Chapter 89: Epilogue 1

4 years later-

Intezaar agar lamba ho toh chalta hai

Par agar intezaar ek tarfa ho toh takleef deta hai

(If the wait is longer, it can be tolerable. But if it is one sides, it hurts a lot)

The leaves of the trees were falling due to sudden violent waves. The clouds changed their direction. Dressed in a chiffon maroon simple saree, Khushi was standing in a small stool which was getting disoriented when suddenly Anjali came and signaled her to come down. She scolded her for being so irresponsible.

"Sorry Di.. Main vo.."

"Servants are there to handle all these things. Don't stress out and just relax. All will be done on time. Don't worry"

From the past two days, she has been engrossed in making preparations for this auspicious occasion that is going to take place in Raizada mansion. Being an elder daughter-in-law of the family, she took the entire responsibility on her shoulder. She wanted all the arrangements to be perfect. She just wants everything to be done perfectly without any mistakes. Anjali made her sit for 5 minutes and gave her water. Seeing her working nonstop day and night without proper rest worries Anjali.

How many times she told Khushi not to overload herself. She tries to make her sit for 5 minutes. But suddenly she remembered some important work that remains pending. So, she got up and ran behind one servant.

"Hurry up Hari Prakash ji. Wait a second. Did you send an invitation to Mr. Kapoor?" His face turns pale.

"I knew it. You will forget. He is a very important client of Arnavji. Within 2 days, Akash and Radhika are getting married but the wedding card hasn't been sent to them" Khushi holds her head getting panic.

Anjali tries to make her relax. But she is getting too stressed out.

"Guests can be here any time Di. Wait a second. Listen no, not those flowers. Use red flowers."

"Why Khushi Di?" Arohi came to help her sister after seeing her hands occupied with fruit baskets.

"Because this is Arnavji's favorite color."

"Oh So all this sajna sawarna (make up and all) is for Jiju. How romantic." Khushi slapped her sister as she was teasing her by saying a few naughty things.

"Oh hello. I am a bride. Technically I should blush, Not you Khushi." Both Radhika and Arohi leave no chance to tease Khushi.

Radhika knows everything about Arohi and Akash's past. During their first date itself, Akash told her everything. Even though they have no such intention to date. From the very first day, they found an uncanny attraction toward each other. She found him very honest and kind. This is one of the qualities that attracted her. Her perspective for men changes from the first time she meets him. Although it is too early to judge anyone. But Akash is an open book. Whatever he feels, he says it openly. Whatever mistakes he has made during the past, he doesn't want it to happen again. So, he doesn't want any lies between their beautiful relationship.

The way he treats her, makes her feel special, loves her; she cannot stop herself reciprocating his love. This is how they shared their first kiss. But he was reluctant and unsure about their relationship initially. Akash regrets and cannot meet her eye. He got the images of his and Arohi dating period. But he didn't keep this to himself and poured out everything in front of Radhika. After that moment, her trust for Akash grew deeper. She realized he is the only man she wants to spend the rest of her life with. She helped Akash to get over his past by giving her unconditional love. As the time passes, the memories of Arohi start fading away and he falls for Radhika harder. Then one day he proposes to her for marriage.

"I never thought I would ever say this to any girl except Arohi. But I think I got addicted to you. There wasn't a second passed where I didn't think about you. You gave me sleepless nights, You made me restless and lonely whenever you missed my call or didn't reply to messages. I feel like I am alive being around you. Before you came to my life, I was breathing but my soul was dead losing my love. You gave me a reason to survive." She smiles emotionally and looks at him teary. He was on his knees holding a ring. He continues speaking, but she stops his voice by kissing him passionately.

Radhika has waited for this moment for the past 4 years. Finally her long wait is over. That night they broke every barrier between them and got soulfully united pouring their heart out.

She hugged from back as she saw him standing near the balcony staring at the stars. "This is the best night of my life. Thank you for completing me" She is wearing his shirt while he is only wearing his pants.

