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"Khushi bitiya is not your wife"

"What?"

"Chotte, remember the contract marriage you forced on her? Even though contract marriage is not a thing in India and you guys haven't divorced yet, legally you are married. But you did not do it as per all our rituals. You both should get married again, in front of us."

Both were relieved to hear that.

"Naani why don't we get them married..." Anjali started speaking.

Arnav and Khushi were eagerly looking at Anjali to hear when they were to get married again.

"That will be perfect Anjali bitiya"

"Wait when? What will be perfect? Did something happen to my ears. Is it me the only one who hasn't heard the date?"

"Have patience Chotte. We are getting you married on NK's wedding"

"What Nanheji is getting married? Will he be here?"

"Khushi NK's marriage is not important. Think about ours."

"But Arnavji..."

"Come on Khushi NK is getting married to Lavanya. The main point is it is two weeks away."

Khushi seemed to be ok with that. She seemed excited about the fact that NK was getting married to Lavanya. She had a lot to catch up on.

"Khushi it is two weeks, don't you have any problem?"

"Arnavji, why should I have a problem with that? It is just two weeks. We were away from each other for four years so two weeks is nothing right?"

"Khushiji is right Chotte."

"Di when will you stop calling me Khushiji? Please call me Khushi"

"Ok, I'll call you Khushi Bhabhi instead. NK bhai and Lavanyaji are reaching tomorrow afternoon along with their families."

"Kushal beta, once your flat is ready, can Lavanyaji and her family stay at your place till the wedding day? We were planning to send them to our farm house, but if two marriages are taking place together then..."

"That is so nice of you Naaniji, I can be with Lavanyaji also." Khushi said.

Khushi was excited means Arnav was the happiest man on earth.

"So after they arrive tomorrow we will be shifting. I got information earlier that our house is actually ready to be occupied. Everything came through." Kushal said.

"And I want Arnav, Arjun , Anjali, Lavanya and NK to help us there. Till then Lavanya's parents can wait here. Once we are done, they can join us.

"Why not Akash?" Arnav asked.

"Try to understand Arnav, jiji may need him to be with her." Khushi said , Payal blushed while Akash smirked.

"Calm down Chotte.! Let him be. Now I think we should rest. Payalji must be really tired. You guys come, I'll serve food for you."

Later that night Khushi was in her room thinking about all the emotions she went through that one day. She wondered how her life would have been different if everyone involved had made better informed decisions. One thing she regretted was not telling Arnav and the entire Raizada clan about Shyam the moment she found out his truth. 

Arnav was at fault forcing her to get married to him thretening Payal's marriage.

Arnav was at fault believing Shyam.

Arnav was at fault for not asking for an explanation from her.

Arnav was at fault for treating her the way he did after 'marriage'.

The Guptas were at fault for distrusing Khushi and her decisions.

Anjali was at fault for trusting her husband so blindly.

Did Arnav ever show Khushi he loved and cared for her except for the few days before Payal's wedding?

He did save her multiple times from falling. 

He did play the role of Ranjha to save her from embarassment.

He did confess his feelings, even if it was under the influence of Bhaang.

[Note: In my version, Khushi and Arnav did not go to the Guptas' place to stay. There was no kidnapping track as well. ]

Khushi hoped this time, her decision to get back to Arnav's life, the one she made, was the right decision. She had suffered a lot all these years. She just wanted a happy and peaceful life. Not too much drama. 

She heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" She asked before she opened the door. She didn't want anymore surprises like earlier.

She her her sister in law's voice and opened the door to see her and Kushal. She of course knew the reason they were there.

"I am sorry Khushi." he bluntly stated. his eyes were tightly shut, waiting for Khushi's response.

"Haan Khushi, it was wrong of us to support Arnav in his quest. We should've been there for you, keeping him at bay rather than supporting him." Riana confirmed she felt the same as her husband. 

"Say something Khushi."

