Part 29
“Khushi,” he began.
She looked away, miffed at him for putting her in a fix.
He threw a glance at his family that had joined the rest of
the Guptas at the dining table. Good. He was alone with her and could talk
without being overheard.
He opened his mouth to make a presentation highlighting the
advantages being married to him would give her, but she gave him no chance.
“Are you mad?” she hissed. She rolled her eyes at Devi Maiyya
in heaven. “Why am I asking this stupid question? Of course you are mad. And I am paying for your madness.” Her eyes
pierced holes in his face.
He was taken aback for a second by her hot glare, but he was
ASR for nothing. He ploughed on.
“I have decided I need to marry,” he began pompously.
She pricked his balloon. “Couldn’t you have found someone else?
Why did you have to choose me?” she asked angrily.
He glared right back at her. How dare she belittle the honour
of being ASR’s wife?
“Delhi is full of girls,” she continued. “If no one here
wanted you, you could have tried other states. There are many girls in Uttar
Pradesh,” she informed him.
He clenched his jaw in anger.
“I was happy here, minding my own business. And then you had
to come and propose,” she complained.
How dare she? he fumed.
He soon found out that she dared much more.
“You are pagal. You are a Laad Governor. You are a pukka
Rakshas. You are always angry. And you want me to marry you,” she grumbled.
He drew in a deep breath to control his ire. “I am not angry,
not always,” he claimed.
“You are too,” she stated.
“Only when people irritate me,” he qualified.
“I do. Always. You are either ghooring at me with your ajeeb
aankhein or gritting your teeth or clenching your fists or screaming at me,”
she said with a grimace.
He had to look away.
“Why do you want to marry me?” she asked bluntly.
He swallowed hard before giving her an answer. It was a make
or break situation here, he knew. He also knew that words came to him with
difficulty, especially sweet ones. He was severely diabetic in that regard.
“It is time for me to marry,” he started.
She frowned at him.
“You know I am rich,” he continued.
Her frown became fiercer.
“I—it is difficult to find a good bride,” he muttered.
She stared at him. How were his options limited because he had
money? He was truly Agra pagalkhana material.
“I mean, someone who will respect my family and—and have
sanskaar,” he managed to say, stealing a look at her perplexed face.
Before she could say anything, he continued, “I want a girl
who will get along with Payal.”
Khushi sagged.
Her family wanted her to marry him so that
jiji could have a comfortable life. And he wanted to marry her so that jiji
would be happy. Her fate was sealed.
Yes, she had caved in. Elation filled every pore of his body
and mind. The Payal reference had sealed the deal for him. She loved Payal and
couldn’t refuse her anything.
But then something happened that blew his mind and shook the
foundation of his success.
A single tear made its slow way down her cheek.
He opened his mouth to ask her what was wrong, but the sight
of that tear was so overwhelming that he couldn’t get a word out except, “Khushi.”
She quickly dried her cheek and stood up, without looking at
him.
He stood up, bewildered.
Making sure not to look at him, she quickly moved towards the
dining table.
The Guptas and the Raizadas looked at her expectantly.
“I will marry Arnavji,” she said softly.
Her pale face and woebegone look were lost in the hugs and cries
of congratulations that filed the air.
Only one pair of molten chocolate eyes saw her distress.
“Let’s have the shagun right now,” nani suggested, thrilled
that her grandson was marrying her Khussi bitiya.
Before Khushi knew it, she was seated and her lap was filled
with gifts.
She swallowed her tears as the ladies hugged her. An orphan,
beholden to the family that had taken her in and fed her, had no voice or right
to an opinion, she reminded herself.
Arnav watched the muscles of her throat move as she tried to
quell the tears and the panic welling up in her heart.
*facepalm* I have to wonder at this ASR! Is this anyway to manofy and pacify your would be wife?! What a proposal?!
ReplyDeleteFeel for Khushi, she definitely doesn't have it easy. Even ASR used Payal as a suggestion for her to marry him. She's lost all hope; please make that khadoos Laad Governor realise how hurt she really is...she's just Khushi in name right now, can't he see how Dukhi she is.
Another wonderful update Smita-ji, thank you xx
That was super awesome update. Am really feeling bad for Khushi. Hope Arnav can woo her and reassure her.
ReplyDeleteLoved the update Smita.
ReplyDeleteOne coukdnt expect ASR to suddenly be all lovey dovey wuth his proposal.
I am amazed that Khushi stood her ground n put out her true feelings in front of Arnav. Poor man had no choice but to dangke Payal's carrot in front of her though unlike her parents his intention was to sweeten the deal by showing Khushi that she would still have her jiji by her side in her new family.
I am sure knowing Khushi, she must have felt that Arnav's words were a warning to her to marry hin else Oayal woukd face problem. I feel this was tbe reason for Khushi's tears. Poor Arnav befire he could offer solace to Khushi, he found the shagun being carried out.
Will Arnav question her to understand the reason fir her sadness ir gloat over his victory gor having sealed the deal remains to be seen.
I hope Arnav realises his feelings and Khushi finds it in herself to understand her own heart and the workings if the Laad Governor's mind.
Pls update at your earlierst convenience and take care of your health
Thanks Smita.
ReplyDeleteThe burden of being Khushi. The sense of obligation she feels toward the family that took her in when she had nowhere to go.
But the sad thing is no one really gives much of a damn about what Khushi wants. They aren't bad people, the Guptas. They mean well but are going about it completely wrong. Looking at things only from their own and Payal's perspective.
But Arnav seems to have picked up on what K has left unsaid. And that is what is going to win her over. That someone is willing to put her first. To care about her wishes, her needs.
How very true! In other Smitaji's story Arnav said that Guptas aren't unkind, they are just focused on Payal. Everything for Payal. Payal is perfect and Khushi is troublemaker.
DeleteWell said! I'm hoping Smita-ji has Khushi let out her emotions in this one! Give them all a piece of her mind in regards to being used in such a way & hoping ASR can get through and understand her...
DeleteThank you very much Smitaji! Hoping you're better now.
ReplyDeleteI feel so sad for Khushi and angry with everyone else. So easily manipulate Khushi and her gratitude for adoption! And this Laad Governor!! Couldn't he just tell that he wants to marry her,only her,bas. Nooo, he too manipulated well. Bravo. Just hope that Khushi's tears and distress knocked some sense into him!
As usual Khushi is in emotional turmoil. She is unhappy yet ready to marry her jiji's jethji. Arnav is aware of her being an orphan or not? I hope Gupta ladies somehow understand her point. Eagerly waiting for the next part.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs my Smitaji
Poor girl! Àlways bringing up Payal's name does the trick. Feeling obligation towards the family that took her in to sealing Payal's future.
ReplyDeleteHope Arnav truly understands Khushi and the selfless soul that she is.
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ReplyDeleteLoved the update. Poor Khushi beholded to the Guptas, Arnav made a mess of proposal. Eager for the next part.
ReplyDeleteLoved the update.. well we all know Arnav is bad with words and here too he can't propose his would be wife why he wants to marry her but the only thing that can change her decision was even used by him.. Arnav is saddened to see Khushi's reaction.. she is gulping her tears.. hope he is able to understand her and do what she wants.. but he won't as he is selfish man which always claims.. hope he is able to give her all the love & make her happy like her namesake.. loved the amazing update..
ReplyDeletePoor Khushi! She always compromises in the name of Payal.
ReplyDeleteAwesome chapter....he has said something that broke her....he Did not know to express his love for her
ReplyDelete