Part 2 – The Birds and the Bees

“Bitiya, are you ready? We don’t have much time, everyone from Shantivan will be here soon…”

Hearing her mother’s persistent knocking on the door, she rushed to the door, and opened it with a frown at not having gotten far with wearing the saree. At this point it should have been draped around her.

Garima shook her head, walking towards the bed. She couldn’t understand why her daughter had such a hard time wearing a saree after being taught on numerous occasions. Her daughter could do just about anything to perfection but wearing a saree was such an ordeal for her.

“Amma, why do you make me wear this when you know I don’t know how?”  She whined, wrapping her arms around her mother.  

“But you do know how, I have seen you wear a saree. You just need practice which is why I’m making you wear it today. Khushi, you are getting married and this is what you will be wearing at your sasural.”

She walked around to face her mother, before sitting down on the bed in defeat.

Garima smiled, caressing her daughter’s face, then took the saree in her hands unraveling the six yards of fabric. She extended her hand towards her daughter, who was downright sulking, though it changed quickly realizing she was going to help her.  

“You are the best, Amma.” She hugged her mother, then stood still in her blouse and petticoat.

Garima laughed as she began wrapping the saree around her. Her heart warmed having her Khushi back. The playful antics, the smile and the glow that adorned her face which got brighter whenever she spoke or saw her Arnav.

“Of course I am the best. Now pay attention, since I won’t be there the day after your shaadi when you have to wear a saree… by yourself.”

“Amma, if I need you, then I will tell Arnav and he will bring you there for me.  What’s the big deal?” She jokingly winked, but they both knew the truth to that statement.

“Pagal! You know I can’t come. What will they think? When a woman gets married things change, you will see soon enough. Your husband and his family become your priority. Did you see how I did the pleats? Now you just fold it down and tuck it inside the petticoat.”

Khushi nodded, paying close attention to her mother as she started working on the pallu.

“How long did it take you to learn to wear a saree? You make it look so easy, but it really isn’t.”

Garima looked up at her daughter who was intently observing her every move. She was confident that if Khushi sets her mind on something, she would accomplish it. In this moment, she could see her engrossed in this task, trying to learn every step.  

But she wondered how much Khushi knew about the changes in her life and relationship after marriage.

“It took me some time, but then I got used it, so will you. Woh, um… Khushi… do you know what happens after you get married?”

Khushi rolled her eyes ready for the talk about how she needed to behave like an elder bahu of the house. At this point it was all blah blah blah.

“Amma, that’s all you have been talking about for the past few weeks, so obviously I know.”

Garima smacked her daughter lightly on her arm, putting the perfectly pleated pallu on her shoulder, as Khushi handed her mother a safety pin.

“Not that… but, um… you know… your relationship with your husband. Things will be different.”

Khushi sensed the nervousness in her mother’s voice as she stuttered, and continued to stay behind her, pinning the saree to her blouse.  

“Different? Why would it be different between us?”

“Because things will change between the two of you. Now you both will sleep… um… on the same bed and…

Her eyes widened in surprise at the realization what her mother was referring to. She closed her eyes grateful for her mother being behind her fixing the saree.

For a moment silence filled the room, unsure how to continue further with the topic.  

Khushi smiled inwardly, wondering what her mother’s reaction would be if she knew about her and Arnav’s relationship. But she knew how inappropriate it would be, so decided to keep her mouth shut.

Garima courageously came around to face Khushi, giving her a sheepish smile, then swiftly took another safety pin, and bent down to fix the pleats at the bottom. Garima took a deep breath, then continued with the awkward topic.

“Things will happen between you two… and you should be ready…”

Khushi decided to put them both out of misery.

“Um… woh… Amma, I don’t  think we need to talk about this. I know what happens.”

Garima jerked her head up, but Khushi’s face was turned away, adjusting the saree. She stood up, not knowing what to say but grateful she didn’t have to continue. But she wanted to give her one last piece of advice on the topic. She took her hands in hers, and looked at her with a tender expression.

How had her little girl grown up so fast?

“Okay, it’s good you know. So I assume you also know what to do until you are ready to have a family? I don’t mind having grandchildren right away, actually I would love it. But I know you both are focused on your careers right now.”

Khushi looked at her mother in admiration for openly having this discussion.  She smiled with a slight nod at her mother, and then hugged her.

“Garima! Panditji is here…”

Hearing her husband, she pulled away, and then placed a kiss on her daughter’s forehead.  Both of them grateful for the interruption, which couldn’t have come at a better moment.

“Finish getting ready and come downstairs, theek hai?”

She nodded, and watched her mother leave the room, muttering under breath about how late it was getting.

