Author note:: Like I mentioned previously, I don't have Hotstar and I don't remember clearly how Arshi romance bloomed during the episodes of Payal and Akash's wedding functions. So I'll be skipping those and might add a few scenes in flashback or not.
Not edited.
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Alekh sat in front of his laptop as he waited for the video call to connect. Soon, one by one Ali, Pooja, Shalini, Huda, and Yudi joined the call. Everyone greeted each other before focusing on Alekh, who sat silent the whole time.
"Oye Kaidiye, hum sabko video call pe bulakar khud koi baat kyu nehi kar raha hai tu?" Huda asked playfully. [Why aren't you talking after video calling all of us?]
"Haa, Cadet. Kya baat hai? Hum sabko itna urgent call kyu kiya?" Dr. Shalini asked her former student. [Yes, Cadet. Why did you call us so urgently?]
"Apun ko tum sabko kuch batana ka hai..." Alekh started with a grimace. He didn't know how his friends would react as the news that he had hidden for more than 20 years. [I have something to tell you guys.]
"Alekh, tere handset pe koi virus ghus gaya hai kya?" Pooja inquired, concerned for her friend. [Alekh, is there a virus in your handset?]
"Virus nahi hai... bas tum logo ki system me ek purana notification dena tha." Alekh replied. [There is no virus... I just need to send you guys an old notification.]
"Alekh bhai, aap pareshan lag rahe hai. Kya baat hai?" Ali asked patiently. [Alekh, you look worried. What is it?]
"Haa, Chief. Kya baat hai? Why are you hesitating so much?" asked Yudi. [Yes, chief. What is it?]
Taking a deep breath, Alekh started. "Tum logoko yaad hai jab Naina achanak do saal ke liye kahi chali gayi thi?" [Do you guys remember the time when Naina vanished for two years?]
Everyone on the other side of the call frowned in confusion. They couldn't understand why Alekh was mention an event that happened two decades ago. "Yaad hai. Par tu uss baat ko itne saalo bad kyu yaad kar raha hai?" Huda asked while the rest of them nodded. [We remember it. But why you thinking about THAT after so many years?]
"Apun ne uss waqt ek baat chhipaya tha... tum sab se... Naina ne apun ko kasam diya tha." Alekh confessed. [I hid something from you all at the time... Naina had taken a promise from me.]
"Alekh bhai, kya chhipaya tha apne hum sabse?" Ali asked. [What did you hide, Alekh?]
"Bol na, Alekh!" Pooja urged when he hesitated. [Tell us.]
"Naina... Naina uss waqt pet se thi. Wo Rajveer sir ke bachche ki maa banne wali thi." Alekh blurted out. [Naina... Naina was pregnant at the time... with Rajveer sir's child.]
A shocked silence followed his confession, before chaos broke out. "Cadet, are you saying that Captain and Naina had a baby?" Shalini asked to be sure that she hadn't hear wrong.
"Chief, what? To fir Naina do saal tak apne bachche ke saath thi? To fir wo hai kaha par? Aur hume kyu nahi pata hai iss bareme?" Yudi asked. [Are you saying that she was with her child those two years? Then where is the baby? And why don't we know about this?]
"Naina ko darr tha ki agar usne kisi ko apne bachche ke bareme batay aur Rajveer sir ko pata chal gaya to wo surrender karne ko insist karenge. To wo apne bachchi ko ek safe jaga par chhipa ke ayi thi. Apun ko bhi nahi bataya tha ki wo kaha pe hai. Sirf itna bataya tha ki usko ek pyaari si beti huyi hai aur usne uska naam rakkha... Khushi." Alekh shared with tears in his eyes. [Naina was afraid that Rajveer sir might surrender if he knew about the baby. So, she hid her child somewhere safe before returning. Even I didn't know where the baby was. She only told me that she had a daughter and she named her... Khushi.]
Rest of them also had tears in their eyes. They couldn't even imagine how hard it must've been for Naina to leave her child behind. Pooja and Shalini were openly crying at this point while the males tried to hide their tears.
"Kaidi, achanak tu ye baat kyu bata raha hai hume? Kuch huya hai kya Khushi ko?" Huda asked. [Why are you telling us about her all of a sudden? Did something happen with Khushi?]
Alekh chuckled. "Nahi, kuch nahi huya usse. Pata hai tum logo ko... wo bilkul pagal hai." He commented with an affectionate smile, "Kuch din pehle achanak yaha Chhattisgarh ki military base pe prakat huyi bohot saree khane ke dabbo ke saath. Apne maa ki tarha bina soche samjhe risk leti hai aur aise confidently smile karti hai mano ki duniya ki sare problems ki solution uske pas ho." he added. Rest of them also smiled at Alekh described his meeting with Khushi. He showed them the photos he took of Khushi. He also told them what Khushi had told him about her life. [No, nothing happened to her. She's... she's absolutely crazy, you know. A few days ago, she appeared in Chhttisgarh's military base with tons of food. Just like her mother, she takes risks without thinking things through... and smiles so confidently as if she has all the solutions of this world's troubles.]
"Man, I can't wait to meet our niece." Yudi said with wide smile.
