Chapter Ten

The whole town went to Raizada Estate, every female, rich or poor. They went into the grand ballroom, really huge with a humongous domed ceiling, made of glass. The moon lighted up the room, as well as all the candles.

Nani and Dadi talked to some guests and Mr. And Mrs. Raizada were talking to other guests. Anjali was with her friends when one of her friends pointed out a guy that was staring right at Anjali. She turned and saw that it was the only son of the Jha Parivaar, Shyam. Anjali blushed, excited in her head because she had been crushing on him for as long as she could remember. Shyam wasn't like the other guys. He was quiet, calm, and didn't have a different girl in his bed every night. In fact, he had never slept with a girl, and he was made fun of by all the other guys for that. Shyam didn't care much about girls, but he loved reading and traveling, and Anjali loved that he was different.

Arnav was in his room getting ready. He opened up a secret passageway, and walked down the hall and went into his private room. He walked over to the other secret passageway and entered his chamber. Arnav went over to his desk and looked through some files, finishing up some final paperwork because he didn't want to be busy and stalled by work. Tonight, he planned on having a special night. A special night with a special person - his special Khushi.

Arnav walked over to a bookcase, where he had some important files stuffed into a shelf. He was trying to get out a file, when some files from on top of the bookcase fell.

Arnav groaned. "You've got to be kidding me."

He bent down and picked up the files, when one caught his interest. The file was red, and in cursive, was written "Gupta". He opened it up and his eyes widened.

"What. The…?"

Downstairs the Raizadas were waiting for Arnav to come down. Dadi looked around and saw a familiar face.

"Garimaji,"Dadi said, as Garima and Payal came walking over.

"The preparations are absolutely stunning," Garima said.

"Thank you very much, but it was all my bahu, so the credit goes to her, right Anannya?"

"Please Maji," Arnav's mother replied. "You're embarrassing me."

"Um, Anannyaji," Garima said, "where's Malik? Your whole family is here, but…?"

"I don't know… uh, Arbazji?"

Arnav's dad turned around. "Yes?"

"Did you see Chote?"

"No I haven't. Where is he?"

"I- there he is."

Everyone turned to the main entrance and Anjali went over to Arnav and linked arms with him, walking and talking.

"Chote, where were you?"

"I had some paperwork that-"

"Do you have to work everyday?"

"Trust me Di, this was worth it."

"Meaning?"

Arnav looked his sister in the eye and smirked. "You'll see."

"I hope you don't do anything stupid."

"Don't worry Di. Everything I've been doing so far was stupid. …today I'm making things right."

Anjali scrunched her eyebrows but then shook her head. "Whatever. Ma and Babuji are looking for you so go over to them."

"'kay," and he went over to his parents and took blessings from them.

"Kya baat hain Chote," Anannya asked, "all of a sudden you're seeking our blessings?"

"Why Ma? Is it wrong," Arnav asked.

"No, but you… all of a sudden," Arbaz said.

"Kuch garbar hain kya," Anannya joked.

"Ma, please. …just think that I'm about to take a huge jump. And I need your support-"

"Is that something you need to ask for? My blessings are always with you."

"As well as mine," Arbaz said.

Arnav nodded slightly and then Garima and Payal came over to him.

"Namaste Malik," Garima said and both her and her daughter put their hands together.

"Thank you for coming," Arnav replied. "I hope you brought every female from your home?"

"Of course Malik. Every maid is here."

Arnav looked around the room from corner to corner of his eyes. "I hope so."

Dadi and Nani came over.

"Chote," Nani began, "there's something we want to talk to you about."

"Yes Nani?"

"We want you," Dadi began, "to marry-"

"Dadi please. Don't-"

"No Chote. We've waited long enough. Now it's time we take action."

"What the-"

"Chote," Nani said, "we want you to marry Payal."

Garima and Payal widened their eyes.

"What," Arnav shouted, and everyone in the whole room turned. "No!"

Anannya held her son's arm. "Chote please, everyone is look-"

"I don't care if everyone is looking!"

"Chote," Arbaz boomed, "tameez se baat karo."

"Babuji please. I am NOT marrying this girl," Arnav said, pointing at Payal.

"Why not? She's a fine looking lady-"

"I don't care about her damn looks! I am NOT marrying her!"

"And why not?!"

"Because I-"

Arnav stopped.

"Well," Arbaz yelled. "Because you what?!"

