Love - An Alluring Darkness (Discontinued)

Part 4

Khushi woke up from the sleep at the wee hours of morning to find herself in the same position that she dossed of on the previous night. Her head was leaning on the bed post positioned in a strange angle. She straightened and looked around to see a sleeping Arnav on the recliner. Too tired to think she shifted to bed and slept off not even bothering to cover herself with blanket.

When she opened her eyes again, it was already past 8'o Clock, and she hurried to washroom, worried that she missed pooja. Arnav was nowhere to be seen.

It took her half an hour to freshen up and look presentable. She reached the living room feeling guilty for being late only to find it empty.

When she saw HP entering the leaving room, she asked hesitantly - "HPji, where is everyone?"

"All of them are in Prayer room bhabi, Panditji has come and they are checking for Muhurat(auspicious time)"

A confused Khushi walked to the prayer room, not able to figure out the reason of the sudden visit of Panditji. Would Arnavji move that fast to settle the scores?

When she entered the pooja room her doubts were confirmed. For a person who doesn't believe in horoscope and rituals, that Rakshas was at the front beside nani who was talking with pandit ji.

"Yes, there is an auspicious muhurat at 7'o clock in the evening exactly after three days from today. The couple who are bound to the bond of marriage at that time is said to be never separated till death do them apart"

Suddenly Arnav turned and looked at her, him sensing her presence, send her a challenging stare, which she declined by diverting her eyes.

"Khushi, I hope the date of our second marriage is fine with you?, or is there any other problem?" Arnav asked redirecting everybody's attention to a now nervous Khushi. "I am fine with the date" Khushi muttered out, feeling uncomfortable at the direct question.

The family except for one had teasing smile on their faces, and the exception was none other than a cetain Mr.Jha, who was trying to contain his anger and jealous which didn't go unnoticed by Arnav.

"Okay, then, I will take my leave now. Do let me know when should I visit again for the pooja's" Pandit bid his departure, and Akash followed him to see him off.

"Khushi, I hope now you will not have any problems with our marriage. I mean we will be getting married with the blessings of family after three days. So you are happy now?" He asked with a small smile playing at the corner of hers lips. And Khushi who raised her head at his question was mesmerized by his smile neither replied nor could move her eyes out of his face.

Some one cleared their throat that made her aware of the surrounding, and everyone shared a good laugh at the embarrassed state of Khushi.

Everyone moved to dining area and started having breakfast that HP had already arranged. Anjali, NK and Nani got into busy discussion on arrangements for marriage rituals. Mami started planning for her makeup and Payash had a lovely dovely moment escaping everyone's attention. Arnav sat down having his breakfast silently unaffected by the discussions on the table, and Khushi stole glances at him worried about what is running in that master mind of his, that left a fuming Shyam fisting his hand under the table, unable to bare his Khushi's attention solely focused on his sale Sahab.

After finishing his breakfast, Arnav stood up to leave before asking Khushi to meet him at room once she is done with the breakfast. "Nahi", the sudden shout in unison owned by Nani and Anjali got everyone's attention. "What happened? Why are ou two shouting?" Arnav asked incredulously.

After sharing a knowing glance with Nani, Anjali started "Chotte, Khushiji and you can't share the same room now onwards. It's tradition for the bride and groom to stay in different houses before marriage. Since situations are different here, you can't stay in different houses, but you can't share same room. Khushiji will have to move to gust room till marriage" Anjali said in a no-nonsense tone.