Arnav's bedroom...
Arnav jerked up from sound sleep as boomy resonant tones punched his senses. His brain slowly started to process the fusion of what sounded like someone blowing horn and beating up the wood drumming blood in his ears. The more he concentrated more louder they got and then felt someone vigorously shaking him up. He raised his head from the pool of pillows to see Aman neatly decked up.
Get up...Your wedding remember? He hurriedly opened the drapes off the large windows welcoming the twinkling wedding lights into the dark room.
What the hell is that noise? Arnav mumbled wrinkling his eyebrows sleepily as he checked the time.
Its called...wait Madhu aunty mentioned something..Its called Na..Nadasw...forget it I Dont remember..Typically in telugu wedding, they play this live music all day throughout the ceremonies.
Live music at 4:30AM? Are they fu*king crazy? Arnav sat with piercing ache in his head.
Who your in-laws or guys playing it?
Ignoring his sarcastic remark, Arnav threatened, Ask them to shut up before I kill everyone...
Sorry buddy, Its my Bhabhi's wedding I cant disappoint her. And be ware if she knows that you are planning to kill them, she would take similar action against you. I am sure you wanna live long life with my Bhabhi.
Wha...?
Aman interrupted...Get up..you are already late..She is all ready and waiting for Nalugu and Ma..Mangal..Dammit I got to learn telugu. These are tough..Aman whined referring to the new language that doomed in all their lives.
Now Who are hell are those new as*holes? the old ass*hole being Khushi's friend NK...His mind is not ready to miss his dearest enemy even for a moment.
Aman who was turning on the lights smirked with an instant evil plan. Since you are late, she decided to get married to either gardener or handyman of this complex. Must say they are all ready to woo her.
That did the trick and Arnav shot up from the bed. What the f*ck is she upto now?
Well apparently, she thinks that gardener got amazing smile and handyman got silky hair than any man she seen on this earth.
What? Arnav cried charging onto Aman almost pinning him down to kill.
Dont look at me like that. Thats her words and she also said that they are much more caring than you. Just few mins ago, Gardener gave her jasmine flowers and Handyman gave her screwdriver if she needs to fix anyone's screw. Aman said referring to Arnav's brain.
She better fix hers first. Arnav turned around to leave to give Khushi some lessons.
Whoaah whoaahh you dont wanna go like this. Just then Nani entered and screamed at Arnav for being late.
What the hell is he saying Nani? Khushi is getting married to.. who are those idiots? Arnav turned to Aman.
Nalugu..and Mangal...Aman said winking at her.
Then what? You keep dreaming, someone will take her away. Nani chided looking for his new clothes she bought yesterday.
Arnav strode towards exit when Nani stopped him. If you go in this dishevelled state, she will definitely marry those old men.
They are old? Arnav's jaw dropped to the floor and soon his eyes turned red. What an insensible lady! He thought in grit.
Experienced is the right word here. You need to give better competition. Aman what is the dress code. Nani asked looking through the piles of clothes she set aside for Arnav.
Aman took out his cheat sheet of Arnav's dress codes of the day and read everyday clothes is fine, preferably bare chest if you are comfortable. These clothes must be discarded so choose accordingly.
I dont have time for this. Before Arnav could turn towards exit, Nani and Aman pushed him inside the bathroom locking him from outside. Get ready first, only then you will be allowed to see your wife.
Aman and Nani gave hi-fi to each other hearing their dear one swearing helplessly in his majestic retreat.
Stop that f*cking music...Its chopping my brains...came another loud cry from the bathroom.
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Khushi's bedroom...
Khushi was given one of the guest bedroom and she was ready sharply by 4AM and was told that her to-be husband has not woken up yet. It was then when she gave left right to Aman, Aman dared to wake his buddy up by opening the doors to the wedding orchestra.
Khushi sat in her room waiting looking at her hands that displayed beautiful shade of mehendi. Payal who stayed with her all the time observed her sister who looked lost and quite anxious.
Nervous? Payal asked teasingly.
Khushi nodded NO closing her hands into fists, her mind repeatedly playing his words I HATE YOU...AND I CANT WAIT TO BREAK YOU DOWN...
Payal took her hands in hers and opened her fists. Amma says darker the color, the more he would love you.
Yeah I know. Khushi smiled sadly disregarding Payal's theory.
Ek baath boloon Jiji[Shall I say something]. Hope you dont mind.
Bol. [Say] Khushi cupped her cheek and asked with smiling face.
Whatever you are doing, I know you are doing it for me. This lifetime will not be enough for me to repay for your sacrifice.
Payal?
Jiji, please let me finish. Remember what you said when Papa died.
Khushi nodded remembering the only man who gave positive vibes and tried all his best to take off the bitterness from her life.
