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

CHAPTER09: Tum mere aasmaan, meri zameen ban gaye...

Arnav left from their furiously, dragging Khushi along with him to the study room. Aman quickly followed noticing ASR’s temper, but before that he had heard Mami saying “Dekha sasuma, how dis pha...Humra matlab hai yeh Khushi kese Arnav bitwa ko humari against kar rahi hai...I feel yeh lardki toh humra house break karke rahegi phele Arnav bitwa sang elope hoke shaadi ki n now turning against us dekha kesen ek night ma changed our Arnav bitwa. And now yeh khoon bhari tang bhi same to same karegi aur hum sabko e ghar se bye karenge. Hum toh phele hi boln thay, don’t bring these gupta sister...Ab buhktoh hello hi bye bye!” (Did you see that sasuma, how this pha...I mean how this Khushi has turned Arnav Biwta against us. I feel that this girl will definitely break our house...First she eloped and married Arnav Bitwa and now she is turning him against us. Look how she has changed our Arnav bitwa in one night. And now this Khoon Bari Tang (Payal) will do the same...I told everyone not to bring these Gupta sisters...And now this is enough. Hello hi bye bye!)

Everyone was shocked by Arnav’s outburst and Mami’s complaining taunts weren't helping. But before anyone could reply, Aman had stepped in. 

Aman: “Mamiji, aisa kuch nahi hai. ASR is just protective about Bhabhi –and in fact it was Bhabhi who held back his temper. Lavanya shouldn’t have insulted her like this and neither should you have said anything to add to his temper. You really shouldn’t have behaved like this. Please Mamiji, don’t say these things. Agar ASR ne sunn liye ek aur mahabhart shuru ho jayegi (If ASR heard, then it will cause more of a commotion). He won’t tolerate anyone disrespecting his wife. I know they did wrong by eloping but even you guys wanted to see them together once upon a time so now when they are together – why are you guys behaving like this? Just because they eloped, your opinions and way of seeing things shouldn’t change. Don’t you think it’s kind of hypocrisy?” 

He asked before he left leaving behind the family where Mami and Lavanya were fuming with Arnav’s way of defending Khushi, and Aman’s too. 

Nani on the other hand, was confused on how to react to Aman. He had a point too. They all wanted to see Khushi with Arnav so now what has changed when it has all happened? Anjali was also confused as to how to react to the changes towards Khushi which were definitely too prominent to go unnoticed.

Payal (In Mind): “Now I will face double taunts! Now meri saasuma won’t be able to target Khushi, all the tortures will fall on my head! It’s not like my husband will stand for me the way Arnav does for Khushi!” It’s not that she minded, but her mother-in-law didn’t even let her settle and adjust. She would always be ready to make life hell for her. 

Akash and NK had no idea what to do or how to react. For the first time, they were seeing a very different side to Arnav, and in just two days...

..............

STUDY ROOM

Arnav: “How dare she? How dare she insult you? Not just her, but everyone...!”

Khushi: “Arnav please...Shanti. It’s okay. Lavanya is just hurt and so are the rest of the family. You yourself said that they would accept us when their anger melts then why are you getting worked up now. It’s okay”

Arnav: “So does that mean they insult you? Why are they all blaming and insulting you? You may be able to tolerate it but I can’t, and I won’t. Nobody gets away with insulting you, be it our family” He said frustratingly, pulling her in by the waist. 

She cupped his face with one palm and the other once was holding his shoulder to balance herself.

Khushi: “It's okay na, you just calm down...for me Jaan” She looked at him with pleading eyes which melted him straight away and he just simply kissed her. His hand was caressing her waist and moving further north when they got interrupted by a knock.

Arnav: “Damn it! In this house, we will never be able to romance peacefully” He said angrily as they adjusted themselves and opened the door.

Aman entered and said: “Sorry if I disturbed you”

Arnav: “Ya, you always do that. Even if you’re not present, you have a habit of calling at the wrong time” He said grumpily whilst Khushi blushed with embarrassment. 

Khushi: “It's nothing like that Amanji”

Aman: “Bhabhi please sirf Aman boliye. You are my Bhabhi now, so you don’t need to add the ‘ji’ part at the end” He said making Khushi smile.

Khushi: “Okay, you guys continue. I’ll bring your coffee”

Arnav: “Don’t get upset at everyone’s behavior okay? I know it affects you but you just don’t tell me. So stress matlo and don’t work too much Mishti” He said kissing her cheek and side-hugging her. 

Khushi: “You too. Don’t throw your temper here and there. Behave” She said giving his a cheeky smile. 

Aman had a teasing smile lingering on his face and Arnav: “What?!”

Aman: “Nothing, bas aise hi...BTW Mishti ha?” He replied with the same silly expression. 

