Chapter 8

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Harvest Moon Chapter 8

KHUSHI couldn’t believe that deciding to marry the man she loved would suddenly take a turn for the worse.

The problems had begun when it was decided that Satyaprakash’s surgery that was to take place in a couple weeks would be now taking place in the United States.

This change in plan had materialized when Khushi had called her parents to inform them about her grandfather’s cancer and the impending surgery. Her father’s brother who was a leading surgical oncologist at a hospital in Wilmington had immediately asked them to bring her grandfather to the US so the complicated surgery could be performed by him.

“I don’t need the surgery.” Her grandfather had protested.

“You do Nanaji!”

“There is only fifty percent chance of success.”

“Exactly!” Khushi had exclaimed, irritated with her grandfather for being so stubborn. “If you don’t do this you don’t have any chance at all.

“I am doing what you wanted me do, aren’t I? I am getting married. Now you should do as I say.”

Then her grandfather had come up with his condition.  He wanted the marriage to take place before he left to the States for his surgery.

“But Nanaji, mom and dad aren’t here!” Khushi had pleaded, “how can I get married without them?”

“Khushi, I may not be alive to see your wedding later.”

Looking at his teary eyes Khushi knew she couldn’t refuse.

Unfortunately, Shashi Gupta had refused.

“Is dad very upset with me?” Khushi asked her sister Payal as they sat chatting in the balcony of Anjali’s house. She had arrived in Jalandhar in the evening after taking a bus from Chandigarh.

The usually direct Payal didn’t mince words. “Yes he is.”

“What happened jiji? I thought he liked the alliance,” Khushi said, “I heard him saying that to mom.”

“I don’t know Khushi,” Payal shrugged, “think he wanted to come and meet the Raizadas before making any decision.”

“I thought Akashji coming to Raleigh might have helped.”

Anjali had asked Akash to visit them in Raleigh so Khushi’s dad’s concerns could be addressed. Unfortunately it hadn’t helped.

“Dad actually seemed to like Akashji,” Payal said, “but nothing he said helped in changing his mind.”

“I don’t understand,” Khushi said, “He kept telling me I can’t make any decision until he came down from the States after Siya’s wedding.”

“But you told him otherwise,” Payal pointed out, “dad is very upset about that.”

“Yes I had to jiji,” Khushi said, “Nanaji thinks he may not survive this surgery.” Khushi’s eyes filled with tears.

The dilemma of choosing between her father and grandfather had been a terrible ordeal for her but her grandfather was on his deathbed and she wasn’t in a position to think of anything else at this moment.

“Don’t cry Khushi,” Payal consoled her, “Mom has told me to tell you that she stands by your decision and has given you her blessings. She wishes she could be here for you.”

She knew she could count on her mother.

But what about Payal? Khushi wondered. Payal and her dad were a lot alike in their thoughts.

“Khushi?” Payal said slowly, “why did you give in to your grandfather’s demands to get married? You were planning to tell your grandfather that you wouldn’t go through with it, weren’t you?”

“I am not being forced to do anything jiji,” Khushi said evasively, “I am happy with my decision.”

“Are you sure?” Payal’s eyebrows twisted with doubt. “Hope you don’t have any second thoughts?”

“Why do you think I may have second thoughts?”

“Well, for one – you have known your groom for ten days!” Payal reminded her. “He may not be what you expect.”

“Jiji you haven’t even met him!” Khushi said emphatically.

“I guess--  what I mean is that you were brought up in Canada – a city girl and he was brought up in a small town. You might have different personalities.”

“I have realized that.” Khushi agreed. “but we don’t always meet people who are just like us, do we?”

“I don’t know Khushi ---” Payal said sceptically, “I think you should weigh your options a little carefully here.”

Khushi knew that her sister was only looking out for her just as she always had right since childhood. Payal planned a lot and thought through everything meticulously. But she wasn’t like her sister, was she? How could she explain to her the intensity of feeling that had assailed her from the very first moment she had laid eyes on him? The feeling had just increased every time she had met him.

She searched for the right words to tell her sister and then decided to go with the truth.

“I have fallen in love with Arnavji.”

“Really?” Payal’s eyes went wide with shock. “It’s too soon. How can you be so sure?”

“I know it here.” She touched her heart.

