*Not edited.

Arnav could hear his wife's wails from outside the door of their bedroom. He didn't know why but her pain filled cries were tearing his soul in pieces. Taking a deep breath, Arnav opened the door and entered their bedroom. Silently, he placed all the gifts on one side of the bed and joined Khushi on the floor.

"Whatever happened that night... there was no fault of yours in it. I didn't want to fall in love with you. I hated that you made feel those things. I blamed you for making me feel those emotions. I... I'm sorry, Khushi. I regretted saying those things as soon as I had said them, but... My ego stopped me from apologizing." He shook his head, "When I got to know about your engagement, I was so jealous. You were going to become someone else's. That's why I kept on insulting you... to make you think that I was better than that guy... I never considered the affects of my words and actions. It's my fault that you've became like this. I promise I won't repeat my mistake. I accept you... however you are. Even if you're Money hungry now... I accept you." he told her reassuringly before gathering her in his arms. After giving her a tight hug, he left the room.

Khushi stared after him in confusion. "Hey Devi maiya, did this man go crazy? In one hand, he's apologizing to me for his monster like behavior, and on the other hand, he's insulting me by calling me greedy? And why did he say that he will accept me even if I'm greedy?" she asked her best friend in her mind. "Apko to pata hai na ki humne inse shaadi sirf humari maa aur papa ko bachane ke liye kiya hai? Inse to humne sirf humari parhai ka kharcha uthane ko kaha tha. Isme hum lalchi kaise huye? Kuch samajhme nahi ata hume iss Laad Governor ki." she huffed angrily. [You know I married him only to save my parents. I only asked him to pay for my education. How did I become greedy by that? I don't understand that Lord Governor.]

A few hours later at the lunch table, Nani told Khushi and Payal to get ready as it was the 'Muh dikhai' ritual that evening. Arnav cleared his throat and gave Payal a gift bag.

"This is for you, Payal." her told her.

Akash smiled. "Bhai ne khud design kiya hai ye lehenga Payal ke liye." he informed everyone. [Brother Arnav designed this himself for payal.]

Payal smiled as she was touched by his action. She opened the bag and found a gorgeous blue lehenga with matching jewelry inside. "Thank you, Arnavji. It's my favorite color." she said.

"Can't I do this much for my new sister?" he asked instead making everyone smile. He then turned to his wife who was standing behind him. "Aur ye tumhare liye." he said handing her a matching gift bag. [And this one is for you.]

"Kholiye na, Khushiji! Hume bhi dekhna hai ki Chhote ne apko kaunsi rang ka lehenga diya hai." Anjali pleaded. "Please hurrily open this, Khushi. I want to see which color lehenga Arnav gave you.]

Nodding, Khushi opened the gift bag and found a beautiful mastered yellow lehenga with a matching jewelry set. "Ye to humara favorite rang hai!" [It's my favorite color.] Khushi exclaimed in shock. She didn't know how her husband got to know about her favorite color.

"I know ki ye tumhara favorite color hai. Kal tumne meri favorite color pehna tha to isiliye aaj tumhara pasandida color leke aya hu." Arnav told her with a shrug like it was no big deal. [I knew it's your favorite color. You wore my favorite color yesterday so I brought you your favorite color.]

Khushi stared at her husband in wonder. This man was really surprising her with his actions. Even when he thought that she was a low, greedy woman, he continued to shower her with his version of love. The fact that he remembered her favorite color made her emotional.

"Mujhe thora kaam hai. Main study me rahunga. Meri zaroorat pari to bula lena." [I have some work. I'll be in the study. Call me if necessary.] Arnav told Khushi before he stood up from the couch. Cupping her face, he dropped an affectionate kiss on her forehead.

Then, he proceeded to head towards his study acting like it was completely normal for him to act like that. Like he did things like this all the time. Everyone present in the living room stared at the scene with their jaws dropped to the floor. They had never seen Arnav act so lovingly, that too in front of everyone.

/

/... /

/

Anjali helped Khushi and Payal to get ready for the Muh dekhai function. Both brides were looking gorgeous, but the happy newlywed glow was missing from Khushi's face. Payal had noticed it. She was suspicious that there was something more behind her younger sister's sudden marriage. She knew it was time to corner her sister once again to get this information.

