Khushi stared at herself in the mirror, adjusting and then re-adjusting her make-up, jewelry and attire. It was her Mehendi function today and she needed to look her best. Well truthfully, that wasn’t the sole reason why she needed to look her best: that main reason was Arnav. He was meeting her after a whole week and she wanted to look spectacular when they met. He loved her immensely; everything he did, he did with her happiness in mind. Now she wanted to do something for him too. She had given him enough grief but now the time was here for her to start giving him happiness too, the way he always did. Thus she needed to look perfect.
‘Khushi, get ready bitya, Anjali just called, they have left the hotel and will arrive soon.’ Madhumathi’s voice floated in before her. ‘Hunh?! What is this? How are you not ready? You were ready moments ago, when Payaliya left. Why have you taken off your jewelry?’ Bua ji fussed over Khushi.
‘Wha-? I….uh…I…’ Khushi tried to explain.
‘Uffo Parmaishwari, just put it back on. The copper set looks fine. Forget the others,’ she gestured towards the cluster of jewelry Khushi had taken out just to be sure. ‘You look beautiful, Arnav babwa won’t know what hit him. Ok?’ Madhumathi deduced her niece’s concern, assuaged it and then bustled out to shout at some of the neighbouring girls, who had come to help with the preparations, calling them to order and be ready for the arrival of the groom-side. After all this would be the first time Arnav would be coming to their home. Now traditionally he would have come on the wedding day and not before and this would have been a strictly bridal function, however, as the families had become quite close and as no one in the neighbourhood had met the groom, they decided to have a joint function, where the Gupta’s friends and family could meet the groom and have a make-shift sangeet function in the mehendi celebration as they had not attended it in Delhi.
Khushi smiled after her Bua ji, whose orders she could hear all the way upstairs. Then got to work. Madhumathi was right the set she had put on was absolutely beautiful and she was over thinking it. She had just placed her copper teeka, with a crystal red drop on her forehead when the unanimous, excited shouts of the girls from the courtyard echoed up stairs, ‘Larke wale agay. Larke wala agay.’
He was here!! Her heart gave a violent pang. Without stopping to check herself in the mirror, she sprang up, lifted her lemon skirt and ran over to the balcony. Her recently united anklets singing her heart’s joy in her wake. Just as she reached the terrace fence and peaked over, two black, stretched limos came to a halt outside their door. Butterflies began to dance around in her stomach, as the door to the first limo opened and out stepped a man in a red kurta and golden shalwar. Khushi’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe, had Arnav? No way! He would never! She knew he felt gravely uncomfortable in Indian attire.
She was right, as the familiar man turned to face her she saw it was NK and not Arnav. She giggled, at herself for being so desperate to spy Arnav she had for a moment believed NK to be him. Wow. It was crazy how much she missed him. Until this moment she had not realized just how much she had missed him in the last couple of days. Her love was fresh for him and yet it seemed like she had loved him forever, because it certainly felt like she had been apart from him forever. As she laughed to herself over finding herself so madly in love, NK helped Devyani and then Anjali out of the car. Seeing the three of them standing outside her house, beaming at the Gupta’s, a warmth emanated from within her. Her family was finally complete. Actually no not yet, because the most important person had not stepped out of the limo. She peered over and waited for the man she desperately craved to see step out but he did not. Instead, NK shut the door behind Anjali after she had pulled out her accessories.
That didn’t make any sense. Why had NK shut the door if Arnav was still inside? While she mulled it over the door to the second limo opened now and NK jogged over to it. Oh he was in the second car. That was weird, why had he not ridden with Nani, Anjali and NK? It wasn’t like him to ride alone when travelling to the same destination with the rest of his family. Indeed he preferred to ride with them, they were the only company he accepted in his car. Well they and now her too. She smiled at the thought. Thinking over the days they had driven from Shantivan to LaANK together.
As she waited in anticipation for him to step out she was shocked to find someone completely unexpected hop out of the car. Abaan. Her friend from the internship days at LaANK. Followed by Mike, her co-worker and male wardrobe designer at LaANK. What were they doing here? Before she could contemplate that thought further out came Rubina, the cafeteria lady and her confidant at LaANK along with her five daughters, and Khushi’s dear friends ever since they had rescued her from Arnav’s well-played scheme. Khushi closed her eyes and opened them again. Was she hallucinating? How could they all be here? They had said their good-byes in Delhi, saying how they wouldn’t make it to the ceremony and yet now they were here. As the small, but quaint group converged with Anjali and Devyani, holding the Mehendi platter, in front of the Gupta’s threshold, Khushi received an answer from within: Arnav. Who else? Why had she even needed to question? It could only have been him, who else would have arranged this, to make sure that she did not miss her friends from Delhi. A proud smile sketched itself on her lips as she beamed down on the happy assembly and waited yet again for the man who had made it all possible to show himself. But still he did not show and the door to the second limo closed too.
Where was he? Something like panic, began bubbling inside of her. She clutched the rails of her balcony and lunged forward to get a better a look. Had she missed him somehow and he had gotten out of the first limo. But no there was no sign of him. How could this be? He said he would be here. But then…had something happened? Was he not coming today? Her heart sank. Her face dropped and the pounding in her heart sunk to a low rhythmic beating as the thought sunk in. He was not coming, not today. He had never said anything about attending the Mehendi function when they last met, only said he would be there for the wedding. Put out she turned to leave the terrace and wait for Payal to come get her from her room, where she would work on her smile to not show her sadness at not having Arnav with her at this function. Well she shouldn’t be surprised considering it was technically a brides’ function anyway, the groom had no reason to be a part of it.
Shoulders slumped she began her tread towards her room, when a deep growling sound came from below followed by low vibrations in the floor shaking her to the very core. One hand on the pillar in the balcony and the other on her heart to calm it, she turned and glanced down to see whether everyone was feeling these vibrations or was it just her, having some sort of fit because Arnav had not come. Upon speculation she found similar reactions below where everyone was looking towards the entrance to her alley, at the source of the sudden tremors and low growl. She followed their gaze but saw nothing at first. Then out of nowhere a shiny, red Lamborghini swerved into their street, coming to a graceful halt outside the house, inches away from the crowd of friends and family that had gathered. With a final loud rev of the engine, the sound and the vibrations emitting from the powerful engine came to halt, and the lights of the car blinked once, signifying the owner and the cause of this commotion would soon step out.
Khushi crossed her arms across her chest, irritated with this intruder for making a scene and being ostentatiously loud. For a minute nothing happened, as everyone just watched, waiting. Then in a fluid motion the doors to the Italian luxury car raised themselves, with a low purr, to stand perpendicular to the car. But still no one stepped out. Khushi tutted loudly, impatient with the man who was displaying an unnecessary show of flamboyance. She had very little respect for those who put on a spectacle of their wealth and status, to her a man was measured by his care and humility not by some show of importance, which this person below in her street was deliberately doing. Having had enough of his exhibition Khushi turned to leave, when the man stepped out in a black suit and made her heart stop. It was Arnav.
‘What the-?’ Khushi exclaimed completely taken aback. She didn’t understand. How could this vision be true? Arnav hated people’s pseudo behavior more than she did. It was one of the few things they agreed upon, that a person’s name spoke for them not their snobbish attitude, yet the man before her, Arnav Singh Raizada, was doing that very thing. It made no sense. Why had he suddenly adopted this air of importance? His importance to her had always come through the way he carried himself, not by this forced show of worth. She watched him closely to decipher his sudden need to showcase his authority.
His back was to her for the moment, as he stepped out of the outrageously expensive car, in his designer Italian shoes, snappy, black trousers, crisp black shirt, his favourite dark police shades, supported by a clean shave and stiffly gelled peaks. Lastly, to complete his look, his ever-present hands-free in his right ear, on which he was currently talking. He snapped something at whoever was on the phone and then clicked it once to end the call, but didn’t bring his hand down from his ear as he took the blue-tooth out and turning, threw it softly onto the dashboard of the car. Whilst bent down he reached inside and drew out the final piece to his attire: a coat. It was a black shirvani collared coat, with red piping to match the red embossed embroidery on it, accompanied with a red pocket-square. She knew it well for it was her design only it had not been put in production yet, but clearly Arnav had pulled some strings and gotten it stitched. Her heart was in her throat. He looked princely. How could he look so elegant and pompous at the same time? Well it was Arnav: if anyone was going to pull-off pomposity elegantly it would be him. But what was all this about? She knew him well enough now to know that this was NOT him. Yet he was being loud, deliberately. Why?
While she pondered over his sudden need for extravagance, he clicked the keys and the doors went down as smoothly as he walked around the car and took his place next to his sister and Nani, in front of Khushi’s family. Where he finally let go of the charade and was the humble man she knew him to be. He gave a peck on the cheek to his sister and hug to his Nani, was greeted by an energetic shake of the hand and hug by NK, after which he turned and gave a warm smile to the guests he had invited from Delhi. This done, he took off his shades, stepped away from them and bowed in front of Khushi’s family to take Shashi, Garima and Madhumathi’s blessings as they all beamed at him. Aakash and Payal greeted him cordially as they gestured to him and the rest to come inside, after Garima had performed the arthi, but he did not proceed. Giving Anjali the excuse to make an important call, he stepped away from them and headed back over to the car.
His back was to her again, but she could see the charade was back on now. The sober Arnav from moments ago was back to being this over-the-top Arnav. She stared, not understanding. He placed his shades back on and fished out his phone, but made no call. Once the family had gone in, he placed his phone back in his trouser pocket, turned and suddenly looked up. She drew back a sharp breath, how had he known she was standing on the terrace, watching. As though reading her thought, he gave her his wicked smirk, lowered his frames ever so slightly so she could see the chocolate brown eyes she loved so much and winked at her. He made to leave, but then stopped as his brow furrowed. Then his eyes lit up and he smirked, pointing towards her and then his ear, suggesting something was missing.
