*Not edited.

Arnav and Khushi were climbing down the stairs of the temple. Since Khushi wasn't paying attention on where she was going, she stumbled on her lehenga and almost fell. Arnav saved her at the last moment as he pulled her against his lean, hard body. Their eyes met and they forgot where they were for a moment. "Tum ab sirf meri ho, Khushi. Tumhe ab koi mujhse chhin nehi sakta." [You're mine now, Khushi. No one will be able to snatch you away from me.] Arnav thought to himself as he took in the sindoor in her partition. "Tum thik ho?" He asked softly. [You okay?]

Dazed, Khushi replied, "Haa." [Yeah]

"Chalo." Saying this, he slid his hand in hers and started heading down the temple stairs. [Come.]

They almost reached Arnav's car when his eyes fell on a jeep that was parked a few feet away from them. Arnav narrowed his eyes as he realized that the driver was keeping an eye on them. The man seemed shocked when he noticed Khushi's obvious married status from her bridal outfit, the red powder on her partition, and the flower wreaths both Arnav and Khushi had around their necks. Arnav helped Khushi in the car while keeping an eye on the man. He was sure that this was Shyam's henchman and felt smug when he saw the man calling someone urgently. Arnav got in the driver's seat and started the car.

A few minutes went by. Khushi was looking out the window, lost in thought when her phone rang. When she didn't pick up the phone, Arnav called her. "Khushi!?"

Startled, she turned towards him. "Ji?" She asked. [yes?]

"Tumhara phone baj raha hai." He told her. [Your phone's ringing.]

"Oh!" Khushi looked at her bag, surprised. Picking up her cell, she saw an unknown number calling her. "Ye kiska number hai?" [Whose number is this?] She asked aloud. Her question made Arnav curious and he listened carefully as she answered the call. "Hello?" She said.

"Oye chhoti Phoolan! Ye main kya sun raha hu? Tune shaadi karli? Wo bhi bina apne chacha, maasi, aur mama o ko bataye?" Came a demanding question from the other side of the call. [Hey, my little bandit queen! What am I hearing? You got married? Without even informing your uncles and aunts?]

Khushi gasped. "Chachaji aap? Apko kaise pata chala humare bareme? Aur ye ki humne..." She trailed off. [Uncle, you? How do you know about me? And that I...?]

Arnav gave her a confused look. He didn't know that she had fraternal uncle. "Khushi ne aisa kyu kaha ki uske chacha ko uske bareme kaise pata?" He wondered with a frown. [Why did Khushi ask how her uncle knew about her?]

"Kaidi ne bataya hum sab ko kuch din pehle. Ab tu topic mat change kar aur bata kisiko bina bataye shaadi kyu karli?" Huda inquired, "wo to achha huya ki humne teri protection ke liye ek bodyguard appoint kiya tha. Usine hume bataya." [Alekh told us a few days ago. Don't change the topic now. Tell me, why did you get married without telling anyone? It's good that we appointed a bodyguard for you. Otherwise we would've known about this.]

Khushi winced. "Kya Alekh mamaji ko bhi pata hai?" She asked fearfully. [Does Uncle Alekh know?]

"Haa... Aur wo Delhi aneki taiyari kar raha hai tere pati ko pitne ke liye." Huda laughed. "Hum sab bhi Delhi aarehe hai. Pata to chale ki wo larka teri layek hai bhi ya nehi." He added [Yes... and he's ready to come to Delhi to beat your husband. Actually, we are all coming to Delhi. We need to know if that guy even worthy of you or not.]

Khushi giggled and sniffed at the same time. She felt overwhelmed from their love. "Hum intezar karenge aap sabki." She said. [I'll wait for you all.]

"Parso milte hai fir. Chhoti Phoolan, apna dhyan rakhna. Koi zaroorat pare to apne Usool mama ko phone karna. Wo Delhi me hi hai." Huda told her. [We'll see you the day after tomorrow. Little bandit queen, take care of yourself. If you need ANYTHING, call your uncle Ali. He's in Delhi.]

"Ji, chachaji." She replied. They said their byes and hung up. [Okay, uncle.]

"Mandir ki aspas apne kisi aur ko dekha tha kya?" Khushi asked Arnav before he could ask anything.[Did you notice anyone around the temple?]

"Kyu?" He asked, frowning. [Why?]

"Aisehi." She replied with a shrug. [ Just because.]

Arnav felt annoyed as she didn't give him any information regarding the phone call. So, he decided to asked her. "Mujhe nehi pata tha ke tumhari koi chacha bhi hai." [I didn't know that you have a paternal uncle.]

"Aise bohot saare baate hai humare bareme jo apko pata nahi hai." Khushi replied vaguely. [There are a lot of things you don't know about me.]

Arnav rolled his eyes and decided to taunt her a little. "Koi baat nahi. Ab to agle saath jaman ek saath hi bitani hai. To dhire dhire sab jan lunga." [That's okay. Now we'll be together for next seven life times. I'll get to know everything about you slowly.]