Once all the guests had arrived, Khushi and Payal were taken downstairs. The ladies of the area started exchanging confused looks seeing two brides instead of one. "Ye kya hai, Devyani ji? Do do dulhan kaha se ayi? Koi game khelne ke liye hai kya?" [What is this, Devyani? Why is there two brides? Is this for some game?] asked one of the ladies.

Devyani Singh Raizada smiled. "Kal functions ke baad Chhote ne hume bataya ki wo Payal bitiya ke chhoti behen, Khushi bitiya se pyaar karti hai. To humne socha ki isse pehle wo apna mann badal de hum unki shaadi kardete hai. To kal raat ko hi humne panditji ko bulaya and Arnav aur Khushi bitiya ki shaadi karwa diya." she boasted like it was all her grand plan. [After the functions yesterday Arnav told us that he wanted to marry Khushi as they loved each other. After what happened last time, I thought I should get them married before he could change his mind. So, we called the priest last night and got them married.]

Khushi was surprised. She never expected Naniji to take the full blame on herself. But as Khushi glanced around the room, she realized that in doing so, Naniji had handled the situation flawlessly. All the society ladies started praising Naniji's cleverness to marry Arnav off. None of them had liked Lavanya and Arnav's live-in situation previously. Moreover, many of these ladies had seen Khushi during the pujas and havans had happened in Shantivan and liked her character and traditional view. Khushi was engulfed with love from all the society ladies. They praised her beauty like she was the winner of Ms. World challenge. Khushi was ready for their taunts, but not for their easy acceptance as she got invited to visit many of the ladies in the upcoming days. They all wanted Raizada bahus to come over for dinner at their place.

"Khushi bitiya, humne tumhe Payal aur Akash ki shaadi me nach te huye dekha tha. Aaj ek baar fir se apni kala dikhado, bitiya." requested one of nani's friends. [Khushi dear, we saw your dance during Payal and Akash's wedding. Can you give us another dance performance?]

Khushi glanced at Nani for permission who nodded in agreement with a smile. All the older ladies were pleased at her behavior. Khushi walked up to the music player while thinking what to song to dance on when she ears caught the sound of her payal.

She glanced down at her ankle where she had worn the gold anklets her husband had gifted her that morning. She smiled as the song came to her mind. Finding the song, she told JP to click the play button when she would indicate at him. She took her position in the middle of the living room and gestured towards JP. The music started playing.

Tune paayal jo chhankaayi

phir kyu aaya na harjaayi

o ho ho oh oh, o ho ho oh oh..(x2)

Khushi sat on and with music she started dancing with soft swift movements. It was playful and romantic at the same time.

Maine...

maine paayal hai chhankaayi

ab to aaja tu harjaayi..(x2)

She pulled up her lehenga's skirt and showed her anklets as she stepped on her toes to make sounds with her ghunrus with the music.

Meri saanson mein tu hai basa

o sajna, aaja na ab tarsa..(x2)

All the ladies were smiling, pleased with Khushi's dance and her choice of song.

Arnav, on the other hand, was worried for his wife. He didn't know how his nani's friends and other ladies might be treating his wife due to their sudden marriage. An hour after the function had started, he heard music playing. Confused, he followed the music and reached the living room. He was surprised to find all the ladies with smiles. Though it was his wife that mesmerized him. She was dancing like a forest fairy in the middle of the living room. All her movements were flawless, soft, and romantic somehow. The lyrics of the song made Arnav smile unknowingly.

Maine paayal hai chhankaayi

ab to aaja tu harjaayi

meri saanson mein tu hai basa

o sajna, aaja na ab tarsa..(x2)

[Imagine Khushi dancing like this. All the credit goes to the talented Kashika Sisodia.]

Without any conscious thought, he stepped close to her and took a hold of her hand. Startled to be interrupted like this, Khushi paused and their eyes met. It was like everyone vanished and only the two of them remained. They didn't say a word but they eyes confessed to everything they were feeling to each other. Arnav's possessive love and Khushi's self sacrificing love met each other and got submerged into one individual love. It was like their souls had come out of their bodies to make love.

