“No! You have to wear the Sherwani!” Khushi screamed on the
phone as she went about sorting through the racks of designer sarees and
dresses her designer had sent to her…she narrowed her eyes as Arnav once again
refused to listen to her
“Khushi, I told you…I don’t do traditional, so please don’t
ask me to wear a sherwani…I prefer my suits” Arnav answered back on the phone
which further annoyed Khushi.
As it is, he had been out of the country for an R&S event
when all the other wedding functions were taking place because of which they
had not seen each other for more than a week now.
On top of that, Khushi was getting restless without him
since her family too knew about them and had been pestering her to call him
over to meet them officially…so at this point, she could not take anymore of
this!
“You know what Arnav, wear whatever you want…I ask you one
thing! One thing and you can’t do it for me!” She whined on the phone as she
picked up a pink ensemble and held it to herself in front of the floor length mirror
in her room
“C’mon baby, don’t be like this! As it is I am dying to see
you since I got back this morning…and the last thing I want is to argue with
you on something so insignificant!”
“You should be in a happy mood today! Your brother is
getting married and we are going to finally see each other after so long! You
don’t know how I have survived without seeing you all this time…” he said in a
low voice, which completely melted Khushi’s heart
She smiled as she plonked herself on her bed, now littered
with tons of silky, satiny dresses as she shifted the phone to her other ear “I
missed you too Arnav…and I can’t wait to see you tonight…If only I could meet
you right away…but there are just too many things to do….” She said as she
sighed and laid down on the bed on her stomach
“Fine! Don’t wear the Sherwani…its ok, I won’t force
you…Just come on time ok…” she said as Arnav sighed in relief…she could feel
him smile on the other side “I’ll come right now sweetheart, but you know how
scandalous that would be…so I shall be on time tonight…” he said as Khushi
giggled
“Ok, I’ll see you later…Oh and baby…please make sure that
Aakash comes as well…I have a surprise for him!” she said as she suddenly
remembered her genius plan “Sure, he’ll come…but why are you not telling what
it is!” he asked as she giggled some more “Nope! All in good time Mr Raizada”
she said as she bid him a good bye and let out a satisfied smile…she could not
wait to tease that little brat!
•••
“Khushi? Ah…what a pleasant surprise” Shashi said as he
opened the door and stepped aside to usher her in…he was truly surprised to see
her here and also a bit nervous since Garima had told him that Khushi knew
about them
“Not sure if it will be pleasant Mr Dinkaran…but we’ll know
soon” she said under her breath as she went and sat down on the couch while
Shashi sat on the settee opposite to her.
Khushi observed the casual track pants and worn t-shirt that
he was wearing while he had the Sunday times in one hand…he had obviously not expected
to see her this early in the morning
“Your kids are in?” Khushi asked as Shashi nodded his head
“Ritwik is still sleeping and Payal…I’m not sure…she’s not come down yet…I just
got their breakfast ready…you want some?” he asked her as she looked up in
surprise
“You cook for them?” she asked him in a surprised tone as he
nodded and smiled “Yes, on Sunday’s we have a late breakfast cum lunch since
they both don’t wake up till noon” he chuckled as Khushi let out a small
smile…how nice it must be to have such a caring father…she shook herself
mentally to not go there…not now.
“So, how are things at work? Heard you’ve been working from
home all week” Shashi said as Khushi nodded…she knew that her mother must not
have told him the real reason for Khushi’s absence from GR office, so she merely
shrugged her shoulders “Yeah, too much work for the wedding…so I’ve been
working from here” she said as Shashi nodded before keeping the newspaper aside
and leaning forward, with a determined look in his eyes
“We both know why you have come here khushi…so why don’t you
ask me what you want to” he said as Khushi smiled at him…she knew he was aware
of her reason to visit, but to have him ask her directly was something she
admired “I don’t want to ask anything Shashi…I just want to know how serious
you are about my mother” she said simply as he leaned back and smiled as his
eyes now turned tender
“I am as serious as a man in love can be...I want to marry
her Khushi, as soon as possible…but she has some reservations” he said as
Khushi looked on speculating his words “Why so soon? You hardly know each other”
she said as Shashi shook his head
“It doesn’t take long to fall in love. I think it was love
when I saw her the first time, cleaning the cowebs in this house…and I can’t
wait because I am tired of playing hide and seek…I want the world to know that
I love Garima gupta and marrying her is the only way I can…we are not a young
couple anymore and I don’t want anyone pointing a finger at her…she is far too
precious for me” he said as Khushi took a deep breath…he seemed genuine in his
love for her mother, but she had to be sure
“Don’t take this the wrong way Shashi…but, my mother is a
very rich woman…her first husband took that advantage and left her
bleeding…what guarantee is there that you too won’t do that...and before you
take offence, I’m only asking this because I don’t know you very well personally”
Khushi said as Shashi smiled gently at her
“I can never take offence Khushi…what you have asked me,
shows your love towards your mother and how can that be wrong? But if you need
to know, I don’t care for Garima’s money…I have more than enough of my own and
if you still don’t believe me, I am willing to sign on any papers that deter me
or my kids from possessing anything that belongs to Garima…except for one
thing....” he said as Khushi looked surpised
“What thing?” she asked as Shashi gave her a warm smile “Her
heart…that is something that we all want a part of…that is something I want a
share of…can you share that with us Khushi?” he asked her as Khushi felt her
throat dry up…she smiled a genuine smile at Shashi and nodded “That can be
arranged” she said as Shashi let out a laugh
“But I will still keep a close watch on you Shashi…and I
think its time you and mamma tell nani about yourself…and your kids too…after
all, we will have another wedding to plan soon” she said as Shashi grinned
“Thank you Khushi…but do you think it would have any negative effect on the investigation?”
