Love - Its Complicated! 26th Mar: Chapter 10 (E) is up on Page 71! - Page 25

Originally posted by: mayurisb80

i just cant get enough..so be it the flash backs or the current scenario i just look forward to your updates...now i cant seem to wait to see the beautiful reunion...😉

Originally posted by: AnjuRish

awww ...will they recognize each other
how will maan know full story of arshi
ahhh waiting to c the story unfold ...

Originally posted by: angeldream14

amazing

dam excited abt Maan n his Happy

country is not good or bad people r they thinking is

its wrong done by people to people y blame just a boundary for it

Originally posted by: taahir004

This Update had truly made me speechless its Superbly Amazing

Maan meets Geet and saves her from her very own family that wants to force her to marry a fifty year man seriously these people are crazy and I'm glad that Maan took Geet out of that horrible situation only to bring her to Delhi where he leaves her at a NGO but even there its not safe as they involved in sex trade I just disgusted here are ladies that are helpless and homeless seeking protection from the NGO but instead they are made to trade in sexual activities .
Maan on the other hand still searching his Bui and Happy but cannot find any news on them even with the PI it seems fruitless at this stage
Daadima again gets another heart attack and tells Maan to come back but she also needs a Indian person to care of her and immediately Maan offers the job to Geet .
Geet and Daadima had a great bond while eventually both Maan and Geet fell in love and married they also have a son Vikram and I'm glad that Daadima had seen her great grand son

CHAPTER 7. THE MUCH AWAITED REUNION!

"Hey Babaji! Maan ko jald se jald ghar bhej do! (Hey Babaji! Send Maan home ASAP!)", Geet prayed as she sat on the sofa, her legs jiggling in excitement.

"Hey Babaji! Happy Didi ko jald se jald ghar bhej do! (Hey Babaji! Send Happy Didi home ASAP!)", a young voice chirped from beside her and Geet turned to glare at her son for teasing her.

"What?", the boy looked at her innocently, "You are not the only one who is waiting for someone!"

Geet shook her head just as the Raizadas arrived. She got up and smiled as Arnav, Khushi, Naaniji and NK entered the house. Before she could greet them, her son went running to meet his Happy Didi. Geet chuckled at her son's excitement and followed him. Geet hugged Khushi, took Naaniji's blessings and shook hands with Arnav and Nandkishor or NK as he preferred. Once NK was introduced to Geet, Geet welcomed them in and all sat on the sofa in the main hall.

Naaniji asked about Maan and Geet told them he will arrive soon. As she wondered when Maan would arrive, Naaniji asked about her family and Geet's mind was diverted as she talked about how Maan's parents died before she met them and her own parents were in India. Then she rambled about Daadima, her husband's grandmother who welcomed her happily into her home and treated her like her own child. As Geet chattered about her Daadima, her eyes fell on her son. Vicky was entertaining Khushi, Arnav and NK with his exploits of the day. He was talking about all he did the whole day. As Geet watched them, she remembered Maan saying how he would ramble about his day in school to his Bui in the evening. For a second, she felt like she was seeing a small Maan talking to his Nandy Bui.

Geet felt tears well in her eyes but she blinked them away and focused on her conversation with Naaniji. Her son was bonding with Khushi the same way Khushi's mom and Maan did! Suddenly everything felt right and Geet knew that somewhere Daadima must be very happy.

Just then Geet's phone rang and everyone looked on curiously. Geet excused herself and accepted the call, "Maan?", she whispered softly.

"Geet!", Maan's response came.

"Kahaan hain aap? The guests have arrived! And you know I wanted you to meet them!", Geet huffed in annoyance.

"Actually Geet, I might be late!", Maan replied.

"What? Maan!", Geet whined. How can he be late? What if he missed the opportunity to meet his Happy? Hey Babaji!

"What to do Geet?", Maan replied regretfully, "I am stuck in a meeting!"

"And you cannot escape?", Geet whined, "You used to escape when we were newly married, remember, to spend time with me! Can't you do it today too?"

