FF : Start Of Something Good ~ Ch.10 Pg.117 08/06 - Page 17

Chapter 3

The time had arrived. The family had to be brought into their secret. Arnav and Khushi looked at each other, silently communicating how delicately this had to be handled. Khushi smiled a small, trusting smile, thanking Devi Maiyya to have brought such a tactful man in her life, whom she could trust to handle any situation carefully.

People who have siblings would understand what happened next, easily. Though, at most times, one would have all tendencies to strangle one's sibling, at times it is indeed advantageous to have a soul who understands and accepts you for what one is unconditionally! No matter how annoying one's habits are! Such an imperative moment occurred in Arnav and Anjali's life, as Arnav turned to his sister, notifying that the time was ripe to strike the deal. Arnav knew that Anjali knew about his interest in Khushi, and it was high time to exploit that knowledge of hers. Being the honed businessman that he was, Arnav knew that a second late or a second early could cost him millions. Here too he applied the same logic. He just had to let his always-enthusiastic-about-Chotey's-lovelife Anjali and Naniji to the job, and soon he would be marrying Khushi -again!

He loved his family, yes. But what he felt for Khushi was above all that. So these people did not have to know about what had happened that evening. This was the best way, he thought, for he highly doubted the Guptas to be open-minded about his and Khushi's hasty wedding, and he added his Mamiji to the category of narrow-minded people too. Besides, his own Di would flip, he knew for sure, and Nani would be no less. Too much drama, he thought to himself and decided that this was the best way out of it. Even after years, questions would be asked behind their backs. Not like he cared. But it would bother Khushi and what bothered her, he would kill. Period. Besides, he had seen the wistful sigh that had escaped from her plump lips as she saw the people cheering Payal and Akash while they got bound in a wedlock, and he had seen her recall her own silent, spectator-less wedding. Well, that can be easily resolved now, he thought as his signature smirk made way to his devilishly handsome face.

It was a galore of silent, eye-to-eye talks, as Anjali next had a similar mute conversation with her Nani. Easily understandable by Nani who had witnessed it all through her experienced eyes. "Madhumatiji? You have the answer to that prayer right in front of your eyes, and you don't seem to realize it..." Devyani Raizada reproved the portly woman in front of her. Madhumati made a show of confusion that arose in her mind, and Devyani very proudly presented her eldest grandson as the remedy to her prayer. The reaction of the remaining Raizada clan was an amazed one, except for Shyam's, as he felt a maddening rage rise in his malevolent mind. The reaction of the Gupta family was wholly reasonable. To say that they were gobsmacked would be an understatement. They sat with their mouths open for a minute and a half!

Madhumati regained her senses back and imagined Khushi's future, which would be filled with millions of "What the-"s and "Laad Governor kahin ke!!"s. What kind of a life would it be! The horror!! She could not accept such a life for her precious niece! NEVER! But she had the sagacity to decline this proposal politely, not wanting to offend Payal's in-laws, and she formed the basis for it by saying, "I am honoured that you think that you find Khushi as a match for your grandson. But we are not really sure whether Arnav babua even likes our Khushi, let alone accepting her as his wife, Nandkisore..."

Khushi raised her alarmed eyes to meet Arnav's sharp gaze. What was he doing?! Why was he not telling them that they were already married?! Was he waiting for a good time? She looked at the smugly confident face of her husband's face and she immediately knew that he had planned this. Why had he not informed her about his plan earlier? She pouted mentally, and saw Arnav smiling with his eyes, reassuring her that she was worrying without a reason and said in a composed voice, "You are mistaking me, buaji. My anger was not towards Khushi. It was never for her credit." His eyes travelled to smile at her indulgently, and he continued, "Be rest assured that she will be perfectly happy with me." His devotion for Khushi was put in an open display in his eyes and all the apprehension the Guptas had, melted away at that moment, with just that single smile. Madhumati turned to her brother, who smiled acceptingly from his wheelchair and then to Garima, who nodded happily. Finally she expressed her approval to Devyani Singh Raizada.

NK cheered for Khushiji and his Nannav, and all the members joined him soon enough. He had seen the moony eyes these two had for each other and knew that something had been cooking from day one! He also saw the rage in Shyam jijaji's eyes as he glared at Nannav. What was the matter with him?! That thought was soon pushed away as he saw Anjali squeal with delight and started planning her beloved brother's wedding with blatant delight.

