ARHI FF:Strings Of Illusion-T7| CHP 44 - PG 129|LINK to THREAD 8-Pg 1* - Page 73

Khushi peeped outside the room before gesturing to Arnav, who was waiting for her nod...she giggled as he rolled his eyes and walked out with her, pulling the door close behind him while Khushi gathering her sari properly in her hands

"We didn't really think of anyone finding us together earlier when we came up..." he said as she shushed him while walking towards the elevator "That was different...no one's room is on this floor except mine and maasi's...and she was with motu earlier...now I'm not so sure" she said as she breathed out a sigh of relief, not finding anyone near the lift

"Ok, you go down and I'm going to mamma's room" she said as she pressed two buttons inside the life, making Arnav look at her in surprise "You're not coming with me?" he asked her as she shook her head

"No baby...how can we go together? Plus I have to get my hair done in her room...I told you already" she said with a smile as he sulked "Fine, but don't be too long...As it is I hate weddings...I'm only here for you...plus you look too damn hot in this sari, please take the pallu over your shoulders" (see ref on blog) he said as the lift reached her mother's floor

"Come on Arnav... you go and enjoy downstairs...I'll be there in a jiffy" she said lightly pecking him on his cheek before getting out of the elevator...she saw some of her relatives walking towards the lift and willed the damn thing to close before they reach her

"Arre Khushi beta...you're not ready yet? Go and get your hair and make-up done...the phera's will start in some time" they said as Khushi smiled in relief at the lift closing just in time before making her way to her mother's room

***

"That's it...I don't want too much make-up" Khushi complained as the parlor ladies finished her simple hair-do and light make-up...she quickly got out of the chair and went to her mother and others who were ready to go down

"You are looking very pretty babu...this sari looks perfect on you" Garima said proudly as Payal came and joined them; Khushi give a quick kiss to her mother before smiling sweetly towards Payal "What? Why are you giving me that look?" Payal asked with raised eyebrows as Khushi shrugged

"What look...you are looking very beautiful...this color suits you" (see ref on blog) she said genuinely as Payal looked at her suspiciously "ookey...should we go down now? I've been preened and prodded too much by those ladies in there and now I need some food! How the hell do you guys stay awake for these late night weddings? Our weddings are done and over by noon!" she said as Garima smiled at her

"It's a north Indian thing dear...but I agree that morning weddings are any day better!" she said as Khushi rolled her eyes "Already taking sides are we mamma?" she whispered to Garima who gave her a stern look "Khushi...she just got here, and does not know anyone...I hope you will take her around, as it is Shashi insisted on her coming because you prodded him to" she said as Khushi nodded solemnly

"Don't you worry mamma...she will find more people she knows today...don't you worry about a thing!" she said as Garima smiled as everyone walked out to reach the wedding venue downstairs...completely unaware of a huge storm that was coming their way!

***

"Arnav, I hope you are enjoying?" Sanjay asked Arnav as he nodded "Yes, thanks Mr Ahuja, the arrangements are done very well..." he said as Aakash give him a bored look while Sanjay smiled indulgently "Yes, its all thanks to Khushi...she made sure everything was perfect for today" he said proudly as Arnav smiled faintly

"You are serious about her right? Because if you're just playing around..." Sanjay said with a heated gaze as Arnav confidently replied back "I love her...have never been more serious about anyone or anything else in my life" he said as Sanjay relaxed

"That's good...just remember that I am like Khushi's father...more so than her real one was, and if you ever hurt her or..." he started saying when Arnav held Sanjay's hand and looked earnestly into his eyes "I love her too much to see any kind of sadness in her eyes...I will never hurt her, intentionally or unintentionally...and you can take my head off any day if I do" he said sincerely as Sanjay smiled and patted him on his back

"I'm glad Arnav...and I am very happy to see you support her so much, especially in this god damn investigation...God only knows how much longer this will stretch for" he said as Arnav nodded "I know, but rest assured, my friend is doing everything he can to put a lid on this for good...we will find the real murderer soon" Arnav said as Sanjay nodded

"That's good to know beta...anyways, I have to go...its nearly time for the pheras to start, you take care and we'll meet soon to catch up" he said as Arnav nodded and saw him move towards the mandap

"Damn Bhai! You are becoming a pro at this" Aakash said behind him as Arnav turned around "At what?" he asked as Aakash gave him a cheeky grin "being a sanskari damad" he said as Arnav punched him lightly making him yelp but soon both turned towards the mandap as the women from the grooms side came down

"Ooh...Khushi bhabhi looks hot...I bet everyone is looking at her only right now and not the bride" Aakash said as Khushi climbed up the mandap with an aarti thali in her hands "Shut up Aakash...look elsewhere...there are lots of pretty women around who will find you amusing" he said as Aakash sighed

"But bhai, I just want one woman...wish she was here" he said as Arnav turned amused eyes towards him "You still haven't told me about this girl..." he said as Aakash winked at him "Soon bhai...soon!" he said as both brother sat down on the soft low seating meant for the guests

