It was just another day in RM. The lounge was crowded by the family members. Everyone including Arnav and Khushi were present there occupying the couches. All of their gazes were fixed on Arnav who had gathered them in the hall stating that he wanted to talk about something important. And now it's been quite a while for the family, sitting there waiting for Arnav to open his mouth but not a single word was uttered by him.

By now everyone was getting more and more curious and impatient. It was not like every day , that all of them were gathered together by Arnav like this. Family knew that it was definitely something really important for which they were called.

Khushi glanced at her husband who was sitting beside her, lost in deep thoughts. His wrinkled forehead and twitched eye brows were giving away the signs of him being immersed in something really important. His eyes were fixed on the wall ahead.

"Arnav-ji" Khushi shook his shoulder lightly bringing him back from his own world, trying to gain his attention.

Averting his gaze from the wall, Arnav looked at his right side, only to find a confused face of his wife. She was looking at him with questioning gaze.
He raised his brow as if asking what?.

"Arnav-ji everyone is waiting for you to speak. Please tell, why have you gathered us here?? What was the thing you wanted to tell??"

"Yeah choty, we can't wait any more. Don't test our level of pateince and tell us what you wanted to say.." Anjali said with pleading eyes.

"I am waiting for few more people to join us. Only then, I am going to tell you everything." Arnav said taking a long sigh.

"For whom Bhai?? For whom are you wait--"

Aakash was cut short as the door bell rang. Everyone turned their gazes towards the door and then towards Arnav who was suddenly looking a bit tensed.

"I think they are here....HP!! Get them in.." Arnav said first to his family and then to the servant who immidiately nodded his head and ran towards the door.

"Bua-ji? Amma??Babu-ji?" Khushi stood up from her place just as she saw her family entering the hall.

"Arnav-ji?" Khushi nudged him with her elbow gesturing towards her parents and buajii.

"I invited them Khushi..." Arnav announced as he got up from his place and moved towards them. Bending down along with Khushi, they took there blessings. Straightening back, he asked them to have seat.

"Arnav Babua, is everything fine?? Does this sankadewi have done any kind of mischief?? Has she irritated you?? Tell me and I am going to pull and twist her ear." Bua-ji asked eyeing Khushi suspeciously whose mouth formed a perfect O-shape listening to her bua's accusations.

"No bua-ji, it's nothing like that. Actually I wanted to talk about something really important with you people...ehh...no..scratch that...I wanted to tell you something.." Arnav said eyeing both the families.

"Okay...choty...now please enough of suspense. Come straight to the point and tell us Everything..comeon...hurry up!!" Anjali chided impateintly.

Passing her a small smile, Arnav nodded his head and started speaking.

"Uncle, Aunty and Bua-ji...thanks for considering my request and coming here. I wanted....I wanted to talk you about...about my and Khushi's....about our first marriage." Arnav said a bit hesitatingly.

As soon as the words left his mouth, he found Khushi going stiff besides him. He looked at her and saw her looking him wide eyed. Upon meeting his gaze, she shook her head in no gesturing him to stop. Nodding in head in a yes, Arnav held her hand in his squeezing it lightly, gaining the much needed warmth and support from her soft one.

"Khushi, I want you to be with me in this." He said looking in her eyes.

"Arnav-ji, no, you don't need to do this. There is no need to scratch the old wounds." Khushi said with misted eyes. Her heart was gripped in fear. She knew exactly, what her husband was upto.!!

"It is important. It is needed. I want all of them to know that you were innocent. They should know that it was me who acted like a jerk." Arnav said in a determined voice.

Before Khushi could say something further, she was stopped by Nani-ji.

"Choty, we all are waiting for you to speak. What do you wanted to talk about your first marriage?? Will you both mind telling us.." Nani said in a stern voice.

Gulping the lump in his throat, Arnav nodded his head and started speaking.

"That day...that day on Aakash and Payal's wedding day...me and Khushi...we didn't elope. We didn't elope at all as all of you think." Arnav revealed earning loud gasps from his family and the Gupta's.

