Arshi FF: Jeene Laga Hoon (NOTE pg. 68) - Page 18

When the Raizada family arrived at The Mahal that evening, the concierge greeted them as though they were royalty. The workers took their bags and dropped them to their designated rooms. Arnav didn't understand the need for such treatment until he found out that his Nani and Anjali had rented out the entire venue! He gaped when he received this piece of information. Were they inviting all of India to the wedding? Did they need all that space? Anjali had to explain to him that the Raizada name was famous in India, and they didn't want the public, specifically the media, to try and crash the special event. Arnav nodded as he understood and respected her decision.

Many family members and guests had also arrived that evening. They had checked in and were taking in the beauties of Udaipur. They greeting each other and conversing with members of Payal's family, who had also arrived earlier that day. Apart from the festivities, nothing was planned for the guests. Therefore, they were allowed to do whatever they pleased when they weren't partaking in the wedding celebrations. That night, Arnav spent his time working, much to Nani's dismay. Even when he was here, he wasn't. She hoped that he would at least stop working and enjoy his brother's sangeet.

~

The following night, the sangeet ceremony was in full swing in the main hall of The Mahal. Guests arrived by the masses, ranging from relatives, to friends, to colleagues. As Akash had said before, Nani and Anjali pulled out all the stops, even when it came to his attire. He was dressed in a brown sherwani with a shiny blue paisley design. Akash stood by the bar and greeted his guests, but his eyes constantly went to the entrance. He was very eager to see Payal. She had arrived late last night, and he hadn't had a chance to meet her before today's event. NK walked over to Akash, a glass of scotch in his hand.

"She'll be here any minute," NK said. "No need to look at the door like a lost puppy."

Akash looked at NK embarrassed, "Whatever NK!"

"I mean, I know you're excited to get married, but let's not make it so obvious mera bhai."

"Really? Are you going to start the teasing now?"

"Have to. It's my job. You've done it to me all my life. I may as well do it while I have the chance," NK chuckled.

Arnav came down the stairs dressed in a black sherwani with blue collar and gold buttons. He hadn't left his room except to eat, stating that he had some work to get done before tonight. As he reached the bottom of the staircase, he looked at venue. The entire area was covered in white marble, from the pillars, to the floors, to the stairs. Baby blue curtains were draped between pillars along with fairy lights. There was a stage in the large space between the double staircases, where the performers would dance.

In the midst of it all, Arnav caught sight of the two people he was looking for. He saw Akash and NK conversing at the bar. He walked over to them, adjusting the collar of his sherwani at the same time. Arnav grumbled to himself. He hated wearing sherwanis. The pants always felt like they were going to fall off, and the collar always felt suffocating. If it wasn't for Anjali threatening him, he wouldn't have worn it. But now that he was, he felt like he couldn't breathe. However, he had to suck it up for everyone's sake, even if the angry ASR in him was cursing endlessly.

"Bhai you're in a sherwani?" Akash exclaimed rather shocked. "Well aren't you full of surprises?"

"Not one word about this Akash," Arnav mumbled gruffly. "I don't know how you guys wear these things."

"Careful Di doesn't hear you," NK stated as he casually took a sip of his drink. "You know how on-edge she is right now."

"Well do my eyes deceive me? Or is Arnav Singh Raizada really here?" A male voice said.

Arnav turned his attention to the originator of the voice, and found his jijaji, Aman. Arnav shook his hand and gave him a friendly hug. The last time he had seen Aman was on the day of his wedding to Anjali. They had come to Udaipur together, but Arnav hadn't had a chance to talk to him until now.

"How are you, man?" Aman asked.

"I'm good," Arnav replied. "How's everything with you?"

"Couldn't be better. I mean, I'm going to be a father."

"Yeah I know. Di told me. Congrats."

"Thanks. Well I have to go help your sister. It looks like the bride's side has arrived."

Akash's ear perked up, "Payal's here?"

"Here we go," NK laughed.

As if on cue, Payal and her family entered. She looked beautiful, dressed in a gold lengha and dark pink choli. Behind her were parents, and behind them was a group of her friends and relatives. They were all pushing forward, excited to see the festivities and Payal's groom. Akash and the rest of the Raizadas made there way to the center stage, where the sangeet ceremony would take place. Payal was stunned to see Arnav, but greeted him with the same gusto as the others had by giving him a big hug. She hugged NK and touched Nani's feet. Anjali and Aman went on the stage with their microphones and made an announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let's take our seats," Anjali said.

