Destiny, Fate & Love Thread #5 29th Feb: Epilogue Up! On Pg 107! - Page 13

Superb chapter...thanks for the PM

CHAPTER 79 (B). YEH KAISE TERA ISHQ HAI SAAJNA!

Day - 7 Thursday

Sheeshmahal

Khushi looked at her hand tearfully. It was few minutes after Geet had applied oil to her hands and now as predicted by Geet, the color refused to come out. Yet, some designs had faded in the sides because she removed it too early but Arnav's A' remained prominently, the darkest design on her faded hand. She blinked and her tears fell on her hands. She sighed softly as she looked out. She was standing by the window away from the hall where all the ladies gathered by her sisters laughing and teasing and being happy. Khushi could not do that right now. She could not act anymore. She was tired of acting. She was tired of acting indifferent to Arnav and his words. Her heart could not take it anymore. Her heart was beyond battered and cried out for peace and relief from this pain.

Khushi sighed again as she tried to get her mind away from the impending marriage. But alas, the only thing Khushi found to distract her mind was all the men folk sitting in the garden laughing and joking. Amongst them was Arnav too. Luckily, he had yet to notice her and hence, she was saved from the torture of his double meaning words and salacious winks.

Suddenly, Khushi was distracted by the commotion in the lawn. She frowned and then smiled softly. It seemed that the male folk in the lawn were egging her Aakash Jijaji into singing a song. Her Jiju was as usual blushing and refusing gently but his friends, Dev and Arjun, refused to back away and continued to encourage him to sing. Soon, Aakash's defense gave away and when someone handed him his guitar he smiled and strummed it happily.

Khushi sensed someone standing by her and she turned to see Geet smiling excitedly as she looked at the commotion, "Veere gaa rahe hain?", she asked. Khushi nodded and looked back outside. "Chalo! Paas jaake sunte hain!", Geet spoke while still looking outside with excitement. Khushi was about to refuse when she realised that this would be perfect distraction for her. She nodded and soon both the girls walked out of the hall. They reached the door to the lawn and both stood there unnoticed by the men folk as they waited for Aakash to sing. Aakash strummed his guitar and slowly started singing the song.

Ek Tujhko Hi Bas Dekh Kar

Geet smiled as she stared at Maan.

Bhooli Mujhko Hi Meri Nazar

Tujhko Shaayad Nahi Hai Khabar

Khushi's eyes filled with tears as she stared at the A' in her hand.

Tujhko Jeete Hain Hum Kis Kadar

Arnav looked up and his eyes widened at seeing a tearful Khushi standing by the door.

Jude Jo Tere Khwaab Se

Toh Toote Hum Neend Se

Yeh Kaisa Tera Ishq Hai

Saajna...

Khushi tearfully traced the A'.

Tu Haathon Mein Toh Hain Mere

Hai Kyun Nahi Lakeeron Mein

Yeh Kaisa Tera Ishq Hai

Saajna...

Geet tried to maintain her smile but her demeanor cracked as the lyrics of the song pierced her heart. She prayed that Maan was in the lines of her hand; that Babaji did write Maan in her fate.

Tere Bina Kabhi

Raatein Na Ho Meri

Tere Kareeb Ho

Mere Yeh Din Sabhi

Arnav smiled. Didn't he want the same thing? He eyed Khushi from his peripheral vision.

Tere Bina Kabhi

Raatein Na Ho Meri

Tere Kareeb Ho

Mere Yeh Din Sabhi

Geet traced the M' in her hand wanting the same thing; her morning starting with and her night ending with her Maan.

Jude Jo Tere Khwaab Se

Toh Toote Hum Neend Se

Yeh Kaisa Tera Ishq Hai

Saajna...

Maan's eyes were closed but his mind was on his Geet. He remembered the time when he had proposed his Soni.

Tu Haathon Mein Toh Hain Mere

Hai Kyun Nahi Lakeeron Mein

Yeh Kaisa Tera Ishq Hai

Saajna...

Maan's eyes opened and they met with Geet. He stared at her, breathless.

