IPKKND-ARHI-FF - Gypsy- Chapter 42 - Page 93

Hi everyone. I know I have been MIA since last week. So to make up for it, I am giving a Maha update. Chapter 42 is actually 16 pages long in a word document. So forgive me and enjoy the update.

At the same time I have a grievance with my readers. The updates receive many thanks / likes but not much comments. So please readers, stop this kanjoosi and be generous with me... This chapter will wrap the wedding off.

Chapter 42

That evening well before 8, dressed in a black tuxedo with a snowy white short and black bow - tie, Arnav waited for Khushi in the living room of the royal chambers. The guests which numbered the who's who of not just Rajasthan but the whole of India, family, friends, business acquaintances, other royal houses; in short just about everyone they had any contact with. The crowd would number will in thousands. And he was worried. About Khushi.

She had had instructors to lecture her, guide her but a reception of this magnitude was another story altogether. People born to this life were known to falter. So how was a gypsy girl, one who was also an introvert by nature, going to hold up? If it was up to him, he would have eased her in this life slowly but there was no help for it either. His wedding demanded a reception of this kind and anything else would be taken as a sign that things were not as they should be. The last thing he and his family, especially his new wife needed were speculations of the unsavoury kind!

In the Maharani's dressing room, a highly nervous Khushi stood for Anjali's inspection. Her nerves were strained to breaking point. Moisture gathered in the palms of her hands while her slender body was stiff with tension.

Dressed in a cool peach colored silk sari, her hair upswept in a French roll and decked in diamonds, Anjali smiled kindly at her innocent child-like sister-in-law. For the reception Khushi was wearing a royal purple lehenga choli embellished with seed pearls. Her dupatta was decorated likewise and was pinned to the bun at the nape of her neck, half covering her head. She wore a three strand pearl necklace with a diamond centre, pearl earrings and a pearl maang tika. Her blouse was three quarter sleeved and she wore gold and pearl bangles with them. Her wide expressive eyes were lined in kohl while her rose pink mouth needed no adornment. She looked beautiful beyond everyone's wildest expectations. The rich vibrant hue of her clothes lent a vividness of her creamy skin.

But she was scared beyond anything and that worried Anjali. Deeply. With the way Khushi appeared at the moment, Anjali had serious doubts that the girl would be able to hold up that evening. Even as she watched, Khushi's mouth, held tightly till then trembled and she swayed slightly.

"Khushi!!!" Anjali quickly sprang to Khushi's aid as did her attendants. They immediately helped her to a sofa while one of them fetched a glass of cold water. Anjali sat beside Khushi and took the poor child's cold hands in hers, chafing it while Charu helped her take a few sips of cold water.

"Khushi, kya hua? Are you all right?"

"Di! Di, I'm so scared. How ... So many people Di! How will I ..."

"Oh no Khushi, no. You don't have to be scared at all. We are all here for you."

"Di... what if I make a mistake Di? What if I embarrass everyone? The Maharaja? He will never forgive me Di. I-I-I ... Di???"

Her voice broke and she tried to gulp her tears back. It was nearly 8; they were running late as it was. The guests were assembled in the grounds, Maa and Dadi together with Prithvi were already there. Anjali should have joined them already and Arnav and Khushi were due to make their entrance in just 5 more minutes. The walk from their chambers to the grounds itself was almost that time without accounting for the heavy clothes!

Things were going to run off schedule, Anjali knew. And here was Khushi, her hands cold and clammy even as sweat beaded her brow and upper lip. Anjali took charge.

"Charu, arrange for a cold cloth and fan and have someone fetch the Maharaja here at once!"

There was a mad scramble! Charu herself grabbed a fan and started fanning Khushi's face. A cold cloth was brought and Anjali dabbed it on Khushi's face and hands. There was a commotion and the Maharaja strode in the dressing room. Another mad scramble as all the attendants hastily straightened their dupatta's and cleared his way simultaneously. If the situation was not so serious, Anjali knew she would have laughed at them.

"What happened Di? Is everything all right?"

"Chhote! I need to discuss something with you!"

She drew her brother and apprised him about the situation. He clenched his teeth in anger. He flicked a glance towards his beautiful bride who sat on the sofa looking here and there. He stared and eventually her eyes met his. Her state was visible in the beautiful depths. He closed his eyes briefly. God!!!