"Arnav-ji, please don't..." Khushi tried to stop him. Her eyes pleading him with tears in them.

Arnav looked away from her tear filled gaze and shake head his negatively.

"Let me, Khushi. it's important. All of them should know the reality behind it." Arnav said looking around at the the families who were witnessing their interaction with confused faces.

Clutching Khushi's hand in his more tightly, Arnav started again.

"That day, I wanted to confess my feeling towards Khushi to her. It was during Akash's wedding that I realized my feelings for her. I realized that I....that I lo....I love her. As the realization dawned upon me, I wanted to share it with Khushi. I was waiting for a chance to talk with her. When I saw her going towards terrace, I followed her there. But....what I saw there....I....I saw here there with Sh-Shayam...I misunderstood everything. I misunderstood her to be in a secret affair with that...with that bastard. I was so angry and hurt...I thought that she had bluffed me aswell as di...I was so angry that I couldn't think straight..instead of confronting her, I went to that scumbag and he manipulated me saying he and Khushi love each other....I was beyond angry...."

Arnav stopped and took a long breath. He looked around to see both the families looking at him with shock evident faces. His gaze travelled beside him, only to find the tear strikened face of his Khushi..

"At that time, I was so angry to think straight. I just wanted to punish both of them. But then we got the news of dii's pregnancy. I stopped myself from telling the thruth. I was thinking for some other way to keep...to keep...Khushi....to keep her away from from....from....dest-destroying dii's married life..."

Arnav took a pause as the memories of that painful day hit him hard. What a painful day it was?? The starting of the day was soo beautiful but the end...it became a dreadful nightmare for the pure soul sitting beside him.
Taking a deep sigh, he shook his head vigorously trying to get away with the painful thoughts. He got up from the sofa leaving a teared Khushi behind.

"I threatened her to marry me....marry me for six months. It was a contract marriage. I refused to give her any reason. When she tried to disagree, I threatened her with Aakash and Payal's wedding. I intimidate her that if she won't agree..I will break her sister's marriage." Arnav said with his head hung low.

Loud gasps were heard around. The ladies were wide eyed, with their hands covering their mouths. Aakash was looking bewildered. He couldn't believe on what his ears had just heard. His Bhai?? He threatened to break his marriage when he was the only one who convinced his maa for this marriage, he(Arnav) was the one, who helped him(Aakash) to win Payal's heart.

"At that time, I thought that I was doing it only for Di. But the thruth was something else. I didn't marry her just because of di..I married her bcuz I wanted to keep her for myself. I was afraid to let her go. At that time only one thing was in my mind..to hold her and never let her go, even if she don't want to be with me. "

"Arnav-ji.." Khushi choked.

"Khushi was all the way, of no mistake. It was me, who was at the fault and--"

Arnav was cut short as a loud voice boomed through the hall of Shantivan.

*SLAP*

Khushi gasped loudly as she saw the scene infront of her. Her heart broke into millions of pieces when he saw a slapped-face Arnav standing infront of his grand mother with his head hung low.

"HOW CAN YOU?? How can you do this Arnav?? Were these the morals I taught you. Are these the manners I taught you in your life?? Is this the way to treat a girl?? She was innocent but what you did, punished her for no mistake of hers. How could you stoop so low?? How Arnav?? HOW?"

"I am sorry Nani. I am really sorry. I am sorry to all of you. "

Turning towards the Gupta's, Arnav bowed his head down and said.

"I am sorry to all of you as well. I am really sorry. You can give any punishment you want but please don't take my khushi away. I won't be able to live without her. I love her, I do love Khushi very much. Please don't take her away from me. I request you, please I beg you"

Arnav said joining his hands infront of the Gupta's. Seeing his vulnerable condition, Khushi broke down into tears. Never in her wildest thoughts, she had imagined this. Heck, she never wanted to see him like this. All broken and vulnerable.

Garima and Sashi looked at each other and then the 6' feet tall man infront of them who was by now all tears and broken. She knew what they had to do. They looked at Madhumati questingly, who nodded her head giving them her assurance.

