Arjun woke up when he heard some noises; he opened his eyes and saw Arohi. 'What an amazing morning' thought Arjun and smiled. He kept on looking at Arohi who had worn a red saree and was drying her hair with a towel standing in front of the mirror. Arohi turned and looked at Arjun who was staring at her. She looked away and started fidgeting with the towel; she didn't know what to do and started feeling embarrassed.
Arjun looked away for a second when Arohi had caught him staring at her. He looked at her and saw her fidgeting with the towel and how embarrassed she was looking. "Good Morning" said Arjun smiling at Arohi and trying to change the atmosphere. Arohi looked up, "Morning" she said in a low tone and a faint smile. "Did you sleep well?" asked Arjun. "Yeah" Arohi said nodding her head. "Hmmm" said Arjun and there was an awkward silence between them; both of them didn't know what to say.
"Ummm' I'll get ready" said Arjun looking at Arohi to which Arohi nodded. Arjun walked towards the bathroom after taking clothes from the closet. Before getting in he looked back once at Arohi and saw that she was again standing in front of mirror and wearing the bangles. He smiled and walked in the washroom.
Arohi wore diamond jewelry and filled her maang with sindoor. She then put a small bindi on her forehead and applied kohl and eye shadow. She looked at herself in the mirror to check that she isn't missing anything. She sighed once she was satisfied. She turned and looked at the room which was looking a slight mess with blankets unfolded on the bed and the couch. She walked towards the couch where Arjun was sleeping and picked up the blanket and started folding it.
Arjun came out of the bathroom and looked around the room which was looking clean, it looked organized. The blanket which he had taken yesterday was folded and kept on the bed and pillow was back to its place. His eyes fell on Arohi who was keeping the other pillow properly; a small smile came on his face. Arohi felt someone's gaze on her. She looked up and saw Arjun looking at her and smiling. She smiled back at Arjun.
"You don't have to do all this" said Arjun in a calm voice. "No that's okay, I like doing all this." said Arohi back to Arjun. Arjun nodded and walked towards the mirror, he didn't say back anything, he didn't want her to feel embarrassed, he just wants her to feel comfortable. He applied gel in his hair and looked at Arohi through mirror who was looking down and playing with her fingers. Arjun smiled looking at her nervousness and set his hair. He then walked towards Arohi "Arohi" he said. Arohi looked up when she heard Arjun say her name. "Shall we?" asked Arjun pointing towards the door. Arohi was feeling very nervous to face her in-laws. She took a deep breath and nodded her head. They then walked out of the room.
Arohi glanced towards the hall and saw many people sitting there; few were even looking up at them. Arohi got more nervous looking at them, she tried at clam herself. Arjun looked at Arohi from the corner of his eyes and saw how nervous she was; he held her hand and squeezed it gently. Arohi looked up at Arjun when he held her hand. Arjun gave her a smile which calmed her a bit. There was something about him which calmed her. "Don't worry they will not eat you, they'll just tease; and all you have to do is ignore them, that is what I do and I'm there with you." Arjun said, the last bit directly looking in her eyes. Arohi nodded her head and gave a slight smile.
As they reached down Arjun saw Neev, Jai and Archana standing and talking. "Come I'll introduce you to my friends." Arjun said to Arohi and they walked towards them. "Arohi, this is my childhood friend and best friend Jai. We were in the same class in school, roommates in hostel and we both even went to same college" Arjun introduced Jai to Arohi. Both Jai and Arohi said hi to each other and shook hands and then Arjun introduced Archana "And this is Archana, she's Jai's girlfriend. She was in the college with us." Archana hugged Arohi and said "I'm so delighted to finally meet you and I'm sure we'll have fun in Mumbai and there will be more fun when you'll meet rest of them, they could not come for the wedding and they are really very upset about it' I am so waiting for us to get back to Mumbai we'll also tell you secret's about Arjun" Archana said everything in one go and winked while saying the last line. Arohi smiled and glanced at Arjun who glared at Archana and shook his head. "And-" Archana was saying but Jai cut her off in between and said "Whoa Archie chilax okay. She's not running away and you have plenty of time to talk to her and tell about Arjun's secret. So you better not scare her off." Archana gave him a glare and he pretended as if he didn't see it; he then looked at Arohi and said "Ignore her talking's or else you'll go mad, I have gone already" This time he received a hard smack from Archana on his arm. Everyone chuckled looking at the couple fighting. Arohi liked Jai and Archana both; she could see the warmth in their eyes especially Archana she liked her friendly nature a lot. Arohi then looked at Neev; she remembered that Neev was Arjun's younger brother. Before Arjun could introduce Neev, an exited Neev spoke up "I'm Neev, we have met many times during the rituals and all but I didn't had a chance to talk to you. So finally' I'm Arjun bro's younger brother but from now I'm your brother so if you have any problem or you want to share your sorrows or happiness or you have any complaint against Arjun bro, then I'm here" "So you have switched sides huh?" asked Arjun raising his left brow. "Yes" said Neev with a grin. He went and stood besides Arohi and added "I always wanted a sister and you always yell at me" Neev pouted at the last bit. Arjun smacked Neev's arm. Neev hissed and rubbed his arm. "See he always does this, nobody cares about me" said Neev and wiped his fake tears. Arohi chuckled looking at Neev's face and admired both the brothers. She could see love in their eyes for each other and she also sensed how truthful Neev was when he had said that she is like a sister to him.
