Khushi step onto the bike and sit behind him. Arnav along with his friends rides towards his home. They all halted at a restaurant to talk about further action.

"Arnav, it will be good if both of you get married before telling your parents about this." Akash suggested.

"I second that, it will be good if you introduce her as your wife than your girlfriend." Shyam told him.

"Then let's conduct their marriage." Jalal announced.

"Jalal, we can't just go to the register office and get married like that unless we have some connections." Said Arnav looking at Khushi who is sitting beside him with a confused mind. He placed his hand on her hand and lightly squeezed it.

That's when everyone looked at Shyam.

"Why are you guys looking at me like that?" He asked suspiciously.

"Isn't your bhaiyya work in the municipal corporation?" Arnav asked him.

"Arnav, Shyaan bhai can help us in this situation. Shyam call your bhai now itself." Jalal said to Shyam. They forced Shyam to ask for his brother's help. They didn't tell Shyaan about Khushi. Hearing them he told three of them to meet him at the office.

"We will follow you. I have to talk to Khushi for a minute." Arnav told his friends and they left from the restaurant.

"Are you okay Khushi?" Arnav asked taking her hand.

"I don't know Arnav. I never wanted to hurt my family, but I have done that today. On other hand, I can't even imagine getting married to Rahul."

"Your family will come around Khushi. Once they realise that our love is true, they will accept us with both hands. Let's be patient." He lightly squeezed her hand.

"Khushi, are you okay with us getting married tomorrow? You can tell me if you are not ready." Arnav told her.

"I'm ready to marry you but what are we going to do once we get married? Will your family accept me, if not what will happen to..."

"Shhh, don't think about that. I will be always with you, no matter what happens. Everything will be fine Khushi. God can't be that cruel to us." He assured her and they went to meet Shyaan.

Shyaan got surprised to see Arnav with a girl. They told him what happened and what they needed. He agreed to make arrangements for their register marriage.

"Shyaan bhai, can you accommodate us for a day in your house?" Arnav asked Shyaan.

"Sure, let me tell Meera about it."

"Will bhabhi be okay with her stay?" Shyam asked his brother.

"She will, you can trust me on that." Shyaan let them know and asked them to go to his house.

Meera welcomed Arshi and showed them their rooms. Khushi is standing next to the window when Arnav entered the room.

"Khushi, I'm going out. Will be back soon, do you want me to buy something for you?" He asked her.

"No, hmm are you going back home today?" Khushi asked him.

"No, I will be here today."

"Won't your family expect you to be home?"

"I told my ammi that I'm staying over at Shyam's place. So no problem. Khushi, if you need something here, call Meera bhabhi. I will be back soon." Saying this he went from there.

Few hours later,

Arnav came back and went to see Khushi. When he entered her room, he saw her playing with four years old Pihu who is Shyaan and Meera's daughter.

"Pihu, I brought you chocolate." Arnav kneel down and gave the chocolate to Pihu who took it with extreme happiness.

"Can I talk to your didi alone for sometime?" He asked the child and she ran out of the room with the chocolates in her hand.

Khushi looked at Arnav and the shopping bags.

"This is your dress for tomorrow." Saying this he gave her the bag. Khushi opened it and found a simple and beautiful lehenga.

"This is beautiful Arnav." Khushi said running her hands over the dress.

"I don't know if it is your correct size, Meera bhabhi know stitching. If there is any problem, she can rectify it."

"I will check it."

That day it was hard for them to sleep. Tomorrow, everything is going to change. They will be starting a new journey from tomorrow. They hoped that everything goes well and the Rahman family accept her wholeheartedly.

Arnav get up early and did namaz, seeking blessing for both of them on their big day. Khushi too went to a mandir and prayed for their future. Khushi called her friend Payal, to be there as a witness from her side.

Arnav got ready in a white shirt and blue jeans and waited for her. He got spellbound when she saw Khushi in that lehenga he brought for her. She looked beautiful and gorgeous like a princess.

"Am I looking good?" Khushi asked Arnav.

"You looking stunning Khushi, I'm a lucky man." He said and took hold of her hand.

"Khushi, I just want to promise you that I will be there for you and will always love and respect you. I know that marriage isn't a child play, I will try my best to be a good husband. For that I need your trust and support in that. Correct me if I make some mistakes." Arnav managed to say most of the things in his mind which brought tears in her eyes.

"I too promise to love you and respect you. I will try to be a good wife for you. I'm lucky to have you in my life." Khushi told him and in reply he kissed her forehead lovingly.

They signed the papers which bounds them to each other legally. Meera and Shyaan presented them the mangalsutra and vermilion. Arnav tied the mangalsutra on her neck and placed the vermilion on her forehead. He promised himself that he will keep her happy untill his last breathe.

After having a small feast, they went to Rahman Manzil.

Rahman Habibullah looked at his son walking towards his house while holding the hands of a girl.

"Hajra?" Arnav's father called his wife who is inside the house.

"Why did you call..." She halted her words when she saw her youngest son standing in front of their house with a girl who is have apparently got married.

'Ya allah, what have you done Arnav?' Hajra muttered.

Before Arnav can speak anything his father talked.

