Ok, my first ever writing... I've never written anything before. Intact I used to shy away from writing essays in school, but after reading all the wonderful fan fictions, short stories, one shots, I thought to give this a try.
It is rather long, but I got carried away... I hope you enjoy it and I might continue if I get a sufficient enough response...
Please be gentle, this being the first writing ever and it's mainly from Arnav's point of view. So here it goes...
Authors note 31 August 2012
Thank you for your wonderful response to this story and i hope i can continue to keep you engaged. I mostly write this on an iPad so still discovering some functionality and auto spelling changes... So apologies for missing some things. I'm trying to put in the index here and hope that it works...
I've also converted this to a FF as I think there will be more than 5 chapters here... So hope for your continued support. Thank you.
Index
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Part 1
"Di, you've shown me my place in your life today", said Arnav as he looked at his Di and her husband, his eyes devoid of all warmth.
"Saale Saab, aap hamari baat to suniyes, please," Shyam tried to speak. Arnav glared at Shyam and said, "you love my Di, right? Then I request you to look after her during this time." Saying that, he turned and left the room with his wife.
Arnav Singh Raizada was a broken man today and the reason was his Di, the one whom he Had trusted the most and treasured the most.
Few hours ago
Finally, all the customs done with! Khushi and I are finally husband and wife! (according to her, as well). Arnav couldn't wait to begin this chapter of his life with his love by his side. They were finally married as per all the rituals and now they could start living. He had organised a two week long trip for them to go away and relax and get to know each other, away from his ever interfering family, and away from every person that wanted his khushi's time. Arnav was taking his bride for a honeymoon!
Arnav and Khushi were waiting at the doorstep to perform the greh parvesh ritual when Anjali came with the Pooja thaal to do the aarti. Arnav was looking forward to picking up his bride in his arms and walking into the house. He remembered the last time when they had done this, how her earring had gotten caught in his jacket and though wanting to hurt her, he hadn't been able to and had helped her with her earring before moving away. Not this time, he said to himself. This time, I won't let anything hurt her, including myself, he closed his eyes and promised himself.
"Chottey, you can now pick up khushi Ji and enter the house." said Anjali. She was really happy today that her little brother had gotten married according to all customs and rituals. She also wanted to share her happiness with her special someone. She wanted him to be present at these rituals as well, but they had decided to talk to arnav after all the rituals were done. She turned around to walk behind her brother into the main living room, as he lovingly carried his new bride.
"Chottey, you have to put Khushi down now!" she said, as Arnav made his way towards the staircase. "You have to wait here until I call you. Also we have to do some more rituals still. You have to wait before going into your room," she teased as the entire household laughed and Khushi turned red!
"What the..., Di, there's more to go through still" he exclaimed. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Fine, let's get this over with." and he put Khushi down gently on the floor beside him.
Khushi couldn't believe that Arnav had followed every single ritual that was required for their wedding. It was as if he was a changed man! Glancing at him from under her lashes she turned around and went to sit on the couch, thanking her Devi Maiya for like the thousandth time!
Arnav won all the post wedding games from finding the ring to loosening the knots on each other's wrists. He was faster and moreover he distracted Khushi easily...
Shortly after, Anjali went to ensure that their room was ready and went out, leaving the family to enjoy the games.
Short while later, she calls, "Chottey, Khushi Ji, come." Amidst cat calls and hoots from his brothers and gentle teasing from Nani, Mami and Payal, Arnav and Khushi got up to go to their room. They turned around and there standing on the steps with his sister was the man responsible for all of their troubles, Shyam Manohar Jha!
Present time
Arnav, Khushi and the entire family froze on the spot. All realised that this is the calm before the storm, the likes of which they'd never seen before. Dadi moved to stand beside Anjali and Shyam, saying that it was Anjali's wish to have her husband present at her brother's wedding. She says that all of it has been a misunderstanding and that they can all sit down together and discuss this like a family.
"Yes Chottey. I wish you would listen to what he has to say. It has all been a big misunderstanding. I was hoping that since you are starting your life anew today, that I should as well and therefore I called him here."
Arnav and Khushi stood staring at the trio on the staircase. Arnav couldn't believe that his sister would do this to him today of all days. Khushi slipped her hand through his, instantly calming some of his anger. Khushi says, "Di we will talk about this tomorrow." Throwing Shyam a disgusted look, she tightened her grip on Arnav's hand to move him towards their room.
"Rukiye", says Dadi. "There is nothing to sort out. Shyam is the son-in-law of this house and is entitled to stay with his wife. No further discussion is required."
"But Subhadra," naniji ventures, "you don't know the history or the truth."
"I know everything. Anjali has been meeting with Shyam since you kicked him out of the house. It is shameful that she has to hide and meet her own husband. All because of this girl. She has told you all a pack of lies and you've all believed her. I knew it the moment that I met her that she is nothing but a lying, gold digging cheat." said Dadi.
"Enough!". Shouted Arnav. "Dadi, I want you to remember that the one you're talking about is my wife. She is the elder daughter-in-law of this house and is to be respected."
He then turned to his sister. "Di, you didn't trust me, did you? You betrayed me today. Here I was running around, worried sick for your health and ensuring your happiness and you..."
"Chottey, Shyam is my happiness, then how can I stay away from him."
