CHAPTER 31. ARNAV'S PROMISE & MAAN'S DECISION
Place - Arnav's Room at Shantivan
It was a beautiful Saturday morning. It was beautiful for everybody including Laxmi, Maamiji, Naaniji, Anjali's unborn baby etc. except Arnav. For Arnav the morning was not at all beautiful. He had not slept the whole night and kept on tossing and turning. And finally when sleep claimed him, all he had was nightmares where in one way or other, Khushi got married to some idiot while he stood there throwing flowers during their saat phere. As a result, he was too tired and above on that he had yet to find a solution to his problem. Arnav Singh Raizada paced the entire length of his room but had yet find a solution to his problem. But what is Arnav's problem, you may ask. It is simple. He just realized that one day his Afreen might get married and go away from him. He did not want that. He so did not want that. So, he attempted to find a solution to this problem. But unfortunately his genius mind could not conjure a single solution which did not have confession and marriage in it.
As Arnav paced the whole room, he suddenly sensed someone staring at him. He turned to see his Dearest darling Afreen standing there with a mischievous smile on her face. He narrowed his eyes. She was not wearing his favorite red saree but a pink salwar kameez. He preferred red, didn't his imagination know that? He looked away from her. She came in front of him in red saree. Arnav smirked; much better. She slowly pouted and spoke, "Arnavji kabhi na kabhi toh humaari shaadi ho jaayegi. Tab aap humaare baghair kaise rahoge?" Arnav looked away from her. Did she have to remind him that? He walked off to the window and stared at the pool side. He controlled his anger by clenching his fists tightly. She was his. He will not let her go away this easily. He will find a solution. She stood beside him and spoke, "Boliye na, Arnavji. Aap reh lenge humaare baghair?" Arnav closed his eyes in pain. "Boliye na'." Arnav turned towards her ready to blast her for asking these inane questions when he heard a sweet voice, "Chote?" He looked at the door to see his Di smiling at him. "Neeche naashta laga diya hai. Aap aajayiye." He nodded and Anjali walked away. He looked at Afreen only to see the room empty. Main iss stupid love ki wajah paagal ho jaaoonga! I hate love! It turns a smart guy into a blubbering idiot!
Arnav sat for breakfast but he did not have respite here too. Because it turned out that Khushi had called up early morning and told Anjali about how she had made her prospective dulha run away. So, Arnav, for the whole breakfast time, had to endure Anjali's detailed information about the incident and rest of the family's praises of Khushi. All these talks reminded Arnav of that one day when he would loose Khushi to some guy. He clenched his fist tightly to control himself from breaking something or worse, stabbing someone.
Place - Room No. 207, VIP ward, Goldline Hospital
It was evening when Maan got a break from KC. He decided to utilize it by visiting Soni. Maan, with some red roses in his hand, reached Soni's room. He had decided to tell her today that he was in love with her. If it was up to him he would have dragged his Dadima and a pandit to decide an engagement date. He smiled at his thoughts. When he did he become so impatient? He shook his head and was about to enter when he heard his name. He stopped right there and raised his eyebrow. It seems my sister-in-law and future wife are discussing about me. Maan smirked and decided to eavesdrop.
Soni looked at NT in shock. "Di, aap yeh kya baatein pooch rahi hain?" She looked away trying to control her blush from rising. NT smirked and spoke, "Hum pooch rahe the ki aapko humaare Maan Veerji kaise lage? Matlab yaaddaasht khone ke baad woh aapko anjaan insaan lage honge na. Par ab unse mile hue toh bees pachchees din hogaye. Toh bataayiye Soni, aapko humaare Veerji kaise lage?" Maan eagerly listened to their conversation. If she loved him too then he would propose marriage today itself.
Soni blushed and looked away. She remembered the moments spent with Maan. But she suddenly frowned. "Ajeeb hain!" NT looked at her in surprise while poor Maan got a shock. "Mera matlab hai kabhi itne pyaare ki dil khush ho jaata hai aur kabhi itne ghussail ki lagta hai ki woh mujhse pyaar toh kya woh Mujhe pasand bhi nahi karte. Kabhi itne saqt ki unse darr lagta hai aur kabhi itne naram ki maano jaise ghussa karna aata hi na ho. Poori tarah Mujhe Confuse karte hain bas! Kabhi pasta banaaya toh daante hai toh kabhi bure sapne ke baad mere darr ko bhagaate hain. Woh hain kya yeh pehle samjhoon toh hi bata sakti hoon na ki who Mujhe kaise lage? Achche ki nahi! Abhi toh bas Mujhe woh Dr. Jekyll & Hide lagte hain. Kabhi ek dum achche toh kabhi ek dum shaitaan."
