Khushi came out of the washroom freshly showered, She smiled looking at her husband sleeping like a baby. Khushi tiptoed to the bed, and sprinkled water from her wet hair on his face. Arnav groaned and buried his face in her lap. Khushi giggled.

Arnav caged her frame in his arms and pulled her to lie next to himself

Khushi gasped. "Arnav!!"

"Good Mornin' Hazel" He mumbled sleepily

Khushi ran her fingers through his morning locks, "Good Morning" She kissed his hair "Wake up Arnav."

"It's Sunday, Let me sleep" He snuggled more into her "You also sleep."

Khushi smiled at her husband's antics. "Its not sunday Arnav, and I have a lot to do today, I can't sleep baby."

"Mmm"

"Come on Arnav, Wake up." Khushi whined "I have to go downstairs for the Aarti"

Arnav sat on the bed grumpily, "You are mean wifey." He complained.

"You are too cute hubby." Khushi pecked his lips.

"Mrs. Raizada, I'm not cute." Arnav said firmly, pulling her in his arms.

Khushi shook her head, trying to break the hug.

"Hazel, Freeze!!" Arnav tightened his hold on her.

Khushi pouted. "Please let me go?" She made a puppy face

Arnav shook his head. "Not before I get my morning kisses."

Khushi pecked his nose, "Happy?"

"A little downwards." Arnav prompted.

Khushi shook her head at his boldness.

"Come on hazel, aren't you getting late?" Arnav asked impatiently.

Khushi sighed, "What have I gotten myself into."

Arnav pulled her closer, taking her lower lip between his teeth. Khushi gasped.

"You were taking too much time" Arnav mumbled before taking her lips into a passionate, toe curling kiss.

"Chotte, You'll have to take Khushi to the Gupta House for her Pagh-Phera." Ratna told Arnav once they were done with their breakfast.

Arnav frowned, "Now what is that?"

"It's a ritual, in which the new bride is supposed to visit her maternal home after her marriage and get the blessings of her maternal family and ancestors for her happy and blissful married life." Ratna explained

"Haven't Maa and Baba blessed us already? What's the point of going again?" Arnav asked frowning

"It's a ritual chotte. We can't go against the traditions that are being followed for hundreds of years." Arvind said softly.

Arnav shook his head, "How many more rituals are there?" He asked

"This is the last one, if you exclude the mooh-dikhai but since we're holding a wedding reception for the two of you this sunday, I don't think a mooh-dikhai will be needed." Ratna explained.

Arnav nodded.

"Gudiya, I have taken out a saree, You'll have to change into that before you leave." Ratna told Khushi who nodded her head with a smile.

Arnav and Khushi stood in front of the Gupta Mansion. Their hands were entwined with each other's. Garima circled the veneration plate in front of them. "Come in." She told the couple to enter.

Arnav and Khushi entered and touched Shashi's feet.

Shashi blessed them both happily and hugged them.

"You're looking beautiful Titaliya. Kisi ki nazar na lag jaye (May no evil eye befall you)" Shashi smiled and kissed his daughter's forehead.

"Thank you babuji." Khushi blushed.

"Baithiye Arnav. I'll get some juice for you both. Ratna bhabhi told me that you've had your breakfast or else I would have.."

Arnav exhaled. "Maa.. I'm just married to your daughter, nothing else has changed. I'm still your son and you don't have to make any special efforts for me. Mujhe jab jo chahiye hoga, Mein aapko khud bata doonga. Okay? (If I need anything, I'll tell you on my own.)" He said softly.

Garima smiled. "But.."

"No buts.." Arnav kept his finger on her lips.

Garima sighed.

"It's my Khushi's day today, pamper her to your heart's content. I will have my share later." Arnav said smiling softly.

"Okay, sit here and talk to your Baba, I'll get you some refreshments. Both of you!" Garima said sternly and went to the kitchen.

Shashi chuckled.

Arnav smiled.

"Let her do it, She won't be able to sit in peace." Shashi said

The father-son duo then got engaged in the talks that rarely interested Khushi owing to which Khushi stood up from the couch.

Arnav held her hand, "Where are you going?" He asked raising his eyebrows at her

"Kitchen. To see if Amma needs any help" She informed Arnav.

"Are you getting bored?" Arnav asked biting his inner cheek

Khushi nodded, "It's okay, I'll go check on Amma."

After a few minutes, Garima and Khushi came to the hall carrying snacks and refreshments and set them on the coffee table.

