Part 11
The conversation between Astha and Khushi was interrupted as Anjali came there and took Khushi away with her for some purpose. She wanted to show Khushi some sarees and make her select one for the wedding the next day. Astha was still blank and trying to understand how this was possible. How can Khsuhi be the real wife of Arnav? When did they marry? How can she have a proof of that? Was this the reason that Arnav felt so much attached to her?
If she is the real bride of this house, she still had some benefits for her future revenge and some drawbacks too. She cannot see Khushi dominating her with the house keys and the property. She frowned and then thought of handling things alone as there was no one here except here who seemed to be unhappy with the re-marriage.
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Everything was happening so quickly that Khushi was finding it hard to digest the fact that she was getting married to Arnav so easily the next day with full rituals. It did mean a lot to her. She was strictly told by Anjali to sleep with her tonight as it wasn't considered good for a would be bride to sleep with her husband before the rituals are done. Though it hardly mattered as they were already married, still it had its own fun.
Khushi was inside Arnav's room taking her night dress along to change so that she can go and sleep with Anjali in her room. That's when she felt him holding her waist and pulling her back to hit his chest.
Khsuhi: Arnav leave me.
Arnav nuzzled his nose at her earlobe breathing her and she closed her eyes.
Arnav: 24 hours Khushi. And everything will be so different. You know I can't wait for that moment when I will see you dressed in a Bridal Lehnga and wait for me on this bed.
Khushi blushed and tried to come off his grip but he held her tighter.
Arnav: Shy?
He kissed her earlobe and she pushed him back.
Khushi: Come on Khushi. Dont feel so shy now. Just a day more and we will do all this almost every minute.
Her eyebrows rose when he said he will tease her like this every minute.
Khushi: Every minute?
Arnav Smiled seeing her so confused.
Arnav: Haan. ANd you know what will be the consequences?
He held her hands and pinned her to the cupboard.
Khushi very innocently asked him not understanding he was only teasing her purposely.
Khushi: Kya?
Arnav: Pluffy eyes, dark circles, (he started roaming his finger on her eyes and cheeks),
Khushi gulped in fear.
Khushi: Why? Why would this happen? I never heard any bride facing all this problems after marriage.
Arnav: Because you are Arnav Singh Raizada's wife Khushi. I won't let you sleep for long.
He was getting a bit romantic now seeing his innocent wife's face and she realized what he was hinting at. Her hands were in his grip pinned behind and his face was nearing hers. SHe turned her face aside.
Khushi: Arnav please. This is not right. Di has told not to do anything like this before we fulfill the rituals tomorrow.
Arnav sighed and looked back at her normally still holding her hands firm.
Arnav: It's hard to avoid Khushi. And one kiss won't harm anything. Will it?
Khushi : KISS?
She immediately pushed him back
Arnav: What? You are reacting as if I asked something out of the world Khushi.
Khushi: Whatever. But. I am not letting you anything tonight.
Arnav: But why?
Khushi: Because I believe in such little rituals and so till tomorrow night no touching me . I am leaving to Di's room and will sleep with her and Anshu.
She was leaving but he caught her hand. SHe struggled and tried to open the door but he locked it before she could even think of moving out. Finding no other way to leave she went to the Poolside. He followed her.
Arnav: So ab tum mujhe Touch bhi nahi karne dogi apne aap ko? (So now you wont even let me touch you? )
Khushi picked the water jug and showed it to him.
Khushi: Dekhiye, humaare paas mat aaiye, hum aap pe paani daal denge(Look. Dont even come near me or else I will throw water on you.)
Arnav snatched the Dupatta from her neck and threw it behind him. She was shocked.
Khushi: Humaara Dupatta? Dijiye humme. (My Dupatta?? Give it back)
Arnav picked her in his arms while she struggled.
Khushi: Chodiye, Chodiye humme, Aap kya kar rahe hai.(Leave me. What are you doing?)
Arnav: Main tumhara Husband hoon OKay? Main Jo chaahe kar sakta hoon. So Hawa mein Swimming karna bund karo. (I am your husband Okay? I can do whatever I want. So stop swimming in air)
He carried her inside the bedroom and stopped at the door.
Khushi: Arnav please dont do this. Di will
Arnav was angered in no time and he put her down.
Arnav: Di? Just because Di wants us to sleep separate we are doing it Khushi but I can't touch you? Really? How sick is that? You wish to go right? Then go. Let's meet tomorrow at the re-marriage. May be that would make you happy.
He turned around to leave and she felt bad. She should have given him some liberty at least. She immediately hugged him from behind and he was shocked to see her doing that.
Khushi: I am sorry Arnav. I didnt mean to hurt you. Please dont go away like this.
Arnav could never hurt her either. He said all that because he wanted to be with her and not much but a Kiss was really a cool and safest option before marriage if nothing else. But since she was denying even for that he was little angry. But not anymore. He realized this was too much for her.
Arnav turned back and then cupped her cheeks.
Arnav: Khushi its okay. You don't have to be sorry for this. I understand what these rituals mean to you. May be I overreacted. I am sorry.
She smiled seeing his concern and touching his hands over her cheeks she closed her eyes. He wiped the gentle tears which were going to erupt from her eyes before they could roll down.