Maan could not believe it. Unknowingly he took a step back. Yeh kya hogaya hai? Main use khone ke darr mein itna jakad gaya ki maine yeh bhi nahi socha ki uske dil pe kya beetegi? Woh toh Mujhe apna mangetar maanti hai. Toh woh kya sochegi? Ki main kaisa mangetar hoon jo har waqt usse naaraaz rehta hoon. Agar maine aaj use apne pyaar ka izhaar kiya toh woh toh confuse ho jaayegi. Shaayad woh mangetar samajhkar baad mein mangni bhi karle par jab use sab yaad aayega tab woh Mujhe guarantee chod degi. Nahi main aaj use kuch nahi bataa sakta. Main use kuch nahi keh sakta. Mujhe pehle ek plan of action sochna padega. Kuch aisa jisse use sab yaad aane ke baad bhi Mujhe chodne ka khayaal na aaye.
Maan controlled his emotions, turned his expressions neutral and entered the room. He smiled at Soni while NT deciding to give them privacy walked away. NT had come to know from Dadi that Maan has accepted his love for Soni and she wanted to give them some alone time. But she was disappointed by Soni's answer. She hoped Maan would do something so that Soni would love him too. She widened her eyes; she had to tell what Soni told her to Dadima. Only Dadima will be able to bring these two lovebirds closer now.
Maan gave Soni her flowers and she hugged them happily. He sat beside her and stared at her. She looked away. Hey Babaji! Inhein kahiye ghoorna bandh karein! "Waise Miss. Bak-Bak aaj aapki bolti band hain. Kya baat hai?" Maan broke the silence. Soni narrowed her eyes. How dare he call her Miss. Bak-Bak! "Main itni bhi bolti nahi hoon! Mujhe chup rehna bhi aata hain." Maan smiled, "Shukr hai! Mooh toh kholi varna Mujhe toh laga tha ki aaj bhi maun vrat rakh liya hai." She glared at him. She looked at the ceiling and spoke, "Hey Babaji! Inhein bol dijiye ki mera mazaak udaana bandh karein. Varna main inse kabhi baat nahi karoongi." Maan started laughing at her dhamki. "Tum aur zindagi bhar ke liye baat karna bandh! Not possible." Soni glared at him and looked around her for something to throw on his face.
After calling Dadi, NT entered Soni's room but stopped in shock. There sat Soni on the bed slamming the pillow onto Maan as Maan tried to protect himself while laughing out loud. She smiled as her eyes turned misty. The last time Maan had laughed this much was when Arnav had played a prank on her, Anjali and Annie. She had never seen Maan Veerji so carefree in her childhood. Only when Arnav turned up in their lives, Maan was seen acting like a teenager. But after Arnav's parents' death, even Arnav stopped laughing and with his laughter, Maan's laughter also went away. She closed her eyes and thanked Babaji for bringing Soni into their lives.
Place - Outside KC
Arnav sighed as he felt the tiredness in his body. The sleeplessness was taking toll on him. He had to find a solution to his problem before he collapsed in the Office or worse in front of his Di. He sat in his car waiting for Khushi. Suddenly, the side door opened and Khushi entered and sat beside him. He started the car and drove off. She noticed his tired face and decided to keep her chattering to minimum. She gave a brief account of her day. Then she decided to give him a piece of news that nearly made him smash into the truck coming from the opposite side. "Arnavji pata hai, kal humaare liye ek Delhi ke ladke ka hi rishta aaya tha. Buaji bahut khush hui kyonki rishta Delhi ka hai toh hum apne Jiji ke aas paas rahenge aur Delhi mein shaadi matlab humein humaari yeh naukri bhi chodne nahi padegi." She did not notice their almost accident as she was busy chattering. Arnav gripped the steering wheel tighter and told his mind to focus on driving but his mind kept on supplying him with the image of her marrying some idiot while he stood by and threw flowers on them. "Phir kya kahaa tumne?", Arnav spoke through his gritted teeth. Khushi frowned. "Humne manaa kar diya. Humne kahaa ki humein padhna hai. Padhaai khatam hone ke baad hi hum shaadi karenge." Arnav did not know he was holding his breath till he exhaled. His grip on the steering wheel loosened. She was not getting married till next year. But what about next year? Someday she will get married, then what? Arnav did not have any answers.
