The car stopped outside Khushi's house, Shashi, Garima and buaji came out running to welcome their damaad and beti. Khushi hugged her parents tight before they ushered her inside with Arnav.

Arnav looked around the house, they made him sit on the round day bed, Garima came with a glass of water for him. Arnav took it gratefully and sipped.

Buaji looked at her little titaliya in awe, Khushi hugged her tightly 'buaji how are you?'

Cupping her face 'I'm fine titaliya'

Gupta's did not left any chance to give Arnav the royal feeling who looked on amused to see his in laws doings things for him going out of their ways. Garima 'Khushi why are you standing bitiya come here take these sweets to damaadji'

Khushi pouted at her mother 'but he can't have sweets'

Buaji 'hain? Kyun?' [huh? Why?]

Khushi 'voh kya hai unhe shakkar ki bimaari hai' [because he is diabetic]

Buaji and Garima felt bad, Khushi 'koi baat nahiin amma apne namkin toh banaya hoga na' [no problem amma, you have prepared snacks na?]

Garima nodded at her, Khushi 'toh bas voh namkin khayenge, aur haan amma unhe zyaada teeka khana pasand nahiin hai' (don't worry he will eat snacks, and amma he does not like spicy food'

Garima and buaji nodded at her, buaji 'good that you told us before'

The three then came out with snacks, sweets and tea for everyone, Shashi dragged the small table towards where Arnav is sitting and the ladies kept the beverage and eatable items on it. Khushi took a cup and gave Arnav his sugar less tea and then sat beside her amma on the floor. Garima hissed 'Khushi sit on the bed, you will dirty your dress' Khushi pouted but then sat beside Arnav, Shashi had taken the chair.

Arnav sipped his tea in silence, and then looked at Khushi who is munching on the sweets, Buaji 'Garima Sanka Devi will not behave? See how she is gorging the sweets as if she was seeing it after hundred years'

Shashi chuckled at his daughter inwardly, she and her craziness for sweets, Khushi chocked on her sweets, Arnav patted her back, making her drink the water 'Khushi eat slowly, see it got stuck'

Khushi nodded at him all looked at the way he was concerned for her with relief, Shashi and Arnav then started discussing about the Raizada's vast garden of various plants which consist of variety of flowers, vegetables and fruits. Khushi 'Amma, buaji can I go and see my friends'

Garima 'Khushi you can meet them later'

Khushi 'nahiin Amma please I'll meet them and come soon'

Arnav looked at Khushi 'let her go aunty she would have missed them' Khushi beamed at him. She skipped on her feet skidding away to see her friends. Arnav was then led to rest for while till the lunch time, with Shashi went to buy some of the things asked by his wife. Buaji helping Garima in preparing the feast for their son in law, Arnav looked around Khushi's room, going over to window he looked down to see a little away in the house down the street Khushi sitting in the balcony chatting with her friends giggling. He smiled looking at her smiling face. Taking a seat on the rolling chair he watched over her, his wife.

Here Khushi was teased to death, her friends not leaving her minute to take a breath of relief asking about her husband.

Gauri 'bolo bolo Jiju kaise hain?' [tell us how is jiju?]

Khushi shying 'voh bahut acche hain' [he is very nice]

Gauri 'accha!!!'

Khushi 'hmmm'

Rita being a little elder and also married to the guy in same village asked boldly 'toh Khushi what happened at the first night'

Gauri 'Di!!!'

Rita 'chup, it is not new thing, every girl were asked about the same thing, soon your turn will be coming too'

But sad part Khushi did not understand her question; she confused 'hum so gaye' [I slept]

Rita looked at her with wide eyes 'so gayi, and your husband did not say anything'

Khushi nodded in no, Rita frowned she could not believe that nothing happened between Khushi and her husband. She herself got married at the age of fifteen and her husband had pounced on her the very first night as if she was a eatable item, the same was what happened with every other girl, no one took pity on their age but straight away went on to claim their rights. And here the girl Khushi whom no man would want to keep his hands off seeing her breath-taking beauty did not do anything.

Rita clutching her hand 'Khushi is everything okay between you and your husband'

Khushi frowned 'haan Di'

Rita 'but nothing happened between you both'

Khushi 'what should happen Di?' they all knew how Khushi is naïve on these things, and her amma buaji always kept her in safe ring away from these talks.

Rita 'nothing Khushi...does he take care of you well?'

Khushi shied 'haan Di, he is very good man, you know he helped me lot....*with her big wide eyes* and do you know the house where I'm now living is so big that our half of the village can fit, and everything there is very modern but Arnavji taught how to use the modern things around there, he even helped me in my first rasoi rasam' a hue of red spreading on her cheeks, she did not dare to tell that he even helped her in draping the saree, Devi Maya how will she say that, she felt so shy to tell that, so she did not.

Guari 'haye kitna sharma rahi hai' [haw see how she is blushing in shyness]

Rita smiled in relief after hearing her words, she felt at peace, she had always looked at Khushi as his little sister and was sad on her getting married like her at the young age to a man who is 13 yr elder than her. She had thought Shashi Kaka and Garima Kaki will not do their only daughter marriage so soon like other's did in this village, but when she heard about Khushi's marriage fixed she was upset. Knowing well about Kaka and Kaki she could not believe it but after hearing Kaka's dooming health she knew they are right at their place. She had seen Khushi's husband in engagement and marriage who looked no less than Prince for his little sister who herself is a Princess. She had often felt in awe at how Khushi was born in a poor family like them, if she was born in high class family she would have been living a life of true Princess.

Gauri 'Khushi teri saree bahut sundar hai, mehengi hogi na' [Khushi your saree is beautiful, it must be costly, right?]

Khushi 'pata nahiin, yeh sab toh dadi, nani and Di ne diya tha hume, aur pata hai Di Arnavji ne humare liye bahut salwar kameez karidha hai' [Don't know, this is gift from Dadi, Nani, and Di. And you know what Arnav ji gifted me lot of salwar kameez] both looked at Khushi in awe looking at the glow in her face while talking about her Arnavji.

Buaji 'hai re nandhkishore, this girl, where is she now? It is lunch time'

Arnav came down after the call from Shashi for lunch, he looked at them 'Khushi ab tak nahiin aayi'

Shashi 'I'll go and call her bitwa you sit down'

Arnav 'no unlce let me go and call her'

Garima 'but you don't where she will be?'

Arnav 'don't worry aunty I've noticed her in the house a few feet away chatting with her friends'

Shashi 'are you sure bitwa?'

Arnav 'Ji!!!' he went out to call his wife who had forgotten the time while chatting with her friends.

Arnav walked down the streets, looking around at others who were ogling at him, partly in awe of his videshi looks and partly of his aura which always grapes attention towards ASR. He looked around on his way to see like Khushi said married woman are covering their head with their pallu and have their eyes low. Crap, this is 21st century for God Sake and they are behaving as if living hundred years before.

Gauri looked down from the balcony to see Arnav walking down the street 'Khushi jijaji is there see' she pointed her fingers at him. Rita and Khushi looked at Arnav nearing the house where she is. But all of a sudden, a car came in high speed and stopped an inch away from hitting him. Khushi stood up scared and ran down followed by Gauri and Rita.

Arnav looked at the car in anger 'what the' left his mouth. As he looked on he saw a girl not more than 23 came out, his eyebrows rose looking at the western attire she was wearing. This is village when a few seconds back he checked and when did it become Delhi. Khushi and other stopped at a distance to see the girl. Sheethal, the Village head Tiwari Kapoor's only daughter and spoilt brat.

Rita started sweating looking at the bi*** ogling at Arnav. Rita 'Khushi go to your husband, don't let that witch come near him'

Khushi looked at her confused but walked on slow steps towards her Arnavji. Arnav looked at the girl before him with unfathomable anger but the girl cared less and was busy staring at him.

Sheethal 'Oh My God you are The ASR, aren't you? The King of Fashion World'

Arnav rolled his eyes; there we go again. She came near to him forwarding her hand 'I'm Sheethal Kapoor, daughter of this village head'

He did not budge and let alone took pain to raise his hands for handshake; he looked behind Sheethal to see a pale Khushi. Sheethal noticing his attention on somewhere else turned back to see Khushi standing before her. She fumed, this little brat will never leave her in peace, an eye candy she is always stole's attention of every men.

Sheethal 'Chamkili, you come here' Khushi fear gripping her inside came towards her. Sheethal 'heard you got married, who is the lucky guy? Must be same like you gawar, some village guy'

Khushi 'voh...'

Sheethal looking at Arnav sideways and wanting to impress him with the authority she has in the village 'anyways leave all that, my sandals became dirty due to this dirty mud and I want you to clean it' Khushi gulped, amma will beat her if she makes dirty of her saree.

Arnav fumed at Sheethal, he pulled Khushi towards him, Sheethal looked mortified, Arnav 'How dare you? How dare you ask her to do something like that?'

Sheethal 'huh? What new I asked? And why do you care ASR? She is a servant here; these villagers are servant of us and will do what I and my family ask them to do?'

Arnav 'here people will dance around your whims but my wife is not anyone's servant and she will do no such things'

Sheethal 'wife?'

Arnav 'Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada, my wife. Do you have any problem with that?'

Sheethal 'you married this illiterate girl, seriously the great ASR married a village girl who is uneducated'

Arnav shouted 'not one word against her, patni hai woh meri' gritting his teeth 'ask sorry to her'

Sheethal 'what?'

Arnav bellowed 'I said ask sorry to her'

Sheethal stepped back at his anger, Rita and Guari grinned with other's around looking at Arnav in shock. Arnav 'your dad can be head to this village but my one call and I can make sure you and your family ends up in road, before I make my threat come true ask sorry to my wife, Khushi'

Sheethal heard and read about ASR's wrath and stuttered a sorry towards Khushi 'Sorry'

Arnav 'never again do the mistake of trying to mess with my wife'

He turned to shocked Khushi 'come Khushi, uncle, aunty, buaji are waiting for you' taking hold of her hands he took her towards her house. Khushi turned back to see Sheethal's horrific face and showed her tongue at her. Sheethal fumed looking at Khushi's antics and boldness. You will pay for this.

