Here is story about Arnav & Khushi going through all the rituals and finding happiness at last.
Updates from 1 to 27 have already been put up.
Now comes the Haldi & Mehendi ceremony -I promise you wont be dissapointed... and yes the wedding is happening well before it happens in IPK time...so folks light those candles and put on some music for a romance filled weekend.
Part 28 - Is that a challenge?
Khushi then remembers his fast, tries to push him away, so Arnav lifts up his head questioningly and she starts berating, "what is this upwaas that you have started keeping for me. Why didn't you say anything?"
"It can affect your health…..why do you do this?"
Arnav pacifies her tenderly, "It is okay Khushi. I had made a promise to myself that I would do it at least till you returned back to me. And it worked right? "Also did you not cancel the Sangeet because I don't like noise," He questioned her.
Khushi avoided answering that question, "Come on let us go now, before Di comes running to call us."
Arnav tugs at her hand and says,"I can't wait for Saturday to come, I am too damn anxious now."
Khushi reminds him teasingly, "Oh, I hope you know you are not allowed to see me until the muharrat. So please don't come home during Haldi and Mehendi ceremonies. The Gupta ladies will shoo you off, even if you are ASR."
Arnav with a smirk, "Oh really Khushi? Is that a challenge? You know your Buaji can't say no to ME!"
Khushi, "Nahi Koi challenge nahi, I am just requesting you not to come, please…..be patient."
He nods and they both walk out of there. Khushi and Arnav return back to the reception hall, where there are several guests waiting to bless and greet them.
The party ends, and then Buaji reminds Naniji that the Haldi and Mehendi ceremony is at the Gupta House and they are all invited except the groom.
Buaji goes upto Arnav and says, "Bitwa aur duo hi dino ki baath hai hmmm, aap ko intezaar karna hi padega."
Mamiji retorts jokingly, "don't worries Madhumatiji, Hum seesz hai kaise goingz Arnav bitwa. Akash pakdega padi Arnav bitwaz ko, aind keeping himz in the houze okayz."
Khushi smiles and so does everyone laugh at Mamiji's joke. After greeting one another they all take leave. Arnav reaches her to the car. Reluctantly let's go of her hand. He is a bit irked by all these customs about not seeing her for two days. Yet he gives in.
The driver arranges to drop the Guptas back home.
To be continued -
Part 29
The Haldi Ceremony
The Guptas have planned a very traditional Haldi ceremony.
Khushi and the elders get ready to prepare for the Uptaan ritual. The women from the neighbourhood too are all gathered at their home.
Khushi is not allowed to help and do anything around the house. She is restless, Arnav hasn't even called. She remembers she had asked him not to come, but atleast he could have called to speak to her before the ceremony could start!
Now here at Sheesh Mahal, Arnav is all worked up. He wants to go to the Gupta House before they apply the haldi on her. He wants to be the first one to apply what has been sent from his home.
He calls Lavanya and NK for help. Lavanya and Nanheji decide to plan something. First Lavanya gets hold of a bowl of the turmeric paste from the Raizada house and makes an excuse to Anjali that she had something that she wanted Khushi to try on the last minute. And Arnav tells his Di that he is going to the dress designers for a final fit of his suits.
Lavanya and NK and Arnav all set out separately in two cars. Lavanya goes in one car and Arnav and NK go together.
They all reach the Gupta house. Arnav is wearing a white Kurta and is told to tie a turban round his head. He doesnt want to, but Lavanya insists if he wants to make it to Khushi's room. NK also fixes a fake moustache for Arnav. NK teases him, "Nanav you look cool man." Arnav looks at him with irritation.
NK and Arnav get off the car holding baskets of flowers with them. Acting out as being the workers from the floral decorators they manage to make it into the house.
Somehow dodging the women in the verandah and the house, Arnav manages to reach outside Khushi's room
At the same time here Lavanya comes in and pulls Khushi alongwith her into Khushi's room saying there was an outfit that Khushi needs to try on. Whilst Khushi is undressing, Lavanya places the small box of Uptaan on the bed-side table.
Khushi's back is turned and is undrapping her sari. She is now only in her sari skirt and blouse. The door shuts behind and she turns. Just when she is about to let out a scream, Arnav comes and shuts her mouth with his hands. She looks into those eyes and knows who it is.
He takes off the moustache and the turban. Arnav is still holding her with his left hand around her bare waist. She feels awkward in her state and scared too that someone may find him here.
She pulls away his hand from her mouth and says softly,"Arnavji aap yahan...Buaji aur Payal kabhi bhi ander..."
Arnav pushes her against the wall and just shuts her up by covering her mouth with his saying,"Shut up Khushi".