"Chhote, say something! We don't have much time!"

He dragged his eyes and thoughts back to Anjali.

"It's all right Di. I'll take care of it. You just go downstairs and inform Maa and Dadi about this. They should be aware that all is not well so they can handle anything that comes up. Make sure no guests approach her unawares. I'll be with her most of the time and you just make sure that you, Maa or Dadi are around when I'm not. You just go and behave normally."

When Anjali hesitated, Arnav reassured her:

"Don't worry Di. It's going to be fine."

Anjali cast a glance at a nervous Khushi. She squeezed Arnav's hand and hurried to hug Khushi who returned the embrace. Anjali left to smooth things over in the party. In the dressing room, Arnav gestured for Charu and her girls to leave them alone. They complied, leaving the royal couple alone.

Khushi realized they were alone and her wide eyes swung to Arnav as he stood in front of her. Funny she never noticed when he came near her!

Arnav looked straight in her eyes and said,

"So Gypsy! Finally we are married. It was all right till then. You surprised me at every turn, first with your clothes and then your manners. But a reception of this magnitude! I have my doubts Gypsy; I really do! Everyone in this house, Dadi, Maa, Di, even jijaji; all of them have so much faith in you. But not me. Oh no! I have always been your harshest critic. I personally don't think you can go down with me and do justice to their faith."

He paused, studying her intently. She had stopped looking scared now. In fact the intensity of her eyes rivalled his. He smirked at her.

"Actually Gypsy, I don't have any expectations from you so I will not be disappointed. But all the rest; their disappointment! I guess it was bound to happen. Well, I guess I better go downstairs and break this news to them; that you are too scared to attend your own reception!"

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The wedding reception of the Maharaja of Devgarh was a resounding success even though the royal couple spent less than 3 hours amongst their guests. At a little after 8, the Maharaja and his bride entered or more precisely, swept in the reception. All the guests who had not seen his bride till then were spell bound at the sight of the fragile and angelic figure holding on to his arm daintily.

The royal couple swept in straight to the dais set up for them complete with throne like chairs and after paying their respects to their immediate family, took their seats. Raja Prithvi Singh Pratap welcomed all the guests. The Maharaja repeated the welcome and the reception officially commenced. Musicians and dancers were there for entertainment while dinner was buffet style. In between this time many guests came up to the dais to greet the Maharaja and Maharani during which the new bride spoke politely but briefly giving the overall impression of shyness as befitting a newly married girl. In a little less than 3 hours the couple took their leave. After all if one had a bride as beautiful as the new Maharani, then small wonder when the Maharaja left his reception early. A

None of the guests knew that every little detail of the reception was impeccably planned. The buffet dinner was to spare Khushi having to sit down for a formal dinner with the guests. The chairs on the dais were so she would not have to circulate amongst guests. The early leave was not planned; here they played by ear. As soon as Arnav felt that Khushi had had enough, he whisked her off. And in the middle of all these, the Raizada and Pratap families carried the show along beautifully, mingling with the guests. Anjali and Prithvi were in what Anjali termed as their element. Prithvi was lazily indulgent of her while she with her hand on his arm circulated. Strange, she mused, how no one ever noticed that she never addressed her husband directly. She only smiled at his remarks and the whole world decided that Prithvi and she were the most loving couple in the whole of Rajasthan!

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The bridegroom Arnav was rather happy with himself that night. After all his caustic words produced the desired effect; an angry Khushi marched down with him and conducted herself superbly, much, much better than anyone could have expected. And all just because he had challenged her! In the middle of buttoning his pajama top, he paused, smiling as he recalled that moment. After spouting off his challenge, he walked off to the door of her dressing room, pausing for a moment there to look at her over his shoulder. Till then she was sitting on the sofa, staring at him but as soon as he placed one foot out of the room, she was right behind him, a mutinous expression on her face. Without a word he gestured for her to precede him. She gathered her skirts in one hand deftly and walked through the door, head held high. He held his arm out and she slipped his hand through it, hesitantly and yet defiantly. She matched him step for step down to the reception and once there proceeded to behave with an lan that would have done a debutante proud. Here Arnav sobered. He had observed her well. She had behaved impeccably but it took her all that she had to get through the evening. To be honest, she had not been ready for the reception at all. He had egged her, challenged her and she had risen to it, practically sailing through the evening, giving it all she had and then some more. It just went on to prove that she was stubborn, to a fault. She would take up a challenge at the cost of her peace of mind and serenity even. But then this was the same girl who had survived a huge atrocity, pulling through her illness.

