ARHI FF: That one fateful night pt 11 pg 92 updated 23/03 - Page 23

Chapter 6

Khushi could still feel him gazing at her but ignored him the whole time. She had been sitting next to her mum who was sitting next to Payal as Payal was asked to sit next to Aparna.

Aparna was talking to her future daughter-in-law, admiring her and thanking god for such a girl to enter her family. She had also seen Khushi and wondered if only her son Arnav would marry a girl like her but Arnav was Arnav.

"Shall we get started with the shagun" dadi asked after a while. Everyone agreed. So Aparna, dadi and nani gave Payal an assortment of sarees and jewellery welcoming her into the family. Once they were done they started discussing when they should have the roka, sangeet and wedding.

"Amma can I show Anjali our house?" Khushi asked after a while as she needed to get away. Arnav heard her voice after so long and just couldn't help but still admire her but didn't like the idea of her disappearing from his sight. He was really looking at this girl. Khushi had come out wearing a purple and dark blue anarkali, minimal make up and only light jewellery but the slight smile on her face was what was attracting Arnav more, that and her eyes, her beautiful doe like hazel eyes was what he had noticed back then and now. He had never felt this way before; he was getting attracted to this girl more than he ever had been towards any girl.

"Ok Khushi. Go ahead" Garima said after a little while. Khushi stood up and motioned her hand in way towards Anjali indicating 'let's go'. Anjali stood up and followed Khushi into the house while Arnav's eyes kept looking their way not liking it one bit.

As soon as Khushi got inside the house she felt relieved which was noticed by Anjali. "Khushi what's wrong?" Anjali asked out of concern making Khushi slightly jump and tilt her head towards Anjali. "Nothing's wrong" waving her hand dismissively as though she had no idea what she was talking about but hating that she had to lie to her best friend. Anjali didn't believe her. She had noticed how Khushi had gone quite since she saw her brother and now she had a feeling Khushi was hiding something from her but she had no idea how she was going to get the truth out of her. Anjali walked up behind Khushi and placed her hand on her shoulder making Khushi turn her head towards the other side so Anjali couldn't see the tears that were pricking in her eyes. "Khushi please tell me what's wrong?" Anjali asked again. Khushi using her hand wiped her tears away turn to look at her friend with a huge smile on her face and placed her hands on her friend's arms. "Nothing Anjali. Trust me. Come on let's go." Khushi went ahead of showing her the house while Anjali followed. Even though Anjali knew something was wrong but she left it at the moment thinking that one day Khushi will tell her.

After half an hour they came back out once Anjali had seen the house. "Anjali come on let's go" Aparna shouted towards her daughter as they were standing up to leave. Anjali and Khushi walked up together towards their families but Khushi was still very nervous. Arnav had seen them come out and couldn't help but look at Khushi. Anjali who was looking from Khushi to her brother back to Khushi noticed the differences between them. While her brother couldn't stop looking at Khushi, Khushi had not once looked at her brother but Anjali could feel Khushi was uncomfortable in his presence.

Anjali hugged Khushi goodbye but they were going to see each other in two days as that was the day the roka had been set for and that too in sheesh mahal. As everyone was leaving Arnav couldn't help but look back at Khushi who by then was hiding behind her mother avoiding seeing him.

Once they were gone Khushi, Payal and Garima set about clearing everything up but as Payal was very happy, Khushi was very quiet, upset, hurt and dreading what was going to happen next.

The whole family had got back to sheesh mahal and everyone except Arnav went up to Akash who had been waiting for them and congratulated him. Arnav however went straight to his room which did not go unnoticed by Anjali.

Arnav had got to his room and couldn't stop thinking about Khushi while at Gupta house in Lucknow Khushi had gone to her room saying she was tired but just lay on her crying. She had no idea what she was going to do especially finding out the guy she had found herself waking up next to her turned out to be her sister's would be brother-in-law and she would be facing him from now on a regular basis.

Knowing full well that Khushi was in Lucknow Anjali so wanted to go see her but she had been told she couldn't as her brother was getting engaged.

Two days had gone quick as there had been a lot to do for both parties from inviting relations to decorating to getting food organised so on and so forth.

