*Not edited.
The whole journey to Ali and Puja's house was filled with chatter. Everyone was super surprised with how much Khushi could speak. Her cheerful nature brought honest smiles in Super six after many long years. Khushi grinned excitedly when their microbus stopped in front of a small two story bungalow. Pooja and Shalini hurried in as they wanted to do Khushi's aarti.
"Mamiji? Maasiji? Ye aarti kyu?" Khushi asked. [Auntie, why this aarti?]
"Kyu ki ghar ki beti pehli bar ghar aarahi hai." Shalini answered cupping her face. [Because our child is coming to her home for the first time.]
"Aur nehi to kya. Meri Veer aur Zaara ki simcard ghar arahi hai. Aise kaise uski aarti na karu?" Pooja added. [Absolutely. After all, my Veer- Zaara's daughter is coming home. Why won't there be aarti?]
Khushi giggled. "Maa ne likkha tha ki aap unhe aur papa ko Veer aur Zaara kehke bulati ho." [Mom had written in her letter that you address my parents as Veer and Zaara.] she told Pooja. "Kya papa sach me sharmate the tab?" [Did my father really use to blush when you called him that?] she asked with child like curiosity.
"Arre, wo kya nazare hote the!" [What sight that used to be!] Pooja giggled recalling how Rajveer used to blush whenever his cadets referred to his and Naina's romantic relationship. "Unke gaal to ghanto tak laal rehti thi." [His cheeks used to stay red for hours.] she added with a wink, making Khushi laugh as well.
"Pooja ji, aap bhi na! Bachchi ke samne kuch bol rahi ho!" [Pooja, you're too much! What are you saying in front of the kid?] Ali scolded, blushing on behalf of their respected teacher.
"Arre kyu nahi bolegi? Khushi ki nahi bataya to usse pata kaise chalega Captain ke bereme?" [Why can't she tell this to Khushi? If we don't tell her about him, then how would she get to know about him?] Shalini joined in the argument.
"Guys, can we PLEASE have this argument / discussion inside the house?" Yudi pleaded.
"Right." Shalini face-palmed as she had forgotten to do the aarti.
They did Khushi's aarti. Khushi's eyes watered as she imagine what it would've been like if her parents hadn't got caught in that trap and were able to be together. They would've brought Khushi from the hospital and they would've been welcomed by their friends just like this.
Alekh had his eyes on her. He noticed the instant her reaction changed. Seeing the tears in her eyes, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Apun ki chhutki ke ankhon me apun ko ansu nehi pasand. Samjhi tu?" he told her. [ I don't like seeing tears in my little one's eyes. You get that?]
"Pata nahi wo dono kaise honge. Jab tak hum uss mokam tak pohchenge jaha hum unhe bacha sake tab tak kahi bohot der na ho jaye." Khushi shared her fears with her mama. [I have no idea how they are. By the time I'm in the position to help them, I hope it's not too late.]
"Rajveer sir kehte the ki... jab tak saas baki rehti hai jeet ki umeed baki rehti hai. Aur jab tak umeed baki hai, tab tak ek sipahi apna jung nahi chodrta. Hum sab issi umeed me ji rahe hai ki EK DIN hum sir aur Naina ko zinda aur sehi salamat wapas le ayenge." Alekh told her. [Rajveer sir used to say... there's hope left as long their breath left. And as long as there's hope, a soldier doesn't stop fighting. All these years, the hope that we will save Rajveer sir and Naina one day and bring them back safe and sound is what's keeping us all going.]
Determined, Khushi wiped away her tears. "Haa, mamaji. Hum unhe wapas lake rahenge." she vowed. [Yes, uncle. We WILL get them back.]
"Oye tum mama- bhanji ka milap hogaya ho to humse bhi thori baate karlo." Huda said with a teasing smile. [If you niece and uncle pair are done chattiong privately, please chat with us as well.]
"Kitna jalta hai tu!" Alekh remarked as he joined rest of his friends. [Jealous!]
Smiling at their banter, Khushi walked up to the wall where Pooja and Ali had hung tons of photos. Khushi found her mother in group photos, separate photos of her father with the rest of the group, and a few photos of her parents together along with family photos. There were photos of everyone. Khushi had to suppress her gasp when she found her own photo that Alekh had taken with her in Chhattisgarh in between the photo frames as well. "Humari taswir bhi hai?" She asked, excited. [My photo is here too?]
"Yaha humari sabhi bachcho ki photo hai... to tumhari bhi to ho na hi tha." Ali told her affectionately. [All of our children's photos are here. Obviously, your one will also be here.]
Smiling through tears, Khushi hugged him. "Shukriya mamaji." she said. [Thanks, uncle.]
"Khushi, ake baith yaha par aur hume bata ye chakkar kya hai? Tune u achanak shaadi kyu karli?" Huda asked bluntly. [Khushi, come, sit here and tell us about this matter. Why did you get married so suddenly?]
Khushi hesitated. She didn't want her uncles and aunts to think negatively about her husband. "Hum jante hai ki hum ne kaha tha ki wo bohot gussail hai, akru hai, aur bilkul rakshas jaise hai... par Jiji ke shaadi ke dauran.." [I know I said that he's really short tempered, rude, and acts like a monster... but during my sister's wedsing...] she blushed, "Hume ek dusre se pyaar hogaya."[We fell in love with each other.] she confessed what she had been hiding in her heart. She also didn't want her uncles and aunts to know why she married Arnav in case they end up telling her parents.
