Chapter 24

Poolside, Shaantivan:

NK barges in the room and whispers: Khushiji, you have to leave now. Everyone is looking for you to get you ready.

Khushi pulls away from Arnav and tells him: I’ll see you in a few minutes Arnavji.

Arnav smiles at her: I will wait for you, Khushi. Don’t be late.

Khushi smiles: I promise I won’t be late.

Khushi then runs to her room mouthing a Thank you to NK.

Arnav starts to get ready for the wedding.

Living Room, Shaantivan:

Arnav and Aakash wait for their brides at the altar.

Aakash was wearing a blue sherwani with silver drape and Arnav was wearing a cream and gold sherwani with a red drape.

All the family members and friends were surrounding floral alter.

Arnav sees Angad standing in the front row.

Arnav nods his head towards him and Angad nods back assuring him.

Suddenly a hush falls in the room. Arnav looks up to see Garima and Buaji are bringing the two brides to their grooms. 

Payal was dressed in a blue and silver lehenga and Khushi was in a blood red and gold lehenga matching their respective grooms.

Arnav could not take his eyes off Khushi. She was looking like every man’s dream and she is all his.

Khushi looks up to see Arnav looking at her with all the love and pride in his heart. Her throat catches with emotions.

The brides stand in the altar beside the groom and the wedding starts.

As per the custom, the brides and grooms exchange garlands with each other.

Then they sit down and the wedding rituals start.

Eventually the time comes for Arnav to put mangalsutra and sindoor on Khushi. He remembers the first time he did this ritual. He did it to punish, he made a mockery of rituals because of hate.

Today when he puts them on Khushi, he does it to tie the woman he loves with him for seven lives, he does it with love.

Then the seven pheras start. Anjali ties the brides’ veils with the grooms’ drapes.

Then the brides and grooms stand up and go around the fire and take vows while the guests shower flower petals on them as blessings.

In the first four pheras, the groom walks in front of the bride and the bride follows and then the brides comes forward for rest of the three vows and the groom follows.

The first vow: They promise to share all their happiness and sorrows from now on.

The second vow: They promise to protect each other from all harm.

The third vow: They promise to love, respect and cherish each other at all times.

The fourth vow: They promise to be faithful and solely devote their life to each other

The fifth vow: They promise to love, respect and honour each other’s family like their own.

The sixth vow: They promise to be each other’s strength in bad times and support in good times

The seventh vow: They promise to be two bodies, but one heart and one soul from now until death do them apart.

But Arnav and Khushi silently vows in their mind: We will be two bodies, one heart and soul even after death.

Then the priest announces the marriage to be complete and both the couples take blessings of the family older members by touching their feet.

After the wedding, while the guests are busy enjoying the party, Anjali brings the couple to the front door to complete “Griha Pravesh”.

Payal and Khushi tip the rice kalash in the room spreading the rice kernels everywhere. Then they step on a bowl of red kumkum and steps in the house.

But Anjali stops them: Hold on. We have a custom here. The groom picks up the bride and enters the house. So come on, pick up your brides.

Arnav and Aakash pick up Khushi and Payal in their arms and walk into the house.

Khushi, as usual, holds Arnav’s collar for balance and blushes.

Arnav smiles at her shy red face and walks in holding her like precious crystal doll.

Arnav starts walking to the stairs to go to his room with Khushi in his arms, when Anjali calls out: Hold it there Chotey. The rituals are not over. We still have games to play.

Arnav looks at the watch, it’s 10:30 p.m. He scowls at Anjali: You have 30 minutes. Then we are going.

Anjali giggles: Someone is getting impatient. Okay fine, we will play games with you first.

They start playing the games like finding rings in the bowl to find out who will rule the roost, untying knotted strings with one hand to find out who can solve problems faster etc.

At 11 o’clock, Arnav gets up and announces: I’m done.

Anjali scowls mockingly: Fine.

Khushi stammers: But Arnavji, there’s still Jiji and Jijaji left. I want to see their games too.

Arnav growls: No need.

Khushi pouts but seeing Arnav’s thunderous face Naniji nods at Anjali to get Khushi upstairs before he blows his temper.

Anjali gets Khushi up and says to Arnav: You wait here. Don’t come upstairs until we call you.

