Chapter One

"Arnav, please stop being annoying," Anjali exclaimed.

"Di, I'm not going to just marry some chick, end of discussion!"

"No! You WILL! END OF DISCUSSION."

Arnav held back his despair as his future mother in-law got up to get his future bride. He didn't want to marry 'some chick' his parents wanted him to. He looked at his parents from the corner of his eyes and cursed in his mind.

His future mother in law came down with her daughter, her face covered with a veil.

Great, Arnav said in his head. Just great.

She sat her down directly in front of Arnav and removed her veil. Arnav was looking around and just as the veil was removed, he looked at her and his eyes widened.

She was beautiful, no doubt, and Arnav felt like drooling on the spot, but he controlled himself.

Amazing. How can a simple girl be this beautiful, let alone sexy?

She looked up at Arnav and instantly looked away. She was slightly blushing and Arnav wanted her to look at him.

"What's your name, dear," Arnav's mother asked.

"Khushi."

Khushi, huh? Nice name.

"What do you do," Arnav's father asked.

"I recently graduated from Stony Brook University in New York," she smiled faintly.

What?

Arnav himself had graduated from Harvard University in Boston, and his parents had been living in the US for years now. In fact, Arnav was born in New York, and his parents and sister, Anjali, lived there. Arnav's parents wanted Arnav to marry a good, traditional, girl from India, which was why they contacted the Gupta's.

"That's really good," Arnav's father said. "Arnav graduated from Harvard University recently as well."

Arnav's parents continued to "interrogate" Khushi and Arnav felt bad. After a while, the parents came up with their decision and the wedding was planned.

*~*

Khushi was brought to the mandap and looked stunningly beautiful in her red lehenga. Arnav's eyes could have popped out from the way he was looking at her. Good thing everyone was too busy looking at Khushi.

The ceremony began and Arnav and Khushi made their 7 rounds, making their wedding vows. He placed the mangalsutra around her neck and stroked the vermillion over her parting.

At the end of the wedding, when it was time for Khushi to part from her parents, there was a lot of crying and Arnav felt bad. Within a few hours, they would be departing for New York and who knows how long later she would see her parents.

"Arnav bitwa," Khushi's father said, "please take care of her. Don't ever hurt her. Promise me that."

Anav nodded. "I promise." Yet I didn't even agree to this marriage in the first place, he wanted to add.

*~*

Their flight to New York was in a few hours, giving them time to get back to the hotel the Raizada's were staying at, and were able to change into more comfortable clothing. After they were all ready, they headed to the airport and got on their private jet.

The flight was about 18 hours or so and then they arrived in New York. Khushi was very familiar with JFK airport and had no problem saying "thank you" with a proper American accent, when a staff member welcomed to the United States.

They drove off upstate, where their mansion was: Raizada mansion. Khushi was amazed as they pulled up to the iron gates with the initial "R" on it. It opened up and the car went in and Khushi was amazed at the mansion. It was beautiful, no doubt and they had a whole bunch of space around the house.

They entered the house and it was beautiful. Arnav's mother properly welcomed her in and led Khushi up to her new room: Arnav's room. His room was huge! Practically the size of her living room, plus her room. It was amazing how big it was.

Truth is, Arnav's after wasn't always a rich man. He was just an odd worker, working as a regular average man. One day he got hurt at work and sued his boss and managed to open his own company and now he would travel around the world just for business meetings. His wife was with him all the way, and she herself was once a small person too. After her husband became big, he helped fulfill her dream and made her a major fashion designer, and she too, as well, would travel around the world.

"Khushi, I hate to say this," Arnav's mother said, "but your father in law and I have to leave within half an hour for work."

"But Ma, you just arrived-"

"I know, but we can't leave work for too long."

"Are you sure Ma? How about I make something for you-"

"Are you crazy? No Khushi. You haven't been in this house five minutes and you want to work? I can't have my bahu doing that at all!"

"But Ma, it's not a big deal-"

"Please sweetie, for me?"

Khushi smiled. "Okay Ma."

Arnav's mom kissed her forehead. "I knew you'd be the perfect bahu. Love you my child."

Khushi smiled and Arnav's mom left. She turned and Arnav and her stood very awkwardly, nothing but an awkward silence.

"Um, why don't you go freshen up," Arnav said, breaking the silence. "I'm sure you're tired."

Khushi nodded and headed to the bathroom. Arnav was tired too and exhausted. He took off his shirt and stretched out, his body aching from being unable to move around freely from traveling. Khushi came out and she dropped her towel on the floor and gaped at Arnav.

He was standing by the huge windows that went from floor to ceiling, taking up one whole wall. He looked irresistibly good. Arnav felt like he was being stared at and turned around and saw Khushi looking at him.

"Oh, sorry," Khushi said, looking away.

"No, its my fault. I guess I'm not used to the fact that there's also someone else in here, sorry."

Khushi just shook her head and went over to her bags. She took her clothes and went into the bathroom and then eventually Arnav did and then they headed downstairs to eat. It was time for dinner and Anjali came down with her duffel bag packed.

"Hey Chote, I'm heading to the city."

"Already? What's it been? A few hours we got back?"

"I know, but I haven't seen Shyam in so long!"

"Of course! Tell him I said hi."

"No prob." She looked at Khushi. "I'm so sorry Khushi that I'm leaving like this, but I just have to go."

"No Di, it's okay," Khushi said.

"Really? Oh, now I feel bad."

"No, Di, don't. I'm guessing you love the guy?"

Anjali blushed. "Yeah," she said shyly.

"Then you should definitely go."

"You're so sweet! I knew you were the perfect one for my Chote! See you guys in a week!"

Anjali left, leaving only Arnav and Khushi behind.

--------------------

After dinner, all the workers left. There was a separate home for the workers to stay in, not far from Raizada mansion.

Arnav got changed into his sweats and a white v-neck. Khushi was folding some clothes and looked at Arnav as he came out of the bathroom al changed up.

"Bummy swag."

Arnav turned and looked at her. "What?"

"I'm just saying, bummy swag."

Arnav smiled. "Yeah, I guess."

Khushi put the clothes away in the wardrobe. "You don't look bad either."

"Uh' thanks? Although now I'm curious."

"About what?"

"A traditional girl is commenting me in my bummy swag?"

"Don't forget I was here for four years."

"True, but still."

"Oh, well, I was just saying that because, well, you'll find out later."

"Find out what?"

"You'll see," Khushi said, grabbing some clothes and heading into the bathroom to change.