ArhiFF. Rishton ki Dor~Thread 2- Updated CH: 35 & 36 11/07/2014

Sorry guys, for the delay in update... thank you for all your support and bringing this story to thread 2.. love you all.
Enjoy😊

Chapter 35

Khushi had been watching the little boy for the last ten minutes, while she waited for Arnav to pick her up. She recognized him to be from her new class of six year olds. Her first day back in school had been a little daunting, when thirty or so little faces had gazed up, expecting her to have all the answers. Last year had been different, having started at the tail end of the academic year and then promptly leaving for two months on a long summer break that hadn't seemed long enough. But as the day had progressed, it turned out that everyone had been suffering from the first school day blues, too depressed to be there, and thus had been on their best behavior, sure that this mood would not last long. Five thirty in the evening, she sat on the stone bench under the huge banyan tree in the school yard, observing the boy concentrating on drawing precise lines into a book.

"What are you drawing?" she asked him, suppressing a grin when he glanced up and turning cautious when he saw her. She was after all the teacher in charge of his class. It took a moment for him to decide. He then scrambled off the bench and walked over to her, hitching up his shorts as he did so. Khushi knew his mother was going to have a fit when she saw him, proudly sporting a scraped knee and mud on his shoes, which probably had been polished to a shine that morning. He held out his book and she saw that it was a very good likeness of an airplane.

"It's very nice," she said. Two of the buttons on his uniform shirt were askew, so she bent forward to straighten them. "Who is coming to pick you up?" Most of the students had left, except for a few older kids, who hung around talking. And although it was quite safe in the yard, it was not good to stay out here too long.

He gave her a grin at the compliment and Khushi decided that he was as adorable. "I am waiting for my mummy. She tol' me she may be late." He glanced at the front gate and his face lit up and she turned to see a woman beckoning him. As if on cue, she saw Arnav's car pull up. "That's her." He rushed to find his things and proceeded to dump them into his bag, while she held it open. He walked beside her, trying not to run, which she was quite sure was exactly what he would have done, had it not been for her.

"See you tomorrow," she called and gave in to the urge to ruffle his hair. Apparently he did not like that, for he began straightening it immediately as he hurried towards his mother. Khushi was grinning when she got into the car. "Hi."

"Lesson one, never ruffle a man's hair," was the first thing he said, watching the boy looking into the little mirror on his mother's two wheeler, flattening a lock sticking up in the back.

"You mean like this?" she reached over and did exactly that to his hair.

"Watch it," Arnav said, ducking, but with a grin. She wondered if, maybe in the next fifty years, she'd develop immunity to his charm. "Sorry," he continued, merging into the rush hour traffic. "I got held up. Were you waiting long?"

"No. Ten minutes and I had company."

He glanced sideways. "I saw that. How was your first day back? "

"He was so cute, wasn't he? I can't remember his name, but I know he's in my class." Khushi fiddled with the radio to play some music. "School was good. No major disasters, surprisingly. Speaking of which, how many people did you chew out today?"

"I don't know who has been telling you stories, but I am really not like that."

"Yeah, right," she scoffed. "Anyway, I felt bad asking for more time off on my first day back, but the principle was pretty nice about it."

It had initially been Gauri's idea, Khushi warming up to it immediately. It would give her time to adjust to being married before she came back to work. Nothing much would change, but yet it would not be the same. Sometimes, like today, she felt so much at ease with Arnav, like she had known him for years. And yet, there were days that had her anxious, thinking what if she made a miserable wife. Pre wedding jitters some would call it, knowing full well that there was no reason for it. Arnav loved her and she him. Everyone at home had been just wonderful to her. As expected, NK had teased her a little, but once Sanjana and Aman had left, the quiet had set in. Khushi hoped that Sanjana came back soon, for she had missed the girl. Muskaan was completely into her studies at the moment, saying that she wanted to take a break and enjoy every moment of the wedding. Khushi suspected that Sanjana's absence was also an added factor in Muskaan keeping to herself. And there had been no difference in the way Gauri or Samar had treated her now, except that they seemed a lot happier now. Everything was normal, just the way it was supposed to be, she was the only one feeling jumpy.

"I have been meaning to talk to you about something," he began, that had her almost jumping out of her skin. She frowned at him, only to get a reassuring smile back. "I know how you feel about children," he said. "But would you mind terribly before having one of our own?" His somber expression brought a smile to her face.

