“I told you, I had a reason!”
“Yes, you did. But I never imagined this..”
“Laad Governor, you always think you know everything! Now come on, let’s wish them..”
Arnav allowed himself to be led towards the stage by a beaming Khushi.
Everything made sense now.
Yesterday, when he had driven away after seeing the hug, his first reaction had been anger.
But logic had quickly calmed him down, and he realized that her happy expression during the hug indicated the fact that Vadra had just told her some good news.
It couldn’t have been anything to do with her inheritance, Khushi wouldn’t keep that from him.
And now, he saw the reason.
Vadra was getting married.
But Khushi hadn’t known him for very long, and just the news of his wedding wouldn’t have compelled her to hug him with such enthusiasm.
The real reason was standing beside Vadra.
His bride, glowing with happiness as she spoke to a guest.
Arnav now knew that Khushi was ecstatic because Vadra was getting married to this particular woman.
As they neared the stage, the bride turned towards them, and caught sight of Khushi.
“Chamkeeli !!!”
“Lavanyaji !!”
Arnav watched as Khushi flew up the stairs, almost tripping over her lehenga in her rush to get to Lavanya.
The two women hugged, and started talking and laughing simultaneously, incoherent in their joy at meeting each other.
By the time Arnav reached them , they had calmed down somewhat, and Lavanya now turned to him.
“ASR, thank you for coming, and congratulations! Chamkeeli just told me you are engaged.”
“Thank you, Lavanya. And my best wishes for your future, as well.”
He turned to Rishi Vadra, and shook hands with him.
“Congratulations, you are a very lucky man.”
“I know! and thank you, for joining us today, and bringing Khushi here, My wife would never have married me if I hadn’t assured her that she was coming!”
“Lavanyaji, I couldn’t believe my ears when Rishiji told me yesterday that he was marrying you! You were in London, right? So how did you meet Rishiji?
“I was in London, but I came to Delhi a month ago to visit my relatives, and met Rishi at their house..And the rest, as they say, is history!”
“How wonderful! I’m so happy for you, Lavanyaji !”
“And I am happy for you, Khushi. I always knew that you and…”
Whatever she had been about to say was abruptly cut short by the wedding photographer, who wanted them to pose for a group photograph.
By the time they were done, other guests had come up to wish them, and Lavanya’s sentence remained unfinished.
Arnav led Khushi down the stairs, and out to the garden area, where the buffet was arranged.
“So that was your little secret.”
“Yes! Isn’t it exciting! Rishiji is a good man, and I’m sure he’ll treat Lavanyaji with all the love and respect she deserves!”
“Unlike me, you mean.”
“What? Oh, I didn’t mean it that way! It’s just that..”
“It’s okay, Khushi. I know I treated her horribly, there is no excuse for that. You drove me crazy, and I just didn’t stop to think about how I was hurting others..”
“But everything is resolved now, Arnavji. You saw them today, they are obviously head over heels in love with each other. To think that Lavanyaji didn’t even believe in all this, and here she is today, getting married after a whirlwind romance!”
Arnav looked at Khushi, beaming with happiness because Lavanya was getting married.
He understood why.
After his confession, she must have started to feel guilty about the fact that she was the reason for his break-up with Lavanya.
And now, when Khushi saw Lavanya’s happiness at embarking on this new chapter of her life, she had received the reassurance that everything had worked out for her.
Honestly, he was glad, as well. Lavanya deserved this, and more.
He only hoped that idiot Vadra knew just how lucky he was.
“And we know just who was responsible for getting her to believe in the institution of marriage, right?”
“You believe in it, too, don’t you?”
Arnav opened his mouth to say yes, but the words wouldn’t come.
He had pursued her, persuaded her to marry him, and he had finally succeeded.
He definitely wanted to marry her.
But did he actually believe in marriage?
Khushi waited for his reply, but it never came.
“Arnavji?”
“Khushi, I…”
“ASR, how are you, my dear?”
Arnav turned to look at the woman who had addressed him.
He sighed inwardly.
It was Mrs.Singhania, a page three socialite who was known for her catty remarks and sarcasm.
Dressed to the nines in a designer dress with diamonds sparkling on her wrists, ears and neck, he watched as she gave Khushi a once-over.
Her disdain was apparent.
Why was she here, why now?
“I’m fine, Mrs.Singhania. This is my fiancee, Khushi Kumari Gupta.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms.Gupta. That’s a lovely dress, is it by an AR designer? I wouldn’t think so, it looks unlike anything they have ever done..”
Khushi and Arnav spoke at the same time.
“No, it isn’t..”
