Chapter Eight

As soon as her dressing was complete, the nurse helped Khushi put on a simple yellow sari. Once that was complete, the nurse left and Arnav came back into the room. Khushi stood there awkwardly. She didn't know what to do nor what to expect. When Arnav came into the room she felt his eyes on her, but not for long. From the corner of her eyes, she watched as Arnav took out his clothes from the wardrobe and go into the bathroom to change. Once he went in, Khushi exhaled. She hadn't even realized that she was holding it in.

Khushi sat down on the bed and sighed. Why didn't he say anything? But then again what would he say? 'I'm going to change'? Well that's quite obvious considering he took his clothes with him.

Khushi sighed once more and plopped back as she shut her eyes. She didn't hear the faint click of the bathroom door opening, so she didn't realize that Arnav had stepped out. But Arnav saw her, and when his eyes landed on her, he was stuck in gaze. She looked stunning in her sari, and he recalled Mona telling him that Khushi's favorite color was yellow.

I should buy her something yellow, or better yet-

Khushi opened her eyes and saw Arnav. Immediately, she sat up and looked around, flustered. She was about to stand up, when Arnav stopped her.

"It's okay, you should get some rest."

Khushi looked down, unsure of what to say, or even if she should say something, for that matter. Arnav could see the flustered expression on her face, and he found it very cute. In fact he found it so cute, that he started walking towards her. Khushi noticed him approaching from the corner of her eyes and she looked up at him.

Is he going to say something? Do something?

Khushi gulped and Arnav noticed the tinge of fear that appeared on her face. That's when he realized his approach, so he took off his watch and set it on the nightstand.

"Go to sleep," he simply said, and stepped back.

He went around the bed and laid down, then turned off the lamp on his side. Khushi just looked at him, then recovered and did as he said. She turned off the lights and glanced back at Arnav. His back was facing her and there was a lot of distance between them. Khushi turned back around and snuggled into her pillow, then slowly drifted to sleep. Arnav glanced back at her and looked at the distance between.

Maybe someday, this distance will go away. Slowly, but someday.

*~*

Although the two newly weds had fallen asleep on the opposite sides of the bed, both had moved closer and closer to each other throughout the night. One moment they had their backs against each others, then Arnav faced Khushi, and then Khushi went into his arms.

Arnav awoke first, and when he found himself holding Khushi, he was shocked. For a moment he gazed at her, and then his attention turned to her scar. His hand moved up on its own and he ran the back of his hand beneath the scar.

At the contact of his hand, Khushi's eyes fluttered open and she woke up. Instantly the two froze, their eyes locked on the others. Neither spoke a word, unsure of what to say, though the two wondered how they ended up so close in the first place.

Did I move closer to him overnight, Khushi wondered. But why is he caressing my cheek?

How do I get out of this without embarrassing myself?

The alarm clock went off, snapping both out of their thoughts and causing the two to pull away from the other. Arnav reached back and silenced the little menace, then got up. Neither spoke a word to each other, too embarrassed by their earlier position. Instead they focused on getting ready for the day and headed down to breakfast to join everyone.

"How lucky am I to have this wonderful family," Sameer grinned.

Everyone was seated at the table and the servants had served the food.

"I never thought I'd see this day."

"Dad," Aditya frowned.

"You know how we feel when you such things," Arnav frowned.

Everyone frowned at the old man.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," Sameer apologized .

The family dived right into breakfast, all happy and joyous.

"So my sweet devarji," Mona began, "any plans for the honeymoon," she teased.

"Bhabi," Arnav frowned.

Mona began to chuckle while Aditya smirked at him.

"She has a good point, you know," Sameer said. He looked at Khushi. "Tell me Khushi - where would you like to go?"

Khushi paused, pursing her lips. What was she to say? She glanced at Arnav and looked down at her breakfast. She didn't want to offend Sameer and say that she didn't want to go anywhere - how could she be okay with a honeymoon when she didn't even love her husband, let alone didn't even know him so well?

Memories of earlier this morning came flooding to Khushi's mind. She glanced at Arnav once more, remembering how Arnav had caressed her cheek.

Why did he do that?

"Do you have any place in mind Arnav," Mona asked.

"Actually-"

Just then, Arnav's phone went off. Seeing that it was from the office, Arnav took the call.

"Hello... hmm... hmm... we'll discuss this with everyone during the meeting," and he hung up.

"Who was that," Sameer asked.

"Aman - we got the deal for Thailand."

Aditya picked up his head, "You mean..."

"We got it bhai," Arnav grinned.