Khushi couldn’t believe that her mother just gave her the birds and bees talk.

An hour later, Arnav stepped out of his car, and stared up at the Gupta’s house. It looked completely different from the last time he was here. The house was all decked up with strings of lights, flower garlands, and sheer fabric wrapped everywhere for their wedding. Almost like a bride. He also noticed a decorated tent covering the entire spacious backyard of the house where workers were gathered setting up tables for today’s functions.

After coming from his home which was decorated in a similar manner, and seeing Khushi’s home, a sudden surge of excitement rushed through him as he briskly walked towards the house with a wide smile.  

“Did the Puja start?” He asked, approaching Aakash who was outside on the porch holding Aditya.

Aakash couldn’t help but smile looking at how anxious his big brother looked, and it wasn’t because he was late for Puja, but to see Khushi. Being around the two of them whether at the office or home, he knew how much these two loved each other. And he couldn’t be happier seeing his brother settle down with someone like Khushi.

“Hello Bhai and Mamu… right Adi?  Wave to Mamu.”  He raised Aditya’s hand waving it back and forth.  

“Hello Aakash! How are you doing? Now can I go in? Aditya, come to Mamu.”

Arnav smiled at his nephew who started bouncing excitedly, and put his arms out to take him. But Aakash held onto him.

“Yeah I guess, that’s good for now. Adi was a bit cranky inside, so you go in.  Behena is waiting in there for you, I suggest you hurry up before she goes all terminator on you.”

He shook his head, hearing Aakash chuckle and made his way inside the house.  His eyes searched for her, but she was nowhere in sight.

Where could she be?

“Arnav is here! We can start the Puja now.”  

Anjali relaxed now that her brother had arrived just in time. She came up to speak with him, since no one had noticed him coming inside.

“I know you don’t sit in pujas but if you can at least stay here it would make Khushi and both families happy since this is for your shaadi. We already explained it to her parents.”  She whispered to him making sure no one was around.

He couldn’t hold back a smirk, knowing his reply was going to shock her.  

“Who said I am not going to sit in the Puja? I will participate, and that too with my soon to be wife right next to me. By the way where is she?”

Anjali stood there stunned with words failing her, as he eyed the room.  

“Di, snap out of it. It’s not a big deal.”

“Oh yes it is a big deal! You have never sat in a Puja, in fact you run from them…  hai Bhagwan, wait till Nani finds out. Does Khushi know?  Where the heck she is, I want to see her reaction to this latest miracle… Payal, where is Khushi?”

Anjali stopped her as she was passing by with a basket of flowers.

“Woh, she went upstairs to get something for Garima Auntie. Panditji needed some additional things which are in her study.”

Anjali nodded, and Payal walked away in a hurry as Mami was waiting for her.

“Oh I know that look… Arnav you are not going up there. As it is we are already late starting this Puja.”

“Let’s see who stops me. Don’t you think I should get a reward for sitting in the Puja? In which case you owe me this. And, I haven’t seen my fiancé for over three weeks. So, my lovely big sister if you will excuse me for a few minutes…  Oh, and keep a look out to make sure no one comes upstairs.”

“Fine! Now go hurry, and don’t stay up there too long.”

He side hugged his sister, and quietly made his way upstairs while everyone was occupied setting up for the Puja. As he approached the study, he could hear her mumbling to herself. He stood at the doorway mesmerized by the sight of her.

Her back faced him, as she stood on a chair stretching up to reach for a box on top of the wardrobe. Her hair was tied up in a bun, wrapped around with flowers. Her peeking back exposed what her blouse failed to cover, along with the expanse of skin along her waist. The crepe sheer saree with a beige cream on the bottom cascaded of mixed colors of pink, purple, and green bordered embroidered pallu neatly pleated and draped over her shoulder.  

He swallowed gazing at the slender toned beauty in front of him, overwhelmed with desire as he walked closer to her.  

“Hi gorgeous.”  

She turned around, startled to see him behind her. She swayed losing her balance, but his hand shot up gripping her waist. She sighed, placing her hand on his shoulder, and steadied herself on the chair.

“Can you tell me what you are doing? There are so many people downstairs that could have gotten whatever it is you needed from up there. What if you got hurt?”

He shook his head in frustration, and helped her get down from the chair. But that faded away, calming his nerves when she wrapped her arms around him.  

“You’re finally here, I have missed you so much.”  She whispered softly.

She stared at him, as her hand caressed his face, taking in his tired appearance.  The fatigue, exhaustion, visible on his face after working non-stop for the past few weeks, along with his long flight.

He took her hand in his, and placed a gentle kiss.

