Together...Forever, Sweetheart - Hey, Shona: Pg16 - Page 11

As the judges stand in dilemma, ASR says, "I am sorry that I did not bring this up much earlier... but there was only one reason behind it... that...I wanted my wife to do something on her own!... In fact, it was Khushi's insistence that I hide it from all... I did not want Khushi's identity to get crushed under my empire... " Riya and jay think about the words coming out of ASR's mouth. Khushi looks at Arnav with vulnerable eyes.. tears tricking down her face, "I only want you by my side! Nothing else!..."  Arnav looks at her with comforting eyes.. Khushi then looks at the judges and says in a heavy voice, "'that why... if you want to remove me from this contest... then go ahead... I have no complaints against anyone..." ASR and Khushi are about to make a move when Riya calls out, "Khushi, you have come so far... now to leave the contest... we don't approve of it! We have reached the conclusion that Khushi is still part of this contest!" Amrita is stunned... Khushi's smile shines through her tears... Wow, I had thought that Riya was a mean person.. but she turned out to be someone with brains... "Then, " ASR says, "I am not a part of this contest..." Riya looks shocked.. ASR says in a calm voice, "Yeah, you got that right!... Until this contest is over.. I will not come in front of Khushi... that's the only thing good for everyone.."  Khushi looks at other contestants.. Riya nods in approval as Jay looks with deep thinking eyes.. ASR throws a glance of accepts to Riya before they leave...

 

 

 

Next Day at RM:

 

Khushi walks worried.. thinks, "Where has Arnav ji disappeared now? I know that he cannot see me during the contest... but what if ..form now one.. he'" her words stop as a hand comes and covers her eyes taking her by surprise... It's Arnav! He says in a gentle voice, his hand still covering her eyes, "You cannot see me, right?... but you can feel me...  Didn't I promise not to be seen..."  He removes his hand from Khushi's eyes. Khushi looks at him.. and says, "Of course!... I know every sound you make... and anyway,  I sense you every moment..." her eyes full of affection and pride...But... Arnav's affectionate eyes can glimpse inside Khushi's worried heart.. he asks in a soft caring voice, "Then why are you so worried?" Khushi's eyes mellow down as he says, "I am not coming to the contest with you today... but I am with you!... Always!" In an emotional voice Khushi makes the promise from her side as she looks him into the eye, "Always!" Both gaze into each others eyes... their eyes full of love.. affection.. the promise of being there for each other and the immense sense of belonging they share with each other... their hearts heavy... their eyes soft... Arnav's gaze bold and assuring.. Khushi's gaze shy and accepting...

 

Natasha complains as she tries to get the lehenga in place, "I cannot wear all this! I am not comfortable in this!" Her husband says with a ruthless attitude, "You are a model! Not a housewife! Keep it all on without making noise!" Natasha's eyes fill with tears as he leaves in disgust.

 

At the stage:

 

As the contestants wait by the side, the coordinator announces, "Alright! It's finale today and our judges will ask a few questions to the contestants." The Raizada family is present there.  Pooja Sharma is called on the stage.. "How important is the money in life?" Riya fires a question. One by one the contestants come on the stage and answer the questions asked by the judges. When Natasha is called on the stage, she takes everyone by surprise as she is dressed in a modern outfit instead of a lehenga.  "What happened to your clothes?" Riya asks. Emotional Riya answers, "Enough! I just want to tell everyone that this is me!... and I don't need to pretend anything!.. neither do I need to be someone else!" Jay says, "Never mind! Tell us, what is your biggest dream?" "To do something that gives me pleasure!" "And what gives you pleasure?" "To really regain my own identity! To be the one that I am! And Khushi has taught me that it is the best to live in a simple manner!... and now, I want to lead a normal life." Natasha leaves the stage as she wipes her tears off.

 

 

When Amrita's turn comes, she is asked by Jay, "So, Amrita, who is the ideal woman from your point of view?" Confidently Amrita answers, "An ideal woman is someone who has the right combination of confidence, trust and love."  "How do you think an ideal country should be from your point of view?" "In an ideal relationship, a man and a woman both should share the responsibility' and give space to each other.." Riya says, "Amrita, what did I ask you' and what are you answering me! I asked you what an ideal nation should be like from your point of view and you are talking about an ideal relationship. Jay asks, "So, Amrita, how can we end the terrorism?" Amrita is lost for words.,. Riya says, 'Let me tell you ...why you do not know the answers to these questions?...because... I saw you enter my cabin to steal the questions!... What did you think? That you would cheat and no one would come to know?... How many chances did we gave you... but its all wasted!" Everyone looks at Amrita stunned... Jay finally says, "You know, Amrita, I should have done this earlier. You are disqualified!"  As everyone looks on, Jay shows her out with a whip of finger, "Out!" Amrita break down in tears as she leaves the stage.

