Ok so this was an OS I had written for NL's OS contest, a month ago. The theme was to write about an extended ending for IPKKND. Thanks to all those who voted for this story, it won the Runner-up. I thought I might as well post it on the forum, for those who did not read the contest entries. Let me warn you, that it is extremely short, considering there was a 1500 word limit. Its IPK ending my way. Hope you enjoy it!
Unnamed Love
1 Year later
Her smile dazzled him like always. Even amidst the gathered crowd, his eyes focused on her glowing face. Had she grown in beauty... or was his love biased towards the luminous face of his wife, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada. Arnav sighed at the distance between them, as Mr. Oberoi continuously chattered about something related to a new business proposition.
They were at Aarav's school. The annual gathering was a huge event and unfortunately for him, he had to indulge in these small talks with the other parents, who did not leave any opportunity to get acquainted with Arnav Singh Raizada... the business tycoon. Why couldn't he just enjoy being a simple father for once, who had come to celebrate his son's achievements? He looked once again at his wife, who like always was a crowd puller. She was flocked by women who looked at her admiringly... smitten by her aura and he knew for sure... her wonderfully kind heart as well.
The past year, had changed the course of their lives. After Khushi had won the prestigious Mrs. India award, her self-confidence had heightened to another level. With the help of his Di and NK, she had managed to go through a complete makeover. From designer clothes to fluent English, she had worked hard over each aspect that had made her feel slightly inferior to Sheetal. He knew her efforts had more to do with proving herself worthy of being the wife of the Arnav Singh Raizada the world knew of.
However, for him... her Arnav... she had always been more than perfect. An epitome of inner beauty, her dazzling smile, those luminous eyes, the generous heart and constant adorable chatter... his Khushi was all of the above and more. She was the one person who had brought happiness to his life. Her love had managed to shatter all those massive barriers he had built around his heart. He was freed of his tormenting past and had finally managed to welcome life, with wide arms.
Khushi was now handling the models at AR Designs. Her victory at the beauty pageant, had earned her respect and he had grabbed the opportunity of offering her a job, before she drifted away from him. His need to still possess her in every aspect of life hadn't changed. He wanted to own her... her heart, her body, her soul. She was his... even if a tainted man like him, didn't deserve a pure soul like Khushi. He was still too selfish to part away from her even for a minute and he had finally accepted the fact that with each passing day, his obsession and love for his wife, grew tenfold.
He was glad that she had only gone for a makeover of her external attributes... as the soul of Khushi still remained his. She still had abundant love to give... to him, to Aarav and to his crazy family. His Di had taken inspiration from Khushi and had decided to move ahead in life. She had quickly managed to begin working for an NGO for women, who suffered a troubled marriage or had been victims of domestic violence. It gave her immense peace to be able to help such women, find their own standing in life and happiness.
His eyes flit back to his wife's form and an involuntary smile bloomed on his face seeing her saree clad form. She still wore her salwar-suits and sarees. He was glad that she did not see the need to move to western clothes, which definitely was not her style. Except that her sarees were now more stunning, which were lovingly crafted by the designers at AR. He was glad to see the way people admired her dressing sense and her working ethics. She made him feel proud and he was glad that she now felt like an equal to him... the perfect Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada.
As if on cue, the woman in deep red organza saree, looked up at him, her eyes surprised to find his on her. How was it possible, that even after so many months of extremely passionate and intense love life, his body surged with a mere eye contact. His eyes darkened and beseeched her to come to him. As if in trance, she excused herself and took languid strides towards him... his woman... his wife... his love... his happiness... his Khushi... reached him within seconds, her eyes mirroring his own... a desire so potent that everything else seemed to seize.
He took her slender hand in his own and pulled her closer whispering, "You look beautiful... did I tell you that before?" She laughed freely, his heart doing a flip at its delicious sound. "You said it the moment I was dressed, Arnavji." "Oh right, just after I had pulled off the saree you had worn earlier," he teased with a wink. She blushed, looked around and admonished him with her eyes to behave himself. He grinned at her and pulled her closer, an indecent gesture for such a family gathering.
"I love you Mrs. Raizada," he said simply as her eyes twinkled with happiness. She was still the same... thrilled and content with such small gestures, when he could afford to give her the world. But that is exactly what set her apart. She looked around sneakily and when confirmed that no one was noticing them, leaned in to place a quick kiss on his cheek and whispered, "Hum bhi aap se I love you, laad governor!"
His grin turned to laughter, which had now become an undying part of their lives. The announcement on the stage, managed to break their private bubble of happiness, as the two proud parents settled into their seats. Soon there were performances, one after the other. Arnav saw Aarav playing the drums brilliantly, while a couple of other children played other instruments. Their piece was a hit, as the crowd clapped along with the upbeat music. Khushi slipped a hand into Arnav's as she saw his eyes mist with pride. He knew there was never a need for words between them... she felt what he felt.
As the prize distribution began, Arnav was almost sitting at the edge of his seat with anticipation. When Aarav was announced as the student of the year, his happiness knew no bounds. He pulled Khushi into a tight hug. The pride he felt to see his son winning this prestigious award, could not compare to the ample of awards he had won in life. This was his most prized possession to see the boy that had come to mean the world to him, make him so proud.
Aarav ran towards them with his trophy. Arnav took the crashing weight of his boy, happily... picking him up in his arms while holding the trophy proudly in his hands. Khushi caressed Aarav's hair much to his dislike and hugged them both. "Congrats young man! You did it!" were Arnav's words, his throat choking with emotion. Was it possible for one man to be gifted with so much happiness?
Aarav struggled to get down and rushed into his mother's waiting arms, showing her the trophy proudly. The mother and son got busy in their chatter, as Arnav looked on. Life had come a full circle for him. What were the odds that two orphans, had adopted an orphan and made him their own? Who would understand better than Khushi or him, what it meant to have this kind of love and affection as a child... to have the protecting cocoon of a family.
Khushi had the Guptas, while he had his nani and mama-mami. They both had been loved unconditionally and he promised to walk the same path. The two most important people in his life were in front of him, who did not share blood ties, yet were bound to each other by an unknown thread... a thread so strong that everything else seemed worthless.
Love... Khushi had taught him to love but Aarav had managed to broaden that circle of love, which surrounded him. Both these people had made him a better person and he could not help but feel this strong surge of emotion for them. What could he name this kind of love that existed between them... it was potent, alive and selfless. Then why did it even need to be named?
He walked towards the duo, wrapping his large arms around both of them, pulling his world closer to him. The laughing son and his giggling mother, teased each other, making Arnav join into their adorable banter. As the small Raizada family, made their way out of the school, Arnav realized one fact about him... about them... about his family. They shared a love so pure that giving it a name would only diminish its enormity. It was love that was best left unnamed.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Indian Idol 16
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