"What do you expect me to say Bhai? Of course, I felt betrayed. Everyone has taken me for granted. Always. I grew up listening to Buaji's taunts. I am not an ungrateful person, Amma and Babuji did their best to bring me up, but I knew I was a burden on them. I always felt inferior to jiji. Then Arnavji entered my life, he never missed a chance to make me feel like a loser. Things changed, so did he or so I thought, until that day when my life turned upside down. I married Arnavji so that jiji's life would be perfect. Where did that leave me?  When I found my way back to you, I thought you'd always protect me, believe me and my decisions. But... "

"I am so sorry Khushi. I did not know what you went through. You wouldn't talk about it. I believed Arnav's version and decided for you. It is your life. Being your brother doesn't mean I have the right to make decisions for you. I am so sorry I did that. I just wanted you to be happy. I wanted you to move on in life than be stuck in teh past. Three years had gone by and you were still there. Trust me when I say this, I would never have supported him if you had not told me you loved your husband. I wanted to know what was in your mind Khushi."

"Bhai, don't you know me? When I accept something, I take it in for life. I loved him, doesn't mean I was ready to forgive him. But, all of you decided that for me and pushed me to make a decision. Now I have done that. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Khushi, I did not mean to force him back into your life. Now thatI say it out loud, I realise that is exactly what I did. I am so sorry Khushi. Tell me, did you say yes under pressure? Do you not want to be here? Please tell me. I will stand with you. We will do right by you this time. Please tell me Khushi."

"No Bhai, Arnavji put his life in line to save me today. I just wanted someone who would be there for me. Someone who would trust me. Arnavji proved today that he would give up his life to svae me, not that I want him to do that again. I just need him to trust me now. I just need someone who would love me back the way I love them."

"And you are sure Arnav has become that guy now?" Kushal asked. He had wronged her once. He did not intend to do that again. 

"I believe he is now. If not, then I will let you know."

"Does that mean you've forgiven us?" Riana asked hopefully. There was a glimmer of hope.

"Yes. I love Rishi too much to stay away from him. And meeting him while not talking to yu guys would be way too awkward for my liking."

"I am sorry again Behna, I will always be there for you from now on, no supporting Arnav, ever." Kushal said hugging her tight. 

"Now that I have decided to go back to him, you could depending on the situation. You have my permission." she said hugging him back. 

Maybe she was too forgiving for her own liking. This was her brother and she was separated from for too long in her life to be angry with him now. She just wanted a normal life, no more fights, no more drama. Plus Kushal was right, she did want to be with Arnav and probably the push from them was what she needed. Well, she decided it was best to not dwell on the past. She'd rather focus on the future.

It was well past midnight by the time Khushi went to bed that night.

The next morning everyone gathered for the morning prayers. Anjali and Arjun did the aarti first and then Khushi and Arnav and then the others. Then they went to have breakfast. Khushi had prepared breakfast today. Her favourite jalebis were also there. Obviously sugar free ones were also there, meant only for her Arnavji.

"When are they reaching?" Khushi asked

"Within two hours Khushi. I think Arjun and I should go and receive them. You will be a surprise. Later we can shift to you house." Arnav said.

After almost an hour Arnav and Arjun left for the airport to receive them.

"Nannav mere bhai!" NK said as he saw Arnav and Arjun waiting to receive them.

NK came and forcibly hugged Arnav while Lavanya smiled at Arjun. Arnav then hugged Lavanya.

"How are you ASR?"

"Fine Lavanya. If you guys can hurry up, we have got a surprise for you both once you reach there. Arnav and Arjun took blessings from NK and Lavanya's parents. Then he gave Arjun's car's keys to NK's dad.

"Uncle I know you love to drive. So here are the keys."

They loaded the luggage into the cars. The elder gang set out in Arjun's car while the youngsters drove off in Arnav's car. Arjun was in the Passenger seat while NK sat with Lavanya in the back seat.

"Nannav, is the surprise only for La?" NK questioned.

"No NK it is for both of you. In fact, consider it an early wedding gift from our, I mean my side. The others I mean Akash and Di will give you separate gifts"

"Ok"

They were the first to reach. The pair took blessings from the elders. They were introduced to Khushal and Riana as Arnav's friends and also that Lavanya and family were to stay in their house.

