Keeping Khushi Thread 10 Part 100 Page 128 - Page 15

great part dear
liked the family time and bonding
continue soon

Liked it Smita

Hope ur family is getting better... Take care...
Lots of prayers for you...

Congrats for the new thread. It was a lovely update.

Part 92

Khushi, Anjali, Payal, & Aarti rejoined the ladies adorning their hands with mehendi in the living room. The flush of happiness on the faces of the young girls was seen by most as a sign of joy on the wedding festivities.

But Mamiji's sharp eyes and even sharper brain noticed the difference.

"Khushi Bitiyaa, what did hamre Arnav Bitwa want to tells you all?"

Khushi's cheeks became red. In fact, her face resembled the sky at dawn, resplendent with many colours. Arnav stood at the head of the stairs, and smiled to see his wife find excuses for him.

"Woh, Mamiji, he wanted to ' err.. make sure that everything was going well'at the mehendi'that we were all happy'."

Anjali, Payal, & Aarti looked at Khushi and the others.

Mamiji frowned, her plucked eyebrows and painted lips making her look fearsome.

"Hamre Arnav Bitwaa called you to ask you this?"

"Ji."

Mamiji frowned, still not convinced.

"Manorama, our Chotey has changed a lot after marriage. See how caring he has become!", Nani smiled, happy.

Buaji smiled. "It is all because of our Khushi Bitiyaa."

"Haan.", Nani cuffed Khushi's chin.

"Woh sab theek he, Saasumma. But how can marrijj turn Amrish Puri into Akshay Kumar?"

Nani & Buaji laughed.

"Manorama, if Khushi Bitiyaa says that Chotey called the girls to ask them about mehendi, he must have asked her that.", Nani said. Buaji nodded smiling.

"Haan'", Mamiji agreed half-heartedly. "But for so long'?", she asked.

Khushi looked away, feeling terrible. Her eyes fell on her nemesis, standing with his arms crossed, his head cocked, smiling at her discomfiture.

Her reproachful gaze and pouting lips made him want to kiss her senseless till all her complaints were dealt with. She read his intention in his darkening eyes, and looked down at her fingers with mehendi, held away from her lap.

"And see how much Chotey cares for his sisters and their happiness!", Nani said, smiling away.

Khushi, Payal, Aarti, & Anjali blushed. Anand, NK, & Akash joined Arnav to see & enjoy the effect of their hard work on their wives' faces.

"Payaliyaa is lucky to get such a good, caring Jetji, Nandkisore!", said Buaji.

Before anyone could respond, the doorbell rang. Mamaji rushed to answer it.

"Kaun he, Hello Hi Bye Bye! Coming late for mehendi!", Mami was easily distracted.

As all watched, Mamaji pulled open the door with a flourish.

NK's parents stood framed in the doorway.

Mamiji gasped, covering her open mouth with her fingers. All the others too stood similarly astonished. Mama stood by them, a naughty smile on his face.

Mami, Nani, NK, Anjali, & Akash hugged them, exclaiming at their early arrival in India.

"It was all Manohar Bhai's plan!", laughed NK's father.

"He wanted to surprise all of you!" The rotund man touched Naniji's feet and hugged her, to be followed by his wife, Rani, who was almost jumping up and down in her excitement.

Aarti stood looking at her future in-laws, her mouth not entirely shut.

Her father-in-law, Raj Kisore seemed a very jolly person with a booming laugh that echoed in RM. He seemed very fond of the Raizadas, and they seemed to be equally fond of him.

But more shocking was the appearance of her future mother-in-law, Rani. Short hair coloured a mixture of brown & red. Plump body squeezed into a pair of red trousers and a long red and white shirt. Arms adorned with funky jewellery that would have done a teenager proud. Pink goggles added glamour to her appearance.

"Where is my bahuriyya?", she asked loudly, eagerly.

Arnav shook his head to resettle his eardrums.

Anjali and NK led Aarti to her. Rani took one look at Aarti, and launched herself into the hapless younger girl's arms. She squeezed the life out of Aarti.

