Thanks for being patient with me. I have to spilt this chapter into two parts because it have 11000+ words

Arnav opened the room and walked
inside holding her hand. Khushi ran her eyes all over the neatly arranged room.

"This was the room where I used to hide when I and maa used to play hide and seek. I was small and always hide behind that curtain. At that time I thought that she can't see me when I used to hide here." Arnav pointed at the curtain in the guest room.

After getting out of the shower Arnav had taken Khushi for a house tour. He wanted to show her the house where he has grown up.

"Well, it's a common thing in every parent's life." Khushi commented looking around the room. He took her hand and walked out of the guestroom.

"This corridor used to be our racing platform. I had a craze for remote cars and we used to play car races. I always used to win against maa or Hari kaka." Khushi knew that he grew up alone, without many friends.

"You never told me this." She complains like a child.

"I never played it after..." He stopped and looked at Khushi who lightly squeezed his hand.

"It's okay. I'm happy that you told me this." Arnav showed her almost all the room except one.

"Arnav, what about that room?" Khushi saw a locked room bit away from his parent's former room. She is about to move towards the room when he held her hand to stop her. When she turned around, she saw a very disturbed Arnav.

"I don't want you to go to that room, even if it's the last place in this whole world." He said looking at the big brown door which is being locked. There is a window near to that room which is also closed.

"Is that..." Khushi muttered to herself understanding that it is the room where his mother died by hanging. That's the same window where he stood watching his mother die slowly in front of him.

"...the room I fear the most in my life." He answered her unspoken question. She turned towards his and cupped his face with her hand.

"Are you okay Arnav?" She looked at the broken man in front of her.

"I will be, just don't leave me." She hugged him burying her face onto his neck while stroking his back.

"I will be always with you." She replied and decided to divert the topic. They broke the hug and she took him away from there.

"You told me that you have a surprise for me. Did you forget about it?" She questioned him on their way.

"No, I didn't forget about it. Come with me." Arnav took her to the backyard towards a big mango tree.

"This is the surprise I told you. Remember I told you about something that is close to me from my birth."

"You mean this tree was the thing you mentioned to me?" She asked.

"Yes, according to maa, this tree is my twin."

"Twin?" She is amused by it.

"When my maa was pregnant with me, she had this craving for mangoes. One day she had this delicious mango and she decided to germinate the seed. I was born and this got germinated on the same day. It may be weird, but maa took care of this tree as if it's her child."

"That's a wonderful, yet weird story." She giggled leaning onto him.

"Anyway, maa named it meethi because of the sweet mangoes it bears."

"You had a twin and I never knew it. Now introduce me laadgovernor." She slapped his shoulder and entwined her arm with his arm.

"Well, meethi know about you."

"How?"

"Well, why don't I show you that?" He asked raising his head.

"Come, let's climb." He took her hand and started walking towards the tree.

"Arnav...wait...wait...we can't just climb like that?"

"Why? We have already climbed a lot of trees baby." He questioned.

"What about others? We have a function to attend."

"We have time to climb a tree. For now, concentrate on your husband than on others." Saying this he placed the ladder on the tree.

"Which newlywed would do such a crazy thing?" Khushi asked rolling her eyes.

"Well, finally your craziness rubbed in me." He teased her.

"My craziness!! Laadgovernor, aren't you the one who does every crazy thing and put me in uncomfortable positions?"

"We can try some comfortable positions of your liking baby." He said adjusting the ladder.

"Shameless man."

"Totally yours baby. Now let's climb, I'm will be behind you. When you reach the end, keep standing there." He instructed her and she started to climb the ladder slowly while he made sure that her legs were placed on the plank. Once she reached on top of the ladder, Arnav jumped to the nearby branch and came beside Khushi. He took her hand and made her step onto the branch carefully. He made her sit on the branch where she can have the support of the main tree.

"It feels amazing here." Khushi said looking at the greenery surrounding her. She sat on the branch with her legs on two sides while he sat opposite to her.

"Now tell me how meethi knows me." Khushi asked her husband.

"Before that let me kiss my sexy wife." Saying this he wrapped his arms around her waist and lean closer to her.