"Nannav, where is the gift?"

"What gift Chotte?"

"Di the gift I brought for them, remember?"

"Oh that..." Anjali trailed off.

"Ok now both of you may go to NK's and look at your gift. And possibly, bring it downstairs?" Arjun suggested

"Ok" they said in unison and went up.

"What will it be NK? Any idea?"

"I have no idea La, will see."

They opened the door to his room and shouted.

"Khushiji???"

"Chamkili????"

Khushi was standing such that her back was facing them.

"Yeah Lavanya ji, Nanheji I'm back." Lavanya rushed to hug Khushi. The girl who had brought positive changes in her life, the person who have taught her the true meaning of love and family

"Wow Chamkili I'm so happy you are back."

"Chamkili? La, why are you are calling Khushiji Chamkili?"

"That is a long story." The girls laughed saying that.

"We should go down now. They'd be waiting." Khushi said and the three friends went downstairs.

Their parents had reached by then. They had only heard about Khushi and were happy to see her. Naani then announced the news of Khushi and Arnav's wedding. After lunch, the youngsters, sans Payal, Aakash, Akshat and Rishi, left for Khushal' new house. Rishi wanted to play with Akshat and Aakash said he'd keep an eye on the kids.

Lavanya told Khushi that she did not want a separate room and was ready to share Khushi's room.

Arnav and Khushi went to arrange Khushi's room. While Khushal and Riana went to their room. NK and Lavanya went to the room in which her parents were to stay and Arjun and Anjali started arranging the living room. Khushi was dusting the walls when Arnav hugged her from behind.

"Arnav, we are here to set up the room, not to romance."

"That doesn't mean we can't romance. They are not mutually exclusive you know"

"But Arnav..."

"Khushi I really want to apo..."

She cut him mid-off by placing a finger on his lips.

"Arnavji, promise me something. You won't apologize again. I am happy how we are now and it will be better if we forget the past."

"But Khushi..."

"No Arnav, it is for the best, if my sister has said it, then that is it" Khushal said as other three couples walked inside.

"When did you all come here?" Arnav asked embarrassed. Khushi was equally embarrassed.

"When you said that you wanted to apologize. But now stop all those and let us have some tea. And for your kind information, we all have completed the works assigned to us, only you are left."

"Bhai, you all were doing it in pairs while I was doing it alone."

"Why? Where was Arnav? Did he not help you?"

"Bhai you probably don't know this, but Arnavji has severe dust allergy. So he couldn't help me."

"Don't worry Khushi we will help you. But, tea is priority." Riana announced

After tea, they all had arranged Khushi's room too they all gathered at Shantivan for dinner.

"So Lavanya bitiya are you happy to stay there?"

"Why not Naaniji, I'll be with Chamkili after such a long time. We haven't seen each other in almost five years."

"And Arnav bitwa, from tomorrow you won't be going to office. Tomorrow onwards we will have the shopping sessions. "

"Ji Naani" Arnav was happy to oblige.

After dinner they went to Khushal's house. Arnav and NK went along to drop them. After chatting for a while Arnav and NK returned.

This time Arnav was really happy not to go to office. It wasn't even half an hour after they had left. Arnav called Khushi.

"Hello". She heard his husky and sexy voice.

"Arnavji it has been only half an hour."

"I really wanted to hear your voice Khushi."

"Really ASR. When did you get so romantic?" Lavanya had snatched the phone from Khushi.

"Lavanya, you"

"Yeah ASR it is me. Why, you don't want to talk to me?"

"Yeah sure, just a minute."

Arnav handed the phone to NK.

"Who Nannav?"

"Your fiancé"

"La?"

Arnav just nodded and went from there.

He went and laid on his bed. After about an hour NK returned the phone to him. He then slept thinking of his Khushi and their future life together. Khushi too was dreaming of Arnav. And she slept in the dreamland.

