Thank You everyone for the wonderful response on previous update. I am not able to reply to comments separately. Sorry guys. Not deliberate attempt on my part. I will sure reply on every comment but need time.

Here is the first part of SS~Dhadkan.

Khushi looked at her husband looking so innocent in sleep, only she knows how much innocent he is. Remembering the indecent things, he had done and much to her embarrassment she loved it and if to be truthful to herself she wants it again. Blushing she quickly took her dress and walked inside the washroom to get ready for the day. Few minutes later as she walked out Arnav was still sleeping.

Walking to the dressing table, she started selecting her jewelleries. Done with it she started drying her hair not noticing the few drops which fell on Arnav's face had waked him. For Arnav it was one of the mesmerizing sight. Had he not dreamed of this for years? When she noticed him awake looking at her she turned crimson red looking down, not able to meet his eyes. Getting down from the bed he walked towards her, cupping her face wished a "Good morning Jaan." Following with a tender kiss on her forehead.

"Good morning" she whispered softly. Pushing the baby tendrils behind her ear he said "I'll back in few minutes" nodding her head in assent she watched him walk into the washroom, letting out the breadth in relief she started drying her hair again.

Arnav as he came out minutes later saw her putting on her mangalsutra. She took the box containing sindoor, before she could apply her husband stopped her and taking a pinch filled her partition. How can a man's eyes hold so much love? She wondered looking in his eyes who is now sliding the bangles on her wrist. "Perfect now" Holding her shoulder he made her stand up, turning her towards the mirror, smiling at her softly as his arms wrapped around her waist, bringing his face near her ears he whispered huskily "beautiful!!!" followed by a kiss, she trembled, turning around she hugged him hiding her face in his chest.

Arnav smiled caressing her hair, their beautiful moment got interrupted by a knock. He sighed letting her go disappointed at being disturbed. "People really don't know when to disturb" muttering walked to closet to take his clothes "We will both go down together, okay" and disappeared inside the washroom to get ready for the day. Khushi smiled at her grumpy husband and his words and went to open the door as knock came louder this time.

Khushi opened the door slightly, Arnav's sister Anjali was standing before her. Khushi does not know what to say to the woman, she hardly felt comfortable around her. Anjali does make her uneasy and the woman does not make it easy too what with her cold behaviour. Mustering a smile, she said "Anjali ji, Good morning."

Anjali nodded her head but said instead "everyone is waiting for you both downstairs. Come down soon." Saying that giving her look left. Khushi sighed, not easy at all. Her husband's sister is like ice queen.

Devyani looked at Anjali disapprovingly "there was no need for you to disturb the couple."

Anjali shrugged "it is time for pooja Nani, or do you wish to stand here all day so till they grace us with their presence."

Nani "Seriously Anjali? It is only 7 p.m. and besides they are newly married couple and deserves privacy. God would not have punished if we did his prayer a little later. It is the heart and pureness he expects from us. And by the way there is still much time left for the Pooja."

Ratna "Maa chodo na" Nani hurumphed but went quiet. Even though Ratna agreed with her mother she knew her daughter will not understand or wish to understand doing as she pleases.

Maami came inside saying "hello hi bye bye, Jiji Pandit ji said he will come within an hour. I'll go and check once again if everything is ready or not." Ratna nodded her head and turned to her mother "Maa I'll go and see if he needs anything." And left to her room. Nani once again glared at Anjali and turned her attention towards her pet Laxmi, patting her head.

Anjali rolled her eyes taking a seat opposite to her Nani. She hardly feels guilty or cares about the privacy of the couple. If she has her way she will totally erase Khushi from her brother's life.

Mumbai,

Aman walked out of his room, meeting Akash who is already in the living room reading newspaper "Morning Akash"

Akash smiled "Gud morning"

Aman looked around "Where is Dadi and Payal mam?"

Akash "both are in puja room."

Aman "Oh!!!"

"It is was nice of Dadi to come here. We were sacred when Bhai said Dadi will be coming here. One side I was relieved to see someone here for us, other side terrified too. Even though she is upset with us, scolded us for taking extreme measure not confiding to family even once, at the end she forgave us."

