Warrior - Chapter Twenty Nine

Not so long later, we reached the gates of Raizada mansion. They swung open and Dev drove through them, going up to the mansion. I spotted the large fountain and see that it's lit up, just like on the night of the engagement.

Does that thing ever turn off?

The car stopped in front of the house, and I see all of my in-laws standing at the doors.

"Dev, get these inside to Nigel and have him bring it up to our room," Arnav said.

"Yes, Sir," Dev nodded, and he stepped out of the car.

Dev held open the door for me and I glanced at Arnav. He gives me a small smile and I give one in return, then I step out. I make my way around and look up at the colossal mansion before me, Arnav coming to my side.

"Shall we," he asked softly.

I nodded, and we headed up the steps, Arnav holding my hand to give me support. We reached the doors and his entire family is smiling at us.

Except Shalini.

"Seriously Chote, even tonight you had to be late," she frowned.

"Sorry Ma, it was just a quick stop."

Shalini's frown quickly turns into a smile. "Oh, I can't stay mad at you, not on your wedding day!"

"I don't think you ever can, isn't that right Nanav," NK teased.

They all chuckled and smiled, and Shalini waved her hand.

"Oh, stop it you! Now let me greet my new bahu in!"

"Here you are bhabi," Akash's mom said, handing over the puja tray to her.

Shalini takes it and beams at us, and starts the procession. Soon, a small pot of rice is placed before me.

"You're going to use your right foot and knock this over," Shalini beamed.

Well yeah, it's not like I didn't know that. It only is my second time doing this.

I stepped out of my heels and lifted my right foot, and as I do, flashes of the past cross my mind. I remember doing it two years ago and how a relative from his family judged me for not exactly tossing it over straight and that it was a bad sign.

Honey, the bad was already in your home, reeking poison, the fuck!

Without even realizing it, I knocked the pot over. It's when the coolness of the pot touches my foot that I snap back to reality, and I noticed that the pot has fallen straight forward, the rice spewing out.

Oh shit.

Everyone clapped around us and we moved inside, stepping over the fallen pot. A tray of red alta is placed before me and I looked around at the gleaming white marble tiled floors.

Am I really going to be staining it? ...well okay, maybe not exactly staining but... is that okay with these hella rich folks?

"Khushi, you may step into the alta, and then with your right foot first, mark your entry into your new home," Shalini smiled.

Again, I'm instantly transported back to two years ago. Only then, when I was to step out of the alta then, I was given a white tarp to walk on and leave my prints on.

Amazing how with these guys, they didn't care, and yet with those monsters....

Wow.

Lifting my skirt, I stepped into the tray. I feel Arnav support me, taking hold of my left arm. He continued to support me as I stepped out and walked forward, leaving behind my mark as I entered my new home, the family clapping around me.

Holy shit, I'm actually going to be living in this mega-mansion!

Shalini and Aryan lead the way and we go into a hallway beneath the left hand staircase, and I remember Shalini mentioning that it led to the family room, as well as some other rooms. A short walk down, and we reach the entryway of the family room. Unlike the formal living room up front, this room was much more casual. While the formal room was posh and showed wealth, this did not. A large light gray L-shaped sofa sat in the middle, two matching armchairs on the third side. A small wooden table sat in the middle, a fireplace just beyond it, with a humongous TV mounted on the wall.

Holy shit! What if the beast falls off?

On the left wall, I see numerous family photos have taken it over, and on the right, I spot large floor-to-ceiling length windows.

This place is beautiful!

"Akash, NK, help me clear the middle," Shalini said.

The boys nod and they move the table out of the way. As they do, workers appear with a large bowl and they place it down where the table once was. Other workers start to place cushions around it, and I already know what this is for.

Shalini leads us forward and the family follows behind. Arnav and I are seated opposite of each other, and I glanced down at the large bowl that is filled with milk and rose petals. Again I see images of the past, but I force it down, not wanting to think of his face.

Not right now! Not. Right. Now!

Shalini is speaking words, but I'm not too in tune with it because I'm trying to calm my mind. Fortunately, because I already know what this is all about, I'm not too worried. It has to do with whoever finds the ring first will be the leader among the two. I didn't win the first time around, but then again, I was too shy and panicky because I wasn't sure if it would be a good thing if I did get the ring. This time around, I didn't care, and when Shalini said to start, I put my hand into the liquid and cared to move my hand around.

I wasn't going to be a shy, pathetic bride like last time.

