Chapter 8

The same evening, Shantivan:

The press arrives and starts asking Arnav questions about the sudden engagement and wedding.

Arnav gives them a glare and the entire room becomes quiet.

Arnav says: My wif... I mean fiance will be here shortly. You will get a chance to ask her question with utmost respect. If any of you try to make her uncomfortable this meeting will be over. Am I clear?

The reporters are certainly aware of ASR's famous temper. So they agreed immediately.

Khushi arrives with Payal.

Arnav himself walks up to her, holds her hand and brings her to the press.

The reporters were already awed by the glowing beauty in peacock blue and light purple saree with delicate silver work all over... Her translucent skin was glowing like the rarest pearl. A priceless sapphire and diamond necklace set glittering on her neck and ears... Chocolate brown curls cascading down her back all the way to her waist just pulled back from both sides with tiny diamond pins. A glittering maangtika of sapphire and diamond adorned her middle parting and gleaming bangles of the same twinkling on her delicate wrist.

Then they notice ASR's face. It was an expression they never expected to see on ASR. His entire being was glowing with love.

They were spellbound by the magic of Arnav and Khushi. Their love was so visible that even a blind person could see it.

Arnav comes to his senses and looks back at the reporters. He raises his eyebrow at their expression: Did anyone ask why I'm marrying so suddenly?

The reporters wake up from their spell and flash bulbs go off. There was no need to ask anymore question.

But there was just one reporter who was seething in anger. She, like every woman on the planet, was aiming to take Lavanya's position after she left. But now the chance seems non-existent...

She had followed ASR's life with an obsession and she was the one whom ASR instructed to release the tape of Khushi after their first meeting.

Tanya smiled a nasty smile and asked: Excuse me, I have a question.

Arnav nods at her.

Tanya smiles a nasty smile: So ASR, if I'm not mistaken, this was the cheap, gold digger who managed to break into your fashion show about one year back. You were the one who released the news. Now you are marrying her. Does it mean she has managed to get her hooks onto you? What did she do to achieve this miracle?

Khushi's eyes fill with tears and memory of humiliation. She turns to leave. But Arnav grabs her hand and pulls her to his side...

His eyes gleam with anger: That was a lie I released to take revenge on her. She was there by accident. I did not believe her when she was speaking the truth. I was wrong and I have apologised to my sister-in-law who had to suffer because of me. And now you can record this as my public apology to her family for the trouble they have faced because of me. Now this press meet is over.

He leaves with his arms around Khushi leaving Tanya seething with jealousy.

That same night at Shantivan:

After the press meet, Arnav takes Khushi hand and gets out of the Shantivan...

Khushi asks: Where are you taking me Arnavji? Everyone will be looking for us...

Arnav brings Khushi to his gazebo where Khushi once innocently revealed her feelings in one magical Holi afternoon.

Khushi looks around in the dark, but doesn't see anything other than the house lit up in the night like a bride...

Suddenly she sees that one by one light gets lit up...

As she looks around, she sees strings of star shaped lights cascading from the outer rim of the roof of the gazebo all the way to the floor forming a curtain of star-shaped lights around it...

She looks back at Arnav in wonder and she does not see him.

She looks down and sees him on his knees holding his hand to her.

She puts her hand on his palm as if in a daze.

Arnav pulls her close and whispers in Khushi's ears the same lines he said in the play as Ranjha died in Heer's arms: What I said does not mean anything, what I did does not mean anything... In this love, there is no meaning of right or wrong... Just one thing matters, that I always always...

Khushi whispers back in his ears: I always always... what...

Arnav pulls back slightly and looks into her eyes: Just one thing matters that I have always always loved you and I will always love you for the rest of my life and beyond...

Khushi whispers back in her tear filled eyes echoing back what she once said to him: Arnavji, why this happens that whenever you come in front of me, my heartbeat increases?

Arnav looks at her surprised. Khushi continues: I did not know before why I get acidity every time I see you. But now I know... I love you more than my life, Arnavji... I can give up everything, even my life for you...

Arnav's heart gets a jerk hearing those words which were truer than she thinks.

His eyes fill with anger: Khushi, never talk about death. If you ever even think about it, I will not talk to you.

Arnav pushes her away and turns back to hide his agitation and tears.

Khushi is surprised by his attitude. She does not understand the reason of his sudden outburst...

She slowly puts her hand on his trembling back. Arnav turns back and hugs her close as if he is trying to absorb her under his skin...

Khushi hugs him back understanding his need for comfort even though she did not understand the reason for it...

Khushi leans back after a while and says smilingly: Shall we go inside? The party is about to start.

Arnav smiles back: Yes.

They did not notice a pair of eyes seething with anger in the dark staring at the couple...

As they came back, the party was in full swing. Everyone was enjoying. Arnav had arranged Indian food along with Western food because Khushi loves Indian food.

The DJ starts playing the music and invites the brand new couple, Arnav and Khushi, to have the first dance.

He plays "Tu Hi Mera" as per Arnav's instruction... Arnav remembers Khushi enjoying this song before getting ready for their Heer Ranjha play.

As the song plays, Arnav starts dancing with Khushi looking into her eyes.

They get lost in the music and cast a spell over everyone...

They come back to their senses as the last melody slowly drifts away and with the sound of clapping.

As they turn to leave the dance floor, the chandelier directly above Khushi starts to fall.

Arnav already moved to greet one of his business associates when he feels a prickling sensation at the nape of his neck. He turns and sees Khushi smiling at someone and the chandelier falling on her head.

Arnav screamed Khushi's name and push her off. They both fell a little further and the chandelier fell right beside Khushi. One of the broken glasses from it got embedded in her wrist.

Khushi cries out in pain. Arnav sees blood coming out of the wound. It takes him back to another night when he was covered with Khushi's blood. His hand starts shaking.

The family and guests come running there and they help the couple to their feet. Arnav ignores them, grab Khushi's hand and takes her to his washroom.

He holds her hand close to his mouth and uses his teeth to take out the broken glass, echoing the memory of the day before Payal's wedding. Khushi hisses out in pain and closes her eyes. Arnav blows on her wound to reduce the pain. Then he gently cleans the wound with water and wraps a bandage on her wrist just like he did once before.

Khushi opens her eyes and a drop of tear spills over her ivory cheek. Arnav holds Khushi's face in his palms and kisses her forehead gently. Khushi's face breaks out in smile...

Suddenly they hear Naniji calling them. They go out and rejoin the party. Anjali comes forward and asks about Khushi's wellbeing and then takes her to introduce her to some guests.

However, Arnav looks up to where the chandelier rope was tied. He notices the torn edges were a too clean cut to be worn out. His eyes burn with anger at the thought of someone's deliberate attempt to kill his Khushi.

He calls the security team and puts them in charge of investigation.

He warns them: If I do not get a result soon, I will make sure none of you ever gets another job again. Am I clear?

The security team nod and get into the investigation.

Arnav goes back to the party, but does not leave Khushi's side all night.

After the party was over, the families go to their bed. Khushi was given the same room that was given to Lavanya which was exactly across Arnav's room on the other side of the pool... Khushi gets ready for bed. She was wearing her yellow salwar which she wore on Holi morning.

After brushing her teeth, she comes to the window and sees Arnav pacing the room talking to someone on his Bluetooth.

She smiles: Laad Governor... He must be making Aman bhaiya work even at this time of the night.

Then she goes to bed.

After Arnav finishes talking to his security team, he goes to the poolside with a blanket and his pillow and lies down there. He could see Khushi lying on her bed through the floor to ceiling window. She was sleeping like a baby. Slowly his eyes close and he dreams about Khushi's smile the whole night.