To Love is amazing,

To be loved, beautiful

When you have them both,

Life is all the more meaningful.

But to the wrongs I caused,

To the tears I brought,

Grant me your forgiveness;

Because lose you, I cannot.

Let's start over,

Let's start afresh,

Because you are all I want,

For now and even after death.

"There's something I would like to confess."

Those were Arnav's next words after he had stopped the family from proceeding for dinner.

Wasn't everything all back to normal now?'

Then what did Arnav want to confess?'

Everyone thought.

.

Arnav sighed as he stepped closer, taking Khushi's hand in his, but not looking at her.

His gaze was instead settled on his family members, who waited eagerly for him to spit out what he wanted to.

And so he did.

He addressed his Nani and Di first, but the agenda was directed at everyone, which he made clear with his eye-contact.

"Not many of you know this, but back to the day when Akash and Payal were to get married and you all had been shocked out of your wits to see me and Khushi unexpectedly married and raised the question, asking for a reason for our hurried decision, the true reason was that-"

He paused as he felt Khushi squeeze his hand, very well knowing that she didn't want him to bring this topic now.

But no, today he wasn't going to stop.

He had very vaguely in the past told Nani and Di that he had married Khushi thinking she was involved with Shyam, but it was high-time he fessed up for his mistakes, because if he called himself really the one writing his own destiny, then he shouldn't shy away from accepting his shortcomings as well.

"The true reason was that I had dragged Khushi to the temple, coerced her into a six months long contract marriage."

.

Everyone gasped in shock at the mere mention of the term contract marriage.

Could they ever empathize with what it would have been like to actually be in one?

Khushi could, of course.

"She had refused it of course, but then I had threatened her saying I will break Akash and Payal's marriage, and hence, she had no choice but to agree to my proposal and get betrothed to me."

Nobody could believe that so much had happened behind their back that night and yet all they could conclude was all based on face value, wherein they had admonished Khushi, and her maiden family even went on to the extent of disowning her.

"I didn't treat her as a wife. In fact, I made her sleep at the poolside during the initial days of our marriage. I called her a gold digger and never even cared to give her the reason for that sham of a marriage!"

Arnav said sarcastically, mocking himself.

Khushi had tears in her eyes as she recalled those dreaded days of her life, where despite not being guilty, she was treated like a sinner.

"I never cared to properly utilize the resources that I generically boast of, the same resources that could have easily told me what kind of a filth that Shyam was, and continued mentally tormenting Khushi with each passing day."

"..When I did tell her the reason I forced her into that marriage, she went beyond boundaries to tell me she was innocent, but when was I ever in the mood of bending or tripping my ego? I ignored her pleas until of course that fateful day I got kidnapped, and in that sphere of despair, days of helplessness, I realized how wrong I had been all along."

His family was staring at him unblinkingly in shock.

Yes, they did know something of the past, but that something wasn't everything.

Nani didn't know what she wanted to do right now.

One part of her wanted to slap her Chotte, for stooping so low to even think of a thing like contract marriage and drag an innocent soul to the cobwebs of it, and another part of her felt broken seeing her ever so strong grandson be this weak person who lamented over the mistakes he committed, and confessed them.

"Di"

He addressed Anjali, while the latter looked at him with moist eyes.

"When I had kicked Shyam out of the house after my kidnapping, you had chided both me and Khushi and thought Khushi was the wrong one. I know now all of that has changed, but di, I still want to admit. I had married Khushi to save yourmarriage, tormented her every second that followed, yet she was the only one who went to save me from the clutches of those goons not for a second caring about her own life. My family didn't even have the inkling that I was in some trouble."

He said as a matter of factly, not blaming anyone for anything but just letting them know what they should have known long ago.

"And Mami."

He now looked at Manorama.

"Isn't it funny that you had yourself confessed how you had tampered with the saree Khushi had brought here the first day she visited Shanti Van, yet you still name call her?"

And she was ashamed.

Yes, she knew how wrong she was for always treating the daughters in law of the house like they were servants, but this coming from her ever dearest Arnav Bitwawas like a thrash on her face.

She looked guiltily at Khushi before darting her eyes at Payal, her own daughter-in-law whom she had treated like a doormat.

Yes, she was not going to be vocal with her admittance of fault right now. But that moment she knew that she will not be her bossy self with these two after this, and she would most certainly start this by calling them by their real names for a change.

She would try.

"And at last but not the least," Arnav now looked away from the family members and settled his gaze on the ever-so fragile face of Khushi, which by now was adorned with tears.

