Episode 25
Day 2 - Wednesday
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Everyone assembled at breakfast in RM. Anjali in a bad mood, looked at Arnav furiously. Di, Is everything OK? Arnav asked worriedly. Everything is fine for now. Meet me in my room after breakfast. Anjali replied angrily.
In Anjali's room, Why dont you listen to me for once Chotey?
Arnav: Di, what happened?
Di: Why did you come to the bridal shop yesterday? I told you not to meet Khushi right?
Arnav: Di, woh..
Di: Woh woh...What? Thank God I was sitting right behind where Khushi was standing and saw you through mirror. What if Nani comes to know? Do you even realize how upset she will be?
Arnav: Fine, I will not see her. Arnav snapped at her with frustrated voice. He turned to leave the room. He stopped at the door and calmed himself and turned around to face Anjali. I am sorry Di, I will be careful.
Anjali smiled at him before he left her room.
Akash spotted Arnav in living room, sitting sadly.
Bhai, is everything OK?
Yeah, fine.
Bhai, lets go. We need to order wedding suit and there isnt much time left. BTW, I was searching for you all day. Where were you?
I was out for shopping.
Shopping, with whom? All by urself?
Forget it, lets go.
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In the shop,
Arnav: Akash you know that I hate Sherwani's. I will buy some suits.
Akash: Bhai, you are not going, to sign a deal. Its your wedding and try to be a bit traditional. Whats wrong with you?
Arnav: Exactly, whats wrong with you. You know me all these years and you are asking me to wear Sherwani. Forget it! I am nowhere going to wear it.
Akash: Ok, I know how to deal with you.
Akash stepped aside and dialed Khushi and explained everything. He walked back to Arnav who is busy selecting Business Suits.
Bhai, Akash called Arnav motioning him speak over phone.
Arnav: (whispered at Akash) Who is it?
Akash: Someone who is got key to your brain. Find out yourself! furiously handed over the phone to Arnav.
Arnav: Hello.
Khushi: ArnavJi, what's wrong with you?
Arnav: (fuming at Akash) Not you too Khushi. You know very well that I dont like Sherwanis.
Khushi: And if I insist.
Arnav: No Khushi, I am not comfortable and I am not going to change my decision.
Khushi: Fine then. I am not going to marry you, if you come in Business Suit, instead I will randomly choose SOMEONE on mandap who is in traditional attire and marry that person. And Mr. Raizada, I am not going to change my decision either.
Arnav: Khushi...Before he could speak anything she hung up phone on him. He walked upto Akash and yelled All because of you.
Akash: Bhai, you didnt leave me a choice.
Arnav: Now that you have convinced me in most peaceful manner, lets get this damn thing done quickly.
Arnav finally selected Pearl white silk sherwani embroidered in grey and gold.
Akash: What about for Wedding?
Arnav: I am tired, we will take care of it later.
I know you are trying to avoid wearing one for wedding. Akash thought. Bhai you bring the car outfront. I will pay bill and come. As Arnav left to parking, he called Khushi.
Akash: Khushi, Bhai bought Sherwani for engagement but not for wedding.
Khushi: Hmm, its so tough to deal with your brother sometimes. OK, could you ask the salesman to store ArnavJi's measurements. I will come in the evening and shop for his wedding attire.
Akash: Great idea. Khushi. I will pay advance, so you dont worry about it.
Khushi: Thanks Jijaji.
After long shopping day, well at least for Arnav it was, Akash and Arnav returned to RM and went to their respective rooms. Arnav threw himself on his bed, closing his eyes in tiredness. Just then his phone rang and saw Khushi's name on the caller id. He is not angry with her anymore but decided to put up an act and he picked her call.
Khushi: ArnavJi, I cant believe you bought Sherwani upon my insistence.
Arnav: Hmm, looks like you are constantly being updated with latest happenings in RM. Arnav replied mocking at her.
Khushi: Ooops, I guess someone is really angry at me.
Arnav: Hmm REALLLY angry. He stressed on word REALLY as he spoke.
Khushi: so, what should I do to please you, my to-be husband?
Arnav: Well, if you know how to make me angry, you should also be knowing how to please me.
Khushi: Hmm OK. ArnavJi...she paused
Arnav: Hmm, I am waiting..
Khushi: ArnavJi, you are my papad ka tukda, my chand ka mukda, my jalebi ki mitaas...
Arnavi: Khushi, seriously? Cant you come up with something better?
Khushi: I love you when you...
Arnav: (interrupted her) Khushi, I know that you love me. Then he quickly realized that she was saying something more than those three words. I am sorry, continue, I am all ears.
