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

CHAPTER 08: The Green Jealous Monsters

Nani: “Payal Bitya. It’s too late to have breakfast now, start preparing for lunch. We spent too much time in doing the Puja. Khushi Bitya did it alone, so effortlessly and correctly” She said making Payal look down in embarrassment. 

“Chalo” She said as they all walked towards the dining room, but stopped seeing Aman, Arnav’s PA, walking into the house. 







Khushi: “Amanji? Come, Join us for breakfast” She said excitedly as she reached the bottom of the stairs with Arnav. 

Aman: “No Bhabhi, another time”

Khushi: “No, today!” She said stubbornly. 

Aman: “Seriously Bhabhi. I’m not hungry”

Khushi: “I won’t hear any excuses. You are coming. Bas!” She said dragging him towards the table whilst Arnav watched in amusement. 

Arnav: “Aman this is not the first time you’re joining us for breakfast, stop being so humble. Don’t forget as well as my PA, you’re also my best buddy” He said making Aman finally agree as they all sat down to eat. 

Khushi: “Chalo” She said happily to both Aman and Arnav, whilst the others looked on...












..........













Mami: “I’m full wa! HP, today’s breakfast was too good... Any special reason?” She asked, whilst everyone was still digging into the food. 

HP: “Khushi Bhabhi prepared breakfast today, not me” He said whilst everyone stopped eating, gawking at each other. 

Aman: “Wow Bhabhi! I must come to breakfast more often if you’re cooking it” He said whilst she looked on proudly at Arnav. “Thank you for breakfast. This is a little something for you” He said pulling out a box and handing it to her. 

Khushi: “Kya? What was the need for this? Nahi, I can’t accept this”

Aman: “It's a Rasam, right? After all you are my Bhabhi” He said, making Khushi smile and accept his gift. 

“Thank you Devarji” She said emotionally opening the box to see a gorgeous silver bracelet. “It's beautiful” She said telling Arnav to put it on her hand. 

BRACELET AMAN GIFTED

Arnav: “And this is for you” He said pulling out a red box and handing it to her. 

Khushi: “You’re spoiling me!” She pouted making Arnav flick her cute nose. 

Arnav: “They are Mumma’s bangles” He said whilst Khushi looked at them in awe. “Here” He said placing the bangles on her right hand. “Perfect” He said to which she smiled. 

Khushi: “And this?” She said picking up the piece of paper.

Arnav: “Letter. Which Mumma left for her bahu” He said to which Khushi opened it and read it happily. 

**















My dear Bahu, 








I know that if you’re reading this letter, then I won’t be present with you, but never think that I am not a part of you both. I love you a lot, tum meri bahu nahi, beti ho. I know that you are the best choice for my Chotte, because it takes a lot to rule his heart. You must be very special if he’s decided to share his Mumma with you, he’s very selfish you see. Today, I’m handing all my responsibilities over to you and I know that you will take care of his every need. 







I just want to tell you that I know my Chotte is a tough nut from the outside, but he is very delicate from the inside. Please Beta, if he ever gets angry at you, please doesn’t take it to heart. He is a little shy in expressing his feelings and always hides himself behind the tough image you probably first met. But please see through this anger, and always be his greatest support. I want you to be his strength, as well as his weakness. Understand his silence and always be with him like a friend, lover, wife, guide, and companion and sometimes like a mother who will take care of him and scold him if you feel that he is in the wrong. 







My darling Bahu, I want to let you know that I love you very much; after all you are the gem that has won over my Chotte’s heart. I know that it wouldn’t have been an easy task, he must have given you a hard time, hai na? Well for that you can pull his ears ;) * Take care of yourself and him. And always remember that my blessings are always with you...








Your Lovingly,
Mumma  
















** 

















She hugged him tight, wrapping her arms tightly round his neck, whilst he hugged her back, making her calm down. He was in no state to pull away...The letter from his Mumma had made them very much emotional. 

Khushi pulled out of the hug and looked at him with squinted eyes. 





Arnav: “Whaat?” 

Khushi: “This” She said pulling his ears.

Arnav: “Khushiiiii”





Khushi: “Hey! I have permission from Mumma!” She said, making them both burst out in laughter. 

Everyone looked at the couple, but Anjali, La or Shyam didn’t want to accept the fact that Khushi was changing the ruthless ASR to a caring husband. Neither did Mami, Buaji or Garima. They were very unhappy with Khushi’s start in the house, with her ‘good bahu’ impressions on Nani with the Puja and breakfast, leaving Payal lacking behind...

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After breakfast, the Gupta’s had taken their leave whilst Khushi had been busy cleaning, and now glued in making coffee for Arnav, Akash and Aman who were now busy in the study room. Payal was very much occupied with running after Maamiji, and Nani was feeding Lakshmi, whilst Anjali went for another Puja seen as in her husband was out.








Lavanya was preparing the files before going to the study, which Arnav had asked for, reaching the door at the same time as Khushi, resulting in the coffee spilling all over Lavanya.







Lavanya: “What the hell Chamkeli! Have you seen what you have done to my expensive dress? No, actually you wouldn’t understand would you? After all you’re just a middle class girl!” She lashed out on her, and hearing the commotion, the three came out of the study to see Lavanya full of coffee. Seeing Arnav, Lavanya took it as her opportunity to degrade his wife in front of him. 

Lavanya: “Didn’t your parents teach you any manners? This dress...”





Khushi: “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to. The dress...I...” She stuttered.

Lavanya: “This dress? You’ll never be able to afford this type of dress in all of your lifetime” She screamed.

Arnav: “ENOUGH!” He screamed make both of them quiet whilst the whole family by now had gathered around there. “How dare you speak to my wife like that?” making Lavanya look on in shock. “You’re talking about the price of the dress? I will pay for the damage...Much more than you are worth! But don’t you dare insult my wife or her status!” He roared, shutting the whole family up.

Arnav: “And it isn’t just her!” He said looking towards the rest of them. “I’ve been noticing how everybody is behaving with Khushi since morning” He said hinting at their indirect taunts. “And just because I don’t say anything, doesn’t mean I haven’t noticed. If I was quiet it was only for Khushi...” He said pointing at her. “Who thinks so much about respecting you..? And you all?” He said in disbelief. 

Mami: “This Phatti Sari has been turning you against us...!”

Arnav: “Not even another word. You may call anybody else with any name, but I won’t tolerate it!” 

He said hinting at Akash who lets her call Payal as 'Khoon Bari Tang'. “Her name is Khushi. Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada. And this is the name you shall call her by!” He said with one final tone. “And if anyone misbehaves with my wife, then they’ll have me to answer to!” He said grabbing Khushi’s hand and taking her away, leaving everyone else dumbstruck...