ArHi SS: Promise...

Dear All,

I'm back again, after a long time... with yet another Short Story about our favorite couple... Arnav and Khushi. This is purely fiction, based on my interpretation on how I think it should be... Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I had fun writing it. Would love your feedback... and if you are one of those silent readers, and you liked the story, please press the LIKE button at least... your appreciation, is my inspiration.

This one I dedicate to Megha (meghavn) and Ruby (redwine1) for pushing my lazy ass enough and motivate me to write again !!!!

Priya (Rupunzale)... Sweetheart... Only for you !!!!


This is a Short Story... 5 Chapters, all on Page 1... one below the other !!!

Happy Reading !

- iritz
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Promise...

Chapter 1

Khushi couldn't help but look at Arnav ji with all the pride in her heart... He, once again stood up for her, in front of Daadi ji... Her eyes welled up thinking how much he loves her... and how much she loved him ! When did she get so lucky?

She remembered how Arnav has been doing everything in his power to make her happy... since the day Di tried to abort the baby, and Arnav, in anger, blurted it was all her fault ! How those words had pierced into Khushi's heart... probably he will never know... but ever since then, he has become a sweetheart... He has been repenting ever since !

Today when Daadi ji questioned their marriage... Arnav ji, not even for a second faltered. He knew what he was saying in front of the whole family. In front of Daadi ji. Khushi could not utter even a single word when her purity, her dignity was questioned... but Arnav shielded her from all the questions, and not just that... he made sure no one will ever question the legality of their wedding. He not only protected her dignity, but made Daadi ji aware of her sacrifices for the family... what all she had done to protect this family... his family. Thankfully, no one knows about the contract... or else, Daadi ji would have surely pulled up Arnav ji on that one.

Khushi entered her bedroom... Arnav was standing by the poolside... staring at the stars, lost in his thoughts ! Khushi went to him... hugged him from behind. He turned towards her to face her...

"Khushi... I am sorry"

"Arnav Ji... aap kyun maafi maang rahe hain? Maafi to humein maangni chahiye aap se... humaari wajah se aaj phir aapko sabke saamne..."

"Enough Khushi... stop blaming yourself for everything !! It was not your fault... ever !!! If anyone has to be blamed, it is me... I forced you to marry me. I put you in this mess. I didn't stand up for you, when you needed me the most... on our wedding night ! Hell, I blamed you for Di's condition even after knowing your innocence... But none of that anymore. Today I made sure no one will question you ever again if you are my wife or not."

Khushi could just stand still and stare at him... and then she started laughing !

"What the..." Arnav scowled "Now what was funny here Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada?"

"Kuchh Nahi Arnav ji... aaj itne din baad aapko yun gusse mein dekha, to puraane din yaad aa gaye... aaj kal to aap humein daant-te hi nahi hain... aaj kal to aap bas humein..." she suddenly bit her tongue and mumbled to herself... "Bas kar Khushi... kya bolne ja rahi thi"

Arnav knew what Khushi was going to say, a slow smile spread across his face... he pretended along,

"Aaj kal to main tumhe kya Khushi?"

"K.. Kuchh nahi.. who humein.."

"Tumhe aaj ka promise to yaad hai na Khushi?"

"K.. K.. Kaun sa waada Arnav ji... humein kuchh yaad nahi hai"

Khushi turned and rushed inside the room... her heartbeats so loud, she feared Arnav might hear her ! Arnav followed her in the room... closed the poolside door, draped the curtains across, went towards the main door of the room and was about to close it when he heard... "Chhotey" from a distance !

He rolled his eyes and grit his teeth, he looked towards Khushi whose stunned face suddenly turned into a huge smile and then he heard the most melodious sound... her laughter. He shook his head and smiled with her...

"Aaya Di..." He went towards Anjali... "Di aap theek to hain? Aapko kuchh chahiye kya?"

