Gupta's stood up as soon as they saw Arnav and Khushi enter the house, Garima ran to them 'was everything okay?'

Arnav nodded at them, Garima ran her eyes over Khushi's face who looked fine, Arnav 'Khushi go to your room' Khushi nodded at him, smiling at all of them she went to her room. As soon as she left, Buaji 'hume titaliya ki todi chintha thi, isliye...voh kya bitwa she fears them'

Arnav 'I understand, don't worry everything was fine. I'll not let anyone hurt her'

Shashi 'we trust you bitwa'

Arnav 'hmmm...... aunty is there still left-over jalebi's?'

Garima 'haan hai bitwa'

Arnav 'zara ek plate mein dijiye, Khushi ke liye' (please prepare a plate of them for Khushi)

Buaji 'I'll get them bitwa' she rushed inside the kitchen and came with plate. Arnav taking the plate 'thanks buaji, good night' the three wished him.

Arnav entered inside the room to see Khushi has changed into her night clothes, coming towards her 'Khushi this is for you. You have not eaten your dinner properly'

Khushi looked at the jalebi with bright eyes 'thank you Arnavji' she took the plate, perching herself up on one of the rolling chair she started to have her jalebi looking at the star filled sky.

Arnav after changing into his night clothes came and sat besides her taking another rolling chair.

Khushi turned to him 'I was so scared Arnavji, I'm very scared of them...they are not nice people....always beats and scolds everyone around.....amma, buaji, Rita Di always tells me to stay away from them.....but that Sheethal always bullies me....I hate them....'

Arnav 'come here'

Khushi stood up from her chair and went to him, he made her sit on his lap, looking at her face 'you should not fear them Khushi......always keep in mind you're Arnavji is with you...he will not let them hurt you'

Khushi stuffing her mouth with another jalebi 'yes now you are here but....but before you were not here na....so I used to be scared....now...now I'll not'

Arnav caressing her cheek 'yes you should not....even if you see them before you anywhere you should not get scared of them'

Khushi nodded her head, eating her jalebis. He sitting in silence accompanied her till she finished her jalebi, once she was done with her jalebi both went to sleep, Arnav held her close to himself.

Next day, Arnav and Khushi were on their way to Delhi, after their breakfast at Gupta house they had left for Brindapur. Arnav glanced at Khushi; she is looking outside the window the changing view of the nature. Arnav called her 'Khushi'

Khushi turned to him 'ji'

Arnav 'What did your amma say to you? She was talking to you for one whole hour before we were getting out of the house'

Khushi giggled 'she said again and again that I should behave myself, and should listen to your words. Should respect you, should be a good wife, should be a good bahu, everything. And do you know what Rita Di said?' she giggled again.

Arnav amused looked at her 'achha kya kaha tumhari Rita Di ne' (oh so what did your Rita Di said?)

Khushi 'she said that I should not let any chudail like Sheethal near you' she laughed, Arnav chuckled 'there is no need Khushi, because I myself will not let any other girl near me, only you have that rights'

Khushi 'accha toh tikka hai' she turned fully towards him 'and do you know Arnavji, yesterday Garui Di, Rita Di and I talked lot...they both asked me about you and the family...how I am? Am I happy or not? And do you know Rita Di asked about...about what happen on the first day of the night in your home'

Arnav 'not only my, it is your home too, so it is our home Khushi'

Khushi 'haan vahi in our home...and I said nothing happen I slept'

Arnav 'hmmm'

Khushi giggled 'aur unki aankhen badi hogayi thi....voh maan hi nahiin rahe thi ki hum so gaye aur apne kuch nahiin kaha...unhone yeh bhi poocha ki hum dono ke beech sab acha haina ...*looking at him* maine bhi keh diya sab accha hai...voh toh achha hi haina' (and they eyes went bigger....they were not believing that you did not tell me anything......they even asked if everything is fine between us or not *looking at him* and I had told them everything is fine.......and also it fine na)

Arnav looked at her smiling face as she is musing to herself about what her Rita Di asked but he knew what does Rita; the woman would have wanted to know. We cannot blame her, can we? People had set their mind that if wedding happened than husband can stalk his claim on his wife without a second thought to her feelings and age. Life is not all about physical relationship between husband and wife, there should be care, love, respect, trust, support, protectiveness, possessiveness which builds the strength of a couple where no storm can destroy them, these are potential things needed in husband wife relationship to withhold in the storm. But who will make them realize. Sighing he looked at Khushi to see her asleep. Seeing his angel sleeping he switched off the radio not wanting her sleep to be disturbed.

HP opened the door, Arnav and Khushi came inside all tired, Arnav 'HP bring our lunch to room itself'

HP 'ji!!!'

Nani who was going to her room looked up smiling to see their children came back 'how was the trip to Gupta house?'

