Wedlock - Part 47

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Chapter 47

“Behave” Arnav whispers to Khushi who is unable to keep her hands to herself. She is sitting at the backseat of the car with Arnav, heading back to the Hotel from Beach where they had got down a while ago.
Khushi passes him a lopsided smile and pats his thigh gently.

“I was just trying to get some warmth” she lies.

What a Lie!!

“Really?” he asksed amused. “With that kind of actions, we both can burn down the whole galaxy baby”
His reply lets out a chuckle from her. He entwins their fingers and kisses her forehead.




Hotel – Cape Town

Aman opens the car door for Khushi to get down. She is glad to see him finally.

“Aman” she happily shouts his name. “Why didn’t I find you at the award ceremony?”

Arnav gets down from the other side and reaches them.
“Boss assigned some work” he replies.
“Why do you always keep him so busy?” Khushi asks Arnav.
“He loves it”

Arnav’s reply is bang on for Aman because that’s true. He loves working for ASR.

“Is it done?” Arnav queries Aman who nods with a smile.
“Yes Boss”
“Good Work Aman”

Aman shakes his head accepting the praise and allows the two to leave inside.

“Enjoy the Wine” Aman’s finishing sentence makes Khushi laugh. The Wine Bottle sent by Aman is waiting to be opened.
Arnav slides his arm around Khushi and leads her to the elevator. The moment the doors close, Khushi turns to Arnav, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Don’t be decent” she whispers in his ears.
Arnav bites the inside of his cheek and pulls her closer.
“I never intended to, trust me”

She has no idea what that means and the anxiety is killing her already. The  doors of the elevator open and Shashi and Kyle who just happened to step out from the opposite elevator, see them hugging each other.
“Mr. Gupta” Arnav greets him, breaking Khushi’s romantic gestures. She instantly pulls away from her husband and faces her father. It’s so embarrassing. Arnav loves the situation though. Kyle tries not to react but she is surprised seeing the progress between the two. They have come a long way now and seem inseparable.
“We thought of asking you both for Dinner but …” Shashi pauses. “Maybe next time”
“No.. why next time?” Arnav interrupts. “I think it’s a good idea. We can have dinner together”
Khushi is speechless.
“Uhh…” Khushi tries to say something but then decides to do as Arnav says.
“You both sure?” Kyle questions.
“Yes.” Khushi replies to her and puts a smile on her face. She is mad at her husband for being so unromantic. But then she is also glad that she will get to spend time with her father and Kyle to understand what their relationship status is.

“Alright then. We will wait for you both in the restaurant downstairs” Shashi informs.
“We will change and be there” Arnav holds Khushi’s hand and drags her to their room.
“I hope you didn’t mind me doing it” Arnav asks his wife who is little upset about this.
“No”

They get inside the room and before he can walk away, she pins him to the wall behind.

“What are you hiding from me?” she snaps.

Arnav maintains the same expressions.
“I want to give you a surprise”
That’s it!! She knew it. But what surprise?
“Arnav… I don’t see what kind of surprise you plan by not letting us spend time with each other and have a family dinner instead”
Arnav reads her mind and she is really pissed, he can tell that. He cups her face.
“Trust me, it is going to be the best surprise”
“Your one-line replies are not helping me calm down” she scowls.

She leaves her grip on him and turns around to leave when he holds her hand.

“We are getting married tomorrow”

Khushi stops. Her heart almost skips a beat as she turns back to him and looks in his eyes.
“What?”
“Yes” he comes forward. “With all the rituals”

Khushi doesn’t understand how to react.

“We never did all that, did we? Just signed the marriage papers and termed each other as husband- wife which we are legally, but.. I want to give you this.. Please”

Khushi’s anger mellows down instantly and she hugs him. Arnav completes the hug and caresses her back.

“I have to discuss this with your father and Kyle too. I am sure they won’t deny” he adds.
“Dare they deny” she mutters happily and raises her chin to look at him. “How did you get this idea?”
“Just got it… Maybe Di has fed me with so much importance of each rituals that I want you to enjoy those moments with me”

Khushi laughs heartily.

“Di is the best” she murmurs.
“Yes She is”

They kiss again, holding on to that moment, letting their heart absorb the fact that they would be marrying again.

********************

Dinner 

“It’s a superb idea, Arnav” Shashi exclaims in joy. “I would be happy to give my daughter’s hand to you, again”

Kyle drops her spoon in the plate, looking at Khushi who is blushing, watching her husband propose her hand in marriage to her father.
“Khushi” Kyle interrupts. “Is this what you want too?”

Khushi is blank. This is the first time Kyle is even asking her choice. Wish she had done that when they married her the first time with Arnav. But, its probably good that they didn’t ask her because she would have rejected Arnav straight away and she would never get the chance to fall in love with this generous man.

“Thanks for asking me that, Kyle. But of course. I do wish to get married to my husband… AGAIN”

Keeping his tone even was a struggle for Shashi. Things have changed so much now. He has both the women he loves and what is more surprising is the fact that they are even cordial with each other. Kyle passes him a quick smile while he mouths a Thank you to her. Arnav and Khushi notice the two of them and do realize that their relationship is back on track. No more spoken words are needed to get that affirmed.