"Hum bhi. Bina humare protection bohot rehliya uss bachchi ne. Par ab nahi. Uske tino mama, uske chacha, maasi, aur mami uski protection me koi kami nahi rakkhenge." Ali stated firmly. [Me too. She has been without our protection too much. But not anymore. Her uncles and aunts won't let there be any fault in her protection from now on.]
"Main apne Ranjhe se sehmat hu. Hum uspe aaj se hi nazar rakkhenge. Aur agar hume ek minute ke liye bhi aisa laga ki usko koi khatra hai to hum usse humare ghar le ayenge." Pooja added. [I agree with my lover boy. We'll keep an eye on her from now on. And if you feel that she might be in trouble, we'll bring her home.]
"Count us all in, guys. Khushi hum sabki bachchi hai. Uski raksha hum waise hi karenge jaise Rajveer sir humara raksha kiya karte the." Yudi added. [Khushi is OUR child. WE will protect her the same way Rajveer sir used to protect us.]
"Humari bhanji ko koi kami nahi hone denge." Huda added. [We won't let our niece feel a lack of anything.]
"Apun ne usko hum sabka phone number aur address diya hai... aur kaha ki agar usko kabhi bhi kisi bhi waza se humari zaroorat pare to bejhijhak wo hummese kisi ko bi approach kar sakti hai." Alekh told his friends. [I have given her all of our numbers and addresses... and told her that if she needed us for ANYTHING then to approach us without any hesitation.]
"Ye achha kiya tune. Ek kaam kar hum sabko uska number de. Hum sab uske number save kar lete hai apne apne handset pe. Taki agar wo kabhi call kare to hume foran pata chale." Pooja suggested. Everyone agreed with her. Alekh finally sighed in relief. He now had an army that would help him protect the most precious part of their family. Their Naina and Rajveer sir's child... Khushi. [That's good. Give us her number as well. So that we know who she is whenever she calls us.]
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Fast Forward to Akash and Payal's wedding night.
After that night when Khushi shared her parents' story and some of her worries with her sister, she had decided to relax a little and enjoy her sister's wedding to the fullest. In that quest, an innocent little romance filled with small naughty moments had started blooming between Arnav and Khushi. Their small romance filled moments had caught the eyes of Nani and Anjali. Since they liked Khushi very much, they were hoping that Arnav would ask them to take his proposal for Khushi soon after Payal and Akash's wedding.
Arshi's sweet romance had also caught the eyes of Shyam. He was burning with jealousy every time Arnav and Khushi came close. He had tried many times to gain Khushi's attention, but she completely ignored him like he didn't exist. So, when he learned that Arnav was planning on proposing to Khushi that evening, he decided to do so before Arnav could. He thought this way he would be able to gain her trust and love back to him.
After reading the massage in the mirror, Khushi ran up to the terrace. But finding Shyam present there instead of Arnav, really confused her. "Ye yaha kya kar raha hai? Aur Arnavji kaha hai? Yaha to unhe hona chahiye tha." [What is he doing here? And where's Arnav?] she thought to herself as she frowned at the slim ball in front of her. Seeing Shyam's victorious smile, Khushi realized with a jolt that she had made a mistake. That massage wasn't from Arnav; it was from this disgusting man.
Giving him a disgust filled look, Khushi turned to leave when he announced, "Mujhe sab pata hai, Khushiji." [I know everything, Khushi.]
His statement froze Khushi for a moment. "Kya matlab hai iska? Kahi isse maa aur papa ki bareme pata to nehi chal gaya? Agar aisa huya to kahi ye admi Lala Gehlot ko sab bata na de." Khushi panicked in her mind. [What does he mean? I hope he didn't get to know about my parents. If that happens, then he might tell Lala Gehlot about it.]
Seeing that she had stopped, Shyam continued. "Mujhe pata hai, Khushiji, ki aap humse naraz hai kyu ki hum Rani saheba ki itne kareeb aye pichle kuch din. Par kya kare gharwalo ke samne dikhawa karna parta hai. Warna yekin maniye hum sirf apse pyaar karte hai." [I know that you're angry with me, Khushi. It's because I have to get intimate with Queen (wife) for last few days. But what can I do? I have to pretend to love her in front of the family. Trust me, I only love you.]
Khushi turned and gave him a look of conplete disbelieve. "Apki patni ek bohot achhi aurat hai. Apko kya thori si bhi sharam nehi ati humse ye sab bolte huye?" she couldn't resist asking. [Your wife is a really good woman. Don't you feel even an ounce of shame to say things like that?]
"Kaise sharam? Hum apse sachcha pyaar karte hai. Rani saheba se to shaadi humne bas unke paiso ke liye kiya tha. Nothing else." Shyam claimed as he stepped closer to her. [What shame? I love you honestly. I only married her for her money.]
"Hume ghin ati hai apse!" she hissed at him in a low tone that only Shyam who was standing close to her heard her. [You disgust me.]
"Aise maat kahiye, Khushiji! Hum apse bohot pyaar karte hai." saying this, he hugged her forcefully. "Humari shaadi aur Anjani maine nehi lagte humare liye." he claimed. [Please don't say that, Khushi! I truly love you. My marriage and Anjali doesn't mean anything to me.]
