The Memories of a Butterfly-ch 12 PG142 Updated! - Page 57

"You don't have to do this, Titli."

She smiled through her tears. Quickly wiping them off, she looked up at her Father. She had known, that he would say that. He had always put her happiness first, and today was no different. She could do anything for her Babuji' and when Buaji and Ammaji had approached her pleading with her, telling her that she was the only one who could save their reputation- could save her Babuji's reputation from going to the dogs- how could she have refused?

"Babuji? Aaiye nah!" she beamed at him, and he shook his head angrily.

"Titli- tum ye kyaa kar rahi ho bitiya? Ye tumhari jimmedari nahi hai! Tumhe ye sab- "

"Babuji- humara vishwaas kijiye- hum ye karna chahte hai." She said firmly, as she caught his hands in hers and held on, looking into his eyes, begging him to understand- that it was her turn now, her turn to be the savior- her turn to save the one man, she couldn't bear to see defeated.

His grey eyes that had always shined with a bright, fierce passion and pride looked dull- defeated. Tears blurred her bright green ones, as he freed one of his hands and cupped her cheek. His eyes telling her- that no matter what she said, he knew the truth. He knew that she was doing this for him- and that he was eternally grateful to her. He kissed her forehead, and she burrowed herself in his broad chest- like she used to when she was a small kid of eight, and had had a nightmare.

"Come on, Sweetheart. We should go down. It's time." he whispered, as he rested his chin on her head. Holding his titli close to his heart. "Babuji?" she asked him in a small voice, and he was transported back in time to the moment, when he had held her close- telling her that she was his daughter now, his titli- and that she could call him Babuji- that he would always love her and protect her.

"Kya hua titaliya?" he asked her tenderly, using the name she allowed only him to use.

"Humari shaadi ke baad bhi aap humse itna hi pyaar karenge nah? Aap hume bhool to nahi jaenge?" and he smiled, the tears he had been desperately holding back, finally breaking free.

He hugged her tighter to himself, holding his little daughter- his titli- as if his life depended on it. He had never thought- never anticipated- that he would have to give his titli away so soon!

"Nahi titaliya. Hum kabhi apko bhool sakte hai kya? Aur hum aapse pyaar karna sirf tabhi band karenge jab aap hume jilebiya khilana band karogi!" he felt her smile at that, and held her close once again.

"Titli' are you sure about this?" he asked her again, his heart breaking that his little Princess was doing this for him.

She looked up at him then, those wide green eyes shining with a fierce pride and determination. "Yes, Babuji. I'm sure. Now, come on, Don't cry! Wipe those tears! We have to go down to the Mandap, na?" she asked him, pouting, and he smiled.

He watched, detached, as his Di paced the room in front of him angrily. Now, Anjali Raizada Jha was not a temper-tantrum kind of a person- but when she was angry- it was hell to pay for those who were responsible.

"How can you be so calm, Chottey?" she literally yelled at him, apparently incensed at his calmness. He raised his eyebrows, and sighed. "Di, I was expecting this. And anyways, the wedding is still on, isn't it?"

"Hello Hi, Bye-Bye, Arnav Bitwa! What makes you so sure, that the younger sister won't run away like her elder one did?" his mami piped in, and he realized the reason his Di was so agitated. Throwing an irritated glance at his Mamiji, he walked over to his Di, and held her shoulders.

"Di, Listen to me! I'm fine! Okay? And I'm going through with this. Now will you stop this insane pacing and get ready? We have to leave!" he smiled at her, and she caressed his cheek, tears instantly springing to her eyes. He wiped her tears and raised his eyebrow at her- "Di, What did you promise me?" he asked her, his tone full of warning, and she chuckled. "Okay baba, I'm not crying!" she said, wiping her tears and smiling up at him, fondly.

After his family had left his room, Arnav Singh Raizada turned around and ran an agitated hand through his hair. Closing his eyes, he was startled when his mind instantly presented before him, the face of the woman- girl- he would be marrying tonight. Those green eyes filled with an earnest determination, as she told him her decision- "I will marry you, Mr. Raizada."

"She won't run away, like her sister did, Mamiji," He murmured, "I don't know why- but I'm sure about one thing' Khushi Kumari Gupta doesn't know how to run away."

He watched her as she descended the stairs, as she was led towards him. He watched her, when her Father looked at her- as if beseeching her with his eyes that she could still back out, that no one would think any worse of her, if she did- before he put her hand in his. He watched her, as she looked up at her Father, assuring him with her eyes, that she was going to go through with this- that she was not going to back down. He watched her, as she delicately put her right hand on his right arm, as she promised to support him in his decisions for the rest of her life- in front of the holy fire. He watched her, as she stood in front of him, bowing her head, dutifully to accept the garland of flowers he was supposed to be putting on her. He watched as he put the mangalsutra on her- her eyes still shining with that determination. He watched her when he filled her maang with sindoor.

He watched her, as she matched him- step for step- movement for movement, as the ceremony progressed, her face still not showing any indication of regret, of hesitance- it was as if she had made her peace with her fate- and she had accepted that now he was her future- her everything.

What is this girl made of? He wondered, as she hugged her Father and wiped his tears, as they were preparing to leave. Oddly, the other members of her family- her Aunt and Mother- didn't seem very sad that their youngest daughter was leaving. It was as if they were secretly happy- as if a burden was being lifted off them. Arnav was startled by the intense feeling of Protectiveness and Indignation that engulfed him, when he realized that these women were happy at being rid of her- of the woman, who had laid down her whole life so that their two families didn't have to face humiliation.

Frowning at the sudden emotions this girl seemed to be instigating in him, he marched forward to her, and looked down at her questioningly. Wiping her tears, she smiled shakily at him, and nodded her head. Placing her small delicate hand in his big, rough one- she walked with him to the waiting car. Ready to head out to her In-Law's home' her home, now.

As Mrs. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada.