CELEB LOVE #2 Finale pg 127 30/1/2014 - Page 27

Originally posted by: sruthick

Arnav already knw that Sam having a crush on Niveda..!!!
So that prob s solvd...
Nw Khushi s relieved...Coz she s not hiding anythng frm him...
Cntinue soon

Dedicated to summaiyasayed

KHUSHI

The week passed very soon. Last night Ria, Karan, Arnav and me had our first double date. We went to a very calm restaurant away from the city. All we talked about was their wedding simply because Ria would not shut up. Arnav later told me that he was happy to meet my friends too. He and Karan bonded easily making it easy for Ria and me.

It was Ria's mehndi ceremony and she had invited Rishabh and Arnav too. They both declined because of some team meeting. Arnav told me that he would be attending only the wedding and not any other function and I did not force him.

I heard a knock on my door and I knew it was Ria. I was in my room in her house. I had a room here, which I shared with her cousin these days. I was excited about the mehndi. I had decided to write A' in my mehndi. It was a ritual to write the first alphabet of your to be husband or lover in your mehndi. The guy is supposed to search for the letter in it later and if he finds it then your relationship is stronger.

Ria, whom I ignored earlier went to Sheldon Cooper mode and started knocking nonstop, calling out my name in between.

"Stop it Ria, I'm here" she impatiently continued knocking, not noticing that I had already opened the door.

"Oh Khush, did I hit you? I'm going crazy completely; it is my wedding in another two days"

"And you were the one enacting Sheldon Cooper remember?"

"So what? Are you ready yet?" she asked me.

"Almost. I just need to put on the earrings." I said adjusting my lehnga.

"Okay, that can be done later. Now help me get ready," she said picking up her blue and red outfit.

She looked beautiful in the ghagra choli. The dark blue blouse fit her perfectly.

"You think this blue looks good on me?" she asked me nervously.

"Why not dear? It is perfect." I said.

"Really? You know right, I have never liked this colour, I decided to wear this only for Karan, he loves blue.

"And you chose to wear this in the ceremony in which the groom isn't allowed to attend?"

"OMG. I didn't think that Khush"

"Don't worry dear. We can send him pictures." I said picking up my phone.

I send him the photos before the ceremony began.

Many of our common friends from school, college and work were already there in the entire female species present. My mom and Anya were present too.

"You look beautiful Khushi." My mom said to me.

"Mom, you are saying that to me in front of her, she is the bride and not me."

"Oh darling, I was coming to that. I didn't want you to feel bad when I complimented her and not you" My mom winked at me.

"Mom?" I stood there shocked as she hugged Ria.

"You look extremely pretty dear. I can't believe that you are getting married. "

"You better believe it mom, me and Anya are on the way too."

"She is right Garima; you have two girls out there, ready to get married." Anya blushed while I grinned when Ria's mom said that.

"Hi" I said to the girl who was waiting for the next person to come so that she could continue with her work.

"Hi" she smiled at me.

"I'm Khushi, will you do my mehndi?"

"I'm Arti and yes I will:

"Thanks" I said and sat next to her.

I extended my hands for her to shake , but instead of that she started applying mehndi. I didn't object as she did a wonderful job on my hands.

"It is beautiful." I said.

"it is not yet done" She said as she continued.

She had applied mehndi on both my hands, on both sides till the elbow. I turned around and searched for Anya and Ria. I saw Anya at one corner, talking to one of Ria's cousins. She was showing off her mehndi. I saw Ria next to another young girl in another corner of the room. Her legs covered in mehndi. I guess that was a special treatment for the bride. I didn't want my legs to be painted too.

I think I heard someone say my name.

"Khushi" I heard again and I turned around to look at Arti.

"Where were you lost?"

"I was looking for my friends"

"Okay now tell me the alphabet"

"Alphabet?" I asked her.

"Yeah. Which alphabet would you like to have in your mehndi?"

"Oh that? A' would do" I said.

"Your boyfriend's name starts with A'?"

"Yes"

"Okay."

"Hey wait, write ASR'" I said.

"ASR'? as in the cricketer?"

"You think?"

