Chapter 33
Two days passed since the wedding date was finalized. Vijay's family returned to Kerala today.
Anjali and Vijay were having dinner outside. Vijay noticed Anjali was thinking about something else when he was talking about the wedding.
"Where are you lost?"
Anjali came out of her thoughts and sighed.
"I was thinking about Khushiji and Chote "
Vijay kept the fork and knife down to hold her hand.
"Why are you worrying unnecessarily ? You saw yourself right?.. They are fine now. They were pretty much close to each other. And Arnav was very happy. If I am not wrong this is the first time I am seeing him genuinely happy. "
"I saw that too Vijay. I knew they will be fine from the day since chote left for Dubai. Khushi has a golden heart. I knew she will forgive him sooner or later. But my concern is.. Our wedding will remind them about their own wedding which did not happen. It is not that easy you know.. Especially for Khushiji.. Even if they are together now, the wounds will be open and fresh again.."
Anjali couldn't help but to worry. Understanding her plight Vijay squeezed her hand gently and looked into he reyes.
"Anjali you only told me before.. It is the marriage which is important not the wedding ? They are together now and that is all that matters. And you should be happy about that. And if they want they can get married again. not a big deal.. "
"No they won't.. Yesterday I talked to Khushi about it. I thought if they agree then we could have a double wedding in Dubai. But Khushi refused it immediately. She told they are not going to get married again. Their marriage is legally valid and that is enough for her. Not sure how chote feels about it."
"If that is what they want, then let it be.. It is their life. Even we did not like it when mami - evenif she is family asked us to get married as soon as possible when she came to know about our relation. We wanted to decide it ourselves. We wanted space from everyone. Same applies to them also. Don't pressurize them for anything. "
"Sometimes the guilt for not being strong enough in the past eats me up Vijay. I am the one who is responsible for the way their wedding happened. When Akash and Payal's wedding was going on it was evident that Chote and Khushi were in love. I really wanted chote to confess his feelings to Khushi.. He nearly did that.. But suddenly everything changed. I wish things were different. I couldn't help but to loathe myself for being the selfish women I was.."
"Anjali.. We all are humans.. And humans make mistakes. Not only you.. Everyone is at fault. Arnav, Khushi's family, your family, even Khushi herself for not exposing Shyam in the beginning. But among all of you Khushi is the one who was hurt the most. It's all in the past .. By discussing it again you are making come to the present. It is better there's not to rake over the ashes. "
He pulled her hands towards himself and kissed her palm. It was his way of telling her that he is with her always. He did the same in that party when they met to plot against Shyam. He is her knight in shining armor. She was lucky to find him. Just like Chote was lucky to find Khushi.
"Hmmm.. Maybe you are right. They are together and happy that is enough. Just like us. "
A slow smile worked its way across her face and into her eyes. He smiled back and continued with their dinner.
"So.. what do you think about shifting to new home after marriage?"
He attempted to change the subject.
"I don't understand what is the need for that. For both of us the apartment is more than enough. Why are you thinking about shifting suddenly? "
She saw his smile vanished and he turned serious.
"It is not a sudden decision. We already have a house in Delhi. When I shifted to Delhi I choose to live in the apartment because I felt living alone in a mansion is a bad idea. After marriage I wanted to shift there with you and I wanted it to be our home. That is why the house is being renovated now. You did not like the house? If you don't like it then we can buy some other house as per your taste.. "
"No.. No.. It is a beautiful house Vijay.. who will not like it? "
"Then what is the problem?"
"Fine.. After marriage we will be living there.. Happy ?"
"Very happy.."
Vijay called for the cheque after finishing their desert. He wanted to spend more time with her but Anjali opposed the idea.
"Vijay we decided that we won't be having sex until marriage.. remember?"
"But .. Marriage is still 3 months away yaar.. It is not fair."
"Don't act cute with me.. No more discussion on this.. drop me home now. "
An annoyed Vijay followed a giggling Anjali to the car.
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They finally landed at the Heathrow Airport in London. To make the formalities easier they had to travel to India first and from there to London.
It was a long journey but they were excited to travel together for the first time. They travelled from India to Dubai together but it was different.