She takes Khushi upstairs and makes her sit in the middle of the decorated bed and spreads her skirt around her. Then she hides Khushi’s face with her veil and leaves giggling.

Arnav walks up the stairs and sees Anjali closing the door of his room.

He scowls: Now what?

Anjali giggles: You gotta hand me money or I won’t let you go in.

Arnav pulls out his wallet and takes out a stack of note and gives them to Anjali without counting.

Anjali’s eyes widen at the amount. Arnav just goes around her and slams the door on her face.

Anjali giggles and goes downstairs to complete the rituals with the other pair.

A gust of wind blows a dark cloud on the full moon, making it disappear in the sky.

Hindi Words Hints:

Mangalsutra – A necklace made with black and gold beads, sign of married woman in North Indian custom.

Sindoor – Vermilion powder. Usually are put on the parting of hair of married Indian woman.

Kumkum - Same vermilion powder mixed with water to create red water where a new bride steps and then walks in her new home leaving her foot prints on the floor.

Kalash – A vessel (looks fat in the middle and narrow on the top and bottom)

Griha Pravesh – Home coming. When a new home is bought or a new bride enters her new home, this ritual is done to welcome good luck, success and prosperity.

Chapter 23

Arnav’s Room, Shaantivan:

Khushi and Arnav were in each other’s embrace when someone knocked on the door.

It was HP: Khushi didi, Naniji is calling you to go finish the ceremony.

Khushi squirmed in Arnav’s arms: Arnavji, let me go. Naniji is calling me.

Arnav tightens his hold: What if I don’t?

Khushi smiles cheekily: Well, then you won’t get your surprise.

Arnav loses his hold surprised: Surprise? What surprise?

Khushi pushes out of his loosened hold and smiles mischievously: Find out if you can…

And then she runs out giggling.

Arnav smiles at her giggle and shakes his head thinking what his crazy girl is up to now?

Front lawn, Shaantivan:

The ladies pour rose water over Payal and Khushi washing out their Haldi. Then the brides go to their room to take shower.

After shower, Khushi goes to NK’s room.

NK’s Room, Shaantivan:

Khushi knocks on the door: Nanheji. Can I speak to you for a minute?

NK asks: Sure Khushiji. What is it?

Khushi blushes and says: Nanheji, I need your help.

Arnav’s Room, Shaantivan:

Arnav was on the phone with Angad: What the hell, Angad? Why aren’t you here? I don’t care if your entire army is here, I want you to be present here personally. Leave everything and come right now.

He hears a knock on the door: Angad, I think someone is on the door. Get here right now.

Arnav hangs up the phone and opens the door.

NK was beaming there.

Arnav wrinkles his brow in displeasure: What is it NK?

NK smiles: Nannav, you have to come with me.

Arnav sneers: No, I don’t have to come with you.

NK gets flustered: No, I mean yes. (restores his confidence) You gotta come with me. We need to decorate your room for you know what (winks)…

Arnav gets even angrier: No, I don’t know why you need to decorate my room.

NK gets irritated: Off ho… For your wedding night. Now get out so we can work here.

Arnav smoothes his brow: Oh that’s it? Fine. Do it. I will not disturb you.

He starts to move towards the recliner but NK grabs his arms: No no, Nannav. You can’t see the decoration before the night. Or… or… You won’t get to spend the night with your bride. It’s mad luck.

Arnav sneers: You mean bad luck. What rubbish?

NK pushes him out of the room: No no, it’s true. Why don’t you go do whatever in living room? We will call you when it’s ready.

Arnav irritatingly storms down the stairs muttering about stupid rituals and customs.

NK runs to the poolside and flashes thumbs up signal to Khushi who was standing in the window of her room. Khushi flashes him a thumbs up signal back and runs out the room.

Living Room, Shaantivan:

Arnav checks his watch. It’s almost 4 o’clock and as its February, the sun has already gone down. The guests will start arriving shortly and he is not even dressed for the wedding yet.

He gets up: I don’t care if the room is ready or not, I’m going up.

He goes to his room and sees it’s dark.

He raises his hand to switch on the light and suddenly sees something sparkling in the poolside.

He walks up to the poolside and sees that every surface is covered with red rose petals and cascading from every shingles are white lights in the shape of white roses creating a warm glow.

Then he sees her.