"Ek jotish ne kaha tha ki ye humara akhri janam hai." She back answered, barely containing her sarcasm. [An Ashtrologer told me that this was my last life time.]

Arnav stared at her, bewildered. He hadn't expected her to say something sarcastic like that. Unable to control his emotions, he burst into laughter.

/

/.../

/

Half an hour later, Arnav stopped the car in front of Shantivan. He glanced at his wife who was a nervous wreck. He felt bad for putting her in this situation as he observed her fingers clenching into the soft fabric of her chunri. Arnav knew that the next few hours would be hard, so he decided to stay by her side. After all, she was his wife now... his to provide for, his to love, and his to protect. Khushi was startled when he reached across to take her hand in his. His gesture made her look at him in panic. It was thick in her veins even though the decision to marry him had been her own.

"It will be harder if we wait more." Arnav told her in an reassuring way.

"Hmm." Khushi nodded jerkily. Her eyes wide with fear. Her limbs felt numb as Arnav pulled her into the house.

All the guests had left already. Payal and Akash were playing the post wedding games as their family members surrounded them and teased the newly weds mercilessly. It was Anjali who noticed their silent entry. Her jaws dropped to the floor as she took in Khushi's bridal outfit, the flower wreaths around Arnav and Khushi's neck, and most importantly, her mother's kangans in Khushi's wrists with bridal chura. When she realized what she was seeing, she gasped loudly and stood up. Seeing her reacting, everyone turned towards the entryway of the mansion and their reactions were also somewhat alike.

"Sanka devi? Ye ka hai?" Khushi's Buaji cried out in shock. [Trouble-maker? What is this?]

"Bitiya, ye sab..." Garima trailed off as she stared at her younger daughter in shock. During Payal's wedding functions Garima and Madhumati had also noticed the sneaky romance blooming between Arnav and Khushi. They even joked amongst themselves about not needing to find Khushi a groom as she seemed to did the job herself. They were even expecting a Arnav's proposal from Raizada family for Khushi. No one expected Arnav and Khushi to elope.

"Chhote, ye sab kya hai? Hume pata hai ki Khushi aur aap ek dusre se pyaar karte hai... par aise bina kisi ko bataye aap logone shaadi karli? Wo bhi bhag kar?!" Anjali scolded. [What is this, Arnav? We know that Khushi and you love each other... but to get married without telling anyone like this?]

Arnav gave her sister a bewildered look as his cheeks heated up. He didn't know that his sister knew about his feelings about Khushi and he certainly didn't expect her to blurt it out in front of everyone like this.

"Hume pura yakin hai ki ye sab chhote ke hi kiya karaya hoga!" [I'm absolutely certain that it was Arnav's idea.] His grandma stated, "Zaroor inhone hi Khushi bitiya ko darha dhamka ke aise bhag ke shaadi karne ko raji kiya hoga." [I'm sure he threatened Khushi to get married sneakily like this.] she glared at him. "Itni bhi kya besabri thi? Hum apka rishta lekar kuch dino baad jane hi wale the Khushi bitiya ke ghar." she scolded. [Why so desparate?! We were about to go to Gupta house with your proposal for Khushi.]

Arnav and Khushi shared a confused look. They had thought they were being sneaky when they were romancing, but it seemed both of their families knew about it. They both started blushing uncontrollably. They were prepared for their families' anger and rejection. However, they were NOT prepared for the accusation of being impatient and lustful.

Arnav cleared his throat and tried to handle the situation. "Wo... situation aisa tha... um... humse aur raha nehi gaya... ek dusre se dur." [The... situation was such... um... we could wait anymore... we couldn't stay away from each other anymore.] he winced. He couldn't believe he was saying something like this to their families. Khushi gave him a startled look and glared at him murderously. His explanation sounded like they couldn't wait to have sex and that's why they got married. Arnav also realized his mistake when the elders in the room gasped. "NAHI! Mera wo matlab..." [NO! I didn't mean...] he tried to explain, but mami interrupted him.

"Hello Hi Bye Bye! Itni impatientzwa suhagraat ke liye ki shaadi karte waqt gharwalo ko bhi invitez nahi kiya?" mami taunted. [You were so impatient for your nuptial night that you didn't even invite your families to the wedding?]

Arnav wanted to hide his face somewhere. He couldn't believe his family thought of him as such a big pervert. He wished for a large hole to appear so that he could jump in it.

Khushi though was in another dilemma. When she had agreed to elope with Arnav she had thought their families would hate her which would help her keep them safe. But nothing like that was happening here. Instead, they were being treated like a pair of teenagers who got caught while bunking school.

"Ye sab kya ho raha hai?" [What's happening here?] she thought to herself as they were only getting scolded for not waiting for their families to formally propose this rishta.

"Humka to pura yakin hai ki ye sab Arnav babuya ki nahi balki iss Sanka devi ka planning hai! Isika bachpan ka sapna tha ki wo apne boyfrerand se bhag kar shaadi karegi." Buaji revealed as she slapped the back of Khushi's head angrily. [I don't think it was Arnav's idea. I think it was Khushi's idea instead. After all, it was her childhood dream to elope with her boyfriend.]

