My very own Arnav- Arshi FF - Page 4

Both Shashi and Arnav are making Khushi's feelings and her life a deal. I understand why Shashi is doing this, but still I feel he could have maybe talked to Arnav about Khushi's feelings. And I really hope Arnav isn't planning to divorce Khushi... Actually you know what - no matter what happens, Khushi is definitely going to be hurt in the end... Poor her...

What a tangled web. Both Shashi and Arnav are taking the wrong way around this.

Good one

PART-13:

Moving on:

The next couple of weeks passed in a frenzy for everyone. There were multiple meetings between the elders, varieties of rituals and finally tons of shopping.

By the end of third week Khushi found herself married. It was a simple wedding graced only by close family and friends just like how Arnav had requested. A bunch of auspicious dates had been given by the pandit to Nani and Arnav had decided to go with the earliest one since his mind was already made up. "Why delay the inevitable?" he reasoned.

During the pre-nuptial period, Arnav and Khushi hardly met. Other than the engagement, Arnav did not participate in any of the rituals. Knowing his mindset, none of Arnav's family forced him in this matter. Garima and Khushi's Bua were unhappy about Arnav's absence but were hushed by Shashi since he very well knew about Arnav's disinterest.

Shashank had gone to visit his daughter in California after the Mehta proposal had come in for Khushi. He was very surprised when he came to know that Khushi was to be married to an employee of Gupta Industries instead. Shashank and Preetham could not make it to the wedding since everything was rushed up and Preetham was sick during that period.

Aman and Akash were happy for their buddy. Having known Arnav to be the stubborn ass he was, they could not help but feel sympathy for the mild Ms.Gupta. They did not know much about her, but the few times they met her at Gupta party functions, they knew she was a sweet confident girl.

The other employees were shocked and skeptical about the reason for the sudden wedding of ASR with their boss's daughter. While many were envious of ASR for having gotten himself a rich beautiful girl, Sheetal was furious with rage and jealous of Khushi. She was desperate to find out the reason for Arnav's acceptance of this alliance since she knew Arnav would never take shortcuts to success. She even tried asking him but Arnav was shrewd enough to keep the conditions to himself. All the employees were strictly warned by Shashi that his personal and professional lives would be kept separate and ASR would still be treated the same way as before. No one would be giving any special treatment to ASR.

All through the pre-wedding period, Khushi and Payal grew close to Anjali. In her they found a friend and an older sister. Arnav had strictly prohibited everyone in his family from discussing with Khushi the conversation details on the evening of Shashi Gupta's proposal in front of his family.

Shashi, on the other hand, told his wife and sister never to let Khushi know that Arnav had refused her alliance the first time. Shashi also strictly forbade them from telling Khushi the reasons behind Arnav's subsequent acceptance of the proposal. Shashi wanted to protect his sensitive daughter from getting hurt. He did not want her to start her married life on an unhappy note.

Khushi was told by her dad, that the day they found out about Arnav's engagement to the Lucknow girl, Shashi had taken her proposal to Arnav's family, spoken and convinced them for the wedding. When Khushi had innocently asked him what would now happen to the Lucknow girl that was supposed to be engaged to Arnav, Shashi had promised with a smile that he would help them find a good groom for her.

During the period before wedding, Shashi, Garima and Bua had requested Nani to give time for Khushi to adapt into the marriage as she was still young and also since everything had moved too fast. Khushi being the only child, they said they would miss her terribly. Nani understood them and hence decided that Arnav and Khushi would live with Khushi's family at Gupta Mansion for a few months after the wedding.

Now this got Arnav irritated to the core. He refused to comply with Nani's request. But as he had already given his word for the wedding, there was no going back now. Arnav had no other option but to bite the bullet.

"You will pay for this Ms.Gupta", Arnav thought.

Arnav's POV on the wedding night:

Arnav was sitting in the lawn of Gupta Mansion deeply thinking about the incidents of the past three weeks. He got married today. His life had take a 180 degree turn. He wasn't sure where this would lead to. Arnav hadn't spoken to Khushi at all during this time. Other than at engagement and a few times when Khushi came to talk to her dad at work, Arnav hadn't really met her either. Anjali had tried her best to stir Arnav's interest in Khushi by showing him the pictures (of Khushi) taken at every ritual that he had missed.

One thing is for sure.. Khushi is beautiful... beyond beautiful... the right word would be Exquisite.

She blushed a lot.. every single time she saw him.. she blushed.. He knew it now. She couldn't even meet his eyes.

He was pulled out of his thoughts by a soft tap on his shoulder. It was Anjali with Nani and Mami.

Anjali: Chote it is time.

Arnav: Hmm

Anjali: Let me take you to Khushi's room.

