Arhi FF: Wedding Hues-note on pg 74 - Page 32

From the author's desk: Hello people, Apologies for the delay, I was almost finished typing this update by friday and I was so held up during the weekend, that couldnt get enough time to complete it...

"Yeah.. they are!!"Payal told unwittingly only to bite back her tongue when she realized who stood next to her

"Di.. You?... I mean.. No they are '"

"I didn't know chotey had a liking for La.. I thought they were only friends'" She said as she stood watching her brother and the lady with who he was dancing'

Akaash reached there just in time when Payal looked baffled and wide eyed in the turn of events'

"Di.. we need to talk" Akaash said her as he reached there

"I know Akaash.. we need to talk to Arnav'"

"No dee" Akaash was beginning to say when a loud scream was heard followed by a thud.

Everyone who had gathered to watch the pair dance stood startled as they saw Lavanya hit the floor. Arnav had brought Lavanya to bend backward towards the floor and when she did, he had failed to support her and she lost her balance.

Lavanya stared at Arnav in shock whereas he was staring somewhere else, completely not conscious that he had let her down. Arnav was completely lost for he had just seen Khushi and NK leaving his house- together. Angst and fury raised in him, making him forget the surrounding, the dance or the fact that La as well as the rest of them are actually staring at him, he crossed La who was still down on the floor and went past the crowd of people and climbed up the stairs to his room.. La was bamboozled as she saw Arnav who hadn't even muttered a sorry to her- let alone trying to help her up.

Recovering from the shock, Anjali approached the girl on the floor.

"What happened La.. are you alright? Why did he drop you like that?"

"I don't have any idea di" La said as she struggled to stand up...

She had not expected the fall and she had landed on the floor rather in a crash, Her ankle had twisted and it hurt...

"Come up, I will give you something to apply on" Anjali said, planning to use this opportunity to talk to her Brother's girlfriend alone.

Meanwhile Akaash updated Payal of everything that transpired between Khushi and Anjali.

"Oh my god.. Di is taking La alone.. We need to go and support her or she will get into trouble'"Payal exclaimed and ran up the stairs, with Akaash on her heels.

When they both reached the upstairs landing they realized that they were already too late'

"Di? What do you mean?" Arnav asked Anjali in shock even as the other family members looked on. Akaash and Payal had no idea when Shyam, Nani, Mama and Mami made their way into the room.

Anjali was standing in front of La who was seated and had sprained her leg a little due to the fall and was applying some ointment.. And Arnav was standing there too' While La looked petrified at the questions thrown at La and Arnav' Arnav looked positively bemused.

"Don't try to hide anything from us Arnav' We know everything' Why didn't you tell us that you are in love with La?"

"What crap" Arnav sweared angrily'"who told you this? Just because we danced together'"

"Not just because you danced together' Khushi told us everything'" Anjali told Arnav

"Khushi?" Arnav asked in absolute shock "And who may I know told her that?"

"La ofcourse' She told me that La told her that you proposed her'" and then turned to La.. "Why didn't you tell me? You should have told me na? You told Khushi but you didn't tell me?"

"You told?" Arnav was stupefied as he looked at La demanding an answer' "When did I propose you?"

La stood up wincing' thinking hard what to say' as everyone else looked for an answer'

"No.. Arnav'I'I didn't.. I didnnt"

"Ok' Now I get it" Arnav said as he turned to his sister "It was her plan... So she cooked up this story'" Arnav gritted his teeth

Payal and Akaash looked at eachother in bemusement. Whatever they wished for is happening exactly opposite wise' La looked very worried at the turn of events.. But before any of them could open their mouth' they heard another voice.

"What?" Shashi bellowed behind Akaash and Payal. Payal looked in wide eyed surprise and clutched Akaash's hand in fear as Shashi and Garima entered inside

"I don't believe this' Why would Khushi cook stories about you? " Shashi asked as he also entered into the room and Garima came nodding her head in agreement.