“Sweetheart, you have no idea how I have lived the past few weeks without you, and this…” He leaned down as his body ached with the need to touch her, kiss her. He smiled when she slightly titled waiting for him to kiss her.

Finally their lips touched with a gentle caress, but with time against them that changed into a deep, passionate kiss. Both of unleashing themselves in a long awaited kiss filling in for lost time.  

They pulled away for much needed air, and he held on tight wrapping his arms around her while they steadied their uneven breathing.

“We need to go back downstairs before Amma comes searching for me.”

“I know… ouch…”  

He jerked his hand away, slowly taking a few steps back.  

“Baby, what happened?”  She looked up at him, and then towards his hand with concern.

“You’re just too hot to handle, that’s all.”  He smiled mischievously and winked, then climbed on the chair to retrieve the box she was attempting to get down.

“Now that was one cheesy pick up line, but I like it. And I would say you look very hot as well…”

She took the box from his hand, as he got down off the chair.  

He was dressed semi-casually in a black textured blazer, paired with fitted gray stripe shirt and jeans. A look she loved on him.

“KHUSHI! Hurry, the puja is starting…”

Both of them smirked, hearing her mother yelling at the bottom of the staircase.

“Coming Amma!”

A few moments later, Khushi was downstairs standing next to her parents getting ready for the puja to start.  

Anjali sighed in relief when Arnav came down in time. And luck was on her brother’s side since no one had noticed him amidst the preparations. But she was happy for both of them getting a few minutes together.  Khushi’s face glowing, as was his. No doubt Arnav got his prize judging from the smile on his face.

“Arnav Bitwa, when did you arrive? I didn’t see you come in.” Shashi spoke up when he spotted him. He looked over at Garima, as Arnav approached them, bending to take their blessings. They both placed their hands on his head, and he stood up.

“Sorry, I am late, but my meeting ran late yesterday which delayed my arrival here. How are you both?”

“Now that your are here, we are all happy and can truly start the celebrations. Can I get you something to eat or drink before the Puja gets started, beta?” Garima spoke in one breath, overwhelmed seeing her future son in law.

“No, thank you Auntie. I am fine for now. Hi Nani!”   

Arnav pulled his Nani into an embrace, her gaze clouded with varied emotions.  He shook his head and wiped the tears from her eyes. Anjali came over and placed her hands on Nani’s shoulders, pushing her own tears back.  It was a sentimental moment for the both of them, who never imagined a time when Arnav would participate in a Puja.

Khushi’s heart warmed at seeing them together, and she walked up behind her mother putting her arms around her as they watched the trio.

“Nani, Auntie, should we start the Puja? Where should I sit?” Arnav asked.

“Garima ji… Chote and Khushi Bitiya will sit together and perform the Ganesh Puja. You can sit there, Chote.”  She gestured towards the sitting area where the Panditji was getting the havan ready.  

Khushi gasped softly, and raised her eyebrow at him. He nodded, and took her hand helping her to sit, then sat down next to her.  

“You don’t have to do this, everyone understands.”  She whispered, leaning closer to him.

“I know, but I want to for you and our family.” He smiled.

She nodded, then squeezed his hand, before letting go as the Puja began.

Throughout the Puja, Khushi prayed there would be no obstacles during their wedding. And thanked Ganesh for bringing Arnav into her life. All she wanted was happiness for him and their families who were all eager to see them married.

After the Puja and Aarti were over, the family all gathered for lunch which had been set-up outside. Khushi introduced Arnav to her Buaji, who was here from Lucknow, along with some other distant relatives that were keen on meeting her future husband.  

Khushi was afraid it might be overwhelming for Arnav to meet everyone. But he surprised her with his polite social skills, working his charm on everyone.  

“Khushi, I am hungry. Can we please eat?”  He asked feeling light headed, once he met with everyone from both sides.

“Hai Devi Maiya!  I am so sorry, you probably haven’t eaten today. Why didn’t you say anything earlier? Stupid me for not realizing. Did you take your medicine?” Khushi panicked looking at his pale face, and touched his forehead.  

“Relax, Sweetheart, I am okay. I just need to eat something.” He could feel it taking its toll on his body, and cursed himself for not eating earlier. But he didn’t want to come across rude meeting everyone. Most of all he didn’t want to worry Khushi.

“Arnav, you don’t look well! Anjali… Anjali…”  

He sighed when she waved for his sister to come over, aware of the dramatics these two were going to start now.  

“What happened, Khushi? Arnav, are you okay?” She tried to stay calm seeing Khushi distressed. And looking at her brother’s weakened demeanor she knew he wasn’t feeling well. She placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Can you please take him to sit down, while I get him some food.”

