Arhi TS: Prospective Groom, Number 7--Part 2 Updated on Page 1!

A couple clarifications:

1. Arnav isn't as against getting married as the original. He just doesn't want to right now.

2. Akash and Arnav aren't related whatsoever.

3. No Buaji.

4. Dadi lives with the Raizadas, and while snobby, she isn't as evil as in the show.

Prospective Groom, Number 7

"Di? Di, no, please! You know how I feel about this!"

Silence.

"Remember how bad it was last time?"

Silence, coupled with a raise of her eyebrow.

"Di? Come on, I promise I'll come home early from work and spend time with you!"

Silence.

"Di, I'll take you to mandir. And come inside. And participate in whatever you want me to."

...more silence. As well as a smirk.

"Is there no other possible way?"

Another smirk. As well as a slight nod to say no.

"...Fine. I'll do it."

As a huge smile lit up his sister's face, Arnav couldn't help but think that he really had to bolster his defences when it came to his sister and her requests.

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Text Message from ASR:

Aman, sneak me some earplugs in that Varma file.

Re: Text Message from ASR:

Sir?

Re: Re: Text Message from ASR:

Just do as you're told, Aman. And stop smiling.

He didn't mind all too much that his PA knew of the massive headache that he had been battling, thanks to his Di and her incessant ramblings about the latest girl that she found for him. According to her, she was "absolutely perfect for you!" "the most gorgeous girl you'll ever meet!" "the best cook ever, Chote!"

All he could do was smile and nod, as well as hope that his sister wouldn't be all too devastated when he said no. From what he had gained from his sister's words, the girl was of lower middle class, Lucknowi (of course), and well brought up. Well brought up, my a**. Any girl can be "well brought up" when she's marrying into money. Why wouldn't she? It's a small price to pay to having the Raizada backing.

Confirming his denial of this girl with stereotypes of her standing in society, he rejoiced as he saw Aman walk through the door. With the Varma file.

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"Jiji, why can't you explain? I know you're married now, but it doesn't mean that I have to get married as well! I mean, with the way Amma and Bauji have been looking for prospective grooms, it seems as though they're ready to send me along the way with whoever walks in next!" Khushi couldn't help but rant to her sister, and she was perfectly justified as well. After Payal's wedding to her childhood sweetheart, Akash Singhania, her parents started looking for a husband for her.

"Par, Khushi, I thought you always wanted this, hain naa? You've always dreamed of getting married, even more than I did! And don't say that you aren't ready or old enough, you were practically searching for a husband yourself during my wedding." Surprised at her sister's sudden abhorrence of marriage, she couldn't help but wonder why.

Khushi stood flabbergasted. "Jiji! You weren't supposed to know about that!"

"Pagli, I know everything about you. Except for why you don't want to get married now." Stressing the last word, she implied as to how their previous discussion wasn't entirely over. Sighing, Khushi sat down next to her sister, hoping to draw comfort from her presence.

"Jiji, do you know how many men have come to see me so far? Six. Six. And all of them, or rather their mothers, had the same reason not to have me as their bahu. We can never afford the money they want in exchange for the wedding to occur Jiji. I've told Amma and Bauji time and time again that I absolutely do not want them to pay for something like that--it's outrageous! Especially when he begins to talk about mortgaging the house, or the shop. And then they only repeat what I've always known. How they won't be able to find someone "worthy." Someone who 'cares.' Turns out I'm going to have to pay for love, Jiji."

Payal began her feeble attempt at alleviating her sister's mood, although she knew that the chances were slight for Khushi to gain what she truly wanted. Not with her being adopted, and definitely not with her feminist ideals. "Khushi, you know how this works-"

"It wasn't like that for you though, was it, Jiji? I'm not jealous, it's just that no one understands, Jiji! I want someone to marry me for who I am, not for the money I'll bring with me once I'm married. Shouldn't the one I marry at least try to understand? And all of those spineless sons' mothers! Walking around as though their appraising the place! Do you remember that Raju? Bespectacled, snotty faced Raju, from grade six? His mother came with him when he came to see me. All she could say was how her son was too good for me, how I should consider myself lucky that they're even considering! The nerve of her! I'm done, Jiji. I don't need to see any more cowardly lechers, nor their sharp-tongued mothers. I've had enough."