"It is me who has wronged her the most. I failed to recognize her goodness when the word itself is most synonymous with Khushi, I failed to see through the lies of Shyam, when the truth was right in front of my eyes, and I overlooked whatKhushi would be feeling after all these months, when Sheetal came into our lives, knowing very well that the kind of lifestyle I had earlier, could easily put any normal person's mind in jeopardy."

He held her hand close to him as he spoke, his own eyes now brimming with unshed tears, his own insides burning with the realization of how he should have done this long, long back.

He had known it for so long now that Khushi never cared about the riches, the gifts, the luxuries of life. All she did value in life and deemed priceless were relationships. The ones she always placed above everything else. And so, how could he fail her?

He can never fail their relationship.

.

"Khushi, for each and every time I hurt you. For each and every time I made you feel miserable, for each and every time, my family hurt you, for each and every time, I screwed up with my priority list, for each and every time I made you feel anything less than the amazing human being you already are, I'm sorry. Please. Please, mujhe maaf kardo?"

His husky voice choked as he enunciated the last words, and all Khushi could do was wrap her arms around him, her own body and mind so vulnerable with this unexpected turn of events.

Arnav knew she was an epitome of selflessness and forgiving people was her second name. But he didn't care about it, because today he really, really wanted her forgiveness for all the times he had wronged her.

Sure, he never really got a chance for his own redemption because majority of the times, his mind was occupied with either winning her back or showing his superiority, in his own twisted ways.

But the span of these 24 hours, where he faced a peculiar role reversal with Khushi, wherein she had shown him what it was really like to face someone as his own self, he knew that the simplicities of life were far dominant than the intricacies. And hence, sometimes, admitting to one's faults, showing one's vulnerability, and conveying one's love, is not being weak, but only being human.

It's simple yet stronger than anything else.

.

As the family members watched the two souls finally bid adieu to their past musings, they could only pray fervently that this sight was secured forevermore and shielded against all the odds of the world.

Yes, Nani was still angry with Arnav somewhere, as she learnt the entire truth of the past, the one that had only come their way in sporadic and vague formats, but when Khushi bitiya had forgiven Chotte long ago, then she was not going to be the judgmental oldie in the whole scenario.

Yes, for the coming week maybe she will play hard to crack, be her strict grandma form with Chotte, but she will eventually get normal.

Because out of all the things she learned right now, she also knew that her grandson loved his wife more than anything else in the world.

"We are sorry Khushi Ji."

Anjali had said after sometime and all Khushi could do was smile at her, conveying it to her sister in law that she had forgiven them long back.

"You all don't need to say sorry to me. I'm the youngest here. But all I do want from you all is to think a little before acting on it. Trust me, I have learnt it frommy own experience."

Khushi said and giggled at the last words and the family could finally breathe a sigh of relief at getting that beautiful, tinkling laughter of their Khushi back.

.

Yes, she was changed now. But she was still the same.

A paradox?

So be it. Life is all about grey shades after all.

...

..

.

As the family finally had a happy dinner together, Arnav had caught hold of Khushi's hand from under the table.

She tried to wriggle to get free from his hold, but na-uh, you can't really bid a goodbye to ASR's stubbornness, can you?

The family members only looked at the awkward exchanges between the duo, laughing to themselves, knowing very well what was conspiring between them under the table, and only wished that everything remained this way, now and forever.

..

.

As they entered their bedroom finally after the long day, Arnav couldn't resist anymore as he instantly took her lips in his, her whole attire in red being a constant evoker of devilish thoughts in his mind ever since he saw her this evening.

Khushi was taken aback at first with his urgent depiction of passion, but gradually gave in to the kiss as she ruffled his hair with her hands before wrapping them around his neck.

.

The kiss was induced with passion, love, care, affection, and the faith and hope of a new tomorrow, a good tomorrow; the one that they were going to step into,together.

After what felt like eternity, they both parted with the need of air, and Arnav only rested his forehead against hers, not letting her move away.

"I love you."

He whispered in between his hitched breaths while she only smiled and replied,

"I know."

.

"What the?"

Arnav gritted with a frown, not hearing her say the three words back to him while Khushi only chuckled at his irritation and finally with a peck on his cheeks, averred,

"I love you, Arnav Ji. Hamesha."

.

As his lips curved into a smile hearing those words from her, he took out the shimmery diamond wristlet that he had wanted to gift her on the occasion of her first Karvachauth, while she was only surprised at seeing the beautiful piece of jewelry, now sitting on her wrist.

"This is just a small gift for today, and also a prize for being able to stay hungry forthis long."

He deliberately added the last part jokingly, making her gasp and playfully smack his chest, while he only chuckled seeing her reaction.

