Shantivan

Nani smiled bashfully, discreetly glancing at the person who was assisting her in adorning an earring on her right ear, through his reflection in the mirror.

"Do I appear presentable for my grandson's roka ceremony?" Nani inquired him, as his opinion held the utmost significance to her.

"Yeah, but you shouldn't have tried the smokey eye makeup. Now you look pretty, but you're on your way to looking like Annabelle," Nana said with a sheepish smile.

Nani turned around to look at him, she slapped his chest lightly with a frown adorning her forehead, "Go away from here."

"Now you're mad because I'm being honest with you. Didn't you say we should build a strong relationship by being honest with each other this time?" Nana raised an eyebrow.

Nani pouted, pushing him back lightly, "Jaa na.. go and check if Arnav bitwa is ready or not." 

Nana chuckled at her as he started to walk towards the door while looking back at her and noticed how she pulled a wet tissue to remove her eye makeup.

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While Nana was on his way to Arnav's room, he happened to encounter Mama and Mami walking in the corridor and unintentionally overheard their conversation.

"Why did you wear this bright lime green saree Manorama? Couldn't you save it for another occasion other than our Arnav bitwa and Khushi bitiya's roka ceremony? You're going to steal the bride's limelight today," Mama sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. He looked at her side again and ended up squirming his eyes dramatically as a reaction to the bright color of her outfit.  

"Hello hi bye bye.. I'm not going to steal her lemonlight (limelight), I'm going to follow her everywhere she goes and be her lemonlight! My sparkling saree will bring light to her and make sure she shines everywhere,"  Manorama replied proudly while adjusting her saree on her shoulder. 

"And you look exceptionally lovely, Mano!" Nana playfully complimented Mama, siding with Mami as he approached them.

Mami looked at Nana smiling blushingly, "Thankwa.. Thankwa.. sasur ji (Thank you)," then she shifted her attention back to her husband, "See.. learnwa something from your father!" 

Mama looked at Nana accusingly and whined, "Kya babu ji.. why are you making me look like the bad guy now?" 

"Because I just became a bad boy to your mother now," Nana thought with a sheepish smile, and then he pulled Mama with him, saying, "Let's go see if Arnav is ready or not."

Mami was left alone as father and son proceeded towards Arnav's room. She shrugged and went downstairs, only to find Anjali, Payal, and Saahil checking the gift baskets for Khushi. They were confirming the items according to the list they had made, ensuring that they had not forgotten anything.

"Hello hi bye bye.. don't forgetwa my gifts!" Mami approached them, standing beside Anjali. 

Anjali smiled at her, "I didn't forget it Mami.. your spa voucher, make up and skin care kits are here only."

"I think we're done!" Payal said.

"I hope Khushi likes all the jewelry we're giving her. Some of them are from Nani and Ma, and they're vintage, so I hope she doesn't think they're too old-fashioned to wear on her wedding day!" Anjali said, smiling nervously.

"Don't worry, Anjali ma'am. Khushi will treasure these jewels as if they were the most precious possessions in the world when she learns that they belonged to Devyani ma'am and Boss's mother," Sahil said confidently. He blinked at Anjali reassuringly, and she returned the gesture with a gentle smile.

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Inside Arnav's room, Akash was checking his hair in the mirror while NK was setting up his camera equipment, including a back-up camera and other accessories, as he would be the photographer for Arshi's private roka ceremony. The couple had decided to have a simple ceremony at Khushi's house, inviting only family and close friends.

Arnav was helping Aayu put on his shoes while Aayu was excitedly talking about the start of the wedding ceremonies. He couldn't wait for the day when his Kushie would come to Shantivan and live with him forever. He had been waiting for this day for a long time!

Nana and Mama walked in the room after knocking twice. Nana looked around in disbelief, his eyes fell on Arnav, "Dude are you for real? It's your roka today and Akash is the one checking himself out in the mirror. I know you're Karela and dressed like one today, but please leave your karelaness attitude for the next few days."

