51. His Smiling Girl (Parts 21-30)

Part 21


Arnav & Akash went home, had a bath, & slipped into comfortable clothes. They had a lunch of more teasing than food, and were then forced to retire to their rooms to rest for the ceremony & the night to follow.

Mami pushed them into their respective rooms, saying, "Arnav Bitwaa, Akash Bitwaa, take rest & be Complan boys for the Suhaag Raat. Remember, the first impression are the best impression!"


Khushi & Payal helped their family to clear up after the haldi, and were then besieged by guests who were eager to congratulate the girls and help with the wedding preparations.

The weddings were to be held in Laxmi Nagar. Mami, Mamaji, & Anjali had suggested that they be held in RM, the house being large enough to accommodate an army, but Naniji had sided with Babuji in his desire to marry off his daughters from Laxmi Nagar. 

Nani explained to her family, "Sashiji has only two daughters to marry off. It is only right that he wants it done from his house." She sighed, "On the wedding night, after bidai, his house will be as silent as a funeral ground. He will have given both of his daughters to us, to grace our house. He will have sent his Laxmis here." 

After that, all the Raizadas had whole-heartedly agreed to Babuji's request, and had done everything in their power to help the Guptas in organising 2 weddings in such a short time.

Arnav looked around his room. He had ordered a lot of alterations. For a start, he had gone for a bigger bed and a more comfortable mattress. More wardrobe space, golden curtains... His room would become theirs now. From tonight, Khushi would be living in it with him. He wondered if it was possible to die of too much happiness!

Khushi sat on her suitcase so that Payal could lock it. It was bulging at the seams, filled with everything that she deemed necessary for a new life. Her Devi Maiyya's idol, suits, saris, books, chudi, jewellery, cook books, her special set of cookware that Babuji had given her on her 13^th birthday to make sweets... The list was endless. Her cricket bat & ball were in another bag. She looked around her room. It looked bare without her & Jiji's things. Her joy dimmed. How would Amma, Babuji, & Buaji deal with losing 2 daughters in one night? Tears filled her eyes.

Her phone ran as if on cue. It was Arnavji.

She picked up the phone, but could not speak.

"Kya hua, Khushi?"

She sniffed.

"Khushi, are you alright?"

Tears fell down her cheeks in a stream.

"Are you crying? Khushi? What is wrong?" He panicked.

Khushi mumbled. "They will be alone. After we leave."

Arnav sighed in relief.

He said softly, "Khushi, it takes 20 minutes to go from RM to Laxmi Nagar. I promise to take you home tomorrow morning, and whenever you want to go."


Khushi nodded.

Arnav smiled and said gently, "Khushi, I can't see you nodding through the phone. Say something, please?"

Khushi smiled slightly, and said, "I love you, Arnavji!"

There was perfect silence.

"More than I love jalebis.", she added.

Part 22
 

 (-NishaSobti-, Thank you for the banner!)


The silence continued.
"I love you more than ber. And channa.", she reassured him.
"Thank you...", Arnav said in a choked tone.
"Truly Arnavji, I don't think I will ever love anyone as much as I love you.", she said, now cheerful.
"I hope not.", said Arnav softly.
"Arnavji, can you believe it, we will be staying together from tonight onwards!"
"Haan.", he murmured, smiling.
"I won't have to bid goodbye to you at the end of the evening. Or watch you drive off. Ever again!", she was gleeful.
Arnav smiled again. "Hmmm..."
"Arnavji, when will you come for the wedding?"
"At 6 in the evening."
"Three more hours to go!", she sighed.
Arnav could not stop himself from laughing out aloud.




It was evening.  Khushi had spent all her time willing the arms of the clock to move faster, to gallop so that Arnavji could be with her soon. Payal blushed as the ladies teased the girls, but Khushi's attention was mostly on the door and the clock, and she just smiled with a distracted air at their comments.

"Khushi, you look beautiful!", Payal complimented her.

She looked in the mirror. A vision of loveliness stood before her, the red lehenga highlighting her creamy complexion, her mother's jewellery making her look like a princess. If only... If only her parents... Khushi hid moist eyes, and turned away from the mirror.


"Jiji, Akash jiju is going to swoon at his first sight of you!", she exclaimed.

Truly, Payal looked gorgeous in her green lehenga with red dupatta. Payal lowered bashful eyes, and whispered in Khushi's ears, "Khushi, aren't you scared?"
"Of what?", Khushi was genuinely puzzled.
Payal sighed in exasperation, "Of suhaag raat, you idiot!"
"Why should I be scared of it?"
Payal looked at her with eyes that were saucer-like in their size. "Khushi!"
"Jiji! Haven't you seen it in the movies? I will be sitting in bed with a ghoonghat. Then Arnavji will come into the room. He will lift the ghoonghat." She frowned. "Heroes normally quote poetry, but I don't think Arnavji knows any poems. Then he will help me lie down, and we will go to sleep."
Payal looked at her with eyes that were wider than saucers.
"I hope Arnavji kisses me. And lets me kiss him." She smiled at Payal who looked as though someone had stuck her finger in a socket. "I like it when he kisses me. It feels as though..."
"Sshh... Khushi...Tum Bhi Na... The girls will hear." Payal looked around them at the girls who had gathered to help them dress.
Khushi giggled. Payal took one look at her, and joined her.



The giggling fest came to a sudden stop at the shout that went through the street.
"The bridegrooms have come! The bridegrooms have come!"

Khushi raced to the window of her bedroom, and peeked out through the window. The first glimpse Arnav had of her was Khushi almost falling out of the window of her room trying to get a good look at him. He smiled behind the curtain of flowers, and aided by NK, dismounted from the horse. Akash followed close behind.
The grooms and the Raizadas were welcomed warmly at the door by the Guptas, and led into the house.
"Babuji, where are our bhabis? We are eager to see them.", said Anjali.
NK nodded, "Hamare aankhen tadap (taras) gaye! See!" NK winked first with his left & then with his right eye to show how eager his eyes were to see his bhabis.
In the ensuing laughter, Buaji and Amma led Khushi & Payal out into the crowd. Akash felt his spectacles slipping off his nose in shock at his first sight of Payal in her wedding regalia. Payal remembered Khushi's words about Akash's reaction to her looks, and had to hide a smile.



(Naddiya26, thanx!)

Arnav looked at Khushi in the red lehenga and felt as though his old life were ending and his new one beginning. Khushi lifted her eyes from their interested perusal of the floor to meet his, and smiled joyfully. Arnav swallowed. It was a life-changing, soul-altering moment for him. She was such a ray of sunshine, refusing to die out even when darkness encroached her space. He vowed to himself that he would keep her smiling, shining bright all his life. Because without her by his side, he was nothing. He felt moisture flood his eyes. It had been years, years since he had actively wanted to live, not just exist...kill time...go through each day...

Arnav saw the ladies lead Khushi to stand facing him. Payal was facing a clearly nervous Akash in a yellow sherwani. The girls had garlands in their hands. As they tried to garland their men, NK, Mamaji, & the neighbours lifted the boys up in the air to make the task more difficult.
"Our baijj (boys) are not so eejji (easy) to get!", remarked Mami with a smirk.
Amidst a lot of laughter and teasing, Payal & Khushi succeeded in throwing the garlands of roses around the necks of their grooms and Akash & Arnav succeeded in garlanding their brides whose cheeks resembled the roses in their garlands.