As they reached their regular dropping point, Khushi got down, waved at him and walked off. As she started walking Arnav felt something grip his heart tight. Why did he feel as if she was leaving him forever? He got down from the car and shouted, "Afreen!" She turned and looked at him. He briskly walked towards her and stopped in front of her. He took a deep breath and cupped her face. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. His lips lingered longer than necessary on her forehead. As quickly he had come, he left her, turned away and walked off. Khushi frowned. He seemed troubled. Arnavji theek toh haina. Hey Devi Maiyya! Inki raksha karna aur inhein har chinta se door rakhna! Aur inki har mushkil ko door karna aur inke har problem ko slove karna!
Place - Maan's Room at Khurana Mansion
It was night time. Maan sighed as he relaxed on the sofa. He did not know what to do. Soni had yet to fall for him. She was not in love with me. She blushed in front of him only because of attraction and nothing else. Wish she was also in love with me! Half of my problem would have been solved. But the truth was his love was still one sided. He felt miserable. Why did he behave so idiotically when they had first met? He frowned. If he had been friendly maybe she would have been in love with him by now. But then he can't change his nature right? Even now if she fell for him, she would have to fall for a rude, arrogant, silence loving guy. He huffed. What to do?
Maan closed his eyes. Suddenly, he remembered his Dadi's words, "Maan beta, agar aapko phir bhi aapke naseeb par aitbaar nahi hai toh ek kaam kijiye.Aap unse itna pyaar kijiye ki aapka pyaar unhein aapse door hi na kar paaye. Woh aapke pyaar mein itni jakad jaaye ki woh aapse door jaane ke baare mein soch hi na paaye. Unhein aapka itna deewana banaayiye ki woh aapke baghair saans bhi na le paaye. Unhein apne pyaar itna uljha dijiye ki woh aapko chodkar kisi aurke baare mein soch bhi na paaye." He got up from his seat with a jerk. Was it possible? Will his love be able to conquer her heart?
Maan smirked as he decided his plan of action. He walked towards the window and looked outside. Yes, he would love her with all his heart, mind, body and soul. He will give all his love to her. And if she was destined to be his then no one can stop them from being together. And didn't Dadima always say to trust Babaji? He looked up at the sky. I will trust Babaji. There must have been a reason I met Soni that night. Babaji must have wanted us to meet. He smiled as he looked at the grounds. You have seen my anger, now I will show you my love Soni, and wait for you to reciprocate it.
Place - Arnav's Room at Shantivan
Arnav paced to and fro as he struggled to stop his hand from pulling his hair out. What if Afreen got married next year? She will be gone forever from his life. No! He can't let that happen. He had to think of something. But what? He confusedly looked around. Suddenly, he noticed his laptop and realized for the first time that his laptop could not give him solution unlike all other times.
The only solution he could think of was getting married to Khushi which was something against his principles. No! I have to think of something else. As he paced non stop he felt a beginning of headache. He sighed and lied on the bed. He looked at the clock. It was only 9 at night. Slowly he drifted of to sleep.
He got up from his bed in the morning and after his morning rituals he changed into his jogging tracks and walked off to the living room. As he reached the stairs his brows furrowed. Where was everybody? The living room seemed empty. By now everybody would have been awake. He walked off to check the kitchen only to see something which shocked him thoroughly. There stood his Afreen dressed in beautiful green saree with mangalsutra around her neck and sindoor on her forehead. She was cooking something. But that did not shock him. What shocked him was that hugging her from behind was none other than Arnav Singh Raizada. His doppelganger! His eyes widened as he noticed his duplicate place a kiss on his Afreen's cheek only for his Afreen to blush and push him away with a smile on her face.
Arnav staggered back and ran to the living room only to be stopped in his tracks. There stood his duplicate and his Afreen. She was dressed in purple saree this time with mangalsutra and his Ma's bangles as her ornaments. He noticed Afreen pushing his duplicate away while his duplicate took her in his arms. He was trying to kiss her with a smirk on his face while she tried to push him away half heartedly. Arnav could not trust his eyes. He ran towards his room. What was going on here? He entered his room only to see his Afreen sitting their massaging his duplicate's head while the said duplicate tried to catch her hand. As he finally caught her hand, he pulled her closer while she smiled at him and blushed. He noticed that in all these scenes, Khushi had mangalsutra on her neck and sindoor on her forehead. She also wore colorful sarees. The duplicate Arnav and Khushi seemed to be married.
Arnav ran to the poolside only to come across his duplicate hold Khushi's hand while he took her inside the pool. Arnav felt his heart beat faster as he noticed Khushi wearing the red saree which soon got wet and transparent. She was wearing the mangalsutra and sindoor here too. He swallowed as his doppelganger pulled his Afreen so closer that there was no gap in between them. There they stood in the middle of the pool, their foreheads touching with Khushi's hands around the duplicate Arnav's neck and his hands circling her waist. Both were smiling at each other.
