Chapter Thirteen

Khushi woke up bright and early. She squinted as the sunlight shined into the room. Once she adjusted, she realized that this wasn't her room. She felt a weight on her and looked down at her waist and saw an arm. Khushi turned and saw Arnav's face and sighed in relief and relaxed. Everything that had happened the night before was all real, and not a dream.

Khushi carefully removed Arnav's hand off and got out of bed. She looked back at Arnav, who was faintly smiling. She looked up at the clock and saw that it was 7 in the morning. She decided to let him sleep and Khushi went through the wardrobe, that was already filled with her clothes (they brought them when they brought Khushi and the maids quickly put them away before Arnav and Khushi came in), and she grabbed a red sari and headed to the bathroom.

Within a little more than half an hour, Khushi got out and saw that Arnav was still sleeping. He was hugging a pillow and Khushi smiled, thinking how he looked so cute. She turned to face the mirror and dried her hair and got ready. Khushi picked up her pot of sindoor and opened it up. She was about to take a pinch when two fingers came in her way. Khushi turned and saw Arnav and before she could say anything, Arnav stroked his fingers through her parting, Khushi shutting her eyes. She opened them up and smiled at Arnav and gave him a hug.

"You don't know how much this means to me," Khushi said.

Arnav kissed the top of her head and caressed her face. Khushi held his hands and the two were stuck gazing at each other until Khushi realized and looked away.

"Go get ready," Khushi said.

"What? Now? But let me look at you-"

"Go! You can look at me later," and she pushed him into the bathroom.

She turned to leave when Arnav spoke.

"I love you Khushi."

Khushi smiled and faced him. "I love you too," and she blew him a kiss.

Arnav pretended to catch it and placed his hand over his heart. Khushi smiled and left the room and headed downstairs to the kitchen.

"Malkeen, aap," a maid questioned.

"Um, yeah… so what's for breakfast?"

The maid gave a whole menu and Khushi widened her eyes.

"All that food? For only a few people? Wow! Well then, better get to work."

Khushi tucked her pallu in and started to work.

"Malkeen, what are you doing," the maid asked.

"… working?"

"But why? We're all here, we'll handle it."

"It's okay. Plus I'm used to all the work so no point in arguing. Also, could you help me out a bit? The thing is, I'm new so I don't know where everything is so… yeah…."

"No problem Malkeen."

They got down to work and soon the Raizadas came into the dining room. First came in Dadi and Nani. Arbaz and Anannya came in next, followed by Anjali. There was no sign of Arnav and Khushi wondered. She went over to Dadi and Nani and took blessings from them and then she took blessings from Arbaz and Anannya.

"Bahu," Anannya said, "come sit."

Khushi nodded and sat down across Anannya.

"Khushiji," Anjali said, "Chote kahan hain?"

"Um… voh-"

"Lo, aagaye," Anannya said.

Arnav came in and took blessings from Dadi, Nani, and his parents. He went and sat beside Khushi and passed Khushi a sly glance. He looked Khushi up and down, admiring how beautiful Khushi looked in her red sari. He looked away before anyone noticed and the maids came in with all the food.

"Hmm," Arbaz said, taking in a whif of the food, "smells really good."

"It really does," Anannya said.

Everyone got their food in their thaal and Khushi watched as everyone else took a bite. Everyone's eyes widened and Khushi got nervous.

"Nandini," Arbaz called a maid, "who cooked today?"

Khushi gulped.

"Raizada Sab," Nandini said, "um-"

"I don't think I've ever tasted food this good," Anannya exclaimed.

Khushi widened her eyes.

"Honestly," Dadi said, "it's just too good!"

"Whoever cooked this," Nani said, "has magic."

"Naniji," Nandini said, "it was all Malkeen. She made everything."

Everyone looked at Khushi.

"Khushiji… aap," Anjali asked.

Khushi nodded timidly.

"But why," Anannya asked. "There are so many maids and cooks and even me. You didn't have to do all this."

"Voh, actually… I'm just used to working."

"Of course… after all the things Garima did to you," Anannya said, anger in her voice.

"Amma please. Don't think about it."

"You're right."

"Tell me bahu," Arbaz said, "where did you learn to cook like this?"