Maan laughed out loud, "I am sorry! But this meeting is quite important! I cannot skip it! By the way, these guests seem to be very important! You never asked me to skip work for any guests before!", Maan's tone was teasing.

"You will know when you come home!", Geet replied flippantly and her husband chuckled.

"Achcha theek hai! I will try to wrap the meeting fast! Till then why don't you all have dinner? I will be home before the dinner ends, alright?", Maan replied and Geet sighed. They said goodbyes and Geet kept the phone.

Geet explained the situation to her guests with regret tinged in her tone. She ended her explanation with apology but Naaniji refused to accept the apology, "Naahi naahi! Kauno sorry bolne ki garaj naahi! Ee sab toh hovat hai bitiya! Humne bhi ee din dekhe hain! Jab humaar bitwa kaam pe jaata tha uu bhi aise hi late aata tha! Bitwa kaahe, humaar pote aur naati bhi aisan hi the! Ee Arnav bitwa ko toh das baar phone naahi lagaaya toh ghar bhi naahi aavat tha! Geet bitiya! Chodo ee ko! Woh aajaayenge bole na? Wahi bas hai humaar liye! (No no! There is no need to say sorry! These things happen bitiya! I have also seen such days! When my son used to work, he also used to come late some nights! Forget my son, even my grandsons are same! Infact, it only after we called him ten times that Arnav bitwa actually came home! Geet bitiya! Forget these all! He said he will come right? That is enough for us!)"

Arnav smiled as Naani's words reminded him of those days when he and Aakash would sit late nights and get scolded from Naaniji and Di for coming late. He chuckled as he remembered that one day when Anjali Di had refused to eat dinner till he came home. She had waited till midnight for him and that had moved him to tears. Since then, he tried his best to come home on time. As he remembered those moments, he felt sadness descend on him. He missed his Di. As the sadness engulfed him, a soft hand grasped his hand. He looked to the side and saw Khushi looking at him with concern. He squeezed her hand, letting her know he appreciated her gesture. A soft smile bloomed on her lips and he took comfort in her presence. Geet noticed this interaction and smiled softly. Haaye! How cute Happy and her hubby are! Hey Babaji! I am so happy that Maan's Happy is happy in her life too!

Half hour later found the Khuranas and their guests on dining table eating the dinner Geet had cooked. Khushi, NK and Naaniji praised her cooking and even Arnav seemed to be happy eating them. Khushi had warned Geet that Arnav could not have teekha dishes and Geet made sure that every dish she made was not spicy for Arnav. As they ate, NK amused Vicky by making funny faces. Khushi, not be left behind, also made funny faces and both NK and Khushi kept Vicky entertained the whole dinner. Arnav simply rolled his eyes at their antics while Naaniji and Geet chuckled once in a while.

Dinner finished but Maan had yet to arrive. Now Geet was totally worried. As all sat down in living room chatting while Khushi and Vicky enjoyed their ice creams, Geet called upon her husband. Where is he? She ranted mentally. Just then Maan picked up the call, "Geet! I am coming!"

"But when?", Geet's voice went one octave higher.

"Uff Geet! Stop worrying! I will be there! I am just stuck in traffic!", Maan's response came.

"I don't know! And I don't care! You are coming home right now!", Geet ordered.

"Geet!", Maan was shocked but Geet simply cut the call and walked back to her guests plastering a polite smile on her face. Maan! You better come home! Or else all my planning and detectivegiri will go down the drain!

Another hour passed but Maan did not arrive. Arnav and NK started feeling restless. It was getting late and they did not want to drive home late night. Arnav was also worried about his Naani. She was not feeling well for last few days and Arnav wanted her resting in her room. Worried for her, he decided that they had waited enough.

"Mrs. Khurana! We better get going! Its getting late!", Arnav spoke as he stood up. Khushi, who was laughing at something Vicky said, looked up at Arnav's comment. NK stood up beside Arnav while Naaniji nodded. Geet looked at Arnav in worry as she got up.

"Thode der aur ruk jaayiye na Mr. Raizada! I want you and your family to meet my husband!", Geet spoke softly.