“Khushi doesn’t need a designer to make her look beautiful. Unlike some other people.”
Mrs.Singhania recognised the deliberate insult, and decided to retreat.
Arnav Singh Raizada was a force to be reckoned with in the business world, and she didn’t want to get on his wrong side.
Why was he with this girl anyway? She was pretty enough, but just look at her cheap lehenga, and costume jewellery, not to mention those hideous hairpins!
“Of course, you know best, ASR. You own a fashion house, after all! Congratulations on your engagement, I’ll see you around!”
Arnav waited until she had left before he turned back to Khushi.
Her face was pale, and her fingers were busy twisting her dupatta.
“Don’t pay any attention to women like her, Khushi. Their only aim in life is to belittle others, specially those who are young and beautiful, unlike them.”
“But I am out of place here, Arnavji..Just look at all these people, dressed so beautifully..”
She looked so disturbed, almost on the verge of tears, Arnav knew he had to do something to bring back her smile.
“I don’t care what you wear. In fact, I would prefer it if you wore nothing, remember?”
His teasing worked.
She looked up at him, tears forgotten, as a blush spread across her cheeks.
“Stop saying things like that in public! What if someone hears you!”
“I don’t care..”
“But I do!”
“The only thing you should care about is me. I’m selfish. I want your complete focus, all the time. “
“I can’t do that!”
“Yes, you can. Because that’s what I do. Even in a crowd, even when we are surrounded by others, I know where you are, and what you are doing, always.”
“Like that night, during Diwali..”
Once again, the beautiful memory of that night made their hearts race, and they stared into each other’s eyes, unaware of anything else.
“I think we should leave now, Khushi.”
“But we haven’t eaten dinner yet, and I’m hungry!”
“I’m hungry too, but not for food.”
“Arnavji!!”
They ended up staying for dinner after all, but Khushi soon wished they hadn’t.
Arnavji used every excuse possible to touch her, startling her with his proximity every time.
He whispered scandalous suggestions in her ear, making her blush and choke on her food.
She couldn’t wait to leave.
Her Laad Governor was crazy!
He drove her back to her house, listening to her non-stop talk about Lavanyaji and Rishiji.
The two women had spent some time alone towards the end, and he was curious to know what had been said.
But Khushi wouldn’t tell him.
They reached her home, and Arnav leaned over to unstrap her seatbelt.
The next thing he knew, she had drawn his face towards hers , and touched his lips with hers, lightly.
He wasted no time in deepening the kiss.
When they finally drew back, her eyes were drowsy with desire, and Arnav knew he had to get her out of the SUV before he was tempted to take things further.
“Goodnight, Khushi.”
“Goodnight, Arnavji. Well, until your phonecall..”
“My call?”
“Yes, your daily call when I am in bed.”
“How do you know I’ll call you tonight?”
“You always do.”
“Maybe I won’t.”
“You will.”
“What if I have to work?”
“You’ll still find the time to call.”
“What if I fall asleep?”
“You won’t.”
“So sure of me, are you?”
“Yes.”
“Taking me for granted, Ms.Gupta?”
“Just telling you the facts, Mr.Raizada.”
“Just for that, I won’t call you tonight.”
“You will. You won’t be able to help it.”
“Are you saying I have no self-control?”
“When it comes to me, no. You’ve admitted that yourself.”
“I was lying.”
“No,you weren’t.”
“I’m not going to call. In fact, I think you will.”
“Why would I call you?”
“Because you would be curious about why I didn’t call. And you can’t resist, either.”
“I can resist! And I’m not going to call!”
“Is that a challenge?”
“If you want to take it as one, then yes!”
“Fine. Let’s make this a challenge. The first one to call, or attempt to contact the other in any way, loses the bet, and has to do whatever the other wants.”
“I accept! And you are going to lose!”
“We’ll see.”
He waited until she was inside her front door before driving off.
He couldn’t believe her audacity.
He wouldn’t give in, no matter what!
An hour later, he paced by the poolside, unable to sleep.
What had that woman done to him? He had gotten addicted to hearing her voice before he fell asleep, and now, when he hadn’t called, sleep eluded him like never before.
He had to resist , though.
He wouldn’t call.
Even if it killed him.
Lying in her bed, Khushi stared at the stars hanging above her.
She couldn’t believe she had challenged him about his phone calls.
For one thing, she really enjoyed his calls, even when they made her blush,
And secondly, she felt guilty.
He had done all those sweet things for her recently, and she had picked this issue to argue with him.
What was wrong with her?
She hoped he hadn’t taken things seriously, like he always did.
But what if he had?