"And what about me Di? I told you that he has been deceiving you and you didn't believe me. NK, Payal, Khushi, we all told you this, but you are not believing any of us. Why Di? He tried to kill me Di. He kidnapped me. Does this mean nothing to you? My life has so little meaning for you? Khushi nearly died, trying to save me. This has no meaning for you? He cheated on you, pretended to be a bachelor, stayed as a paying guest at Khushi's house, got engaged to her under false pretences... All of this means nothing to you? How can you betray me like this Di? How can you?"
"Chottey, you're all mistaken. It is just a big misunderstanding, that's all. If we can all just sit and talk about it, I'm sure we can clarify everything."
"Yes, Saale Sahab. I'm sure that I can clear all your doubts. All of you have simply misunderstood me." said Shyam.
Arnav was not willing to listen. He looked at his wife, their joined hands and said, "I don't wish to listen to any explanations from you today. As Khushi said, we will talk about this tomorrow."
Arnav grabbed Khushi's hand and walked out of the room, leaving a shocked silence behind.
As soon as they reached their room, Arnav pulled Khushi inside and shut the door, leaning against it, his posture screaming dejection and disappointment. Khushi moved towards him and slowly moved him to the recliner. She knew how hurt he was at that moment. She stood up and went to get a glass of water, while Arnav sat on the recliner, staring into nothingness.
She touched his shoulder to pass him a glass of water, but he turned around and hugged her around the waist and cried. Khushi, caressed his hair to calm him down and told him to relax, that they will work it out.
They fall asleep, holding each other on the recliner.
Arnav woke up with the first light after having a restless night. His movements woke Khushi. They looked at each, promising to support each other through the storm that was coming. They knew that they'd have to take some really difficult decisions to help Anjali realise the truth. It was going to be a big gamble, but they weren't left with any other option. While getting ready for the upcoming day, Khushi saw her husband at his most contemplative, and she knew that he was going to take the most difficult decision of his life. She had never wanted to come between the brother and sister, had stayed quite for their harmony, but inadvertently she had come between them. Now where the pieces fell after this showdown remained to be seen. She was only sure of one thing, that she will support her Arnav Ji, she will not leave him to deal with this alone, no matter what may come.
Arnav watched his wife, getting ready and knew that yesterday his world had shifted to centre around his wife. He had to protect her. He loved his Di, but she was not willing to see the truth. He knew what he had to do and he knew that Khushi would stand by him.
They got ready and walked downstairs hand in hand, schooling their expressions.
The whole family was waiting for them, except for Di, Dadi and Shyam.
Looking at Arnav and Khushi's expressionless faces, Nani knew that the storm had arrived but what form it would take, she was still not sure. She was going to have to watch her family dissipate, the one that she had put so much effort into keeping together, was going to be divided today! She couldn't help but let the tears fall from her eyes. She couldn't stop this.
Akash and Payal knew looking at their respective siblings that things were going to change. The brother sister duo had been pitted against each other by the evilness of Shyam Manohar Jha and the repercussions would destroy their family.
Hello, hi, bye bye... "What is Arnav bitwa and Phatti Sari thinking".
Just then Dadi, Anjali and Shyam walked in, chatting amicably amongst themselves.
"Chottey, Khushiji, come, we have to do the chulha poojan today," said Anjali.
"No Di," said Arnav. "Di, I want to let you all know something. Khushi and I are moving out today."
The whole family was shocked.
"But Bhai..."
"Chottey..."
"Arnav bitwa..."
Akash, Nani and Mami spoke together.
Arnav turned to them to say something just as the door bell rang... HP went and received some documents.
"That'll be for me HP." Arnav said.
"Di, come and sit here please. All of you, please sit. I've made some changes." Arnav announced.
Upon hearing this, Shyam got uneasy.
"Di, you and Shyam can continue to live here for however long you wish, in fact consider it your wedding present, but I feel that there is no longer any need for me to support you. You have a husband who earns well, is building a house for you and such so I'm sure he can look after you. I will look into setting up a trust account for your baby, if you feel it'd be appropriate Shyam. Think about it and Di can let me know." saying this, Arnav turned to the rest of the family.
"Khushi and I feel that for the harmony of this family, it would be best if we moved elsewhere. There's no point in arguing with us about this. We have made up our mind. Unfortunately for me Di, I cannot live in a house where my wife is not respected and is insulted on a daily basis. So we've decided to move on in the hopes that we can preserve some relationships." saying this Arnav grabbed Khushi's hand and left the room.
"Rani Sahiba, why is Saale Sahab not listening to me. And to cut you off from everything. It doesn't matter about me, but what about you? How can he do that to you, to the rest of the family?" Shyam said to Anjali.
"You're right, Damad Ji. It is all Khushi's fault. She has poisoned his mind against all of us. She's taking him away from all of us. It's her plan to own everything that Arnav has worked for" Dadi said.
"Subhadra, enough. Not one more word against Khushi or Chottey. They have done nothing but look out for this family. You were not here when I put together this family. You have no right to say anything about them now! Ever since you've arrived, you've been cursing that poor girl, enough now. Payal bitiya, Aakash, please help me to my room, I'm not feeling too good." Nani says and leaves from the room, followed by Mami.
Anjali, Shyam and Dadi look at each other, Anjali with tears in her eyes says, "Chottey, why will you not listen..." and sobs on Dadi's shoulder.
Arnav and Khushi had been watching the entire scene... Let the games begin! They think and move out of the house... They've rolled the dice...
Edited by pooja0978 - 13 years ago
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