Part 55:

It's already 15 days over from the time Mohini contacted Shyam, for the first time, for his sister Khushi's hand for 'Her son – ARNAV'. Every alternative day, Shyam has receiving call from her. She managed to make Shyam believe that he was talking with Arnav itself. But Shyam is still not agreeing for Khushi's marriage. He asked Arnav (in real Rahul), when he had a chance to talk with him – about attack on Khushi in college, about Arnav saving her and about Rahul, everything he knows, so, he asked to confirm that he is talking with Arnav. The fake Arnav i.e. Rahul answered all Shyam's questions with anger, while his mother looking at him dangerously for not messing the situation. Why he wouldn't be angry and why couldn't answer those questions? After all Shyam is asking about him. He smirked little imagining the future. He can't wait to see Khushi's face when she sees him as Arnav. After all he managed to make Shyam trust him as Arnav.

*************

Mohini looked up when she heard a knock on the door. He saw Rahul standing there at the door waiting for her permission to enter inside

"Come Rahul... why are you waiting there? Come inside."

"Thank you Mom"

"Tell me, why are you here and what do you want to talk?"

"Nothing is new mom. I just want to talk about Khushi."

"What's there to talk about her?"

"Nothing mom. I just want to remind you that next weekend Arnav and Aman are leaving to youth festival along with their siblings. I mean, Arnav, Anjali, Aman and Akash. They will stay there for competitions for 15 days. They will be back by 15th of next month"

"But why Khushi is not going?"

"Mom... generally these youth festivals are for final year students. They won't allow any other year students to participate. So, Khushi, Arnav's brother NK and Aman's sister Lavanya are staying back" Rahul answered patiently

"Then why aren't you participating?"

"Mom... please... you know why I'm not participating. Khushi thing is more important for me to deal than that stupid YF. Come on tell me, what's your next plan?"

Nodding her head, Mohini took her mobile and dialed Shyam's number. He answered the phone in few rings. Mohini can hear the traffic sound, so she asked "Is this the correct time to talk Mr. Gupta? I really needed to talk with you. It's really important for me. Please..."

After thinking about few seconds Shyam answered "I'm almost near my home. Please give me few more minutes. I will call you once I'm in my house"

"Oh Okay. I will wait for your phone call then" Mohini ended the call waiting for her mobile to ring.

After reaching home Shyam called Mohini to know about the important issue.

"See, Mr. Gupta, I'm coming straight to the point. We already talked about this so many times. I think you didn't trust us. No problem. But I'm here to ask one more last time that can I have your sister hand for my son Arnav? See Mr. Gupta, I care for my son's life. As Arnav's father is adamant to marry our son, I really wanted my son to marry his love. That's why I'm calling you these many times. Mr. Raizada gave us an ultimatum that in two days he will finalize the match for him. Please Mr. Gupta, please think about what I said. I want our children to be happy. I don't know why you don't trust me. I know you are concerned about your sister. I just wants my son to be happy in his life. If you want your sister to be happy then please think about this. And I hope you will talk with your father and make him agree for this alliance. This is the last call you are receiving from me. I won't bother you anymore, but I will be waiting for your call beta. Hope you understand my mother heart. Bye..." without giving any chance to Shyam, Mohini cut the call, while a devilish grin playing on her face

"Mom...?"

"Wait Rahul... he will call in few hours. And it will be the news we want"

"Hmm..."

Both Mohini and Rahul waited for the call from Shyam.

Meanwhile

Shyam said everything to his wife. He is in deep thought thinking about the phone call

"We aren't doing any mistake not trusting this so called Mohini, are we?" asked Shyam's wife.

"I don't know I'm really confused about this"

"Why don't you talk about this with Papa? And I think Arnav didn't say anything to Khushi otherwise she could have told us"

"They said Arnav wanted to surprise her"

"Talk with Papa. I think he will decide what to do, better than us" she suggested.

Nodding his head Shyam dialed his father's number

After hearing everything what Shyam said, Shashi said, "For unknown reasons, I'm also not able to trust this lady Shyam. But if she is not real, then why would she call you these many times? And you said Khushi betiya also likes that Arnav and you also talked with him. Then why don't we move further trusting them?"

"But babuJi, what if they aren't good people? What if they hurt our Khushi?"

"Shyam... I know you are concerned about your sister, but how many days you stop her marrying someone thinking about all these? First let us meet that lady and talk with her directly. Then we will decide. Call her and tell that I will reach there in two days"

"Okay bauji, I will tell her, but are you sure?"

