Hey guys first of all A very BIG hug and thank you to each and every one of you for making my dream come true. I will always cherish this. A special thank you to Megha, Shalini, Aimmy, Priya, Kukku095 and anamnoor.
When I had actually started the story i had never thought i would complete it but you gusy were always there through all the up's and downs that i faced. You were by my side. Thank you people.
Okay before you guys would want to kill me after this story just let me say one thing? TRUST ME with the story and please trust that i wont spoil the story in any way. This was important to bring out the passionate side of Arnav. Are you guys with me and if you still dont trust me then i can change the original storyline and do it your way.
Now i will see you all on the You May Be thread with a update on Friday and a teaser for Tum Hi Ho on Sunday.
Happy Reading!
Chapter 16
Khushi woke up with the phone buzzing under her pillow and she managed to answer without opening her eyes. "Chamkili where are you? You were supposed to be here half an hour ago. Hello?? Khushi are you there?" Lavanya shot like a bullet train and Khushi could only manage a "hmm..."
"Khushi?" Lavanya chided again.
"What? Hmm? Haan..." Khushi said getting out of her dreamland and coming back to reality. Clearly Khushi had overslept but she couldn't help it. The overwhelming and lovely dream of Arnav just wouldn't allow her to wake up. "I will be there in an hour La..." Khushi said and quickly cut the phone before Lavanya would burst into anger.
She stretched herself and got out of bed. The previous night was too dreamy for her and although the reality had come into consideration, she wanted to keep that night and their first kiss as a memory of her first love. She had mentally decided that's he couldn't cry over it because she had done what her heart had wanted.
Khushi bathed and changed into a plain black salwaar suit and tied her hair in a ponytail. Today she had to go with Lavanya to all the mehndi designers first and she would select which of them was the best. Then they would go and choose the perfect dress for Lavanya and a perfect make-up and hair stylist. Khushi was happy for Lavanya as she understood the anticipation quiet well. It was every girl's dream to have a perfect marriage with the person that you love. If only, Khushi too could have one!
Moving those thoughts out of her mind Khushi went to the kitchen only to find a tensed Payal. She walked swiftly and asked Payal, "What happened jiji?"
"Khushi, my engagement date has been fixed now."
"Wow. That's great news!" Khushi said hugging Payal. "But then why are you so upset?"
"Because..." Payal held both of Khushi's hands in hers, "I... I... I can't imagine the fact that I will be leaving you all..." she paused for a while and added, "...Forever.."
Khushi felt upset at the sudden realization. Payal was actually right, and she would be leaving them after her marriage. They hugged each other and both felt the same love for each other. No one could tell that Khushi wasn't the same blood, their bond was really strong. As Khushi was hugging Payal, she again went into flashback and remembered how Payal had saved Khushi in the school and claimed her as her sister. Since that day Payal had not given a drop of less love to Khushi, she treated her like Khushi was a delicate doll and really precious.
Payal had always made Khushi feel so loved. She was the one because of whom she had parents, whom she could call her own.
This same sister who used to give all her new toys and dresses to Khushi instead of having them herself. Payal had always saved her pocket money to buy Khushi birthday presents which Khushi wanted, Khushi still had those books, anklets, bangles and other things in her cupboard which she would always keep because she cherished them like it was gold, it was even more precious than gold because gold wouldn't have such a great value for Khushi.
She was feeling as if a part of her was being snatched. Tears flowed freely as the two cried their hearts out. Khushi could very clearly understand what Payal was going though at that moment. Leaving your family after marriage is not an easy thing even if you are marrying the person you love.
Khushi could remember the time when Payal's marriage was arranged before. She was in love with Akaash at time as well but she had agreed for the marriage for the sake of amma and bauji's happiness. She had told Khushi that she wouldn't choose her love over her family. Khushi's heart wrenched as the view of Payal sitting on the alter in a bride's attire and waiting for the groom when suddenly the groom's father had shouted asking for dowry.
Everyone in the family had remained shocked as there had been no condition of dowry while fixing the marriage. That is when Payal had taken a stand and had broken the marriage. Akaash had been successful in convincing Manorma that Payal was a good girl and reluctantly but for her son she had asked for Payal's had in marriage.