Gathering all her strength, Khushi pushed him away and yelled at him, "Agar ye shaadi koi maine hi nehi lagta to chhor kyu nehi dete Anjali ji ko?! Tor kyu nehi dete apne shaadi ko?!" [If this marriage doesn't mean anything, then why don't you leave her? Why don't you break your marriage?]
After taking a few calming breath, she continued, "Agar firse aisi koi harkat karne ki koshish ki to kisiko batane ki kast nehi karenge. Hum khud apne haato se apki gala ghot denge. SAMJHE?" She turned and stormed out of the terrace, leaving a shocked Shyam behind. [If you continue to harass me then I won't bother conplaining to anyone. I will choke you with my own hands. You get that?]
He had never seen Khushi so angry before. The way her eyes burned with hatred, scared him for a moment. He wondered if he had pushed her a little too far this time.
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Arnav had plans to propose Khushi that evening. He wanted to confess his love for her. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him. He reached the terrace's door way when the scene in front of him puzzled him. His brother-in-law was hugging his Khushi.
Arnav's mind froze when he heard his brother-in-law saying, "Humari shaadi aur Anjani maine nehi lagte humare liye." "Jijaji ye sab kya bakwas kar rahe hai?" [What nonsense is brother-in-law saying?] Arnav thought to himself with a frown.
But then his whole world shattered when he heard his Khushi say, "Agar ye shaadi koi maine hi nehi lagta to chhor kyu nehi dete Anjali ji ko?! Tor kyu nehi dete apne shaadi ko?!" as she pushed Shyam away.
Arnav stumbled away from the scene. He couldn't digest what he just saw and heard. His khushi was telling his jijaji to leave his di. "Jijaji ne aise kyu kaha ke unki shaadi koi maine nehi lagta? aur Khushi? Aise kaise usne jijaji se keh diya ko wo mere di ko chhor de? Kahi..." [How could brother-in-law claim that my sister doesn't mean anything to him? And Khushi? How could she asked brother-in-law to divorce my sister?] he gasped as a terrible realization dawned on him, "Are they having an affair behind everyone's back?" the thought enraged him; not only for his di, but for himself as well. The thought that someone else might've touched her filled him to uncontrollable jealousy. "Khushi sirf meri hai! Aise kaise koi aur usse chhu sakta hai? Uski mann ko, tan ko, aur uski atma ko chhune ka haq sirf aur sirf mujhe hai! Aur kisiko nehi!" a violent part of him roared. "Aur Shyam? How could he? Di usse apne bhagwan ki tarha pujte hai. Itna bharosa kiya hum sabne uspar! Aur usne Di se sirf paiso ke liye shaadi kiya? How dare he cheat my sister?! I will destroy him!" [Khushi is mine. How can someone else touch her? Only I have the right to touch her heart, body and soul. No one else. And Shyam? How could he? My sister worships him like a god. She trusts him so. We all trusted him.]
Arnav thought murderously. He didn't want to believe any of it, but he had gotten all the proof that he needed to be sure that his brother-in-law was a lowlife scumbag. He didn't fail to notice that his first concern had been about loosing Khushi and not his di, but he chose to ignore it.
Arnav walked to his bedroom without even noticing where he was going as his mind busily replayed the scene he witnessed on the terrace. He started pacing around the room, thinking what to do.
"Di ko batana hoga. Unhe haq hai ye janne ki ko unke bhagwan jaisa pati ek number ka cheat hai!" [I have to tell my sister. She needs to know that her husband was a cheat.] he decided and headed towards his sisters room. Half way down the corridor, he bumped into HP. "Dekhai nehi deta kya?!" Arnav scowled darkly. [Can't you see?]
"Maaf karna, Arnav bhaiya. Wo Anjali didi ke liye haspatal se chitthi ayi hai." HP told him. [Sorry, brother Arnav. Anjali's reprot came from the hospital.]
"Mujhe de do." [Give it to me.] Arnav said before snatching it from HP's hand and continued his journey to sister's room. Without knocking, he entered the room and saw that Anjali was getting ready. "Di, mujhe apse ek important baat karni hai... aur ye letter aya hai hospital se." he told her. [Sis, I need to tell you something... and you've a letter from the hospital.]
"Wo maine kuch routine test karwaya tha. Usiki report hogi." Anjali told him before taking the letter and opening it. [I had a few routine tests done.]
"Sab thik hai?" Arnav asked impatiently. [Everything okay?]
Anjali looked up from the letter with tears in her eyes. "Chhote... hum maa banne wale hai! Aur tum mama..." she had a happy smile on her face. [Arnav, I'm pregnant. You're going to be an uncle.]
Arnav was frozen in shock though. It was like his nightmare was coming to life. "How the hell am I supposed to tell her about Shyam now?" he wondered as he hugged his sister.
Pulling back, Anjali asked, "Tumhe kuch baat karni thi na, Chhote?" [Didn't you have something to tell me?]
"Main bhul gaya kya bolne aya tha... Congrats, di!" Arnav stated before retuning to his room. [I forgot.]
Nausea, rage, and panic unfurled within him like a newborn bird's wings. He couldn't think of a way out of this situation. "Kaise sambhalu sab kuch? Di maa banne wali hai... agar aisi halat me unhe pata chala ki unke pati..." he spat in disgust. "Kya karu?" he asked himself. [How do I handle everything. Sis is pregnant. If I tell her anything in this situation that her husband... What do I do?]
