Q/n - writing this one was an emotional roller-coaster tbh. so pls do r&r.
--*--
This day holds great significance for many people around the world, especially people in love, who celebrate it as Valentine's day. But for Arnav and Khushi this day held an altogether different meaning; this day signified an important milestone of their turbulent journey back in the day.
"Hello Hi bye bye, ye Arnav bitua aur Khushi itne khoye hue kyun hai aajkal?" Mami asked mamaji that day on lunch, noticing Khushi's eyes had lost their twinkle since 2 days, while Arnav too had looked gloomy in the morning
"Mano, bhul gayi? 2 din baad kya hain?" Mamaji tried to remind her
"kya hain?" and then she remembered, feb 14th! Akash-Payal's wedding anniversary, and Arnav-khushi's too! Only the latter couple didn't celebrate it as such, in last 9 years!
Arnav-Khushi had gotten married this day. The first time. The contract marriage. The one where Arnav blackmailed her to marry him for six months. Because he believed she was involved with his sick brother-in-law! It was the day when they were united in holy matrimony (the first time) yet they weren't!
"Hamari samajh mein nahi aata ye dono ab bhi har saal iss waqt aise kyun ho jate hain?(I dont understand why these two have to be like this around this time every year, still)?" Payal too wondered, loud enough for Akash to hear.
It was true. Arnav and Khushi started behaving differently around this time of the year and the whole household knew the reason. They never celebrated this as their marriage anniversary, instead celebrating on their remarriage one, September 28th.
"we know the reason, Payal." Akash scoffed, the bitterness of why his bhai was behaving this way, never leaving him.
*flashback from 9 years ago - 3 months after arshi's remarriage, Dec 2012*
One fine afternoon, when Guptas and Raizadas were assembled together, Arnav confessed about how he had manipulated khushi into marrying him on the day of payal-akash's marriage. Recounting that day's events wasn't an easy thing to do but he did. The reactions from whole family were mostly varied amounts of anger and disappointment.
Madhumati bua openly berated him while constantly asking for forgiveness from khushi "I always insulted you for being an outsider, but Nand kishor, you are our closest! Apni iss buaji ko maaf kar dein Khushi(please forgive me khushi). tujh jaisi beti kismat se mliti hain, agle janam mere ghar paida hona titaliya (May God bless me with you as my daughter in next birth, dear)" buaji kissed Khushi's forehead, asking for forgiveness, something Khushi had long done.
Garima and Shashi Gupta refused to look at Arnav while Garima apologized to khushi again and again for slapping her that day. Anajli (who was unmarried that time when Arnav confessed this) reprimanded him, while probably for the first time mama and mami too, admonished him 'is this the upbringing we gave you?' they said with anguished voice and disappointed looks.
But most sharp reactions were from his nani and Akash-Payal and rightfully so. Nani almost slapped him, first time ever in his life! While Payal who had started crying asked him how could he do this to khushi? Khushi came to his rescue telling everyone that it didn't matter anymore and she had in fact opposed arnav to say anything now but he wanted to reveal that truth as it was weighing heavy on his heart. He had apologized to her privately, thus far, and today again in front of all, in fact he asked for forgiveness from everyone but that did little to help.
And finally, Akash! His brother who's life he used as a game plan. Akash didn't say a word. He stopped talking to arnav altogether! Not even in office! It was as if Akash had removed Arnav from his life. And that hurt! Of course the rest of the family too weren't very happy with him but they were cordial, thanks to Khushi. It took khushi all her efforts to convince everyone that it was indeed wise to let the bygones be and after almost a month they agreed to forgive him. Arnav had fell more in love with khushi after this, gratefulness and guilt aside!
Akash however wasn't speaking to Arnav even after 3 months! And finally, one lucky day, Khushi's plan worked, her drama of staging an insult of both brothers behind their backs got them defending each other, and finally they reconciled.
*end of flashback
Even if they had forgiven him eventually, the day still held bittersweet memories. And probably most affected were Arnav and Khushi themselves. Arnav who was otherwise in a marital bliss with khushi and their kids, would start getting haunted by memories of how he dragged her to a temple to marry her forcefully and Khushi, as even if she had convinced everyone to forgive him, she herself held no grudges against him, but the memories would still hurt!
Arnav and khushi never discussed the dreaded contract marriage ever again in following 9 years. It was like a giant elephant in the room they didn't want to acknowledge.
--*--
Arnav was working from that afternoon, Kavish attending his school and twins were taking a nap. He sensed Khushi's presence besides him and tuned to look at her,
"Arnavji, hum amma ke saath bahar ja rahe hain (I am going out with Amma), need to buy something for jiji's anniversary. I just wanted to ask, if you'll be free if kids wake up?" he had stiffened after hearing first part and softened after kids' mention and nodded.
