Arshi TS: The Game of Destiny [Part 3 updated on Page 5] (04/07/15) - Page 3

"Khushi, we have to leave now if you want to reach there before the engagement is over!"

Arnav shouted from downstairs. But his yelling had no effect on whom it was directed to. Khushi rolled her eyes and continued to fix her saree.

"5 minutes Arnav..."

Arnav was really getting frustrated now. What is it with women taking forever to get ready for every single function? Knowing that his warnings are not going to work, he started checking emails on his cell phone. It's better doing some productive work while waiting for Her Highness rather than shouting!

"Wow Arnav! Did you see what time it is now? We have to start now. I am the bride's sister. It would look so bad if I am not there on time! How can you be so careless Arnav? Come on, hurry up!"

When Arnav looked up from his phone, he was once again stumped seeing her. Khushi never ceases to surprise him. Dressed in a light pink georgette saree with white and gold border and a white blouse, she again managed to look ravishing. Her hair was tied into a loose bun and she was wearing a big black bindi on her forehead. Even with minimal makeup and no jewellery, she was beautiful. But Arnav was most distracted by that white stone studded gold plated kamarbandh with pearl beads. Khushi knows that he finds kamarbandh sexy on her and that is the reason, she always wears one when wearing a saree.

Once her words were registered in his mind, he immediately stopped his "Eating-Khushi-through-eyes" mission and was shocked how she turned the whole thing on him. Khushi walked out of the house, leaving him to follow her. She made it all look as if he was the one taking too much time. What the?!

A helpless Arnav made his way outside to the car. Khushi was already sitting inside the car. She noticed Arnav was a bit grumpy. She bit her lip to stop laughing at him. Arnav also got inside and told the driver to start the car.

After few minutes of complete silence, Khushi leaned over Arnav and whispered, "You are looking dashing, my handsome husband". That's such an understatement, Khushi thought. One word cannot describe her husband. He was wearing an off white Banarasi silk Indo Western sherwani with blue dhoti. His careless and tousled hairstyle and his trademark black full framed glasses gave him a sensual look.

This brought a smirk on his face. He brought his lips near her ear and said, "You are looking delicious yourself, my wonderful wife". Arnav looked on amusingly as she turned crimson red at his compliment. The rest of the journey flew by as they sat holding hands.

They finally reached the Kapoor Mansion where the engagement of Payal Gupta and Akshay Kapoor was taking place. The mansion was beautifully decorated. Arnav helped Khushi to get out of the car and linked their arms together before proceeding inside.

Once they went inside, she went to check on Payal after telling Arnav. As Khushi was going to the room where Payal was supposed to get ready, she met her mother who gave her a look that pretty much said, "You're in danger". Khushi gulped nervously and timidly entered the room. She almost wanted to run away seeing Payal in her famous furious avatar. Payal was standing in the middle of the room with her hands folded over her chest and scowling hard. Time for damage control Khushi!

"Didi. OMG! You are-"

"Shut your mouth Khushi Raizada!"

That was enough to shut Khushi up. Payal gestured her to sit on the bed, which Khushi did without wasting a moment. Payal came near her. As Payal towered over her, Khushi felt like a school child being punished by class teacher.

"Why did you come now? Why not after the engagement? You were supposed to be here with me this whole time Khushi. Do you know how much nervous I am feeling? This is such a big day for me! Did you forget how you were glued to me during your wedding? Then why are you not with me now?"

Payal's eyes almost teared up. She wanted everything to go perfect in her wedding. She already had two nervous breakdowns after the preparations had begun for her marriage. Payal expected Khushi to be her moral support in every step as every sister would. Though Khushi always stayed in touch with her and spent most of her time with Payal since her marriage had been announced, Payal still had some insecurities somewhere in her heart. She had almost lost the precious relationship with her baby sister once. She cannot afford to go through that phase again. It had taken tremendous effort from both Khushi and Payal's side to restore their relationship and rebuild the same love and trust for each other. She would not let Khushi go away from her at any cost now. Khushi snapped her out of her thoughts,

"Didi, I am really sorry. I didn't even realize how time went by and then I took so much time getting ready. Plus, there are so much traffic. I am sorry Didi. But we still have more than half an hour left for the muhurat. That'll be enough for you to get ready. You have done everything already. Just a bit touch up and that's it. My Didi will blow everyone's mind away!"

Khushi assured Payal by hugging her tightly. Payal smiled at her sister and hugged her back. Pulling back, Khushi made Payal sit on the chair before the mirror and started doing her make up.

"You know Didi? I just saw Jiju downstairs. He is looking so stunning and hot. Don't mind but I did feel a tiny bit jealous of you."