After a while as they broke the hug Khushi remembered that she was late already and had to meet Lavanya for shopping. She quickly kissed Payal's cheek and ran to catch an auto. As Khushi got off in front of Shantivan she saw the mansion decorated lavishly. The happiness could be sensed from the outside as well.
As she walked further she decided that keeping Arnav in the dark anymore wouldn't be a good idea as she planned to tell him tonight after the mehndi ceremony. She would tell him that she was going to get married to someone else and he should stay away from her, if he actually loved her then he would have confessed by now.
As Khushi rang the door-bell an impatient Lavanya opened the door. "Chamkili! Where exactly were you? Do you have any idea for exactly how long have I been waiting for you?... why are you so quiet?"
Khushi chuckled as she replied.." La if you let me speak then only I can speak na?"
"Shut up chamkili... Don't think that your jokes can make me laugh" she stuck her tongue out and pretended to be angry folding her hands in front of her chest.
"Sorry La..." Khushi held her ears innocently and pouted making Lavanya smile and hug Khushi and they left for shopping.
Arnav was helping NK in selecting a traditional wear for that night as his mind wandered back to Khushi. He just loved the way she responded to him. He himself was always losing control because of her. Khushi Kumari Gupta what have you done, he thought as he smiled. Nk snapped his fingers in front of Arnav and brought him back to reality.
"May I know why you were smiling? I don't want to interfere but its just that you rarely smile..."
"I don't know..." He smiled. "... I guess just a good day.."
"Arnav why do I feel that you are in love?" he asked reluctantly.
"What...uhm... me me no..." Arnav tried to sound convincing.
"Is it Khushi?" NK asked straight forward without beating around the bush anymore.
Arnav looked at him all surprised and Nk just smiled back reassuringly. "Arnav no one is blind here. I can clearly see the way you look at her. You love her don't you?"
"Nk... I..." Arnav was speechless to be honest. He was set off-guard by that question; he was really confused because he really didn't know what love was. In his dictionary love had always been undefined. He had never thought of it that what if whatever he felt for Khushi was not love and it would disappear.
"Arnav..." NK tried again.
"NK can you tell me something?" Arnav asked softly as NK shook his head positively. "What is love? I am not sure if what I feel for her is love actually..."
"Arnav you have to tell me what you feel and I will tell you if that is love...okay?" he asked.
"Yeah.."
"When you close your eyes..."
"I see her..."
"When you are upset..."
"I need her..."
"When you are happy..."
"I want her..."
"When she is nearby..."
"I can feel her..."
"When you wake up..."
"I want to see her..."
"When you sleep..."
"I dream of her..."
"When you think about the future..."
"It's with her..."
"Your biggest fear..."
"To lose her..."
"What is your biggest reality..."
"I can't live without her..."
NK quickly hugged Arnav as tightly as he could. "You love her! You really do. I am so happy for you Arnav. You both deserve each other." Arnav reciprocated the hug gratefully and NK continued. "So when will you tell her? Dude you know Khushi needs the most perfect proposal. She is one extra-ordinary girl that is why my La loves her so much... Lavanya told me once that Khushi always dreamed of her prince charming proposing her the grand way. The fairy tale type you know?"
"Really?" Arnav asked innocently and NK almost chuckled at the innocence because Arnav seemed like a small boy who came to know what his mother loves... and he nodded positively.
Arnav decided that this time he won't get anything arranged by anyone else and everything will be done by his own hands. He will propose her fairytale way indeed.
Lavanya was trying out a green lehnga and she gave Khushi a yellow one to try for the mehndi night. Khushi was trying out the lehnga when she started thinking of what she will tell Arnav and how he will react when he comes to know about her marriage. How exactly would she face him?
In the evening the Raizada mansion was elegantly decorated and the guests were due to arrive. Arnav was talking to Aman about Anjali's report standing in front of the living room French window and Aman told him that the doctor said that Anjali is perfectly fine but she might have problems in walking for a few weeks.
"Chotey I am sorry..." came a sweet voice from behind making both the men turn their heads and Anjali came to stand in front of them.
"Dii what happened?" Arnav asked all concerned for Anjali.
"Aman told me that you had a plan to propose Khushi the day I fell from the stairs..." she looked down guiltily. "I spoiled it all didn't i?"
