Today's parallel - their marriage day, the remarriage one! Subhadra Dadi had revealed garima's truth and harshly broken everyone's dream of arnav-khushi's wedding. But Khushi believed Arnav would not abandon her at the mandap and he didn't, he came. ❤ Then they got married, defeating all demons (in this case dadi and shyam).
Note: It's a very long update, happy reading <3
--*--
Anjali watched as her chote asked Khushiji to come to him as he stood at a corner of the room, near the entry door, while she and Khushi were in the middle, going over some lehengas and sarees that she could borrow from Khushiji.
And then she saw them talk in hushed voices before she heard bits and pieces of the last sentence.
"Because I designed it for you dammit! And I don't want anyone else to wear it." Arnav ordered Khushi, "Make any excuse, I don't know. But not that one." He said sternly and then left the room with Pari, leaving Khushi to deal with this very awkward situation!
Anjali waited for Khushi to come back and say something...
.
Meanwhile, Jaz's mother who was passing by their room too had overheard some of Arnav's raised voice. Although she didn't get full context, she didn't like how Arnav spoke in a menacing tone with Khushi. Since the time she had met Khushi and Arnav, she always wondered why this timid girl who was almost jaz's age or maybe a couple years older, chose to marry a man who seemed to be so difficult? She had always ensured that her daughter jaz lived her 20s fully and then she was marrying now, while Khushi seemed to be married very young, going by the 3 kids she had! She felt sad for Khushi, but right now was not the time to think about anything of that sort, her daughter's wedding soon to begin.
.
Khushi walked near Anjali and prayed to Devi maiyya that the excuse she was going to make will be bought, "Di. Can you pick some other saree or lehenga of mine? Actually this one was stitched a few months ago when I was still feeding Aru and Pari in between at times, so the -umm- blouse size will not fit you." she said, making an honest excuse which wasn't fully a lie.
Anjali smiled understandingly and nodded.
"Koi baat nahi(no problem) Khushiji, I understand. I was anyway going to say, I will go with this saree." she said picking a lavender color saree, "I think this one will match with the blouse of my saree too so that shouldn't be a problem." Anjali's reply made Khushi heave a sigh of relief and she enthusiastically nodded.
--*--
Khushi was able to get chiku ready first in a cute sherwani and a pagdi followed by Pari and lastly Arohi in pretty lehengas. All their clothes were from AR's exclusive designs (for now, Sabyasachi is our AR). Like their papa used to all the time, Arnav's kids too had a say in Khushi's getup, in her hairstyle, her putting on a bindi, her chudiyaan(bangles) and such.
So, with a lot of 'inputs' from her husband and his equally enthusiastic kids when it came to her, Khushi herself got ready!
(p.c. Google images, Sabysachi. I am not adding kids' and Arnav's wardrobe to save space.)
Arnav covered Kavish's eyes and then planted a swift kiss on Khushi's lips and then whispered against her lips, "You look breathtaking, sweetheart. I couldn't resist."
After the kids left with Mamiji, Khushi finally made her bigger child get ready, i.e., her husband! Arnav was wearing a matching sherwani in beige color with hand embroidery on it along the frontal seams.
As Arnav and Khushi walked down the stairs, they looked like nothing less than royalty!
.
.
And then, the melodic sounds of shehnai suggested the bride was arriving in the mandap. Everyone was overjoyed as a gorgeous bride Jasmeet took her place beside a handsome groom NK, both of them having eyes only for each other!
As one after another ritual was getting completed, and standing side by side, Arnav and Khushi were lost in memories of their own weddings. As they showered rose petals on the couple in front of them, Khushi remembered how thousands of goosebumps erupted on her hands when Arnav held her and took her to Devi maiyya temple that night. Sure, it wasn't a happy wedding, she was unsure why he was doing this, but she would never deny it was the day Arnav tied them together. And then, the remarriage time, when she was much more sure of his love and thus, vehemently refused to leave until he arrived.
And he did.
And as they showered rose petals on NK and Jaz when they exchanged jaymala, she remembered the sweet memory of her jaymala!
