Making Her Mine- An IPKKND story.

Chapter 60 - Laughter

Di squealed when Arnav told her. "Chotay! Really? Oh, I can't believe it! You want to do everything? Haldi? Sangeet?"

He had gone to Di when they reached home, after reassuring Khushi that Di would get things going on the wedding.

He rolled his eyes at his sister now. "Yes Di. But you're already working, I don't want you to overexert yourself."

"There's no way my only brother has a wedding and I stay away," she said.

"Akash won't be too happy to hear you say that," Arnav said, smiling.

Di bit her tongue guiltily.

"Besides, you know Khushi. She has everything planned. She has this whole book of dresses and jewelry and wedding cards and everything."

"But it's no fun if the groom isn't involved in  anything! We have to dress you up in a sherwani..."

Arnav groaned. "I think Khushi's book has the groom's outfits too. I saw pictures of Salman Khan. It's all for her anyway, so she can choose whatever she likes." He paused. "But please rein her in a little. I don't want to wear the Salman Khan outfits, they looked too flashy."

She pulled his cheek: "You're going to look way more handsome than any Salman Khan!"

He leaned away, rubbing his cheek. "Stop doing that, Di. And I'd like to see you tell that to Khushi."

—-

Di was the one to break the news to the family over dinner. There was a minor explosion at the table, with everyone erupting into conversation at once.

"Chotay! I am so happy, all the relatives have been asking –"

"Hello hi bye bye! New jewelry shopping!!"

"Wow, Nannav! Hum Apke Hai Kaun? Dulhan hum le Jayenge! Mujhsey Shaadi Karoge? Mere yaar ki Shaadi hai!!"

"Arnav Bitwa, second marriage to the same wife! That's something new, hain, Manno?"

"Congratulations Bhai, that's great news."

Arnav looked at Payal. She was smiling at  Khushi, who looked radiant. A real smile, the first Arnav had seen in a while. Khushi got up from her chair to go to her sister.

"Jiji..." Khushi said.

"I'm very happy for you, Khushi," Payal said, and hugged Khushi.

—-

Buaji and Garima Aunty were equally enthusiastic about the wedding when Khushi had called with the news. Summons had been made, so the next day they were at Buaji's, listening to how wonderful the wedding was going to be, and which all relatives needed ti be invited.

"We had so many dreams about Khushi's wedding day, son," Garima Aunty said to him as Arnav stood at the kitchen, watching her make tea.

"Aunty – I don't want this to be a burden. There's uncle's treatment and everything. And Khushi is already my wife, so it's not like a regular wedding. I hope you and Buaji don't feel like you have to –"

"It's not a burden," Garima Aunty said, smiling her lovely smile. "We must do the same for Khushi's wedding as we did for Payal's. That's what Sashiji would want."

"But aunty, you know what I mean, right? I'm already your son-in-law. My family is already Khushi's family. All this is just to make her happy."

Khushi's Amma smiled again, and touched his cheek, nodding. "Don't worry son. We won't do anything that makes things difficult for us. Let us fulfill our dreams for our daughter's wedding, hmmm?"