Soon Arjun's cousins joined them and like Arjun had told Arohi before, his cousins were continuously teasing them which made Arohi embarrassed and also made her blush sometimes but she was relieved to have Arjun by her side. Arjun would blink his eyes and smile at her whenever she would feel embarrassed or nervous assuring that he is there by her side and Arohi would calm down. On the other hand Arjun was happy to see Arohi smiling all the time and promised to himself that he'll not let that smile go from her face.
~*~
Arjun and Jai were sitting on the couch in the living room waiting for Arohi and Archana to come down so that they can leave for the Reception Venue and the others had already left leaving the four. Arjun had worn a two button slim fit dark grey formal suit with a purple tie around his neck. The slim fit was a perfect fit on his perfectly toned body enhancing his muscles and making him look more than handsome.
Jai looked at Arjun who first glanced at his wristwatch to check the time and then at the staircase and then heard him say "How much time are they going to take?" Jai grinned and said "I'll give you an advice, get used to it, girls are never ready on time. They take hours to get ready. If you have to go somewhere at around 8 or 9 they will start getting ready from 4 o'clock and even then they will not be ready at time. Trust me I'm experienced and take my advice seriously." Arjun laughed at Jai's expression. Both Arjun and Jai looked up when they heard some noises. Arjun looked at the angel like figure descending the stairs and his mouth left open and the angel like figure was none other than Arohi. She was wearing Purple color georgette Saree with stone work and a cutwork border; it also had little shimmer in it. With that she had worn matching jewelry, matching bangles and a small matching bindi. Her hair was tied up in a neat bun.
Arohi and Archana were climbing down the stairs and were having random talks, by now Arohi had been very comfortable with Archana. She looked down and her eyes fell on Arjun who was looking at her. A shiver ran down her spine under his gaze. She tried to look away but could not. There was something in his eyes which were not allowing her to look away and was holding her to look in them. Their eye lock broke when Arohi and Archana reached down and Jai spoke "Shall we leave?" Arjun and Arohi looked away and were embarrassed. "Huh?" said Arjun trying to recollect what Jai said. "Yeah' ummm' we should leave" Arjun stammered. Jai tried to suppress his laughter looking at Arjun's flushed face. The eye lock session didn't go unnoticed by both Jai and Archana and they didn't want to break it but they didn't have an option. Jai had also noticed a different look in Arjun's eyes when he was looking at Arohi. It didn't take him a minute to say that it was love. He felt happy for his best-friend, finally some happiness in his friend's life. But he will not tell anything to Arjun he will give him time to analyze his feelings for Arohi. He just hoped that it happens soon and Arohi reciprocates the same.
Soon they reached the Reception venue where everyone were excitedly waiting for the bride and groom to arrive. It was a big ceremony; all the big businessmen's of Chandigarh were invited; why not it was the reception of the children of two biggest businessmen of Chandigarh. Everyone around were congratulating and complimenting the newly wedded couple and the older people were giving them blessing to have a happy life. Few of them were also making them embarrassed. Arohi was getting all nervous looking at so many people around her. She had never been with so many people in her entire life. She kept on glancing at Arjun from the corner of her eyes to make sure he was there. Arohi looked at Salil and Purvi who were walking towards them. She didn't wait for them to approach her and walked towards them. Arjun looked at Arohi walking, he looked ahead to see where she was going and saw Salil and Purvi; even he walked towards them.
