Chapter 40 Payash wedding
Garima, and Buaji were all praises for Arnav. "We know he can be ruthless to others, but when it is a matter of family, that boy will do anything to keep it happy and safe. See, now Payaliya is going to be one of their family, so he is taking extra efforts to welcome her!!! chimed buaji looking at all the gifts,..
Beautifully wrapped gift boxes, one has to give it to ASR to achieve perfection, well in these matters, thought Khushi while she handed individually packed gifts to all. Designer kurtas for Kushal and Babuji. Designer sarees for the ladies suiting each ones age and personality and not to mention Khushi got a red saree . However Khushi felt there was more to it and she was not wrong, for when she went to her room and opened her package, she found beautiful bangles to go along with the saree. Ofcourse she did not want to make a big scene in front of Payal for receiving special gift and she slid them into her bag.
Sleep evaded her. Day by day she was falling in deep trouble and she knew not how to get out. And to top all this, he has started showing these special gestures. What is the meaning of this? She wondered. Immediately her mind went back to a time when his words had broken her heart, "just because I have spoken to you nicely once or twice, does not mean anything? Do you understand? She jolted thinking of the incident and her heart breaking again.. She did not want to be mistaken again and dream...
It was a similar thought Khushi had had when the proposal to go to Lucknow was made, yes she wanted to go, to spend time with her brother, but a certain someone kept nagging her thoughts. But thinking of her relationship with Arnav, she knew it was something she could not even dream of. Also, knowing her parents, she knew soon there would be talks of her wedding too. Was she ready? No way. God, she did not even want to marry at all with her heart somewhere else, but she also knew that was not possible, what reason could she give them? That she had fallen for a man who does not believe in Love or marriage? So the best solution was to push the situation and let her heart heal with time.. if only
Office was rather a dull affair now with the wedding celebrations going on. She had to juggle her time between all these preparations, and to top all these, she was designing a special secret lehnga for Payal as well. And she was stuck with it. Something was not right, either the colour did not match or the design was not right for the work, and she was unable to decipher the problem. Unaware of the time, late in the evening she was stuck in the office trying to figure out the problem, when, who else, our ASR barged in and shouted,
"Khushi what are you doing here. Do you know how worried everybody is? They have been trying to contact you? Di called me, then Payal, then Kushal..
Taken aback by his sudden entry and the barrage of questions, it took some time for Khushi to realise what the matter was. Seeing the time, "Oh, I am so sorry, I did not know it was this late. She was a bit embarrassed by her state. She had had a long day. Sticking her pen every so often into her hair, most of it had come out of her braid, flying all over her face and not to mention she was dead tired.
She hurriedly started packing her belongings when Arnav came over to her desk, "What were you doing??
Before she could pull the design he was already at it, looking with a keen eye..
Khushi hesitantly replied, "Er, woh, I was trying to design this for Jiji, but please don't tell her, even Anjali ji doesn't know, please.. Arnav raised an eyebrow and said..
"mmm so you are designing this. It is very beautiful In fact he was surprised at his own declaration. "Thanks Arnav ji, but something does not fit right, that's why I am breaking my head.. " Khushi continued, then cheekily she said, "Well you know like you say, trying to stress my pea sized brain and she laughed..
Even though she laughed, ASR was hurt thinking "I have been so rude to her, never keeps anything in her heart...
Looking at the designs, he spoke, "Khushi, I think if you change the yellow to orange or gold, the patterns and the work will be more visible
Khushi immediately grabbed her pen and wrote down all his suggestions like a school kid. "Arnav ji, you have saved my day. Thank you thank you thank you so much she was so full of gratitude, well she could er well kiss him after all the nerve breaking thinking she had done!!
Looking at her, Arnav couldn't stop himself from giving a heart felt smile and walked towards her. Khushi immediately stopped writing, feeling him close to her, both took slow steps until she hit the wall. His closeness took all her sanity away and she could not think. Arnav was too mesmerised, it did not bother her hair was not done, she looked tired, all he saw was how beautiful she looked even in this state, perhaps more beautiful. Arms moved up on its own volition to push the hair blocking her face sending waves of current through her body. Both stood looking into each others eyes which spoke volumes.
Floating in their own little world when the rest of the world was still busy in finding Khushi, Arnav's phone rang. An anxious Anjali wouldn't rest until her mission was completed. Seeing it was his Di, speaking to Khushi, "listen, he said putting the phone straight away on speaker,
"Chote, I told you to look for Khushi what are you doing?