Two hours later. she still hadn’t closed her eyes.
She couldn’t do this.
She had to find out, she had to hear his voice.
She got up, and dialled his number, but only got the busy tone.
What should she do now?
She paced around her room, angry with herself.
She had to know what he was thinking, what he was feeling.
She just had to.
Twenty minutes later, she stepped out of the auto, and looked up at the facade of Shantivan.
And then realized her obvious mistake.
How was she going to get in without waking the entire house?
She would have to try his number again.
This time, he answered.
“Arnavji?”
“Khushi? Tum theek ho?”
“I’m fine,why are you asking me that?”
“Why aren’t you in your room then?”
“My room? Wait, how do you know..”
“I know, because I just entered your room through the window! Come back to your room, wherever you are!”
Khushi couldn’t help it. She burst out laughing.
“Why are you laughing, dammit!”
“A..Arnavji, do you know where I am?”
“If I did, would I be asking you?”
“I’m in..I’m in..I’m standing outside Shantivan!”
“WHAT?! Unbelievable! What are you doing there at this time of night? Are you crazy?”
“I..I just wanted to see you..”
“Just stay right there! I’m coming!”
“No,I can get home faster, that autorickshaw is parked around the corner.”
“I’ll wait here for you then. And be careful!”
Arnav waited inside her room, angry with her, angry with himself, and most of all, angry about the fact that they weren’t married.
If they were, he would be in his own bed now, with Khushi in his arms.
He still wouldn’t be asleep, but that was a different matter.
He was startled by the sound of the window opening, and looked up just in time to see her climbing in.
In an instant, he had her in his arms, his lips sealed to hers in a desperate kiss.
She stilled for a moment, and then responded.
The past few days had increased their familiarity with the other’s needs, and they knew exactly how to respond to each other.
He lifted her in his arms, and walked over to her bed, placing her in it gently.
He leaned over her, kissing her again.
Her arms went around his neck, holding him close.
He rested his body against hers, his hands starting to explore her curves, just like he had always wanted.
“Khushi..sweetheart..I need to ask you something..”
“Hmm?”
“When can we get married?”
Khushi opened her eyes and looked up into his.
Her original intention had been to wait for a few days before talking about marriage.
But now, she didn’t want to.
Her earlier panic at being unable to speak to him had taught her an important lesson.
She not only loved him, and wanted him, she also needed him.
She needed to hear his voice.
She needed his touch, his passion.
She needed the reassurance of his presence.
And there was only one way to ensure that.
“Whenever you want, Arnavji.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Arnav couldn’t believe this, she was ready!
He wouldn’t waste another moment , he would begin preparations immediately.
What if she changed her mind?
That thought had him pulling away from her reluctantly.
“I’ll call you tomorrow, we can discuss the dates..”
“The dates are decided by the Panditji..”
“Oh.Right. I’ll tell Di to get started ,then.”
“Arnavji, I..”
“What?”
“Nothing. Are you leaving now?”
“Yes. I have to. But I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Will you call me when you get back?”
“Yes, I promise.”
He kissed her lips one last time, and stepped away from the bed.
“Arnavji, who won our bet?”
He smiled, and turned away.
As he climbed out again, he stole one last glance at her.
She still lay there, exactly as he had left her.
Soon, this would be the sight that met his eyes every day.
“We both won, Khushi,”
Khushi smiled, and hugged her pillow.
Soon, she would be Mrs. Raizada.
Her smile faded as she remembered what Mrs.Singhania had said.
The next moment, she recalled Lavanyaji’s plan, and smiled again.
Everything would be fine!
Arnav drove back to Shantivan, lost in his thoughts.
He opened the front door, and walked across the hallway to the staircase.
Before he could take the first step, he heard Di’s voice.
“Chotey?”
He turned around and saw her, sitting at the dining table, a book in her hand.
She had clearly been waiting for him.
“Di? Why are you up so late?”
Anjali looked at Arnav, trying to get over her embarrassment.
She still hadn’t forgotten what she had seen from the temple steps, she wished she had never gone there!
“I was waiting for you. Are you coming from Khushiji’s place?”
“I..I..yes..but how..”
“Just a guess, Chotey.”
“She just told me we can go ahead with the wedding date, Di. Can you talk to the Panditji tomorrow?”
Anjali took a deep breath.
This was it.
It was time.
She finally had to do this.
She had to tell him the truth.
She had to tell him her decision.
She had no idea how Arnav would react, but she had no choice.
Not anymore.
“Chotey, before you plan your wedding, there’s something I have to tell you.”
*****************************************
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Love,Lies And Two Weddings? 