IPKKND-ARHI-FF - Gypsy- Chapter 42 - Page 55

nice update...

poor girl
why Arnav doesn't able to meet her and console her?

Loved the chapter!

Awesome! Happy divali to you too! =D

superb update...kushi is clearing her doubts..and try to believe this sudden instances..but still her question whether arnav wud love her..wud she loved by him..and plz bring arnav n kushi convo here..plz update soon..waiting for ur next update..

Wonderful update...i hope Arnav and Khushi get together in your next update. Want to know their raw reactions...

Chapter 31

It was exactly a week since the ladies of Devgarh had come with their marriage proposal. And today was the day when they were bringing the royal pundit for finalizing dates. In this one week, Shashi had asked and reassured Khushi many times that whatever her decision he would stand by her and each time she had reiterated that she was ready to marry the Maharaja and that she would be all right.

And many more times than that Khushi had reassured herself that she had the courage to see her through life with the Maharaja. Many times her courage had failed her but each time she had closed her eyes and imagined Baba and Maa paying the price of her refusal. And she had managed to get her fears under control.

And now today it was nearly time for the royal ladies and their pundit to arrive. While there was no need for Khushi herself to participate in anything today, she was nevertheless dressed in a salwar kameez. Garima had insisted that it would be inappropriate to wear trousers and shirt in her future in-laws presence and Khushi had not disagreed. But Garima had picked a cotton outfit in deference to her wounds. The wounds on her back had healed halfway so that they didn't require bandages but they left red marks which Maa told her would fade over time. The only wounds that required a bandage was the one on her right thigh. It was this same one which had led to her limping and Maa had shaken her head as she told Khushi that she doubted that the scar from this cut would ever fade. She had had her last haircut some weeks ago and true to form her hair was growing steadily so much so that her curls covered the nape of her neck.

Garima had brushed her curls neatly and dressed in a blue salwar kameez, Khushi resembled an adorable pixie with her short cap of curls. She fidgeted with her clothes time and again, having worn a salwar kameez for the first time ever. She sat in the kitchen watching Garima bustle in and out. Presently Shashi wandered in the kitchen. Seeing Khushi his eyes lit up and he brushed her curls tenderly, smiling down at her. She met his smiling gaze with her own solemn one.

"My brave child," Shashi murmured. About to say something else, he was distracted by the appearance of Garima who in her hurry had let go of her ghoonghat. She swept in the kitchen and halted to see her employer there while Shashi took advantage of her surprise to stare at her.

She really was a beautiful woman, he thought. Unable to resist, he smiled at her. Instantly her surprise was replaced with embarrassment as she hurriedly pulled her ghoonghat in place. Feeling as if she had shut him out, Shashi cleared his throat and looked back at Khushi who grinned at him knowingly. Feeling his cheekbones burning, Shashi hurriedly left the kitchen.

Shortly after that their visitors arrived and Shashi and Garima got occupied with them while the maid and Bhiku Kaka served tea and snacks. A nervous Khushi remained in the kitchen. Her presence would be required at the very last after the dates were fixed.

Since Khushi had no idea of her exact birth date the pundit had to make do with just the season of her birth. When Shashi had asked her earlier, she had replied that she had been born 17 years earlier in the rainy season, repeating her birth mother's words that she had come with the first rains of that season'. The royal ladies were pushing for the earliest dates since that very morning Arnav had swept in the dining room at Devgarh Palace and announced to all in general that he wanted to be married and settled before the gypsies arrived for their yearly stay. There was some nine months to that but he insisted that the earlier the better.

After much studying, hemming and hawing, the pundit cleared his throat and said, "Raajmata, Maharani Saheba, the earliest auspicious dates for the marriage ceremony are in just six weeks. The sagai' can be held two weeks before that. The next set of dates are in five months while another set falls next year."

Shashi Gupta fully expected Devyani Raizada to choose the dates in five months since it allowed them sufficient time to prepare. He was jolted when Devyani spoke up,

"Punditji, I think in six weeks would be very good for us."

Immediately Shashi spoke up,

"Raajmata, forgive me but isn't that too early? We all will need time especially Khushi and ..."

"Shashi beta I understand your dilemma. In fact we all need time especially us since there are many protocols we have to follow. But I dare not take more time for I don't want things to get out of hand. Arnav and Khushi need to be married as soon as possible. Khushi especially needs the sanctity of marriage to allow her to recover and blossom fully. I know things are very bad between her and Arnav right now but they are getting married. They can only iron out their differences once they are living in close proximity. Arnav can only look out for her once he is her husband. Arnav also can only understand and repent once he sees for himself how things are for her. Don't worry about Khushi. We are there for her in all ways."

Put like that eve Shashi could see the logic behind her words. He nodded and agreed. The pundit was the first to offer his well wishes while Garima hurried out for some sweets and to fetch Khushi.