Instantly Khushi’s hand shot up to her ears. Had she forgotten to put her earrings on in her rush to see him. Ugh why had she taken them off in the first place? Upon inspection she found that it was there. But something was wrong, the earring in her left ear felt completely different to the one in her right. Oh gawd! She was wearing two different earrings, in her hurry to get her jewelry back on she had picked up the wrong earring. She reddened and he snickered slightly at her aloofness. Shaking his head, he took his glasses off, gave her one last look of pure pleasure and then he was gone, leaving her heart beating a mile a minute.
‘Khushi.’ Payal’s voice came from the bottom of the stairs, snapping Khushi out of the frenzy Arnav had put her in. She scattered back to the room and hurriedly swapped the earrings before Payal made her way up.
‘Ready?’ Payal asked from the door. Khushi looked up. Suddenly she was nervous. Now that he was here, that she was going to meet him in a few moments she panicked over what she would say. What would he say? Uff it was ridiculous, she needn’t be anxious. And yet she was, excited and scared to meet him, for he always frazzled her, the debacle from moments ago was evidence enough of that, plus today he had decided to play some sort of game with the whole “I’m a millionaire” spectacle. She never knew what to expect when it came to him. He always surprised her.
‘Khushi?!! Where did you wonder off to? Come on. Everyone’s waiting. Let’s go.’ Payal smiled. Taking a deep breath Khushi got up and descended the stairs with Payal at her side. At the bottom of the staircase a group of girls from the neighbourhood met her, girls she had grown-up with. They un-folded a light green dupatta and held it high over her and Payals’ head, as they escorted her out into the courtyard where the stage had been set for today’s festivities, giving Khushi the entrance she deserved as bride.
As she stepped out into the sunlit courtyard, under the peaceful green hue of the dupatta, Arnav felt his heart falter. She looked incredible. He wanted nothing but to walk right over to her and embrace her, but he knew that would be inappropriate, so he maintained his distance but did not drop his glance. She was grateful for it. She had gone through a whole lot of trouble to make sure he was stunned by her, and he was. Although she needn’t have because it was not outer beauty that appealed to him but her inner one which shone out of her every pore and made her his magnet.
Anjali met her by the stage, in the middle of the courtyard, with a warm hug. ‘Oh you look absolutely lovely Khushi.’ She beamed.
‘Yes. BEEE-U-T-FUL.’ NK chirped from behind a camera recording her entrance whilst enunciating each syllable in his compliment. ‘You should give her a naraz-teeka Di. To ward off the evil-eye.’
‘Naraz-teeka?’ Payal looked up confused.
‘Hahah – he means Nazar-Ka-Teeka Payal. It takes a while to get used to our NK’s hindi.’ Rubina laughed as she joined them in giving Khushi a warm welcome.
‘But he is right Rubina ji, this one definitely needs a Nazar-ka-teeka.’ Nani came around and placed a spot of her kohl behind Khushi’s ear as she said so.
‘That is correct, Devyani ji.’ Rubina agreed.
‘So…Surprise! We are here!!’ Mike, Abaan and all five of Rubina’s girls exclaimed now joining the party assembled around Khushi.
‘Yes I can see that. Thank you. Thank you sooo much. I am so glad you all came. It is the best gift ever.’
‘Well of course it is. We are the best.’ Mike and Abaan joked. Whilst the others laughed.
Then Rubina, softly whispered in her ear, the truth Khushi already knew, ‘Its’ not us you need to thank dear. Its’ your loving ASR who made it possible for us to come.’ Khushi nodded in acknowledgement, and then stole a quick glance at her well-wisher, who was being introduced to special guests by Shashi, but his attention was on her. As their eyes made contact, she instantly blushed and looked away much to his glee.
‘Anjali bitya, shall we get started?’ Nani recalled Khushi to the stage.
‘Yes. Let us.’ Anjali replied happily.
Khushi took her seat on the stage and Anjali and Nani sat down beside her. The rest formed a circle around the platform raised for Khushi and were joined by others who began the with singing traditional songs to the sound of the dhol and claps of those gathered, as Anjali took Khushi’s right hand and began to weave a beautiful flower on her palm, before handing the job of adorning her to-be-sister’s hands and feet with intricate hena patterns to the professional hena-artists invited.
As the festivities began, Payal left the stage area to join Madhumathi and Garima in their mad frenzy to attend to the guests, while Aakash continually told Payal to relax and not stress and let him worry about the refreshments. Shashi too stressed himself making sure all arrangements were good, until Arnav walked over to him and told him to rest, as it wasn’t good for him to exert himself.
‘Thank you, Arnav bitwa, but if I do not run around then Aakash bitwa will be left all alone to manage the arrangements as well as managing Payal, Jiji and Garima who are all running around in overdrive.’ Shashi replied, jovially.
‘Please, uncle, don’t worry about it. Everything is great. All the arrangements are perfect. We are completely well looked after so do not stress yourself. Here have this.’ Arnav reached for a glass of lemonade on the table he had made Shashi sit on.
‘Babuwa I am supposed to be offering you refreshments not the other way round. You are my guest, remember.’ Shashi stated.
‘Uncle. First you decide, am I your guest or your son. I can’t be both.’
‘Of course you’re my son. You’re my Khushi’s-‘
‘Exactly. So that’s settled. Then I can offer you a drink. Drink up come on.’
‘Ok. But here you have some too.’ Shashi offered him a second glass, but Arnav didn’t take it.
‘Sorry. It has sugar in it. I am diabetic, remember.’ Arnav reminded, reluctantly knowing the reaction that would follow, but he was cornered.
‘Oh dear. How could I have not thought of that? Oh bitwa, I-‘
‘Uncle. It’s ok. You drink up. Here I have water.’ He motioned to the glass in front of him. ‘Now you rest, and leave the work to me.’
‘Oh no, no, no.’
‘You just said I’m your son.’
‘Yes. But you are also the groom, this is your wedding, so you are not allowed to work. No. Do you see me letting Khushi do any work?’ Shashi reasoned before Arnav could make an argument. ‘So that settled. Thank you for this, but now I must get back –‘ Shashi said getting up.
‘No. Wait. Ok I won’t help out, but that doesn’t mean you have to work either.’
‘Hunh?
‘Mike. Abaan.’ Arnav shouted across the lawn. ‘Can you guys help Uncle and Aakash out with the arrangements?’
‘Yup.’ Mike replied.
‘Totally. Where do you need us?’ Abaan asked happily.
Shashi gave Arnav a doting smile, and then gave the two men their instructions. ‘You are good man. I always knew that. But it’s good to see it just the same.’ Shashi patted Arnav on the back as he got up and went to attend his guests now that he no longer was required to monitor the arrangements. Arnav allowed himself to smile at Shashi’s compliment and then got up to go back to doing what he had been before noticing Shashi short of breath: watching Khushi fuss, fret and fight over how her mehendi needed to be perfect.
This time however, when he looked her way, he found her eyes lock on his. She had been avoiding eye-contact all afternoon, because every time she stole a glance and met his eyes she would turn the shade of her blouse: red. But now she held his gaze and didn’t turn red, instead let a tear trickle down her cheek. Instantly, Arnav’s brow furrowed and he began walking towards her, but she shook her head, and wiped away the tear with the back of her hand telling him not to worry. That she was ok. Arnav didn’t understand but kept his distance as it was her will, trying to figure out what had caused the tear to pool in her eye in the first place as Khushi looked away. He didn’t know, but she had seen what had transpired between her father and him and she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with pride. He thought of everything and everyone in her life. How had she gotten so lucky to have him? And to think just week ago she had been foolishly ready to kick him out of her life.
As the afternoon progressed and the songs changed from old Indian songs to new ones, Arnav circled Khushi in a wide breadth. Although with each new round the circumference unconsciously became smaller and smaller as he drew closer and closer, drawn by her laughter over some joke Mehreen told or some insinuation Mehnaz made. It wasn’t until he heard the question from the hena-artist as clearly as if it was addressed to him did he realize that he had stopped circling as he now stood right next to her.
‘What are the initials of your fiancé?’
‘A.’ Khushi replied proudly.
‘A? Are you sure? I thought you may have gone with L.G.’ Arnav teased, deciding that now he was next to her he may as well make the most of the moment before someone came and separated them under the pretence of it being their wedding and therefore them not being allowed to be near each other. This custom, as far as he could tell was completely stupid, because considering they were the bride and groom it made sense they should be with each other at all times not separate, but no one listened to him. Well not at home, anyway.
She jumped at the proximity of his voice. Then turned to face him and still did a double take at finding him so near, making Arnav smile at the fact that she needed to reassure herself that he was as near as he felt. ‘L.G.?’ she gulped back the nervousness. God why was she so nervous around him? It wasn’t like this was the first time she had met him. She berated him on a daily basis. Yet for some reason it all felt new to her now. Their relationship was changing and it unnerved her, in a good way, but it still unnerved her.
‘Did you have a name change in the past week, Arnav ji?’ she asked, whilst secretly wondering when and how had gotten so close. Last time she had spied him he had been near the entrance to their kitchen accepting a glass of unsweetened lemonade (which Shashi had ordered to be made) from one of the neighbour’s daughter’s, who had been blushing so much that her cheeks looked like an advertisement for tomatoes. Although her reaction did make Khushi glow with pride, that everyone of the neighbour’s found her fiancé, her Arnav ji so remarkably handsome, it had made her feel something new too: jealousy. As much as she liked the idea of everyone drooling over him, at the same time she was visited with a fierce pang of possessiveness. She had never felt this way before. It was in her very nature to share her everything with everyone, yet for the first time in her life she found something she wanted to have a complete right over and not share with anyone.