"Haye... Kitna cute pink wallpaper lagaya hai!" [Aww... what a cute pink wallpaper she applied!] Pooja cooed before taking kissing Khushi on the forehead.
"Chhutki, plan kya socha hai? Apne maa aur baba ko kaise bachayegi?" Alekh asked. [Little one, what have you thought? How are you going to save your parents?]
"Pehle to hume lagta hai ki... hum sab ko iss tarha se fir nahi milna chahiye. Kahi wo shaitan aap logo per nazar rakh raha ho to usse humari bareme bhi pata lag sakta hai. To apratyashit akraman ka chance hi chala jayega." [First of all, I don't think we should meet like this again. If that devil is keeping an eye on you guys, he might get to know about me. Then we won't be able to surprise attack.] Khushi shared her thoguhts.
"Apra.. what?" Yudi asked.
"Khushi ka matlab hai Surprise attack." Ali clarified. [She means Surprise attack.]
"Ye Chhoti Phoolan sehi bola rahi hai, yaar. Usse milne ki excitement me hum ye point to bhul hi gaye the." Huda stated worriedly. [Our little bandit queen is right. In our excitement to meet her, we forgot about this.]
Alekh had slight smirk on his face. "Tum sabne ek chiz dekha?" he asked. [Did you guys notice something?]
"Kya, Alekh?" Pooja asked. [What, Alekh?]
"Yehi ke Khushi ne abhi sabit kar diya ki wo apun ke Rajveer ke beti hai... ek master strategist ki beti." Alekh answered proudly. [She just proved that she's our Rajveer sir's daughter... a master strategist's daughter.]
"Oh to hai." Shalini said smiling. [That's right.]
"Guys, I think we all should get untraceable phones to contact Khushi. We have to keep her away from Lala's radar." Yudi pointed out.
"Untraceable phones? YES!" Pooja shouted excitedly, "I have some with me. Wo pichle mission ke liye khareeda tha." [I bought them during my last mission.] she said before running upstairs. Soon, she returned and handed the first phone to Khushi. "Ye phone humari pyaar guriya ke liye." [This phone is for our beautiful doll.] she said cupping Khushi, "Isse tu hume jab bhi mann chahe contact kar sakti hai. Koi bahar wala isse trace nehi kar payega. Isme na ek tracker installed hai jo tere Yudi mama ne banaya tha. It's un-hackable. Iss phone ko hamesha apne saath rakhna... chhipake. Agar tu kabhi kisi musibbat me hogi to hum tujhe dhund payenge." [We can contact us with this. No outsider would be able to hack into this. The tracker inside this was made by your uncle Yudi and only he will be able to access it. So, it's completely un-hackable from outside. If you're ever in any trouble, we would be able to find your through this phone.] she explained before turning to others. "Ye rahe tum sab ki phones." [Here's the rest of your phones.] she said giving each one a phone.
"Waise Khushi, what have you thought? Kya karne ki planning hai?" Yudi asked. [What are you planning?]
"Hum apni parhai continue karenge... Hume ek Criminal defense lawyer banna hai. Aur humare pehli case hogi Captain Naveen's case jo humari madat karegi Captain Rajveer Singh Shikhawat ko unki wardi wapas dilane ki aur unhe bekasur sabit karne ki." Khushi replied firmly. [I plan on continuing my studies... I plan on becoming a Criminal defense lawyer. And my first case would be Captain Naveen's case which will help us return Captain Rajveer Singh Shikhawat his uniform and honor and prove him innocence.]
"Tu age bar, bachcha. Sare sabut jutane ki zimmedari humari. Iss bar zaroorat pari to jaan laga denge lekin sir ji aur Phoolan ko hum sehi salamat wapas lakar rahenge." Huda stated, determined. [Go ahead, kiddo. We'll gather all the proof. We will keep out lives on line this time if this gets our Rajveer sir and Bandit queen back safe and sound.]
"Kya aap logo ko pata hai wo Red box kaha hai jisme Lala aur Nair ke khilap sabut tha?" [Do you guys know where that red box is which contained proofs against Lala and Nair?] Khushi asked. "Agar hume wo mil jaye to Lala ko fasana asan hoga." [If we find that, it will be easy to trap Lala.]
"Apun ko Naina ne bataya tha ki uss box ko usne chhipaya tha. Aur uska location usne tujhe diya hai. Tu apni maa ki letter ko fir se par. Shayed usne wahi kuch likkha hoga. Chhutki, after you're done finding that information, tu apni parhai pe aur apni pati par dhyan degi, tab tak apun uss Lala ki aant ki taiyari karte hai." Alekh told her. [Naina told me once that she had hidden that box. And she gave the location of that box to you. I think you should check our mother's letter again. I'm sure she wrote something in there. Little one, after you're done finding that information, you will pay attention to your husband and studies only. Till then we will prepare for Lala's end.]
"Achha ye sab chhoro. Khushi, jab hume pata chala tune shaadi karli to hum sabne milke tumhare liye kuch chize kharidi. Abhi lati hu." [Anyways, forget all these for now. Khushi, we found out about your marriage, we bought a few things for you. I'll bring them now.] Shalini told her before hurrying to the guest room where Yudi and she had been staying. She came back with a lots of shopping bags. "Ye sareeya maine aur Pooja ne tumhare liye kharide hai." she said handing the bag over to Khushi. [Pooja and I bought these sarees for you.]
