FF Let Me Love You - Part 13

Arnav saw Khushi looking at him, the fear and anxiety clear in her eyes. Things were going out of control, the truth that they had decided to keep between themselves unless a situation forces them to reveal it, but now the tables had turned, Alaka and Akash knew and Arnav knew that only his parents were left, and he didn't want their parents to feel betrayed if they heard about Khushi from someone else in the future '

Khushi could see the situation as well, she knew it wouldn't be right to keep this away from Mama and Papa, she went upto Arav and touched him on his shoulder'

"you have to tell Papa and Mama, they have a right to know, Akash and Chotti already know and its not fair that Mama and Papa are kept in the dark, what they feel about me and our relation after that, I am totally ready to accept it, if they don't want me, I will walk out without any complaint " said Khushi looking directly into Arnav's eyes.

Arnav knew that this would be exactly how Khushi would react, he had expected nothing short of this from her, he knew she would walk out if she felt his family didn't want her after knowing her past, He cupped her face between his palms and placed a soft yet firm kiss on her temple..

" Khushi I agree with you that Mama Papa has a right to know but that doesn't mean I will let you walk out of my life if they find your past hard to accept, as far as I know our parents, they will have no problem in loving you as much as they do now, even after knowing your past but in case their reaction is negative, I will never let you walk out, if Mama and Papa wants to see me happy, then they will know that you are my happiness and that I will follow you where you ago, so stop thinking of leaving me Khushi because am not letting you go anywhere , I will find a way to convince them no matter what, I just want you to promise me that you will be by my side always . " finished Arnav as he hugged her close to his heart.

Khushi sighed as  she hugged him back, she knew he needed her support in this, he was going to speak for her to his parents, this was going to be the first major trial for Arnav regarding his love for Khushi and she couldn't let him fail, whatever happens .. they would face it together.

"You have me with you always , I will be there Arnav , lets go down and tell Mama and Papa everything now itself" 

Arnav smiled as he heard her reply and lightly kissed her palm which he was holding in his hands, meanwhile Akash who had returned after dropping Naina  was watching their small convo along with Alaka who watching the pair of them with a smile.

Akash meanwhile interrupted them , "okay you 2 love birds, if you both are done deciding then lets get done with this, the sooner the better, what do you think Bhabhi ?? lets clean it all up and then we can all have a total blast !! "

Arnav smiled at Akash and they all shared a group hug before Arnav took Khushi's hand in his, his eyes silently assuring her as he led her towards their parents.

Sayali & Samar were extremely tensed and anxious as they waiting for the kids to come down, when they saw Arnav bringing Khushi, they noticed the grim taut expression in his face and knew he had something serious to discuss with them.

Arnav brought Khushi down and made her sit on the couch and himself sat next to her, Alaka and Akash were standing on either side of their Bhai and Bhabhi, what followed next can never be explained in words,

Khushi started speaking...

Arnav supported her...

Alaka came in between to help Khushi add the facts up...

Akash gave his part...

When Khushi couldn't go on to speak about the tragedy that ripped her life apart'. Arnav took over.

What Khushi couldn't bring herself to tell it out, Arnav completed.

He held her all the while in his arms, not letting go of her.

Eventually the story was told, Sayali and Samar sat stunned, they had eyes only for Khushi who looked broken as she silently cried in Arnav's arms, they watched Arnav who held her close in his arms, as though protecting his Khushi from everything that is evil. They saw the love and care in his eyes, the passion with which he was determined to protect her.

Sayali had never seen this fire ever before in her son's eyes, more than Khushi, it looked like it was Arnav 's whose existence was dependant on Khushi, Sayali and Samar looked at Alaka, their youngest little princess, the angel of the Raizadas who had undergone so much without telling anyone in the family, despite all the pain, Alaka was smiling, she was smiling with the happiness that she had done what the person she loved had wanted the most.

Akash also had the smile of a person who had made sure that the dream his sister saw did turn into a reality. Sayali and Samar looked at each other. All these years of marriage had taught them one thing,

it doesn't take years for love to strengthen'

it doesn't take ages for 2 souls to exchange their feelings and emotions...

it doesn't take ages for someone to be the reason of their existence'

Life had taught Samar and Sayali the meaning of true love, their marriage was a symbol of their true love for each other, even after all these years, neither of them could bear the thought of losing each other and it was the same love that they saw in their eldest son's eyes today.

They could see the love blazing a fiery rage in his eyes, the rage to consume everything that had caused pain to Khushi.but what caught their attention was Khushi, they had never seen a girl who had gone through so much and yet survived. Sayali looked at Samar, their eyes spoke, Samar knew what Sayali had decided for Khushi.