"How do you feel about having kids?" Khushi asked him curiously, never having thought to ask him. For her, it was the most natural thing in the world, thinking her interaction with the little boy having probably brought this thought of his to the forefront.

Arnav grimaced. "I think I am going to need to be eased into it, bit by bit. I've never thought about...you know, kids." They had pulled into their driveway, so had Arnav turned off the engine and was looking at her, albeit a little warily.

For the life of her, she could not understand why an admission like that sounded so endearing to her... he looks so adorably out of his element while talking about kids. Khushi released her seat belt leaned forward to cup his face. "Of course we can wait," she said softly and planted a quick kiss on his lips, hastily backing away, realization dawning on her. "And I think we better go in," she added, almost falling in her haste to get out. There was no way she was going to get caught kissing him in the car.

"Spoilsport," he muttered, following her inside, his insides melting with warmth and love that she brings with her sweet gestures.

-----

The rest of the days passed in a whirlwind of activity. Khushi had come in late after one particularly tiring shopping trip with Lavanya, to find the house abuzz with activity.

"Oh, my god, you are here!" Sanjana was a blur as she threw herself at Khushi and hugged her.

"You are back," was all she could manage.

"Better let go, before you strangle her," Aman drawled, having heard his sister shriek and following her. "I am sure Arnav is not going to forgive you for that."

"You've got to meet my dad," Sanjana was saying, not having heard a word her brother said.

"She's been like that ever since we got in," he said, following them into the living room, grinning at her dazed look. Balbir Tandon was a tall man, with the kindest face she had ever seen. He stood up when he saw her being dragged in by Sanjana. "Papa, this is Khushi."

"Of course," he said in a deep voice, placing his hand on her head in blessing as she bent to touch his feet. "Jeeti reh, beta." She could his daughter has inherited the eyes and smile. "Sanjana has spoken so much about you, that I feel I already know you."

"She sure can talk a lot," Muskaan piped in. "What?" she asked when Khushi frowned at her.

Balbir let out a laugh. "That is true." After seeing the two girls, it was no wonder to him that his daughter had decided to move here, agreeing that they were indeed sweet.

-------------

Gauri may have given in to Arnav and Khushi's request for a simple wedding, but the days leading up to it, were definitely not. Four days before the wedding, a huge marquee was in the process of being erected in the front lawn for the mehendi celebrations tonight. Khushi couldn't really fault Gauri, for it was Sanjana and Muskaan throwing ideas at her and she being the accommodating soul she was, gave in every time. They had to have good dance music, Sanjana had insisted and NK had said he'd take care of it for them. More people meant more fun, so Muskaan had invited all her college friends and some of Gauri's; the list had gone on. Khushi had watched with dawning horror, fast coming to realize the difference between her definition of simple and that of the Raizadas. She had said nothing, for they had all been so excited and she hadn't had the heart to rain on their parade. It was not that she was disinterested in the preparations for her own wedding. She would have been happy marrying the man she loved, with God as their witness and just the presence of their family. Khushi sighed and decided to take comfort knowing that Arnav would be there beside her.

By mid-morning the house with filled with people, all there connected with the arrangement for the function in some way or the other. Khushi decided to hide out in her room till someone came looking for her. She was making herself a cup of tea, when Om Prakash came into the kitchen and informed her that Aman and Arnav wanted some coffee sent upstairs. Obviously he was working from home, she thought while the whole house was in chaos. "I'll take it," she said and took the tray from the help. The study door was ajar, so Khushi knocked once and entered. Aman who had his feet up on the couch, working on his laptop got to his feet, smiling. His friend, however, had barely heard her come in, standing with his back to the door, the phone glued to his ear.

"He'll want you to stay," Aman murmured with a knowing grin, as he walked out. The door shut with a quiet click, but nothing distracted Arnav from his conversation. Khushi debated if she should leave and as if sensing her thoughts, he turned. The initial surprise changed to pleasure and he smiled, holding out a hand to her. By the time she had covered the distance between them, he had already ended the call.

"I was just thinking of you." Strong arms encircled her, while soft lips nuzzled her ear.