"We should have controlled our emotions. This is not right to-"

"I trust you" Her statement burst his heart into joy.

"Why didn't I get you before?" He hugged her tightly and then captured her lips. She smiles receiving his love back. They stay in each other's arms for some time experiencing the togetherness in true senses.

Trust and belief is the biggest foundation for any relationship. She embraces Akash with his flaws and errors.

"Will you marry me?" Her heart swells into happiness. Her one nod brought a broad smile on his face.

Radhika comes back to the real world after getting a hard pinch from Arohi. She saw Radhika completely freeze. Leaving her elder sister's Dhak-Dhak and acidity, she started teasing soon to be bride. Arohi and Khushi burst into laughter seeing her love illness that they had experienced during their first time.

"Stop it both of you. Arohi, you are also making fun of me. I thought you were in my team and we will tease Khushi" Radhika pouted, making a sad face. Khushi opened her mouth in O-shaped.

"Oh yes. I forget. Sorry darling." Replied Arohi to her new bestie Radhika

Radhika and Arohi share a good rapport with each other. They are like best buddies. Seeing them together, Akash found himself lucky to get a life partner who never let his past come to their beautiful present. Thanks to his brother and Bhabhi who convinced him to meet her.

"This is a conspiracy going on behind my back. Not fair guys. Don't forget I have Anjali Di on my side. Your planning to embarrass me is not going to get successful. Right Di."

"Of Course Khushi. Will you guys stop troubling my beautiful sister-in-law?" Anjali said in support of Khushi..

"See Di. How she turns tomato after hearing her hubby name." Radhika grinned.

"So what? Is it a rule that women cannot blush after several years of marriage?"

"Of Course not. Any girl would blush on getting a romantic husband."

"Shut up both of you and let me do my work." Khushi scolded them for getting Embarrassed.

Radhika asks help from Arohi to select some jewelry. They went inside for a chit chat while Anjali stood admiring Khushi who seemed lost in her own fantasy world. There is a typical glow on her face which cannot be missed.

"Missing Chotte" Khushi gives a small nod before tilting her head to hide her nervousness.

After becoming one, for the first time it has happened Arnav and Khushi are staying away from each other. Although it is just a week, for Khushi it is no less than a year. Each and every minute without him was difficult to survive. Moreover, he rarely interacts with her due to his busy schedule. He went to London to crack some deals. Due to time differences, unfortunately they cannot interact.

"Is it important to go?"

Khushi came to the airport before his flight departed to London. Even though he denied her to come to the Airport, she cannot resist herself from meeting him before he leaves for London.

"Sorry Baby. If it wasn't important, I wouldn't leave my princess alone. But I promise I will be back before your birthday.." Arnav patted her cheeks and wipe off her tears that is very precious for him

"I will miss you Arnavji. I love you.."

"More than you, I am going to miss you" She burst into tears as their hands moved apart.

~Present~

"I can't wait to meet you and break that one important piece of news." She stood in front of the mirror adjusting her saree. She wore his favorite sari and did her formal makeup. Time to time she is checking the clock. Butterflies were jumping within her stomach in nervousness. Like a kid who is eager to get candy, her condition is the same.

"What is wrong with me? Why am I behaving like a teenage who is going to meet her crush for the first time? He is my husband, not my boyfriend."

Her excitement level increases when she hears the horn of the car indicating he has arrived home. Her happiness has no boundary. After some time, she heard footsteps coming nearer. Her heartbeat rises.

"Arnavji.." Calming her breath, She slowly turns to meet the love of her life only to get surprised to see Akash. There is sadness on his face.

"Why are you standing here? Is Arnavji downstairs? Say Akash/ Where is he?" She asked, getting impatient. By getting no response, she looked outside her room thinking he may surprise her but found him nowhere. Then, she began to move toward the hall.

"He hadn't boarded the flight."