Oh god!

Even if I don't believe in you, I'm glad you gave me back my crazy Khushi!

He thought.

.

"Khushi!"

He uttered, his face a little serious than his earlier stance.

"I just wanted to tell you that I will support you and be by your side no matter what you do. And also that I'm really, really happy that you are to start a new venture, with what you like the most."

Her happy face silently fell a little as he said that, making him alert instantaneously.

"Khushi, you okay?"

He asked in a concerned tone while she only smiled faintly before replying,

"Arnav Ji, that project is off. I'm not going to be a part of it. At least, not now."

.

Arnav was confused and surprised, both at the same time.

Was she upset over something?

Or did she need some help?

He was contemplating the two possibilities, when suddenly he watched her walk to the closet and take something out of the drawer.

In quick strides she reached him and handed him a piece of paper.

.

.

PREGNANCY: POSITIVE.

His eyes remained still, opened wide in shock as he read the bottom line of the report, the bottom line of their lives together right now, and felt like this was too good to be true.

I mean how?

I mean what?

I mean when?

For the first time ever, Arnav Singh Raizada was tongue-tied and ensnared in a time warp- the one that hinted that he was going to have his new family withKhushi, something he had always, always envisioned.

"Aap theek toh hai?" (Are you even fine?)

It was the first time Khushi had asked him this, instead of the ritualistic other way around, and all he could do was pull her entire frame into a bone-crushing hug.

.

.

His happiness, his euphoria, his surprise, his realization- everything was combined into one as he pulled her as close as possible, kissing her hair, as the feeling of their impending parenthood slowly sunk in.

.

As they parted after a while, Arnav only asked her,

"Tum theek ho?"

.

Phew!

Finally!

Khushi exclaimed in her mind, happy to see her normal husband back from his stupefied state of moments ago and thanked her Devi Maiyya for the same.

She only nodded at that question with a smile and that's when Arnav reckoned that she might have gone to the hospital this morning.

"So today you had gone to the hospital?"

She affirmed to that question too with a nod before saying,

"Actually I went there yesterday itself, after meeting Shea. I was confused with the nausea and other stuff too."

She blushed slightly before adding,

"So the doctor got some tests done, and today morning, I only went to collect the reports."

.

Arnav was beyond elated at this moment.

His Khushi was pregnant.

He was going to be a father.

Man, could this even be real?

.

He softly brushed his lips against hers before having another thought pop up in his head.

He was reluctant to ask her this, but after everything that he had vouched for, it was quintessential that he did.

"Khushi, are you happy? I mean, you just wanted to have a career and this pregnancy... I mean, this is the best thing that has ever happened to me after you, Khushi, but you do know right, that this choice is yours? I will be with you and support you no matter what-"

"Arnav Ji, ssshhh."

She stopped him from uttering anything further and only hugged him with all her strength.

"This is our first baby Arnav Ji. Yes, I have changed my outlook towards life, but that doesn't mean I am changed. I will always be who I am, and I love the fact that I'm going to be a mother and you, a father. I will have a career Arnav Ji, it is not implausible, right? But for now, this baby is all I want, along with you of course."

And he fell in love with her all over again.

..

.

As they stood close to each other, Arnav had a thoughtful expression on his face.

Khushi was going to ask him what he was thinking when he himself popped the answer,

"I want a baby girl, Khushi."

Khushi chuckled hearing that.

Rewind to one year back, having Arnav Singh Raizada think about having a baby girl, that too with her? She would have choked on her countless quantity of jalebis.

But this was now, and now was beautiful.

Beautiful than she could ever imagine it to be.

And so with a smile on her face, she said,

"But I want a boy."

.

Arnav quirked a brow at that and said that he was sure that they were having a girl child.

Khushi too followed suit with her theory and that went on for long, before Khushi finally said,

"Regardless of a boy or a girl, I know one thing for sure."

"What?"

Arnav asked instantly.

"She or he can't be a clone of us. That doesn't even happen in movies."

She winked and all Arnav could do was break into laughter, cherishing every moment with this extra-witty yet pagal Khushi, who was now this rare and lovely combination of crazy, mature, and amazing.

.

As he picked her up in his arms and headed towards the bed, he knew that the past was in the past now, and this was their present, and he was going to makeeach moment of it count.

The family could wait till tomorrow to hear the good news.

And so love does conquer all,

When trust comes with it.

Wrongs have to turn into right,

And bonds become close-knit.

She was wronged, she had cried

But today, she was out from the treason

Because in the end the truth was that,

His love roared louder than her demons.

**

THE END.