They were startled out of their reveries when everyone started clapping. "Ye lo, agaye Khushi bitiya ki sajna!" said one of the ladies giggling. [And here comes Khushi's soulmate.]

"Arre, wo itne pyaar se bula rahi thi to kaise na ata?" said another lady. [Offo! She called him with so much love that he just had to come.]

Khushi pulled her wrist from Arnav's hand and started blushing, looking down. She hadn't expected him to come to her like that all of a sudden. The love and desire in his eyes had captured her for a moment and she forgot that a lot of people were present in the living room as well.

Arnav cleared his throat, embarrassed that he got caught acting like Romeo. "Main wo... pani... pani pine aya tha." he blurted out and hurried towards the kitchen to hide. [I... I came... I came for water.]

"Tumne bilkul sahi kiya jo inn dono ki kal raat ko hi shaadi karya diya. Dekho kitne bechain ho rahe hai ek dusre ke liye." said one of Nani's friend, giggling.

Finally, after having dinner and teasing the newly weds until they were at the risk of staying permanently red, all the guests left. Arnav sighed in relief and came out of the study room where he had gone back to hide.

/

/... /

/

Arnav entered his bedroom and found his wife sitting in front of the dressing table. She was removing her jewelries. Arnav stepped behind her and started helping her remove her heavy necklace. "Tumhe ye gehne pasand aye?" [Did you like these jewelry?] he asked before placing a kiss on Khushi's neck.

She gasped and looked up to meet his eyes in the mirror. "Ac-achhe the." she replied, flustered by his action. [They are nice.]

"Good. Aise bohot milenge I promise. Bas return me sirf tumhari loyalty mang raha hu." [You'll get more like this I promise if you stay loyal to me in return.] he pleaded as he stared at her through the mirror. "I swear main tumse pagalo ki tarha pyaar karunga. Agar chaho to meri sari property..." he was interrupted by Khushi. [I swear I'll love you like crazy. If you want I can write all my properties to you.]

"Mujhe sirf wo do chize chahiye ho maine shaadi se pehle aap se manga. Meri parhai aur apki surname. Mujhe aur kuch nehi chahiye." Khushi told him firmly. [I just want those two things I asked from you. My education and your surname. I don't need or want anything else.]

Arnav frowned. "Khushi, mujhe tumhe ye dene me koi problem nehi hai... par inke pichhe ka reason bataogi?" he asked as he started helping her unpin her dupatta. [Khushi, I have no problem giving you any of these. But can you tell me why only those two things?]

"Parhai wo daulat hai jo humse koi kabhi nehi chhin payega." [Education is a treasure that no one will ever be able to take from me.] Khushi told him, "Hum Lukhnow me ABC college ke second year business management me par rahe the, jab apki viral kiya uss video ne humari parhai chhutwa di." she explained. [I was a second year business management student in ABC college, Lucknow when your Viral video snatched me away from my education.]

Arnav froze as he realized what he had done. For a misunderstanding, he had ruined an innocent girl's life. "I'm sorry, jaan. Tumhe to pata hai na ki gusse me main kuch bhi kar deta hu." he apologized as tears rolled down his cheeks in regret. [You know me. I do stupid things when I'm angry.]

Khushi ignored him and stared into herself in the mirror. "Apki surname 'Singh Raizada' me wo takat hai jo 'Gupta' surname me nehi hai. Hume jo hasil karna hai uske liye hume ek powerful naam ki zaroorat thi jo ki apne hume hamse shaadi karke de di." she told him.

Arnav was puzzled by the determination he saw in her eyes in that moment. "Kya hasil karna hai tumhe jiske liye tumhe powerful banna parega?" he asked.

"Kaha tha na... ki aap humari bareme bohot kuch NAHI jante." she told him firmly before she went to the bathroom to change into his t-shirt and lounge pants that he had lent her the previous night.