The rest of the wedding ceremony had a dream-like quality to Arnav. He followed all the rituals faithfully, his eyes on the glowing face of his bride and the members of the two families. Babuji handed over his daughters to Arnav & Akash, entrusting their well being to the grooms. Amma and Buaji shed tears of joy. Nani and Anjali couldn't believe their eyes. They had almost given up hope of Arnav agreeing to a wedding, and to see him marry a girl he loved was more than they could take in with composure. That too, with the sordid history their family had and his diabetes... Tears rolled down Nani's cheek.
"Saasumaa, don't cry. Didn't I tell you that hamre Arnav Bitwaa will find his girl?", Mami comforted her mother-in-law.
Nani nodded, clasping Mami's hand. Anjali hugged her.
Mamaji stood beaming at the sight of his nephew & son getting married.


NK peeked over the heads of the couples to catch a glimpse of Mili in her white lehenga.

He felt something go dhak dhak in his chest, and slowly placed his hand over his heart to see if it was still there. He whispered in Mamaji's ear, "I want to get married now. Today if possible."
Mamaji looked at him in shock.
"Love is spreading like a virus in our family!", he exclaimed.



Part 23



The wedding games were enjoyed by the guests, especially the ladies who celebrated the hiding of the shoes, untying of the raksha dhaga etc with loud laughter, numerous risque suggestions, and good humoured teasing. Normally, Arnav would have been terribly uncomfortable in such a situation and felt like a fish out of water, but one look at Khushi's thrilled face wiped all other considerations out of his mind. She was enjoying all the rituals, and he was determined to indulge her. After all, she would be marrying only once.


The ladies, smiling wickedly, placed a vessel with a milk mixture near them, dropped a gold ring into it, and asked Arnav and Khushi to dip their hands in the mixture and search for the ring.
Anjali said, smiling, "The one who finds the ring first will wear the pants in this relationship."
"Arnav Bitwaa, don't let us down. We have to wins this!", added Mami.
Arnav smiled at them, and looked at Khushi. She was readying herself for the battle, pushing her dupatta out of the way, forcing her bangles up her arm, smiling naughtily at him, her eyes twinkling with suppressed excitement. Arnav dipped his fingers in the mixture, hoping that Khushi would find the ring, but she didn't. She was giggling too hard at something Mami had whispered in her ear to focus on the ring.
Arnav found the ring, and slowly took it close to her hand, and touched her fingers with it. She looked at him, astonished. He pushed the ring into her hand. She slowly withdrew her hand from the mixture, ring in hand, to receive the noisy good wishes of the mad crowd gathered around them. As the ladies laughed and joked, Khushi's eyes never left his. In the cover of the laughter, she leaned towards him and asked, "Why?"
"If you win, I win.", he said simply.
She looked at him with teary eyes, and whispered, "I wish I could hug you, Arnavji. And kiss you."
Arnav swallowed. If only he had known the rewards of losing to her, he would have striven to lose to her every time.
"When will be alone, Arnavji?", she asked impatiently.
"At night.", he whispered.



Finally, it was time for Arnav & Akash to take their brides to RM, leaving the Guptas behind to miss their daughters. Payal hugged her Amma, Babuji, & Buaji, and cried her heart out. All the neighbours and the Raizada ladies wept with her. Khushi, on the other hand, was cheerful. She wiped the tears from the faces of her family, saying that she would be back to visit them the next day. Amma, Buaji, & Babuji saw the two couples off, waving till their hands hurt.
At RM, Arnav & Khushi, and Akash & Payal stood outside the door, waiting, while the ladies made arrangements for the grihapravesh. Khushi & Payal gently tilted the pots of rice, and stepped into the house.
NK said, "Nannav, Akash, lift your brides and carry them to the living room."
"Haan, Chotey.", Nani said. "Rest there while Anjali Bitiyaa, NK, & Manorama decorate your bedrooms!"

Arnav lifted Khushi with ease, her arms falling across his shoulders as though from long practice. Akash lifted Payal as though she were made of spun glass and he were scared that he would drop her.


A while later, NK came and announced, "Tan ta taan, finally, it is the end of your intekaam (intezaar)." All laughed. "The rooms are ready, ladies. Please come with me." He bowed down, always gallant, ready to lead them up.
Anjali, Nani, Mami, & NK led Khushi and Payal into their rooms that were beautifully decorated with lit scented candles and a curtain of flowers around the bed. They seated Payal on the bed, covered by the ghoonghat, to eagerly wait for her husband.

Arnav looked at Akash seated next to him in the hall. He was nervous, perspiring freely, wiping the fog off his specs with a hanky. Arnav hid a smile. Then Mamaji came to get them, and the men walked towards the bedrooms. They reached Akash's room first, and Arnav smiled to see his hand trembling as it tried to grasp the door handle.
He said softly, "Akash?"
Akash looked at his Bhai.
"Good luck!"
Akash smiled weakly before being pushed into his room by Mamaji.

Arnav was then helped into his room. Arnav locked the door behind Mamaji. The last thing he wanted was for NK to barge in with his comedy when he & Khushi were seriously engaged in celebrating their suhaagraat. By the way, where was NK? Was Akash his target tonight?, Arnav wondered.

Arnav looked at the figure sitting in the centre of his bed, knees raised, her dupatta over her head, her arms around her knees. Only a curtain of fragrant flowers separated them.
Arnav frowned. Khushi was small in size, not tiny, but just perfect. The figure in the bed was too large. Maybe the dim lights made her seem larger than normal, he mused.
And then he heard the hastily muffled laughter outside his door. And from his bathroom. Arnav sighed, his lips curving in a smile.
"Khushi...", he whispered to the person in the bed.
"Hmmm...", came a soft response.
Arnav caught hold of the manly hand of the figure.
"Why is your hand so rough, Khushi?"
The figure tried to pull its hand away, but Arnav's hold was firm as steel.
"Don't be shy, Khushi. Let me kiss you." He leaned forward.
There was a masculine shriek as the figure tried to make a hasty way off the bed. Arnav twisted the arm he was holding behind the person's back, and said softly, "So NK Bhai, tell me, how are you?"
"Nannav! Nannav! Chodo mujhe! Koi to mujhe bachao!", NK screamed like a heroine in a Hindi movie whose virtue was under threat.
Anjali & Khushi ran out of the bathroom, laughing like mad. Anjali ran to open the bedroom door. Mami, Nani, & Mamaji rushed in. NK made good use of Arnav's distraction, and freed himself. He ran out of the room like a bat out of hell.
Once the laughter died out, Anjali sent Arnav & Mamaji out of his room, and settled Khushi in the bridal pose.
"Now you can go in, Chotey!", she said, smiling.

Mami hummed,

Athra baras ki kanwaari kali thi
Ghoonghat mein mukhda chhupaake chali thi

Phasi gori

Phasi gori channe ke khet mein
Hui chori channe ke khet mein

 All laughed at Arnav's expense. He stood, his arms crossed, knowing that they were not done yet.

Mami put her head back into the bedroom, and warned Khushi

Pehle to julmee ne pakdi kalaaiPhir usne chupke se ungli dabaai

Jora jori

Jora jori channe ke khet mein
Hui chori channe ke khet mein

 

NK who had crept back, asked, "Where is the channe ke khet in RM, Maasi?"


The idea of NK pretending to be Khushi in the ghoonghat is Sunset's. Thank u for being my friend! And for your brilliant idea!



Part 24


"NK Bhai!", Anjali exclaimed.
"This boy!", said Mami laughing.
Nani said, laughing, "Let's leave Chotey & Khushi Bitiyaa to enjoy their suhaagraat! We have had too much fun at their expense."
"Haan, Amma.", said Mamaji. "Arnav Bitwaa must be cursing us in his mind."
Mami pinched Arnav's chin, and said, "Hamre Arnav Bitwaa will never curse his Mami, will you?"

Arnav smiled at her gently.

Nani, Mami, & Anjali hugged him and left laughing. 

Mamaji clapped him on his back, and followed them.
"Nannav, have a fabulous, stupendous, fantabulous, dhamakedaar, imandaar, thanedaar suhagraat!", NK wished before vanishing.


Arnav locked the door, and turned around to look at Khushi sitting on the bed, the skirt of her lehenga arranged in a circle around her, the dupatta covering her face, her bejewelled fingers clasping each other on her knees, her head lowered. Arnav sighed in relief. The wedding was done. He had his smiling girl in his life, in his room, in his bed because of Babuji's good heart, Amma & Buaji's faith in him, and his family's unstinting support. Now there was no hurry. He had an entire life to shower her with love. Arnav smiled as he walked closer to the bed.

He pushed aside a few strands of roses and rajni gandha (tuberose) flowers that were perfuming the air with a heady fragrance, and slowly sat down on the bed. 

"Khushi..."
She giggled under the ghoonghat. "It is me, Arnavji. Not Nanheji."
Arnav smiled. "Let me lift your ghoonghat.", he said softly.
"Yes, please. I can't see you clearly through this, what with the dim light..."

Arnav moved to the centre of the bed to sit closer to her, and gently lifted the ghoonghat off her face with both hands. His heart stopped for a second. She was so beautiful! The nath, her bindi, her heavy earrings, her maangtikka with rubies, her chunky necklace with rubies and emeralds, her mangalsutra, the red dupatta with gold work on it, framing her lovely face... As he looked at her in fascinated silence, he saw her rosebud lips tremble in a smile. She lifted her eyes to his, her gaze filled with joy.

She leapt in to his arms, her arms around his neck, her body flush against his. He felt himself falling backwards to lie on the bed, her unexpected attack leaving him in the enviable position of having his wife in his arms, on top of him. Khushi gave him a smacking loud kiss on his cheek.

"This is for giving me the ring you found in the milk.", she said, looking into his eyes.
"Thank you.", Arnav croaked. 

He twisted suddenly, bringing her under him on the bed. Khushi gasped, and then smiled at him, cupping his face.

"Are you happy, Khushi?"
"Very happy!", she said.
"Khushi, what would you like as a gift? Diamonds? Holiday in Paris? A wardrobe full of silk saris?"
She looked at him with wide eyes.
"Anything you want.", he promised, his voice huskier than usual.
"Anything?", she asked.
"Haan. Anything."
"Arnavji...", she hesitated.
"Haan?"
"Arnavji, will you ...will you kiss me?", she asked in a rush.
He looked at her, shocked.
"One kiss. Pleeease!"
Arnav, still speechless, looked at her in awe.
"Woh kya he, I like it very much when you kiss me.", she pleaded.
Arnav did not waste any more time staring at her. He kissed her many times, deepening the kisses as he felt her clutching at the back of his head, and pulling him closer. Finally, Arnav lifted his lips off hers, panting, to draw breath.

Khushi smiled with trembling lips, and said, "Now we have to go to sleep."

Arnav cocked an eyebrow.

"That is what they do in the movies for suhaagraat.", Khushi said, showing off her knowledge.

Arnav burst out laughing. The loud laughter floated down on the air to the living room where Anjali, Mamaji, Mami, & Nani were resting after the exhausting evening. NK had gone to the Guptas to spend the night with them because he didn't want them to miss Payal & Khushi Bhabis. He also hoped to speak a few sentences to Mili.

"Hello Hi Bye Bye, is that our Arnav Bitwaa laughing?", Mami asked, rolling her mascara-marinated eyes.

"I think so, Mannu. I am not sure as I have never heard this sound before!", said Mamaji with a contented smile on his face.

Nani & Anjali were speechless with happiness.

"May they always remain so happy!", whispered Nani.

All nodded.


Arnav said with difficulty between the guffaws that he could not fully control, "Khushi, there is no ...hard and fast rule ...that we have to sleep..."

"No? Then what are we to do?"

"For a start, maybe we can get rid of these jewels & flowers. And the dress must be heavy?"

"Ji. Arnavji, will you please help me?" She pouted, "There was a crowd of girls to help me put all these things on, and not one of them to help me get these off. How strange!"

"That is because you have me now.", Arnav said softly.

"Acha?", she asked seriously.

"Hhmmm."


Part 25



Arnav slid the dupatta over her head, and kissed her hair that was plaited and weighed down with lots of jasmine flowers. Khushi shivered with happiness, smiling at him.
Arnav slowly removed the maangtikka, and kissed her maang filled with his sindoor.
He then unfastened her nath, kissing the piercing on her nose. Khushi giggled slightly, feeling the warmth of his breath on her face.
Arnav then tackled her hanging earrings, freeing her ears from the weight, taking care not to hurt her. He did not forget to drop kisses on her ear lobes. Khushi shuddered in pleasure.
He then leaned towards her, and moving his hands to the back of her neck, pulled the knot loosening her necklace. He then lifted it off her and placed it aside. He looked at the fine lines of her slender neck, now adorned only by his mangalsutra. He bent his head, and kissed her neck. A moan slipped out of Khushi's throat, surprising her. Arnav continued to kiss her neck and his mangalsutra till she felt spineless & weak with pleasure.
She looked at him with wide eyes, and Arnav smiled reassuringly at her, trying hard to keep his heartbeat down.
"Are you alright, Khushi?", he asked in his husky voice, wickedness oozing from every word.

Khushi nodded, words being beyond her.

Arnav slowly slipped her bangles over her hands covered in mehendi. Once her arms were bare, he kissed their length, not leaving an inch without a token of his affection. Khushi trembled in anticipation and warm pleasure.

He moved on to the waist band, a thin chain of gold that dared to line the circumference of Khushi's slim waist.

"Shall I remove this?", he asked in a whisper. It was all Khushi could do to nod.

He slipped the hook out of its hold, and the thin snake-like chain fell into his hand. He threw it to join the heap of jewellery he had taken off her, and bent down to kiss her waist and navel as Khushi twisted and writhed under his loving hands and seductive lips. He pulled the dori of her choli open, his movements almost lyrical in their lack of haste, his fingers dancing across the silky expanse of her back. Khushi was unaware of when and how Arnavji relieved her of the cumbersome weight of her clothes.

Arnav had all the time in the world. And he used it to acquaint himself with every inch, every nook & cranny of Khushi's body, delighting in her moans and squeals, her reactions that she couldn't control, her delight in his touch, his warmth, his love pouring over her like summer rain... 

The candles burned down in their holders, the flowers wilted, and the moon travelled the sky to vanish as the night moved towards dawn when the lovers fell asleep in each other's arms, exhausted from too much love and pleasure beyond their imagination.



NK waltzed into the house in Laxmi Nagar to find Babuji, Amma, & Buaji sitting, silent, sad.

"Babuji, Amma, Buaji, why are you sad? Khushi & Payal bhabi are safe in RM in their husbands' rooms. And I have come to keep you company!" He smiled cheerfully.

"Hai Re Nandkisore! How kind of you! Bitwaa, will you have something to eat?"

"No, no!", NK panicked. "I am so full of food, Buaji, that if I eat anything more, I will burst like a batasha (pataka)!"

All laughed in a good humoured way, loving NK's kind heart and his jolly nature.

NK turned his head to see Mili standing behind him, laughing at his joke. He smiled at her, shy.

Lots of relations were staying over after the wedding, and space was scarce. Babuji offered to accommodate NK in his room, with Amma sharing Buaji's bed. But NK refused. He pulled an old cot out into the yard, picked up a cushion lying in the drawing room, and made his way to sleep in the open air with stars for company.

He wanted a glass of water. True to his nature, he, without disturbing anyone, walked into the kitchen on tiptoes and began to search for the pot of water. Hearing a slight sound behind him, he turned around. Mili was standing there, looking at him.

NK blushed, and said, "W...Water. I wanted a glass of water."

Mili smiled, and went to the right pot, poured water into a glass, and handed it over to NK. He drank the water that tasted sweet, his eyes on Mili's face. Mili blushed, and looked away.

"I am Nandkisore, NK to friends, Nanheji to my bhabis...", he introduced himself softly.
She nodded.
"I am settled in Sydney. My parents are there."
Mili nodded again.

"And you?", NK asked innocently, desperate to hear her voice.
"Mili. I am a cousin of your bhabis.", she said, her sound as sweet as honey.
"Will you be staying here for sometime?", NK asked hopefully.
Mili shook her head in the negative."My parents and I will be leaving for Kanpur tomorrow at noon. My four brothers left immediately after the wedding."
"Oh!" It was more a sigh of relief rather than an exclamation, but Mili didn't know that.
"What do you do?"
"I am studying in a college in Kanpur. Computer Science. And I help my father in his textile shop in the evenings."
"Oh, that's nice!", NK smiled.

The strange flutter in Mili's heart made her look around to see if her innocent pleasure in the nighttime conversation with the handsome man with a smiling face had been noticed by anyone.

Before NK could ask anything more to delay her further, she asked, "Could you find a place to sleep?"
"Haan...", NK laughed. "Outside under the stars, on a cot."
"Really?", Mili asked enviously.
NK smiled. "Really."
"Won't it be cold? Do you have  a blanket?"
"Err...I don't know...No, I don't have a blanket."
"I will get you one."

Mili hurried to her bedroom, got a thick blanket, and came out to give it to NK. As she passed the blanket into his hands, her fingers brushed against his. Both stood still, shocked at the electrifying touch. Mili pushed the blanket into his arms, turned, and ran away into her bedroom, leaving NK clutching his blanket. She buried her face in her pillow, trying to figure out what had just happened.

He drew in a much-needed breath to still his madly beating heart. He badly needed a few more glasses of water.


Part 26



Khushi woke up the next morning with a smile on her lips, stretching her arms wide. Her arms stopped half-way through and a frown creased her forehead. Why was Jiji's arm so heavy? She opened one eye to see a slumbering Arnavji, his peaceful visage, relaxed in deep sleep, resting on the pillow beside hers. Her other eye opened to take in the entire picture. The canopy of flowers over the bed, Arnavji beside her, her bare arms, her nude body hidden by the blanket that Arnavji had pulled over their exhausted bodies... Her eyes widened to impossibly large circles and she blushed.

She tried to slip out from under his arm by slowly moving it away from her blanket-covered waist, but it tightened around her, and Arnav murmured, "Khushi..." like an endearment into his pillow. 

She waited, not drawing breath, praying that he wouldn't open his eyes. How could she look at him after all the... all the shameless things she had done to him and he to her? Her face looked and felt as though someone had set it on fire.

Once she was sure that Arnavji was again fully asleep, she crawled out of bed, her body still covered by a corner of the blanket. She stretched her arm, caught an end of the lehenga skirt from the floor, and quickly slipped into it, covering herself from her neck down. She raced towards the bathroom, a wary eye on the sleeping lion, slipping on the choli lying on the floor, the flowers strewn around, her foot tangling in Arnavji's clothes... 

Her red face could make a tomato suffer from inferiority complex.

Nearing the bathroom door, she skidded to a halt remembering that she needed clothes to wear. Clutching her lehenga, she slid the wardrobe door open, and took out an orange sari and underclothes. She then crept into the bathroom with these, and locked the door behind her.

She leaned against the locked door, her breath coming in rapid rushes. So that was why they showed two big flowers butting heads with each other in the movies when the bride and groom had their suhaagraat. She blushed again. They couldn't show on screen what Arnavji had done to her last night. Her blush deepened. No wonder he had laughed when she had suggested that they go to sleep! She swallowed hard.

Her eyes caught the image of her face and body in the mirror. She looked closely at herself. Did she look any different? She had been a girl yesterday. Today she was a woman. Her eyes slid away from meeting the eyes in the mirror. She felt different, strong, like she could climb mountains even though her body ached a bit, like she had grown up a bit during the night... She brought her eyes back to her image.

Was that a mark on her neck? Arnavji's stubble. Her fingers gently touched the slight pinkish spot, and shuddered as though Arnavji had just kissed her there. Her bashful eyes took in her hands and arms decorated with mehendi. How she had coiled herself around him all night, unable to believe that such pleasure existed, scared that Arnavji would stop, clutching his strong, muscled shoulders for purchase, raking her nails down his back... 

Arnavji's kisses had transported her to some world of sensation that she had never known before, his fingers touching her so gently that she had trembled to feel them more firmly on her skin... Her heart had leaped as he had slowly freed her from each bit of jewellery, and replaced it with his lips and hands. Then he had slowly loosened her choli and skirt, and encouraged her to free him from his sherwani. She had helped him as much as her trembling fingers had let her, sliding the beaded coat off his shoulders... Once she had laid eyes on his chest, she had lost her senses. She had explored every inch of his beautiful body with her hands... Khushi blushed again.

What was the magic Arnavji had in his hands and fingers that made her lose sight of everything around her when he touched her? 

Why did his eyes fascinate her so?, she wondered, a cute frown on her face. 

Why did the very thought of him make her knees wobble? Her heart beat faster with the yearning to see him?
Was this normal?, she mused. To want to slide back into the rumpled bed with him and do everything they had done all night again and again? To never get out of that bed? The blush spread down from her face. Did every wife feel the same about her husband? Or was there something wrong with her? Her face paled. She would have to ask Jiji!, she decided.

Well, Jiji was not going to join her in the bathroom!, she chided herself. She would have to go out if she needed to talk to her Jiji. First a bath. Then a change of clothes. Then she could get answers to these questions from her Jiji.

She had her bath and crept out of the bathroom into the bedroom, wearing a beautiful orange sari that Anjali Di and Arnavji had bought for her and kept among her clothes. The elaborate beadwork on it suited her status as a newly-wedded girl, making her face and body glow. The mehendi on her hands & arms added to the effect. She walked towards the bed, her eyes caught by the splendour of the man sleeping without a care within a curtain of sweet-smelling flowers. For a few moments she stood captivated by the sight of his sweet face, the wide forehead, the strong nose he had rubbed against hers, the sinful lips he had... She swallowed hard.
Khushi, you are shameless. Totally, totally shameless. Totally a Sanka Devi., she told herself.

She looked around the room. It was in shambles after the activities of the night. Blushing, she gathered the jewellery Arnavji had discarded last night, and locked them away. She collected the pieces of clothing scattered around the bed, a couple of pillows that had fallen off, the flowers that had fallen from the strings decorating the bed, the candles littering the room... 


Then, stealing another helpless glance at Arnavji, she sat down in front of the big mirror. She flipped open the sindoor box, and slowly applied a pinch of it in her maang. The sindoor, the mangalsutra, her hands full of orange chudi & mehendi, her rich sari, her feet with her Amma's payal and more mehendi... She slowly made her way out of the room to go downstairs, sneaking a couple more looks at Arnavji who was dead to the world.



"Did you sleep well, Khushi Bitiyaa?", asked Nani, with a smirk on her face.
Khushi blushed, and stammered that she did.

"I hope you did not find it difficult to rest, Bhabi.", Anjali teased. "This being a new house to you!"

Khushi shook her head in the negative, her face red. 

"Where is Chotey? I hope you did not tire him out last night!", Anjali giggled.

Khushi almost dropped the thaal in her hand. She heaved a sigh of relief, seeing Jiji & Akash Jiju come down the stairs, ready for aarti. She stood silent, smiling at the jokes directed against them, watching Jiji & Jiju competing to see who blushed more. She would have to speak to Jiji at the earliest and clear her doubts.

Mami & Mamaji came down for the aarti, Mami dressed in a blindingly gaudy blue sari with blue mascara and nailpolish.
"Where is hamre Arnav Bitwaa?", she asked Khushi, smiling wickedly.

Khushi mumbled, "Sleeping, Mamiji."

"At this late hour? Good afternoon ko good morning kehne ka irrada he kaa?", Mami lifted an arched eyebrow.

Khushi looked away at the ground, wishing it would split and give her refuge in its depths.

"He must be very tired,  Manorama.", said Nani, smiling.

"Haan, Saasumaa." Mami lifted Khushi's face with a loving finger under her chin, and pronounced, "Our Payal & Khushi bitiyaa too looks very tired. Bonder bhy? Inbestigation karegi padi!"

In the laughter that followed, the family moved towards the idol of Devi Maiyya, and started the morning pooja.


Nani and Anjali Di did the pooja one after the other. 

Then Mamaji & Mami took the thaal together to worship Devi Maiyya, holding it with one hand each.

 Then Akash Jiju & Jiji worshipped together. Jiji then passed the thaal to Khushi. She accepted it with a smile, and went ahead to do the pooja alone. 

As she was about to begin, she felt Arnavji come to stand very close to her, his chest touching the back of her shoulders. She shivered at the slight contact. He slowly slipped into place beside her, and held the thaal with one hand, accompanying her in her pooja. He looked at her, his knowing eyes showering love, possessiveness, and tenderness. She avoided his gaze after one glimpse, her hand holding the thaal trembling.

Khushi had never known such happiness. She looked into the kind eyes of Devi Maiyya, and felt tears of joy and gratitude fill her eyes. Gratitude that Devi Maiyya had given her such a good man as her husband. 

She promised silently, "Devi Maiyya, I promise to be a good wife to Arnavji. I will try my best not to dance on the bed, play songs loudly, or irritate him... Or pick up stray dogs and bring them home... Or laugh loud enough to scare the crows away (as Buaji often says)... Or make enough jalebis to feed the neighbourhood when I am upset... I can't promise I won't do all these, Devi Maiyya, but I will try not to." She sighed. 

Arnav felt a smile pulling at his lips as he wondered what exactly she was promising Devi Maiyya.

SEGAD, I owe you one for the flowers butting heads!!!!


Part 27


"Chotey, Khushi Bitiyaa, Akash, Payaliyaa, shall we have breakfast?", suggested Nani, smiling  as she moved towards the dining table.
All followed her, except for Khushi, Payal, & Anjali. They went to the kitchen, Anjali because she wanted to help HP to bring the dishes to the table, and Payal & Khushi because they wanted to escape the teasing by the family. As they neared the door to the kitchen, Khushi turned around to peek at Arnavji. He was standing near the dining table, arms crossed, head cocked, looking at her with a wicked expression that said that he understood what she was about.

Khushi ducked into the kitchen with astonishing speed.

Khushi, Payal, & Anjali served breakfast to the rest of the family, Khushi studiously keeping her eyes off Arnavji. To her, he was just a blur of white in her peripheral vision. 

"Khushi, I want a paratha.", the devil said.

If Khushi was smart, Arnav Bitwaa was smarter.

All looked at Khushi. Khushi smiled and nodded in his general direction, and took the plate of parathas to him. As she placed a paratha on his plate, she could feel his eyes on her face. When she tried to move away, he caught hold of her arm gently.

"Khushi, sit down by me."

"Haan, Khushiji, please sit down by Chotey!", teased Anjali. "Otherwise he will have to keep asking for parathas."

All laughed, and Khushi's face flushed. Payal & Akash who were sitting side by side, smiled at each other, and Akash passed Payal her cup of tea.


"So, what are your plans for the day?", Nani asked the newly-weds.

"I am going to take Khushi to Laxmi Nagar for a visit. I will bring NK back with us."

All smiled.

Mamaji wondered, "I wonder what the Guptas did with him last night."

"If Akash & Payal wish to come with us...?", Arnav suggested.

"Yes, Bhai, that would be nice."

"Arnav Bitwaa, remembers that we are having the mukhdikhai today evening at 5. Bring back Payaliyaa & Khushi Bitiyaa by noon. They will needs atleast five hours to get ready. I will dress them and helps them with make-upiyya.", Mami offered cheerfully.

All faces blanched, imagining Payal & Khushi with war paint on their faces.

Anjali choked on her sip of water, and rushed to save the girls from a fate worse than death. "I have arranged a professional beautician for them, Mami."

Mami pouted in displeasure.

Anjali said, anxious to keep Mami happy, "I though you might be too busy dressing up to waste time on such trivial things."

"Yes, Mannu. You need five hours to get your own face on.", Mamaji pacified her. "How can Payal's mother-in-law and Khushi's aunt look shabby?"

"Haan, that's true! I hab graduated from Amma to Amma-in-La", Mami smiled, happy that she was the star of the evening.

Nani, Akash, Arnav, Khushi, Payal, Anjali, & Mamaji hid their smiles.


Arnav opened the door for Khushi. She got into the front seat. He fastened her seat belt, bent his head, quickly dropped a kiss on her cheek, withdrew, and shut the door, striding around the car to take his place. He stole a look at her red face. She was looking out through the window, the fingers of one hand held over the spot he had kissed. Arnav bit back a smile as he drove slowly away, letting Akash overtake them.

Payal & Akash were soon out of their sight. Arnav brought the car to a stop on a deserted bridge midway between RM and Laxmi Nagar.

Khushi looked at the clasped fingers in her lap, and swallowed. There was no escape now.

Arnav cupped her locked fingers with the palm of his large hand, soothing them. His calm eyes remained on the long stretch of road ahead of them. 

Khushi relaxed, leaning slightly into her seat, her limbs not so taut anymore.

"Khushi?"

"Ji...i..?", her voice was small.

"What did you promise Devi Maiyya?"

She swallowed. "To be a good wife to you."

Arnav hid his smile. "A good wife?"

"I said I would try to be a good wife to you. One who does not make mountains of jalebis when upset..."

"I hope you are never upset, but if you are, I wouldn't mind the jalebis as long as a few are sugar free.", he murmured.

She went on, "One who does not laugh loudly..."

"You can laugh as loudly as you wish, Khushi.", Arnav said softly.

"You are saying this because you have never heard me laugh out aloud!", she complained with pouting lips.

Arnav smiled.

"One who does not pick up strays...", she whispered, hoping that he wouldn't hear and ask too many questions about what and whom she had picked off the streets.

Arnav let that one go.

"One who does not irritate you..."

"You could never irritate me, Khushi."

"That's what you think, Arnavji. You don't know what I am capable of!", she sighed. "I will try... I will honestly try not to play music loudly."

"I will sound-proof a room for you, Khushi. You can play music as loudly as you wish."

Khushi looked at him uncertainly, not sure if he was joking.

"And I will try not to dance on your bed...", she said earnestly.

"I wish you would dance on OUR bed, Khushi. I would love to see it."

Khushi looked into Arnav's honest, loving eyes for a second, and then threw herself into his arms.

"Arnavji!", she whispered, feeling that she had come home.

"I love you as you are, Khushi. I don't want you to change for me. Change for yourself if you think there is something wrong with you, but don't change for me."

She looked into his eyes, his beautiful eyes that were so full of love for her. His gentle finger was tucking a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Arnavji, can I ask you something? I was planning to ask Jiji, but..."



Part 28


"You can ask me anything, Khushi...", Arnav said, caressing her cheek with a finger.
"Arnavji, woh kya he, when you..."
Arnav's phone rang.
"Bhai, what's wrong? Are you OK? We reached Laxmi Nagar ten minutes back. Where are you?"
"We are coming.", Arnav closed his eyes in exasperation.
"Are you sure, Bhai? Do you want me to come and pick you up or something?"
"We are OK. I just stopped on the way for a few minutes."
"Oh!"
"We will be there soon."
Arnav looked at Khushi. "Let's meet your parents, collect NK, & return to RM. We can talk in peace there."
"Ji.", said Khushi.


The Guptas were delighted to see them, and a couple of hours passed in laughter, and meeting neighbours dropping in to see them and relations who were to leave that day. Arnav & Akash met Mili's parents and Mili on whom NK's eyes were fixed. Arnav and Akash had to literally force NK out of the house, threatening him, cajoling him, pushing him to get him out of the door...
On their way out, Arnav whispered in Babuji's ear that NK was interested in Mili and wanted to marry her. He vouched for NK's character, and took on the responsibility of informing his parents and getting them to visit Mili in Kanpur.
Babuji nodded, and said, "All of us like him very much. If Mili likes him too, then there should not be a problem. I will talk to her parents before they leave today."
Arnav pressed Babuji's hand in gratitude. "The cars will be here at 4pm, Babuji. Nani said that the Mukhdikhai is to begin at 5pm."
Babuji nodded gratefully.


Lunch was a jolly affair, the return of NK ensuring that laughter ruled. He was ably egged on by Khushi while the Raizadas watched the pair with wide eyes. Khushi was sitting by Arnav, demonstrating some dance mudras to an NK who was trying out the 'murdas', sitting across from her. Many of the members of the audience were clutching their stomachs that hurt from laughing too much. Arnav hid his smile behind his glass of water. NK then went on to show Khushi how she should behave during the Mukhdikhai, as though he were a veteran of such events.
"Khushi Bhabi, you have to sit still with the dupatta over your head. Like this..." He demonstrated how she should sit coyly, one hand over the other, both placed on her knees, head lowered.
"Then some lady will come and lift your dupatta. Then you must lift your head. Like this. Slightly. Look at that lady's face and sharmao. Like this. Lower your head like this and giggle..."
All laughed so hard at NK's expressions of coyness that HP came running from the kitchen and Laxmi from the garden to find out what had happened.
Khushi looked at NK with respect.
"Nanheji, you found out all this information just for Jiji & me?"
NK blushed, and nodded.
"Nanheji, you are a real brother." Khushi saluted NK, who lapped it all up. "Whom did you ask?"
"Buaji. Who else? She showed me all the eye movements too."
Naniji almost fell off the chair laughing.
"Hai Re Nandkisore!", said Mami.
"What has this world come to?", mock lamented Mamaji.
Akash could feel the water he had sipped go through the wrong passage, and choked. It took Payal and Mami's efforts to get him to stop coughing.
"Buaji also said that Lajja is the behena (sister) of all girls.", NK boasted.
"Behena nahin, Nanheji. Gehena (ornament), gehena.", Khushi said, laughing.
"It is the same.", NK insisted, and all rolled with laughter.

Arnav watched his bride with loving eyes, the big smile on her face as she laughed and joked with everyone... How he had longed for her to sit by him at his dining table, how he had longed to hear her laughter, see her eyes glowing with joy, feel the warmth that she radiated, touching every person she met with her good heart... He smiled. He was blessed.



Khushi yawned behind her fingers, the yawn  seeming to split her face into two. There was perfect silence around the table as all the elders tried to hide their laughter at the sight.
Khushi looked around, wondering why all were silent.
Nani said, "I think we all need to rest now. It is going to be a busy evening."
Mamiji teased, "Yes, Saasumaa, we all need our beauty isleep. Some more than others." She looked at Khushi & Payal who flushed.
"Let's all have a short nap.", said Anjali. "Khushiji, Payalji, why don't you go to your rooms?"
"Di, let's help clear the table.", Khushi tried to help.
"No, no. Chotey, take your disobedient bride up to your room and get her to sleep.", Anjali ordered.
Arnav smiled, and taking hold of Khushi's arm, led her up the stairs.
"But I am not sleepy, Arnavji!", Khushi tried to protest.
"But I am, Khushi.", Arnav silenced her.


He led her into their bedroom and closed the door.
Khushi walked into the bathroom with a white suit, and returned in the casual clothes to sleep. Arnav had changed into white casuals, and was already in bed. Khushi slipped in beside him, feeling awkward, memories of last night overpowering her.

"What did you want to ask me, Khushi?"
"Nothing.", she stammered.
"I think it was something serious. Tell me, Khushi."
"No. It is nothing much. I will ask Jiji."

Arnav caught hold of her hand in his, and gently kissed her palm. Her hand shook. 

"I am your husband and you are my wife, Khushi. There is nothing that we can't share with each other."

"Acha?", she asked, a cute frown curving her eyebrows.

He nodded, sat back against the wall, and slowly gathered her in to his arms.

"I was thinking, Arnavji,...", she mumbled the rest into the crook of his neck.

Arnav felt a laugh rise in the region of his chest. He asked with a straight face, "What were you thinking, Khushi?"

"That...", she mumbled the rest again.

"I can't hear you."

"Is it normal, Arnavji, to...to feel so much...?"

Arnav cocked his eyebrow, asking her to explain."So much?", he asked softly.

"When... when you touch me?" She looked trustingly into his eyes that suddenly burned with a fire that was banked with difficulty.

"What do you feel, Khushi?", he whispered, his hand cupping her face, holding her close against his chest.

She hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Breathless. When you touch me, Arnavji, I... I feel..."

"As though your heart will stop, you can't draw breath, as though you want to crawl into my skin and stay there, as though you would die if you couldn't touch me?", Arnav whispered.

"Haan.", her eyes rounded in wonder. "How do you know?"

He smiled. "Because I feel the same."

"Really?", she couldn't believe her ears. She sat up to make sure.

He nodded.

"And Arnavji...", she started to ask, and then hesitated.

"Kya?", Arnav asked.

Khushi whispered in his ear. "What we did last night... Is this what all husbands and wives do?"

Arnav had to bite his lip to control his laughter. He nodded.

"Jiju and Jiji too?"

"Haan."

"Mamaji & Mamiji, Amma and Babuji too?"

His chest shook, but his face remained smileless. Only he knew the effort it took. "I guess so.", he finally said.

"Arnavji...", she leaned to confide in his ear. "Is it normal if I want to do it again and again with you?"


Part 29


Arnav looked into her innocently questioning eyes for one moment in shock, and then lost it. He burst into laughter, guffawing as he had never before, taking his arms off her to clutch his tummy.

She looked astonished at this uncharacteristic display of mirth for some time before she realised that he was laughing at her.

"How dare you laugh at me, Arnavji?", she growled.

Arnav managed to check his laughter. He wiped his streaming eyes, and slowly lifted his head to look at her. But one look at her affronted face set him off again. He laughed wildly, rolling on the bed.

"Arnavji!", Khushi pushed him off the bed, furious that he could find her so amusing. At the last moment, Arnav caught hold of her arm, and both slid off the bed to the floor, Khushi on top of Arnav who was still chuckling. She writhed like a wild cat in his arms to free herself, but Arnav held her to him firmly. Finally, she subsided.

Arnav tried to look into her eyes, but her head was lowered, buried in his chest.

"Khushi?", he cupped her chin and lifted her face. Her eyes were filled with tears.

"Khushi!" his tone turned anxious. "Don't cry, Khushi."

She sniffed. "You told me, Arnavji, that I can ask you whatever I want to know, and then...and then when I do, you laugh at me." Big tears rolled down her cheeks. "I should have just asked Jiji. I will never ask you anything, Arnavji."

"Khushi, Khushi...", he tried to comfort her. "I was not laughing at you."

She looked at him, suspicion in her eyes.

"I was just laughing at what you said."

She frowned.

"These are 2 different things, Khushi, laughing at you and laughing at something you said."

"Acha?", Khushi was willing to try to believe him.

"I was not making fun of you, Khushi. I was just enjoying what you said." He kissed her eyes one after the other, brushing away the residual tears.

"Enjoying what I said?", she asked in a tear-soaked voice.

"Haan. It is not everyday that a husband hears that his wife wants him so much." He smiled at her, brushing his nose with hers.

She smiled at him. It was difficult to remain angry with Arnavji for long.

"It is normal for you to want me, Khushi. In fact, I would be very upset if you didn't.", he whispered, his eyes wicked.

Khushi looked at him, thrilled.

"You can tell me anything you want, Khushi. Ask me for anything you want. I will, like a good husband, meet aaall of your needs." His naughty tone lent the innocent words a new meaning. He looked into her happy eyes, and dropped a kiss on her lips.

One kiss became two, and soon both were beyond keeping count. Arnav lifted his lips reluctantly from hers, panting, looking at the parted, soft petals with need. Her eyes were no less eager, her face & body flushed, her heart pumping hard, her fingers in his hair trying to bring his lips closer to hers. As he was about to take her lips again, there came a hesitant knock on the door.

"Err...Umm... Chotey! I am sorry, but Khushiji needs to start dressing up soon."

Arnav and Khushi looked into each other's eyes and their surroundings. They were on the floor. A few pillows had accompanied their descent, and were now scattered around them. Khushi blushed.

"She...", he cleared his throat. "... she will be out soon, Di.", Arnav managed to say.

"Mami & I will be in our rooms, Chotey, getting ready. If Khushiji needs any help, don't hesitate to come and call us."

"Yes, Di."

Anjali left for her room.

Arnav kissed Khushi on her rosy red cheek, and promised, "Tonight."

Khushi hugged him with all her might, burying her face in his neck, and slowly, with Arnavji's help, got off the floor.

She suddenly kissed him on his cheek, saying, "Arnavji, you are so so so nice!"

"Really?", Arnav drawled. "Let me see if you feel the same by tomorrow morning!", he teased her. Khushi flushed.

A sudden thought struck Arnav.
"Khushi, you... you were really going to ask Payal about...?"

"Haan... She is my Jiji. Who else can I ask?" She sashayed into the bathroom with the clothes that had been set out for her to wear.

Arnav sat on the bed, his head in his hands, chuckling imagining Payal's face had Khushi asked her the million dollar question.



A while later, Khushi slowly put her head out of the bathroom, taking care to hide her body behind the door.

"Arnavji, Pssst!"

He looked up from his laptop screen to see her awkward, contorted position, and hid a smile.

"Kya hua, Khushi?", he asked gently.

"Arnavji, can you call Jiji or Di? Or Mamiji? Anyone who is free?"

"Why?"

"Arnavji, woh, dori of the choli... I can't tie it on my own." Her sound was small.

"I am free, Khushi. Why do you need Jiji, Di, & Mami?"

Khushi blushed.

He got up and moved towards the bathroom with slow & sure steps. Khushi stood looking at him, her eyes those of a mouse fascinated by the advancing snake. They stood on either side of the bathroom door, looking at each other. Arnav slowly put out his hand, inviting her to take his hand. She gently placed her hand in his. He pulled her out of the bathroom and made her stand in front of the mirror.

Khushi stood in her red and pink lehenga, the dupatta trailing from her hand. A small gap between the skirt and choli displayed the creamy skin of her waist and the tempting dip of her navel. He swallowed.

"I can't do the dori.", Khushi said softly, almost in a whisper, meeting his incendiary eyes with dewy ones.

He parted the curtain of dark, silky hair, pushing it gently off her back, and over one shoulder. And drew a sharp breath.

There were three doris holding up the choli. Khushi had managed to tie the topmost one, but the other two were loose. He could see the silky smooth expanse of her back.


He swallowed hard.

He trailed a finger down the naked lines of her back, and could feel Khushi tremble at his touch. She turned suddenly and threw herself into his arms, crushing herself against him. Hugging her, with the help of the mirror, he managed to tie the remaining two doris, and then slowly placed the dupatta over her head. The sight of her delicate face framed by the red-pink dupatta made his heart skip a beat. He lifted her up in his arms.

"Chotey! Khushiji!"

"Are you ready, Arnav Bitwaa?", Mami hollered.

"Khushi, do you need any help?", Payal asked.

"Nannav, if you don't send my bhabi down now, I am going to sit in her place with a dupatta over my head!", NK threatened.

Arnav carried her to the shut door, his eyes holding hers. He set her down gently near the door, and whispered in her ear, "You look beautiful, like a happy pari in red."


Khushi smiled in pleasure.

He could not help himself. He dropped a kiss on her right cheek, breathing in her sweet, jasmine scent. He raised his hand to open the door. She stopped him.

He looked at her, an eyebrow cocked.

She lifted her face to his, her left cheek demanding his kiss. He dropped a smiling kiss on her cheek that was feeling left out.

He then opened the door, and let his Di, Mami, & Payal exclaim over Khushi's appearance. 

NK said, "I knew you would be scared if I dhunkied (dhamki) you, Nannav!"

All of them went down for the mukhdikhai, laughing.


Part 30



Arnav, Khushi, Payal, Anjali, Mami, & NK walked down the stairs, and moved towards Nani who was standing along with Akash, Mamaji, and the Guptas. Buaji and Amma hugged Khushi and Payal, both of them hiding their faces behind their dupattas.


Anjali led Payal to the seat set aside for her, Akash helping her sit comfortably, the skirt of her gorgeous red lehenga arranged becomingly around her. Mami and Arnav helped Khushi into her seat, Arnav deliberately caressing the bare skin of her back through the dupatta to comfort her, ease her anxiety at seeing such a huge crowd of ladies waiting to see her and her Jiji's faces.

Then Arnav and Akash moved aside so that the function could start. NK quickly pulled out a chair and sat between Khushi and Payal, but slightly to the back.

"Hai Re Nandkisore! Bitwaa, what are you doing? Do you want the ladies to view your face too?", teased Buaji.


NK chirped, "Buaji, you told me that all the ladies will give gifts to my bhabis. I will sit here and collect them and stack them into a huge Leaning Tower of Pisa! But not a leaning one!"

Mami said proudly, "That's my nephew! From Kidney!"



Nani addressed the guests, introducing them to Payal and Khushi, and to their parents and Buaji. Then she invited the ladies to start the proceedings.