"Arnav, what if someone sees us?"

"All these years nobody saw us our tree kisses. Let's go with that instinct." Saying this he placed his lips on her and slowly they got lost in the kiss.

They broke the kiss and wheezed to breathe.

"I like our tree kisses. They are hell sexier." He said tucking a few strands of hair behind her ear.

"You like everything we do laadgovernor." She replied pulling his nose.

"Now tell me about meethi."

"Well, maa took care of meethi very well. I used to climb on this whenever maa is angry at me. She would be standing under this tree and pleading me to get down. She would tell me that she wouldn't scold me or get angry to make me come down. I was such an innocent boy and comes down only to get scolded by her." He narrated with a small smile on his face.

"Now I know how you learned all those monkey moves." She teased him.

"You can say that. Later meethi become my source of solitude. There were several days when I used to drink and smoke sitting on these branches. When all those nightmares get too much, this was where I used to come. I even used to hide my drugs in small holes up there." He pointed at the top branch.

"Fuck... I am talking too much since we came here."

"I like that you are talking too much with me." Saying this she hugged him, placing her face on his chest.

"I'm here for you." She runs her fingers through his hair lovingly. She broke the hug and stroked his cheek.

"Are you okay Arnav?"

"I'm okay and happy. So happy, that it's hard to express it."

"I can understand."

"It's like you are stranded in a desert for a long time and all of a sudden you see the land. That's what I feel now." She smiled at him.

"Then what happened after you saw the land?"

"I rushed to the land and saw this beautiful girl standing in front of me."

"That's so unexpected."

"Yeah, then she came to me and we kissed like there is no tomorrow." He teased her, but she gave a reply by kissing him hungrily. Their kiss got heated and there is a war of tongues between them. They kissed each other with passion while holding onto each other. Arnav locked his leg with each other so that they won't fell.

As soon as they broke the kiss, they heard Hari Prakash calling them. He reached near the tree and turned around when he noticed their disheveled hairs. Khushi turned her head to the other side and blushed.

"Your dadi is calling you Arnav beta. She wants Khushi bitiya to get ready for the function." He informed them.

"We will be there soon kaka." HP left from there with a smile.

'He is indeed a Mallick. High on testosterone.' HP thought and walked away.

"This is the most intense tree kiss we have ever had baby." He said turning her face towards him.

"How will I face HP kaka now? I'm so embarrassed."

"What is there to be embarrassed? You were kissing your legally, spiritual, and all freaking bounded husband. It's not like that he walked in the middle of our fusion sessions."

"You are incorrigible laadgovernor. Such a dirty mouth you have."

"Let me see what you will say about this dirty mouth tonight." He winked and jumped from the branch. He helped her to get down and they went to their room. Sumithra sends the dress and ornaments for Khushi and she started to get ready for the function. She was about to wear the ornaments send by dadi but Arnav stopped her.

"Don't wear it." He told her and took away the necklace from her hand.

"Why?"

"Because it's my mother's."

"Ohh...I didn't know that. I thought..." For a moment she felt disappointed when he told her not to wear the ornaments belongs to his mother. Then she understood that it must be hard for him to see all these things again.

"I don't want you to wear these things which were a part of her ill-fated marriage. I don't want us to start our forever with these things." Saying this he took out a box from his bag.

"I was planning to gift this later, but now it's yours." He gave her the box and asked her to open it. There is a beautiful diamond necklace with matching earrings in the box.

"It's beautiful Arnav."

"Perks of being the brand ambassador of jewelry. It's from their limited edition. When I saw it, I bought it for you."

"When did you buy it?"

"Four months back."

"Did it cost a lot?" She couldn't help but ask it.

"Not even close to this ring." He replied placing a kiss on her ring finger.

"Did you buy this ring from them too?"

"Technically yes, that story can wait till our honeymoon. Now let's get ready for the function." He moved towards the wardrobe to take out the suite.

"Arnav, you can't attend the function. It's ladies only."

"And who will stop me from attending my wife's mukhdikayi function.

"Arnav..."

"Baby, do you need my help to wear the necklace?"