Arnav was left completely confused. The image he had created in his mind didn't match with the image in front of him. It was like Shyam didn't even exist in Khushi's world nor does his money. But somehow his surname mattered. "Mere surname me aisa kya hai jo usse chahiye?" he asked himself.

Deep in thought, he got the empty jug and headed out to get water. On his way, he bumped into Manorama. "Arre Arnav bitwa, wherez goingz aise bine dekhe?" she asked affectionately.

"Paani lane jaa raha tha,mami. Aap abhi tak soyi nehi? Apki beauty sleep ka time hogaya hoga na?" he inquired.

"Hum to apna favoritez serial dekhat rahi. Now I'm goingz." she told him grinning.

Nodding his head with a smile he started passing by when he stopped suddenly. "Mami?" he called out.

"Haa, bitwa?"

"Raizada surname honeka kya kya faida hai? Wo mujhe office ki ek project ke liye janna tha." he told her.

"Raizada naam ka matbal hai prestige... power. Tumhare karan Raizada naam ko richest surname mana jawat hai. Kahi bhi jakar bas ye boldo that you're from Raizada familyz, aur wo tumhe royalz ki tarha treat karat hai." Manorama explained.

"Thanks, mami." Arnav told her before heading down to the kitchen. His mind was turning faster than an express train, still he wasn't being able to calculate what his wife wanted to do exactly. "Khushi, akher kar tum kya hasil karna chahti ho jise pane ke liye tumhe bohot educated aur powerful naam ki zaroorat paregi?" he asked himself. "Both of these things are contrasting with each other. Kuch samajhme nehi aaraha hai." he grumbled with a sigh.

/

/

/

Next morning, Khushi's sleep broke from the sound of water running. She sat up and rubbed her eyes to wake up completely. She glanced at the wall clock and saw that it was 6.30 am already. She fixed their bed when she heard the bathroom door open. She turned to say something when she brain short circuited.

Arnav had come out of the bathroom only wearing his pants. His upper body was still wet from shower. His was busy rubbing his wet hair with a towel so at first he didn't notice her reaction. Once he was done drying his hair, he threw the towel on the recliner and looked up to find his wife completely lost in his body. He followed her view and saw that she was tracing a drop of water with her eyes very thirstily. Smirking, he stepped close to her and whispered, "You can take a lick if you want."

Khushi bit down on her lower lip and placed her hand in the middle of his chest. Arnav was NOT prepared for her touch. His sharp inhale broke Khushi out of her daydream as well. She looked up and started stammering, "Nahi, hum apko nahi dekh rahe the!"

"I know tum kya kar rahi thi, jaan." Arnav told her with an amused smirk. "Waise I didn't mind." he told her with a wink before he went to put on his shirt. "Aaj tumhari pah phera hai na?" he asked.

"Ji." Khushi replied after she was done cursing herself for ogling him so openly.

"Maine tumhare liye kapre aur gehne arrange karke rakkha hai yaha par." he informed her.

Khushi placed her hands on her hips and asked, "Apne kya meri personal stylist ki naukri join karli hai? Har din naye kapro ke saath milte hai?"

"Fashion king honeka koi to faida hona chahiye na mere biwi ko?" he replied playfully.

Khushi made faces at him before approaching him to see what he chose for her that day. She saw that Arnav had selected the yellow & pink saree that Anjali had gifted her the previous day. A matching heavy work gold necklace set was also kept beside it. There was a matching pink blouse with heavy gold work in both arms. Khushi raised her eyebrow at her husband in silent question when she noticed that this blouse also had deep neck and was backless as well. It also had infitted bra like the other blouse.

"I didn't want to embarrass you by selecting your underwear as well. I designed these types of blouses for you because you look really... hot in them." he replied shamelessly.

"HAAWWW... apne hume pehle kab aise blouse me dekha hai?!" she questioned indignantly.

"Mere sapno me." He replied with a roguish grin.

"Besharam admi kahika! Aap hume lekar ye sab sochte the?" Khushi asked in disbelieve.