Anjali nodded taking her brother to sit at an empty table. He took off his blazer and folded his sleeves, before he sat down. He felt his body temperature rise, but couldn’t make out if it was the heat or something else.

“This is a first, my sister is not panicking or lecturing me about me not taking care of myself. Sorry, it’s been hectic the past few weeks, since I was trying to wrap up things at AR to take a few weeks off in peace. And I forgot to eat today.”  He sighed heavily admitting his negligence.

She shook her head in annoyance, listening to his explanation.

“Chote… yes right now you deserve me to call you that. You see her…” She pointed towards Khushi, as they turned their attention to her.  

Khushi frantically pushed past ahead of a few people, ignoring anyone that approached her as she made his plate. Concern and impatience seeped through her as she kept her eye on him.

“… so as I was saying. Every time you pull a stunt like this, that is how she will get. Arnav, once you are married you are responsible for her well being. Her seeing you like this is going to make her worried and stressed, which isn’t good for her either. And I know my little brother doesn’t want his Khushi upset. Do you get the point I am trying to make?”

He nodded, knowing Khushi bears the consequences of his actions when he doesn’t take care of himself.

“Good! Now I no longer have to worry with her by your side. Did you take your medicine?”

He shook his head, then reached into his blazer and took out the packet of pills he had placed there earlier before rushing here to make it on time.

Anjali wanted to strangle him for being irresponsible. But she imagined in all this madness with no one on his back it would have slipped his mind. She would have to make sure to stay on top of him until the wedding was over.

Khushi hurried over, and took a seat next to him as she placed his lunch along with a bottle of water in front of him. When she spotted the medicine on the table, she swore under her breath which didn’t go unnoticed by the two people, intently watching her every move.

She picked up the packet, popped the pill, then placed it in his hand.  He put the pill in his mouth immediately, drinking the water she handed to him.

Before she could say anything, he began to eat. Khushi crossed her arms across her chest, then relaxed back in her chair. But her heart ached to see him this way. She knew him well by now to know he was trying to stay strong despite him not feeling well. She blamed herself for being away from AR, knowing the long hours he must have been putting in her absence. He always was good with eating proper meals on time, but that must have been put aside with the flight and puja.

“The food is delicious. Let me guess, Khushi must have picked out the menu, am I right?”

“Well obviously, who else in my family knows your favorite food? And I know what you are trying to do… you are so lucky right now that everyone is here otherwise I would give you a piece of my mind. What were you thinking?  Forget it, you weren’t thinking…  please now eat properly, then you are going home with Aakash so you can rest.” She bit out, irritable that he was being nonchalant about this. She called out for Aakash, who walked towards them with Shyam and Aditya.  

Anjali sat back amused, ready to watch these two go at it.

“Khushi, I am fine. Don’t make this into a big issue. Please no one needs to know, especially Nani.” He continued to finish his lunch as she glared at him.

“Lover’s quarrel already, but bhai just got here… okay, nevermind.”  

Arnav gave him a pointed stare as Aakash put his hands up and took a seat next to Khushi. Shyam felt the tension at the table as he sat down next to his wife and handed his son over to her who was ready for his nap.

“Aakash, once Arnav is done eating, can you please take him home and make sure he gets rest? The Roka is an hour, and he is not supposed to be here for that.”

Aakash nodded.

Arnav ignored everyone around him as they talked about the upcoming function. He continued to finish the last few bites on his plate. The food and medicine doing there work, as he felt better. But he knew that was not going to be enough to convince Khushi.

“Anjali, it looks like Adi is falling asleep…”  Shyam leaned over to help Anjali adjust the baby from her shoulder.

“We can put him in the pack n play. Can you bring it downstairs from Khushi’s room?” Anjali asked, cradling him in her arms.

“No need. I will take him up with me to Khushi’s room so I can rest. Plus Di, it’s noisy and warm out here. Give me him…”

They all stared at Arnav, as he stood up and went to Anjali. He leaned down, gently taking Adi out of her arms, and rocked him back to sleep.

Anjali and Khushi knew there was no stopping or reasoning with Arnav at this point. Both relieved to see him eat properly and ready to go relax. Khushi sighed and then followed him inside the house, making their way upstairs to her room.  

Arnav placed the baby down in the pack n play, and covered him with his blanket. She watched how natural he was with Aditya, which often surprised her since he was rarely around babies.  

He walked over to the edge of the bed, and watched as she rummaged through a suitcase in the corner. Finding what she was looking for, she walked back to him.  He took her arms and pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her neck.

