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Chapter 2
Payal Gupta, now Payal Singh Raizada, kicked the pot with rice as she was welcomed in the Raizada Mansion by Arundhati Singh Raizada. She was about to step inside when Arnav's voice interrupted her. "Stop. Bhai, did you forget the Raizada tradition?" Arnav asked his brother with a teasing smile. Payal looked confusedly as the Raizada family giggled at Arnav's question. "Uh, Payal, according to Raizada tradition, the groom enters carrying the bride in his arms." Anjali explained Payal. A tinge of red appeared on Payal's face. "What are you waiting for, Bhai? Just sweep Anklet off her feet and carry her inside", Arnav whispered into Akash's ears along with a wink. Akash looked at his newly-wed wife asking for permission. Receiving a shy smile as agreement to his silent question, he picked her in his arms and stepped inside.
While the Raizada Mansion echoed with laughter and cheers as the newly-weds participated in the games arranged for them, the Gupta Villa was enveloped by a strange sadness. Shashi Gupta looked at the empty hallway which had been buzzing with guests a few hours ago. He had managed to make his wife sleep but he himself couldn't. He let out a deep sigh. He was both happy and sad, happy that his daughter was married off to her love, sad because she had left a void. He was missing her already.
Saket sneakily entered his sisters' room. Khushi and Payal shared a room since childhood. He knew Khushi would be silently shedding tears. As expected, he found her sitting at the corner of her bed with a photo-frame in her hand. The frame held the picture of the siblings with the initials P', K', S' formed using their fingers. He sat beside her and watched her caressing the frame as a drop of tear fell from her eyes. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I am missing her so much", Khushi said sensing the presence of her brother. "I know. I am missing her too," replied Saket. "I can't imagine I would be sleeping alone in this room now." "Aren't you happy that you will get to use the whole bed now?" Saket asked trying to make her smile and it worked. Khushi smiled. "Okay stop shedding tears and have this ice-cream. I know you haven't eaten much. Enjoy your favourite ice-cream while Jiji enjoys her suhag-raat", he said with a wink as he handed her the tub of chocolate ice-cream. "You are impossible, Saket." Khushi giggled. "Tell me something I do not know, Khu baby", he said and ducked the pillow thrown at him by Khushi.
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RED! Khushi Gupta was red. No. She wasn't blushing. She was red because of anger. No extra cookies for guessing the reason behind her soaring anger. It was none other than Arnav Singh Raizada. His one comment had the ability to change a jovial Khushi into an irritated Khushi. And that is what happened on most of the wedding days starting from the day of engagement when they had met for the first time.
Next was the Sangeet ceremony. Her dance performance had just ended and she was being praised by all. Anjali came forward and said, "Khushi, your performance was superb." "Thank you so much Anjaliji", Khushi replied smilingly. "And you are looking so pretty in this yellow and green sari." Arnav, who was passing by them, had listened to their conversation and dropped in his comment, "Yeah, bilkul Delhi ki auto-rickshaw ki tarah", (Yeah, just like Delhi's auto-rickshaws) and walked away before Khushi could retort. However, the damage was done. In spite of all the praises showered on her, her mind had been stuck one that one comment made by a particular young man.
However, she had been spared on the Mehendi ceremony since men were strictly not allowed in the ritual. The Haldi ceremony went smoothly too except for a small argument when she had overheard him talking to Akash where he had used the name Anklet.
"How dare you name my sister Anklet?" She had confronted him.
"Because that is what Payal means."
"She is going to be your Bhabhi."
"Yes. So technically it should bother her and not you and she loves her new name. Yeh bhabhi aur dewar ka pyaar hai, tum nahi samjhogi."(You won't understand the love between a sister-in-law and brother-in-law.) And that rendered her speechless.
He had even managed to save his brother's money by stealing the groom's shoes from Khushi at the right time. Thanks to his cunningness and her friend, Preeto, who had betrayed her. Well, who could deny the charms of Arnav Singh Raizada? So when he had asked Preeto to tell him where Khushi had hidden the shoes with an extra sweet voice along with an array of compliments on her beauty, she had readily agreed. Moreover, he had also bribed the kids present with chocolates and had asked them to divert Khushi's attention while he stole the shoes. Further, he had left a note there. "Everything is fair in love and war. ;)"
Khushi let out deep sighs to calm herself. She opened a fresh page of her diary and started writing.
Hello Diary,
I was so happy today. Jiji had come for the Pagphera rasam. It has just been a day since her marriage and I am already missing her like hell. I took an off today. I know, I know. Saket was shocked too. But I wanted to spend all my time with my Jiji. I had even prepared two of her favourite dishes. I was excited to meet Jijaji too and tease them of course. But my happiness was ruined by the Uninvited Guest' who had tagged along with Jijaji. Mr. Jerk!
He gave his expert comments on my cooking, which spices should have been more and what not. Mr. Know-It-All! Huh! As if I care.
I wish I could wipe that idiotic smirk off his face.
P.S. I feel guilty of noticing how dashing he looked in casuals.
I SHOULD AVOID HIM.
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Khushi had followed her mantra strictly. She had avoided him for more than a month. She rarely visited Raizada Mansion and if she did, she ignored his annoying comments.
However, her tolerance level had reached its peak and she couldn't help confronting him in their next meet. Khushi was trying to pull out a book from the stack of books piled in front of her which was definitely higher than her. She raised herself on her toes to reach the book when she heard his voice. "Need help?"
She turned around and found him standing just behind her with a packet in his hand. She couldn't help but admire how devilishly handsome he looked on those beige chinos and blue shirt. Stop admiring him, Khushi. She mentally advised herself.
"What are you doing here?" She asked him after pulling out the required book. She did not require his help to accomplish her job.
"Channe bech raha hoon. Khani hai?"(I am selling cheek-peas. Do you want some?)
Khushi fumed at his reply. Why couldn't he reply straight?
"You think you sound funny, right? Well, you do not. I am tolerating you just because you are my sister's brother-in-law. Now please excuse me. I do not have time for your stupid jokes."
She walked away towards the billing counter leaving a dazed Arnav behind.
"Well done, Raizada! It is time for damage control." He muttered under his breath. He followed her to the counter and stood behind her in queue. "Khushi, listen. I am extremely sorry for irritating you with my comments. I don't know why but I liked teasing you." Oh, really Raizada! Why don't you tell her the real reason? You love the way she furrows her eye-brows when she is annoyed and you feel like kissing her cute button-nose which turns red due to anger. He mentally punched himself for thinking on those lines.
He realized Khushi hadn't said a word. "Since your sister is related to me now, we are going to meet in future. Why not make a fresh start? I apologise for all my deeds and promise I won't irritate you again. Would you like to join me for coffee to start afresh?"
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This is where I leave you today. I have replied to your amazing comments on Pages 18 and 19. Do check them.
I am not accustomed to the wedding rituals. Forgive me if there is any mistake.
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Chapter 3
Edited by barsha_dash - 10 years ago
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