Arnav on the other hand felt uncomfortably emotional as he too remembered both the weddings. The first one, he would always hate himself for the way it happened but he would never deny that he was a married man since that day and his marriage vows, the one important to him being his love for her, began that day.
The remarriage day, when his dadi literally wreaked havoc on his happiness, he had faced a dilemma. But he fought. For her, for the love they had for each other. And he came.
As he watched NK put sindoor on Jaz's forehead, Arnav smiled remembering that blissful moment when he put that pinch of powder called vermillion on Khushi's forehead to stake a claim on her heart!
And finally when Nk and Jaz stood up for phere, Arnav reached out and held Khushi's hand in his, while she openly wept in happiness for both NK-jaz as well as her own marriage, Arnav looked up for a brief second and thanked his Maa, for this blessing called Khushi!
--*--
After a sumptuous and grand dinner that followed the wedding, the guests started dispersing wishing the newlyweds happy married life.
The kids were already tired and feeling sleepy and Arnav decided to take them upstairs to their room to put them down for the night. They had to catch a flight back to Delhi next day at morning and thus needed to be well rested.
Khushi stayed behind for a few post-marriage rituals as she didn't want to leave this chance to tease NK and Jaz. The newlyweds were then let go to a suite that was booked for them as a wedding gift for their wedding night!
--*--
It was late at night when Khushi had come to kitchen to get some water to keep in their room for the night, when Jaz's mother found her. Tomorrow would be the day when they all would leave for their respective homes and she would really miss Khushi, a sweet child that she was! She was already sad over Jaz's wedding and even if Jaz would stay in Sydney, where they could meet each other anytime they wished, she still felt the pain of separating from her daughter who wouldn't be there in front of her eyes every day.
Khushi understood how emotional Jaz's mother had become and consoled her. After they chatted for a few minutes, Jaz's mother decided to ask what she had observed. If she didn't, it would always prick her mind that she never voiced out her concern.
After all, she had observed how Arnav's sharp tongue was evident on the contrary to a bubbly, happy Khushi who was such a sweet girl.
"Khushi, you are like my Jaz for me, like my daughter. And that is why, I am going to ask you something."
"What is it aunty?"
"Why did you marry Arnav? Were you coerced into marrying him? I am aware how Indian families pressurize their daughters and please don't mind, but many times girls also do not raise their voice. Is that what is happening with you too? I fail to understand why such a sweet, young, polite girl like you chose a man who comes across as rude and difficult."
Khushi was rendered speechless at that sudden, unexpected question.
But more than her, someone else was!
Arnav who had just come looking for khushi on what was taking her so long, as they had a travel tomorrow, overheard Jaz's mother's question and his heart skipped a beat. Of course, he knew! He didn't deserve her. He always knew that. But hearing it from someone else felt like a blow on his face. Without making his presence felt, he retreated to their room. If only he stayed, he would have heard how Khushi answered.
Khushi took a deep breath and tried to answer as truthfully yet as strongly as she could. She understood why Jaz's mother felt worried but she wouldn't let anyone have a false impression of Arnav's love for her!
"Aunty, I am happy you consider me as your daughter, but trust me, what you think about Arnavji it is not at all true." She said with a polite tone addressing Jaz's mom, and a fond smile for her husband and love of her life, "I am married to him with my own will and I wouldn't choose anyone else than him! I love him a lot, and he loves me equally if not more! Arnavji is not a simple man so people often misunderstand him, but let me tell you some secrets. You have seen his anger or dominance, but you haven't seen his care and protectiveness for me. Yes, he uses sharp tone at times but it's only to ensure I am taking care of myself. He rebukes me but because he knows I am clumsy. He gets angry but he never shies away from expressing his apologies be it to me, our kids or our family. NO ONE loves me more than Arnavji, and I knew it even before I married him. In fact, if anything it is a surprise that a disciplined, mature man should choose a clumsy, childish girl like me." and it was true. She had no doubt that the love of her life was only made for her and so was she made only for Arnavji.
