Part 73 The Reception

After a week

Anjali's neck Band-Aid was removed. Though the wound healed the scar was still there, just like the scar created by Shyam in her heart. They started getting ready for the reception.

Arnav didn't let them go shopping but he brought the shops to RM. So that, they could select what they want, sitting at home relaxing.

As Arnav didn't have the patience to invite people to the reception, Aman and NK took responsibility. Nani and Anjali accompanied them to invite some important people. Even though people knew about Arnav they taunted him for not inviting them in person but Arnav didn't care about it, like always.

The reception program reached Arnav's parents also. They waited for Arnav or Nani to invite them. As it didn't happen, Amrita called Nani.

"Tell me," Nani said.

"How was the reception preparation?"

"Going good"

"Tell me if you want any help"

"No need... we have good people around us to help us"

"So, you don't want my help... right?"

"Yes..."

"Why Maa? Should not I be with my son at his good times?"

"The good times started arriving in his life when Khushi stepped into his life. You tried to ruin it to your level best by sending a girl. And, now, you are talking as if you are so much concerned about him"

"I thought he got married to her in the haste of satiation. That was why I liked to get him settled with Nikita"

"See, you won't understand what Chotte wants. So, I don't want to talk about it with you. You to stop interfering in his life."

"How could you say that? Who are you to say that?"

"Ok... I'm no one to say that... wait, your son will say that"

Nani passed the phone to Arnav who was listening to Nani silently. Taking the phone, Arnav spoke.

"Nani has all the rights to make decisions of whom to interfere in my life. I don't want you and your husband to poke your noses in my life. I thought you guys truly wanted my happiness but you crossed your limits. I don't even like to see you... stay away from me and my wife" His voice sounded strict.

Arnav disconnected the call. He passed the phone to Nani.

"Don't attend their call, Nani" Arnav said.

Nani nodded ok.

Arnav came to their room and Khushi followed him.

"Why are you so strict towards them?"

"They will start dominating me if I will be free with them"

"Can't you keep them in distance?"

"What I just did?"

"You disconnected them completely"

"Do you think they will be disconnected? They are shameless people. they won't mind getting slashed over again" Arnav said.

Khushi sighed.

"Leave them... such irritating creatures" Arnav annoyed.

Khushi saw Arnav's reception wear being untouched.

"Have not you checked it yet?"

"Yeah, will do it later"

"Arnavji, check it now. Then only we can alter it if it is not fit"

"Will do it, Khushi"

"What so laziness?"

"Come here"

"Why?" She asked with cautiousness.

"I want to tell you something important"

"What?"

"Come and sit beside me"

Khushi went to him and sat next to him. Taking her hand, Arnav entwined his fingers with hers.

"Tell me what the matter is"

"What do you think about Aman?" Arnav questioned.

"Aman? What's there to think about him?"

"Something must be there"

"Mmmmm... Nice man... helping natured guy... understanding..."

Cutting her,

"Yeah... exactly... do you think he is understanding?"

"Of course, he is..."

Taking a deep breath, Arnav smiled.

"What Arnavji?"

"He wants to marry Di"

"Whaaaat?"

"Yes... you know he liked her when they were at school..."

Cutting him,

"Still?"

"Yeah... still... maybe, he would have forgotten her in the mid-time but when he saw her again and got to know about her life, he so doesn't want to leave her alone"

Khushi closed her mouth with her palm smiling.

"Di will be not only safe with him but also happy. Don't we see how Aman manages to handle her?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"He decided to talk to Di about it"

"When?"

"In our reception function"

"What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing... he will take care of her. I just want you to know about it. That's why I told you"

"I will be happy if it happened" Khushi smiled.

"Yeah, Aman is a crazy guy... he will become crazy about anything he does... so will be about Di"

"Shall I talk to Di about it?"

"No... lets Aman handle it. This is a matter between the two of them. We don't have to interfere in it"

"When did he tell you about it?"

"Today morning, through a phone call"

"Oh, this is what he talked to you about in the morning?"

Arnav nodded yes. Khushi sighed.

