Best foot forward (completed)

7. Timeline

"You all must be thinking why I invited you like this suddenly." Shashi Gupta addressed the gathered crowd of Raizadas in their small living room. Arnav and mamaji were sitting on the sofa chairs while Devyani Nani, Mamiji, and Anjali were on the sofa. Payal quickly pulled a dining table chair for Akash to sit, as they had limited seating arrangements. Khushi got tea and snacks, while Garima and buaji were standing at a distance so as to keep Shashi's words of not coming near Khushi as their punishment.

Khushi looked from her father to her husband, and she noticed the way Arnav was visibly anxious looking at her babuji. She had no idea what Shashi wanted to say, but she felt this was going another milestone of her and Arnav's (love)story!

"Baat ye hain ki hamare mann mein kai sawal uth rahe hain (I have many questions in my mind). Especially the way Arnavji and my daughter Khushi got married. It is still hard to believe for me and I keep thinking if they are right for each other." Shashi addressed them as they had their teacups and had taken a few sips. His words immediately resulted in most of the Raizada's teacups halted near their lips.

"It's not that mr.Gupta--er sir, Khushi is perfect for me." Arnav quickly rushed to justify Khushi was indeed perfect for him.

Shashi laughed a little, "Arnavji, I know my beti is laakhon mein ek(one in millions), that she will be a good life partner. Par aapka kya (what about you)?" Arnav looked flustered at that. Now that he thought of it, how silly it sounded to assume it was only meant for Khushi.

"Babuji-" Khushi tried to intervene, getting an inkling what her babuji wanted to say. She was already dealing with the changed dynamics between her and Arnav. So, she did not want her babuji to meddle between them. But he just gestured her to let him speak and she paused.

"Dekhiye Devyani ji, please don't misunderstand me, but I am speaking as a father of a daughter. I love both my daughters and I have always tried to ensure they were safe, wherever they were. Especially when it came to their marriages...After what happened with shyam-how I couldn't do a lot, I have become even more worried. For payal, we at least got to know Akash bitua for some time, as our daughter's future husband. Even if I was not able to speak then, I could still understand. And I had no doubt he and Payal were right for each other...par... Arnav bitua ko janane ka mauka hi nahi mila...(but I never got a chance to really know Arnav)." Shashi initiated the talk and had everyone's attention to him.

While Devyani Raizada agreed with his concerns, she was not sure what exactly he hinted at. Arnav and Khushi were already married now, so what can be done? How will he judge him in retrospect?

"I have one suggestion, but if you all agree and especially if Arnav bitua agrees." Shashi said looking at Arnav. "Hum maante hain ke ye iss samaj ki reet hain, ki shaadi ke baad ladki sasural rehne jati hain, waha ke taur tareeko ke hisab se apne aap ko dhalti hain. Khushi bhi wahi karegi. Aapki tarah ka aur aapke pasand ka khana, aap ke jaisa rehen-sehen aur baki cheezon mein apne aap ko badlegi. (I know that it is a society norm that a girl goes to live with her in-laws after marriage, changes herself as per their ways. Khushi will do it too, she will learn to eat the kind of food you all like, the way you all live.)" he paused a minute before continuing,

"So, my proposal is, Arnav comes to live with us, for 2 weeks. It's a simple thing to do honestly, he has to live with us, like one of us, a middle-class life, eat the stuff we eat, travel the way we do. You all might think this seems unreasonable, but for me since my daughter will be coming to live with you, blending in your lifestyle for rest of her life, essentially giving in the way she has lived until now, I only want to see if her partner can do it for a few days. If Khushi is crossing an ocean to be with Arnav, can he do the same too? Can he live the life of his wife for a few days? Then I will agree they are a perfect match." Shashi completed his speech, waiting for some reactions. Everyone's face showed surprise, wonder and fear in different amounts. But no one was saying anything.