ARHI FF: MASTERCLASS THREAD 7- NEWCHAPTER 69 PG126 - Page 70

Amazing update.. Khushi and Arnav made for each other.. I loved when khushi supports Arnav.. N Nani she so.so sweet.. :)

Oh Naina your nani will be proud of you ..really girl.. she must be really proud fo you and she will long live in yourheart..

Don't tell it is not best...it is amazing i can feel ur pain bcoz i lost my grandpa 15days before am missing him badly i was close to him...thanks for writing this part...if u can plz pm me for next updates

A beautiful chapter, I started reading this FF a couple of days back. I read all 66 chapters in one go ! :😃.

I am so sorry for your loss dear...no amount of words can help your pain..

It was a wonderful update...u r a great writer...i didn't read all d updates only a few i've read wen time permits i'll surely read those...lovely story ...

I am so sorry for your loss.

Hey Naina,

Read the chap now...again wonderfully penned update from you...loved how Khushi defended her hubby...eagerly waiting for the next part...thanks for the PM.

Cheers,
Sai_Neha

Chapter 68

Neither knew how long they were there for as they both tried desperately to control their fears and dread as they battled to push those emotions back into the dark recesses of their mind. It was irrational they both knew, but silently they both knew that Nani's words had hit home; deep down they were petrified of losing each other and what they had shown her was fake bravado. The irritating need to deeply breath much needed oxygen into their burning lungs inevitably meant that the their tight embrace had to be broken. Resting their foreheads against each other, both Arnav and Khushi stared at each other. Words felt superficial. Touch felt soothing and comforting. Inevitably a voice from outside their room finally broke their quiet and alerting them to dinner.

Drawing apart hesitantly, Arnav and Khushi silently walked down the stairs towards the dining room. The buzz of the chatter from both their families floated up towards them as they made their way into the room. Khushi watched Arnav as he took his seat and she hesitated slightly. Unsure of what the protocol was in the Raizada household, Khushi wondered if she was expected to serve members of the family before taking her seat? Hesitantly she looked around the table where everyone was beginning to take their seats. The dining table had been extended to accommodate Khushi's family but looking around; one wouldn't be able to identify who was from which family. Shashi Gupta and Arnav's mamaji sat side by side, Nani and Buaji were opposite each other with Garima and Manorama Mamiji on either side. Payal had strategically positioned herself between Akash and NK while Anjali sat directly opposite them. Arnav's hand on the small of her back brought her back to present as he prompted her to take a seat on the chair he had pulled out for her. Glancing around Khushi saw that everyone was already beginning to serve themselves so she took her seat as Arnav did the same. Perplexed at the one remaining empty chair, Khushi wondered if anyone else was going to be joining them. She didn't have to wait for very long as Aman strode in.

Aman greeted the elders and then exchanged casual hellos with everyone before taking his seat. He knew it wasn't a coincidence that the only empty chair sat right beside Anjali. He shrugged his jacket off and placed it on the back of the chair and no one else noticed the half smile as he took a seat and took her hand in his under the table; he knew full well she would have coordinated the seating so that he had ended up near her. While this sneaking around had really irritated him in the beginning of their relationship, Aman had now begun to look forward to these stolen moments with Anjali.

The chatter around the dinner table continued through the meal and gradually everyone retired to the lounge for tea and coffee. Shashi Gupta spoke up, 'Deviyani-ji, Garima, I and Khushi's buaji have decided that we will travel to Lucknow tomorrow. We have our family home there and we all think it's time we visited,' he said quietly. Deviyani was just about to respond when Arnav spoke, 'Uncle is something wrong? Are you uncomfortable here?' he asked with concern. Khushi looked at her babu-ji who shook his head and she instantly knew that her babu-ji's decision didn't have anything to do with the need to visit Lucknow, but more to do with the fact that her amma and babu-ji didn't want to intrude in the home of their daughter's in-laws. Khushi quickly spoke before her father could. 'Amma isn't Vimla Mausi's daughter also getting married soon in Lucknow? You and Bua-ji have been looking forward to that all year,' she said. Shashi Gupta exchanged a grateful look with his daughter, a look which wasn't missed by Deviyani Raizada.