Arnav's head snapped towards Khushi and he gave a questioning look. "Is she telling the truth?" he asked whispering.

"Hum bohot chhote the jab humne ye kaha tha!" [I was really young then.] Khushi hissed at him angrily. "Aur bhuliye mat ke ye shaadi ki plan apka tha." [Don't forgoet, it was YOUR idea to marry in secret.]

"Ab kya khusur phusur kar rahe ho aap dono? Kuch aur bhi karna baki reh gaya kya?" [What you whispering about now? Is there something else left to do?] Anjali scolded them both, "Humare kitna armaan the ki hum humare chhote ki shaadi me kitna kuch karenge. Humara sara sapna tor diya aap dono ne. Baat mat karne humse!" she left crying. [I had so much plans for Arnav's wedding. You broke all of my dreams. Don;t you dare talk to me.]

"Aur humse bhi!" Nani added before she also left. [Me too.]

Akash and Payal stared at their respective siblings in confusion. "Aap dono ek dusre se pyaar karte hai isme kuch galat nahi hai... par dono parivaar me se aap dono ne kisi ko bhi apne khushiyo me shamil nahi kiya ye galat hai." [There's nothing wrong in loving each other... but you didn't include anyone from our families in your happiness. That was wrong.] Akash told them. After biding proper goodbyes to Payal and Khushi's family, he took Payal's hand, and they left.

"Teri Buaji sehi kehte hai. Tum sach me pagal aur sanka devi ho!" Garima scolded her younger daughter as she shook her head in disappointment. [Your aunt was right. You're really a troublemaker and crazy.]

She never differentiated between Khushi and Payal. If she had many dreams for Payal's wedding, then she had those same dreams for Khushi. She felt betrayed that her daughter didn't let her be a part of her wedding. "Chaliye , jiji... chalte hai. Hume yaha koi apna nahi matni." she said sadly as she pushed Shashi's wheelchair towards the gate. [Let's go, sis. No one care for us here.]

"Tumara kuch nahi ho sakta, Sanka devi! Aaj hum sabka dil tor diya tumne." Buaji told Khushi before she followed her brother and sister-in-law. [Nothing could be done with you. You broke all of our hearts today.]

"Amma! Buaji! Babuji!" [Mom! Aunt! Dad!] she ran after them, crying. She was ready to face their hatred. She knew she would be able to deal with it for their own good, but she didn't expect to see disappointment in their eyes instead. She could clearly see that she had hurt them a lot and she didn't know how to deal with that. They didn't stop.

Khushi watched with tears in her eyes as she watched her family drive away. Arnav had joined her outside as he had felt guilty the way Khushi's family left.

"Hum chahte the ki wo humse nafrat kare... kabhi humare sakkal ne dekhna chahe. Par hum ye nahi chahte the ki wo humse niraash ho. Hum unki gussa sehne ko taiyar the par hum unki gam ki waza nehi banna chahte the." Khushi told him as she wept resting her head against his chest. [ I wanted them to hate me... I wanted them to never want to see my face again. But I didn't want to disappoint them. I was ready to face their anger but I didn't want to be the reason of their sadness.]

Confused and puzzled by the situation, he wrapped his arms around her and said, "Mujhe bhi kuch samajhme nahi aaraha hai. Mujhe bhi laga sab naraz honge par unka reaction expected nahi tha." [Even I don't understand something. I also thought that they would be angry, but their reaction was not what I expected.] he felt like scratching his head. "Khair chhoro! Andar chalte hai." he offered. [Anyways. We should go inside.]

Khushi was able to shake herself out of her shocked stupor as she followed Arnav back inside. She still wasn't able to understand what happened.

She was startled out of her thoughts when Arnav's finger's suddenly brushed hers before gripping tightly. Her eyes found his face almost instantly and saw that he wasn't looking at her at all. He was staring at Shyam, who was still standing in the middle of the living room. He seemed to be shaking with rage at the sight of them.

Khushi curled her fingers with Arnav's, her mouth set in determination as she ignored Shyam. With a fake naughty smile on her face, she said, "Jaan suniye, sab chale gaye! Hum bhi andar chalte hai. Aaj humara suhagrat hai na?" [Listen, darling, everyone is gone now. I think we should also go to our room. It's our naptial night after all.]

Arnav gave her a surprised look. He had thought she would be giving Shyam longing looks instead she was ignoring him and acting like they were a happy couple. "I think she's now favoring me because she knows that I can give her the luxurious life that she always craved. If this is how she would stay mine, then so be it. I'll shower her with expensive stuff all our life." he vowed silently. Smiling at her seductively, he played along. "Kyu darling, Aur intezar nahi horaha mere baby se?" he said holding her chin. [Why, darling, can't you wait anymore?]

"Um... nahi ho raha hai..." Khushi stuttered out. Her heart beat faltered as he came close. [No, I can't.]