He lifts his head up and then continues, "Nobody can stop me from coming to see you. Now tell me Khushi, why all this haldi for what?"
Khushi answers, "So that the bride can glow." Arnav continues mischievously,"Really fine then, but make sure the women apply the haldi everywhere for you, not just the face, and hands and feet, but also here touching her belly, for I want every part of you to glow for me," and then digs his fingers into the uptaan and applies some on her cheek, and continues speaking "And here, " and then runs his hand over her bare midriff lingering there. She closes her eyes, she was dizzy with pleasure his hands were causing. Thank goodness she was leaning against the wall. Then he brings his hand to her chin, dips his finger in the uptaan again lifts up her chin draws a line from under her throat all the way down to her slightly revealing cleavage. She is breathing heavily, gosh, she would just melt in his arms any moment, he had to stop before anyone were to come inside, her lips are dry..., so with fear of the worse, holds his hand to stop going any further, "Arnav...stop please...aap...aap... yeh kya kar rahe ho...jaane dijiye hume." (let go of me, what are doing?)
Arnav says huskily and not letting her go,"Not my fault Khushi, if I found you here like this almost undressed...can you blame me! I came here to be be the first one to put the haldi on you and only to apply to the cheek!" and runs his finger again on her cheek and her lips.
"Khushi" he mutters and kisses her hungrily again savoring the taste of her mouth mixed with the weird taste of the uptaan.
He abruptly stops, breathingly heavily himself, gives out a big sigh and says, "I better go, or else I will end up..." picks up the turban, the moustache and then picks the sari from the bed hands it over to her and leaves. She turns her back to him holding the sari to her front and waits for him to leave the room. Khushi quickly locks the door and wipes off the haldi from her face and drapes the sari, covering herself, with the pallu of her sari.
She is shaking like a leaf, a bundle of nerves trying to get a hold of her self, gosh this man! He comes in like a panther, manages to unnerve her completely, and then just vanishes like the wind…...how is she supposed to handle him after she returns back to him is her main predicament.
NK and Arnav get back into the car. But Arnav notices that NK is reluctant to leave. "What happenned NK? Let's go before Di calls." NK says,"But LA is here." Arnav, "So what lets go, it's a girls only thing." Now Arnav keeps wondering why would NK want to stay behind for Lavanya? He had to find out.
Arnav then receives a call from Anjali shouting at him for being late. He is asked to hurry up and come back at Sheesh Mahal at once. Arnav rushes home with a smile plastered on his face. He had seen her, but he won't do it tomorrow, for he did not want any harm to come to her. Devi Mayya was for sure going to be mad at him. He sure had broken the rules and and a lot more!
At the Gupta house, Khushi's mother knocks on the door and enters alongwith Lavanya and the others to bring her out. Lavanya stands behind her mother and holds her ears asking for forgiveness. Khushi smiles at her. She wants to hug her and scold her as well. Garimaji notices the stain of the uptaan on her face, and questions her about it. She has a doubt,"Did he come?" Khushi nods with her head down. Garima now more scared for Khushi so says to Lavanya, "Come on now you girls, cover it with some powder or makeup, these women outside should not know. Quick."
Lavanya helps Khushi and they manage to cover the stain on the face somehow.
A very traditional uptaan with turmeric, sandalwood and rose water is prepared for the Bride who the women comment saying "Dulhan toh bahut hi khubsoorat hai." Khushi is adorned with fresh flowers instead of jewelry.
Khushi is made to sit wearing a simple yellow saree, and the women only sing folks songs, that have some lovely tunes and words attached to it.
The portion of the uptaan has come from Arnav's home for Khushi and the Gupta women had sent some from Khushi's uptaan to Arnav's home. This is usually done to bring the bride and the groom a good looking wife and husband.
Khushi's mother is the first one to apply on the face, hands and feet. She cries knowing that this time Khushi will not return...she will be gone from their lives.
Khushi knowing this holds her mother's hand is choked with emotions and only manages to say, "Amma". Buaji applies the haldi, and then Payal and Lavanya. The rest of the women in their families also apply whilst the others from the neighborhood sing folk songs and play the dholak...
After the end of the ceremony, Khushi is taken to bathe and dress again. Khushi bathes and then goes to Devi Mayya and asks for forgiveness thinking that what had happened a while ago was not right.
Fandom knows*(DM is smiling down at Khushi saying, "My dear child, your marriage had taken place in my divine presence….from that day on….you belonged to him and him alone…….. Taththas thu"*)
At Sheesh Mahal, the haldi ceremony takes place. Arnav sits obediently and goes through the ritual of the haldi ceremony.
All the Raizada women are so happy for their favourite son. In the course of his tough life and taking care of all of them, he had forgotten to live his life to the fullest. They were truly happy for him. He deserved this happiness.
