FF: Living Without You: 4: Part 59 (Last) Updated - Page 72

Wonderful! ARHI are finally "Officially Hitched"!! :)

i typed a long post and it went off...:(...ok...let me type again...

Hi smita

Awww.. Loved the update.. So sweet.. Beautifully described rituals, and lovely moments between Arnav and Khushi.. :)

loved the update.. waiting for Arnav's payback now...

smitar, not rite ya...

what an amazing journey it has been... and see where u have kept us hanging...

waiting impatiently,... pls update.

Beautiful...!!! Awesome...!!! And waiting for ur next update ...!!! PLS update it fast...!!!👏

Part 57

Arnav was a focused man. That is, when he wished to focus his mind on a job, a project, an objective, he did it without any fuss or noise, and his single-minded devotion ALWAYS got him what he wanted. Now he wanted Khushi. She felt the full force of his attention & squirmed.

Arnav watched Akash argue with a few girls who had hidden his shoes, NK, Munna, & Krishna trying to find the shoes, failing in their task, and Akash finally paying up, all with a distracted air. What was all the fuss about?, he wondered.

The girls moved towards him & Khushi. Arnav looked at the spot where he had left his shoes before stepping up for the havan. They had vanished. Before the girls could demand payment for returning the shoes, Arnav put his hand into his pocket, pulled out a sheaf of notes, & handed it over to them as soon as they dropped his shoes in front of him. NK, Munna, & Krishna protested, annoyed with Nannav for giving in to the girls without fighting. They didn't know that Arnav was fighting another battle, with TIME.

"The deal has been finalised by ASR with little time wasted!", remarked Anjali to Nani, Mamiji, & Anandji, laughing.

"No negotiation!", commented Naniji, stifling her laughter.

"Bhat a businessman my bhanjha ijj!", laughed Mami. "Akash Bitwaa, learn the balue of time from your Bhai!"

Then Arnav found himself sitting near Khushi. Akash was trying to untie the knot of the raksha dhaga on Payal's hand, struggling to do the job with the fingers of one hand. He managed it, huffing & puffing, his specs hanging crookedly from his nose. Payal did the same to Akash in less than half the time. The ladies cheered as Payal won, but Arnav was, for once, least bothered about winning. His eyes remained on Khushi, lingering on the smile on her lips, her childish pleasure in her Jiji's victory, her loud condolences to her Jiju, her free laughter at Mami's comment that her Bahuriyaa was any day better than her Bitwaa and Buaji's comment that she had high hopes of Arnav Babua... All trained their eyes on him, and he realised that he was supposed to remove the thread from Khushi's arm with one hand. Never one to put off unpleasant duties, Arnav, quickly, in a few economical moves, untied the knot, and pulled the thread free of her slender arm. The men gathered around cheered loudly, and Buaji kissed his forehead, proclaiming that he had done her proud. NK, Munna, & Krishna did a jig, and were soon joined by Anand's children. The ladies laughed.

Anjali whispered to Nani, Mamiji, Amma, & Buaji, "I wonder how Chotey could do it so fast!"

"Our Chotey can do anything he sets his mind to doing.", said Nani. She, Anjali, & Mami looked at each other, and said together, "... but he should set his mind to doing it."

"Our Arnav Bitwaa seems to be in a hurry! Come on, tells me! What ijj the matters?"

"Maybe he is sleepy!", said Anjali giggling.

"He wants to rest!", added Naniji, struggling to control her laughter.

"With Khushi Bitiyaa!", laughed Mami.

"What are you ladies laughing about?", Mamaji asked. "Share the joke with us too!" NK nodded.

"Kucho Naahin!", said Mamiji. "We were just...ha...ha...we were just saying ...ha... he...ha... that Arnav Bitwaa looks tired!"

Peals of laughter filled the air, and a mystified Mamaji & NK looked at Arnav, trying to detect signs of fatigue on his face.

Arnav was looking rapt at the beauty of Khushi, who was struggling to unknot the raksha on his hand. She bit the tip of her tongue, trying to concentrate on the knot. Arnav swallowed. He quickly lifted his hand and helped her with the knot. She won...with his help.

Mamaji & NK cried foul. Arnav smirked. Anand smiled. Anjali and the other ladies almost died laughing. Akash stared stupefied at Arnav. Payal giggled. Khushi blushed redder than a ripe tomato, her face matching the rich crimson hue of her wedding dress.

