"You may wear your virtues as a crown, As you walk through life serenely, And grace your simple rustic gown With a beauty more than queenly. Though only one for you shall care, One only speak your praises; And you never wear in your shining hair, A richer flower than daisies."
It was a lazy Sunday after noon in RM. After the heavy lunch which Payal and Khushi had meticulously prepared it only added to everyone's lethargy. Arnav, Aakash and Mamaji were continuing their business talks even after this heavy lunch and moved to the formal area and were continuing their discussion. Yawns were also quite audible even from a far distance. Khushi was continuing her silent treatment to Arnav. It was now almost nearing a month. She had convinced everyone in RM that her jabbers were getting on Arnav's nerves leading to their confrontations. And distance was wedging between them because of this. So to improve their relationship she wanted to keep this going for some more time. And everyone bought that idea in RM other than Arnav. By now Arnav had come to know her innocence and Shyam had made a fool out of Arnav and Shyam was the worst kind of scumbag ever. Filthy to the core. But for Di's sake Arnav had to keep up with this slime ball. He was trying his level best to propitiate Khushi and all his efforts were futile so far. He had tried to reason with her a million times and she was not ready to hear any. He so wished she could hear him once. So far she had not even made a single eye contact. His patience was really thinning. He had to come up with different strategy. He was an astute businessman for nothing you see. So far all the methods he had tried were from an area which was not his forte. He had not used any business tactics yet. He was this close in using them and he had to pretty soon.
Things had not gone unnoticed by him. Deep down she still loved him. It was very evident or why else would she make sure his every day to day need was met. Right from the time he woke up to the end of the day. All necessary things were made avail to him. He didn't even have to ask once. And just an example today she made sure that every dish that was cooked was kept separately for him which was tempered down. She was well aware that he didn't like spicy food. And of course the sugar free sweets were always there as desserts. Why else could she go for that extra mile if she hadn't cared for him and loved him. And any time he sneezed or coughed it bothered her. She would either get some water or rush to make sure the AC was set to right temperature. He had observed everything and had even played around a bit with this. It gave him immense pleasure to see her concern for him.
Looking at the men still lounging around and being not bothered about them, Anjali got this brilliant idea. She convinced the ladies of the house on a shopping trip. It was long due she thought. The idea suddenly thrilled Khushi. She was saving up the money after imbursement of what ever she had into various categories as she knew the day was coming soon where she will be on her own and had to plan ahead. Her birthday was coming soon and she wanted that gota saree which she loved. She had thought of treating herself with that saree and she had rightfully deserved it and it was overdue already. Anjali announced to the men that they were going for shopping. Arnav was the first one to react. He wanted to accompany them which were easily dismissed. Anjali said they would take driver as it was five women shopping adventure it would take hours atleast. And going by the amount of patience he had, it would be calling on a disaster knowingly.
Khushi had an uneasy feeling looking at the ambience of the shop they were in. It was an upscale boutique and she knew she couldn't afford even a hanky here. All the ladies except her were busy with their selection. She saw a beautiful gota saree while she was helping Anjali with her selections. And the price of that was whopping 25,000 rupees. All she had saved was 1000 rupees. She gasped and gave a little sigh with displeasure. She thanked that no one noticed. By the end of a good 4 hours everyone had multiple selections with bags of shopping. She was the only one with empty hand. After the final selection Anjali mentioned everything to be billed to Raizada account and a help was duly summoned from the owner of the boutique to the Raizada car. It was then Anjali noticed Khushi had not brought anything for her. Upon insisting several times by everyone, Khushi came up with a dry excuse that she was so overwhelmed with the choices and couldn't decide on anything and she would come with Arnavji some other day'That was the best she could think off.
In RM it was tea time and all the men sans Arnav assembled for tea and that's when the ladies made their grand entrance with heaps of goodies. Arnav was tending his plants. Off all the plants there was this white Daisy plant he gave attention the most. It very much reminded of someone. Simple with just few petals,beautiful,expressive and above all always held its own place in the bouquet of different flowers. Made its presence always felt. Mamaji asked HP to fetch Arnav He braced himself for the torture from his wife.It was mami's modus operandi to display every bit of her selection and to garner comments. Of course nothing but good ones. Arnav arrived right in time and he was keener on Khushi's choice. He was happy atleast this way he was giving something to her of her choice as he knew who was footing the bill for all those bags. It was Mamaji who asked Khushi to show her choice as he would do anything as he was imploded with suffocation from Mamiji. Anjali nonchalantly announced that Khushi didn't buy anything for her as she was so confused. Arnav knew the reason very well and wanted to give a piece of his mind but for the commotion that would be created, he had to snap himself out of it. He followed Khushi to their room after the tea and wanted answers. Khushi ignored him but he was not relenting this time. He grabbed her and made her face him. He saw tears welling up in her eyes which were as stubborn as her to flow. It was all very evident that she was holding it up with great effort. He pestered her for answers and was not going to give up until she cracked. And she did!!.She said it was all above and beyond her reach in that boutique and she couldn't afford even a hanky. She had to plan for her future as the day was fast approaching where she would be again on streets. Their contract marriage would expire soon and she couldn't burden her buaji any more. More over she couldn't face them after the sham marriage as they would be disgusted about it. She didn't have enough strength in her to face being an orphan once again. So she had decided to live in a women's hostel and she had already looking for options. So she had to save for herself and her future.