‘No. But I thought you may want them, as you know, you prefer to call me Laad Governer.’ He winked his cheeky-chocolate eyes, making her glow bright red, allowing her to join in the tomato advertisement every girl in his vicinity seemed to be joining in here. Seeing her reaction he grinned.
‘What’s this? What are you two chit-chatting about? Chupa-ghoosam Nannav.’ NK jibed, loving the right to tease Arnav and Khushi.
‘Excuse me?’ Arnav quirked his eye-brow, having lost NK in translation.
‘You know…Chupa-ghoosam….sneaky-sneaky.’ NK nudged him, while Arnav continued to stare, not at all following.
‘Hahaha…’ Khushi shook with laughter, ‘He means chupa-rustam. Arnav ji. As in you are being sneaky about finding ways to spend time with me.’
‘Hmm. And do you have a problem with that?’ He asked, quirking his brow once more, making her suddenly sober up as her breathing grew shallow. For he muttered the last bit right next to her ear, leaving his breath on her neck that sent heat-waves down her back, allowing a volcano to erupt in the pit of her stomach.
‘Of course not….I mean….I uh….’ She stuttered, finding it hard to make a sentence. Why did he always leave her speechless?
‘Umm….Khushi…why are you getting the letter L inscribed in your mehendi?’ NK rescued her from Arnav’s spell and brought her attention back to her mehendi. He had been zooming in on her beautifully decorated hands, with his camera, when he noticed the letter that was being covertly drawn on her palm.
‘What? Hunh?!! What are you doing? I said A!’ Khushi yelped, seeing the evidence herself.
‘Yes, but then he said L.G….’ the artist defended her self.
‘What? Don’t listen to him, he’s a Laad Governor. You just write the letter I told you too. A. A for Arnav ji.’ Khushi said slowly, but loudly to make sure it registered across. ‘My Arnav ji.’ She added without thinking, then instantly regretted as she remembered his presence. As soon as the words left her lips, her cheeks turned crimson again. Oh god!! What was wrong with her?!! She knew he had been standing there, then why had she let it slip. Ugh….if he was a Laad Governor, then she also was a Sanka-devi!!
Shyly, she sneaked a peak at him, to see whether he had heard or not. She was stunned at what she saw, was he…was he….nooo…but he really did….she didn’t even know he was capable of it…but clearly, considering….maybe she was hallucinating. She moved her right hand to pinch her left arm with to make sure, but before she could something….someone gripped her right arm.
‘Waow? What are you doing Khushi? You’re going to ruin your mehendi.’ Anjali’s sweet reminder brought her out of the shock Arnav’s reaction had sent her into. She had come to investigate how much of Khushi’s mehnedi was done and to follow NK’s suit in teasing the bride and groom.
‘Oh god!’ Khushi now moved both her hands to her face, at the thought of ruining her mehendi, this time another hand gripped her left, whilst Anjali remained her restrain over the right.
‘Khushi. What are you doing? Clapping your hands on your mouth will have the same effect as pinching your left arm.’ Arnav reminded, as he shackled her left arm.
‘Khushi….where has your mind wandered off too?’ Anjali joked.
‘Oh, I don’t know ask your brother.’ Khushi grumbled.
‘Hmm?’ Anjali didn’t catch her answer, but Arnav did.
‘Excuse me? What did I do?’ he now whispered, kneeling next to her on the stage, making her body tingle all over again at feeling his breath on her skin.
‘You know what you did.’ Khushi replied coolly, or what she hoped was cool for she was desperately trying to keep a lid on the fire that was rushing in her veins due to his proximity.
‘Uh no. I don’t. Enlighten me please.’ He asked genuinely, for he truly did not know what he had done that resulted in her completely spacing out.
‘You….you…blushed.’ she whispered, causing him to draw even closer to her to hear it. ‘You were embarrassed. I didn’t even think that was possible.’
He stiffened. She saw that. He hadn’t expected her to suddenly blurt out her ownership of him, not that he minded for he certainly had given her the rights to get possessive with him. But the declaration had caught him off-guard and he had coloured with pride. But he had hoped no one had seen.
‘No I didn’t.’ he replied tersely, straightening up and avoiding eye contact.
‘Yes you did. I saw it. I could swear on a full platter of jalebis that you did. And you’re feeling embarrassed this very moment too, even if you are doing a much better job at hiding it than my traitorous cheeks ever do. But I know you are and were moments ago because I am well aware of the many reactions of embarrassment as being in your vicinity has that effect upon me.’ she stated confidently. Content at seeing him feel unnerved around her for a change, it wasn’t something that she got to witness often, rather never.
‘Yes. I have noticed that.’ Arnav took control, and smoothly evaded the topic of his blush to address hers’. ‘Did you know that you have more shades of red than an artist can mix up in a palet?’ he leered gleefully, making her cheeks deepen yet again. ‘Oh look. We have a new shade. An artist would be jealous.’ He winked, as he whispered in her ear, making her cheeks burn again.
‘Oh dear Khushi. Are you ok? Your cheeks are burning up. Are you feeling de-hydrated from the sun, I mean we are out in the open.’ Anjali asked concernedly, noticing Khushi’s flushed state.
‘Yes, Khushi. Are you ok? You do seem to have a red hue in your cheeks.’ Arnav feigned enquiry, whilst privately enjoying the scene as he knew Khushi was not at all over-heated. She glared at him. ‘Should I get you some water?’
‘No. No. I’m fine. Thank you Di.’ Khushi replied after calming her racing heart.
‘Are you sure?’ Anjali checked.
‘Yes. Thank you Di.’
‘Ok. Hmm Chotay…’ Anjali now turned to her brother.
‘Yes, yes Di, I’ll be scurrying away.’ Arnav rolled his eyes, got up from his kneeling postion and let go of Khushi’s hand and began walking away from the stage before Anjali could begin her whole explanation of why he shouldn’t be near Khushi.
‘No. Wait.’ Anjali called him back much to his surprise.
‘Did I hear correctly Di? Did you just see reason and allow me my right to be around my wife-to-be?’ Arnav asked scandalously.
‘Chotay…’ It was Anjali’s turn to roll her eyes. ‘No.’
‘Then…’ Arnav earnestly waited for her reason to summon him back, if it wasn’t her giving into his argument from earlier, back at the hotel, then he was genuinely intrigued.
‘I called you back with the perfect excuse to not just be near Khushi but earn a seat right next to her, right here.’ She pointed to the spot next to Khushi. ‘You interested?’ Anjali baited him.
‘Of course, I- wait what’s the catch?’ After thinking it over he realized if Anjali would allow him his five minutes in heaven; that is, a moment with sharing the stage with Khushi before their marriage she must have an ulterior motive which she knew he would never agree to unless it had to do with Khushi.
‘No catch. Just…Shagun.’ Anjali was obscure with the solution.
‘Shagun? What “Shagun” exactly?’ Arnav now crossed his arms defensively.
‘Oh, you know….umm…for shagun it is an old custom to apply a bit of mehendi on the groom too.’ Anjali spoke more to her neck than Arnav.
‘What? No. No way!’ but Arnav heard it still.
‘Oh come on Chotay. Shagun ke liye.’
‘No way Di –‘
‘Wait. I don’t get it.’ NK put down the handy-cam he had been filming the event with and voiced his confusion.
‘What’s there not to get NK. I am not getting any of that gunk put on me!’ Arnav iterated in an annoyed voice.
‘No. Not that Nannav. I get that…I mean…eugh…no offense Khushi your hands look gorgeous and all but egh I would never let anyone put it on me either.’ He shivered involuntarily at the thought, ‘What I don’t get is, though is why Di is asking to put mehendi on you for Shagun’s sake. I mean if he would apply some, shouldn’t he do it for Khushi?’ NK related his confusion in all earnestness.
‘What?’ Arnav just stared at NK, disbelievingly. What was he on about?
Arnav’s confusion at NK’s confusion was not followed by Khushi or Anjali, who both burst into laughter.
‘Ahahahahaha…..Oh Nanhe ji, of course the mehendi will be in my name.’ Khushi sputtered out in between her laughter.
‘Uh…no Khushi it won’t, because I am not getting any mehendi put on me!’ Arnav declared haughtily.
‘But Di just…’ NK began.
‘Oh NK. I meant shagun as in an auspicious act, not a girl Shagun.’ Anjali shook her head lovingly.
‘Ooooooooo. That makes more sense.’ NK bobbed his head as understanding now dawned upon him.
‘No it doesn’t. Where do you come up with these random customs anyway Di? I swear you are just making it up on the spot.’ Arnav huffed.
‘No she isn’t. It’s true, traditionally mehendi is put on the groom as well as the bride.’ Khushi backed Anjali.
‘Heh. Sure. Whatever.’ Arnav replied disbelievingly.
‘So you will do it?!’ both Anjali and Khushi asked excitedly.
‘What?! NO!! I thought I made that very clear.’ Arnav raised his voice, realizing they had taken his skeptical reply to mean his affirmation.
‘Oh come on Arnav ji, just a little bit.’ Khushi asked sweetly.
‘No don’t do that. Don’t use your eyes to convince me, Khushi.’ Arnav stepped back as if to try and ward off any spell from Khushi that may compel him to do her bidding. He loved her and had thought until moments ago that he would do anything to be near her. But the last few minutes were proof that there were some things he just couldn’t will himself to do even for her.
‘Oh Chotay, I will just apply a smidge. I swear. A dot. No one will be able to notice.’ Anjali tried, picking up a cone from the palet.
‘No. No way. Keep that hena-cone away from me.’ he almost shouted and then bolted before anyone applied it forcefully or Khushi’s charm had its’ effect.
‘Oh well, I guess it was a worth a try Di.’ Khushi turned to Anjali.