"Don't know what Di will decide"

"She too like Aman. She will never get such an understanding partner as Aman. She will be the luckiest person if she accepts his proposal"

"No doubt... Aman is a nice guy"

"Let's see..."

The Reception Day

Khushi got ready in her sapphire blue off-shoulder gown with silver embroidery work. She left her hair free on one side and another side had been clipped with a floral clip. She looked gorgeous just like a wingless Angel. She got ready in the Bride's room and came with Anjali and Shali.

Arnav chose to wear a dodger blue suit with a white shirt. He saw Khushi and got mesmerized. He walked to her robotically and forwarded his hand towards her. Khushi circled his hand with hers. They walked to the stage that had been decorated with a variety of blue jumbled lights, matching their dress color.

Though Arnav's parents were not invited they came to the reception without any second thought. To be noted, without their respective partners. Khushi looked at Arnav awestruck.

"Didn't I say?" Arnav murmured.

Khushi nodded yes controlling her smile.

"Forget them"

They saw Aman and NK greeting Akash and Payal. Akash pulled Aman and NK to the stage to take a snap.

"One minute..." Arnav stopped the photographer.

"What?"

"Di..." Arnav called Anjali.

Anjali looked at him. Arnav beckoned her to come to the dais. Anjali went to the stage.

"What Arnav?"

"Di, this is Akash and Payal. Our friends..."

"Hi..."

"Hello"

"Please join us," Payal said.

Anjali went to Aman and stood next to him for a snap, making Aman delighted.

"Didn't Alex sir come?" Anjali asked.

"He is one the way," Aman said.

"oh... Come... have dinner" Anjali called Payal.

"We will eat later, Di" Payal said.

Anjali nodded ok and left the dais.

Arnav gestured Aman to go head. Aman blinked his eyes.

Shali rushed to Anjali and asked for ice cream.

"Shalu, you have already had two ice creams. It's enough"

"Maaa" Shali pleaded, making a face.

"Shalu, like a good girl, you should listen to me"

"Please please, one last ice cream"

"No..." Anjali walked to the dining to treat the guests.

Shali followed her clutching her saree pallu.

Anjali stopped, hearing,

"What happened Anju?"

She saw Aman standing, looking at Shali.

"What do you want baby?" Aman asked.

Before Shali said,

"She wants ice cream..."

"We have a lot of ice cream... I will give you, come"

"No Aman. She already had two. She will get cold if she eats more ice creams"

"Leave it, Anju. Children will be like this. Keeping ice creams in front of them, how could we restrict them? Leave it. Made her have cold medicine before going to bed."

Anjali sighed.

"Let's go, baby"

Lifting Shali, Aman came to the ice cream section.

"Which one?" he asked.

She extended her hand towards the chocolate ice cream. Taking it Aman handed it to her.

"Enough?"

Shali nodded yes.

"Good... don't ask Mom but me. Ok?"

Shali again nodded ok. Aman made her sit on a chair and sat next to her. He saw Anjali going to the stage with two glasses of almond milk. She gave it to Arnav and Khushi.

"Have this. Don't know when will you eat"

Taking it from her, they drank it. Anjali came to Shali.

"What madam? How many ice creams did you have?"

Shali smiled, looking at Aman from the corner of her eyes. Anjali nodded her head and was about to go,

"Anju..." Aman called.

Anjali raised her brows.

"I want to talk to you. Sit"

Taking a seat,

"Tell me... is it about joining as your PR?" she chuckled.

Aman nodded no.

"Then?"

"I hope you won't take me wrong if I ask you"

"Why would I take you wrong? you can ask me anything"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, sure"

"I would like to marry you, Anju"

Anjali plainly looked at him.

"I know one day you will put me in such a situation," she said.

"Is it wrong?"

"No... it's your personal interest. How can I say it's wrong?"

"Will you marry me? I know this is so earlier to ask you. I can wait if you want time"

"You are a gentleman Aman. I like you so much. But, I don't want to marry you" She said smiling, wiping his smile away.

To be continued...

Note: The next update of FFL will be the last update.