Arnav woke up with a start. What a dream it was! He looked at the clock; it was barely 9:30. He wiped the sweat from his face and closed his eyes. He lied down and turned to his side. Was marriage that bad? It doesn't seem so. His Maama and Maami were happy with each other. His Di and Jijaji were happy with each other. Even Dev-NT and Arjun-Annie were happily married. He can't base his judgment on one broken marriage of his parents' right? His heart after seeing the dream tried to convince his brain. He rolled over to the other side as he was assaulted by the scenes of his dream. The couple in his dream seemed happily in love. He sat up as he thought up his options. It was obvious that he had no other solutions in his hand. It was either letting Afreen go which was not possible for him or marrying her. While first option was rejected, second option did not seem bad. Hmmm'.
Arnav thought for few minutes and made his decision. He would marry his Afreen. It was the onlt solution which seemed right for his heart and his sanity. He got up from his bed and walked to the door as fast as he could. He will tell his Anjali Di right this moment that he loved Khushi and wanted to marry her. He grinned at the thought that Khushi will be his forever. After all Di won't reject her because already all the family members loved Khushi and then she was Payal's sister too. And the main reason Di won't reject Khushi because finally Khushi did something impossible. She convinced Arnav Singh Raizada to get married.
Arnav was about to open the door when he was stroked with a thought, What if Khushi does not love me? Arnav stopped opening the door and turned back. Worse, what if she rejects me? But he straightened his back. He was ASR, who could reject him? But again his shoulders drooped as he realized that Khushi could. She was not a girl to bow to Arnav Singh Raizada's whims. No! She would reject him. He sat down on his bed and sighed miserably. He pouted as he realized that he had solved one problem only to come across another one. But what if she loved him? He thought. Then another thought entered his head. If she had loved him then she would have never even considered the Lucknow guy. Hell! If the guy had not asked for dowry she would have even said yes!
Arnav was confused. He closed his eyes and lied down on the bed. Suddenly, he got up with a jerk. He could make her fall for him. Yes, he could make her love him. He can make her as mad for him as he was for her. He smirked but then he remembered that at Akash's engagement he will get to meet her face to face. He could not avoid her in the party especially when Akash was getting engaged to her sister. So, what? Arnav's brain challenged his heart. He will make her fall for him in one month. He will win her over in one month. After all what is love without challenges? Main vaada karta hoon Afreen iss mahine ke end tak main tumhaara dil jeetke rahoonga.
Place - Poolside at Shantivan
Akash sighed as he looked at the sky. At dinner today all Di spoke of was the engagement coming up at the end of the month. All these talks made him miss Payal today. He smiled sadly wishing he did not have to wait so many days to have a glimpse of her. He lied on the recliner and closed his eyes. He felt someone sit by his leg. He opened his eyes to see Payal in a blue saree sit beside him. He smiled at her and started singing.
Tujhe Dekh Dekh Sona
She blushed. He took her hand and pulled her. She felt on his chest and looked at him.
Tujhe Dekh Dekh Sona
Tujhe Dekhkar Hai Jagna
Maine Yeh Zindagani
Sang Tere Bitaani
Tujh Mein Basi Hai Meri Jaan Haaye
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
She placed her head on his heart and he circled his right arm around her.
Tujhe Dekh Dekh Sona
Tujhe Dekhkar Hai Jagna
Maine Yeh Zindagani
Sang Tere Bitaani
Tujh Mein Basi Hai Meri Jaan Haaye
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
Arnav opened his eyes as he heard Akash singing. It was 10 at night. Why was Akash not sleeping yet? Then he rolled his eyes. Akash was in love! No wonder he could not sleep. It seemed insomnia was one of the side effects of falling in love. Suddenly, Arnav felt someone hold his left hand. He turned to his left to notice Afreen in the red saree sitting on the bed. She held his hand and pulled him. Both stood and stared at each other.
Kabse Hai Dil Mein Mere
Armaan Kayee Unkahe
He noticed a strand of her hair coming on her face disrupting his view. He raised his hand and pushed the strand away. She blushed and looked away.
Kabse Hai Dil Mein Mere
Armaan Kayee Unkahe
He cupped her face and made her face him. He kissed her forehead tenderly.
Inko Tu Sunle Aaja
Chaahat Ke Rang Chadhajaa
She hugged him tight and he hugged her back.
