Arshi reached at the sangeet hall, everyone was staring at him and gossiping silently to each other.

But Arnav and Khushi were so lost in their own world, that they didn't pay attention to it.

"Nannav.. Khushi.. come.. let's dance.." NK came running to them and held their hands, pulling them to the dance floor.

Khushi happily jumped and joined their family in the dance. But Arnav stood in the crowd, rolling his eyes.

"Arnav ji what are you doing? You look like a Robot in middle of so many people dancing!" Khushi giggled.

Arnav glared at her.

Khushi circled her arms around his waist as she kept her chin on his chest and look up at him smiling, "Shall we do a slow dance?"

Buaji pulled Garima and made her look at Arshi dancing together, "Go and put some sense in your daughter.. Just look at how both are dancing so close to each other.. Just now everyone was talking about her being in same room with Arnav bitwa and now this.. It will give chance to these people to speak ill about her character.."

Garima nodded her head, she went towards Arshi and tapped Khushi's shoulder, "Khushi bitiya.."

Khushi and Arnav stopped their slow dance, and look at her.

"I need to talk with you.. Come with me.." Garima said as she held Khushi's hand and took Khushi with her.

Arnav went to talk with Aman, who was standing in a corner with mood off.

"What happened Aman?" Arnav asked.

"What happened? Nothing big or serious happened.. It's just My life is destroyed!" Aman said dramatically.

"You're looking like a woman!" Arnav said pointing out at Aman's over dramatic dialogue.

"This is not time to be sarcastic.. Try to be a good friend, at least.." Aman glared at him.

"I just asked you what happened.." Arnav shrugged.

"Jenny told me she's engaged.. Can you believe it? First time, I liked someone truly and she's already engaged.. I feel like punching on the face of that man and take his place!" Aman said sadly.

"Are you sure?" Arnav asked with a frown adorning his face.

"Haan.. She told me herself.." Aman pouted.

Arnav smacked his head, "Idiot.. She told you and you believed it?"

"Ouch.." Aman caressed his head, "So should I believe if her fiance comes and tells me that she belongs to him?" he asked sarcastically.

Arnav gave him a Obviously-look.

Aman widened his eyes smiling, "Of course.. Oh my God.. Why didn't this idea came in mind before?"

"You and Akash are business experts.. but when it comes to love.. I don't know where you leave those brains of yours!" Arnav shook his head.

"Because to fall in love, you just need heart.. not brains!" Aman smiled.

"Oh really? If I had not motivated you to use your brain right now, you could have lost Jenny and cry all your life, thinking it to be one sided love!" Arnav said smirking.

Aman sighed in defeat, "Okay.. You won!"

"ASR never loses!" Arnav shrugged and turned his head to the dance stage, watching his and Khushi's family dancing and enjoying themselves.

Meanwhile, Garima took Khushi to Buaji and Shashi.

"What happened Amma? What work you've with me?" Khushi asked.

"Just stay here with us till this function ends.." Garima said.

"But.."

"Hey Titaliya.. shut up and listen to your mother.." Buaji scolded her.

"We will talk once we reach home!" Shashi said with serious tone to Khushi.

Khushi nodded her head gulping. They were so serious and she feared she might have done something wrong again.

"Today I thought to confess my feelings to Arnav ji.. but I couldn't.. And now Amma and Bauji seem so serious.. I wonder what happened now.." she thought sadly.

Aman pulled Jenny from the dance crowd, to a corner. Jenny glared at him, "What do you want?"

"Proof.. I want you to show me who your fiance is.. Then I'll believe that you're engaged.." Aman said staring intently at her, trying to intimidate her to speak the truth.

"Idiot monkey.." Jenny hit on his forehead, "You took so much time to realize this.."

"Means? You're were lying, right? You're not engaged, right?" Aman's smile widened.

"Nahin.." Jenny blushed, she pushed him away and went from there running. Truth is she lied to him so that he stays away from her, but then she started missing his craziness. She wanted him to talk with her, but he wasn't approaching her and she too didn't want to show that she was missing him or desperate to talk with him. So she kept waiting and finally today, he came and talk to her!

"Chote.. come.. we'll click a family picture.." Anjali pulled Arnav with her to click pictures.

Arnav gestured Khushi to come and stand with him. She nodded sideways.

He walked towards her and she nodded sideways vigorously with crying look, gesturing him not to come to take her and that they would talk later.

Arnav unwillingly agreed.

Anjali noticed the eyes conversation and hand gestures between both. She knows both are confused right now also, but they (Raizadas and Guptas) decided that they would talk about this matter once Payash get married. Otherwise they would spoil Arshi's mood and they won't be able to enjoy Payash's marriage.

The function ended with Raizadas and Guptas taking many pictures together and with few guests but Arshi getting restless as the families were keeping them away from each other.

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

Next Day..

