Part 18

It was night.. Khushi and Payal were in their room when one of the servant came and called them for dinner.

While they were going for dinner, Akash met them.. Both Payal and Khushi smiled at him to which he reciprocated..

"Sorry Khushi.. I promised you to make you meet Pari but suddenly I went as the clients called" said Akash feeling sorry.

"It's ok jiju.. I totally understand.. Don't feel bad." Said Khushi, " Also, I talked with Pari in the evening"

"What !! When ??"asked Akash and Payal at the same time.

"In the evening jiji when you were busy with office work in Bhai's room.. I saw Pari playing in the garden..So, I went and introduced myself to her.. She is soo sweet" said Khushi.

"Ohh.. Did you say the truth to her ?"asked Akash.

"No jiju. By then Anjaliji came.. She asked me not to say anything to Pari as she will feel sad thinking about it again.. So, I kept quiet" said Khushi.

"Ok.. Di was also right" said Akash..

Khushi and Payal agreed and the trio moved towards the dinner..

After dinner:

Arnav entered Devyani's room and found his chachu sitting on the sofa there..

"Dadi.. You called me!!" asked Arnav.

"Haan Chote. I want to talk with you something important" said Dadi..

Arnav sat down on the sofa beside his chachu.. He looked at his Dadi expecting her to say something but she didn't..

"What do you want to talk Dadi ?"asked Arnav.

"Let Anjali come.. I am waiting for her" said Devyani..

Arnav and Manohar started talking regarding office while Arnav is observing his Dadi who is looking nervous. He can say she and Anjali are upto something..

After two minutes, Anjali came into the room.

"Sorry Dadi.. I was late.. Putting Pari to sleep have became a huge task these days" said Anjali..

"Did she slept now ??"asked Devyani.

"Haan.. So, I came now" said Anjali..

"So, now shall we discuss what the matter is ??" asked Arnav.

Devyani and Anjali looked at each other..

Taking a deep breathe, Devyani said, " Chote... I need to say you about our Raizada's important ritual.."

"What is it Dadi ??"asked Arnav being attentive to what his Dadi is going to say..

"There is a ritual in Raizada family to select the eldest bride of the family." Said Dadi and continued saying what actually the ritual is..

Arnav looked shocked as well as surprised hearing his family's history.. It seemed too foolish for him but he very well knew his Dadi and Di believes these kind of things..

" Why are you saying this now Dadi ??"asked Arnav, "Do you want to conduct it for Akash's marriage ?"

"No Chote.. This ritual is only for elder son of the house" said Dadi..

"Then.. Why are you saying me now ?? We didn't follow this ritual in my marriage" asked Arnav.

"Yeah.. I know that.. I neglected this ritual even in the case of your parents too.. I performed their marriage as they both loved each other.. Many of the elders warned me not to neglect the ritual but I didn't listen to their words thinking about my own marriage.. But now when I think of it, I did a mistake by ignoring it.. In the case of your parents, they loved each other and so, I neglected it.. But that was not in your case.. You are not in love with Meera nor you had any interest in her but we forced you for the marriage..I really think I committed a sin by forcing you in loveless marriage chote.. I am sorry" said Dadi with tears in her eyes.

Arnav moved near Dadi and took her hands in his, " Dadi.. Please.. Don't blame yourself.. You are not wrong.. It is just my fate"

Devyani wiped her tears and looked at him, "Now, I want to rectify my mistake Chote"

Arnav looked at her frowning not able to understand what she actually meant.

Understanding his gaze, Devyani taking a deep breath said, " I want you to remarry following our Raizada ritual Chote"

Arnav looked at the trio with a perplexed expression on his face.. They want him to remarry.

"Do you know what you are saying ??"asked Arnav..

"Haan Chote.. We very well know what we are saying.." said Anjali.

"I am not going to marry" said Arnav with a stern tone

"But why ?? How many days you will be like this ??" asked Anjali..

"Forever.. I am not interested in marriage" said Arnav and got up to go..

"Chote.. Listen to us.." said Anjali trying to stop him..

"Stop it Di.. I can't believe this.. How could you ask me to marry again after what happened with Meera ?? I have ruined her life by marrying her.. I should have denied marrying her but I respected your words and married her.. What happened ?? I couldn't love her and she left this world.. I am feeling guilty till this day for ruining her life.. If she din't married me, she would have been happy somewhere.. Now, I am not ready to spoil another girl's life" said Arnav.. The trio could sense the pain in his voice..

Arnav left from there without waiting a minute while the trio were helpless.

Arnav came out of the room and took deep breath in and out to calm himself.. He started towards kitchen to have cool water to calm his nerves.. If he wasn't in home, alcohol would have done purpose but alcohol is strictly prohibited in Raizada house..

He went into the kitchen and opened the door of refrigerator, took out a water bottle and drank few gulps.. While keeping back the bottle in it's place, he saw Kheer with a note ' Sugar free'.

"Sugar free Kheer!! May be Di or Dadi might have done this to pacify me" thought Arnav and took the Kheer bowl in his hands.. He took a spoonful and kept in his mouth.. He closed his eyes relishing the delicious Kheer he ever had eaten.

"Wow.. Such a delicious Kheer!!" said Arnav to himself taking another spoonful..

Khushi who just came there to have the Kheer stood watching Arnav relishing the Kheer with her wide eyes..

"What the hell!!" said Khushi bringing Arnav out of his Kheer world.

Khushi came and stood in front of him..

"How dare you to eat the Kheer ??"asked Khushi keeping her hands on her hips.

Arnav looked at her weirdly, " How dare me Ms. Gupta ?? Why should I need dare to eat my Kheer in my own house ??"

"Who said you this is your Kheer ?"asked Khushi, " This is my Kheer.. I made it"

"What!!" asked Arnav confused.

"Yes.. I made this Kheer for Mumma.. After giving her, I kept some Kheer here to have it later but you ate my Kheer" said Khushi..

"Ohh.. I don't know that.. I thought Di or Dadi made for me" said Arnav..

"I want my Kheer back" said Khushi..

"See.. Still some Kheer is left.. You can eat it" said Arnav keeping the bowl in Khushi's hands.

"What !! You want me to eat your leftover.. How dare you ??"asked Khushi..

"Then what do you want me to do ??"asked Arnav gritting his teeth.

"I want my Kheer back" said Khushi stubbornly..

"How ?? Do you want me to vomit and give it back to you ??"asked Arnav..

"Chii.. What are you talking ??"asked Khushi..

"Then.. How I am supposed to give you back Miss?"asked Arnav..

Khushi didn't know what to say.. She just gave a sheepish look at Arnav..

"It's Ok.. Eat this too" said Khushi and kept the bowl back in his hands, left from there..

"What the..." exclaimed Arnav.. He too left the Kheer on the kitchen counter and left from there..

Thanks to those who have all voted and commented on previous update.

Next Part of the story is already available in INKITT.