ARHI FF: A Ray Of Hope pt 13 pg 123 updated 19/12 - Page 58

Chapter 11

The next morning everyone at the Raizada house were up early. Payal was already down and doing the morning aarti before she had make something sweet for everyone as per tradition. She had decided to make some halwa. Once done the first person to taste it was Akash who loved it but decide to tease her a little. "Ummm...this is...ummm" Akash said making a face suggesting it was horrible. Payal's face fell as she saw Akash's reaction to her halwa. Watching Akash make a face his mum decided to try some. "Akash bitwa this is lovely why are you lieing?" Manorama said not getting what her son was doing. Akash looked at his mum thinking great nice one mum. You just ruined my teasing. Payal looked from Akash to Manorama back to Akash who by now was smiling indicating he was joking. Everyone else started to giggle as they all realised Akash had been joking. Payal looked at him with an angry glare making Akash smirk even more.

Arnav had been watching his whole family enjoying themselves after such a long time.

Anjali arrived with Shyam and Priyan as she also wanted to try out her new sister-in-laws cooking. She had told Shyam this the previous night and they had arrived early for breakfast. Priyan was being a bit cranky as he did not have enough sleep. They made their way to the dining room and greeted everyone.

Payal went back to the kitchen and came back with HP with breakfast for Anjali, Shyam and Priyan. Priyan saw his favourite cereal placed in front of him waking him up as he took the spoon and started eating. "Slowly Priyan" Anjali said "you don't want to choke on your food" as Anjali went back to her son. "Chew your food as well" Anjali said as she sat next to him. "Payal how did you know Priyan likes this?" Anjali questioned looking at Payal. "Di, HP told me what everyone likes" Payal answered as she served nani. "I see you are already learning" Anjali stated as she saw Arnav eating his toast quietly. Anjali could see everyone eating a traditional breakfast. Even Shyam was dipping into his paratha's and enjoying himself. Anjali smiled at this seeing that her family having a nice breakfast. She had thanked the gods that Payal had come into Akash's life and making him realise that not all women are bad. She couldn't help but then look at Arnav and wishing that another woman could come into his life that could bring peace and love into his life.

Arnav had other things on his mind. He was too busy thinking about how he was going to get a sample from Aryan, away from Khushi so he could prove one way or another that he was or was not his son.

The phone rang at that time and Payal went to pick it up. "Hello" Payal answered. "Hello, Payal bitiya" Garima said as tears started flowing in her eyes hearing her daughter's voice. "Amma" Payal said as tears also started to prick her eyes hearing her mum's voice. Akash saw Payal about to cry. So he got up and went to her, placed his hand on her shoulder making her turn towards him and using his thumbs he wiped her tears forgetting his whole family were watching the scene. He took the phone from her hand and spoke "Hello amma. How are you?" Akash said. "Oh Akash bitwa" Garima said as she wiped her tears away "I just called to remind naniji that today is Payal's pag phere. Can I speak to her?" "Yes amma, hold on I will just hand her the phone" Akash said as he walked up to nani and gave her the phone. He walked back to Payal who was still trying to compose herself.

"Namaste Garima bitiya" nani said. "Namaste naniji. I was just wondering if Payal is coming to do her pag phere today" Garima asked. "Of course Garima bitiya. It is tradition. I will send her with Akash" nani said. "Thank you naniji. I will talk to you soon" Garima said. Nani heard the click and placed the phone down next to her. "Payal bitiya after breakfast come to my room. I will give you some things to take back for your whole family and Akash after that take Payal to her home. Make sure you also stay to have food with the family" nani said as she finished her breakfast.

After breakfast Anjali, mami and Payal went with nani, while Shyam was in the living room with mama and Akash. Arnav had left for the office as he had a lot of work to deal with plus the wedding party which was tomorrow evening still needed some final touches.

Once nani had given Payal all the presents Akash took her to her home.

Khushi was waiting for Payal at the front with Aryan when she saw the car pull and she shouted out for her parents.