Aayu looked at his uncle dressed in a dull green kurta and beige pyjama set and then looked down at himself twinning with his uncle with a cute pout adorning his lips as he looked up at his par dada in a complaining tone, "Dada don't talk as if Karela is bad! Kushie likes Karela (he pointed to Arnav).. and please don't tease my Kushie and make her feel bad for wearing green aka karela color dress. I don't want her to be upset today." 

"Okay sorry. I won't tease this sweet karela family anymore," Nana said with a smile etched on his lips, admiring his grandson and great grandson sat together on a recliner, both looking handsome in twinning outfits and hairstyle. 

Aayu giggled turning his head to his Annav uncle, "Annav uncle .. Dada called us Karela family because we three are wearing green clothes today. So on your wedding day, we'll be called the Tomato family!" 

Arnav nodded his head while caressing Aayu's cheek affectionately.  

"Karela's family please cheer up now.. all I'm seeing are four men and a little boy looking completely dull in this room. If I was a stranger, I wouldn't even be able to identify who's the groom here?" Nana directed the last line sarcastically to Arnav. 

"What do you want me to do, Nana? Dance like a crazy person here?" Arnav rolled his eyes.

"No.. but.. there's something definitely missing in your look today. Don't think you so guys?" Nana frowned a little as he asked to Akash and NK, who shifted their attention to Arnav, trying to find what was missing in his look. 

Arnav got up from the recliner sighing, "There's nothing missing. I'm ready and I think we should go downstairs. The ladies are waiting for us to leave."

"I know what is missing!" Aayu stated as he stood on the recliner to reach his uncle Arnav's height. He then requested Arnav to come closer and proceeded to gently stretch the corners of Arnav's mouth with his index fingers, attempting to make him smile. "It's your smile, Annav uncle!" Aayu exclaimed with a cheerful grin.

Arnav smiled a little making Aayu excitedly show his uncle to everyone in the room, "See now he's looking perfect. Haina Dada?"

"Yes my intelligent little one. This is what was missing in pretty girl's Karela overall look!" Nana walked to Aayu and hi-five with him. Akash, NK and Mama smiled looking at them. 

"Can we leave now?" Arnav asked impatiently. "Yes yes.. we know you're in hurry to make Khushi yours bhai!" NK teased him while taking his bag to leave. 

The already invisible smile was kind of fading away from his face at NK's comment, but he didn't let it be noticed by his family. 

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Laxmi Nagar..

Inside Khushi's room, Madhumati (Khushi's neighbor) and Lavanya applied eye kohl behind her ear to ward off evil eyes while admiring how beautiful she looked dressed in a dark green salwar suit. Madhumati left from the room to help Aman and Happy with the arrangements. 

"You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen my baby!" Lavanya said smiling emotionally at her friend. 

"Thank you.. but it's not true. You were the most beautiful bride ever meri jaan!" Khushi patted her friend's cheek lightly, who was sitting beside her on her bed. 

"Oh please Khushi.. this is a never-ending argument so let's not get there. It's a special day for you and we can't fight like tom and jerry today," Lavanya rolled her eyes. 

Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Lavanya got up to attend it, she opened the door only to find her husband standing there, "What happened Aman?"

"Come and check the arrangements in the living room. Everyone needs to be perfect otherwise ladke wale (groom's side) will come and taunts us!" Aman said in a competitive spirit. 

"Seriously Aman!" Lavanya giggled and walked away with him to the living room. 

Khushi was left alone in the room. She picked up her diary from under the bed and opened a blank page. She wrote, "This page was supposed to be filled with memories of this special day in my life, but it will remain blank because that's what my heart feels today.. empty and lonely."

A single tear escaped her eyes, which she swiftly wiped away before anyone could notice her emotional state.

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Sometime later..

Khushi was escorted to the living room by Madhumati and Lavanya as the Raizadas had arrived. They guided her to the beautifully decorated sofa reserved for her and Arnav. Arnav was already seated, patiently waiting for her. Their eyes met briefly, and she was the first to look away. Arnav stood up and assisted her in sitting on the sofa. He then leaned forward and gently placed his palm on her cheek, kissing her forehead as a way of greeting his bride. He then took his seat next to her, eliciting admiring glances from everyone present in the living room.