Naniji tells Arnav, "Chote aaj hum bahut hi khush hai, aur mein chahti hun ki aap zindagi bhar khush rahe aap ki Khushi ke saat hmmm." She ties a holy thread around his wrist, saying it was for his protection." Arnav extends his hand willingly he lets Naniji to tie it round his wrist……. he needed to stay protected for the sake of Khushi and his family.
Arnav also notices that LA was back from Khushi's home. She had quickly rushed back here at Sheesh Mahal….. it seems to be with NK. Something was cooking up between these two he thought.
Khushi receives a call late at night. She can see the phone blinking. Payal is sharing the room with her for two days until the wedding. She picks the phone knowing only one person could dare to call her this late. She moves away from the bed, lest Payal wakes up and goes to the window. She whispers into the phone "Arnav why are you calling me this late at night?"
Arnav answers with a smirk on his face, "Why are you whispering? Well, just to find out if the stain of the haldi that I put on you has gone off or not. I mean the one that I applied under your throat and...?"
Khushi whispers again, "Hmm ofcourse it did, why musn't it?"
Arnav continues huskily, "Liar"
Khushi thinking, now how did he know that she had a tough time taking the yellow colour off her skin? In fact it was not gone completely.
She admits and gives into him, "haa...bahut... mushkil tha woh…..bas woh…. nahi nikal..."
Arnav continues laughing a bit about her dilemma,"Good, mera rang utrega nahin (good my colour will never come off you)...I am glad to know that...that's all sweetheart, now go and sleep. Good night. Love you loads." Khushi looks at the phone and thinks this man has such a hold on her.
To be continued
Part 30
The Mehendi Ceremony at the Gupta House
Khushi wakes up to her last day at her maternal home. She had grown up here, having fond memories of her childhood spent with Payal, Amma and Babuji.
She thinks of the mango tree in the backyard and the amrood (guava) tree. The fruit was always covered with a cloth, so that the birds wouldn't peck at the fruit. And also the courtyard where they spent nights counting stars and dreaming about their rajkumars.
The summers they spent helping Amma prepare the pickles, sucking on barf ke gole (ice popsicles), the pranks they played with Maasi's children. The way Amma used to be mad at them when they danced alongwith Babuji.
This home had its own charm and warmth. Khushi had never thought in her wildest dreams so much would have happened in her life.
She recollects her first meeting with Arnav. What a meeting that had been, and under such a terrible situation. Yet there was no anger, hurt, pain left any more. In fact all that had happened in their lives made their bond stronger.
From the very first moment they met, the more she pulled herself away from him the closer she got…..a force of the universe... pulled her in his direction……And she just knew he felt the same about her. He loved her deeply and passionately just as she did. Yes they were Soulmates…...
Payal calls out to her. Khushi bids Payal to sit with her for a while. She holds her Jiji's hand and says, "Jiji, now that I will leave, Amma and Babuji will be lonely without us."
Payal consoles her, "Silly girl, they are happy if you are happy, and your happiness lies with your husband. So stop worrying, and yes Babuji loves Lucknow, he has his friends and acquaintances here, so they should be okay."
"Now come on, get up and you need to get ready...Maasi and everyone will be here soon."
Khushi comes out of the room only to witness the chaos around the house. All her family members, cousins have arrived and everyone seems so excited. She is content. She goes to find her mother and hugs her from behind. "Amma I am going to miss you all very much," Her mother pulls her to the front and says, "Khushi we will miss you too, but remember your real home is with your husband, a man who loves you so much. He needs you more than we do, but you will always remain our bitiya. No go on and dont make me cry it is a day of happiness. Go and pack all your stuff but leave some behind, whenever you come to visit us hmmm."
Khushi wipes off her tears, give her mother another hug and runs off to her room to pack her personal belongings. She decides to give away some of her stuff to her cousins and ponders about things that she wanted to take along with her.
It is time for the Mehendi ceremony. Khushi dresses into a simple olive green saree and wears the pear drop earrings that Arnav had gifted her. She also adorns the chain with the butterfly locket. She takes off the mangalsutra today and places it in her bag to take it along with her.
Jiji and her friends come to take her down to start with the ceremony. All are seated and many women crack jokes and there is laughter and a festive feeling in the air.
Khushi wonders why hadn't Arnav yet call her? Once she puts on the mehendi she won't be able to speak to him.
Here at Sheesh Mahal, Arnav is lazily lying in bed and reminiscing the past. He just doesnt want to leave the confinement of his room. He wanted to have his private thoughts. Tomorrow Khushi would join him and be with him forever. He remembers the first time they met. He couldnt' get his eyes off her face. Such an angelic face and fear in those eyes. The Devil in him had made him hurt her and hurt he did in every possible way. It was the only way he could keep her away from him, and how he regrets his actions. The more he stayed away from her the more he was drawn towards her by a divine force.
