Part 3

Khushi followed Arnav obediently to the terrace and immediately gasped at the sight. She knew the terrace was already decorated for Payal and Akash's wedding but now it had a small mandap in the middle of the terrace and a priest waiting for them. Along side that, three men stood, dressed in suits. 

She looked curiously at Arnavji and then the men again. They shifted slightly, and she felt maybe they too didn't know how to proceed. Things were definitely moving very fast. But they had a different quality than normal. Usually when Arnav was angry in the past, he reacted very quickly with no consideration for consequences. But tonight, he seemed to be acting in reaction but there was also a sense of preparedness. 

She took a deep breath, how long was he pondering the whole scenario. No wonder he looked very tired and tortured. She glanced at him and her heart melted. She could see the darkness under his eyes and the slight redness. He had been crying?! Please no. And then another thought hit her. Was he crying on his own? She felt a tightness in her chest. All because of her and her naivity and that stupid Shyam. She would make Shyam pay for this, for hurting this man that she loved completely. Before, she did not care about herself but she would not stand, if anyone even thought of hurting her family and Khushi knew that from now on, Arnavji was her family ' her very own family. To start again, maybe not under these exact circumstances but nevertheless, soon she would have someone she could say was her own.

She felt a pull as Arnav guided her forward.

"Mr Chatterjee, Mr Dhar and Aman, let me introduce you to my future wife, Khushi Kumari Gupta." Arnav spoke with full authority.

Khushi could only mouth a hello. She was still confused to what these men were doing here. She knew Aman was his PA or 2^nd hand man, but the other two?!

"Everything ready, Aman?"

A thin man stepped forward and nervously nodded.

"Shall we start then. First the documents." Mr Chatterjee handed two sets of documents to Arnav. Arnav skimmed through the documents and nodded his approval. "Khushi read this and if you agree to it, sign it." He handed one set to her.

"What is this Arnavji?" Khushi asked.

"Contract to our marriage with the conditions as discussed."

"But we only discussed them in the car barely 10 minutes ago."

"I know, but I stipulated what the conditions would be from your end and my end. Mr Dhar here was hired as your legal representative whilst Mr Chatterjee is our firm's solicitor. Both were asked to draft a contract for our marriage that I felt was fair for both of us. Ok?"

Khushi could only nod. She was still confused. He had thought of terms for her before she even mouthed it. She scanned to see what he had put in the document.

"As you see Khushi, the gist of the conditions are:

1. I as your husband will look after you and your family completely. I will support you completely and treat you well with no evidence of any form of abuse. You, in turn will treat my family with love, support and understanding and also no forms of abuse from your end.

2. There will be no infidelity in our marriage from either parties. Either one of us will stay away from any potential individuals that could jeapordise the sanctity of our marriage.

3. Should we be blessed with children, we will have joint responsibility on their upbringing.

4. Re: divorce, if you break conditions 1 or 2, you will leave this relationship with nothing, absolutely nothing. Whether you have rights to our children will be at my discretion. It will be up to me if I were to support you after that. But dont worry, you wont be cut out from the lives of our children. In fact, I wouldnt want that. It is important for our children to have both parents love.  If conditions 1 or 2 are broken by me, you will be entitle to half my personal estates and joint custody of our children."

"What do you think Khushi? Your legal representative agrees with it. But I want to know if I have been fair to you?" Arnav studied her.

Children?! Khushi swallowed hard. He had even thought of children. That would mean that they would consumate their relationship. Obviously. There would be no immaculate conception here. Khushi didnt know what to think. Barely 15 minutes ago, they were talking about not sleeping with each other and only sharing a bed. But now they seemed to have swiftly moved along the process and one of the conditions even stipulated children. Not one child but children. Arnavji was damn sure she would give in to him and sleep with him. Initially, Khushi thought the idea was ridiculous but now she too was not too sure. She liked the idea of children. Little Arnav and khushi running around. she smiled at the thought. She would have her own children with the man she loved. She felt a warmth spread through her. she would like that alot. But that would mean sleeping with him and she didnt know how to or what to do. But she guess, that would be his problem and not hers. She would allow him to seduce her and then she will see how she felt. But didnt he tell her not to fall in love with him. Where was that clause?

"Khushi? We dont have all night to stand here and wait for your response." Arnav interrupted her thoughts.

"Hmm."

"Do you think the contract is fair Khushi? Would you like to add anything? You can let us know so Mr Chatterjee and Mr Dhar can finalise the wording and add it to the document before we sign it."

"I have nothing to add. It seems very fair under the circumstances. Thank you. But what about condition 3 that you mentioned in the car?" Not to fall in love with you?!

"That's not important. If you are happy, initial each page and sign it. I'll do the same."

Mr Dhar handed her a pen. Khushi thought for a moment, what initial did she use? KKG or KASR? She was not married yet so she went for the former. As she scribbled KKG on each page and dated it, she could only feel a sick feeling in her stomach due to guilt. Even at this moment, he was being fair and all she had to do was tell him the truth. She had so many chances but she blew them all. Not anymore. She would tell him everything from now on even if it meant that it would hurt her more. She owed it to him and to herself. She scribbled her signature on the last page and then handed the document to Arnavji where he did the same.  She repeated the initials and signature on the 2^nd document and handed it to Arnavji, who in turn ended it to Mr Chatterjee.

"File this ASAP."

The elderly man nodded and placed the documents in his briefcase and remained still.

"What's next Aman?"

"Marriage registration."