"Haa. Humne to mera Veer ka favorite rang saree bhi liya hai... wo bhi do." Pooja added excitedly. [Yes, we even bought two of my Veer's favorite color sarees.]
"Papa ka pasandida rang kaunsa tha?" Khushi asked, eager for any information about her father. [What was my father's favorite color?]
"Laal rang aur kya? Apni Phoolan ko pehli bar unhone usi rang ki saree me jo dekha tha." Huda informed, laughing. [Red color. After all, when he first saw our Bandit queen in a saree, she was wearing red.]
"Kash hum unka chehra dekh pate ke unka kya reaction tha maa ko dekh kar." Khushi giggled. [I wish I could see his reaction when he saw her in a saree.]
After that they spent hours upon hours chatting about their academy days and about the days when they spent in hiding with Rajveer. They shared how Rajveer would cook them yummy foods and try to teach them. Only Alekh ended up learning. The rest of them still burned water whenever they try to cook.
/
/
/
Arnav was irritated. It was well after 10 pm. He had returned from office a few minutes ago. Since Khushi wasn't home, he thought of going to ARD to check on things. He had expected his wife to call him at least once, but it seemed she had completely forgotten about him. He paced around the room as he stared at his phone angrily.
"Pata hai Maike gayi hai apna par ek bar to phone kar na chahiye tha na?" he grumbled under his breath. [I understand that she went to her maternal home, but she could've called me once.]
A knock on the door startled him out of his thoughts. The door opened and Anjali entered the room with a smile on her face. "Chhote, Khushiji ka phone aya tha. Kaha ki main dhyan se tumhe khana khila du." [Arnav, Khushi called. She told me to make sure that you've eaten.] she told him with a teasing smile as she placed his dinner on the coffee table.
"Usne apko phone kiya? Mujhe kyu nehi kiya? Unbelievable!" Arnav huffed angrily. [She called you and not me?]
Anjali giggled. "Aww... mere Chhote itna miss kar raha hai apni patni ko? Itna pyaar karte ho tum unse?" she asled cupping his face. [Aww my little brother is missing her? Do you love her that much?]
A reluctant smile bloomed on Arnav's face. "Bohot pyaar karta hu main usse, Di... Kisi ko bhi kabhi bhi main usse mujhse chhinne nehi dunga." he stated, determined. [Yes, I love her a lot, sis. I won't let anyone take her away from me.]
Anajali was puzzled. "Ab to wo humesha ke liye tumhare hogayi hai. To koi kaise usse tumse chhin sakta hai?" [She's your now forever. How will someone snatch her away from you?] she assured her brother lovingly. "Chalo ab khana kaa lo. Tumhe apni medicines bhi to leni hai." [Now eat your dinner. You have to take your medicine as well.] she said as she pushed him to the recliner.
After he was done with his dinner and changed into his night clothes, he went to the bed. But sleep was far from his eyes. In last two days he got used to sleeping beside his Khushi. Now the bed felt empty. Finally, he had had enough. Putting his ego aside, he picked up his phone and called his wife.
"Hello, Arnavji?" Khushi answered.
"Arre wah! Tumhe yaad hai mera naam?" Arnav greeted sarcastically. [Wow! You remember my name?]
"Laad Governor ke naam koi bhul sakta hai bhala?" [Can anyone forget Lord Governor's name?] Khushi replied with equal amount of sarcasm. "Kyu phone kya? Koi file chahiye thi?" she asked. [Why did you call? Are you looking for some file?]
"Kya main sirf files ke liye hi tumhe phone kar sakta hu? Pati hu tumhara! Khud to phone kiya nahi. Ab main kar raha hu to isme bhi problem?" Arnav complained with a scowl. [Do I only call you for files? I'm your husband! You didn't call me. And now that I'm calling, you've a problem there too?]
"Achha, sorry. Main apko disturb nahi karna chahti thi jab mujhe pata chala ki aap office gaye hai. Do din ghar pe the to bohot sara kaam hoga na? Apne khana khaa liya na? Aur apki dawai?" Khushi asked. [Okay, sorry. I didn't want to disturb you when I learned that you went to office today. You were home last two days, so there must've been a lot of work, right? Did you have your dinner? And your meds?]
"Haa... din bohot hectic tha. Maine abhi thori der pehla khana khaya aur medicine bhi." [Yes, it was a hectic day. I just ate and took my medicine.] he replied, pouting like a little boy whose mother wasn't giving him attention. "Tumhe meri yaad nahi aya kya? Ek bar to phone kar sakti thi na?" he complained. [Didn't you miss me? You could've called at least once.]
Khushi blushed. His love and need for her was making the butterflies in her stomach flutter widely. "Wo, humare sare mamaji, chachaji, maasiji, aur mamiji se hum humare maa aur papa ki bareme sun rahe the na. To waqt kab bit gaya dhyan hi nahi tha." she explained. [Actually, all my uncles and aunts were telling me about my parents. So, I didn't notice when the time passed by.]
"Tum kitni saal ki thi jab tumhare mummy aur papa iss duniya se chale gaye?" [How old were you when your parents passed away?] Arnav asked as Khushi had once told him that her parents had died and became stars.