Khushi lowered her eyes as it was starting to get teary. She dream of this day in her life with Arnav but not under the current circumstances. 

"Kushie!" Aayu ran towards Khushi. She immediately looked up when she heard his voice and smile wholeheartedly while lifting him to sit on her lap, she wrapped her arms around his protectively and Aayu circled his arms around her neck smiling widely, "You look like a Princess Kushie."

Khushi brushed her nose against his cheek lightly, "And you're my handsome Prince!" Aayu smiled, then excitedly pointed to himself and Arnav, "How do we look Kushie? Me and Annav uncle are twinning today!"

"Very handsome!" Khushi replied pulling Aayu's cheek playfully avoiding eye contact with Arnav, she only looked at Aayu. 

After a few minutes of greetings and pleasantries, Anjali stepped forward to begin the ceremony. She held a thali in her hand and applied tilak and rice grains on Khushi's forehead. She then affectionately patted Khushi's head. Afterward, she handed the thali to Madhumati, who performed the same ritual on Arnav. Aayu, who was now seated on his uncle Arnav's lap, adorably gestured for Madhumati to apply tilak on his forehead as well, just like she had done for Arnav. This cute request brought laughter to everyone present. Madhumati obliged with a smile and playfully teased Aayu as she applied the tilak, "Do you want to be Khushi bitiya's chotu husband too?"

Everyone laughed and came forward to bless the couple. Then, the families exchanged gifts.

Nani presented a beautiful red dupatta to Anjali, who gracefully placed it on Khushi's head and bestowed her with thoughtful gifts, including dry fruits, sweets, traditional outfits, and jewelry.
Simultaneously, Aman and Lavanya graciously showered their gifts and blessings upon Arnav.

Aayu was attentively observing the ceremony while sitting on his uncle's lap, eagerly anticipating the moment when he could open the gift baskets and discover the surprises inside. Khushi noticed his adorable curiosity and affectionately patted his cheek, smiling warmly at him. 

Nana and Nani brought the engagement ring, while Lavanya and Aman stood beside Khushi, holding the ring.

Arshi rose from the sofa, and NK swiftly approached them to capture the ring exchange ceremony. Aayu climbed onto the sofa to get a closer look. Arnav received the ring from his grandparents and turned to Khushi, holding it in his hand. He gazed at her intently, as if seeking final confirmation of her decision.

Khushi looked at him with a pained expression. She extended her right hand for Aayu to hold, which he did obediently with an excited smile on his face. She then firmly put her left hand forward to Arnav, which he took as a reply to his question, her final decision. He gently slid the ring onto her finger, and then she was given his ring by Aman and Lavanya. She slid the ring onto his finger, marking the beginning of a new relationship and the union of their families!

"Yaay.. congratulations!! Kushie you belong to Annav uncle and Annav uncle you belong to Kushie now.. and we're officially a Karela family today!" Aayu clapped his hands giggling. His happiness knew no bounds today. 

Khushi smiled at her baby boy and Arnav lifted Aayu's in his arms and kissed his cheek. Khushi came close to them and ruffled her baby's hair playfully. 

They looked like a happy family.. but were they really happy?!

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Here's the prologue of Taste of Love - Book II. 

Let me start this book by expressing my gratitude wholeheartedly to every reader who supported and motivated me in Taste of Love Book I. I'm really thankful for everyone who read, commented and voted on each chapter, who enjoyed the journey of Taste of Love with me during that time. When I look back at Taste of Love, I feel overwhelmed to read everyone's comments and the huge number of votes I got in that book. And I really hope to entertain you all with it's sequel book as well. Thank you so much dear readers!!

And last but the not the least, let me know what you think of the prologue (just don't bash me :D). 

Let's start with Arshi's Taste of Love in their Marriage phase!!