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Khushi and Lavanya were in their room. It was a tiring but exciting day for both the girls. It was their Sangeet which concluded just a few hours ago.

"Chamkili, can you believe it, we are getting married in two days?"

"Lavanya, I've been married once to the same man, but last time there was nothing of this sort. I never knew that I was to get married that day. But today I'm very excited."

"Chamkili, I never asked ASR about what happened between the two of you. If it is okay, will you tell me?"

"Thinking back is hard. But since I have accepted it Lavanya, I have no problems telling you."

"I really missed you Chamkili. I should actually hate you, but I couldn't bring myself to do that, even when ASR and I split because of you.

"What? I did not know that? What did I do?"

"No Khushi, you didn't do anything. You were just a simple fun loving girl and no one could resist you. Not even the mighty ASR. He called me Khushi, while he was apologizing to me after shouting at me. That was when I realised, he never loved me. It would be you. Remember I told you to take care of him, and that I won't be able to come to your wedding. That was because I thought at that point that I wouldn't be able to get over the fact that ASR won't be mine."

"But Lavanya, Arnav never once told me he loved me..."

"That's probably because he didn't realize it then. Tell me Khushi, what happened that drove you out of the lives of everyone who loved you?"

"Where do I begin Lavanya, you know, even I thought I was in love. Just like that my dreams were shattered when he forced me to marry me. Almost five months later, I got to know that he did that because of a misunderstanding. You know about Shyam no?" Lavanya nodded.

"I tried explaining. One whole month, I just did that. I tried. He wouldn't listen. I decided it would be better for everyone if I just disappeared."

"But, you were wrong. Everything came out in the open soon after you left. I know that. I was back in India for some time around that time. That was when I met NK, you know." Lavanya said with a faint smile.

"You know, if only ASR had realised and confessed his love for you a little bit earlier, we could've avoided all this drama."

"True Lavanya. But, at the same time, I wouldn't have gone to stay with my brother in Mumbai. Nor would I have established myself in the industry."

"So, you think, this separation was a blessing in disguise Chamkili?"

"I don't really know that. But, I would like to believe, everything happens for a reason."

Khushi looked at the nearby clock and exclaimed, "Devi Maiyya, it is so late. We should go to sleep."

"Tomorrow is our Mehndi and the boys are not allowed in it." Lavanya sounded sad over that.

"Lavanya, do you know, last time Nanheji and jiju tried to get into the function and Nanheji almost succeeded at that but was finally caught by buaji."

"What? Really? NK did that?"

"Yeah Lavanya, and to escape Naaniji's wrath, he said that it was all Arnav's plan. I was so shocked to hear that and I said Arnav, at the same time that lady who was doing my Mehndi asked me whose name I want on my mehndi. She ended up writing A"

"Wow. The two of you are destined to be together"

"Yeah Lavanya I think so too. In fact if we think the other way around, we had a Sangeet, I had his name on my Mehndi and you know even Haldi. I never allowed anyone to put haldi on me, but Anjali di had somehow managed to put Haldi on him and he was the one who put Haldi on me. So in short, we had all the rituals fulfilled before our marriage. But today I'm really happy"

"Finally you are getting married to your prince charming isn't it?"

"Yeah. Lavanya, I know it is late, but still, tell me how you met Nanheji?"

"As I said earlier, soon after you left, I was here in Shantivan once. He was also here. Everyone was sad about your disappearance. He was trying to lift everyone's spirits. And you know he is such a flirt. I never thought I would end up with him I really don't know what happened, we ended up being a couple. Naaniji was very happy to see us together. And she asked us to get married soon, but we thought we need more time and instead got engaged. We have been engaged for almost three years now."

"Nice, you know Nanheji was my best friend after you left. I'm so happy for both of you"

"Me too."

"You happy for me or for yourself?" Khushi asked raising one eyebrow.

"Chamkili you..."

She took a pillow and threw it at Khushi and Khushi did the same. After a while they ended up on the bed.

"Khushi, it is our last days being single. Why don't we enjoy ourselves? Remember how we danced on the bed last time."

"And Arnav shouted at us. Yeah that was real fun isn't it.?Let me put some songs."

She went to the music player and Salman Khan's songs started playing. The first was Character Dheela. The girls started laughing when they heard the song.

