Part 17

Arnav on his phone 'Aman, is everything ready for day after tomorrow?'

Aman from other side 'yes everything is ready as per your wish. But are you ready from your end?'

Arnav, his eyes smiling 'yep, I'm all ready'

Aman 'hoye oye my friend has become little bit romantic now a days'

Arnav 'stop it Aman, wishing to see a smile on your wife's face is not cheesy romantic stuff'

Aman 'not for you because you are The ASR'

Arnav chuckled 'yep, Arnav Singh Raizada is not an ordinary person'

Aman 'tabhi toh tumhein unique piece wife mili'

Arnav 'Right, my wife is another wonder in this world. Cute, unique, beautiful, innocent.....'

Aman 'bas....bas...naye Ashiqui meeyan'

Arnav 'Aman!!!!'

Aman 'I know right you are not being Majnu of this century but what should I call you, even though you say you are not doing anything romantic or cheesy stuff, but all the thing you are doing is like Romeo'

Arnav 'no one can talk with you, I'm cutting the call' he cut the call and looked back at the bed where his wife is sleeping peacefully clutching the pillow tight thinking it of him.

He settled beside her taking her in his arms, looking at her adoring face. Time tickled, tic...tock....tic....tic....tock....tic.......he looked at the time showing in his cell and smiled. He lifted Khushi in his arms like a beautiful peacock feather; she snuggled in his arms mewing like a kitten. Chuckling he took her to poolside and made her stand, she is still sleeping, standing leaning on him.

Arnav patted her cheek 'Khushi!!!!'

Khushi 'hmmm'

Arnav 'apni aankhen kholo' (open your eyes)

Khushi 'nahiin, humein sone dijiye na' (no, let me sleep)

Arnav 'baby please.....sirf ek baar apni aankhen kholo aur dekho' (baby please.....just once open your eyes and see) Khushi pouting in her sleep opened her groggy eyes; Arnav raised his eye brows asking her to look in front of her. Khushi confused turned to look and gasped, her sleep vanishing in thin air, her lips adoring beautiful smile.

Arnav lit the candle, Khushi 'Arnav ji!!!' hearing her surprised voice Arnav looked at her smiling, Arnav 'happy birthday Khushi!!!'

She smiled 'wow aapko pata tha' (wow you knew)

Arnav 'yes' he gestured her to come near him, Arnav 'now make a wish and blow this candle' Khushi nodding at him did as he said. He held her hand with knife and together they cut the cake.

Feeding her a piece 'Happy Birthday to You once Again'

Khushi kissed his cheek, smearing the chocolate cake on his face 'dhanyavad'

Arnav chuckled at his state wiping the chocolate from his face; Khushi took a little piece and fed him the cake. Seeing a little crumble of the cake stuck to Khushi's lips, he wiped it shivering at the softness of her lips. Khushi shuddered but was confused on why?

Arnav bend towards her, Khushi breathe got stuck when his lips touched her slightly, Khushi whispered 'Arnav ji!!!' hearing his name he came to his sense, and sighing at his losing control he ran his finger on his hair, breathed in and out gathering himself.

He looked at the confused expression on his cute wife's face.....caressing her cheek 'would you not want to see your birthday gift Khushi'

Khushi brightened up forgetting everything, holding his hand she dragged him 'where is it?'

Arnav went to the closet and brought her a gift packet keeping them on her eager hands. Khushi looked at the big box in her hand, caressing it. Arnav 'Khol ke dheko'

Khushi 'ji!!!' she sat on the bed comfortable, placing the parcel on her lap, she with care opened the gift wrap......and then opened the box to reveal beautiful diamond necklace. She looked at the incredible piece in wonderment.

Arnav watched her expressive face and eyes sighing in relief to see her liking his gift, he is bad when comes to gifting since he never gifted anything to anyone, even to his sister he just gives his credit card asking her to buy anything she wishes.

Khushi kept the box aside on the bed safely and then opened another gift wrapper. Her breathe got stuck to see there lay Orange bridal silk saree with beautiful maroon zari work border and paired with green half sleeves designer blouse with backless blouse with it's matching accessory.

She looked at him 'bahut sundar hai Arnav ji' (it is beautiful Arnavji)

Arnav sitting beside her 'kal tum yehi pehna' (wear this dress tomorrow)

Khushi nodding 'zaroor, hum toh kal yehi pehenge' (sure, tomorrow I'll wear this dress for sure)

Arnav putting everything inside the packet, kept them all safely in closet 'now common let's go to sleep'

Khushi lay on her side of bed waiting for him to join her, as soon as he lied down she hugged him putting her head on his chest 'thank you'

Arnav fondly kissed her forehead 'good night Khushi'

Khushi 'good night'

Next day, Khushi swirled in her new saree gifted by Arnav before him 'hum kaise lag rahe hain Arnav ji' (how am I looking?)

