Part 7

Three weeks later:

Today is the marriage of Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta. The marriage is going to be held in Raizada Mansion.

Khushi is in one of the room given to her. She sat there decked up as a bride lost in her thoughts. Three weeks flew off soon. As said, Raizadas made every arrangement. She got well mingled with Anjali and Ratna. But her conversation with Arnav limited only to chatting. All the pre marital functions happened without any problem. Arnav and Khushi got less time to even talk with each other. Now, she is here sitting as a bride. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She is looking beautiful in heavy red color lehenga. And the heavy jewellary of Raizadas is suffocating her. Then she remembered her Buaji. The one who loved and brought up her and NK. She always dreamed to see Khushi's marriage but she left this world even before that. Few tears escaped from her eyes.

"Khushi" Anjali came into the room only to witness Khushi wiping her tears. Anjali gasped and ran to her.

"What happened Khushi ? Why are you crying ?"asked Anjali.

"Nothing Anjali ji. I just remembered my Buaji" said Khushi, " She always dreamt of my marriage"

Anjali felt sorry for her. Then Ratna and Manorama entered inside the room and heard what Khushi said.

"Don't worry Beta. Wherever she is. She will be happy now seeing you" said Ratna.

Khushi nodded her head smiling.

Then Manorama noticed something, "What is this ? Why are you wearing this necklace ? We gave you another one naa"

Khushi gulped fearing and said, " It is Mumma's necklace. I want to wear it"

"But.."Manorama is going to say something but Ratna stopped her

"Oh. It's ok then. I understand. I am not MIL who will make a fuss for this. Relax" said Ratna patting Khushi's cheek lovingly.

Khushi smiled in relief.

"Come. Now. Let's go. Punditji is calling" said Anjali and the trio led her to the Mandap.

Arnav was mesmerized seeing Khushi. Soon the marriage rituals started. They took Pheras, Mangalsutra and Sindoor was done.

"This Marriage is completed. Now you both are husband and wife" announced the Pundit.

Everyone smiled happily and the happiest one is the mysterious man, "Now, the time starts for downfall of you Akash Singh Raizada as my sister is married to your brother Arnav Singh Raizada." thought NK, mysterious man from the bar.(In the Prologue)

During Bidaai time, Khushi hugged NK and cried a lot. Ratna and Anjali consoled her. Even NK consoled her that he will be fine. NK then took leave from Raizadas.

It was the time for Griha pravesh. Anjali did aarti of Khushi and Arnav. She applied tilak and asked Khushi to step into the house which she did. She was taken to pooja mandir and made lit the diya.

After sometime, Arnav entered his room only to witness Khushi sitting on the bed.. Khushi looked at him. He smiled nervously to her which she reciprocated with same nervousness. Until now, they both have only chatted and never talked directly.

"Khushi. You can go and change" said Arnav.

Khushi nodded her head immediately and descended from the bed. She is feeling suffocating in the heavy attire. She escaped into the washroom taking her night wear.

When she came out of the washroom, she didn't find Arnav. She heard his voice from poolside and went towards the it. She saw Arnav talking on the phone with worried lines on his face. he changed into his night wear. Khushi stood there looking at him frowning.

Arnav turned to her and said, " Khushi. A fly over collapsed and I need to go there immediately. Two college buses were travelling on the flyover and the buses too fell down. A lot of students were injured. I need to go immediately"

Khushi was shocked hearing it. Not for Arnav leaving her but for the accident.

"No Problem Arnavji. You go." Said Khushi genuinely, " Inform Maa or Di before leaving"

Arnav nodded his head and quickly hurried out of the room taking his revolver.

Khushi then turned around and observed the poolside with flower plants. She sat there sometime to relax. Then she entered the room and slept tired of the day.

NK, on the other hand, stood at the window of his room looking at the stars.

"Today I have took first step in achieving you justice Lavanya. I promise you Buaji I will soon punish the culprits of your daughter " Promised NK looking at the stars, "But I have to wait until Akash's marriage. No Problem. This three months will help me to gain Raizadas trust"

Next morning:

Khushi came down into the hall. She saw Anjali, Ratna, Manorama and Dadi at the mandir. She too went there. They were surprised seeing her.

"Khushiji. You woke up soo early" asked Anjali.

"Haan Di. I will wake up usually by this time" lied Khushi. She usually sleeps upto 7.30 but today she kept alarm to wakeup early.

"Did Chote woke up ?"asked Anjali.

" He still didn't came Di" said Khushi.

"Didn't came ?Where did he went ?"asked Ratna.

"He left yesterday night only. He got a call that a bridge collapsed and asked him to come. So, he went. Didn't he informed you both ?" asked Khushi confused.

Ratna and Anjali looked at each other while Dadi face palmed her face.

"This boy.. seriously, left on his wedding night. I can't believe this" said Ratna.

"Khushi. Why did you let him go ?" asked Anjali.

"Di. How can I stop him when it is the matter of many lives there ? I don't want him turn away from his duty because of me" said Khushi

Ratna and Anjali gave an unbelievable look at Khushi.

"You are truly my Chote's soul mate" said Dadi.

"Anju. Go and call Chote." said Ratna.

"Not now. After the puja" said Dadi. The Ladies performed the puja in the mandir.

"Khushi Bitiya. Today is your first day in the house. As a ritual, you should cook sweet for inlaws. Can you make it ?"asked Dadi.

"Haan Dadi. I will make Kheer." Said Khushi.

"Ok Bitiya. Make it soon. Your brother will come to take you to Pagphere ritual" said Ratna then turning to Anjali, " Anju. Help Khushi"

Anjali nodding her head took Khushi to the kitchen. She showed everything for the Kheer and when she got a call, she came out of the kitchen asking Khushi to start.

When Anjali came back after completing the call, she saw a confused Khushi trying to put sugar into the Kheer.

"Khushi" called Anjali going near to her. Seeing Anjali Khushi gave a nervous smile.

"Do you know cooking ?"asked Anjali frowning at Khushi.

Khushi looked like the deer caught in headlights and nodded as No. Soon tears formed in her eyes, " I am sorry. I don't know how to cook. Everything happened soo suddenly in three weeks and I didn't get time to learn cooking. I only learnt making Kheer"

Anjali smiled looking at Khushi.

"Shh. It's Ok. Don't cry. No Problem if you don't know cooking. I understand. I will help you in making Kheer" said Anjali hugging Khushi who reciprocated.

"Now. Wipe your tears" said Anjali coming out of the hug.

"Nani and Maa." Said Khushi thinking that they may scold her

"Don't worry about that. They will definitely understand because you know why ?"asked Anjali.

Khushi looked at her questioningly.

"Because even I too don't know abcd of cooking when I got married. Truth to be said, until now I don't know much about cooking. When ever I tried to make something new, it will turn out to be disaster." Said Anjali.

Khushi chuckled hearing it.

"Smile like this always" said Anjali cupping Khushi's cheek. They both soon started their cooking classes.

After sometime, Ratna came into the Kitchen and watched Khushi, Anjali talking and laughing out to their hearts. Ratna looked at them adorably. They both made a good bonding already.

"Oh. What's happening here ? Seems like Nanad and Bhabhi forget about breakfast" said Ratna.

'There is nothing like that Maa. I am just explaining chote's funny childhood antics to Khushi" said Anjali.

"OK. You can talk about them later" said Ratna then turning to Khushi, " Khushi. Go and get ready. NK will be coming to take you for Pagphere rasam"

Khushi nodded her head and left from there

Thanks to those who have all voted and commented on previous update. Sorry for being late.