Khushi: I love when you come out of shower with towel wrapped around your waist and...
Arnav: And?
Khushi: I love when your hair is dripping wet and...
Arnav: And?
Khushi: I love the way you towel dry your hair and look at me with your eyebrows raised.
Arnav: And?
Khushi: I love the way you sleep holding my hand.
Arnav: And?
Khushi: I love the way you ....she paused and blushed
Arnav: You love the way I what Khushi?
Khushi: (shyly in low tone) I love the way you kiss me and I love the way you love me. She hung up the phone unable to control her cheeks turning red.
Arnav too blushed hearing all praises about him and muttered I love the way you please me, I wish I could see your face right now Khushi.
Another dreamy long night passed. Arnav couldnt sleep well as usual he was missing his heart. Khushi was busy blushing with cheeks going red all the time in front of her friends.
Day 3 - Thursday
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Both families are busy in preparations. They didnt allow Khushi and Arnav to step out of the house, so Arnav carried all his meetings from home. Every couple of hours, Khushi and Arnav talked over phone, updated each other with happenings. Yet another long day passed.
Day 4 - Friday Engagement Day
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Arnav woke up to see everyone running from one corner to the other. He caught hold of Di in the living room, Di, what happened? Why is everyone running.
Chote, dont disturb me, I have lot of arrangments pending. HPJi, why dont u take this flower basket and keep it near Devi ma. She yelled at HP.
Arnav: I thought today is my engagement, why is everyone behaving as if its theirs. Some one is going to have panic attack if they go at this rate. He smirked and dialed Khushi.
Khushi busy with dress trials and beautician didnt notice his call. He tried several times later but still she didn't pick it up. He understood that she may be busy and thought Ladies ooof, why do they need days to get ready for a ceremony. Men are best at this. He rolled his eyes and sat with laptop.
NK came to Arnav's room to help him get ready and shocked to see him working.
NK: Nanav, are you crazy? working today too?
Arnav: Whats wrong in that?
NK: Everything Bhai, everything is wrong. Normal person will not work, he will be dreaming about the day. Damn, its you engagement. Thoda muskurao, sharmao?
Arnav: Thats what ladies do, not real men.
NK: Waste of time arguing with you. Come on get ready.
Arnav: NK, its only 4PM, we still have 2 hrs to get ready.
NK: Yeah, we have lot of things to do. Facial, grooming...
Arnav: Whoa whoa, Facial? Are you out of your mind? I am not bride, I am groom.
NK: Exactly, you need to shine among all men especially you dont want me to dominate you in the evening, do you? BTW this is not like ladies facial. Its specially for men. You are so antique, Nanav.
Arnav rolled his eyes in sheer frustration.
NK: Mr. Malhotra, come in and do what you need to do. He should look best, not that he is not right now, but still. He patted Mr. Malhotra's shoulder and left the room.
Arnav had no choice and fumed at everyone and everything he saw. May be partly because he didnt speak with Khushi all day along. Time is approaching and he is excited that he will see her in an hour after 72 hours of long separation.
In Buaji's house, Khushi is all dressed up in Amber colored lehenga chosen by her to-be-fiance. She remembered that day's incidents as she wore it and blushed hard. She draped the pallu from behind, and tucked a single layer into the front side of the lehenga by the side of her waist. She let her hair loose with long curls. She wore beautiful sparkling maroon stoned necklace and matching ear rings and covered her wrists with combination of gold and maroon bangles.
Beautiful! said Payal, putting nazar ka tika behind her ears to scare off evil eye. Mark my words Khushi, when ArnavJi sees u, his jaw is going to drop down. Payal laughed as Khushi lowered her eyes in shy.
Khushi bitiya, Are you ready? Buaji and Amma entered Khushi's room, and with teary eyes, both kissed Khushi's forehead. Lets go! else we will be late. Amma said wiping her tears. Everyone left to RM.
In RM, Arnav is finally done with pampering which he so hated. NK helped Arnav to dress up, tolerating all his rants.
NK: Bhai, its 5:30 I think we should go down now. All guests started to arrive.
Arnav nodded and as he approached the door. NK called him.
NK: Bhai, I know this is something new to you. I mean not that I am experienced with multiple engagements. All I am saying is dont be nervous. Be calm and remember to breathe in, breathe out.
Arnav: (rolled his eyes) Did I tell you I am nervous, or do I look being nervous.
NK: No. he raised his eyebrows.
Arnav: Then?
NK: I am just saying, I have seen in lot of movies, so.