 

 

"Our next contestant is Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada!" as the coordinator announces, the Raizada Family claps with enthusiasm. Mami sits in her chair all tense but excited. Khushi stands at the beginning of the ramp' looks around with heavy heart' her family sits on one side all eager' her heart fills with memories from the past' her first ever time on a ramp! It was in Lucknow' a year and a half back'. At the Sheesh Mahal'by accident! Images come alive in front of her eyes'

 

 

 

 

A subtle smile adorns Khushi's face as she starts her catwalk'she takes elegant steps ahead'her heart heavy with emotions'She gets to the front of the ramp' All of a sudden she feels the breeze' her heartbeats get strong'louder and faster..."Dhak Dhak Dhak Dhak'" Her eyes look around with anticipation.. they look for that familiar face.. the only one who can bring on this effect on her' Khushi places her hand on her heart to control her emotions' as she blurts to herself' "Arnav ji!"  Khushi is not wrong at all' her heart indeed has felt Arnav's presence correctly'her beloved stands backstage from where he can see her but she cannot see him!... His affectionate eyes stay on her as their hearts have a conversation'"I am right here, Khushi!" he whispers, "Didn't I say' Just because I am not near you does not mean that I am not with you!" Khushi's heart whispers back, "I know that you are right here!" Khushi closes her eyes and cherishes that feeling' that sense of belonging'as her heart says, "Always'forever'."

 

 

 

The Final Reality Check:

 

 

Khushi is brought back to reality by the coordinator's voice, "First question goes out from Jay!"  "So, Khushi! What's more important to you? The win or the family?" Jay asks. Without any hesitation Khushi answers with a smile, "Family!" Arnav's adoring gaze stays on Khushi as her family is all smiles. Jay's next question comes, "Religion or Love?" "Love is my religion'" Khushi answers. "Final question'" Riya says, "Khushi'if this was to be the last day of your life' and if you only had twenty four hours then what all would you want to do?" Arnav's eyes narrow down as he listens to the question. Khushi says with a smile, "I would run to eat the food cooked by my Amma' mother! Then I would bother Buaji so much that she would remember Nand Kisore'God." This brings an affectionate smile on Arnav's face as his eyes fill with softness.. "Would seek blessings from Babuji' and then I would come back home!" Khushi looks at her family and says with a smile, "Would go to temple with Di'and then peacefully would nap in Nani's lap'. After that I would learn basket ball from Aarav'and would teach Nanhe ji a lot of Hindi!... and would take tips about make up from Mami ji!" Mami ji makes a happy gesture with affection filled eyes' this brings a wide and adorable smile to Arnav's face. Khushi goes on, "Then I would call Jiji and Jijaji and talk to them a lot! And yes' I would send Salman Khan ji's poster to Mumbai..and would not have it back until and unless autographed!" Affection oozes from Arnav's eyes as he watches his zalli Khushi answer confidently in her own style, "I would make Jalebis whole night!... Do you know, Riya ji? Twenty four hours are a lot!Especially when you have such a family like I do!" Anjali and Nani ji look at each other with meaningful eyes as their hearts get heavy with emotions.. Arnav's eyes shower affection on Khushi, "And yes! I would not talk to Devi Maiyya at all in these twenty four hours!... because I will be going to her.." Khushi says in a mellow voice.. Arnav's smile disappears as his eyes fill with melancholy'Khushi looks at her family.. her eyes moisten and voice gets heavy as she says, "'and she is taking me away from my family'" Mami's face saddens' Jay points out, "Khushi, you did not mention your husband'"  Khushi says with a content heart and full trust, "No need to say anything!.. because in those twenty four hours, he will always be with me!" Arnav's face turns somber as his eyes take in Khushi's sensitive feelings' "In those twenty four hours, and in his life going forward'"  The somber atmosphere fills with the sound of applause.