Arnav didn't reply, just raised his eyebrow. "Cupboard me different colors ke issi design ke blouses hai. Apne saree yo ke saath match karke pehenna." he told her before pushing her towards the bathroom. "Ab klya mujhe hi dekhti rahogi? Maike nehi jana hai kya? Jake naha lo." he told her, dropping a kiss on top of her head.

Pouting that she didn't get to scold him properly, Khushi went to the bathroom. Just as she was about to close the door, she heard her husband say, "Waise Khushi, we should really go out to shop for your underwear someday." Gasping in shock, she slammed the door shut.

"Bas kiziye ab!" she whined from inside.

"Tumhara size 34 C hai na?" Arnav asked from outside with a naughty smirk on his face.

"ARNAVJI !" Khushi shrieked in answer making Arnav snicker.

/ ... /

Khushi was pleating her pallu when Arnav barged inside. With a gasp Khushi looked up and saw that his gaze was caught on her figure, his eyes raking up and down her body. That's when she noticed that in her shock she had let go off the pallu and her midriff was completely visible to Arnav. She quickly covered her midriff as he crossed the threshold of the room and closed the door behind him.

Coming close to her, he grabbed her by her waits and pulled her against his chest. Khushi's breath caught when her softness brushed against his hard body. Her pulse roared in her ears. Her hands trembled as she tried to push him back a little. "Ar-Arnavji!" she called out blushing.

"Looking gorgeous, jaan." he whispered as he watched her intently.

"Apko k-kuch chaiye tha kya?" she asked, unable to form her sentences completely from his close proximity.

"Main tumhe kuch dena bhool gaya tha. Wohi dene aya tha. But what a great timing, huh! I got to see my beautiful wife." he told her before placing a kiss on the corner of her lips. Heat spread like wildfire in her veins.

"Arnavji, chhoriye hume." she requested, pouting.

Not wanting to tease her more, he let her go and made her sit on the bed. "Ye lo." he said handing her a box.

Khushi looked at the box and realized that it was a bangle box like the one he had given her during Payal and Akash's haldi. "Churiya!" she exclaimed with a excited smile as she opened the box. There were a set of gold and magenta bangles for both hands. "Ye to bohot khudshurat hai! Thank you!" she told him.

Her smile had stunned Arnav. In the last three days, he had given her more than 20 lakh worth of jewelry, but he didn't get much of a reaction from her. But here she was smiling like he had given her the world just because he got her some cheap bangles. "Kya tumhe sach me mere paiso se pyaar hai? Agar nahi to... Khush, you're such a contradiction. Tum mujhe bilkul samajhme nahi ati." he thought to himself as he smiled down at her.

His eye fell on Khushi's forehead and realized that she hadn't applied sindoor. Arnav turned and took the small gold box from the dressing table and took a pinch of the red powder. Turning around, he filled Khushi's partition. Startled by his action, she looked up with wide eyes.

"Ab tum lag rahi ho... Mrs. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada." he told her possessively. "Waise tumne bataya nehi tum kaha parna chahti ho? Kaun kaun si college ki forms leke ayu tumhare liye?" he asked.

"Arnavji, hum ek Criminal defence lawyer banna chahte hai. Iske liye hume law me bachelors parna hoga. Par hum Delhi ke colleges ko thik se jante nehi. Kya aap thori jach partal karke humari madat karenge, please?" she requested. "Oh... aur hum English ki course bhi karna chahte hai." she added, shyly.

"No problem. Main Arman se baat karke saab arrange karwa dunga." He told her before cupping her face and placing a kiss on her forehead. "Jaldi se niche aajao. Sab intezaar kar rahe hai." he said before leaving the room.

Khushi stared after him. "Kitne haq se apna pyaar jatate ho aap, Arnav ji. Hum khudko kaise roke apke aur paas ane se?" she said with a sigh.

/

/ ... /

/

Khushi served Arnav first before serving anyone else. She had decided that even if she had married him for his name, she would never let him have any complaints. She would complete all her responsibilities of being his wife and the daughter-in-law of this house. She knew that to be a lawyer, she would need to study for at least next several years and then a few more years to practice. She just prayed that her parents would be alive by the time she gets ready to protect them. But till then, she would enjoy her family life as her parents would want that for her.

