Arhi FF: Humsafar. Chapter 18 up!

Arnav Malik was frustrated. Only yesterday he had told his parents that he was ready to marry Khushi and now they also fixed a date for their nikkah which was after five days. Moreover, his mother had taken Khushi to shopping and his father and Khushi's father were discussing the guest list so he couldn't discuss this matter with them. He was in a meeting yesterday when his father had texted him that they were going over at Ahmed's to tell them that Arnav had agreed. Suppressing an urge to go with them cancelling every other thing, he had continued with his work only to receive a text two hours later that the wedding date have been fixed within the next week as it was auspicious for the couple in future. He had planned on talking to them when he had gotten home only to be informed that they were out. Things were going too fast and though he didn't have any problem with that, he was worried for Khushi. They hadn't even started opening up to each other yet then how were they supposed to get married? It was fine for him, but what about her who had to leave her house and live at a practically stranger's place.

He massaged his head to soothe the nerves due to the hectic day at office and other tensions surrounding him when he felt someone sitting on the bed beside him. Knowing very well who it might be, he lied down in his mother's lap and let her stroke his head which was very relaxing. After greeting her with a salam, she spoke clearly understanding the turmoil he was in:

"I know you'll be wondering that everything's happening too fast but Arnav it's your nikkah next week. Rukhsati will be done in a month or so. That will give you guys enough time to know each other. And for that, I have asked them to join us for two weeks at the farmhouse after your nikkah. Now does that solve your problem?"

"Thank you." He could only utter that due to the feeling of being overwhelmed. His ammi could understand him so well, he didn't even have to put it in words and she knew what he wanted to say.

"Chal pagal. Maa ko shukriya bolta hai." She said smacking him on his head playfully while he grinned at the obvious attempts of his parents to make all this easy as much as it was possible.

He liked Khushi a lot and he would make sure that this relationship works out for both of them. And for that he couldn't wait till nikah. Few moments ago, he felt that it was too fast and now it felt that the date was set too far. Eagerness to meet her, to ask her how she was feeling was very much evident but alas he will have to wait for five more days.

On the other hand, Khushi couldn't help but feel confuse. Everything was happening so fast. Only last week her abu had told her that her marriage was fixed to a boy unknown and within a week, she had not only come to like him but also was strangely eager for this nikkah. She wanted to know whether Arnav would be like what she had imagined. So far he had been so understanding and soft spoken that unknowingly she had started dreaming about a wonderful life. But the fear of having her dreams broken like always as before was far greater than any anticipation. What if it turned out to be worse? What if the picture she painted in her heart for a perfect family life wasn't fulfilled? With these questions in mind, she prayed with all her heart that everything turns out to be fine and she couldn't afford to have her hopes shattered again this time.

That was how Aaliya saw Khushi, deep in thoughts. Her expressions changing from one to another. First she was blushing like a normal bride to be, then she was surprised, then she was sad and lastly, the same blank expression she had been wearing all these years. She placed a hand on her shoulder and Khushi looked up startled. "Aaliya tum ne toh humen dara hi diya."

"Kya soch rahi hain?"

"Kuch bhi toh nahin."

"Aap humen nahin btayen gi?"

"Unhon ne humse humari marzi poochi."

"KYA!?"

"Unhon ne kaha ke sirf humari haan ke baad hi yeh baat aage badhe gi."

"Aur aapne kya kaha? Aap bol deti na ke aap khush nahin."

"Aisa nahin hai. Hum sach main khush hain ab. Wo boht ache hain."

"Aapi? Kahin aap unhen pasand toh nahin karne lag gayin?"

"Nahin toh." And with that Aaliya saw the most precious sight she had yearning to all these years. Khushi lowered her gaze and looked everywhere except Aaliya but the shy smile on her face could never be mistaken and anyone could see the glow on her face and the twinkle in her eyes. Her cheeks were adorned with red hue and she seemed genuinely happy after so many years. Aaliya hugged her feeling content and in her heart thanked the guy who was responsible for all this.

