Not proof read yet. Plz ignore typos or point them out. They'll be corrected soon 😋

And now have fun.

This update is dedicated to @ArshiSarRunHolic who stayed up till nearly 5 AM and binge read almost all the chapters 😚

Hands fisted. Nostrils flaring. Teeth gritted. Eyes glaring.

That's how they stood in Aman's cabin. Her back collided with the wall. His body leaning dangerously close to her.

'Here I am, trying to mend things. But you just don't seem to care.' Only he knew how much he fought with himself to keep his voice low for his anger had reached heights. Yet he couldn't manage to suppress the hazardous tone.

But did it scare her? Of course not.

'Yes. I don't care. Why should I? After all you did!' It was her turn to express her rage. She stepped ahead in haste, ready to pounce on him. He stepped back in response.

He frowned at her accusation and recovered soon enough.

'You didn't leave me any other option. Did ya?' He moved forward, resulting in her going back as she threw a look of disgust at him.

It was a usual Tom & Jerry episode. Jerry hits Tom, Tom hits Jerry, Jerry hits back, Tom takes his turn.

'So you will have my family humiliated to make me work for you?' He heard the hurt in her serene voice. Her eyes moistened. And it stung him.

'You were alone, Khushi. I did research before sending Shukla.' He shook his head in denial and brought his hands up to cup her jaw. 'I would never drag your family into our matters.'

'You don't understand it, do you?' She pushed his hands off her face and continued. 'It doesn't matter if they were home or not. It matters that the whole neighbourhood watched how we were about to be thrown out of our home. And it's humiliating. It matters that people now know about our problems. You won't understand.' She whispered the last sentence as her head hung low, her eyes closed.

He'll never be able to understand the humiliation she faced as all those eyes from the neighbours were directed at her, judged her and her family, exchanged some gossip with each other, speculating what problems the family may be going through. It wasn't easy.

And getting to know that he was behind it, that she was the reason for another humiliation of her family, it was nothing she could just let go of easily.

He took in her smashed form and looked down.

Damn it. I hurt her.

He never meant to involve her family in this. He just meant to pressurize her by sending Shukla. He neglected the fact that the scene created was watched and witnessed by the entire neighbourhood. When it comes to her, he tends to forget there are people on this planet, living around them.

But he was sorry. He truly was.

'I...I'm really-' He grabbed her hand and attempted an apology which was interrupted by her as she harshly pulled her hand out of his'.

'It doesn't matter if you're sorry. It doesn't matter to me. Because I thought that, you won't ever hurt me again. I thought those days are over. I thought you are a changed man. But, you aren't.' She sobbed and inhaled a sharp breathe to recollect energy and gain strength for the upcoming words. 'And if my feelings, my family's honor doesn't mean anything to you, then there is no future for us.'

He stared her, dumbfounded and knitted his brows together in disbelief. Was she serious? Did she mean to really end their relationship? Just like that?

He gripped her wrist hindering her from leaving. She struggled in vain.

'You're so wrong...' He said turning himself and in one swift motion pulled her closer twisting her arm loosely behind her back. '...if you think I will just let you go.'

She glared at him in fury but it vanished as soon she looked into his eyes. Instead of anger she was met with despair. And suddenly her breathe became heavy as he settled his forehead onto hers. The proximity giving her goosebumps.

'I never knew how it is to be in love with someone. What you're supposed to do, what you aren't. Ever since I've realized that, whatever I feel for you is love, I just know one thing, Khushi. I can't stand seeing you hurt and I would never ever want to hurt you deliberately.' She closed her eyes as he unmasked himself. This man had the ability to both get her as furious as possible and as composed. And his currently his husky voice seemed to soothe her nerves and awaken a strange shivering in her body at the same time.

'I'm an idiot. I can't help it Khushi, I tend to go overboard with challenges and do not realize what pain I'm causing to the other person.' She gulped as he exclaimed what was true. And who better than her knew that? Whenever they cross each other's ways, they fight and challenge each other. Only he would do anything to win. But she would never forget the dance they shared. That was the one time he didn't care about winning or losing, he was there for her when she needed him.

