Ishq Bulaava ||An ArHi SS|| [New Thread Link-Pg152] - Page 7

Chapter - One

"I better leave from here now..."

Rekha murmured under her breathe fearfully and walked out of the house without even looking at Arnav, who stood there waiting for a reply. Himani brought a forced smile on her face and walked up to him.

"You came early... I... mean... You said that you had an important meeting today... Didn't you attend it?" She said, making her words cheesier.

"It was cancelled... And now will you please tell me what's going on, Mom?"

Arnav looked at his mother with questioning eyes, while she tried making up different excuses to let the matter go and instead asked him to freshen up for lunch. But she knew that he was stubborn enough to get answers from her, yet she decided to talk to him about the marriage later on.

"You don't need to hide anything from him, Himani.."

Arnav would have once again questioned Himani, but he was interrupted by his grandmother, who walked downstairs and stood in front of him with strictness clearly visible in her eyes, as it always did.

"Enough of his tantrums and arguments... He should know that we've found a girl for him..."

Devyani, though an old-aged woman, had a voice strict enough for other people to obey her and especially for her grandson Arnav, as she was probably the only person on planet who could scold him and he never argued back. Or even if he argued back, he was forced to listen to her commands and do as she said. Himani grew tensed when she heard what her mother-in-law said, and as they both expected, Arnav did question back.

"But why? I mean... Despite of my denial, you people didn't stop this so-called matrimonial service!" He exclaimed annoyingly, "I said I don't want to marry now..."

"No one is asking you to marry now itself Arnav... "Devyani retorted, "But what's wrong in looking for a girl? And this time we have chosen a better girl for you..."

"But why are you all in such a hurry to get me married...? I won't run away from here...!" Arnav said candidly, almost making his mother giggle.

"Most of your friends are married even before they reached at your age... And you are still..."

"Just because my friends are married, I should also marry? Wow, what a reason!" He looked at his grandmother weirdly.

"Arnav! Is this the way to talk to your elders?" Himani looked at him, gesturing him to stop arguing with his grandmother.

"So you tell me Mom, is this the way to force your son into marriage?" Arnav looked at both ladies, trying to keep his tone as polite as he could, "Dadi please try to understand... I'm... Just not ready to marry right now..."

"I'm your grandmother... I have seen the world more than you and so I know that you're perfectly ready for marriage... It's just that you are confused about this matter.." Devyani said firmly.

"Can you both please stop arguing?" Himani interrupted in between, after she grew irritated with heated argument going on.

"I'm not arguing Mom... I just want to explain to you people that I'm sensible enough to take such decisions..."

He said in a firm tone and walked towards his room, while Devyani looked back at him angrily. She too left from there, but not before telling Himani to better talk to convince him to meet the girl at least. Himani took a breathe of relief as the argument ended, though, abruptly. And to finish off this argument forever, she decided to talk to her son and do as her mother-in-law said. Or it would be better if his father talked to him... At least Arnav would open up to him and share his problems.

***

Though Arnav was around 28, his behavior and attitude often resembled to an 8-year old boy, as he was stubborn enough to get everything according to his wishes and demands. He was gifted with such a hot-temper that he would get angry even at tiny issues! And all this were the result of extreme pampering received from Himani, and some from his father too, due to a specific reason. But the sooner he got angry, the sooner he would forget everything and behave normal like nothing ever happened! Such was this businessman, who, these days, behaved like a small boy who was being forced by his family to go to school! For him, marriage was exactly what studies meant for young kids!

***

"Ahaa... Jiju is so handsome!"

Khushi was nearly surprised when she heard those words from Sonali, and leaving her work behind, she turned back and realized that her mischievous sister had stolen the photo from her cupboard. But before she could retaliate or say anything, Sonali gave her sister a teasing look and then ran out of the room with long steps, to let their mother know that as much as Khushi wasn't ready for marriage, she liked the guy in that photo.

"Amma... See what I got from Didi's cupboard!" Sonali nearly screamed happily on top of her voice.

"Sonu stop running... And give it back to me..."

Khushi ran after her little sister annoyingly, while seeing the madness created in the house because of both girls, Garima laughed and tried stopping them, but in vain. Khushi managed to block Sonali's way and snatched the photo carefully from her so that it won't be torn. She then walked towards her room silently, and was surprised on realizing that her face turned pin whenever she had that photo in her hands. Sonali's teasing words from behind went unheard by Khushi, as she sat peacefully on the edge of bed and was engrossed in admiring the person in photo.

"Why do you keep her annoying? Can't you just sit at a place and study silently?" Garima came after Sonali.

"Amma, you won't understand... Only a young sister can understand the fun hidden in teasing and annoying the elder sister!" Sonali replied cheekily, "And by the way, I wasn't annoying her... Jiju is really handsome!"

"Shut-up...!"

Khushi was unaware of this playful argument going on between her mother and little sister, as her eyes were glued to the photo and her mind was busy thinking about him only. Just by the mere photograph, she grew eager to know more about him. And damn, there was this moment when she realized that she doesn't even know the name of person whom she'll be meeting pretty soon!

"Arnav... His name is Arnav Raizada."

Khushi felt her mother's hand on her shoulders, and on turning behind, she saw her standing near her with a satisfactory smile on her face. Garima sat beside her, while Khushi wondered about how her mother understood what was going on in her mind. She tried hiding the blush of her face and behave as if she was still not interested in getting married any sooner.