Khushi smiling 'bahut acchi thi Naniji'

Nani 'good'

Arnav 'Nani we both will see you all in the evening and have our lunch in room itself, very tired from the journey'

Nani 'it is okay bitwa, you both go, take rest after having lunch'

Arnav 'and yes Nani ask OP to bring all the bags from the car to my room' Nani nodded at him, both Arnav and Khushi went to their room. Once got freshen up they had their lunch quickly before falling on the bed for a quick nap.

Khushi 'Arnavji'

Arnav 'haan Khushi!!!'

Khushi 'why HPji, OPji all are scared of you'

Arnav looked at her curious face, Khushi 'humne dekha voh sab kitna darthe hain aapse' (I've seen them fearing you)

Arnav 'I don't know'

Khushi 'why you don't know?'

Arnav 'come here' Khushi scooted near him, Arnav tucked her hair behind her ears, looking in her eyes 'are you not scared of me?'

Khushi 'why will I be? Aap Rakhas thodi na ho' she let out a small giggle.

Arnav smiling slightly 'hmmm so what I'm?'

Khushi 'you are nice man and very caring man'

Arnav 'how do you know?'

Khushi 'because you care for me like my babuji does, like my amma and buaji look after me you are looking after me, like Rita Di and Gauri Di listen's to me you listen to my every word, and you help me always.....you scolded that bad girl for me...you are like the prince charming in the story I heard about....yes Prince Charming...My Prince Charming' she giggled, Arnav patted her head, she felt drowsy and slept hugging him.

Arnav looked at her innocent face 'Prince Charming, I'll always remain your Prince Charming Khushi....only yours....but will the Beast for those who hurt you and thinking of hurt you....they will have to face this beast Khushi.....if I'm a Prince Charming for you then I'll be a Beast too for you, only for you to protect from everyone as your shield'

Arnav gave Anjali, Nani, Dadi their gift send by Gupta's for them. Nani ran her hands lovingly over the Lucknow saree, it was simple and nice. Anjali 'wow Chotte this saree is so beautiful' and she looked at her new silver puja thal gifted by them.

Dadi 'but what is the need for the gifts'

Khushi looked at her sad, Khushi 'don't you like the gift dadiji'

Dadi 'no beta, the saree is very nice but it would have cost them so much, is it necessary for them to spend so much in this situation'

Nani 'leave it Subi, they had send it with so much love'

Dadi grunted and left for her room, Arnav patted Khushi's hand 'she liked the gift Khushi but she did not like the fact that your parents had to spend money unnecessarily in gifting these to their daughter's in law's'

Nani looking at Khushi 'your babuji is not well, right? *Khushi nodded* that is why Subi got angry for him spending the money on the gifts rather than on his health'

Anjali grinning 'I'll personally call your parents to thank them for these gifts, I love them lot'

Khushi smiled at them all, Arnav sighed, his dadi is right, already there is so much on Gupta's plate and they are wasting their money on unnecessary things.

Shyam came over there 'arey all got gifts but what about me'

Arnav 'Di has your gift'

Shyam sat beside Anjali, Anjali showed him his gift parcel, he unwrap the gift wrapper to find an exclusive watch but it is not per his likings. Shyam 'hmmm but I don't use this type of watch'

Khushi's face fell, Arnav fisted 'you cannot get every time as per your likings, they can do only this much and be happy with that jijaji'

Shyam looked at Arnav 'arey saale sahib I was just saying they should have known my likings before gifting me'

Arnav 'why should they know? I'm their son in law not you jijaji. So they should know only what I like and what I don't...there is no need for them to know everyones like or dislikes here because they cannot satisfy everyone. It was a custom they gifted to their daughter's in law's and if you wish you can use it, if not then gladly keep it at the corner of your locker in unused collection'

Shyam was taken aback; Anjali looked at Arnav wide eye, Anjali 'Chotte!!!'

Arnav 'I'm sorry Di, but he is wrong'

Anjali sighed, Nani 'damaadji Chotte is right, one should not insult the gift given by someone with love. Gupta's had send it with lot of love to their daughter's new family, so you should appreciate it'

Shyam defeated 'I'm sorry naniji...*he looked at Khushi* I'm sorry Khushiji'

Khushi 'it is okay jijaji'

HP came there with everyone's tea and left keeping the tray on the table, including Arnav's black coffee. Everyone started to drink their tea, when Khushi looked at Arnav.

Arnav 'what Khushi?'

Khushi 'why is your tea black? I always see you drinking this black color tea '

Arnav 'this is not tea but black coffee without milk and sugar'

Khushi scrunched her face 'no milk, no sugar'

Arnav smirked 'want to try' forwarding his cup. Khushi took it tentatively from his hand out of curiosity and took a sip; the next second she gulped with difficulty 'eww this is so bad. How you drink this thing?'