"No..." She knew that he will tease the hell out of her if she let him help her with the necklace. Once they get ready, she moved towards Arnav and held his hand.

"Arnav, please behave well in the function. I don't want you to fight with dadi again."

"I will behave well if everyone does the same. Otherwise, I can't promise anything."

"I don't want you to fight with anyone."

"I'm not going to fight baby. It's more of a give and take thing."

"I know how you give and take thing." Arnav turned towards her and wrapped his arms around her waist bringing her close to him.

"Baby, we will be wasting our time if we continue to argue on this topic. We have a long day ahead and we should concentrate on that." He placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Don't worry about anything. I know what I'm doing." He rubbed her lips with his thumb.

"You look, gorgeous baby." He said making her blush and kissed her gently.

Dadi came to their room to take Khushi to the function.

"You didn't wear the jewelry I gave you?" She questioned.

"I asked her not to wear it. She doesn't need anything related to maa's marriage."

"In that sense, you are an outcome of that marriage." Sumithra taunts Arnav.

"I'm the only exception then. Anyway, my wife won't wear those things."

"Okay, I don't want to argue with you Arnav. I'm here to take you to the function."

"I will bring her to the function" Arnav answered immediately.

"You can't attend the function Arnav."

"And who will stop me from attending the function?"

"What kind of behavior is this Arnav?"

"The right kind of behavior, I assume."

"You can't attend the function."

"Well, you have to options dadi. I will be attending the function or cancel the function. You can choose whatever option you want." He said lightly squeezing Khushi's hand to calm her down. Dadi looked at Arshi and left from there in anger.

Soon HP came there and told them that dadi is waiting for them. He informed her to veil her face with the dupatta on reaching the hall.

"Now let's hide my wife's beautiful face." Saying this Arnav covered her face with the dupatta.

"Come, everyone is waiting to see Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada." Saying this he took her to the hall. Khushi held his hand and he lightly squeezed her hand when he saw the people. He made her sit on the decorated chair and crouched to see her.

"Don't be nervous. Just be Mrs. ASR. I will be around you. Call me if you need anything." Saying this he moved away from her. She followed what Arnav told her. She smiled at the ladies and sat there receiving the gifts and blessings.

Few minutes after the function started, they could see people murmuring to each other. One lady named Sitara started talking to Sumithra while a few ladies stood beside them.

"Sumithraji when I heard about Arnav beta's marriage, I thought it would be with that actress. I never expected that he would get married to an ordinary girl, that too an amputee. So I have this doubt in my mind, I hope you won't get offended. Does he have any problem? You know like some problem which restricts him from having a marital life?" She asked Sumithra.

"I don't know. Last month he told me that they were in a relationship for a long time and all these happened within a month." Sumithra answered.

"You must have got a hefty amount as dowry as she is an amputee." Lalitha commented which is countered by Sitara.

"Don't be foolish Lalitha. I have heard that her father is an accountant and they are a middle-class family."

"Anyway Sumithraji, you have a big heart to accept such a girl into your family. You know from other religion and without any money, over that disabled. I don't think that I can do something like this." Sumithra stood there not knowing what to say. That's when she heard Arnav's voice calling for everyone's attention.

"Thanks for all of you for coming here. Now let's introduce each other." Saying this he lifted her veil and sat beside her.

"This is my beautiful wife Mrs. Khushi Gabriel Arnav Singh Raizada." He turned towards her and held her hand.

"Let me introduce a few people to you baby."

"First of all, let's meet Mrs. Khanna." He looked at Mrs. Khanna who stood there proudly.

"We already met each other Arnav beta."

"But still I want her to know more about you, Mrs. Khanna."

"Stop calling me as Mrs. Khanna, Arnav beta."

"Sure Sitara aunty. Well baby she seems to be an innocent and elegant lady but she is quite the opposite. Her husband had erectile dysfunctions and she had an affair with Mr. Saxena whose wife stand right next to her."

"Arnav, what are you saying?" Sitara felt insulted.

"Well aunty, that's the truth." He said loudly and turned towards Khushi who tried to stop him.