Smiling smugly, Arnav bent a little and picked her up in his arms. "Humare ghar ki rasam hai. Nayi dulhan ko uska pati apne god me apne bedroom tak leke jata hai." he informed her as he stared at Shyam's miserable face. [It's our house's tradition that the groom has to take his bride to their bedroom in his arms.]

Then ignoring Shyam, Arnav headed upstairs with Khushi in his arms. Khushi wound her arms around his neck and stared into his eyes as he took her to his... their bedroom.

Arnav placed her on the bed and sat in front of her on the sofa after closing the door behind them. Khushi looked around the room with a deep sigh. It seemed achingly familiar, yet utterly foreign at the same time. Then, she looked at the man who was now her husband.

"Humare gharwalo ko aisa kyu laga ki hum..." [Why did our families think that...] Khushi cleared her throat uncomfortably, "ki hum wo sab karne ke liye chhipke shaadi ki hai?" [That we got married because we wanted to DO it?] she asked as she blushed deep red.

"I think it was because of me... Wo maine Lavanya ke saath Live-in kiya tha na to unhe shayed laga ki mujhe jab tumse pyaar huya to maine tumse bhi aisa kuch demand liya hoga. But since YOU believe in the sanctity of marriage, to humne aise chhipke shaadi kar liya. Take shaadi jaldi ho jaye aur hum jaldi apna..." he cleared his throat before continuing, "suhagraat mana paye." he then shrugged at Khushi's angry look. [I think it was because of me... Since I was in a live-in relationship with Lavanya, they might have thought that I proposed to you the same thing. And since YOU believe in the sanctity of marriage, so we got married secretly like this as a compromise. So that the wedding gets over fast and... and we could have sex.]

"Matlab ye sab apki galti hai? Apki wazase humare gharwale apke saath saath hume bhi kamuk aur lampat samajhte hai?!" [All this is your fault?! Because of you, now our families think of me as a pervert as well.] She shrieked at him, "Hume ye manzoor tha ki wo hume swarthy samjhe... par kamuk? Chhee!" [I was okay with them thinking of me as a selfish person... but not a pervert!] she shivered in horror.

Arnav had the strangest urge to giggle at the situation. "Waise I'm happy ke tumne apni situation se compromise kar liya hai. I knew these expensive items would win you over. I promise if you stay loyal to me then I would shower you with riches." he told her, feeling smug that he now knew her weakness.

Khushi stared at him, blank faced. She just wanted to bang his head against the nearest wall to see if he would gain some sense or not. Rolling her eyes at him, she got up and started heading for the bathroom.

Arnav also stood up, feeling a little lost. "Kaha jaa rahi ho tum?" he asked. [Where are you going?]

"Bathroom. Change karne. Inn gehno ke saath nehi so sakti." Khushi stated the obvious. [Bathroom. I need to change. I can't sleep with all these jewelry on.]

Arnav gaped at her. "Par aaj humari suhagraat hai!" he blurted out. [But today is our wedding night.]

"Aap sach me luichcha ho! Apke parivaar wale sahi soch te hai." [You really are a pervert. Your family knows you well.] Saying this, Khushi hurried into the bathroom and locked it form inside. Arnav was too shocked at her commented to be able to react in that moment.

This time Arnav gave into the urge and started scratching his head. He had started this whole wedding thing to be vengeful. How he ended being known as a rogue pervert to his wife and family, he had no clue. He started removing his suit's jacket and waist coat as he waited for his wife. He grabbed a T-shirt and a pair of lounge pants before knocking on the bathroom door.

"Hume time lagega!" Khushi yelled from inside. [I need more time.]

"Ye kapre lelo. Lehenga pehenke so nehi paogi." Arnav told her. [Take these clothes. You won't be comfortable sleeping in that lehenga.]

"Humari chinta karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai! Hum inn kapro me hi so lenge." [You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine in this lehenga.] Khushi replied from inside. Fifteen minutes later, she came out, wearing only her choli and lehenga. She had left her jewelry and chunri back in the bathroom's counter.

"Tumne bataya nehi ki hum humara suhagraat celebrate kar rahe hai? Khamkha maine ye kapre pehen liye," [You didn't tell me that we were celebrating our wedding night after all. I changed unnecessarily.] Arnav commented gesturing towards his body. He had changed into a pair of lounge pants and a T-shirt. "Dekho, maine to tumhare liye bhi kapre nikale the." he said pointing at the bed. [See, I even got you clothes.]

Eyes wide at his comment, Khushi ran to the bed, grabbed the clothes he left her, and ran back to the bathroom.

Arnav smirked. "Tum kya zid karogi? Mere samne to tumhari muh nahi khulta jab main tumse flirt karne lagta hu." [How will you show me your stubbornness? You can't even speak in front of me when I flirt with you.] he stated. "Achcha hai... jitna tum mujhme uljhi raho gi utni hi Shyam se dur rahogi. Tumne mujhse paiso ke liye shaadi ki. Par main kasam khata hu that I'll make you fall in love with me." [It's good. As long as you're busy with me, you won't go to Shyam. Even though you married me for money, I promise that I'll make you fall in love with me.]

