Part29

Khushi reached the Temple after two hours. As Hp told, Panditji of the Temple was waiting for her. They started doing pooja.

Khushi(prayed with joining hands): Babuji, you know what's happening in my life. I don't know why these things are happening. Please be with me. please help me to get what I want. I'm confused Babuji. Your Chutki is hell confused. Please make my life smoother. She opened her eyes as panditji want her to do formalities.

Khushi was so much satisfied with the pooja. She thanked panditji and left the Temple. She came out of the Temple and saw Panditji was leaving after locking the Temple. That place seems so lonely. Somewhat it scared her. There was no single person in the surrounding. That's when she saw a small Devi Maiya idol was kept under the huge Neem tree. She gasped in relief as if she got her lost strength. She went there and prayed to close her eyes. She saw a small earthen bowl with vermillion. She took a pinch from the bowl and applied it on her forehead.

That's when a jeep and two bikes came towards her. She got panic. She saw few men were getting down from the Jeep looking at her.

Each person looked like BUFFALO. They were wearing some badge. She had watched in NEWS about them and knew about their principles. They were not less than rebels and were severe in obeying their rules and regulations. Moreover, they are having a very strong political background. Man, who looked like their leader, advanced Khushi.

Leader: Hey Girl, who are you? What are you doing here? Who are you waiting for?

Khushi(stammering): I came here to do "Shradh" for my father in this Temple.

Lead(sarcastically): Did you do Shradh in closed Temple?

Khushi: Panditji has just gone.

Lead: where are you from?

Khushi: Delhi.

Lead: After two hours of journey without visiting another temple you came here? Didn't you get any Temple in Delhi to do shrad?

Khushi: I don't know anything about Delhi as I'm new.

Lead: Being new to Delhi, how did you dare to travel to this place?

Khushi: I thought to go back soon. But I didn't get any transportation.

Lea: Don't lie. I know you are waiting for your boyfriend to celebrate bloody Valentine's Day.

Khushi(confused): Valentine's day? I don't know that today is Valentine's Day.

Lead: Everyone gives us the same excuses when we catch them red-handed.

Khushi: Red handed? What are you talking about? Trust me I'm waiting to get transportation.

At the same time Khushi saw a car coming there and a well known person was getting down from the car. She was surprised seeing Arnav. Arnav was awestruck seeing Khushi in saree. But he has no time to admire her as he sensed something was terribly wrong. Her scary expression was enough for him to understand. Who are these fellows? Khushi was standing there like a kitten surrounded by mad dogs.

Arnav: Khushi....

He was about to come close to her. Two men stopped him by joining their hands. Arnav shoved off their hands and took a step ahead. The leader of the gang showed a knife towards Khushi which took Arnav's breath away.

Arnav(howling in anger): What the.... hell are you doing?

Lead (looking at Khushi): You told that you are here for your father's Shradh? From where your boyfriend came here? What will you say now?

Arnav(gritting his teeth): who are you to question her? Why the hell she should answer you?

Lead: She should... because this is our empire. We can't sit back and watch all the bullshit which is happening in the name of Valentine's day. We will not let our culture get ruined.

Khushi: What you are thinking is not true. We are not lovers.

Arnav(gritting his teeth): You do not need to be afraid of them Khushi.

Man1: He seems to be ready for everything.

Man2: Check him, whether he has any weapon.

Arnav(shocked): What? Weapon? What the hell?

Arnav about to push the man and he controlled himself helplessly looking at the knife which was close to Khushi's neck, letting him check. The man removed his mother's Mangal Sutra from Arnav's coat pocket.

Man1(mockingly): Hey look here. Romeo is roaming with Mangal sutra.

Khushi was horrified seeing that. She knew how much Arnav respects his mother's Mangal sutra. The man was rotating it in air casually. It angered Arnav. He was seething seeing him doing that.

Lead: Let him keep whatever he wants. (he took out a Rakhi from his pocket and gave it to Khushi) Tie it in his hand. He ordered.

Khushi looked at Arnav whose nerves were tightening. She knew that he won't be quiet anymore. Until now he was silent just to save her from getting harm. But now, this is extremely out of control.

Lead: What are you thinking? Didn't you say, you both are not lovers? Then why are you hesitating? Tie it if you want him alive.

Khushi's eyes tear up instantly. Doesn't she know Arnav's heart? It will be better to kill him rather than tying Rakhi. Isn't a pure betrayal to the one who saved her mother's life?

Arnav was feared to death. He couldn't believe that Khushi won't tie. For him, death is better than Rakhi tied by Khushi. Something spiral in shape was raised from his stomach to chest and banged on his pumping organ when Khushi looked at the Rakhi which was in her hand.....That was a "DO or DIE" situation for Arnav. He will die if he fails. He was that much frustrated which no one could describe. He was looking at Khushi's helpless state. She looked at him like "what can I do?" He couldn't take it anymore. Next moment he did something which was unexpected especially for Khushi.

Arnav pushed those men who were blocking his way and snatched his mother's Mangal sutra from the man's hand. He reached Khushi in a jiffy and tied it around her neck giving lifetime shock to her. Before she came out from the shock he took a pinch of vermillion from the earthen bowl and filled it on her partition.

He looked at the GANG controlling his anger.

Arnav: She is my WIFE now. Do you have any problem with it?

The whole gang went numb. The leader who stunned about Arnav's action composed himself.

Lead: We have no problem if you roam as a couple. We are against Valentine's day, not against marriage. We respect our culture and want it to be respected. Be happy.

They left the place without any fuss. Arnav gathered all his courage and looked at Khushi who was standing like a statue. Tears rolling down from her eyes like a river. She was shocked. She looked at Devi Maiya idol which was not clearly visible due to her tears. 

Arnav( in very low tone): Khushi......

Next second she left the place hurriedly and got inside the car but in the back seat exactly behind Arnav's seat as she had no guts to see his face. Arnav didn't say anything as there was nothing to say.

Everything was over. In few seconds their life changed upside down. One hour before neither Arnav nor Khushi would have thought that they will become husband and wife in an hour. She was hesitant to drape the saree which was given by him. But fate made him tie the most valuable thing of a girl's life "Mangal Sutra" in her neck which was unanticipated.

Arnav could understand Khushi's condition. He could hear her whimper and felt so helpless. He saw her leaning on the seat looking outside plainly yet her tears were uncontrolled. It was flowing from her eyes and she looked expressionless. Though Khushi was his wife but unfortunately Arnav was not in the mood to enjoy the first long drive with his wife.

Suddenly it started raining as if Mother Nature was pleased about their marriage and sharing the joy by spraying water on the Earth, hinting us the Supreme power's unending miracles.

To be continued..........