115. Marrying Khushi (Part 28-)

Marrying Khushi (Part 28)

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Part 28

Gomti Sadan was filled with guests and neighbours, all excited at the prospect of attending the wedding of Sasi Gupta’s two daughters the next day.

Garima & Buaji were running around serving snacks and cool drinks to the teeming crowds, laughing uproariously at their jokes and having a jolly time. The father of the brides was trying to smile at the good wishes pouring in, his heart heavy at the thought of losing both daughters in one fell swoop.

Payal smiled and blushed at the jokes cracked at the expense of the brides and the many tips to keep their husbands tied to their pallu floating about.

“Wear kajal in your beautiful eyes, ladkiyon! There is nothing better to keep your husbands at your feet!” Preetho’s grandmother declared.

“And sway your hips as you walk!” Vimla Chachi laughed.

Payal became beet red.

Khushi popped a couple of channa in to her mouth and chewed on them. Mittu perched on her shoulder.

“Suno, Khussi! Listen to and follow all these tips!” the old lady reminded Khushi.

“Dadi, I can’t walk in a straight line without tripping as it is! And you want me to do thumka while I walk?” Khushi scowled.

Buaji pinched her cheek fondly. “Clumsy Sanka Devi!”

Khushi yelped in pain.

“Our Payaliyaa and Titliyaa don’t need help from kajal and thumka to attract their husbands! Our damaads are such good boys! Manon aasman se tapke ho, just for our girls! They are very lucky, Nandkisore!”

Khushi rubbed her cheek. What was it with her cheek and everyone? Her Buaji was forever pulling it and her Laad Governaar was forever kissing it! She blushed thinking of her performance in her room in the morning, partially undressed. What must he have thought of her?

Chumma Chumma de de! Chumma Chumma! Mittu sang.

Khushi glared at her.

Finally, all the ladies left and the brides changed in to nightwear and got in to bed.

“Khushi!” Payal whispered.

Khushi turned her head to look at Payal.

“Khushi, tomorrow at this time…” Payal said softly.

Khushi swallowed.

“We will be getting married.” Payal continued.

Khushi nodded and turned her head away.

“Khushi! Aren’t you…scared?” Payal asked.

“Scared?” Khushi asked. “Of what?” She was genuinely perplexed.

“Khushi, tum bhi na!” Payal was scandalised.

“Jiji, we are not going to write any exam! We are just getting married. That’s all!” Khushi frowned.

“Khushi! Are you not worried about…about suhaag raat?” Payal whispered.

“Worried? No, I am waiting for it!” Khushi spoke the truth.

Payal fell back on her pillow in shock.

“He has promised to tell me the truth then.” Khushi muttered.

“What?” Payal asked, bewildered.

“Nothing. Go to sleep, Jiji. We will be busy all day tomorrow.” Khushi turned away and pretended to yawn.

Payal had to satisfied with that.

Three hours later, Payal was in deep sleep but Khushi was wide awake.

Tomorrow she would leave Gomti Sadan. And everybody and everything she knew in Lucknow.

She left the bed and moved to the window to look out at the courtyard gilded by moonlight.

She had come here as a child, lugging her few belongings with her in a small bag. She had lost everything she had... once. Now she was going to lose everything a second time. Her Babuji, her Amma, her Buaji… Tears of pain filled her eyes.

She looked at a sleeping Payal. At least her Jiji would be with her, she thought. 

Mittu shook her feathers, sitting on her beam.

“And you too.” She said softly, smiling at her friend. “And I will have Devi Maiyya with me. And channa. And I can always make jalebi! Why should I worry?”

She made her way to her bed. As she was about to lay her head on the pillow, her phone rang.

Her heart beat picked up. Who would call her at this hour except….

She snatched the phone from the bedside table. Yes, it was Arnavji!

“Hello!”

“Khushi?”

“No, Mittu!” Khushi said. “Who else will take your call at midnight?” she asked crossly.

ASR smiled. “Khushi, tum abhi tak soyi nahi?”

“If I had fallen asleep, would I have attended your call?” she asked reasonably. “Aap ko ittalla kar doon, I am a heavy sleeper. After I fall asleep, even if a bomb bursts at my feet, I won’t know.”

ASR’s lips twisted. “Thanks for the warning.”

“Haan!” Khushi said righteously. “Don’t say later that I didn’t warn you!”

“I won’t.” ASR smiled.

“Why did you call?” she asked.

“To tell you not to worry.” ASR said softly.

“Why should I be worried? What is wrong with every body? Why does every one think that I should be worried or scared?” Khushi asked, puzzled.

ASR swallowed his laugh. She had no idea. He had always known that she was a child at heart. Her childishness and her innocence stole in to his cold heart and warmed it every single time. 

“Maybe because they think you will find it difficult to leave Lucknow?” He challenged her to drive away her unhappy thoughts.

Khushi’s chin went up in air, predictably.

“Why should I be scared? Do I look chicken-livered to you?” she asked.

“I don’t know. Guess I will find out tomorrow.” He smirked.

“Hhmmppfff!” Khushi cut the call and glowered at the phone.

She then spent the whole night imagining innovative ways of punishing the Rakshas, too busy to pity herself!

Akash took NK’s help in getting in to a cream sherwani and let his father place a turban on his head. He looked at himself in the mirror.

And frowned.

He looked like someone else. He quickly removed his glasses, cleaned them, and put them back on to stare at himself.

“Yes, Akash, it is you!” NK teased, chomping on chips. “Payalji’s Akashji!”

All laughed.

They turned to look at Arnav who had entered the room. He was fastening the buttons of a black sherwani.

“Nannav! Black today too? Are you in mourning?” NK asked, fed up of his cousin’s colour sense…or the lack of it!

ASR raised an arrogant brow in question.