If anyone asked her how she was feeling then she would have immediately replied- nervous. In fact all this was nerve wrecking but with that came many more emotions too. Today she was going to be Arnav's wife in front of everyone. Though it wasn't her rukhsati today but still she was a guest in her home for a month or so. Anticipation of what may come next was far greater than anything else at this moment. Sitting in her bridal wear, her hands adorned with dark mehndi which had a beautiful A' written in between, she looked a vision to behold.

Every girl has a dream of her weddings and so did Khushi until...her musings were broken by the knock on the door. Aaliya came in and looked at her with awe and misted eyes. She knew that if anyone was genuinely concerned for her then it was her little sister. She motioned her to sit beside her and once she did, Khushi took her hands in her own and spoke with gratitude: "You do know that I love you, don't you?"

Once Aaliya nodded her head trying hard not to let tears fall from her eyes, she went on to say what she so wanted to. She knew her sister would be needing this talk. She had to ensure that she lived her new life with absolute joy and didn't have anything to worry about.

"I know you have been trying to look out for me these years and I don't know from what but you have been protecting me ever since I have been able to understand things. No, I am not going to ask you what that is. We are over that many times. You have been a mother to me. All I want to say is that please, forget the sorrows and start a new life."

Khushi hugged her and tried to say something but her throat felt chocked up and no word came out. Quickly wiping both of their tears, Aaliya shook her head sideways indicating her not to cry and went off as their mother called her.

When had her little sister grown up so much? Aaliya had relaxed a part of her that was deep in worry with her past. True she had hidden many facts from Aaliya but it was for her own good. There was no way in hell, she was letting anything or anyone overshadow Aaliya's youth and bubbliness for their own selfish reasons. Khushi always knew that she could count on Aaliya and only she knew how to make her feel better. Well not the only one, her heart whispered and she remembered Arnav's call few days ago.

Flashback

"Khushi?" Arnav said in his deep husky voice.

"Ji?" She replies hesitantly as to why he was calling her.

"Tum theek ho?"

For an instance she forgot to breathe listening to his concerned voice which made him clear what he was asking.

"I mean are you alright? With the nikkah date not so far, I do have a slight idea about what you must be going through."

"Woh...haan...mera matlab hai ji..." She stuttered not knowing how to convey her mixed feelings and he understood, as always.

"Khushi? It's okay. If that makes you feel better, I am also very nervous."

"Kyun?" She blurted out.

"Woh kya hai na meri kabhi pehle shaadi nahin hui." He finished off in an amused tone and after exclaiming a loud "JI" started laughing to her hearts content while the latter could only rejoice the fact that he was the reason behind her magical laughter.

Flashback ends

She was brought back to the present by her mother's footsteps. She said patting her head: "You look beautiful MashAllah. Cover yourself. Molvi sahib is coming to read your nikkah."

After covering herself properly with a veil on her head, Molvi sahib came and sat on the sofa adjacent to her bed and recited some verses of the Holy Quran and asked the most awaited question:

"Kya aap ko Arnav Malik se nikkah qubool hai?"

"Qubool hai." She repeated the words thrice which reminded her that now she belonged to someone else. Was it her imagination or did she just really feel the sense of calmness spread over her? It was as if she was waiting for this moment only. Did every bride feel the same or she was different? No longer had she shad signed her marriage papers, she was engulfed in a hug by each and every one. Some whispering congratulations and some their hearty prayers for Arnav and her to have a blissful life ahead. Her mother took her in her embrace and said: "Always keep your husband happy. Do what he asks you to do and never question him."

