He Loves Me Not - Part 58

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Chapter 58

Arnav Singh Raizada was all set for his wedding. Aman Mathur assisted him to get ready, especially with the stylish turban on his head. The Sherwani fitted him perfectly and why not, his mother had carefully got it designed. And the shoes he wore were his father’s choice. Everything was just perfect.

“Outfit check.. turban check.. shoes check.. hair check… shave check” Aman kept ticking the to do list to find if he missed anything. “Phone call.. check… no wait”

Arnav almost jerked by Aman’s sudden movement.

“You need to make a phone call” Aman stated. “To Khushi”

“Khushi? Why?”

“Because she had asked you to do so”

“She did?” Arnav asked amused. “Why would she ask you and not me directly?”

“Oh Lord. I am just reminding you buddy. Call her up and find out. And come down in 15 minutes, we need to leave for the venue. I have so much work to do. I wonder if you would do all this in my marriage”

Aman strode till the door and then returned again to Arnav Singh Raizada. He gave a big tight hug to his bestie once and pulled away.

“Happy wedding day, Arnav” he wished. “Scared of surrendering?”

Arnav chuckled.

“I was already handcuffed on my 22nd birthday” he stated recalling that first moment he and Khushi had got close. He was attracted to her right from the day he had seen her.. that little tiny girl had always made a special place in his heart by her cute antics, caring attitude and spilling love.

“Right” Aman mocked. “Complete what you guys started … at least tonight” he winked and rushed to the door before Arnav could catch hold of him.

Arnav blushed hard realizing what Aman meant. That night he was drunk and their attraction for each other was too naïve. But after all these years, their love had grown, faced uncountable hinderances and finally they were all set to get their share of peace.

He dialed Khushi’s number as told and waited for her to pick. After a few rings, she answered.

“Arnav… hold on” she turned back to Payal and Buaji. “Please give me 5 minutes both of you.”

“Khushi… Is that Arnav’s call? Hai re Nandakishore… You can talk to him for hours and hours after your marriage. We need to hurry up now. Its’s your wedding” Buaji shouted.

“Just 5 minutes Buaji. Don’t worry, I will wear the jewelry myself”

Arnav was patiently listening to her conversation with them.

“Buaji.. lets give her some time” Payal said whilst dragging Buaji out of the room.

“Finally” Khushi sighed concentrating back on Arnav’s call.

“Turn on your camera. I want to see you” he demanded.

“Now?”

“Yes… Now”

He sounded more worried than romantic. She turned her camera on so that they could do a video chat instead. Arnav saw her. She was fully dressed in the bridal Lehnga minus the jewelry which she needed some time to wear. Her hairdo was done and so was her slight makeup. She looked enticing and his chest swelled with pride. She was his bride to be.

“You are not okay” Arnav muttered.

Khushi was startled how easily he read her state of mind.

“What happened?” he asked. “We are getting married today, Khushi. What is bothering you?”

“The wedding” she replied taking a seat on the couch beside.

Arnav had no clue why would she say that.

“Arnav..” she gasped. “All these years I have been loving you from far.. one sided love.. sulking and praying to God that he fulfils my wish to win you as my life partner. And now when he has… he has listened to my prayers… he has given me you… I am.. I am worried if this is all true or just another dream of mine. Ever since you came to London, everything is happening in a lightening speed. You proposed me for marriage.. your mother changed her attitude.. my father got convinced… Sheetal understood her mistake.. I quit my job to assist you in handling AK Software tech.. and now … this marriage. It’s just hours away from fulfilling all my wishes for life and I am nervous.. I … I think I will get an anxiety attack if I don’t stop thinking about all of it.. I have felt this before… this kind of a feeling … this clumsiness.. when… when I was attending the therapy to throw your memories out of my life.. It’s a similar uneasiness. I don’t understand what to do. Should I take the meds? I… Do you think that will help?”

“Khushi.. wait.. Relax” Arnav interrupted.. “Don’t pinch in all of this together. Okay? Just calm down”

Khushi nodded though she had no clue how to calm herself amidst all these irregular feelings.

“Close your eyes”

She obeyed his command.

“Now breathe.. slowly.. steadily.. the way you would on beaches. You love beaches, don’t you?” he tried to shift her attention.

“Only with you” she mumbled with a smile and suddenly her breathing shallowed.

“Now recall our days in Paris.. Our togetherness…. The time we spent there together, hand in hand, our cuddles, our kiss”

Khushi eased a bit remembering those times. They were the most beautiful days of her life. She gently opened her eyes after a minute and stared back at him on the phone screen.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

“Good”

“You sure? Should I ask Payal to check you once?”

“Not necessary. I am feeling good now”

Arnav smiled.

“That’s what Payal had mentioned to me” Arnav stated. “Some medicines have side effects. At times you get dependent on them. When you are over excited, over depressed, you feel that urge to have them and end your uneasiness. But I promise you one thing Khushi. I will never let you face any of it in future. I will always be by your side. I would be your only drug for solace”

Her eyes teared.

“I know. Come soon and take me with you” she almost pleaded.

Arnav brought his phone closer and kissed her face on the screen.

“I love you” he murmured.

“I love you too dammit”

After he was assured, she felt better and wasn’t anxious anymore, he hung up to leave for the venue. Khushi picked a rose from the bouquet she had received from her friends today and kissed one of its petals. She recalled how earlier she would break the petals one by one to guess if he loved her or he doesn’t. Nothing came in her favor those days but there was no need to worry about it now. Arnav Singh Raizada was hers and just hers to love.


