POST-ARSHI UPDATE 17-18 Aap Ki Daadi (beard)!

Part 17 - Aap ki daadi (beard)!

Arnav meets up with the architects and Aman at the office the next day. They then visit Sheesh Mahal, and Arnav tells the architects to finish the work on a fast track basis. There were the landscape changes, which were all done and he was satisfied. The bathroom renovations were still incomplete and he was mad as hell. Aman and the architects and interior designers all sat with hands to their heads wondering how they could possibly finish all of I so soon. Arnav simply said get more people on the job I don't care if you have to move heaven and earth to get it done. And give me a status of the Shantivan works as well. I want to see them now…play the CD..

After finishing with Aman and his team, Arnav calls Anjali, "Di you will have to come soon." Anjali replies, "I know I know don't be impatient we will be there in a day or two. Don't forget we have to buy so much stuff for the shagun and sagai. Chote I am busy will talk to you later."

Arnav continues, "And can you ask Moti Jewellers to call me Di?"

Arnav then calls Khushi, "What are you doing Khushi?' Khushi replies, "Mein? I am at Babuji's shop, Kyon? Kya hua?" Arnav continues, "Ok, I am coming to pick you up in 10 minutes. We'll first go home, you change and then we are going out." he disconnected. She was left looking at the phone in her hand.

After about 15 minutes Arnav arrives, he honks and calls out to Khushi. She rushes to the car impatient and a little mad, at his ordering her to do things. "I am busy, can't you see I am helping Babuji at the shop? I am not coming." Arnav is fuming with anger, but calms himself and in a soft tone says, "Fine then I won't have lunch. I thought I could give you a surprise and take you out for lunch. But you dont want to come, it's okay, I'll have a sandwich. Bye," and is about to shift gears to take off.

Khushi realizing her mistake, places her hand on the window glass and says apologetically eyes cast down, "Wait, I'll...I'll come...". She quietly opens the door of the car, and gets in, looking at him. She knows he is upset and thinks "gosh this man has his anger sitting on his nose all the time! What must I do now? He starts to drive the car, without looking at her. Khushi turns to him and says, "Sorry, I didn't know you wanted to go for lunch." He does not reply but turns towards her and looks at her pleading eyes, and his heart melts. But he thinks to himself, wait I will not let go of her so easily with a smirk on his face.

They reach home, she gets down and goes to dress up. She puts on her peacock blue churidaar set with chikankari work was done in a pale baby pink tone...she had picked the last time at her maasi's shop. It was not the usual anarkali designs, but a straight cut that emphasized her figure. She wanted to look good for him. Wore her pink jhumkas, and was placing the bangles on her hands, when she heard a knock on the door. He walked in straight without her waiting to answer back. "Aap"...and stops midway..."Abb bhi gussa hai, humne kaha na sorry." teasing him. Arnav walks towards her, and takes the bangles from her hand, lifts the bare hand, and starts pushing each bangle one by one slowly down her delicate hands. The sounds of the bangles was the only sound between them. She looked at him, her cheeks red, and found his eyes filled with longing on her lips...she avoided his gaze...and placed her gaze on his neck...and then again lifted her gaze and it just rested on his lips and then moved upto his eyes. His eyes were smiling, he huskily whispered, "show me that you are sorry by your actions Khushi, not words pointing his finger to his cheek..." She shyly tiptoes and kisses him on the cheek "abb chale hume bhook lagi hai, and then brings her hand to her lips and complains as a matter of fact, " aur woh hume aapki dadi (beard) chubti hai." Arnav is surprised by her revelation, "Really, why didn't you say so before? He literally laughs at her and takes her hand in his and bids her to go to the car. Arnav puts on the radio, and there are songs playing, some of Khushi's favourite. She starts to hum and sing to the tunes of the songs, oblivious to Arnav. He looks at her with love and thinks, My Khushi will never change! And hopes that she never does.

They reach the restaurant, and are greeted by the manager. They walk in holding hands. Arnav introduces Khushi to the manager, "My wife Khushi". The manager is delighted and extends his hand and says, "Welcome Madam" She greets him with a Namaste.

The restaurant is all lit up, and Khushi is fascinated with the paintings on the wall. For they depicted the Indian culture. There were ghazals playing in the background. It was a very well renowned restaurant in Lucknow. They sit in a secluded corner of the restaurant. There were red roses placed on the table and it said reserved.

Arnav started placing the order, and Khushi interrupts "Nahin no rice please"!.

Arnav, "Khushi wait I want to eat the pulav here, it's very good."

Khushi sternly tells the waiter, "Nahi, rice is not good for him, just bring methi parathas and rotis and the remaining order. Aur kucch mitha bhi nahi chahiye. Shukariya bhai sahab." The waiter is all smiles seeing the nok jhok between husband and wife. What a couple they made.

Arnav whispers leaning towards her, "But..." Khushi, again sternly tells him, "If you want to eat pulav I will cook for you, you will not eat at the hotel, however good. And no sweets as well."

Arnav snaps the menu close and says "Fine. but I wanted to eat today itself. And when do you plan to cook for me?"

Khushi, "Whenever you want. Come home tomorrow. I will cook the pullav."

Arnav takers her hand in his and says, "Khushi its okay, I will wait till you come back home to me." And by the way, this colour suits you, you are looking beautiful. The food arrives, Khushi serves him, and they both finish their meal. The manager comes to their table and says, "Madam since you did not order dessert, why don't you try our paan, it is really good." Arnav, "No no no, ...thank you."

Khushi jumps at the chance to eat paan, knowing very well it irks Arnav. "No I want to eat, aap please lekar aiye, and please bring two."

