ArHi FF - Ke Dhoop Chhaon Ka -Thrd3 pt31/pg28 - Page 16

dat was an excellent update wid so much hhmmm..but nevertheless it was written beautifully...lovd it..nd now d past fynally gets revealed...yo!!!!! carry on wid dis baeutiful piece of work nd we'll love to read ur FF nd support u possibly in every way..:)

With uncertainty yet curiosity Khushi started reading the next entry in the journal.

Now this is going to be a flashback with some dialogues as well! Imagine KDCK to be a movie or a TV show.

Years had passed with the giggles of the two young girls (Maanyata and Garima) echoing in the Haveli and finally in the year 1985 the day had come when 21 year old Maanyata heard from her mother Rani sahiba that a rishta had come for her, from the family of the Raizaadas. Maanyata had not wanted to get married then... she was only 21. She wanted to study more, finish her studies and gain a masters degree in English honors so that she could perhaps become a well known famous writer one day. But Baba Sahib's (Arnav's Nanaji) word had come. Today the most eligible bachelor of town' Arvind Singh Raizaada was invited for dinner with his family and it was Baba Sahibs wish that he, for sure, should want Maanyata to be his future wife and ask for her hand.

With uncertainty and worry written on her face Maanyata sat in front of the heavy wooden dressing table while Garima combed her long lustrous hair and fixed them properly pulling them together with a heavy silver pin.

Maanyata: I don't want to get married right now.

Garima: You don't have a choice so stop being grumpy and look happy.

Maanyata: How can I look happy when I am not and why should I act like it anyways?

Garima: Because Raja sahib desires it. That's enough reason for you to look happy.

Maanyata: Are you my friend or a spy sent by Baba sahib? She asked irritated looking back at her friend holding her hand to stop combing her hair.

Garima: I only want you to be happy. And for you to be happy, it's important that you behave responsible Maanyata. It's not always about what you wish; you need to take care about other people's wishes too, especially of those who think only about your welfare. And trust me... Raja Sahib is the first on that list.

Maanyata: Right so only because he's my father and he desires me to get married now and to the person he orders to, I should get married? She said turning around towards the mirror not looking at Garima.

Garima started to comb her hair once again. Garima: What's the problem... getting married now or to the person Raja sahib chooses for you?

Maanyata: Both!

Garima immediately left the comb on the table and knelt down next to her making her look into her eyes and whispered: It's not about Manohar is it? She asked with scared eyes just wanting to hear a no.

Khushi: Manohar? Khushi whispered the name to herself when she heard Arnav's voice calling for her.

Arnav: Khushi? Khushi are around?

Khushi: Coming! She shouted back to him and closed the journal hiding it securely behind the divider and got up to go to Arnav.

Khushi: What is it? Arnav who had been lying on the bed stretched his hand towards her and pulled her into the bed with him.

Arnav: Where were you? He asked sinking his head into the hollow of her neck breathing in her sweet smell.

Khushi: Washroom; Arnav: Stay close to me. I don't want to be away from you. He kissed her neck slightly licking the love bites as Khushi giggled feeling tickled. Khushi: Arnav?

Arnav: What? Okay Listen... I am going to talk to Nani about us now.

Khushi: Nani? Arnav: Hmm.Khushi: OMG Nani? Arnav we have to be back in the Haveli before the sunrise. They all would start looking for us. She said suddenly hyper.

Arnav: Khushi? He tried to protest as he felt her leaving the bed.

Khushi: Oh Common get up from the bed. We are already very late. Get up Arnav. She almost shouted as she pulled him out of the bed. As Khushi got Arnav to get out of bed and pushed him into the bathroom she ran and got hold of the journal to start reading it once again.

***

Garima: It's not about Manohar is it? She asked with scared eyes just wanting to hear a no.

Maanyata: Of Course no stupid! He's just a friend.

Garima: I know he's just a friend of yours, but this friendship might become a big trouble for you one day. It's my duty to warn you as a friend. She warned with eyes filled with fear of what was coming.

Maanyata: Okay Garimaji now stop with your lecture. You want me to meet this Lard Governor Raizaada in a happy mood na? So I will meet him with a bright smile on my face... Tadaaa!!!! She smiled a cheeky smile which made Garima burst out laughing.

***

Maanyata along with Garima entered the Hall which had her Baba sahib sitting on a royal deevan, Ma sahib next to him, another quite royal looking couple opposite them and a tall dark and handsome man sitting beside them. Though Maanyata until now had only spared him one look, that one look itself had taken away her breath. He was a Greek god!!!! He really was. She hadn't seen a man having that kind of a presence ever before. It was love at first sight for her. She felt herself being hopelessly attracted towards him.