As Aarti stood gasping for breath, Rani said, "Aarti is so beautiful! NK Bitwaa,", she pinched his chin, "You have selected our perfect bahuriyaa. You have perfect taste!"

NK smiled, thrilled. "I have, Mama.", he said.

NK's father hugged Aarti, but gently. "I hope some of your bones are still in one piece!", he told Aarti, laughing.

Aarti smiled feebly. If Buaji didn't kill her with love, Rani Kisore would do it. Her fate was certain now. It was to die of love!

NK put his arm around her shoulders, squeezing her gently.

Aarti gulped. Would her Sunflower hug her so tight too? If he did, he would have to search for her in the puddle on the floor. Or the heap of crushed bones on the ground.

Mamaji sidled up to her, and said softly, "How did you like your Saasumma?"

Aarti smiled. "She seems very nice."

"But too young!", Mamaji laughed. "Rani refuses to believe that she has grown up!"

Aarti smiled.

Mamaji & Aarti watched Mami & Rani laugh uproariously over some joke.

Mamaji said, "Donon pagal hein! Donon ek he khet ke mooli hein! You don't worry, Bitiyaa."

Nani introduced Aarti's Amma to Raj & Rani. Both of them hugged her, and thanked her for agreeing to the wedding and apologised for not being present at the shagun & sagai.

Nani then introduced Khushi & Payal to the Kisores. The new bahuriyaas touched their feet, and both Raj & Rani, thrilled, hugged them thoroughly. Arnav, not a very demonstrative person, nodded and smiled at them. Akash took their blessings, & Nani introduced Anand to the guests. Anand was greeted warmly by them, Rani kissing him on his lean cheek. Naniji then introduced Buaji to them.

Buaji said, "I thought you would get here only the day before the wedding?"

Raj & Rani said that Mamaji & they had deliberately misinformed the family about the time of their arrival to surprise them.

Mami pretended to frown at Mamaji. "You are becoming naughty in your old age, Hello Hi Bye Bye.", she said.

"Old age? Who is old?", asked poor Mamaji.

"You.", said Mami, pushing at his chest with her finger.

"Acha? If you remove your makeuppiya and wash off the dye in your hair, I can, after a long time of 15 years, see what my wife really looks like."

Mamiji sniffed.

"Ten families have come with us, Madhumatiji. We have booked them in a hotel nearby. They will be here for the sangeet.", Rani said.

"Acha he, Nandkisore! Old friends of yours must want to attend NK Bitwa's wedding.", Buaji smiled.

"Ji. Today this house will burst at the seams.", Rani laughed, eagerly waiting for all the fun and the noise that evening.

"Good, good. The more the marrier (merrier).", said Mamiji.

Mamaji whispered in Arnav's ears, "If I were a drinking man, I would have a couple of pegs, stick some cotton in my ears, and go to sleep after locking my bedroom door. I don't think these ladies will let us breathe in peace today. Or sleep."

Arnav smiled slightly.

"Your Mami won't spare me for not telling her that Raj & Rani are coming today."

"Why didn't you?", Arnav asked, smiling slightly.

"Pagla gaye ho kaa, Arnav Bitwaa? Tell her a secret? Your Mami is not just Mami. She is MBC, Manorama Broadcasting Corporation!"

It was noon.

All the ladies were resting, tired after having fun all morning at the mehendi, and getting ready to enjoy the sangeet.

Khushi sat on her bed in a loose white kurta and pyjama, ordered by Nani, Mami, Buaji, & Amma to take rest.

She looked at her mehendi. It was deep red, the pattern of flowers and creepers looking very attractive on her fair hands. If the dark colour of the mehendi was any indication of Arnavji's love for her, then he must love her very much indeed. Khushi smiled.

A hand lifted her chin.

She looked into the smiling eyes of her husband.

"You are very happy today, Arnavji?", Khushi asked softly.

"Very."

"Because Mamiji cornered me and I was struggling to find an answer?"

"No. Because you were trying to defend me."

Khushi stared at him with eyes wide open.

"Especially after I had done something indefensible."