Everyone took their seats and turned their attention to the front stage.

Aman smiled, "Thank you all for coming to the sangeet of Akash and Payal."

Everyone clapped.

"Now before we begin with the planned performances, we have one special announcement. Anjali?"

Anjali took over, "It seems that a dance challenge has been thrown down from the bride's side."

Akash raised an eyebrow before looking at Payal, who mischievously smirked and shrugged her shoulders. He knew she was up to something by that look on her face, but before he could figure out what, Anjali continued.

"Payal suggested that anyone on her side can beat anyone on Akash's side. Well, as much as I love Payal, I would love to see this! So we decided to accept the challenge!"

NK leaned down over and whispered in Akash's ear, "When was this decided?"

"I have no idea," Akash whispered back.

"So Payal, choose the best dancer on your side. And Akash, you too."

Arnav, who was standing next to NK, was looking around, curious as to who was going to represent the girl's side. He knew that Akash wouldn't choose him, or at least he was hoping he wouldn't be chosen. He thanked his stars when he saw NK stride up on stage confidently, while Akash covered his face with his hand.

He shook his head and said, "If NK is representing my side, then we are sure to lose."

NK gave Akash a thumbs up and said loudly, "Give me some credit! I'm not that bad. Just wait and see. We'll win. I mean, how good can the girl from the bride's side be?"

Payal laughed, "Prepare to eat your words, Nandkishore!"

Arnav didn't understand what she meant until the music began playing. It was Ghaghra' from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. As the beginning melody played, NK looked around him to find his opponent. Suddenly, a girl came with her back towards the audience. She was dressed in a white lengha and navy blue choli. Her white dupatta was draped over her body, barely giving a peek of her hourglass figure. As she turned around and started dancing, Arnav almost fell out of his seat. It was Khushi!

He looked at her from head to toe, mesmerized. Was this really her? Who knew that behind that soft-spoken chasmish would turn into this woman. She had completely changed, but she looked beautiful. He continued to watch her dance, almost falling over twice. As she swayed her hips, Arnav could feel his collar getting tighter. Was it warm in here or what? Khushi danced around on stage alongside NK, and Arnav couldn't help but feel a little jealous. He remembered the time he he had danced with her, during Holi eight years ago. It immediately brought a smile to his face.

When the song ended everyone cheered and whistled. NK and Khushi now stood next to each other as Aman and Anjali came back on stage.

"That was amazing!" Anjali cheered. "You two were both great! But we still have to select a winner! So, how many of you think Nandkishore was the winner?"

A few people cheered and whistled. NK stepped forward and took a bow.

"Okay that's pretty good," Aman said. "Now, how many of you think Khushi was the winner?"

Everyone in Shantivan cheered, hollered, and whistled. Some were even stomping their feet. Khushi gave NK a victorious look before stepping forward taking a bow.

"It looks like Khushi aka the bride's side wins!" Anjali announced. "Congratulations!"

"What happened to winning NK?" asked Akash as NK came to him a few minutes later.

"I was no match for Chasmish," NK stated. "I thought I had it in the bag."

"Obviously not."

Payal laughed before adding, "You two are forgetting, Khushi took dance classes three summers ago. Obviously I would have her represent my side."

NK smacked his forehead, "How could I forget? We even went to her end of the year performance!"

"Well played, Payal Sharma," Akash smirked. "Well played."

While the three of them continued to talk, Khushi slowly descended the stage. She was about to go to Payal when she was stopped by a voice.

"Khushi."

She turned. There, standing in a black sherwani, was Arnav. She blinked a few times to make sure she wasn't seeing things. It had been eight years since she had last seen him, and even after all this time her heart pounded wildly in her chest. Arnav's condition was no different. He could hear his heartbeat in his ears, but couldn't figure out why he was getting so nervous. It was just Khushi after all. But time had a funny way of changing people, and he wondered what else, apart from her appearance, had changed. He looked at her questioningly, getting lost in those large hazel eyes, wondering if she recognized him. He couldn't tell if the look on her face was that of confusion or shock. It wasn't until a grin broke on her face that he sighed in relief.

"Arnav," she said softly.