Determined, he climbed up the bed and laid back on the left side. Khushi came out a few minutes later, now wearing his t-shirt and lounge pants. She took one of the pillows from the bed and went to the sofa. Arnav raised his head and asked, "Ab ye kya kar rahi ho?" [What are you up to now?]

"Sone ki taiyari." she replied. [Preparing to go to sleep.]

"Itni badi bed dikh nahi raha kya?" Arnav asked sarcastically. [Can't you see such a big bed?]

"Hum apke saath ek bed par kaise so sakte hai?" Khushi asked him in shock. [How can I share a bed with you?]

Rolling his eyes, he got up and went to Khushi. Before she knew what was happening, he picked her up in his arms and took her to the bed. Reaching the right side, he dumped her on it. "Patni ho tum meri... aur main tumhara pati. Ek bed share hi nahi hum aur bohot kuch kar sakte hai." he told her sternly. [We're husband and wife. We not only can share the same bed, but also can do much more than that.]

"HAWWWW... besharam admi!" Khushi scolded as she tried to get off the bed. [Haaww... you shameless man!]

"I swear Khushi agar tum iss bed se utri to main tumhe kiss kar dunga... aur wo bhi tumhari lips par!" Arnav threatened. [I swear, Khushi, if you get off this bed, I will kiss you... on your lips.]

Khushi froze and stared at him, open mouthed. "Aap... hum... kiss..." she stuttered. [You... me... kiss.]

"Attempt karke dekhlo agar koi doubt hai to." [Try it if you have any doubt.] he challenged as he leaned over her and stared at her with narrowed his eyes. Khushi scowled at him angrily before she pulled the blanket up to her head to hide form his view. Smiling smugly, he patted on her head. "Good girl!" he said before joining her on the bed. He turned the lights off and closed his eye.

Khushi peeked from under the blanket and growled at him. "Laad Governor kahika!" before hiding under the blanket again.

/

/

/

Next morning.

Around 5.30 am, Arnav came out of the bathroom and sat beside his sleeping wife. He traced her eyes, soft cheeks, and rosy lips with a dazed smile on his face. He really wanted to taste those lips but suddenly the scene from last evening crossed his mind. He remembered clearly how Shyam was hugging Khushi. Arnav's jaws tightened in anger. "Tum sirf meri ho. Tumhe duniya ki kisi aur Shyam ko nahi chhune dunga!" [You're only mine. I won't let any Shyam of this world touch you.] he whispered to her intensely. Khushi moaned. His monologue had disturbed her sleep. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to hide, Arnav started shaking her. "Khushi?! Khushi, subha hogayi." he called out. [Khushi? Wake up. It's morning already.]

"Hey devi maiya! Ye Laad Gavernor humare ghar me kaise aagaye? Hume chain se sone bhi nehi de raha hai!" she complained sleepily. [Oh god! How did this Lord Governor come to our house? He's not even letting me sleep properly.]

Smiling, He leaned down and placed a kiss on her puffed up cheeks. At his touch, Khushi's eyes snapped open as if his touch had electrocuted her. "Uth gayi, meri jaan?" he asked playfully. [Are you up, my love?]

Instantly, she scumbled away from him and stared at him wide eyed. In her sleepy haze, Khushi had forgotten where she was and how she ended up there. "A-Aap?" she asked. [You?]

"Khushi, try to remember last night." Arnav told her like he was talking to a small child.

Then like a flash, Khushi remembered what happened last night. "Oh... hum bhool gaye the." she mumbled sheepishly. [Oh, I forgot.]

"It's okay. Main jogging ke liye jaa raha tha to socha tumhe tumhare kapre dete huye jau. Tumhare liye saree aur jewelry waha sofe pe rakh diya hai. Nahake pehen lena. See you later." [It's okay. I'm going for a jogging. So, I thought I'll give you your clothes before I go. I've kept your clothes and jewelry on the sofa. Have a shower before changing.] With that Arnav left for jogging.

Curious to know what he had gotten for her, Khushi went towards the sofa. There was a red & orange Banarasi saree, a gold chokar, a pearl and gold sita har with matching earrings, and a pair of gold kitten heels. Khushi picked up the blouse. It was a red zardosi and crystal hand embroidered blouse. It had a fitted bra so she wouldn't need separate bra for it. The blouse had deep neck on the front and a low back. Khushi blushed when she saw the AR logo and realized that her husband knew her body size a little too well to get these clothes ready for her.

Cheeks still red, she went to shower and change. She took her time getting ready for the first day as a married woman. She stared at herself in the mirror after his filled her partition with sindoor. She was touched by Arnav's thoughtfulness when she found a box of sindoor on the dressing table. Though, she was a little confused why he gotten a box made of gold to keep the sindoor.

