Part 12 (Last)

"Khushi..." Arnav whispered, feeling her soft lips on his cheeks

Khushi looked at him with love filled eyes. "Thank you so much for whatever you did Arnav ji. Without your support I can never achieve this" she again kissed on his cheek

He just smiled hearing her words. But his eyes are lost

"What's wrong Arnav ji? Why are you looking upset?" she asked sitting beside him.

He leaned his head on headrest of his couch. Arnav closed his eyes and sighed deeply feeling her palm caressing his hair.

"Nothing Khushi... tell me how is your day?" he asked

"Tell me Arnav ji... what's bothering you. May be I can help you" Khushi asked with expectant eyes.

Arnav looked at her for few seconds before he sat near her foot and kept his head on her lap.

"Never ever thank me, because I didn't do anything. Whatever happened is completely because of your hard work Khushi. Don't try to give the credit to others. You should learn to get the credit for your hard work" Arnav cupped her face and said.

Khushi smile looking at him. But she knew that is not what he wanted to say. So she continued caressing his hair "Do you want to say anything Arnav ji?" Khushi asked keeping one hand on his chest

"Woh... Khushi... um... I mean... I... you..." he hesitated

"Arnav Singh Raizada and stammering? That's a news" Khushi smiled little. But seeing his worried eyes, Khushi made him sit beside her "What's bothering you Arnav ji?"

Sighing deeply, Arnav held her hands in his and said "Khushi can I ask you one thing? Will you accept it?"

"Yes Arnav ji... but what's the problem now?" Khushi asked

"I need job Khushi... Can you give me one?"

"Job? for you? And... and... In restaurant?" Khushi asked perplexed

"Yes... I will do whatever you say. Or I will be your representative or I will cook whatever I knew... but please Khushi... I need a job..."

"Arnav ji...!!!" Khushi whispered. She is beyond shocked.

"Yesterday me and NK went to few bankers for loan. They all knew me, and they are ready to give me loan too for my business. But... but... they are asking for surety. They are asking for security. I don't know what to do now Khushi. I don't want to take more time to start the business Khushi. NK said, he will ask money from his father. But I don't like that. I mean... I don't know... but..."

"But?" she asked

"I don't want to depend on any others. I want to do it by myself... from the start. And no one is ready to give the job for the mighty great bloody ASR. I need job. For this I can't go anywhere except you Khushi. Please... give me a job... give me a chance to prove myself. Please Khushi..."

"Shh... I know... I can understand. Just one minute..." she left to her room and came after few minutes. She gave few papers to Arnav and looked at him "Will this do?"

Arnav gaped at her with wide eyes "Khushi... no this is not what I want... I can't do this... I'm just asking for work not surety. I am saying all this thinking you might give a suggestion. I didn't mean this Khushi... no... I can't..."

"Shh... relax.. Why can't you do this? This is OUR property, Arnav ji. Won't you do the same if I'm in need? Or do you feel failed or insulted to take this?"

"If I feel insulted then do you really think I will come to you to ask for job? I just want to do everything on my own Khushi. If you give job to me, then I can earn the money, then... then..."

"You want to start your business, right?" Arnav nodded his head "But don't you think it will take little long?" Khushi asked the question which irritating Arnav. Exhaling slowly Khushi tried to make him understand "Didn't you say that whatever you earn, whatever you get is mine too?" Arnav again nodded his head without late "Then how can my earned money don't belong to you? Are you still seeing me as a stranger? Don't you feel my world is yours? Don't you feel I belonged to you? If you don't feel insulted by taking up job in my restaurant, why are you hesitating in accepting my property as yours? What is the main reason for this hesitation Arnav ji?"