Arnav finished changing and went in to the bedchamber, the one designated for Khushi originally. She was occupying his chamber and he figured she would be all right in there, saving a lot of hassle for her, he would occupy hers. On the verge of getting in bed, Arnav hesitated. Her nightmares, he recalled suddenly. Would she be all right on her own? What if she got more distressed and hurt herself? What if she screamed and alerted other people? It would embarrass her later, he realized. A painful thought occurred to him and Arnav frowned. He had contributed to her nightmares, was the instigator in fact. Then why should she suffer through them all on her own? Shouldn't he be there for her? She was his wife. They were joined for life now. She shouldn't have to go through anything alone. If he slept here, she would be alone in that large and as yet unfamiliar room. He couldn't do that to her.

So it's the sofa again for me, Arnav thought wryly, gathering a coverlet and pillow for himself.

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Khushi, meanwhile was riding high on the surge of adrenalin that started running through her veins when Arnav indirectly challenged her. So much so that she was unable to settle down even after Charu had bathed and helped her change in her nightgown of pale yellow silk and matching wrap. How she had got through the evening, even she had not managed to figure it for herself yet! All she knew was that she could not let down the very people who placed so much faith in her. The people who loved and supported her so much. The people who did the right thing by a common gypsy like her, even going against their grandson, son and brother for her sake when her own tribe had already gone against her.

She went to the reception and gave it all she had and more than that, all the while determined not to let her family down. As a result, here she was, restless, the blood clamouring through the veins in a mad rush. Only once before in her life had she felt like this; the night of the Sardar's daughter's wedding, while she had been dancing. The same restlessness, the same relentless energy; this same feeling that led to her shedding her inhibitions later that night, with him, in the forest. Thank God she had regained her senses just in time.

Speaking of inhibitions, she would ask him about those so-called liberties, Khushi decided with a huff. The way he had spoken to her this evening! He didn't have faith in her ability to behave herself, did he? Never mind that his words made it possible for her to go to the reception and get through the evening. It was the way he said them; it reminded her of his earlier treatment; when he treated her as a worthless gypsy who had no honour of her own. The pain and desperation his words fuelled inside her knew no bounds. Her gypsy pride ensured that she get through the evening but now she was in no mood to be quiet and meek anymore. Khushi wanted answers and she wanted them now, starting from the liberties. And today she would also clarify what he expected of her now that she was his wife. What manner of revenge he had planned for her, in return for refusing to become his mistress? She wanted answers and she would get them all tonight. She had had enough to being soft and meek and suffering in the bargain.

He had played with her life and now she wanted answers from him. Tightening the thin belt of her wrapper, she paced her room, waiting for him.

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The unsuspecting Maharaja of Devgarh, with tender feelings towards his innocent wife, knocked perfunctorily on the connecting door and opened it to enter the bedchamber. Khushi must be in bed by now, he thought. He had deliberately waited for some time. He was in for a surprise.

Khushi was sitting on the edge of her bed, her slim legs swinging down the side when Arnav entered. He cast a wry look at her as he placed his beddings on the sofa. How childishly adorable she was, he thought with a pang. But why was she sitting like that? In that manner? Maybe she was unable to sleep. Was she hungry? He noted that she had barely eaten more than a few mouthfuls during dinner with him. He looked at her again and noted with unease the set of her mouth, the intent look as she gazed at him. Puzzled, he sat on the sofa, looking back at her, wondering about her behaviour.

He didn't have to wonder for long!!!

"What are l-liberties?"

"Huh? Liberties?"

"Y-yes. The liberties everyone s-says my husband will t-take after marriage; that I should only allow a-after certain rituals are fulfilled. The same l-liberties that my tribe assumed I had already a-allowed?"

Khushi took a deep breath, waiting for his answer. Her eyes, while asking those questions had been looking towards him but now, the intent stare he levelled on her made her look away. Her hands clenched in her nightdress but she forced herself to relax. She knew she had asked something that girls did not mention just like that and she could feel a blush rising in her cheeks. She was glad of the shadows in the room that would surely hide the redness. A moment later she scolded herself; surely she had the right to ask about her fate? She ventured another glance at him.

