Part 24

When Arnav is going to enter into the house, he saw Khushi coming out in her T shirt and track pants to go for jogging.

"Is she going for jogging ?" thought Arnav.

Khushi too looked at him and was surprised to see coming from outside early in the morning.

"Where are you going ?"asked Arnav.

"Why are you interested in me ?"asked Khushi raising her eyebrow.

"Excuse me!! I am not interested in you. Since you are a guest in my house and my village, your safety is my responsibility. So, I am asking where are you going early in the morning." Asked Arnav.

"Where do you think I am going ?"asked Khushi.

"Are you going for jogging ?"asked Arnav.

"Ofcourse." Said Khushi.

"How can you go for jogging in a new place without knowing whether it is safe or not ?"asked Arnav.

" I know this place is very safe. I can see that. So, I am going to jogging from the past two days" said Khushi, " I know how to take care of myself"

Khushi left from there without giving Arnav a chance to say anything.

Arnav just rolled off his eyes and went from there.

Arnav directly went to his Dadi's room, he saw her still sleeping due to the effect of medicines.

"Chote" Anjali came into the room with a pooja plate in her hand. She held his hand and brought him out of the room.

"Where were you ?? I have searched for you in your room" said Anjali.

"I went to the temple Di" said Arnav.

'Temple!! Why ?"asked Anjali.

" Just felt to visit" said Arnav.

Anjali didn't probe further, " I am going to wake up Dadi now. "

"OK.. I want to talk with Dadi" said Arnav.

"Not now Chote. You can talk with dadi after breakfast" said Anjali.

"Ok Di. I am going to my room then" said Arnav and Anjali nodded her head.

After sometime, when Arnav came to Dadi's room, he saw his whole family excluding Guptas.

"How are you feeling Dadi ?"asked Arnav.

"Fine Chote" said Devyani.

"I want to say you about my decision Dadi" said Arnav.

Devyani looked at him curiously while others looked at him frowning not knowing exactly about which decision he is talking.

Arnav then looked at everyone in the room and took a deep breath.

" I am ready to marry again Dadi." Said Arnav.

Devyani's eyes lit. Anjali and Avinash's face broke into a big smile. Others were surprised as well as happy hearing it..

"Really Chote ??"asked Devyani.

"Haan Dadi.. For the welfare of this village and people, I am ready to marry again. Even Devimayya wants this.. I will marry the girl according to the ritual of Raizadas." Said Arnav.

"Thank you Chote." said Devyani with tears in her eyes.

Arnav went and sat beside her on the bed.. He wiped off her tears, " You don't need to thank me Dadi.. You reminded my duty towards this village."

Devyani nodded her head smiling and kissed Arnav's forehead.

Then she looked at Anjali, "Anjali Bitiya. We need to discuss about preparations now.."

"Haan Dadi. We will discuss after breakfast. Let's go for breakfast now" said Anjali.

"Ok.. Call Guptas too." Said Dadi, "Also, call Payal Bitiya after breakfast. She needs to select her outfits for all ceremonies"

Everyone left for the dining room while Anjali went to Payal's room.

After breakfast:

Payal, Karan, Madhumathi, Garima and Shashi entered Devyani's room. Devyani, Anjali, Manorama, Arnav and Akash are already present there.

"Come Shashi beta. Sit" said Devyani.

Shashi smiled and sat down on the sofa while others sat in their respective seats.

"Where is Khushi Bitiya ?"asked Dadi.

"She has a conference call with a client Dadiji. She will join as soon as she completes it" said Karan.

"Ok.. We will start then" said Dadi.

Everyone agreed and Anjali opened laptop to show the designs to them.

"Payal.. These are the outfits we have finalized for you.. This is for engagement, this is for Mehendi, this one for haldi and finally this is your wedding lehenga, this is your reception lehenga. And the whole theme of the marriage will be Blue.. The decorations will also be in blue color.. Curtains, lights, candles, Chandeliers, sofas, Chairs everything will be in blue color for all the functions.. Even the flowers which will be decorated are also will be blue in color. I have already talked with the decorator regarding this and he promised me that he will make sure everything will be in blue color.. I am very excited.." Anjali was going on saying without a stop dreaming in her own la la land.