"Khushi! You can't do this to yourself, Khushi. Or to Amma and Bauji. They want to see you get married, and have your own family. Don't we owe them at least that?" Trying to make the best of the situation, she smiled into her sister's face. "I promise, Khushi, just try this one last time, and then Akash and I will talk to Amma and Bauji about waiting for a while."

Reluctantly nodding in conjunction to her sister's wishes, she agreed. She would do it, one last time.

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Subhadra Devi was proud of grandchildren in such way as to which she couldn't see their faults, and if they did exist, she would chose to ignore them or pretend they didn't exist. Lucky for her, both Arnav and Anjali were as perfect as could be, albeit for Arnav's temper and Anjali's naivety. Although she agreed to see the prospective bahu to the Raizada family on Anjali's insistence, she believed that the Guptas were too lowly qualified to become family with them. But then again, she really didn't think anyone deserved her darling grandson. Arnav only hoped that her presence would further solidify his eventual rejection of the girl.

After the initial pleasantries, Payal and Garima called out to Khushi. Like Arnav, she had planned to find a way out of this. Perhaps, if she made her refusal as clear as possible, indirectly of course, the groom would find his merry way out of her life. She refrained from making eye contact with the groom, instead choosing to stare at towards the groom's perfectly ironed slacks. Though, she was against the match, she couldn't help but compliment him mentally. Fully aware from the winks she got from her sister and friends, she concluded that he must be better looking than the previous six. Classy, good looking, and rich. Why the hell does he want someone like me? He was probably forced. Or maybe he's deaf. Or mute. Yes, that was it. Now that she thought of it, almost every member of his family had spoken, attempting to make conversation with the Guptas. Probably covering up.

Just as she was about to retreat to the safety of her room, as the Guptas and Raizadas seemed to be satisfied with her presence, a voice called out. One belonging to Subhadra Devi.

"Sit down, I'm not done yet."

Startled, yet irritated by the ire in her voice, she did as told. Here goes. Her speech on why I'm not correct. Quite accustomed to such practices, thanks to her past six dealings with such families, she sat. No need to add "insolent" to Subhadra Devi's already long list of reasons.

"Ji, Dadiji?"

Subhadra Devi was not impressed. As far as she was concerned, the Guptas lacked in everything--status, money, and so on. And of course, as an elder, she should let them know, shouldn't she?

"Our Arnav studied at Harvard, he has an MBA. Did you know that? He owns his own company, internationally recognized and number one in the country. He practically built his company from the ground, toiled day and night to bring the Raizada name to what it is today. Did you know that? Do you really think that after knowing all of this, we would even consider this joke of a proposal? My bitwa deserves more!"

Thoroughly enraged, Khushi decided she would take no more. She was expecting a refusal based on class difference, not one telling her how lowly qualified she was, when she knew that she was not. Khushi had enough from Subhadra Devi, and the like. She would rather spend life as a spinster with her Salman Khan movies, jalebis, and the title of a contemptuous woman rather than take any more.

Dropping the cheery facade that she had previously maintained, and any respect that she had previously exercised, she attacked. "Dadiji, did you know that I also have an MBA? While it may not have been from Harvard, both Jiji and I were toppers at Lucknow University. And did you know that since I have started working at Bauji's halwai dukhan, we've expanded? Over the course of the past year, we've opened three new stores, and we're currently planning a fourth. I hope you understand what I am trying to say, Dadiji. Within the means that we have been provided, I have been no less a performer than your Arnav Bitwa."

Completely ignoring the silent threats from her mother's eyes, and further encouraged by the the light in her sister's, she continued. I will wipe that smug look from your face, Dadiji.

"And Dadiji, did you know that I have trained under various Gurus while learning Kathak? That I have been studying dance as well as Hindustani music for the past ten or so years? Can your Arnav Bitwa cook parathas as well as I can? Jalebis? At least dal?" At seeing the elderly woman's reluctant no, she continued with a mirthless smile. "In that case, Dadiji, I believe I have made myself clear. In almost every way, it seems as though your precious Arnav Bitwa, silent as he is, doesn't deserve me. Next time, you might want to think before trying to tie your mute grandson down to someone who doesn't deserve him!' "