She just smiled and I did not say anything more. I did not want the news to spread.

After about an hour, Anya, Ria and I had done all the possible methods to deepen the colour of the mehndi. We had crushed lemons and applied them over it. The deeper the colour of the mehndi meant deeper the love,

"You guys have made a mess." Ria's mom said to us.

"Aunty she has the right to. After all she is the one getting married."

"Yeah right. What are you two doing then?"

"Just practising" I said and smirked.

She did not hit me; the only reason behind it was that her hands were covered in mehndi too.

As we washed our hands, we saw that the mehndi had left a deep colour and we were all satisfied.

Time flew very fast and before we knew we had only an hour left for the Sangeet to begin. I heard my phone ring.

"Hey beautiful" Arnav said to me.

"Arnav I'm sorry, I couldn't attend your call earlier."

"It is okay hun. I know you were busy, but what kept you away?" He asked curiously.

"You know, just busy with the work here." I lied to him. I did not want Ria, who was next to me, to know that I was practising with Anya. We both had planned to surprise her.

"Oh okay. I can understand."

"What are you doing now?" I asked him.

" Me? I just reached home from practice."

"Okay. What next?"

"I'm meeting Rishabh for dinner somewhere"

"Where?"

He paused for a while before he answered that.

"I don't know" He said finally.

He wasn't answering properly so I decided not to push him for an answer.

"What about my brother Sam? Isn't he joining you both"

"No he isn't invited."

"What do you mean by isn't invited?"

"I meant he didn't invite himself when we told him. He is busy with some clients."

We continued to talk until I heard Ria's nine year old cousin scream that Karan had reached.

Ria sat next to Karan as the performances began. Music was on full blast. Bollywood songs were played all around. I tried to keep a count on how many songs were played, but after an hour I lost the count.

Karan knew that Anya and I were about to perform and that it was a surprise for Ria. He promised me that he would not tell her and I believed him.

I looked at him and he, as promised distracted her. I escaped and went next to Anya who was already at the back stage. She was dressed as Karan and I did some little changes and lifted my hair up to resemble Ria's usual hairstyle.

We both went upstage and performed on various songs enacting Ria and Karan. I had included many of their lovey-dovey moments to which I was the only witness. Ria's lips formed a perfect O when she saw us perform.

After ten minutes of complete enjoyment for all and embarrassment for the couple, we thanked the audience who were clapping with enthusiasm. I saw Anya stare at something. Correction, I should say someone. Well I guess I was wrong again. There were two of them; Rishabh was standing in a corner with Arnav next to him.

How could Arnav be here? He had told me that he was going somewhere with Rishabh, well He was telling the truth. He was going somewhere, where Samar was not invited. Oh, god I should have known this was his plan. Now the big question was, did he see me perform?

Till now it was just Ria and Karan who were embarrassed, now I and Anya had joined them too.

The second we reached the dressing room, the four of them were next to us.

"Khush, what was all that about?" Ria asked.

"Khushi, if I had known you were about to do all that, then I wouldn't have helped you." Karan told me.

"Answer me first." Ria demanded.

I saw Anya glare at Rishabh and Arnav smile at me.

"Wait a second. What do you mean by keep it as a secret Karan?" Ria turned to face him.

Karan was not expecting that.

"I'm sorry Ria,..." He began, but she was furious and wouldn't allow him to complete.

"So that was why you kept on asking me stupid questions?"

"I'm sorry Ria, I shouldn't have listened to your best friend over here."

"You should have known Karan. After all it was Khushi."

"Ria, Karan, beta come here please" I heard Ria's mom call them. They left all of a sudden.

Thank god for that. Now I have Arnav left for me to deal with.

I saw Anya pull Rishabh to a corner without the guests noticing them. I turned to face my boyfriend who could not stop smiling.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked him.

"Come on Khushi, India is a free country and everyone has the right to do whatever they like if it is not against the law."

"And the citizens do have the right to information. Now tell me the reason"

Before he could answer that, I saw Mr. Sharma coming towards us. I immediately changed the topic.

"So Mr. Raizada what brings you here?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I asked you.." But before I could complete the sentence again, Mr. Sharma stood in front of us. A wave of understanding crossed Arnav's face.

