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“Bhai…!” Aakash blurted with his throat going dry, seeing Arnav walking in the hallway.  The family had arrived in the afternoon and Arnav had entered the house late in the evening. 

“Nani..” Arnav sat beside her allowing her to stroke his head.  Aakash looked at them awkwardly sitting right opposite.  Payal and Khushi were inside with Anjali planning for the next day.  Arnav gave a faint smile seeing Aakash staring at him.  

“Hello Everyone…!” Elsa walked in and the tension released.  Arnav got up to lift his buddy Tej…!

“Awweee… Heavy weight.. haan?” Arnav lifted him with faking efforts and Tej giggled with pride.  Meera looked at the guests shyly and ran into her room…! Tej settled on Arnav’s lap and Nani sighed happily.  

“Chote looks so homely… here with the kids…!” he held his shoulder.  Arnav looked away. 

“Aray you came?” Khushi came out hurriedly with a red face and stopped looked at Arnav and Aakash.  

“Aray… Akash Jijaji, go freshen up… They will be coming here anytime…!” Khushi ordered waving her hand and Arnav looked at her..!

“Who?” he asked.  She banged her forehead…! “How will you know? Aap Rahatain kahan ho ghar main?” she spat and then said in a calmer tone..!

“Sondeep Sir’s parents…! “ And mimicking the Bengali tone…said 

“Ashirbaad… heiin!”  Then with a fit of giggle, chocked …

“You know, Naniji? The Bengali is as sweet as their Roshagullas… they speak keeping a couple of them in their cheeks…! “Ashirbaad…Heiin?” Nani burst out in laughter and Arnav got up with a smile on his face.  Aakash walked with Arnav laughing and Payal interrupted…

“Aray? You are still here? Go freshen up…!” she said furiously..

“Yeah… Ashirbaad…!” Aakash mocked and turned to his room.  Khushi ran behind Arnav.

“No business talks… ok!” she warned gripping his wrist and before he could react harshly, pecked on his cheek…! Arnav stood still waiting for some more but she had moved out of his eyesight.

“Impossible…!” he turned hopelessly.  

“Bhai…!” Aakash was behind and Arnav turned on his heels, stifled, with stony face.

“Bhai.. please…!” Aakash stepped closer …

“Not now, Aakash…” he raised his hand to stop Aakash and turning his back on Aakash disappeared into his room.  Aakash stood there helplessly.  

“God…Please help me… send someone…”Aakash prayed desperately.

“Aakash?” Elsa stood before him, looking at him curiously.  Akash gasped blankly and then his face lit up.

“Elsa..!” he sighed a relief.

“Yeah… Elsa…!” Elsa mocked sniggering…! Aakash grinned.

“Yeah… you can help me…You will!” He held her hand in excitement and she was taken aback.

“What? What help?” she asked.  Aakash almost dragged her into a corner…!

“I need to talk to you… its urgent..!” The urgency was audible…!

“Ok!” she said guiding him towards her room…!

****   ***  ****

“Haa… Finally… Ashirbaad over…!” Khushi sighed dramatically in the night when the elders from the groom’s side had gone back.  Shondeep had taken Anjali out for some stupid reason for buying  a gift for her of her choice.  Meera had wrinkled her nose in disapproval… in fact in disappointment as she was not invited to accompany Anjali.  

Khushi stood in the middle of the hall feeling exhausted.

“Look at these…” she turned around looking at the husked rice and trefoil (Triparni) sprinkled everywhere…! 

“Khushi buwa… Gifts..!” Tej couldn’t stop.  He already had started ripping open the gift packets. 

“Humm…!” she sighed but picked up a few packets to open.  Payal was there to help her.  Arnav walked in.

“Khushi…!” he called out rudely and she turned.

“Watch your tone…!” she mouthed wordlessly.  He just walked in, held her hand and dragged her to the room.

“Take rest!” he ordered and she protested. 

“I am fine…!” she flared up.

“You need rest..!” he pushed her inside and closed the door.

“Arnav ji…! Arnav ji…” she banged the door from inside but he had moved away locking the door. 

“Humm…” She turned furiously and locked her gaze on the table…!

“How thoughtful..” she blurted sarcastically opening the lid of the plate. 

“Humm…” she inhaled the aroma and sat on the chair.

“Hawwww… Look at my feet…!” she pulled up her legs and saw the swollen feet.  She tried to them sorely with no success.  

“I think he is right.  I should take rest” She swallowed the iron tablets and sat on the bed, her anger subsiding.  

Somewhere after midnight she felt him by her side.

“Humm…” she tried wrapping her arm around but her bulging tummy gave a frantic kick.

“Awaaa..” she blurted and felt Arnav stroking her head.  She went back into deep slumber keeping him awake all night.