As she watched father and daughter, Deviyani couldn't help but remember what it was like to be the parent of a daughter in the home of her daughter's in-laws. She cleared her throat, 'Lucknow is so beautiful at this time of year as well isn't it?' she said, 'I haven't visited in years, but how my heart craves to go there,' she said with added wistfulness in voice to make an impact, 'but sadly we don't have our home there anymore.' Madhumati spoke up in her usual loud and animated voice, 'Haain Deviyani-ji, how can you say that? Our home is your home. You can come there anytime your heart wishes.' Then suddenly struck by a brainwave, Madhumati continued, 'actually why don't you come with us now?' Pretending to think about it, Deviyani spoke with a deliberate hesitation, 'Oh no Madhumati-ji, I don't want to intrude and plus there's all this hungama with the media here as well'' she was interrupted by an excited Madhumati, 'Wohi toh Deviyani-ji, you must get away from all these media wale and come and enjoy some peace in Lucknow. No no, we can't leave you here,' she said emphatically, 'you must come,' she said firmly. Nodding her head innocently, Deviyani spoke, 'oh...alright, but only if you are insisting so much, and it will be very nice to be somewhere far away from those people hounding us out there. You are too kind' she said sweetly. Shaking her head, 'no, no Deviyani-ji, it will be our pleasure and beside we will get more time to spend with each other,' she said with a big smile.

The elders seemed to be so delighted with their decision that no one noticed the look of disappointment on Payal's face as she glanced at Akash. Bugger, she was only just beginning to have fun with him and now she had to go home. Why oh why, she lamented to herself. But this despair only existed for a short moment because Payal Kumari Gupta was nothing if not a strategist. She looked up and caught him looking at her and the wheels of motion began spinning even faster in her mind. Quickly winking at him, Payal cleared her throat she spoke up, 'that's a great idea bua-ji, it will be lovely to spend more time with Nani-ji. Shame that everyone will be stuck here in Delhi and they won't get a break,' she thought out innocently looking directly at Manorama, knowing she was the easiest target. Payal wasn't disappointed because Manorama began nodding earnestly, a fact which wasn't missed by her own mother. 'Cant you and bhai-saab join us?' implored Garima just as Manorama turned to look at her husband imploringly. Payal smile to herself, oh this was too easy, kind of like watching a pile of dominoes falling down. Mamaji cleared his throat, 'I guess we could go,' he began 'but we don't want to impose on you,' he said just as Shashi interjected, 'not at all Bhai-saab. It will be our pleasure to have you,' he said in a welcoming voice, grateful to have the opportunity to return the chance to offer the Raizada's their hospitality.

Payal couldn't help but look up at Akash with concealed glee. She had done her bit, now as she waited, she wondered if he got the hint.

Akash Singh Raizada struggled to keep his expression neutral as he watched her innocently manipulate their elders and as he caught her gaze and his eyes locked with hers, he couldn't help himself as he casually cleared his throat and slid his glasses up the bridge of his nose. 'Dad, why don't I drive everyone to Lucknow? That'll make things easier,' he suggested with an added tone of helpfulness as all the elders nodded. Akash couldn't help but look across the room casually leaned forward to take a piece of the sohn-paapdi from the plate on the coffee table. It was precisely then that he and his co-conspirator exchanged a short congratulatory glance of victory. Game on, Miss Gupta, thought Akash as he popped the sweet treat into his mouth.

As everyone excitedly made plans for their unexpected visit to Lucknow, Deviyani turned to Anjali who sent her an imploring look. Acknowledging her granddaughter with a slight nod of her head, Deviyani waited for a pause in conversation and then turned, 'Aman didn't you mention that you are off to Sydney in a few days to work on the AR project there?' she asked as Aman nodded, glancing at Anjali, Deviyani continued, 'and Anjali you keep talking about wanting visit NK's parents, so why don't you go now? Actually this is a really good idea, you can go now and travel there with Aman so you have a travel companion,' she added as if it was a really good afterthought. If Anjali could, she would have jumped up and given her Nani and bone crushing hug, but she simply nodded and smiled instead.

Mahendra Raizada, Akash's dad looked around the occupants of the room with satisfaction. 'Good, so it is all decided; all of us will go to Lucknow and Anjali Bitiya can go to Sydney,' he said as there were choruses of affirmation. And then his gaze landed on his nephew who was trying to hide his smile behind his coffee cup as he took a sip. Mahendra chuckled; it was every newly wedded couple's dream come true - a house free of family. Free of intrusion. With complete privacy to do whatever they wished to do.

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Deviyani Raizada frowned as she packed her little suitcase. There was still the other matter to be dealt with. Casting her mind back over the recent past, she had to concede that her Chote had undergone a transformation and her face softened as she smiled. Pausing to think about it, she decided it was something that could wait. Yes, she would talk to Arnav about it after she came back from Lucknow she decided as she snapped the little latch shut on the rather old fashioned suitcase and sat down on the edge of her bed and her grandmotherly love for her grandson suddenly overcame her and Deviyani decided that the children should be given time to enjoy their newly wedded status. Yes, it could wait.

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Hello my darlings

First I must say a heartfelt thank you for all your loving messages of support and encouragement. I cant tell you how or why - but every word of kindness that has been sent our way has helped. A very, very sincere thank you.

Coming back to this chapter, I dont think I can handle intensity at this stage, so I found relief in some light writing. I hope you are not disappointed in this chapter.

Naina😳

CHAPTER 69: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/79583450