"Arnav bitwa..." Madhumati called him ever so softly.

Arnav looked at him, his eyes pleading buajii not to take his happiness, his Khushi from him.

"We forgive you bitwa."

Arnav's head jerked up at this. He looked at the people standing infront of him all bewildered. Nodding his head positively, bua-ji passed him a small smile and continued.

"True, whatever you did is unforgivable. It's true that it hurt us a lot listening how much our titalya went through. Its true that we didn't want to forgive you but she.."

Bua-ji stopped pointing towards Khushi.

"Despite knowing all that facts, there is one more thing which hides all your faults and that is, we know how much you love Khushi. We know how much she loves you. We know that nobody..and I mean it...nobody can take that much care of her like you do. Hum jaanty hain k tum say ziada koi Khushi ka khyal nhi rkhskta, koi tumsy ziada usko nhi cha skta (We know that no one can love , care and cherish her more than you). W know both of you are made for each other. No one can separate you ever.."

Tears rolled down on Arnav's cheeks as he listened the belief and honour in the voice of old lady.

I have to keep this honour. Jo man amma, babuji or buajii ko mjh p hai..y maan mein ny hi rkhna Hai or mein hi rkhoga (The belief and honor which Amma and Babu-ji have on me, i have to take care of it and I will surely do it..)

Arnav promised himself as he moved forward and hugged Madhumati.

"Thank you bua-ji. Thank you so much for not taking her away. Thank you Soo much for letting my Khushi be with me."

Madhumati smiled and patted his shoulder lovingly. Arnav than moved towards Sashi and Garima. He sat down infront of the wheel chair and held Sashi's both hands.

"Babu-ji, Amma, thank you so much, thank you so much for giving this precious gift to me. I can't even tell how much grateful I am..."

Arnav said with gratefulness in his voice. Although he was the one speaking, but only he hadn't realized yet that he was addressing Sashi and Garima as Amma and Babu-ji and not as uncle and aunty.

Holding his shoulders, Garima made him stand on his feet and patted his head humanely.

"Bitwa, Amma Babu-ji bhi kh rhy ho or shukriya bhi bol rhy ho. Bety maon ko shukriya nhi bolty..." ( My son, you are calling us as your parents and you are saying thanks as well. No! Children never say thanks to their parents.)

And that was the exact moment, when reality had hit Arnav Singh Raizada hardly. Even without his consent, he and his heart had accepted them as his parents and now who was he to deny?? Nodding his head, he pulled Garima in a hug.

"Arnav bitwa, now I only want a promise from you. That you will always keep my daughter happy."
Garima said pulling back from the hug.

"I promise amma, I will always keep her happy. I won't let a single tear come in her eyes. Every difficulty, every bale and every adversity has to face me first before her. I will always be there for her. Every day, every hour,every minute and every moment. I promise..."

Garima nodded her head smiling brightly. She moved towards Khushi and cupped her face in her palms and placed a small kiss on her forehead.

"Bitiya please forgive your mother. Not knowing the thruth that day, I misjudged you and even slapped you even when it wasn't your mistake. Khushi will you please forgive your mother?? Please"

Holding her both hands, Khushi kissed them with tears filled eyes and said,

"Amma don't say like this. You are my mother. You have the right to scold or punish me if you ever find me doing any mistake. Don't ask for forgiveness Amma, I am not angry with any of you..." Khushi said looking at her family with tears filled eyes.

Garima nooded smilingly and again kissed her forehead. She then held khushi's hand and placed it on Arnav's. Both of them looked at each other and smiled through tears.

Arnav then turned around and moved towards his Nani, who also smiled full fledge and pulled her beloved grand son in a hug.

"Nani, Please forgive me..."

"No..no choty...don't say sorry. Yes!! It's true that I was really angry but not more...I am happy that you are able to win the hearts of those who truly deserve your apology. Just one advice, always keep Khushi bitiya happy. She is a gem, don't loose her ever otherwise you are the one who is going to regret..."

