Arshi SS | Jadoo Hai Nasha Hai | Ch10 pg 61 COMPLETED - Page 26

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CHAPTER 9

"This is my room here..." Arnav ushered Khushi inside his bedroom at the farmhouse. He closed the door behind them, "I'll be back in a bit..." He said as he went into his walk in closet.

Khushi looked around the room, it was different yet so similar to his room in Shantivan. The interiors were blue with hints of black and silver. In front of the bed were doors that led out to a balcony.

Arnav returned dressed in his nightwear a few minutes later. He snapped his fingers in front of her, seeing her lost in her thoughts, "Here... you can change, Payal packed these yesterday for you." He handed her a bag with her clothes and essentials.

She nodded and left to change not before saying, "Jiji is sly... you two! Planning all this behind my back..."

He chuckled and went out onto the balcony. There was a lot about this place that he loved, it reminded him of his mother, the garden, the serenity, the ocean. And now it would remind him of his Khushi, where he proposed to her and where they will get married soon, the start of their beautiful journey.

Khushi changed and came back into the room to find it empty, she was just about to look for him, when she saw his silhouette peeking through the navel blue curtains in front of the bed as the wind blew against them. She shifted the curtains and walked onto the balcony where she was left stunned. The balcony overlooked the ocean, she kept on getting surprised this whole night.

"This is so beautiful!" She said as her hand covered her mouth in astonishment, while the other clutched onto the railing.

He wrapped his arms around her and said against her hair, "I can't wait to be here with you on our wedding night..."

She bit her lip hearing his words and managed to say "Sabar ka phal meetha hota hai" before burying her head into his chest.

He chuckled at her antics and she pulled away, turning to the widespread view ahead. She played with the ring in her finger, it felt so strange but so right to have it on. She raised her hand to look at the ring properly, it was a rose design, nothing too much yet it was just enough, so elegant and unique. "I really love the ring." She said looking up at him.

He leaned against the railing, "The rose reminds me of you, my very own rose!"

She smiled, "I feel like I have Ma's blessings with me in this ring."

He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed her ring finger. She wound her arm around his waist and he led them inside as it was getting chilly outside.

Arnav opened his eyes, there she was in front of him, fast asleep on his bed in his room. He smiled remembering the O expression her mouth made when he told her that they should just share the bed as it was big enough. He had promised to behave himself, the red hue that appeared on her face when he said that was awe worthy.

He inhaled as he drank in the sight of her baby like face. He moved her hair strands from her face, so beautiful' he thought. Though they both slept on their own sides with a space in between them, somehow during the night she had ended up in his arms, her sleeping patterns were quite interesting. He had seemed to lose count of how many times she reached for him during the night and entwined her legs with his. His thoughts broke as he felt her shift and struggle to move before she opened her eyes.

"Morning baby..." He whispered, almost in a guttural tone, he had not meant for it to sound like that. But going by her expression and her red nose, he did not mind at all.

She gulped already feeling herself turning red, "Er... good morning..."

He winked and kissed her forehead, "I can't wait to wake up to these kind of mornings for the rest of our lives..." She hid herself in his arms.

Arnav strummed his fingers against the couch at the Gupta House as he waited for a glimpse of Khushi. He looked around and saw his family patiently waiting with the shagun items. He desperately wanted to go into Khushis's room knowing her parents would be fine with it, but one look from his Nani threw all the ideas out of his head.

Shyam leaned over to Arnav and whispered, "Saale Saab relax, she'll be out soon. You're lucky you even got to be here, I wasn't this lucky sadly."

Anjali tilted her head and elbowed Shyam in his ribs, "Be quiet."

When Arnav saw his brother in law wincing from his sister's blow, he smirked slyly and put his arm around Shyam's shoulder, "That's what you get for opening your mouth jijaji!"

Manorama looked around the house till her eyes settled on her nephew, Arnav. Ever since Arnav had mentioned his feelings for Khushi, she had a tough time accepting it, only because she felt her nephew deserved the best. She glanced at Arnav again and saw his eyes lit up, she followed the direction his eyes had darted to and saw Khushi standing with her mother and sister.

She studied his face, long gone was the troubled young boy that came to live with them when her sister in law and brother in law passed away. This Arnav was everything she wanted for her nephew, a clean slate, a chance to live, love and let himself be loved. If Manorama did not know Khushi was perfect for him before, she definitely found out in that moment.