"You know what the funny thing. Mrs. Saxena let her husband fuck Sitara aunty because she doesn't want to jeopardize her lavish life. Now they are talking as if they are a saint." Likewise, he spilled the dirty truth of most of the ladies who insulted Khushi.

"You must be wondering how I know about all these? Well, my dadi bitch about all of you with one another." Saying this he gets up from there and made her stand next to him.

"So anyone wants to wish or bless my wife can come forward now." He announced as he wrapped his arms around her shoulder. Khushi stood there looking at everyone nervously.

"Okay, it's a wrap then. I know that a lot of you have some questions in your mind. My answer to those questions is, my life is none of your business and gets the fuck out of my house and life now itself." He paused for a moment and continued.

"Hope you all had a wonderful time. Thank you." He guided Khushi to their room. Sumithra looked at the guest and gritted her teeth in anger.

Arshi reached their room and Khushi turned towards Arnav.

"Arnav I know that those aunties have said something, but this is not the way to deal it."

"So I should have sat there with my mouth shut?" He questioned her raising his eyebrows at her.

"No, what I..." Her talk was interrupted by Sumithra who knocked on their door.

'Fuck, this lady won't give me any peace.' Arnav thought before opening the door.

"Arnav, you have insulted me by doing that stunt in the function. Why did you do that?" She demanded an answer from her grandson.

"I didn't do anything, I just told some truth."

"They were also saying some truth and you don't have any right to insult them like that."

"I freaking have the right to honor the dignity of my wife. I'm not Arvind Mallik to turn a blind eye to all that." Arnav taunted.

"They didn't say anything wrong. All we did was that we wholeheartedly support you when you wanted to get married to this poor disabled girl. Is this the way you repay our kindness?" Sumithra said in anger while Arnav got triggered by what his dadi said. Khushi got startled when she heard Sumithra saying all those things about her.

"GET OUT...I SAID GET THE HELL OUT OF MY ROOM NOW." Arnav shouted in extreme anger and Sumithra went away from there. Arnav shut the door loudly as soon as she stepped out of their room. He gritted his teeth in anger and fisted his hand tightly. Khushi saw this and hugged him. She runs her hand over his back and asked him to calm down.

"It's okay Arnav. Calm down please." She chanted it like prayer until his anger slowly melted down. She felt him pulling her close to his body.

"I'm sorry baby, I'm sorry that you had to hear all that." He whispered into her ear with a lot of guilty. She broke their hug and made him sit on the bed with her. She held his both hand and looked at him.

"Arnav, I know that you are angry about what happened in the function and with dadi. What they said was true but..."

"What the f**k Khushi? Why the hell..." She covered his mouth with her hand as he gets angrier.

"Shh... laadgovernor, let me complete it first. What I meant is that compared to you, I'm from a middle-class family and a person with a disability. It's hard for them to accept it. It's not only their problem, there is a lot of people who find it hard to believe that we are together. You told me that people have flaws that are hidden and visible. They don't know me, but it didn't stop them from being prejudice or badmouthing me. Ignore it as their flaws. Arnav, I don't want you to pick a fight with your dadi from now. She was conditioned to be like this from childhood and it's hard to change someone with force. I'm not saying that I'm not hurt by her actions but I hope that in future she will change her opinion regarding me. It can be done by force, maybe she will realise it by seeing our relationship. Just give her time." She brought his hand and kissed his knuckles.

"I know that there is a lot of bashing and badmouthing going on and off-net. I decided to keep all that aside and concentrate on our relationship. Arnav, you can get angry whenever someone says something about me. Some people may use this against you and I don't want that to happen. Let them bash or badmouth me because at the end of the day I have you here with me. Let's focus on the positive aspects of our life from now. May be our marriage will change at least the perception of a few people towards disability. Maybe some couples like us will get a ray of hope through our relationship. Please don't be angry like this." She innocently told him while he sat there staring at her face.

"You are so good and amazing baby."

"That makes two of us." She said kissing his cheeks.

"If someone bitch about you in front of me, I can't promise to keep calm."

"That I know and we will work together to tackle this meanie boos." She giggled as he pulled her towards him.

"We are together in this laadgovernor. Just stick with me."