"Nahi, Arnavji. Wo humari galat fehmi thi. Humari bisswi janam din par hume pata chala ki humare maa aur papa dono hi zinda hai... sehi salamat na sehi lekin dono aaj bhi zinda hai." Khushi told him firmly as tears gathered in her eyes. [No, Arnav. It was my misconception. On my twentieth birthday, I learned that both of my parents are alive... they're not safe, but they are still alive.]
Frowning, Arnav sat up. He remembered Khushi's Buaji had told him something like this when Khushi went to meet her uncle. "Kya koi sabut hai ki..." he trailed of as he heard her sniff. [What proof do you have that...]
"Haa hai." [Yes, there is.] Khushi replied, "Khair... apko to batanahi bhul gayi thi. Huda chachaji apke liye ek taufa laye hai apne gao se. Humne dekha hai aur hume to bohot pasand aya hai." she told him. [Anyways... I forgot to tell you that my paternal uncle brought a gift for you from his village. I saw it and I loved it.]
Realizing that she didn't want to share more about her parents, Arnav allowed her to change the topic. "Achha? To fir I can't wait to see it." he told her.
"Abhi hum rakhte hai. Hume inn sab se bohot sare baate karni hai. Pata nehi fir kab sabse yu ek saath milne ki mauka mile." Khushi told him cheerfully. [I'll hang up now. I have a lot to talk to them about. I don't know when I might get to see and meet them all like this again.]
"OKay. See you tomorrow, Jaan." with that they hung up. Arnav finally felt relaxed enough to sleep. "Akher kar Khushi ke mummy aur papa hai kaha pe? Aur itne saalo se wo Khushi se milne kyu nahi aye? Aur to aur Khushi ne aisa kyu kaha ki wo sahi salamat na sehi par zinda hai? Kya matlab hai inn sabka?" he wondered as he tried to sleep. His wife and her parents were becoming a huge mystery for Arnav. [Where's is Khushi's parents? Why didn't they come to meet Khushi all these years? Why did Khushi sai that they are not safe but alive? What does all these mean?]
/
/ ... /
/
Next day around 5 pm, Arnav reached Gupta house in Laxmi Nagar. He was eager to meet Kushi. When he saw Payal at the house this morning, he couldn't explained even to himself how jealous he felt. Even he wanted his wife with him. He vowed silently not to let Khushi come to her maika alone after this. Garima opened the door and smiled.
"Arnav babuya, aiye na." she said welcoming him inside. [Arnav dear, please come in.]
Arnav was shocked to find his wife in a heavy red saree, drinking tea with her buaji and babuji. Gathering his wits, Arnav took blessings from all the elders before taking a seat. "Maike me reh liye ho to ghar chale ab?" he asked Khushi with a teasing smile. [If you're satisfied staying at your parents, can we go home now?]
All the elders smiled at he playful remark. They realized that he had really missed his wife and was eager to take her back home.
"Kaha dil bhara humara? Hume to mauka hi nahi mila sabse thik se baat karne ka bhi!" Khushi pouted. [How can I be satisfied? I didn't even get the chance to meet everyone properly.]
"Arre oh Parmeshwari, aise baat karte hai kya apne pati se? Jaa aur jake babuya ke liye chai coffee bana kar laa." Buaji scolded. [Khushi, is that any way to talk to your husband? Go and make tea or coffee for him.]
"Wah beta! Damad ko pake apni beti ko bhul gaye. Ajeeb bhedvao hai!" Khushi headed for the kitchen grumbling under her breath. [Wow! They forgot their daughter after getting a son-in-law. It's a partiality I tell you.]
Arnav grinned at her retreating figure before turning towards his in-laws. Taking a deep breath, he folded his hands, "Mujhe aap sab se maafi mangni hai. Apne eagerness aur besabri me maine aap sab ka dil tor diya. Khushi ko apna banane ki junoon me main ye bhul gaya tha ki aap sabka bhi bohot sare sapne honge apni beti ki shaadi ko lekar. Main bas Khushi ko hamesha ke liye apna banana chahta tha par bhul gaya tha ki uspe pehla haq aap logo ka hai. Please, forgive me. I promise ke main uska pura dhyan rakkhunga aur uske jo bhi sapne hai usse pura karne me uski madat karunga." he told them sincerely. [I want to apologize to you all. In my eagerness and impatience, I broke all of your hearts. In my craziness to make her mine, I forgot that you all must have so many dreams about her wedding. I just wanted to make her mine but forgot that she belonged to you guys first. I promise, I'll always take care of her and make all of her dreams come true.]
"M...meeer...ri... bit...ya.. bo...hot... lay...ak... haaii... us...ka b...as... saaa...tth... de..na." Shashi stuttered out to his son-in-law. [My daughter is very able. Just support her.]
"I will." Arnav assured him with a smile. "Aur please Khushi se gussa mat karna. Sabse chhipke shaadi karne ka idea mera tha." he confessed. [Please don't be angry with Khushi. It was my idea to get married without telling anyone.]
Madhumati and Garima exchanged an amused look. They didn't know their broody son-in-law was so romantic and filmy. "Koi baat nahi, babuya. Jo huya so huya." Garima told him with warm smile. [It's okay, dear. Let bygones be bygones.]