Khushi gave him a look she normally reserved for toddlers in Omkar who did things they were not supposed to do.

"And because '", Arnav continued, his soft, husky voice sending a thrill down her spine. "'And because I got to kiss you. Many times."

Khushi looked away.

Arnav caught hold of her chin gently, and tried to turn her face towards him. Khushi twisted her face away.

He took hold of her hands.

"So the mehendi has come out very dark.", he mused, smiling.

Khushi tried to pull her hands away from his, but he held on firm. Khushi looked away. A solitary tear made its slow way down her cheek.

"Khushi?", Arnav breathed. "What is wrong?"

Khushi shook her head.

"Khushi..?", The urgency in his voice made his voice huskier still.

Khushi tightened her fingers around his.

"Did anyone say'. say anything to h..hurt you?"

"No." Khushi spoke through a choked throat.

"What is wrong, Khushi?" He cupped her cheeks. "Why are you crying?"

"I'I don't know'..", Khushi whispered.

Arnav frowned.

"Arnavji, I..I don't know what is happening to me. I..I feel like crying at the smallest of things'.I have been getting upset over the slightest of problems during the last few days''"

Arnav looked at her, astonished.

"One moment I am laughing at something'and the next moment I am crying!", she pouted.

Arnav pulled her into his arms, close to his heart. A small smile danced on his lips.

Khushi put her arms around him, burrowing into his hold, all tight and snug.

"It is normal, Khushi.", he whispered. "I checked online. It is all a play of the hormones because of the baby."

Khushi looked at him in astonishment. "It is normal, Arnavji?"

Arnav nodded, smiling.

"You checked, Arnavji?"

Arnav nodded. "When we knew you were pregnant, I read up on all the details on the net."

Khushi curled further into his embrace.

"I hate to cry, Arnavji.", Khushi whispered a while later. "Even in the hospital' Baba used to say that my tears had dried up in the fire, making me a strong woman."

Arnav kissed her hair, feeling his throat close.

"Even when my legs hurt, when the children fell ill, when it was difficult to find the money for the fees and the utilities..., I never cried. Baba used to say that if I came across a difficulty, I would stare it in the face and put it to shame, till it had no other option but to move out of my way."

Arnav swallowed.

"But now'..I get angry for no reason'upset over silly things'."

Khushi cupped Arnav's face.

"I am sorry, Arnavji! For being so angry with you."

A tear trailed down her cheek. Khushi made an exasperated sound, and tried to wipe it away. But Arnav caught hold of her arm.

He leaned forward, and kissed the tear away from her face.

He lifted her in his arms, and laid her on the bed. He got in beside her, and whispered in her ear, "Your tears, your anger, your smile, your love'' they are all mine. Only mine, Khushi. I will not let anyone else have them."

He moved towards her trembling lips, his eyes on their plump, pink contours'..

Part 91: 73398089 Part 93: 73825497

Smita, 😊

Here is the interpretation for Part 92.

...A variable in a situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.

...A hard to describe influence or quality.

...An important element with unknown consequences.

...A special talent or quality.

All these define an X - FACTOR and

X - FACTOR is what describes this update!

Khushi, Anjali, Payal, & Aarti rejoined the ladies adorning their hands with mehendi in the living room. The flush of happiness on the faces of the young girls was seen by most as a sign of joy on the wedding festivities.

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony"

~ Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

But Mamiji's sharp eyes and even sharper brain noticed the difference.

"Khushi Bitiyaa, what did hamre Arnav Bitwa want to tells you all?"

'They consider me to have sharp and penetrating vision because I see them through the mesh of a sieve" ~ Khalil Gibran

Khushi's cheeks became red. In fact, her face resembled the sky at dawn, resplendent with many colours. Arnav stood at the head of the stairs, and smiled to see his wife find excuses for him.

"Woh, Mamiji, he wanted to ... err.. make sure that everything was going well...at the mehendi...that we were all happy..."

"Whoever is happy will make others happy"

~ Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

Anjali, Payal, & Aarti looked at Khushi and the others.