Arnav: “Whatever. Get back to work and don’t stand on my head. And stop it with that stupid expression of yours” 

Aman: “Yes Boss!” He teased again whilst Akash and Lavanya joined them to get the work done. 

....

Khushi: “Coffee” She said giving it to everyone. Akash had taken his quietly whilst Lavanya was of course, holding her head held high with attitude. 

Aman: “Thanks Bhabhi” He said sweetly whilst Arnav mouthed a “Thank you” and kissed her cheek whilst taking his coffee making her smile sweetly, showing him his favorite dimples. 

She left and Arnav couldn’t helped but watch her retreating back, wishing to run after her but an annoying coughing sound brought him back. He turned to see Aman grinning like an idiot. All the while, Lavanya was fuming...

.....

The day had passed like then when HP had called them all for lunch. It was made by Payal, and although she didn’t get as much praising as Khushi, she did receive Nek from all which somewhat pricked Arnav. He didn’t like the fact that nobody did it for Khushi, not that she wanted it but he still felt responsible for her not getting her share. Khushi noticed his turmoiled expression and pressed his hand assuringly and then smiled when he looked at her and she asked silently what was up. He shook his head and smiled.

They all had finished their lunch, and Khushi with the help of HP and OP started to clean up. She also made a list of things for the dinner menu. 

Khushi: “What shall I make for Arnav?” She asked herself since lunch was prepared by Payal which was very Lucknowie and a bit too spicy for Arnav’s taste buds. “I also need to cheer Arnav up. He looked so upset and gloomy” She said to herself. 

___________ 

05:30 PM

Arnav was now alone in the study room as everyone had dispersed to their own places. He was working on the designs of an upcoming traditional line for AR fashion show. He was working on the same when he got a call and moved out only to return to see a note with a solitude red rose kept on his laptop. He didn’t even have to wonder who it was from, and smiled when he saw that it was from his Mishti, a sweet message which led him out and found a trail to the doorstep of their room. 

He walked into the room and found a gift box on the bed which contained a very expensive stylish wrist watch attached with a note that read ‘This watch will show you the time...Let the time be good or bad; we will always be together to see it...To share it...” 

Oh, how he wished to hug her right now. He looked around, wondering where she is and saw another note and rose at the back of the door. He rushed to get it and it was pointing towards his garden where his beloved was. 

He reached the garden, where at the gazebo bench he saw another note, but this time, no rose. He read it and he heard her anklets and a sweet voice...

Haan aa o...

Main jaan ye vaar doon

Har jeet bhi haar doon

Keemat ho koi tujhe beinteha pyaar doon 

Arnav turned around, only to see his wife walking towards him with the rose in her hand.  She walked towards him, singing...Her voice was so beautiful. He never knew that she could sing and carried on admiring her singing, believing that it was the best way to express herself to him...

Main jaan ye vaar doon

Har jeet bhi haar doon

Keemat ho koi tujhe beinteha pyaar doon

Saari hadein maine meri, ab maine tod di

Dekar mujhe pataa awaargi ban gaye

Haan hasi ban gaye

Haan nami ban gaye

Tum mere aasmaan

Meri zameen ban gaye

Aa o... aa...

 

Anjali had looked all over for her Chotte, and unable to find him in the study room she had come to his room where she was welcomed with the shock of her life.

Anjali: “Photos?” She said looking at all the pictures and wondered where they all came from. 

“These weren’t here before”. She noticed that there was a picture of every memory she can remember that Arnav and Khushi has had. She then heard a faint sound of someone singing and walked forward. By then the whole family had gathered there to see Khushi and Arnav together. They were all shocked and didn’t know how to react to these lovey-dovey moments between the couple. 

Kya khoob Rab ne kiya

Bin maange itna diya

Warna hai milta kahaan

Hum kaafiron ko Khuda 

Over here, ArShi were in world of their own Arnav was smiling brightly, relishing the moment. Arnav had Khushi gathered in his arms by holding her close by waist and Khushi had her arms garland around his neck as she continued singing and they both swirling softly with the music, lovingly looking at each other eyes with love shining.

Kya khoob Rab ne kiya

Bin maange itna diya

Warna hai milta kahaan

Hum kaafiron ko Khuda

Hasratein ab meri tumse hai jaa mili

Tum duaa ab meri aakhiri ban gaye

Haan hasi ban gaye

Haan nami ban gaye

Tum mere aasmaan

Meri zameen ban gaye

O...

aa... o...

When she had finished – he had pulled her into a big hug and kissed her senselessly. He eyed her carefully as he picked her up with bedroom eyes; making her blush and hide her face in his chest...He walked into their bedroom...Their little heaven...