Sameer clapped. "Oh, what a joy! We've been waiting for this for so long." He looked at Khushi. "Looks like your our good luck charm as well."

Khushi looked at him in confusion and Mona chuckled.

"Don't mind them Khushi," Mona said. "They've been working on some business proposal with this company in Thailand for I don't even know how long now."

"But do you have any idea what this means," Aditya said excitedly. "This is gonna be so good for the company."

"That it will be," Sameer said. "But the timing of it...."

Arnav reached out to his father. "Don't worry about the honeymoon dad. We can go away later and I can work on this with you guys for now."

"But-"

"No buts dad. I wanna help you and I'm going to - all of you."

Khushi glanced at Arnav and how he held his father's hand. Seeing the devotion Arnav had for his father brought a small smile to her face. It wasn't often in this day of time that many sons respected their elders the way Arnav did. Oddly enough, it gave her a sense of pride that she was married to such a man.

And it didn't go unnoticed by Mona.

Dear heavenly above, let these two souls unite.

Chapter Seven

It was the day of the wedding and everyone was going crazy. Not just from happiness and excitement, but from work too. In both houses, everything was hectic. Nonstop people were running around and it was crazy!

Whenever Khushi had her read romance novels or anything romantic, she would always imagine herself in those blissful moments. And now, today, on the very day of her own wedding, she didn't want to be taken away by her soon-to-be husband. She didn't love him and even after all the sweet things Mona had said, she didn't think he could ever love her, nor that she could ever love Arnav.

Khushi had to get ready so she washed up and then got out her bridal wear. She wore the petticoat and then put on the blouse.

She looked at her reflection and realized that her bra was sticking out from the top. So she decided to take off her bra and simply wear it. It was a good thing there were cups within the cloth, so her nipples wouldn't show.

She was arranging the sari when she looked up at her reflection again. She noticed how much cleavage was showing and she got nervous.

What if he tries to do something? If he does… how am I going to feel about it? Then again....

Khushi looked at the scars on her body. There were big patches of light pink running from her waist to her back. As she was wearing a sari, many parts of her flesh were exposed. The scars on her shoulder peeked out as the blouse hadn't fully covered them. The scars on her back were much worse than what could be seen from the front.

Shaking the thoughts out of her head, Khushi went back to arranging her sari properly. Just as she finished, her mother came in.

"Khushi, we need to talk."

"Yes Ma?"

She gestured Khushi to sit and she did.

"Look Khushi… on the night of your wedding, you- how do I put this… experience new things."

Khushi's eyes widened and her mother continued.

"A lot of things can happen during your suhag raat."

Everything Khushi had ever dreaded was one thing, but having the talk from her mother was something off the scale, that it scared her more. She remained frozen, listening to what her mother had to say, her eyes so wide that it might have fallen out.

"Understood," Sumitra asked when she finished and Khushi simply nodded.

Sumitra smiled and held Khushi's face. "Remember one thing though Khushi: after tonight, the only person important in his life, is you. Whenever he goes through a rough time, he'll always look at you for support. Don't ever let him down, or he'll be weak forever," and with that, she left to call Khushi's friends to help her finish getting ready.

Khushi sat in front of her vanity table and thought of what her mother said.

After tonight, she'd be his strength.

After tonight, the most important person in his life, would be her.

As her friends came in and helped her do her makeup and put on her jewelry - while teasing her - Arnav and his family were on their way to Khushi's place. Arnav kept thinking about the talk he and his father had before leaving:

"Know one thing Arnav: after tonight, you two will be bonded forever. She will miss her family and her old life now and then. It is your responsibility to make sure that she never feels alone. She'll always look at you for your support. Also, you will realize that after tonight, all you can ever care about is her. When she's happy, you will feel happy and will want to be a part of it. When she's sad, you'll feel like hurting yourself and whatever it was that hurt her. And that all your strength will come from nowhere else, but her, because you love her."

Arnav kept thinking about his father's words. But the thing is, did he love her? And will she ever love him? Would she ever trust him and give herself to him?

Before he even knew it, they had arrived to Khushi's place. They were greeted by a red ribbon-barrier. Khushi's friends weren't being easy and demanded for money, or they wouldn't receive their dulhan. Khushi watched from upstairs and smiled at her friends' childish acts, but didn't get to see for long because her other friends made her go inside. Arnav had that same weird feeling he had before, and looked up, only to see no one.

Eventually things cleared out and Sumitra welcomed them. Arnav was taken to the mandap and he sat down. After quite some time, Khushi was brought down. Arnav couldn't help but gaze at her. She looked amazing, not caring that she was covered in a deep maroon shawl to help cover her burns, or that most of her face was covered by her veil. The only thing that went through his head was whoa.

