IPKKND-ARHI-FF - Gypsy- Chapter 42 - Page 51

Loved the way you weaved the story of the gypsy and the maharaja👏

Chapter 29

Having barely slept a wink, Khushi was up early the next morning. By the time Garima entered her room, she was already bathed and dressed in her usual clothes of trousers and shirt and was running her slender fingers through her curls.

"Arre Anu, you are awake?"

"Ji Maa."

"Chalo, accha hai. Let me oil and brush your hair for you."

"Nahi. It's all right Maa."

"No it's not. Come here."

Khushi opened her mouth to demur but Garima pulled her to a chair and taking the bottle of fragrant hair oil from the table, she started to apply it gently to Khushi's curls, massaging it in her scalp.

"I'll do this every morning from now on. It will help your hair grow faster."

Khushi opened her mouth to remind Garima that if her hair grew faster, then she would require frequent cuts but stopped herself. Things had changed now and there would be no more cutting of her hair, she knew. Instead she would have to grow it long again. A small feeling of discord struck her. Even her hair growth would dance to the Maharaja's tune now!!!

A short while later, her hair oiled and brushed neatly, she joined Shashi for breakfast. He kissed her forehead, admonishing her not to disappear in future and to trust him. Obediently she nodded and agreed, all the while aware that it was not the case anymore.

As they were having breakfast, Khushi wondered when the Maharaja would contact her again for she was sure he would do just that and very soon too. A feeling of intense despair threatened to choke her for she realized that once he placed his demands in front of her, she would have to bid adieu to Baba and Maa as well. She had no intention of venturing on the path of easy virtue while she was staying with them. She could not and would not disgrace them like this. But whatever the case, the end result appeared the same; she would end up walking her path in life alone. Controlling herself with an effort, she finished her breakfast.

No sooner that she and Shashi had risen from their chairs that their manservant rushed in, gasping in his haste,

"Saheb, the ... they are here!

"They? Who?"

"Saheb, wo ... the Raajmata and the Maharani of Devgarh together with the Raajkumari Anjali. I mean she is now married but still ..."

Kaka babbled in his excitement while Khushi tried to make sense of his words and Baba's urgency as he quickly called for Garima while at the same time bidding Kaka to take Khushi in another room. Khushi allowed herself to be led from there while Garima hurried out.

But the old man's babblings started to make sense once she was in the kitchen with him. The Raajmata, Maharani and Raajkumari! Of course the ladies of Devgarh! The Maharaja Saheb's family. What did they want, she wondered? A sudden thought occurred to her and she stilled! Devi Maiya, were they here to see her!

In the next instant she dismissed the idea! How could that be? Surely the Maharaja would not have told the ladies of his royal household about the gypsy he intended to make his mistress. They must be here to see Baba about some horses or some such, she reasoned. Once she had worked that out, she relaxed.

But she was proved wrong a very short while later! The ladies of Devgarh were indeed there to meet her! She had not expected that!

When Garima hurried in the kitchen, mumbling under her breath, Khushi frowned in puzzlement. She tilted her head to the side, trying to make sense of the other woman's ramblings.

"How can they see her like that? She is not properly dressed even! Oh! Couldn't they have given us advance notice? Devi Maiya!"

Garima's mumblings trailed off and she called out to Khushi:

"Anu, hurry up. Come here! Kaka, arrange for some tea will you?"

Khushi automatically obeyed. Garima brushed non-existent specks of dust and lint from her clothes, ran a hand over her soft curls before taking Khushi's hands and leading her towards the main room. By the time Khushi realized where Garima was taking her and tried to dig in her heels, it was too late. The older woman paused for a moment outside the room, took a deep breath and ushered Khushi in the room, following her inside.

Khushi was nearly in shock! She took a few steps backward but Garima propelled her ahead. Khushi dug her heels in then and stood there, looking at the floor. She was in the presence of royalty! She had no idea what to do or say. Instead she stood there, looking at the floor.

She had no idea of the picture of vulnerability and shyness she presented, dressed in boy's clothing and with short hair.

After a short silence, Shashi who was standing to one side quickly came to Khushi's side and taking her small hand in his, he urged her closer to the sofa where the three ladies sat. Khushi followed him dumbly until she was just in front of them.