"Nahi chhotey, hum bas yeh kehne aaye the tumse ke agar aaj Mumma hoti, to she would have been so proud of you. Tumne aaj jo bhi kiya, Daadi se jo bhi kaha, jis tarah se Khushi ji ka saath diya, humein bahaut achcha laga. Humein to pata hi nahi tha ke Khushi ji ne hum sab ke liye chup chaap itna kuchh sahaa hai... Aur tumne bhi chhotey... sirf humaare liye tumne..."

"Di... woh sab bhool jaaiye ab, whatever had to happen, has happened... now you just go to your room and sleep peacefully... ok?"

"Hmm.." said Anjali, as she started walking towards her room...

"Err... Di... Khushi is a bit upset, I just want her to feel good... I just wanna take her away for the weekend... if you don't need anything, hum abhi nikal rahe hain !"

"Abhi... is waqt chhotey?" Anjali smiled and said "Theek hai, but drive carefully"

"Ji Di... Goodnight"

Arnav Singh Raizada now had a plan in his mind.

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Also, if you like to read my previous fictions, you can check out:

OS: Their First Night

SS: You're Mine... Forever ! (Co-Written with Nia.D)

Chapter 2

Arnav Singh Raizada now had a plan in his mind. He made a few phone calls before he rushed towards his room, but Khushi was no where to be seen... he called her name...

"Khushi"

"Ji... hum andar hain" she called from the washroom.

"Khushi... there's been an emergency... mujhe abhi nikalna padega... please help me pack"

Khushi, who till now was shivering with fear of the impending promise of her laad governor... realized how disappointed she felt when she heard he had to go away ! But at this hour... Khushi came out quickly...

"Kya hua Arnav ji... sab theek to hai na? Is waqt aapko kahan jaana hai?"

"Khushi... remember I had to go to Agra, but returned back when the meeting got cancelled, well... I just got a call from Aman, and the foreign delegates will be there in the morning... so I have to be there right away... so that I am there to welcome them"

"Lekin Arnav ji... itni raat ko aap akele nahi ja sakte... hum nahi jaane denge aapko"

Trying hard to stop himself from smiling, Arnav knew his arrow has hit the mark... With a naughty smile, he said...

"I know Khushi... aaj humaari suhaag raat hai... par woh foreign delegates... chal leave it... I'll stay back, will complete the first rasam of our marriage, after all I had promised you"

"Nahi" she gulped.

"Nahi matlab kya Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada..." he leaned forward... whispering in her ear now "main nahi jaun, ya main nahi ruku?"

"Who hum... hum nahi chahte ke aap iss waqt akele itni door tak drive kar ke jaayein"

"Alright... chalo apna bag bhi pack karo, you're coming with me then ! Tumhe Taj Mahal bhi dikha doonga"

"Lekin hum kaise ja sakte hain? Humaara matlab hai ke ghar mein sab..."

"Gharwaalon ki tension mat lo, unko main samjha doonga... Aur waise bhi maine Di ko keh diya hai, ke hum Agra ja rahe hain"

"Arrey, bina humse poochhe aapne kaise keh diya Di se"

"Kyunki mera naam Arnav Singh Raizada hai, Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada... aur jo main kehta hun, wohi hota hai" He smiled at her with eyes full of promise.

"Aap Arnav Singh Raizada hain, Salman Khan nahi... jo ek baar commitment kar di, to aap khud ki bhi nahi sunenge."

"WHAT?" Arnav asked, confused. And then realized she is saying a dialog from some Salman Khan flick... what kind of dialogs do they write these days, he annoyingly mumbled !!!!

"Pagal" he called her smilingly... as he shook his head, looked towards the Salman Khan poster in his room and rolled his eyes for the second time tonight.

"Khushi..." he called her name softly when he saw her taking out one of those hideous Anarkalis she loved wearing.

"Hmm"

"Khushi... listen... these foreign delegates, they are very very important clients... and I want everything to go smoothly... I want to give them the best impression of India, and of AR."

"Ji Arnav ji... bilkul theek keh rahein hain aap... Arey videshi hain, humein apne desh ki naak to nahi katwaani hai... bilkul hum India ka naam ooncha karenge... bataiye hum kya karein?"

"Khushi, I don't want you to wear these suits in front of them, pick some saris... I want you to look like Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada"

"Aapko humaare Kapde pasand nahi hain Arnav ji?" she asked a little disappointed.

