Hello Lovely Readers,
Here is the next chapter of this FF,
Hope you all will like it.

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Not Proofread, Please ignore the typos and grammatical mistakes.

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ARNAV'S ROOM :

Arnav finished dressing in his wedding attire and gazed at his reflection, a smile breaking across his face.

"At last, my dream will come true. Now I can hold Pari in my arms without hesitation and shout my love to the world." But his joy dimmed as Khushi's image clouded his mind.

He understood this marriage would proceed without her consent, forcing her into his life. Guilt twisted inside him. He had envisioned a grand wedding for her after winning her love, yet persuading her to accept him as her husband loomed as a formidable challenge. Still, as ASR, how could he yield so easily?

"If she turns stubborn, I'll match her. In fact, I'll outdo her. And how long can she resist ASR's charm? Very soon, Pari, very soon, you'll be mine," he smirked, determination flaring.

His mother Ratna and younger sister Anjali swept in, teasing him with delight. "Oh hooo! So eager to meet my bahu?" Ratna chirped. Arnav blushed faintly. "Kya Mom, aap bhi na!" he protested. "Achcha, okay, enough teasing. Come down ASAP. We must leave," she instructed, ushering Anjali out.

Aman entered as they departed, his face lighting up at his friend's rare happiness. "Hey, brother! Finally, you're marrying today. The whole world's buzzing-do you know how many big shots will attend? I'm thrilled, man. Now I can marry too!"Arnav burst into laughter at Aman's final remark, shaking his head.

"Who stopped you all these days? By the way, who'd marry a chimpanzee like you?" Aman grumbled but grinned, pulling Arnav into a tight hug.

"Don't worry. Nothing will go wrong. They've started their work," he whispered. Arnav nodded, and they headed downstairs.

•──────☆──────•

After a while, the baraat set off for the Gupta house, a vibrant procession drawing the whole of Lucknow and half of Delhi into the celebration. After all, the Prince of Lucknow's wedding electrified the city. They received a grand welcome upon arrival.

Everyone gathered at the pavilion, where the pandit began preparations. He called the groom for rituals, then summoned the bride. Arnav grew restless as the pandit requested the bride.

"Sheetal must've gone by now," he murmured to himself, glancing at Aman.

Aman cast a questioning look at someone in the crowd. The stranger beckoned him, signaling to stay calm.

•──────☆──────•

SHEETAL'S ROOM

Garima entered Sheetal's room to fetch her.

"Open the door, bitiya! Are you ready?" she called, but silence greeted her. "Everyone's waiting. Beta, what happened? Why aren't you responding? Open the door. Look, Sheetal! This isn't time for jokes. We're late. Please, beta!" Garima panicked, banging on the door.

She called Shashi, who rushed in. Moments later, he emerged and returned to the mandap without a word. Garima stared blankly, then re-entered the room. Soon, she led the bride to the mandap, her long veil sparking whispers. Those aware of the plan smiled, delighted-the task was complete.Ratna frowned, puzzled.

"Garimaji, why does Sheetal wear such a long veil? Who does that nowadays?" Garima interjected, "Woh, Ratnaji! It's our tradition, so we had to." Shashi nodded, though Madhu frowned, her concern ignored. Amid the chatter, Arnav extended his hand to his bride, guiding her to the mandap as Aman winked at the stranger, who smiled back.The rituals commenced. Ratna watched the bride and Guptas closely, suspicion brewing, but Arnav's radiant joy silenced her doubts.

The wedding concluded without hitches. "Vivah sampann hua. Now, the bride and groom must take the elders' blessings," the pandit announced. The couple began the ritual.

As the bride hugged her mother, Garima whispered something, eliciting no reaction. She moved to her in-laws. Ratna, while blessing her, asked Garima, "Garimaji, can I see my bahu's face now?"Garima refused.

"Please, after the Griha Pravesh." Ratna instructed Anjali to prepare for the vidai. Hours later, they departed for Delhi.

•──────☆──────•

RAIZADA MANSION (DELHI)

After the Griha Pravesh, excitement buzzed through the mansion to unveil the bride. Ratna brimmed with anticipation.

