Part 1
As their eyes met, this time Arnav felt as if Khushi could see right through his soul. "Don't be scared. I won't ever hurt you. Ever. And if I do, I will die." Khushi immediately put her hand on his mouth. "Aaj ke baad agar aapne aisi baat ki to main yaha se chali jaoungi samjhe aap" Khushi threatened.
~
Arnav stared at her intently before a little smirk formed on his face.
"Really? You'll go away from here? From me? Hmm.. Well in that case, I'll have to keep you tied to me.." he suggested as he moved closer to her.
Detecting the look of playfulness in his eyes, Khushi gulped and moved back until her back hit the sliding door that led to the poolside. She gasped as she turned to her sides to look for an escape but soon was caged by Arnav as he put his hands on both sides of the door, trapping her against him and the door.
Khushi could feel her cheeks heating up and she lowered her gaze and stared at his buttons while Arnav looked down at her, his burning gaze leaving her flustered.
"Khushi.." his warm breath washed over her face and she struggled to keep her breathing under control.
Her chest heaved as she drew in deep breaths, trying to calm down her racing heart. Hey Devi Maiyya, why does his closeness affect me so much? This is not good for my heart! Khushi could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage so fast and hard that her ribcage was in danger of cracking. She wondered if Arnav could hear her crazily beating heart.
She swallowed and Arnav let his eyes trace the movement of her swan like neck. So she was nervous, he thought with an amused smile. He moved his head closer to her and Khushi's eyes snapped up to meet his own eyes that were twinkling with mischief. Her eyes widened as he inched closer and closer.
She knew what was coming next. Would she fight it? Khushi let her gaze slip from his eyes to his lips and back to his eyes again. She shut her eyes and prepared to receive his kiss.
Soon, she felt a soft butterfly kiss on her neck against the pulse point as her heart continued to flutter at a high speed and she gasped as she felt a soft bite followed by a little lick. Her eyes flew open to see his tousled hair while his face stayed buried in the crook of her neck. Slowly raising his head up, his eyes clashed with hers and the way he looked at her made her feel like she was the only woman in his world.
His woman.
She pushed him back with all her might and felt victorious as he stumbled backwards and looked perplexed. "What the-" he blurted as she cut in.
"What the nahi Mr Arnav Singh Raizada, how! How will you keep my tied down to you?" she asked innocently as she batted her eyelashes at him.
His eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms across his chest. His little tigress was playing with him!
"It's not an easy thing to do.. especially since.. you'll have to catch me first!" she laughed as she started to run towards the pool and gave a little shriek as she looked back to see Arnav chasing after her.
Her infectious laughter made Arnav smile widely; he loved seeing this playful side of Khushi. He would chase her any day if it meant that he could see his Khushi happy and smiling. She slowed slightly to look around for a second to find another route to run and in this split second Arnav caught up to her and hauled her to him as he grabbed her arm.
She crashed against him and her hands flew up to his chest to steady herself but she didn't need to as he had already slid his arms around her waist and secured her against him. Both of them looked at each other, still smiling widely as contentment washed over them.
How the hell had he gone on for so long without her? She was perfect. She fit perfectly in his arms and at the moment he felt like he had the entire world in his arms.
His Khushi.
Arnav was looking at her that way again that made her heart skip a beat. How did this complicating yet brilliant man turn out to be hers? He may not be perfect, but he was hers.
Her Arnav.
"Caught you Khushi" he whispered as he rested his forehead against hers. "Nowhere to run" he trailed off, brushing his nose against hers.
"I don't want to run Arnavji, I'm right where I want to be. Hamesha.." she snuggled further in his embrace; his arms around her making her feel safe and protected.
"Hamesha" he repeated and sealed the vow with a sweet kiss on her lips.
~
Two weeks later, Shantivan was decorated like a beautiful bride. Over the course of the two weeks, Buaji had chanted "Nandkishore" a hundred times in a hundred different tones, Mami had exclaimed "Hello Hi Bye Bye" at least 50 times, Nani and Garima had remembered Devi Maiyya 30 times before they had gotten all the preparations of the wedding done.
The house had come alive with the wedding between Arnav and Khushi and each and every member of the house had a smile on their faces. The tilak, roka, sagai, mehendi, sangeet and haldi had all been completed beautifully, with an equally beautiful bride who had a permanent blush on her face.
The members of the house kept teasing her about how Arnav had put his foot down and stomped in irritation two weeks ago when Nani had casually suggested that their wedding take place after three months.