"Hmm... pasand to nahi hain Khushi, If it was up to me I will take them off NOW" he replied naughtily.

"Ji...?" she turned into a deep crimson shade as she realized what he had just said.

Not to tease her too much, he commented nonchalantly...

"Ji ! Lekin abhi is ka time nahi hai... please wear a Sari now as we'll be going straight to receive these people, and take a couple more" He told her.

By the time Arnav finished packing for both of them, Khushi had changed into the Red Sari he had gifted her on her birthday. She looked like a Goddess draped in that shimmering Red Color Sari... Arnav had to use all his power to control himself from dropping their bags there and not touch her.

Khushi felt conscious of his stare... she blushed deep. She asked,

"Hum theek to lag rahe hain na?"

"Hmm" he said and moved outside the room. "Now is not the time Arnav Singh Raizada, Control."

Oh hell... it's gonna be one long HARD night, Arnav thought !!!!

Chapter 3

"Khushi" he called her name as he realized that she had been quiet for a long time in the car.

"Hmmm.."

"What happened? Why are you so quiet Khushi... tum to kabhi itna chup nahi rehti ! Tum theek ho?"

"Ji Arnav ji, hum theek hai"

Did he hear a sob, or was he just imagining it ! They were near Vrindavan... when he pulled the brakes and stopped the car at the side.

"Look at me, Khushi... tell me what happened"

"Kuchh nahi Arnav ji... hum bas woh"

"Khushi..." he lowered his voice to a whisper... touched her chin with his fingers and turned her face towards him, he saw her moist eyes, while she tried to smile and turn her face away... but he held on to her strong.

"Talk to me Khushi... u know you can tell me anything"

"Woh hum bas Daadi ji ki baatein..."

"Khushi, please sweetheart, forget all of it... its not important. What is important is that I Love You.."

Khushi looked up in his eyes full of love... she knew he meant every word he was saying.

"Do you love me, Khushi?"

She nodded with a teary smile...

"Then that's all that matters... Nothing else matters Khushi. Nothing."

"Lekin humaari shaadi to poori nahi huyi na Arnav ji"

He looked at her longingly, started the car again and drove towards his destination.

Chapter 4

They reached Agra, in just 2 hours... she could see the Taj from afar... what a beautiful, magnificent structure... a man's devotion of Love for his wife ! She looked at Taj and then at Arnav... Her Man. Her lover. Her... Husband ! Yes, he is her husband, no matter what. So what, if they haven't completed the rituals, Arnav ji never believed in rituals anyway ! It's ok Khushi... it's ok. If this makes him happy, then so be it.

Arnav drove silently towards their hotel, just a few more minutes Khushi... he silently promised himself to give her all the happiness she deserved.

They reached the hotel, he checked into the presidential suite of The Mughal Sheraton... he told her to get fresh before they met with heir guests. As Khushi entered the bathroom, Arnav made the necessary calls.

She came out of the bathroom, looking better, more fresh... hotter, if that was even possible !

He took her hand, made her sit down... next to him !

"There's time for them to come Khushi... but tell me something... what were you saying the other day?"

"Kis baare mein Arnav ji"

"Wohi... you were telling me the other day of all the wedding rituals that we did not complete... tell me what all did we not do?"

"Arnav ji, aap phir wohi baat le ke baith gaye, humne kaha na, jaane dijiye"

"Nahi Khushi, I want to know... and this time, lets not start backwards... lets start from the beginning"

Khushi looked at him suspiciously...

"Arnav ji... aap theek to hain? Aap kab se in baaton mein itna interested hone lage?"

"Khushi... I want to know... please tell me... what comes first and what happens then"

"Sabse pehle hota hai Roka... Roka matlab rishta pakka, ladke waale ladki ke sir pe chunni chadhaate hain aur ladki ko kangan de ke apne ladke ke liye 'rokte' hain"

"Hmm... to yeh to hua tha na, humaare beech?"

"Kya?😲 Kab?"