"I understand that Mrs. Khurana! But its getting too late! I would rather go home if you don't mind!". Arnav explained. Khushi stood up beside him, unable to believe that her time with Vicky had ended so soon.

"NO!", came a voice and everyone looked down to see little Vicky pout, "You cannot go Mr. Ocean! You cannot!"

Naaniji chuckled at the interpretation of Arnav's name done by Vicky. Naaniji had explained during dinner that Arnav meant Ocean and since then Arnav was nicknamed by Vicky as Mr. Ocean.

"No! I cannot let you go!", the little boy chuckled.

Arnav could not stop himself from chuckling at the little boy's expression. He bent down to the child's level, "Sorry Champ! But its late and we need to leave!"

The boy pouted and looked down for few seconds. And then he brightened as he looked up, "Toh theek hai! You can go! Your Naaniji can go! And Mr. NK can go too! But Happy Didi will stay behind. What's say?", the boy offered as he placed his hands on his hips.

Everyone chuckled at his antics.

"I am serious here!", the little boy stomped on the floor, "You all can go! Happy Didi will stay here! You will stay with me na?", the boy looked up at his Happy Didi and Khushi could not say no to his face.

She looked up and pleaded at Arnav, hoping that he would handle her situation.

But Geet intervened by then, "Naaniji! Main kya keh rahi hun, kuch der aur ruk jaayiye! Vicky ko so jaane deejiye! Phir aap chale jaayiye! (Naaniji! I am saying, you wait a little more! Let Vicky go to sleep! Then you can leave!)"

Naaniji shook her head as she finally stood up, "Naahi bitiya! Hum bahutai thak gaye hain! Humka ghar jaane do! Phir kabhi tohaar pati se mil lenge! Ab humka jaane do! (No bitiya! I am too tired! Allow me to go home! We will meet your husband some other day! Now allow us to go!)"

After Naaniji's words, Geet could not refuse them anymore. She smiled sadly as Khushi hugged her son and her. Geet hugged Naaniji and soon the little family of Raizadas was off. Just as they headed towards the door though, the noise of tire squealing reached them. Geet's eyes lit up as Vicky ran towards the door with excitement. Maan aagaye! Her heart thudded in her chest as she imagined his happiness once he met Khushi and realised she was his Happy. For years, I have noticed some emptiness in you. Even Vicky's arrival did not fill that space. But I know, tonight you will be the happiest since your Bui left for India.

Maan bent down and hugged Vicky as soon he entered the house. As he let the child pull away, his son ran off to grab someone's hand and pulled the person towards Maan. Maan stood up and let his eyes fell on the person his son was dragging towards him. His breathing stopped and he paled as he took in the face in front of him.

"Chalo Happy Didi! I want you to meet my Dad!", Vicky shouted as he dragged Khushi towards his father. Khushi was amused by his antics and allowed him to drag her. Her eyes moved from Vicky to his dad and she froze. Vicky tried to drag her further but Khushi could not move.

Hey Devi Maiyya! Yeh Khuranaji ki shakal itni jaani pehchaani kyun hai? Jaise... Jaise humaare asli Amma Bauji se jude ho! (Hey Devi Maiyya! Why Khuranaji's face looks so familiar? As if... As if his face is related to my real parents!) Just then her mind went back to a conversation she had with her best friend when she was a teenager.

"Kya tumhein sach mein apne Amma Bauji yaad nahi? (Do you really don't remember your real parents?)", her friend had asked as they sat on the roof of her friend's house. Khushi had shaken her head then, "Humein jyaada kuch yaad nahi! Bas kuch dhundhli si yaadein hain jismein chehre bhi dikhaayi nahi dete! Bauji kehte hain ki jab humaara accident hua tha tab uss haadse ne humaare dimaag pe bahut bura asar daala! Woh kehte haina, tiraama (trauma)! Humein tiraama hua tha uss haadse ka! Isliye humein sirf accident yaad hai aur kuch dhundli shaklein humaare asli Amma aur Bauji ke! Aur kuch nahi! (I don't remember much! Only some faded memories are there in which I cannot even see the faces! Bauji says it is because the accident left an impression on my brain! You know, trauma and all! That accident left me with a trauma! That's why I only remember the accident and the blurry faces of my parents! Nothing else!)" Her friend had hugged and then they had changed the topic.