Arohi hugged Salil and Purvi, she was feeling happy to see them, not that she was sad before, but seeing her brother and bhabhi she could not hide her excitement. On the other hand Salil and Purvi were happy to see Arohi smiling. It had been a long time since they had seen a smile on their sister's face. In the last few days they had seen Arohi crying sitting in her room, but now the smile on her face said that she has accepted Arjun, maybe not as a husband yet but they could say that she was comfortable with him. If they had any doubts then it was cleared when Arjun approached them giving Arohi a smile to which she smiled back. They spoke for some time; most of the time Salil and Arjun were the one talking and Arohi was amused to see them talking as if they were long lost friends. She then asked about her Dad and Purvi pointed towards the direction where her Dad was standing along with few of their relatives. Arohi walked towards them slowly and Arjun, Salil and Purvi followed her.
She greeted her relatives and looked at her Dad who was avoiding looking at her. Arjun also came forward and took blessings of everyone and then they started talking. By now Arvind had walked a few steps away and was looking around. Arohi saw him and walked towards him. She stood beside him hoping that he would talk to her, at least ask her how she was? Was she comfortable there? Is she having any problem? But all in vain, Arvind didn't utter a word. Arohi tried to control the tears which had started forming in her eyes; it was becoming very difficult for her. Arjun who was continuously glancing towards Arvind and Arohi noticed that Arvind didn't speak to his daughter and noticed tears forming in Arohi's eyes. The anger from yesterday came back into him. 'What's wrong with this man? Doesn't he care about his daughter? What's with him?' Arjun thought, by now Arjun had realized that Arohi and Arvind do not share a good relationship. He had seen expectations in Arohi's eyes from her father. But why is he behaving like this, she is his daughter. Was it because she's adopted? But he adopted her because he wanted right? He was not forced, why would anyone force him on this? Then why is he behaving like this? Were the thoughts coming in Arjun's mind. He kept the thoughts aside and walked towards where Arohi and Arvind were standing after excusing himself from the relatives. Arjun tried hard to smile and control his anger towards Arvind. Arohi looked up when Arjun reached them and tried to smile looking at Arjun smiling, but who was she kidding to? Arjun had already seen her wet eyes if only she had known that. "Arohi I want you to meet someone." Said Arjun looking at Arohi and Arvind, wanting to take Arohi away from Arvind. Arohi nodded her head and looked at Arvind. "Excuse us" Arjun said looking at Arvind to which Arvind just nodded and then Arjun and Arohi walked away. Arjun took two glasses of water from the waiter who had come with a tray and offered it to them. He handed one glass to Arohi knowing that she needed one. "The decoration is nice right?" Arjun asked trying to make a conversation and ease up the atmosphere; Arohi just nodded her head trying to say that she agrees with him. There was a silence of few minutes and then Arjun spoke again "You are looking nice, the color is suiting you" he smiled when Arohi looked up. "Thanks" she said in a low voice and smiled. Arjun felt bad seeing the old smile on Arohi's face, the fake smile.
The rest of the evening Arohi was in the same mood, giving fake smiles to everyone and trying to control her emotion. Arjun's cousins were back to teasing and joking but Arohi was lost all the time. It looked like she wanted to go away from there but everyone around were very busy to notice this except Arjun. He tried hard to make Arohi comfortable but nothing worked, there was only one way that Arohi would have to let out her emotions. Her eyes would fill up whenever she would look at Arvind but then she was very good at controlling her emotions. This was one thing Arjun had learnt about Arohi that she'll not break down in front of anyone, she can control her emotions but Arjun didn't want her to do that, firstly it was not good and secondly he wanted her to know that he was there by her side and she does not have to control her emotions in front of him. She can let out her feeling in front of him; he'll be there with her.
Later in the middle of the night Arjun had woken up when he had heard someone sniffing and it didn't take him a minute to realize that it was Arohi. He looked towards Arohi, who was sleeping on the bed or rather say pretending to sleep and saw her body shaking under the blanket. He sighed, he wanted to go and wipe her tears away but he knew she'll get embarrassed as she has not yet open up to him. But at least she is letting out her emotions. The thoughts about Arvind came back to his mind. He turned towards his side and kept on looking at Arohi's shaking body and it pained him. He didn't get any sleep after that.