For a moment, it was not apparent what exactly she was asking him. He had opened his mouth to ask her what she meant when the phrase the liberties everyone s-says my husband will t-take after marriage' clicked and he froze. Did Khushi just ask him what intimacy was? Did he hear her right?

"Khushi, liberties?"

"J-ji. Liberties. That's what all the women were telling me; after getting married ..."

Her voice trailed off in silence while her eyes flitted around the room before focusing on him again.

Arnav was at a loss. His wife had just asked him to tell her what all intimacy constituted. He thought back on her words carefully and that's when another thing clicked. The same l-liberties that my tribe assumed I had already a-allowed.' Damn! The implications of that phrase were awful. To put simply and plainly she was punished for a crime that let alone commit, she didn't know even know the facts of.

What did that say about him? What kind of man did that make him? That day in the banjaara camp, he recalled insinuating that she had allowed him intimacies that she should not have. That was what led to her punishment and her illness and what caused her to almost lose her life. Arnav closed his eyes in despair. What was he supposed to tell her now? He kept quiet, hoping she would drop the matter but that was not meant to be.

"M-maharaja Saheb?"

"Hmmm ..." Arnav opened his eyes to see Khushi watching him expectantly. He put aside the matter of her punishment and the past for the moment and focused on her features. She was in the mood for answers but what should he tell her? Did parents still believe in not telling girls what to expect after marriage? Had no one ever told her? Forget about her Maayi but what about her adopted mother? What am I thinking? The good lady just got married herself? Her attendant's maybe? Obviously no one had. That's why she was looking to him for answers. What to tell her?

Arnav knew he could not change her past. Never mind how much he wished so, he couldn't. But he could ensure that her future was better. She wanted answers to a very simple yet important fact and he was the one she had asked. It was his responsibility to answer her in a way that would not mar the way she would view the same subject in future. She already didn't have a favourable view on account of the suffering that had come her way. He thought carefully before attempting.

"Khushi, liberties as you say or rather intimacy is something that occurs between a couple. It's a process of sharing."

"Sharing?"

"Yes, sharing. Their togetherness and themselves. Their bodies."

"Body? H-how can we share our body?"

Arnav faltered here. Damn biology! "Umm, yes, sharing bodies. There is a way."

"What way?"

"Uh ... Sharing through joining our bodies."

"Sharing? Joining? I don't understand?" Khushi was puzzled. Sidelining her modesty for the moment she processed his words in her mind; sharing and joining bodies. How to share and what to join? She looked down at her own body, her hands and legs, holding them out in front of her as if to see if there was something to share and join there! When no idea was forthcoming, she looked at her husband, at his lean, lithe form for clues. Nothing came across and she turned puzzled eyes on Arnav who had witnessed her little search for clues' just now. He groaned inwardly at her childishness. When she turned those beautiful and expectant eyes on him, Arnav lost that battle.

"Khushi, it's late. Go to sleep. There are still some rituals left and you have another long day tomorrow."

"Nahi. I have to know!"

"Have to?"

"Yes, have to."

"Why?"

"So I can be brave."

"Brave? For what?"

"So that when you ... I mean we ... That is ... when we share and join, I will know what to expect. I have always been scared of the unknown. It's better that I know beforehand. And at the same time, please do tell me when we are going to do this sharing and joining!"

"WHAT???"

"Haa ... aur nahi to kya? After all w-we are married now and ..."

Arnav saw his salvation from this topic there!

"Yes, of course Khushi. We are married now so obviously... So let's put it this way. I will tell you everything before we share and join'. Right?"

"When will that be?"

"Not now. Later. When we know each other better."

Know each other better'. What did he mean? They did know each other. She opened her mouth to object when she recalled something. A memory of that night in the forest; Arnav's hand loosening and pulling down her blouse while inching up her skirt at the same time. Of course! She could have smacked herself; obviously the sharing and joining' constituted removing her clothes! She bit her lip, blushing and lowering her head, her hands clenching in her clothes. She was mortified!

Arnav witnessed her actions and was puzzled at her sudden withdrawal from the topic when a moment earlier she had been all ready to worry it like a dog with a bone. But he should be happy at this!

"Go to sleep Khushi. We can discuss this later hmmm? You are tired now and so am I."

He hurriedly set about spreading his beddings and Khushi hurriedly followed without another word ...