What Khushi's friend did not know was that Khushi had only told half truth to her. Khushi remembered another thing from her past too; something she not even shared with Paayal, Arnav or her adopted parents. It was seeing her mother bleeding on the car floor after the accident and being pulled out by the person she suspected was her father. She never remembered her father's face clearly but she felt the same safety and security at that time that she felt with her adopted father later on. So she had assumed that the man who pulled her away was her father. She remembered her mother's face clearly though. It was the same face she saw in the mirror every day.

As Khushi remembered the moment, she cursed her brain the hundredth time for not remembering her parents' face or her past life clearly. Maybe then she would know who is the man standing in front of her looking at her as if she was a ghost! As she looked at the man though, suddenly another memory came to fore. It was the moment her father pulled her out of the burning car away from her mother. Till now the face of her father was always a slight hazy as if she could not see clearly. As a child after the accident, the face remained in her memory. But as years passed, the face faded from her memory and remained hazy. Infact, the only reason her mother's face did not fade away was because as she grew up, her face started to resemble her mother's. But as she stared at the man, the years of dirt that was spread on the memory vanished and she saw the face of her father. It was same as the face of the man standing in front of her! Hey Devi Maiyya!

As Maan stared at the girl in front of him, he felt as if he was in past. It was as if his Nandy Bui was standing in front of him. "Nandini!", he whispered as he looked at her. As he observed the girl in front of him, he felt a hand on his arm. He turned sideways in daze and took in the face of his wife. She smiled at him as tears filled in her eyes. Her smile turned into grin and she questioned him, "Did you recognize her? Do you realise who she is?" Maan simply stared at his wife, still lost in his past.

Khushi could not believe her eyes. The man in front of her looked just like her father. Hey Devi Maiyya! Toh kya yeh mere sagge parivaar waale hain? Kya itne saalon baad humein humaara parivar milne waala hai? Ya... Ya yeh sab ek chalaava hai! Yeh humaare parivar waale hain ya humaare asli Bauji ki humshakal? (Does this mean he is from my real family? Does that mean I will get my real family after so many years? Or... Or this might be some kind of illusion! Is he my family member or just the duplicate of my real father?) In shock, she stumbled back and just as she was about to fall backwards, Arnav caught her. Arnav was surprised to see Khushi looking so pale and small. Why is she so shocked after seeing Mr. Khurana? He exchanged worried looks with NK and focused on Khushi.

"Khushi! You alright?", Arnav asked in worry.

Khushi whispered, looking still in shock, "Yeh aadmi... yeh aadmi toh bilkul humaare asli Bauji jaise dikhte hain! (This man... This man looks just like my real father!)"

Arnav took in a sharp breath and looked at Naani, who had her eyes wide at the news. NK looked to be in similar state. All three of them knew that Khushi was an orphan taken in by Guptas at the age of eight. To know that the man in front of them looked like Khushi's real dad was a shock to their system. But there was underlying hope and excitement too. What if he was her family? The thought ran through their mind and that got them hopeful. Khushi had been destroyed to know that her adopted parents did not care for her. After facing rejection from Gupta ladies, her true family would be the best balm to her bruised soul.

Maan stared at the girl who looked so much like his Bui. He drank her features in, memorizing her. He could not look away from her. Just then he felt a tug on his leg. Still in a daze, Maan looked down and was surprised to see his son frown at him, "Dad! Stop staring at my best friend. You are scaring her. Look how pale she is!" Vicky pouted and folded his arms against his chest, glaring at his father. Maan was still too shocked to say anything other than, "Best friend?" Vicky nodded, oblivious to the turmoil his father was going through, "Yes! Best friend! Happy Didi!"

Maan blinked as Vicky's words registered in his brain. Happy! He could not stop the hope blooming in his chest, "Happy?", his whisper sounding hopeful and scary to Geet.