~*~
A week passed in a blur with all the relatives and few rituals. Most of the relatives had already gone back to their home with only few left now. Even Jai and Archana had left for Mumbai. Arjun was happy to see Arohi smiling, not the fake one but her genuine smile. After the night Arohi had cried he had made sure that he was always there besides her, not leaving her alone. It was a good thing that they did not have to meet Arvind again. Even when they had gone to Arohi's house Arvind was not there, Arjun was glad about it but he had seen sadness in Arohi's eyes when she had asked about him. Arjun was now sure about one thing that the reason for pain in Arohi's eyes is Arvind but what was the reason behind it? He'll confront Arohi about it once she is comfortable enough with him to share it, till then he'll make sure that Arohi does not cry again. He'll try making Arohi forget the pain, he'll do it. He said to himself. Arohi on the other hand had become more comfortable with Arjun as friends. Every now and then Arjun would ask is she wants anything and his smile always made her calm. She was also comfortable with Neev, his childish behavior always made her smile especially the cute little fight which Neev and Arjun would have almost every day. She would just look at them in awe and her eyes would become teary seeing their love for each other. Her father-in-law was also very nice, she still remembered his words from the weeding that she is his daughter and not his bahu and the warmth she had felt in his embrace but she had seen the change in attitude of her mother-in-law but brushed it off always saying that maybe she's reading more to it.
Arjun attended a call and came back to the family room. Arohi was sitting on the couch with his cousins and Neev and were chitchatting, where Arohi was just sitting and listening to them and his Dad and Tayajee were sitting on the other side talking among themselves. Arjun walked towards his Dad and Tayajee. "Dad" he said and everyone around him looked at him. "Yes?" asked Rudra curiously. "There are some issues in the office, the bank is creating problems in transferring the funds, they say that they want me to come there and sign and for that I'll have to leave for Mumbai" he said and then added "Tomorrow" Rudra's face fell listening to this, he knew that Arjun will have to go back to Mumbai but he didn't wanted it to happen soon. He composed himself and said "I'll call up my manger and will tell him to book the ticket for two of you." Arjun just nodded his head and smiled faintly, even he wanted to stay with his father and brother for a little time more, even Arohi had just started getting comfortable with him but he has to go, he tried speaking to the bank manager but the manager was not ready as the amount was big. Neev got up and walked out of the room and everyone was left looking at his retreating back. "He'll be fine" said Rudra assuring Arjun but Arjun knew his brother; it will be a hard time talking to Neev. "You both should go and start packing." Arjun and Arohi nodded and walked towards their room.
"Arohi?" Arjun said once they entered their room. Arohi looked up at him when she heard him say her name. "Are you okay with this; I mean going back to Mumbai? It happened all of a sudden. If you want you can stay here for few more days and then come to Mumbai. Whichever way you are comfortable" he said hoping that she doesn't agree with the last part he said. "No I'm fine. I'll go with you tomorrow" she said. "Are you sure?" Arjun asked making sure that she's fine with it. Arohi smiled and nodded her head. Arjun smiled back and said "I'll call someone for helping you in packing" and called one of his cousins to help Arohi.
~*~
It was early morning around 5:00 a.m. and everyone had come to the Airport to bid bye to Arjun and Arohi. Purvi and Salil also came to bid their sister a good bye and Arjun had apologized to them for going to Mumbai all of a sudden but they understood and said that he does not have to apologize. Arjun and Arohi walked towards Rudra and Rudra hugged both of them giving them blessing and saying Arjun to take care of Arohi to which Arjun nodded and promised that he'll do that. Neev came forward and bid goodbye to Arohi, he was still angry with Arjun not only because Arjun was going but also because Arohi will be going with him. Arjun tried hard to talk to Neev but he just wasn't ready to listen to Arjun. Arjun moved forward to hug Neev but Neev took a step back. Arjun sighed and said a low bye to Neev. Arjun was about to turn when Neev came forward and hugged Arjun tight and started crying. Arjun hugged him back and as the lone tear came out of his eyes "I'll miss you bro" said Neev, his voice chocking with tears. "I'll miss you too" said Arjun. They hugged each other for few moments and then broke apart "I promise that we'll visit soon. Take care of yourself and help Dad in work." said Arjun to which Neev nodded. Everyone were looking at Neev and Arjun and had tears in their eyes seeing the bond between the brothers especially Rudra he always felt happy that both his sons had such a great bonding between them. After saying a final bye to everyone Arjun and Arohi left from there to start a new life together in Mumbai and everyone back prayed for them to always be happy.
