There will never be another you Chapter 17

Madhumati watched everything from a distance. She suppressed her anger mixed with jealousy as Arnav and Khushi walked around without leaving each other's hand and performed the rituals. She was hoping Khushi would take the blame on herself. She knew how to make Khushi obey whatever she wants before she married Arnav. But this time she was not certain. Maybe if she pushes her some more then she might give in.

Maybe she can emotionally manipulate her in the name of saving the honor of Sashi by faking sadness. For that she need to get sometime alone with Khushi but Arnav was not leaving her alone even for a minute. She did not miss the happiness and closeness of the couple. Arnav's adoring gaze on her and the way he was asking the staff to bring refreshments for her when he felt she was tired made Madhumati's blood boil. The girl nobody wanted is now living the life queen in front of her. She has to do something. With determination she walked away from the venue giving one last look of disgust towards Khushi.

Once the haldi is over Payal went to Khushi and Arnav and asked them to come to the kitchen area. Arnav and Khushi watched Payal in confusion as she whispered something to Devyani and went running in to the Kitchen and came back holding something tightly inside her right hand. Without a word she warded off the evil eye from the couple and signaled Khushi and Arnav to blow in her hand. They smiled and did as asked. Payal went back the Kitchen again to burn off the chilly, salt and mustard. Arnav and Khushi waited for Payal to come out of kitchen as they smiled at each other.

Payal came out of the kitchen and hugged Khushi happily.

"Khushi I don't know what changed between you two but I am getting a feeling that you both are happy in your life now. And I am so happy for you, be happy like this always." Khushi looked at her sister with teary eyes as she received the genuine blessing from someone when she is starting a new life with her husband. 

The sisters broke the hug and Payal turned towards Arnav.

"Arnavji I don't know if Khushi has told you everything or not, She has gone through a lot in her life. This is the first time she is happy in true sense. Please keep her happy always. I know you will, still as her elder sister I want this promise from you." Payal extended her hand towards Arnav and he smiled and kept his hand over hers.

"I promise Payal, I will keep her happy. I will take care of her always. Don't worry. "

When they returned to the hall, Devyani asked them to go and take rest for few hours as they have to leave for the wedding in 3.5 hours.

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Madhumati tried Tina's number again and again. When she dialed for the 9th time she answered the call.

"Why the hell you are calling me continuously. ? Don't you have common sense? when someone is disconnecting your call again and again you should understand that they are not interested in talking to you." Tina barked at Madhumati.

"Oh so you are not interested in talking to me now? How come? Today is the wedding. I know this time its very risky but I will give you videos but in return I need a favor from you. Don't you need to be the first one to get an update on the wedding? "

"No"

Madhumati was taken back by the straight refusal.

"Why?"

"None of your business. I don't want your videos and I am not going to do any favor for you. And don't you dare to call me again."

Madhumati felt her anger reach its peak as none of her plans were working.

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The wedding is happening in the TVM hertitage hotel owned by Rathore's family friend. And to avoid suspicions they booked the wedding hall and suites in another hotel to mislead the media. The venue is closed for outsiders for the last 3 days. The Raizada's and Rathore's arrived at the venue 2 hours before the wedding in separate cars in casual clothes. Suites were arranged for everyone and the clothes everyone was supposed to wear were already sent to their respective suites one day before.

Anjali finished taking bath and tied her bathrobe quickly. The wedding day is finally here. 

She walked out of the bathroom as the stylists waited for her to start the makeup and hairdo. 

She is going to be a bride again. A strange shiver ran through her body as she absorbed the reality finally. They know each other for some time time now, but when the big day is finally here , it brought feelings of change and the unknown, triggering anxiety about the future. Was Shivaay feeling the same way? As if he read her mind his name flashed on her mobile screen.

She answered the call on the first ring with a smile.

"Hey.. " she went to the living area signaling the stylist that she will be back shortly as he heard his voice on the other end.

"Hey.. "

"What are you doing?" He asked softly. 

"What you mean by that, I am going to get ready. We getting married in less than 2 hours , you forgot?" she teased him.

"Oh really? I almost forgot.. What I meant to ask was were you busy with makeup and all? Can we talk for two minutes ?" The sudden seriousness in the later part made her tensed.

"yes sure.. we can talk now, will sit for make up in 5 minutes.. tell me. Is everything ok?"

"Yes.. yes everything is fine. I just wanted to talk to you before the wedding. We did not get the chance to meet privately since the rituals started. I wanted to talk to you about us.. our life.  Nothing to worry. " He assured her as he sensed sudden tension in her voice.