Khushi returned with a cup of back coffee. "Ye liziye. Waise, humari saree kaisi lagi?" she asked moving left and right to show off her saree. [Here you go. By the way, how is my saree?]
"Achhi hai. Nayi hai?" he asked, sipping from his cup. [It's nice. Is it new?]
"Haa. Chachaji ne diya hai. Pata hai apki tarha Laal rang humare papa ko bhi bohot pasand tha. Pehli bar unhone maa ko jab saree me dekha tha to maa ne laal rang ki saree pehni huyi thi na isiliye." Khushi shared with everyone excitedly. [Yes, my paternal uncle gave me. You know, just like you, my father's favorite color is also red. The first time he saw my mother in a saree, she was wearing a red one.]
Arnav paused, then with a naughty smile, he remarked, "What a coincidence! Maine bhi to tumhe pehli bar jab saree me dekha tha to tumne bhi red color ki hi saree pehni huyi thi, hai na?" [Even you were wearing a red saree when I first saw you in a saree, right?]
Khushi's smile fell. She never told her parents or buaji about that photoshoot.
"Hayee, sachchi?!" Buaji asked. [Really?]
"Ha, buaji... wo.." Arnav was interrupted. [Yes, aunty. That...]
"Arre kya baate lekar baith gaye?! Ghar nehi jana hai kya? Aur apko to mujhe chachaji ka taufa bhi dikhana hai. Wo unhone apka gift unhone Shantivan direct bhej diya hai." Khushi told him. [What topic you sat down with? Don't you want to go home? I even have to show you the gift my uncle sent for you. It's already in Shantivan.]
"Okay, come down, jaan." Arnav shook his head and started taking deep sips of his coffee to finish hurriedly.
Garima, Shashi, and Madhumati were pleased with Arnav's behavior with Khushi. His love for her was clear. "Babuya, shaadi itni jaldi huya ke hum apko kuch de hi nahi paye."[Son, sisnce you got married so fast, we couldn't give you anything.] Garima told Arnav apologetically. "Please, ye chhota sa taufa apke liye laye the." she handed him a small box. [Please accept this small gift.]
There was a thick gold chain inside it. "Auntie, inn sab ki kya zaroorat thi. Please, main apka damad hu par mujhe apna beta hi samjhiyega. Ye sab formality karne ki zaroorat nahi hai." Arnav told them lovingly. [Auntie, what is the need for all these? Please consider me your son, even if I'm your son-in-law. Don't be formal with me, please.]
"To fir isse apni maa ki taraf se taufa samajhke rakh liziye." Garima told him affectionately. [Then think of it as a gift from your mother.]
Arnav froze for a second. "A gift from mumma? Will she be happy with how I forcefully married Khushi? But I did it because I didn't want to loose her and neither did I was Di to get hurt." he thought to himself. Nodding his head, he accepted the gift with fake smile. Khushi took the chain and made him wear it.
After promising to come over for dinner next weekend, Arshi left. Khushi chattered the whole ride home about how much fun she had in her maikas and how many gifts she got. Reaching Shantivan, Khushi asked one of the guards where was the delivery that came a few hours ago. Arnav and Khushi followed the guard and went behind the mansion. Arnav was bewildered when Khushi presented him his gift with a flourish. There were a pair of buffalos in a makeshift cowshed behind his mansion.
"Ye rahe apke taufe. Ye Rakesh hai air ye Rashmi!" Khushi introduced. [Here are your gifts. It's Rakesh and this is Rashmi.]
"Buffalos? Tumhare chachaji ne mujhe BHES gift kiya hai?" Arnav asked to be sure that he had misunderstood. [Buffalos? Your uncle gave me Buffalos as gift?]
"Haa. Pata hai ye humare chachaji ka sabse chahita joda hai. Unhone to apne admi ko bhi bheja hai saath me Rakesh aur Rashmi ji ka dekhbhal karne ke liye." she boosted cheerfully. [Yes. You know this is my uncle's favorite pair. He even sent his man to look after these two.]
Arnav gave her a reluctant smile. He shook his head in disbelieve. "Tum aur tumhare gharwale... equally ajeeb ho." [You and your family members are equally strange.] he remarked with an amused smirk. "Chalo, ab andar chalte hai." Taking her hand, he took her inside. [Shall we go inside now?]
They were greeted with happy smiles from the family members. They joined the family in the living room for snacks. Nani was really happy with Huda's gift. Those buffalos had reminded her of the days when she used to live in village with her husband and in-laws. Mamiji was puzzled by the gift. But when Khushi told her that after drinking milk from the buffalo her skin will glow, she was pleased.
"Anjali bitiya, damad ji kab tak ayenge?" [Anjali, when is son-in-law coming home?] Naniji asked. Both Arnav and Khushi got alert at the mention of that man. They had almost forgotten about him.
"Nani, unhe ek hafta lag jayega. Parso shaam ko hi to gaye hai na. Bataya tha ki bohot uljhi huyi case hai." Anjali informed. Both Arnav and Khushi sighed in relief. [Grandma, he'll be back in a week. He only went out the night before. He said it's a complicated case.]
"Abhi yaad aya. Bhai, ye rahi wo admission forms jo apne mangaya tha." Akash handed him seven-eight forms. [Oh I remember now. Brother, here are the admission forms you asked for.]
"Admission forms? Kis chiz ka?" Nani asked. [For what?]