He tore off his tie and flung it of the bed, desperately gasping air into his lungs, and followed it with the jacket that suddenly seemed too tight. He sat on the edge of his bed, hands cupped around his nose and mouth as he tried to think of a way out of this situation. He had to do something to protect his sister. He had promised his mother he would do so. "Par kaise?" he growled out when Khushi's image flashed through his mind. "Khushi... Agar Khushi hi available nahi hogi to Shyam bhi di ko cheat nahi kar payega. Agar zaroorat pare to jab tak Di ka bhachcha iss duniya me nehi aajata tab tak main Shyam ko paisa deta rahunga. Akher kar paiso ke liye hi to usne shaadi kiya tha usne mere di se." Arnav's mind started plotting. "Par Khushi ko unavailable kaise karoon?" Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind. [But how? Yes, Khushi... if Khushi isn't available anymore then Shyam would be able to cheat on my sister. If necessary, I will pay him. After all, that's why he married my sister. But how do I make Khushi available?]
"Agar Khushi humesha ke liye meri ho jaye to koi aur usspar kabhi koi haq nahi jata payega. Wo sirf aur sirf meri hogi... wo chahe ya na chahe." the possessive part of Arnav told his ASR side. "Just think... duniya ke koi aur Shyam na use kabhi chhu payega aur nahi wo tujhse kabhi dur jaa payegi. Hamesha ke liye wo teri ho jayegi. To kya huya agar uska Shyam ke saath affair chal raha hai? Ek bar wo teri hogayi to tu usse kisi aur ki taraf dekhne bhi nahi dega." the possessive Arnav added greedily. [If Khushi became mine, then no one else would have any right on her. She will only be mine and mine alone... whether she wants it or not. No other man will be able to touch Khushi nor would she be able to go away from him. So what if she was having an affair with Shyam? Once she's mine, I won't let her look at any other man.]
"Haa aur Di bhi khush rahegi apne cheat pati ke saath jab wo Khushi ke paas nehi aapayega." ASR added to justify what he was about to do. He called Aman and asked him to make arrangements. [And yes, my sister will also be happy.]
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Khushi wore a red & yellow lehenga that she had selected for her sister's wedding. She wore heavy makeup this evening along with matching bangles and a simple choker set to finish her look. It was her sister's wedding after all.
She wanted to look pretty for it... well, she actually wanted to impress Arnav. Khushi did her sister's makeup with her own hands and grinned as she felt content in that moment. Whatever happened in the terrace a few hours ago had annoyed Khushi a lot but she wanted to enjoy Payal's wedding. She planned on dealing with Shyam when Payal and Akash would be on their honeymoon.
Payal was given a red lehenga. It had heavy gold work all over. Arnav had taken all of them to AR to select Payal bridal trousseau. Manorama had happily selected Payal's outfits. In her mind, if she couldn't get a daughter-in-law of her choice then at least she should get to buy her daughter-in-law outfits of her choice. Akash had helped his mother in selections as he was happy that his mother was cheerfully participating in his wedding functions. Both families were happy at Manorama's reluctant acceptance and let her choose whatever she wanted.
Khushi went downstairs to help with the last minute preparations. She had just finished putting one of the garlands on the pillar that had fallen off when a hand suddenly wrapped around her wrist and she was pulled behind the pillar. She gaped at Arnav when he dragged her to the poolside without any words. Arnav flung her away as soon as the glass doors slid shut behind them. He spoke before Khushi could catch her breath. "Apni behen se kitna pyaar karti ho?" [How much do you love your sister?]
"Kya bakwas kar rahe ho aap, Arnavji... aur ye kya tarika tha? Hume aise kyu lee aye yaha par?" Khushi asked, irritated as she rubbed her wrist which was aching from his tight grip. [What nonsnse is this, Arnav? And why are you behaving like this? Why did you bring me here like this?]
Arnav glared at her. "Mere sawal ka jawab do, Khushi! Kitna pyaar karti ho apni behen se?" he asked again. [Answer me, Khushi. How much do you love your sister?]
Khushi focused on his eyes. He seemed angry about something. It was like his insides had turned into a solid block of ice. "Arnavji, sab thik hai na? Aap aise kyu puchh rahe hai?" she asked, puzzled by his sudden question. [Is everything alright, Arnav? Why are you asking like that?]
"Jawab do, Khushi!" he demanded. [Just answer me!}
"Hum apne Jiji se bohot pyaar karte hai." Khushi told him. [I love my sister a lot.]
"Kis hadd tak jaa sakti ho uske liye?" Arnav asked. [How far can you go for her?]
"Unke shaadi thik se ho jaye isiliye to hum Sheesh Mehel aye the. Bhul gaye ki hum pehli bar kaise mile the?" Khushi asked, raising her eyebrow at him. [I came to Sheesh mehel to save her wedding. Did you forget how we met?]
"To tum uske liye kuch bhi karne ko taiyar ho... kisi bhi hadd tak jane ko taiyar ho. Right?" he asked. [So, you will do anything for her, right?]
"Ji." [Yeah.]