"Now sit here titaliya, and dare you move! You have come home for one day and you're engrossing yourself in work." Garima scolded her.

"Mumma didn't let her work yesterday, so she's probably trying to make up for that." Arnav grinned.

"I was just trying to help you." Khushi pouted.

"I'm only teasing you titaliya." Garima cupped her face affectionately.

Khushi smiled.

"Even one day without you felt like such a long time, From the time you've left the house has lost its charm." Shashi said sadly.

Khushi hugged her father tightly. Shashi kissed her forehead lightly

"Dinn bhar ki 'Khushi yeh mat kar..' 'Khushi woh mat kha,' 'Khushi so jaa bahut raat ho gayi' se chutti mil gayi aapko. (You got free from the 'Khushi don't do this' 'Khushi don't eat that' 'Sleep Khushi, it's too late')" Khushi chuckled.

"And all these responsibilities now rest with your Arnav." Garima glanced at her son in law

"He has taken over the charge already." Khushi said

"And that too like a pro." Arnav announced.

"Now.. don't you fly too high Mr. Husband." Khushi said mischievously.

Arnav looked at her mock angrily.

"Khushi.. He's your husband now!!" Garima said sternly.

"I was joking Amma." Khushi whispered.

Arnav shifted closer to her "Hey.."

"I'm sorry Arnav. I didn't mean to make you upset." Khushi whispered sadly.

Arnav looked at Garima and Shashi and then back at his hazel.

"But who said I'm upset?" Arnav asked

"Titaliya.."

Khushi shook her head. "Sorry I just got a little too sensitive." She spoke softly

Arnav sighed, "Maa, I've said that before too. I am married to your daughter but it changes none of the relationship dynamics that I had with you before the marriage. I am still your son, the Arnav who has played in your lap, who has stolen ladoos from your kitchen, the one who has fought with Khushi for absolutely no reason and absolutely no purpose. Before being my wife, Khushi is my best friend. My hazel. She has teased me all my life, and I didn't have a problem with it then so why now? Just because I'm her husband. Isn't that double standards Maa?" Arnav asked.

Garima nodded.

"I have the most beautiful bonds with my Maa and Baba, please stay what you were. My parents don't change into parents in law. Treat me like you did before our marriage. Like the son of this house, who has all the rights to demand anything he likes from his parents. I know you love me, you have been showering me with your love for the last twenty six years of my life. You get what I mean don't you?" Arnav tried to explain.

Garima smiled. "Yes. Yes, I get it."

Arnav smiled.

"I'll take your leave now." Arnav said softly, getting up from the couch.

Garima and Shashi stood up from their respective places along with Khushi.

"I'll come in the evening, to take you home. Don't miss me much okay Hazel?" Arnav winked at her.

"Why are you leaving so soon, stay for a while." Garima insisted.

"I'll come in the evening Maa. I promise. Till then, spend time with her as I'm not going to let her leave me and come here that often. Make use of this opportunity and shower her with your love." Arnav grinned. "Right Khushi?"

Garima sighed. "As you say Arnav."

Arnav bent to touch Garima and Shashi's feet and hugged Khushi dropping a tender kiss on her forehead before leaving.

In the evening, Khushi was sitting with her parents chatting animatedly with them about anything and everything when the doorbell went off.

"Arnav!!" Khushi exclaimed as soon as she heard the doorbell.

Shashi and Garima looked at each other surprised.

"How do you know it's him?" Garima asked, teasing her daughter.

Khushi realized what she had said earlier and blushed

"I.. just do?" Khushi answered still blushing profusely.

Garima patted her head affectionately, as Arnav entered through the hall a few seconds later.

"Good Evening Baba, Good evening Maa." Arnav greeted the couple, after touching their feet.

"Good Evening Arnav." They greeted  back.

Arnav then looked at his wife who stood at a little distance from her parents.

"Hi hazel. Did you miss me?" Arnav asked lovingly, taking her in his arms.

Khushi nodded innocently. Arnav smiled kissing her forehead and the couple walked towards the couch.

I'm sorry for disappearing again (with respect to this story) I had a reason I guess.

I have no idea how Pagh-Phera happens and so I was stuck badly there but I tried my level best here (even though I'm not sure its what I actually wanted) sorry for the delay.

Also.. The story is reaching its conclusion soon. Another story reaching its happy ending. (More or less 5 chapters remaining.)

Anything you want me to include here?

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