Part 45 The Chain

GH

"I'm leaving," Arnav said.

"Thanks for coming. We are glad about your presence." Garima said.

"Soon, we will come with Shagun," Arnav said looking at Khushi.

"We will be waiting," Shashi said.

"Bye," Arnav said again looking at Khushi and went.

The entire guest left GH except, Preeto. She decided to stay at GH with Khushi that day. After changing her dress, Khushi was arranging her room. Preeto was looking at Khushi, sitting on the bed, without breaking her look. Khushi sensed it and asked her by raising her eyebrows.

"I wonder how you forgot to tell me about the proposal." She questioned.

Khushi gulped hard.

"I have not forgotten about it..."

"This is the first time you are hiding something from me Khushi...Why? You should be happy as you are going to marry a man who you like the most."

Khushi came to the bed and sat next to Preeto.

"I'm scared Preeto..."

"Scared? Why?"

Khushi looked at her with a painful expression and Preeto understand that.

"Khushi, please, don't mess this proposal with your past."

"How could I hide it from him?"

"You have to. Please don't break the proposal Khushi. Please don't miss this good man."

"He is a good man that's what makes me guilty. Do you know what he just did to prove his loyalty? He is even ready to test his virginity to get my trust, but me? I'm knowingly hiding the biggest truth of my life. I'm not a deserving person to get him."

"Khushi, listen. He is the one who wants to marry you. If he likes you to this extend, he will definitely understand you."

"But what about me? Won't he think that I hid the truth from him? How could I face him after that?"

"Ok... do one thing..."

"What?"

"Get married to him. After a few days, tell him everything."

"What if he gets upset with me?" She asked nervously.

"Do you think he will get upset with you?"

"How could I say he won't? How can I predict it?"

"It's because you are confused."

"Like hell...."

"Tell me one thing, don't you love him?"

Khushi was dumbfounded.

"Tell me the truth..."

Khushi nodded yes slowly and said,

"Who won't love such a genuine man? I was scared at first but seeing him so stubborn, I really felt happy for the first time. He is one in million."

"If it is true, he will understand you."

"I can't tolerate if he hates me..." Khushi said biting her lip.

"Khushi and scared of hate?" Preeto asked getting amazed.

"I'm not scared of hate but he matters to me. He is thinking that I agreed to marry him because he forced me. I was not interested in him when I joined AR. I kept a distance from him knowing his rude nature. But... when he started showing concern, I felt an extreme difference in his behavior. I thought he liked my work style. I couldn't believe it when he proposed to me."

"Didn't you deny his proposal?"

"I did. That's why he blackmailed me."

"So, problem solved. He blackmailed you, so without any other choice you married to him...simple."

Khushi pouted.

"Hey, tell me one thing, did you really agree to marry him, just because he blackmailed you?"

Khushi bit her lip and nodded no.

"Krish would have been helped me if I had requested him a job for Jeejaji."

"Really?"

"yes. but..."

"But?"

"Just to promote my jeejaji he bought my Jeejaji's company's shares worth Rupees thirty-two crores."

Preeto sensed pride in Khushi's face. She chuckled.

"What?"

"I like this "hide and seek". Poor him... He is spending money to get a girl who already in love with him." She laughed.

Khushi pouted.

"Preeto, could you tell him the truth on the behalf of me?"

"Khushi, don't stress yourself... and"

Cutting her,

"I just want a good relationship with him... until he knows the truth, I can't get close to him," she said sadly.

"Oh... you are trying to get close to him?" Preeto teased and Khushi glared at her. Preeto raised her eyebrows and Khushi nodded yes.

"According to your statements, I think he himself gets close to you."

Khushi blushed biting her lip.

"Leave everything in God's hands and be stress-free. Everything will be alright."

Khushi nodded yes and they laid on the bed to get sleep.

Next Morning

Arnav heard Anjali's voice and he came downstairs. He saw her packing gifts.

"Di, when did you come?"

"We came at 11:00 pm."

"How is Jeejaji's aunty?"

"She is fine. In fact, there is nothing serious." She said smilingly.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yes... we are going to GH."

"GH? But why?"

"To give the shagun to Khushiji."

He was surprised.

"Now?"