Mamiji said, "Anjali Bitiyaa, Saasumaa, hum kahe deth he! If this ijj the ways things are going, then our Arnav Bitwaa ijj going to phind the ring in the milks, and gives it to Khushi Bitiyaa!"

Anjali had to cover her mouth with her hand to avoid attracting attention by laughing loudly. Nani giggled like a young girl.

Mami's favourite bhanja proved her words right. While Akash & Payal battled it out between them, both elbow-deep in the milk concoction, Arnav found the ring and under the cover of the milk, handed it over to Khushi, smiling into her eyes, only for her to see and know his wicked intentions...

Anand cleared his throat as Khushi pulled her hand out of the milk, holding the ring, blushing.

"Nannav, you are putting us to shame! Yeh roka he! Roka he!"

"Roka nahin, Nanheji, dhoka, dhoka!", Khushi did not forget to correct her dear Nanheji in the midst of her post-wedding rituals.

In the ensuing laughter, Nanheji's protests went unheard.

The children, NK, Mamaji, Anand, Munna, & Krishna began setting off fireworks with zeal. The sky was filled with lights of different colours, and the air was filled with screams of excitement of the children as they enjoyed the sight. Anjali & Mami went to decorate the beds and the bedrooms of the newly-wedded couples, while the couples in question had their dinner and chatted with their guests. Arnav looked at his watch. How long did it take to decorate two bedrooms?

Finally, finally, the guest left. Anand had arranged for the children to be brought to Gomti Sadan in two of the four buses his orphanage owned. Chachaji, Gopi Kakka, and some of the adults left with the children. Anand remained so that he could take Anjaliji and her baggage with him in his jeep.

Mamaji suggested that Arnav & Akash change into comfortable clothes. Wearing kurtas, they tried to enter their bedrooms, only to be stopped by an army of their relations. Anand alone stood at a distance, arms crossed, leaning against a pillar, watching the fun.

"Arnav Bitwaa, Akash Bitwaa! Where are you goings? What ijj the hurry?"

"Haan, Mami. I think we should all play a round of cards. What do you say?", asked Anjali, an innocent look on her face.

"Yes, Di. Let's call Khushiji and Payal Bhabhi too."

"Let's call the neighbours too.", said Mamaji. "We can make a night of it. What do you say, Arnav Bitwaa?", he teased.

What Arnav Bitwaa had to say could not be said in public. And never to his uncle in private either. So he bit on his tongue, his face revealing his determination to get Khushi to himself.

"Khushiji, Payal Bhabhi, shall we play cards?", asked NK.

"Haan, Nanheji! I will make ginger tea and we can all..." Her sound died away under the fiery look from Arnavji's hot, smouldering eyes.

"Rehne do, Nk Bhai!", said Anjali sadly. "Looks like Chotey wants to play alone with Khushiji."

The ladies giggled and the men guffawed. "Hai Re Nandkisore!", Buaji was prompted to exclaim.

"So, Khushiji, Payalji! Looks like it is goodnight!" The ladies sighed.

Anjali, Mami, Nani, Buaji, & Amma led Payal to her room. Khushi trailed along. They made Payal sit under the canopy of flowers, and arranged her skirt around her, the dupatta covering her face so that Akash could lift it and gaze at the loveliness of his twice-wedded wife.

Then they pushed Akash into the room, and led Khushi to Arnav's bedroom.

It was beautifully decorated with red roses and pale jasmine flowers, scented candles, thali piled with fruits... It was magical. Khushi drew a sharp breath.

"Di! Did you...?"

"Haan...", Anjali smiled, ...with Mami's help."

Khushi hugged Nani, Di, Mami, Buaji, & Amma. All of them blessed her, and set her mind at rest.

"Don't be scared, Titliyaa! After all, it is Arnav Babua! Our own Arnav Babua!"

"Haan, Khussi Bitiyaa! He loves you so much! He will always look after you."

"Saasumaa, what about how much she loves him? She was goings pagaliyya with worry when he was missing!"

Anjali kissed Khushi on her forehead, and the ladies helped her on to the bed, arranging the folds of her skirt to flare around her.

Buaji said, "When Bitwaa comes close to you, flutter your eye lashes at him. Your Bhubhaji used to fall each time I did that."