Khushi took in her mangalsutra and her mother-in-laws kangans which she hadn't taken off since last night. She didn't know how she felt. There was a time when she wanted to see herself like this, but now that she was married, her husband thought of her as a low character, greedy woman who married him for his money and whom he had married to keep her away from his married brother-in-law. Khushi shook her head and went downstairs to start her day.

She stood in front of the mandir and stared at the goddess's statue with a sulky look on her face. After a few minutes, she turned to leave but stopped. "UGH! Apko malum hai na ke hum apse jyada der tak naraz nahi reh sakte?" [Ugh! You know I Can't stay angry with you too much.] she told her devi maiya as she stepped inside and started preparing for morning puja. "Apne hume bohot dukh diya hai... to ab apko hi humari madat karni hogi inn dukho ko jhelne me. Samjhmi aap?" [You gave me too much pain... so you are the one who have to help me deal with all these pain. Got it?] she scolded her best friend. She continued her chatter with her best friend after that.

Around 6.30, Payal came downstairs. Seeing her younger sister in the temple, she paused and observed silently. For last few days, Khushi had been upset with the goddess for her parents. Even though she didn't give Payal all the details, she knew Khushi was deeply disturbed from the information she got about her parents. But seeing her sister chatting with her goddess so happily, made Payal realize something. Arnav's entry had made Khushi happy and made her patched up her friendship with her Devi maiya. "Agar iss shaadi se humari behen khush hai, to hume uski ye shaadi manzoor hai." [ If my sister is happy with this marriage, then I accept this marriage.] she thought to herself before she joined her sister. Even though she didn't talk to Khushi, silently she started helping in the preparation for the morning puja.

Soon, the girls started the morning puja. Anjali, Nani, and Mami joined them a few minutes later. Nani was pleased to find both of her newly wedded daughter-in-laws were doing the puja. She always liked Khushi and it was her secret wish to make Khushi her grand daughter-in-law. She was hurt that her impatient grandson didn't even bother to inform her of his decision to get married, let alone invite her. She wanted to do so much for his wedding. All her dreams went down the drain. But she was at least pleased that he selected Khushi to be his wife. "Bechari bachchi pyaar ki chakkar me bhagke shaadi karne ko taiyar hogayi hogi. Pata nahi humare bedard pote ne usse kaal raat kitna pareshan kiya hoga!" [Poor girl had to marry sneakily because of love. I hope my heartless grandson didn't trouble her too much last night.] Nani thought sympathetically.

Khushi went to pick up the prasad and twisted her back, Wincing, she straightened up and rubbed her lower back to ease her pain. Seeing this, Anjali, nani, and mami misunderstood and started blushing. They thought Khushi might have hurt her back while Arnav and Khushi were celebrating their suhagraat. Once the prasad was distributed, Khushi and Payal were told to cook breakfast as it was their pehli rasoi.

"Bhalehi tum yaha uninvitez ayi ho, par ho to tum bhi iss ghar ki bari bahuriya. To cookingz to tum ko bhi karni paregi." [Even though you came here uninvited, you're the eldest daughter-in-law of this family. So, you will also have to cook.] Mami told Khushi, "Iss ghar ki bari bahuriya honeki bohot sari responsibilitiz hai. Sirf new new sareez pehenke ghum na hi nahi hota." [Being the daughter-in-law means you will have a lot of responsibilities. You don't just get to roam around wearing new sarees.] she added giving Khushi's new saree and jewelry a once over.

"Manorama! Shaadi chahe jaisan bhi huya ho par Khushi aur Payal bitiya dono hi nayi naveli dulhan hai.. Naye kapre aur jewar hi pehenna chahiye unhe." Nani scolded. [Manorama! It doesn't matter how they got married. Both Payal and Khushi are newly weds. They must wear new clothes and jewelries.]

Mami grimaced and left doing her catwalk (penguin walk). Payal and Khushi went to the kitchen while Nani went to her room to read religious books. Anjali, though started waiting for her brother.

Arnav returned from his jog and was planning on heading upstairs to shower when he spotted Anjali glaring at him with her arms folded over her chest. Raising his eyebrow in question, he asked, "Di? Kuch kehna hai?" [Sis? Do you want to say something?]

Anjali stepped up to him and smacked the back of his head, surprising Arnav. "Besharam behaya kahika!" she said before pulling his ears. [Shameless man!]

"Ouch! Di, kya kar rahi ho?" [Ouch! Sis, what are you doing?] Arnav exclaimed as he pulled away from her hurriedly, while giving her a shocked look. He hadn't gotten his ears pulled since he was 6 ears old. "Kaan kyu khicha?" [Why are you pulling my ears?] he questioned, rubbing his aching ears.

"Chhote, tumhe Khushiji par thori si bhi daya nahi aya? Kaal raat hum sabne us par gussa kiya. Unke amma aur buaji ne bhi unko kitna kuch kaha. Khushi ji kitna upset hongi. Aur aise me bhi tumne unko suhagraat manane force kiya? Bechari ke kamar lachak gayi hai. Dard ke mare thik se hil bhi nehi paa rahi hai aur sharam ke mare kisi ko bata bhi nehi paa rahi hai." [Arnav, didn't you feel even a little sorry for Khushi? All of us were angry with her. Even her parents said so much to her. She must've been so upset. You forced her to have sex even during this situation? Poor girl now has a back pain. She's not even being able to move properly due to pain.] Anjali scolded her brother.