Khushi was standing in the middle of the red rose petals and white rose lights wearing a white net anarkali with blood red sequined roses embroidered on the bust and the hem.

It had an asymmetrical hem - floor length in the back and knee length in the front, deep neck in the front and deeper neck in the back with long elbow length transparent sleeves.

She was glowing in the warm light under the full moon night and the twinkling stars like some celestial being.

Arnav starts walking towards her mesmerized.

Khushi says: Arnavji, when I met you for the first time, I did not know that I was meeting my destiny that day. But I’m glad that I did not know. Because I’d have run screaming from there.

Arnav and Khushi both smile remembering their first meeting.

Khushi continues with painful eyes: I don’t know why, in spite of all the love I feel when I’m with you, I see this heart-wrenching pain in your eyes sometimes and why you can’t share it with me.

Arnav opens his mouth to speak. Khushi puts her index finger on his mouth to stop him from speaking: But whatever the reason is for your silence, I want you to know that I will be by your side all the way.

She looks in his eyes with determination and full of conviction which only true love and trust can give: Today, I’m glad that fate has chosen me for you and you for me. Today we will become one in front of man and God. I don’t know what the future will bring and I don’t want to know. Because I want to live every moment with you and for you right here, right now. And I know, no matter what future brings for us, if I have you by my side, I can face anything.

Arnav picks up her tiny hands and kisses her on the palm. He whispers with tearful eyes: Thank you.

Khushi wipes his tears and holds his hand to pull him towards the poolside table. There was a heart shaped cake on it with “Happy Valentine’s Day, Arnavji” was written.

Khushi stands on her tip-toes to give him a kiss on the cheek and whispers: Happy Valentine’s Day, my love.

Arnav hugs her tight and whispers in her ears: Happy Valentine’s Day, my life.

They cut the cake together. Khushi picks up a piece and hold it to Arnav: You can eat it Arnavji. I made it for you with sugerfree.

Arnav smiles and eats the delicious white chocolate cake.

Then he feeds Khushi the cake and says: I’m sorry Khushi. I did not get you anything.

Khushi smiles: You did, Arnavji.

Arnav (surprised): I did? What?

Khushi smiles: You are giving me yourself today, Arnavji. That’s all I ever wanted. That’s all I ever need.

Arnav drags her in his arms and looks up in the sky at the twinkling stars.

He thinks: You are right Khushi. I won’t lose my moments with you by thinking about losing you. I will live these moments to the fullest. If death comes to you in the next moment, I will be so wrapped up around you, that it will have to get through me to come to you.

The candlewick at the temple uses up its last drop of wax.

Hindi Words Hints:

Anarkali - An Indian outfit. A long top with a band under the bust or on the waist and then flowing skirt falling from the band to anywhere between knee to floor length. It comes with a long scarf and a tight pant. Google Anarkali to see examples. 

Chapter 22

Arnav’s room, Shaantivan:

Arnav woke up on the day of his wedding after a restless night.

Today is the seventh day. Today is the happiest day and the saddest day of his life.

Today he will finally marry the love of his life and today, at the stroke of midnight, as per Lachhi’s promise, Khushi will leave him forever.

Tormented at the thought, he got out of the bed and walked up to the poolside. He could already hear the hustle bustle of people downstairs, all excited about the wedding.

But his heart is dreading it’s heartbeat as every passing second is bringing the end of the day closer.

Suddenly he hears a lot of giggles and chatter coming out of Khushi’s room. He walks across the poolside and sees Anjali and Payal are teasing Khushi, making her giggle and in return, Khushi is teasing Payal making her blush.

He looked at the happy scene and promised Khushi silently: As long as I’m alive, nothing will take you away from me. I promise you Khushi.

Anjali looks up to see Arnav is standing in front of the window. She hides her smile and walks over there to tease Arnav: Chotey? Aren’t you up too early today? What is the matter? Getting too impatient to marry?

Arnav smiles sadly at Anjali: Di, I need to talk to you. Can you come out?

Arnav’s smile seems a bit different to Anjali. So she stops teasing him and comes to the poolside.

Anjali walks up to him: What is the matter, Chotey?

Arnav turns to Anjali: Di, I need your help.

Anjali asks worriedly: What happened? What can I help you with?