"Wow Chamkili remember last time I danced on this song Naani was really angry"

"But today no one will be angry. We should enjoy"

They danced forgetting the world around them. Khushal and Riana were outside the room, they heard the commotion inside and came in to see the two girls jumping on and over the bed.

"Khushi what is happening here?"

"Bhai we are enjoying life before we get into the clutches of the two brothers."

"Oh really, can we join?"

"Of course bhai and Bhabhi"

Khushal placed a call to Arnav and told him what was going on. Arnav really wanted to be there but he could not. At least not now. Khushal and Riana eventually got tired and left but neither Khushi nor Lavanya stopped then.

Next morning Naani, Anjali, Payal, Maami, Garima, Buaji and NK's mother came to Khushal's house while Lavanya's dad Rishi and Kushal left for 'Shantivan'. It was the mehndi ceremony.

Khushi and Lavanya were dressed in identical white and red sarees. Both were looking angelic. The song 'Mehndi hein Rachne vaali' was playing in the background while two ladies did the Mehndi for Khushi and Lavanya. Khushi had 'ASR' written on her mehndi and it was well hidden while 'NK' was written on Lavanya's hand.

Meanwhile in Shantivan, the boys were in no mood to be there.

"Nannav, I think we should also go there" NK suggested

"Yeah bhai, I think Payal needs me, she can't even participate, she might be feeling lonely." Aakash agreed with his cousin

Arnav too wanted to meet Khushi as well, but the elders expected him to be more mature. NK's dad, Lavanya's dad, Shashi and Maamaji were hoping for him to say no.

"Maamaji, I think these are very old rituals. I think we all should go"

"Arnav bitwa, but Amma won't like it"

"Maamaji, I'll handle that. Khushal don't you think we should go?" Arnav asked his brother in law.

Khushal was in a fix.

"Arnav let us say Rishi and Akshat were crying and wanted to meet Khushi, Riana and Payal and that is why we are there"

"Nice idea Khushal. But what will we say, to take a child we all need not go. Only 1 or 2 need to go right" Arjun said.

"Arjun, this is just an excuse and the rest we will make up then and there. We don't have time to plan out the entire story, the function will be done by then." Arnav said.

They all left for Kushal's house. As they reached the house, they heard "Mehndi laga ke rakhna" from DDLJ being played . They all went inside and danced to the song leaving the ladies astonished. The ladies didn't hold back and danced with them giving them proper competition while Akash went up and sat next to Payal. After the dance Naani was back in form.

"Chotte, I thought we told you not to come here."

"Naani actually it was Rishi, he wanted to meet Khushi and Riana" Arnav said.

"For that only Khushal needed to come, why are all of you here?" Riana asked.

"How can that be Riana? We couldn't allow just Kushal to crash the ladies function alone. We function as a unit, isn't that right Arnav? We wanted to ensure that if we attend it will be together, else no one would attend." Arjun said, earning a glance from his wife.

"OK then where is Rishi?" Khushi asked, holding back a smile.

The men started looking at each other

"Arnav." Arjun whispered

"What?" Arnav asked.

"Actually, in the hurry we forgot to bring Rishi and Akshat"

"So Rishi and Akshat are not here and you all are here to tell that the kids are missing Khushi bitiya, Riana bitiya, and Payal bitiya?"

"Yeah Naaniji, you guessed it right. Naani is so brilliant, isn't she Nannav?" NK asked.

Khushi and Lavanya were giggling. Arnav glared at them.

"Naani, it is our wedding in two days and we are not even allowed to attend the functions? That is not fair isn't it?"

Finally Naani gave up. Arguing with today's generation was pointless.

"Anyway bitwa you can't attend the Haldi here."

"That is ok Naani. Because after Haldi we will be having Havan, we can meet then right?"

Khushi was too shocked with Arnav's behaviour.

They had lunch and evening tea there. Finally they were about to leave.

"Arnav, please bring Rishi back once you reach RM." Riana told him while glaring at her husband who completely forgot about his son.

"Nannav, I can come back with you when you come to drop Rishi."

"No way NK. In fact, you are going with them and will bring Rishi back here. I'll be here till then." Arnav argued

"Chotte, NK bitwa, you both are coming with us. And Arjun bitwa will drop Rishi bitwa here. Now come on, we need to leave."

