IPKKND FF: Trial by fire Part 33 updated on Pg 84 - Page 42

It was almost 2 PM at Shantivan. The ceremonies had been completed, the Prakashs' had served awesome home-cooked food in the Lucknowi style favored by the Raizada and the Gupta family and everyone sat , sated around the living room in couches after changing out of their fancy clothes. The only people missing were Naani, Maama, Maami and Arnav and they were now in Naani's room with Karan.

"I am very sorry for dragging you away amidst all the fun and festivities...", Karan began.

"Nahi, nahi beta. Aise koi baat nahi. Humein bahut accha laga ki tum aur Suraj, dono ne aaj hamaare khushi mein shamil hue. Tum ne hamaare liye itna kuch kiya hai..", Naani responded.

"Arnav, you know me...I am not one to beat about the bush. So, everyone, let me come straight to the matter I wanted to bring up to you. You are Anjali's guardians, her anchors, her foundation and it is but right that I should approach you first. Her divorce will be finalized within a couple of weeks. After that, Anjali will be free from her nightmare. It takes the human heart and mind time to heal...But I am sure with Aaarushi and all of you there to support and distract her, Anjali will soon be her normal self. But I will never be the same after meeting her. Over these weeks, I have seen and spent time with her and whatever little time I have had with her feels like seconds - And I am greedy ...I want a lifetime with her. I love Anjali. Love her sweet innocent smile, love the way she scrunches her nose, love the kindness in her that is always looking out for others, love the mother she has become both to Aarushi and to Suraj...But more than anything, I adore her mental and emotional strength. She is truly inspiring in the way she confronted the reporters, in the way she stayed calm during the kidnapping, how she has helped Arnav and Khushi come together again all amidst her own heartbreak that she was waking up to day in and day out. I want to wipe away the tears and fill her and Aarushi's life with only laughter and happiness. There will be no shortcomings in my care for her and Aarushi...".

"Par beta...", a shocked Maamiji interjected. Arnav, with his hands in his pockets, continued to stare at Karan looking at the calm and collected way that Karan was formally taking their permission to court Anjali.

"Maamiji, let me finish.. You may be wondering how I can provide for Anjali and Aarushi. With God's grace, my firm is doing very well and is gaining recognition. I can ensure a comfortable life for my family and they will lack for nothing. Anjali will not be a Raizada anymore and we would not be living here ...But my home is very comfortable too and you are all very welcome to visit and stay with us after we are married. If you have concerns about my job, I have to tell you that I am not hands-on with a lot of the day-to-day operations and my work is more that of a leader responsible for planning whereas the execution is done by my capable team. With that said, there may be certain projects that I may have to take on - But there is always risk in everyone's life and not just my own - I am capable, careful and only take calculated risks. I would like to take your formal permission to court Anjali and make her love me as much as I love her, make her part of my life. I will wait for her divorce to be final and give her a few months. I request you, please do not say no.".

Maamaji, maamiji and Naaniji were stunned. Arnav had kind of guessed when Karan had herded them in here. He had had his suspicions from the time his friend had lost his cool in the hospital when Di had been in pain. There was no one he could think of who could have made a better brother-in-law than Karan. He was completely comfortable saying yes...But waited for the elders' reactions. "Beta...we never thought you would give us such a surprise today. We are blessed that Anjali has found you ...", Nani said as she hugged Karan. Maamiji was crying happy tears and Maama ji was consoling her as they both patted Karan, touched his face. Arnav held out his hand to Karan and then pulled him into a hug saying..."Its a definite Yes from our side...But Anjali makes her own decision about her life ..and my sister has been hurt a lot in life, not just by Shyaam. It will take her a while to trust again. So do not get your hopes too high just yet. You have a tough task ahead of you. If and when Anjali di says yes, you will also need to break this news to Suraj and get his reaction. Though I have to confess, my own hopes are flying rather high that you become my jijaji".

"Kaun jijaji...", NK said bounding into Naani's room catching everyone offguard. Maamiji quickly filled NK in and NK gave Karan a big thumbs-up and a hug wishing him luck over the next few months of courtship.

"Issi khushi ke mauke par, I wanted to share my own news with you all also..", NK declared. Arnav stood there with a big smile on his face. He knew what was coming next.

Maamiji gasped ,"NK bitwa, tum Austraaliyaa jaa rahe ho...?".