Vicky nodded, "Haan! She is Khushi! Aka Happy! Got it? She is Happy Didi, my best friend!...", Vicky rambled on about how they met but Maan did not hear a single thing. The moment his son said that she is Khushi Maan had staggered back. Till now it was only hope but now it was turning into a fact. A girl who looked like his Bui, at the age his Happy should be, named the same as his baby cousin; this cannot be a coincidence right?

Maan looked at Geet and Geet smiled knowingly. She knew he reached the conclusion she wanted him to and when his eyes looked at his questioningly, she quietly nodded, answering his question silently. Yes! This is your Happy! Your baby sister! You found her after years! But we did finally find her!

Maan looked back at the girl, no his Happy standing in front of him. Tears filled his eyes as he realised that he finally found the person he had been searching for years. He slowly moved towards her, unable to believe that the whole situation was real. For him, everything seemed like a dream! He could not believe that he found his Happy! He raised his hand to touch her only for her to stumble back with confusion written on her face. Maan felt hurt at her reaction. Does she not remember me? Does she not remember her Honor Veerji?

Arnav was beyond confused now as he watched Khushi stumble back. All he could do was stop her from falling back by grabbing her tightly. As he felt her whole body stiffen, he opened his mouth to berate the man in front of him for scaring her. But a hand on his arm stopped him. He turned to see Naani standing there shaking her head. She was telling him to be calm. Arnav looked back at Mr. Khurana unsure as to what was happening here! Ok! So this man might be related to Khushi! But who exactly is he? And why had she lived as an orphan if she had a family here? Arnav watched Khushi and the man with eagle eyes waiting for one signal from Khushi that let him know that she cannot handle this. The moment she let him know, he would take his family and walk off! But for now, he would wait and watch.

Maan was hurt that Khushi did not recognize him. That is when it clicked to him. She never saw his face. Yes! She did see his dad's face! But by now, she would expect to see an older version of this face. To see a face look exactly as it was 11 years ago must have baffled her. Of course she is confused. But she might recognize my voice right? With hope that she remembered his voice, he asked her softly, "Happy! Kya main tumhein yaad nahi? Main tumhara Maan Veerji! Kya tumne mujhe pehchaana nahi? (Happy! Don't you remember me? I am your Maan Veerji! Don't you recognize me?)"

Khushi frowned as she felt something flit by her conscious. A thought, a memory that was close but she could not catch it. It escaped her the moment she tried to grab it. As she stared at Maan, she focused on catching the thought and suddenly the memory unfurled itself in front of her. It was not a scene though that opened itself to her. It was a voice; a voice similar to the voice of the man in front of her but a little deeper spoke, "Chalo! Baat karo! Tumhaare Maan Veerji hain phone pe! (Come on! Talk! Its your Maan Veerji on the phone!)" Khushi blinked and another voice, this one same as the one of the man in front of her, spoke teasingly, "Hello my little Khushi!" And just then a name flitted about. It was the name of the guy on the phone, it seemed. Honor Veerji! She did not realise she said it aloud till the man in front of her grinned happily as tears coursed through his cheeks.

"Khushi!", Maan whispered still partly in disbelief that his little cousin was alive and in front of him. Khushi watched with wide eyes as the man said her name. But the moment he said it, she blurted out the first thing that came to her mind, "Khushi nahi! Happy!" As she said it, she regained few of her memories. She remembered her mother showing her an old photo of father and son and telling her about her Uday Maamaji and Maan Veerji. The man she thought was her father was actually her mother's brother! What a revelation! She remembered talking to her Maan Veerji on phone and nicknaming him Honor Veerji! And then she remembered meeting her Maamaji who promised he would take her with him to his home where she will meet her Honor Veerji, her Naanima and live like a princess in a big castle like house. As the memories registered in her brain, she looked at the man in front of her in shock. She did not remember anything else but she did not need to. She had found her family! That was all she needed right now! How, when and why, they could think about later! Now she had found her family!

Maan grinned again as he remembered Khushi saying the same to him as a kid. This was definitely his Khushi! He raised his arms wanting to hug his little sister but on the same side giving her the choice to whether hug him or not. Just because she remembered his nickname does not mean she would accept him as her family. But he need not have worried! Tears filled in her eyes as she finally realised that a member of her true family was standing right in front of her.

