Chapter 5 Part 1

It was an open Carriage Arnav and Khushi sat inside. Khushi shifted to the side keeping a distance from him. Arnav noticed, he didn't like it one bit. Taking a deep breath he said

Arnav: Are you ready to leave

Khushi nodded and they started their journey. The horses galloped along the rocky road and they kept going up and down. Khushi not being use to this she kept coming closer to Arnav indirectly and within a few seconds she landed up an inch away from him. Arnav felt her close he looked towards the side to find her sitting almost on him. She became conscious and started to distance but he didn't let her. He stretched his arms put one around her waist and in a jiffy he pulled her close towards him. She widened her eyes at him move and looked at him. He looked straight and had a wide smirk on his face. Khushi nodded her head side ways and said

Khushi: why did u do that

Arnav: so you could sit properly

Khushi: i was doing fine

Arnav: (raising his eye brows he said) i could see that

Khushi rolled her eyes in frustration and simply looked forward finding it meaningless to argue with him. She was use to his touch any way. But in her mind she had cursed him a lot almost 220 times calling him things like Khadoos, Screw Boy and her personal favorite Laad Govenor.

They were quite through out the ride and when they reached the city Khushi started to become uncomfortable as they reached the market place. She was familiar with the people and was worried about what they would talk about when they saw her. She didn't want to be a joke when she finished the 6 months with Arnav. Arnav realized her uneasiness as she flinched in his arms he stopped her and said in a sweet voice

Arnav: don't worry i am here (he blinked her eyes giving her assurance of it)

Khushi nodded just that one line made her feel better and safe. She didn't know why but it did. Sitting quietly she looked forth and they entered. As they rode through the streets all the people were excited to see Arnav there. They cheered in full volume but seeing Khushi lots of woman started with their gossiping whispering in each others ears Khushi saw it and felt bad she didn't show it though but she felt irritated with them.

As the carriage stopped a foot man came and opened the door. Arnav got out first and let out a hand for khushi who delicately placed her hand in his and came out. He looped her arm around his and held it protectively and they progressed into the market. To armed guards followed them as they went. Arnav said

Arnav: i am expected to attend a village meeting now. Its going to be boring but if you want you can take one of the guards and get into the market for some shopping if you like (he suggested)

Khushi: (looking at all the people staring at her, she felt safe with him and so she softly said) If you don't mind can i come with you. I don't want to be left alone because they are starring at me i don't know what to answer

Arnav: (looked at her innocence and said) Yeah sure

Khushi was actually shocked with how he agreed, She was happy he said yes but wondered why today he was so sweet. Something was very wrong with him she thought. But secretly in her heart she liked this Arnav

Arnav escorted her to the village meeting place. There were tow chairs under the big Oak tree and the entire village was gathered around it. On the left side she found Shyam standing there and on the right she found this young man who was dressed in amour he looked handsome and kind. As Arnav walked in with Khushi hand in hand the village folk were curious and astonished to see her with him. Akash on the other hand winked at Arnav playfully and he had a smirk on his face. Arnav rolled his eyes this didn't go unnoticed by Khushi who knew that something is cooking between them. Shyam on the other hand boiled to death seeing her in his arms. The village Panchayat meeting started Arnav and Khushi sat side by side and then Arnav said

Arnav: Mishraji what seems to be the trouble

2 old men dressed in kurta's came in. As they began telling the story

Mishraji:  Huzoor  the thing is that Sharma's daughter is getting married to my son. but in return they are not able to give the lump of dowry that we demand for. So we want to brake the marriage.

Sharma: Huzoor we don't have more money i have given them everything. my land my cows i no more to give. Huzoor my daughter loves Kartick a lot she will die if they don't marry (He folded his hands and pleaded in front of Arnav.)