"Dii!" Arnav said in disbelief and hugged Anjali. "I almost lost you and you are here apologizing because my proposal was delayed?... " he looked at her in utter disbelief. "Dii you are the most important person of my life and nothing is more important than you..." he smiled. " And as long as I know Khushi I know she doesn't mind..." and he winked at her making Anjali smile through her tears.
As night grew on all the guests arrived and so did Khushi with her amma, babuji and Payal. Khushi was looking splendid in the yellow lehnga and her long hair tied into a right side ponytail with straight fringes falling from the front of the left ear. Her loop golden earrings and shimmering bangles just added to her charm.
As Arnav walked down in the plain white kurta-payjama both Arnav and Khushi couldn't stop staring at each other. The attraction exploded immediately as both checked each other out. This eye lock didn't go unnoticed by NK, Aman and Anjali.
At this point in time, the only people oblivious to the fact were Khushi's family and Lavanya. They were the only people who failed to notice the love that existed between them, so evidently.
Khushi sat with Lavanya as the mehndi was being applied to both of them. NK had organized a secret dance performance for Lavanya which everyone enjoyed and participated in, Arnav too looked happy with the way NK was trying his best to make it perfect for his girl. On the other hand he saw Aman making Anjali eat her medicines and he was so happy for the two perfect love stories in front of his eyes.
How much Arnav wished he too could whisk his Khushi away from everyone right now and hide her in his arms forever.
After the mehndi was done on Khushi she wandered around searching for Arnav. It was time to talk! She walked quietly to his room and walked in without knocking. He was standing with his back to her, staring out of the window.
"Arnav..." she said hesitantly.
"Hmmm..." he replied without turning around. To be honest Arnav was in turmoil, no matter how much he was desperate to tell her that he loved her, he couldn't. he wanted to give her a perfect proposal and not a common one. He was trying to contain himself from confessing and which meant keeping his hands off her for now.
"I ... I... wanted to talk..."Khushi stammered at the words making Arnav turn around. Khushi closed her eyes looking down anticipating his reaction after she tells him. It was a do or die situation.
No matter how much she couldn't bring herself to tell him about her marriage so she decided against it and instead decided to make an excuse to make him stay away from her. It would be for the both of them.
"Arnav..."
"Yes..." he said so softly that her heart melted. But she had to do this, there was no other way.
"I... I just wanted to say that...that... I think..."
"Hmmm..." he said urging her continue.
"I think... you should stay...way from me... I realized that I ... i..." she prayed to devi maiyya to give her the courage to lie. "I don't think I love you..."
To say that Arnav was shocked out of his wits would be an understatement! His world came crashing down in an instant. He felt so numb that he thought he was dead. He didn't know how to react. Tears threatened to fall out of his eyes.
Then all of a sudden anger took over him. He could see that Khushi was lying clearly. He was damn sure that she loved him too. She couldn't react that way to him if she didn't love him. How could she let him be her first kiss if she didn't love him? How could she treat his family as her own if she didn't love him? How could she let him near her if she didn't love him?
She was lying!
In two long strides he was right in front of her and held her waist, firmly pulling her against his solid form. Khushi gasped as she crashed into his hard form. She could not move away as her mehndi was still wet. Arnav felt like kissing her fiercely to punish her but instead he captured her petal like soft lips into a gentle kiss. Khushi once again lost complete sense of control and kissed him back, Arnav smiled to himself as he was proved right...
His hands caressed her bare waist softly and she purred. Arnav left her mouth and trailed kisses along her neck and jaw-line making Khushi shiver.
And just as suddenly he had pulled her, he left her and took a step back with a smile of victory on his face. Khushi was on the verge of tears. She didn't know what to do. Maybe she should ask Arnav once again if he loved her. If he said yes the she would tell him about her marriage and ask him to talk to her parents.
"Arnav..."
"Yes Khushi..."
"Do you love me?"
"I... I... umm ... Khushi I do.." and Khushi just couldn't hear him saying no so she ran away as quickly as possible leaving an equally sad Arnav behind her. Arnav punched the wall in frustration as he dialed Aman's number to find out what was bothering Khushi. He had to know what was happening in her life.
Arnav Singh Raizada will not lose his lady love at any cost!
Edited by PrInCeSs_dIVa - 11 years ago
Cricket
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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