Inko Tu Sunle Aaja
Chaahat Ke Rang Chadhajaa
Kehna Kabhi Toh Mera Maan Haaye
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
He opened his eyes only to notice the room empty. He shook his head, smiled tenderly and lied back on his bed.
Place - Maan's Room at Khurana Mansion
Maan sighed as he turned once again. He could not sleep at all. He closed his eyes but opened them again. He got up and walked towards the window. He took his mobile and started the radio. As music started playing, he wished Soni was here so that he could hold her. He closed his eyes and imagined her in his arms. He opened his eyes and there she stood in his mother's pink saree smiling at him.
Lagta Hai Yeh Kyon Mujhe
Sadiyaan Se Chaahoon Tujhe
She smiled and placed her hand on his eyes.
Lagta Hai Yeh Kyon Mujhe
Sadiyaan Se Chaahoon Tujhe
Suddenly, he felt her kiss him on his cheek. He smiled. She removed her hand.
Mere Sapno Mein Aake
Apna Mujhko Banaake
She turned away and was about to run off when he caught the end of her saree and pulled her close. He hugged her from behind.
Mere Sapno Mein Aake
Apna Mujhko Banaake
Mujhpe Tu Kar Ehsaan Haaye
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
As Akash, Arnav and Maan imagined their lady love, they had only one thought in their mind, 'I want to spend rest of my life with you, my love.'
Tujhe Dekh Dekh Sona
Tujhe Dekhkar Hai Jagna
Maine Yeh Zindagani
Sang Tere Bitaani
Tujh Mein Basi Hai Meri Jaan Haaye
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
Maan whispered into the night, "Mein aa raha hoon Soni, tumhein apna pyaar dikhaane."
Arnav smirked as he closed his eyes, "Get ready Afreen, I am coming to win you over."
Dhadak
Jaaye Jiya Dhadak
Jaaye Jaaye
Jiya Dhadak
Dhadak Jiya
Dhadak
Dhadak
Dhadak Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak
Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaaye
P.S. The song is from the movie Kalyug released in 2005. The song features Kunal Khemu and Smilie Suri. It is sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan Saab.
P.P.S Oh by the way, this chapter is dedicated to Zindagirocks_21, -Siaa- & Deepa (spvd) for finding the line from IPKKND. The line is Kyon Dard Hain Itna Tere Ishq Mein and it was written in the para where Maan was questioning why love seemed so painful.
Precap - Mission 'Make her fall in love with you' begins!
Bonus - Two songs of Rahat Saab featuring Maan-Geet in Geet's room and
Khushi-Arnav at a local fair.
A SPECIAL GIFT FOR DEEPA FOR GUESSING ARNAV'S PROMISE AND MAAN'S DECISION RIGHT
Kalpana sighed as she dragged the old lady with her. "You remember what I told you, right?" The old lady nodded. While Kalpana was dressed in blue jeans and black top with her hair in a pony swinging in the air, the old lady was dressed in a cotton saree, her hair was peppered with white strands while her face was filled with wrinkles. Both of them had just arrived at GoldLine Hospital and both were excited. Both ladies walked few steps when they stopped in their tracks. There outside Room No. 207 stood Maan Singh Khurana and his Dadima. Kalpana looked at the old lady and the old lady nodded and gave thumbs up. Both walked towards the Khurana Duo with a purpose. As they neared the Khuranas the old lady deliberately tripped only to be caught by Maan Singh Khurana himself. He steadied her and the old lady smiled. She spoke in a trembling voice, "Beta aaj tumne Mujhe bacha liya. Pata nahi gir jaati toh kya hota." Maan nodded his head. "Sada sukhi raho.", the lady blessed him and Maan bent to take her ashirwad. The lady held him and kissed him on his cheek leaving Maan to raise an eyebrow. The lady seemed quite modern.
The old lady walked off to Dadima and said, "Aap ka pota toh heera hai heera. Aapne toh bahut achche sanskaar diye hain ise." Saying this the old lady kissed Dadi on her cheek and walked off with Kalpana. Meanwhile Dadima and Maan looked at the old lady and then at each other. Both shrugged at the weird behaviour of the old lady.
After reaching the restroom, the old lady splashed some water on her face and off came her make up. Now she looked quite young. She removed her wig and there stood Deepa with a full blown grin on her face. Kalpana smiled back. "Ab toh khush haina? In your last review you had said that you wanted to kiss Dadima and Maan both. Le tera kaam hogaya. This is your reward for guessing Arnav's promise and Maan's decision right."
Edited by Analeez11 - 13 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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