ARHI FF: A Ray Of Hope pt 13 pg 123 updated 19/12 - Page 7

Update was very interesting

waiting to know how khushi and aranv fall in love with each other

please continue soon

Can I please ask everyone one thing and that is too be patient. All your questions will be answered but not before I have had time to write them. There is a lot to come like Arnav's past, Khushi's past but I have yet to get them to meet. So please everyone be patience and i promise you will get the answers. Plus having three other ff's going on at the same time and work has become very busy so I get very little time to update but thank you all for reading and taking this journey with me.

Here's the next chapter

Chapter 3

Arnav stood there staring at the woman in front still singing the lullaby to the little boy in her arms. He couldn't help but stand there and listen as well as look at the little boy. He felt a certain pull towards the little boy, a pull he couldn't quite explain. He was brought out his revive when his phone started ringing again. He picked it up and walked away.

Khushi heard the phone and turned to see a man's retreating back. She had no idea who he was. The little boy in her arms starting stirring and she turned her attention back to him.

As the Raizada's were talking with the Gupta's they all heard the lullaby. "What a sweet voice that is. I normally sing that to Priyan just like mumma used to sing to Chote" Anjali said and suddenly became sad remembering her mum. Shyam placed his hand on hers and looked towards her. She looked up at him with sad eyes but saw how much he loved her which made her smile. "Madhumatiji who is singing?" nani inquired. Garima and Shashi looked at one another not knowing what to say but before anyone could answer Madhumati said "Oh probably one of the neighbours daughter's. No one special." Payal felt hurt for sister. She knew her buaji was lying but now was not the time to say anything.

Arnav came back after dealing with his phone call. He came in and sat down. He looked towards Akash who was looking down on the floor. He moved closer towards his cousin and spoke to him quietly. "Akash what's wrong?" "Bhai I don't know this girl plus I saw what you went through so I don't know if this marriage is going to work" Akash said with concern evident in his voice. Arnav looked at his cousin knowing what he meant. "Akash not every girl is like my ex. So stop thinking that way. Now the question is do like that girl over there sitting next to nani who is seems like hasn't once looked towards your direction" Arnav had noted.

Akash looked up towards the girl. He started really looking at a very beautiful looking girl who was wearing a simple blue anarkali, her long hair open but clipped at the top but her eyes looking down to her hands. He noticed she didn't look at anyone making her seem shy. Akash still felt unsure. Arnav looked at his cousin and could gage what he may be thinking. "Akash if you want you and the girl could meet up and talk if you like. I could arrange it." "Bhai I would like that I mean all I know is her name is Payal and that's it. Nobody else knows much either" looking at Arnav. Arnav got up and walked to his di and whispered something into her ear. She looked up at him and grinned. "Umm auntie is it ok if I Payalji and Akash can talk on their own I mean they are the ones who really need to decide on whether or not they would like to get married" Anjali said looking at Garima. Madhumati got worried. She didn't want Payal to let anyone know about Khushi. Shashi knew this would happen. So he consented and asked Payal to show Akash the rest of the house so they could talk. Payal got up slowly but she couldn't face Akash. She moved ahead and he followed but before she could move more her hand was held by her bua and the look that passed between them said it all. Payal knew she couldn't say a word as there would hell to pay.

Payal really didn't like being left on the spot. She had seen what had happened to Khushi and the thought that she wasn't allowed to share their family secret with anyone was killing her. Now they had a proposal come from this family whom they knew nothing about for her and she didn't like lying to them.

Although the gupta house was situated in laxmi nagar Delhi it happened to the biggest house in the colony. With a front and back yard, several rooms to occupy all members of the household and of course a lovely terrace. She took Akash along a corridor showing the various rooms but avoiding going anywhere near the back garden knowing full well Khushi was out there. She turned left down a smaller corridor towards a door and made a right turn standing in front of a flight of stairs heading up to the terrace. She led him upstairs away from everyone so they could talk in private.

The whole time Akash had been wondering what to talk about. He knew was nervous but he figured so might she be.