Payal walked out of the bathroom dressed in a yellow salwar kameez. She stare at Khushi who is sitting on their bed in bridal position, hugging on her knees and resting her chin on it, as tears rolled down her eyes.

Payal walked to her and sat beside her, wiping away her tears: Khushi don't feel bad about Amma, Bauji and Buaji's words.. they just don't want people to badmouth about you and question your character just like they did in past..

"I'm not upset about this Jiji.. I understand their point of views.." Khushi said.

"Toh phir? (Then?)" Payal asked.

"But I also know that I didn't do anything wrong with Arnav Ji.. We never crossed our limits Jiji.. Arnav ji respects me a lot.. He knows about my upbringing, about my values, about my lifestyle.. He knows what makes me feel comfortable or not.. He never forced me for anything Jiji.. Then why did Buaji said that it's all because of Arnav ji? Why is she blaming his lifestyle for all this? I admit he's modern and he doesn't mind getting close to me before marriage, but he stopped himself from doing so.. he respected my decision.. and till today he never touched me without my permission.. Just because he took me to his room, it means he had bad intentions with me.. This is what disgusting me Jiji.. that we live in a society like this.. that doesn't think before judging others.." Khushi said sobbing.

Payal hugged her tightly with moist eyes, "It's okay.. everything will be alright.. You already know how Buaji is.. she just talks without knowing if she's hurting the other person or not.."

"Arnav ji was right.. We shouldn't care what others have to say about us.." Khushi said.

"Payal bitiya.." Garima opened the door of their room, calling Payal to attend her haldi function.

Khushi and Payal broke their hug and composed themselves.

"Go outside.. everyone is waiting to apply haldi on you.." Garima said.

"Ji.." Payal nodded and left the room, gesturing Khushi to come with her. Khushi nodded.

Garima sat beside Khushi when Payal left. Khushi looked down.

"Are you upset with us?" Garima asked.

"Nahin Amma.." Khushi replied.

"Me and your father don't have any problem with Arnav bitwa.. He's our son too.. He treated us with so much love and respect.. He always made us feel comfortable with Raizada family.. He is the one who helped Payal bitiya to marry Akash bitwa.. He is always there to help us in times of need.." Garima said, "And should I say one more thing, he's my and Shashi's favorite son in law, too!"

Garima and Khushi chuckled softly at the last sentence.

"We are just worried Khushi.. for you both.." Garima said serious, "We have that right as your parents, right?.. No parents like when others question the characters of their children.. We also didn't like what happened yesterday.. We're trying to protect you both from this evil society.. that's it.. We're not separating you both.." she ended with tears in her eyes.

Khushi immediately wiped the tears from Garima's eyes, "Amma please stop crying.. I'm not upset with what you and Bauji said to me.. never.. I know you both want good for me and Arnav ji only.."

"Then why are you crying? Why are you locked in this room since yesterday?" Garima asked.

"Because I just felt bad about what Buaji said.. she blamed Arnav ji for this.." Khushi said crying again as Buaji's words came to her mind again, "He's my life.. I won't listen bad about him.. It hurts me Amma!"

"Aree.. you're talking as if you don't know how your Buaji is.. she always talks bitter but deep inside she loves you and Arnav bitwa a lot.. she too was so angry when guests were talking ill about you.." Garima hugged Khushi and caressed her long hair, "Shh.. my doll stop crying now.. it's enough.. Shh.."

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

Afternoon..

Raizadas, Guptas, Aman and Jenny and the guests were already at the present to witness Payash marriage. They had to wait for priest to arrange things to start the ceremony.

Khushi was emotional seeing her sister in bridal look, and sitting beside Akash. Her sister was so happy and the smile on her face was proof of that.

"Thank you DM.. Few months back, me and Jiji cried so much over her broken marriage.. but just look at her today.. she's so happy that she's marrying the love of her life.. the best life partner for her.. May no one cast an evil eye on her and Akash Ji.. I just wish they stay always happy like this together and forever!" Khushi thought with a huge smile and tears im her eyes.

Arnav admired her standing distant from her. She looked so beautiful in a pink lehenga, that even while talking with Anjali, he just couldn't take his eyes off her.

"Chote.. Are you even listening to what I'm saying?" Anjali asked waving her hands near his face.

(Arnav's look)

Arnav stare at her startled, "Hmm?"

"I can't believe this.. It's your brother's marriage today and it seems only I've to do everything here.. Only I'm worried.. Mami is worried about her saree, her jewelry and her make up.. Nani is chatting with her guests.. Mama is nervous as if he's the one who's getting married.. Shyam ji is busy flirting with me.. And you are lost.. don't know where.." Anjali complained.

Arnav made her turn and look at Khushi, "It's all her fault.. If she wasn't so beautiful, your brother wouldn't have been lost today!"

Anjali smiled, then cupped his face lovingly.

Shashi approached Arnav and Anjali.