After hearing that, her legs halted. Her smile faded instantly. She look back angrily.

"What nonsense are you talking about? That's not possible. He promised me he would come before my birthday. My Arnavji never broke his promise."

I have checked every single flight from London to Mumbai. After searching, I found out he hadn't booked any ticket for London. I tried to contact his London number. But it wasn't reachable. I even enquired in the London office. I found that he hadn't reached there.

"What are you saying? He never lies to me. Hey Devimaiya kahi unhe kuch.." (What if something happens to..)

"Relax Bhabhi. I will find out where he is. Don't panic. Okay?."

"How can I relax? Here my husband disappears and you are telling me to relax. Oh god what if anything terrible happens to.. (Pause) No. No stop it. Nothing might happen to my Arnavji.." Khushi began getting distraught. All the negative thoughts coming to her mind.

Radhika came into her room to show her the design of her Mehndi. But seeing her state, she gets bewildered. She heard their conversation and ran to hold her friend who is currently in a shattered state. Akash and Radhika exchange worried glances. She signs him something by which he denies.

Actually Radhika wanted to tell her something about Arnav for the past few days but Akash didn't want it to come out in the open. She consoles Khushi but it is of no use.

Until Khushi meets him, her mind won't be at peace. Her entire body is shivering. Her patience is giving away.

Khushi rang his number. But as usual it is in voice mail. Initially she ignored it but now her mind gives negative vibes like there is something her husband is hiding from her.

"Khushi, That's enough. I can't let you ruin your life for that man."

"Mind your language Radhika. He is my husband and I won't tolerate a shit against my love"

Your eyes are completely blinded with his fake love. Can't you realize he is a bloody cheater. You never learn from your past mistakes. Every time he fools you, but you being a dumb trust him.

"What do you mean?" For the sake of Akash, she was tolerating Radhika's non-sense. But it is getting unbearable.

"Radhika stops." Akash tries to shut her up.

"No Akash. I can't stay quiet. It's high time she needs to realize her husband's true color. Her tears are intolerable for me. She deserves to know what her husband is doing behind her back. He is the biggest Casanova. To cheat on women is his biggest hobby."

"Shut up Radhika. I know you dislike Arnavji. That's why saying all this. But I won't give that right to anyone to accuse my husband. I respect him more than I love him. Most importantly he is going to be your brother-in-law. Think before you speak." Khushi said with finality in a firm tome.

"That's the main problem. Your blind faith is ruining your life. He is not in London. You are forgetting I am also working in his office and fixed all his meeting schedules. He didn't sign any deal associated with the London office. I just don't understand why he lied to you and pretended that he was in London. He is so busy that he can't save a few minutes to talk to his family. How many times Ayaan insisted you to let him talk to his father. Did he receive his call? No right? He doesn't even care for his son's emotions. You won't believe it, many times I caught him hanging out with models in his cabin in close proximity. Just two days ago, I saw him at lover's spot with another girl..

ENOUGH!!

A hard slap landed on Radhika's cheeks causing her to shift back. "You have crossed all the limits Radhika. I feel ashamed to call you my friend. I never wanted to hurt you on your special day. But you left me with no option"

"Khushi.."

"Shut up. Just shut up. How dare you put irrational blame on my Arnavji's character. Jaan se bhi jyada pyaare hai Arnavji mere liye. Agar Bhagwan bhi aake kahe main nahi manungi kyunki mujhe pura bharosa hai apne pyaar pe. (More than his life, he loves me. Even if God comes and tells me he is an unfaithful husband, I won't believe) The mistakes I have made in the past still torment me. I still regret that I wasted 3 years doubting him and made him responsible for Karan's death. Here you are telling me the man whose entire life revolves around me, who cannot see a single drop of tears in my eyes would ever imagine to give me the worst pain of betrayal."

"Mumma"

Ayaan's sudden presence made Akash, Radhika and Khushi wide alert. They try to act normally but he is too clever to decipher the tension between them..