Arnav (seriously): I want you to make sure that today either you or me will be with Khushi all day. She is never to be left alone.

Anjali gets even more worried: What is the matter? Why are you making this request?

Arnav pleads: I can’t tell you the reason now. But please Di, do it for me.

Anjali agrees: Okay Chotey. I will do it.

Arnav (relieved): Thanks Di.

Anjali gives a tight smile and leaves the poolside.

Living Room, Shaantivan:

Anjali comes to the living room and asks Naniji: Nani, I have a request for you.

Naniji looks up from the Haldi preparation: What is it Anjali bitiya?

Anjali asks: Nani, since Khushi and Payalji are both here, why not do their Mehendi together with Chotey and Aakash?

Naniji worried: But bitiya, how is that possible?

Anjali assures: It is possible Nani. We will put a curtain between them so that they can’t see each other and then we will have fun together.

Naniji thinks about it for a moment and then says: Okay. If that’s what you want, I suppose we can do it.

Anjali smiles: Thanks Nani.

She then picks up her phone and texts Arnav the new plan.

Arnav texts back Thank you.

Arnav’s Room, Shaantivan

Arnav sends out Thanks to Anjali and then calls Angad: Angad, I want you to get all your men and personally cover my wedding in plain clothes from now until tonight. Make sure whoever you bring to my home, you can personally vouch for them. If needed, hire people from your army and navy seal background. Don’t worry about the pay. I will cover for all of their salaries. But I want ultimate protection in my home today around my family, in particularly around my bride.

Angad replies: ASR, we are not preparing for a battle. Why do we need army or navy seal trained people?

ASR bites out: Just do as I say, Angad.

Angad sighs: As you wish, ASR.

Arnav hangs up his phone and thinks to himself: How do I tell you Angad, this is the battle for my life and I can’t afford to lose it.

Guestroom, Shaantivan

Khushi got dressed up in palest matt gold saree with thin red border and Payal wore a pink saree with lavender border.

Anjali arrived with Naniji, Mamiji, Garima and Buaji to take both the brides to the living room where the ceremony will take place.

As Khushi comes down the stairs, she notices a red and gold embroidered chiffon saree is separating the living room in two sides.

Khushi asks Anjali: Di, why do you have that saree in the middle of the room?

Suddenly NK pops up from behind the curtain: Khushiji, that’s because Naniji has allowed us all to have haldi together.

Khushi (wide eyed): What?

Payal blushes as she spots Aakash behind the saree.

Anjali tells Khushi: Actually Khushiji, I will be doing Haldi for both of you and so will Naniji. So we can’t run around all day. That’s why, we thought it will be easy for us if the Haldi ceremony happens together, then we can go back and forth and get both of your haldi done.

Khushi smiles at Anjali: No problem Di. Whatever is easy for you to do. I’m glad you are doing Jiji and my Haldi too.  

Anjali smiles at Khushi and then spies Arnav behind the saree. She sees the gratitude in his eyes and gives him a reassuring smile.

The ladies take both the brides to their side of the curtain and the ceremony starts.

Khushi notices Arnav looking at her through the curtain. She blushes and gives him a sign to look away.

Arnav slowly smirks but does not move his eyes.

Khushi’s eyes widen at his attitude. She mouths: Laad Governor…

Arnav’s smile widens but his gaze remains on Khushi throughout the ceremony.

The ceremony starts with Garima applying haldi on Payal and Buaji applying haldi on Khushi first.

Then they switch the brides.

After them, Anjali applies haldi on Payal and Khushi

On the other side, Naniji applies haldi on Arnav and Mamiji applies haldi on Aakash first. Then they switch the groom.

But as Naniji is about to apply just a dot of haldi, Arnav asks: Nani, why is everyone applying so much haldi on Khushi, Aakash and Payal and you are only putting a dot on me?

Naniji gets surprised: Well, Chotey. You always used to get upset even when we applied a small red dot on your head from temple. So we thought you will be angry.

Arnav assures: Don’t worry about that. Do what you are doing for everyone else.

Naniji nods with tearful eyes and applies generous amount of haldi on Arnav. Seeing that Mamiji also applies equal amount of haldi on Arnav when they switch places.

Then Naniji and Mamiji come to Khushi’s side and Anjali, Garima and Buaji move to the other side.