Something in her stirred and all she felt was hurt at the moment. She was someone who hardly held anything against anyone but today when she needed her mother the most, her mother had only advised her to keep her husband happy and that's it? No soothing words and when she was actually excepting her to give her dua that may she be happy, she had gone and said those words which were now stinging her. Thankfully, her veil had hidden her face expressions that mirrored only hurt and tears in her eyes which she was trying hard to hold back. A girl always expect her parents to be there for her in this moment of her life. The value of this emotional moment can never be compared to anything else. And today Khushi knew that she didn't belong to this house in the true sense of the word. Her father hadn't even come to wish her well and her mother could only think about her son in law. She had seen her Chachu kissing his daughter's forehead when she was married off and had wished that a moment like this comes in her life too but alas. Swallowing back the pent up sentiments she felt, she stood up with the help of Aaliya and steadying herself careful not to show her distress, she let her sister lead her to the main hall where everyone else, including Arnav was sitting. If Khushi looked breath taking then Arnav looked no less either. Dressed in a white shalwar kameez, he looked like a guy walking out of a magazine cover, undoubtedly handsome at that.

Arnav smiled at her that made her heart melt and when their gazes locked with each other, he assured her with his eyes that everything was going to be alright. She smiled up at him and felt her heart burst with happiness when his mother took her in a gentle hug and kissed her forehead before blessing her. "Hamesha khush rehna beta." Next came her father in law who patted her head and said jokingly: "Agar Arnav zyada tang kare na tou soche baghair mere paas chale ana. Main dekh loon ga."

Her happiness knew no bounds today. It was true that if Allah closes one door then HE opens another for his children. The words or gestures she had missed from her parents, she was getting them from his parents. She had already promised to herself, that she would cherish her relationship with them, no matter what. She looked over at Arnav who was making faces at his father and mouthing a traitor to him. She chuckled at this new family, which as a blessing she was given by Allah and was led to sit beside her husband. He bend a little towards her and said: "Hi."

In reply she only smiled, not being able to speak anything partly because of shyness and partly because her mother had said so. Soon she was being introduced to Arnav's closest relatives who came to attend the nikkah and vice versa.

When they were done with the guests and Khushi was helping her mother prepare tea for their and Arnav's family as they were the only ones left. But soon she was being pulled by Aaliya to her room and she asked, shaking her head at her sister's craziness:

"Aaliya kahan le ke ja rahi ho humen? Neeche ammi ko humari help ki zaroorat..."

"Nahin hai. Jahan aapko hona chaye wahin le ke ja rahi hoon." She said and pushed towards the figure that emerged out of the dark in her balcony and balanced her with his arms. Her eyes widened at both of them and she let out a gasp narrowing her eyes at this little brat who looked proud of her achievement. She was about to say something when Aaliya beat her to it and said:

"Arnav bhai. Ye lijiye. Aapka kaam toh hogaya." And ran off before her aapi could scold her. She realized that Arnav was staring at her and she cleared her throat.

"I know everyone must have told you that but Khushi, you look beautiful." Yes everyone had told her that but hearing this from her husband's mouth, gave her an altogether different happiness. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, she said: "Shukriya."

They were standing in a comfortable silence leaning on the railing of the balcony and he turned towards her completely saying: "Khushi Arnav Malik, sounds nice, huh?" Her heart thudded in her chest and butterflies danced in her stomach at her being addressed with her new name and she couldn't help but lower her gaze and the shy smile that escaped her lips.

Arnav opened her eyes when the sun rays hit his face and unknowingly a smile crept up on his face. Stretching his arms a bit and sitting up on the bed, he thought about the only person who had clouded all his thoughts ever since he met her. He was glad that she was opening up. Only he knew how much he loved when she talked. Last night was unquestionably one of the many best nights of his life. They had gone from one topic to another. She had told him how she loved painting and mystery novels were her favourite because they made her curious and she wanted to keep on reading till it finished. She was surely different from other girls. Whereas girls of her age had mills and boons under their covers, Khushi was the one who loved thrillers. Her eyes sparkled when she talked about things she loved but soon the same sadness he had seen was replaced when he asked her to paint for him someday. She had chuckled humorlessly and said: "I'm not sure if I can even hold a brush properly now. It was a very long time ago."

