Pulling up in front of the large house, Khushi felt as though her eyes were going to fall out of her head. She had been anticipating a large house, but she hadn’t expected this. The Raizada house was HUGE, way bigger than anything she had ever seen before.
“Welcome to Shantivan.”
“This is your home?”
“Yep.”
“It’s beautiful!”
Turning in his seat, Akash looked to his future sister in law.
“Welcome home bhabi!”
Arnav got out of the car and then helped Khushi out while Shyam and Akash got their luggage. Arnav placed his hand on Khushi’s and led her to the front door.
“Don’t be nervous. I’m here, with you.”
They reached the front door and Arnav rang the doorbell, his hand remained in Khushi’s even when she wanted to break away.
They stood waiting for only half a moment and then the door flew open and a pretty woman in a pale pink sari opened the door. She looked at though she would be a couple of years older than Arnav. This must either be his Di or Akash’s wife.
“Chote! You’re home!”
Moving forward, Arnav hugged the woman just as another, also beautiful and young woman, joined the first. Khushi realised that the first woman must have been his Di and the one that joined them now was Akash’s wife.
The woman who Khushi assumed to be Akash’s wife handed the woman who Khushi assumed to be Arnav’s Di, a pooja ki thaal.
“Di, must you do this?”
“Yes Chote! You’ve arrived home after moths and our new sister in law is entering the house for the first time, this has to be done.”
Realising that Khushi was right, she smiled. This was his Anjali Di.
Anjali began to do the aarthi. When she was done she allowed Arnav and Khushi into the house.
“Chote, you’re so rude, you haven’t introduced us to our bhabi to be.”
“Sorry, sorry. Di this is Khushi, Khushi this is my Di.”
“It’s so good to finally meet you Khushi. We’ve all heard so much about you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too.”
Anjali led Khushi and Arnav through the house and gestured for them to take a seat in the living room. Khushi watched as Akash passed the luggage over to a man named Hari Prakash and asked him to take them up to Arnav’s room and the guest room.
“Did you guys have a good journey?”
“It was okay.”
They all made small talk about the journey when the other young woman came out of the kitchen with a tray of drinks and snacks. She placed the tray down on the table and then took a seat beside Akash.
“I’m Payal, Akash’s wife. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Khushi.”
“Same here.”
Arnav looked around the house and then addressed his Di.
“Di where’s Ma, mami and Nani?”
“They went to the temple, they should be back any time now.”
Nodding Arnav settled back down, placing his hand on Khushi’s knee. He leaned forward and whispered to her.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, thanks.”
“Aw look how cute they are!”
Pulling away from Arnav, Khushi blushed a deep shade of red as she watched Arnav’s siblings and their partners all look at them.
“Don’t worry Khushi, we’re all couples here and we all share things any way. As long as the elders aren’t around, you guys can get as cosy with each other as you want in front of us.”
Turning to Arnav, she watched as he smirked and slipped his arm around her. She tried to shake him off but he kept his arm in place.
*****
Some time had passed and Khushi was feeling a lot more comfortable around the younger members of the Raizada family. Anjali Di was very sweet but she teased them a lot. Shyam jiju was the opposite of his wife, even though he was still very sweet, he calmed his wife down, making her go easy on Arnav and Khushi.
Akash was quite quiet, he didn’t say much, but he was very friendly. His wife Payal was also like that. She didn’t speak much, but she was warm and very attentive.
Feeling herself starting to loosen up, she relaxed against Arnav and laughed at the jokes and stories that were being told.
It was then that the door rang.
“Looks like they’re back from the temple.”
Moving away from Arnav, Khushi stood up and smoothed out her clothes, making sure that she looked presentable. Anjali and Arnav also got up and they led Khushi over to the hallway, waiting for the women to approach them.
“My Chote is home!”
Taking in the three women, Khushi established who was Nani. Then she looked at the other two women beside her. The first woman looked like a rainbow with a colourful sari and equally colourful jewellery, the other woman, looked a lot like Anjali, just older. This must be Arnav’s mother.
“Ma, Nani, mami. This is Khushi.”
Moving forward, Khushi touched the feet of all three ladies, all of whom gave her their blessings. She then came back and stood before Arnav’s mother.