‘Yeah. I knew he would never agree. He hates mehendi. When we were kids that was the only thing that kept him at arm’s length from Amma. Whenever Amma applied mehendi he would make this sour face and sulk in the corner of the room until Amma’s mehendi did not dry and she brushed it off.’ Anjali recollected nostalgically. Then with an appraising look at Khushi’s hands and feet said, ‘Well you’re done. Oh this design is gorgeous. Right what do you say, let’s wait for it to dry and then shake a leg on the dance floor with everyone?’ she proposed happily.
‘Sounds like a good plan.’ Khushi replied in the affirmative.
Thus after luncheon, once the hena decked on her feet had dried, she got up and called everyone to the floor to dance. She danced with each member of her family on Salman Khan’s songs, enjoying every moment with them, laughing and tearing up at old memories and new, depending on the family member she was dancing with. Finally she turned to Arnav, but he backed away as soon as she came close.
‘Oh come on Arnav ji, you danced with me last week. So why not today?’
‘Last week you didn’t have mehendi on.’ Arnav motioned towards her hands and feet.
‘Its’ dry.’ Khushi reasoned.
‘Not on your palms, they’re still wet.’ Arnav pointed out.
‘Well you don’t have to hold my hands.’ Khushi reasoned.
‘Now what would be the fun in that if I can’t hold you?’
‘Ugh. The fun is in dancing with your loved ones Arnav ji. But gah…its’ ok never mind, I know you’re not much of a fan of dancing either so, whatever.’ She shrugged and joined the crowd, whilst Arnav took his stance once more next to the pillar enjoying her and his family all dance. However, moments after she had joined the floor he found himself following her on to the floor. She had just paired up with Maheen and was moving to the rhythm of the song playing when Arnav’s hand slid across her lower back and turned her towards him with a yelp.
‘Ssh. Its’ just me.’ he said softly. ‘You don’t mind if I cut in do you Maheen?’
‘Not at all.’ She replied happily and then went off to join her sisters.
‘What are you doing? I thought you made it quite clear, that not only would you not dance with me today, but wouldn’t come near me while my mehendi was still wet.’ Khushi asked, after her heart restarted from the shock of finding his hands encircling her waist and her body pressed to his. She kept her palms clear of him, by placing her forearms on his shoulder and letting her hands stay in the air near his ears.
‘I didn’t join you to dance.’ Arnav said into her eyes.
‘Then what are we doing right now?’ Khushi asked, confused. They seemed to be swaying to the music.
‘Providing a diversion?’ he replied coolly, losing her completely.
‘Diversion? For what?’ She tried to take a step back to size him up, but he pressed his hand on her lower back and pulled her closer than before, so that now her elbows were on his shoulder and she was uncomfortably close to him for a dance. ‘Arnav ji-‘ Khushi began.
‘Ssh. Stay in my arms Khushi.’ He ordered, then asked, ‘Trust me?’ she nodded. She didn’t know what he was up to but something in his voice told her to listen to him and forget what people may say if they noticed their proximity.
As they swayed softly to the music, lost in each others eyes’ Arnav’s fingers ever so gently tickled across her waist and back to come to a rest on left hip, his intentions became clear to Khushi as her eyes widened in shock. How had she not realized? Oh god.
Arnav read her fear in her eyes and gave her a reassuring smile. ‘I’m here. Trust me.’ he said again and she gave in to his voice, letting him save her from herself once more.
Arnav’s fingers set to work on the strings of her lemon lehenga, which had come loose from all the dancing, without her knowledge. But he had noticed and come to her rescue as always. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes, waiting for the bow to be tied. He did it very meticulously, making very subtle movements so that no one noticed what occurred. Once done he slid his hand up her back and pulled her slightly away from him, after whispering in her hair that it was done, so that they now stood at a comfortable dancing distance.
When the song finished, Khushi turned to go, but he held on.
‘I thought you didn’t want to dance?’ she asked, seeing how he kept her in her arms and was now moving to the beats of the next song.
‘I changed my mind.’ He smiled. ‘What? Don’t look at me like that. It’s your doing, you have a way with making me do things I never planned on.’ He accused, lovingly.
‘Really?’ She stared incredulously.
‘Yes. Do you have any doubts?’ he asked.
‘No. No doubts. But I do have proof that you don’t always do my bidding.’ She chided happily, glad that she for once had something on him.
‘Really? And what proof would that be?’ he questioned disbelievingly.
‘Your hands.’ She stated simply.
‘What about them?’
‘They’re bare.’
He raised his brow in question.
‘You didn’t apply mehendi on them earlier, instead ran away.’ She reminded.
He merely nodded. Then lifted his right hand away from her waist and held it in front of her. ‘This the proof you were mentioning?’
‘Yes. See, you don’t always-‘ but she stopped short in her triumph, for her eyes landed on a small brown ‘K’ at the base of Arnav’s palm.
‘You were saying?’ Arnav asked.
‘Arnav ji…’ she managed to breathe in a whisper, after a moment.
‘See, I’m no liar Khushi. I told you, you have a mysterious way of making me do things I never dreamt of doing.’ He smiled proudly.
Her face lit up, ‘Arnav ji.’ She whispered again and then pulled him into a hug, much to his surprise.
‘Khushi…’ he spoke in to her hair after a moment.
‘Mmmm.’ She mumbled from next to his heart, not ready to let go.
‘Khushi, your neighbours may not approve of you embracing me publicly.’ He cautioned.
‘I don’t care.’ She remained next to his heart. Then finally pulling away, ‘Besides, since when do you care what impression my neighbours have. I seem to recall earlier this morning you very happily presented yourself as a stuck-up, pig-headed, rich-boy.’
‘Pig-headed? Really? Is that how I came off as? I was going for a pretentious, obstinate, snob.’ He re-iterated her words with their pompous synonyms.
She shook her head in resignation, while he looked on at her amused. ‘So are you planning on telling me what it was all about?’ she tried again, seeing as he did not elaborate on his scheme.
‘I hadn’t planned to. No.’ he replied coolly. ‘But seeing as you ask so politely,’ he carried on seeing her face contort, ‘I was administering a vital lesson for your neighbours.’
‘Lesson in what?’
‘Respect.’
‘Respect?’
‘Yes. I recently discovered that some people here indulge in gossip too much and that in doing such they dared to disrespect my love and her family. Now that is not done. So I merely taught them a lesson. I needed to educate them on what my Khushi, who they dared tarnish, had achieved: me. Through her hard work and perseverance she is now an independent woman, who holds a prestigious designer position at a top fashion company, is financially responsible for her family, and is marrying (not to brag) one of India’s top businessmen and bachelor, soon to be ex- of course.’ He winked. ‘They needed to learn that, so yeah.’ He shrugged, as if it was nothing, while she gaped at him in earnest pride. A tear trickled down her cheek for the second time this morning bringing a frown on Arnav’s forehead. ‘Khushi. What’s this?’ he asked wiping it with his thumb, not at all liking its’ presence.
‘It’s nothing. Thank you Arnav ji.’ She beamed and broke into another hug. ‘Thank you.’ she whispered to his heart.
‘For you, anything.’ He kissed her hair.
‘How did you know?’ she asked after a while, still resting her head on his chest.
‘Because…’ He stopped dancing and pulled her face away from his chest, cupped it and leaning in slightly said, ‘I make it a point to know everything there is to know about you Khushi Kumari Gupta.’ He gave his twisted smile. That did it again, his lingering breath on her face brought about palpitations in her heart once again. He noticed her heaving chest, which began colliding with his, for he was so close and his smile curved more as he enjoyed the effect he had on her, while her face began matching the crimson colour of her blouse once more.
Without warning, she slid, her now dry palm, into his and pulled him away from the dance floor into a room off the courtyard. ‘What the-? Khushi- Wha- Owuh.’ Inside the room she crashed into his chest.
‘Khushi?’ He wheezed out after steadying himself and her, who had wrapped her arms around him.
‘What? Only you’re allowed to surprise me? I can’t do that to you?’ She moved back a little to see his face, but didn’t let go.
‘I…umm…no of course you can…I mean…’ He stuttered.
‘Arnav Singh Raizada, stammering, now this is a first.’ She laughed, happy to have the same effects on him that he had on her.
‘I…Khushi.’ He raised his brow finding his cool again.
Smiling, she hugged him again, to his surprise and added a sweet little thank you in his ear. With that she bounded out of his hug but before she could leave he caught her hand. She turned with a quizzical look. ‘So you wanted to thank me, hunh?’
She raised her brow now, indicating she already had. ‘Well a hug isn’t enough, you’ll have to do something else…’ he baited.
‘Ok…what?’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, I will do anything.’ She declared.
‘In that case, you will spend this evening with me, on our first date.’ He proclaimed.
‘What? No.’ She blurted out before she could stop herself.
‘No? But I thought you just said you would do anything.’ He toyed with her.
‘I…yes…but that, Arnav ji, we are getting married tomorrow. I can’t leave the house tonight.’
‘Hmm…’ He shrugged, letting go of her hand. ‘Your choice, like I said, I will do whatever you want, so if you don’t want to come then don’t. I just said so because you claimed to do whatever I wanted. But I guess not…no problem.’ He shrugged again, walked by her and opened the door.
‘Arnav ji, I…’ She tried to explain.
‘It’s ok Khushi, I understand. I only said what was in my heart, but its’ cool, you can’t, so you can’t. No hard feelings.’ Shaking his head he left, although inside he was thoroughly pleased with himself for having unsettled her yet again. He loved how cute she looked when completely perplexed: her nose went red, brow furrowed and eyes displayed the chaos going on in her mind.