"Haan..."

"Di, it's just 7o' clock."

"So what? I have spoken to Garima aunty already. And the presence of the Bride is very important. That's why we are going before Khushiji leaves to the office."

"But why so hurry?"

"Lavanya's family is coming from London today. They want us to complete the shagun today itself. We are going to their house today evening. You are an elder brother, so we are going to GH before that. We have no time Chotte." She said in a go.

"But you didn't tell me anything?"

"It's because you are not necessary to this ritual."

"Don't you want me to come with you?" He asked shockingly.

"Groom is not allowed to come to Bride's house for Shagun."

"What the... this is my marriage and I'm not allowed to come?"

"This is ritual, Chotte."

"What if I come?"

"Bride's parents may think you are a spoilt brat and they may cancel the marriage." She laughed.

"Oh really?" he said folding his hands.

She hit his hand.

"Don't show your Arnav Singh Raizada attitude to your in-laws at least."

Arnav rolled his eyes smilingly.

"Chotte, Khushiji is with you the whole day in the office still you want to come to GH?"

"Di, you don't know about her. She irritates me, behaving like ME."

Anjali laughed.

"Finally you have understood that you are an irritating fellow."

"Can't deny. She is so professional you know. She is not mixing professional and personal matters." He said raising his eyebrows with a lopsided smile.

"Wow... really?" Anjali giggled.

"Yeah... don't know how tough she is going to be."

"She is a nice girl... she will be tough for those who show attitude."

"Let's see... how long she will be tough."

He went to his room with a smile.

Nani and Manorama came downstairs, getting ready.

"Payal, come fast, we are getting late," Manorama called her.

Arnav came again and gestured to Anjali. She went to him. Arnav handed her a small box.

"Made Khushi wear this."

Anjali opened the box and amazed seeing a platinum chain with "A" pendant.

"When did you buy it?"

"When she agreed to the marriage."

"It's so nice Chotte."

"Don't forget to tell her not to remove it."

"Ohh... you want her to hold your name?"

"Not only my NAME..." he smiled making Anjaji flabbergasted.

In the meanwhile

GH

Garima saw Khushi doing the breathing exercises, after completing YOGA.

"Get ready, Khushi. Raizadas are coming with Shagun."

"Whaaaat! Now?"

"Yeah... you know Lavanya's family is coming from London today."

Khushi nodded yes.

"They want Raizadas to complete Shagun today itself. So, Raizadas are coming here first as Arnav bituwa is their elder son."

Khushi sighed.

"Go Khushi... get ready."

"Preeto is taking bath. Let her come out."

"Make it fast. I have a lot of work." Garima rushed out hurriedly.

Exactly at 8'o clock, Raizadas reached GH. Khushi served them coffee and sat before them. They handed her the gifts and Anjali removed the box which Arnav gave.

"What is that Anjali bitiya?" Asked Nani.

"This is Chotte's special gift to Khushiji. Wear it Khushiji." Anjali extended it towards her.

Khushi took it and dumbfounded seeing the letter "A".

"Arnav bituwa is hinting something to Khushi bitiya it seems," Manorama said teasingly.

"He is registering his name." Nani smiled.

Khushi wore it around her neck, not showing her emotions, and the letter "A" beautifully shined on her neck.

"Please don't remove it Khushiji." Anjali requested.

Khushi nodded ok smilingly.

"She won't remove it because she likes it. Hai na Khushi?" Preeto teased. Khushi gestured her to be calm and Preeto chuckled.

"Lavanya's parents want marriages to happen soon. Hope you have no problem?"

"We have no problem. We are ready anytime." Shashi said.

"Roka will be tomorrow evening in RM and marriage is on the 25th of this month," Nani said.

Shashi and Garima nodded ok. Khushi looked at Shashi contently. She knows that Shashi will borrow money for her marriage expenses. He has already taken the loan for Arpita's marriage. She became sad thinking of his burden.

"We are leaving. We have to get ready for Lavanya's Shagun." Nani said.

They took Gupta's leave and left. Khushi came to her room and stood in front of the mirror, looking at the chain on her neck with the initial "A", the letter which is going to be her life... future...and everything. She touched it with a smile.

To be continued...