Was I playing competitively? No. Casually? Not exactly. Just regular would be the right way to put it. You know, normal. My hand moved around and anytime I crossed a petal, I felt it up, and when I found nothing, I moved on. Glancing up at Arnav, I see that he's looking at me, and then he looks back at the bowl between us. His family cheers around us, and his cousins are cheering me on, wanting me to win.

"Come on Chote, you've got this," Aryan cheered on.

"Oh please," Shalini scoffed. "Remind me who won during our time," she smirked.

"You did jaaneman," he winked.

"Exactly! You Raizada men don't stand a chance! Come on Khushi, I know you'll win!"

I'm momentarily stunned by the love between my in-laws. I mean Aryan just straight up called Shalini his jaaneman and everyone was normal about it.

They're actually that much in love? After everything?

My thoughts quickly come to an end when I feel something. I quickly grab at it and lift it up, only for it to be Arnav's hand.

"Can this be a determination of something," Akash teased.

The others chuckled around us, and I look from Arnav's hand to his eyes.

"Sorry Khushi, not exactly what we're looking for," Shalini chuckled.

I let go of Arnav's hand and quickly put mine back in the bowl, feeling around again.

I don't have time for that stupid shy bride shit.

Arnav soon placed his hand back in the bowl, and just as he does, I feel something again and pick it up.

I found the ring.

Everyone clapped around us, NK letting out a whistle.

"Alright, bhabi," he cheered.

"See, told you," Shalini smirked at her husband.

Aryan lets out a sigh. "I guess that's the kismet of Raizada men after all. Oh well, nice try Chote."

Arnav shoots a small smile at his dad.

"Chote, place the band on Khushi's left hand," Shalini said.

I held the ring out to Arnav and he took it. Then I held out my left hand, which he takes hold of with his right, and he placed the ring on my ring finger, joining my humongous diamond. I didn't notice it before, but this new ring also had numerous tiny diamonds.

Fucking hell!

"Well, now that the games are over, I think it's time we call it a night," Shalini said.

"Or day," NK said, glancing out the windows.

"True," she chuckled in return. "I don't expect anyone to be up before twelve at minimum!"

You mean I won't have to get up early and do all that bahu shit? Sweet!

"Chote, you're not that tired yet, are you," Aryan asked.

"No, why," Arnav frowned.

Aryan glanced from his wife to his son. "There's just one last thing left to do."

He has us all follow him to the main hall, entering the foyer.

"There's on last tradition to be fulfilled," Aryan said, wrapping his arm around his wife's waist.

Oh?

"It's more of a newer tradition. Actually, your mother and I invented this one," he smiled proudly.

Arnav frowned at his old man. "And that would be...?"

"You must carry your newly wedded bride up to your room."

Papa in-law say what now?

"No way," I hear Akash say from behind me.

"Are you serious," NK asked.

"Absolutely," my new father in-law nodded. "I did it with your Pari Ma, and mind you, she was pregnant at the time."

I glanced between the two and then at Arnav.

Holy shit!

"So Chote, are you ready," Aryan asked.

Arnav looked down at me as I looked up at him.

Some traditions these people have.

"That, of course," Aryan continued, "if it's okay with you, Khushi."

I'm a little surprised as I look at my new father in-law. He smiles at me softly and genuinely, as does his wife. The fact that he's even asked for my permission... I'm just stunned.

I give a small nod and Aryan lights up.

"Splendid," the man beamed. "Now then, Chote, time to fulfill this tradition. Unless of course you can't," he shrugged lightly.

"Don't underestimate me, old man," Arnav smirked.

"Old man? I'll have you know that I still carry your mother around like it's nothing."

Shalini scolds her husband lightly, slapping his arm lightly as well, but the smile on her face was too obvious. Arnav rolled his eyes at his parents, then he bent down and picked me up into his arms. Akash and NK whistle behind us while the elders cheer and clap. Arnav starts heading towards the staircase and I hold onto him as he heads up. I'm momentarily stunned by the strength this man has - I mean given this dress, there's no way I'm that light right now. And yet he continues on, walking down to his bedroom. He opened the door and walked inside, then placed me down on my feet. Arnav then turned on the lights, bringing the room to life. I spotted the food sitting on a table in the small seating area, and again my stomach starts dancing.

Oh yeah, I'm really hungry.

"Why don't you wash up first," Arnav said. "Your stuff arrived this afternoon and I placed it in the closet."