he asked anxiously as Khushi shook her head “You don’t worry about that…to hell
with the damn investigation…we all know none of us have anything to do with it,
so why waste precious time?” she asked as Shashi nodded and agreed with her
“So, I’ll talk to mamma as well and I think as soon as
Akhil’s wedding is over, you both should tell everyone…don’t worry…I am there
to support you” she said as she got up “Oh and we’ll see you for the wedding
later…try not to find a cozy corner with my mother tonight” she said as Shashi
smiled and looked away “I can say the same thing about you and Arnav” he said
cheekily as khushi blushed and look away
“Ah…that…well…” she said as Shashi laughed “Lets call it
even” he said as Khushi smiled and nodded as she made her way out…she turned
around at the last minute before leaving “Please make sure Payal comes
tonight…I forgot to personally invite her” Khushi said as Shashi nodded and bid
her a goodbye.
•••
Arnav checked his watch as he paced the living room waiting
for the rest of his family to come down…he had been waiting impatiently since
the last 20 minutes for them to start for the wedding venue so that they reach
on time…he could hardly wait for another minute more to see Khushi
“Looks like you are desperate to see your lady love bhai!”
Aakash said as he walked towards Arnav in a subtle dark red sherwani giving his
big brother a knowing smirk as their bua and grandfather followed behind
him…Arnav gave him an irritated look and ignored him as he strode towards the rest
of his family
“What took you guys so long? We should have left by now…”
Arnav said as his bua raised a perfectly arched eyebrow “Oh ho Arnav…you are
acting as if this is your wedding…dekho toh isko (look at him)” she said with a
mischievous smile as Arnav’s grandfather chuckled
“You are right beta…looks like we will have to speak to the
Gupta’s about Arnav’s rishta now” he said as Arnav simply scowled at them
“Enough you guys…its nothing like that…I just did not want us to be those
people who reach for a wedding after everything is over” he said as his bua
tutted
“Arnav! This is a north Indian wedding…abhi toh sirf
reception hai, phere toh subah ke teen baje honge (right now its only the
reception, the phera’s will happen at 3am) “ she said as Arnav shrugged his
shoulders “So, we should still reach on time…and dadaji, you will not speak to
the Gupta’s about any rishta…please” he said as his grandfather’s face fell
“So when can we speak to them? I don’t like this
dating-shating thing, especially since you both are eventually going to get
married anyways” he said as Arnav sighed in exasperation and started walking
out as his bua turned to her father “Theek hai na papa…(its ok papa), leave it
for now…let them decide when they want to get married…abhi toh enjoy karne do
(Now, let them enjoy)” she said as Arnav threw her a grateful look before all
of them walked out
“All this is fine bua! Bhai will get married whenever he wants
to…but what about me? What if I want to marry right away?” Akash asked wiggling
his eyebrows as everyone burst out laughing “Ok bacchu…as long as you get the
right girl, you can marry right away!” she said as Arnav thumped Akash on his
back
“No chance! He is far too young to marry…and anyways, which
girl in the right mind would want to marry this cartoon!” Arnav said as Akash
turned towards him with a bashful smile “Hai koi (there is someone)…maybe!” he
said vaguely as everyone looked shocked except Arnav who had an inkling…thanks
to Khushi’s intuition
“Kaun hai? aur ladki hi hai na? (Who is it? And it is a girl
only right?)” their bua asked as Akash scowled while Arnav and his grandfather
laughed loudly “Haan bua…it’s a girl only! And you will meet her soon!” he said
with a dreamy smile as everyone chuckled while the car started on the way to
the wedding venue.