"Now you are making me really worried Shivaay.. " 

"Ok.. Ok.. just listen to me.  the circumstances in which we decided to get married was not an ideal one. I was strongly against it when my family suggested it. But now I feel that it might have been a stupid decision if i decided not to marry you. I never thought I will be able to marry someone after.. after Tripthi.. I know you are aware of my past relationship with her. I thought you should know how I am feeling right now. Now when the day is finally here, I realized that I have moved past it. it is not like she still have any effect on me, its just I felt like I was emotionally damaged in such a way that I won't be able to feel anything for any other girl. We both know that we are not in love with each other but the thing between us is more than friendship and little less than love. But I am sure we will get there.  And I am very excited about our future together. Are you feeling the same way Anjali?"

When he did not hear any response from her, he asked again.

"Anjali are you there?"

After few seconds Anjali responded.

"Yes... Yes Shivaay.. I am here.. I.. I also feel the same way. I am also excited about our life together. But to be honest your past relationship bothered me in a small way. I mean.. I am a divorcee and you were having relationship with woman who was an equal partner for you in every way, so it bothered me. I always thought that if that scandal did not happen you would have never chosen me. I will be lying if I say that I am not insecure about it. "

"Anjali.. I am so sorry you felt that way. But trust me I did not agree for this marriage because of the scandal. In the beginning I also thought this was not a good idea. But when I looked this proposal as a normal arranged marriage I saw myself agreeing to the proposal. My yes was not driven by any other factor. And Anjali Tripthi is my past. This is our life and I promise I won't let anyone else come between us. "

Anjali felt the sense of liberation after listening to him. Even though they did not feel like this conversation was important , it was a much needed one.

"Thank you Shivaay. I didn't know that I needed to hear it from you. " 

He could feel the warmth of her smile through her voice. 

"See you soon Anjali.."

She kept the phone close to her heart and walked towards the dressing table to get ready. 

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Khushi's outfit for the wedding was a designer saree with Floral Print Work in Navy Blue and Pink which of course her husband gifted her.

PC : Original owner 

She waited few minutes hoping to see Arnav before they got busy with wedding function. Maybe he got busy with the arrangements. It was getting late and she needed to go and see if Di is ready. She checked herself in the mirror one last time before heading out. Before she opened the door of the suite Arnav came in running and hugged her as if its the most normal thing to do.

"Thank God you are still here. I thought I will miss the privilege to see you first ."  Khushi smiled and hugged her husband back.

They broke the hug and Arnav smiled lovingly at her admiring her beauty.

He kissed her forehead with tenderness and slowly went closer to her ears and whispered.

"You look gorgeous Khushi.. " 

Khushi blushed at the compliment and when she looked at him she noticed how handsome he was looking.

"You look great yourself" She smiled and quickly took the Kajal from the nearby dressing table and put a dot of Kajal behind his ear to ward off envious gazes. 

He felt the love overflow at her innocence. A sudden sense of protectiveness engulfed him. He took her small hands inside his and kissed it with tenderness.

"Khushi... If Buaji or your Mother comes to you with any ridiculous plan to take advantage of you please come to me immediately. Please do not take it to heart or let them manipulate you. I want you to know that I am here for you and I won't het anyone hurt you. You are my wife and no one is allowed to hurt of disrespect you. I will taken care of everything ok.?"

  The assurance from him broke the dam. Khushi hugged her husband and cried.

"Thank you for coming to my life Arnavji. I don't want anything else for myself in this life from God. "

He hugged her to himself tightly and promised himself that he won't let anyone ruin their happiness. For the first time in his life he is happy and his wife is happy. No way am I going to let anyone ruin this.

"Hey.. Please stop crying. Its Di's wedding today and once its over we will plan our next step."

"What next step?" She cutely asked removing herself from his grip.

"Our honeymoon. We have to plan before your semester break is over. " He winked at her with a naughty smile to see her reaction.

His innocent wife looked at him with a shock and then blushed. She avoided looking at him and then to escape from the situation she quickly looked herself in the mirror once again , did a light touch up, held his hand and walked out of the room murmuring we are getting late.

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Arnav and Khushi just checked the venue to make sure everything is perfect and went to see Anjali who is waiting in her suite for the baraat to arrive.

Arnav and Khushi found Anjali waiting by the window. 

"Di.. ?"

Arnav's voice made Anjali turn around.

"Di... You are absolutely radiant. You're the most beautiful bride." Khushi complimented her sister in law.

The high energy music announced the arrival of baraat which made Anjali turn again and catch the glimpse of her groom. Arnav and Khushi also joined her.

"He is not happy with the baraat and stuff you know. " Anjali smiled fondly at her groom who was forced to do the baraat dance by his family. 

"That we can see on his face. If someone asked me to do this to get married, I would have eloped and married. " Arnav said looking at Khushi.

Anjali looked at his brother and sister in law with a sad smile and held both their hands together. 

"When I am gone, you both please take care to each other and elders of the house. And remember always be each other's life partner first and keep all other relationships secondary. ok ?"

"Ok Di.. " They both hugged her and then lead her towards the mandap.

Love,

ST