"Veerji!", Khushi whispered as she slammed into him and hugged him tightly. Arnav narrowed his eyes seeing her hug another man. Ok! Fine! He is her relative! But that does not mean she hugs every stranger she meets! As Arnav watched the duo, Geet neared them. She smiled softly at Naaniji who looked shocked at this sudden turn of events.

Geet decided Naaniji and the rest of the family deserved an explanation, "Naaniji! Khushi aur koi nahi, mere pati Maan ki bichdi hui behen hai! Cousin sister! Khushi ki Ma Nandini, Maan ke Pappaji ki choti behen thi! Kai saalon pehle bhai behen mein jhagda hua aur dono alag hue! Tabse Maan apni Bua aur behen ko dhoondh rahe hain! (Naaniji! Khushi is none other than my husband Maan's long lost sister! Cousin sister! Khushi's mother Nandini is little sister of Maan's father! Years ago, the brother sister got into fight and they got separated! Since then Maan is searching for his Bui and his sister!)" Geet did not explain more as she wanted Khushi to know her past first and then rest of her family and then also only if Khushi wanted them to know it. It was not Geet's story, so she had no right to let everyone about it!

"Wow Nannav! We were so worried ki Khushi ki adopted family ne jo uske saath kiya uske baad how will Khushi move on? But it seems she found her real family here! Now Khushi will be back to normal soon!", NK chirped and Arnav smiled at NK's words. Yes! Khushi had her family now! She will be back to normal pretty soon!

"Ee toh bahutai achcha hua! Haina bitwa? (This is really good news! Right bitwa?)", Naani asked and Arnav nodded, "Haan Naani! This is great!" As he looked back at the brother-sister duo, the said duo pulled back.

Maan cupped his sister's face and kissed her forehead, "Meri pyaari Happy!"

"Happy Didi!", chirped Vicky breaking the moment between brother and sister. Maan realised that there were people around and wiped his eyes as Khushi smiled at her nephew through her tears. Hey Devi Maiyya! Ab toh humaare Bhai hi nahi, Bhabhi bhi hai aur chota Bhatija bhi! Aaj aapne apne saheli ki jholi khushiyon se bhardi Devi Maiyya! (Hey Devi Maiyya! Now not only I have an elder brother, but I have a sister-in-law and a small nephew too! Today Devi Maiyya, you have filled your best friend's bag with happiness!)

As Khushi smiled, Geet lifted Vicky into her arms and pinched his cheek, "Happy Didi nahi! Yeh tumhaari Happy Bui hai! (Not Happy Didi! This is your Happy Bui!)" "Bui?", Vicky made a face at the new word, "But she is my best friend na?"

"That she is!", Geet responded, "But she is your father's little sister too! So she is your Aunt aka Bui! Got it?"

Vicky nodded and then brightened, "Hey Babaji! I have an Aunt too! So cool!" Geet chuckled at his expression as Khushi looked on. She finally was with her real family!

"Khushi bitiya!", Naaniji's voice brought her out of the bubble she was in for a while, "Humka apne bhai se naahi milwaogi? (Won't you introduce your brother to us?)"

"Yes Khushi! You have to introduce us!", NK complained and Khushi turned to look at them. The smile on her face filled Arnav and Naaniji's heart with happiness. Since the night of the marriage, this was the first time Khushi smiled so happily!

Khushi nodded and dragged her newly found brother to her new family.

"Maan Veerji! Inse miliye!", she chirped reminding Maan of his son. Khushi continued to speak, "Yeh hai humaare pati Arnavji! (This is my husband Arnavji!)" It was only after she introduced him that it clicked to her that Arnav was her husband now. For last few days, she was so lost in her sadness that it never hit her what being married meant. Her cheeks turned a little red but no one noticed it. As Arnav raised his hand to shake, Maan surprised him by hugging him, "Welcome to the Khurana family, Arnav!" Geet grinned at this sweet display.

