Chapter Seventy Four

Candles were lit around everywhere and the evening sky surrounded the couple as they relaxed in the jacuzzi.

"Hmm, this feels so good," Khushi sighed.

She was sitting in between Arnav's legs, Arnav having his arms wrapped around her. He placed soft kisses on her head, nuzzling her now and then.

It had been three days since the couple had first arrived. Each day was filled with naughtiness and love, no one to bother them at all.

"I'm sure Bhai has tried to contact me," Khushi said.

"I bet he did."

Hearing Arnav's clipped tone, Khushi looked up at him. "Why do you hate him so much?"

"I didn't hate him before, angel. Now however, after what he did, do I hate him."

Khushi nodded and leaned back into him. "I'm mad at him too. But at the same time," she sighed, "I can't blame him."

"Angel, don't defend him."

"I'm not, it's just.... Back when I was in high school, Bhai was a big pot head. The night my sister passed... Bhai was ridiculously high. I'm sure there's a part of him that's angry with himself for that."

Arnav said nothing; he didn't care how Shyam felt. He simply didn't like him.

Khushi sighed. "Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if Bhai wasn't high that night. Would he have chased her down instead of sending me to get her? Would she have been alive?"

"Don't Khushi. Don't."

Khushi looked up at him.

"You can't keep thinking what could've been if things had happened differently. Remember when I used to wonder if things would have been different had I had loved my mother more or had gone to her earlier than I had? Well you helped me to realize that dwelling in the past is pointless and just not worth it."

Khushi looked down and eased into him.

"All we have is what has already occurred and where we can go from it. Thinking about what could have been will only waste today and tomorrow."

Khushi couldn't help her smile. "You've come a long way Mr. Raizada."

"I guess I have. And it's all thanks to you, sweet angel of mine," and he placed a kiss atop of her head.

Khushi sighed into his hold, nuzzling her head into him. "I love you jaan."

"I love you too baby. Forever."

*~*

The sound of waves awoke Khushi, as it had been for the past few days - well, when it wasn't Arnav, that is. She reached out to her side for Arnav, but her hand found nothing.

Huh?

Khushi got up and glanced around the room. She saw a post-it stuck on the vanity mirror so she went to it. 

Good morning my beautiful angel. Better get dressed :)

Dressed?

Curious, Khushi went to the closet. Unlike the past few days, along with their clothes that they had come here with, hung a white dress. Above it was another post-it. 

Wear me and go downstairs :)

Khushi arched her eyebrow in curiosity. Of all their days here, they hadn't worn any of their clothes at all. But now, all of a sudden, Arnav wanted her to wear a dress? 

What is he up to?

Taking the dress off the hanger, Khushi put it on. It was a strapped, high-low dress, the bodice made of satin and the skirt of chiffon, running with a long train. 

Going back to the bedroom, Khushi looked at herself in the mirror. The dress was rather beautiful and Khushi only wished she had her makeup to give the dress the oomph! it deserved. Unfortunately she didn't but fortunately she had a glow, all thanks to Arnav. 

After toying around with her hair a bit and Khushi had managed to maintain it, she headed downstairs. Arnav was still nowhere to be found, which made her curious. She looked around the house, entering the kitchen. On the island, she found breakfast ready with a post-it beside it. 

Eat me then join me out back :)

Khushi shook her head with a smile. What are you up to jaan?

Khushi's stomach grumbled, seemingly to agree with Arnav's demands. So she dug right into the strawberry crepes, though Khushi was curious where it came from, as Arnav's culinary skills were, well, myeh.

With breakfast complete, Khushi placed the plate in the sink and headed out back. It still amazed Khushi that the backyard wasn't really a backyard, but a private beach. The perimeter went out for miles, leaving it all to just the two of them. 

Brighton beach will never be like this. 

Walking through the sand, barefoot, Khushi looked out for Arnav. Suddenly she felt something soft at her foot and she looked down to see rose petals. 

What the?

Khushi realized that the petals created a path. She looked up to see where it led and saw something, but wasn't quite sure what it was. With curiosity eating away at her, Khushi followed the path. Not long after, columns appeared. Fabrics floated around with the breeze, the petals on the ground swaying. Khushi looked up ahead and saw Arnav, wearing a white button down, khaki colored pants, and a white waistcoat. He looked at her with a smile and reached out for her hand as she got closer. 

"Good morning sweet angel," he smiled. 

"Good morning jaan.... Wanna tell me what you're up to," she asked, glancing around them. 

"Curious," Arnav smirked. 

Khushi nodded.

"Well, you're about to find out."

Khushi looked at him in confusion, but Arnav was looking the other way. She looked in his line of sight and saw a man coming closer to them. 

"Who is that," Khushi asked. 

The man came closer to them and looked at Arnav. "Good morning, Mr. Raizada. I assume this is her?"

"Good morning and yes, this is she."

Khushi looked at the two in confusion. 

"Shall we get started then?"

"Immediately," Arnav grinned. 

Khushi was simply confused. Arnav stepped aside and retrieved a floral crown and placed it on her head. 

"Wow Arnav, this is really cute. But it doesn't explain what you're up to."

"You asked me for something, so I'm giving it to you. Just as I vow to for the rest of my life."

"Meaning?"

Arnav took both her hands in his. "Today, I'm making you all mine."

Khushi gasped, her eyes widening. "You mean...?"

Arnav nodded and looked at the man. "Should I begin?"

"Yes," the man smiled. 

Arnav looked at Khushi. "Khushi, sweet angel of mine - today I vow to you that I will always protect and love you, until the day I die."

Tears formed in Khushi's eyes. "Arnav...."

She couldn't believe this was happening. 

"You came into my world as a light, as a blessing from my mother. I know I haven't always been the perfect nor the easiest man to love. But I promise that I will try - for us, for you, my angel. 

"I will forever cherish you. I will forever love you. And all I want in return is for you to love me and forever be mine."

Khushi reached up and caressed his cheek. "I vow that I will always love you and be yours, until my very last breath."

Arnav smiled and kissed the palm of her hand. The two looked at the man in front of them. 

"Now that the vows have been exchanged, do you, Khushi Kumari Gupta, take Arnav Singh Raizada as your lawfully wedded husband?

Khushi looked into Arnav's eyes. "I do."

"And do you, Arnav Singh Raizada, take Khushi Kumari Gupta as your lawfully wedded wife?"

"I do," Arnav said, looking into Khushi's eyes. 

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Khushi couldn't contain herself anymore and threw her arms around Arnav, and kissed him. Arnav kissed her in return, wrapping his arms around her. 

Pulling back slightly, Khushi looked up at Arnav with tear-filled eyes. "I love you Mr. Raizada."

"I love you too, Mrs. Raizada."