But it wasn't just Arnav who was gazing.

Khushi was nervous and when she'd look around from underneath her veil, she would feel nails being dug onto her back, due to everyone watching her. That is, until she saw Arnav. The moment she looked at him, she couldn't look away from him. He was in a maroon sherwani that would just catch anyone's attention. He looked like such a gentleman and truthfully, he looked hot!

Khushi couldn't believe she was thinking this. She tried to look away, but her eyes remained on Arnav. They sat her down next to Arnav and they looked at each other from the corner of their eyes.

The ceremony began and Arnav and Khushi got up to make their seven rounds - their seven vows. They sat back down and Arnav was handed the little pot of vermillion. Sumitra slightly pulled back Khushi's veil as Arnav took a pinch. He brought his hand up and Khushi shut her eyes as he filled in her parting. Everyone clapped and when Khushi opened her eyes, their eyes interlocked, but not for long. Arnav was handed the mangalsutra and he placed it around Khushi's neck. His touch sent a chill through Khushi and she looked up at him. Their eyes interlocked once more and they looked away at each other.

Khushi was now a married woman. She was now a new person.

*~*

It was time for Khushi to leave her home and go to her in-laws. Many tears were shed and Arnav felt bad. He didn't want to see her cry.

Wait, what, he thought. He couldn't figure out why all of a sudden he had these feelings until he remembered what his father had said.

Khushi was seated in the car and then Arnav went around and sat next to her. The car pulled away, taking Khushi to her new home.

*~*

Khushi was in awe when she arrived to her new home. Her new family had gone all out in decorating the house. Many people awaited them, Khushi surprised by the number of family friends. Mona stood at the door, ready to greet her new devrani. Once the task was complete, the newly-wedded couple was brought inside.

Many close friends of the family came to congratulate the newly wedded couple. Every time they did, Khushi would smile softly and observe the guests' expression. It was clear that some were shocked by the burn scars on her face, but none of them said anything about it.

Slowly, the guests began to leave. Once they did, Mona took Khushi up to her husband's room, which was now her room as well. When she entered, Khushi took note of the various trophies, certificates, and plaques that sat on a shelf against the wall. There were a few guitars, causing Khushi to wonder if Arnav played well. Khushi also took note of the very neat desk that sat in the front left corner of the room, holding two iMac monitors. The walls were a simple shade of light gray, a few pictures scattered on it here and there of him or of the family.

Mona seated Khushi on the bed. "Nervous?"

Khushi pursed her lips and didn't say anything.

Mona smiled softly and caressed her cheek. "Don't worry, he's a sweet and kind man. He'll take good care of you Khushi; I promise you that."

With that, Mona left, leaving Khushi to look around at the room once more. The various pictures caught her eye, until her eyes landed on a photo frame. It was on the left nightstand, and Khushi moved over to it. It was a picture of her with her parents, smiling brightly.

Khushi picked it up. How did he get this?

"Your mother gave it to me."

Khushi gasped and turned around to see Arnav. She was so absorbed into the picture, she hadn't even realized when he had entered the room.

Arnav slowly walked over to her. "When you were still in the hospital, Ma gave me the picture after I asked her for it."

"Why?"

"So that whenever you're missing you parents, you'll always have them right next to you."

Tears threatened to pool in Khushi's eyes, so she she looked away at the picture.

There was a knock at the door and the nurse came in for Khushi's dressing.

"I'll leave you to it," Arnav said, and he left the room.

Khushi watched as Arnav left the room. The nurse helped her to remove her jewelry and clothes so that she could redress the wounds.

He could have stayed. He no longer has to leave the room. He could have stayed if he wished. He could have even done it himself. Then why did he leave?

"You've gotten yourself a sweet husband," the nurse smiled. "He's very respectful of you."

Khushi glanced up at her.

"He could have stayed in the room, but he chose to respect you and left. It's not every day that you find a decent man like him anymore."

Decent, Khushi wondered, and then looked at the door.

"So many men these days are pigs, willing to do anything to gawk at a woman shamelessly. But your husband? A true gem he is! He must really care for you."

Maybe he is a gem. But does he care? Does he feel anything for me? How could he?

Khushi looked at the mirror in front of her, looking at the wounds on her front. Not much of her front had been burned, only a burn running from from the side of her left breast to her back and another beneath her left breast, moving to the back. Her back had gotten most of the damage, her front the least. As for her face....

Khushi reached up and touched her face. The nurse noticed and looked at her.