Moments after him she made it back to the courtyard and tried to participate in the festivities but her eyes and mind were elsewhere, debating about what she should do. When he spotted her and saw her baffled state he was in the mind to go over and tell her it was a joke, he knew she wouldn’t be allowed to go out tonight, he had just said it to get back at her for thinking she had won in making his heart go erratic with her presence, but as he advanced towards her Devyani called his attention, telling him it was time to leave. He tried to meet Khushi but didn’t get a chance alone with her to relieve her scattered mind.
‘Khushi, get ready bitya, Anjali just called, they have left the hotel and will arrive soon.’ Madhumathi’s voice floated in before her. ‘Hunh?! What is this? How are you not ready? You were ready moments ago, when Payaliya left. Why have you taken off your jewelry?’ Bua ji fussed over Khushi.
‘Wha-? I….uh…I…’ Khushi tried to explain.
‘Uffo Parmaishwari, just put it back on. The copper set looks fine. Forget the others,’ she gestured towards the cluster of jewelry Khushi had taken out just to be sure. ‘You look beautiful, Arnav babwa won’t know what hit him. Ok?’ Madhumathi deduced her niece’s concern, assuaged it and then bustled out to shout at some of the neighbouring girls, who had come to help with the preparations, calling them to order and be ready for the arrival of the groom-side. After all this would be the first time Arnav would be coming to their home. Now traditionally he would have come on the wedding day and not before and this would have been a strictly bridal function, however, as the families had become quite close and as no one in the neighbourhood had met the groom, they decided to have a joint function, where the Gupta’s friends and family could meet the groom and have a make-shift sangeet function in the mehendi celebration as they had not attended it in Delhi.
Khushi smiled after her Bua ji, whose orders she could hear all the way upstairs. Then got to work. Madhumathi was right the set she had put on was absolutely beautiful and she was over thinking it. She had just placed her copper teeka, with a crystal red drop on her forehead when the unanimous, excited shouts of the girls from the courtyard echoed up stairs, ‘Larke wale agay. Larke wala agay.’
He was here!! Her heart gave a violent pang. Without stopping to check herself in the mirror, she sprang up, lifted her lemon skirt and ran over to the balcony. Her recently united anklets singing her heart’s joy in her wake. Just as she reached the terrace fence and peaked over, two black, stretched limos came to a halt outside their door. Butterflies began to dance around in her stomach, as the door to the first limo opened and out stepped a man in a red kurta and golden shalwar. Khushi’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe, had Arnav? No way! He would never! She knew he felt gravely uncomfortable in Indian attire.
She was right, as the familiar man turned to face her she saw it was NK and not Arnav. She giggled, at herself for being so desperate to spy Arnav she had for a moment believed NK to be him. Wow. It was crazy how much she missed him. Until this moment she had not realized just how much she had missed him in the last couple of days. Her love was fresh for him and yet it seemed like she had loved him forever, because it certainly felt like she had been apart from him forever. As she laughed to herself over finding herself so madly in love, NK helped Devyani and then Anjali out of the car. Seeing the three of them standing outside her house, beaming at the Gupta’s, a warmth emanated from within her. Her family was finally complete. Actually no not yet, because the most important person had not stepped out of the limo. She peered over and waited for the man she desperately craved to see step out but he did not. Instead, NK shut the door behind Anjali after she had pulled out her accessories.
That didn’t make any sense. Why had NK shut the door if Arnav was still inside? While she mulled it over the door to the second limo opened now and NK jogged over to it. Oh he was in the second car. That was weird, why had he not ridden with Nani, Anjali and NK? It wasn’t like him to ride alone when travelling to the same destination with the rest of his family. Indeed he preferred to ride with them, they were the only company he accepted in his car. Well they and now her too. She smiled at the thought. Thinking over the days they had driven from Shantivan to LaANK together.
As she waited in anticipation for him to step out she was shocked to find someone completely unexpected hop out of the car. Abaan. Her friend from the internship days at LaANK. Followed by Mike, her co-worker and male wardrobe designer at LaANK. What were they doing here? Before she could contemplate that thought further out came Rubina, the cafeteria lady and her confidant at LaANK along with her five daughters, and Khushi’s dear friends ever since they had rescued her from Arnav’s well-played scheme. Khushi closed her eyes and opened them again. Was she hallucinating? How could they all be here? They had said their good-byes in Delhi, saying how they wouldn’t make it to the ceremony and yet now they were here. As the small, but quaint group converged with Anjali and Devyani, holding the Mehendi platter, in front of the Gupta’s threshold, Khushi received an answer from within: Arnav. Who else? Why had she even needed to question? It could only have been him, who else would have arranged this, to make sure that she did not miss her friends from Delhi. A proud smile sketched itself on her lips as she beamed down on the happy assembly and waited yet again for the man who had made it all possible to show himself. But still he did not show and the door to the second limo closed too.
Where was he? Something like panic, began bubbling inside of her. She clutched the rails of her balcony and lunged forward to get a better a look. Had she missed him somehow and he had gotten out of the first limo. But no there was no sign of him. How could this be? He said he would be here. But then…had something happened? Was he not coming today? Her heart sank. Her face dropped and the pounding in her heart sunk to a low rhythmic beating as the thought sunk in. He was not coming, not today. He had never said anything about attending the Mehendi function when they last met, only said he would be there for the wedding. Put out she turned to leave the terrace and wait for Payal to come get her from her room, where she would work on her smile to not show her sadness at not having Arnav with her at this function. Well she shouldn’t be surprised considering it was technically a brides’ function anyway, the groom had no reason to be a part of it.
Shoulders slumped she began her tread towards her room, when a deep growling sound came from below followed by low vibrations in the floor shaking her to the very core. One hand on the pillar in the balcony and the other on her heart to calm it, she turned and glanced down to see whether everyone was feeling these vibrations or was it just her, having some sort of fit because Arnav had not come. Upon speculation she found similar reactions below where everyone was looking towards the entrance to her alley, at the source of the sudden tremors and low growl. She followed their gaze but saw nothing at first. Then out of nowhere a shiny, red Lamborghini swerved into their street, coming to a graceful halt outside the house, inches away from the crowd of friends and family that had gathered. With a final loud rev of the engine, the sound and the vibrations emitting from the powerful engine came to halt, and the lights of the car blinked once, signifying the owner and the cause of this commotion would soon step out.
Khushi crossed her arms across her chest, irritated with this intruder for making a scene and being ostentatiously loud. For a minute nothing happened, as everyone just watched, waiting. Then in a fluid motion the doors to the Italian luxury car raised themselves, with a low purr, to stand perpendicular to the car. But still no one stepped out. Khushi tutted loudly, impatient with the man who was displaying an unnecessary show of flamboyance. She had very little respect for those who put on a spectacle of their wealth and status, to her a man was measured by his care and humility not by some show of importance, which this person below in her street was deliberately doing. Having had enough of his exhibition Khushi turned to leave, when the man stepped out in a black suit and made her heart stop. It was Arnav.
‘What the-?’ Khushi exclaimed completely taken aback. She didn’t understand. How could this vision be true? Arnav hated people’s pseudo behavior more than she did. It was one of the few things they agreed upon, that a person’s name spoke for them not their snobbish attitude, yet the man before her, Arnav Singh Raizada, was doing that very thing. It made no sense. Why had he suddenly adopted this air of importance? His importance to her had always come through the way he carried himself, not by this forced show of worth. She watched him closely to decipher his sudden need to showcase his authority.
His back was to her for the moment, as he stepped out of the outrageously expensive car, in his designer Italian shoes, snappy, black trousers, crisp black shirt, his favourite dark police shades, supported by a clean shave and stiffly gelled peaks. Lastly, to complete his look, his ever-present hands-free in his right ear, on which he was currently talking. He snapped something at whoever was on the phone and then clicked it once to end the call, but didn’t bring his hand down from his ear as he took the blue-tooth out and turning, threw it softly onto the dashboard of the car. Whilst bent down he reached inside and drew out the final piece to his attire: a coat. It was a black shirvani collared coat, with red piping to match the red embossed embroidery on it, accompanied with a red pocket-square. She knew it well for it was her design only it had not been put in production yet, but clearly Arnav had pulled some strings and gotten it stitched. Her heart was in her throat. He looked princely. How could he look so elegant and pompous at the same time? Well it was Arnav: if anyone was going to pull-off pomposity elegantly it would be him. But what was all this about? She knew him well enough now to know that this was NOT him. Yet he was being loud, deliberately. Why?
While she pondered over his sudden need for extravagance, he clicked the keys and the doors went down as smoothly as he walked around the car and took his place next to his sister and Nani, in front of Khushi’s family. Where he finally let go of the charade and was the humble man she knew him to be. He gave a peck on the cheek to his sister and hug to his Nani, was greeted by an energetic shake of the hand and hug by NK, after which he turned and gave a warm smile to the guests he had invited from Delhi. This done, he took off his shades, stepped away from them and bowed in front of Khushi’s family to take Shashi, Garima and Madhumathi’s blessings as they all beamed at him. Aakash and Payal greeted him cordially as they gestured to him and the rest to come inside, after Garima had performed the arthi, but he did not proceed. Giving Anjali the excuse to make an important call, he stepped away from them and headed back over to the car.
His back was to her again, but she could see the charade was back on now. The sober Arnav from moments ago was back to being this over-the-top Arnav. She stared, not understanding. He placed his shades back on and fished out his phone, but made no call. Once the family had gone in, he placed his phone back in his trouser pocket, turned and suddenly looked up. She drew back a sharp breath, how had he known she was standing on the terrace, watching. As though reading her thought, he gave her his wicked smirk, lowered his frames ever so slightly so she could see the chocolate brown eyes she loved so much and winked at her. He made to leave, but then stopped as his brow furrowed. Then his eyes lit up and he smirked, pointing towards her and then his ear, suggesting something was missing.
