Chapter 22: Arnav

Two weeks had crawled by, slower than snail's pace. Hours had felt like days, and days like weeks, as he'd waited for this day to arrive. He didn't know why it made such a difference – it was only an exchange of rings and presents, a way for their families to cement the newly forged link between them – but it did.

He'd spent the last few days researching the wedding customs in his spare time.

Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.

Although he remembered Di's wedding with fondness, he hadn't paid much attention to the rituals, never dreaming that he'd marry. But he refused to be caught off-guard at his own wedding.

Arnav smoothed his hands over his white shirt before donning the jacket from his gray suit. He was studying his reflection when a knock sounded at his door.

"Come in."

"Chotte, you look so handsome," his sister greeted as she approached. She fussed with his collar, ignoring his attempts to duck away. "Are you nervous?"

"No?" he raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"I was," Di sat on the sofa, "I mean, I'd known Aman-ji for over a year by then. I was sure of myself. But my hand still shook when he took it. It's such a big decision."

Arnav considered his sister's words. "I think ... I think the big decision was saying yes, for me. After that ... this is all just for for you and Nani and Khushi."

"I'm so glad you said yes. Khushi-ji is ..."

"Yeah. I know."

He rummaged inside his wardrobe for cologne in their silence, each waiting for the other to bring up Mamma.

"She ... she'd love Khushi-ji."

"Really?" he asked softly, his back still to Di.

"Yes," she was confident, "All she wanted was for you to be happy. And with her, you are."

Nodding, Arnav offered his arm. He escorted his sister downstairs to where the rest of their family waited.

"Chhote," Nani hugged him tightly, "I'm so proud of you."

"Bitwa," Mami whispered as he hugged her, "Now we have to look for a Miss World to marry my Aakash."

"Yes, Mami-ji," Arnav whispered back.

"It makes me sad to see a fine young man waste his life on marriage," Mama joked, "Now I'm stuck here, bitwa, but you should run while you have the chance!"

Arnav chuckled as he embraced his uncle, watching as Mami spluttered in the background as she hunted for a come-back.

"I'm proud of you," his uncle murmured into his ear, "My sister ..."

"Thank you, Mama-ji."

Aakash pushed his glasses up as he approached, "Congratulations, Bhai."

"Thanks."

They shook hands like strangers, both oddly reserved as their audience tittered and shook their heads. The doorbell chimed before Arnav could embrace his brother properly, and Hari Prakash rushed to answer it. Khushi smiled as she walked over, leading her family into Shantivan and almost bouncing in excitement. Arnav studied her as their families exchanged pleasantries. She was dressed in a lehenga with a red top and bright blue skirt, a green dupatta draped around her figure and hiding her waist from his seeking eyes.

"Babua," Khushi's Bua-ji turned to him, "You look very handsome, Nand Kishore."

Arnav stepped forward and touched her feet in obeisance, muttering a greeting, and then repeated the gesture with Uncle and Aunty. Delighted, they blessed him as Khushi greeted Nani and Mami. They stood together when it was done, a bridge with her family on one side and his on the other.

"Chotte, Khushi-ji," Di grinned, "Everything is ready."

She indicated to the dais behind them. Arnav offered his hand to Khushi and smiled as she slid her palm against his. He led her up, followed by their families, as the other guests took their seats. There was a sudden hush.

"Wait," he said, "Khushi needs to stand on my right."

Both families gaped at him. He fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Isn't that right, Nani? Me on the right and Khushi on the left?"

"Yes, Chhote, that's right."

"But Chhote," Di was still astounded, "How do you ..."

He glanced at Khushi before answering nonchalantly, "I read up on the ceremonies."

Aakash grinned, Nani smiled, and Mami's eyes were as round as saucers. He ignored them all, focussing on Di as she applied a tikka to Khushi's forehead before nodding to Bua-ji. He leaned forward, allowing her to apply a tikka to him. Aakash grasped his shoulders as everyone chatted quietly, and they both watched Bua-ji rummage in her pouch for cash. Arnav frowned.

"Bua-ji, you're forgetting something."

Bua-ji gaped at him.

"A raksha dhaga, on my right hand," he explained.

"You'll wear the raksha dhaga?" Khushi asked softly.

He turned to her, noting the way her eyes were round with disbelief. "Everything according to the rituals, right? Why should we leave one thing out?"

Arnav held out his right hand as Bua-ji, recovering from her shock, produced a dhaga.

"Live long, babua," she blessed him after it was tied.

Di leaned behind Khushi to mutter to Aakash. "Aakash, pinch me. I can't believe this is real."

Khushi giggled. Arnav rolled his eyes as Di held out her arm and Aakash obliged.

Then Garima-Aunty and Mami produced the rings, both on gold platters of red rose petals. Khushi reddened as she plucked a gold band from a blue box. She looked up briefly when he offered his right hand and slid the ring on as everyone clapped. Taking her ring from its red box, Arnav held her left hand firmly in his as he slid it onto her finger. She tore her gaze from the ring to smile up at him, tears shining in her eyes. He leaned towards her.

"Now you're mine," he murmured.

"Yes," she breathed, "and you're mine."

His pulse skittered. He squeezed her fingers in gentle reassurance as their families approached to congratulate them. They bowed in sync, accepting blessings from their elders, before they were showered in hugs and kisses.