Arnav stood still and felt his heart race up. He turned to the entrance but couldn't see anything because people were in the way. He made his way to the door and his family followed, Garima and Payal following as well. The only thing those two could think of was making Arnav agree so that they could be filthy rich and powerful.

As Arnav made his way through, people cleared out and the way to the entrance was completely cleared. Arnav stopped and stood still.

"Chote," Anannya said, catching up to her son, "what's wrong?"

"Chote," Anjali said, coming and standing beside her brother, "what's going on?"

But Arnav didn't reply. He just stared at the entrance, no one there, his heart beating.

Dhak, dhak. Dhak, dhak.

"Chote," Arbaz boomed, standing in front of Arnav, "what is the meaning of all this?"

Arnav turned away, disappointed. But then his heart raced up even more and he turned back to the entrance. His family was in his way and he moved them aside, revealing Khushi, standing right there, in front of his face. She looked stunning, wearing a sexy red colored lehenga sari, bejeweled, her hair out. The moonlight made her skin shine even more, her skin looking milkier than ever.

Arnav walked right towards her, thinking of nothing but her. Garima was furious and she had her jaws clenched. Payal's jaws had dropped and she couldn't believe this was happening. Arnav's family looked at Khushi, curious to know who she is. Everyone else was whispering and asked each other who she was.

Khushi looked down at her hands as Arnav came over to her and stood in front of her.

"You came," Arnav said, sounding more like a question.

Khushi looked down and nodded.

"I didn't think you would."

Khushi looked up at him. "It took great difficulty, Malik."

Arnav scrunched his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"I can't lie to you Malik, but I prefer not to say anything," Khushi said, looking away, making sure not to make eye contact with him.

"Khushi?" He cupped Khushi's face in his hands. "Khushi tell me."

Anjali went over to her brother. "Chote? Chote what is going on?"

"Di, not right now." he turned back to Khushi. "Khushi tell me, what happened?"

"Please Malik-"

"No Khushi, tell me."

"Malik-"

"Khushi! Tell me!"

Khushi's eyes swelled up with tears and Arnav held her close. Everyone gasped and Arnav's family went over to him.

"Chote," Arbaz yelled, "what is the meaning of all this," he hissed.

"Who is this girl," Dadi asked.

"Do we know her family," Nani asked.

Anannya shook her head, getting all these questions out of her head. "Chote, what is this girl to you?"

Arnav let go of Khushi and looked at his mother. "I'll show you."

Arnav grabbed Khushi hand and led her out the ballroom.

"Chote!"

Anannya went after her son, everyone else following behind. Arnav pulled Khushi along with him, hurting Khushi's wrist.

"Malik," Khushi said, "Malik please!"

Arnav paid no attention and continued to pull her along with her.

"Chote," Anannya yelled out, but he didn't listen.

"Malik," Khushi said, "please! Let go!"

Arnav tugged on her hand and continued to walk. Arnav walked into the mandir and Khushi gazed away. The mandir was huger than any mandir she's ever seen, and for just a home? Amazing!

Arnav pulled Khushi in front of him and she stumbled. She stood in front of him, her eyes wide and were filled with curiosity.

"Chote," Arbaz yelled and Arnav and Khushi turned and looked at him. "What are you doing?"

Arnav stared his father in the eye. "Watch."

He released Khushi's hand and everyone looked at him as he walked towards a taal. He took a fistful of sindoor and walked back to Khushi and placed it over her head. Everybody's jaw dropped and Khushi had shut her eyes. After a few seconds, Khushi opened her eyes and brought her hand up to her head and brought it back down, seeing it all red. She looked at Arnav, eyes wide and was curious.

"Chote," Nani yelled. "What do you think you're doing?!"

"I'm doing what's right," Arnav said, looking straight into Khushi's eyes.

"Kya bakwaas kehrain ho," Dadi hissed.

"It's not bakwaas," Arnav yelled. "What I did is completely right!"

Garima pushed through, Payal following behind. "By marrying a PEASANT?!"

Everyone gasped and gaped at Arnav. They began to whisper and Arnav got pissed.

"ENOUGH," Arnav yelled and everyone recoiled.

"Chote," Anjali whispered.

"Di don't! And you," Arnav yelled, turning at Garima, "you should know better."

"What do you mean, Malik," Garima asked, acting innocent.

"Oh please, cut the crap! You know better Ms. Garima because this is your STEP DAUGHTER!!!"

Everyone widened their eyes. No one could believe it. Especially the Raizada family.