Khushi: Toh aap humse naraaz nahi hai na? (So you not angry on me ?)
Arnav: No.
She was happy. She immediately hugged him tight. This was the first time she had taken an initiative to hug him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her more close to his body. They stayed like that feeling each other for some more minutes until they heard Anjali calling her name from outside the room. Since the room was locked, she couldn't come in. Khushi was really lost in the hug and she didn't even bother to respond back but he did.
Arnav: Khushi, di is calling you.
He too never wished to break that hug but it was needed. She opened her eyes and pulled back from the hug and smiled feeling shy.
Arnav: If Di comes to know I am here, she will tease you. So its better you open the door and l will hide inside..!
Khushi: Aap humaare liye kitna sochte hai Arnavji.. (You think how much for me Arnavji?)
Their eyes met again and she couldn't stop from giving him something for tonight which will stop his cravings for her atleast for next 24 hours. She pressed her lips on his cheeks earning a little groan from his end. Before he could react to it, she picked her dress from the recliner which she now planned to change in Anjali's room only and rushed to open the door. He touched his cheeks looking at her and then hide behind the French doors so that his Di doesn't see him in.
Khushi opened the door and told Anjali that she was in the washroom which made her late in opening the door and finally left the room with her.
All this scene was observed by Astha from the Poolside stairs which lead to the Terrace above and she was fuming seeing Arnav's unconditional love for Khushi. His behavior clearly indicated one thing. He was very much in love with this girl and that would create a huge problem for her some or the other day.
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Next Morning
Astha was still pacing around in her room alone thinking how she had to avoid this wedding. She was not interested in getting Khushi as her Bahu but then the family seemed very much involved in today's function.
The door knocked and Anjali came inside with the Bridal Lehnga in her hand.
Anjali: Maa. The Lehnga has come, you need to give this to Khushi. Come.
Astha: No. I am not coming.
Anjali was surprised.
Anjali: Why Maa? She is your Bahu. And today she and Chotte are getting remarried.
Astha: But why Anjali? Whats the need for all this?
Anjali: Maa, don't you wish to see your Son fulfilling all these rituals? He loves Khushi so much Maa. Don't you think he deserves our blessings?
Astha was confused. She sat on the bed and kept on ignoring all these talks. Anjali sat beside her and made her see in her eyes.
Anjali: Maa, we all know how much you have ignored him in the initial days when he really needed you. All those nights when he wanted to sleep beside his Maa, you were never with him. He was deprieved for your love and attention Maa. And that started creating a distance between you and him. But now, he is getting that Love back in his life. Don't you wish to be a part of it?
Astha was very emotional when Anjali reminded her about the past.
Astha: Fine. I will give her this.
Anjali smiled and kissed Astha's cheeks once.
Anjali: Thanks Maa. I will wait down and see if the Preparations are done or not.
She left and Astha got up to see where Khushi was.
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The knock in Anjali's room made Khushi open the door thinking it could be some family member only again. Anshu was in her arms and she was playing with him. She opened the door but was shocked to see Arnav standing before her.
Arnav: Hi.
Khushi smiled and Anshu leaned his head back on her shoulder to sleep. He was very sleepy.
Khushi: We can't meet like this Arnav. I had told you, didn't I?
Arnav came inside and then locked the door again from in.
Arnav: I came here to tell you something.
Khushi: Kya?
Arnav slowly picked Anshu from her arms and then placed him on the bed. He was sleeping with his thumb inside his mouth. Arnav then held Khushi's hand and made her walk to the mirror. She was not sure what he wanted to tell but she respected his actions. They stared at each other's face in the mirror for some seconds and then he quickly leaned towards her ear to speak something. She closed her eyes gasping once.

Arnav: Khushi I wanted to remind you.
Khushi : Kya?
She said still closing her eyes and feeling his hot breathe on her neck.

Arnav: Ki aaj humaari Suhaagraat hai. (That tonight is our Suhaagraat, our first night)
She blushed profusely and then opened her eyes to see him in the mirror.
Khushi: I know.
Arnav: Tumhe darr toh nahi lag raha hai naa? (You are not scared I hope?)
Khsuhi gulped her inner turmoil. She knew what happens in a Suhagraat but still the thought that Arnav is her husband she could rely on one fact for sure. He will never hurt her.
Arnav made her turn to face him and then cupped her cheeks again.
Arnav: Khushi in all this I forgot to tell you something really important. Something without which our marriage is incomplete
She looked with a confused face at him while he uttered those 3 magical words.
Arnav: I LOVE YOU Khushi. From the bottom of my heart, from years and now that you are going to be mine forever, I fear if this moment is even true or just a fake one.
Khushi's eyes teared but she wanted to show him that he wasn't dreaming. They were going to get Entrapped in a very blissful cage from now on and no one would be able to break that knot henceforth.
Khushi: Arnav kya aap ko humpe yakeen hai? (Arnav do you trust me?)
Arnav: Apne aap se jyaada (More than myself)
Khsuhi: Toh phir intazaar kijiye aaj raat ka. Kyon ki Intazar ka phal meetha hota hai. (Then wait for tonight. The wait is always Sweeter)
He smirked at that response and pulled her for a hug which she willingly gave him without much efforts.
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