Instantly Khushi’s hand shot up to her ears. Had she forgotten to put her earrings on in her rush to see him. Ugh why had she taken them off in the first place? Upon inspection she found that it was there. But something was wrong, the earring in her left ear felt completely different to the one in her right. Oh gawd! She was wearing two different earrings, in her hurry to get her jewelry back on she had picked up the wrong earring. She reddened and he snickered slightly at her aloofness. Shaking his head, he took his glasses off, gave her one last look of pure pleasure and then he was gone, leaving her heart beating a mile a minute.
‘Khushi.’ Payal’s voice came from the bottom of the stairs, snapping Khushi out of the frenzy Arnav had put her in. She scattered back to the room and hurriedly swapped the earrings before Payal made her way up.
‘Ready?’ Payal asked from the door. Khushi looked up. Suddenly she was nervous. Now that he was here, that she was going to meet him in a few moments she panicked over what she would say. What would he say? Uff it was ridiculous, she needn’t be anxious. And yet she was, excited and scared to meet him, for he always frazzled her, the debacle from moments ago was evidence enough of that, plus today he had decided to play some sort of game with the whole “I’m a millionaire” spectacle. She never knew what to expect when it came to him. He always surprised her.
‘Khushi?!! Where did you wonder off to? Come on. Everyone’s waiting. Let’s go.’ Payal smiled. Taking a deep breath Khushi got up and descended the stairs with Payal at her side. At the bottom of the staircase a group of girls from the neighbourhood met her, girls she had grown-up with. They un-folded a light green dupatta and held it high over her and Payals’ head, as they escorted her out into the courtyard where the stage had been set for today’s festivities, giving Khushi the entrance she deserved as bride.
As she stepped out into the sunlit courtyard, under the peaceful green hue of the dupatta, Arnav felt his heart falter. She looked incredible. He wanted nothing but to walk right over to her and embrace her, but he knew that would be inappropriate, so he maintained his distance but did not drop his glance. She was grateful for it. She had gone through a whole lot of trouble to make sure he was stunned by her, and he was. Although she needn’t have because it was not outer beauty that appealed to him but her inner one which shone out of her every pore and made her his magnet.
Anjali met her by the stage, in the middle of the courtyard, with a warm hug. ‘Oh you look absolutely lovely Khushi.’ She beamed.
‘Yes. BEEE-U-T-FUL.’ NK chirped from behind a camera recording her entrance whilst enunciating each syllable in his compliment. ‘You should give her a naraz-teeka Di. To ward off the evil-eye.’
‘Naraz-teeka?’ Payal looked up confused.
‘Hahah – he means Nazar-Ka-Teeka Payal. It takes a while to get used to our NK’s hindi.’ Rubina laughed as she joined them in giving Khushi a warm welcome.
‘But he is right Rubina ji, this one definitely needs a Nazar-ka-teeka.’ Nani came around and placed a spot of her kohl behind Khushi’s ear as she said so.
‘That is correct, Devyani ji.’ Rubina agreed.
‘So…Surprise! We are here!!’ Mike, Abaan and all five of Rubina’s girls exclaimed now joining the party assembled around Khushi.
‘Yes I can see that. Thank you. Thank you sooo much. I am so glad you all came. It is the best gift ever.’
‘Well of course it is. We are the best.’ Mike and Abaan joked. Whilst the others laughed.
Then Rubina, softly whispered in her ear, the truth Khushi already knew, ‘Its’ not us you need to thank dear. Its’ your loving ASR who made it possible for us to come.’ Khushi nodded in acknowledgement, and then stole a quick glance at her well-wisher, who was being introduced to special guests by Shashi, but his attention was on her. As their eyes made contact, she instantly blushed and looked away much to his glee.
‘Anjali bitya, shall we get started?’ Nani recalled Khushi to the stage.
‘Yes. Let us.’ Anjali replied happily.
Khushi took her seat on the stage and Anjali and Nani sat down beside her. The rest formed a circle around the platform raised for Khushi and were joined by others who began the with singing traditional songs to the sound of the dhol and claps of those gathered, as Anjali took Khushi’s right hand and began to weave a beautiful flower on her palm, before handing the job of adorning her to-be-sister’s hands and feet with intricate hena patterns to the professional hena-artists invited.
As the festivities began, Payal left the stage area to join Madhumathi and Garima in their mad frenzy to attend to the guests, while Aakash continually told Payal to relax and not stress and let him worry about the refreshments. Shashi too stressed himself making sure all arrangements were good, until Arnav walked over to him and told him to rest, as it wasn’t good for him to exert himself.
‘Thank you, Arnav bitwa, but if I do not run around then Aakash bitwa will be left all alone to manage the arrangements as well as managing Payal, Jiji and Garima who are all running around in overdrive.’ Shashi replied, jovially.
‘Please, uncle, don’t worry about it. Everything is great. All the arrangements are perfect. We are completely well looked after so do not stress yourself. Here have this.’ Arnav reached for a glass of lemonade on the table he had made Shashi sit on.
‘Babuwa I am supposed to be offering you refreshments not the other way round. You are my guest, remember.’ Shashi stated.
‘Uncle. First you decide, am I your guest or your son. I can’t be both.’
‘Of course you’re my son. You’re my Khushi’s-‘
‘Exactly. So that’s settled. Then I can offer you a drink. Drink up come on.’
‘Ok. But here you have some too.’ Shashi offered him a second glass, but Arnav didn’t take it.
‘Sorry. It has sugar in it. I am diabetic, remember.’ Arnav reminded, reluctantly knowing the reaction that would follow, but he was cornered.
‘Oh dear. How could I have not thought of that? Oh bitwa, I-‘
‘Uncle. It’s ok. You drink up. Here I have water.’ He motioned to the glass in front of him. ‘Now you rest, and leave the work to me.’
‘Oh no, no, no.’
‘You just said I’m your son.’
‘Yes. But you are also the groom, this is your wedding, so you are not allowed to work. No. Do you see me letting Khushi do any work?’ Shashi reasoned before Arnav could make an argument. ‘So that settled. Thank you for this, but now I must get back –‘ Shashi said getting up.
‘No. Wait. Ok I won’t help out, but that doesn’t mean you have to work either.’
‘Hunh?
‘Mike. Abaan.’ Arnav shouted across the lawn. ‘Can you guys help Uncle and Aakash out with the arrangements?’
‘Yup.’ Mike replied.
‘Totally. Where do you need us?’ Abaan asked happily.
Shashi gave Arnav a doting smile, and then gave the two men their instructions. ‘You are good man. I always knew that. But it’s good to see it just the same.’ Shashi patted Arnav on the back as he got up and went to attend his guests now that he no longer was required to monitor the arrangements. Arnav allowed himself to smile at Shashi’s compliment and then got up to go back to doing what he had been before noticing Shashi short of breath: watching Khushi fuss, fret and fight over how her mehendi needed to be perfect.
This time however, when he looked her way, he found her eyes lock on his. She had been avoiding eye-contact all afternoon, because every time she stole a glance and met his eyes she would turn the shade of her blouse: red. But now she held his gaze and didn’t turn red, instead let a tear trickle down her cheek. Instantly, Arnav’s brow furrowed and he began walking towards her, but she shook her head, and wiped away the tear with the back of her hand telling him not to worry. That she was ok. Arnav didn’t understand but kept his distance as it was her will, trying to figure out what had caused the tear to pool in her eye in the first place as Khushi looked away. He didn’t know, but she had seen what had transpired between her father and him and she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with pride. He thought of everything and everyone in her life. How had she gotten so lucky to have him? And to think just week ago she had been foolishly ready to kick him out of her life.
As the afternoon progressed and the songs changed from old Indian songs to new ones, Arnav circled Khushi in a wide breadth. Although with each new round the circumference unconsciously became smaller and smaller as he drew closer and closer, drawn by her laughter over some joke Mehreen told or some insinuation Mehnaz made. It wasn’t until he heard the question from the hena-artist as clearly as if it was addressed to him did he realize that he had stopped circling as he now stood right next to her.
‘What are the initials of your fiancé?’
‘A.’ Khushi replied proudly.
‘A? Are you sure? I thought you may have gone with L.G.’ Arnav teased, deciding that now he was next to her he may as well make the most of the moment before someone came and separated them under the pretence of it being their wedding and therefore them not being allowed to be near each other. This custom, as far as he could tell was completely stupid, because considering they were the bride and groom it made sense they should be with each other at all times not separate, but no one listened to him. Well not at home, anyway.
She jumped at the proximity of his voice. Then turned to face him and still did a double take at finding him so near, making Arnav smile at the fact that she needed to reassure herself that he was as near as he felt. ‘L.G.?’ she gulped back the nervousness. God why was she so nervous around him? It wasn’t like this was the first time she had met him. She berated him on a daily basis. Yet for some reason it all felt new to her now. Their relationship was changing and it unnerved her, in a good way, but it still unnerved her.
‘Did you have a name change in the past week, Arnav ji?’ she asked, whilst secretly wondering when and how had gotten so close. Last time she had spied him he had been near the entrance to their kitchen accepting a glass of unsweetened lemonade (which Shashi had ordered to be made) from one of the neighbour’s daughter’s, who had been blushing so much that her cheeks looked like an advertisement for tomatoes. Although her reaction did make Khushi glow with pride, that everyone of the neighbour’s found her fiancé, her Arnav ji so remarkably handsome, it had made her feel something new too: jealousy. As much as she liked the idea of everyone drooling over him, at the same time she was visited with a fierce pang of possessiveness. She had never felt this way before. It was in her very nature to share her everything with everyone, yet for the first time in her life she found something she wanted to have a complete right over and not share with anyone.
‘No. But I thought you may want them, as you know, you prefer to call me Laad Governer.’ He winked his cheeky-chocolate eyes, making her glow bright red, allowing her to join in the tomato advertisement every girl in his vicinity seemed to be joining in here. Seeing her reaction he grinned.