Arnav spoke slowly with his famous one sided smile, looking at Khushi, "Di, that's what I am doing at this precise moment, looking at her when you called me!!
Khushi's heart skipped a beat seeing his smile and his brazen remark which held another meaning too. Was he flirting now after what just happened? Oh my heart, Run Khushi run..
"Chote what's happened to her phone? curious Anjali asked.
Khushi put her hand on her head "Hey Devi maiyya, I had put it on silent when I came to office and forgot about it completely Taking the phone from Arnav, she spoke "Sorry Anjali ji, I will call home and inform them, and I will leave as well
"Khushi pack up, come to the car park and don't forget to get my phone. Anjali heard her chote ordering in a distance.
"Khushi ji, do you know all are so worried, taking a breath, she continued, " now I am not worried, you are with Chote and put the phone down.
"Was Anjali ji too trying to make fun of me? Hey Devi maiyya? Why should she worry, I should be... thinking loud, Khushi banged straight into Arnav at the door of the office. He immediately held her waist and asked, "Worried about whom Khushi?
"ah, woh, worry I, Anjali ji, not, worry I you .. " she slowly came out of his embrace blabbering.
Amused by her, Arnav must have broken his record today cause he smiled again.. and his smile broadened when he saw she was still looking at him blabbering, "smile..., not la.. laad governor gg... ..good"
Poor Khushi, end of the day she was being subject to torture!! She was in tethers. Her brain had gone on an overdrive. She needed food. And the much needed sleep. And not to forget run away from him. Why did he have to call my name all the time!!!
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Arnav was heard giving instructions or rather commanding, "Honestly Aman, next few days will be hectic, you know the wedding is tomorrow, so you should be looking after AR, postpone all the meetings, visits. Update the clients with new dates. By the way have you booked Akash and Payal's honeymoon yet? Did you speak to Di? You know Aman very well, I will not settle for anything but the best. Also, try and manage Di's project, because you know Payal and Akash will be away, and Di wont be able to manage on her own. You know don't you, Khushi is leaving too. Sudden gloom engulfed him and he felt suffocated.
Phew, that was a load of orders at one time, however, sensing the sudden change in his tone, Aman spoke "Yes ASR, I have postponed all the meetings, the clients are aware of the changed dates. Along with Akash, you also don't have any meeting for next 2 weeks. I will manage the local meetings and call you if needed. I have booked tickets to Maldives for Akash. Anjali ji has spoken to me about her project as well, so I have been briefed about what to do, anything else?
Arnav was surprised and felt proud Di too had tried to manage her job without neglecting because of the wedding. Finally, he spoke "Now, Aman, you know you have to be at the wedding, I don't need to tell you. Now it is my orders, I want your mum and sister as well.
"Sure ASR, Anjali ji has already been with your Nani to give the invitation, and we will all be coming..
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Arnav wondered how Aman survived all these years even after being fired almost 5 times a week. This mans organisational skills and professionalism excelled with each passing day. He was also impressed at how his di too was organising her schedule well by giving appropriate priorities to where it was needed. He went back to the time when she had wanted to work and he was not happy with her decision. How wrong he had been, but then again, he had been wrong on so many things when it was a matter of the doe eyed person who was now imbibed in his system. She was going away, not a lot of days now.
Khushi. How you have changed my life.. Why? How can I make you stop, but again he was confused, what would he do if she stayed back. Yeah he was happy if she was around him, they enjoyed challenging one another, savoured the coffee she made for him, laugh at her antics, feel contended at how his family enjoys her company, then, then , there were the moments they shared without a care in the world drowning deep in each others eyes ...
Where would all this lead to, .. he dreaded to think... Love, marriage,.. Nooo... I cannot think of marriage. But Di was saying her family is fixing her marriage, and she does not want to get married that's why she is going? Why does she not want to? But sooner or later, they will get her married. Khushi will get married.. Oh even the thought made a heart wrenching pain. Will he be able to see her with somebody else... rage soon took over his pain. How is it possible? How can she, how dare she...
Anxiety, and stress ruled the Gupta household. After all the eldest daughter was getting married. Though all the arrangements were taken care of, it was the girls parents right to be worried!!
Under normal circumstances, all the wedding arrangements were made by the brides party, however, Akash had secretly spoken to Kushal and Shashi to share responsibility. It was impossible to convince Shashi, but a determined Akash, though not as bold or daring or ordering as Arnav, had finally managed to get a positive reply from them through his tactical and emotional reasoning. The result was one proud father-in-law who was happy to marry his daughter to Akash. Shashi thanked Devi Maiyya for her blessings..