Once up on the terrace they went to small corner where a set of table and chairs where situated under a tree which had grown high up from what seemed like the back garden creating the perfect shade from the sun's rays. They both sat on chairs looking everywhere but each other wondering what to talk about. As they were about to speak they realised they were about to say something simultaneously. Akash eventually spoke. "So Payal tell me about yourself." "There's nothing to say really. My name as you obviously know is Payal Gupta. I was born and brought up in Lucknow." "Wait. Lucknow?" Akash suddenly asked. "Yes. Why?" "My whole family's from Lucknow." Payal went pale thinking I hope he doesn't know. Subconsciously Akash seemed to answer her question. "We moved from there when I was very young. Actually phupha and dad came to Delhi to expand their already growing business. Once they had found a suitable place to live we were all called over to move in" Akash smiled as the memories started flowing in his head. Payal breathed a sigh of relief but the mentally scolded herself why did I wish he didn't know? It would have been much easier if he did. Akash looked at her "What are you thinking about?" "Nothing" Payal said as she was brought out of her thoughts. Akash didn't believe her but left it at that. "Payal. Look I'll be honest with you. This is the first time you and I are meeting and I don't know about if'if I would want to marry you. Do you feel the same or not?" looking at her. "To be honest I have to agree with you. I honestly don't know either" although she wanted to say no. She couldn't go through with a marriage without any family excepting the truth about Khushi. "Look I would personally like to get to know you first before I can say yes or no. Would you like that?" Akash quizzed. "I don't know if my family will allow me. They are quite set in their ways, where a girl and boy have to say yes or no, after their first meeting" Payal answered looking very apologetic. "Hmmm. Come to think of it Dadi is quite like that but hold on." Akash took out his phone and text Arnav.

Arnav heard his phone go off and wondered who it was. He read Akash's text. Bhai I know this is going to be a big ask but with everything that you went through with your marriage has put me off marriage for life. I Would really like to get know Payal before I even think about saying yes. Is there anything that can be done? Arnav had to re-read the text just to make sure he had read it right. He texted back Akash not all girls are the same and Payal doesn't seem that type. Akash replied I know bhai. I just don't want to take the chance and have the family go through what they went through with you. Arnav sighed remembering everyone's reaction.

"Arnav are you sure you have really thought this through" asked a bewildered Shyam. "Yes Jijaji I have. I want her out of my life for good" Arnav replied.

"Arnav bitwa quarrels between husband and wife occur all the time" Mami said trying hard to persuade her nephew. "Mami I agree quarrels occur between husband and wife but this is beyond that. Please mami I respect you don't ask me what happened because I can't tell you" Arnav said as calmly as possible.

Arnav didn't even want to think about his di's reaction again. He could remember her every word.

Getting up from where he was siting he walked up to his di and asked her to come outside. Once they both moved out he explained what Akash had said. Anjali's expression went from happy to sad in a second. She didn't realise that Arnav's marriage would have such an adverse effect on Akash. She had to think up something fast. She had an idea. She went back in and spoke to nani. Nani thought that was a good idea. Nani looked at Garima and spoke "Garima bitiya Anjali bitiya has always wanted to learn how to do chikan kari and as you have told us Payal bitiya knows how to do it she would like Payal bitiya to teach her if we can have your permission." Madhumati jumped at the chance "Of course Naniji . Why not? Isn't that right Garima?" Garima looked at her husband and the look they exchanged one another said it all. They were worried about what people would say. Nani saw this exchange. "Shashi babua, Garima bitiya I know your apprehension but Akash bitwa, Arnav bitwa and Manohar will all be at work most of the day and there will only be us ladies at home." Madhumati looked at her brother and sister-in-law giving them an angry look. They gave their permission and Anjali was happy. She went back out to Arnav and told him the news but she made sure he gave Akash sometime off to get home and spend time with Payal if he was serious about this. Arnav texted Akash the news and said they will decide later on office hours and work.

Akash and Payal were talking about likes and dislikes when Arnav texted. A couple of minutes after Anjali had come up after finding out where they were from the family to get Akash as they were leaving. Payal and Akash went back down and the Raizada's left.

Madhumati was ecstatic that such a rich family wanted to marry her niece. Now so long as Khushi doesn't get in the way things would be fine Madhumati thought.

Payal was told about the proposition and she didn't know what to say or do.

Khushi had heard the car go and she came back inside. She had put the baby in her room who was sleeping. "So jiji what was my hone wala jijaji like" she squealed. Madhumati glared at Khushi. "Sanka Devi you are not to get involved in this. If this wedding goes ahead I want you to stay away" Madhumati said angrily. Khushi became upset and Payal was hurt and angry for her. Khushi went back to her room and Payal followed her not hearing her bua call out to her. Shashi looked at his sister. "Jiji why do you always have a go at Khushi? You know Payal gets upset when you say something about Khushi and Khushi is not to blame for everything" he said before leaving followed by Garima leaving Madhumati in shock.

Payal walked into Khushi's room and saw her caressing the little boys head. Payal walked up to her. "I see Aryan's asleep" she whispered. Khushi turned to look at Payal with tears in her eyes. Payal just hugged her while Khushi cried silently in Payal's arms. Payal had made a decision if Akash wants to marry me I have to tell him the truth about Khushi. If he accepts it then that would be nice but if he doesn't I will not hold it against him. My sister means the world to me and she doesn't deserve this treatment. She never deserved it. She held Khushi close caressing her and shushing her. Payal didn't like lying and lying to someone who potentially could become her husband was out of the question.

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Chapter 2

Chapter 4

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I love Payal..she really has a good bond with her sister..I just hope she tells Akash the whole truth before getting married..

Very intriguing story!

Continue soon:)