"Then you will have to do something for her again tonight... like you did during our first meeting. Agar tumne aisa nahi kiya to main tumhare behen ki shaadi nahi hone dunga." Arnav told her. [If you don't do as I say, I won't let Akash and Payal get married.]
Khushi frowned. "Kya karna hai?" [What do I have to do?] she asked. She knew Raizadas were so rich that they didn't need or want dowry. She couldn't think of any reason for which she would need to do something to make sure that her sister's wedding goes without any disturbance. So, she was having a hard time understanding Arnav's statement.
"Tumhe mujhse shaadi karni hogi... aaj raat ko hi." he told her. The silent rage in his eyes scared Khushi and made her realize that he wasn't joking. [You have to marry me... tonight.]
"Main kuch samjhi nahi. Achanak aap kyu chahte hai ki hum apse shaadi kare? Pichle kuch din humare bich jo bhi huya usse dhyan me rakkho to shayed ye lage ki apko humse pyaar hogaya hai aur aap isiliye humse shaadi karna chahte hai... par jo gussa and nafrat apki ankhon me hume dikh raha hai usse aisa lagta hai ki baat kuch aur hi hai." Khushi pointed out cleverly. [I don't understand. Why do you want to marry me all of a sudden? Whatever happened between us in the last few days indicates that you fell in love with me and that's why you want to marry me... but the anger and hatred I could see in your eyes says a different story.]
Arnav narrowed his eyes at her. "Maine tumhe terrace pe dekha tha... Shyam ke saath." he snarled at her. "I saw and heard everything." he added.
Khushi's eyes widened in shock. "To apko sab pata hai?" she asked. [You know everything?]
"Haa... aur mujhe ghin ati hai khudpe ki maine tum jaisi bachchalan larki se pyaar kiya jo ek shaadi shuda mard ke saath paiso ke liye rishta bana sakti hai." He stated with contempt. His jealousy that someone had touched his woman had made him bitter. [Yes.. and I'm ashamed of myself that I love a characterless girl like you who would even sleep with a married man just for money.]
Khushi didn't know if she should be happy that he confessed his feelings or should she be sad that he thought so low of her. "Apko saach me aisa lagta hai ki hum aisa kar sakte hai?" she asked. [You really think I could do something like that?]
"Nahi lagta tha... tab tak jab tak apne ankhon se khud tumhe ye kehte nehi suna tha ki wo Shyam mere Di ko chhor de." Arnav told her angrily. [I didn't believe it until I heard you telling him to divorce my sister.]
"To fir kyu karna chahte hai shaadi humse agar hum apko itni nich lagte hai?" Khushi demanded to know. [If you thought of me so low, then why do you want to marry me?]
"Di maa banne wali hai. Aur main nahi chahta ki tumhare wazase wo iss halat me apne pati ko kho de. To solution yehi hai ki tum mujhse shaadi karlo. Akher kar isiliye to Shyam ke saath affair kar rahi thi na tum? Paiso ke liye? Well, I'm one of the five richest man of Asia. Mujhse ameer bakra tumhe aur kahi nahi milega." Arnav told her. [Anjali is pregnant... and I don't want her to loose her husband because of you at the moment. The only solution is that you marry me. After all this is why you were sleeping with Shyam, right? For money? Well, I'm one of the five richest man of Asia. You won't find any other fool who is richer than me.]
Khushi opened her mouth to argue when something he said grabbed her attention. "One of the five richest man in Asia." he claimed.
"Money is power." Alekh had told her, "Paiso ke dam par log kuch bhi kar sakte hai." he had said. [Money power can get you anywhere you want.]
"Kya yehi wo rasta hai jisse hum talash rahe the? Jo kaam Khushi Kumari Gupta ya fir Khushi Singh Ahluwalia nahi kar sakti hai, wo kaam Khushi Singh Raizada kar payegi." [Is this the path I was looking for? What I would be able to achieve as Khushi Singh Raizada, I would never be able to achieve as Khushi Kumari Gupta or Khushi Singh Ahluwalia.] she thought to herself. For the first time, she looked at Arnav not as a human, but as a walking talking ATM. She felt guilty for objectifying him like this, but her need to save her parents overrode her guilt.
"Aap chahte hai ki hum aap se shaadi karle take hum Shyam ke saath apna affair continue na kar paye, right?" she asked as her master strategist father's brain started working in hers. [You want me to marry you so that I won't be able to continue my affair with Shyam, right?]
Arnav was a little surprised at her attitude. The girl he knew would've argued with him on this matter. But there was something different about this Khushi that was standing in front of her. It was like he just witnessed her changing in front of his very eyes. "Was she really so greedy about money?" he wondered because there was a small part of him hadn't really believed that Khushi and Shyam had an affair. "Haa." he replied. [Yes.]
Khushi took a deep breath and nodded as she thought of some things. "Thik hai. Hum apse shaadi kane ke liye taiyar hai." she told him, "Lekin humari do sharte hai." she added, narrowing her eyes at him, challenging him silently. [Alright. I'm ready to marry you... but I have two conditions.]
Arnav was a little surprised at her agreement. He hadn't expect her to agree so easily. He observed her determination filled eyes and asked, "Kya shart hai?" he was sure that she would ask for money. [What condition?]