Aman "Akash, not only Dadi, everyone in the family misses you. Just because they don't take your name does not mean they hate you now. They are hurt but they can never stop loving you."

Akash looked down at the newspaper he is holding, feeling sad, as always whenever hearing or thinking about his family. He misses them too.

Few seconds later, Dadi and Payal joined the men, giving prasad to them both they sat down. Akash "We could not talk much last night Dadi. How was the wedding? Was Bhai happy? I'm fool to ask such a question. Of course, he must be happy. He got married to his love. I just hoped.........."

Dadi "that you were there." completing his sentence she finished it with a sigh. Payal patted Akash hand understanding, Arnav is not only Akash's brother but he had become her brother too in all the years she had known him. Not able to take part in the most important event of his life is saddening.

Aman "hmmm I know nothing can equal the experience of attending it, being there, helping in the wedding functions, all the teasing, sharing his happiness but I've recorded the whole function's. I've it in my camera. Would you both like to see it?"

Akash and Payal smiled widely chorusing "of course"

Dadi "not now, first breakfast. Payal you should take your food and medicine on time. It is not only you but also the little one you are carrying depending upon you." Payal nodded her head, everyone headed to dining table where Meena (maid) was waiting to serve them. After the breakfast, everyone gathered in the living room, Aman connected his camera to the T.V. Akash and Payal excitedly watched one by one all the pre-ritual functions to the wedding.

Everyone was so happy, looking at all of them, their eye's misted. Akash "Look at bhai, don't you think he is glowing"

Aman "yes, you can see the joy radiating from him. But if you tell him this, he will just give a look that says you are crazy."

Payal laughed "he will not admit it but I could have never believed if I'm not seeing it with my own eyes. He is enjoying it Akash. This is miracle."

Akash nodding "bhai always avoided attending wedding functions saying it is dead bore and he dislikes noisy atmosphere. But here look he is actually smiling freely."

Dadi chuckling "why will he complain? When he is getting his Khushi."

Everyone shared a smile at that, Payal sighed "but Anjali Di, she does not look happy at all. How aloof she is? Away from everyone. Hardly you could see her. People will say it is not her brother's but some stranger's wedding happening with all the attention she is giving." Akash too noticed it. How she always stood in distant? Arnav already informed him how disgruntled Anjali is regarding his marrying Khushi. But even though she should at least smile and take part in it not telecasting to the world about being against it.

Dadi kept quiet not wanting to say anything about it.

"Anjali, how could you do that? Is this what we had taught you?"

Anjali looked bewildered at the two old lady, she did not know why the two were angry with her "but Dadi what did I do?"

Dadi "don't act innocent Anjali. We know how you mixed some chemical in mehendi paste. Surely it was to hurt Khushi betiya. We did not know to what extent but it would have been damaging."

Nani "I'm really disappointed in you Anjali. Did you stop to think by this act of yours you would be hurting your brother too."

Anjali looked at them shocked, she tried to defend herself but Dadi put up her hand "save it, we have witness who saw everything."

Nani "It was good thing we came to know before it went out to the function hall"

Dadi "if you are not happy then don't make other's unhappy too. I would advise you to not pull any other stunt trying to ruin the wedding. Our eyes will be on you Anjali. This time we are letting you off hook, but don't think next time we will be so lenient. Your father and mother will be let known and you know too well Abhay's anger. Just because he never showed his displeasure to you does not mean he will let go of your wrong deeds too."

Nani "Chalo Sujatha, the function is going to start." both the ladies left the room leaving behind frustrated Anjali.

Dadi glanced at Nani saying "it was good Manorama heard Anjali and Ms. Kashyap planning and came to us. Don't know what type of chemical it was and how much damage it would have caused."

Nani sighed "I really could not believe our Anjali did this." Dadi too don't know how to console her friend, it is not that they had not known Anjali's stubbornness but never they had thought Anjali will go to an extend to harm someone. Today they can see what their blind love for her had turned her into, a selfish woman.