"Yeah.. why should Khushi bitiya lie about this"

"To ..to stop the wedding' " Arnav said as he couldn't say aloud what was obvious to his mind.. No he was not going to agree that NK and Khushi were in love.. Not him'

"which wedding?" Shashi asked perplexed

Arnav blinked at him

"yours and hers? But there was no wedding in the first place' I mean you said no and she said no too" Anjali asked in a confused tone'

Arnav kept quiet'

"Lavanya you tell us' What is all this about" Nani asked finally as everything was confusing and she was wise enough to know that the truth hadn't still come out'

"Yes, Ms.Lavanya kashyap' Tell us only truth! .. Are you in love or not?" Mami started her probe

"Yes Mamiji" Lavanya told with a mixture of fear and dread

Everyone looked at her in surprise and Arnav looked at her as if both his eye balls had popped out'

"what the"

"No.. No .. I mean.. Yes I am in love but.. not with Arnav.. I love Nk"she blurted out at last.

Everyone went "what"

"but" Arnav asked getting more confused "Isnt NK .. I mean Khushi'" he threw his hands in an exasperated way' this was getting as complicated as possible'

"No Arnav'Its not Khush who is seeing NK' Its me'" La told at last

"But these past days.. I mean.." Arnav started to say but stopped as he realized the possibility that these people mught have taken him for a ride

"It was a drama,.. to make you and Khushi realize'" Lavanya started to say

"DRAMA?"Arnav asked in shock "Did you people lie to me?" Arnav asked as he gritted his teeth

Lavanya started to shiver as she stood there watching Arnav stepping closer to her with clenched hands

"I.. I' NK.. we thought.. we four' you and khushi' you both'" La tried to say but stuttered in nervousness.

Others looked at her to make out something meaningful from what she was trying to say. La finally gave up explaining why she did what she did and looked around for the two who can actually help her but haven't stepped to own it up!

As she looked around, Payal and Akaash withdrew from the room slowly

"Payal, Akaash why are you both running away' Come and help me" La shouted at them as everyone looked at the dumbstuck pair

"What do they have to do with this?" Arnav asked La

"They have everything to do with this.. They were the ones who asked me and NK to help them unite you and Khushi" La finally managed to tell a coherent sentence.

"What?" Arnav asked unbelievably and then turned to glare at his brother who walked in timidly "Unite me and Khushi?"

"Yes Bhai.. Actually we thought you both would make a good pair and were obviously holding on to some grudge which should have been long forgotten' So we played a small drama'"

Then they went on to explain everything to the entire crowd who went through a phase which was a mixture of surprise, startlement, laughter and more laughter' The only person who was getting angrier as the story progressed was Arnav. As he realized that these four had made a complete ass of him and Khushi, Anjali was laughing so hard clutching her stomach as they ended the story finally wiped her eyes of the tears

"Oh my god.. Why didn't you people tell me before' I would have played it with you all' We could have had more fun" Anjali exclaimed finally

"What the" Arnav muttered

The family also joined in the fun and everyone broke out laughing. The fact that the family and friends were having fun at Arnav's expenseirked him.

"Enough is enough" Arnav barked at them.

Silence fell on the room.

"So who is the mastermind behind this entire ridiculous drama?" Arnav asked Akaash gritting his teeth'

"Bhai.. Cool down bhai.. we only----"

"Answer me" He barked again "NK isn't it? Where is that wise-arse?"

La, Akaash and Payal blinked at him as the others looked around as Arnav flipped out his mobile and called NK's number.

"Hello Arnav' I am riding my bike right now' Shall I call you later" NK's cheerful voice broke out as soon as he picked up the call

"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?" Arnav screamed at him

"yeah... She is " NK's cheerful voice turned nervous that instant' "He knows everything, The game is up'I am goner now" thought NK as he laughed jumpily. "Actually Arnav, Khushi was not feeling well so I actually came to drop her home" Nk started to speak

"Take a U turn and come back here right now.. If I don't see you in another 15 minutes, I will strangle you when I lay my eyes on you the next time"

" Yeah.. Yeah' I am coming" NK stammered and then ended the call. Khushi who was sitting in the billion on the bike which NK had halted on the road side to take his call looked at him in a worried way.

"What happened?"

NK laughed a nervous laugh

"Nothing' Hehehe.. nothing at all Khushi' This Arnav noticed that we are missing and is asking us where we are' Come lets go back"

"No NK' You go.. I will take an auto" Khushi said firmly and got down from the bike' NK gulped ' Today is his last day on earth'

***

As NK stepped into RM, HP who was downstairs cleaning the hall after the party smiled at him.