Hearing her Arnav froze for a good few minutes. He had faced many situations in his life. Time stood as a testimony to that. But this was worst of all. The guilt feeling he was already carrying and her stance for his request for forgiveness was weighing heavily on him. And now this revelation from her was too huge. He knew to convince her of his love and care, he had to take extreme steps. He was a business man and was used to facing the opponents head on. He knew that not much time should be given for opponents to make decision and had to put pressure. That's how deals were always cracked. And now he had to crack the deal of his life. His survival. His life surrounded around her. He couldn't fathom to think a second without her and now she was talking of leaving him. That was it. He just grabbed her and gave her a hard kiss on her lips. He knew she would be shocked and she would fight. He had to be strong and might hurt her a little. But it had to be done. It was a kiss of struggle vs. passion, give vs. relent, strength vs. submission, remorse vs. forgiveness and last but not least Life Vs, Death. Finally she gave in and responded. Tears were flowing from her eyes. All that had welled up, she let them go!!! Arnav could sense everything. He wanted to tell her that she was his and this relationship was for keeps. The contract was just a facade. He had taken a decision in anger but his motive was to make her his. He loved her more then she could ever imagine. She was not alone and she would never be an orphan. He was with her like her shadow. He was her protector. She didn't have to work for money. It was his duty and pleasure to look after her. After the kiss ended she looked him into his eyes first time after a good one month. She could see the pain in his eyes. For her his eyes always was an open book. That's when she decided to forgive him .There was no spoken words between them till now. She wanted to hug him tight and make sure it was not a dream. She was still thinking and he took the next step. He took her to the dining area where the family was still reeling under mami's torture. He straight away got to the point. He asked Aakash how his schedule looked for following week. Aakash looked at his gadget and said nothing important and he could accommodate any new meetings. Arnav said then its settled. We four are going on honeymoon. He told his Di that it was Khushi's and Payal's choice of destination and he would let his secretary arrange for everything once the place was decided. Everyone was so shocked to react as they first had to assimilate the news and from source it was coming. It was especially hard on Khushi. With so much going on, Khushi really needed the chair to sit for support. Her head was spinning. More was coming her way... He said Khushi and himself were not to be expected for dinner tonight as they are going on a date. He said to Khushi to get ready in half an hour. . Arnav had big plans. His first stop was in that boutique, than dinner. She felt so special tonight. She would remember this for a long time to come.
The next day for her it was business as usual. After dinner when she entered their room, there was a paradise waiting for her. Arnav had hired help to decorate their room with red roses. The entire room was filled with red roses. There was a special path carved for her with rose petals from door to her side of the bed. It was just so ethereal experience for Khushi. She almost doubted if it was real or a figment of her imagination. All she could do was thank him. She was still carrying some old baggage and couldn't express as much as she wanted to.
The following day Arnav had made sure the RM was left for themselves. So he had arranged for IPL tickets to all expect him and Khushi. When everyone left, he asked Khushi to get ready and join him in dining room. When she came down what she saw was beyond her wildest dreams. Arnav had donned himself as waiter and the table was beautifully set with soft music in BG. Candles were lit every where and he was ready to serve her. It was his luck that she didn't faint. And of course Khushi enjoyed thoroughly.
The fourth day was very calm. Anticipation was killing her. And the day ended quite normally. She entered the room waiting for some suspense. And nothing. She thought that its back to reality check Mrs.KKGSR. And changed herself for a good night sleep. The moment she switched off the lights, the entire sky was lit in her room. Arnav had decorated the ceilings with those heavenly fluorescent stars. Her most beautiful dream had come true. She ran and hugged him and thanked him profusely.
The fifth day Arnav took Khushi out for a movie. The entire hall was booked for just the two of them and of course it was a special screening that day. And as anyone would have guessed it was a Salman Khan's movie for Khushi to enjoy without disturbance. She had a gala time. She screamed and laughed and was in awe of her favorite hero. Arnav had plans to arrange for a meeting with Salman but decided to drop it. With Khushi, he didn't want to take chances. He was sure she would hug and kiss Salman and Arnav's heart was not big enough to accommodate this. He didn't want to get carried away with Khushi. The entire hall for them was just fair enough he thought.
On the 6th day Khushi had to visit her parents as her babuji was missing her. By the time she and Payal reached RM , it was almost 10.00 at night. When Khushi entered the room nothing seemed unusual. Not that she was expecting something daily. She already had her fair share of surprises and to anticipate more would make her greedy. But something was waiting for her' on her pillow was a beautiful jewel box. She opened it to find a huge diamond ring. She thought to wear that ring she would need personal body guards. It was a gift for ASR after all. There was a letter which read BE MINE FOR EVER!!!. And there she saw her husband waiting for her response 'she would not miss this for anything in the world. She hugged him and kissed him fervently.
And on the 7thday they left for some exotic tropical island on their HoneyMoon. Given Arnav's penchant to treat her like a princess it would be suffice to say that Khushi had a time of her life
. **** And of course like all fairy tales They lived Happily ever after *******
"The Rose has but a Summer reign, The daisy never dies."
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