Khushi greeted the room filled with their family, "Namaste..." Everyone smiled and replied. She caught Arnav's gaze from the corner of her eyes, he was sitting with Shyam, Akash and his mamaji. She looked away with a blush feeling his eyes boring through the dupatta she had on her head. Her mother then made her sit next to Arnav's nani as the rituals began.

Devyani performed Khushi's aarti, then placed the saris and jewellery into Khushi's open dupatta on her lap. She blessed Khushi and said with a bright smile, "From today you're officially going to be our bahu..." Manorama and Anjali followed the remaining rituals and presented Khushi with gifts.

Shashi and Devyani spoke briefly before concluding, "The wedding is one week from today then...we'll start the preparations immediately."

Khushi cleared her throat as she remembered what Arnav and she had discussed. "Babuji Arnavji and I wanted to get married at the Raizada farmhouse."

Garima interrupted, "But Khushi..."

She continued to explain, "Amma... Babuji actually, Ma wanted Arnavji to get married there and when he mentioned it, I just knew that was where I wanted to get married."

Arnav spoke up directed to Shashi, "That is, if you're okay with it uncle."

Shashi nodded at Arnav and cupped his daughter's face, "Alright then..."

A tear streamed down Anjali's face, "Ma would be so happy Khushiji."

Akash chipped in, "Why don't we all head over to the farmhouse tomorrow, spend some time there, it's beautiful. Also we can kick start the functions there."

Mahinder agreed and turned to his mother, "Amma, there is a lovely waterfall close by too... the children can relax there before the preparations begin."

Madhumati exclaimed, "Then its settled Nand Kishore..." She pulled Arnav's cheeks, "Hope you're ready to deal with my sanka devi!"

He chuckled and noticed how Khushi bit her lip at Buaji's words. He replied with a smile, "Of course Buaji... her laad governor is prepared." He winked in Khushi's direction as she disappeared into the direction of her room.

Payal began gathering all of Khushi's shagun gifts, when she heard a voice behind her say, "Need some help?"

Payal turned to see her jiju's brother in front of her, from what she understood noticing him whenever she saw him, he was a shy guy mostly. Sweet but shy! She had never expected him to come to her aid like this. She smiled, she liked him, "Sure why not..."

Just as Akash left the bedroom after helping Payal, he saw his brother making his way to the bedroom. He shook his head, his brother couldn't remain a second without his bhabhi. Those thoughts faded as he remembered Payal from moments ago. She was sweet, he had realised that she was only quiet when she did not know you, other than that she was fun to be around, he had finally muttered up the courage to speak to her today and he really liked her.

A knock on the bedroom door interrupted the moment between Payal and Khushi. Khushi went into the bathroom and Payal opened the door. She saw her brother in law's desperation written all over his face and she snickered. Before he could say a word, she pointed to the bathroom door in the corner of their room, "She went to freshen up, she'll be out in a few minutes." He nodded and she left the room, much to his appreciation.

Khushi draped her face towel over her shoulder and walked into her room. Before she could notice him, she found herself being pulled by someone. She shrieked by the unexpected movement, that was when she saw him, staring at her, with one of his palms flat on the wall, almost as if caging her between him and the wall.

"Hi..." He said as he moved a strand of her hair away with his other hand.

She breathed heavily, "Arnavji you scared me..."

He leaned forward and whispered into her ear, "You look beautiful Mrs soon to be Raizada..." He kissed the corner of her lips initiating the kiss, "I love you."

She smiled and pulled him closer, muttering against his lips, "I love you too."

That night, Shashi sat outside looking at a childhood photo of Chutki, his Khushi. He heard footsteps and looked up to see her leaning against the doorframe. He patted the space next to him and she sat down.

She looked at the photo in his hand and smiled, "I love this pic." It was a photo taken at a mela, with her babuji holding an excited little Khushi dressed in a bright yellow salwar with two ponytails in his arms.

Shashi caressed his daughter's head, "One week from now I'll be giving you away. I can't believe you've gotten so big Chutki. I still remember the little gudiya that always wanted piggy back rides and to learn the jalebi swirls in the shop."

Khushi hugged her father tightly as turmoil ensued inside her head at the thought of being away from her father and her family, "Babuji...I'm still your gudiya!"

Shashi smiled, "Chutki you know one day I'll do these same things with your daughter when I become a nana." A rumble of laughter followed as Khushi tapped on her father's chest and hid her face.

