Part 56 Bangles... (Long update)

Khushi went to the washroom to change the dress. She got stuck as she thought about what Anjali said. Didn't she say this dress is for Moo Dhikai ritual? Before the Moo Dhikai ritual, she has to cook something to complete the Pehala Rasui. Then why did she come to the washroom? She hit her own forehead and came out.

She saw Arnav standing, leaning on the wall.

"It seems someone is confused?" He asked with a smile.

"No... actually...I..."

"That's fine. Relax..."

Keeping the dress on the bed, she combed her hair, sitting in front of the dressing table. Arnav stood there, without entering into the washroom and looking at her and Khushi knew it well. She faced a tough time neglecting his gaze on her. Her hand stopped combing, hearing his stance.

"You have very beautiful hair. I like it very much you know?"

She looked at him through the mirror not knowing how to react to it. Does she know that? How could she know? This is the first time he is talking about her hair.

"Go on..."

Arnav went to the washroom, don't want to disturb her. For the first time, Khushi combed her hair with excitement. She caressed her hair lovingly. She too like her hair and many people had praised her hair before also. But today... she felt proud as her hair made a kadoos open his mouth up. She chuckled. Getting ready, she came downstairs.

In the Meanwhile

Laya was talking on the phone with her mother, inside the washroom.

"How could you let the marriage happen? I thought you will stop the marriage doing something." She asked furiously.

"I did... but Ranjith refused to do that because Arnav had seen him on the Sangeeth day when he burnt the stage."

"Don't you have any other person other than Ranjith who could do that?"

"Not only that... Ranjith told me how Arnav saved the girl before she sees the fire. I don't think you will get Arnav's love. It seems he loves the girl from the bottom of his heart. It's not easy to replace a girl who he loves deeply."

Laya became irritated.

"Don't I know that? I don't care who he loves... I love him that's what matters to me..."

"Shut up Laya... it's enough... Maybe Arnav is something special but I can't bear if you spoil your life in the name of love. It's stupidity to wait for someone who is not even giving heed to you."

"Mom..."

"I want you to get a firm relationship. Arnav is a married man now... the man who doesn't want to get married is forcefully married a girl. And he is making her comfortable with him. What's that? Don't you think about that? Have you lost your mind?"

Yes, she has lost her mind completely in the processes of getting Arnav. She lost the ability of thinking.

"My decision is final. I'm going to fix your marriage with Subhash. I don't care whether if you are ok with this marriage or not. I want you to be in the US as much as possible."

"But, according to Raizadas, my leg is fractured. How could I come to the US? They will suspect me." She said in a thin tone.

"You don't have to worry about it. I will send a doctor to RM today. Just follow her instructions and do what she says."

"Mom, can't you give me one last chance?" She pleaded.

"Honestly speaking, I don't want my daughter to be the SECOND wife. I'm not ready for risk in my daughter's life. I want you to settle down with a good reputation. That's it."

Laya was not silent.

"Arnav has a good reputation than anyone in India."

"But he is someone's husband now. Hope you understand."

Geetha disconnected the call; don't want to continue the conversation. Laya was highly disappointed. She doesn't expect she would lose the very strong support of her mother. She couldn't accept the downfall. How badly she roamed behind Arnav! She came to India only to get his attention which she never got. How simply the low-class girl snatched him from her hand! Before leaving India, she will make Arnav and Khushi payback. She took a deep breath.

In the Kitchen

Khushi asked Hari Prakash about the kitchen details. She got to know where the provision items were being kept. HP told her about it. She started preparing keer not waiting for Lavanya.

When Lavanya rushed inside the kitchen panicking, Khushi finished cooking breakfast. Lavanya sighed, seeing her frying cashews for the keer.

"Sorry baby...I'm late." She apologized.

"No problem. Even though if you would have come earlier what would you have done?" Khushi teased.

"No Khushi... I had learned something you know?" She said confidently.

"Really? Then take care of today's lunch." She said controlling her laugh.

"Whaaat! Khush Beta... don't put me on the fire." She said fearfully.

Khushi laughed at her. Lavanya hugged her from the right side and kissed her strongly.

