ARHI FF: Do you feel loved? Note|Sep11|Pg75*NEW - Page 21

what a rewarding journey of love this has been. but please keep the flow of the updates so that we dont miss out on this wonderful tale

this is very well written. Loved the confession. Waiting to read further twists.

Continue soon and pm me when u update.

Part 15 - Family Matters

'Hello?'

'Anju? Hi! I spoke to my parents just now. And they want the wedding to happen soon.'

Anjali gripped her phone and closed her eyes, not being able to stop the tears from flowing down her face. She had never felt this happy before. They had waited so long for this moment that she was beginning to be afraid that it was never going to happen. Shyam's parents were very traditional Lucknowi people and they wanted a girl of their choice from Lucknow for Shyam. Anjali was way too rich and way too modern for their taste. His mother was constantly worried about the fact that her son lived alone in the US and didn't get to eat home cooked food everyday or come home to a wife who would be home every day, waiting for him. She did not want Shyam to settle down in the US permanently and him getting married to Anjali would mean that he would never return to Lucknow. Shyam, being an obedient, eldest son of his parents, didn't want to get married against their wishes nor was he willing to let Anjali go. He was too deeply in love with her to even think of bowing down to his parents' wishes. So they did the next best thing...they waited! They had been waiting for 6 years now and his parents were finally convinced that if they had to see their son married...ever...then they have to accept Anjali. So they had finally given in and blessed the couple.

'Anjali? Sweetheart? Are you there?'

'I'm here Shyam. Just overwhelmed at the news. I can't believe it's finally happening!'

'It was bound to happen Anju. I can't tell you how happy I am. You are the best thing that's happened to me and I love you more every day for not forcing me and waiting patiently. Thanks for understanding my predicament. Now, all we of have to do is look forward to a lifetime full of happiness together. I want to come over in the evening and talk to you and your parents. Can you please let them know?'

'Yes, I will. Dad will be so happy! And I have to call Akash and Arnav!'

Shyam laughed. Of course, Anju had to call her Chotey. Anjali and Akash were twins and they were tuned to each other to such an extent that it scared everyone sometimes. They had a special, unspoken bond that no one could understand. They would communicate silently without saying anything and when one was sad or troubled, the other one would sense it immediately. They were inseparable. Akash was Anjali's pillar of strength these past 6 years as Anjali and Shyam went through a rough patch with his parents. It was a testimony to their love and Akash was with her every step of the way. He wanted his 'twinny' to settle down soon, although the thought of her going away to her husband's house gave him nightmares! But it was Arnav who had the ability to twirl everyone in his house on his fingers...especially his Di! Although he was only 2 years younger, his Di mothered him no end and was constantly fussing around him and worrying about him. She felt a li'l sad thinking that she would be leaving soon and Arnav would have just gotten back home after 2 years. But she would see him at work every day and she wouldn't be living all that far either. That gave her some consolation...that and...Khushi! Anjali smiled thinking about her. She was like a bright ray of sunshine in her brother's dark and dull life. Arnav was the most affected of the 3 siblings of the lack of love and care from their parents. Kishore Singh Raizada and Parvati Singh Raizada were 2 very busy people who didn't have time for their children. They both thrived in their business world, expanding globally which meant constant travelling, attending parties and board meetings. Their idea of raising children meant getting them all the material things that they desired. Money was aplenty while there was a lack of love and laughter and togetherness in their house. Anjali sighed heavily. She realized that she would be relying heavily on Khushi to save her Arnav from going deeper into that dark place where he seemed to constantly live. She shook herself out of her wayward thoughts and picked up her phone. She had a lot of people to call to convey the good news.

* * * * *

Anjali, Akash, their parents and Shyam were assembled in the family room of their palatial house at 8 pm that night. Shyam looked visibly nervous and Anjali wondered about what was bothering him for the umpteenth time. He looked at Kishore Singh Raizada swirling the ice in his scotch and eyeing Shyam with a smile on his face. They had all sat down to talk after a big round of hugs and smiles and congratulations, with a drink in their hand.

Shyam took a big swig of his scotch and cleared his throat. 'Uncle, Aunty, first of all I want to thank you for being so patient and understanding all these years. Anjali and I couldn't have been here, having this discussion, if it wasn't for your family's support. As you know, I come from humble beginnings and my parents have sacrificed a lot for my education and upbringing. I just couldn't cut all ties with them. I could never have been completely happy with Anju had that happened. The guilt would eat away at me. But they have finally agreed to this wedding wholeheartedly'

'Shyam, my boy, we are very proud of you both. You are mature, responsible adults and we had complete faith in you guys. I'm glad our Anjali will be lovingly accepted as a daughter into your home. As parents we couldn't have asked for more' Kishore Singh Raizada thumped Shyam's back.

'Uncle, my parents have just one condition for this wedding' Shyam hesitated.

All eyes were trained on him now. Even Anjali had no clue what he was talking about.

'They want the wedding to be in Lucknow'

* * * * *

'Hi, you've reached Dr. Khushi Gupta. I'm sorry I'm unable to take your call at the moment. But please leave me a message and I'll call you back as soon as possible. Thank you and have a great day!'