"Do you even know what is going on downstairs?" She nodded to the window, where he had the perfect view of the front lawn, all the while trying to stem the inevitable response of her body to his nearness, wondering if she would ever get used to it.

"Is that what you are worried about?" he asked bending to kiss her furrowed brow.

"You better make sure this is all worth it," she muttered, huddling closer to him.

Arnav laughed softly. "Oh, it is going to be worth it." He pressed a kiss to the base of her neck. "Especially when I'll get to do a lot of this." Hard lips moved over soft pliant ones, her hands coming up to clutch his neck, fingers buried in his hair.

"I think I better go," Khushi whispered a few minutes later, reluctantly extricating herself from his arms. Arnav had nodded and pressed another kiss on her lips before letting her go.

-----

The lights in the boardroom were dim, colorful bar graphs flickered on the projector, while the person presenting the report droned in explanation. For the first time, as far back as he could remember, Aakash found his mind wandering off on its own, an inflection he had been suffering from a lot lately. Well, mostly since his lunch with Sanjana, which had turned out to be a revelation of sorts. He leaned back in his chair, doodling on the note pad. Ever since she had arrived in his office that day, she had been on tenterhooks like a cat on a hot tin roof, jumping every time he had asked something. It was amazing the things Aakash had begun to notice about her, once he had stopped trying to keep a tight rein on his feelings. Like the way she had watched him from beneath her lashes, when she thought he wasn't looking, or that enchanting blush that had stolen up her cheeks whenever he had asked a question about herself. In the ensuing weeks, he had come to the conclusion that Ms. Sharma was not averse to him as he had thought. And the signals he had been receiving ever since her return were telling him just the opposite. Aakash straightened and stood up. "Excuse me," he said with a smile as the dozen or so people around the table turned to look at him in askance. "There is an important matter that needs my attention." And as easily as that, he walked out, heart soaring with an inexplicable sense of freedom, thinking it was good to break the rules once in a while.

-----

NK caught up with her just as she was coming out of Sanjana's room. Grabbing hold of her arm, he dragged her across the hall and into the library. He had been waiting for her ever since Muskaan had informed him that Lavanya wouldn't get here till after six.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, as he let her go once they were inside and the door firmly locked behind them, rubbing her arm where he had held her.

"Exactly what I wanted to ask you," he said, staring at her. "You have not returned a single phone call from last week. I know you have been busy with Khushi bhabhi, but to not call back once?" His chest heaved with the control he was exerting, trying to keep his fury under wraps. Lavanya had met up with him the day after their night together, told him that she needed time to come to terms with what had happened. He had agreed. Then the excuses had started, always a new one as to why she couldn't meet him or go to dinner with him. And last week, there had been nothing. Nothing and it had driven him crazy with worry.

Lavanya stared at him for a second and turned away, her shoulders hunched. "I don't want to talk about this."

NK turned her around to face him. "You can't keep running away from this...from us."

"I am not running away from anything," Lavanya snapped, trying to free his grip. "What happened between us was a momentary thing and..." He did not let her finish the sentence and instead brought his mouth down to hers, and everything else just flew out the window, his fury and her reluctance. It was just the two of them, completely wrapped up in each other.

"Tell me," NK breathed a moment later. "Tell me you don't want this as much as I do." Lavanya rested her forehead on his shoulder, gasping for breath, no denial forthcoming. "You have to give us a chance, Lavanya." His arms wrapped around her and held her tight, trying to stem the shudders that racked through her body. Finally, he stepped back and looked down at her. "Will you do that? For us?" He genuinely believed that what they shared was special and he was not going to let her throw it out, unheard and untried.

Lavanya turned around and fled. NK sighed and waited a few moments before following her out, stopping short on finding her by the kitchen with his mother.

"I hope you are staying here till the wedding," Gauri had her back to him, arranging flowers on the plate that Lavanya was holding. His gaze met Lavanya's and he nodded.

"But I didn't bring any of my clothes or anything," she said, still looking at NK.

"Oh, someone can always drive you back to pick your things up. We'd all be so happy to have you here," the older lady said. NK held his breath, mentally willing her to cede. After what felt like eternity, Lavanya nodded and said, "Ok," her gaze not having left his. At that instant he knew she had agreed to more than just staying back.