"Very well. Where is the registrar? Have you got the rings?"

As though on cue, a female registrar stepped in front of them. Khushi stood amazed. A marriage registrar here? At this hour?

"Arnavji, isn't it too late for a registrar?" Khushi stated timidly. She stood godsmacked at his level of preparation.

"Khushi, I'm Arnav Singh Raizada and if I want a registrar, they will make exceptions. That's for your inefficiency in the public sector." He managed a smirk towards her direction.

"I'll never doubt you again."

"I wouldn't either Khushi. The consequences would be disastrous for you." Arnav turned to the registrar and smiled "Shall we? My bride and I are anxious to get everything over and done with as quickly as possible so we can join our families with the celebration."

"Can I have the rings please?"

Aman placed a white gold ring on Khushi's palm. He turned to Arnav and placed two rings ' a big solitaire diamond ring and a matching white gold ring on Arnav's outstretched palm.

As though on cue and following instructions from the registrar, Arnav gently took Khushi's left hand.

"I, Arnav Singh Raizada, take you, Khushi Kumari Gupta to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." He then slipped the rings on her petite ring finger.

Khushi struggled to hold back the tears. She held the ring nervously in her hands and took Arnav's left hand in turn. She did not know what she was going to say and was slightly worried that she may screw it up. Keep calm Khushi. Just say things from the heart whether he believes it or not. Please guide me Devi Mayaa.

"I, Khushi Kumari Gupta, take you, Arnav Singh Raizada to be my husband. I promise to be true and honest to you in good times and in bad, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I promise to love, cherish, honour and obey you for the rest of my life." She then slipped the ring on his finger. She could not help but smile. She meant every word and maybe that was the start of making peace. She also smiled at the thought that he did not say he would love her but then he didn't want the condition of her not to fall in love with him in the contract. So maybe, there was something there that she could start working with.

"I pronounce both of you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Khushi immediately turned to the registrar "Kiss?!" She then looked at Arnav gingerly. "Kiss."

Arnav inched forward and let his hand slipped around her waist. He planned to only peck her on the lips but as soon as his lips touched the corner of her lips, he lost control. He licked her bottom lip and then bit it gently. Khushi's grasped and her mouth opened slightly enough for him to slip his tongue in and explore her mouth fully. It took him by surprise when she reciprocated. She tasted so sweet and immediately his hands circled her back, bringing her even closer.

It was only the coughing from the witnesses that drew his attention back to the terrace and he immediately took few steps back, leaving a daze Khushi with her lips swollen. Arnav couldn't help but smile, she was a wonderous sight. And how long was he supposed to be angry with her?! He was planning for one week but with the way things were going, an hour would be difficult.

They then finished the other formalities ' signing the marriage registrar with Aman being witness.  Arnav guided Khushi to the mandap and explained to the priest that both of them were orphans and hence, there was no elders in their wedding.

"That's not true Arnavji."

"What?"

She pointed at the sky and 3 bright stars shinning. "Ammaji, Babuji and Mamaji are watching."

Arnav squeezed her hand tightly. How could he have doubted her?! Maybe this was wrong. Maybe he was forcing her when he shouldn't have. But she did say those vows without any coercion. He inched closer to Khushi and whispered. "Are you sure you want to marry me Khushi?"

"Are you asking me or testing me? Besides do I have a choice?"

"I'm asking. And you do have a choice. If you say no, I will end all of this and everything will go back to how it was, as though the contract signing and the registration marriage did not happen."

"And Anjaliji?"

"I'll think of something else do deal with Shyam and to secure my sister's happiness. But that should not come at a cost of yours."

She looked at the pandit, Arnavji, the stars and then back at Arnavji. "True, Arnavji, I did not plan to marry you tonight. But standing here with you with the stars looking at us, I wouldn't dream of doing anything else. Whether you believe me or not, and whether you chose to ever love me or not, I have only loved you. And yes, I want to marry you." She saw the softening in his eyes and knew that his doubts of her had evaporated.

Aman handed them the jaimala and they placed in on each other. Arnav placed her right hand in his right hand, and then according to the hindu ritual, they encircled the agni 7 times. Finally, Arnav placed a little sindoor on her maang and tied a mangal sutra around her neck. They were now husband and wife according to both the religious and legal rituals.

"Thanks everyone for turning up. Khushi and I are forever grateful. Please do join Payal and Akash's celebrations downstairs." Arnav then glanced gently at Khushi, "Let me handle things downstairs. You just stay by my side."

"I wasn't thinking of leaving. Whatever you decide, I'm there. I'm in this with you for the whole ride, even if it means to hell and back."

Arnav smiled and felt a sense of peace for the first time this evening. He should have listened to Di about following his heart. And he knew his heart never doubted Khushi. He stared at the stars as he thanked them for somehow stopping him from making the biggest mistake in his life. He was not going to admit it yet to Khushi but he was already falling in love with her as well.

"To hell and back, Khushi. You sure?"

"Definitely. Though I have a better idea."

Arnav raised an eyebrow. "I'm all ears."

"We could take a u-turn and head for heaven, and send Shyam to hell instead."

Arnav roared in laughter. "Excellent idea." He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead and wiped some sindoor that had fallen on her nose. "Shall we Mrs Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada?"

Khushi nodded and said a thank you prayer to Devi mayaa and their parents for looking after them and guiding them to find each other and for giving them another chance at happiness.

In synch, hand in hand, they took the first step down to join their families and to deal with the repercussions as Mr and Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada.