Part 26

In the evening:

Anjali and Devyani returned from the temple consulting the head priest. Then Devyani called the head administrator of the village and instructed him to announce about Arnav's marriage and the girls who attained marriage age can participate in the ritual.

Devyani came into her room after instructing the head administrator. Anjali and everyone including the Garima, Shashi, Payal and Karan are present.

"Amma. You have called everyone. What did the priest say ?"asked Manohar, "When will we conduct Arnav's marriage ?"

"ASR's marriage ??"said Karan. Even Garima, Shashi and Payal too were surprised hearing it.

Devyani looked at Guptas, " Haan. Even Arnav is going to marry again". Then she explained their Raizada tradition and how Ramu will select the bride.

Guptas were astonished hearing it and stayed silent not knowing what to say.

"What happened ? Did you too felt this tradition as regressive ?"asked Devyani.

"No Devyaniji. There is nothing like that. I have listened to traditions like this in my childhood. But we are just surprised that you are following the tradition these days too" said Shashi.

"Sometimes you need to follow the traditions for others sake too Shashi beta" said Devyani.

Though Shashi didn't understand anything, he nodded his head thinking there might some reason why Devyani said it.

"Amma. What did the priest say ?" asked Manohar.

"The marriage of Akash and Arnav will be conducted on same day. But Akash's marriage will be conducted an hour after Chote's marriage is completed. So, we have to prepare for two marriages" said Devyani and then turning to Shashi, "Shashi beta. There is still two weeks for marriage. From the next week, all pre wedding will start. We will conduct Engagement, Sangeet first. Three days before marriage, we will conduct havan and Raizada bride will be selected that day. I am thinking to conduct Mehendi and Haldi for the both brides on the two days left after the ceremony. Do you have any problem with it ?" asked Devyani.

Shashi looked at Garima who said, "NO Devyaniji. There won't be any problem. We don't have any objections with it"

"Ok Then. We will start planning for both marriages" said Devyani.

At the Night:

Arnav is standing in the corridor and looking at the garden lost in his own thoughts. He heard someone clearing their throat and turned only to find Khushi standing there smiling at him.

Arnav looked at her confused as to why she is smiling at him like a fool.

"Hi ASR" said Khushi.

Arnav didn't said anything.

"I know you must be thinking why I am standing here. Right!! I am here to thank you" said Khushi.

Arnav raised his eyebrows in confusion.

"Thanks for standing for my jiji in the morning. You said you are like her big brother. I am impressed with it" said Khushi.

"I didn't said it to impress you. I said it genuinely" said Arnav.

"Yeah. I know that. Anyway Thanks" said Khushi and left from there.

"Pagal!!" muttered Arnav to himself.

There were decorations all over Sheesh Mahal. The magnificent palace is covered with flowers, bright colored curtains and lights showing it's glory to the outer world. Even the trees in the garden were decorated with fairy lights. All the doors and windows were covered with flower garlands. There were two huge mandaps in the centre of the hall. One is decorated with white and yellow theme and the other one with red roses.

A marriage is going on in the mandap with red flowers. The bride's is not visible but the groom who is none other than ASR is sitting with a stern face.

Khushi jerked up from her sleep sweating profusely. She looked around and found her to be on the bed in Raizada house. Payal is sleeping peacefully.

"What the hell is this ? Why did I even dream of ASR's marriage ?" thought Khushi.

She drank water, cleared her head and slept again.

Next morning:

IN AR:

Khushi and Payal entered AR along with Akash. Khushi can see how much excited Payal is. She felt happy seeing her jiji's brightened face.

Akash took them both to the head designer and introduced them. Then the trio discussed and finalized the designs which took almost nearly two hours. Karan too joined them in between.

After completing the work in AR, the four members started back to Sheesh Mahal.

When they reached outskirts near the old palace of Ratanpur, their car broke down.

"What happened Akash ?"asked Karan.

"I don't know" said Akash and got down from the car to check engine.

The trio also got down from the car.

"Seems like there is a problem with engine" said Akash checking the engine.

"What to do now ?"asked Payal.

Akash thinking for a while, " Let me call Bhai and ask where he is.. He must be returning by now completing his conference. If he still didn't started, then I will call Sheesh Mahal and ask them to send another car"

Payal and Karan agreed. So, Akash called Arnav and talked for two minutes.

"Bhai has already started and he will be here in ten minutes." Said Akash.

Payal and Karan nodded their heads. They both turned to look at Khushi but didn't find her beside them.

They both looked around and found Khushi going towards the old palace which is one kilometer away from the main road. Khushi is almost nearer to the palace.

Both Payal and Karan looked at each other and shouted "Khushi"

But Khushi didn't stopped or turned back to see them.

Hearing Payal and Karan calling out for Khushi, Akash who is checking for mails in his mobile looked up and followed the direction of the duo's vision. He was shocked seeing Khushi going towards the old palace. (Ignore People in the pic)

"Stop her." almost shouted Akash.

Karan and Payal looked at him.

Khushi, by now had entered the premises of palace through the huge iron gate of the palace.

"Stop her Payal. No one are allowed to go near that palace. It is haunted palace" said Akash.

Karan and Payal were afraid and ran towards Khushi's direction.. Akash too followed them.

The trio ran shouting for Khushi but she wasn't listening and in her own spell.

She was going inside the palace when Payal kept her hand on her shoulder.

"Khushi" Payal pulled back Khushi.

She saw Khushi is under some spell and not in present state. She is not looking at anyone and was trying to come out of the Payal's grip to enter into the palace.

"Khushi" Payal shook her with full strength bringing her out of the trance.

"Jiji" Khushi looked at Payal and around her confused.

"What happened jiji ?? Why I came here ? When did we came here ? What are we doing here " asked Khushi with an completely clueless tone.

'Don't you remember anything" asked Karan.

"No Bhai" said Khushi, " How did I came here ?"

Karan was going to say something but Payal signaled him through her eyes to keep quiet.

'Nothing.. Let's go" said Payal.

"But jiji...." Khushi was going to ask something but Payal kept her finger on Khushi's lips.

"No more questions. First of all, let's go from here" said Payal and dragged Khushi along with her. Karan and Akash followed her.

When they went near their car, they saw Arnav looking at them with shocked and confused face.

"What happened Akash ?"asked Arnav with frowned face. He looked at Khushi who is in her own world.

Akash went near Arnav and said in a low voice which only Arnav could, " Khushi tried to go into that old palace. We saw her and brought her back in nick time. The most surprising thing is she doesn't know how she went there."

"Didn't you say that palace is haunted and no one are allowed to go there ?" asked Arnav.

"No. I said to them just now" said Akash.

" You should have made them aware earlier" said Arnav, then taking a deep sigh, " Let's go now.."

Arnav came near Payal and Karan.

"Don't say to anyone in the house about what happened just now.." said Arnav.

Karan and Payal looked at him confused as well as surprised.

"Why ??"came Khushi's voice from behind.

"Don't ask any questions about it. Just do as I say" said Arnav in an authoritative tone, went and started the car.

Khushi frowned while Karan and Payal looked at him confused.

The trio looked at Akash who assured them with his eyes.

Sighing, trio sat inside the car and started towards Sheesh Mahal.

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