"Congratulations Khushi-ji, Bhai," Aakash said softly, and this time, Arnav hugged him in earnest.

"Chhote," Di handed him a phone.

"Arnav!" Aman greeted, "I can't believe you did it!"

"Neither can I."

"Let me speak to her."

Khushi was busy with Payal and Abhishek. Payal was holding her left hand, inspecting the engagement ring with all the expertise of a sister. A yellow diamond, cushion cut, surrounded by smaller white diamonds in a platinum band.

Arnav traced his hand under Khushi's dupatta to get her attention. She jumped slightly as she turned.

"Aman," he handed her the phone.

"N-namaste, Jija-ji," she stammered, "This ... this is Khushi."

She relaxed as Aman spoke, and Arnav wished he could hear what Aman was saying. She giggled, her eyes flicking to his.

"I know," she grinned into the phone, "he is!"

"That's enough," Arnav pretended to growl as he took the phone back, "Aman can embarrass me some other time."

Aakash took the phone, smirking, as Arnav turned to Khushi's sister.

"Good luck," Payal smiled, "my Khushi is going to drive you mad!"

"Wouldn't have it any other way," he told her.

"Congratulations," Abhishek held out a hand.

"Thank you," Arnav shook it, "Sorry we didn't speak more on Teej."

The other man shook his head, and they exchanged a few polite words about where they'd studied and what they did as the two sisters looked on. Out of the corner of his eye, Arnav saw Payal nudge Khushi and whisper something that made her blush.

Music suddenly pulsed around the room, signalling an end to the formalities. He and Khushi accepted congratulations from the guests as dinner was served. Aakash arrived some time later, sent by Nani to collect them, and they ate with Di, Payal and Abhishek.

"Chhote, Khushi-bitya," Nani smiled as she joined them, "the priest has finished matching your horoscopes."

Khushi froze, a morsel of food half way to her mouth, "What did he say, Nani-ji?"

"That you two are going to fight like cats and dogs all your life!" Di teased, making Khushi blush.

"Anjali," Nani chided with a smile, "That's not what he said at all. Thirty-two of your guna match, out of thirty-six. You'll both be very happy."

"Thirty-two!" Khushi pouted, "I was hoping for at least thirty-three."

"Khushi this isn't an exam," Payal scolded in undertone as everyone else smiled.

"This is all your fault," Khushi leaned in to whisper, "If you weren't so grumpy, then more of our guna will have matched."

"Yeah. Sure," Arnav rolled his eyes, "I don't believe in this nonsense anyway."

Khushi frowned at him in warning before turning back to Nani, "Nani-ji, have they decided on a date for the wedding?"

"11th November."

"That's more than six months," Arnav objected.

"Chhote, you cannot get married during Chaturmas. This is the first possible date in November."

"Ridiculous," he fumed as Nani rose to greet some guests.

Khushi discreetly took his hand under the table. He flashed an irritated look at her, but she only smiled. Di reached over to hug him.

"Patience, Chhote. Don't ruin your engagement by arguing."

Arnav scowled at his sister before returning to his meal, his fingers still entwined with Khushi's under the table.

"Di, I'm taking Khushi upstairs," Arnav announced when they were finished.

"What!?" Khushi choked on a jalebi, and Payal rubbed her back as she recovered.

"Be quick," Di smiled, "We'll cover for you."

He led Khushi by the hand, ignoring her mumbled protests, and pulled her into his bedroom. She bit her lip as she looked around.

"What ... Why are we here?"

"I wanted you to see it. This will be your room too."

"But ... downstairs ..." she looked nervously at the door.

"Relax."

Khushi walked around slowly, staring at the green sofa and the shelf under the mirror. She avoided looking directly at the king sized bed that dominated the room, choosing instead to walk over to the bathroom and peek inside.

Watching her, Arnav realised that it had been a mistake to bring her up here. He still dreamt of her every night. He'd kissed her senseless in this room. Made her his, countless times, on that bed. He'd made love to her on and against every surface. These walls rang with her sounds.

Every cell in his body urged him towards her, so he deliberately stepped away to stand in front of a small book shelf. Khushi crossed the room as he pulled out a heavy book.

"This is a book on decorating," he said softly, "I thought you could look through it and tell me what changes you want made. I want to have this room ready by the wedding."

"I ... no," Khushi looked between him and the book, "No, you don't have to change it for me."

"Just look through it. Tell me if there's anything you like."

Their fingers brushed as Khushi took it. His resolve unravelled as her eyes flew up to his. Arnav cupped her jaw, tilting her face to his, and brushed his lips against her cheek. He did the same to her other cheek, relishing the way she trembled and sighed, before pressing his mouth to hers in a kiss that was almost chaste. Lightning seemed to zip between them, bright and hot and potent.

"Mine," he whispered against her lips.

She pushed him away, her hands lingering on his clothes as they separated, and grinned as she hurried away. But she froze at the door, turning to study him contemplatively before picking her way back to his side.

"What ..."

Questions stilled on his tongue as she leaned up, a hand pressed to his chest for balance, and swiftly kissed his cheek. Then she fled to the door with a giggle, the book cradled against her chest, and he was left staring, fingers pressed lightly to the skin that still tingled with the feel of her lips.