Really really nice n aamzing update!!


iam glad that Lavanya is giving a chance to their relationship!!

awww Arnav n Khushi...wedding jitteries!!

finaaly they are getitng married awesome

congrats on new thread

Chapter 36

In a large group, slipping out unnoticed was not a hard thing to do, Sanjana thought as she followed the well-lit path around the side, to the isolated area behind the house. It was Muskaan who had showed her this place, in the initial days of their friendship, a place often visited by her, Muskaan had claimed. The back yard was filled with tall trees lining the edges of the high compound, blocking the view of the house to outsiders. In the far distance, she could make out the lights from the window of the servant quarters. And like everything in and around the house, this area was impeccably maintained, only less visited by the members of the household.

She had had a great time this evening, talking to Muskaan's friends, dancing with Lavanya and pulling Gauri to join them, while Khushi had looked on, smiling and vehemently declining their request. It was at dinner that her father had laughingly said that pretty soon it would be her turn to get married and that maybe it was time he started looking for a suitable man for her. She knew, of course she knew, he was joking...wasn't he? There was only one person who occupied her every thought, only did not know the effect he had on her. Sanjana cursed herself for being such a coward. If she could only read what was on his mind, to find out what he thought of her. The sheer horror of never being able to tell Aakash she loved him had been threatening to depress her, so she had come here and quietly go mad looking for signs to end this misery.

Faint strains of music could be heard and the loud conversations of the party felt like murmurs in the wind. It was peaceful here, she thought, taking a deep breath as she slumped down on the small flight of stone steps. Her chin rested on the knees, her mind drifting, wishing life would be simple, like that of the flickering glowworms flying around in the dark. She glanced at her cold, stiff hands where the mehndi had hardened and pieces of it were peeling, thinking it was nearly time to wash it off anyway. The chirping of the crickets was getting louder the longer she sat there and slowly, she began to feel better. Maybe they needed to spend some more time together and maybe then it will be easy for her to tell him. Sanjana got up and decided to head back, in case someone was looking for her. As she turned around the corner of the house, the dupatta around her neck caught something behind her. Sanjana retreated a few steps to see that the delicate chiffon was stuck in a huge rose bush. As she bent to free it, a thorn grazed the back of her thumb, forcing her to let out a bunch of rude expletives.

"Amazing vocabulary," a deep voice said, sounding extremely amused, completely startling her to stillness. Aakash stepped out from the shadows and came to assist her. She wanted to ask him what he had been doing here, but the words wouldn't come out. Instead, she watched the long fingers skillfully working out the fabric from the thorns, careful not to rip it. An image of those very same fingers caressing her projected itself in her head and heat rose into her cheeks, glad that it was not bright enough to give away her blush.

"There, all done." He straightened at the same time she leaned in to examine if there was any damage to the cloth. His hands shot out to grasp her shoulders, thus avoiding their heads from colliding. As her eyes rose to his, she became aware that they were standing really close to each other, their faces only inches apart. Many days later, when she would remember this moment, Sanjana would say that they had met halfway for that explosive kiss. But just at this very second, all sane and coherent thoughts had vanished from her head, as his hand cupped her neck, bringing her mouth closer so he could deepen the kiss. A thousand times she had imagined this, never dreaming that to feel his lips plundering hers could be beyond imagination. Her hands had clenched into fists, moaning as his other hand pulled her closer to him, pressing her body against his. It was the sheer necessity of air to breathe, that had them drawing apart finally. Sanjana opened her eyes to see him watching her and couldn't think of a single thing to say. She had already made such a big fool of herself, throwing herself at him the first chance she got. "I have to go," she mumbled, not daring to meet his eye, simply turned around and escaped.

-----

Khushi sat on the edge of the bed dressed in her wedding finery, her insides felt like jelly and yet she was oddly calm. This was what she wanted, marrying the man she loved for now and all eternity. After today, everything would be the same and different at the same time. She now had a role in this large loving family that had already become hers in more ways than one. The anonymity she had enjoyed would be a thing of the past. As Samar and Gauri's daughter-in-law, she was bound to receive some attention. But none of those things mattered anymore, she thought.

The three girls had promised to be back, giving her time to step into the deep red lehenga-choli, heavily embroidered with dull gold zari work. Lavanya had braided her hair and attached strings of jasmine. She had adorned Khushi with jewelry, slid gold and glass bangles onto her wrists, helped with simple touches of makeup, while the other two had assisted.