"Nani, Khushi age parna chahti hai. Actually... it was because of me she had to leave her studies and city behind. To maine decide kiya hai ki wo apna studies complete karegi aur jo banna chahti thi wo banegi. Apni pao pe apne dam pe khare hogi." Arnav told everyone his decision. [Grandma, Khushi want's to continue her studies. It was because of me she had to leave her studies and city behind. So, I've decided that she will complete her studies and be what she want to be. I want her to have a career of her own.]
"Hume janke bohot khushi huya. Khushi bitiya, aap puri dhyan se apni parhai karna. Humari ashirwad hamesha apke saath rahega." Naniji told her with a smile. [I'm happy to hear that. Khushi dear, please study properly. You'll always have my blessing.]
"Ha, Khushiji. Hum aur Payal na apke liye new outfits lene ek saath shopping pe jayenge. Bohot maza ayega!" Anjali added happily. [Yes, Khushi. Payal and I will take you to buy new outfits. It'll be a lot of fun.]
"Haa, di. Hume iske saath jana hi hoga. Warna ye firse apne liye wo pompom wale kapre kharidegi." Payal gave her younger sister a teasing look. [Yes, sis. We must go with her... otherwise, she'll buy clothes with pompoms again.]
"HAWW... aap dono humari tang khich rahi ho? Nahi jayenge aap dono ki saath. Hum to Mamiji ke saath jayenge." Khushi retorted victoriously. [Hawww... are you two teasing me? I won't go with you. I'll go with Auntie.]
"Hello Hi BYe BYe! Neki aur puch puch. Vy not." Mamiji agreed happily. [Sure.]
Arnav, Anjali, Akash, and Payal exchanged horrified looks at the thought. They imagined Khushi in Manorama like outfits and shouted at the same time, "NAHI, AISA NEHI HO SAKTA!" [NO! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING.]
"Kahe nahi ho sakta hai?" Mamiji asked, offended. [Why not?]
"Wo... mami, aap kitni stylish hai and it's normal ki aap khushi ko bhi aise stylish kapre kharedke doge. Par khushi college jayegi. Waha itne stylish kapre pehne gi to kahi dusre students jealous hogaye to?" Arnav handled the situation. [ Actually, Auntie, you're really stylish and Khushi needs regualr clothes. Other students might get jealous if she also wear stylish clothes like you.]
Manorama looked thoughtful. "You're rightz, Arman bitwa! Anjali bitiya aur Khoon bhaari tang jake wo regular peoplewa jaise kapre khareedwas denge Phati sari ko." she said, feeling smart. [Yes, you're right. Anjali and Payal could buy her regular people's non stylish clothes.]
Arnav, Anjali, Akash, and Payal sighed in relief while Khushi and Naniji were snickering away sneakily.
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That night, Arnav forced Khushi to fill all the admission forms. He had gotten forms from all the law colleges of Delhi. He had selected three prestigious ones in his mind where he wanted Khushi to study. He wanted to give her the best. Khushi was pleased that her husband was doing what he promised.
"Shukriya, Arnavji. Ye forms lake apne apni baat rakhhi hai." Khushi told him later when they retired to the bed. [Thanks, Arnav. You've kept your words by getting these forms for me.]
"Tumhara pati hu. Wada kiya tha to nivaunga hi na." [I'm your husband. I'll keep my promises to you.] he told her. "Khushi, mujhe sach sach batao gi ek baat?" [Khushi, will you tell me something truthfully?] he asked, sitting up on the bed before leaning against the headboard.
Khushi followed him and leaned against the headboard. "Kya puchna hai?" she asked. [What do you want to ask about?]
"Kya sach me Shyam ke saath tumhara affair chal raha tha? Was it because you wanted revenged from me?" he asked. [Were you really having an affair with Shyam?]
Khushi sighed. "Apko yaad hai jab apne humara wo video media me viral kiya tha?" She asked. [Do you remember the time when you made my video viral?]
"Haa." [Yes.]
Nodding her head, Khushi started telling how she and family met Shyam. Arnav listened carefully. He knew his wife was telling the truth as he had Aman investigate Shyam. Her version of the incidents were matching with Aman's findings. He sighed when he realized what a fool he had been.
"Khushi, thik hai Shyam ka matter mujhe samajhne me galti hogayi... Par ek baat mujhe samajhme nahi ata. Why did you agree to marry me? I know I forced you... but you agreed easily instead of fighting me like you always did." he asked the question that had been in his mind for a while now. [Okay, so I misunderstood Shyam's matter... but I don't understand one thing.]
Khushi hesitated. "Hum apko batayenge to kahi... Arnav ji, hum apke jaan ko khatre me nahi daal sakte. Bhale hi humari shaadi chhipke huyi hai par humne sachchiu man se apko apna pati mana hai. Apko kisi mushibbat me nahi dal sakti." she told him, pouting. [If I tell you then... Arnav, I can't put your life in danger. Even if we eloped, I have accepted you as my husband from the bottom of my heart.]
Arnav was on alert now. He sat up straight and holding her shoulders, he asked, "Khatra matlab? Khushi, ye chakkar kya hai?" [What do you mean by danger? Khushi, what's going on?]
