Last Part

Arnav and Khushi stayed with Payal for the whole day. Arnav let Khushi be with Payal as she had no one. Even though Akash was there for Payal, Khushi didn't want to leave her alone. So, after coming from the funeral, they bathed and went to Payal's house again.

After completing Dev Sinha's final rituals, they returned to the Camp Office only in the night.

"Are you feeling sad? Arnav asked.

Khushi nodded no.

"Why should I feel sad?"

"For Payal..."

"Yes, this is what she scared off. She didn't want her father to get such a worse death"

"It should have been Dev Sinha who wished for a peaceful death, not Payal"

"You are right, Arnavji"

"Go to sleep. You look tired"

"Aunty called me this evening. She said they got a good tenant for the Delhi house. So, they asked us to visit Delhi soon"

"Sure... I'm going to join duty tomorrow. After one or two days, after completing a few important works, we will go to Delhi"

"Ok, Arnavji"

"By the way, from when did my mother start calling you leaving me behind?"

"She said she would call you later"

"Mmm... I will join duty tomorrow"

"You just told me," She said in a low tone as she didn't know why he said that again.

"You don't have to be here. You can go to GH or Payal's house"

"That's ok, Arnavji. I will go to GH if needed"

"What will you do sitting in the camp office alone?"

"No no, I and NK are going to plant some trees with Amma. She bought a few saplings from the forest department it seems"

"Wow, it seems she is fully set to spend her life usefully"

"Yes, I too didn't expect her to give her contribution"

"After all, she is the mother of Khushi Gupta..."

"Singh Raizada..." She completed and Arnav smiled.

He extended his hand towards her. Khushi kept her palm on his and sat next to him. Arnav circled her shoulders and asked,

"I can see a sudden change in you. How did it happen?"

"I realized that there is nothing to be hesitant about with my husband"

"Thank God, you recognized me as your husband, leaving the Collector behind"

"I recognized you as my husband, it doesn't mean I left the collector behind"

"Oh... is that damn man still there to get my nerves?" he raised his brows smilingly.

"He will always be there forever but won't get your nerves" she laughed.

"I have no problem if the man doesn't influence my wife"

"How won't he influence your wife? She married you only because of him"

"Oh, really?"

She nodded yes.

"But you were hesitating to marry me only because of him... remember?"

"I do remember... that's what called respect"

"Oh... is rejection called respect? Very nice"

"When did I reject you? I was just hesitant"

"You didn't... but I felt it. I thought you won't marry me. so..."

"So?"

"I decided to go to Mr. Shashi Gupta. He would not have denied me. even though he denied me, Mrs. Gupta would have stood for me"

"Mmm... so much hope on your Mother-in-law...?"

"She is much better than you and your father" Arnav laughed.

"She was so proud and glad to have you as her son-in-law"

"My parents are also so proud to have you as their daughter-in-law"

"But why? My mother is proud because you are a Collector. What's there in me that your parents are proud of?"

"It's because you melted their son's stone-like heart"

"Arnavji, stones can't be melted"

"But you did... that's why you are so special to them" he smiled.

Khushi leaned on his shoulder smilingly.

The next day

Khushi tried to do things for Arnav but he denied them. He snatched his shirt when she was supposed to iron it.

"What?"

"You don't have to do it"

"But why?"

"The laundry man will take it. now, I have enough ironed shirts...look" he showed his cupboard.

"I thought you would wear a new shirt. It's crushed. That's why I thought to iron it"

"If you want me to wear this shirt, I will press it. give it to me"

"No, Arnavji. I will press it for you"

"No need, Khushi. Let me do it"

"Why? I'm your wife"

"So what? It's a bad habit to be dependent. I had seen my father who always calls my mother for every simple thing. But, when my mother fell sick, he faced tough time to manage things. He struggled a lot having no idea of what to do. That was when he realized what the blunder he had done. I learned I should not be like him and why should I disturb you? Just because you are my wife, you don't have to fulfill all my needs"

"Then, why I'm here?"