It was their sheer luck Manorama happened to pass by a room to hear Anjali and Lavanya plotting inside, she had been too shocked and at once left to her mother in law to inform her. Not able to believe what she had heard. Her sweet Anjali bitiya plotting to hurt Khushi. The two ladies could not even brush off the warning because it was not some stranger putting allegation on their granddaughter but Manorama who loves Anjali as her own daughter, who would never think bad about her. If she is saying she heard Anjali going to commit something wrong then it must be true. Not wanting to wait they had gone in time to see Anjali adding something in the mehendi paste kept for the bride and slipped away unnoticed by people readying the mehendi.

Changing the mehendi paste and ordering Manorama to keep an eye on it, the two ladies left to confront Anjali and to warn her from further mischief.

Dadi coming out her thoughts looked at Akash and Payal, and said "Akash, tomorrow take Payal to hospital. Consult with her doctor if it is okay to travel. I don't want you both leaving here alone. It is time you come back home."

Akash "but....."

Dadi "Since Payal is in her fourth month, I believe she can travel with care. But it will be better if we get doctor's advice on it. And don't you think the more time you will be away from family, the wide the gap will become. Everyone with time will start hating your wife. For her you left your family. Do you want that? Don't you want to be with the whole family? Don't you want your child get his/her families love?"

Payal looked down teary eye and whispered in small voice "You are right Dadi, we want to be with our family. We wish to reconcile with our family. We want our child to grown in the shadow of their blessing, guidance and love."

Akash held her hand "Will they welcome us Dadi?" he looked scared.

Dadi narrowing her eyes "What do you think they will do? Throw you out? Do you even realize your mother cries for you? She thinks no one knows but we all know. Your father burying his sorrow within shows outside nothing is wrong. Abhay, Ratna bahu everyone is worried concerning you. Not knowing how you are? Where you are? And Arnav, even knowing about your whereabouts, he is standing helpless looking at his family suffering one side and other side missing his brother. Yes, they will be upset and shout at you. Will even not talk to you. But the anger will eventually cool down. But they will never abandon you to your fate."

Aman "It is time Akash." he seconded Dadi's advice.

Akash and Payal looked at each other, then at Dadi, and nodded. Dadi "Good, and don't worry you have Arnav and my support." both smile relieved trusting her.

Arnav and Khushi took the blessing from the elders after the Pooja is completed. Nani smiled "Pooja achha se hua."

Ratna reciprocating her smile "Ji", the elder woman turned to Khushi and said warmly "betiya today is your first rasoi rasam."

Khushi nodded her head, Nani continued "Prepare a sweet dish, okay. HP had already prepared the breakfast."

Ratna "Come beta I'll show you the kitchen." they both walked towards the kitchen while Arnav kept glancing their way, Nani cleared her throat bring his attention back, looking at the teasing stares he is getting from Nani and Maami he made excuse and left towards his room making both the women to giggle while Abhay and Manohar shared a laugh. Anjali bored and irritated left from there.

He stopped at the landing and waited, his mother had come out of kitchen and as soon as he saw his family leaving towards living room he turned around and headed towards kitchen. HP got startled to see him but kept quiet and left understanding Arnav's unvoiced command. Arnav's attention was solely on his wife who oblivious to his presence is busy getting things for making sweet dish. He walked towards her in silent feet and wrapped an arm around her waist earning a loud gasp in surprise.

"Shhh......Main hoon." She relaxed in his hold but soon tensed at his caressing, shivering she gulped "Arnav ji?"

"hmmm" kissing her ear, trailing towards her cheek, "Koi ajayega"

"aane do" busy in his world of loving his wife.

"please......." Turning around she hugged him tight, enclosing her he inhaled reigning his desire for now, taking pity on his wife. Cupping her cheek, he pushed her baby tendrils behind her ear tenderly "Kya banane wali ho?"

"Voh...I'm thinking to make Kheer" he tsked disapproving, she looked at him confused, Arnav "It is most common tradition to make Kheer, is it not? Why not make Jalebi?"

Her eyes got wide "Jalebi? But you love kheer."