Arnav's eyebrow had hit the roof and he all but yelled "NO" in Nani's face while Nani struggled to keep a straight face.
"No way Nani! I'm not waiting for more than even a week. If I could, I'd marry Khushi tomorrow. But I know Khushi wants all the rituals performed like the sagai, mehendi and all that. So I'm giving you just a week to prepare and get all those rituals done. I want the wedding to take place this time next week." Arnav had quietly but confidently said his piece in a tone that allowed no further argument.
The rest of the people giggled softly as they saw an impatient Arnav laying down the rules. "But Chote, one week is not enough! One week will be occupied by all the rituals itself, then when will we actually prepare?" Nani asked innocently.
Arnav fisted his hands by his side and Anjali covered up her laugh by pretending to cough.
"What the. You need one whole week to prepare? I will hire a wedding planner and pay them double the price to hurry with the decorations. Happy? The wedding will take place next week. That's final" Arnav said in his ASR tone.
"But Chote-"
"Nani cut me some slack here. Isnt it enough that I'm actually going through with these rituals, and now you want me to wait? I don't-"
"Garima bitiya called earlier Chote. They met with a pandit who said that the nearest auspicious date for the wedding is in two weeks. Chale ga?" Nani asked in all seriousness.
"But-"
"Khushi bitiya believes in all these things Chote. Unke liye itna to kar hi sakhte ho na Chote?" [Surely you can do this much for her?] Nani asked with a smile that widened when Arnav promptly shut up and muttered a "Fine" before walking away to his room.
"Two weeks!" he called out as he walked away. The family laughed as Arnav's protests died the minute Khushi's name came up.
Ah, young love.
He then stopped abruptly then stormed back to his family who braced themselves for his anger.
"What the! Then why were you saying three months at first Nani?" Arnav asked in agitation. The family burst out laughing and Anjali answered while clutching her stomach.
"We.. wanted to..*laugh* tease you Chote.. *Laugh* You should've.. seen your face!" Anjali laughed out, unable to control her happiness at her Chote's wedding and teasing him had been too much fun.
Arnav visibly blushed just a little before he pursed his lips.
"You have two weeks, get to work!" He huffed and marched into his room while the laughter echoed in the living room.
~
Khushi sat in front of the mirror in the guest room in Shantivan. Nani had invited her family to get ready in Shantivan for the wedding that was taking place in less than an hour. Khushi smiled as she remembered Arnav's horrified face when Nani told them that they were not allowed to meet after the Haldi ceremony. He was like a little kid whose favorite toy had been taken away from him, she thought as a tender smile graced her lips. She couldn't believe how fast time had passed.
Two weeks had gone by just like that and now, today was her wedding day! She was marrying the Laad Governor today! The Laad Governor was marrying her today! She was about to be wed in less than an hour! Hey Devi Maiyya, is this really happening?
She had put the whole kidnapping phase aside and had forgiven Anjali and NK for pulling such an act and everything was right in her world at this moment.
And it was about to get better, she was about to be Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada!
She blushed as she recalled the last kiss she had shared with Arnav by the poolside two weeks ago. She had told him that there would be no more kisses and that they would behave themselves until they got married.
Needless to say, Arnav had blown up in anger and demanded a kiss the very next minute after she had said that.
She laughed as she recalled how grumpy he had been. So, to placate her Laad Governor, she pressed a short kiss to his cheek before happily walking to the guest room to sleep for the night.
Khushi blushed as she recalled the numerous times Arnav had shamelessly pulled her to him every chance he got during all the pre-wedding rituals.
"Arnavji, someone will see.." she pleaded with him to let her go just as the mehendi ceremony had been over and he had pulled her into his arms by her waist.
"Dekhne do Khushi. After all I'm holding my fianc, not someone else's fianc" he countered and she just rested her head against his chest, her head coming to fit in perfectly below his chin.
Khushi stared at the mehendi that adorned her hands. Dark maroon colored patterns covered her palms and the back of her hands while countless green, gold and pink glass bangles matching her wedding attire covered her wrists. She looked at the intricate design of the mehendi where Arnav's name had been expertly written in a way that blended into the rest of the design. Her hands rested on her lap and she looked down to see her heavy lengha that was part of the beautiful wedding attire that Arnav had exclusively designed for her. He had rushed the designers to make this for her and every time she looked at it, she felt breathless. He was an excellent designer.
There were two layers to the lengha. The second layer was a champagne colored silk material that caressed her skin whenever she moved. The top layer however was a thin net material that started off as light green before fading to a darker green towards the bottom with a thick bright pink border that circled her feet. There were silver sequin patterns on the net material that shone whenever the light hit their angle. Small shiny mirrors at regular intervals were attached to the pink border that created a glittery effect.
Her blouse was a short one. It was champagne colored with lines of pink and green at the borders and half sleeves that allowed her intricate mehendi design right up to her elbow and beyond to be showed off. The blouse had a decent neckline but ended right below her breasts which was too short for her liking. Luckily she had the dupatta, but it was of net material! Laad Governor, she thought fondly as she smiled to herself.
The dupatta was beautiful with both ends of the material being a dark pink shade and fading into light pink in the middle. Silver sequins on the dupatta were arranged to match the design of the lengha. Tiny mirrors lined the ends of the dupatta and silver bells hung from the frame of the dupatta that clinked with every movement. She had draped the dupatta in way that thankfully covered most of her front, leaving just her sides bare. She had tucked one end of the dupatta into the left side of the lengha and brought the dupatta over her right shoulder. She pleated the material like she would a sari and pinned to her right shoulder with the blouse lest it fell away.
She had debated leaving the right part of the dupatta just hanging off her shoulder but then decided to pin the end of the pleated net dupatta to the left side on the edge of the blouse. That would serve Laad Governor right for making such a short blouse! He would only be able to see the sides of her waist that was sure to drive him crazy. What a tease she was being! Khushi giggled to herself.
Her ornaments too had been picked out by him. His mother's necklace hung from her neck, the gold shining proudly, complementing the champagne in her attire. She had also worn a longer necklace that her Amma had given her. Her ears carried heavy yet light jkumkas that moved with the breeze. Gold jhumkas with alternate pink and green gems hung from her ears. Her maangtika matched her earrings that also had pink and green gems lining her forehead. Glass bangles covered her wrists and her ankles had gold anklets tied to them that made a sweet sound whenever she walked.
From top to bottom, she was dressed in Arnav's choice.
It felt like he had dressed her himself.
Her eyes rose to the mirror where she looked at herself. Was this really her? This pretty woman staring back at her through the mirror dressed in a wedding attire.. Dressed for him.
Wide, innocent eyes lined with thick black eye liner, creating a smoky eye effect. Lips, a rosy pink color. Cheeks that had a natural flush. This face, was it really her?
Only forty minutes were left to the wedding. Anticipation ran through Khushi as nervousness took its place and she fought to keep her fingers still and not torture her dupatta. She was all ready. Now all that was left was the wait.
For him.
~
Arnav had been threatened by Nani and Anjali that he was not to wear his usual black and white colored clothes or suits on the day of his wedding. Like what the! It was his wedding, why couldn't he wear what he liked? So they settled with a compromise. His sherwani was mostly black but had a green and pink border. Specially to match Khushi's attire.
His bride.
He still couldn't believe it. Two weeks had gone by so quickly and now, it was his wedding day! He was about to marry the woman he loved. To think of all the time he had wasted. And hurt Khushi. Khushi had forgiven him but he wasn't sure how. That was Khushi, her heart big enough to love everyone and still have enough room to forgive him. How lucky was he?
Even though she had forgiven him, he made a silent promise to never hurt her again, to make up for all he had said and done, and to never take her for granted again. He would spend the rest of his life trying to keep her happy.
Though he had been furious upon learning that her kidnapping had been planned by his very own family members, he was grateful that they had taken the efforts to make him realize what an idiot he was by not recognizing the fact that he was in love with Khushi.
On the day he had agreed for his wedding to be two weeks from then, he had made a few calls. His position, connections and power allowed him to fire out rapid instructions and have them delivered. Lavanya hadn't seen what hit her. He had struck with such precision that it had left Lavanya reeling, dazed and head spinning.
Realization of what had happened to her sunk in only when she had found herself behind bars.
Nobody messed with Arnav Singh Raizada.
Or the people he cared about, and Khushi was on top of that list.
Lavanya had made a huge mistake teaming up with Shyam and she would be paying for that the rest of her life. He made sure that even after she got out of jail, she would never be able to get a decent job. In a flash, her career had been destroyed; effectively destroying her.
He smiled as he looked at himself in the full length mirror. He looked good. Though he wasn't comfortable wearing the sherwani, he did it for her. The things he did for her!