He put my stuff away?

We walk into the closet, and versus the last time I had seen it, it had completely changed. All of his stuff was now on one side, while mine took up the other. I could see that he organized my clothes, putting casual stuff in one place, the desi stuff in another, and so on.

I'm beginning to realize that I have a lot of clothes. And this isn't everything, there's still some stuff back home for if and when I visit.

I turn to Arnav. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"For putting my stuff away."

His small, polite smile appears. "It's the least that I can do. I guess I'll leave you to it," and he walked out.

I notice the entryway to the bathroom, so I turn back to my clothes and grab a t-shirt and pajama bottoms, then head inside. I hadn't seen the bathroom last time, so I'm stunned as I step into the spacious, white bathroom. Along one wall is a set of his-and-hers sinks with a large mirror taking up the space. Opposite that is the windows, and a large, clawfoot tub sits besides it. It's quite impressive, just like the large shower, which could pretty much hold 15 people, though I could hardly imagine why.

Shit, I made it! I really made it... holy shit!

Instead of allowing myself to continue to be mesmerized, I shift my focus into changing out of my bridal wear. First, I carefully remove my dupatta from my head. Then I remove some of the chunky jewelry, then slip out of the choli and lehenga. When it's off of my body, I instantly feel lighter, and I catch my reflection in the mirror. There's still some of my jewelry on me, my bun still in place. Other than that, I'm naked- well, except for my underwear. It's the first time in two years where I'm almost nude in some place other than my room and it feels very odd. My eyes dart to the entryway, where Arnav could easily walk in, so without another thought, I quickly put my clothes on. I quickly wash up a little, though I doubt the masterpiece on my face will come off so easily, and I'm proven right when I see that barely anything has shifted. I dry my hands, then head back to the closet and set my wedding attire aside. Then I walk back into the bedroom and see that Arnav has put out the food, and it all smells so good!

"My mouth is watering," I said, still looking at the food.

Arnav turned to me and chuckled. "Trust me, you won't be disappointed."

I hope not. I've always heard about Sal's but have never gone because of the huge lines it always had. But given that it was four in the morning, that explains the lack of one, but why would I on an ordinary day stay up that late just for food from there? When I can easily get from elsewhere? Yeah right!

"I'll go wash up now," he continued. "I put your products on the vanity, feel free to reorganize it," he smiled softly, then headed off to change.

When he disappears, I go to the vanity. Lo and behold, my stuff is here, though brand new stuff of the things I usually use; all the old stuff is back home. I noticed my micellar water, as well as some cotton pads placed in a jar. I remove the rest of my jewelry and set it down, the others having been left on the closet island, and then I work on removing the masterpiece that is sitting on my face. By the time Arnav returns, most of it is gone, but I look ridiculous. I mean one half of my face looks stunning while the other is blah!

"They really did some artwork, didn't they," Arnav chuckled.

"I'll say," I scoffed lightly.

He stands besides me and picks up his moisturizer. "By the way, I cleared out the drawer on your side so you can put stuff in there. I'm sure there's more makeup and products to join this stuff," he chuckled.

Curious, I open up the drawer in front of me - it is empty. "I'm sorry for taking over your stuff."

"Don't be. This is how it works, after all. We're partners and we share everything in this room."

I simply look at him for a moment, and then returned to the task at hand. Armav is done moisturizing his face, and I can't help but to eye up his left arm, full of amazing tattoos.

One day, I'll be asking about each and every one of them.

Done with his nighttime regimen, Arnav goes over to the food and sits down.

"You can start, if you want," I said.

"I'll wait," he smiled softly.

Huh... what a gentleman.

I finish removing all of the gunk that is on my face, then grab my toner and put it on me, then moisturize. I'll wash my face properly in the morning, no point given all the grease that's about to fill my pores.

With all of that done, I head on over to Arnav, and he looked me up and down.

"You look exhausted," he frowned.

"Kind of," I shrugged. "I can't remember the last time I was up this late for anything other than work."

Arnav let's out a chuckle. "I know the feeling. Here, sit," he gestured to the empty armchair beside him.

I sit down and bundle my feet beneath me.

"Feeling cold?"

"No, just getting comfy."

Arnav smiled at me and then hands me my burger. The scent hits my nose even harder and I'm ready to drool like a bulldog! I open it up and a take a bite, and oh my fuck! It tastes like heaven! I let out a groan, my eyes rolling back as I shut them.

