Part 32

Few months Later

Arnav lived every moment in these months. After the night of the party, things took a new turn. Both Khushi and Arnav made efforts from their part to build their relationship. Taking their time from their busy day just to spend some moments with each other,some time Arnav joined Guptas for breakfast or dinner, sometimes took Khushi out for dates .Khushi usually send him lunch after she started her lunch service. It was Arnav's idea to start lunch service. When he faced some problems with his present caterer , he asked Khushi whether she could cater lunch for his employees .First she outright rejected the idea stating her difficulty to manage everything. But later Arnav convinced her saying her initiative may gave someone a livelihood. Khushi was first dazed with what he said but he later explained how troubled he was when he saw her desperate to stabilize her family's life. He also said her how he struggled to have a job to support his mama when he and his di joined then after they were thrown out of their house by his chacha . Arnav just didn't suggest the idea, he gifted Khushi a full strength commercial kitchen with every modern amenities as her birth day gift. She fought tooth and nail to reject that but later he convinced her with the help of Manorama and buaji.

Raizadas were delighted when Arnav informed them about Khushi's decision to give their love a chance but decided to hold back their enthusiasm to force a marriage up on them .Nani and Mami just said Arnav to decide everything with Khushi's approval and not to throw away the chance he got at happiness with his anger and hastiness.

Everything was going fine. Both families were happy with the way their children were handling their relationship. Arnav not only did win Khushi's heart but also made a place in Guptas heart .He made efforts from his part to be a family member to them and his efforts made Akash too do the same. Sasi's health has been improved and he could now talk and can walk with some help.

After some persuasion and emotional blackmailing from nani and mami Khushi started visiting Santhivan regularly .Everyone has accepted her as a Raizada that it was difficult for an outsider to say she is yet to become one.

Arnav made sure to show how important Khushi is in his life to people around him especially to employees in AR. They were bewildered at first but now they too have grown familiar to their relation. Why wouldn't they when almost every day they see Khushi getting angry and scolding Arnav for neglecting his health or for not having lunch and medicine. Khushi was seldom bothered about her surrounding when she is in her Khushi mode. First they thought Arnav will burst in anger and react just like the past when Khushi scolded him when he was a discussion with some of his employees it left them dumbfounded when they saw a smiling Arnav enjoying her outburst. Arnav loved and felt contented on such moments where Khushi's care and loved oozed in every word she utter. It may not be some lovely dovey words but her actions and concerned face give away her true feelings. Added to that, he sometimes gets an additional benefit of her feeding him with her own hands. So why would he get angry?

Months passed by. It was Nani's birthday. Nani wanted to celebrate it just with their close friends and Guptas. Not that Raizadas and Guptas now needed an occasion to spend time together. People in Lakshmi nagar see expensive luxury car pulling down their lane every other day. Now Anjali staying in a different place, Nani and mami accompany Payal most days and spend their day with Buaji and Garima. Mami too had dusted her old hobby of embroidery being in buaji's company. Manorama now enjoyed her life away from the fake society she tried to fit in, where she has to pretend like someone else.

Khushi and Payal was in kitchen preparing special sweets for Nani's birthday. Akash called Payal to his room saying it was urgent that he needed some file. Arnav saw Payal living the Kitchen; he took the opportunity and sneaked there. He slowly went behind Khushi and hugged her from back keeping his head on her shoulders.

"Arnavji what are you doing? Someone will come"

"Everyone is busy "

"Jiji will be back any moment"

"No she won't"

"How are you so sure?"

"Because she is busy with her husband and don't expect her to show up at least in an hour" Khushi didn't miss the naughty smile on Arnav's face which gave her a fair idea about what made her jiji busy.

"App bhi naa Arnavji"

"Do you know Kushi ,I feel so jealous of Akash. He can have his moments with Payal whenever he want, where ever he wants without the fear of getting caught or without the fear of giving in to our emotions. While I have to sneak to spend some moments with you or have to make sure nobody see us when we kiss, or to lose control whenever I am with you. Arnav complained like a child

"That is the perks of marriage Mr. Raizada."