 

 

Riya and jay discuss all the observations they made.. compare their thoughts' as everyone awaits judges decision'  Jay announces, "And once more, Khushi has  won our hearts!" A broad happy smile spreads across Khushi's face as Arnav watches her from backstage. Riya announces, "And the winner of this contest is'" Jay joins her, "Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada!" "Aww''." Mami screams loudly holding her own face in her hands' The Raizada's are all smiles as they jump to their feet. Arnav is relieved. Everyone claps as Khushi gets crowned' Riya puts the sash over Khushi's head.. "Mrs India 2012"' Khushi is all smiles' Nani ji wards of evil'Mami blows kisses in the air, unable to contain her excitement' Arnav's eyes moisten as he witnesses one of the most important accomplishments of Khushi' "Khushi ji.." NK pretends to be Salman Khan overtly happy for her as he pretends to cry happy tears and wipes those off' "Amazing!" Jay presents Khushi with the bouquet..

 

 

 

Back home at RM:

 

Khushi walks with Arnav.. her arm wrapped around his arm.. she says, 'I love you very much.." Arnav says, "Say it loudly'"  Khushi smiles.. and says loudly, "I love you, Arnav ji!" "We all love you!" the whole Raizada family says in unison'taking Khushi by surprise.. the mischievous lover in Arnav enjoys the moment as a glint of mischief appears in his eye.. Khushi's jaw drops open as she notices Nani ji, Mami, Anjali, NK and Aarav standing their with broad smiles on their faces.. Khushi initially smiles' then with pretence she scolds Arnav, "Why did you not tell me?" Arnav looks at her with mischievous eyes' Khushi leaves his hand and runs towards the family on the other side of the room. Arnav watches her with affectionate eyes and mischievous smile.. A beautiful chocolate cake sits on a bed of pink rose petals awaiting Khushi'. with "Congratulations, Khushi"  written on it! Khushi gets emotional.. her eyes moisten' she rushes to take Mami's blessings.. as she bows down, Mami holds her and hugs her affectionately' Arnav's eyes feel with happy smile to see this happy union.. Then Khushi seeks Nani ji's blessings, "Long Live.." Nani ji blesses her' Anjali and Khushi hug each other'Nk and Khushi shake hands affectionately' then Khushi cups Aarav's innocent face and pampers him' Arnav watches from the other end.. a happy smile on his face' Khushi then cuts the cake as the whole family applauds.. Arnav savors the happy moment from the other side of the room' Mami, Nani ji, Anjali.. NK and Aarav' Khushi feeds each one a piece of cake lovingly herself..

 

A tear trickles down from Arnav's eyes as he watches his happy family.. he silently reaches for the tear and wipes it off.. Khushi feeds a tiny piece of cake to Arnav.. her eyes moist' Arnav holds her hand gently and feeds the same piece of cake to his beloved Khushi as his affectionate gaze caresses her face. "Come.." he whispers and takes Khushi aside' Khushi says to Arnav in an emotionally drenched voice, "I did not tell you but you were my strength'. And you always have been!" Arnav looks her deep into the eye' his eyes have nothing but love for his beloved' Khushi's eyes moisten as she says, "You gave me the courage to so all of this' All this time I was thinking that had you been not there then I would have never been destined to this happiness' Arnav ji' if you had not been there then how I would face the world' how would have I known what love is'" Khushi's voice cracks as her eyes well up'. Arnav's gentle loving gaze stays on her face caressing her with his love' "You are the most important part of my life!" Khushi says as she looks deep into Arnav's eyes.. intermittently wiping off tears from her eyes..

 

 

 

 

Next moment his affectionate gaze envelopes her into his love and they both get lost in each others eyes' and starts a journey of travelling through many important life changing moments they witnessed together' entwining their lives together' The first time Khushi fell into Arnav's arms' Their next meeting at the Durgah'The moment when Arnav and Khushi stood under drenching drain waters.. Khushi then to be saved by Arnav from getting hit by a car'once more wrapped in his arms' the tender moment of unspoken love when Arnav helped untangle Khushi from the fairy lights' the moment when Arnav saved Khushi from falling down at the temple when she passed out' Arnav then broke her fast on Teej.. unknowingly stamping their relationship forever' When Arnav  pulling out the piece of broken bangle with his teeth from her arm' Arnav falling down on Khushi in the store room trying to save Devi Maiyya's idol' Arnav blowing off the dirt from Khushi's eyes' Arnav's first passionate kiss on Khushi's temple taking Khushi by surprise' their most intimate fall on the bed pof roses on the Bali night.. then at Buaji's on Preeto's wedding' Arnav wrapping the bandage on Khushi's ring finger at the auspicious time when her engagement was supposed to take place.. at the temple' their real engagement before the remarriage' the intimate moments the shared on the Mehendi night' their proper wedding just the way Khushi wanted..