Arnav laughed 'I'm used to this, and I like my coffee this way' Nani and Anjali smiled looking at the two, they had never seen Arnav carefree and smiling in these five years but now they can see their once a caring, soft Arnav is coming back at least for Khushi, his wife. Khushi picked up a samosa and started stuffing it in her mouth to erase the bad taste of the coffee. Arnav watched her in amusement drinking his coffee, today he love his coffee taste more than good.

Arnav 'eat slowly Khushi' Khushi accused him with her eyes but did what he said, Shyam looked at them fuming, his greedy eyes taking in the form of Khushi with so much interest. Soon soon very soon the little bird will be in his hand.

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

Part 10

Khushi looked at Arnav; he is getting ready for office, Arnav turned towards her 'what is it Khushi?'

Khushi 'aap kab lautoge' (when will you return?)

Arnav 'shaam ko, kyun?' (evenining, why?)

Khushi 'voh....voh hum akele honge na yahaan' (I'll alone here na)

Arnav chuckled 'Di, Nani and Daadi are at home'

Khushi 'but....but...aap jaldi aajoge na' (but...but...will you return soon)

Arnav cupping her face 'kya huwa' (what happen?)

Khushi 'hume dar lag raha hai......jab se hum yahan par aaye hain tab se aap humare saat the na....ab aap kaam pe jaa rahe ho.....isliye ghar mein todi dar lag rahi hai' (I'm scared......from the day I came here you were there with me here....today you are going for work......so I'm feeling scared to be at home without you) how to tell him she got so used of him, he made her feel safe.....

Arnav made her sit on the recliner, taking her hand in his 'Khushi I really have to go for work, if I'll not go and work how will I able to look after you and other's in our family....I've to earn for you and our family na *Khushi nodded her head*.....and why are you scared? Di is very sweet person, Nani is very loving person and she has pet too Laxmiji with who you are so friendly now a days.....and Daadi she is strict but loves you like she loves me, haina? *Khushi hmmed* How she looks after you...she is little like your buaji....*Khushi looked up at him with question, he smiled at her* your buaji is little strict na, but she loves you and does everything for your goodness, right *on her positive reaction* likewise Daadi too wants your best'

Khushi giggling 'you are right, she is nice person but haan strict too'

Arnav 'see they are here, you will not be alone...and your HP bhaiya, OP bhaiya is here too.....and I'll return soon in the evening....okay....'

Khushi smiling at him 'haan sab log toh hain hii....tikk hai aap office jaakar jaldi se vapas aajayiye' (haan everyone is here......then okay, you go to your office and come soon)

Arnav cupping her face 'soon....you will not even know how time passed...' kissing her forehead he took his latop bag and left.....reaching down he met with his Di and asked her to lookafter Khushi....Di 'don't worry Chotte, we all are here for her' Arnav nodding at her went to office relaxed.

Daadi's room, Khushi 'Di aapne bulaya mujhe' (Di did you call me?)

Anjali calling her inside 'haan Khushi andar aajao' (yes Khushi, come inside) Khushi came inside the room looking at Anjali, Nani and Daadi. Anjali 'aao idhar baito hamare paas, tum room mein akele bore ho rahi hogi' (come her sit beside me, you would be bored in room all alone)

Khushi sat beside Anjali; she looked at Nani who is massaging Anjali's hair with oil. Anjali 'sss aah Nani dheere, dard hota hai' (ahh Nani slowly, it pains) Khushi giggled.

Daadi looked at her 'Khushi tum mere paas aao mein tumhari baloan ki champi kar deti hoon' (come let me apply oil on your hair), Khushi walked towards her and sat on the recliner as directed by Daadi, Daadi took the oil and started massaging her hair......heaven was all Khushi could think.....after few minutes when Anjali looked at Khushi she giggled....

Daadi 'what is so amusing Anjali?'

Anjali 'Daadi Khushi so gayi'

Nani and Daadi looked at Khushi, she is indeed fallen asleep.....Nani smiled looking at the cute girl, Daadi smirked 'huh mere hathoon ka jadoo hai....thakan dur kar deta hai aur sukoon deta hai' (huh my hands has magic in it.....all tiredness gone and gives you relaxation, calm)

Anjali laughed 'so toh hai'

Nani smiled turning to Anjali 'bitiya we need to inform you this, I and Subi are going to Teerth Yatra......had wished for Arnav's marriage to happen with a good girl.....now that it is fulfilled we are thinking to go and visit all the temple's around thanking the God and to pray for their happy future'

Anjali nodded 'this is good nani'

Daadi 'we will be leaving in one week's time and will return after months of travelling around various temples'

Anjali 'is everything ready?'