"Don't complain later that I'm sticking too much." He teased her.

"Never" Khushi replied without thinking about the consequences while her wicked husband already planned something in his mind.

Arnav and Khushi get ready to leave for the reception arranged by Davis. They went to the venue and saw her parents and relatives waiting for them. Davis asked them to get changed into the reception dress. Payal and Kasi was there to help Khushi. When they were alone, Payal teased the hell out of Khushi who kept blushing and blushing.

After getting ready in a black sherwani, Arnav came to see Khushi who looked stunning in a red banarasi saree.

"F**k, we are going to have a wild night later." He said as soon as he reached near her.

"Can't you think of anything else laadgovernor?" She taunted poking her finger in his chest.

"You in a saree is such a tease and you look freaking gorgeous."

"And you look so handsome my hubby." She said placing her head on his chest and hugging him.

"I'm so happy Arnav. Ammi, abba, and Kasi all seem to be happy." He stroked her head and kissed near her vermillion filled hair partition. She looked at him from his chest and thought about something. She moved away and took hold of his hand.

"Hmm, Arnav will you be comfortable to meet all these people?"

"I don't mind doing this now because I want everyone to know that I'm taken by you. So let's do this." He replied dropped a kiss on her forehead making her smile.

"Well, for your information I invited Yash to this reception?"

"What the f**k? Why will you do that baby? Yesterday you told me that you invited that asshole Akash and now this dork. What were you think when you invited him?"

"He needs a closure Arnav. I met him a few months back. Even though he had a girlfriend, I felt that he was still hanging on to me. He kept asking about our relationship and I felt that this will help him to get over whatever feelings he has for me."

"You are impossible baby."

"And Arnav, don't act like a jealous man when you see him."

"When did I act like a jealous man? I was never jealous of anyone."

"Seriously laadgovernor, what about that look you gave to every man around me."

"That wasn't jealous. I was just territorial. You know, making sure that they don't violate your personal space."

"You are something Arnav." He wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered into her ears.

"I will show you what exactly that something when we will be together in our room." He nipped her earlobe for a few seconds and moved away. He looked at her for a moment and pecked her lips.

"If I kiss you, I may ruin your hair and makeup. Let's kiss when we are alone in our room." He winked making her blush. Davis made sure that Arnav and Khushi have their food before the reception as he knows that they won't get time in between.

The reception started soon. Arnav made sure that Khushi don't stand for a long time and helped her manage the saree. He is perfectly fine with people taking selfies with them and warmly interacted with every guest. He met a lot of people whom he only knew through her words. He is proud to meet her colleagues from the NGO she works for. A few years back, Khushi started actively participating in an NGO which works for the betterment of differently-abled people in the state. She couldn't stop smiling seeing the way Arnav responded to her friends and acquaintances.

When Yash came towards them, her possessive husband wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Khushi mentally face palmed when he did that in front of everyone.

"Arnav this is Yash, he was my senior in art college. And Yash, this is Arnav..."

"...her husband cum former boyfriend. For some security reasons, she wasn't able to reveal our relationship. Anyway nice to meet you Mr..."

"Yash Verma."

"Yes, Mr. Verma. Weren't you one of the guys who came to invite me for your art fest?"

"Yes." Yash looked at Khushi who looked beautiful in her red saree. He felt heartbroken when he saw her hair partition filled with vermilion and the mangalsutra hanging on her neck.

"Wish you a happy married life Khushi." He said forwarding his hand to her. She smiled at him and shook her hand with him. Yash didn't want to let go of her hand, but she forcefully pulls out her hand before her short-tempered husband took things in his hand. Yash looked at the photographer and stood next to Khushi for the photo. Seeing this Arnav came in front of her and wiped her forehead stating that she is so sweaty. It was hard for Yash to see Arnav calling her baby and touching her. Arnav moved Khushi a bit away and stood in the middle of Yash and Khushi. He looked at the photographer and asked him to take the picture. Arnav mentally smirked seeing the annoyed face of Yash. After clicking the pic, Yash left from there.

