The couple was sleeping peacefully on the bed when the loud sound of his phone ringing disturbed them and both had to wake up.

Arnav searched his phone half asleep and saw the caller ID.

"Hello."

"Erm, hi Bhai. How are you?" A nervous Akash spoke on the other side.

"Akash, I am fine. How is everyone at home? How's Di?" He inquired slowly getting conscious.

"Bhai, Di and everyone else are fine. Just there is a little problem here." He hesitated at talking to him.

"Problem? What problem?" Arnav asked getting a bit worried.

"Erm...Bhai I can't tell this on phone. Your tickets have been pre poned. I have sent you an email already." An anxious Akash uttered fast as he wanted this talk to get over as soon as possible.

"What the-! Tickets pre poned? Why?" He curiously shot his question expecting an explanation.

"Bhai I'm sorry. I can't tell you much." But his reply wasn't satisfying for him.

"Akash just answer my question." He ordered with gritted teeth that scared Akash.

"Arnav, you will get your answer once you're back. It is something that can't be discussed over phone." He heard Dadi in her usual strict manner.

"What happened Arnavji?" Just as he cut the call, Khushi asked generally as she heard his side of the conversation.

"I don't know. Something happened at home. Our tickets have been pre poned." He informed casually looking at her who was sitting beside him on the bed now.

"At home? Is everything alright?" She nearly panicked.

"Akash didn't tell me anything yet." He said while he was already checking his mails in phone.

"Our flight is today only!" He informed looking at her whose eyes widened and she immediately got up taking the sheet with her.

"Then hurry up Arnavji. We have to start packing and I will clean this mess. We're going home!" He chuckled as she expressed her joy to the news of returning back to home. Whatever happens, Khushi will be Khushi!

The next day Arnav and Khushi reached Delhi airport and Mohan the driver was there to pick them up. Unfortunately he didn't have any idea what's going on at home. Arnav was more or less curious to know what was the matter that they had to come the most earliest wheras Khushi's smile wasn't disappearing once they reached. She was just more than happy being back home. Less she knew what is awaiting her.

They rang the bell and as usually HP opened it to welcome them with a smile. Arnav ordered him to help Mohan with the luggage. And just as Khushi excitedly was about to step in, a loud roar scared her and she moved back out of reflect.

"STOP!" Dadi shouted from inside at seeing Khushi.

Arnav was speechless for now but fumed in anger. Dadi has a problem with Khushi but how dare she stop her from coming inside the house.

Khushi trembled and looked at Arnav who seemed to preparing himself for a sharp discussion. He entangled his fingers with her and walked in.

"This girl can't come into our house."

"And why can't she come in? I already told you many times that she is my wife and-" Just as he started Dadi cut him off.

"But she isn't your wife!"

In the meanwhile all the other family members came in the hall and gathered together. Nani was looking at both with equal anger whereas Anjali's face was expressing sadness. Payal's expression told clearly she could weep anytime. And how not? Manorama has been showing her disgust grimaces all the time.

"Dadi, I don't know when you will get it! But I'm repeating it for the last time now, Khushi is my wife! Get it!" He pressed his words looking her directly in the eyes.

"Stop it Arnav! We know the truth, you both aren't husband-wife. You never got married." She declared looking at Khushi who was just looking down. She had an idea what Dadi was talking about. But it slipped out of his mind.

"What do you mean, we never got married?" He was now really pissed off.

"Where did you marry? Can you tell us the priest's name that got you married?" She interrogated with full confident.

Arnav was reminded of their incomplete marriage as Khushi said. He had completely forgotten it. But another thing came in his mind: his promise to Khushi of their remarrige!

"I admit we didn't take the nuptial rounds but we wanted to-" He wanted to clarify but a familiar voice interrupted from behind.

"Sanka Devi?" A cheerful Buaji came in and pulled Khushi in a hug.

"You've returned! How was your trip? And how are you damadji?" The overjoyed Buaji started her questioning.

"I'm sorry to say but Arnav isn't your damad." Dadi barged in for her own contentment.

"Dadi!" Arnav tried to stop her but she didn't stop.

"Your daughter is living with our son without marriage."

"What are you saying?" Buaji asked confusingly with big eyes.

"Is this your upbringing? Is this what you teach your children? He is a man, it doesn't matter to him but how could she agree to live with him without marriage?" She spoke further making Buaji twitch her nose in anger.