"NK sab, Arnav babu is waiting for you in the first floor hallway"

"Oh my god.. is it a one on one meeting? I am not entering the den alone'Where is everyone else in family HP? Is only he there?"

"No NK sab, everyone is there only"

NK breathed in respite

"Ok" NK smiled at HP thankfully as climbed the stairs. If others are there, then there is a chance he will live longer.

As soon as NK stepped gingerly into the hall way in the first floor, he gasped as he got pushed roughly up the nearest wall and Arnav's strong arm was pinning his neck to the wall'

"You told me that you won't strangle me if I came now" NK sputtered trying to ease his friend's hand on his neck.

"Where is Khushi?"

"ummh'ehh'ermm' urghh' Lemmeggo" NK struggled to speak something

"Chotey.. leave him.. you will strangle him to death" Anjali warned him

"That's the idea" Arnav growled while NK struggled to free himself

Finally Arnav let him go and NK doubled with a stretch of coughs, clutching his throat

"Where is she?" Arnav asked more slowly this time, but his tone carried the impatience and annoyance that he felt within him

"She is at home.. I suppose' She took an auto home.. she said she had a headache' "

"AND YOU LET HER TAKE AN AUTO WHEN SHE WAS NOT WELL?"Arnav almost screamed at NK

"Dude.. cool down.. You threatened me that you will strangle me.. I had to rush'" NK told helplessly "And also I don't think that she was not well' She was a little upset though' you know why'"

"You tell me this after you plan that stupid drama?"

"We did that you make you both realize how stupid you both have been with respect to your feelings for eachother'" NK told his friend in a more serious tone.

Arnav stood staring at his friend'

"Misunderstandings happen Arnav.. and with a relationship like yours and Khushi's' it is a shame that it had prolonged for this long' and we did it because we knew you both belonged with each other' and Knowing you both for almost 8 years now' I was sure you both wont withstand long when the green monster is roaming around' I was right wasn't I ?"

"You are absolutely right NK" Anjali told him'

Arnav looked at his sister incredulously

"What? Don't look like that' what is life without a little love? You are not going to achieve anything with only being a workaholic' Always work work work.. One day when you turn back.. you will see that you have lost your life somewhere with all the work around you' Don't you feel a little adoori? Like you are missing something in life? "

Arnav was now glaring at his sister'

"You know you miss something.. but you wont admit' But we know what you miss' A wife!!!"

"Absolutely right Anjali bitiya' " Mami started to say' "if you go on saying no to marriage, then one day you will become bald and it will be very difficult to search for a bride for you Arnav bitwa"

"And what about your health? You need someone to look after you too- after all you are too busy to look after yourself' I am getting old and Anjali is going abroad" Nani told him

"That's why we thought we will bring the best of best for you as your wife' but then' you said no'" Anjali finished "that's why we think NK's approach was the best"

"THAT's ENOUGH" Arnav shouted at them even as he glared at all of them, everyone who had been smiling or smirking at the moment altered their faces to reflect grimness.

"Arnav.. please forget what happ'" NK started to say

Arnav turned to look at NK and silenced him.

"Chotey' Please think sensibly'"Anjali started to say

"You want me to get married right?" he asked his sister

She nodded in affirmation

"then, fine'Lets do it' I will get engaged today"

Everyone went "What?"

"Today?" Anjali was shocked "how can you'"

"Why cant I?"

"We need to invite people chotey" Nani debated

"I need only my close friends and family around' I suppose everyone is here"

"People are not the only requirement' what about the arrangements?" Anjali asked him

"I am sure you can find two rings for the engagement di' One of Dad's and one of Mom's would do" Arnav silenced her

"Saale Saab.. you are forgetting the most important requirement" Shyam told him. Arnav raised his eyebrows. Shyam smiled at his angry brother in law "The girl"

"That is MY problem Jeejaji' I will see to that there is a willing girl" Arnav told and turned to leave the room.

"A willing girl?" Shyam repeated again and exchanged looks with his wife. That was an unusual remark.

Conscious but unaffected about everyone's eye on him, Arnav turned to leave the room.