Around 9, they wrapped up the reception. It is only Arshi and her family members left in the venue. Her relatives from Israel informed them that they will be returning the next day. Her cousins invited Arshi to their homes and asked them to visit their country when they get time. Arnav promised them that they will be visiting them. Before returning to shantivan, Davis talked with Arnav and Khushi.

"Arnav, will two of you be free tomorrow morning?"

"Yes abba, we don't have anything planned yet." Arnav told him.

"What is it abba?" Khushi asked out of concern.

"I, Eli, and Kasi are planning to visit your house tomorrow. We are coming to invite you to the family feast and stay over."

"We will be waiting for all of you abba." Arnav replied and they left to Shantivan.

Once they reached their room, Khushi pulled him for a kiss which turned into an intensely passionate kiss. When they broke up, they were gasping for breath.

"Thanks for being such an amazing man." She said hugging him tightly.

"Then thanks for being such a sexy wife." He teased dropped a kiss on her head.

"So you ready to meet Mrs. ASR?" She ran her index finger from his forehead to his lips.

"Yes, then only I can show my passionate side." He winked moving his hands to her bare midriff.

"Such a beautiful saree, only to be discarded on this floor."

"You are talking too much laadgovernor." Saying this Khushi started to unbutton the front buttons of the sherwani. Soon their hands got busy in removing each other's dress. Arnav scooped her in his arms and they get lost in their world of passion.

Arnav and Khushi laid down next to each other gasping for breathing after hours of passionate lovemaking. He turned towards her and stared at her sweaty face.

"Why do you always look so beautiful?" He asked her.

"They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

"Everything about you is beautiful baby." He turned to his side and dropped a kiss on her bare shoulder. She blushed seeing his eyes running all over her body. She took hold of the blanket and covered her torso.

"A few minutes earlier, I was all over you and now you are feeling shy!!" He teased her.

"Your looks make me shy laadgovernor." Saying this she wrapped her arms around his body and placed her head on his bare chest.

"Is there any discomfort?" He questioned knowing that they were wild.

"Nothing, you took great care of me."

"Sleep baby." She nodded her head and pulled the blanket over him. His hand found its way to her bareback.

"Don't be naughty laadgovernor."

"Well it's hard not to be naughty but I will try." He said pulling her closer to him.

"I like sleeping like this, skin to skin." He whispered to her.

"Goodnight hubby."

"Goodnight my sexy vixen." That earned a punch on his biceps and they slept peacefully.

Khushi jolted out of her sleep when she heard a scream. She looked at Arnav who is screaming for his mother with his hand up.

"Arnav...Arnav..." She called him and he opened his teary eyes. He stared at her for a moment and hugged her tighter.

"It's okay...you are safe now..." She chanted while running her hand on his back. At this moment she didn't care about their bareness. All she wanted to do is to comfort and support him. She felt his breathing coming back to normal. She moved back and placed her hand on his cheek.

"You are not alone anymore." She placed a kiss on his cheek and took the bottle from the table.

"Here, drink this." Arnav gulped down the water and sat there for a few seconds with his eyes closed. She pulled the blanket till her chest to cover her bosoms.

"Do you want to talk about it or lie down?"

"Let's lie down baby." They lie down on the bed facing each other. He entwined her fingers with his fingers and held it close to his heart.

"I never thought that I will get nightmares today. Seems like this room haunts me even now." He started to talk while she gave her full attention to him.

"You want to talk about it?" She asked and he brought her hand to kiss it.

"It was like that incident happening in front of me. Maa looking at me with teary eyes as she suffocates to death. I feel like I'm being paralyzed and kept calling for her. I can see her hand clenching on her saree while her legs paddled on air. Those sounds she made, all those kept flashing in front of me." He stopped his talk and tear rolled down from his eyes. She wiped his tears and placed a kiss on his forehead.

"I can't promise to take away those painful memories, but I will make sure that you won't face it alone from now onwards." Arnav smiled at her words and hugged her placing his head on her bosoms. Khushi wrapped her arms around him and stroked his hair lovingly. She placed a kiss on his head and asked him to sleep. He hugged her like a child seeking the warmth of his mother. She wiped her tears and hugged him tighter.

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