ARSHI FF: Gustakh Dil... (Stubborn Heart...)

CHAPTER 06(B): Kulvadhu

DISCLAIMER: *Guys the traditional Puja in this chapter is purely fictional – so if it is similar to anyone’s family traditions it’s purely a coincidence. It is by no means intentional to anyone*






Khushi had finally come out of the bathroom, after having a relaxing shower, wearing a simple white sari with a red border which she truly admired...Not to mention that she wore it in a typical Bengali style with a traditional key Jhalla on the pallu which was traced across her shoulder neatly. Her long wet hair was out and she picked up her mangalsutra to put on. She delicately put her sindoor on her Maang then put the pallu over her head and smiled at her reflection, a true bride. 

KHUSHI'S SARI & LOOK

She quickly walked down stairs, slightly humming, and the thoughts of last night fresh in her mind.










Khushi: “HP! Can you bring me the Puja props, please” She said as she went over to the Puja and started arranging everything with the help of HP, who was very much surprised to see Khushi in such an avatar. He still hadn’t overcome the shock that he had not recognized at first glance...

Khushi carefully started the Puja, placing the Lakshmi kalash and started preparing for the Aarti, chanting the mantra’s which she has fully memorized by now. 







Much to Anjali and Nani’s shock, they walked in to see someone chanting the mantra’s and was very much surprised to see it was Khushi. They walked closer to question her, when Khushi turned around and was surprised to see Nani and Anjali looking at her intently. She carefully lifted her Sari slightly and got up so that she could do the Aarti across the house. She precisely chanted away, whilst Nani automatically recognized what she was saying and was quite amazed to see that Khushi had a slightly different accent which she seemed unable to recognise. Anjali on the other hand, was more confused that amazed...What was going on??

Khushi walked around the rooms, corridors and hall way doing the Aarti as she slowly made her way upstairs to do the same. She was near Akash’s room when the guest room opened and out came Garima and Buaji who seemed very much dumbstruck seeing Khushi in front of them.

Garima’s breath flew away, as she could clearly see the spitting image of her sister in Khushi.

Khushi gave a very cold, emotionless glance at Buaji and Garima as she passed them the Prasad, who mechanically took in and watched as she saw her leaving down the stairs again, without saying a single word to them. 

Soon following, Payal and Akash walked out of their room and silently watched Khushi fully concentrated on the Aarti. They watched her as she walked towards Nani and Anjali’s room...

She continued to chant in each room but suddenly froze seeing Shyam looking at her weirdly. Like the others, he too was shocked seeing Khushi behaving so normally. Before he could do anything, Khushi quickly left the room, much to Shyam’s disapproval, who followed her out of the room...

She quickly walked towards the other guest rooms, and did the same in NK’s and Lavanya’s room, which were beside each other, along with Mami who came out hearing the tingle of Khushi’s anklets. Hearing the entire ruckus outside, Lavanya and NK came out of their rooms to see what all the commotion was about, sleep still lingering over them. 






Seeing Khushi performing Aarti, they all stood silently watching her, confusion running through their minds as Khushi walked back down the stairs, only to be followed by all three of them.

Khushi was almost at the bottom, when she spotted her husband entering the house who was by now awestruck seeing his Mishti’s attire. She rushed up to him and gave him the Prasad which he happily took. 

She then pointed at the sindoor in her hand and then at her forehead, to which Arnav immediately understood as he gently filled her Maang with it. She bent down to touch his feet when he quickly stopped her. 






Arnav: “Ridiculous” He laughed as he gave her a negative nod, and gave her a quick kiss on her forehead as she pulled away with a blush. 

She held his hand tightly and brought him to the mandir, reminding him about what she wanted him to do. Giving in to his wife, Arnav wrapped his arms around Khushi, completing the Aarti with him as they both tied the Dhaga on DM’s hand and put a hand print of their right hand on the wall beside DM’s idol with the sindoor liquid as instructed by Khushi. 





This entire scene was watched by the family and Nani was simply amazed at how well Khushi knew what to do...She performed each part of the ritual perfectly...Things that she hadn’t even taught Anjali how to do. 






Seeing the family behind them, Khushi walked towards Nani for her blessings. 
Khushi: “I hope you didn’t mind that I did the Puja...I...Did it for the welfare of Arnav” She said apologizing for not asking her before doing so. “I didn’t mean any...” And before anyone could reply Arnav butted in. 

Arnav: “No need to apologize Khushi...It’s your right...You’re my wife” He said possessively whilst dragging her away, before anyone in the family could upset her with their words. 

Anjali: “What did Khushiji just do?” She said finally recovering from the utter shock she had just received.

Nani: “The same Puja that the new bride is supposed to do for the welfare of their husband...It’s a tradition in our family too” She said. “I never expected Khushi Bitya to know since girls these days don’t tend to pay attention to these traditional rituals” She said in a daze.

“Payal Bitya also has to complete it...Chale?” She said taking Payal along with her to the Mandir as, who seemed very much perplexed about the entire thing...

Anjali just didn’t understand why everyone was acting so normally...Like nothing ever happened?