Tu Saath Hai Agar

Tanha Kyun Hai Safar

Itna Bata Mujhe

Kyun Hai Mujhse Bekhabar

Maan looked away making Geet close her eyes in pain.

Tu Saath Hai Agar

Tanha Kyun Hai Safar

Itna Bata Mujhe

Kyun Hai Mujhse Bekhabar

Nk smiled at the lyrics. This is a really good song! Wonder if Miss. Taken was listening to it?

Jude Jo Tere Khwaab Se

Toh Toote Hum Neend Se

Yeh Kaisa Tera Ishq Hai

Saajna...

Love! A thing which only brings pain! Maan sighed as she tried to keep his eyes away from Geet.

Tu Haathon Mein Toh Hain Mere

Hai Kyun Nahi Lakeeron Mein

Yeh Kaisa Tera Ishq Hai

Saajna...

As the song ended, everyone clapped but Khushi ran away from there and Geet, worried for her, followed her. But by the time they reached the main hall, Khushi was back to normal and Geet simply shook her head. I wonder who is a better actor; AB or KB!

"Maan!", Geet called in a sing song voice making Maan stop and close his eyes in annoyance. He was walking down the hallways to get to his room when Geet called him from behind. It was few minutes after Aakash's song performance when Anjali called all of them in to have dinner and also feed their wives who still had mehendi in their hands and hence, unable to eat by themselves. The men folk went to their room to change into formal wear from their casual clothes as guests were also joining for the dinner. And now as Maan headed to his room, Geet was calling him.

"Kya hai?", Maan growled in annoyance as he turned and glared at the girl. But unfortunately for him, fortunately for us, Geet simply ignored his glare as if it was permanent fixture on his face. But then, maybe he was born with that glare, Geet mused. Daadima se poochna padega! Lekin abhi focus on your mission Geet Raizada!

"Dekho Maan! Maine aapke naam ka initial apne haathon pe likha hai!", Geet grinned as she showed him her hand.

Maan was about to growl at her for doing such things when his eyes fell on her hand and he blinked twice. There was no M in the design as far as he was concerned. The only letters he saw was "GEET" in big letters while rest of the design had started to fade. Before he could say something, Geet continued, "Jaante hain aap? Shaadi se pehle apne honewaale pati ke naam ka pehla akshar apne haath pe likhaate hain! Isliye maine bhi likhwa liya! After all, aapki honewaali biwi jo hoon!"

"Geet!", Maan shouted but Geet rolled her eyes, "Haan! Haan! Chillaate rahiye! Aaj kal toh mujhe aapke ghusse se bhi pyaar hogaya hai! Jab aap Geet' chillaate haina toh mujhe bahut achcha lagta hai! Ek kaam keejiye! Aap shaadi ke baad bhi mujhe aise hi ghusse se bulaayiyega, pyaar se bulaaoge toh main nahi aaungi, haan?"

"Hogaya tumhaara?", Maan cut her off as he folded his arms against his chest and smirked at her, "Tumhaari aur meri shaadi kabhi nahi hogi aur iska proof hai yeh mehendi! Kyunki tumhaare haath pe kahin bhi M nahi likha hai! Sirf Geet hai!"

Maan was shocked when instead of worrying or checking her hand design, Geet simply grinned widely. She tilted her hand towards right side and the E's in her hand turned into M'. As Maan looked on incredulously, Geet happily babbled, "Mere haath mein toh do do M hai! Ab boliye! Karenge na aap mujhse shaadi?"

Maan growled in anger and turning around he stomped off to his room leaving behind a loudly laughing Geet. Maan fumed as he swore to himself that he would stop Geet's delusions by announcing his decision right after the dinner.