'I will always try to respect your wishes, your family's honor. But I'm new to all this...I need you to bear me. Can you? Can you forgive me? Can we start over? Just this once...please.' She tilted her head as a lone tear escaped her eye. His low voice was cutting through her heart. She was weak when it came to him. As long he is the ruthless Arnav Singh Raizada her mind manages to oppress her heart. But as soon he opens himself to her and reveals her Arnavji, she can't help but melt.

His warm breath touched her pink flesh, his lips almost pecking her cheek creating havoc in her as he declared his feelings openly in clear words. 'Pagal hoon tumhare liye. Nahi jee paunga tumhare bina. Kamzor kar diya hai tumhare pyaar ne mujhe. Itna...ke aisa lagta hai tum mujhe nahi mili toh...shayad main mar-' (I'm mad for you. I won't be able to live without you. Your love has made me so weak. So much that I feel, if I don't get you I'll probably di-) He couldn't complete his sentence as her soft fingers landed on her lips and stopped him from speaking further.

She pulled away as he let her free. 'Dare you say that!' She chided him madly as she met his eyes assuredly. She accepted no nonsense when it was about him. He blinked tentatively as she pulled him by the tie and added. 'I can count thousand flaws of yours. Because you are a Laad Governor! But you are my Laad Governor!'

Her voice broke as she couldn't hold back anymore. She wrapped her arms around him letting her sobs out. He reciprocated to the hug closing his eyes. They didn't realize until now how much they craved for this. Being in each other's arms with no worries or problems between them. Just two people hopelessly in love with each other.

She didn't want to forgive him so easily. She didn't want to let him go through with humiliating her and manipulating people to get his way.

But she was helpless and powerless in front of her heart which desired Arnav only.

She lowered her heels and slipped her head from his head down onto his chest. It rested on his heart as it beat for her. He placed his cheek on her head and gently stroke her scalp.

'Please understand, we don't have much. Honor is the most precious possession of my family. Never play with it.' She didn't move from the embrace and said what needed to be said, almost pleading.

She had forgiven him. She couldn't be mad at him any longer. Not after he poured his heart out. Because at the end of the day they belonged to each other. Their love is their weakness. But in all that she doesn't ever want to compromise her family's honor. She just want him to know that.

'I'm so sorry Khushi.' He eyed her, feeling guilty for his action. He was wrong in sending Shukla there and letting him create a scene there. In real he didn't think that far. He didn't know Shukla would gain everyone's attention and humiliate the Guptas like that. He hadn't considered it. He just wanted him to scare her so she wouldn't be left with any other option than accept his job offer. And now as great was his guilt.

But she can't see him in misery. He had already apologized and she had forgiven him. They should move on now.

'Don't waste your stock of sorries for the same thing. It's a long life. And as I know my Laad Governor- I mean, ASR, you're definitely going to fall short on sorries.' She stated with a smile making him chuckle.

She raised her toes and lightly placed a kiss on his jaw. 'I love you Arnavji.'

He looked down at his smiling Khushi. She was so innocent, so naive and angelic. She seduced him even without knowing it. If she knew how much he was attracted to her? Did she know how awfully appealing her lips were? He hadn't forgotten her taste from the kisses on Holi. And he was dying for just one more kiss.

She already noticed and recognized the intense stare. And it would be a lie to say she didn't want it herself too. But she was too shy to even admit it. And so when he released her from his arms and cupped her cheeks instead, she lowered her eyes but didn't pull back.

He neared her lips slowly, waited for her to turn away but she didn't. She didn't move. She gripped his shirt in her fists and let it happen.

It was a tender kiss for he feared his desperation would show up if they make out passionately. Things had just begun to get in control. He couldn't afford to lose his own control now. But one thing he could do, he needed to do badly.

'Arnavji!' She parted from kiss, still red and cried as he opened her braid.

He didn't tease, nor oppose. He just smiled handing her the hair tie.

'I'll see you later.' He lovingly stroke her hair off her face and left the cabin. She put a hand on her racing heart and blushed.