"Hum apko bistar me nehi bata sakte. Bas itna kahenge ki... ek amir admi ke lalach ne humari maa aur papa ki zindegi barbad kardi hai." [I can't tell you the details. I'll just say this much that... a rich man's greed ruined my parents' lives.] she shared as tears gathered in her eyes. "Usne apni paise aur power ke dam par humari maa aur papa ko kaid kar ke rakkha hai. Hum Criminal Defense lawyer issliye banna chahte hai take hum apne maa aur papa ko uss rakshas ki jaal se bacha sake." she told him through tears. [He used his money and power to imprisoned my parents. I want to become a criminal defense lawyer to save them from that monster.]
"Paise aur power ke dam par matlab?" Arnav asked. [What do you mean by 'using his money and power'?]
"Apko meri kasam hai. Aur kuch matt puchhiyega. Humne apse isiliye shaadi ki kyu ke... apke pas bhi bohot sare paise hai aur power bhi. Ye dono cheez hume uss shaitan tak pohch ne me madat karenge." She confessed. [Swear on me that you won't ask anything more. I married you because... you have a lot of money and power. These two things will help me reach that bastard.]
"Khushi, tumne jitna bhi bataya ye sab to bohot risky lagta hai. Tum kisi musibbat me par gayi to?" Arnav asked, panicking. [Khushi, from whatever you just told me... all these sounds very risky. What if you get in trouble?]
"Iss desh ko bachane ke liye humare maa aur papa ne apna sab kuch tyag diya hai... to kya unki beti hokar hum itna nehi kar sakte?" [My parents sacrificed everything for this country. Being their daughter, can't I even do this much?] She told him with a smile. "And why fear when Khushi is here!" she added with a wink.
"I fear because Khushi is here." Arnav muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.
/
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Two days later.
It was raksha bandhan. Khushi had invited her uncles and aunts for the occasion after asking Naniji for permission. Arnav and Akash were eager to get rakhi tied from Anjali. Khushi and Payal were amused by their silly arguments on who should have the first turn.
"Di, aur kitni der? Kab bandhogi hume rakhi?" Akash called out to their sister. [Sis, how much time? When are tying rakhis on our hands?]
"Haa, Di! Kaha rehgayi?" Arnav also whined. [Yes, sis. Where are you?]
"Dekho, inn dono ko. Kaise whining kar rahe hai." [See, how those two are whining?] Anjali giggled with her sister-in-laws. "Chhote! Akash! Thori der aur wait karo. Mehmano ko to aajane do." she called out to her impatient brothers from the kitchen. [Arnav! Akash! Can you please wait until the guests are here?]
The door bell rang causing the brothers to sigh. "Finally, they are here!" Arnav grumbled as Akash nodded in agreement.
Super six were greeted enthusiastically by the Raizada family. Khushi greeted them with wide smiles and happy squeals of her own. Huda wrapped his arm around Arnav and asked, "To damadji, taufa kaisa laga iss Jatt ka?" [So son-in-law, did you like your gift?]
"Tau... Oh... Haa, wo bhaise bohot achhe hai. Thanks. They would be really helpful." Arnav told him politely. [Gif... oh.. yes. Those buffalos were really nice.]
"Wait... bhais? Dude, you gave our son-in-laws buffalos?! Are you mad?" Yudi screamed at Huda in complete disbelief.
"Iss gobar dimag se aur kya expect kar sakte the?" Alekh shook his head. [What else do you expect from this poop head?]
"Oh band karo tum dono ka drama! Bhaise ghar me rahenge to sab dudh piyenge aur swasth rahenge. Tum dono nehi samjhoge." Huda waved away their concerns. [Oh stop your drama! Those buffalos will give everyone milk and everyone will stay healthy. You won't understand.]
Arnav had to fake a smile as he didn't want to offend his in-laws. Thinking, this might be the chance where he could learn more about Khushi's parents, he said, "Oh, I wanted to ask something."
"Haa... puch kya puchna tha." Huda offered. [Sure.]
"Oh... Khushi ne apne parents ke bareme jyada kuch bataya nehi mujhe. Kya sach me wo dono hi zinda hai?" [Khushi told me a few things about her parents, but not much. Are they really alive?] Arnav asked. He noticed how Huda, Alekh, and Yuda's faced got closed off.
"Tujhe kyu janna hai?" Alekh asked narrowing his eyes. [Why do you want to know?]
"My wife is ready to risk her life on some vague possibility that her parents might be alive. Why wouldn't I be concerned?" Arnav countered angrily.
Alekh stared at him for a long moment before he answered, "Wo zinda hai aisa hi information mila tha do mahine pehle. Agla infomation char mahine baad milne wali hai. Jab kuch pata chalega apun chhutki aur tujhe khud bata dega." [They were alive when we got the information two months ago. Next update will be in four months. I'll let Khushi and you know about it when it's time.]
Arnav inhaled sharply as he realized how serious this situation is. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he offered.
"Rajveer sir aur Naina jaha pe kaid hai waha koi untak nehi pohch sakta. We've tried our best." Yudi informed sadly. [The place where they are imprisoned is a difficult place to reach.]
"I have very big contacts. Aap chahe to.." Arnav tried to offer but he was interrupted by Shalini. [If you wan t...]
"Damadji, jis admi ne Captain aur Naina ko kaid kar rakkha hai uski bhi bohot bari bari contacts hai. Koi uska aaj tak kuch nahi bigar paya aur wo shaitan apna kaam bohot asani se karta raha." Shalini told him. [Arnav, the man who has Captain and Naina imprisoned also has a lot of powerful contacts. That's way he's able to do all these so easily. No one has been able to do anything to him.]