“That was a bad move on my part not taking care of myself. But I promise it won’t happen again.”  He placed a gentle kiss on her lip, and then pressed his forehead against hers.

She nodded, giving him a small smile.

“I don’t like seeing you that way. It’s not good for you when you ignore your health. But now please, for me, take it easy. Here you can change into this t-shirt, and lounge pants. I bought these for you last week when I went shopping with the girls. I know how much you love to wear clothes when you sleep.” She grinned, raising her eyebrow making the mood lighter as they pulled away, handing the clothes to him.

“Right, since you would know what I wear and don’t in bed.  Though it has been six very long weeks.”

“Shhh, besharam, the baby is here. Now get some rest, and if my chotu bachu wakes up call one of us.”

He chuckled seeing the blush on her face, and avoiding his gaze.

“He is sleeping, and has no clue what I am talking about. But I won’t keep you up here, you should go back down.”

Smiling, she turned away and left the room, closing the door behind her.

The Roka ceremony began an hour later, with more guests arriving for the function. Mami commenced the ceremony by giving shagun to Khushi followed by Anjali, Payal, Lavanya, along with other family and close friends.

Khushi blushed at the comments directed towards her from the women about married life. Especially Mamiji, who she met recently after arriving in Delhi, taking the opportunity to openly talk about what to expect from her soon to be husband. They got along well, though at times Mamji could be rather outlandish and vocal. But Khushi knew she was harmless. Everyone gave her advice, along with their blessings for the next hour.

Anjali frequently provided Khushi with updates about Arnav to keep her calm. Adi and him were both sleeping peacefully. Both stunned, uncle and nephew could sleep through the noise and commotion in the house.  

Everyone was gathered in and out of the house, once the Shagun was handed out and the ceremony was concluded with tea and snacks being served.  

And the timing couldn’t be perfect, as Arnav walked downstairs refreshed holding a bubbly smiling Aditya in his arms.

Khushi’s face lit up, hearing them laughing and from the looks of it Arnav was back to his normal self. She sighed in relief, knowing he was feeling better.

She stood back, watching his family and her parents rush over to him one by one and ensure he was doing well.  

She could feel his burning gaze on her as she moved around the main living area with Payal and Lavanya as they gathered the shagun to place it inside her parents room.

Needless to say, she wasn’t surprised when he followed her to the room when she went in alone. She mentally counted backwards in her head, hearing the door close.

“Mr. Raizada, you are so predictable.” She smirked without looking back, placing the jewelry boxes in the armoire.

He leaned back against the door, walking over to her, as she turned.

“Soon to be Mrs. Raizada, I take any opportunity that comes my way to see you… alone. And seeing you walking around in this saree, looking extremely sexy, I couldn’t resist. Do you have any idea what I want to do to you right now?”  He moved closer to her, placing his arms around her waist and pulled her close to his body.  

She let out a soft moan as her hands slammed up against his chest. She stared up at him, her heart pounding against her chest as his grip tightened around her waist.  

“Arnav…” She shivered, feeling his hand go inside her saree as his scorching fingers caressed her waist.  

Seeing the passion in her eyes, reflecting his own, reminded him of how much he missed being with her. The pull they both shared, left him wanting more. He knew they couldn’t be alone too much longer, with everyone outside. But he needed some alone time with her.

“Khushi, go out with me tomorrow night for dinner. Just, you and me.”

He could hear Lavanya and Payal’s laughter coming closer as they were headed towards the room. But he refused to leave until she said yes.

“Baby, how can I?” She pleaded.  

“Oh but you can. The last time I checked there is nothing going on tomorrow evening that requires us to be around. I would like to take my fiancé out to dinner.”

She startled, hearing the knock on the door and tried to get out of his arms.

“Khushi, open the door…”  Payal said softly.

“Until you say yes, I am not opening this door. Do you want everyone to find out we’re in here… alone.“

“You… um… fine, yes!”

“That’s my girl!”

He leaned down, and she gasped as he placed a kiss on her lips. She stood still with her mouth wide open, when he pulled away getting ready to open the door.

He opened it to find Payal and Lavanya leaning up against the door trying to listen in. But seeing him, they quickly steadied themselves.

“Ladies, you may go in now.” He smirked, as they looked away nonchalantly. He turned back to find Khushi standing there dazed, still staring at him. “Thank you for the meetha, Ms. Gupta!” He winked at her, turning around to walk out in the living area.

He figured this stunt was going to cost him, but it didn’t matter. Afterall she agreed to go out with him. That was enough to get him through today sharing her amongst the guests gathered outside.

A date… just his Khushi and him.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=pEfekp79Il8

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