"You are not here to work for me but to be with me for my whole life. You have many things to do... in fact, those are better things than this. So, don't confuse yourself and be relaxed"

"Won't you expect anything from me?"

"Why not? I will expect you to do things for me when I can't do it. Now, I'm fit and fine. I can do my work. So, let me do it. please don't make me lazy by doing them for me"

"If you are so mean, how will we feel close to each other?"

"I feel close to you even before our wedding. It's all about our thoughts. Make your mind. We are equal to each other. Helping one another is essential. I will iron your dress if you are busy or, in urgent. You can also do the same for me but making it a duty is unnecessary. It feels like dominating you. I don't want to be dominant" he started pressing the shirt as Khushi wanted him to wear that.

He stopped pressing and looked at Khushi who was gazing at him with a smile. He raised his brows. She circled his neck from behind and leaned on his back, closing her eyes. Arnav smiled.

"What happened?"

"Nothing... you can continue your work," She said staying in the same position.

Arnav chuckled and pressed the shirt quickly. After switching the iron box off, he pulled her before him. She again hugged him and closed her eyes.

"Mind you tell me the reason for honoring me in this way?"

"You are an honorable man... that's why"

"Really?"

"Mmm... you are so great. I like you so much"

"If you started honoring me like this for each thing, how can I go to the office?"

"Get used to it"

"You too get used to it, Khushi. Don't get emotional for everything."

"I will get emotional about the thing that seems new to me. When I get used to it, I will try to be normal"

"Crazy woman..." he kissed her forehead and wore the shirt.

"Mmm... looking dashing. People are going to gossip about your new shirt" She said controlling her laughter.

"Oh... this is what your plan?" he asked and Khushi laughed.

"You are a newly wedded man. Be like one at least for one day"

Arnav nodded his head from left to right smiling.

"What are you going to do today?"

"We are going to meet someone regarding our foundation"

"Whom?"

"Will tell you later"

Arnav raised his brows.

Khushi smiled.

"Won't you tell me?"

She nodded no.

"Why?"

"It's because you will forget me if I give you clear-cut update..."

"Oh..."

"But, now you will be thinking about me in between your tight schedule"

"Mmm... it seems I have to appoint a team to follow you" Arnav kept his hands on his hip.

Khushi laughed out louder.

"Ok, bye"

"Bye..."

Arnav went to the office. Khushi got ready and went to GH where NK was waiting for her.

The Collector Office

Arnav got out of the car and walked to his cabin. He could see a mild smile on people's faces but Aman smiled brightly.

"Good Morning, sir"

He nodded his head, controlling his smile, and entered his cabin. Aman followed him.

"Welcome back, sir"

"I'm coming from four days leave, not from a war"

Aman grinned.

"What about Ramkishan?"

He kept a file in front of him.

"Sir, the report is positive... he is not a harmful person"

"Oh..." Arnav took the file and looked at it.

"Strange..." He chuckled and kept the file on the table.

"Yes, sir, he is doing a generous business in his district. He wants to expand his business that's why he chose our district. He thinks he could do that peacefully because of you. He has a huge respect for you, sir. He generously wants your friendship"

"That's nice. Being cautious won't harm anyone. We can't believe anyone blindly"

"Yes, sir"

Aman looked at his mobile as it beeped.

"Sir, some people from an NGO are here to meet you, sir. They have a few ideas about our district growth"

"Oh, send them"

Aman opened the door and gestured for them to come in. Arnav was surprised to see Khushi entering with Garima and NK. He remembered her telling him about MEETING SOMEONE. He rolled his eyes smilingly.

"Is that SOMEONE me?"

Khushi nodded yes.

"Is it necessary for my wife to get my appointment?"

"Being your wife, she wants to follow the protocol strictly, SIR" Garima said.

Arnav chuckled.

"Stop calling me SIR, Aunty"

Garima smiled.

"I don't want people to think I'm dominating... that's why I followed the rules," Khushi said.

Arnav knew she was hitting his lecture about being dominant. He understood that she was also not going to give up on following the rules... just like him. He felt proud and relieved.

The End.