Curiosity of Love & Friendship (Ongoing)

Chapter 17 - Truths and Lies

The party went on, with relatives exchanging pleasantries and stories over snacks. Everyone gathered around, as the time finally came for the rings to be exchanged and promises to be made, for a couple to be wed soon. Khushi stood by her sister, as Arnav stood by his father. Their expressions didn't disclose the sadness and turmoil their eyes held, as they happily participated in the celebrations. Everyone watched as Payal and Akash danced shyly on the dance floor, with families, relatives, and friends surrounding them, each dancing to their own tune.

Among all the friends present, Payal's best friend, Lavanya, was also present. While she and Khushi had done their internships together, Lavanya had accepted as a job as a personal assistant, but no one really knew where. Lavanya went up to the stage to share a slideshow of Payal's pictures from all the best moments of her life, to truly show what a great friend she has had. Families, relatives, and friends gathered as photos were shared on the big screen, laughing and smiling, as Payal and her family smiled through tears for all the moments they spent together. From the photo of her going to school for the first time to when she won awards for academic excellence, everyone rejoiced watching the photos.

At the end of the slideshow, certain photos caused the crowd to start whispering around, with gasps and muttering increasing. The photos were from the earlier encounter between Arnav and Khushi showed up: Arnav and Khushi walking hand in hand in the garden, Khushi holding Arnav's arms, Arnav sitting next to Khushi, and Arnav's arm around Khushi with her head on his shoulder. Whispers began to get loud from the audience, as the Gupta and Raizada households stood at their spots, stunned to silence. Tears began to drop from Khushi's eyes, as she realized how badly the photos will be perceived, and she couldn't even bring herself to look at Arnav or anyone from her family. She could only stare at the last photo on the screen, with her head on Arnav's shoulder as she cried and Arnav's face filled with pain with his eyes shut. A strange thought entered her heart, that at least she knew how he felt, and how it hurt her even more to know how in pain he had been.

One of Khushi's aunt's stepped out of the audience and remarked, "We were here for one daughter's engagement. Looks like the second one has also made her arrangements."

Anand looked sternly at the aunt and replied, "I do advice everyone to stay within their mannerism and limits."

"Uncle, you are getting angry at me for no reason. I am just saying that it's good that the girls are so smart that they fixed their alliances with brothers from the same family." The aunt replied, giving a fake smile to everyone around her.

Someone else in the audience said, "It's not even like it is considered wrong in the society today. If there was something going on, what is there to even hide? We are all your relatives anyhow."

"She must have enticed him in the office when they worked together."

"Who knows what all they must have done, if they are holding each other like this during this engagement. They couldn't even wait to be in a private place."

Heena walked over to Arnav and held his hand, "Arnav, what's going on? If this is true, we will only be happy for you, son. Tell us, please."

As Arnav looked at the hope in his mother's eyes, he couldn't deny anything, nor could he reply back. He looked at Khushi, still staring at the photo in shock, as tears dropped down her cheeks. He patted his mother's hand gently and went over to Khushi, and he held her hand, as she finally looked into his eyes, scared of her surroundings. He gave her a little smile to reassure her, relieving some of the burden Khushi felt. He then led her to the stage and took the mic to address everyone.

"This is true. Every photo you saw, it is nothing but the truth."

Everyone became extremely quiet, as everyone was stunned with his words, including Khushi, who looked at him with wide eyes.

"We didn't want to interrupt the celebrations for Payal and Akash, which is why we wanted to wait until after the celebrations to share the news with our families. Khushi's simplicity, grace, and caring nature won me over. Not only did I gain a valuable asset for my company at a purely professional basis, but I also got an understanding friend and a partner in Khushi. There is nothing more I could ever want more in my life." Surprisingly, Arnav couldn't deny that any of his words were not true, even to himself. But Khushi stood by his side, wishing for these words to be true, knowing that these words were only to protect her honor, as they were to give hope to his mother.

"In fact, I have already shared this good news with my father, Mr. Abhay Singh Raizada. Dad?"

Abhay smirked, both at Arnav's speech and at finally hearing him address him as Dad in front of everyone, as he walked up to the stage. He gave Arnav a hug, as Arnav steeled his feelings and gave a little smile in front of everyone, much to the amazement of his mother and brother. Heena couldn't help but smile through her tears, hoping for all this to be true, even as something tugged at her heart at how untrue this felt.

Abhay then addressed Anand, Shashi, and Garima, "I had told Arnav to wait until after the celebrations, so I could speak of their alliance to you myself. I wanted to see both my sons married at the same time. There can be nothing more auspicious than having both your daughters married to both of my sons. We can certainly assure you that both our sons are more than capable of taking care of their life partners. As for any rude remarks made by anyone, please, I request you not to believe them. I, Abhay Singh Raizada, can assure you that your daughter is just as pure as she was before she met my son."

Arnav couldn't help but be surprised at his father's words. Nothing his father had said was wrong or incorrect in any way, other than the obvious lie of course.

Anand finally stepped forward and went up the stage.

"Khushi, look at me. Is this true, kid?"

Khushi couldn't lie to her grandpa, but she couldn't tell him the truth either. There was some truth in all that was said and some very big lies. But then she remembered overhearing Abhay and Arnav talking about the contract, and her sister's wedding. Not being able to say anything, she simply hugged her grandpa.

"Do you trust me, Grandpa?"

"Of course, kid. I just want to know what's truly in your heart."

Khushi looked at Arnav as she kept hugging her grandpa, "Grandpa, Arnav has always only made me happy. I could tell him things I couldn't tell anyone else. But I never crossed any limits your granddaughter shouldn't, grandpa." Khushi picked her head and looked her grandpa straight in the eyes, "But I also won't prove anything, Grandpa. You all can either trust me or not."

Khushi looked down at her feet, as her grandpa patted her head, consoling her.

"Shashi. Garima. Do you both have any objections to this alliance?" Anand questioned them directly, as the whispers from the audience began to rise again.

Shashi and Garima looked at each other and at Khushi, "No, Father. We don't want anything above our children's happiness. And if Arnav makes Khushi happy, there is nothing more we want. We are all already aware of Arnav's good character and his honesty. We would be honored."

Shashi's words sent momentary relief to everyone, while Khushi looked at her father with more tears in her eyes.

"Well, it's settled then. As the eldest of the two families, I am accepting Khushi's alliance for Arnav. Since we are already gathered here, we will do the ceremony today, while the rings will be exchanged at the weddings. As Abhay requested, we will have both weddings in three weeks' time, at the date and time fixed already. Garima, take Khushi and help her calm down, as we prepare for the ceremony." Anand addressed both families and the audience, successfully shutting down all the whispers.