Next morning Arnav and NK were there along with Arjun and Anjali even before the girls were up. Payal had asked Khushi to do shopping on her behalf. They had breakfast there and went for shopping. The four pairs never knew how the days passed in each other's company shopping and arranging for the marriage. There were just four days left for the day. The two brides had an appointment at the salon on the day. NK insisted on accompanying them there also but Arnav was more practical and instead helped the others in the arrangements. The next day was supposedly the sangeet. The Guptas by this time had shifted to Khushal's house on Khushi's insistence.

Khushi looked like an angel in her Sangeet outfit. Arnav couldn't take his eyes off her when he went to pick them from the spa. They went to Shantivan. Anjali applied a kala tikka behind the neck of the two girls.

"Last time in sangeet we had real fun isn't it Khushi ?" Anjali asked while Arnav smirked.

"Yeah Di. I think we should have a competition this time as well and also that the brides and bridegroom's can also participate. What say?"

"Ok Khushi that will be fun. Anyways only family members are attending the function. It will be awesome."

Everyone agreed to the plan.

Sangeet was set to happen at Shantivan, while the other events such as Mehndi and Haldi were to be held in Khushal's house. Khushi was looking pretty in an orange and yellow gagra-choli which Khushal had designed for her. Lavanya had worn a light blue and baby pink combination gagra-choli from AR designs. Both of them were looking extremely gorgeous. Arnav was in his room, the one near the poolside arranging it as per Khushi's likes. HP was earlier granted permission to clean and dust the room before he started arranging it.

He heard the commotion and knew Khushal was there. He left his job and went down. He got stuck mid-stairs seeing Khushi's beauty.

"Arnav, wait for just two more days and she will be all yours" Arjun said.

Khushi turned to see Arnav gaping at her. She didn't move. Neither did he. Their eyes did the talking.

NK, who was talking to Lavanya walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Nannav, can you teach me this language?"

"Which language??"

"This eyes-eyes talking-talking!!!"

Arnav and Khushi felt embarrassed. Khushi blushed.

"Lavanya learn something from her. You are also a bride and you have no shame" Lavanya's mother said as the others smiled at Lavanya's shock.

"Ok, now we should get the function started. Please do sit in your respective groups." Naani announced.

Arnav and NK were forced to sit opposite Khushi and Lavanya even though they desperately wanted to sit together.

"Must say, the Raizadas are a balanced team isn't it?" Anjali said.

"Maybe Di, you must have forgot though, let me remind you, last time we won. Even then you were the better team" Khushi said.

"But Khushi if it was not me you would not have won!" Arnav said.

"Who is to say that ?? I had managed everything, if it was not for you, I could have still managed to win. I never asked for your help."

"Oh really? You are telling me you would've managed a duet by yourself?"

"Chotte, Khushi bitiya, we are here for your sangeet ceremony, not to have a fight." Naani reminded the couple

"You guys are arguing over it, let me make some changes. Instead of the bridal party and the groom's family, we should have a competition between the men and women. NK bitwa's Mummy and Lavanya bitiys's father will judge the competition."

"Wow that will also be good.!" NK exclaimed

So the five participants from the female team were Khushi, Lavanya, Riana, Buaji and Maamiji and from the male team Arnav, NK, Khushal, Arjun and Akash. Everything was set.

"Ok we should pair them up." Anjali suggested. When there was no objections, she continued.

"Maamiji and Arjun will be a pair and Akash and Buaji will be the other pair. We know the rest." Anjali said much to Arnav and NK's relief.

"And also there will be a final group performance after the winners are announced in that the non-performers can also dance, except Payal. We have to take her health also into consideration."

Finally the competition began. The first to perform were Arjun , Akash , Maamiji , and Buaji. They danced on the song Auntyji from Ek mein aur Ek tu.

The next to perform was NK and Lavanya. They danced on the song 'Ishq wala love' from student of the year. That was a passion filled romantic dance. At last NK picked up Lavanya and the others applauded. At this NK suddenly put Lavanya down. It was an accident. The girls rushed to pick her up while the boys bashed up NK.