Maan turned to his little kid sister, "Tumhari shaadi bhi hogayi! Abhi toh choti bachchi thi, mere liye Bhabhi dhundhne ki baat kar rahi thi! Kab itni badi hogayi? (You are married already! It feels like yesterday when you were a little kid, eager to search a Bhabhi for you! When did you grow up?)" Maan looked emotionally at Khushi who smiled back looking as emotional as Maan.

Suddenly someone cleared their throat and they turned to look at NK, "Arre bhai! Somebody introduce me too!"

Everyone chuckled and Khushi spoke, "Inse miliye Veerji! Yeh Nandkishore ji hain! NKji! Humaare sabse pakke dost aur Arnavji ke rishtedaar! Hum sab inke ghar hi thehre hain yahaan! (Meet him Veerji! This is Nandkishore ji! NKji! My best friend and Arnav's relative! We are staying at his house here!)"

Maan and NK shook hands when suddenly Vicky piped up, "Sabse pakke dost? Doesn't that mean best friend? This is so not fair! I am supposed to be your best friend! Not him!" The boy pouted and stormed away to sit on a sofa nearby.

Everyone chuckled at Vicky's antics and Khushi walked over to him. She kneeled in front of him and grabbed his hands. He glared at her but Khushi smiled, "NKji humaare best friend hain par bade logon mein! Bachchon mein toh aap hi humaare best friend ho! (NKji is my best friend amongst grown ups! But in children, you are my best friend!)"

Vicky brightened right away, "Really?" When Khushi nodded solemnly, Vicky lunged forward and hugged her tightly.

"They have bonded well!", Maan commented to Geet as they looked at aunt nephew hugging each other.

"Yeh toh hona hi tha! After all, Bui aur Bhatija ka relationship is quite special!", Geet commented and looked at Maan teasingly. Maan chuckled.

Khushi came back holding Vicky's hand and introduced Naaniji to Maan. Maan took Naaniji's aashirwad and she spoke to him kindly.

"Waise Naaniji se yaad aaya.. (By the way, Naaniji reminded me of something...)", Maan spoke as he looked at his sister, "Tumhein bhi mujhe kisise milaana hai! (I have to introduce you to someone too!)"

Khushi frowned and allowed her elder brother to drag her off to wall of the house where a photo was hanging with a garland of fresh flowers on it.

"Inse milo Khushi! (Meet her Khushi!)", Maan spoke up while pointing at the photo, "Yeh meri Daadima, tumhaari Naanima hai! (This is my Daadima, your Naanima!)"

Khushi's eyes filled with tears as she looked at the photo of her grandmother.

"Daadima!", Maan spoke up as he looked at the photo, "Look! It might be late but your granddaughter is home again!" As brother and sister stood there looking at the photo, Geet went to stand by Arnav, "Arnavji! Ek request hai aapse! (Arnavji! I have a request for you!)"

Arnav frowned as he looked at her.

"Kya Khushi aaj raat humaare ghar theher sakti hai? (Can Khushi stay here for one night?)", Geet questioned.

Maan and Khushi turned to look at Geet just as Arnav opened his mouth to speak. But before he could say something Geet spoke up again, "Dekhiye! Main jaanti hun ki woh aapki patni hai! Aur hum anjaan log hain! Aap kaise Khushi ko humaare paas chod sakte hain! Lekin humein bhi zaraa samajhiye! Humein humaari Khushi aaj mili woh bhi itne saalon baad! Aur humaari kismat toh dekhiye! Hum uske yahaan rakh bhi nahi sakte kyunki woh ab shaadi shuda hai! Isliye main chaahti hun ki ek raat Khushi humaare saath iss ghar ki beti ki tarah rahe! Haan baad mein hum milte rahenge lekin humein woh aaj hi mili hai! Kya yeh kuch pal humein mil sakte hain? (Look! I know she is your wife! And we are strangers for you! How can you leave Khushi with us! But try to understand us too! We got our Khushi back today that also after so many years! And then also look at our fate! We cannot even keep her here because she is a married woman now! That's why I want Khushi to stay here for one night as the daughter of this house! We will keep meeting later one but we found her today only! Can we get this few moments with her?)"