He looked at the clock, there was just half an hour left to the wedding. He wondered how Khushi was doing. Was she nervous? Was she okay? How did she look in the clothes he had designed and jewelry he had picked out for her? She looked beautiful in everything anyway, all the damn time. But he couldn't wait to see her in her wedding attire.
Almost felt like he had dressed her up.
He paced his room, restless to see her. They had last seen each other during the haldi ceremony; the day before yesterday, after which he had been forbidden to meet her. His would be wife! How was that fair? These rituals he agreed to were separating her from him!
Indeed, the things he did for her. He did because she deserved it; she deserved a proper, joyful and grand wedding which is exactly what he intended to deliver.
For her.
~
"Khusi, all the guests have arrived. It's almost time. Chalein?" Amma asked gently, her eyes tearing as she saw her daughter all grown up looking beautiful in her wedding lengha.
Khushi stood up from in front of the mirror, the bells of her dupatta making a slight noise, the lengha gently flowing against her feet and her anklets twinkling. She turned to face her Amma who turned her back to the mirror.
Garima lifted part of the dupatta and arranged it to be placed gently on her head, covering her back and most of her head; just part of her maangtika could be seen. Khushi turned around and hugged her Amma. Garima patted her head and smiled weakly.
"Always stay happy Khushi" she blessed her daughter. Khushi's face lit up.
"Chalein?" Amma asked as she brought Khushi down the stairs.
To her groom.
~
Arnav stood impatiently at the mandap, his eyes going over all the decorations that his money had paid for. Clearly, the wedding planners had done a good job. But would Khushi like it? Would this be enough for the grand wedding that he wanted to give her? After eyeing the decorations, his gaze stuck onto the stairs. When would she come!
Nani and Anjali giggled as they watched an impatient Arnav looking around and constantly gazing at the stairs. NK tapped his shoulder. "Nannav! Suar ka phool mitha hota hair mere Bhai! Wait karo, wait karo!" [Nannav, the flower of a pig is sweet my bro! Keep waiting, keep waiting!] he grinned at Arnav who rolled his eyes.
Even if Khushi didn't drive him crazy, he was sure NK's hindi would make him crazy soon.
"Oh ho NK bhai, sabar! Sabar ka phal mitha hota hai! [The wait is worth it!]" Anjali giggled as she came to stand beside Chote.
"Waise Chote, tumari nazar baar baar sidi ke taraf kyu ja rahi hai? Koi aane wala hai kya? Kis cheez ka intezaar hai? [Anyway Chote, why are you constantly staring at the stairs? Is someone coming? What are you waiting for?"] She asked innocently, craning her neck to look up the stairs.
Arnav resisted the urge to roll his eyes at his sister. He turned to her and folded his arms across his chest.
"Haan di, intezaar hai. I'm waiting. For you to grow up" he smirked as Anjali's jaw dropped open.
Her Chote just cracked a joke! He wasn't getting angry as he usually did when she teased him! She would race to the mandir after the wedding and offer Devi Maiyya 1kilo of Prasad.
"Nannav, tum Khushiji ka wait kar rahe ho na? Ke wo kab ay, kab tum unko dekho, unke khoobsurati me kho jao.." [Nannav, you are waiting for Khushiji right? Waiting for when will she come, when you will see her and get lost in her beauty..] NK had a dreamy expression on his face and Arnav felt rage coursing through him.
Even though he knew Khushi was his, he still couldn't help the jealousy he was feeling.
"Bhabhi" he snapped at NK who instantly had a horrified expression on his face.
"NOO! Nahiii. Nannav mere bhai, tumko kya hua hai? What happened to you? You are making Khushiji your Bhabhi? Why Nannav, kyuuu-"
"SHUT up!" Arnav fisted his hands by his side before he strangled NK. Arnav was about to blast at NK once more when suddenly the air around him changed. His head jerked to the stairs, everyone and everything else fading away as his gaze rested on the sole person who captivated him at the moment.
Khushi..
He wished he had taken a deep breath because the moment he laid eyes on her, he was breathless. To say he was speechless would be an understatement. Khushi looked absolutely stunning. In the wedding attire that he had designed, she looked magnificent. He couldn't believe his eyes. When he had designed the clothes, he had known that it would look better once she worn them but right now.. it was like the colors of the attire had come alive. The gems of his mother's necklace shone brilliantly against the lighting and he swallowed hard as saw her proceeding down the stairs.
Towards him.
Udne Ki Aasha
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