When she came back, everyone shared some sweets while Khushi bent down to seek everyone's blessings. She was hugged and blessed and then they all sat down to discuss some things. Mamta was the first one.

"Now that the wedding dates are fixed, let's discuss other things. There are many protocols that we are putting aside but we will definitely adhere to the important ones. Devgarh brides are not allowed to visit the palace before the wedding which has to take place in our ancestral mandir. The sagai will take place in the same mandir. Weddings are very traditional affairs for our family so a week before the ceremony, the bride and groom will attend a pooja in the same mandir. After this Khushi together with some attendants from her father's side and some from her in-laws side will have to stay in the house that is in the mandir grounds. All her haldi and mehendi ceremonies will take place in that same house with only ladies present for them. Arnav's haldi will take place in Devgarh. On the wedding day itself, he will come to the mandir from Devgarh while she will come from that house. After marriage he will bring her to Devgarh where we will host a huge meal for everyone. Since we follow a mix of traditional and modern protocols, a day after the wedding we will host a huge reception and this time fulfil the modern aspects. Bhai Saheb, you don't have to worry about anything. All her clothes from the sagai to the wedding will be from us. Only the clothes in which she will attend the pooja will be from your side."

When Mamta paused, Shashi took the opportunity to air his misgivings.

"Maharani Saheba, as for her clothes, I assure you I can provide them and will do so."

"No Bhai Saheb, that is not so. You see it's not something we are offering because of the circumstances. It is a long-standing tradition. We will follow every tradition in marriage because the slightest irregularity and people will assume that we have some hesitations about this marriage. We cannot give any rise to anymore gossip as it is. As I said earlier, we will liaise with Garimaji and organise everything. But out of all of us, the busiest person will be Khushi. From tomorrow till the sagai, we will send some instructors to teach her protocols every day. In addition to being from the royal family, Arnav is also a businessman with interests in India and abroad. We want to see Khushi being involved in every aspect of his life and the instructors will ensure that she never feels out of her depth. She will be able to hold her own in every aspect of her life."

There was a small silence when Mamta stopped but she was not finished. She turned to Khushi and addressed her,

"You see Khushi, whatever has happened in the past, I want you to put them aside for now. You will get your opportunity at the right time and Devi Maiya will ensure that every wrong against will you be addressed. But for now, concentrate on learning as much as possible. My son told me everything including how he told you that you were not of his class. Now is your opportunity to prove him and everyone else wrong. We, the women of Devgarh are counting on you to do just that. We will help you in everything but for that the first effort will have to come from you... So tell me my dear, will you take up this challenge?"

Khushi had listened to her future mother-in-law in silence. It was obvious to her that these women were going to back her up all the way. Feeling alone and desperate the way she was at that moment, she knew she needed all the help she could get. The Maharaja was marrying her for some purpose of his own but maybe if she knew how to conduct herself in his world, she would survive whatever he was planning for her. She raised her head and met Mamta's eyes.

"Yes Maharani Saheba, I will."

"Not Maharani Saheba my child but Maa. My children call me Maa," Mamta offered with an approving smile. So far Khushi was proving her earlier impressions correct on all counts and Mamta was pleased with this.

The talk continued between Garima and Mamta while Anjali who had been silent will now stood up, saying,

"Khushi, let's go for a walk in the gardens, shall we? We will get to spend some time together."

She smiled at the younger girl who stood up with a shy smile and led the way out to the gardens.

"Oh what a beautiful place!" Anjali exclaimed with pleasure when she saw the bench in the garden surrounded with flowers.

Khushi smiled politely as she stood on the side while Anjali sat on the bench. Seeing her hesitations, Anjali patted the space next to her invitingly,

"Come and sit with me Khushi."

Khushi perched herself on the bench while she waited for Anjali to say something else. Anjali obliged her.

"You know Khushi I am going home today. My month long visit to my mayka finishes today."

"Oh! Does that mean you will not be here for the ... the wedding Raajkumari?"

"Oh no Khushi. I am not Raajkumari at all. I am Arnav's elder sister. He calls me Di. I want you to call me the same."

"No Raajkumari, how can I?"

"Why can't you? After all very soon you will be married to my brother. Or else after your marriage, I will call you Maharani Saheba!" Anjali teased her smilingly and Khushi smiled back hesitatingly."

"Now that we have that out of the way Khushi let me answer your question. I will arrive for your sagai and remain in Devgarh until all the ceremonies after the wedding are finished. That will be some three weeks. I cannot miss my brother's wedding for anything in the world."

"Oh. Will your ... I mean the ..."

"Who? My husband? Yes, he will come with me. You see, the groom's sister and jija have many responsibilities during his marriage and my husband for one will definitely ensure that he fulfils his responsibilities. After all he lives for fulfilling his responsibilities!" Anjali finished cryptically.