Arnav grabbed her hand and gestured towards the chair beside him. "Baitho aur khana khao. Hari Prakash serve kar dega. Payal, tum bhi baitho." he ordered.

"Chhote, sehi kahat rahe. Aap dono humari bahu hai. Aap dono ko hum sabki saath baithke khana khana chahiye." Nani told her grand daughter-in-laws. Nodding, Khushi and Payal took their seats.

Soon after the breakfast, everyone gathered in the living room to wait for Buaji who was coming to get Khushi and Payal for their Pag phera.

"Jiji, kya Buaji hume saath me leke jayenge?" Khushi whispered to her sister as she didn't know what to expect of her aunt.

"Tu chinta mat kar. Humari baat ho chuki hai Amma se. Buaji tujhe bhi lene aarahe hai. Wo naraz zaroor hai tujhse par itna bhi nahi." Payal gave her sister an assuring smile.

The door bell rang. The sisters exchanged an excited and expectant look. HP opened the door and let Buaji in. Raizada family greeted her with pleasant smiles. Akasha greeted her by taking her blessing. Arnav was standing in one side when he was pushed forward to do the same by Anjali. Frowning darkly at his older sister, Arnav approached Buaji and took her blessing.

"Jite raho, Babuya. Uss Parmeshwari ne kahi jyada pareshan to nahi kiya tumka?" Buaji inquired causing Arnav to throw Khushi an amused look.

"Buaji, aap aise kaise bol sakti hai?" Khushi protested.

"Tu chup kar aur aake pao chhu humari." Buaji told her sternly.

Making a face, Khushi came and touched her aunt's feet. "Kitna gussa ho aap humse?" she asked tentatively. [How angry are you with me exactly?]

"Ghar chal fir batayenge." Buaji replied raising her eyebrow. [I'll tell you about it when we reach home.]

Arnav had to bite hard on his lips to control his laughter at his wife's nervous expression. It was clear that their families weren't seriously angry so they had nothing to worry about. All they would need to do was to butter them up a little and their families would be good as before.

Payal also came to Buaji and took her blessing. Then they all sat and chatted for a while. "Maaji, ab humka chal na chahiye. Garima aur Shashi babuya intezaar kar rahe honge." Buaji said to Naniji. [WE should go now. Garima and Shashi must be waiting for us.]

"Haa, Madhumati ji. Kyu nahi?" Nani rpelied with a smile.

They were about to get up when the door bell rang again. Confused who it might be, everyone looked at the door. The intercom rang as HP headed to open the door.

"Hello?" Arnav said receiving the call.

"Sir, abhi army ke kuch officers mansion me entry liya hai. Unke pas IDs the to hume entry deni pari." Informed the gatekeeper.

"Okay." Arnav replied with a frown and hung up. He couldn't think of any reason for which Army officers would need to visit his house.

HP opened the door to reveal four fit & smart looking men and two beautiful women. They all seemed to be in their 40s. Arnav was about to step towards them when his wife squealed loudly and ran towards them.

"Mamaji!" Khushi shrieked happily and ran up to Alekh to hug him. She literally jumped in his arms. Laughing, he hugged her back tightly.

"Arre o Chhoti Phoolan, tere chacha ko bhi hello bol de." said another man with a teasing smile. [Hey our Little bandit queen, at least say hello to your paternal uncle as well.]

"Chacha?" Arnav asked Payal with a confused look who shrugged in return. [Paternal uncle?]

One of the older ladies smiled as Khushi was soon surrounded by rest of her uncles and aunt and approached the Raizadas. "Namaste! Main Dr. Major Shalini Sahani hu... Khushi ki mami. Ye saab Khushi ke biological maa ki dost aur batchmates hai." [Hello! I'm Dr. Major Shalini Sahani... Khushi's uncle's wife. These are her biological mother's best friends and batchmates.] she introduced herself.