"Hey... how was your day with your hubby?" she asked whispering, without breaking the hug.

"It was nice," Khushi said stirring the keer.

"But I can't see anything different on your face. Not even your lip swelled..."

Lavanya tightened her grip whereas Khushi nudged her stomach.

"I can also not see any difference on your face..." Khushi snapped back raising her eyebrows.

"But you can find the difference on NK's face," Lavanya whispered.

Khushi dropped her jaw in bewilderment.

"What did you do to him?" She asked nervously.

"I had done many things but his lip is the only visible thing..."

"Whaat...!" She shouted unbelievably.

"He is my husband now. Don't forget that," she said rightfully.

"God... please save NK."

"No way... He is trapped." Lavanya winked.

Khushi rolled her eyes.

"Leave my matter. What about your husband?" Lavanya asked curiously.

"My husband is perfectly alright, unlike NK..." Khushi chuckled.

"Poor him..." Lavanya sighed.

Khushi nodded no while transferring the keer into a bowl.

"Could you help me to bring breakfast to the dining table?" Khushi asked her.

"Sure baby..." Lavanya followed Khushi with a bowl.

They arranged the table and Raizadas started gathering one by one. Arnav came last. Khushi and Lavanya served them. Arnav raised his head wondering when Khushi served him pancakes.

"Wow...see, the first day itself, Khushiji cooked Sale sahib's favorite food," Shyam said.

"Not only the pancakes, everything is cooked by Khushi only," NK said.

"Is this all your dexterity?" Shyam asked.

Khushi smiled at him.

"Nothing is there to be wondered in that..."

All of them looked at the entrance, hearing Aman's voice.

"Good morning ASR..."

"Good morning." Arnav wished him back.

"Have breakfast, Aman," Khushi said.

"No Khushi... coffee is enough."

"Ok..." Khushi was about to go to the kitchen,

"Not now, later..."

Khushi nodded ok.

"Why shouldn't I wonder Aman? Is anything we could know?" Shyam asked.

"You have no idea about Khushi. She won't take any responsibility just like that. She gets prepared before entering into anything..."

"Ohh... really?" Shyam wondered.

"Yeah... Before joining AR, she got to know about ASR thoroughly."

Arnav stopped eating and looked at her getting amazed.

"Ohh... is it?" Anjali asked eagerly.

Khushi smiled at her awkwardly whereas Arnav was smirking at her.

"Haan, Di. She searched about Nannav in Google and studied his interviews in the magazines." NK said.

"That's interesting..." Manorama said.

"By the way, what happened to your lip? How did it swell?" Aman asked him seriously, controlling his laugh.

Khushi's hand which was serving the keer stopped hearing that and Arnav noticed it. Lavanya gulped, widening her eyes.

"Ohh... I banged on the corner of the bed..." NK lied.

Khushi tried hard not to smile, looking at Lavanya's expression. She gestured her, raising her eyebrows, pressing her lips together like,

"Shall I say the real reason?"

Lavanya nodded her head left and right hurriedly. Khushi chuckled softly. In the process of teasing Lavanya, she didn't notice that she was being noticed. Her expression changed when she saw Arnav smirking at her. She turned her face composing herself.

That's when Akash's mobile rang. He attended it as it was from his mother-in-law.

"Hello, aunty..."

"Payal didn't attend my call. That's why I called you."

"Her mobile is in the room. We are having breakfast... That's why..."

"No problem... I just want to tell you something. Laya's marriage has been fixed."

"Ohh... that's great..."

"Yeah... Subhash is the groom."

"Very good choice."

"Thank you. A doctor will come to RM to check Laya's condition. I want her to return back to the US as soon as possible. Please ask Payal to take care of her."

"Sure aunty..."

Akash disconnected the call smilingly.

"Aunty fixed Laya's marriage with your brother's partner Subhash."

More than anyone Arnav felt relaxed and Khushi noted that.

"Really?" Payal asked excitedly.

"Yeah... aunty wants her to come back to the US soon."

"But her leg is fractured..." Payal said.

