Part-21:
Arnav: Marry me...
Khushi was just looking at his back...his stiffed figure which showed nothing...she wanted to see his face to ensure that what she heard was not wrong...she was trying to sink the sentence in her head...just when the door opened...Khushi turned to see Shyam and Akash entering the room with another black suited man...she looked at them bewildered...when she heard Arnav's voice...
Arnav: Come...everything ready??
Khushi looked at his face which showed nothing but a restlessness as if he is losing something but he wants to grab it...in anyway he can...
Shyam: Everything is ready...
Akash: We just need your signatures...
Arnav: Good...
Khushi was moving her eyes from one face to another according to their statements...lastly she looked at Arnav...who was looking down...then looked at her...
Arnav: Lets sign the papers Khushi...
Khushi looked at him perplexedly...she couldn't perceive the whole event happening in front of her...her throat was getting dry...she was looking at him with disbelief...she wanted to ask him what was happening...she wanted to ask him why does he want to marry her...she wanted to ask why will she marry him...and more than that...she wanted to ask him why this is not a proposal but a declaration from him...why didn't he ask her out of love...but like a business proposal...
Arnav was looking at her very intently...he knew she has lots questions in her mind...but he can't waste time...he'll answer her everything...right now its important to ensure her security...and her security is with him...when she'll be his wife...no one can harm her...at least not in any business manner...he doesn't know what he feels for her...but he'll do anything to save her from any kind of rupture...
Khushi was looking at Arnav...with no expression just a confusion...which no one but Arnav can clear...
Khushi: Don't we need to talk??
Arnav still looking at her...without any answer...he looked at others...
Arnav: We need to talk...Akash call Payal, Aman and Lav...we need all of them...
He looked at Khushi...with a look which was stating that he wants Khushi's trust...and for his lucky star Khushi understood...Khushi's confused stare converted into a soft pleading stare...
Everyone went out of the room...Shyam stood outside the room...guarding the door...so that Karan or anyone else don't get the chance to peep in...Akash went to call Payal...Shyam informed Suzy to ask Aman and Lavanya to come to conference room after some time...Shyam was ready today...he can't take risk...he was ready with all the evidence...all the proofs...this was indeed a master plan...it can go on anyway...it can ruin anyone...actually everyone related to AK...
Inside Conference Room
Arnav: Khush sit...
Khushi looked at him...and took a seat...Arnav came beside her..took her hand in his...Khushi looked at him...who was looking down at their entwined hands...she was really confused...
Arnav: Khush...Karan...he is planning to ruin AK...us...if not ruining us then something which I haven't figured out yet...but we'll get to know that very soon...in this period...I just need one thing from you...
Khushi was looking at him confounded...she just wanted him to open up...this man...with such less words...making her go crazy...she can't see him like this...she can't tolerate that he is losing grip of his confidence...she tightened her grip on his hand...
Khushi: What Arnie??
Arnav was looking down...when Khushi cupped his face with one hand...forced him to look at her...she saw those caramel eyes...confidence..which was his strain...losing some where...but his face was expressionless...it was having that firmness...Khushi thanked her Devi Maiya for this...but also prayed to give her strength for whatever was coming in front of her...
Arnav looked at her...he saw those hazel eyes...the eyes he admired for its purity...the confidence he was losing...the aura which always wondered him how mysterious his best friend was...and today he will change it...he will change their relation...he'll name it...but not for this company...not for any business..he will change because he wants to...he can live without her...but can't see her with someone who will never understand her...and Karan is not a trust worthy man at all...
Arnav: Trust...
Khushi looked at him with watery smile...as if he was asking for something which he already had...
Khushi: And??
Arnav: I want you..to be with me...always...
Khushi: Ask for something you don't have...
Arnav's face lit up with relief...he knew Khushi will never deny...but he was little confused...he knew she didn't like that Karan...but he didn't want to give himself false hope...he knew Khushi will always be with him...but he wanted to hear it from her...
When Khushi looked at Arnav's shocked but relieved face...she smiled mindlessly...but got surprised when she was pulled to a warm and tight hug...as if his breathe was depending on it...Khushi reciprocated that hug...she knew she wanted this...this warmth...this fieriness...this caring...but not this much...she wanted more...because one thing she knew...she always wanted this...a name...a name which will never be questioned...and from today...their friendship will be more firm...more than everything...not out of love...but out of everything...
A knock at the door...they broke their hug...stood up...everyone entered...Payal was looking perplexed...she came to Khushi...who gave her warm smile...as a assurance that she knew what she wants and what she is doing...Aman and Lavanya were confused...
Aman: What the hell is this??
Lavanya: I always told you that these guys are hiding something...
Aman: Really?? You told me??
Lavanya rolled her eyes with irritation...Akash and Payal giggled...Shyam all serious...Arnav with his signature smirk...Khushi little blushing...which didn't go unnotice by Arnav...
Arnav: O...Someone can blush..!!
Khushi looked at him with wide eyes...at that moment everyone laughed out loud...Khushi looked down with embarrassment...
Shyam: Okay fine guys...now we need to do all the formalties...
He turned to see Arnav and Khushi...who were standing side by side...
Shyam: Look guys..I know all these are very sudden...Khushi...Arnav took this decision...and now you are ready I guess...So before going forward let me clear something...I prepared all the papers before asking you...so Arnav has put some clause in this marriage agreement...I mean this will be a register marriage..so you can put some clauses if you want...though Arnav has already put one clause...that if you want, you can back out from this relation anytime...and Arnav will not have any kind of right to hold you back...
Khushi was shocked to hear this last line...she looked at Arnav with a sight of anger...Arnav was not looking at her...and before she could ask him something...he answered...
Arnav: Khush woh...when I was planning to ask you..it was not normal..you know...so...I was quite confused...I didn't want to pressurize you...but this was necessary...so I had to think of something which can save us and also give you the liberty to take the decision of your own life...
Then he looked at her...Khushi gave him a "Crazy guy" look...she smiled smoothly...and nodded with Shyam...Shyam then asked them to sit and asked the marriage lawyer to proceed with the formalities...Lavanya became witness for Khushi...and Aman became witness for Arnav...all of them signed the papers...and then the marriage counselor announced them Arnav and Khushi as Husband and Wife...
Everyone in the conference room wished them... congratulated them...suddenly the door got knocked...the marriage registrar took all the papers in a file to submit in the court when Shyam gestured him...Shyam had already told him about the secrecy of the matter...so he was co-operating him...
Arnav asked the person to enter the room...when everyone's smile faded little...Karan looked at everyone with huge smile...
Karan: Having party aren't we??
Arnav took Khushi's hand possessively...composed himself...masked his face with his ASR avatar...
Arnav: Yeah Karan...the success party...of today's fashion show..!!
**Here I present the Biggest Wedding of the season..!! Hope you'll like it...well may be you guys will think that there are some loop holes...but I want to assure that I'll look after them...if you find any mistake do let me know...
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HAPPY READING!!😊
Anupamaa
Financial markets and global economy
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