Sheesh Mahal II

A year had gone by since her wedding.

She stood in Sheesh Mahal looking up at the dome restored to its original beauty .

All the workers were putting the finishing touches for the grand opening of Sheesh Mahal .

Would he come ?

How could he not ?

This was Sheesh Mahal .

She loved it .

This is where his demons sprung from

Had he asked she would have erased it from existence – leaving not a trace

But how ?

The memories – they had met , he had proposed , she had accepted

That she could never erase , she didn’t want too. He was the center of her universe.

She had lovingly restored it piece by piece , brick by brick

But what of him – since that day he never visited Sheesh Mahal again

Would he come ?

She would dress for him

She had  not seen him in the last three weeks.

She missed him

They had hardly spoken he in Dehli she in Lucknow .

Face time had not been enough

She rang

Would he answer ?

Would he have time ?

He answered.

She held her breath

“Hiya , I’m in a meeting “

This was the only call he would take –

she didn’t know that

All her calls were answered -always

Excuse me gentlemen

He looked at Khushi

“You OK  ?”

“Missing you- its finished  “

“I’m glad you can come home now “

“It’s opening tonight “

“It will be perfect “

“You were in a meeting “

“i know “

“Love you “He smiled  bringing the screen close to his lips .

He loved her.

She was the center of his  universe .

He could drown in her eyes.

He would dress for her

How could he miss her biggest achievement

She had poured herself into the renovations of Sheesh Mahal When he awoke she was his first thought

When he slept she was his last conscious  thought

The moments in between were littered with thoughts of her.

Her eyes , her smile , her wrist , her ankles.

He lived for her – did she know ?They were all there – Sheesh Mahal restored to its full glory

Lavanya ,Payal , Amaan , Akaash and  another man who held a special place in her heart.

He had come .

You look breathtaking – but something is missing

He turned her around and placed a solitaire around her neck .

Turned her round and kissed her lovingly on her forehead .

“You didn’t have too “

Shhhh he placed a finger gently against .

“It’s my right , my prerogative, this is your jewel ”

He looked around ” but you are mine .Where is my thankyou ?”

Khushi held his face tenderly her eyes shining with love and kissed him.

He held his arm out for her to take.

“Lets  take the world – Khushi Kumari Gupta “

She smiled back at him as she took his arm “Singh Raizada”

He laughed – “you will always be Gupta to me”

In the business world they were a reckoning force – father and daughter

The party was in full flow .

“He didn’t come for her Amaan”

“He will “

“She will be heart broken”

“He would never let that happen “

“What if he doesn’t come ?”

“Watch and wait – she is his life and breath, he can’t breath without her his demons from this place are long gone , she erased them – he will come  “

“Ladies and gentlemen- my apologies  ” but his eyes were locked with his wife’s.

Khushi held her breath and her father looked at her eyes  pure unadulterated happiness .

“May i  steal her away from you ” looking directly at her dad.

“Son , i thought you already had; I was just borrowing her for a while “

Khushi smiled and kissed her dad .

“it’s breathtaking ” all he could see was the reflection of Khushi in the mosaic .

“I agree ” looking at him directly

 Shall i tell him now

Shall I tell her now

“I need to ..”

“tell you something ..”

She started , he finished .

” I’m yours for 3 weeks Mrs Raizada “

She smiled and hugged him .

“You’ve got me  and ………for life Mr Raizada “

Arnav looked confused by her statement

He looked into her eyes quizzically

She smiled , shyly -this is where it had all started this was the perfect place to tell him. She took his arm and placed it gently on her stomach. Slowly comprehension dawned in Arnav’s eyes .

Payal and La were jumping round excitedly , the boys were looking on what have we missed now – “Look where she has his hand  bootho “

“She has been a bit peaky in the mornings”

“So what does that mean”

“Are you boys just duffers “

“Watch “

Arnav didn’t care if the world was watching he picked her up and swung her round and slowly kissed her.

They all watched on

“La , Payal i still don’t understand “

“Payal spell it out for the idiots “

“Boys Khushi is pregnant “

A long while later when only Arnav and Khushi were left. Khushi sat in Arnav’s lap with her arms round his neck.

“Any ghosts left ?”

“Khushi you buried my demons the day you agreed to marry me – Sheesh Mahal has only happy memories for me”

“You haven’t told me when my son or daughter is going to make an appearance”

“Crap ! Arnav I haven’ t told you something more important “

“What could be more important than you love me and the baby “

“Babies !”

“What the …..”

“Triplets !”

“You never do things by halves do you Mrs Raizada “

The rest was lost in the most tender passionate kiss .

Laughinghly Khushi asked ” Chai Mr Raizada ?”

“Coffee Mrs Raizada ?”

They remembered their meeting in Sheesh Mahal all that time ago.

“Bed i think ” Arnav picked her up in his arms and carried her up to His room all those years ago. A new life , new memories .