Khushi had been getting very nervous as the day of the roka was getting near even though it wasn't her roka but she just didn't want to see Arnav. She had no idea what was going to happen today and she was very afraid.

Khushi had got changed into a peach colour anarkali with silver intricate detail. She wore minimal makeup, matching jewellery and matching peach colour bangles.

Once she had finished getting ready she headed into her sister's room to help her.

Payal had been getting ready. She was wearing a light blue and pink lehnga with gold intricate detail in small diamond shapes on the lehnga and top and heavy gold banding along the bottom of the lehnga across the waist and along neckline. Along the back it was held by five dori strings from top to waist and the dupatta in the same colours helping Payal cover her back. She was wearing matching jewellery and gold, blue and pink bangles along her wrists.

Payal had just finished putting her bangles on and moving her fingers along her bangles looking at them with a smile on her face thinking about Akash when Khushi walked in looking at Payal through the mirror. A sudden mischievous smile came onto Khushi's face as she walked quietly up to Payal making sure she wasn't seen in the mirror by her sister. "JIJI" Khushi shouted in joy right behind her making Payal jump placing her hand over her racing heart. Payal turned to look at Khushi. "Khushi" Payal retorted lightly hitting her on the shoulder before a small smile played on her lips seeing her sister giggle. "What was that for?" Payal asked once she had calmed down. "Just felt like it jiji" as she shrugged her shoulders at Payal still smiling.

Garima walked in to the room seeing her two daughters talking. She walked up to Payal, placed her hand on Payal's arm, turned her slightly to face her, cupped both her cheeks with her hand and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I am so proud of Payal. I know that Akash bitwa will certainly keep you happy" as tears pricked in her eyes looking at her daughter lovingly. Payal also started tearing up and hugged her mum who hugged her back. Watching this scene Khushi also started crying and hugged both of them as Garima's one arm was around Payal and the other hand went on Khushi's cheek patting it while Khushi's head was on Garima's shoulder.

Shashi walked in to this scene. "Are we all going or just staying here?" he shouted at his wife and daughters. "Come on jiji is waiting for us" as he heard Madhumati shouting from downstairs to hurry up.

Once they were outside Amit had insisted via phone just the day before that they were to arrive at sheesh mahal in style. So he had sent one of the cars to GH to pick them up.

Both Payal and Khushi were getting nervous as Sheesh Mahal was approaching but both for different reasons.

Neither of the girls ever remember coming to Sheesh Mahal as they were very young when the family had left for Delhi so as the car got closer the girls eyes got wider as they saw the place. A real live palace was what they both thought. The car stopped outside the front door and they all got out. The only people who were not so shocked were of course Shashi and Garima. As for Madhumati, Payal and Khushi they couldn't stop staring. All three were looking from bottom to top of the whole place. "Hai re Nandkishore" exclaimed buaji. "Is this a house or a palace?" as the rest of her family looked at her before bursting out laughing at her expression. "Jiji come on" Shashi said gesturing his sister and everyone to go inside.

Amit and Aparna met them at the door. While Shashi and Amit hugged each other so did Aparna and Garima. Both Payal and Khushi got the elders blessings before moving inside.

"Khushi" Anjali shouted as soon as she saw Khushi making Arnav turn to look where she was running towards and saw Khushi while Anjali ran up to her friend while she picked up her lehnga in her hands. She stopped just before she reached Khushi and took her into a bear hug while panting due to the run. Arnav saw the exchange and liked the fact that his sister had such a nice and as he had to admit a beautiful friend. He just could not stop looking.

The whole of the Gupta and Raizada family saw the exchange between the friends and smiled.

Everyone then moved towards the large stage set up in the middle of the hall where Akash was waiting. Arnav then moved up towards his brother his eyes never leaving Khushi's face who was avoiding even looking his way. Anjali went beside Arnav noticing that her brother was busy glaring at her friend. So she hit him on the shoulder to get his attention. "Stop staring at my friend" Anjali whispered as Arnav glared at her. "It's a free world" Arnav retorted as he went back to looking at Khushi.