Khushi sighed sadly and then she licked her lips. She looked at the buffet table decorated with variety of food and then looked at her mehendi filled hands. She pouted in sadness. Just few minutes back, after people started to enter the hall for the buffet style dinner, Anjali noticed that Geet and Khushi had removed their mehendis while rest of them hadn't, and scolded both of them. She soon called artistes and asked them to work on the places that have started to fade and now Geet and Khushi were back with mehendi on their hands. Khushi stomped her feet in hunger. Anjaliji! Aapne theek nahi kiya! Humein kitni bhook lagi thi! Aur ab humein iss mehendi ko na jaane kitne der tak rakhna padega! Aur na jaane kitne der tak rukna padega taaki humein koi khaana khilaaye! She turned to look at her sisters who were being fed by Amma and Buaji. As both Lavanya and Paayal had to wake up early for the rituals and head bath, Amma and Buaji had decided to feed them first and then feed Khushi and hence, Khushi was left with hunger pangs. Bas! Bahut hogaya! Hum yahaan se chale! Khaane ke saamne rahenge toh aur bhook lagegi! She huffed and walked off to the lawn.

Arnav was in his room getting ready for the dinner when he saw Khushi walking into the lawn through his bedroom dinner. Yeh! Aur itni raat ko baahar! What the! He walked off in his shirt and trousers forgetting his trademark vest and tie in favor of hunting down his lover who seemed interested in freezing herself in cold.

As Arnav neared Khushi, he saw her pacing in the lawn while mumbling something constantly. As he got closer he realised that she had her arms folded right against her stomach with her hands held away from her body. Stomach pain or something else? Is something wrong with her? As he stepped closer her mumbling got clear and he heard her say, "Bahut bhook lagi hai Devi Maiyya! Bahut bhook..." She continued to talk to her Devi Maiyya about hunger pangs while she paced not noticing Arnav standing nearby. He frowned in annoyance. She was hungry and is not eating. Why? He took another step closer without her notice and that is when the mehendi filled hands came into his view. Arnav rolled her eyes. Has she not removed them yet? What is wrong with this girl? Arnav shook his head. He had to do something before his lover starved herself.

Khushi was surprised when she was grabbed by her arm. And then she was even more surprised when she saw that it was Arnav who was grabbing her. Before she could protest, he was dragging her into the mansion and making her sit in one of the rooms. That is when she noticed a tray filled with food in his hands. She licked her lips in hunger making Arnav smile. He sat by her and breaking a piece of roti and filling it with sabzi, he took the bite to her mouth. She looked at him with confusion and he smiled tenderly at her, "I know your Amma and Bua are busy with your sisters and I know that you are very hungry. Now don't look at me like that and start eating! I know how much hungry you are!"

Khushi wanted to protest as he was soon going to be her Jijaji but her hunger pangs and the tender love filled eyes of his stopped her from saying anything. She hesitantly opened her mouth and he fed her the first bite. As he continued to feed her, she felt tears well up in her eyes but she controlled herself from crying. Soon, the food had finished and Arnav got up to walk away when Khushi stopped him, "Suniye!"

Arnav turned to see Khushi look at him with love in her eyes as she stood up but Arnav could see pain and regret lurk in those eyes too. He walked towards her and she whispered softly, "Thank you!" Arnav cupped her cheek gently and then bending forward he placed a kiss on her forehead making her close her eyes and finally let all those tears get away. She heard him whisper, "I Love you Khushi!" and then he was gone. She opened her eyes to an empty room and sat down as she cried for the love lost.

When Anjali had first made her redo her mehendi, Geet did not mind. She was actually happy as this meant her M's will look darker. But as time passed she realised one thing. If the mehendi redoing had not occurred, she could have eaten her food peacefully And now, Geet pouted, now I will have to find a bakra to spoon feed me. Kise pakdun? She frowned as she looked around. And that is when she saw Shyam spoonfeed Anjali as Anjali showed him her mehendi filled hands and explained the designs. Haaye! How romantic. Then she grinned happily. Arre! Geet puttar! If you simply wanted romance, toh Mr. Khurana haina! Woh kab kaam aayenge!

Geet looked around for Maan and then blinked as she realised that simply telling Maan to feed her is not going to work here. She will have to use some plan. But what to do? And that is when she saw Dev filling his plate with food. She smiled and walked towards him.

"Mere pyaare Devarji!", a voice came making Dev jump in his place.

"Geet! Bhabhi! Don't scare me like that! Sheesh!", Dev gulped some air as he stared at Geet in shock.

Geet had the grace to look sheepish, "Sorry! Waise kya kar rahe ho? Khaana kha rahe ho?"