"My mother taught Moni and Moni taught me."

"I knew there was something familiar," Nani said.

"Agreed," Dadi said. "The taste seemed familiar, I just couldn't put my finger on it."

"Well then, shall we finish eating," Arbaz asked, "cause I wanna eat."

"Of course."

Everyone ate till their stomachs were full.

"I don't think I'll be eating till dinner," Arbaz joked.

"Will you eat if I cook," Khushi asked.

Arbaz smiled. "You read my mind. As long as it's no pressure-"

"No Babuji, it's okay. It'll be no trouble at all."

"Well then I'll see you in the evening," and he got up and left for work.

Dadi and Nani finished up and praised Khushi's food and then left to their rooms. Anannya finished up and she told Khushi she'd back in a few minutes and excused herself. Anjali finished up and went to her room to hey ready and head outside and hang out with her friends.

Khushi got up and took their taals and put them in the kitchen to be washed. She came back out to get Arnav's and saw that he was to busy licking his fingers. Khushi was overwhelmed to know that he loved her cooking this much. She walked over to him and saw that he had practically licked his taal clean. Khushi picked it up and turned to walk away but Arnav reached out and grabbed her other hand.

"Khushi?"

She turned her head a bit. "Ji?"

Arnav stood up and pulled on her hand and she spun and faced him. He pulled her in by the waist and Khushi's eyes widened.

"What are you doing," Khushi whispered, squirming to set herself free. "Someone will see us."

"Let them."

Khushi looked around desperately. "Arnavji please!"

"Khushi-"

Arnav stopped, hearing footsteps.

"Bahu!"

It was his mother and Arnav let go of her. She came into the room and scrunched her eyebrows at him.

"Chote? Tum abhi bhi yahan?"

"Voh… it's nothing. … l should go now. I have work to do."

He glanced at Khushi and then left. Khushi was relieved and Anannya walked over to her.

"Bahu, come. Let me show the entire house."

Khushi nodded.

"Nadiya," Anannya called out a maid, "take this taal!"

A maid came out and took the taal from Khushi and Anannya took Khushi to the main hall. She took Khushi around the whole house, showing every corner of it. They last went into Anannya and Arbaz's room

"This house is huge," Khushi said as her and Anannya sat down on her bed.

"It really is. You know, when I first cane to this house, I thought I was going to faint. Baavdi hogayti maine, ha!"

"I wouldn't blame you. Itna bara ghar… but only for a few people?"

"Now there is. Before there was a lot of people."

"Really?"

"Uh huh. I never saw them but your father-in-law did. My father-in-law was the oldest in the family. He had 5 other brothers and 6 sisters."

"What?"

"I know. But wanna know something?"

"Sure."

"Maji said that her mother-in-law and her father-in-law got married behind their parents backs."

"What?"

"Yes! They were really close friends when they were little - they were family friends - and in time that friendship turned into love and they were afraid to say anything so they got married."

"How romantic!"

"It really is. But… after a while, their parents wanted them to get married, and since they already were, they were more than happy."

"Wow! They were really lucky!"

"Uh huh."

"Vaise, Amma? How did you meet Babuji?"

"Same thing - we were family friends and in time we began to unlike each other. But unlike Maji's in-laws, we didn't marry behind our parents backs. Actually, our parents figured out, so… yeah."

"Aww!"

"It's too bad this house isn't as full as it used to be. After my father died, Maji let my mother come stay with us, as well as my brother and his wife and son."

"Where are they?"

"They moved to the city. My brother is a business man and for him, it's easier staying in the city. That way he doesn't have to travel back and forth so much."

"Oh. So it's just you and your brother?"

"Another sister too. She lives in another country - her husband likes to travel a lot."

"Oh. Have you ever gone out of this town?"

"Many times."

"What's it like?"

"A lot different than our town. Why? You've never gone?"

Khushi simply shook her head.

"Well… the city is filled with people. Rich, poor, even middle class. But no one cares of their class over there whereas here, the rich squirm when they're near a poor. And the way they dress is beyond different, especially the girls. They wear clothes that are higher than their knees."

"What?! In public or…?"

"I'm public."

"Don't they feel ashamed?"