Arnav threw his cell phone on the bed, frustrated! This was the 10^th time he was calling her in the past 3 hours. She had neither picked up his calls nor called him back! Arnav was still seething with rage when his phone rang. He picked it up without looking at the screen and barked into it...

'What!?'

'Arnav? What's wrong?'

'Khushi! Where the hell were you dammit? And weren't you picking up my calls?' he yelled.

Khushi flinched at his harsh tone. 'I was in surgery Arnav. It was an emergency.'

'Oh yeah! I totally forgot that you are a hot shot doctor now! I'm sure it must be very hard for you to find time for us mere mortals! Tell me Khushi, when is your next available appointment? I will take it and talk to you then!' Arnav's taunt was dripping with sarcasm.

Khushi was shocked to hear Arnav talk like this. She couldn't understand what had brought this on and her eyes filled with tears.

'Arnav! Why are you talking like this? This is my work! I love doing this...I love being a surgeon and I'm working hard so that I can get a cardio fellowship in a year's time. I've dreamed of this for so long...you know that! How can you be so insensitive?'

Arnav cursed under his breath hearing her teary voice. He really needed to control his anger and learn to be more understanding.

'Khush! Please don't cry! I'm so sorry! I miss you! I wanted to talk to you so badly that I got frustrated'

Khushi was still sniffing and that made Arnav's heart clench. He wished he were back home so that he could take her in his arms and console her. He never imagined that he would be this lovesick.

'Khushi? Baby, please!'

'It's ok Arnav. I miss you too! I can't wait to see you. Please come back soon.'

'I will. Just 3 more days Khush. Ok, let me tell you why I was desperate to talk to you. Did Di call you?'

'I don't know if she did. I haven't checked my phone properly. I had so many missed calls but I called you first. Why?'

'Shyam Jiju's parents have finally agreed. They are setting a wedding date as we speak. It might be as early as in a month! Can you believe it?'

'What?! Are you serious? That's the best news I've heard in a long time! Oh! I'm sooo happy for them! Finally!'

'Khush! They want the wedding to be in Lucknow!'

'Lucknow!!! Oh my God Arnav!! How can that be? We all live here!'

'I know! But Dad is actually pretty excited! Since he's originally from Lucknow too, he is very happy that we can finally go back there and spend some time.'

'Oh!'

'Khushi? Whats wrong?'

'I don't know if I can come! How can I take so much time off? It's impossible! I'm an intern!'

'What are you saying? How can you not come? Don't you get any time off?'

'I do! I get 3 weeks vacation plus a 'reading week', but I'm not sure if my attending will allow me to take all that time off at once! I will have to check'

Arnav was stunned! He was excited about the whole Lucknow wedding thing, thinking about getting so much time to spend with Khushi.

'Don't worry about it too much now Khush. Let's wait for the dates to be fixed and then I can ask Dad to speak to Dr. Shepherd, ok?'

'Arnav, no! You don't understand! I have to respect the hierarchy and go through my attending. Please, just be patient and don't do anything drastic. Promise me?'

Arnav sighed and promised her. They spoke for a few more minutes before Khushi's pager went off and she had to rush. Arnav ran a hand through his hair, frustrated again! He wondered how he will be able to enjoy his much awaited Di's wedding if his Khushi were not with him.

* * * * *

A/N: Sorry for this part. I know this is kind of a filler. But this was important to show the dynamics of the relationship between the other characters. Now that Arnav and Khushi have let go of their past and confessed their love, I need the help of these other characters to take the story forward. I've read tons of stories on this forum and I've never come across Anjali-Shyam wedding. It's always been either Payal-Akash or Arnav-Khushi. So I thought this will be a good change. And Shyam is not evil in this story. I hope you guys don't mind that! 😊

Oh and I have mentioned my only other favorite male character after Arnav Singh Raizada...McDreamy!

You just jumped up the level of excitement in this story big time!

Originally posted by: Nidsubh007

You just jumped up the level of excitement in this story big time!

I love the idea of a Anjali & Shayam wedding and that too in Lucknow.

The fact that your showing the reality of a relationship between Khushi and Arnav is fantastic. Busy lives, careers, family, everything has to be balanced between two people. I am so excited to see how they manage everything without Arnav loosing it! 😆

Great update!

I totally stalk your thread. Thanks for the quick update.

Even it's been a filler, it was a wonderful update.

Really gd idea to show Anjali-Shyam wedding here on IF.

I hope u will let Khushi go with them to Lucknow. Coz what will be Lucknow without Khushi? 😉

And yes one more thing. U r also right with Arnav to have control his anger, he made Khushi cry without reason. Not nice Arnav.

I loved this chapter... Anjali & Shyam getting married nice, Shyam not a sleazy character, even nicer 😃 Loved to see the angst of ArHi... Arnav getting justifiably upset with Khushi & poor Khushi tied to her demanding work was very nicely written to portray their emotions & frustrations about their situations... Very realistically portrayed...

Awww anji Shyam wedding.. In Lucknow ...can't wait fr that.. Lovely update ..:) thnk u..:)

So the marriage is in Lucknow ...wonder what will be stored there for Arhi
looking forward to the next part :)