Dev shook his head, "Nahi! NT ke liye khaana le jaa raha hoon! Woh mehendi lagaaya na usne, isliye!"

Geet grinned and teased him, "Oh wow! How romantic!, "And then she pouted, "Kaash aapke bhai bhi itne romantic hote! Please Devji! Kuch keejiye na! Mujhe bhook lagi hai aur maine mehendi bhi lagaayi hai! Toh please kuch keejiye na ki Maan mujhe khud aake khilaaye! Mujhe koi raasta dikh nahi raha unse yeh karwaane ke ka!" Dev frowned as he pondered the problem. As he thought for a while, his eyes fell on Daadi and he grinned, "Ek idea hai! Come with me!"

Fifteen minutes later, Maan got a call from his Daadima to come urgently and he hurried to her side only to see her sitting with Geet. He schooled his features as he approached them, "Ji Daadima! Aapne bulaaya?"

Daadima smiled at her grandson, "Maan beta! Hum chaahte hain ki aap humaara ek kaam karein!"

Maan nodded as he kneeled by her side, "Ji Boliye Daadima!"

"Dekhona bechaari Geet ko! Kitni bhooki hai! Aur Anjali ne phir se iske haath mein mehendi laga di toh woh khud se kha nahi paa rahi!", Daadima and Geet looked at each other sadly making Maan roll his eyes, "And what am I supposed to do?"

Daadima huffed, "Hum chaahte hain ki aap inhein khaana khilaayein! Hum khila sakte hain par hum bahut thak chuke hain isliye apne kamre mein aaraam karne jaa rahe hain!"

Saying her piece, Daadima got up to walk away when Maan spoke up, "What? No! Main yeh nahi karunga!" Daadima glared at her grandson, "Kyun? Kyun nahi karoge? Bechaari bachchi bhooki hai! Use kya bhookha chodoge?"

Maan looked at the said bechaari bachchi who looked at him while bringing as much innocence onto her face as possible. Maan simply rolled his eyes at her antics and looked at his Daadi, "No Daadima! Why me? Kisi aur ko bhi toh bol sakti ho aap!"

Finally Geet spoke up, "Kise bolengi Daadima? Sab toh busy hain ek doosre ko khilaane mein! Gupta mummies Gupta sisters ko khila rahi hain! AB gaayab hain! SJ AD ko khila rahe hain! Devji NT Didi ko khila rahe hain! PJ MJ ko khila rahi hain! Khushi toh khud haath mein mehendi lagaake baithi hai! Arjunji Annie ko khila rahe hain! Golmaal toh khud khaana kha raha hai! DJ apne kamre mein aaraam kar rahi hai! Aap bataayiye ki kaun bacha hai mujhe khilaane ke liye?"

Maan gave her sweet smile, "Achcha! Aur tumhaare Veere ka kya?"

Geet gave him a blank look and simply pointed somewhere. He looked into that direction only to see Aakash playing with Kanha. Shyam must have handed the kid to Aakash before spoonfeeding his wife.

When he looked back Geet glared at him, "Ab khaana khila rahe hain aap ki main bhooki marun?"

"FINE!", Maan growled as he threw his hands up, "Main tumhara khaana la raha hoon!"

He stomped away and Geet and Daadima winked at each other.

Soon Daadima walked off and Maan came back with food. He sat beside her and gave her a glare but his glare had no effect on her. She simply grinned, her excitement of getting fed by him shining through her eyes. When Maan gave her the first bite, she looked at him impishly as she bit his fingers.

"Ouch!", Maan winced making Geet giggle. Maan gave her a glare which only made her laugh. Slowly he fed her the food while trying to not show his annoyance and not give into the longing he felt for her. Once the food was over, Geet smiled at him, "Thank you! Waise main soch rahi hoon ki humaari shaadi ke baad mein roz haathon mein mehendi lagaaun taaki roz aap mujhe apne haathon se khilaayein! Khilaaoge na Maan?" Maan growled at her but unable to control his anger he stormed off leaving behind a giggling Geet who did not know that her antics were only pushing Maan away from her more and more and making him feel firmer about his decision because her antics were tugging his heartstrings and making him long for her more which in turn scared Maan.