Arnav’s mother, Anaamika Raizada looked at the girl before her. Khushi stood there, watching as Arnav’s mother looked at her from top to bottom, an expression of deep thought never leaving her face. Khushi felt her heart dropping the longer Arnav’s mother looked at her. Maybe she wasn’t going to like her, maybe she wouldn’t approve of Khushi as their daughter in law.
Then all of a sudden Anaamika broke into a smile and moved towards Khushi, pulling her into her arms.
“Chote, you have picked an absolute jewel to be your wife. She’s absolutely beautiful. Your father was right, you have picked a girl that’s more beautiful than your mother, I am impressed.”
Feeling her cheeks go red, Khushi hugged Arnav’s mother, so glad to be accepted. Breaking the hug, Anaamika took Khushi’s hand as she led Khushi into the living area where the other Raizada’s were waiting nervously. Sitting down, Anaamika took the seat next to Khushi.
“Ma, you are right, she is beautiful, but you are still the most beautiful woman in my life.”
The Raizada’s laughed at Arnav’s attempt to butter his mother up. Anaamika laughed.
“Nice attempt Chote. But there really is no harm in agreeing with me and saying that Khushi is more beautiful because she really is.”
Nodding, Arnav blushed. His mother was right. As much as he loved his mother and sister, Khushi definitely was far more beautiful.
Anaamika turned her attention back to the girl sat beside her.
“How was your flight dear?”
“It was good aunty.”
“Have you had the opportunity to freshen up yet?”
Shaking her head, Anaamika nodded.
“Go to your room to freshen up and I’ll get some food ready for you.”
“There’s no need for that aunty, I’m not hungry.”
“Nonsense! You have to eat. Anjali, go and show Khushi to her room. Khushi, freshen up, rest a bit and then I’ll send someone to get you when the food is ready.”
“Ji auntyji.”
“Also, stop calling me aunty. I’m going to be your saas very soon so you can call me ma.”
Blushing, Khushi looked up at Arnav who was staring at her, smiling.
“Ji Ma.”
As Anjali led her up to her room, Khushi couldn’t believe her luck. The Raizada’s were all lovely people and they all accepted her. Khushi thanked her lucky stars. For once, things in her life seemed to be sailing smoothly.
*****
A week had passed since Arnav and Khushi had arrived back in India. Things had been going very well with wedding talks starting. At first Khushi had been quite nervous because she didn’t know if she was ready for marriage, but now, she knew that she wanted to spend her life with Arnav and she loved this family so she didn’t mind getting married.
Arnav and Khushi were currently in Khushi’s bedroom, locked in a tight embrace, Arnav’s hand running up and down Khushi’s back as his lips caressed hers. Khushi’s hand tightened in his hair, while the other ran up and down his chest.
They had tried to stay away from each other, mainly because Khushi was worried someone would see them and they’d disapprove, but they could no longer resist each other.
Finally they broke the kiss before things went too far.
“Arnav we should stop.”
“Ugh, I can’t take this any more. I need to be close to you.”
“Well we’re going to be married soon.”
“Soon isn’t soon enough. Besides, the pandit can’t find us a good date yet.”
“They’ll find us a date soon Arnav. And besides, sabar ka fal meeta hoti hai.”
“I’m sure you’ll be meeta anyway Khushi. Let me take a bite to check.”
Batting him away from her, Khushi laughed and straighten out her clothes. But she understood Arnav’s impatience. She too wanted to get close to him, but she knew she had to wait, it was the right thing to do.
“I swear, watch what I do to you on our wedding night.”
Feeling the heat in her cheeks growing, Khushi hid her face in his chest. She didn’t want to think about what is soon to happen between them, excitement and nervousness about the matter all mixed together, making her feel slightly sick.
Smirking, Arnav stepped away and slowly exited the room, allowing Khushi time to process his words. He loved seeing her like this, so completely absorbed in the thoughts of what was to come.
Once Arnav was out the door, Khushi moved over to the door, shutting it and resting her back against it. Her breathing was heavy, her chest rising and falling rapidly, thoughts of him taking over her mind. Recalling all their semi intimate encounters, Khushi replayed all the emotions she had felt. It was all so intense, how could it get any more heated. But of course she knew it could and the prospect of what was to come made her burn up with both shyness and desire.
She couldn’t wait to become Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada.
Tanzeela’s Creative Writing Corner 