"Yeh Sunkar tum khush ho" He asked her almost hurt! But Khushi couldnt get the moments she had spent with him out of her head, neither could she think objectively anymore. The fact that he gave her no answers, gave her enough answers that she perhaps now needed to move away from his life for good! She had never thought, he would begin to impact her so much. The volley of emotions she had felt and experienced in a day from being nervous, to ecstatic, to realizing her love to, see her heart break Khushi told her self she will not show it to ASR anymore! He had asked her to leave him alone, and she would do just that!
... So she went back home, and as her bua announced that she would be getting engaged to Shyam next morning, Sanka Devi announced, she was not interested in this proposal!
"Hum Amma aur Babuji ko leke waapis Lucknow jaana chahte hai bua ji, aur hum babuji ka wahin pe khayal rakhenge... aur hume nahi lagta Shaadi karke hum yeh sab kar payenge... Issi liyee aap iss baar hume mat rokna...hum aapse vinnati karte hai..." She had never sounded this sure, and even
She had never sounded this sure, and even Bua had to agree reluctantly. The Gupta's left for Lucknow the very next day spoiling all of Shyams evil plans. God punished him for his misdeeds soon after, as the car in which he was travelling in met with an accident totally impairing his movement once more. He was mostly confined to the wheelchair and Anjali was ready to move heaven and earth to take care of her dear husband. Shyam missed Khushi but, he had no reason to not fall in love with his life in new light, as she was totally dedicated and committed to him! she infact loved him to bits...
Three months down the line the Raizada house was busy with the preparations of the ASR and La wedding ! Arnav had been told, by the neigbours when he checked on the Guptas that she was supposed to get engaged to a guy, but they suddenly left for Lucknow and may be the guy also went along! They were not very clear on the details neither did he bother to check the accurate ones with Buaji. How dare she? Khushi Kumari Gupta! Who do you think you are? You will not play with me and emotions!!! But somewhere in the corner of his heart he still missed her, he still wanted to see her. He woke up in the middle of the night hearing her laughter, the sound of her anklets, the look on her face when they were that close! Her questioning eyes haunted him, but he tried to distract his mind from the same. He had once again turned cold and nasty with people around him. La was almost terrified of talking to him ! She felt he had gotten worse this time around and she couldnt figure out what was wrong!
Just when the plans were being made to have an elaborate 11 day wedding, ASR announced!
"Shaadi Sheesh Mahal Main Hogi" shocking everyone else around! This was unusual ! Anjali knew, what that place meant to her brother. Their bitter memories and the thoughts of losing out on a normal childhood made her wonder why he had made such an absurd choice!
"Lekin Chote Anjali Began...
I want no more questions... "Shaadi Sheesh mahal main hogi matlab sheesh mahal main hogi ...
Arnav had learnt, from his sources that Khushi now worked with a wedding planning agency! So he smartly, made one of his employees sign her up for the contract! The idea of going back to the Sheesh Mahal gave her memories she didnt want to remember. It reminded her of the man into whose arms she unwillingly fell and the series of events that happened after that !! She constantly told herself, that it was a chapter in her life that was though painful, yet the most beautiful and memorable one! She bore love for Arnav still in her heart, knowing of her feelings for sure this time, not saying a word to anyone around herr!
She had been told that the house had been bought by a rich family in Delhi, and they would occupy the Sheesh Mahal only for a month. People in the town had also talked about how the Sheesh Mahal after having been occupied by Arnav Singh Raizada had been lying vacant for over six months until another family would now come and occupy it. The Kasyaps were to arrive before the Raizadas. A high flying Family settled in the UK, the Kashyaps preferred calling themselves Kay's ! Most of the calls were being made by the girls family, so, Khushi often interacted with the Kay's! She assured them everything would be taken care of and that the old Dilapidated Sheesh Mahal would glow with lights and the bride and the groom would have the most memorable day of their lives ! She had actually organised many weddings in the last few months, but this one somehow made her feel uneasy. She kept wondering why. May be it was the place. The building when she first went in was scary. Creaking doors and huge rooms. She saw the picture of the oldest Raizada Chandrakant Singh Raizada. The picture hadnt been dusted for years. She climbed onto a chair took her dupatta and gently wiped off the dust. There was a close resemblance Arnav bore with his grandad. The frown was hereditary perhaps, she thought and smiled to herself ! Then she saw a younger picture of Arnavs mother and father that she had seen earlier, but this was perhaps taken during their wedding !!! An old domestic help came in and asked her ...
Kya dekh rahi ho Bitiya .. yeh humare bade sahab hai ... aur yeh chote ...
The mention of chote instantly reminded her of Arnav. She decided she would keep the pictures of the Mahal intact, so that it would retain the authenticity of the place. She would it would disturb her a little, but it was not her home, she wasnt allowed to make those decisions! She had come to plan the wedding, she would organise it and leave!!
They heard the honking of cars and the domestic help, ran to fetch the convoy !!! Khushi suddenly felt her heart beating superr fast, the way it hadnt in months !! Was he near? No way !! Arnav Singh Raizada !!! nahi ..aap yahan nahi ho sakte ... !!! hume bas ... bechaini ho rahi hai kyunki hum yahan pe aa gaye hai ... devi maiyya paas main jalebi bhi nahi hai ... ab hum kya kare ...
She could hear commotion outside, and laughter and talk, when she couldnt believe her eyes, as she saw Arnav Singh Raizada standing right in front of her. She at first obviously thought she was hallucinating, but as he approached her, she realised it was him, and she started shivering and panicking, ultimately losing her balance, landing rightfully in his arms one more time !!
Do tell me if its too long and if i shd continue. I may write a part or two more if i feel like :D
love,
Niha
OS Part 2OS-Part 3
OS- Part 4
OS- Part 5
Part 6
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