For the rest of the day, there was a smile fixated on her face. The memories of the kiss hindering her from concentrating on work.

'There you are!' She grumbled entering his room and faked her annoyance. 'I already thought on our way to airport we'll have to stop at the office because my Chote is too busy to come home and wish his Di a happy journey.'

He locked his phone and kept it in his pocket before looking up at his sister as she faltered towards him. He was to make his way to her room, so was grateful she came to his room only. He had his plausible reasons.

'I'll never be too busy for you, Di!' He smiled at her causing her to abandon the grumpy expression and replace it with a beam of satisfaction. 'I know.'

He blinked few times trying to keep his stance upright. He was tired, hungry, his body was starting to shake and he could feel the sweat beads forming on his forehead. It was one hell of a day and he hadn't had his lunch and nor could he take his medicine. And the black coffee he had did no good to his blood sugar either.

'Anyway, I came to let you know we're ready to leave. So are you-' She stopped speaking as soon she acknowledged his staggering. His eyes were closing. She frowned horrified and stepped ahead holding him.

'Chote? Are you alright?' She carefully cupped his face and supported his form.

'Di...wah...uh...'He murmured something before collapsing into her arms. 'CHOTE!' An appalled scream escape her mouth audible to the family members residing downstairs in the hall.

Standing in front of the door she inhaled a deep breath once before knocking. With his permission acquired she opened the wooden gate and hesitatingly entered his cabin.

'Miss Gupta.' He glanced at her without giving away any emotions.

She nodded in a silent greeting and thinned her lips, moving forwards towards the desk.

'How may I help you?' He broke the silence looking at her speechless form who craned her neck to the side to obtain a look at the bin.

'No. It's...okay. Thank you. I, I'll see you tomorrow.' She smiled a little at him though the disappointment in her voice was too clear for him not to notice.

'Looking for this?'

Khushi turned back and blinked several times at the wrapped packet in his hand before breaking into a huge smile.

'Yes. Um, ji.' She said with sparkling eyes.

She had forgotten to take the present out of the dustbin before leaving his cabin. In a moment of heat she had thrown it into the bin but regretted it soon after. That was his first present to her as her fiancé and she at the peek of stupidity just put it in the trash. She could have smacked herself for her absurdity.

Aman got up from his chair and handed her the gift for his boss' fiancée.

'Thank you.'

She expressed her gratitude with a smile and looked at the box in her hand. And before she could leave Aman hindered her once again.

'Miss Gupta, may I have a word with you?'

She gazed at him uncertain but permitted with the shake of her head.

'You see, I know how arrogant, rude, aggressive and full of temperament ASR can be. At times he's really difficult to deal with. But he's a good man.' He blinked at her, replacing his poker face with a friendly smile.

'And he's never been like this to any other girl than you. You're special to him. He cares for you. You really matter to him.'

Khushi stared him dumbfounded. For a moment she wondered why Aman was saying all that to her. She's seen Arnav talk to Aman rudely, yell at him over the phone and bark orders like he owned him. She did considered it very unfair and rude but it shook her that Aman wasn't bothered by all this.

If only she knew that Arnav and Aman shared a bond beyond professionalism. His yelling and shouting was met with the others sarcasm which Khushi never got to witness. She only heard and saw one side. Aman's side was never visible or audible to her.

Not that Khushi needed any assurance or guaranty but even after enduring ASR and his temper to that extent, if Aman still considered her Arnavji a good man then there got to be a reason.

And who was better aware of his both sides than her. She's seen both his devilish and angelic Avatar. And she couldn't help but love them both, her Arnavji and the devil ASR.

Her lips curved into a smile as she peered into his honest eyes.

'You're really nice Amanji.'

If he felt flattered by her compliment then he didn't let it show. Keeping up his stiff posture he just reacted with a blink.

'I'll leave now. I'll see you in the morning.'

She walked out of his cabin with a satisfactory smile and embraced the box in her arms.

She wondered what's inside.

She couldn't wait to go home and open it.

A gift by her fiancé.

.
.
.

So here goes another chapter.