His name wasn't taken in a questioning tone. It was more of an assurance, a confirmation in a belief that he would come. Arnav felt his name hadn't sounded so good until that moment. He was about to speak when Khushi suddenly ran forward and slammed into him, hugging him tightly. Arnav certainly did not expect that. He froze for a minute before wrapping his arms around her. A whiff of her vanilla perfume filled his senses, intoxicating him. He focused on the beautiful woman embracing him as he tried not to act creepy by smelling her. His hands felt the softness of her skin. Was she always this soft? Arnav shook the thoughts out of his head. This was Chasmish Khushi, his friend. Although, the lack of glasses was a nice touch.

"I knew you'd come," she said.

He pulled back and looked at her surprised, "You did?"

She nodded, "How could you not? Your family means the world to you, and if you missed Akash's wedding you would regret it. Plus, your family wouldn't let you live it down."

Arnav chuckled. Even after all this time, Khushi still knew him. She was still the same. As the performances continued, the two of them hadn't realized they were no longer paying attention. In fact, they hadn't realized that, while walking and talking, they ended up outside, strolling down the brightly lit stone pathway of the garden. There was so much to catch up on, and they didn't know how much until they started talking. The entire time Khushi and Arnav were laughing and reminiscing, not to mention sharing stories about what had been going on in each other's absence.

Arnav and Khushi finally sat down on a small barricade that surrounded a tree containing hanging lanterns. Their conversation began dying down. Silence filled the emptiness between them, a comfortable silence. Khushi's gaze wandered out at the garden as she thought about how Arnav was still pretty much the same. So much had gone on in his life and he was such a big success now. She was happy for him as he was living out his dream. Yet she was glad that he was still as open with her as he was before. Arnav looked over at her.

"So were you always this beautiful or did time just work its magic in your favor?" Arnav asked.

She blushed before she looked at him and giggled, "What type of cheesy line was that?"

"Cheesy? I'll have you know you use to fall for my lines back then."

"Me? Fall for you? Please!"

"So apart from becoming a doctor, what else have you done?"

"What do you mean?"

Arnav shrugged his shoulders, "Are you married?"

"Huh? No."

"Any kids?"

"Yeah. Two!"

He gasped dramatically, "Shameless woman!"

The two of them looked at each other seriously before they burst out laughing.

Khushi quickly composed herself, "So how are you liking being back?"

Arnav sighed, "So much has changed."

"Obviously. Things aren't going to stay the same just because you left."

"I know that, but I can't help feeling I missed so much. I mean, Di is pregnant. Akash is getting married to Payal. NK is suddenly so distant." His expression hardened. "I didn't realize how much I had actually missed until I came back. I'm glad to be back, but a part of me feels like I'm a stranger amongst them."

Khushi put a hand on his shoulder, "Give it some time, Arnav. You came back after so long. It'll take a day or two for everyone to act normally around you again."

He looked at Khushi hopefully, "You think so?"

"With time, everything will get better. Just wait and see."

Arnav didn't know how she was always able to make him feel better, but it was something he took great comfort in. Even after eight years, that was one thing that hadn't changed, and he was grateful for that.

As she dropped her hand from his shoulder, Khushi smiled and said, "You know, Arnav you're still pretty much the same. Except for one thing."

"What?" he asked.

"The old Arnav used to smile more often."

Involuntarily, he smiled.

"See, you should smile more often. You have that dangerous smile. If I had a heart, then I would have lost it right now."

Arnav laughed as he remembered how he had said something similar to her that one night in Manali. In return, she laughed as well, flashing her million-dollar smile. Suddenly, the sound of music resounded in the garden, louder than before. Arnav and Khushi looked back to find everyone dancing. She shot up from the bench excitedly.

She turned to Arnav, "Let's go dance!"

"Oh no," he shook his head. "I don't dance."

"Liar! You danced with me on Holi!"

"That was then."

"And this is now! Come on!" she pouted. "For me?"

He sighed. How could he deny his friend now? He extended his hand and she happily pulled him with her back into the main hall and onto the dance floor. Initially he was hesitant, but once she started dancing, he began to let loose. He glanced over at Anjali and Nani, who was glancing at him in complete shock. They had seen how serious their Chote had become, and now seeing him like this sent them in a state of disbelief. It wasn't long until Payal, Akash, and NK joined them on the dance floor, dancing merrily and without a care in the world. Unknowingly, Arnav and Khushi danced the night away, just like they had on Holi eight years ago.

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Wasn't that cute? Arshi finally met! Let me know what you think by leaving your comments and feedback below!

Next update: Haldi ceremony!

Thanks for reading!