"You look amazing," Sanjana said, coming in, straightening the dupatta over her head. Lavanya nodded and walked forward to give her a fleeting hug. Muskaan gazed at her sister.

"I wish ma and babu-ji were here today to see you looking so beautiful," she said softly. There was a hint of tears in her eyes as she hugged Khushi. "I love you, di. Be happy."

"Please no crying," Sanjana muttered, sounding a little choked herself. "It won't do our makeup any good." That at least managed to make everyone smile. NK was waiting to drive them to the temple, for all the others had already left. He, along with Muskaan and Sanjana kept up a constant stream of conversation all throughout the journey.

When they arrived at the temple, Khushi was relieved to see that the guests here were far less than she had imagined. Gauri had indeed kept her word, for she recognized only the close friends and family present. And just as surely, she knew that the reception tomorrow was going to be a different matter altogether. Arnav was already seated at the mandap, in front of the holy fire, while the priest chanted the mantras. She was led to be seated beside him, while her sisters and Sanjana sat behind her.

The priest asked them to exchange garlands, to welcome each other into their lives, he explained. There was an odd moment when the priest asked who would give the bride away and Khushi never felt the loss of her parents as much as she did at that point.

"I'd like to do the honor," Balbir said quietly, while he gave her a gentle smile. She nodded. He took her hand and placed it in Arnav's, bestowing her in his care henceforth.

The end of her dupatta was tied to the end of the stole that Arnav wore, binding them eternally. They were then asked to walk around the fire seven times, exchanging vows to love, honor and cherish each other. When they sat down, Arnav was asked to place the mangalsutra around her neck, a symbol of their union. And finally, he filled the parting of her hair with vermillion, confirming to the world that she now belonged to him.

The priest ended the mantras with an invocation to bless this union. Both Khushi and Arnav stood up to take Samar and Gauri's blessings and that of Balbir. Gauri had tears in her eyes as she held Khushi close. So finally it was done. She was now Mrs. Khushi Singh Raizada... Khushi thought while gazing lovingly at her husband's face.

----------------------------

"It is too late to think of running now," Aman murmured as he came to stand beside Arnav. They were waiting for the cars to be pulled up to take them all, guests included, home where more rituals and celebrations would continue.

Arnav grinned. "Do you see me straining to escape?"

"That's only because you don't know any better...yet," his friend drawled. But I know, Arnav thought, as his glance slid to where his wife stood, a couple feet away, listening to something Lavanya was saying. He knew she was the one he had waited for all his life, she was the one who made him whole. It was like a kick in the gut, to see the red vermillion on her forehead, the black beads of the mangalsutra glinting around her neck, symbols she wore with pride for the world to know that she belonged to him. Knowing that she belongs to him now has filled him with tremendous amount of peace in heart and he vowed to never let her go

"Now why can't you find someone like Khushi and get married too?" Balbir asked as he came to stand beside the two men.

"I am sure Arnav agrees that there is no one else like her," Aman said with a sardonic grin. Glancing over his father's shoulder added, "Oh I think Samar uncle is looking for you."

Arnav smiled at how skillfully Aman had steered the conversation away from him as he watched the older man leave, wondering how long he would run.

Khushi was quiet as she sat by his side on their drive home. Arnav took Khushi's hand sweetly and she put her head on his chest and got comfortable in the back seat of the car, he thought she looked a little tired, wishing he could get a few minutes alone with her to reassure himself that this is not all a dream. That would be a tall order, he thought, knowing it would be a long time before the post wedding party would end. When they reached home, Gauri was already waiting to welcome them into the house first time as man and wife. Sanjana, Lavanya and Muskaan performed the aarti and it was not till a grinning Arnav parted with some serious cash, would the girls allow them to step inside.

Now was one of those times Arnav wished he had been wrong, but as the evening progressed, he was hard pressed to have Khushi by his side for more than a few minutes let alone talk. He consoled himself with the fact that this was the first and last time he was getting married.

It was close to midnight when the guests began to leave. Gauri took Khushi aside and asked her to go upstairs. "I know it has been a long week, what with the endless traditions we have had to observe. One more day," she said sounding a little apologetic. "After the reception tomorrow, you can breathe easy."

"I am not complaining, ma" Khushi said with a smile.

