He focused on her attentively wondering if he heard her correctly or was it just his mind betraying him? For once he didn't want to jump to conclusions and waited for more. He desperately hoped for more, something to soothe his senses. The calmer he appeared outside, the more he was churning inside. At sudden she seemed to be slipping away. Avoiding him, lying to him and rejecting him.

There was a deadly silence for a long time between the two and it seemed she wasn't going to speak further. But he needed a plausible and acceptable reason for her rejection.

Arnav - Why don't you want to work with me?

Khushi - Because you and I...I mean, it wouldn't be right. You'll favor me...and I wouldn't feel comfortable working with you, like in this situation.

Outside, his stern expression remained the same. But inside, a heavy burden fell off his chest. He took a deep breathe through the nostrils.

His tightened face finally loosened.

He comprehended the situation she was talking about. She would be at discomfort working with him when she was his girlfriend. Khushi has always been a person with principles. He was actually proud of her. If it were some other girl on her place, she would have taken full advantage of being his girlfriend but Khushi wasn't even comfortable with the title girlfriend.

Speaking of It, he put forth a comical proposition to improve her mood and lighten the tensed atmosphere.

Arnav - You don't want to work at my office? Then how about I get another girlfriend to live in and you teach her to be the perfect bahu again? You'll earn and will keep coming home so we could be together.

Her eyes darted at him in furor. She took in the seriousness on his surface and acknowledged his masquerade. So displaying a wide grin she stood up to get back to work.

Khushi - Oh sure. And this time I'll make sure my efforts don't get wasted and you marry that poor girl for real!

He rewarded her mix of sarcasm and wittiness with a genuine smile, the one she admired and couldn't have enough of. A sudden heat arose inside her chest, plastering a smile on her face in response. And after two days she finally felt at ease. She took a deep breath and let the moment of ecstasy sink in before moving away.

She got back to her shift with a much better frame of mind than she had started it with.

*

Anjali absolutely hated it when someone had their heart broken up. She wished for each and every person to find a person like her Shyam ji, who loves them immensely and treated them no less like a king or queen. Unfortunately she was aware that not everyone in this world was that lucky.

But it simply ached her heart to see the devastated state of her cousin NK. Even if he didn't show it, she knew he was hurt to a minimal extent. And she felt extremely sorry for somewhere being responsible for his misery. She should have acknowledged his feelings a lot earlier, recognized his interest in Khushi and stopped him from stepping towards a heartbreak. But she felt guilty for his emotional state today.

Anjali - I still wish you wouldn't leave.

She carefully limped into the room and stood there face to face. She searched for a glint of sadness on his face and found it in his eyes. He was burdened but he was doing well. She found relief in the thinking that he was not damaged.

Anjali - Stay till Holi at least. It's in two days.

NK - Di, you know I love you all. But I was to return tonight anyway. Akash's wedding is done and I gotta get back to Australia. Yeah, I was to postpone my return but...I was delusional.

She stretched her arm out and cupped his face, offering him the warmth of her sisterly love. He smiled in response and embraced her.

He would have loved to stay back but he failed to convince himself for the same. There was no reason for him to stay back longer.

NK - I'll really miss you Di. I'll miss everyone.

Anjali - I'll miss you too NK bhai. I'll miss having you in this home. You are a wonderful person and you'll meet the love of your life soon.

She withdrew their hug and caressed his silky hair. NK has been bringing smiles on other's faces with his jolly nature and she wished him nothing but the best. He deserves someone who could make him laugh as much he did. But most important was someone who would love him back more than he will ever love her.

NK - I'm sure I'll meet her soon, because I'll be back to Nannav and Khushiji's marriage. And maybe some of Khushiji's friends or Nannav's models may be made for me.

She responded with a laugh and a gesture of her head in agreement. She was eased in mind at his positivity.

Anjali - Well, how about I keep my eyes open and select some girls for you? And next time you come to Delhi, you choose one of them.

NK - Sure Di. That'll be fun. I've always wanted to marry a traditional Indian girl.

He assented enthusiastically to her proposal and they then went on to discussing the criteria of his possibly future wife.