"I... I... how can I? I mean what will others think, say? I insulted you saying you are behind my property, then how can I take your property. What if I behave like one? I don't want you to think that I'm behind your property Khushi. I can't hurt you more"

"From when ASR started to think about others? Society? And from when he became this weak?" Khushi asked

"Please Khushi I'm serious... i'm worried. I don't want anyone to say anything to you. I want to protect you. I want to do everything I can to keep you happy"

"Do you know how silly you are sounding? Why are you worried this much? Did I complain anything about your business? Did I say anything about you are behind my money? Don't you know that I'm not that kind of person? And more over, you well know that starting business is different and getting success and making it stable is different, for that it will take lot of time. Didn't you say this to me, when I started? Didn't say you will stand beside me? Then why are you pushing me from standing beside you? Don't you want me to support you? Why are hesitating?" Khushi asked with tears in her eyes

"No Khushi... please don't. I just meant that I don't want anyone to talk about us. I don't want to give any chance to others to create rift between us. I'm just worried. I don't want to lose you Khushi. Whatever I did, and whatever happened with you because of me, that's enough for the life times, Khushi. Please... I didn't mean to push you. I want your support in every step Khushi. Without you I can't do anything" Arnav closed his eyes.

"I never knew, my love would make you weak. I wish my love could have made you stronger than you are" khushi shook her head in disappointment. Arnav tried to protest her words. She continued "I loved you as ASR as much as I loved you as Arnav. I love your stronger self, Arnav ji. I loved the way you dealt with everything whether it is in office or in house. Where did that ASR go? Why are becoming weak? Just be yourself. Please don't change your persona. I love the fighting spirit in you. Let's fight together, please bring back the ASR, I felt proud. If you becomes inferior, how can I get help from you? How can ASR will help me if I face any problem in business? I'm new to this. I want you and ASR both beside me. Please Arnav ji. Don't push me... let me help you" Khushi pleaded.

"Khushi..."

"Please... No... no please... it's my order. You said you will do whatever I say, right? Then..." she thrust the papers in his hands and said again "take this papers and use this for the surety. I don't want to hear anything. You better start your business as soon as possible. Otherwise you will have to deal with me, the KKGSR... do you get that? And I don't want to hear any excuses... and my decision is final. Otherwise you will be fired" he imitated the ASR and looked at him with mock stern face, standing with her hands on her hips

Arnav smiled at her with moistened eyes. He felt elated for having this angel in his life. He stood and tugged her towards him and hugged her tight.

Khushi closed her eyes feeling content in his arms. She rubbed her nose to his chest and kept her cheek on his heart

"We are one Arnav ji. There is no mine or yours. All this is ours. We are together and will be together in everything. Let's travel together in life. Let's face both success and failure together. Don't push me away or don't go away from me. I don't know whether I can bear that or not, but I'm sure my heart can't bear your absence. We are here, together for our life. Let's stay together in all the up and downs, okay? Hmm?" she looked at him with hopeful eyes.

Arnav nodded his head with a smile on his lips.

Khushi slowly raised on her tiptoes and kissed lightly on his lips

"Khushi?" he sounded surprised

"I love you Arnavji... " she whispered back

Arnav continued her kiss pulling her close to his heart.

||_||

"And the young businessman award goes to... Oops sorry... first of all I want to apologise to Mr. ASR for breaking his consecutive years of award winning. I know last year he was there in the list but left because of some personal issues. But this year, he is not in the list. That's really sad thing. But ASR, records are to be erased one day or other by one person or other... I can't help this year." the host, who had announced ASR's name every year from last 6 years, said looking sadly at ASR, but his eyes gave away the happiness he is feeling.

Seeing that smile in the host's eyes, Arnav too smiled little. He took the mike and said "I don't have any problem as long as the award goes to the person who I want to. Or else, be ready for the consequences buddy" Arnav warned in mock seriousness, leaving all the guests laugh out loud.

Someone shouted from the audience, to know who dared to cross the mighty ASR to get the award

"Okay let me announce the winner. Buddy... I mean ASR, I'm safe this year... the best young businessman of the year... oh no no... best young businessWOMAN of the year... award goes to..." Arnav didn't allow the host to announce the name. He stood from his seat and started clapping. Everyone looked at this eager man and looked at the host to see him smile brightly at ASR. "ASR, please buddy control your happiness. First let me announce the name. The best businesswoman award goes to Mrs. ASR i.e. Khushi ASR. Mrs. Khushi, please come on to the dias."