***

"Papa, I'm hungry" Payal complained as Shashi sat on the other side of the mandap, watching an animated Garima bustle around the place, looking beyond beautiful in a dark green saree "Papa!" Payal pulled his arm as he came out of his daze and looked at her "Huh? Did you say something?" he asked her as she looked at the mandap suspiciously

"Who were you looking at with so much concentration?" she asked him as he shrugged his shoulders "No one...just watching the wedding rituals...they are very different to ours" he said as Payal rolled her eyes "They are equally boring papa...now can I go and eat something?" she asked him as he looked at her and smiled

"Go...but you'll be all alone...let me come with you" he said as she shook her head "I'm not a baby papa...let me get something for you also, didn't see you eating much during dinner" she said as she got up and left to go towards the buffet area

She watched the bride and groom, as Khushi, her mother and maasi teased them, giggling away...a small smile lit her face as she imagined herself in the bride's place with her goofy Aakash next to her...will it be a south Indian or North Indian style wedding? She wondered as she suddenly bumped into someone

"Oh...sorry" she said as the person held her by her shoulders and steadied "Hey! What a pleasant surprise...remember me?" Arnav asked as Payal gave him a quick smile "Off course I do...Arnav right? Heard you and Khushi are finally an item!" she said with a wink as Arnav laughed

"I guess so...what are you doing here alone? Is Shashi here?" he asked as she pointed at her father "Yes, there he is...I'm just here to get something to eat..." she said as Arnav nodded "I'll go and say a hello to your father...why don't you join my brother, he's sitting there" Arnav said pointing to a man sitting on a table near the buffet, his back towards her

"Uh...no its fine..." she started saying when Arnav shook his head "No...I insist...you are around his age and he's been going on about being bored...let me at least introduce you to him..." Arnav said as Payal giggled, "I'm bored too...I actually hate weddings! Only came cause Khushi insisted I do" she said rolling her eyes as Arnav laughed

"You go and meet papa Arnav, I'll go and introduce myself, don't worry..." Payal said as Arnav nodded "Fine, I'll come and join you both in a bit" he said as he left and Payal turned towards the dark haired man...something about him looked very familiar

When she was just a few feet away, her heart suddenly started beating very hard...why did he look so much like Aakash from this angle...was it? She wondered as she went and stood right in front of him "Aakash?" she whispered in a surprised tone as Aakash's hand stopped mid way to his mouth...the food from his spoon falling on the plate as he looked up with shocked eyes

"Payal?" he gasped, as he realized she was really standing in front of him... "What? How..." he said as Payal smiled widely "Oh my God! You are here? How do you know the Gupta's? Or are you here from the bride's side?" she asked excitedly as she slid into the chair next to him

"Uh...I...I..." Aakasj started saying as Payal suddenly caught his hand that was slightly trembling "Hey! What happened? Why are you so nervous? Are you that shocked to see me here? Or have you come here with my sautan?" she asked jokingly as Aakash felt his mouth freeze in a comical smile...what was payal doing here!

"Oh wait! Arnav said his bother...wait; you are Arnav's brother? I didn't know he was your cousin!" she said gleefully as Aakash got more shocked "You know bhai?" he asked in a choked voice as she nodded "Yeah, he is dating Khushi...plus my father works for Khushi's company and I also stay in their house...I mean, their guest house...for the time being that is...I thought I told you that" she said as Aakash felt his head burst with all the information

"You know what's weird? I was just thinking about you and how I wish you were here...looks like I have a silver tongue!" she said as Aakash nodded feebly "Oh, by the way, is your family here? No wonder you are so nervous! And your sister? " she asked excitedly as another voice asked from behind her making her leave his hand "Who sister?" Arnav asked as both Aakash and Payal turned towards him

"Arnav, I...I mean me and Aakash are college friends...such a coincidence na? You're his cousin na? had no idea!...but I was asking about Aakash's sister...Arnasha...is she here?" Payal asked with a sweet smile as Arnav looked on in confusion from Aakash to Payal

"Who Arnasha? We don't have a sister...you must be mistaken and I'm not his cousin, he's my younger brother...this moron must have gotten you confused" Arnav said as he laughed and sat down next to them, completely oblivious to the heart burn that has started in Payal's chest

"What are you taking about? Aakash can't be your real brother...you are the Raizada's...I mean...he comes from a...I mean, his sister was in our college...he told me himself...I...what's going on Aakash?" Payal turned towards him as Aakash got up along with her "Payal, I can explain" he said as his eyes looked on guiltily at her.

"Explain what?" Payal asked as her eyes turned dark, hurt, anger and disbelief marring the beautiful coffee brown color when at the exact moment another voice piped in "Surprise!!! So the love birds finally met!!" Khushi said excitedly as three faces turned towards her, one angry, one guilty and one plain confused! What was going on?