SS: His Smiling Girl Thread 2: Part 21 Updt Pg 115 - Page 13

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Part 13

All looked at Babuji in utter shock.

NK was the first to recover. He jumped up and down, dancing in sheer joy. "Babuji, you rock!", he said as he hugged Babuji, and kissed him on his cheek.

Nani, Amma, Buaji, and Anjali looked at him in shocked relief, unable to believe their ears.

Mami's eyes were larger than saucers. "Hein, Bhat did you say? Is there something wrong with my earswaa?" She cocked her ears.

Akash & Payal smiled at Babuji and each other.

Arnav caught hold of Babuji's hand, and said, "You don't have to do this. We can have Akash and Payal's wedding now, and Khushi's and mine later as we planned earlier. If I insist, Akash will obey me. He will never refuse me."

"Haan, Babuji. Let Jiji's marriage happen now. Arnavji & I can marry later." Khushi supported Arnav.

Babuji smiled into Arnav's eyes.

"I wanted a good man for Khushi. I got him. I wanted her to study. She is doing it. I wanted her to be happy. She is happy with you. I wanted her to marry into a family of people who would love her. She has got such a sasuraal. So why should I delay your marriage?"

Arnav had no words. He just pressed Babuji's hand in gratitude.

Khushi kneeled down by her father, and said, "Babuji, I promise to complete my BA even after marriage. I won't stop my studies half way through."

"I promise to do everything I can to help her to complete her BA. And to support her if she wants to learn further.", Arnav said.

Babuji nodded, believing them.

The next few hours were full of fun & frolic, NK, Khushi, Mami, Buaji, Amma, Anjali, Payal, & Akash dancing while Arnav, Babuji, & Nani looked on laughing at their antics. Khushi, Akash, and NK pulled Arnav into their midst. NK and Akash danced on his right & left, helping him make small movements in time to the music. Khushi danced all around him, teasing him, holding on to his fingers and twirling around and around...

Babuji and Nani thanked God for this happy day and for the wonderful days ahead of them.

As the Raizadas reluctantly got up to leave, Khushi whispered in Arnav's ear, "Arnavji! Do you know what I asked for today morning in the temple?"

Arnav whispered, "No."

"I begged Devi Maiyya that we be permitted to marry soon. That we shouldn't have to wait for eleven months.", she breathed into his ear.

Arnav looked into the mesmerisingly beautiful eyes looking into his with all the love in the world, and swallowed.

"Devi Maiyya heard my prayer. I am going to take one kilo of jalebis to her tomorrow morning.", she confided.

Arnav murmured in her ear. "Take two kilos. One kilo from me. She heard my prayer for an early marriage too."

Khushi looked at him with an open mouth and wide eyes.

Arnav flicked her nose with a loving finger, and left, smiling.

The two families could not control their happiness at the mehendi and sangeet of Akash & Payal and Arnav & Khushi.

Mamaji & NK were running up and down the stairs seeing to the lights and the workmen. Anjali was on the phone with the caterers adding the sweets that Mami wanted to the list already given to them. Nani was inviting guests to the event, a smile permanently on her face. HP was busy stringing flower chains along the railings of the stairs. Laxmi was happily chewing, her head buried in the basket of green leafy vegetables that HP had forgotten to place at a height.

Buaji and Amma were busy packing the mehendi and accessories needed for the function in a box and dealing with guests. Babuji was out inviting friends for the mehendi & sangeet of his daughters.

Arnav & Akash were neck deep in work at the office. Payal was serving tea and sweets to the numerous people who came home to congratulate the two girls. Khushi was at the tailors, collecting the new cholis that she & her Jiji were going to wear that noon.

Mami called Arnav at noon.

"The mehendi function will starts now, Arnav Bitwaa! Bhere are you two?"

"Err, Mami... We have some work to finish."

Anjali snatched the phone from Mami.

"Chotey, get here right now. And bring Akash with you. Why are you always working?", she pouted. "And turning Akash into another ASR? Get home fast. No, I don't want to hear any excuses. Get home. It is your mehendi!"

Nani snatched the phone from Anjali.

"Chotey! Khushi Bitiyaa and her family are here. Tell Akash that Payal is here. Normally boys are not permitted to attend the mehendi, but for you both, we will make an exception."

NK snatched the phone from Nani. "Nannav, mere bhai! Come home soon."

It was Mamaji's turn then. "Arnav Bitwaa, please come home soon with Akash. Otherwise your Mami will sit outside looking at the gate, and make me wait with her!"

Arnav sighed, looking at the three men sitting in his cabin waiting to see him.

He turned to Akash & said, "Payal & the others have reached home for mehendi. We are permitted to attend the function. You go home now. I will follow later, after I have finalised the deal with them."

"Nahin, Bhai. Let's go home together."

"Akash!"

"Let's finish the work fast, Bhai. Then we can go home together."

"You are becoming stubborn these days, Akash.", Arnav warned him, smiling slightly. They walked towards the cabin.

"I learnt it from the best of masters.", Akash smiled.

Part 14: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/fan-fictions/3185727/ss-his-smiling-girl-thread-2-part-21-updt-pg-115?pn=35

Awesome Smita. Looking forward to lot of ARHI moments during the rasams.