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"Akash, it's high time, stop dreaming... Anjali and NK hurried Akash who seemed to have frozen in front of the mirror.
"Di, I am too nervous... what should I do.. an anxious Akash replied. "Array if you are nervous now, how will you be tonight!! Hurry hurry hurry, baba everything will be alright.. Anjali said while taking the kajal from eyes and putting at the back of his ears.. "I dont want anybody's evil eyes to fall on my brother..
NK joined in saying, "Di, Khushi just called and said they are all at the venue, if we don't go soon, guests will start pouring in..
"What the, why call this joker, Asr thought.. "Akash, what's your problem, lets move on, already the rest have gone.. the main person is here.. He was too eager to see how Khushi was dressed.
His thoughts were voiced by NK who next replied, "Yes lets go, I want to see how beautiful Khushi ji will be looking in her new Lehnga and there will be so many other girls too..
"NK... you better stay home, I don't want to see you monkeying around.. " snarled ASR
Akash was mesmerised by his bride. Adorning a red lehnga with all the grand jewellery, she was his epitome of beauty. Other than the nudging Akash needed every now and then, both followed the priests instruction word by word. Fed up Payal asked, "Akash ji, where are you today ?Are you alright?
Only to go red hearing his reply, "Payal ji, I cannot take my eyes off you, you are looking beautiful, its ethereal
"Akash whispered Payal turning away shyly.
"Oh, both of you have got your whole life ahead to talk to each other, greet the guests now,.. Anjali was soon enough to catch them red handed..
Happy her sister's marriage went without any hurdles, Khushi and the rest of Gupta's felt relaxed. Until now, Khushi was overwhelmed with all the celebrations and preparations, but now reality hit her. She felt a hollow in her stomach. Her jiji would leave and go. Forever. All the childhood days spent playing with dolls, making houses with mud, cards, playing cooking games, all was turning into real play. Even though a bout of crying had taken place before she left her maternal home for the last time, fresh tears brimmed in her eyes, ready to burst any moment.
"Khushi she heard the husky whisper. Turning away to hide her tears, she bent down pretending to set her lehnga right while wiping her tears.
"Ji Arnav ji, did you want something? She was all smiles again though her eyes could not hide the sadness. She remembered the long boring advice she had received the previous night from none other than Buaji with her mother nodding all the way.. "No pranks/silly/ rude talks with Payals Jetji (Brother-in-law). No going to RM unnecessarily. Talk to all of them with utmost respect... the list must have gone late into night because she had slept half way through after a tiring day!!
"Khushi I know you are sad your sister is going, but remember she will be treated very well, you have nothing to worry about Arnav replied feeling odd as he was consoling someone for the first time.
Surprised Mami, Anjali and Nani joined in
"Yes Khushi you don't have to worry chimed Mami knocking Nani, Anjali and Arnav off now!!!
"We are still in the same city Khuahi ji, and remember Khushi ji, you have promised you will come and stay for two days tomorrow. Anjali tried to lighten the mood..
"Yes Anjali ji.. you would not let me say no, would you? Khushi said smiling while this piece of information was taken with much delight resulting in a pleased smile from Arnav. Oh yes he definitely did smile a lot recently and he cared less to hide it from the world!!!
Soon after the bidai (all the crying where the girls starts her journey to her new home), Akash asked,
"Di, you told me our tradition to lift the bride, is it now?"
"Akash not now giggled Anjali with Nani and NK laughing.. and all made their way to RM.
The Gupta household was engulfed with a feeling of emptiness. Only time would fill this emptiness. None being in a mood to talk, retired after a long exhausting day. Anyway they had to think of next day, when Payal would return for the pag phere (Another ceremony where the girl goes to her mums house the next day).
However, there was a contrast of scene on the other side of the town at RM. As soon as they got down from the car, Akash shouted to di, "Di, is it now? glared Anjali pretending to be angry.. "Akash so desperate??
Akash quietly replied, "No di, I did not want you to forget.
"Oh really winked Anjali.
Finally the grih pravesh (House entering ceremony) took place with Payal pushing the pot of rice with her right feet and aarti. Anjali said, "Oh little brother.. time to sweep her off the ground and the next moment, Akash had already got Payal in his arms and walking into their house.. with the rest of the members roaring with laughter, they did not see/hear..
Payal whispered in his ears, "Akash ji you had long ago taken the ground off my feet... making his knees go wobbly!!! 😉😉
How was it???
Next chapter,
Khushi going to Lucknow??
Will Arnav stop her.. and the end??
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