Making Her Mine- An IPKKND story.

Chapter 26 - Insults!

They drifted away as the evening wore on. Arnav moved back to the wall and leaned against it, his eyes fixed on Khushi as she flitted like a butterfly, dancing to the music, teasing her friend and her husband-to-be, and pulling the aunts and neighbors to join in.

Every so often, she glanced over at him.

"Arrey son," an older man in a bright yellow kurta bumped against Arnav and eyed him. "Why are you standing here? Come, join the dancing."

Rather boldly, Arnav thought, the man pulled at his arm. Irritated, he snatched his arm back and replied coldly, "I don't dance."

The man's face clouded over. "Who are you? Are you from the girl's side? Such arrogance!"

Arnav glared at the annoying man, wondering how to set him straight. The man looked disproportionately furious. Yes, he had been rude, but the man had started it by yanking his arm like that.

Khushi appeared at his side, addressing the boor. "Uncle-ji, what happened?"

The man was either incredibly brave or foolish. "He doesn't have any manners," he barked at Khushi. "He doesn't know how to behave with the groom's uncle."

A look of panic flashed in Khushi's eyes. "Arnav-ji?" she muttered, looking at him for an answer.

Arnav stood straight now, resolutely holding back his anger. He reminded himself these were Khushi's neighbors—he didn't want to cause a scene.

"Daamadji?"

It was Nandini, Preetika's mother.

The groom's uncle looked between them, understanding flaring in his eyes. "So you're her husband. Don't you know how to behave—"

"You're making a scene for no reason," Arnav said coldly, turning to Khushi. "Let's go."

"One minute! I am the groom's uncle. I will not tolerate this kind of insult—"

Arnav needed to leave before he did something he would regret. He stepped away, turning his back to them, but the infuriating man grabbed his shoulder. What the—?

"Chachaji!" It was Ankur—the groom. "Chachaji, what are you doing?"

"Ankur!" the man bellowed. "The people on the girl's side have no manners! I won't tolerate this kind of rudeness—"

"Chachaji, this is Arnav Singh Raizada," Ankur said, far too loudly. Several people were watching them now.

"I work for him. If you don't stop now, I'll lose my job."

Having had enough, Arnav strode out, leaving the man gaping behind him.

He stood outside the house, fuming. Khushi's friend was marrying that boy who thought Arnav was a petty asshole who fired employees willy-nilly, and his uncle was a boor who thought the groom's family was superior to the bride's.

A shuffle of running feet and panting—Ankur had followed him outside.

"Sir, I want to apologize for my uncle—"

"Why are you apologizing? He was the one who was being unreasonable."

"He insulted you. I didn't—I mean—I'll ask him to come out and apologize too."

Arnav closed his eyes, holding back his fury. Khushi's childhood friend was marrying this man.

"That's not the point. If you weren't working for me, you would be fine with this behavior. His problem with me was that I was from the bride's side and didn't grovel at his feet."

"N-no s-sir..." Ankur stammered in confusion.

Arnav rounded on him. "Your uncle is going to treat your wife miserably after you get married."

"I—sir?"

"Can't you tell? With that attitude, he's going to make her life miserable. And you are going to let it happen because obviously, he's always had this attitude, but you only spoke up today because this time he insulted me."

Ankur was silent.

"I'm not going to get you fired just because your uncle is ill-mannered. But if you are a decent man, you won't marry this girl and take her to a house where she won't be respected."

"Arnav-ji!" Khushi had followed them outside and was staring at him with wide eyes.

Arnav stared back defiantly.

"I love her," Ankur was saying, seemingly not noticing Khushi. "I love her, and I want to marry her. And—and—you're right, sir. My family hasn't been treating her right. They have been like this with her ever since the marriage was fixed. They keep mentioning her family's lack of money as if I'm doing her a favor by marrying her. And I have never said a word."

Arnav and Khushi both turned to look at Ankur now, who seemed unable to stop as if he were in a confessional.

"But not anymore. I will marry Preetika because I love her. But I won't stand for this anymore. You're right, sir. I'll talk to them and give them an ultimatum. They have to respect my wife..."

He squared his shoulders and went back inside. Arnav and Khushi exchanged bewildered looks.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Honestly? I have no idea."

"Well, I hope this means Preeto's married life will be better."

"I can tell someone to keep an eye on this guy. Or actually, you tell Preeto to tell him if his family treats her badly, I'll kick him out of his job."

Khushi widened her eyes at him, then stifled a smile.

"I hope she didn't hear any of this; it's going to upset her," she said after a moment. "We better go back inside. The wedding ceremony will start in a bit; I have to help her get ready."