That night again Arnav's sleep was interrupted by a repeat. Khushi's bad dream came back and she cried out again; to be saved. She cried for her Maayi and begged him to save her. Arnav repeated the same process of soothing her that he had done the night before. And once again, after she was sleeping, Arnav sat awake for the remainder of the night and at the first light, he got up. It was Khushi's rasoi pooja that morning. She would be busy but he would have time on his hands. Time to send Maan Singh after Khushi's tribe again, this time to find her Maayi.

For Khushi it was another busy day; she woke up and with Charu's assistance she dressed in a pale yellow and blue silk sari. With her pallu pinned to her head neatly she descended the stairs, all the while looking around and noticing her surroundings. She had spent all her life in tents but she had adjusted to the lovely surroundings of Shashi Gupta's house. He was not an aristocrat or born to riches but he had accumulated much wealth as a trainer for Thakur Alok. So his house was lovely, beautiful but Devgarh Palace was in a class of its own and that was obvious even to her untutored eyes! She was almost afraid to touch the furnishings and huge things placed around. The huge things as she thought were really antiques!

She joined her new family and the remaining handful of guests in the mandir. This time without any prompting she arranged the pooja thali all on her own. When Mamta and Devyani entered they bestowed fond smiles on her. Once Arnav joined her, looking handsome in a grey trousers, white shirt and grey waistcoat, she started the pooja.

Following pooja, Anjali and Charu led her to the huge palace kitchen. There were so many people hurrying around, getting breakfast ready. At her appearance all activity stopped for a moment before everyone leapt to pay their respects, bowing and murmurs of Namaste Maharani Sa' abounded. Khushi was stunned and slightly embarrassed at the attention before pulling herself together and returning the greetings with her shy yet engaging smile. Anjali guided her through the rituals of the rasoi pooja before she cooked kheer for everyone.

Cooking was something she did like to do and Garima taught Khushi her method of cooking. Added to that, kheer was something she adored so she learnt it whole-heartedly. As a result her sweet dish turned out beautifully and everyone praised it. Once again gifts abounded and she received them shyly. It was also the day for her pag phera and just after breakfast, Shashi Gupta came to take her with him.

While it was customary for brides to spend a few days at their mayka during pag phera but Devgarh brides couldn't spend any night away from their new home until at least 3 months of marriage. So Khushi's pag phera was only for the day. Mamta kissed her, murmuring,

"Khushi, go to your mayka but come back quickly. We will miss you very much beta."

Devyani and Anjali echoed the same sentiments. At the same time Khushi took her leave from the house guests since all of them were due to leave that day, after lunch. Mamta had organised lots of gifts for Khushi to take with her and she left with her father.

At Shashi's house, Garima was waiting with the pooja thali to receive her. When Khushi hugged her mother, Garima searched those hazel eyes carefully to see for new shadows. There were none. In fact they sparkled with pleasure to see her parents and Garima correctly surmised that all was all right for the moment between Khushi and her new husband.

Her parents pampered her for the day and she enjoyed herself immensely. That afternoon Prithvi, Anjali and Arnav came to fetch her back. Garima presented Khushi with a soft saffron colored sari to change in to. This time Shashi gave many gifts for Khushi's in-laws. Garima also handed over all the shagun that Khushi had received during her wedding ceremonies. After a quick and slightly tearful goodbye, Khushi left for Devgarh Palace.

Back in the palace, with the guests gone, it was only family now. Anjali had another week left in her mayka and everyone was rather relaxed. The wedding was officially over. When Khushi showed the gifts she had brought as well as her shagun, Mamta laughed and said,

"Beta, we are all so tired now, I suggest we lock all of them for today and relax. Tomorrow morning after breakfast, we can open and go through everything. You also need to relax now."

"Ji Rani Maa," Khushi replied. It was a great idea. She was so tired of everything and for the first time since Arnav had found her in the forest the night she ran away from Shashi Gupta's house, Khushi felt completely relaxed. Her new family was wonderful!

Feeling happy she placed the gifts safely and went to change for dinner. Anjali urged her to take a nap and Khushi agreed. She napped and woke up feeling refreshed. There was plenty time for dinner and she decided to take a long, relaxing bath. Charu agreed and organised it.

It was only after her bath when she was getting dressed that things took a turn for the worse...

The grand scene everyone has been waiting for has arrived guys... wish me luck with penning it...