashima move inside the kitchen to take the chocolate. She opened the fridge and takes out the chocolate and breaks it in half. She put the half in fridge and moves out with the other half. She hurriedly went to the back entrance, as she does not want to miss the starting of Antakshari.

Her foot caught in her lehenga and she slipped on the 6 steps leading to back lawn. She gasped and closes her eyes to ear the impact but felt herself being held. She open her eyes and found Rohan staring down at her, for few seconds she was lost in his eyes as her heart thudded faster.

"You ok?", asked Rohan, he was coming here to take some water for his father and saw Aashima slipping on the stairs and couldn't help but reach out to save her.

"You!", Aashima came out of her trance and push Rohan away straightening herself.

"How dare you touch me?", said Aashima in anger.

"You were about to fall stupid", said Rohan getting angry himself.

"So, should have let me fall. It was better than to take your help", said Aashima and move aside, but next second yelped when a pain shot through her right feet, "ouch".

Rohan held her shoulder, "What happened?".

"Don't touch me!", said Aashima pushing his hands away and carefully put her foot down on the second last stair but yelped gain.

"Listen, you are not going to walk like this, let me help", said Rohan.

"No, I don't need your ...", Aashima was saying when Rohan held her shoulder and force her down, making her sit on the steps.

"Listen, if you are still angry about that day, then I am sorry, I shouldn't have behaved that way", said Rohan sitting infront of her.

Aashima look at him, not sure whether to believe him or not, but she could only see honesty in his eyes. She sighed and nodded her head; she was not the one to drag argument un-necessary when other is willing to move on.

"May i?", asked Rohan gesturing towards her feet. Aashima nodded again

Rohan held her right foot and pressed on the ankle, Aashima hissed. Without saying anything, he twisted it and Aashima yelped, "ouch ... dammit, are you going break it or what", as she smack his arm.

"Try to walk now", said Rohan as he helped her stand up, Aashima put her feet down on step and felt the pain is lessen now.

She walked down the steps on to grass and smile as the pain was nearly gone. She turned back to thank him, but found him going inside from the door. She thought to go after him but just then Divya called her name, who had come out to see what's taking her so long.

Aashima quickly went towards the tent. She looked around to spot Arush and saw him sitting in Buaji's lap ... the only one left without Mehndi on her hands. Aashima move towards her, who was sitting on dawan right next to the stage and give her the chocolate.

"Choc Choc", Arush exclaimed loud and grabs buaji's hand.

"Arey haan bitwa ... sabar ... detey hein", said Buaji and broke a little piece and put in Arush mouth, who made a yum sound making Buaji's smile.

Aashima sit down on carpeted floor along with other girls.

"Ok let start with the famous Mehendi song", said Shalini Massi as she started to tap her hands on the dholki. She had already removed her Mehendi.

Mehndi laga rakhna, doli saja ke rakhna
Mehndi laga rakhna, doli saja ke rakhna
Lene tujhe o gori, aayenge tere sajna
Mehndi laga rakhna, doli saja ke rakhna
Oho oho

All the girls sings the songs together ... they couldn't clap her hands, as they were adorned with Mehendi. Only Nani, Dadi and Buaji were the ones who didn't applied the Mehendi. Aashima, Divya and Payal were now getting their hand filled with Mehendi as they were busy with some work or the other before.

Sehra sajake rakhna, chehra chupake rakhna
Sehra sajake rakhna, chehra chupake rakhna
Ye dil ki baat apne, dil mein dabake rakhna
Sahra sajake rakhna, chehra chupake rakhna

Mehndi laga rakhna, doli saja ke rakhna

"Na na ...", said Lavanya waving her hand towards the boys.

"Na Na Na Na Naa Re Na Re ...", Anuj started to sing and other boys joined him.
Na Na Na Na Naa Re Na Re"
Ho sadde naal rahoge to aish karoge
Zindagi de saare mazhe cash karoge
Ho sadde naal rahoge
Aish karoge
Zindagi de saare mazhe
Cash karoge
Ho sadde naal
Heh Heh

Ho sadde naal
Heh Heh

"heh ... heh", said NK pointing towards the girls.

The game was started and both boys and girls were coming up with song upon song.

Mamiji and Sriti also joined the girls ... Anjali, Aashima, Lavanya, Poonam, Naina, Minnie, Prachi and Khushi's cousins ... Sara, Purvi & Mehga.

Garima, Buaji, Naniji were sitting on the dawan, behind them, clapping for girls. Buaji's and Nani & Mamiji's friends were sitting on their other side. While Dadi and Khushi's Chachi's were sitting, further behind them, looking on the game. Dadi was as usual her brooding self and Chachi's were getting their hands filled with Mehendi.

Mamaji and Masaji had joined the boys ... NK, Akash, Aman, Rahul, Kunal, Dhruv, Anuj and Khushi's cousin ...Ankit.

Raj and her wife (who was pregnant) were sitting behind them on the dawans along with Shashi, Rajat and 2 of Mamaji's friends.

Arnav was sitting on the dawan on boys side, that was just adjacent to the stage. His focus was more on Khushi rather than the on-going game.

Khushi was very well aware of his stare, but she felt shy looking at him. So she kept her focus on the game but failed, as her eyes, on their own accord, went towards him.

Her feet were done with the Mehendi along with the inner sides of both hands. Now only half the Mehendi left for upper side of both hands.

Arnav was just waiting for this to get over quickly so that he can have some private time with Khushi.

Another 30 minutes into the game and the girls' side won. They make the thumb down gesture at the and boys and booh-ed. Although the boys were lost but they did enjoy playing the Antaskshari ... it was better than to sit idle in their tent, getting bored.

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Bubbles762016-05-21 15:14:36