Why can't I hate you ~Arshi FF

Epilogue 1: Punishment

A new dawn rose for Arnav and Khushi as the first sunlight of the day trickled in...

They are in the temple, have been blessed by Devi Maiyya, their souls entwined at the auspicious hours of Brahma muhurta, another ritual of their customary wedding observed. There is a purity, a serenity, a piousness in the surrounding and their hearts..a relish having found each other at last..

***

Arnav and Khushi came back to Shantivan. Once they are in their bedroom there is a new kind of awkwardness in Arnav, a shyness in Khushi, a hesitation to approach in both.

When they didn't have any right both fought to grab it from each other, almost imperious. Now that it's unequivocally there, they are doing pehle aap pehle tum about it.

Arnav is the first to approach as has always been the case. Khushi found herself out of breath when he came near, her heartbeat erratic, a blush spreading on her face like never before.

Arnav was amused, this was the first time she didn't step back. He was floored at her utter surrender to him..where does she get this strength, this boundless love and forgiveness from?

He is totally enamoured, gulping back his tears he kissed her forehead. Arnav took her hands in his and said, "Khushi mujhe Shyam pe zara bhi bharosa nahi hai. Mai apni Di ko uske saath ek pal bhi nhi dekh sakta. Agar Di k bachche ka sawal nhi hota to mai use kabka bahar fenk deta..[Khushi I don't trust Shyam a bit. I can't see Di with him even for a second. If it wasn't for her child, I would've thrown him out this instant.]" 

ASR learns from his mistakes. no one can ever convince him again that shyam has changed or is a good guy. Yes, asr is human, he makes mistakes, but fool he isn't.

Khushi consoled him, "Arnavji hum aapka dukh samajhte hain, hum saath milkar Di ko samjhayenge and ShyamJi ki sachchai sabke saamne layenge.[Arnavji I understand your predicament, we will convince Di together and bring out his truth in front of everyone.]" He smiled looking at her, happy tears gleamed in his eyes. Finally he could feel his burden halved, a support, a shoulder to rely on, a partner in every sense in Khushi.

***

A guest came to meet Khushi in Shantivan, she was very fond of her and Khushi hers. They had bonded immediately when they had met in the temple for the first time. Khushi found a mother figure in her and she found the image of her lost daughter in Khushi.

She was a relative of someone in the LakshmiNagar neighborhood and was very sad to have missed the opportunity of meeting Khushi and attending her wedding. She wanted to bless her personally ... it's never too late to give a blessing from the heart. So she came...

She was chatting with Khushi and other family members when Shyam came down the stairs. Looking at him she said, "Chalo achha hai Damadji se bhi mil liya..[It's great that I was able to meet son-in-law too].". Everybody was a little surprised as how she knows him and asked her if they have been introduced before.

Lataji said "Arey ye hi to Damadji hain, Khushi bitiya k pati...[Isn't he my son-in-law, dear Khushi's husband]". You can only imagine the shock everybody went through.

Anjali went wide eyed, an unspoken fear gripped her heart. Before she lose herself she asked her "ye kya ghatiya mazak hai [What nonsense]". Lataji was embarrassed to say the least at the change of atmosphere. She guiltily said "Maaf kijiye, jab humne inhe yahan dekha to hume lga Khushi ki shadi inse ho chuki hai.. [I apologize, when I saw them together I thought Khushi has already been wed to him]. Looking at Khushi she tried to confirm, "kya hua bitiyaa? Inke saath hi to shadi tay hui thi na bitya?  Shyam Babua hi hain na ye? Wahi jo Madhumati ji aur tumhare saath rehte the..unke paying guest banke [What happened my child? Khushi, You were to marry him right? Isn't he dear Shyam who used to stay with you and Madhumati ji as a Paying guest? ]".