Jaz's mother was apologetic as well as touched hearing that. She now understood what Khushi and Arnav shared was a blissful marriage where they both had different personalities, sure, but a strong bond of love that was above everything.
"I am sorry, Khushi, for saying all that for Arnav without knowing the full truth. I am very happy to know that you both are so much in love and happy together. God bless you both." saying so and caressing Khushi's head, she left for her own room.
.
.
She entered the room to see the kids were asleep on their mattresses as Arnav had tucked them securely. He was sitting near them, and even in dim lights, she saw his fallen face and didn't know what went wrong. Keeping the water bottle on a small table in the room, she approached him and sat beside him, waiting for him to tell her what was wrong.
Meanwhile, Arnav had been fighting hard with his feelings that he was not good for her and as soon as he sensed her near him, he asked, without meeting her eyes,
"khushi, have I really messed up your life?"
The way he asked this made her heart skip a beat. He sounded so defeated.
"What? What are you saying Arnavji?" she said, keeping a hand on his shoulder and making him face her properly.
His teary eyes met hers and she knew something was really bothering him too much.
"I heard what Jaz's mother asked you." He said in a low, defeated tone and realization dawned on her. Did he hear her answer though? But Arnav kept his finger on her lips, "no Khushi. don't try to console me. I know she was right. In fact everyone must be thinking the same. I don't deserve you."
Khushi kissed his finger and slowly removed it. Then holding his hand she made him stand up as she did herself. Delicately cupping his handsome face, she raised on her toes and kissed this stupid-crazy-laad governor husband of hers! He might be Harvard grad but in matters of heart, she was the topper! Kissing his eyelids one by one, she said in love-filled voice, "If you don't deserve me Arnavji, then no one else does."
"Khushi."
"How can you even think of this Arnav? How will you let someone else judge our love?" she took his name sans a ji and turned this conversation very serious from her side too!
"But aren't they right?"
"NO! That's the most ridiculous thing to say or even think. And that's exactly what I told Jaz's mother too. They don't know our heartbeats Arnavji, but we do right? Everyone won't understand what only your heart says to mine, it's for us to know, us to cherish. The secret of our feelings, our love is for us to understand, not for others. Otherwise har koi arnav aur khushi hota, hai na (otherwise everyone would be Arnav and Khushi, right)? And about the world then when has it ever understood or approved any love story? For their times, even Radha and Krishna's love was questioned, so was Heer-Ranjha's and Romeo-Juliet's. For others, their love never made sense, for the society of their times, they were not right for each other. But did that mean their love was wrong or they were wrong for each other? NO! Their love was true, made for each other, and so are Arnav and Khushi. Hamara pyar sabki samajh me nahi aayega, aane ki zarurat bhi nahi hai, it's for our hearts to talk and listen and for our souls to cherish. Aur fir bhi kabhi doubt ho, toh unn teen cute chehron ko dekh lijiyega(And if you still feel any doubt, look at those 3 cute faces), the physical manifestation of what I feel for you and what you have gifted to me, our babies are the living proofs of our love for each other."
she said indicating to their sleeping kids and automatically brought smiles on their faces.
For a long time, he didn't say anything. So, she turned his face towards her again, and raised her eyebrows, asking him to say something!
"Tum sach mein bohot bolti ho(You really talk a lot!), you know?" he said, pecking her lips and then her forehead, with all the love he had for her! She truly was a blessing and he would spend every second of his life cherishing her, like he did ever since the day he returned to their marriage mandap!
She pouted cutely, "I said all these things and this is the compliment I get?"
He laughed heartily, "You see now? You signed up for this precisely, Mrs. Khushi Singh Raizada."
She pulled him closer by his shirt, "and I will sign up for this for every lifetime we get. You are mine Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada and I am only yours." she said and he didn't need another word to remove every single doubt and insecurity from his heart for once and for all. She had brought peace to his tortured heart, his depressed mind and now his world was back to being happy, just like this woman in his arms!
He kissed her lovingly again, before whispering against her lips, "Forever!"