"Hi Khushi" He said and continued.

"Hi Mr. Raizada, it is nice to see you here.

"My pleasure Mr. Sharma, I didn't know you would be here.

I knew the continuation of that statement even though he had not said that aloud. If it had come out, it would have been If I knew, I would not have come here'.

"Remember, Ria was my intern"

"Okay. I didn't know Karan was getting married to her."

"Well, how come you are here?" He asked Arnav.

"Me? Karan is a family friend."

"And Mr. Singhania?"

"The same relation"

"Excuse me, but I need to leave" I said to them.

"Carry on Khushi" Mr. Sharma said to me.

Even though I was a little irritated when I saw him first, I guess he was a blessing in disguise. I saw Rishabh talking to my dad. So he escaped from Anya. I paced around in my room, chewing my nails, taking extra care not to bite them, and thinking of a way to escape from the embarrassment. Then I remembered the dialogue from a movie that the best way to escape from a problem was to face the problem itself. I decided to talk to Arnav. This was not a huge problem. It was only that Arnav had seen me dance. I turned to go down, but Arnav was there. I didn't want to face my problem very soon.

"Why are you running from me?" I heard Arnav speak.

"Arnav?"

"And before you ask, Ria told me you would be here."

"Oh." I chewed my nails. My eyes were on the floor.

"Khushi, look at me." He said lifting my chin up.

"It is not that you have done something wrong. You were performing on your friend's sangeet because you had the right to enjoy. You both were fantastic and I loved it. When Karan told me that Rishabh and I should come and watch you guys perform I never expected this. So there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Remember I love you."

"I love you too." I said hugging him.

"I don't believe Karan called you and told you that"

"He said that he was keeping this away from Ria and that was a tough job for him. I really don't know why he called us but I'm glad he did.

He kissed me on my forehead as we broke the hug.

"You look amazing"

"Thanks. You should've told me when you decided to come."

"Actually I decided to surprise you, but the thing is , you gave me a better one."

"You didn't expect this right?"

"Never in my dreams."

"Well, lets go down now. Mom may come up looking for me.

Haldi ceremony the next day was pure fun. Ria was covered with the yellow paste from head to toe. Anya and I ensured that Karan didn't get a chance to sneak up to Ria. According tour parents the bride and groom must not meet each other after the haldi until the wedding day.

I heard my phone ring and as expected, it was Arnav. He was the only one who would talk to me over the phone. The situation might change after I get back to work.

"Hey" He said.

"Hi"

"What are you up to?"

"Nothing. I just returned from the haldi match"

"I need pictures" He demanded.

"Of what?"

"You. Completely covered in the yellow colour"

"No way darling. I look very bad covered in that yellow paste."

"No Khushi. I bet you look cute"

"Really? You think so? If yes then you were not here. That is why you think so." I said.

"I'm sorry. I really wanted to be there, but no luck"

"You know something? I kept looking at the door every five minutes , just to ensure that you were not around"

"Is it? It is nice to know" sarcasm was evident in his tone.

We talked for a while and later he cut the call after our daily dose of I Love You's.

I sent him a picture of mine in which I had a little haldi on my cheek. He replied that he wanted more but I didn't send any.

Finally the big day in Ria's life had arrived. Ria wore the traditional red wedding dress with lots of golden beads on it. She looked gorgeous and Karan couldn't take his eyes off her.

I had my red and yellow ghagra choli on. I must say, I looked beautiful. Anya looked pretty too. Rishabh and Arnav were there next to Karan. They were busy talking some serious stuff. Maybe they were calming down Karan. After all he was getting married.

I sent Anya to Karan to keep him busy so that I could steal his shoes. I loved all these rituals from the traditional wedding. The bride's sisters or friends would get paid for hiding or stealing the groom's shoes.

I took his shoes, went up, to my room and put it in a cover , came back and kept it in the locker and gave the keys to Ria's mother. I stood next to Arnav after ensuring that no one from our work place was present.

"Nice hiding place" I heard Arnav say.

"You know?"

"Yeah dear. Do not worry. Karan will get his shoes back. You need not take such good care of it. He said to me.

