Part 15 - She belongs to the Raizadas
"Khushi, kahan ho tum," It was her mother calling. Khushi realized and pleaded, "Hume jaane dijiye, please Arnavji," He reluctantly released her, though still clinging to her hand...he wasn't too willing to let go of her. She pushed him away, released her hand, and rushed out of the room.
Her hair was in complete disarray, her face looked flushed, she was in a mess. Gosh what would her mother think of her. Her mother didn't say a word, and just distracted her by saying, "let us start the cooking...I am going to clear the bags..." Khushi was left alone in the kitchen, she gather her senses, straightened her herself and got going. She will stay away from him from now on, thought Khushi. There he was standing right in front of her, she looked away and went on with her chores. He took a glass of water and said, "I am going out with Babuji to the shop, we will return on time for lunch." She didn't look up, whilst he spoke to her. He knew, she was all shaken up, so let her be. The minute he left, she stopped what she was doing, and took a deep breath. This man had the ability to drive her crazy, when he felt like it, and the worst part he knew her so well.
Lunch was ready, where were they. She felt restless not seeing him. Just a few hours ago, she had told herself she would stay away from him, and now. What was wrong with her?
She got talking to Amma and Buaji about the pooja preparations. They arrived after half an hour. She served Arnav and everyone else. As much as she could, she avoided his gaze, and he knew why she was ignoring him. He let her be. She didn't know how shaken he was after that kiss. He could have gone further, but he had to reluctantly stop himself, he knew why. Thank goodness he was busy with Buaji to distract his thoughts.
Lunch was over, and Buaji and the elders said they would all rest. Babuji bid Arnav also to rest, he said he couldn't, he had work to finish so he would leave in a while.
Khushi walked into her room, he walked behind her and entered her room. Closed the door shut behind him. Khushi turned and was almost on the verge of snapping at him, when Arnav said, "Khushi I'll try my best to keep my hands to myself from now onwards, if that is what you want. I am sorry if I have been pushy with you. I shall leave now, Bye." And turned and was walking out of the room. She moved quickly and touched his arm, "Arnavji, thank you for doing what you did for my parents. Tomorrow is the pooja, will you be able to come?" said Khushi softly.
He replied, "Of course I will, see you tomorrow. I'll call you before I retire for the night. I can't help it." and kissed her on the forehead. He abruptly left the room and Khushi was left staring at her husband.
As the night neared she now waited for his call. It was something that both needed to do, talk to each other. Yes their nights were the loneliest and had to hear each other voices. It was like a balm to their tormented souls.
He discussed with her about his work, and then told her that Di and Naniji were also coming to Lucknow next week. Akash & Payal too would reach Lucknow tonight. They would stay at the same hotel Arnav was staying. She was really happy to hear that. They bid each other goodnight and longed for dawn to break out knowing it would bring another day of being together.
It was the day of the pooja. Khushi woke up earlier than usual, and was busy all day. The house was like a market place. Buaji with her rants….Amma getting worked up for no reason, and Babuji being cool as a cucumber. She winked at him whilst he sat there and read the newspaper.
There was a song being played on the radio, and she hummed along the tune. Buaji thought after a long time Khushi seemed content. Yet there was a kind of sadness in her but at the same time a kind of lady like maturity. She was a married woman now his bitiya. She didn't belong here anymore, her place right fully belonged at the Raizadas. He sighed, yes Damadji was a good and righteous man and knew how much he loved her. Why was she being so stubborn? Well she was his Khushi.
Payal came and all were excited. Khushi was very happy to see her sister after so long. Time has passed so quickly….Akash had come to drop her and he left. He said he would come to the mandir directly.
To be continued…
Part 16 - I Have wronged you Khushi
Khushi dressed with utmost care. She chose a rust orange saree today. Something similar to the one she wore on the Teej day. She would not wear the churidaar she decided. She adorned her hands with the bangles that Arnav had gifted her on that day. She put on the jhumkas and remembered the times it had got stuck in his coat and shirts. She touched her lips and remembered the kiss. She did her makeup, put on the kajal and coloured her lips. She felt his nearness though he was not around. She put her mangalsutra.
She was about to put on her sindoor, when there was a knock on the door. She gave a shout-out to come in. Arnav entered. And she saw his reflection in the mirror. He looked so handsome, and her eyes opened wide in surprise. He had worn a white kurta, and a pair of blue jeans. He looked so different and so dashing, and they exchanged looks of love. She cast her eyes down with shyness when she met his stare through the mirror. He drank in her beauty. Her eyes, her swan-like neck, the earrings, her mangalsutra, her tiny waist, her bare midriff that he noticed through the saree, all the way down to those feet that he had touched and known. He noticed the bangles she wore. She had forgiven him he knew at that moment. He approached her, and lifted her chin. "You look so beautiful today My Princess, but something is missing, wait." He went to the dressing table and picked up the sindoor dibbi, took the vermillion in his two fingers and placed it in her forehead, and Khushi stood there with sheen of tears in her eyes and love for him. "My Khushi, you will always be mine." He continued, "shall we go, or else Buaji will shout out now for you and me. Come on." Khushi obeyed him like a lamb and went along with him.