“Okay, when are we going to do this? Tomorrow?” Shashi asks.
“Yes. I don’t want to delay it more” Arnav kisses the back of Khushi’s palm. She withdraws her hand from him and pinches his thigh.
“Now who needs to behave?” she whispers in ears.
Arnav smirks and turns back to his father-in-law.
“Aman has done all the arrangements here. The marriage will happen at a private beach. The priest has left from India and he has suggested the best mahurat for this tomorrow is at 05:15pm. It is going to be an evening wedding”

Khushi is awestruck hearing the preparations done by her husband.

“Beach wedding? Wow” Kyle interrupts. “I have heard from Shashi, Khushi loves beaches”
Khushi nods.
“You guys even speak about me when together? That’s new to me” she replies.
“Oh.. He talks a lot about you.. He always did that before too but I was the one who ignored. Now.. I don’t want to repeat that mistake again” Kyle says. “You have done so much to save our relationship Khushi. You are not just important to your father, but also to me now”

Kyle touches Khushi’s hand on the table who grips it back. Khushi doesn’t know what to speak at this moment, but she is touched… with all the changes happening in their lives. She got her father back and a step mother who doesn’t want to push her away anymore. And the bonus is her husband. She couldn’t have asked for more.

After finishing the dinner, the two couples return back at the elevator to head to their respective rooms.

“So, Arnav and Khushi” Shashi intervenes. “I hope you both know that the couple is not allowed to stay together before marriage”

Khushi’s jaw drops. She hadn’t expected this neither Arnav.

“That’s right” Kyle adds. “Khushi can come in our room to sleep tonight”
“No” Arnav cuts the discussion. “You guys are forgetting that Khushi is already my wife, we are staying together and that’s non-negotiable”

Shashi and Kyle look at each other and laugh.

“We were kidding” Shashi pats Arnav’s back. “No one is going to separate you both, don’t worry. Good night and we will see you in the morning”

Khushi blushes. She had not expected her father to tease them. But she enjoyed seeing Arnav’s reluctance and his non-negotiable stand.

*******************

Arnav and Khushi return back to their room. When Khushi comes back changing into her night dress, she sees Arnav talking to Nani over a video chat. She decides not to disturb them because he is sharing this idea of re-marriage with her.

“Yes, she is here” Arnav replies to his Nani, while raising his head from the laptop screen to see Khushi who is making their bed. “One second… Khushi” he calls her.

Khushi turns to him.

“Nani wishes to speak to you” he informs.

Khushi feels her body burning. This time they are doing this as it should have been the first time. They are taking permission from their respective families.

“Namaste Nani” Khushi comes and sits next to Arnav on the couch. He turns the webcam towards her.
“Namaste” Nani replies. “Chotte told me about this re-marriage. I .. I am happy with your decision”

Khushi takes a sigh of relief.

“I wish me, Anjali and Shyam could have attended the marriage but.. that’s fine”
“You can still attend. Arnav said he would send the Jet to pick you all”
“I know, he told me too. But Shyam is out. He will come back tomorrow morning and it will be late to fly by then. Also, Ruhi is still small”
Khushi nods. That’s true.
“Nani” Arnav leans towards Khushi to make himself visible on the Webcam. “I will ask Aman to make such a video chat session available so that you can also enjoy the wedding LIVE”

Nani smiles.

“We would like that. Anjali is sleeping. I will inform her about this and you can talk to her tomorrow. All the very best for tomorrow”
“Thank you” both reply together and Arnav disconnects the session. “Huhh!!” he sighs. “Marriage preps done… Families informed.. now whats left?” he asks her.

Khushi gives a thinking expression.

“What am I wearing?” she asks.
“Your dress is ready. Will show you tomorrow. And for tonight, I will prefer NOTHING”

His reply gives her goosebumps.

“Wedding is tomorrow . .and so is our consummation night” she reminds.
“No… we will go backwards because that’s what we have always been doing. We married first.. then got to know each other.. and then fell in love.” He holds her possessively. “So, tomorrow is our wedding.. and tonight.. .our ..” he is about to complete that sentence but she places her finger on his lips.
“I don’t want to look exhausted on our wedding day”
Arnav groans but she has a point. He doesn’t reply to that but gets up and carries her in arms, taking her straight to the bed. He lays her down and joins her on the bed, shutting the lamps. She hides herself inside the duvet. He repeats her action and cuddles her.

“Alright.. we are just sleeping. Happy?”
“Very” she hugs him back and closes her eyes.
“Finally… things are falling back in place” he expresses
“Hmm” she lingers her finger lazily on his chest.
“I have strictly informed the Hotel staff, not to serve alcohol to any guest tomorrow. I don’t want our first night incidents to repeat”

Khushi giggles and pats his chest gently. Arnav lets out a chuckle and pulls her closer.

“Don’t leave me and go the next morning like last time” she warns.
“Never!! I promise whenever you wake up, you will always find me next to you”

That’s a big promise and she knows he will do everything to keep it.


To be Continued.



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