The dancers went running up to her and asked her to dance, but Khushi denied. Since the bride wouldn't go, they took the mother of the bride instead. The mehendi wali was adding in the final touches and asked:
"Whose initial should I put?"
Khushi held back her tears. She couldn't risk anyone hearing, so she whispered. "Just put an 'A'."
She nodded and wrote the 'A'. Once she was done, Khushi was sent to her room to let the mehendi dry. As evening arrived and her mehendi dried, women came in to help her get dressed. Khushi remained motionless and let them do as they wished with her. Soon she was dressed up and she was ready.
Khushi's mother came in and led her out, soon to be joined by her father. They led her out and sat her down beside her husband to be. Khushi didn't know who he was but she didn't care. She kept a straight face, but inside, her heart was crying miserably.
The recessions began and just as they were about to stand up to start the pheras, a whole bunch of men came running in. Everyone confused and scared, just looked at them and muttered. Shashi and Garima were confused as hell and Shashi yelled at them, asking them who they were.
"They're with me!"
Everyone turned to the voice and Khushi gaped.
It was Arnav.
He came walking in and everyone gaped. The mayor's son was here? Stopping the wedding? For what reason? Shashi and Garima moved towards Arnav.
"This wedding won't take place," Arnav stated.
Shashi and Garima were confused.
"You can't force Khushi to marry someone. She loves another man and-"
"That's absurd," Shashi yelled. "She's my daughter and I will do as I please!"
"Excuse me sir, but what you are doing is wrong!"
"I am her father and I will do as I rightfully please!"
Arnav looked at Khushi. "Khushi come here."
Khushi, who was more than happy to go to him, got up to go to him, but Shashi stopped her, grabbing her wrist.
"How dare you," Shashi yelled. "Going against my word are you? You will get married to this boy, right here, right now!"
Arnav grabbed Khushi's wrist. "Sir you can't do that-"
"She's. MY. Daughter! Now let go of her and she will get married to this boy this instant!"
Arnav pulled her hand hard, making Shashi's grip loosen and Khushi went colliding into Arnav's chest.
"If there's anyone she's marrying," Arnav began, "it's me."
Everyone gasped. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. Shashi and Garima gaped and couldn't believe what they were hearing.
Khushi wrapped her arms around Arnav's neck, shuddering from fear, looking at her parents, and Arnav held her waist with a powerful expression on his face, showing no nonsense whatsoever as he looked at them.
Shashi fumed. "Is this what you do Khushi?! Huh?! Go around with the mayor's son?!"
Khushi got scared, but Arnav didn't back down.
"Do you want to show us low," Garima asked. "Is that what you want?!"
"ENOUGH!"
Everyone jumped, some practically peeing in their pants, as they turned to see Aryan come in. He had some packages and boxes in his hands and handed them to one of their men.
"Enough is enough," Aryan boomed. "You cannot force your daughter to just marry anyone! What kind of parents are you?! As a single parent, even I know that it would never keep my child happy to do such a thing! And you two?! I am ashamed!"
Some of the people muttered and Shashi and Garima looked side to side, embarrassed.
"If Khushi betiyan is marrying ANYONE... then it's going to be with my son Arnav."
People muttered even more and gaped, Shashi and Garima gaping as well.
Aryan went over to Arnav and Khushi, both loosening their grip from each other, and Aryan placed a hand over Khushi's head.
"Khushi will marry Arnav," Aryan stated loud and clear. "Khushi will become the Raizada family's bahu."
Some whispered and some continued to gape.
"Anyone have a problem with that?!"
Everyone hushed down and looked down at the ground.
"I didn't think so." He looked at Shashi and Garima. "Okay?"
The two nodded.
"Good."
Aryan looked at the guy he handed the stuff to and motioned him over. He came and Aryan took the stuff.
"Khushi betiyan," Aryan began, "these are for you."
Khushi scrunched her eyebrows and then shook her head. "No, I can't-"
"These are for you. Your bridal wear and jewelry."
Everyone gaped and Khushi was in shock.
Khushi blinked. "But-"
"Shalini had chosen these jewelry a long time back. They may not be in trend now, but she hoped that one day, when Chote would get married, she would give them to her bahu. But since she's not here today..." he sighed, "I'm giving them to you."
Khushi had tears forming and Arnav squeezed her hand.
"Those would be the ones in the scarlet boxes. The maroon ones hold jewelry handed down in the family. My mother had gotten them from my grandmother, and then my mother had given it to Shalini. Now in honor of our family and Shalini, I'm giving them to you."
Khushi was in tears and was about to get Aryan's blessings, but Aryan stopped her.
"No betiyan," he said, "no need for that. My blessings are always there for you."
Khushi smiled, tears trailing down, and Arnav gave her a side hug and kissed the top of her head. Everyone gasped and Khushi blushed crimson.
"Now then," Aryan said, "all the rasums will happen. That is, starting next week. Okay?"
Khushi nodded and so did her parents. Shyam came that minute and went to his sister.
"Until then," Shyam said, pulling Khushi to his side, "Didi stays with me. And sorry Arnav- I mean, future jeejaji, you won't be able to see her."
Arnav's smile dropped. "What?! Why?!"
Everyone chuckled and some of the women went over to Khushi.
"Arre bitwa," one of the women said, "you can't see your bride until the wedding."
"But isn't that after the haldi?"
"I see babwa here has done his research," another woman said.
"Ka babwa," a third woman questioned. "Can't wait for your love?"
Arnav went red and everyone laughed. Khushi blushed, smirking on the inside.
"Don't worry," Shyam said. "You can see Didi for now. After the haldi - no more. Understood you two?"
Khushi nodded and Arnav sighed.
"Fine," he sighed. "But it better be worth it. I don't understand these rules."
"Don't be impatient bitwa," the first woman said. "And in the end, it'll be worth it."
Arnav just nodded.
"Then we'll be going," Aryan said. "Hmm?"
They started to leave and Armav waited till he was last. He gave Khushi one final peck on the cheek and ran off, leaving a jaw-dropped-to-the-ground Khushi and gaping people behind. Shyam just laughed and then everyone started to leave. To protect his sister, he placed his arm around her shoulder.
"I'll be taking Di to her room," he said.
Before Shashi and Garima could say anything, Shyam took Khushi in to her room. He sat her down and grabbed a chair and sat in front of her.
"You okay Di," he asked.
Khushi nodded, tears brimmed. "They're never gonna forgive me, are they?"
Shyam shook his head, wiping his sister's tears away. "It doesn't matter Di; don't think of them. They're a f*cked up bunch."
"Shyam-"
"Anyways, you need your rest. Get some sleep. The rasums start from next week. Hmm? Luckily, the haldi fell on a Friday, so he can't see you at all."
Khushi giggled.
"There we go! My Didi is back!"
Khushi shook her head and nudged him.
"Get some rest Di," Shyam said. "You'll need it."
Khushi nodded. "But-"
"Don't worry. I'll protect you."
"Thank you Shyam."
"You're welcome Di."
Khushi kissed the top of his head and then Shyam left and Khushi locked her door. She prepared for bed and then fell asleep.