Arnav: You are crazy. He chuckled at his bro and hugged him saying Anyway Thanks for that. May be I need it. He patted NK's shoulder. Both left to downstairs.
As Arnav came down the stairs, all eyes were on him and definitely all single girls were upset that he is getting engaged. He looked like Prince who landed from silver moon. One of the guests whispered Greek God! Anjali walked towards the steps and took his hand in hers and said Chote, you look so cute.
Arnav: Di...gods sake I am getting married, I am not kid any more. Stop saying cute.
Di: Fine baba. She put nazar ka tika behind his ears, which he reluctantly allowed her to do.
Arnav: Di, Is Khushi here?
Di: Not yet, there are on their way. Should be here anytime.
Arnav: Di, could you do me favor please.
Di: Dont ask me something that I cant help.
Arnav: Di, could you please arrange for us to meet in private after engagement. Please.
Di: Are you crazy, no way.
Arnav: Please Di. Just for 30 mins.
Di: 30mins?? nope. Only 10mins.
Arnav: Di, 10mins is too less. What will I do in 10mins.
Di: (wide opened her mouth in shock) Chotey, what do ..
Arnav: Oh Di, stop it. I didnt mean anything like that. I meant we need to talk and I need more time.
Di: Chotey, 10mins. Take it or lose it. Saying this she left to attend the guests.
Guests approached Arnav and started congratulating him. From time to time, he kept looking at the door for Khushi's arrival. Someone called out his name and he started speaking to one of clients, facing his back to the entrance.
HP informed Anjali that bride's family is here. Anjali and Nani rushed to the entrance to receive them. As they entered, everyone gasped and surprised to see beautiful Khushi standing. Most of the guests talked within themselves how beautiful bride is and single girls envied her beauty.
Client who was talking to Arnav no longer paid attention to him and kept gazing at the bride. This didnt go unnoticed by Arnav and turned around to look at his beautiful, beautiful lady love. Khushi, You are so beautiful, he talked to himself. He glanced at her from bottom to top, taking a pause at her long waist and her beautiful hair that danced to the tunes of her waist. His jaws dropped just as Payal said. Payal who noticed this, whispered in Khushi's ear and made her blush to deep red.
Khushi, as she was greeted by everyone along the path, caught his glance and mesmerized by his looks. For the first time, she felt that he is seducing her without even touching her. She blushed thinking about the gutter thoughts in her mind and she in a way is pissed at herself that she couldnt stop smiling.
Arnav accompanied by Di, Akash, and Nani walked to the ceremony stage, while Buaji, Amma and Payal accompanied Khushi. NK stood accompanying Babuji.
Arnav and Khushi both stood next to each other blushing and stealing glances once in a while. Why am I blushing, God dammit. NK was right. Arnav thought and cursed himself for not being able to control his emotions.
Anjali sighed Arnav to put the ring. Khushi who noticed this was about to take the ring out that Arnav had given when he proposed. Thats not necessary Khushi. he caught her hand. I got another one. He said as he slipped the new ring into her finger. She proudly looked at her finger. He took her hand and kissed gently on the finger. Khushi couldnt stop herself going red. Amma handed over the ring to Khushi. Khushi looked into his eyes and shyly slipped the ring into his finger.
Everyone clapped and congratulated the new couple. Arnav started introducing everyone to Khushi and she graciously greeted everyone. She suddenly realized that he didnt say anything about how she looked today. As time progressed, it started bothering her so much that it took away her natural smile. Arnav who noticed this, exactly knew why she is getting upset. Not so soon, Ms Gupta. he thought to himself.
Everyone started leaving and only people left are Guptas and Raizadas. Everyone sat in the living room. Guptas started thanking Raizadas for arranging everything so well. Everyone is very much involved in the discussion except Arnav who is searching for Khushi. He assumed Khushi is in kitchen and left with excuse of drinking water.
Nani: Anjali bitiya, where is Khushi?
Anjali: (spoke aloud so that Arnav could hear her) Nani, Khushi's dress had some stain so I asked to her to clean it. She is in my bedroom.
Buaji: Yeh titaliya bhi na. Pata nahi dhyan kaha rehtha hai aaj kal.
Nani: Kya aap ko nahi pata ki, Khushi bitiya ke dhyan Arnav babua ke paas...Ahem ahem. Everyone laughed at Nani's remarks.
Payal: I will go and help Khushi.
Anjali: Nahi, Payalji, Khushi is fine. She sighed that she is faking it. Payal understood as she saw Arnav going towards Anjali bed room.
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