Arhi FF: The Matchmaker, Thread 1 - Page 34

"A deal?" Khushi asked in disbelief.

"Yes! A generous one that you won't be able to refuse!" He replied confidently

"Arnavji, What are you...?" Khushi started to ask him, but Arnav did not wait for her to complete, as he continued.

"I know you come from a middle class family and your family has been struggling financially over the last few years. Your father's sweet shop is in heavy debt... " She heard Arnav who was still facing the pool.

"Here is my offer. I will pay you 2 crore rupees and I will purchase and set up a larger sweet shop in your locality in your name. You and your family will be free of financial troubles and be able to build your life." He explained. " All I need in return is ...for you to PRETEND marriage with me for 1-2 months until this shaadi ka fever dies down in the family. After 1-2 months, We can separate citing incompatibility." He explained further.

"Is this a joke?" Khushi managed to ask, not being able to believe what was happening on her wedding night.

"Who are you kidding, Khushi? You married me for the money. And I am offering you a good deal. Unless of course...You are more greedy than I had thought. I wouldn't be surprised. Girls like you would want to make the most of the situation" Arnav added angrily.

"How can you say such things about me without even knowing me? It's disgusting! " Khushi spat out. What was happening tonight was beyond her imagination!

She could see Arnav clenching his fist as he turned around in anger.

"Really, Khushi Kumari Gupta! So, You want me to believe that you didn't marry me for money? Why did you agree to marry me then? You had not even met me before our wedding"

"I married you because I thought ...It was an arranged marriage...where parents and family choose partners for their loved ones. How will you understand all this? You don't believe in the institution of marriage, do you? You have ridiculed it so very well today. And you are right! I did not meet you. If I had met you, I would have known you were insane" She shouted back.

Khushi could see Arnav's face flushing with anger. She didn't care. He was insane. He sounded insane. Why should I care, She thought.

"Who the hell do you think you are, Khushi Kumari Gupta?" Arnav fumed. "Atleast, I am being honest unlike you who is pretending to have married me with noble intentions" he yelled

She had had enough of this. A lot of what was happening was beyond her understanding. She did not deserve this, She knew. She turned around angrily and walked back to the bedroom. Why should I stand there and listen to this nonsense and him yelling at me, She thought furiously.

"KHUSHI! " she heard him yell!

"When I am talking, you don't walk away!" he commanded as he followed her into the bedroom.

"When you talk sense, I won't. But I have had enough tonight" She replied equally angrily and sat on the edge of the bed. The tears were threatening to flow but she stopped them. She talked herself to stay calm. She did not want to give him the joy of seeing him cry, She decided. "May be this is just a bad dream" She wished, knowing very well it wasn't.

The next morning as Khushi woke up, She saw Arnav walking up to his cupboard. " What a start!" She cursed in her thoughts. I had to see him as soon as I woke up, She fumed. She watched as he took out a box and sat in the recliner. He then took a syringe out and injected his arm quite casually, like it was everyday business. Khushi was shocked.

"Hey DM! Where have you got me. I thought he was insane but he is a druggie too" She panicked " What did you have against me, DM? Didn't you like my friendship?" She muttered angrily.

Arnav realised she had woken up as he heard her muttering under her breath.

"Woh Di had come. She asked you to go down when you are ready for some pooja" he said

"Oh choka pooja" Khushi hurried as she remembered. Last night's events had completely distracted her. Her head still felt clouded. She opened her small suitcase, to find some clothes to wear and quickly rushed to have a shower.

"Khushiji, Aap agaaye? Hum log aap ka intezaar kar rahe the" (Khushi Ji, You have come. We were waiting for you.) Anjali added as Khushi walked down the steps.

Anjali, Mami, Lavanyaji and Nani who were enjoying their morning tea in the living room, smiled at her warmly. Khushi recalled Lavanyaji from the wedding. Anjali had said that she was Arnavji's friend and business associate who looks after his london branch, Khushi recalled. Anjali had told her that Lavanya would be staying with them for a few days.

"Khushi bitiya, aap jaldhi se rasoi mein jaakar kuch banayiye"(Khushi bitiya, Hurry and make some dish in the Kitchen) Naniji encouraged her.

"Oh, Wow! Khushi Bhabhi, You are here? They weren't letting me eat breakfast" NK complained pointing at his stomach.

"Haan, NK. Khushiji has to do Choka pooja. Then she will make something for all of us." Anjali explained

" Ok, Di. " NK replied happily as finally he was going to get some food.

Anjali and Mami accompanied Khushi to the kitchen and showed her where things were kept as she sought them.

"Khushi Bhabhi. what are you making?" enquired NK joining them.

" Poori Halwa, Nanhe ji", She replied nervously

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtUkcr0Iruc[/YOUTUBE]

https://dai.ly/x12avdd

She quickly made the dish and took it over to the dining table where Akash and Shyam had also joined everyone.