I nodded and followed her. Anjali, Payal and Nisha stopped me at the closed door of the room and started teasing me. When I glared at them, they ran away with my wallet. "Unbelievable!!!", I thought.

I got in and locked the door behind me. For a second, I couldn't breathe looking at the vision in red on the bed. She was sitting with knees close to her chest, and a transparent veil on her face and shoulders.

To say I was mesmerized was an understatement.

I couldn't stop myself from walking to her. Sitting on the bed next to her, I could see through the veil that her eyes were looking down. She looked nervous.

The bed and the room were decorated with flowers and scented candles creating an awesome ambience.

I called her "Khushi".

She instantly looked up at me with her big hazel eyes.

"Damn, this is getting really difficult", I thought.

"Go and change, I'm sure that must be uncomfortable", I said to her pointing to her dress. She did not talk, just nodded her head.

I saw her getting down from the bed slowly and walking towards the bathroom.

She came out a few minutes later. I saw her walk to the dressing table, took the Dupatta off after pulling out the various pins attached on her dupatta and hair.

She then started taking her jewelry off. I could see that she was feeling very conscious knowing I was watching her. She had trouble taking her waist band off, she fiddled with it for a while. I went to her, put my fingers on the hook of her waist band, unintentionally touching her waist in the process. She shivered. This jolted me out of my mood.

"Damn it, what the heck am I doing?". I looked at her face to see her reaction. She didn't move back but her face had a pink hue. She was obviously blushing. She looked ravishingly beautiful with the pink color on her face.

Beauty with shyness is a devastating combination.

I immediately walked away from her to the attached seating area in the bedroom that had couches and recliner. Closing my eyes, I put my head back on the recliner and took a deep breath. I went over what just happened...

I felt like slapping myself. "Am I that weak to fall for just a beautiful face? I don't know anything about this girl. I was never even interested in marrying her."

"How can I take this marriage to the next level when I am myself not sure about the future of this relationship? Heck, I do not even know how long this marriage will last."

"It is not right to get involved with her when this is not a permanent relationship. This won't be fair to Ms.Gupta". I decided to stay away from Khushi physically.

An evil part of my brain said- Easier said than done buddy!!!

...Scroll down for Part-14 ...

wonderful I was thinking the same thing easier said than done... love it.

PART-14:

Morning after wedding at Gupta Mansion (GM):

Arnav woke up late that morning. He looked at his watch and was not happy that he missed jogging. When he tried getting up from the recliner, he found a duvet roll down onto the floor from his body. He was surprised, he distinctly remembered going to sleep without it.

"Hmm. Interesting." he thought.

He did not see Khushi on the bed, so he realized she was awake. He went to the bathroom, showered and started getting dressed.

He heard someone knock on his door. When he opened, he saw Anjali with a big smile.

Anjali: Chote, you are up?

Arnav: Ha Di, what happened?

Anjali: Nothing Chote, Did you find all your clothes in place? I had gotten your suits, jeans, shirts and other stuff.

Arnav: Thanks Di. You packed well for me.

Anjali: You are atrocious Chote! The only thing you packed and got here is your laptop bag.

Hearing this someone giggled behind Anjali. Arnav angled his head to see Khushi standing at the door.

Arnav (looking at Khushi): What's so funny?

Khushi (bent her head and mumbled): Nothing

Anjali: Arey, why are you trying to intimidate my bhabhi?

Arnav was irritated to hear Anjali call Khushi as Bhabhi.

When Arnav tried walking towards the door, Khushi took a step towards him as if to say something.

Arnav stopped and asked: What is it?

Khushi: Please come down for breakfast. Everyone is waiting for you.

Arnav: I need to get going.

Khushi: Please eat at least a little.

Arnav was about to walk out ignoring Khushi when Anjali stopped him.

Anjali: Chote, it won't look good. Everyone is waiting for you. Let's go down together.

Arnav (gritting his teeth): Fine!

At the breakfast table, Arnav noticed Nani, Mamaji, Mami, Shashi, Garima and Khushi's Bua sitting and chatting affably. Arnav, Khushi and Anjali joined them. Bua asked Khushi to serve Arnav his breakfast which she did.

Nani noticed Arnav was dressed to step out.

Nani: Arnav are you going out somewhere?

Arnav: Ha Nani, to office.

Shashi: But Arnav, do you need to go today? I mean you just got married yesterday. You are still on leave.

Arnav: Oh, that's fine. I have a few designs to discuss with Sheetal.

Nobody said anything.

Mamaji: Arnav, we will be going back home after breakfast.

Arnav: We?

Mami: Ha bitwa, Anjali, Mamaji, Nani and myself. Ajit already went home last night.

Arnav: okay. I'm going to office now, but I'll be home by late afternoon.