"No Arnav. You can't do that."

"What can't I?"

"You are my boyfriend. You know Karan through me"

"But he is the brother of Rishabh's friend and Rishabh's friend is my friend too"

"But I'm your girlfriend"

"Let me think"

"Please please please Arnav"

"Okay. On one condition I will keep this as a secret"

"Tell me"

"I'll take you on a date tomorrow"

"Just that? I thought something horrible was coming. I was waiting for your next date and you gave me one as sort of a punishment?"

"Taking your parents' permission is your responsibility"

"Okay. Well Arnav I believe you so I'm not changing the hiding place"

"And I will keep my promise"

After they tied the knot, completing their seven vows they came down. Karan looked directly at me when he discovered that his shoes were missing.

"Karan dude, don't worry we will find them for you." Rishabh said and Arnav nodded.

They searched for a while and returned.

"No luck." Rishabh said.

"Okay I'll give you the money." Karan said and handed over the cash to Anya.

I went to Ria's mom, Ria looked at me confused but I ignored her, I took the keys from her and took out the shoes from the locker.

"Khushi?"

"Sorry but this is also a part of the wedding right?'

I went back to my home, back to my room after Ria had left. I was excited for the date with Arnav.

It did not take me much time to persuade dad because he liked Arnav. He was convinced that Arnav was a good guy.

He reached my home sharp at seven with flowers in his hands as usual. The difference this time was he entered inside while I took my time to get ready.

"So early uncle?" I heard Arnav ask my dad as I came down.

"What is happening so early?" I asked both of them.

"Your parents leaving" He said casually.

"What? You both are leaving?" I asked my dad shocked.

"Yes my child. We are leaving at four in the evening tomorrow."

"You never told me."

"That was because you were busy with Ria. We have to leave. There is no one there to take care of the business."

"But dad, we haven't even spent time together."

"I know dear. But work is important too right? And you have to get back to work the next day onwards. There is no use if we stay for a day also" My mom tried to explain.

"But mom..."

"No buts Khushi. Now go with Arnav, we will talk after you return" My dad said dismissing me.

I heard my dad demand Arnav to take care of me.

Arnav took me to a fancy restaurant. Had it been a normal day, I would have appreciated its beauty, but now I was in no mood to do that.

The news that my parents were leaving the next day made me feel low.

"Khushi, try to understand sweetie, they have work to do"

"I know Arnav, but still I did not get much time to spend with them."

"I can understand that. If you want I can take you back home now"

"No Arnav, that is not fair to you. I'm sorry."

"It is okay love." He said.

"Look who do we have here." I heard someone speak next to me. A voice I didn't recognize, one which I've never heard. Who could that be?

I felt the mood change. Arnav's expressions turned cold and I felt that the dementors from Azkaban were around. Arnav's body language told me that something was not good. I looked up and saw an elderly man standing next to my seat. Those eyes of his were familiar. I had seen them somewhere. I looked at Arnav and saw a similar pair staring at me.

If I'm right, the guy who stood next to me was his dad, the guy whom he hated the most in the world.

"What is your problem?" I heard Arnav ask him.

"Nothing. Who is this lovely young lady?"

"Hi, I'm Khushi Gupta, his girlfriend." I said. I felt the need to respond because Arnav would not do that.

"I believe she is not the one I met last week."

Did he mean Alisha? Does Arnav take his girlfriends to meet his father? Why would he do that , he hated his dad? Many questions were going on in my mind.

"What is your problem? Do you really care? I do not know how I end up at the same place as yours, are you stalking our son?" He asked his dad.

There lies the answer to all my questions.

"No my dear son. Just to let you know Arnav, my blood runs through your veins and let me tell you young lady I'm sure it will be someone else in your place next week, or month"

"Shut up and get lost" Arnav said.

"What if I don't?"

"Khushi, come with me" Arnav pulled me along with him as we exited the restaurant.

I had never seen this side of Arnav. That means there are many things about him that I do not know which I need to find out. My problems were now nothing compared to his and so I decided to forget mine and comforted him.

A/N:

OMG wasn't that the longest?

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