“Chotey, I laid out the cream and the golden sherwani for you to choose! Why did you pick this?” Anjali whined.

“I like black.” he said casually. “Shall we leave?” He was impatient to be gone.

“Chotey!” Nani called softly.

He turned to look at her, a question in his eyes.

“Take your parents’ blessings.” She said in a low voice that held the pain of years.

ASR swallowed.

All of them walked to the two portraits hung on the wall and folded their hands in prayer. His mother looked down at them with kind, benign eyes. 

Arnav looked at his father’s handsome face. “I will never be like you, Mr. Arvind Malik.” he promised silently.

He turned to look at his family.

“Nani, Mama, Mami, Di, Akash, I don’t want to spend this night in Sheesh Mahal.”

All looked at him, silent. Then they nodded.

“It is better that you both begin your marriage in RM.” Nani said, blinking back tears.

Anjali nodded in understanding.

Mami chirped to make the mood light, “Arnav Bitwaa, Akaas Bitwaa, how will you wait for another 24 hours for your suhaag raat, Hello Hi Bye Bye?”

All smiled, looking away.

“I have asked Aman to make the arrangements. We will leave Lucknow tonight by car.” ASR said.

All nodded.

“Akash?” he asked.

“As you wish, Bhai!” Laxman said.

It was time for the baraat to come to Gomti Sadan. The girls helping Khushi and Payal dress were giggling and trying to peek out of the window at the fleet of cars stopping before Gomti Sadan.

"Band, baaja, baarat!" Mittu screeched. 

“They have come! They have come!” they shouted in glee.

Khushi looked at herself in the mirror. Her heart in the red and blue silk choli galloped like a wild horse. Payal dropped the jewellery box in her hand, nervous.

“One is in cream. And the other is in black.” the girls informed them.

“The black one is mine.” Khushi said, knowing her Shaitaan’s choice.

Part 29

    

Gomti Sadan’s ancient lines were covered with flowers of many colours and rows and rows of lights.

Sasi Gupta, the fond father, had pulled out all stops in giving his daughters a memorable wedding.

Neighbours and guests gathered in the courtyard where the mandap was set up and seats were laid out. They walked in and out of all the rooms around the courtyard, helping the Guptas and overseeing the last minute arrangements.

A group of relations gathered near the arched entrance as soon as they heard the band playing and received notice that the barat had reached their door.

Garima applied tilak to Arnav & Akash and welcomed them and the Raizadas in.

“Auntyji, I want a tilak too!” NK demanded. “This is partiality!”

All laughed.

“Tilak is meant for the bali ka bakra, NK Bitwaa!” Mami was her outrageous self. “Kauno ladki dhoond lio. Then her parents will tilak every part of your baady (body), Hello Hi Bye Bye!”

NK’s eyes widened in alarm.

“Bhago, NK Bitwaa!” Mamaji laughed. “It is too late for me, but you can still run!”

Mami poked Mamaji in his stomach, laughing at his joke.

Buaji went up to NK and applied a tilak on his perplexed forehead.

“No! I don’t want to get married, Buaji!” he exclaimed. “No tilak, no tilak!”

All laughed at his expense.

Anjali, Mami, & Nani, accompanied by Amma and Buaji, went to meet the brides in their room. As they entered, the giggling girls left the room.

The Raizadas stared at the brides with wonder in their eyes. Both of them looked gorgeous.

Khushi was in a red and blue lehenga that suited her creamy complexion and the supple lines of her lovely body.

 Payal was in red and green, the silk hugging her full figure lovingly.

The brides smiled at the Raizadas. The ladies stared at them, overwhelmed by joy that their boys were marrying such well-bred girls who would cherish them and take care of them.

They hugged the brides.

Anjali held out two jewellery boxes.

Mami took one, opened it, and took out a heavy necklace and long chain studded with rubies and diamonds. She placed it around Payal’s neck that was already overloaded with ornaments.

“Ee tumre khaatir he! When I got married, Saasumma gave it to me. When your son gets married, give it to his wife.” Mami said.

Payal shook her head shyly.

“Don’t be so shy, Payaliyaa! Hamre Akass Bitwaa bhi bahute shy he! If both of you sits looking at each other all night ebery (every) night, when will I gets my grandchild?” Mami asked.

All laughed as Payal turned redder than a beet.

Anjali opened the remaining box and took out a pair of bangles studded with diamonds and rubies. She gave the box to Nani and limped to Khushi and slipped the bangles on her arms.

“They belonged to my daughter, Chotey’s mother.” Nani said, smiling sadly.

“She left them for her bahu.” Anjali smiled, her eyes moist.

Khushi’s lips trembled in grief, thoughts of her mother rushing through her head.

Nani held out the box to Khushi. “My husband ordered this necklace and earrings to be made for her wedding. She wore them with her pink Benarasi sari.” She wiped away her tears. “This is for you. From your Nana. Wear it when ever you like.”

Khushi heard Arnavji’s voice in her head, the pain in it as he had told her over the phone that his parents were dead. She swallowed hard and moved forward to stand in front of Nani.

“I will wear it now, Naniji.” She lifted the weight of her hair and the dupatta over her head and bent down for Nani to fasten the necklace around her neck.

She unscrewed the jhumkas that she was wearing, and let Anjali screw the new ones in.

The Raizadas hugged both girls, blinking away tears.

Mittu flew in to the hall and sat on a beam to view the marriage ceremony.

Soon, Payal and Khushi were led in to the hall by giggling hordes of girls and Anjali.

Arnav stood staring at Khushi. She was always beautiful, regardless of what she was wearing. Always beautiful even when she was fighting with him. And especially when she was flustered by his proximity and his touch…but at that moment, she was more beautiful than ever. Her eyes and head lowered, she glided slowly across the courtyard towards him, the red and blue lehenga enhancing her beauty.