Arnav dumbstruck looked at her without blinking, holding her shoulder 'beautiful Khushi'

Khushi shyly 'shukriya'

He kissed her cheek wishing her again 'Happy Birthday' holding her hand 'now come let's go down everyone will be waiting for us'

As soon as they came down Khushi was engulfed by the three ladies in a hug wishing her on her birthday, Anjali 'Khushi aap bahut hi sundar lag rahi hain aaj' (Khushi ji you are looking so beautiful)

Khushi smiled at her, Nani and Dadi took their turns in warding the evil eyes of from her. Shyam with his sick smile came forward holding his hand for handshake 'Happy Birthday Khushi ji'

She eventhough felt un easy to give her hand not having any other choice accepted his wishes with great difficulty, as soon as Shyam left her hand Khushi held Arnav's hand tight in her's who is already stiff to see the blatant flirting behaviour of Shyam which gone unnoticed by the ladies except him.

All moved to the temple in their house and prayed, after done with the prayer they left to have breakfast. Every item sepacially requested by Arnav to Anjali for Khushi.

Khushi smiled looking at her favourite dish most of all at her Jalebi, Anjali 'Khushi Chotte ne yeh sab aapke liye banane ke liye kaha hai' (Khushi, Chotte has asked to prepare all this dish for you)

Arnav glared at his sister what was the need to tell in front of all? Nani and Dadi having their teasing smile, Khushi shying once again thanked him. Breakfast went well with Anjali not leaving a chance teasing her brother asking to Khushi on what gift Arnav gave her on her birthday.

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

Part 18

Khushi gasped in happiness on seeing her Amma, Babuji, Buaji standing in front of her smiling. She rushed to them 'aap log?' (all of you?) she could not believe her eyes.

Garima coming forward hugged her 'Kaise ho bitiya' (how are you daughter?)

Khushi eyes became moist understanding they are really there in front of her 'Amma!!!'

Buaji 'hey Sanka Devi buaji se nahiin milogi' (hey Sanka Devi will you not meet your bua ji?)

Khushi nodding at her hugged her tight, Shashi patted her head who hugged him 'janam din Mubarak ho bitiya' (Happy birthday betiya)

Buaji took a box out and taking a ladoo suffed it in Khushi's mouth grinning 'janam din Mubarak ho'

Khushi smiled 'dhanyavad buaji' Garima caressing her face kissed her forehead.

Dadi 'sab log kade kyun hain, ayiye baitiye sab (why are you all standing? come take a seat). Anjali ask HP to bring refreshment for all' Anjali nodding at her went towards kitchen.

Khushi sitting beside her father, holding his hand 'aap log ne humein bataya nahiin ki aap aa rahe hain'(you all did not inform me you are coming here)

Garima smiling 'damad ji ne humein yahan par bulaliya' (Damad ji called us here)

Buaji 'voh chathe the ki aaj tumhari janam din par hum bhi tumhare saath ho' (he wished we all should be here for your birthday and celebrate it together)

Shashi 'aur Arnav bitwa ne car bhej di thi humare yahan aane keliye' (And Arnav bitwa also send car for us)

Khushi looked at Arnav, her eyes shining at him. Anjali 'Chotte ne toh saare intezam kar diya Khushi, aaj ke din kaise tumhe apni amma, babuji, buaji ko miss karne dete. Tumhara din hai aaj aur hum sab chahthe hain humesha ki tarah aaj bhi aap bahut khush ho' (Chotte has made all arrangements Khushi, how would he let you miss your family this day? it is your day and we all want you to be happy)

Arnav looked at Khushi whose eyes have turned moist; he shakes his head at her. She nodding her head looked down, Shashi patted her head. Dadi 'Khushi aaj ke din bhi tumhare ankhon mein aansoon'(Khushi today too you are having tears in your eyes)

Nani 'bitiya muskaryiye, kush rahiye......bhavuk mat hoyiye' (bitiya smile, be happy...do become emotional)

Arnav moved forward and sat beside her 'shhh Khushi'

Khushi hugged him not thinking of anything or anyone 'bahut.....bahut dhanyavad'(Thank you so much)

He patted her back smiling, all smiled at them. They knew and understand her; it is not easy for a seventeen year to get married and leaving her family back come to unknown place accepting them as your family with only on the trust of her husband. Any girl would be emotional but being not mature enough still is what making Khushi more delicate.

