With everyone seated, Arnav made his way on stage to the podium. I have to admit, my husband looked absolutely delicious in his Burberry galore, and just the sight of him made my body ache with desire.
Of course, I had to cool myself and keep my composure, it just wouldn't do, especially in such a public place.
"Good evening everyone," Arnav began, "and welcome to the 12th annual ROHD Gala, where we help raise money for the HLF Organization. I am very proud that HLF has once again agreed to partner with us, in the hopes of providing orphaned children a better future," and everyone clapped.
"Ever since I first started this charity event, I would basically always say the same thing - how I too, am an orphan, and that I know what these children feel, and that is why this organization is so close to my heart - because it provides these children with hope, a chance at a better life, and a chance to a brighter future. And with the help of your donations in the past years, we have been able to do just that, so please, a round of applause for yourselves."
The hall filled up with applause again and slowly simmered down, bringing attention back to Arnav.
"But tonight, I won't just be saying that. Tonight, I want to talk about how for the first time, hope has been brought into my life, how my life has been bettered, and how my future has become brighter.
"For a long time, I found myself to be in the dark. Light simply did not shine through, no matter how hard I tried and wanted for it too. It affected me, affected my behavior, and even caused me to make decisions I regret very much so."
Immediately I thought of that woman but quickly buried it to its grave.
Arnav stayed silent for a moment. "If possible, I would go back in time and change those things. But then I can't help but wonder that if I could change those things, would my life have been so dark that the light which I needed, would have ever appeared in my life? I don't know, and I may never know, but that's alright. All that matters is the light that is in my life, and that is none other than my beautiful wife, my Khushi."
Everyone looked at me as they awed, but I could only look at my husband as my heart ached for him.
"Khushi, you are the light I never knew I would ever have. Ever since you came into my life, nothing has ever been the same - I haven't been the same. And I not only want to thank you for bettering me, but thank divine above for gracing you into my life, for allowing me to be the one who gets to spend the rest of his life with you."
I pursed my lips and fought back my tears. I knew Arnav had to give a speech, but I never knew he was going to say all of this!
"But also, there is another person I need to thank - two really, but one in particular: your mother."
Amma looked at Arnav with surprise, glancing back and forth between him and me.
"Ma, if it weren't for you, I never would've had your daughter in my life. If it weren't for you, I never would've had light in my life. In fact, not only would I have not have your amazing daughter as my wife, but I wouldn't have had you as my mother.
"What many of you may not know is that Ma and I constantly have conversations through text..."
I looked at Amma in shock - even I didn't know this.
"My mother, as many of you may know, passed away with my father in a car accident when I was only 7 years old. Since then, I lacked having a mother, even though I did have my Mami and Mai around, but it just wasn't the same. When Khushi came into my life, I not only got a wonderful life partner, but a mother as well. She has guided me, reasoned with me, and has definitely given me a pointer or two about how to pacify my wife."
At that, some people chuckled.
"Not only that, but she has helped to complete my life. Not only did she give the love of my life, but she gave me a new mother and a new father, and for that, I am forever grateful."
Amma had tears in her eyes, and like me, she forced them back.
"So this year, I want to dedicate this gala you, Ma, for bringing hope into my life, for making my life better, and for brightening my future with the angel that is your daughter."
Everyone in the room erupted into applause, many of them having shed some tears. Arnav gestured for Amma to join him on stage and after I ushered her too, as well as Babuji and Buaji, she went. When she stood before him, Arnav bent down to seek her blessings, but Amma stopped him and hugged him, placing a kiss on his forehead as she ran a hand through his hair.
Many years ago, Amma had really wanted son after me, as well as Babuji. But due to complications, it never happened, leaving a part of her life empty. Perhaps that was one of the reasons why Amma had always tried to push marriage one me - so that she could seek a son from her son in-law. And seeing the two on stage now, it was very evident that Amma finally had the son she she had dreamed of, and Arnav had the mother he had always yearned for, and it made my heart fill with joy to see two of the people I love oh so very much be so happy.
*~*
As Arnav and Kajol came off the stage, not far away, in a corner, stood a woman with a drink in hand.
Well isn't this just interesting.... No matter Arnav, no matter. You can claim that light has entered your life, but I am about to darken it so much, that no light will ever be able to crawl through.
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