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One of my many headcanons on how the new rumored character is going to play out...
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The ladies of Raizada family were gathered in a common room going about their household chores: Nani-ji and Mami-ji were pealing the grapefruits for dinner, Anjali was making a grocery shopping list for later, Khushi and Payal were shining the veneration plates.
The only person falling out of this picture was NK because he wasn't doing anything useful... or, if you ask him, he was doing the only useful thing - loads and loads of pictures.
- NK, please, stop jumping around, you will give me headache and I can't afford it today, I still have that spa appointment, I can't miss it! Look!
Mami-ji stretched out her fingers to NK as if their mere sight was proving her point:
- See how grapefruit juice is corrupting my fresh-made manicure? It's no good! I will have to do it again!
Mami-ji sighted theatrically and got back to pealing the grapefruits. Nani-ji shook her head disapprovingly but kept silent - she has already used to her daughter-in-law's narcissism... because she knew that somewhere very deep under that polished and pampered surface there a really warm soul.
- Mami-ji, I assure you, your hands look as good as they did this morning! Here, I'll show you!
And NK dropped himself to the couch in between Anjali and Khushi and started clicking the buttons on his huge camera.
- See?! Here's Payal-ji preparing a lunch dabba for Akash-bhai... and here's Khushi-ji running with a glass of water...
- Arnav-ji forgot to take his medicine even though I reminded him before I left to make breakfast. So I had to run, you see...
Khushi sounded apologetic so Anjali covered her hand with hers and said in a low voice:
- Khushi-ji, I'm so glad Chote has you to take care of him. You are his angel.
So simple, so mater-of-factly... Khushi blinked to hold back a tear - she felt so blessed to join this family of beautiful and kind people... she felt loved...
NK kept narrating their morning routines through pictures - pooja, breakfast, "big bosses go to the big office to make big money"'
- Nanhe-ji, - Payal asked shyly, - why do you need so many pictures?
- Payal-bhabhi, two reasons! One - guys will be forever grateful to me for making pictures of their lovely ladies, two - I need as many pictures as I can get for the time when I will have to come back home! So that's what I'm doing - snapbook of the most beautiful women of Earth!
Everybody shied a bit on this unconcealed adoration remark... and then came unexpected voice:
- Well, yes, NK... Bro, you've landed on the most gorgeous company of faeries I've ever seen! Kudos!
Initial shock came to everybody's faces but only resided for long in Khushi's and Payal's. Nani-ji face held the most welcoming smile, Mami-ji's sparkled with joy and Anjali seemed happy... but startled a little.
NK jumped right that instant and gave a bear-hug to a lean, tall man in a three-piece dark suit. Man's face was all angles with stubble, his hair was a bit long and wavy, his gaze was razor-sharp when he was checking the faces that were apparently new to him.
The man asked in deep husky voice with warm velvet undertone of politeness attached to it:
- NK, do I get to be the luckiest of mortals to be introduced to your new stunning friends? Or shall you be a cruel man to leave me in a darkness here?
And he raised an eyebrow questioningly.
And that did it. Khushi stood up abruptly as revelation hit her! Him! This man reminded Khushi of him, her husband, Arnav-ji! Looks, voice, manners... He was Arnav's mirror reflection! Amazing!
But before Khushi had a chance to share her insights NK finally got to introduction part:
- J, here's Payal-ji, Akash's wife.
Man called "J" bowed ceremonially and Payal nodded back with a smile - it was hard not to appreciate his charm and gallantry.
- And this is Khushi-ji, she's Nannav's wife, they had married recently, you've missed it like for few month tops!
Not disrupting his introduction mode NK turned to Khushi and said all cheerful and happy:
- Khushi-ji, this is Javed Khan, he's Nannav's university buddy... and his best friend! And his business partner! So it's a wonder you haven't met him before!
And again - J or Javed inclined his head gracefully to Khushi... and then took her hand and kissed a back of her palm:
- Too bad we haven't met before. It could have played out very differently...
- But it didn't! So take your hands off my wife, Jev! That is if you you want to keep them attached to your body!
The iron in this voice was dominant and it gave away its owner even more than actual words. Arnav's eyes were shooting lightnings as he approached them in wide steps' but Javed seemed unfazed by his anger.
So... this was the first time Khushi met Javed. The man who wasn't afraid of her husband.
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Contradictory to what spoilers say... my Javed looks like this:
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J or Javed inclined his head gracefully to Khushi... and then took her hand and kissed a back of her palm:
- Too bad we haven't met before. It could have played out very differently'
- But it didn't! So take your hands off my wife, Jev! That is if you you want to keep them attached to your body!
The iron in this voice was dominant and it gave away its owner even more than actual words. Arnav's eyes were shooting lightnings as he approached them in wide steps... but Javed seemed unfazed by Arnav's anger.
Khushi snatched her hand quickly and hurried up to stop Arnav before his harshness ended up in something he would later regret. But even though Arnav was at the point of fuming, Javed seemed... almost bored.
And that was a misconception on Khushi's side. Because once Arnav has reached them Javed face became vivid and full of holy anger. He grabbed Arnav by his collar - again something Khushi would never expect to see in this life - and almost yelled at him ignoring smiling family around them (who, by the way, kept smiling albeit almost hostile situation in the room):
- What the hell, Arnav? Man, what part of "best friends" concept don't you understand? First you talk me into that joint venture to start a production company in Toronto and send me along with your uncle to work this through! Then you go M.I.A and few month LATER I find out you were kidnapped! KIDNAPPED for crying out loud! And have you given me a call to say you're OK? Nooo, you were TOO BUSY to answer MY calls properly!