"This is one damn good burger," I groaned.

Arnav chuckled besides me. "Told you," and he takes a bite of his.

We continue to eat, munching on our fries now and then and taking sips of our sodas as we chat here and there. Some time later, we're finally done with our meal and are fully satisfied.

"That was too good," I said, patting my stomach. "Though I have to admit, I'm still mad that I barely got to eat any of that tasty pulao," I scowled. "I mean who the fuck created the rule that you can't eat the food you pay for and chose at your own wedding?"

"No clue," Arnav chuckled. "But if I ever find them, I'll definitely be having a word with them."

"Here, here," and Arnav chuckled once more.

We get up and quickly wash up before discarding the trash. Once that's out of the way, Arnav turns to me.

"Um, Khushi? There's something I wanted to ask you."

I tilted my head with a frown.

"I know that... the circumstances of our marriage is different than that of the average one."

My eyes slightly widen.

"I know that you've only agreed to this for your own protection, and I swear I will always protect you. I want for you to always feel safe, and above all, I never want to pressure you into anything. That being said, I respect your boundaries, and to help you feel comfortable, I was wondering if you'd be okay with me sleeping on the floor while you slept on the bed?"

Arnav Singh Raizada say what now?

I feel my jaw loosen as I gape at the man. He only looks at me, waiting for a response. I looked at the humongous bed that is against the wall, and then look back at Arnav.

All that space... and he wants me to have it?

"Arnav, I... I mean, no, I can't take your bed-"

"It's yours as well now."

I look at him for a moment and remember his words from earlier. "I thought you said we were partners and we shared everything in this room?"

"I did. But your comfort matters most, first."

As I looked at the man before me, I can't help but to think of the events of two years ago. Unlike now, back then, he hadn't even thought of proposing such an idea. No, instead we just shared a bed, which was much smaller than this. At one point in the night, I had wanted to put something in between us to divide us, but I was hesitant on it, and didn't sleep the whole night.

Yet here was Arnav Singh Raizada....

"I can't kick you off of your own bed," I finally said. "I'll sleep in the floor-"

"No, I can't let that happen," Arnav frowned.

"Why not?"

"You won't be comfortable."

"Oh, and you will," I scoffed, crossing my arms.

"Yes because I'm used to it."

Huh? I look at Arnav with a frown and he lets out a sigh.

"When I was younger, I used to sleep on the floor of our tiny apartment. That way my parents could sleep together."

I'm slightly stunned when I hear Arnav's words.

"Of course, my parents didn't like it one bit, so instead of sleeping on their bed, they'd sleep on the floor as well."

Wait, what?

I can't help but to think of the grand mansion around me and compared it to the words Arnav Singh Raizada just said. It amazes me how they went from people sleeping on the floor, to excessively large, comfy beds. Then again, because of the circumstances, they were forced to. But still....

Finally, I let out a sigh. "Arnav, I can't kick you off of your own bed."

"You're not. I'm asking you to take it solely for yourself. I want for you to take it solely for yourself and I want to sleep on the floor. There's a difference."

I looked at the room around us; there's definitely more than enough space for Arnav to sleep on.

"Are you sure," I asked softly.

"Positive," he nodded.

"Um... okay, I guess."

"Great," Arnav smiled softly. "Just think of it as a sleepover between two friends."

Friends.... I remembered Arnav's words from our dinner, remembering how he wanted for us to be friends first before anything.

I guess if you put it like that....

I make my way to the left side of the bed and Arnav makes his bed on the floor. He grabs his pillow and sets it down while I sit on the bed. He grabbed a duvet as well, then settled down onto the floor, then looked at me.

"There's a switch by your left when you're ready to turn off the lights."

I look to my left and spot it. "Okay."

Arnav gives me another soft smile. "Good night, Khushi. Sweet dreams."

"Good night, Arnav."

With another smile, he settled down onto his pillow and shut his eyes. I reached over and turned the lights off, then leaned back against my pillow. I took a look of the room surrounding me, completely different than that of my own. Two years ago, I experienced something similar. Only then, I expected to get used to it some day because it would be the room I would be spending the years in with my partner for life. Only none of that turned out to be the case... and here I am today.

I quietly crawled to the end and looked over at Arnav once more, and see that he's fallen asleep. Letting out a sigh, I relaxed a little, then moved back and shut my eyes. Unlike two years ago, tonight on my first night at my new in-laws, I actually do get some sleep.