"Can I talk with you for a while Arnav bitwa?" Shashi asked.

"Sure uncle.." Arnav nodded his head.

"Looks like my Chote isn't so lost anymore.. Got scared of your father in law?" Anjali whispered to him in teasing tone.

Arnav glared at her. Anjali giggled and left from there.

Shashi and Arnav went to a corner to talk. Once they reached, Shashi broke the silence and maintained a serious and stern look.

What exactly are your intentions with Khushi?" Shashi asked sternly.

"What do you mean uncle?" Arnav asked confused.

"You are not ready for marriage then why are you playing with my daughter's life? Do you even realize what are you doing Arnav? Her name is getting spoiled in our society and yet again because of You!" Shashi said deeply hurt and angry.

Arnav wanted to speak but Shashi didn't let him.

"Look this might be normal for you but not for us Arnav bitwa.. We live in a society and our reputation means a lot to us.. Khushi's reputation got spoiled in Lucknow.. this same society didn't let her live peacefully after you leaked those pictures of your Fashion show, and that's the reason she shifted to her Buaji's house to start her life afresh.." Shashi said, "But now guess she will face it all over again .."

"Uncle tell me clearly what happened?" Arnav asked.

"Yesterday in sangeet function, you took Khushi to your room.. and guests started talking horrible things about her.. that you both aren't married and already sharing the same room.. They started to question my daughter's character.. and I couldn't handle it Arnav.. I wish I could answer back to all of them who were speaking ill of Khushi but I couldn't.. What would I say? Her fiancee isn't even sure that he loves her or not.. Her fiancee doesn't want to get married now.. You're not even clear what kind of relationship you share with Khushi, then how will I face people Arnav?.. Tell me one thing, after all this.. if you realize that what you feel for Khushi is not love, what will you do next?..... Let me tell you, it will be very easy for you to leave her, move on and escape from this society tantrums.. but it will my daughter who will face everything later.. the questions on her character, the humiliation, society mocking her.. She's the one who's gonna face all this Arnav.. she will be completely broken then.." Shashi said with tears in his eyes.

"So I beg you Arnav bitwa.. Stay away from Khushi until you're clear about your feelings for her!" Shashi said keeping his emotions aside.

Shashi went from there leaving Arnav completely shattered.

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

"You can start doing the seven rounds praying and exchanging vows of duty, love, fidelity, and respect.." the priest guided Payash.

Payash started walking around the holy fire.

Mami and Mama looked at each other smiling, they finally got their son married. Anjali and Nani were equally emotional.

Garima, Shashi and Buaji were in tears already. As they knew how they dream of their daughter married, but once her marriage broke.. somewhere their hopes also broke.. They were worried about her future, about who will accept her.. if he will be a good life partner for Payal or not. But now their hearts are in peace, knowing that their Payal is in safe hands.

Khushi was happily throwing rice to the groom and bride taking the seven rounds.

Arnav was the only one who was completely lost in between all this. He was struggling with his own insecurities and Khushi's father words.

Payash finished the last round, the priest asked Akash to fill Payal's maang with sindoor and tie mangalsutra around her neck. Akash did as he said as the priest declared the husband and wife.

Everyone clapped for Payash. They went to take blessings from elders.

Meanwhile, Arnav walked with determined steps towards Khushi. Once he reached near her, Khushi looked at him confused.

He held her hand and said in husky tone, "Come with me.."

He took her to the mandap gaining everyone's attention. Raizadas, Guptas and the guests followed them with their gaze.

"Can a second marriage happen now?" Arnav asked to the priest.

Everyone was shocked and started whispering to each other.

The priest nodded his head.

"Then start the mantras quick!" Arnav ordered.

Khushi widened her eyes in shock, she whispered: Arnav ji what are you doing? Are you even in your senses?

"Don't you trust me?" Arnav asked her.

Khushi nodded her head.

Anjali smiled brightly, "Chote is marrying with Khushi.."

Everyone was still so shocked to even react to what she said. So she pushed an emotional Shashi to the mandap.

Shashi stare at Arnav with tears in his eyes, he whispered "Thank you for saving my daughter's dignity" to Arnav while tying a knot between Khushi's veil and Arnav's stole given to them. Arnav blinked his eyes in response to Shashi.

The priest started chanting the mantras, and they followed obediently what priest instructed them.

Then priest asked them to stand up and walk around the holy fire giving seven rounds doing vows of duty, love, fidelity, and respect.

Arshi finished it and at last, Arnav took sindoor from Anjali's hand and filled it on Khushi's maang.

Khushi stare at him numb and tears in her eyes.

He tied mangalsutra around her neck. It was simple one given by the priest, he promised himself to buy another for her of her choice.

The priest declared them husband and wife, making both families happy and shutting the haters mouth.

Khushi threw herself on Arnav's arms hugging him tightly.