This went on for a while, before the Guptas decided to take leave, "Chalo bhi, Sanka Devi!" buaji chided her niece, and Arnav immediately felt himself going stiff with censure. He would never - not at any cost - let his wife spend their first married night away from him! He would have to go to her, if she was being removed from his presence forcefully, he decided. Stealth was never his style, for he did what he wanted to do, not giving a damn about what the world would say. But he had to get accustomed to it too - if only for a few more days, until Khushi officially became his - thanks to his decision about keeping his family in the dark about his marriage. Arnav's disappointed sigh was not missed by his Nani, who suggested that Khushi should stay back so that Payal would wake up to at least one familiar face. She was Arnav Singh Raizada's grandmother, after all, and she used every trick in her basket to persuade her new family. Though Garima felt hesitant about leaving her unmarried daughter under the same roof as her prospective groom's, she believed in the older Raizada woman implicitly, and had to finally cave in.

***

Khushi helped Payal to the centre of the bed in her new room. Anjaliji was graceful enough to let the sisters alone for a while, and Khushi grabbed the chance to whisper in her jiji's ear, "Jiji? Are you afraid?" Payal's brows gathered amidst her smile as she asked, "Why should I be afraid? I am nervous, yes. But afraid? No." Concerned as she was, about Khushi's marriage being arranged with the Arnav Singh Raizada, she asked in her usual, delicate yet firm manner, "Akash Arnavji thodi na hai? Jo hum unse darr jaaye? Waise, tujhe ab Arnavji se darr nahi lagta hai kya? Jo unse shaadi karne ke liye tune itni aasaani se haan kardi? Unka ghussa tum seh paogi, Khushi? Unke saath kya tum sach main khush reh paogi?"

Truth being said, Khushi felt a little miffed that Arnavji had such a false image in everybody's eyes. But she comforted herself that she too had associated Arnavji with his ghussa only, until he had let her see what he really was. All those different facets to the man, and all the other things that he was. She had not seen even a glimpse of them until he had wanted her to see them. Talk about being manipulative! Arnav Singh Raizada influences the whole world to see him as an ill-tempered man. But she knew differently now, did she not? He was the best-est husband a woman could ever get, Khushi decided. Even his ghussa, ready to burst forth at the drop of the hat seemed adorable to her at that moment.

"Tum humaare baare main chinta math karo, jiji." Khushi reassured her sister, and imitated Arnav very poorly as she said, "Unho ne kaha na? Be rest assured that she will be perfectly happy with me." The sisters giggled, and Payal accepted her sister's answer with an understanding smile. Khushi heard Anjali trying to coerce some money out of Akash at the entrance of the room. She wished her sister to have a happy time, complete with a lascivious wink, and rushed to get her share of whatever Anjaliji was getting. They both stripped Akash's purse and after pushing him into his room, and locking his door, they turned to see Arnav standing a little away from them, his eyes on Khushi, amused with her antics. Anjali cleared her throat to get her brother's attention, and she teased, "Waise Chotey, tayaar rehna. Kuch hi dinon main tum bhi aise hi haalathon se guzarnewaale ho!"

Khushi blushed for the umpteenth time in that day alone. What is with these Raizada siblings and making me blush endlessly?! Khushi pouted mentally, though a part of her mind jumped with unexpected thrill, as she thought that she would be alone with him. But I would have to wait for Devi Maiyya knows how many days! What was the necessity to hide our marriage from their families?! Khushi wondered as her lips jutted out in an appealing pout. She turned to Anjali and said, "Di, I am very tired. Hum sone jaa rahe hai."

"I'll show you to your room." Arnav volunteered, and Khushi replied tartly, "Koi zaroorat nahi! Hum jaante hai ki guest room kaha hai." Arnav easily ignored that, as if he had not heard a word of it, and held a hand at the small of her back as he steered her towards the guest room. Anjali shook her head as she wondered how her brother's marital life would be, what with this hot-headed duo!

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Saiyyu gave such an honest answer to all my doubts - and with so much patience at that! I am giving a sneakpeek of what's coming next... All thanks to her! 😉

Thanku, Saiyu Rani...🤗

Precap :

He entered her room behind her, shut the door and locked it, before he turned to her. Seeing him like this, Khushi herself threw her questions out of the window. Everything and everybody else could wait. She had her husband with her for the first time - alone - and she could see a similar emotion invade his eyes too. She closed the distance between them and walked into the open and expecting arms of Arnav's.

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