Mamiji frowned, her plucked eyebrows and painted lips making her look fearsome.

"Hamre Arnav Bitwaa called you to ask you this?"

"Ji."

Mamiji frowned, still not convinced.

"No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you've come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself."

~Madonna

"Manorama, our Chotey has changed a lot after marriage. See how caring he has become!", Nani smiled, happy.

Buaji smiled. "It is all because of our Khushi Bitiyaa."

"Haan.", Nani cuffed Khushi's chin.

"And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time"

~ Libba Bray, The Sweet Far Thing

"Woh sab theek he, Saasumma. But how can marrijj turn Amrish Puri into Akshay Kumar?"

Nani & Buaji laughed.

"Manorama, if Khushi Bitiyaa says that Chotey called the girls to ask them about mehendi, he must have asked her that.", Nani said. Buaji nodded smiling.

"Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved" ~ Wm. Paul Young

"Haan...", Mamiji agreed half-heartedly. "But for so long..?", she asked.

"Time has no dominion over love. Love is the one thing that transcends time"

~ Jeaniene Frost, One Foot in the Grave

Khushi looked away, feeling terrible. Her eyes fell on her nemesis, standing with his arms crossed, his head cocked, smiling at her discomfiture.

"Any time not spent on love is wasted"

~ Torquato Tasso

Her reproachful gaze and pouting lips made him want to kiss her senseless till all her complaints were dealt with.

"I look at you, and I think about you, and ... I don't know. No one has ever confounded me the way you do"

~ Stephanie Perkins, Lola and the Boy Next Door

She read his intention in his darkening eyes, and looked down at her fingers with mehendi, held away from her lap.

"Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships" ~ Stephen R. Covey

"And see how much Chotey cares for his sisters and their happiness!", Nani said, smiling away.

Khushi, Payal, Aarti, & Anjali blushed. Anand, NK, & Akash joined Arnav to see & enjoy the effect of their hard work on their wives' faces.

"Payaliyaa is lucky to get such a good, caring Jetji, Nandkisore!", said Buaji.

"We're paying the highest tribute you can pay a man. We trust him to do right. It's that simple"

~ Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

Before anyone could respond, the doorbell rang. Mamaji rushed to answer it.

"Kaun he, Hello Hi Bye Bye! Coming late for mehendi!", Mami was easily distracted.

As all watched, Mamaji pulled open the door with a flourish.

NK's parents stood framed in the doorway.

"Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks."

~ Samuel Johnson, The Idler

Mamiji gasped, covering her open mouth with her fingers. All the others too stood similarly astonished. Mama stood by them, a naughty smile on his face.

Mami, Nani, NK, Anjali, & Akash hugged them, exclaiming at their early arrival in India.

"It was all Manohar Bhai's plan!", laughed NK's father.

"He wanted to surprise all of you!" The rotund man touched Naniji's feet and hugged her, to be followed by his wife, Rani, who was almost jumping up and down in her excitement.

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life"

~ Richard Bach

Aarti stood looking at her future in-laws, her mouth not entirely shut.

Her father-in-law, Raj Kisore seemed a very jolly person with a booming laugh that echoed in RM. He seemed very fond of the Raizadas, and they seemed to be equally fond of him.

"Good family life is never an accident but always an achievement by those who share it"

~James H.S. Bossard

But more shocking was the appearance of her future mother-in-law, Rani. Short hair coloured a mixture of brown & red. Plump body squeezed into a pair of red trousers and a long red and white shirt. Arms adorned with funky jewellery that would have done a teenager proud. Pink goggles added glamour to her appearance.

"Where is my bahuriyya?", she asked loudly, eagerly.

"Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing" ~ Jim Rohn

Arnav shook his head to resettle his eardrums.

Anjali and NK led Aarti to her. Rani took one look at Aarti, and launched herself into the hapless younger girl's arms. She squeezed the life out of Aarti.

As Aarti stood gasping for breath, Rani said, "Aarti is so beautiful! NK Bitwaa,", she pinched his chin, "You have selected our perfect bahuriyaa. You have perfect taste!"