Payal hugged her little sister. “I am happy for you Khushi.” She said touching her cheek. Then a mischievous look appeared on her face.

“I hope this isn’t like the time when you had this huge crush on a boy during your India trip.” Payal said affably.

“What?” Khushi exclaimed, shocked out of her wits.

“Don’t you remember Khushi?” Payal said in surprise, “you couldn’t stop talking about him when you came back home. He had saved you from a pit or something? I don’t remember details now.”

How could she have forgotten this when she remembered the incident?

 There was a knock on the door and Anjali peeped in. “I hope I am not interrupting the Gupta sisters?”

“Come in Di!” Khushi called Anjali into the room.

“I came here to tell you both to come down for breakfast.” Anjali said affably.

As Khushi and Payal accompanied Anjali downstairs, Manav walked in through the front door, a tall man in tow.

“Akash!” Anjali exclaimed and rushed forward to hug him. “You finally remembered to come and see your sister?”

  “Don’t be so dramatic Di,” Akash said as he adjusted his glasses, “I didn’t come to see you. I came to see my bhabhi.”  He looked up at Khushi and smiled. “Hello Khushiji.”

“Namaste.” Khushi smiled back at the young man who looked nothing like his cousin brother. Akash was tall, lean, fair and wore jeans and T-shirt.

“What’s the situation at home Akash?” Anjali said.

“There’s no change Di.”

It was not just her dad who had a problem with the marriage. When Satyaprakash had made it clear that he wanted the wedding to take place before his surgery, Naniji had checked with the family priest and she had regretfully informed them that there were no good dates for a wedding in the next six months.

Naniji had been upset about this but it was mamiji who had made it clear that a marriage at this time would be a sacrilege.

“Nani is in a dilemma,” Anjali said, “she doesn’t know what to do. I wish Arnav hadn’t chosen to go to Delhi at a time like this.

“Your grandfather’s flight is booked five days from now,” Manav said looking at Khushi, “what are you going to do?”

Five days later, Khushi stood in her room, looking at the diamond shining on her finger.

“Khushi!” Payal exclaimed as she came into the room. “Your lehenga is just amazing. I don’t remember you buying this.”

The lehenga was red, cut in a fish tail design with gold buttas all the way from the waist to the knees. Just below the knees there were embellishments of roses in pink along with green leaves hewn all around. Then below that, the material was plain red, until the border which had alternating green, red, gold and yellow lace.

The blouse was also red with scooped neck and elbow length sleeve with a matching border. The chunri was a cream colored net with a matching border on one side and a lovely red and gold lace on the other side.

“It’s Arnavji’s gift.”

Khushi blushed when she remembered the day Arnav had taken her to this exclusive boutique just before he had taken her out to dinner at the fancy restaurant at a five star hotel.

After dinner they had walked toward the garden. Fragrant plumaria lined the pathway as they walked, their footwear treading softly on the clay tiles.

“Arnavji,” Khushi said as she hugged his arm to herself, “why did you bring me here today?”

“I thought it would be a break from all the chaos.” He looked into her eyes as they stood under the huge umbrella of the humungous Gulmohar tree. “Also, I wanted give you this.” He gave a gift bag.

Khushi pulled out a box from the bag and realized that it was cell phone – iPhone 6.

“For the one I broke.”

“It’s too expensive!” Khushi exclaimed.

“Then you probably won’t like this either.” He opened a small box and showed her the most beautiful diamond solitaire she had ever seen.

Khushi gasped her surprise. “What’s this?”

“An engagement ring.” he said.

“But Arnavji, you know what’s been going on --- I –“

“Don’t you like it?”

“I love it – but –“

“Khushi, I managed to find a date at the court,” He paused. “If you agree, we could be married in five days. What do you say?”

“Yes!” Khushi’s face automatically moved toward Arnav as he leaned down to claim her lips.

“You look gorgeous Khushi!” Payal said looking at her sister’s radiant face.

“Thank you for being here for me,” Khushi said, “I know you weren’t completely on board with this.”

“I was wrong Khushi,” Payal said, “I can clearly see there is a deep connection between the two of you. And that’s what matters finally.”

Khushi hugged her sister tight. “Thank you jiji – it means a lot to me.” Khushi said in a low voice.