Nk was walking down the hallways towards the lawn. Dinner was done fifteen minutes back. Maan had asked every one of the family members of Raizada, Gupta and Khurana family to assemble in the lawn in next half hour and Nk decided to go early. He had the dinner with rest of the men folks just fifteen minutes back and while all of them along with the ladies had resigned to their bedrooms to take rest before hitting the lawn for Maan's announcement, Nk had decided to go early and enjoy the calm breeze and quiet and peace in the lawn. Nk was not used to the loud noise which came along with wedding rituals and he longed to have few minutes of quiet. As he walked ahead, he saw someone sitting by the window. It was the same window where he had found Lavanya several times and he was sure that now also it must be her.

As Nk neared the window, he noticed Lavanya subconsciously scratching her hand while looking out. As he walked closer, he noticed that the place she was scratching was where Arnav's A' was written. Nk took a sharp breath at that. Her subconscious was trying to get rid of the mark which told to the world who she was marrying next day. Was this a sign for him? Is it a sign for them?

Nk softly spoke up not wanting to shock Lavanya, "Why are you scratching Arnav's initial?"

Still lost in her thoughts, Lavanya absentmindedly replied, "I am removing his name from my fate!"

Nk was surprised at her actually replying that he forgot to remain quiet, "WHY?"

Lavanya came out of her thoughts and noticed Nk standing there. Standing up with a jerk, she looked around like a mouse looking for a way out and then tried to walk away from him. He caught her hand and pulled her back towards him.

"Let me tell you why you were scratching Arnav's name from your hand! It was because you know that your decision to marry Arnav is wrong!", Nk glared at her.

Lavanya wrenched her hand out of his grip and stumbled back, "Enough! Don't poke into my business! And don't you dare you act like you know everything because you don't!"

For a second, there was a silence and then Nk turned to walk away. As he walked off, he was stopped by Lavanya's quiet voice, "You know in olden times, people used to have arranged marriages too!"

Nk turned around to see a hesitant Lavanya looking at him with uncertainty in her eyes. Her words may have been simply stating facts but her voice was sending a totally different message. Nk felt like she was trying to convince herself that her married life will be a happy one.

And Nk was proven right when Lavanya continued to speak unsurely, "And those couples who had arranged marriages, they fell in love too, right? So I am sure my and ASR's married life will get better too. You see, we will fall in love too!"

Nk raised an eyebrow looking eerily like ASR. He walked towards Lavanya making her more and more nervous. He stood in front of her and folded his arms against his chest. He regarded her for a second and Lavanya felt as if he was staring into her soul. Then he slowly spoke, "Most people who had arranged marriages are actually inclined towards each other by the time they are even engaged. You two, on the other hand, don't even talk to each other, and tomorrow is your wedding. A couple about to have arranged marriage must atleast care about each other. And your darling ASR does not even give a damn about you, forget about caring. So tell me, do you still believe that you will have a happily married life or the delusion that you have made yourself believe in has finally been gone?"

Lavanya raised her hand to slap him but Nk caught her hand and pulled her close, close enough that not even breeze could pass between them. He stared into her eyes, "You know! Even yours and mine arranged marriage would survive and turn towards happiness as we are already friends and I have feelings for you. But yours and Arnav's marriage? Forget it! You will get nothing but sorrow out of the wedding coming up tomorrow!"

For a second, everything was quiet and then Lavanya finally whispered, "What if I don't fall for you even after few months?" Nk blinked in surprise, "What?" Lavanya shrugged as tears welled up in her eyes, "What if, after you and I get married and while your feelings for me intensify, my feelings for you does not cross the boundaries of friendship? Then I may be happy in the marriage because you would love me but how will you be happy without my love?" Nk smiled sadly, "You need not worry about me. My love for you is enough for both of us! I will survive!"

Lavanya pulled her hand away and stepped back, "No! I cannot impose such a life on you!" NK looked at her incredulously, "But you can impose such a loveless life on yourself and ASR?" Lavanya looked away as she folded her arms against her chest. Nk threw his hands out, "Fine! It is your life, your decision! But do one thing for me!" She looked at him curiously and he grasped her shoulders and looked at her with concern, "Whether you choose me as your life partner or not, whether we have a relationship or not, it does not matter! What matters to me is your happiness and that is not in this marriage! Please! Please get out of this marriage! It will give you nothing but pain! It will be a loveless marriage! Please get out of it! Stop yourself from destroying your life! Please!"