The ladies giggled.

"Haan, Khushi Bitiyaa! Your kajal can make the dil of Arnav Bitwaa khayal. Haven't you heard of the song, Akhiyon Se Goli Mare, Dishkuuum!", Mami lowered the imaginary pistol that she had just fired.

In the ensuing laughter, Anjali said, "Our Chotey's Khushiji does not need any of these to floor him."

"Haan, Anjali Bitiyaa! How can you phloor a man who ijj already on the phloor in the love of Khushi Kumari Gupta...?"

"...Singh Raizada.", added all the ladies, laughing.

Anand caught Arnav alone for a moment. Continuing their earlier conversation over the phone, Anand said, "I will take Anjaliji with me in the jeep after you go to bed. I will bring her back tomorrow afternoon, and take her away in the evening. Let the first few days pass like this. It will help her adjust better."

Arnav nodded, his throat choked. Di had persuaded him that she wanted to go, that she wanted to look after the children... Arnav could understand her need to do something useful, contribute to the world, find meaning in her life, but...

He had checked up on the orphanage, and more importantly on Anand. He was everything Shyam had pretended to be, decent, hard working, a man with scruples, a man respected throughout the length & breadth of his state for the exemplary work he was doing for orphans and helpless women, a man who coupled his generous heart with a good head, who, with 2 partners, headed a leading firm of architects with four offices within the country, a man who funded his own charitable instincts without accepting donations from anyone...

Anand said, "We will all look after her. You are welcome to come and stay with us whenever you can. If she wishes to visit Buaji or Delhi, I will ensure that she reaches her destination safely. If she wishes to leave my children for good at any point, I will personally bring her to you. It will be all as she wishes. She will have the freedom to choose where her life should go."

Arnav nodded, his eyes lowered to hide his vulnerability. Anand placed his hand on his shoulder, and comforted him.

"Chotey! Khushiji is ready to play cards with you."

Arnav and Anand looked at Anjali's smiling, naughty face, and both felt a hand tightening its hold on their hearts.

"Di..."

"I am leaving with Anandji now, Chotey. I will be back tomorrow for a short while." She paused. "Chotey! I never asked you. You are OK with my decision to move to the orphanage, aren't you?" Her worried eyes looked at him, anxious not to hurt him.

Arnav smiled. "Haan, Di..."

She hugged him tight. He buried his face in her neck.

Arnav stood watching his Di leave with Anandji who slowed his pace to let Anjali walk with him. If he had to lose Di, there was no better man to whom he could lose her...

Arnav was pushed into his room by NK, Mamaji, Nani, Mami, Buaji, & Amma. He heard the door close behind him. He quickly turned and locked it, lest his family have second thoughts about playing cards with them all night. He could hear them laughing on the other side of the door at the sound of the bolt being fastened.

(Thanx, Vidya_luv_SaRun!)

He looked at the bed. Within a curtain of fragrant red roses & jasmine flowers sat his princess, her dupatta drawn low over her head, her fingers clasped on her raised knees, her rapid breathing causing the jewels around her neck glisten in the dim light of the scented candles...

He took a step towards her.

The phone rang.

"Unbelievable!", he said.

It was his Di. He said, "Di?", putting the phone on speaker mode.

"Chotey! I forgot to tell you something very important. Two very important things."

"Tell me, Di..."

"One, switch off the phone. Otherwise, Khushiji will kill Amanji some day."

Arnav smiled.

"Two, don't keep her up too late with your games." He could hear Di giggling over the sound of the jeep's engine. "Goodnight!" She cut the phone.

"What the!", Arnav was driven to exclaim.

He turned at the sound of uncontrollable giggling. Khushi was laughing, hidden under her dupatta.

Part 58:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/3024313/ff-living-without-you-4-part-59-last-updated

I am good! :D Res! :P

Wow! Superb update!! Today I felt I was one of them gossiping ladies! :P Teasing Arnav bitwa's value for time and shatir dimaag in getting over the rituals ASAP! Totally made me LOL.

Awww! And Anjali going with Anand. Arnav learning from his mistakes and doing a background check. Good to see he was not completely lost in Khushi the whole time :P Hahaha! And then the call! Even if Khushi did not kill Aman I would have! :P

Eeeps!! I'm so excited for the next part!! :D