She got up and moved towards Khushi, she gently pulled her into his arms, Khushi saw compassion and love shining in her eyes ..

"Mama am sorry .. Whatever you decide .. I will agree to it. Arnav is a gem of a person, never met anyone like him other than Rahul, I am sorry for all the pain and loss that your daughter had to suffer because of my dad, actually its because of me, if Rahul hadn't met me, Pari would never have lost him. I am sorry Mama, for everything. For being so cursed that anyone who loves me ends up facing destruction. "Khushi sobbed out in Sayali's arms, Arnav couldn't bear any of the things that Khushi was telling and got up to go to her but Sayali stopped him.

"Stay right there Arnav, your dad wants to speak to you and Akash, and I have to talk to Khushi & Alaka in private and I don't want either of you disturbing us, we will be back within an hour " spoke Sayali as she lead Khushi & Alaka away.

She took them to Alaka's room and turned towards them...

"I want you both to go and freshen up, take a shower, don't think about anything but just do as I say, your clothes will be kept on the bed, Alaka you can get ready in your room, Khushi I am taking you to Arnav's room, he wont come in there until you are ready, I will come to take you once you are ready, and then the rest you will see. I know my children are all adults but still not big enough to do that what has to be done by us parents. " Sayali 's words caused a wave of apprehension in Khushi but she decided to trust Sayali and follow what she says.

Sayali left them to get ready, it was the first time that Khushi was entering Arnav's room, and she felt she was at home, loved and protected. There was a large life size photo of his hung on the wall right behind the headboard of the king size bed in his room, she looked at the photo, a smile on her face, even his photo seemed to be speaking to her... assuring her that she would have him with her forever.

Meanwhile downstairs, Sayali joined Samar , they looked at Arnav who was watching them with anxious eyes. Samar spoke ...

" Arnav you Akash and Alaka have seen your mama and papa's marriage, you have seen our love and understanding, a healthy marriage and pure love and true commitment of a husband and wife towards each other lays the foundation for a strong family. From the day you told us that you love Khushi, we have accepted her as our daughter and nothing what we heard today is going to change our decision. Khushi will be our daughter and as a father I will make sure I do everything to avenge the crimes that have been done to her "

Arnav was relieved and happy beyond words to hear his father, he knew deep inside his heart that his parents would never refuse his Khushi.But Samar wasn't done yet '

"But your decision to accept Khushi after knowing everything about her, we are proud and happy of the decision our son took, but we want to know if you have realised the magnitude of the commitment that you have given Khushi ...

Are you ready to face all the troubles that might come across your path because your wife had a past that shouldn't have been her fate.

The world might come to know about her past tomorrow from other sources, are you ready to bare the questions and taunts that you as a husband might face from other men and women of our very narrow minded society ??

Are you ready to love and protect Khushi no matter what happens and who raises a finger against her.

Will you always keep her respect intact and unblemished.

And now as Khushi's father I am asking you, will you always keep my princess happy and safe and make sure that she doesn't shed any more tears, because if you become the reason for her pain, then there will be no one who is worse than me Arnav.

Tell me Son, are you ready to love and protect her forever, till your last breath. "

Arnav & Akash were stunned into silence, they had never seen their Papa in this avatar, He was no longer their father speaking, Arnav was facing Samar Singh Raizada who was asking him to give his word to love and protect his daughter Khushi and Arnav knew his answer already ..

"Papa , you and Mama gave Akash Alaka and myself, the best childhood and family we could have ever asked for, I am Arnav Singh Raizada and I know the seriousness and responsibilities of the decision I have taken about Khushi, I promise you Papa & Mama, I may die but I wont stop loving Khushi, I have loved her from the time I saw her photo first and nothing can change that fact. You  can trust me Papa ..

I love Khushi ..

I will always keep her happy and safe...

Nohting anybody says will ever tamper my love for her , for me she is pure as any woman can be , as pure as my Mama is to you Papa.

I wont let anything hurt her ever again as long as I am alive ...

I will always care for her, cherish her and protect her ...

I will make sure she is respected the way she should be ...

And last, I wont let anyone who dared to hurt her walk free. "

Samar was proud as he heard Arnav speak, today he knew that he had raised his children well, he hugged Arnav tight and blessed him. And then turned towards Akash ..

" Akash you helped Alaka in fulfilling the promise she made to the person whom she loved and I am proud you did what a brother should have done for his sister, you made sure that your Bhai meets Khushi , but again I have the same question to ask you, when we accept Khushi as a member of our family, we are making a huge promise to her, a promise that should never be taken lightly ..

A promise to love her and protect her...

A promise to cherish her always and keep her away from the evil tongue  of the society ...