‘What’s this? What are you two chit-chatting about? Chupa-ghoosam Nannav.’ NK jibed, loving the right to tease Arnav and Khushi.
‘Excuse me?’ Arnav quirked his eye-brow, having lost NK in translation.
‘You know…Chupa-ghoosam….sneaky-sneaky.’ NK nudged him, while Arnav continued to stare, not at all following.
‘Hahaha…’ Khushi shook with laughter, ‘He means chupa-rustam. Arnav ji. As in you are being sneaky about finding ways to spend time with me.’
‘Hmm. And do you have a problem with that?’ He asked, quirking his brow once more, making her suddenly sober up as her breathing grew shallow. For he muttered the last bit right next to her ear, leaving his breath on her neck that sent heat-waves down her back, allowing a volcano to erupt in the pit of her stomach.
‘Of course not….I mean….I uh….’ She stuttered, finding it hard to make a sentence. Why did he always leave her speechless?
‘Umm….Khushi…why are you getting the letter L inscribed in your mehendi?’ NK rescued her from Arnav’s spell and brought her attention back to her mehendi. He had been zooming in on her beautifully decorated hands, with his camera, when he noticed the letter that was being covertly drawn on her palm.
‘What? Hunh?!! What are you doing? I said A!’ Khushi yelped, seeing the evidence herself.
‘Yes, but then he said L.G….’ the artist defended her self.
‘What? Don’t listen to him, he’s a Laad Governor. You just write the letter I told you too. A. A for Arnav ji.’ Khushi said slowly, but loudly to make sure it registered across. ‘My Arnav ji.’ She added without thinking, then instantly regretted as she remembered his presence. As soon as the words left her lips, her cheeks turned crimson again. Oh god!! What was wrong with her?!! She knew he had been standing there, then why had she let it slip. Ugh….if he was a Laad Governor, then she also was a Sanka-devi!!
Shyly, she sneaked a peak at him, to see whether he had heard or not. She was stunned at what she saw, was he…was he….nooo…but he really did….she didn’t even know he was capable of it…but clearly, considering….maybe she was hallucinating. She moved her right hand to pinch her left arm with to make sure, but before she could something….someone gripped her right arm.
‘Waow? What are you doing Khushi? You’re going to ruin your mehendi.’ Anjali’s sweet reminder brought her out of the shock Arnav’s reaction had sent her into. She had come to investigate how much of Khushi’s mehnedi was done and to follow NK’s suit in teasing the bride and groom.
‘Oh god!’ Khushi now moved both her hands to her face, at the thought of ruining her mehendi, this time another hand gripped her left, whilst Anjali remained her restrain over the right.
‘Khushi. What are you doing? Clapping your hands on your mouth will have the same effect as pinching your left arm.’ Arnav reminded, as he shackled her left arm.
‘Khushi….where has your mind wandered off too?’ Anjali joked.
‘Oh, I don’t know ask your brother.’ Khushi grumbled.
‘Hmm?’ Anjali didn’t catch her answer, but Arnav did.
‘Excuse me? What did I do?’ he now whispered, kneeling next to her on the stage, making her body tingle all over again at feeling his breath on her skin.
‘You know what you did.’ Khushi replied coolly, or what she hoped was cool for she was desperately trying to keep a lid on the fire that was rushing in her veins due to his proximity.
‘Uh no. I don’t. Enlighten me please.’ He asked genuinely, for he truly did not know what he had done that resulted in her completely spacing out.
‘You….you…blushed.’ she whispered, causing him to draw even closer to her to hear it. ‘You were embarrassed. I didn’t even think that was possible.’
He stiffened. She saw that. He hadn’t expected her to suddenly blurt out her ownership of him, not that he minded for he certainly had given her the rights to get possessive with him. But the declaration had caught him off-guard and he had coloured with pride. But he had hoped no one had seen.
‘No I didn’t.’ he replied tersely, straightening up and avoiding eye contact.
‘Yes you did. I saw it. I could swear on a full platter of jalebis that you did. And you’re feeling embarrassed this very moment too, even if you are doing a much better job at hiding it than my traitorous cheeks ever do. But I know you are and were moments ago because I am well aware of the many reactions of embarrassment as being in your vicinity has that effect upon me.’ she stated confidently. Content at seeing him feel unnerved around her for a change, it wasn’t something that she got to witness often, rather never.
‘Yes. I have noticed that.’ Arnav took control, and smoothly evaded the topic of his blush to address hers’. ‘Did you know that you have more shades of red than an artist can mix up in a palet?’ he leered gleefully, making her cheeks deepen yet again. ‘Oh look. We have a new shade. An artist would be jealous.’ He winked, as he whispered in her ear, making her cheeks burn again.
‘Oh dear Khushi. Are you ok? Your cheeks are burning up. Are you feeling de-hydrated from the sun, I mean we are out in the open.’ Anjali asked concernedly, noticing Khushi’s flushed state.
‘Yes, Khushi. Are you ok? You do seem to have a red hue in your cheeks.’ Arnav feigned enquiry, whilst privately enjoying the scene as he knew Khushi was not at all over-heated. She glared at him. ‘Should I get you some water?’
‘No. No. I’m fine. Thank you Di.’ Khushi replied after calming her racing heart.
‘Are you sure?’ Anjali checked.
‘Yes. Thank you Di.’
‘Ok. Hmm Chotay…’ Anjali now turned to her brother.
‘Yes, yes Di, I’ll be scurrying away.’ Arnav rolled his eyes, got up from his kneeling postion and let go of Khushi’s hand and began walking away from the stage before Anjali could begin her whole explanation of why he shouldn’t be near Khushi.
‘No. Wait.’ Anjali called him back much to his surprise.
‘Did I hear correctly Di? Did you just see reason and allow me my right to be around my wife-to-be?’ Arnav asked scandalously.
‘Chotay…’ It was Anjali’s turn to roll her eyes. ‘No.’
‘Then…’ Arnav earnestly waited for her reason to summon him back, if it wasn’t her giving into his argument from earlier, back at the hotel, then he was genuinely intrigued.
‘I called you back with the perfect excuse to not just be near Khushi but earn a seat right next to her, right here.’ She pointed to the spot next to Khushi. ‘You interested?’ Anjali baited him.
‘Of course, I- wait what’s the catch?’ After thinking it over he realized if Anjali would allow him his five minutes in heaven; that is, a moment with sharing the stage with Khushi before their marriage she must have an ulterior motive which she knew he would never agree to unless it had to do with Khushi.
‘No catch. Just…Shagun.’ Anjali was obscure with the solution.
‘Shagun? What “Shagun” exactly?’ Arnav now crossed his arms defensively.
‘Oh, you know….umm…for shagun it is an old custom to apply a bit of mehendi on the groom too.’ Anjali spoke more to her neck than Arnav.
‘What? No. No way!’ but Arnav heard it still.
‘Oh come on Chotay. Shagun ke liye.’
‘No way Di –‘
‘Wait. I don’t get it.’ NK put down the handy-cam he had been filming the event with and voiced his confusion.
‘What’s there not to get NK. I am not getting any of that gunk put on me!’ Arnav iterated in an annoyed voice.
‘No. Not that Nannav. I get that…I mean…eugh…no offense Khushi your hands look gorgeous and all but egh I would never let anyone put it on me either.’ He shivered involuntarily at the thought, ‘What I don’t get is, though is why Di is asking to put mehendi on you for Shagun’s sake. I mean if he would apply some, shouldn’t he do it for Khushi?’ NK related his confusion in all earnestness.
‘What?’ Arnav just stared at NK, disbelievingly. What was he on about?
Arnav’s confusion at NK’s confusion was not followed by Khushi or Anjali, who both burst into laughter.
‘Ahahahahaha…..Oh Nanhe ji, of course the mehendi will be in my name.’ Khushi sputtered out in between her laughter.
‘Uh…no Khushi it won’t, because I am not getting any mehendi put on me!’ Arnav declared haughtily.
‘But Di just…’ NK began.
‘Oh NK. I meant shagun as in an auspicious act, not a girl Shagun.’ Anjali shook her head lovingly.
‘Ooooooooo. That makes more sense.’ NK bobbed his head as understanding now dawned upon him.
‘No it doesn’t. Where do you come up with these random customs anyway Di? I swear you are just making it up on the spot.’ Arnav huffed.
‘No she isn’t. It’s true, traditionally mehendi is put on the groom as well as the bride.’ Khushi backed Anjali.
‘Heh. Sure. Whatever.’ Arnav replied disbelievingly.
‘So you will do it?!’ both Anjali and Khushi asked excitedly.
‘What?! NO!! I thought I made that very clear.’ Arnav raised his voice, realizing they had taken his skeptical reply to mean his affirmation.
‘Oh come on Arnav ji, just a little bit.’ Khushi asked sweetly.
‘No don’t do that. Don’t use your eyes to convince me, Khushi.’ Arnav stepped back as if to try and ward off any spell from Khushi that may compel him to do her bidding. He loved her and had thought until moments ago that he would do anything to be near her. But the last few minutes were proof that there were some things he just couldn’t will himself to do even for her.
‘Oh Chotay, I will just apply a smidge. I swear. A dot. No one will be able to notice.’ Anjali tried, picking up a cone from the palet.
‘No. No way. Keep that hena-cone away from me.’ he almost shouted and then bolted before anyone applied it forcefully or Khushi’s charm had its’ effect.
‘Oh well, I guess it was a worth a try Di.’ Khushi turned to Anjali.
‘Yeah. I knew he would never agree. He hates mehendi. When we were kids that was the only thing that kept him at arm’s length from Amma. Whenever Amma applied mehendi he would make this sour face and sulk in the corner of the room until Amma’s mehendi did not dry and she brushed it off.’ Anjali recollected nostalgically. Then with an appraising look at Khushi’s hands and feet said, ‘Well you’re done. Oh this design is gorgeous. Right what do you say, let’s wait for it to dry and then shake a leg on the dance floor with everyone?’ she proposed happily.