"Jab hume pata chala ki Khushi ne yu achanak shaadi karli to hum saab usse aur uske pati se milne chale aye. Hume bhi to pata chale ki humari bachchi ne kaise insaan ko apna jiwan saathi ke roop me chuna hai. Wo kya hai na... Khushi ke papa meri bohot achhe dost the aur unki gair maujudgi me unki amanat ki raksha karna humari farz hai." [Actually, when we got to know about her marriage, we decided to come over to meet her and her new husband. After all, we wanted to know what kind of man she chose for herself. Khushi's father was my best friend and in his absence, it's our job to protect and took after her.] even though she had a smile on her face when she said these, the hard look in her eyes was not missed by Arnav.

He stepped forward and introduced himself, "I'm Arnav Singh Raizada... Khushi's husband."

"Pao nahi chhuyenge, damadji?" Shalini asked with a teasing smile on her face. [Won't you touch my feet, Mr. Son-in-law?]

Khushi returned with rest of her uncles and aunts. She had a huge smile on her face. "Hume maaf kar diziye, Naniji. Hum bhool gaye the ki ye log anewale the." she told Naniji with sheepish smile.

"Koi baat nehi, bitiya." Nani assured her.

"Buaji, hum jab Chhattisgarh gaye the na to hum Alekh mamaji se hi milne gaye the. " she said introducing Alekh. "Ye Ali mamaji, Yudi mamaji, Huda chachji aur ye Pooja maasi hai." she added as she excitedly pointed at each individual person. "Aur ye.." she turned to Shalini who interrupted her with a smile.

"Maine apna introduction de diya hai, bachcha." Shalini told her, patting Khushi's head.

"Madhumati ji, agar apko bura naa lage to Khushi ko hum humare ghar leke jana chahte hai uske pag phere ki rasam ke liye. Kaal subha hum khud usse Gupta house drop kar denge. Khushi ke pati kaal shaam ko apki ghar se Khushi ko pick up kar lega." Ali placed his offer very politely.

"Aur nehi to kya? Hume bhi humare naya handset ko bohot sare purane notifications aur texts deni hai." Puja added with a grin.

"Handset?!" Anjali asked in confusion.

"Panjaban ki kehne ki matlab hai ki hume humari Chhoti Phoolan se bohot sari baate karni hai aur purani yadeein chaza karni hai." Huda clarified.

"H-Ha thik hai. Agar ye Sankadevi aap logon ke saath janeko taiyar hai to humka koi samasya nahi hai. Hum Garima ko humbhal lenge." Buaji told them.

"Arre nehi nehi! Hume Sanka devi nehi, Khushi ko ghar leke jana hai." Yudi protested.

"'Sankadevi' Khushi ka hi nick name hai." Arnbav told him.

"Chhutki, tune apne sasural walo se nehi milvaya." Alekh reminded his overexcited niece gently.

"Ye Naniji hai... humari nani saas. Ye Anjaliji hai... humari nanad. Ye Mami ji aur mama ji... humari saas aur sasur. Ye humari jiji hai. Aur Ye Akash ji hai... humari jijaji." Khushi introduced.

"Aur devar bhi." Arnav added possessively as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "Jaan, tum to meri introduction dena bhool hi gayi." he teased his wife.

Khushi pouted at his teasing. "Ye Arnav ji hai... humare... wo." she blushed.

"Wo kaun?" Yudi asked, puzzled.

"Wo matlab uski pati. Tum bhi na, Yudi!" Shalini clarified, amused.

"We should spend some time together, Mr. Raizada. Wo kya hai na maine bohot kuch suna hai tumhare bareme... and the truth is I'm not pleased. To mujhe lagta hai ki we should get to know each other better. Pata to chale ki tum humari beti ke layek ho bhi ya nehi." Alekh told Arnav sternly.

For the first time in his life, Arnav felt nervous. He glanced at his wife who had a guilty look on her face. It was clear that she had shared how much Arnav had troubled her to her uncle very candidly. "Yeah sure. Whenever you say!" Arnav told Alekh boldly.

Alekh nodded at him before turning to Devyani, "Maaji, hum ab chalte hai." He said folding his hands.

"Zaroor." Nani told them.

"Mamaji, hum abhi ate hai. Humara phone upar hi reh gaya." Khushi told him before running upstairs.