Dadi and Manorama are looking at her with sweet smile while others didn't know how to react.

"So Payal.. Your wedding outfits will be stitched in AR in a week.. So, you have to go AR and give your fittings. When will you go ?"asked Anjali.

Payal didn't said anything..

"She will go tomorrow beta." Said Garima on the behalf of Payal.

"Isn't today possible ?"asked Anjali.

"Today I have meetings" said Payal with a fake smile.

Truth to be said, Payal didn't like what happened just now. She can't believe this actually happened.. It is her marriage for godsake. She want everything according to her preference but here Anjali had already decided everything without even trying to know her likes and dislikes.. This is not what she expected from Raizadas. Doesn't they give any preference to other person's likes and dislikes ? She just can't deny Anjali now as it will upset Raizadas after all she is their beloved pampered daughter. On the other side, she can't accept everything blindly according to Anjali's taste.. It is not that she will marry again and again..

Payal looked at Akash who understood her turmoil. Even Akash too didn't expected this from Anjali.. He can't stop Anjali now as it will make her upset. He said sorry to Payal through his eyes while Payal averted her eyes from him.

Even Shashi, Garima, Karan also noticed Payal's face which was twitched. They can clearly say she is not liking this but controlling herself not to burst out.

All these was observed by Arnav.. He understood Payal was upset with Anjali's decision and she has every right to be.. Even he didn't expected his Di would select all by herself without contacting the bride and groom. He needs to stop it and make his Di understand.. Arnav opened his mouth to say something but that is when Khushi came into the room.

"Jiji" came Khushi with an excitement into the room.

"Did you start selecting the outfits?" asked Khushi and then looked at the outfits on the laptop. Also few decoration design papers with blue theme.

"They are selected outfits and theme" said Dadi.

"What!!" said Khushi then turning to Payal, "Jiji!! What happened ? Are you Okay ?? How did you choose blue color ?? You don't like blue naa. You want your wedding theme to be in white and yellow.. Now what happened ?? Also, see this outfit designs. They are not your taste. You said you want only your wedding dress to be grand and dresses of other ceremonies to be in simple. But here, everything looks soo gaudy.. From when did your preferences changed ??"

Everyone in the room especially Anjali is shocked hearing Khushi's words.

Anjali looked at Payal, "Payal.. Didn't you like all these ?"

"No.. There is nothing like that" said Garima.

"Are you sure Payal ?"asked Anjali.

Payal nodded her head with a fake smile.

"NO Payal. You don't need to accept if you don't like the designs. There's no pressure on you." Said Arnav.

"Arnav beta. There is nothing like that. Payal liked the designs" said Garima trying to cover up.

" Mrs. Gupta. Stop it. Payal's face clearly shows that she doesn't likes the designs and wedding theme. We are not soo orthodox that we will cancel the marriage if bride voices out her opinion. It is her marriage and as a bride, she has full rights to deny anything which she didn't like. Don't pressurize her to accept the designs without her liking." Said Arnav then turning to Anjali, " Di.. I didn't expect this from you. I know you are excited for Akash's marriage but how can you select everything according to your likes and the way you said looks like you are ordering Payal without giving her an option to deny. You didn't thought to ask her and Akash on how they wish their marriage happen. You are wrong here Di."

Anjali turned away her face feeling humiliated and embarrassed.

Then Arnav looking at everyone, " Everything in this marriage will happen on bride's wish. As for Akash, I know he will like whatever Payal chooses. (Arnav looked at Akash who smiled shyly)."

Arnav came near Payal, " You can raise your voice if you don't like something happening in this house. Even in future, if you have any problem, you can look upon me as a brother. Come to AR tomorrow with Akash. You can select designs for ceremonies and I will call decorator also to AR. Discuss with him and say your preferences to him."

Payal nodded her head with a smile. Guptas looked at Arnav thankfully. Nani observed that Anjali is upset. Khushi looked at Arnav surprised as well as admiringly. She was totally surprised by this new side of Arnav.

Hi all guys, I know I am very very late.. Very Sorry for that.. But I am not getting time to sit and write an update these days due to household chores. So, I can update only twice a month. Hope you all understand and stay by me, support me.

Thanks to each and everyone who have commented on previous updates.