"Yaad hai, jab Lavanya ne mujhe chunni di thi, who seedha tumhare sir pe aa ke giri thi... tabhi se to maine tumhe apne liye rok liya tha ! Aur Kangan... Maa ke kangan pehnaaye the na tumhe maine, bhool gayi?"

He took out his mother's bangles from his bag along with a red dupatta... He draped the dupatta on her head as he took her hand and put the bangles again on her wrists... this time with pure love ! Khushi was too stunned to react.

"Achcha phir kya hota hai Khushi?"

"Huh..😲"

"Khushi... tell me, what happens next?"

"Phir..." she gulped, as she came to her senses... "Phir Sagai hoti hai, ladka ladki ki ungli mein angoothi pehnaata hai.. uska haath hamesha pakadne ka waada karta hai"

"Hmm... interesting Khushi... but as far as I remember, we have done this too"

"Kab? Kahan?😕"

"Yaad hai, Devi Maiyya ke mandir mein, jab tumhari ungli mein chot lag gayi thi, I wrapped the bandage like a ring on your finger... remember Khushi, your Devi Maiyya blessed us herself, as the temple bells had started to ring in the background"

Khushi remembered the Arnav wrapping the bandage on her ring finger... her ring finger of her left hand, as she realized now ! Hey Devi Maiyya... humein to pata hi nahi chala !!!

She felt his hand take her left hand a put a beautiful diamond ring on her finger... she had never seen a prettier, more perfect ring than that and it fit so beautifully in her fingers.

"Arnav ji..." her eyes filled with tears...

"Like it?"

"It's beautiful" she smiled.

"Achcha phir kya hota hai Khushi... what comes after that?"

"Phir... Sangeet,

"Sangeet to hua tha na... yaad hai... our complicated love story?"

He suddenly pulled her up and in his arms as he clicked a few buttons on his phone.. and the room was vibrating with Teri Meri Prem Kahani and he started moving her body to the rhythm. Khushi was lost in his arms... as she was, the first time they performed on this song together. The way he had come to help her then, he didn't need to... but he had !

As the song came to an end, he put her back on the bed... sitting next to her...

"Uske baad kya hota hai Mrs. Raizada?"

Khushi was now in trance...

"Mehendi, Haldi.."

"Hold on... hold on... Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada... Mehendi... Apni mehendi mein mera naam likha to tha tumne, bhool gayi kya?"

He took the box that was sent by the hotel and took out the mehendi cone from it...

Khushi was now completely flabbergasted... her mouth in a full "O"

"Aap, mehendi... 😲"

He laughed...

"Ok this... even I can't do... I can't make those pretty designs... but what I CAN do is..."

He took her hand and with the mehendi cone, wrote ARNAV on her hand.

Aur Haldi... haldi bhi to lagi thi... yaad nahi hai, kitna hasi thi tum mere face pe haldi dekh ke... wohi haldi, maine tumhare dupatte se hi toh ponchhi thi..."

Khushi, for the first time in her life, was stunned beyond belief... Who would have thought Arnav Singh Raizada... no no... Laad Governor Arnav Singh Raizada... her shaitaan was such a romantic at heart !!!

"Hmm... aur kuchh Mrs. Raizada?" Arnav smiled softly at her.

"Shaadi... 7 phere"

"Hmmm."

Chapter 5

"Hmm... aur kuchh Mrs. Raizada?" Arnav smiled softly at her.

"Shaadi... 7 phere"

"Hmmm"

"Your request, Mrs. Raizada, is my command... come !"

Arnav took her hand... and took her to the elevator, and hit the button. They reached the terrace of the hotel... which was lit as if it was Diwali... and the monument of love, The Taj Mahal in the background... In the middle of it all, was a beautiful Pandal erected... a Pundit was sitting, waiting for them, with the havan ready, the sacred fire lit.

