Khwaabon mein thhe aansu chhupe
Pataa hi na tha humein
Raahon mein thhe kaante bichhe
Pataa hi na tha humein

Kuch bhi humein haasil nahi
Hai reh gayi manzil kahin
Hairaan hai dil, kis baat ki ye hai sazaa
Rone lagi hai ab duaa
Khud se huaa hai bepataa
Aye Rab mere mujhko zara tu ye bataa...

Kyu hua, kyu hua waqt humse khafa
Ishq se dil juda kyun hua, kyun huaa
Iss gham ki wajah kisko poochhe yahaan
Kyun huaa, kyun huaa Rab hi bezubaa..

Sitting in his farm house away from everyone, he was deeply in the thoughts of only one person who had lately captured his heart.

Khushi

Its been one whole day that he hasn't visited home or received any calls. He knows that everyone will be hell worried and angry upon him but he couldn't muster up the courage to go and face anyone, especially his ma. He knows that once she question's him about his whereabouts and what was he doing, why wasn't he picking any calls, he will lay his heart in front of her. But he doesn't want anyone to worry because of him, especially his mother.

So he has made the plan. After the successful completion of the fashion show, he will leave to Australia. He will tell everyone that he is going on the basis of work there. He has already booked the tickets.

He wants some peace of mind. He has to get over Khushi for once and all. He accepted the fact that he is not getting her.

Never.

He needs some time to accept the fact. It's not that he is weak or cannot fight for his love. He very well can. He is ASR afterall. But in this rage he doesn't want to lose his other prized possession, like his Ma, di and..... family.

If he takes any step of foolishness, his mother will never approve it. She will be disappointed and that's the last thing he wants to do. So giving upon Khushi is what he thought is best.

But in future if he gets any chance to be near her, to have her in his life which is very rare, he would grab the opportunity. And would never let it go. Period.

So for now he will move to Australia. Thats what his plan is. Moving to Australia he will stay there for quite some time telling everyone that he needs to visit there for some business issue for 2-3 days. After that he would extend his stay to a week, month or so... Staying there would for once to distract his mind, would let him ponder to what to do now. His mother is already behind him to settle. Should he accept her wish or wait some more?.....

Sound of the doorbell snapped him out of his thoughts.

Frowning upon the unexpected visitor he checked the time.

7:45 PM

Not expecting anyone he made his way towards the door. No one can expect him to be here. No one knows his whereabouts. Who could it be. May be any worker who works here. Muttering to himself and thinking it to be one of them, he opened the door but was shocked to see the visitor.

MARRIAGE DAY

Seeing the Gupta house no one could say that today a marriage function is being held over here. Marriage of the only daughter of the house.

Very few people of locality knew the hatred of Gupta's towards Khushi. They used to feel sympathy towards her for being unlovable. But what could they do. They could only make a environment more happy by participating in it. By performing some rituals like haldi, mehandi and dance just for khushi. They don't want that the kind hearted girl should feel alone, unlucky on the best day of her life.

Entering Gupta house they saw that both Khushi's buaji and babuji are sitting on sofa watching the idiot box with little chitter chatter in between. They were describing the day to be one of the normal days in their daily routine. Getting in, they greeted them and asked about the scenerio.

"Madhumati ji ajj shaddi nhi hai kya ghar mei hamari Khushi ki? ( Madhumati isn't today the marriage of our khushi?)" Asked one among the guests.

"Ji hai na. Aap ayiye bethe. ( Yes it's there. Come and sit.)" Said buaji showing them the way.

"Oh...pr ghar ko dekh kr toh nhi lag rha. Kaha hai Khushi betiya? (But seeing the house couldn't be said. Where is Khushi?)" Said the same lady.

"Voh Khushi kamre mei hai. Aap bethiye hum bula kr laate hai. ( Khushi is in her room. You sit, I will go and call her.)" Lied buaji as Khushi was working in the kitchen as usual.

"Aae Khushi chal. Tumhe bahar bula rhe hai. (Khushi come. You are being called outside.)" Buaji called her.

"Ji buaji. (Yes)" said khushi and washed her hands.

Coming out she walked in the living room to see 5-6 ladies sitting. Seeing her coming all ladies came and hugged her while congratulating for her Marriage.

"Khushi nach gaane ka kya program hai?"(Khushi what about some dance?)" Said one among the ladies.

Khush looked at buaji for answer.

"Voh ka hai na. Khushi nhi chahti thi yeh sab shor shraba ho. Isliye naach gaane ke baare mei socha nhi. Pr agar aap sb ka mann hai toh shuru kr lete hai. Kya kheti ho Khushi? (It's that khushi didn't want the unnecessary noise. Thats why we didn't think about it. But if you say we can start now itself. What say khushi?)" Said bauji while hoping that ladies don't agree for the same.