"Where are you going now?" Nani wanted to know, as much as anybody in the room

"To bring a girl'" Arnav said nonchalantly

Nani looked wide eyed at Anjali. This was taking a wrong turn' She was not going to accept any short skirt model girl as her grand-daughter in law.

"Who chotey?" Anjali asked

"Don't bother about that Di" he said in a tone which plainly told her that it was none of her business to decide on the girl' and then he paused, looking around the room. His eyes fluttered from La to Payal. Payal gulped as his eyes rested more than necessary on her and she saw him walking towards her. She tried to move more closely to Akaash who looked scared out of his wits end too' The gaze that his brother was throwing at Payal spelled menace.

The family was up for a surprise when Arnav took Payal's reluctant hand and said "Come with me" in a menacingly low tone.

"Me?" Payal stammered

Anjali was too confused to say anything. The Guptas were surprised "Chotey? Payal? She is too young for you" Nani told him at last.

"She hasn't even completed her Studies' what would you do marrying a school going girl... Help her with her homework every night? Hello hai bye bye.." Mami alleged as she laughed at her own joke.

"Yes Chotey' ... "Anjali started to say at last

"Why di' you will have problem with my every choice is it?" Arnav smirked at the family finally; at last he is getting a chance to enjoy this.

NK and La looked stumped and chaotic. Akaash looked petrified.

"No Chotey' I mean..Payal is not even 18 yet... how will you marry her?"Anjali tried to put sense into her crazy brother...

"N..no.." Shashi stammered as Arnav nodded to him Payal is only 17...she has her board exams this year..."

"NO 'no Bitwa'" Garima stuttered nervously' "If Payal is ok' We are fine... I mean engagement..."

"I will see to that Payal is OK with this" Arnav said and turned to Payal again and barked "COME"

As he dragged a helpless Payal who threw miserable looks at Akaash and others, Akaash finally conjured up the courage to open his mouth..

"Please Bhai not Payal.."

Arnav paused on his tracks with a look of triumph. He turned to look at his brother with his tongue in his cheek, his hand still clutching Payal's who was by now squirming with fear and his eyebrow raised, questioning Akaash's audacity to stop him.

"Akaash?" Anjali asked her younger brother

"I and Payal'" Akaash stammered

"What about you and Payal? Puppies love hai kya? haiye...my son and daughter in law marrying and then going to school and college wa? " Mami commented in surprise. She hadn't expected her son to be studying romance instead of text books'

"Arnav you know that they are in a relationship' "Nk started to say but Arnav's looks silenced him again.

Arnav simply turned back and with his signature smirk started to walk down, dragging Payal who grew hysterical by the time they reached the ground floor.

"Please .. please not me' Leave me' Please you are my jethji' not husband ji' I love your brother' please' I will never ever try to fool you again' I mean.. drama' Please let me go' please' "

"You should have thought about this before you planned to take me for a ride all these days'" Arnav told her in a mocking tone'

By this time they had already reached his car. He heaved her against the car door of the passenger side

"Please let me go' I wouldn't even dare to try to fool you again' please jethji'"

"Jethji? If you call me with that ridiculous name again'." Arnav said as he towered opposite her.

"I love your brother'" Payal started to cry by this time "How can I not call you jethji"

"I warn you for that last time' Stop calling me that" Arnav threatened her as she put her hands to eyes bawling out loud' "and stop creating this scene'" he growled as her wail increased in volume

Arnav looked up, the entire family was watching them from the first floor balcony. He turned back with smirk.

"I thought Jeejaji would suffix" He told her softly, wondering if she heard him amidst her howls. But she stopped crying as soon as she heard him.

"What did you say? Seriously? WOW' " She shouted as she plunged towards him and hugged him' "Oh my god' What was that' I seriously.. you scared me'. You know what' This is what people call OH EM EFF JEE good!!! I love you... I mean I ... I simply love this... I mean you are a super surprise package'."

Akaash who was watching this from upstairs, with his family and friends surrounding was looking disastrous' Obviously he couldn't hear what Arnav was telling Payal' He was only able to hear Payal's cry and now her exuberant voice declaring her love for his brother'

Next to him, NK tried to console heart-broken Akaash wondering what the hell was wrong with his friend downstairs'

To be continued'