Akash stood staring slack-jawed at Payal till NK stamped him on his mojri. “You will cut the naak of all men, Akash!” he whispered.

“Uhh?” Akash asked, still in rapture at the picture his bride made.

“Not just naak, but 2 kaans, 1 tongue, lots of hair, and 1 neck too!” NK hissed.

The brides came to stand in front of the grooms for jai mala.

Payal and Akash garlanded each other amidst loud laughter and jokes, men lifting him up to avoid the noose.

“Let me go.” Akash pleaded. Why were the men making it more difficult for Payal to accept him as her groom? If it were left to him, he would bend on his knees so that she could place the flower chain around his neck with little effort!

When it was time for Arnav & Khushi, she lifted her lashes to look at him, her Rakshas looking handsome in black.

His eyes were on hers, speaking a language she did not understand fully. But her heart picked up its beat, and her breathing deepened.

His eyes slipped from her eyes to her lips.

Khushi swallowed, her mouth dry.

His eyes slipped to her neck, halted there for a long second, and then lifted to meet her eyes.

His Mama’s necklace!

His eyes moved to her ears. The earrings!

Khushi lifted her arms slightly to draw his attention to his mother’s bangles adorning them.

His eyes lowered to her arms. His Mama’s bangles!

Joy rushed through his veins like a flash flood. He stood looking at her, feeling as though his Mama had showered her blessings on them, had approved of his choice of wife, had marked Khushi as her own bahu.

Khushi’s lips trembled in a smile.

ASR could only smile tenderly at his bride.

Someone handed over a rajnigandha and red rose garland to Khushi and asked her to place it around her groom’s neck. Khushi raised her arms, her eyes still caught in his.

As the boys tried to lift ASR, he said, “No.” Their arms fell away.

Khushi garlanded Arnav easily. The white and blood red floral chain stood out against his dark sherwani. Khushi lifted her arms to arrange the chain neatly around his shoulders.

Arnav lifted his fragrant garland and placed it around her neck. As she lifted a shy face to smile gently at him, he cupped her face in his large palms and pressed a warm, long kiss on her forehead.

Those chachis, maasis, maamis, and assorted relations from Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi etc who had not been privileged to have a sneak preview of ASR’s open & public display of affection for his bride earlier, gasped. Covered their open mouths with their hands. Eyed each other with shocked eyes. Whispered among themselves.

But the Guptas, the Raizadas, and the neighbours smiled, now used to ASR’s Kissing Syndrome that he had developed since meeting Khushi.

Khushi blushed, feeling warm and cherished. The crowd vanished as her eyes became trapped in his gentle ones.

The four of them sat down in front of the havan kund.

The purohit chanted mantras. ASR looked at Khushi. Her hands were folded and her eyes shut. He followed suit, but kept his eyes open to spy on her. He did not want to miss even a single moment of his wedding with Khushi by shutting his eyes.

They did everything they were told to do. The gadh bandhan, the kanya daan, the seven vows, the mangal sutra, the sindoor, the touching of hearts, the taking of blessings from the Purohit and all the elders happened as though in a dream.

The guests clapped their hands in joy. The Guptas and the Raizadas shed many a tear of joy.

Mittu whistled and made a sound like a police siren.

Aman sighed in relief. Maybe this wedding would ensure that ASR’s temper improved and that he stopped working all ungodly hours!

Manju blinked away a tear of joy. Finally ASR was settling down, and that too with a lovely, hard-working girl with a heart big enough to encompass the world and enough courage to go head to head with ASR when he became arrogant! Manju smiled. ASR was going to learn a lesson in humility, she thought. And she was lucky enough to sit on the sidelines to watch it!

The feast was a lavish and delicious one, tables loaded with delicacies and sugar-free sweets for their new damadji. The guests savoured the food and chatted and laughed as they celebrated the double wedding.

A relation from Kanpur said to Buaji, “Is something wrong with Khussi’s husband?”

Buaji frowned at her.

“He was giving her chumban during the shaadi, and even now is holding on to her hand as though he is scared she will fly away!”

Buaji smiled. “Hamre donon Damadji heere hein, Nandkisore! They are Ram and Lakhan. Our girls are blessed to get such loving husbands.”

“Phir bhi!” another lady persisted. “Why do they want to show their divine prem before all the guests?”

Another lady added in disgust, “It is all the corrupt influence of western culture! The new generation!”

Buaji sighed. “The boys love our girls. What more can we ask from them?”

Another lady opened her mouth to crib, but Buaji cut in. “We are happy with them. Their relations are happy with them. And the girls have no complaints. Then why are you complaining, Nandkisore?”

This silenced the crabby ladies.

Buaji continued, “Let me meet your husbands. I will ask them to learn from Arnav Bitwaa and give you chumban in public! That will silence you…ha..ha..” she guffawed.

The ladies had to smile and blush at that.

It was time for bidaii.

Payal cried like a leaky tap, clinging on to Garima, Buaji, and Babuji’s shoulders.

But Khushi remained strong, smiling at every one, packing Mittu in her cage, making sure that her Devi Maiyya’s idol and channa were safe in her bag, accepting the good wishes of the guests, touching Ramu Chacha’s feet and packing away the pickles he had gifted her, and generally being her cheerful self. If there were signs of strain around her eyes, if her lips were in danger of drooping at times, her bright smile distracted the audience from them.

But two pairs of eyes noticed them.

ASR viewed her frenzied activity and cheerful face with pain in his chest.

Manju handed over a cover of tissues to Aman. “Please keep this in ASR’s car.”

Aman looked at the tissues and then at Manju. “Why?”

“You will know soon enough when the storm breaks over ASR’s head.” she said.

Aman ran to do her bidding.


Part 30

Secton 1

ASR watched as Payal & Khushi bid farewell to their parents, Buaji, neighbours, and friends.

Akash looked almost sorry that he had married Payal after seeing her weeping like there was no tomorrow. He had wanted to make her happy, not throw her into the depths of despair!

Khushi flitted about here and there like the Titliyaa she was supposed to be, laughing and chattering non-stop. Her cheerful demeanour and never-ending laughter moistened Sasi Gupta’s eyes and hurt ASR’s

heart.

“Sasiji, I promise that we will look after your daughters like our own. They will live like princesses.” Nani promised the father of the two brides.

“They will be our Anjali Bitiyaa’s sisters. Aap ko borry (worry) karne ki kauno jaroorat naahi!” Mami promised them.

“We have got two daughters today, Sasiji. Thank you for giving us such well-mannered and loving girls. And if you ever need anything, just give us a call. Your damads and his family will be always ready to help you.” Mamaji said, covering Sasi Gupta’s folded hands with his own.

“And don’t forget to visit us in Delhi.” Nani smiled. “Let us spend this Diwali together.”

Sasi, Garima, & Buaji nodded, wiping tears off their faces.

 

ASR held the car door open for Khushi to enter.

She waved at everyone, her face wreathed in smiles. her new mangalsutra glinted in the light of a hundred lamps.

Her bags and Mittu were safely stored in his white-coloured vehicle. He slid in after her. Aman took the front seat and Mohan took the wheel.

Anjali, NK, & Nani got in to the next car. Mama, Mami, Payal, & Akash took the third one.

ASR looked at Khushi as she sat by him, her face lowered, her hands clasped in her lap. Her smile was nowhere to be seen. It had vanished with the crowds.

He wanted to take hold of her hand but hesitated to do so for fear that it would break the dam, as it were. And there was no time. The distance between Gomti Sadan and Sheesh Mahal would be covered in a matter of minutes.

Even as the thought passed through his mind, the three cars entered the ground of his haveli and halted in a line near the magnificent entrance.

“Khushi!” ASR called softly.

She lifted her face to his. Her eyes were dry, but her face was pale.

“We are travelling to Delhi tonight.” he said.

She said nothing.

“I need to get my bags, check that the helpers have packed everything. Will you be alright for 2 minutes?” he asked.

Khushi nodded.

“Mohan will be here with you.” he comforted her before leaving her.

He strode in to the house to his room, took his pill for diabetes, gathered his bags, looked around to see if he had left anything behind, and returned to the car.

As he walked to the vehicle, Aman whispered to him, “Manjuji asked me to keep a cover of tissues in your car.” He handed over  the wad.

ASR swallowed. “Thank you.” He pocketed it.

Aman nodded.

Helpers loaded the luggage of the Raizadas in to the three cars, and after making sure that his family had all settled themselves comfortably in their vehicles, ASR took his seat once more.

The cars moved out of Sheesh Mahal, one after the other. They began speeding out of familiar Lucknow, towards an unfamiliar Delhi.

Mohan looked in the mirror at the unlikely pair sitting in the seat behind his.

As he watched, his khadoos Arnav Bhaiyya took hold of his Khushi bhabi’s fingers. She tensed slightly. Then she leaned against his arm, her head falling gently against his shoulder. Slow tears began to leak from her eyes to drip down her cheeks. Her body began to shake silently.

Mohan swallowed in distress. Khushi Bhabi had been so happy bidding farewell to her family that he had imagined her happy to be leaving for Delhi! Why was she crying now?

Was it because she was scared of her new husband? He couldn’t blame her! Any body would be put off by Arnav Bhaiyya’s cold eyes and reserved nature at first sight. And when they got to know him better, his anger and his cutting tongue would demolish any feeling of affection that had managed to survive the course!

As he watched, his akhdoo Arnav Bhaiyya’s protective arm went around Khushi Bhabi’s shaking shoulders and he pulled her close to him.

 Mohan stared at them with wide eyes. Was that Arnav Bhaiyya?

His Bhabi’s arms went around Arnav Bhaiyya’s waist, and she buried her face in his neck, sobbing bitterly.

So she was not scared of Arnav Bhaiyya! Then why was Khushi Bhabi crying? As he watched, Arnav Bhaiyya’s hand came to rest on her back, gently caressing her, patting her, comforting her. All in silence.

Light from the street lamps fell on his Arnav Bhaiyya, illuminating his face. Mohan almost had a heart attack at the wheel. Tenderness, pain, empathy, and…and love were etched on his face….What had happened to Arnav Bhaiyya? Had he…had he fallen in love with Khushi Bhabi? Mohan’s heart filled with delight.

He turned his head to look at Amanji. He was smiling at him.

Soon her sobs died in to hiccups, and as Mohan watched, Arnav Bhaiyya handed over tissues to his bride. She dried her face and tried to stop stray tears that meandered down her cheeks.

She lay with her head tucked under Arnav Bhaiyya’s chin. As Mohan watched, the fingers of her left hand came to clasp the collar of Arnav Bhaiyya’s sherwani. The newly-wedded pair remained locked in this position as the car sped in to the night on the tail of two other cars.

ASR looked out at the dark night, holding the treasure he had looted from Lucknow safe in his arms.

A few weeks back he had seen her dancing one dark night on his way out of Lucknow. He had been alone then, deprived of her warmth and her joy. Alone. With nothing to look forward to. And with no expectation that love would steal in to his hard heart, that one glance at her would engrave her picture in his heart, that it would make him move mountains to find her and that he would succeed….

He looked down at the prize he had won after weeks of arduous struggle, fighting a stiff battle against the threat of paanwalas and chudiwalas…. wrenching her from the loving bosom of her family to take her to a land she knew little of, to an unfamiliar home, to a new family…and a new husband….

He swallowed hard as he looked down at her face as she slumbered in the cosy bed of his arms, safe, sheltered. She must have worried all of last night. And pretending to be happy all day must have eaten in to her reserves of energy....

He dropped a gentle kiss on her hair, breathing in the scent of jasmine flowers adorning her hair with deep relief. 

He touched her mangalsutra and his eyes lingered on the sindoor in her maang.

She was his, finally. Now no one could take her away from him.

Section 2 to be posted later today.

Ye pyaar bhi ajib cheez hai,
akdoo se humdard banata hai,
devil se insaan banata hai,
laad governer se humdum banata hai,
aur rakshas se majnoo banata hai,

koi paraya apna sa lagne lagta hai,
uska sukh apna sukh lagne lagta hai,
uska dukh apna dukh lagne lagta hai,
uski pareshani apni lagne lagti hai,
kya karen yaaron dil ke hathon majboor saare hai,
kyon ki ye dil hai ke manta nahi hai,

jab pyaar qubool karne ki baari hai aai,
dil aur dimaag mein hoti hai ladaai,
life mein ek baar to pyaar hota hai bhai,
phir wo laad governer ho ya jalebi baai.

Kaisi lagi humari ye kalakari,
specially made for our dear arshi. 

(By Arshipriya)

The cars halted before RM.

One by one, all the Raizadas and NK alighted from their cars, stretching, yawning.

ASR’s car left to take Aman to his home.

ASR scooped up a somnolent Khushi in his arms and walked to the entrance.

Nani, Mami, & Anjali rushed in to the house as a beaming HP opened the door. Akash held up a sleepy Payal and ASR carried a sleeping Khushi as his family made arrangements for the grihapravesh.

ASR whispered, “Khushi!”

She moved slightly, but continued to sleep.

“Khushi!” he spoke louder in her ear.

One lovely eye opened.

Khushi stared at ASR in black sherwani. Why was he dressed like Salman Khan in Ready? Had he gone to attend somebody’s wedding?

Her other eye opened too. Why was she in his arms? And her clothes! Khushi gasped. They had gotten married!

She looked around at the big mansion staring at her. This was not Lucknow. So it must be Delhi.

ASR smiled to see Khushi’s enlightenment. He lowered Khushi to the ground, reluctantly.

Her limbs weak, she leaned against him and shivered in the cold morning air.

The ladies invited Payal in.

Smiling shyly, Payal lifted her right foot, gently tipped the bowl of rice, stepped in to the plate of dye and walked in to the house, leaving an imprint of her dainty feet.

Next, it was Khushi’s turn.

She stared at the bowl of rice with a jaundiced eye. With her luck and disastrous balance, she was more likely to kick it like a football of fall over it while trying to tip it!

She drew in a deep breath, and slowly lifted her right foot.

Suddenly she felt Arnavji holding her by her left arm, supporting her. She turned her head to look at him.

“Khushi!” he whispered, nodding towards the bowl of rice.

Happy that she wouldn’t trip, Khushi tipped the rice in gracefully.

The Raizadas cheered.

She stepped in to the plate of dye, her arm still in the safe hold of Arnavji. He watched her walk in to the house, noting the red footsteps on the white marble with pleasure.

As soon as her ritual walk was done, ASR scooped her up in his arms. Her right arm went around his shoulder and her left hand clutched at the collar of his sherwani.

He turned to look at his family.

“Good night!” he murmured.

All stared at him.

“Shouldn’t it be good morning?” NK asked, scratching his head in confusion.

“Oo kaa he, NK Bitwaa, after marriage, it is always good night, never good morning!” incorrigible Mamaji laughed.

All laughed while Akash & Payal blushed.

But ASR did not stop to join the revelry.

He carried Khushi up to his room, leaving his family to waste their time in useless pursuits. 

ASR carried Khushi in to his bedroom and carefully lowered her to sit on his bed.

She blinked sleepily at him.

“Tired, Khushi?” he asked softly.

She nodded.

HP brought their suitcases and Mittu's cage in and left, smiling. It was a day of miracles. Even Arnav Bhaiyya could get a bride! And that too a girl who could put the divine beauties of yore, Rambha, Menaka, & Tilotamma to shame!

“Change out of your dress and remove your ornaments. Then you can go to sleep.” he said. he took Mittu's cage an dput it out in his garden by the pool, making sure that Mittu was asleep.

Khushi nodded and stood up on wobbly feet. She walked to the mirror and looked at herself.

She was covered with pins and clips and buried in elaborate jewellery and rich clothes.

She lifted her arms to unpin her dupatta from her hair.

ASR stood watching her with besotted eyes. She was here! Khsuhi was in his room! After dreaming about her for days, she was finally in his room!

The dupatta fell off her hair and hung down her back. 

She then attacked the maang tikka, scowling at it in the mirror.

ASR’s feet moved towards her without his volition.

Slowly his gentle hands joined hers in removing her maang tikka.

When Khushi unscrewed her left earring, he removed the right one.

As Khushi twisted to see the fastening of the necklace at her nape, he brushed aside her hair and unfastened it for her.

He then helped her remove her bangles, gently tugging them off her arms, careful not to hurt her.

“Shukriya.” Khushi murmured, scared to look in to his eyes.

His fingers moved to her waist to undo her waist band. 

Khushi took a step back. “I...I will do it.” she said, her voice a low whisper.

“I will help.” ASR, the boy scout said.

She caught hold of the hook of the waist band, but before she could make an effort to undo it, his fingers brushed hers aside and took over.

Gently, his warm fingers touching the silky skin of her waist, he undid the chain. It fell to the floor and lay there like a silvery snake.

Khushi trembled and fell back against him.

ASR swallowed…hard.

“Khushi, change in to your nightwear & go to bed. I will join you soon.” His husky voice cracked at the end of the sentence.

Khushi nodded and escaped from his sphere of influence.

She gathered clothes and ran to the bathroom to freshen up. ASR called his office to check on his business.

When Khushi emerged, he went in to shower and change. 

When he came out, Khushi was already in bed, the covers pulled up to her neck, her eyes shut.

He slipped in to bed and looking at her sweet face, drifted off to sleep.

Part 31

It was late morning when ASR woke up. 

Khushi!

He sprang up and turned to look at the other side of the bed. It was empty. He looked around, frantic. Where was she? Had he imagined that he had married her? Was it another dream like the many dreams he had dreamed about her?

He heard the shower running in the bathroom. His breath left him in a rush of relief. She was here. She was with him.

He checked the phone for messages while he waited for her to come out of the bathroom. He checked on Mittu, found that she was awake, and released her from the cage.

“This is a new place. Delhi.” he told the bird.

 She cocked her head to listen to him.

“You can use the garden.” he granted permission.

Mittu cackled at his folly in imagining that she required his permission to do whatever she wanted.

“I…I hope you like it here. Delhi, I mean.” He saw that seeds had been added to her plate from the small bag packed inside the cage and fresh water filled in her bowl, maybe from his garden tap. Khushi must have done it.

“Dilliwali girlfriend chod chad ke!” Mittu sang, flying out of the cage and sitting on his recliner.

ASR’s lips quirked.

He heard the bathroom door being shut. He walked in to the bedroom to see her dressed in a blue sari, drying her wet hair with a towel. Seeing him, her hands faltered and her eyes moved away to look at the recliner and the bed. 

Anywhere but him.

He looked away. She was scared. Not of him, but of the changes in her life. And he would be damaging his cause by loading too much on her till she found her feet.

“Khushi, I have put Mittu out in the garden. She seems OK there.” he said.

A small smile appeared on Khushi’s face. She nodded.

“Khushi, what do you do at home in the morning?” he asked.

“Take bath. Pray. Make breakfast….” she said softly.

“So why don’t you go down? Di and the others will be waiting for you to pray. Payal too will be there.” he suggested.

The smile widened. She nodded. 

“You can unpack your things after breakfast. I will move my things and make space for you.”

“Shukriya.”

ASR watched his wife comb her hair in to obedience, fix a bindi, and turn to leave the room.

She halted abruptly.

As he watched, she walked to her suitcase, took out the small enamelled box with sindoor in it, and returned to the mirror.

She unlocked it. Deep vermilion powder filled the small case. As she was about to dip her fingers in to it, she found her husband by her.

Silently, he took a pinch of sindoor and applied it to her maang.

Khushi shut her eyes.

ASR pressed a kiss on her nose, the tip of which had a small spot of sindoor that had slipped from his fingers.

“Your nose is red.” He said softly, his husky voice sending naughty messages down her spine.

She shivered. He took the sindoor box from her and placed it on his low table.

“Khushi!”

She opened her eyes. 

“I will order a dressing table today. Akash has one in his room. I never needed… I never thought….” he paused.

Khushi smiled slightly, nodding.

“Shukriya.”

“You don’t have to thank me for everything.” he said.

Khushi looked away, uncomfortable.

“Or, if you want to thank me, you can do it without words.” He suggested.

She frowned at him.

“You can give me a kiss.” he suggested hopefully.

“Awww!” Khushi was the picture of affront.

ASR burst out laughing.

Khushi left the room in a flounce.

Khushi went down, looking at the elegant lines of the house her Laad Governaar had brought her to. It was very huge.

Khushi frowned. His house. The three cars she had seen. The jewellery the Raizadas had given her and Jiji. So he was well-off? But how could someone with a shop selling kapade be so rich?

Nani, Mami, Anjali, and Payal were in the living room, getting ready to move towards the big idol of Devi Maiyya. Akash & NK were seated near Payal.

Seeing Khushi, Mami said, “Lo aa gayi hamri phirst bahuriyaa!”

Khushi smiled at all of them.

“How was the sleep, Khussi bitiyaa? New house ma kauno disturbance to naahi hue na?” she chuckled. 

Akash & Payal blushed.

Nani & Anjali smiled and looked elsewhere. 

“I slept well, Mamiji.” poor Khushi said.

All giggled. This Chotey bhi na!

After prayer, all sat down to have breakfast. Payal, Khushi, & Anjali went to the kitchen to help HP carry the dishes to the table.

ASR came down to see Khushi helping the others, a small smile on her face as she listened to Di & her Jiji.

As the new brides began serving the others, Nani said, “Sit down with us. We can pass the dishes amongst ourselves. You don’t have to wait on us.”

ASR quickly pulled out the seat next to him, but a totally oblivious Khushi sat down next to NK.

Payal sat down by Akash, and Di sat across from ASR.

ASR grit his teeth as he watched NK cracking jokes and Khushi giggling.

NK said, “Khushiji, Nannav is always busy. Like a bee! So if you want to see Delhi, I am at your service.” He bowed sitting down.

Khushi giggled.

ASR felt his foot itching to give NK a kick where it hurt the most. He controlled himself with great effort.

As soon as breakfast was over, ASR stormed away to his room, expecting Khushi to come after him, penitent, worried about his bad mood, wanting to know why he was upset…. But nothing of that kind happened.

He paced the length & breadth of the room impatiently, looking towards the door expectantly, but Khushi was nowhere to be seen.

Finally, fed up of waiting, he shouted, “Khushi! Khushi!”

Khushi dropped the thali she had been holding in her hand.

Nani, Mami, Payal, & Di looked anxiously in the direction of ASR’s room.

“Khushiji, I think Chotey is angry.” Anjali said unnecessarily.

Khushi swallowed.

“Khussi bitiyaa, go up and see what he wants.” Nani said, nudging her to go fast to her husband.

Khushi ran up the steps.

“Bhy is Arnav Bitwaa angry?” Mami asked, her painted eyes round in speculation.

Anjali shrugged. “Does he need a reason to get angry?”

Akash & NK too looked at a scurrying Khushi with worry in their eyes.

“I hope, Maasi, Khushiji does not finally leave Nannav if he shouts at her like this.” NK said.

All gasped.

“We have to do something to make her happy, to keep her here, to prevent her from leaving Nannav….” NK suggested.

All nodded, desperate. What would they do if Khushi cried and called her parents and complained about Chotey? And then left him?

Khushi walked in to their bedroom, her steps slowing as she approached her husband.

“Where were you?” he roared.

“Downstairs.” she frowned.

“What were you doing there?” he asked, his eyes cold and angry.

“Naniji was telling me about the mukhdikhai function today evening.” she said.

ASR frowned.

“Jiji and I have to sit with dupattas over our heads.” Khushi laughed. “The ladies will lift the dupattas and look at our faces…like playing hide and seek!”

ASR frowned at her.

“You and Jiju will have to join us.” she smiled without a care. It would be fun, with lots of people in the house.

ASR almost recovered from his temper tantrum seeing her happy smile, but her next sentence sent waves of fury through him.

“Nanheji too with be with us. He said he will take care of all the gifts the ladies give us.” she smiled.

ASR turned away, his jaw clenched. It was better that he leave the house. If he stayed there for a moment longer, NK would find himself strangled and dead.

He swiftly pulled on his coat.

“Are you going to the office?” Khushi asked uncertainly. Jiju was at home. Why was her husband going out to work the very next day after their marriage?

“Yes. What is the use of remaining here?” he asked, his eyes burning with anger.

“Mukhdikhai?” she asked, frowning.

“I don’t have time for that crap!” He bustled out of the room like a tornado, leaving Khushi floundering.

The Raizada ladies watched a stern-faced ASR walking down the steps towards the front door.

“Chotey?” Di asked, scared.

He spared a glance for her. “I have to go to the office.”

“Now?” Anjali looked confused at her Nani & Mami.

“Bhai, shall I…?” Akash looked confused.

“No. I will manage.” ASR said.

“Arnav Bitwaa, today is the mukhdikhai, Hello Hi Bye Bye!” Mami tried to stop him.

ASR hesitated.

“Nannav, how can you leave Khushiji like this?” NK asked, scratching his head.

ASR grit his teeth and walked out, leaving his family looking after him slack-jawed.

“Nani, we have to do something.” Anjali whispered.

Mami & Nani nodded.

ASR looked at his watch. The mukhdikhai must have started. He paced along his office like a raging bull.

Aman sidled out of the door to avoid the line of fire.

Why hadn’t she called him? ASR wondered. She could have called him and asked him to come over. He would have….

 RM was decorated in a grand manner for the function. All the guests looked awed at the arrangements.

Payal sat, dressed in a golden lehenga,  smiling shyly at the many compliments pouring in.

Khushi, dressed in a pink-coral lehenga, looked at the phone. Could she call Arnavji? Or would he be busy at the office? She picked up her phone, and turned to see the pseudo-sympathetic faces of the aunties.

“Akash is here. Where is Arnav?” Mrs. Mishra asked.

Nani said smiling, “He had some urgent work in the office.”

Mrs. Tiwari smirked. “But to leave his new bride alone the next day after their marriage… Lagta he he was not very interested in marrying from the backwoods of Lucknow. Why, Devyaniji, did you force him to marry a nobody?”

Khushi blanched. Payal looked shocked at the lack of manners of the guests.

“A billionaire and the winner of the best young entrepreneur of India award, a much sought-out bachelor…Why should he opt for a bride from Lucknow when he could have married any girl from Delhi?” Mrs. Singhania asked, getting her own back after Nani had rejected her daughter’s proposal for ASR.

Arnavji was so popular? So rich? Girls liked him? He could marry any one? Then why had he married her -- Jalebi Bai from Lucknow, 12^th pass, bringing with her a dowry of Devi Maiyya, ber, channa, some old jewellery and Mittu?

Her heart quailed within her. The phone fell from her nerveless fingers to the seat beside her.

“Do you seriously thinks that anyone can force hamre Arnav Bitwaa to do something that he does not wants to do?” Mami asked.

The ladies looked at each other.

“He married Khussi bitiyaa because he wanted to. And we are very happy with his choice.” Nani asserted.

“We don’t wants a bride who stays out till midnight drinking brandy and whiskey, wines and beers!” Mami took a dig at Mrs. Singhania’s daughter. “We wanted sanskari brides, and we have gots them, Hello Hi Bye Bye!”

There was perfect silence in the hall.

Khushi felt her heart flutter in pain.

“Khushi.” came the soft call.

All turned to the sound in shock.

ASR walked to Khushi as though he had not noticed the silence or the tension in the air.

He sat down beside her and took hold of her hand. It trembled in his hold like the petals of a rose in wind. He tightened his grasp.

“I am sorry I am late. Work had piled up in my absence.” he explained. “Forgive me.”

Khushi stole a quick look at his penitent face & nodded.

He leaned forward and kissed her cheek soundly.

Mrs.Singhania felt her head spin before she collapsed in a heap on the floor at the sight of ASR’s PDA.

Part 32

After an eventful mukhdikhai, Khushi changed out of her fancy clothes and helped the others sort out the gifts and clear the living room.

As she binned the laddoos, she looked at Mami standing by her side, counting the pedas.

“Mamiji….” Khushi hesitated.

Mami looked up.

“Why was that fat lady so rude?” Khushi was direct.

Mami laughed.