"Yah right. That fool really rub that in my face whenever he could. I am just waiting for the day you will be in my arms. Trust me when I say this, he is going to regret everything he did the moment you are ready to take next step in our relationship"

"Nobody asked you to wait Arnavji "Khushi said it and quickly went back to her stirring the dish in the stow. Arnav took a moment to understand what he heard. When Khushi didn't hear any sound for a long time she looked at the place where Arnav stood moments back to find him long gone.

"Where did he went now? This man will make me mad one day" She hit her forehead with her palm

After some moments HP came to the kitchen

"Khushiji. Your mother is calling you. App jayiye..yeh may kardooja(You go..i will do the rest)"

"Ji Hpji"

When she came to her mother, everyone were sitting in living hall except for the obvious couple who are engaged in naughty things.

"Bitiya come here...Devyaniji wants to ask you something"

"Ji naniji"

"It's nothing bitiya. One of friend wants some south Indian sweets for a function in her home. She asked me whether you cater them. I said I will ask you?' Nani said with a smile

"Ji nani, Harilal kaka (one of Khushi's helper) is an expert in south Indian sweets. We do cater them .So it's not a problem .Just ask her what all things she needed and the quantity or even better just give her my number .I will talk to her."

"That's good bitiya. I will give her your number"

In all this discussion nobody noticed Arnav slowly moving towards Sasi and sitting beside him. He took sasi's hands in his and held them.

"Bubuji you all know I love Khushi .I love her so much .I know I have done some very nasty things which caused you all a lot of pain. I am so sorry. I regret everything I did .But I want to assure you I will never hurt her again. I want to cherish every moment I have with her and to do everything possible to keep her happy. I assure you I will protect her with my life.

For Khushi you all are her world. Your happiness is her happiness. It will only be right if I ask you first .So will you happily give your daughter to me ,as my wife to cherish her, love her. Will you accept me as your son in low or even better a son ."Sasi 's could feel his eyes getting blurred with the tears .He couldn't gather enough words to say. So was everyone. They never thought Arnav would do something like this. Khushi wiped her eyes feeling proud that she fell in love with this man.

"Bitwa my Khushi is my strength. Not only mine but my family's. I knew even if something happens to me she will take care of everyone. Even when she suffers she makes people around her happy. But I failed somewhere bitwa. My bitiya always felt the need to please everyone especially in front of our relatives. She was always judged, compared and compelled to show gratitude to us. She has suffered a lot till now bitwa, so I want her to live her rest of her like she wants. If her happiness is with you, I will gladly give you my daughter but with a hope that you won't take her for granted."

"I promise babuji, Her happiness will be my priority. I will make sure she lives her life without getting judged, without the need to please anyone."

Shashi looked at Garima and Buaji for their permission before nodding to Arnav.

Arnav then went near Khushi and grabbed her hand. "Khushi I have apologized to you so many times, but I will repeat. I repent every mistake I committed to you. But you were so kind and loving that you had it in your heart to give me a chance to show you how important you are to me. But I can't continue like this. I am greedy. I feel the need to have you with me in every moment of my life. So will you give me a chance to be your life partner. Will you give me an opportunity to tell the world that I am your husband?."

"Arnavji..."Khushi couldn't know how to react .All she could do was to shed tears of happiness seeing the sincerity in his eyes and words. She couldn't find enough words so she did the best thing which will convey him what her heart desire. She hugged him tight. After parting from the hug, Arnav took a jewelry box from his pocket. He slowly took the bangles from the box

"Khushi these are my mother's. She kept it safe for her daughter in law. I can't get you anything more precious than this to say how important you are in my life, how much I adore you. Will you accept this and promise a life time with me."

Khushi couldn't hold back her tears. She nodded and forwarded her hands for him to make her wear the piece of ornament which he consider as a blessing from his mother.

Raizada ladies wept at the memory of their daughter .Anjali alone stood at a corner with a pang in her heart. It was her mother's. Not something which Arnav could easily give away. And more than everything doesn't her brother felt the need to tell her he wants to marry Khushi, that he was going to propose her. Doesn't she hold any importance in his life anymore. Anjali gulped the distaste she felt knowing it won't be good to create a scene.