*

Arnav hastily entered the premises of Shantivan with his heart racing in a remarkably rapidness, his mind painting the worst possible scenarios he could go through. And all those involved one person.

Arnav - DI!!!

Not only was Anjali surprised to find her brother at home at this hour, she was also taken aback by his behaviour. She acquainted his tendency to over-concern and overreaction regarding her well-being but currently she was baffled at the way he anxiously touched her face and arms.

Arnav - Di, are you alright?

She felt a sudden ting in her heart. Looking at him she could not detect a matured business tycoon, as often she recognised a scared 14 years old Arnav whose inside is frightened and shattered to an unbearable extent.

She put a smile on her mouth and ran a hand in his hair, calming him down with her soothing gesture.

Anjali - I'm alright Chote. But why are you in panic? What's the matter?

It took him a minute to settle back before responding to her query.

Arnav - Jija ji called me and told me to come home. He said it's very urgent. I thought you are-

Shyam - Is it mandatory in this house that only matters concerning Rani Sahiba are labelled urgent? Can't there be any other urgency?

Arnav's frown turned into a stern look as he passed a light and loose smile at Shyam while Anjali's knitted brows deepened even more as her husband appeared into the hallway. She understood the reason behind Arnav's early arrival now and glanced curiously at her brother.

Shyam - I actually called you because of guests. So if you come with me now, I'll introduce you to them.

He gazed at his sister once before following her husband. The look on her face stated she wasn't mindful about the call made by Shyam. She knew that he didn't wish to be disturbed at work unless it were some serious emergencies. Meeting guests didn't fall under the category. A pity he couldn't be as rude to his Jija ji as he allowed himself to be to his elder sister. He liked Shyam for he makes his sister happy but he himself had never been that close to the man.

Shyam - There you go. Arnav, meet Mrs. Mehta. Mrs. Mehta, this is my dear brother-in-law Arnav.

*

It may seem the upper class had everything and could buy, afford everything. Clearly it wasn't the scene everywhere. Each human being carried their own sack of burden on their back even though their problems in contrary to the poor appeared to be nothing - in a literal sense! One such person with such an upper class problem was Mrs. Mehta.

Ranjana Mehta was a partially happy woman. Hers was a perfect family with a daughter and a son - and a lot of wealth of course. So much that her children used money instead of tissues. Both her kids had bought, ooops, I mean acquired their degrees and were soon to take over the business of their father mutually. What is the matter then, you ask?

Well, the matter is about marriage. She was in search for a suitable groom and bride for her son and her daughter respectively. But no boy was handsome and capable enough for her daughter. Except for one: Arnav Singh Raizada. She so much wanted ASR to become her son-in-law. He got the looks, the attitude, the charm and self earned money. He was the most eligible bachelor in the town. The girl who'll get to marry him will be considered so lucky. The only problem was he was allergic to marriage. Devyani Raizada liked Ranjana's daughter and was all ready to get him married to her daughter but unfortunately he wouldn't ever agree.

Earlier he wasn't ready to get married to anyone, later it was revealed he has a girlfriend. Being a young, handsome and wealthy business tycoon in the fashion world it came as no surprise.

ASR was known to be having girls drool all over him. In fact he was one of the most discussed topics at all the high class parties in Delhi. Any girl spotted with him would speculated to be his girlfriend which turned out to be true in the case of Lavanya Kashyap. After few months of living under the same roof, their engagement was announced. Eventually it never happened. Their breakup became a juicy gossip in town. And Mrs. Mehta saw a golden opportunity for her. Unfortunately she was recently turned down by his sister Anjali. Apparently they already did have a girl for him in view. She least cared about it. She wanted to marry her daughter to ASR at any cost. Fortunately for her, Shyam Jha approached her with his brother-in-law's alliance. And she wasn't a person to let a golden opportunity go by.

So there she was today, sitting with the great ASR's grandmother, his aunt, uncle and talking about joining their families by marrying their children to each other. And finally when Arnav made his grand entry into the scene she observed him carefully but with a smile.

The smile that was unable to deceive the grandchild of the house.

