Chapter 38
Arnav and Khushi had gone to the doctor to get the sutures removed and their new frienship even though a little tentative was something she preferred to the stoic silences they shared earlier. She had told him that night to sleep on the bed and had offered to sleep on the floor but he had refused. She had then done another unexpected thing, asked him to sleep on the bed and put pillows and blankets in between.
"Silly woman," he had muttered to himself, "As if that would stop me, if I put my mind to it." But had let it pass. He did not know what was a bigger torture, sleeping on the hard floor or sleeping next to her hard?
But for the sake of their new and tenuous friendship, if he could call it that, he had conceded. He had slept less and ached more but he was not going to complain. Today, was her day. The nomination for young new talent in the FDIC awards was an honor that she deserved and AR Designs would reap the benefit of that nomination, whether she won or not.
She came down wearing a black sari with white chikankari on it. It had discreet mokesh that twinkled with every movement she made. He was entranced. She looked vision of loveliness and more. The bandage on the side of her head was the only mar on otherwise perfect outfit. He had worn a black suit with white shirt and a bow tie to grace the occasion with the formality it demanded.
As they walked towards the door her arm in his, Aakash in white dinner jacket coupled with a white shirt and black bow tie and black trousers and Payal in a red and white Lucknowi saree joined looking fabulous.
All four went to the do as this would their last get together as Aakash was leaving for Mumbai to talk to his parents and of course, he had work to get back to. It had been decided that Payal and Aakash were to spend sometime together after the do and go for dinner by themselves and so were the newly weds.
The function was a glittering affair, with elite of the Fashion Industry and society were present. Arnav shook hands with them as they guided to their table. Once settled, Arnav ordered drinks for them. The ladies stuck to fruit juice and the men had their standard whisky. Arnav had felt today was a day for celebration for he felt it in his guts that his wife, yes his wife he thought; that his wife was talented enough to win the award. He was amused at the way he felt so possessive of her in such a short span of time.
He waited for the category to be announced and the winner declared. He saw her get up when her name was announced and she looked at him. He indicated for her to go and hog the limelight she deserved. His eyes told her things in that split second that made she smiled back at him. He suddenly rose on his feet and leaned forward to plant a kiss on her lips. He broke off when the applause increase and people nearby cheered him on.
He looked a bit sheepish but then brazened it out with a raised hand acknowledging the cheer. He then stood there looking at his wife walk put the step towards the podium and take the award handed to her. She then took the mic and looked at him as she said, "Good Evening Ladies and Gentleman. This has been the perfect week of my life. First my wedding and now this award. I feel I am blessed. I feel especially proud that this award comes to me because it is my husband Mr Arnav Singh Raizada who inspired me to create the designs. It was a conversation we had once and when he had told me "Lucknowi tehzeeb and Modern Technology would be my dream of being a perfect blend of tradition meets contemporary and to me that is art."
He froze as he heard that. Khushi had just talked about one night that had been perfect, perfect in every sense before everything had start to fall apart. He remembered, how much they had shared that evening. Their one and only date. How their conversation was juxtaposed with lines they had said at the same time and similar words. How their thoughts and dreams had melded and culminated into one cohesive picture. Where had it all gone? Why had he let that go?
He looked at her with stunned expression as she had looked at him and smiled again. He had smiled automatically but the introspection had left him wanting. Wanting to bridge the gap that was there between them. He wanted to correct every wrong that had happened between them. He wanted them to have a new start, a new beginning. Hell! they had yet to begin anyway. And he promised himself. I am not going to let past color my present or my future. He realised, Khushi was more important to him than the name in that damned birth certificate.
It was not her fault, what had happened to them and he had to stop blaming her for it. He was going to make it up to her, starting from tonight. Giving her a bright smile as she walked down the stairs looking at him; he walked forward to meet her half way.
Just as he was about to reach her , she teetered and was going to fall when he caught her by the waist and steadied her. She then looked down to see her paloo had gotten stuck in her spindly heels. He then bent down, indicating her to stay still, and muttered, "Why do you have to wear heels, when you can't walk with them. Women." he said exasperatedly as he removed the edge from under her heel, got up and held her elbow to hear her retort in his ear, "Why did you have to be so tall?"
Not wanting to answer, he just guided her back to the table.
After collecting all the congratulations en route, he suffered through the rest of the function, for he could not wait for it to end and have his wife to himself. He even got some remarks to that effect as they were ready to leave the function. Aakash and Payal had already left as Khushi's award was what had brought them here. It had been up to them to stay it the end as it would seem rude, even though one of the industrialist had quipped from the next table, "Mr Raizada, I am sure, people will not think it rude, if you want to go celebrate with your new wife. Double celebration of sorts, Abhi abhi toh shaadi hui hai bhai'" and the others around had joined in the ribbing.
He had just smiled and seen Khushi blush. But they had stayed till the end by mutual agreement.
He then helped her into the car and asked where she wanted to celebrate and found it strange when she said, "Can we go home?"
"Dinner nahi karna?" Arnav asked.
"Mein ghar par kuch bana loongi, if you dont mind. Ghar chalein?" Khushi requested.
Her "ghar chalein" was all he needed. He had another kind of celebration in mind and he figured for that, it would be better if they did go home. However, his plans had to be put on hold for as soon as they reached home, the rest of the family descended on her and joined in the celebration.
Arnav had just sat back and let her wallow in all the praise and appreciation as dinner was had together with everyone and all of them retired to the study to talk about the function in detail.
Arnav knew that his celebration would have to be put on hold, well there was that honeymoon Nani had organised for them. So, he decided, he would go about wooing his wife on their honeymoon. That would be the perfect beginning for them.
Happy with that thought, he begged tiredness and retired to the bedroom.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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