You promised me that you would guard me as good as Papa did. If Papa was alive, I dont think he would have done what you did and doing for me. Payal broke into silent tears.
Khushi hugged her baby sister. Words failed to console the sisters.
I am sorry Jiji. I am sorry for ruining the perfect world you laid for our family.
Khushi took moment to contain her emotions...It was not your fault. You are not the reason why I am here and why I am marrying him. Its meant to happen and its happening. Dont I always say we cannot control our own destiny.
But you got a choice here Jji. You dont have to do what you dont wanna do.
I wish..Khushi said to herself. Ofcourse Payal which is why I opt for this choice. Believe me, this is the best decision for bringing our lives back to track.
I hope so. Payal said guiltily.
Payal, whatever happened that was not in your control. But that doesnt mean that we sit quietly and accept without giving our best shot to fight the circumstances. Please tell me who is behind all this.
Royally ignoring her question, Jiji, as much as I hate the fact that you took this decision because of me, I am more happy with your choice. He is different Di. Not like the skin suckers you have encountered, nor like the sugar-coated high society wolves I have seen. I have seen men who talk sweet but very hollow. I feel he could be trusted and given a chance if YOU THINK HE DESERVES YOU. Payal walked away leaving Khushi alone to think.
A sky with mountain ego and an earth with boundless insecurities can never meet Payal. You are too young to understand this. Khushi thought looking at her mehendi clad hands.
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Arnav's bedroom...
Aman shut up..Dont irritate him any more. Nani tried to calm agitated Arnav as he was hell bent to meet Khushi right at that moment. Aman is just pulling your leg..Khushi is not doing any such thing.
Immediately landed a hard knuckle punch in Aman's abdomen and poor soul couldnt help coughing up badly. Nani before we speak a word, I want that crazy horns to be shut right now.
Beta, its part of their culture. Please understand.
NOO..How does people marry in such noisy surroundings...
Humans generally do Arnie..I understand you are not one of those but seriously I mean you have to..Aman said sardonically but soon interrupted by Arnav.
Knock it OFFF Aman. He roared totally pissed.
Uff shut up you both...Beta listen, this means alot to Madhumatiji. Her husband wanted Khushi to get married in telugu style.
Ofcourse I will marry her Nani following their rituals but not with these midnight hungama.
Aman, tell Madhumatiji that marriage is cancelled. Nani feigned distress and Aman our super actor headed to the door.
You are impossible Nani. Arnav threw his hands in the air giving up in frustration and Aman with his hands on the door knob threatened to oblige Nani if Arnav doesnt bend his ways.
Its all very strange and I understand you dont like such chaos. But for today just let it go. Madhumatiji will be very upset if anything goes out of the norm, and if Madhumatiji is upset Khushi will be as well..I am sure you dont want to upset Khushi.
Arnav nodded in disbelief at the way his nani taking her side brutally needling him with emotional atyachaar. What have I signed up for!!!! He swore under his breath and he heard the perfect answer...
KHUSHI!...Nani said with a smile answering his silent question. Khushi is waiting for YOU and only for YOU for the last 45mins...
His face looked at her in surprise, his eyes softened and his jaw relaxed with that thought of Khushi waiting for him. Without saying another word, He strode to exit, neatly dressed per the requirement.
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As the Arnav's bed room doors opened to the living room, he was shocked to see the whole house fogged in the cool breeze wafting the divine smell towards him..the strong savour of incense similar to one you find in temples...That reminded him the first temple that ever attracted him...Tirupati...
As his nostrils savoured their newly found love, his eyes popped open to witness the entire city of ladies and men assembled in his modern contemporary sleek living room that looked nothing short of fish market. And he was astonished to see more entering his house with each passing second. That led his gaze towards the house entrance decorated with plaintain trees on either side of the 20"feet majestic teak door, along with festoons, mango leaves, and screw-pine petals that never fade, reminding her words Thoranam. That caught his attention of people entering the house taking big leaps and he lowered his gaze to the floor that proudly flaunted the intricate design of colors also called as Muggu in telugu (aka Rangoli).
Beautiful isnt it? Bhabhi did it...It took hell lot of time..I think it was around 2 by the time she was done. Aman informed.
Arnav's head shot back to Aman totally flabbergasted. She didnt sleep...was his first thought...Arnav deduced clenching his jaw in an unknown emotion. Concern..again the fact that is miles away from his smart brain.
As Nani and Aman led Arnav, he mentally closed his ears from listening to south-indian classical instruments Nadaswaram (similar to Shehnai) and Thavil (barrel shaped drum) played by 4 men dressed in south indian attire.. dhotis... sitting in the corner of his humongous living room, exactly where his heart thumping expensive home theatre McIntosh once used to be. The sound of the instruments resonated across each item and being present in the living room awakening something in oneself. As each second passed, and note changed, the fusion became too addictive to turn his ears away. Thats exactly happened to Arnav and his ears got tuned by the time he crossed the men.