They all left to the mandir. Akash came as well. Khushi was surprised that Arnav participated in all the rituals, rang the bells of the mandir, and was joining hands and praying... Devi Mayya had received him back with open arms and so would she.
Khushi stole glances and was surprised that he was engrossed in prayer. Amma and Babuji completed their aarti first. Amma, handed over the thal to Arnav, he prompted Khushi to come close to him and join him in the aarti. They held the thal with their hands and completed the arti together. The mandir bells chimed, and the gods in heaven bestowed their blessings to them. Payal and Akash too finished the pooja.
After the pooja, all left for the Gupta house. Khushi and Payal got busy with the dinner. Meals were served and the whole family sat to eat. Khushi sat besides Arnav. Babuji then said next week he would open the shop after some paper work and renovations that were going on. Arnav nudged Khushi and pulled her right hand in his left hand. Held on to it under the table...what was he doing, everyone was around! She pleaded with her eyes to let go of her, he just acted as if he didn't notice and kept talking to Buaji. She twisted and turned her hand, and pleaded again. He let go of her hand and his hand went up her lower waist and back, with a smile on his lips. She was astound by his behaviour..."Kya kar..." Khushi whispered, he didnt say a word but smiled like a complete rogue and was flirting with her with his eyes. She stood up abruptly. Amma said "Khushi kya hua". Buaji shouted, "Finish your dinner and then get up." She sat obediently and finished her food.
Akash said that they would retire for the night. Payal told her mother she would come back tomorrow to spend the day with them, today she would return with Akash to the hotel.
The dishes were done and all the elders turned in for the night. Khushi, cleared the table, and Arnav sat with his laptop, he looked up saw she seemed a bit irritated.
She walked past him and went up to the terrace. After a minute or so, he followed and joined her there. She sat on the swing with her head down, looking at her hands. She hadn't changed yet and was still wearing the saree. The moonlight night cast shadows on both of them. Her face shone with radiance. He joined her on the swing. He took her hand in his and said, "Ok start, say what you have to say,...you seem mad at me..." Khushi, tried to push her hand out of his hold, but he did not let go, so she let it be. "Yes you always win and get what you want...Arnav SIngh Raizada.! don't you" accusing him of everything, and he knew what she was talking about. The past, the pain, the hurt.
"No Khushi I have never been right in your case, and I do not wish to win...I have wronged you...and I have hurt you, I do not expect you to forgive me ever, but I cannot live without you in my life...I am sorry, I wish I could turn back the clock. ...He got up and looked at her standing right in front of her and said, "Come back Khushi, that is if you are willing to come home to me and accept me once again in your life." He had extended his hand out to her, waiting when she would place her hand in his and say yes she was ready to come home.
Khushi's hands were in her lap, clutching her fists together. She waiting for this day and it had finally come, the demons of the past had long gone. So she slowly lifted her right hand to place it in his. Arnav said wait, he went down on his knees, and again extended his hand to her and asked, " I LOVE YOU AND ALWAYS WILL Khushi Kumari Gupta...Singh Raizada. I want to see your face every morning when I wake up. I want you to be the mother of my children, SO WILL YOU MARRY ME?!"
Khushi was all smiles and laughing and crying, "Arnavji humari shaadi ho chuki hai, aap." and placed her hand in his. He covered it with his left hand still kneeling he continued, holding back his tears, "Just say Yes Sweetheart"
Khushi replied "Yes Arnavji." Arnav continued, say "YES ARNAV without the JI"... Khushi felt shy, but she replied "YES YES YES ARNAV."
He got up and pulled her in an embrace. She stayed there safe and clung to him. He put his hand on her head, "Khushi dont leave me ever, or I'll just di...". She immediately covered his lips and stopped him from saying further, "I promise I will not."
He lifted her head and kissed her tears away, and then her parted lips. And whispered "I will love you forever Khushi until eternity." She melted in his arms and wound around his neck, she was his. But he said "Khushi, be patient my love, you will have to wait, I am going crazy right now, but I want to give back to you every moment that I have taken away from you. I want to take you back home as MY BRIDE."
Khushi asks, "Matlab, I didnt get you." We will have a proper wedding Khushi. I got to go now, or else I will end up carrying you to your room. So let me leave and I have so much to do. Naniji & Di will be here to visit you soon." He kissed her on the forehead "and sweet dreams. I love you and will miss you like hell tonight. Now come on you too must go back to bed." So they walked holding hands and he reached her to her room.
Khushi entered her room. And was ready to change and go to bed. She touched her maang, she felt complete today. What did Arnav mean when he said a proper wedding? She was restless and wanted to know everything. Smiling to herself, she took her time in doing what she did. She went and placed her hand on the deity, touched Devvi Mayya. And spoke to Devi Mayya, "You have always been with me...though I was angry with you once...be with me and with him Devi Mayya, all the way, forever." And then went and fell asleep on her bed thinking of him.
Arnav drives homes and calls Aman. I want you to be in my office at 8 am without fail.
To be continued….