Dedicated to Jessisrr,Merlin_16,finnie05,Abhiasr,PankajaRamakrishnan,Ananya_malik

and to all my lovely readers and friends....

12 ~ Being Reborn ~

Flashback...

Wedding Day..

Ray Mansion...

After the Wedding ceremony..

Late night...

Finally Khushi Basu is now Khushi Arnav Ray...and truth to be told, for Khushi, it's a blissful feelings..

" Thank you Husband" slowly Khushi whisper to herself, but Arnav as if had all ears for her. Among all the greetings Khushi felt shiver when Arnav slowly placed a peck of their entwined fingers while murmuring, " Always wifey..."...

Soon the guest disappeared and the newly wedded couple along with the family members came to Ray Mansion...

Khushi was feeling nervous certainly, it's not that the family members or the house or her husband are new to her , she is very familiar with all of them and the house... She herself was staying here for weeks, but today after the marriage got completed, Khushi as if felt this is her new birth... she is feeling that the past she was carrying with her as if was a dream, now the new dawn has started with this marriage. Khushi never felt this much secured in her life, since the time Arnav protected her from Garima today, and till now, Arnav never left her hands, Khushi not only felt secured but she felt like 'BEING REBORN '......

During the whole car ride way back to RM, Khushi was in her deep thought... she has loads of responsibilities now, but above all, Khushi decided one thing for sure, she will always stand beside Arnav whatever may comes and she will help Arnav any how to win the custody case.. No way, Khushi will let the Mallik and Sheetal to snatch Advay from them...

" Back to earth Mrs Ray..." Arnav's husky voice drag Khushi from her thoughts..

"We are HOME.... let's go.." Arnav slowly and softly hold Khushi's hand and guided her towards the main door of Ray Mansion where the whole family was waiting with open arms to welcome the newly wedded couple. As per the rituals, Arnav picks Khushi in his arms and take a entry..

" ohhh...No wonder, Arnav Ray aka the AR has became a pro in carrying Khushi Bhabi in his arms.." Aman teased looking at the couple, where Khushi got beetroot red but Arnav look as if he don't care...instead, his next words, make everyone's eyes popped out and Khushi almost choked in her breath..

" Shut up Aman... and Nani, finish your remaining rituals, MY KHUSHI is tired.. She needs rest..." Arnav declared still holding Khushi in his arms..

Overcoming from the shock Payal uttered, "Bhai, first put down Your Khushi, and then only we can start the remaining rituals."

Soon, the rituals and the little games were over. No wonder Khushi won in every game because Arnav let her win.

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

After 30 minutes...

Khushi is hell nervous sitting in the lavish bed of Arnav Ray's decorated bedroom. The smell of the flowers, the candles and the moonlit coming from the poolside was only increasing Khushi's heart beats.

It's not like, Khushi never entered in this room, but today the feelings is very different. A thousands of thoughts are overcrowded in her heads, as per the contract she was supposed to stay in the guest room but now what will happen.. Actually nothing went as per the contract because the man who made the contract himself, giving no hood in the rules to follow the contract. He himself behaving as if Khushi is the MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION of him..

Khushi was so engrossed in her inner turmoil that she did not able to realise that Arnav not only entered in the room but sat beside her and watching her with his hawk eyes....

Khushi came back from her memory lane, when she felt a someone was wiping her tears.. She snapped her eyes immediately only to be locked into the brown gaze..

" This is our wedding night and I will not appreciate if my beautiful bride sheds tears just few hours after our wedding.. What is bothering you so much, wifey?" Arnav's soft, tendering voice brings more tears in Khushi's eyes.

" I... I was missing my amma...if she was here today, she will be the happiest person on the earth seeing her daughter in safe hands." Khushi sincerely told the truth while looking at Arnav's eyes.

" But I don't think so... today I failed in my promise which I gave you Khushi, I failed to protect you.. I... I...I am so sorry, your step mother and step sister...they hurt you, I should have been more careful ... I am so..." before Arnav could continue his rant, Khushi placed her palm over his mouth and nodded her head...

" You are the one who protected me...You saved me from their clutched ..Before and today too...don't blame yourself unnecessarily." Khushi squeezed Arnav's hand with assurance and Arnav too nodded his head and said, " But this will be the last time you are shedding tears because of them... I promise... I ignored Sheetal Khanna and her cunning mind."

" Sheetal?? How she is related to all this, related to my step mother?" Khushi asked surprised.

" My security head informed that Sheetal was the woman with whom your step mother and step sister took an entry here and then she sneaked in your room. Probably, they wanted to abduct you and stop this marriage." Arnav slowly looked at the shocked face of Khushi.

" But what they would get from that?" Khushi asked not getting the connection.

" Come on wifey, if the marriage would had been stopped then Advay custody..." Arnav just stopped in midway and Khushi nodded in understanding... surprisingly, Khushi did not get scared thinking what if she got abducted actually but she was more worried for Advay...