"Hum age parna chahte hai. Shaadi ke baad humari parhai ki puri kharcha aap uthaoge... jab tak hum parna chahe tab tak." she placed her first demand, thoroughly surprising Arnav. [I want to continue my studies. After our marriage, you'll pay for my education until I'm settled in my career.]
"Tum parna chahti ho? Bas itna hi chahiye?" he asked, not being able to quite believe her. [You only want me to pay for your education? That's all you want?]
"Apko pata hai parhai me kitna kharcha hota hai? Aya bara!" Khushi scolded him. [Do you have any idea how expensive education is?]
Arnav rolled his eyes. "Achha age batao. Aur kya chahiye?" he asked. [Okay. Tell me what else do you want?]
"Agar humara talak huya to talak ke baad bhi hume apka surname use karne ki likhit anumati chahiye." She added. [I want to keep your surname even if we get a divorce.]
"Likhit anumati... means written permission. You want both of these conditions in writing?" He asked.
"Haa... wo filmo me dikhate hai na... kya kehte hai usse... ah... Prenop?" Khushi gave him a sheepish look as she didn't know the correct word. [Yes.. like they show in the movies.]
"Prenup? You want a prenup?" Arnav asked, surprised.
"Haa... wahi. Jaha par likkha ho ki talak ke baad bhi aap humare dono shart pura karenge." Khushi told him. [Yes. I want both of my conditions in writing.]
Her naivety in this situation made Arnav want to protect and choke her at the same time. "Tumhe pata hai na ki main tumhe kisi bhi kimat par talak nahi dene wala? Kya pata fir kiske saath affair karne lago tum." he commented with a roll of his eyes. [I hope you know that I won't be divocing you... EVER. Who knows with whom you start having an affair again?]
Khushi hissed at him. She was so angry at his comment that she felt like pulling his hair, but she knew she needed him to continue thinking so low of her. It would be easy to get a divorce later like this if he continued to think of her as a cheap girl. Khushi knew that she would need to distance herself from her family after Payal and Akash's wedding in order to protect them when she finally starts her war against Lala Gehlot. Eloping with Arnav would make sure that her family hated her. Not only her family, but his family would also be angry with her. She would be able to go far away from both families easily. She just needed to make sure Arnav never got to know the truth that Khushi never had an affair with Shyam. If he continued thinking so low of her, then she would be able to convince him to give her a divorce when needed.
"Mujhe tumhari dono sharte manjur hai. Hum Payal aur Akash ki shaadi khatam hone ki baad niklenge. Tab tak main Aman ko prenup taiyar karne ko bol deta hu." Arnav told him before he left her alone. [I agree with both of your conditions. We'll get out of here after Akash and Payal's wedding. I'll have Aman to prepare the prenup by then.]
Khushi exhaled sharply once she was sure she was alone. She knew she was about to destroy herself. But the parents that gave up their everything for this country, couldn't she do this much to save them? The girl who risked almost everything for her adopted family, wouldn't risk what's left of her for her real one? The lone tear that escaped her eyes was wiped away soon. Khushi decided that she would enjoy the last few happy moments she had left with her family completely. Determined, she went out to join everyone.
She teased Payal and Akash along with Anjali and NK. She successfully stole Akash's shoes and demanded twenty five thousand rupees in exchange. She danced with everyone as the wedding completed successfully. She kept on a fake cheerful mask on her face the whole time, making sure no one knew the storm that was raging inside her. She also made sure to eat a lot. Because she knew there was a chance that she wouldn't get to eat for a long while after her own wedding when they return to Shativan. As everyone would be super angry with her. Arnav observed her the whole time. He didn't understand how she could act so calm and serene when their lives were about to change in a few hours.
Finally when all the main events of the wedding was over, Arnav gestured to Khushi towards the main door. Nodding at him sneakily, Khushi took one last glance at her happy family. She knew this would be the last time she would see them happy like this. With a heavy heart, she sneaked out of Shantivan.
Arnav's car was ready, parked near the door. He was in the driver's seat already when Khushi arrived. She climbed inside the car without hesitation. He started the car. They were both silent, lost in their own thoughts.
Their silence was broken by the shrill ring of his phone. Arnav tapped the Bluetooth in his ear to answer the call while he drove. "Yes, Aman? Yes, we're on our way... is everything ready?... Good." and he hung up
Khushi thought he would take them straight to some mandir but she was confused when their car stopped in from of a beautiful farm house. "Chalo." he ordered before getting out. [Come.]
Feeling scared for the first time since they started, Khushi followed after him. Arnav took her to a bedroom and gestured towards the bed where a few shopping bags were kept. "Kya laga tumhe? Ki main apne patni ko inn kapro me mandap par leke jaunga?" he said pointing towards her red & yellow lehenga. "Bilkul nehi! Inn bags me shaadi ka jora, gehne, chura, dulhan ki chunri, aur jute hai. I made sure they were expensive enough to please your greedy nature. Tumhara lehenga chhe lakh ka hai. Usme sone ki jari ki kam hai. Teen lakh ki bridal jewelry set hai. Tumhari chuda aur chunri bhi designer hai. Jald se jald taiyar hokar bahar ayo." he told her before getting out of the room. [Did you really think that I'll marry you in those cheap clothes? Absolutely not! These bags have your bridal lehenga, jewelry, and other things. Get ready fast and come out.]