Payal got out with the presents but once Akash had locked the door he took the bags full of presents from Payal as she went to hug Khushi. Khushi hugged Payal back as both were about to cry. Garima came and hugged Payal and so did Shashi. Akas was about to take their blessings but Shashi stopped him and hugged him. "You are my son now and you will always have my blessings" Shashi said as he looked back at Akash. Akash just smiled at his father-in-law.

Madhumati was the last to come and greet the guests. "Oh Payal bitiya, Akash bitwa come in, don't wait out there. This is your home as well" Madhumati said as she got up them. Both Akash and Payal took buaji's blessing before heading in.

Payal then took the bags of gifts from Akash and started distributing them out. Garima got a saree, Madhumati got a shawl, so did Shashi, Khushi got a small murti of devi maiyya while the rest of the bags were filled with toys for Aryan. Khushi took the bags and went and sat down with Aryan. She looked in the bags. "Aryan look this is for you" Khushi said as she took out a teddy bear and showed it to Aryan. Aryan looked at the teddy and with his small hands took it from Khushi as he examined it closely. Akash watched this from afar and he was fascinated by watching Aryan. To him it was as though his brother's childhood was playing right in front of him.

Khushi was going through the toys just to check that each toy was suitable for Aryan. She couldn't believe that the Raizada's had bought Aryan so much. "Jiji this is all too much" Khushi said. "It's not that much" Akash intervened. "But jijaji this really is a lot" Khushi said as she looked at all the toys. "Khushi it was a nothing. We all wanted to buy something for Aryan for being such a good boy during the whole wedding" Akash said. Khushi was still unsure.

Buaji was already pissed that Aryan was getting all the attention but as Akash was around she couldn't do anything.

Lunch was served after a while and everyone sat down to eat.

It was not until around 3 o'clock that Akash and Payal had left with bags of gifts for the family.

After they had gone Khushi went to put Aryan down before she came back for all the presents. "My god Khushi can't you even leave being the centre of attention even now when your sister has only just got married. You need to have all the attention from everyone. It's the reason you have Aryan with you. You use that baby just for your benefits" buaji spat out. Khushi who heard her buaji didn't say a word as tears flowed down her cheeks. "Jiji will you please leave Khushi alone" Shashi shouted exasperated at his sister always having a go at Khushi. "I need to go see to Aryan" Khushi said trying hard not to let her parents know she was crying. She walked away as both Shashi and Garima shouted out towards her. "Now look what you have done jiji. Can't you just leave her alone" Shashi said. "Why should I? She is the reason my husband is dead. She killed my husband" Madhumati retorted. "JIJI" Shashi shouted full of rage. He had never been so mad at his sister but this time she had crossed the line. Whether Madhumati liked it or not Khushi was his youngest daughter. Garima came in-between both Shashi and Madhumati. She placed both hands on her husband arm and slightly pulled him back. "Let's go from here. Please" Garima pleaded with her husband. Shashi looked at his sister before heading towards Khushi's room.

Khushi had walked into the room where Aryan was playing with one of his new toys on the bed while she was near the window looking out and crying. Both Shashi and Garima walked into the room to find Khushi crying. Garima walked up to Khushi turned her around to look at her. Khushi just hugged her mother as she cried. "Shhh Khushi. Shhh" Garima said trying hard to soothe her daughter as her hand went up and down her back.

Shashi went towards Aryan and placed his hand over Aryan stocking his hair making Aryan turn towards his grandfather. Aryan showed his grandfather what he was playing with while smiling making Shashi smile but he was upset at the way his daughter's life was turning out.

Over at the Raizada's the evening had gone well. Manorama had given Payal another two saree's, one for the mooh dikhai which was in the morning and also for the wedding reception for the following night. Payal thanked her mother-in-law before everyone went to sleep.

The next morning at the Raizada household was very busy. Anjali had come over to help Payal get ready as the household filled up with women for the mooh dikhai to start. Anjali came down with Payal and headed to the main hall where all the women were waiting. Payal was placed on a white divan in the middle of the room guided by Anjali as Payal's ghoonghat was covering her face. Once there the women one by one saw her face, gave her a present and gave their blessings. Some women went over to either Manorama or nani and praised Payal's beauty while some were seething that a girl from a low background ended up marrying such a rich guy.