The manager orders the waiter to get two meetha paans. Khushi eats one, while he looks one with disgust, prompts Arnav to eat one. He says, "Khushi I dont eat paan."

Khushi looks innocently at him, and says "Are you really from Lucknow, don't tell me you have never eaten paan in your life. Come on now have this for my sake, if it's your first time." She dares him to eat it.

Arnav is irritated by her antics, but seeing the love in her eyes, he gives in "Khushi"... and opens his mouth. She places the paan in his mouth. The red saliva trickling down the side of his mouth. She immediately takes the napkin and wipes its clear. His eyes telling her, how he feels at the touch of her fingers on his mouth and lips.

She averts her gaze and excuses herself to go the washroom. Khushi freshens up and returns. But when she returns she sees a large block candle was lit,...She looks at Arnav in surprise. Arnav softly compels her to sit, and then he reaches into his suit pocket and pulls out a beautifully decorated box..

On it was a small gold card that said "Meri Titalya thank you" Khushi hesitates and ask "Why?"...he pulls her hand and places it on the box...Khushi slowly opened the box and pulled out a chain with a butterfly pendant studded with pink diamonds on it. Arnav simply states, "Khushi this colour reminds me of you. I want to say thank you for forgiving me."

Khushi's eyes brimming with tears, "Arnavji yeh sab karne ki zaroorat nahi thi.Hum bas aap ka...zindagi bhar saath ho..."Now stop crying okay," Arnav whispers. She takes his hand, open his palm and places the chain on it, saying" Put it on for me." He gets up from his chair, pushes her hair back, and puts the chain around her neck. It sits around her neck alongwith her mangalsutra.

They then leave the restaurant, Arnav holding her elbow and guiding her out of the restaurant. They sit in the car, and Arnav tells that Di & Naniji will visit their home tomorrow.

She bids him to come inside when they reach home. But he declines, telling I have a lot to do………I would love to stay. Arnav plants a kiss on her on forehead and reluctantly bids her bye.

To be continued...

Part 18 - Yes - I Accept

Next day, Khushi is busy in the kitchen, when her mother bids her to stop her chores and to go and change as Naniji and Di were coming home.

So Khushi gets ready and puts on a simple pink saree. The door bell rings, Khushi rushes to the door, and finds Naniji, Anjali, Akash, Payal and Arnav all standing there. Arnav had clean shaved. Khushi blushes knowing its implications. He was wearing a dark blue long sleeved T-Shirt with beige trousers, looking handsome.

Khushi immediately takes blessings from the elders and bids them to come in. She looks at Arnav questioning him, what was all this about. He smiles, but doesn't say a word.

All the elders sit and pleasantries are passed. Then Naniji tells Babuji, "Shashiji hum aap ke choti beti ka haat mangne aaye hai Arnav bitwa ke liye... "(We have come to formally ask for your daughter's hand in marriage for Arnav)

Khushi looks up at Arnav and smiles. Khushi's father all smiles says of course she is yours already, why Arnav isn't she"? Akash too says "Bhai...and nudges him.

Arnav speaks up, "But I want the girl to say yes..." Khushi is surprised by his statement. She shyly puts her head down and says "Yes Arnavji, I accept this proposal".

They all are happy and then Arnav with a twinkle in his eye says boldly "Can the bride-to-be sit next to me Naniji?" Of course Naniji and Di are all for it, and say yes why not.

Khushi looks at Arnav with shyness and knows what he is up to. "I'll go get the tea." Payal stops her and says "I will do it. You go on and sit next to Jethji. Go Khushi."

Khushi meekly sits besides Arnav, and he places his arm around the back of the chair she is sitting on and runs his forefinger on the nape of her neck. She looks at him pleadingly to stop, without making a sound. He knows she is all flustered and loves to see her at a loss for words. He continues, bringing his finger right down to her upper back, between her shoulder blades. Her long hair actually hid his hand, so it was not visible what Arnav was up to.

Khushi jerks herself up, realizing she couldn't control the sensations he was creating in her. Arnav places his hand on the back of the chair lazily.

Naniji also remarks that they want chat mangni and pat shaadi. So next week they will have the Sagai. The wedding was decided for Saturday. Khushi's father says, but is it required. Arnav says "Babuji zaroorat hai. And don't worry about anything we will make all the arrangements."

Anjaji informs Khushi that tomorrow they were going shopping and Khushi and Payal had to accompany them. She agrees with a nod.

They all set to leave and Khushi reaches them to the door. Arnav lingers on and with his arms folded across his chest, and asks Khushi, "What happened why you suddenly got up whilst sitting next to me? What happened?" Khushi knows what reply he expects of her, so replies "Well you were misbehaving in front of the elders!" Arnav now surprised, "Really misbehaving and with my wife?" Khushi retorts jokingly "Saat phere nahi hue abb tak (the saat pheras are not done yet Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada). All are waiting for you, go on."

"Fine Khushi, you just wait and watch after the saat pheres" and looks straight into her eyes, whilst his eyes mesmerize her all the more, She blushes and averts her gaze over his shoulder.

Di calls out to Arnav, "Chote come on, there is so much to do,…Khushi will be coming home soon…lets go."

Arnav reluctantly bids her bye says, "We will meet tomorrow. My day is not complete without seeing you. I shall come to pick you up."

Khushi returns back into the house. The whole family is excited about the wedding for their darling bitiya. Her father bids her to come and sit next to him, she places her head on his shoulder and the tears of joy flow, "Babuji..." They all hug each other, thinking that good times are not far away.

To be continued…….