Devyani Raizada looked at the small slip of a girl in front on her and felt a deep emotion in her chest. Hey Bhagwan, she was practically a child! And to think of the torment she had been through! Beside her Mamta Raizada had similar thoughts.

Shashi broke the silence:

"Mananiye Raajmata, Maharani Sahiba, Raajkumari Sahiba, this is my daughter Khushi Gupta. Aur bitiya, I'm sure you know the ladies of the royal household." In that moment, taking a spur of the moment decision, he added his own surname to Khushi's, thereby, claiming her as his child.

At Baba's gentle introduction, Khushi remembered her manners. Folding her hands in Namaste, she bowed to the ladies, murmuring a soft Namaste' to them.

Her soft greeting was acknowledged by all three ladies. After a moment, Devyani spoke up:

"Bitiya, come here will you? Look at me."

Khushi took a step closer and after some hesitation, she raised her eyes to meet Devyani Raizada's eyes. The elderly Raajmata had seen many things in life. She never made mistakes in judging people. In that instant, when she looked in to soft hazel eyes that were obviously terrified but were bravely trying to conquer that terror and face them, she judged the girl accurately. In just that one moment, she understood more about her than Khushi herself did and way more than what her grandson understood.

Khushi was a shy and quiet girl, somewhat introverted but she most definitely had courage. That was why she had had the temerity to decline Arnav's cheap proposition. It was that same courage that had led to her recovery after she had been at death's door. And it was that same courage that would help her to face all obstacles and move on with her life; to take difficult decisions and see them through. The girl had dignity as well. She stood there, obviously scared but determinedly holding her shoulders erect. A small smile played around Devyani's lips. The girl would do very well, she decided. Very well indeed. She would never be aggressive but in her quiet and implacable way, she would more than match Arnav Singh Raizada in stubbornness. Devyani needed to work on the girl's self-esteem a little and explain certain things to her. The girl just needed a little coaching; that was all. She turned to her daughter-in-law and was not surprised to see that Mamta had reached the same conclusion. They smiled at each other and turned to look at Anjali.

Anjali was looking at this waif that her brother had walked all over and felt sorry for the child. She was beautiful, even in boy's clothing and with short hair. Anjali could only imagine how beautiful she must have been and would be once she was back again in her feminine avatar. At that moment, Khushi turned her eyes to Anjali. The soft, slightly scared but stoic look in them touched Anjali's tender heart. This girl needed a champion, she realized. And Anjali was determined to be that champion. She would guide this girl through the process of becoming a royal bride. And then she would dare anyone to denounce her!

She looked away to meet her mother and grandmother's eyes and they shared knowing smiles. They were aware that Arnav was about to meet his comeuppance and that too, in style.

In the meantime, when the ladies smiled against themselves, not saying anything, Khushi's heart plummeted. She had no idea why they were here but knowing that they must view her as some freak, she was saddened. She didn't stop to analyse why she should feel that way. But in the next moment, her heart nearly stopped her ears rang as she wasn't sure if she was heard correctly when Devyani Raizada said:

"So Shashi Babu, this is our future daughter-in-law. I must say she is very beautiful indeed. Exactly as we expected!!!"

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Doesn't every girl grow up thinking that they'd marry a prince, and have the most beautiful ever after?And while a banjaran wouldn't be even allowed to go near those territories, but our Khushi here...did dare to think of such a thing. And oh, what it did to her.

Hope Arnav can make Khushi understand his feelings.arnav u have to work hard.

OMG...they are getting maried...

superb story just came across this one

Poor khushi she doesn't understand anything that's goes around her. she didn't know that Arnav what to marry her, did she?

Nice update!

nice update...

Lovely lovely update! That was expected yet unexpectedly soon!!

Every girls dream! What eh ironic situation only thing the girl here feels its better to be in the form of a guy! All thanks to whom? Hmm I hope he repents and atleats knows how it is to be at the receiving end!!

I know its not a good thing to ask for but the poor girl has been through so much!

Loved the ladies giving that knowing smile! Acknowledging her!

Looking forward to the transformation!


Cheers