After the mooh dikhai everyone had some lunch before they all left to get changed for the evening party which mostly all of them had been invited to. The wedding reception was being held at the Jaypee Vasant Continental on the outside lawn near the pool.

AR's event management team had been working overtime to get this party not only organised but had to make sure the venue and decorations were perfect for the night.

The colour scheme was white and purple as purple happened to be Payal's favourite colour as Arnav had been told by Akash.

The guests were already arriving at the venue. Arnav and Shyam were there to greet everyone. Akash and Payal had been told to arrive a little later with the rest of the Raizada's. Akash had made sure a car was sent to the gupta's house for all the family.

They all arrived and Arnav saw Aryan with Khushi. Arnav knew that today he would need to get something to help him prove that Aryan was or was not his son.

The gupta's went and greeted Arnav and Shyam while Khushi avoided Arnav and went straight to talk to Shyam. Aryan was too busy engrossed in the teddy he was holding to notice anything.

Arnav knew that tonight was his chance to get the DNA sample of Aryan.

Once the guests had all arrived Arnav had arranged for Payal and Akash to come to a big round of applause as he announced the bride and groom had arrived. Akash was used to having the attention thanks to his brother being who he is but Payal was very embarrassed. She had never been the center of attention. She looked around to see the people and was getting nervous. Akash held her hand seeing her look around making Payal turn to look at him. "Don't worry I'm right here, plus my family and your family are here. Look over their" Akash said as he pointed out Payal's family who were looking towards her. Payal felt a little less nervous knowing Akash was right there while her and his family were around.

Anjali walked up to the couple and bought them up front where they had a stage set up for the pair to sit down.

Everyone else sat down on their own chairs around tables.

First dinner had been served. Everyone was too busy eating and enjoying their food.

Khushi had Aryan in her lap and busy feeding him. The Raizada and gupta tables were right next to each other so Arnav in-between him eating his food he was keeping an eye on when he could get a chance to get the sample. Aryan was being a bit fussy and because of that he wouldn't eat and neither could Khushi. "Aryan please eat. Mamma also is hungry and wants to eat" Khushi said as she tried to feed him some rice. Aryan moved his face away. He was more interested in his teddy.

Priyan had seen Aryan as well and wanted to play with him but Anjali had told him he had to eat first before he could move. Once Priyan had finished his food he went down to play with Aryan but Aryan didn't pay him any attention. Anjali saw where Priyan headed and noticed how Khushi was struggling with Aryan. She stood up and went towards her. "Khushiji why don't you eat and let me take Aryan from you" Anjali suggested. "Thank you Anjaliji but he won't stay with anyone apart from me, my parents or jiji" Khushi said. Anjali looked at Aryan then thought of something. "Doesn't matter I will still take him and I know he will be quite not fussy" Anjali said as she took Aryan off Khushi. Aryan started to struggle to in Anjali's hands as Priyan followed his mum.

Anjali headed straight towards her table and placed Aryan on Arnav's lap. Arnav was shocked as he saw Aryan on his lap in front of all his business associates and what was worst he couldn't do a thing about it because as the end of the day his di placed Aryan there. Arnav hardly ever says no to his di and he wasn't about to start now but then he realised he had the perfect opportunity to get what he needed.

He looked over towards where Khushi was and waited for his opportunity.

Khushi was just eating and looking over to where Aryan was. She would catch Arnav looking towards her sometimes and quickly go back to eating just to avoid his gaze. As she was finishing her food Arnav very carefully pulled Aryan's hair making Aryan cry out. Arnav quickly had grabbed a hanky, placed the hair inside it and placed it in his pocket. Khushi heard Aryan cry and quickly got to him, picked up and started caressing him quieten him down. After this Khushi wouldn't let him out of her sight.

Once Akash and Payal had finished their dinner Arnav had come up to them and told Akash to go and meet the guests plus to introduce Payal to them.