Maanyata: Stop it Maanyata, get a hold of yourself! She whispered to herself. Don't let this lard Governor Raizaada affect you, No!

After the initial rituals of serving tea etc. Maanyata quietly sat next to her ma sahib looking shy; shy and her? Well that was something to see. This was the first ever time Maanyata Vadhera felt shy of something in her life. It was his eyes, his deep bottomless eyes which were fixed on her.

Baba sahib introduced him as Arvind Singh Raizaada and Maanyata with eyes looking down shy folded her hands in a Namaste as she bowed down a bit. And the Greek god repeated her actions. Ma sahib asked Maanyata to show Lard Governor Raizaada the beautiful gardens of the Vadhera Haveli and asked Garima to accompany them when she noticed Baba sahib looking at her with his ordering eyes.

Garima bowed down a bit once they reached the gardens and then moved two steps back to let the couple walk ahead next to the water fountains and give them some privacy. Maanyata kept her gaze straight ahead as she dared not look at him and again fall into a trance.

Arvind: Uh! Hmm... he cleared his throat to try and start a conversation. I am Arvind Singh Raizaada.

Maanyata tried hard to not smile and pressed her lips together. Maanyata: I do know your name.

Arvind: Hmm.. He said with straight face not really knowing how to continue with the conversation. We have a textile business and a garment factory. He said with pride in his voice. Maanyata tried hard not to laugh and smiled warmly.

Arvind: And we are one of the biggest exporters of India as well. This year is sure going to be AR Corporations'... As he was talking Maanyata finally couldn't hold back and burst out laughing uncontrollably making Arvind look at her surprised.

Arvind: What's so funny? He asked amused.

Maanyata: So ... Sorry... I .. I didn't mean to... Sorry... She said laughing out loud. Arvind just stared at her not able to remove his eyes from her beautiful face. She was truly a princess, a fairy or goddess maybe; her beauty unmatchable.

Arvind: You are beautiful! The words escaped from his mouth making Maanyata shut up immediately and look at his glowing face. She lowered her sight as he looked at her with a slight smile on his face.

Maanyata? The voice made the couple come out of their little world. Both Arvind and Maanyata looked on to their right to see a man wearing a white checked shirt and brown pants with beige chappals in his feet approaching them. Arvind eyes the man with his critical vision while a smile formed on Maanyata's face to see her friend.

Maanyata: Manohar! She exclaimed his name happily and with swift motion moved towards him to leave Arvind to observe the scene in front of him with curiosity and slight jealousy. Maanyata happily conversed with her dear friend while Arvind was left with no choice but to stand and wait for her to finish and introduce them both. But his patience level wasn't very high and within a very short span of time Maanyata finally found her future husband standing next to her possessively. Arvind's posture and stature was making Manohar feel unbelievably inferior. And he couldn't stop himself from joining his hands in a Namaste and bow down slightly, while he was returned with just a slight nod of appreciation from Arvind.

Sometime later in the evening Maanyata sat smiling to herself as she felt herself falling in love. The Raizaadas had accepted the proposal of the marriage and the wedding date was to be fixed soon. She didn't really get chance to speak to Arvind about her continuing her studies after marriage but she knew in her heart that he wouldn't refuse. He was a good man, and she would be happy with him. Maybe Garima was right, Baba Sahib wouldn't take a wrong decision for her, she smiled again thinking about her. Just then Maanyata heard a noise of Baba sahib shouting and hurriedly ran downstairs into the hall where she saw Garima lying on the floor with Baba sahib ready to hit her with his charhi! Ma sahib tried her best to stop Baba but he just wouldn't stop.

Maanyata: Garima! She shouted for her best friend and ran towards her as fast as she could.

Baba: Maanyata move aside right now. How dare did this girl have guts to break my daughter's wedding? How dare she? He was full of rage not ready to listen to a single person; while Ma cried continuously trying to hold him back.

Maanyata: What did she do? She asked shocked at her father's behavior.

Baba: she had the audacity to call that bas***d so that he comes in front of your in laws so they would decline the proposal and you are asking me what did she do?

Maanyata confused looked from Baba to Garima as Garima held Maanyata tightly trying to hide in her arms scared from Baba sahib shaking her head for a no continuously. Maanyata: I don't understand...