Yes...Khushi was his Soulmate, his strength, his woman, his happiness, his destiny, his life...a treasure of this earth that was bestowed upon him to love to hold and to protect.
Di knocked on the door. He got up and opened it. She entered and knew he wanted to be consoled. So Di took his hand and made him sit on the settee. Di says, "Chote Khushi is precious, to you, to us and this family. From now onwards she is THE most important person in your life. Everything else is secondary. Remember that."
She continues, "And ahhh...also you have worked very hard all these years for all of us. You need to now spend some time with Khushi alone, so after the wedding..." Arnav interrupts her and says, "I know Di, I have planned something, but it is a surprise, I havent even told Khushi. I just want to give her all the hapiness in this world. At one point I thought I had lost Khushi forever, I would not have lived then Di...God has been good to me. I only wish that Mom and Dad were alive today to see Khushi. I miss them." Di holds him and the siblings hug each other.
Di knew her brother would have wanted his parents to witness his happiness, but Khushi would fill that emptiness too. She would fill him with so much love and joy that he would not go back to that place called past.
Arnav at the time tells his sister that he would make some phone calls and then come down for lunch.
At the Gupta house, Khushi is seated and surrounded by many women to witness the mehendi ceremony. A Henna specialist was arranged by the Raizadas to come to their house for the bridal henna. She was a renowned Henna artist and was very well known for her intricate bridal designs. The designs are chosen and Khushi mentions the initial "A" but says she needs 5 of those made and hidden in her henna pattern. The artist is taken by surprise, and asks her if she is sure about it. Khushi says, "Haa paanch "A" chahiye hume, but make sure that the groom is not able to find them." Khushi's Maasi laughing comments, "Khushi toh saaree raat lage gi dulhe ko apna naam dhoondne mein. Bechare dulheraja. Lekin humare Dulhe toh bahut he esmart...hai... nahi kya kahte hai...Haa...brilliant hai...Khushi chodenge nahin tumko...hmmm." Everyone breaks out into giggles. The artist then tells Garimaji to come forward for she will be the first one to apply henna for the bride as it is considered very auspicious. Garimaji applies the first motif with the help of the artist... Khushi looks on...
The Mehendi or motifs epitomizes her transformation from a virgin girl to a temptress for her husband, explains the artist. The deeper and darker the stains, the more the husband will love her.
Outside in the verandah there were women singing and dancing to folk music and songs.
(Mere Hathon mein nau nau chudiyan hai)
Khushi's hands, arms and feet were being decorated with henna too. Before they start to apply on her feet she is told to take a break. So Payal helps her and they go and sit in her mother's room. The phone rings.Payal answers, it was her Jethji she hands over the phone to Khushi. But Khushi complains she couldn't hold the phone, so tells Payal to put it on speaker. Payal does so and walks out of the room, so that Khushi could have some privacy.
Khushi a bit miffed by now speaks, "Boliye, abb phone kiya aap ne."
Arnav is surprised by her tone, "Kyu,... you missed me? She replies, "Hmmm...nahi, I only did not want my henna to get messed up."
Arnav continues, "Really, ok tell me did you put my initials."
Khushi thinking let me annoy him a bit, replies, "No not this time, the pattern was so beautiful, I did not want to spoil its effect so I decided not to and there wasn't any space to put in any initials anywhere."
Arnav was sure mad but did not show, "Fine...doesn't matter to me, anyways it will come off, so what is the big deal?"
Khushi then says, "Jhoot . Are you sure it doesnt matter?"
Arnav sighing, "Hmm...smart lady, yeah it does...but if you don't want to its okay..."
Khushi replies softly, "Well look for it yourself tomorrow as nothing ever escapes your eyes Arnav Singh Raizada."
Arnav laughs, "So you know me well it seems. Khushi, just one more day, and you will be here with me...can't wait, today seems to be dragging."
Khushi then hurriedly says, "Ok I got to go, the artist is waiting for me...bye and I love you, Five."
Arnav wonders, what she mean't by that. The girl was crazy sometimes. He reluctantly disconnects the phone and goes on to make the arrangements for the Big Day.
At the Gupta House, the artist completes the intricate designs on Khushi's hands, arms and feet. She too looks for the ' As' and is surprised how well the pattern hid the initials. She laughs and tells Khushi, "Your husband is definitely going to find it tough to seek them out."
At night, Payal feeds her as she is not able to eat on her own. The night passes by with songs and preparing things for the big day.
To be continued...
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