" We have many think to discuss Khushi, many matter to solve... besides, I am sorry again that we have to share the room for few days, till we own Advay custody. I ..I.." Arnav failed to complete his words while Khushi just smiled towards him and finally took his hand in her,

" Arnav, relax... I know.. I understand the situation..From the very beginning, the reason behind this marriage was to win Advay custody and I will cooperate with you, in every possible way.. Trust me... I am comfortable with you..Its.. It's okay.." Khushi finished her words while still holding Arnav's hands.

" Why?" Arnav came close to her while tucking the hair behind her ear...

" Because.. I TRUST YOU ARNAV...." Khushi was so clear and confident in her choice of words that Arnav could not resist himself but hugged her tightly in his protective embraced.

" Thank you so much... Khush... I did not know, how would I have managed without you.. I was just losing my every hope in life... my world was becoming darker with each passing second but you came as a light in my life, infact in our life... Advay says rightly Khushi... You are angel... our angel.." with that few tear drops make their ways from Arnav's eyes and as if sensing it, Khushi slowly reciprocated the hug..

Then both of them felt silent for a while... and the silent was so serene...

No words exchanged but both Arnav Khushi heard the unsaid words of the others, " I am here... beside you...with you...for you..."

Slowly breaking the hug, Arnav whispered, " Go, get changed. It's already midnight.. You must be tired.."

Nodding Khushi move towards the washroom after wiping Arnav's unshed tears which was pricking in the corner of his eyes..

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

When Khushi came out from the washroom changing in night dress, Arnav had already changed in a white shirt and black track pant. Seeing Khushi Arnav slowly patted beside him, indicating her to sit there.

As soon as Khushi sat on the bed, Arnav slowly took her hand and before Khushi can blink her eyes, she found two beautiful golden bangles adorned her hands.

" It's my mother's blessings for her daughter in law... so, please don't deny." Arnav could not give any scope to Khushi but Khushi gasp... "Exactly Arnav, for her daughter in law, for your actual wife..."

"And do you consider our marriage fake? There may be a contract but the marriage is for real Khushi, we are husband and wife both ritually and legally..so, it's yours and I will not hear your argument over it.. Now please sleep on the bed and I will take the recliner." With that Arnav took a comforter and pillow and went towards the recliner leaving behind a shocked Khushi..

Khushi was truly confused now, what are Arnav's actual intensions? Why he is every time behaving as if they are husband and wife for life long? And now the bangles? Khushi looked at Arnav and then reality hit him, he is arranging his bed on recliner...just to make her comfortable? This man is for real?? How will she not love this man and not fall for him with every passing second more and more?

" Arnav why are you sleeping on the recliner?" Khushi asked in no nonsense tone, making Arnav looked at her with a little confusion.

"So that you can take the bed and sleep comfortably.." Arnav replied still not getting Khushi's point.

" Am I look like a sumo or hippopotamus ?" Khushi asked very seriously this time.

" What the? Who told you that nonsense?" Arnav asked getting more confused.

" Then Are you scared of me ?" Khushi used the same tone which makes Arnav more confused.

" WHAT THE... Why should I be scared of you?" Arnav was not getting any head or tell of Khushi's words..

" Then... then are you finding me too ugly that...?" Khushi trailed her words while making a very sad face.

Arnav was too shocked to even uttered his infamous 'WHAT THE", he just started at his wife with open mouth listening her sudden queries.

"Did you banged your head somewhere in the washroom Khushi?" Arnav uttered those words suddenly getting worried.

"Uffff... Mr.. Ray...don't get panicked or scared...I am absolutely fine... and I assured you, you will also be safe...I promise I will not attack on your dignity, if you sleep beside me in the bed...It's a gentle woman's words..so, please, come and sleep on the bed.." Khushi dramatically rolled her eyes.

Arnav was rooted in his place.. His mouth was hanged open; eyes were almost popping out... But when Arnav's shocked eyes met with Khushi's hazel orbs which were twinkled with mischief, he finally understood... His wife was pulling his legs? Making the fun of the AR?

Looking at Khushi's face intently, finally Arnav burst into laughter... this woman, this crazy woman will definitely something...

" You are UNBELIEVABLE Khushi....." Nodding his head, Arnav laughed heartily..

" You looked so carefree while you laugh Arnav... keep smiling always.." Khushi too smiled at him..

" if you are beside me, I thing I will get 'another chance' to life Khushi"..Arnav finally stand in front of Khushi in two long strides.

" Why?" he asked softly.. And Arnav knew this much question was enough to convey his unsaid words.

" BECAUSE, I TRUST YOU HUSBAND...." Khushi's response came immediately and Arnav placed his lips on her forehead, thanking her silently for putting her trust on him, in this extends.

Their small moments were broken by loud banging on the door with Advay's wailing sound.

Arnav hurriedly unlocked the door and found a sleepy Advay standing there with tears pouring from his eyes.

Before Arnav could asked Akash and Payal, who were there with Advay, Khushi ran towards Advay and took him in her arms.