"Yes, Shyam I'm"

"Okay then... I will tell her and ask her when she can give her time. I will drop the call now bauji..."

"Okay beta... How are the kids?"

"They are fine babu Ji"

With that they ended the call and Shyam went to his deep thoughts. He so wanted to call Khushi and talk with her. But he trusted his father and got ready to follow his words. He called Mohini and informed her that his father wants to meet her and Arnav, which she agreed and said she can meet them on coming Sunday. She also said she will convince her husband to stop his search for the bride.

*************

"But Mohini Ji... I mean without Arnav's father, how can we do this engagement? And Khushi also not here, then how can we?"

"Trust me Shashi Ji. He only said that if you agree with this relation, then do the engagement as today is really an auspicious day. Actually we thought of doing Arnav's engagement today with whoever the girl is. And for our luck you agreed to this alliance. Thank you so much Shashi Ji... you saved my son and you gave life to my son. He is so much in love with your daughter." Mohini patted Rahul's back indicating him to act like blushing, which he did effortlessly and Mohini continued with serious tone "And we will give the shagun now and when they will get married then they will get engaged officially. What do you say? I don't want any wrong happen in this. I want everything according to rituals"

Shashi looked at Garima and Shyam and nodded his head in approval for the Shagun. They went to nearby temple for further rituals. Being a rich woman, Mohini managed to arrange all the things in time for the rituals.

After giving the shagun to Khushi's parents, Mohini gave a particular ring to them and said "Please ask Khushi to wear this ring till the engagement. This ring will keep her as my daughter-in-law, you know as booking in advance. I don't want anyone keep their eyes on my beautiful daughter-in-law. I will make her wear our family's ring on their engagement. And we are really happy to get her into our family. I'm looking forward to take her away" just then her phone rang. She answered quickly and gave the phone to Shashi saying the call is from her husband

"Namaste Mr. Gupta... I'm really glad that we make it into relation. I am so happy about this relation" said Mohini's husband

"Namaste Mr. Raizada, we are really glad that people like you came for my daughter. We are really lucky to get a match like you. And Arnav, he is really a nice guy. If you would have been here, then it would be happier"

"I know... I know... but what to do? I had to come here suddenly. I really missed the rituals. Sorry for that" they talked for some time and bidding bye they ended the call.

After completing puja and all, Mohini too left from there saying that she will ask their priest to fix the auspicious date and time for their children's marriage. Everybody left from there happily to their homes with their own reasons.

***************

"Mom... you are awesome mom. You are really wonderful. And who is that Mr. Raizada?"

"If you give money to them, so many people are there to act dear. It's Krishna"

"Krishna? Our office boy?" Mohini nodded her head in yes

"But how? Anyway it's not needed. I'm really happy now mom. I can take my revenge from that Arnav and Khushi. Thank you so much mom. Thanks a lot"

"Don't mention dear... but be careful. Till your marriage finishes, nobody should know about our identity. Remember, we are Raizadas now"

"Sure Mom. I will take your leave now. It's really exciting day for me" Rahul went from there.

"It's not your revenge Rahul. It's mine; it's my revenge for that Suraj Mathur and Akul Raizada. You are just my pawn. After all these years, I got one more chance to bother them. I will never waste this chance. I should thank YOU for giving this opportunity" thought Mohini.

************

Unaware of the things happening on their back, Arnav and Khushi hopped the car to leave from college after finishing a tiring day. In these 15 days Khushi managed to sing for different music directors with recommendation of Mr. Shah and Mr. Malhotra and she got a good response from the listeners. She might not become famous, but she became a worth remembering singer. She became famous in her college. It gave Arnav and Aman immense happiness. They really enjoyed her success as a signer. Arnav gifted her, a limited edition watch not giving ear to her protests. And Aman gifted her, a gold chain blackmailing emotionally. Khushi thanked them becoming emotional, hugging them. Today is the free day for Khushi, so both Arnav and Khushi decided to spent some time together. Bidding bye to everyone they went to one of their favorite spot – beach. They sat far from the hustle bustle of the people.

"Khushi... I'm going to tell my parents about us before I leave for YF. Is that okay with you?"

Khushi nodded her head in acceptance not looking into his eyes. Her cheeks turned into pink color much to Arnav's amazement.

"What Khushi, I think you aren't okay with this. No problem I will not say anything to my parents, happy now?" he asked with a naughty smile on his face

"What? How can you say like that Arnav Ji? I didn't say that I'm not okay with that, did I? Then how can you?"