By the time, Nk finished speaking; La had tears in her eyes. She looked at him with tenderness. Her heart had been touched by the concern and love in his eyes. She grasped his arms and informed him tearfully, "Not possible Nk! Just not possible! Tum nahi jaante! Agar maine kal shaadi karne se inkaar kiya toh mujhe mandap pe chode jaane ki wajah se meri phir kabhi shaadi nahi hogi! I will never get married again! My future will be wrecked. Even if I fall in love again, my lover's family will oppose of him marrying a girl whose engagement broke on the marriage mandap. No Nk! I cannot do that!"

Nk shook his head, "No! You have to do it! It will bring short term pain but it will give you happiness one day! And when you fall in love, your love will triumph every one of your problems! It will be fine! Just say no tomorrow!"

"NO!", La shrieked as she stumbled back, "NO! You don't understand! Kaun karega mujhse shaadi? Bolo! Who will marry me?"

Nk smiled and shrugged, "I will!"

Lavanya's eyes widened and Nk smiled widely, "Infact, I will marry you tomorrow if you ask me to!"

Lavanya shook her head, "And I am trying to make you understand for a while, that I may not fall for you one day! You will be stuck in a loveless marriage! Are you ready for that? Are you ready for a loveless marriage?"

Nk remained quiet for a second and La took it as his answer. She looked down tired of the fight when Nk finally spoke, "Yes!"

La looked up at him in shock, "What?"

Nk smiled softly and spoke in a very soft voice, "Yes! I will marry you! You know why?"

Nk walked towards her making her step back.

He continued to walk ahead as he spoke, "Because I know the power of my love. I know that I will love you so much that my love will one day make you fall in love with me. I will love you so much that I will make you crazy for me! And now I ask you again. Will you break your rishta with Arnav and take your chance with me? I will love you every moment and give you guarantee that I will make your broken heart beat again and that also for me! Now tell me! Will you cancel your wedding?"

La was in shock. She did not know what to say. Yes! Her feelings had changed for Nk. It had crossed the boundaries of friendship when he confessed his feelings for her in the morning. She may not love him but she was as sure as him that his love would win her heart one day. But was she ready to take the chance? Especially on the eve of her wedding?

Nk smiled as he noticed the confusion in Lavanya's eyes. Happy that his words were finally taking effect, he turned to walk away but not before sending a final message to La, "Main tumhaare jawaab ka intezaar karunga! Aur agar tumne kal waali shaadi todi toh main samjhunga that you are taking your chance with me. And if you take your chance with me, I promise that I will wait forever for you to fall in love with me."

SONG DETAILS:

The song is from I, Me aur Main movie (2013) sung by Falak Shabbir! I listened to the unplugged version while writing this down as it has just a singer with his guitar quite similar to our Aakash here!

NOTE:

Nk calls La Miss. Taken from Chapter 68 (C) as when they first met and he tried to flirt with her she told him that she was taken. So in Chapter 68, he joked that as she was taken and miss., she is Miss. Taken.

PRECAP:

Maan announces his decision turning Geet's world upside down while Arnav makes his final attempt at winning his love!

Thank you, take care and have fun,

Kalpana

Emotional Update... geets love is pushing maan hard to take an hasty decision...hes become so adamant and stubborn towards her love...its hard to break the walls of his heart... loved the way arnav is taking care of feeding his khushi making her weak in his love... poor soul is so worried about the happenings in her life and still shes adamant to reject arnavs love just for her sister sake... poor arnav is still in the hope of making her understand before his marriage... selection of song is awesome...

Wonderful mindblowing update Love It

hi thanks 4 da pm n fab update! Well written! awesome song!

Wat an update... Eager to know wat happens during the marriage

Awesome update
Totally loved it

loved the song. hope la n khushi takes the right decision. nw waiting to know maan's decision