Nani greeted guests along the way and the ladies couldnt help gape at the groom walking with straight face making his way through the crowd. He followed Nani through the empty hallway towards the loft...Assuming that Khushi is already at the designated place, he failed to see the bedroom on his left that was wide open giving complete view of his bride. Taking quick strides, he reached the loft to find few ladies in pairs pounding the turmeric roots in large stone grinders to reduce it to powder. Then he spotted Payal, Madhumati, NK, and few more ladies. But she was not there and no where to be seen.
His eyes impatienly searched for hers when Madhumati approached with smile...Aao beta jaldi karo [Come son make it fast]..She gestured him to sit on the low stool that were placed infront of priest.
Where is Khushi? Arnav asked in an impatient tone.
Madhumati smiled, She will be here in a min. Payal, go get her.
Per Priest instruction, Arnav took his seat such way that Khushi will take the one on his right.
An idle mind is the devil's workshop...The turmoil of inexplicable emotions began while one part of him wanted to see her, the other part wanted to loathe her for her hatred and opinions of him...After battle of few seconds, the hatred won reminding him her words I HATE YOU MR. ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA... He has very long connection with that word, the very first word taught by his unknown mother whom he had never seen in his life...He hated the word so much so that he embraced it with all his being refraining himself to like or love anything in this world. With that he adorned a blank expressionless face stiffening his jaw...the face of typical ASR...
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Jiji..He is here..Ready? Payal asked adjusting Khushi's pallu.
Khushi nodded and looked herself one final time in the mirror, not that she dressed like bride but she wanted to see how her life is going to change drastically in moments. Soon her simple neck will be strangled with license, a certification that must accompany a married woman. She never hated herself as much as she is now. A blunder that costed her whole life of independence, self esteem and will be tagged with the man who loathes her.
Its time Jiji...Payal goaded her.
Khushi followed Payal to the loft and found several women seated far with NK, Nani, and Aman listening keenly to Bua explaining something. She looked everywhere except the pair of eyes already rooted to her. Nope not to prove any point, but it took her whole night to come out of those raged eyes and his brutal words. And she knew for unknown reasons she would be massively tormented if she sees the same rage again in his eyes. She decided to do her part whatever she is supposed to do to get over this. She nerved herself and sat next to him quietly.
Arnav was listening to Bua who was explaining that they combined two rituals into one..which is when Khushi walked into the space. His eyes lingered around her face for a brief moment and shifted away with her hateful words still lingering in his mind.
Khushi is no less..She looked at everyone one by one adorning plastic smile. Dressed in yellow chiffon saree, her hair secured tightly at her nape, wearing a simple earring studs coupled with gold chain that ended at her collarbone, she looked at every damn human in that room including NK but him...just not him...
Madhumati leaned to Arnav and said, Beta, We will be doing Nalugu now which is called Making Bride & Bridegroom Ceremony similar to Haldi. The married woman will apply oil and haldi that they are grinding now and then bless you both taking aarthi at the end.
Amma, where are the betel nuts? Priest interrupted Madhumati...
Madhumati pointed it & got back to conversation and before she could proceed Priest called her again...
Khushi tell him about the vest beta...With that Madhumati rushed to the priest to join Nani to help while Payal, NK, and Aman stood far watching & hearing the proceedings.
She didnt respond. She didnt care. He is grown enough to understand what is happening around..She thought...little did she know that it is the first marriage he is ever attending in his life.
Arnav didnt bother and sat least interested losing his patience rapidly. The fact that she didnt speak or look at him irked him even more.
If Arnav is born with the hate and moulded himself to embrace the hatred, Khushi pretty much all her childhood until she hit her teens was raised with the hatred. Unlike Arnav she couldnt mould herself and till date anyone hating her scares her bringing back her bitter memories with her father. A man who planted startling insecurities in her life which took her several years to let go putting up a strong woman facade for all these years to not to allow anyone getting close to her emotionally. But her every rule, principle and conviction is now massively disturbed by Arnav Singh Raizada, and the words he said last night brought nothing but misery of her own life, the words she heard 18years ago repeated...She sat silent lost like a little child in an unknown place in her own little treacherous world.
Madhumati brought 2 small kids and introduced them Khushi and Arnav saying that little boy will accompany Arnav and little girl will accompany Khushi and informed Arnav that it is part of the custom. And then the kids took their respective places.
A lady came forward to smear oil on Khushi when she rejected. Arnav turned to Khushi with shocked expression when she called Madhumati.