This screaming session was accompanied with a physical empowerment - Javel literally lifted Arnav a bit by his collar and was shaking him with every word he emphasized. First Khushi got taken aback but then the actual meaning of what was happening got to her - Javed was worried! So he was a friend!... Arnav had a friend. That was very... Khushi couldn't find a word to describe this warm feeling that rested in her chest. This strong, handsome and protective man was her husband's best friend... Arnav was in good hands... it was pacifying...
To everybody but Arnav. Because "good hands" kept shaking him as if he was a mango tree. Arnav didn't resist - he had earned it.
- And NOW I find out you got married! Have you invited me? Nooo! Who the hell needs a friend these days, right? Not the all-mighty Arnav Singh Raizada for sure! Man! You just...
Javed let go of Arnav only to be grabbed by him into tight hug. Arnav's voice was happy and deep with emotion:
- So-so glad to see you, Jev! NOW everything is going to be all right!
Javed stepped away and looked around scanning the room. He turned his questioning eyes back to Arnav:
- Now? I thought you've been all right for quite some time now... or am I STILL missing something?
His tone was threatening, his eyes concerned. He cared.
Arnav took Javed's elbow and towed him to follow but Javed turned back to Khushi and Anjali. He nodded shortly and said:
- Ladies, I'll be back soon. Don't miss me... even though it's hard, I'm quite "missable". But I'll be right back!
And with that Javed was towed away by Arnav who was murmuring some expletives about "that Casanova" through clenched teeth.
Anjali laughed with short yet easy and natural laugh - Khushi was glad to see that happiness was coming back to Di's life. Even on the cost of such unexpected, unpredictable and dangerously charming character.
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Jev was more than just best friend or business partner - he was Arnav's brother. Javed knew Arnav better than anyone else in this world (apart from Khushi) and Arnav could usually say the same about him - he knew Jev and every possible reaction he may have...
Except for this one. Arnav have NEVER seen Javed being this angry before. His expression was murderous... and its' not just saying it lightly... no, Javed actually looked like he was planning cold-blooded and sophisticated murder.
Because Arnav has told him everything about Shyam. About his deceit of Khushi's family (and a painful role Arnav played in this part of drama), about kidnapping, miscarriage, cameras...
- Arnav, let go off me, - hissed Jev because Arnav was holding his sleeve, - I will go and find that man and kill him with my bare hands! Or better - I will cut open his throat with my teeth and enjoy watching him bleed to death! Arnav, let me go!
Arnav shook his head in disagreement:
- No, Jev, you won't. You think I didn't want to do these things to him myself? I did, I still do! But I can't go this way, I will end up in jail and it will do my family no good...
Jev smirked and Arnav shrugged - this was one of those evil smirks that give you goosebumps down your spine.
- I can make it look like an accident. I know how the system works, I'm a lawyer myself, remember?
- Corporate finance lawyer, Jev, I remember, - Arnav tried to pacify him... or distract him, - and it doesn't really matter because Shyam is in custody and there's pretty low chance to be ran over by a car behind the bars. So let go of this idea, Jev. Please!
Jev turned his surprise gaze to Arnav:
- Wow, Arnav, I don't recognize you! "Please"? You're being so calm and rational about it? I guess being married to Khushi did wonders to you constant bad mood, ney?
Javed nudged Arnav's shoulder trying to play it cool but Arnav could still feel the vibe of "Jev is onto something" and felt a need to look after his friend. But for now Arnav took the bait and switched to bro-mode they have shared so comfortably:
- Well, Jev, you always said it'll take an angel to bring me back from hell - I guess I'm just that lucky guy who has found that angel!
Arnav turned to look at Khushi who was standing with Di - they had a whispered conversation and they both were completely into it' but once Arnav said Khushi's name she turned his way and smiled at him. That special smile that embodied everything Khushi was for Arnav - support, love, pride, approval' She was there with him' for him' always'
Arnav looked at Jev and saw him looking at Khushi and Di. He was' mesmerized'
Then Jev blinked as if coming back from afar and told Arnav:
- I gotta go. I'll be back soon.
Arnav grabbed his elbow:
- Promise me you want do anything stupid! Promise me you won't go after Shyam!
Jev's voice was serene and clear as he swore:
- Arnav, that man screwed MY family! Anjali, Khushi, you' cheating, kidnapping, attempted murder, actual murder' he WILL get my revenge, that I can promise!
Then Jev calmed down and added:
- But if you're talking about now - than no, I'm just going out to buy some presents. I came here straight from the airport and haven't had a chance to buy anything' and now it appears that I'm late for the wedding celebrations too. It's not good to visit the newly wedded couple without a present, right? - Jev winked at Arnav, - Even if I was not invited to the actual wedding, - his voice was harsh but Arnav knew Javed had already forgave him.
- And more, - Jev turned to watch Khushi and Di, - I need to make sure your wife likes me, right? I want to get to know her better, since she's such an angel!
And with that he turned around and left. And took Arnav's breath with him.
"Stunning friend"' "It could have played out very differently"' Jev's mesmerized gaze' The way he started calling her "Khushi" just like that' "I want to get to know her better, since she's such an angel"
"Oh, no! It can't be! Not now! Not again!", - screamed in Arnav's mind'
"Not Khushi! Not her!"
"Not again!"
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