Naniji puts haldi on Khushi and Mamiji on Payal first and then they switch brides.

On the other hand, Buaji puts haldi on Arnav and Garima on Aakash, then the switch grooms.

Anjali is the last one to put haldi on Arnav and then Aakash.

The ceremony ends and everyone starts congratulating and hug each other.

Payal was about to get up when Khushi stops her. She says: Jiji, won’t you put haldi on me?

Payal smiles and puts haldi on Khushi and Khushi puts haldi on Payal.

Khushi and Payal hug each other.

Arnav and Aakash see the sisters bonding from other side.

Aakash whispers: Bhai, do you think we should put haldi on each other too? Like them?

Arnav turns to Aakash and gives him are-you-freaking-kidding-me look.

Aakash gulps and closes his mouth.

Arnav gets up and points to the partition: NK, take off this saree.

NK teases him: No no, Nannav… You are not allowed to see Khushiji today. So that partition is not going anywhere until tonight.

Aakash also nods: Yep, that’s what maa told me too.

Arnav raises his brow at them, grabs the saree in the middle and rips it apart.

Everyone jumps at the ripping sound and sees Arnav standing with the partition ripped.

Khushi’s mouth hung wide open with eyes big like saucers.

Aakash and NK standing on his both sides open mouthed, quickly nod their head negatively and point their index finger towards Arnav.

Naniji raises her brow: Chotey, didn’t you know that the groom can’t meet the bride on Haldi ceremony? We arranged the ceremony together but maintained the rituals with the partition. Why did you tear up the partition?

Arnav answers: I know that the groom can’t see the bride on Haldi ceremony. But the ceremony is over. So…

Then he does not wait for any longer for anyone to come up with any excuses or complaints. He strides over to Khushi, grabs her hand and drags her upstairs in spite of her protests.

Aakash and NK’s mouth were hanging open.

Aakash tries to mimic Arnav by taking a step towards Payal but one glare from Mamiji stops him in his tracks.

He mutters to NK: Bhai always gets to do whatever he wants. I never get to do anything.

NK mutters back: Nannav gets to do what he wants because he does not listen to anybody.

Aakash mumbles: Yeah, but why does no one say anything? Someone should tell him he can’t do whatever he wants.

NK mumbles: Yeah? And who will do that telling? You?

Aakash shuts his mouth.

Arnav’s Room, Shaantivan

Arnav drags Khushi into the room and closes the door.

Khushi whirls back angrily: Arnavji, why did you drag me here? You know how much I will get teased for this? Di will not let this go by and Jiji? She will definitely giggle and nod to whatever Di says. Then there is Buaji and Mamiji with their special commentary…

Arnav interrupts in a calm voice: I don’t care.

Khushi shakes her hand with sending her bangles jingling: Of course, you don’t care. No one dares to tease you. But me? Everyone teases me. Even Laxmiji teases me.

Arnav smiles: That’s because you are so easy to tease.

Khushi turns away in huff and starts muttering under her breath.

Arnav turns her around: Khushi, won’t you ask why I brought you here?

Khushi (still sulking): Why?

Arnav smiles: Everyone applied haldi on you. But I did not. So I brought you here to apply haldi on you.

Khushi smiles back: Really? But where is your haldi?

Arnav’s eyes get a mischievous twinkle: Here.

He grabs Khushi close and wraps his entire body around her petite one thus transferring the generously applied Haldi from his body to hers.

Then he rubs his cheeks on her opposite cheeks so that even the Haldi from his cheek gets transferred onto her own.

Then he pulls back slightly and smiles at Khushi: Now I have put haldi on you.

Khushi blushes but challenges back: But I did not put haldi on you.

Arnav raises his brow.

Khushi leans towards his face and slowly rub her nose with his, covering the only portion of his face that did not have any Haldi… until now.

Then she pulls back and smiles at him.

The winter wind sighs on the poolside seeing the lovers cocooned in each other.

Hindi Words Hints: 

Haldi - Turmeric, 
Haldi Ceremony - Indian traditional ceremony where a mix of turmeric and milk cream are applied on the bride and groom to make them glow for the wedding.

Chapter 21

The same night, Shaantivan:

Arnav comes home to see everyone is busy arranging for havan. His eyes immediately start searching for Khushi.