"Go to your room Arnav." Rahman said to his son. Arnav didn't understand what's going in his father's mind.

"Don't stand here, go inside Arnav." He told again. Arnav took a step forward along with Khushi.

"After making sure that you drop her in her house." His father added and Arnav halted his step.

"Abbu if that's the case, this is her house. They say that husband's house is the house of the wife." Arnav said.

"This is my house then." His father added.

"Abbu, what are you saying?"

"You have grown up into a man enough to take his own decision. Now take responsibility of the deed you have done. What do you expect me to do? Take both of you in here and look after both of you. Arnav, you don't have any idea about life and now you got married to a girl. You have two options, either drop her home or be responsible enough to take care of your life." Rahman said the final word and Arnav looked at Khushi who had tears in her eyes. He held her hand tighter and walked towards his mother.

"Ammi, this is your bahu Khushi." Arnav introduced Khushi to his mother who looked at her with teary eyes.

"Do you remember, once you told me the story of Prophet and Khadijah. Then you told me what made their marriage a successful one. I'm going to do all that you told me and I can't abandon my wife who have faith on me." Arnav told his Ammi and Khushi took her blessing.

Arshi went to Shyaan's house and decided to move out to a new place tomorrow.

Khushi felt terrible recalling everything that is happening from yesterday. Whole day she didn't get Arnav as he went with his friends to find a house for them. She waited for him so that she can talk to him.

***********

"Arnav this is the third house we are checking out. The previous one was better than this. It was fully furnished and reasonably priced." Shyam told Arnav.

"Yeah, but did you notice the bar near to that house. I can't take risk like that. This area seems to be good. The bus stop is nearby and is filled with households. This one will do." Arnav said to Shyam and moved towards the broker. Arnav gave him the advance and agreed to come on the next day.

"Arnav, this one didn't have any furniture at all. This one got a hall, kitchen and a washroom. We can look for something else." Shyam adviced him.

"It's okay Shyam. At least there is some necessary items in the kitchen. I can manage other things."

"Then let's go and buy the things for your new house. One of my friend have a shop and he will give you whatever you want, just pay him on installment."

"Are you sure?" Arnav asked him.

"Yup. Let's don't tire bhabhiji with all these shopping. She already have a lot in her plate." Arnav nodded his head and headed towards the shop Shyam mentioned.

It was around 9 at night, when Shyam and Arnav came back after arranging everything in the house. Arnav don't want to tire her out by arranging the stuffs in the house in this situation.

After having dinner and a small chat, they all return to their room. Arnav and Khushi sat on the bed, not knowing what to do.

"Are you okay Khushi?"

"Yeah, I think I'm okay and I'm sorry for everything."

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because of me your parents disowned you."

"Well, I can also say the same then." He said making her smile a little.

"Arnav, is our love a crime?"

"No, it is not. Or let's say it's a beautiful crime which I would like to do again and again." Khushi giggled a little and he took hold of her hand.

"They all will come around Khushi, let's wait for that day." Arnav assured her and she leaned into his shoulder.

"Arnav, what are we going to do now?"

"Hm, we will settle down in our new house. I will be going to work and you to college."

"But the expenses?" Khushi asked him.

"I agree that I'm a young husband, but that doesn't mean that I'm incapable of taking care of our life. You just concentrate on your studies, i will look after the other things." Khushi held his hand tighter as he squeezed it.

"Arnav, what is the story behind prophet and Khadijah?" Khushi asked after sometime.

"Well, it's a beautiful love story of two people who went against the society like us."

"What is it?"

"Khadijah was a woman of beauty, faith and courage. She is remembered as a woman of strength, of compassion, of faith; the woman who was the first love of Prophet's life, and who remained in his heart long after her death. At that time it widow remarriage wasn't that uncommon, but an older, wealthier, established woman choosing a young, impoverished merchant as her life partner was one of a kind. Khadijah was widowed twice before she met prophet.

Prophet was 25 and Khadijah was 40 when they fell in love and got married. Their marriage was a partnership of true love and understanding, support and trust. I always wanted such a relationship in my life." Khushi smiled at him as he wrapped his arms around her.

He sat with her still wondering why his father did this to them. He know that Khushi is not the problem, but he wondered why.

Before meeting his father Khushi too thought that his family will accept her, but today she is proven wrong. She don't know why he would hate her when he went against the traditional beliefs for the sake of his loved ones.

Khushi know that Arnav was a man who saved Hajra during the time of a riot when she was carrying Arnav in her womb. As a gratitude to that person who saved his wife and child, Rahman named his youngest son Arnav which wasn't accepted by many of their relatives. Rahman also went against the society and let Hajra study which she always wished for. It was only after her studies, they had their children. Khushi wondered why will such a person have any grudge against their marriage.

"Khushi what are you thinking?" Arnav asked staring at her face.

"Hm, nothing." She said as he continues to stare at her. She felt him touching her cheeks. Soon she felt a kiss on her both cheeks, making her breathe go faster.

"You are beautiful." He said placing a kiss on her forehead. He saw her clenching the dupatta and moved back.

"We should sleep." He said and she looked at him with nervousness.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen without your consent." He assured her and squeezed her hand.