"I promise...I will never loose her.."
Arnav said with determined eyes as he looked towards Khushi with love shining orbs.

********************

As soon as ArShi entered their bedroom, the door was closed and Khushi was pushed against the wall beside by Arnav. He pinned her petite frame to the wall all the while hovering above her. Her hands on her side in his tight grip.

"Arn--"

She was cut short as Arnav slammed his lips on her taking her in an earth shaking kiss. His body slamming into hers as he cupped her face.

At first Khushi didn't respond, too shock by the unexpected move. But a moment later she tried to push him away.

But that only made him come more closer. Still plastering his body on hers, he grabbed her hands pinning them above her head not breaking the kiss even for a moment.

Khushi tried to resist as he kissed her roughly but soon she found herself giving in.

She too started kissing him back, pouring all her emotions in that one kiss. She let out all her feelings as she equally participated in the kiss.

Arnav kissed her almost desperately as he freed her hands and grabbed her waist with one hand pulling her more closer if possible. With the other hand, he grabbed her tresses all the while trying to feel more and more of her and Khushi respond with same fiestiness as she clutched his collar bringing him more closer if possible.

It was then they both started going out of breath, when Arnav pulled back resting his forehead against hers. Both of them were panting heavily with closed eyes as the after effects of the kiss.

"Khushi..." Arnav breathed out.

"Arnav-ji."

"Khushi...I...I almost lost you today. I was afraid..soo afraid that your family won't let you live with me...I was afraid that I will loose you.." Arnav confessed, choking on his own words.

Nodding her head in a no, Khushi cupped his face with her small hands and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Even if they have asked me to, I would have never left you Arnav-ji."
Khushi said in a determined voice.

Arnav was about to say something but Khushi stopped him raising her hand and continued further.

"Why did you even do this Arnav-ji? Did I ever asked you to? " She asked

"No Khushi I had to do this! At any cost. I had to tell our families that you weren't to blamed on whatever happened. It was me, only me who created that mess. I just...I couldn't get it out of my mind. Whenever I used to think about that night and my behavior with you, I used to feel torn and broken. Whenever the scene, where your Amma slapped you came infront of my eyes, I used to feel like to destroy myself. I acted like it wasn't a big deal, when it was really breaking me inside out. Your crying eyes, your grief, your pain which you endured during those six months was enough to kill me. Because of me, your family and bua-ji had abondoned you that night even though you weren't responsible for any of that. I had to take it out of my heart Khushi, I had to confess my crimes infront of the family otherwise it wouldn't had let me live in peace khushi." Arnav choked on his tears.

Moving forward, Khushi held his face in her hands and wiped his tears. She kissed his forehead lovingly shaking her head in 'no' as if asking him to stop crying.

"Khushi I love you, love you so much. My heart beats with yours. I breath only having you by my side. Mein tmhry bagair nhi rh skta Khushi. Mery Dil ko tmhry bagair jeena nhi aata. Mein nhi jaanta k agar tum nhi hogi to mein or mera dil Kia kary ga?? Kaha jae ga mera dil tmhry bagair Khushi?? ( I can't live without you Khushi. My heart doesn't know to live without you. I don't know that if you ever leave me than where will I and my heart go without you. Where will my heart go without you Khushi???) I just know that I can't do it without you. Khushi hai to Arnav hai. Khushi k Bina Arnav ka bhi koi wajood nhi hai..( I just know that I can't do it without you. If there is Khushi than there is Arnav aseell. Without Khushi, there is not even a trace of Arnav.) " He crushed her in his arms.

"I know that. I always knew that...and I love you too Arnavji. I will never leave you because I also can't live without you.." Khushi said promising for a life time.

Closing his eyes in contentment, Arnav gathered her in his arms and kissed her forehead ever so lovingly. He then moved down, kissing both her eyes, her cheeks, her little nose, her chin and finally placed his lips on her sealing the promise of a lifetime.

***************

That's it!!!

Hope you guys like it!!😊