"Why are you scolding my new aunty?"

"No beta. There is nothing like that." Khushi took his school bag from his back and stepped toward the wardrobe to take out his fresh pair of clothes.

"If not, say it looking into my eyes" He demanded. Khushi went tongue-tied.

Radhika came forward to lighten the atmosphere. She tries to divert his attention by asking about his school and classes. He is too smart. He didn't get trapped into her round round talks.

"New Aunty. Why is your left cheek red? Did Mumma.." He look at his mother who has no answer to his query. "Definitely you have said any ill words about Papa. Khushi began to think how does he know her so well. Like father, like son.

Ofcourse. My sweet Momma is as soft as coconut. She never slaps anyone until it is about Papa. Remember Mumma, you slapped me once once I talked rudely with Papa. Aunty-. No-one loves me. Mumma only loves Papa." With a pause. But what about me?"

"No Baby. I love you as much as I love you."

"Lie lie lie. From the time papa has gone, tell me one moment you didn't miss him. Every night you hug Papa's photo and cry like a baby. You never miss it when I am away." Ayaan opens the list of complaints in front of Akash and Radhika.

Little boy successfully diverted Khushi's attention from all the stress and tension which she was surrounded with, a few moments ago. The couple adore the mother-son tom and jerry fight. They began to dream of having a baby.

"Say it keeping your hand to your heart that you love me more than Papa. Say say."

"Okay I admit I am kind possessive for your Papa. But that doesn't mean I don't love you. If you are done with your interrogation, can I go and search your Papa. I won't spare him if it was any of his silly prank to trouble"

"How dare he trouble you, Mumma. I won't allow anyone to hurt my beautiful Mumma."

Khushi admires her son. She kisses him and lifts him off from the ground and hugs him. He made an irritating face when she shower kisses on his cheeks.

"I love you bachhu"

Arohi and Aman came inside after knowing that Arnav is missing. They thought Khushi must be in panic mode. But seeing her smiling, all their tension reduces. Credit goes to Ayaan. He has a special quality to change anyone's mood by his usual cute antics. He deliberately did all the complaining drama to bring a fantastic smile on his mama's face.

"Hey! That's not fair. You never allow your massi to kiss you" Arohi complained with a frown brow.

"Only Mumma and my future girlfriend has the right to kiss me"

Khushi smiles proudly hearing that. But within a couple of seconds, her smile transforms into a frown once his mischievous words click to her. She held his ear and passed a stern glare to his son who was walking in his father's path.

"Dare if you make any girlfriend. No-one would spare you from your Mum. Not even your papa."

"This is ramanchi. Is it a crime to get a girlfriend. Tell me, Arohi Massi. Didn't you have a boyfriend during your time? Akash uncle and Radhika aunty; didn't you ever date anyone? Karan uncle also made a girlfriend. Most importantly my own Mom-Dad dated each other before marriage and did gulululu too. Why this discriminations with me? I also want a girlfriend"

The couple standing there controlled hard to hide their smiles in front of Khushi. On the other hand, Khushi turned red as her naughty son did poll khol (Expose) about their love life in front of her siblings. She began to wonder how he knew everything about her and Arnavji's love story so perfectly. She never told him anything about how they met, spent the night, fell in love, etc. Well, who will tell Khushi that Ayaan Singh Raizada brain cell activated even before he evolved and came into existence. He was the sole witness of their love life when she was carrying him in his womb.

Radhika was feeling guilty for whatever happened a few moments ago. She apologized to Khushi and they patch up soon after. It was all Arnav Singh Raizada's plan. But Khushi is oblivious to it. He was planning something really big that is supposed to be memorable for her. His sudden disappearance and Radhika's accusation was a part of his master plan.

To be continued!

Epilogue-2 is also posting. Before moving to next part, please leave your comments and press vote button. It look me lot of energy and time to update it. I will really appreciate it Please press vote button and comment on this book.