Arnav stared at his older sister in shock. "How desperate does she think I am? Does she really think I would force Khushi to have sex even when she's upset?" he thought to himself in disbelieve. He went to protest when his eyes fell on Shyam who was coming down the stairs with his eyes on Anjali and Arnav.

"Kya, di, aap bhi? Khushi ab meri patni hai. To main usse upset kaise dekh sakta tha? Main to bas usse apne pyaar se khush karne ki koshish kar raha tha. Ab mujhe kya pata ki apki bhabhi itni nazuk niklegi?" Arnav gave Anjali a rogue smile as he shrugged. [Come on, sis! She's my wife now. How can I see her upset? I was just trying to make her happy with my love. How was I supposed to know that she was so delicate?]

That shameless comment made Anjali blush but the smile on her brother's face made her realize that maybe Khushi was the person her brother had needed in his life. "Besharam kahika! Jao jake naha ke taiyar ho jao. Aur khabardar jo meri bhabhi ko jyada pareshan kiya." [Shameless guy! GO and shower. And don't you dare trouble my sister-in-law anymore.] she scolded, pushing Arnav towards the stairs. Arnav walked up the stairs with smirk on his face as he passed by Shyam.

Shyam was burning. The fact that Arnav claimed to have had sex with Khushi made him want to kill Arnav. "Uski himmat kaise huya humari Khushiji ko chhune ki?" he thought murderously as he glared at Arnav's retreating figure. [How dare he touch my Khushi?]

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As expected, the food was amazing. Nani cleared her throat and pulled out two jewelry boxes. "Khushi bitiya, aap ab iss ghar ki bari bahu hai. Apke shaadi ki waqt hum humare mann ka kuch nahi kar paye the." [Khushi, you're now the eldest daughter-in-law of this family. We couldn't do anything during your wedding.] she said glaring at her grandson, "Ye gehna humne Chhote ki patni ke liye bavaya tha. Ye liziye." [I had these made for Arnav's wife.] she said, handing Khushi one of the boxes.

It had a heavy work jarwa gold necklace with matching gold heavy work sita har and earrings. There were also a pair of thick gold kangans. Khushi bent down and took Nani's blessing.

"Payal bitiya, ye apke liye." Nani said giving Payal the second box. It held a heavy work gold chokar necklace set. Payal also took her blessing in answer.

"Hello Hi Bye Bye! Itz my turnz!" Manorama announced. "Phati sari, ye tumhara liye." [This is for you.] she gave khushi two boxes. "Uss big boxwa mein ek expensivez makeup kit hai take tum bhi humri jaisa tiptop lag sako." [That box has an expensive makeup kit. So that you can look as tiptop as me.] she said, "Aur iss ismall boxwa me wo kangan hai jo tumri sasu maa ne hume shaadi ki dauran toufe me diya tha. Apni sasumaa aur humri ashirwad samajh ke rakhlo inhe." [And this small box has a pair of bangles that your mother-in-law had given me during my wedding. Take it as your mother-in-law and my blessing.] She sniffed, acting like she didn't care.

Khushi smiled and accepted her gift. It was a big deal that Manorama had also accepted her when she had always taunted Khushi before. Khushi bent down and took Manorama's blessings.

"Thik hai thik hai." Manorama said patting Khushi's head hastily before turnign towards her own daughter-in-law. "Ye lo. Humne ye set humri modern daughter-in-lawz ke liye banwaya tha. Par tum agayi... koi baat nehi. Tum hi rakhlo." she said with grimace. It was a beautiful gold necklace set in a modern design. Payal smiled and took her mother-in-law's blessing.

"Ab humari bari!" [It's my turn now] Anjali announced with a grin. "Khushiji, humne chhote ki shaadi ki bohot saare sapne dekhe the jinhe tumne aur chhote ne tor diya." [Khushi, I had a lot of dreams about your and Arnav's wedding that you managed to ruin.] She said pouting.

Khushi's smile fell from her face and she glanced at her husband who was observing the whole thing silently. Getting no help from her ice block of a husband, Khushi turned to Anjali and started apologizing. "Anjaliji, hume maaf kar diziye. Wo sab kuch itni jaldi me huya ke..." [Anjali, please forgive us. Everything happened so fast that...] but she was interrupted.

"Koi baat nehi, Khushiji. Hume pata hai ki ye sab humari hi bhai ki kiya karaya hai. Khair chhoriye, ye gifts humne tab liya tha jab Nani aur hum apko Chhote ki patni ke rupme dekhne lage." [It's okay, Khushi. I know must've been my brother's plan. Anyways, I bought these gifts when Nani and I started seeing you as Arnav's potential bride.] Anjali told her sister-in-law reassuringly. She handed over a jewelry box and three saree boxes. "Isme ek kundan ka set hai aur inn me tin kanjivaram saree ya. Humne Chhote ki pasand ko dhyan me rakhke ek red saree aur apki pasand ko dhyan me rakhke ek yellow aur ek magenta saree li hai." she added excitedly. [There's a kundan set and three kanjivaram sarees in both Arnav and your favorite colors.]

