Few days later,

Raizada Mansion,

Anjali while serving Shyam sabji in a small bowl asked Arnav 'When you both will be returning?'

Arnav 'I'm thinking to stay for two to three days Di. Khushi will like to spend some time with her family'

Daadi 'yeh toh bahut achhi baat hai' (that is nice)

Nani 'haan Sumi'

Khushi smiled at Arnav while he talked on their trip to her village and their stay. Tomorrow she will meet her family and friends. She missed them without no doubt but with Arnav ji with her she never felt the absence of them hit her hard.

Nani 'betiya have you packed both of your bags?'

Khushi 'Ji Nani' and looked down at her plate. What will she tell other than this? How can she tell them Arnav ji packed everything not letting her do anything and asking her to keep quiet? She remembered his words clearly *Khushi don't tell to anyone I packed everything. * He knows she will blurt it and he will become the object of tease for his family. He can't let the ASR gaurd down, he is Arnav ji only for Khushi and it will remain like that.

Dadi 'Arnav come to my room; I need to talk with you' Nani too nodded her head. Arnav accepted to meet them after dinner.

Shyam the only silent member till now in the conversation opened his mouth 'Rani Saheba, I too will have to leave for trip, remember I told you. I'll be leaving by tomorrow' Anjali's face shadowed hearing his words.

Nani 'Damaad ji you travel lot for work'

Dadi 'not even Arnav travels so much as much as you do.'

Shyam laughed uneasily 'Nani ji...Dadi ji.....my clients are not only in Delhi, they are from outer city and states too'

He turned to Khushi 'Khushi ji apne ghar walon ko meri taraf se pranam kardijiyega' (Khushi, greet your family from my side too)

Khushi nodding at him ate her dinner in silence. She doesn't know why she does not like him at all and this all started when he bad mouthed her Arnav ji to her.

Dadi's room,

Dadi 'Arnav, I know you are no need to tell this but then I would like to say. You are not only Khushi's husband but with her you have binded yourself with her family too. Her parents are your parent's, her buaji is your buaji. And as a son you have responsibility towards them. I don't want Shashi to work anymore and that to the work which can worsen his health some more. I know him well he will not accept monetary help from you and us but I would like you to see to it that he takes care of himself and his self respect too is not hurt.'

Arnav 'I understand Dadi. I'll see to it. I'll switch him to other work where he will not strain himself. This is the only way he will accept. For now, this will do. Later I'll see what can be done'

Nani 'and take care of Khushi betiya. We no need to tell you this. But make sure she is safe and happy'

Arnav sighed; he knew what she is hinting. Arnav 'I'll Nani'

Next morning

After breakfast Khushi and Arnav got ready to leave for Brindhapuri. Khushi is so excited to meet her family and her village people.

Taking blessing from Nani and Dadi, Khushi hugged Anjali. Anjali 'take care Khushi'

Then turning to Arnav 'you better take care off my bhabi'

Arnav hugging his sister 'I'll Di'

Shyam 'happy journey Khushi ji' he hugged her taking her by surprise who stood shock, her hands hanging stiff on her sides. Squirming from his arm she pushed herself away from him. Her eyes already filling up, she did not like it a bit....she felt uneasy. For others it felt like a brother is hugging his sister but only Arnav knew that it is not the case. His mallice intention clearly visible in his eyes. Fisting his hand tight he stopped himself from punching Shyam's face.

Arnav pulled Khushi to himself who stood like a child got scared seeing a ghost all pale. Rubbing her back and arms he hugged her sideways.

Shyam plastering a sweet smile forwarded his hand towards Arnav 'have a nice trip Arnav' but the plastered smile left his face when Arnav held his hand in a death grip which warned Shyam *don't dare try to touch my wife again*

Leaving his hand, he held Khushi close to him, both of them took the back seat of the car with the driver driving away from Raizada drive way.

Arnav looked at Khushi who is very quiet whereas in the contrary she was so happy in the morning or to say till the untimely disgusted hug. Arnav 'Khushi!!!' pulling her close, hugging her by shoulder.

Khushi laying her head on his shoulder 'hmmm'

Arnav 'Kya huwa?' (what happened?)

Khushi 'kuch nahiin!!!' (nothing)

Arnav pulled her chin making her face him, her eyes still laced with sadness. Kissing on her forehead 'Meri Jaan, don't think about that too much. Let it go'

Khushi hugging him 'I did not like it'

Arnav 'I know. Next time he will not do it *I'll make sure he is never near you*' he patting her head consoled her.