The next performance was that of Riana and Khushal. They danced on the song 'Janam janam' from Dilwale. That was a prefect performance.

Then the chance was that of the love birds. Arnav and Khushi danced on their very own song "Teri Meri" from Bodygaurd. That was a passionate dance. They were so lost in their dance that they forgot about the people around them. They could see the love for each other in their eyes. The song finished but Arnav and Khushi were still dancing. All others decided not to disturb them. It was almost half an hour since they had started dancing. The audience finally lost patience after waiting for half an hour.

"Khushi my lovely behna, come out of your dreamland! We have got other things to do" Khushal finally spoke up.

"Hey, why did you stop the music?" Arnav asked.

"What? We didn't stop, it has kind of ended 30 minutes ago."

Khushi and Arnav finally went back to their respective places without looking at anyone else. It was the time for results.

"I'll read out the results. Each person is given marks out of 10." Naani said and took the paper from the judges.

"Arnav bitwa and Khushi bitiya, you both are getting 10 marks each for your half an hour long performance."

Everyone clapped. Now next is Khushal bitwa and Riana bitiya, Khushal is getting 9 and Riana 8. I don't know the reason and there is no need for explanation from the judges.

"NK bitwa, you are getting 8 points for your performance and Lavanya is getting full 10 marks"

"Naaniji that is not fair!" NK said.

"It is fair. You dropping Lavanya was not fair." Everyone shouted at NK. Even his team mates.

"Now Manorama, Madhumathiji Arjun bitwa and Akash bitwa are getting 9 marks each for their performance.

"We won!!!" Khushi exclaimed as Naaniji announced the last set of marks.

They finally had won. It was now the time to announce the best pair and there was no doubt to it. It was Arnav and Khushi. Naanijj gifted her their Khaandaani necklace.

"Naani in fact I also won. Where is my gift?" Arnav asked.

"Chotte, you get or she gets what is the big deal?" Anjali asked.

"Nothing Di. It is not like I can wear that necklace." Khushi pouted at her Arnavji.

"Ok we should have our final dance. now"

They danced on the songs Maahi ve, Ainvayi Ainvayi, Bole chudiyan, Mauja hi mauja, Zingaat and many other songs. They didn't know when the time passed. Anjali was the first to stop, then Garima, Shashi, Buaji, Maamiji, Maamaji, Naani, Akash, Arnav, Lavanya, Arjun, Khushi, Kushal Riana and then finally NK.

After resting or a while they went to have dinner. They had the mehndi ceremony the next day Lavanya's dad and Kushal were asked to come to RM during that time. the male members were to keep out of that function.

After dinner Arnav again went to drop them home. Lavanya was not talking to NK so he decided not to go since it was better for his health.

"ASR no need to call her tonight. I'm going to switch off her phone. We will be having fun so do not disturb." Lavanya said getting out of the car.

"Is it so Khushi? you don't want to talk to me?"

"Arnavji I think not talking will be good. After all ewe have to talk to each other rest of our life right, so why should we miss the chances to enjoy?"

"Oh really. So I won't call you. When you feel that we can talk call me. Let me tell you something Khushi, Lavanya is saying this only because she fought with NK and so she can't talk to him." Lavanya had gone inside. Arnav was leaning on his car and Khushi stood before him.

"Whatever be the reason Arnavji, we will talk tomorrow. I'll call you"

"Ok. Before you go in Khushi, I need to tell you something."

"Yes Arnavji."

"Arnav." He said.

"What?"

"Call me Arnav Khushi. It is high time."

"Arnavji..."

"Arnav." He stressed.

"Arnavj.." before she could say ji, he pressed his lips to hers. It was the briefest of kisses.

"Arnav." She said.

"It worked. Talk to you tomorrow Khushi."

The next day the Raizada ladies were set to go to and Kushal's place for Mehndi and hence Arnav wouldn't get a chance to meet her. Same was the case for Haldi as it was to be held separately in both the houses. It was going to be a long wait. 

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