The hall roared with clapping and shouts. Both Arnav and NK pulled Khushi from her chair and brought her the stage after they crushed her between their hugs, Akash followed them with bright smile on his lips. Before khushi understands what is happening, she was on the stage standing before few best businessmen, surrounding by Arnav, NK and Akash. She looked around her to see very excited Arnav, NK and Akash clapping for her success. Everything got blurry while happy tears formed in her eyes.

"Mrs. Khushi, please come forward" the hosts asked Khushi which she followed obediently with the push by Akash. One of the businessmen handed her the award and wished her for her success. She smiled nervously at him.

"Mrs. Khushi, few words please..."

Khushi gaped at him and the audience. She felt her husband pressing her palm to encourage. She gulped and took the mike.

"I..." she cleared her throat and continued "I don't know what people would say normally. Because I never attended this type of function. I... I don't know. Give me a second... first let me grasp what is happening here" she breathed out trying to relaxing. "Hey Devi mayya... I still not getting what to talk. I think, running chain of restaurants is easier than this. Phew... I... first of all my sincere thanks to the panel who selected me for this award. Then I wanted to thank my families for their wonderful support and care for me. Each and everyone of my staff. I thank from the bottom of my heart. Thank you all... and finally... the person whom I want to thank, is Devi Mayya. Without her blessings I couldn't get this. Tomorrow morning I'm going to offer her 5 kg of jilebi for her for sure..." she smiled seeing the smile on the audience. "And Nanhe ji... how can I thank you for whatever you did? You stood beside me like a friend, like a brother and like a father. You were there in my hard times, my emotional times. Thank you... thanks a lot..." NK bowed his head to her smiling. She continued "I know you all want to hear about your ASR and our relation. I am not thanking him for whatever he did. Yes, you heard me right. I am not going to thank him. Because, I can't thank him enough. I can't thank him enough for being My Arnavji. I can't thank him enough for his wonderful and constant support. I can't thank him enough for accepting me as I'm. Who will accept the girl who just passed only 12th, middle class, without English knowledge and without common sense? But my Arnav ji did. My Arnav ji loved me. He never left my side for even for second. If I'm successful and I got this award, it's completely because of him. I'm giving this award to him... and I want to thank you all for listening to my sanak... bua ji... your sanka devi won an award..." she said in her cheerful voice and she smiled at everyone before folding her hands and walked towards Arnav and bent to touch his feet with award in another hand. Arnav jumped back with terrified look on his eyes making everyone control their giggles. He urgently pulled Khushi up, hugged her tight and kissed her forehead.

"I'm proud of you Khushi... I love you" he whispered in her ears.

The audience went crazy with the PDA. Khushi blushed deep and Arnav smiled in his arrogance to the people and led Khushi towards their seats. But stopped hearing the host calling him.

"ASR... wait there buddy... You know, last year you were in the winning place, which we couldn't give you as you stepped out. But this year... sorry, we couldn't keep you in best young businessman category. I'm sorry buddy." host said

Arnav shrugged his shoulders discarding his sorry not understanding why this man is saying this again. 'Didn't he say sorry already?' Arnav thought

"But we can give you the best businessman award, right?" host announced slowly. There was a pin drop silence in the hall. Everyone looked at ASR and the hosts for few moments before the hall roared again with the clapping sound. Khushi jumped in happiness hearing the news. Both Akash and NK hugged Arnav. Arnav looked at the host to confirm the news

"Yes buddy... you became old... you are not young anymore... but still you gained what is yours... whatever the category would be... you are the winner Arnav Singh Raizada, but his year you are sharing this award 'the best businessman of the year' with Mr.NandaKishore singh. Ladies and gentlemen please give a loud applause to our ASR and Mr. NK for their best and powerful return. Congrats ASR and NK... you guys made it."