Khushi smiled and walked away. But Arnav was lost in deep thoughts. How could he make it up to her? How could they burry the bitter memories of their past associated with this day? He desperately wanted her to be happy all through the year, wanted her to smile every day. And that she would be gloomy even for a few days every year, didn't settle well with him, worst was knowing he was somehow the reason. Time to address the issue head on!
That night, when were in bed in comfortable silence, Arnav finally asked,
"How could you still love me after all that I did that day, Khushi? I was a beast to you." he took the first step to finally broach the topic
"that is true." she replied after a while, her head lying on his chest, near his heart.
"khushi? will you ever forgive me for that day?" he asked sincerely, and she looked up to gaze in his eyes, seeing his apology for umpteenth time, and she knew what she wanted to answer,
"Arnavji, the girl from 10 years ago, might not. But this Khushi, who knows your heart, who knows why you did what you did and who's your wife and mother to your beautiful precious kids today, will only love you."
"I am so sorry for causing you so much pain that day, Khushi. If I could, I would undo that part."
"I know, and please stop apologizing again and again, I've long forgiven you." she returned to her position of listening his heartbeat.
"but it still makes you sad. and that makes me sad" he said, caressing her hair, dropping a light kiss there and she sighed.
She kept thinking about his words for a long time. He did his bit, Khushi decided to do her part now. Time to get in Sanka devi avatar to 'undo the past' in a way like he had wished. She mentally prepared a plan for next day, the 14th feb!
--*--
It was around lunch time again, next day, when Khushi came to meet Arnav in his office. He was planning to leave early anyhow for Payal-Akash's marriage anniversary and her surprise visit brought a smile on his face. Their eyes still holding that gloominess, as today was THE DAY!
"Is Mr. Raizada free?" she asked coming near him and he got up from his chair to receive her in a hug. She tried to sound less jittery and more cheerful.
"Always for you." He wrapped her in his arms.
"Happy Valentine's day Arnav ji!" she wished as decided and he stiffened
"Khushi, please."
In response she kept her palm near his beating heart and said, "Arnavji, this right here has always been a testimony of your true feelings. Your heart never lies to me, never did. It always told me that it was beating for me. So uske baad aap ke Rakshas avatar ko jhelna bhi asan ho jata hain hamesha."
"its not funny Khushi"
"accha fine. Ek kam karte hain. You had made me sign a contract, no? I thought a lot and let me have a deal for you now. Contract ka badla contract, blackmail ke badla blackmail!"
He just kept staring at her, if she was kidding, but the 'sanka devi' continued, "right. Toh mr. Arnav Singh Raizada if you want have a right to continue holding me like this always –"
"Oh just tell me what is it." Arnav said impatiently. Maybe her crazy idea will indeed help them?
"you'll have to sign here." She said extending a bunch of papers, which looked like a legal document for some deal and had places indicated for his signatures.
He looked at her for a second and then next second, he had snatched the papers from her hand and already signed them where indicated!
"are ek baar padh toh lete, kya pata humne aapse kya le liya ho (you didn't even read it once, who knows what i got from you)? Maybe your whole wealth?" she said seriously
"You already own everything I have Khushi! You are a major shareholder in AR, nani already signed our house to you and Payal and what remains is some stocks and other investments, for which I have made you my nominee so even if you had it today, I don't care a bit!"
Khushi just smiled hearing him say that. It wasn't like she needed to know or she was interested in it, even since the beginning.
Again giving her warmest, heart melting smile, she continued, "achha? Thik hain fir. You don't want to know but let me still tell you, so that there shouldn't be any confusion. The papers you just signed say that, you, Mr. Arnav singh Raizada, you are mine in this lifetime and every next one that you'll have! That your heart and soul are mine, that you will always, always love me!"
Hearing those words, Arnav involuntarily leaned in to kiss her, when she kept her palm on his lips, "ek aur tha. That you agree, Khushi is the best!" he smiled against her palm, kissing it and then removing it to place his lips on hers, "agreed Mrs. ASR. Can I kiss you now?"
"you can."
"I love you Arnav ji, never doubt that." she said in between his kisses
"liar. You love our kids more!" he took a brief break to fact check
"but that's different kind of love. Aise wala pyar hum sirf aap se karte hain (this kind of love is only for you)."
"kaise wala (what kind)?" he said, now in much relaxed state
And then she kissed him to show him 'what kind of love' she was talking about :)
Sure, they couldn't wipe off the past entirely but surely they could make a good present and they just did!
--*--
A/N – well, that's how I think they look at this day. Arnav must have confessed about contract marriage eventually (I hope) and family rightfully got angry at him. He apologized to all, mostly khushi and eventually they all came around, sometime before the 'ek jashn' phase. And now arshi have their own closure too, with a happy memory of a new contract.
By the way, since I am in super 'valentine's mood', but I might write an OS on Valentines special and might upload in somewhere on feb 14th, not a 100% sure. pls, keep an eye out.
Don't forget to vote and comment for this one :)