Akash did just that, he introduced Payal to as many guest as he could. Payal was getting to know a lot of people but sometimes she got the feeling that some of the women and young girls didn't really like. She made a mental note to ask Anjali di or nani or maybe her saas about this later but while she was there she was just herself, the polite young woman her father had taught her to be.

Anjali then made an announcement for the bride and groom to come up front cut the cake, take some photos and also be ready for the their first official dance as husband and wife.

Once the cake was cut the background score of pehli nazar mein from film race was playing while Akash took Payal onto the dance floor to dance.

Anjali had her camera out and was busy taking photos. She loved everything about this evening. Watching Akash and Payal dance their first dance on their wedding reception just reminded her of Shyam and her wedding, plus reception and their first dance. Shyam came up from behind her and placed his arm around Anjali's waist. "Remembering our wedding reception" Shyam whispered next to Anjali's ear. "How did you know?" Anjali asked as she turned to look at Shyam. "I know you" Shyam said looking at his beautiful wife with a smile earning a smile back from Anjali. Priyan who felt left out of this walked up to his mum and dad and hugged his mum and dad around their legs. Anjali and Shyam looked down to see Priyan looking up at them. Shyam bent down and picked him up as Priyan hugged his dad. Shyam looked from Priyan to Anjali and whispered into Anjali's ear "do you know what would make this family perfect?" "What?" Anjali asked confused. "A perfect little version of my rani sahiba" Shyam said. Anjali hit Shyam slightly on his arm as she blushed hearing this. Shyam loved his wife's reaction. For him she was just perfect. He went back to looking at Akash and Payal as they carried on dancing.

Anjali had to look back at Arnav who was busy talking to one of his clients. Shyam looked towards where she was looking and saw her looking at Arnav. "Don't worry rani sahiba. Arnav will be fine" Shyam said to reassure her. "I don't know Shyam. I just worry for him" Anjali sighed. "I know but you know your brother. He is not going to listen" Shyam said. "Yes I know Shyam. I just can't help but worry about him. He needs someone in his life" Anjali said looking back at Shyam. "Give it time rani sahiba. You need to give it time. Only then can we approach him" Shyam said looking at Anjali. Shyam hugged her sideways assuring her that he will always be there for her. Anjali placed her head on his shoulder. Priyan looked from his father to his mother and stroked his mother's face. Anjali looked up at Priyan and held his hand. She moved her hands in front to gesture for Priyan to come to her. Priyan went to his mum straight away. Anjali looked from Priyan to Shyam and loved that she had such a wonderful family.

Khushi had been dealing with Aryan since he had been crying. He had settled after a while and laid his head on her shoulder. Pretty soon he had fallen asleep and Khushi just sat there watching everything that was going on.

After the first dance every other couple joined the dance floor. Pretty soon a lot of people were dancing.

The evening had gone very well. The party had finished in the early hours of the morning. Guests had all left, the gupta's were taken home and the Raizada's and Malhotra left last leaving the cleaning staff to finish everything.

The next morning Arnav had gotten in touch with a doctor he knew dealt with DNA tests and made sure he would get the results within 24 hours.

It was good that that day nobody had much to do. As they just had had a wedding plus a party all three families were taking a rest day.

The following day Arnav had been in his office going through Akash and Payal's honeymoon details making sure everything was up to AR standards. The honeymoon was a big surprise from Shyam, Anjali and Arnav. So Aman was in the office with Arnav going over everything when an urgent courier had arrived at AR and the person had been instructed to get a signature from Arnav himself. Arnav got a call from the receptionist telling him this. As soon as he heard there was a courier with his name he instructed the receptionist to send the person up to his office. Once the man was there Aman was about to go sign for the courier but Arnav got up instead and signed for the courier. The man left leaving Arnav and Aman in the office alone. Arnav quickly opened the courier to find a hospital letter. He went through the letter and as he read it he saw what he couldn't believe. Aryan Gupta was in fact Aryan Singh Raizada the son of Arnav Singh Raizada.

PM's later

Chapter 10

Chapter 12