Nani: In that case, please get Khushi Bitiya with you. I didn't get to spend much time with her during the wedding. You both can have dinner with us and then get back here.

Nani continued: Shashiji, I hope you are ok with this.

Shashi: Absolutely Devayaniji. We are actually very thankful to you for letting Khushi and Arnav stay with us here.

Arnav remembered how pissed he was when he had heard from Nani about this arrangement. Unknowingly, he fisted his palms, and grit his teeth. Khushi, who was sitting next to him, noticed the change in his body language right away.

Arnav excused himself from the dining area gently and started walking towards the door. Bua signaled Khushi with her eyes to go see him off till the front door. Arnav noticed that Khushi was following him. He stopped and turned around to look at her.

Arnav: Khushi, be ready by 2'O clock. I'll pick you up and take you to my place.

Khushi (nodding): Sure

Garima, who was watching this interaction keenly, felt like Arnav ordered Khushi. She did not like it a bit. She decided to talk to Khushi later.

Gupta Industries (Sheetal's Cabin):

Arnav: Hi Sheetal

Sheetal: Hi ASR

Arnav: You wanted us to finalize some designs

Sheetal: Yes, I do. But first let me congratulate you on your wedding. How is married life?

Arnav: Thanks and ya, everything's going good.

Sheetal: Don't lie ASR

Arnav: Excuse me?

Sheetal: If everything's going good, why would you be at work the very next day after wedding?

Arnav: That's because I love my work

Sheetal: That you do and definitely more than your wife. Already bored of her?

Arnav (tensing his jaw): I think we should stop focussing on my personal stuff, and start focussing on work.

Sheetal was irritated and disappointed that she did not get the desired response from ASR. She immediately gave a fake smile.

Sheetal: Just kidding ASR. Can't I just tease my newly married friend?

Arnav raised his eyebrows at Sheetal.

Sheetal: Anyhow, these are the designs that we have. Out of these, I want us to finalize five for summer collection.

ASR: Okay.

A couple of weeks later at Gupta Mansion (GM):

Arnav had just washed his hair and was standing in front of his closet pulling out some clothes. He was on phone with Anjali.

Arnav: Di, do you remember where my white shirt is?

Anjali: I packed it for you Chote

Arnav: Then where is it? I can't find it here. Where did you arrange in my closet?

Anjali: I only packed your clothes and got them to GM. Khushi is the one who arranged your clothes in the closet.

Arnav: Khushi did that?

Anjali: Ha baba, ask her. I got to go Chote, will call you later.

Arnav smiled. Khushi had surprised him at multiple occasions. She was definitely caring and did not have a snobbish attitude that he had expected from her.

He remembered an incident that happened just a couple of days after their wedding.

Flashback:

The second morning after wedding; Arnav had gone for a jog, come back, and stepped out after a relaxing shower. By the time he came out, Khushi was waiting for him.

Khushi: Your coffee

Arnav: No thanks, I only take black coffee.

Khushi: I know. This is black coffee

Arnav was surprised and took a sip. It was exactly the way he wanted.

Arnav: How do you know I like this?

Khushi: I learnt it from Di yesterday when we went to your place.

Arnav (smirked): Thanks!

Flashback ends.

Arnav and Khushi had set into a normal routine with each other. They wouldn't talk unless it was absolutely needed. Arnav had gone back to work full-time within two days after wedding. Even though they spoke less, they got comfortable with each other. Both were careful not to interfere in each other's life and cause any inconvenience. There was always a fine line between the two, and both were careful not to cross their limits.

Khushi would meet with Anjali and the rest of his family during day-time most days. Since she was done with her exams, Payal would come by to GM. The girls would catch up talking nineteen to a dozen; sometimes Garima and Bua would join them too.

Khushi had shown interest in him in simplest of ways- like making sure he had breakfast and meals on time, making sure he had medicines on time. Occasional calling him at work just to check regarding food and medicines even though the call would be straight to the point and last not more than 30 seconds.

Arnav frankly had not expected these from his wife. It had always been Di who enquired after him. Even though getting this attention from Khushi was different, Khushi made sure she never overdid/ embarrassed him.

Many a time, he even found her waiting for him so they could have dinner together. Dinners were then eaten in companionable silence.

As the two weeks rolled into a month, Arnav found that their verbal communication was still meagre.

But with Khushi, her actions spoke louder than words.

👍🏼

...Part-15 on Page 7...

Nice chapters so now arnav knows that khusi is absolutely a spoilt brat but a very humble person i hope he gives himself a chance to explore this relationship.

OMG I loved that update!!!! Pleeeaasr update next part soon! Can't wait!!!

I am sure Sheetal will create trouble in future. Good to see that Arnav is slowly beginning to understand Khushi a little.