"Wah Bhabhi! That smells really good" complemented Akash

"Thanks Akash ji" She replied. Her culinary skills were well known in her locality. But today was her first day in the raizada house. So, Khushi was nervous...She served everyone as she saw Arnav walk towards the table. The raizada family members were so warm and kind unlike him, Khushi nodded. " What a contrast!" she thought.

She tried ignoring him as she continued serving everyone, but couldn't any longer when he sat right next to where she was standing. She quickly moved away and walked to the other side of the table nervously.

"Khushi bitiya, bahuthi badiya hai. Aap ke haath me such me jadoo hai" (Khushi bitiya. This is very good. You have magic in your hands) Nani complemented.

"Yeh kya, Khushi? Arnav bitwa ko no poori?" (What is this,Khushi? No poori for Arnav bitwa?) Mami enquired

Khushi quickly served him too without looking at him. She did not want the family members to suspect anything was wrong yet. How sad they would be, She thought.

Everyone in the table praised Khushi for her dish as they relished it. Arnav's silence was obvious but Khushi was thankful for it. After last night, She thought it would be better not to hear him speak...

Hariprakash brought in sweets after the meal. Khushi took it over and served it to everyone. Just as she served Arnav, Anjali stopped her.

"Khushiji, Chote ne aapko bataya nahin? Yeh diabetic hain. Meetha nahi khasakthe" (Khushiji, Chote is a diabetic. He can't eat sweets) She informed. Khushi looked at Arnav surprised. How many problems does this Khadoos Singh Raizada have, She wondered.

"Chote ko insulin ka injection lena hotha hai har din" (Chote has to use insulin injection every day) Anjali further explained. Achha, That is what it was this morning, Khushi sighed relieved. Atleast, he was not a druggie, She smiled. He was still a mad man, her face turned serious as she realised.

"Chote, Where are you going ? enquired Anjali seeing Arnav stand up.

" Di, Mujhe office mein kuch kaam hai" (Di, I have some work at the office) Arnav replied

"Aaj ke din ?Chote, Aap aaj ka din office nahin jayenge" (Today? Chote, You can't go to office today) She argued

"Haan bhai. Koi kaam hai to mujhe bathadijiye. Main karloonga" (Yes, Bhai. If there is any work, Let me know and I will manage.) Akash replied

"No, Akash. I need to check a few documents and sign them myself. You stay at home" Arnav silenced everyone and walked to the couch where his brief case was placed.

Khushi stared at his back as he strode out of the door. She was amazed to see how he seemed to have the last word in the house. ...

"Apne aap ko Lard Governor samajhthe hain. Lagtha hai apne ghar walon pe bhi hukm chalaneki aadat hai" (He thinks of himself as the Lard Governor. Looks like he is used to telling his family members what to do) Khushi mumbled.

"Khushi, You look very pretty" She heard Lavanya say and Khushi turned around to thank her.

The next few hours Khushi spent with the raizada family unpacking the gifts they had received during the wedding. Anjali and Nani explained to Khushi who each gift was from...

Nk who was seated next to Khushi indicated her to come closer. She moved closer to his ears, when he whispered. " Woh Khushi Bhabhi, Who was that pretty girl who sat next to you during the wedding?" He was dying to know this since the wedding and couldn't wait any longer.

"Kaun, Nanheji? asked Khushi wondering who he was enquiring about.

"Wahi, Khushi Bhabhi. She wore a beautifulll pink ghagra. She had the cutest dimples as she smiled..." NK replied with glazy eyes

"Preeto?" Khushi asked surprised. "Kyon, nanhe ji?" (Why, Nanheji?)The rest of the family burst out laughing. Why else would NK ask about a beautiful girl?

"Khushi ji, NK ko line marni hogi" (khushiji, NK perhaps wants to flirt) Anjali replied

"Accha? Preeto ki tho shaddi hogyai, Nanhe ji" (Really? But Nanheji, Preeto is married) Khushi informed NK

"Achha, Isliye! Maine bahut impress karneki koshish kiya lekin woh bilkul bhi nahi pati" (Now I get it! That's why she didn't fall for my charms despite me trying) complained NK.

Khushi's jaws dropped in disbelief but soon realised that her youngest brother in law was just teasing. He soon moved on to talk about another beautiful girl he had met at the wedding.

Khushi had almost forgotten about Arnav as she was busy chatting with the family. Her parents had called as well to check on her. How she missed them, She sighed. They would send her suitcase tomorrow, her mother had assured her.

That evening...

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xxlY02Zk_w[/YOUTUBE]

https://dai.ly/x12avht

So, that was Part 5 of my FF: The Matchmaker!

Please share your thoughts on it. Am eager to read them.

The credit for the videos belongs to the makers and actors and everyone involved with IPKKND. My story is inspired from theirs.

If any of you would like PM ( who are not getting it already) when I update, please mention it in your comment. I will be updating this story on Fridays and Sundays only, due to my other commitments. I hope you don't mind.

If you would like to read my previous fiction, here is my index- My Arhi stories

Part 6