Arnav, Akash and Khushi hugged NK making him blush. Arnav stepped forward along with NK with a smile on his face to collect the award. He took the mike from the host along with a hug

"Without Khushi and NK, I wouldn't have stood here with this. I'm not saying this for formality. I'm saying this because that is the truth. One and half years back, I left everything I mean all my business to my brothers and family who deserves most than me. After few personal disturbances in life, I couldn't step ahead for being the head of AR. I wanted to share those disturbances with you, but trust me... my wife will kill me if I do that" Arnav looked at Khushi's wide mouth and eyes and winked at her. "So, I'm not going there. But the real thing is... I couldn't get the job anywhere, because no one is ready to take arrogant man like ASR in to their companies. I'm not blaming them. I deserve that. Then when I left with nothing, my baby brother, NK stood like a pillar in my life. Without his support I don't know, what I could have done. When me and NK contacted banks, they were ready to give me loan. But, as per their rules they asked me for some surety. But I didn't have anything. That time, Khushi... my angel... came to me with her restaurant papers and stood strong for me. And she gave me whatever profit she got in her business. She gave everything of her to me to make me stand on my legs. She stood there to make me prove myself again. She never complained when I gave everything to others or she never questioned me for anything. She heard my experiences and guided me throughout. I know she is less experienced than me, but her fresh mind gave us valuable suggestion which helped us in better service. And my family... what can I say about them? Akash and di who invested in my business with their trust and everyone... they supported me with their blind trust. What good deeds I done in my life to get such a precious people in my life, I don't know. My sincere thanks to each and everyone of them, and my staff and the panel... Thank you guys..." Arnav stood behind after giving the mike to nervous NK

"Whatever I wanted to say, Nannav I mean ASR said all. And I don't want to prove myself as a nervous fool, so, thank you... thanks a lot..." with that NK walked towards Khushi and Akash along with Arnav who kissed Khushi and led her to their families.

||_||

After an eventful dinner with family, both Arnav and Khushi walked to their bedroom in "Anand Vihar". They lied cuddling together after changing.

"Congratulations Mrs. Khushi ASR, for the award" he kissed her forehead

"Same to you Mr. ASR. I'm so proud of you" she kissed him on his throat.

Arnav hugged her tight to feel her warmth. He closed his eyes feeling content. In this last one and half year, both Khushi and him both worked hard. Arnav worked like a maniac to give all the comforts he wants to give to his wife. He built an office for Khushi to control her all the branches. He employed best people to work with her. He used his business mind to make her business best and at the same time, he worked hard along with NK to make his resort's success. Being an arrogant businessman, he stood in the top of hotel business in short time. He took less time to get the success back with the support of his siblings and Khushi. When he found Khushi's discomfort to return to RM, he had built 'Anand Vihar' and moved his family into. Khushi and Anjali were the happiest persons knowing about Anand Vihar. Both Anjali and Khushi get back to their comfort with each other. She apologised to everyone for not able to come back to RM. But everyone shrugged her apology saying as long as everyone of them together nothing matters.

Now... after a long tiring day and year... they both are here in small world of their bedroom cuddling to each other. Arnav sighed and hugged her tight.

"Arnav ji..." she cooed and lifted her head, kissed him on his adam apple

"Khushi..." he said her name in pleasure closing his eyes.

Khushi slowly moved onto him and kissed every inch of his face. She kept her face in the crook of his neck breathing his scent, silently asking him for the next. Arnav turned her on her back and claimed his right on her. Slowly they drifted to their world which filled with pleasure, happiness and content.

They both faced a lot in their lives, faced a lot of insults, pain and what not. But still they stood with each other. Proved their love. They proved to the world, that not only pain but also the happiness resides in Love. They trusted each other with their everything. They are happy... they are successful... they are content...

Khushi opened her eyes after pleasurable time and looked at her husband who is looking at her with so much love

"I'm so lucky that I didn't die year back. I'm so thankful to Devi Maiyya for not taking me with her, for giving you back to me. What can I do without you Arnav ji? How could I live without you?" she asked with choked voice.

"Tomorrow we will go together to thank her for giving us our lives back. Me to you, and you to me. Let's thank her how much we can whenever we can. I don't have any answers for your questions Khushi, because, I too don't know what would I have done without you. I too don't know how I would have live without you. I don't know..." he said

"I love you Arnav ji... " she confessed

"I love you too..." he reciprocated

"stay with me..." she demanded

"Always..." he obliged

"Forever..." they promised together

:: The End ::

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