"He is a business-man... Had his education completed in London, and then he returned back to join his father's company... Raizada's Company is one famous business house in fashion industry... Arnav is the youngest child in the family... He has an elder sister too... Anjali... She's married to a lawyer... And his grand-mother is the eldest member of family..."

"Did I ask anything about him?" Khushi questioned back, after carefully listening to whatever Garima said.

"No... You didn't ask anything... But I could see questions in your eyes... So I thought to answer them..." She smiled, caressing her face, "Bitiya, if there is anything that you should tell me then please speak up..."

"I didn't get what you mean to say, Amma..." Khushi confusingly looked at her mother, "You always get angry whenever I talk about marriage... I have asked you several times... But I'll still ask you again... Do you... like someone else?" Garima questioned hesitantly, fearing Khushi's outburst, but her reaction was quite surprising, as she laughed at this question!

"Amma... Do you think a girl like me can fall in love with someone? And okay forget that... Do you really think that someone would love me?" She laughed.

"Don't say so... My daughter is good enough for anyone to fall in love with her... And I'm not saying this because I'm your mother... I'm saying this because its' true..." She replied, "But yes, I know that you'll take some time to fall in love with someone..."

"Amma, trust me... I don't have anyone in my life... You know me so well, right?" Khushi replied in a serious tone.

"So you happily agreed to meet Arnav and his family, no?" Garima questioned, wanting to hear a yes' from her, "You don't feel that we're forcing our decision on you..?"

"No...I won't say that you people are forcing me... Because Babuji said that I'm going to take the ultimate decision... And I've happily agreed to meet him." She replied after a deep breathe, while Garima felt content on hearing from Khushi.

"Trust me Bitiya... As much as you like him in this photograph... You'll like him even more when you meet him..."

An ecstatic Garima pulled her daughter into a warm loving hug, caressing her head with much affection and praying for all her happiness. Khushi had a shy smile on her face after what her mother said to her, and a strange excitement crept into her heart to meet Arnav.

***

This was the time when Arnav was usually busy in finishing off his office works and barely had time to even rest properly, but today, even though he was busy with a file, he couldn't help but think about the argument that happened few hours ago between him and his grandmother. She was a strict lady, he knew this, and he was also aware of the fact that whatever she did was for his betterment only. Yet he failed to understand why he was being pressurized for this marriage... What was there so special about the girl whom his family had chosen for him?

"So what's the problem with you, dude?"

His thoughts were disturbed when he heard a familiar and care-free voice. He looked up, only to see Shekhar, his father, standing at the door with his hands folded across his chest, and a lively smile on his broad face. Though Shekhar was his father, the relation that they both shared was like two friends who never felt hesitant to share anything with each other. He came in the room and occupied a chair in front of Arnav.

"There is no problem with me, Dad!" He replied, rolling his eyes, "Infact, there is definitely some problem with our mothers... They're way too much concerned for my wedding..."

"Our mothers?"

"My mother as in your wife... And your mother as in my Dadi..."

Shekhar couldn't help but chuckle delightfully at this witty reply of his son, while Arnav was still annoyed about what Devyani said to him. Neither he wanted to go against the wishes of his family, nor could he agree instantly for the marriage due his own reasons. He knew that his father understood him better and this was the reason why he came to talk to him. Infact, even Arnav confided in Shekhar the most.

"Look son, I know you aren't ready for marriage at this moment... But what's the big deal in meeting the girl and knowing her? According to whatever Himani has told me, she seems to be a nice girl..."

"Dad please! I'm really tired of hearing the same thing again and again... Atleast Dadi has said that for every girl she came across!" Arnav said, almost losing his patience, "And.. You can understand me atleast... I never thought of marriage... Forget that, I never realized what kind of a girl I want... I'm just... Too confused..."

"That's because you never tried to question yourself about it!" Shekhar replied with a smile, "But this isn't a big problem, Arnav. Maybe once you meet Khushi, you'll know what kind of a girl you want?"

"Khushi?"

"Khushi Gupta... That's her name... And if you both happen to like each other, then she'll be my happy daughter-in-law!" He said with a wide grin on his face, trying to lessen Arnav's tension.

"Dad please... You're still in a mood to crack jokes?" Arnav looked at him amusingly.

"Okay fine!" He suppressed his grin, walking upto Arnav, "But I'd advice you to meet her once.. If you don't like her, we won't force you... But please, don't pretend to dislike her!"

He silently listened to his father, trying to think deeply over the issue of marriage. The next moment, Shekhar took out a photo from an envelope and handed it over to him, saying that Arnav would soon be meeting this girl. He slightly patted on his shoulder and left from there, following which Arnav closed the door and lazily laid on the bed. He took a deep breathe & looked at the photo randomly, but soon he found his gaze fixed on it for a long time, carefully noticing her every feature, especially the grace on her fair face that easily appealed him. Was she really so beautiful? Or this was the first time that he noticed a girl so closely? His heart raised so many questions to him, to which he had no answers.

"Khushi..."

Arnav murmured her name slowly, and within few seconds, he fell asleep.

PRECAP-: Arnav & Khushi meet for the first time. 😳

***

A/N- On the request of a writer who also happens to be a reader of my stories, the title of this SS has been changed from "Finding Love" to "Ishq Bulaava". The new title is take from the hindi song "Ishq Bulaava" from the 2014 movie "Hasee Toh Phasee", and I've taken such a title because this song's lyrics are perfect for my SS. 😳 Hope you like it. 😳