Arnav's penetrating eyes wandered around the lounge at the stairs, piercing through the people present there. Except of his Nani, Mami and his Mama there were two additional persons seated on the couch.

His behaviour irked Shyam. Despite an introduction Arnav did not make any efforts of even acting polite enough to greet the woman and her daughter.

Shyam - Saale Sahib, maybe you don't remember but Mrs. Mehta is the wife of Mr. KK Mehta. They own a chain of hotels. And this is Samaira, her daughter.

Even though he was just 27 years old, Arnav would not have been in a position he was today if he would not have the maturity and sanity to read people's mind and see through their schemes. But the scene organised by his very own brother-in-law himself did not even require any big efforts. Even a 10 years old will be able to reveal what this little gathering is supposed to mean.

Arnav - Jija ji, you called me home saying it's urgent. Lemme make it clear once and for all. Meetings, with the purpose of arranging my marriage are NOT an emergency.

The fake smile on Shyam's surface evaporated as soon as Arnav's voice adopted a spiteful undertone. Mrs. Mehta's judgemental eyes were all on him now. He fathom the look that assessed him for living at his in-laws and giving up his self respect. But Shyam wouldn't have been here if he would have let societal critique influence him. His mind only worked towards his goals. And to reach those, he put on a smile on his face once again.

Shyam - I know Saale Sahab but-

Arnav - I am not done yet, Jija ji! As much I respect you, I won't tolerate any interference in my personal life by you. Di does it, because she has all the rights. She is not just my elder sister, to me, she's my mother.

For the first time ever Arnav had allowed himself to talk to Shyam in that tone. Shyam felt insulted. Not only was he being mannerless for the first time, it was in front of his guests. And he could see Mrs. Mehta had a little grin on her face, almost as if she was enjoying this in a sick way.

Shyam now wondered if Arnav had been always like this? His brother-in-law was known for his arrogance and ruthlessness but he hadn't ever witnessed it. He had no idea who Arnav Singh Raizada really was. And Shyam wondered if Arnav had gotten something in his hands or had he not revealed his ASR-self to his Jija yet because Shyam hadn't ever interfered in his personal life, if not forced by Anjali. Of course there was a difference between Shyam and Anjali. Whenever Anjali interfered in her brother's personal matters, she had good intentions and wanted nothing else but the best for him. But in Shyam's case, in contrary to the belief of the Raizada family, he was doing everything for his own good.

Arnav - But I can see that Di is not a part of this act. Hence I don't have to waste my time here. It would be better if you ask your guests to leave.

Nani - Chote!!!

Devyani Raizada had seen and heard enough. Not only was Arnav being impolite to the guests but also insulting Shyam, the son-in-law of the Raizada family.

Nani - Is this the way to talk to your sister's husband? Have you stooped so low now?

Arnav averted his gaze towards his grandmother who had stood up now along with Mama and Mami, the silent observers. They couldn't figure out anything to say. They were as speechless as Nani had been. Arnav was never capable of this. He had a good connection with Shyam.

Arnav - Mrs. Mehta, I think it's best if you take your leave now.

The greedy and hungry-for-gossip Ranjhana Mehta had been observing the scene happening live in front of her. She was enjoying it. But Arnav had provided her with enough stuff for now. He answered to his grandmother only after the exit of Mrs. Mehta and her daughter.

Arnav - Nani, I don't want anyone to pull up a stunt of fake urgency once again, just for arranging my marriage. I won't marry just anyone. Jija ji may have forgotten it but this is not his house and I'm not his younger brother. I'm his wife's brother, not his! And he doesn't-

Anjali - Chote!?

.

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Okay, I know NK's farewell was short and not extended with the emotional family biding him bye and blablabla. I skipped that part because I suppose you can all just imagine it. Of course I could have written it and made the chapter longer but the portion wouldn't have been important. As I already mentioned once, I won't write anything for the sake of it and add unnecessary family drama. It'll be more Arshi and everything revolves around them.

Thanks for the read. Do lemme know what you think of the chapter.

What do you think about Arnav's outburst?

Love,

Pari <3