"Hmm, I can sleep on the floor if you are not comfortable."

"No, we can sleep here. It's a big bed. You take the right side." Saying this she moved to the left side

Both of them lie down facing each other.

"Goodnight Biwi"

"Goodnight hubby." They slept holding each other's hand, dreaming about a bright future.

Next day,

They all accompany Arshi to their new house and left from there after noon. Finally it's only both of them in the house.

"Do you like the house? I could only manage this within such a short time."

"This house is prefect Arnav. I liked it." Khushi said.

"Hm, we can divide the hall into two rooms with a curtain. So that we can have a bedroom and a hall." He suggested.

"Yeah, that a good idea. I don't want everyone to see our bedroom." She said checking out the mattress spread on the corner of the room.

"Do you want me to buy something?" He asked her.

"Hmm a few utensils, that's all. We can do that later."

"Khushi, the water supply is restricted to a few hours. On morning, it's from 5 to 9 and evening from 6 to 8."

"That okay Arnav. We can store the water."

"Come, let me show around the place then." They left home and he showed her the bus stop, market and all other stuffs.

They came back after having dinner from outside.

"I will go and take a bath." Saying this Khushi went to the washroom. When she came back from the shower, he saw her searching something all over the hall.

"What are you searching Khushi?"

"Hmm, nothing." Saying this she kept searching.

"Apparently, you are searching something Khushi. What is it?"

"It's nothing Arnav."

"Are you searching for pads or something?" His question made her eyes get wider.

"No, it's not that."

"Khushi you can say if you don't have anything. I too have a sister."

"No, it's not that. I will find it myself."

"Okay." Saying this Arnav went tk the kitchen and found something on the kitchen slab. At first he don't understand what is it and as he checked it he got what is it. Now he understood why she don't want him to help her.

"Is this the thing you are searching for?" Arnav asking holding her beast prosthetic.

"Hey devimaiyya." Her mouth formed an O as she saw the scene in front of her.

"Where did you get it?" She asked moving towards him.

"In the kitchen." Khushi closed her eyes remembering the folly she made.

"Give that back to me." As she came near to him, he hold his arms up.

"Arnav, don't play. Give that back." She started to jump and take it from him. While doing that they got landed on the bed with Arnav on top of Khushi. Her lips lightly brushed his lips and they stared at eachother before Arnav took her lips on his lips. Khushi fisted his shirt feeling his lips making love to her lips.

They parted away and stared at eachother.

"Hmm, I will be back soon." Saying this Khushi took the prosthetic and went to the washroom.

Arnav sat their running his fingers into his hair.

That's night, even though both of them were lying closer to eachother, it was hard for them tk sleep. The kiss kept flashing in their minds.

As the days goes, they got closer to eachother. Their little pecks turned into intense kisses which left them breathless.

Khushi resumed her studies while he worked full-time. After office, he used to be a food delivery boy which give him enough money to live. She too started to take tution to near by kids in the evening much to his displeasure. They have their share of struggles, but they were happy in their life.

One day, Khushi opened the door when she head the calling bell.

"Aunty you?" Khushi asked seeing Hajra infront of her.

"Yes me, won't you invite your mother in law to your house bitiya?" Hajra asked Khushi and she welcomed her into the room.

"Arnav will come now, he is taking a bath."

"Khushi bitiya, come sit with me."

"Aunty, you have come here for the first time. Let me bring you some tea."

"Then let's make some tea together. No, I will make some tea for my bahu. Also it's not aunty bitiya, you can call me what Arnav calls me, Ammi." Khushi smiled knowing that his mother had accepted her.

"Come bitiya." Saying this they went to the kitchen.

"Is my son taking good care of you?" Hajra asked Khushi while making the tea.

"Ji, he is. Hmm, ammi are you okay with me? I mean I'm from a different..."

"Bitiya, me and my husband have raised our three kids in such a way that they know what's humanity and beliefs. Humanity comes before everything bitiya. You are my son's wife and if he have chosen you, I know that you are worthy of him. Other things doesn't matter here." Hajra concluded and saw a teary Khushi.

"Now give your ammi a bright smile." Khushi smiled wiping her tears and take out the glasses.

"Ammi, you here?" Arnav asked his mom and rushed near to her.

"Yeah, I'm here and got so many complaint from my bahu regarding you?" Hajra teaser Arnav.

"What? I didn't do anything?" He said like a child.

"Aww my beta, I was just teasing you. Yeah, your darling wife told me that you are taking good care of her. Now both of you have this tea." Hajra gave them the tea and went tk the hall.

"Ammi, how's everyone at home?" He asked his mother.

"Everyone is fine. Hisham and Amira will come to meet you both soon." Hisham and Amira are Arnav's elder siblings who are married to their respective partners and living outside the state.

"Are they okay with us? Di called me few days after our marriage, but bhaiyya didnt call me."

"Your bhaiyya is little busy with work, that's why he didn't call you." Hajra told him.

"What about abba?"

"Your abba is hurt that you got married without our knowledge. He don't hold any grudge against Khushi bitiya." Sshe moved towards Khushi and held her hand.