Mrs. Mehta came up to Payal with a smile on her face.
"Looks, looks.", invited Mami. "You won't find such beautiphool bahus in all of Delhi!"

Mrs. Mehta gently parted the dupatta covering Payal's face, looked her fill at her enchanting visage, and said, "You are very right, Mrs. Raizada. Your bahu is indeed beautiful, like the moon."

"Not any moon, only fool moon.", Mami made it very clear.

"Yes. Full moon.", Mrs. Mehta agreed cheerfully and placed her gift in the bride's hands.

"My other bahu is the sun. Better you wears goggles before lifting the dupatta.", teased Mami.

Mrs. Mehta laughed and parted Khushi's dupatta to look at her. "Yes, the sun.", murmured the lady. Khushi looked up into her face and smiled, her eyes twinkling.

Mrs. Mehta's breath caught for a moment. She pinched Khushi's chin fondly, placed her gift in her hands, and returned to her seat.

NK took the gifts from Payal and Khushi and stacked them neatly.

Mrs. Mehta was soon followed by other ladies, who glimpsed the faces of both brides one after the other, and complimented the Raizadas on their choice of bahus.

Nani's face was wreathed in a proud smile, and all the praise made Mami strut around like a peacock in a Benares sari, informing everyone about the vital role she had played in bringing about these weddings.

The ladies said, "Your boys are so lucky, Manoramaji. From where did you manage to get such good brides? Do they have any more sisters? We too have sons and nephews to marry off."

"Sorry.", Mami said, raising her hand to stop the requests. Arching an eyebrow and revealing the full glory of fearfully-painted eyelids, she said, "There are no more girls in their house. Production stapped. So request me not, pleeejj."



Arnav and Akash sat back and enjoyed watching the huge crowd compliment their wives and family. Babuji slowly made his way towards them from his seat near Naniji. Both boys stood up and invited him to sit with them.

Babuji sat down and said softly, "I talked to Mili's parents. They are very happy about the proposal. I asked Mili if she liked Nandkisore, and she nodded."

Arnav and Akash smiled at Babuji, delighted with the news, and all three looked towards NK who was wrestling with two huge packets in shiny wrappers and bows, while Khushi and Payal were laughing at his trials and tribulations.

"He has a good heart.", said Arnav softly. "He will look after Mili well, and be a good son-in-law to her parents."

Babuji and Akash nodded.  

Akash said sadly, "If only he wouldn't try to speak Hindi!"
Babuji and Arnav chuckled.

"I will ask Nani to talk to his parents tomorrow.", Arnav promised.

Babuji nodded. "Mili's parents think very highly of him."
"We will arrange a visit to Kanpur at the earliest.", Arnav promised.
 
"Bhai, just imagine him in Kanpur, speaking Hindi to Mili's brothers and other relations!", Akash shuddered at the thought.
 
Arnav said smiling, "We will have to see him through the Kanpur visit."

"Let's gag him before taking him there.", Akash smiled.

"Let's.", agreed Arnav, a naughty smile on his lips. Babuji laughed.



Khushi's chin hurt. All the ladies had developed a fascination for her poor chin and had pinched it lovingly. The result was a chin that was as red as her lehenga. She looked towards the corner where Arnavji had been sitting with Akash Jiju. 

He was now standing, facing away from her,  speaking to someone on his phone. He was so handsome!, she sighed in pleasure. Even from the back. His naughty hair that refused to be tamed... The broad shoulders to which his black coat clung... The shape of his back as it narrowed to his waist... The flare of his slim hips... The long, powerful legs encased in black trousers, the fabric looking good because of the shapely body it covered...

Arnav swallowed. He could feel a pair of innocent eyes looking him over from behind, feel her eyes as though they were her hands running up and down his back... He turned around. Hot, molten chocolate ones trapped her eyes that were busy ogling him. He could see her blushing at being caught, even through the red-pink transparent dupatta. 

He smiled at her, his eyes telling her secrets that only she needed to know.

It took a long time for the mukhdikhai to be over, the ladies chatting over a sumptuous dinner, laughing at shared memories, enjoying the evening and the air of happiness in RM... 

NK, Arnav, & Akash carried the gifts into a storeroom, to be opened on another day. Anjali and Mami led Payal and Khushi upstairs to their rooms after dinner, asking them to change into their night clothes.

Khushi sank into her bed after they left, fingering her hurting chin. She was about to remove her jewels when her phone rang. It was Arnavji.

"Khushi, don't remove anything. I will be up once the guests have gone."

"J..iii..", she said, not understanding the reason behind his request. "Why, Arnavji?"

"All got a chance to see you this evening. Except me."

The intent conveyed by his words and husky voice send a thrill down Khushi's spine.

"I will... wait for you, Arnavji.", she croaked.

"Wait for me by the poolside.", he whispered, a smile in his voice.


A while later, Arnav walked into his room softly, a small basket in his hands. He could see Khushi sitting on the recliner by the poolside, looking at the stars, lost in the beauty of the star-lit night.

He took red rose petals from the basket and decorated their bed, making a big heart with them. He dimmed the lights, and joined her on the recliner.

She looked around startled, and cooed, "Arnavji!"

He looked into her sweet face, and asked softly, "Tired?"

She shook her head to mean 'No', and said, "But sore."

His face lost all colour, and became drawn. "Khushi! Are you alright? Because of last night...?"

"Arnavji, hum bilkul theek he!" She cupped his anxious face and dropped a kiss on his forehead to reassure him. "I meant, my chin hurts because all the ladies pinched it."

Arnav dropped a gentle, healing kiss on the chin in question. But his eyes remained serious.

Khushi continued, her face flushed and her voice low, "You were... You were so gentle, Arnavji. Like a butterfly's wings touching my skin." She couldn't bear to see anxiety on his face. "And you told me thoda dard hoga. So I was prepared, Arnavji. I am perfectly alright."

"You seemed alright, Khushi. And you seemed to be running away from me all morning. That's why I didn't ask... I wanted to...", his voice still carried worry.

"I am alright, Arnavji. Perfectly perfect. See!" She jumped up from the recliner and began to twirl in front of Arnav, the skirt of her lehenga following her limbs faithfully.

Arnav swallowed. "Yes. You are perfect." He pulled her gently to stand between his spread legs.

He caught hold of her arms one by one and gently removed her chudi. He then stood up to remove her necklace and maangtikka, taking care not to hurt her in any way. He then unpinned her dupatta, and drew it away from her head.

She stood before him, her hair unbound, the beadwork on her red-pink lehenga glittering in the dim light, the creamy skin of her waist beckoning his hands... He took one step towards her. She snatched the dupatta from his hands, and ran laughing away from him.

Arnav stood shocked for a few seconds. And then he gave chase.

She ran along the poolside, taunting him. "You can't catch me, Arnavji! I used to play kabbadi in school."

Arnav looked at her happy face, and his eyelids fell for a moment, wanting to capture her image in his heart forever. 

Then he lunged forward to claim his wife. She ducked beneath his arm and escaped, laughing. He ran after her into the bedroom to find her standing still near their bed, surprised at the heart made of red rose petals.

"Arnavji, aap...?"

"Yes.", he nodded.

"Why?", she asked softly. "Our suhaag raat is over."

Arnav cupped her face and kissed her forehead.
 
"With you, Khushi, every night is our suhaag raat.", he whispered.

Khushi looked into his tender eyes.

"You said I am nice, didn't you, Khushi?", he asked softly, his head tilted slightly to the left.

She nodded, finding it difficult to swallow.

"Let me show you tonight how nice I can be.", the seductive voice charmed her.

Khushi blushed and nodded.