Anjali notices that. She walks up to him and teases: What is the matter, Chotey? Are you looking for something? Or maybe someone?

Arnav gets flustered: Di, Khushi… I mean…

Anjali interrupts with twinkles in her eyes: Oh… Khushi… She is upstairs getting ready for havan.

Arnav walks towards the stairs and goes to Khushi’s room. He walks in without knocking to see, Buaji, Garima, Payal are all there except Khushi.

They look at him in surprise. Arnav gets flustered: Errmmm… I’m sorry. I thought Khushi…

He hears Anjali’s giggle behind him. He turns to see NK and Anjali were giggling together.

Anjali chirps: Chotey? Could not you find Khushi?

Garima, Payal and Buaji control their laughter.

NK also puts his two cents in: Looks like Nannav is getting impatient to see Khushiji.

Arnav gets angry. He booms: Where is Khushi?

Anjali realizes that this volcano will erupt soon. So she soundlessly points towards Naniji’s room.

Arnav scowls as his chance of seeing Khushi immediately seems unlikely. He stomps to his room.

Arnav’s room, Shaantivan:

After Arnav takes shower, he comes out to see a cream Kurta with silver subtle embroidery were on his bed.

He scowls thinking this must be Anjali’s attempt to get him to wear those idiotic clothes.

He picks it up to put it back in his wardrobe when he notices a paper fall out. He picks up the paper and reads it.

It reads,

Arnavji,

You have given me so much. But I never bought you anything. Today when I was returning home, I bought this for you. It’s not expensive, but I bought it with my own money. If you wear it for just a few minutes, it will make me very happy.

Yours

Khushi

Arnav was touched. In his line of work, he always got a lot of gifts from people who can afford to shed a million or two without blinking an eye. But he never got a gift from someone who spent her entire savings to buy him a gift out of love without asking anything in return.

He realized what Khushi used to tell him before. Simple things in life bring more joy than all money combined together. There is no gift more precious than what is given unconditionally without asking anything in return.

Khushi won his long-forgotten heart all over again…

He decided, tonight is the perfect night to give Khushi the present he got her.

He opens his wardrobe and takes out a box.

Living Room, Shaantivan:

Khushi was helping Naniji set up the havan and was looking upstairs every 2 minutes to check if Arnavji liked her gift.

Naniji notices that. She hides her smiles: Khushi bitiya? Chotey will come. You relax.

Anjali also teases her: What’s the matter Khushi? Can’t stay away from Chotey?

Khushi blushes, but jumps when she hears Anjali’s loud gasp followed by everyone’s exclamation.

Khushi gets worried: What is it Di?

Anjali looks at the stairs as if she saw a ghost and points her finger.

Khushi turns and sees Arnav coming down the stairs, wearing her gift, looking incredibly handsome.

Anjali slowly comes up behind Khushi, squeezes her shoulder and whispers in her ears: Thank you Khushi.

Khushi’s eyes were still glued on Arnav and fills with tears of happiness.

Arnav’s sees the appreciative look on everyone’s face. But the only eyes he wanted on him were a pair of wide mystical eyes, drowning in tears like deep, bottomless lake…

He starts walking up to Khushi but NK comes in front of him: Nannav, mere bhai… Wow… you are looking good man…

Arnav’s jaw clenches in anger at NK’s untimely entry.

But oblivious to Arnav’s rising temper, NK goes straight to Khushi and squeals: Khushiji…

Khushi comes out of her mesmerized state and smiles at NK: Yes, Nanheji.

NK takes out a box: I got something for you. I wanted to give it tomorrow. But I know you will be busy. So I’m giving it to you today.

Khushi gets surprised. She takes the box from NK: Thank you Nanheji.

NK squirms in excitement: Come on, come on… Open the gift.

Khushi smiles and opens the gift. It was a bunch of colourful glass bangles.

She squeals in happiness: You bought me bangles? I love them.

Arnav’s jaw clenches some more.

NK blushes: I have noticed you always wear bangles and they make tinkling sound. So I thought you might like them. I did not know what your favourite colour is. So I bought all colours.

Khushi smiles: I do. I love bangles and I like all colours.

She looks up to Arnav to share her happiness and sees him stalking off to his room again.

Khushi gets worried: Now what happened to Laad Governor.

She once again thanks NK and follows Arnav.