Arnav looked at her... "Khushi, you are my wife now and have always been since the day I put the sindoor on your forehead and put the mangalsutra around your neck... for me, probably even that was not necessary... but I know what this means to you, my love. So this is only for you... Not for the family, not for the society... but only for you... because you deserve all the happiness in the world... and if this makes you happy, so be it"

Khushi, her eyes filled with tears, her heart full of love for this man... this man with a golden heart... has made all her dreams come true today. This is what she had always dreamed of, but had given up her drams for him. She laughed, as she remembered how just a few hours ago, she had promised herself... if he doesn't believe in rituals, so be it. And now, as if he knew what she was thinking then... he just repeated her words now.

He took her by hand and led her to the dome... The Pundit started chanting the shlokas as they took their first vow around the sacred fire...

As they took their steps around the sacred fire... they remembered their times together...

I take you, Khushi Kumari Gupta...

She fell in his arms, the first time they had met !

To have and To hold

He was there to save her from the approaching car in the rain !

From this day forward

Her earring got stuck in his clothes... the first time she was so close to his heart, probably heard his heartbeats if only to realize that the "laad governor" indeed has a heart that beats !

For better, For worse

He followed her all the way to the temple, just to bandage her small wound... they didn't know that they were there to get the blessings of Devi Maiyya and got engaged at the most auspicious of times.

In sickness or In health

She had dust in her eyes, and he was there to clear it... making her open her eyes and see "him" !

For richer, For poorer

He kept her Payal as a souvenir, but the moment he realized how important they were for her... he put them on her ankles... where they belonged and she was there with him... where she belonged !

To love and To cherish

He married her, in front of the same Devi Maiyya, and in front of the sacred fire... He didn't mean it then, but he has kept each and every sacred vow till now...

Till death do us part.

She was falling off of the cliff, and he is unable to protect her... unable to keep the vow when it mattered the most...

The last memory still gave him a shudder... he promised himself that he will never ever let her near any danger ever again.

As the pheras got completed, he took the sindoor and once again, filled her forehead with it, he tied a mangalsutra around her neck... but this time with his heart filled with love and pride for his 'wife'... as they both took their first steps in their renewed married life... They both looked at the beautiful Taj in front of them, the monument of love... a witness to their love !

As they reached the door of their suite, Arnav picked her up in his arms... she looked at him surprised...

"You forgot Grih Pravesh, my love"

Once inside, Khushi was yet again surprised as their room now was decorated with flowers all over... Arnav put her in the middle of the huge bed, pulled the ghoonghat on her face... looked at a nervous Khushi...

"What next, Mrs. Raizada?"

She looked at him nervously... but couldn't utter anything

"Oh yes... Munh Dikhayi... is it?"

He took out a jewelry box from his bag... and took out the polka diamond and ruby set, that matched her Sari... and placed it around her neck...

"Like it, Mrs. Raizada?"

Khushi could only nod her head in agreement... she was, for the second time in the night... speechless ! The ever blabbering, ever chatting Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada... was speechless !

"Now Khushi... what was the last ritual?"

Arnav smiled at her... a spark of desire in his eyes !

"Bolo Khushi..."

Khushi was no more nervous... she knew this man would never ever hurt her again... she was his, for life... with all her heart and her body too. She moved towards Arnav, who was now sitting near her... took his handsome, rugged face in her small palms... pulled him close, and kissed him... on the forehead, on his cheek, on his nose... and then she kissed him on his lips.

"Now... Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada, now you convert me from Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada to Mrs. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada and make me a complete woman. Your woman."

Arnav, hadn't expected Khushi to kiss him... for the first time, in the whole day... his plan was twisted, and it surprised him... she surprised him.

"Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada... I like the sound of that."

He closed the lights in the room as he moved towards his waiting bride... to complete his Promise to her...

Tonight, is their Suhaag Raat... Finally !

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So, that's it my friends...

Hope you enjoyed... once again please do not forget to press LIKE and give your Feedback !!!

neat!!!😆😆😆

That was lovely and the way you recounted the times they did the rituals unknowingly is mind blasting . Take a low bow. That was a treat to read. Thank you.

I am sooo glad you wrote this!! Beautiful!!

Ritzy what an ff.. Glad u wrote..was so cute..wanted to drown in that romance..👏

awww it was so cute!!!😊😊
i loved ur writing yar and specially i loved how u made khushi wear saree😛