Gauri and Rita giggled seeing Sheethal burning in her anger went away in her car. The women around who witnessed the scene looked at their husband with accusing eyes to let them know that was what called life partner who can't stand his wife's insult and not like you who willingly pushes their wife to get insulted. Men averted their eyes but their ego did not allow accepting their mistake. Rita looked at her husband with hate.

Rita 'you actually did what she asked for? That bitch..'

Shankar 'Rita!!!! Hold your tongue, what is new in this? We need to follow their rules, and besides who will let go the offer of a beautiful lady.' Rita disgusted turned her head away.

Rita 'I'm your wife and you cheated on me'

Shankar 'I did not because this is what happening from years, we are living in this village only because we serve them so what if madam ji asked my assistance'

Rita shouted 'Assisting in what? To sleep with her'

Shankar pulled her chip up, gripping her face hard 'you do know that I married you only because your parents were willing to give the one acre land on my name otherwise who will marry a crow like you and what wrong did I do if a pigeon came to me for her need' he pushed her hard away.

Rita cried hard, is it her fault that she is born dark? That bi*** and her brothers never leave anyone here and pick them for their needs whoever they liked, no one has a say in this. From last five years this is going on, the time Village head Tiwari was bed ridden his sons Raghav and Raghu took hold of the village ordering them making the lives of the villagers' hell. Top to that Tiwari's daughter who is foreign return added to their misery, she does not lives in village but instead stays in Mumbai trying to get inside the modelling career. If the two son's pick on girls then the daughter too is not behind coming to village for a short trip with her boyfriends or select a guy around for her use. The three don't have haya, shame nothing, no moral's, no respect to others feeling. They get what they want and the village people have to do as they ordered. Many families are on tethered because of these three.

Shankar came beside Rita 'what are you looking at my face? Don't look at me like that, that guy supported his wife because she is beautiful like a white fairy but you, have you seen yourself you are a black crow. Come inside and serve me lunch' Gauri's heart pinched.

Rita following behind 'then why the hell you touch me everytime'

Shankar 'to fulfil my needs, or do you want to find me another woman, I don't mind it...but Raghav and Raghu bhai will not allow it'

Rita 'yes because the whole village girls are only their mistress. What misfortune do the girls bring with them to be born in this cursed village?'

Shankar 'you are talking too much. Don't forget we work for them and the food you are eating is because they provide it'

Rita 'lalat hai aise zindagi se'

Shankar turned deaf ears and started having his food as if everything is fine in his life, yes for him everything is fine, because he never cared for the chit of the girl he married, he married her for only the land and he got it, that's it and as his wife she has to fulfil his needs.

CHARACTER SKETCH:

Arnav Singh Raizada: Age 30,Rude, arrogant, heartless businessman of Delhi who once was loving, caring and soft Arnav Mallik worked as an employee for forty thousand salary in Lucknow. His first marriage left a huge dent which changed him totally to what he is now? He wanted to remove the traces of Arnav Mallik and became Arnav Singh Raizada aka ASR. After the mishap of first marriage, he changed his surname to maternal one and left Lucknow forever to Delhi with Nani and Dadi. Media has no wink about his past life. In five years he has established an empire of his own AR Fashion House which is running all over the world in flying color, ASR is no 1 businessman in India and 2nd largest rich man in ASIA. He is now married to Khushi Gupta, the daughter of Shashi Gupta who is caretaker of Raizada Farmhouse and Garden in Hastinapur.

Khushi Gupta/Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada: Age 17, she is a Divine beauty one could not take their eyes off; her cute face allure everyone around her, no one can believe the bewitching girl took birth in a poor man's home. Very delicate and innocent girl loves her family lot and respects their every word. She is now married to Arnav Singh Raizada agreeing to her families wish to see her settled with her husband.

Anjali Jha: Age 34, Loving persona, a mother figure to her brother, a dutiful wife. Married to Shyam Manohar Jha and was settled in Mumbai but she recently a year back came down to live in her brother's home with her husband who often goes out on a business trip regarding his cases and does not wish to leave his wife alone in the flat in Mumbai and managed to convince to shift to his in laws home conveniently. (no limp)

Shyam Manohar Jha: Age 35, Manipulative and cunning man bending people to his wishes with his sweet talks. A successful criminal lawyer who shifted himself from Mumbai to Delhi wanting to enjoy his Sale Sahib's new found treasure (money).

Subathra Mallik: Dadi of Arnav and Anjali, strict but loves her family in her own way.

Devyani Raizada: Nani of Arnav and Anjali, exact opposite of Dadi, mischief and lenient lady, loves her grandchildren and wishes to see them happily settled in their life.

Shashi Gupta: A humble man, caretaker of Raizada Farmhouse and the vast garden from past three years. Has married his only daughter off to his malkin Sumithra Mallik grandson Arnav Singh Raizada

Garima Gupta: A loving wife and mother who helps her husband in taking care of Raizada property.

Madhumathi Gupta: A loud lady but loves her brothers family lot, especially her only niece Khushi.