SS: His Smiling Girl Part 10 updated on Pg 108 - Page 37

Part 6

The Raizadas looked at the Guptas and especially Babuji with awe in their eyes.

Babuji placed his hand over Arnav's and said, "An ideal world would be one in which Khushi's parents would be alive, Payal's mother would be able to see her daughter grow up, Garima wouldn't be married to a widower with a grown-up daughter, but to a young man more in keeping with her station, Jiji's husband would be still alive, your father would be a good husband, your mother would be happy, and both would be alive today, you would have a childhood instead of becoming an adult at the age of 14...". Babuji sighed. "But the real world is anything but ideal. You can't change your past. Khushi can't change her past. I can't change my past. Regardless of how much we wish to do so. We can only learn from it, bear it, and live on to the best of our abilities."

Arnav swallowed hard.

"I meant it when I said that Khushi is fortunate to get such a good boy and such a good family. You have rebuilt your life. You have tried to move ahead. And you want a marriage based on truth and mutual understanding. I appreciate that." Babuji smiled at the Raizadas. "You have a family that loves you very much. Your Nani, Mama & Mami, your sister, and your brothers. They are willing to do anything for you. Khushi is truly lucky, and we will be honoured to call you our damadji."

Nani clasped Sashiji's hands in gratitude, and hugged Buaji and Amma. Mamaji & Sashiji hugged, and Anjali and Mami hugged Buaji & Amma. Arnav couldn't believe his eyes.

A while later, Nani said, "Shall we let Chotey and Khussi Bitiyaa talk in private before having the Shagun ceremony?"

"Haan, Devyaniji.", said Babuji.

Buaji said, "Nandkisore! Let's have another round of tea and sweets while the children talk."

Arnav walked into Khushi's bedroom, leaving the door open. She was standing near the bed, her fingers curled around the bedpost.

"Did you know it was me when you saved me in the temple?", she asked, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"Yes. I... err... I had seen your photo, Khushi."

"Oh! I forgot to ask your name yesterday, and so didn't know that you were the bridegroom.", she smiled at him, happy. Arnav smiled in return.

"Khushi, your family has agreed to the proposal."

"Really? I am so happy! Aap ko pata he, before I knew it was you, I was begging Jiji to marry you instead of me. I was so foolish.", she shook her head at the magnitude of her folly.

Arnav gulped at the near miss.

He wanted to make sure of her. "Khushi, you are willing to marry me, aren't you?"

"Of course. I will definitely marry you. Because I don't think I will ever meet anyone I like more than I like you."

Arnav looked at her smiling face, wonder struck at her confidence in him, vowing to make her like him more and more all their lives... He stared at her, still unable to believe that all the hurdles on his path to Khushi had been removed. He got her phone number and gave her his, and then reluctantly left the room.

It was time for Shagun. Arnav watched as the ladies of his family applied tika on Khushi's forehead and filled her lap with gifts. They hugged and kissed her. NK went up to her to congratulate her, and threw open his arms to hug her, only to feel an unknown force restraining him. He turned around to find Arnav clutching his jacket, pulling him back.

"Nannav, this is so not done. She is just your wife. But she is my Bhabi!"

Akash rolled his eyes, muttering "NK Bhai!", and all the others burst out laughing.

The next morning, Arnav jogged along his usual path, feeling the sweat drip from his body with pleasure, drawing in deep breaths of the cool morning air. As he neared the end of his run, he spied a familiar figure sitting on a bench in the park, his eyes closed, one hand on his stick leaning against the bench. He slowed down. It was Khushi's Babuji.

"Good morning, Uncle!", Arnav jogged up to Babuji.

Babuji opened his eyes to see Arnav standing in front of him, and smiled. He shifted his stick out of the way so that Arnav could share his bench.

They sat together for a long time, mostly silent, exchanging a few words once in a while, both of them enjoying the company, watching the sun grow brighter, the birds and squirrels in the park foraging for food, a few people walking and exercising, the world slowly waking up together...

Before leaving, Arnav gave Babuji his card with all his phone numbers so that he could contact him at all hours.

That evening, while poring over his accounts after working hours, his phone rang.

He picked it up absently.

"Arnav Singh Raizada.", he said curtly.

"Khushi Kumari Gupta.", she responded in an equally pompous tone.

He could hear the hidden laughter in her voice. He relaxed, his fingers letting go of his pen, his head falling against the back of his chair, a smile blooming on his lips.

(Thanx, Paawani!)

"Accha? And why has Ms. Khushi Kumari Gupta called Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada?", he drawled, his husky voice tender.

"To inform him that his Roka has been fixed for tomorrow evening." Her excitement thrilled him no end. He didn't have to search for words to convey his pleasure. She didn't expect it from him.

"Arnavji! Naniji called just now. She talked to Babuji, Amma, & Buaji, and they fixed it for tomorrow evening at your house. Then she talked to me. She said that she was waiting for me to come home as your bride."

"Accha?" Honey had nothing on the sweetness of his tone.

"Ji." She was grinning away to glory. "Then Mamiji took the phone from Naniji, and asked me if she should wear blue or yellow for the Roka."

"And what did you say?", he encouraged her to keep on talking. He wished he could listen to her talk till the end of time.

"I said yellow. Because it suits her sunny personality."

Arnav smiled.

"Arnavji, where are you?"

"In the office."

"Shall I cut the call now, Arnavji? You must be having a lot of work to do if you are still in the office at this late hour."

"No, no, Khushi. Don't cut the call. Err... what exactly happens in a Roka?"

"The boy's family applies a tilak to the girl. The girl's family does the same to the boy. Then the boy and the girl exchange rings. Then all dance."

"All dance? The groom & the bride too?"

"Ji. It will be so much fun, Arnavji. I love to dance. Don't you?"

Arnav loosened his tie. Dancing was not something he was good at or used to doing. "Khushi, I... I won't be dancing.", he said, his voice slightly reserved.

There was a moment's silence from Khushi's side. Then she said, "It is not difficult, Arnavji! You just have to raise your arms in the air and move your feet according to the music. And no one will notice if you make mistakes because all will be dancing. I will teach you tomorrow evening."

Arnav remained silent.

"Don't worry, Arnavji! We will be dancing together anyway."

Arnav was speechless.

"Arnavji! Don't be scared. I will be there with you."

Part 7: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/3174896/ss-his-smiling-girl-part-10-updated-on-pg-108

So looking forward to the next part!

Smita