Later they all had a hearty lunch with the whole atmosphere turning noisy, jolly and jovial.

Evening time, the living room of RM was decorated; Tanya and Aman arrived for Khushi's birthday party arranged for only family members including them as they are Arnav's close friend and as a family.

Khushi arrived down with Arnav glowing like a moon.

Tanya 'wow Khushi, you are looking beautiful *hugging her* Happy Birthday Darling'

Khushi smiled 'thank you bhabi'

Aman 'Happy Birthday Khushi, and this is for you' giving her the gift they both bought for her.

Arnav 'what is the need for all this?'

Aman 'arey she is my sister and I've to give her gift Ashiqui meeyan'

Arnav 'Aman!!!'

Aman 'don't glare me, I'm not scared with that look of yours, I'm very well used to it' Tanya giggled at them.

Anjali coming to them with Shaym tailing behind her 'chalo chalo cake is ready waiting for the birthday girl to grace her presence'

Arnav held her hand taking her towards their family standing, HP rolled the trolley towards them where they were waiting amidst the family member surrounding them.

Khushi cut the cake feeding the first bite to Arnav then to others in her family and Anjali, Dadi, Nani and Tanya.

Party went till late.....Aman- Tanya got ready to leave for home.....Arnav escorted Aman and Tanya out to know if his work was done properly or not.

Tanya 'don't worry bhai, I'll come tomorrow morning and take Khushi with me to parlor'

Arnav 'good and you Aman'

Aman 'all ready Arnav, chill man'

Arnav 'thank you guys'

Aman 'no thank you in friendship buddy' both hugged each other before Aman and Tanya left for their home.

As soon as he entered inside the room Khushi crashed on to him hugging him, she is so happy today. Smiling he lifted her in his arms taking her to recliner. Sitting on it he made her sit properly on his lap before looking at her glowing face 'Khushi toh bahut kush nazar aa rahi hai' (Khushi is so happy today)

Khushi nodded her head 'haan bahut hi kush hoon main aaj' (yes today I am so happy)

Arnav 'hmmm'

Khushi 'aaj bahut achha tha....amma, babuji, buaji, dadi, nani, Di, aur Aman bhai Tanya bhabbi bhi aaye humari janam din ke liye......kitna achha tha na.....humne khoob maza kiye.....humne pehle kabhi aise janam din nahiin manaye......har saal amma aur buaji humein jalebi, ladoo aur kheer bana kar janamdin ki shuruvath karthe the......par aaj sab alag tha.....bahut hi accha.....sabse khaas baath aap the humare saath *she lied her head on his chest hugging him* aap humesha aise kaise kar lethe hain' (today everything was so nice......amma, babu ji, bua ji, dadi, nani, di, and Aman bhai Tanya bhabbi too came for my birthday.....was it not so nice....I enjoyed very much.....I never celebrated my birthday like this before.......every year amma and buaji woud start my birthday feeding me jalebi, ladoo, and kheer.....but this time it was different.....so good.....and the most special thing was you were with me......how were you able to do this always?)

Arnav confused 'aise kaise matlab' (do what?)

Khushi 'humari muskurahat.....aap humesha humare chehre pe muskarat le aathe ho....' (my smile......you always bring smile on my face)

Arnav with his lop sided smile 'achha' (really?)

Khushi 'haan kabhi kabhi toh bina kuch kiye hi humein saari khushiyan dete ho' (and sometimes even without doing anything you give me so much happiness)

Arnav 'woh kaise?' (and how is that?)

Khushi 'mere saath jo hain aap. Agar aap humesha mere saath, mere samne rehthe hona tab mujhe bahut acha lagtha hain.' (because you are with me. If you are with me, before my eyes I like it lot.) Her innocent eyes looked at him, he swallowed, it may be small words from her side, her unknown feeling for him coming out in the words but only he can understand how much it meant to him.

Cupping her face he kissed her eyes one by one and then forhead lovingly 'tum humesha mujhe apne pass paogi Khushi.....humesha.....main humesha tumhare saath hi rahunga, tumhari dhal bankar, tumhara premi bankar, tumhara rakshak bankar.....tumhara sab kuch bankar'(you will always find me beside you....always....I will always be with you...as your sheild, as your lover, as your protector......as your everything)

He looked down at her to see she has dozed off with content smile in her face. Lifting her again in his arms he made her lie properly in bed before leaving for changing into his night suit to join her. Arnav lied down besides her, engulfing her in his arms possessively and went to sleep. Tomorrow yet another big day for them, he wants to do everything correct in their life and he will make everthing right.