Khushi noticed the sky was clear and partly sunny when they came out. Arnav carried their daughter in one arm and his other hand held Khushi's as they walked out of the airport to his staff who was waiting for him.
On the way to their apartment Arnav excitedly described many things about London to them. Her husband loved this city she could see that from his enthusiasm.
After 25 minutes drive they reached their apartment in Knightsbridge- one of the poshest neighborhoods in the world. She heard that It is home to fashion stores, the world-renowned department store, Harrods, and banks that cater to wealthy individuals.
The Apartment was so like him. Neat, Classy and luxurious. A lady named Maggi in Mid fifties was introduced to her as the caretaker of the apartment. Maggi greeted her with a warm smile and respect as if she knew her much before. Khushi got little confused by her behavior but returned her warm smile and walked towards the bedroom.
Arnav got a call from his PA, he excused himself and asked her to continue. She opened the door of the master bedroom and she was stunned by the vision before her.
It was a life size photograph of them hanged on the wall. A still from their sangeet ceremony. She didn't know this moment was captured by the photographer. It was a moment from their dance where they both were lost in each other.
They were so happy. Unaware of the storm which was going to take place. On the bedside table there was one more picture which was her's.
It was from the day of photoshoot for the calendar. It was the first time when she felt there was something between them from the way he was looking at her but his later actions proved her wrong.
These photographs in his room, where he spent the last three years made her realize something. Her Arnavji did not forget her all these years like she feared. He was living with her memories. This stubborn man was living as her husband all there years. Not as a bachelor like she assumed.
"Khushi.." Arnav called her name in a low voice from behind.
Without saying anything she just hugged him tight inhaling his cologne. They stayed like that for few minutes.
"That picture from sangeet is very nice.. We will take a family picture later - three of us and will hang it here near to this."
He hugged her more tightly to himself and nodded unable to understand what exactly his wife was feeling at the moment.
They both let go of each other when they heard a knock. It was Maggi.
"Sir, Mam.. The dinner is ready"
"Ok.. we will have after freshening up.. You can leave if its late.. We will serve ourselves. You can come back tomorrow morning."
"Ok Sir.. Thank you.. Good night mam"
"Good night Maggi"
So Maggi recognized her from these pictures. She smiled as Maggi left from there and went back to living room check on Muskaan followed by Arnav.
She found her daughter in the dining room eating strawberry cupcakes wearing only her knickers.
Khushi smiled at the cute picture her daughter made. She walked towards her daughter and pretended to be hungry and opened her mouth to Muskaan.
Muskaan lovingly fed her mother a piece of her favorite cupcake.
Arnav watched his wife and daughter sitting comfortably in his dining hall with a content smile. Until now this was just a place for him to stay, with the presence of his wife and daughter this became a home.
While leaving this apartment before 3 months, he never thought a day like this will come in his life. He silently thanked Khushi's Devi Maiyya for giving his life back.
He was an atheist, still he is.. But in the past three years he had serious conversations with Khushi's Devi Maiyya for keeping her safe and happy. He chuckled imagining the reaction of Khushi if she comes to know about his deal with her Devi Maiyya.
Muskaan slept after the dinner as she was exhausted but Muskaan's parents were not so exhausted to indulge in newfound exciting activities.
Khushi flung herself into his arms, pulling his face down to caress across his features.
He chuckled hoarsely and spread butterfly kisses across her forehead, hugging her against him even tighter.
"Khushi.."
"Mmmm"
"I love you"
"I love you too"
Later.. Much later in that languid time between lovemaking and the usual surrender to sleep, Arnav traced his fingers over her naked torso.
"Khushi I still can't believe you are here with me on this very same bed" He whispered in her ear.
In response Khushi bit hard on his shoulder yielding an yelp from him.
"Now you believe ? "
"Ouch .. That hurts"
"Take it as a punishment for hiding the issues happening here from me.."
"You know why I did that.."
"Arnavji.. I knew why you did that but please if something is bothering you then you will share with me. There won't be any secret between us. Promise me.."
He smiled and kissed her forehead.. "I promise Khushi.. "
After some time she heard measured breathing as Arnav drifted off to sleep. She closed her eyes and snuggled close to him.
Love,
ST
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