"You never do." Gauri patted her cheek and urged her to go.

Khushi could not argue with her, for she was feeling worn out. It had indeed been a tiring week, and being unable to sleep for more than a couple hours a day. She stepped into Arnav's room, the one she was to share with him starting today. Nothing had changed since the last time she had been here, except that there were a couple dozen baskets of flowers that dotted the room, adding splotches of color. There were several doors leading off, one of which she recognized as the door to Arnav's study. Curtains were drawn on the wall opposite and she assumed it to be windows. First door to the left led to the marble tiled bathroom and the second led into the dressing room. The walls here were lined with closets. Khushi opened one and found her clothes hanging neatly beside his. The scent of his cologne lingered and she took a deep breath, deciding that her sleep deprived brain was making her crazy. Almost against her will, she reached out to smooth a hand over one of his shirts. Slowly walking to the vanity area, Khushi stared at her reflection in the mirror, thinking that she looked different already. One by one, she took off the gold ornaments she wore around her neck dropping in on to the dresser, relieved. In the act of removing an earring, she froze as the click of a door shutting reached her. Her belly twisted in a knot as she knew it was him. Khushi glanced around, where a moment later Arnav stood framed in the doorway, watching her, his expression inscrutable.

"You haven't changed," he said huskily, walking towards her. "Good, because I wanted to...help." His eyes held hers, full of promise that had her swallowing nervously and looking away. She felt him come up behind her, pulling the dupatta, so it slid from her head. Her legs threatened to give way when she felt the first touch of his lips against the nape of her neck. "Don't stop," he whispered and she knew what he meant. Shaking hands came up to remove one earring and then the other, dropping them on the dresser with a clatter as those lips moved up the length of her throat, hands sliding down from her shoulders, along her arms to grasp her wrist. "Take these off too," he breathed in her ear.

Her eyes were tightly shut and yet Khushi knew he referred to her bangles, the glass clinked against each other as her hands fumbled to obey him. His hands left her wrists, skimming her waist, yanking away the edges of the dupatta that had been neatly tucked into the lehenga and she was completely powerless to stop him.

"Arnav," she gasped, turning around to face him, eyes wide with apprehension as she clutched the fabric to her chest, all traces of fatigue gone, replaced by desire for this man.

And for the first time since they had become husband and wife, Arnav bent his head and captured her lips. It was like pouring water on parched land, sucking everything in and begging for more. She whimpered, letting the dupatta slither to the floor and reached up to grasp his neck. Warm hands caressed the bare skin of her waist and midriff.

"I adore you," he murmured, kissing her jaw. In a swift movement, he bent and picked her up in his arms and walked towards the bed. Khushi knew that tonight she would not stop him, how could she, when all she wanted was to belong to him completely.

"I love you," she whispered, when he laid her on the bed, and sank down beside her. He closed his eyes as if to let those words wash over him. That night, Arnav made love to Khushi and finally made her his wife in the fullest sense of the word.

------

Khushi dreamt that she was lying on a blanket in the garden, reading. The scent of wild roses reached her nostrils, smiling at its sweetness. And then an annoying bee zoomed in from nowhere and fluttered around her face, she frowned and trying to move away.

"Good morning," a voice whispered in her ear and her eyes jerked open. Light was barely filtering through the curtains and Arnav was leaning on his elbow, only a couple inches away, watching her. She recalled the events of last night and feeling the heat rise in her cheeks, lowered her lashes. "I can't think of a better way to wake up than with you beside me," he murmured, smiling, his thumb following the deepening color of her blush. He drew her closer and Khushi rested her cheek on his shoulder.

"What time is it?" she asked, while her finger traced a pattern on his chest. She was not eager to leave the haven of his arms just yet, preferring to lie here and think of how gentle he had been with her, putting her fears to rest, showering her with so much love that there had been tears in her eyes.

"Plenty of time before we have to get up," he said. "How are you feeling?"

"Good," she said. "We'll always be together, right?" Khushi was not sure why she needed that reassurance from him. His arms tightened around her, and she felt him draw a sharp breath.

"Yes, sweetheart. I promise we will always be together."

Congrats on TH# 2

Aww you made my day again, what a wonderful day to start the weekend :) thank you:)

Thank you for the double treat dear.

Congrats on 2nd thread!! Awesome updates👏