Khushi looked out of the window, her head laying safely on his shoulder, her hands on his arm hugging tight in hers. Arnav checked mail and started responding to the mail. Since it is four hours travelling, Khushi had slept for the rest of the travelling after her hour gazing the nature.

Shashi, Garima, Buaji smiled seeing the car coming into visible. Another few second the car came to stop before Khushi's house.

Arnav looked at Khushi who slept peacefully. Smiling softly he patted her shoulder softly 'Khushi.....Khushi.....we are here'

Khushi opened her eyes, her gaze landing on him. Arnav showed his eyes to look out of the window. No one can gaze inside the car but the person inside the car can see the outside view.

A smile bright as sunshine bloomed on her face which he missed from the time they left Delhi.

She got down from the car rushing towards her mother and buaji. Hugging them tight. Buaji as ususal 'hai re Nandhkishore....chodo humein...ab kya Delhi se yahan maarne ke irade se aayi hai kya' (Oh my God....leave me....did you come from Delhi with the intention to kill me?)

Arnav chuckled looking at Khushi's pouting face. He came forward and took blessing from Shashi, Garima and Buaji....the later one pinched his chin.

Gupta's neighbour too looked at Arnav and Khushi visiting Gupta's. One for they are descending from a very expensive car and other for Arnav being a very big man who is opening a company in their village. They all know he is bada sahib in Delhi. Looking at him in awe and few even envying Gupta's luck for getting such a big rich family as their in laws.

Coming inside the house they all settled down, Garima brings glasses of water in a tray giving one to Khushi and one to Arnav.

Shashi 'suffer kaisa tha?' (how was the journey?)

Arnav 'acha tha' (it was good)

Buaji 'chalo achai hai. Both of them wash your hands and come. We will have lunch and then can rest. It is already past lunch. How my sankadevi did tolerate her hunger? Did mice not trouble you? Hain?'

Khushi pouting 'humein zoron ki bhook lagi hai' (I am so hungry) All chuckled at her.

As Garima and Buaji set the table for lunch Arnav turned to Shashi 'Babu ji how is the work going on?'

Shashi 'everything is going fine. All are happy'

Arnav 'hmmm Aman informs me the progress of the work but I wanted to know from you too to know how you feel'

Garima smiling 'sach main beta everyone is so happy for able to stand on their own not depending on anyone.'

Buaji 'aur nahiin toh kaa (and why will not) now the women of the village do not have to fear for their family and childrens future. No one can force them to do anything they are not willing to. They will have the reign of their life and not the men of their house. They will not have to keep silent and go through the torture in the name of their children and family' [Note: I've already mentioned how men behave in this village. It is not that a girl should think herself as the king of her home, but she definitely is the queen who has her own selfrest and dignity]

Khushi came rushing from washroom and all went silent. Khushi 'amma buaji hum agaye' (amma buaji I am here)

Garima cupping her cheek 'I and your buaji have prepared all your and Arnav bitwa's favorite'

Khushi 'Sachhi'

Lunch went peaceful with Gupta ladies pampering their daughter and son in law.

Rita and Gauri came to meet Khushi by evening. Khushi 'Rita Di....Gauri Di you both did not come to meet me. Main kabse aap logon ka intezar kar rahi thi (I was waiting for you guys from so long)'

Gauri 'Arey Khushi hum ab kaam pe jaa rahe haina, isliye deri ho gayi' (it is because we are going to work, it is why we could not come soon to meet you)

Rita 'how are you?'

Khushi 'bahut achhi' (very good) she grinned at them.

Gauri 'acha ye bataa kitne din rukegi yahaan' (for how many days you are visiting here?)

Khushi 'don't know but pakka for more then two days'

Gauri 'Wow *turning to Rita* Di tab toh humari Khushi Sangeetha ki shaadi main bhi rahegi' (Wow *turning to Rita* Di, Khushi too can come to Sangeetha's wedding)

Rita 'haan *looking at confused Khushi* Sharma chacha's daughter Sangeetha is getting married'

Khushi 'Achha'

Gauri 'haan we will do so much masti'

Buaji came there 'ye lo Nandhkishore you are grown up girls and behave like one. And you two *Gauri and Khushi* are married, remember that always. Don't do anything childish behave like a married woman' Khushi pouted at her.

Thank you for all the votes and comments on previous parts.