"Chote, lift my bahu's veil quickly-I can't wait!"Arnav lifted the veil, and while relatives, media, celebrities, and business associates praised the bride's beauty, the Raizada family froze, shock etching their faces.

"How did Khushi get here? Where did Sheetal go?" raced through their minds. The media swarm prevented questions, their cameras eager for the new couple.

The Raizadas dreaded Arnav's temper-he loathed liars and cheats. To him, the Guptas were deceivers. Yet, Aditya and Ratna mused, "What's Khushi's fault in this?" Her emotionless expression told her story of innocence.

Amid the tension, Anjali glowed. She never liked Sheetal, rejecting her photo sent by Aman while abroad for studies. Now, she adored her new bhabi, harboring no complaints.

Astonishment deepened when Arnav introduced Khushi, a soft smile on his lips. "Hello everyone! Meet my wife, Khushi Arnav Singh Raizada," he declared, his hand possessive on her waist. His voice carried a unique claim, his eyes blazing with passion. Ratna noted the emotions but withheld judgment.

Khushi reeled, dizziness overwhelming her as a bride and hearing Arnav's declaration as Mrs. ASR. Garima's pre-wedding words flashed in her mind, and she fainted, alarming everyone, especially Arnav.

He scooped her up, rushing to his room, ordering Aman to call the doctor. Ratna observed closely-neither Arnav nor Aman seemed shocked, only concerned. Arnav carried her like a fragile doll, his anxiety palpable. Ratna recalled the Sangeet night, piecing it together. As his mother, her intuition outshone his cleverness.

She followed the family. The doctor arrived, diagnosing stress from a past accident. "This isn't good for her health," he cautioned, prescribing medicine before leaving. Arnav cursed himself for neglecting her condition, stroking her head affectionately, oblivious to his stunned family.

Subhadra caressed his head, understanding his anguish. "Chote! Let Khushi bitiya rest here and come down with me. It's time to come clean with your parents."Arnav faced his confused, angry parents. Glancing at Aman, who nodded, he sighed and descended, the family trailing behind.

•──────☆──────•

LIVING ROOM

His parents and Anjali waited eagerly for an explanation. Arnav unraveled the truth, unleashing a storm of emotions-rage, loathing, pain, and compassion.When he finished, Ratna enveloped him in her arms.

"You did well. I didn't know my Chote could love somone so deeply," she teased. "But Chote, the issue remains-how do we get Khushi to accept you?" The others nodded.

"Yeh gadha aur mere pyare pyare papa kab kaam aayenge?" Arnav pointed at Aman and Aditya. "They'll tell her how good and gentlemanly I am?" He raised an imaginary collar.

"Right! These boys are useless anyway, so this gives them something to do besides fooling around," Ratna quipped, laughter erupting.

Two loud "WHAT THEs" and gasps followed, but Ratna cut them off, turning to Subhadra.

"I'm mad at you, Ma! You knew all this but didn't tell me? I get not trusting your son's big mouth, but why not me?" she sulked.

Before Subhadra responded, Aditya jumped in. "What the! Ratna, I've endured your insults like forever. What's this about my stomach? I won't tolerate it! Now my bahu's here-she'll take my side. Dekh lena!" He sulked dramatically.

Smiles spread at his pout. Arnav knew his father's act-he never stayed mad. Approaching him, he said, "Come on, Dad! Mom didn't mean it. Leave her-won't you help me win your bahu?" He blackmailed with a puppy face.

Aditya smiled, unable to resist. "Of course, my son. Who can resist my son's charm for long?" he boasted proudly. The family hugged, clearing the air. Later, Arnav returned to check on Khushi.

•──────☆──────•

IN ARNAV'S ROOM

Khushi regained consciousness minutes earlier, disoriented by the unfamiliar room. Realization struck-she had married Arnav, likely in a guest room of his home.

Tears gathered in her beautiful eyes. She never foresaw her life twisting into this, becoming a replacement bride. Her mind drifted to the events hours ago, unraveling how she became the substitute bride of Arnav Singh Raizada.

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Why did Khushi get ready to get married to her to be a jijaji?

Who was the unknown man who helped them in GH?

What did Garima tell her while she took her blessing?

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Regards,
Dipanwita86
25/9/21