"Arnav Bhaiyaa! Aap yahan ho? Anjaliji is looking for you.", said HP.
Khushi let out her breath in relief.
"Tum jao. Tell her I am coming.", Arnav dismissed HP. He turned to look at Khushi. "I will get my answer tonight, Khushi Kumari Gupta! One way or the other."
Issuing the threat, he walked away.
Khushi collapsed against the cooking platform, thankful to be free of his charismatic presence.
Akash & Payal looked at each other, shy and blushing. After the tilak by Anjali & Buaji and the tying of the raksha dhaga, they exchanged rings. The family applauded and cheered them on. Akash & Payal looked very happy.
Arnav looked around. All were smiling at the newly engaged pair, including Mami. Di had happy tears in her eyes. Nani's face was a picture of relief and happiness.
Mamaji was accepting congratulations from his friends and business acquaintances as though he were the one getting married!
NK alone was smiling & eating at the same time, a packet of chips in his hand.
His eyes paused when they reached Khushi's face. She was trying very hard not to cry. Why was she crying? Sagais were happy events, weren't they?
Buaji went to Khushi & hugged her.
"Titliyya, don't worry. Your Jiji is going to a good home, Nandkisore!"
Khushi nodded.
"You will have to sleep alone when she is married. It is sad, Nandkisore. You have been living in the same room for 10 years'. and you are scared to sleep alone'.. But don't worry, Nandkisore. Your Buaji is still alive, isn't she? I will sleep with you."
Khushi tried to smile.
"And we will search for a Sanka Dev for you, Nandkisore! Someone who is as crazy as you!", Buaji laughed.
Khushi protested, "Buaji!"
Buaji pinched her chin and moved away laughing.
Arnav swallowed past the lump in his throat with great difficulty.
"Chotey! Where were you? I looked for you all over the house.", pouted Anjali.
Nani & Mami leaned forward to hear his answer.
"Di' err' Di..I..I was busy'", Arnav stammered.
"Oh! Sassumma, your Chotey wajj bujjy!", Mami laughed. "Doing bhat, Arnav Bitwaa?"
Arnav squirmed.
"Ajeeb baat he! Khussi Bitiyaa was missing too'.", Nani thought aloud.
Arnav left the scene as fast as his feet could carry him. He could hear the ladies tittering at his back.
Arnav found Khushi leaning against a pillar, watching the guests dance.
"Aren't you dancing?", he asked.
Khushi shook her head.
He pulled her arm & took her away from the noise of the drums.
"Why?"
Khushi remained silent.
"Payal will be just a few kilometers away from you after her marriage, Khushi. You don't have to miss her." He tried to comfort her in his usual, clumsy way.
As usual, it had the opposite effect. Khushi glared at him.
"You won't understand.", she said finally.
Arnav saw red.
"What won't I understand? All this nonsense' shagun, sagai, whatnot'.. all this is to make others happy, isn't it? To legalise a relationship? A relationship which may or may not last. A contract based on an emotion, love, which will change over the years into hatred''" Arnav looked at her with pity.
"Love. Marriage. All this nonsense is for idiots. To fool people without dimaag into thinking that this contract is going to last' that it means something'.", Arnav smiled at her with pity in his eyes.
Khushi could not control herself. Saying a swift apology to Devi Maiyya for breaking her blind, deaf, & dumb vow for the hundredth time that day, she lit into him.
"Acha? So all this is meaningless?"
Arnav nodded.
"Very good. You must be right. After all, you are the one with the dimag. Or so you have told me often!"
Arnav looked at her, suspicion in his eyes.
"Marriage is stupid. Living together without marriage is smart.", Khushi repeated as though to make sure.
"It makes more sense anyway. Atleast there are no expectations on either side that this relationship/ contract will last.", Arnav said.
"So the next time some idiot comes with his family and a proposal for Anjaliji, tell him that you won't marry off your sister to him, but will only let her live with him without marriage.", Khushi said, looking directly into his eyes, an open challenge in them.
"Then let them live together. If someone asks you who he is, introduce him as your sister's boyfriend."
Arnav clenched his jaw.
"When people ask him who she is and why she is staying with him without the benefit of marriage, let him explain your notions of love & marriage to them.", Khushi demanded.
Arnav fumed.
"They may or may not swallow it. But that is OK. It is your life. It is Anjaliji's life. Her choice. Who are people to question you? And if she gets pregnant, conduct a godbharai too, in your house. When the guests ask for her husband, say that she doesn't have a husband, but only a boyfriend who may or may not be around by then. After all, love dies, doesn't it? Love changes, doesn't it? So he may very well walk off, a free bird. You are alright with this, aren't you?", Khushi asked innocently.
Arnav grit his teeth & clenched his fists.
"Arrey! Arnav Singh Raizada is getting angry?", she asked with pretended surprise. "That is rare!"
"Don't you dare to say such nonsense about my Di.", he growled.
Khushi smiled. "Why not? You were ready to live in with Lavanyaji without marrying her. So why can't another man live in with your Di? If you could bring Lavanyaji to live here with you, why can't Anjaliji's boyfriend live here with you?"
Arnav took a step forward.
"There is only one set of rules in this world, Mr. Raizada. For your Di & for poor Lavanyaji. You put Lavanyaji through many moments of beizzathi, without thinking that you have a sister too. And that just as your Di's honour is important to you, Lavanyaji's dishonour should have been your concern too." Khushi was dead serious. She meant every word.
"Titliyaa! Where are you, Nandkisore? ", Buaji exclaimed.
She looked at Arnav.
"Let me ask you a question in return, Mr. Raizada. Do you really know what you want from life?"
Arnav stared at her, his heart fighting for his need for her and his head reminding him of his past and his pain.
"O Sanka Devi!", Buaji called.
"Coming, Buaji!", Khushi replied, and then walked away, leaving Arnav alone with his thoughts.
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