~*~
Arjun and Arohi flight reached Mumbai Airport at around 9:00 a.m. They took their baggages and were walking out of the Airport. Arjun was amused to see that Arohi only had two suitcases; he had thought that Arohi alone will have at least four suitcases but to his surprise it was half of what he had thought. They walked out and Arjun was about to take a cab when he saw his friends driver approaching them "Arey Kaka aap?" Arjun asked shocked to see him there. "Haan beta, tumhe lene aaya hun" replied Kaka. "Parr iski kya zarurat thi, hum taxi lekar chale jaate, bevajah aapko pareshani uthani padi" said Arjun "Pareshaani kaisi beta, yeh toh mera kaam hai" said Kaka. Arohi was silently listening to the talk. By know she had recognized the person as a driver by looking at his uniform but was amused to see Arjun talking to him so politely. She suddenly felt proud to be wife of such a nice person who was talking to a driver so nicely.
Arjun introduced both Kaka and Arohi to each other. "Arohi ye Mahesh Kaka hai" he then looked at Kaka and said "aur Kaka ye Arohi hai mere patni" Arohi clasped both her palms together and said Namastey and Kaka in return gave her blessing. She noticed that Arjun just said that he was Kaka, he didn't mention that he was a driver and Arohi felt really nice about the fact. Kaka then removed a piece of paper from the pocket and handed it to Arjun and then walked towards the luggage and started keeping them in the Car which was parked only few steps ahead. Arjun opened the paper and started reading it.
Welcome to Mumbai Mr. & Mrs. Singhania'
Well the car we have sent is not for you but your wife so don't even think that it was for you :D
And one more thing we have asked Kaka to do something. So let Kaka do his work before you both enter the house and kindly don't harass Kaka by asking questions because he's not going to tell so better save your energy ;)
Arjun smiled and shook his head it was by his friends, God knows what they have planned now he thought. Arohi was all the while looking at Arjun curiously. Arjun noticed the curiousness and gave the piece of paper to Arohi. "It's by my friends" he said. Arohi read it and a smile came on her face. Her cheeks got red when she read 'Mrs. Singhania.'
They sat in the car left for Arjun's house; no!! It was their house now. Arjun was thinking about what his friends must have planned. He was sure that it was not a prank as they'll not play a prank on Arohi, not until they know her. Something came up on his mind and he turned towards Arohi. "Are you scared of heights?" he asked. "Huh?" was all Arohi could say. 'Why is he asking this?' she thought. "Are you scared of heights?" Arjun repeated the question. Arohi gave a curious look and said "No" Arjun sighed and said "Our flat is at the 19th floor" Arohi's eyes grew wide now she knew why he was asking that. "I'm not scared of heights" She said. She suddenly got exited she had heard that in Mumbai there are tall buildings and had always wondered about staying on a height. Arjun noticed her excitement and smiled. Arohi all the way was looking out of the window and she saw tall buildings saw sea. She had also heard about beaches in Mumbai. She noticed that they enter in a society which was sea facing and her excitement grew. "This area is called Marine Drive" Arjun said to Arohi to which Arohi smiled. They got down from the car, Arjun was about to remove the luggage from the dickey when Kaka said "Saaman mein le aaunga pehle upar chalo aur mujhe jo kaha gaya hai who karne do" Arjun nodded his head and the three of them entered the 20 storey building. The watchmen greeted Arjun and Arohi noticed that Arjun talked to him the same way he was talking to Kaka and she smiled. Arjun tried to look inside the bag the Kaka was holding once they entered the elevator, to see what his friends had planned but all in vain. They reached the 19th floor. Arohi looked around and saw there were two flats on the floor. Arjun showed Arohi the door which was of their flat. Arjun opened the door with the keys and Kaka made his way inside asking them to stay there. Kaka kept the bag on the side table and was doing something. Arjun tried to look but could only see Kaka's back. He sighed making Arohi smile. Kaka came back and kept a Kalash down at the threshold in front of Arohi and the Kalash had Rice in it. Arjun and Arohi understood what it was for and looked at each other. Kaka handed another note to Arjun "Mera kaam ho gaya, mein saaman le aata hun." Kaka said and left from there leaving the two alone.
Arjun opened the note and read out loud "Grah Pravesh, it's a tradition. Enter Together." Arohi looked at Arjun. Arjun smiled at her and then signaled her to go ahead. Arohi removed her sandles and gently dropped the Kalash towards inside making the rice spread on the floor and then both Arjun and Arohi entered inside together as said in the note. They looked at each other and smiled. Arohi looked around and saw that they were standing in a small passage and it had a door towards the side which led them to the hall, she assumed. Arjun signaled Arohi to enter and he bent down to pick the Kalash up.
Arohi entered the door, she looked around and was stunned. Arjun came and saw Arohi's shocked expression. He tried to think of its reason and then thought what it could be 'Oh Crap' he said in his mind.
~*~
Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
Arjun
