Chapter 147

Next Day (Saturday) Morning ---

"Are you sure Bitya?, asked Shashi looking at Payal suspiciously. "No one said anything to you about it?, he looks over to his wife.

"Arey don't look at me like that, I haven't talk to her about this since the time we came from Dehli, said Garima irritatingly looking at her husband.

"Baba, Amma didn't said anything to me, Payal held her father's hand over the table, "Its my own decision. I thought about it a lot and I have to get marry to someone right? I cannot stay at home forever right?. Garima nodded her head instantly.

"And Akash's family is very nice and plus, Khushi is already there, imagine the fun we two will have, said Payal with a big smile, trying to defuse the worried mood.

"If that's what you want then fine. I guess you do know about the proposal your Dadi had found?, asked Shashi.

"Yes, I heard you telling it to Amma, and you were right, I would never be happy with that kind of marriage where there will so much restriction on a Bahu. I am sure Raizadas are not like that. Khushi once told me that Nani had given her permission to work in the AR office is she wants to. So I guess they won't have problem with me working as well, said Payal hopefully.

"You want to work after marriage?, asked Garima surprised.

"Yes Amma I want to work, but please don't worry, I will never neglect my duties towards my husband and my household, said Payal.

"Hmm, lets see what happens, said Garima.

Just then the bell rang and Payal stood up to see who is outside. She got a surprised when she opened the front gate.

"Surprise ...!!!, exclaimed Khushi with a smile as she move forward and hug Payal.

"Khushi, what are you doing here?, asked Payal as they break the hug.

"What Jiji? Now I can't come here? Go I don't talk to you, said Khushi with a pout and move inside.

Payal was surprised to see Arnav standing there with Arush in his arm.

"Hello Payal, said Arnav.

"Namaste, said Payal folding her hands, "Is everything alright? You are suddenly here?.

"Yes everything is fine. Can you take Arush inside? I need to take bags out of the car, said Arnav as he hand over Arush to Payal, "Go inside, I am sure Khushi must have told uncle and aunty about our visit.

"Ji, said Payal and went inside.

True to Arnav's word Khushi had already told her parents about Arnav winning the award and they all are here to attend the ceremony except for Naniji, who stayed back in the Raizada house with Anjali as she was going through morning sickness. Shashi and Garima both congratulate Arnav and blessed him. He touched their feet making them proud of him.

Garima couldn't hold back and share the good news about Payal saying yes for Akash's proposal. Khushi shouted with delighted and hugged payal tight. On her insistent Shashi called up Naniji and give her the good news. She was very happy and asked Shashi if he has talked to his mother Subhadra.

"No Maji, I haven't told her the news yet, said Shashi thinking that his mother won't be happy about it.

"Please do tell her, if she agrees we can come there and do the shagun rasam. I really can't wait to make it official, said Nani happily.

"Sure Maji, I will call you back tomorrow, said Shashi and cut the call after bidding goodbye.

Shashi told them what Naniji had said and Garima too was worried about how Payal's Dadi will react to the news.

Later @ Night ------

"Yes Di I am fine and I am taking my medicine, said Arnav with a sighed. His sister still worries for him, though she had said to him few days back that now he is married she can relax and not worry about him.

"Yes Di, Khushi and Arush is also fine, everyone is fine here. You tell, how are you feeling now?, said Arnav. (pause ..) "Why don't you go to doctor? I know its normal but still it can't be good puking everyday (pause ..) ok ok I got it. (pause) No Me and Khushi not going anywhere after the ceremony, we will come back to Dehli (pause) that's fine Di, we will take Arush with us if we go to Grece (Pause) yeah yeah ... ok good night, said Arnav and cut the call.

Khushi who was patting Arush on bed looked up at him, feeling bad that she had totally forgotten that Arnav had planned for them to go Greece this weekend. She got up and went near him.

"Di is fine, said Arnav as Khushi came close to him, thinking that she wanted to know about Anjali.

"I am sorry Arnavji, said Khushi as she fidgeted with her fingers.

"Why are you saying sorry? You are not causing morning sickness to Di, though I don't get it how it can be normal puking everyday.

"Its normal with pregnancy Arnavji, said Khushi and smile seeing him making a face, "But I am saying sorry for forgetting about our trip. I know you wanted to go to Greece and with Jiji's proposal talks and you getting the award, I forgot about it, she held her ears, "I am sorry about that.

"Khushi please, Arnav instantly held her hands and bring them down, "You don't have to be sorry, I can understand that how much excited you are for Payal and Akash's rishta. So its ok. It happens I know.

Khushi smile up at him and pinch his cheeks, "Khushi!!, Arnav step back rubbing his cheeks and give angry glare to Khushi.

"You look sooo cute when talk like that, said Khushi as she come close and went on tip toes and kiss his nose.

"Really?, said Arnav as he wound his arms around her tugging her close. Before he could even think of kissing her, they heard Arush's voice, who had thrown away his bottle and now was crawling on bed, coming to them.

"Mamaaa, said Arush as he was about to climb down but Khushi picked him up and climb on the bed, "And where were you going haan ... its your neenu(sleep) time, said Khushi as she lay him down.

"Mama Alush pass, said Arush as he turn to her, "Papa pass nahi, Alush pass.

Khushi's mouth open in an O as she look over to Arnav who was also very surprised hearing this from his own son. He pressed his lips as he put his hands up in air and then bring them down with a sigh. Khushi couldn't help but giggle seeing his expressions.

"Yes Mama, Alush pass ... ok happy now. Come on close your eyes now, said Khushi as she pecks Arush's head and started to hum her song.