Arnav felt a sense of foreboding as Geet continued to speak. He did not know why but his senses wanted him to say no. But before he could refuse, Naaniji spoke up, "Haan haan bitiya! Yeh bhi kauno poochne ki baat hai? Khushi bitiya! Aaj raat tum apne parivar ke saath reh lena! Theek hai? (Yes yes bitiya! Do you even need to ask? Khushi bitiya! Tonight you can stay with your family? Ok?)"

Khushi nodded excitedly as Arnav looked at Naaniji with shock. What the! How can Naaniji say that? How can Khushi stay here? But as he looked at Khushi and noticed her happiness, Arnav decided to keep quiet. Arnav! Are you mad? She is staying with her family! That's it! Why are you being so scared? She will be fine! Arnav shook his head. Since the marriage he had not been separated from Khushi, maybe that's why dread was filling his body at the thought of leaving Khushi here. He was being ridiculous, obviously!

"Waise Arnav (By the way, Arnav)", Maan spoke up bringing Arnav out of his thoughts, "Kal aajaana meri behen ko lene! Toh phir iss hisaab se Khushi ka pag phera humaare ghar se ho jaayega! Shaadi ke baaki riti rivaaz mein toh main shaamil nahi ho paaya! Main chaahta hun ki pag phera toh humaare ghar se ho! (Come tomorrow to take my sister with you! That way, her pag phera will happen from our house! We could not get involved in your marriage's other rituals! I want atleast her pag phera to happen from our house!)" Arnav nodded and Maan asked about his profession. Arnav, Maan and NK chatted about their profession while Geet and Naaniji listened on. But Khushi was not listening. She was lost in her thoughts. Maan's words had sent a shard to Khushi's heart. Pag phera... a ritual that was done when the newly bride comes to visit her maayka. Humaara toh pag phera shaadi ke baad hua hi nahi tha! Hum toh jab pag phere ke liye gaye toh humaare parivar ne humse humaara maayka hi cheen liya! Lekin ab humaara pag phera hoga! (My pag phera never happened after my wedding! When I went back to my house for pag phera, my family took my maaka itself from me! But now, my pag phera will happen!)

As Khushi looked around the house, she realised this was the house she would have done her bidaai in if she had found her family sooner. Bidaai chodo! Humaari sagai aur shaadi bhi yahin hoti! (Forget bidaai! Even my engagement and wedding would have happened here!) Just as she thought it, her mind reminded her of the forced engagement that she had with Shyam and the marriage that happened to prove her innocence. Kaash! Kaash humein humaara parivar pehle mila hota! Toh phir humaari shaadi mein bhi sangeet hoti, haldi hoti! Lekin humaari shaadi mein toh kuch nahi hua! Arre! Humein toh pata bhi nahi tha ki hum ek dulhan hain! Achanak se Arnavji humein Mandir le gaye aur achanak se hum ek khel ki katputli ban gaye! (I wish! I wish I had got my family earlier! Then my marriage would have sangeet, haldi in it! But nothing happened like that in my wedding! Arre! I did not even know that I am a bride! Suddenly Arnavji brought me to the Mandir and suddenly I became the puppet to a game!)

As Khushi teared up at the thought of having no proper wedding, no one except Geet noticed her tears. But she assumed that Khushi was crying because she would be separated from her husband for the first time since the wedding. How romantic! She smiled.

Just then Naaniji took her leave and before Khushi knew it, Arnav was leaving her in the Khurana Mansion and walking out with his Naaniji and NK. As Arnav walked off, Khushi stared at his retreating back unable to understand the turmoil of emotions she was feeling as he walked away. Arnav did not know why but he felt as if something wrong was happening. He turned around just as they reached the door and looked at Khushi. Aisa kyun lag raha hai jaise main tumhein khone waala hun Khushi? (Why do I feel I am going to loose you Khushi?) As Naaniji asked him what was wrong, he shook his head and walked off as Khushi stood watching him leave.

How was this update?

Hope you enjoyed it!

Thank you, take care and have fun,

Kalpana