Khushi who was watching the whole scene was not happy with what just happened. A lonesome tear fell from her eyes and she began sniffing trying to control it. Arnav heard her sniffs and saw her he could make out she was crying and he knew why. So he asked her

Arnav: Khushi you ok

Khushi: Yeah (she nodded not wanting to let him know)

Arnav looked forward and then began the questioning

Arnav: How much was the sum of money that you asked for

Mishraji: Huzoor 2 lakhs

Arnav: how much are you able to give out of that Sharma

Sharma: 1.5 lakhs

Shyam: Your majesty if i may interject, i think that Sharma should either pay the money or break the marriage. Mishraji is only demanding what he deserves

Akash: Arnav.. (he took a pause and then said) Your majesty i think this is not right i feel something is wrong her

Arnav: (took a pause and then turned to Khushi and said) What do you think is the solution to this problem

Khushi: (looked shocked at him and then said) Are you really asking me

Arnav: (satiating the fact) Yes i am

Akash was standing by Arnav's side and controlling his laughter on Khushi's reaction

Khushi: (softly spoke and said) Its wrong its not right, Dowary is a sin. I don't think there should be any demand of money in return for marriage what so ever because marriage is a sacred bond not a deal. (she said)

Arnav: Call the boy and girl who are going to get married i want to talk to them

Mishra called his son and Shrama called his daughter the young couple looked at each other and then Arnav both were scared to death Arnav asked

Arnav: Do you love this boy with all your heart (he looked at the girl with seriousness)

The girl looked up and nodded her tears of sadness were evident in her eyes. He then looked at the boy and asked

Arnav: Do you love this girl and promise to protect her in the given circumstance

Boy: (every one looked at the boy, He looked up and saw all the expected faces of his dad, his future in laws the girl and Arnav, he took a breath and said) Yes i will, Your majesty

There was a loud ghasp in the air People were shocked that the boy is going against his father and standing up for the girl and her family, The boy came towards the girl who had tears in her eyes and held her hand and then said

Boy: Your majesty, Father and all the respected people of the village i know i am going against my fathers wishes but i love this girl and she is my life. I want to marry her and i don't want even a penny in return for it. (he walked to his father and then said) I am marrying her out of love not for the money

Arnav: (calmly said) Fine then its settled, This boy will marry this girl and in return there will be no dowry given not even a penny. This is my final decision

Every one was shocked Khushi had a smile on her face with the way Arnav dealt with the situation, The crowed started talking away when Shyam came and said

Shyam: Your majesty he is just a boy he doesn't know what he is talking about how can we not have the dowry system its been there for years no one has married with out dowry

Arnav: Then it is time things change Shyam (he said flatly and then, he looked at the village and said) From now on when it comes to matters of marriage there will be no dowry involved. I want to ban the dowry system from this state. (Arnav made himself clear)

Both the girl and the boy came to Arnav as they bent down and thanked him. The boy said

Boy: Thank you your majesty

Arnav: no its ok, just promise to keep her happy always

Boy: i will always keep her happy

On seeing this Khushi's smile increased seems her laad governor was not so beastly after all he did have a heart there some where.

The meeting ended and Arnav and Khushi got up to leave, but were stopped by Mishra who was angry as ever, HE knew this was Khushi's fault and so he said

Mishraji: Aren't you the same girl who fell into the princes arms looks like you have spun a web around him (he taunted Khushi)

Arnav: (started to boil wit anger which raised every second, he went to mishra with anger all over his face, held his collar and said) Don't you dare saying thing about her

Mishra was surprised by Arnav's reaction so was every one els and Khushi's eyes wide she didn't know what to say. Mishra took a deep breath and then said

Mishra: Your majesty this gig lis a cheat she is an orfan and she stays near the river bank, SHe will ruin your life

Arnav: (held on harder and then said) I know what she is (with that Arnav began punching him on the face Akash came to stop him but he would stop the crowed was going wild)

Khushi was also trying to stop him. She yelled out

Khushi: Arnavji stop please (she held his hand, with a tear in her eye)

Arnav looked back unable to see her sad he stopped threw Mishra on the floor and went to her and wiped her tears and then said

Arnav: Shh its ok

There was silence people were shocked and then Arnav said

Arnav: Dare any one say a word against her. This woman is just more than a local girl understand that well. I don't owe any one an explanation of what she is to me. But until she is with me no one and i repeat no one can treat her badly. And if any one dares to then it the dungeons for them for the rest of their life

Saying that he held  a shocked Khushi's hand and took her out of that place. Akash and Shyam followed them out and the crowd just stood their stunned