Part 13

Akash and the trio entered the house from the park.

"Akash" called Manohar angrily. Even others too are present except Arnav.

"Just now Karan called. You played a prank on Payal that you won't marry her. Is it true ?"asked Dadi.

Akash lowered his head in shame.

"Uncle. Actually it was our fault. We just want to play a prank but it turned out to be serious. Suddenly, Payal's brother came and beat Akash" said Arun.

"HHBB. How could he even beat my child ? It is just a prank. See, how he beat my son" Manorama cried looking at Akash's deep wounds.

"He deserves it. Who asked him to play such a prank ?"asked Manohar.

"Prank!! Is it really prank or Akash really doesn't want to marry Payal ?" said Manorama then turning, " Say naa Akash. Don't worry. If you don't want this marriage, it won't happen."

"Manorama. Do you even know what you are talking ? Tomorrow is marriage and now you are saying if your son doesn't want this marriage, it won't happen. Did you even thought about the consequences ? Don't you think about an innocent girl's life ?" asked Dadi angrily.

"I don't care Sasumaa. I don't care for anyone other than my son. My son and his happiness is important for me" said Manorama.

"You are..."Manohar is going to say something but Akash stopped him.

"Maa. You are taking me wrong. It was really a prank. I really love Payal a lot. I can't live with out her." said Akash then turning to family, " I am sorry for hurting you all. I will apologize to Payal and her family too"

Manohar was going to say something but Manorama stopped him, " Now, don't scold him.. See, he apologized and even regretting for what he have donw. Also, it was just a prank. It is Payal and Karan's mistake to make it mountain out of hill"

"Come Akash. Let's go" Manorama took Akash holding his hand.

Manohar, then glared at the trio who scurried behind Manorama and Akash.

"When will this Manorama change ?? Why does she always overlook Akash's fault ?"asked Dadi.

The family sighed hearing it..

Arnav entered his room only to find Khushi sleeping on the bed. He sighed in relief seeing her sleeping. He started to come home but something urgent caught up and he can't return early. He tiptoed to wardrobe, took out his night wear and escaped into washroom.

When he came out of the washroom, Khushi is sitting on the bed waiting for him. She looked at him angrily.

"Khushi. You still didn't sleep" asked Arnav.

"My husband said he will come and feed me this night as my hands would be adored with Mehendi. But he didn't came. So, I didn't eat and I can't sleep with hungry stomach" said Khushi.

"What the.. You still didn't eat. How could you neglect your health ?" asked Arnav angrily to Khushi.

When Khushi too glared at him angrily, he said, " I am sorry Khushi. I thought to come early but suddenly something came up"

"If it was like usual days, I won't say anything but now you are on leave now Arnavji. What is the need to go for office ?"asked Khushi.

" It was important Khushi. Actually, a case came up which is taking all my head to think but I can't find even a small clue." Said Arnav.

"What is that case ?"asked Khushi.

"Leave that. You don't take stress about my work. Now, let me feed you" said Arnav.

"No need. I already had my dinner" said Khushi.

"Who feed you ?"asked Arnav.

"Maa." Said Khushi.

"Ok. Show me your Mehendi" said Arnav. Khushi stretched her hands and showed her Mehendi to Arnav.

Arnav kissed her hands lovingly.

"Now. Come on. Let's sleep" said Arnav.

"Haan yes.. Tomorrow is marriage. We have lot of works to do." Said Khushi, " I won't allow you to go out tomorrow. It is your brother's marriage"

"Ok. I won't go. I promise" said Arnav. Khushi nodded her head. Then they both went into their sleep peaceful slumber.

Next Day:

Whole RM is beeming with happiness. Sheetal came into the house. Seeing Sheetal, Manorama's joy grew new bounds.

"Sheetal. How are you ?"Manorama came and hugged Sheetal to which she reciprocated.

"I am fine Bua"said Sheetal.

"When did you came back from training ?"asked Manorama. Sheetal was in training from the past three months. She didn't even attended Arnav Khushi wedding.

"Yesterday morning" said Sheetal. Manorama saw Khushi who is talking some workers and called her.

"Khushi Bitiya. She is Sheetal" said Manorama introducing Sheetal to Khushi.

Khushi smiled to Sheetal, " Nice to meet you Sheetalji. Chachi always says a lot about you"

Sheetal smiled hearing to Khushi.

"HHBB. Why won't I say about Sheetal ? She is a police officer and wants to marry Arnav bitwa. But Ratna jiji didn't want her as Bahu, so Arnav Bitwa didn't married Sheetal. That is why you got a chance to marry Arnav Bitwa" said Manorama.

Sheetal felt embarrassed while Khushi just smiled at Manorama. It is common for her. Manorama always reminds Khushi about Sheetal. Earlier, she felt sad hearing her words. But once too heard Manorama's words and cleared the air to Khushi that Sheetal is nothing more than friend for him. He never loved Sheetal nor did he have some feelings for her. Even if Ratna agreed for their marriage he would have denied marrying Sheetal. From then Khushi don't take Manorama's words to heart.

" I have some work Chachi. You said you have a parlour appointment" reminded Khushi.

"Oh yeah. I have to go. Come Sheetal" said Manorama and took Sheetal along with her.

"Bua. What was the need to say about me to Khushi ?" said Sheetal.

"I am just trying to make her jealous of you." Said Manorama.

"Why ? What is the need for that ?" said Sheetal.

"She snatched your place Sheetal. How can I behave good with her ? So, I always reminds her that she got the place in this house because of you" said Manorama.

"Stop doing that from now on. She never snatched my place. Me and ASR were never meant to be. So, don't hurt her" said Sheetal and left from there.

Manorama scowled hearing Sheetal's words.

In the Evening:

The whole Raizadas reached the venue where the marriage is to take place. Manohar and Devyani Raizadas are welcoming the guests. Arnav is supervising the food section.

Then NK entered the venue. He wished Manohar and took blessings from Dadi. Ratna came there.

"NK Beta. What is this ? You are coming now. Didn't I said that you should be present in all pre marital functions ?"asked Ratna.

"Haan Aunty. But I have office which I need to attend. I am sorry for not attending" said NK.

"It's Ok." Said Ratna sighing, " Khushi is there at the mandap. Go and meet her"

NK nodded his head and went towards mandap. Khushi is arranging everything in mandap while the priest is instructing her.

"Khushi" called NK.

Khushi turned to him and her face grew a wide smile. She excused from the priest and came near him.

"Bhai." Khushi hugged NK tightly to which he reciprocated.

"How are you ?"asked NK.

"Fine Bhai. But you have grown thin" said Khushi looking at him.

'There is nothing like that. I am fine" said NK, " Infact my colleagues are saying I gained weight after you are married. You know what I answered them"

"What ?"asked Khushi frowning.

" Since there is no one in the house to pester me and chatting like chatter box while I am eating now, I am eating peacefully which gained me weight." Said NK.

Khushi frowned at him and she got tears in her eyes which NK didn't even expected.

"So, I didn't let you eat peacefully all these days. I am burden for you"said Khushi with a choked face.

" Khushi. I was just teasing you kiddo. You can never be burden to me. Sorry" said NK holding his ears.

Khushi looked away seeing it.

"NK" Arnav came there smiling.

"Hello ASR." Said NK and forwarded hand for a handshake.

"You can call me Arnav" said Arnav completing the handshake.

NK nodded his head. Priest called Khushi and she left from there.

"Come. I will make you meet Akash" said Arnav.

NK and Arnav both started towards Akash's room. In between Shyam too greeted NK and joined them to Akash's room.

Thanks to those who have commented and voted on previous update.

Next part of the story is already available in Inkitt.