Always and Forever

Chapter 19

Akash came home a couple of hours later and went to his room. Both Payal and Akash practiced their part of the act one more time before they went to the dining room where everyone was having tea. Payal went down first and Akash came a few minutes later.

"Payal," called Akash getting everyone's attention at once. "I have a surprise for you"

"Akash, really? Asked Payal.

"Yes, I have booked tickets for us to go to Paris. They are having a light show next week and I booked us to go there and watch the show. This is the world's largest light show. So I thought you would love to go and see"

"OMG Akash, really? I love light shows and I have seen photos of the Paris light show but never in my dreams, I thought I will ever be able to see it with my own eyes. And Paris is my dream destination. I am so lucky to have you in my life Akash"

Arnav had to admit, Payal is a better actor than Khushi. Look at her, how genuine she looks. What Arnav didn't know was this was actually a surprise for Payal. She thought Akash is taking her somewhere nearby just for the sake of their plan. Paris is in fact her dream destination and she always wanted to visit Paris light show.

Khushi sat next to Arnav and said "Di is not acting, she is genuinely surprised. Jija Ji wanted to take this chance to surprise her for real and asked me what she likes and where she wants to go. Giving her a surprise may be a part of our plan but the actual surprise is genuinely planned"

Arnav couldn't believe what love does to a person. But he too was impressed with Akash. He is a good husband trying to keep his wife happy. Arnav can only hope he can give at least half of that happiness to Khushi.

Not only his family, but he himself will not have the courage to ask them to move or cancel this trip thanks to Payal. Her reaction to the surprise was so genuine that even if someone told them that this was part of a plan they won't believe that person.

While the whole family congratulated Payal and wished them good luck on the trip Arnav quickly left wanting to have a word with the priest before he comes here.

"Good evening Devi Ji" greeted Priest entering Raizada's house.

"Good evening Pandit Ji. Thank you for coming on such short notice" greed Devi.

The priest, Devi, Anjali, Manu, Arnav, and Khushi were sitting in the living room. The priest took a few minutes before he spoke.

"The thing is Devi Ji. These two have a strong birth time. So auspicious times are very few. Most of the time one person overshadows the other one and therefore finding a mutual time is very hard. However, I managed to find 3 auspicious dates for the engagement and the wedding" said the priest calming down the family.

His first few lines made the whole family nervous. Even Arnav was nervous as he wasn't expecting this.

"Thank You, Pandit Ji. So what are those three dates?" Asked Devi

"The best out of three is this Wednesday. You can do the engagement on Wednesday and the wedding on Thursday. The second best is next week. You can have the wedding next Tuesday but the engagement must be this Wednesday"

"And what is the third option, Pandit Ji?" This time it was Anjali. She was confused with the two options they were given. Neither would work.

"Anjali Ji, the third option is after two and a half years. But these two cannot even get engaged during that time. They have to wait two and a half years to get engaged then 6 more months to get married"

This time Arnav is shocked. This is not what he asked the priest to say. Although this is far better than what he planned, he felt cheated. He is going to have a good chat with the priest.

"Can't you find any other time Pandit Ji? Maybe in a month or two?" Ask Anjali again.

"As I said, these two birth times are very strong. So it's impossible to find another time. Maybe if we check again after a year we might find something as stars can move sometimes."

Saying that the priest stood up and greeted everyone before leaving the house. Arnav quickly followed him.

"Pandit Ji, I asked you to say one year but you said two. Even with the other two options you gave, you have changed what I asked you to do" Arnav was a little irritated.

"Arnav Ji, I did not lie at all. I actually had a look at both of your birth times and whatever I told inside is a complete truth. You two have a very strong birth time and the dates I have given are actually auspicious dates. I am getting late and will talk later" saying that he left leaving Arnav shocked.

Arnav looked up "So you are playing with me again huh? But this time, I am giving it to you because you actually helped me," said as he went back in.

"No Dadi, how can we do all the preparation within two days? And what about the pre-wedding rituals? Moreover, Shyam Ji is not here as well and we can't even inform him about the wedding. He'll feel bad when he comes back" Said Anjali in a sad tone.

"Anjali look, waiting two years is not even an option. You know Chote, he has a mind of his own. So what are you going to do if after a few months he decided he no longer wants to get married?" Asked Nani.

Nani was making it easier for Arnav. Looks like he does not have to do anything after all.

"Yes Anjali, I agree with Sasu Maa. I am still in shock with the fact that he actually decided to get married but yes, he can change his mind anytime." agreed Manu.

"But Nani and Mami, today is Tuesday. Let's say we somehow get the engagement done tomorrow. But Planning a wedding in two days? What about the sangeet, Mehendi? haldi and all the other ceremonies?"

"Anjali Di, if you don't mind can I say something" Khushi who was silent for the whole day finally spoke.

"Yes Khushi, It's your wedding so you have all the right to give your input," said Anjali.

"My mother, father, and Aunty cannot make it to the wedding even if we have it next week. Having the wedding after two years is not even an option as Nani Ji said. If we have it next week we will have enough time to do all those ceremonies but then I will not have anyone to represent me at the wedding. Because I don't want Di and Akash Ji to cancel their trip. She was so excited and it is not fair to ask them to change their plans because of my marriage. If we have it this week, we will miss those ceremonies but I will have someone from my family at my wedding. I prefer having my sister at my wedding to those ceremonies but it's your choice in the end. Because it's not only my wedding but also your brother's." Saying that Khushi sat next to Arnav.

"I do agree with Khushi Di. Having someone from your family at your wedding means a lot compared to having some ceremonies. But as Khushi said, it's your choice in the end. We'll accept either" Said Arnav.

"But Chote, Shyam Ji. He is also not here"

"Di, if we don't have the wedding this week our only option is to wait two years. Because I too don't want Akash and Payal to cancel their plans for us. While waiting for two years what if either of us changed our mind? Do you think Jija Ji can be happy? He will blame himself for the rest of his life. If I was Jija Ji, I would want my brother-in-law to get married this week"

Anjali thought about what Arnav said and she couldn't help but agree with him. She knows Shyam. He will understand but if Arnav and Khushi end up not getting married Shyam will blame her and himself both until their last breath.

"Ok, Chote, as long as you both are happy without these ceremonies, I have no problem with it," Said Anjali unknowingly winding up Arnav's plan.

The whole house suddenly became extra busy. They had an engagement and a wedding to plan in less than 24 hours.

While the whole house was planning the engagement and wedding Arnav texted Khushi asking her to meet him by the poolside at night.

The plan went well, with no glitches, and everyone is happy but Arnav was not going to get married until he talk to Khushi and clear out all these unspoken issues.