Khushi and Lavanya started laughing after they bid bye to their fiancées. The next morning Arnav and NK were made to sit in the hall while the ladies put Haldi on them one by one. Then they sent some Haldi as shagun to Khushal's house.

Garima and Buaji arrived early. Khushi and Lavanya were looking gorgeous in the simple yellow sarees. Garima applied Haldi which was sent from Shantivan Khushi while Lavanya's mother did it for her. Then Riana, Buaji and other ladies put the Haldi on the girls one by one.

Arnav who was always against all these traditions was now silently following each and every one of them. This didn't go unnoticed by Anjali.

"Chotte, last time you remember, I had forcibly put Haldi on you, on Akash's wedding"

"Di, you know after that he wiped that Haldi on Khushiji's dupatta" NK said.

"Really Chotte???"

"Yeah Di." Arnav was slightly embarrassed thinking back to his actions.

"Wow Chotte, that means you both had silently obeyed each and every ritual even then. Sangeet, Mehndi, Haldi. And we thought...."

"So what Di, now you are getting to see our Marriage right. I'm really happy that Khushi is getting her dream wedding"

"So you don't want this?" Anjali teased.

"No Di , if it was up to me, we would have been here together, enjoying NK's wedding instead of getting married again!" Saying this Arnav walked to his room leaving Anjali and others gaping.

Khushi, Lavanya and the others had reached in time for the Havan. Khushi looked at Arnav who was smiling at her from a distance. Flashes of the last Havan came to her mind. She had gone with NK to get ghee and Arnav had come searching for her. He had almost confessed his love on that day. He had bought bangles for her and also he had given the Prasad to her just to see whether she was wearing those or not. If only he had confessed that day... well, it was all in the past

"Khushi? Where are you lost?"

"Nothing bhai."

Arnav and Khushi sat along while NK and Lavanya sat opposite them during the Havan. The pandit began the rituals. All of them were very much excited for the wedding the next day. After Havan they all left. Khushi and Lavanya were forced to go to bed early just because Riana told that they should have a good sleep in order to look fresh.

"Chamkili"

"Hmm, Lavanya"

"I can't sleep"

"Neither can I Lavanya. I am so excited"

"I'm too. Wonder what will they be doing"

Just then both their phones rang. It was Arnav and NK. The girls smiled to each other.

"Hello, Arnav, we were just wondering what you were up to and you both just called"

And they talked and talked till sleep conquered them.

The next morning the beautician came to get the girls ready. Riana was always near them. Both the girls who were excited till now, were feeling nervous. Riana was trying hard to calm them down so was Lavanya's mother.

Finally the day went by and it was soon time for the muhurat. The brides were ready. Khushi was dressed in an red and green Lehenga while Lavanya was wearing a red-blue Lehenga.

The baraat arrived. Arnav was looking Handsome and hot as usual so was NK. Khushal and Riana welcomed them inside. Arnav was desperate to meet Khushi while NK was equally excited to see Lavanya. Arnav was searching the house to catch a glimpse of his Khushi.

"Arnav, just few more minutes, have patience man, she will be here soon" Khushal said.

And there she was, Anjali and Riana led Khushi to the mandap where Arnav was waiting for her. The Pandit began the rituals. Soon Arnav put the garland, tied a mangalsutra around her neck and filled her maang with sindoor and also took the pheras.

They came out from the mandap. Arnav was looking for his shoes, so was NK.

"Arnav, I thought since Lavanya doesn't have any sisters, and Payal is retired hurt due to pregnancy, I should be the one to fill in the spot of your saali." Riana said.

"Riana, you are Khushi's sister in law, then how can you be her sister?" Arnav was bringing in logic. Wrong move.

"Arnav, it is not written anywhere that only the bride's sister can do this. So better find it out. Else, give just 50,000 per shoe, i.e. a total of two lakh rupees for both of you and take back your shoes. Two laks should be a problem for the Raizadas no?"

"Oh hello, we never knew that you will be doing this, else we would have brought spare ones" Arjun was into the conversation.

"You haven't right, so search for it." Riana said authoritatively.