"MAMIJI!" Khushi called her out from behind. "Kya kar rahi hai aap?" [What are you doing?] she asked. She was horrified that her aunt was about to reveal Lala's secret to her husband. "Arnavji, Anjaliji apko dhund rahi thi." she announced. [Arnav, Anjali is looking for you.]
Realizing that she didn't want him to know about her parents, Arnav stood there. "Tum mujhe yaha se isliya bhaga rahi ho na kyu ke tum nahi chahti ki mujhe kuch pata chale?" he asked his wife boldly. [You're sending me away from here because you don't want me to know, right?]
"Samajh gaye na? To jaiye." Khushi retorted angrily. [You understood, right? Then go.]
"Okay guys. Don't fight. Khushi, we won't say anything to your husband if you don't want it." Yudi pacified them both.
"Sorry, beta. Mujhe nahi pata tha ki tum Arnav ko involve nahi karna chahti ho inn sab me." Shalini said apologetically. [I'm sorry, dear. I didn't know that you didn't want to involve Arnav.]
"Aise kaise involve nahi karna hai? Pati hu tumhara, damn it! Tumhare har matter pe involve hone ka pura haq hai mujhe." Arnav argued. [What do you mean by not involving? I'm your husband, damn it! I have full rights to get involve in your every matter.]
Alekh gestured towards his friends to let the couple deal with this matter in private and left from there. Seeing their argument one thing became clear in Alekh's mind that Arnav sincerely loved Khushi and so did she. That's why she wanted to protect him by not telling him and similarly, that's why Arnav wanted to know to protect her. He was happy that even though Arnav was rude and blunt, Khushi was no less. They knew how to handle each other.
"Wo humari maa - papa hai. Nahi involve karna to nahi karna!" Khushi shouted with her hands on her hips. [They are MY parents. If I don;t want to involve you then don't get involved.]
"Wo dono mere bhi saas - sasur lagte hai. To mera bhi haq hai unke bareme janne ka." Arnav argued back. [They are my in-laws too. I also have rights to know about them.]
While Super six looked a little tensed, they noticed that Raizada family didn't look worried. Seeing their worried faces, Payal told them, "Aap log chinta mat kiziye. Ye to inn dono ka roz ka hai. Kabhi dusmano ke tarha larte hai to kabhi chhup chhipa kar romance karte hai." [Please, don't worry. It's their routine. Sometimes they would fight like sworn enemies, and then they will romance hiding from everyone.]
"Dono chillayenge ek dusre par aur fir khud hi shant hojayenge." Anjali assured. [They will yell at each other for a while and then calm down by themselves.]
"Bilkul apne Phoolan par gayi hai. Wo bhi na jab apne Rajveer sir se gussa hoti thi to ause hi jhagar ti thi." Huda shared laughing. [She's exactly like our Bandit queen. When naina used to get angry, she would also yell at Rajveer sir like this.]
"Aur humare Rajveer sir chupchap sab kuch sunte rehte the." Ali added with a laugh. [And our Rajveer sir would listen to her silently.]
Finally, Arshi returned. Both of them were huffing and puffing angrily. Everyone ignored their argument and proceeded with the ritual. Anjali tied rakhi on both her brothers and demanded gifts from them. With a smile Arnav and Akash showered her with a lot of gifts.
"Ab humari bari. Aap sab soch rahe honge ki humne apko aaj ke din hi kyu bulaya. To baat ye hai ki..." [My trun! You all must be thinking why I called you over today. Well...] Khushi paused for dramatic effect, "Maa nahi thi na itne saal aap sabko rakhi bandhne ke liye to aaj hum unke taraf se humare tino mama ko rakhi bandhenge." she explained. [Since mom wasn't here to tie you rakhis all these years, I'll tie rakhis to all three of my maternal uncles today on her behalf.]
Alekh, Ali, and Yudi got emotional hearing this. Every year since Naina got caught, they had stared at their empty wrists and cried thinking that they couldn't protect her. "Hum wada karte hai, Beta. Naina ka tino bhai usse sehi salamat wapas lekar ayenga." Ali vowed. [We promise, dear. Naina's three brothers will bring her back safe.]
"Apun tabtak chain se nehi baithenge jab tak apun ki behen aur Rajveer sir sehi salamat wapas nehi ajate." Alekh added. [I won't rest until Rajveer sir and Naina are safe and sound.]
"We won't relax until we find them." Yudi added.
"Arre, ye Jatt bhi kasam khata hai ki uski Phoolan aur sirji ko iss bar wapas lakar hi dam lenge." Huda added with a smirk. [This Jatt also won't rest until sir ji and Phoolan are safe and sound.]
"Aur nahi to kya? Isbar to mere Veer aur Zaara ki milan hokar rahegi." Pooja added. [What else? This time we will make sure our Veer and Zaara end up together.]
Everyone had tears in their eyes even though most of them didn't know what this was all about. Khushi tied multiple rakhi in each of her mama's wrists to make up for the lost years. After spending the whole day, super six left as they had to return to their postings the next day.
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A/N:::: Did you lIke Huda's gift?
Which one of you guessed what his gift was going to be?