"Nahi nahi maamiji, abhi nahi. Aur pata bhi nahi ki mein Australia jaaoonga ya London.", NK responded thoughtfully.

"Arre...London Kyon. Kaun hai vahaan pe", Maamaji asked.

"Abhi nahi hai. Per shaayad hogi. Pata nahi, woh sab maine poocha nahi", NK responded.

"Nandu ...Mujhe kuch samajh mein nahi aa raha ...Kisse kya poochna hai? Kya hai tumhaara news?", Naani asked thoroughly confused.

NK walked out of the room leaving a shocked group behind and returned pulling in a shy Lavanya in a midnight blue salwar. "This is my news", NK declared happily, nudging Lavanya to fall at Naaniji's feet to take her blessings. Both NK and La lunged to take Naaniji, Maamiji and Maamaji's aashirwaad while Naani stared at Arnav, Lavanya and NK in a confused manner. "Bitwa, bitiya ...Kya tum dono ne yeh acchasa soch liya hai?".

Lavanya looked at NK, held his hands in her own, looked at Naani with a resolute face and said, "Naaniji, I know what you are thinking but let me assure you that I love NK. He completes me and loves me to death. What I felt for ASR seems like an infatuation only ...And I guess I fell in love with the idea of love. I know towards the end of my stay with you, you started accepting me and I request that you do so again and bless both of us.", Lavanya begged Naaniji clutching her hands now.

Naani looked at NK and saw the complete love in his eyes. Lavanya had calmed and toned him down, matured the boy and taught him responsibility. He had changed in front of her eyes and she believed that this was for keeps. She pulled both of them together, hugging them and saying "nazar na lag jaave...Tum dono ki jodi sada salamat rahe."

"Hello hi, bye, bye! Yeh parivaar ki nazar utaarna chahiye ...Itne saare khush khabarein mil rahi hai..Abhi tho mujhe Lavanya mein shopping partner milgaya", Maamiji happily declared clapping her hands together earning a wrathful look from her saasuma.

The group walked down together to announce NK and Lavanya's happy news and to plan for their engagement. The afternoon was taken up in suggestions and counter suggestions and Arnav sat back to enjoy the boisterous discussions. He was feeling content with his lot, laid-back with his Khushi on the couch beside him, snuggled and leaning back against his arms. She was feeling happily lazy for a change and didnt get up when she saw Payal go into the kitchen with Anjali Di to get more snacks and prepare for tea. Akash made a beeline for the kitchen as well.

"The wedding will be hosted at Shantivan just as Akash's and Arnav bitwa's has been after getting Lavanya's parents' opinion as well. Lavanya bitiya, Tum apne mummy-papa ke phone lagaa ke dedo. Aur hum ladki maangne ke liye aajayenge...", Naaniji said making plans.

Payal had been feeling queasy since lunch and had just dragged herself to make tea. Akash, who recognized that his wife was quieter than she usually was, followed her into the kitchen. "Tum theek ho?", he asked. "Kyon Payal , kya hua...", asked Anjali touching Payal's forehead. "Fever tho nahi hai...Par phir bhi tum bahut ruki ruki si lag rahi ho. Tumhe rest lena chaahiye. Lo main chaai leke jaati hoon", said Anjali. Payal protested mildly but acquiesced as she did not have the energy to argue. She followed behind with some snacks along with Akash carrying the rest of the snacks. Suddenly, after entering the hall, something about the afternoon light streaming in blinded Payal and made her head swim. She clutched the snacks trying to make sure that they did not fall ...But it was beyond her and she lost consciousness. Luckily, Akash realized something was wrong when he saw Payal stop ahead of him and could catch her before she hit the floor. The entire parivar was shocked. Maamiji, the drama queen, more than most. She truly felt bad when she saw Payal in Akash's arms. All these days, she had troubled Payal and the poor girl had borne everything with a smile...She had really not meant any cruelty or meanness and just thought it made for an entertaining day...But she prayed to God now that the girl recover. What was wrong with her?" I have been so engrossed in myself, I didn't see that she was not well. I made her do all this work.", Maami thought. Exactly the thoughts running through Khushi's mind as she cried for her jiji to wake up.

Akash lifted Payal and took her to their room while Arnav called for the doctor. The whole family followed Akash to the room as they waited for the doctor.