The Bride Trilogy - Part 1 - The Chosen Bride

Chapter 6: Mujhse Shaadi Karogi

Once Arnav gave his ok to the wedding, Ratna wasted no time. In the next 15 minutes, the entire Raizada clan had come to know that Arnav was finally ready to marry Khushi. Then the next 15 minutes were spent by Arvind and Dadi convincing Ratna that it was too late to call the Guptas and ask them, and this conversation could wait for the morning. A reluctant Ratna agreed.

The next morning, she was on tenterhooks until she could make that all-important phone call. As soon as the clock struck 8, she dialed the Guptas, and spoke to Garima.

Garima was happy that Arnav had agreed to the wedding, but she needed to talk to Khushi, and get her acceptance. She ran into Khushi's room, and banged on the bathroom door until Khushi opened it in exasperation, with her toothbrush still in her mouth.

"What?", she asked, "I'm brushing my teeth, Amma. What is so important that it can't wait for 10 more minutes?"

"Your wedding! That is what is so important"

"My what?"

"Ratnaji just called. Arnav has given his approval to marrying you. You want to marry him too, right?"

"Arnav?"

"Yes, Arnav Singh Raizada said he wants to marry you. What about you, Khushi?.... you want to marry him or not?"

"Marry Arnav?"

"Yes, my dear. Stop being so dense and give me a straight answer. Do you want to marry Arnav or not?"

Khushi just stared at her in shock. When she went to bed last night, it was with a resolution that she would talk to Arnav today in person and give him her seal of approval, and get his opinion on a marriage between the two of them. But he already gave his approval?

"Khushiiii.... do you want to marry Arnav?"

"Yeah, sure"

"As in, you're ok with this alliance, and we should move forward with the wedding preparations?"

"Yes, Amma"

"As in, you want to get married to him?"

"uh huh", Khushi nodded.

"Don't make a decision in haste. You are sure, right?"

"Yes, my wonderful birth-giver! I would like to marry Arnav Singh Raizada.... Please"

"Drama Queen! But yaaaay, I'll let Ratnaji know it's a yes from our side too"

And Garima hurried away to let the other Guptas know and then make that all-important phone call to the Raizadas.

Khushi fist-pumped in the air in happiness. She was getting married to Arnav, yaaay!

As soon as Garima informed Ratna of Khushi's agreement, Ratna's first question was, "When should we come for the Shagun ceremony?", the official proposal from the groom's family to the bride's.

Garima talked to Shashi, and agreed for whatever day the Raizadas wanted. Ratna was in a hurry, and she insisted on getting there that same evening.

In her zeal, Ratna had already arranged for the jewelry and gifts that needed to be exchanged for the Shagun ceremony, so getting there that evening was not an issue at all.

When Ratna told Arnav that they would be going to the Guptas' house in the evening, Arnav threw a slight spanner in the works.

"Maa, I might have to go to London for three months in two months' time. Its not decided a hundred percent yet, but its possible I will go. Maybe we should wait until after I am back to start all these wedding rituals?"