Daadi 'yes, Arnav made all the arrangements but you know him first he did throw tantrum on letting us two old people go alone and is sending his troop of body guard with us for our tour'

Anjali giggled 'So ASR like?'

Nani 'he is still The ASR to whom we lost our real Chotte but....but we could see the glimpse of our chotte when he is with Khushi' all the three looked at Khushi who is sleeping on the recliner, her face calm and serene.

Daadi 'I know it, Khushi will be the best for Arnav....she is from the family of following morals and tradition as their pride....and knew Shashi, Garima would have instilled good moral's in her'

Nani nodded at her, Anjali yawned 'I'm too feeling sleepy'

Daadi 'you both sleep here *looking at Khushi*, I and Devyani will go to temple, there is this satsang kept and will return late night' Anjali nodded at her.

Anjali made Khushi to sleep on bed and settled beside her; huh hair massaging does wonder she thought giggling before she went to sleep.

Shyam came inside the room and stopped short looking at the girl sleeping on the bed, his gaze travelling to her innocent face and the cute pout, his gaze hardened....he in daze walked towards the bed....but alas his leg hit the table making a small sound...Anjali jerked up from her sleep, looking up she saw Shyam looking at her horrified 'Shyam ji you?'

Shyam 'haan...voh....when I did not find you in room asked to HP where you are and he directed to Daadi's room, but coming here I see you and Khushiji is sleeping *his gaze shifting to Khushi again*' Anjali smiled at him getting up from the bed 'voh Nani and Daadi gave us head massage which made us sleepy'

Shyam nodded, Anjali 'did you have your lunch?' taking him outside the room who glanced at Khushi last time before exiting with her.

Shyam 'not yet'

Anjali 'what? It is 3 pm now, and why did you not asked HP to serve food for you...come let me get you your lunch....I thought you will have your lunch with your client like always as the lunch meeting'

Shyam 'no Rani Sahiba there was no lunch meeting, it got cancelled and I got tied up with other work....if not for the work I would have came home soon, probably at lunch time'

Anjali 'aap bhi na, kitne careless ho'

Arnav swirled in his chair sighing looking down at his employees with bored eyes.....four days of his time spent with Khushi, his little wife running before his eyes....ah she is so cute...he can't get enough of her...always has the need to keep her before his eyes.....he felt good to hear her asking him to come back soon and her feeling safe with him....it is all good to be dream but yes this is beautiful truth....his life has took the path from pricking thorns to the path of roses....towards his Unique Rose....Khushi!!!.....true to her name she is all happy, cheerful and always makes kush everyone around her.

Arnav swirled in his chair sighing looking down at his employees with bored eyes.....four days of his time spent with Khushi, his little wife running before his eyes....ah she is so cute...he can't get enough of her...always has the need to keep her before his eyes.....he felt good to hear her asking him to come back soon and her feeling safe with him....it is all good to be dream but yes this is beautiful truth....his life has took the path from pricking thorns to the path of roses....towards his Unique Rose....Khushi!!!.....true to her name she is all happy, cheerful and always makes kush everyone around her.

He took his intercom calling Aman inside; Aman came inside 'sir?'

Arnav looked at him 'Aman how many times I told you to call me Arnav'

Aman smiling 'I'll but not at work place'

Arnav sighed 'okay tell me is there any meetings or important work to be taken care off and need my presence'

Aman looked at Arnav's schedule in his note, shaking 'no, nothing off that is important'

Arnav stood up taking his coat 'okay then I'm leaving for home'

Aman 'what? It is just 4 pm'

Arnav 'yeah so, there is no urgent work here which needs my asisstence so I'm leaving'

Aman 'this did not happen from the last five years'

Arnav smirking 'yeah but with time, changes too happens' Aman raised his eye brows....Arnav before going out 'tomorrow you are coming to RM with Tanya, right? Or you forgot the lunch invitation?'

Aman 'nope I'll be there on time, Tanya was pestering me to take her to RM to meet with your wife....poor her not able to attend your wedding because of the Fashion Event she had to be in Paris'

Arnav nodded at him 'great then, will see you both tomorrow?' smiling at Aman he left for home, his sweet home.

Aman gobsmacked racked his brain...what the hell happened to The ASR he knew from last five years....since from the morning he is seeing this new side of ASR who is all distracted from work which never happened before and now he left for home soon who never went to home before 9 pm...sigh...marriage did wonders on him thought Aman smirking. He has seen Khushi, how can he not, he was there with Arnav on his marriage with Khushi....he too was shocked at Khushi's age but then after Arnav's words he calmed down, he knew his friend too well and also knew he is smitten by Khushi at first sight...all he wish now is happiness of his friend which he deserve in his life....he did not dare to tell Tanya about Arnav married to seventeen year girl...no one knows this....if Tanya comes to know she will surely blow her fuse off....dreading inside he left for his cabin to do his work.