"Who could ever love someone with a face like this?"

Chapter Six

Khushi was allowed to go home, but she still needed to treat the burns, so a nurse stayed with her. As Khushi healed, her parents were going crazy with wedding preparations. The house was perfectly fine now, and they were much more cautious.

While there was hustling over here, back at Arnav's place, there was even more bustle. There were people all over the place, working, decorating, and making food.

Arnav's bhabi, Mona, was really excited.

"How come Bhabi," Arnav asked.

"Because my devrani will be here soon! If I'm not gonna be excited, then who else will?"

Arnav was happy to see his bhabi excited.

She smiled and then frowned. "Excuse me sir," she yelled, walking over to a worker, "what are you doing?

Aditya came walking over to Arnav and shook his head. "Seriously, she sure is something else."

Mona turned around and blew him a kiss and Aditya smirked back. The two exchanged glances, coyly.

"Please," Arnav exclaimed. "Both of you just get a room!"

Mona's jaw dropped and she went over to him. "What did you say?"

"I mean it's not a big deal Bhabi. After all, you guys have your room upstairs-"

Mona pinched his ear and Aditya frowned at him, folding his arms and shaking his head.

"Ow," Arnav cried out. "Bhabi!"

"Oh sure! Now my devarji is in pain! Wait till you get married. You pass glances to Khushi like this and watch how I embarrass you," and she walked away.

A worker called out to Aditya and he left as well.

Arnav thought about what his bhabi said.

Will I ever be able to do something like that with Khushi? Will she ever love me? Will I ever love her?

While Arnav was thinking all of this, Khushi, too, was thinking the same.

Will I ever love him? Will he ever love me? …of course not. Who would ever love me?

She stood up and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

People these days only care to see how people look. No one ever cares about the inside.

*~*

"Arnav!"

Arnav snapped out of thought. "Coming Bhabi!"

He walked over to the living room and sat next to Mona.

"Arnav, help me pick out something," Mona said as she gestured at all the saris and lehengas that were all over the table.

"For what?"

"For Khushi! It's for her bridal wear."

"Oh… I knew that."

She simply shook her head and Arnav looked through all the outfits. Nothing really caught his eyes.

"What else do you have," he said to the sari guy, and he took out some other stuff.

Arnav looked through everything when one caught his eyes. It was a maroon faux georgette lehenga style sari. The blouse was sleeveless, the straps filled with sequins, stones, beads, and so much more. The front was slightly curved to shape the mounds, and came together in a v-shape so that it would expose cleavage, that is if you arranged the sari low from the front.

"Arnav, what about this one?"

Mona looked up and saw how Arnav was holding onto the sari. She grinned and took the sari out of his hands to look at it.

"Not bad devarji. I must say, you have good taste," she teased.

Arnav looked around, avoiding his bhabi's eyes. She pinched his ear and he yelped in pain.

"You think you're so smart," Mona squealed and then laughed. She turned to the sari guy. "Bhaiya, I- no... he," she pointed at Arnav, "has decided with this sari."

The guy smiled and they sealed out a deal. Sameer came in as the guy left and looked at the sari.

"Wow Arnav, nice choice."

Arnav smiled and Mona nudged him.

"You think Khushi will like it," Mona asked Arnav.

Sameer handed the sari back to Arnav.

Arnav looked at it. "I hope she does."

*~*

Gaurav arrived with Khushi's bridal wear. He handed it to Sumitra, spoke for a little bit, and then Sumitra went upstairs to give it to Khushi, while Gaurav went looking for Nayan. Khushi's haldi had just finished and was cleaning up.

"Khushi," her mother called out, and entered her room.

"Yes?"

"Look! Your bridal wear has arrived," she gushed.

She put it down on Khushi's bed and Khushi sat down beside it. She ran her fingers over it, admiring it. She opened up the folds and looked at the whole sari.

"It's so beautiful," Khushi said, gazing away at it.

"It is, isn't it?"

The two were gazing away at it, when a worker came in and said how someone came from the groom's side to give Khushi her jewelry and other accessories. Sumitra went downstairs while Khushi continued to admire the sari.

She stood up, draping it over her shoulder and admired it. But then her face fell. In her mind she thought it would look beautiful, but what would everyone else think? All they would do was stare at her burns and whisper things.

Meanwhile, downstairs Sumitra was yelling at workers as she headed to the door to find that Mona had come.

"Laado? How are you," Sumitra asked. "Come in!"

"No Auntyji, not today. I'm only here to give you all the jewelry we chose out for Khushi."