‘Sounds like a good plan.’ Khushi replied in the affirmative.
Thus after luncheon, once the hena decked on her feet had dried, she got up and called everyone to the floor to dance. She danced with each member of her family on Salman Khan’s songs, enjoying every moment with them, laughing and tearing up at old memories and new, depending on the family member she was dancing with. Finally she turned to Arnav, but he backed away as soon as she came close.
‘Oh come on Arnav ji, you danced with me last week. So why not today?’
‘Last week you didn’t have mehendi on.’ Arnav motioned towards her hands and feet.
‘Its’ dry.’ Khushi reasoned.
‘Not on your palms, they’re still wet.’ Arnav pointed out.
‘Well you don’t have to hold my hands.’ Khushi reasoned.
‘Now what would be the fun in that if I can’t hold you?’
‘Ugh. The fun is in dancing with your loved ones Arnav ji. But gah…its’ ok never mind, I know you’re not much of a fan of dancing either so, whatever.’ She shrugged and joined the crowd, whilst Arnav took his stance once more next to the pillar enjoying her and his family all dance. However, moments after she had joined the floor he found himself following her on to the floor. She had just paired up with Maheen and was moving to the rhythm of the song playing when Arnav’s hand slid across her lower back and turned her towards him with a yelp.
‘Ssh. Its’ just me.’ he said softly. ‘You don’t mind if I cut in do you Maheen?’
‘Not at all.’ She replied happily and then went off to join her sisters.
‘What are you doing? I thought you made it quite clear, that not only would you not dance with me today, but wouldn’t come near me while my mehendi was still wet.’ Khushi asked, after her heart restarted from the shock of finding his hands encircling her waist and her body pressed to his. She kept her palms clear of him, by placing her forearms on his shoulder and letting her hands stay in the air near his ears.
‘I didn’t join you to dance.’ Arnav said into her eyes.
‘Then what are we doing right now?’ Khushi asked, confused. They seemed to be swaying to the music.
‘Providing a diversion?’ he replied coolly, losing her completely.
‘Diversion? For what?’ She tried to take a step back to size him up, but he pressed his hand on her lower back and pulled her closer than before, so that now her elbows were on his shoulder and she was uncomfortably close to him for a dance. ‘Arnav ji-‘ Khushi began.
‘Ssh. Stay in my arms Khushi.’ He ordered, then asked, ‘Trust me?’ she nodded. She didn’t know what he was up to but something in his voice told her to listen to him and forget what people may say if they noticed their proximity.
As they swayed softly to the music, lost in each others eyes’ Arnav’s fingers ever so gently tickled across her waist and back to come to a rest on left hip, his intentions became clear to Khushi as her eyes widened in shock. How had she not realized? Oh god.
Arnav read her fear in her eyes and gave her a reassuring smile. ‘I’m here. Trust me.’ he said again and she gave in to his voice, letting him save her from herself once more.
Arnav’s fingers set to work on the strings of her lemon lehenga, which had come loose from all the dancing, without her knowledge. But he had noticed and come to her rescue as always. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes, waiting for the bow to be tied. He did it very meticulously, making very subtle movements so that no one noticed what occurred. Once done he slid his hand up her back and pulled her slightly away from him, after whispering in her hair that it was done, so that they now stood at a comfortable dancing distance.
When the song finished, Khushi turned to go, but he held on.
‘I thought you didn’t want to dance?’ she asked, seeing how he kept her in her arms and was now moving to the beats of the next song.
‘I changed my mind.’ He smiled. ‘What? Don’t look at me like that. It’s your doing, you have a way with making me do things I never planned on.’ He accused, lovingly.
‘Really?’ She stared incredulously.
‘Yes. Do you have any doubts?’ he asked.
‘No. No doubts. But I do have proof that you don’t always do my bidding.’ She chided happily, glad that she for once had something on him.
‘Really? And what proof would that be?’ he questioned disbelievingly.
‘Your hands.’ She stated simply.
‘What about them?’
‘They’re bare.’
He raised his brow in question.
‘You didn’t apply mehendi on them earlier, instead ran away.’ She reminded.
He merely nodded. Then lifted his right hand away from her waist and held it in front of her. ‘This the proof you were mentioning?’
‘Yes. See, you don’t always-‘ but she stopped short in her triumph, for her eyes landed on a small brown ‘K’ at the base of Arnav’s palm.
‘You were saying?’ Arnav asked.
‘Arnav ji…’ she managed to breathe in a whisper, after a moment.
‘See, I’m no liar Khushi. I told you, you have a mysterious way of making me do things I never dreamt of doing.’ He smiled proudly.
Her face lit up, ‘Arnav ji.’ She whispered again and then pulled him into a hug, much to his surprise.
‘Khushi…’ he spoke in to her hair after a moment.
‘Mmmm.’ She mumbled from next to his heart, not ready to let go.
‘Khushi, your neighbours may not approve of you embracing me publicly.’ He cautioned.
‘I don’t care.’ She remained next to his heart. Then finally pulling away, ‘Besides, since when do you care what impression my neighbours have. I seem to recall earlier this morning you very happily presented yourself as a stuck-up, pig-headed, rich-boy.’
‘Pig-headed? Really? Is that how I came off as? I was going for a pretentious, obstinate, snob.’ He re-iterated her words with their pompous synonyms.
She shook her head in resignation, while he looked on at her amused. ‘So are you planning on telling me what it was all about?’ she tried again, seeing as he did not elaborate on his scheme.
‘I hadn’t planned to. No.’ he replied coolly. ‘But seeing as you ask so politely,’ he carried on seeing her face contort, ‘I was administering a vital lesson for your neighbours.’
‘Lesson in what?’
‘Respect.’
‘Respect?’
‘Yes. I recently discovered that some people here indulge in gossip too much and that in doing such they dared to disrespect my love and her family. Now that is not done. So I merely taught them a lesson. I needed to educate them on what my Khushi, who they dared tarnish, had achieved: me. Through her hard work and perseverance she is now an independent woman, who holds a prestigious designer position at a top fashion company, is financially responsible for her family, and is marrying (not to brag) one of India’s top businessmen and bachelor, soon to be ex- of course.’ He winked. ‘They needed to learn that, so yeah.’ He shrugged, as if it was nothing, while she gaped at him in earnest pride. A tear trickled down her cheek for the second time this morning bringing a frown on Arnav’s forehead. ‘Khushi. What’s this?’ he asked wiping it with his thumb, not at all liking its’ presence.
‘It’s nothing. Thank you Arnav ji.’ She beamed and broke into another hug. ‘Thank you.’ she whispered to his heart.
‘For you, anything.’ He kissed her hair.
‘How did you know?’ she asked after a while, still resting her head on his chest.
‘Because…’ He stopped dancing and pulled her face away from his chest, cupped it and leaning in slightly said, ‘I make it a point to know everything there is to know about you Khushi Kumari Gupta.’ He gave his twisted smile. That did it again, his lingering breath on her face brought about palpitations in her heart once again. He noticed her heaving chest, which began colliding with his, for he was so close and his smile curved more as he enjoyed the effect he had on her, while her face began matching the crimson colour of her blouse once more.
Without warning, she slid, her now dry palm, into his and pulled him away from the dance floor into a room off the courtyard. ‘What the-? Khushi- Wha- Owuh.’ Inside the room she crashed into his chest.
‘Khushi?’ He wheezed out after steadying himself and her, who had wrapped her arms around him.
‘What? Only you’re allowed to surprise me? I can’t do that to you?’ She moved back a little to see his face, but didn’t let go.
‘I…umm…no of course you can…I mean…’ He stuttered.
‘Arnav Singh Raizada, stammering, now this is a first.’ She laughed, happy to have the same effects on him that he had on her.
‘I…Khushi.’ He raised his brow finding his cool again.
Smiling, she hugged him again, to his surprise and added a sweet little thank you in his ear. With that she bounded out of his hug but before she could leave he caught her hand. She turned with a quizzical look. ‘So you wanted to thank me, hunh?’
She raised her brow now, indicating she already had. ‘Well a hug isn’t enough, you’ll have to do something else…’ he baited.
‘Ok…what?’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Yes, I will do anything.’ She declared.
‘In that case, you will spend this evening with me, on our first date.’ He proclaimed.
‘What? No.’ She blurted out before she could stop herself.
‘No? But I thought you just said you would do anything.’ He toyed with her.
‘I…yes…but that, Arnav ji, we are getting married tomorrow. I can’t leave the house tonight.’
‘Hmm…’ He shrugged, letting go of her hand. ‘Your choice, like I said, I will do whatever you want, so if you don’t want to come then don’t. I just said so because you claimed to do whatever I wanted. But I guess not…no problem.’ He shrugged again, walked by her and opened the door.
‘Arnav ji, I…’ She tried to explain.
‘It’s ok Khushi, I understand. I only said what was in my heart, but its’ cool, you can’t, so you can’t. No hard feelings.’ Shaking his head he left, although inside he was thoroughly pleased with himself for having unsettled her yet again. He loved how cute she looked when completely perplexed: her nose went red, brow furrowed and eyes displayed the chaos going on in her mind.
Moments after him she made it back to the courtyard and tried to participate in the festivities but her eyes and mind were elsewhere, debating about what she should do. When he spotted her and saw her baffled state he was in the mind to go over and tell her it was a joke, he knew she wouldn’t be allowed to go out tonight, he had just said it to get back at her for thinking she had won in making his heart go erratic with her presence, but as he advanced towards her Devyani called his attention, telling him it was time to leave. He tried to meet Khushi but didn’t get a chance alone with her to relieve her scattered mind.
*****
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