Khushi frowned at her last words, looking at her carefully. A look of fleeting sadness crossed Anjali's beautiful face. It was gone in a moment but Khushi knew she had not imagined it. She looked at Anjali with new eyes. Maybe this beautiful Raajkumari also had some sadness in her life. But in the next moment, Anjali smiled beautifully and taking Khushi's hands in hers, spoke up,

"I wanted to say something to you Khushi."

"Ji?"

"You are a very beautiful girl and you didn't deserve anything that happened with you. As Maa said earlier, you are getting the chance to prove everyone wrong. By all means, give it your best to learn from the instructors. But remember one thing; learn protocols but don't lose yourself in them. You have that very unique quality. It is what makes you the person you are. Learn the protocols and incorporate them in your behaviour but don't change yourself. Retain that quality of yours. You will come across as not just another royal but instead as a unique person with her own mind and her own bit of something special. You are a gypsy at heart; retain that. You don't just have to prove everyone wrong but you also have to make a life for yourself; a new life in which you can be completely happy. Your happiness is more important than anything else. You can rely on Dadi and Maa to guide you and you can count on me as well. We will support you in every way we can."

Anjali squeezed Khushi's hands before letting them go. Khushi sat quietly, taking in all that Anjali had said. Finally she nodded and returned Anjali's smile. Satisfied Anjali smiled back and stood up.

"Let's go back Khushi. They must be finished by now."

Indeed the discussions were finished. The ladies took their leave while Garima shooed Khushi off for her rest.

...

In Devgarh Palace, Arnav hurried out to meet his family. Mamta avoided saying anything, leaving Devyani to fill Arnav in. He listened to everything, finally asking,

"Dadi, I wanted to meet Khushi. I think I'll do that tomorrow."

"No Chhote. Whatever you have to say, say it after your wedding. It is not correct for a boy and girl to meet this close to the wedding. Anyway, Khushi will be very busy from now onwards. I can understand something of what you might wish to say but believe me, at this point, being pressured the way she is, it will have the opposite effect. You will be better off tying up your business loose ends and getting back before the sagai. For you see, you will be busy from then on till the wedding and for much after that."

Arnav opened his mouth to disagree but Anjali shook her head at him.

"As you say Dadi," he murmured. When Devyani and Mamta left, he turned to Anjali.

"Di, I wanted to apologise to her. Why did you stop me?"

"Dadi is right Chhote. She will be very busy from now onwards. No sense in pressuring her anymore or raking up the bad memories at a time when she needs all her energy to get through the wedding."

Anjali walked off, leaving her brother behind.

Arnav watched them leaving. He wanted to talk with his gypsy; very badly. But he realized the wisdom of Anjali's words as well. He went to get ready to leave for Delhi the next day.

Anjali smiled with satisfaction. She realized and fully applauded Devyani's plan. She wanted to bring Khushi to a place where she was more of Arnav's equal that just a mere gypsy. His apology now would not carry any weight. After all the Maharaja was apologising to a mere gypsy whom he was condescending to marry. No. Let it wait. It would be much better when the same Maharaja had to apologise to his Maharani. Let him stew, she decided, finally walking off to greet her responsibility conscious husband who had come to fetch her back from her mayka.

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Hi everyone. I know I can expect the eggs and tomatoes not to mention the chappals!

Most of you will perhaps not agree with me that Arnav should have apologised before and Khushi should have received more chance whether to marry him or no and of course Arnav should have cleared the misunderstanding where Khushi believes he is marrying her to extract revenge.

So let me justify it.

The setting is in the 80's. Back then Indian society was honour based completely especially regarding girls. They even married girls off to their rapists!!! God forbid I do that!!! But I am sure you get the message na! Also boys and girls who were marrying rarely met before the wedding. You remember our grandparents and parents! Some even married without seeing each other!!! Now the last one. The MU. I believe somewhere that maybe this feeling of trying to be strong to counter his revenge will make her stronger. And of course I am slightly perverted. I love the idea of them marrying under this MU. Imagine how much more difficult this will make things for Arnav during his redemption. Lastly I believe that she really needs this breathing space.

If you guys don't agree, then I'll just request you all to bear with me. And of course, I am ready with chappals, tomatoes and eggs now. Love you all. Thanks.

I just have one small request. Please don't do kanjoosi with comments. I live for them yaar!

Nice interpretations and thanks for the update. Anjali was right. Apology from Maharaja would be a blown out of proportion for a gypsy. She could consider it a great thing. But it would never be equivalent to Arnav apologizing to Khushi..So let him wait. The pain she had to go through, let him stew for at least 1/3rd of it. Love shouldn't be easy for Arnav when it had been nothing less than torturous to Khushi.

awesome loved how her in laws are