Arnav's Room, Shaantivan:

She goes into his room to see Arnav pacing on the poolside in anger.

Khushi walks up to him with a big smile: Arnavji, I’m so glad that you wore my gift today.

Arnav whirls in anger: So you finally had time to notice me. I thought you will have hard time getting away from gushing on NK’s gift.

Khushi gets angry. So she retorts: Well, I only got one wedding present so far and that was from Nanheji. Of course, I will gush on them.

Arnav sneers: Oh yeah? Fine. Why don’t you wear them then?

Khushi retorts: I will.

She takes out bangles from the box and starts wearing them. But the bangles were a couple of size too small.

Arnav sneers: Not only he does not know your favourite colour, he does not even know your bangle size.

Khushi’s eyes fill with tears at the taunting: It’s the thought that matters. He at least thought to bring me gift.

She pushes the bangles hard, but one of them breaks and gets stuck on the nerve of her wrist and she starts bleeding: Ouch…

Arnav hears Khushi’s pain. He runs to Khushi to grab her hand.

He shouts out in anger: When you knew they were not your size, why were you forcing them in? What if you got seriously hurt? What if something happened to you?

Khushi shouts back: So what? You go and make fun of me. Nanheji got me a gift with so much love and you made a mockery of the sweet thoughtful gesture. You are just… just Laad Governor…

Khushi’s eyes fill with tears and one by one they roll down her cheek like pearl drops on porcelain…

Arnav gets sad. He takes Khushi’s resisting hand in his own, brings the wrist to his mouth and uses his teeth to take out the glass piece.

Khushi closes her eyes and whimpers in pain.

Arnav slowly blows on the wound and gets fast aid kit from his bathroom to dress the wound.

Khushi looks at him with tear filled eyes. She sees this man, tending her wound with so much tenderness and then she thinks about the man, who blew like a volcano few moments earlier.

She remembers the story she heard as a child called “The Beauty & the Beast.” An eternal love story of a beautiful girl trapped in a castle by a beast who was actually a cursed prince. The girl brings back the prince with her love. But does the Beast ever completely go away. Does the life a person have been living for so long, ever gets wiped clean?

Sometimes she feels she is marrying both the beast and the prince charming at the same time. The prince is there. She has felt him so many times - more often now than before. But the beast is not completely gone either. And may be, he will never be completely gone. Can she tolerate the beast’s anger to find the prince underneath?

The only answer she got from her heart was, if she finds true love under the beast’s shell, then everything is worth it. Without love, nothing is worth fighting for.

Khushi asks softly to Arnav who was tenderly bandaging her wound: Arnavji, why did you get so angry?

Arnav looks at Khushi in pain: Because I’m selfish.

Khushi gets surprised at the answer: Selfish?

Arnav looks at Khushi tenderly: Yes. When NK gave you his gift and you smiled at him, I wanted to bring that smile to your face. I wanted to be the one you looked up to with admiration. I could not even share your smile Khushi.

Arnav gets up impatiently and runs his fingers through his hair: You won’t believe it. But I’m scared. I feel that if you realize that there are other men out there who can make you as happy as me, if not more… Men without any troubled past, men who are not as damaged or angry or tyrant as I am, you will realize what a bad bargain you made accepting me as your husband. And you will leave me.

Khushi’s eyes fill with tears at his vulnerability.

She walks up to him and turns him to her: Arnavji, you think I made a bad bargain by accepting your proposal? I won a jackpot. I won a man who loves me with all my craziness, I won a man who protects me from all harm, I won a man who honours me and respects me and most of all, I won a man who loves me with every part of his being. I could not have asked for a better man, Arnavji.

I never wanted a man without a past. Because that means that man has not lived his life. I wanted a man who might have a painful past. But he survived. The scars on your heart and soul make you who you are. Wear them like medals of honour. You survived the greatest battle of all time… you survived life and achieved your dreams. Not many people can claim that. I will be proud to call you my husband.

Arnav pulls Khushi in his arms and hugs her tight. Khushi hugs him back but notices something sparkling in the corner of her eyes. She pulls back and notices a decorated wooden box on Arnav’s bed. She asks: Arnavji, what do you have there?

Arnav pulls her down on the pool chair.

He says with a cute pout: I got you a gift too. But NK stole my thunder.