"Kyu nhi akhir hamri Khushi ki shaddi hai. Aaj toh ji bhar ke nache ge hum. Shuru kre Madhumati ji."(Why not. Its our khushi's marriage afterall. Lets start.)" Said the ladies in unison.

Smiling Khushi went near the music player and started playing the songs.

"Aap sab shuru kijiye hum aate hai. (You all start, I will just come now.)" Saying this buaji along with babuji went inside not wanting the unnecessary disturbance.

Ho ude jab jab zulfe teri
Ho ude jab jab zulfe teri ho oh
Ude jab jab zulfe teri
Kavaariyo kaa dil machle
Kavaariyo kaa dil machle jind meriye
Oh jab aise chikane chehare
Oh jab aise chikane chehare
Toh kaise naa najar phisle
Toh kaise naa najar phisle jind meriye

Ladies started dancing dragging Khushi along. Shaking their booties on the song, they again dragged Khushi who went and stood aside watching the ladies dancing to dance with them.

Excusing herself she went to change the song

Din Shagna Da, Chadya
Aao Sakhiyon, Ni Veda
Sajiyaan

Haan Haan

Mera Sajna Mileya
Sajna Milan Vadiya
Ni
Sajan Doli Leke
Ana Ni
Veda Sajiyaan

Mera Sajna Mileya
Sajna Mileya
Sajna Mileya Aa

Gathering around Khushi, all the ladies started moving in a circle while clapping their hands. Some of them were teasing while others gave her their blessings.

Bole Chudiyan, Bole Kangna
Haai Main Ho Gayi Teri Saajna
Tere Bin Jiyo Naiyo Lag Da Main Te Margaiya

Le Jaa Le Jaa, Dil Le Jaa Le Jaa
Le Jaa Le Jaa, Soniye Le Jaa Le Jaa... (2)

Aah Aah Aah Aah, Aah Aah Aah
Bole Chudiyan, Bole Kangna
Haai Main Ho Gayi Teri Saajna... (2)
Tere Bin Jiyo Naiyo Lag Da Main Te Margaiya
Le Jaa Le Jaa, Soniye Le Jaa Le Jaa
Dil Le Jaa Le Jaa, Ho

Continuing the dance for around about 15-20 minutes the ladies sat in the living area.

"Khushi aaja beta mehndi lga de tujhe"(Khushi come, let me apply Heena on your hands.)" Said a lady among the group.

Agreeing to the demand Khushi went in and brought some heena cones and gave it to ladies.

After almost an hour Khushi's hands and feets were imprinted with a beautiful design with name of her husband hidden securely.

Tears pooled her eyes looking at her hands and feets. She hadn't imagined any of these functions on her marriage. She had lost the hope of a proper wedding. But the ladies helped her in fulfilling her unsaid wish. Quickly getting up she hugged every lady and took their blessings and whispered a thank you.

"Khushi aaj ke din rote nhi. Aaj toh Khushi ka din din hai. Is ked khane se chutkara millega tujhe. Bhagwan kre tujhe duniya ki sbhi khushiya mille.(Don't cry on this auspicious day Khushi. Its very happy day today. You will be free from this jail today. May God bless you with all the happiness of the world.)" Saying this the lady pecked her forehead, wiped her tears and hugged her.

But she didn't knew the worst was waiting for her in her life ahead.

VENUE

The grand hall where the marriage is to be held within few hours is all set.

The marriage was a low affair, so it was not that lavish. From Groom's side there were only few people like his bodyguards and manager and from Bride's side there were too very less people like her family and some of her neighbours who invited themselves.

Minimal decorations were done. Pandal was set. Pandit has gained his place and started chanting mantras. Groom was called and was made to sit before the fire place. After doing some of the needed pujas, the bride was called.

Khushi came cladded in red.

The colour of love.

With minimal makeup and jewellery to the slim fit figure, she looked an alluring bride.

Coming to pandal the groom and bride were made to do garland ceremony. Standing too close to each other Shyam was touching her at places. Khushi can see his gaze on her. Rather than feeling delighted and nervous what a bride should feel on her wedding, she felt nothing.

Absolutely Nothing.

After wearing the garlands they were made to sit. Adjusting her heavy dress, she sat performing all the rituals half heartedly. After taking the 7 vows, the pandit asked the groom to put nuptual thread around her neck. Getting the opportunity he again touched her at neck in a wrong manner. Khushi though was feeling uncomfortable but kept quite as she knew that he is her husband and has all the rights.

Again pandit asked the groom to put vermillion on her partition. Applying the vermillion on her head, the pandit announced them as newly wedded couple.