NK smiled, thrilled. "I have, Mama.", he said.

"The boughs, without becoming detached from the trunk grow away from it"

~ Victor Hugo, Les Misrables

NK's father hugged Aarti, but gently. "I hope some of your bones are still in one piece!", he told Aarti, laughing.

Aarti smiled feebly. If Buaji didn't kill her with love, Rani Kisore would do it. Her fate was certain now. It was to die of love!

NK put his arm around her shoulders, squeezing her gently.

"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length" ~ Robert Frost

Aarti gulped. Would her Sunflower hug her so tight too? If he did, he would have to search for her in the puddle on the floor. Or the heap of crushed bones on the ground.

"Life is filled with rhythms-day and night, hot and cold, summer and winter, spring and fall, cloudy and clear. Likewise in a relationship, men and women have their own rhythms and cycles"

~ John Gray

Mamaji sidled up to her, and said softly, "How did you like your Saasumma?"

Aarti smiled. "She seems very nice."

"But too young!", Mamaji laughed. "Rani refuses to believe that she has grown up!"

Aarti smiled.

Mamaji & Aarti watched Mami & Rani laugh uproariously over some joke.

Mamaji said, "Donon pagal hein! Donon ek he khet ke mooli hein! You don't worry, Bitiyaa."

After meeting Aarti, Aarti's Amma was introduced to Raj and Rani by Nani. Both hugged her and apologized for not being there at Shagun and Sagai.

Later Kushi and Payal when introduced took their blessings. Anand too was introduced to them who received a warm greeting with a kiss on the cheek from Rani! Nani then introduced Buaji to them.

Buaji said, "I thought you would get here only the day before the wedding?"

Raj & Rani said that Mamaji & they had deliberately misinformed the family about the time of their arrival to surprise them.

Mami pretended to frown at Mamaji. "You are becoming naughty in your old age, Hello Hi Bye Bye.", she said.

"Old age? Who is old?", asked poor Mamaji.

"You.", said Mami, pushing at his chest with her finger.

"Acha? If you remove your makeuppiya and wash off the dye in your hair, I can, after a long time of 15 years, see what my wife really looks like."

Mamiji sniffed.

"Happiness depends upon ourselves" ~Aristotle

"Ten families have come with us, Madhumatiji. We have booked them in a hotel nearby. They will be here for the sangeet.", Rani said.

"Acha he, Nandkisore! Old friends of yours must want to attend NK Bitwa's wedding.", Buaji smiled.

"Ji. Today this house will burst at the seams.", Rani laughed, eagerly waiting for all the fun and the noise that evening.

"Good, good. The more the marrier (merrier).", said Mamiji.

"The most important thing is to enjoy your life...

to be happy... it's all that matters"

~ Audrey Hepburn

Mamaji whispered in Arnav's ears, "If I were a drinking man, I would have a couple of pegs, stick some cotton in my ears, and go to sleep after locking my bedroom door. I don't think these ladies will let us breathe in peace today. Or sleep."

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them"~ Desmond Tutu

Arnav smiled slightly.

"Your Mami won't spare me for not telling her that Raj & Rani are coming today."

"Why didn't you?", Arnav asked, smiling slightly.

"Pagla gaye ho kaa, Arnav Bitwaa? Tell her a secret? Your Mami is not just Mami. She is MBC, Manorama Broadcasting Corporation!"

"People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be" ~ Abraham Lincoln

After a happy enjoyable and fun filled Mehendi in the morning, the ladies were taking a siesta. Kushi was ordered by the elder ladies of the family to rest compulsorily. Sitting on her bed she was looking at the intricate pattern on her hands. It had turned dark red in color and she thought if the dark colour of the mehendi was any indication of Arnavji's love for her, then he must love her very much indeed. This thought brought on a smile. When a hand lifted her chin she found herself looking into the smiling eyes of Arnav.

"You are very happy today, Arnavji?", Khushi asked softly.

"Very."

"You'll never know how much your smile lights me up, or your laughter fills my soul, making all the little problems of the day disappear"

"Because Mamiji cornered me and I was struggling to find an answer?"

