Zaroorat - Arshi FF

CHAPTER 23

"I don't care how you do it...I want marigold flowers and that's final." Manorama said as she spoke to the florist over the phone. Everyone in Raizada mansion was busy in either preparations for the Holi party, which was in 2 days. If they weren't working on the Holi party they were working on Anjali and Shyam's mehendi which would take place in just 3 weeks. Manohar was working out details with the banquet hall while Shashi and Garima working on the party favors.

Juggling two large events was definitely a task, but everyone was having a blast planning. It gave everyone the chance to really spend quality family time with each other.

Shyam and Akash were busy blowing up balloons in the back yard. Anjali came holding a tray of color and started organizing a table next to where Shyam and Akash were seated. It was then that Shyam got a gleam in his eye. Akash stopped blowing his balloon and gave Shyam a curious look. Shyam simply grinned and slowly creeped up behind Anjali. Catching on, Akash bit the inside of cheek to keep from laughing.

3...2..1..POP!

Shyam burst the balloon right next to Anjali's ear, causing her to scream. Shyam and Akash burst out laughing. Shyam walked over to Akash and high fived him as Anjali glared at the men.

"How mean Shyam!" Anjali yelled at her fiancé and started chasing him. Shyam laughed and ran around the yard, with Anjali on hot in his heels.

"What is going on here?" Khushi asked as she stepped outside, hearing all the commotion.

Shyam ran next to Khushi and hid behind her, "Didi help!...your cousin wants to kill me." Shyam said laughing. Anjali tried to reach around Khushi and hit Shyam.

"Appi aap hatiye...hum issko chorenge nahin." Anjali hissed.

Shyam kept using Khushi as a shield and kept dodging Anjali's attempt at hitting him. Khushi laughed at their childish behavior. Her laugher filled the air as she watched their childish antics.

On the other side of the backyard, Shashi and Garima smiled as they watched the scene before them. "Aapne notice kiya...Khushi kush lagne lagi hai..." Garima said, watching her daughter laugh whole heartedly.

"I did...I am happy Garima. Jin halath mein Khushi ka nikka hua tha...hum toh daar hi gaye teh ke ussi apne hisse ki khushi kabhi nahin mile gi." Shashi replied.

Arnav then stepped out to the yard as well seeing what was happening. A laughing Akash gave Arnav a balloon and Arnav popped that one next to Anjali making her jump. They all laughed when Anjali screamed again. In between this lighthearted moment, Khushi glanced at Arnav as he laughed whole heartedly with the rest of the group. He had...so much joy on his face that Khushi couldn't help but stare. She looked away when Arnav happened to glance her way, trying not to seem obvious that she was staring.

"Dekh ke acha laga...ke dono ke beech pyaar bar raha hai..." Garima said, observing Khushi and Arnav as they interacted with Shyam, Anjali, and Akash. It also didn't go unnoticed by Garima when Khushi gave Arnav subtle looks as he laughed.

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That night, everyone gathered in the library again. It become habit for the family to come to library after dinner to chit chat before they retired for the night.

Khushi took this time to put Ahaana to sleep. In Khushi's absence, Akash, Shyam, and Anjali were sitting next to each other chit chatting and drinking some wine. The youngsters had gotten close within the last few days.

"Shyam...did you notice...Khushi appi was laughing whole heartedly today." Anjali said. Shyam nodded in agreement. He knew bits and pieces of Khushi and Arnav's marriage situation.