"Stop it Dadi!"

"You can stop me Arnav! But how will you stop the society to talk about our family and her."

"Khusi, is this true?" Buaji strongly grabbed her shoulders and turned Khushi to face her.

"Er'...Buaji I-" She hesitantly spoke up but Buaji didn't let her finish her began words.

She raised her hand that made all except Dadi widen their eyes and she closed her eyes thinning her lips. But not feeling any pain on her cheek, she opened her eyes one by one only to see Arnav who was standing beside her holding Buaji's arm.

"I didn't give anyone the right to even touch my wife. Slapping is far away." He literally warned her not to even think of doing so.

"Who are we to touch her now? To tell her anything? She already did what she had to, now we have to face the consequences. What will all people say now?"

"Buaji please-" He tried to avert her from continuing but she wasn't less than Dadi. He noticed Khushi's movement to hide herself behind him.

"Gupta family's daughter is living with a man without marriage. Why do you have to disgrace us always? Didn't you even once think about your parents who brought you up though you are not their daughter?"

Buaji wasn't going to make a halt from speaking unstoppably and her words were so sharp like a stitch. Arnav could feel something wet on his shoulder and he turned to see Khushi weeping badly.

"STOP IT!" He shouted for the whole family to shiver in fear.

"Khushi is not at fault in anything. Stop blaming her for everything. You all are so fond of the society and people but legally she's Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada."

"But Chote, how can we believe you two to be married without the rituals? This is wrong!" Anjali interfered to give her opinion.

"The rituals! This is the problem na, that we didn't perform any ritual? So fine! I am ready to marry Khushi with all the rituals! I will marry my wife once again in your way." He stated confidently looking at Khushi who attempted a smile realizing his words.

"Really Chote?" Anjali questioned ironically in joy.

"Then it's fine! We have nothing against Khushi bitiya! If you both are ready to marry each other with all the rituals then why should we deny?" Nani happily added while Anjali also expressed her elation.

"Ya Chote, I had so many desires for your wedding. Now finally I will fulfill them."

Arnav gave her a smile and looked at Dadi who seemed to be fuming inside. But then he turned to Khushi whose tears were still visible and he started moving up holding her hand.

Dadi's attention was drawn on them and she again gave voice.

"Where are you taking her?" She questioned not expecting an answer

"Why? What happened now Dadi?" He questioned back without turning.

"You both can't stay together until the wedding." She announced calmly yet somehow proudly.

"What? Why?" He couldn't believe that Dadi was again ready to mess up.

"Chote, this is a part of the rituals. Khushi bitiya will stay anyways with you forever after the wedding." Nani affirmed smilingly and walked closer to Buaji.

"Madhumati ji, we will come for Shagun tomorrow. Be ready!"

"Okay! Aye Khusi, come." Buaji yell loud enough for all to hear and Khushi left Arnav's hand to go to Buaji.

Both looked at each other before she goes and it was as if his eyes were asking her not to go. She gave him a faint smile and walked away.

Reaching the door she once turned to look at him and then finally disappeared.

Not digesting her defeat Dadi canceled everything at the Guptas but Arnav went there to make it alright. The next day the Raizadas went to GH for Shagun and Arnav still came to meet Khushi despite being not allowed.

The next day was the ring ceremony that was to be held in RM. It was still morning yet and Khushi was cleaning the house.

"Aye Sanka Devi, we're going to Mandir. If the man for ration budget comes then give him the money I've kept in the kitchen. It's the Xxth and he is supposed to come today." Buaji issued a task for her and left with Garima.

"Ok Buaji." Khushi ensured but soon she fell in own thoughts realizing something.

"I missed my dates!" She ascertained worriedly and started biting her nails.

"May I be...?" Roaming around thinking and looking at the hanging calender her thoughts wander here and there.

And immediately she grasped her dupatta and ran out of the house to buy a pregnancy test kit.

To say she was impatiently waiting for the result would be an underestimation. She couldn't stop hopping on and off. Even Buaji's yelling couldn't divert her mind. They had returned in the meanwhile and asking her nonstop about her behavior. But of course she couldn't tell them that she believes to be pregnant. Yesterday the slap from Garima was enough.

"It's positive!" She had to lock fast and didn't know how to react. Should she be happy or better worried?

But whatever, she has to tell Arnav first.