Sumitra smiled as the driver handed the boxes to Mona, and she gave it to Sumitra.

"Auntyji, did Khushi like the sari? She liked it didn't she? Or-"

"She liked it very much."

"Really?"

Sumitra nodded and Mona smiled.

"You should know, Arnav had chosen it."

Sumitra raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

"Uh huh," and she smiled. "Well Auntyji, I should get going. There's so much more work to be done at home."

Sumitra smiled and nodded. Mona went back to the car and the driver pulled away.

Sumitra went back to Khushi's room. "Khushii! Look at yo-"

Sumitra walked in to see Khushi sad. She smiled softly and made Khushii sit down. "What's wrong Khushi?"

Khushi simply shook her head.

"Are you nervous?"

She shook her head.

Sumitra smiled softly. "You know, back when I was about to get married to your father, I was nervous, just like you."

"Really?"

"Oh yes! I was so scared and nervous! I was about to leave my home and marry a man that I didn't know, and live with an unknown family. But within time, I was able to love your father and the family treated me as if I were their daughter."

Khushi smiled softly and looked at her hands.

"Look Khushi, I know you're nervous - it's normal. But… it's just the way life is. Within a few days, you'll be marrying Arnav and will be a part of his family."

Khushi simply nodded.

"Arnav is such a nice boy," Sumitra said, lost in thought. "You know, back at the hospital, he cared so much for me."

"Really?"

"Mm hmm. He asked me for one thing though."

"What's that?"

"If he could call me his mother."

Khushi scrunched eyebrows.

"Just you wait and see Khushi; he'll keep you happy. He's such a nice boy, and really handsome, if I do say so myself," she chuckled. She placed her hands on Khushi's head. "In time, you'll learn to love him. And I know that he'll love you too."

Khushi smiled back.

Someone called Sumitra from outside, and she got up to go see what the big deal was. Khushi looked at all the jewelry sent for her and she gazed away at it. She couldn't believe that a middle class person like her would be wearing something so expensive like these.

*~*

Back at Arnav's place, Mona was preparing to go to Khushi's house for her mehendi. In the morning she would head out with the mehendi and would be at Khushi's place to celebrate, and have some time with her soon-to-be devrani.

The mehendi went by smoothly and after the rasums, dancing, and music was done, Khushi went up to her room, taking Mona along with her.

"So Khushi," Mona began, "how do you feel?"

Khushi just shrugged and Mona smiled.

"Come on, I'm your bhabi. Well, not yet, but still, I'm your bhabi. Think of me as your older sister. Now come on, tell me," she grinned.

Khushi smiled softly. "If you put it that way, then okay… Bhabi."

Mona smiled and Khushi continued.

"I don't know Bhabi. I mean, I'm going to a new place and will live with new people."

"Don't worry. In time it'll all get better. When I got married, I was just like you, completely nervous. A new home, unknown family… I didn't know what to do. But in time I got used to it. In fact, Dad never let me get that feeling that I was just a bahu. He treats me like a daughter and watch, he'll do the same to you too - accept you like a daughter."

"Really?"

"Of course! Dad is really, really, really, infinity times really sweet. He is just so lovable! And if I'm ever upset or just down, he doesn't accept it at all. Last time he even yelled at Aditya and it was too funny."

Khushi laughed.

"Watch Khushi, you won't have that feeling that you're away from you're family because Dad would never let you. As for Arnav…."

Khushi looked down at her hands.

"You know Khushi, Arnav is a really sweet man, and I'm not just saying that. I really mean it. My devarji is… one in a zillion. I always give him so much love and if he's ever in trouble, I always watch out for him."

Khushi looked at her. Mona continued.

"I don't know what relation I had with him, but I think that in another life, he might have been my son. He's just so sweet… and watch, he'll give you so much love, you won't ever feel down."

"You think so?"

"I know so. My Arnav is a very loving boy. A lot of girls have fallen for him, but he never showed them any interest. All he's ever cared about in his life is making Dad happy. That's all he can ever think about. In school he did his best to be the top student. You know, he's been valedictorian in elementary school, junior high, high school, and in college."

"What? Wow, really?"

"Yeah and his number one reason was for Dad."

"That's so sweet of him."

"I told you. He would win so many awards and bring them home. Dad is really proud of him. And when Arnav said he was going to marry you… Dad could've exploded from happiness!"

Khushi's clock beeped off and Mona was getting late, so she left.

That night, Khushi thought of what Mona had said, just before she left:

"Just watch Khushi, Arnav will shower you with his love."

And she could only think of one thing.

Will he truly love me, even after the way I look?