Khushi smiles happily: Really?

Arnav smiles at her happiness and he brings out the box.

Khushi opens the box eagerly and her eyes fill out with wonder and more tears until her vision are blurry.

In the beautifully decorated box were bright red wedding bangles and bracketing those bangles were her mother’s bangles that she sold to buy Arnav his exotic plants.

She looks up to Arnav in surprise and love: How? Where? When?

Arnav smiles in tenderness and says: I know you sold your mother’s bangles to make me happy and to get, who you thought was my love, back in my life. So I bought them back to welcome my true love back in my life.

Khushi smiles in happiness: This is the best gift I ever had.

Arnav takes her wrists and gently puts all the bangles on her wrist. They blend with his mother’s bangles as if they always meant to be together.

Khushi and Arnav look up in the sky and see the sparkly stars twinkling.

Khushi puts her head on Arnav’s shoulder and whispers: Arnavji, look… Our parents are so happy to see us together that they are smiling at us.

Arnav puts his arms around Khushi and takes her palm to plant a kiss on her wrist.

Suddenly, they hear Anjali calling out for them to come downstairs and they walk down to the living room for havan.

Living Room, Shaantivan:

The havan ends without any mishap. Khushi and Garima start helping Naniji and Buaji to clean up the area. But they suddenly hear mamiji’s shout.

Everyone come running to see Mamiji shouting at Payal.

Aakash asks: What happened Maa? Why are you scolding Payal?

Mamiji still angry screams: Hello Hi Bye Bye… Aakash bitwa, this Khoon bhari taang has cheated us. They never told us that her wedding was fixed before. But it broke. Why did they hide it from us? Tells tells?

Anjali gets sad: Mamiji, my wedding broke too. If you don’t blame me, why are you blaming Payalji?

Mamiji tells Anjali: Anjali bitiya, you have never hidden any truth about your wedding. But they did. Tell me, why did her first wedding break? Was it because she had some short-coming or such? And if there was no such thing, why did not they tell us?

Buaji speaks out: What are you saying? We told everything to Aakash bitwa. Ask him.

Mamiji shouts out: Stop lying about my son. If he knew everything he would have told me.

Aakash interrupts her rant: Maa, I knew Payal’s first wedding broke.

Mamiji shocked to know that Aakash knew it: Really? Then you must know why it broke. Tell us pleej why her first wedding broke?

Aakash become silent as Payal never told him why her first wedding broke.

Mamiji gloats: See? If they had nothing to hide, then they would have told us.

Suddenly Arnav’s voice booms: I will tell you Mamiji, why Payal’s first wedding broke.

Everyone looks at Arnav shocked, wondering how did he know all this?

Arnav comes to Mamiji and tells Khushi and his first meeting, him locking Khushi in a room all night, Payal’s wedding not occurring because the dowry paper were with Khushi, then him releasing video tape and Khushi and her family arriving in Lucknow.

He finishes his story and says: I am responsible for causing this family distress. But when I realized that I was wrong, I said sorry to Payal and she forgave me. If you have to blame someone, Mamiji… Blame me. But Payal is not the guilty person here, nor her family. They did not reveal the truth because they did not want me to look bad in front of my own family.

He looks at Khushi and sees Khushi looking at him with pride for protecting her family at the cost of his own.

Naniji gets upset: Chotey, I can’t believe you caused so much trouble for them.

Buaji says: Naniji, please forget everything. May be NandKishore wanted us to come to Delhi, so we did. Everything worked out in the end and that’s all what matters.

NK was silent but he speaks out: I wanted you to come to Delhi? When did I say that? I did not even met you until a few days ago.

Everyone laughs at the joke and the atmosphere gets lightened.

Naniji tells everyone to go to bed as next day is the wedding. So they have to be up for haldi ceremony.

Guest room, Shaantivan:

Khushi and Payal are lying in bed.

Payal whispers: Khushi, when I first met Arnavji, I thought he was the worst man I ever met. But today, he protected me in front of everyone. I’m happy to say that I was wrong. He is the best man for you. You are very lucky to have such a loving husband.

Khushi whispers back: I know jiji, I know…

She closes her eyes and dreams of Arnavji…

In Devi Maiyya’s temple, a flower falls from the deity’s feet into a burning candle and bursts into flames.