A promise to never let her think of herself as ruined or tainted...

Akash tomorrow when you select a girl for yourself, she will want to know about your family as well and Khushi as your Bhabhi is part of this family, the girl will have to know about Khushi, she should be ready to accept her wholeheartedly, its your responsibility Akash that the girl who  comes into your life understand what Khushi is for  us.

We should never be the reason for Khushi's pain once she become a  part of us, she has faced enough in her life and I wont let anything come her way again, not even her namesake parents !!

And I definitely wont tolerate anyone within the family later on regretting her presence amidst us.

Are you ready to make such a commitment towards your brother and his wife Akash ?? "

Akash walked upto Samar and hugged him first and then looked straight into his eyes, his expression determined ...

" I might be a bachelor all my life but I will die before I let anyone  else hurt Bhai or Bhabhi ... If I fall in love with a girl, then my first condition to her would be, that she love and accept my Bhabhi before she accepts me, a girl who cant love my Bhabhi has no place in my life .. have I made myself clear Papa ?? "

Arnav didn't know what to tell anymore , Akash and Papa, their words, their love for Khushi, their strong oath to protect her ... he thanked the  gods watching them for giving him a family that was as perfect as anyone could be. Without a word He caught Akash and his Papa in his hug , holding onto them tight, Samar broke the hug and blessed both his sons, Sayali was watching them with a smile, she ruffled Arnav's  and Akash's hairs and gave them an affectionate smile and walked away, she walked over to the temple area in their house and started getting it ready, Arnav looked at his mother confused but she paid him no attention, she then left and returned sometime later along with Khushi and Alaka, Arnav felt his breath whooshing out  of him as he saw Khushi  being led down by his mother, Alaka right behind her,

Alaka was clad in a white ' red combo color Sari, she looked simple and truly like the little angel who grew up in his arms 

but it was Khushi who captivated his sense.

She was draped in a blood maroon sari, as dark as the color of Sindoor, adorned in simple jewellery, Arnav knew even a lifetime wouldn't be enough for him to love her the way she deserved to be loved.

Samar led Akash and Arnav to the temple inside their house ... Sayali made Khushi stand next to Arnav who was looking at him with an anxious expression, she had no idea what was going on, she slipped in next to him and Arnav immediately clasped her fingers tight in his , and gave her a firm warm smile that seemed to caress away all her fears.

They turned to see Sayali and Alaka getting the Pooja Thali ready, once it was done, Sayali turned towards Arnav & Khushi who were watching her ...

"Arnav, Khushi .. come forward, the time may not be what you would the right time for pooja but as they say, there  is no specific time to seek blessings from the Gods above, I want you both to do the Pooja together now , rest will follow later and do not say anything back, just do as I say, just trust us that whatever we are making you do, it is for your happiness alone. We will answer all your questions once this is done "

Arnav and Khushi took the thali from her and and turned to face Devi Maiyya's idol, they looked at each other and then started doing the Pooja as their family watched, Alaka had tears in her eyes as she watched them together, she knew Rahul would definitely be happy if he could see them now, Akash came and held Alaka tight in his arms as the Pooja went on, Sayali and Samar smiled as they prayed for the happiness and properity of their children, Arnav & Khushi send a silent prayer of thanx for making them a part of each other as well as for blessing them with the best family on earth.

As the  Pooja got done, Sayali walked upto them and took the thali  away , she took the box of Sindoor always kept near the idol and turned towards Arnav ..

"Arnav if everything you told your Mama and  Papa came truly from your heart, then you know what you have to do next ... "

Khushi stared in shock, an unknown feeling of happiness threatening to overcome as the meaning of Sayali's words dawned her, she was caught in an avalanche of emotions, she didn't know if she loved Arnav but what she knew was that she couldn't bear thinking about loosing him or being away from him, she didn't know if this was right but she knew she couldn't deny herself this moment, all she knew was that she had handed over the reigns of her life and heart to Arnav and that she trusted him to know what is best for both of them ...

Arnav smiled as his eyes formed a determined expression , the fire raging in his eyes as he walked upto his mother , he bend down and took her blessings and then his Papa's , Akash and Alaka both gave them their silent acceptance,  a smile on their face, they watched as Arnav took a pinch of Sindoor from the box that his mother was holding for him, and he turned towards Khushi ...

He walked upto her who was standing paralysed with shock ... he turned her to face , he took the Pallu of her sari and fixed it properly over her head, leaving her vermillion uncovered, looking straight into her eyes ...

"Keep your eyes on me Khushi, I want to see you "

Without giving her a chance to ask him anything , or even question his action or decision ...

He placed the pinch of Sindoor directly on Her Vermillion.