--*--
The Raizadas were ready to leave for the airport the next morning, sharp at 10am! They had had their breakfasts and Jaz's family loaded their car with a lot of goodies and food they could eat on the way.
It was time to say goodbye to this family that lovingly hosted them for whole 5 days and became very dear to them. Jaz's grandparents had become emotional, as at their age, any goodbyes aren't easy. Seeing them that way, Khushi too had tears in her eyes and Arnav had to hug her by her side to pacify her!
The most fun goodbyes, however, were for the Raizada kids who had become very dear to Gill family! Chiku and Piya had made friends with other kids there and they were making plans to meet in Delhi asking their mummy-papa as some of them already lived in that city!
Then came Pari's turn, the 'gudiya' of the house! Khushi looked on happily as her baby girl was showered with a lot of love and blessings!
And then came Aru's turn who was already frowning at this 'goodbye business'. She was bored.
Seeing her cute expressions, one of Jaz's aunt picked her in her arms, and said,
"Aru puttar, you stay here with us." she said, and Arohi's eyes rounded the size of small laddus! "What do you think, Bebe?" she asked further and Bebe enthusiastically nodded!
Khushi chuckled as she knew they were teasing Aru.
"naaaa! Lemme gooo!" Aru said, trying to free herself from this lady! The lady chuckled and put her down and then turned to Pari, as they all wanted to see Aru's reaction on that.
"Ok. koi na, not you then let this gudiya be here." she said and Aru looked horrified as she reached Pari and stood between them!
"Noo! My sister!" Aru whined.
The lady marched near Chiku but before she could even say a word, Aru hugged her bhaiyya!
Chiku chuckled as he was too used to this game that adults loved to play with kids. They will first ask you to stay back at their home, then ask for your sibling and then, mummy papa!
And exactly like he thought, the elderly lady said "Ok how about your papa? And your mamma?"
Now even Pari was annoyed. What was wrong with this aunty? Have your own mummy-papa aunty, these are ours! Pari said in her mind, her eyes trying to speak just the same!
Aru fumed in anger and harshly pushed that aunty's hand away who was trying to hold Khushi, "Go awayyy! She's MY mamma!" she said glaring at the lady.
Khushi finally decided to intervene "beta, wo mazak kar rahi hai (she is teasing). How can I stay here? Kya aapki mamma aapke bina reh sakti hai (can I live without you)?" she asked, as she sat on her knees to reach Aru and Pari's level.
The twins looked at Khushi's face and thought about what she said. They knew this much for sure that their mother also couldn't stay without them.
So Pari finally let the frown go while Aru too stopped fidgeting and glaring at that aunty. But was still grumpy. Khushi kissed her baby's soft cheek which was now turned pinkish due to all the anger that little baby could have, and cajoled her, "Come on. Be a good girl and say bye to them. Hmm? They all love you so much, gave you so many yummy dishes, played with you hai na?"
Aru reluctantly accepted and waved her small hands, more than eager to go home now!
Taking the elders' blessings and love, as well as a lot of good memories, the Raizada family sat in their cars and started their journey back home. To their own abode!
--*--
A/N – Phew! This was soo long! And I still feel I had to rush through some scenes. Did you feel so too? Apologies for that but I HAD to end this track in this chapter lol. The conversation about arnav-khushi's marriage was imperative, very crucial for me because I have a seen a lot of times when people said they shouldn't be together or he didn't deserve her. I believe that very few of us can truly understand this man, their love for each other and I doubt anyone except Khushi can see the real innocence of Arnav's soul! Like she said, if no one could hate like ASR, then no one could love her as limitlessly as Arnav. His love for Khushi has shiddat(passion) to make up for his 'laad governor-ness'. And so has Khushi's love.
Anyhow. With this, we are done with shaadi track, finally! This happened like our TV shows where it's only 5-days in their world but for us the wedding parts lasted for 2 months lol. Hope you all enjoyed this longest track of csd with arshi's own reminiscence of their wedding. If you missed any chapter in between, pls go back, read and vote/review for me. Thank you!