CHAPTER 14

"Ma?” Khushi enquired as she  approached Indrani who was standing with her hands joint in front of a man.

“Khushi beta this is Rahul ji’s chacha ji. He has just arrived from Delhi .”

“Oh! Namaste uncle ji! I hope you are comfortable and liked the wedding arrangements.”khushi bowed her head and joined her hands.

“Huh! What arrangements? Beggars can do better arrangements than this. This was not expected of the mahant family.”the man scoffed. “ My nephew is so educated has such a big job in such a big company and this is the arrangements you have done for his wedding?”

Khushi had planned everything tastefully and the décor was better than a fairytale yet this old man was scoffing! This made Khushi feel mad.

“So Indrani ji, tell me when shall we get the 1 crore rupees you promised offering our Rahul?”,the man asked shamelessly.

“1 crore rupees ! For what ?” Khushi exclaimed.

“Arre what for what? We are getting our priceless nephew getting married to your daughter. We deserve at least this much.”

“Dowry?” Khushi asked shocked.

“No! This is just the way Indrani ji shall show her love for her daughter and bless the marriage.” the man smiled cheaply.

Khushi gasped and tried to say something but was pulled away to a corner by Indrani.

“Ma, this people are asking so shamelessly for dowry...”

“It is their right, the bride’s family has to give a certain amount to ensure the bride’s peaceful married life...” Indrani tried to pacify her.

“This is illegal!“ Khushi exclaimed.

“Keep your modern world to yourself! Don't you understand that if we don’t give them what they want, they shall leave Esha unmarried on the altar…Then what face shall we show to the society. Our reputation shall be destroyed.”

“Had we paid for Ira too?”

“Yes, 1 crore!”

Khushi gasped. “ But ma our funds are exhausted .”

“If we break our deposits and sell our jewellery maybe..." Indrani acted to be helpless

“The jewellery is ancestral! We can't give up on them.”

“Maybe Shyam, he can help us? He is very rich, you must ask him"

"But this shall take time..." Khushi thoughtfully said.

“ That is exactly what I am asking the groom's side for... time!”

They both nodded to each other and left to prepare for the wedding.

Arnav had witnessed the whole  conversation and was shocked to see how easily Indrani convinced Khushi to give up her self esteem and beg to that Syam. Indrani had really wound up Khushi around her fingers.

It shall be difficult to persuade Khushi against Indrani.

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Indrani talked to the groom’s family and they agreed to give 10 weeks time – each week -10 lakhs to be paid.

This was a big relief to Indrani  but Khushi remained tense all the while.

How am I supposed to ask Shyam for monetary help?
Did he not ask for any dowry, why? Maybe because it’s his second marriage.

The marriage started with great celebration. Ira and Khushi brought down Esha from above the stairs towards the alter. Khushi looked downwards and spotted Arnav ‘s warm gaze on her making her blush redder than the bride.

As the wedding proceeded, Khushi stood  near the Pandal throwing flowers at the couple. Arnav came and stood beside her. Khushi acted to be calm but her heart was thumping loudly...Dhak Dhak...Her chest heaved frantically remembering the kiss as he bent down .

What is this Raizada doing? She wondered.

He picked up some flowers from the basket kept below and started throwing them on the couple. As he caught Khushi off guard, he threw some flower petals on her.

Khushi looked at him shocked with his actions. Was he again signalling towards marriage?

“What? I didn’t do anything !”Arnav teased her.

Arnav repeated his act but instead of getting shocked, Khushi also threw flowers on him. The flower fight continued hidden from everyone’s eyes finally leaving their hair layered with flower petals.

Shyam came and stood  to the other side of Khushi.

“Kusi, I was thinking …Haw! What happened to your hair?”

Khushi cleared the flowers off her hair . “Nothing Shyaam ji! Did you want to say something? ”

“Yes, isn’t it very hot here?” Shyam spoke, trying to get closer to her.

“but the air conditioning is in full working condition...” Khushi looked around and replied.

“Yet...”

“Then Syam, I would like to suggest you to do one thing - remove your coat.” said Arnav eyeing the weird mixmatch suit Shyam was wearing. Bright pink blazer, bright green shirt and a shiny black pant.

Surely, you can earn lots of money but where do you earn style and class from?

“I like your suggestion, ASR! Everyone can then see my expensive clothes. I  will keep it on this chair. You are so smart, just like me ! Right Kusi?”

Khushi gave a smile trying her best to hide the awkwardnessshe felt. Shyam tried to put his hand over khushi’s shoulder but she left till then not noticing him.

“Hey ASR,”he nudged Arnav, “This Kusi is so hot na!”

Arnav clenched his teeth and fist. Surely, he hated Khushi but he couldn’t bear anyone talking so lustfully about his Khushi. He went away from there while Shyam carried on staring the walls, smiling goofishly and thinking about Khushi's beauty.

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Khushi was serving cold drinks to everyone as there were very less waiters.  Indrani had arranged for  only 2-3 waiters so that she could make Khushi do the work. After all once khushi gets married to Shyam, Indrani felt that she might not be able to make Khushi do any of the work she wanted her to do. She persuaded Khushi to do so by telling her that it was expensive to keep more servants.

As Khushi served Shyam, he held her hand. “Kusi, your mother said that  you wanted to talk to me.”

“Oh.. Shyam ji I don’t know how to ask you...” Khushi fumbled with the edge of her saree.

“ You can ask me Kusi. We are going to get married …Feel free to say anything...” Shyam tried to look solemn.

“Wo…Our funds are exhausted and we have to give some money as gift to Esha . So we needed some monetary help...” Khushi hesitated asking Shyam for help.

“Of course! How about you meet me tomorrow? We will have a sort of date to know each other better. Tomorrow hotel riverside at 8. Fine?” Shyam didn't try very hard to control his excitement.

“Uh..alright. I shall be there at 8pm.” saying this Khushi left,  feeling uncomfortable and hesitant.

Shyam smirked to himself. Sensing something wrong Arnav sat beside him to have a talk.

“What happened Syam?  You seem really happy?”

“Tomorrow I will take Khushi on a date!  Accha, you are from foreign right? ”

Arnav clenched his fist on hearing date. “Yes, I hold citizenship of  London.”

“Can you give me some tips? ” Shyam blushed.

“For what?” Arnav scrunched his eyebrows.

“ I have done all of this but I want to be better. Advise me how to convince Kusi ?”

“Convince her for what ?” Arnav asked impatiently realising the mirth in Shyam's  voice.

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WHAT DOES SHYAM WANT TO CONVINCE KHUSHI FOR?

ESHA

IRA

KHUSHI