"Sweetie not every place is the same. To tell you the truth, I have worn clothes like that."

"You have?"

"Uh huh. Arbaz made me though, on our honeymoon."

"Oh," and Khushi slightly nudged her.

"Khushi betiyan! Anannya bahu!" It was Dadi.

"Let's go," Anannya said and she led them to Dadi's room.

"Maji, you called?"

"Uh huh. Remember those kangans I gave you? When you got married to Arbaz?"

"Yeah. I'll go get them."

Anannya left and cane back within a few minutes, a small chest in hands. She gave to Dadi and Dadi opened it up and showed Khushi the kangans.

"These are an old family treasure," Dadi said. "They've been passed down from generation to generation. And now, it's time they go to you, Khushi betiyan."

She handed them to Khushi and Khushi put them on.

"Thank you Dadi. I'll take really good care of these."

The day passed by, Khushi, Anannya, Dadi, and Nani talking away, soon Anjali joining them. It was almost time for Arbaz to come home so Khushi headed to the kitchen and began to make dinner. Arbaz came home within the hour and Arnav came in a while later. They washed up and everyone headed into the dining room, their food waiting for them.

"Oh my gosh," Anjali exclaimed. "It smells so good, my mouth is watering."

"I think I might start drooling," Arbaz said, eyeing the food.

Anannya laughed. "Before I have to ask a maid to clean up your saliva off the floor, please sit down."

"By all means," and everyone sat down.

Khushi came out of the kitchen and joined them. Everyone put food on their taal and Khushi watched as they took a bite.

Arbaz shut his eyes. "I'm in heaven."

Everyone laughed as Arbaz slowly chewed, savoring the flavor.

"Such bahu," Anannya said, "your food is just too good!"

"Thank you Amma," Khushi said. "I'm just glad you all like it."

Everyone finished up and got up and left to their rooms to get ready for bed, everyone but Khushi and Arnav. Arnav was taking his sweet time, eating away, and Khushi waited for him to finish so she could take his taal. Arnav finally finished and got up to wash his hands. Khushi headed to the kitchen and was washing the taal when a set of hands held her waist. Khushi jumped a bit and felt someones lips on her neck. She knew the from the feeling that it was Arnav and she sighed.

"You have no control, do you," Khushi asked.

"Nope," Arnav murmured into her neck.

"Let go, someone might see."

"Let them," and he bit down.

"Aah! Please let go-"

"Bahu!" It was Anannya.

Arnav let go and turned to the sound of his mother's voice. Khushi quickly washed up and pushed Arnav out of the way. Anannya was at the staircase and both went up to Anannya's room. She made Khushi sit on the bed, as she went through her wardrobe, looking for something. Anannya turned, a box in hand. She handed it to Khushi and Khushi looked at it in confusion and then back up at her.

"Open it," Anannya said.

Khushi did and inside the box were kangans.

"They're beautiful," Khushi said as she held them in her hands, looking at them.

"I saw them years ago and thought that I'd give it to my bahu, and well, here you go," she smiled.

Khushi hugged her. "Thank you so much Amma."

"Your welcome sweetheart. It's late, you should go to bed."

Khushi nodded and she got up and left. She walked down the halls, when out of nowhere, someone grabbed her hand and pulled her. Khushi was about to scream when a hand came in top of her mouth. She stared wide eyed and saw that it was Arnav.

Khushi pushed his hand away. "What are you doing," she whispered.

"What do you think I'm doing," he asked, pulling her in closer.

"Let go!"

"No."

Arnav ran his lips on her shoulder and Khushi clutched onto his arms.

"Please let go," Khushi begged.

But Arnav paid no attention. Khushi was about to ask again, when she heard footsteps.

"Arnavji, please let go of me! Someone's coming!"

Arnav looked up. "Not if you call me that?"

"What?"

"Don't be so formal Khushi, I don't like it." He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "As for how you said my name last night…"

Khushi's eyes widened.

"… that was a lot better."

The sound of the footsteps got louder, which meant the person was getting closer.

"Nandini! Get me a cup of tea! I'll be in my room!" It was Anjali's voice.

Khushi swallowed. Oh no, she thought. Di's going to come this way if she's going to her room!