"No. Because you were trying to defend me."

Khushi stared at him with eyes wide open.

"Especially after I had done something indefensible."

"You'll never know how much pride I hold in my heart for the person you are and the things you do ... for your strength and your gentleness, your courage and your determination, your accomplishments and your dreams"

Khushi gave him a look she normally reserved for toddlers in Omkar who did things they were not supposed to do.

"And because ...", Arnav continued, his soft, husky voice sending a thrill down her spine. "...And because I got to kiss you. Many times."

Khushi looked away.

"You'll never know how much it means to me

when you say something thoughtful and totally unexpected... usually just at the moment I need it most"

Arnav caught hold of her chin gently, and tried to turn her face towards him. Khushi twisted her face away.

He took hold of her hands.

"So the mehendi has come out very dark.", he mused, smiling.

"You'll never know how much I need you by my side... in the best of times and the worst of times

and all the times in between"

Khushi tried to pull her hands away from his, but he held on firm. Khushi looked away. A solitary tear made its slow way down her cheek.

"Khushi?", Arnav breathed. "What is wrong?"

Khushi shook her head.

"Khushi..?", The urgency in his voice made his voice huskier still.

"It really doesn't matter where we are

or what we're doing, as long as you know

I love you with all my heart and soul.

You'll never know how much"

Khushi tightened her fingers around his.

"Did anyone say... say anything to h..hurt you?"

"No." Khushi spoke through a choked throat.

"What is wrong, Khushi?" He cupped her cheeks. "Why are you crying?"

"I... I don't know...", Khushi whispered.

"Tears have always been easier to shed than explain" ~ Marty Rubin

Arnav frowned.

"Arnavji, I..I don't know what is happening to me. I..I feel like crying at the smallest of things... I have been getting upset over the slightest of problems during the last few days..."

"Tears are the safety valve of the heart when too many pressure is laid on it"

Arnav looked at her, astonished.

"One moment I am laughing at something... and the next moment I am crying!", she pouted.

Arnav pulled her into his arms, close to his heart. A small smile danced on his lips.

"I Believe.. I believe in you and the healing that comes from laughter, tears and stories shared. I believe in the wisdom that can be found in having fun... and in the bonds that are formed out of trust and honesty. I believe in the strength of one hand holding. I believe in sharing special moments... That's what life's all about"

Khushi put her arms around him, burrowing into his hold, all tight and snug.

"It is normal, Khushi.", he whispered. "I checked online. It is all a play of the hormones because of the baby."

Khushi looked at him in astonishment. "It is normal, Arnavji?"

Arnav nodded, smiling.

"You checked, Arnavji?"

Arnav nodded. "When we knew you were pregnant, I read up on all the details on the net."

Khushi curled further into his embrace.

"That's what tears are for, you know, to wash away the fear and cool the hate" ~ Laurie R. King

"I hate to cry, Arnavji.", Khushi whispered a while later. "Even in the hospital... Baba used to say that my tears had dried up in the fire, making me a strong woman."

"Courage is grace under pressure"

~ Ernest Hemingway

Arnav kissed her hair, feeling his throat close.

"Even when my legs hurt, when the children fell ill, when it was difficult to find the money for the fees and the utilities..., I never cried. Baba used to say that if I came across a difficulty, I would stare it in the face and put it to shame, till it had no other option but to move out of my way."

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear." ~ Nelson Mandela

Arnav swallowed.

"But now... I get angry for no reason... upset over silly things..."

Khushi cupped Arnav's face.

"I am sorry, Arnavji! For being so angry with you."

"You are A Very Special Man...

Because you give so much and expect so little in return... Because you're a man who genuinely cares about others... Because you make such a difference in the lives you touch... I LOVE YOU my very own Special Man"

A tear trailed down her cheek. Khushi made an exasperated sound, and tried to wipe it away. But Arnav caught hold of her arm.

He leaned forward, and kissed the tear away from her face.