Khushi said cheekily, earning a smack on her arm by Payal. Payal was blushing hearing her fiance's name. Akshay Kapoor was Arnav's friend. Payal met him during Khushi and Arnav's wedding 4 years ago. Akshay was a neurologist by profession, a quite reputed one. He was practical, witty and nice at heart. He was everything Payal wanted in a life partner. Akshay had taken an instant liking for Payal when he met her for the first time. But Payal was very reluctant. She could not get over her heartbreak at that time. She did not want to get betrayed again. But Akshay's compassion, support and love had won her heart. He showed her what true love really is. She could not resist Akshay for long and they had started seeing each other one year after they met. After dating for 3 years, Akshay had proposed her 6 months ago. Payal was really happy. Their parents also had no objections at all. Everything was going smoothly and that scared Payal. What if these moments, this happiness, celebration go away? What if she again loses everything? She had voiced out her deepest fears and insecurities to Akshay. In response, he had hugged and kissed her to remove all her worries. He had wanted her to enjoy their love, their togetherness completely. He had assured her that he would always stand by her side, no matter what happens. Payal was truly blessed to have such an understanding and lovely life partner.

"Oye Didi! Come out of your dreamland. You can fantasize about Jiju later. Now look at the mirror and tell me if you liked it."

Payal got up and looked at herself from head to toe. She was quite impressed by her look. Her full sleeved green anarkali dress with golden embroidery works and red border, teamed up with pink, green and yellow dupatta was giving her an elegant look. Khushi had given her hair a twisted half up style and let it fall over her right shoulder. She was wearing a pair of red stone studded golden jhumkas and a matching necklace. One pair of diamond gold bangles on each wrist and red stone studded golden maang tika completed her look.

"Jiju is going to get a heart attack seeing you."

"Shut up Khushi,"

"What are you girls doing here? It's about time. Let's go downstairs," their mom sounded panicked. But when her gaze fell on Payal, she smiled through her tears and put kaajal behind Payal's ear to ward off evil eye.

"Mom, you just told us to go downstairs and now you are wasting time here yourself. Wow!"

Khushi tried to lighten the atmosphere when her mom and Didi were on the verge of breaking down. It worked as Mrs. Gupta smacked Khushi's head and held Payal's shoulders to take her downstairs.

As Payal was descending the stairs along with Khushi and Mrs. Gupta, everyone looked at them in awe. But the hearts of three men stopped seeing their love coming down. Khushi watched amusedly as her mom and sister were blushing profusely seeing their husband and fiance respectively. But soon she joined the league as she noticed her husband ogling at her. She kept her gaze to the ground. When they reached Akshay and his parents, the bride and groom were taken to the altar to complete the ceremony.

As the couple exchanged rings, both Arnav and Khushi looked at each other with a knowing look. They were remembering their engagement at that moment. Arnav chuckled remembering that Khushi almost tripped over her lehenga that day while climbing the stairs of the altar. As usual, Arnav had caught her waist in time and they had shared an eyelock.

After the rings were exchanged, music was put on and the young people started dancing. Since all the tracks were Bollywood numbers, Khushi could not stop herself from dancing. She danced with her cousin, Nand Kishore Gupta aka NK, on the songs Gallan Goodiyan, London Thumakda, Salaam-E-Ishq and Laung da Lashkara. Everyone enjoyed themselves in the function, thanks to the perfect arrangements.

Completely exhausted by the end of the night, Khushi had fallen asleep on Arnav's shoulder in the car. Arnav had pulled her closer to himself and enjoyed her warmth for the rest of the journey. When they reached home, Arnav nudged her and woke her up. He so wanted to kiss her senseless after seeing her cute pout and sleepy eyes. But that could wait. They went to their room and Khushi asked Arnav to use the washroom first.

When Arnav came out, he saw Khushi had changed into her pink and white minnie mouse PJs and was looking at him with a bright smile.

"What happened Mrs. Raizada? You are smiling a lot. Something I should know?"

Arnav pulled her to himself and rested his chin on her shoulder. Khushi smiled and turned to face him. When Arnav raised an eyebrow in question, she gave an envelope. She blinked her eyes, encouraging him to open it. Arnav opened the envelope and took out the paper from inside. He unfolded the paper and read it. It was the most pleasant surprise Khushi had given him so far. He looked up at Khushi with teary eyes and saw her shedding happy tears openly.

Khushi hugged him tightly and said, "You are going to be a dad, Arnav. We are having a baby! I will be a mom. Oh my God! There will be another Arnav or Khushi with us, Arnav. I got this report today afternoon when you were not at home. I thought it would be the perfect birthday gift for you, hubby dearest. It's 12:02 am. Happy 34th birthday, Mr. Raizada."

Arnav was completely speechless. He was imagining how it would be like to have someone call him "Dad", how it would feel to hold the little one in his arms. Their lives will take such a drastic turn. He was absolutely thrilled. He couldn't wait for these nine months to pass by. His Khushi had again brought happiness in his life.

"Thank you, Khushi. Thank you so much. I...I don't know what to say. It feels so...special, so blessed. We are going to be parents. There will be a baby in this house. He will call me Dad. I...Will I make a good father, Khushi?"

Arnav looked like a lost child himself at that moment. Without wasting a second, Khushi cupped his face and said, "Of course you will! You will be the best dad for our child. Nobody can be as caring as you, Arnav. You will rock as a father!"

Overwhelmed with happiness and excitement, Arnav kissed Khushi deeply. He poured his love, joy and gratefulness in that one kiss. When they pulled apart, he touched her forehead with his.

"Thank you Khushi. You don't know what you have given me today. It's because of your presence in my life that I am getting all these happiness, my own family in my life. You are truly my angel, Khushi. I love you so much."