"Ok we will. Come on Aakash and Anji"

They searched for about half an hour, with no luck

"Di , Arjun, Aakash, come back I don't think you will be able to make it. So better Riana take the money."

He handed over the check for two lakh rupees to her.

"Khushi, we win!!!"

"What?" Arnav asked looking at the huge smile on Khushi's face

"Actually Arnav it was her idea. She wanted this ritual also to be performed. Since she forced me I did this. I'm so sorry"

"Khushi you made your husband pay?"

Khushi just giggled, while the others joined her.

Finally it was time for the bidaayi, Khushi bid bye to Khushal, Riana, Rishi and Lavanya's parents. Then Anjali led her to the car.

Naaniji, Payal and Maamiji had already reached Shantivan to welcome the newlyweds into the house. Khushi hit the kalash filled with rice and then as per the tradition, Arnav carried Khushi inside. NK and Lavanya followed. Khushi and Arnav had already reached inside and he had put her down. Just then NK, who was carrying Lavanya, tripped and lost his balance and dropped Lavanya on the floor.

"Ouch" Lavanya yelped in pain as the others gathered around to help her.

"Sorry, I'm so sorry La, I lost my balance"

Lavanya just glared at him. The others were now enjoying while Arnav and Khushi were lost in each other's eyes.

"NK you should not have married me if you don't love me. Why do you keep on dropping me like this?"

"Sorry La, it was just a mistake. Ab saaf bhi kar do"

"Saaf nahi Nanheji maaf" Khushi said tearing her eyes away from Arnav's.

"Yeah yeah that only. That's what I meant. Please Lavanya"

Lavanya couldn't even smile. She was in so much pain.

"OK, now let us go to the living room for the pending rituals" Anjali interrupted the discussion before it could get worse.

The pairs were seated opposite each other. They were to untie the raksha daagas which were tied to their hands. Khushi was fiddling with it and she didn't even realize when he had untied hers.

"Khushi, make it fast ,we have got other things to do" Anjali said

"What, you already untied mine?" Khushi asked Arnav.

"You know something Khushi Singh Raizada, your husband, that is me, Arnav Singh Raizada is very swift in doing things"

"Oh"

It took Khushi a couple more minutes, but she was successful in untying it. Now it was the chance of NK and Lavanya.

NK kept on trying while Lavanya undid his within half a minute. Finally after 10 minutes he was successful.

"Ok, so Chotte and Lavanya have won this round respectively , if Khushi and NK wins this one then both will be having equal hands in their married life. If Chotte and Lavanya wins they will be having an upper hand. We can continue now." Anjali announced.

"This time NK and Lavanya will be first. Now search for the ring in this bowl"

NK and Lavanya started their search. Lavanya found it within seconds.

"So, Lavanya will definitely be having an upper hand in this marriage. Congrats Lavanya" Arjun said.

"Now Chotte and Khushi"

Arnav and Khushi put their hands in the bowl. Arnav kept on moving his hands along with hers trying to touch her. Khushi pinched him while he shot a gaze at her. Finally Khushi found the ring.

"Di, see I got it. So no upper hands in our married life?"

"Yeah right Khushi. You both will be having equal share of opinions in your life"

Arnav was just smiling at them.

"OK, enough of the masti. I think all the rituals have been done, you all should sleep now. I am tired and am going to sleep." Naani said.

"Yeah Naani, I think you are right. Also, I think my brothers are getting restless, right Chotte?"

"Di??"

"Are you trying to tell me you can stay here for a couple more hours Chotte?"

"Di, no, that is not what I meant."

"Ok Chotte as you wish. Khushi, Lavanya what do you two think? Do you want to go now?"

"No Di" Both Lavanya and Khushi said together. Arnav glared at Khushi and she looked away.

"Khushi, Lavanya, I think you need to go now, else these two will go crazy."

Khushi giggled at Arnav while Lavanya glared at NK.

"Anjali beta, you take Khushi to her room and I'll take Lavanya to hers" NK's mom said.

"Ji" Anjali said and winked at Akash and maami.

"Arjun come with me. Chotte come up after fifteen minutes. I'll get her ready by then." She smiled at Arnav as she took a shy Khushi upstairs.

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Next update to be on Wednesday. That will be the last chapter of this story.

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