"Arnavji, kya apko sach me hum aise lagte hai? Kya itne dino me apne hume bas itna hi jaan paye?" [Do you really think of me like that, Arnav? Is that how much you know me?] Khushi asked aloud as tears rolled down her face. "Nahi, Khushi. Himmat rakh! Tujhe apni manzil yaad rakhni hai. Tu aise nahi tut sakti." [No, Khushi. Stay strong. You have to remember your goal. Don't break down like this.] she consoled herself. Wiping away her tears, she started getting ready.
Twenty minutes later, she opened the door and came out to the living room where Arnav had been watching the news. He turned and his jaw dropped apart. He was mesmerized by this beautiful girl in front of him. His heart skipped a beat. He was barely able to believe that in a while she would his forever. Clearing his throat to hide his reaction, he ordered, "Chalo." [Let's go.]
They got in the car again and headed for the temple. Khushi was staring out the window as she watched the familiar landmarks rush by them. She felt like her heart was beating at a faster pace with every minute that brought them closer to the temple. Soon, Arnav parked his car inside the temple grounds.
"Ek bar fir soch lo... kyu ke ek bar agar tumne mujhse shaadi karli... to fir kisi aur ke taraf dekhne bhi nahi dunga." Arnav warned her. [Think about this again. Because once we're married, I won't let you even LOOK at other men.]
Khushi stared at him. "Aap dusro ko humse bacha rahe hai ya fir hume khudse bandh rahe hai take koi aur hume na paa sake?" she asked him bluntly before she removed her seat belt and stepped out of the car. [Are you trying to save others from me... or just making sure you have me all by yourself?]
Arnav stared at her open mouthed before gathering himself. He got out and stated arrogantly, "Kuch bhi bakwas mat karo." [What nonsense?!]
Khushi stared up at the brilliant white structure in front of them. "Kya hum sach me Arnav ji se sirf isliye shaadi kar rahe hai taki hum unke pohch ko issemal karke humare maa aur papa ko bacha paye? Kya hum itne swarthi hai? Shaadi jaise pavitra bandhan ki mazak bana diya hai humne. Hum khud ko kaise maaf kar payenge?" she thought to herself as tears ran down her face. [Am I really marrying Arnav so that I could use him to save my parents? Am I that selfish? I'm making fun of a pure relation like marriage. I would I forgive myself?]
"Hey Devi maiya, hume malum hai ke hum apse naraz hai par hume itna shakti dena ki hum humari shaadi ko nibha paye. Hum Arnavji ko issemal zaroor karna chahte hai par hum unse bohot pyaar karte hai. Humare iss dhoke se unhe sambhal lena." she prayed for the man that was going to be her husband soon. [Goddess, I know you're angry with me. But please give me enough strength so that I could maintain my marriage. Even though I'm using him, I trully love him. Please give him the strength to bear my truth.]
"Just so you know..." Arnav started snatching Khushi out of her thoughts, "Agar tumhe aisa lag raha hai ki sindoor aur mangalsutra pehna ke main ye shaadi karunga aur baad me tum iss shaadi ko invalid claim karke bach jayogi to ye tumhari galat flemi hai. Ye shaadi puri bidhi bidhan ke saath hoga aur legally binding bhi. No one would be able to cast doubts on its validity. Mujhse alag hone ke liye tumhe mujhe talak lena hoga jo main tumhe kabhi dunga. Samjhi?" he snarled at her. [If you're thinking that we will have an half assed marriage then you're mistaken. It'll be an iron clad one. No one will be able to cast a doubt in it.]
Khushi stared at him. She was sure he would want a contract marriage for few months until Anjali gave birth. But it seemed unconsciously, Arnav wanted to make sure she remained his wife for the next seven birth. A slight hope bloomed in her heart and her cheeks warmed up. "Ye sochte huye bhi ki shayed hum kisi aur ke saath so chuke hai, ye fir bhi hume apna ne ko taiyar hai. Hey devi maiya, apne humari sapno ki rajkumar ko hi humare maa aur papa ko bachane ki jariya kyu banaya? Humare wazase age inhe kitni dukh pohchenge. Please inki khushiya humasha banye rakhna." Khushi prayed as Arnav dragged her up the temple stairs. [Even if you think that I've slept with another man, you want to marry me. Goddess, why did you make my prince Charming the way to save my parents? He'll get hurt because of me. Please, always keep him happy.]
There were three men, clad in suits waiting for them at the top. Two of the men had briefcases with them. "Aman ko to tum janti hi ho. Ye Arman Jaiswal hai, mera lawyer." Arnav introduced. "Papers taiyar hai?" he asked his lawyer. [You already know Aman. This is my lawyer, Arman Jaiswal. Are the papres ready?]
"Yes, sir." Arman replied before opening his briefcase and handing him some legal papers.