"Yeah... a doctor is coming to take care of her..."

"Ohh...ok."

Almost all of them were happy about the news.

After finishing breakfast, Arnav sat with Aman in the living room. Akash joined them.

They saw Khushi coming from the kitchen with coffee. She handed it to Aman.

Aman gestured to Akash and he nodded ok.

"Happy married life, Khushi."

"Thanks..." she smiled softly.

"You should have wished her yesterday itself," Akash said.

"She was busy crying yesterday. That's why I'm wishing her now." He teased.

Khushi glared at Aman and Arnav chuckled.

"Won't you wish Bhai?" Akash asked Aman.

"He is already happy. Khushi is the one who cried a lot."

"Exactly..." Akash supported Aman.

"Doesn't Khushi's lipstick's color nice?" Aman intentionally asked Akash which made Arnav smirk.

Khushi was not dumb, not to understand what Aman is trying to do. She made herself not to get trapped.

"Thank you," Khushi said simply which made the trio wonder.

"Is that same lipstick which ASR sent to you?" Aman asked teasingly.

Khushi frowned at him and asked,

"Lipstick? What Lipstick?" She didn't look at Arnav.

Arnav raised his left eyebrow thoughtfully whereas Aman and Akash spared a glance.

"Didn't I give it to you yesterday?" Akash asked nervously.

"You? When Aki? " she asked with a serious face.

"When I came to your house to give Haldi..."

"Was that you who brought the haldi?" She asked casually as if she didn't see him the previous day.

Akash looked at Arnav who was looking at him questioningly.

"Bhai, trust me... I really gave it to Khushi."

"What did you give?" She shrank her brows.

"Khushi... please don't play with me. Bhai is suspecting me." Akash pleaded.

Khushi controlled her laugh hard, seeing Akash.

That's when Anjali called Arnav and Khushi to Nani's room. Khushi left the place controlling her smile.

"I will deal with you later." Arnav left the place and followed Khushi.

"I promise. I gave it to Khushiji..." Akash said miserably.

"Khushi is playing with us," Aman said laughingly.

"I know..." Akash said sadly.

Aman chuckled at him. He didn't expect that Khushi would handle the issue so coolly. He tried to tease her but she turned the table casually. After all, she is Khushi.

Khushi entered Nani's room and Arnav followed her. Anjali gave a wooden box to Nani. Nani opened it and took out a set of bangles from that. Arnav looked at Khushi emotionally who was standing next to him.

"Khushi bitiya, these bangles are Chotte's mother's bangles. Anjali wants to give them to you."

Khushi looked at Anjali and she nodded yes.

"But..."

Khushi was about to say something, Arnav extended his hand towards Nani and asked to give the box. Nani kept it on his palm.

"Thanks, Di."

He went to his room, taking the box, leaving bewildered Khushi.

"Khushiji... Chotte loves our mother so much. He doesn't want you to refuse her bangles. That's why he got them."

Khushi nodded ok.

"Wear the bangles, Khushiji..." Anjali said.

"Jee..." Khushi left the room.

As she didn't find Arnav in the living room, she went to their room to know what he is doing. The door of their room was half-closed. She slowly peeped inside. Arnav was sitting on the bed and gazing at the bangles. She entered in. Arnav sensed her presence.

"Anjaliji asked me to wear the bangles."

Arnav stood with the bangles. Keeping all the hesitations aside, he took her hand and inserted the bangles in her hands softly. Khushi was gazing at his face, letting him do that.

"I respect you next to my mother. Don't remove the bangles. I would like to feel her presence in YOU"

Khushi felt like, something is choking in her throat. This is the heights of honor a girl can ever get.

"Will you?"

She nodded yes, immediately. Why would she remove the bangles? After all, it's her mother-in-law's... the one who her husband respects a lot...

To be continued...

The next update is available on Inkitt

Concern

Khushi amazed seeing Arnav so emotional. Arnav noticed her painful expression and smiled.

"Wear my mother's bangles always." He requested her.

Khushi nodded OK. Arnav's phone beeped with a message tone. The message was from Aman. He checked it and a smirk decorated his handsome face.