Part 38 Wedding

Knowing that the guys were Arnav’s college mates, Khushi huffed in relief. There were nearly fifteen. After the usual greeting, they exited the Goa railway station and saw three eight-seater cars. Arnav and Khushi got into it with Aman, NK and Payal.
Khushi looked at Arnav questioningly. Arnav smiled at her, blinking his eyes. The other two cars followed them. The vehicle travelled on the coastal road close to the Arabian Sea. Khushi smiled, seeing the sea. It was so long since she had admired nature. She never expected to get such a chance in her life again. She felt so ecstatic. She looked at Arnav, who was the reason she got the opportunity. Arnav smiled as he understood what could be in her heart.

“Thanks…” She said without a sound, yet he understood.

He entwined his fingers with her. Sitting with them in the middle seat, Payal acted like she didn’t see them. She was constantly looking outside, not turning her head.

“It feels good to see our friends after a long,” Aman said.

“Yes, I didn’t expect these guys here,” NK said.

“When we have this troop, why would we bother?” Arnav smiled at them.

“What else could make us happy to participate in our college mate’s wedding, Dude?” The guy driving the car said, smiling.

“Did you invite them?” NK asked.
Arnav nodded yes.

“Yeah, he invited us through our WhatsApp group and told us about the problem surrounding him. So we came to be with him. In addition, this is our batch mate's first wedding after graduation. How could we miss the chance to meet all our friends in one place?”

Khushi smiled at Arnav, appreciating his idea of bringing these guys into the issue. It seemed Arnav hit two birds with a stone. He made them happy. At the same time, this was the best protection anyone could get—friends’ Troop.

But where was he taking them? Khushi didn’t understand yet; she stayed calm because she trusted Arnav that he would do anything only after planning.

Their car stopped in front of a villa. Arnav exited the car and extended his hand for Khushi to clutch. She held his hand and got down smilingly. The villa was getting ready for the occasion. A few workers were decorating it with colourful serial lights and flowers.
Khushi saw a woman in her late twenties coming with a plate. Khushi looked at Arnav questioningly.

“Anjali di…” Arnav said.

Khushi smiled at her excitedly.

“Hi, Khushi. Welcome”

“How are you, Di?” Khushi asked.

“I’m fine and so happy about your wedding.” She circled the plate to remove all the bad vibes.

Khushi smiled.

“Both of you, go inside.”

“Should not we come in?” Asked NK.

“I’m sorry, sorry, please go…” Anjali said.

All of them followed Arnav and Khushi. Anjali came in after washing her hands and legs.

“Di, is everything ready?” Arnav asked.

“Everything is ready. As you said, your Jeejaji assigned a wedding planner. They are doing all the work. Your wedding will be held this evening.”

“Thank you, di. Where is Jeejaji?”

“He went to drop Shali in school.”

At the same time, Shyam entered, greeting Arnav.

“Hi, Arnav… how was your journey?”

Before Arnav answered, Shyam himself said,

“Of course, that must be the best and most memorable journey of your life”, he said, looking at Khushi.

Arnav looked at Khushi with his trademark lopsided smile, and she smiled with a cute blush.

“Anju, did Khushi like your selection?” Shyam asked.

“They just came. I have not shown it to her yet.”

“What are you talking about, Di?”

“Khushi’s wedding saree,” Anjali said.

“Oh, yeah… it’s an essential thing. We can’t satisfy girls regarding their outfits,” Arnav said teasingly.

Khushi pinched his bicep, making everyone laugh.

“Guys, come on, have breakfast. Until they take a bath.” Anjali said.

Arnav’s friends went outside where the dining had been arranged. Anjali took Khushi and Payal to their room, whereas Arnav took Aman and NK to the guest room. Shyam came there and gave them his clothes.

“Don’t worry. These are not my recent dresses. It was my oldest dress. So, it will fit to you.” Shyam said, smiling.

“Are you still keeping them?” Arnav asked.

“Not me but your sister. She thinks I will lose weight and become thin like before,” Shyam laughed.

