There will never be another you Chapter 16

 Khushi stretched her arms and yawned, then leaned forward to rise. Suddenly the memory of events occurred last night came back to her. She was in the same dress. She grabbed the alarm on the side table. it was 7.30 am and Arnav was no where. 

Oh God.. I slept even before the Mehndi ceremony ended and now in 30 minutes haldi is going to start. what kind of a daughter in law am I ? She cursed herself , grabbed the towel and ran inside the bathroom. After 15 minutes she came out of the bathroom wearing the bathrobe. 

Then she saw her husband who was holding a package in his hand as if he was waiting for her to come out of the bathroom. 

"Good Morning sleepyhead.. " He said with a lovely smile which made her heart beat faster.

"I am late Arnavji.. Why you didn't wake me up? " She smiled back at him and went to the dressing table and switched on the hair dryer.

"Its ok Khushi, you still have 15 minutes. I am here to help you. Relax !!" He took the dryer from her and started drying her hair. 

She admired him when he was patiently drying her hair. Do he have any idea what he is doing to her poor heart? 

Suddenly Buaji's words came back hunting her.

No... Arnavji said he will make everything alright and she trusts him. She will not let Buaji ruin her mood on Anjali Di's wedding. 

"Now remove the robe and wear this one. I designed it for you. I hope you like it. It is little heavy so you are gonna need help with that. " 

Hearing his words Khushi's eyes widened in shock. 

It was a new dress. Again a beautiful pink one. When he saw Khushi's lack of response.

"What's wrong?"

"Ahh.. I went to take bath in hurry so I didn't get time to take my.. my.. " 

Oh so his wife was trying to tell him that she is naked under that robe. He couldn't stop his imagination which made him gulp, which didn't go unnoticed by Khushi.

"It's good actually.. I mean the inners for this one is also I brought with this. As this is a different style you usually wear I bought the pair which goes with the dress. I will step outside for few minutes when you wear that." He explained. 

"No.. its ok. You can look the other side when I change. " She said looking here and there. 

When he turned and looked away, she slowly removed her robe and took the pink strapless bra and seamless panties from that package and wore it in record speed. 

The sound of her anklets when she moved made him breath deeply. He tried to divert his mind to something else but it was not helping.

"Ouch.." He turned around and reached her side hearing her hurt. 

She already wore the choli and trying to put her legs inside the heavy ghagra in hurry made her lose the balance. 

"Careful Khushi.. " He helped her stand steady.

"I am sorry.. " She was embarrassed as she was standing only in the choli and panties.  

"let me help you.. "  

He knelt down slowly and he noticed her breathing became heavy. He was constantly reminding himself not to lose his self control. 

His nose was dangerously near to her belly button. She has an evenly toned, flawless skin.

When he exhaled his breath hit her navel, she put her hand on his shoulder and closed her eyes. 

Encouraged by her response he placed a tender kiss on her navel which made her grasp his shoulder more tightly.

Control Arnav.. Control.. He whispered to himself and clasped the button on the ghagra and straightened up. 

He smiled at her innocent flushed face and picked out her earrings which goes together with the outfit and took a step back after handing it over to her and silently watched her putting the makeup on. 

Once she has finished getting ready, she raised her eyebrows at Arnav and twirled around happily. 

He felt charged and euphoric seeing her carefree.

Her smile was very bright, even brighter than sunflower's. At that moment he remembered something his sister told long back.

Love is when the other person's happiness is more important than your own. That is what he started to feel. He smiled brightly back at her when the realization of Love hit his heart in full force.

Yes.. He is in love with his wife.. 

The realization changed something within him. 

He doesn't have to be something or someone he is not when he is with her. There he shredded the tiny inhibition left in him and felt completely free for the first time in his life. 

The next second he covered the distance between them and grabbed Khushi in a tight hug. 

"I Love You Khushi... " He whispered to her while hugging her close.  

He felt her froze against him.  Did he scare her ? He couldn't stop himself when it occurred to him that he is in love with her. He broke the hug and cupped her face with worry.  

He panicked when tears rolled down her cheek.

"Khushi.. please don't get stressed..  There is no need to say anything. I just want you to know about my feelings for you. I didn't mean to scare you. Oh god why did I say that to you , you were so happy and now I made you cry.. I am sorry Khushi.. "

Khushi smiled in between her tears looking at her husband. This is nothing less than a dream for her. He loves her just like she loves him. 

Ever since she was orphaned she never got anything she wanted. Either it was denied because of Buaji or she never expressed what she need to avoid fights between her father and Buaji however small her wishes were.  She loves him too but he is yet to know that. 

As it was unbelievable that he fell in love with her, his confession made her froze at first then she couldn't control her tears once she accepted it.

"I love you too Arnavji.. I am sorry for ruining the moment by crying but I couldn't control my tears of happiness.." She looked into his eyes as his expression changed from being worried to sheer joy. 

He took her into another hug as both enjoyed the peace they felt at the moment. They just wanted to freeze this moment and remain here forever.

The knock on the door interrupted their moment and it made Arnav irritated.

"Who is it?" 

"Woh Bhaiyyah.. Haldi is about to start Naniji is calling you both." Hari Prakash told him with hesitation.

"Tell her we will be out in 2 minutes. " He replied as Khushi stepped away from him and fixed her makeup in hurry. 

Once she is done he cupped her face gently and kissed her forehead as if she is the most delicate thing in the world. 

"Khushi maybe this is not the type of romantic confession we see in movies but It is the most beautiful feeling I ever experienced in my life. "

"For me too Arnavji.. We have to hurry now, its Di's big day. We will talk later. "

They left the room hand in hand towards Anjali's room.

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Anjali wore a light green organza saree for her haldi. Everyone objected her selection when she was selecting it. She did not change her mind. The saree was simple and she liked it. This time she was doing everything without compromising anything. 

As they are keeping everything low-key, it was decided that bride and groom will do the haldi ceremony in their own respective houses. When the marriage was fixed to be honest she was not that happy, but after knowing Shivaay to a certain extend she is at peace now, and happy. 

Satisfied with her look she clicked few selfies and send it to Shivaay. Before she could see if the message was delivered her grandmother came into the room in hurry.

"Anjali bitiya.. Hurry up.. Its going to be the Muhurat for haldi.. Everyone is waiting. And this Chote and Khushi bitiya they are also not ready yet, I will go and call them, they will be bringing you down."

"We are here Nani.. " Arnav and Khushi entered Anjali's room. The happiness on their faces didn't go unnoticed by Anjali and Nani. Something has changed between them , it was evident. But they didn't ask, its their life. Nani just sent a silent prayer to God to keep them happy and  together always.

"Come di .. Lets go down.. " Arnav, Khushi and Anjali walked down the stairs with their grandmother as the guests and panditji waited to start the ceremony. 

Love,

ST