"Thank you, Anjaliji. Hume bohot pasand aya." [I love them a lot.] Khushi told her blushing. She could hardly believe that Anjali and Nani were planning on making her Raizada bahu and were already preparing for that. That meant this way or that way, Khushi was going to end up being Arnav's wife. She glanced at her husband and found him smirking at her pink cheeks.

"Payalji, ye apke liye." [Payal, this is for you.] Anjali said handing Payal a jewelry box. It held another heavy work kundan set. "I hope aap ko bura nehi laga... wo tarasal Chhote aur Khushiji ke shaadi ke dauran hum unhe kuch de nehi paye the to saab Khushiji ko abhi unke taufe de rahe hai." [I hope you're not upset. Since we couldn't give anything during their wedding, that's why we're giving Khushi her gifts now.] she tried to explain.

"Di, ye kya bol rahi hai aap? Hume bilkul bura nehi laga. Hum samajhte hai. Hume bhi iss pagli ko bohot kuch dena tha uski shaadi me par.." [What are saying, sis? I understand. Even I had so much to give this crazy girl but...] Payal gave her sister an angry look causing Khushi to give her a sheepish smile in return.

"Chhote? Aap kuch nehi dengi Khushi bitiya ko? Unhone to apke liye special sugar free kheer bhi banayi hai." [Arnav, won't you give anything to your wife? She even made you sugar free kheer for you.] Nani asked.

"Of course, Nani. Meri wife ki pehli rasoi hai. Aise kaise main usse kuch nehi dunga." [Of course, grandma. Why won't I give her anything? It's her first time cooking here.] Arnav replied looking at Shyam's angry face. He wanted to anger Shyam so much that he would confess his crime himself in front of everyone. Arnav got up from his chair and came up to his wife who was looking at him suspiciously. Winking at her, he knelt in front of her.

Khushi gasped as she recalled that Diwali night when he had made her wear her lost anklet which she used to believe was her mothers'. Tears filled her eyes as Arnav made her wear a pair of gold anklets.

The anklets held a lot of ghunrus to ensure that he would hear her whenever she's around. Pleased, Arnav looked up and was startled to see his wife in tears. He was confused by this. He had thought that after receiving so many jewelries, sarees and other gifts, his wife would be happy. Instead, she was giving him a pain filled look. He got up to his feet and went to say something when Khushi ran away from there.

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Khushi barely managed to close the door behind her before she curled up at one corner of the room. She remembered that Diwali night... that night had been a blessing and a curse for her. That night she had felt the joys of being in love, of being wanted. But that same night had managed to make her loose hope and faith in love. Her trust had been broken along with her fragile heart. Specially when Arnav had announced his engagement to Lavanya. Khushi never told anyone, but he was the reason she had said 'yes' to Buaji's proposal to marry Shyam. She just wanted to show him that she had moved on as well. That he was just as forgettable as he had made her feel that night. She cried for that girl who lost herself that night. She mourned for her love. She sobbed for not having him even when he was finally hers.

Arnav was questioned by their family when Khushi left abruptly like that from the dining room. Arnav wanted to tell then that he didn't know why she reacted like that but since Shyam was present there as well, he replied, "What's wrong with you? Couldn't you see her blushing cheeks? Kaal raat maine kuch badmashi kiya tha uske payel ke saath. To abhi naya payel dekhke sharma gayi," [I did something naughty with her last night that included anklets. That's why she reacted like that seeing a new pair.]

"Badmaash!" Nani shook her head at his comment. [Rogue!]

"Chhote! Hume nahi pata tha ki tum itne besharam bhi ho sakte ho?" [I had no idea you could be so shameless.] Anjali commented giggling. "Jao aur jake meri bhabhi ko manayo. Ye gifts bhi upar leke jao." she ordered. [Go and pacify my sister-in-law. And take these gifts up as well.]

Smiling roguishly, Arnav took the gifts and started heading upstairs. When he was out of everyone's view, his smile fell. He had realize why his wife had tears in her eyes when he made her wear those anklets. He had done the same thing during that Diwali night. That was a painful memory for him as well. It seemed to him that at the time Khushi had really loved him. "Was it my insults about her being poor that caused her to be so greedy that she decided to have an affair to a married man just for money? Or was it for revenge that she went after Shyam?" Arnav thought to himself with a frown.

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A/N:: Did you guys expect the family members' reaction?

Were you just as surprised as our Arshi by their reaction and reasonings?

To tell you the truth, I have no idea how this chapter ended up like this. It was supposed to be full if Arnav's anger, hatred, and misunderstanding. But My Arnav didn't do as I told him to do and the chapter turned out like this.