“I don’t know, my sister is too greedy”, Arnav chuckled.

“Yeah, she is…” Shyam left the place smilingly.

They got fresh and wore Shyam’s old clothes, which looked new. Anjali provided clothes to Payal, and Khushi wore hers.

Arnav came to Anjali’s room and saw Khushi all fresh.

“Shall we have breakfast?”

Khushi nodded yes.

“Oi… will you ask her permission to have breakfast too?” Anjali teased.

Arnav rolled his eyes and walked. Khushi followed him, shying. Arnav pulled a chair for Khushi. Payal was supposed to sit behind Khushi, but Aman pulled the chair for her before she did that. Payal looked at her surroundings embarrassingly.

“Why are you hesitating to sit? It’s just a chair…” Aman made her more awkward. She sat looking down. Aman took a seat beside her.

Arnav and Khushi, who hadn’t slept last night on the train, smiled inwardly as they listened to their talks. How could they sleep with one another’s nearness? After all, they net after a long. They looked at each other and smiled.

“I think another wedding will happen soon”, Arnav said, controlling his smile.

Khushi nodded yes.

“You look gorgeous in this dress,” Arnav said.

“You, too, look good,” Khushi said.

“Thanks”

They ate chitchatting.

“Arnav, keep something for tonight. You are talking as if there is no tomorrow,” one of his friends countered.

“You have not understood Dude’s plan. I suppose he finishes talking now because he didn’t want to waste time tonight,” another one teased.

Arnav smiled, looking at Khushi, whose cheeks became red.

“Shut up, guys…” Arnav said smilingly.
Khushi finished eating hurriedly and rushed inside.

“Because of you, she is embarrassed” Arnav threw the water bottle at the guy who teased them. He caught it laughingly.

After that, everyone became busy with the wedding work. However, Shyam arranged a wedding planner. Arnav’s friends were not quiet. They became volunteers.

Arnav and Khushi got ready to go to the wedding hall. Arnav looked at Khushi mesmerisingly, who looked more like an angel.

“Ahem, ahem…” Aman coughed.

Still, Arnav gazed at Khushi, losing himself in her beauty.

“ASR, you are running out of time. If you keep ogling at her, you can’t reach the hall on time,” Aman said seriously.
People around them laughed louder, making Khushi’s condition awkward.

Arnav leaned towards Aman’s ear and said,

“Just imagine Payal in this outfit and speak.”

Aman scratched his head, biting his lip. Arnav walked, entwining his fingers with Khushi.

“Arnav, you should do this after the wedding”, One of his friends shouted.
Without paying attention to him, Arnav got into the car. They reached the wedding hall. Arnav sat on the stage, and the Pandit chanted the hymns. Khushi was called to the stage. She came and sat beside Arnav. Arnav tied the mangal sutra on her neck and filled her forehead with vermillion. They took phares while holding one another’s hand. Finishing the remaining rituals, they came out of the hall.

Khushi saw a VAN decorated grandly with flowers, embroidery, and golden netted cloths. She didn’t know why the van was being decorated.

“Let’s go…” Arnav said that confused Khushi.

“Are we going to go home in this van?” She asked.

Arnav nodded yes.

“That’s why it’s being decorated,” Arnav said calmly.

“Don’t you get a car?” Khushi asked, frowning.

“Why should we do what others do? Be different.”

Arnav gestured for her to get in. Khushi got inside, followed by Arnav.

“Guys, thank you for your contribution”, Shyam said to Arnav’s friends.

“We are the ones who should thank you, Jeejaji. You have allowed us to spend a day with our friends. Thank you so much,” NK said.

“He is right… Thank you, Jeejaji,” All said in the same tone.

They took their leave and started dispersing. Arnav and Khushi’s van also left the hall and headed to their home. When their van came to the lonely place, it was stopped by a few people. The driver pressed the sudden break. One of them had a gun in his hand. The driver opened the door hurriedly. They all got into the van and searched for Aranv and Khushi, but they were not in the van.

To be continued…