Our Contract Marriage

Chapter 4

The Raizada family sat tensely in the living room, eyes fixed on the clock as they waited for Arnav and khushi's return. The atmosphere was thick with worry, each family member exchanging anxious glances. Payal stood near the entrance, holding the aarti thaal, her heart heavy with anticipation. Khushi had specifically asked her to perform the ritual, hoping for a warm welcome, but Dadi’s words echoed in her mind.

“Arnav will come alone,” Dadi had said sternly earlier. “He won’t bring Khushi with him.”

Despite Dadi's harsh prediction, Payal hadn’t put the thaal away. Deep down, she held on to the hope that Arnavji would return with Khushi by his side, no matter the tension that had recently erupted between the family.

The creak of the front door breaking the silence jolted everyone from their thoughts. All heads turned towards the entrance as Arnav stood there, his tall figure framed by the dim evening light. A moment of silence followed, and disappointment spread across the faces of most family members, except for Dadi and Shyam, who exchanged subtle but victorious looks.

But then, Khushi appeared beside Arnav, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Shyam's face instantly fell, and Dadi's expression turned sour. Her reaction didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the family.

"Khushi!" Payal breathed, her eyes widening with relief. Without wasting a second, she hurried forward with the aarti thaal, her hands trembling slightly with joy. Anjali, unable to contain her happiness, joined Payal, her face beaming with excitement. Together, they welcomed the couple with the warmth Khushi had longed for.

Khushi’s eyes caught Shyam’s, and his expression was priceless. His face, which had been full of smug satisfaction just moments before, now looked like someone whose plans had gone terribly wrong. She had to fight back a smile as she squeezed Arnav's hand, feeling his tension ease slightly at the warm welcome they were receiving.

Arnav was still concerned for his Di, who he feared might be upset with him for choosing his happiness with Khushi over the revenge for their parents. But when he looked at Anjali, her glowing face was enough to reassure him. Her joy at welcoming Khushi was unmistakable, and it seemed she was the happiest one there.

Khushi let out a quiet sigh, seeing the small wave of relief cross Arnav's features. To him, it seemed that everyone had accepted Khushi, everyone except Dadi. Khushi knew that Dadi's acceptance would be the hardest, but for Arnav’s sake, she was determined to find out the truth about the past and Shyam’s mysterious role in it all.

Just then, Dadi’s sharp voice cut through the moment of peace, dragging Khushi back to reality.

“This girl cannot enter inside!” Dadi declared, her voice cold and commanding.

Arnav stiffened beside Khushi. The satisfaction from moments ago vanished from his face, replaced by the familiar hardness of ASR.

"Khushi is my wife, and she will stay with me. If anyone has a problem with that, they are not obliged to attend this ritual." His words were strong, laced with his signature authority.

“Arnavji!” Khushi gasped, clutching his arm. She had never wanted to be the cause of a rift between Arnav and his Dadi. Her heart ached seeing the hurt in Dadi’s eyes, but Arnav’s protective stance was clear.

Dadi, clearly wounded by Arnav’s words, shot Khushi a withering glance before storming off. Khushi rushed after her, desperate to stop her, but Dadi was resolute. Without a word to anyone else, she retreated to her room.

As Khushi stood at the door, watching Dadi’s retreating figure, her mind raced. She had hoped to heal the wounds of the past, but now it felt like they had only deepened.