" Bhai... he was sleeping but suddenly he woke up and started to cry asking for Khushi again and again. I am sorry, We tried to keep him tonight but he is so habituated with Khushi in few days that..." Payal said feeling sorry for the newly wedded couple.

" It's totally fine, jiji... Advay will be with us from now onwards." Khushi replied with a beautiful smile while Arnav nodded in agreement.

Finally Akash and Payal left the room and Arnav sit beside Khushi who was cuddling a crying Advay and trying to pacify him.....

" Adu baby... why my Adu is crying so much? Why he is not looking at me?" Khushi asked softly while placing soft kisses in his chubby cheeks.

" An..tel... No...lub...Adu.." and Advay again wailed.

" No.. baby... I love you so much... You are my baby..' Khushi replied while Arnav frowned a little.

" No..No... Antel ...no.. lub.. Adu... An..tel..no sleep Adu.." Advay conveyed his feeling in his baby voice while his tears were continuously flowing from his eyes.

" Baby.. Look... you had already slept with Payal aunty and Akash uncle..They love you.. They also want to sleep with Adu.. So, I thought..." Khushi softly whispered to Advay which somewhere stop his tears.

" Ant..el.. love Adu??' Advay asked once again.

"Yes... because Adu is my Prince ..." Khushi showered him with kisses.

"Adu Pinch?" Advay finally smiled ear to ear.. And clapping his tiny hands he asked, "and Da...da?"

" Hummm... Your dada is KING..." Khushi's instant replay jolted Arnav from his thought and he smiled warmly looking at his "life" and "lifeline.." together..

" Da.. da.. 'TING'.. Adu 'Pinch' and antel?" Advay is now in his jovial mood getting Khushi's undivided attention on him.

" You Angel is our QUEEN..." Arnav replied making Khushi smiled softly.. "and this King and Queen loves their Prince very much..." this time Khushi completed giving a loud Kiss on Advay's cheek.

" Adu..Sleepy.." and within no time Advay slept peacefully holding Khushi's hand while lying in between his Dada and Angel.

" Those words.. I mean asking about angel loves Adu or not, are not Advay's.." Arnav said breaking the silence.

" I also think so, someone has fed him and try to brainwash him." Khushi agreed. " But who? After the wedding also Advay was with us and so happy. That means..."

" It's someone who is staying in Ray Mansion tonight... some relatives, and if I am not wrong, I know who did this." Arnav said while gritting his teeth...

" Who? Who can stoop so low? It's not Sheetal or the Mallik...they left the venue immediately after the marriage." Khushi said.

" They are not... But the person is also a Mallik... The one and only, Mrs..Suvadra Mallik... My so called DADI...." Arnav words were so much full of hatred that Khushi looked at him astonished.

" Your Dadi?" she asked whispered..

" Yes, one more opponent of us and she is the most venomous lady I had ever met in my entire life... the great mother of Arunoday Mallik.." Arnav said still clenching his teeth..

Slowly Khushi put her one palm over Arav's and make small circles, slowly Arnav cooled down and finally taking deep breath he looked at Khushi...

" We need to be very careful Khushi, I am really not getting any good vive, they are all so cunning... and they go to any extend to fulfil their selfish motive. I am scared Khushi, I cannot lose Advay.." Arnav open his heart and did not hesitate to show his weakness to his wife, probably for the first time.

" And You will Not lose Advay.. It's my promise Arnav... I did not able to gift you anything like you did, but I am giving you my words... Advay will always be with you and it's Khushi's promise. Trust me..." Arnav looked intently towards Khushi for few moments and finally uttered, " I have trust on your Trust.."

Finally muttering a silent good night both of them close their eyes..

Khushi slept within no time but Arnav was wide awake.. Slowly he sat on the bed and with baby step he came to Khushi's side who was sleeping peacefully holding Advay in her protecting cocoon.

The moonlit was coming from the poolside and Khushi's face was looking more beautiful in that.. Arnav was looking at her without blinking his eyes...finally taking a deep breath, he placed his lips on her forehead; tenderly he placed a soft kiss... " Sleep my beauty, Advay will always be with US.... and it's Your King's promise.. My Queen...."

The sleeping "beauty" misses the way his "beast" was promising her an eternity, a happily ever after, just like the fairy tale....Just like a dream...

Will the fairy tale ever come true??

To be contd...

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Author Note:

Hello My lovely readers...

Here is the Twelveth chapter of this story..

Are you confused about Arnav's behaviour?? There is a big secret... Wait for few more chapters...Till then enjoy the Arnav and Khushi moments....

Expecting your response ....

I have started a new Romantic story, " Sweetheart"... if you like Arnav in this story, you will definitely love Arnav in 'sweetheart'... Give the story a try.

Besides read My other works name, "Another chance" and " Rising phoenix".

There is two OS and two TS which are completed. Give them a try too.

Love and regards...

Mamree

12.11.2019