“Disappointment, Khussi. Disappointment. She wanted to push her aawara daughter on to hamre Arnav Bitwaa’s head. Could we lets that happen, Hello Hi Bye Bye? Saasumma refused the proposal as soon as that fat lady made it!”

Khushi’s mouth fell open. “She wanted her daughter to marry Arnavji?” Her theory of how her husband would appear inaccessible to other girls, would look like a bad marriage prospect to other families crumbled in to dust.

Mami laughed. “Maana ki hamre Arnav Bitwaa can curdles milk by just looking at it. But the girls are not worried about all that. All they sees when they looks at Arnav Bitwaa is money, successwaa, posijjon (position), jewellery, shapping….”

Khushi stared at her.

Mami said, “Hum samjhawat he tumka! You know gud?”

“Ji. Jaggery.”

“Yes, jaggery. You keep a piece of gud on the table. What will happens?”

“Flies will cover it.”

“Eggsactly. The girls are flies and hamre Arnav Bitwaa is the piece of gud.”

Khushi almost collapsed at the news that she had married a man/gud who was irresistible to women, so irresistible that they became flies to cover him.

“How can they resist him?” Mami asked. “This big haujj (house), shed full of  foreign-returned cars, big big business in India and vilaayat, foreign yatra, land everywhere in Delhi, Mumbai, vagerah, vagerah, Sheesh Mahal in Lucknow….”

Khushi felt her limbs tremble.

“Sheesh Mahal? It is Arnavji’s? I thought…I thought he was renting it for the function….”

She felt dizzy.

Mami laughed. “Why should he pay rent for his father’s building?”

His father’s building? Khushi held on to the kitchen platform to stand upright.

Khushi, tum kahan phas gayi? Why couldn’t you have asked more about him before bending so that he could tie the mangalsutra around your neck? You idiot! You fool! You Sanka Devi! You Parmeswari!

But how could you ask him what you should have asked, she cursed herself. You were too busy worrying about your dhak dhak and acidity, your colourful dreams, his chumban…. If she could have kicked herself at that moment, she would have done so. Very happily.

“His k…kapde ka d…dukaan….” Khushi stammered.

Mami frowned. “Hamre Arnav Bitwaa ownjj AR Designs. His designerjj makes dresses that cost lakhs.” Mami smiled at her. “Khussi, remember the blue designer sari I wore for your wedding? Hamre Arnav Bitwaa gave it to me. It costs more than my gold kanganwa!”

Khushi’s legs gave up the fight. She slipped down to sit on the kitchen floor.

“Khussi!” Mami was alarmed. “Kaa hui gawa?”

“Kuch nahi, Mamiji.” Khushi clutched her head with both hands. “Hey Devi Maiyya, yeh hamne kya kar diya?” she lamented.

“Feeling faintwaa next day aphter marrijj? Hamre Arnav Bitwaa Express train he, par itna phast nahi ho sakat he! Yeh Happy Newjj to naahi ho sakat he!” Mami reassured herself. She helped Khushi stand up. “Shall I call Arnav Bitwaa?”

“No! No!” Khushi was very clear about that. “I am alright now. I…I will go up now, Mamiji.” she said.

Khushi sat in the garden hugging Mittu.

“What is happening to my life, Mittu Rani?” Khushi lamented dramatically.

Mittu chuckled.

“The man I thought him to be and the man he is are too different. Too different!” Khushi sighed, hitting her head with her hand.

Mittu sang,

Mose chhal kiye jaaye
haay re haay haay
dekho saiyya beimaan…

“Hai meri phooti kismat! I thought him to own a kapde ki dukaan, he owns a big business! I thought that he was renting Sheesh Mahal. He owns it! Gaadi, bangla, naukar, chaakar, gehne, he has it all. Aur upar se, I thought he would scare off all girls. That no one would marry him. And here all girls are dying to marry him? Yeh kya zamaana aa gaya he?”

Mittu yawned, spreading her wings. Only Khushi would cry at finding out that her husband was rich!

Her phone rang. Buaji!

Mittu flew away to perch on a low branch lest Buaji pull her cheek through the phone.

“Upar se Buaji ka phoone! What can I tell her? That her Arnav Babua is the Viceroy of India? She will die of shock.”

Mittu giggled.

Khushi answered the phone. “Buaji, how are you?”

“What can happen to me, Nandkisore? I was not the one who got married! How are you, Titliyaa?” Buaji laughed.

Khushi opened her mouth to lie that she was fine, but found it difficult to speak.

“Kaa hua, Nandkisore?” Buaji became worried.

“I am fine, Buaji.” she lied, smiling. "Just missing you."

“Arnav babua kaisen he?” Buaji asked.

Khushi swallowed.

How would Buaji bear it when her Arnav Babua’s sach came out and stood before her?

“He is…he is…” ASR’s angry face came to her mind. “…alright. As he usually is.”

“Khussi, you have not done anything sanki, have you?”

“Buaji!” Khushi protested.

“Titliyaa, you are happy, aren’t you?” Buaji’s voice carried anxiety.

The faces of the cruel ladies as they put her down flashed through her mind.

In a voice that shook only slightly, Khushi replied, “Very happy, Buaji.”

She had burned her bridges. She had no place in Lucknow now. And her place in Delhi was precarious.

 Arnav felt his heart clench at the pain on her face. He should not have shouted at her. And he should not have left her to face the crowd alone on her Mukhdikhai....

When she had travelled to Delhi, she had imagined that at least her Rakshas was hers. That she knew him. That she lo…liked him. That he would be there by her side always. That he would never abandon her. But now…She didn’t know her Rakshas any more. She had nobody.

Tears trailed down her cheeks.

“Theek he, Nandkisore! Now I have to call Payaliyaa. I will call you later.” Buaji cut the call.