“Even dad and mom are on board with this Khushi,” Payal said, “I know you spoke them last night.”

“Only mom spoke to me.”

“Khushi,” Payal touched her cheek, “after actually spending some time here I have realized what you are going through. It has been really really hard for you with your grandfather being so sick. Don’t worry I will talk to dad.”

“Thank you for taking Nanaji with you jiji,” Khushi said, “I should have been the one –“

“Don’t say that,” Payal admonished her, “it’s the least I can do. Moreover, Akashji will be there if I need any help.”

“Oh I almost forgot!” She went up to her suitcase and brought a velvet pouch. “Here, wear these gold jhumkas that mom sent for you.”

“Oh my God!” Khushi looked at the jewellery in awe.

“Absolutely stunning!” Anjali came into the room.

Khushi looked at both of them. “Do you think this nose ring looks odd?” She had her nose pierced the other day when they had shopped for the wedding.

“No Khushi – it suits you to perfection.” Anjali replied.

She took a small dab of kajal from her eye and placed it on Khushi’s neck – a ritual to ward off evil eyes.

As they waited for their turn in the office, Khushi looked up at Arnav who stood next to her looking like a completely different man. He had shaved his beard and had replaced his kurta for a charcoal grey suit, a white shirt and a red tie.

Looking down at her hands adorned with the bridal mehendi, a cold shiver went up her spine as she wondered if she really knew the man she was marrying.

“What is it Khushi?” Arnav searched her face. “You look tense.”

Khushi shook her head with a smile.

Arnav took her hand and lead her to the small garden just outside the court. They stood under the shade of a huge peepal tree.

“You look different.” He had trimmed his hair but it still curled at his nape and she was thankful for that. She felt a strong urge to run her finger through the waves.

 “Oh you are talking about his suit?” He looked down at himself. “I could have hardly married you in kurta and jeans, could I?”

“You shaved.” She whispered looking up at him with her luminous eyes.

“I didn’t want to hurt you.” His caramel eyes simmered.

Khushi blushed a deep red when the meaning of what he meant dawned on her.

Khushi had no idea how different she herself looked today. Her hair had been pulled back from her face and she had let it down her back like a curtain. He took in her radiant face adored with just khol, red lipstick and a matching bindi. The huge gold and red jhumkas on her ear was her only jewellery other than the nose ring that made her look utterly sexy.

The completely sheer pallu had been to her left shoulder while the other end was tucked into her waist on her right hip, exposing her long and creamy waist.

 “You look so beautiful.” The look in his molten brown eyes filled her up with a warm and fuzzy feeling and she realized that she was no longer cold.

Before he forgot all sense of time and place he took a step back.  “Khushi -- I know this didn’t go the way you had imagined it,” Arnav began, “Especially with your dad not in agreement with this alliance --.”

“Even Naniji isn’t too happy.”

Arnav knew that his Nani was unhappy about the timing of wedding and would eventually come round but he wasn’t too sure about Shashi Gupta. He brushed aside his own fears in order to placate Khushi.

“Look, this is just for your grandfather, alright?” He said pointing toward the office, “I had no choice. We will have a wedding complete with all rituals once it’s the right time.” He paused. “Khushi --”

“Bhai!” Akash’s voice rung in the air, “they want you in there.”

Less than half an hour later the sub-registrar pronounced them man and wife while Anjali, Payal, Akash and Manav acted as witnesses. Arnav completed the ritual by filling her forehead with sindoor and fastened the mangalsutra around her neck.

From the court, they drove straight to the hospital. Satyaprakash Patial’s eyes filled with tears as he gave his blessings.

“Now I will not worry even if I die.”

“Don’t say that Nanaji – please,” Khushi’s voice choked with emotion. “You are going to have a long life.”

Arnav held Satyprakash’s hand and the look that passed between them made Khushi realize there was more it than it met the eye.

“Arnav?” Anjali gently addressed her brother, “I will have to go to Faridkot. Nani wants me there to prepare for your Grihapravesh. Akash will go back with us because he needs to pack for tonight.”

“Are you sure mamiji will be okay?” Khushi said knowing the older woman would be terribly upset with her son’s vacation being cut short like this.

“Don’t worry about that bhabhi,” Akash assured her. “I will handle mom.”