"We'll see to that." He had said and jumped to another topic. Also the strangest thing he had noticed was that Khushi didn't have any friends. While he had a whole gang of about 10 people, she didn't even have a single friend, besides her sister. Though Arnav found it really weird, he didn't show it. He had talked about his college experiences, his trips with friends, his work and what not. All the while, Khushi had listened genuinely interested.

Khushi was a different story altogether. She still couldn't believe that she had opened up to him like this. She has always been a friendly person but with that, she was forced to be reserved too. She hadn't ever talked to a guy like this before. Her interactions with men was limited to salam to her elder cousins, her uncles who only asked how she was doing or when her father talked to her. This was totally new and strangely, it felt good. She knew he was now her husband and as much as it was right for them to meet up like this, she wasn't sure how her mother or father, for that matter, would take it. Thankfully no one had even noticed Khushi entering her room after their long night chat. He was caring, compassionate, outgoing and everything a girl could ever wish for in her husband. Khushi did feel lucky but with that came a sense of fear within her. Would she be able to make Arnav happy? Would he like a reserved, nervous and shy girl? Not mulling over these thoughts, she decided to only relish in the moments she had spent in talking with him. She had told him her likes, once again shocking herself. Never had she discussed that she liked painting except her family. Then why him? May be because it felt right. When he had talked about his work, she had seen passion in his eyes. He was doing his dream job, he had told her. He had told her that he and his friends always planned a trip once in six months to a different place every time and she was forced to wonder how different they were.

She was brought out of her reverie by her mother, ordering her to lay the breakfast table. At the dining table, Afreen popped up the idea of shopping. Apparently, there was a village nearby which held an exhibition every year. Traders from different states or even cities came and presented their works be it jewelry, clothes or utensils. Excitedly, everyone gobbled down their breakfast quickly and went off to get ready. Khushi had come out only to find the house empty. Did she take too long that they left her? She wondered and heard someone clearing his throat. Arnav watched as she, fidgeting with her dupatta, asked:

"Wo sab..."

"Abu ne kaha ke hum donon akele ayen."And there goes her heart overdrive. Nodding her head, she followed him out and smiled when he opened the passenger door for her. The ride was quite a silent one, but comfortable. Finally breaking the silence, he asked:

"Do you like old Hindi music?" She looked at him surprised and nodded. Clicking on the CD player, he played one of her favourite songs too. Khushi and Aaliya had a thing for old collections and whenever they got time, they used to listen to them but once when their father had come to know, and had objected to it, their mother had banned every kind of music from their house. But unknown to both of them, Aaliya had a small radio hidden in her cupboard and though Khushi was scared, the puppy eyes of her little sister melted her heart and she obliged to her demands.

"I love these kind of songs as compared to the ones being made today."

"I love their poetry. They held a meaning which actually made them soulful."

"I agree. Chalo, there's at least something we have in common here."

And it was quiet again. But both of them didn't mind. The song abhi na jao chor ke' reverberated in the car. Soon they reached their destination and started to find the others who come half an hour back, credits to Arnav's slow driving. One thing Khushi despised was the crowds and rush places. It suffocated her and she felt like she was the center of everyone's attention. Anxiety coursed through her veins when she felt a hand engulf her own into a very gentle grasp. She looked at their hands shocked and then dared to look up at the assuring eyes of Arnav. Every time, he knew how to make her feel better. His eyes held a promise and surprisingly, Khushi could read it.

When Arnav saw Khushi's face, he instantly knew her discomfort. Her eyes were the most expressive and he couldn't help but hold her hand and through his eyes, ensured her that there was no need to be scared as her was there for her and he will always protect her. Soon they were joined by the others, and if Khushi thought he will leave her hand once with their families, she was utterly wrong. Arnav purposely walked slow and was behind everyone lest Khushi feels awkward with holding hands in front of their parents. Though, she was at first but only after seeing his firm grip she had let the matter go and relaxed.

Aaliya saw the two love birds and sent a thankful prayer to Allah. Her aapi deserved every ounce of happiness and now she was sure that Arnav will give her everything she had missed out in life.