"Aap sab khare kyu hai? Please have a seat." Anjali told them. With a nod, everyone sat down as they waited for Khushi.

Payal came from the kitchen with Prakash brothers and served everyone tea and snacks. "Ji, hume kuch puchhna tha. Wo... Khushi ne bataya tha ki sirf use ek mama aur unke patni yaha Delhi me posted hai. To fir aap sab saath me kaise?" Payal inquired curiously. Arnav narrowed his eyes at the information and leaned forward.

"We were. Alekh Chhatisgarh me, Huda Ladhakh me, aur Main aur Shalini ma'am Rajsthan me posted the. But uss din jab Chief ne hume Khushi ke bareme bataya to hum sab usse milne ke liye betab the. Usi waqt Ali ne Khushi ke protection ke liye ek bodyguard appoint kiye. He was suppposed to be discreat so that she doesn't know about him and get stressed." Yudi explained.

"Fir hume parsu raat ko achanak unka phone aya aur unhone bataya ki Khushi ne shaadi karli... kisi mandir me. Humne fauran Huda bhai, Yudi bhai, aur Alekh bhai ko inform ki iss baremen." Ali added to the story.

"Apna Kaidi to usi waqt sab kuch chhor chhar ke Delhi aneko taiyar tha. Par maine usse kaha ki main Chhoti Phoolan se khud baat karunga aur iss matter is bottom tak jayunga. Khushi se baat karke main relax huya ke wo koi musibbat me nahi hai. Aur sabko batay. Fir hum official notice deke char din ki chhutti leke yaha ageya... Usool ke ghar." Huda explained the rest.

"Oh... to wo apka admi tha mandir ke bahar? Main thora confused tha uske panic karta huya dekhke." Arnav told them.

"Bhai sahab, apne abhi 'Kaidi' kise kaha?" Buaji asked.

Huda gave Alekh a sheepish smile who glared at him in return. "Army me jane se pehle main Jail me tha." Alekh answered Madhumati. His face and tone were blank as if he was stating the weather.

Manorama gasped. "Hello Hi Bye Bye! jail ma?"

"Main ek pocketmaar tha. Jo har kuch dino me jail jata tha pakre jane ki waza se. To mera Jailer mujhe Army me bhej diya... ye kehkar ki jake kuch achha karu apne life ke saath." Alekh shared his backstory.

"Unhone bohot achha kiya. Warna aaj aap ek respected army officer thori hote." Naniji told him with a kind smile.

"Waise, Huda ji, apne Khushiji ko 'Chhoti Phoolan' kyu kaha?" Anjali asked curiously.

Huda grinned. "Wo kya hai na Khushi ki maa, Naina kisi Phoolan devi se kam nehi thi. To maine uska naam diya tha 'Phoolan'. Ab Khushi uski beti hai to 'Chhoti Phoolan' naam rakh diya." he informed with a flirty wink.

"That's okay. Khushi ka aur bohot sari nick name hai." Arnav told everyone when he noticed Khushi coming back. With a teasing smile, he continued, "Jaise ki 'Sanka devi', 'Parmeshwari', 'Titliya', 'Afat', 'Chamkili', and so on." he said.

"Hawww... Arnavji!" Khushi, who heard him cleary, shouted at him. "Aap humari izzat ki dhachiya ki kyu ura rahe hai?" she asked as she ran up to the couch where he was sitting.

"Babuya ne galat thori kaha. Tumra no aise bohot sare naam hai." Buaji told her as well, laughing.

"Aap sab humara mazak ura rahe hai? Ye to ramanchi hai!" Khushi pouted, folding her arms over her chest.

"Kaunsa manchi?" Yudi asked.

"Ramanchi ka matlab hai Cheating." Ali explained.

"Hum sab to ab yaha se log out karna chahiye." Pooja said as she got up seeing that Khushi had got her purse.

"Log out?" Payal asked, confused.

"Inka matlab hai ki hume ab chalna chahiye. Aap sab se milke hume bohot khushi huyi." Ali told them as the rest of them got up. After formally saying their byes, Khushi and Payal left for their maikas.

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A/N::: Hope you enjoyed.