Flickering her nose "so toh hai but I want to eat Jalebi." Adhering to his wish she nodded saying "okay"

"Good" bending down he gave a loud kiss on her cheek, earning a blush he so loved dearly on her. It just enhances her.

Mustering enough courage, she looked at him pleading "please ab aap jayiye before someone comes."

"So? I'm doing nothing wrong. Am I?" he asked her mock seriously, shaking her head at him she watched him helplessly, if he stays here she could hardly think straight let alone make sweet. He pulled her towards him grinning enjoying her getting flustered.

Help came from Ice queen who interrupted them quite rudely "Arnav had you lost way to your room?" with sarcasm at the best.

Arnav just glared at her and turned to smile at Khushi softly "Khushi can I get a glass of water?" Khushi nodding her head went to the water filler to get a glass of water while Arnav replied his sister shrugging "I was feeling thirsty so came to get water. Is that a sin?"

Anjali looked at him quite bored, saying whatever and giving a look of disgust towards Khushi she left. Arnav sighed taking the glass from Khushi, replied softly "never mind her." Feeling really angry at his sister for making his wife upset, sure she did not say a word to hurt her directly but the look she gave is enough to make his wife's face looking in distress. Cupping her cheek, he gave a tender kiss on her forehead "I'll leave you to your sweet" patting her cheek lightly he left from there to really go to his room this time.

Anjali left a frustrated sigh, she had seen enough of her brother's overly sweet romance with that good for nothing girl. For the love of God, she could not believe how anyone could love that woman is beyond her.

She got a call from Lavanya.

"Hey Anjali, can we meet at our usual place?"

Anjali "Can't La. Nani is already angry with me. There are post wedding rituals. If I leave the house she will surely not keep quite."

La "I understand."

Anjali "No you don't. I can't stand the sight of that girl." Fuming some more remembering the kitchen encounter. She had walked inside to see if she needs any help, not that she had wanted to but because her mother asked and not wanting another lecture from her Nani she had gone only to witness his brother cuddling his wife.

Lavanya on the other hand did not voice out she understands perfectly well because the said Khushi Gupta had taken away the man she wanted for herself. She not only hates the sight of her but hates the very existence of Khushi. Every time she sees Arnav looking at Khushi with that look she envisioned for her got her riled up wanting to kill the girl ending the misery once for all. But killing will get her nothing but she will end up losing whatever she has which is why she is silently burning swallowing the bitterness.

Anjali coming out of her thoughts promised to meet her tomorrow and cut the call.

Khushi was heating the milk when got a call from her best friend Diya. After the greeting and assuring her friend about her welfare. Khushi "Where are Meghna and Keerthi?"

Diya "They are sleeping."

Khushi "Oh" and she informed "I'm making sweets for everyone."

Diya "Oh okay, I'll keep the call. You prepare the sweet. We will talk later when you are free. Waise when will you be coming here?"

Khushi "I am not sure Diya, maybe tomorrow. There are post wedding rituals na. I'll let you know later after asking here. And I'm sure before everyone leaves back for Lucknow we will meet. Aise hi todi na ek bar mile bina chale chaoge sab (you guys will not leave without meeting once, right?)."

Diya "Voh Khushi. I did not inform you. I'm leaving with my family today. You know na I got an offer in RS Fashion House. I'll have to join in two three days. So, I'm leaving with them today. And also, Meghna and Keerthi too will be leaving with us."

Khushi "Oh, then we will meet only in Lucknow." she sighed sadly "I thought I'll be able to meet you guys one more time but....."

Diya "Koi baath nahiin Khushi (No problem, Khushi). We can always skype each other, have conference call. Chal tikk hai Khushi, I'm keeping the call. Take care haan"

"Accha baba, bye" smiling she kept her phone down True she is missing her parents and friends. But that is how it works, right? A girl will have to leave everything she had known behind to build new life with her husband and with it new relationships. At least she had not married a stranger and came into the family she had known from childhood. Albeit she had never thought she would one day marry Arnav and become part of this family but this unexpectedness is welcome blessing to her.

Diya

Mira

So here guys their married life starts. Please let me know your views on this part.

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