I told you that you should be the one doing it first right? Khushi chided her Bua.
Beta I cant do it. You should understand I am..
Widow? So what? Physically but mentally he is still alive with you right. And you are not widow of emotions..
Arnav was totally blown away, his anger thrown out into the darkness. It may look like her arrogance, ego, or obnoxious attitude but the fact is she stands up for her people no matter where and what she is going through. The respect for her grew to mountain levels and he couldnt help praise her mentally.
Khushi..I ca..Buaji looked at Arnav uncomfortably and Khushi understood her Bua's resistance thinking if his family may not like it..
And before Khushi could turn to him and ask do you mind..as if he understood her Bua's hesitation, he stood up for Khushi..Khushi is right...I dont care and neither should you. He felt quite ashamed that he couldnt say the same thing for Nani. But being better late than never, he asked Madhumati to call Nani and insisted they should be the first ones to start.
As Madhumati turned to call Nani, Khushi mouthed Thank You..
He acknowledged with tight nod and afterthought, he added, She is lucky to have you as her daughter.
Not everyone thinks like that. She spat looking away hurt.
He understood she is upset with him more than being angry. Her tone didnt sound any where like being angry but very mellowed down, as if lost in the battle. That didnt quite please him and he felt disturbed.
Nani joined Madhumati and followed what she did. With their eyes rimmed with tears, the ladies firstly put kumkum between their eyebrows and dipped both their hands in warm oil, and smeared it on bride and groom's head, cheeks, arms, back of the palms, and feet. Arnav initially jerked resisting with the use of oil but his thoughts about her soon made him ignorant of whats happening as he deeply immersed himself with her concern.
And the old ladies repeated the same to the kids as well...And followed line of ladies to do the same..With the way Arnav scowled at Nani for smearing big blobs of turmeric paste, Nani insisted Aman to stand by him and tell every lady to smear just little...But ladies..dil to bacha hain jii...They couldnt help giving him massage here and there...Aman's sadistic soul felt content as his buddy is being tortured. Standing near by them also helped Aman notice the discomfort rapidly rooting up in Arnav and he knew exactly the reason.
He walked towards Khushi and leaned over to the side away from Arnav and whispered to her, Bhabhi I dont know if this helps the situation any bit, this is the first wedding Arnie is attending.
Khushi's face shot towards Aman and she looked at him shocked...Aman nodded positive and further added He had never been to one..He pursed his lips little sadly...But he doesnt need to tell what she needs to do. She is smart enough to know her actions and he saw her already working on it with the way she gaped at Arnav who scrunched his nose irritated and in discomfort. She quickly turned to Aman and asked Why to which he smiled and responded, he is your man for those answers.
Khushi looked back at Arnav and he looked like a lost child for sure. She pitied him and the way he moved his head resisting the smears brought smile on her lips, but what could be the reason...May be he is not social but that cant be true..Atleast as a kid, he must have gone to one wedding. Her mind tried to come up with reasons but failed in attempt to deduce Why he is such a big question mark? Her eyes fell on the women who were literally pouring the paste on his arms...and she couldnt control her temper..Cant they get it if person is enjoying or resisting?
Arnav tried everything he could to express that he is hating it..Aman squeezing his shoulders to control his temper and Nani sighing with her pleas...He shut his temper not because of their pleas but for her who is sitting quietly beside him. He didnt wanted to worsen Khushi's mood anywhere, still thinking about her last statement that said alot about her hurt... But It was getting too much to handle when he heard her call Bua and said...
Bua, I think we should proceed to aarthi...Its getting uncomfortable with the paste..Please...
He felt blessed as the ladies approached and took aarthi of both of them while priest chanted vedic mantras to ward off the evil eyes...
Arnav contained his smile and turned to his right and looked at her but she kept her eyes lowered. She looked like a doll made of fresh yellow color playdough...Khushi...He called her but she didnt turn to look at him.
Before he could goad her, Madhumati came to Arnav where Aman, NK, Devyaniji assembled and said, Beta your nani will take you to Mangal Snanam which means Ceremonial bath...
Bath? No no no I think I can handle it...
I know but this is different...Priest will recite five vedic mantras to sanctify bride and groom in preparation for the subsequent stages of the marriage..
No no..I dont think its good idea..Nani NOO...He shook his head in refusal.
Then came her explanation in her soft tone as if understanding his hesitation, They will just need to pour pots of water over you to wash off this turmeric..You dont have..you..you you just need to sit in the same attire...When priests recital is done, You can then carry on with your regular shower...
Nani gave proud look to Madhumati reminding her that only Khushi can handle him and it just proved right as he agreed to it.
While Khushi was led by Payal and few ladies, Arnav followed them along with Nani, NK, and Aman.
Nani I need to speak to her.
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