Payal had moved and stood next to Akash who had been looking at her since he had seen her. Beautiful was what he thought as he looked upon her while she blushed under his gaze.

Garima and Aparna moved forward with both of them holding thali's. Aparna moved towards Payal put a tikka on her forehead and threw rice over her before cupping her cheek smiling. Garima did the same time with Akash. Both mums then moved towards their kids. Aparna then moved the thali towards Akash who took a beautiful diamond ring out of the box and placed it on Payal's ring finger. Payal then did the same taking a gold banded ring from the thali her mum showed her and placing it on Akash's ring finger as the applause started.

Khushi was just looking at the scene while smiling and Arnav couldn't take his eyes of her. Anjali was just observing this and was getting worried for her friend as she didn't want her brother to ruin her friend s life.

After the ceremony Akash and Payal took the blessings of the elders while Anjali went to stand next to Khushi in a way where her brother couldn't see her. Arnav then moved just so he could see Khushi so Anjali grabbed Khushi's hand and led her away. "Come on I'll show you the house" she said dragging Khushi away and heading towards her mum leaving a disgruntled looking Arnav.

"Maa I am going to show Khushi around" Anjali said to her mum while walking past her. "Anjali not now" Aparna yelled behind her making Anjali stop in her tracks and turn to look at her mum. "But why?" came the question while Aparna moved towards her daughter and Khushi. "It's your brothers' engagement at the moment" Aparna said while cupping Anjali's cheek. "But mum Khushi will hardly be here another time" Anjali sulked. "OK. Go but don't take too long. Dinner is going to be served in a while." At this Anjali led Khushi away and up the stairs ready to show Khushi Sheesh Mahal.

Arnav couldn't believe his sister. For the first time ever his sister had interfered in his pursuits of any girl but he was Arnav after all and he always had a plan up his sleeve. Seeing as his sister was not allowing him to talk to Khushi he had to do something.

As everyone was busy and no one looking his way or they were busy with talking to each other Arnav made ended up going upstairs and followed his sister and Khushi. He had found them in Anjali's room as Anjali was showing Khushi pictures of the family. He was looking at Khushi the whole time who had been talking and laughing with his sister. Anjali then moved to head out making Arnav move away so he couldn't be seen.

"Come Khushi there is more to see" as she took her friends hand in hers leading her down the hall and showing her every room. Arnav followed them discreetly just waiting for the opportunity to speak to Khushi.

He got the opportunity when Anjali was entering his room with Khushi and her dupatta got caught on the door making it rip. "Oh damn" she exclaimed "sorry Khushi I have to go and change. Stay here I will be back in a bit." "I'll come with you" Khushi said. "Ok" Anjali said as they headed back to Anjali's room. Anjali went inside her room with Khushi following, headed towards her cupboard, took out some clothes and went to the bathroom.

Khushi sat on Anjali's large bed waiting for Anjali not seeing Arnav coming behind her. He came and sat next to her. Khushi felt the bed move and froze. She slowly turned to find Arnav beside her making her go pale. Before she could scream Arnav put his one hand on her mouth and the other behind her neck holding her in position. "Shhh. I am not going to hurt you. I just came to talk" Arnav said trying to reassure her but Khushi was looking fearfully at him. "Please don't scream. I am going to let you go. Just don't scream" as Arnav slowly took his hand away from her mouth and her neck. Khushi watched as his hands moved still very pale and her hands gripping the duvet tightly. Khushi looked up at Arnav who was looking at her intently. Khushi realised how close they were. She looked at their position before looking up at him as tears started pricking her eyes. Arnav saw her reaction to him and was confused. Khushi suddenly got up backed away and before Arnav could move or grab her she ran leaving a very confused looking Arnav who since the time he had had girlfriends no girl had every reacted this way. He could remember getting turned down in his face, slapped and even some girls coming onto him but he never has he had a girl run from him. He began remembering looking at her closely for the first time and had been looking into her eyes wondering what he saw. Suddenly his eyes opened wide as realisation hit him. Fear he thought he had seen fear in her eyes for him and this left him very confused. He made up his mind he was going to find out why.

Now all you lovely readers know what to do. Comment comment and comment and thank you for all your patience.

Chapter 5