“That’s settled then,” Arnav said, “Khushi I think you should go home with your sister and help her pack.”

“I want to spend some time with Nanaji.”

“Don’t you think it will be a good idea to change first?” He suggested, “I will come by and pick you up later and bring you here so you can spend time with him until it’s time to leave.”

“Can I request you not to change Khushi?” Anjali said, “It would be better to do the Grihapravesh in this attire.” She turned toward her brother. “Why aren’t you going with Khushi?”

 “I have to finish paper work for the discharge and then make sure the chartered flight will be available on time.”

Arnav had arranged for a chartered flight to take Satyaprakash Patial, Payal and Akash to Delhi. From there they would take the international flight to the States.

Khushi smiled at her grandfather. “I will be back soon Nanaji.”

That night Khushi stood at the doorstep of the Raizada House as Anjali welcomed them into the house with a pooja plate. She performed the traditional aarti and adorned their foreheads with vermillion. Then she placed the brass pot filled with rice so Khushi could knock it down and take her step into the house.

Arnav and Khushi walked up to Naniji and bent down to touch her feet. The older woman blessed them with a smile.

“God bless you both with loads of happiness.” She said. “I may have been a little worried about the timing of this wedding, but I have put that behind me. I spoke to Satyaprakash this morning and told him that I was happy with this decision.”

After they had taken their blessings from the obviously irritated mamiji and mamaji, Naniji led the couple to the pooja and after offering prayers to the Goddess, Anjali took Khushi up the stairs. She took her past her old room, further down the hallway to another room.

“This is Arnav’s room and from now it will be yours as well,” Anjai said as she opened the door.

The stunning four poster bed in the centre was adored with flowers. The room was aglow with candles and dim lighting from the bed lamps. The room looked like a scene from a movie.

Anjali hugged Khushi. “I am so happy that Arnav found a girl like you Khushi.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I thought he would never marry. I wish you all the happiness in the world.” She kissed her forehead and turned around and left the room.

Khushi looked around the extremely large room with its dark wood furniture, dark bed sheets, tall curtains also dark – just like the owner of the room.

She took a quick shower in the bathroom and slipped on her old t-shirt and pajamas. She didn’t want to even look at the other suitcase which had all the new fancy clothes she had shopped for at Anjali’s insistence.

The earlier apprehension she had experience at the registrar’s office hit her in full force.  She really didn’t know the man she had married!

Khushi thought back about the horrendous moment in the evening when she had overheard Arnav and her grandfather talking. After having waited for over an hour for Arnav to come and pick up, she had decided to take a rickshaw to the hospital.

Just as she was about to enter the room, she heard voice from inside as the door was already ajar. She stood for a moment contemplating if it she should knock first, when the words she heard made her pause.

“Arnav – you do understand that I would never have forced this arranged marriage if it wasn’t really important –don’t you?”

“Don’t worry Mr Patial, you have done nothing wrong,” Arnav said, “Khushi will be taken care exactly the way you wanted it to be. As my wife, she will enjoy all comforts life has to offer.”

“Promise me that you will never tell her that this marriage came about because of an old debt between our families.”

“Why would I?” Arnav replied, “It wouldn’t be favourable to me if I did.”

She had walked away from there unable to hear anymore. Later, when she had met him she didn’t have the chance to ask him because he had been in a lot of pain and the doctors had sedated him.

Her grandfather had arranged this marriage because he was in debt with Arnav’s family. It was as though he had sold her to him. How could he do something like that?

But what had hurt her most was Arnav’s words. Why hadn’t he corrected her grandfather when he referred to the marriage as an arranged one?

It seemed like whatever had happened between them had meant nothing to him at all.

I will not let anything happen to you – ever.

He had known all along and had set out to trap her into this marriage. And she had blindly walked into it.

She had believed that he loved her just like she was in love with him. But then, he had never said the actual words, had he ?

I haven’t able to think about anything or anyone else since the day I met you.

All these had been plain words which she had mistaken for love.

Oh God! Arnav had married her as a part of old debt collection. What did she possibly have that Arnav wanted, if it was not love?

I feel motivated to write more when I hear from you so do comment and feel free to give me your feedback.

You can also read this story here Arhi journeys

My previous works:

Arhi: Charlotte’s Arhi Journeys