Arnav immediately held her close to him and said "you either said yes"

Khushi looked at him and understood his action. Smiling shyly not meeting his eyes she said "I don't have any problem in telling about us to our parents"

"Khushi look at me" whispered Arnav

She looked at him and smiled contently after seeing the love in his eyes. Arnav kissed her forehead longingly, feeling more restless from the heart. He couldn't express his fears and tensions to already tensed Khushi. He knows something is bothering her heart as his. He hugged her tightly, making her hide her face in his chest. She can hear his extremely highly beating heart matching with her.

"Don't leave me... please..."

"Don't leave me... please..."

Both said at a time and looked at each other. Khushi can see the tension in his eyes. He can see the fear in her eyes. Both gulped hardly looking into each others' eyes. He shook his head in a no asking her to calm down. Khushi hugged him tightly letting him know how much she is controlling her fears.

"Don't worry Angel... I hope everything will be fine"

"Hmm... but... but it's really scaring me Arnav Ji. I can't... control my heart feeling scared and tensed. I don't want to lose you. I want to spend my life with you. I want you... I need you in my life. I Love you. I can't live without you Arnav Ji... I Love you..." she said in a faint voice, making Arnav gulp hardly closing his eyes to control his inner fears and tension. They both sat there hugging for long time without talking anything. When it's time for dinner they left from there assuring each other silently hoping for good.

***************

Next week, Monday morning...

"When are you leaving for the YF, Bhai?" asked Payal

"We – me, Anjali and Akash will leave this weekend, I mean Friday evening. Arnav will come on Saturday probably. Aren't you Arnav?"

"Yeah Aman... I need to finish some personal work and I need to talk with mom and dad about something important before I leave and I am planning for a surprise to someone before I leave" said Arnav looking intently at Khushi. Arnav planned a surprise date with Khushi on Friday night before leaving for the YF

Khushi looked down not able to meet anyone's eyes. Her face turned into tomato red getting the meaning of Arnav's words. Everybody looked at Arnav and then Khushi. Understanding what's going on, they wooed and awed at them, making Khushi redder than before and making Arnav smile widely.

"Oh... my god... Arnav Bhai... you are going to say mamu and mami about you two. Wow, its wonderful news... Khushi... you didn't say anything about this?" asked Lavanya.

"I'm so happy for you Bhai" said NK.

"But this is not fair Bhai... you chose to talk with mom and dad when we are out the city? Are you avoiding us?" chided Akash.

"Oh come on Akash... you know I will never do that. I just don't want mom and dad feel like they are last and left out. I just want to give them time to think that they are first to get permission. And I don't want you guys influence mom or dad with your love and affection for Khushi. I just want them to think and decide by themselves. I don't want them to feel any helplessness in this matter. I just want to be the only person to convince them in Khushi's matter. That's all. Don't think stupid okay?" explained Arnav.

"I'm so happy for your Chote... I wish I will be there"

"Thanks Di..."

Aman hugged Arnav showing how happy he is for Arnav and Khushi. They never needed words to express themselves to each other. He patted Khushi's head lovingly, hugging her sideways.

After finishing classes Arnav went with Khushi to drop her at her hostel. He doesn't want to leave her for even a second. He couldn't fathom out the exact reason behind this tension. He couldn't console his heart from beating hard and restless. He held her close to his heart while driving to her hostel. They sat in the car outside the hostel for long time feeling each other closely. He can feel Khushi's shivering body with fear. He tightened his hug

"Shh... Angel... nothing will happen. Relax... please... don't be scared. Shh... just few days Angel... I will talk with my parents and ask them to fix a date for marriage ASAP"

"What if they won't agree?"

"They will, I will make sure of that. I can't lose you Khushi. You are my Angel. Do you trust me sweetheart?" she nodded her head in yes

"Then let me talk with my parents first and then after coming from YF, I will make sure that we will get married, okay? Don't worry everything will be fine" he said more to himself than Khushi. Khushi closed her eyes hugging Arnav tightly.

"Relax... relax... don't worry... nothing will happen"

She gulped hardly to control her fears coming out in the form of tears.

"Arnav Ji... I think I should go now. I will meet you tomorrow. Good night Arnavji" Khushi said after some more minutes together

Arnav can easily sense the fear in her face and voice. Nodding his head he kissed her forehead.

"Good night Angel... don't worry, everything will be fine. You just take care"

Smiling little she got out from the car went inside hostel, but not before turning back and looking at him

...to be continued