Arnav looked through them before giving it to Khushi. "Isme tumhari dono shart noted hai... aur ye bhi likkha hai ki agart maine tumhe kabhi cheat kiya to tum divorce ke liye apply kar sakti ho. Koi tumhe nehi rokega. Aur to aur meri adhi jaidat jiski kimat jai 200 crore rupees wo alimony ki daur pe tumhe de diya jayega. Aur agar tumne mujhe cheat kiya to tumhe mujhe saw (100) crore rupees as compensation dena hoga." he told her smugly. "Agar talak ke waqt humare bachche rahe, to unka sara kharcha main uthaunga." he added with a slight hesitation as the thought of the baby making process crossed his mind unintentionally. [Both of your conditions are noted here. It also says that if I ever cheat on you, then I'll pay you 2 Billion. And if you cheat on me, you will pay me 1 billion. In the future if we get a divorce and we have children at the time, then I will take care of their expenses.]
Khushi gaped at him as she read through the leagl papers. "100 crores?! Hum kaha se layenge itni sari paise?" she asked him, enraged. [1Billion! Where am I going to get that much money?]
"Iska easy solution hai. Mujhe cheat mat karna." Arnav told her arrogantly. [I have an easy solution to this. Don't cheat on me.]
"Apka kya bharosa? Bina kisi waza agar hume fasane ke liye apne jhutmut ki sabut banaya aur ye claim kiya ki humne cheat kiya to?" Khushi argued. [How can I trust that you won't trap me by lying that I cheated?]
"Ma'am, may I interrupt?" Arman asked politely. At Khushi's nod, he continued, "Main inn papers pe ye condition add karwa sakta hu ki agar dono mese kisi ne bhi cheat kiya ya fir kisi ko laga ki dusri party cheat kar raha hai to koi third party who is not involved with either of you would have to investigate to find the truth." [I can put the requirement that if either of you susp[ected the other of cheating thena third party would do the investigation for fair play.]
"Good idea." Arnav nodded in agreement.
"Thik hai." Khushi also agreed. [Okay.]
"To main ye papers thik karwa ke lata hu. Tab tak aap dono shaadi continue kiziye." Arman advised before he went on the other side of the temple to fix the papers through his laptop. [I'll fix these papers by the time you get married.]
"Anyways, ye wedding registrar hai. Humari shaadi ko legally register karne aye hai." Arnav told Khushi gesturing towards the third man. They singed the wedding documents that legally claimed them to be husband and wife. [He's the marriage register. He's here to legalize out marriage.]
A pandit was waiting for them at the main part of the temple. He made sure all the rituals were completed for their wedding. As Arnav placed an intricate diamond mangalsutra around her neck, Khushi felt her entire future change. A sob tore through her when he took a pinch of sindoor and filled her partition.
"I hope ye dhai(2.5) lakh ki mangalsutra tumhe humesha yaad dilata rahe ki ab tum MERI patni ho." Arnav told Khushi sternly as seeing her tears he mistook that she was crying for Shyam. [I hope this expensive mangalsutra keeps on reminding of you that you're now MY wife.]
Once the Panditji told them that the wedding was over, Arnav went to Arman to check if the prenup was ready or not.
"Humari shaadi hogayi... wo bhi humare sapno ki rajkumar se... phir bhi hum khush nehi hai. Ye kaisi kismat likkhi hai apne humari, devi maiya? Maa papa hote huye anath banaya... aur aaj jab humari shaadi uss insaan se huyi jinse hum pyaar karte hai, hum hokar bhi unki nahi ho payenge." Khushi buried her face in her hands and sobbed her heart out. Feeling weak, she swayed and fell on her knees. She kept on trying in vain to stem her tears. [I got married... to my Prince Charming... still I'm not happy. What kind of fate did you write? I was orphan when both of my parents are alive. And today I got married to the love of my life and I won't be able to be his completely.]
After the prenup was signed, Aman, Arman, and the registrar bid them 'goodbye'. Arnav approached his silently crying wife as she stared blankly at the goddess's statue. She seemed to be talking to her devi maiya... or maybe she was complaining to her. He wondered if she patched up with her goddess or not.
"Khushi, ye kangan meri mumma ne apni bahu ke liye banwala tha." he started kneeling in front of her. Taking her hand, he made her wear the kangans and continued, "Aaj se ye tumhare huye. Tum chahe apni saare jewar kyu ke bech do par isse kabhi khudse alag mat karna." [Khushi, my mother made these bangles for her daughter-in-law. From today, they are yours. You can sell all of your jewelry but never sell this one.]
"Hum to lalchi hai na? To phir ye kangan hume kyu diya? Humne apki baat na mani aur inhe bech diya to?" Khushi asked. Her voice was barely above a whisper. [But I'm greedy. Why did you still give me these? What if I still sell these?]
"Since we eloped, di ye expect karenge ki main tumhe ye kangan du. Ye tumhare haato me nahi huya to unhe hum par shaq hojayega. Aur main nahi chahta ki kisiko bhi humari shaadi ka saach pata chale." Arnav told her in a warning tone. Khushi took a deep breath and nodded in agreement. [Since we eloped, my sister will expect me to give you these. If they are not in your wrists, then she might suspect us. And I don't want anyone to know the real reason behind our marriage.]
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A/N::: Khushi and Arnav got married. And he promised to pay for her education. What do you think she has planned?
How will Her uncles and aunts react when they get to know about Khushi's wedding?
Will they accept Arnav as their son-in-law?
How will Arnav react when he realizes the truth?
Stay tuned.