Getting up she took the blessing from her parents and buaji but groom stood at his place.

After making Khushi sit in the car, Shyam came to her parents and forwarded a check with the signed amount.

Grabing the check from his hands, buaji rechecked the amount and thanked him.

After all the deal session, Shyam came and sat beaide her.
After removing the heavy garlands he kept them at the back. Moving closer to her, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and tightened his hold on her arm.

Feeling uncomfortable again she tried to remove his hold but seeing him eyeing her angrily she lowered her lashes.

Eyeing her lustfully, he muttered inaudible to her.
"Sexy and all mine."

Smirking he tightened his hold which got more painful for her to bear.

Tears formed in her eyes which were dry till now. No she didn't cried on her bidaii. How can she. A bride cries during her bidaii because she is emotionally attached to her parents and family. She gets upset and cries because she know that now her family is not hers anymore.

She is changed.

Her name is changed.

Her priorities are changed.

Every single thing is changed now.
.
.
.

But in her case, she felt nothing changing. She was never emotionally attached with them. Her family was never her's at firat place.

She was changed when her real parents left her in the hands of this cruel world.

But what she don't know was that yet the cruelness is too be faced. Her life is going to be hell.

More than hell.

Unknown to her a tear slipped her eye.

"Yeh rone-dhone ka karyakram band kro. Mera mood mat kharab kro. Smjhi!! (Stop your crying session and don't spoil my mood. Understood!!)" Shyam said little sternly.

Quickly nodding, she wiped her tear and sat straight. After few minutes the car halted near a mansion.

Getting down from the car he asked her to be out. Managing between her dress and jewellery she stepped down. Then holding her hand in his grip he pulled her in his mansion.

After getting a welcome and congratulations from his servants, he took her to his room.

No rituals of grah-parvesh ever happened.

Entering the room with her he made her stand in the middle and went to lock it. Khushi stood there looking towards the floor fidgeting with the heavy dupatta not knowing what to do.

He came back and stood in front of her just few centimetres away. Sensing him so close, she took 2 steps back wards.

"RUKO (STOP)" Shyam said in loud voice.

"Aaj hamari suhagraat hai. Apni pati se kya bhaag rhi ho. Aao mere pass. Aaj ke din pati se door nhi bhagte.... Aao. (Today it's our wedding night. Why are you running from your husband. Come to me. You can't run away from your husband today.... Come.)" He said stretching his arms and gesturing her to come.

Gaining little courage out of no where because she hoped that her life could be little better, she said after gulping

"H-hum bhut thak chuke hai. (I-I am tired.)"

Raising an eyebrow he said
"Toh? (So?)"

"Please aaj nhi. Hu..hum abhi u-us sab ke liye tyaar nhi hai. Please. (Please not today. I-I am not ready for all that. Please.)" She said. Tears forming in her eyes. She could see her future. Her husband is also the same. He too don't love her.

Again she is unlovable.

"Pati hu tumhara mei. Hak hai mera tum pr. Aur tum mna nhi kr skti. Bhut time se isi din ka toh intejaar tha mujhe. Aaj jab yeh din aaya hai toh tum mujhe mna nhi kr skti. SMJI TUM!! (I am your husband. I have all rights on you and you can't deny me. I had been waiting fir this day for long. Now when ot came you can't stop me. DO YOU UNDERSTAND!!)" Shyam screamed.

Hearing his loud pitch she flinched and took a step back. Completely nervous and afraid seeing someone like this gave her goosebumps.

After calming his nerves he spoke few minutes later and when he spoke the calmness of the other was all gone. Chills ran down her spine.

"Strip."

Eyes Widened, Heartbeat Faltered, Pale Face, Hairs on the neck and arms stood, Tears Running Down Her Cheeks Smudging The Makeup, Legs and Hands Shivering and unknowingly she stepped back.

This was the condition of khushi after listening the word.

Seeing her not obeying, he came forward and gripped her upper arms. Then he pushed her on the bed which was decorated beautifully for a couple to celebrate their marriage, to celebrate their union. Moving back on her elbows she cried and begged but he gave no ears to her plea's.

"Please..aap shi nhi kr rhe. Aap jabardasti nhi kr skte hamare saath. Smajne ki khoshish ki jiye...please. Hum aapke samne hath jorte hai... Hum jis din is sab ke liye tyaar hoge hum khud aakr aapko bta de ge. Pr please is waqt nhi. (Please... you are not doing right. You can't coerce me. Please try to understand... please. I beg of you... The day I will be ready to take a step ahead in this marriage, I will myself come to you. But please not now.)" She said but his next move shocked her. Sent chills down her spine.

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