Arnav shakes his head and went in to washroom to change into his night close, thinking that now he has to compete with his own son for getting intimate time with his own wife.

He came out after few minutes and went to other side of bed and lay down. After few minutes he felt thirsty and climb down. Due to old habit his eyes went to left side of bedside table and realized that he was not in his room and there is no fridge with cold water.

"Damn ..., the word escapes his lips as he rubs his neck.

"Arnavji what happened?, said a sleepy Khushi.

"Nothing, just feeling thirsty, said Arnav as he climbs down from bed.

"Oh sorry Arnavji, I forgot to place the water jug for you, said Khushi as she push away the quilt, "I will bring it now, just give a minute.

"No stay there, said Arnav, "If you move Arush will wake up, his eyes went to his son who was glued to Khushi's side. "I will just go down and have a glass of water.

"You sure?, said Khushi as she look down at Arush.

"Of course Khushi, Arnav rolled his eyes, "You are asking as if I am going to climb a mountain.

"Ok fine, Khushi pouted and Arnav went to the door. Khushi called out to him, "Do bring one glass up here in case you feel the need, said Khushi as she put the quilt back on her as Arnav went out of the room.

"Shashiji why are still worried? Now Payal has agreed too. But I can still feel that you are tensed, said Garima as she climbs on bed.

"I am worried because Ma didn't agree for this proposal, said Shashi turning to his wife.

"You talked to Maji? When? And why didn't you tell me before?, asked Garima.

"I talked to her in the evening when you all went out to take Arush to the park, said Shashi, "I could not talk to Ma in front of kids because I knew the conversation will get heated.

"So what did you talk about?, asked Garima.

"I told her about Payal saying yes for Akash's proposal. She was not happy that we are allowing Payal to make a decision for her life. She still thinks it should be us doing that, said Shashi.

"Yes, but if its us who has to decide then we would have chosen Akash, right?, said Garima and Shashi nodded his head, "Then what's bad about this proposal? Akash is a good guy and we know his family and more importantly Khushi is there and both our daughter will live together, said Garima not understanding what could be the problem

"That's the main problem that Ma has, that Khushi is there, said Shashi.

"What you mean?, said Garima being confuse. Shashi then tell her about his conversation with his mother which happened yesterday and today evening.

"I can't believe she thinks that about Khushi. Poor girl, what has she ever done to make Maji so bitter about her, said Garima sadly, "And why she thinks about Arnav bitwa like that? I know he is little intimidated but whatever Khushi has tell me about he, he is very caring about everyone, he just doesn't show it much.

"I know. You know what had happened during Khushi's shagun. Ma hasn't forgotten that yet and she doesn't like Arnav bitwa, the way he had behaved. He is different from others, and he has suffered a major blow in terms of how his parents die, anyone could turn out bitter after that incident and then what his uncle did, said Shashi shaking his head.

"I know, said Garima feeling bad about Arnav and his childhood, "But Arnav turn out a strong man. Look how much successful he is now and how much he loves our Khushi.

"I wish Ma could also see that about Arnav bitwa and Khushi ... even today, after so many years Ma still hasn't accepted Khushi.

"No matter what Maji says I trust my daughter. Khushi will never do something to hurt Payal. They both love each other a lot, said Garima holding her ground, "

"Don't I know that? Don't you think I trust my daughters?, said Shashi angry at the whole situation, "But I can't help but get worried about their future. We both know when evil eye struck someone; you cannot stop something to go wrong. People love to poke in other's life, if they are not happy, they don't want to see other happy. And according to Maji, people in our community are gossiping about that. I don't want Payal and Khushi to even hear those, they will feel very bad and you know Khushi, being selfless she will blame herself for the gossip they are doing about Payal.

"Please don't take tension, your BP is already high, said Garima rubbing his arm, "Have faith in Devi Maiya and our daughters Shashi. They are strong and we will be there always to guide them..

"I hope so too Garima, said Shashi, "I just wish Ma come out of her unorthodox thinking. We have to move forward with changing time and generations. She had to understand that.

"Don't worry, we will make her understand. Why don't you talk to Dilip bhaisahab about it?, said Garima.

"Yes, I was thinking about it too. I will call him tomorrow., said Shashi as he turned on his back and look up the ceiling.

"Yes, I am sure he will be reasonable and will be able to make Maji understand, said Garima as he lay down and switch off the side table lamp.

Arnav fisted his hand, thinking how Khushi's Dadi dare to say something like that about Khushi. He didn't want to eavesdrop on khushi's parents' conversation, but their room was just next to kitchen and he heard Shashi saying that his mother was not agreeing to Akash's proposal because of Khushi and being possessive and protective about his wife he couldn't help himself and listened into the conversation.

He took some deep breathes while climbing the stairs, feeling anger building inside him.

He went in the room and put the glass on his side table and then went to other side and crouch down.

He looked lovingly at Khushi and caresses her cheek. How can someone hate such a loveable and kind soul? He won't let her Dadi hurt her in anyway, thought Arnav, he will make sure that this proposal get fixed. He will talk to Khushi father about it and will ease his worries. Only because he doesn't want Khushi to even get a hint about this whole situation.

He stands up and bends down, he kissed Khushi's temple and went back to his side of bed.

TO BE CONTINUED ...

Let me what you guys think about this, though its a quite a bit boring but was necessary for the further upcoming scenarios 😳

NOTE: Hey guys, I have a request.

I don't come on IF much these days. I come only to update, put notes and read your comments, as I don't get much time.

So, if there is any change in rules or important announcement going on regarding ARSHI FAN FICTIONS, then please let me know.

Will appreciate it. 😳

take care,

PS: Will send PMs for this chapter tomorrow, going off to bed now.😳