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

Ayush and Revati sat inside the wedding canopy to fulfil the rituals on their Son’s wedding. It was a sacred feeling for both. They kept admiring their son whose joy was uncontainable as Payal and Buaji got his bride to the canopy and made her sit next to him. Whilst Raj Mathur was sitting on the front row witnessing the marriage, he pressed Aman’s arm in between to convey what he felt at this moment.

“Our Sheetal could have been the one” Raj murmured.
Aman sighed in disappointment.

“Dad… she will find someone soon to take that place in her life. She is a fighter. You know that, don’t you?”

Raj nodded and wiped the corner of his eye.

“I cannot wait to see her married now” he stated.

Payal interrupted them.

“Uncle.. take this” she placed some rose petals on his palm which they could shower once the bride and groom start taking the Pheras. Aman extended his hand to take the same. She met his eyes and was confused seeing him staring at her differently.

“Payal beta, why don’t you sit with us and enjoy the wedding. There are people to do this work” Raj suggested seeing them passing glances to each other.

“I know Uncle. But..”

“No” he handed the plate to some other girl. “Sit with us. It’s your friends wedding after all”

Aman moved aside and she took the seat between the father and son.

“And to be honest, you should observe all these rituals. You too would get married someday”

Aman coughed hard. What was his father doing?

“you alright Aman?” She asked worried at his sudden coughing.

“Yea.. something choked in my throat”

“I will get some water for you”

“No that’s fine. I am fine” he smiled nervously and then looked at his father gesturing him to stop his sarcastic comments. Raj controlled his laugh and focused back on the wedding.

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

Taking the seven vows and promising silently to abide by them, Arnav and Khushi completed their wedding rituals. Whilst everyone offered their blessings to them by showering the rose petals, Arnav kissed his bride’s forehead. Ayush pulled Revati closer seeing the newly wed couple hug each other.

“So much love” he whispered to Revati.

“Just like us” she said rubbing his chest. “I cannot wait to take my bahu back home. Have you decorated Arnav’s room?”

“I have”

“All of it? The way I told you?” she asked.

“Darling” he pinched her cheek. “I have outdid it. I just hope they don’t faint seeing so many candles and balloons in their bedroom tonight”

“Balloons? You put balloons in their bedroom? Its not their birthday Ayush, its their first night after marriage. I had asked you to put roses”

Ayush watched her fury and then laughed.

“Easy wife. I was just pulling your leg. I have put lots of roses there. Happy?”

“You prankster” she punched her chest.

“Dad.. mom” Arnav called them out to take their blessings. The couple paused their silly fight and blessed the newlyweds. Shashi and Buaji were next to bless them. Khushi cried as she hugged her father. She was going to miss her home.. her family. Arnav couldn’t tolerate seeing her so vulnerable at this moment but this was no more in his hands. Khushi had every right to get so emotional tonight. He promised himself this would be the last time she cries. He will give her so much of happiness that all her tears would dry up.

“Family picture time” Aman intruded.

The Raizadas, Guptas and Mathurs posed together for a group picture. After lavish meal followed the Bidaai. Shashi Gupta escorted Khushi till the car decorated for the newlyweds.

“Ayushji” Shashi joined his palms. “Please take care of her”

Ayush smiled.

“Shashi. She is our daughter now. You don’t have to worry a bit. And she is not very far from you. We are not that orthodox to mind you meeting Khushi frequently”

“Absolutely” Revati added. “AK villa is always open for Khushi’s family. Not just to meet her but also for stayovers.”

Shashi was delighted with the open invitation but he had other plans. Very soon he and Madhumati were returning to India and settle down there.

“By the way, who is coming from the Gupta family along with us now?” Revati asked poking her husband to speak further.

“Oh yes” Ayush laughed. “Uhh.. we have a tradition where someone accompanies the bride from her side. Like her sister or … friend”

Aman’s eyes widened in surprise. Arnav controlled his smile and watched Aman’s expression. It was his idea to give Aman some time with Payal. During their wedding rituals and preps though Aman could spend few moments with Payal to know her better, he didn’t get it enough hence Arnav decided to give his friend a return gift.

“None of her cousins are here” Shashi replied to the Raizadas.

“Uncle” Payal came forward. “I will go with Khushi if you don’t mind”

“Of course, you can go Payal. I thought you might be uncomfortable”

“No Uncle. I am there..” Aman instantly replied. Everyone watched him in shock for that comment which he quickly changed. “I mean.. we all are there. Payal knows us.. she wont be bored”

Payal was stunned. She could see Aman’s growing fondness for her and somewhere it had enticed her too.

Ayush and Revati passed a relieved smile and then turned to Arnav.

“All done now? Lets go”

Arnav opened the car door for Khushi to get inside and then followed her in. Payal was confused which car to take when Aman sorted her worry.

“Here… this one.” He pointed at his Black Vehicle. Payal followed him to the car while Khushi waved at her father and Buaji until the car drove out of the venue. When she turned aside, she realized Arnav was watching her, waiting for her to focus on him now. She put up a smile on her face and then leaned her head on his shoulder. He pressed his lips on her forehead tugging her closer. They were heading home… their home… to begin a new life…

To be Continued.


NEXT PART 


Note: This fiction will end in next 2 parts. Lawful Sins 2 will be replacing it.

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Imposed Knot

Kajal never imagined in her dreams that her cousin’s fiancee, the shrewd Arjun Raheja would marry her on a gunpoint and her life would take a 360-degree turn. Will she ever find the reasons behind it? His known motive turns out to be the most bitter event of her life. And only when she decides to part ways from their already broken ties, the heartbreaking truth of his unconditional love for a 5-year old baby surfaces. Who is this baby? What connection does she have with Arjun? Will Kajal ever find out the other side of the man she hates? Where will this Imposed Knot lead them to?

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