"Love is made up of three unconditional properties in equal measure:

1. Acceptance 2. Understanding 3. Appreciation

Remove any one of the three and the triangle falls apart.

So, for the love of a triangle, please keep love whole" ~ Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

He lifted her in his arms, and laid her on the bed. He got in beside her, and whispered in her ear, "Your tears, your anger, your smile, your love... they are all mine. Only mine, Khushi. I will not let anyone else have them."

"From the beginning of time... we were meant to be together... perfect partners... soulmates forever"

He moved towards her trembling lips, his eyes on their plump, pink contours...

"The sunlight claps the earth,

and the moonbeams kiss the sea:

what are all these kissings worth,

if thou kiss not me?"

~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

Seeing the glow of happiness on the face of all the four girls, all assembled thought it to be the result of wedding festivities! Being summoned by none other than Arnav Singh Raizada himself showed the elders that it was for some essential work. They couldn't even dream of a naughty Arnav. If he had called just Kushi they would have caught him. Since he had called all the four they had no inkling of his thoughts. That was an X-Factor! ...A hard to describe influence or quality.

But Mamiji possessor of sharp mind and eyes was not convinced. That is an X-Factor! ...A special talent or quality.

Even Kushi's answer that he called to ask about the arrangements and then about their happiness doesn't assuage her doubt! But Nani who knows Arnav now to be a family man is extremely happy that he cares so much for the happiness of all the girls! And says if Kushi says so then it is so! So is Buaji. She feels her neice Payal is lucky to have got such a caring brother-in-law. The trust that Kushi and Arnav had built for themselves in their family comes to the fore. When they say anything it becomes undisputed. That is an X-Factor! ...A variable in a situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.

When Mami was still persistant the ringing of the door bell comes to Kushi's rescue! She was feeling uncomfortable to defend Arnav's naughty deeds when the trust of the family was being displayed. The call bell conveniently distracted their attention to the door and saved Kushi from embarrassment. That too can be termed as an X-Factor! ...An important element with unknown consequences.

The entry of Raj and Rani Kishore to RM, was a surprise and changed the course of discussion. Their first sight of their Bahuriya Aarti was a picture of joy for them. They were extremely happy with their son's choice. It resulted in a bone crushing hug for Aarti from her mother- in-law. This acceptance with joy was an X-Factor for Aarti who was apprehensive of them accepting a girl with short hair! ...A variable in a situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.

The appearance of Rani Kishore with short hair, shirt and trousers, was in itself an element of surprise for Aarti. It made her realize that she could fit in the Kishore family easily. That was an X-Factor for Aarti too! ...A variable in a situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.

During the siesta time, when Kushi sees a smiling Arnav, she asks him he must be extremely happy today. When he affirms it, she asks whether he was happy for her being cornered by mami, he says it is because she was defending him in a situation that was on shaky foundation and she succeeded in it! All through his life he had always defended himself and now his soulmate had shown him that she would stand by him through thick and thin! This was an

X-Factor for him! ...A hard to describe influence or quality.

Hearing from Kushi that she hates crying. She had not shed tears neither as a kid of 8 years battling with burns, later when her legs would give away due to strain, when the children fell ill, nor when they had difficulty to make ends meet at Baba's orphanage. This was an X-Factor for him!

...A hard to describe influence or quality.

When Kushi repeated how Baba used to describe her "if I came across a difficulty, I would stare it in the face and put it to shame, till it had no other option but to move out of my way", it showed her grit, strength and courage against adversities. It showed her stoic acceptance of what the fate had in store for her and making the best of every situation she had to face. This took him by surprise! This was also an X-Factor for him! ...A variable in a situation that could have the most significant impact on the outcome.

Kushi unaware of her pregnancy harmones playing with her emotions and taking her on a rollercoaster ride, is made aware of it by her husband and he soothed her with tender loving care. This was an X-Factor for her! ...A special talent or quality.

So it was an X-FACTOR all the way!

That's it from me . Hope you enjoy it!

sorry to hear abt ur condition take ur time
lovely update BTW 😊😊

i cnt find it in the blog !!!!

Smita,

Part 92.