The next morning bright and early, Payal and Khushi arrived at Shantivan. The elders, Khushi's family and Arnav's were going to the mandir and then to the farmhouse while the children all agreed to stop off for a picnic and go to the waterfall on the way to the farmhouse.

"Chotte, Khushiji?" Anjali called as she looked for the missing lovebirds in Shantivan.

At the poolside, Arnav held Khushi's hand just as she was about to move towards the door. He shook his head and pointed his finger to his lips.

She pleaded with her eyes but he just shook his head again. Hearing Anjali's call again, Khushi looked at the door and then at him, boy was he stubborn or what? She huffed and inched closer, she covered his lips with her own, he released her hand and they found its way into his hair, while his hands were fixed on her waist, drawing her even closer.

Everything was just right, that was until he heard the loud bang on his door which led to a continuous knock. He groaned against her lips and pulled back from their kiss. She giggled at his frustration and pushed him towards the room.

With fast strides, Arnav opened the door lest his sister break the door with her insistent knocking.

Anjali was about to knock again when the door to the lair opened, "Chotte ermm we're ready to go. We're just waiting on the two of you."

Arnav replied slightly out of breath, "We're right behind you."

Anjali nodded and she turned to leave. She stopped for a moment and tilted her head at him, "Err... Chotte there's lip gloss all over your lips..." She burst into laughter as she quickly went downstairs.

He licked his lips, tasting Khushi's strawberry lip gloss. He smirked as he returned to the poolside. "We're ready to go..." She smiled and picked up her bag.

While gathering another bag, he added, "By the way... I think Di likes your strawberry lip gloss."

She frowned, "What?"

He pointed to his lips, "Just that she pointed it out on my lips a few minutes ago."

Even though her cheeks turned red, Khushi burst into laughter, "I didn't realise..."

Within a few minutes Arnav, Khushi, Akash, Payal, Anjali and Shyam were all in the SUV that was just perfect for all of them to fit. When they got to the picnic area, the boys, Arnav, Akash and Shyam played football. Payal, Khushi and Anjali roamed the area. About half hour later with some snacks and drinks in tow, they all went over to the waterfall nearby.

"This is breath taking!" Khushi gushed as she set their drinks and snacks on the bed of rocks.

Akash dove into the water and began swimming while Shyam picked up Anjali and headed inside the water. Anjali turned a shade of red and hid into her husband's chest as they settled in the water.

Arnav looked in Khushi's direction with a smirk plastered on his face. Khushi bit her lip, knowing exactly what was coming. Less than a minute later, Arnav swiftly lifted her into his arms, she encircled her arms around his neck as they got into the water.

While both couples were lost in each other, Akash felt a little out of place. He saw Payal sitting on the rocks and he swam up to her, "Why don't you come in?" Akash offered. She was about to protest when she felt herself slipping from the rock. Akash was quick and caught her in his arms just before she plunged into the water. "Are you okay?" He asked. She nodded and he lowered her into the water. He moved her wet tresses from her face, "Well it looks like you had no choice." She let out a smile and then a hearty laugh making Akash join in with her. As Akash helped Payal over to the waterfall where the others were, while Khushi and Anjali moved closer to Payal, Shyam and Arnav watched from afar.

Shyam whispered to Arnav, "Looks like you won't be the only one getting married, looks like your brother is fast approaching as well."

Arnav laughed and kept it in mind, Akash was due for a lot of teasing soon. After some time of swimming and chatting in the water, Shyam and Anjali had gotten out of the water to go for a walk, while Akash and Payal sat on the river bank occupied in a conversation.

Perfect opportunity Arnav thought as he pulled Khushi into his arms and moved underneath the waterfall, hidden from the view of their siblings. He twirled her around, pulling her legs around his waist because of the depth of water. Her hands raked through his hair as he kissed the crook of her neck. The water cascaded down their bodies, their clothes behaving like a second skin and the only warmth in the chilly water, was the contact between their two bodies. She pulled him closer and their lips found each other's, the fire inside inflicting havoc onto both of them.

Happy New Year😳

The next chapter is going to be the last, its really a bittersweet feeling! As I continuously say, thank you so much for welcoming this story and liking it. The support and love meant and means a lot to me.

This is Khushi's engagement ring :) Since the start of this story, I knew this was the ring Arnav was going to choose for her, for them!

Twitter account: https://twitter.com/_Arnav_Khushi_

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